target dollar section

If there's a force powerful than the dollar section at Target, I'd like to meet it.  I seriously can't walk into that building without being sucked in.  The items remind me of a shop I used to go to when I was a kid.  A little place called Susie's Deals.  Remember that, Anne?  (Or anyone else who grew up in my 'hood remember?)  Anywho, yesterday my boys and I went there for a couple hours to kill time during the day.  We go there often... Brody actually is the one that asks to go.  He says, "Hey I know what we should do!... We should go to Target and get an ICEE and go SHOPPING!"  haha.  He's my boy.  

When I'm not looking Brody fills my cart with stuff we "need".  His idea of the necessities is Doritos and water balloons. 

Hyrum was loving the hats- he then tried to put the bib on his head, he was loving having something on his head so much.  I couldn't help but splurge the whole dollar on that sword for Brody.  Then later after dinner Tony went with us again and we got HIM one, too.  He's the best dad and plays with the kiddos everyday.  It's so fun to watch and listen to (:

Family bonding in the dollar section!

Hyrum - 10 months (over a week late)

I debated about posting anymore of these.  Is he cooperating?  No, no he is not.  I figured I should just quit while I'm ahead and leave on last months cute picture because nothing will be cuter than that, in my opinion.  However, being the over-achiever I am I'm never satisfied with not finishing a project so here is Hyrum at 10 months!
No, there's no mustache and bunting but this month's has TWO things last months didn't.  Electricity and... well, a 10 month old H.  TEN!  Geez time flies.

The idea I had, although it didn't really happen was that he'd be asleep... "lying down on the job", as it were.  But he doesn't fall asleep on me anymore so that went out the window.  I guess he looks a little bit like he's lying down on the job (;
And sorry about the Christmas theme... in September...  this blog has had it's Christmas fill for now, I think.

At 10 months H:
-does everything in this video (including walking with his walker as of just over 9 months old, dancing, clapping)
-He has more and more personality everyday.
-He's still screaming to high heaven, it's not my favorite thing I'll be honest.  The doctors only advice was "well, do you have a binky?"  Hyrum only takes binkies when he's falling asleep- and not even every time so we just have to endure it.
-2 naps, in bed by 8, up around 8.
-taken steps here and there but mostly walking along the side of things.
-breaks down the baby gate
-climbs on/in/over everything he can.

I love this little guy so much- people at church always say how happy is is all the time, and I agree.  He's so great!

__________________________________________________________

On to other news,
This made me tear up.  Brody looks so much older even now than he did at the end of the movie.  I totally see why parents say it goes by too fast.  I was so touched by the talk Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave at Women's Conference this weekend.  So many of my prayers were answered at that meeting- and in so many ways I felt the things they wrote were just for me.  Uchtdorf especially.  I'm so grateful for my church; it blesses my life in so many ways.  One thing I've been especially grateful for since I've made so many moves in the past *decade is that the teachings in our church are the same in every building, no matter what part of the world you are in.  I don't have to worry about "finding a church" or worry that people won't accept us.  Everywhere we have moved the people are so welcoming and friendly- you almost have "instant friends" because you share the same beliefs.  I know that part of the reason for that is the desire people have to be like Jesus Christ... to be friendly, and loving.  It's something that really has made life easier for me as we've made so many changes.  We're not quite done either... like I've said, we're moving again (early next year)!  I am grateful though that I know where ever we end up, the gospel is the same and we'll have friends.

*I graduated high school in 2003 and since then have gone to my church in California, Utah, Idaho, Virginia, Florida, Arizona, Oklahoma, Washington D.C., and now Kentucky.  I hope I'm not forgetting any.  That's just been since then- I've been to churches in MANY more states throughout my life.  So I can say without a doubt that the gospel is the same everywhere you may go.

Oh, and check out this guest posting I did!

Vintage Apron Giveaway, since you're all great. (Closed)

I had a thought...

I was feeling pretty thoughtful and everything- I mean who doesn't when they wear glasses. 3d glasses don't count?  Ahh man.
So my thought was...
that it was time for a giveaway!!!

My classy perfect life inspired the giveaway prize:

(dramatization)

(What you don't see were the sweats I was wearing before- I just put my church clothes back on real quick for a pic.  Not to mention the spit up I had just finished cleaning off the couch.  There's my "classy" life for ya, really;)

All seriousness aside, how cute is this apron!?!?  I love mine so much I feel it's only fitting to give one away to my lovely (and I mean that) LOVELY readers.  I love the half apron look.  So I Love Lucy, no?  And we all know how fab Lucy is.  So let's make this as pain-free as possible shall we?

To enter: 
**Don't forget to leave seperate comments for them all to count**
-Just leave a comment (& make sure I can find you if you are the winner)

For extra entries:
-If you "follow", you deserve an extra entry!  I think that's worth something!  So leave a comment saying you do.
-Pin it!  If you pin this apron on pinterest let me know and you get an extra entry.
-Mention it in a blog post, with link.

I'll end this a week from today.

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Winner: 

Did you hear THAT, girls?

"It's alright to have a little fun and indulge now and then"

Said on a bag of maxi pads.

...who knew.

life calls for a day trip {take 4}

A little while ago my boys and I up and drove to Indiana for the day.  Tony has gone up there for business a few times- and told me about this place that has the worlds best chocolate shake.  Upon prodding him for a more detailed description of so-called best shake ever, I found out it's not very thick.  In other words, watery enough to actually drink through a straw.  I was pretty shot down- I mean, "my" kind of shake is one you can not suck through a straw- and spoons are mandatory.  However, I had to recant after trying this one.  It literally IS the best tasting chocolate shake I've ever had.  Mmmmmm.... I take back what I said about my shakes needing to be thick.  If they taste like that, I'm happy.  The place is called Bub's and it's in Camel, Indiana- if you ever find yourself there.  It's right on Main street which was darling.  Any "main street" that isn't darling like this is a disgrace to the name "main street".  Right?

Brody looks so cute with his backpack on. 

I love the random disco ball hanging in downtown Louisville (we also saw a huge dog bed stuffed in a public trash can) and this: 

There were all these statues of fake people EVERYWHERE on this street.  It was funny/cute/creepy.  Brody kept kicking this police man in the shin.  It was funny but then I had to teach him we don't kick policemen in the shin.  Ever.  haha

We all had our delicious shakes and then there was poor H with his health food.  Heh heh

We saw this French bakery/restaurant and Tony was like, "Hey, do you want to see if they have Macarons!?"  They were closed, come to find out, but how cute is my husband for thinking of me?  (He doesn't even LIKE them:)

A lot of the day was just driving.  But we stopped at an outlet mall on the way and got some stuff- we're half way done shopping for family for Christmas.  Feels good.  I wouldn't go back to that outlet mall though... basically it was just all of last years stuff sold at regular prices.  Ha ha.  Brody can't stop talking about the rocket ship though.

We like day trips.  Big fans. 

This and that. Phone pics

::I couldn't help it, I put out our Halloween decorations already, as of last week.  The house smells so good- I think the fall candles are my favorite.  Speaking of Halloween, I feel like I have to "make" a crazy amazing costume this year since I made my costume the last two years.  Here and here.  What to be?!?!

::Playing with the life size chess set at the mall.  

::me and B hangin at home

::this was the first break in the clouds all week, that week it was raining and/or cloudy non stop.  It was good to see a blue sky again.

 ::Brody practicing letters- I need to start actually teaching him stuff on paper now.

::I love this little guy

::Tony and I pulled out our folding chairs and hung out in the nice weather one evening while Brody rode his bike around.  He stopped to bring me flowers- and kept adding to my bouquet all night.  He's a sweetie.

::tree bokeh

::Brody wants to wear that costume every day now.  Usually he's happy with just the wings though, thankfully (;

Brody Quotes

We were talking to Brody about the Atonement during FHE one monday right after our Arizona trip.  I had to type up our convo on my phone right then- it tugged at my heartstrings.

B- "Hey mommy, do you know who this is?"

(shows me a picture of Christ)

"Yes I do, who is it?"

B- "It's Jesus!"

"Yes, you're right! .. Do you know what He did?"

B- "yeah... He died for us so we could go back."

"Go back where?"

B- "Go back to Arizona!"

Not quite Brody (:  Don't worry, we will someday!

A few weeks ago Brody came up to me and asked me what I was going to be for Halloween (and I thought I planned early...well, actually I pretty much plan think about it a year in advance)  I'm like, I don't know, what do you want to be?

"A DIAPER!  Hahahahaha!"

He gets a kick out of his jokes just as much as I get a kick out of mine.  We're awesome.  But unfortunately he was serious- for a few weeks he's been stuck on being a diaper for Halloween.  I thought I was going to have to bust out my sewing machine and get crackalackin' on that one.  It wasn't until I pulled out the Halloween stuff that he saw Buzz from last year and now he's obsessed.  So we may have a repeat costume happening this year.

I was kinda excited about the diaper idea, oh well.

And a short one:

"You're good at passing cars mommy!" (6-30-11)

Haha!  *sigh, It's shameful.

(Happy Birthday Dad!)

i switched it up: a rather girly post.

Having have little kids, it can be hard to experiment with my hair and clothes like I used to do.  I've been stuck in my default hair styles for so long.  Usually, you'll see me with my hair half up in bobby pins- that's the most common one.  Or, if I'm feeling super fancy I'll do a side messy bun or run a curling iron through.  I'm making myself sound very unadventurous, but I've always been adventurous with my hair!  Right?  It's true having little kids makes you busier and less focused on those things but it doesn't mean I have zero time for myself.  So, yes I suppose I better give myself a little credit.  I'm still the same gal I always was- just when I do try something new it's just less often.  (Once in high school, I did some crimping in my hair, used a waver, and something else- can't remember.  I just did crazy strands here and there of all those things and I thought I looked hot!  Sounds really retarded now- and even at the time, some guy was like, "what did you do to your hair?"  haha!

So anyways... I've tried side ponies before but they never quite added the volume I was going for- or whatever the case was.  Never became a hairstyle I saw myself going back to very often.  I much rather preferred my side bun.  But, I became inspired by a new dress I got.  Let me tell you about this happy purchase:

a beautiful day in kentuck-ay.

You like my rhyming don't you?  So amazing, I might as well tag this with my poetry label.  Kentucky, you have officially redeemed yourself.  This summer was a scorcher, that's for sure.  Sure, I came from AZ where no place really beats those temps- but when humidity is involved, you reach a whole new level of torture.  I do feel for my AZ pals though who have to endure 6 months of summer.  It sure is nice feeling "seasons".  It's been so gorgeous lately!  Shoot, the last couple weeks have been crazy gorgeous.  Well, minus that week where I didn't see the sun Monday thru Saturday.  That was kinda crazy.  But having a 100 degree day and the next day, cool and in the 60's?  I'll take it.  So it feels like fall!  I'm loving it- and I'm definitely ready for this time of year.  I mean, I've been listening to Christmas music all year.  And by "listening to" I mean, it'll occasionally pop up on my iTunes and I sometimes don't switch it.  heh.

So, Thursday was the most beautiful day- 65, windy, and just great.  I took the boys to the park where I realized it was Hyrum's first time ever in a swing (alone).  I happened to have my camera so a milestone like that has to be recorded ;).  He'd be 10 months old in two days, how did he make it that long without me putting him on one?  I realized it was devilishly hot all summer when he was old enough to enjoy a park swing- and I didn't want to burn his legs on the black seat.  So I don't feel so bad anymore.  Cest la vie, he loved it. (:

Speaking of fall... colors are starting to make an appearance!  I'm in heaven!  These first two are in my front yard :D

Sorry about the view.. I just really love the way my boys are looking at me.  It's like, "mom, you are my favorite lady."  And that makes me feel like a million (:

I wish Tony didn't have to work and he could play with us all day.  Wouldn't that be the life?  Playing all day?  Then again, we'd probably have to live under a bridge having no income so maybe I like how things are now.

And a happy 10 months to H today!

And also... sorry I have been blocking commenting lately.  I love hearing from you guys, more than you know!  I'm catching up on life, and I always feel bad when I can't respond to people so that's what's up with that.  I expect to hear from you ALL the second I open it though.  All nine of you :p