Med Group Family Picnic

Every year the Med Group has a family picnic that we always go to. Honestly, every year I wonder why we go! There is never enough seating, its super hot (with no shade), and by the time we get through the line with all our kiddos all the good food is gone. But this year was different! They had it at this fabulous location with more space, more shade, and even a pool. They also had lots more activities for the kids than ever before. It actually felt like a picnic for the family (and not just the airmen).

This year they also had a dessert war. I decided to enter and made these yummy confections. S'mores cupcakes. Super chocolatey cupcakes, filled with marshmallow creme, topped with melted milk chocolate, dipped in graham cracker crumbs and finally topped with a marshmallow. Put it all under the broiler to toast that baby, but keep an eye on it (we've started a little fire toasting marshmallows on the broiler~ I did 4 at a time). Then enjoy. They didn't win, but they were winners to us. I bet they will be to you too. YUM!

Swimming.

Balloon toys.
A huge tire swing.

Face Painting spectacular.



And a bouncy house obstacle course to boot.

Thanks Med Group for a fun afternoon, we had to take the kids away kicking and screaming. I'd say that's a good measure for success.

Projects

We have been working on lots of fun projects for the house. I can't wait to show pictures of many finished products and rooms! But in the meantime here is a tiny taste of some...

We have a huge wall of brick for our fire place. The mantle (if you can even call it that) is lacking life. I found this fabulous mirror for $3 at a yard sale. It was antique gold/brass, but I changed it up with a deep, yummy, cherry red. This is a temporary arrangement as I work on...

... a new mantle that is better suited for the huge wall o' brick. These are some corbels that I built that will be part of the new design. I'm super stoked about how these turned out! They started out as just a long, flat piece of wood and created this awesome shape. (Can you tell I'm pretty proud of myself?)

Our dresser is starting to fall apart. It will be making a change to my sewing area very soon because I found this beauty at a yard sale! I'm super excited to paint and antique it, making all its character pop!

Remember how my rockin' awesome hubby got me a Silhouette machine... well since I don't have any vinyl, but I have a great big roll of contact paper that I bought on accident, I decided to try it out. I cut this branch type shape out in 5 different sizes and pieced them together on my bathroom wall. It wraps around the cupboard on the wall and looks fabulous! For anyone interested, the contact paper worked, but it wasn't ideal. I'll probably do more of it, since I'm cheap, but once its gone I'll probably buy the real stuff. The bathroom is very close to being done, so I can post before and after pics very soon! I'm loving it!

There is still lots and lots to do, but I'm so happy with all we've been doing! Ethan just built a bunk bed for Jonas and Eliza and once its in the room, their room will be 2 steps from being "done." Can't wait to show it all off!

Its amazing how happy I am when I have projects to work on. Its also amazing how little gets done as to the cleaning of the house when I have projects to work on. Good thing it only comes in spurts!

Its that time again...

Time for a hair cut that is... I just realized going through old photos that I chopped my hair when Eliza was about the same age as Bolton. Kind of funny. Bryant took my photos, he's getting pretty good.

I lost at least 8 inches, it was so much hair! But I really like it. Its so light and cool. Which is a good thing since we still have a forecast full of 100+ degree days.

Farewell summer mornings

My kids ended up in my room 3 or 4 mornings a week. They'd all just pile in and make themselves at home. School starts tomorrow, I guess we won't be having our regular pow-wows.

Excuse the look on my face, I wasn't quite ready...

Blueberries.... mmmm....

I know my kids can't be the only ones who love blueberries this much. And yes, we do have a problem with baby standing up in the high chair. We're working on it. :)

Kid History: Our New Favorite

Perhaps you've all seen it, but I bet you could watch it again... and if you haven't seen it, then you're in for a treat.



We watch at least one episode just about every day. The kids say during the day, "Let's play Kid History!" "I get to be Bret!" and other funny things. And the quotes are endless. Our lovely dinner around the table is generally accompanied by Kid History quotes and nothing more. It feels good to have so much laughter in our home. Enjoy.

Date Night

The other day I knew we were out of our date budget money, so I had to think fast for a fun stay at home idea. I asked the kids if they wanted to help and they were just as eager as I was to create a romantic dinner for Ethan and me.

First things first, we had to come up with an awesome name. The boys thought this was easy, Three Brothers Restaurant, Three Brothers Romantic Dinner... and finally...

Jonas made the door sign to greet the guests. Bryant was named chef and created a menu. On the menu: Appetizer: Hot & Sour Soup; Dinner: Honey Mustard Chicken, fried rice, & sweet potato; Dessert: Pineapple Surprise.
Jonas and Levi were the waiters. They started out wearing fancy clothes and changed to something much more relaxed. When I said to Jo that I liked the fancy clothes better, he said, "What? This is how the waiters dress at Denny's." He ended up going for the middle ground.
The guest of honor. He was surprised. He thought it was a little silly, but super fun. And the food was delicious. Especially the yummy Pineapple Surprise.
I used to do this for my parents when I was a kid and I always loved doing it. Ethan asked who's idea it was then and I said, "probably mine." I just like doing silly romantic things. We haven't had a candlelit dinner in ages and it was just awesome. The kids all ate upstairs and then watched a movie. Bryant got to "babysit" he was so proud of himself. The restaurant lasted a few days more, but we never quite captured the magic of that first fateful night. :)

Random July Fun

As I was going through our pictures from July, there were several that were just a random hodge podge... so I thought I'd just put them all in one post together.

We went to the library and learned that we could still participate in the book log for prizes program. Bryant jumped right on board and read and read and read. Here he is reading Dick and Jane. He tried to work the system by reading a bunch of easy-peasy books for him to fill up his log.

One day Eliza took some hair elastics to Ethan and asked him to do her hair. Like a good daddy, he kindly obliged. We ended up with...

...our own little Punky Brewster. Isn't she cute?

Bolton went from walking to running and climbing. He is ready to keep up with the big kids.

Such a sweet picture. Bolton continues to be the best little snuggle bug. I could just eat these two up! You can see where my beautiful kids get their beautiful eyes, can't you?
One Sunday, Eliza wanted me to take her picture before church. Such a funny little cheeser! I wonder where she gets that from!

Not wanting to outshone, Levi had to get in on the action too. Eliza still follows Levi around everywhere and says just what he says. Its pretty sweet. And they both just adore Bolton to bits. He's not always a fan, but tolerates it pretty well most the time.

Funny.

Two funnies from this morning...

Eliza is doing great with the potty.

This morning she came into our room holding underwear on her way to the potty.

She said to Ethan, "This is my underwear. Will you hold it?"

Then Ethan said, "Oh, I would love to."

To which she quickly replied,

"But don't wear it...

its too small for you."

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Sitting around the breakfast table together,

Jonas often seems to be in his own world.

This morning, out of the blue he says,

"Raise your hand if you can speak in cursive."

She's Had a Birthday, Shout Hooray!

We celebrated Miss Eliza's birthday a day early this year because the big day landed on the Sabbath. We invited some friends over for cake and ice cream and swimming. Since we started late afternoon, we had cake and ice cream first, so there was less chance of spoiling dinner.

She wanted a cake with flowers... pink, purple and magenta. That was her request. I started down one path and remembered my friend Jenni's daughters birthday cake and quickly changed my mind. This is what I ended up with. I love how it turned out! And Eliza did too, which is what really matters.

And how old is she, you ask, she's very good at telling you.
Then we all headed out to the pool and had a rocking good time!

Boys will be boys (although the girls did get in on the flying action as well).

Back flip!
That boy (Bryant) got some serious air. He is such a little flying fish. Its awesome.
And the birthday girl loved all the fun in her honor. Thanks friends for coming, don't know what we'd do without you!!!

The Armor of God

We had some friends over for dinner and Family Home Evening at the beginning of July. I wanted to do something fun for all the kids, but also something the older ones at least would learn from as well.

I came up with a lesson on the Armor of God. For our activity and treat we had these fun soldier cookies. They are whole wheat sugar cookies with marshmallow fondant. Yum.

Don't forget to gird your loins with truth!

Ethan even got in on the action...
... he took it a step further and gave him a mace. I think he dubbed it the "mace of resurrection." Silly dad.