a thing of the past

They are so cute, so inviting...those snack sets... where women used to actually use them for coffee, baby showers...get togethers.

And now, I see them everywhere, and I get the impression women aren't using them any more, for they really are aplenty.After bringing one home from salvation armani and saying to my sissy, there has to be something we can do with this, she suggested a picture frame. Brilliant!

Can be used for Family or Friends, even Pets, and Holidays!

They sit just right in pretty plate holders.

Summer Time Fun- Birthdays, and Thomas

Where does the time go? My little ones turned 4 and 3 this summer. Bennett's big 4th birthday was held at Trails and Rails, our local train museum. He was in heaven. When told that God has a plan for his life, he says, "yes, an engineer".



Kitt's party was held in the new house. Her cousin and brother were in charge of the decorations. She enjoyed the cake as the rest of us did. A big birthday hit was the princess cell phone...the conversations she has on it are hilarious!

I had to show this...check out the ladybug boots! This was a few days before we left for China.

Two days after we closed on our old home, we ventured to see Thomas in Fremont. We didn't tell the kids where we were going and they were so surprised to see Thomas made it from Sodor. The next day we left for Story, Wyoming for a few relaxing days at the cabin. More on the cabin later.





Summer is still here until September 20, but I think mentally, we are accepting, it is fall. Bennett starts preschool in a week and a half.

Our Home

We have just begun settling into our new bungalow.

We were able to walk in the doors on July 1 and my sister and I immediately jumped into making it more ours. I couldn't walk out of one room without tearing off some of the wall paper! We have painted 4 closets, 5 rooms, and with the help of my talented Uncle, have the upstairs bathroom looking better than ever. The electrician is coming tomorrow to install new light fixtures and make more outlets for us in the kitchen, bathroom and basement. More before and after photos will come as we slowly make each room more of ours. We are thrilled to have moved but it is a chore! I am trying to take one day at a time. There are moments of feeling overwhelmed that come more too often than not.

I just couldn't stand the wallpaper! (This is now my art area, photo to come soon.)

This is the before photo of our bedroom...

And here is the after!Here is a happy husband in his future office...

The future office!This is our front door. I have chosen colors for the rooms that coordinate with the stain glass.

Downstairs Bath

Cute blue flowers in the tile and wonderful build-ins! We will be removing the wallpaper, fixing the ceiling, changing the handles, and painting soon.

Glass knobs and fabulous woodwork throughout the house.

I hope to paint the upstairs bath woodwork today, still deciding on what color to paint the walls.

Long Time No See

I'm working on updating my blog...having difficulties with downloading pictures...see you soon!