frank and suz family

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Zoo Animals

Summer just wouldn't be summer without a cousins trip to the Hogle Zoo...

AND THE MAIN ATTRACTION????

Watching this big guy eat his poop...yep, don't make me say it twice, you heard me!

I know by now you're thinking we crashed every parade in the valley...and we very nearly did! We couldn't miss the Kaysville parade though. It's tradition. Not a lot of floats, but uber amounts of candy and other prizes flying in all directions. They love it especially because they get to go with their cousins! Oh, and Chase is crying because Frank wouldn't let him stand so close...mean dad!

Later that night, me, Frank and the kids put on our boots to "cowboy up" at the RODEO...YEE-HAW!

Centerville Parade

We had to support our new (although temporary) little community by going to the parade which was literally out our front door. Its funny to watch Carly mesmerized by the "beautiful girls". The boys are more mesmerized by the candy, and it cracks me up to see them cheez-ing it up for a little piece of taffy! Who am I kidding, I would do just about anything for a piece of candy too :)

Monday, August 29, 2011

July Festivities

Monday, August 1, 2011

Carly's B-Day

It snuck up on me this year...I have to admit. I pulled this one together in a day. I decided to have it at a park since our two bedroom apartment isn't really condusive to entertaining a dozen 6 year olds. The kids played for a while and Carly was thriving on all the attention her friends were giving her as "The Birthday Girl". Then they made some bead bracelets, and had some lunch. Since I know first hand how picky these little ones are, I played it safe, and brought flower platters full of crackers, cheese and meat, and let them build their own "lunchables". I set out fruit, chips, and we used little plastic goblets for a birthday toast! Then we decorated sugar cookies...done and done! Easy peasy!

Later that night, we went to her choice for dinner (Wingers) with her cousin Hannah, and the boys, and me and Frank. They watched movies and had a sleepover. Six will be a good year for her...I can tell!

Gramma's Garden

Thanks to Grandma Lancaster's beautiful garden, I have lost 7 lbs! No need for Big Mac's when the tummies already full of fruits and veggies :) The first thing my kids do when the get there is gather eggs. They just love finding the little oval treasures in the chicken coop. After that, they spend time searching for raspberries, and grandma even let us pick some beans, zuchini, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, peas, green peppers, and other goodies from her garden! Thanks Anita :)

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

BOISE TRIP

Actually our FIRST trip for the summer...and it's almost over :( We always love going back to Boise...just feels like home! We had a very quiet drive, and went to the good ole Red Robin in Boise for dinner before heading to Billy and Megans.

The reason we took this trip was in honor of this little lady...

Callie was my cute little miamaid when I lived in Boise, and SHE GOT MARRIED! I'm not sure if my tears were just happiness for her, or pity for me...I'm SO old :) Callie was beautiful. She got married in the Boise temple, and it was awesome. After, she had a luncheon at Carino's where she asked me to sing a couple songs for them, and after that it was off to the reception. Carly was starstruck with the "beautiful bride". It was so fun to see everyone again. Even my other miamaid, Charlotte was there. Miss them all!

We had so much fun staying with our friends Billy and Megan. We haven't seen them for years, but it felt like it was yesterday :)

We decided to give them a little break after a couple days, and went to stay with Ted and Leslie...

They took us on their awesome boat. Pizza on the pier, tubing, skiing, all sorts of trouble!

I got way too many cute pics of Carly, so I had to make a collage of her own!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

"A Garden of Thanks"

I was roped into heading up teacher appreciation this year. I understand how anal I am, and I've accepted it. So, I decided to take a pro-active approach, and made design boards to show the board so we had some direction. The theme was "A Garden of Thanks". Here are the inspiration boards...

THE LOW-DOWN

The friday before, we re-arranged the teachers lounge. We put away all the fake flowers, cleaned it up, added tons of fresh green plants, hung a flag banner out of scrapbook paper, hung white chinese globe lanters, opened all the shades to "let the light in", and even slipcovered the ugly sofa, and tossed in some throw pillows in our color scheme.

MONDAY

In keeping with the "garden" theme, We made individual cupcakes for each teacher topped with a marshmallow flower. We put them in a cupcake dome made from an upside down clear salad container wrapped in a big bow. They were put on each teacher's desk with a "thank-you" bag for kids to put gifts in throughout the week. We set up the extra's in the lounge for all the other staff to enjoy.

TUESDAY

We laid out a spread of "garden" veggies for teachers to munch on throughout the day in the teachers lounge. We used lots of glass so you could see all the fabulous color!

WEDNESDAY

Brown bag filled with candy, popcorn, and movie tickets for a "special night". Didn't get pics :(

THURSDAY

This was our luncheon. We moved the banner to the library, brought in wood pation furniture, rug, pillows and lanterns to really transform the library. Tablecloths were brown craft paper, and the runner was made out of striped green and white fabric cut into squares, alternating directions. centerpieces were live plants wrapped in burlap with "thank you" skewers poking out the top (that would also be their "gift"). There were tons of candles. We turned down the lights, and I made a playlist for background music.

The lunch consisted of a green salad, apple, deli sandwich wrapped in paper, chips, and a cookie. They were placed in green wire baskets lined with burlap. The drink was homemade lemonade in mason jars with these awesomely cute lids!

For entertainment, we wrote new lyrics to "Good Day Sunshine", and had the student council perform.

As they walked into the luncheon, we had a "photo booth" by the garden furniture to get their picture taken with some of their fellow staff.

FRIDAY

We used the pictures we took at the luncheon, and the notes that the kids wrote for their teacher during the luncheon, and packaged them in the green baskets that were uses for the lunches, and gave those as the final gifts.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Our New "Room"

So, we've moved into an apartment until we decide what to do with our housing. Build or Buy is our dilema. In the meantime, we are here...rented washer and dryer in a closet, miniscule pantry, great views, no yard work, swimming, work outs, all kids in ONE room, no privacy, wake up to Zumba bass every morning at 5am, can walk to Chili's...all in all, not so bad...TEMPORARILY at least!

I'm not used to this small pantry. I like mine to be organized, but it's just not happening. I keep half of the food in a trunk in my kids bedroom.

My office is quite condensed. I keep all other office supplies in a trunk at the foot of my bed.

All three kids share this bedroom. When we first moved here, we put three numbers in a hat and had the kids draw for what spot was theirs. Every Saturday night they rotate. Unlucky #3 pulls out the cushion and sleeps on the floor. I hate, can I repeat HATE making bunkbeds, so I've threatened them with their lives if they sleep inside!

We should be spending more time here....

...but somehow end up here...

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Summer Bowling

Bowling...every Tuedsay...with G-Ma...FUN!

Friday, July 1, 2011

FINAL BEFORE & AFTERS

After 5 years living on Beverly Way...countlesss hours of blood, sweat, and tears...and who knows how much money...Here are our final before & afters...