I love ShutterFLy.com

This year much like last year I have been busy at work creating our family's Holiday Card.
Shutterfly has come up with some amazing designs that help me save time, and tell our story just the way we want-Creative and Cute.
I hope you fall in love with Shutterfly just like I did. PSST there are a lot of freebies to be had--You'll be hooked in no time.
Here is a link where you can go view my card this year.

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Shutterfly DEAL. Psst. Pass it along

Boy oh boy do I love shutterfly.com. Since 20079 i have coverted from Paper Scrapbooking to DIGITAL. I love how easy thier photobooks are to do and great they come out looking.

I have found also that Shutterfly.com has ramped up their designs for Personalized cards. I have made several for my Mom and sisters. They love getting them n the mail for thier birthday and mothers Day. Check out this link to find your favorite design too. to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

CHristmas time is an awesome time to send holiday greeting and a family pic to frends and family. CLik here to find which design fits your family photo the best.


http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

Last years 2009 Grandparent gift, a personalized photo calendar, was a huge hit. I think every month when the new picture was displayed I received a call saying thankyou for the great gift. They loved being reminded of their long distant grandchildren. it was so easy too. I think I decided to make the gift last minuet. I made it in one day and they arrived just in time for christmas day. I'm not a procrastinator or anything ;)
Try to make your last minuet gifts here to delight all your Nanas and Papas too


http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars

Hope you are as excited as sharing your scrapbooks and gifts through Shutterfly as I am.

1 Nephi 17

Last night while I was reading the book of Mormon I was comforted by the spirit and reaffirmed my admiration for Nephi. In this chapter he gives a great pep talk having faith in the Lord. Beleiving that He will prepare the way we should go even when the way seems dark and unknown. I loved how he taught his doubting brothers this principle by reminding them of how the Lord lead previous prophets-mainly Moses and the Egyptians to refine them and striten them with his rod.

vs 30 "and nothwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night and doing all theings for them which were expedient for man to receive, they .....hardened their hearts and blinded their minds against moses and the true and living God."...He is true to his word. vs31 According to his word He DID destroy them and according to his word he DID lead them" He did everything according to his word.
vs35 The Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God...vs40 He loveth those who will have him to be thier God"

Just as he lead the Egyptians he will lead ME according to his word.

"And I will be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led."

Where is my promised Land?

vs38 He leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth.."

I supposed it is anywhere where I feel safe and supported by other righteous people the Lord has also lead here.

Lydia cracks us all up

Lydia is so funny--and she knows it. She can make herself laugh. I think her own laugh makes her laugh. and seeing us all laughing only Encourages her even more to be silly.
Tonight a dinner she didn't eat any dinner, but she did learn how to crawl in and out of her highchair all by herself. She used the foot rest as a step and up she went. Getting down was a little bit a challenge at first but with a few times as practice she was a pro. I am amazed that when she is focused on trying something she can hurt herself in the process and not even cry. tough cookie

Joy ful Journey

I love it when Austin Says you're Beautiful MOm. It is amazing how a sweet and simple compliment can brighten up my world. I love Austin TOO

Lydia Says Mammma

It is so cute when Lydia calls me Mammma. She knows just how to get my attention. SHe calls my name and then comes to pat me on the leg-saying "Come mom I need your Help"

Lydia's new game

Everyday i am caught off guard at how smart Lydia is. SHe is constantly watching and trying to emulate how we do everything. Sometimes she is able to copy on the first try. I am surprised how if she watches my lips when I say a word she is able to say her version of the word much more clearly. "baby" she now says each sylable more distinct. Bay-bee

I don't know what it is about me but i love to bite. Lydia and I play a game where I try to bite her fingers (gently) when she puts them close to my mouth. Well tonight she started getting tricky. She started putting her finger on the outside of my lips where it is harder to grab her finger and now she is able to yank her fingers away fast enough so that I can not catch them in my teeth. Litttle sneaker.
It sure makes her laugh when she thinks she has beat me at our little game.

A Pretty Chocolate Cupcake

I have a decorating tool that is so fun to use. It makes regular cupcakes and cookies look like I bought them at the store bakery.

Over the summer I got hooked on watching a TLC show called "Cake Boss" I am truly amazed at what these artists can create. Maybe you'll be hooked too. http://http//tlc.discovery.com/search/results.html?focus=video&query=cake+boss&search.x=24&search.y=5

I really thought that the cake we chose the make for Lydia's birthday, the cupcake kingdom, would turn out looking like like the Cake Boss made it. Even just watching the show I learned some skills and inside scoop to the cake decorating world. I have to admit i was quite proud of myself-tackling such a large cake project with very little experience in cake decorating.

Lydia's First In-and-Out Day

It's amazing that a piece of meat between two buns tastes way better than a piece of hamburger on your highchair tray.

We discovered that Lydia loves hamburgers. Really what kid doesn't. She had a great time when we took her to In and Out burger with us.

Kudos To Jeannette

I have to take a second to pat myself on the back. During the last few years I have been very dependant on going to the Gym in order to fit daily exercise in. Since moving to Surprise the gym loved going to (LIFETIME) is just a bit too far for a daily trip. So I've decided to save gas and time by exercising each morning after the kids are off to the school bus.



Woo HOO We are 6 weeks in to my plan and so far I have been able to keep my commitment. YEAH!!!. I buckle Lydia into the jogger stroller, plug into my mp3 player, load up with water and baby treats and away we go. I actually look forward to our explorations now.



So far my running route consists of weaving in and out of our neighbor hood streets exploring. Sometimes I venture out into other neighborhoods, but so far this has kept me satisfied. I'm like a human GPS- for my subdivision. I know those streets like the back of my hand. Now when new friends move into the ward and tell me their address I know exactly where it is, how to get there and can even picture the style of house they probably live it. I'm such a snoop.



It is still REALLY hot here in the mornings--at least 85 degrees when I head out with the sun beating down on us-That is partly why I am so proud of myself for being so consistent, the neighbors think I'm crazy I'm sure- since it's like a ghost town here in the summer. No one goes outside. I'm hoping that by the time the weather is PERFECT here and snowing everywhere else, I will have a great habit established that I can stick to.

Your extra encouragement is always welcome :)

Pool Fun

I am Very sure that the saftey instructions on the box the pool came in specifically said that this was NOT safe, but we have fun doing it anyways. Knock on wood..no one has been hurt yet.

I hope you are sending prayers of safety on our behalf. :)

Riley's Flip off the ladder Austin front flip off the ladder

Will You Just Loose Your Tooth Already

We are in the Missing teeth stage of life with Austin and Riley. Loosing teeth is fun the first few times especially the 2 front teeth, they look ridiculous without the teeth and talk really funny. Then it just get a little old listening to all the complaining about my tooth hurting or I can't eat that because of my loose tooth or I don't think I can brush my teeth tonight because you remember my loose tooth. Beware it's a great excuse of a lot of things. Well yesterday I was fed up with the excuses. being silly i reached out and grabbed Riley's loose tooth with my fingers. Wiggled it really good a few times. Wow it really was loose-it was sticking straight out but still attached. I convinced him to let me "wiggle" it again a bit. well I wasn't going to let it just hang there so I not so gently grabbed it and practically pulled his tooth out of his mouth with my fingers. Woo Hoo The Tooth Fairy's coming Tonight!!

Mom, what's for dinner?

I'm still going through a few boxes from our move organizing and dejunking.....I decided to check into the 72 hour kit. 3 years ago I felt really safe knowing that I had worked diligently to prepare our family for any disaster that might last upto and not exceeding 72 hours. whoo hoo way to go.

Today I noticed that all of the food in the kit it now very expired. so now when th eboys ask what's for lunch today i'm a happy to offer any of these options. Graham crackers, chili, ramen, milk, V-8, spahetti rings, or peanut butter. ENJOY

Austin's Preconceived Ideas

This is so cute I just had to share it.

After the second day of riding the school bus Austin informed me that he didn't want me to meet him at the bus stop and walk home with him. He felt like he knew how to get home by himself without my help. Honestly I believed he could also, but thought it would be fun to welcome him home as the bus rolled up. In addition to not wanting me to meet him he also had a preconceived idea about how I should greet him as arrived home. I was not aware of this idea until he came home and found me busily working-vaccuming the car in the garage. His first words were "mom, you're not suposed to be out here when I come home I wanted you to be inside and when I open the door I will say "Maaawwwm IIImmm Hooommme".

So unaware of how I was supposed to greet him this is how our "role play" went. It took me 3 times to figure out what he had invisioned in his mind.

1. The first time I went inside and waited right by the door so that when he opened it I was right there ready to hear him say the critical words. Well that wasn't quite right. "you're supposed to be upstairs when I say it" Oh OK Let's try it again.

2. I ran to the top of the stairs and waited a minuet more for him to say "Maaawwwm III'mmm Hooommme". No! you're not supposed to be at the top of the stairs, in your bedroom in the chair. Oh Ok let's try it again

3. 3rd times a charm. I did it exactly as he described. He opened it door wide, said the words, ran up the stairs, found me in my room, in the chair reading (pretending)and gave me a BIG welcome home hug and kiss.

Wow, I don't know why that is how he invisioned the end of a long school day, but I loved it and too cute not to remember. (too many Leave it To Beaver shows on PBS)

summer09 utah Scrapbook

Click here to view this photo book larger

First Day of School 2009

Sunday Night we had a school clothes fashion show, decided on the first outfit, packed our school supplies, found our luch sacks, and went to bed early. We are definately not used to getting up before 8:00 in the morning and any type of ridged schedule. The summer has been full of FUN for us. Now it's time to get back the grindstone.

Austin's First day of school- Ashton Ranch Elementary 2009

RILEY's First day of school at Ashton Ranch Elementary 2009--2nd Grade

Everyone in our family was really excited about the new experience of Riding the school bus.

When 7:30 came around we could hear the first day of school excitement outside our windows as several kids and some parents made the trek to the bus stop together. We met some nice neighbors and realized that there were a lot of kids from the neighborhood going to our same school

Riley is all ready for ALOT of Homework

My First Piggie Tails

Lydia's hair seems to getting a little bit longer each day so today I tried to put in pig tails . I'm definately not a pro at doing girl hair yet, but it was super fun to imagine our future mornings on the bathroom counter.

Everywhere we went today for errands she was a hit. They probably thought I pretty desperate.

Austin:A Boy After My Own Heart

The other day the boys were accompanying me while I did some errands to alot of girl/mom stores. While we were at JCP Austin picked up a housewares catalog to keep himself busy while i waited my turn. His comment made me giggle.

He loves looking through magazines. He enjoys people magazine alot, and regularly reads family Fun, and can flip the pages of a LEGO magazine over and over until we have to restaple the binding or tape the pages together again.

After he had a few minuets to examine all the fun kitchen appliances and pots and pans he said with honest frustration

"mom there's just so many great things in this magazine that I want. It is really hard to choose."

I know just how he was feeling because that is what I say to myself when ever I look through a housewares magazine. He and I are kindred spirits in that way. I think I dream about new appliances and kitchen gizzmos more than a new outfit or shoes.

Happy Easter Sunday

It was apretty normal/busy Sunday for us, but I did manage to take this quick photo as we raced out the door for church.

Hey Riley, Smile

.....I am

Come to find out he had big wad of Starbust candies in his mouth so he really was smiling. We retook the photo with the candy in my hand. This one turned out cute also.
Lydia's bow continued to not stay on her head.