Remodel Glimpse

We aren't quite done, but here's a glimpse of before and after. Hopefully you can tell which ones are after.

PS Remodeling is a whole new monster when you live in the middle of nowhere. For example, I have driven 100 miles in every direction and can't find real-looking fake plants. So if anyone has a great online resource for those things please share :)

kate cut her hair, etc. etc.

Kate is keeping me busy. Here is a recap of the last two weeks:

-Had to go to the ENT doctor to remove popcorn seed from her ear

-Cut her own hair off and now has a cute A line

-Stole a paint sample and decorated the front door of our new house

-Ruined my mother's day present, a sweet pair of ray bans, by chewing on them (what?!!)

-Stole the sugar bin and sprinkled "white fairy dust" all over the house

-Ruined my very ergonomic, very irreplaceable office chair. GRR.

I guess all I can say is Kate is not going to sit on the sidelines, she is going to really LIVE. Even with all her madness I love her and am glad she is mine. I am just hoping she channels some of that energy into sports or school or her pet frogs which is an entirely other post in itself . . .

kathy and clay

Kathy and Clay are our friends from Bama. They came out to see Utah, eat a little Cafe Rio and go to the Stadium of Fire. I will have to say they are great company and we hope they come again! Thanks for being such easy house guests and helping with the kids! You guys are the best!

Grandma Janie's Carnival

The video says it all. They kids always have a blast at grandma janie's summer party.

a few reasons why dash loves utah

Dash loves Utah. Here are a few reasons why:

-He loves Shelby, Grandma Anne's golden-doodle

-He gets to sleep in Grandma Anne's bed, along with everyone else

-He gets to drink things he doesn't at home, like COKE

-He gets to fly his own airplane

-He gets to mow the lawn with Grandpa Dug

Every day he says, "Let's go home." To him, home is Utah.

My kids love mud

Mud. It makes them so happy. It completes them. I feel like I haven't done my job as a mom unless sometime during the week they've had a chance to get really filthy. Yes, I do A LOT of laundry at my house.

LaRae Hawkins

While we were visiting Utah my grandmother passed away.

I am the oldest granddaughter and have talked to her every week my entire life. I keep thinking about calling her but then have to stop myself because she's gone.

I'm grateful I had one last chance to tell her I love her and give her a hug. I am going to miss her so much but I am glad she is free and happy.