Birthday Giveaway
Congratulations Aimee!
I’m pretty sure I’ve got your address, but if it’s some random Aimee that I don’t know, send me your info at: lovelydainty(at)gmail.com!
I think this went pretty well, maybe I’ll do it again some time!
This year my family has been extremely blessed. It has been overwhelming at times and just plain fun at times. In the middle of one of the more difficult times I was telling my sister-in-law how I wouldn’t ever be able to repay her for what she did for us, and she told me that I would have my opportunity to help someone the way that she helped me. Well, I don’t think that’s exactly what I’m doing today. I’m more giving into fun karma. This week Doug and I both won contests. I won a little something something over at DesignMom and Doug won something at his work’s United Way kickoff. I can’t keep on basking in my good fortune if I don’t give something back.
So, today I am hosting my first ever
Sarah’s Favorite Things Giveaway
This could all be yours!
Now I’m no Oprah. I’m not even Pioneer Woman, but I do have a few favorite things that I just love, and I would like to share those things with one lucky reader. These might seem like quite the mishmash, but that’s my life!
So, here’s what will arrive in the mail if you win:
We R Memory Keepers mini album
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (it truly is magical!)
M&M’s Premiums Triple Chocolate
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Spray in Baby Blossom
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
Pampered Chef Cake Tester (I don’t even think they make these any more, but I stockpiled them because I love them so much!)
Safety 1st Baby Nail Clippers (By far the best ones out there)
Heather Bailey FreshCut Quilting Squares
Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste
I might even place a few more things in there before Monday.
Here are the details:
To enter leave a comment on this blog. One entry per person. Contest closes Sunday at 5:00pm. Winner will be randomly selected and announced Monday Morning. I’m so excited to use random.org for something official!
So, for all of you who never make a commentthiscould be your moment of glory!
Good Luck!
Were You There?
Part of the invite
I don’t want to over-hype my coolness, but the place to be a couple of weeks ago was Dixie’s shower! I can do no bragging, because everyone was super helpful. Even though this was, by far, the biggest shower I’ve ever thrown, it was also the easiest.
Dixie and her Mom (I mader her wear the boa and crown!)
The nicest thing about the guest of honor being the Relief Society President is that everybody wants to help. The nice thing about all the craziness that’s happened to us this year is that I now have no problem accepting help! I think I’ve done away with the notion of having to do everything myself. For example, the invitations came from a wonderful little Etsy shop Lil’ Sprout Greetings. This girl did a great job, very reasonably priced, and super quick service. She also came up with the design. I just gave her the basic concept and she ran with it.
Guests
more guests
My other big revelation was to use the neighborhood clubhouse instead of my house. My usual big stress is cleaning the house, but using the clubhouse was wonderful. A big empty space with a lot of parking and lots of chairs and tables. I also didn’t have to worry about my kids running around or cooling off my living room for 30 people in the one hundred degree heat.
Diane and Anna hanging the lanterns and flower balls
So, what do you do for a woman who is about to have her fourth boy? I went back and forth between many ideas, but the winner actually came from Dixie’s mother. Queen Dixie seemed like a very appropriate theme!
My Co-host Anna
We also went very simple on the food: cookies, cupcakes, fruit trays and veggie trays. This is another place where we had a lot of help. Anna and I worked on the sweets, and then took other people up on their offers of help for the other things. I ran out of time to organize the game, but I don’t really think anyone noticed that.
Cupcakes
Baby lemon pound cakes
Crown and onesie cookies
A couple of weeks before the shower I was reading a BHG article that featured a company called Bake it Pretty, and they were the source for the super cute cupcake liners and cookie cutters, edible glitter and candy buttons. This is a wonderful source and they are very reasonable.
Bake it Pretty's pretty packaging!
I was also very proud of the party favors: little packages of blue gummy bears. You can buy bulk gummy bears from many places, but the best place I found after much searching was Amazon. There price for 10 lbs. of blue bummy bears was half as much as anywhere else, and the shipping was only 99 cents for two day. A deal at twice the price!Dixie and her family have been calling the baby a gummy bear since the very beginning, so even if no one else got the joke, I know that appreciated it!
Sewing on paper was another time saver!
I don’t know if there’s really any more to report about this shower. I think it was a great time, and hopefully Dixie does too! The moral of this story it; don’t make things more difficult than they need to be!
The gift table
Pioneer Day, Texas Style
costumes and cotton candy
We lived in Utah through five Pioneer Days and I don’t ever recall doing anything to celebrate. There was always the big parade, but I’m no fan of huge crowds, so we never went. I think I might have watched part of a Pioneer Day parade on tv one year, but that’s about it. As far as ward activities go, I don’t think we ever did one. Apparently, because it’s state holiday in Utah, there are enough events happening without the individual wards getting involved. Or maybe there were big events but because neither Doug nor I are descended from pioneer stock, we just weren’t invited. Who knows, and I refuse to live in the past!
Benjamin as a cowboy
In Texas though, they enjoy a good Pioneer Day party. Here it is totally a church thing, even though there is a Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg, the state of Texas does not endorse a day without mail service for Pioneer Heritage . Our stake however throws a big bash. There were ponies, and a tilt-a-whirl contraption, homemade kettle corn, cotton candy, a bounce house and all kinds of games.
Samuel as a cowboy
Since it was forecasted to be the hottest week-end of the year we decided to arrive and leave early. The only problem with getting there at 9:15 is that we were eating hot dogs for breakfast, and that was really only a problem in my mind! The kids loved the ponies (except for William because he’s too cautious to ride), and snow cones, and the bounce house. They didn’t even seem to mind the heat until it was time to leave. I myself, enjoyed probably more than my fair share of kettle corn! I also enjoyed all the people who held my baby!
William as a cowboy observer
We left before any of the serious games started. I don’t know who plays soft ball in that kind of heat, but they’re probably the same people who dress up in the bonnets and dresses. I don’t have that kind of devotion to the cause … I needed to be in shorts!
Afton with "grandma" Simpson
This is something that we’ve really enjoyed for the past couple of years, and it’s another reason that I like to think that San Antonio is actually “the place!”
The Pioneer Bounce House!
Seeing the Glass Half Full
I don’t think that I’m going to have too much more to write about the whole ordeal with Doug’s back, but I wanted to share one of the perks that we have enjoyed throughout this process:
It doesn't expire until October!
That’s right, my husband qualified for handicapped parking! That of course meant that I had to drag him with me everywhere so that I could have close parking. The best was at the movie theater! Even though the pass is good until October, Doug doesn’t think it’s right to use it anymore, since he’s feeling recovered. Curse that integrity; I like parking close!
Sisters in Seattle
So, to continue my lucky streak, I thought I’d write about how lucky I was two week-ends ago when my husband watched all the boys while I flew half way across the country to see my sister. This was the first time that I’d been on a plane by myself since before William was born. With the exception of the previously mentioned creeps in Las Vegas, the whole week-end was wonderful.
- Miss Delia with the silhouettes my sister made
I went to pick up my sister at her home so that I could also see Delia and Joshua. Christina was also going to get a break, because her husband was watching her two older kids. Can I just say here how much I love the GPS. I put it in the bag and it made my driving in a brand new city completely stress-free! Also, how much do you love the silhouettes my sister made of her family?!
- Joshua not being too impressed with my arrival
My nephew usually keeps it real by never being too impressed by my arrival. Perhaps if I had brought his cousin he would have been a little more enthused!
My sister-in-law, Susan, and Jett
Doug’s sister lives about fifteen minutes from my sister so we stopped in to say a quick hello. I also got to meet baby Jett for the first time. She is actually preparing for her own sisters’ week-end in Seattle next month. You’ve got to love the Southwest sales!
Christina, Eliza and Me at our hotelHaving brunch with Margaret at Etta's
We stayed at a really nice hotel on the waterfront (thank-you Priceline). The best part of this place, besides the amazing view, was probably the free shuttle that dropped you off and picked you up anywhere downtown.
Eating brunch at Etta'sWe met up with Margaret, who we used to work with during the BYU veg prep days. We ate at Etta's (thanks for the idea Kemille!). It was a very yummy meal and it was wonderful of my father to sponsor a fun meal for Christina and I! Thanks Dad!The Famous Market
We went to the market. It definitely puts any market that I’ve been to in Texas to shame. There was everything imaginable. There were lots of families, and couples. It seemed like it would’ve been a fun place to go on a date. I don’t know how comfortable I would have been with all three boys there; it seemed like there were a lot of places to hide!
The best breakfasst potatoes ever!
We spent most of Saturday shopping. We visited the flagship Nordstrom and of course we had some hot chocolate at Starbucks! Saturday night we went out for Chinese food and a Romantic Comedy.
On Sunday morning I drove Christina home before I had to catch my plane. Before I dropped her off, we went for breakfast at Maltby’s which I think is in the town of Maltby, which is close to MillCreek. If ever you are in the Seattle area, it is worth the 40 min trip north to visit this place. I think they’re only open for breakfast on the week-ends, but they have, without a doubt the best breakfast potatoes … EVER! Also, the hot chocolate was just a lot of fun!
This week-end was an excellent getaway for me. I think Doug and I should try it where we do a relaxing week-end away together, instead of going away separately. This is why we need family close by so that we can have someone to swap week-ends with! Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids to death, but Doug and I have not had a night away from all our kids . That is over five years. I’m making plans, because I came back super relaxed, but Doug was a little stressed because he had his first week-end all alone with the boys. One day we’ll coordinate our schedules!
I should go and buy a lottery ticket
I don’t know what’s happening this week, but I also won some fabric today from QuiltTaffy. I actually won it a little over a week ago, but I just found out today. This is excellent. If only I was nominated for my Oscar this week … oh well, maybe next year. If you haven’t been to QuiltTaffy, you should check them out. They’re a great little quilting shop with some amazing fabric. They do a giveaway every Thursday, and they usually only have about 50 or so people enter, which should make your chances pretty good. Of course, who knows what will happen once all the readers of this blog get a hold of that site!!
Alright, I’m off to go enter contests all over the internet. This could be my time!!
A Visit from Mom
Grandma and the boys
…. The lost month continues …
So, after a busy Saturday morning in Dallas, we headed home so that I could go pick up my mom from the airport. She was coming from the Seattle area where she had been visiting my sister and my new niece, Eliza (here is where I should post a picture of Eliza’s cuteness, but I’m too lazy! If you want to see how cute she is, just click on my sister’s link).
I think, sometimes my mother underestimates the toll that travelling back and forth across the country can take on a person. She was with my sister for a week, then she was here for a few days, and then she headed to Vegas, before heading back to Nova Scotia. That’s a whole lot of criss-crossing the nation!
But, we take whatever we can get. Now that my mom has moved back to Canada we don’t get to visit as much as we did when she was in Phoenix.
William and Grandma
So, one of the problems with not keeping up to date is that I can hardly remember what we did! I know there was a Sunday involved, so that means relaxing. There was a trip to the book store and lunches out. Samuel’s birthday was on the Tuesday, and there was a trip to Build a Bear for Grandma and Samuel. I think we headed out browsing at the mall on the Monday night after the kids went to bed. My mom even scrubbed my entry way floor where one of the boys exploded a can of ginger-ale!
Birthday cupcakes
Samuel’s birthday was definitely the highlight of the visit. He had been planning it for a very long time. This was the big 5. His idea was a day where he could do whatever he wanted. That included Chuck E. Cheese’s, Krispy Kreme (even if the hot light wasn’t on), a special lunch with just him and his dad, and ravioli for dinner. It was a full day, but I think he had a lot of fun. I know there were presents, but right now I can’t remember what we got him! Also, Samuel’s big announcement this year was that, because he is now five, he no longer as to tell us when he has to go to the bathroom. He’s just going to go!
krispy kreme should pay us for this!
A visit from my mom always means late nights visiting. Unfortunately, I spent extra time after everyone went to bed trying to beat Ingrid at Tetris (hopefully I’ll be able to the kick the habit soon!), which meant that I was extra tired in the mornings!
William watching the doughnuts
We can’t wait for grandma to visit again. Stay tuned for the next installment of the missing month … a visit from dad!
It’s a Girl!
At long last we have been able to add a little girl to our family!
Oh, I’m sorry, were you thinking something else?!
We are watching a friend’s daughter this week. Not only do we get the much anticipated girl, but we also get that set of twins that I used to think I wanted!
It’s been a lot of fun to have an extra girl around the house, but I have to admit that I am totally clueless about things like doing hair. I’m afraid that she gets the same treatment as the boys. Hopefully her mother will recognize her when she gets back.
Get thee to a cannery
Alright, if you are intimidated by my coolness, then you need to stop reading right now. This post may just wreck what little self esteem you have left. Kids, don’t try this at home; you have to be born this cool:
Who is that fine woman?
That’s right, it’s time for a trip to the cannery! Some of you may not be hip to the lingo, but the cannery is where all the groovy Mormons go to put all their wheat into cans. Lest you think we’re all cliquish, you don’t actually have to be mormon to go. Anyone is welcome, and it’s a rockin’ good time! Also, the cannery isn’t just for wheat anymore! There’s also dried milk, dried carrots, dried apples, dried refried beans, and the ever popular potato pearls!
Shake, not bang!
Now that I’m the official organizer for trips to the cannery, I’m taking the Tom Sawyer approach. If people think it’s fun and they think you’re fun then they’ll want to come. Case in point, getting CoKim and Ami to come. Once people knew they were coming then we were turning people away! CoKim is so cool she insisted upon right of first refusal for her picture, so I can’t even show her face, but that’s her on the left!
CoKim and Ami
In case you’ve never been to a cannery before(some people are intimidated by the velvet ropes), I’m going to break it down for you. First, you make an appointment (just like you do with your personal shopper at Nordstrom), then, you call in your order (you can also fax or e-mail … this is the 21st century), then you show up with a group of 5-12 people. Once you arrive, after washing hands and putting on the plastic apron and hair net, you get in a little assembly line. First, bags are emptied into cans, then cans are topped off, then they are leveled by shaking, not banging on the counter. The next person in line then adds the oxygen packet and the lid, and then the coolest person in the room gets to turn the crank on the canning machine. Once it’s canned it moves on down the line to the people filling the boxes with the orders. Then, when all of the orders are filled there’s a quick clean-up and a trip through the checkout, which is really just the office. Total time at the cannery: 1 hour. They’re open all different hours, so if you’re looking for an original date night, don’t underestimate the power of the cannery. Peace out!
Hip to be square!
I’m not quitting my day job, but …
I’ve kind of always wanted to do some dance work in Vegas (I mean real dancing, not “dancing”!) and I’ve kind of wanted to do some super spy work a la Jason Bourne. Well, now I’ve found the perfect job for me:
Wine Angel
It’s awesome, you get to fly through the fancy wine tower at the Aureole Restaurant at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and pick out ridiculously priced wines for people. I’m perfect for it. No one even has to worry that I’m going to steal anything, because I don’t drink! I know Trisha thinks I’m too old to notice half naked high school boys, but I am definitely not too old to fly through the air like Tinkerbell at Disney World looking for over priced alcohol!
p.s. Dixie and Andrea - this was for you!!
