A Story and Link!

Okay a story first!

When I was first engaged and getting to know my new family I spent many phone conversations with my mother-in-law. I didn't meet her until 2 days before the wedding, but it didn't matter because we had gotten to know each other quite well over the phone. One of my most vivid conversations was about crafts. She asked me if I enjoyed doing anything, had an hobbies, or if I enjoyed making things. The very outdoorsy me at the time didn't take time to cook or craft, however I had a knack for making anything out of duct tape! And I once made 2 surfboards. That's it. I think she was a little surprised at first that I didn't have many home-making skills. You all know now how much I enjoy cooking, baking, crafting, sewing, and photography. So I think I've found my home-making abilities. This story IS going somewhere!

My mother-in-law, Stephanie, she has a knack! And it often finds it's way in to our home and I am continually amazed. She dips sweets in chocolate and drizzles them with seasonal colors, makes the cutest stickers and labels, and has such great ideas for party favors and center pieces. You all HAVE to check out this site, if there's a way to comment on it then do! If you have the need for her service then use it! Or if you know of someone that could use it then send them her way!

Check her out!!!!
www.giftsbysteff.com

Happy Birthday!

Well today was a fun filled day for my Reese. Happy Birthday little, I mean BIg girl.

After tidying up the house we braved the rain and ate lunch at Red Robin. After getting her new antibiotics, ear infection and UTI, headed home to play "hot and cold" with the presents. We don't wrap presents, we hide them in the room and play hot and cold as they get closer or further away from the present. I played this as a child, too. The girls played and watched movies while I made Chicken Noodle Soup with home-made noodles, bread, and her cake....didn't turn out. My brother Chase and his wife came for dinner, as did my sister Kohl and her Tyler. She opened up presents from them and our friends the Wiggins, Brad, Anita, and Sam, came for dessert. It was a fun nice day!

Reese is always making strange faces and makes us laugh. She speaks well and sometimes it still surprises us! This morning we overheard her calling her big sister "sweatheart" and is often found explaining herself in sticky situations.

So I have a 3 year old. She's a tough one, but we love her!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

We hosted a playgroup at our home on Friday. We frosted sugar cookies and cupcakes and decorated them with a whole slew of candies and sprinkles. We all had a blast! And I have to say it was a great batch of cookies and frosting. Thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law for the recipe!

Others' Blogs

Okay Raise your hand if you "blog- hop" like me!?

Now raise your hand if you actually comment on strangers' blogs, like me!?

Well, check this one out! It's a different blog theme than others I have seen. She posts on: "beautiful tables, great food, the stories and the holidays or anything else that inspired any of my design."

AND she gets deals on her LOOT.
You all know how much I love a deal!

So check her out! She's also having a contest for $30 Target gift card. The odds seem pretty good! Today (Thursday) is the last day. So she's just trying to get her name out in the blogging world and hopes for the best! So take a peek drop a comment and get entered to win a gift card!

Smile

Today I love this girl!

She's HERE!!!

So we finally got to meet her? My sister-in-law, Jillian, FINALLY had her baby girl! She is so precious, with a lot of dark hair and the sweetest pink little lips! A healthy 9 pounder! Baby Phi, pronounced FEE. It's a Greek letter and the golden ratio. Congrats! We love you!

My Daughter the Scholar!

Blake got her first school award on Friday! It sure was cute to watch. Along with the award she was also given a medal and a certificate for a free meal at Mimi's Cafe. The litle girl next to her is her absolute best friend! They may as well be joined at the hip! I'm really proud of my Blake. She reads at about a 2nd grade level and has sat and read to me for as much as an hour in one sitting. We play a game together where i will write a sentence and she will identify the nouns and verbs. We're working next on adjectives! I love my Blake!