Museum fun.

Being a working Mom, one that works at home, I find it hard to make sure I am not working ALL the time and spend time trying to be a good Mom. My kids are the best and have the best imaginations. They find games and imaginary world everywhere.
When we got invited to go to the Children's museum I was thrilled. Fun for the kids and a great chance to be with girls from the hood.



The store was one of our favorite places. Maybe it's because my kids practically live at Gygi's and it's second nature for them but they stepped right in that store and got right to work!!





Saige being the clerk for everyone. Sometimes after classes when people want to buy something, Saige runs up and begs to help. She loves talking to people and is a pro!!





Saige has a princess dress radar. I'm not joking. She will find a dress up anywhere and loves to wear them. Somehow she found one here and became the princess checker.


I'm hoping one day, in my future, our kids can have a playroom like this. How fun would that be everyday?!?


As we ventured through the museum the kids loved everything and weren't bothered at all by all the hundreds of kids around.


As we were nearing the end we found a fun little part that was huge fooseball figures. As the kids climbed up they had a voice box that changed all their voices. It was so loud and so much fun!





We then ventured out to the water park at Gateway and played in the water. I had some really great pictures that included all of our friends from that day but my phone guy, Milo, loves to erase them. We had a blast and would hang out with this crowd any day!!


Thanks Carolyn, Marcella, and Jennica for a fantastic day! Let's do it again soon!

It must be summer...raspberries.

As far as I can remember we have picked raspberries at my Grandmas. It may sound silly but I love it. I don't even know if it is the amazing delicious raspberries we get at the end! I get to spend some time in the magical world of the raspberry batch which causes you to forget everything else going on, chat for a while, and sometimes open your heart to whoever else is there to listen.


My Grandma Foote has this glorious patch and garden. It puts most other gardens to shame. Sorry if you are pretty proud of yours.


Cherry tree!! It was gorgeous!!


See that raspberry patch on the right, that's it, and times that by about 100!!! That's her patch. My kids love coming, they don't last long in the patch, they are pretty delicate and I get paranoid they will break things so they are encouraged to go around and explore in the amazing backyard.





Grandma has the COOLEST buckets for picking. Here she has made some kiddo ones. String through a plastic bucket that you tie around your waist or neck and it freezes up your hands, and allows you to have the double handed technique down!


Milo tends to eat way more than save. This is how we start out, empty bucket, tied around the waist, ready to be filled with delicious red berries.





After a few times up a few rows, filled with our favorites!!
We had so much fun. Met my Grandma's neighbor, who happened to go to the same high school as me, and we never knew each other!, an her son who Saige fell in love with!!, hung out with my Grandma on her birthday and spent some time with my darling kiddos out in the sun! I wouldn't trade it for a thing!!


Oh and to end up with this is a great reward!
Thanks Grandma Foote. We love you!!

That was supposed to be me.

Sometimes after cooking classes, I have a few things to finish up and end up being there alone. Not a big deal. There are lights everywhere, people are usually outside at the business across the street and I park right by the door. No big deal. Matt has begged and pleaded that I not do it but sometimes being able to get a few things checked off when you are alone feels so good. Last night was one of those nights. Class ended up needing my help quite a bit and I didn't get my things done. So I stayed.

As I was locking up I went to walk outside and noticed a random car sitting right in the middle of our parking lot. I looked to see if it was one of the students from the class, or an employee. But didn't recognize them. There were 3 adults and a small child sitting in the car with the doors wide open and the adults were smoking inside. I thought oh no big deal, there is a child. I set the alarm opened the door to leave and felt as if someone was pushing me back inside. So I went back in.

I am not afraid of much. I feel like I can handle myself in most situations, and am not one of those people that scares easily. But after that strong feeling I started to scare myself. Of course while waiting inside for the car to leave I started hearing things, noticing random things out of place, and making it more and more uncomfortable. After about 25 minutes of waiting, I called my sister. She passed me over to my mom, who suggested I just call the police. They would send someone over just to check it out. I thought for a bit no way but after that long of people just chilling in our parking lot, and the amount of crime that occurs around us I thought it cannot hurt.

I called and just as I was finished telling the extremely nice lady the story the car decided to leave. She stayed on the phone with me till I got locked in my car and as I was pulling out the cop car came by just in case. (I was quite impressed with good old salt lake! )

I then started getting upset with myself. Why did I allow myself to get so scared?,why in the world did I call the police?, and how did I mistake a feeling so strong to stay inside when the situation was completely harmless?

It was about 10:30-10:45 by the time I was driving home and by then the roads are pretty empty and it allows me sometime to think. I kept beating myself up and feeling stupid. But as I was nearing 106th south there were police cars and the first two right lanes were directing traffic to the 2 left lanes. I slowed down and noticed a black car was totaled. It appeared the front tire blew and it took a pretty good beating. Luckily it was only one car and didn't hit anyone else.

And that was when I got an even stronger feeling. I immediately felt that rush of blood and was told that it would have been me. That car would have hit me if didn't stay. I questioned the feeling again but then felt it stronger than ever. It was almost as if it said to me, "Hey stubborn! I tried to keep you there! You didn't want to listen so I created a situation you would listen too! And look where you would have been!!!"

I'm stubborn. I hate being told that I shouldn't do things. It makes me want to prove that it's okay to do it. But realizing my newly found cautiousness actually saved my life really struck me. I need to take the time in life to notice those small and simple voices and promptings and follow through with what is being asked. I feel so blessed to not have been in any danger last night, and thank my Heavenly Father for keeping me here just another day.

I feel so blessed with my wonderful husband and kids and cannot imagine not being here to be with them. We are so lucky to have the gospel in our lives and being able to have these promptings.

I truly am blessed.

Blonde.

Well I did it. Almost. I didn't chop it, but I am glad I didn't. I love my hair, I just wanted a new change in color. And I think I got it.


Here is the before. A fun red color, with some blonde streaks. I asked Michael what his thoughts were for going on blonde and he was so supportive. I just don't think he knew what he was really getting himself into.
He thought the blondest we were going to get was a dirty blonde but we would put some streaks through it too. He stripped the color and was so surprised how blonde it was able to get!!
Didnt it turn out lovely?



This is where we scared everyone!! (isn't he so great back there?!? I just think he is so amazing!!) Everyone in the salon just gave me the oddest looks almost wondering what is this girl thinking!! But I completely trusted Michael, had no worries in his abilities, I knew he would make things perfect. Well 5 hours, everyone at the salon's help, Candace's patience while watching my kids, Matt helping me with the cooking class I was supposed to be at, and last but bot least Michaels absolutely abilities to perform miracles, we have this:


Isn't it fun. Just what I wanted, didn't know if it would ever really get to this and he did it in one shot. I'm excited to be a blonde. I've been really everything else, so it was time.
Thank you a million times over Michael and B Space Salon. You are all amazing and I appreciate all the great comments. So what's your honest thoughts?!?

Bye hewards.

My lovely sister and her family are headed off to Kentucky for dental school soon. It's such a bittersweet feeling. We are so proud of Grant and all the many years of school and studying it has taken for him to get here. He is going to be one great dentist. But 4 years seems to be so far away, especially when sweet Josie girl will be Saige's age when they are finished. Luckily we have Skype and all other things to stay in touch as well as a great reason to take a trip.

So in honor of the departure we of course wanted to have a party!


Connie and I put our ideas together, and thank heavens Connie is so amazing. Things went together beautifully and a perfect party for celebrating the Hewards.


Connie found the cutest fabric and made tablecloth squares and a garland around the house.





Arent parties all about the details?!











My failed attempt to make yarn balls. (note to self-use modge podge not elmers glue next time!) but it's a good thing we like things abstract.
And it wouldn't be one of our parties without GOOD FOOD.












( yummy flavored mayo for the sliders-- balsamic and sriracha mayo anyone?!? )

After the party was set up, everyone started arriving. We tried to surprise Candace and Grant but the word got spread and they found out. They kindly didn't say anything and pretended to be surprised anyways. Surrounded by tons of loved ones we then chatted the night away and spent some great time with our Hewards.











Rather than have everyone just leave their info for Candace and Grant to stay in contact with we decided to use my new favorite toy:



(my Fuji Instax camera. It takes credit card sized Polaroid type pictures, and is so much fun)






With the help of some paper mustaches and green fabric we had silly pictures for them to remember us by.






Our cute Gma and Gpa Foote



Guests of honor.



We are missing Bonnie and Staci but all us sisters will sure miss you Candi. You keep us all together and never cease to amaze us. We all look up too you in so many ways. And love you like crazy.
BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR NEW ADVENTURE.

Scarf tying #1

Janae. This one is for you.

My sis Candace taught me this one. It was quite simple and when I asked her how to do it. She just said, " I just pull, twist and tie." And really it's quite simple. I use this all the time, probably too much but for days in the summer it's perfect for cooling you down and still feeling cute.



I pull my hair up in a thick bun or messy one like this. Nothing worse than tying your short hairs on your neck into your scarf.



Pull both sides of the scarf up evenly.



Cross the two sides so it makes an x. If your scarf is extra long, you can do this a couple times to make a little knot.



See cute huh! This is crossed over twice.



Tie in the back and tuck in the strings if you want.



Now you are ready!! This is the best for the pool, sprinkler, SUMMERTIME do. With my bangs it's great to keep them down and not crazy.



I have lots more. But kids and knocking.....