Crafting and Projects

We love our new house but there is just so much I want to do to really make it our home. I really love creating things and doing crafts. Well Micah got me something that made me being able to do that so much easier. He got me a Cricut Explore! I LOVE it. I seriously have no complaints. I've made just very basic things for now because I haven't had a ton of time to do everything I want to, but I know that I'll be using this for years to come. Here are just a few things that I have created thus far. :)

I still need to paint this frame white.

This is just a random project that I made with my subscription. I know it's not Christmas yet. :) I was just so excited. 

I also have been working on our window treatments in our house. Using a great tutorial I was able to make these Roman shades for our bay window. They are by no means perfect, but that's kind of what I love about them. They're good enough that I'm not embarrassed and I'm pretty proud of them, but when you get close you can tell that I made them. I had so much fun making these. I'm going to make one for our kitchen window and for the kids' bedroom windows. Keep an eye out for those. 

Micah also built a rotating canned food storage in our pantry. I am SO happy with how it turned out. It has freed up floor space and utilized empty wall space. I love those types of projects. I love being organized. :) 

We've since added a shelf under the length of it to hold small cans like tomato paste, tuna, etc. It's so nice. Thanks honey for all of your hard work! (He even passed up going shooting to finish)

There's so much more I want to do for our house. Slowly but surely it will get done. 

A trip to Salt Lake

While some of the Aussies were here visiting Lila and I got to go up to Salt Lake and do some of the tourist type stuff. We didn't end up being able to go with Donna and her family, so I'm glad that it worked out this time. 

Lila just loved it. She loves seeing temples. She did a great job considering how much we walked around. She really loved to spend time with Carolyn and Sally. She wanted to walk with them more than me. :) I wish I would've gotten a picture of them all together. 

Throughout the tour of the conference center Lila kept asking for me to take pictures of her in front of things that she really liked. It was very cute. I love this little girl. After a while she started to ask me to just take pictures of the items. 

While we were on top of the conference center Lila found this mother Quail and her babies. She fell in love. It took a lot to get her away from them. This was probably her favorite thing we did/saw in Salt Lake. 

After the tour we ate lunch at the Lion House (so good), then walked around a few more buildings, after which we headed home. 

We had a great time!

24th of July

I really love the 24th of July. The sacrifice that the pioneers made is just so unbelievable to me. I don't know that I would have had their strength, but I am so grateful that they were so strong. I love the history of this state and I'm happy that I get to live here. 

We don't tend to do too much on the 24th, but something that has become a tradition is the temple to temple 5k. It's a simple, but beautiful way to remember those who have gone before. I love it! My friend Emily did it with me this year along with most of my family. The kids did a great job along the route and we just had a really good time together.

Emma saved me by putting Brighton in her stroller. I really want one of those now.

Grandma was so good to help me push Lila. Lila just loves her grandma!

The first temple of the run… the Provo temple.

We made it! Thanks Emily for doing it with me. :)

The other beautiful temple. I can't wait until it's open. 

Most of us that did it.

We spent the rest of the day at home enjoying each other's company and relaxing. Then when the fireworks came at night, we woke up the kids and sat on our bay window bench to enjoy them. We didn't even have to step outside our door. We had a great view of a large part of our city and there were fireworks going off everywhere. Lila was in heaven. She really loved it. Brighton lasted for about 10 seconds then wanted to go back to bed. :) What a sweetheart.

It was a fun and simple holiday with family and friends… just how I like them.