Tools, Tools and More Tools

As we continue to find and do more projects on our house, Nathan’s number of tools increases… a lot.  On one adventure to Home Depot recently, Nathan decided Dylan and Avery needed their own tools as well.  They love them!!

All Tuckered Out

Yesterday I started on dinner while Avery was playing on the floor with the dog.  About five minutes later I asked her a question and she didn’t answer.  I looked over, and there she was sound asleep on the kitchen floor.

What to do? What to do?

Yesterday I got to have a day all to myself.  I left home at 9:45 a.m. and didn’t get back until today at about 9:45 a.m.  It was soooo nice and I’m grateful for a wonderful husband who supports me in my “alone time.”  I started off my day with going to Gardner Village, where I had never been and plan to go back to many times.  They have such fun stores to walk around in, especially without kids.  My favorite store was Upon the Shelf. 

After over two hours of slowly looking through all of the shops, I went and got a pedicure at Cottage Retreat Day Spa.  Ask for Janelle, she’s the best!

 

Then, I headed to one of my favorite places to eat, Cafe Rio!  I LOVE their fire roasted chicken salad.  Mmmmm!   After a delightful lunch, I headed to the Marriott and checked in to my hotel room.  I relaxed and even took a nap.  You moms know what a treat that is!!  I planned on going to the temple, but forgot to bring a skirt with me.  So, I went to a dollar theater and saw Knight & Day.  I’m glad I only paid a dollar for it.  Since it was beginning to get dark when I got out of the movie and Avery broke my glasses a couple months ago, and I can’t drive in the dark without them, I headed back to my room and enjoyed the quite and relaxing until I finally fell asleep.  Oh, and my sweet husband surprised me with seasons 4 and 5 of House (my favorite TV show) and peanut butter M&Ms in my suitcase.

wHAT DID NATHAN, DYLAN & AVERY DO?

Put primer on the drywall in the garage.

PEACHES, PEACHES, PEACHES

We have a peach tree, and an apple, plum and pear… but they don’t seem to be doing so well.  But the peach tree, is doing GREAT!!  The other day I picked 10 beautiful peaches off of our tree and they were quite tasty.  I cannot take any credit for them because I haven’t touched the tree, but it was fun to go get a peach right out of my backyard!

Labor Day 2010

We had an eventful, enjoyable Labor Day.  It began with sleeping in, which is always nice.  At 10:15, we headed to the zoo.  This time Daddy came, which was a very special treat!  (There are only so many pictures to take at the zoo, so please forgive the repeat of many previously viewed activities.)

THE CAROUSEL

THE GORILLAS (with a surprise visit from a peacock)

 

THE TRAIN

 

THE BIG BLACK WATER BALL (I had no idea this was a globe until Nathan pointed out to me the pictures of the continents on it!)

THE ELEPHANT MONUMENT (This is a new one!)

After the zoo we went to eat at one of our favorite places, Red Robin.

When we got home, we put insulation and drywall up in the garage!  The kids helped mark things for Nathan and give him screws.  They also loved drawing on the drywall.

 

Finally, we had dinner, very late!  The kids were still very hyper and making silly faces all through dinner.  Notice that some of the wall coloring became Avery coloring.  Hope you had a great Labor Day… we sure did!

Well, I Tried

My mom says there are “makers” and “buyers.”  I generally fall into the “buyer” category, but this time tried to be a “maker.”  This is a cupcake in a jar recipe (from scratch).  The recipe was supposed to be for red velvet cupcakes, but I didn’t have enough red food coloring, so I had purple velvet cupcakes.  It is still a work in progress, but at least I tried.

 

Two Peas in a Pod

Avery and Chloe continue to love doing everything together…

FHE with the Wells, Take 2

Our friends, the Wells, recently came over for dinner and FHE.  Their wife and mom was out of town, and we thought it would be fun to help Aaron out one night.  We had tons of fun and Aaron and Nathan played on the trampoline with the kids while I cleaned up dinner.  We had FHE on the trampoline too.  It was a great evening.  (Jenni, this post is mostly for you, so you can see the pictures!)

 

Fun With Nana and Bumpa

Recently we went to visit my parents so Nathan could get some saws from my dad.  To Nathan’s pleasant surprise, my dad did not only give him his saws, but a week later his  workbench.  Thanks, Dad!  While Nathan and my dad loaded the saws, the kids played “tennis” and loved it.  Dylan was actually really good at hitting the birdie.

 

 

We also got a chance to update the picture for my mom’s “Nana” frame.

It was a fun day!  We love when we get to visit because my parents are on a mission, and we don’t get to see them as much.