I'm crafty.

Hey guys! So, for the past year or so I've been working on a stitchery project. If mom were doing this, she would have been done one year ago. It took me a while, but I finished! I stitched the pattern, painted the frame, sanded the frame (to give it the rough look) and then put the stitchery in. Mom was an amazing help, even though she wouldn't let me sand the frame inside the house. This project is now triumphantly hanging above my bed at school. Also, take into account that these photos were taken with my phone.

School is taking over my life. I practically live on campus. I woke up with a sore throat and stuffy nose so I better take it easy before I get sick. Or before it gets worse...

Thank goodness this week is over, it has been quite stressful. I hope everyone is doing well!

A Post for Riley

A while ago, and sorry it's been so long, Riley left a comment on our blog that said: "stacy, i have a question, i want to make a post on the family blog and no one here will help me. would you please tell me what needs to happen? Muchos gracias."

Since nobody wants to help Riley, I'm leaving instructions for him.

So, Riley, send me your email address. I'd love to add you with your own account, I just need your email. Once I send you an email about the blog, follow the instructions on how to log in. Once you are logged in, click on "New Post" and a page comes up that you can type whatever in. You have a blog too, so you can probably take it from there.

I realize it's been a while since Matt and I have posted anything on here...maybe more to come. Stay tuned. : )

AND ALL THIS TIME YOU'VE JUST BEEN USING BOUNCE SHEETS IN THE DRYER

1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also
repels mice.
2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars
that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.
3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened
too often.
4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when
outdoors during mosquito season.
5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer)
screen..
6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your
television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from
resettling.
7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce
in a drawer or hang in the closet.
9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.
10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet
of Bounce before beginning to sew.
11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside
empty luggage before storing.
12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the
front seat.
13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill
with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent
apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.
14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the
bottom of the wastebasket.
15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will
magnetically attract all the lose hairs.
16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds
with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of
Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of
Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes
or sneakers overnight.
20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees
away.
21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and
storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.
22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe love-bugs off
easily with the wet Bounce.

Bear Lake and lots of fun!

So, this summer has been very fun! We started with an amazing trip to California and ended with an awesome weekend and Bear Lake (aka the most beautiful natural lake in Utah-- except Lake powell which I spotted twice while looking for Buffalo).
We went with Grandpa and Grandma, the Brimleys and the Grosebecks. We stayed in a lovely cabin with an even more wonderful view. While there we rented wave runners, ate raspberry/ strawberry (or for Katelyn, butterfinger) shakes and enjoyed the relaxing environment. We played lots of games, which in doing so uncovered several cheaters from the Brimley family, namely Garrett. I don't think it's possible to get the Brimley boys to be quiet during a game when it's the girls turn. Nonethelss, we had a fabulous time. Amongst the pictures I have added some from my summer camp.

This was our view of the lake! I don't know exactly why Dad is standing like that...

This is the cabin and the cute family!

These are the moose that we saw (note-there are two). Just chowing on someones bushes

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying our day at the beach!

Scott just really wanterd a picture with his shirt off...

This is the little boy, Adam (9) who thought he was m boyfriend! On our fake valentines day he brought me a necklace and a dolphin. Nothing shows love like a porpois.


A few of the kids on "halloween" aka make the parents dig up a costume from storage, have the kids wear them and walk around the halls three times and ask the counselors for candy.

Could everyone please do better at commenting?

I know some of you are busy, but please comment.

I'm a seamstress

I sew. I'm a sewer... I mean a seamstress. Let's just say that this was my first project and perhaps my last. I laughed at myself the whole time I was making it and kept wondering what I was doing. They turned out pretty cute and I'd like to thank Stacy for the pattern and mom for her help and the sisters for laughing with me.

The tag.

I've had many moments in my life that should have embarrassed me... or made a large dent on my self-esteem. But, my most recent outing topped any previous experience.

On saturday Mom, Kate and I made a trip to Kohls for a present but left with a couple of things for ourselves. I left with a very cute clearance shirt, button up, plaid and see through(not the gross kind, just a light weight one). I found some cute shorts to wear with it and kept it on for the rest of the afternoon. Later that evening, Katelyn and I went to a Young Single Adult activity with one of my roommates. It happened to be a Jon Schmidt concert (which by the way was incredible--he has a new song out called "Love story meets Viva la vida" check it out on youtube). The concert was awesome! When we got home, I chatted with mom and dad for a while then went downstairs to change. As I was hanging up the shirt I noticed the tag was still on. This wasn't just any tag. It was like cardboard and big, it had a button bag attatched and a large clearance sticker. All afternoon and evening I walked around thinking I looked pretty cute. I can't even imagine how many people saw this tag and DIDN'T say anything! (Mom, dad, kate, my friend Taylor, the people behind me in line.. ) They were probably too busy laughing and thinking to themselves, "Oh this poor girl found a clearance shirt and was so anxious to wear it that she forgot about the tag".

Don't get me wrong I love finding a good sale. Next time, I will be more careful to remove the tag before I wear my "Kohls miracle" shirt.

Can you find the tag?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

On July 30, 2009 I celebrated my 22nd birthday. It was a great day and I wanted to thank everyone for all of the birthday wishes. I had previously decided that I wanted to sleep in a little bit on my birthday so I went in at 9am instead of 7am. I enjoyed a lovely breakfast prepared by mother which consisted of waffles, bacon, apple juice and of course my favorite hash browns. I then went to work and I was suprised to see my desk decorated with confetti and signs wishing me a happy birthday. My good friend at work made me some cupcakes to celebrate my day. I got home from work when I usually do and I just relaxed and received some phone calls from my brothers who live out of state. Thanks!! It was a small celebration because of the recent move of Matt and Stacy and the fact that Riley was at youth conference. Kelli picked up grandpa and grandma on the way here. Dinner consisted of missionary chicken, jigglers, french bread, a nice fresh fruit salad and a vegetable. Upon finishing dinner we went into the family room to await to open my gifts.

Adorable new running shoes (which I have already used and quite enjoyed running in them maybe it will inspire me to go running outside instead of going to the gym.)

Long awaited hand mixer (so I can make Snickerdoodles for my future roomates.)

A surprise ihome (which is totally awesome!!) Thanks again mom and dad!!

My new favorite game-Bananagram and cocoa butter

Exercise shorts and beach cover-up

After opening gifts we had some cake (yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Sorry Stacy that you had to miss out on the normal cake) and ice cream. Later we played the new game with Grandma and Grandpa and had a lot of fun. Me and Allison then went to go see Harry Potter 6 which just made my day. Thanks again for the wonderful day and great gifts. I have yet to hear my birth story.

The "long-awaited" pictures of the house

So here are some more pictures of the house for Brad and Mandy to see what we have been doing for the last three months. Sorry they are not in order and there are duplicates, but I am still learning how to work this blog. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and support over the last nine months as we have been obbsessed with the new house. Hopefully can now settle in and just enjoy it all.


Above--The storage room...one of my favorite rooms in the house!



Master bathroom

Guest bathroom



Living room



Craft room in the basement (we're sewing bags)

Basement bathroom

More bathroom (sorry couldn't delete the repeat picture)

and more

more of the storage room I adore (sorry they're out of order)

Another view

More of the storage room (sorry it's sideways)

The cold storage room

more cold storage

The basement family room

Another view of the basement family room

The stairs down to the basement

The great room from the dining area

The kitchen from the dining area

The kitchen

View of the kitchen and great room from the hall

The great room

The entry way

The Master bedroom

So Long, Farewell... Matt and Stacy

Top Twelve reasons we are going to miss Matt and Stacy:



1. Matt's funloving personality and ever present positive attitude (it's all good!).

2. Sunday dinners and birthday celebrations spent together.

3. Measuring Riley and Matt to see who is taller (oh yeah, we quit doing that a year ago).

4. Hearing all about Matt's most recent sporting triumphs....or mishaps.

5. We'll miss the wood-carved temple tablet we snuck onto their trailer.

6. Knowing Matt and Stacy were in Provo and could rescue Katelyn, Allison and, now, even Kelli.

7. Stacy's adorable laugh and the way she looks at Matt when she is trying to get him to behave.

8. Matt and Stacy picking up Grandpa and Grandma for various activities (never complaining).

9. Hearing all about their exciting new house in Arizona.

10. Matt and Stacy's unfailing enthusiasm and support for our new house.

11. Stacy's "interesting" stories about her Lehi student's exploits!

12. Dad won't be able to beat Matt in tennis as often.