The past few weeks

Two weekends ago, Trisha took us all to Planet Play for dinner. She wanted to do something fun with everyone before she got really sick. It seems like we should have been the one taking her out, instead of her taking all of us out... but she is Trisha-Claus.

We had a fun time. We played for 5 hours. Ryan was reluctant to be there at first. By the end of the night he was having a blast. Ella & Lily were tired and ready to go home. It was difficult for me to convince Tyler & Ryan that it was time to go. They were having a great time & wanted to stay longer.

This past weekend Ella and her cousins Katie & Brielle were in a play. Usually I don't like plays. I shouldn't even be allowed to go to plays, because I just end up making fun of them. The play was based on the following combined stories; Alice in Wonderland, Toy Story 3, Star Wars, Cinderella, and more. It included songs like the Safety Dance, Imagine (all the people), Lean on Me, Sesame Street, Star Wars, & Edward Scissor hands. Despite finding the story and music combination strange, I actually enjoyed watching the play. Ella did a great job on all her parts. She had the opportunity to say a few parts into the microphone, sing, & dance. All the kids actually did a really great job. Ella played a toy doll, a flower, a hedgehog, & a droid. I might consider putting Ella in it again next year. She enjoyed it so much, and I think her teacher did a nice job helping the students learn their parts.

Ella was so excited to get a trophy.

Ella: Mom, I've always... ALWAYS wanted one of these. (Holds up her trophy).
Me: You've always wanted a little gold naked man?
Ella (embarrassed): uhhhh. Yes. I did.

Boutique for Cancer

My friend is hosting a boutique at her house tomorrow. All the earnings from the boutique will be donated to the Huntsman Cancer Institute. If you are in South Jordan, you should check it out. Visit her website for more information.
http://queenofdivadelights.blogspot.com/

Featured

I have some exciting news. My creative space has been featured in Creating Keepsakes special Issue magazine called Creative Spaces. You can pick up your copy tomorrow, May 10th. It's also available online. U.S. customers can use this coupon code for free shipping: SPACESBB (expires 5/27/11). or you can visit my other blog for more information on how to win a copy.

Below is a sneak peak of the magazine.

Open publication - Free publishing - More craftroom

Here's a sneak peak of my space. Found on page 72-73.

I have to confess that when Megan, the editor of Creating Keepsakes Magazine called me, and told me I had less than a week to send in pictures of my creative space to be considered for this magazine... my office was filled with boxes & we didn't have any furniture but a desk.

Knowing that this exposure would be good for my company, I told her I'd be happy to send her some pictures of my space.

Luckily my mom had some cute furniture just sitting around wanting to be used while her house is being built. We borrowed her furniture, and with our $5 budget whipped up some decorations out of plain white card stock. I spray painted some old items from around my house to make them "new". I picked up some artwork that my father-in-law was planning to throw in the garbage. I brought in my vases Trisha had given me as a Housewarming gift and a few other items from my kids rooms. In less then a week, my office was complete. It turned out better than I thought it would on a weeks notice and a $5 budget.

Feel free to visit my Creating Cupcakes blog for a chance to win a copy of this fun magazine.

A dog that eats

Lily: Mom, I'm a dog that eats.
Me: You're a dog that eats?
Lily: Yes, but I don't eat moms.
Me: You don't?
Lily: Nope, I only eat dads and peace signs.
Me: You eat dads and peace signs?
Lily: Yes. Throw me a pretend peace sign so I can eat it.

Easter 2011

Easter Egg hunt at Nana & Papa Jones' house.

For Trisha

My Father-in-law suggested that we all fast for Trisha this coming Sunday, May 1st. I think it was a great idea. Trisha was diagnosed with a stage 3 brain tumor a little over a week ago. If you have any suggestions or advice for her, please let us know. Our family is new to this cancer thing. Be sure to send some prayers her way as well.

It's been a while

The picture above is a picture of our last family vacation. We spent Easter in St. George that year. I did take the girls to Cherry Hill a few years ago, and also to St. George last year, but Tyler was unable to come with us either time.

We decided it has been way too long since we've been on a real family vacation. Knowing that it would be more than a year before I could request any time off at my new job, I told the company that I would need 2 days off for Spring Break in order for me to accept the job offer. We almost spent those 2 days at home. Working. I think Tyler could tell that I was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown. Thursday, he called his brother Ryan and asked him if we could come stay with him in St. George for a day or two. An hour later we were packed & headed to St. George.

We didn't do a whole lot in St. George, since it was kind of a last minute decision to go. The kids were sad that we had forgotten to bring our swim-suites. Despite our lack of planning & swim-suites, we still had a great time.

We hung out at the Arts Festival.

We also hiked the Dixie rocks. Twice.

I don't ever recall being afraid of heights. But on this trip, I was afraid. Can you see Lily & Ella at the top sliding down this very steep rock?

Me: Ella, don't go to fast. Wait for me. Please be careful. Don't get too close to the edge.
Ella: Don't worry mom. I'm just following Luke & Chandler. You don't need to come with me.

The picture above is Luke & Chandler up at the tippy top of a very tall rock. No, I did not let Ella follow them all the way up that particular rock. (Although she tried.)

I blame my new fear of heights on my kids.

P.S. It's never a good idea to bring a reckless 3 year old rock climbing.

Tyler's brother Ryan is Lily's new best friend.

Thank You Ryan & Lolly for letting us come stay with you at a last minute notice.

B-B-Q Sauce

Tyler: How's your BBQ sauce?
Lily: Not good.
Tyler: Why? What's wrong with it?
Lily: It's throwing a fit.

How can such a scary book be in the children's section of the library?

...And, how can such a cute girl love such a scary book so much?
...And, if you think the cover is scary, you should take a look inside where it shows pictures of people dressed up as werewolves chasing little girls. It also has a picture of a werewolf running off while caring a baby with it's sharp teeth.

Come Rain or Shine!

Party Invitations

My mom came over a few time while I was working on party favors, & invitations for her party. We told her they were for an Activity Day's breakfast. It was the perfect cover, and this morning Trisha & I put together an activity days Mother/Daughter breakfast with the same theme. Here are some more pictures from last night & some from today.

Party Favors are lemon drops & say; “Thanks for dropping by.”

Trisha had a cute idea to call these chocolate covered sunflower seeds "raindrops."

Emily made pretty white cloud poofs, and together we made lots & lots of raindrops to hang everywhere.

(Photo above by Shaun Stevenett)

(Photo above by Shaun Stevenett)

Emily made lots of yummy & cute cloud treats.

(Photo above by Shaun Stevenett)

(Photo above by Shaun Stevenett)

(Photo above by Emily Call)

It was my mom's birthday "Weather" she liked it or not!

April Shower's bring Rainy Day parties. We threw a surprise birthday party for my mom tonight. Happy birthday mom! (more pictures to come.)

In Denial

If you haven't heard yet, it's because I'm still in denial. I have a new job. It's a good job. I'm designing scrapbook papers to be sold in major craft stores such as Micheal's, Jo-Ann's, & even Target. Although it's always been a dream of mine to have a product I've designed sold at Target, I'm very sad that I'm not going to be around for my kids as much. I'll be working an hour away from home, so I'll be gone 11 hours a day... only to come home & help Tyler run our businesses at night & on Saturdays. I'm going to miss getting the kids ready for the day in the morning. I'm sad that I'll have to find someone to comb Lily's hair for dance pictures next month. I'm going to miss Ella's presentation at school, along with a play she's going to be in while she's Off Track from school. I'm really sad about it all. Hopefully it isn't for too long.

After we moved into our house our business sales dropped in half. We found out that some major companies in Europe were stealing our artwork, having vinyl produced in China, and selling it for less than we can even purchase vinyl for. There's not much we can do about it, since European copyright laws are different from U.S. copyright laws.

In the meantime we've purchased some expensive equipment, and we are in the midst of starting a new business called Say Hello. It should be more difficult for business thieves to steal our artwork from our new products (I hope.) Hopefully we can get it up and running, and profitable soon. Then I can spend time with my kids again. Until then... I may not be around as much.