Kids Chore Chart

I LOVE the world of blogging... I ran across this today and thought I'd pass it along. Cute and free and easy. You can fill in your own chores and print out for your kids:

Just click here if you want to make one yourself!

Open House

Here you go Andrea (and anyone else who wanted a peak), the pics of our new house :)

Small towns are Awesome

I lived in a really small town for a good amount of my growing up and it was so much fun... so being here in Chino Valley, AZ I'm loving the small town feel and events. On Saturday we had a window in the rain just long enough to enjoy the town parade and activities. They had a blow-up bouncy castle and waterslide that probably went up about 10 or 12 feet. Sammie was content to just watch, but Tally was all for it... she went down the waterslide 3 times. It was hilarious.

Another set of Firsts and a Birthday

Ben & Alaura's 1st Day of School... 2nd and 1st graders now

They've always wanted to ride the bus,
so they're thrilled with their van rides to and from school!

Alaura lost her 1st tooth and a couple days later her 2nd

Anabelle had her 1st day in church Nursery...
they turned her into a Nephite... so cute!
Her funny face is because she's saying "cheese"

Squirt turned 31... we nearly set off the fire alarm :)

So Rusty!

I've been without crafting so long I don't know if I can remember how to do it anymore :) So I'm in awe at my Sis-in-Law Andrea's adorable projects you have to check out on her blog! She's bit me with the bug, but I don't know where to start. We got moved into our new home and my craft stuff was finally put all away. I'm debating on doing a couple craft fairs before the holidays, maybe doing I-spy bags, bows & holders, Lost Socks banners, drawer labels for kids... what do ya' think? Anyway, here's my new craft room and my revolving art gallery for kids!My laundry/craft room.... I LOVE all the drawers :)

I LOVE my peg-board, I got it alley-driving in Phoenix
and it's so handy... I even got my ribbons hung on it this time
with some metal rods and curtain rod brackets...
Every time I walk by I'm drawn in, gotta start crafting!

My revolving art gallery for kids... the perfect place to display the kids school and church art-work... I took 12x12 scrapbook paper, covered it with clear contact paper and taped it to the wall. Now I can tape the kids art on and remove it when it's time for fresh stuff.

We've finally landed again :)

After a few months of limbo, Ben got hired at Guidance Helicopters in Prescott, AZ, so we got to stay in the area. We rented a house in Chino Valley and moved in the first week of August. Wendy and Cassie came down to give us a hand, and boy was it useful and fun having them around! Chino has grown on me really quickly, I don't even mind the tarantulas, although the centipedes and wolf spiders I could do without :)Sunsets from our front porch... lots of the neighbors have horses and goats,

the kids love seeing them every time we drive anywhere.

Our back yard on a misty morning

The weeds we moved in to and the surprise Saturday morning
help from some church-members cleaning them up :)

Burning some of our leftover weeds in the back

One of the biggest perks of the house is the swing set!

Cassie set up Alaura & Sam's new pink and purple room

Can we say "Canasta"... little Ben is hooked on it

The Canasta King with his licorice Cigar, he was sooo slap-happy

We love Summer

By far the best part about summer is going to the pool! Our friend's town has the cutest pool with a waterslide. Ben and Alaura remembered enough of their doggy-paddling from last year to get the A-ok from the lifeguard to get to slide. They just have to be able to get out on their own. Even with it a little cool and breazy, they love it!


When we don't make it to the pool the kids slip-n-slide and splash in the baby pool.