Study Breaks & Random Projects

Last week I decided to make a wall hanging with one of my favorite sayings on it. Once I got it hung up it just didn't look right. Not what I had hoped for. I said (mostly to myself but out loud), "Hmmm...I wonder if it's just the color of the paint on the wall? Maybe we need a different color." Well, we have been planning to paint the living room for a long time now. Tory jumped up and got all of the paint supplies ready and before we knew it we were painting! We finished in a couple hours. But then...it wasn't what we had hoped for. Not dramatic enough. We had picked a very pale and I do mean VERY pale tan. We thought about maybe doing a faux paint job with glaze which we have done in other rooms, but we decided that wasn't the right look. Then we remembered my sister Amy's technique she just used on her new kitchen! We applied stain over the paint. We used the same stain Tory put on the bookcase he just made for the living room/dining room. It turned out perfect and really ties everything together! This part took a little longer. We tried to do it only at night after the kids were in bed so they wouldn't have to breathe it all day. It turned out to be a good week for this project because after a day of studying for and taking finals, Tory likes to unwind with some sort of "hands on" project. So today we finally applied the last bit of stain. We will need to let it dry and then put a matte coat on top. It will be nice to have our living room back to normal soon! Here's to study breaks and random projects!

A Caterpillar Spins a Cocoon

A couple weeks ago Tory and the boys went on a bike ride at our park in our development. They went exploring in a heavily treed area. That evening Tory was rocking Coen to sleep and felt something moving under his shirt on his neck. Not knowing what it was he reached in, felt something squishy, and threw it. Of course we then had to search for the mysterious squishy thing in case it was a spider or something that could get Coen in the night. We found a squishy green caterpillar about an inch long. I suggested we put it in a jar and see if it would spin a cocoon. The boys gathered leaves and twigs, poked some holes in the lid, and then we put it up in a safe place above the sink. One day I was doing dishes and saw a pale green cocoon hanging off the leaf! This was very exciting! We kept watching and one day the cocoon looked quite shriveled. When we looked closer we realized it was cracked open. We finally discovered the newly hatched butterfly up on the lid. So cool! We never thought it would actually work! Now our next step will be to release him. Probably not today though since we're having major rain storms with lightning, thunder, and tornadoes! For now we'll just enjoy him a little longer.

Family Home Evening

Last night for our Family Home Evening Tory was in charge and decided to do something a little different. He chose to make popcicle stick bridges for the activity. The boys had a great time...especially Tory! They have a pretty nice bridge started. Of course they couldn't get it all finished in one evening so when they got to a stopping point Tory asked Austin and Dallin if they liked their FHE. Austin looked confused. He said, "That's it?! What about the lesson? We're supposed to have a lesson and talk about Jesus and learn how to be good and make the right choices."

So Tory quickly thought of a lesson that tied in bridges and everyone was happy...even though Austin did point out that it was a very short lesson! We always begin FHE with a family song like "There is Beauty All Around" or "I Have a Family Here on Earth". Then for the closing song the kids get to choose. We always have a few rounds of "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes", "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", and "Popcorn Popping", and then there's Dallin's favorite choice the "Lightning McQueen Song". That's right. Move over Rascal Flatts! We've got "Life is a Highway" down! OK. So maybe we change it up a bit from time to time but the main tune is still the same...mostly! It's great when you can sing together as a family! You can be as silly and as off key as you want and it's OK! So anyway, that was our FHE last night. Pretty fun!

A Perfect Night For a Campout...Right?

This afternoon Tory and the boys decided to break out the tent and set it up to see if it's in good condition for our vacation coming up. This week Tory has finals and then he has two weeks off. We're going to check out St. George where we'd like to start up practice when Tory's finished with school. We will be doing some camping and since the last time we went was when Austin was only one and a half we thought we should see how a family of five fits. Of course once it was up everyone wanted to sleep in it. Even Coen was enjoying all the fun! Those in favor of sleeping out tonight won. Tory, Austin, and Dallin hit the sack at about 9:00. Coen and I will have the house to ourselves. I have a feeling this is only the beginning of "father and sons" campouts! I snuck out and took this picture just now. All is quiet. So far so good! Our bedroom window is open so Tory can hear his alarm at 5:00 am. He has his first final at 7:00 am. Doesn't everyone camp in their backyard the night before finals? A perfect night for a campout...right?


P.S. We did find a dead bumblebee inside the tent and discovered that all of the stakes are missing!

One of a Kind

Kids say the funniest things! Even though this happened a few weeks ago I have to tell you about it. One day while the boys and I were in the car on the way to the library Austin was joking around and being silly so I said, "Oh Austin. What am I going to do with you?" To this he replied, "I'm one of a kind Mama! One of a kind!" Where does he come up with these things? He is most definitely "one of a kind". Such a fun boy.

Our New Favorite Place

Today we went on the best bike ride at Oak Grove Park in Grapevine, TX. We found the coolest trail ever! It was just a secluded little trail off in the woods by the lake. We went places bike trailers were not meant to go but we made it! Coen even fell asleep on the ride! It was so bumpy! I don't know how he fell asleep. At the half-way point we took some time to take off our shoes and dip our feet in. The boys found lots of seashells which they want to use to make a special project. All in all it was a very fun ride with beautiful scenery! We will be going back to this trail for sure! You just never know what you will find.

Coen's New Trick

Two days ago Coen just decided he was ready to start standing alone. He's been practicing whenever he's awake. Today is his third day of his new trick and he pretty much has mastered it. He gets so excited whenever he's standing alone. He squeals and laughs as loud as he can! Maybe it's so the rest of us will all look and give him some attention! It's so funny to just see him standing in the middle of the room now. He turned 10 months old yesterday. He's getting so big! He sure is a fun baby. We all love him to pieces!

Sewing Machines

Apparently a very useful item to have if you're in the "creating business" is a sewing machine. The other day I was in the car with the three boys running errands. Austin was asking questions about everything...as usual. We started talking about all of the beautiful things we could see and how Heavenly Father created the world for us. He made the trees, the sky, dirt and flowers, every little bug and snakes, and of course each of us. Austin was deep in thought for a bit and then said, "How could Heavenly Father make everything? He doesn't even have a sewing machine." Now, I don't know how he knows or why he thinks there isn't a sewing machine involved but I sure thought that was funny! That boy cracks me up!

Texas Bluebonnets

Living in Texas it's hard to miss the Lone Star State's finest Spring event...Bluebonnets in bloom! This flower is amazing! The intense blue color and the sweet smell is certainly close to heaven on Earth. There's hardly anything better than standing in a patch and breathing in the smell and sight. After last year's drought, the city spent thousands of dollars on seeds and spread them everywhere! Quite the show this year! We went with our friends so we could take each others pictures. When we were finished we drove to a little park nearby and enjoyed a little sack lunch and some play. It was a beautiful day! You just can't beat Springtime in Texas!

Austin

Dallin

Coen

Tory and Brooke

Austin & Dallin in Trees