Family Room Facelift

When we built our house 5 years ago, I wanted to have a fireplace. But there were lots of other upgrades we wanted too, and so we decided not to do it at the time. I've been waiting until the budget and the time was right so that we could install a fireplace, and this summer we got it done!

Over the last 5 years I've watched a lot of HGTV and have formulated a vision of what I want. I then consulted with my designer friend, Karina, to make sure I was on the right track. She drew up a plan and helped me with the details. I am so grateful that we did not install a fireplace when building the house because we would have just gone with the builder's vision. I love how my vision turned out!

before

during the cabinet and shelves install, the end of June

The mantel and stone were installed a couple of weeks ago; I've spent  my birthday money over the last week or so to find accessories for all of the shelving :) It was so fun to be able to buy everything all at once, instead of one thing at a time like I usually do when I decorate!

I love the pop of color! Both the cabinet guy and the paint guy told me they thought the idea of the blue was crazy, but once they saw it finished they loved it!

We are waiting for some metal meshing to go in the doors on either side of the fireplace (venting for electronics). But it got delayed and I didn't want to wait any longer to take the pictures! I love all of the cabinets -- so much storage!

Ryan jokes that the only reason I wanted a fireplace is because I want something to hang the stockings on at Christmas time! Although there is a lot of truth in that, I know we will all enjoy this every day! Next project: new furniture to complete the room!

Update: Here is a picture after we installed the mesh. You can also see a glimpse of the new leather couch set and the coffee table. Now my next project is making drapes for the room :)

Look Who's 3!

This weekend we celebrated Elizabeth's third birthday! We are so grateful for our sweet, happy princess!

While we were opening cards, Grandma and Grandpa called to wish Elizabeth happy birthday

Rapunzel toys!

Rapunzel dress-ups!

Rapunzel and Ariel dolls

For her birthday cake, I tried my best to convince her to have a Rapunzel cake. Target has a Barbie cake on display, and I pointed it out to her one day. We could make it look similar, but with a purple dress and Rapunzel for the doll. She wouldn't have it! Even though she has no clue who Barbie is, she insisted on having a Barbie cake. So that is what she got :) This was my first time making and working with fondant. It's not worthy for Food Network or anything, but I'm happy with how it all turned out!

I think she likes it!

Elizabeth also got a bike for her birthday. When she opened presents, it was still in the box. So after Elizabeth went to bed for the night, Ryan assembled the bike. His sister called while he was working, and I thought it was so funny and amazing that he could keep on working one-handed!

Day at the Museum

My brother Sam is visiting on his break from school. We thought today would be a great day to cross off an activity from our list of "50 Fun Things to Do This Summer" by going up to Salt Lake City for the day!

We spent most of our time at the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum. I've always wanted to take the kids to the museum, but the thought of taking 4 kids by myself always felt daunting, and we always have so many other things to do on Saturdays. It was so nice to have Sam with us -- another set of eyes and hands to help with the kids!

The kids spent a LOT of time at this amazing ball area. They put the balls in some tubes that shot everything up into a maze of tubes and then back down. We started the day here, and ended it here too!

 We also spent a lot of time at the water area. The kids could control buckets, a water pump, etc.

 Elizabeth in the play store

rock wall

Upstairs there were a lot of areas for building things, using various materials. And our boys love building!

These blocks sit on a platform -- you turn it on and it shakes to simulate an earthquake

 Nathan spent a lot of time connecting these tubes for a ball drop

 Nathan spent a lot of time building this car, with some help from Sam

A real Life Flight helicopter on the terrace!

Ryan came up from work and met us at the City Creek Center mall, just a few blocks away from the museum. We enjoyed dinner at the food court, and then we wandered through the mall. I enjoyed a stop at Nordstrom's and the kids found the play area. Nathan even picked up a present for Elizabeth's birthday at the Disney Store. It was a wonderful day!

To Be a Pioneer

The 24th of July is a major holiday in Utah: Pioneer Day. Since Ryan and I did not grow up here, and since he does not get Pioneer Day off of work, I always forget about it until the day of. So our festivities usually are doing the things we do any other July day :) Earlier this month I saw some ads for the city Pioneer Day celebration, and I made the effort to plan ahead and actually do something fun this year!

First we attended a neighborhood pancake breakfast, which included a huge slip 'n' slide on the hill of the park. Later in the day we went to the city Pioneer Day event. It was crowded but a lot of fun -- there was so much to do!

an Old West jail

 I think the boys' favorite activity was the ax throwing!

Benjamin                                                                        Nathan

Joshua

the target

 They also enjoyed the slingshot booth!

Nathan                                                                                Joshua

 Benjamin really got into it!

We wandered over to the adjacent Pioneer Village (which is always there, but we have never been to it). We got to see inside a typical home from the time the pioneers settled the area -- it was one itty-bitty room! I can't believe they would fit a family of 8-10 in there! We also went in a blacksmith's shop, played a few pioneer games, and took a turn with the handcart. Nathan was in an uncooperative mood, so Benjamin pulled the handcart alone -- I was very impressed!

Elizabeth made a paper bonnet at one of the booths, but was not ready to pose in it until we got home.

State Tournament

Nathan's baseball team, the Twins, had a really good season! They came in second in their league and so they advanced to the state tournament! They played 3 games in Payson earlier this week, and if they won 2 of them, they would advance to the next round.

Last year Nathan's team also went to the tournament, and we got creamed! Even though we were at a different location, I was expecting a similar outcome. Fortunately, this year was much better -- the teams were more of an even match.

We were winning the first game fairly soundly. Then the last inning two of our key players started making some cocky mistakes, and we ended up losing by a run! We won the second game -- it was close the whole time, but we won! The third game was really intense. Both teams had each won a game, so whoever won this game would advance to the next round. The Twins did really well at the beginning, and I was starting to arrange my schedule in my head to work around the next game. And then the momentum shifted, and we lost by a couple of runs.

Nathan got to pitch a little bit. He is also an amazing 3rd baseman, and during the tournament he made a few big plays at 3rd! Congratulations on a great season, Nathan! You have worked hard and it is fun to see your talents growing!

Last Chance Day

Today was our last day at Disneyland, and we had to leave around lunchtime to catch our airplane. So we tried to cram as much as possible into the morning! As much as I have enjoyed spending time with the big family, it was nice to have the "no clumping" rule today . . . we were able to do a lot before we left!

We started off in Toon Town. Not many people were there yet, so we got to explore Minnie and Mickey's houses alone. And we just happened to be first in line to meet Mickey as he walked up to his house!

Elizabeth picked this Rapunzel hat for her souvenir

This is the only roller coaster in Disneyland that Elizabeth is big enough for. She LOVED it, so we let her go on it 4 times in a row!

After Toon Town, Ryan and the boys went to Tomorrowland . . . we can't leave without doing AstroBlasters and Star Tours again! Elizabeth and I went to see the princesses again. When we were there the other day, we stood in line for an hour! Since we were going at the beginning of the day, I was pretty sure it would be better today. But I did ask her if she wanted to wait to see princesses again, since it could be the same ones (they rotate which ones are there, but you cannot see who is there until it is your turn). She told me she doesn't mind standing in line for an hour -- she wants to see them! Luckily, we only had to wait about 10 minutes. It ended up being the same princesses as last time -- Ariel, Belle, and Tiana -- but she was just as excited as the first time!

waiting in line

 The movie Brave just came out a couple of weeks ago. We have already seen it, and so Elizabeth was excited to hear that we could stand in a different line near Small World to meet Merida! Unfortunately, the excitement wore off and the tiredness kicked in while we were in line. When it was our turn, she wouldn't smile or talk to Merida -- she wouldn't even let me put her down, which is unusual! Ryan and the boys found us and we all went on Small World together.

Any guesses how Nathan feels about having his picture taken?

We finished the morning with one more turn on Thunder Railroad, lunch, and then ice cream on Main Street -- a family tradition we started last time we were here.

Elizabeth and Joshua got one more churro while waiting for everyone who was on Thunder Railroad.

Here we are on the shuttle bus from the hotel to the airport. We may be tired, but it is a good tired! We had a wonderful week full of family, fun, and great memories!