We're going Red! (At least in the kitchen)

About a month ago we decided to Go Red in our kitchen. I've always loved red kitchens, but was too afraid to do it. So, when Tol and I were discussing redecorating our house we decided to be bold and just go for it! I am so glad we did. We love it!!

I didn't take a before picture. So, I had to search my photos and find a picture that had our kitchen in it. This was taken a couple of years ago after Taylor, Brayden, and TJ built an amzing marble maze out of toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, and duct tape. As you can see we had a very cheery bright kitchen!

First things first: Gotta cover up that green with a gray primer. Parker was in charge of the behind the stove area. He could have at it back there. He loved it!!

I left the room for a minute and next thing I knew Brayden had climbed up on the counter and was painting away. (Did I mention he had a full leg cast on!) That lasted as long as it took for me to take a picture, then, he was kindly escorted to the couch. :) 

Taylor loves to paint and he is really good at it. He was a huge help one week later when I decided to surprise Tol by painting the living room and family room while he was at work.

 - Thanks, Taylor, couldn't have done it without you!

Yes, even Tol grabbed a roller and painted away. It was so fun to do this project as a family!

Who needs a ladder when you've got a fridge! :)

With the gray primer we only had to paint 2 coats of red. Yay!! Great tip from the Home Depot paint man!!!

Anyone that has been to my house knows about my Dinner Choices sign. I had to keep that, then add a couple more.

And here it is!!!

Ice Skating

One of the things Taylor and Brayden wanted to do during Christmas break was go to Ice World and try out ice skating. Tol was happy to stay home with Parker and I was excited to take the boys. So off we went!

There were a few falls, actually a lot of falls when we first hit the ice.

But, then they got the hang of it.

Brayden was not afraid off anything. He was rippin' it up on the ice!

We were having so much fun! Before we knew it, it was time to go. They begged to go around one more time. I said, "Sure! Meet me at the gate."

Next thing I knew Brayden was screaming as he crawled out of the gate. I carried him to the car, rushed home, called the doctor, and Tol took him to get x-rayed. Our fun adventure ended with Brayden crawling out of the rink with a spiral break to his leg. Same leg he broke last year!

He says he will never skate again. We'll see!

Christmas

Christmas is the best! I love Christmas morning. Waking up to the magic... Santa's plate of cookies and cup of milk gone except for a few crumbs, new gifts left by the jolly old man, the excitement of giving and receiving, and kids!!! Kids make the magic. The look on their face when they first walk in from a restless night sleep is priceless and makes all the hard work and preparation so worth it!

Our kids are so excited to give their gifts that they have made at school. Here Tol is with our newest ornament made by Brayden.

The big gift from Mom and Dad was Outdoor Challenge for the Wii!

Brotherly love, I love it!

Tol is sporting his new "Big" towel for the gym.

Outdoor Challenge is so much fun and you can really work up a sweat!

While Tol, Taylor, and Brayden tried out the new Wii game Parker and Mom checked out the tabletop air hockey.

The big guy even brought Zoey a new shirt and jacket! She's stylin'!

Candy Trains

Our family loves traditions! One of our traditions at Christmas is to take the leftover candy from Halloween and make candy trains. The kids love this and I love that it tends to cut down on the candy consumption at Halloween.

Brayden is frosting up a candy bar to add to his masterpiece. Yum!!!

As we create we may nibble on a candybar or two!

It's mine....all mine....hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

The finished products are scrumptious looking. But they are not eaten, only admired by those that visit our home during the Christmas season.

Take notice, Parker did not make it into any of the photos. He fell asleep right after dinner that night and slept right through all the fun... bummer!

Trip to San Diego

Tol and I went to San Diego one week before Christmas. He had a Athletic Director Conference he had to attend and I tagged along.

My brother lives there. So we met up with him and headed for Old Town for some authentic Mexican food.

Since Tol was in conferences most of the day on Sunday I called up Craig and we went to the Midway Museum. 

This is where I really wanted to be... a cruise... someday!

Inside the Midway...

Just outside the Midway there is this amazing statue of a sailor and his girl. It's pretty cool!

Tol and I were excited to get away from the clouds in Boise. But it rained 2 out of the 4 days we were in San Diego!

Isn't it called Sunny California?

Despite the rain, we still had a wonderful time!

12th Anniversary

November 22, 2008

Tol and I celebrated our 12 years together in Salt Lake City. We were joined with Aaron and Emily Williams, Nathan and Melanie Williams, Paul Rutter, and Julie Rutter. The first night we were there I got sick, sick, sick with the flu...what fun! This is the morning after...still a little pale and not 100%, but I was not going to lay in bed all day!

A Salt Lake trip would not be complete without a trip to Temple Square.

After some shopping and relaxation in the hotel, the real reason for going to Salt Lake...The Coldplay concert!!!

We sat with Paul and Julie on one end and the Williams' clan was on the on the opposite side. The concert was awesome!

 

We had a great time rockin' out to all the songs! It was a great weekend, minus being sick! :)

When we returned home I surprised Tol with a Bart McCarroll (my brother :)) original... one of Tol's most inspiring sports heroes of all time, Michael Jordan. He displays it proudly in his office. I love surprises, and this one was so great!