Sleeping Booty and The Little Mermaid

Last Night Avery was singing "Once Upon a Dream" from Sleeping Booty ( as Drew says). She sang "I know you I danced with you once upon a dream...doodoodoo your ugly". I told her that wasn't a very nice thing to say. She said but that is what the Prince says to Sleeping Beauty. I said that it would make her feel sad, and that her prince wouldn't say that. But she was very insistant that the prince says she is ugly. I figured she was just trying to "get away" with saying a not nice phrase. She sang it all last night and today. Well, we watched the movie tonight and Avery made sure that I was listening when that part of the movie came on. "Watch mom, he says your ugly". So, I listened to the song carefully and totally started cracking up. Here are the lyrics

I know you

I danced with you once upon a dream.

I know you

The gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam

I love how when kids don't know a word, they make association with things that they do know. She had never heard " familiar a gleam" before, so she picked the closest word. When you sing it, it can totally sound like UGLY to a 4 year old. What a funny girl. She makes me laugh!!

For about a year and a half now, Avery has been obsessed with the little mermaid. Last Christmas she asked Santa for some Ariel fins so that she could swim in the water like a mermaid. I thought it was just a phase. But, at least once a week she reminds me of her NEED for some Ariel fins. Last night we sat down at the computer together to see if we could find a mermaid costume that she liked. We looked at about EVERY costume on the internet at least twice and she kept saying no. She finally told me that they wouldn't work because they all had holes at the bottom and showed your feet. She wanted one that didn't show your feet so she could swim in the water with them. I tried to explain that she couldn't really wear them in the water and that they weren't going to help her swim like a mermaid. But, she TRULY BELIEVES that she can be a mermaid as long as she has the fins. There is no convincing her otherwise!!

Do you think maybe we watch to many Disney movies?? She LOVES those Princesses!

Vintage shots

I had this great vision in my head of how I wanted my kids' Christmas pictures to look. I've been trying for weeks to take them, but there was always one part of the equation missing (Drew's tie, cool ugly chair, a husband to help, good weather, time, willing subjects, you get the idea). I decided to just go for it today even though all odds were against me. The photo shoot lasted about 15 minutes before Avery was just about frozen and Drew fell in the mud. I didn't get any images I liked, but thought I'd share my try at some different vintage looks on a few salvageable shots.




We also had a fun filled week in Georgia for Thanksgiving. The car ride was long, but SO worth. The kids just love their cousins. And once again, I have no pictures from the trip. Thanks Dana and Reed and families for the great memories!!

{s.i.m.p.l.i.f.y}

my life has been way too busy lately. so my new motto is SIMPLIFY. I love to run my little etsy business, to be an aspiring photographer, to be a mom, a cook, do craft projects, etc. But, I keep biting off more than I can chew. I just get So excited about new ideas, that some times they take over. My latest craze is Avery's birthday party. It is a good thing that we don't have money and I am forced to budget, otherwise I might go a little overboard :) I am REALLY trying to simplify and remember it is just a LITTLE party. BUT, it is just so much fun to create!! I guess I could justify it by saying I am following the council on the apostles (president Uchtdorf's talk in the general relief society session, go read it if you haven't yet!!). Here is a sneek peek at what I have been working on.

Avery was so excited to take pictures this time because she got to eat a big lollipop. She is my candy monster!! This was my first time making an invitation like this, and it took me forever {deep breath, and s.i.m.p.l.i.f.y.} but I think it turned out pretty cute. (okay, I decided to take the invitation down because I haven't passed them out yet, haha. Here are just a few pics for now)

here it is again






My sweet friend Bridi let me use her cricut machine to make this. Again, I was so excited to make it but it took forever. Maybe I should have just bought a $5.00 sign from the store??

the picture doesn't do it justice

anyways, I'm having fun, but need to relax :).

Am I the only one, or do you guys get really excited about your hobbies, projects, or whatever some times too?

Leaves are falling all around

I just love this boy!

HaPPy Stinkin' hALLoWeEN!!

Here she is! Meet the cutest Lemon Meringue ever!!

The kids were SO excited. They ran from house to house and cleaned out the neighborhood in 20 minutes flat!
My Mom sent us these great halloween pumpkin faces. They are perfect for younger kids. Avery and Andrew LOVED making them. They got to pick out their own faces and push them into the pumpkin. The fun lasted about as long as their attention spans (which usually doesn't happen with pumpkin carving) and there was no mess to clean up!!

Sunday Drives

I love going for Sunday drives. Today we went to this gorgeous spot that we found last year. I remember the colors of the trees were AMAZING. I think we were a week too late this year though. : ( It was still beautiful and I love the crisp fall air and going on little walks with my family. These are the moments I cherish.

KiTChEn CuPbOArDs

Does anybody else have to go to their child's kitchen cupboards to find the food they need when cooking???? This is seriously the best stocked little tikes kitchen ever.
Avery loves to write  grocery shopping lists and recipes and then go shopping in my cupboards so she can cook in her kitchen.  It is so cute, but such a pain to put the groceries away 20 times a week. Whatever keeps her busy!

On another note, I ordered some more crochet hats. I LOVE these hats, they are so stinkin' cute. I found a different vendor and the quality is SO much nicer than the ones I ordered before. I only got a few of each color, but if you would like one, just let me know. I sell them on etsy for around $12.00. But If you ask nice I'll give them to you for $7.00 for just the hat or $9.00 with a bow :) I have light pink, bright pink, brown, black, red, and natural.

And the winner is...

Alissa! Good Guess Alissa! Avery is going to be Lemon Meringue, one of the Strawberry Shortcake characters. And she makes the cutest lemon meringue you have EVER seen I might add :) Her little red headed friend Emma is going to be Strawberry shortcake and her sister is going to be Blueberry Muffin. I didn't take any pictures at the ward party, so you'll have to wait until next week to see how cute she really is!



I was feeling a little unfestive (is that a word?) with our lack of Halloween decorations, so I made this sign last week and I think it looks so cute! I can't take all the credit though, I ordered a kit from myemmiecakes. I thought the price was a little steep at first (She unfortunately just raised her prices this week. I'm glad I ordered mine before) but once I added it all up, I couldn't have made it for much cheaper myself, if at all, once you buy all the tulle, ribbon, paper, etc.. I really want to make a cute Happy Birthday one for Avery next.

Halloween costume

We had our ward Halloween party on Saturday and only 1 person figured out what Avery's costume was (thanks Amie)!! I thought that the tights would give it away, but I guess not. My sister and I LOVED these characters when we were little. I had every single one of the dolls, the toothbrush holder, the trolley, etc.. My mom still has our collection and the grandkids play with them at her house. So, I want to see how many of you can guess what Avery's costume is. If you already know, don't say! Think 80s! 

Tasty Tuesday

This has been one of my favorite cakes since I was a little girl. I can remember sneaking bites of it when my mom wasn't looking : ) It is the perfect way to celebrate all that is fall time.

Apple Cake

4 cups chopped apples

2 cups sugar-pour over apples and set aside

mix:

2 eggs

3/4 cup oil

2 t vanilla

then add this to the apple mixture

mix:

2 cups flour

1 1/4 t baking soda

2 t cinnamon

1 t salt

add to apples mixture and stir as little as possible until all ingredients are incorporated

Bake 350* for 45-50 minutes

while still warm, pour glaze over top

butter 

lemon juice

powdered sugar

(I don't know the exact amounts, I always just do it to taste. But, here is a starting point:

 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, juice of 1 lemon, and 2 T butter)

It is SO yummy, you have to try it!

and since every post is better with photos, here are a few for your viewing pleasure :)

how cute is he?

I just had to post this picture. Couldn't you just eat him?

Sneak Peak

This is for you Loralee, but this is all your getting :) These were seriously the cutest outfits I have ever seen!! Thanks for letting me take pictures of your cute girls!

Fall is in the air

We went to our favorite place this weekend, Patterson's fruit farm. It is beautiful, you can pick apples and pumpkins, go on hayrides, and they have apple fritters and doughnuts that are so good Andy dreams about them. :) It has become a fun family fall tradition. The kids love it.