The 10 Things I Love about Spring

1. Little girls white sandals. Once they show up on the store shelves, you know Spring is on it's way.

2. Daffodils. Nothing says spring to me like bright yellow daffodils poking their way up through once frozen ground. 3. Spring showers. While I am typing this, it is raining outside and helping the flowers to bloom, and the grass to turn green.

4. The sound of birds chirping. This sound always puts me in a good mood. 5. The beauty of the grass turning back to green.

6. New Life.

7. General Conference. Renews my commitments, teaches me, and inspires me to be better.

8. Blossoms popping out on the trees. I grew up with a cherry orchard behind my house. Even though I had unbearable allergies, I loved the blossoms.

9. Easter. Remembering the life and ressurection of the Savior. Celebrating and having a special day full of family traditions.

10. A return of bright, cheery colors. Everywhere you go it's vibrant pink, blue, green, yellow...

Cheeks!

On Saturday afternoon I got to spend a couple of hours with this adorable guy. He is my sister Laura's little baby, Oliver. What a cutie! When I wasn't cuddling him, I was posing him for pictures. I couldn't resist putting a little spike in his hair.

He looks a little unsure about all of this. But don't you just want to kiss those cheeks?

Corbin couldn't resist. Thanks for coming over to our house. It sure was fun!

10 Things I Will/Won't Miss About Winter

1. I won't miss icy, freezing conditions and roads. 2. I won't miss the stress of preparing for the holidays.

3. I will miss the beauty of freshly fallen snow.

4. I will miss the joys of Christmas.

5. I will miss wearing cute boots with everything.

6. I will miss attending the boys' basketball games.

7. I will miss opportunities to have this kind of fun.

8. I will miss the sparkle of Christmas lights.

9. I will miss the kids making a snowman and getting so excited about the potential to build one.

10. I will miss making hot chocolate for and welcoming my cold kids into a nice, warm house after being outside in the snow. Doesn't it just feel safe and cozy inside when it's so cold outside?

Why Not?

Tuesday morning, after our second day of messed up alarm clocks due to daylight savings, Carter and Chase were going to be a good 30 minutes late to school. Rather than drive them to school tardy, I suggested we drive to Washington to see Dad. I reminded them that they would not only be missing school but sports practices as well. Without much hesitation they were all on board. We 'quickly' packed, loaded the car, and hit the road. Five + hours later we were in Washington hanging out with Larry. Kind of. Caleb hopped in the sprayer with Larry and finished up the field while the rest of the kids and I drove around checking things out.

This is one of the store fronts along the main street through town. I must admit that if it weren't against my religious beliefs this would be a winning combination--talk about taking the pain out of exercise. We thought it was pretty hilarious. The entry to the liquor store was in front and around the side was the entrance to the fitness center. Of all the names for the fitness center/liquor store--the Burn?!!

10 Things I Love About My Life

1. My marriage. Here we are walking into the temple almost 17 years ago. Whoa.

2. My Family. I love every second I get to spend with them. They bring me the greatest happiness.

3.Having a little girl. She makes me smile every day. I love how girly she is. I love dressing her, talking about princesses and watching her dance and sing. 4. Having 4 boys. Watching them in their athletics and all of the things that they love that are so boyish brings me joy.

5. My brothers and sisters and parents. I admire them and it makes me happy to interact and talk with them.

6. My nieces and nephews. They are so cute! I am so happy to read about them on their parents blogs and any chance I get to see them. I love that my kids love their cousins and have good relationships with all of them.

7. I love living close to a temple. Also, knowing the blessings that come to me by being married in the temple.

8. Knowing that my husband loves what he is doing. I also love that he can provide for our family doing something he loves.

9. Expressing myself creatively. I love design and any chance I get to dream up and create something.

10. My home. It is my refuge from the world. I love expressing myself in it, welcoming my family and friends into it, and the way I feel when I am going to bed at night knowing my children are tucked safely into their beds in it.

10 things I'd like to learn how to do...

Today's '10 on Tuesday' asks the above question. Here are my answers in no particular order.
1. TIME MANAGEMENT aka SELF-DISCIPLINE-so I could actually find/make time to learn any of the following on my list.2. TAKE AWESOME PICTURES and PHOTOSHOP.
3. DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING (including taking all of my printed pictures out of their ziploc baggie storage system, scan and convert to digital scrapbooks).

4. WEAVE MY OWN HAIR.

5. KNIT SOMETHING COOL (or anything at all, for that matter).

6. CUSTOM MATTING AND FRAMING.

7. SEW THINGS THAT PEOPLE WOULD DARE WEAR OR USE.

8. HANG WALLPAPER LIKE A PRO.

9. PLANT, MAINTAIN AND HARVEST AN AMAZING GARDEN & BOTTLE MY HARVEST.

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10. MAKE THE PERFECT PIE CRUST.

And the Oscar goes to...

Chloe for her leading role in a drama as a cereal killer. She really bowled over the academy with her performance. (See following post).
Okay, so it's not actually an Oscar. We just got home from Corbin's basketball team party and Chloe walked into the office wearing sunglasses on her head, and carrying this trophy. It struck me as funny considering the Oscars are tomorrow. Since the camera was sitting right next to me I played the role of paparazzi and snapped this shot. Most academy award winning actresses wouldn't be caught with dried fry sauce all over their mouth. Chloe's so down to earth.
P.S. For all of you that just watch the Oscars to see what they're wearing, this ensemble is by a variety of designers--vintage Gymboree (like 2 seasons ago), Paul Frank for Target (Clearance Rack), and DownEast Kids.

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk

Even if the milk was spilled at 11:30 pm because your 2 year old, who should have been in bed for hours by then, throws a fit wanting cereal and once you give it to her proceeds to throw the bowl and all the contents across the room?

Then, as you clean it up and go to put the milk soaked towels in the washing machine realize that your washing machine has been crying, too. Washing machine tears are all over the floor in the laundry room.

Thank you blog for letting me cry on your shoulder. The other shoulder I would usually cry on is driving a big tractor on a farm right now.

10 on Tuesday (at almost 11 on Wednesday)

I drove around with my camera in my car so I could go by one of the following spots and snap a picture. It didn't happen. The places I did have to go--Lowes, Albertson's--didn't make it to my list so I am making this post without any pictures of the places I chose. Today's picture taking didn't fare much better, but I thought this was an interesting idea and had me thinking...

The TOP 10 PLACES I WOULD TAKE A TOURIST VISITING MY HOMETOWN are:

1. Rembrandts Coffee Shop in Eagle, ID. An old church with gorgeous stained glass windows has been converted into an art gallery (featuring local artists)/coffee shop. It's actually far more than a coffee shop because they make delicious omelettes, homemade quiche and baked goods, soups, to die for sandwiches and for non coffee drinkers like me, yummy smoothies and creme frappes. In the colder months you can stay warm in the big cozy chairs and sofas reading or playing chess or cards and when it's warm they have a charming brick paver patio.

2.Boise River, Eagle location. After breakfast at Rembrandt's, we'd stop at the Boise river and walk through the wooded area and enjoy the lovely walking path. Beautiful. Restful. Serene.

3. Two Rivers. This neighborhood has the amazing homes--especially in the very back around their own little lake. It's worth a drive through--assuming we can make it through the gated area.

4. Eagle Island State Park. Another pretty nature area that is super fun for swimming in the summer and tubing in the winter.

5. Downtown Meridian--the old part. There is a fun fountain and town square there. I don't think much happens there but it is fun to see and the surrounding businesses have done a nice job renovating their buildings.

6. Lunch at either Miss Tami's Tea Cottage or Community Flatbread Pizzeria . Located across the street from one another in Downton Meridian, they are completely opposite from one another in more than just location. But, I really like both. Maybe lunch at Community Flatbread and dessert at Miss Tami's?

7. Ann Morrison Parkway. We'd definitely drive down to Boise, take our cruisers and ride along the Boise river through Ann Morrison Park. A charming ride that takes you through BSU's campus, past the zoo, and art museum. We'd have to stop at the park to see the rose garden, maybe the zoo and art museum?

8. The farmers market (seasonal) and downtown shopping district in Boise. Tons of fun boutiques and a cool vibe.

9. Hidden Springs Neighborhood, along Warmsprings Avenue, and the North End. Amazing homes on the last two, and a really cool neighborhood concept on the first.

10. Dinner at the Cottonwood Grille. This is the favorite place I've been for a nice dinner in Boise. When it's warm its nice to dine al fresco. A gorgeous patio lit with tiny white lights sits close enough to the Boise river to hear it running by. The pork tenderloin is awesome.

*Honorable Mentions: Shakespeare Theatre, Tubing Down the Boise River, Bogus Basin for Skiing, Boating at Lucky Peak, a tour from my Bro. of Gowen Field (that's a very cool thing).