good morning

on the fritz

This will be the second time in less than a year that my computer has crashed on me. I have no idea why it is against me, but it is. We have a huge love/hate relationship. Mostly hate.

I now have to figure out how I am going to go about getting another monitor for the life sucking beast that my modem has become. Hopefully it won't be too much longer, or I may just throw it out the window, like I have been threatening to do for quite some time now.

Until then I'll try to do my best from my husband's laptop.

Sad, sad day.

I did see the trailer for this today. It looks so interesting and I wish it were coming to Utah so I can see it. 

What a dedicated man Bill is.

weekend

Friday night was spent staying up late on the computer playing games and watching episodes of Modern Family, wayy into the wee hours of the morning. 

Saturday was a big lazy day with my boys. So lazy, that I in fact fell asleep on my computer keyboard while checking my email. Staying up late kicks my butt. 

(A sticky note reminding myself of that fact would really come in handy one of these days.)

It's too bad I don't have a picture of that. It would have supplied me with a few good laughs at myself.

[one should carefully read the instructions when doing a hand mold, 
so you don't end up with an upside down star. just an FYI]

spring

 

I was finally able to pull out my spring/summer clothing yesterday! What great timing, too! It was beautiful and sunny. If only I could have spent more time outside, then it would have been a really perfect day.

Now we're back to layers, beanies and thick socks today. Boo. 

BUT

we're finishing up some last minute touches on our summer plans 

and ideas today, which makes this day a little less gray.

*If you're wondering why I haven't posted the last 3 outfits of my 30 for 30, well, there is good reason. I took the pictures, thought I uploaded them to my computer and then deleted them all on my memory card. Seriously. I thought I was going to cry. Especially since it took me forever to get those dang pictures. 
grrrrrrrrrgbasghitgrlkeg

guess who?

I decided to bring out the natural reds in my hair (you know. that one that only shines in the sun).
I've been debating this since the last time I dyed my hair "red". I was too scared to go full out red so I went a reddish brown. Nothing too noticeable. This time around I thought, what the heck?!
I colored my hair, washed it and went to bed. When I woke up and looked in the mirror, I was a tad bit nervous. But as soon as I got ready and actually did my hair, I fell in love.
L.O.V.E. - love.

30 for 30: day 27

top: F21 / skirt: Glam / shoes: Bumper

Here's another one to knock of the list. I actually cheated a little. This shirt isn't in my 30 for 30, but I have a stain on my original one that I'm STILL trying to get out. So I grabbed this one that was very similar, just different color stripes. I think I sort of made up for my cheating ways by wearing 2 outfits the next day.

Oaklen's party [pt.3]

I'm loving the new craze these days with photo booths. You can rent them for your wedding receptions, and I think it's the greatest idea. I'm the kind of person that likes to see, not only the pictures of the main person, but the guests as well. It's so fun to see the whole atmosphere of the party, rather than just the main event.

So I decided to make my own photo booth using a blue and white striped bed sheet (D.I. $3), balloons and props for the guests to wear (homemade and the Dollar Tree). I tacked up the sheet, taped up some balloons, set up the tripod and gave the guests the remote to get as goofy as possible. I can't wait to get them all edited and ready for my next idea. ;-)

-what they got to choose from-

And here are just a few pictures of the guests. I don't want to add them all, because that would ruin the surprise. =)

 

 -Oak's youngest cousin at the party-

My, oh my what a difference a year makes!

Again, thank you to EVERYONE who sent birthday wishes, cards, gifts, love. It was greatly appreciated. And thank you to all who came to the party and shared this day with Oaklen. It was such a special day for all of us.

-xoxox

Oaklen's party [pt. 2]

I'm not sure if this is mostly a Utah thing or not, but my family had never heard of a "smash cake". I think the parents normally give the birthday child a cupcake or slice of cake to eat/smash/spread all over the place, but we go all out. Or at least I did. So instead of giving him the normal cupcake, etc. I made him a mini 3 tiered cake for him to dive into. Why not, right?

Although he didn't get too crazy with the cake (I figured he wouldn't), he did make a good enough mess. I was washing icing out from the creases in his thighs to the backs of his ears. 

(before I overload you with pictures) 
Hang tight! There's one more part! And it's my favorite...

Oaklen's Vintage Circus Birthday Party [pt. 1]

I wanted to do more of a vintage type of theme rather than the original circus theme party. I just love the softer colors and decorations of it all. I'm not a big fan of the bright primary colors, clowns, cartoon animals type of circus. Something older guests could enjoy as well. I think, with the immense amount of help from my mom and sister, we nailed it on the head.

But holy moly!! How do mothers do this each year with their children?! I am just not cut out for the party planning business. Which is why I kept reminding myself to hire someone to do it all for me from here on out.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my projects. I want it to be the best it can possibly be, no mistakes or flaws. Funny that I'm also the worlds greatest procrastinator. Perfectionist + Procrastinator = Never getting exactly what you had set out for.

I was left rushing around like a crazy person on the day of his party, trying to get the last minute details done that I thought would only take me an hour, tops. When everyone started arriving and I was still worrying about this or that, Straton came up to me and very sweetly reminded me that it's all about Oaklen. This is his day. We needed to just sit back and enjoy it all.
I can't say I actually stopped running from here to there, but I DID remember to enjoy it.
Remembering every expression Oaklen made while opening his presents.
Or the way he pinched at his cake like a little crab, with his sweet little fingers.
Or how he sat watching all the other kids play with his new toys, not caring that he hadn't yet, because he was just happy to be where he was.

It was an exhausting/fast/emotional/fun/grateful kind of day, and we couldn't be happier with the way things turned out. We're so thankful Oaklen will be able to look back at these pictures one day and see the love from family and friends.
And that's how a first birthday should be.
One heck of a celebration.

-The snack table-

-decorations-

-opening presents-

-this is Oak's "squeeze" face he learned a couple weeks ago-

---The party's just getting started! Stay tuned for part 2.

did you miss me?!

I've been M.I.A. the last few days, I apologize. But it's been a hectic week. Family is in town visiting, Oaklen had his birthday party, and I FINISHED my 30 for 30!! I have pictures to prove it, but it's going to have to come a little later because I'm spending ALL my time with my family. So be expecting lots of fun posts in the near future.

Here's a sneak preview from the birthday boy's party. It was a blast!!

mother tries kissing baby to death