A Little Fresh

I've made a few simple changes around here. 

Not big, 

not fancy, 

and I don't really know what I'm doing. 

That being said, I'll share (also, I am not a professional photographer, so no judging my not so awesome photos)

A friend of mine introduced me to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  It.Is. Amazing.

This was our old TV Stand (actually, it was fairly new...I just hated the dark color)

So much better right?

I also added a cute green table runner.

This vanity was given to me before I was married.  I love it! I have always enjoyed doing my hair and make-up everyday on this thing.  Although, I have always disliked the color--it is a very old piece.  So I changed it.

So much better!

That was the old seat cover-gross, right?  Ben was a stud and took me to get new fabric and to Home Depot to cut out a new stool top.  Isn't that adorable?

These photos are not anything crazy, I just added a little color around here. 

Simple changes.

Above is the photo I took when we first moved in.  If you can see the counter tops-everything was dark and blah.

I've been into green lately.  So I added a few pieces to freshen my kitchen up a little.

(Above) Again, a before picture. Notice the wall, and the mantel. Yuck right?

Well, I work with what I have.  

Who has money to purchase a ton of new stuff?

Added a little green frame, put color photos in my existing frames, and spray painted my star.

Now if only I could figure out what to do with our old family photo??

Our new mantel.  I added white.  Frame from IKEA for $2.99 and Spray painted that other weird thing white.

Also, do you remember my old tan pillows (earlier photo).  I put $5 pillow covers on them from IKEA, and it really brightened the place up.  Especially with the super dark couches.

Just a cute corner of that wall.

Also -- added family photos in our entry way. I. Love. It!  Maybe it's just because it's pictures of my cute kids, but I just walk by and stare at them.  

Like I said, nothing fancy. I just needed a little change.

My Little Hikers

We live at the foot of a mountain. So naturally my boys would want to hike to the top of it.  I can't believe they did it - They are seriously so tough!

Craft or Clean?

I choose CRAFT!

This is what my kitchen currently looks like.

I should clean it.

Instead I chose to make a chore chart. It was way more fun.

-Cutting Out-

-Made chores & chore photo (for Ethan who can't read yet) with Word-

 -Cutting out the chore background-

I need to laminate them. But for now, they'll stay like this.

I hung it in our hallway.  I'm not sure if this is the best spot, but our kitchen was full already - and I did not want to hide it in the laundry room.

I like the way it turned out. It's simple & cute.  

Price list:

Magnet board from IKEA: $12.99

(4) Pack of 4 Magnets from IKEA: $11.96 (not all are shown)

Scrapbook Paper from Hobby Lobby 1/2 off: $1.18

Glue Stick: $.98

Total:  $27.11

(you can totally make this cheaper by buying cheaper magnets, I liked the large white ones)

Family Photos

We had our family photos done by: Sundloff Photography.  Lindsay is pretty much a genius.  I'm posting a few of my favorite photos.  If you did not already see her blog post on us, click HERE. 

Family Photos: The only time it's appropriate to sit in dirt with high heels on...Well, and on Tuesdays. Tuesdays are a good day for that too.

  I love it!

I need 3 to put in my entry way. Which are your favs??

Nothing Too Exciting

Here are a few things we've been up to.

 Seriously, these pictures not turning the right way is really irritating me. 

Anyway, Ethan's indoor soccer just ended.  He did a fantastic job, and loves soccer.  So much so, that we signed him up for outdoor soccer that starts Saturday.

 Ethan with his cute friends.

Ryan working on his Science Project while he was off track.

The boys on Easter Morning.  The Easter Bunny "poops" candy at our house.  Yum.

Missionary

We went to Tooele to see Uncle Peter (Ben's brother) get set apart as an LDS missionary this week. He will serve in Mexico. We are so proud of Peter and excited for him.  He left for the MTC yesterday.

I was so happy the boys got to see this. I'm grateful for Uncles that are good examples to my boys.  Ryan says he wants to serve his mission in Texas, and Ethan says he wants to serve his mission in Mexico - just like Uncle Peter.

Snowboarding

My boys went boarding for their first time yesterday.  They had so much fun, and were so tough!  Every time they fell down, they got right back up.

Me & Ry-Man

 I do not have these pictures sideways on my computer, but for some reason, they will not turn the other way on the blog...so sorry.  Anyone know how to fix it??

Anyway, Ben and I would let the boys go and run down the hill after them.  It was exhausting awesome!

 They seriously were so good! I was impressed.

Here was Ryan getting a little nervous.

This was Ethan's, "I have to pee", stance.