Spring Break Project

With all the play this break we needed a little project to make us feel like we accomplished something... 

About 13 years ago we picked up this awesome table and chairs from our favorite store--DownEast Home.  They have been great, but over the years they've received a little too much "love". 

So it was time for a makeover!  Thank goodness I had a neighbor to mentor me along the way (Thanks Paige!),  and some big girls that wanted to help.

Step 1--Remove upholstered seat cushions and clean those chairs!  

Step 2--Spray paint the chairs...several times until we get a good coat.

Step 3--Paint the table--four coats!  Don't forget to steel wool between coats!

Step 4--Rub on the polyurethane coats--3-4!

Step 5--Let everything dry for a couple of days--No touchy, touchy!

Step 6--Re-upholster the cushions and attach to chairs!

Step 7--Enjoy!  I still cringe a little when the kids use the table...I'm sure I'll get over it!

It's fun when the journey is rewarding too!

Spring Break Part 2

We had a beautiful day at the park!  Lindsay got to sit in Mom's chair and eat snacks!

She also had fun playing on the playground.

Calvin and his buddies on the spinning UFO.  Only moments before one of the boys loses his lunch!

  Those things get me too!  Uggh!  Enjoying the journey!

Spring Break Part 1

We went to "Jump on It" with our Wilson cousins during Spring Break!We had a great time as you can see by look on Lindsay's face!

Alli was jumping so high and fast that we couldn't get a clear picture!

Oh, to be young!

Lindsay wasn't quite sure about jumping around so many kids...

Calvin looks like he's ready for some action!

He's just a blur!

Fun times!

Best Formula 1

Calvin entered his first Pinewood Derby a week ago!


He picked his design, the paint color, stickers, etc and loved working on it. He was so excited about it, he tried to start work on it the very night he received it (right after the Blue and Gold Banquet)--we held him off by having him draw his design ideas that night. And nearly every night during the month of March, as walked in the door from work, Jeff heard, "Are we going to work on my car tonight?"


He got to race against his best friend Jackson first thing. Jackson made a cool Sponge Bob Car.


Calvin got the award for "Best Formula 1 Car."



He learned about all the steps involved in making a great car--even though he wanted to skip through a lot of them. He had a fabulous design and paint job, but a "bum" wheel kept him out of the Winner's Circle! He handled it well and is looking forward to next year! (While Daddy's glad he has another year to gear up!)

"I Love to See the Temple...

I'm going there someday." Someday was yesterday for Alli--she finally got to do Baptisms! We had the day off from school, so Lauren went with her to show her the ropes and I got to be busy upstairs. We had a great time at the temple together. We even grabbed a little lunch in the cafeteria afterwards! I love the excitement my girls show about going to the temple. It was fun to share the sweet Spirit of temple work with my girls.


I just wish Lauren would've agreed to get in the picture!


What a beautiful day! Another bright spot along the journey!

Girls are Weird!

I know, it seems like you've seen pictures like this before on my blog, but believe me--we have a lot of estrogen at our house! I just HAD to post these pictures of Alli in my wedding dress. A few weeks ago Lauren came up with the idea and was modeling my dress around the house, then Alli wanted a turn. They had fun with my veil and the train. Somehow when Lauren took pictures of Alli, all the pictures of Lauren disappeared! Lauren fits my dress like a glove, it's just a little short, and it looks like Alli's getting there! Now if THAT doesn't make me feel old, I don't know what will! What a journey!

Happy Birthday Alli!

Alli is TWELVE! She thought this day would never come! She got to get her ears pierced, play in a YW Basketball Game, have a party with nine of her closest friends, AND get a room make-over! We surprised her with the room re-do. Her birthday was on Saturday, so Friday when she came home from school I met her at the door. (I really wanted to surprise her so I had to quickly hatch a plan and all I could think of was...) I started getting after her for leaving for school with her room in such a mess! I listed off a few things I had found and told her to head on up there right now and take care of it. I followed her up the stairs and she got to the door of her room and just stood there with her mouth open, eyes huge! WE GOT HER! She had no idea (for once) and was thrilled with how cute her room was. Thanks to our awesome Aunt Kanani and Uncle Adam for helping us out with the vinyl! Hooray for vinyl--it really made the room! What a happy birthday! We love you Alli!