Super Cool Kid Clothing

I came across this really fun clothing line for kids. I especially like the shirt selection for the boys. The company is Appaman and it has a unique Scandinavian perspective on Ameripop iconic imagery.

Ultra Stay-cation Backyard Campout

We've tried to do a camp-out with our friends for quite sometime now, and it finally happened.....except not in the mountains, but our backyard. Although not much of a "camp-out" activity, we got an inflatable slide and jump house. It was a hit with the kids!

12 Adults & 22 Kids

Boo spoiled us with fresh Salmon from Alaska---Yum!

I love these ladies! I feel so blessed to have such great friends!

The movie "Bedtime Stories" did just the trick to calm the crew down

Not to be left out, Mr. D, of course, joined in the fun and started running an obstacle course race.
Although rain spoiled some of the morning activities, the kids were no about to let it rain-out the party! They would go do their part in the race, freezing all the way, then jump in the hot tub to get warm. It was time to clean the hot tub anyway! :)

There is nothing like exhaustion from fun times!

LOVE LIST

Francie Pants: Underwear for active dress-wearing girls

These are just a few prints that A-Girl loves. She has a list of many more that she wants!


Does your little girl love to do cart wheels, go to gymnastics and twirl away, all while wearing a dress? If so, you know the inevitable, panties for everyone to see. Here’s a modest solution that doesn't involve ruffled bloomers.
She won’t be ashamed to show off these skivvies. According to the manufacturer, “When girls wear Francie Pants they have the power to be proper without having to be prudes.” Really what they are high-style boy short undies. They come in great patterns for babies to school-aged girls and are $16.50 here.

A Squirrel in My House!

The other day I opened our sliding door, then shut our screen door to let-in some nice fresh rain air. I was looking forward to a hurry-and-accomplish-as-much-as-you-can day while my two oldest were away at Nana's Camp. I went to the laundry room to switch loads and was headed to the kitchen to do the morning dishes, when to my surprise and horrer, there was a squirrel in my house! He had crawled under the screen door, the gutsy scroungy thing. He was not what you call a cute squirrel, and he is big on the scale of squirrels I've seen. J -Boy was frozen and wide-eyed in the family room, so I calmly said, "honey, go to your room!" He grabbed his blankie and elephant and ran to his room. I tried to look around in the corner where the squirrel ran towards, which is where we keep our blankets and toys. I COULD NOT FIND HIM! I assumed he went through our railing and went downstairs. SNAP! There went my day. Now, I had to deal with an unwelcome animal..... oh! and poor J-Boy. I went into his room a little later, and he was just sitting on the floor, cuddling with his blankie, with a scared look on his face, not making a peep! He was fine after 2 seconds of a comfort-cuddle and ready to help me look.

I called my neighbor to see if her boys wanted to come chase him down. They weren't available, but she suggested animal services. I called animal services, and they couldn't come because he is "wildlife." I called wildlife services and they couldn't come because they "don't do squirrels."
Mr. D was out of town, so I called my brother and Dad, and they, along with my Mom and sister, came and we searched high and low with no success! At some point he snuck back out because we saw him running around our back porch two days later. But until I saw him on the porch, I was all creeped-out thinking he was going to surprise attack us any minute! And don't think I didn't leave little piles of nuts all over the house, just to see if he would come for a nibble. I didn't ever want to leave my two little ones alone, just in case it was some crazy squirrel....you never know!?

Online Magazines: Free and Fantastic!

Are online magazines the wave of the future? Will your favorite glossies go digital too? Well, these two online magazines for hip parents of stylin' kids have been wildly popular. Each has fantastic content – totally free for your dowloading and perusing pleasure. Take a look!

LMNOP, a Free Quarterly PDF Magazine for Hip, Stylish Parents and their Children
Download it here.

Small Magazine – Summer Issue Just Out!
Download it here.

Nana's Camp

These 3 cuties had a fun day at Nana's Camp! My mom started a fun tradition this summer for the 3 oldest grandchildren. She has a hand-full of days planned where she will do a craft, read books, and do other activities on a certain topic and then take the kids to do the "big activity." For example, she did a lesson on being a Child of God. Then, they made these cute frames and put a picture of themselves in it. And then she took them downtown to the "Child of God" exhibit in the LDS Church Museum. The kids are crazy excited to go to Nana's camp and spend time together. I know she has a camp planned for the zoo and heritage park, but I can't wait to see what they do next! What a great idea mom!

The Best Blankets

Of all the blankets in our home, J Boy and A Girl both agree that the PB Chamois Stroller Blanket is hands-down their favorite! They both love to sleep, snuggle, and carry-around this blanket with them. In fact, they each have two, just in case one is dirty there is no panic or problem.

J Boy's New Favorite Toy

My children love to play with all the fun toys at Pottery Barn Kids while I shop and look around. We end-up staying there for quite awhile because they are so entertained. Last time we were there, J Boy found a new favorite toy, and he is not easily attached to toys. For some reason, he just really loved these Sprig Vehicles and would NOT let it go! At the time, I didn't understand why he was so attached, but they really are pretty cool vehicles. Bonus, they are eco-friendly too!
These all-terrain vehicles are made of 100% recycled materials and feature playful, cartoon-like shapes that are irresistible to kids. Even better, they don’t require batteries. When kids roll and bounce the vehicles, it charges the power supply so that each vehicle lights up and produces sounds when the wheels turn. Plus, when the Adventure Guides are popped into the driver’s seats, their headlamps light up.

For people that HATE to Iron like me!

Downy® Wrinkle Releaser® is an easy-to-use spray that reduces wrinkles and helps keep your casual clothes looking neat without all the hassle of ironing. Its unique formula relaxes fabric fibers, helping to release wrinkles. And Downy Wrinkle Releaser leaves clothes with incredible softness.

This is a beautiful product. I use it almost on a daily basis. I despise ironing and will avoid it at all costs. That is why I have come to cherish my acquaintance with this product. The outcome is not always perfect, but pretty close....close enough for me.

Father's Day Idea

I'm trying to figure out what to get for Mr. D for Father's Day. I have a couple of ideas.... but I'm still looking for the "perfect" gift. In our house, the perfect gift to Mr. D is not too much $ (he hates for me to spend $ on him and I love to buy him things.....can you blame me?). I came across these adorable tee's and think it would be fun to get these for the kids, take a picture of the kids in them, and then frame the pic for Mr. D's office.

Ina Garten's Amazing Home

REALLY? This home is a dream and her life is a dream! This is for real? Reality for the "Barefoot Contessa"..... REALLY? The decor! The property! The architecture! Oh... and the FOOD! :)





This is the perfect pantry

The "Great Room" and Kitchen are amazing! I will say this again....I love white kitchens!
These pictures are from a write-up on her in House Beautiful.
On a shady side street of East Hampton, New York, Ina Garten built her "barn," inspired by the simple country buildings of Belgium and designed by architect Frank Greenwald. Ina loves to entertain outdoors, and "all my guests love to sit on the stone sitting wall before dinner, having a glass of wine," she says. After dinner, everyone gathers around the big iron fire bowl to roast marshmallows and make s'mores.