Another Beach Day

The other day we spent the morning at Avila. This time Daddy and Auntie Courtney came too! West was much braver this time and was more interested in the water.

More water, please!

July's Craft

My dear friend Marisa found this idea on Pinterest and we decided to try it out for our homes. It was super easy and fun. Materials: fabric, embroidery hoops, and glue gun!

Step 1: pick out your fabric. I went with the same fabric for all the hoops, but Marisa chose different prints in a similar color scheme.

Step 2: decide how many hoops and of which sizes you want. I chose 2 big, 2 medium, 2 small, and 1 tiny, but I think I may add a few more to fill up the wall a little more

Step 3: cut out fabric to fit your hoop, leaving a small allowance

Step 4: fit fabric in hoops just as if you were getting ready to embroider

Step 5: with a hot glue gun (or elmers glue) glue the allowance down to the inside of the hoop

Hang any which way you like!

For Sale!

I'm selling my desk for $25. The dimensions are 44" x 23" x 29".

We're also selling our art print from IKEA. It's in perfect condition, but we've just ran out of room for it. Dimensions are 22" x 55". It looks great hanging vertical or horizontal. Asking $30

Jaunt to Morro Bay

On our way home from Tahoe we decided to extend our vacation by stopping to house-sit for the Ahlgrens in SLO. Today we zipped up to Morro Bay and had a lovely afternoon. We bought a piece of art from one of our fave artists there (which we learned sadly dies recently). We got treats and let Westly toodle around the docks by the water.

More from Tahoe

Here's a racap of our last few days in Tahoe. We found a great little park with great playgrounds for all ages, so met the family there for a Kentucky Fried Chicken picnic.

Westly's new obsession is the swing

The whole family joined in the playground fun

Our last evening there we cheered on Cassidy and Christopher on the bungee jump

Then just our little family went on a sunset carriage ride around the neighborhood and shoreline

By the end of the week, West was smitten with Auntie Susie

Adventures in Tahoe

We are having a lovely time on our Shaw vacation in Lake Tahoe. It's proved once again to be the ideal vacation spot for us all, for there's a little something for everyone to do. Here are some highlights from the past few days.

West always enjoys playing with his older cousin Cody

Westly ordering room service

Westly subjected to his parents' ridiculousness

West felt like such a big boy enjoying his first ice cream cone all to himself (well, Daddy's left overs anyway :)

Picture of the Week

We hope you have a fabulous week!

The Best Five Years of My Life

Five years ago today on 7-7-07, I married my best friend on a perfect Saturday evening. Our wedding day was bliss, which proved to be just a precurser to our blissful marriage that followed. I don't know how I came to be so blessed in finding my soul mate who compliments me in every way. He makes me laugh continuously, he supports me emotionally, he cheers me on in my talents, he always puts my interests before his, and he loves me wholly.

Here's to our anniversary. And here's to all the anniversaries to come, till death do us part.

I love you, Michael.

First Beach Day!

Today was Westly's first day to the beach! Auntie Kay called us up and invited us to go with her and the cousins to Avila for a few hours this morning. At first West didn't care much for the soft sand. But when we moved to the harder-packed sand closer to the water, he liked it. He dug in the sand with his shovel and tested the cold water with his toes. But his favorite thing to do was collect rocks and toss them in his bucket full of water. We will definitely be heading back this summer!

Sugar Cookies

I found a recipe for sugar cookies that are very similar to those delicious ones you buy at the store, the ones that are decorated for whatever the current holiday or season is. One interesting ingredient was sour cream. I had a just enough sour cream left over to try out the recipe. They were pretty good....but not quite like the store-bought ones