First Snow

I've had a to-do list that's about a bazillion miles long, but every time I sit down complete a task, something distracts me (surprise!) and I end up never crossing anything off. Tonight I was totally distracted by the snow! My roomie, Katie, and I wrapped up in blankets and went for a walk to commemorate the first snowfall, and it ended up in a snowball fight...I'm sure the first of many for the season!

Confession

Get ready for a huge (read: UGE) secret.

I'm terrified of drawing. You know, the sit down and draw-a-picture-of-something-or-someone kind of drawing. I jumped through a lot of hoops while I was in school to get permission to only take one drawing class. I think I ended up with a very generous B- in my Drawing 1 class from a very gracious professor and a lot of prayers! I literally get quite anxious thinking about "drawing."

But doodling? I'm totally there! I don't consider myself great at it, but I can hold my own. I practice my doodling skills daily. The other night when I was at my sister's house and Claire pulled out the paper and crayons, I knew I'd be in good company. I like doodling with Claire because in her (almost!) two year old imagination, she can figure out what it is that I'm attempting to draw. My favorite thing I drew that night was the "owl dressed as BATMAN"...and my favorite thing my sister drew was the pelican! See if you can spot them; they're pretty tender.

I had forgotten about doodling with Claire until today when I was flipping through some pics on my phone. Heaven bless the person who came up with a phone + camera...I use it all the time! Seeing these pictures totally made me laugh. I love my little doodle buddy and I'm glad that she doesn't know what fine art is. :)

This...

{image via Once Wed.}

...is the kind of weekend I was hoping for, but instead the clouds poured rain and the winds blew. We had an intense rain and wind storm (with the s-word* mixed in) last night. I really hope to get at least one more classic fall weekend in before the snow sets in for the next four-plus months. Without a doubt, fall is my (current) favorite season!

*snow

Framed.

Yup. Framed and on my desk. I can't stop looking at this little cutie-patootie!

On Saturday, I tricked my sister into packing the kids up and heading up the canyon to take some pics. I'm glad she humored me...it was nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall colors. Claire (in typical fashion) couldn't sit still for more than two seconds, so we only got a handful of pictures, but they turned out pretty cute!




Claire + rocks + water = LOVE. She love, love, loves her rocks, and throwing rocks in water is even better! Claire would pick up a little rock and throw it in the river followed with "where dit goooo?"


She also discovered how much fun it is to gather leaves and throw them up and laugh uncontrollably as they fall!


Bubba (as Claire now refers to him) in all his cuteness sat and watched us run around chasing Claire for an hour! He's such a good little guy...we sometimes forget he's even around because he never makes a sound!


Another trip up the canyon is planned for this weekend...the leaves are almost done turning, but it's still so beautiful. I love fall!!

"Here's a good one. Another good one."

Another cutesie video. Love this little girl. Happy Tuesday night.

via Serendipity Factory.

Made me smile :)

via Love. Obsess. Inspire....this blog comes highly recommended :)

Green

What color are you? Take this little quiz to find out!
Green. Love, love, love green! All of us girls in my family have a dish collection and my collection is the Anchor Hocking Forest Green Charm collection. We pulled the dishes out when I was home last week and used them for Sunday dinner, and I think I fell even more in love with them! (I'm picturing my mom laughing as she reads this!) Most of the dishes are square and are super simple, just the way I like 'em.

Speaking of home, I'm kind of glad I'm not home right now. My poor family is dealing with a mouse problem right now. I had my first experience with trapping a mouse while I was home (and let Dad have the honors of moving the mouse outside!), and it's not something I want to experience again! The last two messages I've gotten from my sister have had to do with the mouse problem. I just like hearing about the problem from a safe distance! If you have any advice on dealing with this kind of problem, I'm sure they're open to any suggestions! :)

quiz via How About Orange (this blog comes highly recommended!)

New Collection!

I've seen lots of walls with letters, but I LOVE this wall with the alphabet!
I have a new collection to start on! :)

via justbesplenid tumblr...via Lismon Studios. Just spent a few several minutes browsing their portfolio...gorgeous work!

mmm...

Thinking about making these this afternoon...
via ming makes cupcakes.

I shouldn't have done this, but I clicked over to the "cookies" tab...now I kind of want to make these:via here.

{click on the images to see larger}

Weekend...

Sniffle. Clean. Breakfast with Dad! Conference. Move furniture. Cough, cough. Watch more Conference here. Clean room while watching Conference. Get ready for day (at 5:00 pm). Sniffle. Cough. Head out to Deseret Book with roomies and dinner. Come home, take Nyquil. Bed at 8:30.

Airport run at 6:00. Return rental truck. (More on that later.) Breakfast...german pancakes! Finish cleaning-slash-organizing-slash-get rid of more stuff. More Conference. Cough. Cough. Dayquil this time! A little more Conference. Sniffle. Sniffle.

It's been a crazy weekend, but so, so good. Saturday morning Conference session was just what I need. President Uchtdorf quoted Leonardo da Vinci, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Watch here. "What does this have to do with flying an airplane? Well, let me tell you..." Classic.

Currently missing this little lady:

(us flying to St Louis...she LOVED looking at all the airplanes!)

Last week I took Claire with me as I flew home to St Louis for the weekend. We had a little mini family get-together for mom's (50th!) birthday and little Caleb's baby blessing. It worked out for me to fly home a little earlier than everyone else, and because Claire is still under two, she got to come with me! She was perfect while we were in the air, but it was at our layover in Denver that she had her inevitable meltdown. We (barely) survived the meltdown and I might have thought about leaving the kid in Denver...just kidding!! (I love that little girl a little *too* much!) I have so much more respect for parents flying with little kiddos!...it's hard! Claire (oh...and her mom and brother) won't be back in Provo for two weeks, and I'm going crazy with out them here. I'm hoping the next two weeks go fast.

And here's to hoping this little sickie will feel better. Soon.