Red, White and Blue...

The fourth of July has always been a favorite holiday of mine. When I was little, we would go up to my grandmas (where fireworks were not only allowed but encouraged haha) and we would have a huge celebration. This year we decided to stick around and enjoy the fourth of July festivities here. Our neighborhood does a cute little parade which my kids loved (doesn't take much to please 'em I tell ya).

We then went over and enjoyed a day of swimming and BBQ'ing with family...and we even got to watch a firework show from my in laws backyard; which is always the perfect ending to this special holiday.

Probably more than any year I can remember, this holiday has really struck a chord with me this time around. I am not sure if it's just me getting older (that saying the older you grow the wiser you get...maybe is a true statement?!). Or maybe it's just that my kids are getting older, and watching them grow up has made me truly appreciate everything this country offers.  I am so, so grateful for it.

Here are a few photos of our little fourth of July celebration... chalk full of those iconic USA colors red, white and blue.

Conference and Colorful Swirled Pancakes

The first weekend in April, and the first weekend in October is always a special one for me. It is Conference weekend...and I'm always a bit sad when it's over. It is a time when we can watch on television and listen to the Prophet speak to us, as well as the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I am always so overwhelmed, after watching Conference, with the feelings of gratitude for this life I have here on Earth. As hard as it can be, there are always things to be thankful for. I know that the reason for my gratitude stems from the things I know to be true...and because of that knowledge I can have a clear understanding of why we are here on Earth and what we were sent here for.

With that said, weekends like these always include a special breakfast...So my partner in crime helped me make swirls of color in our cornmeal yogurt pancakes. I'm pretty sure we go through food dye around here like nobodies business... :-)

Mixed Berry Dumpling Cobbler...you're welcome :-)

Its quite simple really, as much as I love DIY's and other colorful projects around the house, my true passion lies in baking. I love a good dessert/meal but most of all I love sharing it with neighbors and friends (well, if it passes my TLC criteria: Taste, Look, Consistency). I can't be giving out nasty, ugly desserts?!

The smells, the colors, and the memories of making something that everyone can enjoy through tasting really just razzles my berries, if you know what I mean.

Speaking of berries, this dessert is always a go to when Fall is around the corner! It's a major "comfort food cobbler" perfect for the season. It never disappoints. Well, unless served without ice cream; but I mean, you probably already knew that?!

The colors are amazing with this dessert too (actually we may have eaten it for breakfast too...hey don't judge, it has bisquick and berries so it's absolutely justifiable).

 ^^^it never lasts long...never, ever^^^

^^^this is just to prove that I really do share...sometimes?!^^^

MIXED BERRY DUMPLING COBBLER
-2 pkg. frozen mixed berries (without strawberries, they're too chunky)
-2 cups sugar
-1/4 cup butter
-3 pkg. 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 2 1/4 cup Bisquick
-2/3 cup milk
-3/4 cup oats

In saucepan bring berries, 1 cup sugar and butter to boil---stirl gently until butter and sugar dissolve. Remove from heat. Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth than add 2/3 cups milk. Stir in Bisquick and oats. Press 2/3 of  batter in the bottom of a greased  9x13 pan. Than pour berry mixture over and dollop the rest of batter on top. Cook at 350 for 35 minutes. Serve warm with icecream!

White Sand and Blue Skies...

Well hello there! It's been a while since I've blogged. My little family and I decided to take a spontaneous vacation last week and it was a much needed time away from all things obligatory and work related. I am finally getting back in the groove of things...tell me I'm not the only one who has vacation hangover when you get back to real life?!

We met up with my sister in laws and their families at the Gulf Shores in Alabama. Then we spent the last day and a half of the vacation in New Orleans (which I'll post about some time soon...) For now, this post is for all things beach related!

This was the first time Josh and I have taken our girls on an "extended" vacation (aka longer than a weekend) to a completely new place. I was hesitant at first because of the long flight, the unexpected sleeping arrangements and a million other things that only moms think about when thinking about taking their kids on vacation.

But when all was said and done, I am so glad we went! Yes it was a lot of work trekking to and fro with little ones in tote...and Yes, the flight was a bit brutal and LONG, and yes there were some nights where we didn't get much sleep...and yes we ate way too much fried food and my kids ate way too much crap for their own good; but I have to say, the people, the places, the experiences/memories and the time together most definitely outweighed the cons (cons like Sage peeing the hotel bed at 1 in the morning, and beach rashes up the wazoo, and ridiculous humidity that caused my body to sweat 24/7)

So may I just say if and when you get the chance to vacation with your whole fam damily... do it. Whatever it may be...camping, staycationing, sight seeing. Whether it's close or far...cheap or expensive---all that matters is that you're all together with no other distractions!

This beach was so different then ours in So. Cal...the sand was white powder filled with seashells and the water was about 75 degrees. There weren't too many waves and storms would roll in every once in a while...it was awesome.

Here are a few photos from the Gulf Shores. It was hard to narrow it down...which only means that there will be more posts to come, one of which includes one of my favorite restaurants of all time!

^^^not sure what happened here, but apparently she wasn't as amused as I was?!^^^

Fireplace Makeover...

Last week, as I was sitting at my kitchen table eating breakfast I was looking outside at my patio area thinking "it looks so drabby".

Than I had this bright idea to paint my "drabby" white fireplace so that it added a bit of color to the space. I went out and grabbed a few (okay like fifty) swatches and chose my favorite ones to tape up on the fireplace.

Some of you might be thinking "there's no way she was going to paint it bright pink..." oh but I am serious when I say heck yes I would have if my husband didn't live with me. However, that isn't the case and it's a good thing b/c I'm sure a bright pink fireplace would get old after a while.

Anyways I taped it off, bought a slanted bristled brush and paint...and went to work.

Color choice:  Rich Navy by Glidden Paint

 ^^^my trusty sidekick...don't let that look fool you^^^

^^^ this was taken after the first coat...I did two more after this...^^^

 ^^^ voila...like a whole new patio! Plus the ficus trees and pots helped a little :-) ^^^

^^^Then I pretended to be a good housewife, with a pie that my mom made, and take a picture outside with it ...but really I just wanted everyone who was there to admire the beauty of my fireplace that I toiled over! But let's be honest my moms pie was way to good to notice anything else :-)

Blueberry Pickin'

Earlier this year we went and picked strawberries...so it only seemed fitting to go get our blueberry pickin' on as well! I met up with my sisters for a fun and quick (since it was so hot that it started to become uncomfortable rather than enjoyable) afternoon. I have never gone blueberry picking before, and to be honest they taste a million times better fresh off the bush than anything you can get in the store!  So, naturally I have come to the conclusion that I need a blueberry bush in my yard...talk about convenient.

I love seeing my little ones experience things for the first time. Cozy ate her weight in blueberries and Sage was about done twenty minutes in due to the 95 degree weather...so a tip for anyone who wants to go picking...go early or later when the sun isn't blazing!

We got to touch little piglets snouts (Sage thought it was the funniest thing ever...) and check out a chicken coop... sometimes I kind of wish I lived on a farm for the mere fact of walking out your front door and having things right on hand. Maybe in my next life?!

Anyways, my sister Rachy snapped a few photos of us at the fields. I am going to miss having her around to capture moments like these that seem to fade away in our memory as time goes on. Thanks Rachy girl.