2012 February

San Fransisco Getaway

February 28, 2012 By Manda

We had some airline tickets that needed to be used before March so we combined some frequent flier miles and credit card reward miles to take our little family on a weekend get away to San Fransisco, CA.

We had such a great time. Here are some of our favorite highlights.

We went and saw the Elephant Seals at Point Reyes National Park. They are massive animals but of course the park doesn’t let you get very close to them. It was mostly the mamas and the pups left on the beach. You could watch them through provided telescopes. It was a super windy day and barely tolerable without wearing windbreaker gear. There was also a good whale watching spot on top of the point by a lighthouse but the wind conditions dissipated any blow spout spray that would be visible if whales were passing by. Beautiful place though, and it looked like there were tons of hiking and camping opportunities there.

Driving down from Point Reyes took us along the California State Route 1, which was called Shoreline Highway up there above the Golden Gate Bridge. I don’t think I’ve ever driven on such a beautiful, dramatic road. This picture doesn’t even half capture the sights we saw. The coast line was Gorgeous!

We all loved tide pooling but I think Emma and Jeremy loved it best. I think they could have done this for hours and hours. We had read on line that the tide pooling at Muir Beach was a great spot for kids. Unfortunately the tide was high so we were a bit limited but with Jeremy’s animal finding skills we found plenty of star fish, anemones and shells to make everyone happy.

Muir Woods was super cool. It’s not the famous Redwood Forest you grow up hearing about but you get a good idea about how big these giant sequoia trees can be. We hiked around and had a great time pretending we were in some sort of troll land.

I put two photos together to get an idea how tall these trees really are. It’s still hard to imagine, I think.

We went and checked out Half Moon Bay and spent a nice time relaxing on the beach. There are fun cliffs to hike around and explore. I guess there are some massive waves 4 miles up from the beach at a place called Maverick where major surfing comps happen. We checked it out but the waves weren’t breaking.

Again, it was windy and a little cold along the shore. We bundled up the kids the best we could with lots of layers. Jeremy and I had forgotten to pack our own coats and had to make due with sweatshirts. The funny part was that Jeremy had even forgotten even a sweatshirt until we were getting dropped off at the airport by my parents. My dad, most kindly, took off his own sweatshirt and let Jeremy borrow it for the trip. On this particular day Jeremy had on a white collared shirt, black pants and my dad’s sweatshirt, an outfit my dad wears quite often. They are very similar in build as well. Every now and then I’d have a funny feeling that I was hugging my dad instead of my husband. Creepy! Ha.

Emma was dying to go to Alcatraz. They’ve been studying and reading a book about it at school so it was fun for her to see a place she’d learned all about. She couldn’t stop talking about Al Capone.

Sorry Jeremy, you should have put down your phone and smiled at the camera. Emma was too cute not to post.

It was fun to walk around Peir 39 and see all the yummy restaurants and shops but of course our favorite part was the Sea lions. Bark, bark.

After driving around the crazy up and down roads of San Fransisco I couldn’t help but wonder who’s grand idea was it to build up such a big city in such a hilly place. It was a crazy roller coaster ride and the houses are amazing. Is everyone in San Fran in good shape after walking up and down those hills?

We, of course, went down Lombard street before hitting China Town.

Sorry about the poor shot of a garbage can.

Chinatown was a stop that Jeremy really wanted to make. Jeremy speaks Cantonese and spent 4 years of his life in Hong Kong. He said Chinatown felt a lot like Hong Kong because it too is quite hilly. He had a fun time talking to people. They are always so surprised that he speaks so well. Imagine an old Chinese lady saying, “Ahhhh.” after hearing him. It’s fun to see their faces light up. We were looking for a bathroom once and Jeremy could tell the ladies in a restaurant were going to tell him no until he asked in Chinese. Then, there was one conveniently located in the back.

Jeremy really wanted to find some of his favorite foods to share with us, some fruits, so we spent some time walking around trying to find a super market that sold more than just the usual fruits. Unfortunately, we were still in America and not in tropical Asia. Guess we’ll have to plan a trip for overseas!

Overall we had a great trip. The kids even love just staying in a hotel. A pool and a continental breakfast are the some of the best things on earth. San Fransisco is a great place to check out if you’re ever in the area.

We came home to snow and 30 degrees but it’s okay. It’s always good to get home.

Filed Under: Family Adventures

Getting in the groove- Template 85

February 22, 2012 By Manda 39 Comments

Wow, I can hardly believe that I was in the mood to scrapbook today. Must be a miracle.

Here is another template for you. Download here.

This template is totally flexible. I left some hidden photo squares for you if you need more than what is shown. There is a total of 24 photos. This would be a great template for a series of pages like a weekend trip or something where you need to scrapbook tons of photos. Then you could change around the empty spots, journaling and elements on each page to add some variety. Make sense? It will be a breeze.

My pages. Credits at flickr.

Happy scrapbooking.

Filed Under: Scrapbooking

snow, finally

February 21, 2012 By Manda

Utah has had a terrible year for snow. We are usually getting dump after dump of the white fluffy stuff but this year the resorts are open mainly because of man made snow. So sad. This has been a good thing for me, though. I normally would be really bummed about it but this year, it has been a blessing for my adventurous self. I couldn’t go snowboarding even if there was tons of feet of fresh snow in the mountains.

This past weekend we finally got a little bit of snow. It wasn’t tons but it was enough to have to bust out the snow shovel and make some snow angels.

On Presidents Day we decided to have a little family adventure. Snowshoeing. You’d think that because Jeremy and I are so outdoorsy that our kids would love it too but I guess it just comes down to being a personality things and not an exposure thing. There are always complaints when we tell the kids we’re going to go out hiking or something.

Why is that? Do your kids love getting out of doors?

Once we get out and are the middle of it the kids (usually) end up having a pretty good time and making some fun memories. There was enough fluffy snow that the kids had fun “floating” on top with their snowshoes.

This particular trip had it’s ups-

and it’s downs!

We were so tired and cold by the time we reached the (frozen) waterfall that we barely stopped to take a look at it.

{Emma is looking over my shoulder right now and had a good laugh at that sad photo. She said “That’s funny. I did that on purpose! (meaning she wouldn’t smile for me.) I was so tired.”}

The hike took us much longer than expected. I hate to admit it but Jeremy and I were a bit worried about how to hike out of there. We were 2 miles from anywhere and the kids, the girls, in particular, were reaching the end of their toughness. Luckily for us Emma finished surprisingly strong. I was so proud of her.

Have you ever been stuck somewhere dreadful with kids and wondering how are earth you were going to get yourself out or who was going to rescue you? Not necessarily an outdoors experience. Maybe a lost child at a store or a terrible blow out and no clothes to change baby. It’s a terrible feeling as a parent to feel stuck. Sometimes someone kind will come along and help you or sometimes you have to just grit your teeth and bare it.

This day we had to grit our teeth and bare it.

Pretty amazing site though.

I’ve never been so grateful to get back to my car in my life.

Filed Under: Family Adventures

Template 84

February 16, 2012 By Manda 29 Comments

Wow, I scrapbooked. It almost killed me, ha, but I did it. I made an unbelievably boring template to share but if you are in a similar state as me, this might be just want you need -something basic, quick and with lots of photos. I didn’t even have the energy to add journaling but all you’d have to do it delete a photo square and type it in if you want it.

Again. Easy.

Download here.

Here are my pages.

For flexibility, delete the photo spots you don’t need and add a big focus picture to mix things up. Worked perfectly.

Happy scrapbooking or template hording. Ha.

Filed Under: Scrapbooking

Valentines Day

February 14, 2012 By Manda

Happy Valentines everyone! I hope you all get to spend some time with your sweethearts today. What a fun day for telling those special people in our lives that we love them.

If you need a last minute card like me you can download this little template card by clicking here (please leave a comment if you download, thanks.) I sized it so that you can drag it onto a 8.5×11 and print 4 on one sheet.

If you want to use the same font, it’s called Hill House and you can snag it here. Isn’t it cute? And if you are clever (unlike me) you could write something snazzy about how your love grows or some such nonsense. I’ll leave it to you.

I think the card is cute plain (especially if it’s for a hubby that could really care less) but if you want to jazz it up a bit with some digi papers than go ahead. Credits at Flickr.

Happy love day!

Filed Under: Scrapbooking

Board and Batten Complete

February 8, 2012 By Manda

Hip hip hurray! The house finally feels like it’s getting put back together.

I’m so in love with my new board and batten wall. It was such a nerve-racking project. In the end I’m soooo happy I went through with it. It’s made a big difference in my front room. If you are thinking about doing something like it yourself, “I say DO IT!”

I wont type up a tutorial for you because there are already tons out there. But I’ll tell you the basics of what we did.

First you know that I made up some mock up photoshop pictures to get an idea of what style I wanted in my room. Thanks for all who voted. The grid style was the winner by far… so that’s what I went with but eliminated the bottom grid. I think it turned out just right.

Second, I taped off the wall with the blue painters tape to get an idea of the exact height and measurements I wanted. I think I changed it 4 or 5 or 6 times and finally was so sick of it that I just went with it.

Next, I painted the wall white. I thought this would make the final coat at the end easier and it did.

As far as my supplies went, I bought mdf handypanel that was sized 1/4 in thick and 2×4 feet (I went thin because I didn’t want to have to beef up my tiny baseboards). This was the cheapest option I could come up with. It was only $5.68 for a sheet at home depot and I only used 2. With the help of a neighbor with a table saw we zipped the panel into 3 inch wide x 44 inches tall boards. I also bought 15 feet worth of window molding to match my existing trim and 15 feet of preprimed mdf trim that was something like 1 x 1/2 inches for the little ledge to top off my molding with. Also a tube of liquid nails and a tube of paintable caulking.

Next, I will tell you to measure twice or even three times and glue up your boards once because we had to redo some of the boards. Luckily we had some mineral spirits on hand and that wiped the liquid nails off the wall just fine. Whoo! Close one.

With the help of my good neighbor we got the boards up on the wall in a jiffy. What would I have done with out him?

The next day I caulked and mudded the seams best I could. Don’t look to close okay because it’s not a professional job at all. He he.

I was so excited to finally get the boards all painted! Yea! I might recommend prepainting all the boards and then touch up at the end but I dunno, it worked out fine to paint them on the wall and only took a couple hours for 2 coats.

I love my little ledge. I was unsure about it but love it now.

I’ve finished sewing a few more accent pillows too to go along with my Anthro inspired pillow. Wooh! Luckily sewing a square is a lot less intensive than putting up board and batten.

I think my front room is really coming together quite nicely.

Now, I shouldn’t have an excuse for picking the kids up late from school. Ha!

Filed Under: Decorating

I’m a case

February 3, 2012 By Manda

Today I was working on taping up my board and batten wall. Lost track of time and when I looked out the window and saw the neighbor boy coming home from school I realized I’d forgotten to pick up the carpool at school. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was 1:53! Emma and the kids get off at 1:10! I couldn’t believe they hadn’t called me but I’ve been having them walk down the road a little bit so I don’t have to deal with all the traffic at pick up. They probably didn’t want to walk back to the school.

I threw the littles in the car and started driving away when the other mom called me wondering where her kids were at. When I told her I’d forgot, she just laughed at me.

I found them walking home. They’d made it about a mile out of the 1.5 walk home. Of course when I picked them up they gave me the business. “We are so mad! What’s your excuse? I can’t believe you forgot us!”

I told I’d take them to get ice cream cones to make it up to them. I drove all the way to Arctic Circle and realized I didn’t have my purse because I had ran out in such a hurry.

I turned around (while listening to all their exclamations) and drove back home and grabbed my purse.

I then drove back to Arctic Circle and ordered cones for all the kids. Got to the window and realized I didn’t have my wallet. It was sitting at home by my computer because I had been budgeting my remodeling receipts last night. The lady at the window laughed at me and I told her I’d have to come back. I could barely believe it myself.

Drove back home (while listening to all their exclamations which were even more outragous) grabbed my wallet and drove back to get the ice cream cones.

Drove home in peace while everyone had ice cream in their mouths. I almost drove straight into our circle and forgot to drop the boys off until Emma said “The Boys!” I quickly corrected and finally dropped off the carpool.

Where is my brain today?

All this happened while I was bra-less, barefoot, hair in a mop top and sporting my hot pink Victoria secret pajama set.
Awesome.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Wall Gallery

February 2, 2012 By Manda

Now that I have freshly painted walls I figured I needed to get the frames and things off my floor and back onto my wall even though I was enjoying that clean wall feeling. My family needs their house back.

I’ve been wanting to change things up on the big old wall in the great room and now was the perfect chance. I’d seen so many cute wall collages and wanted to do something simillar.

Here’s some inspiration-

or something like this-

I tried really hard to find a Before picture of my wall because, of course, I didn’t snap one when I took everything down. The only thing I could find was a silly video that Emma and Isaac made back in the summer. If you watch in the beginning you’ll get a glimpse of my wall. I was super tired of the hanging vase and dusty shelves.

From 2011-07 (July)

I gathered all the frames that I thought would look decent in my gallery. I started by arranging and rearranging the photos on the floor. I’d seen this method but was too lazy to cut out a bunch of paper. I just went for it.

I was afraid of it looking too cluttery since this great room ~~can get so messy~~ is such a well used room. I took out the smaller frames and thought it looked much cleaner. I dunno, is less more or is more better?

And here’s the finished product. I made a few last minute changes once I had everything on the wall. I used velcro command strips so I didn’t have to bother with nail holes. Loved them although they aren’t the cheapest option. I bought some craft paint and painted the wooden frames and rubbed a little stain on them. The white scalloped one had 4 different colors happen to it. It was a bit frustrating because my little craft paint was the wrong color and I repainted it 4 times. It took up my whole afternoon but I’m happy with the way it all turned out.

Even the hubby made all the “appropriate noises” (as my mom says) when he came home from work.

I had an empty frame that I wasn’t sure what to fill with so I printed out a Valentines Subway Art. I thought these colors worked great with my new color scheme. I’ve always had my eye on subway art but had no where to put it. Now I can switch it out for different holidays.