Butterflies in the Entry

I've been trying to figure out some artwork for our entry at our new house. I've had a few wreaths for the holidays. The in-between times, the wall was bare. Enter a broken frame {the glass was shattered} and my love of butterflies and this is what I created. It still needs some more stuff, but I love my butterflies. I also had a little inspiration from here and here.

Lovin' all those butterflies!!

All finished

A Close Up

I'm lovin' Specimen Art, so I decided to create one for the girls. I fell in love with them and made one for me. I smile every time I see it.

Landscaping Before and After

We've hired an amazing landscape designer to do our front and back yards. Dave from EOLC has created the perfect space for us. Here are a few before and after pictures.

Landscaping

We found an amazing Landscaper, ELOC, thanks Melinda for the referral, and he has been turning our blah front yard into a piece of beauty. Even the gradeschoolers have been commenting and enjoying the new additions.

Here are a few pictures of what Dave and Kerry have done. I'll add the complete view when we are done.

Before

Weeds Removed

Prepping for the Stone Wall

Throwing Gravel for driveway

Gravel on Driveway

Pavers Started

Driveway 90% done

Fire Pit Prep

Fire Pit waiting to be compacted. We'll have built-in benches as well.

Walkway joining back patio and side walkway

A few plants

Plants for the island

West Side

I wanted a Japanese Laceleaf Maple and here it is :)

View from the street

Fun topiary

A Coral Bark Maple. The bark turns coral color the cooler the weather is.

The island with some trees

East Side

A {Little} Guest

Like a good little girl, I thought I'd made a fruit salad using our food storage supply. Little did I know that I would find evidence of a little guest! Yes, we have a Mouse in our House! I discovered it had eaten into a bag of beans and an unopened bag of wheat, but the greatest insult was the TWO bags of Chocolate Chips and my JASMINE Rice!! You just DON'T mess with my CHOCOLATE and RICE!!! I checked all of our other plastic bags to see if anything else was damaged. When I looked at the top shelf, I was a little confused. There was WHEAT in our bags of balloons. The little stinker was building a nest in our bag of BALLOONS! It's only been at it for a week because Reed and Ms A used some of the balloons for my birthday last week.

This little nest made my laugh. Isn't that what Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught last October General Conference? Find the humor and laugh it off! So have a little smile. :)
Ms A was a little tentative to go upstairs by herself after my discovery. I tried to use the logic that Angelina is a mouse. She quickly stated that Angelina was on tv, not in our house. She'd have nothing to do with that thought. I explained to her that mice are afraid of people... didn't work. I told her that the mouse wasn't in our home, but she refused to go upstairs unless she was accompanied by Reed or I. :)

Now everything is stored above our cabinets in the kitchen, so please ignore the boxes and food when you come for a visit.

Reed's Newest Project

Reed took a week off to enjoy some time with Ms. A and to work on a new project - a bench/shoe organizer. After a few trips to Home Depot and JoAnn's (Yes, Reed went with me to a fabric store), we purchased the items needed. Unfortunately, we had a bit of a heatwave this week, so he's been working in the garage while it's been in the high 80's and low 90's. Reed went to work on Monday and finished it this afternoon. Ms A and I helped a bit with the seat cushion and glueing the carpet. When Reed declared that the bench was finished, Ms A in her best validating voice said, "Daddy, it looks great!" Then she proudly declared that she helped a lot. :) She is a GREAT helper.

Here are a few pictures of the process.

Before:






Staining:






The Bench Cushion:

Cutting the Carpet:






Adhering the Carpet:






All Done:

Reed did a great job and the garage looks so much better. The bench is nice and comfy. :) Thanks sweetie!

Clean Up

I asked Ms. A to clean up her toys so I could vacuum. I was thinking she'd pick up the few toys lying on the floor, but she did MUCH MORE. :)

This is what I found:
This is what is normally in her closet:

What a HELPFUL GIRL!

Goodbye Grandpa

My grandfather passed away on Easter Sunday. It was a perfect reminder of the meaning of Easter - Christ's resurrection. I'll miss my grandpa, but I know he is reunited with those who have finished their time on earth. I'm so grateful for the knowledge that families are forever. I'll see you again!!!
Ms. A at four months




We had his Gravesite Services in Victor, Idaho. It was beautiful. Yes, there was snow in April. Aspen Grove is the family farm. My grandfather and dad were born here. I remember riding horses and playing in the home as a child. Great Memories. :)

Here are some pictures of the the snow.