On My Heart: In Case I Don't Say It Enough

In case I don't say it enough, and I know that I don't, I really am so grateful for this beautiful place that we've been able to call home for the last five-plus years. How lucky we are that we don't have to travel far to find complete and total serenity - it truly is right out our back door.

I totally give Utah a bad rap .

The winters tend to do something to me that I reeeaaallly don't like  - major sufferer of the winter blues, right here. I know you all got an earful this past winter - it was a doozy.

But right now as I look back on all that Utah has had to offer us, not just in its incredible beauty and large variety of outdoor activities, but when I really look at the people it has brought into our lives, the amount of family-friendly activities it provides, the close proximity in which we live to such a huge population of people who share our same beliefs, or even the fact that this happens to be a place that both of our families love to frequently travel to, I can't help but admit that one day when we have to leave it I know that will be a sad day indeed & that it will be incredibly missed.

This lovely place will always be a treasured one in our hearts and one that we will frequently come back to in the years ahead - I say this assuming we won't be here forever, but then again I thought we would have left long ago so you never know what can happen.

So come February when I've had about all that I can take of winter with several months of it still ahead & I'm complaining about how I can't wait to get out, will someone please refer me back to this post?

'Preciate ya.

- e 

Baby Boy's Nursery Inspiration Board

1. Jenny Lind Crib  2. Custom Crib Bedding  3. Anthropologie Picture Frame 

4. Three-Tier Bin 5. Let Them Be Little Print via Pinterest 6. Desert Animal Prints 

7. Wild & Free Hoop 8. Ikea Expedit Shelf  9. Ikea Ektorp Chair 10. Ikea Faux Sheep Skin Rug 11. She's Crafty DIY Wall 12. Aden & Anais Blankets  13. Ottoman Pouf Pillow 14. Teepee

15. Boy's Print 16. UO Chevron Rug

Here's a little sneak peak at some of the things we're considering for Baby Boy's nursery!

We'll be going a little bit tribal while still trying to include some of those classic little boy touches :)

There are so many other details & fun items that I would have loved to include . . . I don't know how I'll ever choose (or find the bucks to actually make this come to fruition).

We'll be using a lot of things that we already have and trying to DIY as much as possible, but I'm determined to have this little guy's nursery done while he's still an infant at the very least.

Notice I don't say by the time he is born, because let's be real, that probably won't be happening.

What are your favorite places to shop for nursery décor?

- e



Art by Annie

Annie has dubbed this painting "Happy Cat"...though it sometimes changes to "Loud Cat"...or "Happy Dog".

Almost daily, I get at least one of these requests: 

"Annie draw?"

"Annie paint?"

"Annie paint with brush?"

I know they might not look like much to you, but to us they are examples of her exploring her creativity & sense of the world around her. Though I have to admit, it is so comical sometimes to hear how she interprets her creations & what her explanations for some of them are.

Though we've been enjoying the outdoors as much as possible (which to be honest, hasn't been nearly enough - poor Annie - but this pregnant mama sometimes can't handle the heat) these have been some favorite ways to spend our time inside lately.

Hoping to explore more craft projects as the summer draws to a close & the long winter days begin to creep in.

What are your go-to indoor ways to craft with your kids?

- e

Chugga Chugga

Tonight, as a final hurrah ending my parents' time up in Park City, we did the Heber Valley Train ride on the Heber Creeper through Heber Valley & the Deer Creek Reservoir.

Complete with twinkle lights & one of the most solid oldie's mixes I've ever heard, we rode, sang, & danced our way across the mountains. Annie shares her grandpa's love for trains & talked about riding on one nonstop, all day, until the big moment finally arrived - I'm pretty sure they were both in heaven :)

As usual, we forgot our camera.

Making it my mission to just start carrying the thing around with me absolutely everywhere I go.

On the agenda for this week: clearing our closets, dressers,  cabinets, & shelves, & taking stock of unused furniture in preparation for a yard sale we'll be having this weekend.

Fun.

- e

Our Week in Pictures

Our week, according to Instagram :

Finished up celebrating Annie B's birthday! 

Spent a morning of celebration & relaxation by kidnapping this lady (one of my best Utah gals, Becky ) for a birthday treat at the spa, courtesy of her sweet husband!

We spent another fun-filled weekend in Park City with my mom & dad!

We have been SO spoiled having them visit between all of the fun activities, amazing food, & help with Annie - they even kept her for two extra days so that Blake & I could have a break & enjoy some time to ourselves :)

I love, love, love this cozy mountain town - even though it's right in our backyard it feels completely different from our desert valley.

I would move there tomorrow...so if you have any job contacts send them our way!

Annie and her best bud Makayla (Annie calls her KK) at the zoo!

A few more zoo pics!

- e



Bloggers I Love : Wildflowers Photography

So remember the post I did at the beginning of the week about my new airstream dream?

Well Joy of Wildflowers Photography is actually doing it!

She, her husband, and her four children are traveling around the country via trailer for the next year.

Not sure I'd be up for quite that long of a trek, but her photos leave me inspired and hopeful for future family road trips.

Dream it, love it, live it.

Love the simplicity, the whimsy, the sanctuary.

You can follow Joy and her adventures, here.

- e



Throwback Thursday : Making Room for Baby

Seriously terrible iPhone photos - but the only ones I have!

Came across these photos from a ways back & thought I would use them as a little throwback post. Annie was such a little thing & just starting to get into trouble :)

We recently started making a few changes around the house so that we can start getting baby boy's room ready. Annie has been sleeping in a big bed (a queen thank you very much - spoiled little lady) for most of the year, so it was definitely time to move her crib out of her room and rearrange a few things.

This was such a bitter-sweet feeling.

The realization that she is getting older.

She is truly no longer a baby.

Soon, the time that was "just the three of us" will be no longer.

But with this comes another sweet spirit to love.

Another hand to hold.

An eternal bond with another little soul for Annie & for us.

I never really finished Annie's room - something I've felt so guilty about - & have never really been fully happy with it. I went in a completely different direction than I ever planned & then it was just too late to turn back.

I know people - first world problems.

So, while we're getting ready for our little man we're also going to slowly make some changes to Annie's room as well. I guess I've just decided that this in this phase of life, while we're still this young & our tastes are still changing, our house will be constantly shifting.

Honestly, this could be an every phase of life thing for me, but who knows.

Trying to be grateful & focus on what I do have & all that we've been able to accomplish with our home.

Looking forward to changes ahead.

- e