First day of school

I will be the first to admit that I am not a crafty person. However, about 6 years ago I saw this idea for edible crayons and made them for the boys first day of school. Now they are a tradition. They are so easy and fun to make. Just take the 3" thick twisty pretzel sticks, (I find mine at walmart) and buy a bag of white chocolate chips or candy melts. Divide up the white chocolate into separate containers, melt for 30 sec in the microwave until desired consistancy and add food coloring. I like to stay with 5 or 6 colors. But use as many as you want. Dip each end of the pretzel into the colored chocolate and put on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Then put all the Crayons in the fridge over night. I think they set up better. Then I use colored construction paper to make the wrappers. Just tape the wrappers around the crayons with clear tape and you're done. I am usually able to make about 80 crayons with one bag of white chips. I can send enough to school for the boys to share with some friends.

Normally, I would take the boys to school on their first day, but I didn't today because#1) After a month of hot summer weather, it was actually cold and raining this morning and #2) I am due any day, so I didn't want to get out for pictures. I can take them on another day and have a better picture experience. I don't think my teenage boys want me embarrasing them anyway!

Ta Da!!

Here it is, the picture you've all been waiting for! I know lavendar seems like a bold color, but it is a fun change. We put a chair rail up and painted the bottom half white, but with all the furniture you can't even see it. Now we just need to stock up on diapers and wait for the big day.

Last weekend we had the priveledge of attending the Bradley family reunion. Mom and Dad organized it this year and centered the reunion around our family history! It was great as we walked around the town of Moroni looking at places that Mark's great-great-great grandfather, George Washington Bradley either lived or farmed. Mom even organized a penny candy stop at a local store. She gave everyone 10 pennies and had them go into a an old store where they could pick from a variety of candies. This was a favorite place to go for the kids. We also went to an old ice cream store that is no longer in business, that Dad and Mark's brother's helped serve ice cream. This was a great historical adventure that will always be remembered.

Just in time!

Grandma's Quilt
Before
During
After
SLC Temple
Baby Quilt from Becky
Go carts
Bumper Boats
Tool set

The first of the 3 projects worked on this past month was Grandma's quilt. It's finished and I am so happy with it! The baby's room is also done, but I thought I'd wait to take a picture once the crib is up. And finally, a week ago yesterday we had the electrian install the final piece to our new kitchen, the oven! To make sure it worked, Mark bought a Papa Murphy's pizza. It has been 2 months since we sank our teeth into our favorite pie, and it did not disappoint. The oven worked beautifully! Just in time for my cousin, Becky who arrived the very next morning! We had a great week as we explored temple square in SLC, shopping in Ogden, lunch with Aunt Candy in Logan, and a memorable day in Brigham City as we watched the groundbreaking of the new Brigham City Temple! Thank you for the baby gift, Becky! A handmade baby blanket is priceless!

Last week was also Kevin and Caleb's 13th birthday! We celebrated by going to Boondocks, a family fun center that just opened in Kaysville.(a 40 minute drive) Becky and I played miniture golf with the boys and then watched them race around the speedway in go carts and splash each other in bumper boats. It was a good way to spend a birthday. Because of the resent work in the kicthen, the boys have been interested in tools more than ever. So we gave them each a tool box full of the basic tools. They also recieved new watches and Skyler gave them a girt card for Walmart. Skyler was at camp during their birthday, but Mark picked him up Friday night so he could be with us for the groundbreaking.

I can't help but be envious of my 2 SIL, Toshia and Danielle who have both given birth to their beautiful daughters this past week. Danielle's baby was born on the 21st and Toshia's on the 28th! I am so happy things went well for them and am looking forward to the many family get togethers with these girl cousins!