Simply Fabulous: July 2009

Monday, July 27, 2009

Fun Fountains ... and more

This past week Eric, Matthew and I spent several days in Elk Grove, CA visiting Michelle, Josh, Ellie and Olivia - and oh what FUN we had. We spent lots of time thrifty - and let me tell you - Michelle has found some awesome thrift stores - I am sosoo jealous! Check back soon to see all the great treasures I found. We also had fun at Costco eating all the samples, (oh yea!) swimming, making homemade oreos, learning how to do oragami, and eating sushi.

Ellie took us to the fountains at the local community park - check out just one of the cute water fountains for the kids to run through. It is a palm tree... the coconuts at the top spin around and drop water on the kids. Matthew and Ellie had a great time cooling off. We can't wait to go back for another visit :-)

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Before, During, After...

BEFORE ... If you have been to my home lately you had to walk past this bookcase to get though the front door. Matthew and I drove into the complex several weeks ago and at the dumpster was this treasure. When we went to inspect we realized that the back was almost completely pulled off - other than that it was in perfect shape - even the hardware was still in place !!

DURING ... back panel stapled in place, all sanded down and primed for painting. This is the first project that I used primer on. Didn't know what kind of wood(s) the bookcase was made of ?!?!?

AFTER ... a beautiful black bookcase. This picture, with the plain white walls of my home, just doesn't show how great this project turned out. Only a few special items on the shelves now - but give me some time and they will be overflowing.

I couldn't end this post without including this picture. This stack of "projects"(each in various states of completion) is currently sitting in my living room - and I return to work on Monday, July 27th ... I better get busy!!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Vacation In Yosemite

Eric, Matthew, and I recently returned from what has become our annual "Family Camp" week in Yosemite. I love Yosemite ... it is so beautiful there.

The water flow was very, very low throughout the park, but if you look closely you can see Yosemite Falls behind the boys.

We stayed in Housekeeping Camp again this year (thanks Karen for inviting us) ... it is sosoooo fun. We bring lots of gear from home - but have the luxury of showers, restrooms and a store inside the camp ground. (No midnight hikes to the "little house on the hill.") We have to lock everything edible inside bear boxes. Didn't see any bears this year... just squirrels.

Once again this year we had a awesome view of Half Dome just by stepping out of our camp site.

No hiking for us - instead we rode bikes everywhere. (Yes - I rode all over the park on this lovely Lady Schwinn bike - brought back memories of the Schwinn I used to ride when we lived in Taylorsville :-)

Matthew had his back tire blow-out the first day - Eric rode ahead while Matthew and I walked the bikes back to camp. As we were walking the bikes along the trail I noticed a family of deer in the meadow. Great Photo Op ...don't you think?!

As we were leaving on Saturday this HUGE group (at least 50 or more) of Harley Bikers came riding past us. I had to laugh at Eric - leaning out of the car window to take a picture. :-) We had a great time visting with friends, eating smores around the fire every night, and enjoying each others company in the beauty that is Yosemite. I love spending time with my boys in Yosemite - and look forward to going again next year !!