Beautiful Faux Granite Countertops

So Rob and my brother Troy are doing Faux Granite Counter tops, among many other things. And they just completed a counter top that I love. Love it! The homeowner loves it too. The Faux Granite is obviously much cheaper route to go if you want to update your home. The entire process take about 3-4 days to complete. The Faux Granite is done in the first day and then the following days are just adding sealer onto it to make them shinny and durable. He brought home some pictures of the work in process. But Oh they have done a great job. Don't mind all the bed sheets that they use for obvious reasoning. I am not sure what the pricing is. I will have to check it out, I know its substantially cheaper than the real stuff. (duh!)

Here is the main counter top.

The homeowner bought a new black sink that will look beautiful. I think!

Isn't the shine on here Amazing. Love it!!

Can't wait to see the final picture, and will post it here, so check back.

Weekend with Family

We had a pretty good weekend. We had Robs family come down to pick up some beds for their home in Bear Lake, so it was nice to have some visitors. Rob was pretty excited they came which meant that he was now going to be able to eat at the recently opened In-N-Out Burger. Which he LOVED the burger and chocolate shake, but the fries weren't a winner. I would have to agree with him, I didn't eat anything, but did have a few fries, and they left a lot to be desired. On Saturday we bummed around town, had breakfast at Cracker Barrel, played at the Vernon Worthen park, window shopped, and then played games at night. Then Sunday morning it was time for family to hit the road. We had a really fun time, and hope that the weather will be nicer the next time ya'll stop by. Here are some of the highlights:

Finally...Rob made it to IN-N-OUT Burger

Cousin Cody loving the bubbles at the Cracker Barrel Store.

Karlee's first time at a park, she wasn't quite sure she liked the grass, but surprisingly she took a liking to the swings......(she is barely big enough to fit on one - infact you could put another Karlee on the other side of the swing.)

Karlee's cousin Bo Daniel is quite the charmer!

Trying to find the Humor...

My friend Pepper sent this little clip in an email a couple days ago and I thought that it was very appropriate. I know we are all paying a lot, so I guess we might as well find the humor in this.

Love my new bag!

So for my birthday my wonderful friend Louise (who is an amazing quilter) gave me some beautiful fabric to make a bag. I didn't know how well I would do on my own, she believed that I could accomplish the task. I was nervous, but I did a pretty good job - if I do say so myself. From start to finish it probably took me 5 hours to complete (I think on the pattern it says "super fast bag - done in an hour). I started at 10 pm last night, and finished yep thats right at 3 am. And yes I am paying for it today - I'm not as young as I used to be. ha ha. Which is okay since I was trying to not get super confused. I have issues with measuring in the past. I absolutely love the fabric. Anyhow... I had so much fun making this I have caught the bug to make another one, maybe a diaper bag, now that would be fun.

Here are the pieces of fabric - pretty huh

And here is the finished product! Taa Daa!

Thoughtful Mother's Day Gift

My sister-in-law Holly gave this WillowTree "Sisters by Heart" to me for my 1st Mothers Day. She is so thoughtful. This WillowTree is the very one that Karlee's birthmother got from her caseworker. It holds very special memories for me. As a short explaination, the little card that comes with it says: "Celebrating a treasured friendship of sharing and understanding". The day of placement this WillowTree was given, and the two sisters were explained that they represented each of us, and we share a special miracle. Which we do, Karlee is our shared miracle. So Holly thank you so much, this means so much to me. Thank you!

Bowling turns to Cosmic Bowling

On Saturday Night we had a fun time with Rob's family. We went to the local bowling alley. It was nice to get out, however I am probably the worst bowler anyone has seen. While in college I even took a bowling class, I can't recall doing so hot then either. But really it was fun just hanging out - doing something. Our little "bugaboo" (Karlee) did really good until it got super late, and then it was both Karlee and myself that were struggling to stay awake. We played 3 games, and made it a little fun, by saying that the losers had to make breakfast the next morning for the whole family. So I pretty much started thinking what Rob was good at making during our first game. During the night the alley started their Cosmic bowling, which was fun... all the light went out and the disco ball started, music played, and yes our scores started to drop. At the end of the night, the scores were totalled and yes we LOST. So we had to pay our dues... Rob makes a yummy breakfast burrito, and so that was nice, cause I didn't have to do to much (actually did nothing at all)

Rob's parents just can't get enough of Karlee

- Can't blame them - we love Karlee too.

Karlee and Bo Daniel hangin out in Holly's new stroller

(That stroller is like the Cadillac of all strollers

- can hold 4 children at one time)

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Just as we were walking out to leave the Cosmic Bowling DJ announced that he was giving a free game to anyone that could bowl a strike with one try. So the night was not over. Rob, Cory, Dan and Laurel all lined up to have their chance for the Free Game. And glad that they did they all won a Free Game.

Look they are all so proud with their Free Game.

Day at Hogle Zoo

On Friday I wen to the Hogle Zoo with my sister Monica and her family. It was my niece Paige's PreSchool's last field trip. We had a good time. It was the first time for Karlee to go to the Zoo, not sure how much she enjoyed it. She was a perfect sport. We really had a fun watching Trenton and Paige (my niece and nephew get so excited about all the animals.

Karlee at the Monkey exibit. (Can't really see them in the picture)

Karlee was loving all the animals.

Loving the weather, it was only in the mid-80's

Why they call me Danica Patrick!

Where to begin? Well I have fallen victim to a semi-lead foot. Rob, Karlee and I headed up to the Salt Lake Valley this weekend, for some business, as well as being able to visit family. As we neared the end of our trip I was pulled over for speeding. When the officer asked for all the appropriate paperwork, I handed it to him, with a short... Oh my current insurance card is on my kitchen table back home, I failed to put it in my wallet when I checked the mail. But I assured him that the insurance was current on my car. He took the paperwork, and sat in his car, which felt like FOREVER!!! Now to my defense... I was following behind a large truck, and did not see the posted speed limit sign until it was too , because the police officer clocked me at the same time. So I am pretty ticked. Also this is my first ticket EVER, and I feel that I should have gotten at most a warning. When he finally did come back, he said that he did not show any current insurance on my car, and that he actually had the right to impound my car. I told him that indeed we had insurance on the car... to which he replied... well today you don't. He was a hothead and wasn't backing down, he was young and had something to prove. Needless to say I was given 2 citations... Speeding Ticket, and No Proof of Insurance. He informed me that I had to return to Tooele County and appear in the Stockton Court House, when I said that I didn't live here, he said that it didn't matter. Great!@! So he gave me all my paperwork back and let me go.

Okay so when we started to leave, Rob said that the car was riding weird, so I pulled off once again. (didn't go far at all) The Police officer was still in his car behind us, 20 yards or so. Rob got out and sure enough we had a FLAT TIRE! Oh what more could possibly happen. So we got out and had to unload all our luggage from the trunk to get the spare tire. Rob started to change the tire, while the whole time the police officer sat in his car, he didn't offer to help, didn't turn his lights on for caution, he did nothing. He actually started his car and flipped around and went on about his business. Now that action didn't help my temper much, nor Rob's as he was being a very supportive husband through my traumatic ordeal. We just can't believe that as the duty of a police officer is to help uphold the safety of motorist, he just ignored us and went about his business. Thank You Stockton Utah Police Department for going above and beyond in protecting the people of your town, and traveling motorists.

Rob changing the tire. Don't know what I would have done if he wasn't there. Actually I know exactly what I would be doing ... I would be sitting in my car crying.

Our beautiful doughnut.

(Pictures that I had taken to document this timeless event in my life.. I feel so blessed to have an open forum to share this monumental occasion)

House in Kentcky For Sale!!! Pass it On...

Here is our Kentucky House, and its

FOR SALE ! ! !

Photos of Outside of home.

(Front & Back View, Newly landscaped yard, custom concrete curb)

Photos of our Spacious Family Room.

(Vaulted ceilings, New Pergo flooring, Plantation Shutters,

New Lighting fixtures, and Ceiling Fan.)

Photos of our Newly Remodeled Kitchen & Dining Nook.

(Custom made Granite Tiled Island, New Counter Top, and Tiled Backsplash.)

Photos of Master Bedroom and Bathrooms

(Master is located on main level with 1.5 bathrooms,

and Upstairs has 2 bedrooms, and full bath)

Welcome to our Kentucky Home!

Here is our home in Kentucky

In an effort to sell our home in Louisville, Kentucky I am posting pictures of our home so that others might be able to see what a beautiful home this really is. There are so many wonderful things about this home. The yard is amazing, the feeling is pure delightful.

Outside home view

Newly Landscaped yard

View from Dinning area (the front door)

Another angle from the Front Door.

Granite Tile Countertop, Built in Island - lots of storage.

View from family room into full kitchen.

Family Room - Great for Entertaining.

Upstairs Bathroom

Master Bedroom.

Another angle from Master bedroom, bathroom.

Kitchen: Natural Lighting

Downstairs Laundry room. - Unfinished Basement.

Where Did Our Sign Go?

Okay, so Rob got a phone call from our great friend Brian Evans from Kentucky today. Brian was calling to tell him that the "House For Sale" sign was no longer in our front yard. Rob thought. . ."Well that's weird, I better call our Realtor". (I use the term Realtor lightly. . . I will explain a bit later) So, Rob tried calling our Realtor Dave Meunier, and just as predicted No Answer on his cell phone, so Rob called his office. It took awhile, but he was able to track him down. Realtor Dave told Rob that due to the fact that we had not yet renegotiated our contract with him (our contract was up May 10th) that he was required by law to remove the For Sale sign. (This is funny because on Saturday May 10th, Rob had called Dave about a lead of a buyer, and he made no mention of the sign being removed or the need to renegotiated the contract.) Rob said that he understood that he had to do what he had to do to not break the law, but added his disappointment in the lack of notification/communication to us on his part. Rob said to him that he could have at least called to tell us that the law required him to remove the sign. Realtor Dave said that if we wanted to renegotiate the contract, he would replace the sign to our front yard. Rob told him that we would have to think about it.

Okay so a little bit of background information. Our Realtor Dave Meunier has been the absolute worst realtor we have ever dealt with. In the beginning, Realtor Dave promised us the world, and well we both feel now that he has really taken us for a ride. For the past 6 months we have received very little communication on how our house is doing on the market, without calling him and literally bugging him for information. A couple months ago we felt that we should lower the listing price, and both Rob and I called and talked to him about lowering it, ya know with the way our Economy is going - Realtor Dave wouldn't budge. He continually told us that he had families looking at our house, and that he didn't feel like it was something that needed to happen just then. (When we feel that it would have been more competitive with the other houses in the neighborhood.) He has told us many times that he has people very interested looking at our house, and that some have even come 2-3 times to walk through the house. With all the "very interested people" we have not had 1 single offer to buy. (This alone is crazy) I have asked him that as a realtor is it not his job to encourage perspective buyers to at least make an offer, he says that he doesn't want to "scare people away" or get this..."Didn't want to Be Too Pushy!" - To which I replied, "Are you Serious!" So we have a really hard time believing what he says. In fact it almost makes us feel that he has little desire if our house sells or doesn't sell. For all we know - he is just telling us stuff to get our hopes up. Unfortunately we were locked into our contract for these past 6 months. We just have no idea what to do. . . I am just so disgusted with Realtor Dave, that I would not recommend him to anyone who would like to or needs to sell a house. Not quite sure what our next step is gonna be... I'll keep ya'll posted.

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FYI - Realtor Dave Meunier with Re/Max Associates of Louisville is a horrible realtor. If anything learn from our mistake.

Joys of Motherhood

My 1st 'official' Mother's Day, and I guess I can say that it has been worth all the wait. I am so blessed to have a beautiful daughter who has been given to us by someone who has changed my life forever. So many prayers have been answered, and I am eternally grateful. For the past 7 years Mother's Day has not necessarily been my most favorite day other than to call and talk to my mom and tell her what a special person she is to me. It usually has been one of those days I wish I could skip. But this year I am truly blessed.

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The Joys of Motherhood for me have been . . .

• going into Karlee's room each morning and see the big smile appear on her face as I look into her crib. (She sleeps through the night - hooray!)
• being able to stay home with Karlee.
• getting her bottles ready for her
• playing with her and trying to make her smile
• listening to her try to laugh
• snuggling with her when her dad scares her with his loud laugh. (ya just gotta love Rob)
• seeing Rob's eyes light up when he comes home from work.
• seeing Karlee's eyes light up when her daddy comes home.
• Sponge Bob Squarepants (believe it or not - Rob says its their bonding time)
• when she coos in her car seat while I am driving.

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful friends and thank you for your examples.

Happy Mothers Day - Mom

A mother is the truest friend we have,

when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us;

when adversity takes the place of prosperity;

when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine,

desert us when troubles thicken around us,

still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind

precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds

of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.

--Washington Irving

This thought by Washington Irving pretty much sums up what my mother is to me. She is one of my truest friends. She has been with me throughout all my high points and low points of life. She is such a wonderful person. She has raised a strong family, a family is faithful in the gospel and puts their family first. She is such a great teacher, she is becuase she love to study. She is one of the most compassionate person that I know, she is very non-judgemental, and Christ-like. She has a hard time tell people "no" because she is just so willing to serve when she is asked. She has made many sacrifices to be a mother, one of which was not finishing college, just this past summer she received her degree at BYU. Thanks for your example mom. I am so blessed to have had her to come with me to Tennessee to pick-up our beautiful Karlee. She is such a special friend to me and I love her so much. Happy Mother's Day!

A day at the studio(s)

Karlee is now 3 months old, We just can't believe how fast she is growing. I thought I would taker her in to get her milestone captured on film. I actually had coupons for 2 places and thought since I am going to put her through this once I would test the waters and try going to both. All went well. We first went to kiddie kandids where I had made an appointment for 11:30 am, but because there were so many people there my appointment got pushed back, so we waited there for 2 hours. (I know... I was tempted to leave but Karlee was doing so good, and the girl kept telling me that I was the next one to go) But by the time it was Karlee's turn, it was her naptime and so we didn't really stick around for too many shots, but I am happy with the ones they were able to get.

Our next stop was to Sears (I know, I know you must be thinking this poor little thing... Karlee is such a trooper, that she slept almost the whole time between the two locations and times approx. 2 hours) This time was much better, we were the only ones in the studio, so it was much more relaxed and we didn't have to wait for 2 hours. They got some really cute pictures of her. She was well rested this time and was ready for her photo shoot. Here are some of the ones that I loved...

All in all a very productive day. Karlee was a perfect model, and quoting her dad, "She has the cutest baby face!"

Yummy 6 Week muffins

So my sister posted this muffin recipes awhile back and I have finally gotten around to making them. These are so so good. And yes super convenient, maybe too convenient. I just can't get enough. Thought I would post the recipe for any and all of you who would like to try them.


6 Weeks Muffins

1 box 100% Natural Quaker cereal (Alberston's brand granola works great)
1 qt buttermilk
5 c. flour
3 c. sugar
5 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 c. oil

Combine the cereal and buttermilk and let it set for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs, cereal/buttermilk to the flour mixture. Mix well. Bake at 400 for 17-20 minutes. Refrigerate mix up to 6 weeks!!

Run-In with my Overnight Guest

Last night we had something happen that was somewhat unexpected. It was 9:00 pm and we were just getting Karlee ready for bed, when we heard what sounded like fireworks, just outside our door. We checked them and yes there were fireworks going on not 100 yards away from us. So we stood and enjoyed the show. I got Karlee so she could enjoy her first Fireworks show... She seems quite puzzled - didn't know what to think of. The weather was very nice, and while we were watching the fireworks show...our front door was open (which I didn't think much too it) Once the show was over we put Karlee down and then I too was off to bed.

This morning... I had gotten up and had gone into the front room to open the blinds, straigthen up my kitchen. Then as I as picking up the living room floor... I looked up... and could do nothing but SCREAM!!! I was face to face with a lizard. (Who had clearly spent the night in our home.)After my blood curtling scream Rob came running in, thinking someone had gotten hurt. No it was just me and that dumb lizard guest. I freak out when I see lizards and bugs...(Yes I know that when I was young I would spend my summer days out on the desert looking for and catching lizards, but I guess since it truly has been so so long since I have done that I have become somewhat of a whimp when it comes to desert creatures) So Rob was able to sweep the lizard outside where he belongs. Ya that was an awful... It has made me jumpy all day long. We took some pictures of last nights fireworks show.... As for the lizard, I couldn't take a picture so I looked on up online for a similar one... Honestly this was super super crazy.

(Karlee's 1st Fireworks show - really bad pictures, I know.)

(this picture is the best I could do,

since I haven't seen my guest since our friendly encounter)