Decorating for Fall

Okay, so I know it might be a little early to get the fall out, but I can smell it in the air!!! I love fall and go a little bit crazy with it!! Last year I made this centerpiece for my table.

I have had this mirror for several years and it was gold. I liked it when we bought it and it served me well. I have not liked its gold color for awhile. It didn't match anything in my house. Chris wanted me to keep it gold, but then I remembered it was a gift and I could paint it if I really wanted to - so I did!! I like it a lot better brown! It feels a lot warmer and blends in better.
I bought this black metal thing at a yard sale for $2!! I didn't quite know what to do with it, but decided it would be perfect for fall!! I love it with the fall colors in it. I bought the candlesticks at the dollar store and the pumpkins at 90% off at Hobby Lobby!!

The bad part is whenever I am in my kitchen now - it makes me want to bake!!

Kelly Clarkson Concert

Larisa and her friend, Adri, really wanted to go to the Kelly Clarkson concert. She was performing at a local fair and the girls decided that they wanted to earn the money to go. Larisa didn't save up enough, but her friend did. To be honest I am still in the month of August and didn't realize that the concert date was a couple days away. They wanted to go, but we had not purchased the tickets yet and I knew the seats left would not be very good seats. I wanted the girls to be able to go so bad, but I knew for me it wasn't the best financial decision (I would have to buy a ticket for me and one for Tia) and I just didn't feel like I had time to plan it out. I felt awful and Larisa felt disappointed. So, we came up with another idea!! Her friend came over and we hooked up the Internet to the big screen and they had a concert at the house. They were still a little disappointed but that had a blast. They acted like teenagers and giggled a lot!!! They were so cute to still be happy and make it a fun evening!

The Internet connection would some times freeze up. I was so proud of the girls because instead of getting frustrated and mad, they made it a game! They would dance while the music was going, and freeze when the music stopped. They had a blast!

After School Snack

I love to have the girls come home to a little snack and the yummy smell!! I made these cookies and I really like them! The recipe is from Betty Crocker!

Molasses Cookies with White Chocolate

3/4	cup shortening
1	cup packed brown sugar
1/4	cup molasses
1	teaspoon vanilla
1	egg
2 1/4	cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2	teaspoons baking soda
1	teaspoon ground cinnamon
1	teaspoon ground ginger
1/2	teaspoon ground cloves
1/4	teaspoon salt
1/2	cup white baking chips
1	teaspoon shortening

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	Heat oven to 375°F. Mix 3/4 cup shortening, the brown sugar, molasses, vanilla and egg in large bowl with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients except white baking chips and 1 teaspoon shortening. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
	Bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
	Heat white baking chips and 1 teaspoon shortening in small microwavable bowl uncovered for 30 seconds; stir. Microwave 15 seconds at a time until mixture can be stirred smooth. Drizzle over cookies.

Yummy!!

First Day of School!!!

It is always a very sad day for me when the girls go back to school!! I miss my buddies so much!! I wish they would stay home with me, but I know that they need to be at school. They were looking forward to going back for a lot of reasons, but they were also sad to go back!! I got up early and made them a breakfast casserole and off they went!! Larisa leaves really early and she is always so good about getting herself up and being on time! Doesn't she look darling!!!

I had to get a picture of the shoes and back pack. We bought a lot of new things, but her jeans and back pack were each $1 at a yard sale and her shirt a gift from Grandma Michalek! The shoes on clearance for $7.50!! She looks stylin!! Larisa is in 8th grade this year! She seems to like school and loves being with all of her friends again!

Tiana started 4th grade this year. She is in a new school that holds just 4th and 5th grade! She was a little nervous about it all! She came home grinning and loved her first day! She said her teacher is really nice and gets excited about teaching, but is very serious when it comes to listening. She said it is what she needs and is excited about her class. She loves the new principal! She was so excited to wear her new clothes and flowers in her hair! She looked so darling, but a little too grown up for me! Remember, she is only 9!!!

This is how Tiana and I say bye in the morning! She goes out the back door and walks around the sunroom. She stop on the first side of the gate and pouts and waves good bye and I do the same. (Sometimes I let out a big cry that she can hear!)

Then she goes through the gate and smiles big!! We then both do this!
"I"

"Love"

"You!"

I love being a mom and I am always so happy when they come and tell me about their day! I hope the whole year is this good for them!

Go Cougars!!!

On Saturday we had some friends over to Barbecue, swim and watch the BYU game. It was a lot of fun! Of course, it was really fun since BYU won! Yeah, Go Blue!!!! I spent a lot of time talking, but I did enjoy the last few minutes of the game!!

We had fun getting this little guy to bend is arms over and say "Football!" My girls thought it was hilarious!!!

The children brought down Tia's littlest pet shops and played behind the couch for a long time! They had a ball and were so good and quite!!

Well, We have the basic cable package out here, so we only get the next 2 games - anyone want to join us in what Chris has called "The Cougar Den"?

Favorite Farm

About 5 houses West of me is this beautiful farm! I love it!!! I enjoy watching the crops grow so much! I can't believe how tall the corn is in some spots! They rotate every other year between soy beans and corn. They are both beautiful! The soy beans turn a beautiful color in the fall and I love the way that the light hits their leaves! I love the tassels on the top of the corn and seeing them dance in the wind! I want to drop by some cookies and let the owners know how much joy their farm brings me, but I think that they might think I'm a little strange!

This is a neighboring soy bean farm!

Can you believe how tall the corn is?? Remember my girls aren't really short! They both got dressed in their favorite new school outfit for me to take their picture!

I just love these girls!!!

I haven't quite made the time yet to take Larisa's 13 year old pictures. I thought I would catch a few while I had the camera out! Isn't she a doll!!

Another little cutie!

Can you see the leaves are starting to turn?

Tia's Special Day

You might remember that in an earlier post I mentioned about how kind Ms. Gilmore is to Tiana! She was a helper in Tiana's classroom last year and she really made Tia feel comfortable, special and loved. Tia makes her smile and laugh and I think they enjoyed each others company at school. Well, On Monday Ms Gillmore called and asked if she could take Tiana and her friend Regan out to lunch! What could be better to a 9 year old??? To top it off they were even going to Chuck E Cheese!!!! They had a great time! They went to Chuck E Cheese first and played and then she treated them to lunch at The Noodle Company. Then she took them to Old Navy and bought them matching shirts and calculators. Can you believe how generous she is? It is an amazing testimony to me of how one person can make a big difference in a childs life! When I thanked her, she thanked me for sharing Tiana - she is such a sweetheart!! I am so thank for Ms Gillmore and the wonderful friend she is to Tiana and I!

I didn't take a picture of them before they left! These are the pictures that were taken in the little car at Chuck E Cheese! Ms Gillmore and Tiana!

Regan and Tiana

What a wonderful Day!

Coming Home!

One of my favorite things about going on vacation is coming home. It seems like when you come home after a few days you see your home a little differently! I found this vinyl lettering at Deseret Book at 80% off and put in on the inside of the garage door into my house. I loved hearing my family say, "Home, home at last!" Vacation is always great and often short, but ohhhh is it always wonderful to come home!!

Petoskey

After our beautiful sunrise and breakfast we went to attend church in a small branch in Petoskey. It was an amazing Sacrament Meeting and I enjoyed it very much! I love Petoskey - it is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! There are beautiful green rolling hills covered with trees and beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan! I want to go back for the changing of the leaves!!!!

The Rowley Family

We had planned in going to Sleeping Bear Dunes, but we ended up not having enough time! We will have to make another trip - hopefully soon!!! While we went to find out the best thing to do in Petoskey the girls had a blast in this gazebo! When I came back Anna was leading them all in "Sound of Music" dancing and they were having a great time! They were also putting on plays.
We changed and went to the beach to look for Petoskey stones. They were hard to find being the end of tourist season. Kenzie was the only one who found one. This is East Park!
I love how clear the water is!
I thought the only way to find the stones is to go out into the water - it was cold!!! I thought I was being brave, not stupid and went out into the water! The rocks were VERY slippery, and down I went!! I was in my clothes and hit my knee on a rock! Can you say Big Klutz!!!!
Larisa and Kenzie
Tiana and Paige
Tailee
Quincy
Kenzie
Anna
On the way home the girls had fun changing cars! Larisa and Mckenzie had fun putting these pillows on their heads and being "Mushroom Heads"!! It was such a fun trip!