Packages, PJ's, and Sugar Cookies

There are a couple of things that have become somewhat of a Halloween tradition in our home. 

1. A jam-packed, candy-filled, Halloween care package from Aunt Vicky, Uncle Bob, and cousins Jordan, and Ryan.  Could they be an nicer???  Honestly??

2. Sugar cookie-making/decorating/eating far too many.

3. A lot more time spent in Pj's - because it starts getting colder, and darker sooner!  My kids LOVE Pj's.  Can you blame them??  Seriously.

Here are the kiddos in their new jammies from our sweet package senders. :)

Here is a little snapshot of the cookies.  I have to say, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with these because they are so fun and cute, but such a mess and a process that I have to commit to doing them - otherewise, I won't.  Also...the little girls HAVE to be in bed...an absolute must!

There are no pics of the final product for 2 reasons : 1. We couldn't eat them until the next day...by the time we got them done, it was bedtime and they weren't cooled enough to frost.

2. By the time they got frosted and decorated, they were pretty much eaten.  So suffice it to say, they were delicious! :)

For our sweet package senders - THANK YOU!  These mean sooo much to us.  We love you!

The Joys of Home...

This may seem a little strange, but this post I am devoting to my home, and the joy it brings me.  I have to start out by giving a little background.  When Trev and I got married, 8 1/2 years ago (sheesh!) we sort of became a little nomadic...we moved a lot!  From a townhome in college, to 2 different homes in Las Vegas, to Kansas City, MO. for a summer sales job, etc.  Our last move was just over 4 years ago to where we currently reside, Lehi, UT.  It is crazy to think that we have spent most of our marriage in this house! 

When we first decided to build this home, it was during the housing boom - which as we all know now crashed to smitherines :) - but we got in early enough that we were ok.  However, when we started building it, we didn't know whether or not we would actually live in it.  So we did some nice upgrades but tried to keep it pretty neutral in design, in case we had to sell it.  We found out 2 weeks before we closed on the house, that we had gotten a job transfer and would actually live in this home we have designed and built!  We were ecstatic! 

As I said before, we did some nice upgrades (alder cabinets, hardwood flooring, etc.), but as for the rest (painting, granite countertops, landscaping, etc.) we waited.  Since then we have done project after project, making our house into what it has become...our home.  We have done it piece by piece, and we LOVE how it has turned out!  We still have more to do, but I just wanted to take a moment and cherish all the things I am currently loving about my home right now.  I am not in any way trying to brag...just feel really lucky to have such a beautiful home to raise our family in.  So please indulge me for this post. :)  Here goes:

HaLLoWeeN Decor!

 Moving other furnishings I already had to create a new focal point in my living room...I seriously glance over at this new thing about every 10 mins!  Loving it!

 My 50% off collage frame from Tai Pan...LOVE TAI PAN!  Hung in our office, and filled with silly pics that when Trev and I look at them, they tell such a story of our family.  Finding joy in the journey, and the memories.

 Our latest BIG project...a built-in bookcase!  Trev did this all by himself!  I am so grateful to have a craftsman at my disposal... :)

 Love the thick bookshelfs, and filled with deco, pics, and of course, lots of books.

 Still needed some storage for all the office supplies...LOVE wicker baskets in a bookshelf...THANK you Pottery Barn for the idea!

There are so many other things I love about my home, that I could go on and on about.  But these are just a few things that have brought a smile to my face this week and I just wanted to share them. 

CAVEAT: While these "things" have brought me joy this week, I don't want to make them seem like they are the "things" bringing me joy.  Things do not bring the joy into a home, the people in them do.  That is where the true joy comes from.  Just feeling grateful for my home. :)

Thanks for indulging...