Hello 2017

It's been over a year since I've posted anything here. Wow! I used to blog daily when Max was a little baby. Eleven years ago! It was fun to write about the normal day-to-day things. And I used to read a lot of blogs (RIP google reader). There are still a few that I like to browse, and it is nice to hear what others are up to, aside from just seeing pictures on social media. Instagram and Facebook have totally killed my blog. I was reading back through old posts and realize how much I miss writing. Even if nobody reads, it's nice to have some sort of record to look back on. 

So from now on, I'm going to post whenever I feel like writing.  No promises how often it will be, or what I'll share, but it's been on my mind for a few weeks now, so I need to just write! Sometimes it feels good, if nothing else, to just get things down on paper. Or screen. ;)

This is just a quick post to say, "hi, I'm going to start writing again." 

For now, here are some recent family photos. Taken in November 2016.

I sure love these people. Life can be hard and crazy, but I try to remember that family is really most important. 

 Greta is four. Almost five!

 Ruby is ten.

 Max is eleven.

 Simon is six, turning seven next week!

Until next time ... hopefully sooner than later!

xoxo,
Sara

American Girl Trip to TX

Ruby and I went on our fun surprise trip in January. I still need to upload pictures from my "real" camera, but it's been weighing on me to at least write about it while the memories are somewhat fresh. 

It was my sister-in-law's idea originally. Then she and David planned it together and he surprised us with it for Christmas (video here). So we went to Dallas to stay with Aunt Natalie and their family since there is a doll store there. Ruby's cousins had all been to a doll store, and she had always wanted to go. She is at such a perfect age to do this. 

She was an easy traveler and appreciated everything SO much. She had a smile on her face the whole time and kept saying "thank you so much" for everything. It was really great to have the one-on-one time with her. It is so rare to get that much time with one child. It makes me want to take a trip like this with each of my kids. 

The store was awesome. I loved it, too! I about wanted my own doll - haha! She took her Samantha doll on the trip (the one that was originally mine as a girl). She got her (the doll's) ears pierced and hair fixed at the "salon" there. Then later in the day, we went to the mall and got RUBY'S ears pierced! She will always remember exactly where she was when that happened. She was so brave and knew she wanted to do it. It was so cute. 

She chose the girl of the year, Isabelle. Aunt Natalie had fun buying it for her and picking out a few outfits/accesories for her. (We are so thankful for Aunt Natalie and all she did for us on this trip - what a huge blessing!!) Ruby LOVES her new doll and sleeps with her every night. I love these American Girl dolls because they keep girls YOUNG and interested in dolls longer. And interested in reading! I love that they come with books and stories. Anything to keep them young and carefree for as long as possible.

It was fun spending time with cousins and having such special treatment for our weekend away. 
We will never forget our special trip! 
 

My bookends

I found these random snapshots on my camera. Max and Greta, my oldest and youngest. Couple of goofballs. Cute goofballs.

 That's all for today!

P.S. I'm so excited to be going to Sewing Summit this year. Only 2 weeks away now.
Anyone else going??

Back To School Feast 2013

It's that time of year again! Tomorrow I'll send my big kids off to 2nd grade and 1st grade.
 


Here are some photos from our 3rd annual Back To School Feast. And I use the term "feast" lightly here, since I made frozen costco lasagna and salad. Oh and the best cantaloupe EVER.

Plus donuts for dessert.

The decorations and stuff all basically came from the Target dollar spot. I grabbed a bunch of stuff and had no clue what I'd do with it. At the last minute I had the idea to use the paperclips to make the banner thing. They poked easily through the foam pieces  - ta da!

That's not paper ... it's the napkin! I was pretty excited to find those. Bought 'em in yellow, too. (Target)

Greta's thinking "what's going on and why am I wearing a crown?"

 First Grader Ruby who just had her tonsils removed last week. 

Crossing our fingers that she feels well enough for school in the morning.

 Big bro Max, going to 2nd grade. His teacher is from Slovakia and speaks English with zero accent. So cool.

 Simon was saying "peace out" - for real.
This kid cracks me up. No preschool for him quite yet. Home with mama still (yay)!

 Grandma joined us for dinner, too. Made the long journey from next door.

We talked to the kids about this:

I told them if nothing else, just remember those two things and they'll have a great year.

I was talking with some friends recently about this very topic and we all agreed that kindness really goes a long way. I hope my kids will always remember that.

When Simon was little(r) we'd remind him to be kind and he'd say "yeah cuz Joyners is always kind." I want to frame that on the wall somewhere. 

I best get to bed since tomorrow is a school day! No more lazy summer mornings.

Click below to see our other Back to School Feasts:

 2012

2011

Hot July

Time flies even when we're melting in the summer heat. I am not a fan of the summer temps, but we've been having fun and staying busy. 

Max got baptized on Saturday the 6th. It was a great day.
He is now an official member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So happy for him!

And this week we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. We went out to dinner and did a little shopping. We both want to save up some $$ so we can do a trip for our big 10th next summer!
I'm lucky to have such a sweet husband. He's a good guy and puts up with me, not to mention an awesome dad to our four littles.

fun comparison pics. we're definitely getting older!

That's all I have time for right now. I always think that blogging will be quicker than it is. I hear screaming in the back yard and I need to go see if it's playing or fighting (or both?). 

p.s. I am taking custom orders for minky name blankets again ... follow my facebook page!