Jewelry

So I have picked up a new hobby, jewelry making, and it is getting really addicting. To justify the amount of time and money I have spent creating,I have began to sell some of it (although it is hard because I want it for myself). A couple of weeks ago a friend and I bought a booth together at a huge yard sale event and sold some of our creations. I did pretty good and almost made back everything I have spent, with plenty left over to sale. My next venture is to get a booth at an actual craft fair.
Here are just a few of the things I have been selling (none of my necklaces and earrings are pictured)...

Basketball

So this winter the kids both picked a sport they wanted to try and it ended up being basketball. We signed them up at the "Y" and they have loved it. However, as a parent I have not. The coach is a little "too involved." I don't know if I should explain him because I could go on this long rant of how unbelievable his actions are. To sum up, he is a yeller. Yelling at the referees and kids on the team, it is quite embarrasing having my kids play for him. For instance, one game he got so frusterated he turned and punched the wall. A little too dramatic for a basketball game with kindergartners and 1st graders. He also doesn't like to play Jack very much, because Jack gets a little distracted when playing and occaisonally will dance on the court. Since he isn't as good as some of the other kids he keeps them in and Jack is just a sub. I feel everyone should get equal playing time at this age, but hey I am not the coach. Anyway, I am done complaining.
(Stephen is number 1 and Jack (in the next video is #10)
Here is one of both Stephen and Jack. We have learned constant encouragement helps keep Jack interested in the game. You can also see their coach in the blue shirt, and occasionally hear him yell. This was one of his more milder moments.
Only two games left and I cannot wait until it is over. I would have stopped taking them a while ago because of the coach, but they love playing and they want a trophy

Our soon to be new home

So back in November Matt and I decided it was time to consider buying a home. We were both pretty busy so it kept getting put off until the day we met Kelly, our realtor. One weekend we were driving through Birkdale picking up papers from houses that were for sell and she saw us, stopped us and asked to be our realtor. We had been dragging our feet forever, but she sped up the process for us and now instead of buying a pre-owned home we are getting a brand new one!
Not only do I love the house, but the guy who sold it to us was new to the company and accidently included a few things (that would normally cost extra) into the price of our home, no charge. His boss wasn't happy, but we are. One of the extras is a kitchen island. Yeah.





The picture with the ladder in it is our walk in closet. It could possibly be a whole other room. I love it. Matt says he really loves it too, because now all my clothes won't be all over the bedroom floor anymore. To this I say...hmmm possibly.

Still Alive

It has been so long since I have posted anything. Life has really gotten busy for us and I am just trying to stay afloat. To do a very brief update:
Matt is still an attorney and is extremely busy preparing for trial next week.
Amelia is still a student, but working now at a nearby high school and actually getting paid. One maybe two semesters left for a dual degree in journalism and English.
Stephen turns eight this year. Still really likes girls, lost both front teeth and has also discovered he loves basketball.
Jack is thriving in kindergarten and making lots of friends. We were worried because he is so young, but he is reading extremely well and really enjoys it.
Oreo our little shi'zu lives up to his name most days. I prefer not to refere to him as a swear word but it may have slipped once or twice while chasing this escaped dog down the road, and trying to stop him from blocking traffic.

I know this is very brief, but I hope to do more soon. Sooner then the last post at least.

My husband was going through some of our videos and saving them to an external hard drive when he found this one. Isn't he so adorable? I want to cry when I think of how much he has grown. I guess we just have to have another one!

3rd of July

Since the 4th of July was on a Sunday we celebrated Independence Day on the 3rd. To start off the day Crystal (Matt's sister), her husband Danny and I ran in the first ever Rupert 4th of July race. It was unbelievably FREEZING!! I think I finally warmed up as I was coming into the finish line. After the race the men went golfing while the women took the kids to the big 4th of July parade. The kids received too much candy and otter pops. After the parade we headed to Grandma Reddington's house to play whiffle ball and croquet. If you have never played whiffle ball it is very surprising to find how difficult it can be to hit a ball with such a skinny bat. But don't we look like pros?

OUR LITTLE THIRD BASEMAN

STEPHEN HAD NO PROBLEM HITTING WITH SUCH A SKINNY BAT.

I WAS EVEN WORSE AT PLAYING CROQUET THAN WHIFFLE BALL. :(

MATT THROWING HIS CURVE BALL

LOOK AT THAT FORM!!

The other team in whiffle ball was very generous and made the rule that I had unlimited strikes. Eventually I did figure out how to hit the ball and slammed a few good ones. Don't make fun until you've tried it!

Family Vacation Continued

The Reddington Family planned a little reunion to get all the kids and their families together at Lava Hot Springs. We all rented a camp spot close to the swimming area and hot springs and stayed several nights. It was fun swimming, roasting lots of marshmallows (which Randy (matt's dad) is really good at I ate plenty of them to verify) and just sitting by the fire.
THE SWIMMING AREA- SO FUN!

ENTERING THE CAMPSITE




I must admit I was impressed with my wood cutting skills. Next time though I should probably wear shoes.


Look at how happy we look camping!:)

I started reading my kids stories and all the grandkids joined in. We love the Fly Guy books.

The last day of camping we all packed up and then headed to Pocatello, ID to get family portraits done. The photographer did a great job and is actually the father to one of the son-in-laws. My kids were pretty worn out so trying to get them to cooperate for a photo was a little challenging.




Friday, the last day of our trip, was one of the most memorable. Matt's side of the family got together and we went to the Twin Falls temple to do temple work for Matt's Grandpa's family. Matt's Grandpa passed away a few years ago and asked for the work to be done. It was special to me because I loved the "Old Man" (that is what I called him). The summer before he got really sick Matt, the kids and I all lived with him (and Grandma)while Matt was doing an internship. Although it is always hard living with someone else I will never forget that time. Every night we would all sit together on the porch swing watching the airplanes and laughing and talking about our future plans. He was always so positive and fun loving. I miss him so much! So doing the temple work was a really neat experience that I am so glad I got to be a part of.
AFTER THE TEMPLE

THE KIDS PLAYING WITH THEIR COUSIN EVAN-WHO WAS A GREAT BABYSITTER.

ALL OF US WHO DID THE TEMPLE WORK

TWIN FALLS TEMPLE

After going to the temple we had to rush back to get ready for my high school reunion. I can't believe I have been out of high school that long!


LOOK AT US NOW


COMPARED TO 10 YEARS AGO...

I had a lot of fun catching up with old friends and seeing how people's lives have changed. I had almost decided not to go to my reunion so we could drive back home sooner, but was so glad I did. It makes me sad that I can't live close to my fun old high school friends, but they are more than welcome to come visit.

Our vacation ended that Friday night as we left the reunion, picked up the kids and drove through the night and the next day. Still not reaching our destination we got a hotel and drove one more day to get home. Yay!