How to Make a Candy Lei

Christopher is graduating from high school this year. He has a very small graduating class, so I decided to do something special for each of them for graduation day. Here are instruction on how to make a candy lei:

Supplies needed: Candy, plastic wrap, ribbon, and scissors. (Have I mentioned how I love simple crafts?)

Place candy in center of plastic wrap, about 2 inches apart, leaving 3-4 inches on each end. I put my candies face down, because the front will only have one layer of plastic, so you can see the candy better on the lei. I also specifically didn’t use any chocolate, because I was worried about it melting, but I’ve seen them with miniature candy bars and they look really cute.

Next, fold the top of the plastic down and fold the bottom plastic up. I went ahead and smooshed (technical term) the plastic wrap together between the candies, because it helped get rid of the air bubbles.

Tie curling ribbon (6-8 inches long) in between each of the candies. I used two colors, but you don’t have to, I just liked the look of black and silver for graduation. Make sure that the ribbons on each end of the candy lei are a little longer (about a foot), since that will give you enough to tie together when you’re done.

Then you just curl your ribbons and voila! Super cute and super easy. Now go make your kids some candy lei’s!

Prom 2011

Katy went to Prom this year, much to her father's dismay. He (we) can't believe that our little tiny girl is old enough to do such things! A few days before prom, I had a photo shoot set up for Christopher to have his senior pictures, and the darling gals at Every Little Moment Photography agreed to take some photos of Katy for me to. We decided to go to Timpanogos Harley Davidson, because they have such a cool 'grunge' look on their building - and it turned out perfect, because my cousin Dan works there and had his bike with him that day. He was happy to pull it around for us to get some shots with it. It was so fun, and as always, she just lit up for the camera - she's always been a bit of a ham. Here are a few of my favorites:

And here she is on Prom night with her group and her date, Kris, who she said was a perfect gentleman and a super fun date. He was also super smart and had a friend take their pics before the dance:

(Of course I had to snap a quick on of her and her daddy!)

Brace Face

Trevor got braces on today. Although he really wants straight teeth, I just can't imagine that he could get any cuter!

Coming Home

I love coming home - it doesn't matter where I've been - home is the most wonderful place in the world! When I got home from Texas last month, just after I was about mowed over on the lawn with tons of hugs and kisses, I walked into the house and saw this darling sign made by Tessa.

I absolutely LOVED all of the cute details! She had cut out individual little candles and made them 3-D, with a note to 'blow out the candles' (bottom left corner) and asked if now that I'm home, can we 'go to Trafalga?' or 'watch a scary movie'? I snuggled right in to watch a movie with her - who could pass up on snuggles and a movie?
Oh, and the sign came with a coupon book, or in her words a 'Favore Book':

If I didn't want my snuggles so much, I probably would have taken her up on this one:

But this one made me not even want to walk into the office:

Yes, home is the most magical place to be when my sweet family is waiting there for me!

Remembering My Sweet Aunt Mary

Kathryn, Aunt Mary, Me, and my Mom



My Aunt Mary - for those of you that knew her, you know that there just aren't words to describe how wonderful she was. For those of you who didn't know her - you really missed out! Aunt Mary is my mom's sister and has always had a way of making each person feel extremely special and important. Even though she lived in Texas, over the past few years she has been amazing at planning vacations and bringing her family not only all over the country, but specifically here to Utah to visit us. Because of these visits, Mike and the kids have been able to form a bond with my side of the family and enjoy an amazing part of my heritage. I love that she has brought different grandkids with her each time, so that when we do have those way-too-infrequent-visits with my extended family, they already know each other and absolutely love hanging out together. This is all because of my Aunt Mary. She was all about family, and refused to let miles separate us.


When Aunt Mary had a stroke last month, it shocked and saddened everyone that knew and loved her. We all knew that she didn't want a traditional funeral. In fact, just last summer she sat and had a talk with several of us explaining that when she died, she did NOT want a funeral at all - but she wanted everyone she loved to get together and have a PARTY... in her words, "I mean, not necessarily balloons and everything celebrating that I finally died (hahaha), but I want everyone just to be together." So that's what we did. My uncle rented a beach house on an island in Galveston and we all gathered together there. It was the biggest slumber party I've ever been to! And guess what? It was the first time that the entire family was together (minus my Mike, and my sister's husband Doug, and our kids). It was really awesome and wonderful, since I don't see all of my cousins near enough. We talked and caught up, we laughed, we cried, we walked the beach, went through old pictures, and enjoyed childhood memories - and we even let the kids get their hands dirty making my mom's famous enchiladas. And the beach house? It had Aunt Mary's name written all over it - it couldn't have been more perfect! The dolphins were out in full force, which was especially healing for us, since the dolphin was Aunt Mary's very favorite animal. Overall, a beautiful and wonderful weekend remembering Aunt Mary and enjoying the very short time we had together. Once again, thank you, Aunt Mary for such a great time!

A Little Reminder...

 "BE KIND, FOR EVERYONE YOU MEET IS FIGHTING A HARD BATTLE." -Plato

I love inspirational quotes. The one above is one of my all-time favorites, and is such a good reminder to me to step out of my own little world and realize that everyone is experiencing their own set of trials. The first time I saw this quote, it was taped to the computer monitor on my friend's work computer.When I first read it, it impacted me so greatly that I know I will never forget it. I just hope that I don't forget the principle that it's trying to teach me.

I seem to get caught up in my own little world, and my hope is that I can be a better person... a person that people can turn to in their times of trial and know that I will love them unconditionally. I've been so blessed with good family and friends who have shown me this unconditional love, a love free of judgment or criticism, and full of kindness and charity. To each of them I say thank you, thank you, thank you - a million times over.

A couple of months ago, as I was really struggling, someone told me that if you hold a pebble just a few inches from your face, it looks very large. It's not until you throw it on the ground, and amongst all of the other pebbles, you realize how small it really is. And so it is with all of our troubles in life.

Thank you, Heather, for not only posting a great quote; but for being such a beautiful example of living it. I don't get to see you gals nearly enough... and I miss you all so much!

Trevor is Growing Up - TMI

It's true... and no one knows it more than our family. I've noticed him maturing in so many ways, including the way he responds to me when I ask him to do something. More times than not it's "yes, ma'am!" and away he goes to do as I've asked. His attitude, for the most part, is really shaping up.

Mike and I have had a lot of discussions lately about how all of the kids are growing up. And yet both of us had to pick our jaws up off the floor the other day. We were innocently out in the garage working when Trevor came bounding out of the house and announced very excitedly, "Hey mom and dad, I'm really growing up! I don't mean to gross you out, but I'm growing hair on my .....!"

I pushed my palms as tight as I could onto my ears to keep from hearing anything else he might have to say on the subject, and for some reason I closed my eyes - I don't know if I thought he was actually going to show me, but I wasn't taking any chances. I also think I was screaming something to the effect of, "I DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW THAT!" at the same time as Mike was yelling, "Trevor, that's totally inappropriate in front of your mother!" (Really? Would it be appropriate to tell his dad? Apparently.)

Once we all calmed down he told us, "I just want you to know that I'm becoming a MAN."
Thanks for the info, son. I think I'll just continue to be the casual observer, and let you have those conversations with your dad. It's just too traumatizing for me.