There's no place like home...

Carter and I just returned from an adventurous weekend in Ashland. I love going home because there are some things that never change--Strawberries from the Garden, Soaking in the Hot Tub and Riding on the Hot Rods!! There are also always a few surprises waiting for you in Ashland! I went to Ashland to Hear Dad Speak and ended up getting the opportunity to speak myself! I even tried hiding in the back of the Stake Center but it didn't work, I had to make the long death march to the stand (Carter in tow), in front of 900 people I haven't seen in years! Also, on this trip I was told multiple times that I looked exactly like my dad which is something I haven't heard often, but now to tell you the truth after seeing this picture of us--I have to agree!

Home Improvement 101...

Step #1--Paint the outside of your house--It feels BRAND NEW and costs 100 times less than a new home!!
Step #2--Stick to the experts' color palates--Black Doors ROCK! (no one else in neighborhood had it, but I love it!)
(p.s. that cute little boy in front of door is Carter Boy in his blue converse shoes that are making all the girls CRAZY!)
Step #3--Never EVER buy plaid couches, but if you do, NEVER put them with a floral print--see our new and improved Front room.
Step #4--Tell your husband it's like the show 'Design on a Dime' (just don't let him know how many dimes it will be....;0)

Youth Conference the O.C. way....

Here is the Yacht that our 455 youth (and lucky leaders like me ;0) took on a cruise of Long Beach Harbor while we ate, danced and partied the night away. I absolutely loved being with my Young Women again--especially my seniors like Annie and Janae who are leaving for college in the fall. I was also happy that this was one youth conference meal that I wasn't in charge of preparing, serving and cleaning for 555 people. (During this whole weekend affair, Chris was Mr. Mom again (I'm giving him lots of practice lately) and VERY busy painting our house---pictures to come soon!)

'Crafty' Kennidy--7 years old!

Kennidy planned her 7th Birthday Party all by herself from the guest list of 8 to the 5 craft activities to the 3 'gymnastics breaks'--right down to the tables full of treats, pizza and "Cookie Cakes" for dessert! Daddy, Madi, Carter and Kj's favorite young women were all there to help too!