Where has the time gone...

I am such a slacker.  It has been about 18 months since I last wrote, not sure if anyone is even checking in with my blog any more.  I probably wouldn't lol... Anyway, I guess this entry is more for me more than anything.  I felt bad I have let it go this long.  There is no way I can capture what has happened in the last year and a half so I will just start with the last couple months or so..
As for our sweet little family of four, life is good.

Tyler started Kindergarten at a charter school and Syd is going one day a week to a wonderful little preschool three houses down.  Tyler just turned 6.  It's hard to believe I have a 6 year old.

Syd is 3 1/2 and is our little princess.  She is a total girly girl and I love every minute of it.  Braden has his jeep up and running and we have been out on a couple trail rides.  If fact, they are going out again tomorrow.  Tyler has really taken to 4-wheeling and wants to go often.  As for Syd, she says it's to bumpy.  I am not fond of the cold weather so she and I will sit this one out.  Maybe we will go SHOPPING!

As for me, I have decided to start my own business!  About 6 months ago I made it final.  Design Insight is now open.  I am a mobile Hunter Douglas window covering showroom, amid other things.  I will also give design advice and help my clients with any aspect of interior design.  So, if you or anyone you know needs window coverings or an interior designer please let me know!  This has been a dream of mine and it was the write time to move on and venture out on my own.

I also am selling for Costco.  I sell window coverings and carpeting for them as well as doing my own thing. This has been a great job so far.  I can make my own schedule and the leads come directly to me.  The travel hasn't been good, but I have made a few changes so I hopefully now I will be 

working more in the SLC valley.

As for my close, extended family... my sweet sister-in-law who I admire and adore is fighting her second battle with cancer.  We were so heart broken to learn her cancer had returned.  She has a beautiful little girl who is very close to Sydney's age, they are about 6 months apart.   I pray everyday that she beats this and is able to live a long, pain free life.  You are a rock star and we love you all so much.

Christmas is almost here!  We went to our usual spot up by Fish lake and cut our tree.  It is always an adventure.  A few nights back we heard a crash at about 3am and yes, our tree had fallen over.  We have always joked about this happening in years past but this time it really did happen.  It was a huge MESS!.  Water and needles everywhere.  I am sure we will remember this incident for years to come and laugh.

That is all for now.
Until next time...
Brenda

Our summer so far...

This summer has gone by way to fast. I can't believe it is almost August. But, here we are and I need to blog about a few things that have filled up our summer.
Tyler absolutly loves Star Wars so I made him and a friend a costume to wear. Sydney turned 2! I can't believe it. She is such a delight to have in our family.
Tyler started swim lessons and is loving it. He hasn't learned to much thus far but his confidence in the water has grown immensely.We just got back from Glacier National park and the Tetons. We had a great time and saw so many wonderful things. The kids were a bit hard at times in the truck but that is to be expected on a 12 hour trip home...The kids are usually in their swim suit at some point during every day. They love to play in the water even if it is just a tiny kiddie pool.
The 24th of July is always a blast in our circle. Every year the kids put on a parade with there bikes and this year we had two bounce houses, a face painter and a great turn out. There were probably about 100+ people in our circle. It is always a good time.
Wow, if you looked at all those pics, you are awesome.

Our Memorial Day weekend!

This year we decided to go with Braden's family on their annual Memorial weekend trip. Every year they go out to the Deep Creek mountains for a lamb roast. I have only been once before but Braden used to go every year up until we were married. This was the 45th year they have been putting this shin-dig on. There were probably about 70 people that all camp for the weekend and then enjoy a great meal on Sunday evening where they roast a lamb over an open fire. It had been so long since I had been that I had forgotten what it was all about. We had a terrific time and will probably try to make it again next year! The kids loved it. There was so much to do right by camp. The granite mountains were so fun to explore and there were lizards galore to catch. We went shooting two of the day's, again within walking distance of camp. There also was a little stream close by. Tyler made some new friends including a cute little girl named Francis. Here are a few pics of our adventure!

My transformation

I was inspired by one of my fellow blogger friends (thanks Sarah) to show you my transformation from curly to straight hair. As some of you may know, I have always had very naturally curly hair ever since I hit puberty. I thought it would be fun to show a few pics throughout the years of my hair. I was teased all throughout junior and high school for my curls or frieze hair. I never even tried to straighten my hair. I didn't have a clue how to even do it. I thought that it may have involved a clothes iron but that is all I knew.In high school I embraced my curls and tried to make the curl more of a true curl instead of waves. I would sit on a bar-stool in the bathroom and curl my hair with a giant curling iron to make large ringlets. I liked this look for a while but it took hours to get it how I liked, so I only did it for about 2 years or so.After I had been married for a few years, Braden got me a gift card to a day spa. I thought that this was my chance to go straight and learn the process. My hair was down to my behind when I went in that day. I met Lindsay ( who is awesome and has helped me so much). When I called to make my appointment I asked for someone who knew a lot about natural curl. Lindsay is who they gave me and I have been going to her ever since. She is now in her own salon in her home if anyone wants her name.Anywho... here is a look back.

This is where it gets wild... I am warning you now.

High school senior pic:


Braden and I:


Graduation:


Our wedding:


Shortly before going to get it straightened:


Okay, so this is my twice weekly routine.
Start with freshly washed hair.


The necessary tools:


I use smoothing gel, round brush and molding wax to finish the job.


My lovely assistant:


After blow drying it out:


Start with the underneath section:


After blowing and straight ironing the first section:


Next section:


After round brushing and straight ironing:


Almost done!


One piece left:


Done!!


So there you have it.
Pretty scary.
All in the name of beauty, the things we won't do....