This is not my house, but it resembles my kitchen sink most days. I was dwelling on it this afternoon as I scrubbed away at dishes & sink scum. Why does it always have to look like this? Then I started thinking about those in my life whose sink does not always look like this. I decided, they've earned it. They are those precious women in my life with gray hairs & empty nests. They too stared down filthy sinks, brimming with dishes, every morning. Most without the convenience of a dishwasher to load it all into.

So, I could just wait until my time comes but I am not going to do that. Nope. I have put all my hope in this contraption.

Because clearly, all our compost scraps are the issue here, clearly. When I pick up this beauty this week, all will be well. Can't you see it?

Yep, I am sure that is what will happen upon opening that glorious box. Now, excuse me, I have some dishes to do.

The Big One Part 5

Halfway through the trip we headed to Union, WA for the Alderbrook Resort. Matt & I looked at a few places online but really, we just lucked out on this place. So beautiful, so restful, so perfect.

Pretty sunsets, walks on along the water.

Snuggling up with my sweetie.

See what I mean?

It set the tone for a lot of muggin'.

Although we did stop smooching long enough to take all the place had to offer.

And the gold dress made another appearance.

I guess this sign really worked because we had such a peaceful time.

Neat Nursery becomes Big Boy Brilliant

When we were designing Aden's nursery in 2004, I became obsessed with the idea of a vintage circus room. (minus the scary clowns) A year after Collin was born, (2008) Ellen finally made it happen.

There was a crib in the room as well as the twin bed & I made that large frame into a mirror.

Ellen did the mural & the dresser. She is so talented, & so affordable ;)


Now cut to 2 years later, we have no babies! Aden started 1st grade this year & Collin is almost diaper free, so a big boy room was in store. The 2nd week of summer vacation I started in & here are the results, all for $100 & my sweat equity.

A sensible reading station. We had the magazine racks (Ikea), the frames (Kmart), & of course the artwork. (Parker & Kaleb)

Most of the $100 was bedding. I found everything at Target, Ikea, & Fred Meyer. The bunk beds were given to us & I kept the dresser the same.

I found shelving & artwork we already had. I bought a $5 poster at Ikea & paired it with giant green clothespins from Michael's. It can be swapped out for something more personal to the boys. One big change I made was weeding out all the toys to this one bin & the big toy box downstairs. Freedom from stuff!

The circle cubbies are something we had as well. (Ikea)


The wall color is Berber Carpet by Dutch Boy. I liked the light neutral color because kids stuff has such bright colors. I will probably get a rug & something for the windows to finish it off. I had to share the progress though. In typical male fashion, the boys could care less.

My other main man

Boy do I love this kid! Along with the 4 boys we call our own, Matt & I of course, (because Archuletas only produce male offspring) have 2 spectacular nephews. I really never knew I would fall so hard for these boys we see maybe once a year. They are such a delight & we spent a week before school started loving on them. Today happens to be Koen's six year old birthday!Happy Birthday, sweet boy. You are such a fun cousin, a superb communicator, & handsome as the dickens!

For those of you that don't know, this is Koen's counterpart, Kace. They are simply 13 months apart & ideal role models for sharing & consideration for our boys to follow. Thanks K squared for straightening our boys out during your visit!

Kace, a hometown boy, sportin' BSU garb.

The cousins playing "Don't Eat Pete!"

Grammy's pool rocks!

We miss you, dear nephews so much already! Good news though, Kirsten is brewing another little cousin. Cannot wait to meet the newest Canadian Archie & love up on you all again.

The Big One Part 4

Yep, there's more! Our big anniversary trip was winding down in downtown Seattle & heading to another destination but we had one more day to live it up in the city.

Lunch at Paseo. Brilliant Cuban food behind red garage doors. We searched like mad for this place, then we saw it, not the restaurant but the huge line that wrapped around the block. You know that's good! Great decor too.

And for dessert? Cupcakes!!! Samoa & Pineapple Upside-down Cake. Oh baby! Delish.

Although, my man is pretty sweet himself :0)

Tons of texture & architecture around the city. I was snapping away with the camera the entire time.

The Space Needle was just 3 blocks from our hotel & so was a Thai place we visited on our last night. The perfect occasion to bust out my gold dress from H & M. *sigh* I heart H & M. It is as if everything in my fashion soul just threw up all over their store.

I got really good at photographing food. All we do on our trips is eat. And, walk to another place to eat. The walking is key if you are going to eat all day.

Farewell, our urban escape. We will be back, when we have lost the weight & saved our pennies.

Wow.

It is hard being this irresistible. Well, how else did you think 4 kids showed up?