How Fun Is This?

Happy Monday everyone.  I saw this and it is too fun not to share.  This a genius idea! You can upload any of your photos here at Photoboother and make your own photobooth strips. For FREE!

I love photobooths! 10 years ago when my husband and I first met, we took a photobooth picture every year at the state fair. We've tried to keep up the tradition since, but now, we can barely fit all 5 of us in the booth!  This may be the next best thing.

(via) thanks Colleen!

 Have fun with this one. 

Thank you photoboother!



Aloha! Finds and Grinds from Hawaii

Hello!  We got back from Hawaii a couple of weeks ago and I am just feeling like I'm just getting caught up on things.  It doesn't help that the second I got home, I started a few new design projects... :P  Ahh.. can't help it when inspiration strikes!  I often think about how many other crazy people are out there painting or moving furniture in the wee hours of the night.  Anyone ?  :)  Decorators are quite an impatient bunch wouldn't  you say?  Isn't that how DIY got started?  ("I'll just do it myself."  :)

Ok... so here are some great things I discovered while in Hawaii this time.  First, I found this awesome blog, Oahu Mom.  If you are looking for great ideas for family outings that you won't find in any guide book, you're in luck!  Lisa writes from personal experience and does such a good job of sharing some of the lil' gems of Oahu, especially if you have kids.  Thanks Lisa for making our trip so much MORE fun!

2nd thing... food or grinds as they say.  Man... we LOVE the food in Hawaii.  I could go on and on, but for now, I'll just share about a new discovery from this trip.  We found one of the best combinations out there... peanut butter and coconut!  North Shore Goodies makes these amazing little jars of Coconut Peanut Butter.  So yummy!  You can find them at farmners markets in Hawaii or order online.  I love supporting local businesses too!

(This is as brave as I'm going to get in posting a bathing suit pic) :)

Lastly, here's a funny transition from food to bathing suits.  :)  Not a new discovery, but I wanted to give a plug for Athleta's amazing bathing suits.  I love them and pretty much lived in them during our trip.  They look as good as they feel.  They have some great patterns and what I love most is the construction.  You can move, stretch, reach and swim without the fear of anything falling out that you don't want to.  (so important if you're chasing lil' ones)  :)    The best part is... they have great sales and are having one right now!  You can find suits on sale for just about the same as you'd pay at Target or Old Navy.  Seriously, love Athleta!

We love going to Hawaii and seeing old friends and making new ones.  They always show us the true meaning of aloha and ohana (love and family). 

Camping... An All American Tradition

My family and I enjoyed a great 3 day camping trip last weekend.  I'm not naturally a camper and most of the time I dread all the work it involves.  So for me to say it was a great trip is saying alot!  :)

One of the reasons I've come to enjoy camping over the past 2 years is because I see how much my kids love it.  It is precious to see how much fun they have with the simplest of things... rocks, branches, water and dirt!  They could play for HOURS!  It is a great reminder of the joy of living simply, ie... turn off the tv and stop buying stuff!  :)

Teaching our kids to enjoy and appreciate nature, animals, and all of God's creation is a gift.  A gift that I wish I had more of when I was growing up.  It inspires respect, humility and gratitude.

Hopefully you'll be able to find time this summer to get your family "out in the woods" and away from so many of our daily distractions.  It'll be a gift to all of you!     

Pumpkins and the Slow Family Movement

The week before Halloween, we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch.  This year, we went to a small family owned  farm and had a great time! 

It was incredibly charming and our kids had a great time running around with the animals, feeding them and playing in the barn!  I don't know about you, but every time I come to a place like this, I get a small tug to get out of the "burbs", and create a life that's a tad slower and simpler.

I know living on a farm or rural living is certainly no easy task, but I believe there's something special about it for kids and adults alike.  It forces us to live in a way where we understand the importance and joy of work, and of taking care of things and people other than ourselves.

A few months back, I read a great article on a movement called the Slow Family Movement. Here's just a short quote from the article, "My dream is that I have a home where my kids want to return and spend time..."  Click here if you'd like to read more about it.