Granny Chic

Back in August the girls and I decided to check out the tag sales around town.

 I found this fabulous granny chic afghan for $2.00!

I asked the lady in charge of the tag sale who had made the afghan. She said her grandmother made it. Then she clarified by saying her evil grandmother. I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that! I have a feeling there was some bad blood between those two...

But regardless of whether the woman who made the afghan was evil or not I believe she had some good in her. We all do! As the season has changed to autumn and the weather has turned chilly I am grateful for the grandmother who made this afghan. It brings a smile to my face and we all love to snuggle up and enjoy its granny chicness!

Evans Family Columbus Day Adventure

Well, I had every intention of taking a family trip to Sleepy Hollow, but sadly, we were all Sleepy Heads and rolled out of bed too late. Onto Plan B! I corralled everyone into the car and we headed to Mystic.

 Mother-daughter love!

 Scorpion Kenners

A view of Mystic Seaport

Gorgeous Mystic

 Of course I popped into the cemetery while we were there. I have biked, walked, and rollerbladed through this cemetery a hundred times over the years and I never noticed this...

 ....an Evans family plot!

Elegant "E" Monogram

The Evans family

 Even though we lived less than a mile from the road that leads to Enders Island we had never driven out there.

 There were some gorgeous homes! I would be happy living in ANY house out there...

...I'm not picky...

 ...Maybe on the corner of Yacht Club Road and Huckleberry Lane....

...I would even be willing to live in this boat shack!

I have such a patient husband who puts up with my craziness. For example, he doesn't hesitate to pull off the highway so I can take a picture of the "Witch Meadow Road" exit sign . After all, there are only 16 days left until Halloween!

Pumpkins, Bowls and Half Naked Men

After a 3 month or so hiatus from the blog world I am posting once again. It has been a hard decision to make. I have been taking time to simplify my life these past few months. I have cleared my house out like you would not believe. I have edited unnecessary time wasters from my day and have relished this past summer and all of the time I have been able to devote to my family. But my kiddos are all in school now. And I have a little extra time on my hands. And today I felt a little twinge of desire to go and write a post. So here I am....here's to hoping a few of you are still out there to read my crazy ramblings!

After putting JK on the bus at 11:25 AM (half day Kindergarten) I high tailed it to the mall for a little {me} time. Look at the pumpkin I FINALLY scored. I have wanted this little bit of shiny goodness for 3 years now. Each year I sit on my butt a bit too long and decide I must have it after it is no longer available. Not this year! I walked into Pottery Barn this afternoon, saw it sitting on the shelf and snatched it up. (Note: if you go to the PB website you'll see it is NO LONGER AVAILABLE!!!)

Like I mentioned earlier, I am editing my life and my house. This includes decorating. My mantle is going to stay nice and plain this year. I felt like the mercury glass pumpkin made the perfect addition.

Just a touch of fall...

Anthropologie opened at my local mall two weeks ago and I have been anxious to check it out. It is lovely. Absolutely amazing. My big purchase? Two more latte bowls. We all just love them!

My final purchase of the day is for Kenners. She has grown up quite a bit over the summer and has developed an addiction to Hollister. I don't mind indulging her habit with the "50% off redlines" tables...Plus I do so enjoy their half naked men bags! It's a win-win situation!

The little munchkins will be home in just a few short minutes...how the times does fly!

Perfect Summer Day

Yesterday was one of those golden days of summer.

No responsibilities.

No have-to-do's to be done.

We asked the kids what they wanted to do and they said...

....let's go SwImMiNg!!!

Family love!

Check out Kenners' flip:

Proud girl!

She definitely gets her dare devilishness and talent from her dad who was wowing the other citizen's of our town during adult swim with his crazy turns/flips and what not's off the diving board.

I can't even dive, for pete's sake!

Tired guy

After hours of swimming we decided to go out for dinner.

Reading the newspaper while waiting for our buzzer to buzz.

I am coming to grips and trying to accept my naturally frizzy...oops, I mean wavy hair. What choice do I have with these 90 degree days with 100% humidity to boot? I've been giving the blow dryer, round brush and flat iron a little break this summer. It's been rough going but I'm trying to be a little bit more organic. I must admit having a hat helps a lot!!

Can you guess where we went for dinner by looking at the buzzer Kenners is holding?

After dinner we went to the Apple store and Pottery Barn.

No pictures though...I was too tired.

Perfect summer days definitely lead to happy endings and sweet slumber at night!!

Easter Glory!

This afternoon, in between General Conference sessions, we enjoyed a small Easter Egg Hunt in our backyard. Such a glorious day!!

JK and Kenners showing a little bit of excitement!

Silly, silly kids

Rand hunting beneath the weeping willow tree.

JK showing off his loot.

Checking out his goodies.

Among all of the plastic eggs filled with yummy candy each of the kids found an empty egg. I didn't forget to put the candy in (or worse yet I didn't EAT their candy). This is a simple visual aid we use every year to remind the children that the tomb is empty. Christ has risen! Death is conquered!! As we contemplate the Savior's resurrection we remember the passing of my father-in-law and mother-in-law. Phillip has been gone for 6 years today and Marcia for 14 years in July. We are so grateful that life does not end once we breathe our last breath and are placed in the grave. Oh no! Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, broke the bands of death so we may each enjoy eternal life and exaltation.

I rejoice that my Savior Lives!!!

Making a List, Checking it Twice

It has been such a wonderful Christmas season here in the Evans household! I don't remember the last time I was so excited for Christmas. We have been diligently working on our to-do list and have accomplished the following:

~Assemble Christmas cards/letter/pictures. (No letter this year)

~Visit Santa

~Take a drive to see Christmas lights

~Bake Christmas cookies. Still have lots more to make but we've started to make a dent.

~Christmas candy. I'm totally cheating with this fabulous and simple idea from Lucy. So good!!

Pretzels, rolos & pecans...how can you go wrong?

Kenners snapped my picture wearing my new Anna Maria Horner apron. My wonderful friend, Natalie bought it for my birthday. So sweet. So unexpected! I of course had to wear it while making the above pictured treat.

~Shop/wrap/deliver Giving Tree gifts

~See a Christmas play (The Gospel According to Scrooge)

~Pop popcorn and watch a Christmas movie (we've done this one several times over!)

~Make Christmas ornaments

I fell in LOVE with this ornament (of course I don't remember where I found it!) and decided to try and copy it.

My version:

~Make a gift for the kid's teachers

~Perform a secret service for a neighbor

~Watch a Christmas special on TV

~Clean out toys to donate at church swap

~Remember to keep Christ in Christmas
~Go Christmas caroling. The girls and I were able to go to a retirement home with 15 other kids from church. Kenners and I also lead the caroling at her Brownie holiday party.

~Host a Christmas OrnamentExchange Brunch with friends. Can you believe I didn't take a single picture? The food was fabulous, the company divine and the ornaments festive. Too bad I didn't think about grabbing the camera until after everyone was gone!

We have about 10 things left on our list. 10 days til Christmas. We just might make it!!

I have yet to take pictures of my holiday decor and link up to The Nester. At this point I'm not sure I will. I just might end up being link #2,000! She has SO MANY links it is unbelievable! I'm slowly making my way through them. But here is a quick snapshot of my piano. I'll try to get the rest of the pictures taken before the end of the week. I'm excited to share...just busy with other things!
Have I mentioned I totally rearranged my entire living room? Yep. Need to take pictures of that as well. So much to do....like wrap the kiddo's gifts! DK's are all wrapped and under the tree. The kids are starting to worry and wonder where theirs are!