The living room

If you know me, you know that I have been wanting a white slip covered couch from Pottery Barn for about 3 years now!!  However, when we went in and had it priced it was almost $4000 and my husband was like, "Heck NO!"  Don't blame him, that is alot of money!  Then I was settled on getting a couch from Ikea, but I just felt like they were so uncomfortable, and we are a family that really lives in our living room.  Everyone thought that I was crazy to want a white couch because we have little kids at our house daily, not only that, but we have teenagers and friends here all the time.  I have been searching for a long time for a couch and this past weekend, I finally found one that I really love and is so comfortable.  It fits our condo perfectly, it actually makes the living room look alot bigger.  It looks like a dark brown in these pictures, but it is not that dark.  Everytime I lay down on the couch, I actually fall asleep, it is that comfortable! 

Homecoming 2012

I forgot to post these pictures of Brentons Homecoming from September!  Brenton went with this sweet girl named Emmalee, and they went with their friends, Halee and Taylor Van.  Emmalees mother made the kids a delicious meal, then drove them to the dance....after the dance, myself and Kenna Van took the kids out for dessert!  This was Brentons first high school dance and I think that he had a wonderful time!!  Do you think he needs a haircut?

Bristyns first piece of painted furniture

Our Bristyn loves to paint....as a matter of fact, she has paint drops all over the carpet in her bedroom!  One day, I casually mentioned that she should paint this ugly wood table (which is an antique), and she jumped right on it!  I used to have this table hiding in the basement because I always thought it was ugly and useless, but i love it now!  I have it in Brentons bathroom and it is the perfect height to grab a towel.  Since she painted this table, she has also painted a chair, I need to have the cushion fixed then I will take pictures.   Have I mentioned how much I am missing Bristyn?

I forgot to mention...

Remember a couple posts back when I mentioned that I organized my laundry room closet and was wishing for a new washer and dryer?  No joke, the day after I posted that, my washer totally broke!  I was so excited, it would have cost about $500 to fix it, so Mike gave in and said we could go look for a new washer and dryer.  We actually got them the weekend of July 4th, so we got a great deal on them!  Now that Bristyn is in college, I try to do laundry on Wednesday and Saturday, 2 loads each day.  I love these, I know it is a simple thing, but they really are wonderful.  And yes, I do have a year supply of laundry soap, snuggle and fabric softners!

I love this time of the year!!!

I love this time of the year!  The trees are so beautiful here in Fort Collins, and fall is definately here!  I had to wear a sweater today because it was so chilly.  I did just a little decorating this year...we only have Brenton left at home, and I don't think that he gets excited about Halloween decorations! 

My 3 girls

Just because I know that Britnee will be mad (HEHE), here is a picture of my 3 girls....I couldn't find one of just you Britnee!!  But I love you all equally!

Missing my girls

I am feeling kind of lonely lately....three weeks ago, we took Bristyn up to Gunnison, Colorado so she can attend Western Colorado University.  While I am so excited for her and her next phase of life, I can't help but to feel lonely without her around.  I miss her a lot and I don't think I was prepared for that.  She adds so much life to our family life, and her smile in infectious!!  I am also missing our sweet granddaughter,  Caralynn....I just wish that our Britnee lived closer to us so we can spoil her and Caralynn.  I miss my girls.

Getting organized

 The last couple of weeks, I have really been trying to get our home organized.  I have complained alot about the lack of storage that we have in our townhouse...we don't even have an utility closet, so I have to get creative on storage.  My "throw all" space is in my laundry closet, but this past week, I took everything out and either threw things away, or organized!  As you can tell, I have at least a year supply of laundry soap and softner!  I threw away all of the yucky old towels, lets just say that i had some towels that I have had since I got married!  I know, gross!  I just wish that I could get a new washer and dryer....dreaming!

The second space I have been working on is my kitchen cabinets.  My sister has spoiled me by working at LeCreuset and buying me all sorts of new fun things!  I finally gave away all of my old bowls, cooking pots and pans, pie pans, bread pans, EVERYTHING!  I love opening this cabinet and seeing all of these beautiful colors, it makes me happy!!

Fort Collins Wild Fire

Yesterday morning, a wild fire broke out just north of Fort Collins.  So far, it has burned more then 15,000 acres and has destroyed some homes.  These pictures are taken right outside of our front door.  This morning we woke up and there was ash all over the cars.  The weather here has been really hot, but windy so it is making it hard for the firefighters to contain the fire. 

Graduation

 I can't get enough of this cute little face!  I was so happy when I saw her, having our whole family here for Bristyns graduation was a dream come true!

 Caralynn and Bristyn....love all that licorice all over her face!

 Mike, Bristyn and me

 My favorite three girls in the world, Bristyn, Britnee and Caralynn

 So long, farewell.....

Bristyn graduated on Saturday, May 26, 2012.  I am going to be honest, I had a really hard time with her graduating.  I am so excited for her and her future, but I am having a hard time letting her go!  The graduation ceremony was at the CSU gymnasium, and it was wonderful. 

Bristyn and Savanna's graduation party

 Most of the cousins on my side of the family....my brother was not able to attend, since he lives in Washington.

 My sister Liz, my sister, Michelle and me.....I know, I look the youngest!

On Friday, May 25th, we had a graduation party for Bristyn and Savanna!  Our biggest surprise was that Mike flew in Britnee and Caralynn.  Bristyn was so excited to see them, as was I.  I would say that the party was a huge success, there was over 150 people that attended.  The food was awesome, the decorations were great, and the company that we had were so much fun!  Bristyn and Savanna were so happy with the party, it made me feel really good after all the stress I had of putting it on!  I love these girls....as I keep saying, my life is totally going to change in August when the go away to college.

Celebration

We have been doing alot of celebrating around here for the last couple of weeks!  To begin with, Bristyn got accepted into Western State University of Colorado (formerly Western State College)!  She is so excited about it, but she is also having a little anxiety about "growing up".  A couple of weekends ago, Bristyn and I took a rode trip to Gunnison to view the campus and town, it is a very small town, and the campus is wonderful.  It is in the mountains, and 20 minutes away from snowboarding, I know that she will love it there.  It is only a 4 hour car ride home, so she can come home whenever she wants to.  To celebrate, I made these yummy blackberry vanilla cobblers.  My sister, Liz, got me these adorable ramikins from LeCreuset, they are so cute!  We are so excited for Bristyn and the choice she made to further her education, but how will I survive without her being around here???

Bristyns Senior Prom 2012

Me, Bristyn and Brenton

Bristyn and her best friend, Savanna Wallace

Savanna Wallace, Gentry, Bristyn, Alicia Thayer and Jocelyn

Sam, Bristyn and her date, Tyler

Our beautiful Bristyn

Bristyn and Tyler

Bristyn and Savanna......

This past Friday, May 13th, Bristyn had her senior Prom, and I have to tell you, I was so sad/happy. Its hard having your little girl grow up. Everyone knows Bristyn as a tomboy, but she was so beautiful on Friday! Her best friend, Savanna, made an appointment for her to get her hair done and everything! Bristyn NEVER wants her hair done! I think it was hard for me also because Mike wasn't here to see her off to prom...he was in Washington visiting our daughter and granddaughter. I have a hard time thinking that in just a couple of months, Bristyn will be off to college, growing up. I just need to savor these last few months with my little Bris!