Giveaway: Nena Von Decorative Pillow

Don't you just love pillows?

Here's your chance to win a free one!

One of my new sponsors Nena Von, specializes in decorative designer pillows.  She hand sews each pillow and has quite a variety to choose from.  

Take a look at her etsy shop.  The choices are endless, classy and reasonably priced.

This week she is giving away this navy and creme trellis fret pillow to one of my lucky readers.

To enter:

comment and tell me where you would put this lovely pillow or just leave a comment.

Easy!

Giveaway ends Monday night August 2nd.

Winner will be announced the following day.

Comment away!

Amazon

Oh how I love amazon.com.

Things I want and need at a cheaper price.  

Couldn't be better.

I just purchased these two books and can't wait to read them.  

I know, pretty cliché right?

But, I have heard nothing but good reviews.

So I couldn't resist.

Which one should I read first?  

Which one is your favorite?

Last Days

There are many times where I think about my blog and how I don't want to update anymore.  

But for some reason I always end up updating it.  

Sometimes I don't want a blog anymore...do I really want people reading about everything that is going on in my life?  

Kinda scary if you ask me.  Yet I continue to do it.  

So here goes another post. 

Last Thursday was my last day of work.  It was bittersweet.  I will sure miss those 8 kiddos.  

Yes, there really is 8.  

And yes, at times I really did watch all 8.  

It was crazy at times, but we had fun!
I keep asking myself what I am going to do for 4 more weeks...
Beats me.

On Thursday I took the two youngest boys to the "BIG orange hot air balloon" at the Great Park in Irvine.  It was cool, kinda scary, and very hot!  

Was it worth the 45 minute wait with tired, hungry kids?  

Probably not, but as Shania Twain would say, I can now say that I have "gone and done it." 

They talked about the little toy cars down below

Truman and Matthew

This little one is hilarious. One time I told him to feel my baby kick. 

He felt her kick and asked, "does your baby have shoes on?"

I told him, "no, she doesn't have shoes, but when she comes out we can put shoes on her."

Now almost every time I see him he asks, "does your baby have shoes yet?"

When I leave work he asks where I am going. 

I tell him I'm going home and he says, "no, I don't want you to leave yet!"

Those are the sweetest words a nanny could hear.

(I don't know why my words are underlined)

Truman

and this one is a feisty one, yet can be very sweet.  

He never wants help doing ANYTHING!!

Yet, when we read books together he snuggles up next to me.  

Love that. 

Matthew

It was a fun last day of work.
I'll miss my two boys! 

(and the other six)

Showered

While I was in Utah my dear family and friends threw me a few showers.

My aunts threw a combined shower for all the pregnant nieces due within a few months of each other.

Lauren-had her baby on Friday,

Me-August 20th

Ashley-September 15th

Sarah-October 6th

Diana-October (sorry don't know the exact date)

A few of the guests

and our adorable bath loot.  

Thanks family for the wonderful shower! 

A few days later Katie, Karen and Heather were so nice to throw me a shower for our baby girl.

From L to R: Julianne, Stefanie, Alesha, Katie, Michelle, Me, Jess, Karen, Heather, Kelly, Sarah

The darling invitations, and yummy treats

adorable "congrats" banner that Karen and Heather made

Katie and me only a few weeks apart.

Kate is actually due TODAY!

I have such great friends!  Thanks to everyone who came.  

It was so fun to see everyone and get together.

Thanks Kate, Heather and Karen!

My sisters also threw me a shower with my mom's side of the fam and a few friends from the ward. 

A few of the guests.  

(Sarah hosted the shower-isn't her house darling?!  I love it!)

Delicious pink treats and outfits for baby.

Sarah made this "it's a girl" banner.  I love it!

My beautiful mom and sisters.  

Thank you sisters.

I LOVE YOU!

and thank you to everyone who came. 

welcome new sponsor: Salon K in Provo, Utah

Introducing my newest sponsor 

Salon K!!

Salon K is located in Provo, Utah in The Shops at Riverwoods.
They offer many services including cuts, colors, highlights, hair extensions, chemical treatments, waxing, and skin treatments.
Salon K is one of the few salons in Utah county that carries Bumble and Bumble hair products.

Visit their website today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Stay tuned for summer promotions and specials!

Welcome Salon K!!

Fourth of July and Utah

Cason and I had a fun filled ten days in Utah.  

We hung out in Utah for the 4th, and then Cason went on a fishing trip to Montana while I hung out with my family.

We did a little swimming and soaked up the rays on Friday before the big celebrations

On Saturday, we had a 4th of July BBQ before the Stadium of Fire.

My mom did a great job at the decorations and delicious food.

Very festive!

 

the traditional 4th of July jello.

The fam-minus the Howard's

the boys played a little croquet

and we hit a piñata before it was time to go.

Sarah 26 weeks

Me 33 weeks

After the BBQ and fun, we all went to the Stadium of Fire to rock out to Carrie Underwood and watch fireworks.

On Sunday we had another family BBQ with my Dad's side of the family.  (sorry no pictures)

and on Monday we went to the local parade.  

tired Josh??

Nothing beats a Utah 4th of July!!  

On Saturday before Cason and I left my family and I went boating.

enjoyed Jeremiah wakeboarding,

and Julianne.

Then Cason finally came home from his fishing trip and the boys played a little basketball.

and we all roasted marshmallows and ate s'mores.

Have you ever seen bigger marshmallows??  They were huge!

It was a great last day of a vacation! 

We had so much fun in Utah and Cason had a blast fishing with his Grandpa, Uncle and Dad.

Thanks fam for the fun week! 

Next time we see you we'll be a family of 3. 

5 1/2 more weeks!!