Doin' the Puyallup

The next town over has this crazy huge fair every year that everyone and their dog goes to. You kinda have to...I mean, everyone goes. Unless you hate food, fun, and life you'd want to go. Its called the Puyallup Fair and its so big and takes so long to walk through and see everything that people say, "I'm doing the Puyallup." You do it. Its that big.

So we did the Puyallup over the weekend, just so we could keep our normal status in society. And it was kinda fun. Actually really fun. I didn't take many pictures but check out the few I got. They'll convince you of how much fun it was.

They had this drum set for the kids that was built out of all these recycled items. Buckets, rakes, metal bars, cans, lids, pipes, pans...everything you can think of! It.was.awesome!! I kinda want to build one in my garage...I mean, it kept the boys entertained for hours! At least it would have if we'd let them stay that long.

 Hahahaha! I love his face in this pic!

After experiencing pure psychedelic joy at the bum bums (that's what Caleb calls drums) we let Caleb go on one ride. I was totally against the idea (3 bucks for 30 seconds on a race car?? Really?!?) but Kiel insisted so I decided to make it worth it by taking a hundred dollars worth of pictures. And I did. And the expressions I captured were so worth the 3 dollars. Good job on being right Babe!

 I added this picture, not because of my adorable son who I could look at for hours, but because of the awesome kid behind him showin 'em who's man enough to drive without hands while throwing around gangs signs. Haha so cute!

Yeah. Our weekend rocked. 

Now on to bigger and worser things. Kiel started school today so back to being a single parent for me. Anyone want to be my friend??

I love your junk.

I never was a yard-saler until this year. Boy have I been missing out! You can get things dirt cheap (yeah, even free! Can't beat that!) and its not all junk. In fact garage sale items are a lot like people. Most of it has been well used but is still fully functionable...just a little scratched up. But with a lot of spit and polish and a little love and adoration that old used item can look young and fresh again! (Ok...horrible analogy.)

Here are some of my finds from the past two weeks and what I've done to help those people items look their best.

This sad ugly mirror was screaming for attention so I took it home

and dressed it up in white spray paint and some big fabric rosettes. It is very happy now and feeling at home in my entry way. And its got my back making sure nothings running down my face or frizzing off my head when I'm off to somewhere important where I need to impress. Like Winco.

I found this glass plate and cup and had seen some inspiration I knew I wanted to try. Totally worth the 25 cents.
Paint the cup and bottom of the plate (don't paint the top, it makes it hard to wash off!) and let it dry a few hours. Then glue the cup to the plate (I used Gorilla glue) and then stick some dictionaries on top and let it sit over night. Then stack delicious things on top.

I have a giant plain jane wall in my kitchen that wasn't being utilized. This hook thing was the perfect solution . It still had the $13 tag on it and I snagged it for a buck. I spray painted it white and there it hangs displaying my favorite aprons. I just started this wall yesterday so its not finished...I'm thinking move the left apron over and add a thick white framed chalkboard under the hooks? Yes, I think so. 

I've been collecting picture frames for awhile now so I could make a photo wall in my bedroom. Its done now but I couldn't get any good pics so I'll post about that later. But here's my Main Man Helper that took all the garage sale tags off and sprayed window cleaner on them for me (I previously spray painted them). For all you who have 3 year old helpers you know how helpful they can be. Like they totally re-define helper.

I admit. He is worth every penny. 

I have always wanted a little reading nook in my bedroom but in the past have barely had room for our bed. Finally a little reading space! And this $7 chair was just what I was looking for. It was in perfect condition but yes, I spray-painted it white. Watch out kids! I might just spray paint you next!

You can catch a glimpse of my photo wall! This is not complete either. I want to put some white floater shelves above the chair for those books I'm going to read while I cozy up in my new reading chair.


Well that's all folks! I have a few more items in my garage that are just waiting to be sanded and painted. Cute things. I can hardly wait to get on those projects!
Do you love or hate yard sales?? I've been on both ends of the fence but I'm discovering the potential behind
 1)You can't go wrong with solid wood furniture. It can be sanded, refinished, painted and made to look like new. Just don't get the imitation wood laminate or plywood unless you don't plan on doing anything with it. Not the best to paint and you can't sand it.
2) Make sure its in workable condition...meaning you can make it look good again. No cracks, tears, stains (if you're not going to cover it in new fabric or paint), or weak joints that you can't fix.
3) Go yard-saling with an idea of what you need and then find things that can be a solution. If you just go to see what you can find you might get something too big, too small, or impractical for your needs. Then you end up just storing junk. No fun!
4) Lots of people price items higher than they expect to sell it for because people tend to haggle (is that even a word??) at yard sales so don't be afraid to offer a few bucks less than the tag says. Unless the item is only 2 bucks. Then try to add a few other items and take a few bucks off it all :)

I'm not claiming to be an expert yard-saler or anything (although that is what I want to be when I grow up) but these pointers have helped me get a little more bang for my cents buck.

Did you go yard-saling this weekend?? What did you score? 

It only gets better

 PART 2 OF EPIC SUMMER AWESOMENESS

I left you last at the end of our lonely 3 weeks of just our little family.

At the end of the 3 weeks of camping, running, bbqing, and house prepping for more guests on my return, my little men and I hitched a ride to Utah with my perfect cousin (no really, she is) Angie and her equally perfect family.

Between the 8 seats in the car there were 5 cars seats. lol. You would have thought that to be an insane adventure but it turns out my perfect cousin has equally perfect children. While my cousin (she is actually like my 2nd cousin twice removed...or something like that. Unfortunately we aren't closely enough related for me to have shared her perfect genes) and her husband read scriptures, listened to conference talks, chatted and napped, her darling girls entertained themselves with snacks, coloring, toys and movies. I've never seen anything like it. And honestly I didn't get to see much of it as I was bouncing between my two crazies stuffing their mouths and keeping them entertained. I'm still trying to figure out how our families can be so different.

We had a wonderful time in Utah. My brother and sister-in-law blessed their sweet new baby and my beautiful cousin married the man of her dreams and I was able to attend the sealing. Does it get any better than that my friends?! I submit it does not!

Movie + Cuddling = Happy Caleb and sleepy Gramma

 We were in Utah for a week and then I drove back to AZ with my Mom and Dad and Melissa and Mary. What an eezy breezy trip! Caleb sat with my sisters so I had to do very little entertaining. LOVE!

The day after I got to AZ I had this crazy idea to do something I've never done before. That's never happened. My ambition never gets me into a mess that I don't know what to do with. Never. But I guess I've had enough success stories (and here) to make me think I could do it again. But this is the biggest project I've tackled by far.

Mom has been wanting to do something about her family room. Something a little more organized. Something a little more her and a little less did-ten-kids-and-a-dog-just-run-through-here-and-dump-all-their-belongings?they-did?I-can-tell.

So true to Gretchen Form I decided to repaint the walls and trim. And my mom has been wanting to paint the kitchen a soft, happy yellow so we decided to do that too while we were at it. We picked out a lovely  tan/light brown to paint the walls and a crisp white as an accent for the trim. I couldn't be more thrilled with how it all turned out. My Mommy says she loves it too...I sure hope so! HUGE thanks to Melissa, Mary, and Michelle for all their help!! It would have taken me ions to do it all myself!

Dang I have the hottest sisters!! Even when their all grody from painting and sweating for a week. Amazing.

Ready. Set. Reveal!

Oh my Geez!! I have the cutest Padre EVER!

See this Ugly Sucker??

Amazing how happy a little paint can make someone!
Now I know it wasn't just the fumes cuz I'm still happy :)

This armoir that's housing the TV is the only thing besides paint supplies that we bought for the makeover.  Are you crushing on it as much as I am??! The excellent condition of the wood is beautiful. The details of the molding says, "I'm upscale". The incredible storage space made it a must have (I wish I had taken a picture of it...there's another cabinet inside the bottom cabinets, so its double layered. Holds TONS of DVDs, VHS's, and CDs), but the price is what made this beauty irresistible. Are you ready for it? Wait for it...............................
...................................
...................................
50 BUCKS!
Yup. It was a killer craigslist find. Oh craigslist, how I love thee!!
So the total cost of the room: $60 in paint
                                                                   $20 for paint rollers
                                                         $50 for armoir
Total cost of makeover: $130
The look of satisfaction and appreciation on my Mother's face: Priceless

It took us several days from start to finish but by the time we finished all the painting, rearranging and hanging we were ready to kick back and relax! The rest of my time there was spent eating, reading, going to the Temple with my beautiful Mother, and chatting until 2am.

These little boys could not get enough of their Gramma! And Gramma soaked in every minute of it. Its times like these that I wish I had a really nice camera and mad photography skills so I could capture all these special moments they have with their Gramma...Christmas what?! ;)

I returned home on the August 30th and we were so lucky to have Kiel's parents, sister and grandma come visit us on the 31st. They stayed and played through labor day (I was a poet in a prior life)...It was totally boring. I mean, we did to Pike Place Market, spent a day in Victoria, Canada admiring the Butchart Gardens, watched The Help (GREAT movie!), Kung Fu Panda 2, and the BYU game, ate fudge, sipped bubble tea, and slurped noodles. Seriously, what more could you desire in life?? I mean...we're talking BUBBLE TEA people!! If you don't know what it is, find the nearest  Asian restaurant and try it. Its not against the word of wisdom. Promise.
(NOTE: All future pictures were taken by the very photographically talented Natalie Bennion. You all lucked out that I forgot my camera...these are way better than I could have taken!)

Getting to Victoria
The ferry ride

The approaching view of Victoria is so breathtaking! 

Victoria, Canada

When we saw all the little shops of home-made goodness we were like, "We just spent hours at Pike Place and surveyed  100 little shops just like these...we are so shopped out"....NOT!

 The Butchart Gardens

                         

                                                               

        

                                                     

                                  

We also rode to the top of the Space Needle and watched a crazy 80 year old with biceps and back like a 20 year dance a crazy dance. Epic.

The Space Needle

The said crazy salsa dancer

Pike Place Market

The seriously talented bands- One of my favorite
things at Pike Place Market.

LOVE the farm fresh fruits, veggies, honeys, and jams!

My Monkeys were champs through it all! 

Totally boring stuff.
You'd hate it.
Come find out for yourself.
I'm very lonely now that we have no visitors for the first time in 5 months.


Thanks Other Willmores for visiting and bringing all your funness! We enjoyed!

We are now accepting requests for entertainers visitors for the next few months that Kiel's at school. Friends of all cooking, babysitting, cleaning, pampering abilities welcome. We are pro at giving you LOTS of practice in all those areas and you will leave a well-rounded Pro.