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...............................
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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.