Happy B-day Bro-dizzle

This weekend was my little brothers birthday and since we were out of town, we celebrated at McGraths Fish House yesterday. It was delish....

My little sister dyed her hair... She looks sooooo much older!

Yummy crab

Happy birthday hat

I love my family

My Weekend

This weekend was lovely. I got to spend time up at my parents house. We went to yard sales, had an awesome photoshoot, ate yummy fritters and lovin life.

Have you noticed how every Dreamworks movie has characters with this face?

 We all gave it a try...

 Its hard! {try it!} Lexi did it best.

 Dad said he learned how to do this from Martha Stewart

 Fancy

Yard Sale Saturday

One of my families FAVORITE past times in the summer is to wake up early Saturday morning and hit all those glorious yard sales! Its amazing what kind of treasures you can find! But unbeknownst to many people, there are certain rules yard sale junkies and hosts must follow. Here is what a typical yard sale Saturday looks like:

First off-The night before, you need to think about what is it you want to find at the yard sales in the morning. It can be something you want, or something you need, either way-put it out there!
Friday night I decided that I wanted to find material to make new clothes and I wanted to find a bulldog (seems far fetched, but it doesnt hurt to put it out in the universe, you never know!)

Next-Wake up early! We try to be on the road by 7:00AM.

Make sure the car you are driving is A) Big enough to carry large(r) purchaces. B)Not TOO fancy because people wont barter with you if they see you driving up in a Cadillac. Luckily, we had our trusty old surburban. Perfect for yard sale-ing.

We stopped by Maverik gas station and fueled up...

 Breakfast of champtions, my friends.

Next rule: If you see cute little kids on the side of the road doing a bake sale, you must stop and get something. (Preferably snickerdoodles, if they are available)

 How can you resist these little cuties!?

 Always stop at yard sales that look clean! (Ok even stop at the dirty ones, you never know what they will have, just make sure you wash whatever you buy and bring hand wipes!)

If you bring your pooch, make sure you have water for them, becasue most the time they are just waiting in the hot car...

Just dont let them spill their water on your lap...

It looks like you peed your pants.

Remember how I made sure I thought about what I wanted to find at yard sale(s) the night before? Um... This is why...

 What are the odds I found my bully?!

This is Polly

Ok, I wasnt clear when I did my wishing the night before... I wanted to BUY a bulldog, and this cute little girl wasnt for sale. So be specific when wishin about what you want!

I still love her!

She kept biting her lips when she was playing with her ball.

  We went to a yard sale that all their clothes were 25 cents each! Talk about a bargan!

Bird bath:
They were asking $25

Grammy bartered it down to $15
Not too shabby.
BARTERING IS A MUST! Almost never pay for what they are asking. Most people expect to make deals.

Another must: GOOD SIGNAGE!

Meaning, when you have a yard sale, make sure your signs MAKE SENSE!

No one likes driving around searching for a yard sale that doesnt seem to exist. Use arrows, not addresses. Make them bright and noticeable!

This is an awesome sign...

To counteract what I said earlier, some people will NOT budge on their prices. The thing experienced yard salers, is that they go to yard sales to get a deal. Obviously. So they arent looking to spend the same amount on an item they could get new. So if you have a yard sale, keep in mind that if you have a new brand name shirt, still with the tags, dont sell it for what the tag says.

 If you go into a store, check your clothes before walking in. Mom had some price stickers come off on her clothes. :)

We got all kinds of treasures! From clothes, to household decorations to books and Cd's

Approx value: $400
Price we paid: $40

 This Aeropostale messenger bag was brand new and only... wait for it.... $1!

Brand new jacket with tags: Regularly $44

Yeah... we got it for 25 cents. :)

 All kinds of knick-knacks!

All in all, it was an AMAZING day. I had so much fun with my mom and my Grammy. I love Saturday mornings!

Yeah, we pretty much made off like bandits!

My Happy Thought {by Mandy}

"Think happy thoughts and you can fly."

---Peter Pan

This is my beautiful aunt, Mandy. She is super talented, so fun to be around and has the most beautiful family ever! I love her dearly! Here is a bit about her and her Happy Thoughts:

My name is Mandy and I'm an addict... Let me explain: I'm a mother of two beautiful children and been lucky enough to marry my best friend over 8 years ago. Happiness has been something I've been chasing for many many years. I've looked everywhere, done things I never thought I would do, been places I never thought I would go, all just to feel what happiness really feels like regardless whether it was permanent or temporary. After many falls and many painful trials, I am proud to say I have found happiness. It was in a place I never even thought to look and I didn't even have to look very far.. it was always there inside who I am and the choices I make. Happiness is a choice that we make on a daily basis. Does this mean my life is always easy? No, but I choose to get back up after I struggle and take that happiness back that I lost! I have so many blessings in my life that remind me on a daily basis of what leads me to my happy thoughts.

1.Holding hands with my husband & kids.
2.Listening to meaningful songs.
3.Running.
4.Surprising the kiddos.
5.A clean home (very rare).
6.A good read.
7.Sunday nap/a good nights rest.
8.Team Mandy (my support system)
9.Laughing. Best medicine ever.
10.Checking off an accomplishment on my list to do.

Thanks so much Mandy!
XOXO
Check out Mandy's awesome blog here.

The Great Outdoors

This last weekend Gav and I were able to go camping with the Gardner clan. It was so much fun. We went up Cedar City canyon and it was beautiful! We had so much great food and so many fun games. I am proud to be a Gardner!

Naiya said she was little black riding hood. Her cloak helped her hair to stay dry. Very inventive.

He is such a cute cowboy.

Paperbag game. I am the reining champ my friends!

It poured.

Although it rained a bit, and two of the horses got loose during the night, it was such a fun weekend. My favorite was when we played "karaoke". We had someone turn up the volume on their headphones and sing their little hearts out. The music is so loud, you cant hear how bad you sound, but everyone else can. Hilarious.