Workin and Birthdays

Yep we're still chugging along at our house.....

{Except for when I'm sick... like today-- than I just get so frustrated that I can't accomplish anything on my mile long list that I want to cry... bad sickness... bad!}

Anywho what we've mainly been doing is getting ready to pass off all our inspections and working on the outside yard. {Just to throw it out there- we passed our final electrical inspection and that was a huge sigh of relief for us since we did it ourselves and we've been worried it would drag on forever and ever and ever-- but we passed!!! yay!}

 Dave got to get the big boy toys out last Saturday to work on spreading our fill dirt in our yard

and can you guess who was so super excited {and a pretty darn big helper for him!}

 Ya little Payter boy! It was cute to see him help and be all excited about getting to ride in the dump truck

 He'd also help by showing Dad where to back up to to dump the dirt.

 The other big thing that we got done on our house was the concrete pads were poured! Yay!

I did forget to take one of the sidewalk out front and the garage pad but you kinda get the idea :) 

I won't lie- I'm super excited to have some BBQ's on our back patio!!

Also this week we celebrated little Bryn's Birthday! 

We tried lighting the candles outside and the wind kept blowing them out- so we finally took it inside and before we could even get halfway done singing Bryn had blown out all the candles! :) I don't think she was excited or anything! 

 We got her some Polly Pockets and G&G Jones made her a pretty necklace, she also got a card and $2 bill in the mail from G&G Foster which she was excited about!

And for Payton and her birthday the BIG present for them was a Trampoline! 

It's been quite the entertainment while we worked on the house, and it's so cute to hear Ellie say "tramp, tramp, jump tramp"

Overall it's been a good week- now if only I can kick this sickness so I can get much accomplished this week-- {who knows we might actually move in next week!!! ya I'm trying not to get my hopes up though :) }

Work{Together}shop -- Learning about Flash!

So one of my goals on my 30 before 30 list is to learn about Flash Photography....... I've been gradually doing it and while there is still much much much to learn I had a ton of fun getting together with some other local photographers and getting to participate in a work{together}shop.

Emily and Nate Photography put it together {They are great!} and had all of their amazing flash and lighting gear there-- It was awesome! There were only two of us Canon girls in a sea of Nikon's so that made it a little tricky {figuring out the different settings} but it was so fun and I feel like I learned a lot! 

  So while I don't feel like I'm totally done with my goal-- { I gotta get myself some more gear and do my own shoots} I'm still crossing it off the list! {cuz I LOVE crossing things off lists!}

Photography by me- Ali Foster {Bits of Bliss Photography}
Organized by Emily and Nate Photography
Hair and Makeup by Austin Kade In Idaho Falls 
Costuming by Treasures in Idaho Falls

House update #who cares I wish we were done :)

Well I know I've been quite the slacker on our house updates-- I won't lie our house is a stinkin mess right now!!!-- We have so many projects going on the house and absolutely none of them are totally finished-- {which is my biggest pet peeve and frustration! I hate leaving just a little bit left to be done-- ugh}

One thing that is done though is our Cabinets!

We had Merrills with Merrill woodworking do them and I absolutely LOVE them! They did an amazing job and were great to work with {and I'll admit it I had some kinda out there ideas and designs :) } As far as recommendations go-- these guys get five thumbs up from me :)

We did build the back of the bar wood wainscoting and so I'm still working on finishing that up--- and we have lights that still need to get done-- and appliances to put in-- Like I said never ending little things.

 As part of our cabinets I had this file cabinet built and I've never been so excited to file some stuff :)

Master bath Cabinets-- we still have to cut out the bottom shelves for the plumbing :)

I love the kids bathroom cabinets-- {there's also a huge linen closet in here that I forgot to take a pic of }

and the kitchen desk {ya a huge mess right now} 

And our Study Desk-- Merrills did the cabinets and we put on the wood top {I wanted kinda an old wood bench top look :) }

Other stuff we've been doing.

trying forever to finish the electrical

and building many much built ins

 Our Mudbench {still needs paint and a wood top for the bench

Shelves and cubbies in our Mud closet 

 Master Bedroom Closet Organizers 

Organizers in the kids closets

Pantry Shelves

Our Living room Bookcases and Columns {ya still a lot of paint and stuff left to do}

I finally finished our powder room table {that is until Dave builds a shelf for it :) }

and we are trying to finish up on the trim stuff

 The Mantle is 99.8% done :) 

 and the Carpet is 100% done- {yippee ki yay!}

And the stairs railings from that firey burney place is pretty darn close to being finished {thanks to our nephew Reily helping all day yesterday! Thank you thank you thank you Reily!} 

 So yes we're close but oh so far-- {I see a massive amount of painting and caulking and just "stuff" that takes time to get done left still  *sigh}

But really we're getting closer to attacking the outside--

 which will definitely be a war that I hope we can win. {I can guarantee I'll be getting me some sun :) }

{*and just a side note cuz I know you'll wonder...........  Why in the heck are we doing the outside right now before we move in?! Well it's because at the beginning of this whole project on my list was Sod {cuz our kids haven't had a backyard to really play in for close to 5yrs now!?} So in order to close on our loan and move in we have to put down the sod-- which ya opens a whole can of beans for us to do on the outside-- *sigh* yes I am tired and burned out and trying my best not to take another trip to breakdown city.... but we're getting there right?! :)

My Sweet kiddos

So after much {and we mean much!} effort

I finally put my foot down and said...

rain or shine, whine or smiles, mosquito bites or not {and ya we did get many!}

 I am taking some real pictures of my own kids!

We first headed up to Cress Creek-- 

I was worried it was already pretty late for the good lighting there because yep it took longer than expected to get all the kiddos ready :)

 but holy stinkin cow there were so many mosquito's up there! We're talking a ton here-- I had about 30 attack my arms each time I'd stop to take a picture.

The kids did so good and still smiled for me -- but ya it was pretty miserable.

After dealing with it as long as we could I finally caved and gave up on my idea of a session with the kiddo's

 :(

On the way home though I spotted a little tiny spot of trees and bushes right off the road so we pulled over and I snapped a few more pics 

I gotta admit it-- I love my sweet little kids-- and think they're the cutest!

 It was in the end worth all the work and extra stress to get some good pictures of them that I can cherish forever!

Happy Independence day!

We always have such a fun time on the fourth!

The last few years we've been invited to go over to Dave's Brothers house for a family BBQ and firework party and it's a blast! Our kids just LOVE it!

 {and as a bonus we don't have to fight the crowds--Yay!}

 This year there was some.....

 Water sprinkler fun

Swinging on the tree swing {and ya Payton was pretty darn high!}

Riding the little pony 

playin in the dirt

Getting tickles from cousins

Throwin smoke bombs in the water :)

Having some fun with daddy

and of course FIREWORKS......and more fireworks

and huge sparkler stick fireworks

We did have some puppy lovin in there too

and twin cousins cuteness

and yummy food and cute desserts

and pictures of brand new lost tooth's

but mostly many much fun Fireworks!

We loved the fourth-- it was so nice to get to take a break from the house for the evening! Thanks Ter and family for such a fun evening!