:: Found on Pinterest - 4th of July

Next week is the 4th of July.
Here are some easy decorations and treats that I've been pinning.
I love this time of year!

Source: 5minutesformom.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: themombot.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: partycity.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: inspirationforhome.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: simplyblogging896.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: savearecipe.blogspot.ca via Amy on Pinterest

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Amy on Pinterest

:: 35 before 35 - #23

While I was on the cruise, I was determined to complete something off my list.

It would be #23 - see the sunrise and sunset over the ocean . . . on the same day.

 I was actually looking forward to sleeping in each morning, but wanted to complete this.

I was determined to.

I woke up at around 6am and went running on the little track they had.

The hubby was sick so I decided I wouldn't drag him out of bed.

Kind of me, huh.

The sunrise was beautiful.

A beautiful beginning to a great day.

At this time, I think we were actually near Cuba.

Right when that sun was up, it was so hot and humid.

Had to finish my workout in the gym.

We were finishing dinner that evening, 

when I told everyone that I sorta wanted to see the sunset.

I didn't want to make it a huge deal.

If we didn't see it, it wasn't the end of the world.

I'd just complete it another day.

To my surprise, they all wanted to see it too!

But just a few minutes until it set.

So, since the elevators were sooooo slow,

we decided to run up the 6 flights of stairs.

I may have almost killed my sick husband, but we made it, just in time.

It was gorgeous.

{oops . . . can't see us, but look how beautiful that sunset is!}

:: Question for you

My sister recently moved to SoCal and I'm so excited!

We've decided that we need to discover more beaches here.

So, I have a question for you.

What's your favorite SoCal beach and why?

We want to check it out!

:: Ramblings

We're back from a week long cruise to the Western Caribbean

 with my parents, siblings, and their spouses.

It was glorious.

But I was definitely ready to be back with my girls.

I missed those little ones . . . a lot.

We first flew to Florida.

And I'm always amazed by two things, as I fly.

First, the view.

It's gorgeous.

And the other thing that amazes me?

Sky Mall.

My brother and sister-in-law have confessed that one Christmas

they will buy us all gifts from that magazine.

Now I'm predicting that that Christmas might be my favorite.

Why, you ask?

Just check out these items I was drooling over . . .

 . . . the Super Skate Sail.

. . . Orbitwheels

 (a cross between a skateboard and inline skates)

. . . a Portable Infrared Sauna (might be one of my faves)

. . . or what about The Traveler's Bed Bug Thwarting Sleeping Cocoon

(what we like to call "the thwarter")

. . . and the Food Pillow?

Ava might be a fan of that one.

Needless to say, we were entertained for hours as we flew to our destination.

Just you wait, one day I WILL buy something from Sky Mall.

:: Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to this amazing man.

I don't think I could've asked for a better father for my girls.

He does so much for them and they absolutely adore him.

I love him so much!

Happy Father's Day!

:: 6 years

Last week we celebrated our 6th anniversary.

It sorta sprung up on us.

We've been so busy working/studying for the bar/graduating

that before we knew it, June was here.

I was served a yummy breakfast in bed

and then we exchanged cards.

I love homemade cards.

I think it means so much more.

Even if it is on construction paper.  I don't care.

So, the hubby has obviously learned that that's what I like

and he does it. 

I was trying to find an idea online.

Didn't really see any I liked until I saw this here by Angela Hardison.

It was simple and perfect.

Although, I didn't have enough time to sew a bag.

But he loved it and that's what counts.

I am so grateful for this man.

Grateful for the 6 years that I've been able to be with him.

We've learned a lot from each other.

We've had tough times, but the good times

highly outweigh the tough ones.

Since we were married on June 3, 2006 we have . . .

*lived in a total of 3 homes

*lived in 2 states

*2 beautiful daughters

*2 University degrees

*had a total of 4 cars

*been on 3 cruises

*probably put 250,000-300,000 miles on our cars (combined)

*still have our original couch, dining table, and bed that we bought when

we were newlyweds.

It's been a good 6 years.

Love you, Mr. Smith!

::Craft - father's day gift

Father's Day is coming up!

And lucky for you, I have a very easy craft to share.

I've see this pin here and this one here.

Loved them.

I was at Target this morning and saw this cute mug.

Okay, so it's a little small, but it was only $1.50 {the reg. sized mugs were $4} and 

I didn't have time to go to a thrift store.

So I brought it home and had Ava write a note to her daddy on it.

The sharpie, supposedly, won't come off if you bake it for 30 minutes.

{haven't tried washing it yet, but hope it works}

I think this is an awesome idea.

So much better than a note that gets stashed at the bottom of a drawer.

He can drink out of this cup for years to come

and always remember his little 4 year old that loved him so much.

{note:  the sharpie against the mug is very slippery, hence the crazy shaped letters}

I think we might do this every Father's Day.

****UPDATE****

  Okay, so the sharpie doesn't work.

  It started coming off when I was rubbing it with water (after it baked).

I did a little more research (what I should've done in the first place) and it looks like you need to buy

a black Pebeo Porcelaine Pen in fine point from Michaels or any other craft store.

Hopefully it will work now.

And following these instructions, it says to let it sit for 24 hours

and then bake at 300 for 35 min.

I'll be linking to these parties here.

This was our Father's Day craft last year.

:: ramblings

I think every little girl should own a floppy hat.

hat: Old Navy (last year)

swimsuit: crewcuts

:: Party Details - washi tape flags

For the graduation party, I wanted something cute to put on the top of the mound of cookies.

I had a lot of extra washi tape left over from the announcements, 

so I decided to make a few flags with the tape and with toothpicks.

This might be the easiest tutorial ever.

And I think the pictures are pretty much self explanatory.

Will be linking to these parties here.