Kloe's Kitchen

Last year I found a similar play kitchen on this blog and loved it. I thought it would be the perfect entertainment for Kloe. So I started looking around at yard sales and D.I. but unfortunately didn't find anything quite right. Last year while my mom was visiting my sister in Utah, she came across this beauty. Long story short, I BEGGED my sister and her husband, Steven to go get it. They did. It was originally an entertainment center and cost a whopping $15. Steven was gracious enough to sand it down and fix some things on it, along with some other prep work. (He's seriously a GEM.) Anyway, I wanted to give it to Kloe for Christmas, but after 2 attempts to get it here via some people in my stake, it didn't fit in their vehicles and I was SO bummed. But, it was probably for the best because I ended up having Mitch 10 days early (2 days after Christmas) and it would have been a lot of work. So I waited. Steven and Jane came up for Mitch's blessing the first weekend in February and brought it with them. And the rest is history. I love it!
This is supposed to be the fridge and magnets actually stick to it!
The "burners" are lids to pots from D.I., the sink is a mixing bowl and the faucet is just a cheapo from Wal*Mart. Cute and clever, huh? (Not my idea)
Jane sewed the curtain. I still want to figure out knobs for the stove.
Last, but not least is the phone and apron hook attached to the side. Hopefully this will be a hit for years to come. Feel free to copy the idea!

Mitch's apple

My little Rulon.

I love these kids more than anything in the world.

But. I've realized lately (probably because I have two kids now) that it's hard. Hard to exercise. Hard to find quiet time. Hard to grocery shop (or shopping, period). Hard to shower. Hard to fulfill my calling. Hard to keep my house clean.
But. If having these two gems in my life means hard, I can do hard things.

p.s. Any suggestions or ideas for the aforementioned?

The house was quiet...
...this is what I found. :)

This was a NIGHTMARE. But we got some cute ones, so I guess it was worth it.

UTAH

This is quite the post. I should have broken it up but I didn't think of it until all the pictures were uploaded. We went down to Utah this past weekend for Jane's sealing and had a blast!
Friday night we went swimming in Jake's friend's pool. They keep a bubble over it during the cold months. The pool was over 80 degrees. So much fun!











Saturday after the morning session of General Conference, we went down to Temple Square. I really wanted to take Kloe because every time we've been to Utah we've been too busy to go. The weather was perfect (73 degrees and overcast) and my kids were so good.











I especially wanted Kloe to see this:
As we walked up and around the ramp into the room, Kloe says, "Mom, is Jesus alive again?!" She was thrilled!

I hadn't been to Temple Square for probably 10 years and a lot has changed. I couldn't help but reflect on the work that went into building this temple and the joy they must have felt when it was finished. I had to hold back the tears as I told Kloe the story of the pioneers and their faithfulness in building the temple.




Friday morning Jane, Steven and Molli were sealed by Steven's grandpa in the Jordan River Temple. It was a nice morning and good to be in the temple.












Last, but not least...a family picture. Finally. (Kloe 3 years, Mitch 3 months)
p.s. I still have shin splints from walking around Temple Square all day.