C H E L S E A

I guess the cats out of the bag..

2009-11-14T15:37:00.005-07:00

For those of you who haven't heard yet, Brandon and I are expecting a little one in July!

I'm not very far along (6 weeks-ish), but we are feeling really confident and want our family and friends to share in our joy!

Because I work with Ultrasound Technicians I'm lucky enough to have had a couple of ultrasounds done. ( I know.. I know.. super early. )

Patty captured a quick pic of our little baby.

We also did a quick look on Wednesday and saw the little heart beating. It was so amazing! I'm glad the little guy is doing so well and the heart is beating already.

As for me, I'm feeling pretty good. I get a little nauseated but nothing I too bad.. yet. :)

We just wanted to let everyone know! We are really excited!

Pear Tree

2009-11-02T15:59:00.003-07:00

As some of you may know, I sell vintage stuff on Etsy and KSL.
I'm currently trying to get my blog out from the deep dark corners of my cyber space, dust it off and start it up again. I have posted today, and I'm planing on keeping it up.. Phew. That sounds like a lot of work. :)
But anyway, I would really appreciate if you would be so kind to put the link on your blog.. Help a sista out. The address is www.the-pear-tree.blogspot.com.
You all are the best!

Guess What is Happening at Our House...

2009-10-09T09:13:00.002-06:00

After pictures to come..

Girls Vegas 2009

2009-10-07T19:50:00.003-06:00

Halsie and I have started an annual girls trip.. And I might say, it's SO much fun every year! We have a blast! This year we were lucky enough to have Rylee come too! We stayed at the Hard Rock and were even treated in style!! Thanks Vegas Jay for hooking us up!

Ode To Brynn

2009-10-07T18:49:00.006-06:00

I'm horrible. Absolutely horrible.

How can I put a birthday (belated, I might add. I'm such a good sister, I know.) post about my other two siblings, but not Brynn? I know she is asking herself the same question.

So, here is Brynn's Extra Belated Birthday tribute. 28 reasons I love Brynn. For her 28th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Day Brynn!!!

August 22, 1981

1. Brynn is so kind and caring. She'd do anything for anyone.

2. She is the "white sheep" of the family. :)

3. The only true rebel in our family.. according to our Uncle.

4. We talk pretty much every single morning.

5 Brynn let me stay in the room with her when she had Noah. I was hesitant at first, but I'm so glad I did!

6. Brynn is REALLY crafty! And she makes REALLY great stuff! Check her etsy out!

7. She is always there when I need her.

8. I'm always super jealous of how cute she looks all the time.. fo reals.

9. She can't sing. There I said it.

10. She's like me; she laughs with no noise.

11. Brynn was always the favorite.. or so she thinks. Ok. She is.

12. We really didn't get along at first.. but we started to like each other when she was a senior in High school. That's the point in time I believe we became true friends.

13. She loves BTTF (Back to the Future trilogy) just as much as I do.

14. She's always more than willing to let me take pictures of her. And I love to!

15. She tans really good. Real brown.

16. People say we look just like each other. But with different hair colors.. That's a compliment to her. That she looks just like me... Just kidding.. I love that people say that. Makes me happy.

17. She has the cutest handwriting. It should be made into a font.

18. I know I already said how caring she is, but she really is! She does so much for everyone!

19. "It's the new Jan Brady"

20. When I was 12 years old, I stole one of Brynns shirts (the black and silver shiny one) and wore it to school.. I hid it from Brynn in hall bathroom linen closet at Dad's house and NEVER told her. She even asked me where it was.. I'm sorry.

21. Three words: Barbie Fashion Show

22. I've always looked up to Brynn.

23. Her house always smells good and looks cute.

24. Her hair is blonde. Her eyes have "hoods." So Danish of her. :)

25. Brynn is an incredible mother and wife.

26. She hates dogs, but she loves Ernie.

27. I swear the Wii was made especially for Brynn. She has always moved the remote to the Nintendo.

28. Because she is sweet and beautiful and the bestest sister in the world! I love you!!!!

Sir Ernest Menville

2009-08-07T20:58:00.004-06:00

Meet Ernie. He is the newest member to the Childs' family. He loves to chew on his toys and feet. He loves to play "Zoom Zoom" and to cuddle in bed.

Ernie is well liked by all the neighbor dogs and enjoys playing outside with them.

We are so happy to have Ernie in our home!

Happy Birthday, Sara and Trey!

2009-04-28T21:16:00.004-06:00

Boy. I suck.. Happy Belated Birthday to my sweet sister, Sara and the best brother, Trey!

We'll start with Trey:
Trey turned 24 years old on April 16th! Good heavens! When did that happen?

Here are 24 memories and things about Trey:
1. Trey is only a year younger than me. This meant we always had someone to play with!
2. Trey use to play baseball. His position was catcher, believe it or not.
3. You wouldn't know from looking at him now, but Trey was always the shortest in his class.
Always on the bottom row in class pictures.. I was so jealous!
4. Trey is SO sweet to his sisters and mama. He'd do anything for us.
5. Trey is always the favorite. All the cousins love him.. the family pets.. teachers.. parents.. etc.
6. He is SO good at building things! Seriously! If you every need some costume furniture,
frames, etc he's the man to call!
7. Trey had beautiful blond curly hair when he was little. And a mullet for much of his
childhood.
8. Trey taught himself to play the guitar. And he is amazing at it.
9. I like telling people he's my brother.
10. He's in an awesome band, God's Revolver.
11. He calls me "Chelly-Belly" and I love it!
12. I wish he'd live with me.
13. We use to play "RV" when we were little. (We shared a room and had bunk beds.. we
pretended the bunk bed was an RV.)
14. Trey is really funny! He likes to make up laffy taffy jokes..
15. He gets along great with all his sisters husbands.
16. He use to wear a Kangaroo hat. AND a Captain Hook hat.. nerd.
17. He use to know all the words to the Bart Simpson rap.. I bet he still does.
18. Trey is REALLY smart. But he's modest and if you asked, he'd say no.
19. He has a great singing voice.
20. He loves OtterPops.
21. He also loves Ramen.
22. His first CD was Tag Team. Whoop There It Is!
23. He is good at everything he does.
24! He is the best brother in the whole world! And I love him SO much!

Now for Sara Jane. She just turned 29 yesterday! Oh my! She's almost 30!

1. Sara was the first born.

2. Sara doesn't have TV or a cell phone.. She barely has the internet. She is such a hippie.

3. She lives in house that is or is almost a hundred years old.

4. Have you heard of "Crazy Cat Ladies"?? Well, Sara is a Crazy Gecko Lady.. but in a good way.

5. She is an amazing art teacher at Dixie High!

6. She loves her puppy dogs. They are her babies!

7. Sara is a Yahtzee Champion.

8. She makes beautiful pottery.

9. She always smells SO good! (I know I tell you that you stink, Sara.. but I don't mean it!)

10. Her hair always looks GREAT and her eyebrows are naturally amazing!

11. She doesn't have a facebook or myspace or blog.

12. Sara will get up way early and do Black Friday with me. I know she hates it. But she does it cause she loves me.

13. Sara use to try and scare me when we were little.. I would pretend to be scared and yell for my mom.. just to get her in trouble! .. sorry Sara.

14. She has a "special" relationship with Halsie.

15. When I'm in need of good laugh, I know I can call her. She makes me laugh SO hard!

16. Sara gets up way too early on the weekends.

17. She would always get "smart kid" presents at Christmas.

18. I'm so proud of who she is. I'm so lucky to have her as my sister.

19. She sends me awesome stuff in the mail.

20. Sara always has the best movies.

21. I love that she asked for a peach tree for her birthday last year.. and this year it was money for flowers.

22. Sara once puked on our play chalk board... I was so upset.

23. Sara, Brynn and their friends made up a club called "The Red Hots" when we were little. They wouldn't let me be in it. Until, mom made them. :)

24. Sara, like Trey, has a beautiful singing voice.

25. She is a great baker!

26. I love that she not only teaches art, but I believe she opens these kids minds. She plays "new" music for them (like The Beatles, Yellow Submarine) during class.

27. She has perfect skin. I'm jealous.

28. She would go out of her way to help anyone.

29! She is a beautiful wonderful person! I'm so lucky to have her as an older sister!

Easter Time

2009-04-19T08:18:00.003-06:00

Brandon and I went to Lyman, Utah (AKA Wayne County) for Easter. His Mom is from there and her family still lives there. We had a really great time with everyone! His cousin, Brock, just returned from his mission for the LDS Church and spoke in sacrament meeting on Sunday. He did a really great job! We are happy to have him home, safe and sound. :)
While down there, I found a field FULL of sheep with their baby lambs! Ah. SO cute! I had to take pictures!

Look at his cute little black knees! It makes me melt..
This ewe was pissed that I was taking pictures of her.
She stood up straight and snorted at me.

I just thought this was funny..

I call this one: The Sisters

Or: Sara, Brynn, Chelsea

Ahhhh..

Ahhhh... again.

Too funny! All the little lambs were so hungry!

They would run and ram the ewes.. right in the boobie!

While on our little drive, we got stopped by cows crossing.

This one just stopped. Stood there. And wouldn't stop looking at me.

So I did what anyone would do.

I mooed and took her picture.

This is Brandon's Grandpa's workshop.

I loved it.

Peace loving hoodlums.

Kitler

2009-04-01T19:57:00.001-06:00

Hitler the cat? This website is really funny :)

Long time.. no bloggy

2009-03-29T09:14:00.002-06:00

I haven't blogged in awhile, so I thought I give it a whirl.
Not much has been going on here at the Childs' home. Brandon has been working hard in Parawon, UT all week.. every week.. He comes home late Thursday night and leaves again early Monday morning. It's really crappy not having him around (Iraq flashbacks??), but at least comes home on the weekends :)
It was just Halsie's birthday. We had a fun time shopping and eating Super Grinders on her super special day! It was really fun! Last night we had her birthday party. It was a lot of fun too and everyone seemed to have a good time!
Salem has officially moved up in the world!! We have 2 stop lights now and.. get this.. a GROCERY STORE!! I love it! I don't have to drive 10 minutes to get milk any more! I really do love living here. We are excited that it's getting warmer. I can't wait to get started on the landscaping! We are going to be building my garden boxes next weekend, I hope.
Well, not much more going on. I'll have to post some pictures from Halsie's bday party.. later. :)

Sydney Pictures

2009-03-08T13:04:00.002-06:00

Can I just that I LOVE SYDNEY??!! She is such a cute little girl! Halsie came over yesterday and we took some pictures of her. It was a great time (and I must say, the blue room takes AWESOME pictures!), Halsie and Trent were singing and dancing behind me.. They were doing anything to make her laugh!

If anyone is interested in some pictures, just let me know! I'd love to take them :)

Da House..

2009-03-07T08:20:00.007-07:00

Well, part of it. :)

I really don't want to put pics on here of my dirty house! I swear I clean it and turn around only to find it in shambles again. So props go out to all you ladies out there! Cleaning house is a pain in the butt!

First Room: HALL BATHROOM

Your first tour is of my hall bathroom.. First room finished. :) Brandon was a little worried when I told him I bought PINK towels for the hall bathroom, but he admits it turned out REALLY good! We still might hang some beadboard, but we might not as well. What's your opinion on that?

Cute Pink Towels. Cute Toilet Bowl Cleaner Holder, Mr. Cat.

Shelf Above Toilet. Most of that stuff came from D.I. and I crafted it up.

(Yes. I know. "Crafted" isn't a word)

The Sink. There isn't a lot of counter space, so we added the cute shelf above. Ikea, $15.

Ignore the white spot on the wall.. my Husband decided to hang the towel rack really high. :)

Looking in from the hall. I really do love this bathroom!

Second Room: LIVING ROOM

The living room is coming together. It's not done, but it's still cozy and we enjoy watching TV in there. I need to get a rug and some kind of art to go above the fireplace. The fireplace, by the way, is our FAVORITE! It's SO awesome! Also, please disregard the mess.

I really should have fixed the pillows before taking this picture. :)

Also, Notice in the dinning room area (Top Right), NO KITCHEN TABLE!!!

I have decided to paint the one we got from his Grandma.. And I've been a slacker.

Got to love random speakers everywhere.. I really wish Brandon would find them a place SOON!

Our Front Door.

Well, I hope you enjoyed your mini tour of my house. When I get more things cleaned and put together, I'll post more. Our room is coming along too, but Brandon is asleep in the bed.. That would make for a great picture! :) I'll post pictures of it soon. I want to show the end tables we got (Thanks Mom and Bryce!). They were old and not very cute.. but I slapped some black paint on them and they look GREAT!

The House is done! hooray!

2009-02-13T07:31:00.002-07:00

Yes. The house is done. And no, I don't have any pictures yet. My bad!
It's all in a shambles right now. With Brandon and I both working, it's hard to get the place together. But it is coming along!
When we get the internet hooked up (another reason why I haven't posted any pictures) on the 18th, I'll post some pics.
I REALLY REALLY LOVE IT!!! It is so nice to be there. To come home and be able to make dinner with an oven and stove!!! It's great!
Oh, and the house warming party is in the works!! I'll let you all know, so you can mark it in your calendars! :)

Pay It Forward

2009-02-11T11:00:00.001-07:00

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift OR a thrift store find** from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise.
There's a small catch...You have to have a blog in order to play!
Post this on your blog then come back and leave a comment, telling me you're in. Fun, huh?
Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift. Let's see who looks at my blog!Isn't this a great idea??? I love it, leave me a comment and join in the fun!
Even if I already have 3 comments, leave one and I may just send you something fun :)

**Thanks to Brynn! That's a great idea to send a cool find!
And PS.. Brynn, I'll make/give you a gift still. You ARE my first comment! :D

Pics of my treasure

2009-01-18T19:36:00.005-07:00

Milk Glass vases, vintage books (the red one is from 1925),

vintage china plates, retro sugar bowl..
The CUTE turquoise ottoman..

Inside my medicine cabinet..

Front of the cabinet..

Close up of end table...

Full view of end table..

I was thinking of painting this table and "aging" it afterward, but after

I cleaned up really good I decided to keep it as is. I really like

how it's naturally distressed. :)

One mans junk.. is another WOMANS treasure!

2009-01-15T21:03:00.003-07:00

Can I just say that I LOVE SECOND HAND STORES!!!! I love going there and finding things I can fix up! It's SO much fun! I found some awesome things at the Provo DI yesterday. I really should post some pics of it all!

I saw this article (either online or in a mag) about finding an old metal medicine cabinet to store some gardening things inside. It was SO cute! I just kept think, "Man.. where am I going to find one of those??!" Oh, and guess what.. I FOUND ONE!!! At the DI! Yeah Whoo! I saw this girl holding it and looking at it.. Man, my heart was pounding.. I HAD to have it! I stood there, pretending to look at some baskets.. when she sat it down and walked away!!! I snatched it right up! It was $3 well spent. I love it. It's painted pink. Like a soft shabby pink.. Sigh. It's perfect.

THEN I found a vintage bedroom end table! I saw some on ebay and ksl, but people wanted like $50-$80 for them.. I found this one for ... $10! :) I'm so happy! My house is really coming together.

I have so many great buys, like my vintage basket! It's a pretty big basket ($2).. I can't decide what to do with it. Brandon and I were thinking of putting it by the front door for people to put their shoes in.. or putting fire wood in it on the deck by the fireplace (Shhh.. it's really just a gas fireplace). I also got this retro ottoman ($5). You would just pee yourself silly if you saw it. It's the cutest color of turquoise you've ever seen! It's going in my guest room.. :) I think I've put more thought and time into my guest rooms than I have my own room. Oh well.. my room will come together too.

I've bought a cute fake crystal lamp ($1). Silver serving tray ($1). The cutest owl clock in the history of the world ($1.50), vintage books in all shapes and colors ($.50 to $2 each), TONS of cute milk glass vases ($.50 to $1.50 each), frames ($.50 to $2 each), serving dishes ($1 each), and SO SO so much more!

So the next time you need to redecorate.. why not give secondhand items a try?!

I am slowly going crazy.. 1 - 2 - 3 -4 -5 -6..

2009-01-08T18:47:00.001-07:00

I am SO done. Done living in my in-laws basement! Don't get me wrong. They are both incredibly nice and easy to live with, but I'm ready! I'm ready to be in our house!! Uh! It's so close!! I'm going CRAZY!

It {was} Christmas time!

2008-12-30T19:10:00.004-07:00

I'm a bit late with Christmas info.. Brandon and I had a great BUSY Christmas! It was fun juggling both of our families.

We got a lot of fun stuff from our parents like a ladder, knife set, boots (for me), cordless drill (for him). And Brandon gave me the best gift of all... a Wii! Yay! I have been begging him for one for months! Like over a year! Now I can be just like Jade and play Mario Cart when I want! :)

Here are some pics from our Christmas brunch at Brynn's house. The kids were so cute and fun!

Central Utah Clinic

2008-12-15T17:22:00.004-07:00

So far so good on the new job. :)
It seems to be a great company to work for! I am still a little nervous about working in cardiology, since I haven't ever worked in that department. But I was reassured that I would learn all about it and be just fine. Phew!
Tomorrow is another day of training! I can't wait to get started with the "real" job!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!

2008-12-12T08:32:00.005-07:00

Today would have been my Dads 51 birthday! In his honor I am currently playing The Beatles "Birthday" for him.

And naming some of my favorite memories of my groovy father:

1. He could sound exactly like the "I am Iron Man" at the beginning of the The Black Sabbath 'Iron Man' song. EXACTLY.

2. On our birthdays (any one's birthday) he would play a song that would have your new age sang it. And if he couldn't find a song with your age in it.. he'd play The Beatles 'Birthday'.

3. He made the best meatloaf. Or Ku Ki Kung, as he called it.

4. He also smoked the best meats, cheeses, and veggies in his outdoor smoker! Mmm.. I miss the onions, Dad!

5. He loved watching SciFi or Discovery Channel type shows. And I loved to watch them with him.

6. More of a me memory: I can remember exactly what his heart sounded like. When I was young I would lay my head on his chest. I loved to hear it. And even when I was older when I'd hug him, I'd make sure to press my head hard enough to hear it.

7. He would do "Friendly Hand" (Hand softly touching your face) and then suddenly Friendly Hand would turn into "Mean Hand"!!!! (Hand grabbing your face!)

8. Dads Question: Who's the coolest Beatle?? And Why?? A: Ringo. (with British accent) Because he's the one who wears all the rings.

9. Dad danced awesome. :) If you miss seeing it, come to one of my parties.. You'll see me dancing just like him ;)

10. He was an excellent gardener. We use to go out into the garden together with a pocket knife and some salt. We'd pull up some veggies and cut into them right there.. add a little salt and MMmmmm.. I loved it!

11. Him making everyday English words into made up French words.

12. On Christmas, he'd always claim that the biggest and best toys were his.

13. He could fix anything.

14. Speaking of which, my mom once put spaghetti down the disposal.. and it totally clogged. My Dad went down into the basement to clean it out.. and came back upstairs covered in the spaghetti! Oh man! It wasn't funny then, but we all learned to laugh about it now. :)

15. My Dad was very good with electronics. He was so happy I was dating Brandon, because he could talk electronics with him.

16. Dad was a skilled craftsman.

17. Army of Darkness. That is all.

18. He loved Frank Zappa. And believed he ruled the heavens.

19. But I'm pretty sure he had a man crush on Elvis.

20. Dad would play a game with us when he had to drive us to school from Orem. He would have his music on and make us guess who was singing for money. It was a fun game..

21. He owned like every movie. Even the ones that sucked.

22. He loved his animals. He took very good care of all of them. I wish we could have taken Pax and Corkie when he died. I'm sure we would take better care of them.

23. Zuma! Hail to the King!

24. Camping! SO many memories there!

25. Dads idea of a good gift was Meat. Cheese. Pickles. Crackers. And I thought so too.

26. I didn't know this when Dad was alive, but after he passed we inherited all his "junk" (junk that we treasure) from his "Lovely" wife. And in all the stacks of paper I found Birthday cards. Christmas cards. Get Well Soon cards. From EVERYBODY! He saved them all. It makes me cry to think of it.

27. He could blow smoke rings and do the French inhale. I loved it.

28. Dad was always convinced I was going to elope. But then he was also convinced I would just live with partner, like Quintin.

29. I loved my Dads hair. When he grew it long, it had the best wave in it. And the BEST color. His hair would make anyone jealous.

30. I do remember my Dad always taking the time to kiss my mother. Sometimes a big dip would accompany it.

31. Dad always took time for family. He loved them all very much. Even when they effed up.

I'm going to stop with that. I have SO many more memories. I truly had the best dad in the whole world! Although I miss him more and more each day, it's comforting to know he is with my future children and future nieces and nephews. He is always with us. Watching over each of us. And although my Dad loved with his whole heart, I think I feel his love more now.

What are your favorite memories about Dad?

Christmas Tag

2008-12-08T22:09:00.003-07:00

Doing this for my sista Brynn!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Either. You can't wrap everything!
2. Real or artificial tree? I don't know yet.. we are thinking of cutting one down every year with Brandon's family.
3. When do you put up the tree? Again.. I don't know. But I bet the day after Turkey day.
4. When do you take the tree down? I bet Jan 2nd, like Brynn.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes. Silk Eggnog is good too! MMmmm!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Teddy Ruxpin. I was SO excited to see him under the tree! I still have him.. safely in his box.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Brandon. He already has EVERYTHING!
8. Easiest person to buy for? Sara. I can always find something awesome for her.. lol.. like bacon band-aids.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, sorry Brynn!! I have the Willow Tree people one. I got it as a gift... and seriously thought about giving it to you, but mom made me keep it.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail. They are all sitting on my table..
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? It's the thought that counts
12. Favorite Christmas movie? I'm with Brynn.. I LOVE THEM ALL
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? First of Novemberish
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? does using wedding gift cards to by your gifts count?
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Oranges with powder sugar
16. Lights on the tree? duh. Who doesn't?
17. Favorite Christmas song? God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and O' holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas, or stay home? When we have kids.. STAY HOME :) What kid wants to leave all their new stuff?!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? yes
20. Angel or star at the top of the tree? Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? pj's at night.. rest the next day
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? all the people EVERYWHERE
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? bright red! even though my stuff is all purple and silver.. :( I'm in love with the bright red on trees this year!
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? soup and sandwiches
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? to be moved into our home before New Years Eve. :)

I tag anyone! Have fun!

2 posts in one day?! OH MY!

2008-12-07T20:24:00.003-07:00

OUR HOUSE!! It will be done before we know it! I can't wait to have everyone over for a house warming PARTY!

Our fireplace is probably our favorite feature! It is a Indoor/Outdoor fireplace!

Outside on our AWESOME deck!

...and.. INSIDE!

Our Living room looking from the kitchen area

And the front of our house

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-07T20:06:00.003-07:00

We had the Morgan Family Christmas party tonight! I'm finally in the Christmas spirit after seeing my moms house. :) She always goes ALL OUT!

My "Baby's First Christmas" ornament

Prop 8 the Musical

2008-12-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

LuLu Belle

2008-11-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm going to start posting craft tutorials on LuLu Belle.
I posted one tonight about vamping up thrift store frames!
Thanks for checking it out!