My Grandma's dresser/new project

Old chairs from the library. Below my dresser.

I told my mom about 8 years ago that when she dies I want my Great Grandma's dresser. She said you got it. So a few weeks ago my Mom came to me and said she wanted some space and asked me if I was ready for Grandma's dresser. I was shocked that she was giving it to me already! I was thrilled to get it. This dresser was my Great Grandma Estella Teel's. It's so beautiful I love it. It's a Thomasville dresser so the quality is awesome. It looks so beautiful in my bedroom. I think its so cool that my clothes are sitting in the same place that my Great Grandparents and Grandparents clothes were sitting. I also Scored some old library chairs from my mom too. I know they don't look like much now but they are going to look awesome at my kitchen table when I get done refinishing them. Ahhh So excited! I cant wait to start on my new project.

The haunted history tour/ Halloween fun with kids!

Pictures from The Haunted History Tour Pic above : Old gun plant/B-E building

Ross park

Gray hound bus depot

Aaron and Melisa on the tour

OK I know the pic's totally suck. I am in desperate need of a new camera. Last night My brother Aaron and sis-in law Melisa went with us on The haunted history tour. They loaded up 5 bus loads of people and took us to 5 haunted locations in Pocatello. The first stop was the old Gray hound bus depot. The story is that there is a mysterious woman in white that sits on the benches in there waiting for her love. The second stop was Ross Park. They talked about Dead mans cave and the Indians that used to use that area as a winter camp. They said that there has been sightings of ghostly Indian man on the rocks. The Third stop was the courthouse. They told us that about 8 months ago a judge was working late in the court house one night and saw a woman out in the hall. He told her that she was not aloud to be in there and then she vanished. The fourth stop of the tour was the old gun plant or old B-E Buildings. They told us about a man that is seen in one of the windows at night. I looked and looked for that guy in the window I never saw him dang! The fifth and last stop of the night was to a "haunted race car" the story was pretty interesting. But I'm to lazy to type that one out. We had a great time. We will definitely do it again next year!

Painting pumpkins with the Topliff's

Painting pumpkins and picking noses ;)

Doing fun Halloween Crafts

A few weeks ago Ryan had a field trip to the pumpkin patch. It just happened to fall on the same day Laney had a day off of school. My friends little boy is in Ryan's pre-school class so we decided to make a fun day of it. We went to the pumpkin patch and went through the corn maze. Afterwards we went to the patch to pick our pumpkins. The night before it had rained so it was pretty muddy out there. The kids were getting tired and cold by that time so we told them we would buy pumpkins at Walmart. So we went back to my house and had lunch and rolled out cookie dough. We also made cute bat paper bag puppets. Later on in the week we went to our friends and painted our pumpkins. We had so much fun! We love fall fun!

Laney (The Missionary!)

As parents Lane and I have always strive to teach our children correct principals. But I must say Laney is too good. I always joke to people that Laney is too good for Lane and I. Laney amazes me with is understanding of the gospel. He catches on to things that I don't. Last thanksgiving Laney went on a no caffeine campaign. He asked Lane and I to stop drinking Diet Coke. He was so sincere. I can proudly say Lane and I have switched to caffeine free Diet Coke all thanks to Laney. Laney is always finding ways to choose the right. One Sunday Lane came home from church all upset. I asked him why he was sad. He said Mom a girl in my class made fun of my favorite President (Good o' honest Abe) She said he was dumb. I told Laney to tell her she was just jealous and she was dumb for thinking that. Then Laney looked at me with bewilderment in his eyes and said Mom if I said that to her wouldn't that be putting her down like she did to me. I felt like crap. I cant believe he said that. I was so touched. Last night we were doing out nightly family scripture study we read one chapter a night. We got through our chapter and Laney begged us to read one more. I had to pick myself off the ground! He said Dad don't stop. I'm really getting into this story. I was so proud. Laney I look up to you. Thank you for being so sweet. You are such a wonderful example to your Mom and Dad. Don't ever change!

Move over Martha Stewart!!!!!

Workin with Tools!

Check out this beauty!

This table was Lane's Great Grandma Marley's. It used to be a vanity with a mirror in the 40's. Later it was passed down to Lane's Parents. My Mother in law used it as a t.v. stand in her bedroom. Last week she passed it down to us. I was so excited to get started on it. I stripped all the old paint and stain off of it. I defiantly inhaled too many fumes. Then I sanded that puppy smooth. Last but not least I painted it black and added new modern handles to it. I love the way it turned out. I'm using it as a buffet in my dinning room. It was really fun breathing new life into it. I'm so touched that Lane's parents gave it to us. Lane is always talking about his Great Grandma and how much he loved her. I'm thrilled that we can enjoy it and pass it down to our kid's someday.

Things that you may or may not know about me ;D

Well it's 12:15 A.m. and I cant sleep! Ahhh! Not many people know that I'm not a sleeper. I have a really hard time going to sleep at night. I generally live on 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night. So while I was sitting here thinking about all the funny things about me I thought it would be fun to share with my friends and family "Things that you may or may not know about me. Well here it goes.

1. I cant sleep. Most nights.

2. I love 80's music. I mean Love it!

3. I worry constantly! I'm a worry wart.

4. I love the snow. It reminds me of being a kid. I love that feeling.

5. I really love learning about Princess Di. I've read several books about her I cant get enough.

6. When I feel uncomfortable I shut down.

7. I'm trying really hard to grow my hair out. I love it short but I found a picture of me with long hair and ever since have been dreaming of long flowing Pocahontas hair.

8. I'm shy in new situations. I know I know you saying to yourself Serena's never shy. I say Oh yes I am.

9. I fell in love with Lane after our first date.

10. I miss my kids like crazy when they are at school. I get so excited when they walk through the door.

11. I like having my home full of neighborhood kids. I like our house to be the hang out house.

12. Two of my favorite stories are A Christmas Carol , and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

13. I hate my birthday. I don't like attention on me.

14. My ankle hurts everyday. I mean kills everyday. I feel like a 100 year old woman.

15. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love cooking for my little family and making our own family traditions.

16. I hate living on a hill. What were we thinking! But I love my home.

17. I pray like 20 times a day.

18. My favorite color is black. Its slimming.

19. When its fast Sunday I always fast for my children. No matter what!

20. I have awesome taste. I just cant afford it.

21. My mom is my hero.

22. My brother besides my husband is my best friend.

23. I love the peace that a blessing gives me.

24. I have nightmare's I'm still in high school.

25. I'm afraid of being alone.

26. I want a baby so bad I can hardly stand it.

27. When I'm sick I like to do my hair and make-up. It makes me feel better. Since Lane and I have been married I've only left our house twice with no make-up on.

28. I love Gone with the Wind. When I was little I would try to dress up like Scarlet O'Hara.

29. I love to clean. I love a clean house. But I must confess. My shower is nasty. I hate cleaning that thing.

30. I love the smell of dirt.

31. I love old houses. I dream about owning one some day.

32. I love to have a project going on at all times.

33. I'm stubborn. I'm trying really hard not to be.

34. I love to learn about my family history.

35. Some times my life feels like groundhogs day.

36. I love being in the Primary. I love love love it.

37. I watch Oprah everyday at 4.

38. If I were the bread winner in our family I would have liked to be an undertaker. I know I'm crazy.

39. I love cloudy cold days.

40. And last but not least. I have a beautiful life. Its better then I could have ever imagined it would be.

Now you tell me something that I don't know about you. Ta Ta ;)

9 years ago!!!!!

9 years ago I married my best friend. Every year I fall more and more in love with him. I married my Prince Charming! Lane is such a wonderful husband and father. Lane thank you for making my life so beautiful. Happy Anniversary! I love you!......... I'll never forget the day we got married. It was a gorgeous fall morning . The flowers were so beautiful on temple square. We got married at 9:40 in the morning. I was so excited I thought I would jump right out of my skin. I remember meeting Lane after I got ready. I forgot his ring and had to rush back into the dressing room to retrieve it. Lane and I had to wait about 20 mins for all of our guests to arrive. We were sitting on this huge couch. I remember our feet didn't touch the ground. Sitting across from us was another couple waiting to get married. The groom looked like he was going to faint. Lane and I sat back and laughed and him. I'll never forget walking into the ceiling room and seeing all our families. It was breath taking. The man that married us married my parents. It was so special. I wish I could remember everything he said to us. What a perfect day. Now 9 years later I could not have imagined the joy that I would feel almost a decade later. Two sweet boys and a wonderful husband. This is was makes life wonderful!

Back to School "10"

Well it's that time of year again. The kids go back to school. The boys were ready for school this year. We had a pretty long summer. Laney started the second grade and Ryan is in his last year of pre-school. I'm always so excited for the boys to start school but I have to be honest I love having them at home. I miss them so much. Every year the night before school I make a special back to school dinner. This year was homemade chicken strips. Yum! Then after dinner we have a fashion show. We crank up the music and the boys show off there new clothes. It's so funny to watch them dance around. The boys are looking forward to a great year!