I LOVE BEING 30

My 20's were great.

I grew up,

fell in love,

and became a mom.

That is a homemade Ghirardelli Lava Cake with fresh whipped cream and raspberries.

I had 3 in 2 days.

My hubby ROCKS.

I am really going to enjoy being 30.

I HATE TO TOOT MY OWN HORN...

Sometimes I am really proud of myself. I have been couponing (verb?) for a while in an attempt to save money. Occasionally I have found some sweet deals, but sometimes I hit the jackpot. I follow a couple of blogs that lay it all out so easily for me, so I can't take full credit. I'm AMAZED at how many free things stores are just giving away. Some things are obvious like some weird off-brand frozen pizza, that we'll never eat. I don't waste my time on things that look disgusting or that I would never buy. I get really excited when the free things are things I LOVE or things I have wanted to try out.

Here is my latest mini coupon trip. I got all of this for $1.48. If you're not impressed maybe you need to zoom in.

I saved over $28.00 dollars... I have to admit that I have been dying to try the Homestyle Kraft Mac and Cheese and now we get to try it for free. Thank you coupons and Mrs. Moneysaver.


Also, my hubby was gone fishing last night so I did some projects. I love bibs and have really wanted to try and make some. My sister-in-law, Marci, gave me three bibs, and I LOVE them. I used them as a pattern for size. I think they turned out really cute. And they have snaps so they stay put.
What do you think? Do you like? I hope so because if you are having a baby soon there's a good chance you might get one in the mail.

This last project has been staring me in the face since April. While we were in Utah visiting our family, Sterling's mom pulled out some clothes that she had made for Sterling when he was a baby. They are darling! There was a pair of red overalls that were completely finished but never worn because she never put the snaps in. I finally put them in last night. I was worried that maybe Dellin was too big for them, but I think we have a few months of wear ahead of us.
He clearly loves them.
I love doing things that make me feel like a better mom/wife. I have been a bit lazy in the project department as of late, but I think these few projects were just what I needed to get my confidence back.

McCall Part 2

Sterling Henry got plenty of beach time with his cousins. The kids played in the sand for hours each day. We just sat back and relaxed... and watched them out of the corner of our eye of course! The boys have tons of cousins their age.

Here is Sterling Henry with cute Lydia.

I love this picture because all the kids are doing something. Very serious play going on. I love all that blond hair.

It was COLD at nights. I was completely unprepared since it is so blasted hot here. The boys got new snuggley matching pajamas. The two cutest snuggle cubs EVER!

There was plenty of dad time to be had. The boys love their dad and I love that they love their dad.

We went to the gardens for our usual Sunday evening activity.

The kids loved all the little ponds.

Sterling Henry decided he wanted to start jumping over the stream. He got DRENCHED! He had the time of his life.

We had to strip him down to put him in the car. As you can see, he didn't seem to mind being stripped. And somewhere along the way, he found this favorite stick.

He sort of reminds me of Willow in these pictures.

Happy as can be.

Our family McCall picture for 2010.

This was us two years ago. I was pregnant with Sterling Henry and ready to POP. Two years later we have two cute boys.

We had an extra day in Boise before we flew back so we decided to drive through Ontario Oregon. Sterling's parents grew up in Ontario, just about 2 blocks from each other. It was fun to see their old homes and see Sterling's great-grandparent's home. Fred and Emma Chytraus were Sterling's maternal great-grandparents. I have heard about Ontario for a long time and I really enjoyed seeing where my in-laws grew up.
McCall 2010 was the best McCall trip. We really missed not having Mom and Dad Fillmore there but know that they are enjoying being missionaries and will join us next year. I LOVE McCall and I love this tradition!

McCall Part 1

We just got back from McCall Idaho late Saturday night. We were there for 7 days with Sterling's family and we had the time of our lives. I love the McCall Fillmore tradition. I would have married Sterling 5 years sooner had he let me know his family had this awesome tradition. Everyone made it this year except Sterling's parents and sister Amy, who are all on missions. Parker wasn't able to be their ether because of finals but he sent his family up.

We spent LOTS of time in the water. The condos we stay in are right on the lake. They also have a pool so we do a lot of both.

The boys LOVED swimming with their dad. This was Dellin's first time in the pool and he really enjoyed it. Let's face it, everything is more fun with dad!


Dellin did lots of relaxing in this little tube. He is the cutest thing EVER!

Sterling Henry loved kicking the ball in and having us throw it back to him. This was great entertainment.

Not the most flattering picture of me but I had to include the view from the pool which was right outside the condos. Pure heaven.

Dellin was so easy going (what's new??). He was happy to sit and relax about anywhere.

Jet skiing was of course one of the highlights of the trip. Sterling Henry wasted no time trying to drive. We set him on it and he was ready to go. Sterling and his brothers have a very intense jet skiing schedule while we are there. There is someone on them at all times, and I mean ALL THE TIME!

We do lots of lake swimming. Sterling and his brother Parley took a quick dip right before we loaded up to go home.

We always go canoeing each year. I haven't gone for the last 2 years so it was nice to go this year. The boys loved it. We go up a little river that feeds into the lake. It is so calm and peaceful.

Dellin loved it.

Sterling Henry was pretty funny on the trip. He wanted to be with his dad the entire time. Who can blame him when they have this much fun together. What a little dude!
I have lots more pictures so stay tuned. In between the mountain of laundry, three semi-sick boys and being exhausted, this has been a tough adjustment. Sterling Henry cut his two-year molars while we were there. Overall he was a champ, but that might explain his conduct during sacrament meeting yesterday...

6 MONTHS ALREADY???

Dellin Parker Fillmore is 6 months old today and boy has it gone by fast! Dellin has been a dream baby in every way possible.

He is the HAPPIEST baby and literally smiles ALL THE TIME!

He is very curious of everything. Especially when it has to do with his older brother Sterling Henry. He is obsessed with his older brother, and will be playing along side him in no time.

He is very silly. He loves to put his binky in all different ways and then smile and sort of shake his head. I am sure he is thinking, "I'm pretty funny!".

He loves his 2 fingers. I am sure this has to do with teething (like everything else).

He LOVES to eat (he gets that from his mom). He may not be huge in size but he does have a big appetite. He loves all fruit and veggies. He hasn't met a solid he doesn't like.

He sleeps 10+ hours and still takes 3 naps.

He loves to sit up in the highchair.
I had to include a picture of Sterling Henry in the highchair at this age. They are starting to not look so much alike. Both are DANG cute!


We love you Dellin and LOVE having you in our family. You make us smile everyday. We are lucky to be your parents.

5 YEARS AGO TODAY...

I made the best decision...

I married this guy, and not just because he could carry me.

I love you babe!

Copy Cat

Sterling Henry loves to do whatever we are doing. He is such a little Copy Cat and it is adorable. His number one favorite thing to right now is brush his teeth. Every time we brush our teeth he yells, "TEETH" in the most desperate voice ever. We sure hope this continues...

Little Man in action.

He also loves to copy Dellin. Here he is in Dellin's bouncy seat with one of Dellin's teething toys.

He loves to sit in Dellin's car seat too.

He joins him for "tummy time".

Sterling Henry LOVES to talk on the phone as well. (He probably learned that from his mom.)

Yesterday he decided to try and teach Dellin how to talk on the phone. Dellin loves anything Sterling Henry does so you can imagine how happy this made him.

We LOVE our little Copy Cat!

AIRPLANES

Since the weather has been so ridiculously hot, we were happy to spend the morning at the Dulles Air and Space Museum with friends. It is a HUGE warehouse full of planes, helicopters, and the original space shuttle. The boys LOVED it!

The observation tower was really fun. We could see planes landing on both sides. Sterling Henry was in heaven.

Me with my two boys. They are getting so big, but not too big to hold!

I don't pull this stunt very often but Sterling Henry really wanted to ride on my shoulders so I decided to indulge him.
As much as I can't wait to have a house full of pink someday (no announcements here), I really love my boys and their love for planes, trains, cars, balls, and anything else that makes noise.

I love spending the day with my little cubs.

48 HOURS IN UTAH

I went to Utah over the weekend for just 48 hours. It was a long two days packed full of family time and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

The main reason I went was to attend the funeral of my grandfather. My grandfather was such a wonderful man. I feel truly lucky to not only know him but be related to him.

All my siblings were there and some of the spouses.

Some of my grandpas things.


The grave site.

21 Gun Salute.

My dad with his siblings. All 8 of them.

I finally got to meet my cousin Ashley's baby, Lincoln. Ashley and I are just a month apart and lived together before we got married. It is fun to have boys so close in age.

My BFF's showed up to the viewing. It was so nice of them to come. Thanks girls.

I finally got to meet my newest niece Cora. Isn't she the cutest??? I am so in love with this little girl. I wish she lived closer so I could snuggle her all the time.

Dellin liked her a lot. I love this picture of the two of them.

We stayed at the farm with my parents. It is always great to spend time with them. Dellin loves his grandparents and they love him too! My mom kept us well fed. Thank Mom and Dad.

I got lots of time with my sisters. I am always amazed at just how silly we are when we get together. I also had dinner at Brandi's house and saw Eclipse with Rindi. I love my sisters and SILs so much! Jake and Josh also stayed at the farm with us but no pictures of them. (They were to busy playing Super Mario Brothers!)

Dellin enjoying some more time with grandma.
He got lots of kissed while we were there. Sarah was really sweet with him!

Aunt Jen was happy to feed him his first taste of something contraband... frozen yogurt. He loved it and now really loves her. Jen and I flew out the same time so we hung out together!
The trip went by so fast but I am so happy that I got to go. Every minute I spend with my family is priceless. I will take it when I can get it!