Some Valentine Fun...

We have made some great friends here in Utah!!

Tydon was invited to his first Valentine Party last week...

The kids decorated their bags...
Ate yummy treats...
and passed out Valentines...
Thanks Melinda for the fun party!!!

Valentine's Day came early this year!!
Really... it was just timing, but I'll claim it as an exciting gift this year!!

After moving to Utah we knew it was time to get a new car. Gordon was going to be taking our Civic to work everyday and that meant I was stuck with his pick up.

Gordon loved his baby. He had a new stereo in it and XM radio... He LOVES music!!
I cried last week as we took his pick-up into the dealership to be traded on our new car. I felt bad that Gordon couldn't keep his truck. I'm sure it was hard for Gordon to say goodbye to his pick up. Every man deserves a truck!!
But Gordon doesn't need it anymore for construction so it makes sense to get a bigger car for the fam. I'm super excited about the upgrade, but will miss the Duramax.
Thanks Gord!!

Last weekend we got to go back home to IDAHO to visit family.

Saturday we celebrated the baptism of my cousin Ashtyn Hope.
Gordon confirmed her after her baptism. It was a special day for her and her family.
Congrats Ashtyn. We are so excited for you and happy we could be there to celebrate this special day with you. We love you!

I'm so happy we got to see my family this weekend.
I'm grateful for all of my family and their love for me and my little family.
Can't wait to see you again in a couple weeks!!

Miscellaneous Monday...

It's time for a little Miscellaneous fun!!

How To...

Make Mini Bow Hair Clips
These would make fun homemade gifts for baby showers or for your own little ones!!
Make a Backpack Bag
Love this great tutorial. I need to get ambitious and try this one. Tydon would love one!!
Make Recycled Bows
Think how much money you could save at Christmas time!!

I hope everyone had a FABULOUS Valentine's Day!!
After being married almost 5 years, I'm no expert, but I LOVE going on dates with my best friend as often as we can. It truly is a MUST when kids come along so here is a blog post to keep that LOVE alive

A Year’s Worth of Weekly Cheap Dates

And lastly... I know lots of us are still new to this Blogging thing and would like to have our questions answered. Find lots of those answers at

Blogging Basics 101

Happy Monday and congrats to the Pay it Forward winners!!!
Also...
Shout out to friends who announced they are having babies!!!
Congrats, I am so excited for you!!
Angie and Neal
Rachael and Doug
Crystal and Jordan

They are all going to be great parents!!

Pay it Forward!!

So, here's how it works...
The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift!

Leave me a comment and then send me an e-mail with your name and address gordnchels@gmail.com

Can't wait to surprise you with something FABULOUS this year!!

Tags!!

I love reading about other people and getting to know them better through tags.

I've been tagged twice in the last week...

What I've done....
(Bolded items)
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a Mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the statue of liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre
20. Slept on a train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you are not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total Eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or a sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in Person
34. Visited the birth place of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michaelangelo's David
41. Sung Karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on beach by moonlight
46. Had your portrait painted
47. Gone deep sea fishing
48. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
49. Been to the top of the Eiffel tower in Paris
50. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
51. Kissed in the rain
52. Played in the mud
53. Gone to a drive-in theater
54. Been in a movie
55. Visited the Great Wall of China
56. Started a business
57. Taken a martial arts class
58. Visited Russia
59. Served at a soup kitchen
60. Sold girl scout cookies
61. Gone whale watching
62. Got flowers for no reason
63. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
64. Gone skydiving
65. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
66. Bounced a check unfortunately--oops!
67. Flown in a helicopter
68. Saved a favorite childhood toy
69. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
70. Eaten Caviar
71. Tied a quilt
72. Stood in Time Square
73. Toured the Everglades
74. Been fired from a job
75. Seen the changing of the guards in London
76. Broken a bone
77. Been on a speeding motorcycle
78. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
79. Published a book
80. Visited the Vatican
81. Bought a brand new car
82. Walked in Jerusalem
83. Had your picture in the newspaper
84. Read the entire Bible
85. Visited the White House
86. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
87. Had Chicken pox
88. Saved someones life
89. Sat on a jury
90. Met someone famous
91. Joined a book club
92. Lost a loved one
93. Had a baby
94. Seen the Alamo in person
95. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
96. Been involved in a law suit
97. Owned a cell phone
98. Been stung by a bee
99. Visited Italy
100. Driven a tractor

Kind of a fun one... Just shows I need to get out more!!

What better time, than Valentine's to brag about my best friend...

How did we meet: In college. One of our best friends Kate introduced us. I was roommates with Kate and Gordon had classes with her. One night when Kate and I were leaving the library we invited Gordon to come hang out with us and it's been history ever since!

How long we dated before we were married: I didn't make things very easy... but we were married after 8 months
How long we have been married: 5 years in August
What's my favorite feature about him: His big smile and his humor
What's my favorite quality about him: His honesty and how hard he works
What's his nickname: Gord
What's his favorite color: He likes to change it up, but I would say mostly blue or green
What's his favorite food: Loves Rootbeer and pretty easy to please when it comes to food
What's his favorite sport: Golf
Who said the L word first: Him
First kiss when and where: At my house at school. He got denied the first time ;)
We'd been dating for over a month.
Favorite couple thing to do: Anything together. I love laughing with him.
How many kids: Just Tydon
Hidden Talent: He can YODEL
Favorite music: He likes just about everything, very into music.
What I admire most about him: His love for life and his desire to always want to do better.
His favorite past time: Golfing and working with his hands, quite the handy man.
Will he read this: Maybe...

Gordon is truly my best friend. He is the one I look to for everything... a good laugh, a shoulder to lean on, a friend to talk to and the person I trust most. He helps me want to be a better person and reminds me what life is really all about. Life is truly complete because of the love we share.
Thanks Gord for being my EVERYTHING!!
I love you!

Miscellaneous Monday...

It's already Monday!
Time for more miscellaneous tips and tricks...

For those SUPER frugal shoppers here's a tip you might like:
How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
(It could save you $70 on detergent)
*Not recommended for Front Load washers*

Have you ever made your own Marshmallows?? Learn here:
How to Make Marshmallows From Scratch

Quick Kitchen Tip
How to Chop Onions Without Tears

Valentine's Day will be here before you know it...

How to Make Hearts from Plastic Drinking Straws

Here's a link to some fun
Valentine Gift Ideas

Candy Grams

Valentine Date Ideas

Have a fabulous Monday!! Hope you all make time for that special someone...