Our TN Apt.

So finally here are some pics of our new place in Murfreesboro, its a very small place but easier to clean and well.. cheap :)

This is the living room/dining room and view of our little patio..

Alida is modeling off our couch here,

though since she's still getting use to the idea of sleeping in a toddler bed, and not a crib, you'll find her asleep on the couch most days. Does Joel sleep in a toddler bed? How is he taking it?

Our little kitchen..

Alida's room (and toddler bed)..

Bathroom.. (I know you were dying to see this picture :)

Master bedroom..

The complex also has a playground area..

and a pool. And that's it! Not nearly as cool as having your own house. Are your guys' renters still doing good? We've had no complaints from ours... yet. (YAY!)

Joel's Birthday Cake

I learned how to do this from Betty Crocker's website.  They made it seem like it would only take an hour.  After 3-4 hours, I knew they were full of crap.  I then finished 3 hours after that.  But we also gave Joel a train for his birthday.  It was pretty fun.

And here are a couple more pictures, just so you miss us too.

And who might this be?

Who is this?  I found this awesome picture in my couch.  It reminded me how much I miss you guys!

How has your summer been?  I love this season, we are outside playing everyday.  Hope your new apartment is awesome.  Sometimes I wish we could go back to the condo because housework is a lot more work than I ever imagined.

Our 4th of July

If you're interested, I posted to our family blog with pics of our 4th of July.. dude, it was so funny cuz this little town that was hosting the parade just had never seen a real parade before. It was all pick-up trucks!! Totally funny.

TheStoutHouse.Blogspot.com

Yikes!

I feel SO bad I haven't posted in a long time, Emalee I'm dying to try that playdough recipe- thanks for sharing it! And I TOTALLY loved Josh's Bday cake, you always go so above and beyond on cakes, they are so clever and cute.. I need to try to do that too, it makes bdays and stuff more fun.

Here's my excuse for not posting sooner- We finally found an apartment to move into!! Yay! But when we got approved (sometime last week) the manager told us that it would become available July 14 (yikes!) so we're scrambling to find furniture, clean up my mom's house- declutter all of Alida's toys, etc.. so that we can be ready with a moving truck next Thursday. I'm SO excited to have a place of our own again.. even if it will only be just under 900 square feet.. SMALL! Emalee were you so relieved to leave your parent's house?

Anywho, here's a lame pic of our new place (it's not a very good picture, more to come soon):

Anywho, in the past week or two I've also finished the height chart and made a cover for my sewing machine!! I can't wait to post pictures so that you can see.. I don't know if I'll ever really put up the height chart, I mean I'm glad I made it and I think its cute.. I don't know.. it's a little 'loud' too.. something about it makes me not want to hang it up :) I guess you'll have to see pictures and let me know what you think.

I hope everyone is doing well, are you excited for Joel's bday in just a couple weeks? What cake are you thinking of making?

Miss you guys.

Best Playdough!

I tried this recipe for playdough yesterday and it's awesome. I like it because it doesn't make your hands feel all salty and gross. I thought you might want to try it.

1 cup water
1 TBS veggie oil
1/2 cup salt
1 TBS cream of tarter
Food Coloring
1 Cup Flour

Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tarter, and food coloring.  Heat in saucepan until warm.  Remove from heat and knead til smooth.

The cream of tarter is supposed to help it last for longer than 6 months as long as it is stored in a airtight containter.

Josh's Bday Cake

I'm a little proud of this cake!  I found a place that made edible prints, and I had them print his HALO avatar.  It only cost $6.