Dirt not Ruffles, Guns not Sweet Pretties...but that's OKAY

(an antique gun ammunition Remington box from the 1930s 
sitting on our fireplace hearth)

There is not much about sugar, pretties, or ruffles in this post.  I have a littleBig secret to share: we have a bit of redneck in us.  Gosh, that is hard to write. {wink}

Last month my husband, brother, and my brother's business partner competed in a long rang sniper's shooting competition. 

The event was in Park City, Utah.  I had to spend a lonnnnng day watching men in camo shoot guns.
Umm, no.  I was able to shop allll day in gorgeous Park City while the guys competed.  Happy girl.  Park City is gorgeous.  It is one of my favorite treasure spots now.  I can't wait to return.  I actually will be sharing something else exciting we got to do there in an upcoming post!

downtown city charm

I don't know much about guns (I like it that way) but I do know that they shot targets at a super, super long distance and I also know that my husband took 4th place in the competition!  That makes me one happy-giddy-proud-and all that stuff wife!  There is a lot of focus on precision, consistency, and accuracy in this sport, all of which my husband is awesome at. :) 

(Chris is on the top deck with the hat)

I really don't prefer the camouflage clothes, but I'm just a girl in a house of boys and we live in rustic Colorado, so I obviously don't have much influence.  So, here is my baby in his camo hat shooting during the competition.

This next photo shows Chris (lying down) and different ranges of their targets.  It is truly quite impressive.  Their targets are SO far away! (Click on photo to enlarge)




In this photo, my brother's business partner James in green, my brother in black, and Chris at the end in grey are ready to aim.

The boys were extra excited to hear that their Daddy won 4th place in the competition! And as you know, I was too!! Way to go Chris, We love you like crazy.

Celebrating with dinner in Park City:

Okay, a little more about the guy stuff:

My brother manufactures and designs extreme guns.  (This is the part where you run grab your husbands and show them these photos).  My brother, Kyle,  and his partner, James, are the owners of XLR Industries: Tactical Innovation Redefined.

 My brother Kyle, has been designing incredible things since he was little.  He is all about the math, the engineering, and all of that stuff.  When he was little he always said that he wanted to be an inventor when he grew up...and that is what he became! How cool is that?

Here is Chris' mighty gun, with the stock designed and manufactured by Kyle, of  XLR Industries.



We had an incredible summertime weekend experiencing life in little ways that brought big happiness.

 This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY Showoff,  Seasonal Sundays,  Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Home Decor & Organizing, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, DIY Design,  Whatever Goes Wednesday, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Avenue,  Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle,  Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up

Build a Dream Playhouse GIVEAWAY still hot!

Don't forget to ENTER to win a Build a Dream Playhouse! The giveaway is still up if you haven't entered.  Comments are closed on this post.  You must enter here! {wink}

These giant-sized imagination 

cardboard box playhouses are perfect for:

birthday parties

the schoolroom

summertime fun
neighborhood lemonade stand

rewards and surprises

Christmas under the tree

and more!

Light up the Dark Party

 




OK.



I'm throwing out another idea for a quick party theme to use in the summaTime.  Finding unique touches that don't take a lot of preparation are the BEST ideas to tuck away into your pockets.  This party takes a few supplies and a tiny bit of time, then you're ready to host some summer fun.

 My Dad just blew out another year this July.  We celebrated by visiting a classic auto museum during the day and by a bright color in the night sky party that evening.

Showing the boys how to really work those stilts....

For simple celebrations, a good idea is to bring out the celebrated one's favorite snacks!  My Dad is a Pringle Chip lover.  So a row of Pringles were ready to down while everyone waited for dinner. 

He is also a Dr. Pepper lover.  I bought the mini cans to bump up the visual appeal (because everything is cuter tiny-sized).

After the party, I bagged up the rest for him to take home.  The mini cans worked perfectly as a fun extra gift to him.

I told you I was going to be layering drinks all.the.time. from now on.  I wasn't kidding.  Neon layered colors in yellow, blue, and green scream party.

I will be sharing the dinner in an upcoming blog post.

If you ever have an uncontrollable craving for chocolate, grab a slice of chocolate cake.  I can't think of anything else that satisfies better.  I made a super, really, very, extra, extremely rich chocolate cake with a whipped mousse center and ganache spread over the top for my Dad's birthday. 

I used chalk ink to write his name on the cake stand for something different.

Topped with ganache and m&ms...

 

 Filled with whipped chocolate mousse...

 

I used a lot of bright colors for this party against the black night.  The PopChips were the perfect colors to add.

I bought a mini collection of fun brightly colored party stuff:  

-glowsticks

-birthday candles with the FLAMES that light up the SAME color as the candle (waaay cool!)

-colored sky lanterns. 

Glowsticks are so inexpensive and lots of fun.  Everyone wore them in dimmed lights while we partied like rOcKstARs.  

I learned a cool trick recently: Glowstick lanterns! These have been all over Pinterest!  Cut open a glowstick and shake it into an empty bottle.  Whirl and swirl it around for fun glow in the dark colors.  You can also add some water or oil to the jar to give it bigger and a more even color. 


All serious eyes on the glow bottles...

 

BRIGHT ON BLACK!

These candles were AWESOME! You can find them at Michael's Craft store.  In the box is an assortment of bold colored candles.  The flames light up the exact same color as the candle! Very fascinating and of course, super cool. 

To finish the party, we let colored sky lanterns off into the night sky.  It was windy out.  Ummm, don't let balls of fire float into the air on a windy night.  We let one go, freaked out, and waited until a still night to let the others go.  They are memorizing to watch on a calm summer night!  We love, loved it!

 

Pick your color sky lantern....

Make a secret wish....

Shhh, don't whisper it to anyone....

Watch your lantern move high into the dark as it takes your secret wish along...

When the lantern is a bright dot, the size of a star and suddenly disappears....

....your wish has been delivered.  

Titus told me that he made a really big wish,

that he thought should be counted as two.  

But I couldn't ask him what it was...that's the mystique of it all.  

{wink}

Summer birthdays are exciting!  Happy Birthday to a man who has lived his days with adrenaline and excitement, and who taught me to live life fully.  Cheers to YOU Dad. 

Don't forget! You can click on over to easily enter the giveaway I have for a BUILD A DREAM PLAYHOUSE! 

 
This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY Showoff,  Seasonal Sundays,  Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Home Decor & Organizing, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Avenue,  Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, T.G.I.F.,  Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up

Build A Dream Playhouse GIVEAWAY and also TIPS on how to throw your own Ice Cream TRUCK party!

(Update, this giveaway is now closed.  Congratulations to our WINNER, Kelly Sellers! The winner was randomly selected using Random.org.  Results below)

THIS IS PART TWO OF A 2 PART SERIES.  PLEASE SEE PART ONE FOR ALL THE ICE CREAM TRUCK PARTY PHOTOS AND DETAILS.  

Read the bottom of this post for your chance to win a free playhouse!

classic ice cream truck 

(image source unknown)

I threw an impromptu surprise party for my middle son last week.  I like to create little surprises for the boys on their birthdays (like the clown and animal balloon surprise I did last year for Titus).  However, this birthDAY surprise unintentionally turned into a mini party.

  
AND....I wanted to share some ideas on how you can throw an easy ice cream truck party too!  

For those of you who don't fall asleep dreaming about cupcake decorating, hanging streamers, and all things party, this idea is for you.  It's just SO EASY and SIMPLE.   It won't crimp your schedule.  Promise.

THE TIPS:

- Search your area for a charming ice cream truck to visit your neighborhood and schedule a time to meet beforehand to put a "Happy Birthday" banner on the truck and to decorate the truck with streamers.  You can also give the driver a bundle of balloons to surprise the birthday child with when he arrives.  

-Who says you need to have a cake?...who says?  Ice cream is sufficient at this party, no cake needed.  You can stick a candle in an ice cream sandwich. 

- You can also serve snacks in these super cute cups that come in a decorative ice cream truck box! 

- Check your local hobby store for ice cream truck scrapbook stickers.  Stickers are adorable and easy ways to decorate.  You can use them to dress up invites or any festive signs you have on display.

-  Use these fun ice cream truck boxes as decorations and also to hold party favors!

- Matchbox Ice Cream trucks are awesome party favor gifts!  You can find these at Target or Wal Mart.  

- This website has free ice cream cone printables that are darling in every sense of the word.  I used them for the "yum" banner I made.  You can use them for any part of your party decor! 

- This party theme is best if kept a surprise!  It makes it extra exciting for your child to see the ice cream truck make a special stop at their house and drive up the street with a big personalized sign.

-  Finally, for a winning activity/game purchase a Build a Dream Playhouse for the kids to color.  They actually sell an ice cream truck which is PERFECT for this party theme!  I was amazed at how quiet it kept the kids and how much the kids enjoyed coloring it.  I also used it as one of Dakotah's birthday gifts.  

GIVEAWAY!

Okay, now I have some extra fun news!  Build a Dream Playhouses is giving away one of their playhouses to one {extra lucky} reader of MooreMinutes!  

 
They have a collection of designs to choose from.

They offer:

- a kitchen for the future chef of homemaker in your family

- a snack shack with endless possibilities (and my favorite!) 

- a speedy rocket for the child who has an adventurous imagination

- the ice cream truck for classic childhood moments

- an enchanting castle for the little knights and princesses

- and a cool car for the kid that wants to be 16. 

These playhouses give your child the opportunity to dream big, play long, and fully use their imagination and creativity!  They are able to customize and color the playhouse to make it THEIR OWN. 

 

Mandatory to enter the giveaway you must "like" Build a Dream Playhouse on Facebook.   Leave a comment on this post letting me know you've done that and you're in for the win!

It's easy to get extra entries:

(leave a separate comment for EACH entry!) 

1) Follow MooreMinutes blog

2) Visit Build a Dream Playhouse and tell me your favorite playhouse.

3) Share this giveaway on twitter, facebook, or your blog

4) Follow Build a Dream Playhouse on Twitter.

I was given a playhouse to review and all opinions are my own.  This giveaway is open to US residents only. One win per person.  You are not eligible to enter or win if you have previously won a Build a Dream Playhouse before.   This giveaway will end August 5th and the winner will be chosen using random.org. 

Someone has to win,
and it just may be YOU!

I am extra excited to offer you this SUPER FUN giveaway!  And I hope you enjoyed the quick tips on creating your own Ice Cream Truck party.

Loves,



 
This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY Showoff,  Seasonal Sundays,  Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Home Decor & Organizing, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, DIY Design,  Whatever Goes Wednesday, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Avenue,  Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, T.G.I.F.,  Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up Jennifer Rizzo Giveaway

A Timeless Summer Ice Cream Truck Surprise Birthday!

This is PART ONE of a two part post!  Please check back for PART TWO featuring a giveaway of a Build a Dream Playhouse and a HOW TO on the steps to create your own ice cream truck party!

Dakotah was surprised by a gathering of neighborhood friends and an unexpected visit from the ice cream truck for his birthday.  It was a quintessential summertime day with sticky ice cream drips, bare feet, sunshine, and the music of the ice cream truck!  

 I KNEW that I wanted an ice cream truck to do a surprise visit for Dakotah's July birthday.  Finding an ice cream truck wasn't so simple, but I finally discovered Lumpy's Ice Cream just in time.  They are an incredible company, ensuring that our full experience was perfect!  Thank you Lumpy!


I made a big banner for the front of the truck that read, "Happy Birthday Dakotah". 

 

 I also hung long shimmery, red streamers on the back of the truck.  

 

The ice cream man handed Kotah a big bundle of colorful balloons when he arrived in front of our house.  Kotah was a bit embarrassed as he realized he was being surprised by a spontaneous gathering as the neighbors made their way over to the ice cream truck music. He had no idea that friends were coming over or that the ice cream truck was coming. But we wore his million-dollar smile the whole time. 

Why does ice cream from an ice cream truck taste so much better?

 

Cameron and friends

Nothing captures the spirit of summer more than enjoying the simple pleasures of life in the warm and lazy afternoons of your neighborhood.  I have childhood memories of dashing through wet, squishy green grass, then bouncing onto the sidewalk, with my toes leaving wet footprint marks as I chased down the sounds of the ice cream truck.  I remember arriving at the window, breathless with anticipation.  I savored the feeling of satisfaction when the truck stalled on my street, as the music still played.  The charming truck stayed in our neighborhood as more kids gathered.  Everyone would count quarters, nickels, and dimes while squinting at the menu board, finding excitement in making a sweet choice.  It's the simple and wholesome memories of childhood that soften our adult hearts, allowing us to LOVE EACH DAY.

Bye Lumpy...

 After the ice cream truck left, sticky fingers were wiped onto jean pockets and the kids played at the park while I quickly set up one more little surprise.  I discovered Build a Dream Playhouses and was instantly captured by the charm of this simple childhood activity taken to a more exciting level!  Remember decorating those old refrigerator cardboard boxes?  Build a Dream takes that concept and enhances it 100%! They sell a variety of different designs for children to personalize and create as they play.  The ice cream truck box was IDEAL for this party!  I will be doing a GIVEAWAY in the next post for one of these playhouses!

 I had a decorated table with a variety of the markers for the kids.  I made the *YUM* sign using printables from Eat,Drink, Chic. Then I used mini clothespins (my recent favorite) to hang the letters: I am in love with the miniture banner. 

The markers were in adorable ABC cups that I also used for our 2011 Summer Activity List.  

A photo of Dakotah on his first birthday was also on the table.

This matchbox ice cream truck was an early morning gift for Kotah.  I was then able to use it for the decor.



It was ACTUALLY peaceful in the yard for a lonnnnng time as the kids colored and designed.  This works parents!  I promise.  They absolutely loved coloring the Build a Dream Playhouse box. 

 

 

Titus

 There were even accessories to color. 

It was a truly pleasant late afternoon spontaneous gathering to celebrate our middle son's 9th birthday.  Classic childhood charm was captured and tucked away on this birthday.  And I suppose that is why classics remain classic: because they timelessly make humans feel that everything is okay.  Despite good times and bad times, we can rely on classic things that have been enjoyed by generations to give our souls rest.

We ended the day with just our family opening presents and eating pizza to go.
I love the boxes that they came in! 

We have had good times and bad times,

Because of that, 

I chose to celebrate the good times fully.  

  

"I see skies of blue...

clouds of white...

bright blessed days...

And I think to myself, 

what a wonderful world."

-timeless song

This is PART ONE of a two part post!  Please check back for PART TWO featuring a giveaway of a Build a Dream Playhouse and a HOW TO on the steps to create your own ice cream truck party! 

 
This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY Showoff,  Seasonal Sundays,  Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Home Decor & Organizing, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff,  Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle,  Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up