a smorgasbord post

Every now and then I dump all my phone pictures onto my computer. That is the moment that I realize I have had quite a few adventures that have yet to make it to the blog. So here is a scattered post of some things happening as of late.

Tour Guides at the newly dedicated Ft Lauderdale Temple

this temple is my favorite lit up. I love how similar it is to Bountiful, Utah. don't mind a little temple selfie action going on in this picture. so funny

I snuck this picture right before we went into the temple with one of our groups. Shaun and I were so grateful for this opportunity and the chance to work together. We had some incredible experiences answering questions, bearing testimony, and watching people's minds and hearts be a little more open.

Missionary Birthday

Shaun's one of the ward mission leaders so we get the chance to be obsessed with missionaries and missionary work. Elder Snell and Holloway had birthdays within a week of each other so I took the chance for a cheesy birthday party. They were all good sports and even let the birthday hats be documented.

Campout 

One of the things that I have missed back home was a good old camping trip. Thankfully we found some friends that love a good camping situation as much as us. I have to admit though, something was missing and I didn't realize until the end of the night that it was the weather! Bundled up in a hoodie next to the fire at night is one of my favorite things, so it threw me off when it came time for the fire that night and I was so hot! It was a good time though. Seeing camping through the little kids eyes was probably my favorite. They loved it. Once the kids were put to bed, the adults played a little werewolf. SJ brings his i-pod speaker with creepy music and it makes all the difference! 

The girls

Bye bye Elantra, Hello Sonata 

Don't let my smile fool you. It was more of an emotional task than I thought. I was surprised how attached I was to a car. I guess we had so many adventures in it--the car we went on dates in etc. I'm being irrational? Okay I'll stop now.

THE ANDERSEN'S ARE MOVING HERE!

My hilarious cousin Jenna and her husband came down for a few days for a job interview/to see the area. I tried my hardest convincing them that Southwest Florida was the best place to be, and it worked! (okay no, Joel did amazing in the interview) They will be moving here in July and we're excited. I just keep thinking how random and wonderful it is. We had never even heard of Fort Myers, Florida when we moved here so to have them come is so funny...but so so so great!

Ps. see how I rolled up those overalls that night?
Well once the sun disappeared, the mosquitoes loved me lots.
I had heard something about how the mosquitoes bite differently in the south.
The welts and cankles were a hit at the grocery store.

"Shaun, look at me"

Sj gave me a new lens for my birthday! I have been slowly teaching myself the basics (thank you youtube, Chelsey, & Emma). I don't think he realized when he bought it that he would always have to be the model (even when he's watching a movie on the couch). But it works for me, he's handsome.

Well I think that's enough for one day. 

Beach Neighbor

The beach was always something that we'd look forward to if we ever went on vacation. If somebody had a picture taken at the beach it was because they traveled to California or Hawaii and everybody was immediately jealous. I never thought that I would live right next to one. 

When we first moved to Florida that was one of the things I was excited about. I thought I would go to the beach EVERYDAY and if not everyday then DEFINITELY at least a few times a week, right? Well something happens in your brain where you think "I can always go to the beach, I don't need to go today.." (hopefully that attitude will change this summer). 

Every few weeks though we do make it and it is amazing. Although we are on the west side of Florida where there aren't waves for Shaun's boogie boarding. Unfortunately that means he gets a little restless while I am content getting skin cancer to the tune of Rascal Flatts. I don't need waves though, the calm bath-like water is so refreshing. And we are currently obsessed with our go-pro and waterproof case. Now if only I can get the videos of Shaun trying to get my hair wet (while I scream like a dying whale) off of the SD card. . .

It's a Disney day.

When we came home from Utah back in March, we flew into Orlando because Shaun's family was having a reunion. We were able to catch the last day which was the day at Disney World! It was of course a blast full of disney magic had by all! I will say though, I definitely love Disneyland more. Maybe I am just used to it, I could never really put my finger on what it was. It was still such an awesome day of Disney wearing my pink princess shirt and fanny-pack {can never go wrong with that duo.} 

Although I prefer DisneyLAND, the world's castle
is ten times more magical!

Splaaash

1st visit pin! They treated you like royalty.

Annie Sloan

I was excited for my Mom to come visit because she usually gets me motivated to decorate or paint something. She makes things seem super easy too. So when I told her about a coffee table that was on it's way out the door to Goodwill, she brought up the idea of painting it. Well call me lazy but these were my issues:

-the long process (sanding, deglossing, priming, sealing blah blah)

-paint smelling up my house

-having to paint outside in the hot humidity

Then my Mom showed me Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I was able to paint in my house and I couldn't believe how fast the process went!

Get your piece of furniture and make sure it is clean and ready to paint on. That is really all the prep you need to do so just start painting! It's a fast process because the chalk paint dries so quickly. I read many tips online saying that you don't want to use repetitive brush strokes. Instead use long fluid strokes. Try not to go back and forth over your same paint strokes {that took a little bit for me to get used to}.

Your first coat should be super light and you may even see the wood coming through. Once the first coat dries {I think mine took seriously fifteen minutes} go ahead and put on the second coat. The tip that I read online was to "kiss" the tips of the brush in a little water to help the second coat glide on smoothly.

After your second coat dries, that is when you want to distress your piece if you are wanting to. Once your piece is painted and distressed (or not) it is time for some waxing! A lot of people online used Annie Sloan's waxing brush for this step but some used a thin cloth or even a ripped t-shirt. Apply a small amount of wax onto the cloth (or brush) and then apply to the surface of the furniture. As you are applying it, you are also brushing it into the piece of furniture with a good amount of pressure.

Online they advise you to cover a two foot area, then take another cloth and lightly rub it down to remove any residual wax {extra wax does not make it dry the way you want it to}. Repeat this process over the whole table. Twenty-four hours after the waxing, take another cloth and buff it to bring out the smooth luster the wax can give it.

We are going with an ivory, red, and black color theme to my living room so I went with an ivory for my table (which actually looks more white in the photo). Still trying to find the perfect drawer knob for it. I am already in the process of doing the same thing to two of my new nightstands because of how easy and fast it is. The wax makes the table feel so smooth and clean! I am now addicted to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Here are some of my other favorite Pintrest pieces of people using the chalk paint:

Lamps, mirrors, chairs

Kitchen cabinets

Headboard, walls, & nightstands 

Tom Sawyer.

For my little brother's spring break, my parents decided to come visit us in warm Florida. We missed the rest of the family (and hated on BYU for not having a spring break) but partied nonetheless. Mother Nature threw us a bone and decided to hold off on the intense humidity while they were here. We went and did all of my favorite touristy things and then explored a little more to other islands nearby. It was such a great week. We also had a chance to go tour the new Ft. Lauderdale temple {Shaun and I get the opportunity to be tour guides there this week}. I can't wait until my whole family is together, hopefully soon. We haven't been in the same place since my wedding so it is much needed. 

The last night we went to the beach and took some pictures. A tripod is the best purchase anybody with a camera can get!

Mark & Shaun (Tom Sawyer)

missing sister & brother