Thanksgiving thru Olivia's Eyes (and a cricut project)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal at Jeff's sister's house. Olivia took a turn with my camera and got some interesting (but good) photos!
We didn't make it anywhere else that afternoon, Daniel's fever went back up. Turns out he has an infection in one ear. We just rested around the house instead.

I got a new Cricut cartridge at Michael's sale Thursday night - while everyone else was resting. It is called "A Child's Year" and I can see lots of gift possibilities. Paige, here are some ideas - there is a design for just about anything you can think of. Let me know if you want some!

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving seems to get lost between Halloween and Christmas. I'm trying to focus some attention on this important holiday before the BIG one hits.

A friend of mine gave me this canvas tree for Christmas last year. It is for our family tree, but I haven't found the time to fill out the leaves yet. So, one night the kids and I made thankful leaves and hung it in the kitchen. I remind them of the things we are thankful for by reading the leaves to them (or Olivia does).
Yesterday morning the kids looked so cute I had to take a picture!

Happy Fall!

A Bracelet Makeover

Mod Podge is a little addicting...

Last night I was making some clipboards for Christmas gifts. I thought about altering an old bangle bracelet. I dug through my old jewelry and found this faux gold bracelet.
I simply cut little scraps of toile scrapbook paper and layered them on the bracelet one at a time. The pieces were about a half inch wide by 1 1/2 inches long. I used a couple of coats of Mod Podge on the top.Then let it sit on a jar to dry.Now, it's ready to wear!

Halloween 2008 vs Halloween 2009

There is no comparison with this year's Halloween and last year.

The kids were sick the entire month of October 2008! We didn't get to do any of the fun October activities. This picture was taken well into November so that I could remember how cute their costumes were, that they never got to Trick Or Treat in!

This year went so much better. We made both of their costumes and they looked so cute! Even though we've been a little sick, my little Jellyfish and little Lego Dude got to do all of the activities.

They loved every minute of it! Olivia cried herself to sleep last night. She wants to be a jellyfish again next year and is afraid she will forget!

Whew...we've been busy...

A beautiful fall day before the fun starts...

A busy church weekend, women's conference, children's party and

a hayride at a beautiful farm!

Daniel's pumpkin

Olivia's "Fancy Nancy" pumpkin for the book character contest.

Jeff hard at work designing the pumpkin.

The kids getting the goo out.

the final product.

Our "monster" cupcakes for a chili supper at Olivia's school tonight!

A Fall Break Vacation

It seems like forever since I last blogged. We've had phone/internet problems, a couple of sick kids and went on a wonderful, fun fall vacation to St Louis.

Of course we stayed with Aunt Paige & Uncle Steven - in their new house! They have done lots of work, it really looks cute. It has tons of potential and know they will continue to work on it for a long time, til it is just right.

We got to do a couple of fun things while in St Louis. Our most fun was at The City Museum in downtown S.L. We had no idea what to expect, which probably added to the fun. The museum is 3 stories, plus an outside area, of all of these crazy, recycled things to do. You just kind of find your way around as no maps are provided. When you first walk in, this is part of what you see...


These were huge fish and a whale you could walk through. If you look close, you see Paige in the first photo. The floors and everything was gorgeous - the ceilings had a white, silky material hanging from them that looked like fish scales.

We wondered around here exploring then went upstairs to find a big hamster wheel.



Daniel, Jeff and Steven decided to give it a whirl. Daniel couldn't keep up, and just kind of flopped on the wheel. Bless his heart, I was laughing so hard I cried.

Paige and Steven had a little bit better luck.

The man at the front door told us to be sure and check out the 3rd floor for the kids. Oh my! They had a blast running and sliding! Ummm, some of the adults did too - I just couldn't get photos as I was busy...


Around the corner some kids were getting circus training - no kidding! I thought the tie decorations were cool. Jeff thinks he wore some of the ties at one time.



Another area had kind of a circus/carnival theme. There were old pinball and video games, plus a photo opportunity or two.



Paige and I thought the gigantic underwear were cool!

There were lots of things to climb and do that the kids will have to grow into. I don't think we'll have a problem visiting again! The plane photo is an outside climb area - look closely and you will see tiny people!

One of our most favorite things were the slides. Kids of ALL ages were participating! The adults each took turns watching the kids so that we could climb up 7 stories of swirly stairs to slide down 7 stories of a swirly slide! We were dizzy at the end.



Thanks Paige and Steven for helping us have an awesome fall trip!

My Birthday Weekend

In high school, it stunk because I was always younger than everyone in my class. I was a year behind everyone turning 16....then in college, I was a year behind everyone turning 21.

NOW, I'm a year behind everyone turning 40!!! Hello 30's - one more year. Next year, it will be the 2nd anniversary of my 39th birthday, NOT my 40th birthday!

This birthday weekend was spent with my kiddos. Jeff is working (we are meeting him for supper at Cracker Barrel).

Saturday was spent at Octoberfest, where Olivia's Girl Scout Troop got 2nd place in the Parade with this....We spent a large amount of time at our church booth. We provided FREE inflatables for the kiddos and FREE water, popcorn and cookies for everyone. It was a tremendous success!
Today was Homecoming at church - where I got to enjoy everyone else's cooking for my birthday. Yum!! Daniel and Olivia sang with the kids. Daniel gave a performance...picking his nose...and eating it...digging in his pants...with both hands...and showing everyone his belly... If only his dad had seen it...
Before church they looked adorable with our fall decorations!