made it myself

So, I was driving down my street a few days ago and saw this FAB Christmas garland around this random door. I wanted it! I looked for one like it and found nothing. I contemplated taking that fab garland down the street and putting it on my door instead. I'd most likely get caught so I decided to be a little crafty. I've been in the mood lately so why not.

Drum role please

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Umm, you tell me but I think it turned out fabulous!!

I took 2 9ft wal mart garland and twisted them together to make it fuller. Then took 25ft ribbon and a string of white balls and wrapped the garland. I picked up some mini tree ornaments and hung them tightly to the stems and added a little sparkle with the red spiral thingy's. Everything came from Wal-Mart. I love it all the more because I made it. Didn't know I had it in me and I had loads of fun doing it!

What can you make?

PS. 25 days of Christmas begins tomorrow! The stories are wonderful. You don't wanna miss!!!

what?! you want ME to cook a turkey?!

Cooked my very first turkey dinner this year. It turned out great! I couldn't believe it!! Thank you Dad for talking me through it. I just have to say though, holy crap it was stressful! Vance worked so my kiddos ran wild and at times drove me crazy. I'm so glad this kind of cooking only happens once a year. (Maybe we can come over to your house next year.)

before

after

It wasn't abselutely perfect. I spilled the gravy pack all over the floor. Ugh! After slaving in the kitchen all day it was the last thing I needed to do and I wanted to cry out of frustration. My dear sweet hubbs however, was right there and cleaned it up for me. I don't know if I told him thanks. Thank you BABE!!! It meant the world to me!

Gemma was mommy's little helper/mess maker through the whole thing. Thank you dear girl!

Bubb's was a sad boy. He just wasn't getting the attention he usually does. I'm sorry Bubby.

All in all, our Thanksgiving turned out pretty good.

Btw, Vance cleaned up everything, and I mean everything, after dinner. Nothing turns a girl on like her man cleaning up. Thanks again handsome!

25 days of christmas

A long time ago my mom put together a 25 days of Christmas book and I LOVE it. Each day features a scripture, song and story. Because I LOVE it so much, I'd like to share with all of you my families tradition. I hope you love it as much as I do and that it envites the spirit of Christmas into your home.

Stay tuned for day 1!

the fam

These were taken just a few months ago. And yes, they are our first family photos of us all together! I can't believe it!

Here are a few of my fav!

27

I was so excited for your birthday, as always. And it wasn't like I had anything big planned but you know how birthdays are always a big deal to me. I enjoyed getting your gift put together (acqua di gio cologn, sooo yummy and head phones.) and signing the card last night and finally went to bed thinking about how to go about today. I know you hate party's and all the attention so I stuck with simple. I hope you liked it. I also know you hate cake but it was what we had in the cubbard and I wont lie, I was craving it a little. (okay, so maybe a lot). But I did use your favorite kind of frosting.

I hope this day, the day you turned 27, was one where you felt appreciated and loved. After all, it's your day. Happy birthday babe! I sure love your guts!

little mommy

I was tickled when I walked into the kitchen after laying you down for your nap to find your sweet baby sitting in your high chair. You're not even 2 and you are already so careing and motherly. I abselutely love it! I've been watching you take care of that little baby. You dress her and change her diaper. You feed her and cuddle her. I have also noticed, and this is my favorite, the way you love your little brother. You give him hugs and kisses. You make him happy when he is sad. You share and play with him and make him laugh. I love these moments and I love you! You're a wonderful little mommy and that makes this big mommy glad!

"I Am"

Been feeling disconnected for a while now. This video helped me feel a little more connected. Wanted to share it with someone.

You can pause my blasted music at the bottom of the page. You'll need to or it could ruin the feel of the video. (so don't be lazy about your scrolling capabilities!)

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=164790173550329

giggles

We have tried and tried and then tried some more but all we could ever get out of him were little girlie screams. Still to this day that is all we can get out of him. That is, except for Gemma. She has the touch, the look, the whatever that makes him giggle and grin. I'm glad I was able to catch a smidge of it on video. I love these sweet tender moments shared between g & v.




(You can pause music at bottom of page.)

yummm

Made brownies with the kids today. Obviously enjoyed it.




Vance's first tast of chocolate and he sure loved it! He sucked that bottom lip of his almost clean off.


Bubb's smiling enough for the three of us. Chocolate sure makes us happy!

swing'n

No worries. No stresses. No caring about what other people think. Just completely being free to be YOU.

Oh if things could be simple again.

a peapod and a ballerina

I love Halloween but I also love that it's over. It was fun this year since I had 2 kiddos and one of them could walk and really appreciate the holliday. Me and the kids were thrilled that Daddy had off work to spend time with us. We didn't spend Halloween on sunday like most probably did but we enjoyed our ward Trunk-r-Treat.

Drinking Daddies sprite. Trunk-r-Treating is hard work people!

Mackenzie and Gemma friends in the making. Gemma is a month older.

Kelli Marshall and her kids. They are the same age! Little Ed is a day older than Little Vance and Gemma a month older than Mack. It has been fun to have some friends for my kids!

Happy Halloween everybody!

PS Vance was just called as 2nd counselor in the YM's! I'm super excited and really pray that his work schedule will allow him to "magnify" his calling.