Santa goes to daycare?

Just got an e-mail from the little guy's daycare. How cute is this?!?!

What a crafty week! Today, a blanket.

When I was still pregnant, I got a good deal on some fabric at one of the big box fabric stores. It's the super soft bumpy stuff that baby blankets are made of. I just can't seem to remember the name of it. Anyhoo, I got a yard of mint green and a yard of brown.

They have been sitting in my craft room for MONTHS. It was getting a bit sad, so, the other day I decided to do something about it. I wasn't into cutting a bunch of squares, etc. so I took the yard and squared it up. Then I pretended I was quilting and put straight stitches every 5 inches or so in both directions. I had a package of satin bia ribbon that I slapped around the edges with two rows of zig-zag stitches. It's pretty simple, but, VERY soft. The little guy loves it.

I'm apologizing about the quality of the pictures, I'm feeling a bit lazy when it comes to digging out the good camera. I'm just happy that I remember how to post!

full size (I put my foot in the picture for scale)

close up

being put to good use (and yes, his shirt speaks the truth!)

Christmas Morning

What's to say?

Christmas gift for Dad

Dad got a special gift for Christmas this year. My cousin, Joyce Ellen, found some quilt blocks that my grandma pieced together in a bag. Some of them were hand pieced and some were pieced together (I'm presuming) using her treadle sewing machine.

Joyce Ellen asked if I could do anything with them. I told her I'd put them together and make a lap quilt for Dad. When I opened the bag, it smelled just like my grandma's house. This is when I should say that she passed away quite a while ago and hadn't lived in her house for even longer. It was a terrific memory smell!

Any-hoo, on a trip to Ogallala this Thanksgiving, I took the squares with me. Mom and Michelle helped me design a top. Mom and I went to the local quilt shop and found the fabric. When I got home, I got to work.

Needless to say, I was so excited (and behind) about finishing it, I completely FORGOT to take a picture of the finished project. I do have a finished pic of the top. I'm hoping Mom will get some nice completed pics for me to post later.

I'm hoping he loved it as much as me. If not, I'm going to his house and taking it. It would look faboo in my living room!

Growing Baby

The baby is entering a new phase in his life. On the 30th the little guy will get to experience the excitement of rice cereal. You are probably looking forward to this as much as we are. Hubs and I are calling it "operation sleepy time."

To celebrate, we purchased a high chair. When the big kid was little, we got a fancy schmancy high chair. It was great....in the store. However, our little dining area became much smaller when we added another piece of furniture to the mix. Long story short, we never used it. Got rid of it before he outgrew it. Best choice we ever made.

Well, along came the new little guy and his insistence on growing. With that said, hubs and I got smarter and decided to look for a chair that could attach to a regular dining chair. We questioned our friends and with a bit of online research, decided on one. It can recline, the height is adjustable, removable tray, and it converts to a booster. Hopefully, this will be the last one we need for our little guy. I especially like the neutral color.

What do you think?


Needless to say, the little guy is beside himself with excitement. Exhibit A:

An intense conversation

An intense conversation between brothers. Sorry about the background noise in the first 1/2 of the video.

Halloween costumes

The original plan was for the boys to dress similar. The big kid was going to be a storm trooper and the little guy was going to be Yoda. At the last minute, the big kid changed his mind and decided to be the same zombie he was last year. I can't complain, the costume still fit and we didn't have to buy another costume. So, without further adieu, da boys!

spooky zombie (I enhanced his costume with a staff & ball and chain)

A friend made this costume for the little guy. It was a shower gift.

Notice the glow stick light saber. I put athletic tape on it (sticky side out) and he was able to hold it. It kept us all safe from harm, you never know when a jedi will need his light saber....

Halloween feast

Our tradition is to eat, then go trick-or-treating. This year, it seems like everyone was out earlier, so, dinner was cut a bit short. However, it was still tasty and fun for the big kid!

Here's what we dined on:

swamp stew

ghosts with black olive eyes and mouths

hot dog mummies

The final verdict = yum. The big kid didn't care much for the strawberry milk. I can't say that I blame him.

Stay tuned for costumes!

Halloween.....finally

Better late than never I say. It was an evening of fun. Grandma was out of town so Grandpa came over to help pass out candy as it has become a tradition. The little guy and I stayed with him while the big kid and Dad went around the neighborhood.

Grandpa and the Little Guy

There was carving to be done

Mine was a witchy pumpkin

The big kid got to trace AND carve this year. It was a big deal for him!

Dad's pumpkin looked awesome when it was lit.

Sorry there aren't any outside pictures. This is the best we got this year. Stay tuned for the Halloween feast!

Christmas (one of several)

Here's something the little guy got from G-ma and G-pa

Christmas Program Time

The little guy had his first Christmas Program at daycare. He had a very important role to play. He was a candy cane. It's taking his sweetness to a whole new level.

Why is our house happy?

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. We've been like headless chickens around here! We've been working on fixing up our house the past few months with reason. We're trying to sell it so we can get a bigger house.

We've lived in and loved our current home for the past 12 years. Every room has been touched by our hands and, in my eyes, improved. It's a happy house full of giggles. At present, it's a house filled with growing boys, a husband, and me. Perfect fit.......until they start growing.

Hubs and I started our family in this house and know it will be hard to let it go, but, it's time. It's a beautiful little starter home. Loving the location. We'd like to be closer to hubs work so we can see him more. Granted, it's only 20 minutes in the am, but, it will be much more time in the pm.

If you know if anyone that is interested in a house filled with hugs in every corner, let me know!

Happy Baby

Da Boys!

Tonight the big brother wanted to spend time with the little brother during 'carpet time'. You really had to be here. It made my heart melt! They love each other so much.

Big brother can always make little brother smile. I can't wait until he can make him giggle. We're in for a LOT of fun times ahead!!!

Until then, this will have to do:

Making Our House Happy (part 3)

Today I was able to finish painting the lower part of our house (the brick, not siding) and the side door on the garage. Didn't take pictures as I had too much paint on my hands. Now, it's up to hubby to get on the ladder and finish the high parts as I don't do ladders. Can't wait to see it tomorrow when I pull up to the house after soccer!

General goofiness

We've been working on his wrestling stance

Be weary of these characters

Why am I distracted?

When I'm not making the push to get the outside of the house ready, I'm distracted by the smallest things!

Making Our House Happy (part 2)

Front basement window is done!

Making Our House Happy

The house is badly in need of painting on the outside. Last weekend, I bought the paint. Today, I started painting. So far, I only have the garage door painted.

before

after

One month ago today.....

This little foot came into the world.


and this little boy became a big brother!

Can you guess the face?

Best Day Ever (again)

The big brother went to his first Husker football game last night with his dad.

Remember when he proclaimed the day he became a big brother to be his "best day ever"? That has been replaced by a Husker football game with his dad. Wishing I could have been there. He opted to not put action figures in his pocket because he wanted to "enjoy the experience" (his words, not ours). Dad said he must have had a good time because he didn't stop talking the entire time (which was just over 4 hours)!

This is the best picture I have.
Sorry for the quality,
they were sitting on the East side of the stadium.

Almost forgot one of the funniest parts! They got home at 10pm. Big brother told me he didn't have dinner yet. Apparently the hot dog, piece of pizza, bag of M&Ms (he calls them en & enms), and soda were just a light snack!

Halloween ideas

Anyone want to guess who the new little guy is going to dress up as for Halloween?

Fall Craft Time!

I wanted to make some pumpkins to jazz up the buffet this year. Saw some online that I fell in love with so I decided to make some. So far, I've only got 2, but, need to whip up a few more. Took less than 15 minutes per pumpkin. I love easy projects that are so cheap to make! Everything was from my stash.

(sorry for the quality, took it with my phone and poor lighting)

This counts as a smile right?

Wax On, Wax Off

I had commented to my friend how difficult it was to shave while pregnant. She said I should try waxing my legs. I tried in college and totally botched it. It's a great story to tell and always had me in tears of laughter at the end. Long story short, hubs had to help pull the strips off and it wasn't pretty.

I know that most of the problem resided in my attempting to do this on my own. Since then, I have taken an oath to NOT touch anything up on myself that would haunt me for days without the ability to hide it in public (this includes all waxing, hair cuts, and self tanners). I am proud to say that I have kept with that promise to myself to this day.

Which is why I jumped at the chance when my friend Jenn said she'd give it a go. (NOTE: Jenn is a stylist and knows what she's doing, I wouldn't accept an offer from someone like me.) Turns out, it wasn't that bad. Now I don't have to worry about shaving my legs! (at least for a while)

This is about the time I was having second thoughts.

This is my friend Jenn.
She's having waaaaaaay to much fun with this.
I'm thinking my laughing instead of shouting was part of the humor.

Bath time!

I'd like to say the little guy was happy during and after bath, but, I'd be a liar. At least he has a clean belly button now! Whoot!!!

Guess what happened on the 30th?

We have a new little guy! He was born at 1:59pm. Just one pic for now & lots of updates later. Right now, lots to do at home and very little energy to work on.

For now, just stare at the cuteness that is our new baby.

Baby has someting to wear

A quick baby project. I wanted to dress up some of the plain onesies before the baby arrived and had a few things in mind. Right now, I only made three, but, have already had hubby request a few more.

a trio of cuteness

proud Nebraskan

game day ready

a touch of formal wear

I wouldn't think twice about making these again. A super cute and easy baby gift!

His room is almost done!

We just have a couple more pictures to hang, but, I can't wait. Here is the big guy's room (note to readers: with the anticipation of a new little guy, current little guy will henceforth be know as big guy).

Let it be known that everything I found for his room, besides the awesome Behr paint, was on sale or clearance! Whoot!!

New 9 cube shelving system

new bean bag (can't go wrong with blue flames)

same loft bed, new comforter

same stuff, just orange walls

new curtain, same toy box & hamper

better shot of the curtains

same big boy, new reading spot...I think he likes it