HaPPy hALLoWeEN!!

We have all eaten WAY too much candy over the last few days. Talk about an overdose. I'm not so sure I really like this holiday. It really doesn't lead to much good...cavities, expanding waist lines, and whining kids begging for more, more, more. What would be the halloween version of the grinch? That is me right now. Halloween is fun and all, it is just the aftermath I don't like :)

My little pumpkins

Superman is showing off his muscles!

This picture makes me laugh because I can just hear Livi making her little "uh" noise when she wants something...like a sucker. Livi loved going trick or treating! 

Ariel showing off some of her loot from the ward trunk or treat party

 Hope you all had a fun Halloween :)

School Pictures

Come on. Could they try just a little bit harder to connect with the kids and get a good smile??? Do all school pictures have to be awkward? A little background though. The week before pictures her front tooth died and turned grey. She was really sad about it and told me she didn't want to smile in her pictures. I told her not to worry about it and smile big anyways. I think this shot is her contemplating the idea to smile or not :) She is still cute though, quirky smile and all.

Another Drewism

Drew was watching the living scriptures, the one where the Savior comes to visit the people in America.

Drew says "Wow,  Jesus is really sticky."
me: "Huh?"
Drew: "Jesus must have really sticky feet. He can stick to the clouds and walk on them."

Ha Ha, love that boy!

Such a fun Night!

We went to Vala's pumpkin patch last week with some friends. It was such a blast!! This place is huge and packed with family friendly fall activities and goodies galore. It still doesn't replace Patterson's farm in Ohio, but it was close ;)

Livi was scared to death of the Camel. So I did what all good moms would do. got her picture with it. The Camel decided it would be funny to give her a big wet one. She screamed so loud! We laughed so hard!

There was a huge pile of corn to play in. everyone (adults included) loved it. The funniest moment was when Andy threw some corn at our friend blake and 2 kernels went straight up both of his nostrils! So Funny! We had corn down our pants, and just about everywhere.

The spider web crawl

                             

Livi Loo loo

Just some random pics from Livi and I hanging out in the garage last week.

 She LOVES to eat chalk

12 months at a glance

Livi decided to take this walking business serious on her birthday. She took off and hasn't stopped since. She loves her independence!

Livi loves to read books with her daddy

She loves babies, blankies, and stuffed animals

her first word is "uh-oh"

Her first animal sound is an elephant

she can scream like no other :)

She is a happy sweet little girl!

we love you livi loo loo!

Around the House Part 2

As of last week, I had NO pictures of my kids on the walls. That needed to change. I LOVE Canvas prints and would order a ton if I could. Unfortunately, they don't fit in my budget right now. So I found a solution. Behold the Faux Canvas

I was a little skeptical before I started, but I actually really like them. And, It cost less than $20 to make all Three! I bought a board at Lowes (about 3/4 inch thick) and had them cut it into 12x12 pieces. Then I painted the sides black, had the pictures printed at Costco for $3 each, and mod podged them on the boards. And Waahlaa! Faux Canvases! You've got to try it. Fun, Cute, and Cheap!

HoW tiMe fliEs...

It seems just like yesterday I was buying girl clothes and bedding before even knowing the sex of baby #3 (more on that here),  hoping, waiting, wanting another sweet babygirl. My wish was granted and this last year has been a dream in so many ways. Livi has not been the easiest baby, but she has won my heart. I am head over heels for this little girl. 

Enamored.

I had so much fun planning her party. Things didn't go quite as expected (the weather forced a few changes on us), but I think it turned out pretty cute and we had a great time! 

I didn't have time to take pictures before the party, so you will just have to use your imagination a little as to what the table looked like with all the food and stuff :)

I found a ton of cute craft projects online that I knew I had to make for the party. First was the adorable crepe paper rosette balls that I hung on the tree branches. So cute and fun to make! The doilie banner was the perfect delicate touch for the table. And one of my favorite ideas I came up with was the picture time line (I was going to hang it up outside but it was too windy). I cut out 12 birdies, labeled one for each month, and hung the corresponding pictures up with clothespins.

The party favors were fun to do too. The goods included 1. bags of gummy worms with tags that said "early bird gets the worm" 2. Felt bird clips for the girls made by my amazingly talented mom 3. Bird whistles (do you remember these as a kid? this was to add a little nostalgia. I loved these when I was little and knew I had to have them for here bird party). You fill them up with water and they really sound like birds tweeting. And some bubbles and play doh 

number 4 shows the cute shirt that my mom also made for Livi

Here is the cake topper. And oh the cake! It was really hot and humid the day I made it. I put the filling in the middle and decided to do the frosting after I finished up a few other things. After a while I looked over and noticed that the filling was oozing out the sides, melting into a big mess. So I picked up the cake to put it in the fridge. As I bent over to make room for the cake, The whole top layer slid right off and splattered all over the floor. not pretty. I almost cried. But, I happened to have an extra layer (long story) so it wasn't as tragic as it could have been. but no party is complete without a little DRAMA!

Livi LOVED the cake. I gave her a cupcake and she seriously devoured it! 

Lucky for us Uncle Austin and Aunt Andrea got to be there to help us celebrate. Andrea was my picture taker so I could enjoy the party. I think she did a great job. Thanks Andrea!!!

Around the House

This post is for you Kathryn!! :)

Last winter My Friend Kathryn and I bought some old doors off of Craigslist with the intent of making headboards for our beds. We both were really excited about moving and decorating our new pads. Unfortunately we never got around to making them and after moving into my new place I lost my zest for all the DIY decorating projects I had planned. Mostly because I realized we are only going to be here for 1 year and every house has different needs, so there is no point in making everything for this house. But, last week I caught the decorating bug again and was determined to get the headboard made. This was my first woodworking project and lets just say I learned a lot! :) Thanks to my sweet hubby who answered my dumb questions and came to my rescue a few times, I am very happy with the way it turned out! So without further ado, here are some seriously crappy pictures taken with our point and shoot of the finished product :) Except I really want to paint the walls now. But I can live with them for a year.

I also did a few projects for Avery's room over the summer with my mom. Avery got her duvet cover for christmas last year. I LOVE it, but it is a peachy pink that is hard to match. I saw this Liberty London print at Target and knew that it was perfect for her bed. I ordered a duvet cover online and it took over 5 months to get it (no joke). But I was elated when I finally saw the package on my doorstep! I made curtains, the bunting, and lampshade with the duvet cover. I LOVE it!

and of  course her room could not be complete without a "you are my sunshine" picture :)

I always tell Andy that when we buy our next house I am hiring a decorator :)


okay Kathryn, I want to see what you've done with the fabric for the family room, Kolette's room, and your room!!

☀ Liquid Sunshine

Avery was almost one year old when Andy's brother Adam was first diagnosed with Cancer. Grandma Cindi was having a rough time (rightfully so) but always tried to look for the positive. One of her happy spots was Sweet Avery Jane. She called Avery her Liquid Sunshine, the bright ray of hope to shine through the dark clouds. There is something amazing about a child's ability to help you feel the love of the Savior and put a smile back on your face when life has you down. Avery is especially good at this. She is my Sunshine baby girl!

see more here

He Thought This Day Would Never Come

Drew started PRESCHOOL today! He was SO ready. Ever since Avery started kindergarten, he has been asking incessantly when his school starts. Today is the day. He walked right in and never looked back. I can't wait to hear all about his day! 

Drew and his empty backpack :)

I LOVE them!

Those EYES that is!

sorry, I've got Livi on the brain. You may be seeing lots of this girl in the next few weeks. I can't believe she is almost one! 

see more here

The View from Here

If I have to have a little baby tugging on my pants all day, at least I get to see these bright eyes staring back up at me. Cutest little 11 month old ever :)

P.S. Livi just took her first 2 steps!! Oh No!

Up For Grabs!

Up for Grabs is a $20 Target Gift Card

How can you get it? Well, we need a little favor from some one in Cleveland. We got a HUGE water bill last month and the water company needs to get in the house and read the meter and check for leaks and stuff. The Appointment is on August 31 between 12 and 4 and some one must be present. You could invite some friends and plan a picnic and hang out in our backyard (although I can't promise the lawn will be mowed so it may be a jungle out there. but there is a swingset, or at least there was when we left☺) or let the kids run around an empty house (but I can't promise it won't smell musty from being locked up all summer). It will be an adventure! And you can go buy something fun as a reward when you are done. If you think you can do it, leave a comment and I'll email you more info.

Thanks guys!! We miss you all!!

Take Two

Day 2 of Kindergarten is now behind us. Avery said she didn't miss us at all. Which is good, but man do I miss her!

Drew, Livi, and I tried to entertain ourselves. We did the best we could and put on our happy faces

But this is how we really feel

This is Drew waiting outside the school to pick up Avery. 

And just to show that he can make a normal face (please ignore the fact that he is tackling his baby sister)

ReAdY oR nOt

Last night was the elementary school Ice Cream Social. As we got out of the car, I asked Avery if she was ready to go meet her kindergarten teacher. She took a deep breathe and said yes.

 She then nervously grabbed my hand. 

tight. 

I'm not sure who was holding on tighter. 

me

 or
 her.

I am a baby. I am crying as I type this. 

I'm not ready.

Avery is an Angel, I love her so much.

Drew misses his best friend

Livi misses her best friend

and I miss my best little friend.

All day kindergarten is TORTURE! 

She did GREAT today. She LOVED it and said she can't wait to go back tomorrow.

Her favorite part was sitting at her desk and coloring.
Here she is, my little kindergartner!

It is a dark rainy day. My ISO was at 1000, F/2.8, ss 160 and it was still underexposed...outside!
I need to take her out for a real back to school photo shoot soon. 

Mandatory Picnic

At the end of Andy's first week of his Residency they had a mandatory picnic at the Base Lake. Kind of funny that it was mandatory. But hey, I would much rather be at the lake enjoying my family than sitting at home counting down the hours until hubby comes home. The days adventures included frog catching, boat rides, bubble popping, food, and of course lots of silly faces from Drew!