Holiday Crafts Preview

I realize that it's early, but I've been busy getting ready for the holidays. I like to be able to enjoy the season, so it takes a lot of planning! So this is what I've been working on for the past few weeks:

Fall Decor

Felt Leaf Garland

Melted Crayon Leaves

Still To Do: Paint Leaves, Fall Pillows

Halloween

Woody Costume. It cost me under $4 to make since I already had a yellow shirt and jeans. The fabric for the vest cost $0.63. The Sheriff star cost $1.99. The bandanna cost $1.00.  I wish he'd wear a hat, but it's not worth the money since he won't.
Still To Do: Treat Bag

Thanksgiving

the inspiration

Thankful Tree. The idea is that each day in November leading up to Thanksgiving you write something that you are thankful for on a slip of paper and put it a leaf pocket on the tree. I got the idea from pottery barn (what's new?). I'm not going to lie, it was a LOT of work. Cutting out all those little leaves, hand stitching the numbers and word, then using the sewing machine to put it all together. I'm so glad it's done. I got the felt at 4 sheets for a dollar. I used 5 sheets of felt and an old pillow case. The "dowel" is really part of a hanger. So it was an extremely cheap project. I just love how it turned out!

Still To Do:  Finger Puppet Favors, Table Runner

Christmas

Pottery Barn Knock of PJ's. I followed this tutorial. I don't have much experience making clothing, so this project took me a few days. Next time I think I will just purchase a real pattern. This one didn't quite line up and since I haven't really dealt with much clothing there was a little more guess work than I would have liked. Overall, they didn't turn out bad. They are a little big, but at the rate he's growing they'll probably fit by Christmas.

I'm excited to share what I've come up with for our Christmas Advent. After I've put it all together I make sure to post it. It's going to be awesome.

Still To Do: Stockings, More PJ's, Update Wreath, Advent Calendar, Update Tree Skirt, Christmas Gifts (you'll have to wait until Christmas to find out what I'm making!).

Farewell Summer!

Summer is over for us. Paul is back to class, James and I have started preschool and we have a fairly established schedule going. We had a rocky start with a horrible cold, but I think we're all finally on the mend. Thank goodness.

Utah County Fair

Then he ran over to the river and fell in. Good thing it wasn't deep where we were.

We finished off our summer by taking a nice walk around Temple Square.

I'm looking forward to Fall!

Room Re-do

I recently decided that it was time to update James' room. His room had been set up as a nursery before with the crib, the changing table and cutesy animal border. I had planned on using a twin mattress, but he refused to sleep on it, so I opted to convert his crib to a toddler bed.

Before: 

"changing table"

In Between: 

$5 at DI

After: 

I should have cleaned his room before taking this picture. You get the idea. 

I love how it's turned out!

More Summer Craziness

What a crazy busy summer we've had so far. Last week was ridiculously busy. I feel old now. Our ward had a carnival last weekend. James had a lot of fun playing in the bouncy house. I made cake and cupcakes for the cake walk (of which James did NOT like playing along).

 On Monday my sister, Roxanna, moved. So Lorelei came and spent the day with us. James had a lot of fun getting into her toys, reading to her, and calling her cute.

"Big scary truck! It's angry! Grrrrrr. Thee End!"

 Tuesday I tagged along with my younger sisters and went clothes shopping for school. They are pretty hilarious. Seven hours of that just about put me in my grave though.

 On Wednesday I helped Roxanna clean her old place. Then we visited my family in Spanish Fork.

On Thursday all but one of my sister's and I packed a picnic and headed up to Bridal Veil Falls. We had a great lunch and it was so nice up there. Afterwards we headed to Riverwoods and spent the majority of our time in Blikenstaffs. Rosi spent the night in James' room (and James spent the night in our bed--a recent and horrible habit that seems nearly impossible to break).

On Friday Roxanna and I took Rosi to look for rings and wedding dresses. It was a lot of fun!

On Saturday I got up bright and early to pick up my bountiful basket. I am usually pleased with what I get, and this week was no different. 

On Sunday I woke with a cold. Probably from all that running around all week. I'm exhausted! 

Paul has one more day of finals and he's done with school for 2 weeks. I already have a big long list of things around the house to help me with.

Pioneer Day

We had a great weekend.

On Friday we attended the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Pioneer Day Concert. This year was a tribute to our soldiers and it was absolutely awesome! So glad I got to go.

On Saturday morning I picked up my produce from Bountiful Baskets. I got all of this for $15. I am so excited to be able to afford produce now!

Paul got off work early on Saturday and we went for a drive. We went up to Utah lake state park and found an awesome trail. We went for a nice, long walk along the river there. 

Later on we took James to the splash pad in Spanish Fork, picked up Slurpee's and went for another drive. We used to go on drives in the country all the time when we lived in Springville. It was really nice to just drive around  and enjoy the scenery.

On Sunday we went for a walk up at the Provo temple after church. It was hot, but we had a good time. James loves the temple.

On Monday we woke up early and went to the parade in Spanish Fork. Luckily the weather was decent so we didn't fry.  We headed back to my parents house where we ate BBQ, played in the kiddie pool, went to the park & played and finished off the day with ice cream cones and fireworks.

playing the piano at Grandpa's house

he wanted his picture taken in front of this rock

Cosmobile a the parade

Fireworks!

I hope you had an equally awesome weekend!

Paul recently took a trip to Dallas with his boss's boss for a huge food convention. He slept in luxury accommodations all paid for by the school.  

Cowboy on Stilts

The Resort

James and I had movie nights every night, ate lots of fruit snacks and hot dogs. We stayed up super late every night and James slept in my bed, which is probably going to cause some sleep issues in the future.  I don't like sleeping alone though and in order to not freak out I had to be truly wiped out before going to bed.  I feel so much safer with Paul around.

I took James to his first movie. He really wanted to explore the theater, but after about 45 minutes of that, he finally passed out. I don't know if I'll be taking him to the movies again anytime soon.

In front of the theater

One of the few times he wasn't squirming around

And then there were the things that Paul does around the house that I didn't realize that he did.
Like taking out the trash (needless to say, the place was pretty smelly after a few days) and filling up the humidifier (it actually will run out of water!).  Not to mention his hour or so of play time with James when he gets home from work that gets all of James' wiggles out. There was also a spider incident that was particularly horrifying.

We are so glad that he's home. Paul and James have been playing pretty much non-stop since he's been back. Now we just have to get back into some sort of schedule. What a crazy summer it's been so far!

Independence Day!

Our weekend was crazy busy. It started on Friday with Paul going shooting while I went shopping with the girls. Then there was a baby blessing, a priesthood ordination and a pre-wedding BBQ.

On Saturday we had two weddings at the Salt Lake temple. My brother got married at 11:40 and Paul's (adoptive) sister got married at 12:30. It was in the triple digits outside and I still can't wear shoes from the blisters I got. That evening there were two receptions and I'm pretty sure we were all asleep within 30 seconds of hitting our pillows.

Sunday there was another baby blessing, a luncheon, family blessings, and family dinner.

Monday we woke up and went to the Freedom Festival in Provo. We saw the parade, walked around, got James his first cotton candy, made a craft, jumped in a bouncer and general fun was had. Then we went home and set up his pool on the patio, played with bubbles and got ready for a BBQ at my parent's house.  I brought sidewalk chalk and everyone had fun drawing while Paul cooked up the food. Then we watched Wizard of Oz and blasted off a bunch of fireworks. James was scared at first but ended up having a good time.

"I'm bouncing!"

First taste of cotton candy

My sister Reanna drew this

Grillin'

Patriotic Trifle. Yum!

fun with fireworks

Watching the fireworks with my little man

Very tired. Watching the Wizard of Oz.

For the last few weeks we have been watching two awesome shows on Netflix. I would highly suggest them both! I love our country. I feel truly blessed to live here.

  

I hope you all had a great 4th of July!