Family Pictures

I had my friend Heather with Prestige Photography take our family pictures this year. She told me to chose a location, so I chose one of our Family favorites Whiterocks. Jake loves it up there, and we try to go camping at least once a year up there. Anyway, they turned out great!

 My cute cheeseball Chester!

 Princess Payzlei, who wasnt at all afraid to "tromp" through the snow.

 Adorable picture of Hank. We had to wake him up, so he was fussy the whole time... But in this picture you cant even tell!

 Gosh Dang! Look at how HOT my husband is!! One good looking cowboy!

Payzlei was all ready for the picture and just kissed me at the right time!
Thanks Heather for doing a great job!!

Payzlei turns 3!!

It has been a couple of crazy months around here! And in all of this madness my little Princess turned 3!! We celebrated a few days early because I was going in for surgery the day before her actual birthday, but, she was fine with having it a little early!!

Payzlei wanted a Dora Birthday party. I made her a Dora dress, we had the Dora pinata, and I made a Dora birthday cake.

She had so much fun opening presents, and she had alot of helpers. Then Daddy rode in on her big Dora bike.

 Payzlei had a fun birthday! I cannot believe how fast time goes, I swear I had her yesterday!! Happy Birthday Baby Girl, Love you Tons!!

Leaving the nest

My baby is growing up!!

Chester started preschool with Angie Wills at ABC Preschool. He was so excited, he didnt want me to go with him to orientation. He said its better when he goes by himself. Payzlei wanted to go so bad, but she is excited now because we get to do preschool at home- just me and her. Chester is her best friend.

I told her to smile at me, and she just leaned over and kissed his shoulder. So cute!!
Im kindof a slacker of a mom and forgot to get Chester a backpack- so I decided to just get a simple one from the dollar store and personalize it for him.. He Loves it!!

Im so proud of him, but so sad all wrapped into one. How come kids cant stay little forever?? I cant wait to see what he will learn. Can someone invent something that will shrink my kids back to babies?? He is going to have so much fun.. oh goodness. My kids are growing up!! Love Love Love them!!

Starting Preschool-

 Every year school starts and I get ambitious and try and do preschool with my kids everyday. I do really well, for a while, then I let things get in the way. So, like every year I started with my kids (hopefully it lasts longer this year) I decided I need to teach my kids about money. Money doesnt grow on trees, or in wallets, and my husband thinks I spoil the kids way to much. So, I am trying to be better and trying to teach the kids that they cant have everything also. Tithing, Savings, Spending. Thats where I wanted to start. So, I bought some boxes at Wal-mart and let the kids paint!

Hank got a sucker, Im pretty sure he was ok with that lol. When the boxes finished drying I labled them tithing and savings, put a divider in the middle and they were done!

Aren't they great painters! They are going to be awesome artists! Now, when they do their chore charts, and extras to help mom, they get paid. Tithing, Savings and the rest is for their wallets or purse for spending. They are really excited about it! I hope it teaches them early about money.

I have been teaching the kids the alphabet and I always try to do something fun with the letters. I saw a fun idea painting a letter on rocks. We went the driveway and found some fairly flat rocks. You can buy some at walmart in the craft section.. but, im cheap!

On the back side of the rocks I just used a blue sharpie and did the lowercase letters. I have found that doing something fun helps the kids remember better. Today we did the letter "P" home made pink (strawberry) popsicles. I dont always do the alphabet in order either. I hope to continue school with the kids, even though Chester starts preschool soon. I dont know if it will be harder for mom or Payz when Chester goes. Probably Payz, they are best friends!!

Re-purposing Moms old pants to Payzlei new pants

I have a bad habit of keeping old jeans, (I will make everyone in my family jean quilts... one day!) So, far I have made Chester and Jake one.  This one was Jakes Valentines present, he had told me that he always wanted someone to make him a quilt, and I just happened to have plenty of jeans and thought he would like it..

He was SO excited!! I also made Chester one for his bed, its a red cowboy one. But, my pile of pants keeps getting bigger. Awhile ago I was at my sisters and she had this board of projects she wanted to make for her kids on there was the CUTEST pants for a little girl with scalloped/ruffled sides. So, one day I decided to give it a try for miss Payz. I got some of my old ripped silvers and gave it a try. They really dont look much like the picture, but they look Adorable on Payz!

I left the scallops because I wanted them to frey a little. The daisy buttons on the scallops look so cute. And the shirt she has on is part of her 4th of July outfit I made her. But, I do think I found out how I can use some of these pants without having to make a quilt.. lol. Kids pants for free.. cant beat that!! :)

Old door coffee table

So most of you know how I love old things, and doing fun stuff with them. I have had this old door outside for awhile, and keep changing my mind on what I want to do with it. Finally I made up my mind. I decided to make a coffee table for my living room. First, I painted the door red- a couple of coats- then I sanded a few spots and used wood stain to give it the distressed look. I had my husband pick up some legs at Lowes, I painted them black also sanded and distressed them a little. So- here is the finished product!

I am loving how it turned out! And the best part is, it cost under $20! The legs were the only thing I had to buy, I had everything else even the paint ( I seem to have a collection of paint.. all different colors lol) I am so glad its finished! Now on to other projects!!

Huge Giveaway!!

Hey friends, there is an awesome giveaway over at the fun bluecricketdesign.net- go and follow directions for your chance to win big!!

Hank Turned ONE!!!

Yes, its true Hank is ONE!! I cant believe how fast this year has gone!! We decided to do a Sock Monkey themed birthday, since Hank is our little monkey. I had Jakes aunt Yvonne knit him a little hat, which turned out soo cute!

 

 I ordered a package on Etsy, she designs your invitations and other party things, here is an invitation

I made a sock monkey cake, it didnt turn out quiet like I wanted, but it works. I made him a cute shirt, We made chocolate monkey suckers, wasnt the smartest idea- they melted pretty fast at the park. Banana chips, Licorice (monkey vines) homemade rootbeer, (monkey brew). I made monkey bread in cupcake liners. We made and I ordered some sock monkeys and had the kids color their own with fabric markers.

It was a fun birthday! Hank is spoiled rotten! We had lots of good friends and family that came and supported him.

Hank is such a cute, fun boy! He adds so much love to our family. Happy Birthday Monkey We love you!!