6-5-5

It's BIRTHDAY time for us!!!

What more could a boy want for his birthday than two pesky little sisters to share it with huh!?



The three cutest kids EVER! If I must say so myself :)

Halloween

Benjamin was a BAT Abby a BRIDE & Aubrey a WITCH! Fun times.

I was pleased with Benjamin's wings because I cut them out that day. Procrastination is my middle - probably first - name and I just had NO IDEA how to make a bat costume. I googled 'bat costume' that afternoon and then got to work. I layed the wing fabric under his clothes on the rug and 'drew' the wing shape with the point of my scissors. A few snips later and I was done. It took longer to pin it on him.

Abby's dress was too big - So again THAT afternoon - why do I do this! - I cut the buttons off and resewed them over about 4 inches. I had the flowers on hand.

We took the kiddos to see their Great Grandpa at what they call his "New house". They fell asleep on the way there and were so crabby!

Eventually, I was crabby too and said "lets get this trick or treating OVER WITH!" and off we went back home. We were the FIRST ones at several houses, but the embarrassment over that did not stop us - no way. We were done by 6:30 and the rest of the night was spent with the kids excitedly handing out candy at the door and Jake and I watching TV and eating some of the kids spoils :)

One tall, bearded and very loud neighbor got right in the kids face and said "No candy until you either sing me a song or tell me a joke!" Aubrey starred at him and then ran off crying!! It was actually kind of funny. Benjamin and Abby stayed -

I was shocked to hear Abby offer up a joke: "Why did the chicken cross the road? . . . . . To eat a pickle!"

and Benjamin's was: "How does a pumpkin walk? . . . . . on it's stem!"

Another neighbor handed out a goodie bag with Halloween tattoos and "candy sticks" that basically looked like a joint! (do they still call it that?) Seriously when the kids were eating them it looked like they were smoking! Into the trash they went. . . weird.

"Jack" the morning before Halloween. Halloween weather was perfect.

Check this out. Grandpa didn't know it ... but he makes a handsome Magician!

Scratching Grandpa's back - a favorite pastime.

Watch out!

Fickle Idaho

Thank you FALL for coming out today!

Because you shined on us I took my children to buy tiny pumpkins for 50 cents each. We spent a long time in the red barn touching green bumpy pumpkins, white pumpkins, 86 pound pumpkins and even saw a gourd shaped like a swan!

We talked about the beautiful world Jesus created for us to live on and care for. We talked about how amazing it is that every seed knows exactly what to do. Then Benjamin said "Do you know what the most AMAZING thing about Jesus is? He rattled off a bunch of sweet things that flew in my ears and out of mind with my excitement over the conversation . . . . cute, sweet truths from my boy.

Thank you!

Sick and WRONG

Snow on October 5 is wrong! Sure it melted- but it WHERE is my FALL?

Last fall I was sitting on the couch with a broken ankle, narcotics and my Mother-in-Law, husband and ladies from my ward waiting on me. Oh, the memories. But I did get jipped on outdoor fall fun last year; now THIS?

Also sick and wrong, SO WRONG is husbands being gone for more than 5 days. Hunter, Airline pilot and military wives, and don't forget those abandoned for Scout camp . . . HOW do you survive?! :)

Living life ...

I finally have the chance to live unfulfilled dreams through my children!

GO SEE my little Ballerina's on my photo blog . . . PLUS read my very short official business announcement!

In Progress . . .

Doesn't Fall just call for room make overs? Well, thanks to Craig's list a domino effect has happened at our house. . .

We (meaning me) sold B's bunk slide bed, bought 2 twins for the girls, moved their bed to him, changed his curtains, got him a new dresser, painted his old dresser and put it in the girls room . . . . and it continues.

The girls room barely holds the 2 twins but I think it will be SO, SO CUTE in the end! Their "old time country fair" inspired room will be full of fabulous colors and textures. Some is still formulating as I go.

Picture white Swiss dot and ruffly slip covers with bows on the head/foot boards, white or pink walls, beautiful royal blue/aqua-ish velvet curtains with red pettiskirt ruffles, green and red bed pillows, stripped and polka dots, pinks, greens, yellows, reds . . . hum, this sounds BAD on paper. But it will be so GOOD I know it! Can't wait.

Here's some of my inspiration:

Great - NOW our rooms are really going to look "in progress" :)

A few facts about me:

I LOVE old things. I love nearly all styles of furniture. Old furniture is made so well and of high quality materials. I always want to find that one REAL find at a thrift store. You know a "real" piece of vintage furniture. I thought I may have found it in Benjamin's new dresser (bargained from $120 to $90 thank you very much.) but I was skeptical because the lines just didn't seem right for the 1950's Danish modern I was comparing it to.

I'm not a furniture expert. There are a few vintage pieces that I just must have some day - like white Barcelona chair or bench and the Louis XVI ghost chair.

When you touch "real" furniture you just know it. It feels different. When I saw the twin beds I LOVED them. Then I touched the wood I loved them more. Smooth classic lines, perfectly sloped dainty feet. I hated the coloring and I wasn't thinking 'matching twin beds' at the time.

I couldn't stop touching the beds, I was in love. At a mere $79 each, this was a sieze the day moment! We stuffed them in the Pacifica and I planned to paint them white. I can't PAINT a real classic, I just can't. So I checked to be sure. What do you know . . .

They are real 1950's modern furniture from the company Heywood Wakefield. So FUN to finally have a "real" piece found at a bargain price! Beat that Pottery Barn! I love the beds and will keep them forever. Depending on the region you live in the beds are popular/special or not. Here, not so much, but in California they cost up to $500! Someone refinished our set - those stinkers! The original finish was much softer, more blond I can see it on the inside. Oh well, I still want them to be white and our cute slip covers will fix that.

Here's some history on our bed's maker :)

Well, projects and dinner are calling ...

Carnival Hair

Benjamin really loves to comb his hair into new and exciting styles for all occasions! The fall festival at his school mid September was a much anticipated event for him and obviously called for a special "do".

"Mom! This is my carnival hair style."

Wow Benjamin (trying not to laugh) may I take a picture of your hair for Grandma to see?

"SURE!"

He worked it for my camera let me tell you.

Recently Aubrey said very matter of fact:

"Mom, Benjamin thinks he's cool but he isn't."

Somehow I don't think she'll convince him of that any time soon!

Did Elvis know he had Carnival hair too? I can only imagine the excitement if I showed these pics to Benjamin! I think we'd have requests for shinny hair gel. . .