Decorating for Christmas

Decorating the Tree

We finally have a star! In years past I've simply put a bow on top of the tree but this year I wanted a star. Abby picked this one out, it even lights up.

Ornaments

Our tree is mix of ornaments that remind us of Christmases past. This one is made of paper and was made by me when I was 4. Abby told me that I was very talented for a 4 year old.

This one is special because my Great Grandma made it. I believe each one of my siblings have one.

Each year the kids get a new ornament that reminds us of them or something that happened that year. My parents did this for my siblings and I wanted to carry on the tradition. Jacob is currently obsessed with cars so he got a car ornament. He would rather wheel it around then put it on the tree.

Abby got this cute snowman because when it snows this is the first and most important thing she does. The colors made me think of her as well.

Sugar Cookies

Jacob turns 3

For Jacob's Birthday we went to the Grocery Store so he could play in the play center (his favorite thing to do), while I shopped for his cake, the wrapping paper, and a balloon. During his nap I wrapped his presents and decorated the cake.

He got a basketball hoop and ball from Mommy and Daddy and a Color Change Mater from Cars 2 from Abby. He was happy to be done with the first gift he opened. He just wanted to play.

This boy is obsessed with Cars. Almost everything he got was Cars related and he was soooo excited! We even went out the next day so he could spend his Target Gift card on even more cars stuff. Now everytime we go to Target he asks if he's getting a car.

Above he is dancing to the musical Mickey Mouse Card from Grammy and Grandpa

Jacob doesn't like cake so I got my favorite, Chocolate! Because I brought him in to this world that is the least I deserve on his birthday, right? He got is all time favorite dessert Oreo Ice Cream pronounced EO's Ouce Cream.

Watching Jacob blow out candles is so funny. He scrunches his face up really tight and them blows with all his might (mostly spit) and he still can't blow them out.

We Can't Believe our Little Jakie Doodle is 3!

The Boy's Room Phase 1 - Paint

We have 4 bedrooms upstairs and have decided to have Jacob and the baby share so that we have a designated "Guest Bedroom". Hint, hint, guest welcome anytime!

Inspiration Board

I want the boys room to be a vintage car kind of California room. The colors are Benjamin Moore's Newberry Port Blue, Rendevous Bay, and Tropical Orange. The trim and board and batten are Valspar Cream in my Coffee.

Below you can see the doors and trim being painted cream. I was so nervous about doing it but am soooo happy with the results.

Of course the work went by so much quicker with our little helpers

Will post the almost finished room soon.

A Recap, Let's Start With ThanksGiving!!!

I realize I've been a bit MIA on this blog so thought I would post about everything we've been up to and be patient, cuz it's a lot. I'll post over the next few days.

An Indian Costume for School

Here in PA the children dress up as either a Pilgrim or Indian on the last day of school before Thanksgiving break. Abby had mentioned wanting to be an Indian but I didn't think it was really a big deal. Apparently is WAS a BIG DEAL because the night before she was in tears because I hadn't made her a costume! So at 7:00 pm I ran to JoAnn's got the supplies came home and by 8:15 pm had a super cute Indian costume made. Made with what you ask, well Hot Glue of course (still haven't found my sewing machine pedal, sigh). It made me gald that I could do something special for her and reminded me of all the times my Mom had done stuff like that for me.

Thanksgivig Day!

Our Menu:


Turkey

Homemade Gravy

Barth Family Mashed Potatoes

Sausage, Cranberry stuffing

Vanilla Sweet Potatoes

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Green Beans

Homemade Rolls

Dessert: Pumpkin Torte, Apple Crisp, Chocolate Torte


The Turkey turned out soooo good. I followed this recipe from Our Best Bites and it was super yummy!
Uncle Clark joined us for the weekend and it was so nice to have him. It made cooking all that food so much more worth it if you know what I mean. Jacob was asleep during the meal which worked out well because we enjoyed a peaceful dinner. But don't feel bad, he got plenty of food when he woke up.

Halloween Weekend

WARNING...LOTS OF PICTURES AHEAD!

We had a jam packed weekend starting with our Ward Halloween Party. Andy and I were in charge of the food and so got there early to cook it and Jacob fell asleep in the car. He remained asleep on the couch in the foyer through the entire party. He woke up just in time for the Trunk or Treat.

Jacob was Flynn Rider and Abby was Rapunzel. She was dying to wear long hair so I sewed an extension into her hair and braided it along with her real hair. I think it turned out pretty cool. Her darling dress was made be her Grammy.

Jacob is still a zombie in all of these pictures. It took him a while to figure out where he was and what was going on?

I made Jacob's costume all by myself. With mom no longer around to help with my sewing efforts it was up to me. I broke out the machine only to discover that the cord was missing. So, since I waited until the day of to make his costume I had no choice but to resort to other measures. I cut out a the peices for his vest using a puffer vest he already owned then hot glued the seams together. That's right, HOT GLUE! It worked! Thank goodness....I did sew on the hooks and elastic for his boot toppers with I borrowed from a friend. The belt around his waist is Daddy's and I made the satchel with brown felt and you guessed, HOT GLUE. Better pictures of his costume are below.
WHO Ordered SNOW in OCTOBER! THis is what we woke up to on Saturday. Needless to say I was not ready or prepared for this.

Of course the kids thought it was great. They were outside almost all day. Well, at least Abby was. Jacob isn't as big a fan of the cold.Look at those red cheeks and nose, so cute. The kids played while Andy and I painted froze painting furniture in the garage.

On Sunday we made Caramel Apples! YUMMY! This is one of my most favorite treats of all. They turned out pretty dang good. Wish you could all be here to enjoy them with us.

And of course Carving Pumpkins had to happen. No Halloween is complete with out it. Thankfully Andy took over the duty. The pumpkin thing was really grossing me out this year.

I think they did a great job.

Thank goodness the weather warmed up a bit and the snow melted. We had a light drizzle/sprinkle for Halloween but is wasn't too bad.

I dyed Jacobs hair with color mouse. It is really easy to use and washes right out. He just couldn't be Flynn with blonde hair, right?

If you've noticed Abby's face at all she has a lot of scratches on it from Jacob. He is really rough and always claws at her face. After church on Sunday I think she had had it because she pushed him down when they were running to the car and now he has a lovely bruise on his forehead. Don't you just love sibling love!

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!

Fall Colors

Below is a picture of the landscape that is all over right now. This area of trees is what I see when I drive to Abby's School.

These gorgeous red trees line the street as you drive through our neighborhood. They are my favorite!

And this is our house...note no fall decorations, boo hoo! I don't have any and I feel like such a loser being the only house on the street w/o decor. Hopefully I can get to that next year. Ofcousre if it were up to Andy we would never get any. On a happy note, we can now park 1 car in the garage. I only have to paint a few more peices of furniture and then I'll invite Andy to park in there. The plan is to get it all done before it starts snowing.

This is the view from our backyard. I am standing in the front yard looking between our home (on the lft) and our neighbors. (don't you love our AC just hanging on the side of the house!...guess that's how they do it here. I think it's weird).