I'm starting to get the hang of this thing...

So I saw another cute re-purposing idea on a blog-taking a women's sweater and making a girl's sweater-dress out of it. (Here's the link http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/11/re-purposing-sweater-to-sweater-dress.html -except I lack in the "adding a link" department, so copy and paste-but really, this is like my favorite blog right now.) Well, I didn't have any sweaters that would work, so I headed over to Goodwill. Pink tags were $1 today-I didn't want to spend any more than that in case I totally butchered it-so my choices were limited. I think I did alright on it, so I think I might spend a little more and get a sweater I like better and do another one. But hey, a dress for a buck-that's hard to beat!

Please tell me you love Hannah's skirt...

because I made it! (Don't you love the fabric?!) I feel so crafty lately...well, I've always loved making things, but sewing is very new to me. But after I get past the idea that it has to be perfect, I love making things she can wear, and Hannah really likes it too. Total cost: $2.86 or $2.87-not quite sure-maybe I shouldn't post prices I'm not sure about. But pretty cheap-and it kept me busy for 4 straight hours (not counting shopping for fabric...that takes me forever)-not bad for a hobby, and much cheaper than a movie! I love the world of blogging. I could never come up with this stuff on my own...here's the link for this one-I love that it has a pattern you can just print off. Just kidding on the link (I couldn't figure it out)-just copy and paste! http://tracyandlizsblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/line-skirt-especial.html

Halloween 2009

What a Halloween! We had 3 days in a row of candy, costumes, and fun! We sure got our money's worth from costumes this year. We got Parker's costume for less than 5 buck last year (you know me...always buying a year in advance...) and Hannah wore the same one she wore last year...hey, if it fits, why not?! Next year, I think I'm gonna try making their costumes. I think this is the first year that I really loved Halloween. My favorite word this year was "spooky." I got Hannah saying it a lot. We had a lot of fun though, and my favorite part of it means the holidays are beginning! Enjoy the slide Craig made...he's so much better at this technology stuff than I am!

Vacation

October 8-10th-California!
Craig, Cathy, Hannah, Camron, Lonna, and Ali all flew to CA for vacation (cheap flights-we love Southwest). We left Cooper and Parker with grandparents. Next time Parker can come, but we figured he wouldn't enjoy it as much this year. We went to Knott's Berry Farm for two days and hung out at the beach on the third day. We loved Knott's! No lines, great weather, and SO cheap compared to other places. Hannah's ticket was $15/day! It was fun to go to a new theme park, and they had great rides for adults. Hannah is quite the dare-devil when it comes to rides-I love it! Craig's favorite part was the break from work, Hannah loved being with Ali every second of the day for 3 days, and Cathy loved everything except for taking pictures without Parker in them.

We Got a House!! (finally!)

Well, whoever said "Third time's a charm," was wrong, because it took us 4. After putting offers on 3 other house and getting turned down or outbid, we got the fourth, which looking back, we are so glad, because this is our favorite! It is in Taylor Ranch (same subdivision as my mom and dad's house). The bad news is it is not in our ward-although it used to be before it split. We will be in my parents' ward. Close of escrow is supposed to be July 2nd, but the loan will probably take longer, but the process is moving along. We had the inspection today, and no major problems, so that was good news. We took some pictures and Craig even did a video. Here's the place we will soon call home, complete with our car in the driveway: Here's the tour (2 videos because the inspector started talking):

Cathy's Sewing Attempt

If there was a list that ranked people on their sewing ability, my name would fall at the very bottom. Despite that, I saw on a blog where a lady made a little toddler dress for a girl out of a man's dress shirt. It was too cute to not try, so after going through Craig's shirts, I decided they weren't girly enough and bought a new one at an outlet store for $3.50. It had purple, so I liked it for a dress...would never let Craig wear it though. I bought a little purple fabric for the waist, some elastic, and went to work...making a pattern out of paper towels and newspaper-talk about a cheap project. Many flaws, but I was proud of myself for the attempt and actually finishing a project the same day! Here's the dress on my favorite model:

And the back:

Parker's Big News!

Well, Sunday, May 17th, his Uncle Brent's birthday, Parker finally took his first steps! Krista and Trey take the credit. We were all at Nana and Papa's with all the AZ family, and Krista and Trey were having fun trying to get him to go back and forth. Mind you, Parker has not really even stood alone at this point. They said he was walking and I didn't believe it, so I got in on the action. He got to going pretty far. He had quite an audience and loved it! This video was the next day. He still loves to crawl, but at least now, he doesn't have to go to physical therapy!

Dancing

Hannah and Parker were playing with a toy remote Parker got from Grammy, and Hannah liked making it do the songs. Parker was trying to dance (as much as you can sitting down). I told Hannah she had to dance without getting up so she could be in the shot, too.

Hannah's 3!

So, Hannah's birthday was April 27th, and Hannah had gone to Heber to Ali and Cooper's birthday party on the 25th with her daddy. They came back on the 26th, and on the 27th, I looked all over for the camera, which Craig took on their trip. I couldn't find it...until the 28th that is. All I have to remember the actual day, is a black and white picture from Chuck E Cheese, where we went on Hannah's birthday. If I can figure out how to scan it, I'll put that on here. So, here is a picture Craig took of Hannah at Ali and Cooper's party...from what I hear, she had tons of fun! Hannah's party was small-Mommy, Daddy, Parker, Nana, and Grammy. We had pizza at the park, then went to Chuck E Cheese, because Mom had a coupon...big surprise!


And now, my tribute to Hannah:

What Hannah Loves:
-Mommy, Daddy, and Parker
-Grandparents and Cousins
-Friends, who is anyone around
-Dora, Dora, Dora!
-Pretty much any cartoon that's not "scary"
-Playing games
-Playing with Parker
-Singing, Dancing, Laughing
-Eating-especially sweets like her mama
-Helping Mommy (cooking, "making piles" of laundry-otherwise known as sorting, giving Parker a toy when he is sad, etc.")
-Coloring, painting, cutting-which she hasn't been able to do since cutting Parker's hair :)
-Nursery
-Talking-such a little chatterbox-I love it...most of the time

Why We Love Hannah:
-There is never a dull, or quiet moment with her around
-She can make friends with anyone-including the bagger at the grocery store
-She is so smart-my goal is to have her reading CVC words before her next birthday-that's the teacher in me
-She makes us laugh with the things she says
-She's got a contagious smile-hard when trying to discipline
-She's a good example to Parker (she tries to teach him what we do during a prayer)
-She likes to pick out clothes that "match"
-She still takes naps!
-She is Hannah-I don't know where she gets it, because her parents were much more mellow as children, but we love her!

Parker's First Birthday

I can't believe it..Parker is a year old already! It's gone by so fast-I think every child grows up faster, so I can only imagine how it is when your 7th or 8th child comes along (not that I think I will have that many). Anyway, it was a pretty uneventful day (except for his one-year check-up which consisted of 3 pokes, followed by going to Lab-Corp to get blood drawn for some tests they do). Everybody says he's going to be a football player, so what kind of cake do you think I made him? Yep, a football cake and it was SO easy! I caught Hannah licking some frosting earlier and tried to fix it. Well, we let him dig in. He was slow and steady, but managed to make quite a mess of himself!

My attempt at the cake:

He's having a great time


The messy kiddos

Parker with his presents

And one of Hannah, cause she's just so cute

What Parker Loves
-Daddy, Mama, Hannah
-Grandparents and cousins
-Food
-Bottles (not for long)
-Shoes
-Remotes
-Cell phones
-Strangers who notice him
-Being outside
-Sucking his thumb when he's tired
-Clapping
-Throwing (if he's gonna be a football player, he better start practicing!)

Why We Love Parker
-He is so easy-going and happy!
-He vacuums and mops the floor. (If you've ever seen him army-crawl, you know what I mean.
-He has the cutest laugh-which occurs at random times, like Hannah brushing the crumbs off the table.
-He has given me arms of steel...not really, but he is a workout.
-He's so cute and chubby, I just want to squish him all the time!
-He sure puts up with a lot from his sister; she doesn't understand personal space.
-He likes to cuddle...Hannah wasn't much of a cuddly baby, so I enjoy my little Mama's boy.
-He's not a picky eater (are you surprised) and such a good sleeper! Some days I even get a nap!

P.S. A lady at Lab-Corp said he looked like Kevin James (the actor, not his cousin), especially when he smiled...hadn't heard that one yet! She also said something about him being so cute, she could eat him with a spoon...

The Ear Saga Continues...or Ends Actually

Well, back in July I posted about taking Parker to the ER on doctor's orders, and it ended up just being an ear infection. I don't know if his infections ever really went away and it was one infection after another. The antibiotics didn't always work (and boy did we go through a lot) and eventually he was referred to an ENT who said he needed tubes put in his ears. Well, today was the lucky day. We left the house at 5:30 a.m. and I thought for sure he would sleep in the car. Well, he was wide awake and singing to the radio. Very happy for a boy who likes his bottle right when he wakes up. He couldn't have anything to drink after midnight, which was 7:30 for him last night.

So after awhile of waiting they take us back and the doctor and anethesiologist talk to me about the procedure and they take him away. He waved "bye-bye" and off he went. 8 short minutes later, they come and get me and he's done! I couldn't believe how quick it went by. In the meantime, I had made a bottle, because they said he would really want that when he woke up.

So I go see him in the recovery room and he is not a happy camper. He is as floppy as a doll and the nurse that was holding him hands him to me and I quickly give him his bottle. He still does kind of a muted cry and won't really open his eyes. Poor guy. One of the nurses was talking to him and put his shoe back on, and he was not liking her. She laughed and said he had an attitude. So by the time he finished his bottle, they told us we could go. As soon as we got outside, I took his picture and you be the judge of how he was feeling...

Well, he fell asleep in the car on the way home. After we got home, I put him down on the floor to crawl and play, and he was back to his old self. You would have never known he had surgery like an hour before. Here he is later today...

Hopefully our little guy's ears feel better and he won't have to spend so much time at the doctor's now!

I'm Gonna Miss This

So, I haven't posted in forever, but Craig was adding some stuff to the blog yesterday, and I guess I got a little jealous, because here I am! Really, my whole reason working on it today was because I wanted to add one song to my playlist (lots of work for one little song!). It debuts at the number one spot, because it has been known to make me cry on more than one occasion. Kids grow so fast and even though there are days I'm left completely exhasted and feel like nothing got accomplished, I know I'm gonna miss this.

Antiqueing

Carter has been known to sleep in more than he should. Well this time Cubb got the great idea of waking him up with a prank that is called antiqueing. You basically throw flour on the victim making them look like an antique. As you can see it was pretty funny for us and not so funny for him.

Big Boy

Once again here is our 25 lb boy who is now 10 months old and still growing. He loves to army crawl all over the house and he thinks that he can talk the way he jabbers on all day.

BFF

Here is Hannah, Ali, and Caris! They love to play together...even though they often fight with each other. Look at Caris strike a pose...what a cutie!

Baby's First Christmas

This is the picture of Parker's excitement as Mommy smiles her beautiful smile. What a great Christmas we had...we are very blessed.