Celebrating Grandma Nelson's Life

Our sweet Grandma Nelson passed away after thanksgiving. We had such a tender moment with her before she passed. We went into her room with Zoey and Lloyd there and she was laying there breathing hard and looking so uncomfortable. She couldn't really speak and we didn't know if she really knew we were there. I suggested singing Christmas songs and you can tell immediately she wanted to join in and that she loved us singing to her. As Jake was saying goodbye to her she said "that was a nice party we just had".  Awe. It melts my heart. I am so excited for her to be reunited to her husband and others that have passed on. The funeral was great. I loved learning more about her in his childhood and as a young mother and women. We got to spend time with family which is always a special thing to do after such a touching celebration of someone's life. I hope I can leave even close to a legacy as she did.  

Happy Thanksgiving

This year I thought I would throw out an new idea..... Thanksgiving at the church cultural hall. It turned out to be a great space to entertain the whole crew. Linda did an awesome job decorating the tables and making it special. We all brought lots and lots of food.  We did Homeless bags. We played volleyball. We ate pie. The kids played games. It turned out to be a great Thanksgiving. My mom was in town and Bry and Jenn came down too. I love when I get to unit both families!! 

This year I got great t-shirts for the family. Zoey's said "As cute as pumpkin pie". Logan's said "Oh Snap" with a wishbone. Piper's said " Get Out Your Fat Pants" and Jake's said "It's all about that baste". So fun!!!

We Voted

What a crazy election!! Trump Vs. Clinton. I for sure thought it would be Clinton but as the night progressed I realized that it might not be! By midnight it looked like Trump was really gonna win it! I was kind of shocked. Regardless.....we will continue to be great Americans and live lives that we can be proud of. I hope my kids know how much I love my country and all the beautiful freedoms that I have. 

My New Coffee Table

I just got this pretty thing!!!!!! I can't wait to see this in my new home!!!

Cupcake Bouquet

I've been wanting to try one of these for so long now!! It was a fun after school activity. I can't wait to see my kids become great cupcake decorators! I'm gonna teach them everything I know!

Making Doughnuts

I love baking with these kids!!!! 

An Art Deco Vanity For Piper

The neighbors were gonna send this off to DI so I took it off their hands! I cleaned it up and used a stain blocker to hopefully keep all the blemishes sealed in. I added a pretty applique with wood glue.  I used Rethunk Junk's Cherry Blossom pink and then did a dark antique finish on it to give it a vintage look. I love it! I can't wait to put it in her room!!!! 

Happy Halloween Arrrrrrrrrrrrr

What a cute Halloween!! I got everyone on board to be pirates! Yay for family costumes!!! I spent quite some time crafting these outfits together! I bought Logan's on ebay and Zoey's was her last years witch costume that I re-did and painted, adding buttons and of course a parrot on her shoulder. That's actually how I talked her into the whole pirate idea! Logan I mentioned a hook and a sword and he was on board. Piper's costume I made and Jake's too. I do enjoy getting crafty. I've never made a "coat" before and  I have to say I was pretty excited it even resembled a coat. Go me! Teaching all that 7th grade sewing is really paying off. haha. 

And..... did I mention the AMAZING pirate ship my husband from our wagon. So impressed. It really made Halloween extra special!! 

We started at Trunk Or Treat. Piper caught on to the whole trick or treating thing pretty much immediately. She was adorable running around with  her bucket getting all her candy. Nothing was gonna stop this little pirate baby!! 

We stopped at Zaxby's for dinner and met up with Jess and Charly, and Jess Nelson, Maddi and Lloyd afterward to go trick or treating. Jake suggested we go check out his friends  haunted garage in Cedar Hills. We fell IN LOVE with the neighborhood. We had so much fun going through the haunted garage. Zoey was brave and wanted to do the scariest level with us and did better than me Jess, Jess and Madi! The neighborhood had a little training running from one place to another place. There was free cotton candy being passed around, and one stop was cider and a fire pit. The best was the carmel apple house! There was this house that just opened their doors to everyone to come and in have a carmel apple. I was in love with that idea and the carmel apples were so unreal!!! 

It was really this perfect magical Halloween night. I just couldn't help but feel like it was a night I will never forget. A perfect night to add to my kids memories. So glad we had such a great night!