making cookies

Since school started Charlie and I have been making cookies together. He's getting pretty good at cracking eggs. This time Luke helped us.

update

Sprinklers: Last week I gave up on the sprinkler system. Dan E. came to help us (again!) and we got part of the way done in the front yard when I started going crazy. Having a deadline always makes me a little crazy and since the deadline was "when it gets too cold" I wasn't sure when exactly it would be. Also, with soccer every Saturday (2 games), there was little time for going outside, sans kids, and working. Crazy. (And how am I supposed to have time to make Halloween costumes and put the sprinklers in?) So last week I called a contractor and got a bid. The bid was for a lot of money and I'm pretty sure my sanity's worth it, so I'm going to pay. Dan figures it's worth my sanity too. He's a supportive guy. The sprinkler guys are starting "in the morning" (you know contractors) and should be finished doing the sprinklers and laying sod (might as well do it all) by Monday I hope. I'm sure there will be before and after pictures for you all when it's done. And peace of mind for me.

Halloween Costumes: Still not quite finished. I always think I have until October 31st, but there's always something going on before then. It's almost time to start going crazy. Charlie's costume is done, minus head piece. Sam's is completely done. Jack's is in the process. Luke's isn't even started but should be quick. I'm not giving any hints until the pictures, but I love how some of you have asked how they're coming.

costume update

So now you've seen everything until this year. So far I've made 2 costumes and still have 2 more to make. (and a few finishing touches). I'll try to post the Halloween pics on Halloween, but I'm not making any promises. Soon after that if not. Thanks for all the comments!

costumes part 4

Chicken Charlie

Sam the Fish (again)

Pirate Jack

Halloween 2006

Baby Luke the Skunk

Penguin Charlie (my sister Jamie made this costume)

Vampire Sam

Pirate Jack (again)

Halloween 2007

costumes part 3

Cowboy Jack
Pea Pod Baby Charlie
Chicken Sam
Halloween 2004

Jack made all sorts of funny poses and faces on his own.




Little Charlie Chipmunk
Sam the Fish
Obi Wan Kenobi Jack
Halloween 2005

Little Charlie Chipmunk was a talker, Mercy me!
He chattered after breakfast and he chattered after tea.
He chattered to his father and he chattered to his mother.
He chattered to his sister and he chattered to his brother.
He chattered 'til his family was almost driven wild.
Oh little Charlie Chipmunk was a very tiresome child.

costumes part 2

Chicken Jack
Pea Pod Baby Sam
(better pictures of these two costumes are coming up in a later post - after I took a photography class)
Halloween 2002



Uncle Sam
unspecified Super Hero Jack
Halloween 2003

This jacket is like a little tuxedo jacket with long tails in the back and I never could find a hat in October. Should've started this one in July.

Jack just wanted to be "a superhero". He didn't care which one. It bugged me that people (men especially) wanted to know which superhero Jack was supposed to be. Just any old superhero. (He wouldn't let me call him Wonder Boy either).

costumes part 1

I really love making Halloween costumes. We usually talk all year about what everyone wants to be. Sometimes I even start in the summer (unless I'm redoing my kitchen.) I've been working on a few this year (4 actually) which will be revealed later on (when they're finished). But I thought it would be fun to look back on all the cute costumes since Jack was born.




Baby Bee Halloween 2000 (I can't believe Jack was this little!)

LumberJack (with parents witch and Elvis) Halloween 2001

Fall

We drove up through one of the many canyons here the other day and got these great photos. I love Fall!

The boys thought this dead snake was really cool (they wanted to take it home.)

We got up to this gorgeous place and they wanted to climb on the dumpster.

Luke loves rocks.

catch up

I've been putting in sprinklers this week, so blogging has fallen by the wayside. But before that I was busy working on other projects.


I wanted to use some scraps, so I appliqued these little guys. I think they turned out pretty cute, but I'm not sure what to do with them now. . .

I made 2 pillows like this for the couch

and I'm planning to make 2 more from this fabric.

I made this wreath (which only took about 30 minutes or less, very easy).

And I made this little swag for a spot that always seems bare.

when I love being a mom . . .

when Sam sings lullabies to Luke at night

when Jack asks me to listen to his prayers

when I overhear Charlie telling Jamie, "my mom loves me because I put the muffins away." (yes Charlie, that's why I love you.)

when squirmy Luke holds still just because I'm singing him a song (and when he sings along)