My version of nesting.

There were a couple nights were I had the drive to nest, but not the energy to be running around cleaning and certainly not bending over to pick things up.  I became obsessed with making Valentine's projects.  Darn OCD.  To make it fun, I gave myself a challenge to not spend any money doing it and to use what I had.  I ended up only spending $4 total.  Not bad.

 i have seen this in a "boo" version.

 felt ruffle wreath tutorial 

I think I got this link from a friend's blog..can't remember.

 not my favorite, but it was late, I was desperate and lonely. ;)

 coffee filter wreath (adapted from this cupcake liner wreath)

 the kids helped me with this one.  they love to sit and cut paper and would do it for hours.

more cutting paper.  i got this idea from Parents magazine, I think.

ripped up some old shirts and jammie pants and made fabric balls.

a week later i got some energy and made some progress on some real nesting.  blankets washed, crib is up, baby clothes washed.  you'd think i was having a baby soon, eh?

Today is Saturday.  Paul is home (during the day AND at night).  The house is clean.  This momma's going to get in the bath at 12:22 in the afternoon.  We're going on a date tonight and having dinner with friends w/o kids.  Today is a good day!

and so it goes

{i would rate this post a PG13, because I use the words boobies and milking.}

don't make any decisions when you are me.  i am just glad that I can laugh at myself....a lot.

drilled two big holes in wall to put up rod to hang pictures from.  wanted it a foot and a half higher.  can't take it down without putting bigger holes in wall.  this is what happens when you don't drill into studs and want it to be nice and snug on the wall....and this is what happens when you let your husband put it up the right way, instead of sneaking it up there, crooked and all. 

bought fabric online for nursing cover and carseat canopy.  i loved it so much, i bought 5 yards.  got fabric.  it's upholstery fabric.

got take out Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  my kids are wondering what vegetables look like.

bought fabric at Gracie Lou's, which by the way, is NOT somewhere I should be allowed.  thought it really liked it.  bought not 6, but 12 yards of giant ricrac because I couldn't decide between orange and white.  bought 2 gigantic turquoise buttons.  got home, hated the fabric.  hated the ricrac, both colors.  still liked the buttons, but a certain male in the home thinks they look like boobies.  cried about all my failures/horrible wife/parent moments as of late.  laid on couch and slept for an hour while Paul cleaned the house.

asked Dallin a question that I knew I shouldn't have.  his answer made me cry.  i cry a lot.

on the bright side, i did nest for a couple days and got a lot done and organized.  this baby can come now.  but only if I have shaved my legs and washed my hair within a day or two.  and only if my house is clean, the laundry is done, and the sink is empty of dishes.  too bad these will never happen.  sorry baby, you can't come out!

after said nap, i was determined to make the dang cover anyway.  i stayed up until 1:30 last night to finish it and my whole body is really sore today!  i ended up making it a carseat/nursing cover.  however, even with all of it's bells and whistles, I am so dang uncoordinated that i will end up flashing the world, or locking myself in the other room to nurse.  and it's not my favorite fabric, but whatever, right!  and so it goes!

 see the gigantic button/boobies?

i made a clip on, adjustable neck strap and covered some boning in fabric and velcro for a detachable peek hole thingy.

bring on the milking.

Christmas Day

I don't remember exactly what time we got up on Christmas morning, but I do know that I was the only one wide awake pretty early.  I dragged Paul out of bed, and we got the kids up.  They were so excited!  

Santa made it through our gas fireplace.  That man may be magical, but he neglected to wipe his feet when he came in off of the snowy roof!

 He was so good to the kids this year.  They got everything they asked for.  There was one miss-communication, however.  Mrs. Claus thought she was clever enough to find pillow pets online for half the price.  It turns out that the pillow pets were half the size, as well!  Mom even stealthily checked to make sure those were the exact ones that the kids wanted.  Regardless of the mistake and size, the kids loved them and have affectionately named them "Blueberry Blue" and "Pink Princess".

 Dallin is holding a special treat in his hand in this picture.  He lost his second tooth a couple nights before and we convinced his to wait until Christmas eve to put it under his pillow.  The tooth fairy and Santa all in one night!!!

 Santa gladly ate the cookies and left a note letting the kids know how great they are.  Dallin helped his dad read it.

 I had to add this face into the mix.  She is three and sassy, but oh so sweet and edible!

 After Christmas morning at our house, we drove over to my parents house and found that Santa had dropped off some goodies there as well.  We had a fun gift exchange with the little cousins and then went over to my grandparents for breakfast.

On the 26th, we got together and had the Stuart Duncan family Christmas party.  More great food and fun!  

We were so blessed this year, in every possible way.  We have some pretty amazing family and friends and we are so grateful for them in our lives and for their generosity!  We are grateful for all that our Savior has done for us.  We were able to do some neat things this year with our kids to teach them about our Savior and about service.

Christmas Eve

Christmas eve, we headed to Grandpa and Ma Duncan's.  Yummy food and a great company and a wonderful program.

Then off to Great Grandpa and Ma Steele's for more great company and another wonderful program.

 And, as always, Santa came to visit.  I think every kid that sat on his lap asked for a pillow pet.  Even Santa told everyone that he, himself wanted one!

 Next up, we went next door to my parents house and (as per the Paul Duncan family tradition) frosted cookies.  All the little cousins got to make some for themselves and some to leave for Santa that night.

After the sugar load, we all filled up our glasses (paper cups) with sparkling cider and my dad gave his traditional Christmas eve toast that we all love to hear.

I didn't get my sewing machine out at all this Christmas.  I am sure that everyone getting presents from us was glad.  I did make these recipe/picture holders with these instructions.  Paul helped a bunch with them as well because we had to improvise on some of the materials, drilling different holes here and there, and sand a ton.  They turned out great!

Springvill Art Museum

Cousin Tyler's art was picked to be on display at the Springville Art Museum.

Congrats Ty!  It was fun to see your masterpiece on the wall!

 

 The kids loved this place!  They were pretty well behaved and loved looking at all the art.

Here's a picture Paul took of the kids checking everything out, including the baby in utero, who was probably kicking my bladder or something.  I should stay behind the camera next time.  ;)

snow!

we have really enjoyed all the snow this year.  much better than all the ice that we got in KY.

Paul was able to get out with the kids a couple times to play in it.  I enjoyed watching from the house. 

we have also enjoyed the rain and temps above 32 degrees that have cleared the bumpy ice and snow on the roads (not very fun for my big, bouncy belly). 

2 days = 14 outfits

every time I turn around, she's taking something off and putting on something new.

imaginary animals

Zero the Cat
Puppet the Puppy (Pup for short)
Slimey the Snail

We have a house full of animals that are noisy, but I don't mind the imaginary smell, and imaginary poop cleans up quite nicely.

good grief!

A few years ago a friend gave me a bag full of boy shorts, shoes and a jacket.  I thought they would never fit Dallin.  Today, I just packed them away.  They are now too small.  Makes me sad.  On the bright side, I get to go shopping!

marry me

convo overheard between Dallin and Ellie

e:  please marry me.  i am a princess.
d:  i can't.  i have to kill the dragon first.
e:  please marry me please, please, pleeeeeeease!!!!
d:  i can't, i'm not a prince.
e:  pleeaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssseeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  i have dollars.
d:  how many dollars?  10,000?