.....inspiration and a "ta-dah"

While it was cold and snowy and looked liked this outside my kitchen window, I was curled up with a blanket on the couch
devouring each and every page of this book and getting more and more inspired by the moment. I haven't quilted in a long time and the pics in this book made me anxious to start another small project. Sooooo, out came the fabric scraps and away I go!

I had forgotten how fun it was to arrange colorful fabric squares together, just like piecing together a puzzle. And I had so much fun with these colors!

The plan was to make a new table runner for the dining room table. Most of the projects in the book were sewn by machine, but I love to hand quilt so all of mine were pieced by hand. Besides, it gave me something fun to do while waiting for the snow to melt.

Here are all of the strips pieced and ready to sew together.

And, I just finished quilting and binding it today!

I love it! And, it was so much fun--I'm trying to decide on another project to start.

The backing of the quilt was some leftover fabric I used to make crayon rolls for Grayson's 1st birthday, for party favors. The colors were perfect!

Off to pick out my next project!

...he's a player

These pics are from a few weeks ago...G loves to play UNO and he's good at it! He would ask to play over and over. And, he knows what he's doing, and he really concentrates and thinks about what to play next.
So much fun! But, it's taking him further and further away from being "little" to being "big". It's kinda sad, because he's growing up--but at the same time, it's exciting because he's growing and learning so much.

And, while we were playing cards, M would keep himself busy with his drawing or coloring. Every once in a while he wanted his own stack of "cards", but he liked to play by himself!

Soon, I'm sure G and M will be playing each other--that will be fun to watch. They are growing up waaaayyy too fast for me!

I adore these guys!

...down with snowflakes, up with hearts!

I decided the snowflakes had to come down, enough already! So, I switched them out with the festive red hearts.

I like this look way better:) Then, I rearranged a bit and added some more valentines. Happy and festive, just the way I like it.

And, I love decorating with seasonal candy, it's inexpensive and I get an extra sugar treat!

The decor above is in the living room, over the fire place. Below, are some goodies on the dining room table.

I just love cinnamon candy, I wonder if my decor will last until February 14th?
I saw the candle idea in a magazine and thought it was a very clever idea. All I had to buy was the candy!

Here's to a happy February!

Yummy!

...kitchen helpers

I love that I have such sweet helpers in the kitchen,
Both of the boys like to stand up on chairs and mix and stir,
we decided to make something we could have
for our afternoon snack,
G gets pretty serious when it comes to making cupcakes!
I had to promise to put some in the freezer to
save for mommy and daddy when they returned,

Even M likes to help, isn't that the sweetest!

We did put some in the freezer for mommy and daddy,

and then forgot to give them to them,

truth be told-I forgot to take pics of the boys decorating them,

so I got these out of the freezer, took a quick shot

and returned them to their "waiting" spot.

I hope I can keep from eating them,

I'll try to save them for you mommy and daddy!!!

...a December Birthday

We celebrated Morgan's 2nd birthday last weekend in Carrollton. Grayson helped decorate with some of the "40" balloons Jamie ordered. I have to admit, they were very festive!
The party theme was centered around the children's movie "UP". In the movie the character's house is lifted up and carried away by hundreds of balloons. Since Morgan already had a huge cardboard house (an earlier birthday present), the only thing needed were lots of balloons!!!

Doesn't Grayson make a cute balloon man?

There were balloons everywhere!

When Morgan woke up from his nap he was surprised to see all of the balloons in the house. He couldn't wait for the party to begin, balloons are just so much fun!

We tied party treats to the balloons so they wouldn't float up and away!

The kids made cute door signs to take home and hang on their bedroom doors.

The cake was so fun. Daddy Joel put the foam house together for the top of the cake (isn't he talented!) and we tied balloons to the chimney. It fit the party theme perfectly.

When we sang "Happy Birthday" to Morgan he looked so cute looking around the room at everyone. He wasn't quite sure what was going on, I don't think.

He sure is eyeing that cake, though! He's been to enough birthday parties to know that he does like icing!

He's getting pretty excited now, I think he knows what is coming next.

A big grin, two candles, and one big wish...

...waiting for mommy to cut the cake.

Finally, a piece of birthday cake, or rather, a big glob of icing!

Happy Birthday, Morgan. We love you!

YUM!!!

....fun at Nienie's

wrestling with uncle kk
being held in a head lock by uncle kk

trying to escape from uncle kk

chillin' with aunt kelsey and playing on her phone

watching cartoons from the bed

notice the tiny christmas tree in the background,

beautifully decorated by g and m

painting a cool picture

playing a game on Nienie's iphone

trying to "climb" up the inflated mattress daddy

propped up against the wall

sliding down

trying to get all of the buddies to "climb" up the mattress

(after nienie said, "let's don't jump and slide down the mattress,

someone might get hurt")

buddies are no longer "climbing"

now they're being "tossed" up the mattress:)

and yes, the zebra tent is up again! these boys really know how to entertain their nienie.

and....look who doesn't look so much like a puppy

anymore.

she's getting so big and has such a sweet personality!!!