Monday, November 28, 2011

Morning 4

Yesterday Eli was still in the tree when we woke up. Ethan said he stayed there because it was comfortable.

This is what we woke up to today. Hehe. Crazy Elf.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Morning 2

He does listen! Ethan said yesterday how funny it would be if Eli was sitting in the tree next time he came back from the North Pole. Turns out Eli thought it was a good idea too. A great reminder that he is watching and listening, so we better be on our best behavior.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Busy day

With the weather being pretty cold, it's hard to get the kids outside to run off their energy. I've been trying to keep them busy inside, and today we were very busy. :)

It started with cleaning house so we could put up the tree. Our tree makes me smile every year! The boys loved getting it up and decorated.

Later we made a stocking advent calendar. It turned out awesome!!! Our house is starting to look pretty festive. I'm ready to get some gifts wrapped and under the tree.

Tonight, I made some fancy caramel apples. I'm quite impressed with them.

Sorry that the pics are all at the bottom and in whatever order, I'm hoping my computer makes it home next week.

Morning 1

Looks like Eli has a sweet tooth. Good thing because we still have tons of Halloween candy.

I hope he gave the boys a good report last night.

They loved finding him this morning. I put him back on the shelf where he has a good view and he fell. Elliott yelled "nobody touch him! Only mom can."

Now it's time to put up the tree!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Even if Jason couldn't spend it with us (or call or even email) we have a lot to be thankful for. I do hope he was able to remember all he has to be thankful for too.

Thanks to our friend Jen for sharing the holiday and great food with us. We felt so welcomed.

Then, after we got home, we found that an elf had arrived! Eli, that's what the boys chose since it starts with an E, has joined our family. He will be with us from now until Christmas to watch the boys and report their behavior to Santa.

He came with a story, telling of his assignment from Santa. Ethan read the book for us. Then we named him and I put him on the shelf so he could observe the boys for the evening. Only Moms and Dads can touch him though or he'll lose his magic.

Elliott keeps watching him and walking by him and telling him "hi", then tells me "I told that guy hi." :)

This is going to be a fun new tradition for us. I can't wait for the boys to wake up and find him tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Ethan's Bday

My computer is currently dead. Like really dead. It's been sent in to be fixed as of today, but it could be up to 3 weeks before it's back. :( So here is a very quick synopsis of Ethan's Bday. Blogging from my phone is convenient, but not ideal.

Saturday, I took the boys to DQ for lunch, per their request, and since we were there to pick up the cake it worked out. They love that they get free ice cream after they eat. In the afternoon Ethan's friends came over for cake and gifts. He made out! Such a lucky kid. All the kids came with for some ice skating after. It was a fun time. Then Ethan and I went to the Bighorns game that night. A very busy day, but totally worth it. Thanks to everyone who made Ethan's birthday special.

Unfortunately, most of the pics are on my camera and cannot be accessed from my phone, but I have a few. Not sure what order they will load in, sorry.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thank you Daddy!

Jason emailed the Blackhawks and told them Ethan's Bday was this weekend and his fave player is Patrick Kane and that they share a Bday. Look what just came in the mail!!!!! A hat, a champions wall poster, a Toews and Keith poster, some player cards and the official Blackhawks magazine with Kane on the cover! He's a very happy boy.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

they're here

While Jason was home on his leave, Jaymee squeezed us in for a family shoot on our way through town. This is only some of them, but you get the idea. She never lets us down. I love every last picture. Thanks again Jaymee. Please go to her website at www.jaymeefosterphotography.com and check out her other work and/or follow her blog to see her latest work. 















Sunday, November 6, 2011

thank you pinterest

If you don't, you should have a Pinterest account. Even Jason has one. :) 

These ideas (along with several others from previous posts) were found on Pinterest.
Old wine bottle (had at home)+rope made from hemp (had at home)+two cutouts from my new Cricut (more on that later)+fake wheat stuff (thrifted). 
Old frame (from home)+ribbon (thrifted)+ornaments (thrifted)+paint (had at home)= fabulous nontraditional Christmas wreath. I can't wait to hang this.
Glass candle holders (thrifted)+rubber bands (bought for less than $1)+spray paint (less than $2)=awesome candle holders, or you could put in other decorations.
These remind me of Aspen trees. 
Wreath with nothing on it (thrifted)+ornaments (thrifted)+NOEL decoration (thrifted)=a fun wreath made by Ethan. He's super proud of it. 
I still have a ton more "Pins" on my to-do list. 
Thanks Andrea for crafting with me. The insanity of it is keeping me sane.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

a snowy, crafty day

Today flew by, but it was a great one. 

It started with going to pick up Jason's new recliner. I realize he isn't here to use it right now, but don't worry, it's not going to waste. :)
Just as I was taking this picture Jason called so we told him what we got for him. I told him I thought Elliott had taken it over and Jason said it was ok for Elliott to use it for now. Elliott shouted back at him, "No, this chair is all mine!" Haha.
We woke up to snow, but the weather was beautiful. No wind, and it wasn't that cold out. The boys couldn't wait to put on all of their new winter "gear" and get outside. 
There was quite a bit of snow, but after they played in it for hours today, it's almost all gone. 
Elliott thought eating it was a good idea. What kid doesn't? 
Of course being the little brother means that you are mostly the receiver of the snowballs during the inevitable snowball fight. Look at those rosy cheeks. He went right back outside for more. 
Ethan lost another tooth today.
I see braces in his future.  
Andrea came over for the "Martha Hour" (aka: some crafting time). 
Yep, it was a disaster, but we had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun. 
We were even productive! We both have new fall wreaths.
This is mine. 
I can't wait to put it on our door.
I think I'm in love. 
And I even made a pumpkin pie! 
I told you I was productive. 
It was a really great Saturday.
I hope yours was too.