Disneyland!

In early November we went to Disneyland for the first time as a family.  We had such a great time!  Going mid week in Nov. was a great time as we were able to ride most the rides and meet most the characters.  Grammy Judy came along and added to the fun!  Despite the downpour of rain on the third day and no naps for Ian, I'd say the trip was a success.  It truly is a magical place to little ones!  We loved seeing the look of awe on Breanna's face when she would meet the characters.  Bre's favorite rides were Dumbo and Casey Jr. and Ian couldn't get enough of the Tea Cups.  Here are just some of our favorite pictures.

Grammy enjoyed the tea cups too!  

The only characters Ian would smile for were Mater and Lightening McQueen.

That's because they were plastic. 

Grammy treated us to a fantastic breakfast at Ariel's Grotto for Bre's birthday!

Can't wait to go back...I would love to see it decorated for Christmas!

So thankful for....

And for the blessings that aren't deserved, but so generously given!

 Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

   and his courts with praise; 

   give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalms 100:4-5

Halloween 2011

The kids are asleep in their sugar induced comas after a fun night trick-or-treating with the Meyer fam.  This year Breanna went through hundreds of ideas of what she wanted to be for halloween, until she settled on Strawberry Shortcake.  Good choice, Bre, she was my favorite as a child.  It was fun making the floppy hat and green stripe tights.  Being as Ian doesn't have an opinion about these things yet, he went as Dr. Brady.  We used a lab coat I had made a while back for dress up.  He charmed plenty of people tonight, with his good bedside manner.

Getting geared up!

In anticipation of our Disneyland trip coming up, I sewed this shirt for Ian.  We are spending three days at the "Happiest Place on Earth" soon and we are getting so excited about the trip.  We won't tell the kids exactly when we are going, because Breanna would be far too excited to sleep!

I made the reglan tee from 2 unused tees of Craig's and then used the 

freezer paper method to put on the image and name.  

This method is seriously easy and turns out so well!

Can't wait to see Ian's face when he sees Mickey!

Decorating for Fall!

It's so fun to decorate for Fall.  This year, I was hoping that by decorating earlier, it would stop being 95 degrees outside (didn't work).  My neighbor Tonya and I have been having fun getting ideas from blogs and recreating them ourselves.  Oh the trouble a couple crafty stay-at-home moms can get into when blog hopping.  Here are some of the things we created.

Fabric covered pumpkins

from the 36th Avenue

DIY Apothecary Jars

by Design DNA

Burplap Wreath

inspired by

Craftiholics Anonymous

Tonya's wreath turned out much cuter (maybe I should run down the street and take pictures).  Her idea came from this bubble wreath tutorial.

 The best part is that these crafts were done rather frugally as we found most of the supplies at the dollar store or Goodwill.  Now where is that Fall weather?

A Worthy Cause

Where did the last month go?  Time has been flying by with Cubbies, Bible study, birthdays, birthdays, birthdays, and a little weekend away to the coast.  We've been having a great time this fall.  

I wanted to tell about this wonderful ministry that my friend shared with me at Bible study.  We have been praying for her niece, Abigail who was diagnosed with leukemia this summer.  Another one of Abigail's aunts started this ministry where they collect "bling for balding babies" and they give it to kids going through chemo.  Abigail delivers some of them herself.  Isn't she a cutie?  Check out the website.

Abigail's Bling for Balding Beauties

If anyone wants to get involved, she is collecting headbands (comfy ones), beanies or hats. I know some of you are pretty talented at that kind of thing!  This of course tugs at my heart, because I remember how important it was for my brother Jason to have fun hats when he went bald from chemo.  And side note...these families are in Visalia!

I see a little silhouette..

 I found a fun and easy project while blog hopping at 4am.  That was after completing 3 days of Bible study (my body reacts strangely to caffeine....I was WIDE awake!)  You can find the tutorial on creating digital silhouettes here.  It does require having photoshop.  I have a very old version, but the instructions still worked.  

I used Microsoft Publisher to make the collage as I am not that familiar with photoshop (I wish I was!).  

The collage now has new spot on our mantel.

Can I keep the kids this little for a while?