From our corner of the Good Life

Frosty the Snowman Re-Visited (aka: the overacheiving cookie decorator)

2011-12-22T09:51:00.001-07:00

There's just something about this time of year that makes me want to bake - usually unhealthy stuff, of course!

I made these adorable little "Melting Snowmen" last year for Kyrie's class party - I signed up to bring treats again this year and after searching Pinterest for the "perfect" treat idea, Kyrie decided she needed "melting snowmen" again this year!

Come along and make them with me!

It all starts with a great recipe - which you will find at the end of this post ;)

After the cookies have baked and cooled completely, it's time to add the icing - er - melted snow. What I love about this icing, is it spreads nicely, dries fairly quick, (don't wait too long to set the marshmallows in!) and it smooths out SO nice! I used a decorator bag and a #12 round icing tip.

But you can also spread it on with a spatula. (I recommend an angled spatula.)

Stick the marshmallows in, toward the back of the cookie. Then draw faces on the marshmallows with a food coloring pen (I HIGHLY recommend this AmeriColor brand writer!) When the "melted snow" icing is firm enough, draw stick hands (only light pressure is needed.) in the melted snow.

Using Buttercream icing OR mini M&M's, add some buttons. Last time I used buttercream but this time I decided it would save me a little time filling icing bags if I just used mini M&M's! Press them down in the "melted snow".

Using buttercream icing and a # 16 icing tip, wrap some scarves around their necks. String licorice would work fine too, unless you too live in a small town and string licorice is unheard of!

Then pipe noses on with buttercream icing and a #3 icing tip. Don't be like me and do this BEFORE you pipe the scarves on - you might knock the noses off! (I didn't, but I had to stick my tongue out and tip my head just right to avoid them!)

Seperate oreo cookies and scrape the icing off. Break a few in the process, so you will have to eat them. Dab a bit of buttercream on the marshmallow head (there's an insult for you!), and stick the oreos on.

If you want to make them "TOP" hats, bake up a batch of brownies, and after they are cooled use circle cutters to cut them out. Stick the brownie circles on to the oreo's with a dab of buttercream.

Do this, and you too can be an overachiever like me. (Ka-Chwo!) (oops, guess there's been a little too much "Cars 1" going on around here lately!)

NO FAIL SUGAR COOKIES
This recipe is GREAT when using complex cookie cutters. The dough holds its' shape and won't spread during baking. Make sure you let your oven preheat for at least 1/2 hour before baking these or any other cookies.

5 1/4 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract or desired flavoring (I like 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 tsp. almond myself)
1 tsp. salt

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Mix dry ingredients and add a little at a time to butter mixture. Mix until flour is completely incorporated and the dough comes together.

Chill for 1 to 2 hours (or see Hint below)

roll to desired thickness and cut into desired shapes. Bake on ungreased baking sheet (I cover the cookie sheets with parchment paper) at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until just beginning to turn brown around the edges. This recipe can make up to 5-dozen 3” cookies.

HINT: Rolling Out Dough Without the Mess -- Rather than wait for your cookie dough to chill, take the freshly made dough and place a glob between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll it out to the desired thickness then place the dough and paper on a cookie sheet and pop it into the refrigerator. Continue rolling out your dough between sheets of paper until you have used it all. By the time you are finished, the first batch will be completely chilled and ready to cut. Reroll leftover dough and repeat the process! An added bonus is that you are not adding any additional flour to your cookies

Toba Garrett's Glace' Icing

1 lb. confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup light corn syrup
flavoring as desired (peppermint oil and vanilla are my new favorite!)

Add more milk if it needs thinning.

In a mixing bowl, mix the sugar and milk first. Add corn syrup just until combined.
**HINT** Cover your mixer with a damp towel to keep your whole kitchen from being covered in powdered sugar!!!

Divide to flavor and add color. (if you don't want it all white.) If it's too runny, add powdered sugar to get it so you could spoon it on the cookies without it running all over the place! I also add some popcorn salt (because it's super fine) and use Creme Bouquet and Vanilla for flavorings. (but see my note above about peppermint oil!)

She will be loved

2011-12-16T22:36:00.001-07:00

Here is a small preview of the birth I just attended - I got to be Doula AND Photographer!

My newest niece Bethany Dawn arrived Friday Dec 16th at 2:53am.

The better to see you with, my dear!

2011-12-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Kyrie got glasses... pictures pretty much say it all! =)

The sewing machine has been humming!

2011-12-08T13:12:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure there's anything that brings on nostalgia quicker than the sounds and smells of your childhood! It hits me every time I pull out the serger... for some reason the sewing machine doesn't quite smell the same way!

I've been working on this project for awhile - too long - and since Kyrie wanted to be able to wear it for her school Christmas program, I figured I'd better get moving on it!

This pair of Jeans caught her eye while were were "back to school shopping" - I thought they were cute but I don't think there's anything modest about "skinny jeans" on a 7 yr old so I bought them with the plans to make them into a skirt! Found just the perfect Corduroy at Joann's Fabrics and an idea was born!

Here's pictures of most of the process. Kyrie & I were both happy with the finished product! =)

Knot your typical braid!

2011-12-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

I always like trying somethign different on Kyrie's hair! Relyssa has been doing these knots http://pinterest.com/pin/339307607/ and they're cute - but Kyrie needs something that stays a little better at school. So I tried "gathering" knots today!

Loved how it turned out! Just start as you would with a french braid, but with two pieces. Tie in a knot, gather, tie another knot, etc, until the hair is used up!

Happy Hair-do's!

Growing girls...

2011-11-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

... have got to eat!
Kyrie has always been a great eater - especially the last 4 years. She can hold her own against most teenagers, and watch out when she hits a growth spurt! (They usually last at least 3 months!)

On Friday, she had a dermatologist appointment in Cheyenne so it was a great excuse for a mother-daughter shopping day!

We started out with Red Lobster for lunch - no kids menu, thanks! She outgrew that when she discovered REAL shrimp - you know, the stuff withOUT the breading. And it's NOT offered in the kids menu! So Shrimp Scampi it was for her.

(Along with 3 lobster & crab stuffed mushrooms and a good portion of mashed potatoes!)

After a long afternoon of shopping, we headed for the Wendy's drive-thru. She loves Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers, and asked "what comes with them?" I told her she could order fries with them but it didn't come in a meal. She's not really big on fries so I could tell that option wasn't going to do it. She told me "If you don't eat all yours, I'll just eat the rest." I told her she could always just order 2 jr. bacon cheeseburgers if one wasn't enough. She says "REALLY?! They let you do that?! Maybe we could pretend there is someone else in the back seat too!" After I ordered and was pulling up to the window, she reminded me NOT to tell them that TWO of those cheeseburgers were for her!

(she ate them both!)

Introduction

2011-10-20T14:28:00.000-06:00

We interrupt this blogging hiatus to introduce to you our newest nephew! (and my latest photography subject!) Meet Jaith Edwards Ogden - I think he's a keeper!

Makin' a Spalsh!

2011-05-09T09:45:00.000-06:00

All the cousins on the J side were together over Easter wknd, so we had a chance to take pictures! It was a chilly day with plenty of mud puddles - who could resist making good use of them?!

But before they could get muddy...

Just in case anyone thought this job was EASY...

THIS is what 99% of the shots looked like!

Derek's Kids - a Mother's day Picture

And NOW the mud!

Mud puddles = muddy butts!

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T21:52:00.000-06:00

It was a BEAUTIFUL Mother's day, even though it was too hot for May 8th!

(90something - but I'm trying not to complain!)

Our wonderful little Sunday morning Meeting started having a Mother's Day brunch 4 years ago - guys/dads cook - and it has continued each year since! Us Mom's feel quite spoiled and enjoy every moment of it!

I am reminded, on this special day (and most other days as well!), that I have SO MUCH to be thankful for!

She makes my heart smile!!!

Well, they both do - and it's usually more of a laugh, but He's not quite as into Mother's Day as she is!

Hope yours was a day filled with joy!

Attn Photo Mama's

2011-05-06T13:52:00.000-06:00

You can't afford NOT to check out this giveaway on Moms With Cameras!!

Help me pick out new glasses!

2011-03-21T17:09:00.001-06:00

Here's a better angle of #4

After almost 5 years with the same frames, it's time for a change.

Put your vote in your comment!

I can not begin to imagine...

2011-03-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

what this family is going through!

I came across the blog for Amy Price Photography this morning - she's located in Omaha and has done some amazing work! But I could hardly breathe when I started reading what her family was going through, with their two youngest children! It is so heartbreaking, so unimaginable. I haven't been able to read very much of it - tears keep blurring my vision!

So if you day looks a little bleak, your children are driving you nuts, you feel like you've hit rock bottom and can't figure out how to get up, or you just need a little reminder that your troubles really aren't any trouble at all, take a look at Liviana & Giovanni's blog.

4 years in the blink of an eye!

2011-02-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

How DID this sweet baby boy get so big? Happy 4th birthday to my lovable Baby Trey!

And that's all I'm gonna say... or I might start crying!

Calling ALL Photo Enthusiast...

2011-01-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

I found Clickin' Mom's in October. I have learned a LOT from there already! I love the way everyone is so willing to share and help one another. I love that I can buy used photo equipment with the confidence that it's been well taken care of!

Come take a peek! It is a subscription based website but if you sign up by Jan 31 you can use coupon code FRIEND and get 20% off any subscription! (new users only.) So that makes a 6 month subscription $24 instead of $30. You can get a longer subscription and save even more, if you want! (or a 1 month subscription if you're not sure about it!)

I'd like to think I'm all you need when it comes to learning about photography (*SNORT*!) but you've got to check this place out!

If you DO sign up, please use my screen name as a referral. (4thememoriesofU)

A tale of two laundry rooms

2011-01-21T16:55:00.001-07:00

One day I was trying to come up with a solution for more storage for seldom used kitchen things (crock-pot, electric skillet, cake supplies, etc), as well as home canned food. (We do have a storage room but it's too warm in there to store canned food!) I decided that it would make a lot of sense to move my scrapbook stuff (I almost never scrapbook at home anyway) to the basement family room, and move the laundry up to my scrapbook room, (right off the Kitchen!) where there would be space for the deep freeze and tons of storage!
We just got the cabinets ordered , and haven't moved the deep freeze up yet but I am LOVING how it's coming together! So here's a peek at what it looks like right now... hopefully in less than a month I'll have some great updated pictures!

My basement laundry room... It was out in the open in the family room so not a bad space, but not the most ideal either!

Frosty the Snowman...

2010-12-22T08:56:00.003-07:00

...Is melting on my cookies!

Aren't these just the cutest melting snowmen you ever saw?!

We baked 24 of these cuties for Kyrie's kindergarten class party!

Tutorial can be found HERE

My kind of Coffee!

2010-11-17T21:51:00.001-07:00

This, my friends, is MY KIND OF COFFEE! Rich, Strong, Deep... I love to drink it in all day long - it touches the soul. Ahhh, those EYES!

Confessions

2010-11-17T13:22:00.002-07:00

I have a confession to make; I've been working on my photography skilz and didn't tell you. Wanna see? Maybe you've already peeked?! A few of us are doing it together... sorta. Come take a look! Shutter Friends Blog

I have another confession to make... That cool little 'signature'? It's driving me NUTS because it never goes where it's supposed to without me banging on the key board and mouse and thinking about throwing something at my monitor. I didn't have the energy to fight with it today.

The only difference between the Men & the Boys...

2010-11-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

...is the size of their shoes and the price of their toys!
We have a new toy in the house... Keep your head down!

Autumn Splendor

2010-11-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

Autumn is my FAVORITE time of the year! I love the warm colors, the change, the crispness and coziness of it all! This year, we have enjoyed more color than all the 8 years we've lived here put together - but unfortunately, I never got a picture of the TREES! Here's a few of the things that I LOVE about this time of year...

Sausage Potato Soup

Warm autumn scents

The Pumpkin Patch!

CANDY CORN! I love this stuff!

(and I LOVE my Longaberger butternut muffin pan!)

Beautiful hand made accents that never go out of style

Comfort Food - the kind that involves melted chocolate!

Sweaters - the cable knit kind - heavy and cozy.

More comfort food

- the kind that involves cream cheese, bacon and green onions.-

(and my Eggplant Longaberger!)

Homemade soup with Homemade Bread. It just doesn't get much better than that!

It would seem that most of my favorite things about Autumn involve FOOD! It's a wonder I'm not 300lbs!

I've been putting off this post thinking "maybe I'll see something else I'll want to add"...

Doesn't look like that's going to happen!

Last Minute...

2010-10-29T10:13:00.000-06:00

There's no time like the.. er... last minute!

Today is Kyrie's school Fall Party. Not halloween party - FALL party. No costumes allowed.

Last night, when I was tucking her into bed, she said "I want to wear something fancy for the fall party". Right... because we have a closet full of fancy clothes just waiting to be worn to school! Have you noticed, that there are VERY FEW "fancy" clothes out there for this age?! I don't want rock star, preppy princess or scull & crossbones, OR tween queen for my 6 yr old! Just some cute and maybe a few fancy clothes would be great, thanks!

Back to the FALL party. So instead of coming up with something clever for her to wear for the fall party last night, I spent a few hours finishing my long overdue photo-editing. And this morning at 6:40 I decided to come up with something clever. Her ride was supposed to be here at 7:30... wonder WHERE I picked up the "last second gene"?! (Love you, Mom!)

But really, who needs fancy clothes ready made in the closet when you have a hand-me-down-black-dress-for-next-year, photoshop, a printer, iron-on printer paper and an iron? (I burnt it - surely the teacher won't notice the slight stench - they should have given the directions for 1/8 page - 30 sec- BEFORE the directions for more than 1/2 a page - 3 minutes - just sayin'!)

And we have a "fancy" outfit for the fall party! She wanted pictures taken too.

And we didn't make the 7:30 "bus" - I had to take her at 8:55 - but she was still smiling. Ah, small victories. =)

Friendships

2010-10-25T00:04:00.000-06:00

Friendships are special - there's no denying that. But I never stopped to think, 13 1/2 years ago when this friendship started between these kids' parents, just how incredible it really is!

Today, I'm thankful for Friendships. The kind that encourages - the kind that even when you don't see each other often, you can pick up right where you left off the last time - the kind that leaves footprints on our hearts - the kind I never want to take for granted.

I'm a sucker for a cute camera bag!

2010-10-20T22:39:00.000-06:00

Check out this fun giveaway... Have you ever seen cuter camera bags?!?! I sure haven't and would LOVE to win one... that's why I'm spamming my blog with another giveaway! :)

One Word...

2010-10-07T19:50:00.005-06:00

One Word... What's one word that comes to mind when you look at this photograph?
(click to enlarge)

A better life...

2010-10-06T09:36:00.000-06:00

Why is everyone so concerned about giving their children a "better life"?

As I recall, when I was a child, I didn't know the difference. There were people who had "more" and people who had "less", and that was just life. Maybe I'm the minority here but I didn't grow up thinking "my kids will have a better life than I did" - I never noticed there was anything "missing" from my life!

We wore hand-me-down clothes, we WALKED to school, WALKED to the library, WALKED to the grocery store, WALKED to our JOBS... We shared bedrooms, no one bought us cars, we mowed the lawn and scooped the snow and our siblings were our best friends.

I saw this comment the other day, in a conversation about "large" families:

"I would rather provide well for the ones I have which is why I don't have more"

Now, don't get me wrong - I don't think anyone should have more kids than they can handle, or have more kids than they can support, but why the need to provide WELL? I admit, I don't like just "getting by" and I like "the finer things in life" as much as the next lady, but what ARE the finer things, really?!

"There was a time when husbands and wives worked hard to ensure they could afford the blessings of a large family. Today, the higher your earning bracket the fewer children you have, but then we always knew that many turn money from a blessing into a curse." (quote from the above linked article.)

I saw this today, and loved it. It goes well with my thoughts on "living well"

Paul Harvey Writes:

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a room with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head...

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy/girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a climbing, burn your hand on a stove, and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you- tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life...

Another fun giveaway to blog about!

2010-09-23T20:25:00.000-06:00

I saw this blog today... thanks to Lenetta! But who wouldn't LOVE to have a craft cutter like this?!
What do you think I'd use it for? Hahaha!

Found a new AMAZING blog = GIVEAWAY!

2010-09-13T14:38:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Janel, I found this really cool blog! Check out her stuff - isn't it to drool over?!

Plus, they're having a giveaway... who wouldn't LOVE this dress for their little girl?!

So here's my shout it out! Go "be-fan" them and enter for your little girl!

I trust you'll treat her well.

2010-08-19T11:08:00.002-06:00

Dear World:

...I bequeath to you today one little girl ... in a crispy dress ... with two blue eyes ... and a happy laugh that ripples all day long ... and a flash of light blond hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well.

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning ... and skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again will she be completely mine. Prim and proud she'll wave her young and independent hand this morning and say "Good Bye"... and walk with little lady steps to the schoolhouse.

Now she'll learn to stand in line ... and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She'll learn to tune her ears to the sounds of school-bells ... and deadlines ... and she'll learn to giggle ... and gossip ... and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue at her. And now she'll learn to be jealous. And now she'll learn how it is to feel hurt inside. And now she'll learn how not to cry.

No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in a sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. No, now she'll worry about important things. Like grades ... and which dress to wear ... and who's best friend is whose. And the magic of books and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And now she'll find new heroes.

For five full years now I've been her sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and father and friend. Now she'll learn to share her worship with her teachers ... which is only right. But, no longer will I be the smartest man in the whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first time ... she'll learn what it means to be a member of a group. With all it's privileges. And it's disadvantages too.

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud. Or kiss dogs. Or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms. Or even watch ants scurry across cracks in the summer sidewalk.

Today she'll learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. And I'll stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely journey to become a woman.

So, World. I bequeath to you today one little girl ... in a crispy dress ... with two blue eyes and a happy laugh that ripples all day long ... and a flash of light blond hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well.

(Thank you, Lani, for the poem... and for making me cry!)

Today I sent my baby girl to School! Granted, it's only their 'evaluation day' and the real thing doesn't happen until Monday, but today was the first day of school, in our minds.
Jim is in California and won't be flying home until tonight so she called him on the way to school. It was fun to listen to her tell him all the things she thought they might do!
Good thing there was a parents meeting after I took her to her (temporary - teachers haven't been assigned yet) classroomm - no way was I going to go in there bawling and blowing my nose and making a scene! It was sad coming home without her though, with only one little boy in the vehicle... he thought so too!
She was a bit nervous after she got in the classroom and realized her 'best friend' wasn't in the same room as her! I'm sure she got over it quickly and will be all smiles when I pick her up this afternoon... I know I will be!

Where did she go?

2010-08-01T20:16:00.004-06:00

Someone once said to "Remember the last's". We're always so focused on the "First's" - first steps, words, first pig-tails... what about the last? When was the last time I kissed these chubby little girl cheeks? When was the last time I hugged this little toddler-girl, so vibrant and full of life? When was the last time I saw her and did I even notice she was gone??? (pic summer '08)

When did she turn into this little girl? The one who can count by 5's and can read and write all the names of her preschool classmates - the one who is learning to roller-blade? The little girl who prays so innocently for "help to be a good girl, for ever and ever"? (pic summer '10)

Time doesn't seem to be moving that quickly from day to day but I was shocked to see this picture of her that my Mom took, after having just come across the previous picture the day before. Have I spent enough time teaching her the important things? Have I made the right impressions on her to prepare her for the conflicting impressions that will be made as she starts Kindergarten in 3 weeks?

Weathered out

2010-06-24T09:36:00.001-06:00

Boy, have we had our share of weather this year! Started out on May 24 with 60 mph winds / 80 mph gusts. "Hurricane Winds" they called them... and it blew all day long. We managed to avoid the hail & tornado's that were seen north and west of us. June 1 brought a lovely ~~snow~~ hail storm! It didn't do much damage to the houses or cars but a lot to the trees and flowers / gardens that were trying to grow!

June 9th found us on our way north up 385. As we were approaching Bridgeport, we knew we were in for a storm of some sort. Didn't know until we got closer how wicked it might be! Not the kind of storm you want to be driving into - that's MY opinion, anyway! Reading comments online from various storm chasers that saw this same storm, they felt like there was a tornado but it was concealed by all the rain.

And you know it's a good storm when you see the big storm chaser armored car!

June 20th, we were on our way home (via Cheyenne) from Chugwater, Wy. The hail hit just as we were leaving, baseball size, of course! It was very sporadic - thankfully - so we didn't have a lot of damage from it, just a few new dents on our car! So as we were going through Chugwater, we heard the sirens. The clouds were terrible to the north and pretty mild (mostly blue sky and sun) to the south, and we were headed south, so decided to hurry up and get out of the bad stuff! As we turned south on to the on ramp of I-25, there we see the tornado, in the distance in front of us! As scary as that was, it was neat to actually SEE a tornado! (and thank goodness for cell phones with cameras on them!) It went back up after a few minutes and then a little tail snaked down, but then it was pretty much done so we headed on to Cheyenne for a YUMMY father's day supper at Outback! (sorry, no father's day photos :( )

10 Years of Memories

2010-05-26T15:24:00.002-06:00

View full screen

Contest at the hen house...

2010-05-01T20:28:00.003-06:00

Check it out... my closest claim to fame!

The Prairie Hen Speaks Her Mind

(and win a beautiful Longaberger Wrought Iron Cookbook Holder!)

Riccar has been busy...

2010-03-29T21:15:00.006-06:00

(Riccar is my sewing machine, silly!)

I'm REALLY happy with the way this one turned out! I can't wait to see pictures of my Niece Jessi in it!

Feeling domestic

2010-03-10T13:15:00.005-07:00

I've been feeling the itch lately to pull my new (to me) sewing machine and serger out and put them to good use! I've been drooling over several sewing blogs and tutorials and then last month I stopped in at Joanns and bought some adorable fabric. It's been rainy and wet the last few days so I decided it was time to start creating! I did most of it yesterday and last night and when Kyrie saw it she was begging for me to finish it so she could wear it to school. I finished it about 11:40 - in time for her to wear it to school at 12:05!
Here's the tutorial if you're interested!

It's great for twirling too!

I would do a few things different next time... the tutorial doesn't say anything about what to do with the pockets in the back when you're cutting off the jeans, and I didn't want to pull them off so I just left the tops intact, took the seams out of the bottom part and then hemmed them under when the rest was done.
Next time, I'll make the denim part shorter so it's not so tight on her hips. But all in all, I really like it!
(and THANK YOU to those who donated old jeans for this project!!!)

Bakerella made me do it!

2010-02-09T21:26:00.003-07:00

Title says it all. Bakerella made me do it!
Ok, I guess half the blame can go on Pioneer Woman because if it hadn't been for that fatefull day that I visited her blog and saw THIS, I would have never known that Bakerella even existed!

Kyrie's class Valentine's day party is tomorrow and I, being the over-acheiver that I am, signed up to bring treats. Not store bought treats of course, but something way more time consuming than any preschooler would appreciate!
Kyrie has been having fun helping me though, so if you don't mind the messy kitchen and messy kids and messy-rest-of-the-house-because-you're-not-paying-attention-to-anything-other-than-how-precisely-the-sprinkles-are-placed, then go ahead, check out the tutorial

(no silly, I didn't take my own step by step pictures!) and your kids will love you for it!

That's what you get...

2010-02-06T21:24:00.003-07:00

When you don't obey your Mother!

It's a tough lesson to learn, and I'm very un-sympathetic when my kids get hurt doing something that I told them NOT to do in the first place!

It was a very fine day outdoors so I sent the boys out to play, with strict instructions NOT to go out of the gate. (the gate was still frozen open from our last snow so I couldn't close it.)

Soon, from my station at the dinning room table, I hear little voices and I knew they had gone out the gate - they were "ice skating" and quite enjoying it until Trey boy fell down and couldn't get back up because of the ice underneath him! What did I do? I laughed! And then went and got the camera and took a picture out the window.

But out the window wasn't quite good enough, and he was eventually going to need some help up, so out the door with the camera I went!
He was not pleased that I was taking pictures of him.

E was trying to help him up but with the ice underneath, no luck!

I finally took pity on the poor wet, cold boy and got him up out of the water.

And made him walk to the house, taking pictures all the way!

So next time your Mom says "DON'T go out of the gate", you'll remember why! (maybe...)

Love a good deal? (and who doesn't!)

2009-11-24T09:37:00.004-07:00

Who doesn't love a good deal??? Starting today, Longaberger's Woven Reflections™ 9" Bowl is on sale for $15.00!!! (originally $49.00!) Available in the following colors: Cornflower, Cream, Ebony, Ivory, Paprika and Tomato
Visit www.longaberger.com/lynishaweeda and click on "shop factory and homestead store" or click on the picture below!

Skinny kids - sewing project

2009-11-10T19:48:00.000-07:00

I don't get all this talk of childhood obesity problems. I mean, I do, but I sure don't see the problem in my house! Just the opposite. In fact, I'm sure if I was good about routine well child visits, the pediatrician would have labeled my kids as "failure to thrive"! At 1 year, Kyrie was 17 lbs, and impressively enough, Trey was actually 20 lbs at 1 year but was only 23 lbs at 24 mos!

So as you can imagine (or maybe you can't...), clothes shopping is REALLY fun. I am SO glad that a lot of brands put adjustable waist bands in their "bottoms", but there is still a lot that don't. And I don't like to be limited when I find cute clothes for my kids! This spring, Trey ended up with 4 pairs of shorts that didn't have an adjustable waist in them and of course, basically fell off of him! So I pulled out my (not so) trusty sewing machine and got to work. I had intended to post these pictures right after I took them, but as we know, the best laid plans...

So lets get started. (our model wasn't too sure about having pictures with his shirt off!)

It's really hard to play cars when you have to go around holding your shorts up!

On the inside of the waist band, using a seam ripper, I made a vertical slit

Attaching a safety pin to the end of the elastic,

Thread it through and out the other side.

Secure one side with a pin and tighten to the desired size.

Now we're all pinned and ready to sew.

Zig zag stitch forward and backwards a few times to secure the elastic well.

Here is the inside, finished.

And the outside stitch... you can hardly see it with this pattern!

No more holding your shorts up!

This is a very simple thing... it can be sewn by hand if you don't have a machine, and honestly takes no sewing skills!

What we did today... by Kyrie & Trey

2009-06-18T22:41:00.004-06:00

First I (Kyrie) managed to sneak Aunt Jeanne's camera out the back door.

Trey was standing there so I said "come with me to the play house... let's have some fun!"

Up we went...
Left our shoes at the door (really, they were probably already up there. That's where everything I can't find, is.)
We had a grand view of the backyard and Dad's pickup.
This was our view out the north window.
Earlier, we had snuck some golden grams outside... we like to eat dry cereal all day long. Mom is ready to put a lock on the pantry door!
They tasted great with a little mud pie in place of the milk!
no comment needed.
Lets make sure Mom knows who took these pictures!

Mom would have found these pictures anyway, but became suspicious when she went to take some pictures of the yummy butter braid we were making, and she couldn't find the camera! Oops! I left it in the playhouse!

the scene out our window at 5am

2009-04-23T08:24:00.004-06:00

Jim woke up a little before 5 this morning and took the fan out of the window because it was getting a bit chilly in the bedroom. He shut the window and curtains and went back to bed. That's Trey's normal time to wake up and come up to our bed and nurse, so he was just coming up the stairs. I decided to use the bathroom before going back to sleep (no, 5 am is NOT my waking time!) I noticed that there were flashing red lights through a crack in the curtains and asked Jim about it but he just said there's a police car with it's lights on outside. Not all that strange considering our neighbor is a police man, but enough to get my curiosity up! So I went to the window and saw THIS scene and I said to Jim, "more like a fire across the street!" They hadn't been there a few minuets before when he shut the window! The crazy lady that I am had to go downstairs, load my memory card back into my camera, change to my wide angle lens and take a picture! I wanted to wake Kyrie up so she could see it because we've been talking a lot about fire safety, but I decided to let her sleep and see the picture later!
Glad it wasn't our house! I don't think the damage was extensive, it looked like it might have been limited to the "attic" on the porch but don't know for sure!
Good reminder to test the smoke detectors and teach those little ones about fire safety and have a fire plan!!!

My favorite wedding cake!

2009-04-14T20:47:00.003-06:00

My Aunt got married this past Friday and I had the honor of making the wedding cake! I was SO pleased with how it turned out! She wanted something on the "antique-vintage" side and I think we succeeded! Mom helped me with it - the pleats on the bottom were all done by here and she helped with the flowers on the top. It was really a group effort, my sisters Meshayla, Kara & Kaela also did their part!

Talula Does the Hula and Psss...kirt

2009-03-27T08:34:00.007-06:00

I had to borrow Jeanne's camera yesterday to take these video's, since mine is "too good" to take video's!
Thankfully, we didn't have to name Kyrie "Talula Does the Hula" for her to learn the hula hoop! While my younger sibblings were here on spring break (no, I don't have any pictures - you'll have to check out Jeanne's blog!), we spent a lot of time playing with the hula hoops, and Kyrie was pretty disgusted that she couldn't do it like the bigger kids! Obviously, she's been practicing!

Trey is quite the talker, and he loves trying out new words! He seems to be figuring out at least a new word every day! Kyrie has had a hard time saying her "S's", and "Skirt" has been her practice word. Trey has obviously been listening! lol!

Bridal Shower

2009-03-12T20:44:00.002-06:00

I just finished this bridal shower cake and I think it's one of my absolute favorites!

6th folder, 6th picture!

2009-03-05T15:53:00.005-07:00

Time for a picture tag. Go to your 6th folder and show your 6th picture!

September 28, 2003, Lincoln, NE
Craig & Lorinda, Jim & Lynisha and Barry & Andrea
Our last "couples" weekend before kids
I remember us girls discussing the price of butter, then being appalled that we were even talking about the price of butter, eating cold stone for the first time (for me), discussing Andrea's pregnancy and baby names and wonderful fellowship.

I tag you!

Plays well with others

2009-02-28T17:16:00.003-07:00

Of course it helps that he's willing to play HER kind of games! He'll hate me for it someday but he was so cute and WANTED to dress up with sissy. What do you do?!

New cakes

2009-02-24T14:03:00.006-07:00

Here's my most recent cakes - including Trey's second birthday cake!

Meshayla made most of the cars, the train and the airplane for his cake - Great job Shay!

Both Tiara's and the jewelry on this cake are edible.

Name that rash

2009-02-21T18:40:00.002-07:00

Anyone want to play "Name that Rash"?! This kid has never had a rash or any sort on his face or eczema problems or food reactions so I'm kind of stumped with this one! It's a "pimply" sort of rash. I'm wondering if we picked something up while we were at the Children's Hospital in Denver, although we were only in the ENT area and he barely had time in the waiting area to play with any toys... He seems to be feeling fine otherwise. Any ideas?!

Happy Birthday Trey!!!

2009-02-17T08:10:00.003-07:00

Happy 2nd birthday to my sweet sunshine Trey!

Handmade Gift

2009-02-07T10:32:00.001-07:00

It's your lucky day!!!

Lucky you! The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done this year. (might be a little while)

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be something for your scrapbook, or something I sew. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.

The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

So....who will be the first 5 people?????

What DO stay at home mom's DO all day?!

2009-02-04T07:21:00.002-07:00

And why don't they have time for other things? This is the best explanation I've ever seen about what we "do" all day!

Riches to Rags

2009-02-03T09:11:00.001-07:00

I saw this article this morning in my inbox and found it very interesting. I thought I'd share for those of you having a hard time in this economy! Read the whole article here

My choice to be a stay-at-home mom gives me immense pride. But it does not give me immense piles of money with which to buy every little item that might seem like a necessity at the time. Wipes warmer anyone? Even though our household income had been cut in half, we were used to living a certain way. We did not take charge of our finances—we had other things to attend to. After a long day of nursing, laundry, playing, and cleaning (okay, I'm lying about the cleaning), we didn't want to look our checkbook in the face and accept that we probably couldn't afford to order in.

To make matters worse, my husband works freelance, and his monthly income is never guaranteed. He doesn't get benefits like health care and a 401K. As with most people working freelance, he lives by feast or famine. Now add to this mix the current economic climate. For us, these circumstances led to some pretty serious credit card debt. I cannot blame the economy for most of this. In fact, you could say that the economy is what finally brought the situation to our attention.

Christian Panties

2009-01-30T13:31:00.002-07:00

I laughed SO hard when I saw this - and if you have teenage daughters, you will REALLY laugh! Regardless of your undergarment choice, enjoy! (and don't be offended!)

Happy birthday Jeanne!

2009-01-29T10:52:00.002-07:00

Happy 31st birthday to my oldest sister Jeanne today!

Ever wondered about High Fructose Corn Syrup?

2009-01-27T20:11:00.003-07:00

My Sister Dalayna has done quite a bit of reading up on all the High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) we American's ingest, and I've found it quite interesting and very disturbing!
Check it out
http://dalaynam.blogspot.com/2009/01/seriously-hfcs-again.html
http://dalaynam.blogspot.com/2008/12/high-fructose-corn-syrup.html
http://dalaynam.blogspot.com/2008/12/rant-on.html

25 random things about me

2009-01-27T11:56:00.001-07:00

I got tagged on Facebook to post 25 random things about me... thought I'd post it here too!
1. While I love the looks of them, I think Gymboree clothes are a joke. They stain easily and I can never seem to get the stains out!

2. My life is everything I wanted, but I never imagined it would be so wonderful and make me so happy!

3. I always assumed I wanted at least 4 kids but right now I'm secretly worried that I'll never want any more than the 2 I have.

4. I started this yesterday and got to 7 but my little boy came to play and deleted it all!

5. I love the smell of clean baby hair

6. I started dating my husband when I was 14... he was 20

7. I love to eat and have a hard time limiting myself

8. I don't mind winter when there's snow on the ground

9. I love fall

10. I have to have sunlight in order to feel alive

11. I love cooking and baking but always make a mess and don't like to clean up after myself!

12. I love photography but don't take near enough pictures of my family

13. Someday I want to learn more about photography and go professional

14. I'm very critical of myself

15. I love spending time with my "girlfriends"

16. Someday I hope to have it "all together"!

17. I have 8 sisters and 3 brothers

18. I got married when I was 17... and I don't regret it for a minute!

19. 17 looks younger and more immature every day!

20. I love living in a small town but sometimes wish we didn't have to drive so far to "do something"!

21. I never thought my kids would still be nursing when they were 2

22. I had a home birth - and it was AWESOME!

23. It frustrates me when people don't educate themselves but always takes the DR's word for it and assume the DR knows best.

24. I love scrapbooking, cake decorating and photography but sometimes wonder if I would get more done if I just loved one thing!

25. I'm a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician

Happy 2nd Birthday little miss Jessi!

2009-01-25T19:18:00.002-07:00

Happy 2nd birthday to my adorable niece Jessi!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

2009-01-23T08:09:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday (Great) Grandma 'Cilla!

Meet Joel

2009-01-16T19:01:00.003-07:00

In early September, "Grandpa" shared Joel's story with Car Seat Professionals around the country, and asked for information and guidance in his research as to why his Grandson suffered such a serious injury, while his mother was diligent about car seat safety, from a 35 mph crash.
Now "Grandpa" has made a video and asked us to help him share Joel's story.

On August 30, 2008, Joel and his mother were involved in a frontal car crash, at 35 mph. Joel, at 18 mos & 33lbs, broke his neck! Why?

This website will touch on what happened during that accident. But more importantly, what was learned from this tragic event, and what other parents may want to know to prevent it!!

Happy 21st Birthday Ryan!

2009-01-15T09:48:00.003-07:00

Happy 21st birthday to my brother Ryan!

Why daddy needs a Wii

2009-01-09T09:21:00.002-07:00

I got a good laugh out of this today... enjoy!

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-08T09:28:00.001-07:00

I am behind - as usual - but wanted to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!
I'll get updated pictures posted.... soon!

Could you survive another great depression?

2008-12-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

You Are 68% Likely to Survive Another Great Depression

Even though you may not be expecting the worst, you're the type of person who prepares for the worst.

You live a relatively modest life. You don't overspend, and you aren't very materialistic.

You are also quite self sufficient and independent. You have many useful skills.

You can take care of yourself and those you love... which is crucial to surviving another Great Depression.

Could You Survive Another Great Depression?

Snow what fun!

2008-12-19T14:04:00.004-07:00

We had just enough snow the other day for the kids to enjoy! (and for mom to get some pictures!)

Speaking of "good" pictures...

2008-12-18T15:11:00.004-07:00

I had to laugh this morning when I saw this on Dalayna's blog
Why? Because it brought back memories of Valentines day 2006 when I wanted some cute pictures of my Sweet little Valentine. Right. She had other ideas! At least I can look at them and laugh!

Soup's On!

2008-12-15T13:00:00.004-07:00

In honor of the COLD weather, I made soup for lunch. Not that there's anything else appropriate for weather this cold - it finally warmed up to 1*F a little after noon!
This is my all time favorite soup. It originated from a Taste of Home recipe, but I changed a bunch of things so I think I can call it my own creation now!
All measurements are approximate!

Sausage Potato Soup

1 lb. Smoked Sausage, diced
4 Red potatoes - scrubbed and diced
2 C. Frozen Corn
3-4C. Frozen California Veggies (broccoli, cauliflower & carrots)
2 C. Chicken Broth
2 C. Milk
8 oz. Velveeta Cheese, diced
1/2 t. Garlic Powder
1/2 t. Onion Powder
1/2 t. Cellery Salt
1/4 t. Pepper
1 t. Dried Basil

Brown Sausage, drain and set aside. In same pan, combine potatoes, corn, broth, veggies and seasonings. Bring to a boil, cover & simmer on low for 15 minuets or until potatoes are tender. Add milk, cheese and sausage. Cook and stir over low heat until cheese is melted and soup is heated through.
6-8 servings.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

2008-11-26T09:50:00.002-07:00

4 year old little girl!

2008-11-17T20:22:00.003-07:00

I decided to have a little fun with Kyrie's 4 year pictures and since the "tutu picture" is all the rage right now, I decided to join in! Of course the funky shoes work great with the ensemble and since she's into Fancy Nancy right now, it totally works for her! LOL! (thanks Grammie 'Cine for the great shoes!)

Happy Birthday Jana!

2008-11-17T08:37:00.003-07:00

Happy (29!) Birthday to my sister Jana today!!!

While shopping at the goodwill for a halloween costume, we came across these HUGE pants. We decided that we would go to the costume party as Siamese twins! Dad had several identical work shirts that snapped down the front so we just snapped two together and we were good to go! It was interesting getting down the stairs though!
Halloween 1996

Happy Birthday Honey!

2008-11-07T01:00:00.006-07:00

Happy 32nd Birthday to Jim and Daddy! Hope you have a great day and a fun "guy" weekend!
We love you very much!!!

The Strength of a Man

The strength of a man isn't seen in the width of his shoulders
It's seen in the width of his arms that circle you.

The strength of a man isn't in the deep tone of his voice,
It's in the gentle words he whispers.

The strength of a man isn't how many buddies he has,
It's how good a buddy he is with his kids.

The strength of a man isn't in how respected he is at work,
It's in how respected he is at home.

The strength of a man isn't in how hard he hits,
It's in how tender he touches.

The strength of a man isn't in the hair on his chest,
It's in his heart...that lies within his chest.

The strength of a man isn't how many women he's loved,
It's in how he can be true to one woman.

The strength of a man isn't in the weight he can lift,
It's in the burdens he carries .

all messed up!

2008-11-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

Is my layout all messed up to anyone else?! It's driving me nuts and I can't figure out how to fix it!

Happy 4th Birthday Kyrie-bug!

2008-11-01T10:31:00.005-06:00

Happy birthday to Kyrie! She missed being a Halloween baby by 1 hour and 53 minuets! (I was glad!)

Birthday Cookies!

2008-10-30T17:53:00.006-06:00

I've always been intrigued by smartly decorated sugar cookies so when Kyrie & I were shopping a few weeks ago at our local craft store and discovered a crown cookie cutter, I decided it was time to try my hand at them for Kyrie's birthday party!

They really don't take THAT long to bake!

Fun and Games

2008-10-28T13:44:00.003-06:00

I figured since Dalayna had hangman on her blog, I could have tic-tac-toe!

Autumn 2008

2008-10-27T08:41:00.002-06:00

Fall 2008 in pictures...

My first (and second!) baby

2008-10-21T14:24:00.003-06:00

I couldn't leave # 2 out!

1. Were you married at the time? Yes / Same
2. What were your reactions when you found out you were pregnant? Excitement! / Same!
3. How old were you? 22 /24
4. How did you find out you were pregnant? Home pregnancy test / HPT
5. Who did you tell first? Jim / Jim
6. Did you want to find out the sex? No / Yes!
7. Due date? November 4th / February 18th
8. Did you deliver early or late? 4 days early / 1 day early
9. Did you have morning sickness? Not the throw-up kind, just the not feeling good kind. / Same
10. What did you crave? Food! / Food!
11. Who irritated you the most? Nobody / My Doctor!
12. What was your first child's sex? Girl / Boy
13. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy? 26 / 26
14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy? Nothing that wasn't "normal" for my body./ "Dr. induced hypertension" AKA: nothing that wasn't "normal" for my body.
15. Where did you give birth? At a hospital with a Midwife / At home
16. How many hours were you in labor? 8 hours / 1 hour 15 minuets
17. Who drove you to the hospital? Jim / No one!
18. Who watched? Jim, Mom, M-I-L, Dalayna / Jim, Mom, M-I-L
19. Was it natural or c-section? Natural all the way / Natural all the way.
20. Did you take medicine to ease the pain? No / Water! (water birth)
21. How much did your child weigh? 7 lbs 14 oz / 7 lbs 14 oz!
22. What did you name him/her? Kyrie Nicole / Trey Elliot
23. How old is your baby today? 3 years, 11 months / 1 year 8 months
24. Where were you when your water broke? Cooking Chili in the Kitchen/Sleeping in bed.

Tell me if you don't agree....

2008-10-16T13:25:00.003-06:00

This is so funny and SO TRUE!!!!

More hair!

2008-10-11T21:20:00.002-06:00

So I've always had a thing for hair. I secretly would have loved to learn all the techniques for cutting and styling hair that they teach in cosmetology school - the rest I could do with out though!
After Trey's bath this morning, Jim was commenting on how cute his hair looked all slicked back... that's all it took! I decided to try something different with it since it really doesn't want to part and be combed over to one side or the other. It was kind of curly when he was a baby so it's got a nice texture to it but I wasn't sure what to do with it.
I got it wet, combed it up and cut it on top with the scissors, then gelled it. Isn't he cute?! After about an hour of him playing, it all leaned in toward the center, and he had a cute "natural" mohawk. We've always joked about his mohawk because he had a very definite one about a year ago!

Nice hair!

2008-10-10T22:25:00.003-06:00

Kyrie got some new hair clips from the house fairy last week, and she's been very "into" doing her own hair. After she pulled them all off the cardboard, she informed me that SHE was doing her hair today and that I couldn't help! Here's what she came up with! (except she DID ask for help getting the hair sticks in the back - she couldn't get them to stay!)

Boy on the run

2008-10-05T21:58:00.003-06:00

2 weeks ago I took the kids to the park in hopes of getting some nice pictures of them while the flower gardens are still in full bloom. The weather was beautiful but I didn't take Trey's "won't sit still" into account! The second I got him situated and got behind the camera, it was time to run! He loves looking at the picture as soon as I snapped it but he's so impatient that he doesn't even wait for me to "snap it" anymore! It was a fun evening anyway, and I DID get some pictures that captured his personality! That's what it's all about, right?!

Happy Birthday Lyss!

2008-10-03T07:37:00.003-06:00

Happy 17th birthday to my little sister Relyssa!
See you tonight!

I have an announcement to make!

2008-09-26T07:57:00.002-06:00

No silly, not that kind of announcement!

Trey slept ALL NIGHT for the first time EVER last night! From 9 pm to 7 am! He's been a pretty bad sleeper, we suspect he's got a mild form of sleep apnea. I've tried to night wean him but even if I don't let him nurse during the night, he still wakes up wanting to nurse, (anywhere from 0-5 times!) and I usually let him nurse if he wakes up after 4 am. The last 2 weeks, I've made him sleep in his room in the crib instead of in his toddler bed beside ours (or in ours sometimes), until he wakes (4-5am) to nurse and then I bring him to bed with us so I can sleep some more. I don't sleep well co-sleeping, but with Trey I haven't had a choice if I wanted any sleep at all. He hasn't been too thrilled with the crib, but it's getting better!
Maybe there IS a light at the end of this tunnel!

Thank You Pioneer Woman!

2008-09-25T07:57:00.003-06:00

Thanks Lisa for convincing me to check out The Pioneer Woman's recipe selection... WOW!!!!
I saw the Penne a la Betsy and thought it looked good, so I decided to give it a try last night. WOW! It was SO good!!! From the mouth of Pioneer Woman,
"If you love shrimp and pasta, you’ve finally come home. If you don’t…you’ve finally come home."

How could I forget!

2008-09-23T07:53:00.002-06:00

I forgot it on the last post so I'll just make a new one! The most common misuse of car seats is just simply It's not tight enough! If you car seat moves more than 1" at the belt path, it's too loose. Try putting weight (I put my knee into the car seat) in the car seat while you are tightening the seat belt / LATCH strap. This will compress the seat and help you get a tighter fit.
Here are some great car seat installation video's!

National Child Passenger Safety Week

2008-09-21T16:11:00.006-06:00

I decided I'd better get a move on updating my blog, or people will be starting rumors about me!

I'm a few days behind with this but wanted to share anyway!

Last week was Child Passenger Safety Week. On Saturday, I went to Gering to help with a big Car Seat Check event. We checked over 90 Child Restraints, as far as I know, none were correct.

Motor Vehicle Injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. (CDC 2006)

"If a disease were killing our children at the rate unintentional injuries are, the public would be outraged and demand that this killer be stopped." - C. Everett Koop, M.D., Sc.D., Former US Surgeon General

Did you know 4 out of 5 kids are unsafe in the car? Is your child one of them?

Common Misuse:

Forward Facing too Soon...

1 year AND 20 lbs is the bare minimum.Both criteria must be met. Consider extended rear-facing (see the 15 minute challenge below)

Rear Facing Crash Test Video

Forward Facing Crash Test Video

Harness too loose...

Should pass the "pinch test". If you can pinch a horizontal fold in the harness just below the shoulder, it's too loose.

Chest clip too low...

Should be at armpit level.

Using an Infant insert, snuzzler, bunting or blanket that goes behind the baby...

Reduces safety and voids the car seat warranty. Use only accessories that came with the car seat. Blankets that go over the car seat are fine.

Wearing thick or puffy coats in the car seat...

Reduces safety because they compress in a crash. Use a thinner fleece jacket or blankets in the car.

Child has outgrown the car seat by height or weight or both...

Replace seat immediately.

Seat is outgrown by height Rear-Facing when there is 1" or less of shell above head. (unless user manual states otherwise) Forward-Facing when tops of ears are even with top of shell OR shoulders are above top usable harness slots. (see below.)

Using wrong harness slots for your child...

Rear-Facing should be at or below shoulders.

Forward-Facing should be at or above shoulders. If this is not possible, then the child has outgrown the seat.

LATCH used in the center seating position...

Most vehicles don't allow this. Check your car user manual. If it's not explicitly stated as a valid configuration, then it's not allowed.

Both LATCH and Seat-belt are used together...

Choose one. They should never be used together. (Glasses are good and Contacts are good but you never wear them together!)

LATCH used beyond the LATCH weight limit...

Usually 40 or 48 pounds. Check your vehicle manual and car seat manual for the limits and use the lower of the two. Install with seat-belt once limit is reached.

Buying a used car seat...

Not recommended. Check accident history, recalls and expiration date.

Using an Expired Car Seat...

Replace seat immediately. Most seats expire 6 years from manufacture date. The car seat shell usually has a sticker with either expiration date or manufacture date. Also refer to the car seat manual.

Using a car seat that was in the vehicle during a collision...

Most car seats need replaced after a crash. Call the car seat manufacture and check the car seat manual to find out if the seat needs replaced. Auto insurance usually covers the cost of a replacement seat.

Top Tether not used...

Rear-Facing: currently only a few manufactures allow top tether use.

Forward Facing: Top Tether must be used if LATCH is used. Also recommended for seat belt installation. Check both car seat and vehicle manual for appropriate use and limits.

Moving to a Booster Seat too soon...

4 years and 40 pounds is the bare minimum.There are car seats with a 5 point harness that go to 65 or more pounds.

Check out this 5pt harness vs booster seat crash test.

Moving OUT of a booster (to adult seat belt) too soon...

Most states require booster seats to be used AT LEAST until the child is 6 years old, and most states are now 8 years old. Booster seats should be used until the child passes the 5 step test.

Do you feel lost when trying to pick out the "best" or "safest" car seat for your child? You're not alone! Here's a great list of Recommended Car Seats.

Extended Rear Facing: Take the 15 Minute Challenge!

Forward Facing is not a milestone - It's a step down in safety. Challenge yourself to take 15 minuets to do an internet search on "Extended Rear-Facing".

See why they AAP and Child Passenger Safety Organizations recommend rear-facing for as long as possible - beyond the minimum of 1 year and 20 pounds.

Current research shows that children under the age of two years are 75 percent less likely to die or be seriously injured when they are riding rear facing. In a recent article from Injury Prevention, it was found that the odds of severe injury to forward facing children age 12-23 months old was 5.32 times higher than a rear facing child. (Car Safety Seats For Children: Rear Facing For Best Protection; Injury Prevention 2007; 13:398-402.)

Life Saving Stats and Interesting Facts:

*Motor Vehicle Crashes are the # 1 killer of Children age 14 and younger in the US.

*The impact created from a head-on collision at 20mph is equal to jumping head-first off a four story building.

*During the month of March 2008, 19 persons were killed in traffic crashes on Nebraska roadways.

*These 19 fatalities occurred in 18 crashes.

*Fourteen of the 18 vehicle occupants killed were not using safety restraints.

*Three fatalities occurred on the Interstate, eleven happened on non-Interstate highways, and five took place on local roads.

*Seventeen of the fatalities occurred in rural locations.

*Nine of the fatalities occurred in rollover crashes.

*Three of the fatalities occurred during inclement weather.

*One of the fatalities was a motorcyclist.

Every Crash consist of 3 Collisions.

1. Vehicle Collision. (vehicle into object)

2. Human Collision. (occupant into restraint, or unrestrained occupant into window or other object in the path of motion.)

3. Internal Collision. (internal organs move toward the point of impact and hit either organs, bones and the skull. Even though the body may appear uninjured, the liver, spleen, heart or other organs may be torn, bruised and/or caused to bleed.)

Weight X Speed = Restraining Force!

Consider this: A car going 30 mph would hit a tree with the same force as hitting the ground after falling off a 40 foot cliff.

10lb infant x30mph = 300 lbs of force! (sorry, you're NOT going to be able to keep a hold on to that baby!)

Happy birthday Shay!

2008-09-13T18:30:00.002-06:00

Happy 14th Birthday today to my little sister Meshayla!

12 Weeks to Better Photography!

2008-09-12T09:30:00.002-06:00

I will be hosting a "12 weeks to better photos" course (written by Mark & Joanna Bolick) on our scrapbook blog! Anyone is welcome to join me! If you want to follow along with this course, email the admin on the scrapbook blog and she'll get you access!

We will never forget

2008-09-11T09:42:00.003-06:00

I still remember sitting at work that morning and hearing on the radio that a plane had hit one of the twin towers. At that time they were assuming it was a small commuter plane and it had nothing to do with a terrorist attack. We sat there, ears glued to the radio for more news, and wishing we weren't being interrupted by costumers! (I was working at a bank drive up at the time) It was a very strange feeling as the details came out, realizing our country was not as safe as we had though, and seeing just how vulnerable we were!
Today, it's good to remember that even if we don't understand it, God is in control. May we never forget that!

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

600 miles and 4 tires later

2008-09-08T21:17:00.003-06:00

So after all the stress and business of wedding planning all summer long, I decided it would be nice to wind down my summer with a convention! The kids and I took off Wednesday morning, an hour later than I had hoped, but still in good time. I needed to stop in Kearney and decided I might as well just travel the last 80 or so miles with Mom & Dad and the kids.

Since we are just going to make it in time for the evening meeting, we stop at the Wendy's drive thru and head down the road with our jr. bacon cheeseburgers.
I suppose we got about 25 miles down the road when I called Mom to see how fast they were driving, so I wouldn't "fall behind". Since 2 cars had just passed me going at least 85, I decided I would speed up a bit to make up a little time. (I rarely speed - just ask my family!) So here I was, speeding AND talking on my cell. (hands free - in my defense!) Then the front drivers tire blew. It was loud enough that even mom (on the other end of the cell)
heard it! I've never had a tire blow while I was driving, so I always wondered (and worried) what it would be like. You hear horror stories about people loosing control because of a tire blowing and that was one of my fears. Thankfully, it was nothing of the sort! I got pulled over pretty quick and Dad turned around (yes, illegally) to come back and help me. It's not much fun to have to unload the trunk of your car that you (ok, your husband) so carefully loaded, on the side of the interstate! I also learned there's not much to entertain a restless 18 month old boy on the side of the interstate either!
I called Ryan (my brother) and asked him to switch me cars so he could take mine to have new front tires put on it, and then bring it to convention on Friday.

So that all worked out great. Really hadn't planned on getting new tires of the car this soon, but oh well.
Now here I am today. (Monday) I stayed in Kearney Sunday night because I wasn't up to driving 300 miles home at 5 in the evening with 2 convention weary children. I slept in this morning and took my time, had lunch with Mom & Dad and then headed home.
Imagine my irritation when just a smidgen past the Ogallala exit, I realize I blew ANOTHER tire! Now really, in the average life span, how many tires does the average person loose?! I think I've exceeded my average.
After determining that there was no one at home who could come to my rescue, and deciding the prospect of ME changing the tire on the side of the interstate in a knee length denim skirt, with a car full of luggage and 2 children in tow wasn't a pretty picture, I drove in reverse (also illegal) back to the exit ramp and headed to the nearest gas station. 2 grubby guys in an old pick up truck came to my rescue and changed the tire for me. I was very thankful, and gave them the rest of my gas money. (sorry hon, you'll have to fill the car tomorrow!)
Off I drove, on the donut, and found a tire store on the way out of town. 2 more tires coming right up! Thankfully, I made it the last 70 miles home incident free!
It was a wonderful convention, by the way!

Congratulations to the happy couple!

2008-09-02T20:20:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to say Congratulations to Jeanne & Floyd!
It was a beautiful wedding/day. So glad you found eachother!

Wedding Cakes and Frosting! Oh My!

2008-08-26T22:19:00.006-06:00

Here's what I've been up to the past several days! Wedding cake for Jeanne & Floyd's wedding on Saturday. Chocolate (with Oreo filling), White Almond Sour Cream (with Raspberry filling) and Strawberry Lemonade (with strawberry jam and Lemon cream cheese filling).
Hungry yet?!

Buster-Brown-eyes was the first to get a snitch of the meringue for the frosting, (swiss meringue butter cream) He was a little unsure at first but didn't take him long to clean off the beater!

Brunch Bridal Shower

2008-08-22T08:48:00.003-06:00

I had a bridal shower here last week for Jeanne, We had a fun brunch with lots of good food! Since I was busy hosting, I didn't get many pictures but here's the few that I did get.
(Maybe Beth can email me hers?!)

Garden Party Bridal Shower

2008-08-07T15:11:00.003-06:00

Last weekend the kids & I were in Kearney for Jeanne's bridal shower.
Raimie & Aunt Gay hosted a beautiful ladies afternoon tea bridal shower on the lawn. It was 100 degrees out but we didn't melt (some of the food did though!). We enjoyed a feast of tasty little treats and iced tea, punch and water all with lots of ice! Raimie provided parasols and fans for the guest to use, and we did!
Aunt Lu and Cyndie Gray both helped with the food and "props", and everything was SO lovely! Almost everyone had fun with the "hat request" (notice I didn't wear one - no time for hat shopping!) and it was so fun seeing all the unique hats!

Happy Anniversary Matt & Mandy

2008-08-04T14:09:00.002-06:00

Since I'm sending lots of late wishes...

Happy 3rd Anniversary to my Cousin Matt and his wife Mandy!!!
I had the honor of helping with their wedding pictures and it was all so beautiful!
Wishing you 2 many, many more wonderful years to come!

Happy Birthday Mark

2008-08-04T13:59:00.003-06:00

Happy 26th birthday to my bro-in-law Mark! (1 day late)
(I'm thinking they messed up when they did his lasik eye surgery - what do you think?)

Happy Birthday Dad!

2008-08-04T13:44:00.002-06:00

Happy 52nd Birthday Dad!!!
(seen here taking a rare day off to have some fun!)

Be careful what you say...

2008-07-29T19:14:00.003-06:00

You will hear it from your children!
I laughed so hard today when I found this video on my computer! Kyrie got a hold of Jeanne's camera last week, and took several self-portraits. I didn't realize in the mean time, she also took this video! I'm beginning to wonder if she loaded it on to my computer too, because it was in a very strange folder - not where I unload my photos!
Thankfully, it was nothing bad that I say that she was repeating, but when I take the kids pictures I usually tell them to say "cheese", and if that doesn't get any smiles, telling them to say "Macaroni and Cheese" usually does!

Amber teething necklace

2008-07-28T16:04:00.003-06:00

I know many of you have seen Trey in his fancy little amber necklace and wondered what on earth has gotten into his momma!
It all started when he started teething big time. In March, he started cutting 4 teeth at once. 6 weeks later, he only had 2 of those teeth, and was trying to cut 4 molars along with the 2 front teeth. He was constantly chewing on his fists and was SO grouchy and whiny!
6 weeks later, it was convention time and he STILL didn't have any more teeth. I was resorting to tylenol and motrin nearly every day, and that's certainly not good for a baby! I was imagining my convention going down the drain as I dealt with this little bear, so in desperation I called my Sister Dalayna, whom I remembered talking about this cool teething necklace she had gotten for her daughter - the same age as Trey, and how impressed she was with it. She sent it to me and we got it in the middle of convention. It was seriously a lifesaver! (at least as far as my mental health in concerned!)
A week or so after convention, I decided to take it off of him because I was wondering if his good mood really had anything to do with the amber necklace, or that he had finally cut 2 of the molars. I left it off for 2 days and he was right back to his old grouchy self!
Now, what can I say? I'm a believer! Find more info about Amber Teething Necklaces below the picture.

Natural amber necklace facts:

· A natural analgesic, amber will help calm a baby without resorting to drugs.

· Amber is a fossilized resin, not a stone. It is therefore warm to the touch, as well as very comfortable and light to wear.

· Wearing Baltic amber necklaces on the skin can have a soothing and calming effect on teething babies and toddlers.

· When amber is worn on the skin, the skin's warmth releases miniscule amounts of healing oils from the amber which are then absorbed via the skin into the bloodstream.

· Amber’s anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties are also recognized by allopathic medicine. In Austria, Switzerland and Germany, you will find amber teething necklaces sold in local pharmacies

3 years = 9999 pictures!

2008-07-28T15:06:00.003-06:00

I've had my camera for 3 years, this summer. While we were camping this past weekend, I was discussing with Mom whether you want your digital camera set on continuous file numbering, or to reset every time you unload your pictures. I prefer mine on continuous so I don't have to worry about duplicate file numbers. So while I was unloading my pictures yesterday, imagine my irritation when I realized that my file numbers had been re-set to 0001! I was not impressed that someone had been playing with my camera - I mean, who would do that anyway?!
I felt a little sheepish when I looked at the last file number before it was re-set, and realized that it was 9999! I have taken 9999 pictures in the 3 years that I have owned my camera!
Is that good or bad?!
Now I get to start all over again!

Bike riding!

2008-07-21T14:24:00.005-06:00

Kyrie has been talking about getting a bike for about 6 months now, so we decided it was time to give in and get her one. She picked out a pretty purple princess bike from Walmart. Unfortunately it was short lived because for some reason, she simply couldn't ride it! Then a few weeks ago when we spent the 4th at Jim's parents, they had a "Kyrie size" bike and she tried and tried to ride that with no luck either! We started looking into "nice" (read expensive) bikes and decided maybe that would make a difference. In the mean time, we found one used here in town for $15.00 and decided that was worth a shot. Nope! No luck with that one either!!! I was beginning to think she was just that un-coordinated or something, but Saturday, I was garage sale-ing and Jim had saw a few small bikes at a garage sale a few blocks away and said if it was smaller than the one she had to go ahead and get it.
So I did, it was a boys bike but we figured Trey would be able to use it in a few years anyway.
It didn't have training wheels but I decided to let Kyrie try it out with me holding onto the seat. She did great! Acted like it was no big deal! So we took a trip to Walmart and got a new set of training wheels and off she went!
Now the problem is she wants to ride it 24-7!

We also really lucked out at another garage sale last week - found this bicycle infant seat for $3.00 ($40.00 at walmart) and infant size helmet for $0.50! Trey loves to go riding!

Happy 7th Birthday Kaela!!!

2008-07-15T08:23:00.003-06:00

Happy 7th Birthday to my littlest Sister Kaela Dawn!!!

While I probably wouldn't make this cake for you for your birthday, I thought it was really neat and figured you would think so too!!! Maybe when you get married ;)