celebrate life. tell your story.

on the fence...

You've probably been wondering where I have been around these parts lately. Well, with the move and trying to get settled and everyone shuffled to their schools and activities I have been a little more than absent around here. But it has been a nice break. I've actually enjoyed the time away from my camera (I think I've only taken pictures of the kids sledding once so far) and I haven't had that nagging in the back of mind of trying to come up with something interesting to post about. Because in reality, we really aren't that very interesting.

I’ve been on the fence about this for quite awhile now and I have finally made up my mind, well, kind of - I've decided to take a blog break. For now, for awhile anyway. When I am able to squeeze in little bits of blogging time, I have mostly been trying to concentrate on my other blog. But then I start to feel sorry for this neglected little blog. I will however, still continue posting my crafts occasionally on my other blog.

When I started this blog (going on 4 years now!) I did so so I could share pictures and stories of what our little family was doing out in Arizona with my parents who were spending the summers in Iowa and for all our other family members as well. Then it evolved into a sort of online journal of my kids' lives and how I was coping with all the craziness. And somewhere along the way I decided to show off my craft addictions obsessions projects and they became the main focus. So then I opened up a second blog to focus on those there and keep this one just about family stuff. Then one or the other would start to get neglected and I would devote time to that one. What I was really neglecting was my kids, oh, and all that laundry.

With Kaitlyn starting all-day kindergarten this fall and leaving Karly home to play by herself I feel that I would rather spend my time with them rather then documenting them.

Thanks to all who came to visit, became my friend and left me kind comments! :-)

surviving winter in IA : part 1...

This will be my saving grace:

offline...

Well, we'll be offline for about a week as we make our way to Iowa with all of our worldly possessions in tow. I don't think we will have internet next weekend, but who knows, maybe I'll get lucky.

See 'ya later!

things are getting a little crazy around here...

Boxes are taking up every room in our house. Who knew we had so much stuff!

This is just from my craftroom, people! And there are still 4 more boxes that are not pictured. Do you think I might have a problem?

And I've gotten a few requests for some more cozies which has led to some sweet and wonderful news about them! You can read it on my other blog here: Paper Poppies Handmade

merry christmas...

and see you next year...

christmas cards...

...will be going out a little bit late this year (cause I decided to handmake all my gifts this year and am busy crazy crafting) so I thought I'd give you a little preview of them. They won't be your traditional family or kid photo cards, but I think they will do just fine.

So if you want to see them I put a preview on my other blog here: Paper Poppies

We'll see now how many of our friends and family actually read my blog! :-)

wip...

{Work In Progress}: Mrs. Claus and the elves hard at work...

presidential pardon...

This is my brush with fame.

The girl to the President's left is a girl I grew up with, Betsy Hill. Her and her husband presented the President with the birds this year to pardon. They raised them on their turkey farm in Ellsworth, IA and were there for the ceremony.

The link to the video is here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27929026/

 
Fitting really, considering her maiden name is Byrd (pronounced bird). We always knew that with a last name like that she was destined for greatness.

That's pretty cool Betsy!

happy thanksgiving...

let it snow...

Sitting here in my craft room with the window open and a chilly 70 degree (brrrrr!) breeze coming in...dreaming of snow falling and hot cocoa and a fire burning....*sigh*. What can I say, my blood has definitely thinned out living in Arizona.

This is the beginnings of one of 3 tutu skirts for the anticipated visit from a cousin. So to get us in the festive mood I put Christmas music on iTunes...

And instead of flurries I have 3 kids that are all sorts of goofy, making up silly lyrics for Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells.

And from the time I uploaded the photos til now I had to shoo them out and find something constructive for them to do. Their goofiness was getting them in trouble.

So here is some more tutu pictures. Pink is the color of choice, of course. For three little girlies that will hopefully be dancing away by the end of the week. That is if I get them done.

And this furry friend couldn't miss out on the action either. She has to be by me whenever I am in this room. At least someone is cozy while the weather outside is *frightful*.