Long Break - OvEr! (well hopefully anyway)

WARNING!!  WARNING!!  PIC HEAVY!!  **had a lot to catch up on!

I took a break - a six month break.  I'm not sure what happened, but life.  I want to keep blogging so I have to make it a point to post!!  The last six months have been crazy!  Here is a quick summary:

-June 2012:  my dad was told he had two weeks to live.  I spent as much time as I could with him.  Turns out, he is more stubborn than anyone I know!  Cause he is still alive and going strong!!  I'm so proud of him. He has survived through so many things which should have killed him, I'm not sure I'll ever be prepared to lose my dad.  I'm a daddy's girl - all the way.

-July 2012:  *I hosted my SIL (my husband's sister) baby shower.  It was an airplane themed with the colors blue and brown.  My wonderful neighbors helped me make the tissue balls (can't think of the name - ha ha!),

*My brother and sister-in-law welcomed a handsome healthy little boy to our family, Leland.  I love his name! 
*Colton's 1st Birthday Party!  The theme was "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.  My wonderful neighbors helped me make the invitations and all the wonderful decorations. 

Caterpillar cake made from cupcakes and a small cake!  I placed it on a piece of cardboard wrapped in white tissue paper.  The ears and legs were hand-drawn by my awesome neighbor!  (They also made and decorated the cupcakes and cake!)

Some of the decorations...

 

All decorations made using a cricut!!

I'm thinking I took these pictures after the party cause the Colton cupcake is missing a "wiggly" eye!  :)

A book for everyone to sign! And the favors were adorable!! My neighbors helped me make thank you bags. The main sheet says "happy 1st birthday Colton! -thank you!" and there were M&Ms inside! Tied with a bow!

 

-August 2012: *Andrew's fifth birthday party was batman themed.  AMAZING!

Homemade banner with lots of bats everywhere!





The kids had capes made out of trash bags and masks.  The trash bag capes were the biggest hit.  I took big black (or maybe they are a dark green) trash bags.  Cut down the seam on each side and the bottom.  I ended up cutting about 12 inches off the bottom as they were too long for 4-5 year olds.  The tie part of the trash bags were used to tie the cape around!  It was awesome!  The kids decorated their masks and capes.

-November 2012:  Tyler's 3rd Birthday party! It was safari themed.  I'm not sure why I don't have more pictures.  The kids had some safari crafts all with stickers. 

Dirt Cake

 

-December 2012:  My wonderful hubby was put to the test and built two AMAZING things for our house.  Check it out!!

*First Project

This was the first thing he we made!  It's a shelf hanging in our hallway.  It reads:  Children hold our hands for a while, our hearts forever.  I did the vinyl work.  Turned out awesome!

*Our next project was a new shelving unit in our family room.  We needed something to mainly hold the box for cable. 

On New Years Day, we went searching for items to place on our shelf.  Turns out, we found an awesome antique gone crazy shop.  It's the kind of shop you have to know what you want and ask for it.  If not, it's too packed with stuff to just look through.  We ended up getting two coke cases (bottom left and upper middle right), the lantern (upper middle left) and the jug (upper center) all for less than $50. 

-January 2013:

*We moved to our current house October 2011.  Jason and company painted the whole house from ceiling to floor within a week of us moving in.  The only room not touched was the powder room.  It was covered in wallpaper.  I didn't mind the wallpaper, so he touched it up for me and we left it alone.  We finally figured out what we wanted to do with it.  We wanted a"pallet wall" behind the toilet.  I'm not sure how I found the blog post, but as soon as I showed it Jason, we made up our mind.  Here is the after:  (I'm sorry - I failed to take the before, but imagine wallpaper from floor to ceiling in a maroon color with flowers)

I'm pretty sure that sums it up until this past weekend.  My next post will be all about V-Day!

Craziness.

Even though I haven't posted in over a week, it doesn't mean I haven't been thinking of the blog world!  It has just been crazy!  Okay, here is what's been going on:
Movie Reviews -
"Dinner for Schmucks" Not really sure what to say.  In fact, words can not describe this movie.  Best part is noticing Jeff Dunham in the movie! 
"One for the Money" My mom, BFF, SIL, MIL, and SIL's MIL (got all that?? BFF = Best Friend, SIL = Sister in law, MIL = Mother in law, & SIL's MIL = Sister in law's mother in law!  he he!!) all went.  We have all read the Janet Evanovich series and LOVED them!  Well actually, BFF and I listened to them.  I was disappointed, but liked it.  Some of the cast just didn't seem right.  By the end of the movie, I was okay with the staff.  My favorite?  Lula. The boxer dude was exactly what I pictured - scary!  I was most looking forward to Morelli and Ranger (prior to knowing who plays them).  I'm still not 100%, but they might grow on me.  So far, the book was much better!!!
Dinners -
Have I mentioned I {heart} pinterest???  I've We've made two meals found on pinterest.  How do they look??

Crunchwrap Supreme!

Oh my goodness!!  Crunchwrap Supreme made in my house?!?  I didn't have to go into town!  Woo hoo!!! 

French Dip Crescents

I fell in love with french dip sandwiches from Quiznos.  I never imagined they could be made at home!  It was so easy that Jason even made it!  We have NO leftovers from either meal.


The crunchwrap supreme's were so simple - I couldn't believe it.  I thought, this is not possible.  It is not going to turn out.  I browned 1lb of ground beef and added a taco season packet.  I warmed the tortilla's in the microwave for a minute.  Spread about a tablespoon of sour cream on the warmed tortilla and top with some ground beef and cheese in the center.  I used velveeta cheese (as opposed to shredded cheese or nacho cheese).  I would have loved to try nacho cheese, but I can never figure out where to find it in the store!!  Place a layer of tortilla chips, then lettuce and tomatoes.  Wrap it up and put on a skillet (face down).  Brown it up!  It was amazing. 

Hubby loved it!!

Colton was NOT very happy; he wanted some!

The french dip crescents were just as amazing!!  I can't tell ya if we did anything different, because Jason made it!!!  The au jus sauce was a packet mix.  AMAZING! 

 I love Andrew's purple thumb from school! 

Poor Tyler couldn't get the thumb part right and used his index finger instead!  I love these little guys!

New Beginnings:

We decided it was time to put our boys in a new school.  It all started a while ago when we started discussing preschool for our oldest.  I didn't know what to do - both Jason and I work full-time.  Did I really want to go to two drop offs in the AM??  I dreaded the decision.  I really don't like change; I like a schedule and knowing what's going to happen next.  But I knew I had to do something, so we've been looking and asking for MONTHS!!!  Finally, we found a school who offered us everything - one drop off, school programs, reasonable pricing (through a reimbursement program), and close.  The boys met the teachers and we loved everyone.  I wasn't sure if we would be able to get them all in at once (ages 4, 2, and 6 months), then we got the phone call.  ALL OF THEM CAN GO!!!  Woo hoo!  So, we arranged it all, and they started this week.  Monday and Tuesday only for a few hours, but today - ALL DAY!  I'm nervous.  I've already called a few times and of course, they are great!  Can't wait to get back into a routine!!