{Thanks}

I made these hair clips for Maisey's Girl Scout troop for Christmas and to say thanks for all their hard work.Thin Mint Cookie Fabric. They definitely aren't made from the cutest fabric, but the girls will love them, and they are perfect for cookie selling.

WHICH, by the way, is coming! Hold out for us, it will be worth it. Our cookie meeting is next week. I haven't asked Maisey what her goal is yet, but I am expecting at least 200+.

P.S. Kristy, thank you for cutting. I figured you cut 72 cirlces, all while entertaining 3 kids and holding one of them!

{sew easy}

I love these fabrics. The bottom one is a gift Maisey is giving to someone with matching earrings.

(I like the inner fabric better on that one and I'm not sure why I didn't put it on the outside).

{bosom buddy}

This week my bosom buddy moved to Idaho. Despite the fact I've known it was coming for months, it doesn't make it any easier.In anticipation for this day (which was actually yesterday), I have been going solo and crafting a little on my own(without my buddy)- or rather with my mini sidekick Maisey!

Maisey and I found some crafts for her (you know what they say, when you're down, serve), so I helped her jump start the holiday. Chad put up lights, we had egg nog and holiday cookies, and we worked on these little projects.

Half of a garland made from cool holiday candy, and cling wrap.
And, a Christmas tree of mints for her teacher.

I will miss "My Jamie" (I sound like the Church kids), but I know we will always be kindred spirits!(Halloween 2010)

{Victorian Steam Punk}

My talented and creative friend hosted a "Victorian Steam Punk Halloween Party." I wish I had taken pictures of all the guests who followed the theme (that might have been a little odd of me), but nonetheless, it was fun to see everyone in costume.

Let me just say, I was very inspired to follow suit for any future invitations. I vow to put more effort into our future costumes.

I will also educate myself on the theme and era, so I know what I am supposed to look like!

Some of the worlds best women.

Below: Some of the worlds best decorations (which I also skipped taking pictures of). Such as the black lights , Apothecary specimen filled jars, and yards, and yards of cheese cloth!

The best vampire and vampiress there.

{Kids Halloween}

Here are the kids dressed up for the 4th time this season. I am already Halloween-ed out and it is only the eve!
I think Ry is too because he never wants to get into costume or wear his hat anymore. However, he did wear it everywhere and sleep with it for the last 6 weeks. Maisey begged me to make her costume. She saw a pastel and fushia pink costume a couple months back in a magazine and asked me to do my best a replicating it. This is what I came up with. The fabrics ended up being much more than if I had bought the costume, so I planned on sewing it real nice so she could have it for awhile. However, I got to sewing and I wasn't really feeling it. At that point I skipped the fancy stuff and made the bare stitches. Sewing can be exciting for me, but only if it something I want to make. In the end it was worth the time, and she sure makes it sparkle!

{Another Holiday Season...}

is about to pass.

Here is our FHE activity for the week.

The one on the far right is not suppose to be erotic; rather it is Chad and I this season. We have an adult only Halloween party and we are going as a Vampire and Vampiress. I know- creative!

Once again Maisey carved her own pumpkin. I think this is the 3rd year in a row she's gone solo, but needless to say she impresses me! She carved the cat and moon.

I carved the tree and moon shadow on the back.

Chad carved McQueen and the Vampires.

{Let...}

...the parties begin! As Chad would say, "Halloween is Christmas to me." With that being said, I roll with it. This was the first of 6 (which is why I didn't make it a costume party)!

However, I did learn my lesson and I will never make that decision again. The kids wanted to dress up. One girl decided too anyway and another missed the memo. Oh, they were all cute in their Halloween colors- no matter how formal.
Last night we threw a little kid Halloween party with 12, 6-7 year old's. The amount of excitement little kids have, well, let me just say it makes their company more enjoyable than some adults! We played some festive mummy and pumpkin games.

*I LOVED how these turned out and I love my cake decorator Lisa for helping me! She did most of it while I prepped non-candy food items that barely got considered.*

Let the kids get all filled up with food- and lots of sugar in lieu of the season.
And then we let them dance it off. I should have made the party at least 30 minutes longer so these little ones could expend some energy. "Just Dance" is honestly the most played game when The Guenther's are around, and the kids would have loved to have some more Wii time. It was only a filler, and unfortunately during the party time, we only played two songs before most kids had to leave. We are certainly planning on having a dance party the next go round. Here Maisey and I pose at 10 PM. It was a must since my usually helpful hubby spent the ENTIRE party chatting with a dad. It was me, and 13 kids solo, and needless to say, the only thing that was sacrificed were photo opps. The pictures I managed to take, we're after the "damage" was done!

{Holiday Crafts}

The first fall craft co-op. I am looking for two more girls ages 6-7!
The final pumpkin light. Thanks Jamie for finding this over a year ago! I don't forget projects easily. This one was with determination because I had to go to 5 stores just to find orange tissue paper. Give me a break- after all it is fall!

My latest little find. The display tree at my favorite pumpkin patch. All it needed was a can of air for the farm dust and a fresh coat of black paint. It's definitely a Guenther thing.

{Frame}

I found this picture template on a blog that I'm loving these days so I decided to print it for my bathroom.

{Hair Accessories}

Maisey informed she's not into big bows anymore, so this was probably her last.

{Wreath}

Lima Beans... And a whole lot of glue!

{Room Re-Do}

Maisey got a new room (literally, new location, color and carpet).

Okay, I hate the dolls in the picture below but I went through the same stage so I felt I was obligated to work them into the space. I am still looking for curtains and I am thinking something like these:
The window is enormous (90x63) so it hasn't been easy or cheap. I won't settle on anything though. They can wait, cuteness cannot be sacrificed.

{saturday}

This weekend we went to the annual stake fair at church. It wasn't as hot as last year, but it was still pretty warm at 96! We only stayed for an hour and a half- just long enough to take it all in (performers, face painting, cotton candy, snow cones, and games). Ryley got soaked just standing next to the squirt gun games and from standing under the misters!

Chad took Maisey swimming while Ryley napped and I worked on some things at home.

I've been busy sewing away on some baby accessories every chance I get (many not pictured).

{love 'em}

Cloth covered button earrings.

{Catching Up}

It's been a whole month since I last blogged. Although everyday is busy in this house, nothing too exciting has happened. The 'big' events we've attended are without pictures.

***

Mother's Day weekend we visited with old friends on the Guenther side at THIS beautiful vineyard to celebrate the life of a good friend who passed too young. We almost got married at this vineyard back in the day and the serene beauty around us made me wish we had. But, it was about location and Dallas, Oregon is not central to anything. The kids stayed with my parents the entire day in Eugene. It was the first time we left Ryley for that long but he was having so much fun with my parents he didn't care.

***

Maisey recently went to an all day Girl Scout camp, Camp Yamhill, and we missed her tons. It's odd when a member of the family is missing.

***

Chad has been fishing again. He put this hobby on hold for many years and now he's enjoying his "Me" time. I also enjoy having alone time with the kids. Maisey just got her first pole and Chad is taking her fishing on Memorial Day.

***

As I write this post I am getting over the flu bug. It started with Maisey, then the boys, and now me. It was nice and short, although it's pattern of victimization skipped a day between. Tomorrow will make it a week since Maisey came down with it. This was Chad's 3rd time with the flu since last August. It has been rough to say the least. But, I do appreciate my great friends who always offer to help bring in dinner, run errands, and ease any burdens possible.

My friend's at hostess Adrianna's tea party. I had to miss this one but I had to post it because these ladies are so beautiful- inside and out!

***
Maisey just had teacher conferences and it was such a "Joy" to attend them as her mother. All I ever hear from other teacher/instructor like adults is, "How wonderful she is" and "What a joy it is to have her around and to teach her." Maisey loves to learn and she loves to socialize. She is truly a special girl. Right now she is working on her second science experiment before the year wraps up. This past week I took some time out to sew. I love to tinker around and I wish I could do more. Someday, when things aren't so busy (probably when I have grand kids, right?), I hope to learn more about sewing. This is what I made. The receiver of this project was actually with me when I purchased it. It is almost complete, minus the buttons on the straps. It is going to be an exterior car seat cover to block out wind and sun this summer. The circle pattern is the inside and the circle straps will be attached to the outside print. I love these textured fabric together.

{what next?}

I finished this last skirt for Maisey while I've been home sick and now I'm not sure what to make next!? I think I will need to convince my friend Adrianna to help me make a dress... I love these colors together! And, Ryley has a matching blue tie and pink dress shirt- looks like Easter to me!