{It's beginning to look...}

It's beginning to look allot like Christmas around here!

So far we've tried to feel the Christmas spirit by attending the Gingerbread Festival (a fundraiser at the school for autism) as well as the Christmas Gift Show at the expo center. This week kicks off many more holiday events like the "Festival of Trees," ward and R.S. parties, and other events!

We put our tree up a day early this year since we had an early Thanksgiving the week before.

 I'm also done wrapping and shopping.

Oma and Opa brought a boy and girl elf from OR and they made their debut today.

Family picture post church for the in-laws Christmas card.

 This year we skipped having our pictures taken at the usual time in Oct. since the babies will be here before long.

 Chad turned 39 today!!! For his birthday he got some new boots, the 2014 Guiness record book, and a passport for his upcoming fishing trip to Mexico.

Wow, I think that's a wrap of the last 2 months. I've been really, really awful at taking pics like I used to, and blogging, but I have been a little busy. I'm still lucky to be feeling great. My only complaint is at night sleeping- or not since I pee all night long.

The babies are measuring big and we were excited to make it to 24 weeks a couple weeks ago so they are viable.

25 week ultrasound. We are pleased to see them on ultra sound every Friday although we don't always get pictures. They are growing evenly and things are going well despite some high risk issues in front of us.

{Small Vintage Nursery}

The minute we got the confirmation the twins were girls I was in a whirlwind. I had nursery ideas for boy/boy, boy/girl, and girl/girl. The least planned out, girl/girl because I never expected that. We are thrilled!!!

 Needless to say, I have no interest in crafting for a long time!!! I may skip my usual Christmas crafts this year even.

My little helper. Such a trooper-she even volunteered! Crazy girl!

So the puff balls have 2 yards of each color (pink, white, and blue) cut into 2" circles- thousands probably! I even bought a circle cutter which was like a protractor type device but it was slower to use so I traced and cut every one of them! Next, we hot glued them after folding them of course.

The banner is made of strips of ribbon and fabric from 10 or so different textiles.

All together, the two projects took about 37 hours. I calculated based on the fact I did this all through conference and Maisey brought as many as 3 friends in between the break to tie knots on the banner. Crazy- yes! Worth it- yes!  

 

 I bought this freshly painted with an amazing high end cabinet paint but it was too dull in cream. I don't love the color as I did in the store, which is why I distressed it and sprayed the hardware. However, I'm too lazy to redo it!

 Vintage mirror found on Craigslist.

 Vintage handkerchiefs framed in bright colors so when I get some nerve I can mis-match some!

Other little details found at the "Fleattitude" vintage flea market!

 This gold shelf inspired the room. I got it from my grandmas estate a year ago when she passed away with intentions of painting it originally. So glad I left the antique gold on it!

 Recovered ruffled lamp shade.

I was pretty turned off on making blankets but I knew I wouldn't find something to fit what I was looking for. I wish my friend Adrianna was here to monogram them!

 I murmured while making these crib skirts. I wanted long ones and these are 19" long. "Boutique" crib skirts as they call them when they're this length were in the hundreds. Yes, leave it to me to pick out crib skirts for $320! What the heck?

The rug I also wanted was pricey @ $659. After searching TONS of stores and coming up with everything but white, I thought I would make my own. BUT, after spending $50 on materials, I realized after doing a 4" space it would take me till I died to finish a 4 x 6' rug. Maybe the white jersey material can go towards ghost costumes next year???

SO, I bought 4 small rugs to hand stitch together and my problem was solved!

It was super fun working on this project and now I just need to make more blankets, burp rags, and bibs. 

{Early Thanksgiving}

Chad's folks flew in the week before Thanksgiving to celebrate early with us. It was perfect timing too. They stuffed the bird and we celebrated the Thursday before.

 While they were here we enjoyed visiting our favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, Christmas shop (they wrapped the kids' presents too), visited Temple Square, played games and visited.

 

It was great to have family visit this time of year. We are 3/4 of the way through living away now and our holidays have been quite different!

{Fall}

Fall = Fun

AND...

 Pumpkin bread! The best EVER made in the crockpot. Drawback, you can only make 1 loaf at a time and it takes 2.5 hours.

Pumpking pie

Gooey butter pumpkin pie cake

AND

apple recipes!

Apple cake with butter sauce and apple cobbler!

 Apple cobbler- the perfect compliment to my soup cravings. In one week I made taco soup, backed potato soup, black bean soup, and beef stew!

 Hot cocoa and apple cider are the new hits in the cold temps- this week it is supposed to be -2 degrees!

 The kids' Fall festival at school.

 The church trunk or treat. We had 3 extra kids that weekend and despite the plethora of beds, 5 of the 6 camped in our room each night (I'm a softy)!

 Blinking strobe light, cob webs, fog machine, tomb stones= Chad's most favorite holiday!

 Navy seal and nerd ready to go!

 This pic and the one below are the same two homes. The ultimate block party: commercial bubble blower, strobe lights, LOUD music heard 5 blocks away, movie screens, karaoke, fog, and Krispy Kreme donuts!

Fall is fading fast and we're expecting snow this week. It's snowed a few times so far but hasn't stuck yet.

{Kids}

 Only fake creatures for this son of mine!

 This day he liked his coat, the next he didn't. The same thing happened with his new snow coat. I finally got to the root of the problem- a girl at school keeps telling him he looks funny! Ah, kids!!!

He still LOVES dress up-and has a million persona's!

 Especially with these new rain boots grandma sent for Christmas. Grandma came through when I couldn't find rain boots in Utah- only snow boots!

Opening his boots. He wants EVERYTHING for Christmas! If I didn't know his sweet tender heart I'd think he was greedy; I think it's being 5! Easy to please!

 Trying on her Halloween costume- a nerd.

 Jersey day for school spirit week.

 Enjoying the sun at the park on a brisk Fall afternoon.

Trying out her new curlers.

Step 1

Yikes!!!

Step 2

More acceptable (i.e. less laughing)

Step 3

Step 4 (not pictured-very cute)!

 Early morning mission to complete the vintage nursery at this vintage flea market!

 Ready for outdoor school!

Thanksgiving! Yes, we celebrated a week earlier and had the most unusual Thanksgiving this year. The day started at 5AM with some black Friday shopping, a movie around lunch time, dinner at IHop, and Christmas decorating to name a few things.

Shopping at Smiths (the closest thing next to Fred Meyer but owned by Kroger).