party, decorating and baking...

(for the lack of a better title) hehe!

We celebrated Avery's B-day Sat. with our family. It was really nice having everyone together and we truly missed the ones that were not able to come.

look at those shoes from Meme....LOVE them!

And... It never fails....every time my mother comes to my house she has to redecorate for me ( not that I am complaining) I am loving this lamp that she gave me....it matches my chairs Perfectly!

Lastly, I think it goes with out saying that the week before Christmas is on of the busiest weeks out of the year. However, we did manage to make one out of the three cookies on my list to make. I posted them on my blog or you can find them here: christmas-cookies-for-kids They were SO much fun and super easy for kids.... Dawson and Avery literally made them all by their selves ( with the exception of the dough) .

I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas! :)

~Birthday Girl~

4 years ago.....

today.

For her birthday....

I took Avery to see The Nutcracker with the nashvilleballet at TPAC last night. It really was an amazing experience. Avery did so well and now wants to be a ballerina even more!

Here is a layout I did at a crop the other night ...It's Dawson making his gingerbread train in '05 (( and finally scrapping it))

Just a quick one today....got a busy week!

Have a wonderful day!

**SNOW DAY**

Have a wonderful weekend!!

We will be making these...

Here are some ideas I got for making Christmas cookies with your kids from bhg and wanted to share....

I have this candy cane cookie cutter and I love the idea of doing chocolate instead of sugar cookie

Also wanted to share a stocking I made (( with the help of my sister )) we got the idea from a sewing mag she had. It is very simple...even (( I )) can do it...haha!

*******

*** Christmas around the house ***

Every year..like most...we decorate the day after Thanksgiving. I love our house the Most around Christmas! The smell of the tree, all the cute glittery decor, wrapped presents, the Christmas music...I could go on and on. I just love it!!

Avery loves Christmas too :~)

I would love to hear what your favorite things or traditions are for Christmas...

Been partying....

My baby boy is ((( 7 ))) now! Well, actually he has been 7 for 3weeks, but I am Still in shock! Seriously, how do I have a seven year old!!! The overused saying " they grow up fast" is SO true!!

Anyways, we had Dawson's party last Sat. at Laser Quest downtown. Very cool place...the boys had a great time!

And here is what Avery has been up to.....

This is her new baby and her bed...... notice the rolled up washcloth to act as a bumper.

Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!!

Getting crafty...

Okay, who would have thought you could get good advice from a celebrity...let alone someone like Nicole Richie! As I was reading People I came across an article on Nicole and her new family, she said something like... she wasn't going to let her daughter use electronic toys b/c there is too much natural beauty around that she can learn from.

This is so true yet, I am quick to turn the tv on or let them play video games...anything other than being outside. So, as Crazy as it may seem, Nicole Richie inspired me to get Avery out and let her create something like this.....

We went on a little nature walk and Avery gathered all these leafs and sticks to create her masterpiece : )

And her is a page I did the other day.

Hope everyone has a beautiful week!!

~ Fall colors ~

I love the colors of Fall! It inspires me to make pages like this.....

and food like this..

The best Shepherd's pie I have ever made!

courtesy of : rachaelraymag

Happy Fall!!

{ the new eyeliner }

by: ballpoint pen

and the new face mask by: cover girl mascara

Pizza night!!

I really like the idea of having a "family night". We too often get caught up in everyday life and find ourselves not really spending any quality time with each other.

So, I decided we are going to dedicate one night a week to a "themed family night".

Last night was pizza night....

I gave them some topping options and (not surprisingly) they chose ham and pineapple.

after they made and ate their pizza, they had root beer floats.

Then mommy and daddy made our own pizza..... buffalo chicken.

If anyone has some really cool and unique ideas for themes I would love to hear them!

Been busy....

catching lizards,

carving pumpkins,

making treats and goody bags for school,

and trick-or-treating.

Hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween!

I wanted to get pictures.......

and this is what they give me...

We are leaving......

to go here....

Hope everyone has a good weekend!!

New hobby....

Like I need another one, but I just can't help myself.....making this cake was so much fun! ((even if it took me ALL day to make)) Only for Eddie on his birthday. His favorite cake, made from scratch. It's a little sloppy,but it was my first time and I kinda like it sloppy looking :~)
Another hobby that I love....taking pictures of my kiddos

and friends. I love how this picture turned out....such a beautiful family.

Sweet boy......

Okay.....I have a NEW respect for professional photographers! MAN, it is not easy taking pictures. I definitely realized that I have ALOT to learn! However, I did manage to get a few favorites and wanted to share.

Real quick......

we had a great time in Chicago! SO much to do in that city...here are a few pictures to show you