It was bound to happen

Let the record show that our family went three years, three months and nine days after having children to get an ear infection. 

Boo.

Kenny-girl is not a happy camper (although already doing loads better since starting antibiotics).

Easton remains the ear infection proof one (knock on wood).

Add that to the sore throats and hacking coughs and we are one sorry mess!

At least we have moving into our new house this weekend to pick up our spirits {squeal!}.

See how I'm trying to look past all of the crappy stuff about moving with two sick kids, there?  I'm attempting to trick myself, we'll see how it goes.

Let's take the load off of our own shoulders, shall we?

A good friend and I were talking the other day.

The conversation turned to how sometimes we place ridiculous amounts of pressure on ourselves.

She talked about how she was debating whether to ramp up her photography business again, and the time/effort that goes into all that she does with it.  I talked about the many good things I seem to have pulling on my time. I discussed how I would much rather see her darling little boy and her life on her blog in only semi-edited (or straight out of the camera) pictures instead of no posts with zero pictures, but that I understand the pressure that she feels for the pictures on her blog to be perfect.

People know she is a photographer, so she wants every picture "out there" to represent her craft.  Similarly, people know I make homemade cards and so I feel that if I can't send a handmade card, then I better just not send anything to them at all.  This happened just last month.  I was out of handmade birthday cards, and family birthdays were coming up, so you know what I did?  I sent a store bought card {gasp!}.  Guess what else?  No one died.

Seriously.

The world kept on turning.

The birthday girls received a handwritten card through snail mail and everything was okay.

And you know what?  It felt kinda good.

So here's to taking that burden off of our shoulders.

Buy a card.
Post an unedited picture.
Give some one a store bought gift.
Make a frozen lasagna.
Have less than seven side dishes when you feed the missionaries.

I think we'll all be happier when we do.

March Madness

Apparently, I am one of those people.

The people who actually watch March Madness games in the middle of the day.

Games between two teams I have never watched in my entire life.

Just because Ronnie has one team on his bracket and I have the other on mine.

Darn competitiveness.

More Crafts

If you read the kids blog you saw a picture of Kendree at her party where she looked like this:

 And here's a shot where you can see the crown a little better.

For the purpose of documenting/sharing, I thought I would let you know how I made it all. 

Tutu: made using the rolls of tulle that you can buy at Hobby Lobby in alternating colors.  Tutorial can be found here, although instead of messing with elastic, I just used one of those skinny headbands as the base.

Shirt: Onesie purchased at Hobby Lobby.  Fabric was from my stash, but originally purchased at Wal-mart.  I used Heat N' Bond light and then zigzag stitched around the outside.

Crown: Used the tutorial here, but thought I had a better chance of keeping something on top of her head, instead of around it (didn't seem to help at all, bytheway).  I altered the pattern slightly by centering it in on the rectangle sheets of felt you buy at any craft store and then making the sides extend to the edge of the rectangle.  The two ends were then sewn together to create the circle.  Elastic was stapled to each side, just like a party hat.  I also did not use two different colors of felt and stitched the "1" on top of the outside layer of felt instead of cutting open the number (as shown in the tutorial). 

Whew, feels good to have that in a place where I you can find it if I you need it.

Kendree's Birthday Party

We celebrated Kendree's birthday on Saturday, the 19th of February.  We were happy to host both sets of Grandparents and the local aunts and uncles at our house.

Obviously, Kendree was thrilled to be the birthday girl!

Aunt Sassy took care of all of the present opening and Kendree loved it.

Easton was a very good boy during the present opening and only played with things after Kendree had moved on to the next item.  The corn popper was a particular favorite.

I just loved this shot of Kendree crawling in her tutu.

Then, while we ate lunch, Kendree chilled with various family members.  Here she is with Grandpa Wyo.

After lunch, it was time for CAKE!  Easton helped to blow out the candle...

And then Kendree got to dig in!

The final result:

Next, we had a quick sink bath...

and then posed for some pictures!

Grandpa and Grandma Wyo

The whole clan that traveled over from Laramie

Grandma and the Kenny-girl.

Kenny and Sassy playing games with braces and glasses.

Thanks to everyone who came...it was a great party and we had a great time!

Adam & Alicia's Wedding Guest Book

And, the last thing I had to finish before the big wedding this Friday is complete!

Here's just two of the pages, you can check out all 15 here.

Items 7 and 8

I'm slowly checking off items on the "wedding to-do list." and here we have the two items for the E-man.

The pink vest: 

And the bow tie (made using this tutorial with a strap and Velcro added).

And here's the man himself modeling them (red shirt on underneath and everything).

To-Dos Checked Off

So, my brother is getting married next weekend.

I volunteered to take on a few projects.

A few projects that I have procrastinated.

But, this week I have completed items 1 through 6 on my 9 item list (not too shabby!).

Alayna's "Flower Girl" Dress

{Bodice created from scratch using this tutorial (it was waaaay easier than I was anticipating).  Skirt is made from Ruffle Fabric and used the skirt portion of this tutorial.  Some of the most fun fabric I have sewn with in a while.}

 A close up of the flower.

{Burned circles of the satin-ish material with glass pearls sewn into the middle.}

The back of the dress (this one is actually Kendree's but you get the drift).

 Front of Kendree's (for good measure).

And, a pleated pearl headband for each girl as well.

{Used this tutorial}

Also sewn, but not pictured, two of the Coastal Curtsy Skirts from this tutorial.  Mine were in the black 2-inch ruffle fabric and if you are looking for an incredibly easy and fun skirt--you should get to ordering!

Next up?  A vest and bow tie for Easton and the sign in scrapbook. {like this one, or this one, or this one that I have made before}

Sorry for the less that stellar pictures.  My camera is "in the shop" and all I have is my ipod.