Pinterest project

The project is the big board

painting the outside to make a frame

Finished project!! I looked Awesome!

10 Dollar Christmas

For several reasons this year as a family we pared back for Christmas. Most of all because I didn't want to feel that we spent a lot of money and effort of gifts that would go unappreciated. So to keep it under-control we put a monetary limit on our Christmas this year. 

TayBug's gift was a fun and a good adventure, I took the rocking horse that we had that had two broken rockers, a torn seat and a missing ear. With a little TLC and some help from a good friend we got it looking new. 

Gus's gift was the most time consuming but well worth it. She'd been asking for a poncho for several months finally it got done. And though the picture may not show it she loves it.  

For Christmas last year Handsome received an awesome book of experiments we thought it would be cool to put together a kit of the things he would need to actually do the experiments that he is always asking about. We were right it was SOOOO cool and he was super excited.

As you maybe wondering did we come in under budget?
TayBug-$3.00
Gus-$7.50
Handsome-$12.00

GUS IS 9!!!!

Peace Sign Cake

Tie-dye inside

Red-eyed Tree Frog!

Thrilled over her Monster High Doll

WOOHOO!!!

Brave from Grandma and Grandpa Stoddard!!

Awesome color set from G & G Christiansen

Tears over Cake for good measure.

What a Posterity

Almost all the Christiansen Grandchildren and two soon to be's

Turkey Day

Because my Love's work schedule was not very flexible this year we decided to stay home for Thanksgiving. To save time and not be too wasteful our Turkey dinner consisted of every one's favorite dish 
Handsome-Mashed Potatoes
Gus-Turkey
My Loves- His grandma's Shrimp Salad
TayBug-Rolls
Mom-Cranberry Jello Salad
And Cheesecake for dessert! yummy yummy!

Happy Birthday to me!!

Halloween 2012

I love to torment  my family on Halloween.This year we thought it would be super fun if we dressed up as the best part of Halloween.  The Treats of course!

Happy Anniversary

6 years ago I met this super shy tall dark handsome man! 5 years ago I married him!!  What a wonderful 5 years it has been. He spoiled me this year we dropped the kiddos off at grandma and grandpa's house and had a night on the town.  Dinner, a beautiful walk around down town Boise, and Ice Cream of course!!  Love you!!

To Do

I had some news for the love of my life but wanted to tell him in a creative way. At our house, despite my loves tech-y tendencies on occasion our printer doesn't work, so to get around the frustration of pushing the print button on my computer half a dozen times or so and then be so mad when I get no results I've just started emailing my documents to his computer and he prints them for me. He has also told me in the past that he always reads through them before he prints them. So this is the document I sent him on Sept. 22.

To do

Take test

Call Dr. for apt

Cancel Gym membership?

Figure out so cute way to tell Neil

Pick names

Ultrasound

Sort baby clothes

Lesson plans starting April 6

 


 

First Day of School

Gus is now a 3rd GRADER!!   Handsome is now a 2nd GRADER!!

How did they grow up so fast?

Handsome has Glasses

Swim, swim, swim

This is just the first of many swim meets from this summer!! My awesome little fish!!

oh my good book!!

 I've been indulging in the classics lately. I'm currently reading several books but the ones I'm loving the most make me want to put on a corset, a full skirt, a broach, a petticoat. Once drawn up in this beautiful clothing, I'd take a walk in the garden or a ride in a carriage. I would be delighted to spend the evenings around the piano, entertaining, dancing and enjoying the company of those who should happen to call. It would be lovely to expand our vocabulary to increase the realm of our little mind.

I love that I can open these beautiful stories and be apart of their stories.

p.s.i love the thought of being a governess who falls in love with the master, who is madly in love with his governess. 

handsome turns 7!!!

Handsome's birthday was crazy this year. Note to self, plan the B-day party before schools out so then it might actually happen. There were a few things that made this bday difficult first he kept changing his mind about what he wanted, Spiderman, no hulk, no soccer, no swimming, no football, no, no! You get the point. Then the timing wasn't the best. We got home late the night before his bday from our trip to Cali. That weekend was his first swim meet, we hadn't gotten any shopping done. We ended up having a family party on Sunday so Handsome and Dad both opened presents that day.

fun in the sun

Wednesday June 6th~ we all packed ourselves and things in the car and headed out to Cali. we left when my love got off work so we hit the road about 4:30 in the afternoon. I knew this could be a challenge to keep everyone happy the whole way. So with a little help from pinterest  found some fun things to do to pass the time. of course we had the standards: pile of books, DVD player and coloring supplies. But to shake things up a little I bought a few fun toys ahead of time without the kids knowing: silly putty, new books, glow sticks, squishy balls, little travel games. Then every time we stopped for gas they got to pick a present to open. They seemed to enjoy it and it really didn't cost too much to keep them happy. We arrive in Red Bluff at about 3:00 am. and stayed at Motel 6. 

Day One~ we checked out of the hotel, and drove out to grandma's house. I love the ranch it reminds me of growing up on the goat farm. Endless possibilities for imaginations to run wild. goats, horses, fish, ducks, geese, peacocks, lizards, snakes, a creek, four wheelers... we played and got plenty dirty just hanging out with grandma.

Day Two~Swimming at the hotel, hanging out at grandmas, BBQ with friend. I didn't realize until now that I have no pictures from the BBQ so sad. We had a blast at the Rogerson's. Yummy food, good company and great laughs.

Day Three~This was probably our biggest busiest day. We went to Turtlebay for almost the whole day, took a break went to lunch at IN 'n' Out then back to Turtlebay for some more fun. Hopefully the post following this has a slide show of all the pictures from that day. That evening we went to dinner with my little brother and his beautiful family. Here's a few pictures of MsTay meeting here little cuz.

Day 4~Crazy day! Kiddos went swimming  and to the crayfish festival in Red Bluff, with grandma, aunt Jamie and their cousins. I dropped My Love off at the airport so he could fly home to go to work the next day.  Gus's favorite part was eating the crayfish. That evening we drove up to Redding to have dinner with family friends. I tried to choke on a piece of chicken but luckily survived.  

Day 5~Swimming, oh and Gus had discovered the yummy hot coco in the hotel lobby was even better with a little vanilla creamer in it. We packed up our stuff and checked out of the hotel and went to stay at Aunt Jamie's house. after we got all of our stuff to my sister's we went back out to the ranch for the afternoon. It was twice the fun because we brought cousins with us. 

Day 6~ by far one of the best days. We woke up hung out with aunt Jamie and the boys for awhile then set out for Redding did a few errands, then went to my chill at my BFF's house. It was so wonderful to sit and talk, reminisce, raid her bookshelf, enjoy our kiddos playing with each other. later that evening grandma took us to ROSS one of my favorite places to shop and to dinner at Denny's. That night I stayed up way too late talking to my little sis. GREAT VACATION!!

Day 7~ Breakfast at McD's with the family then on our way back to Idaho.

waiting to go to breakfast

still waiting

and waiting

let's go!