Crafting Recap

It's been a busy second half of the year, but I have made time for crafting.  Just before my parent's went on their solar equinox road trip I made my dad "Nebrasketball" shirts.  This a saying that has floated around for a year or two, but there were no good t-shirts out there, so I designed my own.  He has already tasked me with adding something to the back.

Jimmy got a new TV when we moved in to the new house and I got a stand mixer.  It seems that adding custom decals is a thing people do, so I made mine look like diamond plate!  Seems fitting since I sell metal for a living and it looks frickin' sweet!

I did a decent amount of holiday crafting too.  I used vinyl to help my friend, Rachel, etch dragonflies on candle holders.  Glass etching has been on my list of things to try, and now I am really excited for my own projects.

I got digitally crafty with our Christmas card as well.  We took a nice family picture in front of our fireplace, but this one was much better, so I designed around it.  The Vikings are having a great year as well, so it seemed fitting.

 I bought the tree decorations below at Home Goods, but I made a wreath for our fireplace out of red fleece and some ribbon.

You've seen pictures of my completed ugly sweater, here it was after painting.  I cut out hooves from vinyl, then used a toothbrush to splatter paint.  I removed the vinyl to leave the prints.

I also made a sweater for my co-worker, Lauren.  She wanted one with her cat Gus, on it.  She gave me a few pictures and I kind of did a hybrid of him as a kitten and an adult.  His features were more defined as a kitten, but he's kind of got a grumpy look about him as an adult.  I made the letters look like claw marks and added some cuts to make it look torn.

Gus was obviously pleased with the outcome!

I have some more crafting planned for the new house and elsewhere in 2018, so stay tuned!

Christmas: Round 3

My grandma didn't make the trip up for Christmas this year so we hosted Christmas Eve at our house with my parents and their neighbors.  I only took a couple pictures and missed the main courses all together.  We had a traditional soup dinner with chicken wild rice, oyster stew and turkey chili.  The appetizers were a hit too, spinach artichoke dip, meat and cheese platter and goat cheese with apricot preserves, almonds, craisins, and honey.  We played Apples to Apples after eating and had a great time.

We woke up Christmas morning and had the kids open their presents.  Both kids were able to open on their own this year, which was really special.

Parker for a soccer goal, Esme got a Moana doll from us and a doll who giggles from her daycare lady.  They both got the Lollipopter that Parker opened.

We headed over to my parent's house pretty early.  We all got to open our "Santa" bags, then opened the rest of our gifts when my brother's family arrived.

The kids were thoroughly spoiled again this year.

Christmas dinner was pot roast and all the fixings.  Parker didn't want to sit in the dining room again, but did stop by to be in a picture.

I got a new camera from Jimmy and had a great time playing with it.  This is one of my favorites of Esme with her cousin, Jayden.

We tried to get a picture of all four kids, but you know how that goes.  Cody and Jayden did great while Esme and Parker went a little wild.

We watched Moana after eating.  Grandpa and Esme broke in her new blanket!

We hope your Christmas was as merry and bright as ours was!

Night at the Museum

We headed to the Children's Museum for date night this week.  It was practically deserted, which was perfect!  We grabbed dinner for the kids then played for about an hour and a half.

Esme had fun navigating the ropes and Parker got to go on the big slide over and over and over again.

It was a great family activity for a chilly holiday night.

More Pre-Christmas Fun

We had a pretty busy week before Christmas.  We had our small group on Monday, then had our friends, Brian and Rachel, over for dinner and a movie on Tuesday.  I made Turkey Bean Chili, but used more meat and doubled the broth.  We watched Polar Express after dinner and we all stayed awake!  Esme really loved all the songs, especially Hot Chocolate.  I tried to get a video of her dancing, but she kept sitting in my lap.

 This was the best picture I could get, Parker was not cooperating.

 Wednesday night was a party to celebrate my mom's upcoming retirement.  She's been with the same company for 25 years and I am so excited for her next adventure.  Once again the kids weren't really cooperating, but at least we are all in it this time.

Friday was my work's annual potluck and ugly/festive sweater party.  I rocked my "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" gear again.  I also found another foe in my cube mate, Connor.

 Another great group of participants.

 I took the trophy for the second year in a row and the third out of four.  I love that my employer allows me to dress silly and hands out prizes for it!

Friday was also guys day for Parker and Jimmy.  They went out for some delicious pastries at YoYo Donuts.  I think they were Parker approved!