::diary:: our day with Brooklyn & Boston

my nieces, Brooklyn & Boston,
in their christmas dresses

during the four days we were in Bend, my sister Melissa and her hubby had some Christmas shopping to finish up, so I strapped on some bravery and asked if Rhett and I could babysit.  Honest to god, I can't remember the last time I've babysat little ones!  Living 3 hours away from each other, the opportunity just never comes up, and I was soo happy to be able to have the girls for an afternoon.  We started in the hotel pool, figuring that was a good place to burn some energy...

Rhett was a sport.  He didn't really want to swim, 

but I pleaded, and he swam.  For most of it. ;) 

we lasted an hour in the pool, then headed to the room for a quick bath.  The girls were staaaarving, "SOOO BAD" {Brooklyn didn't think there was any possible way she could make it to Red Robin without stopping in the snack shop of the hotel, first}.  It had been snowing like crazy, all morning, so Rhett picked up Brooklyn, and I carried Boston, and we tromped through the snow down to lunch.. 

Brooklyn ordered milkshakes for both of them as soon as we sat down.
later, my sister said she never orders them milkshakes.  LOL
I'm happy Brooklyn treated herself ;) 

After lunch, Auntie insisted on a little photo shoot with the beauties.. 

and we stumbled upon a snowman.

Back in the hotel, Uncle Rhett declared that the girls "could watch whatever they wanted, if we could rest".  The girls were fine with resting, but they had NO interest in the television.  They just wanted our phones. TV's are so pre-2010, obviously.  Now we know.  It's a lot of work, keeping up with these children of the Two Thousands.  They're too savvy for their own good.  ;)  And little Boston?  She uninstalled and installed apps like a pro!  

what a precious day

{December 23, 2012}

Our 2012 Piece~of~the~Tree Ornament ~ DIY

it's routine now ~ as Rhett preps the Christmas tree for the house, he slices a piece off the trunk, drills a hole in the top, and gives it to me to make into an ornament. Our mission is to have a remembrance of every tree, we ever have.  Maybe it helps us me deal with the guilt of having a fresh cut tree.  Maybe it's just a cool thing to do.  Either way, I like it.  Tradition.  I like traditions, and this is one of ours. 

I haven't gotten really creative with it yet, and my current motto is this:  "Done, is better than Perfect".  And in the interest of getting it done, I sat down and bammed it out, drawing on an idea in my head, and a little inspiration from Tristen.

I knew I wanted to use the brads that have been sitting in one of my craft drawers for... years.  

~ I premade holes to put the brads into, using a mini screwdriver ~ 

after the brads were in, I sat staring at it, trying to decide what to write on it, and my attention was drawn to the thicker slice of trunk that Tristen had been carrying around when we first put the tree up.  It took some squinting, but I noticed the very faint pencil scratch that Tristen must have started.. 

" R + M + T 

2012"

and it was decided.  That is what would go on our 2012 Piece~of~the~Tree Ornament

front

back
{type of tree}

I used stickers that I had, and Goop to glue them on.  I carved the plus signs into the wood with my mini screwdriver, and filled them in with pink highlighter. The hanger is frame wire.  Keeping with tradition, I put the type of tree on the back, and drew a heart, cause all those plus signs made me do it.  ;)

will it be my favorite Piece~of~the~Tree Ornament ever?  Let's hope not.  But.  It is Done.  

And that makes it just about Perfect. ;)  

Piece~of~the~Tree Ornaments

2011

Nap Time Crafters Friday Favs Party

 My Repurposed Life

::diary:: drew turns one

how absolutely adorable is that little cookie monster cake! Not to mention, how cute is that DrewBeeee!!?  Who is ONE now.  Gosh, he's just soo cute.  And isn't my sister-in-law Jani incredible?? She's raising two little men, takes good care of a big man, works and plays hard, and still finds time to throw darling parties.  Drew's First Birthday Party was no exception.  Drew-B basically just sat and stared at that cookie monster cake, not convinced - despite all the coaxing - that he really wanted to dig into that blue frosting.  He did stick a finger in, and took a lick, but that was about it!  What a cutey.  I just can't get over it ~ he's one now.  Wow.

..after the party, the fam hung out and loved on the babies, until several of us headed downtown Eugene, to a darling shopping area that dropped faux snow on us.  We ate, checked out the gingerbread house display, drove christmas light lane's, and were merry.

Who said winter birthday's aren't the best??!  Drew's was.  ;)

date of event: 12/15/12