Trouble

Fall Fun.....

Here are a few things the kids were up to last month.  

They made a sign with our name on it from things that they collected outside.

We used Mod Podge to seal it.....hence the glassy coat.

We studied ants for our letter A, therefore we adopted an ant farm.  It was a little creepy having ants on the kitchen counter, but we eventually didn't even notice them.  They were suppose to live 2-3 weeks.  David put the ant farm in Levi's room while cleaning up one day.  I actually forgot about them and I never really noticed them in Levi's room.  Today I found them and there are a few still alive and kicking (after more than a month)!  For some reason I can not make myself kill them, even though I smash ants all the time outside!

Rock Star

I told Luke I didn't want him to wear this shirt. He said, "mom, these are my favorite clothes. They make me look like a rock star!". I couldn't say no:)

Halle's Ornamet

Halle finds inspiration for a project in whatever we are doing! Soon after we started decorating the tree she was off to her seat to make her own napkin ornament:). She's so cute:)

Levi

Today we walked to the park and Levi had a blast on the slide! I love this picture:)

Helper Luke

3 Little Monkeys

Our three little monkeys.  Can you tell who is who? 

It has been so fun seeing each child, with their own personality in this monkey costume.  Halle was chill, Luke probably cried, and Levi was ALL OVER THE PLACE!  

Levi had several suckers tonight.....our lame attempt to keep him in the stroller.  He had his painted nose rubbed off before we left the house.    

We look at each picture and see all the little special things that we love about each of them.  Levi is such a cuddle bug and one busy bee.  Loves books, balls, and cars.  Tots around ALL day.  Has boycotted toys!

Sweet Luke.....Ferdinand The Bull.  Tough as nails, but sweet as can be.  Big helper.  Daddy's boy.

Halle and Luke look so much alike here.  I have never really thought they looked a lot alike until seeing these pictures.

Princess Halle.  Super lovey, care taker, kind.  Smart.

 The kids had a blast in the leaves yesterday.  Levi had leaves in his diaper, down his shirt, and in his socks. 

Instead of getting all fancy with the pumpkins this year, we decided to let the kids decide what they wanted.  There ya have it!  Easy carving for Dad! 

Happy Halloween! 

 Luke was a dragon, Levi the monkey, and Halle a giraffe.

I could only find giraffe ears and a tail on Amazon.  I wasn't about to spend a TON on a costume, so I made her pants and her shirt(I just cut a circle out and sewed it on a t-shirt).  

I wanted something she could wear more than once, so I made them like PJ's.  It wasn't exactly what she wanted, but she was happy.  I am happy that she now has a cozy pair of PJ's.....that I made.  I have just recently busted out my sewing machine......therefore, I am hardly a seamstress. .

A face painting always makes the costume better:)  

Luke would not sit still long enough for me to paint his face.  And, he had it all rubbed off by the time we arrived downtown.  

We trick-or-treated downtown Blacksburg and then came home to our neighborhood and went out with your neighbors.  We had 2 sets of trick-or-treaters.  Last year we didn't have any.  Times have sure changed!  Our neighborhood when I was a kid was always crazy.  I only remember going from neighborhood to neighborhood.  

*It is a miracle I actually blogged......proof reading this is not happening!  Sorry for any errors:)*  

Outback Birthday Dinner

We took Luke out for his big day and got a sitter for the other 2. So special to spend that time with him!

Part 2

Part 1 of Luke's Birthday

Mud Face

Last weekend we did some much needed yard work in the back yard.  A few students came out for Greeks Give Back to do volunteer work for FREE for anyone who signed up in advance.  They cleared out a few beds for us.

My Dad and his wife, Amber, came up Saturday to help us plant, and replant, and plant some more.  All we had to do was mulch.  

So....that brings us to Levi.  David brought home a truck bed of mulch and I unloaded the entire thing by myself last Monday.  What were the kids doing?  Playing in the mud, painting and "baking" with mud, and wearing a little mud.  Poor Levi had mud in his eyes and his hair.  He obviously was having fun!

I will post some pictures of the yard soon.  I am currently in SUNNY, WARM Florida!  Katie, my sis, had her sweet baby Selah Rain on Monday.  I had the honor of co-coaching Danny during labor.  Katie was induced because of her gestational diabetes.  They were able to induce without using Pitocin.  Katie did it all natural, without any pain medication.  We were so proud of her.  It was truly amazing to witness sweet Selah being born.  Definitely one of my top moments in life!  It was amazing to be on that side of a baby being born.  

Lion King, Golf, & Cookies

At the last minute yesterday afternoon I decided to take the kids to see Lion King in 3D.  I think I enjoyed it the most.  As an adult, you catch all the "adult humor".  The kids enjoyed it, but were not so sure about the 3D aspect.  

 David took Luke with him to play golf yesterday!  He was a little hesitant at first, but with a little love push he decided to take him.  I think he had more fun than he'd like to admit.  Luke walked all 9 holes.  He pulled the flag out for David and got a few swings in himself.

We had an eventful weekend!  The kids played soccer Friday night and Saturday morning.  We hosted a baby shower Saturday afternoon for some dear friends that were in town for the game.  

David is ready for fall and is enjoying the weather and the fall air.  Me, not so much.  I am wondering what I am going to do with my kids all winter.  I am officially spoiled by the backyard.  They usually go out after breakfast, and sometimes only come in for food:)  They make mud pies, spaghetti and meatballs, cookies with sprinkles, and cupcakes.  I had to lay down the law after I started missing kitchen utensils and my muffin pan.  

 Here are their cookies with sprinkles.  They made the cookies from mud and the sprinkles are chalked they chipped away with a stick.  I was impressed.....even though they did look like a poop patty.  

Luke Scoring His 1st Goal!

Introducing.....

ARTsis! Two sisters, one love.

My sister and I have been pondering on this idea for a while and recently decided to get busy.  We mutually enjoy crafting and art.  She is the creative-talented one, I am the motivated-getter done one!

We L.O.V.E. all things cute, creative, unique, and handmade.  

For years, Katie has been making my christmas cards, birthday invites, wall art, and other randomness.

Here are a few recent things Katie has made for Luke's room and for a friend of mine that are not yet in our shop.

I am by no means a seamstress, but I do enjoy sewing.  If nothing comes from this adventure but the ability to do for my own children, I will be happy.

Check out our shop!!

Let us know if there is anything we can create for you!

We are currently working on a few different things to add to our menu, so come back later and see what we are up to!

Clay Dinosaurs

Laundry Room Makeover

Before:

After:

Before:

 We moved the wall back to make the room bigger.

After:

 Before:

After:

 Cabinets and counter tops are from ikea.

I found the chair on the side of the road and gave it a little love and spray paint!  You can see it here.

David's great-grandfather owned a laundromat back in the day, so I thought it was fitting to frame a photo of the laundromat for my laundry room.

I threw this together for the other side.

Scrapbook paper and paper letters with adhesive on the back, thrown in some frames from a Michael's sale with a coupon.

A few Loves:

Love Organized Drawers!

~Jess

SuMmEr FuN

We had our 1st 4th Of July party this year!  We hope to make it an annual thing!  We played in water, ate lots of yummy food, hung out with lots of friends, and roasted smores! 

 4th Of JuLy FuN!

Parade!

VBS at NLCF!  The kids had a blast and did so many cute things this year at VBS in early July.  They made these little grass head things.  Halle's now has a "head full of hair".....Luke's, not so much hair.

Toads, ice cream, and backyard fun!

 The kids found several toads this year.  I eventually had to limit their "time" with them once they starting turning up dead.  They would carry them around, build them houses, try to feed them, swing them by their legs, etc.  

I was a little indecisive on whether to just allow them to play with them without me yelling out the window 10x......."guys, stop carrying the toad by his leg!"

Or, to try and teach them a lesson about how to treat things, animals, toads, etc.  Suggestions?

They weren't intentionally cruel, they were just being kids, having fun.

 I would of laughed at you if you told me 3 years ago I would be giving my 1 year old ice cream, lollipops and popsicles.  The kids share with him, therefore he chases them around the house begging for these things.  It is to stinkin' cute to not give in:)

Watermelon!

 Happy 3rd Birthday J!

Love this little guy to pieces:)