Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Muffin Tin Advent Calendars

I don't have much time for crafting anymore but I really, really love making these so I carved out some time to do it this year. I can't wait to pull mine out and use it with Nora. I'm planning on filling each spot with a small treat, a scripture, or a coupon to do something fun (like visit Santa, or build a gingerbread house). I think every kid loves a countdown to Christmas. I remember loving even the cheap ones you buy from the grocery store.

I have two of this style available for purchase.




I have the supplies to make one more of this style.




They are $25 and include the muffin tin. Great for yourself or for a family gift exchange. Send me a comment if you're interested.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

halloween weekend

I know if I don't post these now, it will be Thanksgiving and I'll be wondering if it's too late to post Halloween pictures.

I had so much fun teaching Nora about Halloween this year. She loved ghosts and monsters and especially loved getting her trick-or-treat bucket and learning the meaning behind it. It makes me sad how long we build up for the holiday weekend and how quickly it's over.

We started Friday off by going to Omniture's annual Halloween bash. It never disappoints and Nora was IN. HEAVEN. They had buckets of candy in each department and no matter how many times we only told her one, she would frantically grab handfuls like it was the last time she'd ever see candy in her life.




Then we went and had pizza at Darin's parents and did some more pumpkin carving. It's actually the first time in a long time that I've actually enjoyed the pumpkin carving while I was doing it. Loved spending time with all the family.


On Halloween morning I made a spooky breakfast for my favorite ladies. I wanted to get Nora with a full meal before she indulged in more sugar than she ever has. Another tradition I'd like to keep up in years to come.


Would have liked to get a better picture of the spooky pancake ghosts I made. But it was hard to man the camera, all the food, and serve Nora her food before she had a complete meltdown. I promise all the rest of the ghosts were much cuter than this one. But you get the idea.


Then it was time to get on her costume and go visit all the grandparents. She finally gets to put all she learned about trick-or-treat to use.




She loved going with her cousin Olivia but had a hard time getting down the concept at first. For the first few houses she'd say trick-or-treat and then walk on in to the strangers house. She figured if we were going there then she must know the people.



Getting excited for Nora's birthday and teaching her about the rest of the upcoming Holidays.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

cornbelly's ouchie

I purchased the cornbelly's groupon this year with the full intention of going at least twice. Of course we only ended up making it there once with everything else we had going on. We sure had fun though.




 Love these ladies.

Nora's loved the air tramps and would yell "BOUNCE, BOUNCE" while she jumped on it.


But her favorite part definitely had to be the princess dress up stage. She's a girl after my own heart. Dresses, pink and dancing around. True girl through and through. Silly little things like this melt my heart. I love when she's so full of joy over something.





The day didn't end great though. Sweet Olivia fell and hit her head on the metal wagon and had to get three stitches. At least we got to enjoy a lot of things before she got hurt. Poor girl.

new tradition

A few weeks ago we had my family over for a pumpkin carving party. We had delicious chili, spooky apps, and yummy treats with fresh mulled cider.


Fall was so beautiful this year. We were even able to carve our pumpkins outside. Nora loved "stirring up" the seeds and getting her little paws on any carving knives that she could. Little stinker.


This is definitely going to have to be an annual thing.


Adore my family.