A Family Sunday and current projects

Hi! This weekend was beautiful here in GA and Josh and I took advantage of the weather to do some fun things with the boys. In an effort to keep putting the house together, I ventured up the the Outlet malls to Pottery Barn during the week. Unfortunately, I had to do some returns and my sweet husband was willing to go back with me. {The trip was much more fun and less stressful having him there to help with the littles.} So, we drove north late Sunday morning. After PB, we looked around a bit then got on the little train. It was fun! I've never splurged on the train at the mall, but it seemed like a good time and was actually cheaper than the mall. The boys loved it!

When the leaves really start to change, we want to take a real train ride. Not sure where to go yet....any suggestions??

After that we went to Amicalola Falls. The boys were troopers and hiked almost to the top! Fielding especially wasn't intimidated. I was impressed.

{Checking out the falls}

{Relaxing after the hike}

Just down the road from the Falls is Burt's Pumpkin Patch . It's always crazy this time of year but so fun. We bought several cooking pumpkins and squashes. Pumpking soup is on the menu for this week. I'll let you know which one I use and if it's any good.

Even though his shirt says, "Mom's Happy Camper", this camper has had some serious attitude lately. He's fighting me on everything...getting in the car seat, putting on shoes, wearing diapers....However, we had a break through today - he stayed in class the whole bible study!!! It's taken a while but I hope this progress is permanent!

So I showed you the bench a few posts back, but have set up the area a little more since then. I'm not sure why these pictures are so fuzzy, but I just couldn't help myself from using a few of Fielding. He got this apple and sat on the bench all on his own. Love my little man.

Septmeber is not only back to school time, relief from the heat, the beginning of Fall, but it's my sweet sister Joy's birthday. Last night we got to celebrate her birthday with dinner at my parents and cake. All the little boys were there {my brother Tate, Wells, Fielding, and Josiah} and we all had a great time. I got to make her a cake! I used a Nutella Cake recipe from online. It was moist and pretty good, but not has nutella-y as I would have liked.

I've also starting making more baby items. If you or someone you know is looking for a cute baby gift, let me know! I'm making several to sell. I may even open an Etsy store! :)

{Matching burp cloth and booties for my friend Karen}

Here's another project I'm working on. Found this cool side table at goodwill for $12. It's currently in the garage with a nice coat of primer on it. I think I'll head out there in a minute or two and mix some paint for it. I'm so excited about it!

{The boys helped me sand it down. They're great helpers. :) Most of the time...}

And last but not least, I'm making slip covers for our dining room chairs. I've been looking for new chairs for our new kitchen table, but I haven't found any I want to spend money on. So....I decided to slipcover our current chairs so I can wash them. I think they're pretty cute now and am happy to only have spent $32 on the drop cloth I used for the fabric.

{This is what I started with}
{I cut a 7" strip 2.5x the perimeter of the seat. Folded it in half. Ironed. Then ironed pleats.}
{For the back and seat, I just measured each panel - 6 all together, and added at least an inch for seam allowance.}

{Sewed on the skirt and here you go!}
{Each one is getting better. I've done 2 and have 2 more to go. They take me about 2 hours to do if I'm not interrupted too much. But you know that kind of time is hard to come by :)}

I guess that's all for now! We're planning some fall parties and are excited about the holidays coming up. I love spending time with all our family. We are very blessed. Take care!!

Helen

Hilton Head 2011!!

We just got back from our 6th annual vacation in Hilton Head with some wonderful friends. It was so nice to get away. Josh, the boys and I went down a little early and had some family time before everyone came down. We drove thru the night Tuesday. Wednesday was beach and then kayaking on a sunset tour. The boys did great. Fielding wanted to paddle or to be in the water...He definitely has a mind of his own.

The boys love being at the beach.

Thursday morning we went on a shark fishing trip! Unfortunately, the fishing didn't go that well. We had one bite and caught a little shark. Better than nothing! It was nice just being out on the water though. We definitely need a boat! :)

That Cheez-It box was so gross....the boys had as much fun playing with the bait fish as anything, but before I realized it, they were eating snacks. Slimmy hands and all....

Thursday night our friends the Hoffers and Cahills arrived. Normally our good friends the Henrys come on this trip too. Unfortunately, they weren't able to come. Their presence was missed and we all wished they had been able to come.

We had 3 little boys and 1 girl. They boys had a blast fishing, digging, swimming and playing with bait. Mary Frances was so sweet walking and lounging with the moms. It's amazing the difference between boys and girls.

{Wellington and William}

{The men: Josh, Paul, & Steven}

{Look at that hair!!}

{Fielding: the fisherman}

{Playing sand crabs}

{Fielding}

{Me & Fielding}

We had a great time and are refreshed and ready to get back to work. I have so many things I want to set up, organize and sew! I love how taking time off motivates you to tackle the projects that had seemed daunting.

As you can see, my pictures are a little different this time! I'm trying to get nicer pictures for you all. So, I downloaded a new camera app - Camera+. It's been fun so far! Hope you like it...even if I did you a million different lenses and effects. :)

SNEAK PEAK!

We got our new table! Its beautiful! I haven't gotten everything set up yet but soon I'll show it to you. Until then, here's what the new bench looks like. The boys have sat on the bench every meal since we brought it home. :) Guess they like it too! {the table in the background is our old table}

That's all for now! Have a great rest of your week!

Helen

September morning

Good morning all. Can't believe it's September already. We've been in for a month now and it seems so much longer. We are slowly getting settled in. After so much unpacking I don't have too much motivation to decorate yet...but I know it won't be long. :) As I type I'm watching Wellington, Fielding, and cousin Andrew play in the baby pool. These three are already good friends and I'm so thankful that Paul and Karyn (and Andrew and baby sister on the way) will be building a house nearby in the next year or so. This means lots of good times ahead.

We're getting into the golden days of summer where it's so beautiful outside but you're starting to itch for cool breezes....trying to enjoy every ounce of summer we have left.

The boys have worn me out today. I'm trying to show them grace...but some days I don't know if I can make it through the day with my sanity.....Am I the only one that ever feels this way???

We've finally started walking again! It's nice to have new routes to explore. As long as I keep it short, things stay sweet.

My mom let me have an old church pew that was at the barn. It had been left outside and needed a total reglueing. Here's what it looked like when I got it. I sanded it down then made my own "stain".

I love how it turned out. I mixed my paint from paint samples I had. Watered it down. Brushed it on then rubbed it with a dry cloth. When it was dry, I applied Minwax furniture wax as the finish. Wax has become my new go to finish. I love it! Above the bench I've hung several pictures/mirrors with gray, silver or gold frames. I'll have to take a picture of that for you. It's one of the only areas in my house that is actually "set up".

Fielding's room is by far the most set up of everything. He even has curtains hung! Sad...it still looks so bare in the picture! HA!

We've had the opportunity to have a few play dates and people over already. Before we moved we hardly entertained saying, "Once we move, we'll have them over." Well, it's time. Here are the boys having a great time with William when the Hoffers came to dinner the other day.

Although Wellington insists that he's not big and doesn't want to get big, he's starting to do big boy things like do worksheets and take a gymnastics class. :)

While the kids play or sleep (they sometimes do this...) I've been working on little things that are left to do. Like painting corbels.

Fielding is getting big. And cuter every day. And changing. But not talking. (We're getting tired of "ah, ah, ah!)

While walking the other day, we found a neighborhood playground with a train!! Oh my. The boys love it!

Last Sunday, we celebrated Poppop's birithday. {Josh's dad} It was kiddy land! So awesome. They set up baby pools, slip and slides, a big trampoline, slides....and then we had ice cream cones. It was so cute seeing all the little cousins together! I couldn't get enough of them!

{Wells, Julek, Andrew, Fielding}

{Fielding}

Like I mentioned before, Wells started a Gym class this week! First class ever. :) He did great. Fielding cried and cried cause he wanted to go in the class too, but he is too young. :(

So Fielding and I went to see the geese.

I've been goodwilling too....I found this pretty little thing. I may make a new cushion, but i love it!

And here are the three cuties I am playing with today.... These are the faces when I said "smile!".

That's all for now! take care!

Helen