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

Fall Days, A Happy Thanksgiving...and a christmas tree!

The days up until Thanksgiving were beautiful! And then...the cold came. :( But during those nice days Wells got a lesson in mowing the lawn. He loves playing with the lawn mower and blower in the garage. When Josh let him help him for a minute he was in heaven. :) Let's hope the enthusiasm lasts a looonnggg time. :)

We visited my favorite park again! This time we fished off the dock....with no luck. But it was fun trying. We had more luck attracting people than fish. Tell me this, who comes two feet from you with their child, narrates what someone does and then sits down right there and watches you? Without talking to you or thinking their being annoying?? This was very strange behavior....

Anyway, Wells had a great time.

Thanksgiving was a great day for us. We didn't get to play our normal football game {just too many little ones that can't participate and need supervision}, but we had family time all day. The boys and I made Sweet Potato casserole {I'll post the link to the recipe under the Recipes tab} and mashed sweet potatoes the day before. Thursday morning we made cinnamon rolls and got coffee for the family and headed over to Josh's parents' house around 10am. Josh fried a turkey and hung out with the guys while I played with the kids and caught up with the girls. After an early lunch there and Fielding's nap, we headed to my grandparents' to hang out with my side of the family along with all the random people and adopted family members. It was a full day. I love that we have a day set aside for remembering to whom we are thankful and what we are thankful for. I'm thankful for my husband, children, family, health, provision of more than I need, and to be able to stay at home with my children. I know I am very blessed and hope I am being a good steward of all God has given me. I always think of what Andy Stanley taught about making wise decisions when I think of being a good steward. He says to think about this ~ "In light of your past experience, present circumstances, and future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?" I know that doesn't exactly go with a Thanksgiving theme...but it was in my train of thought so I thought I'd share that too. :) Along those lines, we're thinking about moving...more about that later :). Here are some Thanksgiving pictures!!

Wells cleaning potatoes for me.

Fielding being happy on the floor...this was a huge help!

Me in my new apron that I made ~ after making like 8 I finally kept one! :)

Fielding at Poppop and Grandma's.

Sweet potato topping - yum!

Josh's turkey pot.

Cooking the turkey!

Wells just wants to do whatever his Daddy is doing. :)

Looks like Fielding isn't so sure about this frying business.

Getting ready.

I didn't get anymore pictures of the feast...guess I got caught up in everything but it was beautiful and fun and couldn't ask for a more loving family ~ on both sides.

Next up ~ Christmas tree shopping!!

Every year we try to get a christmas tree on November 27th. This is a special day as it's the birthday of my brother, Hanson, who passed away at 6 months old. This year we were all together on the 26th doing family pictures so we decided to head out for convenience sake. It was freezing!!!! We went, cut down a tree and then sadly everyone headed to their own home. It had gotten late and things are just more complicated with the three little ones. Here is a picture of Josh, Wells and Dawson {my brother in law} warming themselves by the stove {really they are trying to get a glimpse of the Auburn game}.

Family photo...expect that you can't really see the kids ~ HA!

Dane, Mia and little Josiah. Since we hadn't planned on going to get a tree that night we all bundled up with whatever we had. Luckily my mom had room in her jacket. :)

Wells helped cut down the tree too!

We didn't get a tree {again...maybe next year} but we did get greenery. I made a garland for the door. Looks pretty good! I'll take a some pictures after I get all the decorations up.

Wells helping me cut the garland I just spent an hour making and hanging....it doesn't matter. Kids learn through being able to try new things and sometimes I just have to let it go....it's not a big deal and he had a great time thinking he was helping me. :)


Have a great day! Thanks for reading such a long post!

Helen

A little of this and a little of that

The Fall weather is here and we are loving it, although it we have been inside a lot lately. The boys are really developing their personalities these days. Fieling is my angel child right now and Wells....well, I guess the "terrible two's" have begun. Some days it takes all the patience I can muster just to keep calm with his constant whining. Here he is below trying on my boots. He likes them as you can see. The other day I came down the stairs in them and he said, "Hey! Nice boots!" He's so funny. :)

So on days that are nice and I feel like getting out we head to a nearby church play ground. The boys LOVE it! There's never anyone else there and it's close enough to walk ~ so I love it too. Fielding played for about 15 minutes in this little car the other day and we even pushed him around the playground in it. He was so cute. :)

If you look closely at the picture above, you can see that Fielding is standing. He has started pulling up on everything ~ the couch, the dishwasher, the toilet (eekk!), the toy box...! I think he'll be walking before a year old. His personality is starting to come out and he is very social. He loves people and hates being alone or missing out. Wells is still shy but he's getting better. I was a very shy child, so I know he'll grow out of it.

Here are the boys again....just watching the cars go by...Fielding wants to be just like Wells. :)

Among our other activities, Wells and I have started having tea together. He wanted to play with the tea cups the other day so I made tea and got cookies.... He really enjoyed it and we've had tea a few times since.

And last but not least, I wanted to provide proof that I did get out and vote! The boys came with and were very good. However, Wells did say, "Go home. Go home." the entire time...but oh well.

Hope you guys have a great weekend!!