Family pictures

The beginning of November we had some family pictures taken. 

I had been waiting to post them because I used them on our Christmas cards, and gave some to family as gifts.

I also don't have all the pictures I ordered from the photographer. I'm still waiting on one of Ryan and the kids, and one more of just Ryan, and I. I hope to be getting them soon. Like really soon. 

I'm so happy to be their momma. Parenthood can be trying at times, but it's also very rewarding. Love these two so very much!

The kids only cooperated for a good ten minutes, so I took the opportunity to get a few photos of me, and the bearded husband.

When we got married we didn't have engagements, we didn't do family maternity pics, so we really needed some good ones of us. I plan on redoing our room soon and I want to put these on canvases over our dresser. I hope y'all enjoy our pics as much as I do.

No more sand paper, ever!!!

I had this crazy idea to redo my dining table and chairs a week before thanksgiving. 

My in laws bought this table 30 years ago. It's a great table just was looking a little out of date. 

So, I thought it would be fun and no big deal to sand the seats, and the table top. 

Not so much. I absolutely despise sanding anything. 

Starting the staining process. With staining you have to wipe as you go. Well once I would wipe it down you could not tell I stained anything. I got a little nervous. I went to Home Depot and talked to a helpful guy, and he said since I was working with water based products I could leave it on and not wipe it.

And it worked like a champ. You just have to make sure your brush strokes were even.

I did the chairs first and saved the table for last. I did two chairs at a time. I got two chairs with stain on them then went back to sanding. It gave me a nice break, and kept me constantly working. When it was time to polyurethane I would put a coat on then start painting on the chairs that were finished. My house was an absolute disaster. I sanded in the living room, stained in the kitchen, and painted in the entry hall. I'm so glad my kids are independent. They really just played and knew they weren't allowed to touch all the materials.

For the table I took the leaf out and did that separate. I was able to use my electric sander for a lot of the table. Thank the good lord. This would have taken a good 2-3 days by hand. I didn't have that kind of time. That electric sander makes a HUGE mess. Wow!

I used annie sloan chalk paint to paint the chairs and pedestal. I like that there was no need for sanding prior to painting. My sil has used this paint a few times, so I decided to try it out. I bought a quart of it and it was enough to paint the table and chairs with 2-3 coats. I still have some left over. It's awesome. Definitely worth the price.

I started on a Tuesday night and finished late Monday night. I'm happy with how it turned out, and all the sanding was totally worth it. I just need to apply the wax coat on the paint to keep the chairs from chipping, getting dirty.

Thanksgiving & 4 generations

This year I hosted thanksgiving. What a chore! My grand-dad was in town, so I wanted to spend it with my family. My mom lives in an apartment with little space to host, and my aunts house isn't all that kid friendly, so I offered. I went for the casual hosting style. You know the paper plates, and tin foil trays kind of serving. Ha! I had enough dishes to do, and I wasn't about to go out and buy plates, chargers, and all that fancy coordinating serveware for one day. It's not about the decor anyway. I enjoyed having all of my family over. I just wish I would have stopped to take more pictures. My little brother likes playing on my camera and he ended up getting a few cute ones. 

My little nephew, Cam. He is such a handsome little guy.

Olivia and my cousin, Connor. My kids adore Connor. He's such a sweet kid.

My super hero. I loved having him home this week.

She never leaves Cam's side. She loves babies.

This was the first time Olivia got to meet grand-dad. My grand-dad used to live with my parents until about 4 years ago then he moved back to Florida.

We had to get a 4 generations picture while my g-dad was in town. We tried taking it outside, but my flash wasn't coming on, so we had to go with this cheesy 90's pose. :/ Carson looks thrilled doesn't he? Ha!

I am so sad I didn't get a picture of the four of us. We take one every year. At least I got a picture with my true love.

I'm so thankful everyday for life's blessings. Hope you all had a great turkey day.

When the husbands away...

Last week when I was cleaning out Carson's room I got the crazy idea I'm going to paint it. He had coloring on the walls, dirty hand prints, you name it. It was gross! This weekend Ryan went out of town, so I thought it was the perfect time to paint he would be out of my way, and not here to tell me how he thought I should do it. 

Covering up the beautiful artwork he made when he was 2. I love it, but it had to go. 

These I took before painting and rearranging. 

This is after. I still need to hang a couple things back up, yarn art his letters, and get a valance for his window over his bed. (It used to have a panel curtain there.) It feels so refreshed in there. I still eventually want new bedding and wall decor, but for now this will do. 

While I was on a roll of painting rooms I thought I should look for the paint that matched the living room to do a little touching up. I found it up in the attic, but it didn't look too good.

Yuck!! I called my fil to ask him what I should do, and he told me to take the paint and they could probably match it. The next morning I headed up to Sherwin Williams and got a gallon of paint. When I brought it home it was too light. 

Eek! Not a match at all. I went back and they tinted it just a little darker. 

We had a match. As soon as I got home Ryan had called saying he was on his way home. I freaked and got busy painting. He is so weird about painting. He wants it done professionally, so I never told him I was doing the living room or kitchen. I thought it would be fun to do it, and not say anything to see how long it takes him to notice it. 

Like new. 

I started on my entry hall, but ran out of time. And, he hasn't noticed. Seriously! This stands out. Men.

Kitchen wall. I didn't get a before shot because I was painting like a crazy woman. It also had black hand prints, water stains, and peeling paint. Ryan needs to hurry and notice so I can finish what I started. I did a little painting while he was in the shower, and when he went to bed. Sneaky.

This is my next project. I'm hosting thanksgiving this year so I'm trying to spruce up the house. It's a little addicting I must say.

Ropin' reader & a little under weather

Friday Carson got two awards at school. He got ropin' reader & the Wylie way. We are so proud of him. He is doing great, and absolutely loves going. 

He wasn't feeling all that well today, but I had him go since he was getting an award. I thought he was just tired from halloween and had a little allergy flare up.

Lolly& pops got to come. 

After his ceremony I ended up taking him home with me. I got him a dr appt once they opened. To my surprise he tested positive for strep. He's never had it before, and since his tonsils were taken out I was pretty sure he wouldn't have it. I'm so glad I took him in.

We got him some meds and lots of rest. He's now feeling back to normal.

Trick or treat

Before we headed out to trick or treat we stopped by Oma & Joes for some pictures, candy & cookies. 

Oma recently just moved down the street from us. She was thrilled to see her great gkids on halloween. 

       Mickey Mouse 

Every year we go trick or treating in Ryan's parents neighborhood. 

We always take a halloween family pic before heading out for candy.

Ryan's grandma lives caddy corner to his parents, so nonnies one of our first stops. 

Cherrianna is one of Ryan's parents good friends. She also lives in their little circle. She is very generous to my kids with her candy. 

My mom lives down the street from Ryan's  parents, so she walks with us every year to trick or treat. Olivia wanted meme to hold her all night. 

Carson said he wasn't feeling that well and wanted to go back to Lolly's to pass out candy with pops.

Lolly made these costumes 27 years ago. Ryan and his sister, Katy wore these in 1986. 

She did have to remake Minnie's head. It got misplaced. 

These two were so cute, and left their costumes on so well. We had a fun night of trick or treating. I'm so glad our family is so close together, and we can do things like this.

A halloween throwback.