Quality Time in Kentucky!

We did a little pre-Thanksgiving family time in Kentucky the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Although its always a quick trip with our work schedules, we packed in as much quality time as we could.  We got to do two early Thanksgivings.  Eat great food.  Hang out by the fire and watch football.  Dig out all the old Christmas lights.  Laugh and catch up with all of our Kentucky family, but our first stop was to see these little wrestle maniacs!

As soon as they see B, they want to climb all over him.  And he loves it!

 Funny faces are all the rage in the 3-6 year old realm!

Eating some YUMMY food!  Caden thinks it was finger licking good!

Copelan was holding up his favorite food from the meal to show you guys and gals...Gran's homemade rolls!  Caden's favorite food was the fruit.  Only a 6-year-old would name the one thing on the menu that wasn't actually made by the cook.

Playing before dinner!

How cute is Caden in his tie!  He loves real neck ties.  He has always loved clothes.  When I asked what he wanted for Christmas he named like 5 clothing items and I had to continue to prompt him to name a toy, book, or activity that he would like.  Hilarious.

Kisses from Copelan are now a trick into letting him blow spit and laugh in your face.  Luckily its so cute coming from him!

I know that you are thinking poor Caden...But just know that he absolutely loves the attention and always comes back for more.

I know I know, I have no pictures of adults, but how can I photograph us old wrinkly folks when my camera loves these handsome brothers!

Doesn't Caden look at least 10 in this picture!  He is so grown up!

Hope your pre-Thanksgiving festivities were amazing!  Let's chat about our Thanksgivings next time!

Deck the Halls

I'm sorry I've been gone for the past 3ish weeks from blogging.  I hated not posting and I've missed you gals (and those few guys out there reading), but I have just not stopped or been in town long enough to get a post written.  But do not fret, I have about a gazillion floating around in this flighty head of mine and I will get them out to you as soon as I can.  Of course this week is already looking quite packed, but soon I promise.  Soon.

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Can you believe its time to decorate for Christmas?  I haven't been the most enthusiastic decorator this year because it feels like we have been so busy.  But I am easing into the spirit.  One of the things that has  jump started my Christmas spirit is the new wreath I got this weekend.  My lovely and talented sister, Candace, has been making wreaths for friends and family.  And I got my hands on one this weekend and took that cutie home with me!  I was so excited about mine, I thought I would share them with you; in case one of you was in search for the perfect holiday wreath without all the hassle of making it yourself.  Don't get me wrong I love crafting, but I've been in a bit of a lull.  And if my life is just easier if I pay someone else to do it for cheaper than I can make it myself...Done!

My wreath!

Brandon actually picked it.  Good taste, huh?!

Perfect for my Christmas color choices...Red and Bright Green!  It is currently hanging on my carport door!  House churchers...get ready to be dazzled by it on Wednesday night!

So I will share her most recent creations!

I have to say this is my favorite one.  I love the big Merry Christmas!

 So cute and festive!

How about those candy cane stripes!  I have too many favorites!

She makes trees too.  This one is lit from the inside as well.

These are so cute sitting in your favorite pot on your porch that currently full of those dead plants from the summer.  You know it is.  So fill it with a cute Christmas decoration instead.

So if you are in need of the most festive, cutest wreaths or trees around to deck your halls, then you should call my sister!  If you are afraid to call people like I am...you know who you are...those you hate calling 1800 numbers and getting an actual person...those that always make their husband/mom/friend call to order the pizza...those that put off hair appointments just because you haven't made the call...no worries, you can email me or my sister or you can check her facebook page.  Its all so easy.

All the wreaths can be customized to fit your holiday colors and taste.  Or if you decide you are in more need of some school spirit she can make you a UK Wildcats wreath or tree like she did for B.  Sorry I don't have a good picture of that one.  The wreaths range in price from $30-40 depending on the materials.  P.S. It is A TOTAL STEAL!  I checked etsy earlier to do a little scouting!  CRAZY folks.  These same wreaths are listed for $60-110.  You heard me...$110!  Don't be fooled.  Get one from Candace!

Okay I'm done.  But you aren't.  Buy your wreath!

Email Candace

Email Me

Check Candace's Facebook Page

See you soon!

Trim Your Tree In Thanks

Last year I made a Halloween tree with cute and creative Caity Shinnick!  

(I love to use alliteration with her name!!)

But this year after hours of searching, my tree was present and my ornaments were not.  Sad day.  So I began anew with a brand new focus.  A fall/Thanksgiving tree that I could keep up for both October and November.  My sister Candace was in town so we decided to make a project of it.

Base Supplies:

Small flower pot...ours were terra-cotta, approximately 8-10 inches in diameter

3 Branches, ideally with lots of small branchings off of them

Floral foam to hold your branches at just the right angles

Moss to cover the unsightly foam

Decorations:

Stickers

Pom pom balls

Scrapbook paper cut outs 

Candy corn 

...or Candy Pumpkins would be so cute!

Foam shapes

Whatever strikes your fancy in the wonder world of Micheals or Joann's...like these...

Miscelleanous supplies:

Glue Stick, Hot Glue Gun...basically your adhesive of choice.

Thread in colors of your choosing

Big Needle

Glitter because every craft needs it!

Assemble your base.

Shove a big piece of floral foam into the terra cotta pot.  I also cut some small pieces to shove along the edges of my circular pot to stabilize the big square chunk I cut to place the branches in.  Hold up your branches and decide how you want them to look.  Then with a little umph...shove them into the foam.  Its nice to have a partner who can hold two of the branches in their correct positions above the foam while you place first branch and so on.

Get your craft on!  Make as many ornaments as you want.

To make garlands, thread your needle with your favorite color thread and simple thread the needle through pom poms of varying size, color, and sparkliness!  Make as short or long as you like.  Its your tree...do what you want!  

Or you can add letters to spell out your favorite holiday saying or perhaps a monogram!  Are you nodding your head like I am?  No?  Oh.  Guess I'm alone.

 

I will admit that my Cricut made this project especially fabulous!  If you do not have a cricut, there are a variety of options out there you can purchase pre-cut or if you have a way with scissors you can make your own.

And don't forget...Crafting is messy.  Just enjoy it.

 We had fun!  Even Cara got in on the crafting.

But no craft session is complete without a little Cubby cheer!

Our finished products!

Candace's:

 Mine:

You still have plenty of time to make one for your Thanksgiving celebration!  Get your craft on ladies and gents!

May I also suggest having small leaves or pumpkins or tags in a dish my the tree with your favorite pens close by.  Your family can write what they are thankful for this season and place them on the tree for everyone to enjoy.  

What a wonderful way to share in the joys of the season!  God has truly blessed us all!