get away...

Last weekend we went on our first family get away!

We traveled North to Hannibal Missouri, home town of the great Mark Twain.

We planned this little trip with hopes that Fall would have put a little more color into the world... it hasn't quite done that yet! However, the weather was beautiful and there was still plenty color to to be seen!

We started Saturday off with a LONG walk up to Cardiff Hill. The walk was more of a climb... we climbed up 250 stairs to get on top of the "hill."

Here is the eager beaver who initiated the walk!! I could relate to Owen, the thought alone made me want to take a nap :).

But, we climbed away... and it felt GOOD!

I wasn't kidding when I said 250 stairs.

The top of the hill holds this beautiful lighthouse. It is the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse. It comes with some awesome views of the Mississippi river, as well as the town.

This is obviously the river in the background :)

After the hike we headed back to the hotel. This little guy needed some GOOD rest... not the bumpy kind of rest that he got the rest of the day!

The rest of the day we went from antique shop... to boutique... to museum. We just took in the fun shops and the little town.

And we couldn't leave out eating...

We took turns talking to Owen. Explaining what we're doing...

how long we would be out. Apologizing for making him sit in his seat and for not being home for naps.

He was a trooper. The trip was hard for him, but he just put on his brave face and dealt.

After lunch we headed toward Illinois where we spent Saturday night.

This is just some of the scenery we saw along the way... I love old barns. We past many farms like this, I think they are beautiful!

We visited our friends Pastor Archie and Sheila in Illinois. Went to their church on Sunday morning, then headed home to Winfield. We had one TIRED baby once we got home, he's still recovering. I think we all are!

i'm a sewer...

I spent some time this week and over last weekend making some clothes for Owen. I made them a little big hoping he can wear them this winter.

However, I don't know if this shirt will ever fit him.... I'm a bit bummed!

I followed Dana on her MADE blog, you can find MADE on the blogs I love and follow (I don't know how to add her link here!).

Her tutorials are awesome!

I made this out of an old shirt of Chad's. I was able to recycle it and make something fantastically cute for O.

I do love the way it turned out... I hope it fits in a few months!!

Here's hoping that it WILL fit him eventually!!

(It's in the dryer now, I'm hoping a little washing a drying might help!)

I also made these pants for Owen.




They turned out fairly well, just a few things I want to tweak for the next pair. Like the shirt I made these a little larger for him to wear through the winter. The good news here is that they will definitely fit! Yeah!!

This was the happy little model!

Had to throw in this picture... even though it turned out blurry :).

8 weeks...

Sweet little Owen is 8 weeks today!

It's hard to believe that we've already hit this mile marker. Time flies when you're having fun!

We have definitely been having fun.

This sweet little boy is very happy!

At this mark O you've conquered smiling... you do it all the time.

You laugh often...

you're also following familiar voices.

You're still a very serious dude!

You're also still a very sweet dude!

You bring joy to our "oh so cozy" world!

We love you!

goodbye... HELLO!

It's that time now...

Time to say goodbye to that which I love...

Time to say hello to that which I dread!

Goodbye my dear friend... I'm going to miss you.

FOR REAL!!

This was my last drop of Dr. Pepper. Starting Saturday I said goodbye to soda all together.

This is what I'm replacing my love with... ugh!
Starting Wednesday (yesterday) I began my 60 day rehabilitation program :).
I'm looking to change the current shape of my body into a more becoming one.
Actually, if I could just fit back into my jeans I would be THRILLED!

I'm just putting this out there...

If anyone would like to join me in this 60 day REHAB, let me know. We can keep each other on the straight and narrow! Just comment and I'll crack that whip!


ON ANOTHER NOTE:

I just want to put a plug out there for DIAPERS.COM.

I ordered a little costume for O off of diapers.com. It's a Carters outfit... and it is adorable! 1st thing... shipping was free, and it was delivered 2-day. So, it came fast. The unfortunate part of this story is that my dogs got the box before I did. They destroyed E-V-E-R-YTHING that was delivered. I contacted diapers.com and told them the story (including that it was my dogs who did the damage). To keep this short... they resent me the costume, NO CHARGE!!!!!!
And, it was here next day!

Needless to say, they are great to work with! Just thought I'd let everyone know.

Did I mention that it is SO cute?

Just a sneak peek.... more to come at a later date!

new blankie...

I did it!
I made my first official item with my sewing machine. I of course was inspired by my sister who is a sewing maniac!!

Here are the results...

This is mainly a cover up blanket for nursing. I needed something for the unskilled. I thought the bigger the better, and there are no REAL big receiving blankets out there. Everything else is just too hot for my hot blooded baby.

And because he's just too cute I wrapped him up in it... of course taking some pictures!

This is my favorite... too sweet.



I also had some fun with my camera today... this was my favorite shot.
It speaks to me.

This is how we adopted this dog... he was starved and found our apple tree. He is no longer starved, but still loves those apples.
I think it reminds him of how he got here and where he came from...
brings back memories for him!

He's a HAPPY dog and that warms my heart :).

oh doggies...

Several months ago we purchased an in ground fence for our three eldest children. We decided that before the baby came that we needed to clear out the house a little and make some space for a REAL child :). I think this is the best investment we've made yet! We love it, but most of all THEY love it. However, the ever so mischievous puppies are always up to something...

This is what a normal day looks like.

Our hardest working and most dedicated dog is hard at work. She is on a mission... determined all on her own, influenced by Doodle (the blur in this picture).

Doodle (I'm sure) has detected something beneath the surface. Knowing that Bailey will dig it up faster, and not stop until the task is complete, she let Bailey in on what it was and where to find it.

So, Bailey is now fixated on the rodent, or whatever is burrowed in the ground.

And she IS fast!!

Making sure she is on the right track still...

This is what our yard looks like now :(.

She's good at what she does... unfortunately.



The ring leader is always looking around for the next adventure. She has special powers... one of them is walking on a balance beam (or a wall).

With out catching you red handed Bailey we would NEVER know who to blame for the holes.

Except the dirty face you always greet us with... it's a dead give away!

Not too fast buddy... you don't look too innocent yourself!

He has a dirty face himself... if you couldn't see it.

This is Otis, he has many gifts himself..... stay tuned and you will see!

They make me laugh!

smiley days...

He's turning on the CHARM!!

Owen started smiling at us last week... it's too much fun!

smiling and...

more smiling...

But it is hard work for him, he had to take a little yawn break.

Ooh... he's not done yet.

Such a fun kid!

And he even gave me a smile after being stuffed into his car seat... that's a plus.