Best Birthday Gift

This morning I got the best birthday gift a girl could ask for.  Nate woke up before Hudson this morning, and while he was eating his breakfast I was watching my DVRd episode of "Smash" from last night (I love that show).  Hudson woke up and walked out to where I was sitting on the couch.  He climbed up next to me, pulled his pacifier out, and gave me a smooch, then popped his pacifier back in and snuggled down next to me.  Melt my heart!

For Denyse

One of the projects TJ and I have been working on lately is part of a pew from the church I grew up in, in Wisconsin.  A few years ago (or more), the church remodeled and sold all of the old pews to make money.  My parents bought one and chopped it up into pieces and I got one.  We sanded the pew down and put a coat of poly on the oak.  I left the legs the same color the pew used to be and I love it!

The boys are really enjoying it too!

Just a Cold January Day

The boys are playing outside today while TJ and I work on projects outside and around the house.  As you can see, it's just freezing outside:

Yes, that is a big tub of water they are playing in!

Christmas gifts!!

Every year for Christmas I have to come up with a list of things that TJ can pick from for gifts.  I don't really enjoy the process, and I have a hard time coming up with a list big enough so I at least get a little surprise with what he picks out.  This year he asked me what I want and there was only one thing on the list: I want bedroom furniture.  I had been looking on Pinterest and found this bedside table I liked and a headboard I liked.  I printed out the plans and gave them to TJ and today I got the first "delivery" of furniture-one bedside table:

When I get the chance I'm going to get some baskets for the bottom shelf, but if I do say so myself, it's beautiful!

Busy Busy Months The Final Installment

Late Friday night/early Saturday morning, the weekend before Christmas, my sisters and their families arrived at our house.  We had a great long weekend eating, drinking, watching the kids play, fishing, hunting, and just generally having a good time.  On Christmas Eve we celebrated Christmas because everyone was leaving Christmas day and I had to work.  We made a big meal and opened presents.  It was also in the low 70s outside so the kids spent a lot of time outside burning energy.  It was a great time and something I hope we can repeat in the future.  (warning:lots of pictures to follow!)

Busy Busy Months Part III

The Thursday before everyone arrived for Christmas Nate had his Christmas concert for school.  TJ and I were interested to see what it would entail because Nate had been bouncing around the house singing various songs, most of which we couldn't decipher.  It turned out to be a fun concert with a surprise visit from Santa.  Aunt Laura also came to watch the festivities:

Nate was really excited to see Santa, that is until he actually got in Santa's lap!

Busy Busy Months Part II

We had a pretty low key Thanksgiving because I worked so much to make up for our trip to Amarillo.  After that we got into the nitty-gritty of getting ready for Christmas.  Because both my sisters were going to be there with their respective families (Mitch in Laura's case), I had a lot to get ready.  I wanted everyone to have some gifts to open, so I got into Susie homemaker mode.  This is what I came up with:

Robes for the kids

A matching game each for Nate and Reilly

Coloring bags for Nate, Reilly, and Ava

2 Pairs of shoes for Reid

I also made necklaces for the girls (including TJ's brother's girlfriends), beer reindeer for Eric and TJ's two brothers, and a portable seat for Reid.  Everyone enjoyed their presents.