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.

Busy Busy Months Part I

November and December were EXTREMELY busy months in the Muir household.  We went to the Amarillo area right before Thanksgiving to visit TJ's family.  Unfortunately we were unable to his Granny and Grandad because Granny was sick.  The boys still had a wonderful time hanging out with their grandparents:

My boys are obsessed with tractors

Muir men

Christmas at Mama Bear and Papa T's

Stay tuned for more installments