My handiwork...and a beautiful surprise!

So for fun, and to earn a little money, I make cards. My aunt has a flower shop on Whidbey Island and she sells them in her shop. I also make them for friends and family when they ask. I had been getting a lot of requests for Autumn and Halloween cards, so instead of taking orders this time, I made up about 50 cards. I sent around 20 cards to my aunt for her shop, and the others are "hanging out" in the entry of my mom's house. They are a hit, and are going fast:) I took a couple of pictures of them to share with you all. I have been thinking about starting a shop on ETSY to sell them, so let me know what you think.

Halloween...Please excuse the pictures, I know the quality isn't great.

Autumn...Again, please excuse the fuzziness.

I am currently selling them for $3.50 each or 5 for $15. I have been charging $4 for special orders. What do you all think?

What a BEAUTIFUL surprise!

For the last week, one of our daycare families has been telling us with a sly smile on their faces, that they have a surprise for us. Imagine our faces when the grandma walked in today with two of these:

Isn't it beautiful?!

Can you tell from the picture that it's handblown glass? Look at the craftsmanship! We are blown away...Here is another view.

AWESOME!

Apparently little Jaiden's Uncle does this as a HOBBY!? He rents out the studio and does as many as he can of whatever he is making. He gives them away as gifts or sells them. His pieces range in price from $60 - $100. If you have ever looked at glass, you know what a STEAL that is. I have ALWAYS wanted to own some glass pieces, but the cost is prohibitive. Now I have the most AMAZING piece, from some AMAZING people. How blessed am I?!

Go Seahawks!

Or "Go Teehawks!" As Keira would say. Up until a few weeks ago she couldn't get that "S" out at the beginning of Seahawks. She's definitely her mommy and daddy's little girl. She will sit on the couch playing while the game is on, and cheer when appropriate. Yesterday coming home from the birthday party she started yelling, "Seahawks!" and pointing. We realized that the truck in front of us had a big 'Hawks decal in it's back window....Her daddy was so proud:) Enjoy!

Her new "Sea Gal" outfit Grammi and Auntie Ree Ree got her

Did you know that her first words (after mama & dada) were yelled at a TV? Yup, at 10 months old she yelled, "Go Teehawks" at the TV during an away game:)

Birthday Party Fun!

A friend of mine from high school, had her daughter's 3rd birthday today. She paid for all the kids to have a day of fun at Maris Farms! Maris Farms is an old dairy farm that became a pumpkin patch about 10 years ago. They have lots of fun things to do. In the evenings they even host a "Haunted Maze" for those who want to try it. We've done it with friends a couple of times, and had a blast! The kids had a great time today playing, petting animals, eating homemade chocolate cupcakes, and getting REALLY DIRTY! Hope you enjoy the photos, and Happy Birthday Molly!

Molly, Logan, and Keira eating yummy cupcakes!

Keira on the ropin' steer. I roped her three times:)

Logan, Keira, and Jackson on the "Cow Train." They pull these cow "cars"
behind the tractor down the field and back. If you notice we put
Keira in the cow named Bossy...'cause she is! It just fit.

Jackson is playing the rubber ducky race game. Pump the water and
see if your ducky is the first to the other end.

Filthy Keira

What a great time! Keira got a jack-o-lantern on her cheek, and they all were drinking the yummy chocolate milk that was, "Fresh from the cow yesterday!" That's what the Smith Brother's Farm lady who was handing them out said. And of course it's hormone free. Lots of fun...Thanks Kim, Curt, Maddie, and Molly!

Mmmmmm....Muffins!

So, my cousin Heather and my friend Melanie are who turned me on to blogging. Not that I am anywhere in their league. They have great blogs that I love to read. The other day my cousin Heather at "Mountain Home Quilts" posted a recipe for Caramel Apple Muffins that I was waiting to try. So tonight I dove in. I love to bake anyway, and am always looking for new recipes to try. So here is my version of her muffins:

Notice anything?

How about now? I mixed up a double batch, so they are exactly the same. The only difference is the side of the oven, and the kind of muffin pan. I think that what happened is the one side of the oven isn't as hot. They are cooked all the way through, and taste great, but aren't as brown, and the caramel didn't melt as much...Oh, well! As long as they are yummy, right?! Mmmmm, muffins:)

You can do it at a trot, You can do it at a gallop,

You can do it real slow so your heart won't palpitate,

Just don't be late...Do the Puyallup!

In honor of the last day of the Western Washington Fair, or Puyallup Fair to most of us, I thought I would share with you some pictures of our adventure there this year!

A little background for you: The Puyallup Fair is the largest single attraction held annually in WA state. It continually ranks among the ten largest fairs in the world. I believe it is the third largest fair in the U.S.

Keira and Grammi on the Merry-Go-Round

I was nominated to go on this ride with Ruben. The diamonds are on the back of our seats.
Each car spins, the whole ride spins, and goes up and down. It was SO fun!

Daddy and Uncle Ruben going on a roller coaster with the boys.

Keira didn't want to leave the Giant Slide!

Auntie ReeRee, Uncle Ruben and the boys on the BIG coaster.

Uncle Ruben and Keira on one of her three times on the slide.

We had a great time at the fair this year. We made it a family affair, with my parents, Christa, and Ruben attending with us. On Mondays, the fair hosts their "Salute to the Military." Which means that you get in free with Military ID. So, after work we all headed out to spend a fun filled night on the town! We went on lots of rides, okay the kids went on lots of rides. Saw cute animals. Ate Krusty Pups (corn dogs), gyros and feta fries, Earthquake burgers (with lots of grilled onions) and fries, BBQ chicken, roasted corn, ice cream, Elephant Ears, Cow Chips (cookies for those of you not in the know), and of course FAIR SCONES! We had a blast, and are considering just taking the kids out of school for the day next year. After all, the fair only comes once a year!!! (If you don't count the Spring Fair that is.)

First Day of School

Yeah...they're cute:) They know it:P

I finally got these pictures off of Tom's iPhone. I've been such a ditz lately, that it's been good that his phone takes good pictures! I can't remember to take my camera ANYWHERE. They were very excited about school, but also a little apprehensive. I was always the same way:D

Logan is in first grade with Mrs. Tomyn. Jackson is in third grade with Mrs. Hoefs. JT wants to know why he never has a guy teacher. I told him to get used to it. I never had a male teacher until Junior High!

Yes, Logan is very tall. He is taller at 6 than his brother was at 7. Jackson may look quite a bit taller in these pics, but that's because he's on the uphill side of his brother. They are only a couple of inches different!!! They are wearing the same size shirts, which is nice because it makes their wardrobe double the size it would normally be:) They are growing WAY TOO FAST!

Again...

And yet again here we are...at a place where I explain to you that our computer has been out of commission for multiple weeks. And you say, "Get a new one!" and I say, "Don't I wish!"

But seriously...I have SO MANY pictures to share with you all. And tomorrow we're having friends and family over in honor of Tom's 30th Birthday. A backyard BBQ (let's hope the weather holds out).

When will I add them all? Hopefully this coming week. I am on VACATION! Okay, my idea of vacation includes doctor appointments, dentist appointments, orthodontist appointments and cat sitting. Not to mention a husband who is going to Vegas for a few days to his grandfather's memorial service, leaving me to do the appointments by myself:P I'm not mad, we even considered driving down with the kids. 3 kids in the car for two days, then one day in Vegas, and two more days in the car. NOT a great idea. We're sorry to not be going, but at least Tom will be there.

So...there's lots to share. And share I will. But right now, I have a stinky child to change and a house to clean. (If you know any cleaning fairies...send them my way...please?!)