Aug's Christmas Program

Aug had her Christmas program at pre-school today.  This is only a small part of the program.  She kept saying "hi" to us.  She did such a good job!  I love my little girl!

I can't believe that Travis and I have been married 5 years today...and we have two great kids to show for it!

Let it Snow!

Actually, not really.  We have plenty of snow...8 inches to be exact!  I know the pictures aren't great but it was cold and I wasn't really thinking about getting the best pics.

We tried to make a snowman but the snow wasn't packable.  Aug looks so cold in this pic!  But we had just gotten outside.

My snow-angel.

Gentry was just chillin'.  He was happy enough just watching August play.

I thought I would try to get a good picture of both of them.  That didn't happen.  Gentry's pants came up a little and he got snow on his legs.  And he is so big I couldn't get a good shot of Aug's smiling face.

After, we warmed up with hot chocolate from Amy.  Thanks, Amy!!!!

Christmas Decor...Check

I just couldn't see getting a real tree this year.  I really didn't want to have to deal with Gentry pulling it over and the water and the needles and the sap.  So I got this cute little pre-lit thing.  Yes, pre-lit.  It is amazing.  All the lights are in the perfect spot!

I know, it's small.  However, it fits in this corner just right.



I always let Aug hang some of the ornaments.  This is where she hung the group of fabric ornament balls.

And this is where she hung her ornaments from Amy and Rylan.

And this is where she hung the cinnamon ornaments.  Do you see a pattern?

I was able to just catch this moment before they both moved.  I don't know what they were talking about.  She was touching the tree and saying something and he was listening so intently.

My Favorite Things

My Thanksgiving List of Favorite Things....

Obviously my kids are my first favorite things...This is a list of the other stuff.  (Some things have links.)

My new camera flash
My new wide angle lens
Amy's excitement
The smell of fall (but not the cold)
International Delight White Chocolate Raspberry creamer
Pumpkin milk
This blog, she has awesome deals
Home-made laundry detergent--I can't even explain how much money I am saving
Amy Rusk Photography
Vista Print and all things free
Making Cinnamon Ornaments with Amy and our moms
Hearing August pray before supper ("Good food, good meat, good God, let's eat. Amen." Clap.)
Hearing August cry while saying the prayer for supper
Rounding up cows in the dark  (I know its crazy)
Watching Gentry play in the morning
Hearing Gentry's  belly laugh
My traditional Thanksgiving meatballs

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Cinnamon Ornaments Photo Tutorial

This one is for Mom and Weezer...



Mix 4 ounces cinnamon with 3/4 to 1 cup applesauce.

Mix until it makes a super sticky dough.  Add more cinnamon or applesauce until it gets to the right consistency.

Sprinkle cinnamon on the counter and roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick.  Sprinkle the top with cinnamon as needed.

Use your favorite cookie cutters.

Peel off the negative area and scoop the ornaments with a super thin spatula.

Put them on a cookie sheet.  Use a coffee straw to punch holes.

Bake at 200, turning every 20 minutes or so until they are hardened.  You can also let them air dry but that takes a looooong time!  Tie them on presents or hang them on your tree!

A word of advice...Don't eat these.  They don't taste as good as they smell.  Ask my dad.

Homemade Laundry Soap Photo Tutorial

The Ingredients



5 gallon bucket and lid



1 bar of Fels-Naptha soap

1 cup Washing Soda

1/2 cup Borax

The How To:

Grate the soap into a pan on the stove.  Don't worry about using your best pan, it cleans out super easy.

Add 4 cups of water and turn the heat on medium-low.  Stir occasionally until the soap is dissolved.

Meanwhile, add the Washing Soda and Borax to the bucket 1/3 full of water.  When the soap is dissolved add it, too.  Fill the bucket the rest of the way with water. Stir it up, cover it, and let it set over night.

The next day, cover your floor with newspaper.  Funnel the detergent into saved jugs.

And Voila!  You have made 5 jugs of laundry detergent for about a $10 initial investment.  Figure up how much you spend on one jug of detergent and you will see the savings!



Typically...This is how it goes...

This is how my Sunday went...

I went to bed Saturday night and changed two clocks in the house.  I woke up and they said different things.  It wasn't until 9:38 that I knew exactly what time it was.  I had to call mom.

Travis took us to breakfast and Merry Ann's.  The rest is as follows...



We played dress up.  It usually involves a baby doll or stuffed animal and Aug's own clothes, socks, or underwear.



Aug put on her Halloween costume and played all afternoon.  She was Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog.  All afternoon she said a quote from the movie:  "I will never, ever kiss a frog!  Yuck!"  Then she crashed on the couch after telling me that she was NOT tired.



Gentry found something on the floor and tried to put it in his mouth.  When I say tried, I mean that he held it in the palm of him hand and sucked his thumb.  The food landed and stuck to his chin.



Gentry tried to eat from Aug's teacup left over from our afternoon tea party.



Got mad becuase it was empty...



And tried to climb up the cabinet to get his bottle.

The End.