Buffet

So I undertook my first furniture project. I think it went pretty well. I found a broken down buffet on Craigs list for $10. I was so excited to work on it, but it sat in my garage for about a month before I even bought stuff for me to work on it.

Labor Day weekend I finally had some time and hit Lowe's and picked up my supplies. I have it mostly done. I lack putting up one door. I am short some screws for one of the hinges, and then I am reinforcing the bottom some. So my brother is cutting some wood for me to hammer on to the bottom. Then I will be done!!! I hope to have actually in my house by this weekend, but we can see if that happens.

Marathon

First off I'm sorry that I've been absent for so long. I got behind, and then it too much work to play catch up. Then Kent lost all of our pictures for this year, so what fun is blogging without pictures? So I will do my best to work backwards to catch up.

Well..... this weekend was a BIG weekend for me. I ran my first (yes, I plan of doing another one) Marathon!!!! It was  an adventure!! Lot's of hard work and fun!!!! 

The marathon was held in Spearfish, SD. So north of Mount Rushmore, in the Black Hills. It was so pretty!!! Kent and I were able to leave the boys with my mom and travel without them. It was the first time the the two of us were gone for a weekend without kids!

Saturday morning we work up early and headed to South Dakota. We made good time and got there in about 9 hours. We meet the Chase's ( Jen's Family) at the Expo. looked around then went and checked in at our hotel. Then went and checked out the Fish Hatchery. It was so pretty there.
People seriously have weddings there.

 The next morning we had to wake up at 3AM to get ready and be waiting for the bus that comes at 4AM to take us to the start line. I slept good and wasn't too nervous before the start of the race. Maybe because it was so cold!!! I packed a long sleeve t-shirt to wear just in case I might need it before the race, or for the first few miles. It said it was 52 degrees and the temp. that high was supposed to be in the low 80's. Perfect for running!!!! Right?!?!
WRONG!!!!! It was FREEZING cold!!!! There was ice on the grass for several hours into the run. My running partner couldn't feel her hands until mile 10!!! I don't warm up enough to take off my shirt until mile 13!!! My legs were numb for the first 8 miles. They were a dark pink color. It made it hard. Usually it takes me about 2 miles to warm up, not 8!!!
We ran down this gorgeous canyon next to this creek. It  was beautiful!!! It helped to have such wonderful scenery to look at as the miles passed. Take a look!

No... I didn't take these during the run. Kent and I drove the canyon later that day and took these pictures!
I held up pretty good until mile 20. Normally you don't go pass that during training. We did. We ran one 23 miler. After I hit mile 23 I really, really wanted to stop!!!! My wonderful running partner kept me going. I was having a love/ hate relationship with her. I hated that we got her second wind and it seemed easy to her. I loved that she kept me going and didn't let me stop!!! Her family came along between mile 20 and mile 23 several times to cheer us on!! That helped a lot!!! That last mile went on forever!!!! Several times we increased our pace thinking the finish line was just around the corner....only to be disappointed. We were excited to see the finish line and to cross it!!! Jen out sprinted me at the end. That girl has so much energy!!! Glad I run with her. She keeps me going!!!

 Coming into the finish

 Crossing the finish line. We finished in 4hr 50 min. We wanted to get some time before 4hr and 30 min and 5 hrs. We ran our 23 miles in 4 hours 45 mins. So we beat our training time!!!

 As we crossed the line we were given a medal, a long stem rose, and a lemon scented wash cloth for our face. They even had someone remove our timing chips from around our ankles. This was a women's only marathon...so every aide station was "maned" with guys wearing a tux shirt, and every porta- john was called a powder room!!!

 Notice--- no shoes!!! It felt amazing to take off my shoes after the race!!! So glad my husband supports me and let me do crazy things and watches them while I train for them. Thank you Kent!!!

After the race I had an ice bath followed with a visit to the hot tub and several laps in the pool, then the hot tub again. I tried taking a nap, but couldn't so we drove the canyon so Kent see the race course and take pictures.
That night we realized that we needed a new tire. So instead of heading out early we had to wait for Wal-mart to open so we could get  tire. Then we headed out. We stopped at Wall drug for a while,  then took a trip through the Badlands.

It was a wonderful trip. We got home 4 hours later than we planned, but it was lots of fun!!! I'm glad I challenged myself to run a marathon. I totally would do it again!!!

A heap of projects

So I realized that I haven't posted some of my projects for awhile. So here are some of the last ones that I have done that have pictures.

Here is a set of a boy's tie, and a baby oneies with matching booties. I made these for a guy Kent works with. I also made 7 other ties, and 5 sets of oneies with booties, along with three sets of supsenders and bow ties and some t-shirts for a boutique. I can't find the picture of all of these.

Here are some hand sanitizer holders that button on to a key ring or purse. These were fun to make, and I learned how to use my button hole foot!!! So easy!!

I used my silhouette and down loaded a picture from google and made this shirt for my Nephew for Christmas.

Here is a pettie Skirt I made for my niece for Christmas. Talk about a ton of ruffles!!!!!

Here is a t-shirt quilt I made for a friend who took family pictures in return.

 

Here are some casserole carriers I made for my mom and mother in law for Mother's Day. I then etched their name in the glass dish.

I made two similar monkeys for Wesson and Barrett for Christmas. For Wesson's I made some hats, shoes, a pirate hat, and sword for his monkey.

I saw a really cute owl on pottery barn kids that cost a pretty penny. I figured I could make one cheaper and better than it. The wing are crinkly and the baby owl has an ribbon so you can't lose it. and the legs have elastic so you can pull on them. I made this for Barrett for Christmas.

Here is another toy I made Barrett. Yes, I basically made all of Barrett's Christmas presents. The baby chicks have  soft Velcro wings that stick under the mom's wings.

Here are some more stuff animals.

I also made Barrett and set of Nesting Cubes. 

And a set of blocks.

I made a whole bunch of stuff for my sister back in the summer time. Animals, blocks, and a ring set.

I made two different car seat covers for people.

I made a bath apron for a friend of mine.

I used my silhouette to label some toy bins.

I've made some cute oneies and shirts for my boys and some other kids.

December

  So I know! I know! It's February and I haven't blogged December yet. So beware this will be a long post with a ton of pictures. I'll try to shorten as much as possible.
We had some snow the beginning of December. ( I think)

 We went outside and enjoyed it.

 

We also brought it inside and enjoyed it!!

Another night we went over to my mom's house with my sister and we made candy, because what is December without Candy Making!!!

Wesson loved helping  with the chocolate. 

We had our Ward Christmas party for Church, which is a PJ party Saturday morning with muffins, cinnamon rolls, and fruit. We have a sweet short program and then at the end we have a special visitor.

Barrett could really care less who's lap he was sitting on. He just wanted to go home for his morning nap.

Wesson, on the other hand, hid under the table as soon as he saw Santa and then would just cling to my leg. Even bribes of candy canes and candy could change his mind. Finally, after everyone was done Santa talked Wesson into sitting on his lap.

This Santa is so sweet. He spent several minutes talking with each child. He read a book to them and told them how to tell if his reindeer are boys or girls. (they are girls, just so you know)

As we were leaving we had the first snow of the season. It was a magical day.

 Wesson helped he set of the tree.

 and decorate it.

Wesson even had a little table I allowed him to decorate it all by himself. He was so proud of it. He had fun decorating and re-decorating it. Notice the train tracks around the train station.

Wesson also had a short program at school. Grandma was kind to come watch and take pictures. Since I was working with my class. Wesson did a pretty good job singing. "Where is Santa?"

And also playing his guitar.

It was followed by cookies and a little party in the classroom. 

Aunt Melissa came over one night and had dinner with us and helped us make cake balls!!!

Barrett learned to pull himself up to the couch!!! He loves to stand. But he is so skinny and if he is wearing big pants he will dance is way out of them and the next thing you know he has know pants on!

I cleaned the carpets one day and Wesson loved playing on the cleaner. He loved to pretend it was a pirate ship. It's a good thing Santa brought him one for Christmas!!

We had to make cookies for Santa!!! We had lots of fun decorating them!!!

On Christmas Eve we went over to Aunt Jen's and Uncle Carson's house and the four kids acted out the nativity story. Since we only had 3 boys and one girl, Carlee was Mary, Jenson and Wesson both wanted to be shepherds.(they like have a cane), and Jace was a Sheep/ Joseph.  Barrett was  taking a nap during this and presents. We Skyped with the rest of the family, so they got to see our production. 

Yes, that is Santa on the tie!!!

After that we opened presents and then had a delicious dinner!!!

Here is Barrett in his Christmas shirt I made him!!! He woke up and was very happy!!!

After dinner we drove around and looked at Christmas lights and then went home and set cookie out and.....

Tie a rope to the balcony so Santa can climb up!!! Yes... that was Wesson's idea on how Santa will come in, since we don't have a fireplace. I suggested leaving the door unlocked, but that wasn't good enough.

They open PJ's, which I made for them, and headed to bed!!!

We had a great Christmas!!! Woke up unwrapped gifts, then headed over to my parents to have breakfast and open gifts. We then headed to church and then sent a nice quiet afternoon followed by a dinner at my parents. 

For Christmas Barrett decided that all those presents and wrapping paper was motivation enough to start scooting!!!

It was a wonderful Christmas!!!