Chalkboard Mason Jars

So I've become totally obsessed with Pinterest.  Man it can suck you in for hours upon hours of just looking for more stuff to do, more tasks to complete, more crafts for kids, everything you could ever imagine is on Pinterest.  So if you have tons of extra time, (just like I do, oh wait, I don't) hop on the ol' computer and waste some precious time.  You will be happy you did.
I however recommend actually doing the projects not just pinning all day!  I thought these mason jars with a little chalkboard square to write you name were so cute.  It was perfect for our first Thanksgiving Day dinner at our house.  You see, Aaron (my amazing chef husband) was in charge of cooking and I was in charge of decorating and getting everything organized.  Teamwork!  So I started my project over the weekend.  It really didn't take that long, I also suckered Aaron into helping me tape.

I had to put 2 coats of chalkboard paint on.  This was a 2 day process, because it got too late for me to stay up and wait the four hours between coats.  Needless to say, I had 2 little helpers the next morning painting the second coat.  They did a pretty good job and didn't make too big of a mess.

I cut out cute fall fabric strips to tie around the top of the glass to add a little fall flair.  I love flair!  Luckily my mom seems to have everything on hand and brought me over several options of fall fabric.  So I got to avoid another trip shopping spree at Hobby Lobby (which might be my new favorite store, that happens to be about 3 miles from my house).  

Here is the final mason jar chalkboard glasses.  They looked so cute and were a huge hit at the party.  Everyone got to write their name on their cup, there was no mistaking your beverage this time.  I recommend using liquid chalk, which I also picked up at Hobby Lobby.  I doesn't smudge easily, but wipes off with water.  

I'm so happy these turned out so well.  They will get used often.  I can just change the tie to be festive for the occasion.  I can't wait to use them again!

Early Birthday

The boys got an early birthday present/Christmas present from their awesome grandparents today.  New shiny bikes.  Big boy bikes, no more of the little monkey bike, remember this one?  Big, shiny, real bikes.  I didn't want Zackary to have training wheels anymore so we just decided to go cold turkey with them, and hopefully this doesn't happen again.  You might think, sheesh, he is only 4, but seriously the kid is pretty much doing tricks on the 2 wheeled super fast scooter, that is actually Aarons!  So NO training wheels!  

Man, look at the smile on his face.  Priceless!  He was so excited. 

And here is Lane's big, shiny, new bike.  So I let him have training wheels.  He is just turning 3.  

He sure took to the bike quickly.  Totally riding around the block within minutes of getting on. 

 I love my little athletic boys.

Aaron started off running along side of Zackary, and was letting go for short periods.  If he kept peddling he could do it, but he kept getting distracted by everyone watching and what his feet were doing.  I was pretty impressed by how well he was doing right away.  Stay tuned, I'll keep you posted on our bike riding progress.

Wedding Day

The third day was the BIG day.  We were pretty low key in the morning, we walked around, ate some more food, I even managed to get a nap in.  Hooray for naps!  Here is a beautiful picture of my mother and I.  She looks so amazing!  I'm pretty sure I have only a hand full of pictures with her.  I'm printing this one for sure.  She is the most amazing person I know.  

And my handsome husband, who decided to shave is awesome chops right before the wedding.  He didn't want them to take away from the wedding pictures.  That's how awesome they really were.  

And here starts the craziness of another night.  The dancing begins.  It was an absolutely beautiful wedding.  The ceremony was short and sweet, I guess to get the eating (yes more eating), drinking (yes more drinking), and dancing (oh and more dancing) started.   They had a band playing great music.  We all had such a great time.  What fun memories we created with our entire family.

Here is Danielle, the beautiful bride, and my new sister in law.  

Thanks for the great time Matt and Danielle, congratulations!

NO Day 2

The next day we headed out for some fresh air to find some gators.  It was a success, we saw several.  The air boat did a good job of waking everyone up and getting us ready for another long night...

We celebrated again with the wedding party at the rehearsal dinner.  What and amazing dinner.  I must say the food in New Orleans is pretty amazing.  Good, hearty, fattening, and delish.  Maybe we just aren't used to food like that because we really don't head out to dinner much any more or maybe the food in AZ just isn't that southern style delishishness (is that a word?).  We had amazing wine with a 5 course dinner, all while being super dressed up in suits, dresses and heels.  As you can see from the smile on my face we were having a great time.  I also was trying my best to not have my droopy left eye in the picture (perhaps I overcompensated in this one).

Here is a beautiful picture of my amazing parents.  They hosted this wonderful night.

Here's my family.  I am so thankful of such wonderful people in my life.

New Orleans day 1

So we, as in Aaron and I and our entire family, headed out to New Orleans for the big celebration.  Little Matty is GETTING MARRIED.  And what a fun time it was.  Our first evening there we headed out for an awesome dinner and of course met up with everyone on Bourbon Street for some old fashioned partying.  We sure made the best of it staying out until 2.  Then the boys headed out for the bachelor party.  

Yes, you read it right they started it at 2am.

Here's me and my little bro.  Isn't he awesome.  Not so little but still my little bro.  It was nice to get to have some drinks and enjoy each others company even though there were thousands of people with us.

Here's some of the family and friends we got to spend some time with.  

Halloween 2011

Boy, looking back I really didn't get many pictures from Halloween this year.  I guess I just enjoyed the time with our friends and family.  For the past 4 years we have been having our wonderful family over to sit in the driveway, eat pizza, and take the kids trick or treating.  The last 2 years Shannon and I have made this a little bigger with a small block party.  And each year it seems to get bigger.  I love these evenings with all of our kids playing in the street and us adults visiting and watching them all play.  We have so much fun together and all our kids get along so well.  I am so blessed with such wonderful friends and family.

Pre Halloween

Here is a couple of things we did to celebrate Halloween.  I made some ghost pancakes from Pinterest of course and the boys each decorated a haunted house and truly enjoyed eating the decorations.  

This is such a fun time of year.

6 Months

Well she is 6 months...sitting and growing up way too fast.  Man I love this little angel.  What an amazing baby she is.  She just started sitting, again without much practice, I sat her up one day and she just stayed.  She continues to be so sweet, she spends her days playing, sleeping, eating, and being happy.  I can't say it enough she is so incredibly good.  She eats well, sleeps insanely well, and is so laid back, she just goes with the flow.  I can't ask for a more precious little girl.  I get more obsessed everyday.

She weighs 16 lbs (running average for weight)
She is 26 inches tall (average) I so used to having the giant baby boys, she seems so tiny to me.

She is such a little doll!

Pumpkin Chili Fest

We headed out to Schnepf Farms again this year for the annual Pumpkin Chili Festival.  I look forward to it every year.  The kids have so much fun and we get to spend time with our good friends.  

This cracks me up.  Our attempt at a family picture.  This pretty much sums up my life lately.  Wrangling my children.

Zackary was being some sort of animal...its kind of his thing.

3 Favorite Things: Cosmetic Products

I haven't done a post like this in a long time.  I have to share some of my favorite cosmetic products.  This one was had because there was a lot to choose from but these made the top 3 list (at least for now). 

This first one is Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF.  This mineral sunscreen is AMAZING.  We used to sell it at our shop and I became hooked several years ago.  It is SPF 30, goes on dry and WORKS.  I put it all over my babies, myself, and Aaron.  They don't mind the powder and it doesn't burn your eyes.  It is easy to apply and carry around.  You will usually find one in my diaper bag and purse.  I prefer the translucent color the other makes us look orange.  This is fantastic stuff.


Next is this Sephora nail strengthener.  I discovered this one about 6 months ago and use it every week.  I get so many complements on my nails, everyone thinks they are gel.  I just put 2 coats on every Sunday night while Aaron and I watch a show on TV and it lasts all week.  Its pretty amazing because I am pretty neurotic about washing my hands and use hand sanitizer about 50,000 times during my shifts at work.  I love this stuff. 


Lastly, Colorescience Line Tamer.  Again we used to sell this at our shop and I got hooked then.  This super soft primer again is mineral, has SPF and gives an amazing base for makeup.  It brightens, conceals, and fills.

These are just a few of my favs.  Let me know if you try any of them.