rearranging {and jumping.}

Britton was off from work the day before Thanksgiving.  

Which was awesome because we were supposed to have the 17 members of the Ed Buss family here for Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday and our house looked like this.

To be fair, we made the kitchen look like this with one of our famous "spur-of-the-moment-let's-rearrange-the-living-room" decisions. 

And just in case your blood pressure went up from seeing the state of our house, don't worry, it was all spick 'n span Saturday morning for our guests.  

Miles and Ella enjoyed running circles through the empty living room and around the furniture piled in the kitchen.

Then, they enjoyed launching off a chair onto a pile of newly cleaned and folded blankets (that had previously not be on the floor). 

A good day, indeed.

big help {from little helpers}

Miles and I recently tried making some festive leaves using wax paper, crayon shavings and an iron.  

Let's just say I'm going to need to make a new ironing board cover...

And always anxious to be involved in big people activities, this is what happened in the kitchen a few nights ago as I was making dumplings...

I turned for 2 seconds to put dumplings in the pot and this is what happened.

She pulled Miles' little red stool up to the counter, grabbed my butter knife and began to "cut" the dough.

She also loves to help her Daddy crack pecans from our neighbor's tree.

when M is asleep {E is awake.}

Ella is transitioning out of her 2 naps a day routine.
I am sad.
1.  She is growing up so fast.
2.  She's cutting out time that BOTH kids are asleep.


We're working on getting their naps in sync.
Some days it works, some days not so much.


But when she's the only one awake, she and I get to spend the kind of one-on-one time that Miles and I spent together before she was born.
So for that, I am thankful.

 

{Soooo excited M left his train puzzle on the floor.}

{fish kisses}

joe & erin {wedding bells.}

Happy Wedding Day to Joe & Erin!!!

 

 

my wish book {a grown-up Christmas list.}

I remember getting the Sears Christmas Wish Book catalog in the mail when I was child.  I would pour over the toy section, marking each of the items that made my heart skip.  I was a pretty spoiled little girl, so usually, many of those things were under my tree.  I'm thankful for fun Christmas morning surprises and memories.

And now I long to create those special memories for my children.  In fact, I could give a flip if I even open one present for me.  Truly.  I want every budgeted nickel to go toward putting smiles on their faces and cute little footed pj's on their bodies come Christmas morning.  

But, just 'cause there will always be a kid inside of me at Christmas, I've put together my own Wish Book of sorts.....just in case Ellen or Oprah or Steve Jobs or Santa pick up on this fantastic little blog and want to gift me with any of the following items.  

1.

Well, I don't know about you, but I can hardly wait.  (Releasing in Feb...pre-order now!)

2.

It's time for an upgrade. 

3.

My crazy hair NEEDS this cuteness.  And my fantasy needs some stocking stuffers.

4. 

*sigh*

5. 

I would make every meal for the rest of our lives.  (NOT)  But I would make peanut butter from scratch.  I had some made in one of these things at the state fair and never eat peanut butter without thinking about how I could make it...healthier & tastier.  

Tastier isn't a word.

6. 

Let's just say I have no jeans.  My one and only 3.5+ year old pair recently developed too many holes in too many unacceptable areas.  A Garnet Hill gift card could help spiff up my icky "stay-at-home-mom" wardrobe.  (A quick fantasy flip through of their winter catalog resulted in an imaginary $3,000 credit card bill.)

7.  

Love x2.

8.  

Pottery Barn.  

9.

Who left me alone at www.apple.com???

10.

Please help!  I need to pry myself away from all the goodies... 

11.

Oh, 'scuse me.  That was just silly.  

12.  

Yep.

13. 

I just love the button.  

14.  

FYI - Size 10.

15.

Cute little book...

16.

Can't.  Stop.  Looking.  At.  Apple.com.

17.  

This awesome wrap from Kove Handmade on Etsy.com.  

18.

Mmmmmmmmmm.

19.  

It's not OK with me that I've asked for a washer/dryer set (AND a dishwasher, see #18) for my imaginary Christmas presents.  What guy would ask for this?  Oh, the plight of a woman...

20.

Since I had the whole washer/dryer breakdown, I thought we'd end on a high note.  An Eric Clapton Signature Strat.  I feel awesome again.

**********

I could go all day, but chores and kids are calling.  

You should really do yourself a favor and make a wish list.  

It's super fun.

keeping busy {over the weekend.}

Munchkins.

Super munchkins.  

Photo editing.

{the stunning....Mrs. Lindsi Bonar}

{Cargo Ranch crew}

Never-ending.  Bathoom.  Remodel.  

Happy Monday!