A Day with Dad

I LOVE hanging out with my dad.

On Saturday we headed out into the west desert with fishing poles, jackets, hats, gloves, and junk food.
We didn't have any luck fishing because the snow kept us from getting close to the water and a lot of the water was still frozen. We did however find something else to do. As we were driving we saw a cave on the hillside and thought it would be the perfect spot to soak up some sun. We hiked up the mountain and made a little fire. It was so nice to breath fresh air (except for when we were inhaling smoke) and be in the middle of nowhere. We sat around the fire, talking and laughing, and just enjoying the day!

We ended being gone for about four hours and in that time we saw 25 wild turkeys, 1 golden eagle, 3 bald eagles, 1 coyote, 15 deer, 2 rabbits, 2 blue herons, and around 12 hawks! I'm sure I'm missing something!

During that time we also managed to drink a lot of soda, eat cheetos, donuts, and top it all off with a nice freezing cold ice cream cone!

It was a great adventure! Thanks Dad!

 

Dad's picture looks like an REI ad!

Mine looks like I am falling over!

More name blocks

I made these for my friend who has the cutest little guy. She is such a sweet mommy and I am so happy for her new family!
I also wanted to accurately show the size of these blocks. A few of you said Afton's name blocks looked really big but they are actually really small. They are the perfect size for little fingers and quick and easy to make!

Welby crew!

Today I was able to meet some of my old first grade gang at Applebee's. The food was yummy and it was great to catch up and spend time together!

 

Free fun at Cabela's!

Tiff and I have been trying to spend one day a week hanging out to let the kiddos play together.
This week we decided to go to Cabela's (free) and walk around. The kids loved cruising around the little aquarium area and feeding the fish in the little stream.
They also enjoyed the various animal exhibits and riding the elevator!

Memory game

I have been wanting to make this FOREVER. It was one of the things on my to do list. Check!
I used wood and scrapbook paper and I love how it turned out!

 

So far Afton loves to play with it, but in her own way!

 

When I found this idea I was so excited and already scheming up another way to make the same game. I want to use pictures and I think I will use all paper instead of wood. Hmmm... we'll see. I'll post pictures whenever it's done!
And Jen... thanks for motivating me to finish! One more project down!

Simplify

Lately I have been feeling a little crowded. I have let January get the best of me and have found myself sulking around a little. I haven't been doing the things I normally do to stay happy. Exercise, photography, writing, fishing, hiking, dates with Brett, etc. All of these have taken a back seat to my somber mood. I feel as drab as the weather. The air is gross, my hair is dull, and I am ready to throw away everything in my house.

For about six weeks someone has been sick, which hasn't helped anything. Afton had RSV and along with that a double ear infection. Along with the ear infection Afton was throwing up and not sleeping well. And as if that wasn't enough poor Afton had her two top teeth come in and her molars are coming in as well. She has been a wreck.
Brett was super sick for a couple of weeks and between those two we spent a good deal of time at the doctor's office.  Luckily I only got hit for a few days after they were both well. I think (hope) we are in the clear and I know we are ready for a vacation. At this point even St. George sounds inviting. 50 degrees and sunshine! I'm there!

6 weeks of sickness and yucky air has left me with a pretty hefty to do list.
I have multiple projects sitting around, photographs, scrapbooking, painting, various activities, sewing. Oh and not to mention my blog which only gets a tiny piece of me. Throughout the day I think of things I want to write and then I get busy and today turns into tomorrow and so on. Oh well, I guess a piece is better than nothing. 

I have been organizing drawers and cupboards though. It feels nice to have some things clean and organized. I have also given away a lot of my clothes and shoes. My closet is happy and my give away pile continues to grow. I want to get rid of everything (like I said above) but I should probably keep something to wear and eat out of.

Well, hopefully I can shake the January junk and get focused again. I have things to write, pictures to take, books to read, drawers to organize, projects to finish, and people to spend time with! Oh, and I am also starting a Way Back When segment for my blog. One more thing to do...

What?

Christmas visit with Clara, Lydia, and George

Dan and Rachel came to visit after Christmas and the kids had so much fun spending time together. Afton loves her cousins!

Afton and George. Afton was born 10 days before cutie pie George! Too bad he lives so far away! It's fun to have a friend!

Clara, Afton, and Lydia wearing matching skirts made by Grandma Watrous!

Christmas crafts!

This is an advent calendar I got from a girl in my neighborhood who supplied materials for Super Saturday. As you take away each number (stuck on with magnets) you reveal a picture. It took a little while to put together but turned out pretty cute! I used pictures of Afton's first Christmas!

This idea came from my sister in law. She made these last year and Afton loves her so much I decided to make them for my family this year. They turned out really cute. Here are a couple of examples.

This last idea also came from my sister in law although I used a different format and downloaded the templates off the internet. The pictures are 5 by 7 and will be hung in my honey's office using a binder clip. (that way it won't get lost in the shuffle of paper work on his desk)

Here is the cover and a couple of months!

 

Christmas Day with Grandma and Grandpa Watrous

Christmas afternoon we went to my mom's house for lunch. It was delicious and fun to spend time together watching the kids play. Brett got gardening supplies and money and I got a new sewing machine! Watch out crafty world!

Afton in her cute little skirt made by Grandma Watrous!

                                 Fun new puzzle!

Afton resting for a minute with Grandma and her baby (who is wearing a matching skirt)! Well, kind of!
At this point we knew Afton didn't feel well but we weren't sure why. We tried to find an Instacare Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but didn't have any luck. We finally got Afton into an after hours clinic the next day only to find out she had RSV. Great! Poor kid!

I asked my dad to paint a picture of Afton but I had no idea he had even started. I was shocked (in a good way) to see this picture under the tree. It made me cry! Afton is so lucky to have such a wonderful keepsake. Thanks Dad!

I had also asked my mom for a crafty favor. I wanted three angels to hang in Afton's room and my mom asked me to choose the frames. I told her I would do it after Christmas and was again surprised to see a finished gift. The angels are perfect, better than I envisioned and Afton is so lucky to have something so special. Thanks Mom!

Christmas morning!

I LOVED Christmas this year! Afton is still too young to understand but I enjoyed decorating, buying presents, wrapping presents, visiting, listening to Christmas music, and waking up Christmas morning to see my little buggy boo's face! So serious! :)

Christmas tree!

Afton's new pj's and new lego wagon!

 Afton's new cabbage patch trying out the new wagon!

 

 Afton was more interested in watching herself on the video camera than opening her presents!

 

 Christmas stocking filled with blocks and treats (above).

  

Yummy breakfast!

 

Abandoned presents!

Christmas Eve at the Keetch's and a visit with Grandma and Grandpa Keetch

Every year we go to the Keetch's for Christmas Eve chaos. We eat yummy food, watch the kids play and we all exchange presents! Brett and I got new silverware and Afton got a new laptop. Yeah!

Brett is trying to cover the wassail that somehow managed to cover Afton's shirt! :)

Mommy helping Afton open her new laptop from cousin Kenna. 

 

Afton and her cousin Harvey watching all the big kids play!

 

Christmas Card!

This is 1 of 6 cards I designed this year. I couldn't
decide which one I liked the best so I just kept making more.
I'm tempted to post them all but I won't just in case I decide to use one next year.

Merry Christmas!

Oh - by the way
If you didn't get one of these in the mail don't feel bad. I think I mailed out about 5 cards. Two of which went to Grandparents! Maybe next year!

Christmas Tree

We finally got a tree! (we have a week before Christmas right?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas to me!