Suddenly I have been bite by the craft bug

So I am always competing with my sisters-in-law at being crafty, well really just in my own mind. I want to be crafty like the two of them, but feel like I never have time to do it. So, at the sacrafice of grading students papers, I have taken on the things I wanted to make a few things at a time. The first is the pillow I sewed for my hubby. He has been begging me since Christmas and I finally did it. He was happy!

For my next trick, I took average looking headbands and added cute little pink flowers for the girls.

With two girls, we never have a shortage of hair stuff. We do, however: have a shortage of where to put it all. That is where the ribbon board comes in, not quite done yet but close.

The girls love it!

And my latest project were dresses for the girls. I finished Isabelle's but Madee was taking a nap so hers will have to wait for another time

I love crafting, it is such a destressor. Now I only need more time and money...

In Heaven

Over the last year, my girls have experienced quite a bit of death for young children. It ranges from loved ones to pets to random animals we see from time to time. We talk about death and heaven and God bringing people to heaven when they are no longer with us.
Tonight I was talking about the food that I am making for tomorrow's Easter lunch, green bean casserole and deviled eggs. There are Jarett's favorite and I made a comment that "Daddy will be in heaven since I am making these foods!" Isabelle got a worried look on her face and started crying asking me not to make those foods because she didn't want Daddy to go to heaven.
Try explaining that pun...
I love that she knows and has a relationship with God and that she trusts in the process of life and death, but she is only 4 and a half,why does she have to know about it so much?

Fun times in the way east valley

Finally after a weekend of a REALLY sick girl and a week of practically nothing, we made our way to the Renaissance Festival held very east of the valley. Madee talked for a week about getting her face painted and today, she finally had the chance. Mom, Dad, Isabelle, Madee, and Grandma Vicki made the hour and a half trek out there and enjoyed a fantastic Arizona spring day. We saw shows, enjoyed great food, and just took in the weather.

Isabelle after the face painting, she chose a unicorn
Madee went with the butterfly

The greatest ride for kids at the fair...free butterfly rides for the shorter kids. Finally, mine had a ride designed for them.

They definitely loved it!

Christmas 2009!

The girls were good this year so Santa brought them the one thing they asked for! Madee wanted an Ariel Barbie and Isabelle wanted a Tiana Barbie. Both girls were so happy when they came downstairs Christmas morning to find Santa had left them. We had a great end to 2009 and are very excited with what 2010 will bring.

It's all about who you know

Grandma Vicki has a fabulous job in which she contacts a lot of different people everyday. Somehow she knows someone who works in Hollywood! SOOOO-one day we came home to find a manilla envelope addressed to the girls from...HOLLYWOOD. The girls got autographed pictures from some of the girls who work on the Disney Channel

Isabelle opening the envelope

The girls showing their autographed pics

Madee is excited

Isabelle too!!!

Christmas at Grammy's

Christmas Eve was a Grammy's this year and the kids had a super time. We sure are glad we had a small Christmas this year! Everything was perfect and we loved that everyone was there. Family time was fantastic this year.

Grammy time!

The Fabulous Four singing during the Christmas program

Watching the girls make their Christmas tree pizza

All the kids made their own dinner-Christmas tree pizza!

More Holiday Traditions

For the third year we have dressed up Isabelle and she has gotten to attend the Arizona Ballet Company's production of the Nutcracker. Grammy, mommy, Aunt Liz, Aunt Sara, Audrey and Isabelle all went and had great seats this year; 2nd row in the balcony-perfect view!

Isabelle in her Nutcracker dress
Grammy and Isabelle pose with the Sugar Plum Fairy

After the show, Isabelle decided to dress up in her own Sugar Plum Fairy outfit and put on a show

No picture can be taken without posing!