It's Official...

This will be what I call HOME. We are moving to ST. GEORGE...ahhh?! I'm so excited! 

My kids (probably only my kids) will miss THIS though.  We can drive to Cedar City for it, right? And our visits up to my parents in the winter....that's plenty of snow for me.

Ruby and Liam LOVE the snow!  They will go out in freezing degrees and play for hours in this wet wonderland. 

Still smiling after two hours!

So, we are moving by June, as long as nothing earth shattering happens in the mean time.  We found renters for our home (moving in by May 1st)(we will live at my parents for a month).  We are blessed to pretty much come out even on our mortgage payment -rent income.  At least were not LOSING money each month...that's the best we could do!  This real estate economy is not so fun.  This picture depicts what our WHOLE house looks like! aghh.  HOW the heck do you move?!  I hate it.  We haven't done it for 4 years-ish and it's completely draining and maddening and ridiculous.  I dream about boxes and duct tape and the smell of a sharpie.  We better get LOTS of visitors...who doesn't travel thru or TO St. George at least once a year!?  We can be your new stopping grounds...yeah.!

(Jami/Brett, so I figured you won't like it at the office or things won't be what you thought and you can buy a practice from an old retire-y in George and we could be neighbors! You like the heat and sun Jame I know you do!)

In other news....my MIL made this skirt for Rubes.  LOVE it.  Don't mind that her eyes are almost squinted shut! ha! Poor girl...(it was a bright day for once!) It's called a market skirt and the FREE tutorial can be found HERE.  It really swirls when she spins around, she loves wearing it.



Another note: my beautiful cousin got married last weekend and not only did she look amazing! (as did her hubby)...her reception was so chic and clever and unique.... 

It was held indoors at the Hardware Bldg. in Salt Lake.  Here is the Gift Table.

And the Sweets Table.  Jars of candy and chocolates with baggies to fill at your own discretion and sweet toothness.  Can you spell HEAVEN for the kids.?!

Lemon/lime and strawberry/cucumber water with cheese and crackers, crepes with chocolate/banana or cream and berries...to die for!

The guest book...each guest or group of guests got to take their picture in this little photo booth...one copy for them to keep and the other...

...was put into the log book along with a note of advice and an autograph from their well-wishers.  So cute.

K and K for Katie and Kyle.  The colors...were perfect!

And ya can't have a reception without dancing!  These two could work it!

Charlie Bear.



This little guy came by accident 15 months ago...well he was conceived accidentally- I guess about 25 months ago...but really- what would life be without him.?




Slobbery faced Charles.  (photo courtesy of Ruby Wright-with her very own camera)



One of his 'unique' daily rituals is this...to throw absolutely everything out of his crib as he awaits someone to save him from his cage...then he dares give me that smug..."yep I did it again" expression.

Another 'unique' characteristic is his shyness (my other kids were not like this; to this extreme anyway) he can't stand for people to look at him or watch him eat...he closes his eyes and grunts...then he will continue to eat or drink with his eyes closed until you stop looking at him.  It's the oddest thing! If he's in a good mood he won't care and smile and laugh right back at you-but if he's even just a little tired or feels threatened by an overbearing face...he absolutely cannot stand it -he'll bury his head, close his eyes, cover his face-anything to get out of your view and wait for you to kindly look away.

He worships dogs...what baby doesn't?...maybe we should get one?  naaah.

His passion (one of his few) is EATING...he eats like a banshee and if I don't feed him fast enough he is a 'screamer'-what?! What do you do about that?  I can't discipline him and tell him "NO-YOU NEED TO ASK WITH WORDS OR SIGNS?!" ha!  It's just such a frustrating stage because it gets so loud that no one can hear each other speak and then we all end up yelling at each other!  ah.
 ps-despite his eating habits...he hasn't gained weight for months and hasn't grown length- wise since his 12 month appt. (Okay, I get it, I get it...we are all short but he's a baby still-he should be growing) Should I be concerned? Anyone know a good pediatrician...lest I decide to get a 2nd opinion?  His head is in the 70% percentile though...yeah, I remember that all too well. (see here)



He loves the MEN in his life..esp. this one...and he is SUCH a snuggler- besides his open mouth kisses...he gives the biggest, strong-hold around your neck- hugs you ever knew.



And this MAN...his grandpa that just recently moved back to California...we MISS you.!

Charlie's been in this stage of walking for a couple months.  He likes to take steps and stand alot...but nothing consistent...it's the stage where he wants to be 'down' in a public place but you'd rather die than put him on the floor to crawl around and sweep up the McDonald's floor dust and grime.



This big sister takes care of him 57% of the time...I think between me and Marty -we make up the other 43%!



So it's been said by my MIL several, upon several times that Charlie and my Mom look alike...'ya right' I always said- 'that's crazy talk'...  now, I can see that resemblance...thanks to another photo taken by Ruby...they really do look alot alike to me! Who'd of thought.
  I love you dear Charlie Bear and hope you grow up to be just like this woman you look so much alike...in a manly sort of way that is.

A Shower + tutorials and MORE...




Two of my friends and I threw a shower for my dear friend Nichole who is having a baby in 3 weeks!  Love her.  And I love the way this shower came together. Thanks to Az for her gorgeous (I wish I had you) home to host (not in a stephenie meyer sort of way) the Bloomin' Shower!  It was a smashin' hit!   

 


The decor all blended so well. (click photo to enlarge) I love the vibrant yellow, blue, greens and a touch of silver.   Such a perfect time of year to have a baby!!  OHHH I love babies.  The pom pom's are a martha stewart project ....found HERE.  The felt streamers (made by Tasha) are different size circles cut out in coordinating colors of felt and sewn together (so creative!).  The napkins, cups and straws come from IKEA.  The candles (Tasha)(all lit) were beautiful for color/decor and gave off a wonderful fragrance.  Lemons and limes fit right in on the color scheme and made delish citris water, so refreshing!





The food included chocolate covered strawberries (yum) , mini cinnamon rolls (double yum) (made by Az- Rhodes rolls thawed, stretched out, cut in half and sprinkled with cinnamon/butter/sugar and rolled back up...after baking top w/cream-cheese-divine- gooiness-frosting), chocolate/butterscotch bird nests (found HERE) and bowls of candy and nuts. 

 

My gifts were a car seat cover...gotta love those.  Just patterned after one I had given to me for my baby.  VERY simple to make actually.   And with so many cute fabrics/patterns; it's fun to create your own.  Nichole has very refined taste so I didn't want to do anything with bright colors or animals and such.  Turns out she liked it !  yeah! 



And one of these little tie/suspender onesies.  Designed by Trisha (my friend), and attempted by Me.  The blue and yellow one I kept for Charlie...he sort of looks like a clown in it, but baby clowns are cute , right?  The suspenders are just a length of 'double fold bias tape-quilt binding' sewn down on both ends and again under the buckle.  The buckles are sold at Hancock for 1.49 (pack of two) in silver or gold. (they were out of silver when I went-dang it)  On the right onesie, the tie is only sewn down on the top portion and the the bottom half is loose-hanging...gives it a different- more playful look.

 


And here is the guest of HONOR, beautiful Nichole.  And the 3 three hostess's...Az on the left, Tash on the right.

 

The party favors (made by Tasha) -what a great idea! And I love, love the name tags. (not sure where she got the pots, name tags were homemade)



The wonderful friends that make getting together worth while.!  It's so good for my heart to see everyone and be able to relate with them on so many levels.  Love all these gals.  (we missed those of you that live far away, sniff)

 
 

Speaking of spring; check out this tutorial  for ruffle pants found HERE.   I think I want to attempt this get-up for Ruby,...and maybe Charlie too.  Kidding!  Clown shirt is enough for now.  Babies can only pull off so many things.! ha!

 

One more idea someone gave me.  I made this apron for my cousin, Katie, (who is to be married this weekend!) for her shower.   I love the line at hancock called - top drawer fabrics- this is one of the patterns. I wanted to add a splash of color  (her kitchen color is red) so I spent ALL this time looking at JoAnn's and Hancock for a sew-on applique in red, (a flower made out of fabric that can be washed).  I know I've seen them before on bags, shirts, aprons etc.  But I could not find what I was looking for anywhere.  A lady at JoAnn's told me to just get a flower that clips or safety pins on and they can remove it before washing...duh~ what a grand idea, never thought of that.  Once I switched my brain to that avenue...there were TONS of options and cheap too!  I found this tulle flower, that is pin -on- ready, for 2 bucks. SCORE. 
Happy Day Everyone.