Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
Cool Pics By a Friend
Posted on: May 29, 2011
In a card I made for my Grandma.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaM2rZozcMWLjg&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET
Spring Cleaning
Posted on: March 26, 2011
- In: Family | Home Decorating
- 2 Comments
We’re doing a little Spring cleaning around our house, inspired by Simple Mom. Unfortunately I only found the blog a few days ago, so we’re getting into the project a little behind. We did manage to make some major headway on the playroom today though.
Before/During:
Sorry about how awful this pic is, I forgot to check the flash. But, you get the idea. 
And After:
Made a lot more room in there, by taking the slide outside for the summer (even though I had to the destroy the “club” to do it, and Owen will apparently be very mad at me). Threw out the makeshift coffee table. Bought a few boxes for those bottom shelves, and actually brought toys from the bedroom to put into them– SO SICK of the messy bedroom. Packed up toys for when Baby Arthur is ready to use them (lots of Little People) to make room for the “new” toys. Filled up the hotwheels organizer, then Lillian emptied them back out before I could take the pic.
Probably should’ve taken before and after pics of the bedroom too, but that would have required actually finishing the bedroom. With half a week for the whole project, and a 2-week-old, that was NOT happening.
I did find time to go through the kids clothes though. Packed up a whole box of L’s winter and outgrown stuff. B and Arthur only had a few things each, because I went through their stuff recently (and Arthur hasn’t been around long enough to grow out of too much stuff!). Didn’t make for very impressive before and afters though.
Looking forward to painting and redoing the floors in the playroom VERY SOON. Then we’ll have some more impressive after pics. 🙂
Welcome Baby Arthur!
Posted on: March 12, 2011
I’m very happy to announce the birth of my son, Arthur William, on March 9, 2011. He’s a beautiful, healthy, blond, 7 lb 11 oz and 20.2 in long baby. And we love him to pieces already. 🙂
2010 in Review
Posted on: January 6, 2011
- In: Baking | Family | Friends
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Some things worth remembering/mentioning about 2010. In no particular order.
California– after wanting to go since I was probably 8 (when my Grandma started promising Disneyland), I finally went this summer. Even better: I met one of my best friends there for some girl time! First time west of Colorado!
I’ve tried out many new recipes this past year, but the one that stands out the most to me right now is the French Macaroons. Probably because it’s something you see pretty pictures of all the time, and I’ve wanted to make for a while. These were delicious! Too bad I didn’t get any pics of the actual ones I made. Borrowed this one from Martha. 🙂 As a side note– I’m now the proud owner of a signed copy of this year’s Holiday Cookie magazine thanks to my baby brother Taylor and his girlfriend Dana (who’s sister is Martha’s assistant!). These cookies are also a step forward in my quest to master the pastry (see my list of 100 things to do before I die).
Speaking of Baby Brother– he moved away to go to college in Macon, Georgia this past fall. It’s sad to have him so far away, and that he’s sort of an adult now! 🙂
In the sewing department I’ve feel like I’ve made some fairly good headway this year. Sewed many new things, including a few dresses for Lillian. One of which caused me to tackle (and conquer!) my fear of sewing with Satin. Now I’ll be all set for her prom dresses. lol. Hopefully I’ll have some better pics to share of this soon!
Find out that Toney baby #3 was on his way was definitely a big deal! We are eagerly awaiting his March 18 due date. I’m hoping I can make it that long. 🙂
We had a rather exciting Christmas present this year! My sweet new nephew, Jude!
Even though it didn’t change things much THIS year, it’s worth noting that my parents celebrated their 30th anniversary this year! Not many people married when they are 18 make it so long, and I know it hasn’t always been easy. What marriage is, really? Congrats to them, and thanks for all your hard work! 🙂
Our family has grown in more ways than one this year! In August we traveled to Wisconsin to see my brother, Nicholas, marry his beautiful wife, Staci. Glad to have another female (and sister) in the Campbell family. We need them. 🙂 She can also whip the guys butt in most games.
And on the Toney side we got a new brother when Chad’s sister Gretchen married her long-time boyfriend, Jeff. It’s nice to have another “kid” at all the family functions.
This year we’ve been getting used to having an actual Kindergartner among us. It was going a little better before we had to take a 3 week recess!
We started hard-core homeschooling this year, and I’m facing my fear of teaching Brendan how to read. It’s actually going fairly smoothly… especially compared to teaching him to write neatly!!
Well, that’s a very quick look at the last year, but now it’s time to start looking ahead! Next post, we’ll go for Goals for 2011!
Kiddo Update!
Posted on: August 18, 2010
- In: Family
- 13 Comments
Brendan started his first day of kindergarten on Monday! Here he is eager to start with some of his new books. He’s very excited to learn to read this year!
Lillian has been doing really well so far at playing by herself. This is a relief, since she really hasn’t had much experience with it! She’s also doing really well potty training with not much help from me! Thank God for that.
Both the kids are really looking forward to the beginning of March when they will be welcoming a NEW baby brother or sister. Brendan wants a new baby brother to help him clean up his toys. 😉
Some Catching Up
Posted on: May 29, 2010
- In: Family
- 2 Comments
My baby boy turned 5 this year. boohoo. 😉
Decided to keep the cake simple and delicious this year. We did have bats hanging down over it, but it was too hard to get a good pic. Obviously the theme was batman. And dress-up. We had a couple princesses, the super-mario brothers, and Tigger. He got batman underwear, the Lego Batman game for xbox (along with a few other games), Lego batman t-shirt, etc. Plus, The Chronicles of Narnia box set. We have vision of reading them (as a family) in the near future just like our Dads read them to us. Such good memories.
We’re just wrapping up B’s pre-k work. Looking forward to ordering his kindergarten books! He’s learned so much this year! And we’ve spent lots of time reading together, which is the best part.
I’m only about 3 months behind on the blog. hehe. I haven’t been doing much creating to share. Where did the time go anyway?
I think that the creativity might be making a come-back though. We’ll see…
Cuties on Palm Sunday
Posted on: April 2, 2010
- In: Family
- 2 Comments
There’s been a lot of sewing going on around here, and hopefully I’ll be sharing what’s going on very soon. For now I’ll just share my little cuties. They’re a handful, but more than worth it! I hope you all are enjoying SPRING!
February Update
Posted on: February 17, 2010
- In: Baking | Crafts | Etsy | Family
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Pictures: Part of my fabric stash. Photo credits belong to my very helpful assistant Olivia. Then my already messy brand new craft table that C found for me FOR FREE! Much better than the previous cardboard table.
Outside: Very cold. Little bits of snow on the ground. I’m ready for spring! And more sunlight.
In My Kitchen: Mainly just been baking lots of bread. Most recently a Pumpkin Brioche from Healthy Bread if 5 Minutes a Day. I used it to make a crescent roll. I have to admit that the shape was the only thing like a crescent roll. Way too healthy. 🙂 It baked up much better as a loaf today. Tomorrow– either donuts with the leftover dough, or french toast with the bread.
I am wearing: Jeans, v-neck sweater that is a lot more comfy that cool, and brown t-shirt. Wool socks of course. It’s cold! Didn’t I mention that?
Can’t Wait For: Energy. I’ve been feeling very drained lately. For no good reason in case you are wondering.
Current Read: Still working my way through the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. It’s good, I just haven’t been reading much lately. I go in stages. Plus, I’m a little annoyed with both Kristin, and her husband. Especially her bum of a husband though. Also, reading Pilgrims Progress for the first time since elementary school (so really for the first time).
I am hoping: to learn to be a better businesswoman/ salesperson.
Around the house: some new curtains going up. A purchase of counter tile should happen this weekend. If I’m lucky. More on both soon (I hope).
Simple Pleasures: L’s new habit of singing “I love ____” over and over. The first time it was pancakes. Today we graduated to Daddy. She’s a sweety.
Creativity: should have some pics up soon of some of the stuff I’ve been working on. Changing one of the purse patterns for the shop. One purse has shown up from that endeavor, but I doubt it’s the final pattern even though I have gotten some good feedback about it. Clothes and curtains for L. Now working of filling some special orders including something like my 30th diaper bag.
Plans for the Weekend: Just realized purchasing tile was on my last update. Who knew tile could be so elusive!
Family Update: Our cat did come back. He’s been driving me a little crazy lately actually. But that hasn’t been a hard thing to lately to be honest. Did I mention I need sunlight? hehe
Lillian: is so affectionate towards B. It makes me so happy to see them hugging on each other.
Brendan: is a pretty good big brother. Even helpful at times! I can’t believe how big he’s getting. Easier to take him places these days too. Unless his Daddy keeps him up playing Xbox that is. =P
Valentines Day: was a good one this year. Unexpected/undeserved presents. A fun date (even though it didn’t quite meet our expectations). Made Chad a yummy steak and potatoes meal too.
New Year Update
Posted on: January 4, 2010
Outside: Snow snow snow! And it’s freezing!
In My Kitchen: I’ve tried out a couple recipes from my new cookbook. It’s turning out to be as good as THE COOKBOOK, which I never stop raving about. So Far I’ve made “Holy Moly! Strawberry Jam Rolly Polly” for New Years day’s breakfast. Plus, the lovely cupcakes from L’s b-day party were “Pinkalicious Princess Cupcakes”. I love using these cookbooks as much as I love eating the goods (well, almost). The thing I’m most excited about having made for Christmas is the delicious cream puff tree from the front of the martha stewart living magazine. Mine doesn’t quite look the same, but the taste more than made up for it! Thanks to Gretchen for modeling it for me!
I am wearing: I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve been so busy today trying to catch up from the weekend and caring fora sick kiddo (L) that I am still in my pjs! It’s already naptime! I guess I should change.
Can’t Wait For: Spring! I’m not usually one to hurry along the seasons, but I’m done with this cold weather!
Current Read: I am absolutely IN LOVE with my new book The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art, and the Comforts of Home. It is like it was written for me! 🙂 The author, Jane Brocket, also has a blog you should check out: Yarnstorm. A favorite quote:
“… a great part of the gentle art of Domesticity is an acceptance and then a valuing of repetition. Although I admit that I’ll never be thrilled with many aspects of repetitive housework, I have discovered some more pleasurable domestic patterns that, like the hypnotic ice-skating, I am more than happy to repeat.
Every project or creation has its own mode of repetition sandwiched in between the excitement of starting and the delight in finishing. This is the part that offers an often therapeutic and blissful zoning-out during which your mind can wander with your hands…”
I am hoping: to have my kitchen complete soon! We made alot of headway with my father-in-laws help over the holidays. I’m very excited, but remind me not to mix holidays and work weekends ever again! I think the next step will be tiling the counter top and back-splash!
Around the house: Made some laundry detergent earlier today with Ivory soap, washing soda, and borax. Doing a week’s worth of laundry, lots of dishes, and various other cleaning today. I did get my Christmas tree and most of my decorations taken down on Saturday though.
Simple Pleasures: Both kids have taken to cuddling with me in bed in the mornings for a little while, and it’s so nice and snuggly!
Plans for the Weekend: G’s birthday party. Maybe some tile purchasing. We’ll see.
Family Update: Chad and I got to go on a date to Avatar yesterday, thanks to my Gma. She also watched the kids! It definitely lived up to all the talk!
We have been missing our cat (he has a bad habit of jumping out the door at inopportune times) for about a week now. We are hoping he’s been keeping warm at a neighbors house and will show back up once it thaws. Worried. Brendan said he thought he heard him meowing this morning…
Lillian: Well, she’s two now as you know. Her vocabulary is astounding. She’s growing up way to fast when there is no new baby around! =(
Brendan: Is very impatient for his birthday (in April) now that Christmas is over. He’s been obsessed with the new Xbox 360 we got for Christmas. I’ve been very thankful to be homeschooling him, since I have had that to keep him busy when everyone else has been taking a long break! Don’t worry I did give him almost a week off. 😉
House: Isn’t it depressing how you clean your house basically top to bottom for guests and holidays (minus my bedroom in my case :), and then once its over you have to start over again. After a week. I guess that’s why the quote above was helpful for me….
Creative: In the pic above of Gretch (c’s sis) she’s wearing the cowl I knitted for her for her bday (which we also celebrated during the holiday). Sorry– didn’t get any better pics. I have made lots of other knits lately… maybe I’ll get some pics up soon.
Anyway, thanks for sticking with me, and stay warm!!
Searching For Creativity 