What we've been up to

Still no pictures of our house.  It's been raining non stop for the past few weeks, so we've been doing some fun projects inside to occupy our time.  I've taken a short break from painting and decided to work on my craftiness skills.  I wish I could sew better.  I enjoy it only when things go well.  If I'm constantly ripping out seams I get frustrated and want to scrap whatever I'm working on.  This week I decided to try a few sewing projects and they actually went well.  I'm excited to find more sewing projects.  I may even attempt to make my own curtains for our dining room. 

I made these delicious cheesy garlic rolls for dinner the other night.  They're from the first Best Bites cookbook.  They were soooo yummy!

I was so excited about these.  I bought these 30x30 pillow forms from Pottery Barn for $10.00 each and the material only cost me $7.00.  They are so comfortable to lay on and watch tv.

I made this dress first.  It took me longer to make then second one, but I love how it turned out. 

I took this the other morning.  Hannah loves to look at her books.  She was crammed into the smallest spot between her dresser and rocking chair looking at them all.

 

 

 

 

 

Long Overdue

I would like to blame my lack of blogging on my iphone.  Ever since I got the phone in August I never get on our home computer.  Why would I need to when I can everything so much easier on the go on my phone.  Life has been busy since August.  We had so much fun this summer swimming and camping.  Blake's parents moved from Washington to Idaho in September, so Hannah and I braved the long car ride all by ourselves.  We stopped once for gas and lunch, but otherwise we were on the road having fun.  Once we got to Idaho Blake's sisters drove up and Blake flew in to meet us after a business trip.  Fall was great.  Hannah LOVES leaves.  She was obsessed with picking up as many as she could hold in both hands.  It would take us forever to walk to the mailbox because there were leaves along the way that just needed to be picked up. Hannah finally started walking at 14 1/2 months.  She was so comfortable being carried everywhere she didn't really need to walk.  We like to call her our lazy baby.  She knew how to walk pushing her baby stroller for months and months, but was so hesitant to walk without any support.  Halloween was so fun.  Hannah was Minnie Mouse, and actually went trick or treating to a few of the neighbors houses.  Thanksgiving was spent in Idaho with Blake's family.  It was so fun to be with all of his family again for a week.  Christmas was great spending time with my family and not traveling out of the state.  Since Christmas we have been busy decorating and organizing our new house.  We decided to start looking for a new house in October, found one three weeks later, put an offer on it, sold our house 4 days after that, and moved 2 days after Christmas.  I will never move around the holidays again.  The nice part was that Blake was home for the break, and we were in town for Christmas this year, but Christmas just didn't feel the same as in years past.  It felt rushed so that we could pack up and move.  We love our new house.  It's 1 mile from our last house, in the same ward boundaries, we have great neighbors, more privacy, a bigger backyard, and more square footage.  It's funny to see the inside because 3 of the rooms have no furniture.  In due time. I'll post pictures of the house soon.

We went to the Puyallup Fair to see the animals and ride the carousal.

14 month old pictures (supposed to be her 12 month pictures but I was a little late getting them scheduled)

Grandpa and Grandma Gibbons had this fun swing in there yard. 

Trip to the pumpkin patch

Wasn't to sure what to think about Santa and the Grinch, but at  least no tears.

Spending Time With Family

 Every time the horse went up and down she made a "whoo" sound.  It was funny!

My brother was in town last week from Germany, so Hannah and I tagged along with my brother and parents to Seattle for the day.  Hannah loves her uncle Justin.  She met him earlier this summer when we were all in California, but she loved him even more this last time he was in Seattle.  We walked around Pike Place Market, did some shopping, rode the carousal, and ate at Ivar's with all the seagulls.  Hannah loved the carousal ride, and was very intrigued by all the seagull at Ivar's on the pier. 

Labor Day Weekend

 Hannah ran out of clean, dry clothes so she wore my sweatshirt the last morning.

We had to get a picture of the entire families feet in the sand :)

This past weekend we took our first family vacation.  Where did we go?.....camping along the Washington coast.  Every year Blake and I suggest going somewhere over the long weekend, but by the time we actually get around to planning something it's too late.  This year we got online early, reserved a camp site, and kept our fingers crossed for nice weather.  We couldn't have asked for a better weekend.  The sun was shining, the ocean was surprisingly warm, Hannah loved the beach and did great sleeping in a tent, Lucy was in heaven being in the woods and water, and the best part was no cell phones or internet for 2 days.  Blake and I had some great talks around the fire with no interruptions from phones, we were able to play games, and just enjoy each others company.  Life has become so focused on "being connected" but it's really important to unplug from the world every once in a while.  We had such a great time, we may have started a new family tradition of camping every Labor Day weekend. 

Big Girl

At Hannah's last appointment with her pediatrician, she suggested that I start letting Hannah feed herself with a spoon and fork.  Of course that gave me a little anxiety with how messy things can get, but doctors orders.  Here was our first attempt with yogurt.  Hannah thought it was fun and did fairly well. 

Birthday Party

I can't believe that our love bug will be "1" on the 31st.  Where has the time gone?! With each milestone, it's bittersweet.  I miss some things about her being little, but at the same time I'm also so grateful for the stage we're at now.  This past weekend we celebrated her birthday with family and friends.  I went a little crazy with learning new skills, and putting them to the test for her party.  I knew she wouldn't remember her first birthday, but my philosophy was if I never have another girl I wanted to make sure I made this the best girl birthday party ever.  I took a cake decorating class and learned how to work with fondant.  I learned how to make tissue paper pom poms at a mutual activity.  I made stuffed animal owl party favors, inspired by someone selling them on Etsy.  Best of all, inspired by Pinterest, I made a tulle tu-tu and a fabric cake and sewed it on a onesie for Hannah's birthday outfit.  It was all a lot of work, but so fun at the same time.  Hannah had a blast with cousins and friends and she loves all of her new toys. 

Stuffed animal party favors- so fun to make.

Ready for the party!

I can't wait to make another cake and decorate it with fondant.

First baby doll.  It even giggles.

She loved her cake.  She still doesn't love things stuck on her fingers.

Ready for the sun with her new shades.

Her birthday was an owl and bird theme.  She loves her PB Kids owl "Joy" and now she has her sibling "Penny."

Splish Splash

It's finally summer here in Washington, so Hannah and I have had a few play dates at the local outdoor pool.  I think Blake felt left out, so we went last night.  The water was warm, but the air was cool so our swim was short.  Hannah loves the pool, so I'm sure her and I will be going again soon.