Timber!

We started our Labor Day weekend with a bit of work...helping Pa and Gram cut down a couple trees.  The first one up was Gram's Rose of Sharon bush.  Unfortunately, the last couple of dry summers had taken their toll on the bush. 

With a swipe of the chainsaw, it was gone.

Thankfully, we had someone willing to drive the lawnmower and pull all the limbs back to the brush pile!

The next tree was one of Gram's Brandford Pear trees.  A section of it got taken out in a storm this spring/summer.  They thought it best to take the rest of it down before another storm did more damage.

Daddy getting to work

Almost done

Thankfully, it all came down as planned!

Little Miss was left with a perfect place to sit and watch everyone else work

Until next time...

Snuggles

This week the older kiddos are up north for "Spring Break," although it might be one of the coldest spring breaks on record...

Anywho.  I usually try to have a project around the house to do while Dallas and Reba are gone (paint the kitchen, pull down wallpaper, make a sandbox, build a chicken coop, etc), but this year, my project is: 

More Cuddle time with Julianne!

I am pleased to report we are right on track!  I have been able to rock my baby to sleep more than once, give her all my attention, and just enjoy her!  Although, she is taking this extra attention a little too far, as she has woke up at 2 am the last two nights.  Let's hope this is a quick phase, and her regular sleep schedule will return soon.

Until next time...

Studio Fusion Glass

Katie's present to the ladies and kiddos was a trip to Studio Fusion Glass in Ft. Dodge.  It is this cozy studio where you can design your own glass art piece that will be fired in a kiln.  Items that can be made vary from a necklace charm to a picture frame to a large serving platter.  There is also ceramics that can be painted and glazed by little hands!

Aunt Katie let the kiddos pick two things to paint.  They each chose a bowl and an ornament.

A look down the table as everyone works

Lisa even grabbed my camera for a picture of me working!

A group shot before we left (Reba was a little tired and hungry)

Here are everyone's designs as they looked when we left (they still have to be fired and then mailed to us)

Lisa's platter

I chose coasters

Ma-maw chose a bowl

Granny chose a dish

Katie chose a larger platter

The snowman and purple bowl are Reba's, and the red bowl and stocking are Dallas'.

It was a great morning being crafty and a very unique idea.  We all had a fun time and can't wait to get our finished projects.  I hope to get a "finished" picture of everyone's art to show you the final designs!

Until next time...

Dallas' New Room

On Thursday, after one last follow-up doctors appointment for Dallas' bronchitis - that did in fact turn to pneumonia, Dallas and Reba headed up north with Pa, Gram and Aunt Josie for a few days.  While they were gone, Doug and I were busy redoing Big D's bedroom.

You might remember, his room had a sports wallpaper boarder and white walls.

I was never really thrilled with his room, and I had been wanting to do something different, but I wasn't sure what I wanted.  I knew I wanted something tractor related, and after seeing various tin signs at tractor and toy shows...I started to develop a plan.

First thing up - get the wallpaper off the walls and fill in holes

The wallpaper was a bit of a struggle at first.  I had scored the paper with a specific wallpaper removing tool, and used a combination of warm water and vinegar to help break up the adhesive backing.  That wasn't working too well, so we got out a wet rag and the clothes iron to create steam.  That took the paper off, but it also took the paint off underneath the paper!  I might add that Doug and I were doing this around midnight, so we were getting rather frustrated.  We chose to stop and get a fresh start the next morning.  We then learned that we needed to use the hottest water we could stand along with the vinegar.  That got the paper layer off, and then we reapplied the hot water mix and used a putty knife to scrap the remaining glue off the walls.

Here is what the room looked like right before painting!

 We chose a slate gray for most of the walls and an antique red accent wall.

Dallas also asked for some shelves for his tractors, so his wish was granted...

The Big D had fallen asleep on the way home from my aunt's house (Christmas with the extended Robertson's), so his reaction was a bit delayed when he saw his room for the first time...

The next morning, he woke up, walked down the hallway, got a huge smile on his face and went right back into his room to play!

Until next time...

Merry Christmas!

This year was the first time our kiddos woke up in their home on Christmas morning!  We started our Christmas celebration by attending Mass.

Santa (and Daddy and Momma) must have believed there were a couple great kiddos in this house!

 Reading the note left by Santa

Let the present opening begin!

Momma got an old generation Ball jar for the start of her collection

I have to insert this little story...Doug and I were trying to decide on a tractor for Reba.  She loves tractors and she loves all things pink and purple.  There are a few pink tractors made, but they tend to be pricey and more delicate (aka: not good for a 3 year old to play with).  We finally thought, "Why not paint one ourselves!"  So, we purchased an inexpensive tractor, brought it home, and worked during naptime and at night to make it special for our Little Miss.

Here is what the tractor looked like at first

And here is what it looked like when we were finished

 

Yep...she loved it!

OK...back to the gift opening...Dallas wrote on one of my presents

Not sure whom Santa really brought this present for...Dallas or Daddy?

Until next time...