My desire to be crafty...

I constantly look at the blogs of my crafty friends, crafty friends of friends, and other random people who do crafty things, and I wish I could be that creative. I can follow simple instructions if someone explains every little step (hello Super Saturday!) but I can't ever figure out how to be crafty on my own. It took me a week to figure out a fall centerpiece for my dining room table...

I know. Amazing, right? It came in a box and I threw it in a bowl that I had. That took me a week. And four trips to different craft stores. Lame.

...anyway - someday I'd love to have a house adorned with handmade pieces that don't look like a third grader did it. Unfortunately it costs money to buy craft supplies, and money is not something we have an abundance of, so for now, I will just browse crafty blogs and fall in love with things like these:

Advent Calendar by: Mimi Lee

Halloween Wreath by: Something To Do

Christmas Letters by: Mimi Lee

Cake Flower by: Oops! I Craft My Pants

Witch's Wands by: Our Best Bites

And these next three are by Heidi Russell, but her blog is private...hope she doesn't mind me showing her off!

And then there's me...I glue a plate to a bowl and call it a cake pedestal...sigh

Or not...

For one reason or another, Mike didn't get the job he was offered at Mercedes...just thought I'd keep everyone in our dark, miserable loop.

Halloween Cupcakes

There would have been a much prettier picture at the end of the post, but my cupcake stand was totally demolished by a certain 3 year old...oh well - I have plenty more holidays to do pretty.

Blessing Day

Dallin was blessed today by his dad. We were lucky to be able to have family there to participate in this special day for us.

Life is good...

Dallin had his two month appointment on October 5th. Yes, I realize I am a HUGE slacker for just now getting to it, but I have good reasons...you'll see in a sec.

Here are the stats:
12 lbs.
24 inches.

and he's in the 50th percentile for both! YAY!

He is such a little chub...I often sing to him "I like 'em big. I like 'em chunky" (Moto Moto's song from Madagascar 2. If you don't know the song, drop whatever you are doing and go rent the movie. Now) He is smiling all over the place and is such a good baby. He (mostly) sleeps through the night and Mike and I are L.O.V.I.N.G. that. Hayden loves to play with him, and I think Dallin loves it just as much. They are such cute brothers.

Moving on...I started back to work at Ann Taylor last Monday. I'm only working part time and it's a pretty sweet situation we have going on. I get to play with pretty clothes for a few hours a week and the kids get to hang out with Grandma. Life is good...

...except - after a few days of being back to work I was somehow exposed to the Swine Flu and spent a miserable 3 days moaning and groaning in my bed. The fever, the chills, the achiness...oooohhhh the achiness. I've never been more aware of the tiny muscles in my toes! Thankfully I got some Tamiflu in me and I'm feeling better. Life is good...

...except - Hayden now has the swine flu as well! Poor thing has been battling a fever that we just can't seem to break! He's had a terrible cough and some vomiting. My sweet little bug is just miserable!

Mike is no longer working for Dominos (YAY)! He got a part time job at Sears doing Loss Prevention and he absolutely adores that job...unfortunately the pay is crappy and it's just not cutting it, so he found a full time job detailing cars at a dealership that is right around the corner from us. I know it's not what he wants to do but I'm just so thankful he was able to find a full time job. He still has a few things to do before he officially starts (they've got to make sure he's not a druggie or anything) but soon we'll be rollin' in the dough! Or...paying our bills on time at least...

It's just after 6am and I think Hayden is back to sleep so I'm going to go crawl back into bed. I'll try to post some pictures today.......life really is good!

Grandma Lorna and Uncle Mike

My mom flew in from Utah to meet Dallin and see Hayden (and me...I think). It's been too long since I've seen her! It was a short trip, but we spent the entire time just laughing and having a blast! We got to go up to see my brother, Michael, who is stationed in South Carolina. It was about a four hour drive and I'm amazed at how great the kids did!

Grandma and Dallin!

Toddler Power Hour at the Library...Hayden made a "duck"
Can you tell?

Dallin's first time to the beach!

Snuggled up!

Waiting (forever) for our dinner at Smokey Bones
My beautiful mom and my handsome sailor brother, Mike.

Doesn't Hayden look so serious?
"So...tell me, why would you like to come work for me?"

I just love this goofy kid!

Or as my mom has affectionately nicknamed him:
Monkey-bug-wiggle-worm-snake-frog-boy
(Stay tuned for more silly hotel pictures)

"The big big big big big big boat"

"A sailor went to sea sea sea"

"To see what he could see see see"

Doesn't it look like my brother is doing a little jig here?
My mom is adorable.

Checking things out

Hayden loves his Uncle Mike!

Shooting the big gun

Me and my cute boys...I am a lucky girl!
We stopped at Burger King for lunch before taking Mike back to base and I think this picture is just precious!
Hayden: "LOOK AT ME IN MY COOL HAT!!!!"
Uncle Mike: "Look at me...in my hat...please don't tag me on facebook"