Projects

I did this canvas with an awesome copy of The Wizard of Oz I found at the thrift store. I felt a little guilty about cutting up such a great book, but the pictures were perfect for this project.  There is always a learning curve with me.  I can never ever seem to get things just right from the get-go.  So there are a couple things I'd do differently if I could.  Mostly, though, I love it.  I've done other canvasses like this, one very large one.  But those were done with magazines and the pages are a lot thinner than in a book. 

I'm not positive this counts as a project.  I already had the photo canvas, but I moved it to a new location and added the vinyl lettering.

I came up with, and started this embroidery piece LAST February. Now, a year later, I dug it out, ripped out the old stitches with a "Why in the world did I use THAT stitch?" and finished the project.  I know it looks a little wonky, but I wanted it to have a down home feel.

Happenings:

-We went to California during the holidays.  It was an amazing trip.  We watched my brother Rob get married.  We went to the beach and Disneyland.  Jeff and I turned 36 and marked it with an epic hike into the desert.  I did post pics of the whole trip on Facebook.   But there's a high chance that's the only posting most of those pics will see.  There are some really good ones, so check it out.

-Oz started potty training. He's not done and in fact is wearing a diaper today.  Frankly, it's freezing and I can't bear to have him run around the house without pants on until it warms up again.

-The weather has been psychotic.  So it'll be a warm day with jackets, or maybe none at all, and then the very next day you'll feel as if your bones are going to freeze in place. 

-The zoo continues to be a favorite place. 

-Capri loves to do my hair before she goes to bed every night.  This was one of my favorites.

 

-Legos and Duplos are out EVERY single day.  My loathing of Legos goes back to having 4 brothers who always had them out for me to step on.  Also having a crazy dog that would eat them and then puke them up later didn't help.  But I am trying to suspend my Lego hatred since the kids are so crazy for them.  It seems, as a parent, that eventually what your kids like you like too.  I suppose that's love.

-Sable started doing a lot of puzzles lately.  She got me itching to do them again too.  The others like to watch as I get them nearly to the end, and then come out like vultures to put in the last few pieces. 

-Sable lost her first tooth!  A few days before it fell out, she started yelling on the couch "Mommy, Mommy why is my tooth so loose??!!"  She was so scared.  Seems that Mommy forgot to warn her that she was getting to an age where her teeth would start to fall out.  Whoops.  I win "Mom of the Year" for that one.

-House projects continue.  I still need to take some "after" pics.  Our master bathroom is FINALLY after months and months, usable again.  That project has been my Everest.  It's still not totally done, but it's looking great and is so nice to be able use it again.  

About an hour ago. . .

All is safe in Runyan City.

Dragon Visit

Imagine Dragons played Kansas City in September and we were graced with a visit from lead singer (my cousin) Dan Reynolds.  Their show was on Sunday so we couldn't see them play.  BIG time bummer, but we were promised free tickets when they come back through town.
The band's popularity is growing by leaps and bounds.  It was so good to see that Dan's feet are still firmly planted on the ground. 


Capri is a major fan and has a crush on Dan.  She was extremely excited that he was actually coming to our house.  She sat, mostly quietly,  the whole time Dan, Jeff and I talked for about 2 1/2 hours.  She was happy to just bask in his rock star glory. 

Jeff informed me that right after this picture was taken, once Dan and I had gone out the door so I could take him to his show at the Uptown Theater.  Capri had exclaimed, "That was the awesomest thing ever!"

When we got to the Uptown, there was already a huge line outside the theater.  The lot gates were closed, and we weren't really sure how to get Dan inside the building.  Dan, being ever so mellow, said "Just drop me off outside and I'll put my hoodie up."  The mother in me thought, that might not be the best idea seeing as Dan is a giant and there is NO way in the world people won't notice him walking by. 
He did manage to get his road manager on the phone and the gates were opened.  After I dropped him off,  I promptly ran over a bucket they had put to block off some spaces with my minivan. Geeky mom away!

Adventure is Out There!

Halloween 2012

UP

Costume call

The Cast:

Jeff as Carl





Capri as Young Ellie

 

Rome as Russell


 



 Oz as Dug the Dog

 



 Sable as Kevin the Prehistoric Bird

 and Aby as The Flying House

   

 

It isn't easy coming UP with a costume that has six individual parts.  So this year, thinking UP our costume theme was tough.  It wasn't till early October I presented everybody with this idea.  I had looked through a complete listing of all the Disney/Pixar movies.  Near the very end was UP.  When the very next day I saw a cane just like Carl's sitting alone amongst a huge pile of crutches at the thrift store, I knew I had my sign.  Everybody was excited about their costumes, except for me.  The prospect of being a house wasn't that great (especially since I had no idea how I'd pull it off).  But after a ton of internet searching for ideas, and 5 hours of work, I had a house I was proud to wear.

 

Our very good friends', the Thornes, house is always our first stop every year.  This year we decided to stop at a neighbor's house first.  Sable stepped on Rome's shoelace and sent him tumbling over their pumpkins.  Luckily we got out of there with only a couple scrapes.  I tied Rome's shoes REALLY tight and we were off to the Thornes!

Carl gives a good Wilderness Explorer a helping hand.

 

 

Back home again.  Lots of chocolate scored this year.  It seems nobody is buying Mary Janes anymore.  Thank goodness.

 

Happy Halloween!

"South America.  It's like America, but south."