New Blog

I know no one is reading this regularly, but just in case... I've started a new blog for all the furniture I've been building/refinishing and to share my own home design philosophy/taste/etc. It's up, but I the pics won't be very good till I get a new camera (next spring hopefully). Anyway it's Hand-Made Home (hand-madehome.blogspot.com) and I'm planning to post weekly, so check next week for my first real post.

Sleeping Beauty

I have a hilarious daughter, even in her sleep.

It began at an early age. When she's sleepy, there is just no stopping her.

She grew out of her highchair, and the laundry basket became a favorite sleepy time spot.

Our issue was, girl WOULD NOT sleep in her bed, and when she got tired of sleeping on the floor, she found a whole new array of places to sleep.

And then she got really good at sleeping in her bed, but didn't grow out of her "sleeping in inappropriate places" fetish.

She had BARELY enough space to even fit here, let alone balance and snooze. This represents about a 3 1/2 foot fall. Risky business.

And this is the aftermath. She is entirely asleep, angry that I moved her from her oh-so-comfy kitchen counter top!



And her most recent exploit. 4 and finally toilet trained, but not sleep-in-your-bed-and-not-the-toilet trained.


And we never know what's coming next. Better not let her drive til she grows out of this one!

What I Did During Finals Week

I've finished the enormous coffee table that is really more like two storage benches pushed together.

Proof that I did it myself:



You narrowly miss a fantastic view of my bumcrack (lucky you).


The top, I've used giant gate hinges I fell in love with.

Shows it's in two pieces.

It's finished in brown mahogany, with a satin clear coat.

And it opens!

Construction Crew

My big, strong, construction man. And his tiny hammer.

Helping Daddy study.

Where was I during all this abuse? Behind a camera, he has a hard hat after all.

And I'm reminded what a disaster this bedroom layout was. We're doing much better these days, and I'll post pictures and a headboard tutorial soon (if only for my own and Liz's benefit).

San Juan Island

For Hip Hop Daddy's 30th, he and Mama went back to the San Juan Islands. Not much to do, but pure serenity. And a really beautiful trip.

This is the view from the dining room, not really a good representation. The view from the room was an amazing harbor view.

The images make me feel so peaceful, and are the inspiration for my decorating style. Not really "beachy," more calming and seaside inspired.

Party! Lego Style!

The lego cake ended up giving me a major brain fart. Fortunately, Arrow came to the rescue with her mad skills. The cakes were made in loaf and min-loaf pans, and the lego humps (?) are marshmellos cut in half.

Crazy boys making their best lego man poses. The masks were so cool, just googled lego man head (think of this the filthiest way possible, because you WILL get images of that also) and printed these images using fit to page option. Or, if you don't want pictures of lego men engaged in graphic acts, just go to findmybrick.com.

And he blew out the candles. (mmmm, spit prinkles).


The Crazy Capers unmasked.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

The gingerbread house did eventually get made, but not without a few sugar-crash-casualties

And there's the crash.

And the final product.

Sarabeara's singing debut at her daycare Christmas concert. She still hasn't stopped singing the songs she learned around the clock. Apparently we're getting Christmas year round here.

Christmas morning. Magical.

Christmas eve night. Those are letters from Santa on the tree.

Almost makes me want it to be Christmas again (after I get a vacation and some sun!).

Ghosts and Goblins

SaraBeara's first field trip.

Her pumpkin pick. 20 three year olds searching for "the one" was too sweet.

Our very own Jack-O'lantern, can you guess the artist?
Way better lit.

And finally, my very own Ghost and Goblin. Why can't we have Holoween in July? When it's warm and well lit?

I just wanted warm soup, my blanky, and some good TV. But the sacrifices we make, totally worth it.

Summer Days

Kiddos are playing CSI Seattle on the front walk, outlining eachother in chalk, so I wanted to snag a moment with my own, "I Know What You Did Last Summer."

Three what? The world may never know. We learned t-ball is not Simonster's sport. But we really did it for the photo-op anyway.

Proof that there was a Memorial Day BBQ. I think we need to hire a new photographer this year.

Mark your calendars! May 31st! More water! More yum!

Sunning in Utah.

Hair models in training. Are there cuter girls anywhere? I don't think so. Hand picked by the Big Cousin for her hair show.

Not to be outdown by their baby sisters, the Dapper Don Juans.

I'm planning something special after Fall/Winter updates. Hold onto your hats!

Bad Blogger

I've been soo, soooo lazy at my blogging, but now with graduation so close I can taste it (tastes like car sick, fast food, and VICTORY!) I'm feeling updatey.

I thought I'ld start with our latest attempt at a family photo:

We were VERY excited. Thanks Uncle Oly!

Such a beautiful day, is that a stocker shadow? Creepy, time to crop.

She loves her daddy.

They're not fighting! It's a miracle! I just broke up a kicking-on-the-couch brawl. Sigh.

It's official, it's L-O-V-E.

And now for empty update promises. Wondering where Christmas?! Holloween?! Birthdays?! and home decor projects went? They're trapped in my computer, and I might just have what it takes to get them out.