Happy Halloween!

While Sandra was in town visiting I put her to work and she made Christopher his first Halloween costume. A Clown

We got some good use out of it by first going to Bryan's law school party

This was before I whipped together a hot glue gun felt hat -

and then to our ward Fall festival, Halloween night, and then later to a friends house. Bryan took Christopher around to the neighbors,

here he is chatting with Tiger while waiting for his goods!

Our wards Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat was interesting to see because our church parking lot shares the same lot with the Temple.

We decided it was time to head home when Christopher kept trying to run up to the temple doors.

Sheetcake and Christopher

Are you talking to me?

Yes...well hello then

My sisters and children came in town about two weeks ago and I had big plans to make most of the meals ahead of time and freeze them, including treats. There cannot be an insufficient amount of sugar around when you get the Paul girls together! I had some buttermilk laying around and what else do you use buttermilk for except mashed potatoes and Texas sheet cake.

Seeing how Texas sheet cake would be fitting for their visit since it is made out of chocolate butter and sugar, I couldn't go wrong. Every time I try to do anything, Christopher climbs up the barstools and onto the counter so this time I pulled up a chair and let him help.

His help only lasted so long until he was up on the counter again so I did what any mom would do, strapped him in his highchair and gave him the spatula so I could finish baking. I think he enjoyed helping, what do you think? The fun ended when he started sharing with the dog Bono.

No camera for you...time to say goodbye!

"The Moble" an extension of my life...

I can't believe it has been a year already! I spent the morning looking at my old posts and I am amazed at how fast time flies.

I read the post about working on Christopher's room and that I was hoping to get a mobile made which finally happened. I was hoping to find a mobile I could just buy but that never seems to work for me know does it! I get these "visions" as I call them, more like stupid ideas, which have me end up making something way more complicated and time consuming then I can handle.

Well, here is my mobile, a work in progress. It is not quite what I had in mind, but then again, nothing ever is when I make it, you think I would learn a lesson here, but never the less I like it, I guess. I have been working on trying to find more ways to bring color into his room so I am going to glue scrapbook paper to the birds and leaves.

Sorry the pictures are not great there was a lack on natural light happening with it being overcast out today.

Now do you see how the mobile is suppose to be an extension of the tree...ah you see it now?... no? Well it's suppose to be, at least in my mind, that is what 4 years of college will get you, crazy ideas. Shout out to Jenn, you get what I am after correct; I can count on you another product of ASU interior design program to see my crazy ways! Well as I look around Christopher's room, it is still not finished but I am ok with that, it gives my twisted mind something to ponder on.

Lubbock's 1st Pumpkin Trail

So I thought I had a fun activity planned this evening but like so many fantastic ideas this one did not go as well as I pictured in my mind. I receive an email every week updating me on all the fun and exciting happenings in Lubbock each week and I came across a FREE family activity to go view over 500 carved pumpkins and the community center. Well, I wasn't expecting much of a crowd but there were sooo many people I mean hundreds of people. All I wanted was a photo of our family having a great evening out but Christopher was not having it.

Christopher right before the tantrum hit

Christopher does not like to be strapped down and just wanted to run and run, not such a good idea when there are over 500 lit pumpkins with real candles.

Christopher running

Bryan and I at least had fun looking at the different carvings on the pumpkins while it lasted; my favorite was a pumpkin with two small pumpkins for eyes that looked like an owl. We wouldn't be in Lubbock if there were not at least a couple Texas Tech logos, only in Texas!

I didn't get our family picture to prove how fun we are...but I am glad we still made the effort to get out and spend some quality time together.

Photo Edits, My New Hobby

So I have been working on my Photoshop skills and this is my latest doings.

This was a quick edit and if I had more time I would adjust a number of things, but not too shabby. I could waste all day going through my pictures, good thing I have a life that keeps me from doing so, oh wait scratch that. If anyone has a picture they want me to play with send it my way and I will see what I can come up with.

Check out my edits for Sandra's Etsy page...

Before

After

Before

After

Check out the page for yourself, it is a work in progress... creatingjustbecause

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=8115191

Lazy Saturdays

Good afternoon Christopher, you are looking mighty fine!

This particular Saturday the mosquitoes were out and biting, and poor Christopher reacts to

bites by getting huge welts. In trying to be a good parent I made sure Christopher was properly

attired for an afternoon out. The bug spray instructions said to tuck pants into socks and cover up, how does this outfit stack up?

I found an old shirt and turned it inside out as to not completely ruin it. The pants are a little big for the socks and I have no idea why he is not wearing shoes.

We are not about fashion statements here in Lubbock, I think the hideous color of yellow would attest to that. Seriously it is a pretty ugly shirt (technically it is a pajama shirt). We love lazy Saturdays and sorry Christopher that you have a mom that dresses you funny!