Celebrate

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to celebrating certain holidays. We are the same way.
One day I struggle with is Halloween. Every year I kind of dread it. Growing up I did many different things for Halloween. My hubby did a church festival, and I think that is it. Now that Brady is 3, and in school it is even harder to figure out what our family will participate in, and what we won't.
We definitely do not do scary. No ghost or witches, or anything like that. I decorate the house in fall decor, but nothing really Halloweenish. We get pumpkins, and carve them, but they are nice pumpkins.
It is hard to find where to draw the line. We could ignore the day completely. If that was the case, Brady would not have been able to attend his christian pre-school for the last month and a half. They talk about Halloween, and pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. We probably would not go to our church's harvest festival, which kids dress up at, and are encouraged to do so. I struggle with having innocent fun, and letting the world influence our behavior too much. On one hand, Brady has no idea that Halloween is associated with anything other than candy. On the other, shouldn't we be teaching him that we are held at a different standard? So I dread it every year. And we are taking it year by year.

Last year Brady dressed up and went to our church festival, which is so much fun and also introduces kids and parents to a church and God when they otherwise might not have.  On the 31st we went to our zoo and got candy, and got to see all the animals at night. It was a great night.

On Thursday Brady had a costume parade and a little party at school. Very cute. We brought his little friends treats, and they were a big hit.

Last night we went to church and the harvest festival. My nephew, niece, and her friend won a contest for their costumes. Brady was Buzz, even though I offered to make him a great costume. Bryson was a little toy story alien with a hat I made him.

On the actual day we are going to have a few friends over, eat pizza, watch Monday night football, and pass out candy. This year, I think we are going to add some bible verses to our candy. Something about this day can be to glorify God, and hopefully touch someones heart.

So that is what we are up to this year. We reserve the right to change our minds at any time. What do you do, what are your opinions? I would love to hear input!

It is actually also my Grandma's birthday, maybe we should just start celebrating that. Happy Birthday Grandma, We love you!

Crochet Baby Props

After Bryson was born my sweet friend Kersandra took some newborn photos for us. They turned out so cute, and I am so grateful that we have these great pictures to look back on. If you are in the Colorado area and need a photographer give her a call.

I did not have time after Bryson was born, but I wanted to make a few things that Kersandra could use for her future photo shoots. I made a baby cocoon and a long elf hat. They turned out really cute, even though my model is no longer a newborn.

I can't believe this baby wore a 6 month sized outfit yesterday. So sad how fast they grow.

He is still very cute, even if he can't fit into a baby cocoon.

I did not even try the hat on him, I knew it would be too small.

I got to see the hat on my friends newborn, and I assure you it is just precious on a little baby head.

I need to get to work on a cute winter hat for Bryson's little head. Maybe big brother needs a matching one. Too bad I have to actually care for them instead of making cute things for them all the time. ; ) Hope everyone is having a great week. We have family in town, but I hope to stop by to show off some things I have been working on. See you soon!

Baby Hat

I am going to be honest, my motivation to blog right now is little. I did plan on doing some blogging, then blogger was down. I have been getting a ton done in the morning, but by afternoon and naptime, when I have time to blog, Mommy needs a nap too. I have been trying to keep busy so I don't think about how much I want our baby to be here, and how uncomfortable I am, but I did not plan on feeling so badly. I am so blessed to be pregnant, and have a healthy pregnancy so I will not complain too much, but I really can not wait to meet our baby!

I have had little energy, so I have not completed many projects. I have some that are almost done, but resting has been more important.

I did crochet a little hat a few weeks ago. The thing I love about crochet is that I do not have to move to do it : ). I would do more if i knew what the baby was, maybe some booties or a blanket. Maybe that will be something to work on after baby gets here.

The hat is simple, and gender neutral. So it should be perfect for a little boy or girl to snuggle up in the hospital. (oh please let that be soon!)

If I happen to still be pregnant next week, I should get Brady's quilts for his bed done, finally. I also need to take pictures of the Big brother, little brother, little sister shirts I made. It will all get done someday! Hope you all have a good weekend!
 

The Hat Parade

For Christmas presents this year, I made a million hats. Okay just 15 or so, but it felt like a million. They are all crocheted in different styles. Most patterns and ideas came from this wonderful site. I am not good at following crochet patterns, so I mostly used them as a guideline, and learned on my own. (Therefore, I really have no patterns, sorry  if you are looking for some. But I can point you in the right direction, just ask.)

I made this frog hat the most. Brady, my nephew Zack, cousin Justin, and friend Hudson all got one.

 

 I made a hat like this for my niece Chelsey, and cousin Riley.

 This one was for tween nephew, Shawn.

 This one was one of my favorites, for little Megan, my friends daughter.

 One like this for cousin Jordan, and my friend's other daughter, Maddy.

 This one was for teen cousin, Nick.

 My favorite, so tiny, for newborn baby cousin, Olivia.

 And the last picture, teen cousin, Alex.

Here are my cute cousin's modeling their hats.  

Sadly I forgot to take pictures of one of my favorites. I made my stepsister a fun beanie in all different colors. It fits her personality perfectly. Even Jerm said, "that is funky, but she will love it."

Lastly my stepbrother got a plain black beanie. I even made a plain cream beanie for myself on the long drive home. I had done so much crocheting, that I vowed to not do any for at least a month, maybe two. At least now I get to crochet fun tiny baby things, so sweet. 

If you are contemplating crochet, go for it. I was self/book/you tube taught, and I love it, and it is a great skill to have. Good luck!

Rasta Hat

As with the other teen beanie I made, My friend's daughter wanted a beanie also. She wanted rasta colors, with no black and long braids. It is not my favorite, but I also do not have a teenagers style. Hope she likes it!

Teen Beanie

A new friend, who I met while working, asked if I could make her son a beanie. I showed her several different options, and she choose a beanie with ear flaps. Her 13 year old son, Kaleb wanted Rasta colors? I did my best. But I think that overall they are happy with the product.

 I did not have a head to model, so a basketball came in handy.

 Side view

 Close up

 The ear strap thingys

 I charged $15, which I think is a pretty good deal. If anyone is interested in any kind of beanies, contact me, and I would be happy to make one for you.

Ruffled Scarf

My crazy mother is moving to Siberia. Seriously, an island in cold, cold Russia. I mean, Colorado gets cold, but nothing like that. Oh well I will miss having my Mom and Step dad in America, but I know that they will really enjoy these new life experiences.
Here is a bit of info on it: Sakhalin

But before she goes, she needs some warmer things. In Houston, Texas, she never really needed a scarf, now she really will. So I crocheted a ruffled scarf for her.

I had forgotten to take pics, so this was a quick pic after a hike, and before Mom packed the scarf. That boy has to be involved in everything! Love him!


Good luck Mom! We love you!

Crochet bag

With all my new crochet and knitting projects stuff is everywhere. Because I crochet and knit while watching tv, I was storing everything in plastic bags, in between the couch and the end table. Though you could not see the stuff, I knew it was there, unorganized, and driving me crazy.

So I decided to make a tote bag, to store everything in, and keep it organized. I really love this tote. If I made another one, there would be so many things I would change. I did not have a pattern, and the construction is very poor, but it works.

On the inside I added a pocket for knitting and crochet needles, and on the other side pockets for markers, circular knitting needles, and other stuff.

I also added a pocket on the outside for all of those free patterns I get from Hobby Lobby.

So much better!

Now I am ready to crochet and knit in style!