Holly Jolly Weekend...

We started this weekend off with our annual trip to Beaver Bark to see the reindeer, and Santa Claus.

The whole store was decorated beautifully, as usual!

The reindeer were as exciting as ever, and the kids enjoyed watching them graze around their pen.

The kids all sat on Santa's lap (after he finished a phone call he was on while we stood there and waited, thankyouverymuch.)and told him what they'd like this year for Christmas.  Tayler said she'd like an ipod touch, Carson asked for a remote control Shell-razor (Ninja Turtle Van) and Elin asked for a "pink girl". I was really surprised at how brave Elin was.  It was really sweet.

After the Santa Claus hub-bub, we headed over to Hallmark so the kids could choose their yearly ornaments.

Tayler recently read the first Hunger Games book, and decided on an ornament of the "Mockingjay". If you've read the book, you'll know what that is.:)

Of course Carson, keeping in the theme from Halloween, chose this:

Surprising, I know.

And Elin, in keeping with the theme from her birthday party decided on:

I need to snap a picture of the kids with their ornaments.  They, of course, have been trying to play with them. But we've been explaining that while they look like toys, the actually are for decoration only.

Pure, torture.

On Saturday, Tayler had a hockey game.  And while she was there, Elin, Carson and I went to my mom's neighbors house to pick out a Christmas tree.  The neighbors son does the tree cutting, so we had to go at that time because that's when he'd be there.  Brian and Tayler said they trusted us to pick a good tree.

That's where everything went wrong.

There's a back story though.  We started getting trees from my mom's neighbor 3 years ago.  See, they have a small tree farm that they allow friends and neighbors to choose trees from, and pay a very, very reasonable price.  The first year we went, we chose a gorgeous, probably 10 ft beauty and that full, and beautiful.

Last year, another gorgeous, probably 10 foot tree.  But, last year, when we got home, I noticed that the tree was CONSIDERABLY "skinnier" than the prior year.  It was still a really lovely tree.  I'd just wished it was a little fuller.

 I'm guessing that must have been heavy on my subconscious.

Our tree.  In it's natural habitat.

This is what I saw.  The trees are de-limbed (is that a word?) in the middle and the height (bare trunk, up) is marked on a colorful tag applied by the tree farm owners son. (that's him below the tree)

This tree stated it was 11' tall. Perfect. Our ceilings are 12'.  And it looked nice and full.  We were NOT going to have another anorexic tree like last year.

So, I told him to "load 'er up!" 

Then we got this thing of beauty home, and pulled into the house.

And it was only then that we realized the true enormity of the situation.

It is a GIGANTIC tree.

So gigantic in fact, it broke our tree stand.

But, we went to the store and found one that would be more supportive of a tree this size.

And here she is, lit and trimmed.

It really is a thing of beauty.

And ENORMOUS thing of beauty.

And as you can see below, Carson & Elin are making sure all ornaments are in order.  They've been verifying this nearly non stop since it was put up. :0/

I also did a fair amount of crafting this weekend.  One of my favorite things to do.  Here are a few shots of my projects.

And, to round the weekend out, we went to see a movie on Sunday evening.  I don't normally LOVE animated movies, but this one is probably as close as I've come to loving one.

A really funny, sweet story. The kids loved it!



Stuffy Schienbein

I'd like to introduce the newest member of the Schienbein Family.

MEET STUFFY!

He joined our family a few days ago, and has been keeping an eye on everyone ever since.  Reporting back to Santa, periodically.  Just to keep the Naughty and Nice list up to date.

He also gets into a little bit of mischief.

The kids haven't decided how they feel about this yet.

Carson is a little concerned about him "coming alive" while we sleep.

But he's warming up to the idea.

The first day, he got into the cereal and made a huge mess.

Carson didn't want to eat his breakfast at the table when he came down to this.  But, after I moved Stuffy back to his place on our bookshelf, he was fine with it.

 

The next night, he made himself right at home.  He fashioned a bed out of a tissue box, and was sound asleep when the kids found him!

And today, the kids will wake up and see our little guy enjoying a nice bubble bath.  As you can see, he's making himself right at home!!

I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up EVERY night with this little guy, but I'm sure going to try have him make an appearance a couple more times.  It's really helped the kids be mindful of their behavior.  Maybe he'll stay all year?

 

My History

I saw this picture today for the first time in my life.

That little boy on the left is my Papa Doug.

He's with his dad (Papa Ralph), his mom (Grandma Mazie), and his brother, (Uncle Gary).

I instantly felt choked up.

That picture of Papa Doug could be Carson.

The shape of his face.

His posture.

His smirk.

I miss him so much.  But this picture reminds me that I have a little piece of him living at my house.

What I'm Reading



via



Sometimes, I get on what I like to call "reading kicks". 

Where I read, and read, and read. 

Several books.

Then, I'll stop.  Maybe for months at a time.

But, right now?  I'm on a kick.

The above book is what started it.

One of the better books I've read.

Now, I'm reading this:

via

Also good.

And this is next on the roster:



via



And.  That is all.

Happy Birthday, Tayler!

I almost can't believe it.

Our little Tater Tot is ELEVEN YEARS OLD today!

ELEVEN!

It seems like she started preschool just the other day!

Time flies.  Holy cow, does it ever fly.

Tayler is such a wonderful daughter.  She helps out with her siblings.  She's patient with them (most of the time:)), and tries to help them when I'm occupied.

She's becoming quite the hockey player.  Her dad couldn't be prouder. And as usual, she's doing awesome at soccer.  Even trying out the goalie thing this year.  She's doing great, just like we knew she would.

She has perfect attendance at school, and takes great pride in being there every day.

We really couldn't ask for a better oldest child.

We love you so very much, Tayler!

Waiting for Tayler to get home from school!

Last night was HALLOWEEN!  It's the first year that Elin's really been excited about the holiday.  I taught her and Carson to say "trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!"  They both thought was THE FUNNIEST thing they'd ever heard and chanted it all day.  And Carson would say it every time a trick or treater came to our door, even when he didn't answer it.  Then he'd yell to Tayler (who was our official candy-passer-outer) "did they hear me!?!?!"

We spent the early afternoon trick or treating up the Uptown shopping center.  All of the stores there hand out candy to the kids in the afternoon.  It's a really nice way to get little kids involved in the holiday, without having to haul them around in the dark.

The weather was AMAZING!  None of us wore coats. 

It couldn't have been more perfect!

Ready to hit the streets, err, the Uptown!

Elin had a ball getting candy at the Uptown.  Her little voice

saying "Trick or Treat!" at each business was about the cutest thing I'd ever heard.  But, it must have been a lot of work.  This girl was out before we even got home.  Aaand, she slept through dinner and neighborhood trick or treating.  But, when she woke up, she got some dinner, and some treats, and was happy as a clam!



Not that you NEED dessert on Halloween, but witch hat cookies were a must!



While Elin was resting, Tayler, Carson and I decided to brave the neighborhood.  And, I use the term "brave" loosely.  Carson was so excited to get out and get some candy, but then realized that some of these scary (decorated) houses are even scarier at night!

And when one of our neighbors' sons came out wearing a wolf costume, in a nightgown, telling Carson "Hi little boy!  I'm your grandma!" Well, that was about all she wrote.  He wanted nothing to do with door knocking, candy gathering after that.  So, we waiting in the driveways of houses while Tayler gathered candy. 

All in all, it was a fun family night.  I love this time of year and am already getting excited for Elin's birthday, and Thanksgiving!

The Weekend

This post is about our weekend.  But, I had to start it with a picture of Elin's dresser.  Put together, and in her bedroom.  It really looks cute in there.  The reason I haven't posted this sooner is that it's a terrible photo.  I was going to try to snap a better one, but it just hasn't happened. So, I decided a crummy picture is better than no picture!  So, here it is!

It's been working out really well in her bedroom.  Eventually, I would like to find a dresser that is in better condition, and put it in her bedroom with a similar paint job.  But for now, this will do.  And she is happy as a clam about it.  Anytime someone comes over, she takes them upstairs to show them her big girl bedroom. 

Now, onto the weekend.  Whoa.  It was a busy one.

Friday started the weekend fairly calmly though.  Tayler had a dentist appointment in the morning, which went smoothly.  Then the kids and I grabbed a few groceries, and some pumpkins to replace the rotten ones on our front porch.  Then we got busy!

Tayler and I got kind of creative and used a drill to make a bunch of holes in our pumpkins for light to shine through.  I think it'll look really neat at night.  And I carved Carson's and Elin's for them.  Elin requesting a "SPOOKY!" face and Carson requesting a "SCARY" one.

I did my best.

They were pleased.

But, of course, no pictures of the final product were snapped.  I'll get some Halloween night. 

I also snuck in a walk on Friday.  It was BEAUTIFUL in our neighborhood.

Then, craziness started on Saturday morning. 

We attended the coldest, and foggiest soccer game I have ever been to.  As you can see in the above picture, it was crazy!  Very fitting for week before Halloween.  Not ideal for a 2 year old sister spectator.  But, Tayler played well.  She was the goalie for half of the game, and did a really good job.  Soccer is somewhere that Tayler excels for sure.  It's always fun to watch her play.

After the game, we hurried home because Tayler was having a friend over.  We've decided in our house that every OTHER year will be a friend birthday party for the kids as they get older.  And since T had her BIG BASH last year, this year we told her that she could have a friend over, they could do a fun activity, then the friend could spend the night.

After the friend came over, and we had a little lunch, the girls and I hit the coolest spot in the area for a soon to be 11 year old.  ROLLERENA!!!

The girls skated to their hearts content for 2 hours while I sat and people watched.  Well, I had a book too.  But, if I'm being honest, the people watching was the best part.

Afterward, we hustled to Pasco because Tayler had a hockey game.

 (I told you the weekend was busy!)

I don't have any pictures of that game because I didn't actually attend that one.  I went to pick up T's birthday cake during that time, and put a few loads of laundry through at the house!

We went to dinner with the Grandma Shanna, Grandma Betty Lou, Aunt Ashlee, and the fam at Tony Romas (one of T's favs), then came home for this:

HELLO ONE DIRECTION BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!!! 

Tayler requested, and we delivered!

We enjoyed the cake, a little bit of ice cream, and a couple of presents.  It was a really nice evening.

The next day, the Schienbein family was right back at it!!

Well, that's not entirely true.  Sunday was actually pretty relaxing.  But in the afternoon, the whole family loaded up and went to Tayler's hockey game (if you're keeping track, that's 3 games this weekend!)

Tayler is just learning the beloved sport of hockey.

The skating, the puck passing, the goal shooting.

She's learning it all as she goes.  And I could not be prouder!

She works really hard, and doesn't complain.  This girl just busts her rump out there.  It's really awesome to watch.

This week is probably going to be just as crazy.  Halloween is Thursday.  I'm excited.  I think it'll be fun.

Hopefully, I'll find time for another walk or some time to just relax.

But, more than likely I'll be running from one activity to another like a crazy lady.  Ahh, the life of a mother.

Sneak Peek

I decided to post an update on the dresser re-do that I'm currently in the midst of.  I have to start by saying, I was a little disapointed in the shape of this dresser.  It was a craiglist find, and the pictures looked fantastic.  The seller said that the dresser was solid wood, and in good shape.  So, I asked my hubby if he could get it for me.  Now, this next part was my fault.  My husband was under the impression that I'd already made a deal with the seller, and this was a case closed sort of situation.  NOT the case.  So, he went, paid, and picked up the dresser.  Then promptly texted me "I think you paid too much for this dresser."  Ugh.  Lesson learned.  Next time, I'll be much clearer.  Or, I'll go myself.  Spending too much on something that is less than the quality you're expecting SUCKS.  But, it didn't cost a fortune, and it will work for the time being.

Presenting, in a slightly taken apart state, THE dresser:

I headed on down to my local Home Depot and started checking out the color selection.  I knew I wanted the body of the dresser to be white. So, that part was easy peasy.  And I had an idea of what color "family" that I was looking for...but I had to find it.  Then, I stumbed upon this beauty.

The darkest color is very similar to the color of Elin's bed that I recently painted.  Then, I just used colors in the same "family" to create the "ombre" look I am going for.

Then I had the paint specialist mix up samples cans (at less than $3 each!) for me to use on each drawer.  I was a tiny bit nervous that I wouldn't get the look I was after becuase the samples don't come in a high gloss.  But, since they were so affordable, I decided to do it!

And here's what I got after just one coat of paint!  Isn't it lovely!?!?!?  The drawers gradully get darker as they go down in such a pretty fashion!  I'm smitten. 

I have a few more coats of paint to add before I'm finished, but I think it'll look really nice in E's new bedroom!