She's Crafty........Well I'm Working on It Anyway!!

I have decided that since I have an amazing craft room (thank you boobala) that I am going to start using it to create all presents & cards here in the future.  I know that with 2 little ones running around that I might miss an occasion here & there but for the most part I would like to create & make sweet & also one of a kind presents for our family from the the boys.  I know that a store bought gift can be a great gift but when you make something special for someone & put some thought into what exactly that person might like then I think it makes that gift & occasion every better!  

I have a Cricut & am just getting into all the things that it can can create & if you have one you know that you can never know all that it does the it seems endless.  I have made a few things for myself for holidays & also made this for our niece's room for her birthday.......... 

& then made frames for the boys Grams & JuJu for mother's day.  I still have to learn a good bit but I like the way they turned out!!

I then got adventurous & made a frame/block set for the boys PaPa & Puddy for Father's Day.  I really loved the way these turned out & think that both Puddy & PaPa likes them too.  I really like the fact that they can change the blocks to show 6 different photos & thought the frame with the poem just made it even more special. 

I started a book for Lance & the boys for his Father's Day gift but have yet to take photos of it at this point nor it is up to date; I am still working on it but an anxious to show it to you all............I'm pretty proud of it.  I enjoy doing all of this so much & it is kind of like therapy for me since it is a time for just me, my thoughts & my glue, mod podge, photos & ideas.............

Father's Day

The boys were both excited for Father's Day & even though Lance had to work we got to spend the morning with him & give him his presents.  I am a huge card person & love to pick out just the right one for each occasion; I am that person that stands in the card section of the store for about an hour reading all of them until I find just the right one for the person or occasion........crazy I know.

Even our pups give cards at each occasion!!

Lance loved his cards & his presents too; the boys got him an accessory for his IPad & an engraved pocket knife!  Lance loved both things but I think that Brayden loved the IPad keyboard more than Lance did since he loves anything & everything with buttons on it.

I hated that Lance had to leave for work & he did too but at least we had a great morning together & we got to spend some of the day together as a family.  The rest of the day the boys & I spent with PaPa & JuJu at Monkey Joe's; B really does have such a great  time there & e have decided that we are doing his birthday there & although I am going to miss doing all the decorations & set up that we would do if it as at the house it just isn't something I have time for this year with the baby.  I know that B (& all of the other kids) will have a great time there & I think that we will enjoy not stressing over the planning process this year BUT next year both boys will have parties at the house for sure!

; Dada ;

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!

Thank you for all you do for us & mommy too; you are the best dad that a boy could ask for!  

I only wish you didn't have to work today :(

Weekend Review & Lance's 1st Father's Day

We had such a great weekend & Father's Day yesterday!!  

Friday night was an early to bed night for me; for some reason I was exhausted! 

Saturday Brayden & I spend the whole day together (just he & I) & it was perfect.  We ran errands Saturday morning to get ready for our dinner guests that night as well as getting the last few odds & ends that we needed for Lance's 1st Father's Day plus I was trying to keep Brayden up & active so I can see how he does with only 1 long afternoon nap instead of a small morning & then a kind of long afternoon.  I think he did really well & am going to have to talk with his school about trying to slowly get rid of his AM nap all together.  While he napped I managed to get some stuff done around the house, bake a lasagna for a guy a work & prep the chicken for dinner that night; I made Chicken Kiev & I will have to admit it was pretty GREAT!!

Then came Sunday; Lance's 1st Father's Day with B..........the day was wonderful!!  Brayden sat in his highchair & played perfectly helped while I made Lance's favorite breakfast for him; scrambled eggs with cheese, biscuits, sausage gravy, & bacon; we don't have it that often since we are both trying to watch what we eat!  Lance really loved his breakfast in bed & after breakfast he opened his presents; Brayden made him a Shutterfly photo book (you can go here to check it out) & he also got him the "reasons I love dad stones". Lance loved both gifts but I think his favorite gift might have been this.........

They made it at school & not only is it the sweetest thing ever.......we were both in shock that they got such great foot prints since he curls his toes ALL THE TIME; anyway & the morning was perfect & I couldn't have ever asked for a better father for our son!!  After all the excitement Brayden wen down for a power nap & Lance I got ready since his parents were coming over to visit.  Brayden's JuJu & PaPa came over about 10 & we got to hang out & B got to show them how he likes to walk..............that's right, he is walking!!  He looks like a drunk sailor but he is getting better & better each day HOWEVER it is a very hard thing to catch with the camera & I haven't had time to download off of the camcorder yet!!  I have said it before & will say it yet again; he is changing & growing so fast & it is making his momma happy but sad too.

We just hung out for a while & then after B had lunch & went down for his afternoon nap Lance, his mom & I ran out for a few things while PaPa watched the monitor.  Later in the afternoon Lance's brother & his 2 kids come over so we could all head out to dinner.  Have you ever looked around after making a big deal out of something you child has done & everyone is staring??  That happened at the restaurant (Shogun)& honestly I couldn't have cared less; we were all clapping & cheer with Brayden through out the whole meal! 

Before we left the house we noticed Brayden really had a thing for his cousin Morgan & was pulling at his shirt to take it off & when we took it off he would grunt & tense his arms..........it was almost like he was flexing & it was too cute!!

We had such a good day with family I just wish I could have had my dad & family with us here with us too!!

My Pops & B's Puddy.........Happy Father's Day!!!

This is my dad; he has cake on his face because he thought it was funny that on my wedding day Lance smeared cake on my face so I smeared cake on his :)  I have the best dad in the world & love him very much; we grew up as navy "brats" so my dad was gone a good bit out to sea & looking back I understand why he was gone but when I was a kid I just didn't get it..........I wish I would have known then what I know now!

(I still don't know what he said to Lance that wonderful day)

My dad is an amazing dad but he is a GREAT Puddy to Brayden.............

the last time they were here to visit Brayden preferred him over all others (sorry Mom)!!

(Brayden was about 18 hours old here)

We all love & miss you very much Puddy & hope that you had a very Happy Father's Day!!!