Playtime and Projects

Christmas is coming! -Quick DIY project-wrap trees in ribbon!

A peek into playtime with Anna Ruth. She's such a busy, active girl! We do all kinds of things during the day-practice sitting up, sit in the bumbo, swing, look at the Christmas tree, stand up, play on tummy (not for long though-she always rolls to her back), etc.

This is our new stove!! We got it set up properly yesterday and a fire is going in it today. Anna and I have enjoyed hanging out in the study since we have a warm, toasty fire going. I've been channeling my "inner Jana" and keeping a fire going at home! Jana was always the chief fire starter and keeper-upper at home growing up. :)

We set up our Christmas tree in the great room over the weekend. It sure is different/nice/new feeling have a baby and a house this year!

Just a few of our Christmas decorations! I sure love decorating and DIY projects, but this year I did them rather quickly. Sometimes, deciding to be done with something is the best decision one can make, I believe! I wanted to make sure and enjoy the season-not stressing over decor too much. I told Brett I might have "Christmas in July" next year and try to make some fancy stockings and a tree skirt. :)

We went to the Lights on the Square for about five minutes last weekend. Too cold-didn't have the proper attire for Anna Ruth, and we needed her stroller. However, I think when we go back better prepared she'll love it! She was wide-eyed. :)

Helping mama decorate the tree :) (for the record-she's already grabbed one ornament and dropped it before I could get it out of her hands. And yes-it broke! :0 ) Curious, curious..

There are all kinds of neat things to explore at Christmas time! Anna Ruth sure is a lot of fun. Having a baby changes everything. :) I just love seeing Christmas time through her eyes!!

I added a new touch of decor to the dining room.I saw this idea for flowers made from brown paper bags on pinterest and decided to give it a try. Brett liked it :). and I do too.

We had our monthly Sister's Meeting today at our house! The girls and I worked on our new cooking/food/entertaining blog which will be revealed soon! The kids enjoyed books, crayons, pretend play, and a picnic outside.

Tomorrow we host playgroup at our house! I'm excited to have more company :).

To end-"Imagine a life free from the need to prove yourself to anyone. Imagine a God who actually enjoys watching us rest." Thanks to Pastor Josh Foliart's Facebook page for this quote!

Rattle, rattle! :)

Look !! Anna Ruth can hold her own rattle now! Yesterday I managed to get her fingers open and get this rattle in. She started shaking it and looked so pleased with herself.

Her mama was pleased too! I may have even celebrated with clapping and "yeah's!" :)

This room (craft, laundry) is probably my top favorite room in the house currently :). It is where I go to get inspired and sew :) and have some quiet time with Anna Ruth. "Quiet" because this is where I usually feed her. She's not too still the rest of the day :)


Remember that awful "Before" shot in the post below of the fruit picture? Well, here's the after! This will be hung on this wall in our kitchen soon!
Look who already had fun with the chalkboard! (I realllllllly want a chalkboard wall, but this will have to do for now. :) )
yummo. I made the whole wheat bread off the back of the whole wheat flour bag yesterday. It is delicious!! While I was finishing up the bread so that it could rise I heard Anna getting quite upset in her crib.
I went to look and she had her foot stuck in between her crib slats! Silly girl wiggles all over her crib now. It was so pitiful looking with her tiny foot stuck!I heart pinterest. :) and the great ideas I find there! Such as this "Chocolate banana sipper".
It is delicious, better than icecream, and healthy.
Find it here: http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-recipe/chocolatebanana-sipper.aspx
A little bit of God's love We went to see Grandma Capper for a bit today. We weren't there very long and I wished we didn't have to leave so soon at lunch! We will go earlier next week. Anyway, Anna Ruth had a VERY dirty diaper while Grandma was holding her! She did the last time we were there too! Grandma said "Well, if you ever need her to have a bowel movement just come bring her to me."! Hilarious. :)

and now-more of what you really came to this blog for!

Thanks to momma and daddy for coming over last night for dinner! (and trying another new recipe-chickpea patties...just ok, not worth posting and I didn't even get a pic)
This is the only picture from the night because we were too busy playing and have fun!

I'm not usually a fan of big bows. (Gasp!)
However, this one I really like :) Isn't she the cutest?

*A special "hello" to my Aunt Lynda :). In response to your question, my mom doesn't smock anymore. She doesn't have the time with all these grandchildren we keep having :) . She still makes beautiful quilts though!