Purple Passion

 We had our family pictures scheduled in November, and I spent some time trying to figure out what everyone was going to wear.  I wanted us to match, but not be "matchy- matchy."

So, I found a beautiful purple heather sweater knit and made myself this wrap style dress.

Close up of the top part.  One of the best things about a wrap style dress is that it's nursing friendly =)

And then I found an adorable pattern for a little girl's kimono style jacket.  It's still a bit big on Sweet Pea, but she'll grow into it =)

Then I decided I liked the style so much that I wanted one for Girly- girl as well.  But, the pattern wasn't sized for her.  My first attempt at sizing up/ drafting a pattern.  I think it turned out pretty good =)

I wanted it to be slightly different, so I added some flower trim around the edges.  (And it's hanging crooked on the hanger.  The one side really doesn't hang that much lower).

Girly- girl seems happy with it =)

And here we are.  See, we all match, but aren't "matchy- matchy."

Catch up

The family took a trip *up nort' der, eh* over Thanksgiving.  It had been almost a year since we made the drive, so we figured it was time to do it again.  Traveling with four kids in a van can be fairly interesting.  Thankfully we have a DVD player and, for the most part, the kids can agree on movies to watch =)

Packing all of her stuff.  And then I went back through it and made sure she had enough pairs of underwear and pants for the trip =)

I love my Junior.  The day before we left, I found this written on the table.

There was just a little bit of snow on the ground when we got to my in- laws.

So the older two decided to have a snowball fight.

Except neither one of them has very good aim.

Or a strong enough arm to really hit anyone =)

Watching the football game.  To be fair, it was a long drive and we drove through the night (easier to have the kids sleeping instead of fighting over movies ;))

This is Guy and his horse Shadow.  He runs Changing Gaits.  An amazing organization that uses horses for therapy.

He was kind enough to let us ride his horses.  They are so well trained (and use to kids) that Girly- girl could ride by herself.

Shadow wanted to follow Guy around.

Squish Bear was more concerned about his hands being dirty than wanting to ride the horses.

Junior on Shadow.

 Trying to explain how to hold the reigns.  He was holding them too short, so Shadow kept stopping.

Follow the leader.  Girly- girl is riding Dozer now.  He likes to follow.

Round and round we go!

One last time around.  Papa was very excited to see his grandkids take to riding.  

I even managed to get up on a horse (it's been about 20 yrs since I last rode).  This is Dee Dee.  She has a bit of an attitude and will take advantage of you if you're nervous around horses.

Sweet Pea meeting Baby T.  My friend and I were pregnant at the same time (again- we've been pregnant together through all my pregnancies and her last 4).  Baby T was born 2 days before Sweet Pea.

"See, this is how you're supposed to do tummy time."

"You know, you're really cute and I think...  Oh wait!  Something shiny over there!"

Meeting Ms Carla.  She loved snuggling with a little girl...  She has 4 big boys in her house =)

And Mr Joel had to get some snuggle time in too =)

Me and Baby T, Ms Carla, Ms Jessica and Sweet Pea.  K is standing- he's the same age as Junior.  R is laying on the floor- he's the same age as Squish Bear.  Somehow I managed to miss getting a picture of Girly- girl with E, but trust me, they were very cute together. 

Snuggling at Papa's house.  Not too many pictures from my parents' house.  Girly- girl ended up getting sick and then I got sick...  We stayed pretty low key the couple days we were there.

When we got home, this beautiful ring sling was waiting for me in the mail.  And so I wore it to a boxing ring =)

That's pretty much what we've been up to the last couple weeks.  Now to start getting things ready for Christmas =)

So Precious!

 

Only missing one set of little toes, but she's still too little to be standing on her own =)

My boys can sell some Wrangler's lol!

She was so excited to have her picture taken with her sister.

If you have not had the chance to work with Mae, you're missing out =)  

Once again I am completely blown away with Mae's work.  I'm already plotting how I can work with her again!

Sneak Peak...

And now I have to patiently wait for the rest of them =)

Too long...

I've been gone too long from posting =)  To make up for it, I'm posting a bunch of pictures.

My mums are blooming...  End of November and they're absolutely gorgeous.

Look mom!  I can reach the toys!

Wonder if I can get them with my foot?

Nothing makes me want to crawl back into bed then a chance to snuggle with some of my favorite people =)

Yup, definitely tempting to crawl back into bed and snuggle...

We're having family photos taken tomorrow (by the talented Mae Burke).  Can't wait to see them =)

Here's a sneak peak of what we're wearing.

She was sleeping, and had now idea I was taking pictures =)

6 Months

Six months already.  Six months and you've already been through more than most people ever go through.

Post- op appointment with the cardiologist yesterday.  He said everything looks great.  There is still some leaking around the valves, but it's less than what is normally seen in kids who've had an AV canal repair.  He also said we can take Sweet Pea off of all her medication.  Yeah!  Because she *loves* taking her medicine ;)

Oh Dear...

I think I've found a new addiction...

FotoFlexer

All the free time I once had will be going to adding special effects to my photos =)