2 Halloween decor projects

We are in full-fledged decorating mode at our house. Here are 2 projects I completed this week. And you know how I do 'em: CHEAP.

1. Creepy Curtain.
I purchased horrid seafoam green lace curtains at a yard sale for 25 cents a couple years ago. I had this very purpose in mind but it took me til now to finally do it. I tried dying it black but I should have heeded the instructions on the dye box: 100% polyester won't dye. It can be spray painted, though. After paint, I cut and ripped until I was satisfied with the results. I hung it in the front window with a tension rod I borrowed from my bathroom curtain.


2. Pumpkin Post.
Starting out, this project was going to be 2 posts flanking the entrance of our Halloween graveyard. After I made one post from scraps in my garage, I got lazy my idea evolved and the post became a Jack o' lantern stand. (click on image to enlarge)

I may still make another one but for now I think it looks good holding my Jack. What do you think so far? I have a few more projects up my sleeve. I love Halloween.

busy season kick-off

My husband's birthday always kicks off the busy season at our house. This year, his birthday was a season all its own. (Everyone should have a birthday season, not just a day. Seriously, it is awesome.) I made him his cake 2 days early. We let him open his present 1 day early. Then on his actual birthday, we went out and Dax shot his new black powder rifle. That afternoon, we drove to Salt Lake and had dinner with my parents, who also had a cake waiting. The next day, Dax and I took a day trip to Logan to absorb the beauty, walk the campus, drive by all the places we called home there, eat at El Toro Viejo, drive up the canyon to see the changing leaves, and meet some friends for some Aggie Ice Cream. I still love beautiful Logan.


But wait, Dax's birthday still wasn't done. My awesome Mom threw a big Sunday dinner for Dax; 3 of my brothers plus Dax's brother and family came.

Now onto :

• Halloween prep/decorating
  
• Muzzle loader deer hunt
• Mack's birthday
  
• the elk hunt
• Hunter's birthday
• my deer hunt Dax signed me up for
  
• Halloween (big deal around here)
  
• Hunter's baptism
  
• Dax's Colorado deer hunt
• our wedding anniversary
• Thankgiving
• Christmas season
• Preslie's Birthday
• Christmas!

shake that

Mack has been really into turning on CDs (we're old school like that) and dancing. His faves are Beach Boys, Abba, oh and that one Bieber kid. After he dances for a few songs, he asks, "Mom can I invite Hannah (or Lily or Kinzie) over to listen to music with me?" And he never minds if I take a video; I love that he is not shy about his skills. Quinn is also a cute little dancer. I just know that rhythm and music are apart of our makeup, otherwise how does a little baby get down so well?

Quinn is starting to take off walking a little. She will only do it if there is something to grab onto a short distance away. If we're lucky, she will stop to dance a bit, then continue her walk...

they are good kids

The other morning Preslie got up and looked at the school lunch menu and saw that the school would be serving tacos that day. That is one of her favorite meals, but Hunter hates tacos. So that girl made a PBJ, scrounged in the pantry for some kind of snacks, filled a bottle with water and packed it all in a lunchbox for Hunter! It was one of those Mom moments where I was like "yes! this is how I want my family to function!" I was so happy with her thoughtfulness. When Hunter got home, I emptied his backpack and found these sweet notes in his lunchbox...


I started teaching my kids piano lessons last month and they are doing well.


We have a great tomato crop this year! We've canned many jars of salsa, spaghetti sauce, and just plain tomatoes. I was always scared of canning but it is way cool and not hard now that I've done it a few times. Dax is a great canning buddy.


And I have to share my latest Mack funny:

Today Mack asked me, "Mom, what's frostbite?"
Me: It's when you are out in the snow and your fingers or toes get so cold that they hurt really bad.
Mack: I know what another kind of frostbite is. It is when there is a vampire with a frosting mouth and he bites you.


Yay. I am excited for the Halloween season that is almost upon us! I just read in the National Geographic Kids magazine that Americans spend nearly 7 billion dollars on Halloween making it the 2nd most expensive holiday in the US after Christmas. I don't usually spend a lot; we like to make up our own costumes. BUT, my neighborhood gets SLAMMED with trick-or-treaters (like 300-500 kids) so I need to start buying a bag of candy per week so I will be ready to go when the little spooks come knockin'.

vacay with the ladies

I met these two gorgeous ladies in Park City for a relaxing weekend getaway! It's been 4 years since I've left my kids overnight and done something for me. IT WAS SO NICE!

My Mother-in-law is awesome. And isn't she a babe? She took a day off teaching school and drove many miles for this fun weekend. And my sis-in-law Abbey is as sweet as she is beautiful. She is going to have a baby soon so it was a good time for her to get away before she starts taking orders from her new baby boss.


We met in the hotel lobby and and went to eat at Loco Lizard Mexican Cantina. Yum! Then we went and saw the movie "The Help" at which I both laughed and cried. After swinging by Wal-Mart for a toothbrush and pajamas (i always forget my pjs), we vegged at the hotel and relaaaaaxed. No kiddos to put to bed. No one cried in the night. Abbey was a perfect bed partner keeping her 8 pillows in check so as not to disturb me.

My body probably wondered why it had a full night's sleep and was shocked awake at 7am. I decided to get up because I knew it would be a full day. And it was. We hit the breakfast buffet and then headed up the road to Midway for the famous Swiss Days. So much to see. Lots of wonderful talent and creativity on display. Yummy food, too.

After we saw everything, we made our way back to Park City and had a lovely nap to regain our strength for more shopping at the outlets. A relaxing dip in the pool took a load off our tired feet that evening. Then we had fun discussing the questionaire my MIL had prepared for us. It is fun to get to know people in your own family. And fun to get re-acquainted with myself.

I was sad the next morning when the fun had to end. But I was excited to see my family back in my real life.

Dax and the kids fared well without me. Quinn didn't cry for me at all. Dax took good care of our children and even had 6 of their friends over at one point on Saturday WHILE he was canning salsa on the back porch. He even made it on time to church with all four children dressed and a well-stocked diaper bag. I commented that he was super Dad and asked if he thought it was pretty easy since he did so well.

"NO. I'm beat. Now I understand why you never want to stay up late with me. I get it now."

I love and appreciate my dear husband! And I am so thankful for my time with his wonderful Mom and Abbey!