Christmas Card Teaser

So remember that flamingo costume? I traded work time for photo time. Kerri is one of my very good friends and she did an awesome job. I have had a hard time not sharing all fall! We went in early October to Lockport Landing in our downtown area. The colors were just turning and we were able to get some really good photos. These are two that actually did not make the cut. So I can share those. :) It is so nice to have a decent photo of all 5 of us (very difficult to get most of the time) and that actually reflects where we are right now. And yes, I ordered early from Shutterfly, so real cards are coming this year, and they are coming soon because I want to get it done! :) I love love love these smiles on these kids!

Excited for Once

Annika is difficult to please and to come through for on her birthday. But this year we succeeded. Maybe even exceeded, because she was pretty excited. She turns 7 this year. On Sunday we will have a party for her with some friends. We are going to make a huge mess and do experiments. I am pretty confident she will love it as well. Happy Birthday kiddo! These are a couple of her faves. Grandma, Papa, and Granny all made her very happy this year. I'm not sure Santa is going to keep up! The new gyropter--it actually flies really well.

Derek Rose jersey. She got a superman shirt too.

And a peppermint pie. I love that look of expectation and happiness on her face.

Sew Many Costumes

We had the cutest costumes on the block if I do say so myself. But I can, because I made all of them this year, plus two. It was actually fun to make them, and this is the kind of project that I don't worry about making them 4-H perfect. And best, and most of important of all, the kids loved them. They got to be the special things they wanted to be. Tanner was a pig-a-let (that is how he says it--the cutest thing).

Annika was Kick Buttowski, suburban daredevil (she kept with her obscure Disney cartoon character theme--he is sort of a 10 year old skateboard Evil Knievel). I am trying to talk her into bedazzling the suit and wearing it as Elvis next year. :) This was the hardest costume, it did help when I threw away the white pleather and started over.

Miss Phoebe was a beautiful peacock and she made the main part of her tail herself. The body is sequins--she loved that glitz.

Phoebe got her idea from a catalog (although the birds looked more Vegas showgirl) and then her friends wanted costumes from there too. I made a flamingo and a Statue of Liberty dress.

We forgot to make our jack-o-lanterns until the night of Halloween. But our city trick or treats from 3-6 (and we made it most of that time--that was a lot of candy) so it worked out perfectly to sit and eat candy as dessert, Daddy carved, and Mommy cleaned up from the foray and dinner.

We went simple with the time crunch, but I loved the scary, happy, and surprised looks they came up with.

Corgi House Tour

This is the Nelson home in its current state. :) This post is primarily for the purpose of showing our home and yard to Corgi rescue groups. Yes, we are ready to add to the family! I tried making a video, but could not get it to download. Hopefully these photos will show well.

So we live in a split level home in a suburban development neighborhood. When you first come in our front door you come directly into the living area otherwise known as Mommy's oasis. Or you can go down six steps to our tv/toys/play/excercise room. We spend a lot of time down here. This would be my toy free zone/oasis/welcoming living room. Soon to be on the frapping corgi track.

If you go straight back, behind the living room, you are in the kitchen and it connects to a dining area. Those patio doors lead to the back yard.

And here is the backyard from one corner. (Rescue groups: this is the house behind us that has two large German Shepherds who often bark.)

And this is the view from the other far corner of our yard. A nice big area for a doggie and a good strong, high fence to keep it in and others out.

So that is the short tour of the main living areas in our home.