Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE my digital craft cutter!? Cause I do! I whipped up this little V-day decoration yesterday. I really don't have anything for Valentines so this will be a nice addition to our decor. Pretty simple but super cute! 
Technically I haven't attached the boards to each other yet so I could even display them separately and have three different decorations. Hmmm...the possibilities.
A couple of you asked for the recipe so here it is:
1 cup of white sugarToday Tanner helped me make cookies for the first time. He was a great little helper and quickly mastered the art of sneaking cookie dough, rolos, and finished cookies! Every time I turned around he had something else in his mouth! Ha! I don't blame him though...they turned out YUMMY!!
Guest posted at So Festive again today. Check it out!
So Tanner "helped" me make some of those earrings earlier today. He went down for a nap and I finally got showered and ready for the day...which included putting on the white pair of earrings. When he woke up we had some lunch. Part way through lunch he stopped eating, pointed at my earrings and got all excited and said, "Pretty!" Ha! What a sweet, little, observant man I have on my hands. Definitely didn't get that from his Dad! ;) In fact, don't tell Dean...he'll think that wasn't "manly" enough for his little boy.
So over Christmas Break my Sister-in-law Genevieve showed me some basics to jewelry making. We also went on a trip to JoAnns where all their jewelry stuff was on sale...so of course I had to pick up a few things. Since then I can't get enough! I'm not that great and I wish I knew more, but I can whip up a basic earring pretty well. I'm still nervous about tackling a whole necklace but maybe someday...we'll see. Plus I figured I'd have to spend a bunch to buy all the pliers and tools I'd need, but I got super lucky because Dean had a set of electric pliers that are basically the "Man" version of jewelry pliers! Score! Anyway, here's a few pairs I've made...
These are the first ones that Genevieve taught me to make. Thanks Genevieve!! The last couple of days have finally warmed up around here. We're feeling happier due to the fact that we actually saw the sun! Tanner and I went for a quick walk yesterday to take out the trash and he was THRILLED to be outside. We can't wait for Spring!! Anyway, I caught a few cute pictures of him. Man I've got a little cutie on my hands!
These were all taken BEFORE the major meltdown when I told him we had to go back inside! Ha!
Dad's more fun than Mom. I even asked Tanner and he agreed. Ha! Dean was bathing Tanner tonight and decided to introduce him to the fun of BUBBLES! As you can tell he LOVED it!
I saw these on a bunch of blogs this year and planned to make a set before Christmas but then the craziness set in and they of course didn't get done. We pulled out the stuff on New Year's Eve but the wood was wet and didn't really work....so they're a little late but still super cute. We'll be excited to use them next year. I also have plans to make a generic set to count down to birthdays, vacations, special events, etc. Plus it was the first chance I've really had to try out my new vinyl cutter! SO NICE! LOVE IT!
To finish up our Christmas break we stayed super busy doing stuff with all our family in town...
Dad and Tanner and C-3PO
Mom and Tanner and a robot
Tanner feeling what it's like to fly
Dancin' with Grandpa
Dancin' with Aunt Rachel
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!
Tanner LOVED the noise makers...I think he slobbered on every whistle in the house...hopefully the germs will all die before next new years!
Tanner and his cousins ringing in the new yearI actually made these shirts before Christmas for our nieces and nephew and obviously for Tanner as well, but I couldn't post them without giving away their Christmas gifts! So here are a couple pictures. I was pretty pleased with how they turned out and it was fun that they all have matching shirts. Too bad we didn't get a picture of them all wearing their shirts. Oh well.
And now that we know we're having a BOY I can start making things for the new baby. I've been wanting to try making my own binky clips. If he's anything like Tanner we'll use them ALL the time. In fact Tanner's still VERY attached to his binky...any advise on how to ween him would be appreciated! ;) Anyway, I bought a package of name tag clips at Walmart for super cheap and added a bit of ribbon from different ribbon scraps I've saved from various things and walla...
Pretty cute and very functional! Now we just have to wait for this kid to get here! Plus look how great the ribbons coordinate even though they were just saved ribbon from different things! Lucky huh!?
think they're in charge around here, but really we all know the boys call the shots. Dean's the cyber school coordinator at the high school and has made himself indispensable as the go-to tech guy as well. Andrea loves being a stay-at-home mom, hanging with Keaton all day. She does her best to keep up with the boys and is Activity Days Leader at Church. She volunteers with the PTA and blogs in her "spare time."
is nearly 18 and is halfway through his freshman year at BYU. He's pursuing a degree in Chemistry but changes his mind often. He has pet snails in his dorm and is working on a podcast in his spare time. He also loves to cook and is enjoying his independence.
is 15 and in 10th grade. He plays the trumpet and piano and participates in the school musical every year. He can't wait to turn 16 and learn to drive and is enjoying being the oldest now that Tanner's away at school.
is 13 and in the 8th grade. He plays saxophone in the school band and continues to take piano lessons. He rocks the school musicals, plays on the boys soccer team, serves with NJHS, and a million other clubs. His mischievous smile keeps us all on our toes, and he is best known for his scavenging skills, bringing home all sorts of "treasures" he finds at school.
is a big 10 year old and rocking the 4th grade. He's the lone Nelson at the elementary, but handles that like a champ. He plays piano and is always talking our ears off. He's smart as a whip and loves playing soccer.
is almost 3 and absolutely full of energy. He loves music and sings all day long. He is smart as a whip and has an impeccable memory. He's adored by his big brothers and gets into EVERYTHING.