Got Pumpkins???

If not you are even further behind than we are!!! We are a few days behind this year, but we are trying to catch up. Last night Matt got home from work and took the boys to get pumpkins while I made some quick dinner and ran to goodwill looking for black turtle necks for our soon to be star wars mania. By the time I got back Matt had fed kids, and carved 4 pumpkins in record time. Kinda crazy this year, but it works. Today I have been painting cardboard for the storm trooper, making cupcakes for the ward trunk or treat, and assembling costumes to be ready to head off to Matt's work Halloween party which we do quickly and haul back to the ward party. . . yes on the same day. And Halloween isn't until tomarrow. Gotta love the holidays.

Apron Mania!

So I tend to get a little excited about silly things. . . like kids aprons. I have made aprons for my kids and their friends for a while now. Recently I was exposed to Michael Miller fabric which I am totally in love with, and then I was at a craft show when I saw an apron cut out of oilcloth and a ribbon sewn on for the ties, and I LOVED it! So I have finally found a store that will order me some cute prints in the oilcloth, so we are doing it for our super Saturday(I didn't want to pay shipping). It is super simple, and I think with the new prints we ordered it will be adorable.

Do it Yourself

To do this yourself just cut an apron shape with pinking shears, and make sure they are sharp. You can't use granny's hand-me-downs for this project. Then sew a ribbon across the chest, and two shorter pieces on the top of the bib. I tried to match the thread to the ribbon so it wasn't visible. If you look online you can find Michael Miller laminated cotton, which I think is sweeeet!My favorite is the dick and jane j for jump. I found it for $10.75 a yard, and you can get 4 child size aprons in one yard. I think its a cute gift for nieces, or bday gifts. Add a little kitchen toy, and its a hit. I made two in 15 minutes.

nonsensible ramblings

Can you tell I have been a bit busy? Its been a while I know. Super Saturday is coming up, and I vow I will never do it again, ha ha. . . until next year. . . hmmm. It is slightly overwhelming, but only because I am not a fabulous organizer or delegater, But I am trying. The amount of details involved is a little insane.

I apologize ahead of time for my impromptu vent of taxes, quit reading here if you want to avoid ramblings of a not very politically minded woman.

I also had a hearing today because I appealed our tax assessment, I opted to participate via telephone so that was a little stressful. . . trying to keep my thoughts organized on the case I was presenting and calming the attention seeking children in the background. I was totally nervous. . . I know its silly, but hopefully they will make an adjustment.

Since the two years since we moved in, our house payment has increased $250 a month , and if you are asking if it was due to an Adjustable rate mortgage? Nope!!! It has been due to a property tax increase. So I find it seriously ironic that the same government that is bailing out the housing crisis is also contributing to the problem by the same means. So taxes are bailing out the mortgage companies, but who is bailing out the homeowner that pays all their bills, and have good credit? Are they rewarding people for making poor choices financially, and giving them relief? Or are thy punishing those who follow through with their commitments and making them pay for others poor choices?

Our state claims they are in the black and have a rainy day fund, which ticks me off because for 250 dollars a month I could have a rainy day fund, but I don't because I am forced to give it to their rainy day fund which can fund endless debates about the transportation projects which never materialized because they spend millions voting on what to do, but are never okay with the outcome of the vote. So here every year we give them nearly 5000 dollars in property taxes, and they can't manage to make any changes or improvements to anything. I don't know if it is just a way to capitalize on the value of property here. But I do know it sucks.

It seems as if we raised our children with the same perspective of the government then our children would become reckless, never accountable for their actions. Its a good thing we don't all follow our government leaders examples of how to live.

I know I am totally whining and probably less informed that I should be, but you got an earful today of jibberish, enjoy.

Legolicious

Well another year was Lego spectacular at the Lego convention at the Seattle center. The boys went with Matt and uncle Paul. They of course thought it was the coolest thing ever. Unfortunately they each came home with a bag of Lego's. . . which means there are now more Lego's than ever to clean up. Fortunately they can sit in a pile of Lego's forever and play so it is still worth it. . . for now.

9 years and 4 kids later. . .

I am proud to say I am still madly in love with the man I married. Good thing eh!! I am very grateful for a hardworking husband and devoted father.
On our wedding day, the photographer showed up with a broken camera at the temple . . so not very many photos. But our family members took tons of photo's to remember the day. Later at the reception the camera malfunction continued, But hey what can you do.

On our fourth anniversary we had just had Hayden, Matt was working full time, and going to school fulltime. . . and two days after our anniversary we both realized that we had both forgotten. We always get a good laugh about that.