Halloween Weekend

This past weekend, The Children's Museum of Denver hosted their annual Trick or Treat Street. This is something that we have gone to since Sam was born.


Photo from 2010



Photo from 2009 and Another from 2009
 


My mother made his costume for the last 2 years, but it was getting tight on him so I decided to make him something new. Actually, I decided to make costumes for all of us.



Inspiration Photo



There were a few cute family costume ideas that I found, but they were mostly for families with 4 people. I didn't want people to wonder where the 4th person was, so I decided that we would be superheroes.

I thought that the hardest part would be finding a pattern for a cape, but "Thank You Pinterest!!!" I found THIS cape tutorial, using an old t shirt, and decided that my limited sewing skills might be able to accomplish this task. I cut the capes out of shirts that I purchased from the local thrift store in about half an hour (making sure to not cut off the seams).


I purchased some foam sheets and found designs to be hand sewn on the front of our shirts. Using the design, I traced the design onto the foam and hand sewed it onto each of our shirts. Hindsight being 20/20, I probably should have just used felt with a sewing machine, but now I know better for future years. Anything that can be destroyed, will.


Superman



Super Mom

Super Dad

When we showed up at Trick or Treat Street, Brian felt a little silly since we were the only parents that we saw with costumers, but there ended up being about 5 set of parents that didn't want to let their children have all the fun and dressed up as well.  We received quite a few complements, even though they weren't very intricate.

Another reason to sew everything on- Sam decided that during lunch, he didn't want to be Superman anymore. He ripped through part of the foam and tore out the hand-stitching. At least it was able to be repaired for today at daycare and this evening for Trick or Treat in the neighborhood.

At lunch, Sam's Grandma and Daddy were drinking coffee and Sam wanted some too. Of course, it was empty.

Then & Now- Our Bedroom Set

Then- Oak Bedroom Set From 2003

Now- Beautiful New Cherry Bedroom Set

We Love It!!

During our purchase of this set last weekend, we were told that we would need to call to get our 2.5 hour delivery window after 1pm yesterday. We were hoping that our appointment window would be early in the morning, so we were definitely upset when we were given the window of 11:45 am - 2:15pm.


Of course, things turned in our favor when we received a call this morning around 9:30 stating that the delivery drivers will be at our house after their next stop. We were thrilled.


Here are some of the pictures I took while the young men delivered the set.

Thank you gentlemen. I just love our bedroom set.

Unbelieveable

I couldn't believe my eyes. I was driving my son to daycare and I looked down a residential street.

I saw Christmas lights displayed-- ALREADY!!

I was horrified. It's not even Halloween.

It drives me nuts when retailers start playing Christmas music and put out their displays in late October, but (I believe that) people should wait until mid-November or just after Thanksgiving to display their exterior lights.

I guess that's just me.

Wordless Wednesday- Yesterday and Today

Yesterday's view from my office

Today's view



Weekend Organization- Garage

I had purchased 2 Overhead Ceiling Mount Storage Units for our garage back in August. They finally went up this weekend and were partially filled.

I love them!

So far, we have been able to store our camping, boating and off-season sporting equipment. There are more items in our basement that I want to bring up and store in the garage (holiday decorations, coolers and water bottles, and probably 100 other things). 

Since putting these up, my IL's are very interested utilizing the empty space on their garage ceiling to do the same thing. I wish you luck with your project.

Easy Kid-Closet Makeover Plan

I received THIS Parents Magazine link in my e-mail box this morning. I had to laugh, because our son's closet is the only one that is organized in the entire house.

Before our son was born, the closet in his room was mine. I knew that I needed a great organizational system and something that we could give our child whenever he/she was born.

I have been hoping that I could purchase another closet organizational system for the master bedroom closet or at least changing the current design, but I haven't been able to talk my husband into it (since this is something we now share).

I think I may have turned the corner with this quest. After purchasing a new bedroom set (with multiple dressers- which we didn't have before), a $400 Kobalt 3-piece toolbox set for the garage (so that all of his smaller toolboxes can be consolidated), and storage on our garage ceiling; I think that I have made him aware of the usefulness of being able to access items without having to spend a lot of time searching. 

I have, at least, talked him into moving our closet rod up, leaving more room underneath for additional, more practical, storage. I'm not sure when this project will begin, but I'm hoping that it can be done by the end of winter.

We will wait and see.

New Complete Bedroom Set

My husband and I have been sleeping on a queen bed for as long as we have been together. It has been okay, but every once in a while I wake up with an elbow in my back or a hand on my butt. Neither of us are snugglers, so having this size bed has been an issue.

But No More!!

We decided to purchase our bedroom set at American Furniture Warehouse. They have good prices and quality pieces. This set will last us for YEARS.

We decided not to take every piece in this cherry Ashley Hamlyn collection.We obviously took the king size bed. We also purchased 2 nightstands and 2 chests of drawers (back center of photo).

We also purchased a king size Simmons Beautyrest Pillowtop mattress (with individually wrapped coils) and box spring. I'm usually partial to Serta, but this Simmons felt the most comfortable and was the best use of our money.

The mattress showroom was interesting. One side of each brand and model bed was plush and the other, firm. Of course, they didn't have the floorspace to show both bed types. We thought it was pretty smart use of space.

The entire set and mattress will be delivered next Saturday. We will call on Friday to determine when our 2.5 hour window will be and we will get a call from the delivery drivers to let us know that they are leaving their previous destination. 

I'm excited. Now all we need is a new sheet and comforter set, but that's another posting. :)

Would anyone like to purchase a Queen size oak bedroom set (including 2 nightstands and a dresser with a hutch and mirror??

Office Furniture Sale

There are still 4 drawer lateral filing cabinets (8), credenzas (4), wood bookcases (6), desks (3), etc. that my company needs to get rid of by the end of the month.

If you have the space and want to get some FREE office furniture items, let me know and I can let you know what is still available and when you can come pick it up.

Photos


If you would like to make a donation for your free item to charity (The American Cancer Society), please click HERE to make that 100% tax deductible donation.

Wordless Wednesday- Lovin' the ATV

This past weekend, we went to Almont, CO so that Brian and his parents could go elk hunting. Unfortunately, they didn't bag anything, but Sam got his first chance to rind on an ATV. It took everything we had to get him off it. He just loved it.

My First Sewing Class Since 8th Grade

I am in the process of taking an 8 week sewing class through the local Parks & Recreation Department.


At the first class, we were given a supply list for use during the sessions to make several items and hone our sewing skills. I'm a complete beginner, so I barely had a sewing machine, let alone everything required for the class.


Since my company changed their logo and tagline, I had at least 8- 3' x 9' vinyl banners that I wanted to use to make bags out of. Little did I know that vinyl is very hard to work with on a normal sewing machine (slippery and thick) and, because of my stubbornness, it has taken every inch of my being to not give up and trash this bag to make a different one. At least the vinyl is helping me know how to work with difficult "fabrics" unlike the other people in the class.

Here are some photos from my first few classes (making a bag with a zipper).

My machine. Very basic.

My first zipper.

My first boxed corner. I'm very proud of this.

I have decided to bring in some "normal" fabric next week, since we are going to be working on hems (which Brian is excited about) and patterns that I won't be using with vinyl.

I'm not completely giving up on this fabric, but I will definitely pick it as a fabric after a lot of thought. 

My next vinyl project- piecing together a drop cloth for Sam's art projects to save the carpeting. :)

Albuquerque Balloon Festival Photos- Finally

We headed south out of Denver on Friday night, September 30th to spend 1 day in Albuquerque for the Balloon Festival.

I know what you are thinking "That's a 6.5 hour drive for just 1 day???" It's was totally worth it.

Even though we didn't get to sleep until 2am and had to get up at 5:30am to get on a bus to the event, we had a ton of fun.  Just look for yourself.

There were tons of people in line for the buses.

If you ever have a chance to attend the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, DO IT. We will definitely do it again, maybe not next year, but definitely in the next few years. Next time, we will definitely take at least a few extra days so that we can sleep. :)