NS + LB Wedding

We were lucky to get to participate in Nate's wedding August 12.  Can't believe I have pictures when he was 2 yrs old and I was just getting big enough to babysit him.  How crazy.  But it was a lovely day.  Poor Tyson got stuck at home most of the time and gratefully Grandma Clark was able to watch him, the first time he took naps w/out his parents and did pretty well actually.

(he's started blinking or closing his eyes even w/out a flash, silly boy)

Getting Crafty

This summer I've really had a CRAFTY bug.  Okay, I think I always have it, but life has been a little too busy as a new mom.  I feel back in the groove and even though I'm still mom at home and working, I hope I can keep this up!

Cooking - we are cooking a new meal each month.  We have found some good favorites to keep up!  Pasta bakes and desserts (like Tyson's cake!) and such.

Freezer jam - how did I forget about this?!?!?!  This was a favorite when I visited Grandma Ginny.  Us kids would seriously fight over it.  But I got my own jar full when I visited alone in college.  Okay and it's SO EASY.  Yeah it does take time to wash all the berries but after that you just mash up, add sugar and pectin, stir, put in jars and done!  We are making several from the farmers market raspberries.

Chocolate covered raspberries - still on a raspberry kick I decided to learn and make chocolate covered raspberries.  Delicious!!  And easy when you freeze them before and after.  And even eating them frozen is good, or not, either way.  Man, I'm letting out lots of good secrets!

Earrings - I found out how to make filigree earrings from ordering some basic metal pieces and painting them all sorts of colors.  I had no idea how time consuming it would be --- mostly because I'm OCD about getting it perfect - but way fun!  I may gift some or sell to whomever if you want, cuz man they may not cost a lot but lots of time!  If I didn't have a stay-at-home computer job I may just have to pop on Etsy or something, glad I don't have to yet.

Videos - as already mentioned I'm making videos from our home videos - Tyson's 1st year is in the works, wedding is done, and I really want to someday do a miracle pregnancy one, and who knows what else.

More to come!  Probably a wreath here for these great holidays coming up....

1st Birthday for Ty

Tyson turned 1 and we went all out for his first birthday, hey he won't have another first one and I'm pretty sure while he may not fully remember this, he had a great day and will get to see pictures at least of how much we celebrated with him.

The day was pretty normal with naps for him and us getting the house ready for a par-tay :)  He didn't sleep much for his second nap so he was pretty grumpy by the time the party started.  But we did get a fun relaxed photoshoot in around the house first.  Grandma Kathy flew in that day so she joined the celebrations along with our neighbors the Westovers, Hudsons, and then all the Clarks and Steph and Jan.

Tyson loved just looking at the cake and while taking pictures wanted to stick his finger into it.  He absolutely LOVES any car, especially red, and so this was part of my gift to him - first layer cake and fondant top I've ever made!  And I'd say it turned out pretty well...  Tyson wasn't sure as more and more people got to our home but found a little friend to play with the waterbottles with.  And he loved (and still loves) his new presents!

Eating the cake Tyson was overwhelmed by everyone watching and wouldn't even blow out his candle which we totally practiced and he's good at.  Then digging in, he took some and put into his cup holder, he puts lots of "save for later" food there.  We got him a spoon and he "dug in" for reals.  Finally after eating some he did enjoy it, just wanted to be all proper about it.  Daddy tried to teach him how to just stick his face in - and when he got close, the crowd of people got so excited it scared Tyson, and he cried big - and basically the party ended there.  Poor guy, not a fun way to end, but after everyone left he calmed down and touched the cake a bit more and played with his toys and a better ending.

Happy 1st Birthday Tyson! We are so glad you've been with us for a year, much celebrating for us all.

The party decorations...

Opening presents, thanks everyone!

And the cake!!

He had a minor melt down, too many people...

And such a proper boy too!

What a great day!  Love our little Tyson so much.