Chasing Keegan

It has arrived.

2012-01-31T22:55:00.001-06:00

I have been debating the boys playroom for a bit. I wanted to change it to suit the set up better not to mention having things at Cayden's level. As much as I would have loved to make another trip to Ikea (the closest is in Dallas) I knew that wasn't in the cards at this time. When low and behold, while surfing Costco.com I found exactly what I wanted. Not to mention the price was right as shipping is included, so I knew there would be no surprise followed by disappointment when I got the checkout to find some absurd shipping fee being added to my total.

On top of all that it arrived within a week, faster then their estimated shipping date. Yay!

The instructions said that it would take about 30 mins to put together and while I was well on my way to making that goal. The instructions did not take into account little helpers, who for the most part was really helpful holding the screws and giving them to me when asked. Except for when he got distracted and crawled off with several bolts that I needed! It then took me 30 mins to find said bolts and this was after I took a break to put the little helper down for a nap.

I was finally able to finish the unit and after several rearrangements I believe I have the playroom the way I want it. All of this lead to a major rearrangement of my office/studio craft space which is shared by the playroom in our 3rd garage.

More pictures to follow tomorrow.

Anyone for Scrabble?

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-06:00

I saw this on Pineterest and thought what a terrific idea, I can make those. Well let's just say it was easier said then done. Not so much in the making, but rather in the obtaining of the vintage scrabble boards.

Source: blogs.babble.com via Kelly on Pinterest

My first stops were Thrift and Salvation Army stores, alas there wasn't a Scrabble board to be found.

I finally found some when I was t even really looking and even better thy were sold or a dollar! What a bargain, I bought them all. As I started to make more, I headed to my favorite location, which has never let me down, as long as you ate willing to pay. After about half an hour, Ebay and I had come to agreement and all I had to do was wait for the mail guy to arrive.

In my first few I went with photo corners to mount the photo rather then the bullnose clip. Another reason that choose to do this, all my boards were being sent the mail to their new homes and I figured that there was less chance of damage occurring while in transit with the photo corners versus the bullnose clip. I also choose to go with a 5 x 7 photo as that is what I had already printed.

I plan on making some for my house and I plan on experimenting with a variety of different size photos, clips and photo corners.

I used 3M photo mounting strips on the back to hang the Scrabble boards.

Photo by Kelly

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies...Ever!

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

The boys were asking for Chocolate Chip cookies over the Holidays and while I am happy to make them. I wanted to try something different. I decided that I was going to try the Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from Cuisine at home Holiday Cookies edition.

All I can say is another great cookie recipe has been made out of this magazine.

Here is the recipe. For mine I substituted both the sugar and brown sugar with their Splenda counterparts and I also used dark chocolate chips rather then semi sweet.

The recipe is supposed to make about 5 dozen 4" cookies.

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Crispy Rice Cereal

WHISK TOGETHER:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup crisp rice cereal ( I used Rice Krispies )
1/4 cup oats
1 t. Baking soda
1 t. Cream of tartar
1 t. Table salt

Whisk flour, cereal, oats, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a bowl; set aside.

CREAM; ADD:
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup sugar ( 1 cup Splenda)
1 cup brown sugar ( 1/2 cup Splenda Brown Sugar)
1 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 t. Vanilla extract

Cream butter with both sugars in a bowl with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add the oil, egg, and vanilla, then beat until blended.

STIR IN:
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips ( I used dark chocolate chips)
Flour mixture

Stir in the chocolate chips and flour mixture just until the flour is incorporated.

Drop dough in 3 T. mounds ( a #40 scoop is perfect) onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2" apart. Bake 12 - 14 minutes, or until golden around the edges. Cool on wire rack.

Teacher Christmas Gifts 2011

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000-06:00

In previous years I have made Cookies in a Jar, last year I made homemade Hot Chocolate & Marshmallowsand the plan was to make those again this year as they were well received last year. Well my time ran out! Ugh! However, never fear, this year I had managed to do a massive Cookie baking exchange with a friend. The teachers were going to be getting homemade Cookies and Chocolates.

That's right, I made homemade Maple Walnut Chocolates this year. Let me tell they were easy, if slightly time consuming when it came to the dipping part. But Keegan, helped and he did a really good job.

I found the recipe over at Made. Not to mention lot's of other goodies that Dana made each day during the Holidays.

I used the little gift boxes that I had from last year and filled them with the Chocolates that I placed in little Christmas cupcake wrappers. The Cookies were placed inside Christmas cellophane baggies. Christmas tags and some twine finished it all off. For Keegan's teacher, we added a hanmade ornament that can been seen the last picture.

Smash Page Sneak Peek

2012-01-22T09:00:00.000-06:00

I am currently involved in a Smash Page exchange with a bunch of girls from the Cricut forums. This is my first time creating smash pages and I wanted to share a sneak peek.

I'll share the full pages once the exchange takes place.

To those of you in the exchange I can't wait to see what you have all come up with.

CanOkie Pickers

2012-01-19T10:00:00.000-06:00

Since arriving in Oklahoma I have gone on several antique trips. Which usually coincides with a Gun Show.

Both the Gun Show and the Antique Market happen at the Oklahoma State Fair grounds once a month, which has been working out rather well for us as a family. I take the boys and we go on adventure through the past while Daddy goes and looks at guns.

The antique show is put on by Buchanans Vintage Market Antiques and Collectibles. Who allow private vendors, store vendors, and anyone who wants to pay for a both to set up their wares for the weekend and for the most part the stuff available is fun to look at and sometimes priced reasonable.

I have also found a handful of stores in my area with friend who loves to antique shop as well. Now some of them seem to have a much firmer grasp on reality then others as far as pricing and negotiating goes. Either way we usually have a good time on our adventures.

I have borrowed the name CanOkie from the title of the newsletter that the Detachment puts out each month as it works well for Canadians in Oklahoma - CanOkie! As well as the popular tv show American Pickers and my friend and I had a good laugh. We're thinking maybe some t-shirts are needed. LoL

So I am hoping to make this a monthly post on our adventure and what we find.

This past weekend there was another market and we went on Saturday. Much to Keegan's dismay the Hotwheels vendor that has been there for the past 3 months was not there this weekend.

However, this did not stop Keegan coming home with something. Not only did he take his time and look through the entire building filled with overflowing tables, he actually negotiated the vendor down in price from $15 to $12.

Without further ado I would like to introduce you to Red Rocker and Blue Bomber. Thank-you Pixar and Toy Story for introducing my child to a toy that is a classic for a reason.

I had some great finds as well.

A close up of the wash board which I could not pass up as it has my Mother maidens name on it and the Miller-Jackson building still exists in Bricktown, OKC.

A close up of the boxes. The small one I think I am going to use for events as a utensil holder. While the larger Acme Lime one is going to become a display shelf either in Keegan room or in my office. I haven't yet decided.

While I can't take credit for the decanter find, it more then a perfect fit for our family. Not only does it have our last name. I have spent many Mess dinners drinking Port while the different salutes are said. Drinking too much Port is never an advisable idea - trust me.

Early in the week my friend and I headed out to look at some stores and this is where I found this beauty. And for the $30 price tag was unable to walk away.

Leather and Metal isn't gorgeous!

Finally this find is from our very first adventure at the market and the Geek in me LOVES it! Zombies...

Till our next adventure in February.

Test

2012-01-17T16:38:00.001-06:00

Testing 1...2...3...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Bad BlogPress and Blogger Apps

2012-01-17T16:34:00.001-06:00

Well it appears my geeky gadgets of technology have failed me! Sad face! It appears that not only has BlogPress not been fixed, but my back up use of Blogger has failed me as well.

Here I thought that I was all ahead of the game and low and behold, not only have my posts not be been published but some are well, well lets just say they aren't pretty!

So much for me getting ahead on the blog this year.

Hopefully I can get this all fixed, but meh...now I am tetherd to the desktop again...argh!

3 Tens and 4 Ones

2012-01-13T16:21:00.000-06:00

Well it's Friday the 13th and there appears to be no blizzard outside! My Mother likes to remind me each and every year how made my debut durning a blizzard and on Friday the 13th no less.

So as for superstition, it doesn't bother me, it's my lucky day. Although considering I have to clean, make my own cake (gasp), and hundreds of other little things before everyone gets home. I am not so sure the luck is with me today, sigh the joys of being a Mom.

Keegan asked yesterday to go to the party store to buy my balloons and how could I refuse. I gave him a limit and here is what he put together.

In total there is one big balloon along with 2 orange, 2 teal, and a blue one. I thought it turned out well and how glad am I that my 6 year old has a firm grasp on the fact that I am not a "pink" Mom. No offense to those that are, hehe just not my color.

That being said what till you see my cake. Most people who know me, know that I am not a girly girl and rarely does pink ever make itself known in form of presence around me. With that in mind I thought it would be fun to include not only pink, but an animal print in my birthday cake.

This is my first attempt at making a zebra cake and only my second time playing with fondant.

Well so far so good...

Since Keegan is currently learning to break down numbers by Tens and Ones I thought I would use it on my cake.

Zebra cake with a bright pink buttercream filling. Hehe

Keegan took us all to Chuck E Cheese for pizza and video games and he even used his gift card to pay that he got in his stocking for Christmas.

Here's to being 34. Let's see how the year treats me!

twas the night before Christmas

2011-12-25T01:13:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas All. May you all have a wonderful Holiday season and may the New Year bring you all your hopes and dreams.

Tic Tac Toe

2011-12-16T23:56:00.001-06:00

I found these little Tic Tac Toe boards at Target for a dollar and thought that they would make a cute loot bag stuffer.

Then I had an idea that it would be rather easy to customize them to match the theme of the party.

I printed and cut out Moons and Rocket Ships using the Silhouette Cameo.

Then I used some good ole matte Modge Podge to glue them on.

Voila! A custom themed Tic Tac Toe board. I think I will use this idea again for Keegan's 7 birthday. However, I will buy them sooner then two days before and I think I will spray paint the pieces so that they will have a more cohesive look when I attach the image.

All in all, I think it turned out well and a buck a piece with some printed paper and about 30 mins of work you get a cute result.

A year ago...

2011-12-15T11:17:00.000-06:00

I cannot believe that a year has come and gone already! This time last year I was not only on the final count down to Christmas, but I was on the much bigger count down to the impending arrival of my Mother in time for the planned c-section of our second boy on December 22nd. Needless to say I was more then organized and energized like never before. It was amazing I was crafting like nobody's business, the holiday cheer filled every aspect of the house I was running on warp speed lugging my 9 month pregnant body, 5 year old, 3 dogs and husband around.

I had it all planned, down to the last minute, I was even discussing in detail everything on the list with my husband as I got ready for bed that night and he was humming and hahhing...laughing at my neurotic behaviour. When...my water broke! What! This isn't supposed to be happening. It is December 14th at about 11 pm, Keegan is sleeping, we have his Kindergarten Christmas concert in the morning, my Mother arrives on Friday, and my planned section isn't till next week...I haven’t finished the homemade marshmallows for the teachers Christmas gifts! Yes, that thought actually did run through my mind!Eventually we focused on what was happening and headed off to the local hospital. After some confusion, slight reluctance on their part they called in the right Doctors to perform my c-section. We called our friends at 2:30 in the morning asking if we could bring Keegan over to sleep at their house, I was about to head into surgery.

Our beautiful boy was born at 0409 on December 15th 2010. I remember so much more this time around then I did the last. I think that had a lot to do with the whole bicycle theory.He remained nameless for the next five hours as my husband decided that our final three names longer worked. Good thing the hospital had wi-fi; I pulled out my iPhone and began to search.We finally found the name...Keegan meeting Cayden for the first time.

Happy Birthday Cayden, our little Space Cadet! I can't believe you are a year old already!

Antique Shopping

2011-12-11T00:00:00.001-06:00

Well it seems almost every other weekend there is some sort of Antique, Gun, and or Craft Show going on at the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds. Wouldn't you know it all 3 were happening this weekend.

While hubby headed to the Gun show the boys and I headed to the Antique Show. While I would call it all out Antique Show, there were some of the same vendors there that had been there the previous time we had gone and some new ones. To be honest, it kinda reminds me of a swap meet...where you can see all sorts of things that people are trying to sell, only this one is far more organized and everyone is super friendly.

Needless to say having been to this before, some of the vendors were the same and Keegan was beyond thrilled to find his favorite was there again.

He was even more excited that the guy sold him $11 dollars worth of cars for $10 allowing him to keep a dollar in his wallet. He even bought Cayden a beanie horse. It was so cute.

The second purchase of the day was this vintage desk. It is in great condition and has a beautiful inlay on the top.

I bought for Keegan to use for the computer that he is getting for Christmas. He was just so excited to get a big boy desk. Just wait till Christmas.

All in all a great way to spend an afternoon.

Bandwagon...I jumped!

2011-12-08T21:39:00.001-06:00

Well I wasn't going to do it. However, I decided that not only would it be fun and behavior correctional for Keegan, I figured I could have a little fun with the Elf myself...hehe.

So as he put it in his little note. It seems there was a slight mix-up with Canada Post getting our forwarding information up to the North Pole. Which would explain the Elf's late arrival to our new home in Oklahoma.

I know what you are thinking, a small white lie. But in truth, we all know how slow and unreliable Canada Post can really be. So my little white lie is not only based on theory, it's fact and I am sticking with it.

Stay tuned for more adventures of the nameless elf.

Birthday Wreath complete

2011-07-27T00:56:00.001-05:00

Well I managed to get the wreath finished and hung in time for Keegan's birthday. I still want to make changes and rework the Happy Birthday sign, but that will have to wait until I finish unpacking the rest if my crafting supplies. What I have will suffice for now.

So if you want to make a Birthday Wreath, here is what you will need:
- Floral Pins (I found them at Wal Mart and Hobby Lobby)
- A Styrofoam Wreath (Just remember the bigger the wreath the more balloons and pins you will need)
- Balloons - several hundred (These can be found at Wal Mart and the Dollar Store)
- Streamers

Well there you go, I really enjoyed making this and will update it once I make the final sign.

Still unpacking, but...

2011-07-25T23:19:00.001-05:00

Needless to say that I have been buried under mounds of packing paper from unpacking is an understatement. Who knew that it would take so much longer to unpack a house with a 7 month and 5 year old under foot.

Raises hand...well I do now!

I am currently taking a mini break to work on a birthday wreath to start a new family tradition. I saw one on Pinterest and I am making my own. Here are two sneak peeks of what I have so far.

This is where I ran out of ballons :( I will be running to the store tomorrow to get more and should have a finished wreath by tomorrow night.

Just in time to hang on the door Wednesday for Keegan's birthday.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T23:35:00.001-05:00

We started the morning a little lazy.

Our first 4th of July was spent with the arrival of the moving truck.

Here are just a few of the 17,000 lbs of boxes and furniture that need to be unpacked...

Did they really pack this in a box?

I seem to have lost the children, has anyone seen them?

Well off to bed, they finish unloading the rest of the truck in the morning.

Posted with a semi finish line in sight.

Day 4 and Beyond...

2011-07-03T23:50:00.001-05:00

Ok, needless to say I have fallen behind on my posts.

We arrived safe and sound on the 28th of June and have been relaxing since then.

On the last day of driving we had a nice relaxing day and made several stops including one in Topeka KS. The rest stop was in between the divided thruway which had a nice green space to get out and stretch...which we did.

Finally...

Cayden enjoying a nice relaxing morning...

Got the keys to the house a few days early...

Keegan and Cayden playing in the new house...

Daddy and Cayden tuckered out from all our exploring...

Our first time at the Warren, a really beautiful movie theater in Moore, OK. We even took Cayden to see Cars 2. I will have to get pictures next time of the theater, Keegan thought it was a live performance that is how opulent it is.

The boys getting ready to watch the movie...

July 1st was spent celebrating with a bunch of other Canadian families at a BBQ.

The boys in the red shirts playing together...

Another memory first memory...Keegan loses his first baby tooth (July 2nd 2011) Sniff, sniff my little boy is growing up so fast.

Which brings us to today, July 3rd and a great night spent with our friends Kris and Rob and some pre-4th of July fireworks in Bricktown.

This was how Cayden spent his time...

Tomorrow is July 4th, so lots more festivities, which also includes the arrival of the moving truck...does happy dance.

Detours due to flooding...

2011-06-27T22:38:00.001-05:00

Keegan and Fey sleeping thru the crazy storm from last night.

Well this morning started off pretty early for our 3rd day of the trip. We had a smorgasbord of tasty treats for breakfast compliments of Holiday Inn. We topped up the fuel tank and were on our way by 10 am. A slight detour into Nebraska and then back into Iowa got us back on track.

Only to find out that our route of I 29 to Omaha was kinda under water.

I wasn't fast enough to get the picture of where I 29 completely disappears under water as I was to busy dealing with a sligty annoyed husband concerned we were going to be completely re-routed through Des Moines. Needless to say a slight detour and we were back on track and on 75 on the other side of a very swollen Missouri River.

We e eventually crossed into Kansas ( please picture a road sign here, it was so small and happened so fast, that it didn't happen at all.

Welcome to Kansas

A cool town along 75

We arrived in Topeka around 4:30 and have just been relaxing.

The final leg of our journey starts tomorrow. Where once we arrive in Oklahoma, we will the get to sit and wait for our moving truck to arrive...sigh.

At least we will have time to explore and enjoy the hotel pool.

On another note...

Posted while still in transition in Topeka, KS.

North Dakota, South Dakota, & Iowa

2011-06-26T21:44:00.001-05:00

Just because it was so cute. Keegan and Casey sharing a bed.

Well 3 States in one day...what a blast.

Getting ready to leave Fargo this morning.

So only a slight hiccup this morning, in that I forgot my medication in the hotel. Good thing we had only gone one exit down the thruway.

Ryan was very excited to fill up the van with ethanol gas today, so much cheaper!

South Dakota

Finally Iowa...

...they seem to be having some water issues.

Just because we have a dog named Casey.

Just what Iowa doesn't need is more water.

Tomorrow we head for Topeka KS.

Halfway there...phew!

Posted while still in transition.

Good Bye Portage, Hello North Dakota

2011-06-25T22:23:00.001-05:00

Well Day 1 is coming to a close of our North American move. The van was loaded and the trailer hooked up...we say our final goodbyes.

A couple of hours later we arrive at the Border, expecting the worst and was pleasantly surprised at the relative ease at which we were granted access...within an hour we were on our way.

Hello North Dakota.

We had to pull off once before Grand Forks as Cayden decided that he needed to soil his diaper. After which it was uneventful until the last few clicks into Grand Forks as we were almost out of gas and the GPS took us to a gas station that no longer existed.

Needless to say we did find one out of a time warp and then it was on to Fargo and our first stop.

Next stop Sioux City, IA.

- Posted while in transition

The move has begun

2011-06-23T23:23:00.001-05:00

Well the move has begun. Pre-pack was yesterday. Pack was today. Load is tomorrow.

What a crazy 48 hours it has been. I am exhausted as I lay here in the hotel bed and think it hasn't even really begun.

Never the less Keegan enjoyed his last day of Kindergarten and will be missed by his friends.

The house looks crazy! Had to go search for Keegan at one point.

Cayden enjoyed being able to roll everywhere and almost not hit anything.

The view we will have for most of tomorrow as our entire house gets loaded onto the truck.

Stress and crazy fun will be sure to ensue.

Check back for updates to our cross country adventure.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Our little Super Hero turn's 6!

2011-06-11T15:24:00.000-05:00

Well the weekend of the party has arrived. You'll remember the post creating the Super Hero invite here. Well that was only the beginning of my creative ideas for this birthday.

I had Super Hero cupcake toppers. Both boys and girls. The imahes were created on the computer, printed on white card stock and the circle shape was cut with the Imagine.

I made toopers for their loot bags. I made the topper and then I hot glued it onto a wooden clothes pin to keep the bag closed. Once again I had girls and boy Super Hero's. The graphics were designed and printed from the computer. The circle and the scallop shapes were cut using the Cricut Imagine.

I made some Super Hero captions and signs. The shapes and font were from the Cricut cartridge Batman: The Brave and the Bold and were cut using my Imagaine.

Super Hero and sidekick t-shirts were made using the freezer paper stencil method. On the left we have birthday boy and on the right we have his sidekcik "zap." Tulip metalic paint was used for this design. The stencils were cut using the CCR and the Imagine.

It wouldn't be a Super Hero party without Super Hero Capes! As much as I would have loved to have bought all the kids a Cape like Keegan's, there was a budget. So on the search I went to find cheaper alternatives and I sure did. I found this great step by step tutorial here. Next all I had to do wa find the right amount of adult t-shirts for the right price. I did. I went to the Bargin store and found the mother load of M thru 2XXL t-shirts on clearence ranging from $1 to $2. Getting the right amount and colors, took longer then cutting them out!

The day of the party I had all the capes sitting on a table along with fabric markers. I choose to go with fabric markers, not only for the ease in which each child would be able to use them, but the party is only so long and I was worried about drying time with fabric paint!

I can't believe that I actually got a picture with me and both boys in it!

The Super Hero Invite

2011-06-07T15:30:00.011-05:00

I meant to post this a couple of weeks ago, alas, time is not mine own.

Here is the invite that I made for Keegan's 6th birthday. We are having it this weekend as the impending move looms closer and closer and we wanted Keegan to be able to have his birthday here with his friends before we move. Lucky boy this year, he'll get two. It seems strange having his birthday so early, but he is so excited.

I still have a few things to do. Namely the capes, they still need their velcro closure and super hero initial put on each of them. So much to do.

10 years ago...today

2011-06-02T15:19:00.012-05:00

I can't believe that it has been 10 years that we have been married!

It seems like only yesterday, that I was putting on the dress and talking to my father waiting for our cue to head downstairs and joking about all that was to come.

Standing there in front of so many, you rubbing my hands as we said our vows...so many ups, with some downs. We have lived through so much and yet still have so much to live for.

With our biggest adventure about to start, I just wanted to say I love you.