I Love You Because...

Scary Love.

I can't tell you how true this is.....

J

The Life of a Costume

Last night I had a few flashbacks while kissing on Cameron and holding him so tight.... 

Fall 2001 -- Mom and I.

October 2002 -- Ethan

October 2008 -- Owen

October 2012 -- Cameron

It's the end of a tradition I've held so dear..... who knows maybe it'll still be around for the next generation.

-JJ 

The Bieb's

 

Halloween 2012

Happy Halloween from King Arther and his Dragon, An Arabian Princess and Justin Bieber!!!! 

Arabian Nights

 

This year's party was a blast! I loved the crazy amazing costumes everyone had, I loved the bright happy textiles and surprisingly, I loved the food. (Cocunut Basmati Rice might be my new favorite food.) My favorite part was surprising everyone with a Henna artist there to do Henna tatoos. Everything went perfectly and I'm pretty sure everyone had so much fun. Now for the clean-up.... 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Homemade Gifts 2011

Speaking of traditions, this one is another one of my all time favorite traditions... HOMEMADE GIFTS! Every year My siblings and I homemake our gifts to eachother. Every year it's different and fun and always heartfelt. It just brings such a personal touch to the gifts and puts their personalities in our lives and in our homes. We went to Florida a few weeks ago for my nieces baptism and it was so fun to see the same decorations and family themes decorating their house too. As I was getting ready for this post I realized that in EVERY room in my house you can see evidence of homemade gifts over the years.... 

A tableloth pieced by Teri in Owen's room.

In our living room, Sean's Photography... (I wish I had more!) 

In my kitchen, Emily's recipe boxes (she took all my Grandmother's and Mother's recipes, typed them up, printed them and laminated them for us one year... This is probably the MOST USED GIFT EVER!!) 

In our entryway, from April and Gentry the ledges (he made those!) and from Spring and Sean the Santa cross-stitch (yeah, crazy, I know but, I love it!) and that picture of Christ? It's cross-stitched as well, My Mom made it for me 15+ years ago. (now are your starting to see where we get the craziness from?) 

and in every bedroom, This year Teri and Chad gave us Christmas Pillowcases... (the kids are so mad at me because I took them off today to wash them.)

This year my Mom also made me a Santa Quilt, it's in Lorali's room and it's so beautiful. Santa's from around the world, all appliqued on, I LOVE IT! ...

This year Sean and Spring gave us a super thoughtful gift, it's a little candy cane countdown to Christmas, exactly like the one I grew up with (makes me smile every time I see it.)...

Then Emily really out-did herself this year, I have no idea how the heck she found the time to make this with her busy schedule but, I'm not complaining it's perfect and I have the perfect spot for it this fall in my entryway...

and what did I make this year? All November my dining room was turned into a leather workshop, Yep, more leather projects just like last year. I now realize how my Grandpa had it as his lifelong hobby. It's addictive! I already have ideas for projects to keep me busy all year. This time it was just for adults... Blank Leather Books. Fishing Logs, Hiking Logs or Journals, whatever they're used for they're all personalized. 

I've already made some for most of the grandkids but decided not to give them at Christmas but to give them to the kids one at a time for thier birthday's this year...

and for Dad's birthday I made him a few more Fly Fishing Reel Pouches... 

Now, I'm off to start planning for next year! 

 

 

 

 

 

Cute Clown

Fall Fun

Last night Phil and Alicia and the kids came over for some Chili, Caramel Apples and Pumpkin decorating. Soo much fun. We are loving living closer to them and being able to see them more. I mean seriously, do you see those cute faces? 

Instead of carving pumpkins this year we opted to pull out a few craft supplies and paint them instead, the idea was that it would be less messy, less time consuming and the kids could do it on thier own..... WRONG! Paint took forever to dry, they still needed help poking holes for pipe cleaners or adding more glue, and the paint? yeah, it's all over the garage floor (thank you Ethan!) BUT.... that being said. The kids were adorable and it was totally worth the time and effort. Everyone had a blast. 

My favorite pumpkin of the night? Owen's cute little bear. Really, he is cuter then his bear but he loves it so much there's nothing to do but smile at them both. 

 

Easy as pie, err... krispies!

My kids are so easy to please... a few rice krispies, a little black melting chocolate and a couple tic tacs go a LONG way in entertaing them! Our ward does The Halloween Phantom just like my home ward in did every year growing up and I LOVE THAT! Our new ward? It's the best. This was our little treat, the only problem was that the kids didn't want us to share them. 

(you should start the Halloween Phantom in your neighborhood, kids love it and  there's still time! Here's a great printable one.) 

A Dead Man's Chest

 

This year's party was the least stressful one I've ever hosted. It was a blast and I honestly wouldn't change a thing! It was unscripted but because the company had other 'goals' to the game it made the flow so much easier then other unscripted Murder Mystery Parties we've had in the past.

You can see/download more pictures of this years party HERE.

and a little trip down memory lane.... 

A Taste of Translyville Terror (2010)

2009 Decor here. 

Flapper and Gangsters (2008) aka- the year Joanna tried to please everyone... and failed.

In the Crystal Palace Saloon (2007)

Another Pirate Party (2006)