Kindergarten Valentines

Using this picture via Pinterest as inspiration, Goose and I created these Valentines for her Kindergarten class.  We traced her hand to make a template and cut them out.  She wrote all the names of her class mates by hand.  When we finished, we taped a sucker to the back.  I'm so happy with the way they turned out!

(Note: I'm not going to give a formal "HELLO! I'M BACK" post.  I really don't want to jinx my progress.  I'm just going to post when I feel like and see how it goes.)


(PPS: I'm on Pinterest. I'm on Pinterest a lot.)

Happy Birthday Mama!

via

About Us - Autumn Edition

We know how to have fun.

We like to make jokes.

About chocolate cake.

Sometimes, we act like monkeys!

But we always love each other!

Fall is the perfect time of year to get outside and explore your community.

We are blessed to have dozens of parks in our small town.

Every year, we make a point to explore our enviornment and learn about nature.

I like to hunt for mushrooms.

I like to smell the damp air.

I like to feel the mud squish under my boots.

I love to hear Goose laugh as she jumps in puddles.

I love the Pacific Northwest and I love FALL!

Do you have any special fall activities for your family?



Bow Tie

Betsy Johnson "Iconic" Collection

Black Bow Necklace

Sterling Silver Marchasite and Freshwater Pearl

Bow Necklace

Sweets by J2Jewelry

Lucite Bow Tie by sophiedear

Tied Up Earrings by briguysgirls

Whisper in Pumpkin by themustardseedco

Pink Metallic Bow Ring by alexlovestocraft

Victorian Bow Necklace by gypsycarriage

Ribbon -- Don't Forget by sparklethots

AND HERE IS WHAT I MADE

It used to be a hairclip.

It broke ages ago and it was too pretty to throw away.

So I saved it.

Well, inspired by all the beautiful bow tie jewelry on trend right now,

I pulled out my broken clip and set to work making a necklace.

I love how it turned out!

I paired it with black, white, and cream peals and used black ribbon to fasten it.

I really want the "Don't Forget" ring above. It's so pretty!

I had a dream about these shoes.

Ruby, Do You Know Wedge

Modcloth

SOLD OUT

As soon as these are back in stock...

they will be

MINE!

Crush

There is one certain blogger that I especially admire.

Her name is Alexa Mae.

She is so inspiring, with her writings on faith and motherhood.
Her story alone is one of triumph. Her husband suffered a debilitating stoke and he is now on the path to recovery.

I imagine that Maddix and Goose would be great friends. Giving each other tattoos and swimming in Maddix's little pool.  And her son Bronson? What a doll! He just started kindergarten and is on his way to breaking all the ladies hearts. I'm sure Goose would be smitten. She's a bit boy crazy these days.

Out of all the blogs I have ever read, Alexa is the blogger I would love to meet the most. I bet we would get along great! For one, she is just as clumsy as me. I was sure I was the only one in the world that was able to fall UP stairs. Her sarcasm, wit and charm are impossible not to like. 

I can see it now, the two of us sitting outside in the shade drinking lemonade and laughing. Watching the girls play "mermaids" in the pool or maybe picking on Bronson. Cuz that's what little girls do to little boys when they out number them.  We would be so immersed in our conversation that we wouldn't notice that the kids got out of the pool until we realize how quiet it had become.  We'd go look for the girls and probably find them in fancy dresses, jewelry, makeup and trying to put on nail polish. Something else little girls do.  Maybe we would play dress up too. And then put on some loud music, Lady Gaga please? and dance and sing like crazy people. 

Isn't her family lovely?

Her blog makes me feel good about being a woman, wife and mother. Despite the struggles she has faced she has remained strong. I know I can always go to her blog to read something to lift my spirits. Her humor and insight... I can't get enough!

#WANT - Dooney&Burke Princess Collection

Bucket Bag

Satchel

Tote

Wristlet

Dooney & Burke Princess Collection

Dooney & Burke has paired with Disney to create this amazing collection of handbags.

Normally, I am not a fan of Disney, or princesses or flashy patterns.

But these bags are just MAGICAL!

I don't know what it is about Dooney & Burke that I love so much.

Maybe its because, growing up, my mom always had the newest Dooney...

The navy and tan leather with gold accents.

So classic.

And even their newer lines are gorgeous!

The craftsmanship, the quality leather.

The wristlet is the cheapest, priced at $70 at the Disney store,

but the one I want is the satchel.

It costs a pretty penny at $220.

I doubt I will be getting it anytime soon (if ever)

But I will drool over them anyway!

Ladies Who Lunch

Harley-beast, Emmy-monster, Goose

These three girls are the highlight of my life!

My sisters and my little girl.

Can you believe I have an 8 and 10 year old sisters?

Goose has an AUNT only 4 years older than her.

They are much more like sisters!

Hubs and I babysat "the girls" on Friday night so my parents could go to a movie.

Goose was excited to have her first sleep over in the new house.

The "squirrels" (as my mother and I call them) played dress up.

At Goose's insistence, I had to get them "wine."

It's just water... still, bad mommy, I know.

We had a little photo shoot.

I shouted directions.

"Be fabulous!"

"Look FIERCE!"

"Smile"

"Look at the camera Goose!"

"More attitude!"

These girls keep me young.

I Bet I Can Make This - Vol. II

*source*

TO DO: Visit a thrift store and find a cool old book.

I feel a project brewing.

Isn't this CLUTCH fabulous???

Normalcy

Today is my first official day back to work in 10 days...

Gotta say, it was a wonderful vacation.  Just what I wanted and needed.

And now its time, unfortunately, to get back to normal. 

Work. Blah.

I am feeling super invigorated by getting away.

On July 26, my dad, Goose, Hubs and I packed the cars and headed out for Lake CHelan.

It's about a 4 hour drive from home, but its practiacally a world away.

This state never fails to amaze me.

There we were, sitting on a lake in the middile of the mountains.

80 degrees and you could still see snow on the hill tops.

How could I be so lucky to live this close to lakes, mountains, the ocean, and snow...

There isn't a more beautiful place (well, Oregon if you ask Hubs.)

I have been camping in Lake Chelan with my family for as long as I can remember.

Every summer from 6 months to 16 years... when being a bitchy teen got in the way.

I love camping. Wearing only a swimsuit and sunglasses.

No makeup. No heels. No blow dryer.

There was lots of talking, reminicing, contemplating...

drinking. Ugh... tequila is bad news!

Goose did pretty well. She had a ton of fun!

And boy does that girl tan.  I had her slathered in SPF 50 and she still got dark.

I feel like both Goose and my husband got to know my dad a little better.

My dad is so cute with Goose.

And he is still very much my "DAD."

His advice is much easier to take now that I am an adult though.

I have many more posts in progress. 

I took over 400 pictures while camping, not to mention 4th of July pictures.

Which are all on my facebook, by the way.

Expect more camping photos and stories this week.

And next week, back to normally scheduled programming.

Whatever that means.

Blog-cation

Just popping in from the lake. My dad has had to work a bit, so he brought his lap top. Complete with WiFi... so I decided to pop in for a bit.

I wanted to say "hello" from Lake Chelan.

Here is my family, un-washed, un-brushed and completely HAPPY!

I've been taking tons of pictires and have lots to share with you all next week.

Luvs,

KelsyC

To the Dads I Know

Happy Father's Day!

To my husband: You are a great man, husband, and father.  I am so excited to be making a new life together and traveling down a new road.  I think we picked the right side of the fork in the road this time and things are going to be better than ever. I am so lucky, no, we are so lucky to have you in our lives.  There is no better man to be the father of my child. I knew it from when we first started dating, watching you with my step-brother, and then my little sisters... you are gentle and kind and playful. And I couldn't ask for more.

To my dad: I love you more than you know.  Ever since Goose was born, I have been able to see you in a new light.  I know we haven't always had the easiest relationship, but I can see the love you have for me every time you look into my daughters eyes.  I can only imagine how you were with me when I was a child.  You are a terrific father and grandfather.  I can't wait to go camping.  Some of my best memories of my childhood are from camping with you. And now Goose will be able to have those same memories.  I treasure those times and its such a gift to be able to give them to Gabby.  When I think of my dad, I think of you, camping in Lake Chelan, sleeping under the stars.

To my step-dad:  Thank you for loving my daughter so much and thank you for all the support you and mom have given us.  I know you work hard to support your own family but I hope you know that I we are so grateful that you are in our lives.

To my father-in-law: You are a bastard and an asshole... and I wouldn't have you any other way.  You may have a rough exterior, but when I see you with Gabby, I can see you for the teddy bear you really are.  There is so much love in your eyes every time you look at her.  I know you give me a hard time, and I give it right back, but I also know that you and Lisa have taken me into your family with open arms.  You will never know how much you mean to me, and honestly, you'd probably give me shit if I ever tried to tell you. But I love you anyway.

There are many other fathers and grandfathers in my life. And to each of them I wish a very special day filled with love, family and togetherness.  Now more than ever I am so thankful to be surrounded with so much love. 

XOXO!!