Family Pictures 2013

We took the family out to Prickly Pear Creek to get some pictures for our Christmas Card. It was COLD out and we lost part of our Tripod so it was interesting! But... I think they turned out pretty fun! Here's some of our favorites--

What a cute family! XOXO

Helena Light Parade

We heard about the Helena Light Parade so we headed downtown to join in a little Helena Holiday Cheer. It wasn't a very long parade but the kids got tons of candy and toys. It was short and sweet but perfect for the cold night!

Down by the Library, we got some hot chocolate and watched the Lighting of the Fire Tower. I guess it's a big tradition here in Helena. ;) Then, we met up with the Andersons (Brett's new co-worker) for a couple minutes and got to meet their dad. Unfortunately they missed the whole thing by coming 10 minutes late! Don't worry though- I showed them my 15 pictures so they didn't miss anything! LOL It turned out to be a fun night! Thanks for the invite guys- even if you missed it! ;)

It came from a store...

Before we got invited to our friends for Thanksgiving, we toyed around with ordering our Thanksgiving dinner from the Albertsons' Deli. We saw an ad for a complete dinner for around $50. Because we are in this tiny apartment and we are new in town- it just made sense to have something quick and easy.
It will probably never be appropriate again so...
Even after being invited for a REAL dinner- we decided to go ahead and try it! We had our neighbor over tonight and enjoyed our Deli Dinner! Not too bad!

Lay's Turkey Bowl & Pie

Thanksgiving morning, Brett & Justice joined the Lay family (along with others) for a Turkey Bowl Football Game at EVMS. Everybody made it back without a trip to the ER. Yeah!!

After a fabulous Feast with the Coils- In the evening, we rejoined the Lay family for Pie and some games. So yummy and such great friends. Thanks guys! We are grateful for you in our lives!

Grateful Turkey

Since we couldn't get out our Thanksgiving decorations, we decided to make our own. Our resident artist, Victoria made a large turkey for our wall. Then we all cut out tons of feathers. Every day leading up to Thanksgiving, we wrote things we were thankful for on a feather and added them to our wall. It turned out really fun!

Glory even made her own tiny Turkey. So cute!

Thanksgiving with SHAY

We joined my friend SHAY and her family for Thanksgiving Lunch this year. It was extra fun because her dad & step-mom were there. Every time they would say, "Shay....?" I would answer. LOL It got to be pretty funny so they finally just started calling their Shay- "Gertrude". Hilarious!

We had a fabulous dinner! Shay (the original one) made the most amazing Rainbow Jello Salad. It was a masterpiece! Everything was so delicious! The missionaries joined us for lunch as well. And we didn't even kill Elder Burrows with our gravy. Go me! [He's extremely allergic to tons of things!]

 We are grateful to the Coils for having us over. We had a great time!

Young Women in Excellence

Liberty participated in her first Young Woman in Excellence Program tonight. The night's theme was "The Treasure Within". They decorated with treasure boxes (hope chests) and shared about women in movies and the scriptures that have treasures hidden within themselves. (Charity, love, kindness, spirituality, etc) Each girl shared what Value projects she has been working on this year. Then the whole group sang a song together. It was beautiful! What a cute group of ladies!

Liberty was awarded her Knowledge ribbon. She's been working hard and we are very proud of her!

For her Knowledge Value Project, Liberty decided to put together a cookbook of our family recipes.

Liberty picked out the recipes she wanted for a family recipes. She typed and printed them out.
She designed and put together a Recipe Book including tabs and page protectors.
Liberty also made a magnetic Recipe Holder for her Hope Chest.
Then, she picked out several of the recipes and did a little shopping for the ingredients.
She even made a few of them for our family to enjoy!
Way to go, Sis!

Crafting to Christmas Music

I normally don't allow Christmas Music to be played before Thanksgiving. My personal motto is "If you can't be Thankful- you get no Christmas".  It's not that I'm a Scrooge or that I don't like Christmas music- it's just that I think that all the Christmas music and decorations distract from the real meaning anyways. Then starting all of that before Thanksgiving- it just doesn't add to the Christmas Spirit for me.
However... This year, I made an exception! ;)
First, I got together with a few girlfriends to start on some of our vinyl projects. They are Christmas Crafts and it was a cold night so Christmas music seemed appropriate. LOL And it was lots of fun!

Then I continued at home with some gifts, Crafts for my home and a few (50 to be exact) Relief Society Gifts (for Christmas). Once again- the Christmas music made it's way into our home before Thanksgiving. My family was awesome to help! Thanks guys! XOXO

My Ornament Exchange ornaments and gifts:

My new fun Home Crafts:

My Awesome family helping with our Relief Society Christmas gifts:

(We ended up with glitter snow all over our house for a week afterwards. LOL)

... and surprisingly I was OK with it. [the Christmas music playing] Let the Holiday feeling begin! (Just no decorating or shopping before we are THANKFUL!)

Walk by the Winter Lake

Brett wanted to go for a drive today and check out one of the Helena Lakes (Lake Hauser) in the Winter. It was freezing cold but we went anyways. LOL We're crazy like that!
We stopped by the Two Camps Vista interpretive site which is between the Clark's Bay Recreation Area (day use only) and Devil's Elbow Recreation Area.
The Two Camps Vista is a point where you can see the camps of both Lewis and Clark where they set up camp separately within a mile of this roadside overlook in 1809. 

It was pretty but we didn't last long after the winds picked up. We did collect pine-cones to make Turkeys for Thanksgiving. (We are struggling with the fact we can't get to any decorations this year!) [P.S. We never made Pine-cone Turkeys- what losers! LOL]

Here's part of my cute frozen family at the Vista Overlook:

Helena Group Date

Brett and I decided we wanted to go see the new Thor movie. I sent a text out to some couples and invited them to join us.We ended up with 11 couples for the movie. How awesome is that???!!! I love getting people together!

Then about 6 couple went out for late night Pie. So yummy! 

Such a fun night! Thanks to Keith & Stephanie, Smiths, Paynes, Snoddys, Fifes, Tubbs, Bywaters, Wardells, their cousins, and Nichole & the boys [and us!] for an awesome night! We luv you all!

Thanks B for watching the kids. You are awesome!

Obsessed with Finger Knitting

Due to our extremely talent friend, Allie- our family has become obsessed with finger knitting. LOL Thanks a lot, lady! We've been making scarfs out of ever yarn we can find. We even had a FHE where we all went and bought some yarn. It's so easy and fast. All of us can do it! And then we can make some fun fast presents for people we love! So fun!

7th Grade Band Concert

Liberty had her first Band Concert tonight. We are so impressed with how quickly she has learned to be part of the Percussion Section. (all of the other kids here started in 5th grade) She is one musically talented girlfriend!

Best Moving Friend EVER...

...or Most Annoying, Bossy Friend EVER! [It depends on your perspective. LOL]

My best Helena Friend moved today. ;(
Jenny and I became instant friends. We are like long lost soul mates! LOL We like so many of the same things. We organize the same way. We're friendly, we craft, we sew, we serve, we collect. I told her her the first time I officially met her that I was an awesome "moving" friend. She was confused but I think now she knows what I meant.
I believe that in the last few days (plus a couple days in September) I have spent 27 hours at their house helping them get moved. I was there de-junking boxes with her, packing rooms, cleaning out fridges, packing trailers, directing traffic, scrubbing the entire upstairs floor on my hands and knees, and waving goodbye at the curb as they drove away. Due to me being there all the time and my DIRECT nature (I prefer that over the MEAN adjective people tried to use), I became the official fore(wo)man of the project. My favorite was when Kevin [Jenny's hubby] told one of the ward members, "I don't know what to have you to- go ask Shay." I got teased a lot about it! .....Seriously!!!!! I don't' mean for that to happen. It's just ingrained in me to take charge if someone needs to be. LOL I did feel bad about the time that I yelled at Kevin. Oops! I was almost finished with the floor. Remember how I scrubbed the entire upstairs hardwood floor on my hands and knees? Well, Kevin was on the phone and started wandering around. Unfortunately, his wandering led him right down the hallway and into the kitchen IN HIS DUSTY/ DIRTY COWBOY BOOTS. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh! I was not a happy camper! I did apologize later to him and he hugged me goodbye so I guess it all worked out in the end.


There was tons of things they ended up not being able to fit in the trucks. I was able to inherit a couple projects that she never got around to. I'm very excited!!! Not that she had to leave them but that I can refinish them and then always have a reminder of her. I got a little bench, a few chairs to recover and my favorite is this old wooden oversized chair. I LOVE it!!! <<<<<Isn't it gorgeous!!!?


Another thing I inherited was a humongous box of old levis. Jenny's been collecting them for years. She was so sad to leave them behind. So.. I told her that I would keep them and make her something from it for her. I've spent some time sorting, tossing, cutting and sewing. A mutual friend, Grandma Lay came and helped me sew one day. The quilt has turned out so fun! It's cute enough that I've contemplated keeping it for myself. ;) However, it has become my Titantic Project. Let me explain... Jenny and I met, became dear friends and parted in a very short time span. I took a couple  of "hideous, sweaty moving ladies" pictures on my phone but other than there is no proof {except in her heart} that I even existed. LOL This has become my momento for her so that she will have proof that she actually met me and I am real. I love it!

A few more things about the Burtons and then I will let them move on. ;)
Liberty became great friends with their daughter, Sadie. We got them together several times before they left. One of my favorite was when the Three Amigos got together here at our tiny place and played Sherwood Forest. Sadie and Micah have been lifesavers for Liberty transitioning to Helena.
How cute are these girlies???

They put me in charge of finishing up a few things that weren't done as they drove away. As crazy as it's been, I am sad that it's almost all taken care of. Mainly because it means they are really gone. ;( Best of Luck in your new adventure, Burton Family. You will be missed so much! Thanks for the fun memories. XOXO

5th Grade Band Concert

Justice had his first Band Concert tonight at the school.
When Justice first told us he wanted to play trumpet, I admit that I cringed. I've heard horror stories of the screeching sounds that fill your home as someone learns to play. BUT- he really wanted to and we really want our kids to play instruments and learn to read music so... a TRUMPET it is!
The first couple weeks were rough. You know how happy kids are to listen to their mother and practice. LOL To top that, he couldn't quite hit the notes so he was getting frustrated. Unfortunately, Brett and I are no help in that respect. Luckily, Mr. Pipinich was willing to have him come in and get some extra help one morning. That did the trick!!! As soon as he learned how to hit the notes, he took off. He's doing great and loves it!!!
Fast forward a couple of months and he finally got to participate in a concert. It was awesome!!! They have a huge 5th grade Band. They did a great job! Tonight was the first time they all played together. It was impressive.

Way to go, Kid! We are very proud of you! Keep up the good work!

We also got to see our Church friends, Dallin C. and Micah L. perform

Thoughts in Vinyl Craft Group

I came across this adorable Vinyl Website called Thoughts in Vinyl recently. She sells the most adorable unfinished projects with vinyl lettering. Sooo cute! I instantly fell in love with all of her stuff. Since we can't get to any wood cutting tools at the moment, I decided that I may have to order a few things from her. (Most of the vinyl I could have cut myself but I wouldn't have be able to finish the project) Not to mention she was having an awesome sale going on. Score!
Then I saw that she has button on the side of her blog for a Craft Group. Does that not sound right up my alley??? LOL The idea is pretty simple- kind of like a Pampered Chef Catalog Party. 1. Join Craft Host Email List 2. Gather Your Friends Orders 3. Submit Order all together 4. Place Order 5. Plan a Craft Party!!! Sounds so fun.
I decided to send out an email to see if anyone here in Helena would be interested in joining me. It turns out that the company is in Idaho Falls and since I was planning a trip to visit Amber down in that direction- I could save on shipping by just picking it up. Score, again!
I gave all the ladies a date {a Friday} to turn in their orders. By Thursday night, I had about $100 worth of items ordered and about 3 people interested. It wasn't exactly like I hoped but it was enough for us to get the discount and it entitled me to a free gift so- that's all you can ask for. However.... the weekend took a whole different turn. Word spread and by Saturday night, I had over $1100 in orders and 15 people interested. CRAZY!!!!! But I'm so excited!
While I was visiting Amber, we picked up the order. Three humongous boxes of Crafting goodness. ;) I am in heaven! It was lots of sorting and took forever for me to get everyone their stuff but I can't wait to get together and see them all take shape. YEAH! I forgot how much I love getting women together and doing crafts.

Old Friend, New Town

Amber and I have been friends for almost 8 years now. Holy Cow! Where does time go? I can hardly believe that she left Fargo 3 or 4 years ago. And now I left as well. I remember the first time someone mentioned Amber to me. I had missed Church because I had just given birth to Victoria. A dear friend of mine came by to visit and told me of a new family that had moved in. She told me that I was going to love Amber. I remember thinking that I already had some good friends and didn't need any new people at the moment. LOL Oh little did I know how much Amber and I would need each other over the next decade (OK- almost but it sounds way more amazing when you use the word decade. ;). I love her dearly and we still talk at least once a week despite our long distance relationship. She's awesome! Fargo was never quite the same without her.
BUT...now that neither of us are Fargonians any longer AND I am only 3 1/2 hours away- that calls for a Ladies Weekend. It worked out that I could go down around her birthday and be able to spend some time celebrating her and our friendship.

Friday afternoon I drove down. We spent some time with the fam before we made our way over for a GNO in the Theater Room of her complex. It was fun to get to know some of Amber's new lady friends. We watched a BollyWood Film with subtitles which turned out to be a really great show. So fun!
Then we stayed up all hours of the night catching up and getting really tired. LOL We're getting old, I guess.

Saturday, after an amazing breakfast {I love friends who cook!}, we headed into town for a girls day out. We stopped and picked up a vinyl order I bought [that's a story for another day], and did some shopping at DownEast. Man- can I say- I miss the Mormon shopping stores.- modest clothing, crafty stuff, homemade goodness. It was AWESOME! I found some killer deals. I have been eyeing these Pottery Bran stockings online for a couple of years. I couldn't make myself pay $40 a pop. But $10 and a little unpicking-- totally up my alley! SCORE! Amber got some darling clothes and we totally loved their furniture that neither of us can afford! ;)

We also went to lunch. I always love Cafe Rio since I haven't lived around one for almost a decade. Thanks lady for indulging me! 

Happy Birthday Lady! I have totally missed you and I'm so excited we are close enough to see each other more often! XOXO!