recycled architectural drawing wrap

I have to credit to Peter for this one. A few years back before we were married he wrapped his Christmas presents in his old work drawings. GENIUS! Let's see it encompasses all of my requirements. 

1. Simple
2. Free
3. Original
4. Green/recycled

The past few years I would ask him for them too late and he would have just thrown out a bunch. But this year I remembered early enough! I think it has something to do with having more time on my hands these days without having a full time job...well OK just a different full time job.

scandi pine

This year we picked a Pine and it even came with pine cones. Peter admitted to me later that he was skeptical that the tree would look nice (since it isn't your traditional tree) but he trusted me and he loves it. We picked out a little tree for Isaac too in hopes he could demolish it all he wants. When we put the tree up it looked so beautiful I didn't even want to decorate it but we started with lights. It was a little to bare for Peter so we settled on just the scandinavian straw ornaments and it looks simple and understated. 

There isn't a single safety hazard on the tree. No glass ornaments, no hooks, no hot lights. It's December 12th and (fingers crossed) not a single tree accident for my little curious and determined "elf."

Isaac's tree

christmas family tradition

Our first year doing this was in 2010 but we had to skip last year due to being far to pregnant to be going over the pass and hiking around in the mountains. So after our second time doing this it's starting to feel like a tradition. We were invited by the Mabbutt's (Peter's sister Elsa and her family)which I think this is their 15th year doing this. You pay $5 for a forest service permit and off you go hunting for your tree. The Mabbutt's always sled, make a fire, roast hot dogs and drink hot chocolate. This is such a fun adventure and Isaac enjoyed the snow, the dogs, and playing with his cousins...he couldn't have been happier! 

We weren't really prepared clothing wise for Isaac to be in the snow. He has already grown out of 2 snowsuits and I haven't found a good deal at a consignment store yet. So we pulled out some Carhart overalls and snow boots that were hand-me-downs that were about 5 sizes too big. We figured his feet will be dry and he can't walk in snow anyways!

Our chosen tree!

11 months

This is supposed to be my 10 month post but this picture was taken the day after Isaac's 11 month birthday yesterday. This is mainly due to Isaac breaking our camera and me being to depressed to think about how much is was going to cost to fix it. Luckily it was just the lens that was broken and I got a used one at a local camera shop, so money I didn't want to spend but it could have been worse. First babyproofing casualty and I'm sure many more to follow. This is what's new with Isaac since September 19th! He started walking! I think it was 9 3/4 months to be exact. He had taken one or two steps before that but we didn't start counting it until he strung a whole bunch together. He is so happy now that he walks and just loves scooting around the house. His favorite foods right now probably are bananas and peas. He loves (true story) brushing his teeth and reading books. He will find a book, sit cris-cross-applesauce, and flip through the pages. Peter even can start reciting a few books, like brown bear brown bear and he will go find the book and look at it. He constantly amazes me! He started holding things up to his ear like he is on the phone, especially when I am on the phone. He is in a "big boy" car seat but much to his dismay still backwards. One bummer was he got his first ear infection due to several colds strung one right after the other and the constant runny nose for a month and a half. He didn't complain much and LOVES his medicine. I'm busy prepping away for his first birthday party! It's been so fun but also reality is sinking in that it is such a crazy time of year to plan a party and that it is going to be like this EVERY YEAR!

do it while you can

Of course once you have a child the guilt sets in and will always be floating around in the back of your mind. So I've started a new mantra. DO IT WHILE YOU CAN! It all started with me feeling guilty (ok maybe not guilty but embarrassed or silly that I have speant so much time planning Isaac's first birthday). Then I thought to myself "who cares, do it while you can!" I have the time since I only have one baby and I know we aren't many years away from the requests of store bought Batman and Spiderman themed birthday parties. Why not have fun while I get to pick the theme! I often think too our 2nd baby will never get the same treatment, which I know is inevitable. Here are so more do it while you cans.....

Buying used Christmas toys at consignment sales or off Craigslist
Only giving him healthy food that isn't processed
Giving him a bath and rocking him to sleep every night
Continuing to breastfeed past a year


This is such a special age and of course we won't be able to do any of these things forever but I try to do what I can in the moment and enjoy every minute of it!
 

front yard before and after

We bought this house one year ago last May. Peter has put in a lot of blood sweat and tears into this front yard. I wish I could have helped more but being pregnant when we bought the house and having a new baby has kept me mostly watching from afar. There is still so much more to do but we really love everything we have done! The best part is that Peter really loves doing the work. I think he just loves being outside and coupled with feeling a sense of accomplishment makes him one happy guy. I don't think he will ever stop working in our yard which is good because the work is endless! This fall I have raked up most the leaves, sprayed down the driveway,mow the lawn weekly, and enjoy spreading mulch. Being home all day whenever I see the sun poke out between the clouds I bundle Isaac up and he eats dirt and leaves while I work. Can't wait to move on to the next project!

baby's first halloween

 Isaac was a chicken (ok Rooster) thanks to our friends Lars and Michaele for the hand-me-down. This is Isaac at Toddler group which happened to fall on Halloween this year. The babies and Moms did a costume parade around class. Isaac got to pick out a "treat" (which was a large yellow crayon) he then later ate half of it while I wasn't paying attention at circle time.

These are the babies of my Mom friends. We thought it would be fun to get the babies together for a costume party! Lots of ladybugs!


We went to our friends Ali and Phil's house in West Seattle for pizza and no trick-or-treating due to rain. The babies were in costume for a quick picture. Unfortunately, I couldn't get Isaac to sit still long enough to get one of him and baby Micah.

sand box vs. garden beds

The race is on to see what the next project will be. I've been desperately waiting for a garden and we have had to do so many other things first to make this possible. Rip out the old shrubs, spread 30 yards of topsoil to level it, build the fence, and then plant the grass. Peter has been dying to build Isaac a sand box. Let's see what will win! 

happy fall

Fall is in the air while Peter and I scramble to rake leaves, mow the lawn one last time (I'm kind of obsessed with mowing the lawn) and praying that our newly planted grass survives this winter. Peter fixed our broken septic tank (thanks to our friend Phil). Boy is that a relief without having to spend thousands of dollars.Here is a sneak peak of my two favorite boys(courtesy of my favorite photographer Carmen Valentine my best friend from High School), boy do they have the same smile! More to come!

children's museum

I had heard great things about the museum in Factoria. We had a free day a coupon for free admission and Isaac being free until age 1.... we decided hey why not, let's go. Turns out our super curious and tactile little Isaac was in heaven and although he is on the younger side there is tons for him to explore for years to come. Not to mention he loves staring at other kids. Isaac is sporting all yellow. He had to wear his husky shirt because they were playing that day and then he wet through so the extra pants were also yellow!We had about four of the same conversations with other moms at the museum. "How old is he? 10 months! Wow he is so big, I can't believe is already walking!"

baby's first pumpkin

Its been fun going to the pumpkin patches this year because we live so close and there are so many options. This year was extra special thanks to baby i. We went to Fall City Farms which definitely is my favorite so far but this year is the last year they are having pumpkins.

 

What a difference a year makes. This is the caption of one years time when I was pregnant and Ali was pretending to be with a fake pumpkin bump. Now Micah is one month old! Also last year I roasted a pumpkin for chocolate pumpkin muffins. Now we are gluten free and the pumpkin was roasted for baby food!

bathroom re-do

Before:

After:

 Haha i've noticed I take really crummy before pictures and really nice after ones to make it more dramatic!

This bathroom was the paint color I hated the most in the entire house when we bought it and it has been the last room in the entire house to be painted. Mainly because we always planned on remodeling it and I never could really commit to a color. Well we haven't really had the funds to completely remodel it and had leftover paint from the hallway so we put Isaac to bed at 8pm and started painting. What a difference paint makes. The below picture is the inspiration for the finished product. We are going to buy an ikea vanity and paint it this color blue and then do the blue/grey beadboard with white trim. Not sure when we will get to it but I can't wait! 

new kick

I've always wanted a juicer and thought...I will probably never use it or if so only for brief periods of time. They are a pain to clean and a pain to store and not cheap. My friend Emily said "why don't you just borrow ours and see if you like it" I thought what do we have to lose. Wrong...I'm hooked and now I want one. Peter and I were at the Walla Walla Farmer's market with Peter's parents and they were selling fresh juice. We bought one and I have never forgot the taste, amazing! Beets, apple, ginger, and carrots. It's only been a week but I look forward every morning to my daily concoction. But I'm a creature of habit so who knows this one could stick. Isaac hates the noise of the juicer but is also drawn to it and wants to be near it so I hold him and juice while he squeals. I've always battled keeping my iron levels up and never enjoyed taking iron supplements because they make me nauseous. Turns out beets are really high in iron. Isaac's iron levels now are a little low so I thought maybe I'd start giving him a couple sips of beet juice daily. I found the same juicer as my friend's used on amazon for $30 so we will see if I take the leap!

paper quilt

My friend Emily purchased a silhouette machine. It's basically a printer with a knife. I have reaped the benefits. She printed me out these cutouts onto paper and all I had to do was fold them into boxes and hang them. The project is called a "paper quilt" and she purchased the patterns online from A little hut. The projects are endless when you have a silhouette.  You can make stencils, stickers, shapes, etc. Because you can print on various materials like vinyl and contact paper. I love technology!