Sewing for Baby

Over the last few weeks (specifically once the kids went to school), I have been able to coddle my interest in sewing.  I knew a few expectant moms and this was a perfect excuse to hit the sewing machine.  With the help of Pinterest and online tutorials, I was able to create a few baby blankets (I hope the moms liked them!)...

I was so pleased with how they turned out, I was able to use sewing to coddle another  urge of mine...pregnancy induced nesting!  I have really enjoyed the sewing I have done lately for our baby girl!  (Of course now, Penny is a little jealous and has requested that I make her something...She specifically requested a pig pillow, so I guess that takes priority over the burp cloths I was going to do next.)  At any rate, here are a few projects I have completed in preparation for Baby Girl Kirk!

Baby blanket like the ones above...I found the tutorial for this at http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/08/minky-baby-blanket-simplified.html.  I had all kinds of trouble trying to bind the blankets (I am no quilter) but found an easier way at http://eveninginthegarden.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/blanket-binding-tutorial/.

Changing pad cover...I followed this tutorial: http://prudentbaby.com/2009/12/baby-kid/diy-changing-pad-cover-tutorial-2/.

Changing pad cover #2...I followed the same tutorial as above.  What was really exciting about this one was not only is it my favorite of the two covers, but it was made out of two pieces of remnant fabric I bought for dirt cheap at Hobby Lobby!  I still have fabric left over and I think I spent around $9 total! (That is a steal considering what a store bought cover cost, and considering what minky fabric usually costs.)

Ranch Weekend

We spent the past weekend at the ranch with Ma-Mas, Pa-Pa, and Uncle Clint.  The guys were hoping for some good hunting for opening weekend (there wasn't) while the kids, Mom, and Ma-Mas just relaxed and enjoyed the cool weather.  It rained all Friday evening and night, leaving a very soaked ranch the next morning.  By Saturday afternoon all the rain had cleared and a cool front had blown in, making for a perfect first fall weekend.

On a wet morning walk.

Have I ever mentioned that Cooper LOVES the ranch?

Penny and Daddy enjoy the walk together.

A very full big tank.

Of course they had to clock some jeep time.

Cooper explains the "corn hopper."

Hard at work.

Eggers at the Lake!

Our friends, the Eggers, moved a few months ago and the summer just wasn't the same without them.  We were happy to be able to get together at the lake with them over this past weekend,  however.  We enjoyed relaxing outside, playing new card games, watching the deer, and visiting with their relatives.  The kids of course just played and played.  

Pool time for all the little ones.

Love this sweet face! He has GROWN since we saw him last!

Cooper wants to get close to the deer...but then, he doesn't.

As usual, Penny goes off to do her own thing.

Sweet jeep!  Where are you taking us, Grayson??

Labor Day Weekend Games

This year for Labor Day Weekend we barely left our house.  We spent our time on various games throughout the weekend.  On Saturday we watched FOOTBALL GAMES!  It was the first week of college football and we celebrated a win by the Aggies!  Cooper and Penny played indoor games of their own creation...

Who needs a play kitchen when you can play with the box it came in?

Of course, we engaged in POOL GAMES!  Cooper has started using a big beach ball to jump into the pool with and see if he can stay on and Penny made up her own game...we called it the Penny-barge.  This consists of loading up a kick-board with toys and pushing it back and forth across the pool.  She did this for almost the entire time we were in the pool.

The Penny-barge is full steam ahead!

Another of Cooper's games...shooting things he shouldn't (i.e. Mama, Penny, Brewster) with a water gun and getting in trouble for it.

Cooper had two little Garfield figurines by his side all weekend.  He called them "the tigers."  Here he is trying to make them fit in a toy boat so they can cruise the pool.

Lastly, we played some CRAB GAMES. The little blue crab has been hanging around our house for weeks. On Monday morning, he found himself at the bottom of the pool (Luckily we have a salt water pool!) and he needed saving.  Daddy had fun netting the poor thing and tromping him back down to the bay where he belongs.

Penny (our little fairy) is intrigued by the crab.  Cooper is a little bit concerned.

Making sure Daddy does a good job of releasing the crab back in the bay.