DRESSED AT LAST!

My Windows in my Living Room and Kitchen are Finally Dressed! We have lived in our house for SIX years and I finally have treatments on all my windows! This past week my very talented mother sewed the panels for my living room. She began sewing in the 7th grade and does amazing work.

Below is the picture of our Living Room BEFORE treatments:

Ta. Da.

They totally complete the room and add such warmth!

I chose a coordinating Fleur-de-lis fabric for the top 2/3 of the panel and the blue stripe for the bottom 1/3 - which is the same fabric as the pillows on my couch!
I found this simple, yet fun trim at my favorite fabric store - Bufe and Babin - (where I purchased the fabric) and it was only $1/yard! It ties the two fabrics together perfectly! I did contribute to the making of the panels by gluing the trim on with this amazing fabric glue! I think I could "sew" using just the glue...it bonds great!
"We" also made this cute little valance for the window above my sink in the kitchen! It did not turn out exactly like I intended, but I love the finished product and it is FINISHED!

Love this trim...I splurged on this several years ago:)
The window below has been dressed for several years and now finally the other one is too! They add so much character and color to the kitchen!!
It is amazing how much window treatments can transform a room and really make your house a HOME! Thank you MOM sooo much for helping me bring my design ideas to life! You are truely appreciated!

I have been busy on a few other projects so stay tuned...more to come later!

HELLO...

The phone rings and Blake and I race to see who gets to answer first..."HELLO" he says begging to talk to whoever is on the other line. He thinks he is hot stuff (and I guess I do too!).
Just chatting away to Grammy!
He got cozy for this conversation... he took the pillows out and climbed right in the basket:)
BTW...YES my child is dressed most of the time, however in these pics he is not and I think it is adorable!

Date Night

This past Friday night Mike and I hit the town for some date night fun! We ate at Villa Montez- the location that Mike had proposed 6 1/2 years prior (when it was The Mansion on the Hill). It brought back fun memories and the food was amazing:) After dinner we drove around looking at houses and then went to TARGET (a man after my heart)!!! Then to see the Dark Knight :( Okay, I am glad that I went to see this with him b/c he loved it and we normally go to see "chick flicks" that I want to, but this movie was disturbing. I cannot get the jokers scary face out of my mind. Ahhh. Anyway, we had a great time just the two of us...much thanks to Grammy and Grampy!

What is that in the sky???

Two weekends ago we went to the East Texas Ballon Race in Longview with our friends-

the Boyers!

It was the first time the boys had ever seen hot-air ballons and been that close to an airplane as it headed to the runway!
There were sky-divers and an air-show!
We has lots of fun and made great memories with our boys!

I do not have a good picture because it was dark- but that evening they inflated all the ballons and with the flames had a very cool light show!

Sod, Sweat and Saturdays....With Daddy

This past Saturday Mike laid some sod in our backyard...Blake was there to help! He insisted that Daddy put "more" sod in the dump truck and put him to work. He worked up quite a sweat and enjoyed every minute of being-Daddy's Little Helper!

Blake's Birthday Celebration

We had Blake's Birthday Party on Sunday and it was a Blast! The invitations went out the end of June and the planning began! I really enjoy party planning so I have been able to let my creativity flow with his parties. (I guess it is a little bit of an outlet for me).

That morning we made his favorite: SMOOTHIES!

I decorated my Very First Cake :)

TA-DA! The finished product!

TWO!

Drink Station! The blue cool-aide had plastic fish-shaped ice cubes floating in it!
Table scape!
Centerpiece!
Party Favors!


Blake waiting for his buddies to arrive!
Over the years we have been so fortunate to be able to have parties at our dear friend-AC's- property! He is so generous with his toys-jet skis, 4wheelers, lake, indoor pool and home!

Oh and he has raised "freshwater sharks" aka huge catfish! Which makes you a little reluctant to get in the water:)
Blake and a few of his buddies!
Weeee!
My sister Elizabeth and her wonderful boyfriend Chance!
My brother Ryan and his beautiful, fun girlfriend Kate!

My Family!
Jessica-my sister's friend-Happy B-Day to her too! (same day as Blake)
The beach ball pinata was a little stubborn....but we managed to release the treats!
The Estes Family
The Hooper Family

My friends Heather(L) and Lindsey(R)

:(I did not get a pic of the Boyer Family together,

but Heather has an adorable son Brooks and hubby Bryan)

At first Blake was more interested in his sucker than opening gifts...
But with some encouragement from his buddies he figured it out!
Blowing out the candle in one try!
Yummy!

Brooks enjoying a cupcake- he is Blake's best bud and calls him "B"

Blake's first ride on the jet ski!
Heather and I making some waves on the lake!
Bryan and Brooks!
We had a very FUN day! Blake has blessed us with 2 years and we are excited for what is to come this next year of his life! We love you little man!