www.housewiththereddoor.com

Well we're getting ready to pack up and head back to Utah... now we jus need to get our house sold! Aaron has accepted a position at NuSkin and he's happy to be heading home.

So my fellow bloggers I would be eternaly greatful if you would take a minute out of your busy day and post a link to our web page http://www.housewiththereddoor.com on your blog. Someone who is looking for a home in Idaho might see it, plus it would help with , our website's ranking in the search results. Thank you for your love and support!

Fall Fashion Fleece Frenzy

It began for two reasons. The first was because for years I have wanted to make a little fleece coat for one of my kids ( this was long before I was married). The second was that the clothes gravey train from showers and baby gifts had run out. I began with the urge to make a coat for AJ and when I saw that fleece was on sale I confess I went a little crazy and decided to make AJ's entire winter wardrobe.

Now I have to confess that it's been a few years since I've sewn anything. But I figured it would be a good way to dust off my sewing skills and it's not like AJ is going to say "Mother that button hole is not straight - I refuse to wear it, plus it isn't from Aeropostale". I still have a few years before I am likely to hear that.

I pulled out my trusty Bernina (over 16 years old and runs like it's brand new - thanks Mom and Dad for that great Christmas gift) and got to work. Along the way I discovered a few things to help anyone else who would like to make such an attempt.

1. Always buy it on sale. Whether it's fabric or the pattern - to make it cost effective to do your own sewing it needs to be on sale.

2. There are basic patterns on the internet. I found (and slightly modifed) two patterns/ instructions I found on the internet. Since the patterns are basically free this cuts costs significantly. You can find the pant instructions here and the skirt instructions here.


3. Be willing to rummage through the clearance bin. I found the piping for AJ's coat and skirt in the clearance bin at Walmart.


4. Forgive yourself and unpick it or sometimes just let it be. The outfits have flaws - even after unpicking. But for the most part they look good and will serve there purpose of keeping AJ cute and warm this winter.


5. Don't be afraid to modify the pattern. The hoodie patterns didn't have a lining in the hood - which I thought was stupid so I added a lining. The coat pattern didn't call for piping but I added it and I think it looks the better for it.


I had a lot of fun with my crazy sewing but I think I have it out of my system for a while. But I have to say that I am quite pleased with how it turned out:


For 6 yards of fleece I got:
1 long coat
4 pants
2 skirts
1 set of overalls
2 hoodies


(one pair of pants not shown because AJ was wearing them!) Including two patterns I bought (one coat pattern and one for the hoodies/overalls) with thread and buttons around $60. Which is amazing considering how much all of that would cost me at Walmart let alone Carter's. The best part is that it all coordinates so I can mix and match to my heart's content.


In addition to that I bought some Cordiroy that was on sale because I loved the pattern and made AJ one more skirt. I found a onsie at Old Navy that matched!

It's a bird, it's a plane... no it's SUPER BABY!

Here's AJ in her curlers and halloween costume. She was so good and left the curlers in until I took them out! I couldn't believe it. We went all dressed up to Aaron's work to go trick or treating at all of the departments. I bought her a little trick or treat basket at Wal-Mart earlier that day. She carried it the whole time. She loved being out with all the kids and getting candy (although I don't think she knew what exactly people were putting in her basket). She had a blast and was all smiles. People kept telling us what a doll she was. We had a great time.

yummy garden tomatoes.....

Yesterday AJ, Aaron and I were outside setting up some lawn furniture for company, and I picked some ripe tomatoes out of our garden. I thought I would let AJ carry one of them inside the house, but instead she started to take a bite out of it. I asked her to wait, washed it, and gave it back to her. She totally scarfed it down! I gave her another one to eat, and got some shots of her devouring that one too! She kept calling them apples, Aaron and I kept correcting her, but she was too busy enjoying her tomato. I thought she was pretty tidy the way she was eating it too - only a little got on her outfit. It was so cute. Our little Vegan. At least she loves her veggies!

I love Photoshop!

Ok so I admit that loving the newest gadget is an expensive hobby, but i just got these new photoshop filters and I am having soooooo much fun with them. Check it out. The first picture is untouched the second is with a filter

Anniversary

We had a great anniversary this year. I joined Aaron on his business trip in Chicago. On our actual anniversary, Aaron surprised me by brining me flowers in the middle of the day (it was most elborate arrangement I'd ever gotten!) later he took me out to dinner to Texas Roadhouse. He also had a gift certificate to Target that he let me spend on anything I wanted - it was really fun. Video elements courtesy of http://www.flixify.com/

AJ's First Birthday Video

Elements courtesy of http://www.flixify.com/

AJ is learning how to walk!

Video elements courtesy of http://www.flixify.com/

Memorial Day weekend

We had a great time visiting friends and family over Memorial Day weekend. A.J. got to meet her Great Gandpa Hal and Nanny-Jo for the first time too! I was so happy to see AJ take to my family that we haven't seen in ages!

We had a whirlwind tour of Utah. We first stopped at my parents place in S. Jordan. Then the next day we drove to St. George. We spent two night there and drove back North, stopping in Beaver to see the improvements to Park's Place and get some lunch, then drove to Pleasant Grove where we spent the night at Aaron's Parent's house. Finally driving home later on Memorial day. It was a lot of driving.... when I woke up in our house the next day I actually had to remember where we were!

AJ's First Birthday

Angel Jane had a birthday party this last Saturday to celebrate her first birthday! We had a great time with family and friends. We thought we'd be very hip and serve cupcakes (can you believe cupcakes are in vogue right now? Funny, eh?) and I saw all kinds of cupcake stands online and figured I could make one just as good or better for a lot cheaper. I took some foam core board, paper, stickers and ribbon and viola! After seeing the final result Aaron says I should market them. =) I loved how her cake turned out.

We had the kids decorate hats, play Don't Eat Pete and then we had cake and snacks. It was a fun party, and I think AJ had a good time. Sadly because of her allergy to milk and eggs, she didn't get a cupcake - but she did like the Teddy Grahms we gave her! AJ also loved having so much attention paid to her - she's a very social baby! We couldn't get her to take a nap the day of her party she knew something was going on. I was so worried she was going to have a melt down in the middle of it. But she was a trooper and had a great time.

I confess it was little over the top for a first birthday - but I love the Tungan tradition of having a huge party for a child's first birthday. To have a child turn one and be happy and healthy is a great blessing, and something to celebrate. I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with my baby girl!

Really big Baby Einstein

AJ loves to watch her Baby Einstein videos - the other day she was so cute watching one in her pj's I just had to take a couple of pictures. The funny thing is Aaron and I have been so busy lately that Baby Einstein is the most frequently viewed thing in our new theater room! AJ only gets one video a day - so it's funny that our new area is currently being used for Baby Einstein and that's it. Once we get the whole system set up - we'll use it more, but for now AJ gets her really big Baby Einstein. =)