Christmas Card: Squeaken noise

We take extreme pride in our Christmas cards, it became a tradition in 2007 when we first moved in together and accidently took a photo that cracked me up {it was for an ugly Christmas sweater party} & it inspired me to take the time to make 100 cards.  That was the birth of our obsession.  We gradually got more gun-ho and creative throughout the years, excluding 2008, that’s the year we were planning our wedding and we moved in with my parents to save for our house; with our time spread thin, I opted out, there was no way I’d send out a skimpy card… people would’ve been disappointed!

2007

2009

2010

 2011

 2012

 

Cody is OBSESSED with Christmas Vacation, actually, his entire family is, we start watching it on thanksgiving… I know, it’s crazy.  It was even the theme of his parent’s Christmas party and you came dressed as a character.  This Card was inspired by our favorite scene.  Here are our outtakes

 

Aunt Bethany & Uncle Lewis

 

Figuring out how to make Lashes/Squirrel look like she was jumping out of the tree

 

Trial and error to have the effect of Diesel chasing Lashes

Our Group shots that didn’t make the cut

And just some cute photos of the kids

*Side Note: we colored Diesel’s hair black… but we ran out of dye so we were only able to do his back… good thing you only see his belly, right?  Oh well

DiY Candy Post

For Christmas this year, our neighborhood held its first contest, “Best Christmas Decorations.”  No, we didn’t win and no, I don’t know who did, but I bet it was someone on the HOA committee… Suburb politics, try making me put up my trashcans now! 

We knew we wanted to put candy canes in our yard but they were too expensive to buy in the masses, so we decided to make them.  Hence this DiY post. 

Here is what you’ll need

 

*Side Note: The peppermints are PAPER PLATES folks and before you start dissing them, they held up and are still holding up in our attic. Their second night outside we had a HUGE rain storm, it rained for 3 days and I don’t mean a little drizzle, I’m talking about trees bending over, streets flooding, animals being flung onto roof tops…but not our plates, they stood their ground, strong & proud.

 

First Step: Cutting PVC Pipes 

We were able to create 3 per pipe {Note, my dogs weren’t in the garage when I made the actual cuts, this photo is staged for your pleasure}

 

Step 2: Attach the Peppermint

We attached them using Hot glue and reinforced it with scotch tape

 

 

Step 3: Plastic Wrap

We opted to use clear plastic, but Hobby Lobby {or your local craft store} has tons of options. 

*Tip: We used zip ties to secure the plastic before adding the ribbon

 

Step 4: Add Hooks

Since we wanted to string lights we screwed in these hooks {you can find them at your local hardware store}

 

Step 5: Marvel at Your Work

 

Step 6: Put in Yard

We spaced them evenly apart and strung lights to give them even more of a "wow factor."

Voilà! Candy Cane Wonderland

Home is Whenever I'm w/You

We randomly change, add, or update our home on what feels a monthly basis, and since the last time I shared photos of our home {Fall decorations} I decided to share a few more pics of the casa.  I normally don’t get to take many photos due to the chaos and mess that we live in {we’re both equally as messy, no matter what Cody says!}  but we recently had house guest

 so our house was pretty much 90% put together so I took advantage of this rare occasion & started snapping away. 

I would like to share before you scroll down, that I did NOT ask my dogs to be a part of any shot, this is how trained they are.  They hear my camera and literally pose, it cracks me up! 

If you see a few additions to our furniture collection, good eye!  I’m going to be posting a few DiY projects we have in the works but I’m conflicted with whether or not I should post them before I have the 100% completed photo… knowing me I’ll share them in their current stages and update them later, especially since it takes us about a month to fully finish.

*knock, knock, knock!*

“Who’s there? OH!  Hello, please do come in!”

When you open our front door, a table Cody made is to your left

This view is from the front door

This is our entry way hall with my wall of photos

I'm obsessed with it {pssssst, notice the new piece of furniture?}

Awe, our livingroom {I'm a firm believer that EVERY color goes together}

{pssssssst, notice that orange side table?  Another DiY project}

Our dining room

Our latest project was/is our Master Bedroom, so far, I'm loving it!

{PSSSSSSST, see those designs on the wall?  Cody is currently painting that on that wall entirely... HAND painting it!}

*Again, I did NOT ask them to do this, they're just picture whores*

We recently updated our Master Bathroom, I like it so far, we have a little ways to go

Guest Bathroom

Guest Bedroom

We have 2 more rooms in addition to these, my closet room & another guest room we converted into an office but those weren't fully in order so I thought it best to keep those doors shut!

DiY Ice Chest for Daddy Miles

The family gathered together to celebrate Daddy Miles’ 58^th Birthday under Cody’s parent’s gorgeous new pergola.

We didn’t step outside the rem of tradition, we did the normal birthday cake & candles And then it was time for the gifts. 

CoDiY decided he wanted to design & build an ice chest stand {ice chest included} to match their new pergola, I don’t know about you, but I think he did an AMAZiNG JOB:

{We’re currently taking orders J}