Crafts, Crafts and some more crafts

I have taken on a new hobby, wreath making. I never thought I had the "craftiness" in me to not only pick out items but then to place them just right to make the wreath perfect. I looked and looked and looked for the wreath I was imagining and just could not find it so finally I took it into my own hands (I have hot glue gun blisters to prove it) and designed my own. I went to Michaels where everything was 70% off and started tossing things in the cart. I think for a first timer it turned out well!

Winter Wonderland

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone. My parents came out the weekend before to celebrate. We had lots of fun shopping and watching movies....Let me clarify. Mom and I had lots of fun shopping for things they needed for the new house. We got curtains, curtain rods, clothes and a few odds and ends. We opened presents on Friday night for Christmas and my birthday. You can't beat time with your family.

Ben and I were by ourselves Christmas Day. We both opened presents. Ben got his dune buggy seats, some thermals for skiing, an omelet maker and an exacto knife from me. I got my awesome hot pink 16G nano IPod. YEAH! We spent time watching movies, scrapbooking, Ben building his airplane and then I made my own holiday wreath. We had alot of fun and coming up Mary and Gary are coming down for some holiday celebration. Isn't the Holidays so much fun =)

Let the Decorating Begin

Here are some of the indoor decorations we put up so far. Ben finally decided our twig of a tree was not cutting it. So this year we found a great sale (of course) and purchased this beautiful tree. I am still in the process of decorating it but I could wait to show it off a little. We also purchased some new LED Christmas lights. I plan to take a picture of those tonight and post it later. I love Christmas!

Step One: Open Box!

Step Two: Begin the never ending task of spreading each and every pine to make it look perfectly full.

Step Three: Add a minimum of six additional strings of lights to the already pre-lit tree!

Step Four: Put all the decorations out!

The almost completed tree. I just need to add the ornaments. All the presents were dispersed on Thanksgiving so now we only have a few left under the tree.

Thanksgiving in Rapid City

Ben and I went back to Rapid City for Thanksgiving this year. We had lots of fun with the nephews, family and of course some shopping on Black Friday.

Ben is already teaching the boys how to think like an engineer.

Little Nicholas

Ryan smiling big with Uncle Ben.

At my parents house, the kids (ie Ben, Keila and my sisters boyfriend, Callan) decided to do a little target practice with a 2L pop bottle. Being in the middle of nowhere does have isn't advantages =)

Look at Ben. I know he is thinking, "you two better be careful."

He is so giddy in this picture....Makes me laugh.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving but did miss seeing Ben's parents. Happy Holidays Everyone!

Painting, Trimming...Sounds like Christmas =)

We are always thinking of different ways to make our house a home. We started painting the white walls upstairs and adding a few finishing details to the basement. Just recently we started talking about remodeling our bathroom to better accommodate us, ie the tiny shower. We love our home so much =)

Here is Ben's dream...I large hobby table with lots of space for building airplanes and cars. He only deserves it for all the hard work he did to finish this basement.

This is the finished guest bedroom. The closet and bedroom trim is completely done. We are going to move the bed from upstairs to downstairs soon.

The hall leading to the hobby room, guest bedroom and theater. Trim done here too!

Just a close up of the trim we chose.


The first room you walk into. Trim done there too. Go babe!

The wonderful front door with the super high ceiling painted! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We also got this painted!

This is the old guest room that we are going to change to my scrapbooking room! I can't wait!

All this is so much better in person! Come on over, we would love to have a full house!

Let more painting begin

Ben and I just never want to stop improving our home. Our current project....Painting the upstairs. We started this past weekend but with those huge vaulted ceilings is making painting a bit more of a task. But we are on our way and got one of the large, more difficult walls, completed.

We have the supplies - Check!

We have the paint - Check!

We have the extension and the plastic - Check!


Let the games begin!

Ben WOULD NOT even consider me going on the ladder over the stairs. I didn't want him too either!

I need to pack the last of the Halloween decorations, don't I?!?!

I feel like we have at least started on our way. Hopefully we can get more done this weekend also!

Stewart Visit October 2008

The wonderful nephews, Ben's parents and Kari, our sister in-law and wonderful mother to the nephews, came to visit us in CO Springs. We had such a wonderful time while they were here. Saturday we took a fun train ride through the Royal Gorge. We sat at this booth, ordered some hot chocolate and watched while we ran next to the Arkansas River to to amazing Royal Gorge Bridge.

The nephews up bright and early with Uncle Ben. Nick, the baby, was just talking and talking. It made Ryan laugh.

Ben drove Ryan around in the Dune Buggy. He had alot of fun.

Grandmas turn.

Uncle Ben practicing.....

Let the Road Trip Begin!

First stop....Coffee for the wife and sunflower seeds for the husband. We are off to Buena Vista and Salida! Thanks for the wonderful surprise love!

Second stop.....Goodies at Walmart

Ben took us up there for the wonderful fall colors. The Aspens were all changing colors. It was breath taking.

This outdoor furniture was made of cement. It was so cool!

The wonderful Arkansas River

Mt. Princeton

My fisherman in all his new gear from his birthday money.

The "big" one. He caught about 20 that day as I listened to the river and read a book.

This cute Mexican restaurant.

Ben's 26th Birthday...When did we grow up?!?!?

Recap:

September 19th (The day before his birthday)

Ben: Honey, I really love you
Cassie: So where is this really going?
Ben: Well, um, Paul, from work, wants to go fly fishing in the morning. Is that ok?
Cassie: You know it is your birthday?
Ben: Yeah......
Cassie: Enjoy babe =)

After all the fishing

All the wonderful cards...Thank you again!

The birthday boys favorite...Cheesecake