More Girly Necklaces

Things are finally starting to get back on a schedule which means I have finally had more time to clean my house. Naw, that's no fun! I mean making fun stuff again. I've been busy putting together some bling for my girlies.I always want to know where other people find their stuff so I'll tell you where I found mine. I got the heart from Tilly's. The pink beads from Hobby Lobby, the white beads from Claire's, and the silver and clear beads from Michael's. If you watch the sales, you can usualy get all of these things for half off.

Ella is getting to the age of not destroying everything I put on her so she's been having fun wearing necklaces like her big sister.
I got the heart and the blue and green beads from Tilly's and the pearls came from an old fake pearl necklace of mine that I never wore. It was a gigantic super long string of pearls and I decided it looked ridiculous on me. The crystal beads came from Artbeads.
For this one, I got the crown at a place in Ahwatukee called Dazzle. It's the only thing in all of these necklaces that wasn't super cheap. I think it was around $10.00 or so. All the other beads came from Artbeads. I love this online store because they are cheap, you don't have to buy in bulk and they have free shipping.

Question

Can anyone tell me why all of a sudden, my blog is turning my high-res pictures into low quality? It started doing it about 3 or 4 posts back. I figure some setting got changed but I can't figure it out. I know it's not my monitor because other people's pics look fine. Grrrrr!

Gunner's Blessing

We blessed Gunner on Sunday Aug, 2nd. I know, I'm getting behind. I have a new baby, so cut me some slack. Anyway, Dale's dad, all his brothers, and brother's in law were there to help bless him and it really was a special day (it was really special because it was Ella's birthday as well.) We are 4-0 for kids not crying while they are getting blessed. I knew Gunner wouldn't because he seriously only cries when he his hungry (which is right now, hence the fast typing and short post.)

My macho man:I tried my darnedest to get a good pic of all the kids. This is the best they gave me.
Actually, Rex's face is pretty awesome in this.

1 Month

On one hand it seems as the time has flown by and I can't believe he's one month old already. On the other hand, it feels like we've had him here forever.

In his first month he's experienced:
-A huge weight gain. He weighs 12 and a half pounds already.
-Eating non stop 24/7. I still don't make enough milk for him so he gets a bottle after every time I nurse. It takes a lot to keep this big boy fed.
-A receding hairline. He used to have a thick fluffy head of hair. Now his hair scheme is that of an old man.
-Thrush. His mommy has it too. Super fun.
-His blessing from his daddy (pics to come).
-His brother and sisters smothering him with lovies all day long. This boy is getting no shortage of attention I tell you.

To try and make more milk, I'm taking this herb called Fenugreek. It smells and tastes just like maple syrup and consequently, I do too. I read that this is a side effect and it's driving me nuts. I smell like breakfast. I don't know how much longer I can keep up this nursing/bottle feeding situation. It's a lot of work. It's got to be one or the other, you know? I'll keep trying for a bit but I have to draw the line somewhere!

Anyway, here are some pics of the little chunk:

Memory Lane

Almost all of my childhood pictures were taken on slide film and I've really never seen most of them (my parents took thousands, who wants to sit through that slide show?) My dad is now scanning them on to his computer and sending them to me. I am finally getting to see what I looked like as a kid. Just kidding dad, there were some pictures that made it in to an album as I grew. It's been fun rediscovering my childhood so I thought I'd share.

My musical ability was apparent from an early age.
We were born in Provo, Utah and lived in a little red house that I think is no longer there. Here's my sis getting ready to go outside in winter time. She's striking a rather darling pose.
I was a total thumb sucker. It may have been cute when I was a kid but not so cute with a mouth full of braces as a result.
Check out my rad coat.
Don't ask me about this one. I just thought I looked cute in it. =)
I had a very serious birthday, I guess.
This is me getting what turned out to be my teddy bear that never left my side for years and years. I pulled all the fur off of it as I snuggled with it. I still have it. Patches and all. Named it Teddy of course. I wrapped my arm around him as I slept and now I have to put with a pillow where the bear used to be or I won't be comfortable.
You don't need those expensive American Girl dolls to match your clothes to your doll, all you need is a mom that can sew.
Some times I think my kids look like me when I was their age. Sometimes I think they look like Dale. I'll have to put some of his kiddo pictures up here for a side by side comparison. He's got some sweet ones too, like the pictures of him showing his prize hog at the county fair. It's awesome.

Ella's Puppy Party

Ever since Tabby had her Pinkalicious party, Ella has been talking non-stop about her party. She came up with the idea of a puppy theme all on her own. We had a small family party for her over at my parents house. Everyone got to wear puppy ears.
Or should I say, everyone HAD to wear puppy ears:
What a good daddy.

Ella had so much fun opening her presents.

It wouldn't be a party without one of Magi's specially designed cakes.

This time she used Ella's favorite stuffed puppy named Diamond as inspiration.
Here's Diamond (of course Ella named it).
Here's the cake:
So cute, right???
I especially loved the detail of the bow:
Then it was time to blow out the candles.
Look how all the kids are making a blowing out the candles face too. So funny.
Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Ella is 3!

She's still a baby right? Because I really want her to still be a baby. It's hard for me to see my kids grow out of their babiness. Ella turned 3 on Sunday. We took lots of pictures, had a puppy party (her idea) and gave her lots of kisses.

A little about our Ella:

She is hilarious. She cracks us up all the time.
She thinks she is a rock star.
She makes the biggest messes of any child I have ever met.
She loves to play with her dollys.
She is fearless.
She is adorable when she is grumpy.
She loves to dance and sing.
She has the cutest little girly giggle.

Here are some pics of our baby girl:
I just noticed that she's looking down in everyone of those pics I just posted. Maybe it's because I like the thoughtful looking pics best. Either that or she was sick of me putting the camera in her face.

Here are some more. My mom and I took these the day of her party:
There, now you can see that cute little face.

I'll post the pics of her cute little party soon.