Christmas card preview...

So, this year I have decided to make my own Christmas cards. You know...with all of the free time that I'm going to have I thought it would be a great idea...hahaha! Anyway...the design is already done which is the hard part. I have all of the materials which I will cut and assemble ahead of time. All I'm waiting on is the arrival of baby #5 because I'm going to include a family picture on inside with a personalized greeting from the entire family.

When I showed Jeff the card he had his usual expression...not overly excited:) Then he asked me, "Wouldn't it be easier just to do a card through Snapfish like we've always done?" Sure, that would be a TON easier...but where's the fun??? the challenge??? the sense of accomplishment when a big project is done???

So, for those of you who are on my Christmas card list I hope my cards don't disappoint in person!

Well, that's all for now...

Birth announcements...

So here are pictures of the birth announcements that I have been working on.

Girl announcement

- the funny thing about this sample is that the picture is of Logan as a baby...I didn't have any of either of the girls head on with their eyes open.

Boy announcement

~this is truly a picture of Frank.

Here is a preview of the announcement that I will be sending out with baby #5. I kept the colors neutral so, as I find out the gender of the baby the bow will either remain pink or I'll change it to blue. By keeping things neutral I will be able to have most of the card assembled before the baby arrives and then add the pictures and the appropriate color of ribbon. So, it looks like I'll have 110 to make before next Thursday...wish me luck!

Well, that's all for now...

The Wedding...

This past weekend my brother in law (Paul...the one I did the programs for) got married. It was a perfect day for a wedding! The weather was ideal, the bride (my new sister in law Krista) looked amazing, Claire (the flower girl) successfully made it down the isle, and my kids had a blast at the reception! Everything went off without a hitch...and although I'm as big as a VW bug I had a great time myself!

On Thursday evening I took a few of my friends up on their offer to help me finish up the wedding programs. It was a huge help to have the extra hands. I can't imagine how long I would have been up finishing the project without them...plus it's always fun to hang out with the girls! So, a BIG BIG thanks to Julie, Sarah, and Melanie for their help!

Friday was the rehearsal...and all went well! As we woke up Saturday morning I immediately felt the full agenda of the day on my shoulders. Since Jeff was in the wedding he had to be to his brother's house at noon so I had a bulk of the day left up to me. I had to take everyone to Frank's soccer game at 11:00. After the game we grabbed lunch on the way home then all four kids went down for a nap.

At 3:00 my sister showed up with all of her hair styling equipment to do Claire's hair. (Yeah, my grand idea with Claire's hair was a no-go so I called my sister Friday night for backup and she saved the day! She did an absolutely amazing job on Claire's hair! So, a huge thanks to my sister Kim!) As my sister was working on Claire I began getting the other three kids and myself dressed. By 4:30 we were all in the car heading to the church.

Claire and her stylist...Aunt Kim!

The crew before the wedding.

Everything at the church was perfect...(as I said before) Claire successfully made it down the isle in her adorable dress (that my Mom made...thanks Mom!), Krista and Paul looked so happy, the pictures afterwards were quick, and then we were off to the reception.

Claire and my nephew Tyler coming down the isle.

Krista, Paul, and their ring bearer and flower girl!

Since my kids had never been to a wedding before they had no idea what to expect. I kept trying to explain the dancing, the food, the cake, etc. But the questions kept coming and I knew the only true way they would understand is to see it for themselves. Needless to say...they had an awesome time! They danced themselves silly with their cousins and drank so much pop (Sprite of course) that I was positive I would be changing someones sheets in the middle of the night. I was shocked at 10:45 to see that the reception had worn them out (not the other way around) and everyone was asking if the party was over yet?

Everyone getting down at the reception!

As you might have guessed everyone feel asleep on the way home and slept in the next day. A great time was had by all! Thanks to everyone who helped me out with this big day!...and congratulations to Krista and Paul!

It's been awhile...

Warning, long post!

Well, it's been a few weeks since my last post...and a lot has been going on in my home.

Preschool

Preschool is finally back in session for Frank and Claire. Frank is going three days a week and Claire is going two days. It was hard explaining to them why they weren't in school yet since Logan had started almost a month ago (after meeting the teacher and a staggered start their first full week was Sept. 20). They had an easy transition back into the school routine and they are both enjoying their new teachers and meeting new friends.

From the looks of this picture I think Mary Kate was more excited for Frank and Claire to be heading back to school than they were:)

Getting ready for baby #5

Two weeks ago we made the move of making Claire and Mary Kate roommates. (We needed to free up Mary Kate's room and the crib for the new baby.) Jeff assembled the bunk beds and after one week of Claire enjoying the top bunk, and her room all to herself for the last time, we moved Mary Kate into the room as well as into a "Big Girl Bed". And I must say...Mary Kate has done surprisingly well with the transition. Sure she has gotten out of bed a few times...but I still have my sanity and my hair!

Another crafty family member

As some of you may know, my brother Todd dabbles in photography. Just like me...he's looking to branch out with his hobby and maybe one day make some money from it. Here are some of his pieces of work...



This is a new addition to my walls. Can you see how it spells out RIEDER? I thought this was a really cool idea when my brother first showed it to me. I was able to find the frame at Michael's...thank goodness we only have 6 letters in our last name. I've hung this above my front door. A neighbor of mine has a similar picture and that's where she put it...and I thought that was a great place for it because everyone will for sure see it who enters my house.

These pictures of fruit are hanging in my kitchen. Once we remodeled the kitchen (remember the crazy wall paper??) I had a lot of wall space to fill. I called my brother and asked if he could take pictures of fruit to hang in my kitchen. I've gotten many compliments on these photographs.

He also does action photos (ie. your kid playing soccer, swimming, etc.) so if you're shopping around for some wall art let me know...I can put you in contact with him.

Birthday Girl

Last week we celebrated Claire's 4th birthday! Just when I've calmed down and got my emotions in check about my kids growing up way too fast here comes another birthday. Unfortunately though...Claire was sick on her birthday. Although she was running a fever for three days surrounding her birthday it didn't seem to keep her down. On her actual birthday just our family made her day special with a "Tinker Bell" cake and some presents. Then over the weekend we had her grandparents and her Godparents over for dinner, cake, and of course some more presents. She is more than thrilled to tell everyone that she is now 4!

Although I don't have any of my own crafty creations in this post, don't fear...I have things in the works. I am currently working on 200 wedding programs for my brother in law's wedding...they went with the program with the stamped branch and leaves. (I have had a few friends offer their assistance in assembling them...which will be a huge help! Can I pay friends in food and wine?) Also I am working on a few samples of baby announcements. I have this crazy idea that I will make my own announcements with baby #5. We'll see if that's the caffeine from my coffee talking or if I'm legit?

Well, if you've made it all the way to this point...thanks for reading...and that's all for now...

Wedding programs...

Here are the three wedding programs that I came up with for my brother in law's wedding.

1.)

Booklet style ~ The cover to this is patterned paper that I bought at Archivers. I printed the information on plain white card stock and then mounted on metallic brow paper. On the inside is where I plan to print all of the information about the ceremony. I used the brown ribbon to hold that paper and the cover together.

2.)
Flat card style ~ I printed all of the wedding ceremony information on plain white card stock and then double mounted it onto metallic brown and champagne paper. The branch and leaves I stamped on using a stamp set from Papertrey called "Out on a Limb - Revised". This is my new favorite set...it comes with leaves, buds, or blooms that can be stamped...I have a vision of using the blooms with a lavender color scheme.

3.)
Clipboard style ~ The front cover is where I printed the opening information onto a leaf textured paper. The card underneath is white as well...and this is where I will print the ceremony information. I will then attach these two cards onto a metallic brown pieced of card stock using a champagne ribbon.

I emailed all three options to my brother in law and his fiancee today. My brother in law really liked all three options...so we shall see which one he will pick. After that...I need to really get my act together because I have a feeling I will be putting together over a hundred programs. I'll keep you posted on my level of craziness at that point:)

Well, until later...

Frank is 5!

This past Thursday Frank turned 5 years old! He has been counting down to this day for a very long time...I think since Logan turned 6 in March:)

As soon as Frank walked into my bedroom that morning, I wished him a Happy Birthday...and he then informed me that he is now faster, stronger, and taller now that he is 5.

All day long he kept referring to himself as "The Birthday Boy"...and he said this to every random person we ran into at Target, Krogers, Party City, and the Post Office. I couldn't help but to laugh each time...he had been waiting for this day for awhile...so, heck yeah, he should live it up!

For his birthday celebration we had a Batman themed party for him at the Jump Zone.

There were 16 little kids there jumping in honor of Frank's big day...he was absolutely loving the fact that he was the center of attention.

I truly thought that I was going to make it through this milestone without crying...but low and behold, when everyone started to sing "Happy Birthday" to my little guy, the tears started to well up in my eyes. I fought them back, but I still can't help to be emotional over the fact that Frank is now 5.

Frank has always been an independent and tough little guy trying to keep up with the big kids (heck, he learned how to ride 2 wheels a few days before he turned 4 when Logan had decided to make the jump). He says and does funny things on a regular basis...some of which I wonder where he gets it from. He likes to be right (who doesn't?)...and when he has a tid bit of information he will share it with all (like the time he told a lady to get out of the pool because she had to be 18 or older to participate in adult swim...and clearly the lady fell well within the age range). I know he may drive some people crazy (myself included...at times) but I can't help that when I look at him I want to squeeze that little freckled face and kiss him all over. Although he challenges me at times...he is making me a better parent...and I can only thank him and love him even more for that.

Happy Birthday Frank!...

My prima ballerina...

Yesterday was the first day of dance class for Claire...and boy was she excited!
I had set out her dance clothes the night before and as soon as she got up, she wanted to get dressed immediately. She looked so cute in her little leotard and tights.

As soon as she was all dressed she was very eager to show her brothers her new dance outfit. When Frank saw her he said, "Claire make sure you dance real good!" and Logan said, "Make sure you smack your bottom when you dance!" (lovely...huh?) Regardless, their words were meant to encourage her, and it was sweet to see the boys excited for Claire's new thing.

When we got to the class (it's only for an hour once a week) Claire did not hesitate at all...(in addition to her overall excitement her friend Lauren is in the same class).

Lauren and Claire outside of the dance studio...so sweet!

As soon as Claire received her name tag from the teacher, she joined the other girls. Since the teachers prefer that parents not be in the room during the class I ran some errands while the class was going on.

When I returned Claire was full of information about the class. I asked her what her tap shoes sounded like when she wore them she said, "Well, when we were stomping on dinosaurs...it sounded like we were breaking glass." (I love teacher explanations for an almost 4 year old.) She was telling me the name of some of the girls as well as a few of the activities they did. She clearly had a great time and loved it!

Today she asked me how many days until her next class. When I gave her the count down to next Monday I realized that due to Labor Day the next class will be cancelled therefore she won't have another class for 13 more days. I better come up with something pretty amazing for this coming Monday or I'm going to have a very disappointed little girl.

Well, until later...