A week in review (when you only post once a week it's gonna be a big one-promise not to add too much text)

We stood in line for 3.5 hours to get H1N1 vaccinations. CRAZY...nuts...insane...protected(?)Sobe's new hat I ordered on Etsy arrived in the mail

Finished up some Fall decorating.

Had lunch with Holden at school as a special birthday treat(with the added intention of helping him learn how to have hot lunch-long story) I left his class room busting at the seams. I believe my heart actually grew. I am one seriously proud mama.

I painted my boring old console table. Click here for a before. See...really boring wasn't it. Blue has breathed new life into the family room.

7 things

1. Have you used Picasa? I am pretty far behind the times. This free program has probably been around forever but I finally found it. It is a great program for editing your pictures. You can add text to them and make all sorts collages and such. I made my blog header using Picasa. I have not even begun to use all that it has to offer, but I am looking forward to learning more. Over at Clover Lane she gives instructions on making THE cutest header/banner-make sure to check it out. She is also an entertaining blogger-mother of 5 and not crazy-I like her.
2. While on the blogging subject. The Nester used a program to make a little video on Tuesday about tablescaping. She used this little nugget of a website to make it. I'll be creating something soon!
3. One last blogging thing I promise. Did you know for a small fee(something like 35$) someone will customize your blog for you? Buzzings of a Queen Bee just had hers done and it's adorable. You can have the whole thing done, or a la cart things like just your signature. Fun!
4. For dinner one night this past week I made this quiche from the Smitten Kitchen(boy do I read a lot of blogs or what-I really don't spend all day in front of the computer). I love making breakfast for dinner-always a big hit with the Van Ahn boys. Thought I had a pretty good recipe going until I had her version. Yummy!
5. I can't stand having my feet covered while I sleep. For this reason I cringe every time I put footie pjs on my babies. I almost have like a claustrophobic episode when I zip them up for bed. But, I have found some fleece footies I can get behind. Children's Place has the best. Light weight and cozy. Sloan loves them.
6. Speaking of Sloan. He can sit up! He has a very strong back and head. He's all proud of his new trick. He is the most marvelous baby.
7. I just watched a commercial for diapers and the baby on it was so darling my silly brain just thought about having another babe. Todd is sitting next to me on the couch with frozen blueberries down his pants. Yep-he had the "procedure" done earlier today. You know the "procedure" that starts with a V and ends with no more babies. He just explained that was why he had it done-I can't be trusted-he's right. He called me Sarah Dugger.

F-O-R-D

My kids have the best dad! He was meant to have boys even more than me. One thing Todd understands is boyhood obsessions and he is more than supportive about one sons most recent passion. Saturday morning-first thing-Todd and Asher headed to the Ford dealership to get some "books" about Ford Trucks and a new Ford Hat. They all picked out their favorites(pictured here) and Asher is feeling pretty darn complete.

down on the farm with grandpa

We headed to the pumpkin patch in Winterset with Grandpa Frank this weekend. I totally do not take enough pictures of the kids with their grandparents. I have to start doing that more! It was down right COLD but we hung tough and played and then played some more.

Who can resist sticking their heads in these. Too cute!

My Ford guy spent a long time on the tractors.

Here is what love about this picture. The obvious-me with my boys, but I love the corn field in back of us. I used to be a mountains girl. If there was water as well I considered it the ultimate spot, but I have to say my Iowaness has been coming on strong for the past several years. There is no where I'd rather be than enjoying the scenery of rolling corn fields, decrepit red barns and lots and lots of cows.

Halloween in a down economy

I am not the savyest of stay at home moms. I don't coupon(jenny W. says I can use this as a verb), I don't scour the Internet for the cheapest price, and I don't usually wait for sales. I do however try not to buy things I really don't need(clothes and shoes do not apply) and I only buy things that I really love- especially when it comes to holiday decorations. This Halloween I just don't feel like I have money to throw around and I couldn't even find anything to get excited about in the stores. I have resorted to crafting. Didn't even want time at the craft store so I rummaged around my craft room and the recycling and have come up with what I think are some cute little decorations(it's amazing what you find you already have to fit the season). How green I am using a cardboard box to make spooky garland :) My ever present twine and some Martha Stewart glitter stickers from Michaels. I inked the edges with brown, punched holes to string the twine through-thinkin it will look pretty cute across my kitchen window.

I already had these rub ons from previous projects. The flower frogs were a purchase several months ago from the Armadillo-loving them!

Why would a I subscribe to a magazine that is trying to drive me crazy?! They have to know there are people out there unable to sleep after seeing this photo. Had zero intention of cleaning my freezer this week, but BH&G and Target(totally in cahoots to drive me insane) have a different plan.

While I'm overhauling everything in my kitchen, thought I might spend some time here(this is a kiddie crap cabinet....I mean craft cabinet).

sunday snuggles with sloan

• nearly 4.5 months old
• 21.1 pounds
• 27.5 inches long
• no stuffing needed in pumpkin costume this Halloween