T-Shirt Blanket

My Aunt Laurie used to buy shirts at every country concert she went to back in her good ol' days. Well she had threw some away but still had a few. So instead of them collecting dust, I decided to make them into a blanket for her. The first thing I did was as ask her what her favorite song was that each artist sang. Then I had that lyric embroidered on to fabric panels. After that I cut up all the shirts and took bits and pieces of each and ironed them on to quilt. Sew it all together and this is how it turned out....

Racquel's White Coat Ceremony

Near the end of August, I attended Racquel's White Coat Ceremony for Pharmacy school. There she took her pharmacist oath and received her white coat. It was similar to a graduation ceremony where each student's name was called and they would walk up and across the stage. And just like graduation there were some crazy parents/families there. I am so proud of her for making it into pharmacy school. She has been doing awesome in school so far. Not that I expected any less from her. I can't wait to attend her graduation in 3 short years. It will be here before we know it! We already have her graduation trip planned to Disneyland and her wearing the Mickey grad cap and all!

Later that night, we went to a BBQ at her house to celebrate! Had a great time visiting with her grandma that was in town from New York. Ate way too much because, bless Nanni's old school Italian heart, she is constantly making you eat. It was all so delicious of course. Our friend Gina arrived fashionably late but we knew she was there when it was posing for picture time haha. They all turned out great though. Even James, Racquel's new awesome boyfriend, was a sport and took a picture with the girls!

Cute Baby Onesies

My friend recently had a baby and I was dying to make these onesies for someones baby girl. So I made her a cute Halloween one and a Monogram one. It was the first time that I had met her and her way of saying "HI" was throwing up all of her bottle on me. I couldn't help but to laugh. The best part about that was it gave us a reason to put one on her! She looked so cute in it.

the front and back

The Halloween One!

Labor Day

Not too much went on this holiday weekend. I went with my Dad, sisters, and some of Kalah's friends to the MGM pool. It was nice just to relax by the pool and listen to the music. We ended up getting a cabana since we had the hook up haha! Tarin and I were very upset when we got there and saw that they had one of "the" machines that Tarin and I had discussed on inventing while we were in Pismo at the beach. A spray sunscreen machine. Just like spray tan machines but for sunscreen! We were glad to see that MGM doesn't like the one they have because there was too many problems with it. So there is still hope for us! Maybe one day!!

Later that night, I went to my first cake decorating class! It was so much fun. A separate post to come on what I have been up to with Domestic Divas Sweets and Treats!

My Dad's Birthday

His birthday was in July but we just got around to putting his gift to use. Josh and I got him a gift card to The Art of Shaving, a barber shop in Mandalay Bay. I think we were all expecting it to be a little better than it was. I couldn't go in to take pictures because it may have put him in danger they said. Good to know right? So I took them on the other side of the glass window where I was sitting. Then the shave wasn't as close and my dad gets with his razors at home. So we were kind of bummed with the whole process but the atmosphere was cool and so was the experience. I would love to get my barbers license one day but the chances are looking slim.


We did have a family get together on his birthday. I made a raspberry bundt cake. It was delicious!!

Grandma and Grandpa's 40th Wedding Anniversary Dinner

(My Grandparents! You would never know my grandpa just had heart surgery a month ago. He has just bounced back up!)

My family met up at Viva Mercados for dinner for my Grandparents anniversary. There was 23 of us so we had 3 booths and a large table. We were in our own room though so we still were able to mingle and visit. 40 years is a huge accomplishment. You don't hear of that often these days! I am so grateful for my grandparents and the examples they have given our family. They are 2 remarkable people. I love them!

Here are some pictures of the rest of the gang... including Kalah and her friend, Collins. It took forever to get a good picture!

My Laundry Room Closet Makeover

I didn't get a picture of everything barely fitting on the shelves or when you open the door the stuff that landed on the floor because there was too much stuff in there. I did manage to get a picture of everything in piles on the floor though!

BEFORE

I collected shoe boxes from my family and friends so that I didn't have to buy new binds. I recovered them in the same fabric that the other things in my laundry room are made out of.

AFTER

I even have a shelf to spare now! My next project for the Laundry room is to make an ironing board cover to match everything else!

My Mom's Birthday

As you read in the last post, we celebrated my mom's birthday with our families on the 22nd with mine. We still did dinner though with my immediate family on her birthday. We had pizza and I made s'mores ice cream sandwiches. My sisters got her a Bret Farve jersey, Josh and I got her a red wooden box from Hobby Lobby, a JcPennys gift card, and some shampoo she has been asking for. My dad got her something but it is still a surprise I think?!? so I can't post that on here yet haha!



The Saturday before her birthday, my dad invited some of her friends and family out to watch Love Shack play at the pool at the Suncoast! The weather was beautiful and the band may have been old but they were pretty good. Everyone went to Stoneys after wards! Us young people love when we get to take the old people out to Stoneys with us haha!! We all got to meet Kalah's guy friend, Collins that night. He seemed to fit in well with my large, loud, family. I have tried Stoneys North Forty 2 times now and I still like the one on the strip better. However North Forty is a Texas Longhorns place. They play all the Longhorn games! So I am pretty sure we will be going out there a few times to watch it. The kitchen was closed when we got there so we headed to another place for some food. We had some pretty good laughs there from Josh's reenactment of my aunt and uncle on Let's Make A Deal! I'm pretty sure Collins got more than he bargained for that night with my family!! We had so much fun!

My 23rd Birthday

For some reason, our birthdays turn into birthday weeks in this household. Probably because we both have such large families and a large group of friends. So needless to say my birthday week was awesome!

On the 22nd, we went over to my parents house and had a birthday breakfast for both my mom and I with both sides of my family. Racquel was able to make it for breakfast too! We had a huge breakfast followed by a cream puff cake! I had to remind my sisters that it was mine and my moms birthday party so they needed to get the candles lit and announce that we were getting ready to sing. Lets just say my sisters need a little bit more training on Throwing a Birthday Party 101. We opened up gifts from our families. I got a lot of JoAnn gift cards which came in very handy when I went to purchase all of my cake class supplies. I got a couple cookbooks, some target gift cards, a necklace, an apron, some of my favorite candies, a few home decorations, and I am sure I am missing something but it was more than I could have asked for. Josh and I just enjoyed the rest of our day together since he rarely gets time off it seems.

On the 24th, Josh and I met our friends at Lucielles for dinner. You can never go wrong with fried pickles and some BBQ. We always seem to laugh the whole time we are together. I am so lucky to have an awesome group of friends. All of us have been friends since high school and we enjoy every minute we are able to get together! I got some more gift cards and a what to expect when your expecting book. Apparently, Jeff and Amber know more than I do. I am not going to lie, I have started reading it though and it seems to be quite the experience. haha! They told the waitress it was birthday so I got an ice cream sundae and a nice rendition of Happy Birthday!

On the 25th, Josh surprised me in the morning with an appointment at the Green Valley Ranch Spa. I got a massage and a pedicure! Both were amazing as usual. After that I met my dad for ice cream. Ever since I was little my dad and I have always gone out on my birthday for ice cream. It is always nice to chat with him for a good hour or so since we don't get to do it that often. Then I came home and Josh and I went to play Bingo. On your birthday you get a free card so there was no way that I was passing that up. No luck for me but Josh won. We were running a little late but made it to Red Robin for dinner. We met my parents and sister and Josh's parents and siblings there. We are both so grateful that both of our families are able to go out together for dinner. It make birthdays and some other occasions a lot easier. I got some pjs, a shirt, some shorts, and a wallet from my parents, a Hobby Lobby gift card from his parents (which has already been spent on way cute Halloween decorations), and a Target gift card from Josh's grandma. Josh also surprised me with more gifts! I always get so spoiled from him on my birthday! I got 2 shirts, a knitted jacket, and a necklace. They are all super cute. Everyone was so surprised that he picked them out himself. I enjoyed visiting and sharing my birthday with them! I love all of my family so much!!

(i didn't take any pictures at dinner :( but I posted this one because it is my free card and the cute BINGO bag that I made my self)

That concluded my birthday week... I think?!? I hope I didn't forget anything! It was a great week. I have the best husband, family, and friends ever!!