A Candy Cane Moment!

I made a mistake when I logged on to Pinterest for the first time. I have become thoroughly and deeply addicted.  I have also become more motivated to attempt some of the crafty things I have always wanted to try.  My friend Kristan Gossen came over and while our husbands watched the baby, we were free to craft!  This is a little preview of a wreath that I found and fell in love with.  Mine is different then the one I found on Pinterest but I think it turned out pretty well.

My goal was to make this really cute yarn wreath using red and white yarn.  I searched for weeks to find a thick round styrofoam wreath as a base but to no avail.  Kristan and I ended up going to Lowes and buying some pipe insulation.  We cut it and duct tapped it to make our own wreath.  I have to admit, I was a little worried because it looked quite lumpy, however, once I started to apply my yarn, it helped to even out my little bumps.

After making my base, I used a little hot glue and started wrapping.  Just a little note...the hot glue will melt right through the styrofoam.  I ended up trying to hot glue only in places where I had duct tape.  It was also a good way to help divide my wreath so I would know when to switch colors.  I just used a dab of glue at the beginning and then again at the end of a color to hold it in place.  Wrap. Wrap. Wrap.

It also helps to have a great babysitter.  Drew and Ryan did a great job keeping the little bear so Mommy could craft.

Once all the yarn was applied, I added my embellishments.  Can I just say that I love hot glue.  Hot glue is my new favorite friend.

This was so much fun and it only took a couple of hours.  Thanks to Drew and Kristan for such a fun time!

Tis the Season...for the Hunter.

Well, I'm happy to say that I shot a buck this year...unfortunately, it wasn't quite as big as I was hoping for.  You might say that it experienced a bit of ground shrinkage.  My wonderful family has given me quite a bit of grief about shooting a baby, however, in my defense, I only had a few seconds to decide to pull the trigger and I did make a running shot.   On the down side, my father, my ten year old niece, and my 6 year old nephew all shot considerably bigger deer then me....To add salt to a wound, Tiffany, my obnoxiously lucky sister, shot the most unusual buck I've ever seen.  Oh well, at least I put meat on the table, which is more then my husband can say:)  

MYSELF, MY DAD, AND KENDAL(TEN YRS OLD)

MY DAD'S MONSTER

6 YEAR OLD NEPHEW GRANT

MY SISTER'S BUCK THAT SHE SHOT 2DAYS LATER

October Craziness...

A lot has gone on this October and I have about a million pictures to prove it.  Here are just a few to show you how cute my kid is....

Hanging at the Pond 

We can't always be happy...

But we are happy quite a lot.

The Piedmont Football Game.  Go Wildcats.

All Bundled Up

Even the Kitty is Tuckered.

So Cute.

May the Force Be With You...

Master Yoda

Halloween was quite an affair this year for the Wedel's. Master Eli conquered the force and rolled over for the first time ever.  Although he actually did it the first time at daycare earlier in the day, he promptly realized his massive mistate of not performing for his mama.  He corrected the injustice by showing off his new skill for the entire Wedel gang.  We even got it on video.  

Showing Off

Hanging with DAD

Although rolling over was a very important milestone in our household, it wasn't the most important thing that happened this happy Halloween day.  My brother and sister-in-law finalized the adoption of their daughter Ellie.  We are so excited that she is officially and forever a Wedel.  We went over to Rebecca's sister's house for a celebration.  All the kids dressed in their costumes and went trick-or-treating.  It was so much fun and the perfect way to spend Eli's first Halloween. 

Aunt Rebecca

The Ellie Bug

The Whole Gang

All Tuckered Out

A Boy and his PUMPKIN.

The FAMILY Pumpkin

Okay, so I know that Eli isn't really old enough to know or wonder about pumpkins and pumpkin patches, however, I also don't really care because the pictures are really cute.  I may have had to drag both husband and son into Piedmont this week to get my picture pumpkin fix, and let me tell you, it was worth it.  Pumpkins were everywhere (as well as some very pretty mums). Ryan may not admit it, but he liked it too.  He also was able to test out his ability as a photographer.  Brandon, I think we will be leaving the picture taking up to you.... Here is a taste of our pumpkin adventure.

Such a BIG boy.

He may have been wailing. 

The PIEDMONT Pumpkin Patch

They both look super excited here....

A dad and his boy.

I love my mommy.

I don't think this is a replacement for Daddy.

Hmmmm.....I THINK I like pumpkins.

Don't hate me cause I'm cute.

That's right....I'm pumpkin king.

  

The "Hills" of Hillsdale...

The Wedel House

Last weekend, Ryan and I were able to take Eli for his first trip to Hillsdale to visit Ryan's parents.  It was moving day in the country, as the Wedel's are clearing out the trailer....or it was supposed to be.  Rain may have gotten in the way of toting furniture around, but it was a blessing in disguise because we were able to spend more time visiting.  I was also able to get some really cool pictures of Ryan's childhood home right before it rained.  I think that Grandma and Grandpa were a hit with Eli.  He was barely set down all day and I'm pretty sure it was mutual satisfaction on both his and the grandparents part.  Todd and Anna Ruth were also there and we had big fun watching Aladin and taking pictures. A special thanks to Norma for the fabulous peach cobbler--it was amazing.  Enjoy.

I love Norma's flowers.

A rain storm is brewing...

Obviously, HILLSdale doesn't have any hills.

Ryan and Todd put to work moving.

Grandpa loves this little boy.

The fam.

I love this little boy too.

I had to sneak up on Norma to get this picture.  She is a little camera shy.

Anna Ruth and Eli....London, we miss you.

Why hello there....what you looking at?

Elvis and a Clown

The State Fair was this month and we just had to go--twice.  Eli, of course, was dragged along as usual.  We were pretty lucky because we went once with my parents and once with Ryan's parents. We had the absolute pleasure of getting to watch our niece, Anna Ruth, perform her first solo dance.  She was so cute and she did a great job.  The most entertaining Elvis impersonator also did a show and I have to say, the guy had MOVES--not very attractive moves, but moves all the same.  Enjoy.

I'm lovin' it.

Taking a stroll.

Chillin' at the State Fair. 

I ain't nothing but a Hound Dog.

 Shortly after the fair, we discovered that Piedmont was bringing the circus to town. Well we just had to go watch.  Our good friends, the Gossen's came with us and I have to admit, it was fabulous.  I was expecting dinky and I got grand.  There were lions, tigers, clowns, and jugglers.  Unicycles, hula hoops, fire and some sort of launching swing completed the acts.  We were amazed and thoroughly entertained. Eli was even awake for a lot of it and watched with wide eyes as the trapeze artist swung on a bar using only her neck.  Thanks Drew and Kristen for sharing it with us and holding the little one.

UNDER THE BIG TOP

  

DREW AND KRISTEN

I'M CONSIDERING JUGGLING HIM....

GOOD FRIENDS AND A LOT OF FUN.