The One with Some Videos

I finally figured out how to get big videos off my phone - a USB cord :)
Sometimes I have brain farts.
Anyway, these are for you Chris - miss you - love you - see you in 8 days!

Jane saying her first word - which is the exact same first word as Fox, go figure. 

Fox loooooooves church.


Fox calls motorcycles "mycycle":

Fox at the ocean, saying his favorite word, "No."


Fox on the tram back to the car after our last day at Disneyland. 

Jane on the tram back to the car after our last day at Disneyland. She totally answers my question, so cute.

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The One with Jane's Doppelgänger

Doppelgänger as defined by the good ol' wikipedia: in fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger (German (what-do-ya-know) for look-alike, literally a "double goer") is a paranormal double of a living person.

Jane's doppelgänger is our friend Lauren and Dan's little girl named London, which is funny because that's what we were going to name Fox had he been a girl - see THIS POST of when I announced I was preggo with him and declared names.

As Jane and London have gotten older they've started to look more and more alike.

Which is another funny thing because Lauren has red hair and brown eyes and Dan has dark brown hair and brown eyes. 

I have naturally brown hair and brown eyes and Chris has brown hair and hazel eyes. 

Yet both our daughters have blondish hair and gray-blue eyes. 

Why don't our daughters look like us?

We've commented on their similar appearances before so I decided to put pictures of them side-by-side to compare.

The resemblance is UNCANNY!

It seriously takes me a second to figure out which baby is which in some of these!

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The One with the Snoqualmie Train

On Fathers Day after church we loaded up and headed to Snoqualmie to ride the train! Cuz Fox + Trains = Heaven.

We had awhile before we needed to board the train so we walked around to see the old trains.

Fox and Grandpa are buddies.

Jane's gladiator sandals - too cute not to share!

 I'm amazed I got a picture of Fox actually looking at the camera!

"All aboard!"

Fox was a good boy and was taking it all in.

Cool texture.

Janey being a sweet'n'silly girl on Grandma's lap.

My kids.

It was right in the middle of Fox's nap time and he actually fell asleep on my lap for most of the ride. That's only happened maybe two or three times in his short lifespan. He must have been realllllly tired.

Pretty open fields in North Bend.

A couple of the different cabins.

More pretty wildflower-filled fields.

 This sign is funny because my dad's name is Thomas Henry Taylor.

Majestic Mt. Si. One day I want to climb to the top!

We took the train up to North Bend then back down to Snoqualmie Falls. We couldn't see the falls, but the river looked refreshing!

Once we got off the train, all Fox could do and say over and over was, "Train so fun! Train so fun! Train so fun!"

 
We had a good time and wish Chris could have been there with us to celebrate Dads Day!

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The One with Summer Layouts

I had a pair of summer-themed layouts up on the American Crafts blog yesterday!

REUNION

Journaling says: This year the Annual Evans Family Reunion was at Tom & Margi's old vacation home in Black Butte, OR. So much fun!

How to: Trim 2" squares from patterned paper, patterned vellum, corrugated cardstock, and spiral notebook pages then trim each square in half to make triangles. Place the triangles in circles to make pinwheels. Add photos onto a yellow polka dot paper mat, crinkle the edges, then place it on the center of a green cardstock layout base. Tuck spiral notebook page pieces under the edges and add a Thickers title on top. Journal on a die cut and tuck it under the right side of the photos and tuck a doily die cut under the left edge. Place the pinwheels around the layout, add half of a doily sticker to the top and bottom pinwheels and top the doilies with a puffy asterisk sticker, then sew circles around each pinwheel to attach them permanently. Drop white spray mist across the top right and bottom left corners to finish.

Supplies: Cardstock, patterned paper, corrugated cardstock, patterned vellum, spiral notebook pages, die cuts (doily, journaling spot), stickers (asterisks, doily, heart, letters, numbers), pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Spray mist: Studio Calico; Sewing machine: Bernina; Thread: Coats & Clark

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 SWEET SUMMERTIME

Journaling says: Indio 2012 hosted by the Bybees is a time I'll never forget! So much fun!

How to: Trim 6x6" papers into sun-rays then place them in a sun shape around a blue cardstock background. Sew circles around the sun to attach the pieces permanently then bend up the edges. Place a pair of black & white photos in the middle and add a photo corner sticker to each outer corner. Add layered doily die cuts, a chipboard label, and "sweet summertime" stickers to the top of the photos. Place a floral paper border, journaling spot with journaling, and doily sticker trimmed in half topped with a puffy heart sticker to the bottom. Tear a section of the top right and bottom left corners, tack down the cardstock with a puffy heart sticker, then back the edges with a floral border sticker. Drop white spray mist (for pool splashes!) over the torn bits.

Supplies: Cardstock, die cuts (doilies, journaling spot), stickers (chalkboard label, doily, floral border, photo corners, puffy hearts, sentiments), chipboard label, adhesive: American Crafts; Patterned paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper, Pebbles, Studio Calico; Spray mist: Studio Calico; Pen: Uni-Ball Signo; Sewing machine: Bernina; Thread: Coats & Clark 

I love when you leave a little love - it makes me feel loved :)

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The One with Jane Crawling!

Well folks, it's official, we FINALLY have a crawler! And in a dress no less!

Yes, I know it's only like three steps, but it's a small step for baby-kind and a giant leap for Jane!

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The One with Fathers Day 2013

 Happy Fathers Day to my Dald!

He's such a great example to me. 

He taught me to be responsible, hardworking, independent, a good multitasker, multitalented, organized, thoughtful, and skillful. 

He taught me math with flashcards and long division at Eric's baseball games.

He taught me how to pay my tithing.

He taught me how to drive a car - a stick-shift car on the steep and scary hills of Washington no less!

He taught me to read my scriptures every day.
He taught me to be prompt, punctual, and on time.
He taught me the importance of writing thank you notes.
He taught me that traffic is the worst thing on earth :)

He taught me the value of a dollar. 

And so many other things that have shaped who I am today!

Love you Dald!

And then there's the father of our children, my dear sweet husband, Chris.

 After 10 hour days at school (thank goodness those are over!) he would come home and take over the kids, make dinner, and clean up, so I could go take a nap. 

He cooks.

He cleans the toilets. 

He cleaned the animal cages when we had them. 

He folds the laundry. 

He watches the kids while I work.
He changes poopy diapers.

He loves unconditionally. 

He works so hard to provide for his family. 

He has a strong and solid testimony that keeps our family together. 

He is smart, bright, intelligent, educated, savvy, perceptive, quick-witted, and clever.

He can make me, Fox, and Jane laugh like no one else can. 

  We love you Chris! We miss you so much! See you not this Saturday, but NEXT Saturday!

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The One with BasicGrey Layouts

I've been emailing back-and-forth with reps from BasicGrey and then when they asked me to create a layout for their blog and I said, "Yes, please!" Here's what I came up with using an assortment of Hey You and Hipster products:

OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTOSHOOT | PASADENA CITY HALL

Journaling says: Every year I like to hire a new photographer to take our family photo and use the best picture for our Christmas card. This year Megan Papworth took our pics. I was barely pregnant with Jane!

How to: From browsing through Pinterest I found this image as inspiration:

Then it was a matter of trimming the curved shapes from the Hey You patterned paper pad and sewing them onto a sheet of cream background cardstock. I added a pair of photos with foam dots to the empty space on the bottom left corner. I'd been holding onto these photos since December 2011 and was soooo glad to finally scrap them using papers that match to a "T"! I love when that happens! To further embellish, I added two rows of buttons/brads, placed a letter sticker title between strips, journaled between strips, and tucked chipboard and sticker sentiments into the strips. Chipboard photocorners finish it off!

Supplies: Patterned paper, buttons, fabric brads, wooden brackets, chipboard photo corners, stickers (letters, scalloped fabric border, sentiments), paper banner, die cuts (date label, sentiments): BasicGrey; Cardstock, pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Sewing machine: Bernina; Thread: Coats & Clark

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Just for kicks and giggles, here's another layout I made with BasicGrey supplies:

TOTALLY WALLACE IDAHO

Journaling says: During Spring Break we took a side trip to Wallace Idaho to see all that there is to see at my parent's "place." It's an old silver mining town, cute as can be, with antique shops galore. Can't wait to go back!

How to: Trim photos and patterned paper into mini blocks then arrange them like bricks across the front of a ledger paper background. Write journaling on the sides. Stamp the dates below with a chipboard number between. Make the title over the paper/pictures using a wooden veneer word, fabric letter stickers outlined with a brown pen to help them stand out, and mini letter stickers. Embellish the layout with buttons, chipboard, fabric border stickers, a paper banner, wooden veneer arrow, decorative brad, and more as shown.

Supplies: Patterned paper, decorative brad, stickers (fabric borders, filigree tab, letters, sentiment ticket), paper banner, chipboard (arrows, "fun" tab, number, tag), wooden veneer shapes (arrow, "totally"): BasicGrey; Buttons: American Crafts (wooden), BasicGrey; Arrow paper clip: Freckled Fawn; Date stamp, pen, ink: American Crafts

 Always a pleasure to do guest work for awesome scrappy companies!

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The One with Phone Life

We've been in Washington almost 3 weeks now. Here's what we've been up to:

Joey and Gypsy, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. Seriously, these two are in love.

 To buy or not to buy? That is the question. Well, we didn't get this exact one, but we did find a fedora at Target which Fox willingly wears all the live long day.

 Fox sitting on the ginormous boulder in our house.

 28th birthday dinner at Claim Jumper!

 Daddy Daughter snuggles. Chris has been gone 8 whole days. We miss him like crazy. 

 What happens when you give a girl a cookie?

 We made an obligatory trip to Google for lunch with my dad.

 The views of Seattle from the cafe are stunning. It helps that it was a nice and clear day.

 It felt like Thanksgiving! But it was just a normal day at Google.

 Such a handsome doggie.

 Jane is a contortionist when it comes to highchairs.

 Riding ATVs in my parent's backyard. They have the life!

 5am wake up call! Good thing she's cute!

Lunch is served!

 Next door to Fatburger is Party City and they have one of those Thomas train tables that Fox is entertained with for HOURS. Literally. HOURS.

So when we got home after this outing I searched for train tables on Craiglist. I found an entire huge set for $100 at a garage sale a few cities over. SCORE! First step: disinfect!

 All set up and ready to play! Notice he's wearing his hat :)

 Joey's a big fat traitor.  

Basking in the sunshine.

 Her faces!

 Had to get Rachel microchipped for Germany! Why? Who knows. 

 Fox got a big boy haircut!

 Nom nom nom. 

 Yesterday we drove down to the Port of Tacoma to ship our car.

 Bye bye car! See you in Germany in a couple months!

 Then we went to Ft. Lewis to see if we can accomplish anything and walked away with a migraine. People, if we ever get to Germany, it'll be a miracle. 

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