Micah's Birthday and Projects

My little Micah turned 5 last wednesday (the 7th), and it's really hard to believe he's getting so big already. Except that he still weigh's little more than a feather. Haha! I wanted to make it special for him since I wasn't planning on a party with friends, so we made personal pan pizzas, played games, roasted marshmallows in the fireplace while I read more from our latest book, Peter Pan. You know, I've never read that story before and never realized how violent the pirates are. I didn't realize there was actual killing in the book, so instead of saying someone killed someone, I (very cowardly) changed the words to "knocked them out". LoL Anyway, Micah really enjoyed his birthday and I wanted to share some pictures of everything we did.

 It was very hard to get all the kids in a picture together, especially Grace.... this is the best I could get!

 I made butterfinger cupcakes which the kids loved!

 Micah got a remote control car, and as soon as he opened it he didn't want to do anything else.

 My canopy bed! Taadaa!

Gettin' Ready For Christmas

I told you I was working on a nativity scene, and I finally have it finished! Looking at pictures really doesn't do it justice, but ya'll have to make do. You get the idea anyway!

 I didn't notice baby Jesus was tipped over until just now! 

 I made a cross on the corner of the stable as a reminder of why Jesus was born.

 I made the No Sew Ruffled tree skirt that is all over pinterest, and it turned out cuuute!

 Grace says Hi

 Marrion wanted everyone to know she lost her other front tooth.

 A quilt I just finished for a Christmas present

God Bless everybody!!

So Much To Do, So little Time

I know some of you are a little upset at me for not posting for awhile, I've just been too busy (or lazy) to fool with a blog. Anyway, we had a fall party with friends on Saturday, November 8. Most people didn't show up until after dark so I wasn't able to get very good pictures, so I made up for it by taking some pictures of things on Sunday!

I'm also really in the mood for Christmas this year, and I've started some projects that I've wanted to do for awhile. I can bundle it all up for you in two words: Nativity Scene! The only one I've had for awhile now is a cheap set from a dollar store that I bought a couple years ago, and I really wanted to make something truly inspiring for Christmas. So, I made a paper mache cave with chicken wire and newspaper. We only started the project today so I can only show pics of what it looks like to start. I also made the Inn, and am thinking about making a couple more buildings, but maybe I'll stick with what I have. We'll see....so there it is! I'll keep ya'll posted on how things are turning out.

Oh, by the way, I just made this baby quilt for a friend that I thought I'd show you. What do you think? I kind of improvised on the back of it, and I'm not sure I like the colors together. It did turn out cute and soft, though. I used left over material to make a couple burp cloths, too.

It's been a rough patch with our family this year, but thankfully I still have most of my hair! :-) I'm just taking the time to post a few pics of the kids from the past couple months. Hope you enjoy!

 We made a zip line on the clothes line the other month. It was pretty fun!

 For Gracie's 2nd birthday we had a tea party. Everyone dressed for the occasion. ;)

 My pretty baby

 One the nicer days this past spring we ate our meals outside. Enjoying it before the humidity came!

Micah's 4th Birthday!

My little Micah turned four this past week on the seventh! He's growing into such a big boy, it's so unreal how fast time flies. I didn't really plan anything for him this year since Matt is offshore right now, so I took him to Walmart to buy a cake, let him pick out his presents, and then we had a mini party at McDonalds. LoL They almost wouldn't let us bring the cake in, until I promised to clean up after ourselves. We had the whole play area to ourselves, which was just fine with the kids. Our McDonald's has upgraded to a toddler play area, and touch screen games for the older kids. At first I thought it was cool, until I realized just how much I don't like to see my kids' faces glued to a screen! I miss the old indoor playground!

Okay, so this picture I just had to throw in! We have a new Lauver family Christmas tradition.....checking out the junk yard the weekend after Christmas! Matt hauled our junk, and came back with a truckload of free stuff someone was just throwing away! There's a garden wagon, a radio flyer, a tonka dumptruck, a sackful of metal trucks, etc. 

Merry Be-lated Christmas!

I usually have some lame excuse as to why I haven't posted in a while. This time it's a good one! Our new puppy chewed my camera cord in half so I haven't had a way to post pictures until Walmart got a new one on the shelf! Anyway, my parents came in for Christmas and Matt had to stay an extra week offshore to work. So, it all worked out fine. I got to see my parents, and the kids got two Christmas's! We had ours with Matt this morning.

 I made these stockings for the kids this year, then we filled them up Christmas morning. The kids loved it!

 We have a christmas train, so I set up the presents to make tunnels. I think the kids had more fun with that than with their presents....almost!

 Paul decorated the deer. lol

 We couldn't keep this girl still, so most of my pics of her are blurred. 

 Quick pic with the grandkids....notice papaw with his hand on Grace. LoL

 Daddy's home! He loves music, so first thing him and Grace had to play a duet.

 Our Christmas morning (this morning) Matt read the Christmas story to them from the Bible

 Mom gave Matt a stress ball. This is his reaction I just happened to catch with my camera! 

This is what I got the girls from Goodwill! Almost everything with it was bought or given to me separately...used! haha It might seem cheap, but the girls love it!