Smile And Wave

Lately

We're staying busy and enjoying as much outside time as the sunshine allows us. I've been saying yes to almost every invitation to the park, dinner, or offer to occupy the kids for a few hours because our schedule is pretty wide open right now. It's been great. Also, I'm pretty worn out. Tired but happy.

I've finally finished a DIY that's been on my mind for months and am excited to wrap up this Halloween season with an evening of trick-or-treating with friends and then it's birthday party prep for Ruby!

Hoping you and yours have a special and safe Halloween (if you do Halloween)!

-Rachel

DIY Starburst Mirror for ABM

Find the full tutorial for this starburst mirror I made on A Beautiful Mess. I've got another big project in the works for this room and then I'll be sharing a little more. 

-Rachel

Boo at the Zoo: Costumes Round Two

My friend, Mindy, invited us to Boo at the Zoo with her family Friday night and Sebastian was over the moon. He'd been begging to go since we'd visited the zoo the week prior with our friend, Jessa, and her sweet family. Both are military mamas and both have been so kind to invite us to explore different parts of town with them. We've basically struck gold with our new friends here in Colorado Springs.

The zoo in Co. Springs is built on the mountain so whatever temperature it is downtown it's at least a few degrees colder up there. We knew our evening would be chilly so I told the kids we were going to save our Halloween costumes for Halloween and they could choose an animal to be for Boo at the Zoo. They went with baby jaguar and a rhino and I went as a mama bear. We used what was in our wardrobes, thrifted a few extra bits, bought a hat for myself at Target, stitched Sebastian's rhino backside, and added ears to things. Ruby's skirt would've been a tail if I'd have started sooner but my middle name is 'underestimate how much time you really have'. 

Mindy's idea to get there early saved us from from gangrene, I'm sure. We managed to go through most of the zoo and hit up all of the candy tables, listen to the spinster lionesses roar, watch the beavers try to chew through the glass, and have a dance party with some penguins. 

Ruby wasn't feeling well so she was on my hip and totally NOT interested in dancing. Poor kid hates the cold it turns out. She fell asleep as soon as I started the car and that heater started humming. Sebastian talked the whole way home about how much fun he had-especially the haunted house-and double-checked that I really did have his candy in my purse. 

These last two weeks have been pretty busy but it's helped keep our minds off of how much we're missing Brett. My housework has suffered greatly but I really don't care. I've learned that you do what you've gotta do to make it through. Packing in the fun is my coping mechanism right now. I'll clean...tomorrow.

For those of you who've asked, I'm still planning on sharing my quilt diy. Soon and very soon.

-Rachel

Industrial Cart DIY for ABM

My latest contribution to A Beautiful Mess is an industrial cart styled two ways. Head over to see how I used it in my kitchen and get the full tutorial.

-Rachel

I Want To Wrap Last Weekend Up and Keep It In My Pocket Forever

I've been taking a lot of pictures. On my phone, on my camera, with my Instax... It picks up every time Brett is at training and I think it's because I don't want him to miss out on anything we do while he's away. I have to work really hard to holster my trigger finger on IG, y'all. You're welcome.

We didn't have school on Friday so we joined our neighbor friends on a trip to the zoo. With her sister in town to visit there were three mamas and six children. You'd think that'd be a good ratio of two-to-one but I swear they had conspired with each other while we were buying tickets to shoot off in opposite directions whenever we stopped to take a picture of something. Oh, that was just me taking all the pictures...right. Ha! It was four hours of beautiful weather, active animals, and crazy fun wrangling children. I went home feeling so thankful for our friends here.

That night we went to Sebastian's school carnival. They encouraged costumes for all in the flyer so I took that as my personal invitation to dress up. I think the other parents skipped that part, though. We didn't have our Halloween night costumes decided so we dug out Sebastian's karate uniform and called him the white ninja and Ruby was happy to wear her tutu and sparkly shoes. You can see their tomfoolery here.

Saturday found us in search of a pumpkin patch. The first one we tried a few weeks ago had closed for the season after running out of pumpkins so we drove to the outskirts of town to Wishing Star Farm. It was worth the gas money. 

A flat fee per person included a pumpkin and access to the giant slide down the gulley, the built-in-to-the-ground bounce pad, the hay mountain, the pipe swing, the bucket train, the barn, and the hay ride. The pony rides were extra but there was no way Ruby was leaving there without one. Sebastian got to ride on a pony named...Sebastian. They must watch Parks and Rec at that farm.

FYI, if you plan on visiting Wishing Star Farm, take cash if you plan on eating or drinking there. We got in using my debit card but we were all cranky hungry by the time we left since their food truck was cash only.

We met up with some new online friends at Bear Creek park and us girls visited while the kids wore themselves out. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we had the best time getting to know each other in real life. As soon as we left there we hit up Dunkin' Donuts to see if we could find some cinnamon donuts. We didn't but we also didn't leave empty handed. I'm going to credit the Sheltons for instilling in us the need for donuts after a pumpkin patch trip! New tradition!

Sebastian insisted on carving pumpkins as soon as we got home so I gathered up some stuff to cover the table while they looked for bugs for his science project. Ruby was determined to carve her own pumpkin but I was more worried that she'd end up carving out a piece of her brother's arm so I did the cutting and they did the scooping out. They didn't want to get their hands messy so measuring cups it was.

It was a lovely full weekend with extra special fun and good time with new friends. These are my favorite kinds of weekends. They usually mean the house is left a mess and laundry backs up but it's a good trade. Our house is kind of messy even on it's best days anyway!

Sunday was for starting some projects, hanging some ghosts from our front tree (diy from ABM), cutting out bats, buying a new shrub, and bringing home bulbs to plant in our bakcyard. We're missing Brett but we're keeping busy!

Have you already hit up a pumpkin patch? Do you carve into yours or leave them be?

-Rachel

Ruby's wearing: Shirt and skirt c/o Misha Lulu. Shoes, thrifted. Sebastian's wearing: Shirt, thrifted. Pants, Target. Shoes, Payless.

Tree Branch Antlers DIY

Taxidermy. You either love it or you hate it. I'm not eager to put a real deer head on our wall but I have wanted to try something more creative. On the way home from the park this weekend I found a branch that struck me as resembling a deer antler so I went back Sunday to see if I could find another one in a similar size. The kids played and I walked around under the yellow trees with my eyes on the ground and found one! I would've felt like a weirdo but almost every mom I have met at this park has brought up Pinterest in a conversation. I'm apparently in the right neighborhood.

To make your own you'll need: 

1. Wooden plaque, two wooden blocks, metallic spray paint, a glue gun and glue sticks, semi-matching branches, a hook for the back, leather or vinyl scrap (you could also use vintage wallpaper, a music sheet, etc.)screws and a drill (optional). 2. If you are using a drill and screws, screw two centered holes slightly above the middle of the plaque. 3. Hot glue your two blocks in the same place whether you're using a drill or not. 4. Wait two minutes and then use the drill holes (if you're using a drill) as your guides and drill from the back of the plaque into the blocks. Screw screws in. (Skip this if you're not drilling.) Add your hanger on the back. 5. Spray paint according to manufacturer's instructions. I did three layers. Be sure to let it dry thoroughly before continuing on. 6. I added leather to cover the blocks and add a little texture by measuring it carefully and hot gluing it on. Then I hot glued the branches on (a few times) until I liked their position. 

My advice is to keep your proportions in check. Don't get huge branches if you're just hot gluing. If you want to be brave and screw them in then go for it but heavy branches will need more support. I'm not sure exactly the kind of branches these are but I think a variety of branch silhouettes would look fancy. String up a pretty garland or twinkle lights all year round and hang ornaments at Christmas time.

Save a deer, hang a branch!

-Rachel 

Sebastian's School Carnival

Sebastian's school had a Halloween carnival on Friday and encouraged costumes. We hadn't yet made up our minds on costumes but we managed to figure something out. I asked the kids to stand still next to each other so I could get a shot for Brett to see but they had ants in their pants. 

We had a pretty fun time at our first school carnival. I'm still not sure what the kids will settle on come Halloween day but I hope we get some more photos like these.

-Rachel

Kings Canyon National Park

Our last day in Central California included a trip to King's Canyon National Park to see the grove of giant redwoods. I'd been up there with Sebastian and Brett when we last lived in Fresno four years ago but it was great to see it again with Ruby and the rest of our family from Texas. The weather was gorgeous and the smells of cedar and pine made the long, windy drive to 6,000 ft. worth it. 

My favorite part was walking through the center of a hollowed-out, fallen redwood. Sebastian is hanging out near the top of the tree and you can walk about 40 yards to the base of the tree which is considerably larger. There is a split in the side that lets in plenty of light and makes it feel less like you're walking through a tree and more like a long hallway that opens onto a wooded courtyard. Below is a parced photo of General Grant from a distance.

Ruby hung out with my mom and dad while I distracted Sebastian from his empty stomach with a little camera time. He surprised me with some fun shots, though! I think next time we take a nature hike I'll need to send him off with camera in hand.

It was a beautiful afternoon. Walking around hearing German, French, and Japanese made me realize how lucky we are to have these natural wonders so close to home. If you're close enough to King's Canyon and haven't been to see the giant redwoods you need to add it to your list.

-Rachel

My Little Brother Got Married

My little brother got married last weekend! It's a sweet story so settle in a bit. 

My brother, Joseph, came back from a year long tour in Iraq late last year and after settling in to his new job and getting reaquainted with Fresno decided to check out his e-harmony account. He'd had it on hold while he was deployed but his curiousity got the best of him. He saw a message or had a request from a Melaney but had to renew for another three months to get it and see if it was, in fact, the Melaney from high school that he was thinking, neigh, hoping it would be! 

Turns out his three month renewal would be his last because it was the same Melaney from high school! In fact, Melaney and I played Varsity soccer together for two years. We rode busses to tournaments, spent hours after school running around in mud and rain, and had a great time winning many a game under the bright lights of Keith Tice park. I always knew her as one of the nicest, sweetest, new starting freshman. She was quiet but she was strong.

She and Joe met up for coffee at Starbucks a few weeks later (he doesn't even drink coffee) and ended up staying for three hours. That was February 21st of this year. He called me to tell me about it and it just felt like this was it. Then a few months later he said this was it. They came out to visit this summer and soon after he proposed. She said yes and planned the most beautiful wedding in three months. Let's all give a round of applause to the internet and a few brave moves on their parts.

Melaney sent us a fun package inviting us all to be in their wedding. I knew the kids would love to be the ring bearer and flower girl but we knew Brett's training dates might interfere with their wedding date so we eventually decided I'd be there but not in the wedding to keep things even. The night before the kids and I flew out Brett confirmed that he wouldn't be leaving for training until a week later so we conspired to get him a last minute ticket to the wedding. 

Two days before the wedding Melaney had one of her bridesmaids become unavailable. After a good cry and a talk with my brother she texted me to see if Brett and I would both like to be in the wedding since he was on his way. She overnighted a bridesmaid dress for me and got Brett's suit measurements sent out. I found a pair of nude shoes and she reprinted the programs we'd all worked on gluing together the night before. It was a square peg-in-a-round-hole idea if ever there was one and that's when I knew I was the luckiest. We're square peg kindred spirits! 

I finished Ruby's flower girl dress the morning of the wedding (just had to stitch those last few flowers to the front) and Brett's suit fit when we picked it up that morning. A little body bronzer and some flase eyelashes and I was feeling extra fancy. The kids gave it their best through family pictures before the wedding and then finally forgot they were wearing uncomfortable clothes once the music started and they waltzed down that aisle. Ruby was so busy trying to catch up to Sebastian she forgot to throw her flowers but managed to empty her bucket on the way back out. 

They patiently waited through dinner and toasts before spending the rest of the night on the dance floor with some of the bridesmaids and new friends. Sebastian found a wrestling buddy and got a friend of Mel's to teach him some line dance I didn't know. Ruby danced with Brett and we all chatted with old friends.

Both the venue and the couple were looking pretty fab but the ceremony was the most special. These two have my utmost respect and admiration to uphold their choice to wait for each other-ten years longer than Brett and I had to wait-and it was such a beautiful thing to celebrate. They're such a good match and have such a lovely start to their story together.

The photos above were all from my phone since a DSLR didn't really go with my new dress! The photos below were all taken between family photos and the ceremony. Their wedding colors were yellow and grey and it took place at Engelmann Cellars on the most perfect Saturday. Hannah G did their photos and the event was catered. Candy bar table=always a good idea.

My Meemaw, aunt, and cousin were able to make it out and I'm so glad they did. It was fun to visit with them so soon after my Meemaw's 85th surprise birthday party two weeks prior but my cousin, Shannon, was so good with helping keep the kids both distracted and on task when necessary. She gets two gold stars.

It was a beautiful, whirlwind weekend and I loved that my family got to be a big part of it. I'm also so excited about my new SIL. Thanks, Joe!

Some have asked about how I made Ruby's dress. I used a few tutorials that I can't even find anymore and adjusted some things with the straps. It's been introduced into her dress up closet. 

I think outdoor, fall weddings are my new favorite. Also, I'd totally wear this bridesmaid dress again.

-Rachel

Fall in Colorado

These were all collected within ten feet from our yard. Coming back from California last weekend where the warm weather has lingered long enough to keep the leaves from turning much I was reminded of how gorgeous Colorado is in each season. We've officially had a taste of all four and this is my favorite yet. I don't think I'll ever be able to live without a full on fall again. 

This weekend I'm hoping we can fit in some cinnamon donuts and maybe figure out when that pumpkin patch is open.  

-Rachel