Wordless Wednesday - Thankful for My Boys

My Memories Suite Giveaway!

I was recently given the opportunity to review My Memories Suite software. My Memories is easy to use, digital scrapbook software. One of my favorite things to use when digi scrapping is templates. They make things come together so much faster and I can still be creative and make the layouts my own. My Memories comes with a TON of free templates! Which really makes putting together an album so much easier.
On top of free templates, you also get a large variety of scrapbook papers and elements. AND they offer a TON of free kits on their site.

Then I figured out how to do slide shows, which might be my favorite feature. This is just a short one with the fantastic photos Kim of A Thousand Words By Kim took a couple weeks ago. (I'm still working on the whole music thing, so forgive me if it sounds a bit off.)

As a perk of getting to try the software out myself My Memories has also asked me to do a giveaway! One lucky winner will receive their own My Memories Suite software!!

Christmas Card

Big Cheers Christmas Card

Send Christmas cards personalized with your favorite photos.

View the entire collection of cards.

Our Christmas shopping isn't even close to done, but at least I got the cards ordered!! It wasn't easy, Shutterfly has a fantastic selection this year!

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!

FAF - Week 36

Original Starting Weight: 223

Post Preggie Starting Weight: 200

Last Weigh In: 143

Current Weight: 142

Pounds Lost This Week: 1

Total Pounds Lost: 81

I feel like I should post. I skipped last week, but I feel like FAF has really become almost a habit.

11.2 - I finally ran again. In the morning. I ran past our soon to be house and on the way back home decided to cut through the green belt and try a little trail running. I hurt my hip with that genius idea...

11.5 - I went with my sister and her maid of honor to get my matron of honor dress. They measured me at a size 4 on top and size 8 on the hips. Kinda sad it wasn't the other way around, but super happy with the number 8 anyway!! We also went with my sister so she could try on her wedding dress. She's is going to be the most beautiful bride!

11.7 - I got REALLY tired of babying my silly hip and decided to try some power yoga. Thank you Jillian for fixing my hip.

11.9 - I finally got out to run again! No running through parks this time, just a nice jog with the pup. Then I got my hair cut and colored for our family pictures on Saturday. I haven't gone this dark before and certainly never gone red(ish).

(I also haven't washed it yet...cause I'm terrified that all the color will wash out and I'll be back to my mousy brown, not to mention that I'm supposed to wash my hair in cold water and I've been freezing since Wednesday.)

We had THIS for dinner.

 It was REALLY yummy.

11.11 - Did a 3 mile walk with the boys and pup this morning. About to do some power yoga and then force myself into a shower. I feel gross and my hair isn't looking so pretty, so jumping into a cold shower while I'm covered in sweat should be easy. Yeah, I know I just painted a pretty picture. 

Thank you to any Veterans out there! Have a happy and healthy week everyone!

Our Wild Rumpus of a Halloween

A little while ago I got the opportunity to be a pattern tester for Jess of Running With Scissors. She has a wonderful pattern: Woodland Animals and I was lucky enough to test the wolf for her. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to put together and her instructions are clear and easy to follow. I can't wait to try out the bear and fox that are also included in the pattern.

Munch is REALLY into Where the Wild Things Are right now. It's one of our staples at bedtime, so of course I HAD to turn the wolf costume into Max. Instead of adding the buttons and whiskers that Max has I decided instead to sew up a felt crown. Munch thought it was fantastic.
 
 After putting so much work into Munch's awesome costume I realized I had nothing for Nox. The idea of creating a Wild Thing really scared me at first. I don't consider myself a seasoned master of the sewing machine, but in the end I had to. After all, what is Max without "Carol" by his side?

 It took me the better part of a weekend to figure out how to create this costume, but in the end it was pretty easy. I took the Woodland Animals pattern and basically removed the bottom half. I kept the zipper, though in hind sight it probably wasn't needed. I cut stripes out of brown flannel and sewed them onto the main gold fabric, then drew up a pattern for Carol's horns. For an added Wild Thing touch I added a pair of felt claws.
After that I grabbed my trusty Made by Rae: Big Butt Baby Pants pattern and created Carol's legs. I had a black fabric pen on hand and drew all the scales.

 I ended up with a pretty fantastic little Wild Thing!

The boys really loved their costumes and really got into character for the hundreds of photos I took.

Thanks Jess for letting me test your awesome pattern! It made me much braver with my sewing machine and I can't wait till next Halloween! I hope everyone had a great one!