Christmas Craftiness { part 2 }

I have had a long list of crafts I have been wanting to try out for Morgan. Since she is a GIRL I knew I could incorporate my love of sewing and gift giving to her. I'm not crafty enough to sew for boys or to do a lot but an apron was definitely something I knew I could pull off.

With the extra time on my hands after having Ryker {I can only clean and organize my home so many times} I decided this year was the perfect time to make her her very own apron. It was appropriate for her age. She loves dressing up. I just knew she would love it.

So we headed to JoAnne's and picked out some fabric. The fabric choices were adorable. Morgan loved it and so did I :)

After I started cutting {making apron without a pattern} I realized this was a little harder than I imagined it would be. I used two different ideas and neither of them were actually simple enough for me. I can sew a square. No seriously. A square. So pulling off a rounded bottom would have led to a catastrophe and I was limited on time. I knew I could do ruffles. I also knew I could sew a square pocket. But seriously...a rounded out pocket HA. Not going to happen :)

The pinspiration:

cute little apron from sew-much-ado

and

I used another pin for connecting the apron to the piece of fabric at the top but I couldn't find it. So until I do...

So I took my time and eased myself into this apron. I actually ended up making not one but two. The second one is still being crafted at this moment in time but I will definitely post the result later :)

So, after 2 long weeks of procrastinating, sewing, getting tired, procrastinating and sewing some more - here is our little square apron!

Cute right?!

I'm kind of proud yes. Morgan loves it and wears it in her underwear, half-dressed,  and sometimes if we are lucky...over clothes that she already has on!




~ The Shank Family

Christmas Craftiness {part 1}

This Christmas I decided to get a little crafty! I have spent too much time pinning on Pinterest not to!

I originally had this gift in mind for our kids as a Christmas Eve gift and for my brothers kiddos who would LOVE enjoying this treat. But I ended up having so much of everything that I continued the gift to all of our family that had kids. My sister and her husband also received one because they were hosting a Christmas party at their home. Festive! For each family that had children (except one who has just a baby who wouldn't be able to enjoy this treat) I decided to make Hot Cocoa Bar in a Box! I created at least 6 of these boxes and it was really neat to put them all together for everyone :)

The idea stemmed from two Pinterest Pins: 

Hot Cocoa Mix (test tubes)

and

Ice Cream Sundae in a Box

I loved the Hot Cocoa Mix idea but did not like the test tubes. I wanted some way of making this a box style. Easy to create and easy to wrap and ship. So I found the Ice Cream Sundae idea and merged the two together creating my own little box gift.

I fell in love with the way the toppings were enclosed in a clear bag topped off with stock paper. I also loved the gift tags hand stamped as well. I had fun purchasing the supplies!

 Before I wrapped these boxes up, I was making the kids some chocolate covered pretzels. Again, I had more than enough to go around so all the kids and adults in each family got their own chocolate covered pretzel stick!

They. Were. So. Good!

Hot Cocoa Bar in a Box

If there is one thing I know about Pinterest...mine never turn out as pretty as the picture followed. O'well. At least it was delicious.

I also chose to do something a little different for a few family members this year as far as gifts were concerned. For example, my sister just got married and bought her first home. I thought how cute is that?! What can I gift her that could make her home look and smell good? After all, anyone who knows me knows I love pretty things and smell goods! So I came up with an idea of a trio gift.

For the Home
For Christmas Morning
For You

For the Home:

I used the cutest homemade towels that my sister in law makes. Her brand is Fresh Regard on Etsy. You can find her store here. Then I did a little shopping at Bath and Body Works. Together they made up this cute gift box that I absolutely wanted to stuff under my own tree :)

For Christmas Morning:

This was the tag I used for the Hot Cocoa Bar in a Box. I thought it would be a fun and yummy treat after the gifts were unwrapped and everyone was ready to start their day off right!

For You:

Was the tag I used for the small gift (such as gift card) I also wrapped up.

I really loved creating a trio this year and loved it so much I think I will continue this trend. Each year I can come up with something new... For the Home, For Christmas Morning and For you. I love it!

I also got a little craftier with my wrapping this year. I purchased Kraft paper from Micheal's and some red twine along with neutral twine this year. Gift tags were a must along with the stamps I already had from the Pinterest Pin up above. It wasn't any more work than wrapping normally but boy did the gifts turn out cute. I added a clipping from our tree to make each gift extra festive.

With the time I had on my hands (from not currently being in business) I couldn't have done anything better than getting crafty and keeping myself occupied with giving. The giving part of the Holidays is always my favorite :)

~ The Shank Family

Shank Family Christmas Tree {2014}

Now that we have our Christmas tree in the house and in the stand...its time for this family to get into the Holiday Spirit by decorating our Christmas tree ;)

 

Colten and I strung the lights all over the tree. Morgan handed out decorations while Colten and I hung them. I tried explaining to Colten that you have to spread the ornaments out evenly but he ended up putting them in clusters. I thought it was cute how he didn't understand what I was trying to say and decided to leave them the way they were. I liked the memory of having patches of bare tree. After all, we were making memories.  Kale took care of Ryker and Tyler was just not interested. Overall, our tree turned out cute. We had a beautiful tree and it was perfect for us.

 Last but not least, Morgan got to hang the tree topper. This was really tricky! It took several attempts for Kale as he was standing on a chair AND holding our daughter in the air.

 Her first attempt was a little hilarious as the tree topper made it to the top of the tree but not on top of the tree :)

I was super stressed during this whole tree topper deal but they both did great and I got the shot of her first. She was JUST tall enough to barely kind of reach but not really :)

We clapped and thanked Morgan for her efforts! We were all laughing and it was really just a cute moment.

At last, after laughs, scares and decorating...our tree was complete :)

The Holidays are finally here!



~ The Shank Family

  

Morgan Turns 3!

 

Well our little girl is now 3! I can't believe how the years have flown by so quickly! It feels like it was just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital.

Morgan celebrated her birthday not once...

not twice...

but 3 times this year!

She got to celebrate alongside grandma Rush and Aunt Kristen :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then again when Nana Weycker was here...

 

And then again with mom, dad, colten, tyler and Ryker!

We told Morgan we could go anywhere she wishes. We were sure she would say Chic-Fil-A or McDonalds but she blurted out BBQ? So we asked her again...and are you sure...she said YES!

So we hit up a new BBQ joint we've never been to before called Bandana's BBQ. It was delicious and the kids had a good time there. Happy #3 to our little Morgan!

Birthday Hug from daddy

Baby Ryker slept the whole time too

~ The Shank Family

Morgan Elaine | 3 years

Morgan Elaine  |   3 years

How big is Morgan?

age: 3 years

weight: 27 lbs

height: 35 in

clothes: 3t

Favorite Things:

 pink and purple

anything princess

cowboy hat

rain boots

baby dolls

hide and seak

church daycare

riding bikes

playing with her brothers

being outside

Clifford |  My Little Pony  |  Disney fairies  |  Dragon Tales | Doc McStuffins  |  Princess Sofia

snuggling with daddy

wrestling and boxing brothers
helping mommy with ryker
playing baseball
dancing
her cartoons
dressing up
going on dates
seeing my friends
going bye-bye 
bubble baths

Her favorite Foods:

milk
orange juice
chicken
steak
pork chops
apples
oranges
grapes
carrots
green beans
sweet potatoes
strawberries
watermelon
raw green peppers
raw mushrooms
peanut butter and jelly
vanilla wafers
 cheerios

What you want to be when you grow up:

little. she says she wants to be little. then she proceeded to cry.

things you cannot live without:

 her book bag

her binoculars

a necklace when we go out


A day in the life:

sassy and prissy but sporty and tomboy. your a total mix of the two equally. you hold your own around your brothers - normally kicking them out of your way especially if they take her spot on the couch. temper tantrums are at their worst. when your having trouble - as long as we console you and tell you its o.k. you stop. you dislike timeouts but they are the most effective with you. you will take milk in a sippy over candy any day. you prefer the ice cream over the cake. you love going bye-bye and strolling any store. you have become extremely independent and are happiest doing things on your own such as: going potty, making your bed,  putting on your shoes, brushing your teeth (but we do it for you anyways). I can always find you crawling the floor pretending to be a dog. you went on your first date with your daddy at 3. you love all things chocolate. you love to give love and are so loving and caring. you are our baby girl.


Watch Me Grow: 

newborn

1 year

 

2 years

3 years



A Note From Mom:

Morgan- you are my baby girl. I love you so much!! You spend your days with me making me laugh, making me crazy, making me work really hard to keep you happy. Sometimes I think you would prefer it just be me and you all day every day. You love it when I sing to you. You have ever since you were a baby. When your sad, we sing together! My favorite thing about you is your teeth + smile! You have the cutest little buck teeth ever! They really aren't buck teeth but the way they stand out is adorable. You have the biggest smile. There was this one time when you lip got stuck to your gum and your teeth were fully exposed, you smiled your biggest and I started laughing so hard I had to run to the bathroom! You have a way of turning any bad day so good. You have brought SO much joy to my life being your rotten spoiled self! I couldn't have asked for a better gift than your love!

~ The Shank Family

Ryker Wayne | 1 month

Ryker Wayne  |  1 month

How Big is Ryker?

age:  1 month

weight:  8 lbs 6 oz

height: 20.75 in

clothing: newborn


Milestones:

Your first smile (baby smile) was when one of my best friends was holding you on Friday Nov. 6th. I couldn't believe my eyes! It was adorable.

You were born at 6 lbs 7 oz. Leaving the hospital you were 5lbs 11 oz. You have put on weight beautifully over this last month.


A Day in The Life:
 

You nurse excellently. I couldn't be more thankful that you do.

You spend your days sleeping for around 2 hours at a time waking up to nurse and then falling right back to asleep. The short time you are awake, you usually just looks around aimlessly.

You are my snuggle bug. You love being snuggled and you snuggles right back. Over this month, you have been sleeping on your own without me needing to rock you or snuggle you. I do it anyways most of the time but when I need to give attention to your brothers and sister, you do a wonderful job nursing and sleeping in your cradle alone.

We are looking forward to watching you hit milestones especially over this next few months. Secretly, we can't wait for you to start cooing!

A Note From Mom:

Ryker - you are such a blessing. I remember when we found out we were pregnant with you. We were ecstatic! Daddy didn't believe me until I went to our fridge and started eating sour cream out of the tub. We were laughing and smiling. I remember the look on your dads face. It was pretty priceless. The whole time I was pregnant with you I dreamed of what you would look like. The day we had you was such a wonderful day. You are so beautiful! I love your chubby cheeks and your grin. I love the way you hug me back when I nurse you. I love the way you love me kissing your cheeks. I can't believe you are mine! God has blessed me oh so sweetly and I love you with all I have!

Goebal Tree Farm 2014

{excuse the fuzzy photos. not really sure what happened with my phone camera. probably user error}

 Each year that we are celebrating Christmas at home we take a trip to Goebal Tree Farm in Darmstadt Indiana. It's a huge Christmas tree farm where you can tag your tree and have it cut for you. This year (with Ryker's arrival) we never got the chance to tag a tree ahead of time.

We looked through the tree farm and every time I would find a tree I loved, it already had a tag on it. We looked and looked and looked. 

 

While looking for a tree, Morgan decided to choose her own tree. She said she needed her very own Christmas Tree. Adorable! She found this tree. I'm glad I got this photo before breaking bad news to her. When we didn't buy it she started crying. It was so cute the way she reacted. I love her.

It got dark quickly and we ran out of light for choosing a tree to cut down this year. So we headed back to the barn to call it a day. We would just have to come back the following day. Well while we were in the barn, we spotted tons of pre-cut trees. I was so excited! I looked around for about 3 seconds before spotting the perfect tree for our house.

Now, anyone who knows me knows I'm super picky about certain things. A Christmas tree is one of those things! I needed a tree to be tall but not skinny. Not too fat. No broken limbs or dying backside. I mean after all when you pay for a nice tree, you should get a nice tree. Kale kept picking lovely trees while we were outside and would get flustered every time I told him "too skinny" or "too fat". 

So when I chose the tree for 2014, he was sort of excited. Excited that I FINALLY spotted "THE" tree :)

We measured and made sure it would fit our ceilings. We have 9 ft ceilings and I wanted a tree that would ultimately fit right up to the ceiling with the tree topper. A 9 ft tree is exactly what I got!

It was our first Douglas Fir. I loved it! Small soft needles and just beautiful.

 I WAS THRILLED. I couldn't wait to get this tree home for decorations!

THEN.......

The baby woke up :)

So we fed the baby and were on our way!

THEN.......

This happened! Seriously Kale. Seriously?

We started down the road the the tree started to shift while on the roof. So Kale's solution? Opening the sun roof and holding the tree with his hand to keep it from sliding around. I sure do love him when he improvises in such ways....NOT.

When we finally got our tree home...it was so pretty. We were starting to get into the Christmas Spirit.

~ The Shank Family

It's all about Ryker { weeks 1-4 }

Yes. It's all about Ryker. At least for the last month it has been. He's been a spoiled baby and I've been a spoiled mama. I love it. I couldn't have asked for better helpers (the hubs and boys) so that I can relax, recover, take care of Ryker and re-motivate back into daily life.

Ryker has been our morning, our day, our evening and all of our moments in between. We've spent a ton of time snuggling and being us.

Here is a photo re-cap of our time together his first month of life. Mostly sleeping. Sleeping is good ;)

Ryker at Birth

 

Ryker - Week 1

Ryker - Week 2

Ryker Week 3

Ryker Week 4

No we aren't driving :) Daddy is being silly while boys are inside getting hair cuts.

 

 

He's our growing boy and we love him!! He's gotten so big so fast. Time is flying. Looks like I need to take more photos of our little guy!


~ The Shank Family