The Crafty Bug Bit Me In The A**

It only comes but once a year, usually around baby shower time. Last time it was the diaper cake, which I now realize was childs play. This time, it's invitations! My BFF Dana got herself knocked up (on purpose, she even got herself a husband before she did it! A rare thing here in the rogue) and we once again are throwing a baby shower. They are keeping the gender a "surprise" because they like to torture people, so we must be "gender neutral". I found these adorable pea pod invites and figured I could make them better and for half the price, so once again the craft bug found me.

I found a local scrapbooking store that has a Cricut (this super cool cutting machine that if I ever actually cared that much about crafting I would have to get) and for a very reasonable price they cut 40 pea pods, pea pod shadows, and vines. So two days later I emerged from my crafting oblivion... my children have grime behind their ears, my husband is starving and my house a wreck. Just like when I read the Twilight books!

Here are some pics of my project all the way through. I was right, they are MUCH cuter than the ones I found online, and cost less than half the price!

to start

after punching a million little peas

The finished pea pod

gotta love the ole ink jet

Ta Da!

#17

Doug and I welcomed our SEVENTEENTH(!) niece (well, all together nieces and nephews we have 17) on Thursday, January 7th. Sweet baby Nyah Lynn Striley was born to parents Jayson and Jessica. She is a beautiful little 8lb 19inch girl and we are so excited! Lori was lucky and was their L&D nurse (I made sure they had the best!) and took excellent care of them. Jessica was a serious trooper and looked amazingly beautiful just moments after birth. What a blessing all these kiddo's are to us!

Bath Buddies

First pic of the boys sharing a tub... this was right before Coco got a little slippery and had a face plant in the water, it might just be a little to soon to sit bare bummed in the big tub :)

Why, God?

It has been almost 2 weeks, TWO WEEKS and Everett has only napped twice (once, while I wasn't even here, so that shouldn't count). Are we at the end of an era? I have tried everything, removing all his toys from his room, rocking, singing; threatening, screaming. Nada, he just stays in his room and plays with his toys until I give in and let him out. I just cannot believe he is done with naps already, he still poops his pants he should still take a nap!!

I actually wouldn't mind so much, he does play quietly in his room but when 5pm rolls around he turns into an evil little zombie whiner and frankly I'm scared he's going to try and eat my leg. And just in case there are any Everett sympathizers out there here is a video to prove what a little pill he is (This is not the worst either).

Yeah, makes you want to run screaming doesn't it? Seriously is this the end? Any words of wisdom out there? Or is Ev's new bed time 6pm?

Sianara '09!

2009 certainly had it's ups and downs! And by ups I mean throw up and downs I mean toddler throw downs! Just another exciting year for the Striley's!

Everett is finishing the year at a whoppin 25 lbs and Corbin is not far behind at 17.5lbs

Baby's first Christmas

Coco the sneak... trying to get into his presents before Christmas!
If only he could read, he'd know that present is for Everett

Two year old birthday cake face (the boy is 2, not the cake)

First time playing in the snow
(last time mommy goes in the woods to cut a tree down with 2 little babies!)

Our house after Santa came

Christmas party at Grammi and Papa's house, he looks like the next Tony Soprano... he can really wield a bat!

This is the only half way decent picture of the boys on Christmas Eve...

Ev was not in the picture mood

TWO!

Happy Birthday sweet Evy!! Thanks for beginning our family! We are blessed every day to have you in our lives! We are so excited to see you grow and learn.

Love you!
Mommy and Dada

...And for My Next Trick