Cards Cards and more Cards

Next week my ward is having an enrichment activity making cards for a local hospital.  The lady in charge called me and asked if I would make a few examples that people could look at to get ideas.  Now know that I'm not a fan of making cards, probably because I don't have a lot of cool card stuff, but also that I can't come up with good ideas for them.  I told her that I would though because I figured if all else fails I'd get help from my sisters who are really good at making cards.   I looked up a lot of ideas online and just changed the look a little bit or played with the colors I had.  It actually became quite addictive and I had a lot of fun.  Here's a few that I came up with 

Aunt Juliann

I was asked to watch my nephew a few days ago, oh boy I do not feel like a great babysitter.  He was good though and played with his toys while watching a movie allowing his aunt (me) to finish a project for enrichment (post to follow).  The movie got over and the little boy got restless so I asked him if he wanted to make cookies, he did (he isn't stupid).  I got him in an apron and he wanted to help with everything, he says "I do".  I mostly just had him pour stuff and stir.  He was interested by my kitchen aid and by measuring out flour, oh and grabbing the lid to the garbage can and sticking it on his head.   He is quite the little helper and stole my spoon covered with cookie dough and knew what to do with it, little stinker.  I had to be the meanie and take it away after a couple bites because there was a lot of cookie dough on the spoon.  All in all he was really good and I hope he had fun.  

 He likes to use my plastic bag holder as a punching bag

Staying Busy

Or at least trying too....

Daniel started school again and with that comes a new routine to get used to and more time spent apart (worst part for sure).  He is doing good in school though and this will be his last semester at SLCC (so proud of him).  I think he's enjoying his classes this time and is finding the subjects interesting.  I'm trying to keep busy, but I'll be honest I'm so going crazy (I'm bored).  I feel like a little child on summer break, I ask Daniel what I can do haha.  I'm one of those people that I get all my to do list done like immediately in the morning so I'm left with a very long day filled with "what should I do next".  

Here's a craft I did a week ago that will be a Valentine decoration, I also think it would be super cute in a little girls room too so we'll see when we get to that point in life.

I'm really in love with the color gray right now so this just sings to my heart

I also have been working on some decorations and putting pictures into frames to go in our bedroom for a while now.  Daniel told me to come up with an arrangement and he would hang them last weekend.  I'm really happy with the turnout, and grateful to have a sweet handy husband who goes along with my need for decorations.

Our bedding is Tan with stripes in gray, tan, white and brown so i went with a variety of different nuetral frame colors.  (There's that gray again, I just love it)

Just one more picture to put on here so I can keep record of it,  I made some cupcakes for our nephew A for his birthday celebration at Sunday dinner.  He loves Captain America and chocolate (anything sweet) so we went with that theme. 

They probably could pass as July 4th cupcakes too, but he loved it.  I had to keep myself from sneaking one before we left.  I love me some chocolate cake and don't have it very often so I was just as excited as the birthday boy.

2014

I don't have pictures sadly (one of my new year resolutions take more pictures haha

We had a great New years eve spent with family playing games and enjoying yummy food.   I think I've shown my competitive side a little to much to the Hepworth's haha I may need to tone it down.   I said maybe right?  I sure do love games and I especially love playing with just as competitive people who bring on the smack talk.  We spent the night over at Daniel's parents so we could enjoy the evening and not have to drive back late with all the crazy people out on roads.  We woke up and went and played some indoor soccer with some of Daniel's brothers, nieces and nephews.  We kept New years pretty low key and stayed around the house and then enjoyed a late night movie.   We went and saw Saving Mr. Banks, it was wonderful.   Our 2013 was wonderful and I know we both look forward to what 2014 has in store for us.  I know it will be filled with some changes, but changes are always good.   

Bring on 2014, the Hepworth's are ready.  

Our Merry "Big" Christmas

I went into this holiday season being sad and unsure of what Christmas was going to be like with  such a sadness.   I was reminded though of why we celebrate Christ, and why he truly is the reason for such a season.   Not only his birth is celebrated but his life and all the works of his life.  I'm reminded especially this season of him feeling all our pains when he suffered on the cross.  I'm also reminded of eternal families and the opportunity that awaits us to have a little family of our own.   We really did have an amazing Christmas, filled with so much love and service from others.  I'm so extremely grateful that we were overwhelmed with things to do so that we could move a little bit forward from our sadness.  Sure deep down the sadness is still there and may be for a while, but I still have reasons to feel joy.  
On our drive home last night from Christmas events we decided to take a back road and enjoy some Christmas lights.  It was so relaxing to do this and just think on the events of the last couple days.  We talked about what our favorite moments were for the day.   Of course we enjoyed time with family and our quiet Christmas morning enjoying each others gifts,  But we both commented that we enjoyed the peace and comfort that we were blessed with.  We both loved that we were able to smile, laugh, and just enjoy our days.  

Now on to our Christmas Eve and Christmas events

Christmas Eve
Daniel had a half day at work, which was fabulous.
We ate lunch and then went and handed out some last minute neighbor gifts.
We left for Daniel's parents house for dinner and a Christmas party.
The night was so much fun, we had a pinata and then opened presents.  I love watching the children open there gifts, there just so excited to open gifts.  We then were able to Skype with our sister missionary in the Philippines.  It was so great to see her and get to chat with her for a few minutes.  We went home and crashed from the night of fun.

Christmas Day
We woke up and opened some gifts (picture to follow)
We got ready and headed down to a little breakfast/brunch at one of our neighbors home.  This was going to be a breakfast for a new ward member that hadn't celebrated Christmas in awhile but ended up not being there so it was just us and our great neighbors.
Daniel's parents and brother came to see all our gifts and to visit.
We then headed back over to the Hepworth's to talk with Daniel's brother who is on a mission in Oregon.  It was also great to hear from him.
We then went to my parents for dinner and games. It was great that we all could get together again on Christmas night to celebrate.  
We went home and crashed again from the night of fun.

Daniel's Gifts

Juliann's Gifts 

And of course we got spoiled by our parents, drawn siblings, and neighbor friends.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Santa Claus is coming to town

I sure do love this time of year.  I especially love decorating for Christmas so here's a peek at our place.

The tree

I put this wreath on the door to help discourage robbers from entering 

We went Christmas shopping last night and I think we spent 10 min down the electronics isle for Daniel to try out every head phone haha.  So I took a picture.

Baby it's cold outside

I've probably mentioned before on here that I have a lot of shoes, well they all get abandoned when it starts getting cold.  I'm a wimp to even think about not wearing socks when it's winter.   So I decided to make myself some keyhole socks.  Oh you haven't heard of them, well let me tell you about these genius socks.  So I'm not gonna  wear socks and flats together unless my socks aren't going to show  (theirs exceptions so don't think you have to go throw out your way of dressing, it's just something I don't like.)
So these socks are cut a certain way so you can still keep your feet warm but also wear flats and your socks don't show.  So clever.
just so ya know my pants are rolled up, they would be put down if worn in public

 So I took a couple pairs of my socks and judged wear most flats fall on the foot and cut.   Then to help with the fraying I sewed around the edges.  Not to shabby


I also have been wanting to finally hang some things on the wall in Daniel and I's bedroom.  So I made this little sign to hang.  Haven't hung anything yet though haha maybe once the semester is over so my handy man can help me.