Halloween

We were able to head up to Sacramento for Halloween last weekend. Luckily, Matt got out of school at 11am (so unheard of here at CECOS) so we were on the road by 11:30am on Halloween. We arrived in Sacramento around 6:15pm, had dinner at Matt's parent's house, and then took Lukey out trick-or-treating. Matt loved taking Luke to all of his neighbors and showing him off. After neighborhood trick-or-treating then we went to a really cool Halloween party hosted by a friend of Matt's. The party was in their backyard (the only downfall was that it was raining on and off, but still fun nevertheless) where they had a pretty good Haunted house, good music and a dance floor (Lukey's favorite part was of course the dancing), a huge blow up witch food table, and games. It was pretty spectacular to see all the Halloween decorations this family had. Fun, fun. Lukas was Steve Young when he was the 49ers quarterback, Matt was a blind referee, and Lydia (aka my tummy) was a basketball while I was the backboard and hoop (thanks Janelle for the idea!). Enjoy the pics.

Luke's 15 Month Check-Up

Today Luke had his 15 month check-up (at 15 1/2 months). Here's his stats:
Weight: 27 lbs 4 oz = 90%
Height: 32 1/2" = 75%
Head: 20 1/4" = off the charts!
All in all, he's a healthy kid. He used to be in the upper 90th percentile for height and head circumference and around the 50th for weight. Now height and weight seem to have somewhat swapped....even though his head has kept growing. I still think he is well proportioned. His 3 shots he got today didn't go so well. I had already had a maternity dr. appt today that took 2 hours and then went directly to Luke's which ended up taking 2 1/2 hours all together. By the time Luke got his shots he had already been there for a little over 2 hours and was 2 hours past his much needed nap. He normally takes shots like a champ and cries for seriously like 5 seconds total. Not so much this time. He cried like crazy for a good 30 min after. I was on the verge of tears myself praying that he would calm down. He kept kicking his legs because I'm sure they hurt. Finally the Lord answered my prayers (probably because he didn't want to see me have a break down due to my out of whack pregnancy hormones ;)) and juice and newly bought thrift store toys calmed him down. After that he has been happy go lucky (although still nap free). Now he's finally whining for me to pick him up and put him to bed...I love my little guy!

Pumpkin Patch

When Luke and I flew back to Port Hueneme on Oct. 11th we lucked out again because we came home to our other family. Matt picked us up from the airport and then we met up with Matt's brother Jeremy and his wife, Janelle, and their little girl Zoe. We were able to spend Saturday - Monday together since it was a 3 day weekend. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate very well and it was insanely windy! However, Matt and Jeremy were determined to get out and surf regardless of the choppy waves and Matt almost got smashed into the dock because of the dumb weather. I'm very grateful he was able to get out in time and can continue being an awesome husband and father! ;) Janelle and I and the babes were able to do a little shopping while the boys went surfing since we didn't want to get out in a sand storm on the beach.

Monday was SO fun because we all went to a neat pumpkin patch where luckily the wind didn't blow so hard. The kids had a ball. I'll just let the pictures tell the story.

Utah Trip

I really can't believe it has been almost a month since I last posted. Time is flying just a little too fast. Well, from Oct. 2nd - Oct. 11th Luke and I were in Utah visiting family. It was my dad's 50th birthday and my mom bought him a plane ticket to UT to visit his family for it. It was a lot of fun. We stayed at my older brother Brad's new house in Lindon. We had a big family party on my dad's birthday with all his siblings, nieces and nephews, and parents. They all got there between 6:30 and 7pm and didn't leave until almost 1am!!! We had dinner, watched the BYU game, and then played Encore for forever. My dad said it was the most fun he's had in a long time so it was well worth it!

The rest of the week was filled with being sick, buying winter clothes for Luke, new clothes for Lydia, visiting my best friend Shayna, and meeting with the military movers to repack all our stuff that was in storage in Provo and then send them off with it all to PAX River, MD. It was definitely a busy but fun filled week. Everyone in my family got sick. I threw up twice on Monday and then Luke threw up once during the night on Tues and again Wed night. That part definitely stunk but luckily even though we were sick we were still able to get everything done and still managed to have lots of fun. Luke loved being able to run around in such a big house. He also loved playing with all his cousins, especially his 5 year old cousin Porter, who would just run around Luke in circles and flop on the ground just to get a huge laugh out of Luke. Too cute! We definitely miss you guys! Thanks again for all the fun!

Unfortunately, I didn't take hardly any pictures while we were there but here is a few that are cute.

Lukas loved "playing" the wii. He was just trying to copy his cousin Porter the whole time.

Lukas being silly...

My dad and his mom, whom I absolutely adore! I love you grandma!

My dad with all of his grand kids. Left to right: Conner 2 1/2; Porter 5; Samantha 9 months; MaKinzie 14 months; Lukas (hilarious face, huh?) 15 months; and Brooklyn who is almost 3 in Dec. This is mostly for those of you who know my bros. Chad's kids are Conner and Makinzie. Brad's kids are Porter, Brooklyn, and Samantha.

Ideas Anyone???

So I need everyone's help! I have been mulling over the idea to start a small home-based craft business for about a year now and I'm ready to just do it. Now, I know that I really know nothing of technical sewing skills but I do LOVE to sew! I'm self-taught (which isn't so great when it shows...) and therefore make things up as I go. I've made a couple nursing covers and diaper bags already for some friends and family and it seems like they and their friends really like them...I guess this is enough confidence for me...Anyways, I really want to sell diaper bags, burp cloths, changing pads, receiving blankets, and nursing covers. Eventually I might even add more to this list (like onesies, hats, booties, car seat covers, dresses, hair bows and ties, etc). Here's my problem. I don't really know how to go about starting to sell these things, besides a blog and an etsy account. I need a business license as well as a registered trademark.....So, here's the question: WHAT SHOULD MY TRADEMARK BE? I'm really dumb at coming up with some creative names so far and Matt suggested that I ask all of you. I love my sweet husband and his good ideas! So here are some ideas I have come up with and PLEASE if you think of a name that you like better and wouldn't mind me using it then LET ME KNOW! If you wouldn't mind just commenting which one you like the best and why you think I should use it I will LOVE YOU ALL FOREVER! And if you don't like any just say keep thinking... haha..Thanks again guys! ;)

1) Sew Hopeful
2) Simply Mama
3) Barefooted Surprises
4)Barefooted Laughter
5) Now or Never Crafts
6) Hopeful Surprises
7) Sew Outside the Lines

I know some are generic...I really want a catchy name! Help!
BTW here is an unfinished bag I'm working on right now...what do you think (this was the only clean place to take a pic in our little hotel room..haha)???

Catching up with our Newport, RI trip

I know its been a month but I thought I better add a post with a few pics of us in Newport while Matt was at OCS (Mostly for scrapbooking purposes. I will eventually post pics of the actual graduation soon). So, one Sunday we took a fabulous drive along the coast and looked at all the million dollar mansions. We stopped at a park at the end of the road and boy was it a sight to see! We were amazed at all the kites that were flying everywhere. I've never seen such BIG kites! Lukas LOVED it of course.
Yes, that is a massive Mr. & Mrs. Devil kite in the background. haha.

Gorgeous coast in the background.

All those specs that you see in the sky are kites. So fun!

While in Newport we also went to a Huey Lewis and the News concert that was on the base and was free! It was so fun and right on the bay where they shot off the best fireworks show I have ever seen in my entire life. It was so good that the the ending fireworks were hidden in a cloud of smoke from all the previous fireworks. It then started raining firework debris all over us. It was like they were right on top of us. Very cool.


Matt's parents and little sister were able to make it for Matt's OCS graduation and we had a lot of fun with them while they were here. We toured the Elms mansion and got a taste of how early 20th century well-to-do families lived. The women changed their outfits around 5 times a day! Whew! It was definitely a beautiful home though. Mom and dad Evans also took us for a wonderful mini cruise of the Newport bay. It was gorgeous! of course I didn't have my camera though and don't have any pics of the cruise but THANKS mom and dad for the fun times!

Matt being silly by a gorgeous fountain outside the mansion. It looked like something out of Narnia...

My mother and sis-in-law looking cute ;)

Gardens

The 10 acres of beautifully kept grounds.

Cuteness...

Every time I turn around Lukas has something on his head. He just loves to pick stuff up and drape it over his big noggin'. ;) Here's a few pics I took, within 24 hours (and I didn't even take pics of everything he put on his head in those 24 hours, haha). Cute guy.

Don't worry, it's a clean diaper! ;)

And yes, that is one of my girly headbands...

Here's saluting to you dad! :)