Crafty, But Not Cunning...

Here are my latest creations! Gabe is a good snoozer so I thankfully have time to work on projects that are fun for me.

Here is the first project I have ever made for my house; a welcome sign. I made it with jewelry wire, and luckily it didn't take too long to make. I think it turned out okay, but I don't like the way it hangs. I couldn't bend it all from one piece of wire, so it sits wierd where the letters are connected. Also it is practially invisible from the street!






This next project I LOVE, but it was a pain to make (it's hard to keep all those chains in place!). I especially love the beads I used. They are hot pink cracked glass beads, which I picked up at Walmart of all places!








This is my latest necklace. I like it because it is fun and funky. I don't like it because it doesn't match with very many outfits and the top row of beads keep flipping backward and driving me crazy!




This next project (a coupon purse): WOW. I have been working on it since February. I think I was a bit insane when I started this, and if I wasn't then, then I sure am now! I've never done bead embroidery like this before and I don't think I ever will again! It was so tedious and slow working. I would put it away for months because I couldn't stand working on it! But I normally like to finish what I start, and I'm glad I did. I think it turned out wonderful! Once the beading part was done, it took me maybe an hour or so to sew it together (SUPER easy to make one of these, click here). I'm also glad I decided to put a vinyl covering over it so the beading wouldn't get snagged on anything (though I wish I would have picked out a less sticky vinyl, if there is such a thing).






This next project I am currently working on won't be done for another 17 years or so. Of course I can't take full credit for making this cute, amazing, wonderful boy because Erik helped a lot too. Thanks Erik! I call this project Gabe and he's coming along just perfect, in fact, better than I thought! Definitely my most beautiful project ever, don't you think?

XOXO We love him! XOXO

Growing Up Gabe

Gabriel is currently 16 1/2 months old. He is growing up so fast! He is as tall as they come, and smart, too! Here are is stats from his checkup a few days ago:

Height: 34.5 inches-----------99th percentile!
Weight: 24.3 lbs--------------40th percentile
Head Cir.: 19.5 inches--------95th percentile

Gabe is learning new words by the day! It is so fun to hear his cute little voice. Here's a list of words he says:

"Diss"----fish
"Dada"---daddy
"Ah" ---On
"Offf"--- off
"Buh-buh"--- bubbles and balloon
"Vroom" ---broom and vroom (car/let's go)
"Hah" with hand wave ---hot
"Bah-dada"---banana
"Baah(d)"----bird
"Bah"-----ball

Gabe makes many other indistinguishable sounds that may or may not mean anything. He loves experimenting with his vocal chords. His favorite syllable is "da". We love him!

LOTS of videos of Gabe

Here are some videos of Gabe, from oldest to newest. I haven't posted any videos in awhile!

Playing with G-pa in line


At the hotel at Disneyland


What a smart boy!

End of June.



Gabe loves bubbles!
Beginning of July



Gabe's smooth dance moves.
Beginning of July



Gabe likes to talk on the phone.
Mid-July.




Gabe was obsessed with these cats! Poor kitties.
Idaho trip (End of July).



Gabe's very first time in the rain. (Yes, it rains here in AZ, once in a blue moon!)
Very end of July.

On, Off! Gabe's favorite game to play. As soon as I brought out the camera, he stopped saying "on" and "off". And that last pose of his? Yeah, that's him starting to fall. I was too slow in catching him. Poor kid.
Beginning of August.




Turnaround, turnaround! Gabe's other favorite game to play. I think he likes getting himself dizzy.
15th of August.

New Jewelry

Here are my latest creations. My hobby is turning into an obsession!

"Thing-a-ma-jig" earrings. I bought a thing-a-ma-jig the other day and I love it! In case you're wondering what it is, it's a little plastic device that helps shape your wire, to be brief.



Present for my mom. I'm hoping she won't see this before she gets it. I like it so much, I think I'll make one for me! The camera doesn't capture it that well, but it's really shiny and matches well with a lot of outfits. It was super cheap to make. I paid $10 for all the materials and I still have enough left over to make two more! Also it took me only 15 min. to make!



This next one I really like. It took a bit more time and planning, but I think it turned out well. I made the flower myself from fabric I bought at Joannes. If you want to learn how to make a flower like this, click here. They're super quick and super easy to make! Sorry for the dorky pictures. I don't have a professional camera, so I do what I must!

A Trip to Idaho

The last week of July Gabie and I went up to Idaho (Erik couldn't make it; he had rotations) to visit family and see my sister Lisa graduate from BYU-I (with a bachelor's degree in marketing). It was so much fun! Gabe had the time of his life-he got to see chickens, pigs, and dogs while we were at Eric's parents house. I've only been to Idaho once (for EFY), but I must say I really like it up in there!


One of the first things we did when we got to Idaho was eat at a place called "Big Juds". They served HUGE hamburgers, big enough to feed 4 people! After we had our fill of hamburger we got some ice cream there. We made the mistake of ordering licorice ice cream and it was disgusting! We took it back and got chocolate.

Me and my sister Cindy

The jumbo burger!

Eric's parent's (Lisa's in-laws). They are very nice!

Gabbers and I stayed at my sister Lisa's house almost all of the trip. Gabe loved it there because there were two kitties to torture! I'm sure they will never be the same...

Cindy, Lisa, and me.

Friday July 23rd was Lisa's graduation. Gabe sat through it okay, I was fine until the musical number started. What an embarrassing performance for a college graduation! The ceremony was held late in the evening and we were all starving but we were also very proud of Lisa!

Eric's very sweet niece who helped watch Gabe a lot of the time.Cindy and Gabe

My dad and I

Lisa's graduation!

Lisa, Gabe, and me

Eric and Lisa


The next day we all celebrated with a trip to Blackfoot Lake. We had lunch there, and those of us who could stand it swam in the freezing cold lake. Gabe was braver than I! Then we went fishing and Lisa and Eric caught a few small fish.

Gabe and my dad. I love this picture. It looks professional!

Gabie in the lake water. He was freezing but so excited to swim!

On the fishing dock. Gabe found the Reeses.



Eric Fishing.

We got to spend time at my grandparent's house in West Valley. I enjoyed seeing so many family member that were willing and able to come to the cousin's party. Wish I had gotten more pics!
The way back from Idaho to West Valley.

Me, Gabe, and my cousin Rachel

My Grandma; Gabeie's great grandma!

The Shettell boys. They are a blast!

We even got to spend some time in Provo. Unfortunately it was only a day so I didn't have time to visit as I would have liked to. Me, Gabe, my sisters, and my mom all went swimming and hung out at Cindy's place. I also got to try a Yoga class with Cindy that was really neat.

Cindy and my mom and BYU.

Gabe was so good on the plane, there and back. He was so excited to be home. I was so tired that when Gabe took his nap, I feel asleep and slept through the doorbell ringing and knocking of a piano student! Whoops. I will never schedule a lesson right after I get back from a trip again!

Happy 5th!!

As of yesterday, July 28th, 2010, Erik and I have been married for 5 wonderful years! Married life has been amazing, thanks to Erik being an amazing husband!

Here's a brief summary of our married life thus far:
We started dating on my birthday weekend (first weekend of November) way back in 2004. I liked him right away. Someday I'll post our entire dating story-maybe next anniversary :) After a 5-month courtship, we got engaged on March 31st 2005 (also Erik's birthday and later Gabriel's birthday!). We were then sealed in the Nauvoo, Illions temple on Wednesday, July 28, 2005 at 10:00 am. We held the Gurnee reception Friday, July 20th. Then we went on a fabulous cruise to the Bahamas and Key West for our honeymoon. We held our second reception in St.George, UT right after we got back. Then the next two years we finished up our schooling at BYU. We graduated together in April 2007, Erik in Biochemistry and me in Humanities/Music. Erik then applied for Med Schools and while we were waiting to hear back from the schools, we both worked. 2008 was an eventful year! Erik worked as a pharmacy tech for IHC and I worked as a CNA at The Courtyard at Jamestown. Erik got accepted into a few med schools but we decided that Midwestern University in AZ was best for us. We went on another fabulous cruise to Jamaica, Mexico, and the Caymen Islands for our 3rd anniversay. I found out the same week we got back (aug. 4th 2008) that I was pregnant! By then we had put an offer in for a house we liked and it was accepted! We moved in our new house in Peoria, AZ the end of August and were welcomed by a wonderful friendly ward and nice neighbors. Erik started his first year of Med school a few weeks later. Then on March 31st, 2009, little Gabriel came into our lives and we couldn't have been happier.
We are looking forward to raising our little family and enjoying not only the rest of our lives together here on this earth, but forever and ever and ever! I love my Erik! He's the best husband ever!

Our very first picture together!

My roomate @BYU put this silly ribbon on Erik

Taken a short time before we got engaged


Nauvoo Temple

Such a happy day!

Our carriage ride

Our honeymoon cruise to the Bahamas

Halloween dress-up time! Oct. 2006

BYU graduation April 2007

Our 3-year anniversary cruise, picture taken in Jamaica

Our first house

Our first baby-Gabriel!

Our little family at Disneyland