April Run - Last Minute Find

The Rad 80's Run

The 5k plan for April was to go with Lindsay up to Seattle for her friend's 5k run, "Run with Abe." The hard part about this plan was Evan had his open house for his new shop the day before so it was going to be a quick trip up and back. With a little hard thought and getting a baby up at 5am, we decided not to go. Since it was the last week of April, I didn't have many chances to find another run. That night I looked online and found "The Rad 80s Run." Bringing the 80s to our own back yard!

This was the perfect last minute run. It was being hosted at Mt. Tabor, a few minutes away from our house. The theme was easy as I always have 80s gear on hand and the run was supporting the Team Challenge for Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. A cause that one of best friends has been fighting for some time. It was nice to have a personal connection. 

The race was very festive and there were some great outfits! I felt a little sad by myself but again last minute sometimes we have to be strong and focus on our goals. Some runners started an aerobics stretching circle to the rad 1980's music being blasted! The run was a little challenging with the hills of Mt. Tabor. I did good with the first incline but the last couple were deadly. I found a good pace partner and we pushed through to the finish. There were some nice treats waiting for us at the finish but my favorite was all the the park-goers looks as we we crashed their morning activities! I loved my last minute outfit, although one day I will pull out Mom's old jazzercise outfit! (maybe next year!)

Wedding Idea: Beaded Serving Set

Serving Set with a TWIST

Truthfully I am not sure how the idea started. 2007 was a busy summer planning a wedding for Lindsay and Evan. Our mom must of picked up a simple serving set but wanted to jazz it up. One of those busy nights planning my mom had me string beads on jewelry wire to wrap around the end of the serving set. The beads were in Lindsay's wedding colors, cranberry, brown and a little pink. Lindsay had no idea of this little touch to her cake table. However, the beads didn't stop there. Our mother either had this in her head or came across the serving set during our wedding process in 2010. She had one of my sisters do the same for our cake table with our wedding colors; blue, green and grey. I had no idea but remember noticing the layer as we cut our cake. They had wrapped the wire on top of the first layer so you could still see the first layer of colors. It was special to see that added touch carried through to my wedding, like passing the torch. This last August was Courtney's wedding and we were able to complete the serving set with a another layer using purple and navy blue beads. We only had a few weeks to put her wedding together but was able to dig out the set and get the third and finally layer twisted around. We were able to pass the torch to out little sister to complete her cake and toast table. I have a couple pictures of the completed serving set below. They are not great pictures but gives you an idea.

I think this is a great idea for any family of siblings. It adds a special touch that will be remembered forever and you can keep using at any family function.

Wedding Tip: Ross Dress for Less sells serving sets for less than ten dollars. You may have to search a little but usually you can find one or two on the shelves at different times during the year. They also are a cheap addition to a shower gift as most brides don't think to register for a serving set or just the server alone.

Bits and Pieces: A Birthday Gift

Babies, Babies, Babies

Since 2010 their has been a BIT of a baby craze in our world. Starting with two of my best friends Allison and Sarah D. If you were at our wedding you would have seen the two pregnant bridesmaids! (It is supposed to be good luck!)  Since then babies have been popping up everywhere with friends, family, co-workers and all over Facebook. As people have been saying we are "at that age." To me it seems like a huge baby boom! It appears our generations and circles of friends are all starting that chapter of life. Chris and I are not at that point in our story book but know it is in our future.

After each baby was born I wanted to give a gift that would capture that special day, their birthday. I remember growing up with a wall hanging that was cross-stitched with all my birthday stats on it. I wanted to recreate this idea as a gift to each baby. Take an old tradition and make it new. I found an idea on Etsy to start with and went from there. I tried to incorporate all the colors from each nursery.

Here are a few of the PIECES I created:

Notice all the boys, boys, boys. The first girl just came a year ago in March. I have yet to get her print done but will get it added to the boys collection when I get a chance. With two more baby boys just born last week, I have some more work to get to. I love this idea because since it is just an 8x10 print they do not have to have it hanging forever but can add it easily into a scrapbook for another usable art project!

Bits and Pieces: Summer Crafting

Summer Crafts - 2012

One tight budget. Two projects from leftover objects. Three PIECES of usable house decor.

Over the summer every time I was at my Mom's house, I cleaned out my old bedroom drawers full of wedding leftovers. My goal was to purge, regroup and organize as much as possible to start getting all my stuff in order. In the process I came across a lot of crystal objects that were not used at the wedding but still had some artistic value. Also, I found a couple frames I had given to my sisters in college. I decided to make use of items instead of hiding in a drawer.

First Project: Outdoor Crystal Prism Chandelier

I love crystal prisms and what they create.  I have one hanging from my review mirror. They symbolize so much and capture the essence of color. I have a lot of these little prisms leftover from our wedding. I thought it would be fun to create some kind of way to display them outdoors, reminding us of our wedding vows. My goal was to find some cheap option to hang the prisms from similar to a traditional chandelier. Out of curiosity I tried a great local store called Hippo Hardware. However, the price they wanted for each chandelier was crazy for my BITTY project. I decided to stick to goodwill treasure hunting instead. However, to my surprise; at one my Ross Dress for Less adventures, I ended up finding a damaged candle holder on clearance for three dollars. I loved all the spaces and loops that would work so well with all the small prisms. Using some super thin jewelry wire from my craft box, I was able securely hang each prism as well as create a chain for the top.  We have the chandelier hanging on our front porch and has seasoned very well.

Second Project: Framed Chalkboards

Chalkboard has taken over in the craft world. I wanted to try my hands on converting some ornate frames, into usable chalkboards. These frames I purchased in college and put Disney princess pictures in them for my sisters and me. It turns out that we don't want Disney pictures in our houses these days but the frames are still "in style" creating my BITTY project. I purchased some chalkboard spray paint for five dollars and painted the glass with two coats of the paint, letting each layer dry completely. Then I just put them back into the frames and voila....a usable yet stylish chalkboard. Courtney uses her chalkboard all the time for little notes around the house.

Our First Nephew: CTH

Conrad Thomas Herling  - July 2012

Conrad with Gladys Blanket

Ready for Home

Our family tree grew last July as Conrad joined this world right on time. He was healthy and beautiful just a little bruised up from the bumpy ride. Evan started calling him "Little Bruiser"! These last eight months have brought our entire family so much joy. I love being an Auntie and was so thrilled to be able to help watch him a few days when Evan and Lindsay needed someone to fill in. Even Uncle Chris was asked to fill in a couple afternoons to watch him for a bit. He was so excited to play Uncle that we packed his records up the night before! After each visit to the Herlings he always says "Don't tell Lindsay and Evan but Conrad isn't that cute." Jokingly, he thinks the world of little Conrad and explains he has never been so close to a little one. I keep thinking this is how our Aunts and Uncles look at us. 

Pumpkin Booties

Go Ducks!

There are too many stories to list but I love his age right now. He is showing so much of his personality and his smiles are to die for. Recently we enjoyed Conrad's first Easter with the family and how much he loved being outside in the grass. The other night I was lucky enough to be there for bath time and to watch Conrad splish and splash all over. He loves the water and flirting with his Mommy and Auntie.

My favorite!

With Great Aunt Kelly

Shopping at TJs

Daddy's little boy

As much as Conrad has been a delight, it has been amazing to watch Lindsay and Evan as parents. They are 100% hands on. From the time Lindsay found out she was expecting, Evan was making sure she was taking care of herself and eating right in preparation for the delivery. When my mom called to come to the hospital as contractions were strong, I prayed and cried while driving that she have the strength to delivery this baby naturally. My mother has raised us to be strong women and this is something that we believe we were made to endure. I was so proud of my sister for sticking to her birthing plan and letting Conrad come when we was ready. Then to have a natural birth and be able to recover so well. She was strong enough to walk to her next room after the birth. She gives a lot of credit to her doctor who is considered the midwife of doctors, in not rushing into deliveries. I don't discount c-section births or epidural births because it is still a life coming into the world but women are created to experience the birthing pain. I figure if my Grandma, Mother and Aunties could do it, we can do it too. Conrad woman were built to breed!

Drool machine!

The Roaring 20's

Kelly's 30th Birthday - January 2013

Photo by Kelly Roberton

Finally a dress up party! My long time friend Kelly decided to bring on the 1920's for her 30th birthday party. I was looking forward to dressing up with Chris, since we didn't have an ensemble for Halloween this year. In preparation I went to look at costumes at a local shop called "Hollywood Costumers" close by on Sandy Boulevard. I always wanted a reason to stop in and see what they were about plus Kelly had mentioned she rented her flapper outfit from there. I loved the shop and the fact that you can buy or rent almost anything. Plus they had lots of accessories for sale, including cases full of vintage glasses. I ended up purchasing a newspaper boy style hat for Chris and getting a few ideas to see if I could create on my own. (True Wack Fashion)

Kelly's new camera added lots of effects!

Still the weekend of the party, I wasn't having success. Until...Ta Da! Momma Wack to the rescue! We had planned on her coming over anyway, our visit just turned into a search for costume making items. In the nick of time we were able to pull it off. I almost felt as I was back in high school with Mom sewing our dresses while our dates were waiting upstairs. A couple of the details included Chris wearing two dress shirts with the cuffs folded under to expose the white shirt underneath. My dress was some sort of long Vera Wang dress/shirt. My mom picked up some jewelry, firs and the cutest bowl hat ever to complete the outfit. Don't forget the beaded belt for a head band. I tried to pin my hair under but the weight of it kept falling out.

Photo by Kelly Roberton

I was happy we dressed up, meeting the birthday girl in her flapper outfit at the Nines Bar. We were the only three in costume but made the most of the night watching a few bands play music and enjoying some drinks. Cheers to the first 30th birthday party of 2013!

SKS - Beach Trip Reunion 2012

Florence, Oregon - August 2012

SKS was reunited once again at the beach in Florence! This trip was long overdue as I think the last time we were all together was at our wedding in 2010. Two years later we were able to meet on the middle coastline of Oregon state, with me traveling from Portland and Sarah T from Ashland. Sarah D had come into town for her cousins wedding in Salem and then traveled to the beach to visit her grandparents. I was so happy to be able to spend some time with the girls and also our first plus one to the SKS group. Little Luke and I were meeting for the first time. We bonded over toys and games like I was his true Auntie.  I was there for only two nights, very short lived but worth the laughs and pictures. Here are a few pics from Sarah T, I think Sarah DP took some too so may have more to post at some point.


 The story of SKS

A side note if people don't know the story of SKS. Sarah, Sarah and I all met virtually when were babies. Sarah and Sarah met at Church when they were little and Sarah T's mom used to watch me when were two years old. Then we went to preschool together and then Felida Elementary School. From there is just stuck, the three of us all the time. We all lived very close together, within bike riding distance and also happened that our birthdays are all within a week of each other. Sarah D is June 5th, I am June 13th and Sarah T is June 20th. We have tried to celebrate most big birthdays together. I am the only one that didn't move out Vancouver or at least the area. I like to think of it as holding down our past times and childhood memories. Our reunions typically involve the beach for some reason or another. Sarah T's father owns a home in Lincoln City so we spent a few birthdays and graduation get-a-ways there. Our 21st birthday was spent in Hawaii and maybe we will figure out a 30th birthday in Florida at some point. These girls are very dear to me as sisters are. As the saying goes they are true BFFL no matter how far apart we are!