Tucker Says...

I have often done posts titled "Greta Says..." and documented some of the funny, cute or embarressing things Greta has said... but now that Tuck is such a big boy, he has some cute things to say too!

Like yesterday morning...

Every Tuesday my sister Jessica comes over to watch the babes.

And Tuesday is play date day at their cousin and bff Joanna's house, so when Jes gets to our house the babes know they will be leaving shortly to head to Joanna's!

I was getting my work bag ready, grabbing my cup of coffee and flinging on my coat while Tuck was in the Kitchen sticking close to Jes.

He had already had cinnamon raisin toast and a bowl of golden grahams for breakfast but for some reason felt like he needed a bit more.

All dressed in jeans and a striped shirt and his hair slicked like he likes it...

he casually strolls over to Jes and I over hear him say...

"I think I need a granola bar before I hit the road."

Hahaha!

Oh man do I love that kid!

He is such a pain sometimes but so darn cute!

So today... I'll tell myself that it totally makes up for that!

He is a cutie!

Hope you all are having a great Wednesday!

Looks like we best get ready for some snow!

Chat later,

Jen

Greta's Tangled Birthday Party!

Like I said in yesterday's post our little Ms. G just turned four!

And when asked what she wanted the "theme" (I love themes!) of her fourth Birthday Party to be, she of course said....
Rapunzel!

The movie Tangled is huge at our house!

It was when it came out on DVD last year and has been ever since!

Take Christmas this year for example... about 50% of Greta's gifts had something to do with Tangled!

All of the dolls, Flynn Rider, the horse, pj's, purses, and lip gloss!

You name it, if it's Tangled or Rapunzel themed... we now have it!

And as much as I hate "character" type clothing, shoes, etc.... I know that things like that... over the top things like that, make Greta oh-so-happy!

Now if you other Mom's are like me then you too go a little crazy for your kids birthdays!

I love parties and party planning so my babes birthdays are the perfect avenue to let all my creative passions and ideas explode!

(or maybe I'm just a little bit like my Dad Terry... he's a party planning diva! lol)

So.... when Greta told her Momma she wanted a Rapunzel party... a extravagant Rapunzel party is what she got!

Here are some of the fun details so that you too can create a super fun Tangled party for your little girl... if she's into that of course! ;)

 We started with making little things like that fun banner on the buffet!
That sun design is what you see in quite a few parts of the movie... so we made a couple!
One for the kitchen, living room, etc.
They were super easy to make and can be found here.

Then I wanted lots and lots of lanterns!
If you remember in the movie the lanterns is what Rapunzel was trying to go see...

So we borrowed some from my sister Jes and hung them all over the ceiling!

 It was stunning!

We had a few odds and ends blue lanterns from my Dad so we paired them with this fun Flynn Rider poster!

You can find the poster here and how to play the game "Pin the Frying Pan on Flynn" here.

Besides the banner and fun purple balloons every where... we had the whole soundtrack from the movie playing on my ipad for all the guests and little girls to enjoy! We also had the movie playing downstairs and coloring sheets for the girls to color while they waited to eat!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that on the invites we told all the little girls that they could come dressed up as their favorite princess!

(and I also had a box of dress up stuff for those that wanted at the party)

 Not pictured is a really fun 20 foot long yellow braid that we made for the party!
It resembles Rapunzel's hair and turned out super cute! We hung it all around the living room as just another eye catching piece for the girls!
You can see what I am talking about here.

When it came time for food we didn't do the whole buffet super "themey" - we just had too many people!
But I did want to add some fun little touches that kept it "Tangled!"

Like these adorable jello love boats!
- for when Rapunzel and Flynn set off their first lantern together in the boat -

And then we set out a frying pan (remember the pan?) full of apples for Maximus the horse!
And I actually saw some little hands snacking on these apples as they ran around and played!

When it came time for the cake my hubby and I made the doughnut tower to set as the focal point in the middle of the buffet...

Basics of the doughnut tower: 1 dozen cake doughnuts stacked on my paper towel holder thingy... then 1 giant muffin bought at the bakery and an upside down waffle cone that was dipped in purple almond bark.
Then we just added the little Rapunzel braid and finished it off with lots of fake flowers bought at the dollar store!

Beside the doughnut tower we had a cupcake tower on each side full of flower cupcakes!
I had planned on making these myself but ran out of time and energy... so I just ordered cupcakes from the local bakery that were iced in green to look like grass!
Then we added a fake flower on top to make it look like the meadow around Rapunzel's tower!
The whole display turned out so stinkin' cute!

F.Y.I though... green frosting and little kids makes for some funny and messy memories!
Exhibit A: Princess Jojo... :)

And that's about it gals!

Another fun and super cute party under my belt!
I'd have to say, I actually had a really fun time planning this party and throwing it all together!
It all turned out so cute and I know Greta had a GREAT time... and that's all that matters I guess!

*A big thanks to My Dad, Chad, Wayne, Momma, my sisters, and James!
I couldn't have pulled off that party if it wasn't for you guys!
Every event has to have a team full of little elves running around to make something that big come together... and I am so thankful to have all of you as my little elves! haha. - really I do appreciate it.

Hope you all got some fun ideas for your next party!

As for us... well, we are done planning parties for a little bit.
Right now, we are just gonna enjoy life with our four year old!

Chat later,

Jen

Folks... We Have a FOUR year old!

I can hardly believe it, but it's true... Greta is now FOUR years old!

Our sweet, sassy, adorable, independent little girl has been in our life for four whole years!

I ask myself this every year on both of my babes birth days...

"How the heck did time fly by that fast?!"

In one sense I can barely remember my life before Greta, my life before becoming a Mom...

but in the same breath I vividly remember the day of Greta's birth like it was last week, maybe last month at most?!

I remember feeling nervous and scared and vulnerable.

I remember thinking what if I don't live through this delivery!

(Seriously... you Mom's know what I am talking about... your first delivery is terrifying!)

Or what if I don't know how to be a Mom... what if I mess up... or worse yet... what if I mess her up?!?!

I was so scared of what this little baby girl was going to mean for me and my life.

... but, oddly enough... four years later I can look back at all those fears and admit that not one of those emotions hold a candle to how wonderful my life is now that I have my Greta.

Her ear to ear smile can change my mood.

Her "bear hugs" warm my heart.

Her doing her best and conquering her fears at dance class makes me proud

Hearing her sing Taylor Swift makes me stop and smile every time.

And listening to her fumble through a prayer to Jesus at bedtime lets me know I am right where I need to be.

... right here, being Greta's Mom.

I'd be the first to admit that being a Mom is no easy task but it is when milestones like this roll around I can definitely say... I wouldn't change it for the world!

...........................

Now, like usual, we like to make big deals about birthdays at our house...

so the day before Greta's birthday this year she got to go to Chuck E Cheese with all of her cousins from Missouri!

Pizza, prizes, games, and fun... that was a perfect day for Greta!

And boy does she love that mouse!

And later that night we carried on the tradition that we did last year for Greta's Birthday and took a couple pictures of Greta on her last day of being three...

All of the cousins from Missouri were in town for Christmas and Greta's Birthday so she got to have a big slumber party in her room!

She loved it! - and so did her brother!

 Daddy and his little girl on the last day she was three...

And just like that, that was it... teeth brushed, pj's on, all set and ready for bed!

Come morning we would say good bye to our three year old and she would be four...



That next morning when Greta woke up to our traditional Birthday signs we couldn't help but be silly and make a big deal about her turning four!

We kept saying things like "Wow Dad, look at Greta... doesn't she look different?... Yep, she looks like a four year old!"

And that is what she is now... FOUR years old!

We are so happy and thankful she is all ours!

So Ms. Greta....

We love you!

Mommy and Daddy can not believe how fast you are growing up!

You are smart and funny... sweet and pretty... kind and outgoing... all things we could have only wished our little girl would become!

You are going to make a wonderful young lady some day soon...

and when that day comes, may you always remember how much you are loved.

I could never say it enough...

but we are so thankful and blessed to have you as our daughter!

We love you Greta J.

May this next year as a four year old be one of your best and most exciting yet!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Oh, and check out last year's Birthday post for Greta here!
Or the year that she turned two here!

Happy New Year!

So, another Christmas is down and a New Year is upon us!

I can't believe 2011 is done and over with!

If you're like me... 2012 sounds weird and will take a bit to get used to!

Well, if you know my family, or I guess have followed this blog for awhile... you know that the 2 week period surrounding Christmas and right after is a whirlwind of events!

We have not one, not two, but FIVE Christmas' to throw or attend and right smack in the Christmas storm our first baby, Greta, was born... so every year we throw in a birthday as well!

And this year the whirlwind was no different then any other year, it was a chaotically, blessed Christmas...

 Christmas Eve Morning starts with a brunch at my Mom's house...

 It's my favorite morning of the year!

We head over to Mom's and all get together for a morning of breakfast, Christmas music, and presents.

And now that some of us have started to have babes of our own our Christmas Eve Morning is growing...

And with a big family like mine comes a big Christmas...  

and an even bigger clean up...

But Momma was right... Nothin' beats a big family!

And I am blessed to say I have one of the best in the world!



Christmas Eve Night we head over to the Cooper's and have our huge Cooper Family Christmas which is always fun.

Then Christmas Morning we get to have our own little family Christmas with just me, Loren, and the babes...

 Oh, and the puppies...

They both love Christmas Morning just as much as we do!

And later on in the week, we always have Appleberry Christmas with my husbands family from Missouri...

Loren loves spending time with his family...

 And the babes can never seem to get enough of their cousins!

Can you see what I mean about a chaotically, blessed Christmas?!

So much Christmas and so little time.

But regardless, this was a wonderful Christmas and 2011 was a wonderful year!

I hope that you and your family can say the same as we start a new year.

Happy 2012 Everyone!

Chat later,

Jen

Things I Know for Sure: Christmas Edition!

Awhile back I did a post titled "Things I Know For Sure."

And in the spirit of Christmas I wanted to take a moment and document the things, right now, at this stage of life or at this time of year that I am thankful for.

Mainly... the things I know for sure!

So, here is a small list of the things I know...

I know...

1. That this time of year, specifically the month of December, is my favorite time of year!

2. That just like life, this time of year goes by way too fast.

3. That baking has always calmed my soul... but Christmas baking... takes it to a whole 'nother level.

4. That I would love a radio station to play Christmas music all year long... just for those July summer days when I need a little smile and a pick me up!

5. That every year I go over board on the present buying or budget.

6. That seeing a birthday cake at Christmas and singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus always makes me smile and helps put this holiday into perspective.

7. That watching my babes open presents gets me just as excited as opening my own!

8. That when just the tree is lit and the rest of the house is dark... that is when I feel most in the Christmas spirit.

9. That "Four Christmas's" is my favorite Christmas movie this year! - Last year it was Elf.

10. That singing "O Holy Night" in a crowd of people at church always gives me goosebumps.

But most importantly, I know that presents, Santa, Christmas carols and cookies are just the mere extra's as to why this holiday is so very important!

This holiday, Christmas, is truly all about Jesus.

And if it wasn't for his birth... these wonderful moments in life would mean nothing.

So here's to this wonderful time of year!

I can't wait for Christmas!!!

Chat later,

Jen

Our Newest Addition...

... we are proud to introduce...

~ Gus Dunphy Appleberry ~

He is the newest member to the Appleberry family!

A silver dapple haired dachshund born on August 28th, 2011.

This little guy is just about 4 months old and was in need of a home.

It all started yesterday when we went to see Santa at Northtown Mall!

... and you'd never guess who saw him and fell in love right away...

Yep! It was this guy...

From pretty much first glance... Loren was in love.

He wanted me to come look at him and fall in love with him too!

One of the second or third things out of his mouth was.... "I want him!"

After we left the puppy store to go have lunch before we saw Santa (Santa was on a lunch break so we had to take one too)... Loren kept talking about him.

After we saw Santa, Loren went in for one last look and to his surprise the puppy was gone!

The puppy was over in the corner being looked at by a young girl.

This however did not stop Loren... he walked right over and started watching over the puppy.

He asked "Are guys going to get this puppy?!"

This Dad and his daughter, Heather then went in to their story.

Heather has been watching this puppy since summer... since one of the first days he got there.

She had seen all of the other 4 puppies in his litter get adopted to new homes with in the first couple of weeks.

But for some reason, this puppy... Gus... was still there.

She told her Dad she would for go all of her Christmas presents and even pay for half if she could just have this dog.

Her Dad, said no.

But every time she came back to the mall (she is a 15 year old girl so it sounds like she was there quite a bit over the last couple of months! lol) she would check on this puppy to see if he had been adopted into a good home.

And every time she came back... he was still there.

Moved around from cage to cage... but still there.

After a couple minutes of chatting, her Dad said it was time to go. She started to tear up and said to Loren "You should adopt this puppy!"

"It looks like you have a nice family, with kids for him to play with, and could probably take better care of him than I could anyway."

Loren, probably getting choked up at this point said... "We'll see."

After she left Loren picked up the puppy and held him.

He wanted me to hold him as well but I tried to stay strong and keep my distance. I know how easy it is to fall in love with a puppy and then how hard it is to walk away.

Loren finally put him down and we walked out.

As we were leaving the mall Heather came running back in!

She said if you get this puppy here is my cell number. Please call me, it would make my Christmas!

After we got home the discussion began!

Loren tried talking me into it and I tried rationalizing him out of it.

We talked about finances, our family, our space, Walter, the babes.

Tons of things went into consideration.

We... and by we I mean me... tried to say maybe this isn't the best time.

Heck, we even flipped a quarter! lol

But after every pause in the conversation Loren was still dead set on getting this puppy!

It didn't even matter what I said... Loren had made up his mind... this puppy was ours!

So, at 6:30 last night Loren went back to the puppy store to bring home the newest member of our family...

Mr. Gus Dunphy Appleberry

- His middle name is Dunphy because that is what the ladies at the pet store had been calling him!

He was there for so long he had to have a name they said.

And all though we liked the name Dunphy (the ladies there were big Modern Family lovers and his name comes from the last name of Phil... Phil Dunphy! lol)

we wanted something a little different.

Although we kept Dunphy as his middle we finally landed on Gus.

And here is... finally home...



The babes are loving him and Walter, well Walter is just tolerating him as of now.

I am hoping they will become the best of friends.

As of now though... Walter is doing a great job of training him and letting him know that this was Walter's home first! lol



When Loren went back last night to pick him up...

he asked the lady... "Why do you think he was the only puppy out of his litter that was left for so long?"

And she said...

"Well, that's because his new owner wasn't ready for him till now."

Call it corny, call it a sales ploy...

I have given in to the idea of a new puppy at our house to love and I think that lady was dead on!

We just weren't ready till now.

Leave it to Loren to push me where I don't want to be pushed and have me tackle something I think I am not ready for.

Instead of being the Dad that said "No"...

he was the Dad that said "YES!"

And for that... I love him. :)

*Now please wish us the best of luck as potty training, house training, and just any kind of puppy training is not the easiest thing to do!

And if I don't chat with you soon...
Merry Christmas!

Chat later,

Jen

My Favorite Time of The Year!

December is upon us!

Actually we are well into December... I've just been so busy with the business side of Appleberry's Attic and enjoying this time of year that I have forgot to post!

I am pleased to say we had a wonderful time in Butler, Missouri with the Appleberry's for Thanksgiving!

And as usual... the babes LOVED their time with their cousins...

But since we've been back we've been enjoying the Christmas season!

Decorating the house, setting up the tree, wrapping presents...

 Christmas just isn't Christmas with out a big, full, gorgeous tree!

Side note: All four years that I have been setting up a tree with children not one ornament or bulb has ever been broken... till this year!

Yeah you guessed it, my curious, terrible two's, Tuck, broke 2 of them already!

We'll see if we lose anymore before the tree comes down!

*fingers crossed*

And we've even done a little baking....

 Well... I did the baking and Loren did the decorating!

If it was up to me I would just slap some frosting on these gingerbread men and call them good!

I don't have the patience or the time to go into great decorating detail... but my Loren wouldn't have it any other way!

He is a great little artist!

Here we are... Lorn and I... in gingerbread form!

Check out my hair?! lol

And Mr. Appleberry in a bow tie?!

I love it!

 Ohh, and this chubby little guy who's bustin' out of his tight, striped sweater! Haha.

I think he might be my favorite!

The nervous look on his face makes me laugh!

These are definitely all things that make this time of year my absolute favorite!

I am so looking forward to Christmas!

I better get my wrap on... I've got about a million more presents to go!

Yikes!

Hope you all are enjoying this time of year and soaking up all the wonderful things that come with it!

Chat soon,

Jen