Laundry Soap

I've been looking for a while for a recipe that I could use to make our own Laundry Soap.

I finally found one that works great (I might even be tempted to say that it works better than any other laundry detergent that I have ever used). And, its so inexpensive to boot!

Here's the recipe:

1 bar of Fels Naptha soap (the only place I can find it is at Winco. Its located in the laundry section); grated
1/2 cup Borax (Target, Winco)
1/2 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (Winco)

Mix all together and use 2 tlbs for a large load.

Grating the Fals Naptha soap takes a little elbow grease, but its worth it.

Here's the price breakdown:
Fals Naptha $1.05
Borax $3.15 (for the box) you use approx a fraction of the box for each batch
Washing Soda $3.00ish (for the box) you use approx a fraction of the box for each batch

So, for each batch you are probably spending $1.75! You can get about 20 loads for each batch...

Try it. I'm sure you love it. This is good for HE washers too. The Fals Naptha doesn't suds up so its perfect for HE washers.

DIY: APRON

For Christmas Phil's parents gave me a sewing machine.

I decided for my first project to make an apron.

I don't like using patterns, so I searched some that I liked from here and took a little of this and that from a few different ones. It was super easy and it only took me a few hours from start to finish.

I used thick ribbon as my ties. I thought this added
a little visual interest and texture.

I added a ruffle on the bottom with a complementing fabric for a little
"frill".

DIY: DINING TABLE

When we moved into this house, I knew that we were going to be needing
a new dining table. We had long outgrown our little four seat table. Instead of spending
a ton of money, I decided that I would try and find a fixer-upper.

So, I did. After months of searching Craigslist ads I found this little gem.

It was exactly what I wanted...almost. It needed a lot of help. I refinished it after many, many
hours. I think we bought it at the end of July and I have myself a goal to finish by Thanksgiving...I made my goal with a week to spare. Haha

I used the technique from Young House Love found here.

Here's the Before:

AFTER:

Christmas 2009

This year was a fun filled Christmas. We were able to spend time with a lot of our family
and dear friends.


To carry on a family tradition from Phil's side,
we are getting the kids PJ's for Christmas which they
can open Christmas eve. They love it this year. Here's
Savannah wearing hers.

Elijah's in his.

Mimi (great-grandma) came for my mom's b-day
and a little early Christmas with the kids. We had such a great time
visiting with her.

My dad and Elijah teaming up to make Christmas
cookies.

Mimi and Bubba

Just a sampling of cookies. This is a tradition from my grandparents.
They have made Christmas cookies for over 45 yrs.
This is a tradition we will be carrying on. This was our first year
doing it and it was a TON of fun!

Pizza making at my parents house.

Elijah in with his new blue guitar.

Savannah with all her princess gear and
shopping cart. :)

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we joined my dad at the fire station. He was working and so we thought it would be fun to let the kids have Thanksgiving at the fire house! We had a good time and enjoyed meeting all the fellow firefighter families. Elijah loved hanging out on the firetruck and ambulance too!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, it is now tradition to have a "leftover potluck" with the college students. This year was great and we had tons and tons of food (which I actually think is better than the day of). Anyway, here are a few cute pictures of the kids from the potluck. :)

Visit from Macy and Cameron (and Carly too!)

Last weekend our good friend from Roseville, Carly and her two kids, Macy and Cameron, came to visit for the afternoon. Elijah and Macy are like two peas in a pod and are such good playmates. They picked up as if they had never been away from each other (its been about 10 months since they last saw each other) and played like the best of friends. Cameron is such a sweet little boy and is such a pleasure to be around. We are so blessed by this family and it was such treasured moments to spend with them. We missed Jon though.

Elijah, Macy and Cameron
getting ready to leave in PJs

Macy and Elijah

Phil reading them all a book.
So cute. :)

Oh, and Carly's expecting her 3rd in May (and its a GIRL!) YAY! We're so excited to meet the next little Pray baby. :)

Its getting cold outside...

Since our backyard is still just a dirt lot, we spend a lot of time playing in the front yard and garage...

Here's Savannah (sunglasses and purse) pretending to go to work.

In the garage all bundled up.
Its starting to get a little chilly, so beanie hats and gloves are always
cozy and warm.

Halloween Part 3 - Harvest Carnival

Here's my little green dinosaur and pumpkin princess

Grandpa with the kids

One of the many fun games for the toddlers/preschool age kids

Face painting

Halloween Part 2 - Carving

Halloween Part 1 - Dixon Pumpkin Patch

This year we went with family to the pumpkin patch in Dixon, which is home to the largest corn maze. Even though we didn't get to the maze, we did manage to have a blast picking pumpkins off the vine and playing in the corn bath.

Here's my nephews Tyler and Cameron

My sister-in-law, Diana and niece, Kayla with Elijah and Savannah

Happenings...

Savannah Joy

My mom and dad at our house

Grandpa and Elijah

Elijah loves to take pictures...this is one
he took of Savannah...so cute (crazy hair, but still
cute).

Princess Savannah with her headband, necklace and
fairy skirt

Getting so big

Newly decorated play room

Working on getting the backyard in shape...