Change

So I'm going to try and change things up a bit here.  In the past, this blog has been all about keeping my family, especially those without facebook, up-to-date with pictures.  But since I am trying to start a business from my hobby, I will now be putting more pictures of jewelry on here, in addition to the cute and fun pictures of the kids.  I have some things on etsy, but I've created way more than I would ever put on etsy - you know, the learning-a- new-technique-bracelets that have become my favorites and others that were one-of-a-kind and I like to much to sell.  So the people out there in the web world can see the kind of designer I am or have been and what I am progressing too and then, maybe mosey on-over to etsy and see what I am doing there.
And, maybe now I feel a little more official, since I had my first sale on Etsy in the last week - YEAH!  
First, I have to say a huge thank you to two other jewelry designers that I have only recently been following (and they are awesome) because I won some beads and a gift certificate to buy beads from their blogs - both in the last month.  I feel like the luckiest person because that just doesn't happens.  I wish some of that luck would rub off at the festivals around here so I can win a basket.
  
Thank you to Lorelei Eurto for the cool flower beads - so pretty.
And thank you to Amy Freeland for the gift certificate to Ornamentea - which has already been used.

And now here's some of jewelry shots - I'm debating whether to sell them.  They are both made extremely well, but the shell one is a choker length and I don't know if that is the length that people would like and is the best for it and the silver one - well, I can't decide if I want to keep it.  Plus, I need some better pictures.  If any jewelry makers follows this - how much jewelry that you make do you keep vs.  sell or giveaway?

And, of course, a cute shot of a kid.  After a day of fun in the sun, sometimes you just get tuckered out.

Daphne's Dance Recital

Daphne had a great time at her Tippitoes Dance Recital and loved performing.  She said she definitely wants to do it again.  Daphne says, "I loved getting flowers and I didn't expect all the flowers I was going to get.  I loved getting ice cream after my recital and I loved it because both of my Grandma's were there and Kim."

Joey's first (only) trip to the ER

Last night he slipped in the bath tub and his chin came straight down on the side of the bathtub.  Luckily, Kevin was right there when it happened and luckily, he was home when the baths were being done so he could take Joey to the Children's Hospital ER.  -- I would have probably sobbed with every stitch.  Before he went, he had a pretty good-sized gash on his chin and now, he has 4 stitches and a promise to get ice cream today.  Kevin said he held up well - the nurses showed him a video of Elmo on an iPad while getting the stitches, and the Kevin and some nurses held his arms down.  Much different from when I get stitches (several times) as a kid - I still remember them putting my arms in a pillowcase and then having me lay on the pillowcase while I got the stitches and I don't think parents were allowed in the room while it was going on.....   Joey got a popsicle and stickers in the ER for his bravery - and Kevin - well, he got an evening in the ER bonding with his son.
Oh well, here's the damage.

Back to business

Ahhh... another 4 month hiatus.  Where does the time go?  Some pictures from Easter. 

And some exciting news.... I finally opened a shop in Etsy.  So all of those ambitious ideas I've had and all the beads I have been buying .... well, here you have it.  The start of a fun business and one that I will truly enjoy every minute of. 
Now, if the boys will just give me a spare minute to make some things! 
Here it is...
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Gemsofsummer?ref=ss_profile

(Eeck!  Just caught the boys playing with a toilet bowl brush!) - Gotta go.

New Tricks

So Brady is now almost 6 months old and he's added a few new tricks to his bag.  He can sit up for a few minutes.  He can move anywhere around a room.  He's started eating rice cereal, although not too well.  Most of it still ends up on his chin.  And unfortunately, he is sleeping worse at night than he was 2 months ago.  I think he likes to eat more at night than during the day because during the day he usually has someone distracting because Joey or Daphne (mostly Joey) stands right behind Brady and screams or cries for me, so then he turns his head and doesn't want to eat anymore.  It's getting old.  We have all gone through colds this week (except Kevin) - we hope he stays well. 
Joey is starting to potty train, even going tinkles in the potty a few times.  Oh, how we look forward to only having one in diapers again :)

Brady in the Exersaucer. 

Brady sitting up.

Daphne and Joey practicing ballet.

The kids on Thanksgiving.

Brady enjoying his first non-milk drink?

Brady is 4 months old

Brady turned 4 months old two weeks ago.  I think he's going through a growth spurt.  He is starting to outgrow his 6 month clothes and we've recently had to go up a diaper size.  He is just getting so big - watch out Kori, I think he's trying to keep up with his bigger cousin.
And today, he officially has a tooth coming in.  He's been very crabby and waking up frequently at night.  Say goodbye to the gummy smile.  I have mixed feelings about that.  Excited he's passing a new milestone but sad that my baby is growing up.

The Columbus Zoo

This past Monday, both Daphne and Kevin had off, so we visited my parents in Columbus at Jack Hanna's zoo.  That zoo is BIG!! with lots of animals.  I liked the kangaroo exhibit - we were actually in their habitat, they could jump all around us. 
Grandpa & Joey & Grandma & Daphne in front of the Columbus Zoo

McCabe's just inside of the zoo.

Brady - Isn't he so cute? 

Riding the warthogs.

Grandma & Brady.

Grandpa & Daphne & Joey