Gas Fireplace

 One our first "TO DOs" in our new house was to convert the fireplace to gas. So Merry Christmas to US. Santa brought us our big gift early. Today we got it converted to gas with a new style Loft series burner. Its a more modern approach versus the standard log series. We love it!!! So now our fireplace is half modern, half 80s... ha! Not to offend those that like how it looks. But someday we would like to change out the green marble and get a surround that is a modern, clean lines and simple.

 The flames run across linear and then there is a stainless decorative piece in the front. Which that helps to reflect the light.

And yes as you see I'm starting to work on my Christmas mantel. We are hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas "Friend Style" at our house with my family. So we are one of those 'crazy' people getting out our decorations early this year. That's ok though, I love christmas decorations!! 

 

The mantel is still in progress.. but this is it so far...

Happy Halloween

Cooper had a pretty awesome Halloween! I (deb) took the day off work so that we could hang out and do some fun things. We had a full day. Cooper really like being a package of M&Ms.

This was the night before practicing in his costume while Skyping with Uncle Ryan and Aunt Kari.

Halloween Day started off with breakfast with Grandma and Great Uncle Charlie. Cooper came into the restaurant in his costume. I think people got a kick out of that.

Then around lunch time we headed to Webster Groves to visit Daddy at school.

Cooper went around to a few of the teachers classrooms. And some of them even gave him candy. Cooper brought some candy to pass out. M&Ms.. of course.

Cooper really likes visiting the lizzards and fish in Daddy's classroom.

We enjoyed taking Daddy to lunch and getting to see him for a little bit.

Cooper took a good afternoon nap, so I decided to make some festive desserts for the evening. Here were the dirt desserts that I made. A favorite when I was a kid. Except I put little cool whip ghosts on top instead of gummy worms. I also made some Jello jigglers, but I didn't get a picture of those.

Later after Cooper's nap, Grandma Boeckman came over for dinner and gave Cooper a few surprises.

We had perfect weather for trick or treating and Cooper just loved it! 

 

This is the face you got when you first put on his costume.. HA! But then he would forget and be totally fine. 

Halloween Mantel

 I'll have to admit one thing about our new house that I was very excited about was having a mantel to decorate. May seem kinda silly, but a fireplace with a mantel was on my 'wish list' for our next house. And I was very excited that I got one. I hope my mantel decorating skills get better as the years go on. But for now here was my first halloween mantel. Its not Better Homes and Garden quality, but I like it. Kinda simple but fun. I was excited that I made my first yarn wreath. It was pretty easy. I think I might be making some more of those for other holidays...

On our 'someday' wish list of things to do. We hope to give our mantel a face lift and maybe make it a bit more modern. Or at least change out the green marble, since that doesn't really go with our style. But it will work for now.

 

Oh yeah and I was proud to find these pillows on clearance the day after Halloween. I'm a sucker for cute decorations. Especially ones for a good deal.