Hot Fun in the Summertime

baby C was at my house

for the Fourth

he and Maeve enjoyed

swimming in a baby pool

in the backyard

it was a hot day

thiskidlovestheswings

and jumping off

and scaring the daylights

out of me!

every time she jumps

i pray,

"no broken bones, please!"

whew!

wouldn't be summer

w/o mommy's cocktail

what is your hot fun in the summertime?

Vintage Cowboy Party: Part Two

Well, it's official. I'm a bad blogger. Waaaahwaaaaah.

For the past several months, I've been consumed by planning C's first birthday party (and loving every moment of it!). Remember my inspiration parties? Well, we had the party this past weekend...and it was everything I had envisioned. I had every intention of sharing all of the details with you. The problem? I was so busy playing hostess & celebrating that I didn't take any pictures! All my hard work...and nothing to show for it! I explained this to Courtenay & she replied, "Don't be sad. We made great memories. Everyone had fun." I suppose my dear sister is right... :)

Birthday Boy wearing his Three Sisterz "1" shirt

Vintage Cowboy Birthday Party: Part One

Baby C is turning ONE in just a couple of weeks.  I guess that means I can't call him "Baby" anymore, huh?  I'm planning a first birthday party & going completely overboard...and I'm loving every part of it!  The theme is Vintage Cowboy.

I can't wait to show you what I've been working on (or shall I say, what I've been "purchasing" from Etsy).  Seriously, there are some talented folks out there.  Anyway, first up - some inspiration pictures!

I'm loving the daisies & galvanized tubs from this birthday party:

This idea for favors is so fun, don't you think?!  Included are cowboy hats, bandanas, sheriff badges AND horses.

And for food?  Easy, simple BBQ...always a crowd pleaser!

This party, just might be the sweetest party of all.  Lucky for us, The Tomkat Studio is an Etsy seller (hint, hint)!   

Next up, I'll show you some of my recent Etsy party purchases & what the guest of honor (& his parents!) will be wearing!

Quilt Pictures

So, yeah, I'm pretty much the slowest quilter out there. Quite pathetic when I venture out to blogland and people are whipping out quilts in an afternoon/day/weekend. But I've realized that comparing myself to others is just not the best thing for me to do. There's always someone who is going to do things faster/better, blah, blah, blah. You know what I mean. For instance, last night, I turned on the iron and sewing machine and got ready to sew and then went in to say goodnight to my girls. An hour an a half later, I was still laying down with the girls chatting and talking to my nieces on speaker phone. There's really no comparison and as much as I love sewing and NEED the quiet time, I'll never get the time back with my girls. So, if you're wondering what takes me so long, well, that's it.

Oh, and this guy... I've said it before and I'll say it again... I'm obsessed with this guy. What's not to love? Do you love his shirt? Yup, that's one of ours. I'll list it soon in the shop.

And here's Molly on her new Janome which is kick ass with it's hot pink accents. (Who says kick ass about a sewing machine?) She was off and running the weekend she came to visit my little sweatshop in PA. Bridgie is in the background watching her. And to the left of Molly, my Baby Lock serger that I love. Makes our dresses look fab!

Here are a few of the quilt squares. I love how they're turning out.

Ok friends, I'm back to work! Have a great Tuesday!

The Boys

Not many boys in our family. Flannery and I each have 3 girls but Molly had the first boy and he's the cutest thing ever. Seriously. He came to visit this weekend and I couldn't stop cuddling him, staring at him and being with him. I love every minute with the little guy and I miss him like crazy.

Here's a cute pic of the little guy, Coleman... with our Dad, also Coleman. Hi Dad!

He loves his Pops!

And here's a picture of me with my Pops 9 years ago. That's my Dad on the left, me with baby Colleen and our grandfather, Edward Joseph Shaughnessy. He passed away last Friday at the age of 95 and my heart hurts. He was truly one of the greatest and we were so blessed to have him as our Pops. He always remembered birthdays and sent a card, took us for walks, cheered us on at games and told the greatest stories. Pops was true Irishman who raised 8 kids with his wife Mary Agnes Flannery. He will be sorely missed. Love you Pops!

Tomorrow I'm going to visit this little guy.

He's my precious nephew and my heart

overflows with love for him.

I miss him everyday

and wish we lived

a bit closer but I'm

grateful that I'm within driving distance.

Three of my nieces are moving far away.

More than 700 miles.

It makes my heart ache.

And as my daughter said today, "I really wish they wouldn't move."

Me too kid, me too.

I never knew how strong my love would be

for ALL my nieces and nephews.

They are all so dear to me.

I love each and every one.

*Charlie*Jack*

*Eli*Harry*

*Eleanor*MaryLarkin* Virginia*

and

*Coleman*

Hope all of you have a great weekend!

I know I will!