PVC Fort

A few weeks ago on Pinterest I saw instructions on building a fort out of pvc pipe. It looked simple enough and I asked Dave if he thought this was something we could do and he jumped right on board. Although, he suggested, we don't have to follow their dimensions or design, we can make it however we want. So we went to Home Depot and made it a Saturday project!

After all the cuts, we started assembling our fort and realized that it was going to be huge. Maybe we should have followed their directions afterall?! Oh, well. We kept cutting it back and back and got it to a managable size.

We tossed some sheets over the top and voila! A super-awesome fort!

Caroline loves it. She spent a lot of time in the fort and even slept in it a few times!

The following week I sewed a fitted cover for the fort. I didnt' take pictures of it, so just take my word that it looks good ok?

Of course now that we've listed the house and started packing, the fort is back to its origins: in pieces. Maybe when we're in Thatcher we'll put it back together for the kids to play with their cousins in it!

Our One Year Old!

Yes, we celebrated Miles' first birthday this week. I still can't believe it. A whole year. He still feels like a new addition to me. He obviously doesn't look like a new baby, but he's still like a fun new toy sometimes! The night before his birthday I had my usual "my baby's growing up" melt-down. I bawled. Every time I think about when he was born and that week he spent in the NICU I get emotional. So this birthday was especially meaningful for me.

Caroline helped him with a few presents in the morning. Little cars and books - we tried to keep it small and simple since we're moving and trying to condense what we already have as it is.

I've seen others do a shirt like this for their one-year-old and think they're so clever and cute. So I made this for Miles with freezer paper and fabric paint. I thought the same principle might work with his cake...

It didn't. But it sure tasted good! We had a few friends over that night to have cake and ice cream. Miles loved all the attention and showed off his new walking skills to everyone.

And the moment we were all waiting for was great - he didn't disappoint at all!

He dove right in! The boy had frosting up his nose!

He was so happy!

So at one year old our boy:

- still takes two great naps. I love this about him. He's such a great sleeper!

- says "DadaDadaDada" and "Nononono" but not much else

-walks pretty well. He can stand up in the middle of the floor and take off. He has the proudest look on his face and keeps his hands over his head the whole time. It's pretty cute.

- can point to his head and belly and gives "high-fives"

- Puts everything in his mouth. Really, Everything. He has 4 teeth and one on the way.

- loves kitties, Elmo, his blankie, and mini marshmallos.

- is friendly and smiles at anyone who gives him any attention.

- Gives awesome open-mouth kisses on cue

- is very ticklish

- is an active, curious little boy. Truly, he doesn't sit still. He's all over the place and into everything.

- whines/cries when anyone leaves the room. You have to sneak out of the room, because if he sees you leaving - even if it's for a second - he'll probably cry.

- loves going for walks in his stroller and watching Baby Einstein in the car.

We love this crazy little guy so much!

Plans and Pictures

So I think we finally have a plan to move - We're working on listing our house for short sale and we're leaving for AZ the first week of April. Yay! It feels good to have a plan and we're getting excited to be closer to our families! We'll have a few new nieces to meet when we get there :)
Here's a few pictures of our kids who both seem to have grown a bunch lately.

I can't believe Miles is going to be one this week. It really is amazing how fast this year has gone.

Caroline's class celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday by dressing as cat in the hats! So cute, huh?! I just love her flair and zest for life!

I asked a friend to bring Caroline home from school for me the other day and this was Miles waiting for Sissy at the door.

He's starting to stand on his own and take a few steps. He'll be walking in no time - maybe for his birthday!

Here's my little loves before church today - they are getting so big!