Mason Wants to Sew

I was working on a few projects downstairs and Mason loved trying to copy me and step on the sewing machine pedal. It was turned on, but if the foot isn't down, it makes a beeping sound. He's loving it because he makes it beep every time he steps down.

So proud of himself.

He's actually the first child to show interest in the machine. Perhaps I've got a little sewer on my hands! (For the record, B has expressed interest in fabric, just not the sewing part. I'm going to work on that.)

Random Photos

Some random shots from daily life in the Hibler House.

Brighton drew a rainbow on her doodle pad.

Mason, King of the Mountain.

Mason, eating some sort of messy pasta with red sauce. Who's idea was that?

B, listening to my ipod and hanging out with Jessie and Woody, her two favorite pals.

Super Jock 'n Jill Half Marathon

On Labor Day, 06 September 2010, I ran a half marathon! I was really nervous because I hadn't done a lot of running since finishing the Ragnar at the end of July. I'd only done a few longer runs- mostly 10 miles, some 12 miles and once 13 miles- and lots of short runs- like 3-6 miles. I felt out of shape and totally unprepared!

But things went really well. Here's just some of the highlights:

This was the first race that Dale was able to come and see me finish. It wasn't a relay so he finally knew where I would be starting and finishing and approximate timing. I was looking for him the WHOLE TIME! (He didn't show his face until mile 11)

I went to the start with my running friend, Cara, and we got warmed up together. We got pumped, put in our ear buds and wished each other good luck. I sprinted out of that pack pretty quickly. I hate running in the herd, so I take off and work my way to the outside edge where I feel like I can just get in a groove. There was a guy talking on a cell phone while running which made me chuckle. Who brings their cell phone on a run with them? Too funny.

Around mile 4, one of my ear buds stopped working. Not good! I really must have music while I run. It keeps me going! At least I had the other ear.

It was a cold morning, but not too cold. It's actually perfect running weather to me because I'm a sweater! There were even some rains drops here and there and a little misting so that kept me comfortable.

I was keeping a good pace- about an 8:15 minute mile until right around mile 10 when my other ear bud gave up on me, and I was feeling it. I'd pretty much hit the wall and the only thing keeping me going was the thought that if I stopped, I'd never get going again. I think if my music had kept up I'd have done so much better!

At mile 11, Dale and Kassie hung out with the kids. There was a park right there that B and Mason played at while they waited for me to come around.

Mason begging for a ride on the swing.

Kassie and Brighton being silly.

Mason, happy to finally be swinging.

I heard about this tire swing from B on the way home. She was very excited about it.

She seems sad that I'm running, but her sign makes me happy. Apparently this was a very "hard to get shot" because B kept crying and throwing the sign down.

There's me, in the middle with the white baseball cap. And my awesome highlighter green shirt. It was the race shirt. No way I was going to miss out on that.

Saying "I love you" to the family. Only 2.1 miles to go- the longest 2.1 miles of my entire life!

I finished! Not as strongly as I'd hoped, but I ran the whole 13.1 miles. My goal was to finish under 2 hours and I did it in 1:50:49. Not too bad.

Once I was done, I watched and cheered the other runners for a while. And took some photos of crazy runners, like this one. She seems depressed. I'd probably hate myself for wearing this un-aerodynamic tutu, too (hehe).

This guy had no shoes on! Seriously? ARE YOU INSANE? 13.1 miles on bare feet. In the rain. Like 40 degrees outside. Insane.

Me and Kassie.

Me, Mason, Brighton (as happy as ever) and Dale.

Here's my race stats:

Overall: 391st place out of 985 runners

Females: 120th place out of 501

20-29 age group (men and women): 28th of 105

26 year olds (men and women): 7th place

Race time: 1:50:49 That's an average mile time of 8:28.

The average race time of the entire race/runners was 1:57:01. I beat that! Yay!

I did it! I was really proud of myself that day. So proud I went to Burger King after and ordered a Whopper.

Christmas Ribbon Wreath Tutorial and GIVEAWAY

I love this wreath! I made it a few weeks ago and wanted to share with you how I did it because it was just so easy.

Here's what you need:

1. Scissors

2. Wired Ribbons in 3 different patterns (the more contrasting the patterns, the better)- I used a glittered green, velvet red, and music sheet with cherubs gold. My ribbon is 2.5" wide.

3. Foam Floral Wreath (mine is 12" in diameter)

4. Glue Gun

5. Wire or a twist tie

6. Over the door wreath hook

My ribbons are from Costco. I bought them a few years ago to make a bow for my Christmas tree, and the leftovers have come in handy! You need quite a few yards, so look for sales, use your coupons, or buy in bulk like I did.

1. I used 5 yards of the gold ribbon to cover the foam wreath. Glue the end in place on the flat side of the wreath and just start wrapping. I overlapped about half the width of the ribbon. You could get away with using less yardage if you overlap less-depending on how wide your ribbon is.

2. Glue the end down in the back and let dry.

It's pretty just like this.

3. Cut 12 strips of each color ribbon measuring 25" long so you'll have 36 total strips (Ribbon yardage: you'll need about 8 and 1/3 yards of each color ribbon). I cut the ends at a diagonal. Cut two extra strips out of which ever ribbon you'd like for the bow.

4. Take a strip and fold it in half.

5. Slide it under the wreath (Round side on top, flat side on bottom).

6. Tuck those ribbon ends into the loop.

7. Pull tight! But not too tight, we don't want to break the wreath.

8. Repeat 35 more times alternating ribbons in whatever pattern you prefer. Be sure to push the knots close to each other and overlap the ribbons.

9. Take your two extra ribbon strips and fold in half. Lay one on top of the other like the picture.

10. Pinch the center together.

11. Wrap with wire or a twist tie, leaving some wire to attach the bow.

12. I attached the bow the my hook and Viola!

I'm ready for Christmas. Dale hates wreaths and he told me he actually likes this one. That makes it a keeper for sure.

Now the Giveaway- I know that's what lured you. I made a second wreath for the tutorial pictures and what do I need a second wreath for?! If only I had double doors...

Leave a comment here (this means you, you lurker) and I'll randomly select a winner next Friday. If you don't have a blogger account and can't leave comments, email me at kimberlyhibler@gmail.com and I'll add your name to the drawing.

If you make a wreath, let me know, I'd love to see it.

Family Portraits

With my family here we tried to get some good family shots. We pulled out the tripod and camera remote and started smiling.

We got a few good ones.

But there were mostly screw ups.

This one was especially good.

I think I was smiling while talking and telling my mom a really great joke. Sounds like me.

Mason's First Birthday

It was such a great weekend because my family was able to come visit and be there for Mason's party. Lucky boy!

I decided to go with an "UNO" themed party. I'd seen the idea before on MADE and took it just a few steps further.

Here's some photos of the action:

I was baking all morning and making icing in just the right colors.

I found some mini UNO cards and stuck those in the cupcakes.

Then it was time to set up decorations! Luckily it was a nice day so we could have the party at our neighborhood park. Everyone helped to get things ready. Here's Grandma holding bags of balloons, and Grandpa with Kaylee on his shoulders getting the balloons just right.

Looking good! I'm coming around to check things out.

I made a garland with a pack of UNO cards just sewn together. "That side looks a little low, Dad."

Dale was very proud of himself for making this sign and stapling it to the post. So much so that he took this picture of it.

Brighton had been anticipating this party for weeks. She was almost as excited as I was!

Even more exciting was the matching red balloon!

The basket of party favors.

The favors: a mini deck of UNO cards and chocolate, of course.

There was lots of good food, including Miss Spitwad's famous creamy jell-o squares in cherry and lime, as I'm so amazingly modeling in this photo.

Wasn't it so cool of Kaylee to dye her hair just for Mason's party?! (No, she didn't dye it for Mason's party but it worked out perfectly.)

Connor and my dad.

Kaylee was more excited about the jalapeños than the nachos they were to go on.

A lot of my friends came. Mason doesn't have too many friends yet, and baby birthday parties are about mom anyways. Right?

There were nachos and jalapeños, olives, jell-o, taquitos and Fanta!

We had a few balls for kids to play with... or moms.

Ben was in his element.

Most people came dressed in UNO's fashionable colors.

Grandpa, hanging out, waiting for cupcakes and wondering "why, oh why, did I put those jalapeños on my nachos!"

Kaylee and Connor.

The Party Ramada.

Balloons and garland decorations.

There's the birthday boy! I almost forgot this day was about YOU!

Brighton, being silly.

Getting ready for a big jump.

The cute cupcakes.

More cupcakes.

I'm proud of these cupcakes, ok?

Everyone gathering to sing Happy Birthday.

Yay, one for me!

"So, what do I do with this?" That's the thing about not giving my kids cake except on their birthday- they have no idea what it is and are not the least bit excited about it.

You want me to put this in my mouth?

"Seriously? People eat this stuff?" "Yes Mason, and that's homemade chocolate cake and butter cream frosting so you better love it!"

Can I just play with it instead?

Alright, alright, I'll lick my fingers.

Well this frosting isn't bad.

The photos are all about being messy.

And chubby little hands like this!

Everyone eating cupcakes.

Come here, I want to give you a kiss!

I made shirts for everyone in my family. Back row: Me, #6; Dale, #0; Connor, Reverse; Grandpa Rod, Draw Two; Kaylee, Skip; Kassie, #8; Grandma Helen, #2. Front Row: Mason, UNO; Brighton, #3.

Thanks to everyone who came and made it a special day for Mason, even though he won't remember any of it. We'll have this post as proof! Those who didn't make it, know that you were missed.

Thanks Mom and Dad for coming, and letting Kaylee and Connor tag along. It was so great to have all of you here to celebrate with us.

Happy First Birthday my little Monster Man!