DIY Christmas Planter Trees

Hello Holiday Season!!

 For the longest time I've wanted these pre-lit Christmas trees and for our front porch to look like this. Like fresh out of a Pottery Barn catalog or something fancy. However, I could never bring myself to spend the $40+ for each tree, and that's on sale. I can be a cheap sake at times!

I mean how beautiful is that front entrance?!? 

Well this year I've decided to get crafty!!

Enter Pinterest!

I recently found a few different ways to make my own light up trees at a fraction of the price using tomato cages. Here is my version. 

For each tree I used:

Planter - Home Depot (already had)

Tomato Cage - Lowe's $2.58

4- 9ft. Garland - Walmart $1.98/each or $7.92 for 4

100 count clear lights - Walmart $2.48

Poinsettias - Micheal's Crafts $3.60, 1/2 bunch, 50% off with 25% coupon 

Total for each tree: $16.58!!

I found my tomato cages at Lowe's. The nice young man out in the garden center hated me as they only had colored cages down on the floor and he has but the regular metal ones up in storage. He really tried talking me into the colored cages but they were 3 MORE $$ than the metal ones. He was helpful enough to take the entire pallet down. So if you're in the Quad Cities and in need of a non-painted tomato cage this holiday season, head on over to the Davenport Lowe's store, they're up front by they cash registers in the Garden Center :)

 

My cages were 42 inches in length, with the height of the planters I already had on hand I thought my trees would be way too tall for what I wanted. I found my wire cutters and was able to cut the top section of the cage off. It was also too wide of round to fit in my planters. Once I got them cut they were the perfect height and size round!

Step 1: Cover the tomato cage in your garland using plastic zip ties or twist ties to hold them in place. 

Step 2: After the garland is secure, string the tree with lights.

Step 3: Add accents, I used poinsettias but you can use ribbon, bows, ornaments, berries, etc.
I used left over twist ties to secure the stems of the poinsettias to the garland. I had just bought 1 bunch which had 10 flowers and used half for each of my trees. 

Step 4: Then set them to the planter.

I added two garden steaks to hold the tomato cages in the dirt that was already in the planter to keep them extra secure since they will be outside.

Step 5: Plug in and admire your beautiful craftsmanship :)

For less than $20 for each tree and maybe an hour of my time, I am more than happy with the outcome of my project. Take that Walmart checker for doubting my mad skills, thinking the idea was dumb and asking way too many questions about what I plan to do with the items I was buying then telling me "wouldn't it just be easier to buy some trees", "well I guess good luck with that" and "hope that works out for you".  I love them so much!!

I can't wait to actually decorate the outside of the house for Christmas and see them all lit up with the rest of the house.

And YES, I have already starting decorating in full swing the inside of our house....(like last week)!

Surprise Birthday Weekend

Last weekend I was surprised with a family weekend away to the Wisconsin Dells for my birthday by my husband!!

Granted I knew we were going somewhere and we had previously talked about going to stay at a water park in the Dells but Dave wanted to make all the plans himself and for MJ and I to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Plus he wanted to help me mark "2014 Family Trip" off my list of goals for this year.



Helping mommy open gifts

 

I took Friday off work and Dave worked a half day, which for him is till 10 so as soon as he got home and changed we were on the rode before 11:00am! We took a semi-short pit stop on the way to The House on the Rock. Neither of us had been since we were youngins, all I remembered was a giant carousel and creepy dolls. It was much bigger than I recall and we didn't even go through the entire house.  

Lovin the Giant Carousel!

How Funny Are You?
I got Hilarious and MJ got A Gas, Dave refused to play because he "doesn't need to be told how funny he is"

The carousel of dolls are still creepy by the way!

I love waking up to this beautiful boy on my birthday morning and all his cuddles!

We stayed at a wonderful resort with an indoor water park, Chula Vista Resort. The water park was perfect for MJ, it had a great sized toddler area. It included a lazy river, 4 large water slide, 3 racing, a log ride, and 3 small slides that included a play area for bigger kids as well as a large pool with basketball hoops and lilly pads. It had a lot going on!  

  Water Park Fun!

 

 

Watching this kid have the time of his life playing in the water and going down the slides was the best part of the trip. He had so much fun and his smile was completely contagious. Every time he went down the slides was the like first time he went down, flapping him arms and pointing his toes in delight!

 

He wasn't too thrilled with having to hold still for a picture with his mama. 

 Saturday night we went out to dinner and drinks at the Moose Jaw. Their Apple Ale was the best apple beer I've ever tasted (pumpkin was really good too)! Even Dave thought it was really good and got a jug of the apple to go.

 

Madden had so much fun on our trip that by time we left on Sunday, he passed out in the car in under 5 minutes. We didn't even make it to the highway and stayed asleep for almost 2 hours of the drive home.

 



 

My husband sure drives me crazy half the time but he does know how to make a girl feel special for her birthday! Memories to last a lifetime :)

My Little Halloweenie

I can't believe the last week in October brought us a few 70 degree weather days! Madden and I, along with the puppies, were able to enjoy some extra days outside enjoying our last weekend of the month. He played in leaves for the first time. MJ was definitely unsure about the huge pile I raked up and what to do, he gave me that "your crazy mom" look as I demonstrated jumping into the pile.  

But he quickly loved the idea of throwing them as me a chasing me around. 

Sunday we went to Boo at the Zoo, along with almost everyone else in the QCA as it was another gorgeous day. It was crazy busy but we had a blast. 

 Madden went as a little Golfer for Halloween this year. Oh how I love this outfit!! 

 Madden's favorite part of the zoo this year was once again the Loin! He was sleeping when we first got to the exhibit but woke up and actually started Roaring for the second year in a row!! All the kids loves it. He also loved the giraffes, the tortoise, monkeys, and the zebras. One particular zebra decided to put on a show for us and show off to everyone, it was great. 

On our way out of the zoo we came across Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Kids were going up and getting their pictures taken, I really didn't think Madden would want to, I thought he would be a little scared of them but boy was I wrong. 

He was so excited!! 

He ran right up to them (granted they were inflatable) with the biggest smile on his face and cheering! I told him to turn around and back up next to Mickey for a picture and he sat right down and kept trying to inch back closer and closer.   

Dave's parents invited us to Trunk or Treat at their church Wednesday night, which is just a block away from my work. Madden's buddy Violet wanted to go too for her first time out for Halloween so we all went together. 

 Violet went as a little Rhino. 

Trunk or Treat even had games inside the gym before going outside for the treats. My little golfer actually got to golf, he whacked a couple balls halfway across the gym...and was so excited about it! We decorated treat bags and saw a puppet show. They had pumpkin bowling and a no-hands doughnut eating game which MJ majorly cheated on. 

Once we got home he poured out his Halloween bucket to check out his loot. 

 Davenport had their Trick or Treat on Thursday night so Madden and I headed over to Jordan and Steph's house to go out with all the kids. They have an awesome neighborhood for it! 

The cutest kids on the block!! 

Golfer, Princess Ana, Queen Elsa, Chili Pepper, Olaf, and a Ninja

First stop, Grandma!

 Halloween night we were suppose to go over to the Jones to trick or treat in Bettendorf with them and the Vincent's but along with treats at daycare pink eye was also given out. He woke up Friday morning with his eye completely swollen shut so we opted to keep him home away from the other kiddos :( On the bright side Madden and I watched movies and cuddled all day long so it was still a win for us.

Hope everyone had a Safe, Healthy and Happy Halloween!