The Beast

Shelly will be here in a couple hours (drove all the way from Maryland) so we can start out on our way to our family reunion tomorrow in ID. She paid and picked out all the fabric and I used a Denyse Schmidt pattern to put the whole thing together. I hope she is surprised (in a good way) when she sees its finally done!

First off, no, I will not be doing a king size quilt again anytime soon. It was a monster to peice, a mosnster to quilt, a monster to baste and by since I had a deadline, I didn't even hand stitch the binding. Its huge.

I do love how it turned out though. I had my doubts at first, I didn't love the fabric (Moda- Lamour, Sandy Gervais), but it really came together and I like how it turned out. I just quilted loops across vertically as I knew that was the only way I could fit it on my machine.

A few things I have learned:

1. I am going to pre-wash everything now as this shrank WAY more than I expected and or I need to measure a 100 times. I was short over 10 inches and I still can't fathom if it was a shrinkage or a calculation error.

2. Cut the edges after quilting but before sewing on the top binding. I got into trouble which I don't care to expound on.

3. I really need a machine that had a 'needle stops down' feature, and also one that tells me when the bobbin runs out, so I don't keep on my merry way for a long time and not realizing I am not even sewing.

4. When you go through 5 bobbins in one sitting, its time to take a break.

Rockets and Robots

I finished SM's quilt a while ago but I finally ordered a new charger for the camera battery that got here this week. So here it is:

I love it! I used a striped border on the top and a blue border on the stripes. He loves it too! I did a big stipple all over and love this David Walker fabric.

Has it been that long?

I swear I had another post in there since the last birthday, but blogger ate it when I changed my format. Its been a fun summer, I am so thankful for not too much humidity! We still have one big reunion left in Idaho and I can't wait. Here are some shots of what we have been up to.

Our first trophy. He was more than thrilled.

We were so IMPROVED! I had a great experience coaching and am glad to sit this next season out. Sawyer scored a 3 times, but needs more aggression!

If they could, they would eat watermelon all day, everyday. It makes everything so sticky and I (yes, even me) have had to mop so often. I love watermelon, but I am tired of the cleanup. Here GJ decided to get really crazy and had it all over his hair. All I could do was laugh.

While at Tad's reunion (these are totally out of order) we went to Minnetonka caves and it was cool, but so cold (40 degrees) and SM just had a tshirt and shorts. Way to be prepared, parents. Luckily, GJ stayed back with Grandma and Grandpa.

Plantarium visiting Mars. They saw their first 3D move and no, they are not ready for 3D glasses. We'll wait a few more years.

When its too hot, we go to the Discovery Gateway children's museum. GJ spent about 45 minutes feeding this little baby.

We love hiking! We went with some friends to Lake Solitude, and the kids did 3.5 miles total, they were amazing! And tired, but I was so proud of them. It helps to have other kids they can play with and follow, much less complaining. I only carried GJ about half a mile if that on the way back.

GJ started swimming lessons and potty training. I wouldn't say he is successful at either yet.

We all hiked up Donut Falls which no longer seems to be a donut.

But it was fun to get out and glad the kids can walk by themselves :)

We try to go to the zoo at least once a week.

I think SM likes this fake elephant better than the real ones. GJ does not agree.

Spanish Fork Fair frozen banana!

Surprisingly, GJ LOVED this fast little roller coaster. Cousin Linc is not so sure!

We have worked a little on a community farm.

SM loves jumping off the diving board and runs all the way down! He is such an improved swimmer! Now lets hope he doesn't forget it by next summer.

5

Can't believe he is that old! SM had a great birthday! We started off early with cake and presents and Grandma and Grandpa's (where he finally got his own helicopter) then after swimming lessons, we headed to Lindsey's and went swimming at the Spanish Fork pool and had lots of fun. Then we dropped of GJ and just the two of us went to see Toy Story 3, which overall he liked, but he gets way to tense and anxious and at one point was even (loudly) telling me he wanted to leave, but we stuck it out and it turned out okay. Yummy chicken and pepper grilled shish-kabobs for dinner and then Mario Galaxy Wii to finish off his evening. He is such a great kid and growing and learning so much everyday! We sure love you SM!!!

3

GJ is my sweetheart. He loves his mama. He still has chubby cheeks that shake when he runs. He loves berries, pretty much any kind, mostly strawberries and blueberries. He does not like to play with his brother unless he is in the mood. He copies him when they are being silly though. He likes to look at books, but will only let you read it if it is at his desired pace. He likes flying things, namely the new helicopter he got which his brother is constantly trying to steal. His face lights up so much when he smiles and laughs, which dad can usually get him to do best by being silly. He knows all his letters and can count well, but the colors still seem to evade him (everything is orange). He is a very laid back kid, starting to get quite opinionated with certain things (he must wear lighting mcqueen jammies every night to bed). He loves marbles and will usually play with a toy for long amounts of time (direct contrast to brother). He really is such a joy and so low key, he has a perfect place in our family. He gives me the best hugs and kisses. He insists on praying every time one needs to be said, though leaves out the entire middle. He always makes me laugh.










For his birthday, we had a busy day! We went to the park, the library, had chicken nuggets, met up with Aunt Linny and went to the zoo, (that baby elephant is the cutest) picked up daddy for dinner then had chocolate cupcakes (as you can see, the first batch of frosting didn't quite work out) and then had presents and played in the (wet, oops-I left the lid off) sandbox with his new sand toys.
I love you GJ! So glad you are part of our family!

Feed the birds...

This week it rained so we stayed in and made some bird feeders with PB and cornstarch spread on a pine cone, then rolled in bird seed.

Very messy and I haven't seen many birds yet, but it was fun.

I really wish the camera wasn't dead, we had our first visit to the zoo, saw a rainbow, lots of park visits, walks, bike rides and camping (hopefully Linny will send me pictures soon to post, hint hint)

Swimming lessons start tomorrow and if feels like summer :)

Preschool Graduation

For some reason my camera battery won't charge, so I am left with the phone camera, sorry for the poor quality. Glad this was yesterday, we are stuck home today as SM has a fever of 100.

Dressed in the robes of the apostate priesthood, SM graduated yesterday.

He was so cute and I am so proud of him!

His teacher wrote him a special letter on how he has improved (attention span has come a long way) and he is such a great reader (not that I am comparing, but he is the best in his class) :)

The memorized a whole program of songs and poems and rhymes.

But my favorite was probably all the kids belting out the Star Spangled Banner (my favorite song).

He also took a soccer class this month so I could decide if he was ready for a team, which we are going to go ahead with and just hope. Sorry SM you didn't get a ton of jock genes from your parents.

He was one of the oldest though so at least he got some confidence and that is half the battle.

The hardest part of soccer is entertaining GJ who sometimes will sit if he can play with my camera phone. Aren't those the cutest chubby little feet?

This week...

...started off with snow, but is already improving and we got to play with friends outside. I am sad this is the last week of preschool. No break time for mama. I am trying to teach SM to ride a bike. Not going so well. Finally making some headway on Shelly's quilt. (SM's just has 3 sides of binding to go, pictures to come soon)

My new yellow shoes that make me happy for spring.

Went to the SLC Modern Quilt Guild meeting (I love it!) but all I really made this month was a much needed potholder.

And yummy sweet corn! Even the kids love it!
Hopefully we will go camping soon (any good suggestions for Utah camping?) I am so glad for warmer weather!