Utah

Yep, that's where we are (minus the hard working Bj). We're having a great time, but the blog is suffering. Oh well, I am sure you will all get your fill of the fun when we get back. So far we have just been having fun swimming, playing, hiking, and eating all the yummy treats. So, to all you fun Utah friends, if you want to get together, leave a comment, and hopefully we can pull something together.

Expert

I am slightly sad to inform you that I have become an expert on seam ripping today.  Don't know what I am talking about, go here to see a seam ripping tutorial.  

LOVE

I hate to say it, but it is true.  I have noticed that Bj and I are in love with Elizabeth.  I think it is that she is our youngest.  She is still super quirky, she is still learning and growing in a way that is somewhat amazing.  Tonight, I noticed we were both just staring with a big smile on our faces at the way she was eating her spaghetti.  What's up with that?  I wish I hadn't been so bogged down with all the cares I had when Madeline and Mitchell were little.  I wish I could have taken the same time to enjoy the little things they did.  I guess there's no cure for that.  I had 3 kids in 4 years.  It was crazy.  I was insane. But now, I have small moments to stop and be amazed by my four year old.  It is fun.  It is great just to sit and talk to her, and see how her little mind works.

Of course, Madeline and Mitchell amaze me every day with their ways.  They are so big.  Sometimes I think they are older than they are.  Mitchell seems so old to me, and then I realize while we are in Primary that he is actually a pretty small kid.  Mad and Mitch both love to think hard and ask funny questions.  I wish I felt comfortable sharing some of Mitchell's questions as of late, but they have to do with marriage and all its workings. He is fantastically funny, and laughs at almost anything he can.  Oh, and Madeline..... It was interesting to me yesterday when we went out to lunch (to stimulate the economy), what Madeline said about our waiter (who was noticeably effeminate).  "It's like he's trying to sound really nice, but he isn't"....which I might translate into, it's like he's trying to sound like a woman.  Is this when kids start to notice differences in people?  Anyway, it is really fun to watch them growing up.  I love it....these are my shining moments of joy.

Hidden Away

The past couple weeks I have started feeling better.  Yippee.  I have really been looking forward to sewing and getting some things off my list of "to do's."  It is sad to say I have a very long list.  I had 3 quilts that were ready to quilt and bind, and I have about 14 others that are just ideas on paper.   So, instead of being a fun outgoing person, I have spent my days and nights in my room sewing away.  I have listened to a lot of music, and a little bit of Little Women (on CD)..and had a great time knowing I was actually accomplishing something (especially after months of doing almost nothing).  I have certainly neglected my sweet husband, but I am hoping he understands my desire to accomplish something.  So, here are some pics of what we have been doing the last couple weeks.  Some of the pictures are random...but I am sure you understand.

Here are the quilts I finally finished.  It has been too long.

And this may be a more accurate accounting of what I have been doing.  Quilting with Liz.  She has been with me the whole time, and for those of you who know her and what she is capable of, it has been fun and interesting.  But, I have to be grateful.  She didn't cut any of the quilts after they were finished, she didn't color on any fabric. She was practically an angel the whole time.  She was very good though, at unfolding all my fabric and making her own quilt designs all over the house.  

Okay, last weekend was the father and sons campout.  Here's Mitchell fishing.  He caught a fish...way to go.  And, he loved spending some alone time with his dad.   We girls had a pretty sweet time too.  We had Thursday night, Friday, and part of Saturday to play.  It was great!  I hardly had to do dishes because my girls eat like birds (yippee).   Luckily, I had the foresight to realize I wouldn't be able to quilt during "girl time", and so we were all happy that nothing got in the way of our fun.  

This is kinda a funny story.  Yes, that is enchilada sauce right next to our bird.  Bj has been building a patio cover, I won't say how long.  But, this bird has made a home there.  Bj has moved it a number of times.  Well, sweet Nana Laura came over on Mothers Day and said we should just put a can there, and the bird would stay away (using the logic that there wouldn't be enough room for the bird now).  Bj was a little too excited to see that her theory didn't pan out.  Now we are lucky to have a bird and a can.  They make a beautiful picture.

This is a quilt or my sweet friend Summer

asked me to make for her.  It is twin size quilt and has taken me much longer

than I told her it would. Sorry Summer.  But, it has been a joy to make 

something for a dear friend that I know she will love and appreciate.

Angie , yes it is true.  This is your quilt.  I tried very hard to convert Angie to quilting years ago.  She finished this lovely quilt top, only to realize quilting is not really for her.  So, she sent it to me so she would at least have a finished product.  Okay, so six months later, here is your quilt.  I should really get that in the mail today.

I am realizing there is a pattern here.  These are quilts I have taken way too long to finish.  So, here is the winner.  I have been working on this quilt since '01.  Yes it is true.  For 7 years.  No, it is not that difficult of a quilt, it is just an applique quilt.  I am such a piecer, that is what I enjoy doing.  I am not to the stage in my life that applique is easy to take places. My kids are still little, they still grab things, cut things, etc.  So, I always had to tuck and hide this away.  I guess I should mention I made one of these quilts for my dear mother as well....I gave hers to her at Christmas, but mine has been waiting for me to finish.  Hip Hip Hooray.

This may be the longest post ever.  Oh well.  So, yesterday I finished the top of one of my new designs.  I love it.  It turned out just how I wanted, and I am so excited to keep moving forward.  Now, I have 3 quilt designs made, more to do, and then I have to actually started writing the patterns.  Luckily I don't have a deadline.  So, here's a question.  Is anyone interested in being a "tester" for my quilt patterns?   What do you have to do?  Once I send you the pattern, you need to commit to sewing the pattern within 1 month, and sending me back constructive feedback (meaning, don't just be nice...tell me what needs to be improved).  What do you get?  Once I get your evaluation, I will send you the finished product quilt pattern, and one you could give away to a friend.  Any takers?  Let me know, and I'll keep you on my list.

3 birthday parties?

Our plans for Elizabeth's party were to be very simple.  She turned 4 for heavens sake, it doesn't need to be extravagant.  Right?  So, we planned a family party, a friend party, and then because I was too lazy to have all the family over on her real birthday....cake and ice cream on Sunday.  Well, now that it is all over, I think maybe we should have just had 1 family party.  Not that eating so many cakes isn't that fun...I mean who doesn't love cake?    So here are the pics from the fun festivities.

Elizabeth blowing out her cupcake candles at our local park.  It was so fun to have

the party at a park, and let the kids run around crazy there.  It was also pretty fantastic to have so little clean up and preparations.  Yippee.

Okay,  I just thought this was sweet.  Elizabeth got makeup from one of her friends for her birthday.  Well, she spent much of Sunday making up her sister.  Madeline is such a nice sister to let Elizabeth experiment on her.  

This is the 2nd family party on Sunday.  Dress ups are always necessary.

This is Tieg.  Dress-ups aren't just for girls you know.

I know, these aren't in order.  This is from the first family party, where not only family was invited, but a very special teacher.  Madeline's 2nd grade teacher came over for the party because Elizabeth loves her and wanted her there.  We're pretty blessed to have such a great teacher and friend. 

Per Elizabeth's request, she had chocolate cupcakes and pink frosting for her birthday party.   Oh yea, and fun sprinkles on top.  Of course, she only told me about these important qualities the night before the party at 8:30 p.m.  Way after I would venture to the store....luckily I have a super great friend that always bails me out when I need ingredients.  (thanks Summer)

Bj made this beautiful (?) pinata.  He wanted to try his hand at making one, and I was glad to let him.   Go Bj.  And, it really did look better in motion.

Friends!

Happy Birthday Elizabeth

Okay, you're not really invited to her party, but you are all invited to sing a little Happy Birthday song to my sweet Elizabeth.  She is 4 today.  I can't believe my baby is 4!  She is getting so big.  She has spent the morning making me laugh with joy.  She has adopted some pet rocks from our front yard, and then lovingly kissed them, and found them a new home.  She is by far my most imaginative child.  She is so fun to watch play.  Now, we get to spend the rest of the day enjoying the beautiful weather, and each other, and celebrate Elizabeth!!!!