Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas 2009

We've had a really nice Christmas. Children and family really make the season bright. Below are some pictures of our happenings!


This was taken after Christmas Sunday in their Sunday-best. (Bryce was already in his comfy-coozy's by the time I wanted to take the picture.) Good lookin' kids!


PJs that Grandparents Mac gave us. The kids could hardly wait for Christmas-Eve to wear them! FINALLY!!

Fun at Bass Pro Shop's Outdoor World for FHE the Monday before Christmas. We had so much fun there--the kids LOVED it!!!

All in all a fabulous Christmas. I couldn't be more grateful for the fabulous family I'm a part of.
Merry Christmas to you all!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Breakfast with Santa

Our last horra as a primary presidency (we were release about 4 weeks ago) was this Primary Breakfast with Santa. This was the kids' time for a church Christmas party, since our ward decided to do an "adult Christmas party." We had a lot of fun planning this. I've really enjoyed working with the ladies in Primary. I already miss that connection. Anyhow, the Breakfast with Santa went really well. The decorations came together so nicely, and it all looked great. The breakfast went smoothly and the activities were great. We had a nice lady from the ward take pictures of the kids with Santa. They turned out great...although Kyle wouldn't look at the camera! The activity was WELL attended and fun. So glad. Yay!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

School Pictures 2009

Every year, I've been assembling the kids' pictures into a collage. I love grouping them together...and then I enjoy seeing years past and how they've grown and changed. It's so fun watching these wonderful children grow...though, I wish it wouldn't go so quickly!

Christmas Recital 2009

I'm a proud Mom. Why wouldn't I be. My daughter is doing so well on the piano, and she is just a light in our lives--in our home and family! I have wonderful children, and when I get the chance to brag, I'm going to! Isn't that what parents are supposed to do? I feel like Kathy Lee Gifford bragging about her children Cody and ??? on TV, but now, I get it!


Isabel had her Christmas recital today. It was great--she nailed her songs and did a great job. She got a haircut today, and she was excited and I could tell that she felt pretty. Enjoy the music!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween & The Loot

We've had a great Halloween. Parties, parties, recital, and trick-or-treating. NOW--the LOOT! The kids had a great time! It was a fabulous night for it too--who would have thought that after a week of snow being dumped on us, 3 snow days--that we would have a beautiful night for trick-or-treating...but we did!! The kids had so much fun. We put a few layers on UNDER their costumes, they wore hats, and off they went. They were plenty warm as it was so nice out. They came home happy, and bags heavy with candy. Halloween 2009=SUCCESS!!

(Isabel...thanks to Grandma and her costume making...had 3 different costumes this year....1 for our ward trunk-or-treat (Vampire), one for a birthday Halloween party (Mermaid), and one for her recital and trick-or-treating (Mulan/Geisha). WOW!)

Recital

Isabel had a piano recital today--ON HALLOWEEN! It was a lot of fun and most of the kids played something that was a bit spooky, and dressed up. Isabel played "Square Dance and Hoe Down"--and wore a kimono. She looked GREAT...and did a very nice job.
Grandma Mack--we received MANY compliments on the beautiful costume!!

Click on the link below to see Isabel's Recital!

More Halloween Pictures to follow....

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Snow Hat

Okay. It is SNOWING this morning! I checked--no "delayed start" for school. Bummer! I came down though, and Rory had his snow hat on. I just got him this hat and he's so excited to wear it. Kyle came down, saw Rory's hat on, and wanted his too, so I got him his. They are such cuties!

I love snow--especially when it first snows, and it still clean. BUT--I'm still wishing for Autumn to last a bit longer....maybe just until November? Oh well. I do live in the rocky mountains!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Garden 2009: Progress Report

I love seeing the progress of my garden. It has surprised me this year. My broccoli is growing (people said it wouldn't do well in CO). My tomatoes are kind of at a stand still--hmm..... My beets are doing GREAT--I picked 4 really nice sized beets today! My zucchini...well....ISN'T zucchini....It's some sort of squash that looks like zucchini, but is a lighter green (strange?!). I have 1 jalapeno, and finally my cucumbers are blossoming. Better than last year in some ways, and in some ways not as good. It's always an experiment!
Jalapeno
Cucumber
Zucchini???...or not?
Beets!
Broccoli!

A New School Year

Another school year from my kiddos has begun. I'm so excited for my kids this year. Bryce has the same teacher that Isabel had for 2nd grade...Ms. Luebbert. She's a peach. We really like her, and Bryce already knows her a bit as she was his Tech Lab teacher last year. He's been very excited knowing that he would have her this year for his teacher.
Isabel has Mrs. Jaimes for 4th grade. (I can't believe she's in 4th grade!) Our friends have given her great compliments and told us wonderful things about Mrs. Jaimes. I was impressed at orientation and I think Isabel will enjoy being in her class. One thing I loved was that Mrs. Jaimes is a HUGE proponent of reading. Reading is so important and I hope my children enjoy it as much as I have in my life. There is NOTHING like a good book.
Here are my kiddos going off to school--and with their new teachers!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sewing So Much

I have really been enjoying teaching myself to sew. Tackling one pattern at a time. It's been really fun to sew with friends. Several of my friends are teaching themselves right now too--or rediscovering sewing after being away from it for a long time.
There's something really rewarding creating something useful, pretty and liked.

The pj's...this is a pattern that my mother has made several times for Isabel--it has these pj's and a nightgown on the pattern...short sleeve or long...but below is what Isabel choose this time. It's so feminine and pretty and comfy and cute! I had a lot of fun making these...and it really helped having a pair that my mom had made previously for me to look at and see what she did.

The dress--I was so excited to find the fabric. She wore the dress to church today and looked really pretty. I love things that are one-of-a-kind. A friend bought this pattern and some material to make a dress for her girl...but the material is different...so what the heck...I copied her and used the same pattern...but we don't mind. We're all just having fun creating!
(Click on Picture to zoom in and see more Detail)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A Friend's Wedding

It's been a while since I've gone to a wedding...so this was a lot of fun. A good friend of mine, Amanda, got married yesterday. I was fortunate to be able to go to Durango, Colorado to attend her wedding and see her married to her honey.
It was a beautiful wedding...and she was a beautiful bride. I really enjoyed meeting her family--they are great people. Everything about the wedding was very nicely done. I'm sure she'll look back at it with happiness--from the cake, the location, to the bubble send off...it was all very beautiful.
Congratulations Amanda & Shane!


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Camping Memorial Day 2009 - Sylvan Lake

We had such a good time. It rained on and off, but it was great--when it rained, we sat inside and played board games. It was a fabulous time all in all--great to spend time with each other as a family--no distractions...just some good family fun and memories for us all.

GREAT THINGS:
being together
the perfectly roasted marshmallow
board games
listening to the light rain in the dry trailer
a furnace in the trailer
s'mores
hiking
the misty clouds in the morning
the beautiful view
listening to the kids play together nicely
fishing
the brisk fresh air
dutch oven cooking (yum)
clean bathrooms
warm showers
dirt under the finger nails
the campfire smell in clothes, hair...everywhere
snuggling in the trailer
no distractions


NOT-SO-GREAT THINGS:
gnats by the lake
We have a fun summer of camping planned!

Mother's Day 2009

I had such a fabulous Mother's Day! I couldn't be a happier mom--my children truly fill my heart. Could I be luckier. They treated me like a queen--and gave me so much love. Look at these faces...they angels! Even when their little devils, they are my angels, and I'm so lucky to have them!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Drunk

We went camping this past weekend--up past Vail to a town called Eagle...then West--to Sylvan Lake. It was beautiful and we had a fun weekend. I'll try to get some pictures of our trip up soon. Toward the end of our stay...actually, the late afternoon before the morning we were going to head home, Kyle came down with a fever. I had no Tylenol or Motrin--I had scoured my medicine cabinet...and nothing. Rather than going to the store -AGAIN- before camping...I convinced myself...they'll be fine! So, we packed up quickly and headed home rather than have a sleepless night with a crabby baby.

On our way home...we see this car come onto the freeway, and swerve to the shoulder, almost hit the shoulder guard, then over-correct and swerve into the other lane...almost hitting another car. We were behind him, and in no hurry to stay close. Then...a minute later, he swerves off to the right shoulder AGAIN. On occasion, I'll call that *277 from my cell to report a bad/scary driver to the Colorado State Highway Patrol. Well I called--even if this guy isn't drunk, he was using a cell phone or something...and he should clearly NOT be driving. I gave the make of the car and described what happened, and where we were. No sooner, did they call me back, ask where we were and where the driver was--and there was a trooper up at an on ramp waiting....we saw the trooper and they were radioing right to the trooper what I was explaining. The trooper caught up with the car, and got the guy. We didn't know what the outcome was...drunk, cell phone, or just crappy, but we were glad they could sort it out from there. But it was kind of like watching an episode of "COPS" live--and it is cool seeing in action technology working to get the bad guys. The kids were amazed at what was happening.


I got a call this morning from the state patrol...the guy was DRUNK...and I am happily going to sign a statement to the things we saw. If any of you know us well....a drunk driver nearly killed my husband, his brother and best friend when he was 16--we have no tolerance for that crap. So Yay!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Two Youngest

Rory....

Just finishing up his first year of preschool--tomorrow is his last day! I can't believe it. Favorite things to do: play webkinz, run, eat sweets, make crafts, camp...so much more...He is just so sweet and full of love. 4 years old now, and he's a fun one...I can see that he has an exciting life ahead of him....I love his enthusiasm for life and the sweet love he gives.
Kyle (KyKy)....
He's a love bug...but he is a busy 2 year old. He can sure throw a good "tantee" (tantrum)--right there with the best of the 2 year olds. I love his big brown eyes though, and when he is in his "kissy-mode"--just squeezes on so tight and hugs and gives kisses all over! I love to watch him napping--he's my baby and just so precious. He loves to dress up (as you see in the cute picture below)--it just warms my heart to watch the little guy.
They sure aren't little for long!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Accomplishments

I know...it's been FOREVER since I've blogged. I don't know why, but it just hasn't been a priority, and there really hasn't been all that much to blog about in my opinion.

Isabel & Bryce have been in karate for a few months now, and they are enjoying it and working hard. They earned their first belt and stripe last week! We were really proud of them--they worked hard (and Isabel was really nervous/excited)--but they did fabulous. The teacher is impressed with their concentration and with how hard they work. I'm a proud mama! Yay!
So, as you know, I've taken up sewing...teaching myself with the help and tips from my mom and my friend Shauna. They are both excellent seamstresses--so I'm lucky to have their help. A couple of months ago, Shauna and I went out for an evening--dinner, shopping and a movie... well after dinner, I just had to "stop in at Jo-Ann for a minute or two." We went there, and stayed....skipped the movie and stayed until it was closed. We went through and found patterns and fabric. Her family was going out of town for spring break, and since she needed to stay behind and work, we would have a whole week of evenings and 2 full week-ends to sew! Just leaving it all out and set up and sew! We've had a WONDERFUL time sewing--a week of fun.
I made a jumper for Isabel and then I made a tepee for the kids. And they both turned out! I really like the jumper and I LOVE the tepee. The kids love it and it is CUTE! I couldn't be happier! I'm still amazed that when I sew, it actually works and makes something. I can't wait for my next projects....hmmmm what will it be?

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Off to Camp

So, when I heard that Isabel's Brownie troop was going to go camping, I was so excited...and then they said "January." Burrrr!!! She sold a TON of cookies though that helped make this possible, and I really didn't want her to miss out on it. And then they wouldn't be getting home until Sunday afternoon either. Well, it ended up working out. They were in cabins...nothing fancy...but HEATED. Ah, such relief! They weren't going to be digging snow caves and sleeping outside! I decided I'd travel up early Sunday morning to pick her up and be back on time for church (and we were)...so that resolved the "Sunday" thing for us.
Isabel was a little nervous about going and being away for the whole weekend and camping without family. I knew she'd have a great time though, so we said prayers and got her ready to go.
Results: She had a fabulous time. I picked up her other LDS friend Sunday morning to bring them both home, and they sang their camp songs all the way home...and it was SO SUPPER CUTE! I wish I had it recorded!! I knew from their enthusiasm that they had a good time. I'm so glad that she was able to have the good memories of Girl Scout Camp. I love the Girl Scout program for my girl--it has been great. I remember the fun I had in it when I was young, and I'm glad she can have similar memories.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Sewing

For my birthday (coming in February), I told Jim that I wanted a new sewing machine. The sewing machine that I have is a Brother machine, and it was crap (quite frankly). Ok...I did buy it only for my scrapbooking and card making--you know, sewing on my pages...cute stitches for an embellishment. Well, I was actually hemming and sewing on patches for Girl Scouts, and the machine was only giving me heck. So, I decided, I want a machine that is going to be sturdy, offer a little variety, doesn't need a ton of bells and whistles, but needs to just do what I ask of it (which isn't a lot as I'm not big into sewing).
The place where I take my vacuum to be worked on, Parker Sewing & Vacuum, is a dealer for Janome sewing machines. I researched the machines and found that while not expensive like Berninna, Viking, etc. they are good machines--work well. They don't need a lot of maintenance and do what you need to (especially for someone such as myself).
I got this great machine that was sponsored by the Heart Society for the year--a special edition. It offers 50 stitches and a few other really nice features that make life easy (needle threader, speed control, easy bobbin insertion, needle up/down feature).
The machine works like a dream. I got a couple of simple patterns...an apron and a dress. I figured out how to follow a pattern, and I'm still learning, but my first 2 projects were a success. The apron turned out rather LARGE, but cute nonetheless. Isabel loves the dress I made her, and in my mind, that is a PASS for that project--(I was really proud of how it turned out too!) Last night, I bought a pajama pattern and some material for the boys. Wish me luck!



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