Sew Fun!

After many years of yearning for a sewing machine with the capability of embroidery I finally got one!! Grandma and Grandpa spoil us so much!!! I am way excited to use this machine more but Grandma says that it is even better than her Bernina. It is a Kenmore Elite, and the cord for the foot pedal is even self contained. Not that you need it, you can actually sew with the touch of a button. I have died and gone to sewing heaven.

Grandma You Rock!!
So far I have only made a small blanket for an ongoing church service project (18x18 blankets for high risk premie's). But this machine sews like butter!!!
When we lived in ABQ Grandma started to teach Ashley to sew with a jammie pant pattern. She wasn't able to finish before we moved so Grandma brought the project with her.

She is giving Mommy a run for her money..

Grandma is so great at taking the time, and having great patience while working with Ash.

Happy Helpers...so far

In an attempt to keep things moving smoothly over the summer I have made these chore reminders for each of the kiddos. The idea came from another blog that I discovered but the idea is the same. The sticks with pictures on them are the chores, in the top pocket means you still need to complete them and the bottom pocket is for things you have already done. There is even a stick for attitude, and "handy helper" (an extra thing for me that will earn them dessert). The point is to try and get them motivated to get their chores done in order to earn computer/TV/video game time.

Wish us luck.....

Slinging it...

So this is my first attempt at a baby sling. This is for Anna's new baby that is due in the next few weeks. I loved making it and it was so easy!!! I hope that you love this and use it often!

Fuzzy Flip-Flops, 10 years, Joan Jet, & Marching Ants

I know that it has been a little bit since my last blog so I thought that I would update you on the latest happenings.

Today was Austin's Kindergarten program. They had been studying ants and so they marched in singing "The Ants go marching two by two..." They were so cute all in little masks that they made in class. Then they sang a Jelly Bean song.





Austin has really loved his teacher this year. I feel that we really lucked out with her and hopefully she will be there when Katie starts Kindergarten.

Thanks Ms. Kehler!





Last Saturday (June7th) after Mom and Dad got here we went to 'Celebrate Fairfax!' a local festival and got to see Joan Jet and then there was a big fireworks show that was sponsored by SAIC (the company that Dad works for). Poor Mom was so pooped on Sunday.

A light bulb went off Friday (June 6th) for Austin and he finally got the hang of tying his shoes. We had been trying to help him with that for a long time. It was so great to see that look of accomplishment on his face when he got it! Way To Go Austin!!!

Also Friday was our 10 year anniversary. I can hardly believe that it has been so long. It seems like yesterday that we were sealed. Well, we went to dinner and then to see "Prince Caspian" (great movie) and then when we were walking out of the movie we were able to see the festival fireworks. It was a great end to the evening.


I helped at a Young Women's activity last Wednesday and painted toes for the Beehives after they made these flip flops. As a kind gesture they made sure that they had enough supplies for the girls to also make a pair. I thought that they were adorable.

Happy Blessing

Lewis' cousin Mark (link is on the side bar) and wife Robyn blessed their first born this afternoon in Denver. Isaac this blanket is for you and in the mail first thing tomorrow. Sorry that it is late but I think that it will be worth the wait.

I am really enjoying making these little blankets but now I have to get my rear in gear to get the baby sling that I promised Anna done so that Mom and Dad can take it back with them when they come. It is hard since Evalee and I started larger blankets while she was here and I am totally addicted to mine.

Handmade

Since we have moved my hands have been aching so bad in the evenings. To try to keep my joints moving and to help them to feel better I have been knitting and crocheting. This is a blanket that I started just because it used the yarn that I had in my stash, and I love the way that it turned out. I am going to give this to a friend from church that is having a baby in the next week or so. I really hope that she likes it. I know that the colors are a bit dark but I think that it is cute. It measures about 40 inches square and is really soft.