My baby is getting baptized

I can't believe it has been 8 years since we brought home this tiny under 5 lb baby. Where has the time gone? We love that Daniel is part of our family. He brings smiles and sunshine to everyone he meets. I feel very blessed that I am Daniel's mom.

Daniel is a character and not afraid to try new things. He loves to meet people and everyone is drawn to his smile.

Sewing again

I have been sewing again. Here are some baby blankets and aprons I made up for Tina. I went to Utah and found a new bag pattern, so I need to find some time to work on it.

Science Center

Now that school is back in session, it is easier to get a Culture Pass at the Library. We spent an early release Wednesday at the AZ Science Center. It was not crowded at all (very nice) the kids could do whatever they wished with no lines (again, very nice). We made weather, watched a combustion demonstration (he is filtering coffee creamer over a flame - what does that do to your stomach if it is so combustable?) and played with hands on displays. Daniel was afraid to lay on his back on the bed of nails.

Phoebe is 5

Happy Birthday baby girl! We finally had a party for Phoebe! It was an all girl, mini party. We painted nails, decorated mini cupcakes, ate mini caramel apples, mini goldfish and mini oreos. The girls had a great time with no boys.

Discovery Club

Phoebe started her school too! I have been informed (by her) it is NOT preschool it is club! I made her a new skirt and as I was sewing it she informed me that she does not like purple. After it was all done and I bribed her to try it on, she decided purple is okay now. I think she just likes the way it twirls!

I found the pattern at Pine Needles in Utah. I can't wait to look for more things when I go out next week.

1st Day of School

The boys started 2nd grade a few weeks ago and are loving it, despite how hard it is. Every afternoon they enjoy telling their sister how hard Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade are.

Will is 7

I am finally catching up on blog posts! William had his birthday and we had a small party for family (and the neighbor kids) then took a bunch of kids to Skateland. The boys weren't too crazy about skating, but Phoebe loved it. She would fall and hop back up and skate away.

Right now as I am typing this Will is yelling at his sister and being a horrible monster. Too much freedom the last few days! We do love Will and are grateful he is part of our family.

Vacation

We have been running here and there trying to find cooler spots than our home! We went to Whidbey Island last week - I will post more later, but just wanted to share the view out our front door

and back

Firepower!

Have you seen Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian yet? The kids loved it and are forever doing the "firepower" quote. This picture was blurry, so we had to jazz it up a bit.

What are you working on?

Here are some things that I have been working on (that I stopped and took pictures of)

Ballet Board for Phoebe's room, Frame for wedding gift, new purse for me.

I am also working on: aprons, another purse, humanitarian baby blankets, stationary kits, t-shirts for kids to wear when Craig comes home from his mission (pictures tomorrow)...

Hamburgerosaurus

This was our dinner at the end of our Dinosaur Study. The kids loved the giant hamburger! We had to have Nikelle and Caeden help us eat it and there were still leftovers!

Memorial Day

Playing catch up! Here are some pictures from Memorial Day at Taylor Ranch.

Have you ever played the Balloon Game or had a Licorice Race? They are a lot of fun!

School's Out

School has been out for a few weeks now. We are still trying to get in the swing of making beds, getting dressed, cleaning up messes, and mom imposed school work! So far we have studied dinosaurs, gone to the Natural History Museum and done a unit on weather. Maybe next week we will have to check out the Science Center.

I have been neglecting the blog for the last few months. Maybe I should let each of the kids do their own post.

This is what we have been doing in our spare time - when we can get away to the mountains!

What is YOUR weather like?

Don't you wish you were here!

Baseball

Baseball season is here! The boys are New York Yankees this year. Daniel is doing very well with the pitching machine, Will is getting better. Phoebe loves the ball games because she can run wild and play with all the other siblings there!

Catching up

Well it has been busy here. Tina - I got the aprons done. we played all Spring Break week and the kids have been back to school for a week.

On Saturday the boys had their first ball game (I forgot the camera). Phoebe is getting ready for her Spring dance recital and everyone is getting ready for music recitals.

Tom is staying busy at work and I am busy at home and getting ready for another Enrichment meeting.

Aprons

Billie - I'd love to write more, but I get very frustrated when my computer kicks me off the internet! It's not my fault I don't know whose connection I am using.

Anyway - we are having an Enrichment "mini group" for sewing and next week we are making aprons. Here are a few samples I made up. (Tina - the ruffle one is yours)

This one was made using a pillowcase (sham) - I don't know if I liked the way it turned out. I looked at Target, Kmart and Big Lots for a cute pillowcase - couldn't find one so I went with this sham.

Also at Big Lots I got a 3 pack of tea towels and they made perfect aprons for Phoebe. The green one has bias tape for ties and the brown has ribbon. I guess you could also make the brown one for a small adult.

This one is my favorite and I found the link for the tutorial on Tip Junkie. Here is the link: http://morganmoore.typepad.com/one_more_moore/2007/02/valentine_tree__1.html

Sand Anyone?

We went to the sand dunes last weekend and the kids had a blast!

A camera comes out & she starts posing!

How can you go wrong with sand?

Sewing

Those of you with kids - how do you find time to sew? When they are finally asleep I am too wiped out to try to sew straight. I am making a blanket for a friend and all the kids were in and out of the craft room while I was cutting. Phoebe stuck it out and every scrap I would hear "Can I have that, I need to make something?" I know I should encourage her, but man it is hard - I really don't like the mess (although you wouldn't know it from looking at my house.)

Tina I have patterns picked out and now material for the aprons - I haven't forgotten.

Back to school

One word - Woo-hoo!