Hello again!

We took a few months off from blogging!

The kids are back at school. I am working and volunteering at the school. Tom is busy with work and church.

Here is a recap of our summer:

Farm living in CA. The kids had a blast living in the trailer on the farm. It was DIRTY, I think that is what they liked the best! A new calf was born (unexpected)

a filly was born (expected - but done quietly at 2 am)

we played with cousins and made 7 skirts for the girls

We came home, played more and Will was baptized.

Sewing again

I finished a baby blanket for a coworker of Tom's and forgot to take a picture! This is a dress that I am working on for P, I just need to hem and do the finishing stitching. I was worried it would be too big - she is going to have to wear leggings with it. I can't believe how tall she she is getting.

School is finished on Thursday - I have been collecting things to work on. We are planning a "Redwood Unit" and hike and "San Francisco" unit and visit while we are out there.

I am linking to Skip to my Lou.

Aprons

I finished the aprons, just in time for the wedding! There were 11 total, I thought they all came out great, and I love the addition of the monogram. When I get a picture of the servers I will post it. So my question is: Am I sick and wrong to even think that I need to remember this for when Phoebe gets married? By then I know I will be senile and won't remember anything, but...

Anyway on to embroiderying backpacks for girl's camp, baby blankets, and organizers!

Easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. We enjoyed the Conference talks at the Ranch with playing in between. The kids had fun riding their quads and playing in the very small amount of snow left.

I have been enjoying the blooms in the front yard and love to see the lillies every spring.

Spring

Spring is here and that means baseball for this group. Tom is co-coaching the boys team again this year. So while we had a limited life with Tom's new calling, we now have no life (outside ball games!) We have 2 games a week and lucky us - 1 is on every Saturday through May. I can't complain - the boys are busy with practicing, so it somewhat keeps them out of trouble. Phoebe loves to bring snack so she can boss the other siblings around.

Tip Junkie

It has been awhile since I posted! Baseball started for the boys and we have been BUSY! We had a blast at Disneyland and it was confirmed that Daniel is an adreneline junkie.

Have you seen the Spring Fling Contest Tip Junkie has going? I would love to win any of the prizes! Wish me luck.

Busy, busy, busy

What have you been up to? I have been sewing, sewing, sewing! My hands are so dry from handling material! Starting Thursday skirts and aprons will be for sale in the loft at Glitterbox downtown. I will post a picture from the store.

On the home front, Tom is busy with work and church. The boys start baseball this week and Phoebe is telling everyone what to do!

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We had fun in Utah, but are glad to be back in warmer climes!

We had a wonderful dinner last night (Pioneer Woman's Shimp and Pasta in foil) and I had the table all set with chargers, china and goblets. I even made a centerpiece with candles, tangelos and leaves. I was cooking so I asked Daniel to take some pictures. I looked through the pictures today and there is not one of the table. He took pictures of his sister, our friends that came for dinner, and the cartoon that was on TV.

On another note, what are your goals for the year? I decided I am going to help my kids learn to do more around the house to help! Our word for the year is SERVICE (to home, family and others.)

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!