in my world

I always drive home from work the scenic route

 I love to see the Salt Lake Temple. 

Temple Square is one of my favorite places on earth.

This is the view out my kitchen window!

It's so lovely- today I am stressed a little bit- thinking Fall is almost over.

It always goes to fast.

(Krystal's birthday lunch- )2013

I still meet nearly every Wednesday with a group of ladies for lunch & try to get something CREATIVE done. Mostly I just unwind & feel supported by these fabulous friends.

I find things like- baby socks around my house again.

OH THE JOY of a baby sock!

Brian frequently texts me a picture of the twins in their Sunday clothes!

They got matching P-Coats for winter. Oh my gosh- they are so cute in them, but I forgot to get a picture when they came over last night! 

My cooking class is going strong-

we had a field trip at the beginning of the month.

Dairy Queen!

The kids had a blast checking out behind the scenes & making their own ice cream cones.

Making an ice cream cone is harder than it looks. The last class for the semester is this Friday. I am not teaching in December. I'm hoping to get lots of handmade things ready for Christmas, and to spend more time with the kids. I really love teaching these classes- they are super fun & super messy & kids- I maybe should have been an elementary teacher? I just love being around them. They give me energy & hope for the future. I guess that's why I have so many of my own? I start teaching again in January.

I love to send out invites for Thanksgiving- it just feels more special.

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, Thanksgiving is Brett's favorite holiday. 

We always have so much fun.

Raking leaves- it's nice that Batman comes to help.

I didn't make it to Charlie's Halloween parade at preschool. 

But this picture shows the joy on his face.

Brian & Laura took their first family vacation with the twins,

Finn helped with the driving... such a great helper.

They had fun in St. George & hiked Zions.

This weekend we spent time with all of our grandsons & didn't get any pictures.

It's such a joy to have them so close.

We baby sat the twins & then Megan's boys & had a blast!

Joey & Charlie are getting so big. I can't wait to meet their new little brother.

It's a good life.

just what's up at our house?

Laverne & Shirley are laying so many eggs!

~We love them~

Sunday, Brittany invited us all to dinner at her new house!!!
YES she is all moved in & it is lovely. 

we walked over... so fun...

But, took Nya for a walk first just because.

The views this time of year are absolutely breath taking.

Tuesday night was so exciting!!!

until Mitt lost... and I love Mitt.

~sigh~

We had a little election party with the Johnsons.

YUM-- the food!!

But boo--- didn't end our way.

Oh Well- we will join Mitt & Anne & pray for our president & support him, because that's what we do.

(Kind of looks like we are having an IPhone reading party?)

Yesterday the very Lovely Laura invited me to go with her to see the babies at one of her many, many ultra sounds that she will be having for the twins.

I WAS BEYOND THRILLED & SO HAPPY THAT LAURA IS SO GENEROUS & KIND TO ME!!

Laura is almost 23 weeks along & this is baby A.

Isn't he cute! Oh the joy!

It was amazing & confusing... seeing two TWO babies in there!

CRAZY exciting- I've never seen anything like it.

It has been unseasonably warm here with temps in the high 60's & low 70's.

NO I'm not complaining. We have loved it. Especially Trent who goes outside & watches the stars all wrapped up in a blanket at night. Here is a shot of our Facetime.

He is such a sweet kid.

Today as I drove home from work I couldn't help but feel mixed emotions.

Tomorrow a BIG snow storm & weather change.

We are so blessed to have such a lovely fall.

It's time though-- time for winter to get a start. 

Please, not too heavy? Jack- hasn't seen winter in 2 years- amazing huh?

After work I met Hailey at the fabric store where I picked up some good solid white fabric to finish up a second baby quilt for my sister in law Lyn. 

Lyn has adopted two babies in the past couple of years-- without getting a quilt!?

 What in the world?? Gotta get this done- 

Hailey left me this on my phone & I really love it.

thanks-- love you hailey

NOw--- I'm getting dinner started-- tacos.

What's up with you?

fall sewing

It is so beautiful in Utah right now.

Pictures do not do justice to how beautiful the mountains & trees are.

It's absolutely breath taking.

It's lucky I haven't gotten in a car accident -- I love the views.

Yesterday I finished up two projects.

First this baby quilt-

Seriously cute boy fabrics for Laura's nephew.

I'm really happy to get this done- he is 7 or 8 months old now. Geez Louizzz

The very minute I finished the baby quilt I started making these--

Super Hero Capes!

My number 1 Grandson Charlie is turning 3 at the end of the month-

3

can you believe it!?

Three is the perfect age for a reversible Batman/Super Charlie cape.

And every good Nana knows that it's no fun playing super heroes alone.

So I'm sending along a 

reversible Super Joey/Superman.

That way Joey or a friend can play along too.

(my model: Super Grandpa)

 I searched through pinterest & found a template I liked.

Then free handed a bit & wa-la!

These were so fun to make-- really fun.

I've been thinking of all kinds of boy themed sewing & crafts these days.

seriously?

This was my view driving home from work yesterday.For real? Last week - seven days ago- we had record high temperatures. Today rain & snow on the foothills. It's FAReezing people. I had to turn the heat on- the highs in the 40's. Don't cry for me yet... it's going to be Fall next week with 60's in the forecast!!
I was worried too... I LOVE Fall & can't bare to miss it.
In the mean time-
Brett came home from a five day business trip. I was completely exhausted mentally & physically. Being a single parent is a lot of work, even for just 5 days! Yesterday Trent & I went to the store to buy him a new umbrella. (we got over 2" of rain) He was ticking (whistling) nearly every 20-30 seconds. He had, had a rough day with a bully kid pushing him at one point & telling him to "shut up." In other words- stop whistling. (Heaven knows I've wanted to tell him to shut up at times myself.. sometimes the pitch is so high it's like an ice pick to the ear drum, still I HATE BULLIES- AND THIS KID IS GONNA GET IT WHEN I CALL THE SCHOOL TODAY!) So-- in the grocery store I just ignore it- but when we got to the check out line a gentleman in front of us commented, "there is where the whistling is coming from! I've heard you whistling all over the store." We just smiled & when he went on again (he wasn't being rude, really) I said- he has Tourette's syndrome & whistles. Trent said, "Ya & it's better than swearing." We laughed that off & that poor guys just wanted to disappear. I could tell he was so shocked & wishing he hadn't said anything. It was fine really. I'm wondering if Brett should take him to the movies tonight like planned? What about the Nutcracker this year? Hmm. lots to think about.

so many leaves

HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEEEN

{ photo by trent}

Instead of donuts I made up special treat bags for my scouts & called it good.

We had a TON of trick or treaters! We watched the peanut, I mean Buzz Lightyear while my sister's family went to Lagoon. Jack & I played two rounds of our new favorite game (with The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown in the background) I let him win, then he went Zach's house- he went home tonight. Hailey went to a party tonight & last night & took friends in the car- gasp! She's home safe now, so we can sleep. Trent is over the top full of sugar & happy because someone was giving out little cans of rootbeer- the ultimate treat. Chloe is still at a party but coming home--- what a fun night.

what a week!

After leaving this cutie pie at the airport- I boarded a plane for Utah.

Just a minute or two after buckling in & leaning back in relaxation mode... I'm a nervous flyer... the flight attendant told us we were going to be delayed 2 hours. The thought of sitting there almost made me start to panic, luckily they let us off- feewwww. So after some gift shop lookin' around & lunch I read a bit & it was back on the plane. Luckily my connecting flight was also late so after running through the Minneapolis airport, taking the shuttle to the second stop, & seeing they were just starting to board- I hustled into the bathroom & then made it onto the plane.

It's a good thing I made it on-

I didn't want to miss this guy & all my scouts at the pinewood derby!

It seemed like every time I called home- the boys were working on the car. Even though it didn't place it was a good experience & I think everyone had a blast.

Even the dads could make cars or bring their old ones to race after the scouts.

Brett's old cars were meticulously taken off the wall of the office where they hang in their shadow box & raced up just as good as new! He's from a serious scouting family.

The next morning

the halloween parade

Oh how I love the halloween parade!

The whole school dresses up, faculty & all & parade through the school. Parents & grandparents come- it's crowded & fun. It's one of my favorite things & makes me feel like I live in a small town where family matters. I love how so many people come, but it's not a big contest to see who can spend the most time/money on the fanciest costume. I hate that. I of course love the parade, Trent just tolerates it-that is-now he tolerates it. Years past the trauma of the crowds & dressing up (he hates dressing up in anything but a tacky store bought costume) put him over the edge. Just two years ago I had to take him home after.
I tried to get him to let me paint his face or dress up as something cool like a cowboy for the parade & save the store bought costume for trick or treating- nah. Oh well. It's okay, I'm just glad he plays along now. I just want him to have fun!

My town has totally turned fall & winter is on our heels.

It snowed a bit while I was away. Leaves are all around & there is a chill in the air.

It feels good to be home.