a quilt for Joey

Two days before I left for Megan's house- I finished this quilt for Joey. I Love it... but not as much as I love that little Joey! One of my favorite things about Joey is he looks like one of us. Right after he was born I said- hey, he looks like Jack, wait- he looks like Trent, no-- he looks like megan--- WEll guess what? He looks like himself & he looks like us! It's amazing to see a bit of your family in a grandchild. just plain amazing. This quilt is made up of fabric from the cutest fabric.. but I can't remember the name- so sorry. It's also sold out everywhere. The pattern is called Double Dip & I got it here. I'm a huge fan of Camille- she's got skills that girl! It's a great pattern & really easy to use. I wanted to do something new- a tumbler quilt was perfect. It's just like plain square quilt- only different.

Look at this pile of scraps!
Lovely


Lucky for me Hailey was home when I was putting the colors together. she has a keen eye & helped me get them just right.

I quilted it myself.

Oh how I love this machine. My sisters got an Alaskan Cruise for Christmas & I got this machine. I know it sounds crazy but- I think I will get more joy out of the machine!

this past weekend

*we went out to dinner with friends.
*I taught an ice cream & popsicle making class.
*we took our family's turn cleaning the church.
*Brett mowed the lawn, finishing just before a storm hit.
*Brian & Laura came over Saturday night with Nya for a late dinner after work.
*Jack's mission president & his wife spoke in their ward. They just returned home last week. Upon seeing us - they recognized us as "messers" right away~ thanks to mini Jack, aka: Trent.
*my parents & two olders sisters left on an Alaskan cruise & called me from the ship to say happy birthday (just before it sailed since they can't call my actual birthday)- wow that sounds fun!
*Trent went on an over night camp out.
*The Moores invited us for Sunday dinner! woo hooo- we never are invited anywhere for Sunday dinner! A serious thrill for us.
*It rained & the wind blew through the upstairs two nights in a row!

How may photos do I have?

zero

blah

How was your weekend?

I guess you could say~ we are BIG fans!

Last week when BRett picked me up from the airport, as the plane was taxiing- he texted me & said- "guess who I just saw?" I asked, who? He said, "The kids from American Idol- they are here in the airport." I didn't believe him--- until he texted me his picture with Casey! (Casey was my favorite all season) I was stunned- and jealous - and boy when the kids found out they were ticked off that they didn't get to come to the airport!! We came home, looked up the ticket & tour information, AND BOUGHT FIVE TICKETS!

Last night was the concert & we were not disappointed.

We picked up our will call tickets & headed to our seats...

We checked out the t-shirts & souvenirs... $40 a t-shirt... ouch.

We were all so excited!

Even Trent- who is a super Scotty fan.

We had been singing (practicing) the words to Gone for several days now so we could sing along to the chorus... seriously fun. I kept getting the words wrong- Trent corrected me- until I got them right. Thanks bud.

Our seats weren't bad at all, considering how late in the game (3 days before the concert) and how much we paid for them. I won't say- it was still ridiculous- but worth it.

We bought four seats together & Brett was right below. It was cheaper & better seats to do it that way. GREAt family crowd-- except for a few weirdos that I tried desperately to get photos of. The ladies in front of us (next to Brett) were getting a little drunk (funny how drunk people can be so darn friendly.) Plus we saw one mighty short skirt along with a couple see threw dresses with thongs underneath-- my eyes-- they're still burning.

Yes it was worth that too. I took this picture above of Paul for Megan & Tony- he was their favorite this season. My favorite was Casey- Oh ya I already said that. He played his base & ya- he was GREAT!

But all night we were waiting for Scotty!

He didn't come on until the end- sang a couple of songs then -- GONE.

Oh ya we rocked the chorus with him!!

I took this picture of the girls just after 5 or so teeny boppers above us kept screeching their heads off for him... it wasn't cool or cute- just annoying & ear piercing.

I know you can't see from the photos- but here is Scotty & Alaina.

She was darling & so sweet. she took the barrette out of her hair & gave it to a little girl in the audience. Nice.

It was a GREat night- so fun!

Everyone was Awesome- they sang mostly songs that they had performed on the show- and hey- that's exactly what we wanted to hear.

Salt Lake City was the first stop on their summer 11' tour.

WE LOVEd it!

Are you AI fans?

wordless wednesday

just charlie & me

I just can't tell ya, how much fun I had with charlie last week! He loved taking photos of us (well mostly he loved seeing himself in my phone's camera.)
we played outside

we played inside

we visited mom & dad & joey in the hospital

(he's drinking chocolate milk here- not a bottle)

I bought him a shopping cart & surprised him with it one morning. Can you tell he just woke up? I love that sleepy face.

he raced through the house with it!

we went shopping

and I got to see how he can reach his toes while sitting in his car seat.

we took naps

and colored pictures

and pretty much I had the time of my life.

I Love you Charlie!

Independence Day- this one's for you Jack

4th of July Weekend!

If you know me... or have read this blog for any amount of time... you've gotta know how much I Love Independence DaY!It is truly my favorite time of the year. This year my town opted to celebrate our traditional small town activities on the 1st & 2nd- to keep things consecutive. This being God fearing country- we don't not have parades & such on Sundays. There is a patriotic program tonight- but we didn't request tickets in time & they are all gone. I have to admit, I miss my kids who cannot be here terribly this time of the year. I hope & pray to have them all here next year! Oh how I love to have my family all together this time of year.

It was a glorious time- I loved every second.

Marcus, Brittany & Johnny were here!

Look- Proof- Johnny is a RED HEAD!!

WOO HOo!! WE of course love the red heads at our house. I have considered offering a cash reward for the first red head grandchild- but Brett says NO to that. I should explain... that I like to offer cash rewards a lot.Is he CUTE or what!!?

Love the outfitthis is Laura's first year at the concert. We were so happy to have her & Brian with us. We eat the same foods- Fried Chicken, Pasta salad w/shrimp, fruit salad & sodas- every year. The pasta salad is a huge hit & I only make it for the 4th. I don't know why- but it's just for the 4th- and that makes it highly anticipated & extra special.

There was a children's parade, magic show, concert (great band by the way),

and of course...

FireWorks!

{lame firework pictures this year}

The fireworks are timed to patriotic music- my heart swells & my eyes fill with tears. Oh how I love this great land!
Friday night we stayed up too late- and Saturday morning we were up bright & early. Trent & Ethan ran in the kids race- Trent came in dead last, but it doesn't matter where you finished just that you finished! WAY to go TREnT! He was so excited & thrilled to run, got a little lost (it was only a mile?) but made it! He was so excited to get a ribbon & two coupons for WEndy's frosties!

Ethan stayed & came to the parade with us. The parade was GREAT- I love a small town parade. I remember when we first moved to our town. I asked one of the neighbors if the parade was crowded & if we should get there early? She told me it was packed- set out your chairs the night before! REmember, I am from Seattle, I was thinking--thousands of people packed? Umm- NO. It's just perfect.

Somehow I went the whole time without getting a picture of Brittany? She was here- I don't know how I missed you- sorry Brit!

maybe we were just smitten with this fella?

My favorite part of the parade this year- the Centerville Stake Float- the modest Ms. Utah, the Samoan band- they come every year & they are AwesoME- but most of all the Veterans. There were at least a dozen veterans or more. Many of them from WWII. They were so handsome, most of them in their uniforms! What a wonderful time, a wonderful weekend to celebrate our many blessings.

If you don't have plans for the real Independence day tomorrow- I hope you'll make some. If nothing else- Fly Your Flag!

Another Independence day almost over...

honestly I can't wait until next year- when Jack will be home!
miss you megan, tony, charlie, joey & jack