Our little family feels really blessed. 2008 was a busy year for our family and it has turned out better than we could of ever imagined.

We brought in the new year with my folks in Fernie at the Elkveiw Lodge. It was an absolutely stunning vista and the company was fabulous!

This year we are going to focus on not rushing and really taking life in.

Dusty and I are so very grateful for the wonderful life we have. We couldn't of picked better kids and both of our extended families are fantastic. We live in a spectacular area of the world and are in love with our house. Dusty's job is perfect for us. I am so thankful. I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for us.

MOVIN' on

Christmas is gone. There may be many out there who drag Christmas out into the new year but not me. I was going bonkers yesterday because the tree was still up!! I wanted to take it down but Dusty convinced (begged) me to "chill-out". SOOOOOO the house has remained a Christmas disaster until today. It has now achieved it's normal state of mess. AND the tree shall be toast (or toasting us) tonight. (I LOVE a wood fireplace!) I will post all of the festivities.

I had such a great time. This was the first year in my 24 ish year existence that I haven't been with my folks on Christmas morning. I missed my family and their little traditions BUT i had an absolute BLAST with my kids and hubby and his fam.. It made that transition so much easier than I thought it was going to be.

My kids had a great time, Dusty had a great time (no packing helps), and I didn't even burn the turkey!!

WHOSE KID IS THAT????

So we're in a new ward and I'm trying my best to meet new people and make new friends. So at church yesterday, our family is invited out for an evening of Christmas carols, treats, and socializing. I am thinking...... Excellent I'll get to visit with people.....

1) dusty is late. Fine. NO biggie
2) Smooshing tutus into a car seat makes us a little later. Fine. It's better than convincing cinder"Ellie" to take the dress off.


We end up being late and finish the singing bit and then everyone goes into the kitchen for a little snack. My red faced-been running around like a wild woman- daughter comes dashing up the stairs and trots into the kitchen.

"MOM me thirsty me need drink"
"here you go. Drink slow. Two hands" (as I pass her the cup of orange juice/7-up)
GULP GULP GULP GULP
Ellie sits on the floor. I resume my conversation. I hear BLECH SPLISH. I look down
FABULOUS. FIRST BIG SOCIAL EVENT AND IT'S MY CHILD THAT PUKES ALL OVER THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYONE. GREAT.
I look around and EVERYONE is looking (of course) and I'm getting the sympathy nods and smiles from all the other mom's who are just so grateful that either a) they got a babysitter or b) their child just didn't barf in the middle of the party.
I start cleaning up and a few thoughtful and helpful people (to whom I am so grateful for) join in. Soon the floor is mopped up and my now naked child is being found extra clothes.

THANK-YOU Ellie for one very memorable Christmas party!

OH snap, here come the dancing ladies

Okay I realize the 12 days of Christmas don't actually begin 12 days before Christmas. BUT in my house it's before and today, there was the maids a milkin and tomorrow those dang dancing ladies, who not so graciously remind me that there are 3 (YES you are not in need of googly glasses) day till the fat, red man dives down our not-so-clean-chimney into our not-so-clean fireplace. SERIOUSLY, I ask myself, "what on EARTH have I been doing?!?".

My fam is blessing us with their presence at our humble (and ramshacklely) abode. I am totally looking forward to it and I know that my mother, father, or two beautiful (and single) sisters don't care if the place is in shambles and already looks like 'TOYSRUS' exploded INSIDE but I want Christmas to be PERFECT. It's the first one Dusty and I have had in our own home and I've been looking forward to it for oh so many years (just 4 1/2 to be precise).

I really truly am looking forward to the holidays.

I wish all of you the Merriest of Christmas' and may your travels be swift and painless!!

When my Child gets sleepy.....

She busts out a song......

Denim Quilt

This is the second jean quilt I made. This one is Lucy's and it's similar to Ellie's. This time I tried to make a polar fleece border BUT it didn't work out so well for me.
I do not know what to do at the corners.



They ended up being really bulky and awkward to sew.... not to mention terrifying to actually sew because I thought at any moment the needle was going to snap off and painfully impale me. I seriously would welcome suggestions and tips on all projects (Because clearly I need the help). This blanket is super-d-duperty warm because of all the batting I put in it and Lucy loves it (not to mention I also like the occasional cuddle because of it's warmth)

Christmas Tradition

As most of you know, dusty and i go to chop down a tree. Generally it's fairly cold and most times we've come home with a "charlie-brown" tree. Well, the "charlie-brown" tree still graces our living room BUT it was BEAUTIFUL the day we went out! It was so much fun. I always have fun every year but this year was especially memorable for me.

1) Dusty planned it.

He packed a picnic. He picked the day. He got the truck ready. He helped get the kids ready. He was awesome.

2) We drove 10 minutes.

On previous occasions we've driven at least an hour if not 3 or 4 to keep this little tradition alive. This year we arrived in our tree chopping destination in 10 minutes.

3) Lucy wouldn't touch the snow.

She spent the majority of the afternoon chillin' on the tailgate. If she wasn't there she was being packed around via moi or dusty.

4) Ellie and her fancy footwork.

Ellie tip-toed around the forest to be sure not to "wake-up the bears". I got a few, "SHHHHHHH mom, you are being to crunchie"

5) did I mention dusty packed a picnic!?!

He built a fire and roasted hotdogs with Ellie. He bought them their favorite kind of chips and made us all hot chocolate:)

6) Dusty and the girls decorated the tree.

I like tree decorating. This is how it normally goes. Dusty and the girls decorate and I go behind to "fix" it. Last year we bought a faker on the 28th of dec (wicked deal I paid like $40 and it was exactly what I wanted) so we all decorated that one in november and I did the walk behind after. The real tree however, did not get the walk behind. Dusty thinks I should "fix" it but I think it's one of the nicest trees we've ever had.

First Snow Day of the Year

I am trying to pace myself with the updating blog situation for I have vast numbers of pictures. BUT I have some great pictures of Ellie and the first snow of the season. It was so warm out the day after it snowed that as soon as LUcy (who HATES (that is lightly putting it) the snow) went to bed I got Ellie all decked out.

She had the best time and I had a great time watching her. Last year, towards the latter part of winter she would go and play but it was more of a saunter around the yard. This year was the best. She rolled and dived and screamed and shrieked! She's such and awesome little girl!!!!

Ellie's Denim Quilt

I DO NOT sew. In fact I am so clueless about sewing my husband had to set up the sewing machine for me. But I am bound and determined to learn how. Once an idea gets in my head there is no getting it out and I have been desiring to make a quilt since at least junior high. Of course, I have put it off due to the fact of my busy busy life (which in fact I must say was no so busy busy as I thought). I got married and had two kids and then I was going stir-crazy last winter. I LOVE my kids but sometimes I wonder if I was really cut-out for this "stay-at-home-mom" bit. Anyways, I was going crazy out of sheer boredom and I needed to find a hobby so I figured what a perfect time to bust out the brand-new-been sitting in the back of my closet for the last 3 years- sewing machine.



I pulled out the instruction manual that comes with such a machine and began to assemble it to the best of my knowledge. I was pretty darn proud of myself until Dusty came home and has to "re-assemble" it. (minor set-back.... clearly anyone could of set it up wrong... it's a compact complicated little machine!)



So I started browsing through the trusty Internet for a "beginner" quilting pattern and as I am browsing my determination and confidence in my ability to "do anything you set your mind to" is wavering until..... I have a brainwave. This is my first "quilt" so I don't really have to make it out of whatever quilts are usually made out of and I can just throw together a denim one! GENIUS!!! So I immediately run up stairs and start cutting up Dusty's jeans (he has a lot so i know he can spare some). I could keep on with the story but I'll spare you the anguishing details....



2 days later from the set up of the sewing machine came the first (not so beautiful but at least meaningful) quilt......




It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. There clearly are mistakes that I made but all in all I am completely happy with it and more importantly, Ellie LOVES it. It is the blanket she chooses to pack around with her on all the outings we go to. Plus it's super warm because I didn't listen to anyone who said not to put batting in it.



The lessons I learned on this quilt...

1) Hand stitching with yarn threw denim is painful. I had to use pliers on some of the patches that were newer
2) cut your squares bigger than you want (I was a little zealous in the cutting department and neglected to think about the sewing together part
3)It would of been particularly helpful when tying the quilt to have somewhere to put it....
4) my blanket didn't turn out so smooth and tight (i haven't figured out the lesson in that but I will eventually and it's ok that it isn't because it's really floppy and cozy)

I didn't use a particular pattern from somewhere I just went to town on it and i don't know if i did it the "right" way but all I did was cut the squares into 4 3/4" and then sewed them together in strips. I gave myself a 1/2" seam allowance (I actually don't know what I just said.... I pretty much just sewed it together and hoped it was straight). After the top was all together I had stitched hearts and stars and Ellie's name on it. Dusty (who watched his mom and grandmother and great grandmother all quilt) helped me built a frame and tack the top down and stretch it. I cut the batting to size and laid it down and tacked it down. I put the polar fleece on top of that and tacked it down. I tried to stretch the polar fleece but it kept getting distorted so I gave up on that ( I think perhaps this is why it's "floppy"). I tied it all together and then sewed the outer edge (and because I don't trust my sewing ability I then stitched yarn around the border of the blanket. TA DA done!


I like it. Ellie likes it. and best of all it hasn't fallen apart.
I have made one more for Lucy and it is different but not without it's mistakes. I liked doing this project and will continue at my attempts BUT I still don't LOVE sewing. Maybe that will change with a little time and practise because I do LOVE the outcome of it.


I got some helpful how-to's off the Internet and the most helpful was this site:
http://www.mormonchic.com/crafty/denim_quilt.asp

Hat's anyone?!?

Ah my HATS. I have never in my life found something that I love to do as much as I love to knit. I am a beginner knitter but I have aspirations to conquer the knitting world (not really) but I would love to be able to one day have enough experience and expertise to create something of my own design. But for now I use other people's genius and create cute and cozy creations. I have been knitting hats and specifically two needle hats because I am just starting out so I don't have double-pointed needles or circular needles. I also have two sizes of needles so everything has to be done on them. I have 6mm and 10mm. I have been fortunate enough to find some great free patterns online.


This is the first pattern I attempted and I am in LOVE with it. It was the easiest thing in the world to knit and so fast because of the super chunky yarn and the big needles. It is a hat pattern that was inspired from the movie, "the golden compass". Lyra wears this hat and I was drawn to it in the film and it looks absolutely adorable on my girls and it fits awesome!

I got the pattern from:http://froggiemeanie.blogspot.com/2007/12/golden-compass-hat-happy-holidays.html






It is the best hat pattern I found for kids, especially because neither of my children like hats, so I could tie it on them. The only thing I changed from her pattern was that I braided the ties because I'm not really a twister.