Finishing what I started

It only took me a year but I finally finished the quilts I started last year. I wanted to completely quilt them myself by stippling (machine quilting by moving my quilt in a random pattern) them so I put it off until I got brave enough, and time enough, to learn to do it. After practicing for a little bit on a 12x12 scrap, I just decided to go for it. By the end of the first quilt I was getting the hang of it. I don't have it perfected but it think it is well enough to pass.

A much needed lesson

For Family Home Evening we learned how to tie ties. It is a lesson that is long overdue for one of them, but I needed it just as much. As a mother of 4 sons, it is one of those "things you need to know" just as reflexes like a ninja are helpful when they decide it time to play catch with anything hard they just found on the floor. To make the triangle at the top of the tie is harder than I thought but I'm sure with practice it will all become too easy.

For the treat-We went to McDonald's and ordered 4 strawberry and 1 hot fudge for Rich sundae's. Love that dollar menu!

Quiet house

The first day was school started today and I couldn't believe how quiet my house was.

Dylan was pretty nervous about his first day as a 1st grader in a new building with new teachers. He came home tired but ready to do it all again. My 1st Grader

My 8th Grader

My 6th Grader

I have the best family and friends

We had such a fun vacation I wish I would have taken more pictures.
Here are some random pictures from our 2 1/2 weeks in Utah.
Highlights
There was fishing, fishing, and more fishing.
Bowling x2
Seeing old neighbors who will always be friends.
Cramming in elevators like a bunch of sardines.

A vacation in Utah wouldn't be a vacation without eating at the BYU creamery!
Adult time at P.F. Chang's we missed you Amiel and Melynda!
Parachute fireworks. It sometimes causes crying but mostly it is just so much fun!
Meeting my new nephew Owen.
Enjoying the Stadium of Fire Fireworks outside the Stadium. It may be the cheap way to go but I really enjoy it.
Jacob started walking down stairs.

Spending time with 4 families all under one roof. Good times. Thanks Rebekah and Danny!

Enjoying the Zoo in the hot sun. We couldn't get enough of the mist machines.

Richard vandalizing property to proclaim love is that so wrong?

Fireworks at the park

Packing all my nieces in a minivan rocking out to I've got a Feeling

Spending time with family-the best!

No pictures of shopping but definitely a highlight

My emergency room experience

After waiting in a freezing cold waiting room for 4 hours trying not to notice the shooting pain coming from my toe, I finally got admitted. They were very nice and got me a warmed blanket that I immediately used. After some x-rays, the doctors assistant explained to me what they suggested would help me get better sooner. I really tried to avoid the crutches but they told me I had to take them or the contraption they put on my foot would break. I feel ridiculous using crutches for a toe injury but I am following doctors orders.
Richard tried to get a "in pain" shot but I kept laughing (it was my way of coping with the pain).

So the reason I went to the emergency room---I dropped a razor scooter on my foot. You wouldn't think it would cause such an injury but since it was hooked to a hose it snapped on my foot like a rubber band. My poor toe, it may never be the same.

*update on my big toe--
I went to the foot doctor today (6.9) and was told if the ER doctors would have removed the fluid behind my toe it could have prevented me from losing my nail. Yay Maui doctors. So I did have my whole nail removed and then had to have stitches because the toe bed was damaged. I found out it takes 8+ months to regrow a nail and no beach or pool for 2 weeks. Sorry kids.

Baseball highlights

Baseball season seems like such a long season with games twice a week (4 if you have two kids) not to mention practices, but both boys improve more and more each year that they play.

Here is Dylan pushing the boy out of the way so he can get on base. He liked to make sure everyone played the game correctly.



After an exhausting, very hot game.


The celebration is not complete without a trophy and a candy lei.

Brendan loves to steal bases. He likes to egg on the pitcher to just try to get him out.

He became an official pitcher. Even though I had a hard time watching, he did a great job and it made the games really exciting.

Party time. Brendan's team went to da rush for the end of season party (they were his team sponsor). The whole family was invited so Jordan and Dylan got to ride the wave.

They had a lot of wipeouts but they kept getting back up there and trying it again. Both Brendan and Jordan tried ridding the wave standing up. Brendan was determined to do it and finally got it even if only for a few seconds.

What Jacob has learned to do

Climb inside the dryer to play.

Climb in a chair to listen to my recorded voice read him a book.

Watch TV. They happen to be watching Funniest Home Videos which really kept both of them pretty entertained for awhile.