Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween 2010!

2 chili dinners.  Family.  Friends.  Our old ward.

2 trunk or treat activities = too much candy.

We had fun. 

We are staying in tonight, eating Beef Picante Soup, making homemade donuts (John's family tradition) and seeing if any poor soul tries to make it down our crazy driveway from some candy.  I kind of doubt it.

Our rogue pirate, knight in shining armor and "mudblood" aka muggle-born wizard/witch from Hairy Potter (she claims to be Ron Weasley's new girl friend) will protect us tonight from any harm while we stay warm inside!



Primary Program

Today was our Primary Program (when the children present what they learned during the year to their families and friends at church during the Sacrament Meeting).  I enjoyed sitting in the congregation listening and watching ... watching Kendall wink at us.  I have to admit, I really miss being chorister.  It wasn't too bad sitting and watching the program in our new ward.  I figure it wasn't difficult because I don't know any of the children.  Our old ward has their program in 2 weeks.  It will be hard to sit and listen because I miss them so much.  It will be worth the heartache though. 

Kerst and Kendall participted in the program.  The theme was "I know my Savior lives".  Beautiful theme.  Beautiful music.

Kendall did a great job speaking slowly and clearly for his first presentation.  We were so proud of him (and Kerst too!).  I was bad and snapped a picture.  Shame on me.  I had to do it. 

Kendall standing at the pulpit - his part: " Jesus heals us."

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Hairy?

Kendall handed Jaley his lollipop asking her to get the "ghost hair" off his lollipop.

Huh?  Ghost hair?

At closer examination, sure enough, there was ghost hair.

Jaley licked it off for him.  What a nice sister.


image from teaching-tiny-tots.com
 "What is ghost hair?" you might ask. 

Bits of tissue stuck to the lollipop.

Monday, October 25, 2010

I looked out the window and what did I see?


Bob the cat.  Not a house cat.  A bobcat.

Kerst just told me that Jaley saw it too.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Yo yo quilt is DONE!

It has taken 2 1/2 years to complete.  We started back in April 2008.  Jaley wasn't quite ready to taking on such a task so we put it away for about a year and then pulled it out again.

Jaley and I traced close to 1,900 dics onto 25 different fabrics.  Jaley cut them all out.

Jaley and I plugged along sewing by hand all 1,640 (plus about 100 more) yo yos.  We had some help along the way.  Kerst.  Gma P.  Aunt Emily.  We had a lot of fun sitting around and chatting.  I would bring bags to sew while waiting for Julia to complete her community college class.  We would sew at the pool.  We would sew (insert gasp here) during the Sacrament meeting TALKS.  Jaley and I noticed that we got so much more out of the talks when our hands were busy - a neat way to focus and really listen rather than just hearing the talks.

This is one of her 10 hour Young Women Personal Progress value projects.  Only it took over 200 hours to complete!

It is beautiful!  I can't wait to see it on her bed ... when we finish the basement ... yes, more projects!

Yo yo's attached to the quilt ... the final step!

Jaley's queen size yo-yo quilt.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

The audition song

I know Julia didn't want me to video this but I did just to try and get her nervous.  It didn't work - making her nervous that is.

It is beautiful ...

Enjoy.

Friday, October 22, 2010

All State Auditions

It is that time of year again ...

Julia auditioned for All State Classical Choir today.  She felt much better about the audition this year than she did last year (she was the only one who made All State Choir last year from her High School!).

We will find out around Thanksgiving if she made it into the choir.

Good Luck Jules!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Quick Trip

We have had a whirlwind of trips the past 2 weeks.

Oct 8-10 to UT.  Some dear friends from IL and CO (yes, we lived in the same ward in both states!) moved to Argentina in July.  September their oldest - 5 1/2 years old - became sick with E Coli which turned into HUS.  Her younger sister and brother were also diagnosed with it.  Lily passed away in the loving arms of her parents on Oct 1.  We were able to attend the funeral of Lily.  It was a very touching and testimony building experience for all those who knew and loved Lily.

Oct 15-18 trip to IL.  I kidnapped my sister Kelly and brought her back to CO on our return trip from UT.  She helped me drive the 14+ hours back home from IL.

We loved seeing friends and family.  Miss the city.  The weather was AMAZING. 


Under the Chicago Bean

Natural Beauties ... in the Chicago Bean
 We stopped in to see my Grandparents.  Papa cried when he saw us.  We cried too.  It felt so good to be "home" again with them.  We miss them dearly.
Jaley, Great Grandpa (Papa), Julia, Jenna

Julia and Papa.  They have a very special bond.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Basement Design

We have 2,600 square feet in our basement - unfinished.  John has been having fun designing a floor plan.  It has been fun seeing the design evolve.  This is the most recent design - and most likely getting to the final stages of having to indicate where the smoke detectors, lights, outlets, fire sprinkler heads, etc are located for design approval for permits.



The green lines indicate windows.  Jenna's room will need to have a window installed.

We have a walk-out basement which is really nice!  (Door by the Bar/Kitchen)

Jaley's room has the circuit panel for our breaker box.  Building code states that we cannot have it in a bathroom or closet so it is in her bedroom/hallway leading to her closet.

Not sure what to do in the area where we have the laundry ...

Our storage room is already organized with a lot of our stuff!  It will be nice to have walls up to block it from view.

John is looking forward to a theater with theater seating!

Another computer will be at the base of the steps.  John has all of our computers networked to his server.  The server and media computer will be in a "room" under the stairs.

We learned that we cannot have a cook top or oven in the basement.  Ugh.  I was looking forward to having another place to cook in the summer ... and when our soccer boys come to visit.  Cooking with one oven is going to be tricky with large groups.  I was spoiled at the other place, but we can make it work!

If you have suggestions on what to do with the space near the laundry - or any of the design, we'd love to hear your suggestions!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Choir Concert - ENCHORDS!!!

Julia formed and directs an 8 girl a cappella group at her High School.  They practice once a week for an hour.  They performed last night at the HS Choir Concert.  These girls are simply AMAZING!  Julia is on the far right.  You can see her directing the girls with her arm movements.  She does a great job!

Enjoy ...

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Somewhere - from Westside Story.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Busy hands ... better focus

This past weekend we had the opportunity to hear from our Prophet, apostles and other leaders of our church during General Conference.  I love this time of year!  The air is becoming crisp.  They days are getting shorter.  Holidays are just around the corner ... and what a great way to start this time of year!

During Saturday's morning and afternoon sessions, we piped General Conference throughout the house on the whole house speakers (another thing I have found I love about the house).  I busied myself with cleaning and painting all of the baseboards - they were horrible from the previous owner's paint drips and poor maintenance.  During the afternoon session, I headed up into Julia's bathroom and painted some fun stripes.  It was so nice to have someone keep me company the entire time with inspiring words!

Then, on Sunday I kept my hands busy again.  Jaley and I finished up her yo-yo quilt!  (pictures to follow) All 1,640 are sewn together ... with 60+ to spare.  We still have yet to attach it to the black comforter/quilt.  It has only taken over 2 years but it has been worth it!  Lots of fun time sewing and chatting with Jaley and a few others who hopped in to help (Kerst, my Mom, Emily, etc).

It was a wonderful productive, relaxing and inspiring weekend.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

My Mr. Fix-It

I married a gem.  I wanted to marry someone just like my Dad.  I did.  He's a Mr. Fix-it too.

We have a list of things to do.  A LONG list.  Things to fix up.  Things to build and create.

Today, he fixed the instant hot water dispenser next to the kitchen sink.  I love it!  Instant oatmeal for Kendall.  Jaley has been making tons of Hot Chocolate today.  Yum.