Whole Bunch of Nothings

This week whizzed by, especially since we arrived home Monday night.  I did manage, however, to sew a bit.

I turned two burlap bags into holiday runners for my entry and kitchen tables, because I can't find St. Patrick's Day table toppers anywhere. (I also made three hooded towels and embroidered AHA shirts).

Austin was out of town in San Fransico so I had quite a few bed fellows (though they took turns in my bed.)

I made up this game for Ed -- he used medicine cups to fill each of the egg holes, then decorated them with rocks and sticks.  It was a great game.

 Here we are after church.  Eddie slept in the corner of the primary room the last two hours.

My children who fasted "oohed and aahhed" about the delcious crockpot feast I prepared for lunch.

Right now Meg and Maisie are making cup cakes together -- Meg is picking out Maisie's accidental egg shells.  We are counting down the hours until Austin gets home.

San Diego

Austin planned the most perfect vacation for President's Day Weekend -- we went to San Diego.
Thursday morning we spent in the car and stopping at scary gas stations.  Luckily the entire afternoon at the beach made up for it.

 Friday -- Valentine's Day -- we ate delicious pancakes and opened a few little gifts.  The rest of the morning was spent at the zoo, followed by an afternoon at the beach.  Evening found Austin and I walking hand-in-hand along the beach, sipping hot chocolate and reveling in the hour together.

Saturday we were off to another state park -- Cabrillo.  An afternoon of tide pools and soft sand finished it all up.

Sunday we attended church and headed to the Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center.

Monday we visited Midway -- an aircraft carrier filled with exploration.  Home again that same evening, wondering how I always manage to bring home to same amount of food as I took.

Everyday was a beach day.  Every night was ice cream and the Olympics.  What a wonderful vaction.  5:30 cam around early this morning, consequently, I'm ready to do it again this weekend.

February Favorites

My blog has become a place to record things I just don't want to forget.

 Eddie holds his pencil correctly (this might be a repeat, oh, well.)

 Last weekend we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa B. in their new Southwestern home.  It was delightful

 Our weather dripped way down into the love 50's.  Hot chocolate was a must.

 Eddie uses his little toes to grip the top of the cabinet while he washes dishes -- he'll be a rock climber soon enough.

Andy made a penguin center piece, a chocolate bundt snake, and brought a pot of soup to his Blue and Gold Banquet.  

He led the flag ceremony.

 Maddie climbs in our bed on weekends and plays Sugar Crush with Austin.

I iron five people out the door every day.  Yet, I wear sweats all day.

Bertie Bott's

Meg found this box of jelly beans in the cupboard.  I cut each flavor into six bites, then the children tried them.  Maisie is reacting to the "vomit" flavored bean.  We tried to trick Austin into playing, but after eating the "earthworm" and "earwax" flavors, he was done!

Sand and Surf

After a full morning of playing in the sand box, Austin had the ingenious idea to take the kids swimming.  Then, we went for DQ ice cream.  (NO, I did not wear a suit nor enter the public pool.)

Today

And this is where I am today, almost two full weeks into the new year.
FHE was a bit rough tonight.  Literally.  Meg ended up with a bloody nose just before we started.

 Today I sewed.  These are PB look-alike chair backers that I made from $.23 felt squares.  Both my littles have been super sick for an entire week, I have not slept, and so I am a bit sick.  Still, Eddie napped today for three hours and I finished my project.

Mostly I am quite smug that my table has eight chairs, and that I can alternate boy/girl/boy/girl perfectly around the entire table.

The pocket to hold love notes.

 My entry table.  Note the candy I've used on display is nothing that tempts me.  If I didn't have to weigh-in this Friday, then perhaps I would have filled those hurricanes with peanut m&ms, cinnamon lips, and white-chocolate kisses.

Family Pictures

Family pictures are always draining.  Not this time!  How?  Well, our group is mainly adults now!  What?  Yes.  Still, we had only three pictures to chose from, because the boys got restless and started dancing and modeling after but one pose.  Although we were frozen afterward, I didn't notice during the shoot because of the warmth and wholeness I felt connecting with all 10 siblings and 2 adoring parents.  Here is the family from which I hail.  I will forever be the 4th of 11.

Afterwards we headed to the Timp temple to do sealings -- another rare treat.

Happy New Year

Our missionary, Jim, came home at midnight on New Year's Eve.  He received quite a welcoming chant as he approached us.  I still get teary thinking about his two years of sheer obedience and sacrifice.  I know the Slovaks will miss him, but I am glad he is back!

Those signs took over two hours to paint.

 Home!