Andrew

This is one of my favorite pictures from Christmas. Nathan still doesn't like smiling - more gaps than teeth. And I swear he's going on 13. For he used to be a cooperative kid, now letting mom take his picture isn't cool anymore. Andrew is more than cooperative, which is a change, he just usually doesn't sit still long enough.

Baby it's cold outside!

I'm not fond of hot places, although they are sounding intriguing about now. It was in the teens before Christmas and then right before break it went back into the thirties. It felt like a heat wave. Thirty would be welcome now. It's been around sixteen for a week now. And on top of the inversion we have fog, lots of fog. A few days we've been barley able to see the fence line in the back yard or even across the street, although it's doing really cool frosty design things on the trees.



I took off work a few days before Christmas and this entire week to spend with the kids while they were on break. I've never done that before. Somehow it seems brave (I really admire stay at home moms who do this every day - altough I hear they aren't home much). Today was our first day really since Dad went back to work. We had to return a gift to a store in Lehi so we went to the Dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving point. Played in sand, played in sand again, made fossils out of plaster, watched a 3D dinosaur movie, had lunch and then stopped by the library on the way home. We got back not much before dad. I think tomorrow we'll stay home the whole day.

Merry Christmas everyone...

Paul had surgery on his knee Thursday - he had a torn meniscus and is healing well. While they were in there they found a plica as well and removed it. I've never heard of one but apparently they are common - it's a piece of tissue that didn't reabsorb in utero. They almost bumped us from the schedule because he forgot he couldn't eat and had a bite of banana bread. He eats breakfast maybe once a week and just happened to forgot the one day he absolutely can't eat. We got lucky (we already met our huge deductible this year) and they only bumped us to the last surgery of the day. It was up at the new hospital that opened in Park City this last September - what a beautiful hospital. It looks like a ski lodge but go figure, it's in Park City. I got so much done today. I wish every day was this productive. Painted book shelves for Nathan, make English toffee, make Chex mix, cleaned the kids rooms from top to bottom. That took most of the day all by itself. I must have gotten that spring cleaning bug early - we're talking washed curtains and all.... Found a great book I don't remember buying under Nathan's bed and read it for bedtime. Now it's time for my nap....

visions of tinsel trees

Last year a co-worker has these little pre-lit tinsel trees. I managed to find a couple and each kids has one in their room. When we got them out this year Andrew had to have his on his bed so he could see it as he went to sleep.

Happy Birthday MES

Life with little boys

*warning - semi-graphic description follows - not for the faint of stomach*

I knew life with little boys would be different. There'd be cars instead of dolls, mud instead of nail polish. I even sorta realized peeing would be a sport (one which Andrew excels at). I was prepared for all those things. I wasn't prepared for what happened tonight. Nathan was sick Wednesday and stayed home from school. I thought it was food poising, then I thought it was the flu, but after a few rounds in the bathroom and feeling much better and then scarfing food like there was no tomorrow and bouncing back like a rubber band I comfortably settled with food poisoning. Now I'm wondering about that since realizing tonight that Andrew has the exact same symptoms, same order, progression, etc. After one round in the bathroom we presented him with "the bucket" which he dutifully carried from room to room and then upon arriving in the kitchen, promptly 'used'. I wasn't prepared for two little boys to then both peer into it and play "I Spy" with what we had for dinner.

Festival of Trees

The annual Festival of Trees is going on right now. I've made it every year for the last 23 years. WOW, that's a long time. I think I've usually gone on the Friday or Saturday night, this year we went right after the kids got out of school - got to remember to do that again!
Over the years they have added wreathes and gingerbread houses, and now there are two aisles of quilts. They're all beautiful. I made one in high school. Every time I see a quilt I want to take up quilting. I was actually in a quilt shop earlier this week to buy a few fat quarters for a different project and I kn ew they'd have the best selection. I almost signed up for a quilting class right then. Paul might disown me if I start another hobby.

There were lots of "cowboy" trees this year. Not sure why, usually you can tell because it was something that happened that year (like all the fireman trees in 2001).

This one was decorated by the wife of my co-worker who sits right in front of me. It really was one of the prettiest - I always like the more traditional looking ones. The theme was Ireland Bells.

cross stitch projects

I actually did get this little guy done in time for Thanksgiving, I just didn't get him framed. That's happening a lot lately.

I think I might make this little one into a book mark with a ruffle edge. Not sure, that would require additional sewing work.

I've had this pattern for almost a year. It's a Lizzie Kate. I go nuts for her stuff. I started this one after we finished painting last week and finished it last night.