first sewing project

I got a sewing machine for my birthday from my in-laws. I decided for my first project I'd start small and make blankets for the girls dolls they got for Christmas.

Zoe's blanket is to the left. Derek essentially played a game of Sudoku so every row or column does not have the same fabric.

Maeley's is to the right as she likes things to have pattern.

I consider it a success. For my first quilt I've ever made I think I did a pretty good job. It's certainly not perfect but it looks good. If you know my mom you know that she's a quilter. Maybe because I've subconsciously seen her make dozensof quilts (if not more), I found it wasn't half as hard as I thought.

sisters

There is no doubt that Maeley and Zoe love each other.

Earlier this week the girls wore matching outfits and even had their hair done the same way. I think they both enjoyed it as it doesn't happen very often.

You are what you eat

If the saying "you are what you eat" is true well then we've got ourselves a...

Cutie!

Seriously though she is addicted to these. When we went to Denver they had some and that's all she wanted for breakfast each morning. So when we got home I bought a big bag of them at Costco (we are on our third bag, I eat them too though). She eats about 3 every day. She loves to peel them herself and a cutie is what she prefers for a snack. My question is, in this case is too much of a good thing bad for you?

Pictures by Maeley

Using her new camera Maeley has had so much fun taking pictures. In order of which they were taken.

watching Power Rangers on TV while in Denver

Parker and Chase with Aunt Stephanie in the background

Grace and Bennett

Zoe and Maeley's dog's that go with their dolls

Mom and Dad icing cookies

self portrait

she took several pictures of the American Girl catalog

She's trying to save up her money to buy everything that goes with Molly.

capturing Chase making a silly face

the girls doll beds

another self portrait (and many more)

Zoe ready for the day sporting curly hair.

Mom and Chase

This was taken when I was reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle to them.

Zoe playing with her mini Kit doll.

catching me talking on the phone

It was really fun seeing what she took pictures of. This is a small sample. Other things she took pictures of were some of their favorite toys, pictures of our family pictures that are on the walls, many of the kids playing,  room pictures and Christmas decorations.

 

My little family

On the second day of going back to school after winter break Maeley just starting bawling. I rushed to her to see what was wrong thinking she might not be feeling well. She said, "I want to stay home. I just love being home with my family." This was coming from the girl who loves school. I wanted to cry right along side her. She said it in the sweetest most sincere way. After a little talk she was ready to go to school however she mentions it often now how much she loves spending time together as a family.

Saturday Derek and I tried to get too many small projects done at once. What we expected to be easy, fast and free ended up to be the opposite. The kids just played together upstairs. I honestly don't think they noticed I left 3 different times to go to Lowe's. They usually don't like when I leave or are at least very excited when I get home. They never once asked to watch a movie, or play on the computer, or play their game systems. And I never heard a fight or complaint or anyone cry. They just spent the entire day playing together. I think its what they all wanted to do. So often Saturday's are spent doing errands as I don't normally go anywhere during the week.  I am so grateful we had our kids so close in age. It hasn't always been easy but the friendship they all share now is amazing. They truly are each others best friends. Isn't that what every parent dreams for? I am so grateful for the love that is in our home. And I feel so blessed for the little family that we have. I love my family, they all make me so happy.

Denver trip: part 3

Parker and Chase

Chase loved having boys to play with and all boy toys too.

During the painting process I had gone downstairs for something and found all the kids in this circle playing a game together.

They all had such a wonderful time playing with their cousins. We are trying to figure out if the kids spring breaks coincide and get together again. 

Aunt Stephanie gave Maeley her old Cannon camera she doesn't use anymore.

Aunt Stephanie showing Maeley how it works.

There are definitely more rules to this camera than her kid proof one but she loves it. And I love the rechargeable battery versus going through so many AA batteries like her old camera did. Thank you Aunt Stephaine!

Chase 4, Braden 3, Maeley 6, Parker 5, and Zoe 3

Braden, Phil, Stephanie and Parker

We had a great time it was the break we needed. Thanks for having us Phil and Steph.

Denver trip: part 2

After coming back from shopping on Saturday Stephanie had asked us how to paint her cabinets. Well one thing lead to another and soon we were on our way to Lowe's to buy all the supplies.

This is the best before picture we got. Stephanie and I are cleaning the cabinets before the painting began.

This is the after. There are a few cabinets that don't have knobs on because they were the wrong finish. I think the after is so pretty looking. And from what I hear they love it and that's all that matters.

We started working on the cabinets Saturday evening and finished Monday morning.

Spontaneous trip to Denver: part 1

Back story: Derek had to work the Friday before Christmas even though it was technically a company holiday. He ended up using that holiday on the Friday before New Year's which meant he had a 4 day weekend. On Wednesday when he came home for lunch I could tell work was getting to him. I knew that staying home and taking down the Christmas decorations and organizing like we were planning on doing wasn't going to cut it. We needed a vacation ASAP. When Derek came home that evening I asked him what he thought about going to Denver and staying with his brother's family. He liked it, called and a little bit later we were planning on driving up to Denver Friday morning. That's pretty spontaneous for us.

Once we knew we were going to Denver there were a few stores we wanted to go to. Ikea for some nightstands (didn't get any though), American Girl and the Lego store. FYI Albuquerque has horrible shopping.

Saturday we did the shopping

I love Maeley's hair, it was a very windy day.

 Maeley was pretty excited to see her doll and all the clothes and accessories that go with her.

She ended up getting Bennett Molly's dog and Molly's birthday outfit.

It was funny because I had told the girls ahead of time they could choose something they wanted for their dolls. I then asked Zoe if she wanted Grace, Kit's dog. She was almost in tears because she wanted Kit's hat more than the dog. I then explained that she could get both. She was happy then. All she wanted was that hat. On Christmas when she opened Kit once she saw the book her first thing she said was "Where's her hat?" I was so sad because I was debating before whether or not to get it and I chose not. Whoops. I should have known better Zoe likes accessories.

We had such a fun time in this store. It was exciting to see the hair salon and dolls getting their hair done. All the neat things that you can buy for them and admire the quality. I am so glad my girls are into American Girl dolls rather than Barbie's.

After that we went to the Lego store and Chase picked out a couple sets. He got a fire engine and the log cabin.

Derek and I sure are enjoying the toys the kids are playing with now. Chase gets a lot of one on one time with both Derek and I playing Lego's with him. And the girls get plenty of playtime with their dolls and me assisting. Why didn't I think of buying myself a doll until the drive home?

Christmas

Christmas was so wonderful this year. It was nice to spend another Christmas in this house. It's our first time since Maeley was 2 months and 14 months old when we had Christmas at the same house 2 years in a row. It was a big deal to Maeley when she realized it a couple months back. And its kinda a big deal to us too.

Before the kids woke up Lola found her Christmas present.

I woke the kids up at 6:30. Zoe really wanted to go back to sleep...until she saw all the presents downstairs.

The girls couldn't have been happier about the American Girl dolls they got.

Thrilled to have been given flashlights from Great Grandma Clawson a.k.a Grandma Great.

Christmas was amazing this year. The kids are at such a fun age right now it really made Christmas feel magical. After opening presents and talking to the grandparents on Skype Derek made a delicious breakfast while I started to clean up the huge mess. The kids just enjoyed playing. We did finally pull them away from their toys to go to church in the afternoon. Maybe the only time I enjoyed having a late church time.

Maeley is wearing a new dress and Zoe is also wearing a new church outfit. Chase is wearing his new church shoes which I didn't get in the picture. Whoops.