Eli First Steps

I love how funny he thinks he is once he has made it across to the girls and Aaron!

I Can't Believe It!

My baby just turned ONE, how is this possible!! Next thing you know Aaron and I are going to empty nesters, that is how fast time is flying! Eli was all about the serious on his birthday, smiles were hard to come by, he was so intense with the playing. When it came to eating the cake, he would only put the small crumbs in his mouth, he WOULD NOT touch the piece of cake. He WOULD however, make his muscles man fit face if he was not fed the cake fast enough. We have absolutely LOVED having him in our home, and are enjoying each new day as his little personality develops.

Redfish Lake

Redfish lake is one of my all time favorite favorite places EVER!! This camping trip is THE reason that the kids and I stayed in Idaho for 5 weeks total! I have been camping here every summer since always! I missed my first summer ever last year, due to being 8 months prego. I was determined to make it this year, even if it meant a month away from home. The trip was totally worth it! It rained a little, but for the most part the weather was great, and the kids loved the beach and water, I loved just being there.

BBQ at Aunt C's

My aunt C invited us over to her summer house for hamburgers, crochet and a little unplanned dancing. My aunt Miste, her two boys, my youngest brother Ivan, his little girl and my mom also joined the party. That is a sucker in Ry's mouth, just to be clear!) It was the perfect night..fun, family, food, relaxing and always with aunt C, good music!

Wildhorse

No horses here, just the beautiful mountains where we went camping with may dad and his family. Aaron flew home after Mexico, the kids and I would stay another three weeks before making our way back. Of my dads 7 siblings, 5 were there, along with my grandma and grandpa. Crafts, hiking, four wheeling, games,prizes and LOTS of Mosquitoes! Again it has been a number of years since we have been able to attend this year ritual, so it was nice to visit and catch up!

I had to through in the random pictures of the girls sewing at my parents house, I didn't know where else to put them. While Aaron and I were on our trip, the kids stayed with both his parents and then mine. My mom decided that she was going to teach them how to sew. I just now realized that I don't have a picture of the finished project-oops, sorry!

A once in a life time trip_Literally!

OOOH Sweet Mexico! Aaron and I have married ten crazy amazing years. In those ten years, we have only been on one trip, just the two of us, and that was our honeymoon. A trip to Mexico sounded PERFECT! The Mayan ruins were amazing, defiantly the best part of the trip, and consequently the only pictures we have on the trip! As for the rest, I am just going to make a LONG story short, and say that I won't be going back any time soon!

4th of July 2010

We were in I.F. over the fourth of July with Des and my mom. Lighting our own fireworks was defiantly the highlight of the night. I love the covered ears and covered mouths. We got a room on the river for the "Biggest show in the West Fireworks". So the kids got to do a little swimming before all the festive fun started. It has been a few years since we've been around for the big Maleluca show, which was actually Saturday instead of Sunday. A very successful celebration- I do believe!

Petersen Reunion

Aaron's Dad's family has a reunion every three years. Reunion location and planning rotate through Doyle and his siblings. This year the reunion was held up at Alturas Lake, located in the Sawtooth mountains. Such a beautiful area!! We stayed in a group of cabins that were built for girls camp. The weather was not BAD, but it was not GOOD either. This meant less time at the beach- more hanging around the campfire and catching up. It was good to see all the cousins, roast marshmellows, and just enjoy being outdoors!

Idaho starts with the Petersen's

We had a nice stay with Aaron's parents and family. The girls did a little transplanting with Gramma Pammy, some pine cone picking with Grandpa Doyle, BBQ'n and a lot of lov'n and playing with cousins, Aunts, Great Aunts and Great Grandparents. Only a day or two though because we were off to the Petersen reunion.

Summer of Service

We were only around for two of the S.O.S projects this summer:( This particular project we washed police cars. We had a GREAT turn out, the kids thought it was great fun! Afterward an officer talked to the kids, turned the lights and sirens on and even let them go through the back of the car. He was willing to open the front to them as well...He obviously didn't have children of his own... so I had to be the bad guy and lay down the law on the one. LOVE S.O.S!

One year oler!

Rylie turned nine this summer! She has outgrown the princess cakes phase, and believes she is an expert in the way of fashion. My worst nightmare, I can't dress my little girl in what I WANT anymore! All she wanted was clothes, no more toys. She also choose to go camping, which involved swimming, games and being spoiled with cupcakes from my friend Lyndsey. We went to Red Robin for dinner and Aaron threatened to sing his famous Loud, Off key Birthday song, in both the restaurant and in the parking lot. SOOO Embarrassing for the Maturing Rylie, and she loved it! She is such a sweet and helpful big sister and Love every minute of her!

Fabric Flower

Start with a rectangle piece of material. The size of the material will depend on size and shape of flower you are making. The pink material is wider, because I am going to make the flower petals round v.s the red flower petals which will be thinner and pointed. The height of the material will determine the size of the flower-small baby flower or large oversize flower.

Take material and fold it in half.

Fold the material one more time in half-the same direction. I then make a crease to mark the middle of the material.

Starting just above the crease mark-cut the material into the desired petal shape. Then do the same below the crease mark. The goal is to cut as close to the middle without actually cutting the middle.

Your material should look this this unfolded. Notice one of the cuts doesn't go all the way to the middle. This will not work, you will need to cut it to look like the other petals.

Now take your needle and thread and do a running stitch through the middle. Pull tight and tie off. I strongly recommend the upholstery thread, regular will typically break.

Play with the petals and arrange in flower form.
Repeat above steps with the second piece of material. I do not recommend folding the two pieces together and cutting, it will not cut nicely.

Once you have adjusted the two flowers place them one on top of the other and sew together in the middle.

Apply fray check to the petals edges and trim when dry. Hot flowers center piece. Many use buttons, I also like the decor brads that are found in the scrap booking section.