We always swear off Disneyland after a visit, but I'm sure memories like this will eventually trump memories of the exhaustion and crowds.

If Ryan ever wants to cuddle up in a blanket, he has a great choice of lovely pink and girlie quilts. For some reason when I quilt, bright fun fabrics always call to me. I decided that Ryan needs a man quilt. I started it in the spring but then it go to hot to quilt it. If you don't know about machine quilting, just imagine being wrapped in a quilt in the middle of the summer for hours. It finally got cool enough so I finished it. 5 hours of machine quilting and 4 hours of binding later this is the finished product. I think it turned out very "manly"



I have also been trying to clean out my fabric closet and use up my stash instead of buying new fabric. I found a tutorial for these cute loveys at u-create. I totally feel in love with them and I actually had quite a bit of minky fabric in my stash, so I made a few (I actually have enough fabric to make many, many, more). They are tiny security blanket meant to be sleep with after mom sleeps with them for a few days. I just wish I knew of some babies to give them to!




On my birthday, which was months ago, Ryan said I had to wait until September 11th for my gift. He was very secretive and would not give me even the smallest hint, even though I asked very nicely. Finally a few days before September 11, I received my very late birthday gift. A new Verizon Fascinate. It is very pretty and I might be able to figure it out :)

Life seems like it has been never stopping since school got out! I had great intentions to post all about all our summer fun and now school is back in session for another year. I'm going to try to slowly get caught up. But, I can't make any promises.

Just after school let out we took the kids to Alberta, Canada for two weeks. It was breathtaking! If you ever have the chance to go, take it. I think Ryan took about 600 pictures from our trip and I would love to post all of them for you to see but I'm sure you would not like to see them all, so here is our trip to Canada in a nutshell...

This summer we also visited Salt Lake, California, Las Vegas, learned how to skimboard in the Virgin River, Drew took a skimboard making class and did a teen adventure camp, Olivia and Simon took a swim class and did a game camp, Grandma and Grandpa Everett came to visit for a week, and of course swimming in the pool most days, and then it was back to school!!! Do you see now why I didn't have time to post sooner?

Way to go on your historic win, Greece!!! What a great game to watch this morning. I can't help rooting for my native Country:)

(we will be rooting for the US in the morning against Slovenia)

We have been enjoying soccer again. Ryan and I have decided that soccer season is one of our favorite times of year. We love getting to watch the kids and at the same time we get to hang out with our neighbors and friends. All the kids have had a great time playing. Simon has been playing a lot of defense but has had the opportunity to score some goals and have some good assists. Olivia is playing offense better this season but still thinks it's her job to keep the ball away from the goal. If the defenders aren't doing what they are suppose to do, Olivia cruises back to defense and saves the day. Andrew has been sharing goalie responsibilities with another boy on the team, but also has played forward and defense. I get so nervous when he is in the goalie box but he seems to like it there. Our last game is this next weekend so we will have to find something else to occupy our time until Fall season starts.

This was a great day! We were luck to have a Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides walk here in St. George this year (hopefully it was successful enough to keep it here in the years to come). I was asked by the chair of the walk to help out with getting donations for the raffle and to come help set up on the day of the walk. What an experience. It took me way out of my comfort zone to go to local businesses and ask for handouts. Not only that we hit up everyone we knew to help raise money for "Team Simon". We were overwhelmed by the response we received from friends, family, and neighbors. I have always felt there was something extra special about Simon, but through this experience I have realized that others feel it, too. He is such a sweet, strong, mature, happy, and good humored boy. His experiences with his health out number his years of life and he takes it all in stride. Our team ended up raising over $3600.00 for Cystic Fibrosis research and had over 50 people join us at the walk. We had a great time walking with you and chatting with you and celebrating this great fund raising effort! Thank you for those of you who donated, joined the walk, and did some of your own fund raising. You are amazing! We hope you will consider joining us again next year.

Simon's good friend Mac took it upon himself (With the help of his mom, of course) to raise some money for the Great Strides walk. He made a poster (the brought tears to my eyes) and took his electric piano out and played for cash. Ryan caught him playing at the soccer field, but I know he played other locations as well. I am so proud of Simon's great friends who love him so much!

Our cute neighbors had a lemonade, candy, snow cone, cotton candy stand today to help raise money for the GREAT STRIDES walk. I think business was steady for 3 straight hours! I am so very grateful for all those who have stepped up to help in the fight to cure CF. Kyla managed to pull off the sale despite the fact that her oldest son broke his wrist today. We could not have asked for better neighbors and friends!

The kids had a great time playing and eating sugar. I hope they sleep tonight!

From July 2004

Pretty day in St George after a solid week of rain



If you press the full screen button in the lower right, you can watch it in HD.

Ok, probably not, but the kids are enjoying the unusual snow storm in St. George today. You can't tell from the picture but it is snowing out there.

I am so not ready for Christmas. I finally got cards sent out, but only because Ryan was getting a little concerned that I hadn't done it yet and so took charge himself. I didn't put up Christmas lights this year. First time in 13 years of marriage. I guess I'll use the excuse that I'm conserving energy this year. Haven't done any shopping yet either, except for one book for each kid (I'm sure their Christmas morning would not be satisfying at all with one book under the tree). I have been sitting out in my sewing room all day sewing and catching up on projects. I got way behind on the Modify Tradition quilt-a-long. I'm only 4 blocks behind now (I think). So for my sister, pictures...
Olivia also informed me that her teacher's wife was expecting a baby and it was due any day. So I ran out and bought a towel and washcloth and whipped up a hooded towel for her to give her teacher. When she got home from school she informed me that the baby had to have a tutu not a towel. And of course I gave in. I don't think the picture does it justice.


I also finished up this cute blanket. I bought the fabric almost a year ago, just because I loved it. I'm not sure anyone else will, so I'm not sure where it will find a home, but for now it makes me happy to look at it.




I have one other project that I've been working on. I may share that another time.

In the mist of all my projects, Simon's 7th birthday came and went. His actual day of birth is not one that I like to revisit often. Maybe we should start celebrating January 1st, the day he came home the first time. He was thrilled with the skateboard he got. He won't have to sneak and ride Drew's anymore when he's not home. He even wears the pads he got from PaPou and PaPat. He loved the Sock Monkey he received from Grandma and Grandpa Everett. It was all decked out in a Sheriff uniform. He lovingly refers to it as Papa monkey. It look just like Grandpa Jim. And of course the money is always a hit! I can't believe he is 7 already. He is a joy to have in our family. He is such a peace maker and has the unique gift of making us all come together.