April - Spring Break in San Diego

We had a fun Spring Break down in San Diego.  We drove down on Saturday -- one long day, but the kids did great.  Aside from Andrew throwing up in the car, a break by the side of the rode with Andrew laying down in the dirt, and having a policeman stop to make sure we were okay....it went smoothly.  :)

The resort we stayed at was very nice and spacious.  The kids get excited just for the fact that their bedroom has a TV with cable!  (We a simple antenna here at home.)  So while they watch Cartoon Network, Brian and I watch HGTV or the Food Channel (until Brian gets bored and falls asleep.)  We also did some old-fashioned "gaming" -- Chess, Pool, Air Hockey, and card games.

The resort had several swimming pools.  One had a slide that was perfect for the boys.  Tanner especially loved it.

The beach!  It was much colder at the beach than where we staying.  It's amazing what a change a 30 minute drive can make.  But the boys braved it and had a great time.  Tanner was a little nervous at first, but quickly got used to jumping the waves.  (Last time we were at a beach, he was 1 year old and was scared of the noisy waves.  He and I stayed a good distance from the water so he wouldn't cry.)

We had a great time at Legoland.  This was our second visit -- the first being 4 years ago.  Look how much they've grown!  Tanner was in a stroller last time we went.  Now he is the same age as Eric was the first time we went.

We enjoyed seeing the creations throughout the park.

And the boys enjoyed the rides.  Tanner was willing to ride them all!  Below is a picture of them riding the biggest ride at the park.  I was worried about this one, but he said he liked it.  We laugh at this picture -- with Dad in the back having a great time while the kids are terrified in the front.   They all came out with a smile, though, so I guess it was fun. 

We also went to SeaWorld -- the kids and I had never been.  It was raining most of the day which was a cold and wet.  The bonus was that it was not very crowded.   I think I prefer the rain over the crowds, actually.  The first animals we saw when we walked in were the Pink Flamingos.  Then we went to the arctic animals -- including polar bears and walrus (Andrew's favorite animal.)  After a few hours, Eric was ready to go (evidenced in the picture below where he is trying his hardest not to look happy.)  So he and I went out to the car for about an hour and warmed up.  Then we came back to join the family for the Sea Lion comedy show.  The break and the show cheered Eric right up.  

January-March Update

We had some great snow storms this year.  The boys had a great time playing "King of the Hill" and playing in the snow.

This is the one picture I have from New Years Eve.  Don't we look like we're having such a great time?  ha ha.  We went to Idaho and stayed at my parents.  New Years Eve was spent at my sister's house playing games and eating.  

For President's Day we went to the LDS Church History Museum.  The boys complained all the way there about having to do something "educational" on their day off of school.  But once there, they enjoyed at least some of it. :)  Her Tanner is blowing his imaginary horn in from on the Angel Moroni statue.

Andrew and several members of his troop received Arrow of Light awards for Cub Scouts.  He also did the Science Fair for the first time.  He and his friend did a great job!

Eric loves basketball.  He had his first season of "super league" and their team did great -- winning 2nd place in the tournament.  He loves playing, reading about, and quizzing Dad on basketball facts.  

Andrew turned 11 in February.  He chose to go to "Pizza Pie Cafe" with a couple of friends.  They had a good time eating, talking, and eating some more.

Mint Brownies for dessert! 

It is getting harder to find presents for Andrew.  I am glad he likes clothes -- particularly brand name sports clothes.  :)  (He is more of a Nike fan, so I was glad he still liked this Adidas shirt!)

His friend got him these fun blow-up bubble things to play in.  They had a good time.

Tanner has been making some fun hats/masks at Preschool.  It's fun to pick him up and see all these kids with their hats.  The Leprechaun was fun because he pretended to be a leprechaun by hiding in the bushes and waiting quietly for the boys to get home from school.  Then he jumped out to scare them.  It was pretty cute.

We were home for Easter this year.  I spent very little time shopping and preparing for the holiday and was worried the kids would be disappointed in their sparse baskets.  But they were grateful and happy.  Phew.  My boys don't care about clothes, so rather than new Sunday outfits, I get them a book each year.  

Sunday morning before church we dyed eggs and had a quick Easter Egg hunt in the backyard.  That evening we went to dinner at my sister's house.

Wonky and Improv Quilts

For Spring Break this year we went to San Diego.  I took a couple of quilts to bind and decided I'd take the pictures there.  Palm trees are not something we see around here, so it's an easy reminder of where I was when I finished these quilts.  

This first one is a wall hanging -- wonky quarter log cabins in red, white, and blue.  I wanted something to hang for the summer season.  I used the "Half Way Home" pattern -- free on the Robert Kauffman site.  I really love the original made of chambrays and denims.

I quickly quilted it before we left for San Diego.  I kind of wished I had done it a little more densely.  Someone commented once you can add quilting after binding....I may have to try it.  I chose "waves" for the quilting -- reminiscent of a waving flag.

Next is a quilt that I made for my niece.  She lives across the country, and I would like to give it in person.  So it may be a while.  I hope she isn't reading this....I don't think she is.  :)  Anyway, it is a pattern from the book Improvising Tradition.  I really like this book because it is full of modern quilts using improvisation -- but they are structured enough that I can imagine and plan for the end result.  Anyway, my niece is very stylish and young and I hope she will like it!

The back:

A close up of the quilting -- which I did myself.  Another large-ish quilt with my own FMQ.  Not perfect, but not bad.  :)

Finish Along Goals Q2

It's time to post my new goals for the quarter.  I am sure I won't be able to finish all of these, but I'm not sure which I'll do first....and the first may be all I finish!  :)

1.  Last year I did my first "mystery quilt."  This is where you are given portions of the instructions to construct the quilt without seeing the quilt first.  It was fun to try and the moderator did a great job.  It kept me on task and it was fun to see how it evolved.  But I don't love it.  I may have liked it more if the background color was darker -- maybe navy or dark gray instead of white.  Also, I think I'm a fan of smaller blocks.  I think Big Block quilts are kind of hip, but I just don't love them.  Anyway, it will be a good big quilt to practice from FMQ.

2.  This is another Quilt Along I did 2 or 3 years ago -- the Vintage Quilt Revival Block Along.  I have sewn the top together, but am questioning the layout.  I may unpick and change it up.  Or, I may just quilt it as is.

3.  Another dissatisfying flimsy -- this is one I made for my dad, and then didn't like it at all.  I have considered cutting it up and trying to do something different with it.  It will be an experiment.  :) 

4.  This was on my list of goals last year.  It's a nice top, but I've struggled to know how to quilt it.  There is a lot of negative space surrounding these blocks.  If I were a really good quilter, I could do something great with it.  As is, I might just have to do lines....boring lines.  (I like the look, but find it boring to do.)

5.  This is a cute paper pieced project by Fresh Lemon Quilts.  I have one more "spool" to do.  I will be hanging this in my sewing room.  Love it.

6.  Snowflake Quilt Along.  I seem to have a few quilt alongs here!  This is another one I started and would like to finish this year.  I know I took a picture of it on my design wall, but can't find it now.

7.  My Blue Tile quilt.  I am working on it now and really liking it.  

I am linking up to the Finish Along Linky Party.