Blue Toddler Socks

So it's been nearly a month - or more or something - since I last posted. Sorry about that. At first I just figured I'd get more pictures of the baptism sweater so I could get both posts up after downloading pictures - but that kept not happening and then we've been through several bouts of illness.... needless to say, the socks have been downloaded but I've still not taken the sweater pictures and so here we go....

The whole reason I wanted to learn to knit was because I love knit socks. There is nothing quite like them - and yes, I can buy them for a similar price as the materials for making them. But since we all know I'm a much more pleasant person when I have a project to work on - something creative and not pressure set (as in no deadlines), and since I can't sew right now (well not much) because I have a toddler who is constantly taking apart or at least playing with my sewing machine... well you get the picture. And yes, my dear husband thinks I'm crazy too... so don't mind crazy, but here's the scoop.

So like I said, I wanted to learn to knit JUST so I could make socks. Of course, this was quite awhile back. I did teach myself to knit in college - albeit not exactly right, though it worked just fine - and then didn't do anything more with it until I was pregnant with Jacob. I hit a really crazy nesting period starting around month 5 and had to just keep making stuff. It was nice, but also super crazy. Anyway, there was a sweater I had wanted to make for my kids and I realized it was a knit pattern, so I made five - yes, I said five - by Christmas that year. That's how I learned to really knit (the right way) and to purl and to do a three needle bind off and to pick up stitches... well you get the picture. All the necessary basics.

Well, my sock craving had never gone away and only increased, so for Christmas Santa was kind enough to bring me a sock book - something to teach me what I needed to know. I had inherited the needles (well, most of them) from Bob's great aunt and was excited to jump in. The book I used was "Knit Socks!" by Betsy Lee McCarthy.... but, true to Tara form, I couldn't just follow the pattern - or even start with the starter sock. I went with the toddler one - called "Little Guys" which is a k2p2 rib top followed by a broken rib pattern - the pattern is supposed to go all the way down the leg and continue on the top of the foot (the instep)... but I only did it on the leg and then I just knit the whole foot.


I was nervous about knitting in the round since I chose to use double pointed needles, but I did really well and found that it's not as scary as it looks - I generally only lose stitches when the toddler decides he needs one of my needles and pulls it out.. and I've learned how to put the needle back in just fine! I also thought the foot was going to be a touch too long, so I shortened it a little - wish I hadn't... the toddler's foot doesn't quite fit... nearly, but not well enough for him to want to keep the socks on his feet - although he loved them and wanted them on and even when he took them off he lugged them around the house. I have a dear friend with a littler one then mine so (when I find the socks again) she'll get to have them.

I was terrified of the heel turning and gussetts... why? Well, I've always heard they are scary.. as in really hard and complicated. I have no idea what people were talking about... either that or this lady just writes the instructions so they are super easy to understand... I found it to be really easy. And I LOVE that she has you working with five needles instead of the traditional four... this meant I didn't have to worry about what they call "ladders" the areas that are too loose where you change needles. Personally I think it also helps me keep all my stitches on the needles too.

What I didn't understand was why she had me break the yarn and then restart - the way it all landed for me, all I had to do was pick up stitches along the side she wanted me to and the yarn was already in the right place to do that. So the one sock I broke off (not realizing this before hand) and there is a tiny gap there, but the second one I didn't... and it looks great! I also learned how to do a kitchener stitch - to close up the toe.



Eventually I want to learn to do toe up socks, but right now I'm just playing with top downs. The next pair is in the works - they're for my mother for her birthday (though they may be late in getting there) - and yes, she knows about them or I wouldn't have posted that.

So, what do you think of my very first socks?

Making Beth's Bapstism Dress

Okay - project posts are starting....

The first one I'm posting this year is Beth's baptism dress. She picked out her pattern back in early September - this was so we could keep our eyes out for it as we don't live in a place that has much for patterns on hand - and only one company at that. In the end, I bought her pattern on-line when The McCalls Company (which includes McCalls, Butterick, Vogue and others) had their Cyber Monday Sale - I got a good deal on several patterns that day.

Going right along with her personality, she chose a dress with lots of flow - much like a butterfly or flower - which has always been the theme of her life. In this case, it was much more like a flower and I often thought how much she would look like those fairies that sleep in the flowers. (She choose the longer one - the big picture - the white dress)

For us, the first notable issue was that this pattern did not have sleeves. In our family, everyone wears sleeves - it's part of our standards. There were a couple of ways to address this - one would have been to make my own sleeve pattern for it - which, to be honest, I was not looking forward to. I had seen several tutorials on how to go about this, but having not really done it before, and seeing that this was a formal dress, I wasn't ready to jump on that wagon. The other option was to take a different pattern and line up the bodice and then use those sleeves. This is what I choose to do (and currently I can't seem to put my hands on that pattern to show you which one I chose).

I picked a pattern that was made by the same company and had a similar bodice fit / look. This way I knew that the size would match and that the sleeve that I put on would actually look nice without having to alter it.When I laid the material out to cut the pattern, I placed the original dress bodice down first, then over lapped it with the bodice that the sleeves came from. For knowing where to cut, I marked the sleeve pattern bodice for the arm side of the shoulders and the arm holes. I marked the original bodice pattern for the waist and neck lines. And that became my new bodice piece. Then I was able to just cut out the sleeves as they already were.

If you do this bodice modification, be sure to follow the directions for the sleeved pattern when piecing the bodice together (including putting in the sleeves) - otherwise, your liners won't be put in correctly. For the rest of it, continue to follow your original pattern instructions to complete the project.

Since I was using crepe back satin - and wanted to use some of both sides in the dress - I decided to make the dress with five tiers instead of six. My daughter takes after me and is short, so this was not hard to do. I just cut the tiers two sizes bigger than what she would normally have had and then attached them at the larger tier marker, completely omitted the bottom tier - I had premeasured the pattern and accounted for hem to know exactly which length to cut and where to sew it. The only difference in sewing the tiers is that I did not sew on a bottom tier, so I had an extra hem to sew - on the stay. I did, however, alternate crepe, satin, crepe, satin, crepe with the bodice and sleeves done on the crepe side.

What I discovered while sewing on the tiers - they are sewn onto a "stay" which is part of what gives it the very ruffled flow - is that it's not as easy as it would appear. I had cut the stay and the liner both from liner fabric. If I were to make it again, I would cut the stay out of something different - either the regular fabric or a lighter weight cotton. The liner was just too slippery for the project (which may also translate into "I'm just not that good with slippery fabric in going around and around without it sliding"). As you will notice, the tiers are not exactly even - there is one section where it is much more obvious then the others. (I would also highly recommend that you not sew the tiers on late at night ... 3 in the morning - you're likely to take it a little slower and have more patience.... I didn't have that luxury as my sewing time during normal hours is severally limited due to my very lovable, all too active, take the house a part, loves the sewing machine little toddler man)

We omitted the cumber bun, as she was going to have a sweater. We briefly considered putting on a thin ribbon at the waist, but opted not to for the same reason. We did put a satin ribbon in her hair though. - And as we wanted her to be able to wear the dress all year (and maybe longer) I did not take in the waist, as I would otherwise have done seeing that she's such a skinny minny! =)



We'll be taking some other pictures - nicer ones, outside, when the weather is nicer and we have a good back ground to work with - I might trade out pictures at that point so you can see the dress better - but for now, at least you can get a general idea.

Take A Look

It's always good to see who the man (or woman) really is before judging how they will do a job.

The following is a direct copy of something posted on Facebook - has validity and is worth reading:




Regardless of who your current favorite candidate is, this is interesting.

Sometimes, this facet of Romney’s personality isn’t so subtle. In July 1996, the 14-year-old daughter of Robert Gay, a partner at Bain Capital, had disappeared. She had attended a rave party in New York City and gotten high on ecstasy. Three days later, her distraught father had no idea where she was. Romney took immediate action. He closed down the entire firm and asked all 30 partners and employees to fly to New York to help find Gay’s daughter. Romney set up a command center at the LaGuardia Marriott and hired a private detective firm to assist with the search. He established a toll-free number for tips, coordinating the effort with the NYPD, and went through his Rolodex and called everyone Bain did business with in New York, and asked them to help find his friend’s missing daughter. Romney’s accountants at Price Waterhouse Cooper put up posters on street poles, while cashiers at a pharmacy owned by Bain put fliers in the bag of every shopper. Romney and the other Bain employees scoured every part of New York and talked with everyone they could – prostitutes, drug addicts – anyone.

That day, their hunt made the evening news, which featured photos of the girl and the Bain employees searching for her. As a result, a teenage boy phoned in, asked if there was a reward, and then hung up abruptly. The NYPD traced the call to a home in New Jersey, where they found the girl in the basement, shivering and experiencing withdrawal symptoms from a massive ecstasy dose. Doctors later said the girl might not have survived another day. Romney’s former partner credits Mitt Romney with saving his daughter’s life, saying, “It was the most amazing thing, and I’ll never forget this to the day I die.”

So, here’s my epiphany: Mitt Romney simply can’t help himself. He sees a problem, and his mind immediately sets to work solving it, sometimes consciously, and sometimes not-so-consciously. He doesn’t do it for self-aggrandizement, or for personal gain. He does it because that’s just how he’s wired.

Many people are unaware of the fact that when Romney was asked by his old employer, Bill Bain, to come back to Bain & Company as CEO to rescue the firm from bankruptcy, Romney left Bain Capital to work at Bain & Company for an annual salary of one dollar. When Romney went to the rescue of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, he accepted no salary for three years, and wouldn’t use an expense account. He also accepted no salary as Governor of Massachusetts.

Character counts!! (and yes...that's worth reading again!)


Verified on Snoopes.com <http://snoopes.com/>; . Here's the link:http://www.snopes.com/politics/romney/search.asp <http://www.snopes.com/politics/romney/search.asp>;
On Romney's character....See More

By: Kristi Smith Johnson

Beth's Baptism

Well, after having complained for the better part of six months that it just wasn't fair that she had to wait until she was eight to get baptized because she already had a testimony that was all her own, she was finally old enough to make that sacred set of covenants. Much like with her sister, I have found myself amazed at how much she knows and understands. How she studied it out for herself and made her own decisions about the truthfulness of the gospel. She really is a shining angel - full of righteous desires, truth, and understanding.

Oh, I know, she's still learning - I mean, even I'm still learning - but she knew where to find answers, she knew it was (and is) okay to ask questions, and she also knew that she could (and should) ask through prayer and wait to receive her own answers.

My older sister was able to come out again - and this time was able to bring her daughter with her. This was especially nice as the adoption they had both been longing for for years and years was finally finalized this past December 22nd. It was nice to have them help to represent my side of the family and the love they have for my sweet little Beth in person.



Beth, of course, put together her program - and it was full of the spirit and full of love and full of joy! We even completed her baptism dress - with much thanks to Grandma. It was important (even though my life was very full... and then got fuller) to Beth that I make the dress. As the time approached and it was coming along as fast as we'd liked, I warned her ahead of time that I would likely need a little help. She was perfectly okay with that. I think she just wanted to know that I'd done something on it - and I think it's wonderful to know that there were two women in her life who sewed some love into that dress.

I had also made her a sweater (something I did not do for Gabi as I had figured it would be warmer around Gabi's baptism... though the weather was not necessarily so - and Grandma found one that was purchased for her) - I figured, being in January, it would be cold... and seeing that her dress was short-sleeved, well, I wanted her to be able to wear it comfortably... not to mention I was comfortable with knitting sweaters now. (These two items will have a bit of posting on their own as part of my crafting year - with details of how they were done) - Beth was, of course, beautiful - and truly looked the part of an angel.



We are very happy that she has made this choice, but we also recognize that from here out it's still her choice as to keeping those covenants and learning and growing in faith. We're confident that she will, at the very least, be a teacher to us all her life!

Birthdays

Well - as I've mentioned several times, January was very busy for me! One of those busy moments involved birthdays. More specifically, three birthdays - though really only two were a worry for me. Our traditional family party for Grandpa, Beth and Peter was hosted by Grandma this year (thank you, thank you... one less cake to worry about, one less project to worry about)!!!!!!!

Originally we were going to have our two parties separate (the friend parties) which is pretty normal - and with Beth turning 8, well, that's pretty special around here and I didn't want her to feel slighted. So I never mentioned anything different. About a week into January Beth and Peter told me they'd changed their minds about two separate parties and decided to have one combined party instead! That was a huge blessing - one cake to share - really it was cupcakes - one party to plan and execute! It was really nice.


We made a lego man pinata - okay - so he had no arms and legs - but it worked and that's what matter - seeing that the theme was legos. This was accomplished by piecing together a couple of those "slipper" gift boxes from Christmas time, each filled with candy - and then also filling two paper bowls, that were then taped together. Then the different parts were wrapped in tissue paper. The head was attached to the body with wood skewers - then a couple of skewers out each side wrapped with a rubber band, and yarn attached - which didn't slide past the rubber bands - so it could be hung up.

They also spent time making lego creations - and then after the party was over, the girls' legos and the boys' legos were separated again - this is really only an issue because they have (of course) separate rooms and Peter didn't like having to ask the girls when he wanted to play legos - which is where the legos were originally kept. So now we have two buckets - the boys and the girls. I'm sure lego pieces get mixed as they float around the house, but they can at least have legos easily accessible - of course, the boys are learning the lessons of playing with legos - that the scatter easily (even on their carpet) and are still required to be picked completely up before bedtime.



Anyway - I was supposed to make a lego man cake - but they decided on cupcakes from this train cupcake set that I've had since Jeremy was littler. They didn't even want to worry about making it look lego-ish. I did have some extra cake batter, so I made a couple of small cakes and cut and pieced the to form a lego man (more or less)... though my frosting (in my hurry) was a bit on the runny side. Still, they were happy to see it.

I hadn't checked my candles before it was party time. I usually have a number candle for the child because that's what they like. Well, I had two fives, but I didn't have an 8 - so you'll see in the picture of the two kids and the cake that Beth's has a 7 and then there's a regular candle right in front of it.

Anyway - they both had significant birthdays this year.... Beth turned 8, the age where she was able to choose whether or not to be baptized... as you'll see from another post, she made the choice for herself and did indeed get baptized. And Peter turned 5 - so he'll be heading to school in the fall. It's hard for me to think about the last few months that I'll have of him being young enough to stay home ---- can we say: Mommy's starting to realize just how old she's getting to be.

Spell Your Heart Out

Gabi was very eager to join the spelling team this year. It was the first year she was able, and we were supportive. She practiced at school both during team meetings and on her own for recess. She also practiced at home. We encouraged her, but were also realistic with her - telling her that she is a 4th grader in a competition for 4-6th graders. That this year was really a practice year, and that each year she'd get better.

The school held their own spelling bee in the middle of January. She had to do a series of written words, then spelling some orally. I only got to see half of that as I had a meeting I ran off to - late. I was surprised and thrilled to come home that evening to find out she had taken 1st at the school level.

So, off to the county level she went - on January 26th. For her group, they only did the oral spelling. She made the first round, then the second, then the third... my heart was racing as she managed to make it to the last three.... and then it happened... she made the show down - the two left standing going back and forth. Those last words were big - huge - and amazing to even consider at their age. Both girls did really well. Both misspelled the same words... until..... the other girl spelled one that Gabi missed and then got her next word right. Gabi took 2nd... are we disappointed that she only took 2nd... heck no!!!!!!!! That girl was smokin' out there - she was spelling words that I'd choke on (which Bob would likely laugh and say wouldn't take much because I do much better if I can see it... though that's no guarantee either). She was amazing... and you know what... both the first place girl and Gabi were 4th graders!!!!!!!!!

As the second place contestant, Gabi's earned a chance at the state bee. It's optional. We've not yet decided. She is, after all, only in 4th grade.

Orthodontics

Well, this has been one adventure I think we've finally found a way to be okay with. See, I've been so kind as to pass along my massive underbite to four or our five children. Additionally, Bob has an edge to edge - a mild form of underbite - which means that our children may not even respond to treatment the way I did - or the lack of serious treatment. Additionally, there is crowding that has been passed along - and Gabi has two teeth that are in sideways because of it.

Bob took the girls for a consult in town back in the summer. He came home with a bunch of information and I felt nothing but sick with what I was hearing. That particular orthodontist wanted to put implants in the girls' mouths to speed up the process. That's the short of it. Needless to say, we didn't feel comfortable about that and decided we would see what some Orthodontists in Reno had to say before making a decision. Well, before we got that set up, the Orthodontist in town left and someone brand new took over. Now new is not in itself a bad thing, but with what we were dealing with and with the track record of Orthodontists staying in this small area, we figured we needed to look elsewhere.

So we did....

We saw two different places in Reno. The first was most definitely designed to help make kids feel more at home - has great incentive programs to help the kids stay clean, care for appliances, do well at appointments, etc. Just over all friendly kind of set up. The second was your traditional office. Nothing really wrong with that either, seeing that you go to get work done and then you leave.

The first looked at the girls, showed me what they were talking about and what needed to be done. And though with Beth, her underbite is severe already, he indicated that there is still a high percentage of a chance that she can avoid surgery. The second place wanted to do braces on the bottom for Gabi in addition to braces on the top and said there was no way that Beth would have a chance at not going to surgery, so his take on treatment was not to do much until she had all her teeth and was grown. (That's the very basic comparison - there was much more that we looked at, including finances - but these are the things that were most different).

In the end, we choose the first place - we just couldn't pass up the chance that we could prevent the need for surgery - recognizing, of course, that it's not a guarantee. The girls were very excited because - as I mentioned before - it's very kid friendly and they are super excited for the wooden nickle program (60 of which translate into $10 at Barnes and Noble).

The one thing these two agreed on that stood out was that a child with an underbite should be seen no later than age 5. The general recommendation for a consult is age 7 - all kids - but there is an exception, and that's underbites. Had we known that with Beth and had gotten her in three years earlier, her chances of correction would be much greater!

Needless to say, the boys both went in too. Jeremy is at an edge to edge right now, but has a little crowding on top - so he's got a quadhelix for expansion right now - and might be able to avoid braces all together since it's before his permanent teeth come in. Peter is looking like Beth all over again - but three years earlier. He'll be getting a special appliance that is a quadhelix plus something else that requires turning. Additionally, he'll be getting reverse headgear. Beth is getting the same stuff - she'll just have to use it for longer, most likely. Gabi has four braces on the front top teeth and a quadhelix for expansion and straightening.

Getting impressions was hard - as our children have also inherited our easy gag reflex. Beth and Peter more so than the other two - and they needed the full impression more so then the first - which could have been done, though not as accurately, with a bite instead. Beth screamed, (her mouth is also really small) and really had to fight back being sick while they got the impression. But they got it the first time - YAY! Peter, well, I wasn't there to help him as I was working on paperwork - and he did get sick. Not only that, but the plate was out of his mouth before they had a chance to get it set. Afterward, he wouldn't let anyone in his mouth again - though we got him worked up to trying and he started to open only to panic at the last second again. We came home and Daddy went with him to get it done at our local dentist the next day. He was a pro - did it perfectly the very first time! I'm so proud of that little guy - I'm sure it wasn't easy.

Jeremy and Gabi got their appliances in on Monday - and have been sore ever since - Gabi more so than Jeremy - apparently those braces really hurt. Because Beth and Peter's appliances are more complex, they take a week to make - so they will be getting them on the 13th - which happens to be a day off from school, so they've got a date with Daddy for that one. (That was the request of the orthodontist and just happens to work out well - the hope being that with Daddy there things will go smoother for Peter)

The good news is that Gabi is the projected longest time right now - up to one year - so it's still relatively short. But also that instead of just one or two kids who can't have hard or sticky foods (including popcorn) that all four are doing it at the same time. I think that will make it easier than trying to adjust for two and then another and then another.

And even better - Jacob does not have an underbite. He may still have to deal with crowding, we'll watch that, but at least he won't have to deal with the underbite part of things!

So here we go on an adventure of Orthodontics - all at once!

Crazy Is As Crazy Does

Okay - so I'm sure you're all eagerly await my projects... sorry, you'll have to keep waiting... this will be short.

Wanted to let you know that I'm still getting things done - I finished Beth's sweater a week ago, but I have yet to start the second sock. I'm working on getting a scripture tote finished (seeing as Jeremy's scriptures are all but falling out of his). I had made one for Peter last year, and had the fabric to replace all the other kids' ones, but I hadn't gotten there yet.... so, half way through that... but also finishing up Beth's dress.

Add to that I got a new calling - now Relief Society 2nd Councilor - and I get to coordinate the RS activities not on Sundays formally known as enrichment! It's a completely new presidency, so we're getting our barrings in addition to me trying to work out details for our first up coming RS activity. And though I've been officially released from all of my three other callings (Activity Day Leader, RS Teacher, and Nursery Leader), until someone is called to take over Activity Days, I've agreed to continue to run the program so it doesn't hit a dead end and leave the girls hanging (especially since one girl is my own and soon I'll have two). That's two projects with them this month..... then hopefully the new leader will be called.... we'll see.

I've also been putting together Beth's baptism schedule - asking people to do different parts - and still need to actually get a program together. I've got birthday invites out and (thank goodness) the two have decided to share a party so I only have one cake to make and one chunk of time to worry about. Additionally, I need to get a few baptismal invites together because Beth would like to invite some friends.

I've also been getting our family started with Orthodontic care... I'll do a whole post on that later... but I'm just gonna say - if your children have been diagnosed with an underbite, don't wait until they are 7 to get them in for a consult! All other consults are encouraged at age 7.

AND....

I've just been asked to speak on Sunday - which I agreed to - and am grateful for as it's helping me focus on things that matter to me. I'm excited to speak... should my talk actually be fluid enough for others to follow.

AND....

I'm hosting book club, followed very closely by teaching in RS - just happens to be my month...

BUT... come the second week of February, I think things should be slower and I'll have an idea of what normal is.

So - I'm busy.... but it's good for me.... it's helping me to remember what balancing really is... and IF I find time before the second week of February, I'll post some more exciting stuff.... otherwise, forgive me for taking me time! =)

Oh... and did I say this would be short... just think what the long version would have been! =)

There's Been A Change In Plans....

It matters to Beth that I be the one to make her baptism dress. Needless to say, my projects are set for the month of January - one baptism dress and one sweater to go along. Good thing the dress is half cut out and Jacob goes to bed with his brothers now... I should be able to get them both done by the 29th!

A New Year

I know I have so much to catch up on... I hadn't even posted about Halloween and then I dropped off the face of the web world. It's been a busy year - busy family time - busy in general. And I had forgotten how busy the into everything - on top of everything - toddler stage was.... is! Anyway, it was a really busy and emotionally stressful time for me.... so I decided I needed to make outfits for my kids for Christmas - I hadn't made outfits for all of them in a long time. I know, I'm crazy - who in their right mind would add something like that on top of the chaos of our toddler style life? Certainly not me.... that's why I'm in my left mind.....

I knew this would mean more assistance from the rest of the family especially from the older kids in keeping Jacob away while I sewed..... that was asking a lot... but I also knew that creating things - making things - is emotionally and mentally good for me. So, after getting frustrated in trying to find the right fabric and yarn, and then getting frustrated with the shipping time, I made two dresses, three pairs of pants, and knit three vests. My outfit was cut out, but I decided it wasn't worth the extra stress to sew it up right off (and the zippers on the dresses were done by my mother in law... thanks so much - I hate doing zippers).

I can knit with little ones around, but sewing with little ones around is really asking too much. So with Beth's baptism coming right up, I've made arrangements to have Lynne sew it - I have the pattern and the fabric. I'll cut it out, making the necessary adjustments and then she'll sew it... and I'll spend the month making a sweater to go with it.

I also have wanted to learn how to knit socks for years now... Santa brought me a book to get me started, and I finished my first toddler sock yesterday... of course, I couldn't just follow the pattern, I had to change it even the first time through... something is seriously wrong with me that I seem to think everything needs to be altered. It was fun and I'll make the second one soon.... but it made me think... since there are several things that help me to keep calm and feel good, but most involve creating something, I have decided that I will do at least one project a month and post it on here. So, when I finish that other sock, I'll post how I did it and my adventures along the way. I'll do the same with the sweater for Beth.... I think February will involve another set of socks.... but who knows.... this might be a year of socks - with a few extras.

Of course, this blog is for my family and there will be posts about our comings and goings and the kids and all that, but you can look for crafty posts along with way - at least for this year.

Later on, when I have a few more minutes, I'll try to catch up some on the blog... in the mean time, I have callings to attend to, my bedroom to finish cleaning out, and a house to continue to maintain - seeing that my husband did a great job of helping everyone learn the routine (or relearn it) and get the house in a good starting position over school break!

I'll try not to be so much of a stranger!

Pumpkins to Jack-O-Lanterns

We waited until the night before Halloween to carve pumpkins. Our lives had been so busy and then we just took that last week to ourselves... sort of... just not doing anything extra.

Traditionally the kids all draw pictures on paper of what they want their pumpkins to look like and then Bob cuts and makes it real. This year, everyone dug out their own pumpkin - except Jacob who didn't really get to do it, though he thought the pumpkins were pretty neat.

Jeremy and Gabi didn't mind the slimy guts and went for it hands first.

The other two preferred to use the spoon. That was no big deal to Peter, but you'll notice that even that made Beth's face crinkle!

My job was gathering the guts and extracting seeds - which we dried over night and then tossed in melted butter and a touch of salt, the roasted in the oven. Yummy, yummy!

The next adventure with pumpkins will be Peter and I cooking and storing the others from the garden... and gathering more seeds for roasting... next week's adventures!

First Hair Cut

Jacob's hair has been hanging over his ears and getting that shaggy look in the back for a while now. Still, he had a enough wave and even some curl that I generally could coax it back to looking nice - though it didn't always stay that way. But with cold weather settling in, and us running the wood stove, the fuzzy head was more often than not being seen.


One evening last week when we'd finished dinner I suddenly decided that was the night! I stripped Jacob down to his diaper, handed him a lollipop and sat on the kitchen with him on my lap and a pair of scissor in my hand and a spray bottle on the side. Spraying and snipping, Jacob was content to suck on his lollipop and have his picture taken - of course, he never saw the scissors.

The sides were a little uneven - the one still slightly over the ear - so I touched it up later - which meant that Jacob saw the scissors and so things weren't so easy - then I adjusted the other. The sides were eventually evened up above the ears. And, if you don't look too closely, it turned out alright.

I HATE first hair cuts for boys... they look so grown up so fast afterward and that always bothers me! The girls' first hair cuts weren't so hard, but they were older. Thankfully though my little man looks more like a two year old than a one year old, he still snuggles, cuddles, kisses and plays his adorable games... he's still my little lovely Jacob... and now that I'm a week into the new hair cut, it doesn't sting my heart so much any more.

Caramel Apples

RCA puts on a fund raising Halloween Carnival every year. And every year they ask for volunteers to help with various things. Our ward party seems to always land on the same night - not intentionally (they've moved theirs some times, we've moved ours... just happens that way) - so being there isn't really an option for us. But I still wanted to help - so I offered to be the mom from second grade to make caramel apples. But no one had signed up for fourth grade either - so determining that it would be about 30 apples total, I told them I'd do both classes. Well, when the time came, no one else had signed up and I was asked if I thought I could do over 100 apples.

Now, I had heard it took hours... hours upon hours... to make a few. I wasn't sure how that was going to work, but I didn't have an extra kid the next day and I thought that if I got started that night, we might have a chance. So the materials came to my house: 116 apples, 25 pounds of caramel, 1 large can of nut - crushed, and 4 bags of mini M&Ms.

I started two bricks (10 pounds) in my slow cooker that afternoon knowing I wouldn't be able to really do anything until after dinner. It was ready about the time dishes were done and kids were getting in to PJs....as I started, Bob walks in and "tests it out" - making an apple and getting the toppings laid out.


Can I just say, rolling apples in caramel is hard on the wrists! Thank goodness for Bob! He got it figured out to an art - and aside from the first dozen topped ones - everything looked perfect! The first dozen still looked yummy, but they had a lot more drip down!

Well, reading the label, we found we could melt the caramel in the microwave without trouble, so I kept the rest of the caramel melting and poured it into the crockpot where is stayed warm so Bob cold roll apples. A 5-pound brick of Peter's Caramel melts thin enough in about 15 minutes.

We had them all done - all 116 - in about 2 1/2 hours from the time we started dipping. Our counters - all of them - were covered in caramel apples - where they stayed over night to cool completely. My table, however, was unrecognizable with all the counter stuff (and junk) dumped on it. (But hey, I wanted to clean my counters anyway, right?)

In the morning, I bagged them all and then tied them up with orange yarn. Peter was my helper and learned to do the first step of tying. He also learned how to twist the bag tops and get that first tying part done fast - and tight! He got pretty fast. At first I was tying off three or four to the one he'd pass me to bow. But by the end, in the time it took for me to bow the one he'd given me and to turn around to put it in the box and turn back around, he'd have another waiting for me.

We surprised everyone - and they were down at the school and set out a day early! (And we had to make a few for our kids too - Jacob was pretty happy about that)

Crazy Hair Day

There have already been two spirit days this year. The first one was School Spirit - so the kids each got a T-shirt with the school's name on it to support the school.

The next was Crazy Hair Day - Jeremy got spiked, Gabi wanted to go curly, and Beth wanted a mohawk (okay, so did Jeremy).

Anyway - Jeremy's was too short to mohawk - but made great mini spikes.



Gabi's looked nice .... normally when she curl her hair we do it wet and we do it too tight so it is really crazy and unable to be tamed. We didn't follow that the night before - I guess we know how to do it right next time. I offered to make it more crazy and she said no.


And Beth's was too long for a mohawk - so we rigged this up instead!

October Adventures

Early in the month, I helped Becca (the little girl we watch) and Peter make these cute little people from those tiny pumpkins, some paper, scraps of fabric, markers and yarn. I used a hot glue gun to keep it all together. Aren't they super cute?

Then we went off to the pumpkin patch and for the first year, I couldn't find the camera to take with me! Jen got a few on her phone, but I haven't gotten them yet, but still... I do miss the pictures of all the kids on everything - but the day was much nicer not having to run to one place and then the other.

It was sad for Gabi because this was the first year that she didn't get to go. Beth and Jeremy had fun with their classes, and Peter, Jacob and I rode with both and just played. Jacob was funny in the little hay maze - and at that moment I wished I'd had the camera .... and consider, briefly, planning a trip back just to get that picture. I decided against it.

We also had our Ward Harvest Fest. This was the first year that we did Harvest Fest instead of a Halloween Party. I was disappointed with last year's party because it seemed so crowded and as if there wasn't really anything planned for the kids. I was disappointed this year in not having the trunk or treat. HOWEVER - we LOVED harvest fest. The kids had games to play, there were hay rides, and there were plenty of warm places for adults to gather and visit. It was a great night.



I managed to get a couple of pictures as the kids were piled on for the first hay ride - but I was lucky since I didn't have my spare battery and the moment I turned on the camera the batter dead light started blinking. - But the hay ride was so fun with Jacob - the first time he decided he needed to sit beside me and then even with the wagon didn't bounce, he'd bounce along, thrilled, with a huge smile! When I asked him (later on) if he wanted to go on a hay ride again he yelled "YEAH!"

Hiking With Aunt Cheri & Uncle Andrew

Midway through September, Aunt Cheri and Uncle Andrew invited Bob and the girls to go on a hike with them. The idea was that they would hike Mt. Lassen... but, as noted in the summer with the sledding... it was still under snow. So, within Lassen National Park they hiked Brockoff Mountain - the biggest and most difficult to climb within in the park.


The girls were so excited! When Aunt Cheri and Uncle Andrew arrived, they became even more excited because they were given hiking packs and camelbaks to use! They loved them - and we've stored them in a safe place not to be damaged until further need!

I was not with them, so I do not have any fun, silly, or annoying stories to share. They did make it to the top - they did take turns being the leader - they did have fun - and the both became part of the National Volcanic Club! They came home exhausted, but with huge smiles! - Oh yeah, and they got to stop and get Milk Shakes from a place Aunt Cheri loved when she used to work for the fire service.



Thanks for taking them - they had a wonderful time!

4th Grade Adventures

To start the school year, the 4th grade class took a trip to Turtle Bay to explore the Grossology Exhibit. Of course, they couldn't just do that - and thank goodness as they was nothing to absorb the noise - so they started by feeding the lorakeets. They were brightly colored and would come to you if you had a nectar cup - though only if they were hungry. One landed on Gabi's hand - which was the most common location - though some landed on shoulders or heads.


Afterward, we ate lunch and watched the animal show - some pretty neat animals - all unable to live in the wild.

Then off to grossology.... all sorts of information - scattered everywhere.... there were games to play along the way as well as a quiz right at the end. Gabi knew quite a bit even without finding all the info.



I was able to go thanks to an awesome friend who took Jacob and Peter. I had no idea how Jacob would do since he still nurses - though I knew he could go without. He did well, and it was so good to be able to go with Gabi on a field trip - I have felt like I missed so much because of too little baby for so many years!

Next, I offered to make the cake for California's birthday. With Bob's help - lots of help - we had is shaped like California... and it was huge! I had layered a yummy moist cake with a oreo fudge center. Then I attempted to take it to school.... Seeing that the edges of the cake when clear to the edge of the board, I didn't want to put it on the floor of the van - not that I could have guaranteed a safe place on the floor anyway. Regardless, the idea of frosting smeared on the floor, or dirt particules on the the cake were not very appealing.

On the way, down a hill and around two corners, the weight of said cake was against me... and it came to hitting a mailbox or losing a cake... though I was hoping not to lose the cake.... the weight was just too much for my arm to maintain control of - seeing that the board was longer than my arms spread out - and I lost. And my van floor had frosting all over it anyway.



I managed not to cry or scream - amazing... and even Peter said "Mom, why aren't you crying about the cake?".... and after sending a sad email to the class teacher, I proceeded to throw together two smaller cakes which were not so elaborately decorated so they could make it to school on time.... no yummy center and the frosting / decorations were a combination of melted chocolate chips and skittles, but it was still warm.

(A side note.... I attempted a moist cake for a friend's baby shower and it was a total disaster.... after that, I decided that my cake making skills have left me... at least the ones that make things look nice... so I'm refusing to make cakes.... at least until Beth's birthday)

Soccer, Soccer, Soccer

.....IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!

As much as we love soccer around here - and we really do love soccer - we're also very happy when the season comes to a end. It's so busy and we're all going crazy, and it's nice to find a sense of every day routine again!

I did not attend as many games as I thought I might (and took the camera to even fewer)... in fact, after my last blog note about going to every game, Jacob got sick... so well, that ended that. Afterward, it became the game of "how many nights can the family endure being out in a week without getting over-tired and run down... and sometimes sick". Still, it was fun to watch - when Jacob wasn't trying to get to the parking lot and road!

Beth and Jeremy had a great time on the field... though a favorite was to say "hi, mom" when they'd catch sight of me ... at one point Beth even stopped in the game to ask if I'd seen another kids kick a ball from midfield nearly into the goal. Fun. That's what it's all about at that age... if only it could stay that way! We try.


Gabi got a lots of time in lots of positions. She did very well in goal once again - she still enjoys that position, but discovered she likes to see a little more action. She's a strong goalie and defender, but forward and midfield weren't here favorites starting the season. But as she was noting less and less action down in the defending area and goal (they had a great time and a great coach... yeah, plug for my wonderful husband), she found she enjoyed the upper positions too. She worked really hard on her shot - took some amazing shots - but always struggled to get it past the goalie. We were even told that two of Gabi's power shots that were stopped by the other goalie (doubling the goalie over even) were the only goals that goalie had managed to stop all year... and it was kind of luck - though to not fall over means that goalie had to be paying attention too.... Anyway, it took till the last game - every one else had made at least one goal this season already on the team - and the start of that first game, Gabi nailed two right in a row! Awesome shots - well deserved scoring! She's come such a long way since she first started learning the game several years ago now! - a versatile player... nothing better than that!


Peter did great - bringing trucks to play, climbing trees, snatching an extra ball and practicing his own kicks, and cheering. He's looking forward to next year when he gets to join the mix!

Jacob - well, once we showed him the dirt was fun on the upper side of the fields, he did pretty well. Though he still watched for chances to head toward the road, and he loved to walk the line - and dash onto the field whenever he thought he could get away with it. Another five years for that one.

And Bob - he was such a trooper... he coached two teams this year. Gabi's U-10 team and Beth and Jeremy (same time) U-8 team. Next year we're looking at three teams - we'll see how it all plays out. But, once again, we left the season with very happy parents. They specifically commented how Bob's ability to work with the kids, speak kindly to them, encourage them, all the while teaching them real skills and instructing them on how to play - and on teamwork as well as sportsmanship.

Check It Out

It's update day - seems to happen about once a month... I spend my computer time reading and writing... just not much blogging.

Anyway - before I get started:

My friend Courtney is having a giveaway that might interest you:

"Great American Documents for Latter-Day Saint families"

She give a wonderful review and instructions of entering her drawing on her site. So, if you're interested, head on over there and take a look!

Happily EverAfter