Family & Friends
New Kitchen Floor!
We have a beautiful new floor in our kitchen! Ray spent the day Saturday installing the new flooring, and we love the warm new look.
Before:
After:
Allen and I were chatting yesterday morning, and he said, “I really like this new floor. All the wood in the kitchen looks nice . . . but these rugs, they need to go. They cover up the wood.” LOL! Gotta love getting decorating advice from a 9-year-old boy!
And this picture just makes me laugh. I had just walked into the kitchen to see how things were going, and Ray said, “Two boxes down,” as he reached in to grab the last plank. Then, “Oh, look, instructions.”
Posing a Tired, Cranky 2-year-old for a Family Picture
A Story in Pictures
Laughing, yet? We finally bribed him with a piece of candy to get that last “CHEESE” smile.
We pray that you have a Joy-filled Easter Celebration!
Spring is Here!
I know, I’ve been missing for awhile. I always seem to have blog posts running around in my head but finding time to actually upload pictures and type them out is another story.
It’s spring here, and we’ve been enjoying the weather when it’s nice. We meet with a wonderful group of homeschoolers for park day every Friday afternoon. A few Fridays ago, the beautiful weather and a nearby creek led to some wet and muddy fun. There’s nothing like rolling up your pants and putting your feet in the water to make you feel like kid.
I didn’t have my camera on hand, but another mom snapped a few photos. Here are Samantha and Allen exploring the water with my friend, Shelly, and her boys.
Samantha climbing up the hill.
And, Allen.
Jamie really wanted to play, too, of course, so we were headed down the hill to join in the fun in this picture. Let me tell you, the weather was warm, but that water was COLD!
I’ve been sewing alot when I have free time. I was excited to get to organize an I-Spy Quilt Swap on an on-line sewing moms board last month. Moms signed up to send in 30 or 60 squares each of novelty fabric with pictures of things that kids can “spy”. I’ve been saving squares for awhile for this project, too. Here’s what I have done on Jamie’s I-Spy Quilt so far:
I also finished up two new patterns for moms to sew for themselves and their little ones! I am really enjoying designing patterns. It’s so exciting to see what other moms create with them!
The Sammi Grace Bag is a great pattern for moms to make bags for themselves, their daughters and their friends. It’s got multiple options and versions. This is the full-size shirred version:
The Patrick Curved Raglan has been a popular pattern for months now, but lots of mamas were asking for it in bigger sizes. Of course, I love sewing for my bigger kids, too and couldn’t resist enlarging the size range. The Big Kid version has a standard and a more feminine option:
For the record, I did attempt to get pictures of those two tops side by side, but . . . um . . . it didn’t work out well!
A Beautiful Day for a Visit to the Zoo
Jamie wanted to touch the water.
Allen flew through the air.
Beautiful Scarlet, Morgan’s youngest charge, went for slide.
Samantha paused for a rest.
Morgan and Allen played “monkey”.
We shared lots of smiles.
We took a turtle picture just for Nana and maybe to show off everyone’s mama-made clothes a little.
We even had a few snacks.
It was truly a beautiful day!
Ice!
Jamie is Two!
Jamie had a lovely time at his second birthday party yesterday! Lots of friends came to celebrate with him: the Hills, the Browns, the Mortons, Auntie Janet, Fulton and, of course, Morgan, Sean, Samantha, Allen and Mom and Dad.
He was a bit impatient for everyone to arrive. He just couldn’t understand why he had to wait to open his presents.
He loved his Mickey Mouse cake and blowing out the candle!
He had plenty of help opening his presents.
He got a big dump truck from the Bishops . . .
. . . puzzles and a Thomas book from the Browns . . .
. . . an animal alphabet puzzle from the Hills . . .
. . . more puzzles from Mama . . .
. . . and some handmade by Daddy wooden tools.
The cake was yummy!
And, the presents were so much fun!
Saturday Morning Breakfast
I really just wanted to share this picture of Morgan and Sean. I think it’s my new favorite!
The three of us went out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel last Saturday morning and just enjoyed each other’s company. Our main topic of conversation was Tim Tebow (the Florida Gators quarterback). Morgan and Sean both thought it was awesome that he changed the Bible verse that he wears in patches under his eyes from his normal Philippians 4:13 to John 3:16 for the national championship game that the Gators won two nights before. Sean discovered that John 3:16 was one of the top things searched on internet the following day. As a mom, it’s always encouraging to see my children admiring young adults who publicly and enthusiastically share their Christian faith.
A Little Love from Samantha
It’s normal around here for me to be the only one up for a few hours early in the morning. This morning, I thought I’d enjoy my coffee and work on loading some pictures into my flickr account while things were quiet. Very soon, everyone will be up and getting ready for church.
I poured my coffee and walked into my sewing room to grab the camera and found a surprise:
Inside:
Isn’t it a blessing to be reminded that you’re loved, especially when it’s just a regular day?
Christmas Morning
What a wonderful Christmas we had this year!
There were kisses . . .
. . . a few surprises . . .
. . . yummy food . . .
. . . new toys to play with . . .
. . . some mama-made presents . . .
. . . and lots of smiles!
Christmas Season Snapshots
Fun and Games at our Homegroup Christmas Party
A Present from Auntie Gisela at the GFA Kids Christmas Party
Horizon’s Church Children’s Christmas Program
Visiting with Santa
Hanukkah Night Two with the Maxams and a Few of the Browns
