Where Did the Summer Go?

 

The summer is gone and this poor little blog has been neglected for months!  I had such good intentions to blog frequently throughout what I knew was going to be a busy summer, and I even took lots (maybe too many) pictures, but it Just.  Didn't.  Happen.  And it's funny that the more you don't do something, and the more behind you get, the more you don't want to do it because you're just so behind, and you get even further behind, and it's just a vicious cycle.

I was so excited to spend most of the summer with these two amazing little people!  They are just a blast, and we had such a good time.  I had forgotten how much energy little people take, and (don't tell anyone) I'm not as young as I used to be.  And I had honestly forgotten that I had actually written one blog post while I was away.

I got some seriously amazing cuddles while mommy and daddy were away...

And had some truly memorable moments while we were together.

And the summer passed in a blur.

But I'll be back to tell you about the rest of the summer and how the husband and I went on a vacation without children - or grandchildren.

And how I tormented my sister for days copying family photos and letters and delving into family history (and what a gracious host she was, fetching us to and from the airport, providing lodging and maid service, and even cooking for us!)

And I may even crow a little about my "Quilt Shop Safari" the hubs and I embarked on after the cruise.

Stay tuned!

A Visit to the Grands'

Once again it has been way too long since I've visited my little blog...  I'm sure it is feeling neglected.  I went to Utah to watch the grands so their mommy and daddy could have a much-needed weekend away.  We had a blast.  Of course, there was our traditional breakfast at McDonald's.  (Britton is getting so that he actually plays on the equipment - which is really fun until he gets "stuck" and I have to send Abby after him.  Still, it's very fun to watch them!)

There were several trips to the park, which is only about 4 houses away, so it's super convenient!

It's really fun to watch them grow up!

One of my favorite parts of visiting is that Abby comes in every morning to wake me up and keep me company.  This little game usually involves Netflix or some other wake-up game on Grandma's Iphone.  Here, she's taking a selfie (how do they know about these things at such a young age?)

Grandma had the opportunity to make Abby an Elsa dress (from the Disney movie, Frozen.)

Which caused a huge mess - there were sparkles everywhere!

And the cape was perhaps the biggest hit of all...

But it was really fun to see how much Abby liked her dress - in fact, her mommy says she's worn it every day since it was finished.  Guess Grandma needs to get busy and make a couple more dresses and give this one a rest.

A bag of pom poms an a couple of embroidery hoops provided an entire morning's entertainment while Grandma was sewing (although I'm not entirely sure Britton was thrilled with the selection of "manly" colors allotted to him by his sister.)

It really doesn't take much to make these two happy.  I love that they just play with whatever's handy.  A cardboard box makes a great toy, doesn't it?  It was always one of my own kids' favorites.

And then there's just the way their little personalities are developing! 

He has so many words now - so many more than when I was there in November!!  (Can you tell we're having quite the conversation?)

This little guy is so fun!  And he's all boy!

Oh yes!  Grandma had a very fun time!

WIP Wednesday in a Week of {Wonderful} Distractions...

I have to admit that I've been a little distracted this week, and that not much quilty progress has been made.  I had a rare and wonderful visit from my daughter and son-in-law and the grands, and so quilty things moved down the priority list a ways.  It was great to have them visit, if only for a short while, and in fact, I'm a little mopey today, now that they're gone.  I'm missing them terribly - especially the little people.  They were so fun!

Although we only live about 8 miles from the beach, I seldom go.  I can honestly say that I've spent more time at the beach (and seen more HUGE jellyfish!) in the last 5 days than probably in the last 5 years. 

Besides the beach, I got to spend some quality time with the grands.  Their daddy's birthday was Monday, so I babysat while mommy and daddy went out for a little adults-only birthday dinner.  We laughed and read lots of stories and had a blast.  Britton even went to sleep on Grandma's lap - funny how the beach wears them out.  And Britton thinks my rendition of Goldilocks and the Three Bears is just hilarious.  Now THAT was pure joy!

I really meant to make some progress on my Starflower quilt, especially since the Starflower guru herself was here to give me an in-person tutorial, but I never did...

I did get some more of these made.  I have a total of 37 (out of 49) done.  I've developed a snazzy little chain piecing method that works for me and helps them go pretty fast...

And since we had a little after-the-kids-went-to-bed movie time, I worked on this project a little bit, and I feel like I have made a lot of progress.  I have this quilt top to the size I want it in width...  I think I have 2 rows to go in length until the top is finished.  Then I have to figure out how to quilt it.  Decisions...  Decisions...

My one finish for the week was The Woodland by the Lake II quilt I am making for my photography teacher.  I quilted it with Loops and Leaves, and I'm actually pretty excited about the quilting.

Loops and Leaves seemed appropriate for an outdoorsy sort of quilt, don't you think?

So that's it.  Maybe this week I'll get back in my groove.

But I'd rather be at the beach with the grands!

Catching Up - Part Two

So here we are, home again after my very long vacation - partly planned and partly not-so-much.  Can I just say that I love the versatility of the Weekender Bag?  It's big enough to hold my computer (in its protective sleeve), my camera (in its case), my book, the contents of my purse, my hexie kit, and who knows what all.  My only complaint is that the end pockets aren't big enough - at least when the bag is stuffed full) to hold my water bottle, so if I make myself another Weekender someday, I may pleat or gather the pocket to give it room to do that.  But that said, this is an awesome travel bag.  Thanks, Kristy!

When I arrived, our first stop was at Ikea.  I had never been to Ikea before, so this was a treat.  It was fun to see what everyone had been talking about.  Good thing there's not an Ikea close-by...  it would be way too tempting.  (And wouldn't it be fun to make a cute pillow like this?)

My DSIL had asked me last October to come in July and watch the kids while he and my daughter went on a work-cation.  I was only too happy to accommodate them.  It was super fun to spend some time with these little people I get to see so seldom.  They have such funny little personalities, and it was a real joy.  Britton's new favorite thing is to drop things behind the couch to see where they go...

He's such a cutie.  And has such a fun personality.  Grandma had a blast.

And it was fun to see my son play the part of bachelor uncle.  What a guy!

The day the parents left required a trip to the dollar store for color books, crayons, and some awesome balloons.  Britton loved the truck balloon.

Abby's balloon was, of course, a princess crown. 

She's a cutie! 

It's really fun to watch them play together.  Always in motion.

Of course we made a trip to McD's for breakfast to play in the Play Place.

And Mommy and Daddy left them a present or two...

Which was super fun...

And Grandma and Abby made a button necklace - a game my grandma taught me when I was about 3...  She loved it.  And when I had to cut the thread to use some of the buttons for a dress I made her, there were no complaints about re-stringing them.  What a fun activity!  It kept her busy for hours, and we had some wonderful conversations about the ones we liked, and the colors, and shapes.  Well worth $3 (with a coupon) at JoAnn's for the big button assortment. 

And even though I was once again reminded of why people have children when they are young, I had a blast!  It was so fun to get to see the kids one-on-one for more than just a day or two.  Can't wait to do it again!

More Souvenirs

NOTE:  If you haven't entered the Milestones Giveaway, go here.  

Giveaway ends Wednesday, August 15, 2012.  

Winner will be chosen Thursday, August 16.

One day last week, I posted the souvenirs from my vacation a few weeks ago.  Yup!  All fabric!

And adorable photos of my grands.

 Oh, yeah - and an antique sewing machine.

 But I digress....  Anyway, my Flickr friend Krista (and now friend in real life!) and I met up in Seattle and went to a little quilt store in North Bend, Washington that was going out of business.  Fabric there was ON SALE! and you know I can't resist that, and bought some souvenirs.  These souvenirs were not in my original post.  Krista wondered where they were.  Frankly, I had to go hunting.  They weren't with the other fabric and random things I had brought home. 

Aha!  I found them.

So here are the REST of the souvenirs from my vacation.

 Pretty, huh?  

I actually have plans for a couple of these pieces.  The rest?

Well, I'm sure they will come in handy for something!