Grandpa Larry Passes Away

We knew grandpa's time was getting close. My grandfather would have been celebrating his 90th birthday 1-month later. His birthday party was already planned and family members were flying in to celebrate, but he didn't quite make it.

Last summer we all drove to Utah to enjoy our family reunion. During that time, we said our good-bye's not knowing if his health would allow us to see him again. His leukemia took over very quickly as his body just couldn't fit it any longer. My father being the youngest of grandpa's 2 children, flew into Utah and arrived just in time to give him a blessing and ask for him to pass peacefully.

I was only 8-years old when my grandma Edith passed away. Being the oldest grandchild on the Lassen side, I was about the only grandchild to remember her. Grandpa remarried to Rhoda and passed away 13-years ago from Leukemia. Grandpa remarried a third time and this time she outlived him. We're going to miss grandpa very much, but we know he's in a much better place.

My New Found Love!

So here is the reason why I haven't had time to blog. I've been busy making quilts for my children. I have discovered how much I love sewing quilts and decided that each of my children needed one. As you can tell, they are very similar but have a few differences. I was inspired to make them when the remodel was completed and the kids each got their own bedrooms. Kenedee's bedroom walls are bright orange. She has accented with pinks, greens and yellows. Her quilt is quite busy but turned out really well. The backing is a tye-dye print.

Tessa's room is turquoise blue with pink and green. Hers turned out a bit smaller as I planned for hers to be a wall hanging to help decorate her room. It's permanent place is on the floor! She doesn't even appreciate the work involved.

Kyle's new room is decorated with all different sports. His quilt has different sports prints. Kyle uses his every night on his bed, and LOVES it.

Even if the kids don't fully understand the work put into the making of a quilt, I had a blast making them. I found someone in Everett that has a 16-ft. long arm that quilts them for me. My machine can't handle the size of quilts I've been making, let alone my lack of experience. I have about 5 more planned or in the works. Too much sewing to do, so little time:(

Family Cruise - Christmas 2008

So I am extremely long over due for updating my blog, but here goes...

Ryan and I celebrated our 20-year anniversary last year and decided to take our family on a Mexican Cruise. We visited Peurta Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucus. We left 2-days after Thanksgiving and spent the following week enjoying a very relaxing vacation. It was a great experience for all of us, however Kenedee started off with a little motion sickness. We figured that would happen to her. She even gets car sick. The weather was beautiful but no one got sunburned. Lying on the deck in December just isn't right if you ask me. The ship was all decorated for Christmas. The food was amazing and the entertainment was incredible. The kids shared a room and that made for cozy quarters all week, but Ryan and I had our own room across the hall from the kids with our own private deck. We were on the top deck so it was very private. No one could see us, but we could see everyone below us. The top deck is the only way to go. If asked would we go again....yes we would, but not every year. Maybe every 3-years. Our favorite vacation spot is still Cancun:)

Football Season Begins!

This is Kyle's first year playing football for a city team. I had always thought he was too little to play, but was told otherwise. We signed him up to play through the Richmond Beach Jr. League Football. He had an amazing season. Played several positions throughout the season, but his team played the whole season without losing a game. They even won the championship game. He loved playing and can't wait for next year.

September 2008 - Canning Season Begins!

This is just the beginning of a full month of canning. I had offered to teach family and friends how to home preserves. This is one of my all-time favorite things to do. I love canning season. Peaches, pears, applesauce, apple-pie filling, tomatoes, jam's, jellies, syrups... I do it all. I usually reserve the church kitchen and invite several friends and family to join me and that's where the party begins. I've been canning my entire life. Something my parents used to do every year on my birthday weekend. Never failed. As a young child, that's how I knew it was time for school to start. It's a lost art. Not many people do it anymore. Not necessarily cost effective for some (for me it is) but the fruit is delicious and loved by everyone.

August 2008 - Anniversary Month

August 13th, Ryan and I celebrated 20-years of marriage. On a whim, we decided to fly to Las Vegas that following weekend and visit our best friends who were vacationing. It was almost a dare I guess. They invited us, but didn't think we would actually go through with it. Guess what, surprise! Had tons of fun. We even stayed with my Aunt to help keep the costs down. It was fun becoming re-aquinted with her. We really were't there very long. I think from the time we left our home in Seattle to the time we returned it was 56 hours all together. By far the quickest trip we've ever made anywhere. We didn't even check in lagguage!

Then the following weekend, we decided to go to the Jack Johnson concert at the Gorge. That was a new experience for us. Not only to see a concert, but to get Ryan to actually go camping. I've been trying to get him to go for years. I think he might even admit to having fun. We went with some co-workers from Watchguard. Also, another quick weekend. Left Friday morning and came back Sunday afternoon. Way too long of a drive just to camp for such a short time. I'd love to return back to that camp ground, if we could take the kids and spend a week.