My new hobby

First let me start by saying "Holy Cow, 2 posts in one week. What is this world coming too?". And with that said...

I think I wrote about Mike's aunt Rose teaching me how to knit when we were in Canada this past summer. I have made many attempts to create something that was recognizable with no luck. So last weekend when Mike and I were in Sisters, we stopped at a little store called The Stitching Post. They have some really cool quilting stuff and lots of fun (expensive) knitting yarn. They also have a little section with fun nick knacks (probably "home decor") but I stayed out of that area. Anyway, I was looking for an easy project to work on using my vast knitting skills (knit1, purl 2). I found a cool free hat pattern that one of the owners had created. It looked easy enough. After buying bamboo knitting needles (no walmart specials here!) and some 18.00 yarn, I was off to complete my masterpiece. It could have been the fact that I was trying to complete most of it during the 2 hour car ride home, or just the fact that I'm not so good at details...but my winter cap turned into a very expensive kippot (the name for a Jewish hat). Well, seeing as how we're Mormon, it didn't really seem to be a necessity. The next one I made (with cheap yarn) was a little small for Caile. But I kept on trying. Oh yes, you can't deny that I am the little engine that could! I tried again on inexpensive yarn and created a beautiful little hat for Adrie. Wow. I was impressed with myself. The positive thing about making so many, was that I really had that pattern down pat and was getting pretty quick. So last night I started another one with some yarn that I had purchased (at Walmart for 1.98) specifically for Ann-Elise to match her new coat. I finished it this morning right after she left for school. Hopefully it fits. The problem with this one is that it may just be too big!!! Oh well. Determination. I can do this! So, I think EVERYONE I know is going to get a new beanie hat for Christmas, so if you know what colors you want, just let me know!

The fans demand it...

So I suppose I should update the blog. Unfortunately, my camera has died, so I don't have any cool pics. Anyway, life does go on... So, football is over. The Huskies finished their season with an awesome win (19-0) on an amazing Saturday here. Conner had a great game with some good tackles and a really good run. It was a great way to end the season (2-5). He is going to play again next year and is excited to have his dad coach him then. Alia is down to 1 more soccer game left. She is actually a pretty good defender. Conner was even commenting on how well she played (impressive!). She loves hanging out with her friends on the team and if they get a win, it's even better! Ann-Elise is busy with tap class. She is enjoying learning a new skill that will drive her parents crazy when she practices (should have thought about that before suggesting it!). She will keep us busy over they holiday season with MANY performances. But it will be fun. Adrie is just Adrie. She is a ham and a love. She is so funny. She says some crazy things. Some of her favorite sayings are "I love you so much." and "I like your hair.". She is also crazy about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney and will watch hours upon hours of it if I let her. Caile is turning into a funny little bug. She is learning lots of new words and is not afraid to let you know what she wants. She will wake up in the morning and inform you that she wants to "go down there". And she is VERY good at "yes" and "no". She has that last one down to perfection!

Anyway, other than Leise's dance, we will be taking the winter sports season off. I am looking forward to evenings at home. It has been nice spending the evenings together as a family playing games. Oh, except last Tuesday night because I took Ann-Elise to the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus concert. Alia was supposed to go, but negative actions necessitated having to forgo that one. Anyway, Leise and I had a blast. We went with Tracy and Hannah from next door and had a great time, other than the fact that Ann-Elise almost fell asleep. Oh well, guess that goes along with being 6.

Let's see... Mike and I have been trying to get away once night a month. My dad will come out and watch all 5 kids while we go have fun. Our first trip was to Lincoln City and the Inn at Spanish Head. Wouldn't recommend that place, but we did eat at a great restaurant, Pier 101. Then last weekend we spend the night at Eagle Crest in Redmond. Stopped in Sisters on the way home. I've been through there a million times but this was the first time I ever stopped. It was fun. We will be going back to some of the little shops. One was a yarn and knitting shop. Mike admits he is now a "yarn snob". He doesn't like the "cheap" 3.00/skeen yarn, he likes the 18.00/skeen yarn. Oh well, as long as he's buying!

Well, I'm sure that this was exciting to read. So until next time...

October already?

How exactly does that happen? It seems like we are strolling along enjoying summer and then WHAM you're smacked in the face with cold wind and pouring rain. I actually really like it in the North West. When it's summer. I definitely have a hard time the other 11 1/2 months of the year! We're into freezing cold and wet and windy soccer and football games and practice. That's fun with 2 babies.

It seems that not much interesting has happened over here. I'm actually enjoying some peace and quiet during the days while the older kids are at school. Somehow it doesn't motivate me to clean the house AT ALL. I guess I really am a lazy person! I started back up at the gym in hopes of some adult time. It's nice. I get 90 minutes with no babies (their in child care there) a butt whooping from Tanya or Dana, the fitness Nazi's, and hopefully I'll even lose those extra 5 pounds that have been following me forever (he he he). I'm actually really excited to kick some butt there. I may even get off the "happy pills" I've been taking to make it through the day (they aren't really that great. Their just antidepressants. Hmmm, why would I need those???)

On a happy note, Adrie is (dare I say it?) potty trained. She is amazing. Once she decided that she could do it (OK, so I told her she couldn't go to school if she was in diapers) she just took off and hasn't really had any accidents. YEAH! I'm not sure what it's like to only have 1 in diapers. Boy my life is sure looking up!

Totally off subject, but I am hooked on the show "Ghost Hunters" on the sci fi channel. It's on Wednesday nights at 9pm. It's cool. There is a group of people that go an investigate "hauntings". They really try to find ways to "debunk" claims. Anyway, I was watching last night and I about died!!! Totally freaked me out!!!! There was no way I was getting out of bed after watching that one. And of course Mike fell asleep in the middle of it, so I was suffering alone! Needless to say, dawn couldn't come early enough for my bladder! You should check it out. I DVRed it.

Well, I should go gear up for the tornado that happens everyday here at 4pm when the kids get home from school. Love that hour before football and soccer practice (did you catch the sarcasm there?). Anyway, until something fun happens... ta ta for now.

Fun day ahead

So, I'm sitting here trying to blog while Caile is "helping" me type and Adrie is screaming at me with her new lotion and hair gel (mint toothpaste) covering her body. Great and it's grocery shopping day! After a tramatic morning of paying bills (shouldn't payday be fun?) it's time to get ready to go. The fun starts with working a weekly menu around my "new" goal. And I do use that term VERY loosely! I'm going to lose 20 pounds by the end of the year. Why do I always think this is a good idea right before Halloween? But I do think I'm off to a good start. This morning I've had 3 fun sized butterfinger bars. But I did share with both the girls, so that's only 1 right? 3 people, 3 bars... so what if one kid is only 13 months old and just licked the chocolate. I'm sure that Adrie had at least one bite! I suppose that I should gear up to tackle the fun day of shopping (eye roll). I don't understand why it's considered child abuse to duct tape a toddler to the shopping cart. Who ever made that law obviously never went shopping with kids!

Which made me think of yesterday... I was filling out the volunteer form at the intermediate school (they just made me an official volunteer badge with my picture on it and everything, so I suppose I should start volunteering...) Ya know, it's one of those criminal background check things. Anyway, one of the questions was about every being convicted of a crime against a child. Hmmm I suppose if you aren't ever caught the answer is no right? I'm sure that's it's perfectly normal to bungee cord your child to the kitchen chair... right? Right? RIGHT? And after Conner's last football game, when we locked him in the garage we made sure he had his playbook, a bottle of water, some old dog kibble and a jar. Does he need more? Does he? DOES HE?

Oh well. I suppose I should medicate, I mean breathe deep, so I can tackle the store...

(btw, all you law people out there, this is my feeble attempt to be funny!)