It's a process

I scheduled family pictures with Megan about 3 months ago

This is always a difficult process for our family

schedules are busy

two teenagers who I don't have access to their schedules

or they don't really know until the day before

I really hoped and thought maybe just this once it would work

but no such luck

we have to reschedule for a different week

why can't this ever be an easy process

I'm starting to act like Claire from Modern Family when they had a family portrait done

But since Megan is so good and kind to work with us

we will find a date that will work for everyone

but meanwhile

I do have our clothes figured out

I thought they blend quite well

Jenn - I will be in the dark purple

Kass - will be in the light

London - gets the floral

the boys - whatever they can find

So,  I have a shirt or dress to make for London prior to pictures

Need to get Kass' shirt to her

What do you think of the colors - they will be outdoor pictures

Pretty Spot Remover

I decide it is time to show off my sewing projects when I get them done

This was a project for London's room

It is made completely out of scraps from quilts and pillows I have made for London's bed

It cost only my time

It needed to be 16 x 46 to fit, so I just started putting pieces together

I had it laying out on the table trying to figure how to put it together with all the different sizes

I looked at it as quilt blocks - one section at a time and then I squared the block when finished

Sew them all together

The picture on the right (the back) gives you an idea of the all the pieces put together

This is London's dresser

It came from my home - I have always liked it

but on top it has this wonderful spot to be covered

It is always amazing to me what you can create with a bunch of scraps

Out with the Sisters

Saturday afternoon/evening was a "girls night out"

We went to an antique store

It has been so long since I have been able to do this

It is a little difficult to take an almost 3 y-old to an antique store

I was supposed to be taking pictures as the "blogger" but I didn't do a very good job

too busy looking -  no time for pictures

We found an assortment of dresses

Prom dresses - for Kassade

Becca took pictures with her phone and sent them to Kassade

Here are just a few of them

When I say we found an assortment of dresses - wow

70's party get ready

This shirt we thought would be good for Russ when we go to the beach

Does anyone know what this bucket is for?

Keep it clean

It seemed I was the only one

These two did not - believe it or not Becca purchased it

Please - don't ask

Read the sign carefully

Good Christmas gift for my father-in-law who loves to fish

We will have to think about that one

I would love this - Russ wouldn't

This would be for Miss London

how cute in our backyard under the pergola

(I forgot - I don't have one built yet)

but someday we will have something back there

No time limit - it was great

Found lots of interesting things

Can't wait till we go again

Next time I will take more pictures

Thanks ladies for a great afternoon and evening

Things

The other weekend we got together with Russ' brother and sister

These are London's "bugs" she found

It wouldn't be summer without them

I remember as a kid collecting them around our house

You just gotta love this sweet little face

we were at the zoo - just waiting for the rain to stop

London found a new way to water the flowers

You just never know what she might come up with

I want this cat

this makes me laugh

i've watched it over and over

i don't know why it makes me laugh so hard

but it always puts smile on my face

6 months

August 4th marked the 6th month since Jay's kidney transplant

from the picture you can see that he is doing very well

and Russ doesn't really notice much difference with one less kidney

we are so blessed and thankful that he and the "super" kidney continue to do well

we thank God every day for all he has given us and Jay's family

Jay, Leslie and Brianna moved last week to Midland, TX

we are very sad about not having them as close

but are thankful that Jay is healthy enough to make this move for his job

We promise that we will come to Midland, TX someday to visit

if you don't know where Midland is - check it out on the map

it's in "nowhere" land in Texas unless you are going to El Paso

glad we can joke about it

For ME

I finally made something for myself

I had been looking for a cute peasant top/dress pattern

I found one by Jennifer Paganelli (Sis Boom)

Tuesday evening I finally ordered it and downloaded

(I also got one for London)

I was very please how it turned out

the instructions are some of the best I ever used

Simple Simple Simple

so many different variations - can't wait to try them

You can do this easily in 2 hrs - with no distractions

I decided to make a top first

Taking self-timer pictures are not much fun

I always look dorky - oh well - this gives you an idea of my top

I already have my material washed to make a dress

Maybe I will have to make matching dresses for London and I

Is that silly?

It seems to be something  you are supposed to do when you can sew and you have a daughter

This is why my blogging is been a little lame lately

too busy sewing different items

For London

I had bought some of this adorable bird material

I made a skirt for London

now - what I do with the scraps?

Then the other day while at Charlotte's (our local fabric quilt shop)

I saw this flannel - had to have some

bought only a yard - had no idea what to do with it

Below is what happens when you have scraps

I gathered up some other prints and bought a little more

Wha La!  another light weight blanket for London

This is the Yellow Brick Road quilt pattern

fitting for being in Kansas

super soft flannel for the back

Conversation when it was finished

Jenn:  Russ, what do you think?

Russ: It's nice honey, but does London really need another blanket?

Jenn: London, do you need another blanket?

London:  YES! - I like it

Yester Years

I came across these pictures on my computer

dad has been scanning his slides onto disks and I swiped some that he had done

so I thought I would share a few

My family in 1976?

Jeff and I in the famous "dirt pile"

my dad would get a load of dirt and dump in the back yard

we and all the neighbor kids played in it for hours and hours

eventually we had property lines, fields, and lakes

my love of cats started young

I'm probably 3 in this picture

Jeff and I (1972)

my cat - "Sandy" and his was  "cat""

Jerry and I  (1972)

this is my neighbor, Eric

we literally grew up together - at each other's house all the time

two months apart in age

his father and mine are childhood friends

More to come another day

Sprinkler Fun

we have a new sprinkler park in town

london wasn't too sure about all the water spraying around

but once she got in the water - that's all it took

baby likes to come along with us