Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Weekend in Review

My college friend, Tamara, is in town this weekend so we attended a Mardi Gras fundraiser for Esperanca at the Venue of Scottsdale (previously the Cajun House) on Saturday night. I am sure glad they took a photo because my batteries were so low on the camera that I only got two photos.
Overlooking the venue.
On Sunday the kids & I went to the Rennaissance Festival. Hannah had to get the requisite "flower" headband.
I tried to convince Simon that the jester hat was a good idea but he wanted no part of it!
The highlight of the day was going on the catapult ride.
Hannah jumping HIGH!
Simon before his jump. He did much better than I thought he would and enjoyed it, even though he went REALLY high for a 4.5 year old.
The manual Merry Go Round which was pushed by 4 strong young men in the middle.
And what would a visit to a festival be without a stupid outfit shot. You probably can't tell from this shot but that top on the gal is see through mesh on all parts but just over the bust. It was quite the look!
We had a good time and the weather was beautiful!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Another Thank You!

To Kristina and her Mom!

Kristina was visiting her Mom, Pam, back in Indiana and picked these sterling silver earrings with gorgeous turquoise (I think) made by Rosella Sandoval of the Apache tribe at her Mom's shop, Skystone 'N Silver.

I feel so spoiled but I LOVE them.


Thursday, February 22, 2007

Thank YOU!

Kelli made me this wonderful Valentine's apron which I got as a surprise in the mail today. Yes, she did mail it BEFORE Valentine's Day.

Very cute! I will be wearing it to make dinner tonight.

Thank you again Kelli!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Kiri is FINISHED!

I finished Polly's Kiri Shawl on Saturday night. Here she is preblocking.
Post blocking. I know...bad photo but it is raining and overcast outside right now. I did wear it to drop the kids off this morning and it was very warm. It was a pretty easy knit. I don't know why I had such troubles last time but the biggest thing I have learned with knitting lace is that you have to read your knitting because there are "landmarks" in the pattern and fix as you go.
Pattern: Kiri Shawl
Yarn: Knitpicks Shimmer in Turquoise Splendor
Amount Used: about 700 yards
Needle Size: US 7
Time to Knit: 2 weeks

Birthday Sleepover

Hannah had a sleepover on Friday night for her birthday party. Here she is opening her presents.
And making designs with plastic beads that are ironed together when you are done.
One of her favorite gifts was a gift certificate to Build a Bear. We HAD to go there on Sunday..well, she wanted to go on Saturday but we were busy. If you have never been to this store, it is geared toward girls between 7-12(ish) where you choose from one of their many bears,
then put a heart inside your bear and then it is stuffed.
The back is closed up and voila, you have your own stuffed bear.
Of course, the real kicker is the huge selection of clothes to be purchased to fully outfit your bear. We left with a Hello Kitty outfit.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

The Birthday Aftermath...

David & I went out and got Hannah a new "big kid" bike for her birthday. It was in the garage when she got home from school.
It is a wee bit big but not much since we lowered the seat for her. Gotta wear a helmet with the new big bike.
She got a "home" for her Littlest Pet Shop animals from Grandma Barb.
And Heely's from Grandma Linda, Grandpa and her "Auntie" (Godmother) Tamara. She had them on and was not doing so well on them in the house so it might take some practice with her safety "gear" on before she gets the hang of them.And the cake...I made her an ice cream cake instead of a baked cake. The kids LOVE ice cream but can really do without the cake so, why not make one?
The Hannah birthday extravaganza is over for another year! ;)

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH

Where have the years gone?

Here is one of my favorite photos of Hannah from Christmas 2004.
Doing her Lilo impression, skirt, lei and all the same Christmas.
Her 6th birthday.
Today...in her new outfit from Rosie & Woody, looking all grown up.
I love you honey!

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

The Furminator: Part II

I have had quite a few emails asking how well the furminator works. So, I thought I would show you in photos.

The during the brushing of Obie, the Himalayan cat.

The aftermath on my black pants.
A pile of the fur. The brushing took less than 10 minutes...probably closer to 5 minutes. I could never get that amount of fur off Obie with a normal brush, even if I brushed him for 20-30 minutes.
Mr. Fluffy, Obie, after his brushing.
I got the brush at our vet and it cost $30. Less than a single grooming.

Friday, February 09, 2007

A BBQ

We went to the neighbor's last week for a bbq and s'more making.

Hannah tried out the moon shoes in the house.
One of the babies in the midst of our neighbors. He is a cute little boy!
The neighbor's had a fir pit in the back yard. It is a gas one.
We roasted marshmallows, although many of the kids just burnt them like Blake did below, but everyone had a good time.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Weekend Knitting

I haven't had lace on the needles for some time so.....I frogged my 1/2 Janet Shawl so I could reuse this gorgeous (totally my favorite colors) yarn.

I decided to try my luck at Kiri again. I tried her a couple of years ago and just could not get the hang of it! It was a nightmare...even after Polly tried to send me pointers. I am pleased to say it is going really well. I have knit quite a few shawls with lace weight yarn and no can see the "landmarks" within the pattern that tell me if I am off or not. It is strange how well it is going this time considering what a disaster it was a couple of years ago.
I love the colors...now if I could only find a pair of circulars in size 7! I know I have some but I'll be darned if I can find them and I don't like using my Needle Master needles for lace...it seems to catch on the join. I see myself at Micheal's buying a set this afternoon!


Friday, February 02, 2007

Race 2

We went to Hannah's race at a local school yesterday. There were 4 schools in stead of 6 like there were last week.

Here is Simon trying to amuse himself while we waited for the race to start.
While the race was taking place....
Hannah & her friend, Kathly, abou t1/3 of a mile into the 1.5 miles.
The sheer joy on her face for getting 28 out of 94 girls (K-6th grade). I think she was 105 out of 154 last week. She ran the whole way and was so proud of herself.
Turns out, she did such a good job that she got 4th, Kathlyn (on right) got 3rd and Erica (on left) got 2nd!
Way to got girls!