Reversable Apron

I just finished this apron for a family friends daughter and I totally love it. I used a pattern that a lady in our ward designed - she is amazing - the same lady that taught me how to quilt as you sew. I just had to figure out a few adjustments because the pattern isn't originally reversable. I am so proud of this and I can't wait to make more - so all my little nieces out there may find one of these under the christmas tree - we'll see how ambitious I am.

Trampoline fun

It wasn't raining today finally so we went out to have some fun on the trampoline - it is Lincoln's favorite place to be - and Andy wanted his birthday bumps that he didn't get yesterday because it rained off and on all day.

I captured Storm in a mid flip and this picture always makes me laugh - I was not allowed to post it on facebook but the blog was okay - meaning she doesn't care if she looks foolish to all of you - it only matters that her friends don't see this. -I don't know why it was hilarious

This is Merrill mid flip - he has no fear!

Storm and Danielle agreed to give Andy his Birthday bumps - they swung him three times.....

And then sent him flying - he loved it - except for the first time they sent him into the net and he smacked his forehead onto the edge of the mat - not so soft.

The day Andy turned 6

As soon as my little man woke up this morning we knew it was going to be a special day - I can't tell you how many times he reminded me that today was his birthday!


We went to Leduc Rec Centre today for Andys Birthday - He loves the crazy slide there. This is Isaac and Lincoln in the hot tub.

Andy was sulking because it was time to go. Hard times when you are partying all day.

This was cake time -I didn't get everyone in the picture because some ran to hide - Danielle, Storm, Lorne - they are all on the couches - oh and Janet was hiding in the corner next to Rich

This was Andy's cake - there was a TON of chocolate - chocolate icing and loads of M&M's - Andy helped me sort the M&M's and then he ate all the leftovers.

And Andy's face is now back to normal but he also lost his second front tooth tonight. It really was about time since his adult tooth is growing in already in front of his baby tooth

Some more pics of the rec centre that were too cute to not put on here. Rich and Lincoln and Merrill in the kiddie hot tub.

Lincoln was laughing at Isaac saying his name half in the water and half out - I wish I could have taken a video so you could here his belly laugh - It was awesome.

Up on the Roof

Canada Day was a day for conquering fears as well as celebrating Canada - we took the kids - minus Storm who was at Young Women's Camp and Lincoln who was sleeping - up onto the roof to see the fireworks. This was my first time up on the roof - Isaac was very worried but Merrill, Andy and our friend Thomas loved it all. It really is incredible how different things look from way up there.

Andy was bit by a mosquito on his forehead and the swelling is a result of that - he thinks he looks chinese AND he tells everyone!

Family

I was thinking of my trip home and remembering the fun I had with my nieces and nephews - we went bowling at the Woodlawn Bowl - it had been 3 years I think since I had seen them and I swear I would not have recognized my nephew Cody if I passed him by on the street. I love these kids - they are always so loving and happy to talk to me - even if it has been such a long time in between.

This is the Wilson Family minus Brian. It was too bad he had to work - it would have been great to see him. Cody is trying to act tough because his Mom is with him and it's going to captured forever on camera but really he is very sweet and kind to his mom - sorry dude your secret is out! - Also should mention that I kicked his butt at bowling that night - I've promised him a rematch but it has to be here in Edmonton. (I'll do whatever I can to get these kids to come visit)

My niece Lindsey is such a sweetheart - we have chatted a few times over facebook and she and Isaac have as well. I would seriously pack her in my suitcase and bring her home with me if I could. And all those boys that will one day ( if not already) be checking her out better watch it! She deserves to be treated like a princess!

This is my nephew Jacob - don't you love his smile! I wish I could get to spend more time with him and know him better - maybe one day I can convince his mom to send out to visit us too. I don't have a picture of him mom because she never wants to be in pictures...It's crazy that he is almost as tall as I am

This is the Freuler family Norm Kate and little Rosemary - it was fantastic to see them - they could only stay a short while because Rosemary needed to go to bed. I wish I could have brought all my children to meet their cousins - it will happen one day.

Wipeout Adventures

This is Rich's favorite gameshow - he watches it almost religiously with the boys - they make their own version with the couch cushions and blankets - thankfully no mud...yet

They laugh so hard at the people falling and love when the commentators add in their cartoon versions of what has happened - you probably have to have watched the show to understand. Anyways - Rich has dreamed of one day having the chance to jump across the big balls and secure himself a spot for the final obstacle course.

He got a text message earlier this week from his sister telling him that Wipeout was coming to Canada. I have never seen him so excited - this is his chance to fullfill his dream!! He worked hard on the application and planning his Wipeout Canada Audition video - this is the link but if it doesn't work just search Richard Sefcik on youtube.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyucaStlRPM

I am so excited for him - we had a great time making the video - don't worry no children were harmed in the making of it - And Andy was really just acting....

Splashing

Today was Lincoln's first time at a splash park - I wasn't sure if he would like it or not since my other boys didn't like getting wet until they were 3 or 4 years old - He LOVED it!!

He was soaked right through and would run up to me and laugh and then run away back into wherever the spray was.

Andy loved shooting everyone with his water shooter - Lincoln didn't appreciate it very much

This is Andy being his normal goofball self. I have more pictures of him in crazy poses. I really wish I could just get a normal sweet portrait type picture of him but once he sees the camera the goof just oozes out.

This is the boys good friend Jayden - I picked them up from school while my friends save our prime blanket spot. Love good friends! This splash park is amazing - it has a climbing park as well with wood chips instead of sand. And there is a huge play park being built and it should be done this summer - this info is for people reading that don't live here in Millwoods

I love this picture of Isaac because it is so perfectly his personality - if only I could crop out the other boys - but at the same time they are needed because Isaac just attracts kids - he can find a friend anywhere.

Just one more of Andy because I was at the water park and he called me to take his picture (notice his posing) - I took this with the zoom all the way on. He is such a monkey

My latest project

I have been working on these placemats for a few months - only because Lincoln wants up everytime I try to sew - so he has to be tucked away in bed before I can work on anything. I learned to 'Quilt as you Sew' at an enrichment night in our ward - you can do this to make baby blankets, placemats, table runners and I am sure a ton of other fun things. For my first go at it I think they turned out great.

May 4 2010

Today I was hoping to take pictures of the grass that I planted where our garden used to be - I have been diligently watering it and was pleasantly surprised three days ago when the grass just seemed to pop up out of nowhere - my plan for todays post was to put up pictures of all the work we've done on our yard - this is what we have instead

View from my Front Door - notice Lincoln trying to get out while I was taking the picture - Sun, snow, it doesn't matter - he just wants outside!

View from my Back Door

Our plants that Isaac and I have been working on since April 14 (he's working on his gardening badge)


Yeah for Spring!

Piano Recital

Today was our first Piano Recital for the boys and it was very exciting - they practiced and practiced all day - if only they had put that much effort in all year.... A special thank you to everyone who came to watch - we do have the greatest home teachers ever - they came!! You guys (they will probably never read this) are the best!


I had a video but it isn't loading....

Also Heather came in from Fort Saskatchewan for the day. She cut my hair (and it looks awesome!!) and when Isaac came home for lunch he asked her to give him a mohawk. She would only do it if he called his dad at work and got his permission. Rich said he could but as soon as he got home from work it was going to have to be shaved off.

I also captured Heather in one of her finer moments - she was trying on Rich's Hallowe'en wig - she told me I couldn't put it on facebook but she didn't say anything about my blog - let's see if she notices - Rich thinks she looks just like him in highschool.

And sadly we had an injury - not surprising but still sad - Andy apparently fell onto a bucket (according to Isaac) or somebody pinned him down and hit him with the blue bucket (according to Andy) I don't know which version is true and I'll leave it at that.

I should also thank my wonderful husband for getting up in the morning to take Storm to seminary and then coming home and making me breakfast in bed and taking all the boys to school as well as Storm. Then he surprised me by coming home at lunch - but I do have my supisions about that - I think he came home just to see Heather and her kids and to see Isaac's mohawk. Anyways I am married to a wonderful man!

Dinner with Family

Last night we had a wonderful dinner with Cody and Mimi - Storm has been asking to have Jerk Chicken for forever now so we decided we would make it. Mimi and Cody told us about the marinade and we knew there was a milder version out there somewhere but Superstore or Safeway didn't sell it so we went with the Super Spicy kind. Mimi did eventually find the milder version which is now tucked away in my fridge for the next time we make it. The first bite was incredible - the flavor is amazing - and then it got HOT!! Mimi also had brought some yummy Jamaican drinks as well - we had a great time. Below is a picture of Jerk Chicken - I borrowed it from the internet - I didn't think to take my own picture - and this looks better anyhow.

For dessert we had an authentic Austrailian dessert called Pavlova - My friend Ro told me about it and it sounded yummy so I thought I would give it a try - I was really happy that she stopped by to give me some helpful hints as I was making it. The bottom layer is a type of meringue that you shape into a cirlce with a flattened centre - you cook it slowly for about an hour and 15 minutes - when you are ready to eat it you fill in the flattened centre with whipped cream and top it with your favorite fruit - we use Mango's, strawberries and kiwi's -it really was the best dessert I have ever eaten - AND there was no chocolate in it - so that's really saying something.

I love having family over for dinner - I love how Cody plays with my kids until they're exhausted - he can usually outlast them - they had a massive playfight out on the front lawn with these rock em sock em blow up fisty things (Merrill and Isaac's friends brought them over) It was hilarious to watch. Cody was knocking them flying and the kids just kept coming back for more. Then they decided to use their shoes as weapons - so Cody put their shoes up on the roof. It really was good times for everyone involved.

Anyways that's about all for today - oh wait - can't leave without one quick Andy story. Brother Siakaluk in our ward came up to me after church and told me they were teaching about repentance and baptism in primary today for sharing time. He was talking about how when we are baptizd we become perfect again - Andy jumps in and says "Well my brother was baptized and he isn't perfect" I wish I could have been there.

Let's try this again

I haven't posted anything in such a long time and it is because of a lot of reasons - firstly because having five children really doesn't give you much free time and with one being 15 I don't get the computer as often as I used too. I love all of my kids and am very proud of all that they are doing. Storm just competed in three dance competitions for Jazz and was awarded a High Silver, Gold and Silver. She was incredible. I loved watching her. For her last competition we brought Andy with us - I want to put him in Hip Hop classes next year. I thought it would be really fun to have them dance together but Storm doesn't think she is going to dance next year - she would like to try cheerleading. Isaac and Merrill have both been taking piano lessons this year and their recital is on Monday. It is going to be so fun to watch them - they are the only two students their teacher has so it is going to be all about them! Lincoln is learning where things are on his body like his nose or his belly button - he is tons of fun - his favorite place in the whole world is the gym - as long as there is a few balls in there to play with he is in his own little heaven.

I am super excited that school will be over soon - I love having my kids at home with me. we have a lot of fun plans for this summer so I hope it is warm and sunny.

In two weeks I am going to visit family in Guelph - my brother Brock is getting married and I am super excited to see everyone - it has been way too long - I have four neices I haven't even met yet! It will be hard to leave the three older boys here but they are thrilled to have Nana come and stay with them. I think they are counting down more than I am.

Just a little story about something that made me super proud of Isaac and Merrill and then a quick story about Andy. Isaac and Merrill had their HLAT (higher level achievement test)in writing - they had to write about and unsung hero in their lives. Isaac wrote about his Daddy and Merrill wrote about his big brother Isaac. It makes me happy in a way that no words can describe that their hero's are also their family. Andy's story - Rich has been telling the boys some greek mythology stories before bed and a few weeks ago he told the story about Achillies and just two days ago Andy was having trouble with his running shoes so I was helping him get them on - he told me to be careful of his heal - "it's my weak spot mommy'

I am hoping to be better at keeping this blog - I have to realize that I am writing this for me and my family and not care too much that what I write might not be entertaining to others - this is for us but I do think it's a great bonus if whoever reads this finds it enjoyable. I love my family and all the ways they keep my life interesting - till next time!