I am SEW awesome

So I decided for Christmas this year I would hand-make some of the presents. After searching through countless blogs for fun ideas, I settled on two: an apron for my nieces (and perhaps a chef's hat...if I can find the time between now and Friday at 3pm) and a car caddy for my nephews. Here is how they turned out....freaking adorable and I made them all by myself...well, with a little bit of help from my Singer Sewing Machine.

The aprons are child-sized and reversible. Notice the adorable pocket on the front.

The front of just one.

Here are both car caddies. One "buckled" and the other one undone.

Closer look at the front while closed.

Here he is open.
Notice the 6 "stalls" for parking your Hotwheel cars and the two lane road ready for driving.
Just fold him back up and throw in your bag for traveling.

Now that I have both aprons and car caddies complete, I'm done with my nieces and nephews for Christmas (unless I find some time to make matching a matching chef's hat...But then again, it may just be pushed back as a birthday present...perhaps with some cooking tools....we'll see how cleaning, packing and weeding go before Friday)

How awesome is that? Plus, I am delivering Hailey and Landon's so I don't need to pay to ship them. (Katelyn and John live local. They will probably go under my tree so I can see their faces when they open them.) This is such a wonderful feeling.

Now I just need to make 3 more caddies for my boys for Christmas and find an adorable bigger apron pattern for Kim and I, to use up all the extra fabric I bought.

Funny Logan Comment

3 blogs in one day...shocking, but I forgot about this little tidbit I wanted to share.

On Sunday, Logan was getting ready for church. He had his black pants, white shirt and tie on. (Looking like a rather adorable mini-missionary.) He proceeded to put on his church socks and then his shoes. I could tell he was struggling with his shoes because he was grunting a little as he shoved his foot in.

I asked if the shoes were too small.

To which he replied, "No, I just need to push them on. It's just like pushing out poop on the potty."

Perhaps I will look to see if there are bigger size shoes out in my bins in the garage. If not, I'll pick some up. Don't need to have my kid hurting himself straining to get ready for church.

Little Miss Helper and Mr Big Boy

It has been a huge blessing having Kim home for the summer. She is so good to play with her brothers and let them watch movies in her room. She helps change pee diapers and watch Evan so I can get laundry folded or dinner cooked or even just a shower.

Yesterday, she went above and beyond her call of duty. Owen has been pulling at his diaper and trying to take it off a lot lately. It is driving me nuts! How do you explain to a two year old that he can't just play with himself all day long. I didn't have this problem with Logan and am about at my wit's end...anyway....

So yesterday, Owen was pulling at his diaper and says "Pop-ee". Kim asked if he wanted to sit on the potty. He nodded his head and ran off to the bathroom. I was feeding Evan, so I couldn't get up at that moment. Kim hopped off the couch and went to assist.

We still have our books in there from when we were potty training Logan, so Kim decided to read to him. Here they are with the ABC book.


Owen telling Kim it's time for another book. (Or perhaps play the music from the Tinkerbell snow globe that is part of my decorations.)


Now they are reading the Potty Book.


He sat on the potty two times. The first time, he actually went pee on the potty. Which culminated in calling daddy with to good news, lots of excitement and a special treat of marshmallows. Yea! My little boy is getting one step closer to potty training. Nothing happened the second time, but it is progress.


Perhaps with Kim home for the summer, she can get him going consistently. How awesome would that be!?! That would definitely mean some REALLY great treat for a wonderful big sister. Suggestions?

4th of July

(Yes, I'm aware that it is the 12th of July....Remember, we are pretending that this post was done on the 4th...Use your imagination people!)

Our Independence Day was wonderful. We started out the day at church and heard some great testimonies about the importance of the Freedom we have in this country. I love singing the patriotic songs and feeling the spirit bear witness of how utterly blessed I am to live in this country.

We then came home, ate lunch and put the kids down for naps. I got my food items ready and napped myself. I woke up and found Steven and the kids playing outside. Kim and Logan were taking turns playing Lassoball (AKA Red-neck Horseshoes) against Steven. I have to say the kids are getting better and better. Owen kept stealing the balls and running off. Notice the peach tree in the background, it was only hit once or twice....my garden wasn't so lucky.


Notice in the background (off to the right) the edge of my garden. The poor romaine lettuce and broccoli got the brunt of the attack, but held their own. Guess our players will need to perfect their aim some more.


Here is Logan between games and playing with his bucket. Probably off to dig up something from my garden. (I don't have to worry about too many little pests...just a couple 2 legged ones armed with shovels.)
Here is Mr. Happy Baby. Evan was content to sit on mommy's lap and laugh while everyone else played. Check out that grin. He is just so adorable and don't worry, we pinch those cheeks all the time. It is just too hard to resist.


After a yummy BBQ dinner (hot dogs for the kiddos and super yummy, marianted and grilled pork for mom and dad) we tried to get some pics of the kids in their Red, White and Blue shirts. Fortunately, I made red jello, so it blended into Owen's shirt and kinda fits the pattern of Logan's. Here are all four kids. Such a cute little, uncooperative bunch.


Here is Kim. She hates getting her picture taken...or at least she claims to.


Logan all posed with his fake grin with his flag. (Thanks to Michaels for our super cheap swords with fabric attached.)
Owen very proud to show off his flag. He didn't want to sit still and get his picture taken. He wanted to run around and hit stuff (and even people) with his flag.


Precious little Evan. He was the best one for his pictures. Just layed there and looked cute. Not too hard a job for such a wonderful little boy like him.

Sorry there aren't any pics of our super awesome (haha) firework display. First, we are mean parents and make our kids go to bed early. (We were going to let them stay up until 9, but they were super cranky from getting up at 6am and needed to get to bed.) Second, we lit off fireworks at 8:30pm while it was still pretty light outside. (Yep, it gets dark at 10pm here, because we are so far north. I consider it one of the few sucky things about living Idaho.) Third, I was way too lazy to go back inside and get the camera. I told Steven to, but he didn't feel like it either.

So there you have it. Lots of good food and games. Some fireworks for the kiddies. And some pondering on the Freedom that we are blessed enough to have. All in all, a wonderful holiday.

Oh, what a wonderful morning

Here was my morning...

Owen woke up yelling to be let out of his room at 5:50am. (He can't open the door, so we just shut it to at night to prevent midnight wandering and early morning destruction.) Steven, my wonderful husband, go up and told him to go back to sleep (I'm sure much more lovingly then I would have seeing as I was up at 4:30 with Evan).
Logan comes out of Evan's room (we are trying a trial separation of the older two to see if more sleep ensues, not working so far) while Steven is coming back into the room. Steven tells him to go back to bed.
Steven gets ready for work and comes to wake me up at 6:15am. (I have requested this torture so I have time to exercise and shower before the boys get up...yes, you can laugh at me now.)

I drag myself out of bed, put on my workout clothes and start my Yoga Booty Ballet DVD.
Yes, I love it. (And ballet is awesome exercise. Got me down to a size 4 in 2003. But that could also be partially attributed to also working 2 full time jobs, going to school part time and being a single mom.)

Back to my story...so at 6:27, Logan (pretending to be sleepy eyed like he just woke up) comes into my room. I have to stop my DVD and tell him it is too early to be up and to go back to bed. To which he replies, there isn't a clock in Evan's room (he is suppost to stay in his room until 7am). To which I reply that I will come and get him when it is time to get up.
Restart my DVD, finish my workout and go shower. Glance at the clock, see it is only 6:45 and decide to fold laundry that has been sitting in a basket in my room since Friday.

While folding laundry (and loving it...yes, I'm weird, but it's like meditation....just like pulling weeds from my garden is...no, I'm not being sarcastic, I really do like both of those chores, just ask my husband...I was pulling weeds in the rain last night. I finally came in when the lightning and thunder were striking pretty close to the house.) Sorry for the tangent, back to....While folding laundry, Logan comes into my room again. I look at the clock 6:55...I tell him he still has 10 minutes (hey, I wanted to finish with laundry and make my bed while I was at it) and to go back.
To which he responds with, "I'm just really sad that dad had to go to work."

Me: "That is sad, but you need to GO BACK TO BED. I will get you when it is 7."
He groans and slams the door shut. Luckily, he didn't wake up Evan.

I finish the laundry and get it in the basket to put away when Owen is awake. I go to make the bed and remember that Evan peed out of his diaper (on daddy's watch, while I was pulling weeds) on my duvet and it needs to be washed. So I take the comforter out of the duvet and take it into the laundry room to wash.

While I'm getting the machine ready for a load (Evan's clothes to be precise...baby clothes to fold today....sigh) Logan comes out AGAIN. I call him into the laundry room and we have a talk about him listening to mommy. Goes something like this:
Me: Logan, what did mommy tell you?

L: To go back to bed.

Me: So why are you out of bed?

L: Because there isn't a clock in Evan's room.
Me: I know there isn't, that is why I told you that I would come get you at 7.

L: But I don't know what time it is.

Me: I know you don't. Daddy is getting a clock today for you. But you need to listen to mommy when she tells you something.

L: But I did listen to you.
Me: No, you didn't. Mommy told you to go back to sleep and you have come out of the room 2 times since then. And Daddy even told you earlier to go back to sleep and you didn't listen.

L: But I'm just sad that daddy had to go to work today.

Me: I know you are sad, but you still need to listen to mommy. Remember what Jesus tells us...to listen to your mommy and daddy. Don't you want to be like Jesus?

L: Yes. I will listen to you tomorrow.
Me: (Ever so doubtful, but knowing that husband is picking up alarm clock today) I'm sure you will. I love you, Logan. You know that right?

L: Yes. I love you too, mommy.

I know you are judging me for playing the Jesus card. But sometimes you gotta make a kid think. And since he really is "Trying to be like Jesus" as his favorite bedtime song goes, a woman's gotta to do, what a woman's gotta do......
PS. Neelie, 1 down...2 more to go. Get ready!

Logan's 4th Birthday

My little man turned 4! That time has gone way too fast! He is learning and growing everyday!

Jumping! One of his favorite activities. He jumps off everything...his bed, the couch, the stairs...you name it, he will probably jump off it.

So for Logan's Birthday, Nikki decided they wanted to do something different. They wanted to take Logan out to eat for his birthday and then over to the dollar store to pick out a present. Awesome idea...Logan loved it. Monday night, they went to....


And of course, at the INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES, Logan ordered a hamburger. He gobbled down the whole thing. At the dollar store, he was a bit like his mother, indecisive. I guess he went through a huge list of items he wanted (including, but not limited to a spiderman ball, flowers and rubber snake) before settling on 2 Word World books. (That is one of his favorite shows. And he can read both of them all by himself.)

When they came back, we had some cake and sang happy birthday. Check out the awesome cake (Baked by mommy and decorated by daddy.) and the huge, cheesy grin on his face. Notice Katelyn standing on the chair in the background. (Just wanted to point out it was Katelyn and that I don't in fact dress Owen in girl's clothing.)

After cake it was off to bed.

Tuesday, June 15th, the real celebration was to commence.
Logan got to wear his "Birthday Boy, Baseball" shirt that I found on the Kohl's clearance rack 2 days previously...man I'm awesome. We basically bummed around the house all day waiting for daddy to get home. We let Logan decide where he wanted to go out to eat. (Tradition in our family, the birthday person gets to decide.) Where did we go you ask...

Which worked out pretty good since Tuesday is 1/2 price happy meals. This dinner was good for our budget. And pretty yummy. (Yes, I did work at McD's for a few years and will still eat there. I think I'm addicted to their burgers and nuggets.)

Logan got to play in the playplace for a while and then he played some fooseball and air hockey with dad and it was time to come home. We had some leftover cake and then opened presents.

Just some of the haul!

Very happy about showing me the money. (Also a great present idea.)

Daddy and Evan watching Logan read a card. (Yes, he reads. And rather well.)

Owen wanting his pic taken as Logan opens presents.

Excited for his new Darth Vader Light Saber.
(He is obessed with Star Wars. Want to be "Luke Skywalker, Jedi" for Halloween.)

Checking out the PJ's and Soap kit from the Birds.

(And yes, he wore those PJs to bed that night.)Such a great day for the Birthday Boy! Thanks for all the presents! He was excited about each and every one. And thanks for all those rolling in...

PS. Grandma Andersen...we have watched "Pistachio" many, many times. I think it was definitely worth the money you spent on it.

Evan's Blessing

Here is the sweet little man in his precious tux that Grandma Andersen made for him. Also a shout out to Andrea (my wonderful florist neighbor) for his adorable boutonniere.


Evan's blessing went well. Steven's mom, Rena, flew up for the occasion and to visit the family on Memorial Day. Oh, it was nice to have a ready-made and willing babysitter in the house. I was able to get some much needed projects and cleaning done. Not to mention the older 2 boys loved spending the afternoon across the street at the park with Grandma. (On the 2 days it wasn't raining or cloudy while she was here.) Here she is pictured on the left. My parents on the right. (If you don't know the two people in the middle...who are you and why are you reading my blog? No really...I would like to know.)


My parents and little brother came out the Friday night before the blessing and left the Monday after so we were able to hang out all day Saturday and Sunday. As tradition goes, Dad took us all out for dinner to celebrate Nikki, Brian and Logan's birthdays. After much deliberation we decided to go to:

I don't think anyone was disappointed with the choice. If you have never been to Cracker Barrel you are missing out. They have good, down-home, Grandma-cooking-with-lard food. Mom bought Logan and Kim the peg games they have at the store. Kim enjoys playing the game. Logan and Owen like putting the pegs in and pulling them out. (Owen also got a little dinosaur. Once he figured out how it works he was delighted to watch it go and growl at it.)

Sunday morning we all made it to church early. I even had time to set up the Primary room and get things organized because I was conducting. In typical Steven fashion, the blessing was short and sweet. We came home from church. Talked, played and ate the day away. Luckily, Mom and Dad were able to stay until the next morning and we were able to talk into the evening before they headed over to the Richardson's house for some sleep.

Here are the men that were in the circle. (Uncle Brian, Daddy, Evan of course, and Grandpa Andersen. Not pictured, Bishop Reynolds.) What a nice looking bunch of men. Thanks for being worthy and willing to help with the blessing.

Here is our family....Once again....getting a good pic of 6 people is way to hard. We will need to see a professional soon. And yes, I did plan that everyone would match, but not too matchy. And thank you Steven for changing your tie...(The one he originally had on didn't match. I had to whine a bit, but he finally broke down. Perhaps because I suggested I would change it for him, but more likely because Kim picked a dress that matched and he didn't want to be the lone man out.)

Here are my parents with 2/3 of their grandchildren. All 4 of my kids and Nikki's 2. Just missing Melissa's 2. Don't worry...we will get one of those this summer in Cali.


And last, but not least, my cute little brother holding his newest nephew. Aren't they adorable!?! (Girls, he is only 16 and needs to serve a mission, then I can give you his number.)

All in all, there was lots of fun, good food and lots of family. Can't wait to get together again and see all those Cali's we missed.....Melissa and Co, Sharon and Crystal.