The Trip, Part 1

On Wednesday we left our kids in the hands of the very capable grandparents and we flew to DC. The flight was long and boring. I knit, James read. I know, exciting. Anyways we got to DC and my friend Tami picked us up. She so rocks! She let us stay at her house for the night. We were getting settled in and funny story... I cut my hand on a tiny piece of glass. It hurt like no one's business. I went into the bathroom to run it under some cold water. And then I started feeling woozy. I called to James and the next thing I knew James was holding me on the bathroom floor trying to wake me. Yes, I was felled by a tiny piece of glass! Want to see the big bad owie that made me faint? Here it is!



Awesome, huh. I feel like a complete moron. I mean, who passes out at this type of stuff? Oh yeah, me.

Here I am with my friend Tami. I thinks she's totally awesome. She's a really good friend and I'm glad that I got to know her better.

Pleased as Punch!

So, little known (or widely known, depending on how you know me) fact is that as much as I am at the yarn store I really don't knit at all. I mostly crochet. And since I have professed rather vigorously that I DO NOT KNIT... here is where I get to eat my words.

I finished this today. Yes, FINISHED. As in actually knit something and didn't take it apart after a few rows. You see, I prefer to crochet. It's faster and if you make a mistake it's not nearly as hard to fix it as it is if you were knitting. That being said, I just love how knit items turn out. They just look more "finished" and not so "homemade" looking. I've always said that I don't have the patience to knit. I guess I must have learned some somewhere.

Here it is, a purple fingerless glove to wear to Gabe's T-Ball games.

A Surefire Way to Get FAT!

So, while hanging out on Ravelry one day I came across a little known thing called Cakewaffles. Mmmmm..... cake.



To make Cakewaffles is very easy. Mix up a box of cake mix exactly as it says on the back of the box. Turn on your waffle iron. Next you put some batter in the waffle iron and cook it for the same amount of time as a regular waffle. Serve warm topped with your favorite toppings. I specifically love Devils Food Cake with Whipped Cream and Strawberries. I've also heard that the Yellow Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream is also very good.

I know you all want to try them.

It's not the Aquarium of the Pacific.

But beggers can't be choosers when you need something to do with your kids.

The Seattle Aquarium is actually not that bad. We got there late in the afternoon. We saw them feed the octopus. All the mammals were out playing. The girl and the boy loved it. We should have bought a family pass though.

Here we are in the bubble. The boy thought this was awesome. The girl didn't want to leave. I must admit that I love to sit in these types of places and just hang out. I needed a break! We window shopped on Queen Anne. Had lunch at the 5 Spot. Hit up the Trader Joes for snacks when we got to the Aquarium. Went to the park. By the time we actually made it to the aquarium I was beat!

The boy riding on a whale.

This seal was HUGE!

Nobody puts Baby in the corner. Except Baby herself...

Kerney Park

James and I discovered this park yesterday while on a foray in Queen Anne. It's a smallish park set on the side of the hill overlooking the majestic Seattle downtown. It's a great view and I can only imagine how beautiful it is on an actually sunny day. The view is very famous. It's the one all those "hollywood" types use for stock footage of the city. Here is a good example as modeled by my extremely cute children.



At this park is a little play area that while looking down on it you think... "oh, my children will like that". But what you don't know is that they have a few pieces of equipment that are the FUNNEST things you have ever been on.

Example #1, #2 and #3 the "teacups". Fun little things you sit in and they spin you around and around. No pushing required. Perfect for my lazy self. All of us tried it. I didn't get a pic of James doing it, I was too busy spinning!


Oh, here is a pic of James spinning. Yes, this is a very cool little park.


More gratuious pics while at the park.

An unknown obsession... ok, well my husband knows about it.

I admit it. I love any and all things Harry Potter. In fact right now I'm brainstorming my Tonks costume for the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Yes, I realize that it doesn't come out until November. I'm seriously considering doing one of those paper chain countdowns in the House colors. I'm THAT excited.


I listen to PotterCast, and SnapeCast and everyonce in a while MuggleCast. I read fanfics. I love finding HP artwork and actually think about purchasing some. (Insert blush). But where oh where do you hang a paiting of the Trio? (For you Muggles that would be Harry, Ron and Hermoine). And how to not get teased unmercifully about it from your IRL (in real life) friends?

My MIL and I frequently have HP Movie Marathons. Complete with a HP feast... Unicorn Hair, Gryffin Bites, Butterbeer. So yummy! Ok, so I'm a nerd.

The newest HP obsession is books on CD. I now can crochet my HP inspired fingerless gloves while listening to Jim Dale's lovely english accent. Oh, how I'm a sucker for accents! Must be why I love the magical ENGLISH world of Harry Potter.

Oh, and for fun I dug up this photo from when a few friends and I stood in line for Half Blood Prince (in a SMITHS!!!) ... my friend Lara as Bellatrix Lestrange...

Four Play

I've been tagged! I feel so special!!!

Four places I go to over and over: Jo-Anne's, Renessaince Yarns, Top Foods and Target and yes, they are for the most part within ten blocks of my house. I have this theory....

Four people who email me regularly: Christine, AFA (American Floral Association), My good friend Erika and of course a lot of monthly newsletters from all the establishments I like to pretend I shop at.

Four places I like to eat: ArchaThai, Il Riconsito, Panera Bread and Chipotle. And yes, also all within a mile radius of my house. You see, I have this theory...

Four places I would like to be right now: Visiting my friend Erika and her new baby in Vegas, Hanging out with Kelli A. in Santa Monica, Yarnia in Portland and I really would like to be somewhere warm and tropical right now!

Four TV Shows I watch all the time: Ugly Betty, Samantha Who, New Amsterdam, How I Met Your Mother

Four people I think will respond: Misty, April, dang it but Tia already tagged me. So uh.... Stacy and Kelly.

My kid plays T-Ball!!!

It really is a surreal thing. I grew up in a very artsy house. My dad was in drama, my mom was in choir. I did the whole band/choir/drama thing. My three sisters have done one or all of the same as well. No real sports in there. Ok, there was a summer or two when we were on the Parks Swim Team. But most of my growing up was in rehearsals.

My husband however was a jock. He played football in high school. His parents are really into sports. His siblings did sports. You could say most of his growing up was spent on a field (or a court... whatever).

Here's Gabe in the line-up at his first game. I was so upset. We got his schedule on Tuesday and his first game was on Thursday. And wouldn't you know it, but I had a big Scentsy party at the same time so I missed it!

James got some video footage. For going to film school his camera work is complete crap. I'm starting to wonder if he was awake during that class. To give him credit he was trying to coach Gabe.

T-ball is VERY funny and entertaining. The kids really have no clue what going on, so there is a LOT of shouting from parents and coaches. "Run to first. No not THAT way".

My favorite footage of the game: Gabe is running the bases and the ball comes near him. He stops, backtracks, picks up the ball and throws it to first. We've since had the discussion that he really doesn't need to help the other team while he's running bases.

He's loving t-ball and so are we. Well, I could do with some warmer weather, but this is Washington. I don't think warmer weather exists here.

As Said By Carmen

Carmen: Onica, you know everything!
Me: Not quite, but close. ;-)
Carmen: Well Angie does.
Me: Angie?
Carmen: Yeah, Angie Wenger. She knows everything!

Well, there you go.

A little of this... a little of that.

Saturday was quite possibly one of the most beautiful days I have seen in a LONG time. Seattle is absolutely gorgeous when it's 81 degrees outside and not a cloud in the sky. Gabe was so excited to wear SHORTS and a T-SHIRT. But wouldn't you know it, we are back in the 40's/50's. I guess good things don't last forever.

Gabe and his shorts. Notice the white legs and the shoes/socks that don't match his outfit. Hey, he's 5 and dresses himself.


Aidyn's jelly shoes. I love jelly shoes. LOVE them.


My loving kids. They really do this a lot. It makes me so incredibly happy how much they love each other.

Quite possibly THE BEST blog post I have ever read

Us Vs. Them aka LDS vs. FLDS

http://thegabblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/just-for-record.html

Seriously. The Best.

Read it, pass it on, leave her a comment, add her to your favorites.

Is it wrong???

To hope my kids sleep in just a bit longer?

To save up money for trips/fun things/moving I have started watching Carmen (6) before and after school (and on her days off as well). I also watch another set of girls Sylvie (2) and Macey(18 months).

Today is the first day with all of them. Carmen is on spring break. Sylvie is new the area and I've had Macey before.

Yes folks, that is 5 kids in a two bedroom 800 sq. foot apartment. And yes, wouldn't you know it, it's raining outside. I think it will be a playdoh day today.

So, it's 8am. Carmen's been here since 6 but she went back to sleep. Macey and Sylvie got here at 7. They are playing. My kids are still sleeping. Oh please, let them sleep just a TAD longer.

My (not so new) New Years Resolution

Yes, I realize that it is April and that New Years was 4 months ago. But what can I say? I've been busy! I would try and update you all, but it would take forever seeing as how the last time I blogged was well over a year and a half ago.

So, about me now. I need a list.

1. I'm a SAHM (yippee!) although I do watch some kids part time here and there. Mostly before and after school stuff.
2. G is 5 and will be going into kindergarten this fall. He's starting to read VERY simple words. Oh, and he's playing t-ball.
3. A is 18 months and she is, well she's a pistol that's for sure.
4. James is still working at Trader Joes. He's now in management.
5. We are seriously considering the idea of moving to North Carolina this fall.
6. I'm obsessed with Crocheting (and sometimes knitting).

A recent finished project...

It's pretty. I love it. A nice harlequin stitch made into a cute scarf. For my fiber loving friends it's made out of Cascade 220. If I was smart I would have made it longer and felted it. Oh well, live and learn. It's still cute though.

Some recent pics of us and the kids...

Lumberjack G


Miss And I

Cutest Baby Announcement EVER!!!

Just had to share my first foray into using Photoshop...

Baby Girl

Here she is! She was born on Sept. 12th, 2006 at 8:08pm. She weighed in at 7 pounds 5 ounces and is 20 inches long. She is beautiful and the pictures do not do her justice. I'll have to take some more in the next few days while she is still "new".













With her incredibly cute older brother who loves her to pieces. Literally.













She really didn't like being weighed, but honestly what woman does? This picture cracks me up. Notice how she's trying to pull herself out.













And this is a pure vanity thing. My hair looked fantastic thanks to my friend Kelli who cut and blew it out the night before. No clear picture of baby girl, but heh, my hair looks good for just having a baby!








I'm sure there will be more pictures on the way. I'm in that half delirious, sleep deprived stage.

My latest projects...

A blessing blanket I made for a friend who is due a few weeks after me... I used Bernat Baby Coordinates in white. Pattern by Terry Kimbrough in Book 4 of Absolutely Gorgeous Baby Afghans. Hook size H.


A baby blanket I am working on for my baby girl due Sept. 16th. Simply Soft yarn in Sage, Pink and Rose. The square is called the Fisherman's Square. Still working on the edging. Size H hook.

And last but not least. My pride and joy. A baby blanket I made for yet another friend who is due a week after I am. The square patterns where from the 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton. I used Canadiana yarn in Light French Blue, French Blue, Cream and Brown. I love this and will be so sad to part with it.

So, I havn't been scrapping, but at least I've been keeping busy.

A few pics for some friends...

Just a few pictures of me recently. The ones in the pink shirt were taken on July 2nd. The ones with the blond hair were taken July 14th. I got bored and needed a change. My friend Kelli is an amazing hairstylist. I love her and what she can do to my hair!

Does once a week count?

So now that I am feeling better my mind is racing with all of my ideas to get back to working in some capacity. Wish me luck!

I have a wedding in July, maybe one in June. In may I'm speaking at a wedding seminar and will be taking my business cards! I'm hoping to at least get a few weddings from that.

The Baby Girl has started kicking! Now that I know what I am having I feel more of a pull towards my dusty and negleted scrap area. I have so many pics to get processed too! I could scrapbook every day and all day and probably never be "done".

Someday, right?

We're having a girl!!!

Had an ultrasound earlier this week to see how the blood clot behind the placenta is doing. It's still there. So, I'm still on modified bedrest for a bit. NO working. Suckfest. I need money SOOOO bad. I have a cable bill to pay for goodness sakes!

Anyways, while they were looking around in there we decided to find out the gender of this bundle of joy I'm carrying around. A girl!!!!

I finally, finally have a good excuse to buy all the girly scrapbook paper I want. That's if I ever get to go back to work.

It's time we updated this thing.

I'm not a woman of too many words these days. There are a few reasons I suppose. You know, I havn't done a list in a while...

Reasons why I hardly ever blog...

1. I'm lazy.
2. I really have nothing good to say.
3. I'm on bedrest and other than "Hey, I crocheted a sweater today" not much else is going on.
4. I was hurt bad by some friends. Nice, huh.
5. You would be surprised about how much having a blood clot in your uterus hurts when you sit up for long periods of time.
6. A three year old crazy boy running around all over the place is just not conducive to being able to have rational thoughts.
7. I'm lazy.

Seriously, I think I'm the only person who likes having a blog but who doens't actually like updating it. I know, I'm weird.