Sewing pillowcases...FUN!

So several months ago Anna & Carly asked Corrine and I to give them sewing lessons. We decided that pillowcases would be the best project...straight lines - simple. So today was the big day. Corrine called them earlier this week and invited them to go out to lunch, shopping for material and then back to our house to sew. They were really excited. Last night I started thinking about sweet Mac. He is becoming such a big boy now and he wants to go with the big kids. I mentioned this to Corrine and was concerned he would be upset when we left without him. Corrine talked to Rachel last night and we decided to play it by ear and see how he was today.

The plan was to be there at 11:00 am. I told Corrine we needed to be on time. They would be ready by 10:30 and would be asking Rachel....when is it time. Sure enough we pulled up at 11:03 am and the garage was open and the kids were out waiting for us! Mac came running out to the car saying he wanted to go too. Rachel said it was like Christmas morning--the kids kept asking when it was 11:00 am they we so excited. So, we decided Mac would go too!

Our first stop was Joann's Fabric store. We let each of the kids pick out their fabric. There were SO MANY choices! What was a kid to do?! Well after they looked at all of the fabric they finally made their choices. It was such a busy day a Joann's we had to wait in several lines. Corrine got a number to wait to have the fabric cut. I started walking around with Mac. We were really hoping to find "Lightening McQueen" fabric. As we walked around we found some in the quilting section and he was so excited! So, of course, we got it!

When it was finally our turn to have our fabric cut the kids were so cute watching the gal cut the fabric. Mac was on his toes trying to see over the table. Gotta love those smiles! The gal was great. She paid special attention to each of them as she cut their fabric and asked why they chose the fabric. Carly's fabric has monkey's on it and she told the lady, 'I climb every where and so my dad and uncle call me a silly monkey'. It got a smile out of the lady. :)

After the store we went over to Chick-fil-A for lunch. It was very crowded but we still had a great time. As we were finishing the girls told us their dad loves chicken and so they take the extra to him. So, on our way home we stopped by the office to give McKay some chicken nuggets. :)

We used both the sewing machine and the serger. Corrine recently had the serger serviced, etc. It is purring like a cat these days and the girls loved it. Corrine called the 'pedal' the 'gas pedal' and we all thought that was great. Every once in a while I would hear Corrine say "stop" and then Anna or Carly would laugh and say, 'I forgot how to make it stop.' We took Mac home for a nap because he was falling asleep and so we all worked on Mac's pillowcase together.

After we were done Rachel came and picked up the kids. Mac was done with his nap and so he was able to come get his pillowcase. The girls were excited to show it to him. They all plan to use their new pillowcases tonight. When it was time to go home Mac was not happy. He really wanted to stay. They will have to come back and play again.

Corrine and I had a great time and so did the kids. They want to do another project so there just may be pajama bottoms in their future (and mine).

A day off in the RAIN

So today is my day off. I must say it was the perfect Wednesday to have off. With our week of rain it was so nice to be able to stay home. I have been perfectly lazy -- reading, resting and relaxing! I decided to take advantage and build a fire!

Unfortunately my appointment with aunt Maryann was cancelled. At Christmas we put today on the calendar for me to go out and help her with her IPOD. We both decided it wasn't a good idea to drive out there in the rain. So, it will wait for the next Wednesday off!

It's raining, it's pouring. . .

So today it has been raining all day! It is so nice to finally see 'real' rain! The great news is it will rain all week long! We need it so I will not be complaining! It was down pouring. Usually it will down pour for a few minutes. Today it came down this hard for a few hours.

The wind was also blowing and so trees limbs were coming down all over the roads. I had to drive around them. One of the trees in the parking lot out front lost a large branch - it fell on someone's car! So glad it wasn't mine.

I stuck my arm out the door of the office to capture this short video for my family in Utah to see that yes, we are having winter weather. :) Hope you enjoy! PS Mom is like a kid in a candy store she is so happy about the rain!

Okay - sorry for the disappointing news but my SHORT video will not load! Darn!

Mother Goose is on the Loose. . . To Market

Today Carly had her first school program. This is the same one Anna did last year and since she already knew the part she volunteered for the same part. She and a friend recited "To Market, To Market". Her class each did different nursery rhymes. It was so cute to watch them! After the performance they had 'refreshments' in their classroom. Carly was so excited to get to the 'party' she was ready to go as soon as it was over! So much fun to be able to participate in these experiences! Thanks for the invite Carly!

Disneyland with TJ & Corrine

Corrine and I take our nieces & nephews to Disneyland for their 8th birthday. TJ turned 8 in September but we haven't been able to schedule since he doesn't live close. We decided to take advantage of him being here for Christmas. Thankfully he had an extra week off school so we were able to go on a day that wasn't as crowded. He wasn't too sure how much he was going to smile, but we were successful and he smiled A LOT!

Our first ride was Star Tours. He really liked this one. These pictures are a little shout out to his dad, Todd. We were in door #3. Hmmm someones favorite number. He seems to have the same face as someone else! :)

Astro Blasters is one of my favorite! Yes, it was fun again with TJ. We ended up going twice because we had such a good time. He was fascinated by the size of the 'screws' in the wall.

At California Adventure we saw Lighting McQueen. . . a little shout out to Mac here! And look - I see a smile!

This is my new favorite ride. TJ really liked it too. Unfortunately it is everyone else's favorite ride too! The line was the longest of the day and it took its toll on all of us! I included these pictures so you can see TJ's shoes. He spent the night at our house last night. On the way over he was wearing two different shoes. Chelsea told him to chose the pair he wanted to take and he forgot! So, he had one of each! His comment - 'good thing they are the same brand so I won't notice.' Gotta love boys!

Redwood Creek was fun. He talked Corrine in to a race down the slides. My camera skills weren't the best and I made them do a 're-do' and so well this is the best it gets!

When we headed back to Disneyland we found out we could take a ride in this old fire engine. TJ had been fascinated by it in the morning along with the horse-drawn carriage. It was fun! We went from the front down Main Street to the Castle. TJ even got to ring the bell and he took full advantage of it!

Tarzan's Treehouse was a hit! TJ enjoyed swinging on the rope and also being able to play the 'instruments' at the end.

TJ was so excited to go on Indiana Jones and I don't think he was disappointed! How lucky for him we got the front row and he was the 'driver' of our jeep! He worked for Grandpa R and earned $20 to spend. After much consideration (and thanks to Corrine patiently explaining to him the cost of various items) he settled on a snake from the Indy shop.

Well these are just a few of the pictures and the rides but I wanted to give you a little glimpse of our fun trip! We stayed the whole day (10-8). We were all tired at the end. Thanks TJ for a fun day! Hope it was memorable for you!