April Piecing

I've been doing a bunch of random piecing as leader/enders while I was making other tops this month. I finished all the Rhododendron Trail B blocks and started getting the side blocks done. 

I finished a few more Rhod Trail side blocks. These go together pretty quickly. 

I am getting caught up on Christmas In Europe blocks. This is block 5.

I also finished block 6. 

I made new curtains for my MIL for her birthday. She loves red and butterflies. 

Another block for the CIE BOM is done. 

More side blocks of Rhod Trail Mystery

I also pieced two quilt tops, but they are already quilted, so I will share those soon. 
 

August Family

Paul's grandpa passed away in KS in August, so we went to his funeral. This picture is our family with Paul's dad Mike.

We got to see Great Aunt Lil as well.

My MIL with Aunt Lil

My MIL, Aunt Lil, and I

Paul, Mikaela, and Mike

Our family

Grandpa Mike and the kids before we left.

We also traded our camper for a bigger one with a separate bedroom in the back for the kids. We love it so far.

This is with the slide in, but it's really pretty and has a nice hardwood looking floor.

Family Events in June

June has been packed with lots of family fun days. The kids and I went to the Piedmont Library summer reading program and played on the playground.

We attended the Main Street Square Kids fair.

Ballon animals were a hit.

We said goodbye to our beloved Missy. She has been with my husband since before we were together. It was a hard goodbye for all of us.

My co-worker is retiring, so we held a reception for him, this replacement, and the department head. Faculty, staff, and students attended.

Mathew had to give Missy one last goodbye kiss.

The kids and I went to my brother's ranch for branding. My nephew is the same age and these two have so much fun playing together.

Mikaela holding her first calf.

My niece and nephew branded too.

Mathew didn't like the noise of all the calves.

We visited my MIL's brother when he was here from Vegas.

And we went camping at Roubaix Lake. Mikaela got a new doll and she's pretty excited.

Paul and the kids on Fathers Day.

December OMG Goal Finished

It's hard to remember back to the beginning of December. I have accomplished a lot and couldn't even remember my goal... so I looked back and low and behold I actually finished it. I finished all of the Christmas gifts I had planned to make. I even stayed caught up with the BH Mystery Quilt. My December goal was to make my MIL a pillow.
She loved it! Which is saying a lot for my MIL. She usually doesn't comment on my stuff, but she loves these colors. I made it with a zipper in the back, so she can remove it to wash it if necessary.

She also loved the table runner. I made from the other scraps.


I finished individual mug rugs of all of these sayings but then made two wall hangings with the rest. I made 10 co-workers Christmas joy a little happier.

A friend graduated from nursing school, so I made her a lanyard as well as a little bag. I also made one for Mikaela's teacher.

I finished the apron for my nephew for Christmas. It's from his dad's old shirt. Mathew wasn't really into modeling it for me.

Linking up with Elm Street Quilts for the OMG December Finishing Party.

December OMG Goal

December always flys by for me, but this year I feel like I have a good handle on gift buying and making. I already have many of my gifts done. I have a few mug rugs left to bind and an apron from a shirt that I just keep putting off, although it probably won't take me long once I start.

My December goal is to make a pillowcase out of this quilted piece. It's for my MIL for Christmas. I've mad her a quilt, table runner, and now the pillow for her room. She loves the blue/whites. The pattern is Strip Lash by GE Designs

I'm linking up with Elm Street Quilts for the One Monthly Goal.

Embroidery Sunday

I have wanted to make some embroidered towels for quite a while, but finally got them bought about a month ago. It took me another month to get the embroidery stuff out and make them. So long in fact that my computer had to be re-booted and I lost the software and had to re-install it. Luckily all the stars aligned and on Sunday I got to spend about 3 solid hours embroidering.
I made Uncle Tom a towel for camping, since we made Aunt Jane one a while back.

A towel for me for camping this weekend

A towel for Grandma

A towel for daddy

A t-shirt for Grandma Leslie (she has a sweatshirt, but I wanted to make her a t-shirt).

Then I just had to make Grandma Ann a new t-shirt since Payton was born after I made her sweatshirt.

My friend Pat gave me this stand for graduation and our professional picture fits in it perfectly! I just love this picture and the great saying on the stand.

Kids Camping & Parade

We went camping over the Labor Day weekend. Since I so often take pictures of Mathew, I thought I would try to get a few of Mikaela. She was less than cooperative. Here are a few from our Saturday morning, right after she got ready for the day.






Later in the day we went to the beach. Mathew didn't like the beach, but he did have fun on the shore.

Mikaela and mommy played in the sand.

Later in the evening we went back and Mathew played with Grandma Leslie.

He loves to stand up and wants to walk, just can't move the feet just right yet.

Mikaela was sporting her new water wings. She loves the water.

Last Saturday we went to Keystone for the Holy Terror Day Parade.






A sweet lady offered to take our family picture. It's been forever since we've had one taken.

Grandpa Hugh came and took Mikaela.

He took her for her first moving pony ride. She loved it and wanted to go back again and again.



She was slow to learn how to pick up candy, but eventually she got it!

Grandpa Hugh, Mathew, and Daddy sat back and watched near the store.

Grandma Ann was on the Emporium float. Mikaela was too busy catching bouncy balls to recognize her.

It was a great day for a parade and lunch with grandma and grandpa. The kids were beat!