Vacation 2011

This year we went on vacation with my side of the family. It was quite an adventure as we traveled to Utah and spent a week on a house boat. We all had lots of fun and considering there were 17 people ages 1 to 80 in very tight quarters we all got along famously.

Sawyer mostly enjoyed playing with his cousins and running up and down the hall. He didn't love the water, but towards the end of the trip he became more tolerant and would play with a ball in the hot tub (that wasn't heated) for a good while. However, he was not a fan of the sand. We also got to enjoy (we as in his parents) the 1st sleepless night in his entire life. He was up until 3 am one night and he simply was not tired. He just wanted to play and given the very tight quarters his parents were not happy campers. However, we survived and the rest of the week his sleeping returned to normal.

Everyone in the family quickly learned how FAST Sawyer is. I don't think anyone truly believed me. I'm sure they thought...he's 1 we've got to be quicker than a 1 year old. We all learned that was not true as he quickly dashed to any and all open doors. He also figured out how to open and close doors so there were several times he would perform a vanishing act by hiding in someone's room. Normally not a big deal, but when you're surrounded by water it's a little nerve-wracking. Thankfully God protected our little escape artist and he never went overboard.

I mostly enjoyed relaxing in the sun and reading magazines as I couldn't really participate in the water sports. Kyle however had lots of fun on the speed boat tubing and kneeboarding. He did pretty well for an old guy. He also got to enjoy some fishing.

Thanks mom & Randy for planning this vacation! I know it was lots of work, but it was wonderful to be with the whole family and we had lots of fun!

And now for picture overload:

Attempting to go to bed the 1st night on the boat

Our view of beautiful Lake Powell

Our home for a week

Sawyer learning some rock climbing skills. And Kyle is not trying to make a fashion statement with the turbine. He lost his beloved Royals hat to 50 mph winds on the 1st day so he had to find a way to keep the sun off his sun burnt neck.

Sawyer & Tyler playing with the big red ball

Running down the hall

Papa giving golf lessons to the kiddos

1 of many intense games of chess...Adam & Randy

Grandma entertaining Sawyer

Kyle caught the 1st fish of the trip, however it was not nearly the largest

Me & Kyle

Playing on the beach amidst the canyon rocks

Adam & Wendy soaking up the sun

BUBBLES!

His 1st speed boat experience was primarily spent doing this.

He did get a chance to "drive"

We took the short hike to Rainbow Bridge

Lake Powell

Grandpa, Christina, Wes, Kristen, Kyle, Wendy, & Adam at Rainbow Bridge

Sawyer's 1st reaction to the water

Noah & Tache playing in the hot tub

Sawyer warming up to the water...he's got a ball that always helps

Noah & Sawyer in their matching gear

the 4 cousins: Colten, Tyler, Noah, & Sawyer

Our family of 3 1/2

Playing in the water

Tickle fest while drying

Papa & Sawyer

Tyler & Sawyer in their favorite spot...at the end of the hallway right near the back door...why oh why?

Timber

We've had a few nice weekends and Kyle has been busy in the yard. I wouldn't call it landscaping so much as de-landscaping.

Here's the house a few short weeks ago. With shrubbery and trees in their full glory.

The gargantuan pine tree on the side of the house

A close-up of 5 of our very mature yew bushes

We had a few helpers who graciously worked on cutting down the tree.

And here is a picture from the safety of the indoors right after the huge tree fell. I think all the boys had fun playing with the manly chain saw. In all reality the tree came down very quickly. It took way longer to cut the tree into small parts and deposit it at the yard waste drop-off location.

And the house now in all it's bare naked glory.

Now the landscaping begins...where to begin...I think we'll start with a "floor plan"

Like Father Like Son...

The other day Sawyer climbed up on the couch (which he does no less than 1,000 times a day) and he found something that daddy had left. This is what ensued...

Look what I found!

Chug-a-lug

Waaaaa, why is nothing coming out. I want to taste the nectar of the Gods as daddy would say.

Quilts

Call me crazy, but recently I've had the urge to try and make a quilt. I keep seeing all kinds of beautiful, modern quilts online and it makes me want to try. Now don't think I'm delusional enough to think I can just whip up a quilt during nap time (that's how quick most of my projects are :) but I'm slowly building the courage to give it a try. I think the 1st quilt would be small...either baby sized or twin bed sized. Plus I have lots of cute scrap fabric I would like to use.

Here are a few examples of quilts I'm loving and also a few quilts that I like and don't seem too difficult.

Rainbow Bunting Baby Quilt from A Pretty Cool Life

Scalloped Edge Baby Blanket from Zaaberry

Circle Quilt from Little Bean Workshop

Am I crazy for trying another hobby?

Shoe Fetish

Sawyer LOVES shoes! At social events he always heads to the pile of kids shoes and picks his favorite pair to carry around.

The other night he spotted my bright yellow flats and insisted he give them a try.

While he looked pretty funny I think it's about time I taught him the difference between girls and boys footwear.

Nursing Cover

My college roommate is expecting her 1st child just 10 days before little lady is due and I couldn't be more excited for her. Unfortunately, we don't live close, so I wasn't able to attend her baby shower, but I did create a little something for her to use once the baby has arrived. She and her husband have decided to wait and find out the gender when the baby arrives, so I wanted make something gender neutral yet useful. My solution was a nursing cover and a few nursing essentials. I altered it from previous nursing covers I have made by increasing the size for added modesty and I used upholstery weight fabric which I think made it look and feel more professional.

I used this tutorial from Sew Much Ado.

Itsy Bitsy

Sawyer loves to music and one of his most often requested song is itsy bitsy spider and he loves to do the actions. This video was staged, so he wasn't interested in the 1st round, but if you stick around until the 2nd rendition you'll get the full show. Also, please ignore my attire...I'm pregnant so my pajamas don't have to match :)

Untitled from Kristen Schenk on Vimeo.