Four Generation Quilts

My Grandma Lova made the best quilts, just ask any of her grandchildren. They were soft, flannel, cozy, wonderful quilts. Mine was a gift when I graduated from high school, many moons ago. It's a bit worn and needs a little repair in a few places, but I still have it.

After Grandma passed away my mom found lots of flannel hidden in grandma's closets intended for quilts so she decided to take it home, find a match and make a quilt for the great grand-kids.

While we were home in Washington I mentioned I wanted to make myself a quilt and mom brought up making one for Ethan and Avery. We quickly made a plan and decided to tie 3 quilts in the 4 days left of our vacation.

It took some figuring and a little work to maximize the fabric we had, but finally we made a plan and went to work.

We had a great time working side by side. The kids were patient and played so well together as Gram and Mom were busily sewing and tying. I decided I wanted to get the kids involved so we taught each of them to help tie the quilts.

Ethan's quilt: Red, Blue, and cars all over. He really like helping and tied more than I thought he would. He even helped with Avery's.









Avery's Quilt: Pink, Pink and more Pink with Purple and Cute Little Girls all over. She liked sitting by mom and Gram and wanted to tie all by herself. Finally she decided I needed her finger to help me get the knot just right.







It was a feat, but all 3 quilts were constructed, tied, and bound before we left for home! We all use our quilts every night and fondly think of Gram Cathy and Grandma Lova.

Reeling It In

My dad and brother both heat their houses with a wood stove. Which means lots of wood needs to be cut. Bob's a good sport and goes to cut wood once or twice each time we're in Washington. This trip was no different, but his help really paid off.

The wood cutting men (minus Ethan who did help load the truck this year) got to take a day trip and troll the John Day River Steelhead fishing.

They loaded up early and headed out for a fun day of fishing.


Each of them got to reel in a fish.





A great catch for all.











Bob's was the only nonnative fish so they brought it home. The kids were so happy to actually get to see Daddy's fish.

They all had a super time and are already talking about making this as much of a tradition as wood cutting! Sounds like a great vacation tradition.

New Year's Eve

Avery had a great idea for New Year's this year. It must have been a recent Curious George we saw, but Avery insisted we had a Pinata. Gram and I hunted all over town for the perfect one. Finally we found an authentic Burro. The kids filled it up with candy and prizes. Papa rigged up the rope and we were in business.



Everyone took a turn hitting the Burro trying to release some of the treasure inside.

Uncle Ry broke out the first treats and from there the kids were able to score a few goodies with each whack. Avery was pleased with her genius activity...



and her bag full of loot!






In keeping with tradition we played Mexican Bingo for prizes thanks to Gram. We were all spoiled with the many treats, toys, and fun!


I was impressed Avery made it until 11:30PM before asking Uncle Ry to put her to bed and Ethan partied until midnight and helped us ring in the New Year.



Finally at 12:01AM...He was out. Happy New Year!

On The Road

The day after Christmas we packed up the car and headed out of town. It's a long drive to Washington, but for all the fun we have...totally worth it!

We love playing with our Washington Cousins and were so happy to have so much time to be with them! Thanks Aunt Nan and Aunt Em for coming over so often and bringing our cousins!

A favorite is a day at Uncle Ry and Aunt Han's. The kids love to spend time on "the farm." Avery asks us to tell her the names of all the animals Ryan and Hannah have.

Ethan turns into a real farm hand, ready to work! He's so grown up when we're at Ry's.






The kids are getting so brave around the horses. They both let them eat apples right out of their hands.








Ryan also inherited Grandpa's 4-wheeler. It was fun to see the kids riding around with Uncle Ry. It brought back great memories of being on the old farm. So much fun and all this in the first few days we were at Gram and Papa's!

Christmas Day

All our Christmas preparations paid off! The kids were so excited they could hardly fall asleep...which may be why they slept in until 7:30! When they finally woke up we darted downstairs for the festivities!

Santa was kind to the kids and brought exactly what they wanted...A new baby for our budding mama and a blue light saber for our Jedi. It was magical to see the smiles on their faces.

The kids each got some really great gifts from Bob and I and Gram and Papa. The favorites...

A Playmobil Boat with a shooting grappling hook and fire jets.


Seven Princess Barbies! I love her excitement.


We dressed up and headed to Church. It was nice to focus on the real meaning of Christmas and see friends on such a special day.

After church we headed over to Grandma and Granddad's for the cousin party. Great food, more presents, and lots of quality time with family.

Avery got her own puppy to walk, just like Ally and Alissa's so she knew just what to do!



Ethan got Laser Tag. He'd played with Aunt Mary one day when she tended him...he was thrilled!

Doesn't this face say it all? We had a great Christmas!

Christmas Prep

There's a lot to be done before Christmas...This year we had a great time with all the things leading up to the big day.

A few months ago Avery asked me for yet another baby, she had 4 or more at the time so I told her maybe not. Ethan quickly chimed in and told her to "ask Santa for one for Christmas." That's all that was said and from then on Avery would say, "Santa bring me baby for Christmas." In a very matter of fact sort of way...she was a born believer.

She of course had no idea who Santa was because the first 2 times we saw him she wanted nothing to do with him and especially didn't want to sit on his lap. Finally, at the ward party I placed her on his lap. She quietly asked for a baby, smiled for a picture and was off. The deed was done. He would now bring her a baby.

We love to go to temple square and walk around admiring the beautiful Christmas lights and different nativities. This year did not disappoint. It was cold and a little crowded, but the lights were amazing. It's a great family outing.



The kids and I baked, crafted and cooked up a storm for neighbor gifts, family parties, and fun. It helped pass the time as we counted down the days until Christmas.


Finally on Christmas Eve we joined Bob's family for a couple of family parties. The grandkids always act out the nativity. I think they look fabulous all dressed up. Avery was the wise man complete with a gift for the baby and Ethan got to play Joseph this year as the oldest boy. He was proud of himself, felt so grown up.

We opened PJ's with cousins as is tradition. Ethan was excited when I told him he'd get to finally open a gift, then a few minutes later he came back to me and said, "but if it's pajamas never mind." Sorry kiddo!

Once we got home Avery insisted we leave a snack for Santa. Ethan wanted to include the reindeer which I thought was cute. Avery on the other hand was a little hesitant to think of so many visitors coming in to our house while she slept. She was shaky on letting Santa in, but no way were reindeer to enter our house. I assured her Santa would feed the reindeer on the roof. She calmed a little, but kept asking me if Santa would take the food outside. Ethan wrote a sweet note to go with the treats, I'm glad Santa wrote a reply on the back and left it for us!

It took some doing, but we were ready for Christmas...stay tuned for the big day!

It's Tradition

It's a tradition in our family to make sugar cookies and decorate them at Christmas time. This year Auntie Hannah and Uncle Ryan gave the kids a cookie kit complete with cookie cutter, recipe, frosting tubes, sparkle gel and sprinkles. They were thrilled.

We whipped up a batch of dough, rolled, cut and baked up lots of fun cookies. I love my little helpers and they love to choose the shapes and roll the dough. Ethan is really becoming a great chef and Avery is a super sous chef.

We invited Aunt Amy over to help decorate the delicious cookies (Uncle Ray needed her out of the house for a Christmas Surprise). It was fun to have so many great frostings and easy to use decorations.

We also had cousins over and frosted mini sugar cookies. I was impressed at how creative the kids were and how cute the cookies turned out.

Thanks for the fun Auntie Hannah!