What we've been up to

Spencer's back. And so is the family self-portrait. {psst, real family portraits are coming. i am beyond excited to see the results.}

We've had a little vacay.

And brought home a white beast.

T-minus: 20 days till we evacuate Idaho, 30 days till Bahrain. Let the fun begin.

YouTube Tuesday: Is this the way to D.C.?

I'm leaving today. In about 24 hours, I'll be seeing my honey again! We get to meet at the airport in Washington D.C. I'm imaging a scene something like this.



But, remember, today is YouTube Tuesday. A video now. You just want to get up march along to Amarillo.

Oh great, Mairyn is 8!

Definition of : Mairyn
Comes from: Irish-Gaelic
Meaning: Wished for child

My sweet Mairyn-berry. My precocious progeny. Ever curious and honest child, you are my beloved angel baby and always will be!

Apron Madness

If you hadn't noticed, I've been a bit busy. Keeping sane by sewing. This is my latest creation.

Another self-portrait attempt. At least I cut off my head. Not a good hair day.

And I made the pocket just a *teeny bit* bigger so I could slide my iTouch in. Truthfully, my iTouch is the biggest electronic accoutrement I like to carry on my person. My phone & anything else fits easily, too.

This is what the book's apron looked like. I didn't like the teapot, etc. applique. That's pretty much the only thing I altered. And I didn't use checks. This book is funny. It's got the aprons named for the fabric they used; this one is Domestic Diva's Checked Dream. Uh, what if I can't find checkers or tutti-frutti fabric? Dumb. But hey, the book has great patterns!

Our 4th

We had a great 4th, er, 3rd of July. Saturday was the parade, fireworks, etc. The parade in Rexburg; historically cold. Seriously, it was 49F when we left the house at 9am. And it warmed up to about 56F by the end of the parade. Fortunately, I still had some comforters in the back of the van. It didn't impair the parade at all. It was the best it's been in a long time. I'd like to say my fingers were too cold to take any pictures, but the truth is, I forgot my camera.

After the parade, we all drove down to Grandma & Grandpa Bowen's for a BBQ. Idaho Falls was at least 10 degrees warmer. I'd say about 71F. Perfect, perfect 'being outside' weather. I'd like to say that I was stuffing my face with grilled burgers & dogs, so I was too busy to take any pictures, but I'd be telling a half-truth! I was otherwise occupied, gorging on picnic yummies, yes, but I again forgot my camera.


The day warmed up a little in Rexburg & we had some fun outside time. We headed over to Mom & Dad Penrod's later in the evening. This time, I remembered my camera. We had fireworks from dusk until way past bedtime.

Dad lighting the kid's sparklers

.
We were graced with a gorgeous sunset. I looked over and it was like a framed picture! I had the camera clicking way too many pics, then back to fireworks. Then we'd glance at the horizon again & it would have changed to an even more impressive vista. Camera out again. Repeat about 4 times. Each one was better than the first. It was hard to pick just one. I have a favorite for each phase!

Of course, here's Jacqui looking so edible & yummy!


I think Jacqui was the only one with the right balance of firework interest. She liked them, but knew to give them their distance. I had the other spectrum of kid with Mairyn & Grant wanting to burn the town down & Eliza refusing to even touch a sparkler!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! I love the 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!!

-

If I could choose to have a birthday on any holiday, it would be the 4th of July. Which was probably why I was so excited when my Mairyn was due on July 4th. (She decided to wait until the 11th.) The reasons why? Not all patriotic, I just like the parades & family time. And the fireworks. And the BBQs. It's a great American holiday!!