Brain Dead

I have started 10 different blog topics and I just delete them. I am suffering from death of brain.
So have a happy Friday. I'm going shopping.

Newlyweds settling in.

Duncan and Kallee were able to move their belongings to their new home for the next 18 months. They are house sitting for a missionary couple. They live in Farmington . K&D don't have access to the whole home but have plenty of space for their needs. A garden and yard with fruit trees also await them. They are still unpacking and deciding where to put everything. Can you believe that they were so excited to get started that they didn't even change? What does sister do? Anything big sister wants her to. What does Duncan do? Unpacks, moves boxes, tries out the microwave and makes sure the computer is working. What does Kallee do? She unpacks and makes sure the kitchen is organized and the bed is made. What does mom do? Takes pictures, unpacks,, organizes the camping gear in garage and tries to keep rattled daughter in one piece. Moving is stressful but guess what? You don't have to do it again for 18 months?

Memory Fun

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! (And if you only know me through blogging, then leave your favorite post and why you keep coming back! :) )
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It’s actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don’t want to play on your blog, or if you don’t have a blog, I’ll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Check out my Slide Show!

Moving the Newlyweds

Saturday was the official moving day for Kallee and Duncan. They are moving into a home of a missionary couple who will leave for the MTC Mon. July 21. They will then return for the weekend and head to Rochester New York Mission on July 28. They have a nice yard and lots of garden and fruit trees to learn and take care of. They will be living in Farmington, UT

I'm sure Kallee will fill you in on the details on her blog. Next move: Clint and Nat, Aug 1 to Washington Terrace in Ogden, UT.

Pioneer Children

A cute but young pioneer couple. Notice the grins on their faces. No Kallee, not the dance face, this is about pioneer times.

Kallee: Yes, I am woman, I am strong, I am a new bride and I'm the boss. Duncan: Yes, Kallee, yes dear whatever you say. I will go and do whatever you want me to do. Yes, I love you Kallee, You are the best.. Need I say more? The picture says it all.

Boys, Boys, Boys

Heavenly Father must have decided that we need more boys. I don't know what the statistics are in your area in regards to boys vs girls being born or are due soon, but in our area and family the boys are out numbering the girls. Josh and Fred are delighted after all they have grown up with more sisters than brothers. So a big shout out and Congratulations to the new babies that have just been born!! Welcome, We love you and are so happy for you.

Oops a request!!!

Calling on all photographers. I want to dabble in photography. Fred bought a new camera last year, it is a Sony DSLR A-100. He has also purchased extra lenses which I have no clue what to do with them. Natalie says it is a sweet camera. I would like some direction, classes, web sites personal info. to look at or take. Any suggestions? I'm tired of reading the manual and the community classes won't start for awhile.

Blog lifting

Thanks to all my favorite bloggers and for your links. I love to peruse them all and find great ideas for myself. I recently lifted the link - All recipes- from Sushi - mama and I love it now. I especially like the nutritional labels posted with each recipe. I've lifted sites from Mayor of Crazytown and love them as well. Mayor keep them coming!! My only contribution is the Sugardoodle.net link. I like most of the ideas and I tweak what I find to fit my needs. Thanks to Small and Simple for finding the 'Healthy' links. I need more honey, especially the good cookin' kind. I'm tired of Weight Watchers and want real recipes. I enjoy reading your blogs they are so fun. Have a great day.

I am not addicted!!

I am not addicted to the computer even if my husband thinks so. Let me explain. For a few years we went without TV in our home and our source of information came from the Internet. We do not take the paper. Whenever I wanted to use the computer he was always on it. Yes, honey you were. You may agree to disagree if you want but you always call me the boss so I win okay? (If you are still confused then you should read Clint's blog on women. ) Fred loves(d) ebay and he would search for hours for deals on the Tour de France, soccer, DVD's, anything. He told me he was shopping for Christmas and yes, sometimes he did, so I just waited for my turn. Things have changed and we have TV for awhile. (rational- Tour de France and a bundle deal) so Fred is watching the Tour de France and not spending so much time on ebay. He now says that I'm always on the computer. Since I love blogging and keeping in contact with family and friends he says I'm addicted. I just laugh. My 'addiction' doesn't cost me money, just some time. I probably spend more time looking for ideas for Primary Singing Time, scrapbooking, and any other crafty thing than I do blogging.

My solution: Buy me a laptop!!

Especially for Robert

Primary Visuals and some singing time favorites. This is a long blog so don't get to bored okay?
This picture goes with the Summertime song below. Third Verse

pick and choose doors. Choose theme/pictures

Sing out ball. This ball expands and gets huge. Tried this

last week and it was a great way to review Called to Serve. Sing soft to sing out

Windwands-- made using swivels from fishing gear. Glued bead onto dowel with ribbing cord.

Used a rivet at top of ribbons. Lot's of fun

Used with Do As I'm doing or Fun to Do etc.

Rhythm Sticks. Lot's of fun.

Stop and Go. This is my preferred method.

Oh What Do you do in the summertime?
First Verse--kids put faces through. FUN!!







Second Verse

Third Verse--lost picture I'll try and re post it. Actually it is at the top..

This is my version of Singo Bingo. I used church clipart that could represent various primary songs. When we want to just sing I'll bring out singo bingo. I have a card for every child in our primary and I bring smarties to use as the markers. I have the children try and guess a song that will go with the pictures. I also make a back-up list to use.

Alphabet Choose. Lot's of variations. Choose a letter and a song title to go with the word, or choose a letter and a word from a song. Last week the classes played against the missionaries. We played rock, paper, scissors. Each class decided what sign they would use. Then one, two, three to see who won. If the class won they choose a letter and told the group one thing that missionaries do. If the classes didn't win, then the missionaries shared what they do. It was alot of fun. This could be adapted between children, or children and primary leaders. You could use a variety of themes or questions. We sang at least five songs between the game and questions.

Primary Trivia. Categories: Church History, Book of Mormon, Bible, Primary Made up questions to go with each group. Played alot like trivia and sang between questions.

another Pick and choose, Fun to DO

Musicalopoly

Sing out Pete is one of my favorites. It is played like Don't Eat Pete. On the bottom of each square is double-sticky tape. Place a skittle on each and hold poster carefully. Two children are chosen. One goes out of the room, the other comes to the front of the room and chooses a square that is "it". When the child comes back into the room they start to eat the skittles, when they get to the square that is it the group says; "Sing out Pete" we then sing a song. I use this alot to review. I have had several children who clear the whole board. I try and trick them sometimes and gasp when they get close to a certain square.

Other Songs:

The Church of Jesus Christ - Stand or sit each time you sing the word "I" or "I'll"

Give Said the Little Stream - Stand or sit when you sing the word "give" - clap your hands on the word "stream"

Choose the Right - Turn to the right each time you sing the word "right"

Dare to Do Right - Stand or Sit each time you sing "Dare" or I have the word "Dare" printed up and whoever is holding a "dare" card stands up with the card each time we sing that word.

Thought for today

Oh what do you do in the Summertime?
When all the kids are home.
Do you drive yourself crazy,
because the teens are so lazy,
or do you get on your bike and roam?


Oh what did I do with my summertime?
It went by rather quick,
Not much time to be cool
working at a year round school
Now I find myself back to work and I'm sick.







I

Short and sweet

Short and sweet will be my entry today.

The Little K. babysat and watched the kids play,
as Mr. B. flew on Southwest airlines all day.
The adults F & C rode bikes around town,
Got flat tires which made them frown.
JC worked the big man's job,
C wished she had more time to blog.

Cute Nieces and Nephews

Hair Today, Gone Today

Chapter 1

This is a story about a young girl who used to have very long hair. When she was four her curly hair length was to her bottom and she was the envy of many. She had the perfect hair with just a little curl and body to it. She hardly ever complained about it being combed. Then one day to her mothers horror she decided to do the unthinkable and get it cut.....very short. Mother didn't like the idea very well but being who she is decided to let her have her way and get it cut. It has been this way for these many years. Long one season, short the next. My complaint? How do you get your hair to grow so fast?

Chapter 2

Cutting hair didn't seem to satisfy young K for very long. She then ventured into (seventh grade) the hair coloring option. Oh, she found this to be so much fun. Have you ever wondered what she looked like with nearly Black hair? Too bad, can't find the picture to show you. Her hair color at graduation time and Nat's wedding was nearly black. She loved it. Mother wasn't so fond of the dark look. Again, being the mother that I am let her do her own thing. She finally came to her senses and lightened the color and yes, cut it again.

Chapter 3

Getting married wasn't that big of a change in life for Ms. K. She handling it just fine. Good thing it doesn't have to do with Duncan. However, she got the itch to make a change AGAIN! So Ms. K. being who SHE IS....cut her hair. Yes, seven inches off and being the mother that I am.....have no control on what she does. She doesn't live here anymore!!!

Birthday Boy!!

This is Fred.
This is Fred sleeping on the couch.
This is Fred sleeping on the couch in his biking clothes.
Notice the bag of chips on the carpet and the remotes carefully placed nearby.
This is what Fred likes best about birthdays.
Sleeping.

Facts about Fred.
He is a Tour de France junkie.
He eats ice cream from the carton with a fork.
He rode 57 miles on his bike to celebrate his birthday.
He rides his bike to work everyday. New job is only 2 miles away.
He loves MUSTARD!!
He is a great gardener.
He has never shot an Elk with a bow/arrow. (personal joke)
He loves history.
He hated being woke up in the morning by Margo to do the dishes.
He loves animals, especially puppies or baby animals.
He has scars on his back from when he was thrown from a horse into a barb wire fence.
He was born in a car.
He nearly drowned in a ditch in Moab.
He played the tuba, wrestled and played football in High School
He had a very high GPA in Graduate School.
He loves to shop as much as Char does. (VERY GOOD DEAR!!)
He is a magnet to the kids in primary.
He is like Peter Pan and never grew up.
He loves the TV series MONK. (it's a 'mental' thing)
He can watch a movie over and over (like Dumb and Dumber) and laugh just as hard as he did the first time he watched it. He cries (yes, Carl) during great movies like Radio and Remember the Titans.
He loves Shakespeare.
He still plays with fire. He just uses gas cans and a blow torch.
He laughs so hard at camp jokes. Re-tell the jokes five years later and he can hardly get the words out he is laughing so hard.
He loves SOCCER!!
He still thinks he is tougher than Josh or Blake.
He would love to go to Ireland.
He can't stay up late anymore.

Happy Birthday to Derf Noslrac. King of the couch, boss of the remote and Man of the Year.

Craft "Fix"

Here are some pictures of the projects that I worked on yesterday and one this morning.

Heading to the fabric store for more goodies to sew and make. The "wild thing" is a self-binding receiving blanket done "my way". The corners are mitered, they have a decorative trim and the animal print is adorable.

Blessings

This morning I woke up and had such an over whelming sense of gratitude for my Heavenly Father. He has helped me so much recently and I am in awe of how much he blesses all of us in spite of all of our weaknesses.
I have cluttered my life with so many "good" but not necessarily essential things in life. As I have started to unjunk my life I have felt the sense of peace return and am finding the joy in the little things that I so love. For instance making the blankets yesterday and today. I love the fact that I can sew and when I am sewing I just relax and learn from the experience. I am grateful for my simple talent to create with my hands. When I knit, crochet or read a book I take myself into another realm and escape from reality. I cherish the simple moments granted to have peace. I love the early morning bike rides that I have once again taken up. When on my bike I block out the pressures of life and just let myself fly and enjoy the nature that is all around me. Biking is probably the best de-stresser I can ever have. I love to read the scriptures in the morning when all is quiet. I love leading the music in primary and when I properly prepare I have so much fun and look forward to being with the kids in primary each Sunday. I love being with my family. It has been great to have some special moments with each of my kids. I love being with Fred. There can not be enough said about family. I am so blessed to be part of two wonderful and amazing families. I love the fact that Robert started CarlsonJunction. Thanks.
I appreciate my children's friends and that they will talk and respond with me. I love my Savior Jesus Christ, through whom all things are possible. I am extremely blessed.

YES!!

Yes, thank you children and husband for letting me make a huge mess in the kitchen and my sewing area. Thankfully this evening I began cutting out squares for a quilt top and I was able to sew a darling receiving blanket. I will post the pics later. After 5 1/2 hours I have successfully cut, sewn and pieced together a top for a baby blanket. I also put together and have sewn a self binding receiving blanket. ( not for my daughters but a lucky someone who shall not be named at the moment.) Not bad for an evening. I even had time for a little chat with my neighbor. Oh it feels so good to 'create' again. I am going to try to machine quilting this blanket. Should be interesting. I'm not in the mood to hand quilt tomorrow. I like fast easy projects that look like you spent days, weeks and months at it. Time to snooze. Happy Day tomorrow!!!!

Today I am going to..

Today I am going to make a quilt from the darling material I just bought, then I am going to sew two more adorable baby blankets and after that I will start knitting my socks from the cute yarn I purchased at The Needlepoint Joint. My day got interrupted with work and so now I'm going to pout because I was so excited to start my projects and I hate it when I am interrupted.

Today (the next day) I planned to start again only to be interrupted....mad mama.

TODAY I AM GOING TO CUT OUT THE QUILT BLOCKS!!! Well today is not totally over and I just might begin. So teenagers go into hibernation!!!!! Just kidding I love my kids but I really need a craft "fix" right now. I would just like to put everything on hold until my crafting and scrapbooking is done. Like I've said before.. I've had it with reality I want a fairy godmother!!