The Girl in the Yellow Dress

Well here it is! This post is mainly for my Mom but I'm sure the rest of you wouldn't mind hearing about this sewing adventure too:
This dress was suppose to be 1) done in a day. 2) reversible and 3) did I mention done in a day? So it took us two Sewing Wednesdays and a late Wednesday night to finish these suckers (Katie's dress for Effie is stunning black and white with yellow frill). I still haven't finished the bloomers for it, nor the fastens to keep it wrapped. That should only take a few minutes (which translates to 2 hours for me). We always underestimate the time it's going to take us but for very good reasons I must say in our defense.
Reasons include:
-It's difficult to follow a pattern...especially when 2 two year-olds are chasing each other around the house chanting "mine, mine, mine, mine".
-Ellie always knows when it's Sewing Wednesday and she let's me know by not napping for longer than 30 minutes at a time. (Though that very likely could be due to the 2 two year-olds running and yelling through the house).
-Our sewing table is also the apple slices and fishy cracker table.
-We try to follow the pattern and add our own little thrills (like making this pattern a reversible dress...not even possible)
-We both like to tell stories and philosophy about life. That may slow us down a little.
-Neither of us have ever made a dress before but we find ourselves assuming we can do anything for the first time as fast as an expert.
The list could go on. Katie, I hope you're cool with this list...maybe I should speak for myself :) The dresses turned out great and we learned a lot. Especially about making sleeves.
This week we'll be making baby shower gifts! I'm looking forward to the mayhem!
This is Camden...my Stud. He's getting so big. Day before last he even initiated going potty in the toilet!!! ...after he went #1 successfully in the potty, He led me to his room where he had successfully gone #2 on the carpet :) I love you Camden!!

Red Carpet Event

Last week, the women of my church (The Relief Society) got together to celebrate all that we had accomplished over the past year. The activities committee did a fabulous job creating "a night on the red carpet" atmosphere. T'liese and I are visiting teaching companions. She is the BEST ever!! I couldn't have asked for a better friend to team up with! One of the girls we visit is Heather...the adorable blond on the right. She is so fun and down to earth. We all get along so well! I'm so grateful for good friends.
T'liese and I bought these dresses and accessories together at the thrift store. My dress alone cost 6 dollars...clutch: 69 cents. Worth every penny...the 'aloha goddess' get up made the entire night 100 times more fun to get ready for and attend.




























This last picture is of Ellie in the new dress I made her last Week. Katie and I are trying to finish a sewing project every Wednesday. More pictures of the girl in the yellow dress to come. (Isn't Ellie the sweetest thing?)

This is an amazing photo my sister Ari took of our family while we were in Cali. Isn't she sc good? check out her stuff at ariphotography.blogspot.com

What a crazy month! Sorry I haven't posted for six weeks. We seriously have been out of town for almost 3 weeks of December. It's been so much fun, especially with Pat being home for a good portion of it! The first week of December we went to Utah for one of my best friends' wedding. It was the most beautiful ceremony I've attended thus far. What a great couple, I can't wait to get to know Bre's hubby, Mark better. During that trip we drove up to Idaho to visit Pat's sister Jodi and her adorable family. Then we drove all the way back to Arizona. We were only home for a week before we packed up the Tahoe again and headed to California. By far, my best visit back home yet. Such a fun vacation...packed with great beachy, California things to do. We stayed in the Hunter's Beach House for 3 days, that included Christmas, and then drove down to San Diego. We ventured out to Sea World, went on a bike ride, I got a facial...it was so fun. But seriously, the best part about it was just being with my Mom and brothers and sisters. I love my family! Thanks for such a memorable Christmas guys!

For New Years we put the kids down and had some of our favorite people over (T'liese and Joe) to eat yummy hawaiian pork stew (that T'liese made) and played speed scrabble. It was perfect, couldn't have asked for a better end-of-the-year hoorah! :)

This Morning I got so much done. I love being "on a roll". I organized the kids toys...that was a fat project to get out of the way. Now, this 2009, every toy will have it's place. I wish I could say the same for my office/craft stuff...and clothes, and toiletries...and stuff in the pantry.

New Beginnings are so important. It's always good to feel you can start over, clean your slate, try again. I'm grateful for everything the Lord blessed me with in 2008 (especially Ellie Baby)and I anticipate what's in store for us this new year. I'm sure a whole bunch of craziness and unexpected change. I say "bring it on, 0-nine".

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!