Sewing 101

While in Utah my sister had a few baby related sewing projects she wanted to accomplish while on maternity leave. We shopped to pick out fabric and had the projects pretty well planned. As luck (or genetics) would have it, she didn't have as much time to WORK on said projects as we'd thought. That's where Rylee and I stepped in. I was working on the carseat canopy (you know the blanket thing that hooks to the carseat handle keeping people from sneezing on your precious newborn, or give said baby relatively undesturbed slumber as you run errands). Rylee was interested in what I was doing, so I plopped her up on my lap to help (it was basic straight-stitch sewing at this point).

We pulled out the camera and she was all smiles. We've got ourselves a future semestress and this Momma couldn't be more proud. I helped her help me guide the fabric, which basically consisted of keeping her hands away from the the needle (which may or may not have been her number 1 priority at the time). As she tugged and pulled on the fabric I was talking to her about the parts of the machine/sewing etc and said "you don't need to push or pull on the fabric Rylee, there are things called 'feed-dogs' that do that for you" After I finished talking she replied with an "OH" as if she were saying "now I get it Mom!" We couldn't help but laugh out loud.

I remember something very similar to this for myself. . . . . my own Mother was sewing something and I'm sure I was driving her crazy with the project. She stopped what she was doing and pulled out pattern pieces (it was a floral terry-cloth ish fabric) and we made two jackets (mini robes?) for my cabbage-patch dolls. Now, maybe Rylee won't remember her 'first sewing experience' but I remember mine. Thanks Mom, I still love it.

at the Wright's

The rest of the trip we spent at my parents house. We hadn't been there for 5 minutes and Michael was attacked by the boys, pretty soon they were picked up in one big heap. My parents neighbor was taking his horses and buggy in the parade the next week and needed practice riders, we were happy to oblige. "Look Momma, horsies!"

We also spent a day on the lake - this time up to Deer Creek. The water wasn't *quite* as cold as our previous swim - we had a blast chillin on the boat laughing at those who knee-boarded, tubed, and rode the water weenie. Rylee and I even went on a little tube ride.

The best was seeing the little kids go out together, when they fell off the water weenie, they clumped together like magnets, it was really cute. . . . . there was one of us that thought the boat was a bit of a bore:

Since one day in the water wasn't enough, we headed to the local pool a couple times too. I must say Lindon City has an awesome pool for kids. Everyone was a big fan of the lazy river, the slides and the large shallow area. Each of the cousins wanted a turn taking Rylee down the slide- we both loved it.

Our trip just happened to fall over Lindon Days. So Saturday we headed down the street to watch the parade and pick up candy. Pretty sure it was Rylee's first parade. We were able to walk to the end of the street to watch in the shade, its a 30 min parade and they hand out more candy than one child should intake - we shared. We took in another Lindon Days activity: the boutique/craft fair. 4 of the 5 sisters went from shop to shop and had a good laugh with one shop in particular. . . . . They didn't believe we were all sisters (then to top it off one claimed we were two sets of twins) - if they could guess which one of us was the oldest (or youngest) we'd buy one of the prints they were selling. They guessed wrong but since they quoted us such a great price, we couldn't pass up the bargain. :)

The cousins had a great time playing outside together. I loved being able to shop without Rylee.

This is the result of a (soon to be) 7yo helping Rylee get into the swing. It was even more funny watching the 8yo try to get her out - he wasn't quite tall enough for proper leaverage.

Thanks to everyone who made time to come hang out with us!! We love you all so much and wish we could see you more often!!

make it a two-fer

I basically had this trip planned from the moment I found out my sister was pregnant - only it was originally a "girls only" vacation. A few months ago we found out Michael's parents {entire family actually-including his sister & husband who currently reside in Japan} were going to be in Utah near the same time we decided to postpone my trip a bit and he'd join us. Making the vacation a two-for-one. YAY!!

We stayed in a condo in park city and partied away. We spent most of the time catching up, playing games, swimming, and hacking one another's facebook accounts. We even squoze in a few minutes to take family pictures. To top it off, Michael baked a birthday cake since the 3 female in-laws birthdays are within 23 days from one another.

This cousin was basically the only one Rylee allowed to touch her for the first 48 hours. There were A LOT of new faces for her to familiarize herself with, on both sides of our families.

She eventually warmed up. . . . .

sort of.

We even spent a day at Jordanelle Reservoir. The water was FREEZING! I think Rylee was the only one who didn't complain. I was quite the wimp myself, I guess I've gotten accustomed to swimming in warmer water than I bathe in. We had a couple wave-runners to play on and had a blast. It took all the will-power I've got to not throw Michael off - its no fair when you can't retaliate.

On our way out of town we stopped where Michael and some of his siblings rode the Alpine slide/coaster. I did say 'no' to some things this vacation because of my 'condition'. Let it be known, I wasn't happy about it. I settled for taking Rylee on the carousel. She loved it by the way: oohed, aahed and giggled the whole time.

We took the long way home and stopped by Grandma/Grandpa's for a few minutes on our way home as well. I loved going over the mountains, it was beautiful. We got out for a few minutes at the top and spotted a moose (I think?) with two babies. Oh how I miss the mountains!!

It was fun to be together with Michael's whole family for a few days - who knows when that'll happen again, but whenever it is, we look forward to it!

what I went for. . . .

In case you were wondering why I've been a little mia on the ol' blog its because I've been vacationing my behind off. We just got back from a nearly 2 1/2 week trip to Utah. The primary reason for my trip was to meet the cutest little boy on the planet - none other than my latest nephew, Bridger. Having to wait a full 13 days to hold this little guy was killing me!! He is just so sweet!!
There isn't much better than the smell of a newborn. I could have just squooze him all day, but with a big family I had to share.

I was really anxious to see how Rylee would react not only to me holding a baby, but a baby in general. Telling you she loves him in an understatement!!! {I'm a little relieved at that fact and it made me REALLY excited for our baby to arrive}

Her favorite thing was to help burp him: she'd hold out her hand and grunt annoyingly until he was within reach, pat his back a few times then giggle, so proud she helped. She really was facinated with him, she'd say hi and wave whenever she saw him. She'd give him hugs and kisses and even hold the bottle when we'd fed him. Even as I type she is smiling at his pictures, laughing, pointing and waving.

He really is the best baby!! I was there for a week before I even heard him cry and he eats/sleeps like a champ! It kills me that I can't see him more often but alas life goes on {I tried to take him home but his brother wouldn't allow it}. I'm so happy for my sister! {and pray our baby is just as good} everything else we did that trip was icing :)