Mothers

I didn't even talk to my mother on Sunday. I tried, but she is off gallivanting in St. George and didn't pick up her cell.  No internet access while they are down south either, because they aren't staying long enough to set it up.
I do love my smart phone!
So I got to talk to her last night, and she (and Dad) is doing quite well, (else how could she and the papa disappear like they did). Apparently her heel is still really hurting, but the rest of her including her new shoulder is feeling AOK. As for Dad, his knee replacement is healing better and so he's up for activity too.

I was able to have 2 of my boys here for the day plus David's little family.

My girls sent me home from my trips to see them last week with some cute little items to commemorate the day as well.

 Aren't these Anthro measuring cups just adorable?

This Kitchenaide vinyl art fists me to a T.

The Hubby bought me some great flowers that were enhanced by my own sweet peas.

I feel loved. I hope my Mother does too.
Thanks ALL!!!

Michael's Call

In my previous post I was just back from DC and heading to SLC to pick up our baby from his freshman year in college.
Well, he had started packing,

and his messy room quickly converted to a clean empty room with the help of Stephanie and Mom.
Then I shopped with Stephanie (more about her news later),  located the oldest brother Jonathan, so he could go to lunch with us and say goodbye to Michael, (JG showed us a pretty authentic German deli in downtown SLC called Siegfried's that was very good and unique.) and ate dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Trolley Square. (this restaurant hasn't changed since the 70's and was okay, but too ordinary for todays highly developed palate)
That night, Michael and I headed off to Brigham City to be able to see Grandma Hodgman the following morning.

He got to spend a short time with her and say goodbye and then we headed out to California in the old pickup truck.
By Reno, we received word that Dad had gotten the mail and Michael had a big white envelope in it from the Office of the First Presidency in SLC.
HIS MISSION CALL !!!
Dad said he would set up a conference call with any of the relatives who cared to, or had the time to listen in that evening when we arrived home. Michael then called a few friends who are home from or attend college at home, to come over and participate in the letter opening. It was very nice of these 3 good boys to come to our home for this occasion when they don't even get why when or how he is doing this mission thing.
There ended up being nearly 20 people on the conference call. In addition to those, we had 3 of Michael's friends, David's whole sleepy family (well behaved for 9:30 at night I might add), as well as Dad and Mom on the homefront. Stephanie was "skyping" on Michaels computer, while Kathryn and Austin were "Face timing" on our Mac in front of the missionary to be. Quite an entourage.

Doesn't he look like an awesome missionary.

So ... he is going to Brazil Sao Paulo North Mission.
Leaving October 12.  This is still 5 months out, but there are Visa arrangements and other things that have to be taken care of before he goes, so I guess he is off to find a job in the am to make a bit of money before he goes.

Congrats to my fine son.

Where Do I Begin?

I've had an eventful past week in Alexandria, VA and have half a day now to ready myself for another eventful weekend in Salt Lake City.
Just a short recap.

 I got to see her .....

 .. and spend some quality time with her ....

... and be amazed at how many of these ... I saw.

 It was extremely hot and humid about half of the time, and for April into May I think that is unusual.

So we were in our skivvies much of the time, because the new air conditioner is on order.

 We rode on the DC Metro.

 Enjoyed the Smithsonian.

Especially the butterflies. (pronounced bublefie)

And .... the butterflies liked us.  Especially the flowers in our hair.

We hung a few pictures, and shopped for home accessories.

We also planted a bit of a garden for them to enjoy this summer.

Now I best go unpack and regroup so I can go pick up MM from Utah. One year under his belt.

More on the news front for Michael coming soon.

Lick Observatory Drive

I noticed in our paper "The San Jose Mercury News" yesterday, was an article about great freebie sites to see in the bay area.  Just the previous day, The Hubby and I had completed their #1 choice of adventures to do. Yes, we had driven the 20 ish serpentine miles up the tall Mt Hamilton and through some very beautiful canyons and scenery to the Lick Observatory.

Looking back toward San Jose, we felt like we were way out of the city,

Yet we were just over a hill or two.

 And around some gnarly old oak trees.

Driving a skinny, winding road,

and sharing the road with noisy biker dudes, and intense biking enthusiasts, we thoroughly enjoyed the drive. The observatory was closed, and I don't know if they just use it to view the night sky, but maybe we'll investigate that side of life on another day. For this day we were not concerned with going into the big domes. I also can't imagine driving that road in the dark, although at that point it wouldn't be shared with bikers and scenic observers.

The back side of the mountain is equally winding and beautiful.  (the word windy BTW is confusing to use in this situation, because it was not a breezy, blowing windy day, but rather a turning, twisting, curving, windy road. Can someone tell me if I'm wrong to use windy?)
There are huge pinecones on the sides of the road, more majestic oak trees, fields of flowers, and many small ponds left over from our wet spring rains in the back country canyons.

We stopped in the beautiful downtown area of Livermore at the back side of our adventure, and had a great Greek lunch at Demitri's.

Great way to spend a Saturday morning. I can't believe it took us 17 years to drive that road.

Happy Easter Sunday

Enjoy your day and keep the reason for it in your heart and mind.
I received a cute little email from my friend about the Easter bunny. It starts and ends with the Savior, but the middle is all fluff. I like it anyway.

All I need to know

I learned from the Easter Bunny!

LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART! 

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. 

Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

There's no such thing as too much candy.

All work and no play can make you a basket case.

A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

Some body parts should be floppy.

Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.

Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.

The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.

To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.

The best things in life are still sweet and gooey..

May the joy of the season fill your heart.

AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU! 

Happy Easter!

And 10

I saw a similarly designed dress in a catalog as the one I wanted to make for my 5 year old GDaughter, so here is my attempt to copy this.

When I made all the girls tutu's last winter, I ordered an extra roll of mint chiffon to use for this dress.

Then I made a basic yolk dress with the neckline cut down lower than usual so she can put it on over her head.

There is a lot more color on this particular dress, so I just added a white sash instead of a mint, or pink, etc.  Hopefully that will make the dress not be quite so loud.

TERRIBLE picture taken out in my garden, but you get the idea. I lined the whole thing with white double knit fabric, so the colors in the floral pattern would really stand out and also that the chiffon itself would have something to give it some body.
She loves the ruffles and flowing fabric of this new dress. I will admit it is a pretty fun item to wear.
I hope her li'l sis doesn't feel slighted with the classic lines and slight boringness of her Easter dress this year. (previous post)
Pictures of the girls in their dresses to come. Honest.

Easter Sewing (9)

Mentioning a different dress for Lex made me think it's okay do do these posts out of order sometimes. I'm not quite finished with Lena's less casual dress, but the actual Easter day dresses for the two older girls are complete and so I will show them off now, one by one.

I went way off the cotton prints on this one. It is a linen with a fancy jacquard ribbon around the base.

Surprise!  The colors are my new favorite combo of turquoise and red.  (and pink, tan, sage)
Isn't that just the coolest ribbon you ever did see?  I purchased it while in SF at The Ribbonrie.

There is also a turquoise ribbon tie in the back of the dress that matches

 the hand stitched trim around the neckline,

and the waistline,

and the collar of the

matching jacket that can be worn with this simple, classic, little dress.