Sewing Class

I had a weak moment and signed the girls up for a sewing class. They got a sewing machine for Christmas and it was still in the box. I had to pay someone to get it out and show us how to use it. I actually don't mind sewing if someone buys the pattern, buys the fabric, cuts it all out, pins it and hands it to me with verbal instructions on where to sew, how big of a stitch to make and is willing to unpick it if I screw up.  Yep, that is how I like to do my sewing.

The girls ended up with some cute tote bags and, of course, loved every minute of it.  Now they think we should sew anything and everything they can get their hands on.  I guess they will need a few more classes and I will take a nap while they learn :).  Game on.

Spring Hair Cuts

I decided it was time for a few hair cuts around our house. Aeva was the only one that was overly excited about the idea. The other two girls are thinking they should have their hair down to the ground, Rapunzel style.

Can you see the happiness on her face?  It's there...keep looking.

Here is a good smile.

Nice hair for Spring and Summer.  They will thank me later.  And if they don't...they will soon forget and like me again anyway.  You can't stay mad at mom for too long or you won't get fed.

The Bitten Apple

Being the dutiful mother that I am, I went to the store the other day to get some groceries. I picked out some yummy looking apples for the girls lunches and brought them home. When I went to put them away, I saw this.

Hmmmm.  It appears that someone had sampled one of the apples and then changed their mind and put it back.  Just my luck that I would pick that same apple, buy it and bring it home.  I hope that person enjoyed their bite.  

Gross.  

Then again, maybe it was Snow White.  If that's the case, then this apple becomes special...and famous...and worth lots of $$$.  

We will pretend that it was Snow White.

Flame Volleyball Tournament

Maddie got invited to play in a volleyball tournament down in Lehi.  

This was her first official volleyball competition.

They played 6 games total.

Between games, they took turns being the line refs.

And keeping score.

They played well and at the end of it all, they took 6th out of 16 teams.

Not too bad for a group of girls that have only played together for a couple of days.  

I'm a fan.  Nice work, girls!

The Helping Hand

Aeva had to make an invention for her class. She invented "The Helping Hand".  The helping hand consisted of a flash light with an extending arm.  At the end of the arm was a magnet.  She put a surgical glove at the top and filled it with tissue paper.  The helping hand could help you pick up your keys, scratch your back or light your way in the dark.  Pretty ingenious little brain.  This was the report that she wrote about her new invention.

It says:

You are probably wondering how I got this idea.  I was at home at night it came to me.  It is called the helping hand.  It can do your hair and it can make your bed, it can.

The helping hand looks like a flashlight with a stick and a glove with paper stuffed in it.  The helping hand has a magnet in the middle finger to pick up metal.  I hope you like it!!!

Potato Monster

Ms. Aeva LOVES Sunday dinners at Gpa Ken's house. The reason...she typically gets to take home a big fat bag of left over mashed potatoes.  Her personal favorite.  This past week she decided that she shouldn't have to share her potatoes so she labeled them with "Aeva only".

Gracie realized what had happened and immediately took action.  

Sorry, Aeva, "everyone" liked potatoes too (especially with melted cheese on top).  

Guess you will have to share.

Jazz Game with Gracie

Gracie was the lucky girl that go to go to the Jazz game with Troy and his parents. Everyone else had plans that night.

This picture proves that she is getting WAY too big and having WAY too much fun.  

Love these two amazing people.

Making a Difference

The 6th grade class had their annual Serve to Save dinner. They raised money for our local YCC - a program that provides help for victims of domestic violence. The kids worked hard to advertise, sell tickets and then serve dinner to all that attended. All of the food was donated by local companies so that the money raised could go to the YCC.

I'm proud of these kids and the hard work they put in.  They truly "Served to Save".

Moab Half Marathon 2014

Our family LOVES it when Troy signs up to run the Moab Half Marathon. We love it because it means that we get to go on a vacation where there is lots of sun, hiking, parks and fun.

First day there, Arches!

Gracie is WAY too excited about being outside.  It's been a while.

Ms. Hollywood.

They loved finding all of the trail markers on our way to Delicate Arch.  This was the biggest one.

Two separate pictures in front of the arch...in case we have a good side and a bad side.

Troy wasn't interested in hiking across the death defying ledge to the actual arch...so, I took the girls instead.  I'm instilling a bit of dare devil in them.

  

We found a chipmunk that we probably weren't supposed to feed...BUT, we didn't see a sign forbidding it so we decided to pretend that we didn't know any better.  

The chipmunk even joined us for another family pic.  Gracie is in love with the little guy.  She was missing her hamster back home.

Then we went to sand arch.

This is a fun one to climb on top of.

Wall climbing.

North and South Windows.

Tried out a little panoramic mode on my phone.  Not too shabby.

Turrett Arch.

Double Arch.

Balanced Rock.

Ended the day at the local playground.

We wanted to make sure that Troy was nice and tired for his race, so on day two, we headed to Corona Arch.  These are the indian writings on the way there.

We loved the rope and ladder that you have to use while hiking in and back out.

Bo tie arch.

Corona Arch.

Sitting in the shade of the arch.  

Back to the park...how long has it been since we laid on the grass in the sun?  Sooooo overdue.

Girls loved the hot tub back at the house.  It was more of an outside bath tub.  We all climbed in and only half of the water ran over the top.

While Troy started his run, we did a little souvenir shopping.

Then we went to give some high 5's to the runners as they came into mile 11.

Apparently the majority of them had sweaty hands.  The girls were not impressed.

The Rifleman boys coming in with a smile.

Troy was right behind them.

The finish.

Strong work, Troy!  Are you interested in running the marathon in St. George?  Your family will be in much need of another vacation by then so keep running!!!