Another Christmas Activity!

When our kids were young we always packed them into the car and headed to Coralville for the Aisle of Lights the weekend before Christmas.  They put out luminaries in the neighborhood and houses are decorated for Christmas.  It is a tradition we all enjoyed.  We did this once or twice with Payton, our oldest grandson, but, as there are so many of us now, we just don't have a vehicle large enough.   So Bud rented a 16 passenger van for the evening.  We all met at Pizza Hut and enjoyed some pizza and visiting.

                                                        Christmas hats were required!

                                          The little ones enjoyed the musical Christmas hat.

                                                The big ones were busy horsing around!

We had a great time, however we were disappointed in the lights, or I should say LACK of lights.  We voted to do this again next year, but we'll be sure to scope out the best lights ahead of time!  We missed Travis' family as he had to work that day.

                                                            I just love traditions!

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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

We LOVE Christmas! Maybe it is because of the wonderful memories we each have of Christmas when we were children, maybe it is because of the family time, I'm not sure. As much as Bud might sometimes pretend he doesn't like all the decorations, he really does. He plans for the next year of decorating before the current year is even over.

Bud does the outside and I do the inside. Unfortunately neither of us is much of a photographer, so this is the best I could get.













We have snow now, so it really looks Christmasy at night. We love our little Gingerbread House all dressed up for Christmas.
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Three New Grandkids-Three New Stockings

One Christmas in the early eighties, I decided I would make my kids new Christmas stocking. And from those four originals we now have this.



In the last year we were blessed with three new grandchildren--Colby, Maddux, and Aela. And that of course, means three new stockings.

Colby was born December 12th, but I didn't get his done before Christmas. He has one now!


Maddux was born in April so this is his first Christmas. His stocking is hanging next to Colby's.


Aela was born in May. Being only one of two granddaughters I was thrilled to do frilly again.


Santa will soon be here to fill those stockings since they couldn't possibly have been naughty!!

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And The Stockings Were Hung

Beautiful night to sit by the fire. One of these days Ill be back to show you my three new stockings.


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A Little Christmas Sewing.

I have been doing a little sewing in between decorating for Christmas and of course, working! I finally finished a wall hanging today.


I used a charm pack and some additional cream fabric for the middle. I have wracked my brain, but I just can't remember the name of the charm pack!

I did some straight quilting inside each bulb and echoed around the hook.


On the outer edge I did some loopy free motion which I have just been practicing recently.


An d now it hangs on the wall right behind Santa!


Now to finish some other projects!
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Busy Month!

It's been a busy month! It started with Iowa Assessments at school (Formerly called Iowa Tests of Basic Skills),then report cards and parent teacher conferences two different nights, a friend's birthday supper, and a couple of Iowa games.

Yes, the Iowa Hawkeyes had quite a dismal season, but still there's nothing like the excitement of a Hawkeye game!
Night games are always so fun! This one started out that way, but....well, didn't end up so fun.


Great day to honor the vets.





Nov. 17th was our annual Girls' Day Out trip to Des Moines. We started off at McD's to fuel up for the long day, then headed for Des Moines. Our first stop was Target, then the craft show. Not sure what was going on, but Tasha and Trina made a friend at the craft show.


Let's just say I heard Trina scream and saw the two of them trying to get away from the guy in the scarf. They were laughing so I guess it wasn't too bad!
Then it was time for lunch, so we headed for West Des Moines. We may have sampled some beer......





We hit the mall after lunch and the vehicle I was in....wait a minute, it was MY vehicle, I just wasn't driving.....HAD to stop at Bass Pro. After a LONG time in Bass Pro we mad done final stop at Walmart and headed home. It was a long day, but I think we all had a great time!

The next day was our family Thanksgiving celebration. Stay tuned for photos and info on that next time!


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On My Design Board

I am working on a baby quilt, and I finally got the top finished tonight.


I've wanted to do a chevron quilt for awhile now. I love it, and I kind of wish I had made it bigger and kept it for myself!! Now to quilt it!
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Yes, I Have Been Sewing!

Although I haven't posted any sewing info lately, I have been sewing. I have several things "in progress", and I needed a quick finish last weekend. So I sewed up a couple of IH pillows for my grandson.



And I made three pillow cases for three grandchildren.



I' m hoping for some bigger finished soon!

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Fall Around My House

I love decorating for the season. My fall decorations came out shortly after school started. Next to Christmas they are my favorite. I love the colors of fall and the calm cozy feelings they bring.
Welcome to a peek of our fall home.
This is the way the front door looked a few weeks ago. Since we've had a killing frost and I've bought a few mums and pumpkins I've tweaked it a little.








These decorations are in the foyer which is where the front door opens into.




The candy machines are a hit with the grand kids. M & M's in one and jelly beans in the other right now. The family picture is my favorite. Trilby had just started college, so big changes were just about to happen.




On the dining room table.....








Little touches all around the house. And fall candle smells are the best!




In the living room...




I'm always happy once it is cool enough to use the fireplace.








On top of the antique music library.
















The carmel apples that some grandchild tries to eat each year!




The light just wouldn't cooperate when I took this picture.


Just a few short weeks and the Christmas decorations will be out!
Happy Fall!
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Vacation Time!

We don't usually vacation in the fall because I don't have vacation days to take, however we had a wedding to attend in Colorado Springs at the Air Force Academy, so we decided to go. We flew out so we could get the most out of our time off.

Mom, my sister, and my aunt met us at the airport. We were the last to arrive since we were delayed due to mechanical problems. Our first stop was The Royal Gorge.

I am not a fan of heights or tight spaces, so I didn't go on the cable car. The last time I was on a cable car was in 1987 at the Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque, NM. I swore I would never ride one of these again, and even though I was going to try it I just couldn't.





I did walk about halfway across the bridge until I could see through the cracks ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GORGE!!!! I freaked and luckily Bud was close behind with Mom in the car so I could hop in.


The next day we headed up to Pike's Peak via the Cog Railway.


It began to blow and snow while we were up there and it was COLD! I could sure feel the thin air and it took me a few minutes to not be light headed. the views were beautiful! It snowed for two days on Pike's Peak.
Garden of the Gods also had beautiful views!


Miramont Castle Museum was on our list.


It had an interesting history, but wasn't really what I would consider a castle.
The Manitou Cliff Dwellings were very interesting. It is hard to imagine the life they lived in the small homes built into the hillside.


And the reason we decided to take this trip now was the wedding at the Air Force Academy. The chapel is beautiful inside and out.






We had a great time with family. The elders were all there.


The oldest of the baby boomers were there. There are 22 grandchildren on this side of my family. The oldest was not there, but then we go in order from left to right (with the exception of another missing one between the two on the right.)


And on our last day we really had an excursion as our navigation system sent us on a wild goose chase. We were up the side of a steep mountain with one way traffic and only a pile of gravel to keep us from going over!


That brown at the bottom of the picture is the gravel. We did have some fantastic views though! And we came off the mountain and found our own way to Seven Falls.


Of course we took the opportunity to tour the Air Force Academy too.
It sits nestled in the mountains.





We had a great time! Thanks Bud, for being the chauffeur for four women!



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