Sewing - Pajama Pants

I made pajama pants for Hubby using McCall's 3019.

He picked this flannel fabric a couple years ago.  It has a similar pattern to one of his sweatshirts.

Hubby's Project

Our home has a built in desk on the second floor.  Hubby really wanted to add shelves and expand the area to better suit our needs.  This is what he came up with.

Pretty neat, don't you think?

Not So Little Anymore

Hubby visited some old friends while on his long trip this summer.  One of them has a daughter that is very close in age to Munchkin.  They decided to recreate an old picture from when they were babies.

Then

Now

What a difference almost nine years make.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Happy birthday sweetheart.  I love you.

We had burgers for dinner and these red velvet cupcakes to celebrate with.  Afterwards we watched Fantastic Four 2 - Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Favorite Movies

Here is a list, in no particular order, of some of our favorite movies.

Sailor Mom's
Stardust
Memoirs of a Geisha
A Little Princess
The Secret Garden (1993)
The Chronicles of Narnia movies
Princess Bride
Moll Flanders
Star Wars movies
The Lord of the Rings movies
Aladdin
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Legally Blonde
Sweet Home Alabama
Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Star Trek (2009)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
almost any Pixar movie
Laura Croft movies
X-Men: First Class

Hubby's
Princess Bride
Willow
Braveheart
Quigly Down Under
Fight Club
Star Trek (2009)
Bourne movies
X-Men movies
Firefly series and Serenity
Lethal Weapon movies
Kiss of the Dragon
Stardust
Rush Hour
Steel Magnolias
Just Like Heaven
almost any Pixar movie
The Incredibles
Titan A.E.
Big Trouble in Little China
Ghostbusters
R.E.D.
the Lion King
Aladdin
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Memoirs of a Geisha
Seven Samurai
Yojimbo

Christmas In July - Hubby Opening Presents

 The USO does a Santa Shop for military children to pick presents for their parents each year.  The gifts are donations from national and local organizations and/or businesses.

These are what Munchkin and Little Miss chose.

  Our children's school also has a Santa Shop; these are small gifts they purchase for whomever is on their list.

An example of our fleece gift bags; these contain Hubby's wish list items.

And finally, some games for Hubby and Sailor Mom.

Early Anniversary Present

We've never owned our own grill.  I take that back, Hubby bought a cheap throw away grill (less than $30) two years ago; it didn't last the summer.  When we lived in Arizona we were lent an old grill while we lived in one of my in-laws properties (about a year and a half).

Hubby loves to cook and nearly anything that has to do with it, and as most men, he loves to grill.  Several years ago I bought him a grill tool set (spatula, tongs, knife, etc with carrying case) for his birthday, with the hope that one day we would get our own grill.  We just couldn't ever justify the expense.  About a year ago I decided that if I got a bonus for re-enlisting, I'd finally buy a grill.  I didn't tell Hubby.  Oh, we talked about one day finally purchasing one.  And we even window shopped and talked about grill features.

When the decision was made for re-enlisting, I found out I did qualify for a small bonus.  Later, I asked Hubby about grills.  He was happy to look, but didn't think we'd actually buy one.  A couple weeks ago I let the cat out of the bag and told Hubby that I wanted to buy him a grill, and I didn't want to wait.  I wanted him to have it and use it and enjoy it.  If we waited, until say tax return time (supposedly they won't be very much anymore), I would be gone.  I will be gone all next "grilling season".  But this is San Diego, you can grill almost any day of the year.  Hubby, being the modest man he is, said I didn't need to do that, it was too much, that I didn't need to do anything for the next year for gifts if I bought the grill.  I simply said that it would be an early anniversary gift (no. 10 is about two weeks after I leave for deployment).

We did some more research and searching.  Hubby's final choice is the one you see below.  We purchased it, prior to going out of town for the week of Thanksgiving) from Lowe's.  Thanks to their military discount (10%) an a small blemish on a back piece (the assemblers  made a tiny dent - so we got an extra 10% off) we paid less than the grill we were looking at from Sears (it was on sale so no military discount, but that location had horrible customer service).  I barely got home with the grill before we set it up and Hubby started dinner.  It was fabulous!

 For anyone interested, this grill is in Lowe's 2011 Grill Shopping Guide, but not on their website yet.  It is manufactured by NexGrill out of Encino CA, under the KitchenAid label.

Happy [early] Anniversary, Honey!  I love you and hope you enjoy your grill for years to come.

Costumes 2010

After much discussion, the kids decided on a Mario theme for their costumes.  Unfortunately, this was two weeks ago, and I had not seen costumes with this theme in the stores (I guess I went to the wrong ones).  I also couldn't find patterns for what I would need. I did find this guide for the Mario hat, I combined it with this beret guide.  For the overalls and pants I traced pants they are currently wearing and modified them.  I created the mushroom top from scratch.  I completed Pumpkin's first and adjusted it for Little Miss'.  After Pink Toad was completed the kids asked about Toadette instead. Um, no, I had three costumes to make from scratch and one to finish in two weeks time.  Make that five costumes, as Hubby really wanted me to have a new one this year.  About a week ago a delivery came that had accessories for his costume and accessories for my costume.  I'll try hun, but no guarantees.

 Munchkin as Mario.  I wish I had had an overalls pattern or found a pair in the store to buy.  I kept having fits with the sewing machine, all told they took me about eight hours to complete.

 

Little Miss as the pink Toad.  I added the strap to help keep it on her head, then the strap got stretched out.  We went with a white shirt instead of nude as they're easier to come by.  Actually, for Mario and Pink Toad I purchased two plain T Shirts each and cut one to make long sleeves for the other.

Pumpkin as Toad.  He didn't like his hat and kept walking off, so Hubby had to hold him.  For Pumpkin's shirt, Hubby found a plain white long sleeve onesie at Target.  Don't they look cute?

Hubby as Gandalf.  I started this costume when Munchkin was a toddler.  I was making Munchkin's wizard costume and Hubby & I decided to make a matching one for him.  I finished the hat and barely pieced together the rest.  No trim, finished edges, or closure.  It sat in my sewing tote for seven years.

 Can you guess who Hubby wanted me to be?  Notice the pointy ear?

I tried to get a dress made for me.  I even had a pattern and we bought material.  I ran out of time.  This afternoon I developed tendinitis in my elbow from all the cutting and sewing I've done lately.  Hubby asked me to finish my costume when I go on transfer leave.  For the ward Trunk-or-Treat I pulled out this barely worn dress, the pseudo cape from one of Hubby's old costumes, and donned the accessories Hubby picked out for me: wig, pointy ears, and necklace.

Part of my justification is my upcoming deployment.  Part is that I made Munchkin's first costume.  I have wanted to make additional costumes several times in the past,  including purchasing patterns and even materials.  I wanted to make the costumes this year.  I wanted to see the joy in their eyes when they had their finished costumes and knew how much time and effort I put into making them.  I wanted my kids to have another [recent] memory of something I did for them while I am half a world away.  I also wanted the memory for myself when I get homesick and lonely.

Munchkin's Baptism Pictures

You can read about Munchkin's Baptism here.

Everyone ready for Munchkin's baptism at the Stake Center.

Hubby and Munchkin changed for the baptism.

I love this picture of Munchkin and Hubby.  They both look so excited.

We asked Munchkin to wait until we got home to open his gifts.

A tradition for our family is to give your first set of scriptures when you get baptized, so you have your own personal set.  Prior to that you share family scriptures.  

Munchkin's Primary teachers each gave a small gift.  Munchkin really enjoys Primary this year.  It's a privilege to watch him grow in his testimony and understanding of the gospel.

    

Our Primary Chorister also gave a small gift.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and attended Munchkin's baptism.  Everyone helped to make it a special day.  After opening his gifts Munchkin was asked to write thank you notes.  He chose to email them, but I'm glad he did.  Its not traditional, but he's learning why its important.

First Zoo Trip

Hubby had one set of passes to the zoo left over from last year. We finally went in mid April (they expired at the end of April). This was Pumpkin's first trip.

~ RaNdOmNeSs ~

Hubby & I in our motorcycle gear. This was the last night we still owned Hubby's Midnight Special; the next day a collector from MN & AZ drove in from Phoenix to purchase it. A few weeks later we purchased our 2002 V Star 650.

Little Miss opening her birthday presents. Her birthday this year was a bit crazier than usual. It was a Friday with the usual school and work, and the ward's Pinewood Derby that evening. More to come about her special day in another post.



Our stake has very little involvement with scouts, however, our ward is slowly gaining a group as boys get old enough and many bring along younger brothers. We have an unofficial tiger cub group which we found out about just after Christmas. Munchkin has enjoyed (at least parts of) it. Here he is holding his first ever pine wood derby car. He won second place for his age group.

We finally purchased a stroller. Its not the one we had planned on. For $9 at the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Thrift Shop how do you say no? This was taken at Pumpkin's first trip to the San Diego Zoo. We still use our Mei Tai quite often, including in the zoo, but its nice to have something to store all the extra junk you need for being away from home most of the day.

Pink Eye

 Hubby and Pumpkin got medicine yesterday for pink eye. This morning Munchkin and Little Miss woke up with crusty pink/red eyes and my eyes were also irritated. This afternoon we learn that we have the beginnings of the dreaded pink eye. Now everyone is on eye drops or ointment. We also learned that Little Miss has an impaction of ear wax in her right ear. Six prescriptions later and we're home.

Standing With Assistance

Hubby helped Pumpkin do this while I was at work. Pumpkin really likes to stand, so Daddy figured why not lean him against the ottoman...

My Family

Here's a recent picture of my spouse and children.

New Years weekend we visited Hubby's family in AZ. All three kids got sick, with the older two puking and the baby getting his first cold. Since coming home things have gotten a little crazy with both Hubby's and my work. We're also having more struggles and adjustments with Munchkin and Little Miss. Hopefully, things will calm down soon and I'll have more fun things to post.

Post 100 - and an update

We had another doctor appointment for Pumpkin this week. We now have the referral to the allergy clinic; should hear from them the beginning of next week. Life in Pumpkin's world is filled with fussiness and incredibly short naps. In between it he's a growing happy baby. We've resigned ourselves to not having a clean house (or more than one clean area at a time) for the next several months. Pumpkin has a tolerance or hate for bottles. He was doing better when we bought new nipples, now he hates them again. He did take a bottle at the doctors office and one Friday night. Most days he drinks enough to not starve, and that can take half the morning, and just eats when I'm home from work. He started waking even more at night, but finally went back to sleeping more -- about every three hours now.

Munchkin is doing pretty awesome. He's gotten used to second grade and is thriving. Yes, he still gets hung up on new things, but he's coming out of it sooner. He's excited for Christmas, but doesn't understand the concept about presents; i.e. he told me that he picked out the smallest present at the USO Santa Shop and the smallest and cheapest (It was 25 cents Mom!) at his school's Christmas shoppe. Oh well.

Little Miss is Little Miss. We've learned a little more about her behavior and we need to research more to understand it and implement changes in parenting. I'm keeping her update short as Hubby doesn't want much said yet. I've been feeling guilty as some of it probably goes back to the medication I was given when I had PTL during my pregnancy. This sucks.

Hubby & I are doing ok. There is so much on our plate that we don't have much time to be together, other than the few hours we're asleep. We finished our twelve sessions that Military One Source provided for us. Unfortunately, no insurance covers marriage counseling. I'm struggling with handling everything right now. Hubby is struggling with Pumpkin.

We did get to go to my work's holiday party yesterday. I wore the dress from when my friend got married (she was my maid of honor and I was her matron of honor). The only reason we were able to go was the free child care. It was nice to get out of the house and dress up. We didn't win any door prizes but the food was good. We only danced to half of one song as Pumpkin was extra needy and we had to check on him several times.

We bought our Christmas tree last Saturday and decorated it on Sunday. On Monday I put up the other decorations and stockings. We had to buy new ones this year as the style we had was no longer available to get a matching one for Pumpkin. We're feeding the missionaries on Christmas Eve and Jared is supposed to drive down from UT for a couple of days. We're driving to AZ for New Year's. Hopefully the kids will be able to have a few play dates over Christmas break.

We've Been Sick...

 Munchkin came down with the flu on 24 Oct and Little Miss on 31 Oct. Hubby actually had the flu prior to the 24th, but we weren't really aware of it because he had had on again off again symptoms since I had it beginning 16 Sept and Pumpkin had minor symptoms starting 19 Sept (don't worry he had a one month appt that Monday the 21st and he was fine, his temp never broke 100).

My flu was mild, though I was feeling some lingering symptoms for almost three weeks; UGH.
Pumpkin's was very mild.
Hubby's was not the normal presentation. His after effects landed him in the ER and two follow up appointments with severe bronchitis.
Munchkin's fever spiked to 107 on the 25th, so we spent 13 hours in the ER. He also had two follow up appointments and his cold symptoms lingered for over a week post fever.
Little Miss just had the flu and was quite miserable, but only required one doctor appointment. Her cold symptoms also hung around for a bit.

We do not have a confirmation on what flu strain hit us. When Hubby went to the ER he was negative on the influenza A rapid test, but that was probably because of the stage of illness he was at. Munchkin was not tested, but the head ER physician said his symptoms were consistent with H1N1.Munchkin 's school was and is at outbreak level with sick kids and several confirmed cases (not just speculated like Munchkin's), including in his own class.

I'm thankful no one had to be admitted to the hospital. I'm also thankful that Pumpkin and I have not gotten sick again. Whew.

Yes or No?

(I found this on a friend's facebook page. Also, my answers are first and Hubby's are second.)
You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages or comments you and asks. -- and believe me, the temptation to explain some of these will be overwhelming. Nothing is exactly as it seems. Yes or No Only!

Now, here's what you're supposed to do. . . Copy and paste this into your notes, delete my answers, type in your answers and tag 15 friends.

------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Been arrested? --- No No
Kissed someone you didn't like? --- Yes No
Slept in until 5 PM? --- No Yes
Run a red light? --- Yes Yes
Been suspended from school? --- No Yes
Experienced love at first sight? --- No No
Totaled your car in an accident?--- No No
Been fired from a job? --- Yes Yes
Fired somebody? --- No No
Sang karaoke? --- Yes No
Pointed a gun at someone? --- No No
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? --- Yes Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? --- Yes Yes
Kissed in the rain? --- Yes Yes
Had a close brush with death (your own)? --- Yes No
Seen someone die? --- No No
Played spin-the-bottle? --- Yes No
Smoked a cigar? --- Yes Yes
Sat on a rooftop? --- Yes Yes
Smuggled something into another country? --- No No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? --- Yes Yes
Broken a bone? --- No No
Skipped school? --- No Yes
Eaten a bug? --- Yes No
Sleepwalked? --- No No
Walked a moonlit beach? --- Yes Yes
Rode a motorcycle? --- Yes Yes
Dumped someone? --- Yes Yes
Lied to avoid a ticket? --- Yes Yes
Ridden in a helicopter? --- No No
Shaved your head? --- No Yes
Made your boyfriend/girlfriend cry? --- Yes Yes
Eaten snake? --- No Yes
Marched/Protested? --- Yes No
Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? --- No No
Puked on amusement ride? --- No No
Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? --- Yes Yes
Been in a band? --- No Yes
Been on TV? --- Yes No
Shot a gun? --- Yes Yes
Skinny-dipped? --- Yes Yes
Gave someone stitches? --- No No
Ridden a surfboard? --- No No
Had surgery? --- Yes Yes
Streaked? --- Yes No
Taken by ambulance to hospital? --- No No
Passed out when not drinking? --- No No
Peed on a bush? --- Yes Yes
Donated Blood? --- Yes No
Grabbed electric fence? --- Yes Yes
Eaten alligator meat? --- No No
Killed an animal when not hunting? --- No No
Peed your pants in public? --- Yes Yes
Snuck into a movie without paying? --- Yes Yes
Written graffiti? --- No No
Went to a gay bar? --- No Yes
Still love someone you shouldn't? --- No No
Been in handcuffs? --- Yes Yes
Believe in love? --- Yes Yes
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? --- Yes Yes
Played the stop-light game? --- Yes No
Drove while under the influence? --- Yes No
Stolen something? --- Yes Yes
Eaten emu? --- No No
Survived living with psychotic roommates? --- No Yes
Fell asleep at the movie theater? --- Yes No
Egged someones house/car? --- No Yes
Slept outside? --- Yes Yes
Mooned/flashed someone? --- Yes Yes
Ever cheated on your boy/girl friend? --- No No
Been cheated on? --- Yes Yes
Got a tattoo? --- No No
Did something stupid while under the influence? --- Yes Yes
Regret anything you've ever done? --- Yes Yes

I Love to See the Temple

Our ward has a program that they entitle "Grandmas to the Rescue" and its awesome. Some ladies from the ward offer free childcare at the church during the evening of ward temple night. These selfless women do this about nine months of the year. It is a great opportunity to go to the temple with your spouse and do various temple work. They divide the children by age group and offer different activities. Munchkin and Little Miss both enjoy going and ask when they get to go again.

We were able to utilize this service earlier this month, though we were only able to visit temple grounds (time restraints). We kept Pumpkin with us and it was so neat to walk and quietly talk while admiring the temple exterior and landscaping. Temples are about families and it was nice to have our newest family member with us that night.



ETA: Our ward primary visited the temple last March for an activity day. A picture from that day is in the October 2009 Friend (page 13). You can see both Munchkin and Little Miss in the picture.

Another Trip to Sea World (Pumpkin's first)

Thanks to Hubby's job we were able to visit Sea World using our annual passes. This was Pumpkin's first visit. We were there for about two hours and went back on Labor Day for another three hours. We were able to see the summer shows before school started. The kids also enjoyed the chance to get out of the house.

Shark Encounter:

Manatee Rescue:

Feeding the ducks, near the Forbidden Reef:

Watching the Shamu show: