Disneyland with Marnie

The morning after returning from Rexburg, we left for San Diego and Disneyland. We start early and end late (and exhausted). Space Mountain is my favorite ride in the park, so we usually hit it first. The wrap-around line really gets you excited to be thrown around in the dark.

Marnie was a sport to do Splash Mountain since she doesn't like it much. I think I walked around with wet jeans for 2 hours.

Marnie knows her father will fling her around in this teacup.

We had a wonderful day together!

Bonnie Arrives!

 Howard and Pam welcomed Bonnie into the world at the beginning of the month. I couldn't get away until Valentine's Day, when the temple went on a 2-week cleaning closure. I decided to drive to Ellensburg after work and stay in a hotel by myself. This was something I had never done. The next morning I would continue the rest of the 8 hours to see Bonnie.

I was incredibly nervous due to the weather. Snow was really falling at Dead Man's Pass. But when I crested the pass, it was all clear on the roads and it was smooth sailing into St. Anthony.

I took this picture as soon as I arrived. Valentine's Day and all wrapped up in pink! I had a few babies in snowy weather and it is a little unnerving. Is it warm enough? Will I slip and fall outside? It all went well and I really enjoyed my visit.

On the way home, I ran into some really scary weather. But I had to keep going. We were flying out in the morning to San Diego to visit my parents. I said many prayers and sang my way through it. Even Snoqualmie Pass was doable. I had never driven more than 2 hours by myself . Funny what you will do for grandchildren.

Aspen Grove

 In the summer between 5th and 6th grades, my parents took us to Aspen Grove. We enjoyed a week at the LDS camp in the mountains above Provo, Utah. During the day the children would be in programs with activities to wear us out. At night we ate in the cafeteria with everyone and slept in rustic A-frames. It was a dream to a pre-teen. I had the time of my life. 

I learned to play volleyball and thanks to some perfect strangers, I could serve overhand. When we returned to Escondido, my parents sent me to a new school. Suddenly, I had athletic ability. It was a rebirth. From then on, I played every sport for three years.

Hexagon Improv

 I picked up a little pack of 2 1/2" squares by Moda and decided to make a load of hexagons. I laid out a piece of white piece of fabric on the dining room table and began creating the top.

Because the fabric lines are made by the same company, they all go well together. It took awhile to get the hexagons lined up just perfectly. I even used Paul's laser light level. I had taken the papers out from behind the shapes and used Roxanne's Glue Baste-It to tack them down.

Then I took the whole piece to the longarm machine to quilt it all together.

It looks perfect over my bed.

Trip on the Town

 Marnie and I decided to drive downtown to visit the Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Aquarium. They were exhibiting the collection of the impressionists from 1870-1900. If you've read David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell, you know they had a very difficult time getting exhibited. I absolutely loved the special exhibit and the long-term pieces, but didn't take many pictures, except for this Renoir and Cézanne.

Marnie and I loved this modern piece, but I didn't get a shot of the artist.

From there we walked across the street and enjoyed seeing fish at the aquarium. We had a casual lunch at a nearby cafe to finish off our outing. 

Framing a Quilt

 When I was growing up there was a beautiful pineapple log cabin quilt hanging on the staircase wall. I passed it everyday in the morning and evening. The seams were coming apart, but it was still beautiful.

After a few decades, my mom gave it to me and it lived in my closet for years. Then I decided to cut it up and frame a block or two. Hobby Lobby was the perfect place to find a shadow box frame.

Happy Thanksgiving

 Jim is wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are enjoying an opportunity to spend time with your family. I hope you have a great day and can appreciate a delicious slice of pie.