~~SEEING BLUE~~

I thought it was time to up-date our Blog. We have been busy, busy. Between Pops & Grandma's new Laundry Room and getting our yard back in shape with our new Shed/Shop, we haven't had time to think or anything. And Darwin has been visiting his Dad when time permits.

I have taken my camera up to take pictures twice now and forgot to take them. dah ! I need to get up there and see it done --with the washer and dryer in it. Just so glad it is done. Randy still has to hook-up the heater vent but that's all. Of course, Randy has been to the ER with heart pains and found out he has 18 stints instead of 11 in his arteries. The doctor is going to manage the pain with medicine for now. ??? Crazy!

Any who, After doing Grandma's tile floor, the next week I painted the Family Room blue. Was not too sure how it would turn out. Darwin just told me if I wanted it blue to go for it. I am so glad I did! I really like it. Makes the fireplace stand out. So do the sofas.

At night I have been crocheting afghans, that way I don't eat ! The white one was my first...somewhere along the way I kept adding stitches? The brown and pink turned out way better. I had yarn left over from the hangers I made, so I used it up.

Darwin has been doing the new gates on each side of the Shed, and now working a lot of over time!

We now have a lot of fallen leaves to rake up----again. What do they say? No rest for the wicked!! LOL

~~THE SHED~~

We have talked about a shed for--I don't remember how long. I decided to put rocks over by the short fence by the driveway, that way the cats couldn't use it for a litter box. No sooner do I get it done then Darwin decides to get a shed! He isn't just 'talking' about it now--he wants a shed. So fine, we decide how big, exactly where, what kind of roof, all of that stuff. Right now I'm tired of building and do it yourself projects. So--do we build it our selves or order a kit? I voted for someone else to build it period ! A place in Nephi has physically challenged people build and sell sheds. Darwin checked them out. They can only deliver 10 feet wide and up to 20 feet long. 10 feet wide because of the road width, hahaha.
This week Darwin has been destroying the North side of the yard. Tore down the fence, ripped out the post. I moved my rocks. We are moving the wood to behind the back fence. Getting rid of some garbage, so fun. Today he is calling for details on the shed. Tomorrow he should order the cement to set it on. Good fun.....AND then, we are going to RELAX !! I am anyway........but then we have to move stuff INTO the shed?

PROJECTS 2010

Here are photos of finished projects. First the Craft Room, it was fun to up-date the paint and trim. It was even better to get it all put together again !!
Darwin's project was a Banister on the front porch. I didn't get a picture of it yet, but it turned out beautiful! I love it!
The next project was the Picture Boards. I think I ended up making 10 of them! Thanks Katie for starting them.
My new project is the Sweater or dress Slacks Hangers. I have 7 made, for who or what I don't know? But it keeps my hands busy and the food out of my mouth ! And there is so many colors of yarn out there !!
I also have a file full of projects I'd like to get to.
Darwin is planning a shed for the Fall project?? That's because I totted tons of rocks to that corner......

4TH OF JULY REUNION

I see it as, Our kids are coming home for a visit, but I guess it is a reunion. We had oodles of fun. Shawn and Rebekah and family showed up Thursday night, they immediately claimed the big bedroom. On Friday, Katie and Rob and the boys showed up. Later Tara and Eli came from Reno. Later toward evening Tori and Clark and kids came. We had them all except Mr. Jake. He had to stay in Reno and make money for R.C. Willey's. It's called keeping your job. We missed Jake's humor.

Each family took a meal so that help a great deal! And we had delicious food, Cranberry Chicken, Pizzas on taco shells, Fruit and yogurt Parfaits, Pot Roast, Turkey Burgers, everything tasted so good. The kids really liked Aunt Tara's little cereal boxes.

Saturday we enjoyed the parade and the kids gathered tons of candy, which they ate all day long. Some of them went over to the park for the games and concessions later in the day. Tori's family and Tara and Eli went to the Derby that night and watched the cars and trucks crash into each other! After the Derby, we watched the Fireworks from our driveway. While we were waiting for the fireworks to start, we did some of our own fireworks. Darwin had his blow torch out and was lighting the fireworks. A couple of times he almost lit a couple of kids on fire ! Silly Grandpa.

It was also little Silas's birthday !! He was so excited. Silas turned 3 on the 3rd of July. He had a bang-up of a celebration !!

Sunday at 9am we all showed up at Church.....most of the members were gone. The visitors made up for them. I think the nursery had the most kids they've ever had! We came home, had dinner and a quiet afternoon. Grandma played Bingo with the older kids, I gave them money for winning. I didn't think it was gambling? We played Bingo all the time growing up, it was one of the few games we had. Of course, we played for candy. ???? Still pondering that one.

Monday was the Run for Infertility....Me and Grandpa walked with the kids. Some of the kids rode the scooters and trikes. Finley enjoyed us carrying her around and around! The Moms and Dads ran a 5k (I think)... We did this at the track over at the High School, it's very nice! At the end of the run, Tori had the kids all running through the sprinklers that were on. We headed back home for more pool time for the kids and cleaning things up and gathering belonging so families could journey home! Katie's family left, Tori's then left...hard to watch them go.

Tuesday morning Shawn's family headed out for Rebekah's family reunion. That was after Shawn taught EFY classes at BYU for 2 days. Busy people. Tara's made her Picture Board and then headed home. Eli carried his new used "slip and slide" to the car...so happy!!

The house is back to quiet---Darwin and I cried when they were gone. If they only realized how missed they are !!

Looking forward to next year !!

~~LAUNDRY ROOM~~

Just a few photos of the Laundry Room. It is now painted and all white and sterile looking. We still need to do the ceiling but that won't take long. We bought some wire shelves to put along the wall for storage, it turned out quite nice! Just glad to have it done. In fact,

we both spend more time down there .... hahaha. Darwin said he kind of likes it there. Funny man!

~~APRIL TRIP~~

I finally figured out how to download our photos to the computer !! So I can post about our trip to Arkansas. We did have a lot of fun with the kids and Shawn and Bekah. It was good to share Phebe's birthday with her. We don't often get to the grand kids birthdays. Everyone is always so busy or too far away. Phebs really enjoyed her birthday Fondue party. Good Stuff !Phebe's baptism was special, she was so pretty and happy. It was good to see the Westons again. They are such great people, as are all of our 'in-laws' parents. We thank them for raising such awesome men and woman.

We enjoyed the 'Crater of Diamonds' too. Just a big field of plowed up earth and lots of rocks!!

It was fun and we look forward to going back someday. Maybe take a couple of days to search for whatever we can find. It would be fun to find a diamond, but just digging in the dirt is good for the soul. Did you know you can dig for Emeralds in Montana?? Hahaha

We hit a few Antique Shops along our way home. I pick-up some old embroidered hankies and scarves to add to my new wall-quilt pattern. Now, I just need to get with it and get it done. Darwin wanted to check out the 'Texas Steak House' in Amarillo, Texas. It was quite the place, huge, and the food was delicious!

It was good to get away, but also good to be home again. Talula was really glad to see us. Even though she gave us the cold shoulder for a few days.

~~VISITS~~

We had Katie and her boys come visit in February. Of course, I forgot to get the camera out and to use it. We had tons of fun. Lincoln likes to hug his Grandma and I like his hugs. He is surely growing up. Sawyer is ..Sawyer. Great wit, like his Mom. It was cold if I remember right, so it was a stay in time. I tried to help Lincoln build something with my new Lego's....I did better with Sawyer. He's just happy to have anything built, it doesn't have to be grand or even something. A tower was the easiest !

Last weekend we had Tori and Clark and the kids here. Tori came Friday afternoon and Clark drove the Blazer down on Saturday. Finley is growing up fast. She even giggled for me. Tori and Clark tried to get my camera to video but by then Fin wasn't giggly anymore. Ezra was sassy and doing attitude, maybe a little jealous. But he protects Fin.

We ate and ate and made vinyl stuff and went to Church. Busy times. We had fun though and look forward to July !! First, we go to Arkansas for Phebe's baptism. That's next week !

So--that is that! And we will Blog when we get back in 2 weeks ........

~~GOOD CHANGES~~

A month ago, Darwin was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. He, of course, thought his life was over!! The second day after finding out, he woke up early (4:30 am), in a panic. He was worrying that the diabetes had harmed his internal organs and he was going to die !! Of course, being half awake I told him the osteoarthritis could get him first! Or I could get hit by a car tomorrow and go first. I won't tell you his reply to that!! It was just rude... :( We did talk and settled him down and got him off to work. He gets to work and someone had brought in DONUTS ! Darwin was good and didn't have one.

We have been searching the Internet for all the info on diabetes. Some of it is so contradicting, you can have honey, NO you cannot have honey, a little of this is okay, NO you can't have a little of that ! So confusing. We are at the point now of experimenting with what raises his sugar and what is safe. We have to count in the Osteoarthritis, High blood pressure, and Cholesterol also. Low-salt, which low-sugar products add for taste, low-fat, high calcium--- did I tell you this is so confusing???? Argh !!! This person is losing her mind. I am not a cook, as you all know by now.

I have been going through recipes in books and on-line. I am getting a small collection going, and you should see my spice collection !! I have every flavored vinegar made, and vinaigrette's.

Wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, 7-grain bread, wheat flour (yep! we used our grinder), Truvia, I've always used canola oil and olive oil. "I" have made whole wheat muffins twice now! We found sugar-free chocolate chips and I added those. I have lots of applesauce, pumpkin puree,

this has been so expensive to get organized for. I'm so glad you are all eating smart now, before something like this hits ...

Darwin even has eaten a little lettuce on his burger. Oh! And I found Whole Grain Thin Buns, they are great for everything !! They are about 3/8 of an inch thick and split in half and are good! Now to get him to try some new veggies.

All in all, and after all is said, we are getting it together.

We went to dinner at 'The Loft' and Darwin asked me "What do I order potatoes or rice? " He was in a panic...I told him to get double on the veggies. "Can we do that?" "Yes we can." He was so relieved !! He is so funny!! Good news is, we have both lost weight and his sugar is under 100 in the mornings!!

So if you have any low-sugar, low-fat, low-salt recipes -- post them for us. :)

~~DECEMBER DAYS~~

December was a blurr !!! Finished the Quillos I FBed about in July, it takes a while to make 8 quillos . I had fun doing them, picking out the fabric for each one was great. I now know Sadie likes blue and Phebe is a pink fan. Isaac seen the Star Wars fabric when he was here and loved it !! I had to tell him it was for something else and he felt ssoooo bad! Sorry Isaac, I had to tell a fib! I hope you like your Star Wars quillo !
We had the Bills Family Party. That was fun. Good food and games. We got to meet Jake's little boy Casey and to see Amy again. Cute kiddies!
The next night we had the Beckstead Party. That was fun also. Lots of food and games. Kristin brought a candy bikini top everyone wanted ! For the candy of course.
We had our Neighborhood Party--I didn't go again.
We had our Ward Party at the Palomar--We didn't go.
We had the Company Party at Provo--We didn't go.
( I don't like being around people lately, don't know why?)
We had a Christmas Day Party at Katie & Rob's, it was great !! Good food and lots of pies !
After dinner we had a pie tasting, Pumpkin Chiffon, Apple, Razzleberry, and Cherry Cheesecake ! Sawyer joined us and tried a couple, I think Rob finished his up...funny Sawyer!
On the 28th, we awaited the arrival of Miss Finley. She is just like a GIRL--took her time getting ready for her appearance. It was worth the wait, she is beautiful!! And Tori already has her posing for photos. We kept Ezra for 3 days, Kate had him Monday. By Thursday he was homesick. Tori called Wednesday afternoon and he told her, "Mom, I miss you So very much!"
He was ready to go home. Tore her up, she was crying when I got the phone back! Of course come Thursday morning, he didn't want to go home. By Thursday afternoon he couldn't get home fast enough!
December 31st, I stayed up and Darwin went to bed. At 12 o'clock fireworks and shotguns going off !! Happy New Year Everyone !!!!!