Some baby-gifting love

Mr. Wiedz's cousin and his girlfriend had a baby this past September. After the baby was born and it was known it was a girl I went right out bought this fabric for a baby quilt. I was so happy to get soft colors, PINK! PALE GREEN! GIRL COLORS!

When I bought it I didn't really have a plan, which is unusual for me but I did come up with a project that was mostly handwork so I could work on it while I was flying to Argentina. Even though I didn't fly to Argentina I was happy with having a handwork project.

I made "yo-yo's", which I had never done before. It took some trial and error with getting the gathers right since I was doing such big yo-yo's. Then I appliqued them on the background so everything looked like flowers in a meadow.

I had to ask a friend at church her opinion on the quilting and was thrilled with how it turned out.
I gave it to the sweet baby girl for Christmas. Her parents were happy and thought that she would love it.

Catching up: Letters to Santa

December 7th

We wrote letters to Santa...the kids love the tradition of this. Complete with sugar cookies to decorate while they contemplate their list.

This year #2 was preoccupied with the DS so he ate his cookie, wrote about 3 items on his list and was done.

#1 was very into her list. It was long and full of good ideas for Santa.

Of course we have to end the tradition with a walk down to the mailbox to send them off.

Still snowing

It is still snowing. And still quiet and calm outside.

Quiet and calm is not how I'd describe inside but we are enjoying our time in for the most part. A lot of games and puzzles. A lot of running around...#4 loves to chase his big siblings. A lot of reading and snuggling. A lot of DS playing. Some crafting. Some school work. A little laundry. Very little cleaning. A couple of red envelopes with fun movies have arrived.

I am ready to leave the house. I have big plans for this weekend. They are calling for more snow so my plans may be interrupted. I'll keep you posted.

What a proud mama I am!

#2 has started asking about words. He'll call from his seat in the back of the car and ask how to spell something. I'll ask him what sounds he hears and he can tell me. He'll sound out words on his own. So I asked the kindergarten teacher at school where I should start with him. I think I pushed #1 a little, picking books a little too hard too soon. I got the answer every parent shudders when they hear.

Go, Dog. Go!

When I read this book, I skip 4 or 5 pages with every page turn.

But there is something magical about hearing your son read it to you!

A red dog on a blue tree.

A blue dog on a red tree.

A green dog on a yellow tree.

Some big dogs and some little dogs going around in cars.

A dog out of a car.

The sun is up.

The sun is yellow.

The yellow sun is over the house.

It is hot out here in the sun.

It is not hot here under the house.

Now it is night.

Night is not a time for play.

It is time for sleep.

The dogs go to sleep.

They will sleep all night.

Now it is day.

The sun is up.

Now is the time for all dogs to get up.

Get up!

It is day.

Time to get going.

Go, dogs. Go!

Snow Day

We've been hit by the "Arctic Blast", that's what the media is calling our 7 to 8 inches of snow. Everything is closed down, my mid-west neighbors roll their eyes but us Oregonians don't know what to do with the white powdery stuff...we're used to liquid sunshine!

Here's a little glimpse of what we've seen and done on this day shut away!

Catching up: Getting Our Tree

On the 6th we got our tree. We went to the wilderness and cut our own. Something we've talked about doing most years. This year we decided it would be a fun family day and started out. Mr. Wiedz knew where to go. I packed a lunch and some snacks. Once we bribed, I mean talked to the kids about a fun day spent in the car and a meal out we were off.

Everyone did fabulous on the way to the Detroit Lake area. We went up Brietenbush Road and took some forest service road off of that. Mr. Wiedz needed to find a truly wilderness area and to put the car into 4 wheel drive before he was satisfied that we'd experienced all we could for "getting there".

It wasn't enough to find a suitable tree from near the side of the road. After lunch and getting more layers on, although it was a clear day it was cold out in the wilderness, we headed up the side of a mountain to find our tree. Up and up we went! #1 at one point said, "this is not what I expected". I have to admit I was growing impatient with the climbing myself but figured since I was carrying #3 and Mr. Wiedz had #4 in the backpack #1 had nothing to complain about and I changed my attitude. Mr. Wiedz and #2 were having so much fun.

#2 kept falling but he was enjoying himself so much he'd let out a "SWEET" each time. Sometimes we'd even get a "SWEETER!" He was totally into the forging a path in the forest. The tree was of no consequence to him!

We did find a tree. Mr. Wiedz cut it down (I love that he used a cordless saws-all to do it) and we took a group picture. That was entertaining itself since I had to cross periless terrain to get into the picture after I'd set the timer. At this point we have to now carry the tree down the mountain back to the car. Mr. Wiedz carried both boys and I carried the tree. It felt really good to get back to the car! We took another picture of the kids with our tree on top of the car and we headed back home.

We did stop at Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. We even went in. The kids had a great time. It was a great family day!

It took me awhile...

****December 17th****Edited to add links.****

...but here I am!

Well, it took me almost 2 weeks to get my to-do list I'd posted on the 2nd done!

Laundry was so caught up the other day I couldn't even do full loads. I got an email the other day about making laundry soap and at the grocery store I got the ingredients and tried it. K was wondering what the heck I was doing but I really like the soap, it is SO much cheaper and so easy to make.

Here's my new header...cute, I think!

The cleaning lists are up and in practice...although I haven't "felt" like it the last couple of days. But when I do, the house looks like someone cares to take care of it!

The boys are so fun most days. I'm slowly reading an online book, Raising Godly Tomatoes and slowly implementing some of the ideas I'm getting. I'm enjoying them more and the screaming is decreasing...everything is more enjoyable with less screaming!

Thanksgiving never got posted about. Needless to say it was a wonderful time. It was a quiet week at Grammie and Grandpa N's. Grammie N recently had broken her arm so I got to cook the dinner and all the munchies to go along with the days of eating to lead up to Thanksgiving. We were especially blessed that Mr. Wiedz returned from work early that week. There is much that goes into that but it is a whole other post that may or may not be written. We are just ecstatic to have him home!

In my opinion it is not a holiday without Chex Mix...Happy Holidays!

Laziness, pure laziness...

...that is why you haven't heard from me!

Today's to-do list:

• Laundry
  
• Room lists that tell a person (big or little) what needs to be done in that room to have it clean. We let the cleaning lady go...so we're back on our own and need all the help we can get.
  
• Make a new blog header
  
• Post about Thanksgiving and the other stuff that's been going on
  
• Keep up with the boys I have at home today
  
• Cook, clean, discipline, play, change diapers...you know, the usual
  

You'll hear from me again soon...I promise.