Our Latest Hobby {Carrying on the Tradition}

   A few weeks ago, Mom got the idea that we should make a quilt! She learned to quilt from my Dad's mom, whose family were quite the experts at quilting. But of course when we kids were little, Mom had not the time for quilting! It seems that few people actually quilt anymore; it's almost becoming a lost art. We jumped on Mom's idea! It was really neat to learn something that our ancestors did as a regular part of life. A good friend (who had also quilted before) helped us pick out colors and sew the front pieces together. We stuck with a simple nine-patch pattern to start out easy. 

  Mom and our friend tediously stenciled the quilting lines on the fabric. Somehow, I managed to be gone that day and get out of having to help... though, of course, I felt very bad for leaving them all that work... LOL

 This past Saturday, several ladies from church came over to try their hands at quilting. A couple had done it before, but it was the first time for most. It was rather humorous to hear them bemoaning their "terrible" stitches... (Sorry, ladies, but it was kinda funny, and the stitches were fine! =P)

Now you needn't look too closely at the stitches (especially my dear aunts =))... none of us are experts, mind you. But I think it's going to look very pretty when it all gets finished. Whenever that may be. =)

Thanksgiving, 2013

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100

A (late) Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I hope you had at least half as great a day as we did! Paul's family wasn't able to come this year, but we enjoyed our short time with Andrew and Melinda.

 The guys convinced us all to play football, and then softball with them. It was quite fun, though, and we all had a good time laughing at each other! =D

LOL

No, Missy (Melinda and Andrew's dog) isn't really allowed at the table... =)

Lunchtime!

Thanksgiving dinner was delicious as usual, and we all probably ate too much, but... it was really good.

The usual menu of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, sweet potato casserole,
green been casserole, corn, and homemade rolls; with dessert of various pies including pumpkin, pecan, blueberry, and sweet potato! Yum!

How was you all's Thanksgiving?

Daniel's 8th Birthday

   Daniel turned eight today!! We were all rather excited by this birthday because now, by state law, he no longer needs a crazy car seat! It'll be nice to have more room in the car with that big thing gone now! =)

He got several army things this year... little army men, an army helmet, a noisy battery-operated hand grenade, and a wooden gun. Nathan actually made the gun himself, except for the wooden stock.

Grenade!

  Daniel chose to have a cookout for his birthday meal... with pizza pockets! Interesting combination, but, hey, it's his birthday, and it's his choice (within reason of course! =D).

he couldn't blow this birthday candle out!

Nate's "party face"...... ???

Happy Birthday, Daniel!

School Pictures

We got a little more professional with our pictures this year, partly because these would be my senior pictures. We got our very own, professional-in-the-making photographer and went down to the Botanical Gardens. The day was nice and sunny, and the scenery was positively gorgeous!

the sun was a little bright =)

Beth, Mom, and I

He enjoyed being in the spotlight =)

Love this picture! So cute!

{the '2014' is for my graduation year}

With my photographer!!

Megan did such a great job taking and editing the pictures! They turned out wonderfully! Thanks, Megan!!