New things for a New Year

I have decided to do a few new things this year. It's so busy during the last 1/2 of the year for us, that the first part of the year I often find myself just regrouping! January tends to be a month when I get to sit and do nothing. Then I feel guilty for all of February. So, this time, I decided to use my "down time" more effectively (oxy-moron, I know, but...). I signed up to play volleyball for the women in my ward. I'm a TOTAL rookie, and an idiot out there, but I'm trying. My first serve went straight UP to the lights! As the game progressed, I knew that the other ladies were trying to work with me. I know NONE of the rules. So, I have no idea of when to serve, when a point is made, and when to rotate. After a few times of this, the gal next to me (who has great skills on the court) says to me (as she gets closer and closer to me--me having that lovely deer-in-the-headlights look as she approaches me), "Christie, when I get unnaturally close to you, it's time for you to rotate!" Check! Got it! So, now I know when to rotate! Eventually, I did score a couple of points, and my own girls signed up to play for their young women's team, too! So, that's one new thing.

The other new thing I did was learning to sew...this was "challenging". Seriously, I have made a couple of square pillows, and basic things like that maybe 3-4 times over the past 20 years. No sewing skills. But, I have to make a pioneer dress for the Trek our youth are taking this summer (actually, I have to make 6!!). While Dave and Dakota were on vacation, I thought I'd try to learn to sew one...it's 1/2 the cost of buying one, and I learn a new tightwad skill along the way (I can hear Lisa saying, "Uneducated people do it all the time, so can you")!!!

But, it's hard. You oughta be in my head as I read these sewing instructions (it doesn't help that it's very late at night)...very funny the random thoughts that roll in! Like who the heck thought to use the word "baste" for doing a long stitch?! Were they hungry, or what? Did they get their sewing instructions and their cooking instructions mixed up and were too prideful to fix it? (I'm guessing not, but can't you just picture a prissy woman like the girl Nellie on Little House on the Prairie INSISTING that you really are to use that word?! Then I laugh at the thought that Laura would pop her upside the head and roll her eyes that Nellie would actually think that Laura would believe her...and on and on the imagination rolls.) Anyway, I'm not having problems staying awake with all this mental entertainment! I think I need to have my head checked! How simple is it to get an apron done!? Well, for me, it took 3 stinkin' hours...but it's done, and I did it by myself! (Of course, AFTER I did this, I had a friend come over, and she showed me how to do one in 10 minutes, no scissors--just rip the fabric--and it looked great!! I felt about 1 inch tall!) Here's mine....hers I'm not showing you. Mine is the one we're lookin' at here.

I got the bonnet done. It only took me 3 hours! I can only say it's nice that Dave's not home...I can just grumble and muddle through with no input! Here's the picture!

Next is the dress....that's a whole 'nuther tale, tho. Besides, I've poked and cut my fingers enough for now!

Besides, I've learned a 3rd new thing...a new 4 letter word I am not fond of! It's in these blasted sewing instructions in lots of places..."turn". This is a deceptively simple term. What they TELL you it means is to sew a small strip (to make a tie for the apron, or bonnet), wrong sides out, and then flip it right side out. What it REALLY means is to spend HOURS trying to get a little dinky piece of fabric to turn inside out and NOT rip out all the stitching along the way! We tried pokin a pencil down it, got the hanger out (wrapped the end in tape to keep it from being so sharp), and tried that, etc. But, my fingers are tender from pulling the little bits of fabric from the inside through the top to the outside...tedious. So, "turn" is a new 4 letter word at my house!

SNOW!!
We woke up today to another snow day. It's the 2nd good one this week! It's so rare in our part of Oregon to have snow that stays long enough to play in! The children had a good time. They got their chores done and headed out the door! Before they made a mess, Cheyennah had a nice time getting some quiet, peaceful shots of the snow blanketing everything. Here are a couple of my fav's. (I love the sun coming up behind our big tree!)

I really love how it makes everything seem so quiet and peaceful.

But, then the children got their dreams to come true...a snow day!

(Dakota frequently prays for these!) They had some fun.

Here are some of the cuter things they did.

Ryken's snowman is very RYKEN! A little wild child! Cheyennah made a snow horse...of course, and was sure to give everyone a ride! Jacqueline made this cute snow family (note the little puppy in the snow family!). But, the cutest thing that was made, was this itty bitty snow baby that Jacqueline made for Solomon! She brought it to the window (the baby was inside with me) and put it in a little chair for Solomon! After he left, she put it back with it's mother so that they were together!

We can't get enough of Cheyennah's pictures and videos. She's the "unofficial family historian" at this point. Today I took Jacqueline to get a tooth pulled (in preparation for braces), and while I was gone, the children cranked up the stereo and goofed off. The boys were shooting rubber bands at each other, and Solomon's in the middle just dancing to the music! Who says we don't know how to have fun?! We came home to a nice clean house, with no evidence of the goofing off that went on (except this video). I think Solomon has his father's dancing moves.

Ellie has learned to ride a bike!!! GREAT JOB, ELLIE!!!! (I'm sorry it's sideways, but I didn't know how to rotate a VIDEO!) Cheyennah shot this for us on her little camera. It's nice she did. Some times the video's moving alot...Cheyennah's cracking up laughing, and can't hold still. It's kinda long, but humorous.

We're thrilled to have Dakota finished with high school!

It was a good month for him. He had his birthday (15!!), his last few finals (100% on 3 of the last four, including PHYSICS!), and a nice party to celebrate all the hard work. Our friend, Cynthia Wright volunteered to take pics of him on his birthday. He looks so handsome (righteous, good looking, smart, and funny...hmmm!) Here are some of my favorites.

We also had a little help from Grandpa Dail who took some pics for us of Dakota's party. (Notice in the first picture below that Dakota's on the phone, and has another phone in his hand taking calls!!) They ate, played football, opened some presents, and just hung around relaxing. It was a nice day, with great weather, and they were happy.