Knitting Lesson...

So yesterday I took my 3rd knitting lesson. What fun! Got to meet some new people and say, "Hi!" to some that I already know. Plus learn a new technique! But to start the day off right I arrived about an hour ahead of schedule since I had to check out a couple of things prior to the class starting.

If you regularly or not so regularly go to your LYS's, most have a resident cat or dog that will greet you, sneak up on you or you have to look for to get your animal attention for the day. Well we not only have a resident dog, Rosie! But we also have a resident grand baby! Everybody just adores him for obvious reasons and we all, in return, get this beautiful smile.

A bit of fiber heaven...

you know...... to set the mood or to just start the day out right.

My classmates! Roxanne and Barb. I know Roxanne from knitting group on Tuesday nights. I've also had the pleasure of meeting her 2 daughters. Both teach in the same district that my kiddo's go to school in, though at different schools.

Barb is new to the shop but I hope to see her again in the future. She was telling us about how her mom taught her to knit during the air raids of WW2 with the lights off.

Class has started. We're learning how to move beads from the threads they're on, to the yarn we're going to knit with. The finished project is to be a "Beaded Scarf".

This is my work space and the beginning of my scarf! I was up front with our teacher and unabashedly told her that I didn't mind being "teachers pet"! I think this pretty much set the mood for the rest of our 2 hour class. :-)

This is what the finished product is supposed to look like. 48" of beaded warmth.

Here's mine! My piece is now about 6" long. The interesting thing about this scarf is that it is done in 2 pieces. I'll finish one half and then start on the other half and then graft the two together. Can't wait!

Roxanne and Barb worked so diligently. I was the class clown.

Our wonderful teacher, Kate.

I couldn't resist. Last night I walked by the windows in the laundry room and saw the moon through the trees. It was just beautiful. So I grabbed the camera and went on the deck to try and get a couple of pictures. Just wish I hadn't had to use the flash to get them to come out. The ones I took without the flash, well I know what they are but someone else would just be lost. I need to get a better camera.......... some day.

I see you....

Photo Shoot for Entrepreneur Magazine

After looking over the pictures that I took of the photo shoot I thought you might like to see what I saw and David experienced during the shoot. Unfortunately, I didn't think of this until I got home with the kids, so this is the second location in the yard that they used. John is the photographer and Robert is his assistant.

Kristina even got to get in on the process. She is very interested in photography. Check out her blog.......... here. Let her know what you think of her pictures.....

The final result was the kids got to get into the picture with Dad! How fun....

Photographers, broke toes, science club and more...

We've had another busy week and the weeks to come look to be just as entertaining. Our week started off discovering that the science club at school only accepts 12 students. Both of the boys desperately wanted to be in this club. Lucky us! They both made it in and are so excited for this to begin as this is their first after school club.

David will be writing a one time column for Entrepreneur Magazine which will be in the January 2011 issue. So Entrepreneur sent out a photographer, John Johnston, to get a picture of David for the head of the column. It was a cool experience having the equipment set up in our yard and I wanted the kids to see it all. So I ran down to the school early and brought them home. Good thing I did, as the photo shoot was just about done when we arrived. John was nice enough to take a couple of pictures of the kids with their daddy. I think it came out great!

Well I'm just about healed, I think! Broke my little toe last week and except for Hunter, without provocation, attacking my leg yesterday I've been able to keep that toe pretty safe. Now it throbs a bit but its still healing and the "grape like appearance" has faded. Still have a bit of swelling but I can get my foot in a boot or shoe, if said shoe is a loose fitting one. Talked with a wonderful friend of mine this last weekend and was informed that my toe may never go back to its original size. Now! that! could cause a problem. Time will tell.....

(photo from day after toe was broken)

Took the poo's in for a quaffing session last week and for the first time in their lives they actually look like poodles! We think they are just the cutest. I think we'll keep up this particular cut.

The knitting is coming along, as usual. More and more to do and not enough time to get it all done. I finish something and then immediately add something else. I've decided that next year I'm going to knit all year for the holidays. That way I don't get slammed with making gifts for this group. I'm praying that I don't break a finger....

-8.5

Great Sand Dunes Camping trip...

We're going camping, we're going camping..... each time we head out I think, "WOW! This time we won't fill up the car!" See how I lie to myself....



This time we almost had to strap the kids to the roof! ;-)

The fall colors are still in full swing in LaVeta Pass. The drive through there was just riveting. Everywhere you looked were yellows, golds, and rusts. A stark contrast to the deep greens still in play up there.

Spanish Peaks...



We passed this georgous scene on our way to the Great Sand Dunes Oasis Campground. There are two campgrounds in the area that we were aware of and this one had the trees that we love. We heard coyotes, saw deer and loved our views.



Friday evening at the dunes...


Saturday morning at the dunes....

Max waiting for his coffee...

We got away much later than anticipated from the house on Friday and ended up paying for it by getting the camp set up and then immediately having to start dinner. At which point we discovered that the grill was broken and we weren't able to fix it. Thankfully the fire bans were no longer in effect and we were able to have campfires to cook with. Notice the cast iron. I have 5 pieces that my mom gave me and I'm able to use 2 of these pieces for camping. Boy do they come in handy. I love these pieces and have decided to pick up a couple of more smaller pieces to round out the cookware portion of our camping supplies.





The giggle group!
Jake not quite ready to greet the day. He's taking time to let the sweater warm up before venturing out of the tent...

Nothing like playing with sticks that you can light and blow out.... over and over and over and over...





time to warm the feet!








1 monkey








2 monkey....







relaxin....



Just one of the views from the campsite...

considering we were quite literally the only people camping, we had unobstructed views all around us...





Saturday at the dunes....



On top....





at the bottom....
Video of Kristina sand boarding! She did a good job....







Just some of the visitor's center attractions...







within walking distance of the campsite were 3 grave sites. Still have no idea who these men were.

Jiffy pop time!

Here is my summation of our trip:

Well our weekend of camping went off without a hitch, so to speak. Dad burned his hand on a propane lantern, fell out of the tent yesterday morning and slightly twisted his foot or ankle ........... I think! that about covers it. On the way home we decided that we'd all had our bad experiences camping and that from this point on it was going to be clear sailing, so to speak. *knock on wood, here.* So now, Olivia and I are deathly afraid of bees/wasps. Kristina doesn't like hatchets. Jolie, Hunter, and Parker ........well they are a bit clumsy on their own. Can't really blame that on camping! And your Dad, well...... he's dad. We did use the new heater and absolutely love it!!! Of course it required that we all, let me re-emphasis that, ALL, slept in the same tent. So the sleeping arrangements were as such. From l. - r. standing at the door of the tent you would have seen, ME!, then your dad (you know him, the one who likes to make a big deal of falling out tent doors!), Kristina (who apparently your father is unable to step over and out a tent door without trying to drag her with him), then a queen mattress placed at the complete right side of the tent and leaning down hill so that all on the mattress end up at the front of the tent, (but not at the door opening or your dad would have blamed them too for his falling out of the door!) From back to front you would have seen - Olivia (who sleeps like a compass point trying desperately to locate true north!), Jolie, Parker and then Hunter, ALL! of which try to stay out of reach of Olivia's appendages during the night so as to not be bruised and bloody by morning and poor Hunter, I need to mention again, who each morning somehow ended up at the bottom of the pile of human bodies. Camping? We LOVE IT!

-7.5

Proud Moment...

We received a letter from Kristina's High School that she had Lettered in Academics and that we needed to attend a semi-formal ceremony at the school. So here we go....
Here is the principal introducing the evening and explaining that we're to hold off applause until after all the students have crossed the stage with their awards. Kristina's group had about 120 students, which he explained was the largest in the schools history. (Not all of the students showed up for this ceremony) This award was being presented to the graduating class of 2013 due to their academic achievements from the previous year.

Here is Kristina in her business style.

Never to be confused with the other students who were wearing summer dress'.

I'm so sorry that these pics came out blurry. I was so disappointed when I realized that the lighting in the auditorium was so dim. My camera is just not equipped to handle those types of changes. Anyway.... Here they all are lining up in alphabetical order ASAP!

The below video is of her walking across the stage to accept her award, letter and pin. I didn't catch them calling her name! uggg.

There she is!

All of the students accepting applause for their great achievement...

Just a little happy about all this? I think so.

Coming back to sit with us lowly individuals.

Showing off her certificate.

Congratulations Sweetie!