Fun friend weekend

We had a fun friend filled weekend. Friday night a c ouple of the girls from work came over and we hung otu and talked and just had fun. Thanks for the pinkie pies Randi. We then had a play date saturday night with Amber, my friend from knitting group, and her husband stu. We had a lot of fun and are excited that we have made some new friends!!

When your "bag of tricks" won't work

As we sat in the playhouse yesterday trying to get some play time in before christmas program practice, it started. D started into one of his fits that hasn't happened in 6 months. He started crying and I started in on the list. act like him, ok that didn't work, ignore definitely didn't work, so now he is in full blown fit and wont even walk. We get back to class and time for coats to be off to go to practice, even more of a fit. We head to practice and as the other children start to sing he slows his breathing and you can tell he is listening. Other teachers try to help and fit fires up at full force again. I take the class back upstairs as we are being very disruptive of practice and teh looks form other teachers is unbearable to me. Fit continues for a total of 40 minutes until he finally decides he might want to go play legos. I exhausted my "bag" and was exhausted myself. I leave for the day feeling down on myself as a teacher and trying to think over and analyze what I could have done differently to make it end faster.

Lego Show November 2009

We wanted to share a wonderful weekend with you. Rob is a part of the Utah Lego Users Group here in Salt Lake and they go to train shows and put up displays for people to come in and see. This is the third show Rob has done with them and he gets more detailed every show we do. This show was called the Wasatch Rails Train SHow and the guys had a whole room to set up in. It was awesome and really fun to hear people come in and look and the comments they made. Enjoy the pics.

BOO!!!!!!

We had afun Halloween around here. I had a princess and Luke Skywalker. JM got to wear his costume for 3 days in a row. Rachel got 2 but was just as happy both days. They had a lot of fun and we tried to stay warm!!

Lego Building

Yes I am building legos with knitting now too. My Husbands Lego group is having a huge show in November and they asked everyone that builds to please expand on their layout because they will have a ton of room. In talking with a few of the guys they decided I could build with them. This is my entry for the table. It is a coffee shop on the bottom and a knitting shop on the top. I have a garden with a pond out to the side. I know it seems silly but I really had fun making this up!!

Rachels Birthday

Rachel turned 4 on Saturday and we had planned a lot to do.
We started out with getting her nails painted at the salon I go to. Lisa was her nail artist for the day.
She gave her flowers on her nails for her birthday.
We then came back and got Rob and John Michael and she wanted to go to McDonalds for her birthday lunch. We were doing ok and she played a little and then got sick. We had planned on going to see Where the Wild THings Are for the last bit of her birthday that afternoon but she was not having a good day. We decided to go home and it was a good thing we did.
So today we went to see the movie and had a really good time. It is a good movie.

Pattern Sharing

This is the first time I have shared a pattern on my blog but I was so impressed by how these turned out that I wanted to share. I made them for my daughter who is turning 4 next Saturday and they match the new coat that my parents gave to her for her birthday.

I used size 10 double point needles 4 of them. I used Lion Brand wool-ease worsted weight yarn doubled for this project.

c/o 18 stitches, 6 per needle
knit 2 inches
k 1st needle, k1, m1, k1, m1, k4, k 3rd needle
knit
k 1st needle, k1, m1, k3, m1, k4, k 3rd needle
knit
k 1st needle, k1, m1, k5, m1, k4, k 3rd needle
knit
k 1st needle, k3, slip 6 stitches to holder, k3, k 3rd needle
knit
k next row and m1 stitch on each needle
knit 3 rows in seed stitch
bind off
thumb:
knit 1st row and make 1 on each needle
knit 2 rows in seed stitch
bind off

sew ends in and make another

Breaking a Board

John Michael just completed a free karate program with a local dojo and in finishing all of his homework and going to 2 classes at the studio for his graduation got to break 2 boards. He had so much fun and really liked the instructor and the class. We had a blast letting him do it. They sent home homework every night they had class and most of it was repsect building chores, i.e. cleaning your room, saying please and thank you, doing things without being asked and other exercises.He enjoyed it and we are so proud of what he accomplished.

Rachel

On Sat Rachel had her dance performance. She was so cute and had such a great time doing dance. They were dressed like little Minnie Mouses and sooooooooooooooooo darn cute.

Mammaws Flower

I made the rose on the back of her chair for her before my parents left. My mom got to take it to her yesterday. I think it looks really cool on the back of her chair.

Zoompa and Tutu Visit

Mom and Dad got here last THrusday evening and we had a good visit with them. Rachel was sick on Friday so Zoompa and John Michael got to go to the Xango museum together and then of course a trip to Cabella's. THey had a great time.

On Saturday we got to go out to Antelope Island out in the middle of the Great Salt Lake. Very fun and really neat except for the huge spiders, UGHHHHHHH! If you are ever here and want to go out it is well worth it just remeber to reaply your sunscreen, OUCH!!

We took a lazy Sunday drive up into the Mountains and then took the back way into Park City. Really a good time and we got a cute family pic out of it!

Monday we went to Temple Square and walked around taking some really neat pictures. We also took the kids to Nickle Mania (nickle arcade) and mom and I went to a bead store.

We said good bye to tehm and Happy Birthday to mom today and the kids were sad to see them go.

kids

Updated pics

New creation

I made this for my best firend for her birthday and I am making another one for a friend at work.

Flowers

I planted these last year and nothing ever came up so I didn't think too much about it but we have been watching as they have grown and have been waiting for them to open and finally this morning they both were.

Torture

So I got to go to the Zoo. My ankle hurt ut I think the walking was good therapy. However pulling 3 kids in a wagon around a hilly zoo should seriously be considered some form of torture!!!!

Swollen ankles

So today in my brilliant plan of a day for some reason decided to stop at Chevron station to get something. I stepped out of my car and started to walk around the back of it and woosh!!!!! Flat on my butt!!!!! Totally stinks now my ankle huurts and is swollen and I am afraid that means I won't be able to go the Zoo with my kids tomorrow! I am really bummed cuz I was really looking forward to doing this field trip with them especially since I have a new student. I am so bummed!!

WHo you gonna call...........Ghostbusters!?

So the day after my brithday we went to Toys R Us. In the parking lot we spotted this car. While inside the store we learned that it was owned by one of the employees there and that he was a part of Salt Lake Ghostbusters CLub. So weird!

Airshow

Last weekend we went to the Airshow at Hill Air FOrce Base in Layton, UT. It was really awesome. there are too many pics to put on here but you can view them here
http://picasaweb.google.com/rautis2/Airshow09?authkey=Gv1sRgCK-8jPT2iubv1AE#

Double Rainbow

Saw this while driving home from knitting group the other night!

New Projects

I have made a few things in the last couple weeks that I wanted to share. I made up a pattern for a skull and crossbones dish cloth and a knitted rose (periwinkle blue flower with brown leaves)

Night at the Museum Battle of the SMithsonian

If you are wary of sequels because lets face it we have all been to horrible sequels, don't be on th is one. It is well worth the money and time to go!

A Mothers Day Letter to my kids

Rachel and John Michael,


Wow what can I say. It is an honor and joy each day to be your mother. I am truly blessed to have 2 wonderful children in my life. Your father gave me a great gift the day both of you were born.. You!! I know we may not always get along but you have my heart at all times. I love watching each one of you blossom and grow into wonderful human beings. You make my life amazing and I don't know what I would do without you!! I know it is hard sometimes with me working for us to spend the quality time we would both enjoy but know that what I do I do for you. You guys really to make life worth living in so many ways!!!!!!!

I Love you!

Mom

A Fun Find

A fun find on the website I belong to for knitters and crocheters. It is very fun done by Gil Elvgren

Update

Brandon is out of Surgery and doing well. Groggy but well!

Requesting Prayers Please

We havea friend Brandon (to see a pic you can scroll down to the Blue October post) He is having hip replacement surgery on Tuesday and is very nervous. He has not had good luck with surgeries on this particular hip and is not expecting it with this one. Please pray that he can have peace during the surgery and everything turns out just fine like last time.

Working out

Last week Rob and I found out that one of the gyms in town was offering this great deal of $1 down and $10 a month so we decided to join. I have gone now 4 times because of a stomach bug dragging me down last week. I am really enjoying doing it and the energy I get from it. Yes the soreness stinks but oh well I keep thinking about myself in those size 12 jeans again!!! I really think it is something that I can stick with and really get my butt down to size.

Easter

Easter Pics. We had a good day and just enjoyed being together. They also enjoyed being spoiled by Zoompa and Tutu

Lenny

Rob is crazy. I wanted to take this polar bear, yes he is Lego, and make a necklace out of him. I was told no that I would be killing lenny. I then went to his fav brick buying website and found a picture of this guy and found that I could buy him for $1.50. Rob, watching over my shoulder then screamed that I would be killing Wayne.

Shirt for Rachel

So this is only the secon dknitting project clothing wise that I have done. I started it the other day and just decided it would make a cute top for Rachel. It turned out very cute I think!!!

Blue October

Some of you may know this band and some may not. They were here in town this week and Rob's Stepbrother Alan is their tour manager. Rob got to go see the guys in concert and had a great time with some of the guys from the bowling alley. The top picture is Rob and Alan and the next one is (left to right)Kevin, Gilbert, Stuart, Brandon, and Rob.

Mickey Mouse Dishcloths

So as most of you know I am an avid knitter. Most of the girls at work know this too. So One of them, Erica, has a Mickey Mouse themed kitchen and so I got to looking for patterns and found one that fit. I tried it on the first cloth but didn't like the way it came out he was to subtle. So I tweaked the pattern and here is the result. These were also made in black, yellow, and white.

Photos from Our trip

http://picasaweb.google.com/rautis2/GrampsFuneral#

I know it is late but if you go to the website listed above you cna view photos from the funeral and from Lubbock

Videos from Lubbock

Video of Rachel and cousin Elise playing at Rob's Grandmothers house in Lubbock

So proud of my Boy!

Today we finally got his report card. SInce we were gone to the funeral we missed parent teacher conferences so we got the report. He did so well. THey are rated on the alphabet scale for their reading and he is at a U. I am told that is really high for second grade. He did really well on all of it exfept his handwriting which his teacher says is improving but not at the rate she would like to see. Oh well, he does come by that one honestly.

We are back!

A long trip but we are back and had a pretty good time. The service was very nice. It was funny and light hearted which is exactly what he would have wanted. Other than his casket almost taking a ride down the hill it was nice. We had a toast to Gramps at a lunch the church had provided for the family. We had IBC Root Beer and Twinkies. Very yummy. We relaxed afterwards with family and just had a nice time. The next day we headed over to Lubbock, TX to visit some of Robs family and enjoy some time with them. We stayed at his Grandmas house and she seems to be doing very well. We visited his Uncle Pax and AUnt Mary and the whole gang showed up as well. On Monday we got to take his Grandma out to breakfast for her Birthday. We took her to Cracker Barrel and she had a great time. We left Teusday morning and headed back to Alb to help mom and dad take care of some of the stuff that had been cleared out of Grandpas place. We got to have dinner with Mammaw and Pappaw. Very nice. We headed back wednesday morning and arrived home late that night. Glad to be home and I will post pictures as soon as I get the program loaded back into the computer.

Update

He did pass away at about 9pm last night. My mom said he went very peacefully.

Gramps

So if you don't know my grandpa is very ill and will be passing away soon. Over the last couple of days I have had a lot of time to think about this. He has Alzheimer's and dementia. I can only imagine what it must feel like to be loosing your mind and have no control over it. I know it must be driving this genius of a man crazy. He was always so amazing and smart. He always knew the right things to say to make you feel better and was so concerned about others. I know that he will be happier with grandma again. I hate to see him go but I know that God has better plans for him. I was talking with my cousin about this earlier tonight and we started talking about all the fun things that we used to do with him. Like Twinkies and A&W Root beer, or Flat Cat Pancakes on a Saturday morning when we had stayed the night there. Or Playing John Phillips Sousa as loud as the stereo would go to wake us up. Or coming to visit the Michelle and Tina travel agency to take trips to Swaziland. I love you gramps and wish you well. Kiss grandma for me!

The Shack

I finally finished reading this book. I am totally overwhelemed by my emotions right now with this book but I am here to say you must read it. No matter what or where your faith stands you must read. After you do you will understand why I posted this picture with it. Thank you gertie!

My sweet hubby!

So we got our valentuine gifts early. I got a shirt from my favorite website for knitters and Rob got Legos! We got teh kids and the dog a little something and we are going to do our taxes to celebrate. WOOOHOO!

Me and my Gertie!

Wow Denver was a blast! We had a lot of fun just getting to hang out with each other! I got to go back to work with her on Friday and that was a blast. She is a fabulous teacher and does such a great job with the kids. It was neat to see how many people are still there since I left. We watched a lot of movies and played games with Abby, her daughter, and just really enjoyed each other. It was sad to leave but I was happy to see my family! Take some you time it is so worth it!