September is National Sewing Month!

So Ashley and I were talking about what a coincidence (and how cool) it is that me, Deb, Mel and she all got interested and so excited about sewing right around the same time. I've been wanting to make skirts like crazy, Deb's been sewing some adorable quilts and cute lil' animals, Mel's been making Ben's Wild Thing costume for Halloween and Ash is not far behind with her ties. Today I went to JoAnn's to purchase some sewing supplies for my awesome new sewing machine (an early Christmas gift from my generous mother-in-law who is excited that I'm becoming Holly Homemaker) and there was a great big sign stating that September is National Sewing Month. I immediately texted Ash to tell her that must be the reason! It has to be! Subconsiously we all knew it, I'm sure of it. :)
Anyhow, I'm so excited to get busy creating. I'm a bit short on cash right now so I stole some material from my mom who has a whole bureau full that will never be used. Some of it's a little old school (not in a good way) but I figure I gotta practice on something. And there's some pretty cool retro stuff that will soon be a skirt or something.
Here is my shiny new machine in all it's glory:
I haven't named her yet. Perhaps because there's not a cool story to go along with it like Deb's machine. But soon....

I have to tell the cute little story of how this came to be my machine. Kathleen (my MIL) was so excited to find out that I wanted to sew- probably because I'm always asking her to make Karter's costumes and fix our clothes. So she asked if she could get me one for Christmas- OF COURSE!!! Thursday night they came down to babysit while Rich and I went to parent/teacher conference and when we got back the kids were jumping up and down like crazy. I looked at my little craft corner and there was a big bump covered up with Zach's ball blanket. The boys couldn't even wait for me to put my stuff down. Karter made me close my eyes and he lead me to the table while Zach pulled the blanket off. Ta-da!! They have been just as excited as (or more than) me about the machine. Karter already has a list of costumes he wants me to make and Zachary insists on pushing on the pedal constantly (this will cease- it's a new rule not to touch it whatsoever). So I went and bought some supplies so I can start creating and also a cool carrier so we can have our sewing parties!! :) And my cute sister-in-law brought me a bunch of patterns today so I can get started. I can't wait!!!

Trout & Berries in Paradise

Ah, this is Paradise!

No really, this is Rich's grandma's house in Paradise, Utah (up near Logan).

It's such a cute, cozy little house and I love it!

Last Saturday (08/29/09), we went to Trout & Berry Days with the Merrill fam. We had a lot of fun. The kids got to catch trout with their bare hands to try to win a prize. And they got to keep (and eat!) the one they caught. Zachary was really gung-ho and jumped right in to try to catch one. It's tricky though and he needed a little help from Dad, but he got one!

Karter was a little weary about touching them. When you bring them out of the water they try to breath so he thought they were trying to bite him! So Dad helped him too and they got one with a tag which meant he won a prize! He was so excited about his hat and root beer!
They were so excited about their fish! But the poor things were not doing too well in the small plastic bag that was provided, so Dad took them back to Grandma's to clean and gut them to eat for dinner.

Rich's dad talked me into jumping in for the mom's round. The grand prize was a nights' stay at The Anniversay Inn- that's what got me in there! Dick taught me the trick to catching them and when they blew the whistle I jumped in! It was actually a little disturbing to have those slimy little things touching my legs but I endured. I caught about 30 fish but did not get the prize. :(

You have to get cotton candy at a carnival and it's even better when it's the size of your head!

They both got extremely sticky but cotton candy is always worth it!

And of course there was the big, rainbow, blow-up slide. The kids spent forever on this thing. Which was cool, because we got to sit and rest and eat yummy, $1 pizza.

Head first! Zach's always been the dare devil.

I don't think they really understood this one but they waited a long time in line and had fun trying!

Zachary was barely tall enough to put on the vest.

Dick signed up for the pie eating contest. I told him to play dirty if he had to since the prize was a case of some delicious, local jam. I thought he was golden since he's kind of a pig at home :), but he didn't even come close. But he said the pie was good!

This ride made me dizzy just watching but they had a blast.

Afterwards, we went back to Grandma's to hang out and rest. We don't get to see Grandma Pearce very often but we love her!!

It was a long, hot day and we were all very tired by the end of it. But we had a GREAT time in Paradise with the trout and berries!