Restful in Seattle

While the kids were having fun here with peg, bethany, gray and later neil....
Sam and I were enjoying ourselves here...

discovery park~with sam and weston:)

a little light house at discovery park, right north of downtown seattle.

THE market:)- ate lunch overlooking the bay (or sound?).

the day actually started off here at the Seattle temple- how awesome it felt to do work for my first four names from my family! Some were names my mom started, and never got to finish...her name was even on the card. And you can't beat hangin out with that handsome man..and truck.

There's baby Weston. Two more months little man and you'll be in our arms!

Thanks aunt peg!

slowing down...turning granny:)

I have spider veins my doctor told me today-- one in particular bothers me when I stop exercising...I got a prescription for those circulation socks- oh dear!

So I need to slow my body down a little...But all my mind wants to do lately is NEST-Clean, organize, hopefully paint, exercise- So I picked up a couple hobbies for the last month and for the next month that require more sitting: Two other friends (that are pregnant) and I get together once a week to work on a baby quilt. We have made it to the final stage- QUILTING. I'm a little scared that my quilting techniques will turn ugly on this adorable quilt top for our sweet little man....well more like a HE-MAN, he kicks so hard I think he's going to come out sometimes.

I'm not sure I'll be a quilter, but its pretty cool to see all the pieces together--

Upside of making a quilt top: this wasn't that hard- you just have to follow the steps and repeat them a lot!
Downside of making a quilt: expensive if you don't have lots of scraps around, theres lot of ironing!, you have to be careful not to screw things up! haha

If you want to make this same pattern go to this tutorial: http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/04/whirly-wheels-baby-quilt.html

I taught myself 6 or so basic embroidery stiches- this is really fun. This little gift is on its way to a birthday girl.

And come Monday I think I'll finish this project- curtains for our back doors! Too stripy??

crafts- pinewood derby

moses lake art museum- family fun day (once a month)
made valentine bags! There's a prego pic for ya!

Pinewood derby- elders quorum style! The kids were so excited. They painted their blocks, put the wheels on, attached a three pound weight, and added, for Will, a pirate ship on top, and for Ellie, a princess car.

See the first pink car? That's ellies play car on top of her pinewood derby car-- no rules with this bracket!

Will and his friend Jens. They were having so much fun! Sam did a great job helping with the activity as he is now working in the elders quorum presidency.

*Let it Snow*

Here's our new home- Will has loved helping Sam and I shovel the drive way...ellie not so much. She sits in the car or the step in the garage and watches and giggles a little. If it's just a bit windy she complains...wow what a girl:)

Yep the columbia basin got some snow last week- the first "snow day" was on Friday. Here we are on Saturday at the Sand Dunes. They are Great...but messy! Only a five minute drive from our house, the town turns into a sand playground..and for this day, it was a sledding playground. Trucks, atvs, snow-mobiles, tubes, sleds...you name it..they were all over these dunes.

Ellie took a nap in the car while all the fun was happening! I checked on her...;)

So what do you do when it snows...after the kids are finished playing in it and have some hot cocoa?...

Well....

Play piano...

Play with your birds....

Make a "Target" store for mommy to shop at...oh and a bank of course to get money.

Go to Soccer Tots!

Play dress-up....

you name it, we'll try it. Send your snowy day ideas!

Christmas Time

I was trying to make a cool collage with my new Photoshop Elements program-- I can make the collage but it's not the right kind of file blogger can download- if you know how to do it let me know! I'm excited to learn more about the program and start some digital scrapbook pages for Ellie and Will's "baby/birthday" books.

We had a great Christmas with the Bright Parents! I feel bad that they came out to moses lake because it was a White Christmas in Coeur d'Alene- by the time we went to cda for new years all the snow was gone! We've only had a couple inches of snow so far- so I'm hoping for a bit more ....but no more after February please:).

Christmas Coal Freight Cars- Christmas Eve Gift!
Grandma's Rolls!

Craft Time- December- A friend of mine got a group together to purchase a pack of Christmas Crafts for cheap. We gave a few to our cousins, and had 7 or so more- so about twice a week we did a fun craft to get in the Christmas spirit. We now have a traditional craft time in our schedule!

Lowes- Build a Train Engine!- Next year we'll do the Caboose.

Gingerbread houses:)

Christmas Eve Dinner- Yummmmy Ham, I didn't think anything could be better than Honey Baked Hams (A West Tradition)...but this nice one from walmart did the trick.

Belle Doll and Belle Dress:) I gave ellie my old American Doll Bed- she loves it- tucks her babies and dolls in all the time. Papa and GG- Here's Will's expression when he found out about your gift:)

Running around after church. It was neat going to church on Christmas day- it was at 1pm, so we were ready to get out..and we went early and sang lots of hymns.

Hope you and your family had a beautiful Christmas!

We were given too much again- but felt very loved but close friends and family. Love you all!

Preschool- "M"

Carrie, the mom that taught preschool yesterday, took these pics- the kids talked about a lot of M things....like "Me," very cute.

We had a great holiday- spent with Sam's fam. Pics to come.

We've been a little sick- well, Sam was, then ellie and Will- some flu, some cold/coughs. I'm a little concerned about ellie's cough....it's not going away- Whouping Cough? Yikes. It wakes her up a lot at night, so it's been good that I didn't get sick so I can pop up and help her.

It's a BOY- found out the week of Christmas- due May 3rd.

Will's highlight today- first day of soccer tots! He did one session last year at this time, so I signed him up again. He LOVES it... run run run! So good for my little boy. He was so excited that he yelled outside before we left through a funnel- "Everyone! It's soccer time. Go change your shirts to a soccer shirt and get your fast shoes- soccer time, soccer time, soccer time." That's funny; I remember when I yelled out to my neighbors like that once before-- some mornings I'd do it just for fun on our way to seminary....I knew everyone was sleeping....and I was a little jealous of it at 5:45am.

Sam changed jobs in his company this week-- from a process engineer (mostly paper work- the guy who makes the plan for a job) to a production engineer ( the guy who finds the problems that need a job, and after the process eng does his work, this guy actually gets the job done). (Was that a good definition sam??) Last night was the first time he has ever had to go back to work at 7pm for a meeting- ahh! Actually it wasn't too bad.

2011 Bright Fam Pics

Wish we could have included more family pics in the Christmas cards that made it to a few of you- these kids can get super silly, and super impatient with pictures:)

Here you have it- Sam, Jenny, Will (4) and Ellie (2 1/2), and baby boy in the belly (21 weeks)

Pictures courtesy of steve & gloria portraits at bee park (right?) in oakville, mo.

Happy 30 Sam!!

We surprised Sam with a cookie cake and unlimited (well almost) toppings for ice cream the night before his birthday with a couple friends. Oh and here's a couple pics of our new house too! (The kitchen)
30! Will still hates the flash:)

I love this guy. The highlight of my day is when he comes home.

Why? Because the kids attack him and I can sit down for a second...haha

I love you Samalama.

Dinner at SUPER CHINA BUFFET! (you have to say it loud with a chinese accent) I did not want to go, but it's Sam's birthday, and he gets what he wants! Plus, it was our first time. It turns out it was a great night- the kids got just what they wanted, and so did Sam and I.

One of Sam's gifts! Kindle Touch from Sam's parents- woo hoo!

Sam can read any book, but no games so the kids can't steal it from Sam.

Weekend in Moscow and Lewiston, Idaho

The meaning for the weekend! Uncle Ben's Graduation from Grad School @ U of I! It was Will's first tour of a college campus. Who knows, this might be his future university...it does run in the family:

Grandpa Warren Watts- Grad (My mom's dad, Mom was born in Moscow)

Pam and Matt Bright Grads- (Sam was also born in Moscow)

Rachel and Elisa Bright are considering getting their masters there.

Sam wishes his MBA program was from there.

That night we visited Locomative Park in Lewiston with "Great" Granmama Mary. Ellie was starting to feel a little sick...We've decided she doesn't really like to travel; three different times she threw up three minutes before we arrive at our destination (seattle, temple, moscow). I was more prepared this time....sorry tmi.
Although, ellie did perk up at the dancing penguins. In the far back middle is granmama Mary looking at Will in a penguin...see Will's little head?

daddy and ellie in a lit igloo!

Then we stayed the night with "great" grandpa and grandma watts- Will's favorite part was playing with little Lucy, their new dog as of last year I believe.

On Sunday, we had a yummy breakfast at the Watts, visited with granmama Mary, and then enjoyed church with the Watts- grandpa surprised us- he gave a talk! I'm really grateful for my five grandparents...pretty lucky that I have them, and now get to visit with them more. My kids now know the Watts grandparents as the "Lucy" grandparents, and granmama Mary as the "long road trip" grandma (from going to Kanab).