Update on downstairs

Molly's Blessing

I had to steal the top photo from Ashley since we weren't able to be there for the big event.  Our sweet little Molly was blessed the first Sunday of this past month.  It's nice that the other set of grandparents were able to attend. 

Here's a photo of the dress before I sent it off in the mail.  Ashley sent me a picture of a similar dress she found online that was pretty pricey....could I make it?  Well sure - is it made out of fabric?, PLEASE!!!  I'm super grandma, of course I can make it.  Well guess what, nada.  The original dress had fishing line in the hems that  made them wave beautifully.  (FYI, use super light fabric like chiffon if you want to put fishing line in the hem!!)  But of course, we chose a much heavier, wedding weight satin, and the fishing line just couldn't work the same way.  So our dress here has a different look to it, though I worked and tried until I wanted to throw the whole thing into the garbage!  We just decided to go with what we were getting and luckily Molly didn't care a bit! 

Sarah's BYU Graduation

 Our cute little daughter-in-law, Sarah, graduated from BYU on Aug 10, 2012 with a degree in Humanities.  We've been to several college graduations in the family, but this is the first time at BYU.  Pretty fun.  We are so proud of her!  Pretty good timing to get it done just 2 months before their baby is due to join the family.

 Sarah and Blake

 Walking from the parking lot.  Sarah had to get there earlier.

 Inside the Marriott Center.  I've heard about this place for years, fun to see it in person.

 There's her name!!!

 Proud husband.

 The graduates filing in.  Sarah was in the row on the left.

 There she is, just passing in front of that first chair.  She looks pretty pregnant in that graduation gown (but then so does everyone else!)

 It's official.

 Happiness

 Discussing the fact that they didn't have everyone change their tassels over to the other side during the ceremony.  So she did it now. 

 The coveted blank diploma.

 Blake had flowers waiting for her out in the car.

 Then to finish off the celebration, a trip to the restaurant of Sarah's choice, Macaroni Grill.  A wonderful evening.  We're really proud of you, Sarah, and so happy we could be there to share it with you!

2 bedrooms and media room projects

Ashley is trying to figure out how to arrange her furniture, and who to have in what bedroom - so I decided a video would be helpful. 

House update

 Blake and Sarah on the elliptical.  They have had to make numerous trips here so that Blake could help us with the work we're doing on the house.  We're so grateful for them!!

 Earlier in the year Ashley thought she and the girls might move in with us for awhile until Dave finished his schooling back east....so early in the spring we got busy finishing a couple of bedrooms down stairs

 This year we also planned to get the front yard put in.  Here is Blake digging down in the mostly rocks so sprinklers could be installed.

 Because of issues with our landscaper, the front yard never ended up getting done.  As it turns out it's a good thing, we're using some of that saved money to continue the work on the basement.

 Ashley decided that they weren't going to move in after all....so we had kind of slowed down the work...just slowly puttered around at it when it was convenient for everyone.  Well, now things have changed, again, and they ARE moving in (yes, we are excited!!)  So the project is back on full throttle!  The above picture is what my work room looks like right now with additional furniture piled in there.  Quilting will be interesting for the next month. 

 Looks like we finally have the 2 bedrooms to the point that the carpet can be installed later this week.  It will be so nice to get the beds back into those rooms and having at least that part more back to normal. 

Another large unfinished room downstairs that we've decided to finish and put all my sewing/longarm stuff into so the big family room downstairs will be free for Ashley and her girls to have their toys and a place where they can have their own space.  Originally this was supposed to be my sewing space anyway, and then I changed my mind and used the other room.....but the original plan I think will actually work out better for when family is here anyway.  So, back to plan "A".  We have Blake, carpet layers, and sheet rock texture guy all scheduled out for the month in order to finish in time.  As long as nothing get delayed we should get things finished before Ashley, the girls and their entire apartment of belongs show up.  This will be an insane month.

My first quilt

This is a picture of the first quilt I ever made.  The baby I made it for is in the photo holding her own baby now.  Maren was the first child of my best friend when I lived in Seattle, Sylvia.  Sylvia posted this photo on Facebook yesterday.  How fun to see this.  I remembered it had embroidered blocks, but that's all I could recall of it.  After this first big step into the world of quilting it was at least 20+ years before I made another quilt.  I've come a long way since then. 

Medical marvel

I, evidently, am a medical marvel.  I went in yesterday to have the much detested colonoscopy.  When it was over the doctor visited with Dave (I was still zonked out), and told him I was amazing.  Supposedly, he found it unusual that at my age I wasn't on any medications nor had ever had any surgeries.  Oh, and the colonoscopy was clear -- he told me to come back in 10 years.  (I'm going to double check with him on that time frame!)  Sad that the vast majority of people are evidently in such bad health.  I guess I should count my lucky stars.