.Creating the Life I Love.

.mega eyelashes.

2012-01-30T06:56:00.000-08:00

My friend Brittney (Casper) Mills does eyelash extensions...and my Mom and I decided to get them bfore our cruise last month. I love them! We just got them filled last week...and I had been thinking maybe I didn't want to continue with them because it's an unneccessary expense...but I'm so glad I decided to go ahead and get the fill!

(This picture is from the first time.)

Yesterday I was sitting in church next to my Mom, looked over at her, and said, "Your eyelashes are out of control!" They are so long and thick - without the clumpiness of mascara.

So fun -- so spoiled!

.cheer clinic.

2012-01-29T14:20:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was the annual cheer clinic.

We had about 60 little girls come to learn a dance, a couple cheers, and to have fun with the big cheerleaders.

I got to have fun with Jessica and Ethan since Emersyn is old enough to get to participate in the cheer clinic! No wonder their momma is tired…this little guy keeps her running!

Here's the entire group! That is a lot of girls!!

At the game, I got to love on this cutie and chat with her momma. My favorite part of going to basketball games!

It was pink night in honor of breast cancer awareness. There was a good mix of purple, gold, AND pink in the crowd!

Kamryn and her chapstick…that girl is mesmerized by chapstick! Last night, she discovered that it can roll up or down. So many fun things about chapstick!

All of the cheerleaders cheered for the boys game – 12 in all! It was fun to see them all together and they were pretty loud too!

Some of my football squad got to stunt….they were so excited. So excited! Did I mention how excited they were? Getting to spend the day with them made me miss seeing them each day for cheer practice.

Madison with her awesome bases: Sommer, Allyson, Selena, and Carly

These two pictures may look pretty identical – above and below. However, look at Madi’s feet in the photo below. This is called a cupie and is very difficult to master because of the way she has to balance. Go Madi!

This was exciting for them to get – we didn’t do this stunt in our season, but Madi felt like she' was flexible enough now. Makes me look forward to next season. I love that they’re always trying to improve without my nudging!

The little cheerleaders were pretty cute running all over the gym waiting for their turn to perform. One cheerleader in particular was super excited! This was her at a previous cheer clinic:

And now….getting some help from Madi.

This is Sommer and Allyson’s group. Cheer clinic day is not Sommer’s favorite, but she was a good sport. I think it was in exchange to get to stunt. :)

Madison’s group

Kayla’s group

These were the littlest girls…so cute!

Here’s all the high school girls cheering for the game.

They started getting snappy with me, demanding pictures!!

The extra cheerleaders must’ve helped the boys basketball team – because they beat KiBe by maybe one point – and KiBe had been undefeated. (I’m not sure that that is true – but that’s what I heard at church today!)

“Marcie! Take a picture of us!”

Truckin’ – a crowd favorite!

Sommer and Madi’s favorite – shoulder stands for Eagle Power!

All the girls that got to participate today! We missed Kirston since she was at a cheer competition in Bellevue!

Chelsea, Madison, Emily, Allyson, Sommer, Carly, Vanessa, Madison, Kayla, Selena, and Ariana

The basketball girls with Coach Karlye!

Fun day – but so glad it’s over until the next one in October! :)

.smoothie.

2012-01-27T07:06:00.001-08:00

I joined the smoothie craze this morning.

And it's delicious!
I found the recipe on Pinterest, of course....but changed a few things depending on what we had already in the kitchen. Now I want to go grocery shopping for some spinach, coconut milk, and other yummy stuff to throw in there!!

Here's the link to the recipe:
Oatmeal Smoothie

.pinteresting..

2012-01-24T23:36:00.001-08:00

Momma said there'd be days like this...
Today was a weird day at school..I don't know if it was the crazy weather or the first day of finals or what. Luckily we were able to laugh about things...the only other option was to cry!
I kept saying that I wanted to go home, watch some mindless television (think Real Housewives or Teen Mom), and forget about today. The State of the Union address was on instead...and while I was yelling back at Obama for his ridiculous comments about education, I realized that was exactly the opposite of what I'd had in mind. I'd be happy to have him come spend a day with me and help me explain to a 19 year old why he can't graduate because he hasn't passed the state test....even though he's made huge progress in 4 years learning English AND jumping through every other hoop we require! I hate when people talk about things like they're experts when really they have NO CLUE!!

On to better distractions from crazy work days...Pinterest!! These are some of my favorite finds from the last week:

I'm obsessing over this necklace.
Seriously!
Can I justify a $200+ necklace? Probably not!

A valentine's day decoration I could actually do!!

Not realistic, but amazing nonetheless!

Jonesing over this quilt. I'm a sucker for plus signs...and I love dark and light gray!

Can someone just make this for me or point me in the direction to buy this?? It's soooooo me!!!

Crossing my fingers tomorrow is better!! Or there will be another pinteresting post to distract me from my real life!

.football banquet.

2012-01-24T06:01:00.001-08:00

Tonight was the banquet celebrating our awesome 2011 Football team – the reigning state champs – and their super duper awesome cheerleaders!

Since probably August, the girls (one in particular AhemMADIAhem) not so subtly suggested that we talk about each cheerleader individually instead of just commenting on them as a squad. I am not great at talking of the top of my head, so I hope what we said lived up to their expectations!

Kayla, Vanessa, Selena, Sommer, Carly, Madison, and Allyson

Melissa and I took turns talking about each one of them, including the talents and strengths they brought to the squad.

Melissa and I had fun finding a gift for these special girls! We got them personalized water bottles and a photo collage of some of the best photos from the season.

I forgot to take a picture of the cute water bottles and photo collage, so Kayla helped me out! :)

This is part of the cute gift the girls gave to Melissa and I - a paperweight! I love it on my desk!Makes me smile!

It was so fun to be together as a team again. I get to see most of the girls everyday, but it’s not the same as being all together. I will really miss this squad as a whole. They were the best!

This is the all-important banner that will hang in the gym for all of eternity – next to the 2002 and 2009 banners! :)

I spoke about how we love cheering for the football team – and especially such a successful team! It didn’t matter if it was 95 degrees in Chelan or 10 degrees and snowing in Wenatchee – it was fun to follow this team all the way to the Dome! Makes me excited for next year already!

The seniors and coaches with the banner and trophy.

Kayla and her awesome Mom Heather.
We had a special shout out to the parents (especially moms) for always bringing the forgotten uniform item and making Thursday treats – and being the cheerleaders’ biggest cheerleaders. We love the parents!!

. fun Saturday night .

2012-01-22T21:50:00.001-08:00

After being cooped up all week because of the snow and ice, Nick, Kate, and Kamryn got to come to our house on Saturday night to share dinner and play games. Kamryn keeps us entertained all night long.

She is brushing Samson’s hair here—he was a good sport and didn’t really make a move or peep while she was doing it. He’s so tolerant!

Kamryn found a bottle of nail polish in our living room and immediately took off her socks to polish her toes. That girl knows where it’s at! :) Luckily, even the adults couldn’t get the cap off the bottle of polish and Melissa took over polishing duties. Kamryn was so serious watching Melissa polish her little toes!

I had found a recipe on Pinterest last week that sounded delish, so Mom made it last night. It’s a one-pot pan of red potatoes, chicken, and asparagus with butter and lemon. It was yummy! No pictures since we dove in so fast!

Mom, Melissa, Kate, and I played the game “Carcassonne” which is like Settlers of Cataan, but easier (according to Kate). It’s really fun and I even downloaded the iPad app after Nick and Kate left last night!

Love these days spent with such good friends. Nick made the comment that our house feels like a second home…”for the past 30 years.” :) The feeling is mutual! They’re going to visit Dave and Angie for 2 weeks in February and I’m really going to miss them!!

.beta holiday party.

2012-01-16T21:29:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, we switched our Beta “husband/wife” holiday party to January since December is so crazy and hard to pick a date that works for everyone. It was genius – now there is something to look forward to in January and everyone is a lot more laid back and relaxed!

Karen Vanderbilt shared these pictures with my Mom…

Melissa and her “friend” Ryan (there is a funny story behind that “friend”…)

Amy Kleinbach and my Mom

Kate and I

The guys:
Dad, Nick and Eric Mauseth

Dave Kleinbach and Zach Fife

Rich and Amy Carmody and Andy, Teresa, and Eileen Sawyer

Danny and Martha Holt and Tom and Jennifer Walker

Dana Soltero and Bob Vanderbilt

So much fun with the Beta Babes! We know how to have a great time!

366 days – week #2

2012-01-15T08:16:00.001-08:00

January 8 (top left): Fabric cut for Thimble Blossoms’ Swoon Quilt
January 9 (top right): a new pattern and happy mail from Camille
January 10 (bottom left): My Outlook calendar for the week – full of meetings!
January 11 (bottom right): Kahlua for two

January 12: Kamryn playing “peek-a-DOO” at Arby’s

January 13: My school notebook where I keep notes and reminders about EVERYTHING. If I lost this, I don’t know what I’d do! I take it everywhere at school.

January 14: Kate and I after our Beta Dinner

10 on 10

2012-01-10T17:51:00.001-08:00

In order to beef up my blogging, which seems to have become sparse and rather boring, I’m bringing you this: another copycat idea that I’m going to try for Twenty Twelve. I’ve seen this on other blogs, including my good pal Lyndsay's blog. The idea is basic – post 10 thoughts/ideas/comments on the 10th of the month. I kinda like that idea. :) If you like it too, join in!

1. I knew this was coming…in fact, I anticipated it all during November and December. As soon as we returned from Christmas break, my life at school would become harried and incredibly busy. It happens every year and so now I’m used to it. I like being busy at school – I feel a sense of accomplishment looking back at the end of the day at all that I completed during the day. It’s the end of the semester next week, so that means schedule changing season among a gadzillion other things. Good thing there is a 3-day weekend coming up to look forward to!

2. I got happy mail today! I ordered a table runner pattern from Camille to replace the one I lost last summer in our craft room catastrophe. Read about it here. Not only did Camille send the pattern, she included two fat quarters too!

Might they be from her new fabric line, Vintage Modern?! Camille – you are THE BEST!

3. Speaking of Vintage Modern…I love everything Camille does and I know Vintage Modern won’t disappoint (houndstooth? be still my heart!). When I saw the 2012 Designer Mystery Block of the Month from Fat Quarter Shop.com was using Vintage Modern, I knew I had to sign up. I’m not sure what to expect, but I think it will be a great challenge. I’m excited to get started. The first block comes in June!

4. I really need to blog about our vacation, but it’s a daunting task and frankly, intimidating! One day at a time…just do it! Part of the intimidating factor is the mass number of pictures we took. Janica told me about picnik.com so hopefully I can turn some of those babies into collages and speed up the process of uploading pictures.

5. After working since October to pick a date, my friends Jessica, Amy, Fran, and Bobbie planned to get together last Saturday for a day of craft shopping, pedicures, and lunch. Guess who woke up with the flu? Awesome. I was so looking forward to that day and incredibly disappointed that I didn’t get to join them. I hope we can plan another day soon!

6. The first Beta of 2012 is tonight. We are getting closer to our big fundraiser for the year, the Crafters Getaway! It’s the first weekend in February. I am really looking forward to spending a weekend with friends from many parts of my life and working on craft projects. Want to join us? (Mijken?!) I cut fabric for 4 quilts in the last week. I’m ready to go!

7. Melissa and I got Just Dance 3 for Christmas and haven’t got to play it yet. Maybe we’ll get to this weekend? Melissa got a new car last week to replace the one that was totaled when she was in a car accident in November. It’s a beauty – a black Nissan Rogue. I think it’s a 2008. It has all the fancy-schmancy features…including a sunroof that makes me drool.

8. There is so much AWESOME TV on right now…Grey’s and Desperate Housewives is back, Revenge, Dance Moms, Jersey Couture, Bethenny Ever After…the list goes on. I do love to DVR trashy reality shows to watch while I sew!

9. I have a big commissioned quilting project I’m working. It’s not the most exciting project I’ve ever worked on – but I know that the finished projects will bring a lot of joy to the recipients and so I keep trucking along. My goal is to be done by the Craft Retreat so I can work on my own projects that ENTIRE weekend!

10. Just as quickly as it showed up, the basketball controversy at CHS seems to have died down. I do not want to contribute to the internet frenzy that was created but I will say that I am proud of my little community for sticking together and supporting one of our own. I am so glad to live where I do. A place where, when tough times arise, we become even more united. It’s interesting to watch “newbies” experience this for the first time. Yes, a place like this still does exist. :)

So – what did you think of the 10 on 10? I’d love for you to join me (and Lyndsay).

.366 days – week 1.

2012-01-08T18:11:00.001-08:00

I stink at participating in activities that require me to do something every day or every week for a long period of time. I have a handful of past “great ideas” that I’ve started that are left unfinished after a few entries. I’m hoping I can reverse that trend with this – 366 pictures in 2012 using your iPhone. I saw a some flickr and facebook posts about it – and while I’m not officially following along, I’m going to try to do this on my own. Since I know this isn’t a strong point for me, I’m going to do my best and try for at least 5 out of 7 days a week (since that’s what I accomplished this week!).

January 1: Rocking chairs at the San Diego Airport

January 2: If I would’ve remembered to take a picture, it would’ve been of my mountain of laundry!

January 3: Kamryn on her new tractor!

January 4: Back to work – the view of my desk from my chair

January 5: A completed quilt top!

January 6: A screen shot of an online article about Connell Boys Basketball. A YouTube video was released earlier in the week and by Friday – it was national news.

January 7: My Mom’s shirt in support of the Eagles!

.happy new year.

2011-12-31T17:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Welcome in 2012!

.completed quilts and projects in 2011.

2011-12-31T11:55:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite blog posts of the year…I feel a sense of accomplishment of all I completed in the past year!

19 Quilts

4 Table Runners

4 Bags

1 Ice Bag Holder

Lots of Zippered Pouches!

I have lots of quilts in progress – some at the quilter, some at the binding stage – so look forward to more to come after the new year!

.what I read in 2011.

2011-12-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

Here’s my annual list of what I read over the past year…not as much as in some years past…too much quilting or cheerleading or Real Housewives?!

The Midwife's Confession

Escape

Those Who Save Us

Then Came You

A Stolen Life

Summer and the City

Look Again

I'd Know You Anywhere

Black and Blue

Best Friends Forever

Wench

The Help

Still Missing

Shanghai Girls

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Something Borrowed

Sing You Home

The Glass Castle

Room: A Novel

Then Came You

.feliz navidad.

2011-12-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas greetings to you from somewhere between San Diego and Puerto Vallarta! The Koch family is celebrating Christmas on a Mexican Riviera cruise this year – although very different from our usual traditions, we are all very excited for a vacation and to celebrate Christmas Holland America style!!

.feliz navidad from the Koch’s.

2011-12-21T08:18:00.001-08:00

.christmas nativity.

2011-12-18T22:07:00.001-08:00

Today was the Christmas program at church, where the kids acted out the nativity story. Little Miss Kamryn was a little lamb (just like her Auntie Ang was once upon a time…wearing the same costume too!) so time to get some good photos. Kamryn’s Grandma Karen gave me a lesson on my camera the other night, but do you think I could remember any of her instruction today? So much pressure in the moment!

For example, I wanted to get this sweet moment of Maren with baby Maya as Mary and Joseph…but my camera focused on the candles – which makes for a cool photo, but not what I had in mind!

Kamryn had a mini-meltdown before her big debut…but Chloe helped her calm down…so cute!

This little lamb kept the shepherds plenty busy today! She wanted to explore the altar area – not sit with the other animals!

Alyssa Huber looking into the manger – so sweet!

Kamryn stole the show today – she was so cute! She did a great job in her first Christmas program!

.sugar cookies.

2011-12-17T11:31:00.001-08:00

Even though we’re going to be gone for Christmas, it’s just not Christmas without some traditions. Like sugar cookies. and Elf. :)

I mixed a double batch of sugar cookies on Thursday night. Yum – I love sugar cookie dough!

Last night, I rolled out the cookies and baked them. This is usually my least favorite part of this process. It went pretty fast though! While I did that, Mom dipped pretzels in White Almond Bark (my other Christmas favorite!).

This morning, Elf was on TV, so Mom & I watched that while we frosted the cookies.

Now it really feels like Christmas! :)

.merry christmas.

2011-12-16T21:14:00.001-08:00

.birdhouses in december.

2011-12-16T17:02:00.001-08:00

This is one of the quilt reveals I’m most proud of.
It’s been just 2 years since I got my sewing machine for Christmas…so just beginning my third year of sewing. After going to the Buggy Barn Quilt Show in August 2010, I fell in love with this quilt. I ordered the kit…waited 4 months…then cut into it. I pieced most of it together at the Crafters Getaway last February.

Fast forward to December…I picked it up from the quilter and quickly put the binding on. I’m in love.

My friends Amy and Candace suggested a lady that does long arm quilting in Richland and this was the first thing I took to her. I am so pleased with the way it turned out.

She quilted each flower differently and this is the one I love the most - pebbles. I really want to learn to quilt like this!

This quilt was not easy to piece and I’m so proud of myself that I completed it – and that it actually looks decent! I’m snuggling under it right now!

.beta christmas party.

2011-12-14T22:54:00.001-08:00

The biggest-baddest-bestest party of the Beta year was last night at Jennifer’s. No one misses the Christmas party – it’s that good. :)

The tradition of passing around the present to unwrap continues. I can’t even imagine how many rolls and rolls of tape were used this year. Seriously – it went around the room 10-ish times?! Made for some pretty fun pictures though!

Kate with the contraband scissors --- that she didn’t even need to use!

And finally – Kelly was the winner!

If Maren would’ve been paying attention rather than talking about Egg Nog, she would’ve been the winner! Here she is trying to explain what happened – as if we didn’t all see it happen in the first place! haha

We played the exchange game – which is always a lot of fun too!

Karen and Eileen

Mom and Sharon

Kate and I

Melissa, Mom, and I

THE FACE!
”How to avoid talking to people you don’t want to talk to”

I took a quilt as my exchange gift – and Bonnie got to go home with it! YAY BONNIE! :)

Such a fun evening spent with good friends…so many funny moments and one-liners (which I already forgot most of….so this is what it feels like, Mom?!)

Love my Beta friends!

.turning 31.

2011-12-12T22:31:00.000-08:00

My 31st birthday was on Saturday, December 10th. Jennifer started off my weekend birthday celebration on Friday by taking me to lunch at Mei Lings! I’m so lucky to get to work with a great friend!

On Saturday, Mom and I participated in the Mesa CPT Christmas Bazaar selling jewelry and quilts in the morning and then went to the Tri-Cities with Grandma. We ran a few errands before meeting Melissa for nails and pedicures. We went to dinner at Sushi Mori (YUM!) and then went to Jennie and Alex Rogerson’s wedding reception.

On Sunday, we went to Twigs after church for lunch to celebrate my birthday.

Kamryn entertained us all, just like we like it! She was enthralled with the menu and the elastic band on the menu.

Kamryn (and the rest of the table) shared my birthday dessert with me!

A little “peek-a-DOO” to really make the day great!

Thanks to everyone that helped celebrate my birthday and make the weekend really special. All the Facebook posts, text messages, and emails really made my day feel so special!

.louise turns one.

2011-12-11T08:19:00.000-08:00

Louise Virginia turned one on December 9! Lisa sent these pictures of her birthday party – so cute! Louise is such a petite little thing!

Big sister Frances is helping out!

Birthday cupcake!

Lisa had this picture of Frances on Facebook – I can’t believe she is looking so much older! No more little baby!

I wish we lived closer. Hopefully they’ll get to come visit in the spring!

.celebration parade.

2011-12-08T16:16:00.001-08:00

I love this tradition - - and I love that we are fortunate enough to get to do this quite often! :)

When a sports team wins a state championship, the fire department takes them around town on a couple of fire trucks during lunch time. At the end of their trek, they came up by the high school. The students all went out onto the sidewalk to cheer the team on as they drove by.

Here they come!

The trophy!

One thing I learned today – the trophy is hollow underneath and has the signatures of past champions. So cool to see familiar names scattered all over! (Thanks Jennifer for the picture!)

YEAH EAGLES!!

How awesome is that view? TWO state championship trophies in our office?! Every time I walk down the hallway from my office to the main office, this is what I see! Pretty cool!

Here is Jennifer with the softball trophy. Her team won the state championship her senior year – but never got pictures with the trophy since it didn’t come to the school until after they’d graduated. I made her let me take a picture of her – this was her chance! :)

It’s a great day to be an Eagle!

.state champs 2011!.

2011-12-04T09:39:00.001-08:00

I just re-read the beginning of my blog from last year’s state football game…I think I’ll just copy it here since it’s exactly the way I would’ve started this blog post!

“We got to leave with the cheerleaders at lunchtime on Friday to make our way to Tacoma. Luckily, the pass was bare & wet, so we had a beautiful trip over. We checked into our hotel and bee lined for the mall. After getting hit by rush-hour traffic, we were all ready to get out of the car and move around.”

I followed them into Nordstrom and as soon as I walked through the door, saw this. Are you serious?!

We headed straight for the 2nd floor to see SANTA! They helped get a little girl to smile while sitting on Santa’s lap and then did a cheer in the middle of Nordstrom for Santa and his elves. Too funny!

We did some shopping and people watching and then headed to our traditional dinner at Red Robin. They’d been calling me Darcy all night…and thought it was hilarious when the hostess said, “Darcy? Party of 8?” We celebrated my birthday too! The girls swam and stunted in the pool when we got back to the hotel. They practiced the dance a few times and got some beauty sleep!!

On Saturday morning, you should’ve seen those hotel rooms. They looked like a bomb exploded! There was mass hair curling and makeup applications! Seven very beautiful girls got in the suburban for the Tacoma Dome!

We watched the end of the Lynden-Archbishop Murphy game and practiced the dance a few times before our game started.

We had a great crowd and a lot of excited fans!

The girls with our great Eagle mascot!

The introductions…

Let’s start the game!
Connell Eagles vs. Cascade Christian Cougars
(for the 3rd year in a row!)

The cheerleaders did awesome at the game. They did everything Melissa and I asked them to – cheering LOTS, short cheers everyone can participate in, coming up into the stands…they were great!

The football wasn’t half bad either. :) haha
The boys let Cascade Christian get a touchdown early on and then we answered back with 4 more to shut them down. They did the job they went to do and did it good!!

Ryan with a sack! YEAH!

During halftime, Whitney and Paxton collected “coins for the cause” – it’s a competition between the two playing schools to see who can collect the most money for a charity (I don’t even remember which one). They do it at each game and when they announced which school won (CONNELL!!), they said we’d collected the most money so far that weekend! We played in the 4th of 6 games. Yeah Connell!

The cheerleaders performed a dance/stunt routine during halftime. They did so great – they made me cry while I was watching them! Melissa taught them this dance on Monday and they performed it perfectly just 5 days later!

Some action shots… :)

The girls coming back after their performance.

Matt only got in one of his signature touchdown runs – but it was perfect timing to clench the win! He ended his career with a state record breaking 124 touchdowns!

By the 4th quarter, we were ahead 28-7 and excitement was building!

Kyle Berry: “Can you feel it?!”

The coaches celebrating a victory!

“#1! #1! #1!”
”We are proud of you, say we are proud of you!”

The team running onto the field in victory!

What a celebration! They worked so hard for this! The Eagles ended the season 13-1. Pretty darn awesome!

So exciting to cheer for a state championship!

The seniors with the coaches! What a great accomplishment for them!

And Coach Riner – who’s almost as fun to watch as the players! Love his enthusiasm!

Congratulations to the Eagles for winning the 3rd state championship in 9 years (someone had on their Facebook – 3 championships and 3 2nd places in 9 years! We are so lucky to have a great football program!). So proud of these Eagles – they marked their spot in history!

Connell Eagles – 28
Cascade Christian Cougars – 7
in the best two out of three!

.who’s house? OUR house!.

2011-12-01T20:17:00.001-08:00

We had a pep assembly today to send the football boys off to the state championship game! We get very few pep assemblies, so we have to take advantage when we have one!

The cheerleaders lead a cheer…

Evan the Coug introduced

mean, ugly, old Coach Riner. :)

He had some great things to say about this team and got the school pumped about the game. The different TV stations have been around the school and the field the last few days. There is a lot of excited people around here! :)

These are the seniors. It’s their third time playing in the championship game. That’s an accomplishment not many people have.

The rest of the team…

We have some VERY excited cheerleaders!

I love this picture of them!

Melissa made this sign today for the bus. SO CUTE! Any guesses what song they’re routine is to for Saturday?!

Uh oh….”The Kirston” is becoming contagious!

Hopefully I’ll get to share some VERY exciting news when I return from Tacoma! :) GO EAGLES!

.a blissful weekend.

2011-11-27T19:20:00.001-08:00

During this holiday weekend, I got to spend a lot of time in the craft room! I have not had a lot of inspiration since school started – but lately, inspiration is abundant and it seems I can’t get enough done!!

Here’s what I worked on this weekend:

I quilted and machine-sewed the binding on this baby quilt. It has a flannel backing and the backing is the ONLY thing I bought for this quilt! The entire quilt top is leftover pieces!

The pattern is Spring Fling by Cluck Cluck Sew.
Fabric is Bliss by Bonnie & Camille.
Quilted by Marcie

I finished piecing these blocks on Wednesday. Mom helped me lay them out into rows and I finished sewing them together on Friday night. This is my first quilt using the Ruby fabric by Bonnie and Camille!

I quilted and machine-sewed the binding on this table runner. It’s also made entirely of scraps! I love that!

The pattern is called “It’s the Little Things” by Thimble Blossoms.
Fabric is Bliss by Bonnie and Camille
Quilted by Marcie!

This last quilt has been sitting in the stack of quilts behind our couch since summer, I think, just waiting for the binding to be hand sewn on. I even took it to Wenatchee a few weeks ago because I thought I’d sew in the car, but didn’t. I picked it up last night while watching the Apple Cup (Go Cougs!) and then finished it this morning! YAY! Not a huge accomplishment, but it sure feels like it!

The pattern is Easy Bake by Cluck Cluck Sew.
Fabric is Bliss by Bonnie & Camille.
Quilted by Marcie

In addition to these, I sewed a border onto a quilt, prepped a quilt to be basted, and quilted & machine-sewed binding on another one (it’s in the washer right now!).

It feels great to have all of these projects done. I’ve acquired quite a stack of completed quilts on the pool table downstairs…I’m thinking about trying to sell some of them at a local craft show that is going to be held at Connell Elementary in a few weeks. I counted and have about 12 that are just sitting there…but can I part with them?!

.thankful: the rest of the month.

2011-11-27T12:05:00.000-08:00

My Facebook status’s for the rest of November…

November 9: I'm thankful today for music. As I'm watching the CMA awards, I'm realizing how much all types of music is intertwined through my day and life. I love music that tells a story...sometimes pieces of my story. Music is such a gift!

November 10: Today I'm thankful for veterans-those who serve our country to protect our freedoms. "And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died Who gave that right to me "(Thank you for sharing your gift of music with CHS today Kelly Anderson Knight. I love hearing you sing!

November 11: Today I'm thankful to get to share in the celebration of Justin and Sheianne's wedding!

November 12: I'm thankful for my family. Love having fun with them! We play hard, laugh hard, and love each other very much! We were out together last night and heard the comment more than once, "they always have fun wherever they go." That's us! :)

November 13: Today I'm grateful for a day of rest and relaxation in preparation for the upcoming week. Oh-and a few hours in the craft room!!

November 14: Today I'm thankful for the students at school for making me laugh everyday. One girl asked me today if my family members are all born with fish on our feet. Haha! She know Karlye, Melissa, and I and that we all have Christian fish tattoos!!! Cracks me up!

November 15: Thankful for getting to chat with friends. Everyday I think of so many that I would love to spend time with in person or on the phone - wish life would slow down so I could. Thanks for letting me stop by so late Todd and Jessica! Great to see you! ♥

November 16: Today I'm grateful for my friends Nick and Kate. :) love them.

November 17: I'm stealing Melissa's thankful status--I'm thankful there are 3.5 school days until Thanksgiving break!!

November 18: today I'm thankful for the weekend and a Friday night dinner at Mei Lings with my parents!

November 19: Today I'm thankful for a safe trip to Wenatchee and back for the cheerleaders and I---and I'm grateful Melissa and her friends were protected and kept safe in their car accident.

November 20: I'm thankful for a day with family...

November 21: I'm thankful for Melissa being on the mend and for getting to get nails done & pedicures with Mom, Melissa, and Amber.

November 22: I'm thankful for my Beta sisters! They make me smile!

November 23: Today I'm thankful for some time off from work to celebrate Thanksgiving, catch up on sleep, spend time with family, and get into the Christmas spirit.

November 24: Happy Thanksgiving!! I'm thankful for each of you, my family & friends, good health, my job, and the blessings in my life. Also for Samson...we're snuggling on the couch watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. He's a little sore and tender after getting some shots yesterday. Poor guy.

November 25 (yesterday): I'm thankful for a day spent with my Mom, sister, and cousins...and a resurgence of creative vibes that led to 7 hours in the craft room!!

November 26: I'm thankful for our little town--the close-knit community, great friends, and wonderful tradition of football!! So fun to cheer on the Eagles today to another trip to the championship game AND see so many friends home for Thanksgiving.

.goin’ home to the Dome!.

2011-11-26T17:10:00.001-08:00

The CHS Eagles had a rematch against the Chelan Goats in Moses Lake. We played them in September – one of the first games of the season. It was super duper hot at 95 degrees when the game started in Chelan back in September and Chelan was missing some key players including their quarterback. We won easily then and all season since then, the question has been – could we do it again?! Here’s our chance!

The girls were excited to be in Moses Lake – they have a great field and they got to cheer on boxes!

Kirston flew this week in the dance routine. She has great technique!

She wanted to plank the air. :) What a girl!

This is the 3rd or 4th year in a row we’ve played in Moses Lake during the post season . We have a tradition of taking each girls’ picture on their box.

Carly

Allyson

Whenever we tell Kirston to pose, this is what we get. :)

Kirston

Sommer

Madison

Kayla

Group shot pose #1 – Sommer’s face cracks me up in this picture

Group shot pose #2 – silly girls!

Group shot pose #3 – that’s better!

The player introductions. Thanks to the DCC for our new idea for introductions!

Here we go….one of these teams gets to go to the Dome!

Santa came to cheer on the Eagles!

The Eagles had a great game…making some big plays early on really helped. Ryan Heinen had about an 80 yard touchdown run that got the crowd on their feet! It was great!

The girls performed at halftime - “Mercy” by Duffy. They did AWESOME! I love hearing the crowd cheer them along!

With about 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the score was 42-14 and an Eagle victory was imminent. The starters came out of the game and made room for the 2nd string to get some playing time.

Matt Hadley taking a breather after putting it all out there!

I love watching Kyle Berry – he gets so excited and pumped up. It’s hard to not have some of his enthusiasm brush off on the crowd!

The celebration has begun!

“On to State! On to State!”

Final score: 42-14

Some pretty excited boys!

This will be the 5th time in 6 years that the Eagles play in the championship game. We are very lucky to have a great football program that makes it so fun to cheer on!

.black friday.

2011-11-25T15:42:00.001-08:00

For about the fifth year in a row, Mom, Melissa, Karlye, Amber, and I went Black Friday shopping today. Craig even got to join us for a little while! We are not extremists…we don’t leave Connell until 7am. It was great to have all our shopping done and enjoyed a nice lunch by 1:30pm! I didn’t have a lot on my list, but got most of what I was looking for!

Here’s where we went:

Target (@Queensgate so we could get Starbucks too!)
Best Buy
Craft Warehouse (30% off bolted fabric!)
Macy’s (new luggage for our trip!) and the mall
JoAnn’s (best buys of the day!)
lunch at Red Robin
Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Starbucks again!

Fun day and I’m still home in time to get some crafting done and do some online shopping!!

.thanksgiving day.

2011-11-24T22:22:00.001-08:00

We spent a nice, relaxing day at Doug & Vicky’s. We had a smaller group this year than we have had in the past. Doug, Vicky, Craig, Jackie, Mark, Kim, Karlye, Amber, Dad, Mom, Melissa, Grandma, and I.

We watched a lot of football, played some cards, talked a lot, and ate some delicious food.

We took some family pictures after the meal…right about the time the tryptophan kicked in. Amber said she’d never heard that word and thought we were saying “trip to Japan.” Oh that girl is a crack up!

Mark, Grandma, Mom, and Doug

Craig, Grandma, Karlye, and I
Amber, Melissa

Amber, Grandma, & Karlye

Melissa, Grandma, and I

Melissa’s new Facebook profile picture!

She was modeling her “cardigan” like Rosie…
We’ve been loving these two cute British girls that have been on The Ellen Degeneres Show a few times.

Grandma and Craig

We made our game plan for Black Friday shopping – leaving at 7am from Connell. With all these stores opening at midnight, it makes me want to go - but then I remember, I am not looking for any big ticket items..just want to get in on some sales – 40% off at Craft Warehouse, buy 1 get 1 free thread at JoAnn’s. That kind of stuff. A few Christmas presents and a few things for me!

.not just another pretty face.

2011-11-23T23:17:00.001-08:00

I found these pictures on my iPad this evening.

They really are nice girls.

I hope these don’t give you nightmares! :)

.connell wine and brew festival.

2011-11-21T21:22:00.001-08:00

This post is a week overdue….oh well. You’ll keep on reading, right?!

Last Saturday – November 12 – was the annual Connell Chamber of Commerce Wine and Brew Festival. My Mom takes her jewelry to display and sell.

It was a fun evening with Mom & Dad, Melissa & Karlye, and their friends.

Melissa and Tiffany

Lots of friends – lots of laughs – lots of fun – lots of people!

We finished up the night at Michael Jay’s with the rest of Connell, it seemed! Always a fun night!

.football quarterfinals vs. CASHMERE!.

2011-11-20T09:47:00.001-08:00

We travelled to Wenatchee yesterday to take on the Cashmere Bulldogs for a second time this season. There wasn’t a whole lot talked about this game around school this week – I think everyone was nervous since we had lost to Cashmere the first time around.

The cheerleaders watched a movie on the way to Wenatchee – but got bored and stole my phone and iPad. They took about 50 crazy pictures like this and changed all their contact pictures on my phone. Silly girls.

We got to Wenatchee and it was snowing. Talk about some excitement! They wanted to take a picture in the snow. You can’t see Sommer’s face because she’s doing “the Kirston.” :)

Here’s a better picture of them! They were all bundled up with layers and layers for the game. They said they didn’t get too cold.

I thought this was cute. They huddled before the game like the boys do!

I missed the C and the H – but got the S! :) They did a great job cheering at the game…so proud of them! They performed a dance at halftime. We had two alternate endings ready – one with stunts and one without, just in case. Good thing! They were awesome!

You can see how snowy the field was. I was afraid of a bunch of injuries for the football players, but I don’t think there was anything major.

This was a well fought game…but we came out on top! YAY!

Connell, 20 – Cashmere, 9

Two touchdowns and two field goals!

It snowed right up until the game started. When the fog cleared, there was a beautiful view from the stadium overlooking Eat Wenatchee.

Here they are - the team that's pulling out all the stops right when it counts!!

This picture was on the Wenatchee World website. I'm pretty sure it's Matt Hadley - and what I really like about the picture is that it is so "him." He is a record breaking fool and a major force on the football field - but beyond all of that, he's an all around nice guy. I think this picture shows that he's a fierce competitor, but when the games over, he's a good friend.

We will play against Chelan next week (not sure on day or time yet) – also for the second time this season. Last time it was in Chelan and 95 degrees when the game started. I have a feeling the weather will be a bit different this time around…

.birthday wish list.

2011-11-15T22:42:00.001-08:00

My Mom has been asking for a wish list for my birthday that is coming up…so, here are some things I would enjoy!

Sigma 70-300mm lens

The Pioneer Woman Cookbook

Urban Decay Naked Eye shadow Pallette

A backup pair of my favorite Vera Bradley Sunglasses – “Courtney” style

Fat Quarter Shop Gift Certificate

Monogram pillow – with an “M” of course!

Sew Steady Sewing Machine Extension Table

Brighton Charm for my bracelet!

Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker Perfume

The 2011 Starbucks Ornament for my collection

Big Love Season 1 DVD set

.football vs. freeman.

2011-11-14T21:27:00.001-08:00

On Friday night, while we were at Justin and Sheianne’s wedding, Karlye took over cheerleader duty for us. The game against Freeman was the first round of state playoffs. After a rainy beginning followed by relentless wind, we won, 26-7. On to the quarterfinals vs. Cashmere. We played Cashmere earlier in the season and they handed us our only loss. I know this is the moment the team has been waiting for since September. I hope they can stay on top of them!

A photographer from the Tri-City Herald was at the game and got some good shots!

The awesome cheerleaders cheering on the boys as they’re introduced. Go Gunner!!

Austin Huber – he’s really impressed me this season! He’s dominated on the football field and has really come into his own. He’s an office aide this semester and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him. He’s so friendly every day.

Another shot of the cheerleaders from their favorite angle!

Kade Eppich – he had an awesome game, so I heard! He’s a lot of fun to watch because he usually has interception or spectacular catch. Looks like he was pretty pumped about something!

Coach Berry – imparting wisdom!

I hope the football team is using their time wisely this week – there’s a lot riding on this game!

.justin and sheianne.

2011-11-13T09:08:00.001-08:00

We got to share in the celebration of Justin Bowen and Sheianne Black’s wedding on Friday, 11.11.11. :)

It was a beautiful wedding in Wenatchee – decorated in fall colors with pumpkins, corn stalks, scarecrows, and beautiful flowers.

The reception was in Waterville at the fairgrounds. I can’t even describe how it was decorated – they really brought the outside in. There were 70+ trees of all varieties around the room along with tons and tons of leaves. Picket fences, dining room tables, mirrors, candles, mounted deer heads, animal skin rugs, etc etc etc. It was so “them” and was made to look really elegant.

The reception was fun! It was great to see Dave and Angie and get to hang out with Nick and Kate and see other old friends too. Melissa, Tiffany, and I had Kamryn earlier in the afternoon while the wedding party was taking their pictures – we had practiced dancing, but by the time we got to the reception, Kamryn was DONE. She didn’t last long before she passed out! She looked so darn cute though! :)

Melissa got a lot of pictures that she shared with me -

Melissa and Tiffany

Dave “THE SWISS” and Melissa

Melissa and I

Melissa and “THE OTHER SWISS” Angie

Mom and Melissa

Congratulations to Justin and Sheianne. They had a beautiful wedding to start their marriage. I am looking forward to getting to know Sheianne – they’ll be living in Connell so we should have lots of opportunities!

.thankful: week 1.

2011-11-08T22:16:00.001-08:00

I joined many Facebook friends in posting one thing I’m thankful for each day in November. I’ll post them weekly here on my blog so I can keep them forever in my blog book!

November 1: I'm thankful for being able to enjoy the small things in life. (red cup day at Starbucks!)

November 2: I'm thankful for creativity and being able to appreciate that each person's creative expression is different from everyone else's.

November 3: I'm grateful for the caring and supportive community I live in!

November 4: I'm thankful for former students stopping by to say hi! So good to see you Spencer Hadley!

November 4-Part 2: I'm thankful for unexpected visits and especially hugs from Ali Erickson, Kate Hawk, and Rex Lyle!!

November 5: I'm thankful for fun fall days spent with my Mom...Starbucks, Heritage, and my FroYo! :) (Those were the highlights!!)

November 6: Today I'm thankful for Sunday afternoons, snuggling on the couch with Samson, a cozy blanket, and a cup of coffee. And a DVRd episode of "Revenge." How great is that show?!

November 7: Today I'm thankful for the cheerleaders who make me laugh and make me super proud to be their coach...especially when they're under appreciated and work 10x harder to prove they deserve respect!

November 8: Today I'm thankful for the right to vote. If you don't exercise your right to vote, ladies especially, you need to watch "Iron Jawed Angels" to renew your appreciation of this freedom we hold. Thank you to the trailblazers who forged the path for the rest of us.

.football post season – game 1.

2011-11-05T08:09:00.000-07:00

Last night was the first game of the football post season. We played against Granger and won easily… 61-6. It was another cold cold game, but luckily we had the running clock for the second half of the game!

The cheerleaders did great…I didn’t get any pictures though! They did a fun dance to “California Girls” by Katy Perry. Kim Whitby recorded it for us and I can’t wait to see it!

I had Kamryn after school for our Friday date. It was our last Friday together since it was the last Friday practice of the volleyball season. Kamryn helped us put the cups in the fence – she thought she was very helpful!!

It was already cold at 3:30pm, so Kamryn was bundled up tight. Her little hat is so cute, but I coudln’t get a great picture of it.

Next week – Connell Eagles vs. Freeman Scotties to say in the race to the Dome!

.happy halloween!.

2011-10-31T22:07:00.001-07:00

Whew! What a busy day! I dressed up for work today as Emma Pillsbury, the guidance counselor on “Glee.” I thought the students at school would recognize who I was right away, but no such luck. Hardly anyone dressed up at school – students OR staff! To keep in character, I stood in the hallway in between classes wearing yellow gloves and offering everyone hand sanitizer. I thought it was fun!

For cheer practice, Melissa dressed as Sue Sylvestor, cheer coach on Glee. I think our cheerleaders think we’re freaks. :)

At home, we had the trio of pirates to greet the Trick-or-Treaters. They were a hit!

Aunt Melissa found this costume for Samson. He took care of business as Sheriff Woody tonight! The hat didn’t last long, in case you were wondering!

Kamryn the cow stopped by for some treats. She was loving the candy part of Halloween!

Mom gave her some bubbles in her little trick-or-treat basket.

Samson trying to hide under Mom’s pirate sleeves!

Kamryn was “moo”-ing for us in between mouthfuls of candy corn!

Showing off her jumping talents!
”The cow jumped over the moon!”

And, we got in some piggie time. I love playing “this little piggie” with Kamryn. She loves piggies and always signs “more!”

So glad Nick, Kate, and Kamryn could stop by for a little bit. I miss them when we don’t see each other for a few days!

My cousin Lisa shared these pictures of her sweet girls dressed up for Halloween!
Frances is Dora the Explorer and Louise is Boots the monkey. TOO CUTE!

We didn’t have too many trick-or-treaters here at the house. Mom, Grandma, Karlye, Melissa, and I had lots of fun hanging out together while we waited for people to come.
Now it’s time for the candy hangover and Halloween detox. Karlye, Melissa, and I *may* be hitting the Halloween clearance sales tomorrow to stock for next year! :)

.halloween: the beginning.

2011-10-29T21:29:00.001-07:00

It seems like Halloween has already gone for a week around here. Melissa went to a party last weekend, then we had our Beta party on Tuesday, and tonight, Melissa & Karlye stopped by on their way to a party! The fun never ends!

These two are looking pretty hot!!

There’s already talk of planning for next year’s costumes. YIKES!

.cheer clinic, senior night, and football game vs. riverview…whew.

2011-10-29T21:15:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was a big day for the CHS Cheerleaders! The Junior Cheer Clinic (which was the senior project for our two senior cheerleaders), senior night, and oh yeah, a football game too!

The Junior Cheer Clinic is usually a really fun afternoon, with a little bit of chaos thrown in! We had about 52 little girls participate so it was a lot of giggling, squeals, tutus, and excited smiles.

Here are some pictures from the afternoon….

Emily & Carly’s group of 4 year olds

Vanessa leading the 5th graders

Selena and Madison with the 3rd and 4th graders

Kayla and Kirston with K/1st graders

Sommer and Allyson with the 1st/2nd graders

Sommer and Allyson had them do an exercise we make the cheerleaders do to feel if they’re yelling from their diaphragm. Cracked me up when I saw these little girls laying on the floor!

Two crazy cheer coaches!
“How to avoid talking to people you don’t want to talk to!”

The whole group practicing the dance to a Justin Bieber song. I’ve never seen so much Bieber fever – I just don’t get it!

One worn out cheerleader!

The whole group! That’s a lot of girls!

These pictures are from the pre-game warm up.
There’s no explanation for this one… :)

Cupie! (Way harder than it looks!)

I love the cheer clinic t-shirts Allyson designed! Good pick for sure!

Still smiling after a long day! Senior project, check!

I love our new tradition of spelling things with Styrofoam cups in the fence. I hope the crowd likes it too!

Our senior cheerleaders: Vanessa and Allyson

Melissa, Karlye, and I sat through the COLDEST cheer clinic football game EVVVVERRRR! It rained at the beginning of the game then turned windy. It was so so so cold! The hand warmers couldn’t even keep up! The football players did great – got a 40 point lead by the 3rd quarter so we got to have a running clock for the remainder of the game. Thank goodness!! The final score was 42-0, making the Eagles League Champs! The first round of play-offs is next Friday against Granger. Go Eags!

.it’s a shutterfly kind of christmas.

2011-10-27T15:56:00.001-07:00

Yes, sorry to be the Grinch here, but it’s time to start thinking about Christmas cards. I usually order my cards in October so I can get them sent out soon after Thanksgiving. I love sending them out pretty early and then get to enjoy receiving cards throughout the rest of the month. The hold up for me right now is having the right picture – that’s always the toughest!

I remember LOVING receiving Christmas cards growing up. I’d volunteer to get the mail in the morning so I could be the one to open the cards. It was so fun to get pictures from friends and family, near and far; read their letters and the little handwritten notes to our family. I like the personal handwritten notes so I try to include those on all my Christmas cards. Now, I love getting cards and pictures in the mail from my friends – seeing their little families and how much their children have grown in the past year. Even though Facebook, email, and other social media helps make the distance between us seem smaller, I still think sending and receiving cards are an important tradition to uphold.

Last year, I ordered cards through Shutterfly. I love the paper they use and the quality of cards they provide. There are so many options available – which I love too! You can choose cutesy, classic, religious, whimsical, or modern. I like cards that are creative with a fun font…

These are some of my favorite 2011 designs…

Shutterfly wants to help make your Christmas card sending fun and easy too – so thanks to them, I can give 25 free photo cards to the first three people to reply to this blog post or reply on Facebook! How fun is that?!

UPDATED: Giveaway is closed! Congratulations to Betsy Kohan, Stephanie Park, and Megan Baumann who commented on my Facebook link! Can't wait to see what you create!

.zombie cheerleaders.

2011-10-27T14:33:00.001-07:00

The cheerleaders were asked to help at the Mid-Columbia Library Halloween Party again this year. They wear mis-matched uniforms, paint their faces, and have crazy hair….and turn on the sass. I think they have a lot of fun with it!

Barbie stopped by on her way to another Halloween Party!

I hope they didn’t scare the little kids TOO much!

.beautiful girls.

2011-10-26T18:39:00.001-07:00

Our pretty cheerleaders wanted to get their pictures taken together at the Homecoming dance! I love it when they sorta-kinda-like each other and like hanging out with each other!!

They always have to have a goofy shot to show their true personalities!!

.halloween party!.

2011-10-26T16:33:00.001-07:00

Last night was our Beta Halloween Party at Kara Mauseth’s. Mom, Kara, Martha Holt, and I were on the committee. It was very fun planning and preparing – and finding new ideas, thanks to Pinterest!

Dressing up was fun this year too. Melissa and I both commented that we used to dread Halloween and dressing up – but since we joined Beta, it’s a lot more fun!

Here’s the Koch' girls:

Marcie, the 50’s girl, Melissa as Barbie in a box, and Connie as a pirate

Flo (Amy) and Melissa – the Best Costume Award winners!

Melissa, Amy, Kelly, and Jessica

Pumpkin decorating contest!

Karen’s Groucho Marx pumpkin!

Jessica’s winning pumpkin is the ninja one in the middle!

Our group!

Another shot of Flo and Barbie!

They stole the show!

Besides the pumpkin decorating contest, Kara hid glow in the dark bugs, spiders, skeletons, and other creepy stuff in the lot for teams to find! We had a yummy dinner and dessert and exchanged Secret Sister gifts!

Fun night!!

.happy birthday to todd-ie-todd-ster.

2011-10-26T16:05:00.001-07:00

Melissa and I helped Todd Perkins celebrate his 30th birthday on Sunday! It was fun to see friends that I hadn’t seen in a few months and play a little flag football – well, they played, I watched from the sidelines. :)

Fran, Amy, Todd, Ryan Jackson, and Jenny
Nice flag placement Jenny!!

Jessica, Melissa, Creete, Jake, and Ryan Wieseler

Happy Birthday Todd!

.there’s a cow at greenbluff!.

2011-10-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

Kamryn’s Grandma Karen shared these pictures on Facebook…
Kamryn got to go to Green Bluff in Spokane on Saturday and her Grandma got these super cute pictures of K in her Halloween costume.

They’re too cute not to share!

.celebrating my Mom.

2011-10-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Warning: Lots of pictures ahead!!

Yesterday was my Mom’s 59th birthday! To celebrate, Melissa organized a fun day doing something Mom has wanted to do for a LONG time! Melissa rented a limo bus, invited a bunch of girls, and we went wine tasting in the Ki-Be area. It was a fun day and I think Mom really enjoyed it!

Melissa did a great job planning everything - great friends, good snacks, and lots of laughing!

Melissa and Karlye at our first stop – Terra Blanca.

Amy Kleinbach and I

Melissa and Tiffany Schneider

Melissa and I

Amy and Melissa

Our group in front of the beautiful scenery at Terra Blanca.

The birthday girl and her momma

Our next stop was Kiona Winery.

Tiffany is checking out the beautiful view!

Mom & I

The Koch girls with Grandma Marcial

It was a little windy…

I had no idea grape vines turned these beautiful colors!

Melissa, Tiffany, and Jamie Smith

Amy and Mom

The limo bus! It was awesome!!

Grandma and Karlye

Mom and Aunt Kim

Our group in front of the bus – minus Grandma, who’d already gotten in the car. It was too windy!

These are at Terra Blanca too -

Tiffany, Amy, and Mom

Mom, Grandma, and I

Kim and Karlye

Melissa, Mom, Grandma, and I

These are at the last winery we went to – Fidelitas

They were having a member Harvest Party – so there were tons of people there…a very fun atmosphere. There was a garage door that opened onto a patio with a beautiful view.

Mom, Amy, Jamie, and Tiffany

The Jo’s!

Melissa and Amy

Jamie and Mom

After the tour, we met the guys and Aunt Vicky at Cedars for dinner.

Travis and Jamie

Karlye and Amy

Mark and Karlye

The birthday girl!

After dinner, Mom, Amy, and I (Dad waited in the car) went to Craft Warehouse to take advantage of their Moonlight Madness sale (of course!).
I think Mom had a great day. I am so thankful that we could celebrate another birthday with her! Hoping to celebrate BIG time next year – this was just a practice round!!

.big win over Royal!.

2011-10-22T09:24:00.001-07:00

Last night we travelled to Royal for our big rivalry football game. This game draws a HUGE crowd on both sides of the field and some good football was played. There were times when the calls were one-sided and times when the teams got a little rough with each other, but overall it was a darn good game!

The first half was real similar to our state championship game from last year – we get a TD, they get a TD, we get a TD, they get a TD. By halftime it was tied. Sometime in the 3rd quarter, we pulled ahead and ended up winning 49-28! YES!

Apparently, this win actually puts us in the harder bracket for post-season, but as Jennifer said last night, “You have to beat the best to be the best.”

We were so excited about the game that we didn’t take any pictures of the cheerleaders – but Melissa got this picture of the two of us!

Next week is Senior Night – already! I can’t believe it! The game is against Riverview and it’s also the Cheer Clinic!

.kamryn at 18 months.

2011-10-20T20:24:00.001-07:00

Kamryn’s super talented grandma took these fun pictures of Kamryn to commemorate her 18-month birthday. Grandma Karen has a pretty cute model!

I think this one might be my favorite…

Kamryn loves this one with her doggies, Gunner and Abby. I was showing it to her on my phone and she started giving the dogs kisses. So cute.

Kamryn is so much fun right now. She is talking a lot more every time I see her. Her personality just shines! Melissa has been trying to get her to “tap tap tap” her foot since Kamryn started to stand. Last night we were at Nick and Kate’s house and Melissa was trying to get her to “tap tap tap” and Kamryn did it! She was loving it!! Kamryn showed us how she can “jump” – which is pretty cute. I’ll have to record her doing it. She also started to twirl and twirl until she gets dizzy. Such a crack up!

.homecoming game vs. Wahluke.

2011-10-16T18:41:00.001-07:00

The cheerleaders did great at the Homecoming game – as usual! :) It makes me proud to watch them! I just wish that the crowd realized how hard they work every week…they make it look so easy!

Here’s our cup message this week! One student told me on Friday that this was the best idea the cheerleaders have ever had. haha!!

Our group -
Selena, Sommer, Kayla, Kirston, Allyson, Madison, Vanessa, and Carly

They performed the same dance they did at the assembly on Thursday – and they did an awesome job! I really liked this dance…but can’t wait to see what we come up with next!

The boys won….55-0. Not much of a game. It didn’t really feel like Homecoming, except for the fact that I was exhausted after the busy week.

I chaperoned the Homecoming dance on Saturday night. It was fun to see the students dressed up and having fun. They were relaxed and enjoying themselves – such a different pace than school days when everyone is busy and running around like crazy. It was nice to see them just having a good time together.

.the rest of homecoming week.

2011-10-14T10:06:00.001-07:00

The rest of Homecoming week was full of games, competition, and lots of fun.

Let’s start on Tuesday. Tuesday was Wild West and Ranchero day. Lots of cowboy hats, boots, belt buckles, and plaid shirts. They played a game with 10 students from each class standing in a line. Each student had a toothpick in their teeth and had to pass a lifesaver to the end of the line and back.

Sommer was pretty terrible at this game…she dropped the lifesaver EVERY time!

The senior class

Here are the cheerleaders in their western wear:

Selena, Kayla, Madison, and Allyson

Vanessa, Sommer, Madison, Kirston, Carly, and Kayla

Wednesday was class color day. The seniors were black, juniors white, sophomores red, and freshmen blue. The staff wore yellow. YUCK.

Basic t-shirts were not good enough…full costumes in color were best.

Here’s the volleyball team and their coach Kate speaking to the student body.

They played a class competition game where they had to put shaving cream on a balloon and then use a razor to shave it. Pretty messy – and funny!

These are the Mr. CHS contestants waiting for their turn to do their “poise routine” and answer a question.

Senior contestant Cole Vanderbilt

Junior contestant Kyle Logan with Madison and Grayson

Thursday was extreme purple and gold day. We had a super fun assembly with performances from the cheerleaders, the principals, and the teachers!

Sommer and Madi got ahold of my camera, apparently!

Leading the student body in the Fight Song.

Melissa got to come over from the elementary school to watch their performance (so nice to be across the street!), so she recorded the video and I took pictures.

Coach Fife came to talk about the football team. They’re ready to take on the Wahluke Warriors!

The cheerleaders – excited after their great performance!

and always a funny one thrown in there!

The girls cheered on the volleyball team to victory last night at their game against Riverview!

The cheerleaders are decorating for the Homecoming dance this afternoon and then cheering for the game tonight. I don’t know about them, but I’m exhausted after this busy week!

.homecoming, day 1.

2011-10-10T21:32:00.001-07:00

Today was the first day of Homecoming week. The theme is “Around the World in 4 Days.” There was a lot of excitement today – hall decorating contest, announcement of royalty, the first round of the Mr. CHS competition, and fun dress up costumes!

I’m an advisor for the sophomore class this year – and they did awesome on their hall decorations! Their theme was Central and South America. They had a big cruise ship, a jungle with a volcano, and a pirate area. So cool!

This is from the front door of the high school.

And down toward the sophomore/junior hall.

The pirate area – the pirates are Jennifer, Jessica, and Jan!

This is the cruise ship – it turned out so cute! It had these portholes with classmates’ pictures!

These pirates faces are the teachers!

Kaitlynn and Carly are two of the class officers who put in a lot of time and energy for the sophomore hall!

This is a little bit of the freshman hall. Their country to decorate was Austrailia, which was a little difficult, I’d think. Plus they have a HUGE hall and usually not too many helpers.

The seniors had Africa and they had these cute animals outside greeting everyone.

I liked this – the back end of a jeep. They decorated like a safari and did a great job!

The juniors had Antarctica. I liked what they did with the white and light blue.

This was a cute idea with snowballs spelling out Antarctica.

The judging was done this morning and the winners announced during the assembly. The sophomores came out on top, followed by the seniors, then juniors, then freshman.

My favorite part of today was seeing the costumes and everyone having fun dressed up. Today’s theme was “Back in Time in the U.S.A.”

The afro boys

Brittney, Carly, and Katlyn – a mix of 50’s and 80’s!

Hayleigh and Ashton

Kirston, Kyra, and McKenna

The cheerleaders led the school in the fight song and a class cheer.

Mrs. Olsen and I were called down as the best dressed for the staff! How fun!

Tried getting all the cheerleaders together for a picture after the assembly – but looks like a few were anxious to get to lunch. :)

Found some others before practice…

There were lots of cute poodle skirts around!

OH wow Jeff…. :)

Kayla wanted to try on my Lucy wig. I think she makes a cute Lucy. Maybe she should borrow it next year! :)

It was a fun first day. Looking forward to tomorrow!

.ROADtrip to Kelso!.

2011-10-10T19:41:00.001-07:00

Kate, Kamryn, and I roadtripped to Kelso this past weekend to visit Chris, Candace, Delt, and Libby Clark. It was a long trip, but so good to spend the weekend with them and see where their new home is.

We stayed up too late talking both nights we were there (1-1:30AM!!!) so we were pretty lazy in the mornings, which was so nice! We drank coffee, watched the kids play, and talked some more! Candace took us on a driving tour of Longview and Kelso. I’d never been in that area before so it was great to get to see it!

We went to Vancouver on Saturday evening to Costco! Just for Kate. :)

Candace didn’t have to twist our arm any to go to Costco, but when she said handmade gelato, we were on our way!! It was delicious!

These girls had a great time playing. Kamryn kept crouching down to Libby and holding her chin to give her kisses. Like Libby is so much smaller than Kamryn is – 1 whole month younger!!

We didn’t see much of Delt. He played Angry Birds on my phone most of the time. He’s loving kindergarten and hopefully he can read to us the next time we see him!

This is Chris’ new school – Huntington Middle School. It sounds like the adjustment has been tough, but hopefully he’s on the upward swing.

I took this picture just for Esther. Look at all those recycling bins!

Thanks so much for the hospitality, Chris and Candace. Hope it’s not too long before we get to see you again!

.pink night at Mabton.

2011-10-10T19:18:00.001-07:00

I didn’t go to the Mabton football game – Melissa took them and apparently they were there real early because they got to have this super fun photo shoot!

We got these pink shirts for October Breast Cancer Awareness month!

Melissa wrote their last names on the back with puff paint.

I found them these pink shoelaces that say “Fight Like a Girl” in the $1 section at Target!

Melissa said they did great and the football team won, 49-7 (or something like that)!

.this week.

2011-10-06T20:46:00.001-07:00

It’s been “just another week” full of randomness…

Melissa bought this purple and black fleece and gold blanket binding to make a football blanket. I agreed to sew it for her – which seemed easier than it actually was. I’d never sewn with the satin baby blanket binding before…and let’s just say, I probably will never use it again. YUCK!

So, the blanket didn’t turn out as nice as I would’ve liked it, but Melissa is trying to convince me that it’s fine!

She traced these footballs onto the fleece and then I sewed over the trace lines.

Hopefully it will keep her warm and cozy at the games!

At cheer practice the past few days, we’ve been talking about Homecoming costumes. I brought my loot of 80s accessories today and Sommer tried on every single one of them. Lookin’ mighty fine! :)

I cringed inside when I had to explain to them who “I Love Lucy” was and Violet from Saved by the Bell. Really?! Then, to get asked, “Why do you still watch those old shows?” I don’t regularly watch them now – but that’s what I grew up with! These girls have been on a roll this week. Earlier one of them asked me if Arizona was by Mexico or Washington DC. Then, when she saw a map and asked all the other girls if they knew Washington DC was “all the way across the world?!” O.M.G.

Today, Facebook, Twitter, MSN, and every other form of media was blowing up with news of Steve Jobs’ passing and tributes to him. The world lost a really great mind yesterday. He changed our world in the form of technology and media. Every time I picked up my iPhone today, I thought about the man that urged us to “Think Different.” Such a huge loss to our world.

This is a screen shot from my Twitter feed today…

I’ve been looking forward to tomorrow for a few weeks now…

this little cutie pie,

her momma, and I are road tripping to Kelso, WA to visit Chris and Candace Clark, Delt & Libby. I can’t wait!

.breaking records and taking names.

2011-10-01T08:38:00.001-07:00

Friday night lights were on in Connell last night as the Eagles took on the Columbia Burbank Coyotes. We knew going into the that it wouldn’t be to exciting. The cheerleaders practiced different ways to change up the fight song (which is played after every touchdown) so that it didn’t get boring. :) We’re so spoiled by our great team!

We won 55-7. The exciting part of the game was that Matt Hadley broke two records in one touchdown. I had read in the newspaper yesterday that he was 5 touchdowns away from breaking Kirby Moore’s state record of 99 career touchdowns. Kirby Moore is a local football celeb from Prosser who’s now playing for Boise State. I saw an article online this week predicting that he might be Peyton Manning’s successor in the NFL. Pretty cool. So, when Matt made his 6th touchdown of the game, he broke Kirby’s state record and (according to Evan, the announcer) he also broke a school record of making 6 touchdowns in one game by a runningback. What a night!

Even though there was all that excitement in the actual game, as you know, we were really just watching the cheerleaders!

They had a dance prepared for half time and were pretty excited about it.

We talked them into bringing crowd members out to cheer with them for the “Ola Ola Ay” cheer – it looked like they were having a great time!

They rocked their dance! The video Karlye took for me is pretty far away and hard to see (she did the best she could using my iPhone!). Melissa said one of the moms recorded it, so hopefully we can get a copy.

Madi and her bases did a cool new “ball back” stunt into an extension…

…reload into another extension.
That’s right. :)

Oops – just missed this great toe touch basket toss from Kayla!

This basket toss, reload into an extension had a hard time getting up to an extension but no problem….no one else knew what was supposed to happen at the end!

2 bits! Everyone!

Shoulder stands for Eagle Power!

The girls did the cups in the fence again for the game. I love it!!
We got great responses from the crowd…I think it’s a keeper!

Who knows what we’ll spell for the next game!

.productive weekend.

2011-09-26T18:15:00.001-07:00

I have a stack of quilts to finish (baste, quilt, and bind) and I’m getting antsy to get them done. I wanted to make some progress on that stack, but I got distracted…as usual.

I found this cute fabric and decided to make a fall table runner…

I like the pattern – and the colors look cute with my Mom’s Fiestaware dishes!

Pattern: Let’s Twist Again
Fabric: Decadence by Riley Blake
Quilted by Marcie

I put the binding on this baby quilt too. It had been sitting on my counter, just waiting to be finished!

Pattern: Coming Soon by Thimble Blossoms
Fabric: Coquette by Northcutt Fabrics
Quilted by Marcie

.taco truck and other highlights of the week.

2011-09-23T23:44:00.001-07:00

This week was one of those busy ones without really doing anything super exciting. Mom & I hosted a Longaberger party on Monday night, we went to a benefit dinner for a family that had a house fire on Tuesday, went to a counselor workshop on Wednesday, volleyball game on Thursday, and football game on Friday. Hoping to get some quilting done this weekend!!

On Thursday before the volleyball game, Melissa, Karlye, & I went to the Taco Truck for dinner. I love love love the Taco Truck. I could go every day – not kidding. My new favorite thing there is the chicken nachos, no beans. I could have that for every meal. Not joking!!

What did we do before the taco truck??!

Today I got a great surprise at work! My friend Shannah texted and said she was 25 minutes away from Connell and could she stop by the school for a quick hi?! Um, yes please! We haven’t seen each other in about 5 years, so we were long overdue for a visit! (Unfortunately for me, today was one of those bad-headache-and-I-look-like-crap sorta day…go figure.) It was so fun to see her and her momma Jan and to meet her little guy Cale. Made my day!

I got my hair cut and colored after school – new cut and I think I kinda like it! We’ll see when I have to do it myself!

.go eagles.

2011-09-23T23:19:00.001-07:00

Week #4 of the football season – we traveled to Ki-Be to take on the Bears.

Too bad it was 85 degrees and too warm to wear their new fleece jackets!!

The game was not real exciting…

but these girls have fun wherever they go!

They did a great job of cheering the boys onto a win…

52-14.

(we like it when they’re ahead by 40+ points because then it’s a running clock until the end!)

Next week, the game is home against Burbank!

.apple dumplings.

2011-09-21T21:39:00.001-07:00

The other day I was browsing through Pinterest, like I do a few times a day (!)…I was looking specifically for a dessert to serve at my Longaberger party that night.

And then I saw it….

( photo borrowed from www.oneshetwoshe.com )

Apple Dumplings!

Trust me, they look just as delicious as they actually are.

Here’s the recipe, which may have taken over as my #1 fall dessert!

from The Pioneer Woman

2 sticks butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tubes crescent rolls
2 granny smith apples
12 ounces of Mountain Dew
Cinnamon
Vanilla ice cream

Directions: Peel and slice your apples. Wrap each slice in a crescent dough triangle and place in sprayed (greased) pan. In a bowl, melt your butter and stir in sugar and vanilla. Pour over top of the wrapped apples....or spread on top with a spoon. Pour the Mt. Dew all around and sprinkle with Cinnamon. Place in 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot with ice cream!

I dare you to NOT try them.

.birthday weekend in Spokane.

2011-09-18T19:17:00.001-07:00

The Heider family gathered in Spokane yesterday to celebrate Grandma’s 80th birthday and Mark’s 54th birthday! We had some surprises in store for Grandma, so it made for a fun weekend!

Mom, Dad, Melissa, Grandma, and I got to Spokane on Saturday afternoon and made a few stops at Northtown, Ulta, DSW, and Dress Barn.

We surprised Grandma by pulling up to the Davenport Tower to stay for the night! We got ready for dinner and then went to Mark & Kim’s room for a little pre-dinner fun.

The birthday kids!

We met the rest of the clan at Anthony’s for dinner (another surprise for Grandma!)…

This was her reaction when she heard the music that “she just loves…”

…and so Amber asked her to dance…

and then Mark cut in. Grandma loved it!

We were the usual loud, fun group! :)

Laughing, joking, hanging spoons from our noses…we know how to have a good time!

Jackie and Grandma – maybe they’re talking about becoming Great-Grandmas again?! Paige surprised us all with the news that she and David are having a baby in April! (I hope that I’m not spilling the beans – I hate finding out info like that on Facebook!)

some cute pairs…

We sung the obligatory happy birthday and they blew out their candle!

It may haven take 2 tries to get a good picture. :)

On Sunday morning, we all gathered again for brunch at Luna, a restaurant Craig shared with us. It was so cute and delish too!

The grandkids…missing Melissa, Paige, Kevin & Tiffany since they all went home after dinner last night.

Vicky and Grandma

Mom trying Grandma’s birthday dessert with the salt and pepper tiny spoon!

Grandma and her kids

And the birthday kids with one more birthday treat!

After brunch, Dad took us to Nordstrom for a little bit to get our fix while we were in Spokane. What a good dad!

I hope Grandma and Mark had a great birthday weekend! It was fun to celebrate with them!

.friday football vs. Cashmere.

2011-09-18T18:18:00.001-07:00

On Friday we decided to try something new and spelled out “CHS” with styrofoam cups in the fence. We thought it was going to take a long time, so we thought we’d start nice and easy with “CHS” – but it only took us 10 minutes, so maybe next time we can add a few more letters! The girls thought it was pretty cool – and so did I! :)

Kamryn came over while Kate was at practice. She started to get sleepy and laid down by Samson. So cute!

Here’s the view from the hill – great placement!

The girls got to wear their new warmups! Love them!

The band tried something new on Friday – they marched out onto the track and then continued to march around the track. The cheerleaders joined them on the track. The whole group stopped halfway around and the band played a song while the cheerleaders danced along to it. Maybe the beginning of a new tradition?!

The pre-game was definitely more exciting than the actual game. I’m not sure what it is about Cashmere, but our boys can’t seem to beat them! The final score was 14-47 or something like that.

After the first touchdown Cashmere made, I said to Melissa, “why isn’t the band playing the fight son?!” Then she told me it was because Cashmere had scored not us. Oh yeah – I’m not used to that!! We’re so spoiled by our great football team – it’s weird when they’re not winning!

Next week we travel to Ki-Be. Watch out Bears! Here we come!

.expect a miracle.

2011-09-14T21:59:00.001-07:00

Tonight I got to meet

Abigail Grace Jevne

She was born on
September 10, 2011 (9/10/11), 7lbs, 19 1/4 inches long.

Seriously, how sweet is she?!

I’m so so happy for her mom & dad – Megan and Chris. They waited a long time for this princess! They have such a neat story about their journey to becoming parents. I hope Abigail always knows how much she was wanted and how so many people prayed for her arrival.

There is just nothing like holding a brand new baby. So tiny, so fresh from God…

I took this quilt to her. I think it will go with her shabby chic room perfectly!

.fall festival and quilt show.

2011-09-10T18:15:00.001-07:00

This morning, we met the Johnson fam for the parade.

Kamryn was looking super cute in her little WSU cheerleader outfit!

Kamryn & Auntie Ang (here from Geneva!)

The Coug family!

Some of the kids from CBJLS: Taylor, Emalee, and Emma

Parade watchers!
We’re smiling, but really we’re slowly melting – it was soooo hot!

Melissa and the Swiss

Marc Sawyer riding his Dad’s bike!

The CHS band and alumni marching under the direction of Mr. Kitson – again!

Kamryn with Uncle Dave and Auntie Ang

Kamryn was loving the Mexican Dancing Horses – she was dancing right along with them!

We went up to the Art Show after the parade. I entered 3 quilts in the quilt portion of the Art Show.

I was surprised to see a blue ribbon on one of them! How exciting!

These are the other two that I entered.

This is Melissa Kelly’s quilt for her baby girl that is due to arrive next month. I think it’s adorable!!

Kamryn got a ride with Jim Johnson on his walker when we went to pick my quilts up. She did not want to get off!

It was a nice day with friends – vegging in the AC with Taco Truck for lunch. Can’t get any better!

.chs football @ Chelan.

2011-09-10T17:50:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, we made the long long trip to Chelan for the football game. We left school at 2:30pm and got home at 1:30am. We were about half way between Othello and Moses Lake when Melissa finally realized where we were going! “Chelan…as in Lake Chelan? Stop the car. Let me out! I don’t want to go all the way to CHELAN!” Exactly – which is why I’d been dreading the trip since I saw the schedule last spring!

We got there and I checked the weather – really?! 95 degrees at 6:45pm? As we drove by the lake, people were boating, kayaking, and swimming – that would’ve been much more enjoyable!

The two teams of cheerleaders meeting…

Our team for the night:
Carly, Sommer, Madison, Kayla
Allyson and Selena

Not a very exciting game. CHS won, 35-0.