Latest Project

Here it is.  Trying to pick color to use for the flowers.......

OK... here is what I ended up choosing

WAY TO GO STUART!!!!!!

Stuart just got back from his Chess Tournament, and he did GREAT.  He was playing against 8th and 9th graders.  He won 3 out of 5 of his games, so he brought home a trophy.  This is his first trophy, and as the proud mom that I am, I couldn't wait to brag about him, and can't wait to show it off.  This was a great start.  I'll try to get more details out him later.... right now, he is playing games with his cousins.

 

 

Building an Igloo

So, this past Saturday, we all headed out to Grandma and Grandpa's, so the kids could in the snow.  We figured Joseph could handle all of the kids, and the girls could stay inside, and work on projects, relatively uninterrupted.

This worked out well for an hour or so.. then most of the kids cam back... because Uncle Joseph and Aunt Patti were more focused on building the igloo than sledding.  The kids helped out with the igloo in the beginning, but soon lost interest.  Patti and Joseph made good headway, the plan being, that it will be done when Michael gets home, and the grownups will have a wienie roast and smores out in it as a group date.

Everyone says it sounds like fun.  Me?  I have some reservations about a fire out on the ice.  Everyone tells me it's fine... but really??  The logic just doesn't add up.

Snow Camping

So, I have finally downloaded some of the pictures we took as the boys left on their first snow campout.
The only info we have been able to drag from Stu was
"It was cold"

Maybe, someday, we'll find out more.

 

Lost in Translation??

It never ceases to amaze me, how others will process what you tell them.  We have been working with Stuart on his phone manners.  So, yesterday, a card from Auntie Em came in the mail, and he asked if he could call and thank her.  I was THRILLED.

I gave him the number, and went back to cooking dinner.  Since he was using the kitchen phone - I could hear everything pretty clearly.  I died laughing.  Points to him for trying so hard.  Let me replay part of it for you

Stuart :  Hello, This is Stuart
(whoever what on the other line said something)
Stuart:  May I please speak with Mrs. Wasson....
(the other line apparently seemed baffled
Stuart:  "Mrs. Wasson, your mom.......

At this point I jumped in and told him to call her Auntie Em, but he was too worried about what if it is a wrong number.

He cracks me up.  I wish he would take everything I'm trying to teach him as seriously!

First Ice Fishing Trip

Stuart had his first ice fishing trip this morning.  Aaron A. took Stuart out with Joseph and a friend of his down to Hyrum Damn.  They didn't catch anything, but I think that he had fun.  As always, I can't get any real details - other than "It was cool".   Joseph says that he complained about being cold (like that's new).  Of course, I felt the need to point out that Joseph is the Dad, so that he should probably should have taught him why - and that he should wear extra clothes, instead of assuming that a 13 year old would think ahead and plan for an experience that he hadn't experiences yet.   We'll have see what happens on future trips.   Stuart is getting much better at planning, and is great at seeing ahead with a lot of different things, but not all things yet.  My aunt told me, to figure on another 30 yrs or so, before they figure it all out.   Unless of course, he gets a good wife, which tends to expedite the process.  I had to laugh at that.   It has been fun though, to watch Stuart grow up and start learning these things.  When he applies the independence he has always had - in ways that work - I have hope for the future.

 

Why am I surrounded by boys???? Would one girl have hurt??

There are days.... that I feel very very out numbered here.  I am surrounded by boys.  My husband is one, my son is one, and the only extended family that lives close by?  My brother in laws.......

Today as I was talking to Stuart, about his goals for this term, what grades he wanted to get, he sat back and thought for a moment.  He then informed me, " I guess I could get B's without really having to work".  So, I think mom's goal is going to be be all A's.  I know that might seem awfully hard to do, but I know him.  All he would have to do, it actually turn in the work he does.

Anyway, there have just been a handful of things recently, all side effects to having boys around.  I think it seems worse than it is, becuase I haven't had much sleep lately.

Interesting Day

No pictures for today, but it has been a pretty busy one.  Rehearsals began tonight, - and I have a great deal of practicing to work into my schedule.  It's hard music, but I am really enjoying the challenge.  The winter concert will be on Feb 28th. - Which is much better than just having 2 rehearsals before the concert.

We are still plugging away at everything else.  Mom and I are toying with an online fabric store.  I'm doing the research...such a hardship! ;-)

We will see how it goes.  I may put out some feelers to the local quilt quilds here.  We could always use somewhere else to get our fabric.

Nothing really planned for tomorrow... beyond work - OH!  We will have Liz's pictures up on the studio blog.  Stuart is going snow camping on Friday night.... so we will have an evening to ourselves... It is always very very quiet when only Joseph and I are home.  

New Years Resolutions!

This year - My goal is to keep this better updated.  With as busy as we are, you'd think that there would be plenty of material... yet I always seem to find myself at a loss.  So, to start, let me add a few images, that Joseph took recently, that show a bit of what we've been up to.

Music, as always.

And Christmas Eve Traditions.  Very quiet this year!

 

 

And last but not least  - Stuart first Band Concert.  They were great!

 

 

Update on the Shop!

So, we have been working really really hard!  Here are just a few before and after shots.  We have finished painting the ceilings and walls.  We have some detail work - moldings to do, and replacing light fixtures and plugs and switches - finish work .  We also have ALOT of cleaning, but we are soooo close I can almost taste it!!  I should be able to have the inspector over this week, if he can fit it in his schedule.

Before Shots

In Progress Shots.