Saturday Morning Football

We enjoyed Saturday morning football today, thanks to ESPN Player. Because of the time difference, we're really watching the Friday night games (often when they're over). The nice thing is we never know the final score, so (to me) it's like watching it live.

Curt cleaned his clubs while watching

and I worked on another sewing project. I made a slip for the blessing dress I am going to make.

Front detail 

Back 

My Mom gave me a little pattern she made for Taya's slip. I just did my best to put it together.

I enjoyed doing a little more 'finishing' work than the previous projects and also some button holes. I've also learned I sort of enjoy guess-sewing, much like I enjoy guess-cooking. There are times, however, where precision in following patterns and recipes is necessary to avoid disaster--I just choose when it seems important enough. I can't decide if it's laziness or the desire to do things my own way and use a little creativity. Probably laziness...

Another Project

Because I had extra fabric from the boppy, I decided to do another project. We bought a dresser and crib from a friend who moved back to the US. Still can't believe we have a baby crib. Anyhow, I wanted to make the dresser our changing table, so last week I bought a changing pad and cover. I'm not a fan of opening and closing drawers, so I decided to make the diaper-changing-accessories a little bit easier to access. There are pockets for diapers, cream, etc. (that's a tube of tooth paste pretending to be diaper cream...and eventually I'll get some baby powder too). I still need to press it so the seams sit right, but for now, here it is:

I used some wooden dowels on the top and bottom so it won't sag. The wooden dowels used to hold my orchids up (they died). I'm glad I didn't toss them.

Lucerne, Switzerland

18-19 June 2011

We went to Lucerne with some friends in our ward, Jordan & Kelsey Perry. They were in Geneva for a few months during an internship. Though it was rainy the first day, we had a very enjoyable trip. We took the train from Geneva (just under 3 hours).

Buying good food at the market on Saturday morning; Standing on the beautiful Chapel Bridge

We visited the Swiss Museum of Transport while in Lucerne. It was the perfect thing to do on a rainy day. We thought of Uncle Scott while we were there--those who know him will understand why.

In front of a train "snow plow" at the Transportation Museum; In front of the gigantic model train diorama

Our means of travel at the museum. We probably had too much fun on those scooters for adults...

Beautiful Lake Luzern

My favorite place we visited: The Lion of Lucerne (Löwendenkmal). I just think it is gorgeous!

Our view as we read by the lake on Sunday afternoon

The Ice Cream Freezer

Yesterday was a pretty exhausting day at work for both of us, especially Curt. He went in early and got home late. We were just sitting and talking and I noticed he started to nod off. I asked him a question, I can't remember what now, and he said,

"We've got to wake up and put our ice cream stuff in the ice cream freezer!"

He was incredibly serious. I burst out laughing--hysterically, as I was also tired. To make it more funny, he thought I was laughing at him because he called it an "ice cream freezer" instead of a "freezer for ice cream." He told me that too. I'm not sure if he was coherent yet by then...

Today's Project

I inherited an old "boppy" from someone who was moving back to the US. It was pretty worn out, large and lacked stuffing. I did like the stuffing a lot though-- it was full of the small, foam beads (like the airplane neck pillows you buy).
Here's the before:

I felt like a Saturday sewing project since Curt went golfing. I actually haven't pulled my machine out since I started working. How sad! I found this pattern online and went to work.

The cover even has a zipper (stolen from the old boppy, in fact). That's big for me. I haven't put a zipper in since 8th grade sewing. I guessed how to do it and it worked out alright.

I still don't believe I am pregnant or that we'll have a baby girl in a matter of weeks. Let the nesting begin!

Bowling like Americans

There was a cool "Groupon" for a bowling alley here in Geneva so we went on a date. We played 3 games and felt like we were in the US for an hour--it was really strange.
We started our games off with a wager: Winner of each game gets a 5 min massage. If you win by 100 or more you get a 10 min massage.

Want to know how Curt started out?

XXX

With a turkey! We probably haven't been bowling in 2 years. What a start. 

I was worried. 

He did win that game by a lot (fortunately I pulled it together at the end so he didn't beat me by 100--phewph!). 

I, on the other hand, played miserably the first game until I could figure out how to bowl with pregnancy ligament pains. Solution: 8 pound ball and no lunging. Once I figured it out I did win the last 2 games :)

31 August 2011

Utah with the Calders

We had a wonderful vacation in Utah. We were able to spend a week with the Calders and a week with the Gatrells. It is so great to have our families so close together.

On the porch in Huntsville

On our first night in Huntsville, Curt and I snuck out in the middle of the night and tied some genuine Swiss cowbells to the two calves. They looked adorable with the bells on, and the sound was very beautiful. I bought the bells just outside of Gruyere with Mom and Kristin when they were visiting here.

There's nothing like hanging out in Huntsville. It is definitely one of our favorite vacation spots. We generally spend a large portion of time playing games, chatting and being outside.

Skiing at Pineview

Kayaking on Pineview with Trent & Hadley

The boys had a lot of fun playing Tarzan on the lake during a ski break.

The boys also played basketball for HOURS,

and the girls had a fun afternoon out (lunch and pedicures).

Glen is a lot like my dad, Arn. There's always a project to do. What would a trip to Huntsville be without a little work? 

Glen & the boys

We LOVED our time in Ogden with Grandpa and Grandma Maw. There's nothing like playing Scrabble and listening to Grandpa's stories.

We also had a great birthday party to celebrate Grandma Maw's 90th birthday. Here is her posterity!

Curt's old roommate, Jake Sorensen, came to Huntsville to visit one evening. We LOVE the Sorensen's and are so glad he was able to stop by! Anytime Jake and Curt are together it's as if a day hasn't passed by since they last saw each other.

Meridee, Candice and Miranda threw a great baby shower for us. We loved seeing the extended family (both sides) and spending time together

There was, of course, some great post-shower soccer in the yard as well. We had quite a crowd!

Curt and Miranda got to celebrate their birthdays together. Miranda turned 16 and now has a driver's license! She was 12 when I met her and has grown up so much.

PS. Thanks to Candice for many great photos! You can tell which ones she took :)