Saturday, April 16, 2011

Typical Godsiff days

Don't break the ice... but if you must, please wear proper eye protection.
Extreme children's games!


As I mentioned in the last post our car is in the shop. It got bad enough that we were advised strongly to get it towed.






The kids enjoyed watching the tow men. It's not everyday that a giant truck comes and takes your car away.
















One of the reasons I've been so long in getting to the blog is because I was commissioned to paint one of Logan's buddy's bike helmets. The original request was for a pin up girl version of Jesse Ventura from the movie Predator. It was a little bit tough since I haven't done a whole lot of artwork lately but I think she came out okay. After that he thought a girl on the other side would look awesome. I cheated a bit with her copying the pose from a picture I found online but I came up with the gold shorts :)







So now you know at least some of why I was so slow getting to the "part 2" I had promised.





One morning, inspired by some unexpected sunshine and feeling artistic I snapped some "fancy" pictures in the backyard.

























"Oh Mom! Please stop taking pictures and come inside!"

"Unless they're of me of course!" ;)
(The odd colors and lights are reflections, no editing done!)

I just love those toddler proportions! So stinkin cute!



On a weekend trip to Portland Rowan shows off his awesome big brother-ness hugging his sister on the porch swing.



More Projects


I had decided before Katie's birthday that I would make both she and Rowan quilts for their beds. Of course I put it off and put it off but once the helmet painting was finished I decided I was on a roll with projects and finally got the quilting supplies out and set to work.
Here's Katie sitting under her quilt on top of Rowan's. I made hers from snuggle blankies my Mom had sewn for her when she was tiny and a bit of new fabric that was the same as one blankie (which I think I lost in a parking lot)

Rowan's was made to match the colors of his room.
Katie is wearing one blue sock and a book on her head...

more silliness
Rowan came in while I was taking pictures and suggested we do some timer pictures.


Since it is officially spring now and Katie is able to actually get around in boots outside I've been trying to get the kids playing outside at least once a day provided it's not actively raining.

Katie thinks the trike is really cool. She often tries to push it along, which is what she was doing right before Rowan jumped on it here. So I made him stop and perched her up on the handle bars. I kept a hand on her for a while and she seemed pretty stable so I sternly told Rowan not to let go and backed up a few steps for a shot.







He really is a great big brother.

End of Winter: Part 2

Finally! Sorry about the delay, I didn't think it was going to be that hard to find time to sit and blog. But I have now so here we go! :)

Goodbye Lil' Blue, Hello Bruce Goose!

A few days before Katie's birthday Logan arranged a test drive for us to check out a new car. He liked it a lot and I thought it was pretty cool and seemed to be a good fit for us right now. It fits up to 7 people (a couple of them need to be small but that's what we've got!), cruise control, and a DVD player!
Anyway, long story short we got it and we liked it.

(Even longer story short it's now in the shop needing a new engine, apparently a refurbished low-mileage one is on the way. Cars can be super annoying...)


In happier news...
Katie turned one!

On her birthday she woke up and had pancakes and bananas for breakfast. I got a couple pictures of her making faces and/or not looking when my camera battery almost died. I charged it until her party at lunch time so that's when the good pictures start :)

cheese pizza and fruit salad

The gang


Godmom Amy lends a hand keeping Katie's hands from the flame while we sing happy birthday ;)


A little help from Rowan (and Claire) it was blown out


Carrot cake muffin, mmmmmm :)

They did eventually let Katie play with her singing picnic basket and play food, I promise! ;)


Later for dinner Katie enjoyed her pasta and red sauce a little too much...

So into the bath she went! Along with cousin Henry and a lot of bubbles.


Not too happy to stop playing.


Dinosaur jammied kids!
(you might have to look close but Katie's are dinos riding bikes and skating while Henry is rockin some construction dinos)


Little wiggle worms. After watching this I wonder how we ever get pictures of them looking at the camera!

All the fun really tuckered Rowan out.


On the "official" first day of spring (the 20th) we got together with the Leritzs for our last trip to Norma's burgers. A bittersweet time for sure. They recently moved to Alabama as Sam has a new job just across the state line in Georgia. The good news is for as long as he has it he will not deploy! :D So even though we miss them like crazy it's not all bad.

On your mark.... get set....

Go!

This was the only "group" shot I got that day. Maddy was already in the car so I didn't push for a real group shot of everyone. In hindsight I kinda wish I had.


Well there you go. The end of winter... or at least it was supposed to be. The weather hasn't gotten the memo yet here in NW Washington. We've seen a little sun but for the most part it's still chilly, wet, and gray *sigh* ah well, soon enough I'm sure. (Unless you're Sam and Amy and then you can just move away to sunshine and springtime ;) haha)