Buzzards (or maybe they are vultures...)

Should I be concerned?  It's a little disconcerting to see this many buzzards roosting at my place.

At least they aren't circling...yet!

They are kind of fascinating, but I won't be sad when they move along.

Missing Teeth

One front tooth missing...

Not to be outdone!



Two front teeth missing.

Some lisping!

Sylvester, the downstairs cat, makes a rare appearance upstairs!

Did I mention the girls each got a kitten of their own this summer?  It's a long story.
Melania named her kitten Isabella.  Mishayla's kitten is Tiger.
They are both very sweet and tolerant.

I have blog friends who take amazing picutres.  I thought this droopy little guy pretty much summed up my nature photography skills...

Quilt Show 2012

 Our local quilt show was held in July.  I managed (barely) to complete three quilts this year.  I am still in the habit of starting more projects than I can possibly finish in a given year!  Loved the fabric line for this first quilt.  It is Astor Manor by Moda.

 The second is from the line "Objects of Desire."  I quilted flowers, high heeled shoes, and purses onto the quilt.  It was a graduation gift for a local girl who has kept my office clean.

 A favorite quilt of mine that June completed this year.  Love the blue and yellow.

 I think I started this quilt nearly 10 years ago.  Nothing complicated about it at all - just sat around without a border for a long time.  I quilted snowflakes in the 4-patch squares, and used a mitten and skate motif in the border.

 My girls and their cousin, Kaitlyn, enjoyed the show, too.

 My mom completed this cross stitch last year while recovering from a fall and incorporated it into this wallhanging.

 Mom and her quilt.

My sister, Karen, has been bitten by the quilting bug as well.  This is her first quilt completed for her daughter, Taylor Rae.  It is also the first quilt I quilted for a "fee" on the longarm.  (Pampered Chef merchandise!)  I did flowers and butterflies on this one. 

And, from the 2011 quilt show...

 Grandma and her pinwheel quilt.

 The "fish" quilt I gave to my nephew, Colton.  (I made one for Tyler too, but couldn't find a picture.)

My mom's award winning wallhanging.  You can't tell in the picture, but the leaves are 3-D.  It's a really neat quilt.

Unfortunately, no voting or prizes were award for the 2012 quilt show...  Wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by recognizing excellence!!  Good grief.



Mishayla: End of year pre-school program

Mishayla went to preschool this year 2 days a week for a few hours.  She absolutely enjoyed the experience, and made some wonderful progress, both social and academic.  Here she is with her friend Emmalyn, adopted from Guatamala. 

 

Are any blog readers familiar with Charlie and Lola?  Often, Mishayla is accused of making "Lola eyes."  She's very expressive!!

Mishayla adores her Papa.  (The feeling is mutual...)

Schools Out! Art Camp! Summer Fun!

Running out the door on the last day of Kindergarten!

Side by side comparison of 1st day and final day of Kindergarten.

Art Camp 2012

.Melania spent 3 afternoons at art camp preparing for a gallery style presentation of her work.  In her autobiography, her favorite color is purple and her favorite artist is herself!  So proud of my talented girl!  Mishayla has been anxiously awaiting her turn at art camp...still two years away!

Finally, I got a new battery for the Barbie Jeep.  It was a gift to the girls from one of June's voice students.
They have been busy learning to drive!  Stay off the sidewalks!

Horse Crazy

I think every little girl is horse crazy at some point in her life! 
Fortunately, we can visit Gma and Gpa's horses!

Looking up river from the deck one beautiful summer evening.

Happiness is...

In this case, happiness was a day at Big Sky Resort with cousins and an aunt we don't see often!

Mishayla on the bungee tramp

Melania flips, too!

Mishayla went ahead and told the rock climbing instructor how it should be done.  Fortunately, he thought she was "helpful."

Melania went to the top three times.  Mishayla felt like it was "too windy" to go all the way!

At the top following the scenic chairlift ride.  It rained on us on the way down..., but the girls really enjoyed it anyway.

Returning from laser tag.  I didn't take many pictures of the older kids.

Tyler and Taylor Rae had a great time playing with David, Anna, Anna B, and Alex from the Denver area.

Afterward, we went to mom and dad's for an outdoor BBQ dinner followed by a visit to the 4H pigs at Aunt Karen's house.  Their days are numbered, sad to say.  Kaitlyn lost her boot in the muck, but seemed unphased.  The country cousins had a great time showing off to their city counterparts, who are certain if they just ask enough times they will get to have a pig, too!

Let's do this again soon, Aunt Lue, Beth and family!