This was a great weekend, all things considered. We went over to Columbia, for Anna's 4th Birthday, and we had such a good time. We kept missing the snow that they were getting in SC. As a matter of fact, shortly after we left to come home, it started snowing at Richard and Kate's house. I couldn't help but laugh. This is a picture of Anna with her cake. It was beautiful and delicious! Here she is opening presents....she had a great birthday! We kept Lucas this weekend too and we took him over to the party. He was so good and everyone loved him. Here he is with his Uncle Richard: And here with Poppy and Anna: And of course, here is my best bud, who is in a growing spurt right now. He is getting so tall and thin. He will be 8 in May. I finished a pair of great socks over the weekend. I have started another pair of top down, but I am getting ready to start a pair of toe up. I have been trying to learn toe up for a while now, and I am ready to strike out and go for it! Knitting socks is my most favorite knitting, and I am determined to become an expert. Will post pics tomorrow. My long weekend is almost over and it is back to work tomorrow, but I am ok with that. It gives me a break from home! Til next time~~~

I Love My Busy Life!

Well, things did not turn out as planned. Everyone in the family is sick I think, so we had no house full of grandchildren this weekend, and things have been relatively quiet. We had no family dinner and only Mom and I went to the baby shower from our family. Things are looking better though. It seems that most everyone is well and we are shooting for another family dinner tomorrow. It will be the first time that Mom and some of the kids have seen Lucas and 4 weeks since Brian and Anna have been to visit. I am chomping at the bit to see them, and Lucas. I have so many projects in my head and I just don't know how to organize them all. Here is my list: 1. Traveling Woman Shawl 2. Snuggle Blanket for Colin 3. Birthday Cards for Class Next Week 4. Bookmark for my Swap Partner 5. Learning more embroidery stitches 6. Sewing a purse organizer 7. Sewing a purse for Anna 8. Birthday gift for my BD Swap Partner 9. Sweet Baby Socks for Lucas and Colin 10. Bag for Valentine Swap at Work 11. Valentines for my Fam 12. Planning Anna's Birthday Party Whew, what a list. I will accomplish most of it though. I finished Anna's Girlie Scarf and I can't wait to give it to her tomorrow.

Snuggle Blanket for Colin is coming along nicely.

The Traveling Woman shawl is on hold for just a bit until I finish some other things.

I am thinking about Christmas gifts, believe it or not. I would so love to make stockings for all the grandchildren this year and also make a gift for all the kids. That would be the ultimate Christmas for me. Giving all handmade gifts makes the holiday so special. I am going to shoot for it. If I start planning now, and gather materials, patterns, etc., I might just be able to pull it off. Ok, I am off to update the calendar, take my Bernina for service and try to eliminate a little dust from my house. Love and Peace~~~

Grandchildren, Knitting and Christenings

Started a blanket for Colin last night. He is due on March 31 and it will still be chilly then. I chose blue and white, not because it is my favorite colors, or that it is the standard for baby boys, but because that is the colors his Mommy is using in his nursery. We are going to Lucas' christening today. Can't believe he is a month old. Life just flies by while you are looking in another direction. My life is full and blessed, but it seems like I miss a lot of it. Next weekend is Tiffany's baby shower, Anna and Brian coming to visit and the Super Bowl. A very exciting weekend coming up. Food, kids, football and so much fun! The playroom is pretty much finished and we are happy that we have this wonderful room for the kids to play and watch movies. My Traveling Woman shawl is coming along very well. Since it is the first lace shawl that I have made, I am very proud of the fact that it is going so well. I can't wait to finish it. OPAM 2012 is underway and I finished a couple of items for January. I hope I can finish all the items I have planned for 2012. I have set some pretty lofty goals for myself this year. I am looking forward to this challenge!

I have had a very chaotic start to 2012. A terrible,can't get rid of it cold, a root canal, doctor's appointments with my Mom, changes at work and disappointment in the NFL! But, I do have a wonderful, blessed life and I am happy! I finished a couple of knitting projects this past week. Take a look! Snuggle Blanket and Hat for Lucas:

And, my Saroyan Scarf by Liz Abinante:

I have just cast on Traveling Woman, also from Liz and I am trying to finish a snuggle blanket for Anna before her birthday on February 17. I can't believe that she will be 3! She is so adorable and if I had hand picked a granddaughter, I could not have chosen one as dear as she is to me. We have another baby coming in March, Colin, and we are all so excited! Babies are such a wonderful part of being a family. Lucas is growing like a weed and Brian and Anna are so big! I have a couple of projects that I am planning for 2012. I want to do more embroidery, and more scrapbooking. I have boxes of photos and things that I have saved for scrapping and I need to get started. So many projects, so little time! I am counting the days until OPAM 2012! Can't wait to get started.