Wanting to wish all my dear friends a very Happy New Year! May the Lord keep you and bless you.

Blessings,
Sommer

A Little Trip to the Railroad Museum

This Christmas break I've been blessed to have my hubby home a bit more. He works two jobs and his teaching job is on break right now also:-) So, my sweetie suggested that we take the kids up to the Railroad Museum on Monday and a grand idea it was!

We left early(well, sort of) Monday morning and headed out on a 2 or so hour trip. The kids were all surprisingly well behaved, non complaining on our trip and Dan and I had an opportunity to chat on the drive up.

Once we got there, we finished any lunch and drinks we had and wandered about the grounds. The kids promptly found the above train car and had to be up on it. Of course, Liam wanted to be up there with the girls...so I climbed up too:-) There were some tracks too to run along and Liam enjoyed staring at some huge engines locked away in some shed..I'm sure he was planning ways to get in that shed.

After a little time out there, we headed to the actual museum and began our adventure. The old steam engines are just awesome! The size of them amazes me and surely made us feel a touch dwarfed in comparison...

Dan and the kids graciously posed next to the enormous wheels of this grand engine. Dan just barely stands taller than them!

The pic in the very beginning is of the oldest engine of the Central Pacific line. Beautiful and awesome. I also got some pics of very lovely engines, painted and decorated/shined up beautifully as well as the interior of one of the coaches. If I remember I will post a picture or two of those later. Really worth looking at. I know that trains today are much more efficient in comparison to the old steam engines...but the beauty with which they were designed just floors me sometimes. It is kind of like the old sewing machines..today they look so boring(and often don't work half so well), where the old Singers and Whites look so gorgeous(and usually can still function if well cared for). Unfortunately I don't think the steam engines function as well as the old sewing machines.

After we had a tour Dan took the girls up into an old engine that you could sit in. They waved at me, but I had to move to make Liam happy and missed the picture opportunity:-( After that we headed up to the toy train display and that was fun. Seeing all the old Lionel trains and tracks was great. I know Dan really liked that and Liam was pretty enamored with it himself! Of course, the icing on the cake was the Thomas Train play area...little boy heaven!

Doesn't he look pleased?! A few minutes later we had to move on and we had a bit of drama. For shame on mama and daddy for removing him so soon! Of course, it would have been too soon no matter what! LOL!

The large workings of an engine..beautiful in its iron splendor!

All in all, it was a splendid day! A lovely way to round our out Christmas holidays. I'm so glad my hubby thought of it and I know that the kids(even the girlie who just the day before insisted-dramatically-that she didn't want to go and didn't like trains) had a good time:-) I just wish we could have stayed a touch longer to enjoy the Old Town around the museum area...but it was great!

And just a side note to say that I have not forgotten that I said I would share what I'd made for the kids this Christmas. Soon...

Blessings,
Sommer

Merry Christmas!!!

Well, the countdown is going and things are bustling:-) Okay...I'm not bustling as much as some folks I know, but for a pregnant woman in her 6th month...well, this is as good as it gets!

Last night I was able to complete the last gift for the kids and tonight I will be wrapping the gifts after all the munchkins go to bed. I'm glad to give my sewing machine a break(I think it is glad too). I will share pics after the gifts have been given:-)

Today, between a doctor appointment and daily duties, I baked some sugar cookies and packaged candy(that had been made Sunday afternoon). Tomorrow we will be icing cookies and I will begin early in the morning making Challah bread. I made it one year and it has become the bread of choice for our Christmas Eve gathering. I'm glad...I enjoy making it, although it is rather time consuming.

We will get together with Dan's family tomorrow night and then on Christmas day we will go to my parents'. Originally, Dan was going to be able to come to my parents' but he just found out that he must work the day shift :-( I'm totally bummed out, but I am glad that I can use the car(after taking him and then picking him up later to work)and go to my parents' with the kids...they will like that. We will do our private family festivities after he gets home in the afternoon.

Well, it is nice to be taking a break. My back has begun to get sore now when I stand or do too much, so I need to remember to take a break as I can. I know the present wrapping will be hard on me, but I will gladly do it:-)

I wont probably get back on here before Christmas, so I pray all of you have a safe, blessed and joy-filled one. May the Lord bless you all very much!

Blessings,
Sommer

**The pic above is of our tree for this year. It is small and Charlie Brownish...just how I like it:-)

A Meme...just because :-)

I popped over to Sarah's blog this morning and found this interesting meme, and since I had nothing else ready to write, I thought I'd do it:-) No rules posted...but join in if you want and let me know.

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100 Truth's!

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Last beverage: Steaming cup of hot cocoa...yummy yum yum!
Last phone call: Talked to my Mom for our usual evening chat.
Last instant message: Hmmm...really don't remember.
Last song you listened to: Hark the Herald Angels Sing...played by my daughter on the piano.
Last time you cried: While listening to a rather sad song on the radio just before going into the grocery store...pregnancy hormones, it doesn't take much ;-)
Last text message: I don't do text messaging...don't have a cell phone.

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HAVE YOU EVER:

Dated someone twice? Not sure what that means...gone on a second date?yes, dated someone again after a time?no.
Been cheated on? Unfortunately, yes...but not by my sweet hubby:-)
Kissed someone & regretted it? Yes, eventually. I'd have done some things in my life a little differently.
Lost someone special? Yes, a dear Grandma.

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LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS: Blue, some yellows and dusty rose.

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IN THE PAST MONTH HAVE YOU:

Fallen out of love? No
Laughed until you cried? Yes, it was something some child did...can't remember it now though.
Met someone who changed your life? Don't think so.
Found out who your true friends were? No
Have you kissed anyone? My hubby and my children and my parents.

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What is your favorite flower? Daffodils and Morning Glorys
How many kids do you want to have? At least four...and that will happen this spring:-)
Do you want to change your name? Not now, but when I was a child I contemplated it...I was teased terribly.
What did you do for your last birthday? Not much.
What time did you wake up today? 7:05am
What were you doing at midnight last night? Heading to bed after sewing.
Name something you CANNOT wait for? Nothing...there is just nothing pressing I'm waiting for...except for my baby, but I HAVE to wait for her:-)
Last time you saw your father? Last month.
What's one thing you wish you could change? That we had enough to move into a bigger place.
Have you ever talked to a person named Tom? Yes.
What's getting on your nerves right now? My sore throat..ick!
What's your real name? If you know me..you already know it:-)
Middle Name? Leanne
Zodiac sign? It is scorpio...but I just don't know why I know that.
Hair color? Medium brown
Long or short? Shoulder length, but I wish it would grow longer..it is at a stand still currently:-/
Height? 5' 2"
Tattoos? No.
Righty or lefty? Righty.

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FIRSTS :

First surgery: c-section with Fiona
First piercing: Ears when I was about 9 or 10. But now I can't wear earrings.
First best friend? Jasmine
First sport you joined? Don't think I ever did this.
First pet? Bilbo our German Shepherd mix.
First vacation? Hmmm, don't know.

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CURRENTLY :

Eating: Just ate snickerdoodles.
Drinking: Hot Chocolate
Waiting: For the timer to go off so we can restart school and be done for two weeks!

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YOUR FUTURE :

Want kids? I have 3 children and my 4th on the way and I have a 5th that went home.
Want to get married? I am to my sweet hubby:-)
Careers in mind? To be a helpmeet to my hubby and mother to my children...perhaps being a seamstress on the side:-)

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WHICH IS BETTER WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX?

Lips or eyes? Eyes.
Hugs or kisses? I like both depending on who it is.
Shorter or taller? Taller, but not too much taller.
Older or Younger? My honey is a few months younger.
Sensitive or loud? I prefer sensitive.
Hookup or relationship? Relationship. Marriage.
Trouble-maker or hesitant? Neither...one who doesn't stir up trouble but isn't afraid to speak his mind in love is what I prefer.

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HAVE YOU EVER :

Kissed a stranger? No
Drank hard liquor? Yes
Lost glasses/contacts? No
Ran away from home? No
Been arrested? No
Turned someone down? Yes
Cried when someone died? Yes. My Grandma and my Aunt.

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DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

Yourself? I believe I can do all things through Christ, but I also believe I am a sinner and am only saved through God's grace.
Love at first sight? I think it depends on the people.
Santa Clause? No
Kiss on the first date? No, I would think that is way too fast.
Angels? Yes, but not like the typical representation of them. They are messengers of God doing His work. They do not have special power of their own but are created beings given abilities by God. I also doubt that they are ever feminine...I've never seen reference to any but in male form in the Bible.

What a fun little meme. Hope you enjoy!

Blessings,
Sommer

Christmas Program and Such

I've been very busy working on Christmas gifts and hope to finish a couple tonight. I finished Liam's gifts last week and I will take some pics and share tonight I hope. I've been working on some doll dresses for the girls and I believe I will finish them tonight(or at least up to the closures). I still have one more gift for each of the girls to work on though. It has been such fun!

I thought I'd share our decorations for our little place today. Above you see what is beside our front door. I cleared my fall decor and put up some pretty evergreen/holly faux plants in a vase and set out my snowmen. My favorite is a little blue and white one to the left in front. Sorry you can't see it very well. This old treadle machine and cabinet make for a perfect display piece:-)

Here I decided to share where I placed our stockings. They are a bit high for the kids to reach when they have goodies in them, but I told them we'd get them down Christmas morning. This particular wall area was so bare and the nativity scene looked so lonely. I've had this particular nativity scene since we were married and I really enjoy its rustic look. I also have a garland around the area with a good smelling Christmas candle and a snow globe that belongs to one of the girls. I'm really enjoying looking around my house right now and I feel very much at peace this Christmas.

One of the things I like doing during the month of December is looking at Christmas lights on the streets of our neighborhood and other areas as we drive about. I often finish my errands as the night falls and lights come on and it is so beautiful:-) One of our simple ways of celebrating. Last week we also took a trip to downtown and looked at Christmas in the Park. I believe I mentioned this last year, but it is something I've been doing since I was a girl and we try to continue the tradition with our family. It is fun, pretty and relatively inexpensive.

Sunday our church put on their annual Christmas Program. I usually sing with the choir but I didn't return this year because of the time and lack of car at that hour. Brenna decided she didn't want to join in either and so only our Fiona participated. She sang about three songs with her Sunday School choir and then was an angel for our nativity scene(done to music). It was lovely and I was so proud of her. Here she is waiting for practice to be over and the show to start. Cutie pie!

So what are you doing to celebrate Christmas?

Blessings,
Sommer

Something for the Season in the Poetry Corner

Just wanted to let you know that I've put up a new post in the Poetry Corner. It is a Christmas song that I very much like and wanted to share the words with you. I hope you enjoy

Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney With Care...

If you remember, I posted about some stockings I wanted to make since the size of my family is increasing. Well, it took me a little while to sit down and get to it, but I have finally finished:-)

After making a simple pattern(inspired by my Mom's stockings from when I was a girl), I cut the fabric out and began! First, I hand sewed the pieces for the toes and heels on and then sewed on the lace(for the girlies) and red ric rac(for the men folk). I thought it would be easier to apply these touches before sewing the stockings together...and I was right...splendidly simple:-)

Yesterday, I sewed each one up and then turned them all out. I am very pleased with how they've turned out.

These are the kids' stockings(from left to right): Liam's, Fiona's and Brenna's.



And here are Dan and mine(Dan's on the left, mine on the right):



The only thing left to do when I took these pics was to put the little loop on for hanging. I asked the girls whether I should make a little elastic loop or use some of the ric rac and they voted unanimously for the ric rac:-) I put that on today and I really like them.

Now, I will wait until next year to make one for our wee one:-) Can't wait!

As I get some more gifts completed, I will no doubt share. So far, I've only gotten Liam's little toy made. Tonight I will be cutting out some fabric/patterns for the girls' dolls and perhaps making a little bag up for Liam. We'll see just how tired I am though.

How's your crafting coming along(if you are doing any)? Do share:-)

Blessings,
Sommer

Another Fun Meme

My dear friend Tilly has tagged me for a meme! I really love these:-)

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Here are the rules:

1. Copy the questions and then answer them (post it on your blog remember).
2. Tag 4 people and let them know you have tagged them.
3. Let the person [who tagged you] know that you have done a post for the tag.

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What are your nicknames?
Well, this was kind of hard to come up with as I don't have too many. But sometimes my hubby calls me "honey bun" or "Sommer bun". I really don't know why he tacks on the "bun" part...but he does:-) Of course my girls call me "mom" or "mommy" and my sweet little man calls me "mama"...I love that:-)

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What TV game show or reality show would you like to be on?
I really don't watch any and so I'm not sure actually. I always thought Jeopardy would be fun though:-)

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What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD?
I think the first movie I bought on VHS was Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea(can't be certain though) and on DVD it was Top Gun. I really enjoy that movie...there is a song I really like from it too.

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What is your favourite scent?
I really don't "wear" scents much but I am especially fond of Lemon Verbena. My Grandma gave me an itty bitty little bottle when I was a girl and I've loved it ever since. Of course next would be Old Spice(the cologne or aftershave for men)..not for me but my hubby. It has such a lovely old fashioned aroma.

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If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on?
Okay, I really have a hard time only spending money on myself..who thought of this question?! But, since I have to ;-) First I would buy a home(not in CA) that had some land and if there was anything left(which there would be if not in CA) I'd get some chickens, sheep and a horse or two. And then if there was still some left...I'd maybe take a trip to Ireland with my family and then buy fabric..lots!

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What is one place you've visited, can't forget and want to go back to?
Yosemite. It is a place of such beauty and wonder. God's creative handiwork is so obvious! Can't wait to visit again someday...maybe next spring?!

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Do you trust easily?
It takes me a bit to trust folks. I try to give everyone a chance, but I wouldn't let just anyone know all sorts of things about me.

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Do you generally think before your act, or act before you think?
I tend to think...alot...before I do anything. This can drive some folks nuts, but I'd rather take the time to think before I speak or do anything. It is rare that I act spontaneously.

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Is there anything that had made you unhappy these days?
The fact that we can't afford to move to a bigger place yet and the fact that my home still is a cluttered mess in areas...urgh!

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What is your favourite fruit?
Strawberries and Blackberries.

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What websites do you visit daily?
I visit several favorite blogs and the S&S forum on a daily basis.

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What have you been seriously addicted to lately?
Fabric and baby patterns!

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What's the last song that got stuck in you head?
We Are The Champions by Queen..thanks honey.

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What is your favourite thing to wear?
Thick, soft, warm slipper socks...so toasty.

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Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy?
As Rice Krispy treats, definitely:-) There okay as cereal with milk if they don't sit too long.

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What items couldn't you be without during the day?
A book and the bathroom.

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What should you be doing right now?
Not much...I got most things done this afternoon and my back needs a rest. The benefits of being 5 months pregnant:-)

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I'm not tagging this time since I think most everyone I know has been tagged. However, if you haven't been and want to jump in, go ahead and let me know:-)

Blessings,
Sommer...and I really don't know what is up with the underline!

Tagged...Another Random Meme

My sweet friend, Tracylea tagged me with a "random things meme", so although I've done one before, I thought I'd do it again:-) Why not!


Here are the rules:

Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.


Six more things you may or may not know about me:-)

1. I attended 3 different highschools. Not fun when you are a teen and it wasn't because we were military.

2. I broke my knee 14 years ago while riding my bike. Found myself in the middle of a lane of traffic...scary! Still can't ride a bike without some pain.

3. My wedding cost less than $1000.00 and most of that was the church fellowship hall/flowers and hubby's suit and my hair:-). My Grandma bought my dress for $10, altered for about $50 and my SIL made my veil, my aunt and uncle provided food, the church women set up and served the food, my MIL(to-be at the time) made the cake, my Grandma did the arrangements. It was wonderful!

4. I haven't ridden a horse since my bike accident(see above)...had been heading home from a ranch I worked at and I've just never had the opportunity since:-( I get sad about that sometimes and get all wistful too.

5. One of my favorite things to look upon is Mount Si in Washington state. I'm not even sure I spelled it right. My Grandma's house had a beautiful view of it out her front living room window. It was especially breathtaking when a large cloud of fog enveloped it.

6. I'm stealing this one sort of from Tracylea...I have a smidgen of Choctaw Indian in me as well...but it is really just a smidgen:-)

Since I've done this meme before I think I will skip the tagging part, but if you read this and haven't done it before(or feel like doing it again) jump right in and let me know:-) Hope you've enjoyed a little bit more of randomness from me!

I also hope you all had a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Blessings,
Sommer