sewing project: pants to shorts

Last month I took some free time to tackle some of my sewing projects.  Not the fun ones where I start sewing from scratch but clothing repairs and tops that need to be taken in and such.  In that pile I found a couple pairs of pants for Avery that I wanted to turn into shorts.  This was a fun quick project.

One of the best parts about turning pants into shorts is I get to decide the length.  If I wanted to buy a knee-length pair of shorts for Avery I'd have to look in the boy's section.  Now I can just sew the length I want.

We're getting a lot of use out of these shorts while the weather is still warm but I can't say I'm not looking forward to Autumn and the Holidays!

a new office

Since Louise and Stanley moved out we're been planning what to do with those two rooms that are now empty. The first one we're working on is Steven's old room, Andrew's new office.  He's really excited about his "man cave".

Although it's Andrew's office he's letting me help out with decor.  Notice the door sign on the right.  Yep, that was totally me.  So far we have painted all the walls white and the inside of the door green.  Carpets were put in on Monday, with my Dad's help.  Andrew did some track lighting yesterday and some new blinds are going in tonight.  As far as the walls go Andrew has his ideas and I have mine.

In other news yesterday was 8 years since the day Andrew and I met.  We watched Sleepless in Seattle last night after the kids went to bed just for fun and are going to Le Grande Orange this Saturday for the first time to celebrate.  We don't normally celebrate the anniversary of the day we met but we felt like doing something special.  Have you been to Le Grande Orange?  I've heard only good things so I'm really looking forward to it!

school update

I can't believe it's already September!  August was such a whirlwind month for us and now we are already a few weeks into school.

Elliot started kindergarten and he loves it!  I've been really impressed about how responsible he is with his homework and my favorite time of the day is when the bus drops him off in front of our house (he's AM kindergarten only).  If only he would stop being so moody!  I am told it is normal but still!!

Avery has been enjoying pre-school twice a week with her cousin, Lizette, and she feels so grown up.  Her teacher told Andrew that Avery has become the mother hen of the class, always reminding the other kids to clean up and do criss cross applesauce during circle time.

I love watching them grow and learn.  I feel I have grown as a parent during these past few weeks learning to let things go sometimes.

he and me

Before the Johnson's moved and Nora and Garrett moved back we took the opportunity to take some family pictures at the park near my parent's house across from the temple.  A friend did most of the photography but I brought my camera for fun.  I took a video of all the parents trying to get the kids in one place for a grandchildren picture.  Ha ha!  Both of my parent's have a baby in each arm and the other kids were all over the place but it was just about what we expected.  13 grandchildren is a lot!

In a few weeks we will have met 8 years ago!  I love looking back and thinking of all the memories we've made together and seeing how much we've grown.  Life gets better and better, and that's why you marry your best friend!

Johnson family pics

Since Stanley, Louise, Hazel, and Steven are moving soon they asked me to take some family pictures.  I am no professional but I am one of two people in my family that have a nice camera and am more than willing so I had a lot of fun doing their photo session.

Louise is from Mesa, Stanley is from Nevada and they met and started their marriage in Utah.  Now Stanley is doing his internship in CA and they don't know where they're living after that so having the pictures at the temple where Stanley proposed to Louise was important to them.

It's been great watching their family grow!

all in just a week

Lately I've been feeling like there haven't been enough hours in the day!  Right now us Freeman's are in transition.  We traded in our Mitsubishi Montero Sport and got a Honda Odyssey.  It was hard for us to say goodbye to our old SUV.  I didn't really want to become a mini-van mom but Andrew and I really love our new car and can't wait to take it on a trip!

Elliot started kindergarden!  *Aaaa*  It's been exciting for him but since he's only doing half day I still get him all afternoon.  Next week Avery starts pre-school.  We had a back to school party with a giant water slide to celebrate!

We also went to the lake last Saturday.  This was only the second time for Sir Freedom Fred but this time we tried out a new, much better, paddle.  It's been so sunny that Andrew and I still burned, even though we were only at the lake for a couple hours in the morning.  I still can't believe we're living in 115 degree weather!

Louise and Stanley's family are moving out in the next week and a half.  This will really change our life!  They moved in while we were in England last December and we have learned all sorts of things about having house-mates.  We love the Johnsons but with Stanley's classes ending it's time they moved on.

So, life is full of changes over here!

believe in you

I've been trying to get into training mentality since I have a long road to go for that triathlon in November but it feels good to accomplish small goals.

For one, a three mile run is getting much more comfortable and my pace is slowly quickening.  Also, my seat isn't as sore after a 5 mile bike ride.  A couple pounds have been shed that will not return!  Now, this one is particularly difficult for me while nursing.

Recently I found this quote below and it's sort of become my motto.  Pretty sure it's going up in my house somewhere.

I just love what we are capable of, if we just let ourselves.

The Olympics have been a good example of that.  Have you been watching?  I have two teams I'm rooting for. Team USA and GB!

BTY, Made these today.  They're amazing!