The Little Red Chair That Could Take II

Back in July of 2008 I had an all time favorite post, it was this one, about a little red chair we had while my niece, Ella was visiting. Well, Ella is back in full force and the little red chair has a new partner. We tried to capture another 'Little Red Chair at the Beach' picture this year and it was an ADVENTURE to say the least.....I've included the out takes so you can enjoy them as much as we did.

We think Ella is getting ready for the picture here....But then she turns around and takes off!

Then Ella learned how to tip her chair over!

And she was off & running again.

At one point in time Allison actually stood up, pointed her finger and started talking her gibberish. We have no idea what she was saying but we're pretty sure she was telling her silly cousin to sit down & behave!

Allison cooperating.

And finally, our two girls!
I haven't done any photo-editing on these yet, I'm hoping I can get rid of the stickers on the back but we shall see! Back to enjoying time with the family!

Our Little Biker Babe

Summer seems to have finally arrived here! We celebrated by going for a bike ride on Saturday. I'm very thankful we decided to hire someone to clean our house - it makes it much easier to get out and do these things guilt free.....now if only we could out-source the grocery shopping so Mark doesn't have to make a late night dash to WinCo on Monday nights =). We rode all the way out to Philomath and when we got there we realized we were just a few blocks away from our friend, Cara Lynn's house. So we dropped in for a quick little visit - she hadn't seen Allison in months so it was quite the treat. We're hoping to make it out to visit on our bikes more often!

His & Hers Baby Quilts

Last weekend I went to a baby shower for my friends, Carri & Jen. Carri is expecting a boy in early June and Jen is expecting a girl in July. It was perfect since I had two baby quilts...one for a boy and one for a girl. I have to admit, the boy one is one of my favorites ever. And I managed to use up some left-over material from old quilts in both of these, too! I was also careful to only buy just the right amount of fabric when I had to buy some, too, I'm really working on decreasing my fabric stash so that I can fit into my new craft space (that will be a post to come later....lets just say so far it looks fantastic and my husband is earning massive bonus points with this one!).

The Little Red Chair that Could

When my parents arrived down in Oregon they were a little disappointed that we didn't have any patio furniture so they went to K-Mart and got themselves some chairs and a 'funky table' as my Dad likes to call it. They also bought Ella her own little red chair and it was quite the hit! The little red chair came with us just about everywhere we went the last two weeks. She could get in & out of it herself, which she loved. If we were all sitting around talking she'd climb in it, sit back and gently kick her feet, smile and say 'hi' to us all. And if we were reading she'd try to sit down with a book in her chair, too, but that generally didn't work so well. I guess that leaves her something to work on to show us at Christmas. Ella showing off her chair sitting abilities at the beach house.

Ella taking in the scene at Osborn Aquatic Center (which she loved by the way!).

And Ella and her chair at the beach. She could sit there and dig as long as we would let her!

Summer Sewing Spree II

I finished up yet another baby quilt today. This one I can claim more credit for, the only help I received was in picking out the fabric (thanks Roberta!). Several weeks ago some friends of ours were 'picked' by a birth mother to adopt her unborn son. Just about two weeks ago the baby boy was born...and a weekend was spent waiting, hoping & praying that the adoption would go through...and it did.

The best way for me to wait in such times is to think up a quilt, I guess. I had seen the batik fabric used in this one at the craft store a few weeks ago, I love it because it has little turtles stamped into it (and I'm very into turtles of late). Roberta helped me figure out which fabrics to use with it and I have to admit I love the combination. And I continue to get better at my machine quilting, even with flannel backing.

Summer Sewing Spree

It seems I have caught my usual summer sewing bug. I've been busy sewing away. I've even taken over Mark's 'Man Cave' and established my sewing machine and ironing board and I leave fabric strewn everywhere. So far he hasn't had any friends come over so he hasn't yet been embarrassed about this invasion of his manly space.

Anyhow, I recently finished up a quilt. My friend, Melissa, actually picked out all the fabric and made the top several weeks ago and all I had to do was quilt it and get the binding on it so we could get it to our friend, Amanda. I didn't get it done in time for the shower....and when the baby was born last week I figured I really need to get going on this one! So here it is. Really it is Melissa's creation, but I seem to be getting better and better at machine quilting on my machine. I can't do anything other than random stippling well the way it is set up but I seem to be able to do that pretty well.

Kroon Day - Final Report

9 pm

I have checked in with most of the Kroon family. I'm prepared to give my final report....youngest to oldest:

Tillerman - He had to go to basketball practice (regionals is this weekend so you can't skip with something like that on the line - Go Warriors!). But he was making up for it at dinner. He had a bag of candy and a plate of brownies and can of whip cream - and everyone was leaving him alone with his food. This kid and whip cream have quite the history, it wasn't too long ago that he ruled the Junior Achievement group with is business finesse. What was he selling? Shots of whip cream, and if you paid extra you got sprinkles. Genius I tell you!

Keeton - His Kroon Day was a bit dampened by needing to work. He can cancel tutoring sessions but not classes he is supposed to teach. But he did make it in & out of Anchorage twice, managing to fit in donuts at the Donut King and good old Super Nintendo video games!

Brittney - She has fully mastered Kroon Day this year! She slept in until 11 am then went to get donuts with Keet. She then went home and watched t.v. and drank Dr. Pepper. She then went to coach a basketball practice (have I mentioned b-ball is a very Kroon thing?) and wrapped the day up with the rest of them at the Windbreak Cafe.

Teagen - Teags had a rough Kroon Day - he's been working like crazy as a substitute teacher and fell asleep on the couch (which is a very Kroon-like thing). Luckily the rest of the family called to wake him up and come to dinner!

Mom & Dad - I didn't get much of a report other than the Toyota is on the road. But really, what more is there to say than that?

Uncle Loren & Aunt Pam - These guys actually had to work this year! Bummer deal! Good thing Aunt Pam will be retired next year, I'm sure she'll be skiing for Kroon Day. Uncle Loren did branch out this year - with candy grab bags & REI grab bags for everyone (it is incentive to make sure we're in AK for Kroon day next year!). They are enjoying themselves at the Windbreak Cafe as we speak - but eating salads - I guess that is alright as long as Tillerman is at his end of the table enjoying his 'brownie salad.'

I don't have a report from the Keplan Kroons or the Ben Kroons - but I'm sure they have celebrated well in their own way.

I have not sent any cards or gifts yet - but will be doing that soon. I was spoiled enough by my dear friend, Mel, she had dinner with me (where I consumed my Henry's root beer in honor of Kroon Day) - Thanks Mel!

Mark is slowly coming around to the Kroon Day idea - he's eating his donut and Mel sent him a package to help him get in the Kroon Day spirit!

The plans have begun for next year already. There is talk of the Lucky Wishbone being the new dinner joint -very very very Kroon like. Fried chicken, biscuits and Oreo milkshakes. Perfect. Although Uncle Loren said it will be hard to pass up the bar at the Windbreak Cafe - the two t.v.s and radio going adds the perfect ambiance (and keeps Dad's prayer short I guess).

Well that is it for Kroon Day 2008. Don't be afraid to start planning now for next year.

Happy Kroon Day to All and to All a Good Night!