These pictures are from a couple of weeks ago when Stacie, Joseph, William and Andrew came to visit.  It's hard to believe how old the boys are getting and it's so much fun to see what a great time they have when they are together.  Growing up so far away from my cousins and grandparents, it is incredibly worth the heat and other not-so-easy-to-like things about Texas to see Alex grow up so close to family.  And ya know, Texas kinda grows on ya after awhile...

Play for All Park

This is one of our favorite parks and we've been spending some time here lately in the early morning before it gets busy AND HOT!

One end of the park has a cute little village complete with working traffic lights, crosswalks and properly marked streets.  They allow bicycles within the village, so Alex took his Strider bike to ride.  Within the park there's also a playground, a musical instrument section, a cute little area with all types of tunnels, a climbing area, and of course a big sandpit.  The best part?  The big trees all throughout the park, and the big fencing running around the outside with one in and out.

Latest Sewing Projects

I've finally had some time to sew again!  We needed a new mass bag for church so I thought I'd dig out some scraps of fabric (all from the remnants bin) and try out a tote bag pattern I have.  It came out pretty cute, although I still might think about designing my own tote one of these days.  I do like that it has a separating zipper at the top and a pocket on the outside, but I don't like that there is no pocket on the inside.  If I'd been thinking I would have added one.

Mom and I love little sewing shops.  Our favorite is our friend Kim's quilt shop, Hennig House, just up the street from us.  Alex loves going with us because she has goats, cows and some hens (which of course he has named).  Kim has her own line of patterns, kits and other goodies, Buttons and Bees, and I recently picked up a cute apron pattern and thought I'd give it a try with some nice fabrics sitting on my shelf.  If you're ever up this way, be sure to stop by and visit her shop for tons of great ideas, especially if you fancy yourself a quilter!

My fabric "stash" has really grown and I have so many project ideas just waiting for me.  I have a few new ideas for my own patterns too so hopefully soon I'll have some more to post!