Disappointing 4th

I had a great plan in mind for the 4th of July.  Failed.

The town of Idaho City advertised a very fun day.  In the end, we got a lame parade, no outhouse races as promised (only one team entered the race), and too many people trying to buy food from one vendor.

We ended up driving up to Lowell, over to Banks, then back home.  A stop at the nearest Fat City Fireworks tent proved to be the most fun, as it seemed that half the houses in Star were shooting off fireworks in the streets or backyards.

Sad note:  this was our first 4th of July without the traditional party at my folks house with Grandpa's slip-n-slide down the hill, sweet corn, and a family softball (who can hit the ball out of the yard) game.

Sigh...

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

We have been very blessed, here, to be the recipiants of so much kindness and generosity.  Our new Idaho friends have really gone out of their way to make us feel at home.  My heart if full this holiday season.

Oh Christmas Tree

Sage and I adapted this crafthttp://taylordesign.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/curled-paper-christmas-tree-tutorial/  (I don't know how to make this link work, just google it.)
to make a craft at home.
I was determined to make it without buying any supplies.  So I had to make my own cones.

These were just stapled together.  Didn't have to be pretty because they were going to be covered.






 The next step is to cut out the little paper strips from scrapbook paper. I didn't have any two sided paper (which would look cuter) but I forged ahead anyway.  They each need to be curled.
Then begin gluing.  My tacky glue was a bit glumpy after a hot trek across the US of A, but it seemed to still do the job.



When all was glued on, I added some glitter glue at the top & a dollop on each "leaf" to add some sparkle.  Given more time, I could add a star or angle.  I'm going to make 4 more of these to use in the display at the middle school library.

 Sage wanted to make some too.  I think she did pretty good!  And I wasn't allowed to help her.

 

5 Random Thoughts

The City of Star is having a writing contest that ends in February.  The subject is "Living in Star."  I'm thinking about entering.

Ivan and I have been preparing for our first Thanksgiving away from home.  We have invited a family who has been good about making us feel welcome here.

Sage is drawing for Santa.  It is a dinosaur with a santa hat.  But she said she is too shy to give it to him.

Pictured to the right is the craft I made at our ward's Souper Saturday craft event.  Not sure why the photo is backwards, but you can get the general idea of it.  It was fun & easy to make!!!

Fall 2010 in Idaho is really cold!  -30 degrees F in the mountains tonight!  Glad I live in the valley!

The Arriola's do The Monster Mash!

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