Sunday, August 7, 2011

a great week, part 2

This post is much delayed.  Like 2 months delayed, but I feel I must document our activities as this is a kind of journal for me.  One of the reasons for the delay is because I was working on the hardest quilt I've ever done.   I bought the pattern thinking it was so cute, not realizing that even though it looks cute, it was really quite diabolical.  When I opened up the pattern and saw the amount of work involved, I folded up the pattern and put it away for some time.  The problem was, I had already invested quite a bit of money in the pattern and the fabrics, and I really needed to make it.  After all, I couldn't very well justify buying more quilt fabric when that one was staring at me. There is so much piecing to this quilt that it made it quite tricky.  See those 21 hearts around the outside which measure 3" x 3"?  Each one of those is made up of EIGHT pieces of fabric.  I mistakenly thought that it was an applique quilt.  There is applique, but not as much as I thought.  For example, when the pattern calls for 104 1" squares cut from one of the fabrics, you know you're in for it.  But now it's done and I can breathe a sigh of relief while my quilt lady works her magic and quilts it for me.
So, back to the great week that occurred at the end of May and beginning of June.

After the wedding, Jeff and Jess headed to France and the rest of us headed to Lake Tahoe for what we thought would be a summer vacation.  Instead we were greeted with fresh snow on June 1.

We stayed inside a fair amount.  We tried to do a little hike, but it started snowing on us.  But we had fun playing games and just doing the regular bonding stuff.

One day when it wasn't snowing we drove to Virginia City, Nevada and did some sightseeing.  Unfortunately, Allison and her family had had to leave to get home for Emaline's dance recital, so they weren't able to come with us.

It's a fun little mining town from yesteryear
We rode the *olde tyme* train which was fun even if it was cold.
Ainsleigh & Laura trying to keep warm on the train
 Donovan, Ainsleigh, Gemma, with the train conductor

Another day we walked down to Sugar Pine Point where the Erhman Mansion has been preserved in a state park.  Most of the snow in the lower areas had melted. In the summertime, there are usually a ton of people picnicking and jumping off the dock.  We had the place to ourselves and the kids enjoyed skipping rocks and taking pictures.
Dono, Becca, Gemma, & Austin walk through the woods
Sarah has to get into all the pictures!

Our last family vacation with David for awhile.
David took my camera and caught this picture of Ainsleigh and Dono working hard on the beach.

The Erhman Mansion - what a great vacation home
Emerald Bay was gorgeous even if it was cold
Laura and David

We had a lot of fun together, a lot of laughs, and of course, a lot of yummy food.  It's how we roll.

2 comments:

Allison said...

Cute quilt, moomsies! Those hearts look crazy!

laura said...

Man, good job finishing that quilt. I don't know if I'd have the patience!

And yes, that is indeed how we roll.