Lori's visit

A couple things have kept me away fro m blogging lately.  One of those things was a blissful visit from my sister-in-law and her delicious baby Corey.  I guess he'll be two in a few months but being the youngest around here he gets to be the baby.  We had a fantastic time.  It's too bad we don't live closer to each other 'cause Lori's one of those people I know I would be best buddies with despite the familial obligation.

Lori came to visit to play and also to help me accomplish one of my 2009 goals:  goal number--well, I don't know what number it is, never made an appropriate list but in any case--goal titled:  learn how to sew.   And let me tell you, Lori can sew.  Quilts like you can't believe, the cutest aprons you've ever seen, adorable bags, and whatever else you might want.  

My goal was/is to make a quilt for each boy to keep in the basement for snuggle movie nights. When she first arrived we got right to work, cutting out fabric squares, sewing, ironing, sewing some more, and before I knew it we had our first quilt.

After finishing it our resolve drained a bit and our focus turned to just having a good time with four little boys.  We decided it would be fun to take them all to get their pictures taken.  'Cause I've seen lots of pictures at friends houses of all their children sitting nicely and smiling at the camera.  

We dressed them up, talked with them about the treats they would get after they sat and smiled nicely, and then with spirits high went into the little studio back by Target's pharmacy. Little did I know how much I would need that pharmacy and it's plethora of pain killers by this photo shoot's end.

I don't know what's going on with my friends' kids but NO WAY were our four monkeys sitting still, not bonking each other, and smiling nicely at some woman with a camera.  Every time we got them remotely set up one child would tickle another, someone would bonk somebody else, or Corey would fall off the back of the little couch.  Most of our pictures looked something like this.  I love it.

Will (the only decent looking one) has got his quarter back stance on (and a pretty good one at that), but the rest of them, hmmmm--Corey I'm sure looks adorable as always but unfortunately he is as fascinated with his future NFL cousin as I am.  Joseph, well, it's obvious how he feels about Will having that ball instead of him.  And Matthew, what can I say, is there not something else you can grab?!

So, we get what we get, at least the photo pretty much tells you like it is.  Yes, those are our boys.  

All in all we had a ball (Matthew's into rhyming lately, I can hardly help myself)and before they left Lori helped me make another apron to add to my collection.  I wear it most every day willing spring to come quickly.  (And please pardon the blurry picture--first try at the self timer.)

After dropping them off at the airport the house seemed dull and lonely.   So we slugged into the family room, cranked up some music on the stereo, and we had ourselves a little dance party to forget our blues.  

As far as the quilts, I didn't want my newly aquired knowledge to seep away so I got right to work on the Will's quilt and finish it in a little over a week.

Joseph quilt . . . ?  I'm working on it.

A big thanks to Lori and her little man--can't wait to see you again.