a birthday sweater

So, that present Hunter was opening was this little sweater. I used Knit Picks Swish dk yarn. Hunter sat on my lap as I ordered it and I let him pick his favorite color. It’s pretty bright!

The pattern is the Child’s Placket Neck Pullover from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I made a 2-4 year old size with a bit bigger gauge than called for so that is would fit for a while. A lot of Ravelers said it seemed a bit small made as written. I think it fits just right.

I also took him on a trip to the Fancy Tiger to pick out a button. He fell in love with the little wooden panda. The bonus is that it makes him want to wear his sweater all the time!

His other favorite gift of the day was this “crocagator” from Barry’s sister and family. It RROARS a lot– and made me realize that in my reluctance to add to our collection of stuffed animals he has never gotten one of his very own. He really loves it.

I love the finished product of knitting- and watching the magic unfold one stitch, one row at a time.

And I love when my handmade gifts are well received. I wish I had taken pictures of my mom while she was here. She wore her Christmas sweater constantly!

He’s “numbuh doo”

Oh, this baby of mine, this rambunctious, adorable, hilarious, busy, fuzzy, chubby little person had a birthday. If you ask him how old he is he says, “numbuh doo.” Saying it any other way is just not right.

He is obsessed with snowmen so he naturally wanted a “mo-man cake,” so we gladly obliged. The siblings did the decorating.

Though he really is the center of attention most of the time I think he was happy to be the center of it for his little party. Granny was still here from our weekend away. (Why do I not have any pictures of Granny?) But all he really needed to make everything special was a cake with a candle to blow out

and some ice cream.

I love 2! I think it is the funnest, cutest stage. He can talk– but still in his own way. He plays interactively with his siblings. He makes me call him “Big Mo-man” or “Good Guy” or whatever it is he decides to be. He asks one word questions and the question mark is the look on his face. It’s just fun and cute all around.

Happy birthday bub!

(There’s something hand made in that present I’ll show you tomorrow.)

weekend away

Last weekend we flew my mom out and Barry and I headed up to Keystone to ski and just be together.

We broke out our old nordic skate skis. Mine haven’t been used since we were going to college and living in Logan, Utah– I think since before Brenna was born. That’s 11 years ago my friends. Geesh. I’m sure I used them while I was pregnant with her, but I don’t think I’ve strapped them on since.

About 2 seconds after this picture was taken I lost my balance. It took a little while to get my rhythm. Barry, of course was such a pro he could ski AND take pictures at the same time. I, however, just had to concentrate on breathing the scarce air and keeping my skis and poles moving with a little bit of coordination.

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. Even up in the mountains it was above 50 degrees. So, so, so lovely and refreshing and relaxing. Yes, even skating uphill was relaxing without the kids in tow!

We went downhill skiing the next day. Not my strong point, I must say, but I found one blue run I actually enjoyed! It had some sections just steep enough to challenge me, but then got easy again. Let me just say I do not have a need for speed! The weather was perfect again and we had so much fun being together.

How cool is it that I’m married to my best friend and the funnest guy ever?

mo-man

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.