My Arwen Costume

Okay, so there have been a few requests for me to post pictures of my Arwen dress that Wes made for me Halloween 2006. These are the actual pictures of when I first wore the dress. My hair has gotten much longer since then. If you look closely you will notice my elf ears and the slash across my cheek. You should be able to click on the pictures to enlarge them. The majority of the dress was made with very thick leather that Wes hand dyed. It is SO heavy to wear but looks great! It won the award for best costume last year at the Tolkien Festival. The lace on the collar was hand done by Wes. Wes also made the butterfly buckle (out of Sculpey clay and wire).

So there you go! Any other requests?

Mother's Day Weekend

The weekend went well. Friday I got off of work about noon and went shopping for the Mom's in my life. After buying the moms gifts I went home and the family and I made home made chocolate chip cookies for the grandmas. From there we headed out the door to Visit Wes's grandparents (Grandma Christensen and then Grandma and Grandpa Oates). From there we visited my step-mom and her mother and then drove over to my grandmother's apartment to give her a sweet treat. We actually caught up with her at the main apartment building watching a choir concert. She was so excited for the cookies. It really made my day to see her so happy. We also visited Ellen (Wes's mom) earlier in the day and gave her a gift. I really want all the Moms to know how much we appreciate all of you! It was fun to visit with everyone.

Saturday we had a second meeting for Mr. Moore's tribute concert. It sounds like the concert is going to be moved to June 28th. We will just have to wait to hear. We practiced one of the candle pass songs and my goodness it was somewhat sad! The gal next to me got teary eyed. Stacey Moore did recommend those songs though. Hopefully everything will go well.

The rest of Saturday I was a complete vegetable and didn't do much. Wes picked up a PlayStation game for me and I enjoyed wasting some time playing it (Sims Castaway). The girls enjoyed watching me play. I hardly ever veg out like that so I don't feel too guilty. Wes has spoiled me! He cleaned the house yesterday, made dinner last night, breakfast this morning and dinner again tonight! What would I do without him. The girls made cards for me and Lydia made a magnet frame which has her picture in it. Adelle's card was cute. She drew and "angry face" mommy, but then covered it up with a flower. I had to uncover it because it was so funny. Yes, Mommy's can get angry sometimes. I really felt a lot of love. Wes gave me a stock pot, at my request and also picked up a great CD that I am enjoying.

I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful loving family as well as a wonderful extended family. My Heavenly Father has blessed us so much. Sometimes I wonder how we could possibly deserve everything that we receive.

Wes has an interview this Wednesday and hopefully it will go well. He is still possibly considering opening his own office so he will be looking at office space this week. I am hoping that I will get some pictures and comments for Mr. Moore's scrapbook because it is due Thursday and I need time to complete it. Once that is completed I will breath a sigh of relief. I hope that it will be something nice.

Well everyone have a wonderful week!

Liz

An Evening Walk

So we all decided that we should go for an evening walk tonight. Wes suggested Cemetery Hill. It had been a long time since I have trekked up that big hill. The walk was easier than I remembered. Perhaps it is because I am fitter than I used to be. I wonder how many miles we walked? I'll have to drive it later to figure it out.

The girls enjoyed stopping at this little canal and throwing in sticks of all sorts.
Lydia had to jump over almost every puddle that she could find. Adelle loved to run ahead of everyone.
The mountains are so green and lush right now. I really doubt they will stay this way once summer comes.
So we reached Cemetery Hill (Pleasant Green Cemetery) at the very top of a large hill. We briefly explained to Adelle what a cemetery is. She was quite taken with the idea of dead people being buried under the ground. Wes and Lydia then proceeded to tell her that after dark skeletons come out as well as ghosts. I quickly advised Adelle that her daddy was only joking and she laughed. She did ask us at bedtime if there are ghosts in our house though! Lydia took this picture of Wes.
The cemetery is very different than most that you would see. It isn't the manicured, well groomed place like other cemeteries. Some of the headstones are especially old and aren't able to be read anymore. It looks like some of the older graves have recently been given new headstones. It was very fascinating to all of us. There were people who had been pioneers, there were veterans from several wars as well as others who have recently been buried. I think the girls would have liked to have stayed much longer to browse, but it was time to head back home. By the way, Adelle informed us on the way home that she will be dying soon. I told her that she will be with us for a long time to come. We got on the subject of heaven and Lydia and I discussed that we would like to die when we are old, preferably when we are asleep. I did say that I want to be able to say goodbye to my loves ones though. Aren't we a morbid family!
This is the view from the top of the hill. There is good, old Magna. We could even see the airport and Salt Lake City from up there. It was a great evening. I really enjoyed getting out of the house and stretching my legs. The birds were singing a lot tonight as well. Besides, it gave me a great chance to talk to my family!

Growing before my very eyes. . .

It was such a warm day today (in the 70's and 80's) that I thought it would be a shame to spend the evening indoors. The girls agreed with me and we decided to enjoy the warm weather. I spent the better part of the evening weeding my front flower beds. The tulips are coming up beautifully this year. My oriental lillys, day lillys, and hostas are starting to come up as well. In the next couple of weeks I may fill in with some annuals.
Adelle wanted to be my helper. She decided to be my "dirt girl" as she called herself. She gathered dirt from all different parts of the garden and collected it in her bucket only to put it into a big pile in the corner of the bed.
I just had to laugh when she came from the garage in this get up. She stated it was her eye protection. She saw her daddy wearing safety glasses all day Saturday and I think she wanted to be like him. Lydia tentatively asked Wes and I if she could ride to the park by herself. My first internal response was "NO Way". Of course I didn't say this. Wes thought it is about time that she be allowed to go out on her own. The park is connected to our street and is very close and we have talked about strangers a lot! She does walk to school on her own. I had her set her watch to the correct time and advised her she had to be home at 7:30 and no later. She came home right about 7:29, just under the wire. Her first question was "Do you trust me to let me go out on my own again?". She said she had a great time. I asked her if there was anything scary in the park and she responded "teenagers". He He he!

She really is growing up though. She learned in achievement days about a month ago how to make tater tot casserole and she has started making it for us about once a week. It was so great to come home from work today and not have to make dinner.

So my hope for the evening is that Adelle will not fall out of her bed again. The past two nights about 2 or 3 AM I have heard Adelle crying out for me. I wake up in mom panic mode and rush into her room to comfort her and place her back in her bed. I removed the bed gate this weekend thinking she didn't need it anymore. So, my thought after the past two nights is that the gate needs to go back up. My husband thinks that it would be taking a step back and that she will just learn not to fall out of bed. Well the decision came down to Adelle and she decided that she doesn't want her gate. As a parent do any of you ever go through this? I really hope I sleep tonight. Wes advised Adelle if she falls out of bed to just get back up and go back to bed. All I have to say is we'll see.

Well everyone take care!

Liz

A Busy but Productive Weekend.

So here is a picture of my little home in Magna just in case you are curious. I took it just as the sun was going down this evening, so it is a darker picture, but it will do. It was built in the early 50's and definitely has some character. So much character in fact that Wes spent all of Saturday fixing the back door and its frame. I am super impressed with his handyman skills. We are all learning these things as we go along. It sort of gets thrust upon you when you are a homeowner. Due to the home improvements that were needed we are now the proud owners of a table saw. I am happy to report that Wes didn't injure himself either. I would get a little nervous when I would hear the high pitched blade going. He was notorious for injuring himself with tools in the past, well at least when he was trying to build his sailboat. He once drilled through his thumb. Yuck! No injuries here though. He is pretty sore today.


Well I didn't think it would be fair if I just sat around while he was doing all that work so I decided to super clean the house. I can practically hear it sparkling as I sit here typing. Honestly I love it when the house is really clean. It makes everything feel so peaceful. I don't know if I became a clean freak due to the way I was raised or if it is just some internal setting. My mom was a great housekeeper and she made my sister and I contribute a lot to keeping in clean.


I also worked out in the garden. I took on the "dainty" job of tilling manure into our soil for our vegtable garden. I got a hoe and just went at it. I am sure I was quite a sight. I finally got my tomato plants planted that I bought at Costco. They weren't looking the best after spending the last two weeks in my house and I really hope they make it. I also planted some lettuce seedlings that my sister shared with me. I have these great visions of fresh, yummy veggies all summer. Hopefully it will turn out as well as I hope! Oh, Wes also planted a grape vine. I can't imagine that it would give us fruit in the first year though.

Isn't this blog exciting.... he he he! I guess they can't all be winners! Lydia stayed with her natural dad at her Grandma's house this weekend. She was missed, but I know she enjoyed spending time with her other relatives. Adelle went with me everywhere. She was my super cleaning sidekick, shopping buddy and water girl. She loved filling up the watering can last night and watering all of the plants. She was soaked by the time she was done though and I gave her a lot of extra love and warmth (including a blanket right out of dryer). What would I do without my girls!

Church was great today. With it being fast Sunday the spirit was so strong, especially in my Sunday School Class. God must be helping me a long because there is no way on any regular day that I could not eat and drink until 4:30 in the afternoon. Adelle and I even walked to and from church today. It is probably a good mile and a half round trip. I love getting myself and my girls out into the wide outdoors. It is so rejuvenating to be outside and to see the beautiful world God has made. Do I sound cheesy enough yet?? Well just so you know now I am a cheesy, sappy person. I am hoping to do a lot more walking with my family this summer to all sorts of places like church, the library, the store, you name it. It is good for our health, our spirits, and it saves on money because we're saving gas. Perhaps I will need to get out the sunscreen soon.

So Wes's mom called us on Saturday. She was cleaning out some closets and found Wes's old transformers. She wanted to get rid of them so we decided to take them of her hands. Wes thought the might be worth something. I think he was just being sentimental :) They probably aren't in any condition to be worth anything, but Adelle has just fallen in LOVE with them. She kept having to bring them over to Wes so he could show her how to change them into a robot or back into their other form, be it bug, car or airplane. It was quite cute to see the two of them working on them together. Wes claims he no longer knows how to play, but perhaps it will come back to him.

Another highlight of the weekend is that a picture that I took of Adelle with Disneyland's Jack Sparrow was highlighted on my mother-in-law's Webshot page. Cool huh!! Well I think so. Here is the link http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2740427220016143559OSmgDT My husband reminded me that I took the photo. Now I'm not saying I have any great photo skills, because I certainly don't, but it is just neat that it was featured on such a huge site. Go Ellen for posting the pictures!

For those of you wondering what is going on with Mr. Moore's tribute concert there was a meeting held this last Saturday at the Empress. The tentative date for the concert with be Saturday June 21st. The gal who is organizing the event is going to see if we can get the Cyprus Auditorium for this date. The plan is to keep the program to about an hour to an hour and a half. We are now trying to decide what music to sing. We are going to do mainly large numbers and then fill in with smaller numbers from there. I am going to see if my dad would like to be involved and perhaps do a number. Everyone seemed to think that would be a great idea. My dad has been involved with Kerry so much that I think it would be nice for both of them. The next meeting will be held next Saturday at the Empress Theatre at 10:00 AM. We are even planning on practicing some numbers. I will keep you all informed.

Well everyone have a great week. Hopefully you don't mind my ramblings!

Liz

Hail the Graduate and Birthday Wishes!

Hail the conquering Graduate! I am so proud of my brother Philip! He graduated with his associates degree with an emphasis in accounting from Salt Lake Community College today. I know that he has worked really hard to get his degree. Life hasn't always been easy for him but he has risen to the challenge and has accomplished much! Adelle and I had the chance to go to the graduation and watch him walk. Go Philip! It was a packed house! After the commencement we went to my sister Sarah's house for her Birthday party. Wes and Lydia were able to join us and we ate to our hearts content. My nephew Cedric (Sarah and Matt's son) is growing up so quickly. What a cutie pie he is. I'm not partial at all :) I think he looks a lot like his daddy.

After the festivities Phil came over to my house and we rocked out and played Dance Dance Revolution. That man sure can dance! I think my whole family was amazed at how quickly he can move his feet. He beat all of us for sure. It was really fun to hang out with him. I think we'll need to have him over more often. Adelle has taken quite a fancy to him and enjoyed snuggling him while we played Lego Star Wars. It was a great day! I am worn out but there is nothing better than spending time with my family. I think it is my absolute favorite thing to do in the whole world. Yes, even more than being on the stage. Congratulations Philip and Happy Birthday Sarah! Thanks for sharing your day with us!

Liz

Costume Pictures and Spring Fun!

So, I received a few requests to post pictures of the costumes. For those of you who have never seen Lord of the Rings you will probably not recognize these characters. Adelle is Eowyn. I made her costume. It took me a few weeks. This is the second sewing project I have completed. I used two different patterns to make this dress. The belt I designed by watching the movie and trying to copy it. I was able to find some really wonderful buttons to use on the front of the belt and a lot of gold trim. Adelle loves the dress and has declared that she is going to be Eowyn for Halloween. At the Fantasy Festival she enjoyed spinning herself on the ground. I kept thinking "isn't it great it is a WHITE dress". Kids will be kids.

Wes made Lydia's Arwen Costume. It is almost identical to my Arwen Dress that he made about 2 years ago except it isn't made of leather. He used moleskin (fabric not really from a mole) to make hers. It made her costume a lot lighter than mine. She looks so grown up in it. I can't believe my little girl is becoming a young lady! Wes stitched the arm pattern with just a regular sewing machine (not an embroidery machine). The collar is also stitched with a cobweb like pattern.


Wes's Aragorn costume turned out fabulous. This is the costume that took first place in the costume contest. He probably worked on the costume for a year. Granted he was also working part-time as well as studying. He made the boots, the overcoat, the jerkin, the undershirt and the armbands. The only things he didn't make where the belt and the sword. He received the sword as a Christmas present a few years ago. Almost everything is leather. I wonder how many cows died in the making of the costume. No... he didn't kill the cows himself. There is a wonderful store called Tandy Leather that sells hides. Most of his costume was financed through gift cards that he had received for Graduation and for his birthday last year. He hand dyed all of the leather. The red undershirt he dyed as well. My nice, white, kitchen sink still has traces or red dye. I have kindly asked him to NEVER dye anything in the kitchen sink again. The armbands, which are my favorite, were hand tooled and the pattern is very detailed. A lot of the stitching on the overcoat was hand done. The machine stitching was done on just a regular, old Singer sewing machine from Wal Mart. Yes, you can sew on leather with a regular sewing machine. You just need to have leather needles. Oh, and for Wes's costume and Lydia's costume Wes didn't use a pattern at all. Can you believe that! He just looked at the movies and designed the costumes from there.

I think Wes is not quite sure what to do with his time now that the costumes are done. He has put out resumes for a job as an attorney and even has an interview set up. We will have to see how it goes. I think his new hobby may be learning how to program computers. He is sitting on the floor with computer programming books all around him. He really is too smart for his own good.

So Monday night was warmer than usual and the girls just begged to get out their bikes. Adelle rode her bike for the very first time and would get nervous once she started moving. Wes or I had to hold on to her and the bike the whole time. Lydia has really gotten a handle on riding a bike and just loved being allowed to ride her bike around the park on her own. She was just zipping everywhere. She claims that a bee flew almost flew into her eye (she told us dramatically of course). She seems to be doing just fine though.






So on another note, I have decided not to Audition for 12 Dancing Princesses on Saturday at Off Broadway Theater. We have discussed it as a family and with the commute to downtown Salt Lake City, it would really would be a LOT of time away from my family. Perhaps we will audition for Suessical the Musical at the Empress in a couple of months. "If at first you don't succeed try, try again!". The nice thing about doing shows at the Empress is that it is so close and that we are usually able to be involved in the shows as a family. Does anyone know much about Suessical? I have never seen it on the stage before.

Well, everyone take care. I will have to post again soon!

Liz