And then...

I was a green witch, courtesy of Miss Amanda, the make up expert, Shane and Becca were tortured youth, (goth - pierced and tattooed) with 'bad attitude' to boot. It took me a full 1/2 hour in the shower, lathering up my hair 3 times, before I got all of the black spray gunk out of my hair! It took several cotton balls and make up remover wipes to get all of the eye make up and green off too! I still have black tinged fingernails from the 'wet 'n' wild' nail color. It was worth it though - lots of fun.

Halloween Happenings

We've been having a grand old time getting ready for Halloween. Stacy and I made caramel apples for date night last week, but they weren't nearly as good as the caramel popcorn we made with the leftover caramel - delicious, especially after Stacy drizzled it with melted chocolate too. The little pretzels we dipped, mostly stuck to the wax paper, but I figure ingesting a little wax paper won't kill me! We got a "scary guy" at Albertson's today (1/2 price) to hang from the back of the car at the "Trunk or Treat" at the church tonight. The kids were a little nervous about it, especially when Grandpa came home and stuck his finger in the guys' teeth and then started screaming! I could hardly get them to stand by him for the picture-you can see Stacy's hand, pushing them closer to him!

Cutest 'Punkins' in the Patch

Stacy's office had a fun BBQ/Party on Friday. Austin (the cutest pirate ever - just ask her) won a monster cupcake in the cupcake walk. Shaun (little vampire guy) enjoyed the cupcake walk and music too. They both loved the giant blow up slide and the bounce house. Everyone had a really good time, Mitch and Megan came over too with their little cuties who had a great time too - especially Mitch, as you can tell from his "monster walk".

What I've been up to...

These Snowflake blocks are going to be the death of me! They are taking forever! I started them last year at the Aspen Grove Quilting Retreat and, since it's coming around again in 2 weeks, I thought I ought to finish this table topper! They are paper pieced, which is the class I took to learn the technique. I really like them, but they are a little labor intensive. I have one more to make, then I can put the topper together. (I think I've watched 47 episodes of "What not to Wear", 16 of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" and a few movies too, while piecing these babies!)

What Happens When you Carve Pumpkins Too Early...

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Oh well.

I'm "IT" Again?

Well, my good bud, Holli, tagged me for some lists that I'm sure you will all find absolutely fascinating...

Favorite Shows...
1. Samantha Who? (Hilarious, in a guilty sort of way)
2. What not to Wear. (I know, I know, you'd never know it from the way I dress!)
3. Sara Conner Chronicles (Excellent and so violent, I have to close my eyes)
4. The Closer (The main character's name is Brenda!)

Favorite Restaurants...
1. Texas Roadhouse (I love a place where you can start eating the minute you walk in the door!)
2. Outback Steakhouse
3. Zuppas
4. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (does this count? They have fruit!

Things that Happened Yesterday...
1. Quilting
2. Visiting Teaching
3. Drove Doug to Work
4. Weighed myself!!! (Bad idea)

Things I love about Fall...
1. Cool weather (I think I'm entering into that "hot flash" phase!)
2. My birthday
3. The beautiful colors
4. The holidays are coming (which is sometimes better than when they are actually here!)

My wish list...
1. New front door with a window in it! (The only way I'm ever gonna get one is if someone vandalizes my current door beyond repair - hint hint!)
2. More babies (grandbabies, that is)
3. A jacuzzi (I'm getting old and my bones are aching!)
4. A 20 year-old, in-shape body (I can dream, can't I?)

Things I am looking forward to...
1. Snow
2. Doug and Tricia's wedding
3. Being empty nesters again someday
4. Serving a mission with my sweetie

I tag...
Megan M., Danielle D., Holly D., Margene T.

BINGO or Family Feud?

Amanda did a great job as caller...

Shane is hiding, as usual...

Some of the fabulous prizes... (yes, that is a block of pepper jack cheese on blue ice)

When the numbers were called too slowly, there was time for smartee art...

We had BINGO for FHE and it was a hotly contested evening. First, the extra BINGO cards were gathered up, so there was no changing cards mid-game. The type of BINGO needed to win each round was set. (Regular, intersecting, box, blackout, etc.) The prizes were set up (some people hid their favorites under other prizes!). The snacks were laid out (artfully, I might add). The prayer was said - and then we were off! The first round was won and a favorite prize was picked (yes, it was the 'hidden' prize, much to someone else's dismay!). Between each round, we broke for 'snacks', until we were so full, that, by the end, we couldn't eat another bite, except when Stacy won the cannister of chocolate covered almonds, we all, somehow, made a little room for one of those. The evening ended with pretty much a "smartee" fight. (That's what we were using for markers). We forgot the closing prayer and some people stomped off after not winning a single prize, others went home with multiple prizes - we may not play BINGO for a while - I thought that when they were all grown up - no more fighting - who knew?

After Another Sweatshop Weekend...

Stacy has finished his second quilt top! He bought a kit at American Quilting, in Orem. This one is for a certain wedding that will be coming up pretty soon. He is a man on a mission. When we were sewing the other morning, Shane came out of his room and said that sewing is 'not very manly'. Stacy answered, "If I watch football while I sew, is it more manly?" Shane continued up the stairs, muttering under his breath, "No!". Stacy turned the game on anyway. I personally am enjoying the company in my studio (although it does get a little messy with two people throwing fabric bits and thread around!).

Another Family Night (With no fighting)...

We were going to go camping last weekend, but it got too cold!! So, we decided to head up to the mountains on Monday night for FHE, but it was still too cold! So, never having had a problem with lowering our expectations, we made our foil dinners and Stacy cooked them up on the old backyard grill. After eating them (yes, we ate them inside, but we did use paper plates!), we gathered 'round the fire pit/table and listened to a great lesson from Doug - this was actually outside. For treats, we ate delicious s'mores. Some of us did the "torch the marshmallow" and then there were people like Stacy who slowly roasts his marshmallow in the coals, perfectly browning it on all sides - lucky for me, he doesn't even like them, so I got his perfect ones for my s'mores! Nate and MC dropped by as well as Tricia, so they got some too. The babies were getting so cold, that any time anyone went inside the house, they cried to go in too, so we let them finish family night, wrapped up, watching a movie on the couch. Next week... BINGO! Bring a prize and you're in! (Trying to figure out how to tie that in with a lesson).

What the Sommers do with cash...

Doug went and pretty much "cleaned out" what was left of his "mission money", now that he's been home a month (nearly). He brought it all home and danced around in it some, then went and made a very special purchase that is taking a couple of weeks to get sized and stuff. Then, there will be an exciting announcement around here.

P.S. That is cute Tricia Beck with him in the photo.

Quilting Fool

I finished my other project that I started at my Quilt Festival last month. I stayed up late night before last and got this table topper quilted. It is for the "summer" months with the bright and cheery colors.

Sweet Boy...

Jeff turned 27(!) yesterday - Happy Birthday, my sweet boy. This son is so loving and kind. He is very considerate of others' feelings and an extremely good hugger! I am so happy that he is in our family, he has taught me so much about unconditional love and appreciation - Jeff, I love you so much!!

Finished in Time!

I finished my fun "dot" quilt, which I've named "M & M's", in honor of one of my favorite foods. It has flowers quilted in the dot border, which I love, with other squiggles and stuff quilted on the rest (I am a very technical quilter). I am going to keep it in my quilt studio, downstairs, for my very own self. Stacy says it doesn't really match our decor, but I'm trying to get some "bright" down in my area of the basement. I love it and it's cozy flannel on the back too.

Sweatshop Saturday...

My family calls my fabulous quilting studio in the basement, "The Sweatshop", I love to hang out down there and listen to my iPod, watch MY TiVo and just sew my little heart out. With the weather turning colder, Amanda, who is freezing in my cold house, wanted to make "corn bags" that you heat in the microwave to keep you warm for hours. Stacy wanted to get started on his next quilt project (The photo is of his first quilt, "Phat Daddy" - made from 20 'fat quarters' of fabric. It is for Amanda) from the kit he purchased at the quilt store. I was finishing my fabulous "dot" quilt - "M & M's" on the quilting machine. So, joy of joys, we all 3 hung out in my quilting studio (it's so huge, we all fit!) and sewed and had a great time! Amanda finished 5 corn bags, I finished quilting my quilt and Stacy made a lot of progress on his newest masterpiece. The funny thing was, we all were stiff and sore from sewing for so long, Amanda said, "No wonder old ladies have hunchbacks, it's from hunching over a sewing machine!". Afterwards, we picked up babygirl and headed up to Laura's jacuzzi for a nice soak! Great day!

A Haunting We Will Go...

Brooke and Amanda went with me to Gardner's Village in West Jordan on Friday. We wanted to go and see the witches that are there during the month of October and check out the fun shops. We snagged Amanda early from work and went. It was quite chilly and we realized that the babies would have benefited from blankets as well as their jackets, we will need to "stock the car" properly for the change in the weather. (Brrr) The kids were pretty scared of the witches, at least at first. The boy kept saying " 'cary', ' beeeg 'pider', etc. (scary, big spider)". Austin finally got so she would get a little closer and she even touched the one on the bench. In the picture, Shaun doesn't even realize there is a witch so close, his mom is shielding him.

(Foolish child - wait until Halloween!)

I'll consider myself "tagged", just so I can talk about my sweetie...

Things about Stacy S:

1. Where did you meet your husband? Church, when we were just children 10/11 years old.

2. How long did you date before you married? Nearly 2 years.

3. How long have you been married? Nearly 28 years.

4. What does he do that surprises you ? He is still full of surprises! He makes me laugh all the time. Fills up my car with gas and washes it every week (It's hardly a surprise anymore, but I love it).

5. Favorite Feature? I love his eyes (green), his muscle-y self, etc.

6. Favorite Quality? He is kind. He has a good attitude about all the stuff I tend to complain about, etc. Funny.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Bambi (don't ask)

8. Favorite Food? Hot stuff - Mexican, Indian, Asian, etc. If it makes his eyes tear up and his nose run, it's his favorite!

9. Favorite Sport? He loves to golf.

10. When and where was your first kiss? Feb. 18, 1979. At Stacy's 16th birthday. I was with my boyfriend, but I gave him a birthday kiss. (It was not the giant/open-mouthed kiss that he claims!)

11. What is your favorite thing to do together? We love to go on dates, away on trips, spend time together.

12. Do you have children? A few, which are multiplying. We will soon have 10, which is how many I wanted when we got married.

13. Does he have any hidden talents? He is a great cook, grows yummy veggies, is a super grandpa.

14. How old is he? 45

15. Who said I love you first? I'm too old to remember.

16. What is his favorite music? I would say "Country", but he mostly listens to "people arguing", I mean "talk radio".

17. What do you admire most about him? His ability to "keep cool" about things. He is an excellent negotiator, provider, etc.

18. What is his favorite color? Green

19. Will he read this? Yes, if I force him.

20. Who do you tag? Megan, Kristen, Holli, Kathy, Denise, Judie and everyone else!

Scrumptious...

This is what my sewing maching looked like today - absolutely yummy! I did go to two quilt stores (one - twice!) to get the finishing touches for this baby. I wanted it to be big enough to cuddle with, so I needed to add "big" borders. I am strapping it on the quilt machine tonight, hoping to finish by Quilt Guild meeting next week!

Boys Will Be Boys...

Why is it that all of my boys love gummy candy? That includes Son-in-laws. We girls are mostly serious about chocolate. Is it a hormone thing? This boy ran off with the "candy bag" that his Aunt Amanda got for him, and then, joy of joys, found an unattended game boy thing-y. He immediately climbed on the couch and got his sticky little fingers all over it. We lost track of him for a few minutes and here he was.

Pumpkin Carving at the Sommers...

We carved pumpkins tonight for FHE, people got creative, as you can see. Stacy's was the singing pumpkin, Doug's was a pirate named "Ben", Shane and Becca's was normal until they got out the power tools and made a pig nose, Amanda's had her signature "star" on the back. Fun times are happening around here. Although Stacy and I really enjoyed living alone for 2 whole months this past summer, I must admit, it is pretty fun to have all of our "young people" around with their friends! (However, they are about to start a movie and I'm ready for bed instead, hey, maybe they plan it that way - N0!)

Date Night...

This is something we have tried to do for many years. When our kids were tiny, it was not too hard, as both sets of grandparents lived close by. As our kids got older and we moved an hour or so away from those fab grandparents, it got harder - more expensive, etc. We also ran into an unexpected problem - sometimes we'd come home and find out the poor babysitter had been in tears because of our little monsters! As our oldest kids got to be that 9-10-11 age, not quite old enough to babysit themselves, but a definite problem with their attitudes with the chosen "teenager in charge", etc., we found it wasn't necessarily the babysitter's actual age, but HER attitude and her ability to "not take crap" from our little darlings. As they got a little older, we started leaving them "alone" (with 5, it wasn't really ever 'alone') and paying them to "be nice" to each other, that worked pretty well for a long time, until they were all old enough to take care of themselves for a set time period.

Last year, we realized that even though we spent a lot of time together, running errands, hanging out, etc., we weren't "dating" anymore and we decided that we missed it. We started setting Friday night (usually) aside for "date night" and taking turns planning the outing. This has been so fun! In late fall last year, we had gotten a bit of snow down here, but not too much. Stacy knows I love the snow, so he took me up to "The Foundry Grill" at Sundance, where it was snowing in abundance! Many cars were having a really rough time getting up the canyon, but we were fine in the 4 wheel drive, gas-hog, monster. We ate a beautiful, delicious (expensive) meal, while watching the snow fall outside. Afterwards, we took a little walk and got even snowier! It was so fun. Last weekend, we drove the Alpine Loop to see the fall foliage, followed by dinner at Mimi's (2 for 1 coupon), and a dip in our friend's (Thanks Laura!) spa with a great view of the stars and city lights. The pic in this post was from last month when we borrowed a DVD (Major Payne - a classic around here!), and did take-out from California Pizza kitchen with fresh raspberries - from the yard - and cream for dessert.

We've done the 'regular' stuff too - like movies, dinner, etc., but it is so fun to look forward to a date with my sweetheart every week, I highly recommend it!