Starstruck

On Sunday, a little star was blessed - Sullivan Harvey (say it Hahvee) was taken in his Dad's arms and encircled by loving Priesthood Holders, and his Dad gave him a name and a blessing. It was beautiful and memorable and this little boy is well loved and amazing. What a great day.

So let me tell you how the day goes in the Kane family when there is a baby blessing.

First, we all agree that we shall honor the Sabbath Day, especially on such an important Sabbath Day, one when our precious newest gift from God is given a name and a blessing. So we prepare on Saturday and have a peaceful restful day - a happy quiet loving Sunday. Or something like that.

Church is from 1-4 in this neck of the woods and when I hopped in the shower at 12:46 (after just a little food preparation), I sensed I might be in a bit of a tight squeeze to make it to the church on time.

When we rolled into the parking lot at 1:06, I was pretty certain we would be lucky to sit in the back row, but Katie standing at the door rushing us in gave me the hint that we had indeed made it just in time for the sacred ordinance. The windblown hair I sported was a fashion plus, accenting my lovely 5" discs that Heather assured me were earrings that hung from my lobes. My one pair of earrings that I wore on the trip were now an orphaned set, no doubt one earring residing embedded in the seat of a Delta Airlines jet somewhere. Seriously, those big earrings look cute on Heather, but I felt like a lady of ill repute and I could hear Aunt Valeda's voice in my head all day - reminding me that dangly earrings are of the devil. But I digress.

Amazingly, the last row in the chapel was sitting there empty, as though it had our names on a reservation card. How did they know? One thing is for sure, the Kane's know their place, right there in the back row. Especially on such an important day. (We were just lucky that we didn't have to march up to the front row because that is usually where all the empty seats are.)

(I am sure a few of our loving friends are shaking their heads, smiling, right now. A few of our other judgmental friends are appalled. Oh well.) We do have the best intentions. We really do. We just have a problem with time management. 

As it turned out we had PLENTY of time cause the Bishop totally forgot about Sullivan HAHVEE and we had to wait until after the Sacrament Service for his blessing. It all worked out, Sullivan got his beautiful blessing, and I was sitting there basking in the glory of the gloriousness of the day, enjoying my beautiful family - including all four grandchildren - wonderful friends etc, looking at my beautiful granddaughter Olivia sitting there with her parents, when suddenly

I notice

just past my daughter and son in law

HIM:

and I just about had a heart attack right there. I knew Michael McLean was in their ward but honest to goodness there he was! To think, this guy must know my deepest darkest secrets because he has written a song about every one of them! From the moment I first heard his song "You're Not Alone" I have loved his music and his message.

Now, it didn't take long for my three daughters to realize they had a problem because their mothers eyes were suddenly glazed over and they sprung into action. They forbid me from approaching the stand, certain I would mention Michael McLean a hundred times and make a fool of myself. (I might add a couple of women did just that in the meeting)

Michael himself approached the pulpit and bore a beautiful heartfelt testimony. I was certain he had been sitting there composing a song about this beautiful baby that was blessed, but it seems he had been thinking about something else.

Now I have enough of my father in my to squelch the human tendency to hold back and allow the celebrity some privacy, and I approached Michael after the meeting. I wish you could have seen his face as I approached him. He lit up, extended his hand, and said hello to me with the enthusiasm of someone who was finally being reunited with a long lost friend. I seriously thought "Does he remember me from somewhere?!?" We had a great conversation and I apologized for being starstruck, and he gave me a ginormous bear hug and told me to be starstruck no more, for now we were friends.

And we are. Later we were gathered as family and Michael came over and I introduced him to everyone. He gave Sullivan a big kiss (after asking Heather who was holding him if he could have a kiss - phew that was close he meant from Sullivan not from Heather) - and as he met each person he managed to find a connection in some way - he really is personable and very genuine.

As we left the chapel at the end of the meetings (yes we stayed three hours shame on you for thinking otherwise), Michael spied our friends and said "Bye Winterton's!" across the parking lot. What a guy.

And that baby we blessed? We didn't.take.one.picture.

But I know I for sure will never forget his baby blessing!

Apron Bibs

A few weeks ago I found myself at the sewing machine channeling my beloved mother-in-law, sewing what I call "apron bibs". They are so fun to make, easy peasy, and oh so cute on a lovely little grandson or granddaughter.

June-bug was an RN

I remember watching Mimi, June-bug, Mom, Ma (all terms of endearment for Larry's mom) whipping these up for my children. She had a pattern - one of the apron-bibs she had for HER children that HER mother had made

Can you see the mending? This was repaired over and over!

and simply following it's design, she made me lovely little bibs for my girls - embellished with lace, trim, and all sorts of rounded corners, pretty ties, and other niceties that she pulled from her frugal stash of sewing materials and supplies.

Two generations of bibs - made by Larry's grandma (green) and Larry's mom (pink)

I picked fun fabrics and whipped a few up for the grands. I followed June's lead and just copied the bibs she had made for my girls. Half a yard of fabric, folded in half and in half again, with crescent shaped armholes cut on the fold. Finish off the armholes by either hemming with a zigzag stitch or using bias tape as Larry's Grandma did. Hem all around the bib and fold down and sew a casing at the top for the drawstring to slide through. I learned from mom to attache the drawstring with a few stitches in the middle so it wouldn't pull out. Make sure your drawstring of choice is longer than the casing so you don't lose it!

(Please forgive my lack of artistry and photography skills)

Cars and Flowers

Here is Olivia modeling one of the aprons Mimi made...

You simply slide their arms in the armholes, pull up the ribbon tie and voila - they are covered stem to stern and no stains on their cute shirts! Hopefully I can pass on these skills to my grandchildren.

Aren't they cute? (the bibs I mean, not the seamstresses)

Hello, Backpack, are you ready?

Dear sweet Olivia is ADDICTED to the "Signing Time videos" - she knows all the signs and would watch them day and night if you let her. It was one of our favorite things to do while I was there - signing along with "Signing Time". Kate borrows them from the library - every week a couple of different ones are on the shelf.

She loves the song "Hello Backpack, Are you Ready?" - it has a good beat and is easy to dance to (sorry dating myself with that Saturday Noontime "American Bandstand" quote - love you Dick Clark)...anyway...

She LOVES backpacks - so I thought I would whip one up (cause it's what I do when I am so busy I can't see straight - I head straight for the sewing machine to de-stress!) I used this pattern with a couple of modifications - I think they would be very cute with some embellishments - but I am wicked busy so...plain they are.

Sorry for the lousy lighting, pic was taken at night, and this morning it is raining. These beauties are headed out to Alex, Lillian, and Olivia today so needed to snap a pic now. Hope to see pics of these lovelies on their LIVE MODELS next week on their Mom's blogs (hint hint).

Oh yeah, and I finished those Christmas Pajamas - the pants in the pic don't have the bottom ruffle yet - which made them OH SO CUTE.

Hello BACKPACK
Are you ready?
Are you ready to go?
Hello BACKPACK
Let’s get ready
Let’s get ready to roll
You’ve got my CRAYONS
You’ve got my SCISSORS
You’ve got my PAPER
You’ve got my GLUE
You’ve got my PENS
You’ve got my PENCILS
And there is still room
For my lunch box too
Hello BACKPACK
Are you ready?
Are you ready to go?
Hello BACKPACK
Let’s get ready
Let’s get ready to roll
You’ve got my CRAYONS
You’ve got my SCISSORS
You’ve got my PAPER
You’ve got my GLUE
You’ve got my PENS
You’ve got my PENCILS
And there is still room
For my lunch box too
Hello BACKPACK
Now you’re ready
Now you’re ready for SCHOOL
Hello BACKPACK
Now you’re ready
Now you’re ready for SCHOOL
Now you’re ready for SCHOOL
Now I’m ready for SCHOOL

Can you sign backpack, crayon, scissors, paper, glue, pen, pencil, and school? I can't remember them all, but I do remember LINE UP.

Dirt makes me happy!

Sullivan has discovered the joys of a tanning bed early on. Doesn't he look relaxed? His bilirubin count was a little high (pretty common in pre-term babies) so he slept on this "bili-bed" for a couple of days. 

Did I mention I have been knitting? The ladies (you know who you are) decided we would learn to knit socks. I tried to discourage them from this nonsense but they assured me it would be fun. I assured them that once you have made one sock, the realization that you have to knit another sock for it to be of any use would totally be a bummer, but they insisted we give it a go. I got a little carried away (yeah yeah I'm an over-achiever) and after knitting an adult pair for Katie, I knit a matching pair for the boy. So cute.

Check out this shirt - so tiny. I was folding some last minute laundry tonight and the size of this shirt just grabbed at my heart strings. Little Sully won't be wearing this for long, but I am sure the sentiment will remain - I am pretty sure that dirt will always make Sully happy! (read what it says on the dump truck)

I mean, check out the mess he can make and he is only two weeks old today!

So, here is the story:

Today was my last full day here in Utah, and as last full days go, it was, you know, FULL. We packed it in. I should add we did it in typical Kane style. We discussed hitting the road early to accomplish all we hadn't finished in the last two weeks.

But first, Olivia needed a nap. (So did Grammie, but that didn't happen). After Olivia awoke, it was lunch time, and then the Relief Society President and her counselor came to call - They were making the rounds as there have been SEVEN new babies born in the ward in the LAST TWO WEEKS. In fact, the twin girl babies live right next door. The Relief Society President said she thinks it is lambing season.

Next up, the baby needed a little nip to tide him over, and then a diaper change.

Now they warned Katie in the NICU before sending her home with a son that you should always stand to the side when changing a BOY. Apparently boys have different bathroom habits then girls, and it starts early on. Dismissing that craziness, Katie stood at Sully's feet this afternoon, changing his dippy dipe (Kane word for diaper). Sully expelled a little gas, then the lovely mustard yellow poop came FORCEFULLY, EXPLOSIVELY out his hiney and SHOT ACROSS THE ROOM - hitting Katie from her chin to her knees. It hit her bed, his bed, the rug. It was everywhere. Just like a jar of mustard under pressure. She yelled for my help and I obediently trotted right in to find her covered in...mustard?

Do you think it was rude of me to ask her to hold the pose while I ran to get the camera?

Olivia was MORE than happy to help mommy, getting right in the middle of the mei-lei. And before we could get the poop off mom Sully what did he do? He peed. Of course he did.

Do you know how long it takes a new mom to find a sassy outfit befitting a trip to the outlets in Park City? And how frustrating it is to have said outfit now covered in yellow mustard poop? It's OK, I think she looked just as lovely in her Jackson Hole sweatshirt.

So, right at the crack of dawn 3pm we headed to Park City. We met up with Hezzie (known as Z by Olivia) and Mama Winterton came too, and we shopped. And we shopped. And we shopped. And in typical kane style, we headed back to meet the boys for dinner at dinnertime bedtime. What can I say, there were some good deals to be had.

And now, my bags are packed, my clothes laid out for tomorrow. The plan is made, we leave at 8:30 (which really means we leave at 8:45 - it's a trick of the mind you know). I am awake and it is almost 2 am. I don't want to turn off the light, and try to sleep, because I know the tears will come. I am homesick, I miss Larry, I miss my empty nest. But I hate that I am leaving my girls, my sons, my grandbabies here. So far away. I know how blessed I am that I am able to see them so often. But when days turn into weeks turn into months, I hate that I am missing the silly little day to day happenings. I would rather be complaining that they are always in my hair, borrowing my stuff, pestering me. (oh yeah they manage to pester me long distance). But life goes on, and so tomorrow - I am leaving on a jet plane...

Know what else I am going to miss? 50 cent refills at the Silver Eagle. Utah does have some redeeming qualities.

Gee, doggy, Gee!

Have I told you lately how amazing my daughter Hezzie is? Well, she is!

She has been teaching PE now for 2 years at The Colby School, a private school in Park City for children from preschool age through 8th grade. It is an awesome school and a perfect fit for Hez. She has bravely and confidently taught the curriculum in place when she was hired (yep including creative movement!), and has developed some pretty exciting programs that have only enhanced the learning experience at Colby. She has also learned to drive a school bus. Yep, she drives the short bus.

the driver on the bus says "move on back!"

Last year Heather and her buddy the art teacher came up with a fun summer camp for the older group and it was a great success. Not wanting the summer fun to end, they continued on with an "Extreme Adventures" after school program. Evey Friday ( and occasionally on Saturdays ) they are off exploring all the fun things there are to do in the area.

This Friday was awesome and I tagged along to document the fun. Granddaughter Olivia (my best buddy lately) my good friend Lisa and I headed over to the beautiful Catholic Church across the highway from The Colby School in Park City. They were going to meet sled dogs and go for a ride in the field beside the church.

There we met up with the campers and their fearless leaders, along with the most beautiful sled dogs! It was so fun to meet each dog, give them love and praise.

As they hitched the dogs up to the sled, the excitement increased as the dogs howled and begged to get to work. They love pulling the sled!

(this tall guy loved the student that was helping to hitch him up to the sled)

The two lead dogs sure loved each other

The most fun? Olivia was able to go on the final run! A sweet girl named Lucy sat Olivia on her lap and Livie Lou got to go around the field on the sled. She LOVED it and didn't want to get off!

The dogs were tired after doing this track 9 times around, but they were all good sports and let us pet and love on them some more.

Pawsatch Snow Dogs is an awesome adventure! They do rides for families, groups etc on trails in Wasatch and Summit Counties. They also do birthday parties for kids, coming right to your home! The owners are wonderful and accomodating. They even have a wheeled sled for summer runs. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure - give them a call! You can also become a fan on Facebook.

This adventure was pretty tame compared to some of the crazier things these kids get to do, but so fun. That is the Kane way -  fun is our middle name.

These guys remind me of my brother's huskies

The Extreme Team

(future extreme camper)

He's home!

Sullivan came home today. Yesterday Liv got to see her cute little brother through the glass window at the NICU, and she was so thrilled.

Modern technology when used for good is a miracle and a blessing. We were able to skype with Grampie aka Buddy so he too has met Sullivan "through the window". How fun!

Today, Olivia got to see him up close and personal!

She is crazy about him and is simply enthralled. She will be a great big sister.

She can't quite say Sullivan yet, but Grammie taught her in the car on the way home from the hospital the correct pronunciation for his  middle name - Haaaaahvey. She can say it perfectly!

A New Englander at heart.

PS. These ten blog posts are going to kill me. I am somewhat distracted and wasn't expecting a trip to Utah when I made my promise. Hope you all don't mind a hundred pics of the grands. Hopefully tomorrow I can tell you about my fun trip to NYC and Philadelphia (as it turns out, on my way to Utah!)

PPS. I think Sullivan would tell you there is altogether too much pink in this house, and he wants to know where all the brown and blue are. Never fear, Sully dear, Grammie has got your back. Park City outlets tomorrow?

Sullivan Harvey

Little People

Grammie's are pretty famous for their cool stuff. And this Grammie is no exception.

This wee one is pretty impressed with the goods.

Grammies even do cool things like make a special bag to store all the little people.

Check out that cool swimming pool!

Playground Equipment!

Look at this one, Grammie!

Do you wanna play?

Come on over and play with us sometime!

**play at your own risk - these are vintage little people and likely are a choking hazard...

Small Town Girl

Look at those shoes! Did you ever see anything so cute???

While we were in Utah, we went bowling with Brian's Mom and his sister and her family. It was a great time to get together and everyone had a a lot of fun.

 Lillian liked the monkey bars rack that kids could use to roll the bowling ball down.

Alexander loved the other games as much as he liked the bowling. Maybe more!

But Olivia...

fell in love.

The sights and sounds

The noises

The people (and the fashions)

The shiny red bowling ball

For Olivia

the bowling alley is the next best thing to home!