.a baby shower for baby Harper.

I got to go to a baby shower for my dear friend Lindsay and her soon-to-be-born baby Harper yesterday! Lindsay’s sisters threw the shower for her and in true Poulson girl fashion, it was a blast! I just love being at Julie’s house with all the girls – reminds me of the many many times I got to spend the afternoon (which undoubtedly turned into an overnight) with Lindsay growing up. We had so much fun and I loved being around her older sisters!

The girls had a wonderful breakfast buffet for the guests – including sausage casserole, bread pudding, and cinnamon rolls! They outdo themselves every time!

Madie planned a couple of cute games – one was to make a baby out of play dough and then Lindsay picked her favorite one without knowing which one belonged to who. She picked mine! I have no idea why!

But we got to take this picture together with my play dough baby!

 

I love these girls! Libby, Lindsay, and I

I don’t know if you can see Lindsay’s necklace, but her sister Wendy gave it to her at the shower. It is a circle with a rectangle charm that says “Harper.” Wendy’s friend makes them and all the girls have one with charms with their kids’ names, even Julie. What a special gift – so sweet!

I made some things for baby Harper; Coordinating receiving blanket, changing pad, and burp cloths. There were a few more things I wanted to make, but all my sewing supplies were packed away, so they’ll have to wait until Harper is born.

   

Such a fun morning celebrating a great friend and her baby. I cannot wait to meet Harper. She is already so loved!

.kamryn turned 2!.

How is it possible that this bundle of energy, cuteness, and joy is already TWO years old?!

Her super talented Grammacamera took these adorable pictures that perfectly captured Kamryn’s personality!

 

This is my favorite out of all of them!

 

We celebrated BIG today! I got to help Beth and Kate with decorations and preparations before the party. We decorated cute turtle cupcakes to go with the Finding Nemo theme. They had everything looking so adorable!

Nick made delicious kabobs – straight from Europe! It was such a fun afternoon, celebrating our favorite girl!

She loved her birthday. She LOVED her presents and wanted to play with item as soon as she opened it. Present opening was extended to before dinner and after dinner to accommodate the birthday girl. :)

 

Cards were intriguing…and rip-able, so very very fun!

 

The hit of the evening was her gift from Amie and Papa (Dave and Karen) – a Kamryn-sized digital camera. She loved it! Her hands aren’t big enough to hold the camera and take a picture at the same time, so she’d look through the view finder, then hold the camera down to be able to take the picture. Then she’d look at the screen and say “oh man!”

 

 

 

The funniest moment was when she was taking a picture of a stuffed animal my Mom was holding. My Mom turned the animal upside down, to tease Kamryn, but she outsmarted my Mom by turning the camera upside down! Smartie pants!

We loved celebrating Kamryn’s birthday. I am not kidding when I say that she brings so much joy to everyone around her. She had us smiling and laughing all afternoon. She is also beyond smart! Kate said that at her well-child, the doctor asked if she knew 20 words. Twenty words?! Heck, she knows 20 animals and their sounds, 20 numbers in English and Spanish, 20 people’s names, 20 letters, all her colors, and much much more! I can’t wait to see what 3 brings! 

I hope she doesn’t grow out of her “hugz!” Kate and Nick have taught her to say goodbye whenever they leave and give hugs and kisses. She is so good about giving hugs and kisses to everyone in the room (especially when she’s in a good mood!). She says “HUGZ!” I love it and it melts my heart every time. And when she says “Mah-cie!” I’m so lucky to get to see her at least once a week – I totally miss her when I don’t get to see her for a good period of time! So blessed to have her in my life and to get to be her godmother!

xoxo Kamryn!

.10 on….12?!.

My 10 on 10 post is a few days late this month. Hope you’ll forgive me. The reason why is…

1. Cheer tryouts for 2012-2013 were tonight. We had practice on Monday and Tuesday after school and then tryouts tonight. It makes for a long week, but it’s good that it’s “one and done.” As we were walking out tonight, Karlye and I remembered that we didn’t take a picture! DARN! We have a great group of girls for next year! It will be my SIXTH year coaching! Woah! I never thought I’d coach more than one year when I started!

2. Our last regular Beta meeting for this year was on Tuesday night. We have two more parties, but this was our last meeting. Mom and Melissa lead the program and taught us how to make these cute scarves:

http://www.moredesignplease.com/moredesignplease/2011/1/19/no-sew-shirt-scarf-necklace.html#comment13751696

3. Our basement is slowly but surely making progress…the carpet got ripped out today and the whole thing was painted earlier this week. I’m hoping to get back to IKEA next weekend to pick up the shelves we need. Crossing my fingers that we’ll get to move back into the craft room ASAP! I’m tired of everything I want to use being in that dumb container!

4. I’m pretty excited about celebrating little Miss Kamryn’s 2nd birthday this weekend! Her momma and I texted back and forth this morning about some crafty decorations to make to fit with the Finding Nemo theme!

5. I’ve got my eye on a new wallet…I’ve looked at them at Nordstrom before and last night, Karlye & I stopped in at Heritage and there it was! Maybe a sign?!
Just can’t decide what color to get! Patent or soft leather? Pink or black? Oh the decisions!

6. Samson has been panting for no reason lately and makes me kinda worried…any input?

7. It took me 2 1/2 days to figure out what I was doing at work before Spring Break….now I finally figured it out and it I have no umph to do it! I’ve been working on letters of recommendation, the cheer tryouts, scheduling, and more scheduling!

8. Next week is Spring Fling at school – a spring Homecoming. I got the email yesterday with the dress up days and got SUPER excited to see pajama day on Monday! YAY! The other days are College Day, Hawaiian Day, Neon Day (thank god for 80’s accessories!), and Eagle Spirit Day!

9.  There is dirt moving down at the football field – FINALLY the concession stand and bathrooms are being built! YAY! This will be a huge improvement!

10. Looking forward to Thursday night TV – Grey’s Anatomy and a new show we’re enjoying: Missing with Ashley Judd. Revenge starts again next week (!) and maybe WIP Wednesday will begin again too. Let’s hope!

.easter egg roll.

Lisa posted these pictures on her Facebook page today of their trip to the White House Easter Egg Roll. They are getting some pretty neat experiences while Jon is working for the Secret Service!

Frances: 2 years, 11 months
Louise: 1 year, 4 months

Lisa and Louise

.super spring break.

I am sad to see my Spring Break winding down…but I have had such a great week, so no complaints!

It started last Friday when I went to the quilt show with Jessica, Amy, Kate, and Emersyn…then dinner with Kate & Amy…and a movie with Kate. Perfect evening!

Saturday was Paige’s baby shower, then Karlye, Amber, Mom, & I went to see “Hunger Games.” Mom and I haven’t read the books, but Karlye and Amber have. The movie was good, but so violent! I watched most of it through my fingers! The costumes in the capital were AMAZING!

Sunday afternoon, Mom & I left for Seattle. First stop: Coach Outlet in North Bend. New purse…come home with us!

We met Melissa, Ryan, and Michelle (Ryan’s Mom) at The Ram in Puyallup for dinner. Mom & I found a hotel and watched the American Country Music Awards.

On Monday morning, we met Melissa and Michelle at Starbucks in Sumner and shopped the little stores along the main street. We made a good dent in one little store that had Brighton, TOMS, Vera Bradley, and SO MUCH MORE! We headed to IKEA from there…Mom and I did lots of looking, measuring, and planning in our heads for the basement/craft room. We have a good list and now will have to go back with the pick up!

Mom & I left Melissa and Michelle and went straight for A Muse, a stamp shop in Green Lake that we frequent each year. On our way to the next stop, we stopped at my favorite Starbucks in the Seattle area. I love the view and the atmosphere. Isn’t it so cute from the outside too!?

This is the view from there…

There is a little green space across the street with some benches and trees/shrubs. I love this quote that is on the benches:

“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it, {it} is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.”

 

 

We went to West Seattle from there…I’ve been following a little quilt shop on Facebook for a while that is located in West Seattle. We found it without too much trouble and enjoyed looking around.

 

It was such a BEAUTIFUL day on Alki, that we drove up and down the drive a few times enjoying the view of Eliot Bay and all the people out taking advantage of the weather. We stopped and got some awesome pictures of the Seattle skyline.

           

Mom checking Facebook while I took the pictures…she did a great job navigating in Seattle. I’d put the two points into my map app on my phone and then she’d give me the directions. We’re a good team!

We ate at Cactus on Alki…delicious food and a great few of the water. We had THE best Coco-Pina Sangria and homemade guacamole. It’s making my mouth water just thinking about it!

 

We found a different hotel (where we stayed last year) and headed that direction. Stopped in at Nordstrom Rack on the way!

Tuesday morning, we got our nails done and headed to downtown Seattle to the flagship Nordstrom – one of our favorite spots! We also shopped at Forever 21 and H&M before having lunch at The Cheesecake Factory…and delicious cheesecake, but that goes without saying, right?!

We went to The Quilting Loft in Ballard – a quilt shop we found last year. They just moved to a new, larger location. I fell in love with the baby quilt hanging in there and couldn’t stop looking at it. Luckily, they had the pattern and the fabric, so I’ll get a chance to make it!

We went to the 2 story Target at Northgate and then to the Alderwood Mall. We were ready to drop by then, but made a stop at Lowe’s. We took time to look at paint, carpet, cabinets, and just about everything since we had the time. We were so tired by then, so we grabbed McDonald’s and went back to our room to watch Dancing with the Stars. We’re party animals!

On Wednesday morning, we grabbed Starbucks and went to the UW Medical Center for Mom’s CAT scan. After her scan, we met Melissa at U Village…shopped around, had lunch at Boom (new to us since our FAVORITE Thai restaurant closed!), and then went back to the hospital for Mom’s appt with her surgeon. After her appointment, we headed for home…stopped in North Bend for coffee and snacks and found a quilt shop I’d seen advertised in a brochure. Two thumbs down…not worth the stop!

We must’ve been worn out from the fun time in Seattle because we hardly did anything on Thursday! I caught up on my DVR’d shows and we all took naps. Love days like that too!

I got to hang out with Megan and Abby on Friday. She introduced me to a new store in Kennewick that sells handmade baby clothes, bows, and other paraphernalia – Pipsqueaks. That lucky lady gets to make all the stuff I wish I had time to do! We went to lunch at Frost Me Sweet in Richland – so yummy!

We got to play with Kamryn on Friday afternoon before the Good Friday church service and then I went to dinner with Nick, Kate, Beth, and Kamryn after church.

Saturday: I set up my sewing machine at the kitchen table to make some baby gifts for a shower I’m going to next week. I was getting frustrated that everything I wanted to use is packed away in our basement clean-up job. I didn’t get everything done that I wanted to….it’ll have to wait until we get the craft room put back together. BUMMER.
Mom and I made sausage egg casseroles for Easter brunch tomorrow and then went to see Titanic in 3D. I wasn’t that impressed with the 3D version like I’d hoped, but that movie is so stinkin’ awesome….it never gets old!

So – the very detailed version of my Spring Break. It was a great week…hopefully great enough to propel me through until the end of the year!!

.what a heart.

This week marks 3 years since my Mom’s heart surgery. The actual date is April 8th – but since it happened on the Wednesday night/early Thursday before Easter…this week is feeling nostalgic. She and I went to Seattle earlier this week for Spring Break and then for her annual appointment with her surgeon, Dr. Mokadam. She had a CAT scan of her heart and aorta, which Dr. Mokadam deemed “normal” with no change. Yay God!! He wants to see her in a year and if everything looks good again, he said she could come every two years.

I made this quilt for her last fall, had it quilted (LOVE the quilting) this winter, and finished the binding a few weeks ago. Since it’s been so stinkin’ windy, I haven’t been able to take a picture of it until now.

It’s a Buggy Barn pattern…

made with Bliss fabrics (Bonnie & Camille)…

 

pieced by Marcie…

 

quilted by Susan Johnson.

 

I love that she quilted a heart in each heart…it puffs up a little bit since it’s not heavily quilted like the rest of the quilt.

Happy Heart Week!

.paige’s baby shower.

Tiffany and Vicky threw Paige a baby shower yesterday. Baby Girl Shipley is due April 21st, so it won’t be long now!

She will have lots of grandma's to love on her!

Grandma Vicky and Paige

 

Tiffany planned a game where the guests had to match a picture of one of the baby’s family members with their baby picture.

 

 

Can’t wait to meet the baby!

.girls night out.

My blogging has been non-existent this week because I came down with the nasty cold. It got me good. I went to work each day – you’re welcome, co-workers! – but came home at night exhausted and worn out. I’m finally feeling better and was ready to get out of the house and have some fun!

Lucky for me, Jessica, Amy, Kate, and I had a girls night planned! It was a great way to kick off SPRING BREAK! Kate and I met Jessica, Amy, and Emersyn at the Quilt Show to start the fun. I love the quilt show – so many quilts and inspiration. So many quilts I would NEVER EVER make – but fun to look at! Add in a good dose of quilty shopping – so many options all in ONE place!

Amy, Kate, and I went to Twigs for dinner. Appetizers, dinner, dessert, AND drinks – along with lots and lots of laughs makes for a perfect dinner out. Makes me realize how much I love my friends and I’m so thankful for them!

We dropped Amy off back at her car, then Kate and I went to a late showing of “Mirror, Mirror” – the new Julia Roberts Snow White movie. I’m not sure what my problem was (maybe the BIG meal right before?!), but I could NOT stay awake. I felt so sorry for Kate sitting next to my restless self, trying to keep myself awake. The movie wasn’t great, which didn’t help!

This was such a great way to start Spring Break. Can’t wait to do it again very SOON!

.kamryn, paint, carpet, and Lowe’s.

I got to spend some fun time with Kamryn and Kate yesterday! Kate had a volleyball meeting during lunch at the high school, so I grabbed Kamryn and took her to my office. She likes to play with my rubber band ball and immediately spotted my flag. “Cheese?” “Picture?!” She didn’t have to ask me twice!

After school, Kate, Mom, Kamryn, and I went to the Tri-Cities so Kate could help Mom pick out carpet, paint, and tile for the basement and bathrooms.

First stop: Starbucks! Kamryn loved the big chairs and tried them ALL out!

 Kamryn was a trooper at the carpet store. She loved the carpet sample displays and we counted them over and over and over….first in English, then in Spanish. That girl is so stinkin’ smart! :)

We went to Lowe’s after that…Kamryn did really good through the paint section. She found another flag, so waving that around took up a good 15 minutes! We picked out different colors, played peek-a-boo through the paint samples, and waved the flag some more. 

Through the mirror and toilet departments, she got a little more restless.

Mom to the rescue! Rides on this cart are SO fun!

Around the corners, back and forth….this girl has got balance!

    

We finished the evening by going to Chico’s Tacos and Albertson’s. Watch out. :)

I taped up some of the paint samples in my bathroom…I’m leaning toward the middle color. It will be a great improvement over the dated wallpaper, yes?!

And the tile in that same bathroom.

 

Thanks for the expertise, Kate! Such a fun evening!

family photos…part 3: the Koch’s.

This is the last one for a while…this is all of the pictures I have right now!

This is about my Dad’s parents,
Ernst Koch (1917) and Mary Jean Larkin Koch (1921)

They were married around 1940. Ernie joined the Army in early 1942 and my dad, Robert Ernest Koch, was born July 12, 1942.

Ernie got a short leave to see my Dad when he was born, and then he was stationed in the South Pacific for the majority of the next 3 years.  My Dad was born in Santa Barbara, CA, where my Grandma lived while my Grandpa was overseas. She eventually moved back to Minnesota to be closer to her family.

This is my Dad!

Grandma Jean and “Bobby” on his 1st birthday

We found many photos that had inscriptions on the back from Grandma Jean to Grandpa Ernie while he was overseas – this was one:

She had this professional photo taken of she and my Dad to send to Grandpa Ernie.

My Dad around age 3?

My Grandpa Ernie received a purple heart for being injured by stepping on a land mine. We found this telegraph in the box, informing my Grandma that my Grandpa had been injured.

 

Grandpa Ernie returned not long after that. Shorty after that, Richard “Dick” joined their family in 1946. They lived in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. My Grandpa worked for car dealerships and gas stations. My Grandma eventually went to work for Weyerhaeuser in St. Paul.

My Dad graduated from Stillwater Area High School in 1960. That summer, the family relocated to Tacoma, WA with Weyerhaeuser. My Mom always points out how interesting that the family would move halfway across the country to follow the woman’s job in 1960, which is true!

Dick graduated in 1964 from Lakes High School in Tacoma. Tragically, he was killed in a car accident in 1967.

I have this photo framed in my bedroom. My Mom said it was Grandma Jean’s “official” Weyerhaeuser photo.

 

I just like this one too.

This was Grandpa Ernie and Grandma Jean’s house in Tacoma that I remember going to as a little girl. Our family lived a few blocks away until I was 3 1/2.

 

I love this one too!

Grandpa Ernie and his BFF Elmer Dittman.
They were back door neighbors in Lake Elmo. My parents would stay with them when they went to Minnesota until Elmer and his wife Hilda both passed away.

My parent’s wedding picture – 1977
Spokane, WA

This is me with Grandpa Ernie and Grandma Jean, around 1981.

Christmas 1985: Grandpa Ernie and Grandma Jean with their grandkids:
Bobby, Tara, me, and Melissa

Bobby’s senior picture – 1983
He passed away in 1987.

 

Tara’s senior picture - 1988

Grandpa Ernie also passed away in 1987 from cancer; Grandma Jean in 1996, also from cancer.

My Dad is now the oldest living member of his Koch/Larkin family, as the oldest grandchild on both sides of the family.

There you have it – the Koch family history in 3 parts!
Now, onto my Mom’s side: the Heiders, Sackmanns, Gusts, and Lobes!