Discovering Trains

With the help of his cousin, William, Benton has discovered the joy of trains.

Digging

Eamon loves digging in the sand creating roadways, ditches, holes, cities, volcanoes...

Extended HolidayAve

Grandpa Cates was delayed in his trip to visit, so the holiday festivities were extended a few more days. Much to everyone's delight he gifted us with a Wii. To Dave's delight, Grandma and Pap gave us Guitar Hero. Eamon loves playing Mario Kart. Dave LOVES Guitar Hero. Aine and Heather play a bit of bowling. Benton just likes using the steering wheel or controller without actually playing.

Christmas 2009

Holiday Lights and Trains

The whole Williams extended clan headed out to the railroad park for some holiday lights, carousel rides, train rides, hot cocoa and a little ambience. Unfortunately the line for the big train was too long for us to wait and ride. However we had a lot of fun!

Holiday Dance Recital

Aine takes dance one a week at a local dance studio. The class is a combination class for an hour and a half. It covers ballet, tap and gymnastics. She LOVES it. She attends with her best buddy and cousin, Rachel. Her other female cousins also have class there, so she is able to see everyone. She is learning a lot and participated in the holiday production. She was great. She smiled the whole time and really enjoyed herself!

Socktober Socks

I finished the Through The Loops Mystery Socks for 2010. They turned out really nice. I am pleased with how quickly I knit them. It helped that I did two socks at one time - albeit on two different sets of needles.

Oh course, I still only have one sock from the 2008 knitalong, but who's keeping track.

Knitting through the stash

Last year I knit myself a hat. I had extra wool in the same Tolkein colorway, so I decided I needed a simple cowl to match the hat. Since I had finished the most recent sock clue, and I had knitting time in the evening, I decided to turn the yarn into my cowl. I used the remaining Chunky Galenas yarn from Three Irish Girls for the Dolores Park owl pattern . It looks good with the hat and wll keep me toasty if we travel north. Our winters here in the SW are not so cold as to demand much use of a hat and cowl. Oh well, it is cute.

Getting my Knitting Mojo Back

Very little crafting had been going on in these parts. I just hadn't felt the knitting love nor the desire to sew. Recently the tide seems to be shifting. I am participating in the Mystery Sock from Through the Loops for Socktober. The Knit A Long is run through Ravelry forums, and I love it. Each Thursday in October, I receive another clue for the sock (cuff, leg, heel, foot, toe). I am knitting both socks at once to avoid second sock syndrome and at the end of the month I will have a completed pair of socks!

Here is my progress thus far:

New Digs

We have spruced up the kiddos rooms lately. Aine has a new four poster bed complete with new quilt and dresser. Eamon and Benton also have new dressers and quilts. They are all very excited about their new rooms and are busy planning the wall decor. Eamon has set his sights on baseball pennants, while Aine will be painting a few canvases for hers.

Wants

A: Mama, I love horses. I want to go to a pet shop and buy one.

Science Center

Eamon had a class on catapults at the Arizona Science Center with his cousin, Ashlyn. While he was in class, the rest of us explored. Aine enjoyed the display on centrifugal force,
pulleys, the Bed of Nails and LEGOs.

Benton liked the exhibit on balance, feeling/sensing cold metal Bernouli's principle and LEGO castle. Eamon and Ashlyn joined us at LEGO castle for some jousting. We then checked out the Forces of Nature display before heading out for lunch. After lunch we rode PhART back home.

Karate

Eamon and Aine have been taking karate at Sandoval Freestyle Karate. They both thoroughly enjoy the classes. Aine is part of the Little Dragons program and has advanced to White/Orange belt. Eamon is in the children's classes and is a Yellow belt. It has improved their balance and coordination. They like their teachers and enjoy going every week for instruction and sparring.

Everyday Happenings

Mugging for the camera

Aine loves having her picture taken. She also loves her baby brother.