The Apple of My Eye

That was the theme of the baby shower we threw for our friend, Kari, and her little baby girl, Kate. I was surprised that in August it was so challenging to find a fun, giant apple to use as the centerpiece on the buffet table. So I decided to make one. Easy, right? Actually, it was pretty simple as long as you don't mind the foam dust covering most of your kitchen!

• First, I started with a 8"x8" block of foam. The cookie cutter was just for help in getting the shape right.

• After I created an apple stencil to fit the block and traced it on each side, I started shaving away. I carved and carved and carved until I (and Riley!) thought it looked close to a real apple.
  

• I had bought 1/4 yard each of 6 coordinating fabrics and cut them into 22"x2" strips. I think I ended up with 36 strips in the end.

• Then I bore a hole through the foam apple with a long screw driver. It had to be pretty thick- maybe 3/4" to 1" wide. I started layering the strips of fabric, draping them around the apple and having about 2" overlap across the center hole. I shoved the fabric into the hole every 6 strips or so. When they were all layered, it looked like this.

• I turned the apple over carefully and shoved the strips into the bottom hole one at a time, making sure I kept the strips straight and tight, keeping them in the order they were in at the top as well. Once they were all in, I squirted a big dollop of hot glue into the bottom hole and stuck in a fabric-wrapped water bottle cap to secure them tightly.

• I had scavenged the woods for the perfect "apple stem" and hot glued that into the top hole, holding the fabric in securely. I topped it off with a bow and gift tag.
  
  
• Voila! What do you think? Cute, or what!? I chose fabrics to coordinate with Kate's new room so she could use it to decorate with for a long time. It looked darling at the shower and I think Kari liked it!

I will have to post the pics from the shower to show you how cute the decorations turned out. Thanks, Deb, for hosting and working so hard! Welcome, welcome baby Kate! And thanks, Kari, for always being such an amazing friend!

Happy 39th, Larry!

It was a great couple of days. Monday, the 3rd, Larry's parents came to celebrate with dinner, dessert, and gifts. Chicken and pork kabobs on the grill and brownies with ice cream to top it off! Yum! I think he was surprised with his gifts this year. It is rare, because he usually asks for one thing he wants. But this year we took that birthday wish and expounded on it. Not only did he get the new driver he wanted but he got a new golf bag and pull cart. Yes, yes, I found them all on sale so I didn't go crazy- but it was fun to watch him open them all the same. So he's all ready for his RE-found hobby to be resurrected. Now only if he had time to kill....

Gotta love 'em!

With Dad and Mom.

Gifts a plenty!

The new driver.

Try 103?

Check out those divots?

The natural.

Grandpa

Don't throw that rock, Porter!

Grandma

Larry chose to spend the actual day at the lake. When asked what he wanted to do, he didn't hesitate with that answer. So off to Lake Ohop we went. It was a beautiful day- after having 107 the week before, we were glad for a cool down. The day started out cloudy and chilly but warmed up by noon. The sun was shining, the sky was clear and the water was smooth. We were almost alone on the lake. Sydney was the first to attempt to ski- several tries, got up on a few, but kept falling. Riley went next and skied successfully on her 3rd try. It was fun to see! Payton even gave it a go. For those of you who know her, you realize what an amazing birthday present that was! She gave it 2 good attempts before clambering back in the boat. Larry's beach start went off without a hitch, too. (Which is saying something since I had to drive!) I skied around the lake, too. The water was warm, not the usual NW glacial. The kids tubed, even Porter! So, all in all, a very happy birthday indeed! We can hardly wait for next year!

The water trio.

Two "P"s in a pod.

So sweet!

Enjoying the ride...

Takin' a rest.

Sydney skiing...

Riley's turn.

The proud skier!

Beach start success!

And he's spent.

All done.

The (unattractive) proof

that I really do

ski.

Faster!

Water fun!

My birthday boy!

On the way to girls' camp...

I can't wait to see the pics that the girls took while they were there. These are the few I took on our way back from dropping some kids off at Camp Zarahemla last week for Girls' Camp. There was plenty of time for pictures while we waited in construction traffic both directions (turning the 2 hour drive into 3!). But, oh well. I'm sucker for seeing my kids off and getting a feel for how anxious they are to be away from home. This year, the only sad one was Maisyn having to say good-bye to her sisters! Very sweet!

Sydney hugged her until she smiled and we left happy,
counting down the days until they came home!