Trips and gift for Birthday

 We had not seen Jim's oldest son's family since we left for our mission about two years ago, so we took a trip to Missouri and visited them.

 From left to right is Elliott (3 years), Hollie, Todd(6 years) and AJ Hodges.

The same week we went all the way to Wilmington, NC to trade my sit down Sweet Sixteen Handiquilter for a Handiquilter Avante stand up quilt machine.

The first quilt I worked on (after a practice piece) was Camden's.  It was partially quilted on my sit down so I had to work it so I could finish it (that is why the front bar is empty).

The gal who traded with me was very nice and sent me a ruler base this week as her's broke.  We traveled a total of 3000 miles in one week, but I am so happy with this quilter. I was able to finish Camden's quilt in a flash!

My birthday was right after we returned and I got some lovely flowers from my daughter and several friends took me to lunch.  It was fun!

This week we are helping Camden and Eric move to Houston so he can attend medical school and I am also trying to prepare for our family reunion in a week.  It will take us 3 days to drive, but I am excited to see all the cousins playing together.  My father (86) will finally meet all 18 of his great grand children. I ordered t-shirts for everyone and embroidered my Dad's with glow in the dark thread!  Everyone will be able to find him at night!

Summer fun!

We took the Storrs to see the Train Tunnel bat cave in Fredericksburg.  We got there in plenty of time and waited for the emergence.  There are a million bats that emerge at sunset to scout for food. They are Mexican Free tail bats and eat moths.  They can fly many miles and return at sunrise.

This picture doesn't do justice to the fantastic emergence.  They come out right around that center tree and swirl counter clockwise as they fly up over the treetops.  Amazing!

I have been working on this quilt top that Camden made and I hope to have it done before she and her husband move to Houston for medical school.

Jim ordered and installed these dog grooming arms to help take some of the weight and drag off as I attempt to quilt it.  I am doing all over stippling on this.

I have a lot of scrap fabric in my stash and so I started playing with my Accuquilt Go big and making these stars.  I love them, but I am not sure whether I will make a bed quilt or just a wall hanging with them.... WIP

I LOVE Baltimore Album quilts and want to make one.  I have very little experience with applique  so I did these two blocks using my embroidery machine and patterns from Anita Good Design CD.

The CD has 20 blocks and I will make them all and then plan sashing etc. for a quilt :-)

Finally, we hope everyone enjoys their 4th of July!!  We are so thankful we live in this free land!