What I've Been Making

Today Leah & her American Girl doll (Leah), went to a party at our local library. She was super excited, and wanted matching outfits for her and her doll. I remembered this cute tutorial http://simplesimonandco.blogspot.com/2011/02/bustle-skirt-tutorial.html and based the skirts off of it. I think it turned out pretty cute! Leah loves them!

How I did it. Cut 17" strip of striped fabric, sewed the salvaged edges together to make a tube. Hemmed the bottom, make a casing for 3/4" elastic at the top. Then using my Stampin' Up! Big Shot, cut out circles using the Circles #2 die. Folded them in 1/2 then 1/2 again to create the flounces. Sewed on layers starting at the bottom. After 4-5 rows, I was done sewing on flounces, so randomly placed them at the top to finish it off. Oh...and added a ruffle to the bottom since it was shorter than I would like my daughter to wear without tights!

Enjoy!

The past couple of days in Maui

Monday was our Upcountry day. We planned to hike Haleakala's Sliding Sands trail, but wimped out since I was feeling the altitude and many curves heading up the volano. We did go a little way...enough to get a feel for the different landscape in the crater. It looks like we walked onto the moon! We did manage a lower altitude hike (8000 ft) that took us to one of the gaps in the crater. It opened up to show beautiful sites! I think we all managed to get a little sunburnt on the walk, too.

We then drove to a little winery. The road felt like a ride on the Tornado at Adventureland! We also drove through the clouds on our way. What a strange feeling. The family that now owns the land is only the 4th owner. It was a 23,000 acre cattle ranch in the day with it's own doctor, church, stores. It was beautiful! We later found out that we were half way to Hana (the back way) when at the winery.

We stopped at Ma'alea Grill for a fabulous meal with fresh seafood then the drive back to the resort. We were tired, but ready for the next day...the trip to Hana.

We found a great breakfast spot...Moose McGillcutty's. There are buy one get one free coupons that are great. We pick up the coupon book as we exit to use the next morning.

So then we headed the back roads to Hana. Imagine the worst road you have driven on...it's worse! There was a long stretch of blacktop that had been patched numerous times. We gave the car's suspension quite the work-out. We did get to hike up to Alelele Falls. It wasn't run very fast, but pretty anyways. Then we discovered that the rocks at the beach made memorable sound as the waves receeded. It was a clacking type of sound.

We also took pictures of a natural sea bridge. Another stop along the way was an organic farm and fresh fruit stand before we at lunch at the grounds of Charles Lindburg's gravesite.

On to Haleakala Park to hike 2 miles up to a fabulous falls. When we were there 6 years ago, we didn't have time for the hike. This time, the falls was rather dry, so there wasn't much action at the Seven Sacred Pools. The pictures are a lot different than before. On the way up to the falls, we had to cross through a bamboo forest. It is infortunate that the bamboo is overtaking spots in Maui. The bamboo hits together in the wind to sound like a musical instrument playing.

When we got to the falls, a couple asked us to take a photo of them...he had just proposed and his camera stopped working! Now that is romantic...flying from KC to Maui then hike up the side of a volcano to propose.

We hiked back down and the guys swam in one of the pools. It is full of algea due to the dryness, but still refreshing!

The drive back to civilization was long...2 hours of twisting and turning. I believe there are 157 curves and 56 one-lane bridges along the way. It isn't as beautiful as we remembered. Mostly because of the bamboo. It is blocking the views along the road.

We finished the day at Paia Fish Market. More fresh fish. It is a local hang-out with no table service. It was a fun experience and perfect for us since we were covered in dirt and hot from our adventures.

Today...relaxation and a laui tonight.

Update from Maui

Aloha! We are enjoying our trip to Maui. We've went to the Haleakala Crater on 6/6 to view the amazing sunrise. We had to get up at 2 AM to get there in time for the 5:38 AM event. We made our way back to Kahului via pit stops for breakfast and shopping. In Kahului, we stumbled upon a great flea market. We found lots of fun things before heading back to the resort.


We are staying at the Royal Lahaina Resort on the West side of Maui. We have a nice cottage with a lanai that I am currently sitting on typing this update. We can't hear the beach from our cottage, but it is a VERY short walk from our room.

Today we slept in... Then Scott & I went for a leisurely stroll on the beach. Those of you that know me well, will be shocked that this walk was at 6 AM! Yes, I was really up that early.

We took the Kahekili Hwy around the island from Lahaina to Wailuku today. What a trip! We stopped to see the Dragon Teeth in Napili, then everyone but me snorkeled at Honolua Bay.

We ate a picnic lunch on the rocky beach then headed to the Nakalele Blowhole.

We arrived just at high tide, so it was amazing to see! We all managed to get wet. We also got our workout on the hike down and back up the trail. Well...not really a trail. We wove down a rocky path and had to climb back up. I was thankful for Teva's today!


After that, we made a few pit stops around to take more pictures before the one lane road that lasted for 16 miles. We were literally driving on the edge of the mountain on a narrow one lane road with twist and turns. When we met oncoming traffic, we had to either pull off in a turnoff or back-up. It was not a speedy trip!

I got some great photos of all the sites. I'll just post a few here today.

Seth's Big Accomplishment

After see his two friends jumping off the diving board, Seth decided to try it. Now he LOVES it! Of course he doesn't want to go down too deep, so no diving yet, just jumping in feet first. Thanks Connor & Riley for showing the way.

House Update

Great News! We have accepted an offer on our house. We hope to close on Aug. 18, work on the new house, and move Aug. 28. Now...to jump through all the hoops and use up an entire ink pen signing paperwork.

We welcome all painters, handipersons, packers, movers, etc! There is a lot to do between now and then along with normal life!

A New Home

We decided that our 3 bedroom ranch doesn't hold us all so well any more. Scott & I found a 4 bedroom, 2 story house in Urbandale (just behind the High School) that is going to be a great move for us! I will post pictures later...

Sparkle & Shine

Leah & Seth were invited over to a friend's house tonight for sparklers. Kim was surprised that neither of my kids had much of an idea about what that meant! Her exact words were...that is sad.

They had fun. Seth spend the time burning a pop can. Leah learned about writing her name in the air. I love the photo of her that Kim took!