Exausting Knitting Project

(by Aubree)


I learned how to knit a little over a year ago. I've done a few scarves and hats, but I decided last fall it was time to tackle a bigger time-consuming project. I saw a picture of a blanket similar to this in a Pottery Barn catalog, and I thought it would be easy to duplicate. Well, the stitch was easy to duplicate, but it took a long time to finish. Although I didn't work on it consistently, it took me about 4 months to finish.
It took about 7 balls of yarn. Because it took so long to do and was starting to get expensive to make (it's almost $6 per ball of yarn), it's shorter than I was hoping it would be. It's really comfy though. It doesn't look exactly like the one in the catalog and it has many flaws, but I am proud of my first big project, especially because I didn't use a pattern!

Vegetable Garden and Lilies

(By Aubree)


For as long as I can remember, I helped my parents with their vegetable garden. I would help them plant the seeds, water and weed it, and pick the beautiful fruits of our labors. I admit that there were times I was less than excited to help out, but I mostly remember spending time with my family and eating from the garden. You have to admit, nothing compares to fresh vegetables straight from your back yard to the kitchen. Not only did it teach me hard work and nutrition, but it instilled in me a passion that I hope to enjoy for as long as I am capable of doing it.
I haven't been able to grow a garden at any other place that we have lived, so I couldn't wait to start my own vegetable garden. I decided I wanted to get a head start, so I planted seeds inside first. Although I haven't had as much luck as I hoped, I can't tell you how excited I was to see this cute little baby tomato plant pop up. I have since planted more seeds in hopes of having more success, so I guess only time can tell what is to come. Either way, I'm so excited to experiment with my little garden this year.

My lone Roma tomato plant.

I also love flowers. My wonderful husband knows that my favorite flowers are lilies, so he surprised me after work with these beautiful Easter Lilies.

Aubree's birthday and a wedding

Aubree's birthday was last Saturday (March 8th), but it was also the day that Aubree's sister Amber was getting married. Because we were going to be spending the majority of Aubree's birthday helping with the wedding, we decided to celebrate her birthday one week early. We went out to dinner at the Mandarin in Bountiful (the best Chinese food in Davis County). Aubree ordered the entire meal: won ton soup, three taste shrimp, and spicy garlic lamb. It was awesome food! After eating, I took Aubree shopping. She bought a shirt, a sweater, and a necklace. We finished off the night by watching a "chick flick" at home.

Last weekend, we went to Aubree's hometown of Grace, Idaho for her sister's wedding. The night before the wedding, we made several batches of brownies (for the wedding lunch) and set up tables, chairs, and decorations at the church. Amber and Eric were married the next morning. After the wedding ceremony, we had a wedding lunch at the church. We then cleaned up the chairs, tables, and wedding decorations and, of course, decorated the bride and groom's cars. We had a good time visiting with family and celebrating Amber and Eric's marriage.

Here are a couple pictures of the wedding, although we don't really have any good pictures because we were busy helping with everything rather than taking pictures.

Eric and Amber

Amber and Aubree

After the wedding, we still had some time to celebrate Aubree's birthday (again). We drove to Logan and ate at the Indian Oven (chicken tikka masala, shrimp coconut kurma, and lots of naan). We also stopped at the mall so that Aubree could buy herself some more birthday presents: several bottles of lotion and soap from Bath & Body Works.

While we were driving from Grace to Logan, we saw this unbelievable sunset (the picture doesn't do it justice). Aubree was happy to have such a beautiful sunset for her birthday.

Baby Wes

My brother Ben and his wife Amy had their second baby a few weeks ago. They named him Wes Jon Gittins. Last weekend, we were able to visit Baby Wes for the first time. Here are some pics:

Baby Wes (showing off his hat that Aubree knitted for him).

Me holding Baby Wes.

Aubree holding Baby Wes.
Kelsey (Wes's big sister who takes good care of him)