Come What May, And Love It

Thankful for Pollo Frito on a day like today

2012-02-09T17:06:00.001-08:00

Conjunctivitis, interrupted sleep, washing linens to avoid spreading this eye infection, Greg gone 4 days and counting, didn't get to talk with him before he went to sleep... Really, I am thankful not to think about dinner thanks to Skip (and Amy's) amazing gourmet food truck!

I told Esther to just stand there and this is what she did...

2012-01-21T15:51:00.001-08:00

Arizona!

2012-01-04T08:20:00.000-08:00

We made the yearly pilgrimage to Arizona to visit our family. Britton and Jessica both live there with their families.

My sister was beautiful and great with child (she gave birth about 4 days after we left).

We celebrated our cousin/nephew Max's birthday, and brought in the new year together. We swam in our hotel pool (the weather was beautiful and the pool heated!) and made many wonderful memories.

Happy 9th birthday Grace!

2011-12-29T23:00:00.000-08:00

As requested:

A 9 layer candy cake.

Date night with Mom and Dad
Grace requested a photo documentary of the evening:

Our server

Goodnight sweet Grace! Happy Birthday!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-25T20:27:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning
Who wants to go open gifts?

Santa brought a Gigaball
Parents be warned, this takes well over an hour of constant inflating, and looks similar to the picture below by the next morning. ;) But what fun that first day!

Still inflating...

Atlas

Grace and Eve asked for Nutcrackers for Christmas a couple years ago. Jack and Esther were wishing they had their own to play with, and their wish came true.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Esther!!!

2011-12-20T22:49:00.000-08:00

Esther is all sweetness, love and Joy.

Happy, happy birthday our dearest Esther!

2011-12-19T14:35:00.001-08:00

Greg makes a comment at 14:22

Megan in A Christmas Carol

2011-12-12T20:56:00.000-08:00

Took a little trip for the weekend to visit Megan and see her as Mrs. Fezziwig in "A Christmas Carol." What fun! What a great show, and a great group of people. She has discovered a wonderful community theatre run by wonderful people!

I miss Greg

2011-12-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

This time he is in Bulgaria, Ireland and England.

So I brought in one child to sleep with me last night, and ended up with 3!

But what cherubs. Honestly, I love these little people so!

Ho, Ho, Ho

2011-12-04T21:02:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned I think Grace might become a costume designer when she grows up?

Ward Christmas Party (sans Greg)

2011-12-03T21:06:00.000-08:00

Thanks goodness for good friends, like Amy, who looked out for me.

Grace and Eve participated in the Nativity, and Jack spent the night spelling words. Esther hung out with me, and they all enjoyed a visit with Santa.

Trader Joe's has now become a destination for fun...

2011-12-03T21:05:00.000-08:00

2011-12-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T20:52:00.000-08:00

Cheers!

Esther likes eggnog...

Just couldn't wait...

2011-11-22T20:55:00.000-08:00

We decided to begin decorating for Christmas, so we could enjoy it on Thanksgiving!

1st Swim Meet

2011-11-19T20:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T20:42:00.000-07:00

Ward Party

Jack's class party

Kindergarten parade

Grades 1-5 parade

She obviously had a great time

After trick or treating

Field Trip to the pumpkin patch

2011-10-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

I got to go on my first field trip, now that Esther is in preschool!

I went with Jack's kindergarten class to the pumpkin patch!

So much fun!!!

(even if he didn't cooperate on the bus photos...)

Whitney in D.C.

2011-10-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

This was my first trip without the children or Greg since having children.

I was pretty nervous, but Greg handled everything like a pro, and I was able to relax and not worry.

What a fun, great, lovely, spiritual trip with Whitney!

New Table

2011-09-29T20:33:00.000-07:00

After 10 years with a wonderful, but mismatched, hard to clean, rickety table, we have upgraded to a lovely new table with benches. I am very grateful!

Yearly Ferry Ride, What Fun!

2011-09-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

Steve and Mary Jo coordinate a fantastic ferry ride for our ward and friends that has now become a yearly tradition. We just can't miss it!

Eve likes spiders and fairies

2011-09-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

Can't really see the spider here

But you can here!

Two Tinks

Dad's back!

2011-09-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sharing photos and souvenirs

2011-08-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

After a long trip to India and China, Greg returned to our families utter delight.

Soon after, we had a little planning meeting in the office, and Esther joined us and I caught this beautiful photo.

Skyping with Mom and Dad in Kenya

2011-08-25T14:59:00.001-07:00

Mom and Dad arrived safely in Nairobi. They are jet lagged but they look so well and happy. I'm so thankful for them and all they are sharing with us of their experience.

First Day of School!

2011-08-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Meet the teachers!

2011-08-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

San Diego Temple

2011-08-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

11 years before, we were newly engaged taking photos in this very spot.

(Remember, Mom?)

Legoland! Day 3 (really? Day 3?)

2011-08-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

Legoland! Day 2 (the Waterpark)

2011-08-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

Legoland! Day 1

2011-08-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

The Office is Finished!!

2011-07-13T14:50:00.001-07:00

Matt and Kelli need to start a reality show

2011-06-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a "before" photo of our living room. I'll see what I can find and add it later. But the other night, Matt and Kelli were on a walk and stopped by, and in the process helped us rearrange our living room.

If any of you have seen it before, I think you'll appreciate what they did. They are simply amazing! We brought out one of our favorite painting from our bedroom and put it over the couch. The love seat was moved away from the window and to the same wall as the piano, which actually fit together. The couch was pushed in, making a cozier living room and a more open entry way. Anyway, the photos speak for themselves!!!

We still have plans to make some minor changes, but that will be in due course.

Almost done!

2011-06-28T11:09:00.001-07:00

Outside should be painted this week. Matt installed the outside lights and finished the trim.

The mirror is plant are place holders. The cabinet doors, desk and chair are in!

Matt installed the floor heater!

Can't appreciate the lighting in the photo. Both track and fluorescent. So great!

The office, proper, is almost done. Of course, the yard is still "in process." All that's really left on the office is exterior paint, a bit more wiring, and blinds (maybe an accent chair, too). :) Amazing what Matt and Kelli (with a little help from Greg) can do in a month!

Matt has hooked up the electric, the lighting, and outlets, etc. We have power! He's also finished the trim. Beautiful! Bill has finished painting the inside and has power washed the outside.

Greg and I found a desk and chair, and got the necessary IKEA cupboard doors which were finally in stock! :)

Greg is teaching workshops today, but tomorrow, he'll be able to move in officially, and use his office for real!

Drywall, trenches, trim!

2011-06-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

An utterly miserable job, putting in drywall.

The miracle workers: Matt and Kelli

Matt textured and primed

Putting up valances for cool lighting

Cupboards going in!
Floor in!

trenches for the wiring

Greg starting to cut through the impossibly deep poles

Getting there!

2011-06-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

The hole is filled
With the fence, deck and arbor gone, our yard looks a lot bigger

I'm really just so happy that that big gaping hole is gone!!!
(Whitney and Keena chatting. So good to see them!)

Interior painting . . .

The project expands

2011-06-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

Knocking this down wasn't as hard as it should of been.
Years ago, termites had done a lot of damage.

Where the hot tub used to be

Greg figured, since we're paying for a debris box, might as well get rid of the rotten deck and arbor at the same time

While Greg and friends helped move all the debris and tear things apart, Matt continued framing our shed, especially the ceiling since it didn't have enough wood to attach drywall to. He also pruned our fruit trees! What can't he do?

Moving the hot tub was no small feat. Even with five men, one being a strong Tongan, it was pretty rough

The hot tubs new spot. We'll see if it works once it hooked back up to electricity. Wouldn't be surprised if moving it did some damage!

Insulated the shed with foam insulation, to keep pests out and add rigidity to the structure

The debris box in our driveway

Greg finishing off the last of the deck

Monday's work on the Shed

2011-05-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Today Matt Wheelwright came over and began framing for the new door and window. Greg was Matt's apprentice, cutting and drilling and hammering. The missionaries came over and tore down rickety, spider-infested shelving behind the shed, which has let a nice amount of light into the backyard. Matt and Greg also got to work on the cement slab floor, laying foam and plywood.

Matt also worked to build supports for the structure and repairing damaged areas where termites had done their work.

By the end of the day, the new sliding door and window were installed!!!
The new and much bigger window:
Outside view of the new window and door!
Matt (aka miracle worker) and Greg:

Converting the Shed to an Office

2011-05-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

For about two years or more, Greg has been dreaming of turning our shed in the backyard into an office. Almost two years ago, we met our friends, the Wheelwrights. Matt Wheelwright is a brilliant carpenter and handyman, and talking with him, the shed seemed like it may be a possibility. It's taken over two years, but finally, and with Matt's help, that day has come.

Here is our shed:

Greg's first assignment from Matt was to tear out the plywood and insulation:

The one window, before being taken out:
The walls after insulation is torn out. Some damage, but doable:

Matt came over in the afternoon and helped clear out more of the insulation and the two of them found a terrible amount of rat droppings, and some actual vermin that needed to be rid of.

Grandma and Grandpa are going on a mission . . .

2011-05-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad's mission call arrived in the mail today. We all tried to Skype, and one way or another we were all able to hear them open the call, even if we couldn't see them . . .

Nairobi, Kenya
Perpetual Education Fund Missionaries

2011-05-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

A photo of Jack, having written his name twice yesterday. The top one is with his left hand, the bottom one is with his right hand. He doesn't seem to favor one, really. I wonder if he'll just learn to write with his right hand in Kindergarten? I like that he does most things with both hands right now. I'll miss it if it can't continue . . .

Twinkle, twinkle Esther

2011-05-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

2011-05-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Esther was sitting on my lap in the morning, on the floor of my bedroom. I gave her a squeeze and she hugged me back and said (in her perfect 2-year-old tiny sweet voice):

Hugs. Make. Me. Very. Happy.

England Part 3 - The Yorkshire Dales

2011-05-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

Gordale Scar in the Yorkshire Dales.
A pleasant walk, a stream on one side, a very rocky slope on the other and a waterfall at the end.
Almost all the siblings and cousins were there. Lovely!

After Gordale Scar, we took a hike in Malham's natural limestone formations with Justin and Ruth and kids.
Fun to trek in a place they used as a set for the latest Harry Potter movie. :)

Eve the Pirate

2011-05-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

Oh, Jack! How you've grown!

2011-05-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

Happy 5th Birthday Jack!

2011-05-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

Jack had a yummy breakfast in bed. He was very pleased.

Then the girls hid his presents and we played hot and cold while he found them and then opened them.

Later, we discover the freezer in the garage had thawed. This can only mean one thing, the freezer has thawed a bunch of stuff, and I dread to think of the last time it was opened: Thursday night when Greg put the ice cream cake for Jack in it.

When I showed Jack the dilapidated cake, he surprised me by responding very positively and seemed quite happy to eat it. So I knew that would be sufficient for us, if it was sufficient for him. I guess ice-cream cake is ice-cream cake, whatever it looks like!

England Part 2 - YORK

2011-04-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

The wall in York

Cliffords Tower

Running up the back hill of Cliffords Tower

The actual Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter movies
at the National Rail Museum in York

Jack and Esther begged and pleaded to ride Thomas the Train!

England Part 1 - Arriving in London

2011-03-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

Well, last month we were blessed to find extremely cheap tickets to London, and 10 days before departure bought tickets for our family to travel to see Greg's family in England. It was a bit of a whirlwind preparing, but what a blessing! Since there are a few photos, I think I'll do this in installments. Here are the first few.

Jack was upset when we landed, because he didn't know it was a different airport from the one we'd left.

"We flew, and flew and flew to come back HERE?!"

But after an explanation, Jack was relieved. He was also very pleased that he could ride the escalator by himself.

This is the house Gregory was born in. He was actually born in this very home (not in a hospital).

We were able to visit Greg's grandfather, and his grandmother's grave. Very sweet memories.

Esther finally met Great-Grandad

That same night we drove a few hours to visit Greg's family. The children were exhausted from the jet lag and a full first day in England!

Grace's Baptism and Confirmation

2011-01-08T21:18:00.000-08:00

The Stake Baptism Service was lovely. Grace was excited, happy, beaming. The four girls being baptized and Eve and another girl's sibling sang, "When I Am Baptized" which was so lovely! Grace was the first to be baptized. Eve was nearly jumping out of her skin she was so excited for Grace! Her face was priceless. Full of happiness and love and excitement, her body bouncing as she knelt on her chair watching Grace and Greg in the font. Her eyes wide and her grin from ear to ear and little squeals of excitement she couldn't contain as she watched Grace in the font getting ready. It touched me and brought joy into my soul to witness it. And to watch Grace be baptized by Greg, so, so special. I met Grace in the bathroom, and she was shivering with cold. But she was truly full of light. So happy, as she shivered.

Afterward I wrote down the words that I thought of to describe what Grace was like right after she was baptized:
Beaming,
glowing,
full of joy,
pure happiness,
excited,
pure

I dried her off, got her dressed, and I blew dry her hair so she would be warmer. She looked beautiful in her white dress with the special headband Jessica made for her. We met back in the chapel where they had a talk on the Holy Ghost, and then they were confirmed.

Mom and Dad were real champs after the baptism (and before, too!), whipping out the quiches and cooking the finger food. Whit and her friend, were big helps too, trying to set the table, and helping however they could. We felt a lot of love a support from friends and family!

Tonight, Grami and Papa gave Grace a set of scriptures with her name embossed on the cover, and a scripture tote for them.

I'm so grateful for today, for the privilege of being Grace's mom and being able to witness her baptism and confirmation. She was prepared and confident as she participated in these sacred ordinances. I believe all who were there were uplifted and felt the Lord's love for them through the Holy Ghost.

Esther turns 2!

2010-12-19T21:38:00.000-08:00

Oh, our sweet Esther's birthday was this week. And she is learning and changing so fast right now. Daily she adds words, and strings of words to her vocabulary and new facial expressions. No longer is she a passive snuggler who only protests when she wants something basic (a toy returned, rescue from a nap, a drink of something yummy . . .) but she is become an active listener to conversations, and starting to put in her two cents, or rather, two words.

Here are some photos of her with her cake.

Butterbeer failure #1

2010-11-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

All I can say is, "Yech!"

We made what sounded like a yummy butterbeer recipe on Halloween.

We found the recipe here.

We bought all the ingredients, made it together as a family, and gathered round for our first exciting sips.

Oh! It tasted like sweet bile, if you can imagine that.

Fizzy, sicky sweetness.

WAY too much sugar! All the kids complained of tummy aches not long after sampling.

Maybe we'll try another recipe next year.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T22:32:00.001-07:00

From

Luna Lovegood, Snape, Hermione, Harry, Professor McGonagall, Crookshanks/Tigger

Introducing . . .

2010-10-16T23:38:00.000-07:00

Yes. Yesterday I drove two hours to a shelter to meet this little dog. And yes, we brought her home! She is a 5-month-old Portuguese Water Dog (and maybe Havanese?) mix. She is full of energy, and loves being part of a family. And we love her.

Jury is still out on a name. Any suggestions?

But I need someone to help me!

2010-10-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

Jack is tired tonight.

So at dinner he first tells me he has washed his hands when I ask, and then when I tell him he needs to tell me the truth or he will miss dinner, he confesses he has not washed his hands and starts crying/yelling "BUT I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME!" (meaning me).

After prayer (he's whining/yelling this whole time) I go ahead and escort him to the bathroom and begin to help him wash his hands. I turn on the water, get his hand wet, squirt soap in his hand and I start to pantomime washing my hands.

He won't budge.

I sternly encourage him to start washing his hands, he's a big boy after all.

He insists I need to help him.

No, you can do it.

"WHY!? WHY DO I HAVE TO DO IT?!"

Because I can't get in all the nooks and crannies that you can.

He kind of starts, but not really.

I am singing the ABC song during this struggle, with lots of interruptions.

I help him, then pantomime, then help him, then pantomime, etc.

I ask him if he's tired. He cries "NO I'm not tired!"

When we get back to the table he cries loudly that he needs someone to help him eat.

I don't help him, and he goes on this rant, which I thought was hilariously descriptive, and endearingly vulnerable.

(Keep in mind he's shouting this entire dialogue with tears and all)

YOU WERE BAD AT HELPING ME!

YOU WERE BAD AT HELPING ME, MOM!

YOU HELPED ME,

THEN DIDN'T HELP ME!

HELP ME,

DIDN'T HELP ME!

HELP ME!

DIDN'T HELP ME!

I WANT YOU TO HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME!!!

Ferry Ride

2010-10-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

While Greg was working in Singapore, our ward took a yearly ferry ride to a beautiful park on the water. I went ahead and took the kids solo, and it went great! Our friend, Jan took the girls on a walk, Jack played ball with the dad's in attendance, and Esther enjoyed sitting in my lap, or climbing on me (she is my first child to not want to wander off very far). The weather was beautiful and warm.

It was lovely.

The Musee de Orsay exhibit

2010-10-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

I recently took Grace on a mommy daughter date to an exhibit of Masterpieces from the Musée d'Orsay. We saw an amazing array of Impressionist masterpieces.

I brought Grace's pencils and paper and encouraged her to find a piece she would like to draw. She chose "The Escape of Rochefort" by Manet. Yes, I snuck a photo of her drawing. I couldn't resist and thankfully I didn't get caught. There was a lot of security there.

Usually after any museum visit, I feel filled, but a bit drained. Grace, however, was on a high. She literally did pirouettes in the museum shop after we finished the exhibit. She was visibly energized by the experience. She had a few favorites, but the one she picked to take home was Renoir's "The Swing."

Labor Day

2010-09-07T10:36:00.000-07:00

We went camping and visited our dear friend Jessie and her mom, Heidi. There are a couple friendly dogs on the land, and a creek which we camped next to. We fed apples to horses, and caught crawdads in the creek. It was beautiful, fun and SO great to visit with dear, dear Jessie.

Back To School

2010-08-25T21:46:00.001-07:00

At Teacher Meet and Greet.

Eve and her teacher, Maestra Maria

Grace and Maestra B.

First Day of School!

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom and Dad!

2010-08-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for building a lasting and happy marriage. It is a true legacy to us all. We love you!

Happy 10th Anniversary

2010-08-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

I chose you then, I choose you now.

Thank you for choosing me.

My Elementary School

2010-08-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

While at my family reunion, my siblings and their families visited the elementary school where we all attended. An intense four square match ensued. It was a blast.

Jack feeling left out when he wasn't allowed in one of the other family's photos. It was quickly remedied when we took ours.

My Journal For My Children

2010-08-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

I just had an idea I thought I'd share.

I like to keep a journal for myself. I'm pretty faithful at this. I also have wanted to keep a journal of my children as they grow, but that has been sparse at best.

While at home last month, my sister found some observations my Mom had written down about her kids. It was priceless.

I want this for my kids. I thought and thought about it. I wondered whether it mattered if it was in my handwriting. I thought more, and know that they will have things with my handwriting on them, but a journal would be best kept and preserved in a legible, printable, reproducible form.

A flash of inspiration came, and a blog was the answer.

I've now started a blog for each child, private, so no one can access it, but where I can write all those memories I want to record for them. Their development, the cute things they say, their experiences. I can add photo and video, which is cool. It will be preserved in a pretty safe place (ie won't disappear if my hard drive crashes) and best of all, I can publish a book for them on their birthdays or Christmas or whenever makes sense, and they can revisit their special journal whenever they want. Of course, they can also visit their blog, too.

They saw me making their blogs, and became VERY interested in the design. We took time, each of them picking out different backgrounds that were their favorite. Eve came to me today and said, I want to see my blog! And then after viewing it: I want to add another picture!

Anyway, this may not be for everyone, but I felt really blessed by the idea, and thought I'd share it.

3D Monster

2010-08-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

Jack helped Esther put this together. The glasses are from a 3D sidewalk chalk set. Man, 3D really is everywhere, now!

I just LOVED this photo and had to post these two kiddos.

Finger Phone

2010-07-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

Jack has dubbed Greg's iPhone: Finger Phone.

I think it totally fits.

Cousins in Town

2010-07-19T23:27:00.000-07:00

My sister, Jessica, and her seven children came for a visit. Yes, our house is tiny, and only a few kids slept out in the tent out back, but we had a good time and made many good memories! Here are just a few:

Golden Gate Park

Inside the arboretum

Our babies getting acquainted. Esther was very interested in Isaac.

Harry Potter Wands

2010-07-15T23:21:00.000-07:00

I can't remember how I found this idea, but I know it is from this blog.

So my sister, Jessica, and I decided to give it a go with our kids and it turned out alright!

Jess, filling the wands with hot glue

Painting and drying wands

Book Signing

2010-06-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

Liz's friend, Laura, hosted the event in her gorgeous house. Everywhere I looked was art. There was a Picasso next to the bathroom, no joke.

This cake tasted so good

(and I'm not a big cake fan)

Liz and Greg shared a few thoughts and read a few words from Multipliers

Amy (who helped design the cover), proud wife, and Whitney

Greg, signing away

Forever Strong For Real

2010-06-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Last night, Larry Gelwix came to visit. He is in town for an Executive Briefing of Multipliers this morning with Greg.

Let me just say that this man is the real deal.

A movie has been based on a rugby players life-changing experience under his coaching. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it, especially for teenage boys into sports, but I believe the story is universally applicable.

He's coached rugby for 35 years, and had 400+ wins and 10 losses. He has some real wisdom to share, and I felt so lucky to ask him questions, and listen to some of the insights he's gained over the years. He is working on a book, he does some speaking and Greg and I can't wait for him to finish his book so we can study and apply his experiences to our lives personally and professionally.

So watch for him. If you have an opportunity to hear him speak, GO. If you see his book in the next couple years, READ IT. :) If you rent the movie, look at the special features and watch his interviews.

We just can't recommend him highly enough! He lives what he teaches.

He's the real deal.

Little Terror

2010-06-24T13:22:00.001-07:00

Esther has entered a new stage. Search, destroy and smile about it afterwards.

I was cooking dinner with my back to Esther and turned around to find the last of a bag of oats I couldn't fit into the container strewn on the kitchen floor while she tried to eat handfuls at a time.

Once she saw I had the camera, the smiles began:

She knows that camera equals smile. It cracks me up. She's the first child to really do this, and so young! Compare the smiles below, and you can see what I'm talking about:

(Grace had dressed her up like a cowgirl.)

Anyway, back to the search and destroy, within 3 days, Esther ripped apart both Greg and my glasses. I thought mine were safe, in my bedside table drawer deposited in the back of the drawer, behind the container of pens. I was wrong:

Father's Day

2010-06-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Breakfast in bed (steak and eggs), a banner, and adoring children. What more could a father want on Father's Day (other than to sleep in)? Oh, and maybe an iPhone. Well, maybe next year!

A big shout out to my dear husband, his father, and my dad, all who have blessed my life in immeasurable ways.

The Book!

2010-06-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

Greg and Liz's book is out and climbing the charts on Amazon! :)

Check it out!

http://multipliersbook.com/

Happy Birthday Eve!

2010-06-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Oh, how we love our Evie!

Top 6 things we love:

Her excellent Spanish accent when she speaks the language

That she is still wishing for a dog for her birthday

Her love of all things living (seriously, I think Hagrid will be her new nickname)

When she smiles, her whole little body is beaming

Her reckless abandon, she still runs her bike into the curb while her feet float in the air, rather than applying her brakes to avoid the collision

She laughs so freely, and makes us all laugh with her

Happy Birthday Sweet Eve!

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I forget that we're about an hour from the beach!

Grace and I made her a mermaid fin

Eve was enamored by these swimmy, crabby things.

Jack I was most afraid of losing. He ran, ran, ran.

Esther enjoyed running through her dad's legs

And then Dad threw her some

Threats from the Steps

2010-05-30T20:50:00.000-07:00

We have some steps. They are "the steps." They are mostly used to help children calm down, until they can talk in a calm voice.

One of our children was tired and extremely sassy last night, so she was put on the step.

Her negotiations climaxed with:

"If you let me back inside, I will do whatever you want for two days.

If you don't, I will burn the house down!"

Obviously, it wasn't clear that all she needed to do was calm down. Once explained, she was back inside in 2 minutes. I know we shouldn't laugh about it, but even now, Greg and I laugh (and kind of adore) the extreme passion of our children.

Funny and Freaky Friday

2010-05-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to the Humane Society this week. They had hand sanitizer dispensers that automatically dispense the sanitizing foam by detection. They are pretty high, so a child can't properly reach them.

Well, Jack tried anyway and this was the result:

Friday was "Freaky Friday." Grace reminded me the night before (again, like Wacky Day, I had no notice from the school. I just have to take my 1st grader's word.) I pulled out a wig from my tour days. Freaky indeed:

Field Trip

2010-05-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

I volunteered to walk Grace's class to a Nursery down the street from their school on Friday.

Let me just say that Jack and Esther were not thrilled with the plan.

Jack said, "I don't WANT to go see flowers!"

There were some low points:

"I don't want to see anybody."

But Grace liked the "Redwood Forest" section:

And planting petunias:
Esther (and Jack) brightened up for a bit at the end:

Bedtime

2010-05-27T22:06:00.000-07:00

The kids tonight at bedtime. (Didn't get a picture of Grace who was darting in and out with a sudden painful UTI, poor thing!)

Esther, so tired she can hardly see straight:

Eve, as sprightly as ever, putting her dolls to bed, yet unable to hear anything beneath a shout because of her cold:
Jack, absolutely exhausted, makes yet another memorable photo. He is asleep:

Last Week

2010-05-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

Plenty has happened in the past week, and photos will capture it best:

Grace lost her second front tooth:

My toothless beauties:
These blocks represent Greg, by Grace. Greg was in England, and Jack wanted to build something different, so we took a photo to immortalize it:
Wacky Day was this week. But there was no notice to the parents. So I sent Grace to school normal. She is such a problem solver, she came home like this:
I just love this photo of Grace and Esther. We were waiting for the "Spring Fling," Eve's school singing concert.
Can you spot Eve?
At the concert, Jack was happy to eat our neighbor's grapes. (It's true, I had little to no control of the kids at this outdoor concert. I was trying to keep a squirmy Esther from running away). Here he is with a mouthful:

England

2010-05-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

Greg is working this week in England.

It's his dear grandfather's 90th birthday on Saturday, in London.

And this picture makes me miss him even more than I already do.

Open House Take 2

2010-05-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

Greg had work obligations, so I braved a pot luck and school open house with the kids by myself for the first time.

And it went okay! Yes, the girls insisted on wearing different clothes that they picked out after they got home from school. Yes, I put sliced almonds on the salad I brought, when everything is supposed to be nut-free. Yes, the kids ate too many of the desserts at the pot-luck. But, they came when it was time to go, and Jack only disappeared from view once when running to our car parked on a busy street (and yes, that totally stresses me out). Esther was exhausted by the end, but she was a trooper.

First was the pot luck at Jack's preschool:

With Teacher Peckie

Teacher Nandini

Then we went to Eve's school for her Open House:

Eve and herself

her work

Maestro Velasco

Jack found the basketball, of course!

Pizza My Heart

2010-05-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

The parents of the Spanish Immersion kids are pretty great. One mom organized a Spanish tour of a local pizza place on Saturday. Grace and Eve thoroughly enjoyed watching them toss pizzas, and making (and eating) their own!

Eve's pizza dough bracelet

Grace and Eve were pretty impressed:

Open House

2010-05-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

Grace's School's Open House was tonight.

Her teacher assembled an awesome book with each students writings for them to keep. Very special!

We all played in the playground afterwards:

Essie on the slide:

Jack on monkey bars

Eve catching Essie

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

We got a new camera this week! Hooray! (Our other one had water spilled on it, and I heard it sizzle when I tried to recharge it later. I guess it wasn't quite dry. Whoops. Anyway, it died.)

Eve's school had an assembly for Cinco de Mayo. The Spanish Immersion classes wore special outfits/dresses (Eve's favorite part) and sang Cielito Lindo. We got Grace out of school to see the assembly, so we were all there.

Esther and Eve

Dancing

Cielito Lindo

Gregory Jack is 4!

2010-04-30T21:54:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love this little boy.

His Jack-isms that make me laugh, even when he's being naughty. Partly because he really doesn't think he's being naughty. "It's okay, Mom! She's not crying!" or "But I'm sorry, Mom." (meaning, doesn't that make it all better, no matter the offense?)

We made his cake together, he was looking forward to this for days. This was a highlight for both of us.

My napper

2010-04-14T20:48:00.001-07:00

Yet again, I'm posting about my little napper. He will turn 4 at the end of this month, and still LOVES his naps! The girls were so done with naps by this age.

He is an early riser, and today he was particularly tired all morning. He wanted to nap, "but after I play I Spy!" So he took a little turn on the computer game of I Spy, and while I was planting a few flowers in the yard, he crawled into the guest bed and went to sleep.

Twice.

I woke him up from his first 30 minute nap to pick the girls up from school, and then he came home, had a snack, and I found him right back in this bed for a 2 hour nap.

Guess who's up late tonight?

I was trying to take a picture with both the computer game and Jack napping.

Still needs his blanket

Isaac Haws Cowart

2010-04-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome, little nephew. We love you to pieces already!

Microwave mishaps

2010-04-11T18:03:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, while Greg and I were working on yard stuff, the three oldest children were in the kitchen "playing" with the microwave. We didn't know about this, until Grace ran out with a frozen Capri Sun and asked if it was metal.

She'd heard me say before that we can't put anything metal in the microwave. She explained with great animation how it began to spark and smoke and that she quickly opened the microwave and blew out the fire. Nice.

A short while later we heard Jack howling.

They had put a popsicle in a cup in the microwave and Eve said they pressed the "ADD MINUTE" button. Then they all took turns burning themselves on the boiling hot liquid!

Grace burned her throat. Eve burned her tongue. And Jack spat it out on his shirt, and that's when we heard the howling.

What to do?

The girls complained of sore tongues and throats for awhile, but all I could think to do was give them some apple cider vinegar to drink. (Vinegar can help when splashed on a new burn. I've tried it before and it's seemed to work.) Grace said it really helped. Eve didn't feel much improvement. Jack wouldn't touch the vinegar.

The children learned that a little liquid cooked for a long time will be very hot. And the microwave is off-limits.

Spring Break 2010 in Pictures

2010-04-07T20:33:00.001-07:00

Mom, Megan and Dad (and froggie)

Auntie Meggie and Esther

A visit to Papa Bruce's Office

Palm Sunday Play

Eve clocks herself when running into bed in the dark in the attic.

GREAT WOLF LODGE

Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!!!

Esther thinking she's hot stuff in some boots like her siblings.

Got to see a dear friend from high school and her adorable son!

Easter Sunday with baskets from Grami and Papa

On the drive home, Eve loses a tooth

March 25

2010-03-25T20:50:00.000-07:00

I had my biopsy.

I came home and slept it off.

While I was waking up, I saw Jack playing quietly on the trampoline. It looked like he was watching an insect of sorts. He likes to catch exhausted flies by the windows in our house.

He thought he was "playing with a fly."

Jack is our second child to be stung by a bee.

After I got the stinger out (as fast as I could) he was a champ, and handled it quite bravely.

A House of Zones

2010-03-24T10:54:00.001-07:00

Recently, for Family Home Evening (FHE), we've decided to focus on a verse from the Doctrine and Covenants.

Last week, we focused on the "organize" and "house of order" part, by assigning cleaning and tidying responsibilities to the children, by dividing the house into zones. (My sister with six kids shared this idea with me after many iterations of chore charts. It is really simple and I love it! Thanks, Jessica!)

Anyway, last night during FHE, Grace made some alterations to the scripture we're learning, adding some things we've been talking about lately:

Gospel doctrine according to Grace. LOL!

DOGS

2010-03-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

Eve wants a dog. She has wanted a dog for a couple years now. She reminds me of myself when I was her age. Except, I didn't like spiders. Eve loves ALL creatures, great and small.

Our friend invited us over to play with her dogs yesterday after school.

Her dogs are bernese mountain dogs.

I mentioned to the kids that they are big and fluffy. Grace was immediately worried. I explained they were super friendly, but she was nervous.

Upon arrival, when the big, excited, fluffy mammoths bounded up to (and one came into) our car, Grace's nervousness morphed to terror. Tears were shed.

But these dogs really were lovely. Just lots of licking, panting and bounding about.

Grace kind of warmed to the smaller nervous girl, but stayed terrified of the big, playful, boy.

Jack teased the dogs a bit. He learned that if he ran, they would run after him. He toyed with them, egging them on to chase him, and then his impish expression changed to fear as he ran full pelt away from the dogs (around the car and into my arms). Cheeky boy.

Eve was in her element. She fed them treats (she got to wear the "treat bag" on her hip) and loved them to pieces. (By the way, she had sandals, but left them in the car on purpose!)

Toothless

2010-03-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

Grace lost her first front tooth today during Primary at church.

She was very excited!

Now she matches with Eve.

Grace will get her replacement front tooth before Eve, though! Shhh!

Only about one more year, Eve, and we should see a change!

Grout

2010-03-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

We have one bathroom.

It is a high traffic area!

The grout is, of course, white. Well, it's supposed to be white. Ha!

Greg spent an hour cleaning the grout, and what a difference.

We sealed it, too.

We wonder how long it will stay white . . .

Eve's Crush

2010-03-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

My 5-year-old has a major crush.

She's had it since the 2nd month of school.

HE is the reason Eve started to enjoy going to school. He built a fort with her during class.

He made her a necklace a few months ago made of blue yarn, with little letter blocks that spell her name.

She has told me, on more than one occasion, in the most twitter-pated voice, that she is "in love with Lachlan. I want to marry him."

Today, seemingly unrelated, I was reminding her that she can put things in her "special box." (This is my attempt at not throwing away things that are really special to them. They can put it in their special box. Thanks, Angie, for the idea!)

She told me she didn't have anything to put in it. If she did, it would probably be a doll of Lachlan. And then she said, "But then! I'd have a crush on a doll! Hahahaha!"

This is serious. Major crush going on here.

Berkeley with Jessie

2010-03-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

This week I got a call from our dear friend and former babysitter, Jessie. She was coming to California to visit her mom this weekend and wanted to get together. Lucky us!!! She mentioned Tilden Regional Park as a meeting place and I'm so glad she did. Greg and I were unaware of this beautiful park, and we all had a fantastic time!

By the way, the drive into the park has a spectacular view of the Bay.

Botanical Gardens

Eve found a resident cat who let her cuddle it.

I LOVE Esther peeking out here

The Redwood Tree section of the garden

Little Farm, a little drive from the garden

This is a very large park

Eve was in heaven

Jack feeding a cow

After the park, we went to UC Berkeley. Greg had always wanted to see the campus.

The Campanile (Sather Tower)

At the top

Another spectacular view

You can see why it's called the Golden Gate

We love Jessie. It was a tearful goodbye.

Outing to the Oakland Temple

2010-03-09T09:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, I let Grace and Eve dress up as fairies in public. They won't always want to do it. I will miss it, when they've grown out of it.

Great Sleeping Bear

2010-03-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

My Jack loves his sleep. It is very important to him. He will take naps on his own. This has recently become a problem, as he will then stay up until 10pm. So unless his nap starts before noon, I try to keep him awake.

One Sunday, he was "reading" his favorite book, The Bernstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree. I noticed a little later that all was quiet (girls were outside, Esther napping). I found that he'd read to the page below, which reminded him of how tired he was, because he left the book right then and went to our room to take a nap.

This Sunday, Greg passed out for a nap. At 4:30pm we found Jack newly asleep on the back bedroom floor and Greg quickly whisked him up to wake him.

Jack was so sad, he cried, "But YOU got a nap! And I'm tired too!"

"Peeze"

2010-03-02T10:05:00.001-08:00

Yep.

Esther said it.

On Sunday.

She wanted to eat something I had in my hand and I asked her to sign "please."

She immediately, with vigor, signed AND said it in that sing-songy way kids do, "Peeze!"

Actually is may have been more like, "Peeee!"

It was beautiful.

P.S. Words that she says regularly: "Mama" and "Dada"

P.P.S. Words that she signs: (all the time) down, diaper change, milk, hot, hurt (sometimes) eat, dad, mom, more, bath

Fruitless Fig

2010-03-01T09:42:00.000-08:00

You know how the scriptures speak of the importance of fruit being good?

(Matthew 7:16-20, Luke 6:43, John 15:2, Alma 5:36, Jacob 5)

Well, we have a fig tree, that for two seasons has not brought forth good fruit! It is dry, tasteless, bad fruit.

Yet it produces a ton of figs, and drops them all over the ground, and then it does the same with its leaves (which are actually lovely). But it makes a large mess.

Greg believes this tree must be "hewn down." So Saturday morning, I look out the window and see this. (The photos are courtesy of Gracie, who realized this must be documented):

The girls hate change. They don't like it when I get rid of raggy and tattered dress up clothes that don't fit anymore. They were crying about this tree. But we will plant another "fruitful" tree in its stead! :)