Enjoy Your Lemonade

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T20:57:00.001-06:00

I remember Halloween as a kids and absolutely LOVING it. My kids (most kids) loved it too. Asher kept complaining of a stomach ache the night before because he was so excited and Eden just couldn't stop dancing and hopping around from excitement. Cache and I were a little frustrated because we wanted some down time, but it didn't come until an hour or so after bedtime. I am so grateful to have kids that I can

re-live these fun moments with.

right before leaving for school.

Our sweet little cupcake.

Harry Potter-who was so excited that people recognized who he was

Thing 2

Asher with his buddies G&L. So glad we got to go with these guys, we stayed out so late we closed the neighborhood down. Get me, Barb, and Alyson together and we will do it right :)

Halloween Piano recital. How fun is this? It made it a little hectic, but it was a lot of fun to sit outside listen to the students sing and perform their piano pieces and then gather for quick donuts and cider afterwards.

school parade.

Eden and her posse.

They all went out on their own this year. They loved it except for the neighbor boy scaring them (eden) to tears with his chainsaw. She didn't crumble and stay inside the rest of the night though, she did buck up and go back out. Got to be proud of her for that. Love you Eden and your tender little personality.

Our pumpkins.
Asher is just a little Harry obsessed right now which is just fine because I think it is so cute.
If you are wondering where ainsley's is, it is sitting in our house un-carved because she was so ornery she had to take a nap instead of carving (mean I know) I am feeling a little guilty over it actually.

Amanda

2011-10-25T09:06:00.000-06:00

Here is a story of a girl who moved to the USof A all the way from Germany. This girl had a boyfriend who also lived in Germany, but moved to the USof A to learn a new a language and then move to the Ukraine for two years. This girl was sad and wanted to send some pictures of herself so he wouldn't forget her. Here are those pictures..........

Does this pose look familiar?? It's Ainsley inspired.

Happy Dance

2011-10-24T22:28:00.001-06:00

Somewhere Ainsley has learned about Happy Dance. Today I did something she was proud of (shutting the gate to our backyard so deer can't get in-random)and then she said "good job mommy, Happy Dance!" she did a short little dance and then struck a pose. It was so funny I ran to get my camera and she gladly re-enacted her poses

This girl is so funny, she keeps us all laughing. I wish I could just freeze time with her and keep her this age forever.

2011-10-10T22:21:00.000-06:00

Cache and I spent our anniversary in Jackson Hole, WY. A few weeks late due to Cache being in Beijing on our actual anniversary. I have to admit I was a little wary about Jackson, I have never been there and it just didn't seem fun in my mind. Well, it was fun and super relaxing. We hiked to taggart lake, we drove through the Teton national park, ate lunch at a beautiful lodge, searched for bear (didn't find any), and slept-in without any interruptions. Sleep without any interruptions for 2 nights is complete heaven.

Oxbow Bend-Jackson Hole, WY

The colors were so pretty and I really would love to take a trip up there every fall. The first day we were there it was a little cold and we walked through a few snow flurries. It was also so cloudy we couldn't see the tetons and I was bummed because we had just driven 5 1/2 hours and I wanted to see the mountains! The next day waas BEAUTIFUL The air was cool, but not too cool, perfect for sweaters (my favorite), and the tetons peeked out of the clouds. They are just as gorgeous as they are on TV (as seen in modern family the week before :)).

Taggart Lake

Our own Ollivander

2011-09-19T22:19:00.003-06:00

Our friends told Asher that Hogwarts was real and he will get a post delivered to him by an Owl on his 11th birthday asking him to attend wizard school and he totally believes it. So until he gets his official wand from Hogwarts he decided to whittle himself a makeshift one and also one for a few of the neighborhood kids.

A few of the wands.

Since this picture was taken these wands have been stained and a handle has been added.

Poor Asher was devastated when Cache and I told him the we were muggles and there was a small chance that he was a real wizard. But he is thinking positively and well, I guess we'll find out if he is Hogwarts bound in about 5 years.

Asher's first day

2011-09-09T12:00:00.000-06:00

It's been long in the waiting, but Asher finally started Kindergarten. He was so excited to sit in class and learn (sounds fun doesn't it).

A tradition for the kindergartners at our school is to decorate a gingerbread man in way that he wouldn't be recognized as a gingerbread man. Asher wanted a lego Ninjago as his. It was a fun project for us to work on together. I drew it all on paper and he did all the cutting. He did pretty good didn't he?

We were bored waiting for carpool so, I asked to him to jump in the air while I took his pictures. He reminds me of a leprechaun.

Good luck in K-grade little Man!!

4th Grade

2011-08-22T21:54:00.002-06:00

Eden is entering 4th grade!! Which is so crazy to me, I remember 4th grade. It wasn't that long ago (wink). I had Mrs. Nissin at C.H. Taylor Elementary in Ogden. I remember learning cursive. I remember thinking John M. was cute. I remember the new girl Mariesa. I remember long division. I remember thinking I was so close to being an adult (wink, wink).

Eden thinks she is an adult, she is learning cursive and long division, she is the new girl (in a round about way), and as much as she denies it I am sure there is, or will be a boy that she is going to think is cute.

Welcome to 4th Eden!

I am so glad I get to be the mom of this sweet girl.

12x12 August

2011-08-12T11:22:00.000-06:00

I am falling behind, I realize it. But to be honest it is not entirely my fault. Our computer died, like really died,gave up the ghost. We had to call to Dell and get it fixed, now it is breathing on it's own again and I can attempt to catch up on this silly little blog. So to begin........a 12x12, several weeks late.

1. Monkey Quest.........one of Asher's favorites.
2. Breakfast. Poor kids, they eat cereal just about every morning. I am not even nice enough to buy the fun cereal. Honey Nut Cheerios, Special K with red Berries, and Frosted mini wheat's.........that's all we ever have.
3. Pinterest.........enough said.
4. I helped pick up my friends car from the repair man, that is a weird story in itself, but glad I could help.
5. "let me out of the car mom!" -Ainsley
6. Work, work, work. I love have Cache working form home.
7. coming home from Grandma's house. There is always a surprise to bring home from her house.
8. Ainsley taking a nap with her dolls (she arranged them like this)
9. Banana........our go to snack.
10-12. I guess I got lazy and didn't take my camera on mine and Cache's date night. Imagine pictures of The movie theater, a screen shot of "The Help", and me enjoying a crepe.

Sunday pic July 31st

2011-08-02T21:55:00.006-06:00

I have a bunch of Sunday pictures to catch up on, but for now here is the most recent.

This is my nephew Eric. Sunday was his "farewell". He leaves on the 10th for Costa Rica for 2 years. Good luck Eric!

I know you are wondering (really you probably aren't) why we are all dressed up and Asher has an "Orem Recreation" shirt on. It all started with a delicious chocolate cupcake that was so good his dress shirt and pants wanted a lick (or several). Asher would not get down from the table because he was so embarrassed that he was covered in chocolate. Cache took him down into a cousins room and raided the dirty clothes basket until suitable outfit was found. Oh Asher we love you and how easily embarrassed you get.

July 12x12

2011-07-18T20:55:00.006-06:00

Click on pictures to enlarge

1. Yay! waffles!

2. Daily chores-weeding.

3. The fearsome four: power ranger, avatar, swat, and middle eastern princess. I love these four.

4. Afternoon activity.

5. Paying bills.

6. Water balloon toss, gotta love summer.

7. Ainsley refusing to put her shoes on, two girls trying every trick they could think of to get them on her.

8. Swimming lessons.

9. Ainsley loves the splash pad at the pool (except for the big giant bucket that sporadically dumps huge amounts of water onto innocent little toddlers).

10. buddies

11. Evening Costco run.

12. Bedtime snack on the deck.

July 4th

2011-07-04T22:12:00.000-06:00

Yay! for the 4th of July and the annual neighborhood parade. When we told the kids we were going to be moving back to Utah, they asked if we would be back for the bike parade. This is definitely a short lived tradition that is one of our family favorites.

Our neighborhood gets together for a breakfast and bike parade on the morning of the fourth. It usually consists of a program, flag raising, and the national anthem, but the kids are so ready to get on their bikes it is hard to contain them.

The blue and white six-tuplets.

And the parade would not be complete without brother Haugen's wildfire water extinguisher that he fills with soapy water and fills the street with bubbles. Good times which causes a huge mess on the clothes, but clean asphalt afterwards :)

Ainsley dressing up diva-style at Ms. Barbie's house after the parade.

Culinary Institute

2011-05-14T21:37:00.002-06:00

I guess I am one of those weird women that loves Mother's day. I do sometimes feel guilty with all of the 'ode to mother's' talks in church, about how so and so's mother is so great because she can clean the house, do laundry, cook a nutritious meal, play games with the kids, sew clothes, run 10 miles a day, look beautiful and stylish all while she remodels the house. Ya, that's not me, therefore I feel bad or guilty, but that guilt is easily erased when I am served breakfast in bed or allowed a nap after church. This year our friend Than, asked Cache if he wanted to surprise me with a Culinary Institute cooking class for mother's day. Cache couldn't spend the money without consulting with me first, so it wasn't much of a surprise. How often would I get an opportunity to cook in a culinary institute kitchen and Erica was going and that would make it all the more fun.

Thanks Cache, it was an amazing experience, even though the class turned out to be less of a class and more of an experience. Erica and I were hoping that we would learn some great techniques, but were a little embarrassed that we didn't know how to do a lot of things (that's why you take a class, right?). The Chef at first was a little frustrated, but I think in the end he began to like our amateur personalities.

It was such a beautiful building in the heart of wine country (napa).

I could have taken pictures on the grounds all day.

chef Erica cooking her Pad Thai with THE Chef.

Erica knows all the Thai names of the dishes we made, but this is the spicy coconut chicken soup I made. It was delicious! I have since made it at home and can pull it off pretty good. (I will pat my own back at this time)

mmmmm, delicious. Especially the mango rice you see in the top left corner.

May 12x12

2011-05-12T21:57:00.000-06:00

Warning: I am trying to play catch up, expect a lot of posts with publishing dates from the past months.

1. Growing lady bugs.

2. Ainsley eating a grape.

3&4. Pretty flowers from our yard.

5. Ainsley riding her bike we picked up off of the side of the road (yay for free).

6. Trying to document Ainsley's horribly rough skin.

7. After school snack.

8. Dinner: pringled halibut and rice pilaf.

9&10. Eden's date night to Powell's candy shop.

11. Waiting for school to start: Eden playing i-touch, Ainsley eating breakfast, and who knows what Asher is doing (digging for gold is my guess)

12. Ainsley looks so big in this picture.

Happy Birthday Cache!

2011-05-10T16:50:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday to the best husband ever. I hope you like your TOMS.

Cache turned 34! Although he thought he was turning 35.

Because he is getting so old he forgets his age.

Sunday#10

2011-05-09T16:15:00.001-06:00

Mother's Day! What a fun day. Cache and the kids worked so hard to surprise me. I woke up in the morning to a tray of my favorite breakfast foods; Toast, Simply Orange Juice and Pillsbury Orange rolls. I was able to spend all morning taking my time to get ready for church without the hustle and bustle of ironing clothes, doing hair, preparing snacks. Cache took care of all that. Eden was a little upset that I wasn't allowed to do her hair, but she settled on a down 'do and she looked great. At church we had a small yucky moment when we found a tick on the back of Ainsley neck and I almost started freaking out. I haven't had to deal with ticks before, but everything I have heard is to smother them with Vaseline, which I didn't have at church (nope, I don't carry Vaseline in my purse). I went out into the foyer hoping someone would come out who knew what they were doing, and a one of my sweet friends came out and said I needed to get it out as quickly as possible before it dug in deeper and became more engorged. We found someone with tweezers 9which I thought was a big no, no) and I had an alcohol wipe in my Car emergency kit. She was able to pull it out and clean the site and all was good. After church Cache worked hard preparing my meal of choice of Sloppy Joes (don't laugh they're my favorite). It was such a relaxing day and I didn't do anything except enjoy the ones that make me a mom.

And as a treat Cache and the kids made my favorite dessert.

Chocolate Frosted Angel Food Cake.

I know you are going to want the recipe, because it is so yummy. And fairly Healthy (okay healthy might not be the right word-low in calories is better).

1 angel food cake (we like to make ours from the Betty crocker or Pillsbury mix)

1 tub cool whip (you can even use light cool whip)

Nestle Quick chocolate milk mix

Make Angel food cake according to package directions, be sure to use an angel food cake pan.

Mix cool whip and Nestle quick together and taste as you go for the desired flavor.

Either dollop on individual slices or frost onto entire cake.

YUMMM.

Sunday #9/Easter

2011-04-25T21:30:00.007-06:00

Dressed in their Easter best for the 2nd time.

They rushed in from church and quickly changed before I could get a picture.

Being the mean mom I am, made them change back into their Easter outfits.

We had a Great Easter!

We were lucky enough to have Cache's parents here for the weekend and it was fun to be celebrating a holiday with family again.

After church we had a quick basket hunt (there were no eggs so I can't really call it an egg hunt). We were really lazy and hid each of their individual baskets and then hid two seperate baskets full of candy instead of hiding individual candy pieces. The candy baskets were for everyone, but Asher got to find one and Eden found the other.

Asher was the first to find his personal basket.

Asher had been asking for a Beyblade for awhile, ever since he saw that his buddies in Utah had one. He is OBSESSED with the show, he would watch for hours if we allowed it, some days it is so tempting to turn it on and let him stare at the TV so I can get things done. Anyway, lucky for him the Easter bunny was able to find the very LAST Beyblade at Target.

Eden actually struggled finding her basket, and there were almost tears involved, but she spotted the monkey peeking at her from behind the BBQ.

Poor little Ainsley was actually asleep while Eden and Asher were hunting for their baskets. But she got to have her very own personal hunt-lucky her. she loves her Lily the unicorn pillow.

This wasn't on Easter, it was a few days before. I wanted to have a big Easter egg hunt for some friends, I was planning on doing a huge ward BBQ, but our plans had to change. So, instead I quickly threw together al hunt for Asher's Pre-school friends and families. It was fun! Everyone brought candy to hide and it seemed all the kids came away with fully baskets and bags, which is always a good sign at a hunt.

I think the most special part of this Easter though was studying with Cache the last few hours of Christ's life with the study packet found Here. I gained a deeper understanding of the atonement and the sacrifice Christ made for me.

Sunday#8

2011-04-17T21:57:00.004-06:00

There is a pear orchard not to far from our house. I drove past it the other day and noticed the blossom were just about gone. I needed pictures before they were completely gone!! Here is one of the finished products. Why does Ainsley have to hate the camera so much?!

Maui Day 5

2011-04-16T15:29:00.008-06:00

Monday

We heard from several people that The Gazebo was the place to eat breakfast while in Maui. You have to arrive early though because a line forms when it opens and lasts until 2:00 which is closing time. We arrived at 7:00 and waited until opening at 7:30. I think we were the 5th group in line. We met some nice retirees, I am sure all the younger families show up later. But we learned about buying Maui Condo's and renting them out until retirement age and having a Maui retreat completely paid for by other people. mmmm tempting very tempting.

The Gazebo-Napili Bay, Maui.

While we waited for our order Ainsley discovered Half and Half coffee creamer. She loved it. She hates milk, but loves half and half, weirdo. Notice it dripping from her chin?

Chillin'

He loves when restaurants have those waxy pieces of yarn (i cant remember the name) to play with while you wait.

This is why you eat breakfast at The Gazebo. Banana Macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup. And Tons of their yummy whipped cream. Oh and don't forget the side order of fried rice with egg on top.

Ainsley especially loved the whipped cream and even got it confused with sunscreen and started rubbing it ALL over her legs.

The view from our table.

While you are The Gazebo there are several things to to do. While waiting in line to be seated check out the tide pools. We didn't find anything too interesting, just a rather large colorful dead fish, sea urchins and a few crabs (mostly on the dead fish). Tide pools are in the background of this picture.

After Breakfast walk over to what we call turtle bay and swim with the turtles. A little bit of a rocky entrance, but well worth it.

Turtle Bay

Asher swimming with turtles.

Eden swimming with turtles. they were everywhere! I even went out and got a little spooked because they are so big and just EVERYWHERE. At one point I looked down and saw like 5 right below me and then they started to come up for air and I hurried and swam to the side to get out of their way-I am a wimp.

this is Napili bay which is right next to Turtle bay. We ate here, at the Sea House, on our last night in Maui and it was amazing. We arrived at sunset, there was a wedding on the beach, and the food was so delicious. It made for a great night. I am glad I had taken this picture the day before. I had heard about the Sea House, but didn't know I was taking a picture of it when I took this until right now when I was posting it here.

Thanks Erica for all of your recommendations. I think these were all of yours.

Day 4

2011-04-13T15:31:00.006-06:00

Sunday.

Stone Cold Ainsley

Ainsley insisted on wearing my hat even though she has her own that actually fits. I asked her if I could take a picture and this is how she posed. She didn't change her facial expression until I snapped the picture. No amount of coaxing could get her to smile. yes that is chocolate all down the front of her and smeared across her face-it adds so much to the picture don't you think?

Everyone took a bathroom break before we took a short road trip. Ainsley went in the men's restroom with Cache and Asher. They came out and Ainsley began fussing and sayin "me, there" and pointing back at the restroom. She wouldn't stop fussing until Cache had taken her back in and sat her on the toilet. Notice the toilet paper in her hand. Nothing happened, but she had to do it , and she wiped. It is kind of ironic though because neither of the boys used the restroom sitting down. Maybe she will be like her sister and be potty trained at 2 (wouldn't that be great?)

Deep in thought at Iao needle, really she was just bored.

Iao needle is a tall mountain in a jungle type area not far from where we were staying. It was fun to see a different landscape other than just beach. I still prefer the beach though.

at the top of the walk (not so much a hike)

i dared them to get into the water

Eden took the dare to the next step and decided to cross the river.

Half way there.

yeah!! she made it. She slipped and fell in on the way back-hahaha. Actually Asher fell in first and Eden laughed so hard, so you can imagine how hard Asher laughed when Eden fell in.

ahhh, my mouth waters just seeing this picture. If you ever go to Maui, you HAVE to go to Ululani's for shaved ice. We went there almost everyday.

If you go get the Haleakala flavor. mmmmm half coconut, half pina colada with Sweetened condensed milk drizzled over the top. Pure Heaven.

the kids got chocolate and blue raspberry. It tasted like a tootsie pop.

12x12 April

2011-04-12T14:48:00.002-06:00

01. Morning Workout

02. Ainsley slept until 9. small miracle.

03. Preschool snack time.

04. These boys LOVE Super Mario Bros.

05. Preschool learned about the English knight St. George who defeated a dragon. They made a shield with the flag of England on it.

06. Banana with peanut butter and chocolate, perfect afternoon snack.

07. Eden is reading Harry Potter #2.

08. We discovered Pop Chips while we were in Hawaii. Ainsley loves them.

09. chores. Eden empty's the dishwasher everyday.

10. Skype with our friends the Jensen's.

11. Dinner would not get hot enough. grrrr. poor Cache and Eden could only eat the side dishes because the chicken wasn't done in time for them to go to scouts and Activity days.

12. Cache taking care of some business.

2011-04-10T22:58:00.000-06:00

Day 3

We attended the Drums of the Pacific luau at the Hyatt Hotel. The kids loved it.

all the juice Ainsley could drink-woohoo!

Waiting in line.

Asher love the fire dance, he though he had seen an actual fire bender.

They had to meet their true life Avatar fire bender.

We had to search this performer down, because I thought he had such a cute smile.

During one part of the show they welcomed people onto the stage to learn a hula dance. Ainsley had to participate......................

Asher too........

Eden was the first to get up.............................

Asher picked up on the swaying hips pretty quick..............

Cache was there too!!

Random pictures throughout the evening (click to enlarge)

the Hyatt has amazing grounds with all sorts of animals. The flamingos were very friendly.

Sunday #7

2011-04-10T10:49:00.000-06:00

We are having the most gorgeous weather right now, and I am loving it. Everything is so green and lush from all the rain we received last month. I mentally take note of every field and apple orchard I pass, promising myself to return with kids in tow for a photo shoot.

Home from church.

Asher is the first to start stripping off his Sunday best. Ainsley is in his footsteps, as always, and insists on putting on his tie and vest.

Asher takes revenge by trying on her "jackee" (Jacket/sweater).

Such a ham. I have noticed so many pictures lately of her with her feet crossed and I love it. I wish I wouldn't have cut them off in this picture.

I was clicking through my blog the other day and noticed that there isn't one picture of me. I swallowed my pride and decided to use the remote and be in the family shot. I am part of the family....right?

{Maui}

2011-04-08T18:53:00.005-06:00

Day 2

We started off at "Baby Beach" which is a beach protected by rock embankments we thought we would get the kids used to salt water before we added waves into the equation.

Ainsley wasn't sure about the water, but she was constantly into the snack bag.

Asher's treasure he found while snorkeling.

He also found a scary sea creature wiggling around in the current, he thought it might eat him. He started FREAKING out and yelling "ahhh!!! it's moving, it's going to get me!!!" all while pumping his arms and kicking his legs trying to get away. I was a little scared swimming over to him wondering what he saw. I put my mask on and looked down to see a piece of moss swaying with the motion of the water. Maybe we shouldn't have watched Disney's Oceans movie the night before we arrived in Hawaii.

Signature pose. (Just for you Amanda)

Ainsley loved the flippers.

After Baby beach the kids wanted to find the waves, so we drove North to Kapalua.

Asher got the idea pretty quick.

Eden struggled with the idea. She would plop down in the sand and hope a wave would reach her.

cache loved it.

Ainsley liked the "tookey's" translation=turkey's

(she calls all birds turkey's because we have so many at our house

"Ainsley need's to get in the water"

And then it started to rain. They aren't wet from the ocean.

A little surprise while we sat on the beach. If you look close you can see his spray of water on the left.

MAUI

2011-04-07T22:01:00.005-06:00

Day 1

We loved MAUI!! Our plane landed at 11:50 local time and after making our Costco stop for groceries and lunch, we headed to the beach. We explored for a while and decided that our beach was a little too rocky for swimming so we went to the pool.

The kids loved the pool, Cache and I loved the beach. Lucky for us the pool was right on the beach. The kids could swim and we could stare at the waves. problem solved.

A nice family gave us their boogie boards, which made the kids excited to try them out on the waves. Anything to get them into the ocean! Although, we told them they had to wait until the next day when we could find some better waves.

"Eden stop plugging your nose!!"

She did eventually learn to jump in without plugging her nose, but she doesn't prefer it.

Ainsley loved the pool too, but look at that diaper!! We were so excited to get in our swimsuits and to the water that we forgot to put a swim diaper on Ainsley.

Notice Asher's life jacket? By the end of the trip he was swimming with out it! We need more pool exposure.

Lawrence Hall

2011-03-28T21:45:00.004-06:00

As I mentioned before, it has been raining A LOT! Our neighbor told us that this is the most rain the bay area has seen since 2005. With so much rain our plans of exploring are very limited. This particular Saturday, we decided to take Cache to the Lawrence Hall museum of Science, on the campus of UC Berkley. We have a pass, the kids like it, it's indoors, and Cache had never been there it worked out great.

The kids enjoy playing in the huge peg boards (or whatever they are called), you know those things made of millions of nails that mold your face, hand, feet, or whatever you choose to form. They think it is so funny to press their bodies into them. Eden keeps her mouth open...eww.

My favorite part are the Kapla blocks, they can be stacked so high. It's hard to tell, but the tower that Asher is standing next to is my creation and it was probably a head taller than me. Eden built one a a few feet taller than her and had to use a stool to reach the top. At the end we gave Ainsley the honor of tipping my tower over-It freaked her our and she started crying.

On Saturday's in the basement they have experiment labs and the kids learned to make an automaton. We had to figure out the "gears" and posts to make our snake on top dance. Ours ended up spinning and moving up and down. So much learning and so much fun!

Here are some funny pictures:

At least they are funny to me because when Eden was born I was so into her looking perfect all of the time. I look at Ainsley in these and think I would have never left the house with Eden wearing this outfit. Eden sometimes dresses Ainsley and most of the time she does a pretty good job, but this time her choice just didn't jive. Polka dots, argyle, twinkle toes, and flowers. We called her Punky Brewster all day. And guess what? she wore it the whole day, in public, and I let her.

Sunday #6/sick baby

2011-03-28T11:01:00.004-06:00

The other 2 kids didn't make it in this weeks Sunday picture, I think they were in their rooms because Cache and I had had enough of them. Unfortunately I was really mature and told them I was sick of them and needed them to go away for a little bit, igh I felt like mud afterwards. How awful to hear that from your mom. Live and learn. I blame it on the excessive amounts of rain we have had lately, so much that after a few steps outside you are drenched. I was worried our house would slide off the hill. It didn't, and today the sun is shining and it's a brand new day.

Ainsley woke up from her nap with a high fever and she was very lethargic. So sad, but REALLY?? We haven't been sick all winter and then 3 days before we are supposed to go on a vacation Ainsley gets sick. Double igh. Lots of vitamins, fluid, sleep and anti-bacterial wash for us.

Great website.

2011-03-20T19:31:00.001-06:00

I want to share this website. We are loving it. I want to start a scripture journal now. Cache and I have started to used some the scripture study ideas. Even Eden is using some of the advice she gives on studying the scriptures. The Redheaded hostess. <---click

Sunday #5

2011-03-20T19:16:00.002-06:00

I finally got a picture of the kids before we left for church!

I snapped it quick because Cache was yelling that we were going to be late, which resulted in weird exposures and out of focus.

Oh well.

YEAH! for Sunday Pictures.

newt+St. Patty's day

2011-03-18T23:08:00.005-06:00

We love discovering new creatures around our yard. We found this little guy crawling into our garage. Eden wanted to put him him in Miss. trunchbulls water (from Matlida).

We stuck him in a jar for a while and then let him go after reading that newts are very poisonous and can kill any predator including a human (but only if ingested).

St. Patricks Day: I woke up the morning of the 17th to Asher's footsteps running down the stairs in hopes of finding a leprechaun in his trap that he had made at preschool. At that moment, after coming out of my grogginess, my stomach sunk because I had realized the leprechaun had forgot to come. I quickly met a disappointed Asher in the kitchen and convinced him that the leprechaun was trying to fool him into thinking he hadn't come and was hiding for the right time to pull his pranks. I told him he better go back up to bed and listen closely for anything out of the ordinary. The leprechaun then proceeded to drop gold Rolo candies around the house, tip over the chairs, and fall into the trap. Luckily he was able to use his leprechaun cane and puncture a hole through the trap and escape without having to grant any wishes. Although, Cache and I heard the commotion of his escape and made a ruckus trying to catch him so he would have to grant Asher's wish of being an Avatar. Our ruckus brought Asher back down the stairs in a hurry, but he had just missed the leprechaun escaping through the front door. He was very disappointed. The ruckus also woke up Eden who started to get teary eyed because we had started the festivities without her. She cheered up after she collected a few gold pieces. And Asher talked about ALMOST catching a leprechaun the entire day. proof is here.

evidence of a failed Leprechaun trap

That evening we enjoyed our traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage. Actually, Cache and Nahil (a woman I visit teach) enjoyed it because I had the WORST migraine and had to leave the table and take a hot shower and lay in a dark room. The kids didn't enjoy it because they simply just didn't like it.

A new addition to our meal was a delicious glaze:

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup spicy mustard

2 TBL. vinegar

Heat in a sauce pan until sugar dissolves. pour over corned beef and vegetables.

If you make corned beef you have to try this glaze, it is so good and added so much to the meal. I did try it the next day and loved it.

12x12 March

2011-03-16T22:04:00.003-06:00

We all knew it would happen.....I forgot to document my 12th this month. I remembered the night of the 11th, I was excited. I woke up on the 12th and didn't think about it until 9pm that night. So this month I am excited to announce a special edition of 12x12 called the 12x14!

1. I love when Ainsley stands on her Tiptoes. It reminds me of her older sister who walked on her toesies as a baby and still does as a 9 year old.

2. my meals have become a ritual (at least bfast and lunch). I feed the kids first so I can sit down with a book and slowly enjoy my food and my reading.

3. When it is time to leave our little slice of heaven I will miss many many things. Safeway is NOT one of them. I miss my Wal-mart neighborhood market.

4. Lunch making for Eden.

5. Asher's first "egg in a basket" breakfast. He ate the bread around the egg and left the actual egg. I won't make that again.

6. I just started visiting a sweet older woman from Lebanon. I took her to Costco with me and she gave me some yummy meyer lemons. Any suggestions on what to do with them?

7. Ainsley conducting FHE.

8. Asher LOVES Ainsley (for the time being). The other day he said "things are just so much funner when Ainsley is around". ahhh sweet!

9. "shhhh" time for lesson.

10. Lesson taught by Cache about making our burdens lighter.

11. Biscoff spread=Heaven. My niece who just moved in with my parents from Germany introduced us to a spread call speculoos (sp?), mmm so delicious, but I haven't been able to find it here in the U.S.A. Until she (and my mom and sister) came to visit me a few weeks ago and we were at Fisherman's wharf and there was an entire store dedicated to the biscoff cookies. They had this spread, I wanted to know if it was the same stuff. So we bought a jar and asked for spoons and dug in. It was the exact same stuff!! So good!! If you see it buy it and eat it, you can thank me later.

12.My first birchbox came!! it's so fun to get great mail.

Funny Story

2011-03-15T15:06:00.009-06:00

We have a story that Cache and I like to giggle about. We told it to the kids a few weeks ago for FHE. It's a story about me being cranky (no surprise). It goes like this................

3 or 4 years ago, in October, our doorbell rang at about 9:00 PM. I went to the door irritated that the doorbell might wake-up our 4 year old and infant. When I opened the door, no one was there. I grew more frustrated and knew it must have been one of Cache's 11 year old scouts out playing a fun game of "doorbell ditch". A minute or two later it happened again, now I was getting really angry. Again, the doorbell rang for the third time, I ran to the door and indeed found one of the scouts stooping by our front door. The cranky mom surfaced in myself and I began to lash out at the scout. "Jacob!! Why are you doorbell ditching us?? You are going to be in soo much trouble if you wake up my kids!! What are you doing out this late on a school night?? I am going to call your mom!!" Jacob, at that point, had this look of fear in his eyes and quickly glanced down at our door step. My eyes followed his, and on the doorstep was a bucket full of Halloween treats and goodies for our family. I instantly began apologizing and Jacob quickly ran down the drive-way just in time to be picked up by his mom driving down the street. Poor Jacob!! I was so embarrassed, I had just yelled at one of the sweetest boys in the neighborhood and all he was doing was trying to do something nice.

After the story, we told the kids they each needed to pick someone who they wanted to "ding dong ditch". I found these cute printables and we made up these boxes and we were on our way. They had a lot of fun and luckily they didn't run into any cranky moms.

**If we do this again I think I will wrap the boxes in brown paper, ding dong boxes are so UGLY!**

Sunday #4

2011-02-27T21:33:00.004-07:00

Tonight we played the game of "Life". Asher won with 1.5 million dollars, I came in second with 1.4 million, next was Cache with 1.2 million, Eden brought in the end with 600,000.

I now feel like I need to take a rest. Sometimes games at our house get a little crazy between wrestling Ainsley, trying to convince the loser that it is just a game, keeping the winner from dancing on the table, and any other little (or big) obstacle that comes in our way before we can finish the game. The memories are worth it........right?

Chinese Lunar New Year Parade

2011-02-21T14:30:00.007-07:00

When we heard about this parade a month or two ago I knew it was something I wanted to go to. When the actual day came around it was POURING rain. Cache and I debated back and forth throughout the day whether we should go or not. Finally we decided- what the heck, how often do you live in a city with a parade this big (it's boasted to be one of the largest parades in the world). So we bundled up the kids, bought some ponchos, toted our umbrellas and headed for the BART to go into the city.

Our brave friends the Erickson's came with us-Rachel is such a great planner and had something for us to do until the parade started.

It rained, and rained, and rained the entire night. It was so cold and by the end we were all soaked to the bone. Ainsley cried most of the time (I would hate to be wrapped in a garbage bag too -it was really a poncho), I got poked in the head with a few umbrella spokes, and some of the Chinese folk were very pushy.

It was worth it though, and the kids were troopers and will never forget it. The uncomfortable moments are the ones you remember the most, right? It was fun to see the dragons and the floats and costumes. And even though we were drenched, miserable, and tired we still had to eat dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant Asia Palace-If anyone visits we will take you there-they pretty much know us by name and have our order ready as we walk in the door. As customers leave the owner fills your arms with bags of fresh organic produce and tasty treats for the kids. You will literally walk out of the door with a bag worth more than what you spent at the restaurant.

Oh Good Golly.

2011-02-17T21:37:00.008-07:00

Miss Ainsley, you had way too much fun at nap time today.

You were supposed to be sleeping, but instead you were coloring.

I heard you in your room talking and playing, but I thought "Hey, she's being good and I am enjoying my free time. I will leave her in there a little longer".

I should've listened to my mom when she said.....

a child that is being good for too long is up to no good.

I have one question for you little Ainsley......

how did you get that marker when you were caged in your crib? I am almost certain it wasn't in there when I layed you down to sleep.

*added note: this just added to the messes this little one made today: 3 bowls of cheerios dumped on the floor (good thing I only put about a tablespoon of milk in her cereal), toilet water splattered all over the bathroom floor (thank goodness it was flushed), and a diaper that didn't quite do it's job resulting in poop smeared all over her undershirt (the diaper was put on crooked and only covered one bum cheek-my fault, but caused by her nonetheless).

Baker Beach on a Sunday evening

2011-02-16T15:22:00.006-07:00

We love going into San Francisco. Cache goes everyday, but the kids and I maybe make it there every other week. Last Sunday we decided to head to the beach and fly our kite. So. Much. Fun!!

(My favorite picture)

I love the beach. I don't need to get in the water, but I love to watch and hear the waves, feel the breeze on my face, walk in the sand. I just love it, so this was an extra fun evening for me.

(I love that the moon is showing itself in this picture)

We never have been able to get our kites to fly very well, but this day must have been perfect conditions for kite flying. Our butterfly soared through the sky. At one point a hawk got very close to our butterfly. I think their friends :)

Our friend Lily joined us and brought her fun kites too. We had 3 kites gliding through the breeze.

Asher stared at the waves for a while, and even brought out the Avatar in himself and tried some water-bending (have you seen "avatar: the last airbender")

He couldn't resist and had to get in the water. He filled his bucket full several times until he was completely drenched from the waste down.

After he was drenched he wrapped in a blanket and flew the kite again. If this was a video you would be able to see his teeth chattering. Every time we go to the beach he insists on getting wet, but ends up freezing cold. He was tough this time though, we didn't hear one complaint from him (there is usually a lot of tears). When will I learn to bring him extra clothes?

Ainsley was cold, but found a way to keep warm. She loves the beach too!

*meet my children Eden (Peanut), Asher (Fin)-although we love the name fin and might keep calling him that permanently(it's his middle name) and Ainsley (Meadow). The days of their Alias' are now done with*

sunday #3

2011-02-13T23:06:00.002-07:00

Baker Beach San Francisco, CA.

ahhh, You win some, you lose some.

february 12x12

2011-02-12T22:40:00.001-07:00

Yay! the 12th came again. I was pretty excited to take pictures today, although by the end of the day I realized it was a little tougher to take 12 pictures of 12 different activities through the day.

1. Cache and I have started running every Saturday morning. A good time to talk and have some alone time together. Today was a wimpy day, we only ran 2.5 miles-I will just say that I HATE running hills.

2. Oakland LDS Stake women's conference. "finding Joy in the journey". Excellent. I attended workshops on receiving personal revelation, mothering young children, and Marriage.

3. Bubbles with Peanut's friend Lorelei.

4. Meadow enjoyed the bubbles too.

5. Oakland LDS temple.

6. My temple date.

7. view from the temple as we left. The Oakland Temple sits on a hill looking over the east bay skyline, it's absolutely breathtaking.

8. Walking in Berkley.

9. Dinner at La Mediterannee. Who knew I like mediterranean food?! Wine bottles filled the place.

10. ahhh, who could resist?

11. Dinner consisted of Hummus, baba ghannoush, tabuleh, Armenian potato salad, pomegranate Chicken, Dolmas, levant sandwiches, Chicken cilicia, grecian spinach and feta, lulu kebab (which I could have done with out, I am not a lamb fan).. Needless to say we brought half of it home, it was a LOT of food. We wanted to try everything so we ordered the sampling platter.

12. Beautiful flowers. No winter doldrums with these around in February.

Sunday pic #2

2011-02-06T19:43:00.003-07:00

This definitely isn't the best picture we took today, but it just truly shows the personality's of my kids.

Meadow with her "grumpy lips" face

Finley with his "I have to make a face and be silly at all times for every photo" face

Peanut with her "I aim to please and do whatever you ask" face

Notice the shorts and bare legs(Finley insists on over dressing lately), whoohooo, it is February 6!! It may be the only year Peanut has warm weather for her birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEANUT!

-Yes, those are still Christmas wreaths on our fronts doors. They just add so much to the front of the house I hate to take them down. I hear the SF flower market has beautiful wreaths for reasonable prices, I think I will head there soon.

Bedroom vs Finley

2011-01-31T17:02:00.005-07:00

My kids have chores to do everyday. Tidying up their room is one of their daily chores. Somedays they will clean their room without a problem, but other days seem to require a lot of pestering from me and a lot of tears from the kids (mainly Finley). Today was one of those days where there were tears and pestering.

3:30 pm Monday afternoon

Here is what I found when I went upstairs to check on the progress. I am not sure who won this battle, not the bedroom and not Finley. I guess I will call a rematch tomorrow.

No School+70 Degree Weather

2011-01-24T17:35:00.004-07:00

+an endless pile of laundry I am trying to avoid= a trip to the ZOO!

My kids can never JUST smile....they must always pose.

I begged our friends to come with us...........

well really I just texted them and asked them come with us. I sure am glad they did.

tired babies at the end of a fun day.

Sunday pics

2011-01-23T19:29:00.005-07:00

Another project........................I am joining the ranks of a few fellow bloggers and am going to TRY (key word being TRY) to take a picture of my kids every Sunday. I am already seeing how quickly they change. It's making me sad. I hope they just stop growing.

I attended a "mothering mentoring panel" this week at our relief society activity night (or whatever it's called now). I got a few great ideas on raising kids' bucket, like filling my own bucket before filling my kids. Just like the airplane, you have to put your own air mask on before you put your kids' on. Now I just need to decide what will go in my bucket. So, along with this great advice I also got really scared, 3 out of the 5 moms talked about how their kids have gotten involved with drugs and alcohol, sending kids to wilderness treatment camps, getting calls from the police in the middle of the night, Marijuana at an LDS scout camp, SCARY! It is great to hear that every family isn't perfect and everyone has trials, but these stories were so hard for me to swallow. I feel extremely bad for these families, and now I know were to go for help and advice if such things happen in our family, but I am also SCARED. All I could think of all week was how I was going to protect my kids. My friend and I joked about creating bubbles and not letting our children out of those bubbles. We know that isn't possible, but I sure wish it was. The only conclusion I can come to is a lot of faith and a lot of prayer, which my not protect us from these tragedies but I know it will help us get through them.

So after saying all that (I usually try to stay away from too many words on my blog) here are my sweet, pure little children. I love them.

Morning light

2011-01-17T23:06:00.002-07:00

"Develop a passionate joy in the present"

More on this later. I have to go to bed now. good night.

January 12x12

2011-01-13T14:39:00.004-07:00

I realize I have slacked A LOT on my blog. I just can't find interesting things to blog about and I have lost a little love for my camera (still in love, just not as much). So to get things up and moving I have a few projects I am working on. One is a 12 of 12 project. Every month on the 12 I take 12 pictures to document our day. Following lead of one of my favorite blogs. Yesterday was my first day

(click on picture to enlarge)

1. Breakfast for me. egg, egg white, ham, and laughing cow creamy cheese.

2. Peanut off to school.

3. Meadow in the backseat on the drive to peanut's school. Blanket must be wrapped around her head to provide comfort.

4. Morning exercise with Rachel, James, and Ryan. Rachel and I hoped to get in a couple of miles, but soon found out that with 4 kids who tire easily our goal was too high. Although we did make it 1.6 miles.

5 & 6. Playtime at the park after the walk.

7. Afternoon visitors. I never tire of seeing the turkeys.

8. Facebook and food tracking.

9. Lego's glorious Lego's.

10. Meadow decided to kick back and watch "Little Rascal's" from her high chair.

11. It took me two days but the craft closet is organized.

12. Zinch's new website is up and running, to celebrate Zinch provided Godiva cigars and Martinelli's (Utah approved celebration treats). Cache managed to grab a couple of cigars for the kids.

sleeping prince

2011-01-03T21:58:00.003-07:00

Finley went to Claire's with me sometime before Christmas to shop for a gift for Peanut, while we were searching Fin found a sleeping mask and thought it was so cool, unfortunately for him it had flowers and peace signs all over it. We searched and searched for a boyish sleeping mask, but had no luck until I found this beauty at TJMAXX on Christmas Eve. I had Santa slip it in Fin's stocking.

He sleeps with it on every night for the entire night. Cache thinks he is too pampered.

I do have to admit I had a good friend buy me a sleeping mask in high school and I used it and loved it.

SF House

2010-12-03T12:27:00.005-07:00

So I have had a few requests of some pictures of our house. I have slacked around and haven't gotten to post them, even though I have had most of these pictures since October. So, here it is. Our little abode in the Bay area.

To start off here are some of our animal friends......

The picture on the left is of a coyote (click to enlarge). We always have deer friends. Unfortunately, we have been unable to get pictures of the turkeys (lots of turkeys), squirrels, raccoons, skunks, owls, vultures, and I did see the tail of a rat skury off of our porch a while ago (ewww). Needles to say I don't go outside without making a lot of noise first, especially at night. Our neighbors have told us that cougars and bobcats have been spotted in the area, hmm I hope I am inside when those friends come visiting.

And here is the house....... at least the main floor of the house. Upstairs there are some bedrooms, bathrooms, and an amazing linen closet-nothing too exciting, they're never clean enough to take pictures of :) remember you can click to enlarge.
Notice Meadow in the kitchen at one of her favorite spots (rummaging through the junk drawer) and yes that is Suite life on Deck on the TV. Only the educational stuff is watched at our house.

Christmas pictures

2010-11-08T16:07:00.003-07:00

It's that time of the year again. Christmas pictures must be taken. I usually only take a picture of the kids for the cards, but this year I included Cache and myself. You'll have to wait until you get the card to see the final, but here are a few outtakes. Well, not really outtakes. I love them and I'm going to put them on my wall.

Halloween

2010-11-02T11:08:00.004-06:00

Here is a re-cap of our Halloween, some of you saw the original post, but it had to be deleted because I messed up the HTML and didn't know how to fix it. I am too lazy to re-write it.

new do.

2010-10-22T12:15:00.002-06:00

Meadow is rockin' a new do. what do you think? It usually lasts a total of 2 minutes, before she has pulled it out

And since we are on the subject of Meadow. Here is what I do all day..............
I am constantly lifting this girl off of the table. Seriously, CONSTANTLY! This particular morning, she decided she was still hungry and helped herself to the older kids' breakfast leftovers.

Mr. Spidey.

2010-10-13T23:37:00.005-06:00

I don't like spiders. They give me the shivers and a stomach ache. I try to act brave in front of the kids, but inside I am screaming. I looked out the window tonight and this is what I saw......

(Only one spider and a few reflections due to the beveled glass in the window)

I checked Mr. Spidey one more time before bed and this is what I saw.............

(That is a big moth.....Stomach begins to churn)

I am thinking of framing this last picture to add to my halloween decorations. Kinda creepy.

So here is the question: I bought some spider spray which is supposed to keep spiders at bay for over a year. We live in the woods and therefore have a lot of spiders. A lot of spiders= a lot of webs which we are constantly walking through or putting our hands on as we reach for the outside railing. Do I use the spray and kill spiders or do I come to a mutual understanding with them that if they don't hurt me, I won't hurt them? What should I do? Part of me says "die spidey die" the other part says "do they really need to DIE??".

Smile.

2010-10-12T22:14:00.004-06:00

I opened the door to giggles running down our endless driveway and these on our front steps:

They brought a smile to my face on a day which my face has not had a smile. So, Thank You!!

Never underestimate small acts of service.

2010-10-12T18:07:00.002-06:00

This picture makes me laugh, because this is a face we see often in our household right now. Fin is our bundle of energy. 100% pure boy. Constantly wanting to wrestle, punch, or kick anything in his way including his sisters. He loves superheros, Avatar the Last Airbender, Spongebob, video games, and playing war outside with his Trans-former walkie talkies. By the end of the day it is time to pass him off to his father because he wears me out. I love him more than anything and enjoy his energy most of the time, but love those quiet moments of hugs and snuggles as he begins to wind down.

California Academy of Sciences

2010-10-11T20:46:00.004-06:00

A long time ago, before school even started, the kids and I and some friends from our new Ward went to a very cool museum in the heart of Golden Gate park. If you venture to San Francisco and have a full day to spend at a museum, you must go here.

The kids loved it and we only saw a tiny portion of it. We took advantage of free museum day in the city. So we arrived early, waited in line and froze in the San Francisco Summer.

Some of the kids favorite memories: walking through the aquarium tunnel, the butterfly's flying everywhere, the parrot, ants, big spiders, white alligator, hands on experience in the tide pool exhibit.

Happy Birthday Fin,

2010-09-05T08:27:00.001-06:00

Finley has now been on this earth for 5 whole years. Wow, I felt like it wasn’t too long ago that I brought him home and he was sleeping in his suit case of lights.

While we were still in Utah we celebrated his birthday with several of his friends at Chuck-e-Cheese, knowing that we wouldn’t know anybody in San Francisco to invite to his party. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures. But thanks to Gus, Leo, Macy, Cooper, and Isaac we have a home full of zhu zhu pets, transformers and mighty beanz (which is a good thing).

For his actual birthday we celebrated by going Here. Maybe you have heard about it HERE. Let me tell anyone that comes and visits us in SF, I will take you here. It was so delicious!

Our friends from Cache’s work who have also moved to SF came with us and it got a little wild with 6 kids and 5 huge scoops of ice cream………….the evidence:

o.n.e

2010-08-28T00:10:00.003-06:00

This little one turned one all the way back in June. June 2nd to be exact. The day before we left to visit San Francisco. We rushed a party in before we left. I actually decorated with UNO cards and decorated a very fantastic cake to look like an UNO card (get in UNO=1)

note:my computer screen is in desperate need of calibration. I edit pictures and they look fine on my PC and then I check on the MAC and they have a total color cast. I hope to get it fixed soon. Just know that I know and it is totally bugging me. I wish I had PS on the MAC.

The 3 year!

2010-08-27T19:53:00.001-06:00

Peanut is seriously my hero, I don’t mean to go on like some crazy over proud mother, but I am truly amazed by my 8 year old.

(first day of school at a new school, in a new state)

Our conversation before school

me: are you nervous?

Peanut: nope, not all.

me: really?

Peanut: why would I be it’s just school?

I go on to think, but who will you play with at recess? who will you sit by at lunch? How will you know what to do?

She is my hero, so confident in herself and who she is, that it would be okay to sit by herself at lunch, it would be okay to play at recess on the monkey bars alone. I wish I could be more like her.

For memory sake: oops! thinking Peanut was registered, even calling the office a week before school to make sure and them telling me she was. And then to find out the evening before school that Peanut was not registered and did not have a teacher. This error resulted in a mad rush to find birth certificates, immunization records, and proof of residency. Sounds easy? It wasn’t nothing was in our favor. The only thing I had on hand was her birth certificate. But in the end it all worked out and she was able to attend school the next morning after some frantic calls to Dr. offices, renting real estate agents (her name was mistakenly left off our lease, and it needs to be on there for school purposes), and calls to utility companies for proof of residency. The office secretary went on to tell me that if she was in 1st or 2nd grade she would have to go to a different school because those grades were full.

All is good! and she loves her teacher, who actually lived in Utah for a few years! a total plus in Peanut’s eyes.

mmmm...

2010-08-22T22:15:00.001-06:00

I am so behind and the thought of catching up overwhelms me. How about when school starts on Wednesday, I will get back to posting. sound goods to me.

SF exploritorium

2010-06-22T08:33:00.003-06:00

On Day 2, I felt adventurous and decided to find a bus and travel to the Exploritorium. First, I should tell you that I am not a very independent person, I don't like going to the neighborhood grocery store by myself, so to pack three kids up and herd them on a bus, take them across town in a city I am not familiar with is very unlike me. We had some bumps along the way like getting on the wrong bus from the very beginning, luckily I asked the driver if this bus went to the exploritorium and she informed me thatI needed to be catching a different bus on the other side of the street, doh, by this time Peanut and Finley were already seated at the back of the bus and I had to yell from the front to get them to hurry and run to get off so we wouldn't keep the other passengers any longer. EMBARRASSING!

Second mishap--Before leaving the hotel I asked the concierge how to get to the museum and what buses to take (didn't help) she informed me that I would need to catch bus 30 and just stay on it and it will drop me off about a block away from the building, okay easy enough. So once I was on the correct bus, (which took awhile, 3 of the correct buses had passed because they were so full they couldn't stop to pick us up) standing with a baby backpack and trying to balance myself and my two other kidlets, the bus stopped about 15 minutes later and the driver said "this is the end of my route, everybody out" WHAT??? according to the map we weren't near the exploritorium. I started to sweat. I told the driver where I was headed and he explained I needed to catch ANOTHER bus that will take me the rest of the way. luckily I had some extra cash in my wallet and was able to pay for the extra bus, otherwise I don't know what I would've done. There was another family that was going to exploritorium too, and they said I could just follow them and the teenage son even helped me with all my gear--I love nice people. So, I made it there without getting too lost, I was pretty proud of myself.

Peanut and meadow near the exploritorium, Finley refused to be in the picture.

This exhibit was based on emotions and said that this toilet had never been used and the water was perfectly safe, but not many people would drink out of this fountain just because emotions involving toilets are so strong they make it hard to put your face down and take a drink. -very true I had to convince myself it was okay.

As we walked out of the museum at closing time one of the employees was teaching about bubbles. The kids had so much fun watching and playing in these great bubbles.

After leaving, I noticed that we could see the bay if we crossed the street. so we headed over and Peanut decided she wanted to walk on the sand which ended up with her looking away for a minute and a wave coming up and getting her feet wet and pulling off her flipflops (which she was luckily able to catch), which then resulted in her feet getting sandy and us having to wash her feet off in a drinking fountain. Not a big deal, but I guess to her it was traumatic "but I didn't want to get my feet wet and the sand feels weird" was her reply.

The bus ride back to the hotel went smoother, but Finley fell asleep on my lap, meadow started crying because she was crammed into her stroller and surrounded by a dozen people standing around her and Peanut had to deal with a oriental woman trying to tell her how to make Meadow stop crying. And then I started to panic wondering how I was going to get a sleeping 4 year old, a baby in a backpack stroller, and and eight year old off of the VERY crowded bus. Obviously it all worked out and I will just say again how much I love nice people.

Day 1-San Francisco

2010-06-21T22:36:00.011-06:00

Finley's First trip in an Airplane. He loved seeing all the teeny cars.

Meadow loved riding in the airplane, but she loved her french toast stick better.

Eating cupcakes on Powell street.

I promised we could get cupcakes at cute little cupcake store we had walked past if they would let me do some more shopping. We are sitting outside the H&M store. Nothing like a little bribery.

Tadich grill.

I am not a seafood lover, so this wasn't one of my favorite places. But Chuckles and his buddy/co-worker loved their Cioppino(sp?) To me, it looked like what came out of our kitchen disposal. I had pork chops-the kids had Subway.

SF Trip

2010-06-19T14:12:00.007-06:00

So, let's begin.........We had so much fun it wore us out, here is the proof.

Smooshed on a bus surrounded by tons of people and a crying 1 year old and yet he could still sleep.

exploritorium wore her out.

yes, that is drool.

Pictures of what wore us out to come soon.

It's what fun is......

2010-05-04T14:50:00.005-06:00

LAGOON!
We splurged and bought passes to lagoon. Our first trip was last Saturday, even though it was raining and cold. I am glad we decided to still go because when we got there the storm had cleared and the sun was shining. It was a perfect day, no lines, not to hot, not to cold.

i love that this little girl is peeking over to see Peanut laugh.

Meadow had fun watching the kids ride the rides.

Fin being so brave and quickly raising his arms as the ship reached it's peak. luv it.

photo shoot

2010-04-26T08:06:00.002-06:00

We are alive. here is proof

8 months

2010-03-31T16:37:00.002-06:00

On February 2nd Meadow turned 8 Months and I actually took pictures to document it. soon I will post her 10 month picture :)

so much has happened

2010-03-31T16:13:00.005-06:00

A lot has gone on since my last posting. One big thing is Peanut turning 8!

waking up on her birthday morning and getting ready to open her gifts, which were mostly clothes from JUSTICE (her favorite store, my least favorite store)

This is the first year we were able to have her birthday party on her actual birthday (february 6) She wanted to have a Valentines brunch.

Menu included:

cinnamon rolls with pink frosting

breakfast casserole (which only the adults ate)

Pink lemonade

strawberries

Lots of games and activities:

bracelet making

valentine IPOD making

chocolate strawberry and pretzel dipping

Don't eat pete

musical chairs

heavy heavy hang over they poor head

Finley has now graduated to professional chocolatier

we just need to teach to stop licking his fingers, but who can resist? I know I can't.

2010-03-31T11:34:00.003-06:00

Wow, it has been a long time! Do you want my excuse?? If you know me I have and excuse for everything right? My excuse this time. I am lazy, that is all there is to it. Well, I am lazy and the fact that I gained like 4 lbs. overnight, yes overnight. Don't know how it happened, maybe my scale was broken and it was giving me a wrong reading all along. I was waiting to see if it would break again and start giving me the lesser weigh again-it didn't so here we go again. My loss last week was.................................Minus 1 lb.

My loss for this Wednesday is.......................................Minus 1 lb.

I have realized it is alot easier to post losses than it is to post gains. _duh_ of course it is. Who wants to admit they gained weight. So I am going to try and be better and just swallow my pride.

wenesday #6

2010-02-17T22:14:00.004-07:00

Pathetic..........That is the word for today's weigh in (and last weeks and the week before that and the week before that). BUT I am NOT giving up. Anyone have any tricks up their sleeves? what works for you and what doesn't? Has anyone ever heard of slow weight loss due to nursing? I am still nursing meadow, not much only like two times a day, but it is still something. I don't know I am diggin deep for some answers. Maybe I need to give up bread........but I LOVE bread{whine}.

Wednesday #5

2010-02-10T21:48:00.002-07:00

My computer is being weird and won't let me change my graphic. So the weigh in result for today is..............................

Minus

i am just inching my way along.

I hope to be back to my picture a day soon. I had a lot going on last week and over the weekend, I am still trying to recover, I am almost there.

goodbye 7!

2010-02-05T16:30:00.003-07:00

Today is Peanut's last day of being 7.

She wanted to get glitter toes to help say goodbye to 7th year.

But, Peanut.......8 is great!!!!

Wednesday #4

2010-02-03T20:09:00.003-07:00

I bet you have all been dying to see my progress. Here is the big number for this week.

Obviously diet alone is not doing enough. I started an excercise program yesterday. I will see what that does for my goal.

smoothie

2010-02-03T07:55:00.001-07:00

my daily breakfast........orange, banana, blueberries, milk, ice and spinach. Deeeeeelicious.

recipe found here.

2010-01-29T17:08:00.004-07:00

A friend of mine asked if I would take some pictures of her and her friends in trade for babysitting. Umm-let me think about that-OF COURSE!!! good trade in my opinion. Aren't they so beautiful? (and handsome)

(if you are viewing my blog in Internet Explorer I understand that my blog is a little jacked. I will try to take care of that as soon as possible)

besties

2010-01-29T15:11:00.003-07:00

Friday is short day at school, which in Peanut's mind=friends.

squeaky clean

2010-01-28T21:01:00.001-07:00

Today was cleaning day. I survived. Dust and Dirt did not.

cocwat

2010-01-27T21:48:00.003-07:00

Seriously. I am not even joking that Peanuts first word was "cocwat". It may have even beaten MaMa. translation of Cocwat=chocolate. I think it may be Meadow's first word as well.

wednesday #3

2010-01-27T21:41:00.003-07:00

This was hard to post, there is a good excuse though. Let's just say Aunt Irma and the communists are in town (have you seen the show "IT crowd"?, you won't get the joke if you haven't, ask me about it) and there is always weight gain when they are in town.

Tri baby

2010-01-26T21:18:00.002-07:00

Peanut competed in a triathalon at our local gym. The funny thing is, is that she really doesn't know how to swim. We wondered how she was going to pull it off. Here is what she did:

Notice her holding on to the side while she tries to do the breast stroke with the other. I guess it is time for another round of swimming lessons.

focusing on biking to the finish line.

Tired and suffering nausea, but still pushing. I love this girl. Way to go Peanut! We are proud of you!

(photos courtesy of Cache, still counting them toward my Photo-a-day)

Saturday

2010-01-24T21:41:00.004-07:00

Peanut just started piano lessons, she loves it. She can't believe how good she is "after just one lesson!" she plays a killer one handed Mary had a Little Lamb. The fruit man came to our house yesterday. He came to our house 4-5 years ago and his oranges were so good, I wished I would've bought more. He never returned and I was so bummed. When he rang the doorbell yesterday I screamed with excitement(okay, not really) and bought way too much. Does anyone else have a fruit man come to their house or do they only come to mine because they know I am a sucker? His fruit is so good though, I think he must inject the seeds with karo syrup.

Meadow enjoying her orange

Finley eating a.....grapfruit!? see what I mean about the Karo syrup.

Slave Labor

2010-01-24T21:11:00.001-07:00

Cache sent Finley out to shovel the walks thinking that he would do a few sweeps and come in complaining of the cold. 45 minutes later he looked out the window and the WHOLE driveway was cleared of the snow. I think we have a new chore for Mr. Finley.

I love her.

2010-01-23T19:12:00.002-07:00

nuff said.

Homemade bread

2010-01-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

We love fresh baked bread at our house. Finley loves to help, although I am sad to say I don't let him help enough. This time I was in a good mood (rare these days) and let him help.

I wish I had pictures of the finished product, maybe next time. We like to use these women's recipe for our bread. We bought the DVD and it is great. I like that there isn't oil in the bread, only Lecithin. email me if you would like the recipe.

I bowled......

2010-01-21T21:27:00.003-07:00

a 138!! That is pretty good for me, I am lucky to break 100.

Pictures are taken at the Ladies neighborhood bowling league, which I am not a member of, but was filling in for a friend.

Can you tell I am trying to catch back up with my photography, a picture a day is my goal. I slacked off when I was pregnant and I feel that my limited skills are disappearing.

Also on my weight loss, today was a little harder. My neighbor brought me some yummy birthday cake over last night, I had three bites and had to throw the rest of it away (face down, so I wouldn't be tempted-hahaha) with me, once I start it is hard to stop. I also had a cookie and a handful of plain m&m's (see I started, and now I can't stop) tomorrow will be better, maybe I will even make it to the gym.

2010-01-20T09:53:00.004-07:00

Yesterday our day consisted of sickness and Puzzles. We would have liked swimming and ice cream, especially because it was a no school day. Why do kids get sick on no school days, don't they know how to save illness for days that they would be able to miss school?

Peanut enjoying Princess Protection Program

Finley enjoying his favorite past time of puzzling.

Wednesdays! #2

2010-01-20T08:38:00.003-07:00

22.4 to go

curious?

SWAT

2010-01-19T09:16:00.006-07:00

Finley earned a SWAT team costume from the Chore store this week. He worked so hard. He cleaned his room, emptied garbages, cleared the table all in the hope of earning 10 "mommy monies". After paying for the costume, he ran to his room to put it on and came out saying "I want to be a cop when I grow up".

wednesdays!

2010-01-13T20:12:00.006-07:00

Okay, it has taken me ALL day to get the guts to do this. I thought of it yesterday, and I keep arguing back and forth if I want to do it. Hopefully knowing that I am putting my successes and failures on the web will give me enough motivation to stick to my goal.

Here is the plan. Every Wednesday I am going to post my weight loss (or gain). Just so you know I want to loose 25 lbs. (that is a lot, I blame it on my first baby). I am not putting my starting or ending weight (I am not that brave) just -1 or +1 that type of thing. This isn't too bad there isn't that many people that read my blog right?? Okay so here I go....................Be sure to check back in next Wednesday, maybe even let me know you are there so I know that I am accountable to someone.

Distric of comumbia take II

2010-01-12T21:52:00.004-07:00

United States Capital. While visiting the National Mall, Mr. Friend asked Senator Bennett's office if they did tours of the capital, they confirmed and we were in. Very informative. We were also there on the day of the big Healthcare Rally.

If you look close (or click on the picture to enlarge), you can see the rally on the steps of the capital.

Inside the dome.

Meadow on the National "crypt", although no one is buried within. George Washington was meant to be the occupant, but obviously ended up at Mount Vernon. Maybe Obama will want to be buried there, who knows. This spot is also the very center of D.C.

Library of congress.

Our view as we walked out of the capital. look close there is a rainbow, It started to fade, while I pulled out my camera.

Did you know Brigham Young was in the Capital?

View from the visitors center.

This window was covered with womens shoes on September 11th. People thought that the capital was the target of the plane that actually struck the Pentagon. People evacuated the capital and the women kicked off their shoes so they could run faster, resulting in this window being covered in shoes. I thought that was interesting (fyi: the visitors center is underground).

Iwo Jima

This memorial Is HUGE! and very impressive, the feeling there is amazing. This is also one of my favorite pictures.

A trip I never blogged about.

2010-01-11T21:56:00.007-07:00

I think with Thanksgiving and Christmas following our wonderful trip to D.C. they caused a forgotten post(can you tell I am tired? I cannot make this sentence make sense, just pretend you know what I am talking about). This post should have been published months ago, but in true Carrie fashion it is happening late.

In Early November Me, hubby and meadow traveled to Washington D.C./Arlington, VA to visit our good friends. They are living there due to the fact that "Mr. Friend" is clerking for a Supreme Court justice. We are so proud of him and wanted to take full advantage of our friendship and tour the supreme court while he was there :) We got a personal tour of the building including Justice Thomas' chamber. Very cool. Silly me, wasn't sure what was kosher to take pictures of (pictures are not allowed in the actual court room) so I have limited pics. Our friend later asked why I wasn't taking any pictures of all the cool rooms he was taking us in. "oh, I can take pictures!" was my reply, and he just laughed. So please forgive me of not getting pictures of the places most of the general public are not allowed, but here are a few that were taken:

Supreme Court(I love the sky in this picture)

enjoying an inner courtyard of Supreme Court

Mr. Friend will have to remind me of who this is, because I don't remember, but it is hanging in one of the "ball rooms"

Chandelier in a ballroom.

a few other pictures from our visit (in no particular order):

Each star represents 100 dead in WWII, this is only probablly about 1/5 of the stars in the monument.

Atlantic entrance to WWII monument

Washington Monument (I love this picture, no photoshopping was necessary) look how blue the sky was.

Lincoln monument, so much bigger in person. This was Cache's favorite.

Stay tuned for more pictures of:

Arlington Cemetary, Mt. Vernon, National Capitol, Pentagon, natural history museum.

Daily Life

2010-01-02T15:07:00.003-07:00

I looked around today and loved what I saw. Each child entertaining themselves. What makes me smile even more was that the two oldest kids were playing with toys they received LAST Christmas.

Finley the fierce boxer.

Peanut, Julie, Buttercup.

Panda

2010-01-01T20:38:00.002-07:00

My brother and his family are visiting from Germany. It has been so fun to spend time with them. Here is my niece who is turning 18 in 12 days!! (I feel so old). Sorry boys (since so many boys read my blog ;) she is taken.

Before&after

2009-12-18T10:29:00.014-07:00

Do you like looking at before and after photos? I do. Especially make-over before and afters. I love seeing a plain looking person turn into a new gorgeous person. I wish I had a before and after picture of me going from "frumpy mom" to "hawt mom", but I don't-because it hasn't happened, so here is a picture of my kitchen and what it looked like yesterday morning and what it looked like yesterday afternoon. Not a huge change, no new cabinets and counter tops or anything, but it does look different. Sometimes I take pictures of things before I work on them so I can see the difference when I am done. Corny I know, but it works for me, so I thought I would share.

Before

After

GLooooRIA

2009-12-17T10:59:00.006-07:00

I had to take my camera to church last Sunday for a project that I am working on for the bishop(i don't usually take my camera to church) and I loved this moment so much I just had to take a picture of it. I held the camera way down low and tried to be as sneaky as I could. I wasn't sure how fellow worshipers would feel about me taking pictures during a sacred service. shhhh-don't tell anyone.

Angels We Have Heard on High

tree wonder

2009-12-16T22:00:00.002-07:00

Meadow has been fascinated with the tree. Her favorite place to be right now is under the lights.

turkey day

2009-12-16T21:57:00.002-07:00

Even 6 month old babies should get a piece of the pie of Thanksgiving (or in this case a piece of the turkey).

4 months

2009-10-30T08:38:00.003-06:00

I took these pictures on Meadows 4 month birthday and never posted them. what can I say, i have been a slacker.

Hallows parade

2009-10-30T08:14:00.004-06:00

Did you ever have costume parades when you were in Elementary school? My school always had one. The parade would start with Kindergarten and they would go through a class room and then that class would join onto the end of the line and then the next class room we went through that class would join on the end of the train and it would keep going until we had gone through every grade and class room. When we circled back around to our own classroom we would sit down and watch the costume parade snake it's way back through the school until everyone returned back to their own classroom. Does that make any sense? It was nice though because parents could stay in their child's classroom and see the whole parade.

This was Peanuts first year being in school during Halloween, all of the other years she has been off track, so she was able to participate in her first costume parade. Her school has police block off a street for a few blocks and all of the parents surround the streets and watch from the curb. For sure a lot less confusing that how my school did it, but it was a lot more COLD.

Here they come, marching down the street.

Do you see Peanut? She is in the green coat. She is looking for me.

She spotted me. Here she is waving hello.

Here she is again, still waving.

woops, now she is passing me.......still waving.

She is Dorothy, just in case you couldn't tell :)

withcy witch

2009-10-29T08:58:00.005-06:00

I love Halloween parties! Here is a witch party I attended, hosted by a sister witch.

The Hostess

{insert whistle here}

Can you believe this witch

is a grandma??

Loved the hair

this witch is teaching her assistant her witchy ways.

leave it to women to want a picture of their shoes

the witchy hostess went all out on the decor

delicious caramel apples....yum

sister witches

sleeping babes

2009-10-27T20:30:00.001-06:00

Don't you just love sleeping babies? I do. Especially this one.

flower pics

2009-10-27T20:17:00.003-06:00

Remember the post from forever ago? I finally got them printed and I love them!! Now I need to find the right spot in my house for them?

OHS Homecoming

2009-09-27T15:56:00.005-06:00

I was able to photograph my Nephew's homecoming group. It was a lot of fun, it brought back a lot of memories of my high school dances-whew glad those years are over.

Marital bliss

2009-09-23T15:52:00.005-06:00

10 years

8 vacations

7 cars

5 jobs for him

4 homes

3 kids

3 jobs for me

2 mortgages

1 eternal life together

Innumerable happiness

Happy Anniversary Cachey

#Millions of Peaches#

2009-09-22T09:28:00.006-06:00

50 lbs of peaches = 8 quarts of sliced peaches, 6 pints of freezer jam, 10 jars peach butter, 4 peach smoothies, 5 lunch times snacks, 1 breakfast of pancakes and peaches, 3 breakfasts of peaches and milk, lots of deliciousness.

It has been a while since I have posted anything, I think three kids has given me a run for my money. Actually, I don't THINK, i KNOW. My house seems to never be clean anymore, I will clean one room and come back in 10 minutes and the room will be dirty again. I can't remember ANYTHING!I feel I am in a constant state of forgetfulness, super scatterbrained. Laundry is never done. Meadow only gets a bath maybe 3x a week,-my other kids were bathed every night-so if you hold Meadow and she smells like spit up--don't judge. However, I am soaking in every second of my little kids here at home. For some reason it has finally come to a realization that they won't be little forever and I need to enjoy them while they will let me.

Here are some random thoughts for you:

*I am experiencing major vertigo right now, to the point where I am feeling motion sick.

*I am getting my hair dyed dark today (at least I think, we will see what the hair dresser talks me into)

*I have great friends and family who always are so willing to watch my kids.

*Someone very close to me is headed to India soon.

*I will have been married for 10 years tomorrow.

*I have already bought my ticket to see New Moon in November.

*I am loving YOGA although I missed my class yesterday.

*Finley is enjoying pre-school. I am glad he was able to make it into a class with his two besties.

*I started a blog to keep track of our family's favorite recipe's, if you want to take a peek click HERE. (the wild rice soup is DELICIOUS)

*My camera is headed to India very soon.

*I have less than a month left of my 20's.

well, that about sums it up.