Hahn Family

Bring It Winter

2012-01-23T17:57:00.001-08:00

I am convinced winter without snow is terrible.
So thankfully our winter outlook improved Saturday with the arrival of SNOW!

Sure, snow brings work.
But lets be honest, digging is no "work" for young lads.

Without snow, you don't have to mop the salty water mix off your floor,
but you miss out on seeing little munchkins all bundled up and squishy.

And when else would your big brother white wash you, but then help dust you off?

Gearing everyone up is no easy task, but so worth the rosy cheeks and all the tracks left in the yard reminding you of a fun morning.

The best part of snow...

...being snowed in...

...with your family!

Wild Wild West

2012-01-18T18:04:00.000-08:00

You'd never know it is cold here.
My kids have been in the desert catching "bad guys"
I love their imaginations.

James fell asleep trying to stop the run away train
(those signs say stop).

This shot is the backside of their horse.
I love the tail!

This is the campfire.

And off rides the cowboy
(with the "Man from Snowy River" soundtrack playing in the background).

We're Back

2012-01-08T17:49:00.000-08:00

Can you guess where we were?
It is where this whole Hahn family adventure started almost 8 years ago.

I hope the pictures can tell the stories...

...It would take too long to write them down...
...especially this one.

We came back exhausted and worn out,

but so grateful for the chance to spend time with family.
We love and miss you all.

Oh Anna

2011-12-05T18:51:00.000-08:00

Anna was bathed, dried, diapered, and jammied. The boys were still in the tub. I was tidying up when I start to hear hysterical laughter coming from the bathroom. I walk in to find my freshly bathed, dried, diapered, and jammied daughter sitting in the tub, playing with the toys, with an innocent look on her face that seemed to question my astonishment and uncontrollable laughter.

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-12-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

I love the way my house looks and feels around Christmas time.

It's just so cozy.

'Tis The Season

2011-11-29T18:24:00.001-08:00

All the leaves are down.
And...

...it's beginning to look

and feel

a lot like Christmas.

Splendid

2011-11-29T18:05:00.000-08:00

I don't know how my parents always escape the camera's lens,
but they were here for Thanksgiving.

I haven't had Thanksgiving with my parents for 14 years.

The food, company, and activities were...

...I'm trying to think of the right word...
wonderful?

No, splendid!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-29T17:43:00.000-08:00

In The Name of Science

2011-11-29T17:22:00.000-08:00

Around these parts we sure love a good treat.
We've had a lot lately.
But I justify it because we are "learning"
Take for example the ice cream we made with dry ice.

Now for you Westerners, dry ice ice cream doesn't sound like a big deal.
But if you live in Massachusetts where the government protects you from everything, dry ice ice cream is like whiskey during the prohibition era.
Ok, dry ice isn't illegal, but it is really hard to find.
So, thanks to Jackie, we had carbonated ice cream (and it had the same effect soda does on us...and maybe we had a small burping contest, maybe).
Jackie also introduced them into the world of dry ice bombs.
Maybe Massachusetts should protect us from Jackie.

And this little chemosynthesis experiment took a while, but we got some good sugar crystals growing.

I think we are due for some chocolate experiments next.
Dark chocolate!

"You've Got a Friend in Me"

2011-11-16T17:44:00.000-08:00

The Perfect Day Recipe

5 little munchkins
5 curious minds
1 trampoline
5 bikes
1 big pile of leaves
1 make-shift log see saw
The smell of leaves
One good Mom friend

Instructions

Mix it all together and enjoy!

Freezing Friday

2011-11-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

My mad scientist friend Jackie pulled off another amazing Friday.
She brought in liquid nitrogen.
We froze and smashed roses, grapes, and an egg on my kitchen floor (the yolk in the egg was not quite frozen all the way).

But the most important thing we did with the liquid nitrogen was make...

Ice Cream!
You know, like the "Dippin' Dots" kind.

I love Fridays!

Things That Make Me LOL

2011-11-13T19:07:00.000-08:00

Hibernation

2011-11-13T19:01:00.000-08:00

The other day I taught the kids about winter.
I highlighted "hibernation".
I hid craisins all over the house and had them find them and feast.

As they feasted, I stuffed pillows and blankets up their shirts.
Making them nice and fat.

Check out this fat and happy bear.
Then I had them crawl into the bear cave (under the table) and sleep.
I took out the pillows and blankets, and wala...now they know about hibernating.

Work In Progress

2011-11-07T18:14:00.000-08:00

Shhhhhh...we are making brain wrinkles over here.

Snowtober

2011-11-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

We lost power during the last Nor'easter.

A tree branch broke off and took our electric main down with it.
Two days later, we were up and running again.

We decided we didn't want that to happen again.
So we are cutting that tree down and chopping it up for firewood.
I suggested we name the tree.
I thought we should name it

"Maher Shalal Hash Baz"

Quite fitting considering it's future.

Christian wanted to name it

*#$%@ $#$%@# *^%$#$%

Happy Halloween

2011-11-07T17:44:00.001-08:00

We've Had Visitors

2011-10-27T18:25:00.001-07:00

We love having visitors.

This was the best street performance I've seen.
Adam so bravely volunteered for this street performer
(you never know what you are going to get with these guys).
He was a yo-yo man.
He lit a match with a yo-yo and knocked a quarter off Adam's ear.
He was the 2008 yo-yo champion.

So come visit us.
Use us and abuse us, but just come.

Seriously, our house is your house.
Our food is your food...

...just come get some of this cuteness...
and see Boston.

Updates

2011-10-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

Poor little blog.
I've neglected you.
So here is a quick update to get you up to speed.

Daniel

It is amazing to watch your first child.
They do everything first.
I am amazed at how capable Daniel is.
It is so fun to see him reading.
He loves math.
If he could, he would spend his day riding his bike, jumping on the trampoline, and building with legos.

James

I seriously can't get enough of this guy.
He stwill twalks wike dis.
He is such a little tender heart.
He wants to do everything Daniel does...including reading.
He loves to build with legos.
We are going to try him on his two wheeler this weekend.
If he could choose how to spend his day, he would sip juice on the couch cuddled up with his blankie and the whole family around...minus Anna. Actually, on second thought, the two have been getting along well lately. They wrestle until someone starts crying.

Anna

I seriously don't know what genetic match-up made this girl.
She never stops moving...never...she even moves in her sleep.
She knows how to hold her breathe and swim underwater.
Right now, she has a black eye...I'm amazed that is all she has right now.
She thinks, no, she knows she can do everything James and Daniel do.

Announcing: Hahn 2012

2011-10-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

It is official, we are announcing Christian's bid for the White House in 2012. We thought we would let our loyal blog followers find out first before announcing it nationally. Here is the ad that is going to take him to the finish line. We paid $20 for it. Was that a good deal?

Prior to launching his campaign, Christian built up a loyal political following. He has received votes for President of the United States during the 2004 and 2008 election...and he wasn't even eligible...but now he is. So let your ballot do the talking...

Hahn 2012

Take Your Child To Work

2011-10-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

I wasn't there, but I know "Take Your Child to Work" 2011 was a success because...
both the boys cried on the way home...

...and now Daniel knows how to program (simple stuff).

Thank you National Instruments

Friday Fun

2011-10-07T18:48:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Jackie.
Jackie may not look it, but she is a MAD Scientist
(like she is working on her 2nd post-doc mad scientist).
But lucky for me, she is my friend.
She comes over every Friday to do experiments with my kids.

Here is a little sampling or her handy work...

...mentos + soda = explosions, running, and girlish screams.

There sure was a lot of sampling going on during that experiment.
Do you blame them though?
Remember, the ingredients are mentos and soda!

Elmers glue + borax + water = slime

Walking on eggs.
I couldn't believe this one.

And finally the infamous volcano!

Thank you Jackie.
Thank you a million times over for making life so magical for my kids.
We love Fridays.

Little House on the Prairie

2011-10-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

We've been doing some more landscaping in our backyard.
That means, we've been cutting down trees.
The kids took the more manageable sized pieces and built themselves a cabin.

I love their imagination.

A Change of Pace

2011-10-04T17:51:00.000-07:00

Twice a year we put all the yard/house projects on hold and sit around watching General Conference for eight hours.

We love it.
The weekend is fraught with anticipation.
Maybe the goody basket we put out the week before has something to do with the anticipation.

We clean the house from top to bottom.
When I say clean, I'm talking my windows sparkle and you could lick the floor under my appliances.

This year I hosted a dinner before the Relief Society broadcast.
The food was delicious, but the company was better.

The evening was perfect....

...until Anna found the ink pad.

We love General Conference weekend.
For me, conference is almost like a little shoulder massage and then a pat on the behind to get out and work.
So, I'm off to work.

'Tis The Season

2011-09-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

Last year we went apple picking four times.
We'll see how many times we make it this year.

You may be thinking
"What do they do with all those apples?"

I'll let you in on a little secret...
...we don't pick apples every time.
We go for the hay ride, the animals, the play places, and the apple cider and cider donut lunch.

I hope we aren't picking in shorts and t-shirts next time.
It just doesn't feel quite right.

Forget Me Not

2011-09-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

I love this talk. After I heard it, I wanted to send a bouquet of "Forget Me Not" flowers to every woman who has touched my life (you know who you are).

I also love this quote from Marianne Williamson

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Happy Birthday

2011-09-26T18:15:00.000-07:00

Dearest Little Bug,

This month you turned six. How is it possible that you are already 1/3 the way thru your childhood? It seems like yesterday I was holding you in the hospital. I felt so inadequate. I was. I had no idea how to be a mom. I still don't, but I am grateful you are patient and forgiving.

I can't believe how capable you are. I am amazed by your abilities. My favorite things to do with you are to swim and ride bikes. You have mastered both. I love to watch you read. You hated reading, but you stuck with it, and now the world is yours. Math comes so easily to you. I love watching you think. I love your imagination. I love how you construct things.

You are my conqueror. The world is yours. My heart is yours. I love you Daniel.

love,

Mom

Through the Looking Glass

2011-09-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

Perspective

2011-09-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

Being outside on a sunny, crisp day,
admiring these ocean beauties...

...makes me grateful for life and this mortal experience.

One

2011-09-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Anna,

Sometimes I can't believe your little body houses such a grand spirit. You pack a punch...a pure, beautiful, and unconquerable punch. You've stolen my heart, and you make it melt every time I squeeze you.

I love your cheesy smile.

I love your insatiable curiosity.

I love that you cuddle with me. I love how you battle the world, and don't let anything hold you back (not even two older brothers). I love how you haven't fully experienced something until you've tasted it. I love to watch your little fingers pick up Cheerios and how you use your fingers to figure out what is in every hole or crevice you come across. I love how you scream for me at the foot of your crib and how excited you are to see me when I pick you up. I love how you smell after a refreshing bath. But mostly, I love that you are my little girl and I am your mommy.

Happy Birthday little one.

love,

Mom

The Sound of Crickets

2011-09-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

Do you know what I love about camping?

Well, the s'mores, and the starry sky, but...

...I mostly love how time seems to slow down.

Back to School

2011-09-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

This school year our family theme is...

· “ Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.” (D&C 19:23)

We had a feast to celebrate the beginning of this momentous occasion.
These little guys stole the evening spotlight.

"Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire."
-William Butler Yeats

The evening was spent dining on...

greens, beets, walnuts, blue cheese, lemon vinaigrette salad
almond-crusted salmon with caramelized onions
tomato dill couscous

and...

delicious conversations.

So watch out world, here they come...

...after dessert of course.

Cheers to this year!

Water Love

2011-08-26T04:39:00.000-07:00

Last week James took his swim vest off after a little dip.
After he had a quick snack, he wanted to get back in.
The thought of trying to slip him back into his wet swim vest with one hand while juggling Anna with the other seemed impossible.
So I told him I would just hold him and help him in the pool.

Well, to my surprise he didn't need any help.
He swims!
I was shocked.
How long has he been able to do that?

Nostalgia

2011-08-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Remember this?

A Love Note to Summer

2011-08-16T12:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Summer,

Please do not fade too quickly.
We have not yet eaten enough popsicles.

We still have plenty of barefoot playing to do.

We love to celebrate your warm evenings with friends and fireflies.

Your showers are refreshing and
they smell so good.

We love enjoying your bounty.

And your warm rays just fills our our souls with light.
We love our Summer fling.
We are not ready to kiss you good-bye.

While Christian was in Austin

2011-08-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

We boarded a train at South Station in Boston.

24 hrs later, we got off in...
can you figure it out?
Here are some clues.

We played in some fountains.

Rode bikes along the magnificent mile, and learned about architecture.

Visited several museums,

and the "free" zoo.
How much does "free" cost Mom and Dad?

We ate some of this,

and rode the Ferris Wheel.

Then, there was the evening of perfect weather, with a picnic dinner and concert..."free" again.

There were lots of fountains to cool off in.

Route 66 starts here.

Biking was by far the best way to get around here.

This is a big hint.
Have you guessed it?
It starts with a "Chi"

and ends with a "cago".

And now we have all the memories to smile and savor.

We've Been On Vacation

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

It's Been Roasty Toasty

2011-07-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

Mom Summer Camp: Day 5

2011-07-18T10:27:00.001-07:00

We went berry picking for the last day of summer camp.
We didn't end up taking home many berries.
I just picked and picked.
When I got home and saw the pictures I realized why our outing was so unfruitful.
Can you figure it out?

Busted!
The ratio of eaters to pickers was

3:1.

Mom Summer Camp: Day 4

2011-07-14T18:03:00.001-07:00

Today we loaded up the minivans with bikes.
These kids rode fast and far.
Then we had ice cream...

...and maybe that is all we had for lunch.

Mom Summer Camp: Day 3

2011-07-14T17:52:00.001-07:00

Thanks to my friend Liz, we have documentation of Day 3.

Anna had her daily intake of fiber in the form of sand.
I know, because I changed her diaper the day after.

We hunted for snails and crabs.
The barnacles were a little rough on our tender feet.

I think this picture looks magical.

And the parting shot, my favorite of the day

is

drum roll...

I think Anna is asking for a cold lemonade here.
What a life.

Mom Summer Camp: Day 2

2011-07-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

Today was field day...we also slipped in a craft.
Tug-o-war was so cute to watch.

The water balloon toss turned into a water balloon fight.
The relay races didn't really go the way I envisioned, but red rover was fun.

Archery was probably the favorite activity,

or maybe the snacks were the favorite activity.

And of course, we went swimming to cool off.

Mom Summer Camp: Day 1

2011-07-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

Today was the kickoff of our annual "Mom's Summer Camp".
So far this year's camp trumps last year's, because we had friends come.
We headed to Walden Pond where we...

hiked, the hike quickly became this...

...except when we were chasing chipmunks and checking out train tracks,

and we swam, and tried our luck at fishing.

On the way home we stopped at 7 eleven for our free slurpee
(today is 7/11).

And this evening we took a little dip to cool off.

Independence Day

2011-07-07T18:50:00.000-07:00

This is what we did and what I thought about on the 4th of July.

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the Consent of the Governed."
-Declaration of Independence

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
-John Adams

"Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it."
-John Adams

"We the People of the United State, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."
-The Constitution of The United States of America

Sweet Dreams Jamesy

2011-07-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

Every night, when Christian tucks the boys into bed, the "tickle bugs" attack. They are like tickle bed bugs. And after a lot of tickling, they squash them so the boys are safe to slip off to dreamland.

Tonight after all the tickling and squashing I came in to kiss the kiddos goodnight. When I got to James he said,

"Shhhh, don't wake up my tickle bugs."

Extra, Extra...Read All About It

2011-07-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well, it's not quite CNN or FOX News, but we made it into the local paper. So go here if you want a sneak peek. I think the only reason why the local reporter interviewed and photographed us was because of Anna. One look at the picture's and you'll know why.

Lemonade, Get Your Lemonade

2011-06-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

Kids Grow Up So Fast These Days

2011-06-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

We are planning on getting Anna some tweezers

and James a razor.

The Lost Boys

2011-06-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

I think Martha's Vineyard is NeverNeverLand.
The ferry from the mainland to the island must take you through a time warp.
Time does slow down there.
You get to savor the moments a little more.

This year we had
6 adult bikes,
2 trailers
3 kid bikes
and 2 baby carriers.
Really, it is our company that makes the trip so great...
...riding 13 miles along the beach with some of the best people we know, flying kites, bridge jumping, eating ice cream, the whole family there...I can't think of a Saturday much better than that.

And to end out the day, we watched a fireworks show, from on top of the ferry, as we sailed back to real life.

Octobaby

2011-06-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

This girl has a new nickname around these parts.
We call her...

Annapus

It is a hybrid between Anna and octopus.
Anna is so quick and so grabby, it feels like she has 8 arms.

Frosty Mug

2011-06-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

This was our treat...

...and activity for FHE.

Martin's Cove

2011-06-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

We spent two days in Wyoming with nothing but

the wind,
the Sweetwater,
and some senior missionaries
to keep us company.

Maybe you recognize this.
It is a picture of devil's gate, one of the landmarks all westbound travelers watched for during the pre-railroad western colonization era.

Many Mormon pioneers traveled this path.
We have pioneer blood coursing through our veins.

One of Christian's ancestor's,
George Frederick Housley,
was in the Martin Handcart Company.
The Martin Handcart Company left Iowa City late in the summer.
They got caught in early winter storms with little provisions.
While waiting for help and better traveling weather,
they sought refuge from Wyoming wind in a cove.

We trekked to that cove.

We went a total of 5 miles.
That is 1/3 of what their daily travel distance.
It was tough.

This is the cove.
It really isn't much of a cove.
The wind still blew quite strong, but it was their best refuge from the storms.
There was a spirit in that cove I have never felt before...
...a very peaceful one.

We crossed the Sweetwater.
The Sweetwater is the river the pioneers had to cross 6 times...
...it was cold and icy for them.

Four rescuers carried most of the handcart company across the river.
They all passed away from the exposure.

The water was pretty warm for us.
My favorite pioneer story was about a widow with four kids.
When she got to her 6th crossing of the cold Sweetwater, she did not wait for the rescuers.
She took her little boy across first.
When she returned to get another child, the boy followed her.
She ran back to her boy, picked him up, took her apron off, and tied him to some brush before going back for the others.
She crossed a total of five times.

Our cargo

After trekking, we did
a little doce dou with these guys...

...and then stories by the fire.

Our Wyoming sunset.

I am so proud of our heritage.

The Wild, Wild West

2011-06-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Us city slickers ventured into the wild, wild west.

We camped at Green Canyon for a couple days of swimming lesson bonanza,
and good 'ol family time.

While Daniel had lessons, James played.
After the lessons, we all swam together.

And when we weren't swimming, we were trying out our cowboy skills.
Here is the tale of how we fared.

"Uh Mom, why did they not pick up after the geese?"

"I've only seen one of these at the zoo."

We ran into a new species...a rare one.
He seemed pretty tame until you started talking U of U football.
He also liked eating strawberry twizzlers.

Christian and Daniel really did run into a moose on a hike.
They did not stop to take his picture.
They had a starring contest.
They stared at him.
He stared at them.
He won.
They turned around and tiptoed away.

Something about the West draws me back...
...I think it is in my blood.
It feels good to watch your kids fall asleep so content and so exhausted.

If You Called and I didn't Answer, I was in Rigby, ID

2011-06-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Without these two...

...there would have been no Hahn family reunion, which included...

16 grandkids,

an orienteering scavenger hunt,

fashion,

hiking,

leather crafting, stories, and good times.

Peas in a Pod

2011-06-09T18:06:00.001-07:00

These three cousins were the gender upsets of 2010 in the Hahn family. Each family was expecting the opposite gender of what arrived. Are we ready for a second go round?

I'm getting there.

Love Them

2011-06-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well folks,

They done did it!

They got hitched!

They tied the knot!

They are wed!

They are husband and wife!

World, may I present...

(drum roll)

...The Picketts!

And we had a party to celebrate.

It was a perfect day.

Let's Go Fly A Kite

2011-05-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

Costumes

2011-05-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

This is what was on the loose in these parts.

"How"

And this little number was in preparation for a

Bear Hunt!

Water

2011-05-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

Saturday found us out in the harbor.

Let me introduce you to the crew...

Captain

Since September, she's been the Captain.
on
and
off
the boat.

Can you guess what la capitana thought about the life vest?

First Mate

He was looking for pirates on the high seas.

Skipper

The cutest little skipper I've ever seen.
His feet don't even reach the deck.

After the ordeal, we walked around the North End.
It was all fun and games until
"Skipper"
fell into the cold fountain.

I felt so bad.

Fenway for $5

2011-04-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

C'mon, sing with me now...

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out to the crowd,

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks
I don't care if I never come back

Oh we'll

root
root
root

for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame,

For it's

One

Two

Three!

Strikes your out
At the old ball game.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

Patriots Day

2011-04-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Patriots Day.

If you don't live in New England, you might not know what that is.
It all started on April 19, 1775 and has continued on.
It is, as my friend says,

"Boston's best day."

It starts early...5:45, with a re-enactment in Lexington.
This is where the first squabble with the British occurred.
Paul Revere had warned the men
"The British are coming"
the night of the 18th.
The British were marching out to Concord to seize the ammo and other supplies.
The Patriots tried to slow them down in Lexington.

I am amazed we won...not this encounter...because we didn't...but the war.

Then, there is the running of the marathon.

I still get all those antsy feelings for the runners.
I didn't run it this year, but this is my favorite marathon picture from two years back.

And it ends with ice cream with friends at Kimball Farms.

I can't wait 'til next year.

Birthday Gifts

2011-04-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

For my birthday, each of my kids gave me a special gift.

Anna had a 4 layer blowout.
A blowout worthy of a 20 minute trip home from our activity so she could have a bath, and a 20 minute ride back.
Christian was the hero...he drove, bathed, and cleaned.

James' gift started with a cry.
He cried so hard his lips turned purple,
then his face,
then his hands.
Christian saved the day again by catching him just as he became limp and passed out.
When he came to, he was fine.

And Daniel learned the lesson about cutting hair...his own.
And of coarse, Christian was the hero, he documented this rite of passage.

Phew, I'm glad birthdays only happen once a year.

King of the Day

2011-04-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Dear James,

Happy third birthday, my little ray of sunshine. You were the king of the day and we did everything you wanted. Your wishes were simple. For your birthday you wanted balloons, cupcakes, and the family gathered together. We surprised you with a bonus gift...

...a model rocket.

We spent the crisp, sunny day at the park. We enjoyed PB & J on the new grass. For breakfast, we got donuts...the good ones...the 20 minute drive ones. And dinner was a BBQ...the first one of the year.

I love the way you "twalk". This "gwrill" is in love with you, my little boy. I love how you gather the family together. I love how you laugh. I love how you get so excited you can't even stand it. You are bursting with sunshine. I hope you always feel the sunshine of life.

I love how you need me, and ask for hugs and kisses when you are feeling a little blue. I need you little Jamesy.

love,

Mom

A Photot Shoot

2011-04-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

The Motherland

2011-04-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

Today we are all wearing our Texas shirts. Why you ask? Because our Dad is on his way home from the motherland. He had to "work" there. That is why we got this picture from him the other day.

I am kind of missing the motherland these days. I like hearing "all y'all". I like it when strangers return your "hellos" when you greet them on the street. I like how warm it is. I love the Texas pride. But for now I have to bid adieu to the motherland. One day I will be back to bask in your sunshine and eat your bbq.

A Small Repair

2011-04-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

This guy broke our neighbors window with a soccer ball the other day. He gets paid $.25 every time he vacuums the rug. He will most likely have it paid off before congress can agree on a budget...and definitely have it paid off before the national debt is.

Did you know the amount of money the federal government collects from personal federal income tax each year only covers the interest on the national debt? Doesn't that make you want to throw up? I promise, no more political comments on this family blog...unless Ron Paul decides to run for president again.

A Tale of Two Meals

2011-04-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a mother who cared deeply for her children's well being. She hand picked carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, cabbage, barley, kidney beans, and spices. Then she washed them and chopped them and simmered them into a delicious soup.

She placed the bowls full of delicious goodness in front of her children for dinner. When dinner was over all but the mandatory bites of soup were left in the bowl and traces of the dinner were left on the table, chairs, and floor. Coaxing them to eat this meal took more energy from her than the amount of calories she consumed in her own bowl of soup.

Well, that same mother one night blew all health caution to the wind and bought a box of macaroni and cheese for $.97. She followed the cooking directions on the box...putting in a half stick of butter and bright orange powder which has unknown origins.

When she placed this meal in front of her children she could barely restrain them from eating before a prayer was given. And once "amen" was said, it was as if a gun had been shot to start a race. It was a race to get a second helping...and then even ask for a third helping only to find out there was NOTHING left. Not a trace of food. When the food was gone, the mother checked for damages, but there were none (at least to the visible eye)...the table was clean, the chairs were clean, the floor was clean, and the plates barely needed a rinse before placing them in the dishwasher.

That is the end of this sad tale of two meals.

Spring Cleaning

2011-04-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

That is the same toothbrush James uses to keep his pearly whites clean.

April Fools

2011-04-05T17:15:00.000-07:00

For April fools, we made...

sponge cake for our dads.

The kids thought it was hilarious.

Christian suspected something was amiss.
He put on a good show...taking a nice big bite.
The kiddos loved it.

The Spotlight's On Daniel

2011-03-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

Daniel got a new set of wheels this weekend...pegs and wheels.

General Conference is a week away. To get our kids excited about it, we put together a little goodie basket full of treats, crafts, and other reverent things to keep their little hands busy for eight hours. I set the goodie basket on the piano the week prior to General Conference. The basket of goodies and fun things just sits there and teases them all week driving them crazy with anticipation.

Well, two days ago, Daniel couldn't take the anticipation any longer. After begging me to let him open the dinosaur egg making kit about 876345087623049587234587 times, he took matters into his own hands and said,

"Mom, should we pray for General Conference to come sooner?"

to which I replied,

"We can't change the date of conference, but we could pray for the time to pass quickly."

Then....silence.

A couple minutes later Daniel goes upstairs. Still silence.

He comes back downstairs and sits next to me on the couch. He is quiet for a while...but then he can't contain his excitement any longer and bursts out with,

"Mom! Conference is going to come sooner!"

I think my heart melted right there.

A few minutes later, Daniel totally side swiped James and pegged him down. This led to a brotherly wrestle and giggle. Then me heart melted one more time.

James

2011-03-23T17:51:00.000-07:00

I can not get enough of this guy lately. Allow me to explain.

Last night we had burritos for dinner. Burritos as in a whole bunch of yummy stuff wrapped up in a white tortilla. From his corner of the table I hear...

"5,4,3,2,1 and lift off of the Delta 2 rocket with the Mars exploration rover."

With cheese falling out of the upright burrito, James proceeds to shoot the rocket burrito into the air. Who would've thought such an ordinary dinner could turn into a rocket launch?

One of my favorite things to do is to help him get dressed. First of all, he has a big head. So all his shirts reach a certain point of tension before they pop off his head. And then, he is so ticklish. If you just touch his little belly he starts giggling uncontrollably. His laugh is so contagious so I can't help but tickle him even more...to the point that tears are coming out of both our eyes from laughing so hard.

And speaking of dressing, I still make him wear his old t-shirts that are about 2 sizes to small. Do you remember Gus Gus in Cinderella? That is what I think of every time I see his little belly poking out from under his shirt.

The way he talks will just melt your heart. He says "lellow" (yellow) and "toot" and "act u a lly" (with his finger pointed in the air as if he was making a statement), and my new favorite is "bwoogers".

The little guy loves having the whole family circled in together. He wouldn't harm a flea. He is a little ray of sunshine. I want to go squeeze him right now while he is off dreaming. Good night little James.

Bubblegum, Bubblegum, In A Dish...

2011-03-21T18:27:00.000-07:00

Tonight's activity and treat for Family Home Evening was learning how to blow bubblegum bubbles.

First, get a nice big wad of gum.

Then, chew it up real good.

Spread it over your tongue, like this.

Now, blow air into it.

Whoops, drop it on the floor.
Pick it up and put it back in your mouth with all sorts of crunchies in it.

Watch out for prickly fingers.

The Lepruchaun Was Here

2011-03-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

When some edible thing is this bright, you know it is either...

really good for you

or

really bad for you.

Sunday Dinner

2011-03-21T08:44:00.001-07:00

A Rare Delicacy

2011-03-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

And that folks, is what Anna thinks of creamed spinach.

The Sun Will Come Out

2011-03-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was gorgeous...sunny and warmer
(funny how I think 40's is warmer now).
The air was crisp and cool, but the sunshine was warm.
So we pumped up all our bike and stroller tires and headed out.

We made some stops along the way, for climbing...

...and snacks.

Dinner last night was a hot dog roast over an open fire in our neighbor's backyard.
Mmmmmmmm.

Welcome Spring.

Lost and Found

2011-03-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

We lost a couple of things in January. Namely our sidewalk, grass, and everything else in our yard. We almost lost our garage with all the snow we had pile up around it to get to our cars. But with the warmer temperatures, we have found everything again. We also found all our bike/scooter equipment and busted that out this afternoon. It felt so good to get out and ride bikes again.

But with all this finding, I'm afraid we have lost our great snow fort. I'm not too sad about that.

Look At Those Cheeks

2011-03-07T12:57:00.000-08:00

I fell off the blogging bandwagon. I lost a little bit of the blogging fuego. But I'm back. Besides, with cute pictures like this, how can I not post them for the world to see?

Boston Massacre

2011-03-07T12:47:00.001-08:00

Saturday was the 241st anniversary of the Boston Massacre. We went to the annual re-enactment. It was pretty amazing. I didn't like studying history until we moved East. I feel like I've been playing catch up ever since we moved to Virginia six years ago.

They asked the crowd to participate in the re-enactment. We yelled things like "Huzzah!" and "Lobsters!" at these guys. I don't think I'd ever said "huzzah" before, but I rather like it. Maybe I will start using it more often...I don't really know what it means though. I hope it is not a bad word. If it is, I don't want to know.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2011-02-22T18:39:00.000-08:00

I got a new phone. It is nothing fancy. In fact it was free. "Free" is why I got the phone I did. I didn't have to upgrade my simple plan (that I pay pennies for) to the super duper slapa wapa plan. So basically, the only choice I had when it came to picking a phone, was color...gray or limeade. I chose limeade of course.

I thought the only green thing about my phone was it's color. Well, when I powered it up today, I realized it is GREEN. Like it is made of recycled materials and comes with a Prius as an accessory, and don't forget the "coexist" bumper sticker that goes on the back. All the preloaded backgrounds are pictures of rivers, waterfalls, flowers, dolphins, oceans, etc. The preloaded ringtones are called "mother earth", "on a journey", "trailhead", "soft beams of sunlight", "lightening bug"...you get the idea.

I bet you Al Gore is saved in my speed dial already.

Now excuse me while I go and download the sound of a hummer revving up for my ringtone. Because I really don't buy in to this political movement/distraction.

How To Stop A Freight Train

2011-02-22T18:21:00.000-08:00

Our family freight train has come to a screeching stop. Some little bug has been going around and I alone remain to tell the tale. Only I have managed to escape it's fury...so far...but I feel as though I am a prisoner waiting to die.

It has been hard watching each person in my family go through this little doozy (and clean up after each). And now I know all too well the journey my body will have to make...I just don't know when it will happen.

While the little boys were sick, I let them watch some movies (a rare treat in our house). This morning they asked if they could watch some. I said we were going to do other things since they were feeling better. Both kiddos immediately started complaining about their tummies hurting and how sick they were. They even went and retrieved their little throw up containers they were all to familiar with just to prove their point.

I called their bluff when they started jumping off the couch and driving around on the scooter. I had them vacuuming and cleaning the mirrors in no time.

So, if you don't hear from me in a while, you will probably find me in the bathroom, hugging that porcelain bowl.

The Things I Love

2011-02-19T18:18:00.001-08:00

On Valentines morning, Christian took the kiddos to breakfast, so I could run.
I love running.

Later, we went swimming.
I love swimming.

After swimming, we surprised Dad at work with balloons.
I love having an excuse to visit Christian at work.

For dinner we had salmon with orange salsa.
That was what Christian made for me on our first Valentines together.
I love salmon.

Later that night, we cuddled on our new couch (I love our new couch),
and watched a movie.

I am in love.

Valentine Warm Up

2011-02-13T18:39:00.000-08:00

This girl was lovin' on me tonight.

Warm Winter Days

2011-02-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

Today we went skiing, cross country skiing.
This was our first time.
Here is a brief overview of how it went down.

Arrive at parking lot to lodge and trails.
Get everyone safely across the ice to the lodge.
Find out we need more cash.
Drive 2 miles down the road to ATM machine and back.
Get everyone's boots and skis.
Ahhhhh.

Get everyone's gear on.
Start putting Anna in the carrier.
Anna starts biting and sucking my chin...she's hungry.
Unbundle Anna, unbundle me.
Feed Anna.
Ahhhhh, good for another 3 hours.

Bundle back up.
Put Anna in front pack.
Slip locking into my skis.
Anna and I fall.
My ski ends up 20ft away.
Recover.
Get locked in.
Ahhhh.

Don't let that smile fool you.
He made it 10 ft.
Tears each step of the way.
So we put him in here.
Ahhhh.

He loved the rest of the expedition.
We could barely wake him from his semi-comatose state.
When he did awaken, he said
"Let's do that again! I liked that!"

Then he marched into the lodge demanding a granola bar.
He really worked up an appetite out on those snow covered trails.
We told him he had to wait until after lunch.
He said "Ok".
Ahhhh.

Daniel smoked us on the trails.

We made it back safely.
Ahhhh

"Ask that lady if she will take a picture for us."
It was really bright.
"Daniel, stop picking your nose."
Lady, "The camera is not working."
Turn camera on.
Everyone, look at the camera.
Smile.
Ahhhh.

Return all skis, boots, and poles.
Get everyone back in car avoiding the mud puddles.
Drive to country store.
Eat lunch.
Smile at the memory.

Drive home.
Put all the gear away.
Tuck tired children into warm beds.
Ahhhh.

Ice Skating

2011-02-12T19:00:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we went ice skating....the three kids and I, and that is why I have no pictures of the outing. But maybe I can paint a few pictures for you.

It was on a small frozen pond, surrounded by a little forest. The air was nippy. It was a clear afternoon. The sun was starting to set. Other children there laughing and playing around.

That's the good picture. Here's the other picture...

...a bloody lip, freezing cold hands, tears. That would be a picture of James.

Daniel's picture would be a smile with a mouthful of snow.

Anna's picture would be of a warm, cuddled, sleeping baby, and I, I breathed a sigh of relief when we all made it back into the car after the ordeal.

This Post is for My Mom

2011-02-12T18:36:00.000-08:00

This post is for my mom. I'm sure only she will notice the small details of work we have done, but she gets excited about them, and I am excited about them, so it is fun to share them with her.
Fixing the front porch is the project that is on deck, but we will wait until the deck is cleared of snow. So for now, we are going to enjoy the rest of winter...at least until something else breaks.

Finally, we are bidding adieu to our couch. The couch that was birthed in Florida, a youngn' in Mexico, a teenager in Texas, had a midlife crisis in Virginia, and moved on to a better life in Massachusetts. We are hoping our new infant red couch will have a long, healthy life.

Did the Groundhog See His Shadow?

2011-02-02T17:50:00.000-08:00

Today's snow adventures started with the dressing of little hands and feet into puffy, bulky gear.

When I realized our sled was buried under the latest snow, I got out the pool toys and made this little number.

Did you know sleds are to winter as strollers are to summer?
I just learned that.

So off we went, a half mile down the road.
We needed to get some things at the craft store to make Valentines.
The craft store was closed, but getting down and back was an adventure.
Daniel and I had to army crawl over snow piles.
The boat tipped over once, spilling its contents (James) onto the snow.
James gets jello legs in the snow.
We all got stuck.
We lost one boot.
We wore a hole in our boat, frequent inflating stops were in order.

In the end, we didn't end up making Valentines today.
We mostly shoveled and worked on our snow cave.

Maybe we'll make Valentines tomorrow.
I unburied our sled.

Sundays

2011-02-02T17:41:00.001-08:00

Tonight during dinner Christian explained to Daniel how sometimes we need to do things we don't want or like to do. To make sure Daniel was listening and understanding, Christian asked Daniel to explain it to James.

Daniel turned to James and said,

"James, sometimes we need to go to church!"

Updates

2011-01-27T18:07:00.001-08:00

Daniel

He's reading! I'm so proud of him.
He has been working so hard at this.
He's also the big brother every girl dreams she had.
Anna is his favorite person...and she LOVES Daniel.

James

Potty Trained!
This time is was quick and painless.
He did have a cooshie tooshie (he insisted we bring in the space heater for those long sits).

Anna

Her bottom teeth just popped up.
I love the two-toothed smile.
She's everyone's favorite girl.

Anna Claire

2011-01-27T17:57:00.000-08:00

Anna needed a little more face time on this blog.
The boys like dressing her up.
Soon she will be cutting their hair.

A Lovely Spring Day

2011-01-26T19:20:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time...

There was this boy, who made green curry for this girl...

And she showed up on his door step in a bear suit...

And that is just the beginning....

Of a story that ends...

"And they lived happily ever after."

Mosaics

2011-01-26T18:48:00.000-08:00

With our leftover tiles (from tiling our shower a while back), we made a mosaic. I think the kids favorite part was when I sent them out to break the tiles into pieces by throwing them on the pavement.

"Really Mom? Break them?"

The Big Bathtub

2011-01-19T17:29:00.000-08:00

Miss Anna went swimming for the first time this week. She LOVED it. Looking at this picture makes me miss her. I want to go squeeze her and pepper her in kisses. She is snuggily tucked in her bed. I wonder what she is dreaming of....maybe swimming...but hopefully me. Sweet dreams my little lady.

Mush

2011-01-17T17:39:00.000-08:00

Saturday was mushing...

...not mushy.

Well, that too.

Our PB&J picnic

Anna still got a little snooze in.

Little mushers...so cute on their "one dog open sleigh"

And here is the parting shot.

I Was Wrong

2011-01-15T19:06:00.000-08:00

There were three things I feared about living in New England

Politics
Cost of Living
Winter

We have been here almost three years, I am here to tell you that the first two fears are legit. Barney Frank got re-elected this past year...enough said. We practically sold all our children, and our unborn children for our walls and roof. But, I was wrong about winter.

It's breathtaking sometimes.

Without it, some trees are not climable...

...and the landing not so soft when you jump down.

And when else can you make a real "snow" cone

and then go inside and sip hot cocoa cuddled on the coach with a movie?

That is how our days have been...

winter bliss...

Mmmmmmmmmm.

Snowed In

2011-01-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

Looks like we're not going anywhere anytime soon.

Good Times

2011-01-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

I stole all these photos off my sister-in-law's blog. I hope I'm not breaking any copyright laws. I might owe her big $$.

I love this picture!

Good 'ol boy vs. girl snowball fight.
I hope it wasn't me at the other end of this snowball.
I can't remember.
The girls did end up taking all the key players down.

This is the parting shot.

Thanks for capturing the moments.

I just wish someone had captured Lisa's pajama white wash.

Noteworthy Happenings at Park City

2011-01-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

Daniel skied solo.

When I told him to slow down he said,
"I don't like it when you tell me to slow down!"
And off he flew...once over the edge.

No broken bones this year.
No falling pants.

Tim brought a girl...

My legs were mush skiing with this little guy.
He was only along for the ride.
Have you ever tried skiing while squatting and maneuvering a two year old?
I was SWEATY!

No one rolled in the snow in their swim suit this year.
One word...LAME-O.

I guess there is always next year.
I can't wait!

We're Home

2011-01-07T18:53:00.000-08:00

I love coming home...except for the laundry

Happy New Year!

2011-01-02T19:07:00.001-08:00