Tonight at dinner we reviewed our year and thought of "high points" of the year. (We usually talk about the high point of our day at dinner.)
Here are some of the things we came up with:
*Several trips to Disneyland-especially our first one in May for 2 days
*Summer break-filled with swim lessons and the beach
*Santa Claus bringing scooters and nutcrackers
*The Cruise for Josh and I (the boys said they liked having Grandma and Grandpa visit)
*The string of visits from family this fall-all 4 grandparents and Uncle Scott (and Jason in April, great grandparents in January, etc.)
*Laura and Sam (my cousin and her husband) moving to San Diego
*The 4th of July-fun BBQ and then fireworks over the ocean in La Jolla cove
*For me-the trip to Madison
*Josh mentioned the trip to Denver. The rest of us groaned. Let's just say that lots of sickness sort of put a damper on that trip. Otherwise it would have been great.
We are excited to see what 2010 brings.
Jack is excited that this is the year he will start Kindergarten! I keep telling him he can't go-that he is my baby, but he insists. :)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2009 Goal
In the beginning of 2009 I set a New Year's Goal. I like to set goals each year and I like to call them goals instead of resolutions-seems more substantial somehow.
I set a goal to find joy in the journey and to be of good cheer. I prayed nearly every morning for help with that and I am happy to say that it has gone so well. I feel like I am more able to focus on the joy of motherhood and spending my days with these adorable, wild, dirty little people that we call children rather than focusing on how many diapers I had to change in a day, who was in a bad mood, who whined or made messes. Sometimes I can even look at a mess that one of them has made and see the sweet childhood motivation behind it ("I was seeing what would happen if I poured salt on ice mom") rather than just the mess.
It feels great! Tomorrow I will tell you my 2010 goal.
I set a goal to find joy in the journey and to be of good cheer. I prayed nearly every morning for help with that and I am happy to say that it has gone so well. I feel like I am more able to focus on the joy of motherhood and spending my days with these adorable, wild, dirty little people that we call children rather than focusing on how many diapers I had to change in a day, who was in a bad mood, who whined or made messes. Sometimes I can even look at a mess that one of them has made and see the sweet childhood motivation behind it ("I was seeing what would happen if I poured salt on ice mom") rather than just the mess.
It feels great! Tomorrow I will tell you my 2010 goal.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
R-A-T-S
For a while now we have had problems with vermin of various kinds. There are the millions of little ants that find their way into every nook and cranny of our home, there are the little lizards in the backyard that Jack likes to catch (those we don't mind-we think they are cute), there are the spiders that form their webs in every single corner of our house, and then there are the RATS.
OK, we have been referring to them as mice for that last few months. We knew we had some in the garage. We caught and killed 4. And when I say we, I mean Josh. We blocked their entrance to the garage. (This was my contribution-I blocked their entrance). We thought we had them taken care of. Poop littered our garage floor, Josh swept it up. We thought we were good.
Josh's dad came to visit us for Christmas and one day we found him cleaning out our garage. Josh guiltily went out to help him and as they cleaned, the two of them soon found more and more evidence of the "mice." Mouse dropping were everywhere. Everywhere. We found a peanut butter container they had gnawed through, food they had ransacked, it was a mess.
Then, as Josh's mom and I stood watching, Josh and his dad pulled a water barrel out from the wall so they could sweep behind it and out ran a big, fat "mouse." It quickly ran to where we couldn't get to it. Moments later another one appeared from behind the water barrels. Josh cornered it and tried to kill it with a shovel but it escaped.
This is my favorite part although it certainly doesn't win me any daughter in law points. The "mouse" ran through that garage to the exact spot that my mother in law (who is no fan of any sort of small creature) was standing. He then proceeded to run around and through her feet while she yelped "It's a rat! It's a rat!!!!" I will tell the truth. I laughed. Like is said, no daughter in law points that day.
Anyway, over the course of the next few days we found one more RAT in the garage (these things are huge by the way) which Josh and his dad disposed of. All the poop has been swept up and the garage is clean.
So tonight when Nathan mentioned seeing a RAT in the backyard I didn't believe him-I thought he was just teasing me. But then there he was-a big fat rat. While I tried to BBQ our kabobs he hid under the grill. At least he isn't in our garage anymore.
(One thing I failed to mention-Josh's grandma was also in town. If Josh's mom doesn't like rats, Josh's grandma loathes even the very thought. I think she almost didn't come back to our house when she found out we had rats in the garage.)
OK, we have been referring to them as mice for that last few months. We knew we had some in the garage. We caught and killed 4. And when I say we, I mean Josh. We blocked their entrance to the garage. (This was my contribution-I blocked their entrance). We thought we had them taken care of. Poop littered our garage floor, Josh swept it up. We thought we were good.
Josh's dad came to visit us for Christmas and one day we found him cleaning out our garage. Josh guiltily went out to help him and as they cleaned, the two of them soon found more and more evidence of the "mice." Mouse dropping were everywhere. Everywhere. We found a peanut butter container they had gnawed through, food they had ransacked, it was a mess.
Then, as Josh's mom and I stood watching, Josh and his dad pulled a water barrel out from the wall so they could sweep behind it and out ran a big, fat "mouse." It quickly ran to where we couldn't get to it. Moments later another one appeared from behind the water barrels. Josh cornered it and tried to kill it with a shovel but it escaped.
This is my favorite part although it certainly doesn't win me any daughter in law points. The "mouse" ran through that garage to the exact spot that my mother in law (who is no fan of any sort of small creature) was standing. He then proceeded to run around and through her feet while she yelped "It's a rat! It's a rat!!!!" I will tell the truth. I laughed. Like is said, no daughter in law points that day.
Anyway, over the course of the next few days we found one more RAT in the garage (these things are huge by the way) which Josh and his dad disposed of. All the poop has been swept up and the garage is clean.
So tonight when Nathan mentioned seeing a RAT in the backyard I didn't believe him-I thought he was just teasing me. But then there he was-a big fat rat. While I tried to BBQ our kabobs he hid under the grill. At least he isn't in our garage anymore.
(One thing I failed to mention-Josh's grandma was also in town. If Josh's mom doesn't like rats, Josh's grandma loathes even the very thought. I think she almost didn't come back to our house when she found out we had rats in the garage.)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Today I went to the park with some of my favorite people...
Superman:
An Astronaut:
One great daddy:
And my little sweetie:
We climbed ladders:
We climbed ladders:
and trees:
we swung:
We rode scooters (brand new care of Santa):
or sat on scooters in some cases:
and mama? She played with her brand new camera. Could you tell? :) Got some learning to do but this is a far cry from my point and click. Mama is a happy girl.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Exercise TV
This is my new favorite thing. Thanks to my friend Yerika who told me about it:
Exercise TV
I keep hoping to become one of those people who really loves to workout, but so far no luck. BUT, this is the closest I have come to loving it. You can go to this website and they have tons of free exercise videos that you can watch from your computer and exercise with. And the best part is that they have a HUGE variety of types-everything from yoga to kickboxing, ab strengthening to cardio bootcamp.
Every morning (ok, well not every morning), but most mornings I pick one 20 minute video and do it. I was thrilled the other day when I found a ballet workout. And it was killer. Loved it. My favorite is a 30 minute cardio bootcamp. I have discovered that I am in better shape than I thought and it has to be pretty intense for me to really get my heartrate up and I guess I like jumping around a lot-otherwise I just don't feel like I am getting enough of a workout.
Anyway, this is how I justify eating all the Christmas baking I am doing. :)
Exercise TV
I keep hoping to become one of those people who really loves to workout, but so far no luck. BUT, this is the closest I have come to loving it. You can go to this website and they have tons of free exercise videos that you can watch from your computer and exercise with. And the best part is that they have a HUGE variety of types-everything from yoga to kickboxing, ab strengthening to cardio bootcamp.
Every morning (ok, well not every morning), but most mornings I pick one 20 minute video and do it. I was thrilled the other day when I found a ballet workout. And it was killer. Loved it. My favorite is a 30 minute cardio bootcamp. I have discovered that I am in better shape than I thought and it has to be pretty intense for me to really get my heartrate up and I guess I like jumping around a lot-otherwise I just don't feel like I am getting enough of a workout.
Anyway, this is how I justify eating all the Christmas baking I am doing. :)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Christmas Cards
Can you all please send me your address so I can send you a lovely Christmas card? :) I have my old Mad 4th ward roster but if you have moved in the last year or 2 could you give it to me? Anyone and everyone else as well, if you want a card to arrive in your mailbox, make my life easier by giving me your address now so I don't have to search for it. And believe me, Josh has been working his magic and this year's poem will wow you. :) You want one of these cards.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Meet Nana
One of the best things about living in San Diego is our neighbors. All of them are nice, but two doors down live Tala and Damien (see previous post) and they are honestly the most ideal neighbors I could dream of having. Damien is Nathan's age and they are in the same class at school and Tala is just a wonderful and amazing friend. We carpool to school, borrow eggs and potatoes from each other constantly, the boys love each other, they are just wonderful.
Tala came here from Iran when she was 15-all alone. But that is a whole other story. A few years after coming here she met Sylvia-a wonderful woman who wanted to adopt her. Tala was already 18, so legally she could not be adopted, but Sylvia adopted her in spirit.
So, 17 years later Sylvia is now "Nana" to Damien (and to many more people-children of all ages). My boys call her Nana, actually, I usually call her Nana too even though I could call her Sylvia. The name Nana just fits so well. She is the most Christlike of people-always giving, always loving. We adore her. She has a "cookie ministry" complete with a Cookie Fairy outfit-yes you read that right-and business cards that she leaves for people indicating that she is spreading God's love through cookies. Monthly she dresses up in her Cookie Fairy costume and goes to a Mexican orphanage armed with diapers, food, money and of course, cookies, to entertain the kids and make this world just a little bit better.
We love Nana. Two weeks ago-on Veteran's day-Nana took me and my 3 boys along with Damien to the Corvette Diner in San Diego. We skipped to the glow in the dark table (because we were instructed to do so by the host) where we watched waitresses dance in the aisles (and Nana-though she is 60 sat in our booth trying to dance along), drank shakes as tall as Jack's head and ate big old burger's and fries, saw people get their hair decorated with straws and then, to cap it all off, we got to play arcade games and win prizes. The boys had a ball.
We love Nana-everyone loves Nana. We are so glad to have Nana as a part of our lives. Meet Nana:
Tala came here from Iran when she was 15-all alone. But that is a whole other story. A few years after coming here she met Sylvia-a wonderful woman who wanted to adopt her. Tala was already 18, so legally she could not be adopted, but Sylvia adopted her in spirit.
So, 17 years later Sylvia is now "Nana" to Damien (and to many more people-children of all ages). My boys call her Nana, actually, I usually call her Nana too even though I could call her Sylvia. The name Nana just fits so well. She is the most Christlike of people-always giving, always loving. We adore her. She has a "cookie ministry" complete with a Cookie Fairy outfit-yes you read that right-and business cards that she leaves for people indicating that she is spreading God's love through cookies. Monthly she dresses up in her Cookie Fairy costume and goes to a Mexican orphanage armed with diapers, food, money and of course, cookies, to entertain the kids and make this world just a little bit better.
We love Nana. Two weeks ago-on Veteran's day-Nana took me and my 3 boys along with Damien to the Corvette Diner in San Diego. We skipped to the glow in the dark table (because we were instructed to do so by the host) where we watched waitresses dance in the aisles (and Nana-though she is 60 sat in our booth trying to dance along), drank shakes as tall as Jack's head and ate big old burger's and fries, saw people get their hair decorated with straws and then, to cap it all off, we got to play arcade games and win prizes. The boys had a ball.
We love Nana-everyone loves Nana. We are so glad to have Nana as a part of our lives. Meet Nana:
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What's That?
As long as I am blogging, here is one more long overdue post.
Before Halloween one day I told my neighbor Tala that her son Damien could come over that evening if he wanted to help us carve pumpkins. She said "what's that?" Seriously?! She has never carved a pumpkin. Mind you she is from Iran, but she has lived here for like 20 years. I couldn't believe it!
So Damien came over and experienced his first ever pumpkin carving. He had a blast!
Before Halloween one day I told my neighbor Tala that her son Damien could come over that evening if he wanted to help us carve pumpkins. She said "what's that?" Seriously?! She has never carved a pumpkin. Mind you she is from Iran, but she has lived here for like 20 years. I couldn't believe it!
So Damien came over and experienced his first ever pumpkin carving. He had a blast!
Compassion
I need to get this recorded because it is just so sweet.
Several times lately Dallen has shown what we think is amazing compassion or awareness of others for a child of just 22 months.
One day I was sitting at the kitchen table next to him while he ate breakfast. Daddy was in the kitchen and all of a sudden Dallen went to him saying "mama, fweeeeeeeen." (Translation-mama drink.) Josh looked at him strangely because, first of all, Josh is daddy, not mama, and second, Dallen already had a drink. Josh tried to explain this to him but he kept asking. I said to Josh, "I think he might be wanting to give me a drink" so Josh filled up a cup for me and handed it to Dallen, who immediately grinned and turned to me with the drink and handed it to me.
Josh and I looked at each other rather surprised. How does a 22 month old notice that mom doesn't have something that he thinks she might want? I know it is a small thing, but at that age I think it is huge. That seems abnormal for a kid this age. But he just keeps doing it. Today he got me a bowl of cereal and brought it to me, he has done several things for Josh.
I have to say, I just love this little Dallen guy. Seeing this kind of love in a child this small makes me excited to see what he is like as he gets older. Who wouldn't love this kid?
Several times lately Dallen has shown what we think is amazing compassion or awareness of others for a child of just 22 months.
One day I was sitting at the kitchen table next to him while he ate breakfast. Daddy was in the kitchen and all of a sudden Dallen went to him saying "mama, fweeeeeeeen." (Translation-mama drink.) Josh looked at him strangely because, first of all, Josh is daddy, not mama, and second, Dallen already had a drink. Josh tried to explain this to him but he kept asking. I said to Josh, "I think he might be wanting to give me a drink" so Josh filled up a cup for me and handed it to Dallen, who immediately grinned and turned to me with the drink and handed it to me.
Josh and I looked at each other rather surprised. How does a 22 month old notice that mom doesn't have something that he thinks she might want? I know it is a small thing, but at that age I think it is huge. That seems abnormal for a kid this age. But he just keeps doing it. Today he got me a bowl of cereal and brought it to me, he has done several things for Josh.
I have to say, I just love this little Dallen guy. Seeing this kind of love in a child this small makes me excited to see what he is like as he gets older. Who wouldn't love this kid?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Heal me or Kill me?
As I mentioned a couple of months ago, Josh suprised me with a plane ticket to Madison to see my friends for a few days. Last night I got home from my trip.
Before I went Josh and I debated what the trip would do to me...I thought it might kill me. To see all those wonderful and amazing friends and then to have to walk away and leave them again. I didn't know if I could do that.
Josh thought it would heal me. He thought that I would go there, enjoy seeing my friends but somehow realize that I had been idealizing it in my mind and so I would be healed-my little broken missing Madison heart would be healed.
I thought about this a lot during the time that I was there. How would I feel when I left? Would my heart break again or would it be healed? I think in the end the trip did neither. One thing is certain-I didn't come to the conclusion that I had been idealizing the place. No-everything was just as I remembered it. Warm and friendly and fun. Though I was reminded that with the amazing friendship and comradery there comes germs. When you spend everyday among friends and their kids everyone gets sick-all together. There was a massive outbreak of hand, foot and mouth years ago. I don't miss that.
And it was glorious to see these friends. I literally saw probably 50-60 friends. People I love and treasure. And yes, it was hard to walk away from them again. Very hard. And I still miss them and always will. But I guess I realized that they are still my friends, even if we live 2000 miles apart. And that there are benefits to living in San Diego-like wonderful weather, lots to do, a great school, etc.
So in the end it neither killed me or healed me. It was just plain fun!
2 playgroups, a wild and crazy (and I do mean wild and crazy-I haven't laughed so hard since the last time I went a year and a half ago) book club, a trip to New Moon with 30, yes, I said 30 ladies (see picture below) followed by a late night trip to a wing's joint, another quieter girl's night out, staying with a fun friend, dinner with a cute family, SYTYCD with two pals, Babcock ice cream, Chin's Asian, and some down time to relax. Oh, and church on Sunday. It was wonderful. I love you Madison friends-you are amazing people.
Before I went Josh and I debated what the trip would do to me...I thought it might kill me. To see all those wonderful and amazing friends and then to have to walk away and leave them again. I didn't know if I could do that.
Josh thought it would heal me. He thought that I would go there, enjoy seeing my friends but somehow realize that I had been idealizing it in my mind and so I would be healed-my little broken missing Madison heart would be healed.
I thought about this a lot during the time that I was there. How would I feel when I left? Would my heart break again or would it be healed? I think in the end the trip did neither. One thing is certain-I didn't come to the conclusion that I had been idealizing the place. No-everything was just as I remembered it. Warm and friendly and fun. Though I was reminded that with the amazing friendship and comradery there comes germs. When you spend everyday among friends and their kids everyone gets sick-all together. There was a massive outbreak of hand, foot and mouth years ago. I don't miss that.
And it was glorious to see these friends. I literally saw probably 50-60 friends. People I love and treasure. And yes, it was hard to walk away from them again. Very hard. And I still miss them and always will. But I guess I realized that they are still my friends, even if we live 2000 miles apart. And that there are benefits to living in San Diego-like wonderful weather, lots to do, a great school, etc.
So in the end it neither killed me or healed me. It was just plain fun!
2 playgroups, a wild and crazy (and I do mean wild and crazy-I haven't laughed so hard since the last time I went a year and a half ago) book club, a trip to New Moon with 30, yes, I said 30 ladies (see picture below) followed by a late night trip to a wing's joint, another quieter girl's night out, staying with a fun friend, dinner with a cute family, SYTYCD with two pals, Babcock ice cream, Chin's Asian, and some down time to relax. Oh, and church on Sunday. It was wonderful. I love you Madison friends-you are amazing people.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
As requested
Finally, two weeks later-full body shots of my dinos:
Dal-ceratops:
Tyrannosaurus Jack: (this is right about the moment that we discovered the Swine Flu fever that we thought he was free of was back.)
And all three little monsters:
The Snood-osaurus:
Dal-ceratops:
Tyrannosaurus Jack: (this is right about the moment that we discovered the Swine Flu fever that we thought he was free of was back.)
And all three little monsters:
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
What I have spent a million hours doing...
I gave my mom a business for Christmas last year. She makes gorgeous bracelets for babies and kids (and moms although she prefers the little ones). We tried taking pics of her bracelets ourselves and it didn't go so great, so, for her birthday I flew her out here, we made a ton of bracelets and had my amazing photographer friend take pics.
I had to totally and completely redo her site with the new pictures, new bracelets, etc. and it has taken hours and hours and hours. But it is put back together now with only small and minor changes to be made.
Check it out.
Pretty Hippos Bracelets
And thank you Liz. You are a miracle worker.
I had to totally and completely redo her site with the new pictures, new bracelets, etc. and it has taken hours and hours and hours. But it is put back together now with only small and minor changes to be made.
Check it out.
Pretty Hippos Bracelets
And thank you Liz. You are a miracle worker.
Winner revisited
Rachel was the big winner of my little blog giveaway! She already received her box in the mail...but the good news is that there are consolation prizes for everyone who entered and they are going out today! But Sarah, I can't for the life of me find where I wrote your address down, so could you just give it to me again?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Blog-arrhea
It's been a while since I really blogged. And not because I didn't have plenty to say. But after being out of town and having all our visitors, last week was jam packed with teaching Joy School, running an after school art program for 60 kids, teaching about 20 ladies to make Superhero capes (and getting all the supplies ready for both of those activities ahead of time), basic post vacation returning to normalcy such as a million grocery store/Costco trips, unpacking, and getting ready for my dad to come, not to mention the day to day stuff of having 3 kids and a business...
So, after spending a day with sick kids today (day 4 spent with sick kids actually) I locked myself in my room and blogged for a couple of hours. Hence the post count from tonight-a lot.
So, after spending a day with sick kids today (day 4 spent with sick kids actually) I locked myself in my room and blogged for a couple of hours. Hence the post count from tonight-a lot.
Thank You Mama!
Every time I do something for Dallen this week he replies with the sweetest words to a mother's ears-"Deedoo Mama" (translation="Thank you mama!") Loving that! I hand him his breakfast in the morning "deedoo mama." I change his diaper "deedoo mama." I give him a snack "deedoo mama." I love this kid.
I Hope I Remember
When years are passed and my boys are big, I hope I remember...
This-the classic Snood grin (Blogger doesn't like square pictures and so it got confused and posted this one sideways):
Adorable Jack smiles:
Those eyes:
Brotherhood:
And I am sure I won't forget this:
This-the classic Snood grin (Blogger doesn't like square pictures and so it got confused and posted this one sideways):
Adorable Jack smiles:
Those eyes:
Brotherhood:
And I am sure I won't forget this:
What is Dallen up to?
This is where I find Dallen. All the time. He pulls a chair over-no matter how many times I move him away.
And thus it begins...
I always say that Nathan is a little miniature Josh in every way. But then it struck me that there is a twist of Amber in there. Nathan gets ideas. Big ideas. And he won't let them go!!
Last weekend, Saturday late afternoon, a chilly Saturday afternoon, Nathan declared that he was going to have a Lemonade stand! Our first ever. Oh boy.
I feel like I can never, ever say no to a statement such as that. When I was a child I had a lot of similar ideas. I even put on a rummage sale (involving a card table covered with stuffed animals for sale) once and my mom never said no. And I went from that, to this: My Sweet Dreams Baby
So how can I EVER say no to a Lemonade stand or the like? I didn't. I let him do it, although success was limited on that late Saturday afternoon chilly fall day on our quiet little neighborhood street.
But he sure looks cute doing it!
Last weekend, Saturday late afternoon, a chilly Saturday afternoon, Nathan declared that he was going to have a Lemonade stand! Our first ever. Oh boy.
I feel like I can never, ever say no to a statement such as that. When I was a child I had a lot of similar ideas. I even put on a rummage sale (involving a card table covered with stuffed animals for sale) once and my mom never said no. And I went from that, to this: My Sweet Dreams Baby
So how can I EVER say no to a Lemonade stand or the like? I didn't. I let him do it, although success was limited on that late Saturday afternoon chilly fall day on our quiet little neighborhood street.
But he sure looks cute doing it!
The Most Wonderful Week of My Life
For a while now I have toyed with the idea of going on a cruise. Josh has never liked the idea. He was certain that he would be killed on board and thrown overboard and never thought of again.
But, since we moved to San Diego and happen to live not far from a Cruise Embarcadero and since we have tons of credit card points that can be used for things like cruises and since, for the first time in a while, I am not pregnant or nursing, we decided now was the best chance we were going to get for a long time.
We left on a Monday afternoon. My grandparents (seasoned cruisers) insisted that we needed to get on the boat as early as possible since "you can start eating right away!" And we did. We got on, found our room, then went upstairs for pizza.
Really the trip was the most relaxing, fun, enjoyable week I have spent since, well, ever! One of my favorite parts was that while we were at dinner each night:
the lovely housekeeper would turn down our bed, leave a mint on our pillow, and make us an adorable towel creature. We took a picture of our towel creature each night:
Ah, I could get used to that! All the pampering and over the top service. Sigh. Anyway, on Tuesday we stayed on the boat for a "Fun Day at Sea." We golfed:
(I was declared champion). We read-a lot. I read 2.5 books in 4 days which was paradies for me:
Josh pondered the deeper meanings of life:
While I soaked up the sun:
(Those last two pictures were jokes, by the way.) We also danced (Josh even let me drag him to the Thriller dance class. You should definitely ask to see his moves sometime.) Oh, and we ate. And then we ate. And then because we had nothing else to do, we ate.
Wednesday was Catalina island:
You can see our ship in the background there. (We had to take little boats into the island.) Catalina was really the highlight for both of us. We kayaked and snorkeled there, two things that neither of us have done before and two things we both loved. I insisted on a pre-snorkeling photo shoot because those outfits were just so fantastic:
There, now that you have seen more of Josh's legs than ever before, on to the rest of the story. Friday was Ensenada, Mexico. My first official time in another country. (I know, lame.) Here is my proof-a Mexican flag growing out of my head:
All we really did there was shop for 2 hours. Then we got back on the boat.
The trip was amazing, it was paradise, I literally loved every minute of it. I can't wait to do it again...someday.
Oooh, and the best part. The whole thing cost us $145 total-for souveniours, the kayaking, and the whole cruise itself. Nice.
But, since we moved to San Diego and happen to live not far from a Cruise Embarcadero and since we have tons of credit card points that can be used for things like cruises and since, for the first time in a while, I am not pregnant or nursing, we decided now was the best chance we were going to get for a long time.
We left on a Monday afternoon. My grandparents (seasoned cruisers) insisted that we needed to get on the boat as early as possible since "you can start eating right away!" And we did. We got on, found our room, then went upstairs for pizza.
Really the trip was the most relaxing, fun, enjoyable week I have spent since, well, ever! One of my favorite parts was that while we were at dinner each night:
the lovely housekeeper would turn down our bed, leave a mint on our pillow, and make us an adorable towel creature. We took a picture of our towel creature each night:
Ah, I could get used to that! All the pampering and over the top service. Sigh. Anyway, on Tuesday we stayed on the boat for a "Fun Day at Sea." We golfed:
(I was declared champion). We read-a lot. I read 2.5 books in 4 days which was paradies for me:
Josh pondered the deeper meanings of life:
While I soaked up the sun:
(Those last two pictures were jokes, by the way.) We also danced (Josh even let me drag him to the Thriller dance class. You should definitely ask to see his moves sometime.) Oh, and we ate. And then we ate. And then because we had nothing else to do, we ate.
Wednesday was Catalina island:
You can see our ship in the background there. (We had to take little boats into the island.) Catalina was really the highlight for both of us. We kayaked and snorkeled there, two things that neither of us have done before and two things we both loved. I insisted on a pre-snorkeling photo shoot because those outfits were just so fantastic:
There, now that you have seen more of Josh's legs than ever before, on to the rest of the story. Friday was Ensenada, Mexico. My first official time in another country. (I know, lame.) Here is my proof-a Mexican flag growing out of my head:
All we really did there was shop for 2 hours. Then we got back on the boat.
The trip was amazing, it was paradise, I literally loved every minute of it. I can't wait to do it again...someday.
Oooh, and the best part. The whole thing cost us $145 total-for souveniours, the kayaking, and the whole cruise itself. Nice.
Grandparents and Why They Are Wonderful
In the past month my lucky little boys have been visted by all 4 of their grandparents. I can't help but feel like my boys are so amazingly blessed to have 4 wonderful grandparents who really enrich their lives. It really is a special blessing for them.
I thank each of you-mom, dad, Pam and Tracy (spelled that right this time didn't I?) for being the amazing grandparent that you are to my kids. You truly make a difference in their lives in so many ways. My kids are so secure in knowing they are loved and feel so connected to their grandparents even though, for now, we live far away.
First we had Grandma A. come for a birthday visit (her birthday that is). We took her to Disneyland for her big day. Also to La Jolla Cove to see the tide pools.
My boys think Grandma Allen is probably the world's funniest person-which is a little bit odd because she isn't necessarily a comedian, but now that I think about it there are a number of things she has said in her life that our family still laughs at ("oh-you have a variety of colors!" or "I'm having a quandry"). Anyway, my boys love to laugh with Grandma Allen. I think that is the thing they love best about her. Being silly and having fun and giggling. Nathan is always trying to make her laugh.
Then, just two days after Grandma A. left, both Grandma and Grandpa P came to visit, and, incidentally, to watch our boys for 4 days while we went on a cruise! :) Which I can't thank them enough for. We also took them to the Zoo and took Grandma to Sea World.
The boys love to give Grandma P zerbets and they love to play mind games with her like "I Spy" and swap the sounds in the first letters for two words (for example zoo and spoon becomes spoo and zoon). Grandpa P teaches them all about science and how things work, takes them for walks, and sings songs with them at the piano. They love it all! After he left the boys kept telling us things about how their bikes work or why things are the way they are and we knew that Grandpa must have taught them that.
And then, just a few days after they left Grandpa A came to visit (and yes, my parents do still love each other and are still married, their trips were just planned at different times, that is why they didn't come together). This was Grandpa A's first time coming to see us in San Diego and we really had a good time with him.
The boys all went to Coronado beach and we went to the BYU football player's fireside.
Grandpa A spent a lot of time reading or telling stories and singing crazy songs to the boys which they really enjoyed. And being wild. I think Grandpa A has all the other Grandparents beat on ability to rile up three little boys. :) They loved it!
Thank you to 4 wonderful grandparents for loving our boys like you do. You mean the world to us and to them!
On a side note, I found this picture of my dad and Dal. It struck me as funny because they are making the exact same face and their eyes (I know you can't see my dad's as well because they are blocked by his glasses) look just the same color.
I thank each of you-mom, dad, Pam and Tracy (spelled that right this time didn't I?) for being the amazing grandparent that you are to my kids. You truly make a difference in their lives in so many ways. My kids are so secure in knowing they are loved and feel so connected to their grandparents even though, for now, we live far away.
First we had Grandma A. come for a birthday visit (her birthday that is). We took her to Disneyland for her big day. Also to La Jolla Cove to see the tide pools.
My boys think Grandma Allen is probably the world's funniest person-which is a little bit odd because she isn't necessarily a comedian, but now that I think about it there are a number of things she has said in her life that our family still laughs at ("oh-you have a variety of colors!" or "I'm having a quandry"). Anyway, my boys love to laugh with Grandma Allen. I think that is the thing they love best about her. Being silly and having fun and giggling. Nathan is always trying to make her laugh.
Then, just two days after Grandma A. left, both Grandma and Grandpa P came to visit, and, incidentally, to watch our boys for 4 days while we went on a cruise! :) Which I can't thank them enough for. We also took them to the Zoo and took Grandma to Sea World.
The boys love to give Grandma P zerbets and they love to play mind games with her like "I Spy" and swap the sounds in the first letters for two words (for example zoo and spoon becomes spoo and zoon). Grandpa P teaches them all about science and how things work, takes them for walks, and sings songs with them at the piano. They love it all! After he left the boys kept telling us things about how their bikes work or why things are the way they are and we knew that Grandpa must have taught them that.
And then, just a few days after they left Grandpa A came to visit (and yes, my parents do still love each other and are still married, their trips were just planned at different times, that is why they didn't come together). This was Grandpa A's first time coming to see us in San Diego and we really had a good time with him.
The boys all went to Coronado beach and we went to the BYU football player's fireside.
Grandpa A spent a lot of time reading or telling stories and singing crazy songs to the boys which they really enjoyed. And being wild. I think Grandpa A has all the other Grandparents beat on ability to rile up three little boys. :) They loved it!
Thank you to 4 wonderful grandparents for loving our boys like you do. You mean the world to us and to them!
On a side note, I found this picture of my dad and Dal. It struck me as funny because they are making the exact same face and their eyes (I know you can't see my dad's as well because they are blocked by his glasses) look just the same color.
The Swine Flu makes its appearance...
The piggy flu has found its way through the doors of our home. No biggie. Jack came down with it Monday with the full run of symptoms-cough, sore throat, aches, fever, tired. By Tuesday he really didn't feel very good. Wednesday when Nathan came home from school he mentioned that he was really tired. Within an hour he had a full blown fever too and about 20 minutes later Dallen had joined the gang with a fever of his own.
Truthfully, I am glad-glad that we have it now. In the past month I have been on 2 trips and we have had 3 different sets of visitors (hence the lack of blogging). This Saturday Uncle Scott comes to visit. So having this sickness nestled nicely into this week with nothing going on is perfect.
When Nathan woke up this morning his fever was gone and he was feeling almost fine. Jack also is fever free and Dal seems mostly ok too. I figured I was getting off pretty easy as we all laid around watching movies but feeling mostly good.
But then, we had a ten minute period when all hell broke loose (am I a bad girl for saying hell?). Dal started to cry and act like he wasn't feeling good. He was sobbing and calling "mama mama" as I was trying to get his diaper changed and get him dressed and then get him some medicine and a blanket and snuggle him.
In the course of doing this (I only got through the diaper changing part) I heard a scream from downstairs. A long and prolonged painful scream. I ran downstairs to find Nathan laying half on the arm of the couch, half on the end table and sobbing and screaming. Apparently Jack kicked him over or something and somehow he managed to scrape his back from shoulder blades to tailbone on the table. And Nathan doesn't deal well with pain.
So, I grabbed him and carried him upstairs (meanwhile Dallen was still laying in his room crying and waiting for me to take care of him). I grabbed Dal and brought him to my bed where I put bandaids up and down Nathan's back, at his request. I then sent him downstairs to watch a movie again-the only thing that calms a sick or in pain Nathan down. (Oh, and Jack was in time out obviously.)
So then I turned my attentions to Dallen. I finished getting him dressed, wiped snot from his face, and gave him some grape Ibuprofen which he apparently hates. I had to force it down with him choking and gagging. I finished that, washed his face in the sink and brought him back to my bed where he promptly barfed. Nathan was still downstairs crying for me to come snuggle him.
Quick bath for a crying Dallen and a new set of clothes, pacifier, blankets and snuggle. I check in with Jack who certainly needs a good talking to and he announces that he has to go potty. I take Dallen downstairs where Nathan is waiting for a snuggle and as soon as I sit down Jack is calling my name needing ahem, assistance in the bathrooming process.
And now we are all watching movies peacefully again. Actually Dallen is playing quietly with trains. But that was quite the 10 minutes.
I am happy to say that I handled it with grace. In some ways I enjoy my kid's sickness this week because it means we have had relaxing time at home with each other and even better, I have really gotten to fulfill my divine roll as nurturer this week. And it feels good. It is sad to see your kids sick but it feels good to be able to take care of them, snuggle them and show them just how much you love them.
And hopefully everyone will be healthy before all the Halloween fun begins.
Truthfully, I am glad-glad that we have it now. In the past month I have been on 2 trips and we have had 3 different sets of visitors (hence the lack of blogging). This Saturday Uncle Scott comes to visit. So having this sickness nestled nicely into this week with nothing going on is perfect.
When Nathan woke up this morning his fever was gone and he was feeling almost fine. Jack also is fever free and Dal seems mostly ok too. I figured I was getting off pretty easy as we all laid around watching movies but feeling mostly good.
But then, we had a ten minute period when all hell broke loose (am I a bad girl for saying hell?). Dal started to cry and act like he wasn't feeling good. He was sobbing and calling "mama mama" as I was trying to get his diaper changed and get him dressed and then get him some medicine and a blanket and snuggle him.
In the course of doing this (I only got through the diaper changing part) I heard a scream from downstairs. A long and prolonged painful scream. I ran downstairs to find Nathan laying half on the arm of the couch, half on the end table and sobbing and screaming. Apparently Jack kicked him over or something and somehow he managed to scrape his back from shoulder blades to tailbone on the table. And Nathan doesn't deal well with pain.
So, I grabbed him and carried him upstairs (meanwhile Dallen was still laying in his room crying and waiting for me to take care of him). I grabbed Dal and brought him to my bed where I put bandaids up and down Nathan's back, at his request. I then sent him downstairs to watch a movie again-the only thing that calms a sick or in pain Nathan down. (Oh, and Jack was in time out obviously.)
So then I turned my attentions to Dallen. I finished getting him dressed, wiped snot from his face, and gave him some grape Ibuprofen which he apparently hates. I had to force it down with him choking and gagging. I finished that, washed his face in the sink and brought him back to my bed where he promptly barfed. Nathan was still downstairs crying for me to come snuggle him.
Quick bath for a crying Dallen and a new set of clothes, pacifier, blankets and snuggle. I check in with Jack who certainly needs a good talking to and he announces that he has to go potty. I take Dallen downstairs where Nathan is waiting for a snuggle and as soon as I sit down Jack is calling my name needing ahem, assistance in the bathrooming process.
And now we are all watching movies peacefully again. Actually Dallen is playing quietly with trains. But that was quite the 10 minutes.
I am happy to say that I handled it with grace. In some ways I enjoy my kid's sickness this week because it means we have had relaxing time at home with each other and even better, I have really gotten to fulfill my divine roll as nurturer this week. And it feels good. It is sad to see your kids sick but it feels good to be able to take care of them, snuggle them and show them just how much you love them.
And hopefully everyone will be healthy before all the Halloween fun begins.
Monday, October 19, 2009
And the winner is...
I'm not telling yet! :) I did do the random.org drawing though. But since I want to keep this a suprise could all 4 of you who entered email me your address? (Of course I should know my own sister in law's address, and I do, but this would be easier than looking it up.) :) Then I will have it saved on my computer.
And Sarah-I have yours on the box that we got in the mail today I think! You ROCK! Wow. My boys were so excited. In fact, I just finished cleaning up pieces of confetti and remnants of the Halloween Box of Fun from the floor and was suprised to see quite a number of empty candy wrappers among the leavings. Hmm, apparently they got into more than I realized. Thank you so much!!! That was so incredible to get in the mail.
And Sarah-I have yours on the box that we got in the mail today I think! You ROCK! Wow. My boys were so excited. In fact, I just finished cleaning up pieces of confetti and remnants of the Halloween Box of Fun from the floor and was suprised to see quite a number of empty candy wrappers among the leavings. Hmm, apparently they got into more than I realized. Thank you so much!!! That was so incredible to get in the mail.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Happy Halloween...Giveaway!
Today I was declared the lucky winner of my cousin's blog giveaway (see post below in which I posted the winning entry! yeehaw!).
Anyway, she got the idea to do a giveaway from a friend of hers and I am loving the idea. I love Halloween stuff and I love crafting and I don't do it enough and Josh thinks I am nuts to do this because I have a to do list that is longer than I could possibly manage to do in like 3 months, but I am going to do this anyway. :)
So, you my friends, could be the lucky winner of a bag of Halloween fun! I would LOVE to take a picture of it, but since I haven't created it yet I can't. I know what I want to put in it though and it will be cool-oh so cool! (To me anyway.)
I think what I will do is post a picture of it before I give it away and before announcing the winner so that I can show it off but the winner is suprised by it showing up at their door (either in my hands or in a box that was mailed-depending on where the winner lives).
I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to make people do in order to enter. I want it to be simple enough that lots of you will do it but still fun! So, all I am asking is for you to answer a series of questions and post them on your blog along with a Halloween picture of any sort, then comment on my blog to tell me you did it and be officially entered! I am just going to do a random pick from my entries to select the winner!
I really hope lots of you will do this. I am asking these questions mostly because I think it is fun to learn this sort of stuff about people.
1. What is your all time best Halloween costume?
2. What is your favorite Halloween tradition?
3. What is your favorite Fall tradition?
4. What is your favorite book?
5. Name 3 great things that happened to you today
6. What is your all time favorite dessert?
7. Tell me something you look forward to doing in the next month.
8. Tell me something you are going to give someone else for Christmas (I need ideas!)
That's it folks! Please do this! It will be fun.
Here are my answers:
1. What is your all time best Halloween costume? Hmm, the one that comes to mind is the purple dinosaur that my mom made me when I was about 9.
2. What is your favorite Halloween tradition? Baking pumpkin shaped cookies and frosting them and decorating with M & M's. First as a child and now with my own children.
3. What is your favorite Fall tradition? Baking. Way too much baking. Fall weather (albeit San Diego fall weather right now) makes me want to bake-cookies, cinnamon rolls, donuts, etc. Starts a string of bad habits that carries through the new year. Not good.
4. What is your favorite book? I think Jane Eyre but it is hard to decide.
5. Name 3 great things that happened to you today Someone showed up at my doorstep with mint chocolate brownies tonight, I read lots of stories with my boys (and I do mean lots), and I listened to some of Harry Potter 7 in CD.
6. What is your all time favorite dessert? I think Cookie Dough Eggrolls, but again, it is hard to decide.
7. Tell me something you look forward to doing in the next month. Lots of sewing-for Christmas and Halloween costumes. I haven't sewn much in a long time and it feels good to be doing it again.
8. Tell me something you are going to give someone else for Christmas (I need ideas!) Hmm, well now that I try to answer this I realize I can't really because most of the people I am giving things to read my blog. But I guess I can say that I am giving my neighbor a Flirty Apron. I already have it. :)
Anyway, she got the idea to do a giveaway from a friend of hers and I am loving the idea. I love Halloween stuff and I love crafting and I don't do it enough and Josh thinks I am nuts to do this because I have a to do list that is longer than I could possibly manage to do in like 3 months, but I am going to do this anyway. :)
So, you my friends, could be the lucky winner of a bag of Halloween fun! I would LOVE to take a picture of it, but since I haven't created it yet I can't. I know what I want to put in it though and it will be cool-oh so cool! (To me anyway.)
I think what I will do is post a picture of it before I give it away and before announcing the winner so that I can show it off but the winner is suprised by it showing up at their door (either in my hands or in a box that was mailed-depending on where the winner lives).
I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to make people do in order to enter. I want it to be simple enough that lots of you will do it but still fun! So, all I am asking is for you to answer a series of questions and post them on your blog along with a Halloween picture of any sort, then comment on my blog to tell me you did it and be officially entered! I am just going to do a random pick from my entries to select the winner!
I really hope lots of you will do this. I am asking these questions mostly because I think it is fun to learn this sort of stuff about people.
1. What is your all time best Halloween costume?
2. What is your favorite Halloween tradition?
3. What is your favorite Fall tradition?
4. What is your favorite book?
5. Name 3 great things that happened to you today
6. What is your all time favorite dessert?
7. Tell me something you look forward to doing in the next month.
8. Tell me something you are going to give someone else for Christmas (I need ideas!)
That's it folks! Please do this! It will be fun.
Here are my answers:
1. What is your all time best Halloween costume? Hmm, the one that comes to mind is the purple dinosaur that my mom made me when I was about 9.
2. What is your favorite Halloween tradition? Baking pumpkin shaped cookies and frosting them and decorating with M & M's. First as a child and now with my own children.
3. What is your favorite Fall tradition? Baking. Way too much baking. Fall weather (albeit San Diego fall weather right now) makes me want to bake-cookies, cinnamon rolls, donuts, etc. Starts a string of bad habits that carries through the new year. Not good.
4. What is your favorite book? I think Jane Eyre but it is hard to decide.
5. Name 3 great things that happened to you today Someone showed up at my doorstep with mint chocolate brownies tonight, I read lots of stories with my boys (and I do mean lots), and I listened to some of Harry Potter 7 in CD.
6. What is your all time favorite dessert? I think Cookie Dough Eggrolls, but again, it is hard to decide.
7. Tell me something you look forward to doing in the next month. Lots of sewing-for Christmas and Halloween costumes. I haven't sewn much in a long time and it feels good to be doing it again.
8. Tell me something you are going to give someone else for Christmas (I need ideas!) Hmm, well now that I try to answer this I realize I can't really because most of the people I am giving things to read my blog. But I guess I can say that I am giving my neighbor a Flirty Apron. I already have it. :)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
In the past 16 days...
In the past 16 days I have...
Been to Disneyland
Been to the World Famous San Diego Zoo
Been to Sea World
Been on a Cruise
Been Kayaking and Snorkeling
Been to Mexico
I know. My life is hard.
Been to Disneyland
Been to the World Famous San Diego Zoo
Been to Sea World
Been on a Cruise
Been Kayaking and Snorkeling
Been to Mexico
I know. My life is hard.
Halloween Costumes
My cousin is doing a giveaway on her blog so I figured what the heck, might as well post a few pics for her.
So, here is what I think is one of the most clever costumes we have ever done:
Get it? That's Jack...in the Box! Plus, is he not just adorable. I want to just kiss and squeeze those cheeks!
OK, now for a full family shot. I gotta say both my costume and Josh's are pretty great in this one. It would be better if Josh had his hood on and wasn't standing in front of a picture of the first vision, but anyway. Oh, and I painted his face:
And then the costume that I put the most work into. When Nathan announced he wanted to be Larry Boy for Halloween I said "are you kidding me?" But I pulled it off:
And just in case you don't know who Larry Boy is, this is him:
ps-I LOVE Halloween too!
So, here is what I think is one of the most clever costumes we have ever done:
Get it? That's Jack...in the Box! Plus, is he not just adorable. I want to just kiss and squeeze those cheeks!
OK, now for a full family shot. I gotta say both my costume and Josh's are pretty great in this one. It would be better if Josh had his hood on and wasn't standing in front of a picture of the first vision, but anyway. Oh, and I painted his face:
And then the costume that I put the most work into. When Nathan announced he wanted to be Larry Boy for Halloween I said "are you kidding me?" But I pulled it off:
And just in case you don't know who Larry Boy is, this is him:
ps-I LOVE Halloween too!
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