Fun with Grandma and Pappa

The weekend they came to pick up the kids (March 14th). We had some fun playing at the park. Basketball and other feats of joy. So far as the boys going horizontal against the bar... Gary's dad did better but I didn't get the pic taken till he'd slid down to the ground. Zurich was so happy to have Bella (the dog) in the stroller with him.


Olea was not sad at all to leave Mom and Dad and spend the week with Grandparents.
Who can blame her really?

Writer Rabbit

There was a game, it was probably old even when I was little, called Writer Rabbit. It made me
laugh. It was all sorts of writing exercises one was mad lib type. I find myself using or thinking a
phrase that the game put together out of one of the mad libs I filled out, "Out of the dark past." So,
out of the dark past I am looking for my game.... thankfully my little brother is the best resource
for things like this and he has located it. Can I contain my joy? Silly, I know. Now its just a matter
of him sending me an EXE file.

missing children

I don't take pictures very often when the kids aren't around. I brought the camera yesterday, I spent most of the day with my friend Cyndi and then met Gary at his work so we could take in a session at the Salt Lake City Temple (where we were married). However, I never picked up the camera. So instead I am posting pictures from the weekend while Gary's parents were here and other things that bring me joy.

Olea shows me her template (to make a font, she saw me filling in the templates and wanted to try it that way).

Zurich now likes to lay down in the bath. Much easier for me.Zurich figured out that he could flip over Olea's laundry basket so he could use it as a stool to get to the treats she had on her dresser. Smarty pants.Since we put in the water softener we wanted to test out what the salesmen use as a selling point out here to sell everyone "professional grade" water softeners. They say our water out here is so hard that a "regular" softener wouldn't work. Don't believe it. It works just fine. We got one from Lowes, Gary installed it.. and it works. Just ask this water professional.... Who also happens to be my father in law. Handy-dandy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I made these shirts last year for Gary's parents and our little family. Gary's mother is Irish. I think it's great to have a claim on the holiday. So this year since my kiddies are gone: I reminisce. Each shirt defines our relation, Gary's dad's and mine says: I'm with Irish. Gary's mom's says: I'm Irish. Gary's says: I'm Half Irish and the kid's say: I'm Quarter Irish. I think mine is funny this year since I am: With Quarter Irish child. With Irish is just a faster way of saying it. Of course I packed the kids' shirts, but had to quickly make Zurich a new onesie since he's grown out of his other one. Call me silly. At least I have fun.

Picture Tag

Do I always have to break the rules?
These are the rules...
*Go to the document settings/my pictures on your computer
*Choose your 6th file
*Choose your 6th picture
*Blog about it
*Tag 6 more people!
but it doesn't work for me since I have Windows Vista (I'm so cool. I know. Whatever.)
So I had to go about this a little differently but the effect is basically the same.
I was tagged by Marci.
Funny thing, this was taken March 2nd 2008. So close to a year ago. It was an attempt at a family picture. Using the timer on our camera. It worked pretty well. It is fitting since we are looking toward our #3 baby and I just shipped my two babies off to Idaho with their Grandparents for a week of Fabulous Fun. Neither of them had any problems saying goodbye. Zurich got up this morning patted his suit case and grabbed the handle (too heavy so he abandoned it). They were both ready to go. Olea has been counting down the days. In the past year we've all had hair cuts. ok, Gary has had more than I like to keep track of and Olea and I had at least two. Zurich had one. Zurich can crawl, walk, run, jump etc. and Olea can almost tie her shoes. She almost knows how to draw all her ABCs and numbers. Gary and I still don't know how to get to bed before 11pm. We've all made a font from our handwriting, except Zurich.

And for the tag, if you've done it before... and don't want to do the same picture, don't. Do the seventh of the seventh folder or something, break the rules. Enjoy.
I tag Camie, Angie, Janell, Aimee, Gina, Erin/Stan(whoever is in charge of the blog these days).

BEAM!

Every one who has ever sung this song can understand his enthusiasm. We planned on singing a
different song for Family Home Evening this week, but Zurich kept interrupting so we gave in.
Please excuse our fabulous, angelic choir voices... it's hard to laugh and sing at the same time.


Oh and doesn't he look like such a big boy now? It's killing me. The hair cut was a good idea. He's
so darn handsome. Today Gary and Olea went skiing. Zurich and I used wisdom and stayed
home. But when Zurich saw them heading out the door he was totally distraught. He was
whimpering and brought his shoes to Gary. So after they left I helped him get shoes and socks on
and we played in the park for a while. Oh he loves that. He's all brave with the slide now. He
walks as far down the slide as he can till he falls and slides the rest of the way. This means
sometimes he comes down head first sometimes on his back etc. and loves every minute of it. I
encourage him to sit down and go normally but sometimes he just likes to show off.

Birthdays Birthdays Everyone

This last weekend we celebrated birthdays. None that belonged to our house. But good times.
Olea and I went to breakfast with our friend Michelle for her 40th. We've known Michelle since we first got married. She has been a life constant friend to Olea, who lovingly calls her Shell. We also got to see Angie who watched Olea for a while so I could finish up my degree. She doesn't remember it being a scheduled thing... which I guess is good, because that means it wasn't a huge sacrafice. :)

Sunday we had Aunt Kendra come over for her 20th. Sheesh, she is young. Her hubby Eric had her blind folded the whole drive out here... that is a long time to be blindfolded. At least she didn't seem disappointed when he took the blind fold off. :) Olea's painting for Kendra and Eric. I thought it was super good then she started explaining something about blood on the prince and I was a bit concerned. She painted the wrapping paper (a picture of Jesus she said) but we had to cut it in half to wrap the two presents. So that sounds bad. I made a cake for Kendra, the kind I had been craving the last few weeks, which just happens to be her favorite too. However, I am disappointed in Pillsbury... where was the colored chip frosting? I couldn't find it anywhere to top the funfetti cake. So we had to use their lame sprinkle funfetti substitute. It turned out cute and I personally thought the gummy bears were super yummy on it. Eric was nice enough to blow up a bunch of Olea's balloons (I hate balloons, and blowing them up even more).

Olea was very excited for these events. Her Primary teachers heard about it all through Primary and received multiple invites.

TTA- Women's Day

Who has been the most influential woman in your life, and why?Sunday was International Womens Day which is something that been around since 1911. Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. In some countries it's a national holiday. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. So, basically a day to celebrate the awesomeness of women:).

This one is probably a Major DUH!
Yesterday I was dealing with some discipline issues with my 4.5 year old. My mother happened to be on chat. She mentioned something from my own childhood that I could totally understand now, having been on both sides of the situation. Not only did I learn a lot from my own mother, but her influence continues and I feel very blessed that not only was she a firm influence for good, but has also been a very dear friend. Who's mother wasn't the most influential woman in their life? (for good or bad?) Motherhood is such a huge blessing, responsibility and joy, as such we have the capacity and outreach to touch so many lives and experience so much joy. I find it interesting that so many woman think they are oppressed. I have to laugh. Now there are ways that in the past women were, sure there are some things that maybe aren't "fair" but do I want everything to be "fair?" No, I honestly don't. I want to be a woman, honored, respected, and privileged, because the traditional idea encompassed that.

Lament

Oh,
the Ponytails
that shouldn't have been

Mowhawks that could be
Curls to fluff
Locks to sniff
and restyle

Oh,
it was time
that's what he said.

Head, looking like it
was shaved for brain surgery

Time,
to cut.

Goodbye little locks.

Zurich's hair was just getting too long... I loved the little ducky curls in the back, but the sides just weren't growing and he was starting to look like the sides were shaved in preparation for brain surgery. Gary said it was time to cut the little man's hair. He looks cute still, don't get me wrong, but I miss his little curls. :( He did really well, he didn't mind the clippers, it actually made him stop crying... putting the pony tail in back is what made him cry. cut away

for Kicks and Giggles

Click to read this post....

TTA-5 Words

What 5 Words Matter Most To You, and Why?

This week is National 'Words Matter' week, in case you didn't know:). Pick five words that matter the most to you and share why they do.

Home: Because where ever we are together is home. Residences have changed
over the years and probably will continue to, but Home is us. Home is a feeling,
home is the people that make it so.
Love: Because none of us can live without it.
Friendship: Comes in so many forms and crops up in the strangest places. I am
so grateful for it and the joy that it brings me daily.
Choices: Allow me to grow and learn and experience this life. They help me
see that so much of my joy is dependent on choosing it.
Family: It is a cup that holds the other four words.

My Gerds

I'm late to post it... but like anyone out there knows the difference...
Gary put in a water softener this month. It has been great. It probably only took 3 or 4 hours.
The hardest part was getting the large pex crimper in some VERY tight corners. But Gary
managed and it's all good, no leaks and works great. He plumbed it all so we still have good
tasting water in the kitchen and fridge. It didn't take long to see the difference as the soft water
seemed to dissolve the hard water stains that had accumulated. I am so grateful to have such a
handy husband. This solution was SIGNIFICANTLY less expensive than all the salesmen that
have come by trying to sell us water softeneing systems since we moved here. It's also nice to be
able to claim doing such work yourself and claiming the money saved. And I didn't have to deal
with sales people, freaky servicemen or anything. :)

That same weekend he also ran the power and installed the breaker for my pottery kiln. Running the power line through the grey conduit was not easy. It all kept binding up on itself.The longer we are married the more impressed with him I am. He has such an ability to
learn and accomplish anything. He is determined and talented and adaptable.