Chad, Katherine, Kaleb, Octavia

This summer in Recap

2010-10-04T08:22:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun this summer, I didn't stop to blog. After the kids finished their school year, we sat around doing nothing for about a week--well not nothing, we jumped on the trampoline, planted some tomato's, decorated our new rooms (Kaleb cut out little pictures of Pokemon, and stuck them to the wall), and we just relaxed. Then we were done with that pretty quickly and took off on a massive road trip. We drove up to Washington State, to see old friends and help Miss Robyn move. It was so good to see everyone again, and I'm not sure I helped Robyn as much as I should have considering I was always out 'playing' however, I figure as I took her girls with me most of the time, that has to count for something. We stayed a couple of nights with Kathleen, and she was gracious as always. It was such a great chance to see how's she is doing. Then we stayed over at Jessie and Jason's house. This was a blast! The kids loved playing Dance revolution with Jeffery and Jonah, and Jessie and I stayed up every night watching shows until our eyes grew dry and blurry forcing us to sleep. Jessie was exhausted by the end of our trip, but she was such a good sport and we had such fun! The first few days we spent painting Miss Robyn's house. Tavy was in heaven with the girls, and even painting and cleaning can be a blast when you're doing it with good friends. This is about the time I acquired the name 'master packer,' and though I only packed the pictures and other delicate items, I'm going to own it because I've moved enough that I feel I've earned it. We took the girls to a primary party and their very cool teachers had arranged a 'shove the other kid's face in a plate of whip cream' game. The teachers were such good sports about us coming and my kids were so glad they got to crash. Thursday night Amy had a going away party for Miss Robyn. It was so fun to see everyone and I could just feel how much Robyn's family meant to the huge amounts of people who showed up to say good-by and wish them well. It was so nice to see everyone and I still feel like they are a piece of me, like I finally gave in and grew up in Washington, so it's a part of me--or there maybe there's something addictive in the water, either way, I'm hooked. Friday night we said good-bye to miss Robyn and the girls after their piano recital. It was sad for everyone but me, who realized they moved only five hours from my dad's house in Idaho--yeah me! We went to a movie with Jessie and Jason, that night, and Tavy lost her tooth, making her toothless in the front. The next day Jessie spent in Squim picking strawberries. She brought them home, and they were so beautiful, I almost wanted one, but as I'm highly allergic, I stayed away from them. And now we know Kaleb is highly allergic as well. I spent the night in the ER with Kaleb who'd gone into anaphylactic shock. He was a trooper, and after they pumped him full of steroids his body calmed down and about three in the morning we finally made it back to Jessie's house. I tried to convince him he needed to pump some iron and take full advantage of the steroids, but he wasn't having it. We were supposed to leave that next morning, but I was afraid to drive on no sleep, so we stayed through Sunday--and Jessie and Jason were saints about it, I love knowing I have such good friends out their. We went to church and I've always loved our old ward in Washington, so that was nice. Then we went over to Amy's house and walked with her and her boys down to the park by the Sound. It was a blast, the kids turned over rocks and caught whatever they could manage to hold with out squealing. Tavy collected shells, and insisted on taking them with us stinking up the car the whole way down to Utah. We made it down to Utah about the same time as Becky and her family, and Danny and Debbie. We had two great fourth of July celebrations, since we were in Utah--which does the always celebrates the 4th right, but it was on Sunday, so we had a parade in Kaysville on Saturday--fireworks at Davis high with my all of my family, and Grandma Bab's Grandpa Scott, Brad and Mo, and Amy and plenty of Glow sticks--we managed to only lose the twins once. Then we had another parade on Monday. We went to the carnival in Layton City and the kids almost went into heat exhaustion jumping on huge inflatable toys--we lost the twins a few more times--but there were inflatable toys so what are you going to do? We went over to Nick and Lindsey's house that night and Nick started lighting off fire works. The kids each got a sparkler and held it until the dancing light got close enough to there hands that it made them nervous enough to drop it. At which point of course we all rushed to stomp it out. Ah, you have to love the fourth of July. Happy Birthday USA! After the fourth we went up to Idaho where poor sweet Debbie was riding the four wheeler and got a shiner, just before her luncheon. My mom had a luncheon at the Lion House so all of our relatives could meet Debbie. It was nice, the food was great and every one loved Debbie, but then how could you not? Chad had flown in for Danny and Debbie's lunch, and the next day we all drove back to California. After we came home, Jessie and her boys drove down from Washington--it happened to be at the same time my mom came to visit. Jessie was introduced to California, Grandma Doris style, and after the delights of In-N-Out Burger, Fairy Tale Land, Water World, China Town, the Golden Gate Bridge, an Oakland A's game, and Ghirideli Square, everyone was exhausted, and just wanted a day at home doing nothing. After Jessie and my parent's left, we had a few quiet days and I realized that Kaleb was having a harder time breathing as he slept since his allergic reaction. His tonsils have always been huge so I knew something needed to be done. However, we were only a week and a half away from school starting again, and I was really worried I would have to pull him out of school for two weeks to get it done because in California, there is so much red tape even getting into a doctor--let alone getting his tonsils out I couldn't do it quickly. After I spent a few days trying to figure out how to transfer all Kaleb's information so I could get him on a waiting list for an appointment in a few months, despite his being hospitalized--I just decided I would take him back to Utah and get it done. I left for Utah on Sunday after church, and by Wednesday, Kaleb's tonsils were out--tah da. It's funny it was so easily done at last. Doctor after doctor, state after state, time after time of hearing, "Oh, we really need to get those out, let's set a time for a sleep test--or any other test that will take months--oh you're moving next week, well find a doctor where you're going to do it." It is such a relief to have it done--and I still have to check to see if he's breathing some nights because he's grown so quiet. Kaleb couldn't drive home for ten days, so we just hung out at my mom's, and the Kids missed the first three days of school, but I think that's better than two weeks somewhere in the middle. My mom bought Kaleb a DSI as an early Birthday Present and he was pretty out of it most of the time, so I just let him play it. I think my wow--really? What were you thinking moment was when I figured since we were there anyway, I'd make Kaleb and Tavy go to the dentist. Poor Kaleb had six teeth pulled and a spacer put in on top and bottom, and Tavy got three teeth pulled and a spacer put in. On the bright side we did learn that the tooth fairy pays double for teeth pulled by the dentist--especially for little boys who just had their tonsils out. I think it's safe to say that I just let them veg for days with out expecting anything out of them except to take their medicine. I don't know if this was the best move as Kaleb is now extremely attached to his DSI, and he spent a half hour 'going to the bathroom' after I told him to turn it off. It was a relief to go back to school. Who ever heard of the regiment of a school schedule to slow you down? After the few hard adjustments change naturally brings Kaleb and Tavy have already made friends at their new school and are glad to be away from the car. The summer was a blast, thank-you to everyone who made it possible. Especially Chad who was such a good sport when he had to miss out on some of the fun to work.

Spring Sports

2010-06-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

This year we did Spring Sports with the kids. Kaleb was on the Cub's baseball team, and Tavy was on team Italia for soccer. Both were exceptional, and I think if they could get their Mom to quiet down from the side lines they may be willing to play again in the fall. Tavy was exceptional at stealing the soccer ball and was very good at driving it down the field. Kaleb was a great hitter, and when he played first baseman he made a few amazing outs, though he was put in the catcher's uniform more often than not.

Easter Comes in Threes

2010-04-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

This year the kids had three Easter Egg hunts. The first one was in Clayton. This really cool lady in our ward planned and carried out an Easter egg hunt. The second was in Utah at my mom's house. It was on the day we drove in, and we had started out at two in the morning, so it was a little drowsy. The third egg hunt was at Grandma Barb's house with Braxton and Chelsea. The Easter Bunny really out did himself this year, and we are still eating all the candy we brought home with us. I think once we drove home, Tavy was going through Easter withdrawals, because a few days after our trip I found her Easter basket hidden behind our desk with four real, uncooked eggs in it. It had been there at least 24 hours. She said it was an Easter surprise for me. I was defiantly feeling surprised--it was mingled with other feelings as well. After we celebrated Easter, we drove up to spend some time with Grandpa Roy and Grandma Ruth. It was so nice to see them. We got to see them twice while we were up in Utah, and the second time we even played a game of Rumicube, and Grandpa took us all. We also had the opportunity to go up to Idaho to see my Dad and Danny's new house. It is really nice and we are really excited to spend the summer in Bear Lake. On our way home from Idaho Grandpa John and Grandma Doris took us to Baby Days in Logan. The kids held baby everything--kitties, duckies, chickies, bunnies, they rode ponies, and petted baby goats. The kids took a ride on a wagon. Then we had a lasso, and tried to rope wooden cows. I showed the kids how it was done, roping Kaleb with a surprising ease, but I've had so much practice--that's how we got through our terrible twos. Kaleb lassoed the wooden cow a few times, and Tavy even figured it out after a while. There was a pole that had money stuck to it with butter--Kaleb saw it and pulled of his shoes and socks immediately. That child tried everything he could to climb up to the money, his shirt still has grease stains on it. He would get close to the money and then he would slide down the pole trying to scamper back up like an old cartoon--his legs were moving forward, but he sure wasn't. Yellowstone had baby bears at the exhibit, and the little cubs ran around this play pen trying to climb up the ranger's leg. The kids were asking for pet bear cubs after and we had to explain, yes, they are adorable--but they get bigger. We came home and went to Diary of a Wimpy Kid with Aunt Amy and Grandma Barb, I think that one day we will own that movie, my favorite line: "Rodrick started it," "So you decided to pee on him?" All in all the trip was a fantastic blur. I came home to runny eggs, and a realization that yes, I did eat a cricket--but after motherhood, I think your eww factor has gone way down, and it was covered in BBQ seasoning. So what you going to do?

Tavy Turn's Six

2010-03-21T21:46:00.000-07:00

On March 17 Tavy turned six. This year we told our kids, they could choose to have a present or a party. Kaleb of course went for the present. Tavy however, started kindergarten this year, and for the last few months she has become obsessed with the idea of a birthday party. For months, Tavy was very boisterous about the birthday party she decided she was having. At some point or other she told every kindergartner at her school they were for sure invited to her party, especially if they had a better snack than she did. So by the beginning of March Tavy assured us that her whole class was coming to her party. Chad and I looked into options, and found a fun place full of bounce toys that we could rent and she could invite all her friends. It became very apparent that Tavy has her daddy wrapped around her little finger because it took no effort at all for her to convince daddy that she just had to have her birthday party at Pump it Up. The party was on her actual birthday which is St. Patrick's Day. On a side note, I feel sorry for Kaleb's wife, she is going to wonder why Kaleb has this overwhelming need to throw huge bashes on St. Patrick's Day--"Come on hun, St. Patrick's Day? We aren't Irish." Anyway, when the day arrived, we had 30 kids confirmed for the party. It turns Tavy stayed very vocal about her party and all the kids she invited just had to come. There are 32 kids in Tavy's class, and a solid majority of them came. We had a blast. Chad and I were right there with the kids playing in the bounce houses, while the other parent's who choose to stay sat on the benches looking at us like we were goofs, but we had a blast! Kaleb invited a friend, and they also had a lot of fun. Before we went into play the kid's were hyper, and excited. After and hour and a half of bouncing we went in for snacks and cake, and they had all wilted. More than one parent told me they felt sure their kid was going to sleep well. Tavy sat in a inflatable throne and we all sung Happy Birthday to her. It was a great birthday, and that night as I put Tavy to sleep I noticed she does seem so grown up. I still remember so vividly that sweet little baby girl with the black tuffs of hair brought to me in the hospital with the sweet little green bow on her head. I sure love my girl.

Kaleb's Road

2009-12-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday Kaleb was baptised. So many family and friends came out to support us. It was awesome. Kaleb was a little nervous at first, but the spirit was so sweet and he was so good we had a great day. It was so wonderful to see Kaleb take that first step toward his own salvation. What a great Kid. The day started out a little hectic. It was hard to make certain everything was ready and everyone was fed. Then we went to the church early to set up for the luncheon afterward. The spirit in the church slowed everything down. It was nice to just get everything taken care of. The service was simple and sweet. Grandma Barb said the opening prayer. Grandma Doris lead the music. Brother Brian Blotter conducted. Grandpa John gave a talk on baptism. He stressed the importance of keeping the covenant Kaleb was making. After that Kaleb, Tavy and I sang a song about baptism which I cried through of course. Then Kaleb was baptised. His face was so radiant as he came out of the water. He was so pure. After the baptism I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost, then Kaleb was confirmed a member of the church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. The closing prayer was said by Grandpa Scott. We had lunch with family and friends from the ward. It was so kind of everyone to support us and I am so grateful for the influence Kaleb is too me in my life.

Our search for The Great Pumpkin

2009-10-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

Octavia's class had a field trip to a pumpkin patch and I tagged along. I was responsible for two other girls besides Tavy, and I didn't lose one of them. I know you are thinking it is only three little girls, but it was a huge pumpkin patch with corn maze included, so I'm going to take a little pat on the back. After a man taught us how to play a wash board and turn a broom and a string into a bass we boarded a trailer pulled by the tractor to go find the biggest pumpkin possible to take home. I didn't realized that all the other parents were telling there groups that the kids had to pick out a pumpkin they could carry by them selves. Oh no, I actually encouraged my girls to pick out any old pumpkin they wanted. Tavy of course rounded out the group picking a pumpkin a little smaller than your average box fan. I suppose you can see where I am going with this, me carrying four huge pumpkins through this pumpkin patch, while trying to coax my girls to wade through the rain and mud carefully so they didn't go down like the boys who were using the muddy road like a slip and slide. I don't have any pictures of me sliding through the mud, balancing four huge, dirty pumpkins through the pumpkin patch, I had the camera in the backpack I was hauling with our freshly picked pomegranates, the girls lunches, and four water bottles. The experience was awesome, and I am so glad I get to have them with my kids. We had fun looking at Native American dwellings, and we even got to see the inside of a bee hive, the queen bee has a blue spot to distinguish her from her fellows. It's good to be queen, just ask Tavy who has a huge pumpkin waiting to be carved on the kitchen table.

Kaleb turns Eight

2009-10-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

Kaleb had a very hard decision before him as he turned eight years old. Before you think that Baptism is a hard commitment for Kaleb to make, that isn't the decision he struggled over, he's not even pausing before that one. No our Kaleb was told he could either get a Wii, or have a party. Kaleb struggled with this decision and finally decided he wanted the Wii. We did however have a huge "Play date" with a couple of his friends and I made a Pokemon cake. No it is nothing to Aunt Jen's creations, but if I gave you a stack of cards you could probably recognize this fella as an Ambipom. Kaleb had a blast and is excited that everyone will be coming down next month for his baptism. In the mean time we all are loving the Wii.

Becky and Lindsey plus some

2009-10-18T21:31:00.001-07:00

Aunt Lindsey got her fill of Neices and Nephews.

Uncle David took us all for Ice Cream at Ghirardelli Square.

We unleased the twins on an unsuspecting San Fran.

Micheal made sure our breaks were working.

Exausted kids, always a good sign!!

Soap Box Racing

2009-10-18T20:36:00.001-07:00

Here is Kaleb at the annual soap box derby in Clayton. The community lets over 200 kids use their soap box cars and drive down main street while the announcer is yelling turn--turn--folks that is why you don't sit on the bales of hay lining the street. Kaleb did very well (he stayed straight the whole way down the street) and he won both his heats. Octavia was too young to participate, but she ran along the road yelling, "Go Kaleb, go." While we waited for our heats, the kids played in the Clayton City Fire Engine, and a real drag race car. It was a fun day.

The Inevitable First Day

2009-09-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

So both my kids are in school, and everyone keeps asking what are you doing with all your spare time. Well I'm getting Kaleb to School at eight, cleaning until ten, get Tavy to school at ten fifteen, stay in her class and help her teacher get her room together (no I swear--I can leave her anytime--I don't need to be with Tavy every minute of every day--I swear I can give it up). Tavy's teacher is really loving me as I have done over 750 copies for her, collated a years worth of chapters of her messy math program. However I have the great distinction of already knowing each of the children's names in class. Tavy is loving kindergarten, and Kaleb has already found a few friends who are willing to play Pokemon with him. The school here is advanced and we are all trying to keep up. For the most part as a parent I love that my kids are being challenged, but the two hours of home work with Kaleb ever night is a little rough--I expect he will be able to skip middle school by the time he gets there, and who of us wouldn't have opted for that?

Just one more trip...Please?

2009-09-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

Recently the kids and I drove up to Washington. We were so close being in Cali now, and had friends we wanted to see, so we figured hey--it's only a thirteen hour drive right? So eight bathroom breaks, one lunch break, and one dinner break later we were there. My friend Robyn's family was so gracious in letting us stay with them. We had a blast--it was like having a sleepover every night--and the kid's enjoyed it as well. We started our week out by visiting old friends. It was so hot we went to the Bremerton fountain park with Amy and her boys, then went to Amy's house for Taco Salads. The next day we went to the Manette ward's park day. It was so fun to watch people walk through the fence to the park and then they kind of stopped and did a double take to see if it was really us. The kids played for hours, it was so nice to see so many good friends. On Saturday we attended Kaleb's friend Jeffery's baptism, and it was so great getting to see him make that commitment. I went to church and between Robyn's family and mine we took up a whole row. It was a special treat for Kaleb to sit by his friend Spencer and I watched him on and off during the service. He looked like he had something to say, but then he remembered if he talked he would have to come sit by me, so he would stop and then turn forward again. I could almost see him making mental notes the whole time about things he wanted to tell Spencer as soon as Sacrament meeting was over. The last half of our trip we went camping up in Scenic Beach, by the Puget Sound with a view of the brothers peaks in the back ground. It was so pretty and the kids felt in order to get the full effect, the had to find new routes to the bathroom every time they went. We had visitors every night for dinner. We made tin foil dinners with Amy, Mike and their family Monday night--Amy showed herself to be keeping up her outdoorsy reputation by keeping the fire stoked for us. Miss Robyn spent the later part of the evening showing all the kids how to roast the perfect marshmallow, and the girls perfected it while the boys laughed as their marshmallows caught fire and they had char on the outside and uncooked marshmallow on the inside. Thus commenced the four day battle between Miss Robyn and Kaleb--Kaleb insisting he liked his marshmallows on fire, and Miss Robyn coaxing him to try slow cooking it. It really was adorable. During the days we went down to the beach. It was beautiful, and the kids loved swimming through the water. Tuesday night Jessie, Jason, and their family came up, along with Annie and her boys. Now I have to mention that I am really astounded with Miss Annie's ability to char a hot dog. I mean seriously this thing was black. I wish I had gotten a picture of the thing really! Jessie and I talked in our Southern accents, and she was so proud I'd finally figured out how to say Charleston correctly. It was so fun camping with Robyn, by the next morning, we were cooking everything over the fire. She showed us how you could roast almost anything if you were patient enough. In the mornings we would toast our bread and the butter would slide down and pop in the fire. For lunches we were whipping together a huge pot of guloush made from all the extra food, and for dinner we got to the point that we were all quiet proficient roasters, our hot dogs were cooked through, but not too burnt our bread was toasted to perfection, and our marshmallows were golden brown mush. Except Kaleb's who insisted that char was a beautiful thing. Wednesday night Ali came to see us and we chatted after the kids were asleep. That was lovely, sitting listening to the fire keeping time while the crickets sang. It was so fun to catch up with everyone. The last day we went down the sound and the water levels were so low we saw star fish and crabs. I was hoping for an octopus, because all the signs say they hang out in the Sound, but I suppose I would have to scuba dive to see them, what you going to do? That day we said good-bye to Robyn, and Tavy said she was going to have to be adopted by their family so she could live full time with Janette, and Kaleb is trying to figure out how he can be baptized with Spencer in December. You have to love good friends!! We spent the night at Kathleens, and she took us to her sons so the kids could have one last play date before leaving Washington. It was so pleasant, and we enjoyed it so much I'm sure we will have to get back up North again really soon. Thanks to everyone who made the trip so fun. You know you had a great time when you drive back for thirteen hours and the kids veg the whole way home. I almost forgot to feed them they were so quiet in the back seat of the car. And as always after one of our adventures Chad was so glad to see us back safe and sound.

The Grand Canyon

2009-09-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

We went through the Grand Canyon on our way home from Lindsey's Wedding. We picked up Amy in St. George, and aside from eating five dollar lunchables out of a gas station for lunch it was a blast. If you notice in all the pictures, I am holding tight to the kids. I choose to believe it is motherly affection and not the huge drop off behind us. I leave it to you to decide.

Lindsey's Wedding

2009-07-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

Lindsey and Nick were married on July 18, 2009. I obviously don't have a lot of pictures, but when I get more, I'll re post. The kids and I went down to Utah a few weeks early to help get ready for the wedding. There is a line in the movie Emma, when Emma comments she came early to help get ready for the party and she is told she is actually late the whole party was already there to help get ready for the party. That is kind of how I felt. We spent most of our time before the wedding chasing after Jake and Micheal, my sister Becky's two year old twins. I have affectionately renamed them divide and conquer. We had an awesome trip up to Bear Lake to see my Dad and Danny's new house--the kids climbed up the huge mound of dirt and got dirty "Bloomington" style. Then we went swimming in the lake for our bath. It was like sharing my childhood with my kids. When Lindsey's Wedding Day finally came we all got the salon treatment as Lindsey and her friends did our hair. Then we went over to Nick's house and waited. It was hot, not that I get to complain--I wasn't the one in the fifty pound dress, but it was hot. Tavie got to be a flower girl, and Kaleb was the ring barer. She dropped just the right amount of petals, and he dropped nothing, so both were a success. I was Lindsey's Maid of Honor, so I walked down after the kids, and can I just say everyone staring at you, camera's going off in your face, it took all my will power not to strike a pose, I was humming to myself, "The cat walk, the Catwalk, I strut my little stuff on the catwalk." Then I gave way for Lindsey to come down the isle. She was radiant on my father's arm and held herself so beautifully. I am not sure when she grew into a woman, but for the first time I really saw she had grown up and was no longer the little girl who used to watch me sleep and ran around with long hair in her face and no shoes on. I admit I cried a little, only a little--did I mention it was hot, and there was little liquid left in my body to spare? It was a sweet event and I know myself, and my family were grateful for all who came and helped out. The reception was also an outpouring of love and support, and I split my time between serving the cake we had in over abundant supply thanks to Costco, and greeting family and old friends. Those who came toward the end of the reception were doubly blessed, as my brother David started sending them home with a parting gift of a chocolate Costco cake or a strawberry cheese cake. In some cases, I have to think some of the guests may have come out ahead on that one. Lindsey and Nick finally cut the wedding cake that my sister in law Jen made (she's amazing? Good job Ben--he can pick em). Over all it was a lovely event. We are excited to welcome Nick into our family and send Lindsey packing over to his, wait is that how it works? Jokes--we know Lindsey and Nick will be very happy and can only wait until Thanksgiving to see whose house they spend it at to see who gained whom I suppose--I did hear that in Clayton CA there will be a pie cooking contest, and we need some fresh judges--I'm only saying. Congrats Lindz and Nick!

Top ten moments moving into Clayton, Ca

2009-06-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

So as you know we have moved to California. We are in a little town north of Oakland, which by the way is Northern Cali, north of San Fran in fact, (We are finding a lot of people think us close to LA, so that is just to clarify). We ended up in this little town with farmer's markets, and music in the park at the old historic pavilion every Saturday night. It is beautiful, and stemming the tides of sadness we feel in leaving behind so many good friends and neighbors in South Carolina. Here are our top ten moment's since moving into Clayton.

10--Tavy being quite distressed because, she wasn't able to help Kaleb lift the couch up because she hadn't eaten her veg-a-te-bulls.

9--Kaleb meeting a little boy his exact age across the little common area from us--who has a wii.

8--Tavy, with a rather malicious grin, blowing hot dog smells toward her Dad, who was trying to fast.

7--Sitting out side blowing bubbles while the breeze from the ocean keeps us cool.

6--Fruits and veggies from the farmer's market--fresh Squash and green bean stir fry over noodles--and cherries that still taste like the sun Yumm.

5--Kaleb fervently praying for us to find a house with a swimming pool and not a day later, Dad found the town house we are living in with a pool included.

4--The statue of kids in the park next to us has a little girl with a CTR ring on her finger that nobody but us Mormon's know about.

3--Kaleb being brave enough to pray beautifully in front of his new friend when we had his family over for a BBQ. Then Gabe, his friend asking as politely as possible if we had to pray when we went to Burger King--prayer in your heart buddy, prayer in your heart.

2--After three weeks we finally got rid of the ants all over the place--wahoo.

1--Uncle Davy and Aunt Suzy being able to come right over for Birthdays and Sunday dinner because they live so close.

Road Trippen accross the USA...

2009-06-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

After the movers took all of our stuff from our house on Friday May 15 we said good-bye to South Carolina. We then drove up to Richmond Virginia to stay the night. The next morning we spent in Jamestown the first English settlement to survive in the new world. This is the area Pocahontas lived. Turns out Disney made a few exaggerations. Pocahontas was only a young girl when she saved John Smith. It wasn’t until later when she was taken captive and after her father failed to trade for her she married a tobacco farmer named John Rolfe, and she converted to Christianity. She changed her name to Rebecca. She did go to England and was received as an Indian princess by Queen Anne at John Smith’s insistence. Pocahontas was a huge reason the English were able to succeed in the new world. We really enjoyed walking around the remains of the Jamestown settlement, and the church that still stands today. Kaleb got to wear one of the re-enactor’s metal hats. The kids got to see a man blowing a glass vase and we learned that those first English settlers had a 1 out of 7 chance of living through the winter. It is amazing to think that this country really was vulnerable when it started, and now it’s a super power. After Jamestown we went across Maryland on this little highway 13 instead of up staying on I 95 and going on the NJ Turnpike. We did this so we could take a really long bridge that crosses the Chesapeake Bay. At one point you go under the Atlantic Ocean in these really long tunnels so the ocean liners can go over top of you. When we went down into these Tunnels grandpa John told the kids that if you roll down the windows and honk the horn you hear it echo all the way through the tunnel. As we were on an adventure of course we had to try it. The only back lash was when we were in a very busy tunnel in NYC, the kids kept saying honk the horn, honk the horn. We didn’t think it was a good idea, so Grandpa John just slowed down under the speed limit and someone honked for us. It was NYC after all. We were so extremely amused my dad felt he needed to collect honks after that. But alas I am getting ahead of myself. After we drove up the coast of Maryland, we stayed Sunday in New Jersey, so we could go to the Spanish ward’s stake conference—okay we were hoping to meet some Hungarians, because I had been reading about them being concentrated in that area, but the ward time had been changed and the internet hadn’t been updated—what you going to do? We felt the spirit, it was lovely. We drove around New Brunswick NJ, we saw Rudgers U, the Hungarian Church and athletic club down town. I met a lady who had immigrated when she was 17 from Hungary, and she told me all about herself. It was really cool. Then we drove down to see Princeton—which has a golf course in the middle of it--in case you had a few hours between classes? Lest anyone be concerned we found all the smart kids--they are walking around Princeton waiting for the next star trek convention in silk jackets. The old buildings were beautiful.
Monday we went to Washington DC. This was Kaleb’s favorite stop. Why ask you? Because we saw the capital building, and got close enough to see which wing belonged to the Senate, and which belonged to the House? Or perhaps because we saw The White House and Arlington cemetery? Could it have been the Lincoln Memorial Monument that so intrigued Kaleb? No, no, alas because he got to ride in a fighter pilot simulator and while Grandpa John rolled them around like they were in real flight, Kaleb shot the clankers down—yeah Star Wars. While in Washington we ate astronaut ice-cream and saw how big a nuclear war head is--Yikes. Go America!!
Tuesday we drove back up to NY and went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was very sobering to understand how America became a nation by the people who came here. It was made even more interesting because I had been doing research about the Hungarian people who had come over to work at the Johnson and Johnson factory around 1905. These people came over for an opportunity that was suppose to improve their lives, living for six weeks on an illness infested ocean liner, then finally making it to the statue of Liberty and then rounding to Ellis Island. On Ellis Island we learned about the process they would have had to of gone through to get that extra few miles into the US. How sad for the people who didn’t make it, and had to turn right back around and live another six weeks on the boat. I think that we need to remember all of these people who were so brave to leave their homes and everything they knew for an opportunity that I know I don’t appreciate enough.
The kids were kind of restless going through Ellis Island, but Kaleb was extremely taken with Lady Liberty as she was crafted out of copper that is about as thick as a couple quarters. Tavi thought she was pretty and started pretending she was her giant mother. And that is my kids in a nutshell.
That evening we drove through New York, and yes my Dad collected honks. I can’t remember how many he got, but I think it may be the first time in history someone was disappointed they hadn’t reached a solid ten. We went across the George Washington Bridge, and then headed up to Connecticut--poked around Farmington, and ate in Hartford. Then we went up to New Hampshire and spent the night. My Dad saw some fishermen and was tempted to go out with them, but alas, the beaches of Maine where waiting. We drove up to Old Orchard Beach in Maine and the kids played on the beach. Kaleb learned about the water table and how far he had to dig down to get to it. It was at that point my Dad informed us that we had driven so far north that if we had been driving west we would be in Utah. What fun would that have been though?
That afternoon we drove past Walden Pond. It is a swamp now, but it was cool to see where Thoreau spent his two years away from the world immersed in nature. That was also the time frame he spent his famous night in jail for refusing to pay $7 to support the war with Mexico. We drove until pretty late that night and made it to Palmyra NY. Then the next morning we went to the Sacred Grove and saw the Smith family home where Joseph lived at the time of the first vision. It was really interesting to go into the home--so humbling to hear all that Joseph and his family went through to bring the true church back to this earth. It was a beautiful morning and we wandered through the Sacred Grove. After we found a little nook we read the story of the first vision. Then we went to the Hill Cumorah. The kids were pretty restless by then, so we skipped the visitor’s center and just went up to the hill and talked about Moroni and the Golden plates. It was a nice morning. We then drove to Niagara Falls, and saw the massive amounts of water coming down over cliffs.
We spent a long night driving and we made it to Kirtland Ohio. The next morning we got our own personal tour of the Kirtland temple by this nice lady from the reorganized church. We met Elder Groberg who wrote the other side of Heaven, and Karl Anderson who wrote Joseph Smith’s Kirtland just coming out of the temple. Whose distiction must be observed, as they took a picture of all four of us. Our tour was cool-- we got to see every nook and cranny of the temple, including a place where you could see how they had stacked the rocks. It was really interesting to learn about the temple and more than once she referred to the LDS town around the NK Whitney store as “down the hill” and we where amused. Then we went down the hill. We watched a great movie about NK Whitney and how he prayed Joseph to Kirtland. Then about the urgency the saints felt to build a temple. It was sad in places and talked about the persecution the saints endured, and about how Joseph lost his infant son.
Then we got into the car and drove to Chicago. We didn’t have a lot of time at this point, so when we stopped for gas we talked to this older gentleman and he told us about this third generation Italian pizzeria. It was so tasty, and can I just say Chicago style pizza is really different, I know understand why they call it a pie, it kind of is, but so tasty!! The restaurant was kind of a hole, but they seriously know what they were doing.
We made it to the middle of Iowa that night, and the next day we drove from eight in the morning Iowa time until one in the morning Utah time. Yes, I said Utah time because that is where slept that night. After a few days relaxing at Grandparents house the kids and I finished the rest of the way to Oakland without Grandpa John, he was missed. We were relieved to get out of the car, and Daddy was very happy to see us.

Octavia loses her first tooth.

2009-04-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a princess named Octavia who lived in a magical kingdom far far away from Grandmas and Grandpas. She made a wish that she could move closer to the ones she loved. All the fairies in the land gathered together and counseled. One fairy said she would use her powers to move Octavia's kingdom closer to the ones she loved, but it would require a sacrifice of the princess. She would require one of the princesses magical teeth, that way she could give a little part of herself to the land and the people she had to leave behind. And it would always be a part of who she became, and the land would grow more beautiful than ever because it had a been touched by her. So the day came that the little princess had to leave her tooth behind. The little Princess was frightened of the pain that would be involved in loosing her tooth. In the end she was brave and gave her little tooth. She tried out replacement teeth, but nothing seemed to fill the little hole in her mouth. Her mommy assured her that a new tooth would grow in the little lost tooth's place. The little princess asked how her mommy could know this. Her mommy told her because sometimes we have hard things happen to us, and sometimes it takes a little piece of us, but in the end it is all a part of growing up. And after a while where the little tooth once was a stronger tooth grows. And so the princess finished crying--then she dried her tears and put the tooth under her pillow for the beautiful fairy to come and retrieve. Thankful for all that helps us grow stronger. (Just one more for Julie, hope you have a blast at girls camp!!! I wish I could go.)

Seeing South Carolina through our rearview mirror

2009-04-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well it is official. Chad has to be in Oakland, Ca around the May 1st. We are very excited, and Chad is ready for a new challenge. As we are leaving so soon, we felt it would be best to see South Carolina Grandma Doris style. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is to cram as much into the time you have as humanly possible, by the end of the week both kids had thrown up, but we saw it all darn it!! We started at the zoo of course. I have become quiet the zoo connoisseur, I have been to six different zoo's in the last two years, all with my Mom. This zoo wasn't huge like the San Diego, it didn't have amazing sea life like the Tacoma, it was more comparable to Hogle and Woodlands Park--seriously a zoo connoisseur, I could write who's who in the zoo world. It was more exciting than any other because the kids got to take a pony ride, and Tavi found a caterpillar. The next day we went to the capital building where my Dad and Kaleb found out all about why South Carolina has Palmetto trees everywhere. Did you know in the revolutionary war the British Navy came against Fort Moultrie, a little fort built of the spongy palmetto tree wood. They shot cannon after cannon at the fort, but the cannon balls either bounced off, or went right through without damaging the structure of the building. The South Carolinian's actually sent one of the soldiers outside the fort walls to collect the British cannon balls fired, (Yeah how would you like to have drawn the short straw on that one?). Then they heated them up and fired them right back at the British. The capital building was beautiful, and it was fun to learn about the noble role it played in the foundation of this country. Next (Same day mind you) we went to a museum. There were some really cool displays on the civil war, and what was happening in the South at that time. That evening (Yes, still the same day) we went to Camden. This was the largest city in South Carolina at the time of the revolutionary war, many of the founding father's stayed there, including George Washington. Camden was occupied by the British and saw many Patriot's executed. All that was left of this was a lot of old graves and the stump of an old oak tree. There was the grave of Agnes of Glasgow. She stowed away on one of the British ships to find her love that was a solder for the British army. She died right before she found him and is said to be haunting Camden still looking for him. Apparently as far as ghost stories go, this is one of the most famous. Good thing there are no such thing as Ghosts, and if you talk to Tavi this is our story and we are sticking to it. The next morning we had an Easter Egg hunt, then we headed off for Folly Beach in Charleston SC. It was beautiful, and despite the cold, and Kaleb learning about sharks over the past month, we waded in and had a blast. That afternoon we went to Market Street in the historic district in Charleston and entered long old brick structures that spanned the length of the streets for a few blocks. As we wandered around from lines of booths, I suddenly realized that where tables full of cheap trinkets now stood a hundred and fifty years ago people had been auctioned off the same as if they where cattle. I couldn't catch my breath hardly, and all around me I wondered how no one else even noticed this--I wondered how people could go on with there business as usual while standing on the place where families were torn apart--children where taken from their mother's and would grow up under task masters. I wondered if mother's were praying that their babies would be bought by the kinder masters, by merciful owners? I sat contemplating this while local art, spices and beaded jewelery sold all around me. I don't mean to be a cultural snob, I don't mean to disresect anyone, but in my humble opinion that market place should be turned into a museum of tolerance, like the one in LA. Could you imagine a solemn place where a person could go to reflect on humanity instead of a bustling market? I can see that South Carolina isn't ready for such innovation yet, but someday when the good people I have met here feel like they can talk about it without giving offence on either side, perhaps. The rest of the evening we spent at Fort Moultrie, walking around the symbolic Palmetto trees. The next day we went to Fort Sumter. This is an island fort were a Major Anderson removed his troops to after Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States, and South Carolina was the first state to secede from the union. Major Anderson held up in the fort while the newly formed government under the Confederate President Jefferson Davis was elected into office, and South Carolina demanded he and his troop leave immediately. Anderson waited for reinforcements from the federal government, but the newly formed confederates of South Carolina formed a blockade and Anderson was cut off from the rest of the Northern troops. This is where the first shots of the civil war were fired. Anderson held up for two days while being fired upon in every direction by the southern troops. When the American Flag was shot down he reattached it to a pole and raised it again. He fought with six canons against four different forts firing on him and finally after his gun powder caught fire he had to get his troops out he gave in. He took the American Flag with him, and he and his troop all made it safely to New York, but the civil war had begun. After we went to Fort Sumter, we went to a Plantation. We saw were the slaves slept in little shacks and we got to hear about the Gullah, which is the African American Culture in South Carolina and parts of Georgia, the low country. This was very cool. This Gullah woman told us a story in the language of Gullah, then she told it to us in English. The moral of the story was freeing in her own words-- just because someone dumps on you doesn't make them your enemy, just because someone is kind to you doesn't make them your friend, and if you are patient enough the winds of change will come and you can dust yourself off, stretch your wings, and learn to fly. The plantation house was beautiful and a credit to architecture inside and out. We went home from Charleston exhausted. But, I am so glad we got to really experience South Carolina, even if it was through our rear view mirror. And as David has promised us Sunday dinner, California here we come.

Kaleb’s Theatrical Début

2009-03-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

We had dinner the other night with the missionaries and we realized that one of the Elders had been in the ward as long as we had. We were joking that we might be transferred out of the ward before he was. Despite us not knowing where we will end up life has been going on as usual. Kaleb has tread the boards quite a bit lately. He had a concert at School last Thursday. He did an excellent job. It was so fun to see him singing and doing all the movements along with the rest of the first graders. Kaleb was extremely vibrant with his 'this is a big world' arm movements and the little girl next to him had to bob and weave a couple of times, but he never missed a beat. He was awesome! Tavi was sitting on the floor in the front by the teacher helping the kids remember the movements, she was also fantastic, although not quite as polished as Kaleb. Tavi has a natural propensity toward being on a stage, and a few times, I thought we may have to physically hold her back from getting on the stage with her brother. We allowed her to go up to the stage and get her picture taken with Kaleb after it was over, and she can't wait until she is in first grade. Kaleb was a good sport and shared the lime light with her. Yesterday we went to Kaleb's reader's Theater, he played Prince Alarming in Slurping Beauty. This was not type casting--but his snorting laughter was believable, and he got all the laughs in the group. He told jokes like what did the bee say to the flower--buzz off, get it buzz off? He was confident and adorable, and we were so proud. With a propensity toward drama lately, we are still waiting to see where we are going to relocate to, but in the mean time on or off the stage, the kids are amusing, and keeping us distracted.

Octavia turns five just in time

2009-03-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

Well Octavia turned five on St. Patricks Day. We had a princess party on the Saturday before. Kaleb introduced the two little girls who came to his light sabers so it wasn't a damsel in distress princess party, it was more like a princess Lea princess party. Tavi was so funny the day after she officially turned five she started wearing lipstick and accessories. It was nice that Tavi got this fun day, after we learned that Chad will no longer be assigned to this hospital. So we are moving again. Tavi turned 2 in Grand Junction, 3 and 4 in Bremerton, and 5 in Columbia, Heaven only knows where she will turn 6. It should be interesting. As for us we are taking everything in stride and we know the Lord has a plan for us.

Aiken Civil War Reenactment-living history

2009-02-21T16:07:00.000-08:00

Today we went to the Aiken SC fifteen miles from the Georgia border to see a reenactment of the Aiken battle during the civil war. It was an awe inspiring thing to experience. We saw artifacts—mostly guns, some clothes--from that period. A guy had a few confederate dollars remade so he could show us, and he had cut one of them into half and then eighths so we could see how they used to give change. Silver was silver, the value of the coin was always in your hand. There was a demonstration of the cannon being fired and felt as if it reverberated through my entire body. Then the reenactment started. The guns exploded, the cannons boomed, leaving behind a haze in the air from all the smoke. The whole idea of the civil war is more real to me than it ever was before. Mostly because as I sat there listening to men playing the role of all the major players in the confederate army I realized that most of the people sitting there watching with me were cheering for the confederate army to win. Okay granted it was put on by the Son's of the Confederate Veterans, but I was a little shocked that it was all so one sided. A woman sitting next to me asked me quite honestly, “Do we win this, or do the Yankees?”
To which I could only respond, “It was the civil war—could anyone really win?”
Nothing was said about Abraham Lincoln or any of the major players on the Northern side. At one point the crowd was taught the rebel yell, and how people responded was interesting. Some were enthusiastic; others were simply timid trying to appease the man playing the role of General Robert E Lee, others in the crowd looked around in stunned silence.
Watching the two sides fight was sad for me. Most people were enjoying the fight and were enthusiastic about the weapons--granted this was mainly a boy thing, and I am not putting an age limit on it. But for me, I cried. Men lining up courageously less than twenty-five feet from each other and shooting into the lines across from them bravely. It wasn’t like a coward wearing a suicide bomb blowing people up. These soldiers met eye to eye and fought valiantly for what they believed in. I know it was just acting, but when men fell I remembered the men and women, who over the course of our country gave, and still give their lives in her defense. It was tragic to me that the same forces who had fought so diligently together for their freedom, only a few generations later would be fighting each other. And what for? Why was the civil war fought? I like to think of the civil war as ironing out the kinks of a young country—we can all relate that at times the process of strengthening is often painful. The cost is often high. It started with the factories verses the raw materials—foreign trade, and who should govern the state or the federal government? Should states be able to secede from the union if they don’t agree with the national government? All of these things needed to be resolve for the United States to become the great nation it is today.
Do you notice I haven’t brought up slavery? Do you notice how it is danced around, vaguely implied? This is my experience in the South. People around here do not talk directly about race or the part it played in not only the history of this country, but in their everyday lives now. Like it or not it we are different, different ethnicity's exist, but since I have lived in South Carolina, I have noticed the strangest anomaly, racial issues are the elephant in the corner, everyone knows it’s there, but nobody talks about it. Maybe the true segregation of the South in this day and age is a new kind of fear--not a fear of oppression, or bigotry, it is the fear of offense. Since I have lived in the first state to secede from the union in the civil war, native southern folk of all different ethnicity's, whisper to me—literally whisper-- how it must be so different here, how we must really notice a difference in the culture here. Always dancing around the issue at hand-- not wanting to give offense and certainly not wanting to be seen as the oppressor or the oppressed, this strange sort of segregation occurs, and it is based simply on the strange fear of offending.
So can I tell you what the civil war was really fought over in the south? No not really, nobody would say. I can say in a state where everywhere we go, the two dominant ethnicity's always have a healthy representation, today at Aiken SC--with the rebel flag floating through the air, among the sea of thousands of white faces, I only saw one African American. You may make your own suppositions. I on the other hand am going to go try and explain to my seven year old son, who never noticed segregation until today, how we are all created in God’s image--no matter what tint the skin of that image happens to be. And God bless America, that I have the freedom to do that.

Kaleb visits the Ballet

2009-02-08T11:53:00.000-08:00

Kaleb had a field trip to the Ballet, they were dancing out the story of Snow White. He came home and was very quiet about it. I probed to learn how it went and sweet Kaleb finally said the bus ride was really long. I like to think that my kids are being raised to appreciate the arts, but I think something about the experience frightened him. Based on a few things Kaleb said, it may have been the witch who becomes the old hag, the kissing to wake the princess, but more than likely it was how all the boy dancers were dressed. Kaleb respected that everyone was really strong, but it was just "weird" for him. A little while ago we went to a Southern BBQ place that had every kind of Buffalo wing imaginable. It was fun to try all the different varieties. After we watched as a band warmed up for a street fair later that evening. Kaleb was rocking out and Tavi was in touch with her inner guitar player. Everyone else standing around were much more amused by the kids than the band. Since then Octavia and I have been sick. For some reason Octavia can't sleep unless she has an arm draped over my face. We got up four times last night so I could put her back in her own bed. I've never been a fan of kids in my bed, simply because I was terrified I'd suffocate one of them, I wonder how Tavi isn't so worried about this. Perhaps she is comforted knowing I am incapable of falling asleep so there really is no danger. Chad is working hard at the hospital. It is a different working environment , and he is rising to the challenge. I've been called back into the Young Women's. I am really excited to work with the youth again. I was called to be the secretary, which has to be more for my benefit, but whom the Lord calls the Lord qualifies. Anyway, that's what we are up to. Loves to all.

The call most parents dread

2009-01-19T15:35:00.000-08:00

Now before anyone worries everyone is okay and the kids are fine all limbs in tack. I had just gotten home from work when I got a call from Kaleb’s school. The school called to inform us that school has been canceled. Now a little background is needed here. It has been cold I think it got down to 15 or so the other night and they have been saying it might snow, well not really probably just rain turning to ice. But the weatherman did say snow so it has caused a panic. The hospital is worried that no one will be able to deliver anything so they want to make sure we have food and supplies for a few days. The stores are out of food cause everyone has ran to the store to purchase bread and milk so they don’t have to go out for a few days. Everyone is crazy!! Now the reason the school called did I say it might snow. It is currently a balmy 45 degrees pretty nice but the weatherman said it might snow so for the safety of the kids and teachers they have canceled the WHOLE day of school. So the kids will get another day off, I am sure they will put on a long sleeve shirt and head outside and play with friends.

Home for the Holidays

2009-01-08T19:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas came and went…it happened so fast I almost missed it. Recaps…Okay we went to Utah for Christmas-Surprises? Probably not. Before we left we had a little Christmas in South Carolina. Santa knew we were going to be out of town so he obliged us and came early. What a trooper. He brought us a trampoline. We put it up just in time to leave for Utah, because heaven forbid we leave the neighborhood kids with nothing to do. It has since come to my attention that your insurance carriers in fact frown upon Trampoline ownership. I wonder if Santa covers injuries sustain by neighbor kids while owners are away? Maybe that’s what I’ll ask for next year. All joking aside the kids love it. Kaleb gets off the bus and he doesn’t even pause inside to do much aside from grabbing something to eat before he heads outside. Lest you concern yourself with Kaleb being outside so much in January I guess I ought to clarify while those we love are covered in snow--we are suffering through the sixty degrees it has dipped to over the last few weeks.
We had a lot of fun in Utah my entire family came down and we got to meet David’s new wife Suzy, very nice. Plus, it can’t hurt to have a heroine addict councilor in the family. We went to the children’s museum and saw my cousin Lisa and her family. It was so fun to see how big her girls are getting. Becky and I had lunch with our girl cousins and we chatted about old times. My top two favorite Bloomington Idaho stories involving me were:
We smuggled chips up into the tree house—for those who don’t know my Grandma Hart had a major aversion to junk food—we ate through a majority of the chips. Only as we got to the bottom of the bag did we notice it was filled with earwigs.
Next when we went down to the creek and were swimming without the proper attire and the Idaho fish and game patrol came over to see what we were doing. Becky was stuck in the brush yelling at me to get her clothes while I was trying calmly to explain to the nice officer that we were not fishing, but it would be terribly gentlemanly of him if he could just leave and not verify that at the moment. The man gave me a very knowing smirk and told me I ought to go help my sister. Ahh is childhood really complete without a Bloomington? My favorite story not involving me was when Becky, Tara and Tiffany had heard my Uncle Win complain that he had moved to Bloomington, but the sign still read population 197. My sweet relations felt this could obviously be rectified by a human latter and some scotch tape. My uncle's hand crafted 198 stayed posted to the sign for years.
Although I can’t say the Hart clan kids aren’t getting any excitement right in Kaysville Utah. We had a visitor Christmas Eve; Santa came to my parent’s house with Chad’s mom Grandma Babs. It was fun to see Kaleb look at him and then do a double take. He took his candy cane and talked to Santa for a while. Octavia would have nothing to do with him. She stood at the top of the stairs and watched him. When he finally left Octavia turned to Grandma Bab’s and with the most stern look on her face she asks, “Grandma Babs, why did you dress your husband up like Santa?”
I’m sure that at some point someone would have tried to express some kind of deniability, if I hadn’t burst out laughing and couldn’t stop. Tavi was so disturbed by this sacrilege, and it showed in her very stance, her little hands on her hips and her head cocked waiting for someone to explain—I couldn’t help myself.
The next night we hung out with the Petersen’s playing Taboo. It is a game in communication. You can’t say a certain word, nor can you say words associated with that word. I think anyone planning on getting married should play this game with their intended spouse just to see what they are really getting into. If you walk out on the game while everyone else is still playing because you need some space from your fiancé—there’s your sign. I wonder if some marriage councilor was listening to her client’s talk and her mind wandered just enough to have this great new idea about a game. She probably wanted to call it marriage in a nutshell, but it was too long so Taboo was born—Jokes! It was a really fun night and I learned to play the Wii. I got a really good arm work out for a game consol and considering I won a few times—yah YMCA—I actually felt a little warmth toward gaming systems. It was kind of like having a way to get your child to exercise and have fun at the same time—oh wait trampoline! Christmas over all was great, New Years left a little to be desired as one of the twin’s swallowed a marble and poor kid had a bad night trying to pass it. I got back to SC on New Years Day and fourtunaitly had numerous phone messages waiting for me due to the fact that we have the South Carolina's Lottery Commision's old phone number. I feel quiet popular and am fighting off the post holiday drop extremely well--someone always wants to be your friend at 2AM when they've just realized their lotto ticket is a winner!
Seriously though I am very grateful for the season and all of our families. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for my Savior--his birth, his death, his resurrection and everything in between. I love him. I am grateful for everything in my life that brings me closer to him no matter how painful it seems at the time. I think Christmas is a wonderful season to reflect on his birth, but also for recommitting to looking to him, living rightously, and feeling the power that accompanies this.

IPhone VS. Blackberry

2008-11-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

Last Weekend Danny came out and we spent the weekend comparing Danny's IPhone to Chad's Blackberry. As soon as we collected Danny from the Airport the battle commenced. Danny's IPhone automatically changed to South Carolina time-pretty impressive. Already the Blackberry is falling behind(though Chad makes the valid point that his was already in south Carolina time-I think someones a little sensitive). Uncle Danny's phone had a built in GPS, and the touch screen allowed Kaleb to pretend that he had a light saber-Sorry Dad, Kaleb is voting IPhone. Then next day while Chad was at work, we went to Madagascar 2 which we were able to plot the show time, cost and route all on Uncle Danny's phone. We had a blast and felt it our duty to eat through two refills of popcorn because holy cow we paid enough for it-everyone left with a belly ache, but we got our money's worth. It was a lot of fun. We went home and then began the remote control tank wars. Uncle Danny told Kaleb he was bringing him a surprise. After we had to tell him it wasn't Grandpa John (for some reason Kaleb was so sure it had to be Grandpa because Danny said it was the coolest surprise ever-pause for sentimental interlude- Ahhh), Kaleb was almost as pleased to get these small remote controlled tanks that had laser battles. It was a blast aside from the fact that for some reason I "accidentally" got the tank that's battery wasn't fully charged. My tank died and Danny recovered from almost being beat by his little sister. Very convenient.

The next day we took Danny to the Darlington race way-or should I say Danny's Iphone took us? It was cool to see how little the track actually is. I thought they were so much bigger when I saw them on TV. As Ben Stiller said in Night at the Museum, "The South may have lost the war... but it got Nascar." Kaleb and Tavia saw the fabulous Hudson Hornet. My favorite nascar inspired moment was in the gift shop. I found that for the female following Nascar has developed a serious of Romance novels. I was a little boisterous in my amusement and may have offended the sales clerk, but seriously Nascar meets Harlequin, there's so much material there. Grandma Doris would be proud because after eating at a restaurant where smoking was still permitted, yes, we are in the south, we all got on our thick socks and went bowling, packing our day from start to finish. Danny won barely beating Kaleb, then me and Chad barely beat Tavia, yes people the bumpers were on and still no one broke 100. It was a lot of fun watching the kids toss the ball down the lane, the men bowling next to us were so amused they gave the kids superman stickers. When we got home from the bowling we had a BBQ and rented a movie. We got Ice cream from Buster's, and not realizing what I was ordering, I got birthday cake with M&M's. We all needed an insulin shot after that one. The next morning we took Danny back to the airport. Tavia popped bubbles on the touch screen of the IPhone when she could get it away from Kaleb playing Star Wars again. Danny's trip out was short, but extremely appreciated. I think that at this point we all know which phone is preferred by the kids, and can any other test subjects be more important to a fun loving uncle?

Whooose a super cutie???

Recon Mission

2008-11-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

Well last weekend we had a visitor and we did a little recon for May 8th and 9th!!

We are now taking reservations for the big event. We have room for all, and all are welcome.

Halloween Family Letter

2008-10-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Well it is Halloween again. As my family can attest this is the time when I like to send your average “Christmas letter”. I do this because it often turns out a little scarier than sentimental, which means that it is more appropriate for Halloween. This year for Halloween Kaleb is going to be Anakin Skywalker, and as he has never seen the third installment of Star Wars due to it’s PG-13 rating he keeps asking me how Anakin becomes Darth Vadar. It is a good opportunity to talk about good choices and bad choices. I am a little worried about the day he turns thirteen and actually watches the third installment, because I may have gotten a little enthusiastic about my explanation and Kaleb may feel the actual movie a little dull. While on the subject of Kaleb I suppose I ought to mention to those who haven’t noticed he has learned how to use the telephone. Grandparents love it. Dad does as well. He gets sweet little messages from Kaleb--six or seven times daily.
Octavia is going to be a princess for Halloween. She is getting into character by ordering the neighbor boys to pull her in the wagon and stand guard when Anakin comes with his light saber (good choices Kaleb, good choices). The boys here are little gentlemen and are always opening her doors for her and asking her if she needs anything. It really is adorable. Tavi also watches as many princess type movies as she can which helps her prepare for the role of damsel in distress. Fortunatly we are intermingling them with star wars so she when she gets in trouble she can wait for the prince, or shoot her way out with her blaster--a girl has got to keep her options open. Octavia still asks when we are going to move back by Jeanette, to which I have no answer because it breaks my heart. I think on a whole the kids are adjusting though and I am very proud of the way the are willing to try new things.

Chad is still working a ton, and on a daily average is getting fewer threats that he will recieve bodily harm from his employees, so the hospital seems to be coming around to the change. We are hoping he can come home for Christmas with us, but he can't be sure. I stay home with Tavi and we are buddies. We both agree our favorite part of the day is picking Kaleb up from the bus. Danny is coming into town in a week and we are very excited. Kaleb has already planned a bunch of fun things to do, and Danny even gets to play with Kaleb's spare light sabar. That's love right there. I read this to Kaleb and he didn't think I was very funny, but he said if I put the word fart in my letter it would be funnier. I refused, so I'm sorry if this post is a little dull to some.

Becky asked for a few more pictures of the house, Tavi was so excited she got right to work. Enjoy.

KALEB TURNS SEVEN--HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2008-10-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Kaleb!

Kaleb had a fun time on his Birthday with the neighborhood kids. Everything was Star Wars and he was happy playing games and watching the movies.

The kids played hide and seek. Unfortunately, poor KJ wasn't told that the game had ended. Mr. Chad finally had to seek him in Kaleb's closet to take his picture. Everyone ate their weight in junk food, but Kaleb's friend Tyler ate half a bottle of pickles and had a tummy ache by the end of the party. One kid lost, one sick, and everyone Star Wars crazed...the party was a success.

For Brad's sake

2008-10-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

Brad wanted to see the new car, so here it is. I know what you are thinking, they are a little too nice for the Petersen clan. Fret not, Kaleb is kicking on the back of the seats and Tavi is asking Daddy pretty please can she bring her chocolate milk with her when we go to the store, so it will only be a matter of time before we are restored to our normal state of Peterseness. We are in South Carolina now. It has been a bit of a culture shock, they boil peanuts until they are soggy(why, for the love, why?) They eat these soggy green leaves that no lie taste like what smelly feet smell like.

The bugs here are merciless-it is easier to see the red blotches than Kaleb's legs. Thank goodness for deep woods OFF!! Though I may as well add that he is outside with all of his free time having a blast, so they are more like battle scars to show where he has been. There are bugs here that are huge, and I must say I have never seen before. Perhaps that is why they feel it a pleasure to enjoy our newly found southern hospitality and stay snuggly all over the house. All joking aside, the people in South Carolina are very kind, and everyone has been more than polite to us. The church is true no matter where you live.
Chad works fourteen hour days and is getting the hospital whipped into shape, and I am at home with the kids. Kaleb is going to school and is in heaven as the school has a sand box, and a few other star wars crazed kids to play with. We are still missing Bremerton, but as my mother says you bloom where you are planted, I just hope with all the fried food out here, I bloom upward, and not outward. All is going well for us and we are still finding our strength in the Lord, and pray you all are as well.

Amazing what can happen in a month

2008-07-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! It has been a month (okay 2) since we have posted and looking back a lot has happened. I know that I will leave things out but here goes nothing. We have spent the last few weeks on vacation with Katherine's family. We drove down to San Diego and spent a week there, it was very enjoyable to be on vacation. We went to Knott's Berry Farm, it was a blast the kids really enjoyed it and the uncles enjoyed it even more. David found out that Kaleb is tall enough to ride all of the big fun rides. He tried all the big roller coasters and only had 2 that he would not go on a second time. Tavi enjoyed hanging out with her cousin and getting her face painted. She was our pretty princess fairy.

Uncle Danny aka "The Chicken Whisper"

Chad found a way to keep track of the kids including the twins at the beach. and they LOVED IT!!!

We also went to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Life park. The kids enjoyed being able to see the different animals, Kaleb's favorite was the cheetahs.

I think that the petting zoo was the funniest part with the twins, they would walk around and pet and enjoy the animals. One time one of them turned and there it was, they had what we hoped to be dirt in there mouth we all knew it was not but the alternative of seeing your child eating poop was not good. So we will just call it dirt.

San Deigo Here We Come

2008-05-18T23:11:00.001-07:00

So with the trip just a little over a month away we have been looking at how we will get there and figure we will make a nice trip out of it and drive. We will leave town and stay just out side of Mount St Helen's. I think that it would be cool since we live pretty close that the kids need to see it. Imagine waking up to this.

Then its down the 101 / 105. Stopping along the way to other cool site. Kat says we need to try and stop at Ghirardelli Square so we will have to fit that in. May be on the trip home. I don't know something about loading the kids with sugar and driving a long ways just makes you want to go and beat your head against the wall. We may try and be in LA for the 4th. Jury is still in deliberation on that. There are sure a lot of National Parks along the way. None the less it is looking like this will be tons of fun.

Here is a little taste. Looking out at one of the views at the house. (Promotional mind you)

Summer is here

2008-05-17T21:06:00.000-07:00

Well the sun finally has come out, after months of gray skys and rain. Today it was 88 and beautiful. It all started last night when I found some genealogy information and cool pictures. I was able to find journal entries and even an auto-biography of John Prodger Wright. He is my Great-Great-Grandpa. Here he is in his working in his store back in the late 1800’s. This almost makes you want to keep more pictures.

Today as we were out trying to enjoy this nice day we did our bi-monthly shopping and saw a great deal on BBQ’s. SO we went and got the truck and are now the proud owner of another BBQ. Oh how the food tastes better on a grill. After dinner we decided that we would play games. It was duck, duck, goose, so after being made fun of for being so old and not being able to sit criss-cross applesauce it was game on. After a few rounds we remembered that you can always substitute other words in, so it was chicken, prince, garbage head, smelly feet, and so on. So on Tavi’s turn she walked around and it was duck, duck, and goose no I mean chicken, duck, goose and Katherine was it. Octavia decided that after she was half way around that she would run a little slower claiming that she was so tired (now walking) saying get me mom, get me. Katherine now on the floor laughing so hard she could not move. What a great night to enjoy those childhood years. I almost forgot what funny things they say.

Flowers everywhere

2008-05-07T22:11:00.001-07:00

So my parents came in town for a long weekend. They even brought Amy along which was really fun.

We decided that since it was not feasible to travel to Holland to see the fields of flowers that we would go and see the Sakgit Valley tulip festival that they have here in Washington.

They had many many different colors of flowers.

Oops.......

Gum anyone?

2008-04-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

So we where on top of the space needle with my folks and found a picture of this wall. Thought it was pretty cool so thought I would ask if anyone needed a piece? Just let us know and I am sure that we can find a good one.

Cute Kids

2008-04-21T20:48:00.001-07:00

Octavia's Gets her Hair Chopped

2008-04-20T17:34:00.001-07:00

Well, it was bound to happen and it finally did. Katherine's mom came up for a few days and well one thing lead to another and now Tavi's hair is shorter.

Getting started

2008-04-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

Well here goes nothing. It seems that this is the thing to do now days to be able to keep up with everyone. Katherine said that she would help keep it up so hopefully between us both we will be able to keep this going. I look at it as a journal so to speak, well if that is the case we will update this about every few years. LOL