Anselmo Family

Monica Has Aged

2012-01-26T13:07:00.000-08:00

She's now 13!

Monica loves treats. So the boys and I threw her a treat themed party.

The kids loved it when the sparkler candles surprised us all by being trick candles. That was not on the package! But is was so fun!

Sweet treats for the birthday girl...

Tulips for the tulip lover. We couldn't find red. So we got pink. Because it matched the party decor.

Happy Birthday, Monica!

What a Man!

2012-01-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

Chad was a superhero when I was sick over the holidays. He even flushed my saline line for me. When we married, I'm sure neither of us expected he would do that.

Marriage is great thing.

Christmas

2012-01-26T12:49:00.000-08:00

Andrew made a truce with the nativity set this year.

He played with them but chose not to kidnap Mary.

Progress.

We all made gingerbread cookies.

All right...

We didn't make them.

But we did decorate them!

Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Morning

Then everyone played with their toys.

Side Story:

One of my favorite books is Max's Disappearing Bag. Betty gets a chemical set for Christmas and the kids spend the day mixing acids. Even as a child I thought that was a little irresponsible of her parents.

Why does that story matter?

This year Alexander got two science kits and one crystal growing set. Guess, I know what I think of myself as a parent.

On Christmas Day, Andrew got a Lego Batman and a nice bloody scratch down his leg because he was climbing on something he shouldn't have been climbing on. I think he was happy Santa had already come.

Alexander built a castle.

And they played until bedtime...

Pinewood Derby

2012-01-26T12:26:00.002-08:00

Lego Adventures

2012-01-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Some of Our Activities

2012-01-26T12:23:00.000-08:00

It's been a while...

Alexander is ready to rumble.

Adorable Andrew

Andrew has been teaching himself to add.

Andrew has also been trying out new fashion ideas.

Mmmm...I think I like it.

They've been building railways and metropolis'.

Monica has been photographing flowers.

And then we took a long rest.

Night-night, Drew.

While Mom's Away...

2012-01-17T19:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all those who took care of my darling darlings during my recent illness. I'm sure they were appreciative too...at some point.

Seriously, what would we have done without so much instant help? You all are the best!

Chad's Recent Mountain Biking Trip

2012-01-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

B.Love, Chad, and Andrew

On Top of the World

Gratitude

2011-12-23T14:37:00.000-08:00

In 2011, I am grateful for:

Brooke Ritz: for showing me how to use a basic pizza dough recipe to make delicious cinnamon rolls. You have no idea the monster you created.
Grandparents: for spoiling my children.
Avocados.
My Dentists: for always making my visits pleasant.
Safe Traveling Choices: If my husband had to travel so much for work this year, I am grateful that he was reasonably safe, even during the London riots.
Good Employment.
Library Bookstore: Life is always more exciting when you can get a good book for a couple of quarters.
My Delightful Friend, Rena: who introduced me to a whole group of regency-era writers because she found a great book at the library bookstore for a couple of quarters.
The Lending Libraries: that allow me ready access to such old and forgotten adventures.
Clare Darcy, Jacqueline Diamond, Donna Hatch, and Georgette Heyer: for writing so many bold, madcap tales.
My Four Unbelievable Children: They are wild but I love them!
Our Friends and Family: for accepting our new children so readily. I know it's a brash and daring adventure, but so is life. We took this road and we appreciate the support.
Our Amazing Social Workers, Stephanie and Sharri: who are so supportive and helpful!
My Handsome and Multi-Talented Husband: who always remembers to flirt with me over Christmas tags.
Chocolate Kisses.
Real Kisses.
Our Nursery Children: who always keep us hopping and often make us laugh.
Mike McBride, Shaunie Cluff, Kirsten Trefflich and Others: for helping out in nursery when we are short on hands.
Red Hair Dye: I never use you as often as I ought, but I love having you there. I am convinced I was born to be a redhead.
The Stinchies and their (Naturally) Redheaded Children.
My Favorite Red Skirt: I wear you all the time and you handle it like a real trooper. We've been together for years. Here's to many more!
Sprouts: You helped me get on the path to health and keep me there.
The guard who gave a cold girl a blanket.
My Friend, Lenna: who is the most excellent playdate companion. Where would I be without our playdates?
My Friend, Chelsea: who keeps me well stocked on supplies for my glass pendant addiction and always treats my children as if they were the most special people in the world.
Sarah Eden: My favorite author this year. How enjoyable was life without her novels? It's a good thing I don't have to go back to that world. My scent would be something citrusy, like satsuma or lemon peel.
My Dad and Irene: who always graciously spoil us over Thanksgiving.
All My Sisters: It is great always having a sister to talk to. I cannot fathom how 'only' children get along in life without siblings. They seem to manage but I think they get the short end of the stick in the sibling department.
70 Degree Days in December: I know that I like to think that I am a 'bloom where you are planted' kind of a girl. But, who am I kidding? This weather is paradise.
Prayer: How many times have I utilized you this year?
Catan on the Computer: Strategy games are so addicting! Thanks, babe, for loading it on twice for me this week. You are the best!
Monica: for her clever sassiness and her poetical streak. I love the way you express yourself in written form.
Christopher: for his compassion and energy. You are always ready for adventure and you are letting us try to be your parents. I know it's not easy but I am grateful to be in the game.
Alexander: for his sweetness and creativity. You are always building or creating and I love you for it.
Andrew: for his wild and tender heart and unrepentant desire for dominance. Someday you may rule the world - or at least your own home.
Our Ghost, Steve: For always taking the fall for Andrew's misadventures. I know it isn't always you, Steve.
Duke Special: My favorite artist. So much emotion. So many stories.
Kate Rusby, Travis, Laura Marling, Mumford and Sons, Chris Isaak, Johnny Boyd, and Others: You've made the mundane far more enjoyable with your music.
Wednesday Cleaning Night: Chad's brilliant invention. It makes such a difference!
My Savior.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Christmas Music

2011-12-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

The Forgotten Carols

I Cannot Find My Way (Three Wisemen)

Unknown

Little Drummer Boy

(For Andrew - who only likes the pure version of this song)

Jewel

Hands

Jordan Bluth

Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)

I prefer his version of I Heard the Bells for Christmas but I cannot find it)

Duke Special and Foy Vance

Silent Night

(For Monica - who thinks it is a travesty to over dramatize this song.)

Celtic Woman

Away in a Manger

Chris Isaak and Michael Buble
The Christmas Song

She and Him

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Mindy Gledhill

Winter Moon

Mumford and Sons

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Fiona Apple

Christmas Blues

The Beach Boys

Merry Christmas Baby

Taylor Swift

Christmas When You Were Mine

Phantom Planet

Winter Wonderland

John Berry

O Holy Night

Weezer

The First Noel

BNL

Footprints

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-05T19:06:00.001-08:00

My sister, Em, took some pictures at Thanksgiving. I did not. So here are some of her pictures.

(Thanks Em!)

Cousins

Megan, Monica, and Christopher

Cousins

Hunter and Christopher

Mother and Daughter

Kristen and Monica

(She graciously sat in a chair so that I could look taller than her.)

Monica and More Curls

Em set up a beauty shop and did all the girls' hair. She did a great job!

Halloween...Again

2011-11-29T16:53:00.001-08:00

A friend sent a few more Halloween pictures so I thought I would upload them.

Preschool

2011-11-26T20:30:00.001-08:00

Andrew is in preschool and the kids at the school make the most amazing art projects.

Pilgrim Andrew

And here are two of his turkeys.

One was made from candy and cookies. The other was a little turkey made with his hand print. He added the detail after he got home. He is a big drawer.

I have been very impressed by his school and teachers.

Sewing

2011-11-26T20:24:00.001-08:00

The kids have been sewing some Christmas gifts. Monica made a few blankets.

Chris made a very nice, neat pillowcase.

And I made a Christmas patchwork quilt for someone.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-26T20:17:00.001-08:00

My Little Pirate

Our Family

Apparently we decided to go with a red and black theme this year.

The Menfolk

The all had some sort of weapon.

The Ladies

Both throwing it back to a bygone era of fun dresses.

Andrew

Tiny but fierce.

Alexander

A daring vampire.

A Vampire and A Pirate

Reminds me of the book Vampirates.

Our Swat Hero

Plundering candy like a true pirate.

Good and evil is put aside as the children sort their spoils and devour candy.

Happy Halloween!

Andrew's Birthday Day

2011-11-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

For every birthday, I spoil my children. They get to pick an activity (within reason) for the day and a special dinner and dessert.

Weeks before his birthday, Andrew started asking when breadstick day was. He wanted Stonefire Grill's breadsticks for his activity. (He wanted Legoland first but I talked him down to reason - I can do breadsticks.)

So, on the morning of his birthday, we dropped all the other kids off at school, went to a bookstore to wander around (also one of his favorite activities), and then drove off to Stonefire. We ordered a small kid's cheese pizza that he grinningly declared he didn't have to share with anyone and a basket of twelve breadsticks (which he graciously offered to share with me). He was in heaven! I had pictures but unfortunately they were lost when my camera was traded in that day. But, I can assure you that he was the happiest little boy in the world.

After books and breadsticks, we picked up the other boys and went to gymnastics. Chad swung by to take my phone in for a replacement. I've only had a cell phone for about a year and I managed to live perfectly well without one - until I got one. When Chad was taking my phone (and Chris who was bored because he couldn't participate in gymnastics because of his pesky cast) to the phone store, I joked that I hoped nothing would happen in the hour that I would be without my phone. How quickly an addiction forms. And how unfunny my dire, drama-filled, sarcastic comments can become in sixty minutes.

After gymnastics, I took Alexander and Andrew home. Sort of. We were about a mile from home, sans cell phone, and suddenly our whole car was thrown forward. Or, as the boys put it, we got bonked. I love my van very much. It has a DVD player, a back-up camera, XM radio, etc. But these are all nothing to the safety features. It is like a box of steel. The little car that hit us looked like an accordion. It literally hit us and bounced off. My back bumper was dislocated and the back door was slightly bent in. But, it was barely touched. In short, we were fine, the other driver was fine, her insurance accepted liability immediately and while we were shaken, our 'bonk' was as unaffecting as possible.

We arrived home, where Chad immediately starting making the birthday dinner as I was shaking and on the phone with insurance. Dinner was delicious and then we had dessert. Andrew had decided that he needed a cake so I took him to whole foods to pick one out. I so rarely get to eat sweets that I wanted a possibility of at least getting a bite and whole foods was our best bet. Andrew found an awesome pumpkin cake that had no corn syrup at all and fresh berries to boot. It was so fresh tasting and the icing was delicious despite being made from healthy ingredients.

And, of course, Andrew, being Andrew, had to poke his cake with his finger. Little scamp. But, it was his cake and his birthday, so I guess it doesn't matter if he wanted to put little finger holes all over his cake.

Happy birthday, my baby!

Andrew and Isaac's Batman Birthday

2011-11-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

The incredible Chelsea made Batman capes for all the kids.

Andrew got a set of bat wings to play with. We had to tell him about a dozen times that his wings could not be used for flying.

Future Heartbreaker

Batman

Cool and Confident Amid the Chaos

The birthday boys preparing to blow out their candles on their batman cupcakes.

Wait...what's this?

Trick candles?!

Even Isaac and his super lungs couldn't blow out the candles.

But they kept trying. Points and laughs for that.

Happy Birthday Boys!

Monica's Curls

2011-11-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

Monica has been having fun with curls lately.

A few of her creations:

Abstract Art

2011-11-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

Andrew has been experimenting with art lately.

He likes abstract concepts.

This is a pair of scissors wrapped in tape. I find it ironic.

French Fries

2011-11-04T10:11:00.001-07:00

Happiness!

Circus Fun

2011-10-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

Then I made cupcakes for a cakewalk at a circus fundraiser for Chris' cub scouts.

The fundraiser was really well put together and a lot of fun.

All the boys got a balloon animal.

Chris and Xander got laser guns - you know in case they ran into any aliens at the circus...

And Drew got a fish.

Then they got their faces painted. Chris went for a skeleton look.

And Xander went for a vampire face.

Then Chris put on his clown wig and frightened little children.

It was a great night!

Cupcakes

2011-10-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

The kids made cupcakes for a birthday celebration. I think they were pretty creative.

Chocolate Chaos

2011-10-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

Last night I broke out the old chocolate molds and made some Halloween treats. The kids circled like vultures, waiting for the opportunity to swoop in and pick one off. Especially the book ends. Monica and Andrew are relentless when it comes to treats.

What was meant to be a fun activity for the family turned into a Little Red Hen scenario and became a fun activity for me. But, I didn't mind. I enjoyed creating little Halloween sweets.

I didn't get many pictures as I was wading through pots of melted chocolate most of the night but I did get a few for ambiance.

Never fear. Many of the little treats made it to the 'packaged' stage.

I love Halloween!

Until Christmas, chocolate pots, until Christmas.

Update to the Update

2011-10-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

I forgot to add the funniest part of this whole business. While driving back from the doctor's where Chris was casted, Christopher let me know that he thinks I am too overprotective. I had a car full of sick and injured children and he wanted me to know that I should ease up on the warnings to be careful and the rules to keep them safe. I know I am an adult, but I did, indeed, roll my eyes like a twelve year old.

Update

2011-10-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

After the hard two weeks of injuries and illnesses, I thought I would update progress and make a little list of gratitude.

1) Chris's radial splint was replaced with a hard red cast this week. We go back in a few weeks to see if his bone is healing.

2) Alexander's head is healing alright and he barely mentions any pain or discomfort.

3) The mystery illness was solved (surprisingly).

4) Andrew has managed to stay healthy and in one piece.

These two weeks have been hard for many reasons. However, I thought it would be good to stop and see the flowers among the thorns.

1) If Chris had to break anything, at least it was just one tiny little bone. And even though it is his writing hand, I am grateful that his teacher just got a student teacher in the classroom that can help write for Chris during class time. I am grateful for the simpleness of the injury and for the help he is able to access at school.

2) If Alexander had to have a head wound, at least he wasn't freaking out at the blood. He was completely calm, which helped me (who isn't great about bleeding wounds on my darling children) stay calm. And the e.r. visit was the shortest I've ever seen. I am grateful for his calm nature and for the quick and attentive e.r. staff. They really made a difference.

3) If Monica had to have a whole bunch of tests, it was good to have such great, easy to access doctors and technicians. I am especially grateful for the fantastic doctor that Monica has. We've been there a couple of times and I really love her competence. Without which, we might still be searching for answers.

4) If Andrew does want to have an injury like his siblings (and he does), I am grateful that he hasn't actually, purposefully tried to join the ranks of the mangled. He thinks Chris' cast is cool and Alexander's staples are awesome. But, I am very thankful that he is heeding his Momma's plea to be careful.

I really like this song by Brandon Flowers. The message is full of hope. It's nice to remember the support than can be found.

Injuries and Illnesses, Oh My!

2011-10-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

Recently we've been spending a lot of time with doctors. Oh, not at dinner parties and charity events! That would be fun! No, we've been kicking it in e.r.'s and medical buildings. It's been fabulous! And yes, that is sarcasm.

I've tried to come up with a reasonable explanation for all our enjoyable trips to confer with practicing physicians. Here is my very irreverent take on why anyone would do what we have just done.

Option One:

There have been a spate of random broken arms among children at our local church. Never one to pass up a challenge, I say we see your broken arms and subsequent surgeries - with a broken finger (Chris) and a recurring fever (Monica), with a head injury requiring staples (Alexander). Take that! Your move. Would you like to call or would you like to raise the stakes again?

Since none of our church friends play high stakes gambling, this might not be the choice.

Option Two:

After visiting the e.r. with a broken finger and the doctor's office with an unexplained fever, they gave us a free e.r. visit. Two for one treat! Never one to pass up a bargain, we let a third child get sick or injured to take advantage of this amazing offer. Bring on the head wound!

Option Three:

Wow! It's just been a week. But, we are surviving it. I just don't want the injured and ill children to stand too close together. No sense in inviting questions from passerby, eh?

Honestly, my money was on Monica being our first e.r. visit. She is very accident prone. We joke that for Christmas, we are going to buy her a large padded bubble and we will just roll her around in it, instead of letting her walk anywhere. Technically, she did injure her ankle a few weeks ago but they can't do anything for a sprain in an emergency room. So Chris became our first e.r. visit since we expanded our family. So glad I don't gamble, because I would have lost my shirt.

I've attached gory and unnatural pictures of the injured.

First is Chris. He had me take about 5,000 pictures of his broken finger. Can you tell which finger he broke?

Yep. The fat one. They splinted him with a radial, soft splint cast (or that's what it sounded like the doctor said). Chris is already tired of the cast-like splint. But, he did look awfully cute just after it was put on and the doctor was talking to him about keeping the finger above his heart to keep the swelling down. Hopefully, we can get him in a small, traditional splint today.

I promise we are safety minded people.

Next came an unexplained fever with another kid and a round of tests. They took six vials of blood and I thought said kid might bolt. But she stuck with it. Funniest moment? When the blood-drawer, who really was very nice, offered to take some of Andrew's (non-sick kid) blood for free while he was drawing Monica's blood. Are you asking me to make vampire jokes, sir?

Later that evening, we decided to cash in that two-for-one treat when Alexander's head met the corner of two walls. The kids said Alexander was bleeding. There was no crying or screaming so I just said, "Have him come down and I will look at it," thinking that maybe he got a papercut or something. He came down to the landing on the stairs, his bloody hands outstretched, a shocked expression on his face, and blood dripping out the back of his head. I raced up to the landing and threw my hand on his wound to put pressure on the cut. Then my friend got me a towel and my husband. Chad took a look and agreed that an e.r. visit was in order. We got some fresh gauze and wrapped his head. Chad graciously offered to take Alexander as he agreed that it was his turn to take a kid into the doctor's. Yep. I think so.

Alexander got four staples, didn't cry once, even though he said the numbing shot hurt really bad, and was in and out of the emergency room in two hours.

Now he gets to walk around like a mummy two weeks before Halloween. At least there's that.

Oh, and I decided to increase the bubble order. For Christmas, all the kids are getting giant bubbles. They can all be bubble children. No sense in inviting another week like this one to our home.

Craft Time

2011-10-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

We've done a lot of crafts with the kids lately.

Here is Chad helping the kids figure out how to make tissue Halloween creatures.

And then we let them make their own candy necklaces.

I think they loved this idea!

Mr. Fix-It

2011-10-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

While I sewed, Andrew worked on his screwdriver skills. He undid that little screw in the wall plate over and over and over again.

Quilting

2011-10-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

It's that creative time of year for me. This year the project is Halloween quilts. That's right - quilts. I can never stop at one.

After piecing a couple of Halloween quilts, I had to make myself a little something-something. These prints called out to me at the fabric store and I just had to see how they would work together.

I had to expand the backing so it would be wide enough. I pieced a line together and sewed it into the middle. I really like the result.

I'll give my purple and green creation to myself one day when I need a real treat. I'm sure I will be delighted with the gift.

Super Late But Worth the Wait

2011-09-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

It came.

I read.

It was awesome.

I pre-ordered this book for my birthday two months ago. Then, several weeks ago, I got an email saying it was sent. And then after the DHL people handed it off to the good ol' USPS, the book sat at a distribution center for almost two weeks. Arrghhh! I'm pretty sure the Postal Service has it out for me personally. Why else would they hang on to my book for eternity before delivering it?

Cruel, cruel people.

However, my rage is tempered by the brilliance of Sarah Eden's latest published work, Seeking Persephone. Chronologically the story takes place before Courting Miss Lancaster and details the meeting, marriage, and adventure at Falstone Castle for Adam, the Duke of Kielder and Persephone Lancaster.

As with Sarah's previous works, the story flows well. Apparently she doesn't know how to write good stopping places. I warned my friend, Rena, not to start the book until she was prepared to ignore her children for the duration of the story because once you start, the book is almost impossible to put down.

If you are looking for a juicy page-turner of the regency era, I strongly suggest this new book. Here is an official summary of the book:

When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposalfrom the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses — and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he’s offeringPersephone would save her family from ruin. Withher characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reachesof Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger.

Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs,the Duke’s castle is as cold and forbidding as the Dukehimself, a man with terrible scars on his body and hissoul. But the Duke’s steely determination to protect hisheart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachmentto his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence,Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke’s armorand reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate suchexposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. Butwhen grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must facethe risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the womanhe cannot live without.

Happy reading!

Trick-or-Treat Bags

2011-09-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

Some of the changes from the summer have led to differences in culture or traditions. One issue that has come up is what is appropriate for collecting candy during trick-or-treating. Two of the kids like the pillowcase idea. I am a strict anit-pillowcaser. I don't like them and never have. If there was a march against using pillowcases for Halloween I would join it. I don't look down my nose at those who use or even enjoy pillowcases - just the fact that in my home, we don't use them.

So we compromised. I got large plain bags and I let the kids decorate them. They are original to each kid and, while bag-like, are not made from pillowcases.

I think they turned out busy but cute.

Chris' Moomy Chair

2011-09-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

Chris took some of the leftover ghost material and he dressed his dinner chair up as a "Moomy Chair".

He thought it was funny to say mummy that way. I loved the ingenuity.

Making Friends for Steve and Frank

2011-09-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

Since I already let the cat out of the bag about Halloween arriving at our home in September - rather than October - I suppose I can cop to the fact that the kids and I have been crafting Halloween things already.

A few days ago, we decided to make some friends for Steve and Frank, our live-in ghosts.

We started with some old pillowcases and some stuffing, added some kid creativity, and

voila!

Homemade Ghosts!

Alexander made a vampire ghost. He said he was nice.

Then his vampire ghost attacked him. I think Alexander needs to learn how to read vampire's true intentions better.

Chris and his Ghost

Monica made a ghost bride. Who had vampire teeth. She created a bloodsucking ghost bride.

That's my girl!

Hopefully Steve and Frank like their new friends.

Pumpkin Balloons

2011-09-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Halloween has arrived a little early. Not earlier than other years. Just earlier than sane people's homes.

Oh well. We are who we are.

Our Newest Bookworm

2011-09-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

Guess who's been reading...

My Little Dragon

2011-09-22T14:45:00.001-07:00

Drew got dressed in the store, tail included.

Ghosts

2011-09-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Here in the Anselmo home we talk about ghosts a lot. Why do we discuss such a strange topic?

1) Ghost stories are fantastic around Halloween time and we read a lot of them. What would a cool autumn evening be like without chilling tales of hauntings trembling in your fingers?

2) Also, you can't beat Duke Special's take on Ghost Town. Match made in artistic heaven.

3) Ghosts are also great for valuing real estate. In my opinion, a Victorian that is not haunted is a rip-off. If it's not haunted then it is just a pretty house. The best scenario would be a ghost town full of Victorian houses. Oh, what a dream! I'll take ten!

4) Ghosts are great for giving me snappy one-liners to rude comments about my pigmentation. I happen to be very, very pale. I know this. But, apparently others think I need this pointed out every time I wear a pair of shorts or capris. Instead of snapping back at their rude reminder, I have long since brought ghosts into the conversation. And they don't seem to mind. The ghosts, that is. The random people ought to mind. I put them in same category as ghosts. An example:

Random Person: "Wow, you're white."
Me: "Yes. Ghosts mock me for my paleness." (as you do, random person, as you do)

5) And lastly, the fifth reason we love ghosts in our home, has happened recently and is the impetus for this post. Since we added to our family this summer, it's been a little more chaotic around the house and sometimes things go missing. Somewhere along the way, I suggested that it might be ghosts moving stuff around. The kids liked this idea and promptly decided to appoint and name two ghosts to our home. Steve and Frank are now frequently mentioned by all the kids.

However, my darling Andrew has recently taken our bizarre interest in ghosts to a whole new level. He told me that Steve and Frank were playing with cars and eating chocolate covered pretzels under the kitchen table. I followed him to the kitchen and looked under the table. Sure enough there were two little cars and an empty bag of chocolate covered pretzels.

"Uh-oh. We just missed them," he said.

Mmm-hmm. I bet. I moved my thumb across his little cheek, removing the smeared chocolate from his face. I don't like lying. However, his creativity is rather interesting. He set quite the scene with the cars and empty bag. At some point, I should probably crush his ego and call him out for a thieving liar. But not today. Today, he can still live in a world where Mom believes in ghosts.

Waiting...

2011-09-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Still seeking Persephone. I am beginning to think that DHL has kidnapped her to demand a ransom from the Duke of Keilder. I'm so frustrated I am ready to pay a ransom myself!

USC vs. University of Utah

2011-09-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

They were both smiling when they left today. Wonder who's gonna be crying when they come home...

Just checked the score.

It's gonna be me and my team. Ah man!

First Day of School

2011-09-10T21:16:00.000-07:00

First two days have gone well. Hope the next eight million are just as good.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahaha!

Suckers!

Scouting

2011-09-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Chris is our first, very excited scout. He started last week and looked so cute in his new uniform.

I tend to be a person who is overwhelming over-prepared for anything. When people remark upon this unusual character trait, I always joke, "Well, I was a girl scout." Which is ridiculous. Because girl scouts doesn't really prepare you for anything except how to turn a cute, dimpled cheek and a uniform into a sale of a box of sweet treats. Hardly anyone calls me on it. But, someone finally pointed out what I had been trying to be ironic about all along. It was about six months ago and I was so proud.

Anywho, I am very happy that Chris will be in scouting, you know, the boy kind, where you actually learn cool stuff about preparation.

Trains and Blocks

2011-09-10T21:09:00.000-07:00

Sundaes on a Monday

2011-09-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

For Family Night we had a lesson titled, Not on a Sunday. And then we had sundaes for the treat. The kids had a little too much fun.

We should have titled the lesson, Gluttony and the Tummyache That Will Follow.

Never fear, they all only ate half of their sundaes and finished the rest of their Monday sundae treats on Tuesday.

Beach Trip

2011-09-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

Beach Day

Just before school started, Chad took a day off and took the kids to the beach. He has had an incredibly busy summer with his new position at work and it was wonderful for the kids to have him for the day.

They built a sandcastle and Monica decorated the outside with shells, rocks, and a warrior that she found on the beach.

These are the memories.

Legoland

2011-09-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

We went to Legoland as a family.

Special thanks to Pops who took the boys earlier this summer. We got a second use out of the tickets. It was awesome!

Andrew and Monica went on a little plane ride. It reminds me of Wanda by Duke Special.

It's a song about a champion female aviatrix.

No Monica.

You may not date Darth Vader.

I don't care how cute he looks in his black cape or how mysterious he seems.

I don't care if your brother thinks he is awesome or if all the kids in the neighborhood dress alike to be around him. They're clones. You know better.

He's just not the kind of guy you can bring home. Try again.

Nope.

No wookies either.

After Monica got over her disappointment at not being able to date an eight-foot, nearly-extinct, hairy warrior, we went to the water park area.

Andrew brought a bathing suit and changed. Unfortunately the little stinker is skinnier than a rail and we had to fold the suit over several times so it wouldn't fall off his lean frame. The suit size? 12 months. He's almost five. I feed him. I promise.

He looked very European with the short swim suit.

Monica was the only one who didn't pack a swim suit. But that didn't stop her from playing in the water for more than an hour - in jeans.

To her credit, she didn't complain once. I can't say I would have been so quiet on what had to be an uncomfortable drying off period.

Then we let the kids drive cars.

Let's just say that some of them may be getting licenses when they are sixteen and others...well, I hope they like walking.

After letting all of the children drive cars, we let them get eaten by a lion.

I know.

I expect our Parents of the Year award to arrive any time!

One of our favorite books to read is called Pierre. It is a book about a boy who gets eaten by a lion - in five chapters and a prologue.

On another note, I am a little worried that only one of the four children looks the least bit worried about being swallowed by a lion.

Then we went on a dinosaur roller coaster.

And a safari.

And back to the dinosaur roller coaster.

The very tired and happy parents.

The whole family. Apparently being hatched out of a dinosaur egg.

Thank you Legoland and thank you Pops!

Giant Balloons

2011-09-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

The kids decided to blow up some balloons. I think Isaac Romney might be the only kid to give them a run for their money.

Donuts

2011-09-10T20:01:00.000-07:00

My friend Rena is very, very evil. Sure she looks nice. I'll grant you that. But don't let that sweet smile sway you.

She'll act like a good friend, great even, most of the time, but then she does something really awful like make a huge batch of incredibly delicious homemade donuts.

I know, I know. Sounds nice. Except I devoured four. They were like warm, melting bits of heaven. Which is a problem because I cannot technically eat donuts. Sure, she made some Kristen-friendly ones that were non-glaze but I couldn't content myself with those. The glazed ones beckoned. I started with a little tiny donut hole and ended up devouring two more glaze before I managed to get a hold of myself.

My weakness aside, we kept a few for Monica to eat when she got home from a movie night.

Her response?

"Five? You only love me five donuts worth?"

Yes, Monica. Only five donuts worth. Which sounds bizarre and ungrateful. Until you actually try one of evil Rena's heavenly donuts. Then you understand how little my love might be counted that we only kept five back for Monica.

Sorry kid. We'll try to do better next time naughty Rena graces us with her treats.

Car Show

2011-09-10T19:49:00.000-07:00

Chad took some of the boys to the local car show. It's where everyone who has a really expensive car meets in a parking lot to look at other really expensive cars. And the common man joins in on the hoopla.

Only in Newport Beach.

Giovanni's Bike Shop

2011-09-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

Chad's been rebuilding some bikes in the bike shop. This is Chad and Chris working on Chris's new felt in the bike shop.

Ask Chad about the deal he got on that work bench. You'll be blown away.

Pizza Pizazz

2011-08-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I made homemade pizza for the first time since the kids came. Typically, I make the homemade dough and then they are all allowed to decorate to their heart's content.

Our budding photographer, Monica, took pictures of some of the awesome goodness.

Monica's Pizza

She put cheese in the crust and declared it splendid.

Kristen's Pizza

I love pepperoni but can't really tolerate it unless it is the super expensive, fresh kind. I know - I am so not a cheap date! Since we picked up pepperoni at Ralph's today that was not a decoration option for me. So I went with a garden theme. Olives, mushrooms, and squash dotted my creation. It was fantastic!

The pizza was a success. Chris decided that I should make it every night. And everyone gobbled up all or most of their pizzas.

I took a bread class from the fabulous Brooke Ritz last week. (Monica just informed me that she didn't even know that I was gone for two hours last Saturday. Hmmm....)

I wanted a refresher course, especially regarding wheat. The class was great for that. However, I also got a little extra knowledge. She took one recipe and made two loaves of bread, pizza, and cinnamon rolls. I could see the bread and pizza dough being interchangeable but I hadn't realized that I could also interchange cinnamon roll dough. I would have thought I would have needed to add more sugar or something. But Brooke did it in her class and it tasted great so...

Tonight, when I was making my pizza dough recipe, I made an extra batch - to experiment. I made no promises to the children. I slathered butter, cinnamon, and sugar on the extra dough, sliced it, let it rise again, and cooked it. Then we drizzled the rolls in homemade icing.

They were incredible. So soft, so fluffy. I made 17 rolls out of one batch. Guess how many are left? None. They disappeared in about five minutes. Monica and Christopher ate 11 rolls between the two of them - after eating whole mini pizzas.

This hypothesis is proven! You really can make delicious, highly desirable cinnamon rolls out of a basic pizza dough recipe.

*Monica approved, and she definitely agrees with the very last line about cinnamon rolls*

Special thanks to Brooke, Chelsea, Lenna, and Rena for alternately teaching me new and wonderful things to do with dough.

Horses

2011-08-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

Monica likes animals, especially horses.

We are not animal people.

So we signed her up for a horse camp. She gets to plays with animals, I don't have to pick up after them in my home. Win-win.

Her horse camp craft - a horse with feathers.

Her horse coach, Diana. She had a good rapport with Monica. And, obviously, Diana was not averse to the boys meeting the horses.

Chris helping out Jessica, another horse coach. I really liked her. She saw that Chris was bored - and she could have just sat in the shade - but instead she involved him. She was like that all three days, very observant, kind, and personable.

I liked the two horse coaches but didn't care for the owner/scheduler much. And, not just because she remarked how much I looked like a child. Usually that doesn't bother me. I get comments often and I usually do take it in stride. But she yelled it across the area - where people were - and...she didn't say the usual like, "You look so young," or something that could be taken as flattering. She said," You look like a child!" No, it was awkward. Anyway, she had other weird issues. But, Monica made memories and the boys got to see horses up close. Maybe I'll let them do it again sometime.

Beach Day for the Boys

2011-08-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

Chad had his first day off in quite some time. He took the boys to the beach while I tended to Monica's horse camp.

They boogie-boarded, built sandcastles and moats, and met some new friends.

They had a great time and came home exhausted!

Monicas' Post

2011-08-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

Well... my mother has many not-so flattering photos that she did not approve to put on her blog. That's why we will not be showing them. But, let me tell you these photos were hilarious!!! I always take random pictures of her or of her hands or something, when i am bored. She has her moments. My mom is an awesome person,yet very funny. She isn't all about rules when you are following the rules. Well.... let's just put it this way....I am the good child. ( This post follows the previous post)

-this post is made by Monica Anselmo-

*this post was approved by my lovely mother*

More Pictures From the Phone

2011-08-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

Monica also likes to turn the phone camera on to me. She likes taking pictures of me that are...shall we say...less flattering. Here are two that are not so strange looking.

Me at Dave and Buster's

We took Christopher there for his welcome dinner. The boys played video games but Monica just played with my phone and made a mess with her milkshake.

(See previous post- which was Monica approved.)

Just after this picture, Andrew put his little hand over my mouth. I guess he doesn't like my smile. Oh well...can't win them all.

Random Monica

2011-08-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

Monica likes to play with the camera on my phone. Thus, we have a lot of random pictures of her.

Monica in Blue

Monica playing dress-up at Sabryn's. I don't know. I think it looks good. Tutus and flower hats might be the next fashion craze.

Waiting in ambush...

Can someone get her a napkin? Apparently her milkshake turned into a very attractive mustache.

Salt Lake

2011-08-07T21:29:00.000-07:00

At the end of the reunion, we swept through Salt Lake. We wanted to show the kids where we went to college and where we got married.

They wanted to pose with statues.

We can't win them all.

Chad took this shot of the place where we got married. I think it's beautiful!

Then we all posed in front of it. I can't believe that eleven years ago we started this amazing journey, to return a few weeks ago with four kids!

After we toured the temple grounds and swung by the university - my how things have changed - we went on a little hike with a waterway where the boys could throw rocks to their heart's content.

Then we went to Chad's aunt and uncle's house. We had dinner and then went for a hike in the rain. It was a beautiful evening. All the kids were running with Dan, trying to click their heels together in the air.

Dan and Annie gave us an amazing concert and then Dan helped Monica play the violin. She honestly sounded good.

The kids rarely slept in the car, either there or back, but the kids took a picture of Chris on the rare occasion when he was sleeping. Absolutely adorable!

After we got home, things went back to business as usual and Alexander built an amazing flyer with his legos.

These posts aren't as detailed as my usual communications but time is an extremely precious commodity right now. Suffice to say, we are doing well and enjoying our new family dynamic.

Baseball Game

2011-08-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

While on vacation, the family participated in the family baseball game.

Even Monica. I'm fairly certain Chad cheated a little to get her on base.

But, it was all in good fun.

I'm not sure who won but it was a lot of fun and everyone who wanted to play, got to play.

More Vacation

2011-08-07T20:49:00.000-07:00

While in Eden, we stayed at a luxury condo. Me and the kids, and a few others, were walking back to the condo when Chad took this picture. I kind of like it. We are a lot more robust in numbers than we used to be.

Andrew and Christopher decided to try out some of the beds. Love the purple boys!

Andrew, Riley, Christopher, and Megan enjoyed watching videos and playing games on Chad's ipad.

The Grandparents

With Most of Their Grandchildren

Green Lantern

2011-08-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

Andrew

At his Cutest

Eden

2011-08-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

The kids are very water friendly. They love the pool. Here are some shots from pool time while on vacation.

Christopher - about to spring.

I love the look of anticipation on Andrew's face.

And he's off!

Monica

2011-08-07T20:36:00.000-07:00

Our darling Monica was experimenting with a curling iron. Her hair is naturally very straight and pretty but she wanted to see what curls would look like. I think her curls turned out great!

Family Vacation

2011-08-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

To start off our first family vacation with everyone, we stopped for pizza in Vegas. I am not a big Vegas person but we found a nice pizza joint ant then later enjoyed the Fremont Street Experience, which reminded me of visits there with my grandparents when I was about Monica's age.

This is our first photo of us as a family.

Baseball at the Park

2011-07-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

Chris is with us (temporarily for now) but hopefully we can get the paperwork soon that we need to keep him.

I put Christopher and Alexander in a baseball clinic. Today was their first day and they both did great, despite the heat.

They were often paired together for drills and it was cute to see them working together.

Monica and Andrew played at the park and later my sister, Stephanie, and her kids came to meet us and hang out. It was great seeing them. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of all the kids playing together. Whoops!

@ Stephanie - Thank you for stopping by while you were down here!

Here's Monica and Andrew on the swings.

Andrew opened a restaurant and became a chef. He made spaghetti, sardines, pancakes, soda, and sugar.

We are having a great time with our new and established family.

*This post has been Monica approved.

Lego Building Class

2011-07-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

Alexander finished his lego building class and to celebrate they all built a giant tower. It was huge!

And, in case you didn't understand my sense of humor a couple of posts ago, yes, I was mocking Irvine for calling the class 'pre-fundamental engineering' rather than lego building fun.

Breakfast, Park, and Play Zone

2011-07-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

Christopher and Alexander at Breakfast

Meet our new nine year old, Christopher.

He and Monica are full biological siblings and both children are joining our family.

Andrew and Straw

He is always such a funny straw drinker.

After breakfast we went to a park to play.

Chad did underdog for all the kids.

Off to the monkey bars. Christopher is quite athletic. He swung easily with his long arms.

Later, on another trip, I took the boys to an arcade and fun zone type place.

The place reeked of little boy - which was perfect for all three boys.

Then off to skee ball.

Alright, in the interest of full disclosure, I should admit that I played my fair share of skee ball with the boys.

What is it about that game?!

So pointless and so addictive.

There were lots of other activities but they were usually moving too fast for me to catch them on camera.

We had a great time, Christopher!

Monica's New Tween Room

2011-07-21T14:31:00.001-07:00

I took Monica shopping to get a feel for what style or colors she might want in her room. I learned that she wanted black and white furniture with zebra print and purple accents. She also likes Paris and wants to go there someday.

I planned the furniture in the room, Chad and I built it, I made the lamp, the pillows, curtains, ties, custom chair cover, ribbon board, and cork board. Chad hung everything that needed to be hung and unhung everything that needed to go.

How'd we do?

San Diego - Balboa Park

2011-07-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

We've been traveling to San Diego a lot in the past two months. The primary reason being that we are involved in an adoption and we've been spending some time with the new kids.

Meet Monica, our new twelve year old.

Yes, she is taller than me. And yes, she is tanner than me.

That makes our ratio of tan people to lily white people in this family 5:1.

But, I don't mind. I bring other things to the relationship.

Monica and her blue pants.

Surprisingly there was another girl there that day with the same exact color pants. Shocking but true! These are Monica's favorite jeans and they match her eyes.

Andrew made a new friend. We'd be worried, what with the shifty looking mustache and all, but we decided to let them hang when we considered that his friend, Luigi, is made out of balloons.

Alexander also made a new friend. And this one we were a little more worried about. For pete's sake, it is a purple dinosaur. Oh yeah, and he has pointy teeth.

So just to recap, shifty looking balloon people are okay, purple dinosaurs are not.

Monica and Chad are both built like monkeys and they can climb trees with terrific agility.

She almost disappears into the picture - except for the electric blue pants.

This was right before Monica really got him moving and Andrew went flying. It's a good thing my kids are super tough.

Luigi and Andrew went on safari. They had an excellent time and no one got shot. Which is good news for Luigi because I am pretty sure that being shot on safari would be fatal to him.

We had a great day!

Books, Books, and More Books!

2011-07-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

One of my absolute favorite gifts is a book. I love books. I enjoy books. I can't imagine a full life without books. Cicero is quoted as saying, "A room without books is like a body without a soul." Well said, Cicero.

As a child, one of my all time favorite Christmas gifts was the box of books from my aunt and uncle every year. The books were award winners and most of them hardbound. I know that technically they were sent to me and all my sisters, but I feel like they were meant for me because I loved them and read them so much. Sure my sisters read them and enjoyed them too, but I read them and enjoyed them. I internalized the beautiful stories. So many adventures over the years can be traced back to those Christmas boxes.

Anyway, this post was prompted by my awesome book friend, Rena, and my grandfather.

Rena found some incredibly fun Regency stories at the library bookstore. Then she lent them to me! She is a fantastic friend! She found some fun adventures and shared them. She is a gem!

Next, I got a surprise travel book in the mail from my grandfather. I am loving it! Even if I can't physically travel to a place, I can read about it and look at pictures. I've been learning all about Europe's sites. I love reading about historical places and learning about the past. Thank you, Grandpa!

Books, books, what would I do without books?

Legoland with Pops

2011-07-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

In June, Rocco took the boys to Legoland.

See how far behind I am? Anyway, I didn't go and so I waited to post these pictures until Chad, who did go, could write about the trip. But, he has been so, so busy. So I will have to do my best.

I've never been to Legoland but after looking at the pictures and hearing how much fun the boys had, I think I may have to join them next time.

Here are some pictures to enjoy:

Rocco and Alexander

Looking tall, Rocco!

This is Andrew to a T. He is such a dude.

Great! My child was eaten by a shark. What is the world of amusement parks coming to?

Who in their right mind had the audacity to let this kid drive a car?

His favorite thing to do - from the backseat - is to order me how to drive, usually demanding that I just run right through the cars stopped in front of me.

By the way, if you ask Andrew what he wants to be when he grows up, he will tell you that he wants to be a race car. Not a race car driver. A race car.

I think I can wait a while until he turns sixteen.

My favorite kind of wildlife.

They can't bite, you don't have to feed them, and there is no mess to clean up. I'd get a dog in a heartbeat - if it was made out of legos.

If Chad ever finds some time, he may redo this whole thing. But, in the meantime, enjoy the pictures.

Ping Pong Anyone?

2011-07-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

Yep. The boys turned the dining table into a ping pong table. Is there no end to their cleverness?

We have been very busy this summer. Chad has been traveling extensively for his new role at work, I've been redecorating some rooms, and the boys have been busy with summer activities. Swim lessons, gymnastics, and an intense engineering course. No joke about that last one. We do live in Irvine. We must keep up with the Jones'.

Actually, it's an engineering course using legos. So it's educational fun. Isn't that almost the best kind? Alexander is in heaven.

July Fourth

2011-07-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

In honor of July 4th, the boys and I made some cookies.

And then we ate them like wild animals.

And it was fantastic.

We also helped put on a massive July 4th pancake breakfast and had a barbecue party with friends. While they were all frolicking at the pool, I also got some time to read the Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers were incredible!

You may have noticed that the posts are a little behind and since I couldn't sleep this morning - totally strange occurrence for me - I plan to update. Watch out for falling posts....

It's Called Cooperation

2011-07-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

Yep. That's Alexander on the bottom, giving his brother, Andrew, a boost to reach the water fountain.

I couldn't be prouder. Sniff. Excuse me while I wipe away a tear of joy.

Thanks for the pic, Jake! It's a classic.

Beach Day

2011-06-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Recently we had some family come visit. In the morning, we went to the beach.

My grandpa played football with his great-grandkids. I loved seeing that!

I didn't get many pictures of our adventures because the boys and I spent a lot of time in the water and I could hardly carry a camera when I had a boy by each hand. They splashed in the waves and both tried out the new boogie board. The water was surprisingly warm and relatively seaweed free when we first got there, the water growing strangely cooler as the afternoon progressed. If I hadn't had a boy by each hand though, I would have taken the boogie board out for a spin on my own. It was a great day for the beach!

After the beach, we all returned to the Anselmo house for lunch and warfare.

Here is my nephew Ethan, ready to fight off the enemy invaders.

Pretty soon all the nieces and nephews were engaged in a fierce battle, their only known opponent being their Aunt Annie. Yes, that is Andrew standing on the bookshelves. He is like a little monkey, always climbing something.

My Grandpa posed with most of his great-grandkids. I love this picture! Almost all the kids are smiling and only one is attempting to assassinate the camera man. Does it get any better than that?

I took several photos of Aunt Annie engaged in battle with the kids, however there must have been something wrong with the settings on my camera. She was always a blurry streak, racing through the frame. But this one survived her superhero skills. You look pretty good with two nerf guns, Annie.

Me, with some of my sisters and friends.

L to R: Heidi, Stephanie, Emily, Annie, Me, and Kelly.

And here we are with the children and my Grandpa.

It wasn't a long day but it was very fun. Thanks for coming my way!

FSA Picnic

2011-06-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

We recently had a picnic with our local adoption group. I was mainly amused to see that almost every shot shows me stuffing my face with food, including the last picture where my chipmunk cheeks are in full gorge mode.

Oh and the boys loved the water balloon activity. They thought it was fantastic!

Note to self: Do water balloons at home to entertain the children!

The Reason I am the Most Awesome Wife in the World...

2011-06-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

When Chad brought home over a dozen new boxes of Legos, I said, "Uhhh...alright, we'll find a place for them."

Those of you that know Chad probably already know the amazing Lego collection that he owns. It's massive. Thus making me even more awesome for accepting his new finds with barely a batted eye.

The Reason I am the Most Awesome Mom in the World...

2011-06-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

When the boys wanted to fly to the moon on a rocket - that was really one of our chairs - I said, "Sounds good." Here they are blasting off into space.

Duke Special...Again

2011-06-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

I think this man is an artistic genius and I love his new stuff - just as much as the old. I added Real Love to the side bar and I'm adding a concert he did a few months ago here. I cannot wait to see him live! Someday....someday.

For this concert, he wrote songs to go with work done by three photographic artists from the approximate turn of the twentieth century.

Absolutely amazing!

With Friends Like These...

2011-06-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

"Peter Pan did it."

That's what Andrew said when I found him amidst a mess of felt letters all over the living room. Remarkably, Peter Pan (Andrew's cheating partner) was nowhere in sight.

What am I going to do with him?

Tanaka Farms

2011-06-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

Recently I took Andrew to Tanaka Farms.

He ran up and down the hay bales...

And then directed traffic.

Then we got into a wagon, pulled by a tractor and went on a tour of the fields.

They gave us samples of the fruits and vegetables, straight from the field. Everyone was munching on the treats - except me...

Then they let us get out and pick our own strawberries in the fields. I have a whole new appreciation for strawberry pickers. It was hard not to squish the strawberries a little as we pulled them off. I can't imagine doing that for 8 or 9 hours a day for weeks on end.

Andrew (and everyone else) had to sample the strawberries. Some people were just sitting the fields, snacking away.

This is a picture of Andrew's preschool class that went on the tour.

Here's where all my vegetables went - in my purse. Then I took them home, washed them (including the strawberries Andrew hadn't devoured), then sampled them. Am I the only germaphobe here? You could see bugs crawling on the plants. It's a field...in dirt.

And yes, I am aware that somewhere, probably many places in the world, my ancestors, many of whom were farmers, are laughing at me.

But, I don't care.

I know I didn't eat any bugs with my carrots or berries.

Hmmm...

2011-06-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

I'm beginning to think that my
lime tree might be reading the blog.

I've noticed an amazing amount of new growth these last few days...

Book Club

2011-06-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ladies

Don't Forget!

Book Club tonight at the Pearson's.

We will be discussing The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden.

More Thoughts on Her Works...

If you need directions, shoot me an email.

Zion National Park - Part Four

2011-05-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

After a much warmer night, we woke the next morning and prepared for our hike.
Off to the Emerald Pools!

Parts of the trail, especially under the waterfall were a lot muddier than normal.

The trail winds under an awesome waterfall, splashing the hikers just a little bit.

Here are the boys, as they are about to descend under the waterfall.

They made it to the other side and I took a picture of them from the heart of the falls.

Ascending further up the hike, through the steep canyon walls.

Dave and Elizabeth, being good sports and mugging for the camera by the falls.

Alexander, preparing to slide down the slick pool.

Andrew wanted to follow suit - but decided to play with a tree instead.

The water was cold but the boys had a great time playing in nature.

The falls at the top of the Emerald Pools.

In case you couldn't tell yet, these pictures all loaded out of order. Aaarrrghh!

The boys playing on the giant rocks. It was like a natural playground.

Lunch Time!

On the way back down the trail, Andrew had to stop every few feet to draw us a map in the sand.

The view from the trail. Incredible!

Back up at the top of the Pools. The area was fairly flooded as well, much more so than normal, but the boys had fun romping around, chucking rocks, and splashing in the water.

The next day, we packed up and headed home.

We had a great time!

Zion National Park - Part Three

2011-05-24T19:07:00.000-07:00

After the hike, Jacob let the kids bury him in sand at the river by the campground.

What a trooper...

Zion National Park - Part Two

2011-05-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

When we first arrived at Zion this year, the campground was in the middle of a very heavy rainstorm. We sat in the car and waited it out. During a break in the rain, we scrambled about in the red mud to get camp set up.

Then we went to the fabulous pizza and noodle restaurant with Dave and Elizabeth and capped the evening by taking a drive up the switchbacks and through the tunnels. It was fantastic.

Then night came.

And it was freezing. We have good equipment but if you moved an inch out of your sleeping bag you were liable to lose a nose or finger to frostbite. Chad disagrees. He thought the freezing cold was just what he ordered. Whoever you talk to, we got through the night and woke up to a beautiful day.

We took the shuttle up to the Temple of Sinewava and played in the water for a while. Because of the rains, the river was swollen and the hike up the Narrows to Orderville Canyon was closed. No matter. We just played and threw rocks in the river and then took the easy hike up the riverwalk.

Here are Dave and Elizabeth at the mouth to the hike.

The pictures posted out of order again.
This is Andrew making himself comfortable on a rock bench while we wait for the shuttle.

And back to the beach by the head of the Riverwalk hike.

Chad and the boys chucked hundreds of rocks into the river, skipping some and using others to splash me.

Then Chad threatened to toss Andrew into the river.

Thankfully he didn't try it.

The boys moved down to the sandy area of the walk and continued exploring.

There was an incredible waterfall near the beach. Chad made me pose in front of it.

Yes, sir!

My handsome husband, trying to find a comfortable seat.

Andrew made sand angels. He is truly a product of a snowless climate.

Then I decided to take a little rest - because I was on va-ca-tion!

After the soft, sandy beach area we headed up the riverwalk. I couldn't believe how many animals we saw. The squirrels were outrageously brazen, attacking my backpack at one point. And then we saw a couple of deer, just munching on lunch to the right of the trail. We've never seen animals be so comfortable with the hikers. I think the rangers may have a problem on their hands.

At the top of the riverwalk, (where you can normally start the hike up the river to Orderville Canyon), the area was fairly flooded and filled with rocks, just waiting for little boys to come throw them back in the water.

Andrew couldn't quite decide which rock to start with. But, once he got going, he was hard to stop.

Someone had put these curious little rock creations all over the area. Everyone was very respectful and left them alone. Alexander even made one of his own down at the water.

I love his face here. Alexander had nailed a target across the river with a rock. He was pretty pleased with himself.

And then on the walk back, Andrew conned Grandpa into giving him a lift.

Again, pictures posted out of order.

This is Andrew, trying to decide which handful of rocks to throw first. Can you tell he was in heaven?

Zion National Park - Part One

2011-05-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our 'mostly' annual Zion National Park camping trip.

We love it there.

We get to see family, the views are breathtaking, and we have special memories there - like it is the place where Chad and I got engaged - on a camping trip eleven years ago.

We took a ton of pictures so feel free to skip all the Zions posts if you get bored looking at nature.

Our very own mountain man, cousin John, entertained the kids with stories and practical facts about camping. And yes, that is his teepee in the background. He brings it every time. And we love it.

History meet Modern

Xander and Drew with some of their second cousins
L to R: Garion, Ani, Lucy, Elena, Alexander, Andrew, and Esther

Andrew posing in front of the teepee. John let them go inside and look at how it is made.

I'm in Trouble

2011-05-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

Big time.

My old (eight months!) cell phone broke and while it was still technically usable, we knew it would need to be replaced soon.

Chad called Elizabeth to see if she might have an old iphone lying around. She did and she didn't mind letting me have it. She brought it to the camping trip this last weekend and yesterday, after we got back, Chad took my broken phone and the used iphone to the phone store.

An hour later he was back. They had switched everything over and I could use the iphone. Except, I had no idea how to use it. I put it to the side and continued 'uncamping' us - doing laundry, scrubbing the gear, etc.

Three hours later, exhausted and getting ready for bed, I picked up the phone and started playing around with it, trying to figure it out. I got some things set up, connected the phone to my email accounts, and started playing with the settings.

Then I clicked on the internet button. It was amazing! The connection was strong and the keyboard worked so well - now I see how people can text without going postal. My old phone, technically a nice HTC Aria, had a terrible keyboard and it took forever to try to find anything online.

Then I noticed another button. A direct link to youtube. Hold up - I can get youtube videos on my phone by the touch of a button? I had to test that. Soon, I had good quality music videos playing while I lay in bed.

And with the melodic strands of some of my favorite bands moving all around me, I was hooked! I am in love with a phone. And I think I might use up all my data on youtube videos.

Now, if I can just figure out if the phone store got rid of my secret alias, Kim Gorman, everything will be in place. Even if they didn't, I will never give up my iphone.

Thank you, Elizabeth! I am a very, very happy Kristen...or Kim...

Hedonic Treadmill

2011-05-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

I'm on it.

After getting the new table, redoing the accompanying chairs, and finding the coordinating Rosewood chairs, my kitchen looked refreshed. Almost.

Then I started to really notice the outdated homework center. The traditional oak didn't match the red and brown table and chairs and was kind of bulky.

Chad suggested we swap the oak piece for a modern set of pocket shelves in the garage. Shifting, cleaning, and moving took a little while but when we finally got everything in place the whole room looked different.

Yes, I know that the new homework center is modern while the rosewood chairs make the table more formal and classic but I don't care. I love the room! I think it's magnificent and wonderful, and wait a second...now my living room looks a little outdated...

Swingball

2011-05-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

The boys and I had a very busy Saturday. One of the places I took them was Toys 'R' Us. Alexander wanted to pick out a birthday gift for himself.

(Thank you to the Grandparents who sent him money. He saved most of his money but did splurge on two items. Thank yous are coming.)

Anyway, I let them wander the store looking at toys as long as they wanted. They got to push buttons, listen to noises, and laugh about the silly 'girl' aisles.

One of the gifts Alexander picked out is called Swingball. It's like tetherball with rackets and a tennis ball. The boys love it!

Andrew played by himself until Alexander insisted his hand needed to rest and get better from writing so many thank yous by swinging a racket. No joke. But it was his birthday. So I let the boys play until dark.

Chad spent the day doing Breathless Agony.
It's a bike ride of over 100 miles - sort of from Redlands to Big Bear. (I think).

I was out when I heard the word 'breathless' - let alone the 'agony' part.

Maybe he will post about it when he gets the chance.

But, from what I heard, it was grueling.

My Baby is Seven

2011-05-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

Alexander had a very subdued birthday this year.

We even made him put the candles on his own cake!

For some reason these pictures all loaded out of order. This is his birthday dinner. He ate three helpings of fish - and then wanted more. I can't get him to eat a piece of chicken - but pass the platter of basil pesto tilapia. Go figure.

His family singing to him.

Again, these pictures loaded out of order.

We were invited to dinner the night before. The Romney's let us celebrate his birthday at their house, too. So, after dinner, we stuck a candle in his cookie and sang to him.

Back to his birthday dinner at our house. He blew all the candles out in one breath.

Back to the Romney's house. The Thayers were also invited to dinner so they sang along with us.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day and my birthday a few years ago, Chad got me my lemon tree and my lime tree. My lemon tree has been wonderful, producing bounteous fruit...and my lime tree and I are currently in a standoff. It produced maybe two limes and then played hibernation. We'll see who blinks first, Lime Tree.

This year, Chad got me all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

He planted strawberries - which Andrew checked everyday until the first strawberries were ripe. The kid isn't known for his delayed gratification skills. Every few hours, the door would fly open and I would see his little head streak by the window to the strawberry patch. And every few hours, I would follow him out and remind him not to touch the strawberries. This went on for two weeks.

Our flowers are blooming. I just thought I would take a picture of their radiant beauty.

My Lovely Lemon Tree

My Stubborn Lime Tree

My Tomato Plant
(Andrew pulled the first three off when they were still green. Argghhh! We had many talks about not killing Mommy's tomatoes before they turned red.)

Our New Golden Delicious Apple Tree
This was Alexander's pick

It showed signs of shock after we repotted it but hopefully it will get better and start producing.

Our New Peach Tree
This was Chad's pick.

The new trellis Chad built so our yellow flowers don't whack you in the face when you come through the gate.

Our New Avocado Tree
This was Andrew's pick.

Another Blooming Flower

Picture of the Front Walk

We took a tree out in the middle of the night. The thing had no purpose, shed constantly, and grew across the walkway making it difficult to walk straightway down the path. It's a lot more open now.

And yes, Andrew was able to wait until Dad said he could pick the first strawberry. He was ecstatic!

We've had three more since then.

You hear that, Lime Tree? The strawberry patch is outperforming you.

Not pictured were the sprouting cucumbers and the onions.

Oh, how I love a functional gift. Thanks Chad!

New Chairs

2011-05-08T19:56:00.000-07:00

Recently, a friend gave a us a new (used) table - for free. (Special shout out to the Kings!)

Then last week they replaced their chairs with new ones and offered us the old ones.

Yes please!

They gave us four chairs that are rather large in scale and while clean, they had seen a lot of love. So I stripped out the old seats, which were originally a light beige fabric, cleaned the foam padding (special shout out to Beatta who helped me envision a plan B in case I ruined the foam in the cleaning process), reupholstered the seats with new dark fabric (special shout out to Buffy for teaching me how to upholster an item a few years back), scotch guarded the fabric and put them all back together.

Yeah, I'm pretty pleased with myself.

Then, because the chairs were so large (you could only fit four to six people at the table and I plan to do more than that), I attempted to stain our old Ikea chairs (which are the right scale) to match. I was about to fail horribly but luckily I realized it before I was too far in the project and I told Chad that we were getting some new chairs. I measured out what I wanted then hauled him and the children off to a quirky home furniture consignment shop that is local (special shout out to Rebecca C for telling me about this place years ago).

This is the place where I found my massive desks (including my beloved roll top). It's incredible. But you never know what you are going to find at any given time so we always say we will check there first but sometimes have to look elsewhere. Anyway, Chad searched one side of the store and I searched the other. We met in the middle and he said that he didn't find anything on his side. He took the kids to the car and as an afterthought - mostly just because I love rambling through that store - I said I would look at the other side and meet him at the car. Halfway down the way, tucked way behind some random furniture pieces, I spotted some small scale, red tinged (chinese rosewood) chairs. They had the most incredibly well-maintained and ugly peach and gold seat covers. There were eight in the set but no table. I only needed four.

Hmm...I put on my 'let's make a deal' face and when to talk to one of the salespeople. He looked over the chairs, wasn't sure about splitting up the set, I said, "Pretty please, with a cherry on top?" and he agreed to contact the owner. Meanwhile, I called Chad who had just finished wrestling two boys into the car and asked him to come back in to check something out. He wasn't that excited.

Then he saw the chairs.

And he still wasn't that excited.

But the guy came back with an offer to split the set so Chad and I talked some more. The guy offered four chairs for $250. Chad suggested $200. The guy countered at $225 and we said, "Sold!"

But, I still wasn't sure if they would match the set at home.

Nerves kicked in.

We got home and I hauled the new chairs inside.

I replaced the sinfully repellent peach and gold seat covers with simple black ones and put them at the table.

Then I fell in love.

Then I dreamed about needing two more chairs. All night long.

The next morning the boys and I went back and haggled for two more. A little harder but still successful. Now I am blissfully happy.

We have six rosewood chairs and four large scale, newly upholstered chairs, ready to be thrown into action if we have a large dinner party and throw the leaf in the table. We call the rosewood chairs 'the bakugan chairs' which the boys seem to like.

Here are some pictures:

The newly reupholstered chairs.
Chad loves these. Now he eats dinner in comfort.

Which is good...because he's getting older.

This morning, for our Mother's Day Breakfast, our family enjoyed the whole new table and all the chairs for the first time.

Yes, we used paper plates. It's Mother's Day! No need to dirty more dishes than needed.

And if anyone is looking for two armchair rosewood chairs for a good deal, I happen to know a place...

Old Man Walking...Barely

2011-05-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

Chad's employees threw him a princess party. Seriously.
(Note to Chad: Either your employees get your really bizarre sense of humor or they don't respect you much.)

Ok. All seriousness aside. That is hilarious!

Then he went out to eat with his mom and Dave.

Then we took the leftover princess cupcakes and sang to him at home.

Happy Birthday, Old Man.

I said - HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLD MAN!

Yeesh!

Fat Guy in a Little Coat

2011-05-08T19:43:00.000-07:00

The boys and I went through some of their old baby clothes.

Alexander decided to wear a few pieces.

Um....not sure this fits bud.

Sigh.