I guess now that I am 3 months old, I am allowed to sit in this thing....Do you think that I look too small? I tried to tell Mommy that I was, but she thinks its funny to see me sitting here!Friday, August 29, 2008
3 Months Old
I guess now that I am 3 months old, I am allowed to sit in this thing....Do you think that I look too small? I tried to tell Mommy that I was, but she thinks its funny to see me sitting here!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
"Pretty" School
Brynn started preschool this week. She goes two days a week for half days. I have to admit that I struggled with the emotions of knowing that this was the start of a long career of schooling. I can't believe that she has been home with me for four years. It seems that every day drags on, but looking back, the time has flown by. Brynn was excited to go, but started to get a tiny bit anxious the night before with questions of whether or not we were going to be there. She then posed the concern that she wasn't sure she knew how to make friends. I assured her that she was pretty good at making friends since she does it where ever we go. (A more legitimate concern - for me - is that she can't wipe after a poop, but making friends sure isn't an issue...)
I didn't cry or anything like that when we dropped her off. I actually was pretty excited for her, (and myself). I took the other two and went and did errands, and managed quite well with two again!
I think that Cannon enjoyed some time with me without older sister "mothering" him too. There was no fighting, bickering or "he touched me first" arguments in the store or the car for a few hours.
When we picked up Brynn at 12:45, she was tired and happy. She had made a new best friend "Olivia - actually Grace", and was excited to come back on Friday to "pretty school". ( I can't bear to tell her that the name is actually preschool, and not pretty school.)
I didn't cry or anything like that when we dropped her off. I actually was pretty excited for her, (and myself). I took the other two and went and did errands, and managed quite well with two again!
I think that Cannon enjoyed some time with me without older sister "mothering" him too. There was no fighting, bickering or "he touched me first" arguments in the store or the car for a few hours.
When we picked up Brynn at 12:45, she was tired and happy. She had made a new best friend "Olivia - actually Grace", and was excited to come back on Friday to "pretty school". ( I can't bear to tell her that the name is actually preschool, and not pretty school.)
First day of preschool
Crazy pose...can your foot do that?
Monday, August 25, 2008
Bodega Dunes
We are settling back into real life after our week of vacations. The kids are crazy tired, and last night I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow. Our week was amazing, and I am feeling so incredibly blessed and protected as I think about our times.
Following our week in Tahoe, we came home for one day, did loads and loads of laundry, repacked the bags and car, and headed off to Bodega Dunes for a weekend of beach camping.
Friday, when we arrived, we had great weather. Sunny skies, no winds, and the fog gently rolled in after our campfire was started. We met up with the group of amazing young couples that we lead from church, and got ready for a fun filled time of campfire stories and smores.
Saturday, the sun never came out, but it just gave us an excuse to keep the campfire going all day. The kids rode their bikes around the campground, people took walks together, made meals together and enjoyed time away from work and busy life.
Sunday morning, we cooked up the food that the raccoons didn't manage to get, and packed up the campsite to leave. Of course, the weather was amazing, and some of the group decided to head to the beach to enjoy the beautiful weather.
Our trip home is where I really felt Gods' protection. Our trailer was hitched and the surfboards were strapped to the top when we headed out. About halfway home, cars started honking at us to pull over. One of the tie downs had come loose, and Rich's boards were flapping dangerously around. We quickly pulled over, and Rich had to jog about 2 miles uphill, on a narrow shoulder to get the strap. I just quietly prayed that all cars would be able to see him from a far distance, while I kept the kids entertained in the car on the side of the road. 15 min later, he was back, and told me that some bicyclists had picked up the strap and given it to him. 30 min later we were on the road again, boards safely strapped to the trailer again. 35 min later we hit a huge bump and the trailer came unhitched. Rich handled the situation like a pro! He slowed down calmly while we felt, heard and watched the trailer skid around behind us, slamming into our car and sliding around on the asphalt. When it was all over, we just sat there dreading what we were going to see when we got out and looked behind us. Amazingly, by pure grace, our car was undamaged, and the trailer only suffered a few dents and dings. A few minutes later, the same bikers who had helped Rich before rode past us again and stopped to help. About 30 min later we were back on the road, nervous - but at least driving home. I can't say enough how lucky and protected we were.
After all this, a quiet week at home filled with laundry, chores, and regular schedule sounds pretty nice!
Following our week in Tahoe, we came home for one day, did loads and loads of laundry, repacked the bags and car, and headed off to Bodega Dunes for a weekend of beach camping.
Friday, when we arrived, we had great weather. Sunny skies, no winds, and the fog gently rolled in after our campfire was started. We met up with the group of amazing young couples that we lead from church, and got ready for a fun filled time of campfire stories and smores.
Saturday, the sun never came out, but it just gave us an excuse to keep the campfire going all day. The kids rode their bikes around the campground, people took walks together, made meals together and enjoyed time away from work and busy life.
Sunday morning, we cooked up the food that the raccoons didn't manage to get, and packed up the campsite to leave. Of course, the weather was amazing, and some of the group decided to head to the beach to enjoy the beautiful weather.Our trip home is where I really felt Gods' protection. Our trailer was hitched and the surfboards were strapped to the top when we headed out. About halfway home, cars started honking at us to pull over. One of the tie downs had come loose, and Rich's boards were flapping dangerously around. We quickly pulled over, and Rich had to jog about 2 miles uphill, on a narrow shoulder to get the strap. I just quietly prayed that all cars would be able to see him from a far distance, while I kept the kids entertained in the car on the side of the road. 15 min later, he was back, and told me that some bicyclists had picked up the strap and given it to him. 30 min later we were on the road again, boards safely strapped to the trailer again. 35 min later we hit a huge bump and the trailer came unhitched. Rich handled the situation like a pro! He slowed down calmly while we felt, heard and watched the trailer skid around behind us, slamming into our car and sliding around on the asphalt. When it was all over, we just sat there dreading what we were going to see when we got out and looked behind us. Amazingly, by pure grace, our car was undamaged, and the trailer only suffered a few dents and dings. A few minutes later, the same bikers who had helped Rich before rode past us again and stopped to help. About 30 min later we were back on the road, nervous - but at least driving home. I can't say enough how lucky and protected we were.
After all this, a quiet week at home filled with laundry, chores, and regular schedule sounds pretty nice!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tahoe Retreat
We had an amazing time in Tahoe this last week. Some friends hooked us up with a beautiful house in South Lake! When we pulled up, we were shocked with the enormity of this place. This is by far, the nicest house that we have ever stayed in. This is what we are used to.....
This is what we got! Amazing isn't it? New construction, and beautiful views...It sure will be hard to go back to normal Tahoe cabins after this one.
Our vacation schedule was as follows:
Wake up
Put cartoons on for the kids
Brew some coffee
Eat breakfast
Lounge around and watch TV
Eat lunch
Put kids down for naps
Lounge around while kids sleep
Go down to the lake for a swim
Come home and cook dinner
Lounge around
Put kids down for bed
Lounge around
Go to bed
Repeat for 3 days
(There was a definite "lounge" theme this week)
The kids had a blast in the water at the lake. Since it has had all summer to heat up, the water temp was a bit warmer than normal (68 degrees). Brynn has no fear, and we had to call her out of the water when her lips were blue. Cannon still won't set foot in water cooler than a balmy bath. Maeve chilled out in the shade as much as possible. Rich and I had to take turns in the water, and my turn was always a bit longer since it took me about 10 minutes to fully get in. (Brrrrrrr)
At the end of the day, the kids were worn out from all the sun, and lounging, and they all slept really well. We snuck into the room and saw this scene and had to catch it on camera. Maybe someday when they are fighting like cats and dogs, Rich and I can look back on this and think of all the happy times....
It was a wonderful vacation!
This is what we got! Amazing isn't it? New construction, and beautiful views...It sure will be hard to go back to normal Tahoe cabins after this one.
Our vacation schedule was as follows:
Wake up
Put cartoons on for the kids
Brew some coffee
Eat breakfast
Lounge around and watch TV
Eat lunch
Put kids down for naps
Lounge around while kids sleep
Go down to the lake for a swim
Come home and cook dinner
Lounge around
Put kids down for bed
Lounge around
Go to bed
Repeat for 3 days
(There was a definite "lounge" theme this week)
The kids had a blast in the water at the lake. Since it has had all summer to heat up, the water temp was a bit warmer than normal (68 degrees). Brynn has no fear, and we had to call her out of the water when her lips were blue. Cannon still won't set foot in water cooler than a balmy bath. Maeve chilled out in the shade as much as possible. Rich and I had to take turns in the water, and my turn was always a bit longer since it took me about 10 minutes to fully get in. (Brrrrrrr)
At the end of the day, the kids were worn out from all the sun, and lounging, and they all slept really well. We snuck into the room and saw this scene and had to catch it on camera. Maybe someday when they are fighting like cats and dogs, Rich and I can look back on this and think of all the happy times....
It was a wonderful vacation!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Going Campin'...
August is going to be our month of vacations. We have 2 "for sure" camping trips lined up, one Tahoe trip lined up, and 2 "we will see" camping trips pending.
It has been fun so far though!
We headed up to Lake Mendocino with our home team for a long weekend of camping filled with good ol' dirt, smoke, and lake water. The kids had a blast, and we really enjoyed ourselves as well. The tent trailer is proving to be a worthwhile investment.
The days were perfectly warm, and the lake was refreshing. Brynn is taking off as a swimmer, and fully enjoys to play in the water now. ( She always wears a life jacket...don't worry!) Cannon still takes a long time to warm up to the idea of cooler water temps, but he is doing well. Maeve even had a quick dip in the water on the hottest day.
The thing that I love most about camping is all the reading that I get to do. When its quiet time for the kids, there is no house to clean, laundry to do, or emails to catch up on, so I have time (finally) to read all of my magazines, and even start a new novel. I love the simplicity of camping, and how much family time you are forced to spend with each other. Even the multiple walks to the bathroom turn fun when you get to share it with a kid, or a friend.
After all the kids are put to bed we spent hours sitting around a campfire sharing jokes, stories and laughter. It was great! Makes me think that I could have survived the pioneer days - if there was running water, no big animals to eat me or my children, and a never ending supply of food that I didn't have to grow!
It has been fun so far though!
We headed up to Lake Mendocino with our home team for a long weekend of camping filled with good ol' dirt, smoke, and lake water. The kids had a blast, and we really enjoyed ourselves as well. The tent trailer is proving to be a worthwhile investment.
The days were perfectly warm, and the lake was refreshing. Brynn is taking off as a swimmer, and fully enjoys to play in the water now. ( She always wears a life jacket...don't worry!) Cannon still takes a long time to warm up to the idea of cooler water temps, but he is doing well. Maeve even had a quick dip in the water on the hottest day.
The thing that I love most about camping is all the reading that I get to do. When its quiet time for the kids, there is no house to clean, laundry to do, or emails to catch up on, so I have time (finally) to read all of my magazines, and even start a new novel. I love the simplicity of camping, and how much family time you are forced to spend with each other. Even the multiple walks to the bathroom turn fun when you get to share it with a kid, or a friend.
After all the kids are put to bed we spent hours sitting around a campfire sharing jokes, stories and laughter. It was great! Makes me think that I could have survived the pioneer days - if there was running water, no big animals to eat me or my children, and a never ending supply of food that I didn't have to grow!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Its all fun and games....
Last night, this was the ruckus that they were creating. Lucky for us it ended well, but you can see that it might not have....
The Wedding
Brigitte and Bob got married on Saturday. It was a bittersweet day. The kids were "involved" in the wedding. Cannon was the ring bearer and Brynn the flower girl.
Brynn was so excited to be in this wedding. She absolutely loves Brigitte and Bob. (I am talking really, really loves and adores this couple.) This was her 3rd wedding, and she was a pro! It was Cannon's first, and probably his last. He froze at the back of the church once he saw all the people and had to be escorted down the aisle by the mother of the bride. It was funny, and pretty cute.The wedding was bright and amazing.
Whimsical colors and flowers made it a fun day for all. 
After the ceremony, we headed out to the college for the reception by the lakes. It was beautiful! 
Rich enjoyed dancing with his girl, and Cannon was beat by the end of the day. 
Rich and I had to keep pulling Brynn away from the newlyweds to give them time to talk to others. She wasn't too happy with us for that. We almost made it through the entire day without tears, until bedtime that is. We were talking about the wedding and how fun it was, and how much we loved the bride and groom. Brynn asked when they were coming back from the honeymoon, and Rich had to explain to them that they were moving south, and would not be coming back for a long time. It was heartbreaking to see and hear her disappointment that she couldn't be with them as much anymore. Anyways, congrats Brig and Bob! We are all sooooo happy for you, and some of us (Brynn) can't wait until you come home again!
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