The Mundy Family

Wyatt & Water Polo

2012-01-23T15:27:00.000-08:00

I was able to get a video of Wyatt playing polo yesterday (using my phone)! This is the 3rd & 4th Grade age group program. The blue team is 680 Water Polo and the white team is Davis Water Polo. Wyatt has on the blue #2 cap. It's kinda small...sorry!

Pinewood Derby

2012-01-23T13:25:00.001-08:00

Annabelle and her "Big Cheese" pinewood derby car. She won 2nd place overall! That's one excited, proud girl!

Before school crafting

2012-01-19T09:28:00.001-08:00

Wyatt is working on making a Kwakiutl Raven's mask for school. Annabelle sat down to create hearts and Daphne had to do whatever she could that is similar.

My Christmas Present!!!

2011-12-29T16:22:00.001-08:00

Using my new stainless steel pan from my parents, for the first time! Thank you!!!!!!!

Leek, ricotta, potato & lemon flatbread! Yummy!!!

Lotsa Playing

2011-12-28T16:21:00.000-08:00

Wyatt and his friends attached a video camera to one of their remote control trucks! The result:

Daph and her buddy found playing in Annabelle's closet! Guess where all of the Barbie stuff is kept?!

Family Movie Night

2011-12-26T11:06:00.000-08:00

Using the new bean bags!

Daph started out on her bean bag, but as soon as I sat down on the couch, my buddy was by my side for the whole movie!

Mr. Popper's Penguins was a great movie, if you haven't already seen it!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:59:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Tree, all loaded!

I think Daphne likes what she sees!

The girls checking it all out!

I think this might be the favorite present. A Barbie guitar!

Annabelle's Santa request was granted: Barbie designable hair extensions!

The girls got new sleeping bags!

Wyatt's most desired...airsoft guns!

And, the BIG presents from Grandma & Grandpa - each one got their own bean bag!

Daph's is ruffley

Annabelle's is fuzzy

Wyatt's is a faux leather

It was a VERY Merry Christmas!

24th of December

2011-12-24T22:11:00.000-08:00

Happy, Merry Christmas Eve!

We started right away with cookie baking and decorating. It was fun, but we missed having our cousins here to decorate with us.

This is before bedtime. The kids are choosing cookies for Santa's plate...

Two cute things Daphne said tonight:
The kids were checking out Santa's status on the NORAD website. Daph looked at it, ran over to me and said, "You better send us to bed! Santa's coming!"

After I had tucked her in tonight, as I was leaving her room, she said, "Mom, I want to be Santa." Then clarified it with "when she grows up and is a big girl". Good stuff!!!

23rd of December

2011-12-23T21:27:00.000-08:00

Cousin's Christmas!

All 9 Cousins!

All 9 Cousins and Opa!

Chipmunk, er, Daphne :)

Aunt Karyn & her family got all of the girls these things called "Hoodie Footies". Pretty darn cute!

22nd of December

2011-12-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

Girls had gymnastics, we did Costco, Safeway, yada, yada...

No great pics from today!

21st Day of December

2011-12-21T16:44:00.000-08:00

Mystery Ride to San Francisco!

Just a building...

Our destination was the Gingerbread House at The Fairmont Hotel.

They have to repair it everyday, due to people squishing or eating the candy!

Cable Car ride!

And the BART ride home!

20th Day of December

2011-12-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

Grandma & Grandpa arrived!

19th Day of December

2011-12-20T11:59:00.001-08:00

Oh my...what happened?! How did she (they!) get this big?! Here's Daphne's first Santa visit:

You've got to be kidding...I remember this like it was yesterday. She was maybe 10 days old!!!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! (That's me crying about time moving too quickly! You can cry with me...)

18th Day of December

2011-12-18T19:22:00.000-08:00

Annabelle did some writing today...

17th Day of December

2011-12-17T21:03:00.000-08:00

Visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads...

not one of them flinched at the flash! Sleeping Beauties!

16th Day of December

2011-12-17T21:01:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Susie, for the cute dress!

15th Day of December

2011-12-15T20:33:00.000-08:00

The kids' holiday parties are tomorrow at school. I volunteered to bring a holiday snack for Wyatt's class. I made this "Santa Hat" snack mix. The santa hats are Bugles, dipped in red candy melts, with white balls for the fuzz around the cap and a marshmallow for the ball on the tip. Totally tedious, but really cute! The snack mix has pretzels, rice chex, peanuts and craisins - drizzled with white chocolate and tossed. It's yummy!!!

This afternoon was the annual Gingerbread House decorating with the swim team.

Daphne was as serious as can be about putting the candy on her house! This is her buddy that she plays with a LOT!

Annabelle's just beginning!

Wyatt is loading his up!

Daphne frosting the back of this chocolate star...she was so determined!

14th Day of December

2011-12-15T20:21:00.001-08:00

Daphne got to go play at a friend's house! They must have changed clothes about 1000 times in about 90 minutes!

I got our goodies all packaged up!

13th Day of December

2011-12-14T12:55:00.000-08:00

One of my good friends, Noel, came over to do some holiday baking to give to teachers, school people and friends. We worked our tails off!

dipped pretzels and salted mudslide cookies

egg nog cookies w/rum cream cheese frosting

peanut butter balls

now we gotta pack them up!

12th Day of December

2011-12-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

While Wyatt went to water polo, the girls went to a Girl Scout-organized caroling event at a local elementary school. Only part of our Daisy troop attended, but all the girls had fun! They had some treats, did some crafts, and then went out in the neighborhood (paired with older girls from another troop) to sing Christmas songs. They LOVED it!

One of Wyatt's Recital Songs

2011-12-11T21:54:00.001-08:00

This is something worth holding on to forever...

11th Day of December

2011-12-11T21:37:00.001-08:00

Lazy Sunday morning consisted of...

Coloring and making wish lists/notes to Santa,

making designs with pattern blocks,

later in the day - playing, uh, cards? I'm not sure what... :)

And then, in the evening, Wyatt's piano recital. Here he's taking a bow after he finished playing.

The girls hung in there pretty well - through 2 hours of piano playing...this was right after they finished!

10th day of December

2011-12-11T21:36:00.001-08:00

Hot Tubbing in the dark with Papa!!!

9th Day of December

2011-12-10T09:31:00.001-08:00

Friday afternoon playdate for Wyatt included lots of Wii!

8th day of December

2011-12-08T21:16:00.001-08:00

Getting ready for bed silliness!

Oh, and someone playing it "too cool" to partake...

7th Day of December

2011-12-07T12:34:00.000-08:00

Last year, Fred took us all (adult kids) to The French Laundry. He's decided it should be an annual event! Tonight we went to La Folie, celebrating family!

Sisters-in-law

In the car, on the way there!

5th Day of December

2011-12-05T20:48:00.001-08:00

Playing before breakfast and school (Annabelle was still snoozing).

4th Day of December

2011-12-04T20:13:00.001-08:00

Mac n Cheese for lunch!

3rd day of December

2011-12-03T19:02:00.000-08:00

Annabelle with part of her Daisy Girl Scout Troop heading in to see The Nutcracker at the Lesher Theatre.

Blog Advent - Day 2

2011-12-02T20:18:00.001-08:00

Guess what was in Day 2 of the Advent Calendar???

December 2, 2011

2011-12-02T11:32:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to Daphne!!!

Preparing...

Hannah and Kate came over to celebrate Daph's birthday. It was a very low key birthday party, if you can even call it that! I think it was just perfect for them!

Wyatt and Annabelle stayed home to help out with the girls. They both were SO helpful!

They played dress-up and played with Annabelle's Barbies.

Jumping on the trampoline!

Annabelle playing with Kate in the sandbox.

Singing Happy Birthday

Wardrobe malfunction while blowing out the candles! :)

Delicious cupcakes!!!

And...opening presents!

Blog-Advent Calendar

2011-12-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

Going to skip ahead...setting a goal for a picture a day now through Christmas...kinda like an Advent Calendar! Here Goes!!!

Daph's first gymnastics was today! She loved every bit of it, of course!!!

Montair Halloween Parade

2011-11-28T21:39:00.001-08:00

The school's parade was on the Friday before Halloween. The kids got to try out their costumes and had a great time!

Daphne as Olivia the pig

Annabelle as a "Cheerless Leader"

Wyatt as a Lego Minifig

Labor Day Weekend in Tahoe

2011-11-28T21:32:00.001-08:00

We went to Tahoe for Labor Day Weekend, for a little get away. John and Jackson were there, too. We had lots of fun just hanging out!

Some still in jammies, not quite ready to start the day!

Lunch time on the beach!

Do you eat homemade BBQ brisket sandwiches on the beach?

Uncle John is all sun screened up, and ready to take on Mr. Sun!

Jackson and Wyatt spent 99% of their time catching crawdads.

The other 1%. We didn't boat around too much, as the lake gets cu-razy!

There were other boats on the beach with those big speakers, which were o.k. because they were playing music that we liked!

Daphne dancing in the water.

This was the position that we assumed for 99% of the day.

sorry to leave you hanging!

2011-11-21T16:46:00.000-08:00

The cliche' is getting old, I'm sure. You know we're busy...it's not really the reason I haven't blogged. I think my problem is getting caught up in trash reality TV, being tired, and reading too many OTHER blogs out there in blog-land. So my effort is renewed...I will recap the last 3 months!

On a random Saturday (or Sunday? I can't remember!!!) in early September (or...gah, late August? seriously, I'm that bad) we decided to take a mystery ride to Santa Cruz. The kids were so cute at breakfast, Matthew had to take a few pictures...

The first ride for the girls...the helicopter. Daphne was loving all of it!

A sweet moment between the girls...Annabelle giving Daph a smooch before the ride started. I hadn't thought out their seating before the ride, but thank goodness they sat this way...the one on the outside (Wyatt) got squished!

Another fun ride. It looks pretty tame, which it is, but it whips around the corners. The big kids got a kick out of it!

So did Matthew and Daph!

The famous Carousel

Wyatt and Matthew went off to ride a roller coaster, and we weren't near a Daph-sized ride, but Annabelle was totally willing to ride this one by herself. I was so surprised! She had a blast!

Patiently watching for her big sister!

Lunch (and Bloody Mary time!)

And the cool hang glider ride. Again, Annabelle went for it! So proud of her!!! I got some great pics of this ride.

That's not it...more to come - SOON!

First Day of School!

2011-08-24T21:45:00.000-07:00

How ridiculous that I haven't done a blog post since around the LAST day of school?! So sorry to all my fans out there... It was a fantastic summer, filled with lots of swim team, a great trip to Washington, more swim team (practice didn't start til 11 a.m., so that means many lazy mornings!), Wyatt and Matthew's awesome fishing trip, more lazy mornings and mellow afternoons with friends!

Now, the first day of school has come and gone. As much as I wasn't wanting it to be here, it was a great day for the kids, and I know the kids are ready for more of a routine (and I guess they should learn something too) and Daph and I have lots of playing to get done!

Here are the pics of our day!

First thing of the morning, Schule Tutte fun!

Big First Grader!

Our non-compliant Third Grader

Daphne having fun on the kindergarten playground!

Big Girl Choice

2011-06-09T16:47:00.000-07:00

About 2 months ago:

Annabelle: Mom, I want bangs.
Me: Uhhhh...I don't think so....uhhhh...I like your hair without bangs. Why do you want bangs?
Annabelle: I don't know...Because I like them.
Me: Is there someone that has bangs that you want to be like?
Annabelle: Nooooooooo....
Me: Well, let's wait a while. I think your hair might be too hard to do with bangs. (huh?!)

But really? Why do I care? It's just hair, and it's something she thinks she really wants, and she's not asking for a mohawk or purple hair or, or, or....

So yesterday after school I took the kids in for a trim. I wasn't even really thinking about bangs, but when she got in the chair and the lady asked, I asked Annabelle if she still wanted them, and of course she said yes.

I'm not sure I love them, but it's a harmless request, and maybe they'll grow on me.

Last Day of School Carnage

2011-06-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not looking forward to going through all of this. Why? Because I have to choose what to get rid of.

I'm so glad it's summer break. So sad that it means my kids are a school year older. Boo hoo!!! A first grader and a third grader!

Field Day

2011-06-09T16:39:00.000-07:00

Only Annabelle can make dressing for Field Day an event! This was day two of dressing practically in all pink. Daphne has learned quickly how fun dressing up can be. This was the second time she spent the morning running around with me in the yellow dress! The funny thing is, she's not so sure she likes all the attention she gets from strangers.

Pinky and her sidekick Sunshine!

Rainy Day

2011-06-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was swim team Time Trials. As it turned out, Wyatt needed to stay home because of an ear infection. Lucky me! No, really. I got to stay home with he and Daphne and another little friend while the others braved time trials in the POURING rain!

I was able to play with Daph and Hannah, Wyatt hung, we went for a rain walk, made home made play dough. It was great! And, Annabelle did great at Time Trials, even though she was wet and cold to the bone by the time she got home!

Finished House Pictures!

2011-05-28T22:40:00.000-07:00

Exterior paint, front patio and finishing touches (coffee tables, window treatments, and wall decor) is what's left to do. We're giving ourselves to the end of the year to catch up with that stuff. We are loving every single detail of our new house!

Stairs and storage shelves beneath the stairs

newly stained old slider in this one

cheeky little one

this one is cheeky and toothless! such a cute look on her!

TA DA! A kitchen!

Trying to get the tile detail up and around the windodw

And the tile up and around the hood.

Close up

Organized pantry

Both sides of the house...this is where the fireplace used to be!

Candle wall at front entrance

and, with the light on...

Great room with french doors (and little one doing somersault over large stuffed trout)

beams, newly stained old slider, etc.

The girls' jill & jill bathroom

Wyatt's new room (yes, it is basically crimson and gray. this used to be Annabelle's room)

Wyatt & guest bathroom

My super duper find at the Alameda antique faire!

Newly painted guest bedroom (ie: grandma & grandpa's room! this was Wyatt's bedroom.)

And a pretty big transformation of the front.

Gable and beautiful front door!

I can't wait until we can get it painted. It is already beautiful, but paint will really make it pop! I'm going to prime the exposed wood tomorrow and Monday, as it has to be done to pass inspection! I can't believe we did it!

Annabelle's Dance Recital

2011-05-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

I didn't take many pictures this year...don't have any good reasons. These are from the backstage area where I left her to wait for her group's turn. Her group was really big this year - about 16 girls - so I was worried that it was too many for any of them to really learn a routine. I was wrong! All of the girls did great, and I was amazed and proud of Annabelle! She was so fun to watch!

This is only about half her group. We were the early ones this year!

Cousin Jennifer and Opa joined us to watch the show!

We didn't NEED it, but we fell in love...

2011-04-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

What is it? A zinc-topped table and an antique school bench. The back of the bench folds over so the kids (yeah, right...) could use it to do their homework on. We found them at the Alameda Antique Fair and just couldn't let them go! The rooster is from the antique fair, too. Our good friend Biga bought it for us as a housewarming present. It's awesome!!!

Inside and outside the house!

2011-04-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Bathrooms!

2011-04-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

Love, love, LOVE how they are turning out. Only things left are mirrors, towel/TP bars, lights and cabinet pulls/knobs. Yippeeee!!!

Wyatt/Guest Bath

The Girls' - Jill & Jill Bathroom

Spring Break in Tahoe

2011-04-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

We went to Tahoe from Sunday to Wednesday. Wyatt skied on Monday with all the big skiers, and held his own! I took the girls sledding and had a great time! Tuesday afternoon we all played outside in the huge piles of snow!

Digging tunnels and caves in the massive pile of snow on the deck.

Tunnel!

Uncle Michael supervising from the beach chair below.

Karyn is standing on the huge pile of snow, and that's the roof w/3-4 feet of snow right behind her!

The end of spring break was spent at home, shifting furniture around, unloading boxes and hanging out as a family. Really relaxing and good ole' family time!

Quick, Take a picture before she pulls them out!

2011-04-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

Wyatt was home sick this day, with strep, so we had a lazy morning where I could take the time to do Daph's hair! Of course, within an hour or so she had pulled them out! Pretty cute, though!

Finally, a reason to like Fantasy Baseball!

2011-04-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

Sean joined Matthew's league, so he will come down once a year (at least) to draft his team! Yahooooo!

New Pantry Finished - Empty & Filled!

2011-04-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

If ever you can't find me, you might look here...I could shut myself in with a glass of wine and be happy for a long, long time!

I LOVE how it's all coming together!!!

2011-03-03T21:33:00.000-08:00

I've been carrying around a hunk of granite, shards of tile, 8x10 cabinet samples, a block of black walnut, a hunk of hammered copper and sometimes a huge plank of hardwood!

The pieces are coming together and it is taking my breath away Every. Single. Time. I walk thru the kitchen. I love it all! It is so scary putting these pieces together, spending a lot of money and time, and not being 100% sure that it's going to be perfect, but it IS!

The last two days have been crazy here! For feeling like things were creeping along the 2 previous weeks, it's a whirlwind of activity now! Julian the Bulgarian tile guy is here working (is it weird that his WET tile saw is set up in Daph's new room?!). Our stairs have been ripped off and the new ones have started (2-3 saws set up on the back patio for this crew, and 3-4 guys working just on the stairs). The carpenter - Paul - is diligently working away on whatever he does (he micromanages a lot, and gets stuff done in between - he's a great guy, though!). Two guys had a saw out front for working on the entry. The electrician was here today, too! That is a house full!

So, here's how it looks today:

I LOVE every part of it!!! Yay!

On this 8th Birthday...

2011-03-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

I don't have words for it all...
8 years ago on Monday (2/28/03) we put an offer on this house. Now we have an 8 year old, an almost 6 year old and a 2 year old and are nearing the end of a major remodel. I can't believe our kids are growing the way they are - bright, thoughtful, fun, pushy, argumentative, sassy - all of it wrapped up into their maturing selves. I can't stand it, and I love it, too.

It was a great day, full as always. The 5 of us went to the doughnut shop for Birthday doughnuts. We took Wyatt a ham sandwich from Subway (his request), and his class celebrated his birthday with chocolate dipped rice krispy treats. When Matthew got home from work, we opened presents - Daphne was beside herself wanting to help! We went to The Dog for dinner (I think this is the 3rd year in a row with this as his choice for his b-day dinner) and then to Baskin Robbins for dessert (we'll have cake on Sat. with his buddies). Matthew had to leave from there to go coach. The kids and I came home, put Daph to bed and then Annabelle, Wyatt and I played a new game Wyatt got, called Creationary (imagine Pictionary except you build the picture with Legos! It's not as simple as it sounds!).

It was so much fun doing all things just for Wyatt. Everyone else has to suck it up and just know that this is the other's day. Wyatt went to bed with a smile on his face and I'm pretty sure had a great day.

I'm really trying to get away from the big bash birthday parties, so Saturday Wyatt is having 5 friends come over for about 4 hours to just play. They can play Wii, Legos, play outside, eat snacks, have pizza and sing Happy Birthday, and that's it! I'm hoping they enjoy just having time to hang out and enjoy each other. We'll see how it works out!

Happy Birthday Wyatt!!! We love you!!!

Other Happenings

2011-02-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

In our spare time we've:

Been to Tahoe

Made Valentines (why oh why do I do this to myself?!)

Wyatt's

Annabelle's

Dressed up "70's Disco Style" for the mother/son dance

Took the kids on the first mystery ride in about 2 years (or more!) to The Exploratorium in SF

And, Tried to keep our sanity intact!

Love to you all!

chugga-chugga-chuggin' along!

2011-02-23T21:59:00.000-08:00

Slow and steady here! Moulding up around windows, doors, closets, etc. Kinda like watching the grass grow. Moved the island 2 inches towards the great room (can I say I love our contractor?!), the candle wall is almost finished, painters are patching nail holes and other miscellaneous paint prep. The black walnut island top arrived today (LOVE it!), and the electrician stopped in to hook up my oven. But tomorrow, TOMORROW!!!! All countertops will be installed!!! Also, the hood people will be here to "antique" our custom hammered copper hood (somehow this didn't happen @ the factory). And Friday? The plumber will be here to install faucets in the kitchen (and maybe the bathrooms - I didn't ask about that!). And the carpenter will install the island top, too. If you are adding that all up, do you know what that means?! You have three guesses as to what I'm doing this weekend!!!

What's left?
Tile (to be started **crossing fingers** next week - the tile guy, Julian from Bulgaria, is ready. Let's hope the tile is, too!)
Paint (prep started, should be ready for color on Mon/Tues)
Cabinets under stairs
Pantry shelves
Closet shelves
Lighting
Floor (carpet and wood)
Cabinet & Door hardware
Exterior stone and paint (could be a couple of weeks...)

If my list is close to correct, it's not that much (a lot of that can be done simultaneously), and I think I have just the kitchen table chandelier and carpet left in terms of making choices. I think it'll be end of March, beginning of April before all the little details are finished, but a working kitchen is a working kitchen!!!

more of the candle wall

I'm very happy with the cabinets!!!

I have BIG plans for those 6 burners!

Island with microwave drawer

Wyatt/Guest bath (black distressed cabinets)

Girls' bathroom (maple w/cherry finish - hard to get a good picture w/o electricity!)

Lotsa Progress...

2011-02-06T19:34:00.000-08:00

January 6, 2011

Insulation!!!

January 8, 2011

Drywall Begins!

Kitchen/Great Room/Entry

Great Room to Family Room and Upstairs

Daphne's Bedroom (or back left bedroom)

Daphne's Closet

More of Daph's room

January 12, 2011

Mud and Taping done!!!

Great Room/Entry

Kitchen

More Great Room (that's the oven cabinet in that box!)

Annabelle's Room (or the first room on the left)

Girls' Bathroom (Jill & Jill Bathroom)

February 2, 2011

Texture Done

French Doors and Sidelights IN!!!

Scratch Coat on Candle Feature Wall Done

Lots of the Cabinets installed!!!

Candle Feature Wall

Cabinets To Be Installed...

Love, love LOVE these!!!

French Doors + Sidelights

Kitchen Cabinets!

Farmhouse Sink!

Stove Cabinet

Message Center (office niche) & Oven Cabinets

Beverage Center (for lack of a better name - under the ladders...)

Island Cabinets

Girls' Bathroom

Wyatt's/Guest Bathroom (nice wallpaper behind the mirror!)

February 4, 2011

Guys working:

Granite Templater

Electrician

Finish Carpenters

= Happy Homeowner :)

Down to finish work...choosing lights, pulls/knobs, paint, etc. All bathroom cabinets are in and ready for counter tops. ALL countertops should be here/in in around 2 weeks! I could be naive, but I think that means the kitchen could be functional around then?!
Tile could take a while...ordering process has been slooow!
I think we're on the downhill stretch!

Brief December Run Down

2011-01-07T23:06:00.000-08:00

The Holiday Season started of with the Train of Lights. We've done this before, in '06 and in '07 , but haven't been since. We went with a huge group of people, and the weather was oddly warm. The kids had a ball, and it was a great way to get in the holiday spirit!

Up in the "loft" of the old caboose!

The "loft" from the outside. Annabelle didn't like how high it was, so it was a no-go for her.

Another Santa visit!

Candy Canes!

Wyatt had his very first piano recital. Here he is playing a song while singing it. I love how the teacher asks the kids to sing along with their playing. My pictures are dark, but it was absolutely precious!

The whole group of students!

Our annual Santa Hat pictures! Too hard to edit down the pictures, so I tried something new! Turn the volume up, there's music!!!

Next was Cousins' Christmas! It was such a great day. It's fun to see the kids getting older and enjoying each others' gift giving and gift getting. They are all growing up so much. It's so fun and so hard, all at the same time!!!

Look at all these big kids sitting around the table! They take up the whole place!!!

One day after school, Annabelle diligently drew a picture for every one of her cousins, then proceeded to wrap them! Here are the girls opening theirs. They were so sweet about it!

Opa talking on the play telephone with Daph!

The boys got these crazy fish pillows from Opa!

The girls all got fun hats from Aunt Karyn and family.

Our own family has a tradition of decorating gingerbread cookies with Amanda and Aurora, while they're down' here for Cousins' Christmas. With the remodel going on, I was considering chucking it for this year, but when I had independent conversations with Wyatt and Annabelle about what was coming up, they both - independently of each other - mentioned decorating cookies with the girls. SO, of course I could not disappoint! Sunday after the gift exchange extravaganza, I went back to Fred's and rolled, cut and baked the cookies (Aurora and Jennifer hung at our house while Daph napped - Wyatt and Annabelle went to Aunt Chieko's).

Then, Monday I had Amanda, Aurora, Jennifer and Brian (plus my kids) over for cookie decorating. It was so much fun! They hung out while I made the frosting (plugged my KitchenAid in in the laundry room!), and then helped mixing colors, filling pastry bags, etc. They decorated some beautiful cookies (oops, now that I think of it, I didn't take any pics of them!), and all had a great time.

Brian decorated three cookies and was DONE! Gotta give him credit for engaging!

Hard at work!

Then it was finally Christmas Eve!!! With the excitement and anticipation hanging in the air, it was time to decorate the Gingerbread House that we always put out for Santa. I can see the kids' creativity and maturity developing in their decorating design. Wyatt chose the front of the house, Annabelle took the back and a roof, and Daphne ate candy! No, Daph did decorate some, but she definitely ate more than she decorated. Towards the end of the pictures, you'll see that I'm trying to block her from the house! I have to say, I think it's one of the best Gingerbread houses, yet! And, a great way to pass some time on a night where the time seems to stand still (if you're a kid. If you're an adult who didn't start wrapping until after 8:30 p.m., well, then the night was slipping away as fast as can be!).

Y-U-M-M-Y!!!

Uh, that's enough!!!

The goods set out for Santa (Daph is already in bed), and the monkeys being super silly!

Sleep tight! Hope Santa likes his treats!

Christmas Day was fun!!! The kids were patient and excited! They woke up around the normal time (7:00 ish) and were great about watching each other open their (many...too many?!) presents. At the end, Annabelle was quiet for a moment, and looking around, and then said quietly, "I got everything I wanted!" Music to her Mama's ears!!!

Check it OUT!!!

Opa's here, let the opening begin!!!

But first, let me see if I can sneak a bite!

The grand finale was a scavenger hunt, where the clues were written on the back of these puzzle pieces...a TRAMPOLINE!!!

After our home celebration, the marathon continued: on to Fred's for the adults to exchange gifts. Then home for 2 or so hours, then on to Chieko and John's for Christmas Dinner. It's a lot of fun, but a bit exhausting! When we got home from dinner, we took down the tree and cleaned up the loot, as in the morning we packed up and headed to Tahoe!

Ready to play in the snow!

I'm not sure that smile could get bigger!

I gave her 5 minutes before wanting to come back in. She LOVED sledding, and was out for over a half hour!

One of the family dinners. Kids had to eat first, then adults. Not enough room for all 13 of us at once!

We headed home on Wednesday so Matthew could work a little on Thursday. For New Year's Eve, 3 other families met us at the local skating rink for a late afternoon session. GREAT FUN!!! Then we went to a pizza place, where they (wink, wink) let us bring in some champagne! We ate and hung out (the place was EMPTY!), and all of a sudden it was almost 9:00! We all scurried to our own homes to toast to the NY New Year's! It was the best way to bring in the New Year!

New Year's Day and the Trampoline! It was wet and cold, but they were adamant about jumping! It has been wet and/or really, REALLY cold ever since, and they still demand to jump every day! So many giggles and laughs.

Okay, so that wasn't so brief! Next up is the Remodel Update! Things are really moving along! As I sit here, the sheetrock is piled in the great room to be, and the crew is starting tomorrow! (Sat. 1/8/2011) YIPEEEEE!!!

Santa!

2010-12-05T20:59:00.000-08:00

While Matthew was running a marathon today, I took the kids to see Santa. Wyatt and Annabelle are still so genuinely excited...it's so much fun! Daphne had no idea, but she still enjoyed sitting on his lap, and just being there with the big kids. We had to wait in the rain for a bit, but everyone was great! I loved being able to get some of my own pictures while the kids and Santa were doing their thing. We've been coming to this same Santa since Wyatt was almost 2. He held Daphne 2 years ago when she was 8 days old! The pictures pretty much tell the story themselves. Enjoy!

Daphne's expression in these shots is priceless!!!

Kitchen Demo!

2010-12-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

This was the living room, what will be the great room. Surface bricks have been removed. They will take down the rest of the fireplace once the supports are in for the large center beam.

BIG room!

Looking into the kitchen from what will be the pantry door.

What's left of the kitchen! We still have the cook top, ovens, sink and dishwasher (although I packed up all of our plates, etc., except for one place setting per person!).

Uh, think we had a leaking pipe beneath our fridge...

The fireplace from the kitchen side...it's time is veeeeery limited! :)

Tarp wall blocking off the stairs and the family room. Working great!

New kitchen skylight!!!

That doorway will lead into the pantry!

TWO!

2010-12-05T20:26:00.000-08:00

Yikes. It's hard to put into words all that Daphne turning two means to me. I have such a different appreciation for all that happens from that baby turning one to that kinda big kid turning two. She's just such a joy.

All the aunties and uncles and cousins came together for a pizza dinner at Fred's house (Fred was in Sea Ranch), since our house is just not that conducive to hosting anyone right now. It was so great to have them come, as it really made it feel like a little party for Daph. The cousins all love being together, and the adults got some catch-up time in, too.

Daphne got her first real taste of opening presents (all 3 of them!), and I can tell she'll be fully engaged when Christmas rolls around!

Singing Happy Birthday!

Needing a little help blowing out the candle.

It's not a birthday in our house without an ice cream cake!

Annabelle drew the sweetest card for her sister!

Daphne letting Lacy love up her new doggie. She loves dogs!

Wyatt and Brian being silly on the stairs! Their tushies were a little sore when they were done!

The girlies being sweet on the couch!

Thanksgiving

2010-12-05T20:04:00.000-08:00

We had our last hurrah in our kitchen for Thanksgiving. I cooked my heart out, and it was all delicious. Chieko thought it was the best so far. We moved the kitchen table into the demo-ed living room, strung some lights, and ta-da! It looked pretty cute!

Not just a cute picture of my hubby...also trying to show that absolutely every surface in the kitchen was covered! It was great!

Cold House!

2010-12-05T19:54:00.000-08:00

We thought our heat had been disconnected last weekend...it made for a cold day and a half, before we tried it, "just to see"! Duh! It wasn't disconnected...our contractor said, "I'd never do that to you!!!"

Can't Stand It

2010-11-24T20:24:00.000-08:00

That she's going to be 2! Two whole years! How is it possible?! I can't begin to believe that she's having a birthday in a week, but I can try to recap the last couple of months...

She's talking up a storm - trying, trying, TRYING to keep up with the big kids. You can most often discern a few key words in the yammering that surrounds them! I do think it's harder to understand her because she so wants to communicate the way the big kids do, but she just doesn't have it yet! The words are clearer every day, though.

She plays around in our bedroom and bathroom while I'm showering. The instant she hears the shower go off, she comes running in to hand me a towel. I don't know how this started...

She has colored on more things than I care to count, with markers, crayons, pencils, you name it! Her toenails, our bedspread, her carseat harness, the floor...I could go on and ON! It's extremely frustrating, but practically impossible to keep her away from the writing utensils, as the big kids are ALWAYS using one thing or another and leaving it out.

She loves to run, jump (up and down with both feet), dance, climb up the ladder, go down the slide, hang from anything you can hang from, go, go, go, go, go, goooooooooo! She seems to be pretty agile/athletic. She just loves to GO-GO!

When she feels like she isn't being listened to she likes to YELL! And boy can she be LOUD!!! She can be pretty bossy, too!

She loves to wave Hi to people, and greats those she knows exuberantly!

She was a ladybug for Halloween, and stole the show pretty much everywhere we went! She loved wearing her costume and participating in the kids' school parties. At the end of the school parade, the whole school performed Michael Jackson's Thriller dance on the field. More parents were watching Daph, than their own kids!

She was a trick or treating rock star! She had a great be-bop in her step that was hysterical! She walked right in to the houses of the first few that we went to. She had no interest in riding in her stroller, didn't trip and fall at all, and was eager to keep up with all the kids. So fun to watch!

Gettin' the goods!

She loves to sing.

She has pooped in the toilet several times (a few times a week, for the last 2-3 weeks), but can't sit still long enough to even begin to entertain going potty! She totally knows the feeling of needing to poop, though!

She loves to do what her brother and sister are doing, but is loud and clear when they're doing something she doesn't like, or they get too close. She definitely likes her space (something that is so hard for the big kids to understand. They just always want to smother her! She is awfully lovable!)

Daph is such a joyous addition to our family. I can't tell you how many times I've heard Wyatt say, "Daphne is just too cute!" And he really means it. Wyatt would love to have another baby in the family, though. That's just the way he is. The other day, we were hanging out with friends that have a new baby. I overheard Wyatt tell the oldest that he was so lucky to have a baby-baby. Talk about tugging on my heart!

We are so lucky that both of the big kids love her so much, and are so patient with her. She is a special little person, with a big bit of spunk!

Annabelle & Daphne

2010-10-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

I know I still owe a post about Daphne all for herself. I've got it all in my head, I think, but there's more to write than I have time for right now. I'm under Grandma's gun for getting something up here, so that she has something to take to Auntie Mar! Here you go, Mom!!!

School Pictures

Annabelle's first lost tooth!!!

And...just 9 days later, her second lost tooth! She pulled this one out while lounging in the tub, unbeknownst to me. That's just her way!

I shook her and told her she needed to knock it off! Losing teeth means that she's just getting older!

sniff, sniff

sniff.

And here's this one~

She fell on her forehead this afternoon. She was standing on a curb, bent down (I'm not sure why) and fell forward right onto her forehead! She hit really hard, too. Such a typical toddler! It was hard not to laugh, as I watched the entire thing!

My cell phone started ringing as I was taking her picture. She's dancing to the ring tone!

More Roof & Indoor Progress!

2010-10-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

The beam is being temporarily held up by the chimney and some other supports.

Choices so far for the kitchen and flooring.

And....super exciting! Demo of the old dining room and original master bedroom/bath. To be made into two bedrooms with a Jack-n-Jill (Jill & Jill for us!) bathroom between the bedrooms. The dust has finally begun to fly INSIDE!!!

The walk in closet on one side and the bathroom on the other.

More of the bathroom

View from the closet, looking into the dining room. I think the girls are going to have some great space!

September Wrap-Up

2010-10-04T21:27:00.000-07:00

I took some "before" pictures of some of the spaces that are going to be changing. The couches are shrink-wrapped because the PODS is in the driveway, and we are ready to load it up! Exciting movement towards getting started!!!

The Formal Living Room (most everything already packed up in boxes)

The Kitchen (nothing packed in boxes from here - I'm waiting until I get the "we're ready to come inside" warning. Hopefully about 2 weeks away.)

Another Kitchen shot

The original Formal Dining Room that we changed to our office/play room (most things packed or moved to another space)

I took those pictures, then we waited awhile longer before anything happened...

Wyatt

School has been great, so far! His teacher is wonderful, and I notice a lot of her curriculum is very similar to what I used to teach. It's pretty cool! He is beginning to take on the responsibility of homework. It's a tough road to hoe...I'm working on him understanding "putting in the time" and getting it out of the way, so the rest of his time is free. And that you have to work before you can play. Nothing about what he has to do is hard for him. This week is the first week that it looks like he might be getting it. Mrs. Donovan, his teacher, gave him a great compliment last week. She said he was such a wonderful, well rounded kid. He makes us very proud!

I think our neighbor, Mr. Carter, may have lit a little fire in Wyatt about playing the piano. Mr. Carter happened to be outside last week, when we were getting ready to go to Wyatt's lesson. When we told him where we were going, Mr. Carter gave Wyatt a stack of old piano books. Wyatt was excited to take them to Mrs. Raaum, his piano teacher. There was also a Pokemon recorder book in the collection. Very random, but when Mrs. Raaum told him he could play anything in there b/c of knowing the notes from piano, Wyatt was ecstatic! Such a random event to make him be more willing to practice, but I think it has!

Wyatt's enjoying soccer. Last week I had to take him from practice early, and he was so bummed! He is loving the games. Matthew is one of two assistant coaches, to the head coach. His team's name is the Galaxy, just like last year. He likes the goalie position a lot!

Matthew also took Wyatt to a water polo practice last week. Matthew said Wyatt jumped right in there as if he were 12! No hesitation. He swam laps for 30 minutes, kept up with all the drills, made a great pass and had a ball! It's a push b/c he gets home late, but I think he really loves being with his Papa, and he loves getting in the water with the older kids. When I asked him if he liked polo or soccer better, he said polo. When I asked why, he said, "because you're in the water!" All smiles, of course!

We visited the orthodontist last Friday. He said it's way too early for braces b/c of roots not being fully developed, but he did suggest a retainer to try to even up his two front teeth. Cosmetic reasons aside, the one tooth that is sticking way out front is vulnerable and unstable. If hit or bumped just right, it could break. So, we're headed back for x-rays and impressions, to have a retainer in early November. It'll be worn 24 hrs a day for 6-8 months. He can eat with it in, so hopefully we won't be replacing it...cross your fingers!

That's Wyatt with his hands on his hips.

My Boy! Can you believe he just keeps growing and growing??

Ummm...yeah...Daph, entertaining herself at the soccer game! Always a hoot!

9/23/10

And then they CAME!!!! One guy came to work on the chimney! The funny thing is, he came on a Thursday, got a chunk taken off, then didn't return on Friday! Sounds like he had some sort of transportation problem....let's hope that doesn't happen too often!

And, who knew? Who knew that this ugly octagon window at the top of the stairs would be such a great asset?! What a great place to view the work that's going on on the roof!!!

10/1/10

More of the roof has been torn away. The plan is to open up the roof, remove the chimney, put in the beam and supports (that will be "exposed" from the inside), close it back up and re-roof. This is because we are afraid of uncertain weather. We want it to be all closed back up and secure before they head inside for the rest of the work. Also, it was ridiculously HOT this week. Go figure...

Annabelle!

Oh my gosh...this little girl! The one who loves school, loves to sing and dance, loves to play with ALL her toys in her room and has a hard time cleaning up, loves playing with her friends, LOVES drawing and coloring. She does a number on my heart!

Annabelle hasn't missed a beat in kindergarten. She really, REALLY wants to read like some of the other kinders in her class. I keep telling her very soon she'll be there, not to get upset. Yet, she does like some drama, so she will throw a little, itty bitty tantrum and pout. It's kinda cute, actually. She is eager to do her homework. It works out really well for her to work on it after the girls have lunch and Daph takes a nap. I can sit down with her and give her all my attention, and I think she really likes it! I'm loving it, too!

When she disappears to play on her own, she is often found in some sort of get-up (one she's really favoring right now is a little concerning - a silk scarf of mine wrapped around her chest, with nothing else on her top, with some sort of skirt or shorts. She really likes things "off the shoulder". Yikes!!!). She's often in front of her mirrored closet, dancing and singing, watching herself! Oh boy...

She loves to color and draw. Many mornings, as soon as she wakes up, she's hits the kitchen table with markers and paper. She draws and draws and draws. It's so fun to watch. I'm going to suggest that her inability to clean up has to do with her creative mind! Hee, hee...

She's loving soccer, and has scored a few goals! They don't have goalies this year, but still! She gets kindly aggressive in there and loves running around with her friends. The girls are so different to watch as compared to the boys. They are almost polite about it all. It's cute to watch! Annabelle's team is called the Thundering Princesses. Matthew is an assistant coach for her team, too.

Cutie Pie!

She's directly right of the flag, in a white jersey.

Hand up, wanting to be chosen to kick off, I think. Look at the beautiful back drop to this field!

And, here's sweet Daph!

After the game snack is still the best!

Pretty girl!

10/4/10

After a crazy-windy night that blew the tarps up and down and kept us awake with the noise, the workers' job was tedious today. The roof is wide open, but had all kinds of loose insulation above the ceiling. One guy held a trash bag while the other scooped insulation into the bag. It took about 3 hours to do the front part! Then they removed more bricks from the chimney and took out the center pieces of beam structure. At least the temperature was pleasantly cool for them today.

See the broom - it is lying on the above side of the ceiling.

Here's our boy. He'd be perched here ALL day if school didn't get in the way! ;) Daphne's pretty interested in seeing it, too, but more because she is scared silly by the noise and likes to see where it's coming from!

Cute picture of Wyatt, but also you can see the dwindling chimney!

I know I've left Daphne's details outta this post, but will aim to get something up for her in the next week or so! There's lots to share!

Summer

2010-09-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

You may be wondering what happened to us. We're here, doing our thing. I'm just wildly distracted by all things BUT this blog! I will try to do a quick recap of the summer, doing my best to include good details with even better - but fewer - pictures.

Here we go!

We went to Washington for the 4th of July. I think this is the 5th year in a row? It just keeps getting more and more fun! Daphne learned how hard it is to play with a life vest on (she'd fall over and couldn't get up!). We let go of the "life vest on at all times" rule, and just kept a really good eye on her. I thought it would be exhausting, but she was really fun and a great listener. She was careful and learned how to get up and down the stairs on the deck, and didn't really try to go out on the dock too much.

One of the best parts of this trip was that my grandma came out from Virginia. It was so fun for me to get to watch her experience my kids (and she really got to experience Matthew, too!). We are all so fortunate that she came out. It's a big trip, but we so appreciate her making the effort to come!

Daphne reading a new book.

Wyatt fished and fished and FISHED! And was quite successful, too!

It was pretty chilly most of the time we were there, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the beauty of the lake!

We took a day trip north and took a tour of the Hama Hama Oyster Company. It was such a fun day!

Beachcombing after the tour.

We did decorate the boat for the boat parade, but I don't have pictures of it from mom and dad, yet. :)

Of course we had lots of s'mores around the fire, waiting for darkness to fall so we could enjoy the fireworks.

Uncle Sean is lighting off this one, but Wyatt lit his fair share of fireworks this year. The boy was in HEAVEN!!!

We came home, finished up the swim season, and then Matthew went to SoCal for water polo Junior Olympics, the big kids stayed in Alamo with friends to swim at Championships, and I took Daphne back to Washington so that I could attend my 20 year high school reunion! Phew!

Wyatt, Annabelle, Freddy & Peter decorating their car for the event! Thanks to our dear friends for taking our kids!!!

Daphne getting to play with Grandma's costume jewelry without having to compete with Annabelle!

We all arrived back home safe and sound! The next three weeks were swim team free, water polo free! Whoopeeee!!!

Daph and I harvested some tomatoes! Every time I turned around, she was digging into another tomato!

We went to Tahoe for a week and enjoyed a lot of sun, beach, pool, mini golf, beers, bingo, friends and relaxation! It was awesome, as always!!!

Annabelle, Daphne and Peter, at our friends' house.

Daph enjoying the beach!

After Tahoe, we had a week to do nothing before school started. Again, GREAT!!!

The Schule Tutes! Annabelle's first one, Wyatt's third! Yikes, time is really flying!

Of course Wyatt was up first!

Annabelle kind of remembered the tradition that Wyatt had been lucky enough to enjoy, but I don't think she had really thought about it in relation to herself! She was really cute! And look at Wyatt in the background checking out her stuff!

Back to School breakfast of champions - Honey Nut Cheerios! It's what they wanted!

Look at how big she is! (bad sunlight on her face - boooooo)

Happy first day of Kindergarten!!!

And, look at how big HE is!!!

Happy first day of Second Grade!!!

This is in front of Annabelle's classroom door. Aye yay yaye! Look how big they are! How does this happen????

I will try to post more often. Since school has started, both kids have begun soccer. It's quite a hoot to watch the 5 year old girls play. Will get some pictures next weekend! I'm still ridiculously distracted by all things that pertain to our remodel, that will hopefully (keep your fingers crossed!) begin the week of September 13th. Will try to update that here, too. Annabelle's dance classes will begin next week, and Wyatt is dying for his carpentry class to begin the week after.

School's going well. Both kids are happy in their classes, and both have teachers that are very experienced. It should be a great year!

Daphne is growing closer and closer to two every day...but the details really should be saved for a separate post. Suffice it to say that that little one keeps us all laughing, has greatly raised the noise level in our house, and is a ball of endless energy! Stay tuned...

Love to all!!!

We're in Tahoe!

2010-08-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

We took a break from our days at the beach and pool. It was a bit chilly and windy today, so we headed to Squaw for a round of mini golf. Here's the big chair. The last time we were here, there were only 2! Look how big they're getting! Yikes!!!

Del Amigo Spirit Week Cake Contest

2010-07-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

It's the last week of regular swim practice before Championships (this weekend). So it is Spirit Week - each day Coach Janet tries to add some fun activity to the swim practice. Thursday night is the Pasta Feed which ends with a cake contest. We didn't enter last year, but we gave it a go this year!

Daphne knows something's good when she sees it. The bottom of the jello bowl was a perfect way to keep her happy and out of our hair while we were trying to work some magic!

Annabelle couldn't let her enjoy it by herself! Must be why Daph does it to them, too!

Here's the beginning of the masterpiece:

Our mascot is a dolphin...these are actually sharks, but SSSSHHHHHHHHH!

We had to put a 680 on there... just cuz!

Go Del Amigo!

Thank you Great Grandma!

2010-07-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

The kids got a sweet surprise in the mail! Here's the opening after bath time!

Annabelle loves the Spiral Art! It has taken her a bit of practice to get the hang of it, but she's making some pretty pictures!

Wyatt got cool broad tipped markers that hook together. He's discovering all the neat ways he can color with them!

Daphne got a cute pig that vibrates when you push its nose! She loves it!

Thank you so much for thinking of us (I love the quilt book, too!)!

A little more, since she's left my lap!

2010-06-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

A warm day, eating some watermelon! And a rare picture of mama and the kids!

A picture of our house...what will eventually be the "before" picture!

Annabelle's pre school graduation day! This is her good friend Abby.

Annabelle's primary teacher Miss Lana.

Another reading session on the couch! I couldn't resist the photo op!

My boy can put some inflection in his reading!

Daph's done reading for the moment, and up to her usual craziness! She provides many moments of laughter!

I mean, honestly?! What are we going to do with this one???

And then there's this...

Another Wyatt photo...admiring the new shirt Great Grandma sent to Daph.

And, Annabelle on Father's Day - she disappears in her bedroom for a while and the emerges with some crazy combination of wig, headband, etc. Always entertaining!!!

As fast as I can with a toddler on my lap, playing with pattern blocks!

2010-06-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Another quick catch up...I'll do as many photos as I can!

Wyatt's been in to taking his own pictures, with the camera he got for Christmas. Most of his photos are of Daphne...

And of things he creates - this was the thing he made in his carpentry class he took this spring.

This is how Daph often looks after a meal...

Another Wyatt photo...

I've been busy selling these things on Craigslist...trying to get rid of furniture we won't need after our remodel. This piece is gone...

This is not... boo, hoo!

Annabelle when I dropped her off backstage for her dance recital in May. We keep getting comments from friends about what a beauty she is. Oh boy...are we ever in for it!

I worked on a birthday present from Wyatt's class to his teacher, Mrs. Perrings.

Grandma and Grandpa came down to take care of the kids so I could get away with Matthew. They were lucky enough go to a baseball game...

Witness Daphne's love of reading...

Take all 3 kids to Home Depot...

Feed them ice cream at the end of the day (I heard donuts were had, too!)...

Getting ready for swim practice...

Watching swim practice...

Just busy...

Bedtime...

A picture of all three, mostly looking dressed, washed, and combed! It's no small feat!

Doing some gardening...

And the feat of all feats...watching the coordination of getting an entire swim team's photo!

One of the coolest things about going away was coming back! My mom and dad had to take the kids to practices, school, etc., where many friends were witnesses to their abilities. Every person I talked to had such great things to say about how in control mom and dad were. They said mom and were calm, relaxed and had it all taken care of! You know what that means??? WE SHOULD LEAVE MORE OFTEN!!! No, in all sincerity, we are so lucky to have the opportunity to get away the way we did, and to be able to leave knowing that our kids are fully cared for and loved! Thank you!!!

Quick...

2010-05-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

I'm just putting up a couple of videos, as fast as I can!
Annabelle had her recital last weekend. It was Great! Unfortunately, they have new video/picture rules...I was asked to turn my camera off. So this is as good as it's gonna get!

Also, just two cute videos of the kids playing....

My Sweet Annabelle!

2010-04-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

LOOOOOOOOOOOONG Overdue!

All the clues are lining up. Annabelle has landed herself in the middle child position! To her credit, she rolls with it. I am really doing my best to be aware of our family's activities and where she falls within them, but it doesn't always work out to her benefit.

She continues to be sweet, smart, engaging, entertaining, messy, and a friend to all she comes in contact with. She is still enjoying her dance classes that happen once a week. She is building to the big recital that will be happening mid-May. I can't wait to see it! She just got her outfit this week. Last night when we were getting ready to read a story in her room, she said, "Wyatt, do you want to see my dance costume?" Very excitedly. Wyatt, being the kind and interested brother that he is, was excited to see it, and commented about the things he liked about it. Makes my heart sing to have my big kids interact like that. Both equally happy and interested for the other. I could cry just writing this. The once a week classes end with the recital, but she will do a camp this summer. I'm thinking it might be hip-hop, just to change things up. I think she'll love it!

She LOVES her sister...in an almost dangerous way! I am constantly trying to get her to back off with her playfulness with Daphne. It's tough because I don't want to her to stop wanting to engage with Daph, but she is also not careful, and doesn't understand how her big actions could be disastrous for Daph! She wants to walk with her, hug her, shake her, etc. It's cute, but hard to watch at the same time. I'm not always sure that it's playful on Annabelle's part...

Speaking of not careful - sweet Annabelle is not the most graceful girl! In fact, she is quite clumsy! Maybe it's just a phase or a growth spurt, but this girl will trip over her big toe - multiple times in a day!!! I'm not sure if there's anything we can do about it, except continue to warn her to slow down and think about what she's doing.

She is so ready to read! She is eager to sound out words, loves to write notes and will look at books for long periods of time. She still loves to draw, and comes up with the cutest ideas. She is listening to things that are being said around her, and constantly absorbing. It's crazy to think that she is 5, and headed to kindergarten.

Annabelle has been doing the spring swim clinic with the swim team! She is so eager to go every day, and the days that we haven't gone (there haven't been many!), she is bummed. We usually have to wake Daphne up from her nap, so we are a few minutes late, which she doesn't like (middle child clue - having to be late b/c of her baby sister!). I like it that she doesn't like it, though! She is shining as a swimmer, and I think will do well this summer in the meets! I can't wait to see how she does in her first real competition.

She still has to hang with boys quite often, as most of our friends have only boys. She does really well with it, and I think it will be to her advantage as she grows older. I have one friend that just told me that her middle son (AB's same age) has a new infatuation with Annabelle! How funny, and cute, and weird all at the same time! She could just have that magnetic type of a personality, because she literally does make friends no matter where she is. And most of the time, kids flock to her. Again, makes my heart proud.

Lots and lots of pictures...

Playing dress up with her friend Ava

Helping Wyatt light the candles for our Spring Family Birthday Celebration!

Showing their St. Patrick's Day shirts I made them.

A quick pic w/Mama before Wyatt and I went to the Mother/Son dance at his school.

Her real birthday. She wanted the oreo dirt/worm cups!

Checking out her new big girl bike that was hidden in her room!

The princess painted the girls' faces at her birthday party.

The Princess and the Frog cake I made for her!

Annabelle and Princess Tiana

Playing a little duck-duck-goose while the other girls get finished with the face painting!

And, last but not least, a picture Wyatt took of AB in her Cat in the Hat hat!

Love ya, Boodle!!!

Spring Break/Easter!

2010-04-04T15:02:00.001-07:00

I know I still owe Annabelle her own post, but I can only access the Internet thru Matthew's computer, and guess what...all of Annabelle's pics are on our other computer! I will get one for her. I promise. For now, here's what we're up to! We came up to Tahoe on Saturday afternoon. It's Spring Break, and we haven't been here since last June! We're soaking up some good family/down time together. Uncle Michael and his family are here, too, including their dog Lacy. Daph LOVES dogs, but it's a little different when the dog is so close!

Daph meeting Lacy!

Cute shot of the kiddies!

Lacy checking out Daph. Daph doesn't really like it when Lacy gets this close...

Wyatt found his Easter basket.

Annabelle found hers and Daphne's!

Of course, getting into Daph's stuff before she even has a chance!!!

Daph checking out her stuff!

Annnnddddd....the big kids helping her, even though she doesn't need it!

She found her phone, and

knows exactly what to do with it! Scary!

Great form!

She had Cheerios and Goldfish in her eggs!

Wyatt's excited about a new Wii game!

Annabelle and Wyatt got these little robot bugs that skitter all over. JJ and Brian set up a little maze for them to go through!

Then we had to get semi-bundled up because the Easter Bunny hid some eggs outside in the snow!!!

Our annual try at a cute Easter picture of the cousins. I don't think I've ever seen a good group pic of these goons on Easter!

We'll keep trying, though!!!

Annabelle finds an egg!!!

Daph found one!

Wyatt found one!

There were lots to be found...around 72, I think! Egg salad, here we come!!!

Another try at a group picture - after egg hunting. Yeeeeaaaahhhh....silly kids....

Jennifer had Daphne in stitches. She'd fluff up the blankets, Daph would stand up and throw herself onto the pile. Lots of giggles!

The cousins went skiing, and our kids went outside to play. This is the pile of snow on the deck. They were shoveling snow around, rolling around, just having fun! There's a lotta snow up there!

Until tomorrow. The kids have ski lessons. It's supposed to snow at least a foot tonight! Hopefully it won't be too snowy tomorrow for the kids to enjoy the lessons. Who am I kidding - they won't care either way!!!

Happy 7th Birthday, Wyatt!

2010-03-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

Here it is, March 3, 2010! How can it be??? He's such a big kid - all 80 lbs of him! Where to start with my Wyatt. First grade has been a breeze for him. I'm not sure there's anything he has struggled with, yet (other than doing homework! But, I don't like it either, so I can't blame him too much!). His reading has come along really well. A few weeks ago, when Matthew was away, Wyatt decided to read a book to us just because. It was a first and hasn't happened too many times since then, but I'll take it. I'm still waiting for that one book or event that will excite him to just pick up a book and read when he has down time.

When we don't have something planned, Wyatt's favorite question is, "What can I dooooooo?" The poor child has every Lego known to man, a bike, scooter and skateboard, a basketball hoop and basketball, among many, MANY other things! He has the hardest time entertaining himself, though. I blame it all on myself, and him being the first child. I was in his face at all waking moments for the first 3 years of his life, so now I have to continue working on undoing what I did!

Wyatt is always quick with a smile, and those that are getting to know him in the community always comment on it! I also often hear that he is a "good" kid, uses some manners, and is respectful. Thank goodness he saves it all for when he's around others. He just finished a carpentry class that he LOVED. Matthew went to pick him up and was a few minutes late. When Matthew apologized to the teacher, the teacher said, "No worries, if there's a kid that's great to hang with, it's Wyatt." or something close to that. Talk about making a mama proud!

He is loving and sweet to his sisters, but really, really likes to push Annabelle's buttons. He can be pretty stubborn, too! He is creative and artistic and loves to make things. He's enjoying basketball, that ends this weekend, and then it'll be on to baseball and spring swim. Although he drags his feet, and gives me lip almost every time we have a transition (changing from one activity to another), he almost always loves what it is that he's going to do. He's independent, resourceful and mature beyond his years, in many ways. Sometimes so much that when he acts his age, we can't believe it, and come down really hard on him.

Opening a present!

You just can't give him anything if you aren't giving him Legos, too!!!

Playing a new card game called Blink.

Annabelle hanging in there and holding her own!

Signing Happy Birthday!

Blowing out the candles! (he was hot when we got home from dinner - that's why his shirt is off!)

Annabelle helping!

I just can't believe he's 7!

Kid Updates!

2010-02-12T19:28:00.000-08:00

I'll start with Daphne, since I took a couple of pictures of her today. I need to get a video of her crawling about. It's great! She is crazy and keeps us all so entertained! She can entertain herself like crazy, and loves interacting with Wyatt and Annabelle (and any other kids). She wants to communicate so badly! She uses the sign for "more" no less than a thousand times a day. We're left to figure out what she wants "more" of: stories, food, music, playing, etc. It's a crack up! She loves music, and moving her body to it. Annabelle got a CD player for Christmas. Daph goes crazy w/the 'more' when she sees the CD player. Also, she'll crawl back to AB's room, see it, and then come crawling back out signing 'more' all the way (and sometimes crying), until we go get it and play some music!

Last night at dinner (Matthew's in OC for polo), the kids and I were taking a vote for what we would have for dinner tonight. Wyatt was leading the discussion. He and I had voted on a something, then AB voted on the other thing. Next thing we know, we looked over at Daph and she's got her hand raised up high, voting just like the rest of us. It was hysterical! She's very observant, and wants to be a part of everything!

She still loves animals. She freaks whenever she sees dogs (or whatever else - we just happen to see dogs most often). She says ba for ball and loves to throw them or roll them between us. I would also like to get a video of one of us asking her to say mama. She's got a great sense of humor already...when we ask her to say Mama, she gets a sly smile and very emphatically says, "Papa!". We, of course, react wildly, and she just loves it!

She's loving to walk around holding our hands, but really hasn't started cruising on furniture, yet. Her sleep schedule is so unpredictable it's kinda funny, but not! She for sure has dropped a nap, but when and how long her other nap is seems to vary widely. Could in part be due to more teeth showing up. Who knows... the great part is that her disposition is consistent: happy. She has a warmth about her that strangers always comment on. She brings so much joy to all of us!

Here are a couple of pictures I took today. Get ready to lose your mind over how stinkin' cute she is! The space between her two front teeth seems to be quite wiiiiiiiide!

I made this shirt for her, for Valentine's Day. Enjoy our sweet Daph! :)

This is her crazy, very excited face! If only you could hear the sound she makes with it!

Last Few Maui Pictures

2010-02-05T22:21:00.000-08:00

Matthew and Wyatt took surf lessons on Thursday. They had an absolute blast! There were perfect learning waves, and both of them got up! Daph and I got there just as they were finishing, so we didn't get to see much. Next time, boys!

This was the sunset one of the days. It was like this every night. Just gorgeous!

Grandma got a few pics of Annabelle in my pool hat. Man is she going to give the boys a run for their money!

Grandma with Daph after her nap, just enjoying the waves and sun!

We did a lot of hanging out!

Grandma's having her lunch while Annabelle works steadily on a puzzle.

And a little while later, grandma took a dip in the pool with Wyatt. You can't tell by this picture, but Wyatt really got her with his noodle. I don't think she had laughed that hard in a long time! And, look at the beautiful bougainvillea in the background! Love it!

One of the nights Daph hung with Grandma and Grandpa while we took the big kids out, Daph got a bath in the kitchen sink. After a couple of days and nights of fever-y sweat, she really needed it!

Hmmmm....where are her genes from?!

More pool playing! That girl loves her ball, and that boy loves his baby sister!

Look at how high Grandpa threw Annabelle! I think she liked it!

The kids needed a little break from the pool, so we played a game of go fish. The extra little guy is Joseph, who had been in Napili for 3 weeks, that the kids had befriended! Lucky guy... This was on Friday, or last full day. I think I spent a good part of the day drinking mimosas. Aaaaahhhhh. Gotta love vacation!!!

Out to dinner in Lahaina for the last night. Wyatt loved the tiki torches, of course!!!

And look at these awesome drinks! It was almost like dessert before dinner!

Daph was in rare form. Annabelle was loving her umbrella!

And a few pictures from our last day at the beach. Boo hoo! I need to find cheap tickets soon, 'cause I wanna go back!!!

More Maui

2010-02-05T21:49:00.000-08:00

Each day we decided where we wanted to go first: the beach, or the pool, and then formulated our plan from there!

This picture just happens to be at the end of the day...Mama's turn to read to the big kids!

Daph hangin' out with Grandpa, in her pretty clown-like shirt! Today, we started out at the pool!

And, now it's Grandma's turn! She was staying in the shade and outta the pool due to the fever she couldn't shake.

This boy looks pretty comfy in the pool. Just relaxing!

And, Annabelle having a moment with Mama! Do the kids have a problem with "vacation mode"? I don't think so!!!

After playing at the beach, you MUST at least try to get some of the sand off! It was Grandpa's duty today, as Matthew and I were getting ready to go to a magic show.

And since Grandma and Grandpa watched the kids while we enjoyed an evening out, Grandma got to read bed time stories!