He's Really 30 .... Old Man

Hey I had to have a little fun... since, after all, he's always calling me the old woman... yes, I'm older than him... by a mere 7 months....

Anyway, Bob had his birthday the end of last week... we were gone, he was working... and well, schedules being what schedules are, we didn't celebrate it until Monday night this week... I guess that's still better than Gabi's. ;)



Just a simple chocolate cake with the full 30 candles... and the gift... a fishing license... what else could the kids really get Dad? They'll all have a ton of fun, when he finds a little time to take them fishing... they all really enjoy that time together!

As for singing... well, let's just say the kids take after their Dad... they love to make everything into a joke or a game or whatever... so, to sing the traditional birthday song, they pinched their noses!



And, for now, he can't call me the old lady... soon enough that will all change again! :) Happy Birthday, Honey!

Bowls, Anyone?

Okay.. you know that my dear husband loves to make cabinets! Okay... loves to work with wood! It's a great blessing.. and sometimes way too time consuming... but he does enjoy it (most of the time). Well, out in California (I may have mentioned this already) he learned how to really use the lathe. For those of you who don't know, that's the tool which makes it really easy to make round things.

Anyway, he started by making three pieces... a bowl (out of redwood... so beautiful - you'll see two pictures of this one bowl), a pepper mill (from walnut), and a new rolling pin (from cherry). The rolling pin had been used by everyone except me... until I made an apple pie four days ago! I didn't have to do anything except help it move... no real pressure... it's the style... and oh, how I love it!

Anyway, since Bob's been cutting up the woodpile (fire woodpile), he found some spaulted maple wood. Too pretty to burn, so he decided to turn it instead. Thus far, he's made three little bowls. Three different styles. (And although the pictures make these three appear to be bigger than the redwood bowl, that is not the case.)

Well, I hope you enjoy seeing these pieces. My personal favorite (of the new three) is the first of the pictures you see (the most "normal shaped" bowl). I really love the grain of the wood! It's so beautiful - Don't you think?

Smuggler's And Family

So we're back... or sort of back. We're back from vacation anyway. Here's the shortened version of the trip with a couple of pictures. As I find a little time over the next week, I'll tell more stories about the different adventures and include more pictures for your enjoyment.

As usual, we left in a mode of chaos, but settled in peacefully the further we got from the house. It certainly seems as though that sense that no one can find us and bother us is really quite settling on the nerves. Although, this time around there were several people who "could" get a hold of us... if we'd had reception all along the way!

Sunday was wonderful! Though it involved a further drive that was necessary for us, we met up with my brother and his family to go to church at the ward they just moved into. They had not yet had their daughter blessed, so that was arranged (along with the blessing of my sister's baby) and Bob was able to be the mouth piece for the Lord for both. As with every blessing I've been witness to, it was very special! I surely love the power of the Spirit when the Priesthood is being used according to the will of the Lord!

After that, we had an impromptu visit with my grandparents! It was a wonderful visit over dinner, and really helped to pass the Sunday in a grand way! Our kids really like to visit at "great grandma and grandpa" Boone's house!

Monday we spent up at Smuggler's! It's the off season, so all skiing was shut down and the (on site) water park was not yet open. Neither were the camps and all the stuff that goes along with that! But, it is a wonderful family resort with 9 playgrounds (we found two) hidden throughout (the resort is huge)!

There were snowshoe and cross country trails without snow and great for some hiking! We followed the river a little way and then threw rocks, and another morning I took Peter and hiked up the Logger path! The best part for the kids, an indoor pool! And not just any pool - An indoor, heated pool playground designed with the little kid in mind! The deepest part of the "playground" was only 1 foot 6 inches. There was a "swim pool" which was 3 feet 6 inches all the way around. And two hot tubs with jets! The kids really enjoyed this!

The girls went earlier with Dad, and while the boys napped, I relaxed by staring out at the wonderful view! When the boys awoke from their naps, I took them over to join the
Bob and the girls at the pools. The boys didn't like the noise much and weren't sure about all the water stuff at first. But it didn't take long for them to be splashing around and running in and out! They were done after about 2 hours, although the girls stayed later with Daddy! When they came back to our "home", Gabi was all red, itchy, slightly puffy, very puffy eyed and bloodshot! She's our sensitive child - as in allergic to things. Apparently she's allergic to chlorine. She's fine with smaller doses, always washing off afterwards, but 4 hours straight was too much. She rebounded rather quickly after soaking and scrubbing though!

When I brought the boys back, there were signs that said "wet paint" and listed things like the door trim! The doors were propped slightly open so the paint could dry. I told Jeremy that there was wet paint and not to touch the doors. He said okay and then pulled his hands in near his chest. However, to his little mind there was no reason why the door should be stuck partway open! He reached out to push it closed and ended up with paint all over his right hand! So I told him not to touch anything as we walked up the stairs to our room. He did great...until he started to stumble! He reached out and put his hand on the wall to steady himself! As Bob noted when he got back we had our own little "Curious George"!

That night, Peter was unusually fussy. He ended up with us, and before we could get him back to sleep, be threw up all over me, all over himself and our bedspread! Poor kid. It seems he's not getting well as fast as we'd like. Actually, he had a blessing that said he'd be over that by morning. And he was....although the after effects have been banned from all fruits (save bananas) right now.

The middle of week was spent with a baby shower and birthday party... the shower for my sister-in-law and the birthday party for Bob.... And just before all that, Gabi caught her first ball in her glove! (I, of course, missed it because it was the one time I didn't snap the picture of her trying to catch. Silly me, she'd missed so many I figured it wasn't necessary to juggle that and Peter at the same time! I did have her hold it up to take her picture afterward, and she had several bounce outs after that!)

Kayleen didn't know the shower was happening, and my sister was suppose to pick her up. However, as she was coming down, she thought the pass through Smuggler's Notch would be open and tried to go through it. She didn't make it too far and had to call for help. I'm sure it was eventful for her with the two little ones in tow and she didn't make it done. The shower happened three hours late since my mother had to go over and get Kayleen! Still, it was a nice time and the other cousins enjoyed their time together.

Our kids made presents for Daddy, all in secret. Gabi wrote and illustrated a book about fishing (the brainstorming involved my mother and Beth and therefore Gabi included everyone's names on the book). Beth made a special birthday hat. And Jeremy painted a rock. It was fun to watch them be so excited about doing something for Daddy... and coming up with it all on their own!

The rest of the week (a day and a few hours) was spent at the resort again. The boys didn't want to go back to the loud pool, so the girls went and I took the boys to the playground. I wish I'd taken the camera again that day because Peter decided he could ride the see-saw too! It was so cute to see him on it and making it bounce!

Peter is still not much for long car rides! All the way back, except when he was napping (and thank goodness of that), he fussed. We found things from time to time which turned his attention, but they never seemed to last very long. That is until I gave him the cell phone! He took that and made as it if to dial someone, then he'd put it to his ear, start talking, lay the phone next to his ear, but resting on his shoulder! It was funny to watch him do this over and over again!

The the three older kids love to sing along to three Cd's of random children's music we've put together (over 5 hours worth). We got a kick out of today's "favorite song"....or rather the girls' version of it: "I just can't wait to be A king!" (They've added that little "A" to the line, not knowing it's wrong, and Bob and I just got a chuckle out it!)

Eventually we made it back and even made some progress with getting things taken care of and trying to work through the chaos we left behind!

And just in time... tomorrow starts the week of Dance marathon! (I mean, rehearsal tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, Friday and recital next Saturday!) Let's hope I learn how to take things one day at a time! :)

Helping Spring Along

Okay, so I posted number 100 just before this, and no, I did not follow the "blogger tradition" and I don't plan to. This is, after all, my blog. (And anyone who wants to know 100 things about me probably already knows them).

But what I will do is finally post some more pictures... sorry that I've been so awful at that lately.

Since spring is here... remember we heard the geese and saw the robin...we've simply been waiting for the snow to melt away so we can get outside without loosing the kids in those snowy black holes. Well, I had the bright idea that my kids needed to just run...but where? The backyard is too full of snow to shovel out (yes, I actually do that when it's low enough to make sure the kids play section is the first to be dry). But then, as I saw the snow melting away from the benches on the deck I thought about how they could run on the deck, up and down the walk to it, and I could sit outside and read! :)

Great idea... but the deck and walk were still covered in snow....and ice!

But the great man I have around here heard mention of my idea and one night, while I was having a bit of a melt down because my long time dream had almost come true and I couldn't complete it then, went outside in the dark and shoveled his way through half the walk - snow and ice both! Dreams or no, that brought me back to what mattered! People who love you!

Since there was so much ice, he's been out again and the walk and part of the deck are now clear. Gabi thought she'd help out the other day... and today, well, you can see for yourself! The boys and I got out there too! No, the deck still isn't clear, but it's getting there...

Making The Come Back

So I think I might finally be back. I'm not all well yet, but I think this time I might actually get there. See, after all the illness that's been passing around the house, I got hit with the worst... a head cold. Being me, and not some normal person, this means that in addition to the congestion, I have a runny nose and two runny eyes. I have a splitting headache that medicine won't touch and am lucky to fall asleep for five to ten minutes before waking to try to clear things again and spending another half hour or more getting back to sleep. I also feel like loosing my stomach all day long. Okay, so I'm sure there are others like me out there. Just seems that everyone else I know gets miserable, but at least can still see!

Anyway, the worst of it was last weekend when Bob stayed home. I started on what seemed like the upswing of things. I figured I'd take it easy, continue on the sudafed, and in a few days I'd be better. Oh, what a joke! I felt like I was getting better for a couple of days, and then, wham! All the pain that had been evenly distributed across my face had settled into my left cheek bone and across that same upper jaw! This was an unshakeable pain! Nothing to do now but call the doctor.

By Thursday evening, I was diagnosed with a severe sinus infection, was on antibiotics, and was home to bed with Bob having come down with the head cold. Poor guy has fought right through it so that I could rest and get better, but that means no extra rest yet for him. He did start the sudafed right away, so he's not likely to get as bad as I did.

Friday (yesterday) I spent feeling like someone was repeatedly smashing my face in! Not an old pro at sinus infections, I figured being on the antibiotic meant I could stop the sudafed and pain killers. I quickly learned that was not the best route to go. I'm still in pain today, feeling more like I have a bruised face (but not looking like it), and some what functional!

So, though I'm doing more and feeling a bit better, don't expect to see me until this is licked. I can't fathom trying to do too much too soon and landing another round of some illness or another! And pray that Bob's head clears quickly!

Recovery Begins!

Well, it seems we may have finally moved into the recovery stage! Gabi is well, no need for naps and she's not loosing color or getting tired any more!

Beth is up and around! She's eating, although it's not much. Still, considering she basically didn't eat last week, this is progress and we'll let her work her body back up at her own pace! She's smiling again! And we've not had to give her any medication! At present, she's down for her ONE nap (instead of 20)!

Jeremy is more like Gabi. Although I did make him take a nap this afternoon, and he still coughs here and there. Otherwise, the whining is to a minimum, he's eating well, getting along with others (or rather bugging the daylights out of them), and looks great!

Peter still has the "cold symptoms" with the runny nose and droopy eyes. He's taken one extra nap today, but otherwise is around and playing. He started playing again last night when he just couldn't get to sleep.

Then there is me... tired and run down, but my appetite seems to be coming back as well. I'm starting to get some more things done around here (Bob will be thrilled); and though it's slow progress for now, things can only get better!

Bob, so far, has still managed to miss it all. Let's hope it stays that way. I'm amazed because he's been so busy, but quite thankful that he's been able to continue with the Lord's work (and his jobs).

Snowy Delight

Snow days are a big hit around here... that means Daddy gets to stay home! Gabi especially loves it because she's our snowbird. She'd just about live out there if you'd let her. Well, she waited all morning for the snow to finish flying eager to get out and shovel! This is something she loves, because she not only gets to shovel with Dad (usually just the two of them) but she gets to play in the really big snow piles they make out front.

Growing up in a house with six kids plus a daycare, I use to love shoveling too; but I did it for the peace and quiet... I think she's better of: quality time with Dad!

Note: This picture was not taken today, but rather back in November before we had enough snow to fully cover the weeds... but you get the idea.


Earlier this month, Bob had a snow day because of sleet. Well, Bob, being Bob, goes out side to shovel a path to the woodpile! (With all the melt off and the rain, the snow had been much lower). Once he did that, he decided he ought to split wood (which he wasn't going to do again until February break...we still had wood in the garage.)

So I look out the back window, and, sure enough, there he is with the sleet pouring down, splitting wood. Then he brings it into the shoe room to stack it up. He split and stacked two rows of wood... one normal, one small. And his comment "just thought I ought to see how hard it's gonna be to split it"

As it turned out, it's a lot easier to split the frozen mill-ends, so he just kept going till the section for wood in the shoe room was full. For Bob, this is fun!