Bubbles & Bugs

"The aspects of things that are most important for us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity."

 -Ludwig Wittgenstein

 

Our new bubble machine has been a backyard highlight lately.  Pure and simple joy.

A couple weeks ago on a lazy Sunday afternoon, Dallin found a bunch of ladybugs swimming in our fountain (we didn't know they could swim).  The kids scooped them out and played with them for quite a while on our front lawn.  We named the ladybugs, watched them crawl all over each other and our clothes, and eventually watched them all fly away.  Again, pure and simple joy!

Tucson Trip

This past Mother's Day weekend, we quickly escaped to Tucson to visit the Waldrons.  We left Friday evening and Peter drove straight through (well almost if it wasn't for his hungry, small-bladdered wife).  We arrived at 1 a.m., stretched our bodies, made beds for the kids, and collapsed.  

Saturday, we played with Grandpa and Grandma, Kirsten (Pete's sister) and her fun 4 kids came over to keep my kids occupied for the rest of the day.  Ethan, Nathan and Dallin had a blast together and were a non-issue all day.  Katie and Claire giggled, colored and did girly things together... so cute to watch.  Casey (Peter's brother) came over and is always the fun

 uncle.  We all took Mom/Grandma out to lunch (Applebees) for pre-Mother's day and it was fun to have such a large portion of the family together.  We relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the day (and the perfect weather that evening).  Dad, Peter and Steve (Peter's brother) escaped later that night to see "Iron Man" while the kids and I got some much needed rest.  

Sunday, we had a Mother's Day BBQ for lunch, Peter took the kids on an adventure walk, we

 went to church (2:30...Dallin sang in sacrament meeting for Mother's Day with the stranger primary :)), we visited some more and then headed back home.  The drive was very pleasant.  Claire fell asleep right away and slept the whole way home (and all night...what??!!), Dallin played his Nintendo DS, watched some Hannah Montana and went to sleep, Peter drove, and I dug my nose into the book "Twilight" and couldn't put it down.  We arrived home early this morning and slept well again.  The whole weekend went by in a blur, but a really great and memorable one! Thanks Mom and Dad for a great visit and trip to Tucson.

Just Jen

Last weekend, we were able to spend fun, quality time with "just Jen."  My little sis finished her BYU finals, then flew out the next day to visit us here in California.  We had such a great extended weekend!  Our time together consisted of: Disneyland (of course!), Dallin's baseball game, eating out, watching movies, a girl's night (including manicures and a yummy dinner at Ponte Winery), church, the Irvine Train Park, and a picnic with the ducks and peacocks.  Jen even babysat for free while Peter and I went on a date Friday night!  What a blessing it was to have her here.  I am so grateful for my amazingly smart and beautiful sister and loved having this mature, capable woman to spend the weekend with.  Dallin and Claire really miss her and now call the guest room "Jen's room".  Yay for sisters and aunts!

Washington Week

WARNING: this is lengthy!

Last week, I took the kids to Washington to visit my parents (Papa & Nana).  My kids absolutely adore them and my parents are the most wonderful grandparents ever. We had a great time through it all (the snow, rain, hail, sunshine and wind).  Here are a few highlights from our fantastic visit:

Wednesday (April 16)-

We flew to Seattle and the kids were wonderful on the flight.  Claire sat by the window and marveled that we were flying through clouds.  Dallin played his Nintendo DS the entire time.  He was quite upset when he had to turn off his "electronic device" and put his seat in the "upright position" so we could land.  He got over it really quickly when he realized we had made it to Papa and Nana's house.  Both my parents were there to greet us and there are few things I love more than seeing my children bolt out of the stroller to run to my parents with open arms for the biggest hugs ever. 

Thursday (April 17)-

My mom just had surgery, so we enjoyed relaxing with her all morning. Papa came home early from work and we all went to 

the Puyallup Spring Fair!  This is a huge deal in Puyallup (where I grew up).  It was a great evening complete with elephant ears, games, go-karts, cows, rides and a petting zoo.  My kids had a blast and called it Puyallup's Disneyland.

Friday (April 18)-

We met up with Scott (my older brother) and his wife Sara for lunch at the best little pizza place downtown.  It is right next to the train tracks which added an extra "coolness" to the experience.  Dallin made his own pizza, took it to the cook and very quietly said "pie-it-up".  He was very proud of his pepperoni creation.  

A lady in my parents ward brought over some of her new baby chickens for the kids to play

 with.  Claire was in heaven and Dallin thought it was okay (he's not one for the animals).

We finished a fun day off with our Hinckley/Waldron Family "Rock Band."  

Dallin "played" the guitar ("sharing" a line with my brother Scott who is an expert level pro on everything) and Dallin actually sang vocals on the easiest level and did really well!  He used his new reading skills to pull off some songs I've never even heard.  He got an 80 percent on his favorite song "Move Along" by the All-American Rejects (not too shabby for a 5 year-old).  We all had so much fun playing together while my sweet mom cheered us on and played dolls with Claire. 

Saturday (April 19)-

Today we relaxed (it was snowing and hailing outside)!  Papa took Dallin in his truck to the grocery store and Target.  They returned home with yummy food (my sweet Dad read my previous blog entry about my food cravings and surprised me with the majority of them).  They

also had in tow two Target bags full of toys for Dallin and Claire.  It was like Christmas.  We played puzzles, legos, watched movies, made forts and "loved" the cat (in Claire's case, "tortured").  My wonderful grandma who lives next door to my parents came over and spent some

of the day with us...she is so full of life and energy. At one point, we looked out the window and saw 

her moving large rocks and tarps that had been moved by the wind.  Her tiny little body was 

hauling and pulling these large objects (willingly, mind you).  Dallin and my Dad went outside to help her (even though I don't think she wanted any :)).  I hope I have that much drive and energy when I'm 87!  We all went out to dinner at the end of the day and it is always such a blessing to be together.

Sunday (April 20)-

We attended my parents ward.  My Dad is in the Stake Presidency so he sat on the stand during sacrament meeting.  My kids loved waving to him and both went up and sat on his lap during the closing song (I was so embarrassed, but Papa

seemed pleased).  We had a family dinner that evening and then a birthday party for Bagheera (the cat).  Let me explain: usually when we visit my family, it's someones birthday.  Claire (my party girl) asked whose it was this time and since it was no ones,

 she decided it was the cats', and my whole family went along  (even my Dad who dislikes the cat).  Sara made an amazingly delicious cake, the kids put 14

 candles in and Scott held Bagheera while we sang Happy Birthday to her.  It's all crazy, but true!  I love that my family is ridiculously fun and wonderful!  After the party, Uncle Scott gave Dallin a piano lesson where he learned his very first song!

Monday (April 21)-

Today we spent a good portion of the morning and afternoon next door at my Grandma Brown's (GG's) "cottage".  Her driveway is a small hill and the kids had so much fun riding a bike super fast down it.  It was so wonderful being able to sit down and visit with

her.  We all then hopped in the car and went to go see my Dad's new work office and met up with him 

and Scott for lunch.  Afterwords, the kids ran around Arbys with Uncle Scott jumping, swinging and having a great time (we were the only ones there :)).  My kids sure love their uncle and my sweet Dallin got tears in his eyes when he said goodbye to Scott after lunch.  On the way home, we stopped by a darling boutique in downtown Puyallup owned by a mom of one of my friends from high school.  Claire had a blast trying on all of the high heels and Dallin worked on his photography skills taking abstract pictures of items in the store.  The day was complete when Papa came home and shot toy rockets with the kids in the front yard.  What a great day!

Tuesday (April 22)-

My wonderful mom (who was such a trooper this whole trip) took us to the airport and my kids were so sad to leave, yet so excited 

to see their Daddy.  The flight was great and when we arrived, 

Peter couldn't pick us up (last minute meeting with a wholesaler) so the wholesaler payed for a limo to drive us home.  I felt so spoiled and KNEW my kids were spoiled when I looked over and 

saw Dallin sitting by the cooler sipping a Pepsi while watching "Charlie Brown" on the flat screen TV.  Not a bad way to end a fabulous trip.  

Craving Craze

Here is what this pregnant girl cannot get enough of (no pickles and ice cream this time):

The salad needs a little Thousand Island dressing with croutons on top, and the fries are fabulous dipped in their Polynesian sauce.  Oh, I think I need some right now!

Yep, I could eat these all day (but I gotta control the baby weight :)).  I craved these even before I was preggo, so maybe it's just a lifetime addiction?!

I know I am supposed to drink a lot of agua, and I really want to!  There is something about this bottle that makes me want to drink it even more.  It is my latest accessory :).  

I am also loving cottage cheese (the kind with pineapple in it) served with pear slices.  

After writing about these cravings and seeing their pictures, I am currently salivating and must go satisfy my need for delicious food...thank heavens my adorable water bottle is within arms reach.

Midnight Madness

This weekend was our Young Women's garage sale fundraiser (to help pay for girls camp) here at my house. Here's the breakdown of the wonderful and exhausting week:

On Wednesday for mutual, the Beehives went around and gathered ward members' donations and we brought them back to my garage.  I was amazed at how generous the ward members were with their donations.  

Thursday was drop-off day.  I stayed at home answering phone calls about drop-offs, waiting for drop-offs, helping unload the drop-offs and I really enjoyed having so many people stop by (thanks Cheri for the In-N-Out)! Again, amazed at the amount of stuff in our small garage.<-our garage before & after

Friday consisted of a few more donation drop-offs and then the madness began :).  We (the YW

presidency and some of the young women) started sorting through all the "stuff" at 4 p.m. and decided to call it quits around 12:30 yesterday morning.  We went our separate ways to get some sleep and met back at the house at 4:30 a.m.   The bishop's adult son, Danny, spent the night in my garage to provide security for all the items strewn about on the lawn (and neighbors lawn). How grateful we are to him and all the girls who helped... it was a lot to go through and organize!

Saturday started early as we attempted to have everything look decent and make paths for people to walk. The die-hard shoppers began to arrive as early as 6 and we sold, sold, sold until about noon.  The young women sold cinnamon rolls and muffins and also helped re-sort the clothing and held down the pop-up that was blowing away in the wind (the winds were crazy... quite a few things blew over and shattered).  

After the sale was over, we boxed all the left-overs up and the majority of it was picked up by a wonderful couple who drove it straight down to a community in Mexico (there were 4 truck-loads!).  What a huge burden that took off our shoulders.  The ward missionaries stopped by to say hi at the best time as we were loading all the trash into the Crump's truck.  They tucked their ties into their shirts and began to work!  By about 9 p.m. last night, the trash was gone, the boxes of stuff had been taken away, the garage was swept and back to normal and we were done!  It was a very successful day and one of the most exhausting I have ever experienced.  I really don't recommend the combination of hard labor, no sleep, very little to eat, and being out in the sun all day (can I throw in pregnancy?), but it was all well worth the result!  How grateful we as the YW presidency are that this only comes once a year and we know the girls will have an amazing (and less expensive) experience at camp!

Miss Independent

My Claire... she's two and apparently knows how to do everything.  I remember Dallin went through the "I'm independent and can do it all" stage, but for some reason Claire (being a girl and all that goes with this) is funny/frustrating to watch.  A very common phrase by Claire lately is "My do it!"

She HAS to get in and out of the car all by herself (if 

I take over, the sheer magnitude of her screaming is enough to deafen those in far-away countries).  

She must choose what she will be wearing for the day.  It usually starts with me putting a "Missi" outfit on her and then she ruins it by putting an old costume or Christmas dress over the top.  Some things are just not worth the fight.  

I will do her hair, she looks in the mirror and "re-does" it to her liking.  

She finds my makeup and insists that she knows how to apply it (a lip gloss wand up the nose is news to me).  

We went to Disneyland the other day and she had to get on and off the rides all by herself (really fun on the moving walkway rides).  

You are probably thinking "come on, Missi, take control!"  Just for the record, I

do most of the time and all you-know-what breaks loose, so in order to keep some peace and happiness in my home and life I ignore the horrible outfit, tell her that her sparkly pink nostrils are beautiful, try to find some patience while she does big-girl things all by herself and love her for her willingness to try new things.  This all reminds me of a Kelly Clarkson song:

Miss Independent

Miss Self-sufficient

Miss Keep-your-distance

Miss Unafraid

Miss Out-of-my-way

Miss Don't-let-a-(mom)-interfere, no

Enough said... except I have to throw in that I absolutely adore my little Claire, independence and all.

p.s. For all those moms/grandmas/nanas out there, Peter was right next to Claire when she was on the ladder above.  I promise.

Despondent Darth

A couple of years ago, we sold our VW Touareg and Dallin was really sad to see it go.  In an attempt to make him love our new car (a black Tahoe), Peter bought a Darth Vader license plate and placed it on the front of the new car.  He told Dallin (our Star Wars freak) that the new black car's name was Darth Vader.  All of a sudden, our old car was forgotten about and "Darth" was his new favorite form of transportation.  So for the past couple of years, I have been driving around, toting Darth Vader wherever we go.  People know us by this car landmark.  I have been told that some of Dallin's little friends will run to the front of any black Tahoe to see if Darth Vader is there.  I often get weird looks from people until they see my son in a Star Wars shirt or holding a light saber... it all of a sudden makes sense.  I am personally not into Star Wars, but I will do anything to keep my children happy.  

A couple of days ago, "Darth Vader" had his oil changed and got a car wash.  When he emerged from the wash, we noticed that Darth had been injured (he was hanging by one arm/bolt).  It wasn't really fixable and Darth had to be removed.  Everyone seems to be okay about it (especially me :)).  So farewell to Darth, farewell to the strange looks, farewell to the teenage boys that think I am cool and farewell to our signature car landmark.