Bloom where you are planted

Spring..?

2011-04-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

I think it is Spring.. the flowers are blooming.. pollen counts higher than high but it is CHILLY!!! Seriously chilly and rainy.. I really don't mind the rain.. I know the beauty that is coming our way.. During Spring Break we went to Ocean Shores .. it was very relaxing.. It was windy and we had to wear our winter coats. I keep telling my peeps that someday they will go to the beach and actually wear just a bathing suit! Truly.. even in July in Southern California it was too cold for just a bathing suit.. :)

Baseball season has started.. it is going well. Abraham decided he wanted to play on a team with his friends from school. He has moved up to actual baseball with rules .. He is the starting catcher and does a really good job with it. I think he is starting to like this Position.

Parker June was in a play last week , called "going". It was about a group of people who were going somewhere but we didn't know where exactly.. It was very interesting and each student wrote their own monologues.. The time period was in the fifties. She tried for the talent show at school today belting out some Taylor Swift. She surprises me every day!!

Violet is a busy mama. She is taking dance lessons and has her recital tomorrow. we are very excited to see it.. I PROMISE to post pictures. I feel as though with fb I can post pictures and I neglect the blog a bit.. I can post more photos on the blog and write a bit.. I will try to keep up with it more.. I feel as though I say it often ;) Violet loves school and is coming right along.. We had baby chicks in the classroom last week and a LAMB is coming next week. I am a lucky girl to work at such a great school..Sometimes I have to check myself to see if Violet is testing me as a mother or as a teacher but truly I know how blessed I am to be both.. (even with the deep breaths taken - for reals )

All three peeps are signed up for soccer which should be so interesting.. LOTS Of running around with two of them on teams that travel..

berry bushes are all planted along with a cut flower garden.. James told me I have 29 more feet for the vegetables. I ned to get those planted for sure..:)

We decided that the girls need separate bedrooms.. I was really hoping they could just stay in one bedroom.. I always wanted a sister to share a room with.. probably because I did not have a sister. But feel like Parker june really does need her own space.. as a big sister she should have place all her own.. so operation craft room move began last week and we have been busting our behinds to get this done.. so I guess I am finally unpacking the last of the boxes from our move last July..

We have had some great family time since james returned from a trip but alas another trip begins Monday.. we are keeping our chins up..

I am here...

2011-02-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

I am here just slack.. clearly.. :) I have some pictures of Abe's crazy Chuck E Cheese birthday party and a few other things.. So happy daddy is home! :) It was a week early so he was suprised a bit too. (total house disaster) :) Will post pictures this weekend ..

Christmas Break..

2010-12-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for this Christmas "Break" We have been so busy lately it makes my head spin just thinking about it.. I am not sure if I could..would.. should.. do another Nutcracker performance if I had to again by myself.. whew... it is a good thing it only comes once a year..:) School for all of us has been great and I really love teaching in the morning vs the afternoon like last year.. Violet and I are finding our groove ..finally.. she is one of the youngest in the class and certainly HEAD STRONG so that makes for some "moments" shall we say, that test me as a teacher but also as a momma.. I know these will be her strongest attributes if we can just "use her powers for good"! Oh that little pumpkin.. ..

We have been laying low.. and I love it.. we have done some fun things but mostly just hanging out. We went to zoolights last night and it was fun until Violet fell asleep.. she is not very heavy until she is asleep..:) very very very very heavy..

At our Company Christmas party we made Ginger houses with graham crackers and milk cartons.. They had yummy goodies and someone kept sneaking the goods. I caught her eating a graham cracker off of the house even..really..

The little people here are so excited to open presents.. I think Violet is THE most excited.. She is driving me crazy ..she can hardly stand it..

We were getting into the car the other day.. and abe said 'Christ!!" similar to the way violet said "Jesus" not long ago.. (see former post) and The folks parked next to us, and next to them, and probably next to them heard him and I even heard someone gasp.. (for reals) and I turned around to give Abe MY HAIRIEST eyeball.. this is the day after my hideous Christmas pageant encounter with Violet.. to put it into perspective.. and he was smiling so angelically and said "may your CHRISTmas be blessed!!" and was so excited that he realized that Christmas is all about Christ.. my heart melted a little..:)

Christmas pageant..

2010-12-20T09:31:00.001-08:00

Here are a few from the Christmas Pageant.. I have mostly Abe in these because he came on before Parker and then my battery died because I left the camera on.. I did get some crappy ones of Parker on my phone and posted those to facebook. The other pictures are of an even on post called Tell me A story and everyone that goes gets a signed copy of the book. We were having fun in the picture area.. :) That was something new we tried and it was fun and something I think we should do every time for families to have of the day.. Abe was at Boy scouts so he missed the fun..:)

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T19:57:00.001-08:00

Hope you had a wonderful day yesterday.. We definitely missed someone very special and I think we all had a sad moment throughout the day, but the bottom line is that we have a lot to be thankful for.. health, family, friends.. thank you for being a part of it..

snow..

2010-11-22T18:25:00.000-08:00

It is snowing.. last year it did not snow once.. I think we are really in for it this year. The kids had a half day of school today and they decided to cancel school for the rest of the week. Parker and Abe were only supposed to go tomorrow and for half a day on wednesday.. I wish I could say I am excited.. but I still have one more day of teaching this week.. The children have been preparing the food for their feast since last Thursday and have been making their outfits for at least a week... I hope we still have the feast tomorrow.. Abe had his last soccer game on Saturday and I guess he is on to basketball. His soccer team is hoping to all play basketball together.. I remember going to Zane's games around Abe's age and it can summed up in one word.. Painful.. really painful.. not a lot of action.. a lot of whistle blowing, but it will be fun for him.. Parker is getting ready for the Nutcracker.. She had a costume fitting last week and next week they move into the theater for rehearsals there.. Violet well Violet is just busy being herself.. full force Violet is what I have been calling her lately.. busy busy girl.. she made our dinner tonight.. stromboli.. it looks very messy but will be tasty.. I taught Parker how to make paper chain bracelets tonight so she is working on that.. VIolet made a video for dad.. will post.. an original song.. ;)

true story..

2010-11-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

Before the yo gabba gabba madness that was .. we had to sell pies for the cub scouts at the craft fair at the local middle school.. It was actually quite fun. Even thought the parking was utterly ridiculous but that is another story.. as we were leaving, violet screams "Jesus" not in a praise Jesus, Amen sort of way.. it was more like JEEE-SUS I just stepped on a lego in the middle of the night kind of way, or in a "I can't find my keys and have to be a work in 7 minutes " sort of way.. or even the kind of way one might say this when one walks into the kitchen and both dogs are on the kitchen table sort of way.. hmmmm? So about 1,000 people turn around to hear who would scream JJEEE-SUS in such a manner and I want to crawl in a hole and I turn around and Violet is pointing to a Nativity scene and in fact Jesus is there.. :) and she was right.. she was just excited to see him..

YO gabba gabba

2010-11-17T16:32:00.000-08:00

more pictures of the party.. :) I will say it was funny that all of these children were screaming for Biz markie.. yep of the "you say he's just a friend" Biz.. at first he was on the screen and said he wished he could be there and then .. there he was and had kids come on stage.. at the after party.. (loose term) he talked to every family and was very kind.. it made me giggle.. I was also very shocked to see grown men .. dads with children in the DJ lance rock entire costume.. it IS an orange bodysuit.. it was a little disturbing ;) talk about taking one for the home team... VIolet is rocking out at the end of the video clip.. we had 6th row seats in the center.. very nice for her to stand on my lap the entire time and rock out.. I totally like music.. like really love it.. I am thankful that my children love it as well.. even though right now we listen to a lot of justin beiber, taylor swift, jonas brothers, etc.. Parker's fave is taylor swift, Abe loves blink-182 right now, and Violet LOVE owl City.. not so fun when we were at the Children's museum for sing a long time and the nice lady in charge was taking requests and she requested" Song 3# on the owl city CD" not so fun at all for mom.. or when they are walking the grocery store singing " all the other kids with the pumped up kicks better run and run and try to dodge my bullet" ( at the top of their lungs) again not so fun..

There was party in our city..

2010-11-17T16:17:00.000-08:00

And did she ever party! Really the only show on Televison that miss Violet likes and will sit through is "yo gabba gabba". I know it seems a bit creepy.. she LOVES it!! We were fortunate enough to tickets to the show "There is a party in your city" tour. With backstage passes no less. So exciting for her. It was a busy day.. too busy in fact .. two soccer games, one soccer party, one boy scout selling pies, one cubscout swim party , one sleepover and yo gabba gabba.. YIKES!!!

We arrived there in plenty of time... until I realized I had NO CASH >.. and $10.00 CASH ONLY parking for miles and MIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLEEEEEESSSS! BUt found an ATM in front of the venue.. running in rain to the atm and back to the car= good times with three year old in tow...

Any way it was really fun, better than expected... the foofa lover is still high on life.... I have more pictures to upload of the party girl and will post in the next entry.. :)

Halloween pictures..

2010-11-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

fall.

2010-11-07T09:40:00.001-08:00

Fall has been good to us.. :) I has been eventful to say the least.. The kids have switched schools, Violet started school, soccer games, ballet, parts in the Nutcracker.. oh my! This past summer we moved into our new house and are getting settled in.. I feel like it takes such a long time.. I sometimes catch myself driving to the old house out of habit.. Parker and abe both played soccer again this year and have had great seasons.. They are almost done.. soccer season here is LOOOONGG! Last year it felt like it rained EVERY week and this year has been minimal rain.. :)

I did post some pictures to fb but can post some here as well. I will be updating the blog regularly for awhile .. :) For those who are far away we love you and miss you...

daddy time..

2010-08-15T08:43:00.001-07:00

For such a tough guy, we really know what a softie our daddy is.. He is our finger nail painter and so much more.. :) At Violet's birthday party and after I was able to catch some cute daddy shots. He was loving every minute.. truly.. and he kept the hot pink nail polish on his toes..

get your groove on..

2010-08-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

At montessori this summer, there were 5 weekly sessions, each with a different theme. Parker and Abe were at Grandma Lights house for the first 3 weeks but were able to join us for dance/art camp and dinosaur camp. They hada blast at dance camp. We studied a different decade or style of dance each day along with an artist. Miss Joy planned the entire thing and is was lovely. Abe's favorite was the 70's and loved the hustle. (LOVED IT) Parker and Violet enjoyed everything but really loved the ballet portion. On Friday, the parents were able to come and watch the performance. Daddy and Grandma lights were both able to come.. :)

Mt Rainier..

2010-08-13T14:48:00.001-07:00

We recently went to Mt . Ranier.. It was lovely.. it was warm, but still had a lot of snow for late July. There were folks there that were sledding in their shorts.. the kids wanted to know know why we didn't bring our sleds. I really did not think there would be so much snow.. :)

found the camera

2010-08-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

James found the camera.. so excited. I was just thinking the reason I couldn't find it was because it was in my FLEECE jacket ... exactly .. FLEECE!! in August. I forgot that it was so cold that morning that I needed to wear the FLEECE!! anyhoo- camera found.. bags packed.. headed to cannon beach.. FLEECE is packed.. it looks chilly there..... and Violet only goes to montessori half day.. the tired little pumpkin..

...

Tired...

2010-08-06T17:46:00.001-07:00

Violet started her Montessori career recently and has been VEEERRYYYYY tired. I think she is just worn out. Needless to say, she has been falling asleep at strange times and in strange places.. too bad none of this has been in her bed ;)

Recital

2010-08-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

Parker had her dance recital in June and again had a wonderful time. I really love seeing how the girls improve every year. This fall she will be old enough to audition for the Nutcracker. She has been waiting three years if not longer to audition.. I am pretty sure that all of the young ones are given a role.. :) Here are some pictures. On a sad note, my camera full of photos is missing. I had last Friday at MOntessori and somehow it is not there or here.. I hope I find it.. I love that thing.. :) She is the last girl in the front row..

just unders

2010-06-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

Violet is now wearing just unders as she like to call them. One morning, she woke up and declared, " I am only wearing unders." To which I reply " today is not really a good day for this! " Well we had to go to Raindrops and rainbows, a Birthday party at Chuck e. Cheese and on and on.. In true Violet style she held firm and stayed dry from that day on..

The Bunny did come..

2010-06-11T10:04:00.001-07:00

We had a ton of fun decorating Eggs this year. Violet managed to get "less" dye on her hands than previous years.. :)

one thing Vi does not not need..

2010-06-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

Just saying.. this is the last thing she would ever need. :)

backing up a bit..

2010-06-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

This Spring, I still think of it as Spring even though it is June, because I had to wear my fleece this morning, and it makes me feel better about our non -Summer that I currently live in. Our daddy returned from a business trip .. It was very exciting. Normally he just rolls in and we don't get to meet him as soon as he comes home. This time we go to go and wait and be there as soon as he arrived. Not like the time we got to meet the plane and the band, and all the jazz, but this was really exciting. We waited in the dining hall and then got to go to his office and give a big hug. This year, we have learned , sadly, that all daddies don't come home.. we were really excited to see him. For about a hundred years, he has really wanted a recliner, and usually thinks there will be one waiting for him when he gets home.. there never is one waiting... until this year.. :) We hid it so he would not see it when he came into the room. It was really hard to keep a secret. Violet actually told him, but because she is hard to understand on the phone, he did not hear. These photos are of the waiting, the welcome and the chair.

safety first..

2010-05-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

For sure one should wear their science experiment goggles when one is going to use the biggest nerf gun on this Earth.. for sure..

AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

2010-05-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

Well.. we have purchased our first home! It is very exciting, and a little stressful.. :) We have been looking for a very long time.. In fact, when we drive around looking so much that our kids ask if we are driving to look at houses or are we "really" going somewhere! Here are a few pictures..

The Milks here...

2010-05-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

Friday morning is when the milk man brings our weekly milk.. recently there was another delivery...

rocking out...

2010-03-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Our friends have rock band world tour and have been telling us how fun it is.. we finally got to try it out. It was very fun. Violet clearly a big fan of the drums.. she was just whacking away having a blast. I think the moms liked it more than the kids.. We were rock stars for a moment.. :)

tennis tourney

2010-03-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

last weekend, Parker had a tennis tournament.. I use this term loosely.... tournament.... She had a great time and hung in there.. She is getting much better and really enjoys it. Her school has an amazing gym teacher who has after school sports programs and camps.. She has a really great serve actually... p.s. Her partner is as tall as me..

cooking

2010-03-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

Violet love to cook.. It drives me crazy.. really crazy.. I do not want her to hurt herself by cutting and or burning herself.. but she insists. I cannot leave her in the kitchen alone if I am cooking something because she will start cooking .... Case in point.. note the boiling.. steaming.. water next to her... she completly can make scrambled eggs from start to finish by herself as well.. :) scary...

her first flowers

2010-03-17T09:38:00.001-07:00

Bryce is quite the ladies man.. He brought Violet flowers the other morning.. It was very sweet..

Daddy send the girls flowers for Valentines every year but this was the first time from a "boy".

His mom said he saw them at the store and wanted to get them for Violet... :)

a new quilt

2010-03-17T09:34:00.001-07:00

Grandma lights has been making Parker a quilt. It arrived and went straight to the bed.. She loves it and calls it her sweet dreams quilt.. Thank you Grandma.. you did a great job!

by the way.. Abe thinks he has one coming...

showing some love..

2010-03-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

hugh dog had a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.. He has been planning it for MONTHS... Literally- it happened to be on his moms birthday too. We all went and had a great time. We have been there many a time, but this was the first time violet actually was able to run around and have fun. It was really fun to see the joy and surprise in her eyes at every little thing. I think she hugged every single character there.. as you can see.. spreading the love..

It's been awhile..

2010-03-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

I realize it has been awhile since I last posted.. I lost the camera battery charger.. and was waiting on a new one to arrive... It has also been a bit crazy.. It is typical when our dad is on a business trip.. after about three months it gets a little hairy around here.. I hit a slump and it feels like I can't hold it all together anymore. It usually passes.. :) It HAS to anyway... Things are going well at our end.. it feels like spring is springing around here - which I LOOOOOOVE! I will say winter was very very mild here.. (sorry guys..) Here are some photos of the last month or so..

Violet and Heidi.. whom she loves and adores..

lots of puzzle action.. Violet is loving puzzles lately and I think she actually "gets" it..

change of dinner plans

2010-02-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

The kids really wanted stromboli for dinner... really...wanted... it..... ! MB gave us this recipe I think when preggo with Evan.. and it is delicious... Abe and Parker have new found love for pepperoni and this is what they really wanted. Violet totally had other plans for said pepperoni... we had to change our dinner plans....

slugs

2010-02-16T11:42:00.000-08:00

So there are many things about living in the pacific northwest.. beautiful flowers, green grass all year round... fresh food galore.. fruit veggies... you can eat all your food from local peeps which I really love.. there are minimal bugs. If you have ever lived in the south you KNOW what I mean. BUT alas here is something not so fun about living in this area. SLUGS like this in the porch.. you can only guess what abe's plan of attack is .. salt..

the princess has arrived

2010-02-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

For Halloween, I really wanted Violet to wear this cinderella dress that we have.. it was Parkers and she wore it when she was two for the holiday.. Violet would have NOTHING of it. NOTHING! Lately though she is obsessed with dress up and all things princess.. I thought we might skip this.. nope.. It is really all she can think about- that and getting into my nail polish.. ;)

The first thing she says when she wakes up is."dress up" and often sleeps in dress up clothes..

The 6th Birthday party..

2010-02-01T22:23:00.000-08:00

Even though Abe's birthday was over a week ago due to scheduling issues and a MUST ( as in I MUST have it at the gymnastics gym ) the party was this past weekend.. He seemed to have a great time.. Here are some pictures of the party..

My favorite part...

2010-01-31T19:52:00.000-08:00

The other morning I was drying my hair, as I was doing this I smelled "THAT" smell.. It sent my heart racing and I was really freaked out.. The smell... poop.. nope...natural gas.... nope..... liver and onions... nope... NAIL POLISH!!!!!! Violet AND nail polish.. I called out to her to figure out where exactly she was..She was in the kitchen and had this to say...

In case you can't hear. ..

mom- what are you doing Vi?

Vi- I've got nail polish

mom- Reall? Where did you get it?

Vi- Under your bathroom cabinet locked..

Mom- Oh under my sink in the locked cabinet?

vi- Yes.. that is my favorite part!

Mom- That is MY favorite part too!

signs of love

2010-01-25T21:31:00.000-08:00

Parker wanted to surprise Abe on his birthday and make signs to hang all around the house.. This totally makes me laugh because they are bizarre and almost every single sign has a word that is spelled wrong.. :) He was so touched by her hard work and thought it was the best thing ever..

Abe's 6th Birthday

2010-01-25T20:50:00.000-08:00

Abe opened his presents on his Birthday last Tuesday. It started well.. But ended in tears.. Parker and Violet got Abe this snow globe with a baseball glove inside and a baseball floats around in it... you tip it and try to get the ball in the glove.. He said it was THE BEST present ever and apparently Violet heartily agrees because a few minutes later she dropped it and it shattered in about ONE MILLION shards of glass and a horrible smelling solution inside.. Abe was very sad but I heard him tell Parker this was his BEST birthday ever.. He is having a party this weekend.. a Gymnastics party.. should be wild and crazy.. I am trying to make some sort of LEGO cake.. will post pictures after the party. He was really excited as you can see in the video to get an ipod.. I know what every six year old needs.. he LOVES it and it was totally worth it..

A little Gem ..

2010-01-24T08:52:00.000-08:00

AHHHHHHH!!!!!! Last week abe came running into the kitchen and said, "MOM you must come see this.. there is something very not nice about you on the chalkboard.." (flashbacks from the past.... ) I reply- "really, what does it say ? " Abe-" I can't repeat it.."

SERIOUSLY???

He says, "I am going to erase it.."

Me, "oh no.. I am interested now.. "

It says.. "I hate mom!" Parker instantly confessed and broke down and said it was when we were going through a bad time... Bad time such as what?? Clean your room, homework first, wear your jacket??? What about curfews.. grades, boys.. driving?? That is when you will hate me... :)

the sling

2010-01-15T08:41:00.000-08:00

A friend of James dropped off presents for the kids and he brought such thoughtful gifts for each. For Parker he brought a tinkerbell lipgloss kit that she LOOOOOVES!! For Abe he brought a nerf gun.. obviously he LOOOOOOOVES that.. and for Violet he brought a baby with it's own sling. She LOOOOOves it. Violet spend the firsy year and half of her life in a sling.. :) She wears it all the time and has even worn it to bed.. it has a little pocket on the side for the dolls bottle.

for nana..

2010-01-15T08:36:00.000-08:00

Nana has mentioned that she would like to see Gracie and here she is .. cute as a button..

haircuts..

2010-01-12T20:22:00.000-08:00

All 3 kids were in desperate need of haircuts.. Abe's teacher even told me that he has been hiding behind his hair lately.. I personally thought that was a little funny, but got the haircut anyway;)

This was a a BIG day for Violet.. It was her very first haircut ..ever.. soon to be three and just having her first haircut.. She keeps telling people ,"I was very brave! "

Dog sitting

2010-01-12T10:08:00.000-08:00

if you did not know, we dog sat for our piano teacher for three weeks in December.. Sounds fun right? Violet is terrified.. abnormally terrified of dogs.. what better way to cure her than to immerse her in a dog environment.. right? Like when you want your kids to learn a new language perhaps? The first week was horrible.. thought we might be damaging her psychologically.. really but suddenly somehow she became less scared.. this equaled less screaming as well. By the end it looked something like this..

the lodge..

2010-01-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

We were lucky enough to go to the Great Wolf Lodge with many other families over our Christmas break.. while we were there Our friend Jackson celebrated his 4th birthday. We had so much fun!

more busy days

2010-01-12T09:58:00.001-08:00

The busy days of Violet Hayes

2010-01-05T21:53:00.000-08:00

A day in the life

Holiday pictures

2010-01-04T18:30:00.001-08:00

Even though we were without a VERY important person this year for the Holidays we had a good time. Not only did Papa and Grams come from Florida but our dear friends the Havniears came for three weeks from Louisiana! To say it was a whirlwind would not even begin to cover it! Here are some highlights.. I have a ton more photos.. a TON to post. These are Christmas eve, christmas baking, Montessori performance and general fun with our pals!!

Violet

2009-12-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

Violet was really angry. bitter actually this morning when she came downstairs .. We always come downstairs to "check" to see if Santa made it.. Grab the camera.. turn on the tree lights... To capture the FIRST Glimpse!!!

SO this morning Violet was under the impression that Santa was here waiting for her downstairs, Sadly he was not and it took awhile for her to a. stop screaming b. come downstairs and c. notice the presents..

For Grandma Lights...

2009-12-25T11:43:00.000-08:00

She has BIIIG plans .... look out project runway.. look out..

Christmas Morning..

2009-12-25T11:34:00.000-08:00

More Christmas Goodness!! Thank you all who sent us goodies.. We love and miss you.. we hope you had a wonderful Christmas..

2009-12-13T09:47:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Church Performance

2009-12-12T12:35:00.000-08:00

When I watch this I just smile.. Parker worked really hard on her signing and you can see that she takes it very seriously.. not shocking.. :) She IS the member of our family who has been known to tell the check out cashier at Wal- Mart a bible verse or two... it is a wiggly video.. I was holding both Violet and the camera... Abe is in it as well. He does not know the signing part.. he joined Parkers class two weeks before the performance..

Decorating the tree

2009-12-12T12:10:00.000-08:00

We had fun decorating the tree. James did not have fun putting it up that is FOR SURE!! It was an ordeal to say the least.. It involved a few things..

a. 6 attempts to get it into the stand..

b. a few choice words..

c. a trip to home depot by me

d. an electric saw

e. a borrowed hand saw

f . some teasing from the neighbors

e. some more choice words

but alas, success. Truthfully, when it is easy to put up the tree, it just doesn't seem the same..

The Thanksgiving Feast

2009-12-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

Every year, The Kindergardners have feast for Thanksgiving. They learn five songs, make a bonnet, pilgrim hat , or native American hat, and make their favorite family dish to bring to share. All the families come and eat together. Abe is in the middle back, and has a Native American Hat on . This is the first time I have been successful uploading a video.. I hope it works!

More fall pictures

2009-12-07T14:37:00.001-08:00

always..

2009-12-07T14:36:00.001-08:00

I am telling you that whenever I am feeling a little lost, I can look up and see one of these..

Soo I am wayyyyy behind..

2009-12-07T14:02:00.000-08:00

Here are some Halloween pictures from October. I realize it is December, better late than never. We had a wonderful Fall this year. Beautiful weather for the most part.. I mean, it ISSS Washington- this is all relative you know. James was home for the most part- again it is all relative ;) Finished up soccer in November.. Great soccer seasons for both Parker and Abe. The older two started piano lessons and seem to love it and are progressing nicely. They do both have ulterior motives. Parker needs to learn to play the piano because she really wants to play the violin. The deal is, since we actually have a piano, she should learn to read music on it, and prove that you are serious about it, and THEN comes the violin. So far, so good. I am POSITIVE that Abe's motivation has to do with learning to play the guitar to be a rock star and get all the ladies. Not even kidding... Abe had a feast at his school with 170 -yes- 170 other 5 year olds. There are 170 Kindergarden students ... I am a little scared for the first grade teachers next year!

As a family we had a great Thanksgiving. It was very low key and laid back. James had two weeks off before his business trip and it was very relaxing.. I felt like I had house husband.. It is always a HUGE help when he is able to help with the car pool, bus stop, and errands. I feel like the two weeks before the trip is always bittersweet. Great that you are home non-stop for two weeks, but yet it is really difficult to go from full-time dad to NO DAD presence.. Such is our life, and there is no changing it.. so I must just put my chin up. No sense in complaining.. nope.

birthday celebration!

2009-11-10T09:41:00.000-08:00

Parker is a proud eight year old.. :) She was sooo very excited to turn eight. When we asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday, she said she just wanted a very small party this year. She really wanted to go to Libby Lou's a store at a mall in Bellevue. When I looked into it to make plans, I discovered that all of the LIbby Lou stores closed! YIKES! So we had a glamour girl gathering at a local children's salon. It was very fun and the girls had great time. They had their hear done, makeup, and nails done. Of course, afterwards we HAD to go out for pizza. even Vi got in the beauty action!

birhtday cake

2009-11-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

Parker had a birthday recently.. can she really be eight years old? She really like her cake this year. It is always a surprise at our house. No one gets to see their cake until the candles are on and people are singing. Abe told her it was a treasure chest this year so she really was surprised to see a soccer ball!

the new pet

2009-11-04T10:48:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that I forgot to mention our newest member of the family.. Abe has a pet guinea pig. He was soooooooooooooooooooooooo excited to add him to the family. we realize now that we should have bought a girl and not a boy.. Parker wants one and we can't get another one.. A girl will not work, and neither will a boy. There were many to choose from but this one captured Abe's heart. We have been through many many name changes.. It went something like this.. Binny, Benny, turtle, tortoise, turtis(not my personal fave), to what is now Tiger. Abe informed me in a dead serious conversation, that I could choose to call him Tigris if I so chose. His name is Tiger or TIgris.. it's up to you...

marshmallows anyone?

2009-10-09T10:18:00.001-07:00

This is what I am up against..

Lost tooth!

2009-10-09T10:15:00.001-07:00

Seriously, this front tooth was loose forever... Really... Finally it came out.. The tooth fairy brought a two dollar bill and a gold dollar coin.. Of course, this tooth fell out two days before picture day..

Abe's soccer season

2009-10-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

Abe is on a coed team .. he is one of the older kids on the team this year. . He sits at Parkers practice and listens to what the coach says, and then tries to implement at the game.. The first game, I thought he was a bit of a ball hog, but has since has been passing the ball a lot more... I think last week he scored 4 and barely missed 4 more goals..

Soccer madness

2009-10-09T10:02:00.000-07:00

For ten weeks in the fall, we have two soccer games.. at various places.. and times. Last weekend Parker scored two goals at her match. I have to be honest and say it was 80% luck and only 20% skill. I mean if I am going to be honest I would say she is not the superstar of the team, but not the flunky either. She loves it and is working really hard. The team is all girls, all turning 8 this year.. There are 8 girls on the team.. 5 have been playing together for years , and then they added three girls.. The new three girls are from our school .. Next year, if we play, which we will, we will keep our team.. As long as we live here we will keep this team.. I like that it provides continuity for all the teams..

Getting the haircut

2009-10-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

Parker chose to sit on the saddle to get her haircut.. She said it was because she is a cowgirl.. duh.. They took 9 inches off...

The haircut..

2009-10-09T09:56:00.001-07:00

The finished product.. She loooooves it.. It really suits her.. so I realize we are going to have to get a bun on her head for recital, but I have a few months to figure it out..

The first day

2009-10-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

On Abe's first day he had Music class first .. He was very excited..

First day of school.

2009-10-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Now that the kids have actually been in school for close to thirty days now, I thought I should post a picture from the first day of school. Abe was really looking forward to riding the school bus.. I mean REALLY looking forward to it.. unfortunately, a few days before school started, we were out front playing with the neighbors and he fell and the handle of the scooter landed in his mouth and knocked three teeth loose. The teeth were not loose prior to this event.. FYI.. His gums were mangled and looked like porkchops... not the tasty kind..

So it took some serious planning to get them both to school that morning.. Abe had a 7:15 AM appointment at the dentist.. So James got Parker on the bus, followed it to school and Abe and I were trying to get to school on time for a picture, and community time.. We all made it.. the teeth had no permanent damage.. (thanks Goodness! ) and I was able to get pictures.. Abe got to ride the bus the next day..

I am here...

2009-10-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

I know that I haven't been blogging at all.. I am sorry... I really can't even explain why except that my heart just hasn't been into it lately.. :( Since I last posted our lives are different..

I am feeling more up to posting and I really have a lot of photos to post. I haven't been posting but I have been taking pictures.. so it isn't allllll bad! I am not even sure where September went... not even kidding... Abe has started Kindergarten, Parker has started second grade, Violet goes to what she calls "camp." It is really a daycare on post.. I have started teaching afternoons at a local Montessori school. I am still working at my other job with the Military Child Education Coalition.. So let's just say we are a little busy.. :) so far so good though.. At the beginning of the year Abe was attending Kindergarten at the local Elementary school, and then heading over to Montessori in the afternoon.. we have since switched and now he goes to Montessori in the morning, eats lunch there and then walks over with his pals and Mr.Steve to The local elementary school .. this is better for us on MANY levels.. the main level being that he is not in my class! We have a different situation than most folks.. I did not feel like it was a good fit for us (Abe and I ) for me to to be mom, dad (half of the time ) and teacher... :) He has been doing this new schedule for a week now and it is going very well. Both Parker and Abe are playing soccer . Abe playes on a 4-6 co-ed team and is loving it.. Parker is playing on a u-8 team with all 7-8 year-old girls and is doing well for her first time..She really loves it and is improving all of the time.. Parker is also continuing her ballet lessons with Emily.. This is there third year together. This is also the first year what I would call "serious" classtime. They ar doing more barre work and are learning many more terms and positions and such. They really love it and on the way home last week told me "there even felt like ballerinas now! " It was very cute. Parker got about 10 inches cut off of her hair.. it looks very cute and she really loves it! I will post pictures soon. :) We have new computer so we are trying to learn how to use it! :)

will post pictures soon!

True story!

2009-08-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

Early This morning Abe woke me up, sometime around six a.m. ( not my finest hour ! ) He says, "MOM I have a very important question! " This gave me pause because yesterday also around 6a.m. he had a very important question which was this: " Mom can I have Oreo Cakesters for breakfast? " Clearly, we are not on the same page when it comes to important questions.. So the important question this morning was this, "Mom is Jesus still alive on the cross? " Ok so WAAAAAAY more important the oreo cakester question.. He is directly in my face with his questioning look.. I tell him that no, Jesus is not still alive on the cross. That is is ALIVE in Heaven.. To which Abe says, "Alive like us? " NO not like us, but if you believe that he died for your sins, on the cross, and ascended into heaven, then when you die, your spirit will go to Heaven and you will have eternal life- WHOA all before 6:15am.. He says "I believe that! " Which I am very happy to hear from my precious five year old.. After this he says " I also believe in Satan.. " With his angelic face.. I go on to tell him that Satan is bad, rules Hell, opposite of Heaven, is a fallen angel, is very smart and tempts us contstantly.. I am thinking "LORD is this really the time for this ? " Meaning 6:15 am? So Abe then looks at me and says, " Mom are you sure? SANTA is good and brings all the children of the world Chrsitams Presents!! "
HE said Santa, not Satan!!! I am still giggling.. just thinking about that poor boy.. :) I was so careful to inform him about Satan and the perils of it all and HE was just telling me that he believed in Santa! Ha!! :)

music in the park

2009-08-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Violet loves music and the park.. there is a small hill that she was rolling down when I snapped this ..

music view

2009-08-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

So not only is the music fun and fabulous so is the view.. :) Really that is the Puget Sound.. Not even kidding.. SO the Farmers market is from 3-7 and then Music at seven.. ( Elvis was there last week..) So fun and beautiful. It was SOOO hot last week that we thought it would be cooler by the water, and it was but we came home to no power.. Yes 104 degrees and no power which equals no fans to blow that hot air around.. :) But this week is cool and cloudy back to normal around 70 degrees. It had not been that hot here since 1891. YIKES!!!

flowers

2009-08-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

I want to add another plus of living here. FLowers!!! The flowers are stinking amazing. We bought these at our local Farmer's market for $10!!! It is the truth.. hard to believe I know.. all local grown.. The food is equally as beautiful.. :)

kelly

2009-08-06T08:40:00.001-07:00

Kelly was very excited with her finished product..

craft night

2009-08-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

Our monthly craft night meets the third THursday oif the month.. We took a few months off due to crazy schedules.. It was wonderful to meet again and craft together. I decided to make this cute little card holder this month. I did not think of this idea myself. I found it here inkingidaho.blogspot.com It has the step by step instructions.. so you can try it yourself.. It is in different colors and papers but Stampin' Up! just released the new catalog ( email me if you would like one and I will mail it to you! ) This project uses our new in colors for the year. Six special colors available for one year only - And new designer series paper called Razzleberry Lemonade. It would make a great gift. I can already picture it using Christmas paper.. I cna't wait to make more. It holds 4 ards and envelopes. This is the front, but the back looks just like the front..

inside

2009-08-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

Inside the little folio is a notebook and place for a pen. The notebook is velcro'ed in so you can take it out if you need too.

notecards and holders

2009-08-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

The notecards and holders are what go inside the card folio.. This is new paper that I absolutely LOVE!! They use the in colors from Stampin' up! and new desogner paper calle Razzlebarry lemonade.. Screams summer to me.

YUM!

2009-08-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

After picking our daddy up at the airport last night, we stopped to waste time at the mall. It is really the best idea because traffic is hideous heading south from Seattle at that time.. Daddy bought Vi some icecream for dessert. She really just wanted the cone and not the yummy stuff inside.

the piano

2009-08-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

When the Havniears moved the only good thing about it was that we inherited their piano! Of course, I would rather have our familys' best family back, but the piano is a nice plus.. It sees alot of action at our house. Parker and Abe compose songs-( hysterical by the way! ) VIolet and her pals love it too, Here is Violet and her friend "little brother"

Heidi with her big brothers

2009-08-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

I really treasure those first moments that my children have met one another and today it was so special to see Jackson and Bryce meet their new sister for the first time.. They were in LOVE right away..

heidi Hallett

2009-08-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

With Heidi

2009-08-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

Lisa had her baby today.. She did an MAZING job in the delivery roon- really amazing.. NO drugs.. :) Here is Heidi Vi Hallett
she was born at 3:25pm 7lbs and 9 ozs and 20 inches..
WOW! what a day.. we are home now and Lisa and Baby doing well. Her hubby was able to call her and talk for awhile.. :)

responsible for just one!

2009-07-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

SO Parker and Abe have been in Texas for a week now.. It has been really strange just being responsible for one little girl.. I must admit these days she feels like WAY MORE than one little girl. NOt even kidding..
We have been BUSY having fun.. We have been to the beach, the pool two times, bike rides, exercising.. temper tantrums at the post office, commissary, and PX.. Whew that is hard work.
we picked bluberries.. have been hanging out with our little firends.. I know Violet is loving the just me and mommy time.. Daddy isn't here either.. So it is just VIolet and mommy best friends forever.. BFF.. We have done all these fun things and I keep forgetting my camera.. I put it in my purse though and should be taking some new ones.. BTW it is HOT as blazes here.. Yes, I do know that it is hot all over .. I get it.. BUT you have AIR CONDITIONING and we DO NOT!!! :)

Cannon Beach

2009-07-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

I have alot more beach pictures to post.. a special thing about Cannon Beach is that you can ride horses on the beach there. Our cabin was actually on the stable grounds so the kids spent ALOT of time watching, talking, FEEDING the horses.. :)

philadelphia

2009-07-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Last week, I went to Philadelphia for a Work conference. We did not have much free time, but on our banquet night MCEC the military childs education coalition, rented out the ben Franklin Science Museum.. It was so neat. Afterwards we decided to walk down to the art museum where Rocky runs up the stairs.. There were TONS of people there running up the stairs..
xx

waiting for ice cream

2009-07-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

The farm we visited had 3 different kinds of lavender ICE CREAM! Abe had lemon custard and Violet and I tried the peppermint lavender.. yummy! Grandma likes to smell lavender not eat it!

cherries!!

2009-07-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

While at Sequim, our friend Heather found a cherry tree at one of the farms. There was a kind gentlemen in the tree picking cherries for visitors. Abe LOVES cherries. We stood there and ate them for way too long... :)

Lavendar festival

2009-07-23T00:14:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we went to the lavender festival in Sequim. The drive was amazing..Through the Hood Canal.. so amazing and only two hours or so.. away.. a street fair with yummy food and a bus that will take you to any of 8 lavender farms...

4th of July

2009-07-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite picture from the 4th of July.. I tried to get a good one of Abe too but only got this one of the girls..:)

ahhh the big sister..

2009-07-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

Just an example of the way Parker tortures Abe.. I was going through some things in Parkers room and came across this.. I had to giggle..

Even Grace

2009-07-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

Even Grace loved the hammock!!

hammock lover

2009-07-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

Ron brought a hammock and put it up at the cabin.. Violet and James got some action in the hammock. Parker said she was sleeping in it at night, but quickly changed her mind when the sun went down!

beach bums

2009-07-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

Luke and Vi kept really busy just digging in the sand. It is true the first day there Violet certainly was screaming, "I don't like dirt! " at the beach numerous times. This is crazy because she loves dirt.. and she was one who was screaming , "I go back to BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!" as we were pulling out on the last day!

2009-07-07T10:47:00.001-07:00

sunset at Indian Beach

2009-07-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

Sunset at Indian Beach, OR and that is a lighthouse (the Tillamook lighthouse )of the cheese fame to the left..

Indian Beach

2009-07-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

Indian Beach, Oregon is in the Ecola Park in Cannon Beach, Oregon. It seems most people go to Cannon Beach , Indian Beach is Amazing!!! They have similar views but Indian Beach is great at Sunset and you can build a campfire on the beach- a real treat! You have to go into the park to get there, I can't remeber if it isa state park or a national park but either way it costs three dollars to get it, and is soooooo beautiful. If you go to Cannon Beach, it is worth the 5 minute drive to go here.

it IS windy..

2009-07-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

It is true.. the beaches on the west coast are very windy! I am standing up straight taking the picture, but it is sooo windy there the the trees grow crooked! :)

COSI- big machines exhibit

2009-07-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

While at COSI in columbus, they had an amazing exhibit there for just one week. Outside on the patio they had MANY big machinery set up . The best part was that someone was there to teach the kids how to use the machinery. SO we didn't just look at it, the kids got to get in and learn how to use it!! It was really fun for Parker and Abe.

the digger

2009-07-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

I think Abe's Favorite was either the digger or being lifted by a big crane.. Parker loved the crane.

COSI

2009-07-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

MOre heavy machinery!!