Super squash

Papa came home from Uncle Jared's house this evening and brought some surprises with him. 3 gigantic zucchinis that I just had to get a picture of.

He also brought about 20 lbs of tomatoes. And considering we were just there last weekend and canned about 50 lbs, that's a lot! The fridge is full of produce and so is the kitchen island!

Tea set and Lydia's signs

Martin gave Catelyn this adorable tea set that comes in a wicker basket. It really is so cute and she's loving it.

Meanwhile, Lydia has been watching the Signing Time videos with her siblings and soaking it up like a fish. She signs so much that I am amazed every day with what she comes up with. Just tonight we were in the backyard with the kids, playing in sprinklers and picking raspberries. Our neighbor came by with some peaches that she had picked at a friend's house. We handed Lydia one and said "here's a peach" and Lydia puts her hand to her cheek and signs "peach". I'm sure she hasn't watched the video that teaches the word "peach" for at least a week! I know I shouldn't be so surprised by how smart she is but she really amazes me.
By the way, whenever the theme song comes on Lydia lights up and starts throwing her hands around for "Signing time with Alex and Leah."
I'll try and get a video of her tomorrow but here's a picture of her yesterday signing "water".

PS, I just sat down and wrote all the signs that I can remember that she knows and it's over 50. That's not including the words she actually says.

PS, here she is Saturday morning.

Catelyn's 4th Birthday Party

Aunt Michal and Aunt Alli joined us for Catelyn's Birthday party. I took too many pictures to upload so please enjoy the slide show! PS, YES, Alli made the cake!

Stupid America

Sorry, I just have to let my frustration out right now. Will got voted off on So You Think You Can Dance. I've never voted but watch every week. Now I'm going to have to start voting so the best dancers don't get left behind. Will was the best dancer the show ever had and now he's gone. Stupid America.
PS, Cooper thinks "stupid" is a bad word so don't tell him I said it.

4th of July and Catelyn turns 4

I didn't get any pictures from the 4th of July since we were flying across the country on that day so I put the kids in their outfits today. Today also happens to be Catelyn's 4th birthday. I took over 20 pictures, none of which I thought were perfect but here are a few anyway.

SYTYCD

I was gone this weekend so I didn't get to see most of "my shows". Our TV programing tapes our favorite shows so I've been playing catch up. I just now saw Katie and Will's Pas de Deux and I was floored! It was breathtaking. Here, see for yourself.

PS, David Archuleta is singing.

Dancing

We visited Uncle Jared's house this weekend and Lydia saw the Wiggles for the first time. She's started this cute dance move w/ her shoulders and I thought I'd get it on tape.

Wordless Wednesday

Our thunderstorm smores

Before we moved out from our beloved Meadowsong, my dad and brother Jonathan came out to help us pack up and move. The first night Jon was there we told the kids we could go build a fire outside and make smores if they finished all their dinner quickly enough. I could tell that a summer thunderstorm was on it's way in by the humidity in the air and the way the wind was blowing but figured we could get in some roasted marshmallows before it hit.

This is what happened in pictures.Papa built a bonfire.Jon pointed out that the wind was not good for the tinder pile nearby.

It started to rain. (Jon has Cooper's little umbrella)The rain put the fire out, Jon handed the umbrella to Papa and headed for the tree under which I was standing. (PS, click on the picture to see Jon's face, it's classic)

The rain starts coming down in torrents, blown by the wind and people are still trying to roast marshmallows. At this point everyone except Papa is under a big umbrella and the marshmallows are melting in the rain instead of the fire.

We all run to safety. I get in first and turn around to capture a picture of everyone else running inside.Grammy and Catelyn are coming up the stairs under the umbrella.Catelyn is clutching the only smore made that night.Note Jon's soaked back.
PS. minutes after we got inside there was a huge "Crack" and a lightning bolt hit just outside where we had been standing under the trees.

What a crazy North Carolina adventure that Jon got to experience on his short trip out there.

Cooper learns to "Lawn the Mow"

Cooper has been begging Papa to take him out and "lawn the mow" for days now. Tonight, after Papa loaded the piano into his truck to take down to Jared and Mimi's (mine will be brought up from storage this weekend) Papa took Cooper out to the front yard and taught Cooper to mow the lawn.
He's growing into such a helpful and wonderful boy. I am so proud of him.

Country music

Soon after Cooper's end of the year celebration at his school, Cooper asks me "Mom, do you know what my favorite kind of music is?"
"No, what kind?"
"Country music."
I think to myself, when has he ever even heard Country music as I've never had it on the radio?
"Really? When did you hear country music?"
"You know, the country music I sing. 'My Country Tis of Thee', 'I'm proud to be an American', 'This is my Country', those ones."
"Ohhhhhh, you mean Patriotic music."
"Yeah!"

Back in California, my home sweet home

On Friday, the 4th of July, the kids, my mom and I all returned to California after a very long day flying across the country. Considering that we went through 4 airports and were traveling for 12 1/2 hours the kids were fantastic.

I cannot express how relieved I am to be back in California and close to family and friends. We all enjoyed our North Carolina adventure but the past 2 1/2 months have been rough and I was anxious to get back to California as soon as we were able.

The kids and I have moved in with my parents and have already been welcomed with open arms by the ward family and the neighborhood. Every day has been filled with friendly new faces, and in the 4 days we have been here we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and friendship toward us.

Prior to moving, my dad and brother Jonathan came out to help us pack up my van and move everything across the country. Here's a picture of Uncle Jon w/ the girls. (I'll make a separate post on one of our adventures we had while Jon was there in a bit)
When we got to Grammy and Papa's house Uncle Jared and Aunt Mimi were visiting with Ben and Lucy.
Later, Uncle Josh came to visit as well. We were able to go swimming with all of them on Saturday. Again, I can't tell you how nice it is to have family close (and a fast internet).






Grammy and Papa's garden in the back yard is amazing and everyone has been out to pick from the bountiful harvest. The kids are actually turning into good eaters thanks to the excitement of eating a good dinner that they helped pick themselves. (It may look like Catelyn is picking flowers but there is actually a cherry tomato plant back in there.)

To sum things up, we are very glad to be back in California and are very grateful to everyone, most especially my parents, who have made it such a wonderful, joyful and pleasant experience.

Which Disney Princess am I?

You Are Snow White!

Pure and trusting. You are a gentle soul who can get along with just about anyone. Everyone you meet instantly falls in love with you. How can they resist? You have a pure, lovable nature that's irresistable. Just don't trust everyone who comes across your path.

Which Disney Princess Are You?