Escaping the dust

We ran away to the Larsen/Sellers homestead to get out of our house and see some friends.  It did not disappoint!  We should be doing this more often!

My Birthday

 I got this beautiful picture from Eliza's teacher today...I LOVE that we our privileged to use the building next to the temple.  And I LOVE that the teachers use it to inspire our children. 

I know, I know...I got seriously celebrated this year.  GEESH!  My Mom made my birthday dinner & dessert...thanks Mom!

Pumpkin Patch

I love Groupon/Living Social for family outings.  We ended up having to buy 2 of the pumpkin patch ones to get in and we had a blast.  The best part is that since the pumpkin patch wasn't actually ready, we were given coupons to come back when the corn maze, corn boxes and pig races were ready to go.  Although it was super fun going without any crowds (weird since it was opening day).  One little tender mercy was that in buying two LS deals we were able to help another family out (since each coupon got 4 people in and we had 2 extra tickets) and then later that day while we were eating, I realized I had forgotten to fill all the water bottles and I had some VERY thirsty kids.  Out of no where, a gentlemen walks up to Ben and says, "We have a ton of leftovers from our sons birthday party, would your kids like some food and drinks?"  Seriously?  It was so kind.  My kids were so excited for water bottles and hand dipped ice cream cones!  It was such a blessing.  Pay it forward...

Surprise Birthday Date

About 3 months ago Ben told me to block Sept 26th for a date.  I did so.  I didn''t think much about what we might be doing--a couple of my favorite bands had already come and gone so I knew it wasn't a concert.  I knew we would be eating, that we would be leaving the kids with the in-laws and that the kids were staying over night because we'd be finishing up late.  Well, on the Monday preceding this date, I drove a LOT on the freeway (which I never do) and I saw a billboard for JIM GAFFIGAN appearing on the 26th.  I was SO curious.  I wanted to ask Ben so much but in talking to several girlfriends decided not to because I didn't want him to be sad he'd missed an opportunity.  But secretly all week I was REALLY REALLY hoping.  (Jim is really the reason I got into listening to comedians.  I never realized how awesome it was until I heard him.)  Well, when the night finally arrived I was NOT disappointed.  I was surprised with dinner with my parents and then we all went to the show together.  I LOVE laughing...it feels so good...until your cheeks are sore. ;)  It was a great birthday and I'm so grateful someone LOVES me and KNOWS me so well!

Construction

Construction began this month!  We are so excited for our addition/remodel. Everyone is curious...

Picture Happy

This little one LOVES having her picture taken and is constantly coming up with poses for her pictures.  Thankful for her sweet happy spirit!

Sunday Best

fancy hair do's and new dresses make for Sunday morning photo shoots

Saturday Fun

We are kind of really liking not doing any sports and instead filling our Saturdays with fun family activities.  We definitely miss parts of soccer: Xander really needs an energy outlet first of all.  And second, we do miss the social aspect of hanging out with the awesome parents and families we have met through soccer.  But we only have so long with our kids at these ages where they like hanging out with us and so we are trying to take advantage of that!

We've done several bike rides but this Saturday we decided to bike to breakfast!  We took the kids to the amazing Sutter Street Grill.  It did not disappoint.  And Eliza made it on her own bike!  Whoo-hoo!

 The hill next to our house is a killer hill, especially since you can't ride into it and you're always tired by the time you get there.  We recently got Xander a bike with gears and have been teaching him how to use them...we have a lot of hills around here.  Well, he proved that he understands how to use them and he made it all the way up the hill.  Good job Xander!

 Eliza was a little tuckered out from the 5 mile ride she did but she was a trooper!

Later that day, the girls asked if I could put their hair in curlers for church the next day...I am so grateful for curl formers...they are awesome!  SUPER easy and they make great curls!

 And then much later than night we went out with friends to a roller rink.  The rink had told us it was decades night so we dressed up...it was major ghetto fun!  We got a party room, had some treats and skated for a few hours.  It was super fun to be out with friends and to do something different than dinner or a movie.  I'm excited to get more creative over the next few years...(oh, and they might have sung Happy Birthday to me!)

Bugs, Dates & Fires

I'm anti driving all over town, so many days after I drop one kid off, we will sit around for 30 minutes in the car reading books or listening to music.  On this particular day we played on the sidewalk for awhile.  Abby decided to put leaves or "blankets" on all the dead worms along the sidewalk.  She is so kind.

 Abby & Vi ended up having preschool on different days.  Which I really thought would be good so I could have time with each one but really its exhausting. (Don't tell them that though!)  They love that they have a Mommy day!  They plan all sorts of fun things (yes that means I don't get things done).  Violet especially loves going to the park.  Abby prefers to go to the pool.  It can be really frustrating at times that I do this (especially since there is no nap time) since I don't have any "me" time to catch up but I know that in the end, this is the right thing to do.  Soon enough I'll have plenty of "me" time after 7 am.  (Yes, you read that right.  I get up by 6 at the latest to read scriptures and exercise.  And i am so thankful that I have the ability to do that!)

 September brought one of the largest fires to the area. We knew it was only a matter of time because of the serious drought that we are in but oh how tragic it was.  It smelled like smoke for three weeks.  There were days that were so bad that the kids PE was canceled.  Many homes were lost.  We were about 30 miles away from the fire but here is what we saw before the wind kicked it and brought it right to us.  We prayed a lot for the firefighters and that rain would come to help (since the lakes are so empty, we needed more water).  Out of no where a HUGE storm blew in and gave us a good downpour that really helped the firefighters.  The Lord really does hear and answer prayers.

roller blading

I LOVED roller skating growing up so whenever I find skates and blades for a good price (usually at a garage sale) I snatch them.  My kids however have been super weary of them...Xander never touched the heelies I bought him and now they are too small.  Eliza has finally taken interest in her blades though!  We are making (slow) progress but she's not giving up. 

Apple Hill 2014

The night went ok...it was uneventful thankfully but the morning came way too soon!

 After a ginormous pancake breakfast, we played in the meadow

 We hung out with friends...

 And then we cleaned up and headed to Apple Hill!  We were so close, we had to take advantage!  We have decided as a family that we want to try different farms so we headed to Kids Inc & Bavarian Farms.  It was pretty early in the season so we were a little disappointed with how there weren't as many options for food (which is why we go to Apple Hill!!) For example, Kids Inc is known for its apple empanadas and Blackberry sour cream pies...neither of which were being made that day. :(  Well, I guess we'll just have to go back!

Ward Campout at Camp Nauvoo

We don't get a lot of camping in...its my fault really.  I need to plan better and oh wait, I'm a summer time swim coach!  :)  I am thankful we got this trip in though.  The kids had a BLAST!  They loved having all their friends with them throughout the evening and the next day.  The swings were definitely a hit as were the ice cream sandwiches AND s'mores...double dessert!?  Who doesn't love that. 

I've got STYLE!

Growing up, I never thought I'd be a mother to girls!  Honestly, my recesses included football and basketball, and my favorite after school show was Batman.  I was going to be a mother to BOYS.  Well, I am so thankful that I have one young boy and I am learning a LOT from my 3 little girls.  Something I am working on is allowing them to dress themselves to express who they are.  So...they RARELY match.  Of course, that's not saying much because I struggle with anything but a t-shirt and jeans (although I am branching out but I do stick to solids or one solid, one pattern).  Anyways, I have noticed in my older daughter that she really loves being HER.  She doesn't care what others think and I think that that is awesome!  (I care WAY TOO MUCH what others think).  I can tell Abby has even picked up on it...it is fun to see them growing and developing and learning who they are. 

3 Down! (1 to go)

GO VIOLET! At just a little over 4, she ditched her training wheels and can now ride around our court on her bike.  She is still working on starting and stopping but she is super proud of herself and we are proud of her too!

First Sunday Dinner

About a year ago, we started rotating houses with Bens family on the first Sunday of each month to have a family potluck.  We feel so blessed to live near family and so we really want to ensure that we take advantage of that close proximity.  I LOVE that the kids love each other and look forward to this tradition because feeding 16 kids and 10-14 adults can get tricky BUT it is so worth it!

Girls just wanna have fun!

 She's finally letting me do her hair! :) It only took 3 years.  Thank you to Anna and Elsa for having braids--Abby will say, I want to be Anna.  Translation: I want two braids.  Or I want to be Elsa. Translation: I want one braid.  Whatever it takes to get it out of her face!

 

My friend and I took a bike ride and let the kids play at the river.  We need to do this more often!  The kids love it and we had fun and got some exercise,.

 My rule has been and will always be that my kids can climb things if they can do it on their own--this goes for playground equipment and trees alike.  It has been really difficult as the kids have gotten older because some of their friends climb better.  Well, Eliza finally joined the tree climbing club!  It was a very happy day and she did a GREAT job.