Christmas Adornments

I've always wanted a house with wreaths and candles in the windows.  Our house fit the bill perfectly this year.  I ordered the candles on the internet a month or so ago.  I bought the wreaths at Big Lots and the ribbon at Costco.  Unfortunately for the snow business we are having another balmy, California winter.  The kids and I hung the wreaths and hunted for our tree in 65 degree temperatures.

    Also on my list of Christmas decorating dreams, a flocked tree.  We found a family who actually grew this ponderosa in their backyard.  It was affordable and had just the charm I was looking for.  The girls were sold the moment they laid eyes on it.   They said it was so fancy we just had to have it.

 An added plus, a flocked tree doesn't have nearly the maintenance.  It came nailed to a 2x4 stand, and needs no watering.  The needles also won't drop.

Berkeley happened to be very helpful in hauling this one onto the truck and through the door.  She made sure to keep a hand on it at all times.  

No fancy ornaments, but who needs to adorn a tree that is innately so beautiful?

If you look carefully you can just barely see the lights in the windows.

Papi Day

Behold, our first annual "Papi Day." A day set aside to honor and celebrate Papa's life.  

March 22nd marks the one year anniversary of his death.

Ellery set a festive table with streamers.  She got on the computer and printed off pictures of Papa and then wrote on note cards her favorite endearing memories.  

We circled the table, talked about the pictures and reminisced a life well lived.

We toasted to Papa’s life with “Papi’s Juice.”

Then Brent and I, and the children gloriously indulged in ice cream bars (I had to modify a bit from papa’s Ben and Jerry’s and get coconut milk ice cream version).

We finished the evening with a slideshow of Papa's life and the ways he touched each of us.  Here's to a wonderful, new family tradition.

34 Years Young

 I spent the first 6 hours of my birthday in a serious funk (excluding the first hour during which I ran 6 miles in fairy wings and a feathery headband). There is just something about a birthday that brings out all the wrinkles, pounds, personality flaws, and motherly and wifely failures...

Mostly I just wanted to lay in bed and feel sorry for myself (which really only happens to me on my birthday).  Poor Brent was patient and thoughtful.   He even decorated the house with "ticket" streamers.  (I think we were out of crepe paper.)    You may remember the girls "blown up balloons" from last year.  It is always interesting to see what surfaces when it is mom's birthday.

Around 1 pm I finally got a grip and finished the day full of cheer.  The day after we celebrated and took the family out to breakfast, got a babysitter and Brent and I went to Park City.  It was a great birthday.

Didgeridooing in the New Year and 2011 Summary

Who knew Callista would have a natural flare for the Didgeridoo?  Grandpa received this gem from a work colleague for Christmas.  We had a "blast"  New Year's Eve trying our lungs on this creation from down under. It was a rare moment in the spotlight for Callista, who happened to be significantly better than Ellery.  When does that ever happen as the second child?  We were cheering her on with fervor.

No holiday season would be complete without "snowballs."  We used rice milk ice cream this year, and they were as yummy as ever.  Emmett was too afraid to eat his ice cream while the candle was lit, so he opted to be first out.  

 It was so fun to spend time with Brock and Amy, Daegy and Pierce.  We had some intense games of Settlers of Catan, during which my father became very offended at Brent's bargaining techniques.  It was just too much for him when we made a deal with Brock and Amy to keep the robber off their land for the remainder of the game.  BTW: Dad and Mom won.


2011 Year in Summary

We started this year about as low as we have ever been as a family.  We were dealing with a new, official diagnosis of PCD and bronchiectasis.

Ellery was completely non-functional with ear pain and emotional anxiety issues from all the doctors appointments and new regimes.

Callista was feeling abandoned and neglected.

Emmett was a gooey mess, but sweet nonetheless.

Berkeley's ears were a mess, but thankfully she remained out of the hospital through the winter.

Brent's busiest time of year, happens to be January, and with Ellery and I only sleeping a few hours each night, and crying the majority of a 24 hour period, I wasn't certain I would make it.

There were small miracles.  One that stands out is when Christy came back to my door after leaving, Brent was out of town, and said, "What am I doing leaving you here alone.  What can I do to help?"  Another was when Jill showed up at my door at 5:50 am so I could go run.  The countless hours my running friends spent listening to me cry and hash through my frustrations and fears as we ran.

In February we jumped ship for Hawaii, to try and pick the family up.  We were sick the entire trip but it seemed to turn the corner for us.  Ellery started walking again, as her stomach pain subsided.  I got control of myself.  Brent and I reconnected. Emmett was in heaven in his bathing suit for 11 days.

Unfortunately, at the same time Papa turned the corner.  He was hospitalized and never came home, finally passing away in March after some excruciating final months.  It was extremely difficult for Mimi, and all of the children who flew back and forth to California again and again to help during these months.

Spring and Summer were busy as the children began to excel in gymnastics.  My running intensity picked back up again.  Thankfully life was very uneventful.

The end of Summer brought a few illnesses but nothing we couldn't handle.  Homeschooling with 4 children is both exhilarating and exhausting.  It is a constant battle for me to temper my intensity, which my daughters all seem to have inherited.  Callista being the most like me.  Maybe because we both fell second girl, second child.  Math whizzes, love reading...but love our independence too.  I believe the children are thriving but not without a mental and emotional cost on my part.  There are lots of rewards but each day is filled with challenges as well.

The year closes and we are in such a peaceful place.  Not everything has certainty.  Of course we wish there were more snow.  But each little speed bump we seem to be handling.  The course has been moving us forward.

Didgeridoo in the New Year!  Let it begin.

Something to Read...Perfect additions to your Children's Library

We continued our family Christmas tradition of:

A Want...A Need...And Something to Read

I am always looking for excuses to buy books for my children and our library.  Christmas is just such the occasion. Additionally, my mom started a great tradition for an annual "Cousins Book Exchange."  More books.  Hooray!  I love not being inundated with junk from the "Under $5 Limit" present exchange.   I'm going to try to transfer this tradition to the other side of the family as well!

To win my heart give my children your favorite book.  At birthday parties, we always bring books.  My friend Amy always gives the most fabulous books.  Oh how I love her!

So....Which children's books did we add this year?  

Here is the sampling:

A Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L 'Engle for Ellery.  She's read the first book and has been dying for the next.  This is her first foray into the Science Fiction genre.  

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein for Callista.  I can't believe we didn't have any of his books in our library.  Already and expectedly, "Sick" is the favorite poem.  Callista also loves "The Acrobats."

The Eensy-weensy Spider by Mary Ann Hoberman for Emmett and Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Iza Trapani for Berkeley.  I love books which add clever verses and illustrations to familiar nursery  rhymes and songs.  Hoberman, Trapani and Nadine Bernard Westcott  are the best at this.

Favorites Children's Books We Gave:

The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt (6 year old boy)  If you are looking for a book with excellent "boy appeal" this is the one.  The illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi are fabulous.  All my children love it, but it was a perfect fit for Mark and his 10 year old brother Bruce.  The message is classic and timeless.  All I have to say is "Will you walk into my parlor..." and the girls are hooked.  Ellery even has this one memorized.

Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes illustrated by Scott Gustafson (2 year old)  This will forever remind me of bed rest and reading to Emmett.  It has the most beautiful illustrations of Nursery Rhymes I have found.  I keep 5 or 6 on hand for baby shower gifts.

King Bidgoods in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood (3 year old girl)  Again captivating illustrations and witty prose.  

Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola  (5 year old girl)  I grew up with my mom reading me her favorite story from when she was a little girl "The Little Pot that Wouldn't Stop."  This old Italian folktale is timeless.

Favorite Children's Books we Received:

Iza Trapani of I'm a Little Teapot  we also have Baa, Baa Black Sheep.  I would recommend any and all of them.

he best book we received was a short, unexpectedly clever book about a giant turnip.  It looks like there are myriad versions of this story.  The Tale of the Turnip by Brian Alderson is the one we received.  

Christmas 2011

We spent a wonderful Christmas up at the Ranch.  The children had a great time playing with cousins, I  loved the late night chats with my siblings and their spouses and we all enjoyed spending time with Stacey Jo.  We are on pins and needles awaiting an announcement for she and Derald to seal the deal.  Hopefully sometime in the coming year!

Note the musical and dancing talent in this video compilation.  I especially love the ultra high key we sang "Silent Night" in around the fire on Christmas Eve.  

Although it is brutal for babies and super complicated with so many children and such frigid
temperatures, I am so grateful we can walk under the gorgeous Northern Utah night sky.
No light pollution.  Guided by a luminary and bundled in our costumes we head to the day barn
to sing of the birth of Jesus. 

Little Robert, as peaceful as can be, is dressed in swaddling clothes.    Later on "Santa's Helper" paid a visit to the house.

 

Take note of the look in Emmett's eyes.  He wanted nothing to do with this "helper" even though the "helper" looked and sounded just like grandpa!

It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without pajama's from Santa.

This year we stayed with my sister in her home, just down the hill from The Full Circle Ranch.  It was a welcome change with tons of room to spread out, but we missed seeing Grandma and Grandpa as much.

A Learning Treasure

Meet the Dictionary Stand.

Our newest family member.  

Several years ago Brent's Grandma gave us this amazing 1910 Edition of Webster's Dictionary.  It is a dream come true for my book loving heart.   Instilling a love of language and books in my family tops my parenting and educational priorities.

Staged.  But cute nonetheless!

Notice the screwdriver in Emmett's hand.  Huh?

When Brent first brought this treasure home from his Grandma's, I instinctively knew I wanted it on a dictionary stand.  They say an open dictionary, on a stand, can be one of the most effective and influential learning centers in the home.  Somehow there is no comparison if the book is closed on a shelf.



Alas, bookstands are expensive so I delayed.  Thanks to several amazon gift cards, this black beauty arrived today.  At long last the dictionary is open for use.  My children aren't tall enough but a little stool quickly remedies the situation.

The Oregon Trail

The Hunny and I at Multanomah Falls

 We spent a fantastic 6 days trekking to Oregon to visit our siblings.  The first three days are a bit of a blur to me, as I came down, for the second time in six months, with strep throat.  I was incoherently contaminating a bedroom in Brent's sweet sister Sheri's house.   Thankfully after about 36 hours the antibiotic kicked in and I was able to enjoy the end of our trip.

Unfortunately, because I am the sole photographer in the family we have no pictures from our stay in Hermiston.  But Sheri and Julian were wonderful hosts, brining the kids to parks, the nail salon, the home depot craft, out to dinner, picking blackberries...they had a wonderful time.  Julian cleaned and examined Brent's pearly whites.  

Saturday morning I attempted a run, I needed 15 but nearly collapsed with 7.  I was still not able to swallow, even though the fever had passed and the worst was over.  Sheri rode the bike along side me, and was a trooper, as I got the "on foot" tour of her little town.

By Saturday afternoon I was feeling remarkably better.  Now the trip with my side of the family began.  We started with some beautiful hikes along the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway.

Berkeley and Emmett hitching a ride with Brent to Horsetail Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.

My parents, and Derald and his girlfriend Stacy Jo, also made the trek out to visit with Brock and Amy and meet the newest addition to their family Pierce.

Derald, the girls, me, and Daegen on the trail.

Here is a little conversation between Emmett and I as I was working on this post:

Derald and Stacy Jo

Emmett:  Mom, where is Derald's Mother?
R:  Derald's Mother?
E:  Yes Mom.  You know that girl?
R:  Bringing up a picture of StacyJo  Oh...Do you mean his girlfriend?
E:  Yes mom.  That is her.  I love her.  She is so beautiful .  She is like a princess.

I couldn't resist these three "Baldies,"  Mt. Hood included!

I can't believe how big she is getting.
She couldn't stop holding little Pierce.  

Does that little guy know how to melt hearts or what?

It is fantastic to see Derald so happy.  A fabulous girlfriend has been a long time coming.















Mount Hood was a fun Sunday morning expedition.  Unfortunately my stroller and baby carrier were left on the mountain.  I am in mourning.

Grandpa loving on the two little ladies.

Another highlight was a late night trip with Brock and Amy on their boat up the Wilamett river into the city.  We cruised down the glass river with lights, music, good conversation.  I felt like I was a young  married again.  It was liberating.  We docked the boat and walked around Portland, bought some cheesecake and had an all a round wonderful time.  The kids were at home asleep with my Mom and Dad.  

We spent a glorious afternoon barbecuing and playing in the lush cedars, redwoods, firs, stream, and general "greenery" surrounding Brock's beautiful home.  Their yard was a little haven of beauty and serenity. I was having serious house and lot envy!

We ended our trip with a great dinner with Brent's cousin Justin and his wife Trisha.  They live in the urban downtown of Portland.  We ate at a great restaurant and walked their district.   Their historic home was a charming urban counter to the solitude of the forests.  Of course another highlight was meeting their chickens.  Being the "children" in the family, they are far more pampered than ours.

We had a fantastic trip and can't wait to return next year.

Callista is Six-sational!!

The Little Bean, Pipper Dip Dip, Squeaker, Nanny, (she answers to any and all) is six-years-old.  And what a celebration we had!

Callista was set on a beach cake and a swimming party.  And these candles.  :)

Callista continues to hold the title “Loudest and Liveliest Family Member” for six years straight now.  It is an impressive feat, but her competition is not too stiff as her three siblings are rather mellow and mild mannered.  

To fight my problem with frosting, I actually frosted this cake with "tootsie rolls."  I cooked them to soft ball instead of hard ball.  We used spinach, beets, and carrots to color the frosting.  For blue I had to resort to food coloring.  The children enjoyed the flavored candy frosting.  

At the pool.

 The celebration included streamers, a fabulous party at the pool with her 2 best friends and cousins, followed by pizza, salad, cake and presents back at the house.   


She received a fancy new purple mountain bike and now officially pedals her way up the canyon in the family Bike Train.


Callista spent her birthday wearing a special pin Happy Birthday pin I made for her.  It was sparkly and very prominent.  All day at school, piano lessons and gymnastics she was the star of the show and received ample attention.






She also enjoyed a special outing with Mimi, from which she returned laden with wonderful toys and clothes and loves.  Not to be left out, Brent and I snitched her away for a special lunch together at Kneaders, her favorite restaurant.  

Cake with Dad.

This little girl is the life and death of me.  She drives me to joy and tears.  She convinced me at six years old she would grow out of her intense habit of "squeaking."  
Hmmm....I will keep you posted on that one.  Passion just exudes out of Pip.



She clamors for more gymnastics.  Sometimes I am almost bonkers, as she seems to be upside down the entire time we are trying to do spelling and piano.  Her toes point straight up into the sky and she is certain it helps her "think better."  At any moment she tries to rope anyone she can in to listen to her play the piano.  Her current solo "Popcorn Popping," is a blessing and curse in our house.  It is very difficult but has as much pizazz as she does.  


She adores little children and they in turn squeal in delight for her, but also sometimes run for mom if she her enthusiasm gets a little carried away.   


Callista never fails to search me out at night to snuggle.  No matter which bed I may be trying to hide in, she finds me and snuggles tight. 

Stubbed toes, pulled hair, and anything equally severe (or not so) result in piercing shrieking, which I still signal inside me a vision of her writhing somewhere in excruciating pain from a life threatening injury.  There are no minor incidents with Callista.

Ready for school.  Home and "Abroad."

Her personality is at times baffling.  Her interview with her teacher at the elementary school before school began was unfathomable to me.   The poor thing was shaking with fright.  Her tongue began to swell and her speech slurred.  It was like every light bulb in her brain turned off.  Typical responses to questions included, "I don't know," and  "Uhhhh..."  My ego nosedived on the spot.  My star student choked.  My math whiz, reading pro, memorizing maniac....what happened?  I could just see the teacher in her head  "Oh boy, another awkward homeschooler."  I kept hissing to Callista to snap out of the baby talk, to no avail.  


It was an interesting way to start off the school year.  However, her teacher assured me she is eager and anxious to participate and well liked by all the children in her class after the first 2 weeks.  She is only there for 2 hours in the morning, but thankfully the jitters are gone and Callista seems to be shining through.


The elementary school isn't everything she dreamed it would be.  This helped scrape my ego off the floor.  She loves math, history, and anything which requires me to read to her.

I can't help but mention another family trademark with the Nan.  She has a miniature bladder.  Roadtrips can be excruciatingly frustrating with her.  We have even tried to get her to use a diaper, when it has been 4 stops already.  But she freezes up.  (I know.  This is quite cruel of us as parents.   I can't help thinking of the poor astronaut woman in her car with her diaper.)  


I treasure how attached Callista is to me.  The most attached of all my children.  Of course, this endears me to her immensely.  

Posing in front of Mt Hood

We love you Callista and are so proud of you!  Happy Sixth Birthday!!!!