Making Room for Baby

Kate has a new room after many hours of stripping denim and teddy bear wallpaper, patching hundreds of holes left by the previous owners, and painting the walls two colors as well as the molding, bed, and dressers, and sewing curtains, pillow, and even coordinating cradle bedding. It's very bright and cheerful. Kate loves it. Unfortunately, it hasn't kept her in her bed all night long like I had hoped and dreamed it would.

Kate's old room is back to the nursery for the new baby. I wanted to have the project done before the kids were home for the summer and I got too pregnant. Wait, I look too pregnant already. Well, let's just say it's only going to get worse!

When we set up the crib Kate said "the baby gets the I am A Child of God Bed". It took me a second, but then I realized she must be saying that because that's what I used to sing her every night before I put her to bed. The first morning after Kate had her new room she came in with a pacifier and blanket and said "Mom, can the baby come out now?" She's all ready to take care of her. I've seen her walking around the house with her hands six inches apart saying, "the baby is too little", just like I told her.

Tunes

We've been wanting a piano for a few years. The boys have really been begging. I looked at one on Craigslist this spring and called my brother Jeff for advice. He insisted that he pick out my piano. So we waited until he came into town at the end of May. We looked at a few upright grands on Craiglist that were beautiful, but didn't have great sound. We ended up finding this one at a piano store. It was the music stand that sold me, and sound passed the rigorus Jeff test. Thanks for all the help Jeff.

Rick says our house finally seems like a home. The boys play it alot. Bradley has quickly memorized Book of Mormon Stories and Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam, and is eager to learn more. We should be starting some lessons in the fall. I have also enjoyed sitting down to play, since no one is listening except Rick and my kids! They don't mind my plunking, although tonight as we sang for FHE Tyson said "play one you really know, I'm tired of stopping in the middle". I'm working on it, it's been a long time since I've really played (more than 15 years) and that's when I was a teenager than just wanted to finish my 1/2 hour of lesson material and be done with it!

Tyson's Favorite Pastime

Like father like son, Tyson has fallen in love with baseball. He not only had a great season playing, he has become as into 'checking the score' as his dad. We'll be in the middle of dinner and he'll say 'Dad, can I please go check the score?' He roots for the Phillies, just like Dad.
He played on a 3rd/4th grade team. He was the smallest player, but he held his own. He usually played 2nd base, but also took several turns pitching (which is very difficult to do at such a young age).

It was really fun, ok nerve-wracking, to watch. Rah Rah little T, as some of his teammates called him!

Trampoline Time

I can't believe we really did it, but we got a trampoline. It wasn't so much the price (free from the Haddocks-THANK YOU!), but the whole idea of having one. I didn't have one growing up, but I have seen how much fun our kids have had on all the ones in the neighborhood. Kate is much safer this year, so we went for it. It's a great way for the kids to get out some energy. And I'm amazed that they'll even go out when it's cold outside.

It's been a lot of fun for everyone. This was my first time on it (after having it for about a month). The kids and I did a few rounds of 'Ring Around the Rosie' while I was taking a break from painting.

State Report: ALASKA

Tyson did a state report on Alaska. It was fun learning alot about the state as I helped him. He had to have to whole assignment finished early because Rick and I were leaving for Hawaii. He misplaced his written portion on the day of the report so he adlibed. He spoke for several minutes over the 15 minute time limit all off the top of his head. He has always enjoyed memorizing facts, good thing he knew his material! He ended up scoring a 4 on it, which means he exceeded the expectations/above grade level. Great job Tyson.

Tyson's video party

For Tyson's 9th birthday we decided to have a video party. We played Guesstures for their 'acting lesson' and then the boys made a short movie. They decided on Indiana Jones V, The Lost Emerald of Elders. They came up with the costumes and wrote the script. The finished product is on Youtube if you search their title. There are three portions if you find one, you'll find them all.

They had a great time making/watching their movie. We served popcorn and movie candy as well as a clapboard cake. There were presents of course, all of which he loved.

Happy 9th Birthday Tyson, we love you!

Welcome Back to Parenthood

Literally two hours after we arrived home from Hawaii (thank goodness we were home), Kate tripped on her bath towel and fell into our corduroy ottomon. It was obvious that she needed stitches so off to the Urgent Care we went, swollen ankles (of mine from flying) and all. Sure enough, three stitches later we thought she was all fixed up.
Unfortunately, two of the stitches must have come out (it was hard to tell due to the swelling and ulceration), because it has not healed correctly and she'll be headed up to Children's Hospital soon to have an oral surgeon work on it. With three sets of stitches in the past nine months (that's 2 for Kate and 1 for Bradley), we have been teased that they have a room with our name on it. All I can say, is thank goodness for great insurance. Thanks Rick for working so hard for it.

Oahu Revealed

Laie Temple, walking distance from where we stayed.

View from above the temple, with a little bit of 'vog' in the background (volcanic fog).
We spent more time at the PCC. We watched the world fire-knife competition-Amazing!

The beautiful Dole Plantation, where we had ice cream-pineapple of course. It was my favorite, although Rick was a fan of the shave ice that he seemed to find somewhere everyday.
The whole group at Turtle Bay Resort, us with my brother Jeff and sister Michelle and her husband, Dixon. We did spot 3 turtles swimming, although the ones that kept popping in front of me while snorkeling were much more remarkable. A sight we had not enjoyed during our first trip to Oahu.
'Lost Beach' titled after the show. Apparently portions were filmed here. We got lost finding it the first time we visited, so it was fun to actually find it!
The Byodo Temple is a replica of a Japanese Temple with an actual Buddah inside.
Surf Waikiki! Rick, Jeff, and Dixon took a surfing lesson. It was fun to watch. Rick had great form. Unfortunately we didn't buy the professional pictures that truely captured it.

I've been asked how our trip to Hawaii was. I always answer the same. Being in the tropics without kids, how could it not be wonderful. Luckily everyone survived at home, because we had a great time snorkeling, hiking, swimming, kayaking, trying the local cuisine, cliff jumping, surfing, and flying a powered hang-glider (Ok, that was just Rick for the last three!). After our second trip to Oahu in the past six months we really feel like we've seen it all. It was a great trip. Thanks again to Uncle Larry and Aunt Dorothy for hosting us. And THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Rick's Mom who watched the kiddos.

Congratulations Brian

My baby brother (he loves that!) graduated from WSU in Accounting. It was the beginning of a very busy month of May. We spent Mothers Day Weekend in Tri-Cities celebrating both occasions. Thanks to Mom for hosting a wonderful weekend full of activitites and fabulous food. Way to go Brian. And Happy Mothers' Day to an EXCEPTIONAL Mom!