Moving Blogs

Dearest Blog Followers,

After purchasing a Mac Computer it has become so increasingly difficult to upload pictures on wordpress that I am officially moving to google blogspot. In one day I was able to upload pics to their blog site for the past 4 months whereas before this it would take a painful 30 minutes to get a blog posted on wordpress….too long in my world. Plus, I couldn’t for some reason get the pics to rotate the right position. Therefore, if you would like to continue to read the fun-filled adventures of the Hall Family please click HERE!

Here is our URL:   http://bandjhallfamily.blogspot.com/

SEE YOU AT OUR NEW PAGE!

Ethan’s Girlfriend

Mark my words. My boy Ethan will date Paige R. when she is older. Yes, there is  a 2 year age difference but my little guy loves “Paige-ee” Maybe it’s her long beautiful hair or her perfect indian skin, or, maybe, her amazing abilities with toy guns. Regardless, Ethan has a special spot for Paige.

Hamster Obituaries

Hammy “The Ham” Hall passed away in her sleep on January 29th, after nearly a year full of trauma and joy spent with Lizzy D. Hammy was loved by all, dropped by all, squeezed by all, starved by all and most importantly, held at all times by Miss Lizzy D. Her favorite past time was chewing holes through each of Miss Lizzy D’s shirts given to her by her Nana. She is survived by Miss Lizzy D, Sammy (our newest hamster received for Miss Lizzy’s bday), Soph, Ebug, and Drew. She has been buried in the back yard lovingly by her father and Miss Lizzy D.

Harry “The Hamster” Hall passed away in her sleep in February 4th, after not even one week of trauma and joy with Miss Lizzy D. Harry was purchased to replace the late Hammy Hall and truly was a joy for 6 full days. She was a short haired hamster, black and white. Her presence was so brief that no pictures were able to be taken and buriel occurred in the dumpster (shhhh…). Autopsy results will most likely put the cause of death related to the giant tumor protruding from her butt. She is survived by the 4 healthy Hall siblings and Sammy the hamster.

Fuzzy “Wuzzy” Hall unfortunately met her demise while being played with at a neighbors house. Neglect lead to her escape at which time the lovely Miss Lizzy D was heartbroken. No buriel will take place as Fuzzy is MIA. Fuzzy was received to replace Harry “The Hamster” Hall who replaced Hammy “The Ham” Hall.  The neighbor boy who was the culprit in assisting Fuzzy’s escape has repaid his debt to Miss Lizzy D with the latest addition of Nibbles “The cutie-pie” Hall. Fuzzy is survived by 4 crazy Hall children, and Hamsters, Sammy and Nibles Hall.

In leiu of flowers, donations to the Hamster replacement fund can be given directly to Miss Lizzy D’s father.

(Pictured above is dear Hammy who after so many spinal cord injuries due to fall was able to sleep peacefully with slumbering Lizzy.)

Holiday Bowling

As a family during the holidays we all went bowling with some good family friends.

The girls got the hang of it but preferred the ramp that Ethan used.

Brian took it serious and it didn’t help.

Yep, that’s right, Hot Mamma knows how to bowl…not really.

The highlight of the event was the slurpee drinking contest. Note to self, never challenge a Bennion in anything. Brian and Sarah went after the win and in the end…well…just take a look at Brian and you will know who won…

Sarah!

What you are looking at is 12 dollars in waisted slurpees!

But Ethan enjoyed his!

Here are some of the bowling elves we went with!

Pancakes and PJ’s

What could be more fun than hosting 50 kids for breakfast on a Saturday morning? How about 70+ and some adults! Sounds like fun to me!

We had a breakfast for all the kids in our church to meet their new teachers for the 2009 year. We assumed we would get somewhere between 30-50 kids since it was during the holidays and many families have other events/plans for that time of year. Well, apparently not in Medford because we had a huge turnout!!!

But when you have an activity where you are suppose to show up in your jammies, how can you take it that serious?

I won’t be showing you pics of me in my jammies but let me tell you, there was lace, there was pink, and a whole lot of flannel!

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008 was spectacular. There were presents, there was paper, there were tender gifts made from the heart, and there was family….oh, and there was the best Eggs Benedict ever.

Aunt Anne with an ‘e’ made this lovely apron for Lizzy and one for Sophie.

Grammie Toodie gave this to Andrew. We all know he is desperately needing more legos.

Roger and Roger sat there were half smiles just enjoying the morning.

Lots of family sandwiched in our Living Room.

Blaine is aspiring to be as good as his mom and dad in the culinary arts.

Ethan could have been happy with one set of cars and lots of wrapping paper.

Christmas Pictures

We went to JC Penney for our annual christmas picture. Yes, many of you just barely got it. I was so proud of my little pack that I made them walk the whole mall with me to 1) show them off; 2) return an item at the opposite end of the mall. Santa yet again somehow managed to scare Sophie when he appeared around the corner at Macy’s. Tears were replaced with smiles with a cooke from Cookie Connection….mmm….chocolate marshmallow cookie…..mmm. I’m dieting today. Very grumpy.

Anyways, aren’t they cute?

1st Time Ice Skating

I took my 3 older kids and we went to the Rrrrrrink in December. The kids had their first experience on skates. Lizzy and Sophie took off immediately and were amazing little skaters for their first time.

Sophie spent the majority of the evening skating down the middle with her friend Nyah or holding Miss Sharon’s hand while she and Paige made loops.

Lizzy was racing around like a mad woman. She refused to leave her gloves on, her coat was soaked, and she spent >50% of her time on the ground but loved every minute of it. She has requested repeat performances but we haven’t made it yet.

I remember my mom’s beautiful white skates that I can picture her wearing as a teenager. I loved those skates and planned to wear them when I was a teenager. Sadly, I never had feet big enough to fit them. They were lovely though. I hope my mom still has them.

Andrew on the other hand continued to use his little “helper” to navigate the ice. He has been back on the ice since this evening and still continues to be on the walker.

I was pleased to not fall and was ginger on the ice for the first hour. Then relaxed and looped and looped the ice with my new found confidence. Truthfully, it had probably been 12 years since I had been in skates.

Andrew kept saying, “Take pictures mom, I’m ice skating!” I had a hard time controlling the giggles and snapping the picture.

Notice Sophie and Lizzy doing twirls in the background. This was a really fun night.

Morning Glory Breakfast

In Ashland there is this quaint little breakfast place named Morning Glory that is a favorite of many of my friends. I was introduced to the place last year.  It is located in historic Ashland with it’s ecclectic culture and people. It is not uncommon to pull into the parking lot and find it loaded with VW buses or Toyota Prius’s. Then you enter the quaint diner and find people reading The Audacity of Hope by our own Barack Obama. It is a popular spot for my friends when we need a “pick me up” or a “happy birthday.” Most of the dishes are things I could never even fathom how to make nor would make but they are delicious. There is nothing like a rich, syrupy (word?) waffle layered with cream cheese or an omlet with organic veggies and yummy meats……mmm….I’m hungry. If you ever stop to visit me in Medford. I promise you a treat. A trip to Morning Glory.

Ward Christmas Party

Our church had a christmas party complete with Santa Claus this past year.

Lizzy was proud to proclaim that she had been the best little angel this year. Her mother remained silent.

Andrew was an angel and just couldn’t help but smile and smile at Santa.

Ethan reacted with fear but not enough fear to stay away. He wanted a candy cane.

Sophie…..well, Sophie remained a healthy 100 yards and in a different room away from this scary Santa. But made sure that I should tell him she too had been an angel. Mother again remained silent.

After our time with Santa we watched a “Traditions of Christmas” program where many families came on stage and shared with others their holiday traditions. My favorite was the nativity.

Afterward, I found my two boys covered in stickers as if they had been infected with the measles. They were also giggling. Brian was deliberately absent. And as far as Santa knew, my family was full of perfect angels. Again, I remained silent…but smiling.

Hoover Elementary Talent Show

Every year the Hoover Elementary School holds auditions for the annual Hoover Talent show. This year I was the proud mother of 3 participants.

Andrew was asked to be a part of a group who did the “Haka.” The Haka is a war chant that is popular with several rugby teams and in particular the BYU football team, being a staple of their pre-game warmup. Watching him scream like a warrior was so cool. I was then flashing forward to when he and his buddies are doing this prior to their football game…or he could just be watching the game as a bystander with 20 girls around him. Either way, I know he will have a good time.

Then my little darlings got up there with their kindergarten class and melted the whole audiences hearts with “Nibble Nibble Nibble” where it is “all for the love of you!” Yet again, my chest was even bigger as my little girls sang so well. I flashed forward to vocal choirs and dramatic plays in my mind for both of them, although Sophie has told me she is going to be on the football team.

Then, Andrew, after only 4 months of lessons, got up on stage and played flawlessly his little piano number “The Happy Cowboy.” Brian and I were quite nervous as the piece was very technical for his abilities and he was going to play it by memory. I think I felt like I was going to pass out because of all my nervous anxiety. Brian too was quite nervous. But then, little Andrew walked out on stage in his new suit and played his heart out. The crowd erupted into applause and we were just about on the moon with joy as parents. Afterwards, we asked him if he was nervous and he replied, “No.” “Why not Andrew?” I asked. He stated, “Because I just wasn’t. I just went out and played the piano.” Oh, if he can only feel that way the day he finishes his oral exams for his Ph.D. dissertation in mechanical engineering.

Rozanne’s Birthday

My mother-in-law had a birthday on December 6th. I can’t figure out why these pictures won’t load correctly so please tilt your head accordingly. Isn’t she lovely. Very classy. Very elegant. Very generous. Very loving. Very charitable. Very…Rozanne. I am a lucky daughter in-law.

Taylor made this yummy cake complete with gnosh (sp?). I don’t know what it is but I do know it is yummy. Anne found this awesome birthday candles, definitely a Cropper signature statement.

When asked where we should go for dinner, her reply, MUCHO GUSTO! No fancy restaurant, no sit down dinner, no waiter and tip, just fresh Mex and free guacamole coupons….I love this lady.

I am a lucky daughter in law. Happy Birthday Rozanne!

Last nights prayer…

So I know for those of you who read my blog that I am now posting many November and December events. I have gotten woefully behind but am convinced that I should post these many wonderful events. I intended to not post anything current until I was current, which is only about 10 posts away…all drafts….all in progress. That was, until last night. I just got to post this now.

I was in the boys room saying nightly prayers with my son Andrew when he asked me to say the prayer for both him and myself. I said sure. The room got quiet, then Andrew quickly looked up and said, “Oh, and Mom, don’t forget to repent of all of your sins.”

I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. Truthfully, I laughed internally, trying to keep the quiet reverence present in the room. Then, later, reflectively, I cried. He is a wise boy.

Thanksgiving

My parents, sisters Christina (boyfriend Ben), Chelsea, and Annejeanette came for Thanksgiving this year. They were there primarily for Andrew because he was to turn 8 and would be baptized during their visit. Our good friends from Salt Lake Toodie, Roy & Katie also came for Andrew’s big event.

Nettie, in ever her typical fashion, had Lizzy wrapped around her finger. Netters really had the right approach to the whole mini-vacation. She just wanted to be with family. She didn’t need shopping, she didn’t need movies, she just wanted her nieces and nephews…and a few jabs at Brian.  Netters surprised me by not taking THAT many naps nor working from my house the whole weekend.

Ben and Tina were great drama for us all to watch. We took way too long to relax and just be ourselves around Ben. 1st impressions are hard enough, let alone when they last 4 days! It took the kids all of 2 seconds to act themselves, many times to my dismay. Fortunately Ben has a good sense of humor and a strong back! Tina got the thumbs up from Brian about this guy. This is a big deal because Brian reads people pretty well.

As usual, I got too little mommy & me time and need a repeat performance from my mom. She did what she always does, cleaned, visited, played super fun Grammie, played peacemaker, and cleaned some more.

Chelse? Well, let’s just say if we could wrap her up in a package and bring her our house indefinitely we would. But unfortunately, there’s this thing called college and social life that calls for her in Idaho.

Vicky hosted our whole family along with the Rajagopal’s for Thanksgiving. The food was AMAZING FROM ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED.

There was a little rock band competition. Brian was an amazing lead singer!

And I won’t forget Vicky and Sharon shaking their thing and singing backup melodies.

Dad just chilled the whole time.

We had a little James Bond-ing time to prep for the latest new flick.

The kids had their own adorable table.

Once again, AMAZING FOOD!

Thanksgiving isn’t the same without my mom and a pinata.

Having Toodie and Roy was a royal treat. They are easy company and we love talking with them. And we all need a little psychoanalysis once and a while…to keep us real.

Roy and Andrew bonded with a DS machine. Katie and the girls bonded especially with adorable clothing, movie flicks and lots of sweats.

Andrew is baptized

It’s hard to put to words how special this day was. How fortunate Andrew was to have 3 sets of grandparents present. To have aunts and uncles there to show their love and support. And most importantly, that Andrew made this choice and understood what getting baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Andrew has always had an inclination to make correct choices. Living here in this valley where he has to explain his religion and defend it at times, has been a great testimony builder for not only him but also all of us. We are proud of the example that Andrew is making for his siblings and family.

Utah Visitors and The Ranch

No trip to Oregon is complete without my family having an excursion to the Hall Family Ranch for some good old bonding with the horsies!

Ah, what a cute couple, so romantic there at the ranch!

That is one hot lady on a horse.

Ben doing his prince on a horse imitation.

Nettie, well what do I say, so sexy!

Tina and her impression of a princess on a pony!

Sophie, soaking in all the attention from her aunts and loving her time at the ranch. She is still, definitely, my cowgirl.

Andrew turns 8

Andrew turned 8 in November. I told him he could have a very special birthday party and that I would do anything he wanted, thinking we would go bowling or to a movie or out to eat. But, my little man wanted a Super Hero Party. I let him have his closest friends over for the party (2 girls and 6 boys). We bought white t-shirts and let his friends decorate them, then they decorated red capes, all looking like their very own Super Hero.

After they had all created their costumes, we had a Super menu and each guest was very surprised with either a U.F.O. (mini pizza) or Light Saber (corn dog) for lunch.

Afterwards we had two superhero games. The first being super string power (hit the superman poster with silly string), and the next being super silly actions (name that superhero).

Andrew had a super hero blue cake complete with spiderman on top and never stopped smiling. He was a happy boy.

Things I will most remember about Andrew at this age is his willingness to be obedient, his task oriented mannerisms, his amazing skills on the piano, his flourishing math abilities and amazing, heartfelt prayers at dinner time and also at bedtime.  Happy Birthday my dear sweet boy.

Slumber Parties at Nanas

Slumber parties at Nana’s are the most popular event in this household, especially for a little girl named Sophie. Throw some popcorn, a very dated Barbie video, some R&R with R&R and it is the perfect combination. The “Yo” is Sophie’s favorite bed and it MUST be at the bottom of the bedroom in Nana’s room. BUT, that can occasionally be usurped when the Aunties from Orem arrive. This trip was no different and the kids spent many nights at Nana’s while Netster, Chels, and the Eeners were in town who also just HAD to HAVE a Slumber party at Nana’s Too!.

Lunch date with Aunt Anne with an ‘e’

Rozanne and I went to Anne’s house for lunch. This picture was our attempt at getting all the kids to be sitting with Nana. Good luck. Nana then proceeded to go to Charlotte, NC to visit 5 other grandbabies and will see an additional 5 other grandbabies in January with the birth of Liz’s little boy. Lucky Nana. Lucky grandkids. As Roger says, you can’t have too many tractors or grandkids!

All I brought to dinner was Rice Krispy treats!

This is a typical dessert provided by Anne at a family dinner. Well, with Roger and Rozanne recently out of town we had a gourmet pot roast meal with Anne & Taylor. Brian asked for 3rd helpings. I volunteered to bring dessert. My contribution: Rice Krispy Treats. Yep, pathetic.

Playing Cards

I got the kids some Book of Mormon character “go fish” cards. This was the scene the night I gave them to them. So cute. Then, 10 minutes later, fights, mayhem, and then they were sent to bed. It was good while it lasted, but the peace after sending them to bed was even better.

Yep, even Jill has days when she can’t get it together!

I recently had a day when I just could not get on top of my home chores and my mother-in-law came over to walk with me that morning. She was literally shocked at the state of my home. Her reply, in candid honesty, “Oh Jill, you should take pictures of this and put it on your blog so that people know you are normal.” Anyone who is a mom should know that no mother in their greatest attempts could keep their house together….well….I should introduce you to one exception (my friend Holly). And therefore, folks, here is a few pics of my wonderful mess. I laughed pretty hard at her comment…then later questioned why I didn’t take her up on her offer to help me pick up the mess?

Ethan turns the Terrible Two’s

I love two-year-olds. You take a cup cake, you take a Thomas the Train, you mix in a two-year-old tantrum and you call it a two-year-old birthday party. I had 3 little buddies of Ethan’s over for a birthday celebration (30 minutes in duration…heaven!). They each got a present, they all opened their present (trains), and then had a gourmet cupcake made by the lovely Anne with an ‘e.’

Andrew’s buddy Tanner turns 2 the day after he does and these two couldn’t be any more similar. Give them cars, trains, or books and they are very happy campers. We are so grateful that Tanner and his family moved here.

Ethan then had a family dinner that night with his Nana & Grandpa and Uncle Taylor and Aunt Anne. He and Blaine played hard and then he crashed for the night. For the next several days he could do nothing but tell us all how it was his birthday!

‘Trunk or Treat’ -OR- ‘How much candy can I get in 20 minutes?’

Ah, trunk or treat! What a great tradition! We line our cars up in the church parking lot and then load up on candy until every trunk is empty. The bonus for parents, having their friends see their church friends without driving them all over town to go trick or treating. You can hit 50 families in 30 minutes. The only problem is the mounds of candy the kids come home with, and it isn’t even halloween!

Lizzie was our little Dorothy. She is using a special halloween bag her piano teacher gave her.

It didn’t take Ethan too long to get the hang of it. Dad took Ethan around and after the first row was pretty much done. Andrew did 30 laps and got 5 pounds of candy. He filled his pumpking container and grabbed his first of two grocery sacks!

My mom got these little pumpkin containers. Aren’t they cute? When I first saw them my teenage mentality said, “They aren’t big enough!” but in the under age 5 category, they’re perfect!

Sophie won the cutest costume award in my eyes! She played the part especially well!

And then, you know, that crazy mom, she looked pretty darn cute too!

Roger’s Version of a Family Council

And we’re worried about whether he will find something to do with his time when he retires in December? Puh-lease! I know exactly what he will be doing!

Halloween Party

More and more I am realizing that I can’t be everything to everyone nor do everything perfect. And, as we have been learning about in our sharing times in primary at church, everyone has different talents. Case in point, my lovely neighbor Lynley. Let me tell you, without her my kids would not have a fantastic creative party including pizza, movie, and a craft every year during Halloween. My contribution to this lovely annual tradition: 4 kids (to add to her 5 year old). This year it was tie-dye pumpkin shirts, last year ghosts made out of footprints. I had some pretty happy kids. The happiest of all was Ethan and his “punkin shirt.”

My Long Absence

I recently got a new computer. My old one was on the fritz and I knew the day was coming when I needed to purchase a new one. I delayed as long as possible and now, I am back on track. The new computer is a Mac. I am not unfamiliar with Mac’s but it took me nearly two weeks to transfer the stuff (10,000 pictures-not a joke) over to an external hardrive and then onto my Mac for use in my blog. I am still learning how to import pictures with my Mac so because of that, thought I would give you some funny comments said by my adorable children.

1. Ethan grunting. Brian, “Are you going poop?” Ethan nodding. Brian, “Ethan why don’t you go poop in the potty?” Ethan, “I AM going poop in the potty dad!”

2. Ethan being held by his dad. Ethan points to Brians wrinkled forehead. Ethan pointing to that forehead, “What happened? You got oww wees?”  Brian, “Yeah, from your mommy.”

3. Sophie, while watching Jill dress. “Mom, is my bum going to get as big as yours?”

4. Andrew, after a lesson on the parable of the talents in church this past Sunday, “Isn’t it great that I got the most talents in our family mom?”

5. Lizzy, scolding her sister, “How many times do I have to tell you to pick up your toys? Don’t you ever listen?” Jill, on hearing this, “Where have you heard that Lizzy?” Lizzy’s response, “from you.”

Farm Boys

Nana & Grandpa went out of town for a week to North Carolina. While gone, we had the farm chores to do each day. This was Ethan’s favorite activity of the day. We are getting good work out of our two year old. Here are some pics of one of the chores days when he went with his buddy Tanner.

He feeds the cats.

The cats were very happy with his “Martin-size” portions.

He feed the horses apples, oats and hay.

He gathered the chicken eggs.

And he picked up the old apples on the ground from the apple trees.

Grandpa’s salivating for him to grow into his future 6′ 2″  and 250lb body so that he can start workin the hay fields!

Nana’s English Eggs

One Sunday evening, I wasn’t in the mood to cook as we had had a big lunch with friends. Brian decided he wanted a to have a blast from the past and he had Nana, Grandpa, and Aunt Anne over for English eggs. Roger thought they were just another way to ruin a perfectly good egg but based on the kids response they loved it! We even had the little egg cups for the eggs given to us by Nana Hall. She has quite the collection of these cups at the ranch and we had fun reminiscing about previous English egg meals.

As you can imagine, Andrew wasn’t so interested in English eggs, if it isn’t a nugget, corn dog, piece of bread or a banana he finds it mighty yucky (Yes, we are working on this issue but after forcing one meal down him with the end result being a vomitous mess of corn, we are moving slow but steady.). He instead built legos and Ethan joined along.

Time Out for Shopping…er…Women

What Time Out For Women Means to me:

(TOFW is a deseret book sponsored mormon traveling women’s conference that visits Portland every 18 months)

1. Mommy comes to town to give Jill guilt free R&R from the kids

2. Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!

3. Lot’s of fun restaurants we don’t have around Medford

4. 4am bedtime because we women can’t stop talking!

5. Toe nail paintings

6. Pep talks by some amazing motivational speakers

7. Giggling, giggling, giggling..and some more giggling

8. Trips to Trader Joe’s and Deseret Book

9. A spouse who appreciates me more

10. FRIENDSHIPS!!!

Grammie to the rescue

I wanted to go to Portland with some girlfriends to attend Time Out For Women, a church related two day event filled with motivational speakers. I asked my mom if she would come visit for a few days and fill in with grammie duties while I was away from home.

She was thrilled and so were the kids. She came to soccer practices and games, piano lessons, and after school play dates.

She even went walking in the morning with Rozanne and I. Ethan loved the never ending attention from two grandma’s at his beck and call.

My mom loved her visit and I only wish it had been longer. Brian wished the same. He loved being pampered by two Martin women. Good thing my spouse likes his in-laws.

Oh to be young again…and this time girly!

My friend Lynley decided to have a little girl’s spa day for her daughter and her friends. My two daughters were invited and instructed to show up in their jammies.

The walked in to a full on day spa. After a little snacks and finger foods…

A facial….

A pedicure….

A manicure…

They were a picture of health and rejuvination. Oh, and also very girly. Now, as a child I would have never shown up to an event like this nor let anyone touch my nails. But for a day, I wished I could rewind 28 years and hang out with the little ladies.

My Girls Start Kindergarten

Lizzy & Sophie started kindergarten in September. Here in Oregon they start the Kindergartners on the Friday of the first week to “ease” them into school. They call it a “slow start.”  If only the district understood my girls were more like hungry wolves craving the great nutrition of education and not lazy cattle slowly chewing their letters like it was some passive non-essential thing. Well, the Friday they started Andrew was with his dad in Seattle watching BYU (currently ranked 8th) beat Washington. Go BYU!

Poor girls, I was hoping big brother Andrew would guide them to their class and make their first big ride ok. Instead, I had a million church members who ride the bus look after them. I made 20 phone calls the night before they were to board the bus making sure there were kids on the bus that would look after them. I felt it important not to tailgate behind the bus or to watch with my binoculars in my minivan as they arrived at the school. They had to grow a little today.

I am also glad they had each other. I debated about sending Sophie to school this year as she makes the deadline by only 9 days. So far it has worked out and she is learning slowly but surely. That 7 months age difference makes a huge difference in abilities. And, 7 months after Lizzy figures something out, Sophie is right there too. But they are good friends to each other at school and have formed a little group of friends that they pal around with.

Ethan waits at the bus stop every morning with them. He gets so excited the moment he sees that bus. He waives good bye. Blows kisses to the scruffy faced, bushy eyed, bus driver Lynn which usually gets a wry smile out of him. And then returns to the house with mom where he bundles up in his blankies in the stroller ready for a walk with Nana and then his precious reading time.

Having never had just one home before during the day I feel like I am on vacation….for the first 30 minutes I am home. Then, Ethan wants to play the rest of the day and nothing get’s accomplished. I rejoice when the girls get off the little kindergarten bus at 11am and rush to the door to see Ethan. Insta-friends! My afternoon time with the girls is largely filled with play dates and homework. I have to do homework with each of them separately as they are so fiercely competitive that they can’t be kind to each other at the table. But it is working and they enjoy the individual attention they get.

Today the girls and I watched old family film footage of them when they were little. We laughed so hard at Lizzy’s large head and Sophie’s blank stare. Even Ethan thought the video was funny as he thought he was the child on screen with little Sophie. We put two pigtails in his hair and yep, you had Lizzy. He kept laughing until he saw Lizzy and Andrew in the tub together and he kept asking where his penis was. (yep, we tell our kids the correct anatomical terms….although for forever Ethan thought his penis was a Tina. Aunt TIna didn’t find this amusing.)

Anyways, the girls are doing great in Kindergarten and another milestone has been met!

Chick Night Out…and we let Ethan be an honorary girl for the night

Brian, Roger, and Andrew made a quick trip to Seattle for the Washington Huskies versus BYU Football game a couple of weeks ago. They had a blast, of course, took no pictures, but came back full of smiles. They even went to the team fireside the night before the game. The only frown was found on my face when I disinfected the odorous (smelly fluffs of air) car that also had crushed chips, pretzels, sticky candies, goo, clothes….etc sprayed throughout. I had to leave the windows down for about 3 days to get the smell to dissappear. It was a toot machine for sure!

While the boys bonded like cavemen, the girls and I (and our honorary girl for the night Ethan) went to Holmes park for a “High School Musical” party. My friend Tracey had gotten a box of assorted high school musical stuff given to her from one of her family members. She let Rachel throw a party complete with High School musical chairs, cheerleading, singing, playing on the play structure, pizza dinner, and of course, nail painting. The kids had a blast and came away with prizes including H.S.M. t-shirts, stickers, posters, and the CD. Boy did we feel special. The only incident was when Ethan won a t-shirt and was so excited he put it on to show his dad, who was none too pleased to see his son in a pink t-shirt.

So cute!

My friend Janet got a new camera and just snapped some pictures of my daughters with two of their best friends. The end result was something worthy of a catalog, picture book, framed art….but I am not bias. Yep, these girls will be trouble when they are teenagers….little princesses!

Sophie turns 5

Yep, I really did it, I splurged and hosted a birthday at a location. No 79 cent Betty Crocker Cake, no 5 dollar pinata, I reserved the Train Park.

I let Sophie invite all her little girl friends and their siblings and for 2 straight hours we went around and around this 10 acre complex oohing and aaawing. Loved it!

 

Then, we ate Costco sheet cake, opened presents, threw trash in the can, and walked away. No mess….no stress..

Best party ever EXCEPT FOR ONE THING….when inviting 20 kids (because we want to get our money’s worth and invite everyone)….remember to write “no gifts please” on the invite, or your child gets more gifts than she would have for then next 4 years.

Handsome Little Guy

Some people look at my Andrew and can’t envision that he was ever a little cherub that I thought was so squishy that he would pop (check out the umbilical hernia as evidence he did pop). I just remember his big brown eyes that would so solemnly stare back at me. People who saw him would ask if he was a sad child. No, not sad, but clearly a bit more astute at what his surroundings were about. He has a special spirit

 

 As he grew the cherub body melted away and hair began to grow.

Teeth were lost.

 

 

And muscles were made. Andrew wanted pictures of his “12 pack.”

Here you go my boy…and what a handsome boy at that!

Backyard Fun: What happened to the slip-in-slide?

 

This makes my slip-in-slide look pathetic! Good thing I have a neighbor who likes Costco toys even more than my mother does and will buy the big ones. Let me just say this is like having a water park in your backyard. The best part is that it isn’t my backyard but the neighbors! Check out my nephew Blaine. He was fearless and went down all the slides. Ethan just sat at the top and waived hi!

Don’t Hate Me Because I am Beautiful!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah and I have to go through the teenage years with my girls! My sister Chelsea who is staying with us for part of the summer is already instructing them in the fine art of sassy faces….or maybe fish lips?

Growing Things

With our newly remodeled backyard we now have 3 grow boxes for a summer garden. Now, living near the infamous Hall family garden means that there is not much that needs be grown since Nana and Grandpa have this down to a science. But, the kids have really enjoyed going out and checking our little garden. I am proud to say that I am successfully growing potatos, zucchini, onions, and a pumpkin. I am unsuccessfuly growing bell peppers, beans, and the carrots are dead. It’s a start right?

We also planted several little shrubs and and plants in a little island in our backyard (pictures forthcoming). It looks wonderful and all of these plants were dwarf plants/shrubs thereby lending themselves to staying small and cute. Sophie came with Nana and I shopping for plants at a local nursery that has a koi pond. Sophie loved watching the fish. She quipped, Nana, get your camera and take a picture (obviously both Nana and I have cameras at all time for all things and all places). And of course, we took pictures.

Train Park Fun

Every year the Westminster Presbyterian preschool hosts a field trip to the train park. It is a 15 acre complex with miniature trains that you can ride. It is a blast even for parents. I took all 3 of my youngest and helped a friend out with her two. I had 5 under the age of 5 and it was chaos. Most of the other parents looked at me like I was crazy. I just replied, “Hey, I’m a Mormon!” and smiled…..just kidding. I did smile though.

Dinner Time Mess

As a mother, I have learned that I tend to allow my kids to get messy during meals. I rarely pull out a bib and usually they all feed themselves, lending to messy meals. This picture does not do justice to the mess that Ethan had pulled off. He had tipped a bowl  of soup over on his head and there was soup splatters everywhere. His response, a large grin.  My response, “Where’s my camera?”

Sleepy Ethan

Ethan was eating lunch recently and was so tired he fell asleep while putting mac n’ cheese in his mouth. Before putting him in be I snapped this pic.

Early Summer Fun

It has been unseasonably cool here in Oregon the past several weeks. We have had nothing but 60’s and scattered showers. This has been particularly hard to deal with from a hay standpoint as there has not been a window to cut and bale the hay. There happened to be a 3 day window of 90 degree temperatures randomly thrown into the weather pattern and my girls took advantage by playing on the slip-in-slide in the backyard. It was so fun to have them playing in our flat backyard!

Hammy the Hamster

We now have a new family member…..no….no pregnancy…..no additional crazy kids….wishful thinking! But, we have Hammy, the Hamster!!! Elizabeth caught a lizard one day in the yard. Brian and Lizzie were so excited he proceeded to buy a cage, heat lamp and lava rock. Then, after some thought, felt more comfortable if we let the “wild” lizard go and bought a “safe” lizard from the pet shop. Well, upon arrival to buy a lizard (complete with all 3 kids), he was dismayed that the cost of the lizard was 80$. Hammy the Hamster was $9.99. The choice was simple. This poor hamster has put up with all of the kids antics and still continues to be a star. He does not bite, does not shed, his cage has only needed cleaning once in 3 months, and I have only refilled his food once too! Seriously, the perfect pet. Hammy only spends time in his cage at night. During the days, he rests in Lizzie’s hands or on another childs shoulders. He has survived dozens of falls, a mishap with a scooter, and Elizabeth’s constant attention. He also made two trips to preschool to be the “Show” of all tells!

The only excitement Hammy has caused was the day he was left unattended in Lizzie’s room (she thought he was safe). He dissappeared, we thought for good, but appeared around 2 am trying to get out of a heat vent and I happened to hear him. Let me tell you the joy that appeared on Lizzie’s face that morning (an Brian’s too as he envisioned holes found everywhere in the house).

This is a baby step towards a bigger animal….maybe a guinea pig….or a pig for the ranch grandpa?

“Rookie” Baseball

Andrew has finally entered into the real world of baseball complete with a salute to the flag in the begginng, someone saying “Let’s Play Ball!” and oh, he will get out on strike three or tagged out on base. He is really enjoying this team and loves to get a good hit. The girls love the concession stand with its 50 cent popcorns and sodas. Ethan just chants, “Ball! Ball! Ball!” the entire time, trying to get someone to give him the ball. Andrew is actually quite the good little player and I am grateful there is live action to watch!

Preschool Kiddos

Forgive Lizzie as she wanted to show some cleavage (j/k)! My little girls are going to be leaving preschool in just a few short weeks. We go to Kindergarten Roundup next Wednesday and then they join the world of Elementary school. Ethan does not go into preschool for a couple of years so I am quite sad with this transition. The preschool has been such a fun experience for them but I have to admit, they are both ready for a change. The want to learn and get going!

Growing Up

One morning while my kids were going to feed the chickens and let them out for the day, Rozanne snapped these pictures. I think they are my favorite so far this year. I loved looking at my 3 older kids chatting together and walking down the dirt road together. Once Ethan realized he wasn’t part of the party he took off running trying to catch the older kids. My kids are growing up, albeit they are still relatively little, it made me realize that I have already been married for nearly 12 years and in just 10 short years Andrew will be off to college and then a mission.

I sometimes forget the little joys of being a mother with young children. I get so wrapped up in laundry, dishes, toys pickup and the daily dish duties that I don’t smell the roses. Right now, I am going to stop writing as my little girls are sitting under my chair tickling my legs wanted me to play with them and Hammy the hamster. I got to enjoy all of this more. 

Don’t Bother Me, I’m Driving a Tractor

There was loud hysterics when I tried to pull Ethan off Grandpa’s tractor. Thank goodness Grandpa was available for a tractor ride.

Domestic Diva Day #1

I am trying to be more domesticated each day and have really been trying hard to follow my new years resolution to have more fun with my kids and cook more. Believe it or not it has actually been quite fun. And, just when I was starting to explore where I should get more recipes, in the mail, pops a wonderful cook book from Sarah. She is such a stud. Made my day. I mean who has a husband’s cousin that would send her 1st cousin’s wife a cool package complete with real life mardi gras beads (big hit with the kids). So, more on those recipes coming up! But, I am having more fun with my kids and even today climbed into my bed after lunch with my two little girls and watched the first hour of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. Pure delight (don’t be jealous Sarah, I am sure you have a half dozen girls of your own heading your way)! And, as evidenced by the pictures above, made my own homemade play-doh and Lizzie and Andrew are showing you their octopus creations.

Filling Big Shoes

This is Ethan in his cool Thomas the Train pj’s with a ball in his hand and my jogging shoes on.  He loves his shoes and knows if he has his shoes on he can go outside. This day he couldn’t find his own shoes so he put mine on instead.

Happy Days!

This is my little bundle of joy.

Hot Tub Time!

One day last month when the kids didn’t have school we went to my friend Janet’s home for a little lunch and visiting. The visit was not considered complete until the kids had been in the hot tub. They loved it and then proceeded to get out and run around in the back yard soaking wet. The temperature could not have been higher than 50 degrees but that didn’t seem to bother them.  I put Ethan in his swimming suit and proceeded to take him out to the tub when a cool wind hit his naked tummy and he freaked out he was so cold. No amount of encouragement was going to get him to go in the hot tub. He is a little scared of water. I am grateful. I hope it lasts all summer. Nothing scares me more than swimming pools and kids. I am sure lucky to have sisters willing to come for part of the summer to help chaperone the kids in the pool. I hope the gravy train continues at least one more year.

Surprise Snow in Medford

When Medford gets snow it is quite the shocker to the city. Even if it is just a trace amount it disrupts everyday life here. For example, 1 inch fell overnight and they cancelled school in January, primarily because busses cannot get up into our neighborhoods to get kids because it is too slick. Well, you should have seen the shock Medford got when on a Sunday they received 8 inches of snow within 6 hours. I felt like I was back in good old Utah! This occured while we were at church and they sent us home early. We couldn’t get our minivan home and so we parked at the base of our neighbor hood and hiked home each with a child on our back (Brian had two). But my how pretty it was while it lasted (all of 3 days before completely melted)

I took thte liberty of shoveling our sidewalks which I have always enjoyed. Nobody else did this as they knew it would melt by the next day (which it did) but no one fell down at our house.

Andrew went sledding down the street. This was super fun!

Ethan just had to be out in the mix of it all and he sat content in a chair all bundled up.

Lizzie enjoyed helping me with the snow (note the fact she has her red cowboy boots on and pj’s).

Sophie just wanted to be dragged around on a sled (note she was using rain boots along with Andrew as their mode of warmth).

The next day Andrew attempted to build a snowman but the snow was so heavy it ended up being a snow fort where we had some great snowball battles. Not how clear the roads are just 24 hours later.

It was sure nice for the kids to play in and would you believe that we were at the park 2 weeks later?

Love the Medford weather.

Lizzie turns 5!

 

Elizabeth is now officially 5 years old. She had her 5 year old shots. She gets to go to kindergarten. She thinks she is just a few years from driving (this is an 11 year stretch). She is now many more years older and wiser, or at least a know-it-all.

She is so darn cute and we are just a few years from teenagedom (I am declaring this a word). She had a wonderful party complete with….of course….a pinata and lots of candies to decorate cupcakes with. She was very happy. The only problem, we forgot to sing “Happy Birthday” much to her dismay and so Nana and I gave a duet performance to her after her party was over, which she said was “ok.” We aren’t winning any Tony’s anytime soon. Elizabeth may win one soon though with the exaggerated performance of a tear-fest at the end of her party. This occured when she realized another child had accidentally taken her pinata candy bag and no amount of make-up candy would fix this disaster. Nana saved the day with an emergency trip to Dollar Tree where she was able to get the candies of her choice. What would we do without Nana, Dollar Tree and TJ Max?

I love you Elizabeth.

 Love-MOM

Ethan and Blaine

These two adorable boys are cousins.

For comparisons:

1. Born the same year

2. Same eye color

3. Both walk

4. Both have boogers

5. Both like to have their hands in their mouths

6. Nearly the same height

7.  Both love Nana

8. Both love Grandpa and his ranch

For contrast:

1. Ethan’s diapers are bigger

2. So is his head

3. Blaine is GAP boy

4. Ethan is Hand-me-down boy

5. Blaine says boob

6. Ethan says baba

7. Blaine gets lots of haircuts

8. Ethan prays for hair

9. Blaine eats real food

10. Ethan processed

11. Blaine’s parents are Barbie and Ken

12. Ethan’s are Homer and Marge

Aren’t they cute, I can’t wait to see them play together when they are older.

Lucky Charms Ethan

This is what Ethan does at least once an hour up to 6-8 times a day especially around meals.

1. He opens the cereal cupboard.

2. He pulls all of the boxes of cereal down.

3. He finds the lucky charms and then proceeds to pick out all of the marshmellows.

P.S. I really don’t have just candy cereals in my cupboard. Currently there is Raisin Bran, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Cheerios. But we have to keep the Lucky Charms for Brian and Ethan….and Andrew….and Lizzie….and Sophie….and believe it or not, not me!

A Girls Tea Party and The Nutcracker

The Rogue Valley Ballet was putting on the Nutcracker at the Craterian Theater. I thought it would be fun for my girls to see this performance as I had heard it was quite entertaining and also because they were taking ballet lessons. The performance also offered a perk of a brunch with the characters prior to the performance. My girls were excited, especially since their favorite neighbor Saydee was going with her mother. We all dressed up and carpooled down to the event. We had special tickets and they took us in to a fancy lunch complete with little finger foods (pbj’s, cucumber sandwich, etc.) and some delicious desserts too. Of course, what would a party be without the tea (hot wassel)! The girls felt like they were little princesses. Then the characters arrived and Sophie went into panic mode completely hysterical when she saw the nutcracker. She cried puppy dog tears until I scolded her to quit it. She finally calmed down enough to have pictures taken and then we went to the performance. The problem was we were already 90 minutes into this event and the performance was just beginning. Lizzie’s threshold for quite behavior had already been met and she proceeded to be disruptive the entire performance, with me taking her out for the last 30 minutes. While out, Brian called me on my cell phone asking me when I was going to be home (he was babysitting the boys). His threshold had been met also!

Regardless, it was superfun to do this with my little girls and they would tell you they had a great time. I definitely won’t be repeating this any time soon but it was fun!

And p.s. I am simplifying my life, the girls have their final ballet lesson this saturday. We will think about lessons again when they are older.

Westminster Preschool Christmas Program

Every year the Westminster Presbyterian preschool puts on a short (20 minute) christmas program. It is the perfect length and every kid gets to be a star. Last year Lizzie refused to go on stage, preferring to sit in the audience next to me and sing into my ear. This is accompanied by Ethan’s antics which are always busy. This year’s preschool program was a huge successs! Sophie and Lizzie both were on stage singing (well, Sophie was singing), and neither girl ran off stage to sit with their mother. I was a proud mama and video taped the entire thing. They looked so cute and even Nana was there to support them.

Andrew’s 7th Birthday and Jill Learns a Lesson the Hard Way

 Andrew turned 7 this year and the plan all year long was that we would have just a couple of kids over to go bowling and have a very very small birthday party. Well, Andrew couldn’t decide on just 2 kids so it morphed to his primary class, then we added some friends from his soccer team, then we just had to add some friends from school, and then he wanted some girls, then we had some siblings that were Lizzie & Sophie’s age and by the time all had arrived we had 28 kids. TOOOOOO MANY for a mother to handle, especially when all were instructed to wear their favorite superhero costume. It was 2 of the longest hours of my life!

 But Andrew had fun, they all had fun, and I endured with the help of my best friend Sharon and her son Blake & my wonderful mother-in-law. Next year, no friends, just family (including some Martins who will be out for Thanksgiving and Andrew’s baptism). But if you add up just that amount of family clan members…28 is sounding very familier!

Andrew YMCA Basketball

Andrew played YMCA basketball this year. It is a mother’s dream sport in the way it is organized. 1/2 hour practice then followed by a 1/2 hour game once a week, all together, no frequent trips around town each week and the whole season is 5 games. Much of what Andrew was good at is visible in these pictures…jogging back and forth. His stats for the season: 0 points, 3 turnovers, 4 steals, 10 shots on basket….his view of the sport: He liked it! He had a lot of fun participating and maybe next year we will score!

 On the day I had taken the pictures of his basketball game he asked if I would take a picture what he is REALLY good at…my Lego Engineer! 

 

Girls Night Out to the BYU Ballet

 As we all know, I am not, nor never will be a dancer. But I live the dancer’s life vicariously through the eyes of my 4 year old daughters whose grace and elegance are far superior to my own even at these young ages. The BYU Ballet Group came into Medford for a one night performance and we had to go see the ballet. The auditorium was filled to the 800 seat capacity and the BYU Alumni Association was thrilled. Afterwards my girls had to meet the “real ballerinas.” Aren’t they cute?

Thanksgiving Popcorn

 At the girls preschool they had those decorative corn I have always seen growing up with the hard kernals. They had the girls pick them off the husk and then we popped them in an air popper. I am telling you it was the best pocorn I ever had. Needless to say, Sophie had no problem wanting to remove the kernals from the corn and Elizabeth had no problem helping cook, butter and eat them!

Andrew and Fall Soccer 2006

Andrew played soccer this fall and I along with my dear friend Tracey ended up being their coaches. It was a joy to be apart of, primarily because once a week I got to put on soccer shoes and run around with 7 year olds and then on Saturdays I got to lead our team to an undefeated title and leave other “father” coaches in the dust. I just wish I could take the credit for how good our team was, but truthfully, they were just gifted athletes. It was super-fun and I got a kick out of Brian being the spectator while I coached the team!

P.S. This is for Nettie

Ethan is the Candy Corn Thief

Ethan is at the age where he is very busy and into everything. One day last month Ethan and I were the only ones home. Ethan had crawled away and I thought he probably had headed for the bathroom. Well I followed suit and couldn’t find him in the bathroom, the boys or girls bedrooms, or the laundry room. When I went into my room for further inspection, I found him hiding behind my bed with a bag full of candy corn. I quietly ran and got my camera and when I returned and he saw me, he let out this huge giggle (caught on film!) Note to Brian-unsupervised bags of candy left on your nightstand are now free game for Ethan! You should have seen the tears he cried when his treasure was taken away from him.

Classic Quote from my 6 year old

 

Mom: How was playing at the Michels? Did you have fun?

Andrew: Yeah, I had fun…But Mrs. Michels was out of toilet paper in the downstairs bathroom so I wiped my bum with my socks and then washed them.

 Mom: (looking down at Andrew’s feet) Those socks?

Andrew: Yeah

Halloween Pictures 2007

Yep, it may be November but the Halloween pictures and fun never end. I just got my kids Halloween pictures and they are adorable. I think you will all agree!

I may be a little partial but I think my Spider-Man, Barbie Princess, Beauty and the Beast Belle, and Fat Little Pumpkin are just the cutest! Halloween night we went to a wonderful party at our friends the Davis Family. They had a million appetizer choices and gourmet foods. But my process food junkie kids just kept asking, “Where’s the chicken nuggets?” Unfortunately Brian didn’t make it as he was at work but he was able to join the kids and I for trick-or-treating. Andrew loved racing from house to house to collect the candy loot. We kept telling him he had to stay with the family and not be one or two houses ahead. The kids were completely happy with their bounty. We even joined up with several other families with kids our kids’ own age. And believe it or not, Lizzy walked the entire distance without complaint until the last block. I am sure her little legs walked at least a mile over the 2 hours we were out in the neighborhood. Ethan gave up early and fortunately got to go to bed since Nana was taking care of treat duties at our house. My kids fully expect to wear their costumes to Grammie Martin’s for more Halloween festivities during our trip there November 21st. Grammie, you better be prepared! Who I am kidding, she probably has 100 lbs of candy from the 90% after Halloween sale!

 

Halloween Party

My neighbor Lynley who lives across the street is a dear friend. She has a daughter who is one day younger than Lizzie. Saydee and the girls play together non stop and are always looking out each other’s window as to whether the other is home to play. Lynley  invited my kids over for a party night. They had pizza, watched Jungle Book, and then decorated black t-shirts with white paint ghosts (you use your foot). I felt guilty as I had 4 hours of pleasant company with my husband, a date night dinner and I even took a bubble bath. We will definitely make it up to Lynley. The kids have worn their t-shirts all month!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! We hope everyone has a fun time Trick-o-Treatin tonight! Here are some old pictures of the kids for past Halloweenies! Current pictures haven’t been developed yet! Wish I had more pictures!

Ethan Is One Today!

One year ago I was bulging with child feeling that he was overcooked and that he needed to come out! My mother had flown into town for a 10 day visit to help me with him. She arrived 2 days before his due date but I remained pregnant 7 days after her arrival! Finally, Brian said, “My last day off is Monday the 30th, if you want to have this baby while I am present it is tomorrow or good luck!” So, we arrived at the hospital early in the 30th and he popped out by lunchtime. All 9 pounds 2 ounces of him. He had a head full of blond hair and a very spunky personality.

 Now, one year later, 30 pounds heavier, and packed with even more personality, he is starting to walk, crawls fast for a fat man, says Dadda, Momma, Babba and Wow! He has 9 teeth and 3 inches of blond hair all situated in the back part of his head. He is a doll and we sure love him. He is a daddy’s boy and would prefer to be in Brian’s arms 24/7. He loves his siblings and finds life boring without them around.

 Happy Birthday Ethan!

Buts and Guts Statistics This Week

My motherly duties this week have certainly been hands on. The only problem is that I want to retch while performing my motherly duties.

My kids are sick. Here are their stats. 

Vomit Count:

1. Ethan: 1 time 10pm Monday (crib bumber, bed linen, blankets, two stuffed animals, pajamas)

2. Sophie: 5 times all Wednesday/Thursday (bedroom carpet, hallway hardwoods, clothing, hair)

3. Elizabeth: 1 time Friday 1am (bedroom carpet, bed linen, bed quilt, pillow sham, pillow cover, bed skirt, mom’s bedroom, clothing, hair) [BTW-anyone know how to get out pink vomit stains? I think she either had red soda or red candy, don’t know I had a babysitter]

4. Andrew: I am sure I am going to get a call from his teacher any minute.

 Diarrhea Count:

1. Ethan: 20 times (crib bedding twice, clothing 5 times, car seat twice, kitchen highchair once)

Tired Mom: Yes

Tired Dad: No

Volume of Carpet Cleaner Needed: One 32 ounce bottle

Laundry Performed: 6 complete bed linen changes translating into 8 loads of laundry. And to think I didn’t have a running washing machine until Tuesday this week.

And FYI: I went to lunch with some friends for my birthday and Ethan had once of his explosive diarrhea episodes en route. I pick him up from his car seat and find it and his pants saturated in liquidy(sp?) diarhea. I have no change of clothing and therefore remove the pants and diaper. Put on clean diaper. Leave dirty diaper under car to be removed after going into restaurant (so as not to leave my car smelling stinky). I return from lunch to my car and find one unkind note requesting I take my trash with me when I leave. People can some times have no idea!

The Miracle of Chutes and Ladders

My kids spontaneously sat down and played Chutes and Ladders together. I was thrilled, stored it as a tender moment, then took a picture for my records. Complete cooperation was observed for about the first 15 minutes. Then, I wish I snapped a picture when all mayhem blew up (Lizzie cheated, then Sophie cheated, then Andrew cried, then hitting and kicking commensed amongst them.) It was cute while it lasted.

Field Trip With Andrew

Andrew’s class went on a field trip to White’s Country Farm. I was able to go as a parent volunteer and it was just me and my boys. The 1st grade teachers had rented an inflatable obstacle course for the kids to explore. I even took a turn on it. Once was enough.

After the obstacle course, the kids were allowed to feed animals in a petting zoo and then proceed to get lost in a corn maze. The gave their teacher a 10 second head start then went looking for him. They had so much fun. Andrew has a “girlfriend.” Her name is Darby (see picture below). He told me he loves her because she teaches him how to draw horses. In exchange, he showed her how to draw robots. Now, Darby is the daughter of one of my husbands partners. Her father also just started a microbrewery called the Southern Oregon Brew Pub. Brian chuckled and told Darby’s dad that he would let Andrew marry Darby especially because it made Andrew the heir to the Brewery. Darby’s dad didn’t think that was too funny!

 After the corn maze and petting zoo, we went on a tractor wagon ride to the pumpkin patch. Each child was instructed by their teacher that they had to carry their pumpkin all the way back to the bus, therefore, don’t pick a big one! Check out the pumpkin Andrew chose!

Andrew has many buddies in his class but these ones are his favorite!

It was a great field trip and we had a good time. I was especially thrilled because Andrew was so excited that I was there. His mom!

Ethan is Upright

 

 This past week Ethan has really become consistent with standing in place without falling over. In fact, he can move from a sitting to standing position without any assistance by objects to help him. He has also discovered all of my cupboards. I haven’t had to baby proof for so long that this has been very difficult because my rag drawer is no longer beautifully folded, my kitchen utensil tools are found in other drawers and his bottles are also scattered. The kids bathroom is worse as he has discovered the toiletpaper stash, the shampoo/conditioner, and all the bath toys. I guess I just got to get over it and sacrifice a little cleanliness for such a cool kid. The best is when he knows he is in a drawer he shouldn’t be in and once scolded, gets down on all fours and bolts off with a giggle.

First Day of School

Here are my kids on their first day of school.

This is Andrew on his first day in his stylish new school clothes and those expensive shoes. He also got a transformers lunchbox. I forgot I have to be smart enough to be prepared with food for my son by 7am every morning. So far so good. Thank goodness he is easy.

This is Lizzie with Mrs. Retzlaff. They are getting along wonderfully and I am thrilled to see Lizzie is playing with other kids and not being shy. Mrs. Retzlaff is warm and friendly, just what Lizzie needs.

Here is Sophie with Mrs. Schmoor. Sophie loves her teacher and already as a half dozen friends in her class. She is my social butterfly who everybody loves!

Then after they all went there various ways I went home and sat in silence (while Ethan took his nap) at the house. I didn’t do a thing but vegetate. I turned on mindless Entertainment TV (I needed my Britney Spears fix). I felt like the weight of a 1000 pounds had been lifted. Then I missed my kids and kept checking the clock to see when they would all be home. I am sure glad for school so that I miss and appreciate them and sure glad for summer when they are here around me at all times.  My kids are growing up…Ethan just looked at me and picked his nose. I guess he is home for another 4 long years….now he is smiling at me (I think it’s gas!)

I Give In To My Little Ballerinas

So to complicate my life a little more, I am allowing my daughters to take ballet. It’s just an introductory course with an introductory price (then we will see if they have hooked me).

 Regardless, the girls love having to abide by the dress code (pink leotards, hair in buns) and they look forward to their weekly lesson with their friends.

I snapped these pictures prior to their lesson getting started. More to come…..

…or not…..I just told Lizzy that I was putting her picture on my computer about her ballet classes and she replied, “I hate ballet!”

Arrrghhhh…

Labor Day

We had a great labor day and felt very loved as we were invited by many friends to participate in many different events. The kids were delighted in knowing they got to swim most of the day. Andrew and Sophie learned how to do some high flying acrobatics while Lizzie looked on.

 Then, as if that wasn’t enough, then the kids dazzled us with their amazing magician abilities. Our kids and their friends all dressed up and they put on quite the show!

Tub Time

 My kids are so stinkin’ cute when they take a bath. My kids love to play in the tub. They pull out the same toys they have been playing with since Andrew was a toddler including all the chewed on foam toys, the broken water wheel, the sponge squishy sharks, and the little cups they love to fill with water. If I let them they would spend an hour in the tub. Andrew will watch for when his fingers start to get mottled and he will tell me his hands say it is time to get out. Ethan loves the bath and has no problem getting his face wet. Our ritualistic fight is with shampooing the girls hair. They hate getting their heads scrubbed and the constant threat of soap in their eyes. But, we only have this fight once weekly (if I remember, and yeah, I know that’s pretty bad statistics).

Happy 4th Birthday Sophie!

Sophie turned 4 this past week! She was a beautiful princess at her Tinker Bell party. Lots of ladies (and a few gents) showed up for the event complete with cupcakes and of course a pinata. She received many wonderful presents from friends and family (more “house lint” as Brian calls it). Regardless, she was a very happy little 4 year old.

Lizzy the Helper

I asked Lizzy to help feed Ethan his baby food. I don’t think Ethan was that thrilled, but Lizzy made sure the enitre jar was “eaten.”

My Little Ballerinas

Laugh all you want, especially since I am the ultimate TomBoy, but I enrolled my little girls in Ballet classes. Lizzy and Sophie are so excited they can barely control their bodies. We went to a Ballet Fair where there was a little tea party complete with punch and cookies, a craft where they made princess wands, and then a 40 minute program where the Rogue Valley School of Ballet students at each level performed for the crowd. Lizzy and Sophie were mesmorized. Lizzy kept tugging on me saying she wants to do that. Then, at the end they, they had the children stand up and they taught them some ballet positions. Now, hopefully this investment will pay off with the girls being able to dance at the caliber of their Aunt Anne and Aunt Liz. Regardless, aren’t they cute in their little clothing? 

Ode to Canada

 Since many of the Hall Clan have just returned from Canada the kids have received some special gifs. This is Ethan and my attempt to display in picture form his Maple Leaf Canada shirt given to him by his daddy. The kids all received ROOTS shirts which they all adore! Good job dad! I have many memories of my own gifts from Canada. My Grandma Woolley is from Vancouver, Canada and she would give us Canada shirts complete with Maple leaves and also my favorite carmel candy bar is from Canada. We would receive surprise packages in the mail from my great uncle Stan where we would find many of these carmels. Oh, my mouth is salivating right now! Anyways, since both of our sides of the family are full Canadians, Brian and I have decided that with our halves together our kids could be considered full Canadians. Does this help them with Ethnicity on their college applications? Nope. So I guess we will use good old Great Grandpa Jose Ramon Martinez for that one! I can just picture it now, our next child…..Jose Hall? or Buenaventura Hall (another family name)? or Mehitabal Hall or Artemisia Hall (Brian’s clan). Don’t we love our family tree!

Spaghetti Face

What is it about kids and eating spaghetti that you just love looking at that ooey gooey face and just smile. Ethan had his first experience with penne pasta noodles and spaghetti sauce. He loved every noodle and loved every bite! It took me 30 minutes to clean him, his tray, and the floor afterward. Messy…but priceless!

Butts and Guts

 

My children were sick this weekend. As much as I like an easy day with the kids, I prefer them animated and mobile rather than lethargic and listless. This was made worse by the volume of linen I cleaned as I had diarrhea in one child’s linen and vomit in the other’s. with repeat offenders, even at night. Thank goodness for my mom letting me vent about my sick kids and my mother-in-law for homemade soup. At one point I was so tired myself that as Sophie was throwing up in the trash can in the kitchen I thought to myself, at least I can let that sit and empty it tomorrow since it is not linen. I did just that, and now my entire can and under area in my kitchen cabinet reak of vomit. I think we watched 72 straight awake hours of cartoon network/nickelodeon and believe it or not, I started to think some of these cartoons were funny. I am glad we are almost through with this ordeal. And to think, I still purchased cherry syrup slurpees for these kids with the potential threat of vomit later. I don’t think my head is on straight lately. 

Knights and Ladies

The Michels twins are some of my children’s best friends. They played nights and ladies today complete with slaying the dragon and rescuing the ladies.  The kids play so well together I actually have a break from parenting. Just wish it lasted more than 15 minutes before one of them comes in crying!

Ethan Is Learning To Crawl

 

Ethan started to make his first attempts at crawling about 2 weeks ago. He would move one knee forward then fall to the ground. His favorite was backing up commando style and then pushing himself into the sitting position. Within the past 24 hours he has figured out how to go more than 2 scoots forward and tonight while on the phone with my mom, he crawled over to a wingbacked chair and pulled himself up to standing. I was so happy for him but so sad that another phase of his little big infancy has passed. I love this little guy.

Fisherman Andrew

Andrew has really become quite the fisherman.   He has caught many Perch off the dock at Lake of the Woods.   So has Elizabeth!   Since his first experience with a catch he has been hooked on going to Lake of the Woods and fishing. Brian felt like it was time for him to go on a real trip. He woke Andrew up at 5am and they drove 90 minutes to the Umpqua River where they had a delightful day catching Bass fish with their good friends the Rajagopal’s.   He thought Andrew would make it 3-4 hours at the most, but they fished for 7 hours and amongst the 4 of them they caught 50 fish!   The best thing about these fish was once caught on the line, they would fight all the way in and sometimes succeed at getting unhooked, so this was most exciting for Andrew.  The fishermen returned around 6pm and we had a fish fry that night!

Ethan’s New Trick

 I walked in this morning and found Ethan had pulled himself to standing. The kids thought this was pretty great. Mom didn’t find it too funny. The crib was lowered today. Ethan can tell he is in jail now!

Cute Things

I am afraid I will one day forget how cute my kids were when they were little, so I am writing down several cute comments said in the past few weeks.

 Sophie calls Gatorades,   “Aligators.”

Sophie calls Daddy Long Legs,  “Daddy Daddy Ling Lings”

Andrew says “I ta-got” instead of forgot. This could have something to do with the fact he is missing 4 front teeth.

Andrew says “Bread & blooder” instead of bread and butter.

Lizzie calls all baby dolls Sarah.

Lizzie loves to sing on the coffee table and mostly it is about what she is doing today. For example (sing off key and lead the music like Nana does), “I went and toooooook a bath and then…we went to costco and to albertson’s……and then mommy put me in time out because she is mean……la…la…la” 

Tiger

 When Andrew was 6 months old he rolled his fat baby body over to a pile of items that were going to Deseret Industries. In that pile was an unfinished crochet of a Tiger created by his Aunt Nettie as a high school sewing project. Andrew hugged this ugly item, chewed on it, and truly told us in his baby language that he really was interested in keeping it. Well, as time went by, Tiger (as he was named), became an actual family member. Tiger was stroked by Andrew, plucked by Andrew, slept with Andrew, traveled on vacation with Andrew, played superheroes with Andrew, and was and continues to be Andrew’s best friend. I will never forget the day we left Tiger at Grammie and Papa Martin’s house and Great Grandpa Woolley drove from Orem straight to our house to ensure 3 year-old Andrew slept that night with his Tiger. I told Andrew that his Tiger was on the way and we waited out in the rain with an umbrella for their car. There was never a happier boy to be seen reunited with his best friend! At one point, Andrew had played and stroked Tiger’s fur so much that his bowels eviserated and we had a crisis on our hands. Nettie became a general surgeon and stitched Tiger back together. Then Grammie Martin outfitted Tiger with a “snowsuit” that came with a loving lifetime warrantee. Tiger’s head fell apart one day and even Great Grandma Woolley became a neurosurgeon. When Tiger developed special superhero powers, Aunt Michelle came to the rescue for Tiger’s diguise  and created a Nacho Libre mask and cape.

 When Andrew found out I was pregnant and that it was a boy. He realized that his brother needed a Tiger too. He drew a picture of a blue Tiger and mailed it to his Aunt Nettie requesting a special favor. When we arrived in Utah in August, Aunt Nettie worked tirelessly on this animal for Andrew. Once completed, we asked Andrew what this blue tiger would be called and he said “Tiger.” I told him it would be hard to know who we were talking about if there were two Tigers named Tiger in the house. He told me not be silly and that he could tell. I have been really curious as to whether Ethan would take to Tiger like Andrew had. It was pretty evident by the time Ethan was 12 weeks old that he would not be able to sleep without his Tiger and blanky too! When Andrew and Ethan grow out of this stage of life where their little Tigers are no longer essential, I will keep them in a safe place, always treasured, always remembered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken Little Lizzie ‘D’

Elizabeth is an animal lover. She inherits this trait from her aunt Chelsea who too was a great pet collector in her childhood. Elizabeth’s favorite pet in this world is her Uncle Steven’s chickens. She chases them around, picks them up, holds them like they are a baby doll and pets their heads. The chickens have put up with her antics for nearly a year now and still produce an egg daily for her enjoyment. She recently named one of the black chickens “Nana.” I think she is paying homage to her Nana Hall. Her Nana Hall is trying to decide if being honored as a chicken is a good thing. I have to think it fits nicely as she is a mother hen, does a lot of clucking with her family and friends, has produced numerous “eggs” herself (not a bad one in the bunch), and this particular chicken is quite slender and good looking (and also has the same short haircut)! I just hope that she doesn’t name a pig one day after me. For now, I am just fine with having Lizzie play with chickens.

Sweet Sophie

Since Ethan’s arrival Sophie has been my little helper. She will help me with diaper changes by getting me a fresh diaper, wipes, and hand sanitizer. She helps with feeds by getting me his rice cereal or a zwieback toast for Ethan to chew on. She will get Ethan toys to play with while he is sitting in his bouncer or on the ground. She will even entertain him when he is fussy. And, most importantly in her eyes, she makes sure Ethan feels loved. She hugs him on average 30-40 times a day. This has bothered me for 6 months as I watch him get irritated by being smothered, accidentally tipped over, or woken up from a nap by all this hugging. But then, this morning, I watched Ethan’s reaction as Sophie exited her bedroom and walked down the hallway. He started cooing for her, giving her little giggles, and a huge smile! He clearly has developed a closeness with Sophie. I have quickly realized I need to change my attitude about these hugs and realize she just loves him and is already such a big sister to him and such a good helper. She is my sweet little Sophie.

“Little” Ethan

 

I don’t know if there is a happier kid than my Ethan.

 

Maybe it is because his large head holds more brain mass with more”happy” brain cells. 

 

Maybe it is because he is so fat with over 18 fat rolls (27 lbs at 6 months)?

 

Maybe because simple things like Rice Cereal make him happy?

Maybe he just smiles to distract us from the fact that he can’t roll from his belly to back STILL! 

 

Maybe it is because he is really just a white version of Papa Martin who we all know is endlessly cheerful?

Maybe it is because despite his size he can still grab his toes (and possibly tickle them?). 

I don’t know…but you just can’t help smiling when you look at him.

I love my Ethan.

Tooth-Less

In July of 2005, 4 year old Andrew had the unfortunate event of tripping and landing face first into a hardwood step in our home. He had 3 teeth that were dislodged and had to be painfully extracted.  Brian explained to him that night that he was a lucky boy as he would be the first of his friends to experience the Tooth Fairy. Late that night, Brian removed the envelope of teeth and slipped 30$ (a twenty dollar bill and a 10 dollar bill) under his pillow, 10$ for each tooth. Now, first of all, any wise mother would know this is way to much money and the child can’t even really comprehend (fortunately) what the tooth fairy has brought. But, you just don’t argue of the small stuff with Brian. So, early the next morning, Andrew raced into our bedroom holding his money and exclaiming the Tooth Fairy had brought him 2 dollars. In his eyes, he had received 2 dollars (despite the bill value). So now, nearly 2 years later, we had our first official tooth fall out, and I mean it fell out on it’s own without any assistance. You see, Andrew had this loose tooth back in March. I encouraged him to wiggle it and he wasn’t interested. It became looser with time and then I made the unfortunate mistake in trying to yank it out with floss prematurely. All this did is cause pain and misery for Andrew. Brian had the same response. My dad came into town and I proudly told Andrew, “Grandpa Martin can get any tooth out!” He was an expert at this after having extracted teeth from 8 children over the years. He yanked gently and it not only stayed stuck, it bleed. Andrew was so traumatized by this point I was convinced he wouldn’t let anyone else touch his mouth. But, 2 weeks later, Aunt Michelle was in town and she too took a try, with only additional bleeding as her result. So, on May 12, after no further prodding and having been resting at a 90 degree angle in Andrew’s mouth for 2 weeks, it decided to fall out. And much to Andrew’s delight, the Tooth Fairy brought him a dollar.

My Little Dancers

  One of my girls favorite activities is to go to their Nana’s house. She feeds them green yogurt, pops them ‘light butter” popcorn, puts apple juice in 25 year-old cow mugs, puts on a VHS movie, gives them stickers, but most importantly, let’s them explore their Aunt Anne’s bedroom. You see, Aunt Anne was a dancer and in her old bedroom there are several dance pictures, posters, and most importantly, the shrine of old ballet shoes dangling from a ribbon in a far corner. Each time the girls are in this room they ask their Nana, no, they BEG their Nana to bring down the shoes for them to see. Occasionally she will bring a pair down for them to look at. They become entranced by the shoes. Now, their mother was not, never was interested, nor even remotely capable of floating like a dancer. And the thought never occurred to me (despite this persistent interest my daughters had in Anne’s dance clothing/shoes for the past 2 years), that they might enjoy a little ballerina outfit with leotards.

Well, one day while at Target (my favorite store in this world where I make most of my frivolous purchases). I came across some inexpensive ballerina clothing. My girls were with me and I asked them if they would like some pretty dancing clothes. You would have thought it was Christmas. They came home squealing, changed their clothes immediately, and floated around my house for days. They even took my CD player and played a CD called Beethoven’s Wig given to me by my sister-in-law Kathryn and danced to it. Sophie still begs daily to wear her dance clothing. They are so cute.

So now, I have come to the realization that I have two very girly girls who love make-up, cute clothing, my one pair of high heels, and dancing. I might learn a few things about being more girly/ladylike from them. For now, they sure are cute little dancers.

My Superhero

I have the amazing privilege to be a mother to a superhero. It’s a tough life for him, saving the world everyday from the “bad guys.” But he does it, day in and day out. He puts on his rainbow cape, loading the back of his shirt with his many light sabers and pirate swords, has a backpack full of additional creative weapons and off he goes, into the dangerous basement, backyard, bedroom, or other bad guy hiding spots. My superhero only wears superhero clothing. The only shirts that are on his skin have primarily spiderman, batman or superman on them. His Nana keeps him adequately attired. He will only wear pants with many pockets, to hold his weapons, radios, bombs, and treats of course! Sometimes, he allows even his sisters to be his superhero sidekicks. He also loves to show us how all of his muscles are becoming “super-sized!”

As a mother, I hope these days never end. His imaginary play is so much fun to observe and be a part of. For the past several months, Andrew has asked for a superhero bedtime story. So each night, I dig up a creative story from the back of my brain to tell him. Our stories always involve a superhero kid named Andrew. We are currently on chapter 42. We have saved the world from evil villians in the water, the sky, the mountains, at school, on the streets, around the world, and especially, ones that attack his home. He is such a good kid. I love this little boy. He will be a superhero in today’s world, battling evil with good thoughts, deeds and actions. His powers will grow stronger over Satan and he will be a leader. I am sure a lucky mother. I love my superhero.