A Dynamite Whistler Adventure

I thought I'd post what I was doing while Kristine was in Idaho. Now keep in mind that this trip was all planned and paid for long before the graduation trip came up. Please don't judge me and call me a deadbeat dad. While that may still be true, I don't think this is the evidence that proves it.

I've been going on trips with these guys (at least Scott [bro-in-law] and Andy [Scott's best friend]) for more than the last 15 years. There have a number of surfing trips to Baja, a trip to Whistler once previous, and countless surf / skate / snowboard sessions around the local spots. There is always a theme, or themes that pop up. This trip was Napoleon Dynamite quotes, and I think we exhausted nearly every one of them. Scott and myself are HS teachers and Andy is a college prof, so we hear stuff like this all of the time. Matt is a Dr., so he hears them also, so it was too much fun to be quoting Napoleon, Kip, Deb, Pedro and Uncle Rico. A couple of other themes popped up too, but the main one was definitely Napoleon. The video was made by the ubber-talented Andy Norman. Enjoy!

Stew

Very Busy Family!

I know it's been a long time since I've posted, but you'll see why. We haven't been home too much lately. So, I finally got caught up today. Sorry for the pile of posts at once. I haven't even posted to other blogs lately either. I'll be looking soon. Trying to catch up! Enjoy. We've had lots of fun!

Liam's First Haircut

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Okay, when an old lady tells you "Now that's a comb over," you know it's time to cut your son's hair. I was hanging on to his baby hair, but I didn't want to be the "comb over" mom! Stew was afraid on the buzzing by his ear, but he loved the contraption. Here are the before and after shots. He is so darn cute! Now he really looks like his daddy! With his new haircut, he also wore his first tie to church. CUTIE!

Missing Teeth

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Malia lost another tooth. In fact, she's lost 5 within 4 weeks! She has only 1 tooth left in the front, right now. She lost a tooth on our trip dancing with her Aunt Lisa. Luckily they look like they will grow in fast. CRAZY! Malia, how do you eat?!

Trip to Rexburg

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People thought I was nuts when I said I was driving to Rexburg by myself. Lisa was graduating from BYU and Michelle was going through the temple for the first time. I wouldn't miss either in a million years! Luckily, last minute, my parents (who were originally going to fly) and Trisha decided to go, and drive, so we went together. It was very fun. We had some long stops, but the kids needed the stretch. A 13 hour trip, up and back. Not bad. I stayed with my best friend, Marci, for a day in Saratoga Springs. We took the kids to the Monte L. Bean museum (had to see the Liger!) in Provo, and the kids had fun jumping on the trampoline in the snow (NEVER done that before!), and playing "Zoinks" a Scooby Doo game. Then I picked up Tracey at her friend's house, and we headed for Rexburg. We all made the graduation by minutes, having time to change our clothes. Then the next day was all about Michelle going to the temple. Very AWESOME to have all my family there (aside from husbands). Then we drove back to Salt Lake for some shopping on Saturday, preparing for Michelle's upcoming wedding. I will save the shots of the dress for after the wedding. Surprise! We also drove by Brody Dezember's studio (Lisa and Brent's wedding photographer) and got to see the HUGE displays of them. Here is a shot from the outside window. I think he really liked their shots. There were, I think, 4 floor to ceiling posters from their wedding. Michelle and Dallin are using him for their wedding too! Can't wait for June! We also, hit Cove Fort on the way back, and took the tour. The kids love learning about pioneers. It was a WONDERFUL trip, and the kids (ALL 4!) are awesome travelers! Stew couldn't come because he had already planned a trip (it was his spring break) to Whistler, Canada, to snowboard. He was bummed he couldn't come, but I'm sure he wasn't too sad when he hit the slopes!

Future Surfer?

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Stew and Liam, both, were in awe with the ocean. Stew tries to surf as much as possible and Liam, you could tell, felt the same peace from the ocean. It was a very fun moment to catch. I was cold with the ocean breeze, but these two were nice and warm, even with their bare feet. Like father like son, I guess! (This was on our trip to Ventura)

My Birthday Surprise

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Stew surprised me and took me away for my birthday weekend. We went to Ventura and stayed in a hotel that was right in the middle of town. We walked the shops and then walked to the beach. It was so peaceful and relaxing! The best present was in the mornings, Stew took Liam for a walk, so I could sleep in. (Very rare for me. ha ha) Since I'm still nursing, we had to bring Liam, of course. And my parents watched the girls. Our hotel was an old firehouse, converted into a hotel in the 50's. Our hotel was named for the tower, The Clocktower Inn. So of course we couldn't help but say, "Save the Clocktower" every time we passed it. We were walking distance to San Buenaventura, one of the California Missions. Here we are in front of a statue of Father Serra, a founder of the CA missions. We would love to move to Ventura, so that's why Stew took me there. It was an awesome birthday! Liam was very good, and Stew got to really spend time with him, and enjoy him. Since usually he comes home from work and he's cranky and ready for bed. We also drove (about 20 min.) to Santa Barbara and walked the pier. Thank you for a perfect weekend!

Malia's Party

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Here are some pictures of Malia's birthday party. We had a tea-princess party. The girls dressed up and brought their favorite doll. The girls had fun eating mini cakes and heart sandwiches, drinking from their tea cups. They were very cute. Malia was in heaven! They played princess-princess-frog (duck, duck, goose) with a wand, made princess crowns and bracelets, and luckily Aunt Trisha was there to dance with them while I played a little Pride and Prejudice on the piano. They were so cute dancing and feeling like real princesses! It was a fun and simple party.

Cupcakes or Frosting

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Stew was being SO helpful for Malia's party. I asked him to frost the cupcakes. I wasn't thinking to tell him the frosting was still in the fridge. I had some leftover batter on the counter next to the cooked cupcakes. He thought it was my home-made frosting I sometimes make. So he frosted the cupcakes with vanilla and strawberry cake batter. I laughed so hard! He had to scrape off the batter and re-frost them with REAL frosting. Hilarious! The kids ate about 3 cupcakes each (they were mini). They really loved them. Must have been the extra touch of cake mix. Ha ha! Thanks for ALWAYS helping me without a complaint!

Malia's 6th Birthday!

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Malia turned 6 at the end of March. Has it really been that many years?! She was born 14 days early and was our chubbiest yet. She was 8.14 lbs. She has definitely slowed down the growing, as she is still wearing 4/5 T clothes and shares them with her little sister! She is our dancing drama queen! She is always putting on a ballet and loves our attention. This outfit she put together herself. She's very good at layering and is all about the accessories. She always has a purse with her and is always putting on lotion or chapstick, which she likes to pretend it's lipstick! (She doesn't get that from me!) She is a very kind girl and is always making sure her sisters and brother are taken care of. BUT, she has the attitude of a teenager, already! We are in trouble! She has mastered the "rolling of the eyes." But with the attitude, comes a sensitive girl who tries to make everyone happy. I guess you take the good with the bad. Ha! We love our Malia!