A Dad with Daughters

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 1:17 PM

Thursday, February 21, 2008


102_5688, originally uploaded by caine975.

You can't take a nap around here without your crown and umbrella. What a manly man to be confident enough to snuggle a pink blanket, wear a crown, and use a Hello Kitty umbrella. Stew had no idea that Malia had done this, until he woke up. It was very funny! He's actually taken this umbrella to work before. I guess we should get our umbrella from Stew's parents house. It's a little more versatile.

No ordinary cupboard!

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 12:24 PM

Saturday, February 16, 2008


100_4690, originally uploaded by caine975.

My sister, Tracey, had posted some fun pics of her son, Jonas, hiding in fun places. As to her request, I'm posting this fun "hideout" of my girls. Needless to say, the cupboard is now filled with DVD's, so they can no longer fit. Sorry girls!

I've been LOVE Tagged!

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 12:17 PM


Happy Couple, originally uploaded by caine975.

I was "tagged" by Emily Nelson, and then the same day I saw this game on a couple other friends blogs. I thought it would be fun to join in. Thanks for the tag Emily. I tag Tracey and Missy!

1. WHAT IS YOUR HUSBAND'S NAME? Stewart Caine but everyone calls him Stew (like the food)
2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED? almost 10 years!
3. HOW LONG DID YOU DATE? We dated for 7 months and engaged for 3 months.
4. HOW OLD IS HE? Well, I always round up for my age but he doesn't like when I do that for him. So, he's only 32 and I'll be 31 in 7 weeks.
5. WHO EATS MORE SWEETS? Definitely me! (Is that something to be proud of?) The dentist's paycheck LOVES me!
6. WHO SAID 'I LOVE YOU' FIRST? Me. But that's another e-mail story! :)
7. WHO IS TALLER? Stew. He's 6'0 and I'm 5'8
8. WHO CAN SING BETTER? Funny question. According to his family, he can't sing. But he sings a great bass at church. But if the question was who sings MORE, than I take that one. He doesn't sing for an audience.
9. WHO IS SMARTER? We argue about that one. I think we are both comparable. We are both smart in different things. But he answers more questions to Jeopardy than I ever have!! Stew, you need to get on that, we could use some money! ha ha
10. WHO DOES THE LAUNDRY? ME! I'm so picky about that! But, as a good mom (even though my kids don't put it that way), I've broken down and taught them to fold. Even though secretly I refold somethings. I told you I was picky!
11. WHO PAYS THE BILLS? Me, for now. We are putting everything on auto pay, so then neither of us! :)
12. WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED? Well, technically we both sleep in the middle. We are cuddlers. But he snuggles on the right side.
13. WHO MOWS THE LAWN? STEW! I'm not into yard work. How sad is that. He helps me ALL the time with the inside chores. He does the bathrooms and mops the floors WAY more than I ever do and has to do all the outside himself. Fair?
14. WHO COOKS DINNER? Me. But someday I hope to turn that job to one of my kids. I really don't enjoy cooking. I think it's the mess after that ruins the fun. But I do make the best tacos around!
15. WHO DRIVES? Usually Stew, but he drives in traffic during the week, so I like to drive to give him a break.
16. WHO IS MORE STUBBORN? That's a toss up. He's Scottish and I'm Irish. Our children have NO chance!
17. WHO ASKED OUT WHOM FIRST? He asked me out first and always. I don't think I ever asked him out. Yeah!
18. WHO PROPOSED? Stew. At my teller bank window in front of the other tellers and customers!
19. WHO HAS MORE SIBLINGS? Me. Stew's the youngest of 3 and I'm the middle of 5.
20. WHO WEARS THE PANTS? Ha ha! I'd say we're equal, but I have more opinions. We, luckily, have the same opinion about most things. That helps when making decisions.

Well, this has been fun going down memory lane. So, Tracey and Missy, TAG you're it!

Liam Crazy Arms and Legs

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 12:37 AM

Friday, February 15, 2008


I (Stew) was changing Liam's diaper and getting him ready for bed. Prior to this he was crying non stop, and just ready to go to bed. After getting him undressed, he went crazy with his arms and legs. He loves being naked. This is a short video of it, after he had been doing it for a little bit, so he had been much more animated. It is hard to see it in the video, but his stomach was incredibly red, from his own hands beating on it. It was hilarious.

The New Generation!

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 9:57 PM

Monday, January 28, 2008


julia, originally uploaded by caine975.

Great story! Julia loves playing on the computer. She's 3 1/2 and can do more than we give her credit. She got a Webkinz for Christmas, and she is good! I came in to check on her one day, and she was downloading from iTunes 56 songs. I scream, being 99 cents a song, and freak out! Then I realize she not only was downloading those songs, but had already downloaded $40 worth of songs. It was almost $100 in music!! AUGHHHH! Luckily, they had pity on us, and only made us keep 1 album of $9.99. We now have a 3 step process and a password to buy music. Also, she LOVES to print. She has used more ink printing her Polly Pocket pictures. So, we decided to turn off the printer, so she can't print. (Luckily she hasn't figured that out yet) Well, the other day, I see a file marked "Chelsea" on our desktop. Instantly I had worries of some bad picture I would see. So I clicked on it, to check and delete, when I realized it's a picture from Polly Pocket that Julia had made and saved it to the desktop! I can't believe she figured out how to do that!!! She's too good for a 3 year old! It must be a 3rd child syndrome (hint hint: that's Stew and me). At least that doesn't waste ink!

Living Room

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 9:19 PM


102_5580, originally uploaded by caine975.

We recently redecorated our front living room. I knew I wanted the green walls, but I couldn't quite get it all together. So, with the help of Trisha and Lisa, we moved everything around. The piano used to be where the table is, and vice versa. I love the idea that you walk in and see my gorgeous piano! The piano, we bought from some friends who moved to Hawaii and didn't want to take it with them. This man's grandma was the original owner. It was made in the 1940's. I have always loved the vintage style and 30's and 40's is my favorite. Luckily, Stew and I have the same taste. I had a lady from Chino give me all this old piano music, so we picked our favorites and framed them. The rectangle pictures behind the couch, were from Stew's grandma's. They are from the world's fair in NY, that they went to, in the 50's. My dad had given me an original print (from an antique store) of one of my favorite shows, "A Song is Born," with Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo. So, it all came together with some really cool old things. The couches still need to go and be updated, but that's another paycheck. :) We actually spent $0 on this room. Besides the paint when we moved in, we had all these things in our garage and Trisha and Lisa put it in just the right places to look fabulous!! Stew did all the pottery work too. Anyways. I Love our new room! I always wanted a music room, and I think this looks GREAT! All I want to do now, is hang Stew's and my guitar on the wall, side by side. I think that will top it all off. Enjoy!

Liam's 2 Months Old!

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 8:56 PM


102_5646, originally uploaded by caine975.

Liam is 2 months old! (Jan. 18) Already! He is such a GREAT baby. He's so mellow and calm. We were just told he has RSV (a respiratory virus and very scary for babies) and his ear drum burst a few days ago, and through all that, he's still so HAPPY! The girls love to hold him and play with him! This boy is definitely not short on LOVE! He's already 13 1/2 lbs. CHUBBY!! We love our little boy!

Liam's Blessing Day!

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 10:32 PM

Tuesday, January 08, 2008


102_5527, originally uploaded by caine975.

Liam was blessed on Sunday. The girls wore their dresses from my sisters wedding and Liam was in cream also. Lynn (my mother-in-law) found her Grandfather's blessing outfit and we were so honored she let us bless Liam in it! It's Liam's Great Great Grandfather's. It's from 1864! Yes, it was a dress (true to the times), and Stew was not happy! I begged for WEEKS! Finally, 6 pm Saturday night, he approved! Lynn brought it over immediately, before Stew changed his mind! It was a very spiritual day! Liam was wonderful during the whole thing. I even had to stop nursing him early to make it in on time. He never cried once! But he was less squirmy when I put him in his pants and flannel!

New Year's Pictures

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 9:53 PM


102_5524, originally uploaded by caine975.

Here is the pictures to go with the video. It's our "toast" to the New Year! I hope it's a good one! We had such a FULL 2007, I don't know if 2008 can match it! A move, a baptism, a birth, and a wedding, and a sad farewell to my Grandma. This all happened between September through December. Can't get bigger than that! I hope 2008 is a little slower. ha ha!

Christmas Morning

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 9:26 PM


102_5481.JPG, originally uploaded by caine975.

Here are the kiddos (can't say 'girls' anymore) on Christmas morning. Stew beat me to the punch getting pics on here, so the holidays are a little out of order. The girls had a great time, and Liam, I'm sure, did too.:) We had a nice, quiet morning, then visited my Grandma at the hospital (who flew in for Lisa's wedding, and had to be in the hospital for 2 weeks from kidney failure. She's home now in Washington and doing better), and then had Christmas dinner with Stew's family. We had dinner with my family on Christmas Eve. It's fun to be able to see both sides of the family for the holidays. The girls loved it and had a wonderful Christmas!

Stew's Artwork

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 10:54 PM

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Ok, this is Stew posting. I have created a new blog for my artwork. It has become so hard for me to actually paint or make any type of art that I am trying to force my hand. My goal is to post a new piece of art or any work in progress at least once a week. I am hoping this will force me to be working more and not just plop down on the couch after the kids go to bed. It has long been my goal to paint after they have gone to bed, but it is much, much easier said than done. While I love teaching art, I also want to continue working as an artist and actually make some money at it. I have posted a few pieces, so check it out. The site is iamcaine.blogspot.com. If you didn't know, "Caine" is my middle name and is the name that I sign my artwork under.

Happy New Years 2008!

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 12:54 AM

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Julita Performs on the Stage!

Posted by Kristine Van Buskirk at 6:56 PM

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Here is Julia performing on her "stage" aka in front of the fireplace. She is a very funny girl. This is what we get to do while the girls are at school and Stew is at work.

Lisa's Married!

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 1:43 PM

Saturday, December 29, 2007


The Newlyweds!, originally uploaded by caine975.

Lisa got married on Dec. 18 to Brent Brown. They are a wonderful couple! We couldn't have picked a better match for her! We LOVE him! It was a great day! I didn't have my camera, but Tracey, the prepared one, did. These pictures are thanks to her. It was so much fun! Liam was only 4 weeks old. and was a trooper. The kids had a blast being together. We really partied the day away! Congratulations to the BROWNS!

Kirra Diane

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 6:22 PM

Wednesday, December 19, 2007


Kirra and Nicki, originally uploaded by caine975.

Here is an update on Kirra! She's 8 now and growing fast. She's so beautiful, inside and out. She is so naturally kind and patient. Of course she has her MOMENTS, but she is so good to me. My HUGE helper! Especially with her siblings! When I can't handle them, I ask her to help me, and she does! Thank you Kirra!!

Malia Lynn

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 2:48 PM


Always dressing up, originally uploaded by caine975.

Malia is almost 6. (In March) She is just beautiful! She loves dressing up and is always dancing everywhere and loves to perform. Only at her call, though. She loves accessories! The other day I needed lotion, and Malia, who always has a purse, had some for me to borrow. She's always prepared with her purse. ie: lotion, jewelry, money, sunglasses, pencil, and paper, are a few of the items she ALWAYS keeps in her purse. She is so much fun! She's a great big sister!

Julia Elizabeth

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 12:11 AM

Saturday, December 15, 2007


Dance Class, originally uploaded by caine975.

Here are a few pictures of Julia to, hopefully, capture her little personality. She is always making us laugh. Her famous line is, "Mommy, take my picture," and then do some crazy pose. After I drop off Kirra and Malia at school, she and I have so much fun together playing games and watching videos. I've really been able to enjoy her more, now that we get one on one time.

Liam Caine!

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 1:31 PM

Tuesday, December 11, 2007


Liam Caine 4 days old, originally uploaded by caine975.

Liam is finally here! He was born Nov. 18 at 12:55 am. He came 3 weeks early and was still 8 lbs. and 20 in. Thank goodness he came early. The Dr. said he'd have been over 10 lbs. Yuck!! He is healthy and very strong. As the nurse was sucking fluid from his lungs, he was pushing against her. She said, "I thought you were 3 weeks early? How can you be so strong!?" His sisters are crazy for him! He gets plenty of love and kisses, and is always being held! We had a scare when he was coming. When they broke my water, it made my uterus contract like crazy, which was causing strain on him. So, they were worried and they never left my side. They were awesome! From the time they broke my water and his delivery, it was 20 min. When he was born, they found the cord wrapped around his neck TWICE! Luckily it wasn't tight. If I had him any later, it would have been very dangerous for him. So, that is why I was crying when I was holding him. I was so relieved and thankful he was here SAFE! Another neat experience was with Kirra. Kirra really wanted to be there for the birth. For the delivery, she had to wait outside. But after he was born, she got to come back in and she was just in awe seeing him. I look over at her, and she's very quiet and I can tell she's trying not to cry. She said, "I didn't know it would feel like this." We were all crying! Such a sweet spirited child! We are all doing great and recovering nicely! YEAH!! He's here!

2 days before delivery

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 10:39 AM


2 days before delivery, originally uploaded by caine975.

I was very fortunate to have 2 showers. Little Liam is well dressed and in BLUE!! Here are some pics of me at the showers, and getting ready for the baby to come! I took castor oil at my family shower, and 6 hours later, I was at the hospital! It really works for me! I was dialated to 3 and 100% e-faced, so why not?!

Kirra's Baptism

Posted by Stewart Van Buskirk at 11:33 PM

Monday, December 10, 2007


My Baptism Dress, originally uploaded by caine975.

Kirra was baptized on Nov. 3. It was such a wonderful day! She was beautiful and so proud. I got to help with most of the program. There are so many children being baptized in our area, that they combine the baptisms. And I was blessed to be involved in the planning. And Kirra got to pick the speakers and the music. Kirra and the other 2 girls being baptized that day, sang "When I Am Baptized." It was so sweet and beautiful! We couldn't be more proud as her parents.