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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
A Dynamite Whistler Adventure
Monday, April 28, 2008
Very Busy Family!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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
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!
Trip to Rexburg
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?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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
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
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
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!
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!
Easter "Outfits"
Friday, March 28, 2008
I can no longer say "dresses," because we now have added pants. :) Here are the Easter outfits on Sunday. No, I didn't make these, (the question asked a lot at church) but I bought them at Marshall's with the matching doll dresses. They were only $17! Great deal and they were so cute! Julia chose to dress her teddy bear, instead of a doll, but that was cute too. Liam had a matching shirt, which was Greyson's. And so Stew and I wore red also. Not your usual Easter color, but hey, who made the rules! Our darling cherubs!
Easter Sunday!
Here are some pics from decorating the eggs, to finding them the next morning. My mom bought us 60 eggs (WOW!!) and the girls had a blast decorating them. Stew and I even got into the fun. Kirra, our little photographer, took a lot of these pictures too. That's how I got to be in so many. (Thank you Kirra!). Happy Easter!!
Born a BOY!
A funny Liam story. I can't believe already, at 4 mo. old, how different things make Liam excited, than with the girls. Animals make him go crazy and cars. Very cute! But the best was the other day at Trisha's house. Liam does not like to lay on the floor (spoiled, I know) and at home he just cries until a sister picks him up. I was at Trisha's working on recital things with her, for our combined recital in May. Liam was cranky, and so I laid him on Aleigh's floor. (My first idea to put him...toys, pink kitchen, etc.) He was still crying. Trisha suggested putting him on Greyson's floor. DUH! He stopped crying immediately, and just looked around in awe. He laid in there for over a half hour without a cry. He just laid there kicking his legs and cooing. I guess he really does like "boy" toys, instead of the girl ones. He was so happy to be surrounded with trains, cars, and cowboy stuff. Here are some pics of him with Greyson's things. He's so DARLING!
Kindy 500
Malia's kindergarten theme this year is race cars. They had a Kindy 500 race, and everyone had to make a car. Malia wanted a princess car, (surprise, surprise) but instead I convinced her to do an ice cream truck. (easier) She did everything herself, of course, except the hood. :) She was so proud.
St. Patrick's Day Dinner
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Growing up we had a tradition that my mom would make us dinner with green food coloring. It was pretty fun to see what she had made green. So, I continue this tradition with my family. This year I made pancakes, eggs, and even died the apple juice and milk. The girls loved it! It looked a little scary, but we ate it! I made pancakes and eggs, because it was a dance/piano day, and that's crazy enough. This was quick and easy. They thought they were eating greens eggs and ham.
Happy St. Paddy's Day
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I (Stew) got this video from my sister, Tara. You have to be able to laugh at this. If not, then you are dead inside.
Artist Husband
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Many of you know, that Stew is an art teacher and a true artist. He has an opinion over everything artistic. From decorating the house, to the paper on our blog. I was trying something new, with Trisha, and so I changed the paper. Well, Stew's sassy way of having an opinion over the blog is to change the name. Hence the name of the blog is "Kristine's Blog" and Stew's name is eliminated. So, to be stubborn, I will leave it. These are our arguments. I guess I should be glad it's just over blog paper. ha ha. So, for now, it's not the Van Buskirk Family, but MY rendition of MY family. :) Enjoy Stew!
And for those of you who can't hear the tone of my voice, this is all in fun, and there is no counseling needed. ha ha! That'll be next week, when I put up wall paper in our bedroom!
Background Paper
Okay, so I've seen all these cute blogs with cute paper. I found a friends site that directed me how to do it. SO SIMPLE! Here is the link that I used for directions.
www.sjhblogdesign.blogspot.com
I loved all the paper, but couldn't find one that said ME. Until I found these fun colorful circles at shabbyprincess.com. Now that's me! I love color! Check out my house and you can tell! :)
Enjoy. It's all free!
Hair Cuts!
I recently cut the girls hair. Mostly, because Julia still had uneven hair from when I grew out her bangs, and Malia's was so long, it was getting hard to maintain out of the shower. (Since we're the ones brushing and drying it. She's still learning) They both love their "new" looks. I cut off over 12 inches on Malia and about 6 inches from Julia. Aren't they cute?! I also thought they would be good summer/wedding hair cuts for Michelle's wedding in June. Still playing! Having girls is fun. Liam's first haircut? We'll see.
Liam's First Disneyland Trip
Monday, March 03, 2008
We went to Disneyland, as a family, in February, before our passes expired. It was Liam's first trip! And at 3 months too. Spoiled! To get Stew to go to Disneyland, is like going to the dentist. It's not his favorite place. Too many people and money! Agreed! But, the girls and I love to go! We went a lot when I was pregnant with Liam, and Julia was still free. So, we dragged Stew along for our last hurrah! It was VERY fun! Julia and Malia are tall enough to go on everything! (except Indiana Jones) Stew took turns with each daughter and went on EVERY roller coaster! All of us agree, the best ride is Space Mountain! Seeing little Malia and Julia on that was a little scary as a mom, but they were screaming the whole time! (a happy scream) I'm glad they all love fast rides. It makes it more fun for the adults! This hat on Liam, is actually from Kirra's doll, but we couldn't resist putting it on Liam, before he can protest. Poor guy! It was a GREAT day!
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