Happy Birthday, Luca!

My sweet nephew Luca turned 5 today! He really is such a darling little boy! I met him last fall when I went to Italy to attend his daddy's wedding to my sister, Briana. I brought Briana a few books that she missed from the States. Luca taught me Italian and I taught him English as we read, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." In Italian, you say Yellow, "Jello." That's all I remember from our session. I'm a slow learner.

This is Briana with Luca. She is such a good mommy and loves him very much. He is a genuinely happy boy, with an infectious smile, laugh and winning personality. I wish I could spend more time with him.

Happy Birthday sweet boy! I hope you liked the package we sent . . . I hope you can play Webkinz and my kids can play with you online . . . or just Aunt Sarah can play with you! xoxox

Ben plays SOCCER!

Ben has been playing Soccer on a team with some of his buddies/cousins for a few months.



I love this video of him . . . he's the little guy in white, on the far right. He sort of hops/runs and then sort of bounces when his cousin almost makes a goal. What a good team player he is . . . so supportive.

He's so UNLIKE his mother, in the supportive department.

I went to his first game and he was too scared to try playing. Then I missed all his other games. I had good excuses at the time. Only I can't remember what they were NOW. This Saturday is his last game. I will BE THERE!



I saw these videos on my friend's blog and asked her to put them on mine.

Since I'm such a bad mom.

And now she has my password and can get into my blog. So, I hope she writes a really nice letter for my birthday. Or gets my husband to do it. Or better yet, just pretend you ARE my husband and write his words for him. He'll really appreciate that. And I will too. My birthday is July 9th. FYI.



This is the best video of Ben. He's number 13 and he kicks the ball twice and throws it in once. Very cute stuff. I hope you get to see it, MOM! (she's in Italy visiting my sister, so I don't know if she'll check my blog!)

Thanks Kristi, Miss Videotographer. You're a good mom and friend. I appreciate you. This is Kirsti's cute son and mine. Hers is the taller one.

Here are some pictures my sister-in-law, Tiffany took of Ben, since she goes to games and I don't.

Ben with his cousin and buddy, Ashton.

Ben's got game. The last picture is the cutest. . . I like how Ben runs with his tounge out. And a smile on his face.

Gone Camping

We are leaving today for the weekend. Since Oregon schools are in such trouble, we have a 4 day weekend! In fact, they are still deciding if we'll just send the kids to school 4 days a week all next year. We have moved to a strange, backwards place . . . but I digress.

Camping.

We're meeting up with our best BYU buddies about 8 hours south of here, in Pinnacles, CA. We'll be eating at In-N-Out tonight, BABY! A quick visit with Great Grandma in San Fran and then onto the campsite. There is a pool there. I am thrilled. I can't wait to see everyone and take pictures of them all.

BYE! (and have a nice Memorial Day!)

Cousin gone Crazy

I have a really funny, cute cousin that writes a hilareous, honest blog. This was one of her entries last week. It made me laugh so hard. I used to do the same thing.



Exactly.



So here is her post for your enjoyment. She has two little ones, the youngest being a spirited little boy named MAX.

"I have found that if I leave the windows open I am more patient.

I don't want my neighbors to know the real me.

And then I forget that the windows are open.

And the whole neighborhood gets to know me a little better.

Oops...

But thanks Annie next door for coming over and rescuing the kids from me.

Sorry that Max cried his eyes out when you brought him home.

I think tomorrow we will leave all the doors open too..."

If you'd like to go check out her blog, click HERE. You won't be diappointed.

Compliment? Maybe?

I've been studying and taking classes to renew my CPR/AED/Lifeguarding/WSI (Water Safety Instructor) Certification to run the lake at Girl's Camp. I had all this certification as a High School Student. Lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons paid for my BYU education. I've finished all my courses and I'm all CERTIFIED. I enjoy being in the water and the book learning just fine, but the best part about training to teach swimming again is being around the kids. A 3 year old boy paid me a compliment last week.

At least, I think it was a compliment?

Our conversation went like this:

"Miss Sarah, you look just like a pretty lady I know."

"Really Henry? That's so nice, thank you! Who is it?"

"It's Alice. She's my mom's mom."

"Wait, are you saying I look like your Grandma?"

"I think Alice is my Great-Great Grandma, actually!"

Service ~ Week 13

One day Jesus’s disciples asked Him the following question: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Jesus, having summoned a little child, set him in the midst of them and said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1, 2–4).

Elder Gérald Caussé of the Quorum of the Seventy said, “Little children have a marvelous disposition to learn. They have total trust in their teacher, a pure spirit, and great humility—in other words, the same qualities which open the door to the Holy Spirit. He is the channel through whom we gain knowledge of the things of the Spirit.”

Sarah: I know this quote isn’t about service, but it applies, trust me! I was just called to be the Nursery Leader in my ward. I went for the first time today and it was great. I think there are about 16 kids in there, including my adorable niece, Elise. I’ve been the Nursery Leader twice before, so I have no apprehension about this calling. It’s just plain fun and today only 5 kids cried and only one cut himself and got bloody. Where else can you play barefoot, sing, dance, do playdough, blow bubbles with a bubble gun and eat during church?

Damian: “Kristi Collins. Uncle Fred.” (Now that his bro. Justin is home from Law School for the summer, Damian isn’t going to Tiffany’s to babysit her kids at 5:30am so she can work out before they go to school. He is now going to our friend Kristi’s, while her husband is at The FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. He also goes at 5:30, but Kristi’s kids get up MUCH earlier than Tiff’s. He tells them his name is Uncle Fred, even though the oldest (6) knows him as Katrina’s daddy. He thinks that by passing himself off as a crazy, unheard of relative the kids won’t be freaked out by a strange man in the house. So far, so good.)

Emma: At Young Women’s this week we did rock pick up duty in Charlotte Johnson’s field. She has horses and trains them in the fields. So I helped her AND the horses.

Joshua: I helped Dad put the chickens in the chicken coop and I watered all mom’s plants that she hasn’t planted yet. I also helped Allison with her kids, but that wasn’t service because she invited me to spend the night.

Benjamin: I cleaned up my room. I had A LOT of games out and Daddy helped me. We also made my bed and cleaned pine cones off the driveway. And we put the chickens in the chicken coop because they are too big for the box in the garage now. They smell so bad, I think I will die if I smell them again.

How well do I know my Man?

We'll see how well I know Damian. My answers are first, his are in red.

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? The Office, Law and Order, Criminal Minds, SPORTS!! "Law and Order & CSI"

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Brianne's Poppyseed Dressing, "Usually Ceasar because I don't trust any of the other ones" (OK, what does that mean?)

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Any recipe that originates in Utah (creamy soup casseroles, jello salads, etc) "What are those spear things we ate the other day, Asparagus, I really don't like asparagus."

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? Sprite. "Chocolate Shake"

5. Where did he go to high school? Capuchino HS "Capuchino"

6. What size shoe does he wear? 12?? "11"

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Stocks, Apartment Buildings "Some kind of money, I don't know, can you collect money? You probably can't collect money."

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Pastrami "Peanut Butter and Jelly or Tuna" I started laughing at this because I haven't gotten one answer right, so I tell Damian what I'm doing and tell him I answered "Pastrami" He says, "It used to be Pastrami, I'm old now." What in the heck does that mean? I don't know ANY old people that like PB and J.

9. What would this person eat every day if he could? Cold Cereal (and he does!) "Chocolate"

10. What is his favorite cereal? Cocoa Pebbles, Apple Jacks, Cocoa Puffs "Cheerios" OK, what is he talking about? I think he said that because he's trying to loose weight. He has eaten 1-2 bowls of one of cereals I mentioned every day since I've known him! I'm sure I'm still not wrong on EVERY account because I just don't know my own husband. Right?


11. What would he never wear? Non-Pleated Pants, skinny jeans "Women's Clothing or a G-String"

12. What is his favorite sports team? San Fran 49ers, Giants and Warriors, ALL THINGS BYU "Giants"

13. Who did he vote for? This is a major bone of contention in our marriage. He wouldn't vote for McCain, and wrote in the Prophet of our Church instead. He finally changed his vote to Mitt Romney after I yelled at him for wasting his vote and making a mockery of the democratic process. He thought McCain was too liberal. I'm still mad at him for not helping McCain but he says Oregon is a liberal state and Obama was going to win here anyway. I wonder if he remembers all this? "Mitt Romney"

14. Who is his best friend? After me? His brothers. Then Jim Watkins and Rich Savage from BYU. "You" Oh, how sweet. I think he knew he'd be sleeping on the couch if he didn't answer that right!

15. What is something you do that HE wishes YOU wouldn't do? burp, fart, raise my voice, leave the door open when I go to the bathroom, talk about him on my blog. "Stop me from groping you."

16. What is his heritage? 100% Basque (mostly French Basque, with a little Spanish Basque thrown in on his mom's side) "Basque American"

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? Chocolate with Chocolate frosting "Chocolate"

18. Did he play sports in high school? Basketball and Tennis "Basketball & Tennis"

19. What could he spend hours doing? Reading the Scriptures, church books, etc. I can't write the answer he said, since my children read this, but let's just say it involved kissing, for Emma's sake. So I asked him for a G rated answer and he said reading and traveling.


20. What is one unique talent he has? He can do voices when he reads stories to the kids. Especially hilareous is his voice for "Jose," Junie B. Jones's Boyfriend. "I can whistle" (not sure how this is unique, but I'll give it to him.)

Big Hair Blunders

I posted about my past BHS (Big Hair Sins) Here and Here, but I failed to share the blunder I call BANGS, with you.

SO . . . in honor of my brother Jonathan, I thought I'd throw out a little SCARY for you. Jonathan is in the second photo. He just asked me to invite him to read my blog and I didn't even know he read ANY blogs, so I'm thrilled. Welcome to my blog, John!

Photo #1~
The reason why I should never have Bangs: They make my head look fat. My head is about 10 lbs. lighter under that mop, I swear! (Little Miss Emma looks cute with bangs, I must admit!)


Photo #2~
Some people with BANGS are tempted to spray them with shellac and make them stick up straight (using a blow drier to harden the shellac into a sort of fence helmet). And then the above said person stands around dead animals for a family photo (although my bangs and the Dall Sheep's horns match, don't they?) Let go of the BANGS, sister! You're doing yourself NO favors!! Jonathan, I hope you still have that skinny tie, it's back in style now, did you know?

Service~Week 12

How, then, may we as Latter-day women of God best help the Lord with His work? Prophets have repeatedly answered this question, as did the First Presidency six decades ago when they called motherhood “the highest, holiest service … assumed by mankind.” Sheri L. Dew

Sarah: This week Damian and I used our Mexico vacation money and his week off to improve our yard. Damian made raised garden beds, we re-barked our front yard and installed a drip system for our 130+ bushes/trees in the yard. We went to a few plant sales and bought veggies, flowers, trees, bushes, etc. to start landscaping more of our 2 acres. At this rate, we should be done with the yard in about 40 years! I decided to put some of my money towards sprucing up my mother-in-laws side, as a surprise for her for Mother’s Day. We bought tons of red geraniums (a flower she likes) and planted them up her walk way. I think she liked them and it was fun to do something nice for her, since she is always serving our kids (and us.)

Emma: I babysat with Hillary so two women from Northern California could go to the temple. These women have been neighbors for 12 years, but are both moving far away and this was the last time they could go to the temple together. The boy’s name that Katrina couldn’t remember was Ludwig. The women offered to pay us a lot, but Hillary and I said no. It felt really good to serve them, so they could serve the Lord in the temple.

Josh: All week I’ve been helping my mom in the yard, picking up weeds and pinecones, digging holes for bushes and spreading bark. I also went with Aaron and Daddy to buy a gift for Tanta Henri. She turned 60 and we bought her a new bathroom vanity.

Rachel: Today I helped my mom and dad make lunch for our Mother’s Day lunch. We cut the salad from our garden, we have 4 kinds of lettuce that we used. Ben tried a bowlful with ranch and croutons and thought it was really good. He even wanted seconds! We made cake, cheese cake and chocolate pudding, too.

Katrina: On Saturday morning, a lady brought her kids to our house so she could go to the temple. I played with a girl named Isa that was 6. She had a 4 year old brother, but I don’t know his name. She also had an 8 month old baby named Samuel that I played with. They were from Mexico, except Samuel, he’s from California because he has white skin and the other kids had black skin. Hillary came over to watch them and I helped her. In the afternoon, I went to Grandma’s and helped her with Elise and Marcus. I played with Elise and did stickers with Marcus. It was really fun and I hope I can do it again.

Benjamin: I was just helping Daddy make desserts for our Mother’s Day party. We made a cake or pie. I’m not too sure. (they made chocolate pudding, a cake and a cheesecake!) When Daddy was home all week working in the yard I was his helper. We drove in the truck to get bark and to the garden store to get sprinkler parts and tools and stuff like that. We were always driving somewhere together, even out to lunch a few times. For two days it was rainy and I got muddy, but I found some boots to use everyday in the yard.

Mother's Day Tribute

Happy Mother's Day to my sweet mom! She and I are 20 years apart, although people always mistake us for sisters (and I'm the older one, apparently!) I don't know how old I am in this picture, but my dark hair is starting to turn blonde. And it looks like a need a babybra. Plus, that clothe diaper is making me nervous . . . Did I ever leak all over you, mom?

OK, back to mom . . . The sacrifices you made for your children were great and I am so grateful for all you did. Because of your influence I love reading, scrapbooking, playing games, doing puzzles and music. I find myself using your discipline style, your words of praise, your parenting and teaching methods. I look toward the future and wonder if my grandchildren will be taught to read with "100 Easy Reading Lessons." I wonder if some of your weaknesses (that I've found in myself) will be continued too . . . the weakness we both have for not being able to put a book down, for shutting the world out and focusing on our book so much that nothing else matters. . . or how about our weakness for HATING COOKING? In a world of weaknesses, I have to be grateful that those two are the only ones you have. You're pretty amazing Mom and I'm so thankful you're mine.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jonathan, Me, Paul, my mom and Briana. We were on a trip to the "Lower 48" and had stopped in a small Canadian Town, probably Dawson Creek. Dad splurged and got us all popsicles and mom sat to enjoy them with the kids. Isn't she adorable with her pigtails? Aren't I nerdy with my red plaid pants? Dressing me cute wasn't one of Mom's strengths. But having fun and laughing with us was. Thanks for the fun memories, Mom!

I love you so much and hope your day tomorrow is fabulous. Sorry I didn't sent anything. Not even cards this year. So stop checking the box for something. I'm a slacker. I did fix up my yard with the money I could have spent on you. So next time you visit . . . the drip system is for you, Mom!

Miss Mary is 3!!

My sweet little niece, Mary turned 3 last week. I missed doing a special birthday tribute, but better late than never, right? I adore this girl. She is so fun. What a happy, sparkly little personality she has. Mary idolizes Katrina and the feeling is mutual for Katrina. Katrina would rather hang out with Mary than anyone else.

Mary had a cute PINK Hello Kitty party and I only heard one boy complain.

Benjamin.

I forgot to warn him that he needed to be polite about all the pink stuff. He refused to eat dinner on a pink plate. I don't think he played Hello Kitty Bingo either. He did like his Hello Kitty Party Bag, though.

Mary is a girl that enjoys the outdoors. She loves playing on her swing set and her new trampoline. She has a lot of energy and is so very smart. When we went to the beach house together last month, she and I spent one afternoon playing games. I played games with her a few days ago and she was still using the phrases I'd taught her at the beach. She is a good sport and helpful and kind to everyone. I LOVE teaching her swim lessons and gaining her trust during each summer. I am looking forward to that this year!

At Mary's party, I couldn't resist taking some shots of her brother, Noah and my Josh. Josh REALLY loves Noah and the feeling is mutual. Josh would like to move in with Mary and Noah. He dreams about being adopted by their parents (Allison and Aaron). He was supposed to stay with them when we went on our Mexico trip and he's very disappointed that he won't be able to.

It has been so fun to watch him adore these little guys so much. He is very gentle and loving with them, and will make a fine babysitter in 2 years. Which is probably about the time Mary might consider having another babysitter besides her Grandma.

Or not.

But we can hope.

There is another Love Affair blooming in our family. Rachel (notice the new braces!) and Elise (Jared and Christine's daughter) have bonded recently. They are so cute together. Rachel is hardly big enough to heft around this little cutie, but she does . . .

She just juts her hip out, swings Elise up and carries her everywhere. I'm so grateful that my kids are learning to be good mothers and daddies by caring for their little cousins. It is so fun to watch them act like little grown ups.

A Midsummer's Night Dream STARRING . . . Emma!

Emma was in her Middle School's rendition of "A Midsummer's Night Dream" last weekend. She did great! She played a kitchen servant (a silent background roll). She was very expressive.

Then, she'd add wings to her ensemble and voila! She was a fairy. This was a singing, dancing and speaking part. She was a beautiful, graceful, earthy fairy. And she delivered her line with enthusiasm.

Here she is, with Titania, the queen of the fairies. She's hanging on her every word.

Now joins Oberon, the King of the Fairies . . . I have never seen a photo where Emma looks more like me than this one. Except I have wrinkles and gray hairs. But it's the same profile. Weird.

Here's Emma and the fairies pampering Titania and her new boyfriend/donkey, Bottom. I noticed Emma always made sure to get the best job . . . manicure to the queen, rather than pedicure to the donkey. She's a smart one, my girl.

Here's a close up of Emma and her fairy friend, Julie. Em, we are so proud of you, you did so great! We love you and hope to see you in many more plays.

Service ~ Week 11

During His ministry on the earth, Jesus Christ spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

We haven't done our Service Journal for 2 months. We've been doing service, but not writing about it. But lately, the kids have asked me to start it up again. So here we go!

Damian: Sarah and I have arranged to have the BYU Chamber Orchestra come to Medford. We've built a website, emailed ward bulletin contacts, put posters up in surrounding chapels and talked to our friends about it. If you want tickets please go to: http://www.byuorchestra.myevent.com/ All we have left to do is advertise in the community and arrange a dinner as well as housing for the performers!

Sarah: I've been going for the last 2 weeks to my friend Ginny's house to clean on Wed. One day I brought Emma to help. She's supposed to rest and let her twin girls GROW. Some days I come home in a cleaning mood and clean my own house. Oh wait, that was in my dream, not reality.

Emma: Two weeks ago I went to a sister in our ward's house before school. She's having twins and needed some help. I cleaned her bathroom and her kitchen. The week before that some friends and I babysat for the BYU Alumni Event. A Proffessor came to speak and there were 25 kids there. I started working on my personal progress book, since I'm in Young Women's now and counted that babysitting towards my goals. I also went to the temple and did temple work for some people that didn't have the chance in this life to be baptized.

Joshua: On Friday, I went to my Aunt Allison's house and babysat Noah and Mary for about 15 min. until Grandma came. I got to sleep over and the next morning, I played with the kids.

Rachel: We decided to change our old kitchen table into a coffee table for our living room. We'd been storing it outside in our covered porch area. A lot of birds fly around in there and they must think that table is a toilet. Anyway, I scrubbed the table and helped mom bring it inside. Mom and I switched all the table legs around with a wrench.

Katrina: On Saturday, I cleaned the bathroom with mommy. I also played with Noah at the City Wide Clean Up.

Benjamin: I went with my Daddy to the Clean Up Day. I pulled out weeds and helped my Dad. I also played with Noah and Mary while Uncle Aaron used the weedwacker. I also went grocery shopping with Aunt Tiffany and helped her.