Pictures

First day of school

sweeping leaves

Pumpkin patch

Pablo and Dora

Six Flags with family

Halloween with family

And Disneyland with family

Happy Birthday Clayton!

Happy Birthday me!
I've never experienced a birthday when it's 90 degrees!

William's sports class

Clayton found a black widow by our garbage cans

Disneyland

Disneyland again.
(I know, we're spoiled)

Thanksgiving

December

my favorite nativity from Austria

My favorite children

Seems like it's been September 1st for a few months. The leaves are changing and falling, the skies are blue and sunny, and my children are still wearing shorts. I'm so confused.

We've had the beginning of school, Halloween, Thanksgiving and all the decorations are up for Christmas - but the 70 degree days are throwing me off!

Everything tells me Christmas is coming but I'm not convinced. Hopefully a week in Utah will help me realign.

Eliza's Birthday

Eliza's birthday came soon after my family left (the day after). Ginger and my Mom made those cool tissue paper flowers. They were hanging on our kitchen wall for the past month.

They ate all her favorite treats
She chose a flower theme. The kids painted flower pots, played pin the pollen on the flower, and made flower hats.





Eliza seemed to be so happy. She gave each of her friends a hug after opening their presents. She shared with William too! We all had to wash our hands before playing with the new toys. Most of them are still in the original package.

The hug was so great. And I look terrible!
Hands down worst picture of me ever.
I felt like sharing it with the world - just cause it's so funny.

For the family party, she took us all the Griffith Park. It's a large park by the L.A. Zoo. It was so crowded, but she loves it!

As the first child, Eliza gets to break in her parents. I have made so many mistakes and I'm grateful she is patient with me.
She is kind.
She loves to dance and comes up with creative moves that go to lyrics.
She is attracted to beautiful things. She asked for fresh flowers for her birthday.
She loves to sing.
She finds satisfaction in following the rules at school, church and even at home.
She will read stories to William.
She is making new friends and gets excited to go to school to play with them.
She can now lift Sarah out of her crib.
Her heart is tender and joyful.

Surprise!!!

Look who showed up on our doorstep one night!

Of course they were chaperoned by my Mom and Ginger (and Hazel).

We came home from dinner at a friend's home and the kids were just about in bed when there was a knock on the door. I was so shocked it took me a minute to realize who they were. Did you really just drive all day to see us? It was a wonderful surprise! Just what I needed!

Of course we filled the days they were here with the best Burbank can offer:

The beach (not really offered by Burbank - just kind of close)


We choose the hottest day of the week (79). It was cold at windy. Ginger and Hazel stayed safe in the car. All the kids were brave enough for the water and Hattie even tried the boogie board!
"She's the queen of the wa-a-a-aves!"

The grand tour of NickelodeonAnd playtime in our backyard

Eliza even had an early birthday party!

"This is the best birthday EVER!"

Thank you for coming!! We miss you!

Chinatown L.A. style

We are trying to go somewhere new each Saturday. One week we made it to Chinatown. It was only 15 minutes away - which really means an hour on the freeway.

The kids loved checking out all of the 'stuff'. They had each earned about 50 cents doing chores. I was surprised to discover there wasn't much for even that in Chinatown! I supplemented their earnings so they each had four quarters instead of just two.

Eliza found a "China fan" early. William tried out the ride on toys and quickly put his quarters in before I could stop him. He enjoyed a 30 second ride on a spaceship and had enough leftover to buy a tiny box of snaps.

An arts festival was happening at the same time and part of the streets were abandoned except for strange and too-modern-for-us art on display. Including the pink brigade: 5-6 people wrapped up in bright pink material - all attached together and blocking our escape route. The festival also included a woman dressed in an American flag (which she had had enough of because she decided to take off the top half and talk to some friends before she felt like putting a shirt on! Good thing her back was to us and the kids were busy with something else)
Overall Chinatown wasn't like the Chinatown in San Francisco. I remember a trip there with my Dad, Jenny and Tom when I was in college. There seemed to be much more to see and experience. The kids, however, weren't disappointed. They can't wait to go back to buy more quality trinkets!

Sarah Bear

Sarah is 1!

Her favorite thing to do: explore the refrigerator

Spaghetti had her for dinner.

Eliza's gift


Sarah LOVES books! And doggie sounds

She also LOVES to climb everything.
Just seconds after this great shot, she fell....nice work mom.

The messiest of any of our kids! We were so proud!

Hi. I'm one. I screamed through my nap today.

Happy Birthday Sarah!
She took her first steps right after her bath that night! Since then, it's just been a few here and there. She is a determined and opinionated soul. She is vocal and independent and loves Eliza's tickles and Will's raspberries. She gets very excited when Clayton comes home. She crawls to him and gives him a hug. We love you Sarah! We're so glad you're part of our family!