14 years!

Wedded bliss...we've been doing it for 14 years.  Crazy!  I sure love this guy and am so thankful he is up for all the crazy we've been through and all the crazy yet to come.

I love you William James.

Babes in the woods

We like hiking.  Living over here in the East Bay has provided many opportunities to get out and enjoy the woods and trails.  Sometimes we end up going off trail or get a little lost but it is always and adventure.

What a surprise!

Today was going to be a busy day.  We had several family activities and they all seemed to be happening at the same time.  Early in the morning Will sent me a head of him to meet someone at a breakfast place in Hayward.  I thought he was buying something off craigslist and needed me to go ahead and check it out first?  Really, I had no idea why he wasn't taking care of it himself.  When I got there I waited inside for a few minutes and up walked my best friend, Anne.  I couldn't believe it--I just burst into tears!

Anne and her family moved out to Boston a year or so ago.  We hadn't seen each other in a while.  We spent a lovely morning catching up, crying, laughing and feeling less crazy.  Then we hung out in the car she was borrowing and put on makeup.  It was like a grown up sleepover...except it was in the morning/afternoon...we didn't sleep...and...actually it wasn't like a sleepover at all.  Never mind.  It was awesome and seeing her made me so happy.  Will had been orchestrating the visit with Anne for a couple of days.

Spider pig

This is Colter and Daddy's newest addition to the "welcome home" routine.  First (as always) the kids rush to the door shouting "Daddy!" and line up for jump-hugs.  Jump-hugs: a running start to a leap into Daddy's arms for a gigantic hug.  The youngest kid always gets to cut in line--several times.  Once all the kids have had their fill of hugs Daddy scoops Colter up and helps him "walk" on the ceiling while Daddy sings the "Spider Pig" song from the Simpson's Movie.  Adell usually likes to play "Spider Pig" too, they both love it.

Insta--grammed

I opened up an instagram account a couple of weeks ago.  Lorien wants to be on instagram and I do not want to let her.  I set up an account so I could get acquainted with the program and have more information when I tell her "no you cannot have an instagram account yet" again.

So far...I don't love it.  Clearly, I am out of touch with what is cool these days.  Mostly I dislike the over use of hashtags and the under use of spaces.  I just don't see the appeal.  Some body clue me in so I don't stay so lame forever.

Anyway, here are a couple of picts. I did post...and I've posted four or five pictures...

Adell and Clare getting a manicure before church.

Colter trying to destroy a ladybug.

More food...

Adell has always been our most adventurous eater.  She loved food and would try new food when the other kids were turning their noses up at it.  Over the last year she has lost some of her adventurousness when it comes to food and become a picky eater.  However, today at lunch (Will met us for Chinese!) she was willing to try hot and sour soup.  She liked it a lot--until her chapped lips started stinging.  I was pretty proud of her for trying such a new food.  She still loves zucchini and brussel sprouts...two foods that make the big kids gag.  Maybe her adventurous eating will come back?

Rain, rain don't go away

We are in our third year of "not enough" rain in our region of California.  This winter has been exceptionally dry--like less than one day of rain for the whole season.  Our kids love, love, love the rain so it has been kind of miserable for them.  They have cursed our perfectly sunny skies and wished for rain instead.

This weekend we got a very small reprieve from the sunny skies.  It rained for several days--just a light misty rain but enough to make puddles.  The kids went on as many "rain walks" as they could and I did a lot of extra laundry.

Holy guacamole

Colter is one of our pickiest eaters.  He really only likes to drink milk and eat candy.  However, he will eat guacamole.






Guacamole is good.

I am sick of "firsts".

Lorien went to her first church dance tonight...her first dance ever.

Boo, hiss.



When she got home Will and I asked for a recap.  "Oh it was so fun!" she began "But they kept playing all of these slow songs and saying the beehives had to dance with the deacons!"  The idea of dancing with boys at a dance had not crossed her mind and the idea, when introduced, was not a pleasing one.

I am OK with that.

Gaston girl

Way, way, way back in October--Lorien tried out for the school musical.  The school was putting on Beauty and the Beast.  Lorien did well in her auditions (making it to the second day of call-backs) and earned a small speaking part.  Lorien was cast as one of the "Silly Girls" who follow Gaston around--fawning over his every move.  She was thrilled!  Then the work began.  She had rehearsal for several hours every week and the show was scheduled for the last weekend in January.  It was hard work but it all payed off the weekend of the show.

Lorien was amazing.  She sang, she danced, she was funny and nailed all of her physical humor parts.  It was great.  Lorien loved being on the staged and cannot wait for the next school play.





Second to being on the stage, Lorien loved putting on loads of make-up for the show.  She looked very grown up.  Yikes!





I took the kids to watch Lorien in the Saturday matinee.  They all loved watching her run across the stage and sing.  Will and I took in an evening performance and so I got to see the show twice.  Lorien was awesome.


A big thank you to all of our friends and family who came to watch Lorien preform-especially those who didn't have children preforming in the shows and just came to support Lorien.  She was touched by all the familiar faces in the audience.  Thank you!!