So the other day Samuel walks in the door from school to be received by a very adamant five year old.
I heard, "Samuel you need to tell mom about that bad song you were singing yesterday!" this interested me, so as I was coming around the corner I could see Sam's panicked reaction.
Lorenzo, "Samuel Heavenly Father knows what you are doing and if you don't tell mom, He is going to come to our house and tell mom and then you are going to be in big trouble!"
QUICK NOTE: The song had to do with fourth grade boys favorite topic...poop.
Sam started to laugh and before his now fuming five year old brother could have a chance to get even more agitated, I stepped in and pointed out what great wisdom his little brother had just shared with him. I got to listen to the silly song and our five year old was victorious in his quest for righteousness.
We have used this very tactic to get the truth out...well learned.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Lorenzo's Theology
On Costco hotdogs:
Lorenzo, " You know if you eat all of yours, they'll give you one for free. But you have to ask them."
Travis, "Will you go ask them? Because I finished mine."
Lorenzo, "No, it's too windy outside they only do it when it's warm. So they aren't doing it today."
On Hockey:
Lorenzo, "You know, if you stick your tongue out in hockey and then you fall down, that means that you win the game."
His wisdom is amazing!!!!
Lorenzo, " You know if you eat all of yours, they'll give you one for free. But you have to ask them."
Travis, "Will you go ask them? Because I finished mine."
Lorenzo, "No, it's too windy outside they only do it when it's warm. So they aren't doing it today."
On Hockey:
Lorenzo, "You know, if you stick your tongue out in hockey and then you fall down, that means that you win the game."
His wisdom is amazing!!!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Maddie...
The following has transpired in a matter of two weeks:
Well as some of you know we almost lost our dog to a really bad case of stupid-dog-syndrome. She ate something that she wasn't supposed to...she's a non-discriminating chewer...still not really sure what, and ended up in the animal hospital. We were told that she had a 1 in 10 chance of making it if we hadn't brought her in. She is recovering and Sophia is having an easier time sleeping at night.
Besides trying to keep our dog from seeing her last days, we have been dealing with the colds of the season and such.
Other than that we have been busy trying to get other projects done. Travis finally put his exercise equipment together and can now settle into the thought that he can keep busy during the winter months with his exercise. He has also been busy helping tear down a garage with his grandpa, who never slows down. He is liking his job and has a great co-worker that keeps him well entertained with her "Oh, no you didn't just do that!" attitude. She sounds like a riot!
We also survived Halloween as the people from Harry potter. A few times Samuel (aka Harry) was confused for a vampire and Sophia (aka Hermine?) was mistaken for the Hogwarts' head master. She thought they confused her for the friendly giant, Hagrid?!?
Maddie was doing well enough after her near deed (it won't allow the other word) experience, that we dressed her as Batman...my sister is really into Halloween and bought her a costume last year and sent it to us!!! We took her to the trunk-or-treat for entertainment, where she got loose and flew like a bat dog out of h---! Anyhow, all I saw, as I was taking the kids around, was a flash of black with a yellow tail and Travis after her with the leash in one hand and a treat in the other. No comment!!!
Well as some of you know we almost lost our dog to a really bad case of stupid-dog-syndrome. She ate something that she wasn't supposed to...she's a non-discriminating chewer...still not really sure what, and ended up in the animal hospital. We were told that she had a 1 in 10 chance of making it if we hadn't brought her in. She is recovering and Sophia is having an easier time sleeping at night.
Besides trying to keep our dog from seeing her last days, we have been dealing with the colds of the season and such.
Other than that we have been busy trying to get other projects done. Travis finally put his exercise equipment together and can now settle into the thought that he can keep busy during the winter months with his exercise. He has also been busy helping tear down a garage with his grandpa, who never slows down. He is liking his job and has a great co-worker that keeps him well entertained with her "Oh, no you didn't just do that!" attitude. She sounds like a riot!
We also survived Halloween as the people from Harry potter. A few times Samuel (aka Harry) was confused for a vampire and Sophia (aka Hermine?) was mistaken for the Hogwarts' head master. She thought they confused her for the friendly giant, Hagrid?!?
Maddie was doing well enough after her near deed (it won't allow the other word) experience, that we dressed her as Batman...my sister is really into Halloween and bought her a costume last year and sent it to us!!! We took her to the trunk-or-treat for entertainment, where she got loose and flew like a bat dog out of h---! Anyhow, all I saw, as I was taking the kids around, was a flash of black with a yellow tail and Travis after her with the leash in one hand and a treat in the other. No comment!!!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Pictures of the Kids
I took the kids outside in between the Sunday conference sessions and took some fun pictures of them. I hadn't done that in a while and so I decided on a whim that it was time. It was cloudy and rainy, but it made for perfect picture taking. By the way some of you may not know our dog Maddie, she's the grump with Sophia, she doesn't look happy to be there, but the kids all insisted on taking pictures with her. Some turned out and others didn't. These are my top four favorites.
Yay! New Temple announced for the Kansas City metro area!!
Friday, September 26, 2008
New School Year
Our kids have been settling into their new lives.
Sophia has found a few friends that she can hang with at school and at church. She found someone to replace the empty spot in heart left by CJ...his name also start with a C. She has also been learning the tough lessons of middle school...what a bunch of emotional kids!!!! How does anyone survive those years of life?!? In any case, she's holding on and actually enjoying life as much as she can. She has joined an inter mural soccer team at school and so has the opportunity to play a bit.
Samuel has really enjoyed his new school. Sacajawea Elementary, the same school that Travis attended when he was growing up. Last Friday he did a seven mile hike with his dad. They hiked three and a half miles up to their camping spot and had to hold on to a cable part of the way there. The cable guided them the last hour of darkness and kept them from falling to a precipice on the other side! They sang "Hold to the Rod" and had some really neat experiences. They camped overnight while it rained outside, but were able to stay warm and dry during the night.
Natalia is also liking her new school. Her first grade room is the same room that Travis had when he was in first grade. She thinks that's pretty cool. She is also making some good little friends at school and church. She's a happy with an insatiable appetite. If you've seen her you wouldn't think she eats at all, but she can pack it. She's also very sweet. While my parents were here, my mom-- who is obsessed with plants--was collecting seeds of every kind. weeks since then, Natalia has been saving seeds from anything she eats for her grandma V. Isn't it sweet?
Lorenzo has started a little preschool program with his grandma G. She comes over three times a week and does letters with him and some little activity. He loves it and looks forward to it! He is as funny as ever and I wish I could capture his little sense of humor. To tell you that we went to the store the other day where he produced a dollar out of his pocket. He said it was his and I didn't ask any questions. In the van on our way home the kids start to say that he found it in the store. I asked him why he told me that it was his, his reply..."I didn't know what it said. I don't know how to read yet, so I didn't know how to read it!"
Mom, "Lorenzo turn the tv off, that's enough tv."
Lorenzo, "But mom, tv is so important to me that I don't want to stop watching!"
He is turning 5 years old on tuesday and I can't believe that my little guy is growing up!
Travis and I are doing fine just trying to catch up with all that is going on.
Sophia has found a few friends that she can hang with at school and at church. She found someone to replace the empty spot in heart left by CJ...his name also start with a C. She has also been learning the tough lessons of middle school...what a bunch of emotional kids!!!! How does anyone survive those years of life?!? In any case, she's holding on and actually enjoying life as much as she can. She has joined an inter mural soccer team at school and so has the opportunity to play a bit.
Samuel has really enjoyed his new school. Sacajawea Elementary, the same school that Travis attended when he was growing up. Last Friday he did a seven mile hike with his dad. They hiked three and a half miles up to their camping spot and had to hold on to a cable part of the way there. The cable guided them the last hour of darkness and kept them from falling to a precipice on the other side! They sang "Hold to the Rod" and had some really neat experiences. They camped overnight while it rained outside, but were able to stay warm and dry during the night.
Natalia is also liking her new school. Her first grade room is the same room that Travis had when he was in first grade. She thinks that's pretty cool. She is also making some good little friends at school and church. She's a happy with an insatiable appetite. If you've seen her you wouldn't think she eats at all, but she can pack it. She's also very sweet. While my parents were here, my mom-- who is obsessed with plants--was collecting seeds of every kind. weeks since then, Natalia has been saving seeds from anything she eats for her grandma V. Isn't it sweet?
Lorenzo has started a little preschool program with his grandma G. She comes over three times a week and does letters with him and some little activity. He loves it and looks forward to it! He is as funny as ever and I wish I could capture his little sense of humor. To tell you that we went to the store the other day where he produced a dollar out of his pocket. He said it was his and I didn't ask any questions. In the van on our way home the kids start to say that he found it in the store. I asked him why he told me that it was his, his reply..."I didn't know what it said. I don't know how to read yet, so I didn't know how to read it!"
Mom, "Lorenzo turn the tv off, that's enough tv."
Lorenzo, "But mom, tv is so important to me that I don't want to stop watching!"
He is turning 5 years old on tuesday and I can't believe that my little guy is growing up!
Travis and I are doing fine just trying to catch up with all that is going on.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Is Summer Over?!?
Well......where do I even start? Does anyone even remember us anymore? We kind of fell of the face of the earth for a couple of months!
We did move to Vancouver, and went to Missouri, but it all seems like a blur. Except for the drive back...man was that ever long! My parents came back to Vancouver to visit with us for about a week and a half, while we were still surrounded by boxes and miss-matched furniture everywhere. It was a nice visit, but it went rather quickly. The next week we went on a family beach trip with Travis family. It was great fun, but by this point I felt as if I hadn't slept for a couple of months. So two or three--who's keeping count-- break downs later, we are finding our selves starting school all over again!
In between all that Travis interviewed and got a position with Vancouver School District at Fort Vancouver High School. Let's just say that the Longview School District didn't want to say goodbye to him before they got a chance to say hello, but with gas prices and finding forty minutes of commute time difficult to survive, the decision was obvious! He started today and it was all paper work and meetings, but I can tell this is his thing! We are very glad for the opportunity.
We did move to Vancouver, and went to Missouri, but it all seems like a blur. Except for the drive back...man was that ever long! My parents came back to Vancouver to visit with us for about a week and a half, while we were still surrounded by boxes and miss-matched furniture everywhere. It was a nice visit, but it went rather quickly. The next week we went on a family beach trip with Travis family. It was great fun, but by this point I felt as if I hadn't slept for a couple of months. So two or three--who's keeping count-- break downs later, we are finding our selves starting school all over again!
In between all that Travis interviewed and got a position with Vancouver School District at Fort Vancouver High School. Let's just say that the Longview School District didn't want to say goodbye to him before they got a chance to say hello, but with gas prices and finding forty minutes of commute time difficult to survive, the decision was obvious! He started today and it was all paper work and meetings, but I can tell this is his thing! We are very glad for the opportunity.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Agate weekend visit
Can't Believe the weekend is already here again! Last weekend was full of fun as we had Travis' sister and her family here visiting from Seattle. I'm sure Zillah was not very impressive to them, the country smell was out of control and the mosquitoes were out like crazy! But we still had fun and really enjoyed their visit.
Natalia and Lorenzo have come a long way in their swimming. Like I've stated before, we got a month pass to the local Comfort Inn swimming pool and we have been making the best of it. We go almost every day for at least an hour and help the kids to swim. Lorenzo and Natalia can now tread water and swim under and come up for air. Travis and I are both very excited that all the kids are on their way on that.
Well, next weekend is our moving weekend! I can't believe it's here!!! We've got out truck rented for the 3rd and it's now the right size--I had ally rented a 12' truck. Time has gone by quick and I am not sure if I am all that ready for it. For the most part we have a garage full of boxes that were never unpacked, but on the other hand we have an apartment full of stuff that is just randomly laying around. I am sure I'll find myself doing a lot of last minute packing--dumping what ever I can find into boxes!
After that we will be heading to Missouri! We are excited!
Natalia and Lorenzo have come a long way in their swimming. Like I've stated before, we got a month pass to the local Comfort Inn swimming pool and we have been making the best of it. We go almost every day for at least an hour and help the kids to swim. Lorenzo and Natalia can now tread water and swim under and come up for air. Travis and I are both very excited that all the kids are on their way on that.
Well, next weekend is our moving weekend! I can't believe it's here!!! We've got out truck rented for the 3rd and it's now the right size--I had ally rented a 12' truck. Time has gone by quick and I am not sure if I am all that ready for it. For the most part we have a garage full of boxes that were never unpacked, but on the other hand we have an apartment full of stuff that is just randomly laying around. I am sure I'll find myself doing a lot of last minute packing--dumping what ever I can find into boxes!
After that we will be heading to Missouri! We are excited!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Homemaker?!?
Ok. So I did say that I do not enjoy cooking, yet in the last few weeks I have actually found a joy in making some things the old fashion way, from scratch, thanks to my mixer and food storage. Like I've said before, we have been acquiring some food storage. In the process of finding out what to make with it I have brought my self to making bread...both wheat and french, and even my own granola cereal!
During this time my kids have come to realize the fruits of hard work come at a price. For me!
I mentioned that I made my own granola cereal- all the people in the following story have been warned that they were going to be blogged about, so here I go.
This morning we were eating cereal for breakfast. Samuel and I had a bowl of the homemade stuff as everyone else chose their poison. I found a couple of head hairs in my cereal and decided they must have gotten there from use -- it's a wide mouth container and there was just a little bit left. While eating, Sam, started finding hairs in his and I found a blade of grass in mine?!? So I decided to ask the question of all questions...
"Did someone drop the cereal and put it back in the container?" After looking around and seeing the face of the culprit I could answer it myself.
The excuse for the gross deed was, "You worked so hard I didn't want to waste it! And it's Samuels favorite cereal."
Samuel, disgusted, threw the rest of his away. I was almost done so I figure, oh well. Then my curiosity led me to another question, "What did you use to pick it up?"
"The broom."
"AHHH. Did you use the dust pan too?!?"
"No, Natalia did."
Natalia, " She told me too and then she told me not to say anything."
"Yuck! Disgusting! I can't believe that you guys are watching us eat this when you know what's happened!"
Samuel, "She's twelve years old! Who picks up cereal off the floor with a broom and a dust pan and puts it back into the container?"
Me, "Someone who is not thinking straight!"
Sam, "She thinks squiggly."
By the way the culprit seems to think it's not fair that her name was left out, I personally wouldn't even want the story to be retold...Sophia!
During this time my kids have come to realize the fruits of hard work come at a price. For me!
I mentioned that I made my own granola cereal- all the people in the following story have been warned that they were going to be blogged about, so here I go.
This morning we were eating cereal for breakfast. Samuel and I had a bowl of the homemade stuff as everyone else chose their poison. I found a couple of head hairs in my cereal and decided they must have gotten there from use -- it's a wide mouth container and there was just a little bit left. While eating, Sam, started finding hairs in his and I found a blade of grass in mine?!? So I decided to ask the question of all questions...
"Did someone drop the cereal and put it back in the container?" After looking around and seeing the face of the culprit I could answer it myself.
The excuse for the gross deed was, "You worked so hard I didn't want to waste it! And it's Samuels favorite cereal."
Samuel, disgusted, threw the rest of his away. I was almost done so I figure, oh well. Then my curiosity led me to another question, "What did you use to pick it up?"
"The broom."
"AHHH. Did you use the dust pan too?!?"
"No, Natalia did."
Natalia, " She told me too and then she told me not to say anything."
"Yuck! Disgusting! I can't believe that you guys are watching us eat this when you know what's happened!"
Samuel, "She's twelve years old! Who picks up cereal off the floor with a broom and a dust pan and puts it back into the container?"
Me, "Someone who is not thinking straight!"
Sam, "She thinks squiggly."
By the way the culprit seems to think it's not fair that her name was left out, I personally wouldn't even want the story to be retold...Sophia!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Moving...
Summer is in full swing around here. So far the kids are doing pretty good about not making too much trouble for their old mama. We signed up for swimming yesterday at the local swimming pool, so they are looking forward to that, bike riding, running around with friends and the never ending fill of movies.
Travis was offered the position with the Longview School District and accepted it! We are both really excited about this new prospect and the possibilities that it will be opening up. This means that we are going to be moving to Vancouver by the first part of July. I will be going to Missouri with the kids for three weeks to visit family and bring our long awaited lab back, soon after we move our stuff. This summer will sure go by fast! We are going to miss the people here, our ward is wonderful and we have made some really good friends in the little bit of time we've been here. But we are excited too, about the adventure ahead. Of course with four kids everything seems to be an adventure!
Travis was offered the position with the Longview School District and accepted it! We are both really excited about this new prospect and the possibilities that it will be opening up. This means that we are going to be moving to Vancouver by the first part of July. I will be going to Missouri with the kids for three weeks to visit family and bring our long awaited lab back, soon after we move our stuff. This summer will sure go by fast! We are going to miss the people here, our ward is wonderful and we have made some really good friends in the little bit of time we've been here. But we are excited too, about the adventure ahead. Of course with four kids everything seems to be an adventure!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Catch up.
Sophia just came back from a great High School Musical Broadway performance, this last weekend, in down town Portland. It was a fun gals day out with grandma G and it was a great experience! These picture are in front of the theater.
This week is also the last week of school here in Zillah. The kids are excited for summer to begin, but Sophia wishes that school would last just a few more months...it's CJ. She has had her first real crush ever and she is finding it hard to say goodbye. She looks forward to school as much as I do. The other day we had a rain storm while we were eating dinner and she said, "I hope CJ is OK."
Samuel, "It's not like he lives outside under a tree or something." We try to be supportive and realistic.
The only thing that makes it OK is that she found out that CJ and his family are moving to California this summer as well. I keep telling her to take a picture with him and I'll even let her use my camera. Her responce, "Mom, noone does that!" What?!? Don't understand! How much more supportive can one be.
Natalia is having her Kindergarten graduation parade today. YES, parade! They are going out the front of the building and walking in through the back. They encouraged all parents that can come to honk their horns and blow bubbles at the kids. I'm taking my camera, it should be pretty cute! Lorenzo is going to be riding his two wheeler there, while I walk next to him, we'll see how it goes.
Lorenzo received a letter from his little love the other day. She sent him a picture and some candy. He said, "I love A.! I can't wait to get married!" Now, I think my kids are growing up to fast!
Samuel did say that he would stay home from school so he could be my baby. I told him that he wasn't a baby but a big kid. Samuel, "Well maybe there is something that could make me forget how to do everything so I would have to learn things all over again."
Me, "Not a good idea, you are too smart to do that!"
This week is also the last week of school here in Zillah. The kids are excited for summer to begin, but Sophia wishes that school would last just a few more months...it's CJ. She has had her first real crush ever and she is finding it hard to say goodbye. She looks forward to school as much as I do. The other day we had a rain storm while we were eating dinner and she said, "I hope CJ is OK."
Samuel, "It's not like he lives outside under a tree or something." We try to be supportive and realistic.
The only thing that makes it OK is that she found out that CJ and his family are moving to California this summer as well. I keep telling her to take a picture with him and I'll even let her use my camera. Her responce, "Mom, noone does that!" What?!? Don't understand! How much more supportive can one be.
Natalia is having her Kindergarten graduation parade today. YES, parade! They are going out the front of the building and walking in through the back. They encouraged all parents that can come to honk their horns and blow bubbles at the kids. I'm taking my camera, it should be pretty cute! Lorenzo is going to be riding his two wheeler there, while I walk next to him, we'll see how it goes.
Lorenzo received a letter from his little love the other day. She sent him a picture and some candy. He said, "I love A.! I can't wait to get married!" Now, I think my kids are growing up to fast!
Samuel did say that he would stay home from school so he could be my baby. I told him that he wasn't a baby but a big kid. Samuel, "Well maybe there is something that could make me forget how to do everything so I would have to learn things all over again."
Me, "Not a good idea, you are too smart to do that!"
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wheels
Travis had his second interview and it went very well. We should be finding out their decision sometime soon.
We had fun in Vancouver this last weekend and the kids got their first motorcycle ride ever! Uncle T took them on a 
small ride around the neighborhood and they had a lot of fun. Here are some pics.
Lorenzo also got to learn how to ride a two wheeler!!! He's the youngest of our kids, at four years old, to learn to ride a two wheeler. He was pretty determined when he saw himself following the other boys around on his tricycle and not even being able to keep up. So he told Travis to take the training wheels of his two-wheeler and teach him. He got it in one day! He was so proud of himself that he kept saying, " I can't believe how good I am!"
Natalia had a little end of the year concert and it was so cute! I tried to get video, but my batteries were going out so my camera kept
turning off. B
ut here is the little bit that I got. She was the best little farm gal in the show, she also doubled as a 
nurse.
We had fun in Vancouver this last weekend and the kids got their first motorcycle ride ever! Uncle T took them on a 
small ride around the neighborhood and they had a lot of fun. Here are some pics.
Lorenzo also got to learn how to ride a two wheeler!!! He's the youngest of our kids, at four years old, to learn to ride a two wheeler. He was pretty determined when he saw himself following the other boys around on his tricycle and not even being able to keep up. So he told Travis to take the training wheels of his two-wheeler and teach him. He got it in one day! He was so proud of himself that he kept saying, " I can't believe how good I am!"
Natalia had a little end of the year concert and it was so cute! I tried to get video, but my batteries were going out so my camera kept
turning off. B
ut here is the little bit that I got. She was the best little farm gal in the show, she also doubled as a 
nurse.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Needing Some ZzZzZz
We came back from an exciting and busy weekend. We hosted BBQ with friends Friday night. Went on Sophia's first Temple trip on Saturday morning and drove out to Seattle Saturday afternoon for our niece's, K, baptism on Sunday. Travis had a phone interview with the Longview School District (30 min. north of Vancouver) at 9 AM on Monday morning, only to find out that they would like a second interview with him this Friday, in Longview, at 9AM. So back out of town we go!!
After that, we come back Saturday night because we both have talks in the Spanish branch...they recruit Spanish speakers from other wards... and Travis has to teach Sunday school too!! So after church on Sunday we are going to disappear off the face of the earth for a day or so, and catch up on much needed rest.
After that, we come back Saturday night because we both have talks in the Spanish branch...they recruit Spanish speakers from other wards... and Travis has to teach Sunday school too!! So after church on Sunday we are going to disappear off the face of the earth for a day or so, and catch up on much needed rest.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Cost of Art
Natalia just came up to me, "If you don't let me go to school tomorrow....OK fine here!" and handed me a coloring page that she filled in, sign it and gave it back. It took me a minute to figure out that she was trying to make a deal in turn for art that I didn't know existed.
This wasn't the first time that she has put a price on her art.
Last time it was $7 for a picture of a flower, when I informed her that I didn't have that much cash on hand, she lowered the price to a $1...
"Sorry no money!"
So Samuel suggested that she write $.01 on it.
"Oh, I have a penny!" I said.
After she realized the ridiculous price she had just given her art, Samuel pulled out a penny from his pocket and said, "I'll buy it for you mom."
And off she went with her penny and I got my art. I remember when kids use to just hand you these things hand over fist for free!!
All is Well...
We survived Zillah Days!! I guess it's not SantaCaliGon, the carnival in Independence that celebrates the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails. The Carnival here had a turnout of about 100 people and was closing down by 8 PM. We were glad. By Sunday night they were packing the rides and there was no trace of it by Monday morning!! We almost felt bad for them and came close to the thought that maybe we would go and add our circus show to help out with the crowd, but we didn't feel that bad.
It's been a long week and we have been trying to buy bulk items...random...but living in a small town with gas prices at $3.85 a gallon (now I am not that old and I remember buying gas at $.90 and thinking that was outrageous!), we decided to make the best of our trips into town. The only thing is that we are looking to move once again in the near future and instead of diminishing our load we are making it bigger!
Our ward is having a big push on food storage and so they are making it very convenient to make orders. We make orders to turn in on Sunday and on Friday someone makes the hour trip down to the store house and brings it all back for us to pick up. You can't say no to that. Plus with the prices of everything going up everyone seems to be emptying the store houses. Our RS president sent an e-mail to all and stated that even if you feel like you can afford the prices at the store, there is no amount of money that can buy food when there is none to buy...referring to the scarcity of wheat and rice. Never thought about it that way, so we have been trying to keep some more on hand of the things that we like. I told Travis, we have a nice new tent, plenty of sleeping bags and lanterns galore, now all we need is a way to transport our now growing 72hr kit around...I don't think the car top will do!!
It's been a long week and we have been trying to buy bulk items...random...but living in a small town with gas prices at $3.85 a gallon (now I am not that old and I remember buying gas at $.90 and thinking that was outrageous!), we decided to make the best of our trips into town. The only thing is that we are looking to move once again in the near future and instead of diminishing our load we are making it bigger!
Our ward is having a big push on food storage and so they are making it very convenient to make orders. We make orders to turn in on Sunday and on Friday someone makes the hour trip down to the store house and brings it all back for us to pick up. You can't say no to that. Plus with the prices of everything going up everyone seems to be emptying the store houses. Our RS president sent an e-mail to all and stated that even if you feel like you can afford the prices at the store, there is no amount of money that can buy food when there is none to buy...referring to the scarcity of wheat and rice. Never thought about it that way, so we have been trying to keep some more on hand of the things that we like. I told Travis, we have a nice new tent, plenty of sleeping bags and lanterns galore, now all we need is a way to transport our now growing 72hr kit around...I don't think the car top will do!!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Zillah Days
So earlier in the week we found out that Zillah has an annual carnival/festival event that goes on this weekend. We also found out that it takes place in the park behind our duplex. Yesterday, we came home to the following:
This is now in our back yard. These pictures were taken out our back door. This goes on all weekend until midnight!!! And that child on the fence is Renzo! Needless to say we are not very happy to have the town party that close to us. Somebody should have warned us, but I guess it wouldn't have made much of a difference since it was the only available place to rent in Zillah! Leave town you say? We can't, I am in charge of sharing time for Mother's Day.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Second Hand Store Adventure
We were up in Yakima today running some errands and just getting out of Zillah. After doing all our rounds, we decided to take a trip to the second hand store and browse around. So the used store is never a place where people browse and dream, but sometimes you can find some really good deals. As soon as we went in the store, Sophia came up to me and let me know how embarrassed she was to be there.
"Sophia, if anyone you know sees you here then they are also shopping around the store. Don't worry about it." I figure no one is going to go around trying to embarrass her at school without putting themselves on the line. Plus, what so embarrassing about being thrifty? It's the age.
So, we left the store without buying anything. She still kept on saying how embarrassed she was because even though she didn't see anyone she knew, everyone that passes by will recognize our car. OK, we have a car-top carrier on our car that's been there since we moved. It's part of our car...and we just don't have anywhere else to store it. But it is true everyone recognizes our car by the carrier.
Example: We ran into some friends at Target, they saw our car pull into the parking lot and their two year old said "There's Renzo!" This was in Yakima.
Travis and I started to tease her and tell her that with the carnival that was going on down the street, there probably were a few kids from her school that saw us parked at the store as they passed by.
Sophia, " I hope they didn't see us."
As we are passing by the carnival, I start to tell her that I was going to yell out that we are coming from the goodwill. Travis decides to say, "I am going to yell out: Hey everybody Sophia shops second hand!"
Sounds kind of cruel, but we couldn't stop laughing and she couldn't even catch her breath she was laughing so hard. She's a good sport. She knew we really weren't going to do anything, but just the picture of it was enough.
Random:
We had good time the rest of the evening and came home to put our urchin looking children in the bath. Travis had made the comment earlier that they probably make a better fit at the second hand store. Next time I'll have to put signs around them that say "We just came from playing hard at the Park! Please don't turn our Social Work father and mother in!" Sorry, I'm still a bit giddy!!
"Sophia, if anyone you know sees you here then they are also shopping around the store. Don't worry about it." I figure no one is going to go around trying to embarrass her at school without putting themselves on the line. Plus, what so embarrassing about being thrifty? It's the age.
So, we left the store without buying anything. She still kept on saying how embarrassed she was because even though she didn't see anyone she knew, everyone that passes by will recognize our car. OK, we have a car-top carrier on our car that's been there since we moved. It's part of our car...and we just don't have anywhere else to store it. But it is true everyone recognizes our car by the carrier.
Example: We ran into some friends at Target, they saw our car pull into the parking lot and their two year old said "There's Renzo!" This was in Yakima.
Travis and I started to tease her and tell her that with the carnival that was going on down the street, there probably were a few kids from her school that saw us parked at the store as they passed by.
Sophia, " I hope they didn't see us."
As we are passing by the carnival, I start to tell her that I was going to yell out that we are coming from the goodwill. Travis decides to say, "I am going to yell out: Hey everybody Sophia shops second hand!"
Sounds kind of cruel, but we couldn't stop laughing and she couldn't even catch her breath she was laughing so hard. She's a good sport. She knew we really weren't going to do anything, but just the picture of it was enough.
Random:
We had good time the rest of the evening and came home to put our urchin looking children in the bath. Travis had made the comment earlier that they probably make a better fit at the second hand store. Next time I'll have to put signs around them that say "We just came from playing hard at the Park! Please don't turn our Social Work father and mother in!" Sorry, I'm still a bit giddy!!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Recap
I can't believe it's Thursday! This week has come and gone so quickly, and left me exhausted!!
Recap: No full names are used in the following to maintain everyone's privacy.
We were in Seattle this last weekend with Travis' family. Five out of the six siblings and their spouses, his parents and some of the grandkids...It was a fun weekend full of activities. We got to see his youngest sister N and her husband, they were up there for a job interview. We stayed with J and her family, while his brother J and his wife hosted mom and dad Gunn. His other sister N, competed in a regional opera competition and won, and will now represent the Northwest in the National competition in Tennessee. Sophia got to co-babysit for the first time,while all the "big people" (sorry, but it won't print the other word) went to watch the competition and she was glad for the pay. We were glad she is not aware of the current going rate!
We got to celebrate grandpa Gunn's birthday on Sunday, and all the kids graced us with a play based on the story of Esther from the Old Testament. It was full of all kinds comedy, bet you didn't know that this particular story had anything funny in it?!? The producer and director, Sophia, took all types of liberties with the script and so did her actors!! All in all the message stayed pretty close to the original...I think!?!
We came back and I was hit with a severe case of spring cleaning fever. I've never had it full blown, but for two and half days I struggled, day to night, to put down my cleaning rag. It's been the worse case of the disease that I've ever had and hope that it won't hit me again anytime soon. It's the most frustrating of all illnesses, because as soon as you have cleaned someone comes to undo what you've worked so hard to do. By the end you are physically and mentally spent! Don't wish it on anyone!! By the way, no one else got sick with it, just me.
Recap: No full names are used in the following to maintain everyone's privacy.
We were in Seattle this last weekend with Travis' family. Five out of the six siblings and their spouses, his parents and some of the grandkids...It was a fun weekend full of activities. We got to see his youngest sister N and her husband, they were up there for a job interview. We stayed with J and her family, while his brother J and his wife hosted mom and dad Gunn. His other sister N, competed in a regional opera competition and won, and will now represent the Northwest in the National competition in Tennessee. Sophia got to co-babysit for the first time,while all the "big people" (sorry, but it won't print the other word) went to watch the competition and she was glad for the pay. We were glad she is not aware of the current going rate!
We got to celebrate grandpa Gunn's birthday on Sunday, and all the kids graced us with a play based on the story of Esther from the Old Testament. It was full of all kinds comedy, bet you didn't know that this particular story had anything funny in it?!? The producer and director, Sophia, took all types of liberties with the script and so did her actors!! All in all the message stayed pretty close to the original...I think!?!
We came back and I was hit with a severe case of spring cleaning fever. I've never had it full blown, but for two and half days I struggled, day to night, to put down my cleaning rag. It's been the worse case of the disease that I've ever had and hope that it won't hit me again anytime soon. It's the most frustrating of all illnesses, because as soon as you have cleaned someone comes to undo what you've worked so hard to do. By the end you are physically and mentally spent! Don't wish it on anyone!! By the way, no one else got sick with it, just me.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Weekend
We just got back from Vancouver.
You might think that we are rich, with the gas prices the way they are and our coming back and forth. The truth is that we save during the week for the weekends. Travis carpools to work with some environmentally savvy folks and I do what a lot of stay-at-home moms do...stay at home.
He had an interview this past Friday with the Vancouver School District for a position that they don't have, but hope to have this coming school year. He would be doing the same as in Independence, Family School Liaison. We are pretty excited about this possibility.
Saturday the kids went swimming with dad and grandpa, only to find out that it had been snowing...crazy stuff!! Travis' mom and I went to the Tulip Festival in nearby Woodland. Took a few pics, walked around a bit and headed back home. The tulip farmers kept sending these sonic booms up into the clouds so that the hale that was falling would turn to snow and not damage the tulips. I was all very pretty none the less. We had a great time visiting and even enjoyed a great performance by a friend of Travis' parents. He sang "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof, which he performed some ten years before. We'd watched the movie with our kids and they loved it, so thus the special performance. Lorenzo goes around singing that song and shaking, so it was fun.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Love Notes
I've been reading a book off and on, when time allows me. I finally picked it up after having read it last, during spring break, while Travis was in Independence. When I opened it I found these two little notes that Natalia had written me while we were in Vancouver. She decided to put one on my pillow one day and that night when I went to bed I found it. She did that for two nights. It was so sweet! I wanted to keep them and show them to Travis, I stuck them in the book I was reading so I could find them. It was a great surprise to find them again and remember the love of my little Natalia.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday...continued
In the car on the way home from church:
Travis to Sophia about something she had said at church, nothing bad, but something someone else could take the wrong way. "Sophia you have a mouth bigger than Texas!"
Samuel to Sophia, " You really don't. It's just a manner of speaking, because your mouth isn't even as big as the van."
Travis to Sophia about something she had said at church, nothing bad, but something someone else could take the wrong way. "Sophia you have a mouth bigger than Texas!"
Samuel to Sophia, " You really don't. It's just a manner of speaking, because your mouth isn't even as big as the van."
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Sunday
I was sitting in Primary on crowd control patrol, when out the corner of my eye I saw someone at one of the windows (our classrooms are down in the basement.) I look to see my four year old, Lorenzo, peering in through the window. Needles to say that I bolted out of primary as fast I could trying to find my way out of the basement. I ran past an older lady in our ward, on the stairs, nearly knocking her down, as I frantically apologize and yell out that my four year old is outside the church building ( our chapel is in a bad part of town.) I burst through the door to see him with his teacher, startling her, and all the rest of his class. I went back down stairs replaying the whole sequence of event in my mind a million times, running into the same lady again in the hall. I stopped and explained what had happened and learned that it could have been worse. Apparently it happened some 20 years before, the police ended up bringing the child from in town, where he had walked to, to a church full of adults searching for this little boy. I went back, sat down, hoping noone else had noticed my sudden disappearance, I didn't want to explain or hear any more stories to keep me up at night. Not so lucky. The Primary president saw it all unfolding from the back of the room, knew the kids were out there with their teacher, but couldn't do anything to stop it. Well, it was the cherry on top of my Sunday, from a very demanding four year old that made every minute hard that day. I came home and took a three hour nap. He was sent to his room for about an half an hour for something that had happened that day that was totally unrelated.... He is this toothless wide mouth little boy that melts my heart and gets away with a lot. The picture in my mind is how he looked. Blue corduroy pants with a white polo and the blue suit jacket that he added on to his ensemble before we left. I didn't notice the suit jacket 'til we were at church. He marches by the beat of some drum and I still haven't figured out the beat.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Spring Break
Last week was spring break for the kids. For the first time in a long time they actually got a whole week! We hung out with friends for a few days and did some spring cleaning. On Wednesday evening we headed for Vancouver for the rest of the week.
Travis left for Independence on Thursday to take care of some things for our house which is back on the market. I think everyone there, was pretty excited to see him. When I called to see if he had gotten there, it sounded like the party of the century in the background!!! He had a good time and seemed to get a lot done.
I stayed back with the kids at grandma and grandpa Gunn's house and had fun! We went to the Portland Zoo one day, where it took us too long to look for a parking space. I ended having to use my taxi driving skills to maneuver into a coveted spot that ended up being a few spots from the entrance! That made all the difference!! Last Year at the Zoo, our kids learned a little too much about mating rituals within all the difference species, this time around it was a little less "X" rated. Sophia had a little parakeet come and perch on her head as people walked by laughing...that same parakeet decided to empty out its belly on Samuel's head! It was comical!
The next day we visited with g-grandma and g-grandpa Allred, they are sweet to put up with the circus. Then we headed over to the bowling alley, where Lorenzo showed off his stuff. He would look back and wink at me before he threw the bowling ball. Then it would roll ever so slowly, before knocking down several pins. He was ahead of us most of the time, and would come and "suavely" stand to wait for the ball to reappear, hand on hip and feet crossed!! ADORABLE!! Then after four hours...yes, there were six of us... we came back to grandma's house, where Natalia got to help grandma plant an herb garden. She loves to help bake and garden. we got to watch conference too, which was great.
Travis left for Independence on Thursday to take care of some things for our house which is back on the market. I think everyone there, was pretty excited to see him. When I called to see if he had gotten there, it sounded like the party of the century in the background!!! He had a good time and seemed to get a lot done.
I stayed back with the kids at grandma and grandpa Gunn's house and had fun! We went to the Portland Zoo one day, where it took us too long to look for a parking space. I ended having to use my taxi driving skills to maneuver into a coveted spot that ended up being a few spots from the entrance! That made all the difference!! Last Year at the Zoo, our kids learned a little too much about mating rituals within all the difference species, this time around it was a little less "X" rated. Sophia had a little parakeet come and perch on her head as people walked by laughing...that same parakeet decided to empty out its belly on Samuel's head! It was comical!
The next day we visited with g-grandma and g-grandpa Allred, they are sweet to put up with the circus. Then we headed over to the bowling alley, where Lorenzo showed off his stuff. He would look back and wink at me before he threw the bowling ball. Then it would roll ever so slowly, before knocking down several pins. He was ahead of us most of the time, and would come and "suavely" stand to wait for the ball to reappear, hand on hip and feet crossed!! ADORABLE!! Then after four hours...yes, there were six of us... we came back to grandma's house, where Natalia got to help grandma plant an herb garden. She loves to help bake and garden. we got to watch conference too, which was great.
Friday, March 28, 2008
A New Blogger
Thanks to my Sister-in-law, Danielle, I have decided to jump into the blog circle. So here I go....
We are currently living in a small town in central Washington called Zillah...don't worry even people here don't know where to find it. There are more wineries and cattle ranching than there are people, but the people that are here are very sweet and genuine. It is an eternity south of Yakima, and another eternity north of the Tri-cities. Even though we have really gotten to like our friends and all, we have the need to move on.
Vancouver, Washington is our next camping site...for more than a few months I hope! The kids go from being excited to being disappointed, depending on their school day.
Sophia has entered the JR High phase. She is taller than I am, by about 1/2 inch, but enough to say she is taller. She has a crush on a boy from school who seems to be the topic of all conversation. "CJ! CJ! CJ!!!!", but we are happy that she is sharing with us. Besides CJ, her other obsession is Little House on the Prairie (or LHOTP). It's like keeping up with a soap opera for her, and I'm just glad that its something other than the garbage you find on TV now a days. She loves to sing and is taking piano lessons. She misses playing soccer, since the only league here plays 8-12 year olds together. There is a huge difference in size and it's quite the intimidating thing whether you are the smaller or the bigger one. So that is one of the things that we are looking forward to in Vancouver. She has also gotten into the series by Stephenie Meyers and is anxious for the next book.
Samuel is a little brainiac. He loves building anything...k'nex, Legos, bionicles, and can sit there for hours. He has also gotten into the bad habit of repeating all our sarcasm to the other kids...he gets it. He has a little neighbor boy that comes over every single day to see if Samuel can play with him. Samuel is 9 and this boy is 5 or 6, but is just as tall as Samuel. Samuel thought that his friend was a "special" boy until he found out that he is just a tall kindergartener!
Natalia is in kindergarten and is really doing great. She loves to make friends and have drama in her life. Yesterday was dress-up as you favorite profession day and she couldn't figure out how to dress-up like a teacher. after several ideas and many moments in tears, for both of us, I finally convinced her that it wasn't required! She is sweet in a high maintenance kind of way. She really enjoys riding a two wheeler and sassing her older sis!
Before I continue, after watching LHOTP, Sophie and Natalia have attempted to act as if they were blind. One by bumping into everything in our apartment and the other by holding me by the elbow at the Dr. office. Go Figure! It keeps their natural acting skills going.
And then there is Lorenzo!!! Where do I even start!! He is the most adorable four year old without two front teeth that I know of. He and I are at-home-pals. He loves to father everyone around. Just this week we were coming back from picking up the kids from school, when he notice the neighbor boy B, hagging off of one of the small trees in our complex. We were coming in the door when I heard him yell to the boy, "B get off that tree, you not apposed to be up there!" Mind you, Travis has told our boys to stay off the trees because they are too small and will break. I turned to him "Renzo, stop! You're not his dad." His responce was "but mom, he's too liddle to be out there by his self." thus the fathering everyone around him. He is a very sensitive boy! He loves to giggle and laugh and I love that!
I promise that I will try to keep my entries down to a minimum next time, but for now my long awaited novel will do! We love you and miss everyone of you and hope this gives you a glimpse into our goings on.
We are currently living in a small town in central Washington called Zillah...don't worry even people here don't know where to find it. There are more wineries and cattle ranching than there are people, but the people that are here are very sweet and genuine. It is an eternity south of Yakima, and another eternity north of the Tri-cities. Even though we have really gotten to like our friends and all, we have the need to move on.
Vancouver, Washington is our next camping site...for more than a few months I hope! The kids go from being excited to being disappointed, depending on their school day.
Sophia has entered the JR High phase. She is taller than I am, by about 1/2 inch, but enough to say she is taller. She has a crush on a boy from school who seems to be the topic of all conversation. "CJ! CJ! CJ!!!!", but we are happy that she is sharing with us. Besides CJ, her other obsession is Little House on the Prairie (or LHOTP). It's like keeping up with a soap opera for her, and I'm just glad that its something other than the garbage you find on TV now a days. She loves to sing and is taking piano lessons. She misses playing soccer, since the only league here plays 8-12 year olds together. There is a huge difference in size and it's quite the intimidating thing whether you are the smaller or the bigger one. So that is one of the things that we are looking forward to in Vancouver. She has also gotten into the series by Stephenie Meyers and is anxious for the next book.
Samuel is a little brainiac. He loves building anything...k'nex, Legos, bionicles, and can sit there for hours. He has also gotten into the bad habit of repeating all our sarcasm to the other kids...he gets it. He has a little neighbor boy that comes over every single day to see if Samuel can play with him. Samuel is 9 and this boy is 5 or 6, but is just as tall as Samuel. Samuel thought that his friend was a "special" boy until he found out that he is just a tall kindergartener!
Natalia is in kindergarten and is really doing great. She loves to make friends and have drama in her life. Yesterday was dress-up as you favorite profession day and she couldn't figure out how to dress-up like a teacher. after several ideas and many moments in tears, for both of us, I finally convinced her that it wasn't required! She is sweet in a high maintenance kind of way. She really enjoys riding a two wheeler and sassing her older sis!
Before I continue, after watching LHOTP, Sophie and Natalia have attempted to act as if they were blind. One by bumping into everything in our apartment and the other by holding me by the elbow at the Dr. office. Go Figure! It keeps their natural acting skills going.
And then there is Lorenzo!!! Where do I even start!! He is the most adorable four year old without two front teeth that I know of. He and I are at-home-pals. He loves to father everyone around. Just this week we were coming back from picking up the kids from school, when he notice the neighbor boy B, hagging off of one of the small trees in our complex. We were coming in the door when I heard him yell to the boy, "B get off that tree, you not apposed to be up there!" Mind you, Travis has told our boys to stay off the trees because they are too small and will break. I turned to him "Renzo, stop! You're not his dad." His responce was "but mom, he's too liddle to be out there by his self." thus the fathering everyone around him. He is a very sensitive boy! He loves to giggle and laugh and I love that!
I promise that I will try to keep my entries down to a minimum next time, but for now my long awaited novel will do! We love you and miss everyone of you and hope this gives you a glimpse into our goings on.
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