Weekend Update

We had extra visitors this weekend. Kevin was putting the slide away and there was a family of snakes underneath it. They were pretty fast, but I managed to get this one. The kids were fascinated.

Other than the snakes, we had a quiet weekend. I find I like those. It was just too hot to be outside. I am not a fan of the high 90's, overcast and the air filled with smoke from the fires in California. I am suffering from allergies. For those of you who don't know, we live just downwind of the grass capitol of the world and Oregon has the highest pollen/grass count of the country. So my house is shut tightly with the air conditioning on and we go outside as little as possible!!

The highlight of the weekend was when my friend Heather and her family came for a visit. It was short and hectic and sadly I did not get any pictures. They were on their way home from Bandon and a week long family reunion. Heather and I were companions together on our mission. We have kept in touch and try to get together whenever we can. She lives up by my mom now, so that helps.

Sunday was a quiet day. We played a few games as a family and fixed dinner as a family. It was kind of nice. The best part was, we even cleaned up as a family. We were going to make ice cream, but it's been so long that I forgot it takes a while for the drum to freeze. So I am off to find another ice cream maker, or just another bowl so we can have twice as much. When I looked at the bowl, I realized, we are no longer a one bowl kind of family.

Now we're off to Target and Costco!!

Cooking Lesson #2

Today was Isaac 's turn to help in the kitchen. He didn't really care what he made, just as long as he got to cook in the crockpot. Go figure. He chose enchilada casserole, spanish rice and refried beans. Such a poser. It was an easy dish for him to help with.

I think tearing up the tortillas was his favorite.

Here is the final result.

He looks pretty pleased with his meal.

The kids have been loving this and it hasn't been so horrible. I like seeing the joy on their faces as they complete their tasks and they seem to enjoy dinner more.

Next up: Anna

To All My Friends in or from the Seattle Area

So I was thinking a get together would be fun. I would be willing to plan it and get everything coordinated. What I need from you is dates and times you might be in town and if you are interested in this. I am thinking--my mother willing, a BBQ at Mom's with swimming, bocce ball, croquet, all sorts of fun things. Just comment when you might be in town or email me.

Cooking Lesson #1

Anyone who knows me, knows I have many quirks in the kitchen. My food has to be color coordinated, it has to be attractive and I never test a new recipe with anyone other than family to name a few. In my attempts to loosen my control and pass some time this summer, the kids are participating in cooking dinners. Each child has an assigned night and gets to help plan the menu. We look at the ads and see what's on sale, listen to our cravings and plan from accordingly. Abby wanted to go first. She picked Hamburger Patties in Gravy. Here she is fixing the corn. Since you can't get the potato pearls in cans anymore, we decided to try the ones from Costco. I'd have to have them side by side to see if I could tell a difference. They are no substitute for the real thing, but I am not ready to have Abby wielding a knife (as she was a very hands on helper!) Here she is stirring the potatoes.

I think this was her favorite and most successful dish. Berry blue Jell-o with pears. She was so proud she stirred it all by herself!

She got to bless the food and have the very first bite. We all had to thank her for her meal. When I hadn't, I got a reminder to:"Say thanks for fixing my dinner, Mom".

Next is Isaac's turn.

Weekend Update

Friday was a quiet night due to a horrible migraine. Anna was a great helper and fixed chili dogs for dinner.

Saturday I watched a friend's children (2, 9 & 10) so she could have a night away for her anniversary. My friend Lark and her family came over for dinner--to give me adult conversation since Kevin was on call and help out with the kids. Not that the kids were hard, but her husband helped me get the slide set up and the grill going. We grilled hamburgers, turkey burgers, hot dogs and chicken & apple sausages. But the main event was the slide. They always have so much fun on this and this was the first time of the season. Kevin showed up in the middle of it as a surprise. He has a friend at work who volunteered to take his Saturday night so he could come home. It was a nice surprise. The shots aren't all that great, but the kids didn't really want to stop and pose. Except for mine of course.

We are the popular ones on the block when this comes out.

Abby--posing as only she can!

Yesterday we made it to church--all 6 kids in tow. And because I had so many leftovers, I asked my friends Mark and Hilary to come for dinner. We had a nice evening, good food, good conversation, good company. Good times. I think their daughter Ellie, might have had the most fun. She's a year and a half and was having so much fun playing with the kids and outside.

By bedtime I was ready to collapse. And now it is Monday morning and another week has begun. Our first full week without school. I'll let you know if we all survive!!!

Abby's New Smile

Abby's look was forever altered today with the removal of one of her front teeth. She was a very brave girl and didn't complain once (until she got home!). She even let Dr. Dunne know they were still friends before leaving the office. I'm sure if he didn't have the nitrous oxide (that is what she is breathing in this picture), she probably wouldn't like him as much. Right after getting up from the chair. I love that summer has brought out her freckles--or is it the paleness from just having a tooth yanked from her mouth?? I opt for the former.

I was so glad to walk into my room and see this. Normally I cringe when one of the kids fall asleep before bedtime, but she was not having a good time and was letting me know it every 30 seconds or so. I looked at this as a blessed reprieve. Of course tonight at 11:30 when it's just the 2 of us, I won't be singing that tune. Never satisfied, I know.

The gaping hole the tooth left behind.

Her new grin. This picture is after nap. She woke up happy and feeling no pain. She got to pick dinner and had tomato soup and jell-o, with apple juice. She kept asking if these were things that Isaac had picked when he had work done. I so wish my kids would not try and keep a mental tally of who got what!!!

It's a pretty cute smile, but it makes her look older. Wasn't quite ready for the baby of the family to start getting visited by the Tooth Fairy!

School's Out...

Last day of school was yesterday. Of course I was scrambling getting last minute details done. Here are the cupcakes I made for their teachers. They also got a Willow Tree angel that each child handpicked for the teachers. Here's Noah with his teacher. Sometimes his talkative ways are too much for anyone. And she had to deal with it everyday!

Isaac graduated kindergarten and is now on his way to 1st grade and all day school!!!

The last day of school was always hard for me as I wept all the way home because I would miss my friends. There were tears and sadness from teachers and children yesterday. I know this sounds like a bragging moment, but I have really good kids and the teachers all enjoyed having them in their classes. I think my kids had great teachers. Noah could have been pushed a bit harder--but I could have pushed harder as well. All in all it was a successful year that we are sad (some more than others) to see be over.

Abby's tooth

So we woke up Saturday morning to a puffy lip. She complained the night before that her lip hurt. I figured she had just bumped it and it would be fine in the morning. WRONG! I put a call in to the dentist and soon heard back from one his wonderful women that work with him, then a few minutes later, heard from him.

She had had some work done on this tooth. The first time it ever got worked on, the original dentist didn't do it properly or get all the cavity out and so it had to be fixed. Last week the filling fell out and we were in to get it repaired. Almost a week later, this. Dr. Dunne--who is a great guy and the kids adore him--called in a prescription for her to try and get the infection down. We are on that for 10 days, but go in Thursday to have him look at it. It is our hope to keep the tooth, but it probably won't be. I have to give him credit for trying, this was the third attempt to keep her smile intact. We'll see on Thursday whether the smile is the same or if she is going to be wanting her front tooth for Christmas.

Field Day

Things are a lot different than when I had field day at school. There isn't any competition for one. But the kids all had fun anyway. The parachute brought back memories. I loved that as a kid. The water station was everybody's favorite. Thankfully summer seems to have arrived and we were able to enjoy the nice weather. Abby was a good sport as I had to wake her up in order to get to Isaac's and Noah's. Then she and Isaac had to be schlepped back in order to not leave Anna out of the festivities.

Play day at the Park

Play days at the park have begun again. My friend Lark called me this morning and convinced me to go. Because it's good for the kids, I went. They had a blast. Isaac thinks he is quite the expert climber. I love this little girl. Her name is Ellie and I would keep her if I could. She is just darling. Great job catching herself here. And good mom that Hilary is, she is running to save her. What do I do? Pull out the camera because it's such a priceless picture. (I would have saved her--after the picture was taken)

Isaac and his friend Jacob on the teeter-totter. Jacob's older sister was on the other side being a great helper to the smaller kids.

This thing spins round and round. It took me a minute to figure how it worked (I sat down, pushed with my legs a couple times and then sat criss-cross applesauce), but once I did I went so fast I almost puked. I am not a good one for round and round toys. Abby loved it though.

One of the kids that came to play got to ride this cool tractor from his house. He had no problems sharing.

I think that Kara might have had the most fun. Lark told her not to get wet. She was hilarious to watch. I think she had sand in every little crack and crevice and it was glued to her face because of her runny nose. I love this little girl.

Dad

Dear Dad,


It was 2 years ago today that you were taken from us. I wanted you to know, that we are doing pretty good. We miss you every day and wish that you were still here. But we have learned that our ways are not always the Lord's ways. (Some of us have taken a lot longer to learn than others!) I wanted to thank you for being my dad. For teaching me so many things. Strength through affliction, the value of hard work, humility and gratitude just to name a few. You never once yelled at mom. There was never a question that you loved her. You did more than just love her, you adored her. The kids and I talk about you all the time. Even though a couple of them were too young to have clear memories of you to last a lifetime, know that they are being raised to know you. Enough time has passed that mostly we laugh and smile with remembrance, but tears are still shed for you. Please know that we know that you are watching over us and loving us where you are. I miss you dad and love you more than I could ever say!


Love, Kimberly





Here's Dad playing with the kids.

Fixing the best sausage, gravy and biscuits ever made.
Even though the voice was gruff, it only hid the big softy inside.
Always supportive of the kids.

I can still hear his laughter. For those who have heard it, you know what I mean!

He loved the babies and they loved him.

He served his country in Vietnam and quietly instilled faith and patriotism in his family. He put this flag pole up right after having been at my house helping me put up a fence.

*Arah, I had this all done before reading your tribute to Sierra--weird!

Weekend Update

This weekend Kevin and I watched P.S. I Love You. Grab a Kleenex!! I wept through the whole thing. But I do have to say I enjoyed it. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good cry.

This is the best book I have read in a long time. When I finished reading it, I immediately went online and ordered one for my mom and one for my sister. Even if you don't enjoy reading, this is an absolute must.

Our weekend was nice and quiet. We (Kevin and the kids)worked in the yard when weather permitted. The kids went to a birthday party down the street.

Yesterday we grilled turkey burgers for dinner, played a few games and watched a National Treasure 2 together (I snored throughout it, I was informed).

Not an overly active weekend, but after having had soccer and busyness it was a welcome change.

Anna informed me that there are only 6 1/2 more days of school. By the end of the day that will be down to a devastating 5 1/2. Maybe if the summer weather would ever come I might not be so grumpy about it...nah, who am I trying to kid???

Hope you all had pleasant weekends.

Noah Updates

Noah became a Bear last night. Here we are after he pinned the mother's pin on me.

Here Noah is with my friend Nicki, the Den Leader.

So Tuesday night was the third of 3 installments of Music nights at the elementary school. Lucky me, the way they broke it up I had kids in all three nights. Lucky for you I only brought the camera one night. The video is so typical boy. Mostly just standing there, barely moving their lips and smiling.