Full nest = full heart

October 23

2011-11-17T22:45:00.000-08:00

was the three year anniversary of my dad's passing. My aunt, my sister, and my brother and I scattered his ashes at one of his favorite fishing spots.

It was what he asked us to do before he died. And I probably would have never done it unless my sister brought it up. I've made several excuses about not doing it sooner. The first one being my dad would never rush a thing because he liked to get everything "just right". It's why leaving early in the morning for camping meant two p.m. and his big breakfasts came around lunchtime. But when we camped, it was like a luxury vacation, and his breakfasts were legendary. You could choose your hash brown toppings and he had a bacon press...seriously.

But I was never trying to get anything just right. I was procrastinating. And if given the choice, I will avoid confronting anything emotional or painful for as long as possible. It even took me a month to write this post.

I drove with my sister and I hadn't been there in years, but somehow I knew the way. I felt like I was going to freak out any minute because it was just so big and so final. But as I watched my brother and my aunt get the boat into the water like they'd done a million other times, a great peace came over me.

It could not have been a more beautiful day. It was clear and warm and everything just seemed to glow. My brother took us out far as he and Aunt Di talked about how everything used to look and where their duck blinds used to be. Amy and I were never a part of that fishing and hunting stuff. We were such little girls, playing with Barbies. I loved hearing the details of it all.

My aunt brought her iPad and with the touch of a button, we heard "Danny Boy". She always remembers those things, like bagpipes at his memorial. My brother said a prayer. And everything was okay.

I am so grateful for my family. So grateful that these are the people that God has given me. That they are mine...not just for sharing a turkey or exchanging gifts, but in the hardest of times when I don't want to face anything, they are standing right next to me

2011-11-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

We had a really fun Halloween. I wish I had a chance to take pictures in the daylight! Mark's mom made Marlo's dress and it turned out so beautiful.

anybody there?

2011-10-12T22:16:00.000-07:00

We got a new computer, a MacBook that I love. But I need to get a photo editing program for it and I don't know which one to pick. Any advice? I'm used to photoshop on my pc but I'm willing to try something new. I do love photoshop though...and I don't know if this old dog has any new tricks in her.
Just a few from what was on my camera. Graham in the chair at Fairytale town. The rest are from our trip to San Francisco a few weeks ago.

Cash at the train museum

2011-09-08T22:28:00.000-07:00

We went to one in Old Town Sac. The boys loved it...it was almost too much for them ;)

somebody's excited...

2011-08-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

Marlo started kindergarten this week and she loves it, of course.

these two

2011-07-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

Marlo and her cousin Luke are the best of friends.

doorbell ditching

2011-07-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

Took this when we were in Tahoe for the fourth of July. We stayed at a beautiful house with the Henneseys and had so much fun.

*thanks everyone for the sweet comments on my last post. I appreciate the support. I know that it takes a village, and I've got the best village anyone could ask for :)

if you don't have anything nice to say...

2011-07-19T11:13:00.001-07:00

don't say anything at all, right?

I haven't posted anything for awhile for that reason. It's too hard to pretend that everything's just fine when it's not. The truth is the twins have been so difficult with fits and fighting and refusing to sleep that all I want to do is throw a fit myself.

It's typical mom stuff I guess: exhaustion, isloation, frustration. But aside from the vacation and nanny and housekeeper we all need, I want things to change. I want to have fun with my kids. Show them new things and let them explore. But we're stalled by battles of getting into their carseats and keeping them off the counter. Grocery shopping is a monumental feat navigating a double wide stroller and a shopping cart. But if you can't get milk and diapers, you just can't move forward in life, I tell you.

Anyway, these are old pics of them "coloring". Thank goodness for washable and non toxic.

Graham and Cash are 2!

2011-06-26T20:53:00.000-07:00

At 8 o'clock this morning, Mark pointed out that exactly two years ago they were trying so hard to breathe. It's amazing to think of all that they've been through and how far they've come.

Right now I'm thinking of how their preemie diapers being too big for them and how now they wear the biggest size they make. And no I'm not starting to potty train yet!

Their party was yesterday at a jumpy place and it was so much fun.

our girl

2011-06-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

So it was a whole month ago that Marlo graduated from preschool, and I'm finally posting. Bad mommy. Can't believe she'll be in kindergarten in August, but she's sooo ready.

She loves her swim lessons and is learning so fast. I've always put her in group lessons but this time we did private. I'm amazed at the progress she's making.

2011-06-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

rough + tumble

2011-05-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

These two party so hard. They are covered in bumps and bruises. Graham always has a scratch on his face and Cash is always bleeding from his mouth somewhere.

They got haircuts awhile ago...the stylist didn't see my vision but I still think they're pretty cute.

Cash in front.

There is no longer a bookcase blocking the stairs and they don't play on them like I thought they would. They mostly like to go up to Marlo's room and jump off of her bed.

Graham understands everything you say to him. He's really starting to talk but even when he didn't, you always knew what he meant. He's really engaging and he has this little smirk that just gets me.

Graham giving loves

I don't have many pictures of Cash looking at the camera. He's always in motion. Climbing, jumping, running in circles. I'm waiting for him to just start scaling the walls. He loves his blankies and his binky and his duck, and likes to have all of them at once. He also really loves his dad and requests him several times a day by saying, "I-ant-da-yee".

Cash

Mother's day

2011-05-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

How blessed I am to have such amazing role models in my life! I don't have any pictures of my mom from mother's day, but she looked stunning! I stayed with her the night before so I could do her hair and makeup before church. She broke her arm eight weeks ago and doing anything like that is such a challenge. She's such a good sport though. Love you so much Mom!

My grandma is 88!

Mark's grandma, the Great R.M.

Mark's mom, who doesn't even look like a grandma!

I'm trying to change the world, one jerk at a time

2011-05-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

I was leaving Costco today with all three kids (always an adventure in itself) and I was waiting to pull out of the parking lot as a truck was turning in.

Just as I was thinking, "He's cutting that corner really close", he leaned out his window and yelled at me, "Learn how to f-ing drive!"

I would have just let it go, but Marlo said, "That man said something really mean, huh mom?" It really bugged me that my kids heard him and I wanted him to think about that.

I saw where he'd parked outside a pool supply place and I drove around awhile waiting for him to come out. Eventually I parked next to him and just as I was finishing a note to leave on his car, he came out.

I said, "I don't know what I did, but whatever it is it gives you no reason to talk to me like that."

He said, "If you weren't such a stupid driver, pulling out in the middle of the road!" and flailed his arms all around.

As he got into his car I asked if how he'd feel if someone used that language with his wife or his mother.

He said, "If she was driving as stupid as you, I wouldn't be surprised."

I couldn't believe that after his time in the pool store he hadn't cooled down enough. He was even wearing a cheesy tank top that should have kept him at a nice even temperature. And he saw my minivan with my three kids in the car and still continued to talk to me like that.

He left me no choice.

I reached into the van, got out one of the 2 dozen organic eggs I'd just purchased from Costco and walked behind my car so the kids couldn't see. I stood his path as he pulled out of the lot and threw it right of top of his truck.

I'm pretty sure he's not a changed man. But I felt a hell of a lot better.

jumpy love

2011-05-05T23:21:00.000-07:00

I figure since the decorations are still up I can still post pictures of Marlo's party.

These are after everyone left and it was just us...

Marlo's 5th birthday party

2011-04-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

I really should have made this post prettier for my beautiful girl, but I'm having upload problems. I should have also taken more photos of her (like one with her parents, maybe?) but I just couldn't get her to hold still.

Jumpy photos to follow.

2011-04-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

The entire bathroom is wet when they're done. It's our favorite part of the day.

my boys...

2011-04-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

They have been so sick. (Am I always typing that?) But they are still such party animals.

*Cash is in the monster pjs, Graham in the blue shirt

This last picture of Graham kills me. The way he holds his body and hollers...sooo funny.

Five or fifteen?

2011-04-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

She's grown so fast...

Graham has the blues...

2011-04-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

that was my dad's harmonica :)

a little late, but....

2011-04-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

a very happy birthday to Big Daddy. It was back on the 23rd. We partied it up at his parents' house and that cake was the best. The card is from his grandma. I love her handwriting and sweet words.

foodie links

2011-03-20T22:27:00.000-07:00

Got to see my sister in Napa last weekend. YAY! Because who knows when I'll get to go to Texas! We went to Oxbow Market with Aunt Di. She got me a jar of Bacon Pickles. Not pickled bacon, but hickory smoky pickles. Mark is disgusted of course but Cash and I love them. And I'm thinking they would go great in potato salad.

Anyway, if you go I highly recommend going to Kara's cupcakes (the Smores version is divine) and Three Twins Ice Cream (last time I got Horchata flavor). Someday I'll go to Oxbow and actually eat a meal, possibly here.

See? I could never live in Napa because I would be Large Marge! There is just too much good food. What would stop me from getting a maple bar at Buttercream every day?

Case in point: My mom came over this weekend and brought Cinnamon bread from ABC and it's the only thing I took a picture of all weekend. None of my children with their grandma or anything like that.

I need to work on my priorities.

hi

2011-03-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

My neice Libby is the sweetest little thing. She's almost five months old and I haven't heard her cry. She just likes to smile at everyone and eat and snuggle. I'm so in love.

rainy days

2011-03-15T22:16:00.000-07:00

The second graders at Marlo's school had dioramas on display recently, so when I gave her an empty box she knew just what to do with it. I lined the it with "grass" and "sky" like she wanted, and helped her a bit with the tree, but the rest is all her creation.

Sacramento zoo

2011-03-12T21:53:00.000-08:00

Sorry, no animal pics (you know you wanted them). The kids had lots of fun on the play structures and the carousel and across the way at Fairy tale town. Mark and I shed a tear for the San Diego zoo and all its glory.

Cash is sitting on a bench and he's all proud and serious about it. Like when he's on our bed he gets the remote and leans back into the pillows and points it at the tv like he's just gonna watch himself a little show.

at her request...

2011-03-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

Marlo wanted a picture in her panda hat.

She is really loving preschool. She tries to sound out every word she sees and loves counting to one hundred. She loves to pretend. All day long, it's "pretend I'm a baby kitten and you need to adopt me", "pretend me and the brothers are crabs and you're the mama crab" "pretend you don't understand my joke, okay" and then she tells it and laughs and explains it to me.

party over here

2011-03-02T22:36:00.000-08:00

San Francisco

2011-02-25T22:50:00.000-08:00

We got all tourist-y. Carousel ride, cotton candy, seal watching...so much fun.

*I know, the binky bugs me too. We'll get rid of it soon. I'm afraid I may be as addicted as they are...

almost five...

2011-02-21T21:13:00.000-08:00

Marlo's birthday is just two months away. I can't believe she will be five years old. She's all registered for kindergarten and she's totally ready, but I'm not!

She's at preschool two days a week. She loves it, and she never wants to leave when I come to pick her up. Kinda breaks my heart a little, but at least I know we chose the right place, right?

Such a sweet and happy girl, even if she sometimes doesn't want her picture taken.

hi, stranger

2011-02-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to post but I haven't taken any pictures lately, and our internet was all ghetto, and I've just been too dang tired.

Hope my throngs of readers forgive me.

I think we are finally on the mend from all our ills (please don't let that jinx me). The boys have had ear infections left and right but they're feeling better. But that doesn't mean they're behaving any better.

Naughty, I tell you. They use anything they can to stand on, even if it's only an inch-thick book, and reach up on the counters or for the blinds or the door locks. No toy is used for its original purpose; it becomes a tool to get at something that is off-limits. Then they run as fast as they can with those stocky little bodies, diapers rustling and feet slapping the floor.

Here they are all fresh from the bath. Those bodies kill me. And yes, they need their hair cut again but they won't hold still and I don't know if it's worth the risk.

Graham

Cash

Graham

poor girl...

2011-02-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

Actually, poor everybody. All the kids have been sick with colds for what seems like forever. They'll get a break for a day or two, but then it comes right back again.

these fools...

2011-01-27T22:42:00.000-08:00

I told myself I wasn't going to watch American Idol this year. I mean, seriously....who wants to hear what these crazies have to say?

But it's the best! Randy has always been okay with me and JLo doesn't bug like I thought she would. But who knew what a gem we had in Steven Tyler??? I don't even care if someone's writing it all for him, it's killing me.

peace in the valley

2011-01-19T21:36:00.000-08:00

I went to Napa this past Sunday while Mark and the kids stayed home. It is weird to be there by myself (or to be by myself at all). I feel like I should be in my teens.

Anyway, I drove around and took some pictures, but this is the only one that "saw what I saw". All the others seem flat now. I guess you have to be there. It really is beautiful.

snow day

2011-01-16T23:18:00.000-08:00

Please forgive our lack of snow gear. We're fresh out of San Diego, you know. But it was warm thank goodness. That's Cash with all the drops on his face from trying to shovel, and Graham on his Dad's shoulders. Marlo was so excited to go that she put on everything snow-ish.

Snow Queen

2011-01-06T21:57:00.000-08:00

Marlo didn't want to make a snowman, she wanted a snow queen...pink, of course.

She has been asking Mark and I to "find a four year old boy who's not in our family" (because you can't marry cousins...she wanted to marry Luke) and ask him if "he wants to be a prince when he grows up because you have a daughter who is going to be a princess".

She has also asked me if I will come visit her in fairytale land because she will miss me.

Mark sometimes puts his ties on her when he gets home from work. When she saw the picture of herself she said, "I should have taken off the tie".

2011-01-04T22:29:00.000-08:00

Doesn't everyone start their day with a binky and some vacuuming?

I will always remember taking this picture.

2010-12-31T20:19:00.000-08:00

Graham was first up from nap. Usually Cash wakes up first because he falls asleep first. Graham likes to lay there awhile and talk to himself about all kinds of things.

Anyway he was sitting there on the floor so peacefully so I got my camera and he actually sat there and looked right at me while I took photos. If you've ever seen him in action you know that he doesn't sit still for a minute, especially when there's a camera around because all he wants to do is get at the buttons. He even took his binky out when I asked him to. Maybe that's why he's looking so proud.

so proud

2010-12-23T00:34:00.000-08:00

not only of her performance, which she did with great enthusiasm...or how she practiced it in the mirror every day.

Not only of how darling she looked in her outfit from her grandma.

But mostly of how well she adjusted to a new classroom after starting late in the year. And practicing for a Christmas program when she only goes two days a week where most kids go five. Her new preschool is totally different from her last one that focused on art and play. It's really structured, which is good for her, but it was a big change.

She was never intimidated by it. I wish I had that much confidence in my pinky finger.

Dear Aunt Dianne

2010-12-21T20:52:00.000-08:00

Thank you for the diapers. The boys put them to good use.

festive

2010-12-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

When my mom came to town a couple weekends ago we went to Old town Sacramento and it was all kinds of fun.

Marlo got to see Santa and she talked his ear off. I still have to scan the picture and post it. Don't you hate it when they won't let you take your own photo? So Grinch-y!

these two...

2010-12-18T23:15:00.000-08:00

2010-12-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

my peeps

2010-12-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

My BFF Molly came over with her man and her sweet Olivia this past weekend. Miss O reminds me of Marlo at that age. Doesn't Graham look giant in this photo? Olivia was smart to keep her eye on him...he can't be trusted.

Libby Dawn

2010-12-05T20:48:00.000-08:00

Our niece was born yesterday! We've been waiting and waiting for her, but she almost didn't wait to get to the hospital! Dana woke up to contractions at 4:45 am and Libby was born at 5:54...and the hospital is twenty minutes away.

Marlo couldn't wait to see her (me neither, of course). So glad we could just get in the car and drive over. I love being closer to family :)

Thankful

2010-12-05T20:33:00.000-08:00

I know I'm a little behind. We spent Thanksgiving at Mark's grandma's. Everything was all decorated and his mom made the best meal.

Marlo sat at the table long before dinner was ready demanding stuffing. We need to work on the true meaning of the holiday a little more, I think...

let me never forget

2010-11-29T21:05:00.000-08:00

the joy and wonder on their faces when they're discovering something new. So often I'm thinking of the next thing I've got to do, when Marlo is searching for caterpillars and the boys are marvelling at leaves and sticks outside.

These pictures are from Mark's parents' yard. The kids love it. They love my parents' too, with Atticus the cat. He actually lets Marlo pet him...maybe because he was my first child and he feels a kinship.

The memories I have of my grandparents' backyards...I could go on forever. My Granny and Pa had beautiful rosebushes and raspberries and plums and apricots. We played ping pong against the house and looked for frogs. My Gramma's has a creek and wild strawberries, so beautiful. I was always trying to convince her to keep a horse for me there. I really couldn't understand why I couldn't have one, because she gave me everything else I ever asked for.

Oh, and guess who wants a baby horse for Christmas?

Happy birthday, Amy Rose

2010-11-23T08:14:00.000-08:00

Marlo made this bouquet for you last week when it was still warm enough to go outside in pjs. This was after I asked her to draw you a picture and she made a panda mask that she just couldn't let go of.

You can't blame her. She's only four and she doesn't know what it's like to have the best sister ever. But I do. And if I ever make a panda mask, it's totally yours.

Old Town Sacramento

2010-11-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

The old buildings and details in the architecture are amazing. Someday I'll go just to practice photography. We went out to lunch and to the railroad museum...and maybe a few candy stores.

A day in the life...

2010-11-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

All the kids woke up an hour early. Thank you, Daylight Savings Time.

I forgot to set the "delay start" on the dishwasher last night, which is not big deal, except the boys hear it running and want to push the buttons over and over. Stop...start...stop...start...

Marlo was quite saucy and tested me all day.

I changed 5 poo diapers by 10 am. No one's ill, just metabolizing.

I did the usual two loads of laundry. Wait...there's still one in the dryer.

The boys ate veggie breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, a bagel, strawberries, a peanut butter sandwich, graham crackers, a banana, a ham quesadilla, apples slices, string cheese, goldfish crackers, a breakfast cereal bar and yogurt with applesauce.

Marlo ate 1/4 quesadilla, 3 slices of ham, 1/2 bagel and 2 strawberries. And her usual request of "chocolate milk, warm and full."

Graham bit me.

Graham bit Cash.

Cash bit himself.

Working together (always nice to see them cooperating) the boys pulled the baby gate off of the fireplace and took some paint with it.

Mark dutifully picked up a the cutest dresser from Craigslist for me after I talked to the seller who assured me it was in great condition from a smoke-free home. That woman is a liar with a two-pack-a-day habit.

Graham had to have a second bath due to excessive metabolization as mentioned above. Not a big deal, except that bathing and dressing these boys is like roping a rodeo calf.

I found matchbox cars shoved into the diaper wipe dispenser.

It's 8 o'clock and they're all sound asleep. They went to bed without hardly a peep. And now I'm looking at their photos on the computer and missing them.

Happy halloween

2010-10-31T23:08:00.000-07:00

from Minnie and the chunkiest vatos you know ;) Orale!

lately

2010-10-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

It has been kinda hard for me to get out of the house with all three kids. It seems that there is always a meltdown when we try to go somewhere. Sometimes it's even me ;)

We live right next to the high school and we went over there a couple times after Mark got home from work. Graham and Cash love to run and get new scrapes and put new things in their mouths.

Cash...but Mark and I had a hard time telling!

Graham

Graham

Cash

When did her hair get so long?

Cash. This is his "excited" face. His eyes get big and he shakes a bit. So funny.

mad skillz

2010-10-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

making rainbows

2010-10-24T20:34:00.000-07:00

Marlo came up with this on her own. She was first comparing how many blue things versus green things she could find. She turns everything into a rainbow eventually :)

fat boys in pjs

2010-10-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

nothing cuter.

And yes, I call them "fat boy" right to their face. Of all the goofy nicknames they have, I really hope that doesn't stick :(

love being close

2010-10-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

I was in Napa last weekend and had lunch with Aunti Di and UB, then just dropped by Gramma Helen's.
How awesome is that?

bishop's pumpkin patch

2010-10-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

We went last weekend and it was so much fun.

notice all the spit flying through the air.

Crash and Bang

2010-09-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

It's my stepdad's nickname for the boys. I don't know if I've told you that already but I'm too tired to look. Anyway it's pretty accurate. In fact, it may even be an understatement.
We had a great time in Napa this past weekend. Cash and Graham had a great time getting into everything they weren't supposed to. The best was when John asked me "Do you think they'll mess with the stereo?" Let's see...
Does it have buttons to push?
Knobs to turn?
Does it light up?
Did you spend some nice money on it?

If they can't eat it, they will break it.

Got to see my best friend's girl Olivia for the first time. What a little sweetheart. She is just an angel baby, I tell you. Maybe she'll let Marlo be her big sister.

By the way that's MY sister holding her and she's a natural ;)

oh, hi.

2010-09-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

So we moved to northern California at the end of August. Most of our family is here. I'm so happy my kids can see their grandparents all the time because I loved that growing up.

We still have a some boxes that haven't been unpacked, but I feel like if I don't need it, I'm not taking it out! We were using plastic utensils for three days till I could find our silverware. I know how to rough it :)

I'll miss San Diego and our friends and family there. I was there for 12 years and I loved it. But I'm loving it here too. We see Mark's parents all the time and this weekend we're heading to Napa to celebrate some big family birthdays and see friends. And my sis comes tomorrow!!

one of the last pictures I took at our old place

fro yo

2010-09-22T21:43:00.000-07:00

we discovered we can eat ours in peace if we just get them a cone. I will take guesses on who's who because it took me a second to figure it out myself.

wanna Graham cracker?

2010-09-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

being silly

2010-08-25T08:58:00.001-07:00

The boys love how certain things feel on their skin and they get kinda crazy sometimes.

2010-08-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

nerd alert

2010-08-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

It was Star Wars days this weekend at Legoland. It has never been so crowded, but it was fun to see kids dressed up like characters and full grown adults buying Star Wars lego sets.

More importantly Marlo was tall enough to go on this ride, even though she had to wear extra padding...how crazy am I???

It's so nice that the boys are walking and can enjoy more stuff there. They loved the splash pad and I loved their fat little old men bodies in their swim suits.

big cheeses

2010-08-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

These two just kill me with the way they walk around! And I'm sorry that they're just in diapers but I wanted a video with their helmets off, which means during the one hour a day that's allowed: bath time. And seriously after bath time I need a minute to get my energy back to pin them down and dress them.

the sweetest thing

2010-08-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

I know I'm biased, but how cute are these drawings? And the one with her holding her brothers?

and last night at dusk:

Stats

2010-07-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a big doctor's appointment for all the kids. The boys each got four shots, Marlo had five. Poor girl. She had no idea how much it would hurt. She was really good though and held still the whole time. As soon as she was done wailing she said, "Where's my stickers?!"

Here's everybody's info, percentile in ( )

Marlo

37 pounds (59th)

42.5 inches tall (87th)

Graham

25 pounds 3 oz (75th)

31 inches tall (75th)

Cash

25 pounds 8 oz (78th)

31 inches tall (75th)

and a video of the boys harassing the backyard wildlife. They're walking but I don't have a video of that yet, I know lame.

how we roll

2010-07-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

this girl...

2010-07-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

So today when I picked her up from school when we got to the car she said, "Oh Mom, I've got things in my pocket for you and some are sparkly and some are not."
She then proceeded to hand me the following things, while describing each: a rock, a penny, a button for Dad's shirt, a mylar twist tie, several sequins, a strip of stickers, two beads, a peso, a foam heart, some string, snowflake confetti, and a live roly-poly.

She kills me.

disneyland

2010-07-17T21:06:00.000-07:00

We went to Disneyland for Simone's birthday on July 5th. We had such a great time. The weather was great and the lines weren't long at all. Couldn't believe the luck!
The boys were so good and they loved going on the rides.

I'm already dreaming of next time...

more fam photos

2010-07-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

cousins

2010-07-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

So fun to have family with us for a few days. We went to Marlo's preschool just a bit for popscicle and pajama day. Everyone got a disposable camera...can't wait to get it developed.

how sweet

2010-07-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

Cash is the thug...this time anyway.

2010-06-30T21:52:00.000-07:00

Happy First Birthday, Graham & Cash!

2010-06-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Fastest year of my life...so far.

These two little loves, how I adore them! They are so fun to watch...I am laughing all the time (and not just from the sleep-deprived delirium).

When I was pregnant I was so afraid of them being weak and tiny. I know that sounds sad but when you think you're going to go into labor every day, it kind of freaks you out. Anyway, I've nothing to worry about because they are little tanks. They aren't on formula any more and all they want to do is eat. They love to eat everything, even snails and dog food.

Graham took one step today. Other than that, they are standing up forever and crawling at lightning speed. I haven't been in much of a hurry for them to walk, but I'm thinking that if they were upright, they'd at least be a little less grubby!

Here's a video of them dancing. Well Graham, not so much Cash. Which is funny because Cash was the first to do it months ago. They love anything that makes music.

They are in their Doc Bands, which are helmets to correct their head shape. They had flat spots on their heads, and no matter how we tried to reposition them, they always went back to laying on that spot. I was told it happens more with twins because they can't move much in utero. It's not purely cosmetic problem; incorrect growth can misalign their eyes, ears and jaw. So they will wear them 23 hours a day for three to four months and we go in every 2weeks for adjustments.
They got used to them in 5 minutes, although they sometimes pull on each other's helmet. We do get stares, though. I just don't want people to feel sorry for them...it's not that bad at all. I look at it like having braces, why wouldn't you do that for your child?
Anyway, I'm going to paint them to make them less "medical" looking. Don't be surprised if they end up looking like Raider's helmets :)

The fair!

2010-06-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

We've only been once...so far.

And it goes against every fiber of my being to say this, but I tried the deep fried butter and it was a bit much, even for me.

Yuba City

2010-06-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

We were only there for a little over a day, wish we could have stayed longer.

These are at Mark's grandma's house. I love her place...the layout of her house, her garden and fruit trees, the new white picket fence, and of course her little dog Penny Lee.

First birthday party

2010-06-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

So we had an early birthday party for the boys in Napa (they turn one on the 26th). We just wanted a little get together with good food and good cake. Forty people and fifty pounds of mexican food later...

And I only took pictures of the kids. I've kinda got a thing for them.

Graham

Cash

My cousin Nick and his boy Evan

The newest addition to our family, baby Amelia

My friend Marcy's sweet little Luke

Napa trip

2010-06-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

We drove up to Napa last week for my friend Molly's wedding reception. It was so great to see everyone. It was the first time some of our family and friends met Graham and Cash.
I can't believe how fast the time went...but it's always like that. Never enough time when you're with those you love :)

Marlo with her cousins, Sabrina and Luke.

My camera was on the wrong setting, but I like this photo.

The first time my 87-year-old grandma saw the twins.

Lo and her Buttercream cookie from Aunt Amy.

Mom's cherry pie, best crust ever.

not even in focus

2010-06-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

but I love it.

How my mom would love to just cuddle her grandchildren all day. Not that they would stay still that long.

I'm having a hard time with the distance. When we're all together, I always think to myself, "Wouldn't it be nice if this was just a regular day and we were just dropping by?"

I mean, the village would get pretty big if nobody ever moved away. And it gives us new places to visit. Like someday, I'll go to Austin where my sister is. But I watch my children with their cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents and I have my mom's cherry pie and stay up late laughing with my sister and I think it's totally stupid that I don't live by my favorite people.

oh girl...

2010-06-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

Marlo won't let go of this shirt that we got last year for "Disney days" at school. She squeezes into it and tells me, "Look Mom, it still fits!"

She doesn't want to wear jeans because "they're plain and they don't have pink or sparkle" and she doesn't like pretzels because "they're brown and brown is yuck".

lesson learned...

2010-06-07T23:27:00.000-07:00

Don't have all your kids' hair cut at the same time by three different stylists. We went Saturday and had to return on Sunday for repairs. I have yet to get a pic of the results but these are from the process. Don't they look 16 behind the wheel?
I don't have one of Marlo because it wasn't her first haircut...and I was trying to keep these two still!

I think we'll be here a lot this summer...

2010-06-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

we finally let the boys loose at the sprayground and they loved it.

and Cash's new mode of motion...just walk already.

Block party

2010-06-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

from our neighborhood on Memorial day. So much fun.

Marlo went down this slide about 100 times.

a tiny glimpse

Matt and Noah

Reilly is so sweet...I wanted to keep her.

Cash

are those potato chip crumbs?

The first batch

2010-06-02T22:51:00.001-07:00

Our friends Matt and Amy and their four kids stayed with us over Memorial Day weekend and we had so much fun. I think it should be an annual tradition. We went to Legoland first, so I'll start with those.

2010-05-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

Graham

2010-05-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

from the yard

2010-05-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

and they smell amazing.

differences

2010-05-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

I gave each of the boys a mini ice cream cone (just the cone, no ice cream!) to snack on while I got their real food ready. Cash, with a huge smile, crushed it to pieces right away. Graham wasted no time eating his...don't think he even left a crumb behind.

something needs to be done

2010-05-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

The boys' hair is out of control. But I can't really fathom cutting a baby's hair before their first birthday. Is that what you do with boys? I just don't know because Marlo was bald till she was nine months old.

No matter what I do to it, it just falls forward. And it's not a mohawk, it's long everywhere and getting curly.

p.s. Mark doesn't like it when I say they have Justin Bieber hair.

double trouble

2010-05-08T21:27:00.000-07:00

I have to admit it's pretty funny to see two of them, with their toupees and their matching expressions. But when one of them gets into something, the other goes right after him!

Their favorite place is the vertical blinds at our sliding glass door (Vertical blinds are such a hassle in the first place...I LOATHE them) They pull on them till they come right out and they're so proud about it. And when I tell them no, they look up at me like that's the most ridiculous thing they've ever heard.

They crawl the same way, with their left leg sticking straight out.

They have no regard for each other if there's something they want. They do a lot of shoving and elbows to the chest and stealing binkies and toys. Today Graham fell backwards onto the tile and as he was crying Cash came over and took his binky out and put it in his own mouth.

2010-05-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

Marlo's wheels are always turning. When she sees a treat she immediately tells me she needs some "healthy food" because she thinks once she has something good for her that there can't possibly be any reason why she shouldn't have something full of sugar.

Oh and she told my parents, who watched the kids while we were in Las Vegas, that her mommy lets her ride in the front seat of the car.

She can be pretty sweet too. When we came home she said, "Mommy I missed your whole body!" (sigh...I do too)

And a recent conversation:
M: "I like how you got made."
Me: "What do you mean?"
M: "I like your skin and your face and all of your stuff".

best time ever

2010-05-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

Mark and I went to Las Vegas for three whole nights to attend my best friend Molly's wedding and I can't tell you how great it was. Not because we got to sleep in and eat out and stay in a hotel where somebody picked up after ME for a change, but because my dearest friend married her her true love, and so began a life of happiness, and no one deserves it more.

with jase, who had me laughing nonstop

me and my men

my favorite pic

Everyone still cried, even though their vows were things like "I promise to never leave you lonesome tonight" and "You're my good luck charm" and "I just wanna be your teddy bear".

My biggest congrats, Mr. and Mrs. M.
I love you so much.

and fun was had by all

2010-04-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

Marlo's party was Saturday and she was a wild woman from sun up to sun down. Sean and Thomas gave the jumpy a run for the money, Mark's mom made the best potato salad I've ever had, and Marlo LOVED it when Walker smashed cake in her face.

2010-04-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been four years since we received our sweet little bundle of joy.
She's a bigger bundle now, and the joy has grown exponentially.

Happy birthday, Marlo girl. We love you so much.

the art show

2010-04-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

Marlo's preschool put on an art show last week and it was amazing! They transformed the whole place into a gallery. Each classroom focused on an artist and their style (Marlo's was Paul Klee). There was a silent auction on pieces that the children had worked on together.

in front of her piece she titled "Dumbo"

by her class. paint bottle-sprayed onto paper and then cut and matted

notice she has placed "healthy foods" on her plate but won't put down the piece of chocolate

"Bumbo" from her dark period

almost four...

2010-04-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

how can that be?

She has been busted lately for taking toys from the brothers. The other day (she had no idea I was watching) she went up to Graham and said, "Can sister have this ball?" then she reached over and moved his mouth while saying "Yes, Marlo."

about the boys....

2010-03-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

Since they're 9 months already, I've decided it's about time to tell you a little about Cash and Graham.

Both of them:

still love their baths
can sleep through the night, but usually not the same night
never refuse food...ever...I am afraid to cut them off because they can take me down I'm sure
love their sister so much and think she's the greatest thing ever
are soo much better in their carseats, thank goodness
have their two bottom teeth
make this sound like "goy, goy, goy" when they laugh with their binkies in

Graham:

is always moving his hands and feet in little circles
loves his binky, and Cash's too so he takes it right out of his mouth
makes "mmm" sounds the whole time he's eating and yells if I don't feed him fast enough
holds his own bottle, but he's so proud about it he yaps instead of eating and gets it everywhere
can pull himself around on his belly but is happy in one place

Cash:

still has his birthmark on his thigh
smiles at everybody, even people on tv and in magazines
is obsessed with his daddy and thinks I'm chopped liver if he's in the room
uses both arms and one leg to scoot around at lightning speed
loves cords, shoes and rugs...generally anything he should stay out of

2010-03-25T22:14:00.000-07:00

my peeps

2010-03-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

love them so much. and the cupcakes weren't bad, either.

What are you fighting for?

2010-03-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to La Jolla to the Children's pool to see the seals. Now, if you didn't know, the Children's Pool is the center of a big debate. Years ago, a walkway was built into the water, forming a cove and making a safe place for children to swim. Well the seals thought it was just perfect and now they hang out there and have their pups and everything.

So now it's roped off and unsafe for swimming, and activists filed a lawsuit to keep the beach for seals. People now go there to see the seals instead of swim, and for the most part, stay off the beach.

I personally think children enjoy seeing the seals and are fine with visiting the other 70 miles of San Diego county coastline.

In the photo of Marlo, you can see the walkway behind her. She and I went almost to the end, where we were right above the seals. Across from us, about 50 feet away on the beach were two men and a boy.

A guy right next to us started yelling at the men on the beach, telling them to get out. He called them names, threatened violence, questioned their parenting skills, and told them to go back to Jersey.

The men on the beach acted like they didn't even hear him. The seals and the children definitely could though.

Graham

Cash

I like the lady in leopard print right at the water.