This is ground control to Major Tom

First of all, I would like to wish a Happy Belated Birthday to Luisa and my step-mama Sharon. They share the same birthday but I haven't been on the computer much the last week and missed posting on the day. Also, I am glad we are going to California soon because I need some Sharon pictures.





This is an old picture but one of my all time favorites. I hope Hans will continue wearing speedos into his adult years. It was 85 degrees yesterday and Hans, Olive and I had one of the best days, the kind of days I live for. We took a nice drive up the canyon and listened to David Bowie full blast the whole way. Then we spent the afternoon playing in the river and eating lunch. We came home to wait for the kids and had ice cream. It was a really great day. Pete is on vacation next week so I hope we continue to have good weather. Olive needs some backup singers for her Ziggy Stardust.

Hey Lady, come get your baby.

We didn't get to be with Silas on his birthday, so we celebrated today. We had pink humpback salmon for dinner and angel food cake with pink frosting for dessert. A menu obviously not thought out ahead for an 8 year old boy celebration. I love that Oscar is giving a thumbs up in this picture. Since Luisas birthday is Tuesday we sang to her also. She was cool with the pink.
Malachi helped himself to some frosting. I just want to make it clear that I did NOT give it to him. Last time I did that we all paid dearly but tonight I will take no blame.
Making an encore appearance is Naomi. Luisa watches her occasionally for a day or three or whenever. Olive just calls her pink baby since she is a girl. If anybody happens to see her mom could you let her know we need more formula and diapers. Oh yeah, and vodka.

The many faces of Olive

I have always allowed the kids to pick their own clothes to wear as long as we are not going out anywhere special. It eliminates any arguments and it really just isn't that important to me that they are always matching.They each have their own style. Olives has been really interesting. She wore pj pants under her swimsuit for awhile.
Zelda hat and Spongebob fleece. Not that crazy you say? It was 75 degrees out on this day. Today she went for mini dress and her baby legs leggings. Two left shoes? No problem.
But she doesn't get the nickname pigpen for nothing. This is by far her favorite look. Diaper and mud. She is most happy when she is as dirty as possible, and as naked as possible. Hopefully, something she won't carry into her teens.

It's a bird, it's a plane,it's....

This morning we tries fishing on a weekday to avoid the crowds. No luck, again. We hit two different lakes but no success. Don't they look cute trying though?

Birthday/suits

First off, HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY ALEX!! We hope that you had a great day and did something fun. I cannot believe that you are 30. We had some abelskivers in your honor. Next up, thanks you to mom for the awesome swimsuits. The kids were all really happy with theirs. Siobhan is thrilled to have a 2 piece.
And the swimming shot. Oscars suit is a little big and he was afraid it would fall if he moved. That would have been a good shot, and yes he will probably wear his socks at the beach.

GO SPARTANS!

Today Siobhan had her very first track meet. I am so proud of her. She has practiced really hard and did really well today. She made first place for high jump and jumped the highest of the 6th grade girls at 4 feet. Her relay team came in 2nd in the 100 meter. I am so glad that she has found something that she enjoys so much. Last week I noticed that our roses were in bloom along the side of our house. I actually smelled them before I saw them. Hans was so excited, he loves to pick flowers and since he has brought home every dandelion on the block this was a welcome change.

Apparently pigpen wasn't digging the rose smell. She held her nose the entire time we were in the vicinity of the roses.

Utah

The most unexpected aspect of our move to Washington so far has been how much I really miss Utah. At first it was just how unfamiliar everything was here and I really missed my routine. But as time has worn on here Pete and I have both have felt the pull of Utah on our heartstrings. Don't get me wrong, we both are really loving Washington but we have both agreed that in 5 years when downtown Salt Lake is rebuilt we might consider going back. For me this is really an odd feeling because I had really wanted out of Utah for quite awhile. I guess it grew on me and became home. I can't help but miss it, especially when I know I am missing things like this.

Greetings from the sick bed

I have had some work on my mouth done and Pete has remanded me to bed for the remainder of the week. So I thought I would make this short and sweet so he doesn't notice I'm on the computer. Here are a few more pictures from this weekend. The river otters attacked this huge guy. They were pretty brave.
This is another great polar bear shot. I was really sad that there were no gorillas here. They were my absolute favorite at Hogle zoo but I think the polar bear will fill that void.
This is Olive watching the sea otters. Growing up along Monterey Bay I saw these guys everyday, they are just part of the background. Having been away from home for a few years now I can appreciate how fun they are to watch.
Finally, Bon Bon. She was so excited to see this candy shop on Bainbridge Island. We took a picture and moved on but walking back to the ferry a girl walked out with a pink Bon Bon apron on and Siobhan has decided she must have one for herself.

Mothers Day Megapost!!

First of all I'd like to wish a Happy Mothers Day to my Mom, Sharon, and Sharron! I miss all of you and hope you are having a fun day today. We had an awesome weekend. First, Pete bought us a membership to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. This zoo is way different from Utahs Hogle Zoo. They are both equally great just different animals and set up. You are so close to the animals here! I think the polar bear was one of my favorites.
Olive was impressed also. We enjoyed the aquarium a great deal and they had a seahorse exhibit that Hans absolutely loved.
Today we went on the ferry to Bainbridge Island . The kids have been really excited to ride on the ferry and it was a lot of fun actually. We got out at the island and walked through town and had some pizza.

This is a little out of order but the kids also got to touch the starfish, sea cucumbers, urchins and what not. Oscar and Siobhan were old pros of course from their Monterey Bay Aqaurium days but Olive and Hans were pretty brave and touched them all.

So, we had a truly awesome Mothers Day weekend. I couldn't have had more fun and I really want to thank Pete and the kids. As Siobhan so eloquently put it.... " You wouldn't have a day if you didn't have us." Well said.

America's next top model

We are getting ready for a all out Mothers Day weekend. I know it will involve fishing and riding the ferry but I'm not sure what else. Of course Olive would need something new to wear. I made this pattern based off a dress that I saw and really liked. It came out good but I made it a little short. I thought I would make bloomers to go under but I really liked the pants before I added the elastic for the bloomers and just added an applique instead. Olive loves these. She wanted buttons it so I made a button flower on the top. The flower fabric is an old pillowcase that I had been saving. I think she looks great.
Today my Mom is going to Nevada City to see her doctor. For those who may not know my mom has been sick for quite awhile now. She has Lyme disease and has had little relief so far. Please say a prayer for her today that they can figure out something to help her.

From Russia with Love

Pete took the boys fishing this weekend and finally caught something. Actually, Pete caught a fish and the elderly Russian couple that fell in love with Hans gave him 3 to take home. Pete also received a Northwest fishing lesson from this couple who could just not stop catching fish. Fishing here is a lot different from Utah and now that Pete had some local pointers he's ready to go. He caught his on the first cast out after his lesson but then the boys were too cold to stay. I was really disappointed that I wasn't there because there were two large eagles fishing the lake as well. I'm bummed I missed it. Seeing Silas look like he walked out of deadliest catch made up for it though.
Olive did not take kindly to being left behind. She just sat in a dirt hole in her diaper. And..... after many hours of debating Siobhan chose the nickname to go on her track sweatshirt. I thought this was the best one, we have called her Bon Bon since she was a baby. Since starting middle school here she has received several nicknames. Most kids at school call her skully, most of her clothes have a skull on it somewhere and also she loves it because of Grandma and Grandpa fish. Her first choice was to have it say nickname which was scrapped when Pete said he wouldn't front the bills for it with that name. So here it is, take a good look because from now on wherever she goes, she will be running.

More sewing

Being a stay at home mom I apparently have a lot of time on my hands. Siobhan has said that she would love to stay home and watch TV all day like me. Unfortunately that is just not the case and anything I do during the day has to actually be entertaining to Hans and Olive. So I thought this would be fun for all of us. I cut 198 rectangles and let them do the arranging. Hans is so excited to get this blanket done so that we can use it at the beach. It was a little larger that I had planned so we had to lay it out on the floor.
Olive was way into this and shows a definite bias towards the pink and yellow squares.
So you can be expecting the finished product soon. Hans has plans for some new projects on his mind so I better get busy with sewing.

WELCOME HOME ZAK!!!

Today is a sunshiny, happy day because after 2 years Zak will be home from his mission. I am really sad that we are not able to be there to see him but it will be nice to even talk to him. I can't imagine how exciting it must be for him to see all the new babies and the toddlers that were just babies when he left. I bet today has to be so nice for John and Sharron. He has to report to the reserves this weekend and we all have to say prayer that he gets to stay home for awhile. We missed you Zak and hope you enjoyed your experience.

Congratulations to Nicoe!!! She was accepted as a Rainier scholar. I know she will do well, she is very smart and talented. She LOVES school and learning and I know that she will excel in life. It will be a long summer for her but it will be worth it. We love you Nini! Hans is working on his future as well.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_77wZp-_sE