Wishin'

Happy 12th Birthday Siobhan!!!

Today my first born turned 12 years old. It hardly seems possible but here she is. Absolutely beautiful and smart and mostly fun to be with. I remember when I was pregnant with Siobhan I really hoped I would have a girl and I will never forget when she was finally born and my mom and Pat yelled " It's a girl!!" That was one of my proudest days.
Siobhan has always been a fun kid. She is not shy. I love that she is never afraid to be herself and will do anything to make people laugh. Even at her own expense. I hope that she will always be like this and continue to have so much fun in her life. I love my Bon Bon with all my heart and I hope Siobhan that you have a great day!

Pluckin'

yesterday Pete picked up the Williams crew for Siobhans party today. It was nice to see them since it had been almost a month. Malachi wasn't so big on hanging out with me but I had a lot of fun with him. Saul, on the other hand was ready to party.

Oscar and I started playing dodge ball last week and I have really gotten into it. With all the kids here it was even better and Luisa and I played against the boys. This also afforded plenty of opportunities to talk about balls, which Elijah loves.
I would like too add that Luisa and I schooled them.
This was Oscar this morning. He reads the comics everyday during breakfast. Never cracks a smile. He does cut out his favorites. I read them also which gives us much to discuss.

Siobhans party was a success overall. As I've said before, the Williams family is a party in itself. The girls all had fun. Siobhan was happy but is looking forward to seeing what will happen tomorrow. That is her real birthday after all, I was told.

P.S. Olive has used her little potty at least 6 times this weekend. A few of those times were unpromted. It should also be noted that Saul also used the potty a couple of times this weekend. So, this may be the best birthday ever coming up for me!

Pickin'

Today we did actually make it to the farm to pick blueberries. Siobhan and Kaya opted to spend 5 hours at the Supermall instead of picking berries. Oscar enjoyed picking them but doesn't actually like blueberries. He's more a meat kind of guy.I think we all are aware of his love for bacon. Pete told me last night Oscar told him, " We should really start wrapping more things in bacon." Truer words were never spoken. The lady that owns the farm is very nice and let us know right off that they don't use sprays and to feel free to eat as many as we like as we are picking. Olive took that to heart and probably ate a pound of berries.

Hans really enjoyed the whole outing and as we did read Bleberries for Sal last night kept an eye out for bears.
On our way back home there was a tree down blocking the road. Luckily there is a farm stand nearby that we stopped in at to kill time and we picked up some strawberries for Oscar. I am really loving all the local farms and am looking forward to raspberries and blackberries and am also hoping to attend the cranberry harvest this year. As Hans likes to say we are just berry crazy.

Why walk when you can ride?

Today we went to the airport to pick up Siobhans friend Kaya. She is here from Salt Lake for two weeks. It was her first time on an airplane and we are so glad she is here.
Siobhan could not be happier and it is fun to see them together again. They have a special bond and Kaya really brings out the best in Siobhan.
I think tomorrow I am going to take advantage of living in the Pacific Northwest and take the kids to pick some blueberries. Hans really loves blueberries. I think we'll have to read Blueberries For Sal tonight to prepare.
Besides Kaya getting here today it has also been really awesome because I finally got a new camera. Thank you, thank you, thank you Dad and Sharon. I really love it and it's awesome to finally get some good pictures of Mount Rainier since we live so close.
I also got this awesome hutch/housekeeper. It's exactly what I've been looking for to put in the dining room and it was only $20. I can't wait to paint it and spiff it up so I can start filling it. So, a pretty good day all around and I hope to be back tomorrow with some great blueberry pictures!

Happy 24th Utahns!!

Despite a week with no posts, I can assure you that we are not just sitting around picking our noses. Well, some of us are. There was some heavy unpacking and rearranging to do. Birthday arrangements being made. Siobhan has a friend coming to stay with us. My sister will be here in a couple of weeks.
It's been fun and busy. But man am I tired. I started radiation treatments last week and they kind of wipe me out. I was assured that I would not wind up looking like this. Although this is the only Simpsons that ever had Oscar hiding in fear and I could have tormented him a little. I do want to add that I really have appreciated everybodys concern and prayers. I am happy that people read this blog and I was surprised when I received emails and phone calls wondering if I was alright since I hadn't been posting. It is a good feeling to know that even though I don't talk to some friends as often as I should ( yes, you Brittney) we are still thinking of each other. So, thank you and please don't be scared of leaving comments. I look for yours daily mom.
In Utah today is a holiday. It is pioneer day and I would dare say one of the bigger holidays in Utah. It contains possibly the longest, hottest parade I have ever sat through. I actually only sat through part of it, never making it to the end. Last year the kids and I made our own doughnuts and walked down to Liberty park to watch. We found a good spot under a tree since it was really hot even though it was only 8 in the morning. All was well until some sort of politicians started handing out flags. Things started heating up a bit. Then the elected officials came through the parade. People went crazy. Orrin Hatch ! Jon Huntsman Jr. ! Hans wanted to know why we were clapping? Who are these people? Then came my guy, Rocky. This is a guy my boy knew. I really loved our mayor. He is the only politician I have ever allowed signs on our lawn for. He was the only politician in the parade that was booed. I am not a Mormon and I don't have any connections to the pioneers that traveled to Salt Lake. I respect them and appreciate what they accomplished. So, today I will celebrate them as well as the modern day pioneers in Utah such as Rocky. Happy 24th!

Team Lindgren(we're #1) visits Team Weitzman

On our first day of vacation we went to Portland and stayed overnight at Alex and Davids new home. First off I'd like to thank them because we had an awesome time and there was a pinata. Second, their house is great! It is really nice and decorated so cute. I jokingly told Alex we were going to buy the house down the street from her. Yesterday on his first day back at work Pete was told that the downtown Portland store is interested in him. Look out Alex! In case you are wondering what the picture above is about, that is the boys trying to retrieve one of many ping pong balls from over the fence. Oscar loved playing but unfortunately could not keep the ball in the yard. The picture below is possibly the most awkward pinata swing ever.
It was a nice visit and I look forward to maybe spending a weekend with Alex sans kids. Thanks again Team Weitzman, we love you!

Home again, home again jiggety jig...

See that big suitcase and the little one under it? That's what we took with us to California. The rest of the stuff? That is just a little of what we brought back. A little bit Grandma,a little Pat, a little thrift shopping and a lot of last minute garage sales. Boy they were good and really worth the grumbling from Pete on the way home.

We also came home to these in the font yard. I have been so lucky with these random plants that I have blooming. I also have some serious pumpkins and corn. The garlic and tomatoes are looking good also and I haven't yet checked on the strawberries.
The following are some of my favorite moments from the trip. I can't wait to tell you all about it but I have some serious work to do in this house. So please enjoy these photos for now.....

Under the Boardwalk

Thanks to Dad I have some pictures from the Boardwalk since I forgot my camera. We had so much fun riding the Giant Dipper. Oscar, not so much. Olive and Hans had their first real experience with cotton candy. Or candy cot as Hans likes to call it.
Dad was able to get my favorite shot of Siobhan. This is her kitten tooth. It's just barely starting to come in.
We had so much fun. I wish both my sisters could have been there also. I think I could live at the boardwalk. It made me feel so old, telling the kids we started coming to 1907 nights when it was 25 cents. It was hard to leave at the end of the night.
We had to drag mom home.

Where It's At

We are in Pacific Grove now and having fun. Hans is so glad to be with all the Grandmas and Grandpas. Even Olive has really come around and is enjoying Grandpa Fish and Grandpa Pat. It has been such a relaxing vacation. No agendas or pressure to be somewhere. Yesterday we walked downtown with Mom and went to the park. Siobhan and Oscar are staying with their dad this week so it's been pretty quiet. Not a lot of fighting. I hope that they have been getting along as well as Hans and Olive and holding hands everywhere. It's nice just to be home. Tonight we're going to the Boardwalk and I cannot wait. I am hoping for some great roller coater pictures. California style! (Pete, again)

Two turn tables and a microphone

We have had a pretty big week here. Grandma and Uncle Zak have been here and we have been having a great time. Yesterday we went to a festival here in town and the kids did some art projects.
They played in the water park and it was hot out so it was a perfect day for it. We sang Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boy. Happy 32nd Birthday!!

Uncle Zak left this morning and I thought Oscar and Hans might cry, they had so much fun with him. It has been really nice having them here. John comes in tonight and tomorrow he and Sharron leave on their Alaskan cruise. We, however will be leaving in mere hours. First to my sisters in Portland and then on to Mom in California. So next post will be California style. (that was for you Pete)