Five Minutes

A few pictures, finally.There are so many things happening all the time that some of these things seem ages ago. Landon wants to be a rock star and last month when he was over for an evening, Pete let him and Hans play his " rocking guitars". All good bands need a girl in a bikini. This photo is actually from October. We went out and bought all types of snow gear that day and then it hasn't snowed again until today. Luckily this week calls for more of it.

I just really enjoy the view from John and Sharrons house. Front and back. It makes me homesick for the views I grew up with also.

Oscar received a massive Lego chess set from his Dad for his 11th birthday and I have being kicking his ass ever since Jeremy taught him and he taught me. Uncle Jeremy is way nicer than I am.

So, now my sweet Oscar is eleven. I owe him a birthday blog and didn't realize how much the kids enjoyed that until he asked what I had wrote. They take a lot of reflection and I plan to post one soon. It may be the only opportunity I will have to say something without his two cents back at me.

We kept our family tradition of choosing a live tree and Sharron and John kindly let us put it up. The kids strung popcorn and made paper chains and it really is nice.

The kids are enjoying all the time they have had with their grandparents. Sharron has taken them to many parties and Christmas caroling and they just love it. Last night Olive told me that Jesus Christ died so she can be with me forever.

So, that is just a glimpse of the last month. Pete and I attended the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Gala. I am really beginning to like these galas. Macys sponsored two students with $25,000. scholarships each. It was an enjoyable evening and made me reflect on my own upbringing. I really miss hearing my grandparents speak Spanish and all that went with it. It makes me sad to think that my children won't ever have that same experience. As white as we are my grandparents were Mexican through and through and I really want my kids to have a taste of that culture in their life. So, this is currently what I am thinking about and looking into. For now, I started with the panderia. Polvorones, empanadas, pan de huevos and pigs ears to remember grandpa. We used to get ours at the bakery in Watsonville and I loved going there with my mom and Grandma after a Sunday drive. Walking out of this bakery I cried. I really am missing my Grandma this Christmas. So, next week? Tamales!

I am still alive.

Dear Santa Claus,

After your advise last year to "lay off the groceries" when I sat on your lap, I deemed it more appropriate to write you. I feel that I have put forth a valiant effort towards being good and kind this year. I no longer swear when I am picking up 5 other peoples pajamas from the bathroom floor. I have worn my teeth down to nubs from clenching when asked for yet another ride somewhere. I am even learning to listen happily to Pete tell me how hard it is to stay in a nice hotel alone after going out to dinner with other adults. Enjoying adult beverages to boot! For all this hard work I have only one request. Computer access. I am slowly withering away and dying without my Internet and blog. How will people know what I am doing? How will I know what others are doing? My parents are being deprived of the clever and smart ass ( depending on the age) comments of their grandchildren. I briefly considered setting up a printing press and starting a daily but I have been banned from ever delivering papers again in this lifetime. So, please put a word in to my sweet husband. This is what I need. If you have trouble reaching him, it is because he will be in Montana this week. Maybe you could leave a note next to the chocolate on his pillow.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely, Matilda

Smell my feet. Definately not Siobhans.

I guess my week of posts didn't really happen. This is still such an adjustment. Trying to sell our house has made for the scariest Halloween ever. We won't even get into that right now. I did complete costumes and the kids were pretty happy. Oscar has been wearing the hair spray since we went to a carnival on Wednesday night. Jeremy and Annisha were there also and we had a lot of fun, even though Jocelyn was afraid of Oscar. Alas, even the joker has to do homework and waiting until after the carnival was not the best option.

Yes, I am aware the following photos are sideways. I cannot save anything on a library computer so they remain sideways and I am posting them anyways. This is Oscar receiving a citizenship award at his new school. He was chosen from his class for his hard work and his ability to follow directions and help others focus on tasks. I am very proud of him and was glad his teacher called so I could attend the assembly.

This is my favorite pictures of the costumes. I do have an older daughter but 13 is a funny Halloween age and even worse for picture taking.

Today will be a fun, crazy day. Grandma day and dinner and then all the cousins will be trick or treating together. This morning I cleaned the kitchen and living room. I was listening to my headphones and vacuuming and remembering how at our old apartment I was so happy to clean. Maybe it was because it was just Pete and I and easy. Then I realized what it really was. I had the promise of a Lucky Strike at the end. Sometimes just remembering smoking makes it so hard to not want to. So, I am thinking of other treats instead today. Here are my 5 favorite Halloween treats.

#1. Snickers. My favorite Halloween candy.

#2. Kit Kat. Oscar was so obsessed with Kit Kats when he was about 5. Pete once sent him a letter from the Kit Kat police to get him to do something, I can't remember what.

#3. Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale.

#4. A new one would be Caramel Apples. Sharron made these twice last week and I have dreamed of them every night since.

#5. Double Bubble. I love that powder on the outside.

What will you sneak from the kids?

Today I am at the library early because Olive participates in story time. It is a pretty large group of 3 to 5 year old kids and she could not be more different than Hans. He still requires me to walk him to the door at school, standing in line with the boys. Olive wants no part of that coddling and insists that I watch her from a distance. She is bold and outspoken and volunteers information randomly. Today is a Halloween theme and she was able to wear her costume. I cannot wait to hear her views on what others wore.
As I wait I am perusing the homes for sale and hoping that ours will sell soon. I think we are lowering the price this week and then after that Pete is thinking he may want to rent it out rather than take an even larger loss. So here are some homes I like today. This one, this one and Oscar really likes this one. We are afforded the luxury of having a place to live and are able to take our time searching out the perfect home. We plan on living here for years and years to come and we need a place that will be comfortable as the kids grow. As this will be our third home we will have purchased we have been able to really pick what's important to have. I can't wait to see what we will find.
In the meantime we have enjoyed the amazing views from John and Sharrons. Hans can spend the whole day in the backyard, playing in the sandbox and watching the birds,especially the quails. I am really happy to be here, especially after a rough start and some sullen days. I love it here. The mountains and the city. It is nice to be familiar with the area and know where I am going. I have always been able to appreciate places after I have left them and it is nice to just be happy where I am now.
So, I would love any suggestions on what you may have looked for in a home. I know I will forget something that I will be sure I wanted. Any suggestions will be appreciated or I will have to make it a list sometime! Maybe tomorrow????

Yeah,it's been awhile.

How I miss my blog. I look forward to having regular Internet access almost more than a new home. Once I get to the library, by the time I have checked my email and replied to them, I have little time left. That time I then spend reading all my celebrity gossip. This so I will have something to contribute to the awesome conversations I overhear at the school.
Pete has been very busy at work and is enjoying it. Last week he was in San Fransisco for a few days and promised when he heads back I can tag along. Until then he is taking me to the Ballet West Gala on Saturday. There are a great many perks to his new job that I am beginning to realize and enjoy. So, today I took the little kids to help me find a dress. It felt slightly like trying on Halloween costumes. That could not be me in a dress that cost more than my entire wardrobe I have constructed from various thrift stores? I couldn't actually buy it and instead had the saleslady hold it while I think this through. When asked for my name I told her to hold it under Petes since his office is in that particular store and he could just pick it up for me. Whole new ballgame. Suddenly the lady with a tote bag purse and a daughter in Pj's and sandals (her idea) was a real customer. And she loves Pete and we all needed hugs.
So that was today. I am so out of practise with my blog that I feel like I am not even constructing real sentences here. I will solve that by blogging all week! Remember I did that once before? SO, forgive todays lack of finesse and check back tomorrow for some progress. Until then, enjoy this....

Sicko

Snow today! Hans was so excited that instead of his usual Saturday morning request, "Dad, can we go fishing?", he asked,"Dad, can we go skiing?" Really all we can manage is some catch up on some rest. We have been so sick this week. I kicked it off on Monday and still am not quite back to myself. Hans and Olive were in a bad way the last two days. Oscar has kind of gone in and out. Pete and Siobhan are the only two to escape. Pete has worked some wicked hours this week wrapped it up with the most elaborate business dinner ever. If I wasn't so nauseous, I'd be jealous. So, for that reason I never got around to posting a list. I have really missed my regular blogging and hope to get back to it.
There has also been the drama of choosing and making the Halloween costumes. I don't do the choosing, just the making. I love the process of watching the kids decide. There is a lot of thought put into it and a lot of details to follow. Oscar was set on Indiana Jones for the last year. He is usually the most predictable and opts for the character of the moment. Except last year when he went as Zelda. He switched it up on me and changed to the Joker after having his face painted at Oktoberfest. So, he commissioned his costume and added, "Don't make the jacket out of cheap fabric." Part of my fun in Halloween costumes is that they are worn once and can be made cheap and not to perfectly. When else is he planning on wearing a purple jacket? Hans wants me to figure out how he can open his robot costume, just like Bender and put those wax bottles inside, like he is carrying beer. I think we need some more age appropriate cartoons around the house. Olive safely chose a cat again this year but changed it up by asking for pink instead of black. Siobhan and I are still deep into negotiations. SO, finally let's get to the list and talk about our favorite Halloween costumes. Here's mine.....

#1. The Solid Gold Dancers. Me, Luisa and Alex. I believe I have a picture on here somewhere.

#2. We were some sort of french mimes one year. I know there is a name but can't remember what it is, although I'm sure my mom will. I mostly actually didn't like this costume, but remember it well. My aunt always did our makeup and it was thick and we were not allowed to scratch or touch. My mom made beautiful costumes, but I felt like a complete goon in mine. Also a trio deal.

#3. I was Cyndi Lauper one year and loved it.

#4. This wasn't at Halloween but my family will remember well what I wore to Nicoes baptism at St. Marys by the Sea. I chose a netted hat and knee stocking along with some sort of old lady dress and I swear I didn't recognize myself in the pictures. I am still shocked that no one made mention of this prior to arrival at the church. Unfortunately, there are several other of these occasions, that are also well remembered, usually by my dad.

#5. Michael meyers. I think we all had a turn at this.

So, thanks for the patience, I really am trying to get a routine going. Can't wait to hear about your costumes!

Testing

Live from the library!

For anyone that has the pleasure of knowing Pete, you are probably well aware that he is a minimalist. I on the other hand, being both a Paredes and a Sheppard love my things. This is something that I struggle with. I am comforted and happy with all my "stuff". Pete is not and in an attempt to make him comfortable I sometimes have to purge a few boxes of things. Moving brought out the worst of this struggle. I am proud to say that I did manage to fill a couple of car loads of stuff to donate and Pete kept the snarky comments to a minimum. Seeing as we are staying with his parents, there wasn't much to unpack when we arrived. Finally being somewhat settled is nice and it is fun to watch Pete and his Dad navigate their days. I can imagine what Pete will be like at his Dads age and also what his Dad was maybe a little like, trying to take care of a large family. They both have to be busy,busy,busy. I can't wait for the day when Pete constructs a ladder from 4 kitchen stools and a milk crate to work on the roof, a la John this morning. Something else I am really enjoying is my time with Sharron. I love family history and keep little stories written down for when the kids are older. It is nice to add some Lindgren stories so that I can feel knowledgeable in both areas. Over the weekend, when I was explaining the drama of my pack rat tendencies we talked about the meaning behind certain family things and why they are so important to each of us. This is a huge subject in family. My mom is a collector and has so many really great things. People are often amazed at how many interesting things she has and more than once I have heard the word"museum". But it isn't sterile or fragile. Just her precious things that she enjoys and takes care of. The kids have their names on certain things already, at Grandmas prompting. Just like we had with our Grandma. I am curious how others way in on this? Do you have special family "items"? What is special to you? Here's mine....

#1. When my Mom came before I left she gave me a bust of the Sacred Heart. He was always my Grandmas favorite and I think he is beautiful. I am still a little overwhelmed that she gave him to me and he traveled with me on the front seat of the car. I will always cherish him.

#2. All my babies pictures and artwork. I don't know which is more special to me. Pictures are obviously great to have,but I especially LOVE the artwork. I cannot discriminate and so I end up with ALL the drawings. I have files and files of them.

#3. My suitcase of Sheppard/Paredes memorabilia. This has expanded into two suitcases. All my newspaper clippings,photos, old school records, old art projects, notes my parents wrote, notes my grandparents wrote, various cards with envelopes addressing me as Chowhound,Chubette,Porkchop and various other "endearments".

#4. An old notebook that my Grandmother wrote the stations of the cross in. She wrote out the prayer for each and every station in Spanish and I just miss her handwriting.

#5. All my cards from my Grandma, Mom and Pete. Besides the kids, my three most special people and I save and reread all my cards from them.

I really am working on the pictures. I think I have a solution and if so will post a bunch tomorrow. Please don't fail me on the list. Especially when I have to drive all the way to the library to post it. Enough guilt? I hope so.

Still no pictures.

Here I am, at the library. Again. I may have to take Pete out for coffee tomorrow so I can use his laptop to post my list. It has been absolutely nuts here. There is so much to do and to get done. Our house is finally on the market. You can take the tour here. I am really hoping and praying that it will be quick to sell, but still being realistic. Siobhan hated her school and transferred to a new one today. I will admit this new school is a lot less fancy and that the staff were incredibly friendly. Way more so than the rich school. So, I think she will be happy there. She has a couple of friends and is planning on taking French, which she is excited about. The boys are doing really well and love their school. Olive is just Olive and is mostly compiling complaints against me throughout the day so she can inform her Dad. This is still a little unreal being here. It is great and we love it but it just isn't sinking in yet. We did go to Oktoberfest this weekend. We had so much fun. Both the Newbolds and the Benches made it and we had an awesome time. I am hoping that eventually the kids will not be so shy around each other. So, that 's my news for now. I really promise a list tomorrow so be ready!

Rushed Rambling

Another post with no pictures? Boo,hiss. I have such awesome pictures right now. We made it to Utah and have been busy settling in. School was started first off. Oscar- Loves it, as he is popular! Siobhan- Hates it, but I hope that will take a turn soon. Hansie! First day involved a lot of tears, why had I not thought to explain I would not be attending with him? But after the initial departure he is very happy and loves his teacher. I have been too busy to miss him too much for now. Pete bought his car today. A Ford Confusion and he is very happy. He starts work tommorrow and I am very excited for him. Everything is unloaded and packed either in storage or at Grandmas house. Olive is in heaven getting her nails painted and reading lots of books. Petes cousin lives a couple of houses down. She is 5 and looks EXACTLY LIKE OLIVE. It is a little unerving but Olive adores her already and it is fun that the little kids have so many playmates. So, I know it is Wednesday and I have a list to post but I have 4 remaining minutes so I will have to postpone again until tommorrow. So be ready. We took a little longer for our drive and enjoyed two really nice hotels. Moneybags is really stepping it up now that he is an executive. The weather here is beautiful and we are looking forward to Oktoberfest this weekend. Thank you for all the well wishes on last weeks post. Sara- the eyeballs were not only a hit but they offered me a great deal of leverage. So thank you, it was an awesome present.

The Final Countdown (not the final list)

Well, the Internet was gone a little before I had expected. I am already lost without it. Plus, I think we somehow lost our email address and now I can't even log in here at the library. That's right, we are packing our moving van tomorrow and heading out early Saturday, yet I can't leave without a weekly list. That is what you call dedication. Pete calls it something different. This has been a week of huge ups and downs. I don't even want to think about my goodbyes with my mom and sister. Too much. I love them both more than I could ever express. Over the last year I have realized that they are me and I them. I have never had a closer relationship with my mom and I hope she doesn't fear that will change. I feel a huge responsibility towards her and her well being and I will still be breathing down her neck from Utah. So, before my time runs up on the old library countdown I would like to list 5 things I enjoyed this week.

#1. I will start with my moms visit. We picked her up at the ferry on Sunday and she left this morning. We shopped and ate(not her) and drove around and she prodded me into finishing up my packing. We played Scrabble and gossiped and it was so nice and fun and man do I love her.

#2. Part of the shopping included the long anticipated Lego store . It was all the boys hoped for and Olive bought a whole cup from the bulk brick wall. All pink, (pink legos!) and flowers and picket fences and now she is beginning her own lego obsession. The boys built custom figures and also bought some knights and skeletons and have completely dog eared the catalogs they brought home.

#3. Leaving the mall I ran into my best high school friend Sara, who was in town on business. I have not seen her in ten years and we had planned on meeting the next day. I was so happy that she got to meet the kids and my mom was so happy to get to see her also. The next evening we met in Seattle and closed down a couple of places until we ended up just walking the streets. Yeah, that's right, I said walking the streets. I could have talked all night and am so happy to have her back in my life. She is just the same as teenage Sara and has an awesome sense of humor.

#4. I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance.

#5. We had pizza with the Williams crew last night. It was bittersweet as I look back on the past almost two years and all we have done together. This will always be great memories for me. Some of them difficult, some just plain crazy. But always entertaining. Those kids are my blood and I will always adore and love them. I will hold out hope that someday I will own a Williams. Seven will always be a surprise to me. From the moment I learned he was in the world. Malachi will always be Uncle Petes boy and I look forward to having them come stay with Auntie in the summer. Oh, this is hard.

Despite the goodbyes, I am very excited for this new chapter in our lives. I look forward to what the future holds for me and my babies. How will Pete like the job? How will I handle all my time alone? Who squeezed the Charmin? So, it may be sporadic here but I am sure someone will allow me access to a computer or else I will be back at the library. And I will be checking, so tell me, what did you do this week?

Dirty Little Secrets

Sorry I'm a day late on the list. Pete had the day off yesterday after a root canal on Tuesday. The real estate agents came to scope out the house. I am really happy that we are working with them again. The house is almost all packed and we are at a 9 day countdown. So busy. We have a big week ahead. Pete has to head to Salt Lake for a meeting next week and my mom is coming to see us. I am going to see my friend Sara on Tuesday and then there is the much anticipated visit to the Lego store. It has been a legend amongst the boys. A magical, mysterious place where there is rumored to be a wall of bulk bricks. I am going to make that magic happen next week before we leave. I think I may plan it while Pete is out of state. He is not as Lego friendly as I am.
My kids are very much like me and love their toys and their things. This is a constant source of frustration for Pete because they are also messy like me. This is the sort of habit you can't really keep hidden because it is out in the open for anyone to see. I think I keep things pretty in check but all this packing has thrown the house into chaos. Of course, I have many other, less noticeable habits. That leads me to the list. Five habits or secrets. Of course I am not expecting some deep dark personal secret. Even I wouldn't share that on a blog. Just silly little things that will only mildly be embarrassing. Or if you have no shame, like me, not be embarrassing. So, here are mine....

#1. I watch Golden Girls everyday from 9-10. The kids know this and I have caught Oscar getting hooked a couple of times. Which one's your favorite? I like Dorothy.

#2. I sing in the car, to EVERYTHING.This embarrasses the older kids to no end and when I open the windows they sink as low as they can go. Also, when we are at stores that play music, I dance a little to get them good and riled up.

#3. When I am in the car I usually listen to really crappy rap stations. I used to make up excuses when Pete would drive the car that it landed on that when I was scanning, but he has gotten wise to that and the secret is out. It is so much fun to sing "Apple Bottom Jeans" when Oscar is in the car.

#4. I like to stay up and read late into the night. Sometimes though, I really just play Nintendo DS for hours while the kids are sleeping.

#5. I love to tease the kids. It drives Pete crazy and I have tried to be more "grown up". I was banned from the Sharpie yesterday after Oscar and I had a marker vs. water gun fight. That's okay, I'll get him in the dodge ball game later.

Birthdays

Sunday! A whole new week and I am determined that this will be a fun filled, busy week. So, there was some fun stuff this last week too, so let's get to that. As previously mentioned, Saul turned 4. He is awesome to watch due to his unbridled passion for just about anything presented to him. We met up at Pizza Hut and took up one half of the restaurant. We ended up taking the party outside to open presents. It is so much easier to not contain them. Saul loved his presents. He received some great new clothes from Grandma and a really neat tool set. I opted for a bag of miscellaneous items that he loved. Bananas, punch balloons, a walking dog and Reeses. All of the kids were super impressed by his own Reeses, that did not need to be shared and now I know what they will all be getting for Christmas.

My mom wisely chose the Costco cupcake route. There is seriously about 2 cups of frosting on the top. Olive ate it all and chucked the cake.
Malachi had me hold his so that he could lick his fingers in between bites.
Baby Seven was in the house. Barely fitting into his clothes. He is HEAVY. Siobhan could hardly believe it.
I still call him Seven, but mom has started calling him the Cabbage Patch. Very fitting. Last night we went to Red Robin. Pete and I had never been there before. We don't usually eat out but this move has closed our kitchen down. Oscar had earned some gift certificates last year so we decided to cash in. When the waiter came over and asked if we had ever been there and understood the menu, we both said no. He stopped for a breath, then looked at me oddly. Again I said I hadn't and then he asked, and I quote "Are you being sarcastic?" Loved it. Apparently we are the only Americans to have not eaten there. I also had a doctors appointment this week. When the nurse came in to send me on my way she would not look at me, it was so odd. So I left and after getting to the parking garage realized my embroidered shirt was on backwards. And inside out. The pockets were flapping all over and I still cannot believe that she let me leave like that.
My final item today is a birthday wish to Rosanna Rae. Happy First Birthday! I seriously cannot wait to see her again. She is such a fun,smart girl. So entertaining. We are all thinking of you today Rosanna, have a fun day. We love you!

Pajama

Grandma Pajama,
Happy Birthday! I wish you were here for us to celebrate with. Instead I know you are having a party with all your brothers and sisters. I am sure Grandpa is entertaining everyone, maybe playing guitar, or his Casio, and you are happy to be with your mama. I miss you everyday and I think of you often. Every party and milestone leads me to wish you were with us. I know this is true for mama too. I am amazed sometimes that all the years later I still have a difficult time talking about you. I am so happy that Siobhan and Oscar still remember you and talk about you often. I talk about you with Hans and Olive and hope that they will remember my stories about you when they are older. I hope that you are able to visit us and that you can see how well they are doing. They are getting so big and they are so fun and smart. You would have so much fun with them. They adore their "big grandma" and Mom i s getting more and more like you. This week has been a hard one Grandma. I am so excited to move and start a new home but I am so sad to leave mom. On Tuesday my friend Joel was killed by a reckless driver and I am having a hard time imagining him gone. Remember he watched Oscar for me when I worked at the preschool? He came over to your house a couple of times with his boys. With Joel, Oscar would just cry and cry so you kept him with you. I would come to pick him up and he would be in your shopping cart next to your rocking chair watching TV with you. You would feed him through the basket and he was perfectly happy as long as he wasn't being held. When he was sleepy you would take him out and sing and rock him. I loved that and we still talk about it. Well, I guess that is it for now. I miss you so much and I hope you know that we are all thinking of you today and always. I love you with all of my heart. Matilda Jane

Joel

Tonight I want to add another school memory. When I was a freshman in high school I decided to try out for cheer leading. I didn't even really want to be one, just to have tried out. We were paired with other girls and I was matched up with a girl named Adrianna. We tried out together and both made it. She went on to become a cheerleader and I decided not to. She dated a football player throughout high school named Joel and they married shortly after. Joel and I have been friends since middle school. He was the boy who gave me the Grand Tetons nickname in middle school and drove me insane. But we were friends. Out of high school we worked together for awhile for my aunt at Oneida. She loved him because he was so fun and he got away with never doing any work. A few years later we both had kids. He has a son, Jacob, Siobhans age and a son, Nathan, around Oscars age. Siobhan and Jacob attended the Pacific Grove Cooperative Preschool together. A requirement was working at the school one day a week. We traded off babysitting for each other and hung out a great deal at the preschool. The kids played at the park together and had a lot of fun. Joel was an amazing friend to me at that time and a really great listener. When I left for Utah I missed him and his family. We spoke on the phone for awhile and eventually I was off onto a whole new life. My heart is absolutely broken tonight. Joel was hit by a car on Tuesday in front of the middle school we had attended and died. I am in a state of numbness right now and I grieve for not only him but his boys and Adrianna. Jacob is autistic and to watch him with his Dad was something special. He was an extremely devoted father and worked in the evenings to care for the boys during the day. He was patient and loving and I am just so sad. Please, please say a prayer for his family. I hope and pray that Adrianna is okay. I hope that Joel didn't suffer and that he is at peace. I will miss you Joel and always treasure our friendship. I will always remember what a good friend you were to me. I will always keep your family in my prayers and be amongst the many that will have great stories for your boys about you. God rest you, with love, Grand Tetons.

Schooled

Today is the first day of school. After much discussion Oscar chose to go for just the first three days. Just enough time to see everybody and catch up on summer shenanigans. Then he will hang out at home until he starts his new school in Utah. He chose his first day outfit and put on his backpack an hour before the bus came. So, fifth grade for Oscar. He is so smart and I am excited to watch him learn this year. I think this will be a big year for him. Yes, he is growing his hair out and is really proud of it.
Siobhan will attend school every day until we leave. This will be no different for her because to Siobhan school is all about socializing. Her friends are upset that she is leaving and she has had several offers to let her live here with friends. From parents. I think I'll keep her. I need my BonBon, she is too fun.
She chose a Power Ranger backpack for this year. Grandma got it for her on her birthday. Her dad bought her the shoes. That was a long process. You can make custom Converse on their website. These are actually the extra tall ones, though you can't tell with the pants over them. She chose all the colors and patterns. Then she wanted the writing on them. After a cancelled order due to the mention of the phrase jackass and a separate copyright issue, she chose Party Ranger. So, party ranger is at school today and happy to be there.

I decided that it would be to hard for Hans to start here and then again at a new place in two weeks. So, I kept him home and he is anxious for Utah. I felt really bad when the kids were preparing last night and he felt left out, but he'll have his day soon. Plus, today is Sauls 4th birthday! So, a party will be had tonight. This leaves me with the list. In celebration of the first day of school let's share 5 school memories. Here we go....

#1. I remember Kindergarten clearly. Especially the boy who peed in class. Also, my cousin Serena attending my class when she was here from Germany.

#2. In 6th grade my mom, who chose our outfits, had me wear a sweatshirt dress. Popular at the time with leggings. The school counselor made me bend over in front of the english class and then sent me to the office to call my mom for another outfit. Too short for her liking and my mom was not happy with the call.

#3. Handball, handball, handball!

#4. Hearing about my parents from most every teacher I had. Growing up in a small town is great for that. Middle school was all about my dad. High school was about my mom and dad, usually stories of them kissing in the halls, or about my grandma Jane who was a teacher at the high school. I also heard a lot about my cousins, the Sheppard twins.

#5. All of my friends. I had really great friends and a lot of fun in all my grades. In elementary school my best friends were Nicole Cavallaro and then Caroline Geisler. In middle school Nicole and I held strong but then in high school she switched to Monterey High and I became best friends with Sara Russell who lived a few blocks behind me. I recently found her on Facebook(love that) and I am looking forward to seeing her this month. School friends are so important. My heart is breaking for Siobhan right now, although I know she will quickly find a new group of friends in Utah and I only hope they are half as fun and nice as the girls she has here. So, that's the list for the week. I plan on keeping up with my posting even throughout this chaos. Hope you will too!

Pioneers

Well, it has been a crazy, mixed up week here. Siobhan was in Idaho with a friend and during that time Pete was called and offered a new position with Macys. A humongous promotion for him and a huge move back to Utah for us. This has been a great experience for us. It's good to leave your comfort zone and throw yourself into something new. We have had to depend on each other and it was sometimes difficult. In the almost two years we have lived here a lot has happened in our lives. We have spent thousands of hours with my beloved Williams and my mom and John moved here. My only regret in moving is leaving my Mama. I can't write about it now, this is a freshly opened hurt and I need to leave it a minute. On the favorable side of leaving, I really dislike this town and it will always be a reminder of where I got sick. Besides leaving my family I am happy to be heading back to Salt Lake City. I am happy to see all my other family and my friends. I feel good there. I am comfortable and happy in the surroundings and Pete and I will be able to make a good life there for our kids. So two weeks from now we will be "Utahards" (thanks Kim and Troy). I'm sad to say, I must be on my way

So buy me beer and whisky 'cause I'm going far away

I'd like to think of me returning when I can

To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane
................................................................The Pogues

Word Girl

Olive has been channeling Ms.Cleo the past few days. If you call now, for $9.95 she will probably whine or cry or call you a buckethead.

I seriously love words. Especially catch phrases and geographical slang. I bought Grandpa Fish a set of slang flashcards for Christmas to help him acclimate. Thanks to Silas we regularly use, oh snaps! Not snap, but snaps. Grip is another Williams favorite, as in "Someday I'll have a grip of money." We have a few family coined phrases as well. Having lived in a few different states now, I have picked up a few along the way. And to anybody that's wondering, Utah definitely has there own accent. I love the whole soda versus pop debate. I love that Pete noticed that I say on line and he says in line. But right now my new favorite is soft pants. This one is credited to Aaron and Tara. Soft pants as in pajamas or sweats. This is the best in a long while. Washington is a soft pants bonanza. Everybody here wears sweats on a regular everyday basis. I was so excited to have a new word for sweats. I recently found this site, to help feed my addiction. In addition to that, todays list will be 5 of your favorite phrases or words. I know we all have some. Especially Dad, seeing as he reads the dictionary and all. Here are mine...

#1. Sew Button. I must say this at least a dozen times a day. This I gleaned from Sharon.

#2. Chicken Banana. A few years back at the dinner table we started talking about something that embarrassed Oscar. Unable to handle the situation he blurted out chicken! followed a few seconds later by banana! Chicken Banana has been around ever since and is the most commonly used phrase in our house, by everybody. At least a dozen times a day. Really.

#3. Man oh manashewitz. Another one from my Jewish Mama.

#4. Cough due to cold. When the kids are upset or in a bad mood I always ask them "What's wrong?cough due to a cold?" Recently, on a recent sick day for me Oscar asked me the same and I can now rest easy that I passed it on to the kids.

#5. Bonanza. This one is straight from old Sculley Bones. John has a lot of good Boston sayings, but Freaken Bonanza is Petes favorite and he uses it often.

Luck of the Irish

Oscar is going to be a very rich man someday. He has a knack for making and holding onto money. He keeps really great accounting records and knows to the penny where his money has gone. He recently spent a large portion of his change jar on a video game he had been wanting. He can spend hours shopping on ebay. Mostly Pokemon related items. I didn't realize how familiar he was with ebay until I saw him type in Buy It Now Pokemon. He gave me very detailed instructions on when exactly to bid for him. Following those instructions, I was successful in winning. Now comes the difficult task of waiting for the item to arrive. To keep him busy and replenish his funds he has been asking for jobs to earn a little cash. He and Pete went back and forth over mowing the lawn for a bit and finally negotiated a price that we had available on hand. Four lottery scratchers that were $1 winners. Oscar likes being paid in scratchers. You may recall this isn't our first time exposing our children to gambling. So, Pete gave him the option of 4 dollars or 4 more scratchers and Oscar opted for the latter. Well, he won on two for a total of $12.00! Tripled his profit and he was beyond thrilled. Last night Pete cashed them in for him and Oscar asked for a ten and two more scratchers. Pete was happy about that idea and had planned a little lesson in his head about the temptation of gambling and how you don't always win. Then Oscar won 5 more dollars and the lesson went out the window. I guess it's luck of the Irish. Next up? The racetrack down the street.

Gargamel!

My days have been completely thrown off this past week and I forgot today was Wednesday. There has just been so much going on. So many things are occupying my mind and time right now. I was so excited to hear from my cousin Serena (Hi Serena!)when we returned. She and I are the same age, but she was born in Germany and has lived her entire life there. I was so excited to hear from her and then there was the added bonus of an invite to view her pictures on Flicker. Some old ones including our grandparents and some recent ones that allowed me to see my Aunt Barbara Jane and my other two cousins. Then, to add to the excitement,I heard from my cousin Josh who also has old family pictures up and I see that this is going to be an absolutely awesome way to share some old family pictures and memories. So, I have been hooked on Flicker and going through my own photos so that I can share in the fun even though there is so much else to be done. Some other things going on? Pete interviewed for a new position with Macys last week, there's all the unpacking from our trip to be done, summer is winding down and my baby boy will be starting school. It's just craziness right now. The big talk right now is what kind of backpack to choose. Pete asked,"Don't they already have backpacks?" But in my opinion, you have to start a new school year fresh. I love back to school. New start, new clothes, all the fresh school supplies. I remember the Lisa Frank portfolios, trapper keepers, pee chee folders. All good stuff. I once had a Mr.Peanut lunch box, a Holly Hobby lunchbox,a Beatles binder(passed down from my mom), but the best were the cartoon themed. I love cartoons. At least the cartoons from my youth. The new stuff doesn't interest me much. Except SpongeBob, I do enjoy that one occasionally with the kids. Hans is obsessed with cartoons and I have been trying to phase out a couple that I really don't care for. I wonder which he will remember as his favorite? I am a little disappointed that Saturday morning cartoons seem to be a thing of the past. There seems to be a few 24 hour cartoon channels going which has eliminated that anticipation for the weekend. I loved that feeling, after garage sales. Most likely at Grandmas, fighting with my sisters over who's turn it was to choose. So, here is 5 I enjoyed....

#1. Captain Caveman. I loved when I was on the tail end of a cold and had a scratchy throat because I thought I sounded like Taffy.

#2. Hair Bears. I have been told this is not real, but I remember it and here is a little proof.

#3. The Smurfs. Loved,loved,loved them. Bought a million of those little plastic figurines and stuffed animals. Last month Oscar bought an in the box smurf village and I bought him the bedding set at a thrift store in Salt Lake.

#4. Chilly Willy and Woody Woodpecker. I mostly associate these with my Grandpa. These two he enjoyed and would sign the themes to.

#5. Yogi Bear.

I am curious to see what formed your young mind. I am also curious to see what Hans will choose for a backpack. Oscar is set on Pokemon. Hans wants Kangaroo Jack. I may end up getting a plain backpack and embroidering a kangaroo on it. He only saw that movie once but he's obsessed. His favorite cartoon is Futurama, so I'm trying to talk him into a Bender pack. So, list it up! I know you are there! Especially you Dad....I'll be waiting!

Oh Snaps!

I forgot to tell you Siobhan and Oscars favorite parts! Siobhan managed to struggle through a week of us. She only had one sleepover the whole week! She is really a good girl. She played with the little kids and eavesdropped on gossip. She finished the first book in the Twilight series and started the on the second. She likes to hold all the babies and kids. I know it can be hard to be the oldest by so many years, but she did good.
For a thirteen year old. Oscar kind of relishes in being the older kid. He is pretty good with all the kids and will gladly sit and play with babies for an hour or so. He still was able to squeeze in some time to torture his little brother.
He did awesome on the hike. He stuck right by my side and checked on me. He made it all the way up and back down and really liked the cave. I'd have to say his favorite part though was a combination of Millies burgers, Banbury Cross donuts and 4 new packs of Pokemon cards. Okay, now that everybody has been represented I can give this blog a break until tomorrow

The Year of the Fruit Skirt

We are back home, as of last night. What a week! I always feel like we have so much time, but end up stumped as to how we weren't able to do everything we had thought we could. Then I remember.....big family. Anyway, our trip started off with Olive in her "fruit skirt". She has worn this for a better part of three weeks. Everyday. With pink kitten heels that have a bow on top. She did change it up a little in Utah by wearing nothing but underwear. Of course we started off the trip with several big things. First of all, I want to tell Kim that we absolutely chose to visit when we did, because we would not have missed the boys first birthday! It was so fun, these boys are adorable. So different, poor Chase was not into the cake at all, so Cooper took advantage and sampled a little of each. I wish I had a twin to score double desserts from.
It is really fun that the Runnells have a mini Kim and a mini Troy. Chase really resembles his mom and when I saw this picture I had to laugh, this is a complete and total Kim face.
There is no doubt in anyones mind that Cooper is the spitting image of his Dad. He is hilarious and the entertainer. Both boys were so fun to watch and I am so glad that we were there to see them right after they were born and then again for the big birthday! I sure love them.
Also taking place on Sunday was Delyla's baby blessing. I was beyond thrilled that Melissa passed her over in church and I got to hold her until it was over! She is so beautiful. I don't know how I didn't get a good picture in her dress, but she really doesn't need any adorning. She is just a doll. Hans and Landon picked up right where they left off. They have so much fun together. I am so happy that the kids all are so at ease with not only each other, but with me as well. I love that they come to me just as easy as they do their moms. It was great that Jeremy and Annisha have moved back and we were able to spend time with them as well. Jocelyn is such a fun girl. She is the only girl I have seen Hans allow to touch her. She is so outgoing and so sweet.
We went to Aunt Gretchens so Darwin could show us their new house. When Siobhan asked him on the first day of the trip how his new house was, he exclaimed,"Even awesomer than yours!" Darwin is also such a sweet little guy. It was kind of fun to see how much he has changed, definitely moving into the big boy territory.
Hans' favorite part of the trip was the goats at Darwins house. He has three and Hans could have spent the rest of the week with them. He fed them and walked them on a leash. He is still talking about them.
The highlight for Olive was her very first sleepover! She loved living at Aunt Taras and Uncle Aarons for a night. She is still begging for another night. I can't beleive she did it. I was so impressed how she behaved with Maggie. She was so happy to be with girls. Magnolia is a completely different kid from the last few years. We spent the afternoon at the Cottonwood Spa swimming and she just got right in and swam! She found Hans hilarious and they really enjoyed watching Strange Brew together. The best was listening to their awesome Canadian accents. Petes highlight, I would have to say, was all the rainbow trout they caught. Honestly, just pulled one out after another. Hans,Olive,Jocelyn,Siobhan,Oscar, and Nathan all caught a fish, or several. They were delicious and Pete was so happy to have a successful fishing trip. We all camped out on Friday, the entire Lindgren clan, less Zak and Rebecca. He is on his guard month.

We ended with a hike up to Timpanogos Cave. This is the crowd, pre hike. This was before I realized my fear of heights was going to be seriously tested and I would find out how steep the hike really was. I was sooo proud of these kids. They made it all the way up! They loved the cave and then made the hike all the way down. Of course, Olive was carried on her Dads shoulders, or soldiers as she calls them.
My favorite part? All the kids and their parents and the grandparents. It was so fun to be with everybody. To visit with the girls, to watch the kids play. In this picture, I am holding baby Roseanna Rae. She is a doll. Just talks and laughs. She let me hold her lots. So, overall a good trip. Actually, an amazingly great trip. I bought a new, bigger memory card and man can I hold a lot of pictures. I may try to put some up on flicker later. So, good to be back, I missed my blog and I can't wait to catch up with everyone!