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

First day for Trout and nothing to show for

Today was the start of the trout season here in Washington and man was it busy. We just wanted to get a little preview, tommorrow is when we plan to get up and out early. We left at 8:30 or so and it was crowded. Pete spent pretty much the whole time fixing lines and untangling from the trees. We had a few tugs on our lines but didn't actually get any bites. The kids did have fun though and I think tommorrow will be better when we leave early.
Today was also the Raingutter Regatta. This is Oscars boat in all it's glory. Yes, it is Simpsons and Millhouse is riding on the deck.
The troop got lined up for pictures and Oscar put on his best photo face.

This is where they are acting"crazy". I bet you hardly recognize Oscar, huh? He didn't place but he had a lot if fun and did a really great job.

Caveman Love

The BEST thing ever came in the mail today from my Mom. I really love the cavemen. Thank you so much Mom and John. I'm going to have to hide it when I'm not wearing it because everybody wants to claim it as their own.
It's going to be a busy weekend for us. Oscar has the raingutter regatta this saturday and is hard at work with Pete to complete his boat. I'll wait until he's done to announce his theme. Pete also got the fishing gear out for us to fish this weekend. It is the opening of the trout season. I'm actually pretty excited to go and am hoping for an injury free outing. There are also three birthday parties Oscar was invited to this weekend so it will be interesting to see how it all pans out. Just thinking about it is wearing me out. So....goodnight.

Paparazzi

I want it to be known that I am aware of the Hans/Olive to Siobhan/Oscar photo ratio on this blog. This is not intentional. At least once a day Hans asks me to take a picture of him doing something for me to post on my blog. Olive usually asks me to take her smile a few times a week as well. Oscar and Siobhan are another story. Oscar will always block a photo unless there is some sort of bribe involved. Siobhan does the same. Pat sent Siobhan a Foot Locker card to get some running shoes for track and yesterday we went and picked them out. This is her getting a feel for them in the backyard. Oscar usually can hear any sort of camera noise a mile away and is on guard. This was a rare lapse in his radar and I got a regular picture, albeit a little fuzzy.
This picture took 5 tries. Siobhan is always complaining I only make stuff for the boys and Olive so I made her a summer top for an upcoming beach trip. She didn't want to wait and I finished it this morning so she could wear it to school today. I take a picture of everything I sew and this is no exception. So, after several closed eyes and grumpy faces(Mom,I'm tired!) I got this. I hope they realize summer is coming and then I will have an even larger window of opportunity. It's looking like a Siobhan/Oscar kind of summer.

A Birthday Wish

Happy 36th Birthday Patrick!!!

Moving,moving,moving

Today my sister Alex and her husband are moving into their new house in Portland. I am very excited for them and hope that their move goes smoothly and they are very happy in their new home. I can't wait to visit. Hint, hint.
I am hoping that someone will buy my moms home soon so that she can get up here and in a new home as well. There is nothing worse than waiting to be settled. Once you've made the decision to move it's hard to wait for your new adventure.
We waited a long time to move from Utah and were so happy to find our new home here. We love our house and it is just the right size for our family. So imagine our shock when we were asked to attend a meeting at city hall to discuss the possibility of developing our block. We have lived here two months and are not thrilled with the idea of moving. This is part of a huge downtown renewal that has apparently been going on for awhile. I attended the meeting last week with Hans dressed as Zelda, sword included and Olive dressed as Spongebob. I brought as much candy as I could fit in my purse and prayed for the best. Besides brandishing a sword to the Mayors neck they were pretty good.
The block has decided to let the city file a request for qualifications for developers and I guess we'll see what happens from there. It is an all or nothing deal so I feel pretty good about that. Our neighbor was advised that she should expect a minimum offer of $400,000. for her property so as you can imagine the entire block is ready to go and waiting on what we feel. I feel a little like the Brady's if you've ever seen the Brady Bunch movie.
Anyway, this is our new hangout. The mayor gave us chocolate after the meeting and as the City Hall is two blocks away every time we pass Hans wants to head in for some more. I think after all this developing business that's the least they can offer. Otherwise, they may be seeing more of Zelda's sword.

P.S. Did you see Hans' bitchin' new haircut? I did that! It's not a buzz but a real little boy haircut. It's no Aunt Kim cut but a huge step up for me. Oscar got one also, if I can get a photo of him I'll show you tommorrow.

We have lived two thousand years....

Yesterday was spent doing errands and recovering from some oral surgery( as Pat would call it). So today we knew we needed to get the kids out as well as ourselves. We were thinking of checking out a nearby lake that Grandpa Fish has been talking up but instead went to Snoqualamie Falls. I had been there when Elijah was born with Mom and John but it was really nice to see it again and really appreciate it. Hans and Olive were both a little spooked being up above it so we drove into Snowqualamie and checked out the town and railroad museum. This tree was cut in 1987 and is 400 years old.





>
We were on our way home to have tuna and crackers when we took an odd turn and ended up downtown. Pikes place was crazy so we headed to the international district. Or should I say we decided to STOP in Chinatown. We had lunch here. I was amazed to learn that the boys and Olive LOVE duck. All three of them ate it up, skin included. Siobhan opted to stay at her friends even though she was advised we were starting the day with a visit to DMC( Donut, Muffin, Cookies). Not only are the donuts good but now that we are regulars my buddy always throws in a free bag of donut holes! SCORE!! Here they are learning how to eat rice candy. You eat the paper?

There was some excellent window browsing like these random photos on fake grass. Nothing else just a photo in an otherwise empty building.

And this guy, the most haggard pigeon ever. As I was taking this photo I heard Hans singing from atop Pete's shoulders. It sounded like a Chinese song in a high pitched voice. I thought he was soaking up some local culture but when we asked what he was singing he advised us it was what the dragons sang when the Simpson's were in China. What don't the Simpson's teach us?

What I did during Spring Break

I can't believe that it's been a week since I've posted anything. It was a crazy week with everyone here but it was so much fun. I had a great time with mom and having Double R here also was really awesome. The boys had a really great time watching each other play Nintendo DS.

The justice league made a brief appearance. I hope that Elijah knows that I'm adding this to my collection of awesome Elijah photos I am secretly collecting to make him hang out with me when I'm old. Also, when did Silas swipe Olives patented Bill. Nicoe turned 10 on the 11th. My other niece Magnolia turned 4 the same day. ( Happy Birthday Maggie!!) Nico chose Mexican food and chocolate cake. I thought we had fun.
Did I mention that the boys played video games?
Grandma and Malachi became fast friends once there was food involved. I especially like this picture.
This I just have to throw in. It's from today. Hans has been asking for a Zelda costume. So far I have only made the pants and hat but he is happy the way it is.

Easter weekend

Well, it's been a few days since I've posted but it's been really busy here. Easter was really nice and surprisingly relaxing for the most part.
But wait..... Stop..... there is so much more to this weekend......

First, Siobhan had her very first band performance last week. Since she was so far away on stage I had to get a picture at home also. She did really well and french horn is obviously her instrument.

Both Grandmas made it here safely and we have had a lot of fun. The kids played in the mud and dyed eggs on Saturday.

Luckily, to keep us going we had a coffee master present and there is nothing like being served coffee by a man in apron. So everyone made it and we had a great time. I was happy Alex and David were here for the
weekend and that Grandma Double R was here with us also. For now I must get back to the rest of the group but be prepared, there will be lots of photos in the near future.

Hungry like the wolf

I really think that these pictures do well with no explanation. Yeah, they pretty much tell a story on their own.

I was really grateful that Pete watched all the kids and Luisa and I went out for the day on Saturday. We had a lot of fun in the city. We went here and here. We also went here and here.

Then we picked up the Williams brood plus one to come over for the night. Nicoe had a friend come over with her. When we got here Siobhan had a friend over for the night also. Oscar also had a friend over. So thirteen kids later we had a pretty loud weekend.

I also want to wish a belated congratulations to my sister in law Gretchen and her husband Russ on the birth of their new baby boy Clayton. I cannot wait to see him, another nephew! Also, congratulations to Shaun and Elizabeth on their new baby boy Connor. What a fitting month for a new Irishman to be born.

Spring Fever

Yesterday was such a great day out. We worked outside on the front yard and Hans(Mario) cut some beautiful flowers for me. Too bad there were from the neighbors yard. I think I will really love this town come summer. This was across the street after school yesterday. That's not even the full crowd. What a difference from 700 East in SLC. We had people just walk by and say hi and Pete even had someone stop and chat with him about the bus.
Here is our house in all its glory. First time out with the lawn mower. I cannot wait for summer.

Weekend

This weekend was kind of a strange one. Oscar had a sleepover at someone elses house for the first time. Siobhan was actually home without a friend. Olive spent the weekend playing on her own. Much to my pleasure she has become very interested in her dolls. All of the kids have their own walk in closet that they have put all their toys in and Olive has had a lot of fun in hers.
Cinderella had no time for play because she had work to do. Sanding and scrubbing, her mean stepfather taught her a lesson about investing in your future. But what results! Only four more years until she will be able to enjoy the fruits of her labor. It should be mentioned that Siobhan worked for about an hour and that was appreciated. Pete on the other hand spent about 4 on Saturday night and 8 yesterday. He did an awesome job.
Working on the bus should drive up stock on Rainier Ale and Olympia.

Also, as an afterthought. I love to see what I can find when I google our names. My favorite is when I find Magstatic stuff. This is what I love to read. Makes me feel special.

Capitol City

Part of moving here was my plan to "Discover Washington". So far we have been too busy with buying a house and moving and all that business. So Sunday we went to our states capitol, Olympia. I really like it. The capitol is beautiful and the town is really cute. I am looking forward to when mom gets here to explore it (i.e. shop). Pete was wise and said it would be more fun without four kids, also, there was a Volkswagen just waiting for him to tinker with. It is nice to be back by the water and makes me feel right at home. It's fun to introduce Hans and Olive to things that I grew up with. Like barnacles, (a little much Spongebob?)

I think Hans feels right at home as well. Seems they alerted the town to his presence.
On an additional note, did I mention that my mom will be here in two weeks for Easter and spring break. No, I hadn't? Well, did I also mention that both of my sisters will be here as well? How about my mother in-law? Last count I figure that at 16 people here for Easter. The Easter miracle is that Pete is not stressed about it at all and is really excited to have our mothers here. So am I. Dad and Sharon, you should get in on this action. Bill Murray will be here.......

Drivers Wanted.

I don't know when I last saw Pete so excited for something. Luisa happened to mention, a month or so ago, that her landlady had a bus in her backyard. She had already gotten rid of one and was looking to unload the other. I mentioned it to Pete and we have not stopped pestering Luisa since. Last night all his wildest dreams came true and he waited on the front porch until he saw his next years worth of frustration and joy coming down the street on the flatbed. He absolutely cannot wait to pimp this ride. We are all excited to ride in this baby once it's done. It's funny that Pete and I are both nostalgic having grown up with this car in our families ourselves. The kids however think it's cool that it's like the car in Little Miss Sunshine. I hope we someday have the chance to drive our own Olive to California to compete. I think I will pull out my Superfreak album today.
So this is it. A new Volkswagen in our family. We could not be more delighted.