Wit Via Text

I have some of the best conversations via text message with my sister-in-law. The following is an example of one such conversation:

Marianne: I have a mouse living under my desk in my room and he's been keeping me up at night :I
Tara: Oh no! The rustling?
M: Yes! And the little booger seems to know I can't get to it! It's fearless
T: Ack!...and what starts as fearless may become cunning. If he starts leaving you little threatening notes you may have to move!
M: It sounds like he's chewing thru wires with the express purpose of causing a devastating conflagration.
T: So who is he exacting revenge upon? Is he a vigilante mouse who lost the only female he ever truly loved? Did one of you perhaps kill a mouse recently?
M: Rascal!! And I think he may actually be the Joshua Mouse scouting out the Promised Land... the rest of the rodentalites are waiting in the laundry room for his report.
T: Better a mouse scout than a mouse scorned!
M: Hahaha!!! Duty vs. Passion. Love for his mouse-god and his mouse-people, or Love for his mouse-mate. Which is more dangerous?! When Rascal serves him up I will interrogate him till he squeals!

Look At This Face!!

Livi Claire, July 24th, 4 months old...


I challenge anyone to hold this baby girl and NOT plant a kiss on her. It's simply not possible.


Love, love, love this picture!! Such a happy girl... and she just loves her mommy :)


So content :) Yes, she's as sweet as she looks. She's almost always happy, never fussy. She melts the hearts of all who come in contact with her. Strangers offer, nay ask, to babysit her :)


Look at these bright eyes! Oh, precious girl!!

August 7th- my friend Amy just taught me how to take a photo into the sun... Livi still outshines it, though :)

Rid Me Of Myself

I KNOW my purpose in life. Why don't I live like it? If I am here to further the kingdom of God, why do I not spend each and every moment doing that? Any other action or endeavor is a complete waste of time, of my life, of me. But it's me that's the problem, me that gets in the way. If I ask God to rid me of myself, and fill me with the Spirit, to do His will, not only do I like the me I become, but I am happy, too. But my nature (my human-nature, my sin-nature) clouds everything, confuses the simple truth. If I follow my nature's lead, I think of myself, my wants, my needs, my time, what I want to do, how I feel, how I'm being wronged, how I'm giving more than I'm receiving... I'll tell you where it doesn't lead: to happiness and fulfillment. If I am made to serve my Maker, to do the work that He has set apart for me, then I pray that that will be my focus every day, every hour, every second of my life. When I pray God to rid me of myself and make me an empty vessel to do with what He will, I become more loving, more kind, more patient. I become the me He created me to be.

Newborn Photos!

Check out Livi's newborn photos! I'm soooo excited to share these. Livi looks angelic and the photographer (Kori Friesen) was awesome, the marriage of which produced these AMAZING pictures! There's really nothing more for me to say...the pictures speak for themselves...

This is in her room :). The background is part of the mural Todd painted.

Kori Friesen's company is called "Captured Memories Photography" and can be found online at http://www.korifriesen.com/. As you can see, she does amazing work. I'm so glad we were able to capture these once-in-a-lifetime moments of our baby girl :)

Official Introduction

Finally! It's been a whopping THREE WEEKS since our lives were blessed with Livi Claire...and she's finally making her appearance on "Hiester Family Antics". I have no excuse. I am not sleep-deprived, as I have a wonderful sleeper and a helpful husband. I'm not overwhelmed, as I have Kurstin and Elissa, my round-the-clock Robben Handlers. I'm not lacking in energy. Quite the contrary. I have as much energy as I did when I was pregnant, which was nothing short of superhuman. I prayed for it to continue post-pregnancy, and it seems God saw fit to answer that one in the affirmative. In any case, we're here now...

The Hiester Family is proud to introduce

Olivia Claire Hiester

Born March 23, 2011 @ 7:58 in the evening

6 pounds 3 ounces, 19 3/4" long

With a full head of hair :)

Livi is a good little girl. She eats well, sleeps well, soils her diapers well... At night, we've gotten up to 4 1/2 hours of sleep at a time! As you can see, she has LOTS of dark hair (which has already lightenend considerably since birth), which is a catalyst for the #1 most common comment from friends, family and strangers alike: "Look at all that hair!" She also has some pretty long eyelashes, which, ironically, are blonde. She has super long fingers, like those of a concert pianist (or a basketball player, though I'd prefer the former). And her toes are even longer. Not normal long. I mean LONG! Her daddy says she'll be able to perch on things...branches, telephone wires, etc. The general consensus is that she looks like Mommy (yippee!), especially if you see my baby pictures. I'm thinking the eyes might be Todd's though. She certainly has my lips: shape and color; but thankfully not my ears :/

A quick Mommy report: the pregnancy was easy, as pregnancies go, blessing me with a mere 16 pounds and no stretch marks... and leaving my belly button intact :) I was scheduled for a C-Section on March 28, but went into labor on the 23rd. I didn't really believe I was in labor because there was minimal pain involved. The only real clue was the consistent intervals between the contractions. After some coaxing from the doctor's office and an extracted promise to go to the hospital (now, NOT when my husband gets home from work!), I drove myself, in the rain, while filing my nails and texting (mostly at the stop lights) to let people know what was going on. My doctor came and declared it Livi's birthday, set up a date with the anesthesiologist, and, in his own words, went and had a couple shots of Tequila before my surgery :) Livi was born at 7:58 pm on Wednesday night and we got to come home on Friday afternoon to a housefull of excited siblings. My recovery has been swift and actually hasn't felt like a recovery at all. I feel no physical limitations and my energy is actually better than it was a year ago from now. This time around, having a baby has been very easy!! Robben is officially a BIG BROTHER... and a proud one at that! He loves his baby sister so much. Though I can't say the transition has been completely smooth and painless, Robben does NOT exhibit any signs of jealousy with the new addition. He loves to look at her and touch her (not always with permission), and is greatly distressed when she is unhappy. He admires God's handiwork in her "small ears" and "little bootie". He likes to discuss with me all the things he is looking forward to teaching her "when she is bigger", like jumping on the trampoline, playing with monster trucks, and going up on the roof (which, for some reason, is his measure of "being big"). He coos to her in a very high-pitched voice, saying things like, "it's okay Honey, Big Brother is right here." Now if only we could eradicate this sniffle/cough of his, he'd be able to spend more of this precious time with "his baby".And naturally, Robben is not the only proud older sibling. All three of the girls wait ever-so-patiently for their turn to hold Livi; they all stare at her endlessly, proclaiming her cuteness ad nauseum; and they are all willing to help in any way possible and, I think, consider it an honor when called upon. Most surprising to me is Tyler's interaction with her. I don't know why- I know the kid, I know his sensitive side. I guess I just get lulled into ignorant oblivion by his INsensitive side, which is the more common of the two. He, like the girls and Robben, loves to look at her, marvels at the little quirks (like the obligatory post-meal hiccups), and exclaims over the concentrated cuteness. Last night, when he arrived home fairly late from a track meet, he was to be found in her room, leaning over the cradle, just looking and, I daresay, admiring :)

The other Hiesters are comparably enthralled with the new hatchling. The first time we took her to their house, all 5 of them stood around oohing and aahing over each little expression that crossed her sleeping face. I think some may have been moved to tears at the pouty face that preceeds a bout of crying (which, when sleeping, doesn't actually come to fruition). Sydney, Brooklyn and Payton have a hard time forming a sentence other than, "she's so cute" when Livi is in their midst. The twins are nothing short of enthralled by their new little cousin: Brooklyn asked me today if Livi Claire is full-grown :)

In addition to family members who will remain NAMEless (my mom and sister-in-law), several people have threatened to take her home with them. I've had a few people even politely ask if they could have her :) We all knew that Livi would be a VERY LOVED LITTLE GIRL, and we see evidence of that all around, even in her first 3 weeks of life!

The Little Things

On a regular basis, lately, I've been taking mental note of the little things in life I'm grateful for. I think I should start sharing these with you. It'll be another series, I suppose...

* With 3 weeks off of school, I have 5 kids in my house that have been getting along swimmingly. There has been very little bickering and virtually no fighting. They are enjoying their time together by riding bikes (even though its freezing), painting popsicle sticks (random), and other mysterious activities in their rooms which have them eyeing each other and breaking into fits of giggles.

* My home is one in which a game of Hide-and-Seek is still considered good fun...and even Dad gets involved - though he has to be reminded of the rules!

* I have a slew of kids that are willing to patiently play a game of Candyland with a preschooler who doesn't yet get the concept of staying on the path. And when he gets bored, they play make-believe with their "guys".

* I have a 16-year-old son (Tyler), who describes red as "the antithesis of blue" in a game of Catch Phrase.

* The aforementioned son is currently struggling to light me a fire in my fireplace so I can get warm without having to do the work myself.

* Said son buries roadkill when circumstances necessitate.

* ALL of my kids are super excited about the impending arrival of their baby sister and involved in my pregnancy (as much as kids can be). They talk about her like she's already here :)

* When I have a "quick errand" to run, my older kids are always willing to watch Robben for me. Mind you, when you live 20 minutes from civilization, no errand is "quick".

* I have a 13-year-old daughter (Kurstin) who offers to make dinner when I don't feel like it. This may be motivated by a desire to eat, but I'm thankful for it, nonetheless.

* Previously noted daughter has been doing her schoolwork for the past two weeks without prompting or prodding. She has spent time in her room each day preparing for her biology class, which resumes today, and completing the homework for her writing class, which doesn't meet until next Thursday.

* Same daughter, who is known for her self-consciousness and lack of confidence, has been able to laugh at herself and not get her feelings hurt lately. Today she even had a full-on normal conversation with an adult on the telephone!! I'm sure the adult knows of what I speak!

* I have a husband who will work all day, pick up dinner on his way home, and NOT make me feel guilty when he arrives to find me still in my jammies in the same spot I was when he departed in the morning. Two disclaimers: 1. I was productive. I painted birdhouses ALL day for the baby's room. 2. I feel guilty enough without his help :)

* My 3-year-old has taken a new interest in cuddling me and gives some of Creation's best hugs.

* I have a sister-in-law on whom I can inflict my wit, expand my vocabulary, and try out new tricks with the English language... and she appreciates it!

Sure Sign You Have A Toddler #11

There is Sharpie all over your white duvet cover. Luckily you were smart enough to have bought the super cheap one.

A Record of "Dates"

*January 7, 2005: Todd and I celebrated our PRE-anniversary by dressing up and going to dinner at Campagnia
*January 7, 2006: Todd and I got married at Harris Ranch... we celebrated by throwing a huge party and inviting everyone we know and love :)
*January 7, 2007: Todd and I celebrated our first anniversary in our wedding night room at Harris Ranch.
*January 7, 2008: Todd and I cancelled our reservations at Harris Ranch and instead celebrated our second anniversary with dinner at Fridays (conveniently located across the street from St. Agnes Hospital) and a visit to our little 33-day-old Robben Carey in the hospital. We got to bring him home 2 days later.
*January 7, 2009: Todd and I celebrated our third anniversary in our wedding night room at Harris Ranch (the price had about doubled, though!), leaving Robben overnight for the first time.
*January 7, 2010: Todd and I celebrated our fourth anniversary at Tanaya Lodge, just outside Yosemite National Park.
*January 7, 2011: Todd and I will be celebrating our FIFTH anniversary in Pacific Grove, California (in the Monterey Bay area)... I might even get to eat at Bubba Gump's...mmmm!

Mnemonic Device

Ally and Tyler both had to take a Presidents Test in AP U.S. History. The test involved knowing each president, the party he was affiliated with, and the years of his presidency. I am proud to say that they both passed (100% being the ONLY passing score - it was an all or nothing deal), And Ally currently holds the record for "fastest successful completion of test". Now Tyler, having a memory that may be photographic, finds mnemonic devices to be a pointless waste of time and totally superfluous. The rest of us might need a little help with rote memorization! The following is a "story" Todd helped Ally come up with last night to remember all the presidents from Lincoln forward:

Lincoln's Johnson Grants Hayes to Garfield The Cat. King Arthur wants to move to Cleveland because Harrison Ford lives in Cleveland on a street called McKinley. Roosevelt High School makes taffy (Taft) that gets stuck in Wilson's teeth and makes them Harding so he has to Coolidge them off at Hoover High School. Roosevelt Rough Riders are Truman whose Eisenhowers are in Kennedy's face. Kennedy's Johnson nicks (Nixon) Ford's golf Carter that runs over Reagan into a Bush. Clinton helps him out of the Bush and pushes Obama in.

To ensure she could figure out the years (if the basic memorization failed), she made up phone numbers. Each number corresponds to the number of years each president served:

848-8848; 404-4134; 444-8404; 444-4848; 264-(12)882; 653-4848; 8-present

Luckily she had already memorized their parties, as I can only imagine what she and Todd might come up with for that! And to argue against Tyler's point, I believe these mnemonic devices do work. They attach some type of meaning, however silly, to a list of facts that may not have a whole lot of meaning as a list in itself. As proof of this theory, I offer the following:

On Old Olympus' Towering Tops A Finn and German Viewed Some Hops.

This is the device taught to me by my Anatomy/Physiology teacher in 1995 to remember the nerves of the brain. I regret to admit that I do not remember the nerves themselves. The device obviously sticks though, as it was also the one SHE was taught in college!

A History Carol

As an extra credit assignment in his AP U.S. History class, Tyler had the opportunity to rewrite a classic Christmas carol. I don't have specific permission to publish the result (merely a suspicion that he'd be okay with it), but I couldn't resist sharing. As you read the following, try singing it to the tune of "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer":

Once, when Great Britain reigned here

And colonies began to grow

Lots of unfair things were happening

And the colonists were saying "this blows"

.

Ever since the Seven Years War

Britain had been really lame

All they did was pass new taxes

And colonies just weren't the same

.

Then one ship came filled with tea

Demanding high prices be paid

And when they chose to stay the night

They lost their tea and received a fright

.

Then the colonies revolted

And won a great victory

They wrote out a proud declaration

And that's the start of U.S. History!

Maybe I Can't Do It ALL

I have had SO much to do this week. Apparently more than my mind can handle, because it has taken leave of me. Today I arrived at the girls' co-op at about 10:50, which actually makes it sound like I was on top of things, since class started at 11:00. Au contraire. I may have managed a prompt arrival, but other important things seem to have gone by the wayside. When coming out of class over an hour later, at about noon, I was rummaging in my purse for my keys, which seemed to have gone missing. Upon arriving at my car, I quickly realized where my keys had got to: in the ignition...with the car running! Good thing I have an almost-full gas tank. And let us not miss the blessing in this: at least I remembered to put the thing in Park!

How? And Why?

My boy. My teeny tiny 3 pound 5 ounce baby boy is no longer teeny tiny, no longer 3 pounds, and no longer a baby! My BIG boy is three today! THREE!!! How does this happen? How can he be THREE?? It makes no sense. Children his age go to school, for goodness sakes!! In some cultures his marriage might already be arranged! Why can't he be my baby forever?

Three years ago from today, I went to my doctor for suspicious swelling and sudden weight gain. A mere check, so I thought, to reassure me nothing was wrong, that this was just par for the course. Wrong-o. Three hours after my scheduled "check-up", Robben was born via C-section at 31 weeks 4 days. 3 pounds 5 ounces and 15.5 inches long! We spent his first Christmas and New Years in the NICU at Children's Hospital. 35 days later, on January 9th, we got to bring the gigantic 5 pound boy home on oxygen and monitors. Now, 3 years later, he is tall, brilliant, and unnaturally articulate. He puts thoughts together that blow the minds of all who witness. For example, last week he had a small stack of Ritz crackers and I helped myself to one. He asked me if I ate one of his crackers and I confessed. Always wanting to know WHY, he replied, "So my baby sister can grow?" Connecting the dots.

No matter how big and wonderful this kid gets, he will always be my baby. My Boo. My Punkin Pie. For now, I'm still magical to him. If he gets hurt, only a Mommy Kiss will do. If it's a lesser injury, such as stinging hands from catching a fall, he simply rubs them on my legs (or whatever body part is easily accessible) and it's all better. He gives great hugs and sometimes smothers me with his kisses. My heart breaks at the thought of this waning. On one hand I think, his affection doesn't really have to wane, but on the other, I realize his wife may have a problem with the extent of it :( Ahhh well, I'll enjoy it while I have it and try not to think about what will come later. Soon enough I'll be crying that he's 4.

Happy Birthday my Robben Carey!!

A Reversal Of Roles

The following is a record of a conversation held between a 2-year-old in the "Why" Phase and his favorite aunt:

Aunt Tara: Ooh, Robben, I like your sweater!
Robben: Thanks
Aunt Tara: Why are you wearing it?
Robben: Because I'm cold.
Aunt Tara: Why are you cold?
Robben: Because I'm wearing my sweater.
Aunt Tara: Why are you wearing your sweater?
Robben: Because I'm cold.
Aunt Tara: Why are you cold?
Robben (with increasing frustration) : Because I'm wearing my sweater!
Aunt Tara: Why are you wearing your sweater?
Robben (grabbing Aunt Tara firmly about the arms) : STOP SAYING WHY!!!

You Say Tom-A-to, I Say Tom-ah-to

While Elissa was doing her science work today she asked me to define the word "conquering" for her. I told her it was to overcome or win out, like in a war. Then she read me the word in context... "What responsibility did God give to humans conquering living things?" Hmmmm. That's an interesting question. Then Kurstin took a look at the sentence and clarified for me... "What responsibility did God give to humans concerning living things?"

Lost In Translation

This morning, when Robben was lying awake in bed, he heard some birds calling to each other outside. They sounded like birds larger than, say, a sparrow, yet not quite as large as a crow. They were saying to each other, "CHEEP! CHEEP!" I don't know, maybe Robben heard, "CHOO! CHOO!" because he started calling in response: "Bless you! Bless you, Birdies!"

Technology

One day, over the summer, Robben came out of the kids' bathroom waving a feminine hygiene product and loudly proclaiming, "It's my iPad!!"

Sure Sign You Have A Toddler #10

The contents of your purse include a spare pair of underpants.
Note: This may also be a sure sign that you need to start counting on Depends...however the underpants in my purse are size 2T-3T, and sport Thomas The Train on the bootie.

Strays

Why do my children (and husband) never bring home stray dogs or cats or some normal household pet such as these? My family manages to find and capture the WILD animals and creepy critters. Seriously, they are called wild because they BELONG in the wild! They are not strays. They are not looking for homes. In the past 5 years we have welcomed several snakes (which my hubby actually sets out to catch), a possum and a squirrel. That's not to mention the baby bird we "tried" to rescue... I use the term "we" quite loosely, as I am almost always protesting the taking into captivity of such beasts of field and sky. Needless to say, the bird died in our care. Anyway, I feel that the already-below-par-standards that we hold for our "pets" has actually managed to decline. Yesterday, Tyler went long-boarding with a couple of his friends and came home in possession of three-count them three- mutant tarantulas. They were temporarily housed in ziploc bags. Good thing you have ziploc bags on hand when you come across something as fascinating as a GARGANTUAN spider!! My goodness, without the baggies, one might have to pass up such an opportunity!! The most disturbing part of this episode was Todd's response: "Are you gonna keep 'em?" I don't think I even need to tell you my answer. Tyler knew they were a temporary item, but before releasing them (faaaaarrrrrr from the house), he tried to fight them. But since he wasn't prepared with a boxing ring or cage-fighting enclosure, they just lazily ambled away from each other. Darn. Seriously, though, these spiders were so huge and hairy that Robben, after his fear-induced crying fit, asked to pet them!

And The Changes Keep On Comin'

The girls and I have been reading the Little House books since last year. There are nine altogether, and we read a little bit every day. We are on the sixth book, which is called The Long Winter. These books are so very heart-warming, and they make you appreciate not only the conveniences of modern life, but the people you call "family", as well. On one hand, we are thankful for what we have, such as insulated walls and running water!, but on the other, these precious stories cause one to long for the simpler times. Times when children wouldn't dare talk back... times when a Christmas gift of a stick of peppermint and a shiny penny would cause such delight in a child that they could stare at their treasure ALL DAY, and remember it for years to come!... times when a cornhusk doll and a pig's-bladder-ball were sufficient toys for children lucky enough to have them... times when a man would rather thresh wheat in a barn in the middle of winter than hire the fancy new threshing machine to do the work, because if he wasn't threshing he'd be sitting around twiddling his thumbs!
Almanzo asked Father why he did not hire the machine that did the threshing. Three men had brought it into the country last fall, and Father had gone to see it. It would thresh a man's whole grain crop in a few days.
"That's a lazy man's way to thresh," Father said. "Haste makes waste, but a lazy man'd rather get his work done fast than do it himself. That machine chews up the straw till its not fit to feed stock, and it scatters grain around and wastes it.
"All it saves is time, son. And what good is time, with nothing to do? You want to sit around and twiddle your thumbs, all these stormy winter days?"
"No!" said Almanzo. He had enough of that, on Sundays.
-From Farmer Boy (Book 2)
A couple of days ago, we read something that really struck me. The Ingalls family has claimed a homestead on the open prairie of South Dakota. An ancient Indian (they were still Indians when these books were written, not Native Americans yet) comes into a store in the little town and warns the men (who were gathered to "get the news", like at a modern-day Starbucks) that this will be a particularly long and difficult winter. Pa Ingalls decides to move his family to their little building in town where they will be able to get supplies, rather than trying to weather it in the tin-walled claim shanty. Unfortunately, though they were definitely warmer and safer in town, the supplies ran low anyway, because there were so many blizzards that the train couldn't make it through to restock the stores. By Christmas they were out of coal, kerosene, flour, and butter (which were the bare necesseties). Every day they ate potatoes and "brown bread" that Ma figured out how to make with some wheat Pa was able to procure. Here is their take on the situation:
"If only I had some grease I could fix some kind of a light," Ma considered. "We didn't lack for light when I was a girl, before this newfangled kerosene was ever heard of."
"That's so," said Pa. "These times are too progressive. Everything changes too fast. Railroads and telegraph and kerosene and coal stoves- they're good things to have but the trouble is, folk get to depend on 'em."
-From The Long Winter (Book 6)
Ha! Talk about depending on 'em. What would we do without our "newfangled" vehicles and cell phones and computers and electricity and running water and store-bought meat? If I was left alone with a cow and a bucket, I'm pretty sure I couldn't figure out how to get milk!

Wit Beyond Years

The following is an actual conversation that took place last night between my 35-year-old husband and my 2-year-old son. I say "my" son, because this story is proof that he is MINE...

Daddy: "Robben, did you poop your pants?"

Robben: "No."

Daddy: "Then what stinks?"

Robben: "You."

This was anwered with hoots and shouts of wild laughter from all present. Luckily, "burning" is a common activity in our home... Robben is just learning to pull his weight :)

Fumes: A Hiester Classic

It's been a loooong time since I've added a Hiester Classic to the blog. The other day we were reminscing about this one, and I thought, as disgusting as it may be, it is time to share...

Back when Kurstin was in 3rd grade she had a little friend (who shall be remain unnamed, as she has since become something of an archnemesis) at whose house she once-in-a-while spent the night. One day, we dropped her off and, rather than a parent coming to the door, only the child was there to greet us. Seeing the car in the driveway, we knew the parent was present, so proceeded with our day, venturing back to our own car and loading up to head out. Before Todd reached the passenger's side, he stopped to relieve himself of a little unwanted wind. Unfortunately, just as said wind was making it's exit, the mother of Kurstin's friend came out to chat before we drove off. Todd, knowing that the broken wind was not of the unscented nor pleasant variety, jumped ever so quickly into the car to avoid this mother from approaching him and catching him in the act. So she approaced me on the driver's side and I rolled down the window to greet her. Todd had brought his scent into the vehicle with him, which promptly filled the cabin and sought escape through the open window (as did most of the inhabitants). This mom took a visible step back as she was assaulted with the tainted air seeping from my car. Needless to say, the conversation was short. Luckily the kids were able to hold back their choking until we were safely out of earshot. We all laughed hysterically as we realized, 1) there's no way she didn't smell that and 2) she probably thought it was me!!

My Child Is So Very Strange

"Mommy! I'm gonna tell you a story! 1-2-3 elephants were on the disco!"

"Mommy! Cookie Monster is driving the moon to the airport."

He has a silly imagination and an uncanny ability to conjucate verbs :)

The other day he was "rocking" the kitty and singing softly in her ear "Jesus Loves Me." I don't think the kitty was feelin' the love, but it was awfully sweet.

A Stroke of Luck

Unfortunately, it was Tyler's...

Yesterday, Ally took Tyler's humongous water jug, filled to brimming with ice-water, to volleyball practice. During a water break, she tilted said jug fully and completely over her head, ready for a refreshing and life-giving swig. She got more. Much more. The spout fell off in her mouth and water poured forth, over her face, down her front, and all over the gym floor. She stood there, much like Tyler usually does, with a look of "really?" on her face, as other members of her team literally rolled with laughter and her coach proclaimed her the winner of the wet t-shirt contest. Keeping her composure, she marched herself to the janitor's closet to retreive some towels with which to clean the remnants of the deluge.

Indisputable

I've mentioned in previous posts that misfortune is uncannily drawn to Tyler. Further proof surfaced last Friday: Robben's stomach spontaneously emptied itself of all contents, via the oral cavity, while we were en route to Tara's house for a day of swimming. Realizing that I had a plethera of books strewn about the floor of the backseat, I proclaimed my dispair at the certain damage caused. Kurstin's reply from the backseat: "Nope. It only landed on Tyler's swim shorts." At this, a look of unsurprised acceptance of defeat from Tyler.

Express Lane

Thursday of last week, we went to Walmart to procure new innertubes and tires for Elissa's bicycle. (Living in the country, tires don't last long.) An hour later, we clumsily made our way through the express lane with 3 bikes, a plastic pool, and some rope with which to lash it all atop our vehicle.

Archive Photos- Fall 2007

Fall of 2007... Elissa was in 1st grade, Kurstin in 5th, Tyler and Ally in 8th, and Wesley a Junior in high school... Robben was in my tummy. As I look back, I realize that a lot of these activities have actually become traditions. We do the pumpkin thing every year, and Santa Cruz for Todd's birthday was a couple years running. We skipped it last year, but I know he loves it there, so we should consider it again this fall. In any case, I look at these pictures of my kids' childhoods and realize (again) that they are very blessed to have a strong foundation of family and love and fun and togetherness. I really couldn't ask more for them... or for myself.

Mix-Match Day at Fairmont. They really embrace it :)

It's actually pretty alarming how many pictures of critters we have. You've seen the tree frog, now here is the tarantula the kids found in the wood pile way out back. We also have pictures of a possum (in our laundry room), a skunk out front, and I'm not sure if we made any photographical records of the squirrel in the kitchen...

All our kids and their jack-o-lanters. The kids are the ones that aren't orange.

... and in their costumes.

This is at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The carousel is actually pretty fun because they have the rings you try to toss into the clown's mouth. That, and who doesn't enjoy a nice circular ride on a colorful plastic horse?

It was like pulling teeth for Todd to get the girls on this pirate ship... and then it was like pulling teeth to get them back off :)

Even kiddie roller coasters are scream-worthy.

If you haven't been to the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, GO! It's crazy and unexplainable. Look at these pictures of the kids standing as upright as possible in this shack :)

Archive Photos- Summer 2007

These are photos of a camping trip we took to Gags with Grandma Alice, Jassen, Crystal and Melody in August of 2007. I was pregnant with Robben... that puts a whole other spin on camping, let me tell you!

Uhhhh, who thought this would be a good idea? I can tell you it was not me!

The girls on a rock...that Elissa later fell down. She actually had a pretty rough time. She kept falling all over the place and getting scratched and bruised and banged up. By the third day, she finally fell into the creek and just laid there and cried until someone went to retrieve her :)

Todd and the boys made up a new sport: tree vaulting :) They climbed a high rock and noticed a flimsy-looking tree. Todd thought, hey, I bet we could jump off this rock and glide down while holding on to that little tree! And tree vaulting was born! They even got Grandma Alice to try it!! (So Todd's pelvis-breaking incident 2 years later wasn't so much an isolated event of risk-taking stupidity after all!)

The kids found a tree frog and passed it around to those brave enough to hold it... which was probably everyone but me :) I love Melody in the background, waiting anxiously for her turn, hands cupped in anticipation.

More Photos From The Archives

Our Karate days... White belt with one yellow stripe, baby!! Are you scared? You know she lost that tooth in a brawl... don't let that little-girl look fool you. You should see the other 5-year-old!!

Kurstin's Libby Lu party... let's see, this was 2006, so she was turning 9.

And one for Elissa! She would be 6 :)

We seriously take this picture every year :)

Step 1: find the tree

Step 2: Each person takes a turn sawing through the trunk

Step 3: take a family picture with the tree :)

Ally as Mickey as Santa. 12 years old... no makeup.

The boys, 12 and 15.

I think we took this at the kids' Christmas program at school (2006). All I know for sure is that we look young and hot. Now we just look old and tired. I wonder what was the catalyst for that transition... a toddler or teenagers?

March 2007. This photo is the Quintessential Morning Kurstin. This picture is worth 1000 words!

Awww. Our kitty boy, Solomon. We only got to keep him for about a week, but we loved him!

Kurstin and the Smiling Solomon, April 2007.

Ally's 13th birthday party at Java Jim's, April 2007. Still the best party we've ever thrown... besides our wedding, of course :) I think she looks so pretty!

We all looked so young... and this is only 3 years ago!!

Photos From The Archives

2006...

Kurstin & me the night before "our" wedding- January 6, 2006

Todd and I in Venice on our Italian honeymoon- January 2006

Wesley, age 14!!! We went "up the hill" for my birthday- March 2006

Cutie Elissa, age 5, "up the hill" for my birthday- March 2006

Elissa and me at my 29th birthday party at Piazza Del Pane- March 2006

Todd (and me) at the beach in Pensacola, Florida, for my grandpa's 80th birthday- May 2006

Todd playing with his little girls on the beach in Pismo- May 2006

Elissa's preschool graduation- May 2006

Elissa's first day of kindergarten- August 2006

Tyler and Elissa at Cobb's Ranch Pumpkin Patch. At the time, he seemed too big for this little outing... looking back, he was so little!