San Francisco Trip

We all went to San Francisco for Grandma Trudy's funeral. It was a bit of a whirlwind trip but it was sure nice to see some of our old hang-out spots. These pictures were taken at the park behind Jeff's Elementary school.

We went to church at Jeff's old ward building. We saw people he grew up with and even had this family picture taken by the friend who took our engagement pictures. Thanks, John!

We could not go to San Francisco without stopping at our most favorite place "Karlita's". We've been going there together for about 15 years and Jeff started eating there in 1989-wow! It's a little hole in the wall place that has the best burritos on the planet!

Running from the surf at Half Moon Bay. It was way too cold to swim, even in June.

We went to Fisherman's Wharf and Elise was so exhausted that she fell asleep in the sling while I walked around. Highly unusual for her, but at least she got a little nap. I lover her legs hanging out. She is definitely out growing her sling (sniff!).

Or maybe not- I guess she looked so comfortable that Carter decided he wanted a little ride, too. :)

We took a Bay Cruise that went under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. It was beautiful...

...but also very chilly and windy which kept Elise inside the cabin area playing with daddy.

My favorite spot in San Francisco is actually across the Golden Gate and above the Presidio. You take a winding road up into the hills where an old army encampment is. It is absolutely the most beautiful view EVER. You have a view of the ocean and a little lighthouse on one side then the bridge, bay and city on the other. I can't go out there without making that drive. Besides, it's really fun to drive across the bridge.

I had to bribe the kids with a quarter for this picture, they were all tired and freezing.

It was definitely worth the 75 cents. :)

Little Fashion Queen

Okay-so the other day Elise came walking out of my closet with a shirt and little skirt for me to put on her. Amazingly, they actually matched and I could reasonably see them as an outfit. So, I went ahead and dressed her in them. Then I started wondering-exactly what was the process involved here...So I set up some surveillance. The next time she headed for her closet I had my camera ready. First we have this adorable shot of her pondering on which outfit she's gonna want today :)

Ah-ha! She's made a decision and starts ripping down her selections. LOL!

Unaware that I'm spying, she decisively brings her new outfit to me and lets me know that she would like to wear this instead :) Notice that they actually match and that there is a shirt and pants! I swear this was 100% on her own.

Isn't she a little too young to be picking out her own clothes?
Yet another outfit she picked out. Again, it's a shirt and little skirt that actually match. Hilarious!

Grandpa's Tire Swing

Dad found an old tire in the creek and he was delighted because it's a type they don't make anymore (it's nylon-belted, not steel-belted). Why is that so exciting? They make the best tire swings, of course! (Because they don't poke you.) So he got out his pocket knife and whipped out this awesome swing. In minutes it was hanging from a tree in the backyard. All the grandkids had a wonderful time on it. Thanks Dad!

Family Reunion: The Indian Adventure

All the grandkids.

Our family reunion this year was so much fun. It's been a tradition for three or four years now that my mom picks a theme, we think about and plan around it for months and months, then we dedicate a whole day to the festivities. This year the theme was Indians. Everyone had an indian name, including the adults (I named Jeff 'Passing Wind') We did Indian-ish crafts, Mom made teepees, we had face painting, a cook out and we all went to ice-cream decked out in full gear. (We go to the same small town ice-cream shop every year. We've been Pirates, Knights and now Indians. It makes quite an impression, considering there's about 25 of us.) We had a blast! My sisters and mom.

We walked around window shopping and eating ice-cream with full war-paint. After a while you forget that your face is painted and you start to wonder why everyone is giving you weird looks.

Blue Stallion, Honey Bee, Flying Arrow, and Dancing Bird

Our Indian village down in mom and dad's back yard.







Golden Sunset and Dancing Bird

Honey Bee's face painting.

Tiger Lily, Dancing Bird, Silver Wolf and Golden Sunset.

My brother Red Paw made these awesome loin clothes for the boys complete with built-in undies, just in case they wanted to go commando :) The girls had Cheetah print skirts.

Lining up for war paint :)

Carter's Hair Adventures

Pomade...it's a great thing. You put a little dab on your finger and it really goes a long way. Well-if you hide behind your mom's bed and gouge out a ginormous scoop with your fingers and smear it all over your head-it works MIRACLES!! The possibilities were literally endless. Here are some of our favorite Carter Hair Sculptures. Enjoy :)

Little Devil

"Evil Anakin"

Darth Maul

The Mayor of Munchkin Town

Home Alone

Grant and Lauryn and I had some great belly laughs and Carter was happy to oblige.

Some Random Moments at our House...

I've been giving Elise a little haircut. It's really fun to give this little person a big person hair-do.

The other benefit is that it's super easy to fix and keep out of her eyes.

Of course, other days it results in some pretty awesome bedhead :)

This is the fantabulous result of my idea for us all to share fabric and make matching dresses for the girls. It's definitely going to be a bright and colorful day when they wear them :)

I was cleaning out the car and turned around to find this: Elise had gotten a garden glove and gone to my newly planted annual bed. She was helping me garden by plucking off all the flowers. Notice the conspicuous empty spot right in the middle of the planter!

Cutting out Lauryn's dress.

Carter-Bear snorkling in the tub.

Things I tell my kids...

My sister posted a challenge she got from a friend. It was to think of what we want our kids to remember us "always saying". She sent that challenge my way and I am still thinking on what I WANT them to remember me saying, but in the meantime, there are three things I actually do say a lot, that I hope they'll remember. They aren't the most profound transforming wisdom, but nevertheless, they do come out of my mouth a lot.

#1 Whether you believe you can, or whether you believe you can't-either way-you're right.

#2 A lie has speed, but the truth has endurance! (Used this one tonight)

#3 Be good to your brothers and sisters, they are the only friends you'll have for your whole life! (This one I believe with all my heart)