...

I have not forgotten you. This is what I've been doing since the last post:
Left St. George, stayed with Sarah and Mike in Mapleton. Backed out of the triathlon because it was raining (snowing on the nearby mtns) and they cancelled the bike--what's the point? Instead we hiked up to Timpanogos Caves (not recommended for young children).
Stayed in Sandy with Amy and Dalls for a night.
Drove up to Meridian and stayed a few more days with Chanell and Brock.
Closed on our house but didn't fully move in because we had painters. (Long, sad, expensive story).
Left Fred and Dan in Meridian, sent the girls to aunt Rachel's house and I flew to Germany to see Zach. I was gone ten days.
I've been back for a few days now but I have misplaced my camera and what is a post without pictures? Just a lot of letters.
So, I'll post as soon as I locate some photos. I know, you can't wait.

Poolside

Our stay in Santa Clara is coming to an end. We have had a very nice time. My dad is out of school for the summer so when Fred took his morning nap I would go run, bike or swim (triathlon on Saturday). Then during his next nap we would go two doors down to Rachel's pool. They keep it warm. The kids love it. Especially Chloe, she never wanted to leave. My dad would bring Fred over when he woke up.

Jordan took the first three pictures, I took the rest.

I like the sun on Fred's eyelashes.
Tan and green-eyed:
This is the first time Chloe has swam without a life jacket. And she started diving on her own without prompting or instruction. She's pretty good.

I got tired of unsuccessful sunscreen applications and bought them

rash-guards:

I think we will be using our community pools a lot this summer but they will have to get used to cooler water.

Sunday in Santa Clara

New House Photos

Our Idahome

I really want to thank everyone who helped pack up and clean our house.
THANK YOU!
We were so stressed but people just kept coming (thanks to Julie for doing the recruiting). I feel like I bonded with everyone who came. I should have had you all come clean my house long ago. We'll miss our neighbors but hope to keep in touch.
Also, the Logunns came Saturday night, worked late, slept on our floor, went to church with us and then pulled our ox out of the mire. Any day is a good day for service. They are saints.
Well, I didn't get a front porch but I did get a back porch and the neighborhood we wanted. This is the house that I wasn't able to see. Dan really liked it and promised me that we would make whatever changes I want. The home is vacant and we can move in as soon as the appraisal and loan are finalized. Until then I'll be hanging out in sunny Santa Clara.

Edit:

I can't believe I didn't mention the Stanleys. They stopped on their way to St. G. to empty out our attic. This involved dumping out a gazillion bottles of water which were recycled and replaced by 50 gallon containers on sale at Walmart. Git em while they last.

Pack It Up, Pack It In

Packing with kids is hard.
Who knew finding a house would be so FREAKING, CRAPPING, STINKING, HECKA, DANG HARD! I've driven up to Boise twice (5 hours each way with kids=f-o-r-e-v-e-r). We haven't been able to find the right house. If the house is right, the neighborhood is wrong. There is a particular neighborhood that we like. It has lots of kids (our #1 priority), walking paths, pretty canals, parks, a new elementary and swimming pools. But none of the homes work for us. Well, we discovered another one for sale by owner and he told us that he could show us on Wednesday. So I arranged for my girls to spend the night at a neighbor's and I flew up with Fred Wednesday evening. The guy failed us. His basement (not of the house for sale) flooded and he said he couldn't meet us. !!!!!!! What a waste of time and energy and $280. $287 if you count the snacks I bought in the airport.

The reason I didn't drive is because I need lots of time to get the house packed up and cleaned. I wasn't too worried about this because my mom was coming up. Was. Now she has kidney stones.

So, lots of you have offered your help. I'll take it. Friday and Saturday will be the big packing and cleaning days. Come by anytime. Bring your own gloves. I'll provide the Diet Coke. Which I don't get. Gross. Is it the caffiene that keeps you coming back? Whatever. I'll support the habit if you use the artificial boost on my house. I'll also be serving corn dogs, frozen burritos, ice cream and whatever else is in my fridge and freezer. Thanks. See you all soon.

Stella Turns Three!

Stella turned three today. And, boy, did we celebrate. Saturday our little family went to Texas Roadhouse Grill. They made Stella sit on a saddle and YELLED REALLY LOUDLY her name and age and asked everyone to give her a yee-haw. She was pretty bashful. We gave her a puzzle that says the letter when you remove the piece. It’s high-time she learn. After dinner we went to the park. That’s always a hit.

We hadn’t planned anything for her bday because we weren’t sure if we would be in town. But on Friday she said she wanted a butterfly party. I was so excited that she didn’t request a pink or princess theme, I said, “ok”. Saturday I called up a few neighbors (no time for invitations) and started preparing. I punched out a billion butterflies for a garland. Made a butterfly cake. My first attempt at decorating, kinda sloppy. Spent $45 at the party supply store—including some slutty wings for her to wear. They were the cheapest and smallest. I don’t think she cares that they were made out of black lace and hot pink satin. The party turned out to be more elaborate than I intended. Here is what the house looked like 2 hours before party time:

So I called in reinforcements (thanks Miller girls, we’ll miss you!). They wrapped presents, decorated, watched Fred, stuffed the piñata (which broke after the third little girl hit it), and made the pin-the-antennae-on-the-butterfly poster. When the kids arrived I painted their faces while the girls helped them decorate bags that were meant to be used to pick up piñata candy but glitter glue doesn’t dry fast—fyi--so they ended up using grocery sacks. Then they directed the butterfly game while I continued to paint faces. Then we did the piñata, ate cake, and opened presents. Stella was pretty grumpy. I thought she would like the attention but when I asked her later why she was so grumpy she said, “I just didn’t want everyone to be by me.” She wouldn’t let me finish painting her face, wouldn’t wear her slutty wings and wouldn’t look at me in pictures. She did enjoy present time though. And ironing everyone with her new toy. They had candy and crackers for dinner. I was worn out. I don’t know what I was thinking. This is our last week in our house. I should be packing and cleaning. I guess I wanted them to have a little farewell fun. And I just couldn’t say no to, “Can I have a butterfly birthday?”

Soon To Be Homeless

When we decided to move to Boise I considered getting a new (to us) house as a pro. Not anymore. We spent all week in Boise and looked at soooo many houses. I like the craftsman style and I really want a porch. But we couldn't agree on one. It gets frustrating. There is a lot for sale and that only makes it harder. Our neighborhood in Lehi has so many little kids. Chloe does not want to leave her friends. So the most important thing to us is finding a neighborhood with lots of kids. Lots of girls. Around age 5. Is that asking too much?

It was a long week. Ear infections, coughs, teething, allergies, pneumonia, whining, sleep deprivation. It is a miracle that none of Chanell's family got sick. {Thank you so much for letting us stay!} We are staying in Lehi this week for dentist appointments, and a preschool field trip. We'll head up to Boise again this weekend to search some more. Then we'll come back for doctor appointments, preschool graduation, and doll club. I'm not looking forward to the drive.

Wish us luck. We're running out of time.

Under Contract!

We woke up to snow. Agian. Stella wanted to go out and build a snowman in her sandles. Chloe said, "It's supposed to be spring not winter." That's what I thought, too. I should watch the news to know when to turn off the sprinklers.

We've accepted an offer. HOO-to-the-RAY! The buyers have until May 15th for their loan to go through. Let's hope there are no problemas. We are heading up to Boise for a few days to visit Dan (and the Reichners, of course) and to look around at some homes and neighborhoods.

Swim Fans

We had a really good weekend. We try to make the most of them since Dan works in Boise during the week. Friday night Sarah and Wendy (highschool friends) and their families came over for pizza, Jones Soda and ice cream. We're really lame for not getting together more often.
Saturday we took the kids swimming. They all love the water. (This pool is really warm.) Dan is getting a head-start on mustache May:

Saturday night we went to the Stanley residence to celebrate Jared's bday with a bbq and cake. Chia was there and so was TKL.
Sunday was stake conference and finally warm. I'm ready for it to stay that way.

I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and doggone it, people like me!

Dan had to wear pretty thick glasses at a young age. Knowing that my son could inherit this bad eyesight, I still named him Fred. Then I go and knock his teeth out. Does anyone have any tips on how to raise a confident child?
That is my attempt at making light of the situation. When I was at the dentist office I was in one of those moods where you might break into tears if someone asks about your feelings. I was strong though. When the dentist asked, “And how is mom?” I was able to get out, “Not good.” without breaking down. The nurse could tell I was feeling pretty down and offered up the ol’ “look back and laugh about it” comment. I appreciated her efforts but thought it was the dumbest thing I had ever heard. “Remember the time Fred crushed his mouth on the wooden stairs? FUH-NNY! And how he was gushing blood and his little teeth were in a puddle on the floor? Oh, I can’t stop laughing! “ I’m pretty sure there will be lots of laughing at but not laughing about. The more I think about the toothless years ahead the more I think I’ll want to put some fake ones in as soon as we can. The dentist said around age three. That is Stella’s age. Three years seems like forever. Eight years is nearly unfathomable.

CUTE:

GOOFY:

These are the only pictures I have of Fred's teeth. I'm puting them here for quick reference when I'm longing for happier times:

Maybe if, when he's old enough to want $ from the tooth fairy, we give him the added interest from all the years he went without teeth he'll forgive us. (Does that sentence make sense? I can't think with Stella crying and yelling, "I want ice cream!" over and over. But she's not going to get any because she didn't eat her dinner and she bit Chloe.)

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Actually, it was just a quick moment, that I wish I could undo, that made the rest of the day terrible…This is a post I would rather not write. I feel really, really, really, REALLY awful and guilty and like the worst mother ever. I wish I could just hide all the evidence and make it all better. But I can’t, so I’ll just face up to it and explain why, when you meet my son anytime during the next 8 or so years, he looks like a hillbilly. It’s because he has an inattentive mother.
He fell down our four wooden stairs. We live in a multi-level house and these four stairs are right in the middle. You can’t block them off with a gate because there aren’t walls—just banisters that are not parallel. So I blocked them off with a barstool then got distracted. It's a horrible feeling hearing your kid cry out and knowing immediately what happened and that you should have prevented it.
He must have hit his mouth right on the edge of a stair because there were no bumps anywhere else. He was gushing blood. I dropped the girls off at a neighbor’s and took Fred to the pediatric dentist. They took an x-ray that revealed that he had lost 3 teeth. Chloe had found two on the floor but I didn’t know about the top tooth (he may have swallowed it). He just cut a fourth tooth last week and that one is fine. There is nothing they can do. When he is older we can get a retainer for cosmetic purposes if we feel the need. Dan’s dad is a dentist and called me. He tried to make me feel better by telling me that it doesn’t take much force to knock out baby teeth because there are no roots. It didn’t work because I can see his fat lip and the dark, bloody, jagged holes where his cute little teeth used to be. And in case you are wondering, he will still be able to say ‘Sister Susie sitting on a thistle’. Since he hasn’t learned to speak with teeth he will be able to learn to speak correctly without. I’m just hoping he’ll continue to nurse.

I’m including a video so you can see that he is still alive and well. He continues to put everything in his mouth and to pull himself up on things. I'm so worried that he'll bump his mouth.

p.s. I’m not fishing for ‘good mother’ compliments or ‘it could have happened to anyone.’
p.p.s. Don’t call me. Call Dan’s cell if you have questions. I really don’t feel like talking about it. I already dread the millions of times I’m going to have to explain it in the next 8 years.

Sorry Fred!

Spring Skiing

Dan had a week off between jobs. Most of that time was spent working on the house but we were able to take the girls up skiing. Chloe has been a bunch of times but this was Stella's first. I had to borrow some skis so I could help Chloe while Dan helped Stella. This was my first time off the lift: I took out those cones. No, I am not that uncoordinated. (Just a little bit. Sometimes.) It has been at least 5 years since I was on skis and lifting Chloe off the lift was akward for me. I'm used to managing one board-- not 4 and a kid. I did get better.

Here are some short video clips.

The first one is of Stella & Chloe skiing. There was a lot of screaming and giggling. They love it.

The second one is of Stella on Dan's shoulders. She got tired on the last run.

The third one is of Chloe and Dan in the terrain park.

Spring Break 2008

Get naked!

One of the first warm days in Lehi was spent packing for our week-long trip and getting the house spic and span in case anyone (turns out only one) wanted to look at the house while we were gone. The girls played outside all day without sunscreen. I was way to busy to prevent skin cancer. It was actually an experiment to see which girl burns easier. Stella won. I guess she inherited her dad's pale skin. He hates his skin tone but I think it is pretty on Stella. When she's not fried and puffy.

We spent most of our time in Logandale. With my brother Nate's family. (Thanks Cyndi!)

Sara, Stella, Ella, Chloe:

Fred came too.

While in Santa Clara I took my bro-in-law's place in the SHAC triathlon. I took second in the 35 year-old men's division. Here is how I prepared:

Last time I ran (or even exercised) was the Canyonland's half marathon.
Last time I swam and biked was August 2006.
And I got a REALLY bad night's sleep.

I don't mean to brag but I didn't even try. I guess I'm just that good. It was only a beginner course. 4 laps. 5 mile bike. 1.5 mile run. It was fun. I don't know what my time was but either the other men were really, really out of shape or there were only 2 (including me) in the beginner division.

Wha'd she say?

Our flowers are having a tough time this year. It has snowed multiple times since they first started to bloom. Those that have survived the weather have no chance against Stella. I keep lecturing her about it. She just can't help herself.

Also, Chloe called Stella a private part. She didn't say, "Stella, you're a stinky bum." She said, "Stella, you're a private part." I told her it wasn't nice. But it could have been worse.

Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite

Up until very recently, Stella could not go to sleep if someone was in the same room as her. Then she developed a fear of monsters and dinosaurs and bears and closets and dark windows... So we've been letting her sleep with Chloe. They actually do well. Until Stella wakes up and Chloe brings her to us and then we all end up crammed in our bed.

I took this picture the first time they shared a bed.

Dan saw the same scene and thought it was picture-worthy, too.

And one of Fred. How cute is his bum up in the air?

Today in the Store

Chloe was being her wild and goofy self (as opposed to the grumpy and whiney one). We were just finishing up our pizza at Costco and out of the blue she says--practically yells,

"What the hell!"

"What did you say?"

Again, loudly and joyfully, "What the hell!"

"Where did you hear that?"

I tried not to laugh but I couldn't help it. Will she believe me when I tell her we shouldn't say that if I'm laughing when I tell her?

While You Were Out

Fred came up with another trick today: He was enjoying himself when I went and did something horribly cruel:
I made him sit down.
He has little tolerance for sitting while not having food spooned into his mouth. What is the point?

Also, I found a small, pink, rubbery thing in his poopy diaper. I believe it was of the Polly Pocket genus.

And, Stella fell down the stairs to the basement. We think she was trying to carry too many things and misjudged the top step. (There were stuffed animals scattered all over.)

Overall, no serious damage has been done.