The Botill Family Website

Logan's Kindergarten Graduation

2011-06-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

My baby Logan graduated from Kindergarten today! I can't believe how quickly time is passing! He has grown so much in the past year and I am not ready for 1st grade to begin. Especially since Kindergarten is the fun part... it is all business from here on out.Logan and his class. I absolutely adored his teachers Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Graham! We really lucked out! Logan getting his graduation certificate.

MMMmmmmm.... cake....

So proud of my baby boy!!

Heidelberg

2011-06-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

We just got back from Heidelberg tonight. It is such a beautiful city and still one of my favorites! We started off with lunch down in the city before we started our hike up to the castle.

Our view from where we were eating lunch... anticipating our hike straight up.Taking a rest in the outer castle after getting to the top. I remember from being here 16 years ago, a beautiful old castle that was tumbled-down, moss-covered ruins that you could climb all over and explore. What a difference a decade and a half make!! The level of restoration that is going on there is amazing! Unfortunately, this makes some of the grounds off limits, the crowds much larger than I recalled and there is no more "rambling among the ruins." The trade-off is that you really get a feel for what it would have actually looked like and what it would've taken to run this compound because it is enormous! They even have many plays and performances in the courtyard during the summer months. This castle really suffered under multiple bombardments, from the French, from the 30 Years War and even from lightening. It kept being rebuilt and restored.We met a nice family from Ohio who took this picture. Notice how excited Chase is, HAHAHA!!! He had been whining all day. We just thought he was in a bad mood, but as we hiked back to the car, he started running a fever. Poor little guy had been getting sick!!
I just loved this picture of Logan and Reagan on front of the beautiful view!

Gorgeous!

Behold! The biggest barrel in the world ever to be filled with wine! A lush's dream! It holds 220,000 liters and is made of 130 oak tree trunks. Karl Theodor commissioned it in 1751 and is appropriately named "Big Barrel."

Trier

2011-05-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

Sunday we went to Trier, which claims to be oldest city in Germany. It has a ton of Roman ruins and it was a home of Constantine. Speaking of which, below is his foot. The kids really got a kick out of it. Pahahaaaa. Yes, I did. This is the bath house complex. We have seen a few of these in our travels, but this one is HUGE!!! The complex was the biggest of it's time with warm and cold bath sections and a massive complex of underground tunnels. The kids had a great time climbing all over the ruins and running and hiding in the tunnels. It is nice that they actually let your kids do that since back in the States that would not be allowed.In trying to paint a realistic scene for the kids we explained what happened at the baths and what the people would do. Shortly after, while posing for this picture, Logan exclaimed "I'm just sitting here naked and relaxing!" And, of course, the kids broke out in giggles.Here is the Roman Ampitheater. It sat 20,000 in its day and you could go through the tunnels underneath it. There were still sections that you could see where they would keep the animals for combat, or the gladiators or the Christians.... whatever was available at the time...Logan REALLY wanted to play gladiator and so they spent some time beating each other up in the ring... we are great parents, huh?This is the view from the Porta Nigra out into the hills of Trier. It is a really beautiful city with an incredible amount history. This is Porta Nigra and was built almost 2,000 years ago!! It was the gate you would have to pass through to get into the city to do business in the town. Napoleon demanded it be restored in its original state once he had control over the city.
We went to an archaeology museum while we were there and we were amazed at the quality and quantity of what they have recovered. Also, I never get tired of hearing the music on the streets as we walk around here. We walked down one street and listened to an opera singer, a marching band, a violin player and a Spanish guitar player. It is awesome. They only problem is that Chase wants to give money to all of them.

Luxembourg

2011-05-29T14:02:00.001-07:00

This Saturday we went to Luxembourg and spent the morning exploring the town. We didn't get very far, but the views were gorgeous! I was surprised at how low-key and empty the city was for summertime in Europe. We took a train tour around the park areas and saw some of the castle, etc. The tour told, in storytelling form, how this little country was just slapped around by its bigger neighbors for hundreds of years... enjoying few years of relative peace. (For any of those who are over here, I don't recommend the train tour. The bus tour seemed to take you to many more of the "sights.") Though its hilly and rocky landscape made it a formidable challenge to conquer. The afternoon was spent at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. These were the graves of hundreds of American soldiers that died while defending Luxembourg from the Nazis and pushed them back against incredible odds from December 1944-March 1945. These battles were some of the decisive encounters that helped end the war and the Reich for good. General Patton led these soldiers and when he died at the end of 1945, he asked to be bured with his men. He has the same white cross as the rest of his soldiers, but he is buried in the front of the cemetery, in the front of all his men.A suprising number of the graves were marked "Known but to God."Inside the chapel there were three inscriptions on each wall. I loved this one.

The list of soldiers whose bodies they were unable to find/identify and bury.

The ceremony that they held there was very moving. The University of Miami had a group of singers there who sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the Army Band played "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the Luxembourg National Anthem. There were speakers from Luxembourg, the jewish community in Luxembourg, and our own military (a Navy Admiral was the keynote speaker). They recounted the battles that occured here and expressed a deep gratitude. It was a wonderful ceremony and afterwards the families of those buried there were escourted to their relative's grave. Overall, an awesome way to spend Memorial Weekend! Next weekend, Blake and Logan are going to a Father and Son's Camping trip there (yes, you can camp at the cemetery.) and participating in an Eagle project to clean the headstones there.

Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt

2011-03-19T00:53:00.000-07:00

The kids and I (and a little friend that we are watching for the weekend) went to the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt on Friday and we had a wonderful time. It is a very kid friendly natural history museum with a ton of fossil displays, animal and bird exhibits and an interesting display on a continous lake bed dig that goes on only 30 mintues from the museum called Messel. It had crocodile, snake, turtle, and various fish fossils. Here are some of the pictures we took:

I asked Chase why he looked mad here and he said that he just wanted to ride the bus. Go figure.

RUN!!!!

This guy was HUGE!!! Reagan is just a little bite-sized morsel.

MASSIVE! The kids were very impressed.

Chase's favorite dinosaur, Triceratops.

Reason # 2,527 Why I Love My Husband

2011-03-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

I have a dozen pictures like this that I have taken through the years and, though it seems redundant to others, it never gets old to me. He reads to them often and I never get tired of seeing the kids crowded around him getting some "Daddy Time."

Logan Lost His First Tooth!!!

2011-03-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

Logan came home today and told me he had a surprise for me and he pulled out a little tooth-shaped container from around his neck that had his first lost tooth in it. As he is our eldest child this is big news in our house! Reagan and Chase cheered for him as he showed off the new hole in his beautiful smile with pride. He lost it eating lunch and has no intention of giving it to any "fairy" no matter how much she gives him.

"I Love You" Translated (for Children)

2011-03-10T06:27:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking lately, the phrase "I love you" is rarely a simple statement. The three little words are loaded with the context of the moment. I find that with my children, I often say "I love you" instead of other things that would take much longer to say, or that they wouldn't understand yet. It is true that in kissing them in bed at night it can be a simple statement of our connection before they close their little fall asleep, but I have noticed that I mean so much more than when I just say "I love you" to my children.

Instead of giving a lecture over consistently bad behavior at the end of a long and frustrating day, all I can do is hug him and tell him "I love you." What I really mean is "Please don't continue in this path. I know that soon I won't be able to influence your decisions and I want you to be able to make good choices."

When I hold their little hands while walking, "I love you" is an acknowledgment that I know that this moment will not last forever. That they are going to grow up far too fast and I want to hold onto their innocent years. "I love you" is a plea to stay small a while longer.

It can also mean that I see potential in you that you don't see. I know you can do things that you think you can't and I will be here to support you whether you fail or triumph. "I love you" means I will not walk away from you and that I will always see your potential and what you are capable of even when you don't believe me.

I am so frustrated with you right now, but I shouldn't give voice to my frustrations, so I will just remind you that I love you and give you a hug and leave it at that. Besides, I am pretty sure you are just as frustrated with me as I am with you.

You are so sweet! Don't grow up!!! Seriously, I forbid it!!

I am sorry you had a bad day and I am glad you are home. I am frustrated that I cannot protect you from all the bad in the world. I so want to fight all your dragons for you, but I must let you venture out and fight some of your own. I will try to make home a safe haven and give you a loving place to come home.

I am ecstatic that you had a wonderful day and you are happy and I am celebrating that with you! I love when your little face is all aglow with happiness and excitement.

I am sorry I am so hard on you. I have to remember that you are just learning the rules of the world. I recognize that sometimes expect too much from you and I am trying to be a better mother.

I love how you sing and dance up and down the hallway. It makes my days brighter to hear you in your little world. It makes me feel better about the big world.

"I love you" can mean that I am sorry we were so at odds today, but we are going to keep trying and I am not going to give up on you ever. Please don't give up on me.

I have no clue what I am doing, but I can't admit that to you right now. I often wonder why God trusted me with some of his precious children, but I am trying my best. Bear with me.

You are my most precious possessions. I would do anything for you.

"I love you."

Getting here and hanging out.

2011-02-26T03:50:00.000-08:00

All these pictures are from my not-so-nice camera. I have yet to get my nice one back, but I know that some of you have been asking for pictures, so here is some of what we have:

The plane that took us to Deutschland!

Came all the way here and all my kids want to do is play video games.

Logan is king of the hotel room.

Finally got out! Wiesbaden city center.

This is actually a casino in the background.

Expecting It Makes It Easier.... Right?

2011-02-18T01:22:00.000-08:00

I have moved enough in the past ten years that I have been able to start seeing a pattern in every one of my moves. The adrenaline kicks in before the move and it becomes a whirlwind of activity and then I drive in to our hotel where we will be staying until we find our new "for now" home. And then the crash happens. I become useless for at least a day or two... I mean I can take care of my kids, etc, but with all the big decisions I become useless. It is like I go into a sort of hibernation. At that point, it all hits me. I have no local friends. I have no one to trade off babysitting with. I need to hunt down different stores just to get the stuff we normally use in day-to-day life. Even taking the dogs out to go the bathroom becomes much more of a process than it was before. (Me and the kids in a hotel room day after day with no repreive from each other doesn't help the atmosphere.) It takes a few days for me to want to really venture beyond my local area.

Then, I remember how much I hate hotel rooms... I have spent well over nine months of my life in them in the past decade (not including vacations). I develop a viceral hatred of fast food, since that is what we have been having to eat for weeks and weeks on end. Someone inevitably gets sick.. and probably a dog too, for good measure (both did, indeed, happen).

After about a week, it gets better and we start to learn a lot of the ins and outs of where we are and start meeting people (thank goodness for church!) and begin to build a life where we are all over again. I know what is going to happen and that is SUPPOSED to make it easier since you know it is normal and is going to end soon, but maybe due to the culture difference and the lack of convenient transportation, it has been much harder here. I know that all this will just take more time to adjust to than I have been used to, and I am grateful that we moved to Germany since I am familiar with the area and a little of the language. That has CERTAINLY made things easier. It is just the adjusting period that stinks and I am right smack dab in the middle of it. We wanted this, I remind myself. BAH!!! Breathe deep and keep moving. Decompression over.

What We Did In The Meantime: Aaron's Visit

2011-02-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

Aaron, my brother, came to southern Arizona for a day to visit with us and it was awesome to see him and three of his kiddos. We saw Tombstone again...

and went hiking at Coronado NM.

We were up so high, we could see into Mexico.

It was very windy.

Micheal and Logan as conquistadors.

Had to put these up, since two years ago I took the same exact pictures of Reagan and Chase. They are getting big!

What We Did In the Meantime: Tombstone

2011-02-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

We also went to Tombstone with my parents when they visited in January.

I thought this was pretty good. I read it to Logan and his eyes got really big.

We have been to Tombstone MANY times and this was our first stagecoach ride and tour.

Chase kept saying during the ride, "This is the best day EVER!" You never know what is going to make their day.

My kids always think the highlight is Johnny Bones and all the instruments that he lets you play with him. I love this guy... he is nutsy.

Playing with good ol' Johnny.

Love ya, Tombstone!

What We Did In The Meantime: Queen Mine Tour

2011-02-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

When my parents came to visit in January, we went to Bisbee and toured the Queen Mine, that had gold, silver and copper deposits. We went quite a ways underground on a mine train car... (now I can check that one off my "What I have to do to become Indiana Jones" list).

Lights on hard hats are where it's at this season. Wahoo....Mom is lovin' the new fashion!! (By the way, one of the greatest pictures EVER!!) Kids all ready to go into the mine.

Chase was the only one "brave" enough to try out the miner toliet. Sweet....

What We Did In The Meantime: Christmas and Houston

2011-02-15T00:30:00.000-08:00

Between moving from Utah and moving to Germany. We spent some significant time back in Sierra Vista, AZ. Here are a few of the highlights:

In November:

We drove six hours to see a cactus. Yes, I am serious. Here are the kids at Organ Pipe Catus NM.

We enjoyed fondue. Reagan especially.

In December, we had Christmas like the rest of you. Minature, plane-approved toys only!

Right after Christmas, we went on a last-minute trip to Houston to visit my brother.... and went ice skating! The kids all did really well, but Logan took to it and was soon out with the adults without any walker. I was having a heart attack, LOL.

We went to the Houston NASA Space Center. Apparently, Chase is being a "scary" astronaut here.We went to the park to enjoy the Houston weather since we were not going to be in good weather for long.

We climbed rock walls... although Logan freaked after this picture and would go no further.

We got a fabulous babysitter and went out on the town to enjoy some awesome BBQ and blackberry cobbler.

Diane's Favorite Things of 2010!!!

2011-02-14T13:46:00.000-08:00

I always love hearing about other women’s’ “discoveries” that make life better or easier for them. Magazines and Oprah do this kind of stuff all the time, but I don’t really know how much they are paid for their product placement and would much rather have an honest opinion of a woman I know. Hence the decision to do my own version of Oprah’s favorite things… welcome to Diane’s Favorite Things from 2010! (Here is where you are supposed to scream and go into seizure-like hysterics.) Hopefully some of you will create your own so I can see some of the things that you were excited to find this past year.

9. Archer Farms Italian Soda. This is an unashamed plea for people to start buying this stuff so they will bring back the full line that they used to have. This is a delicious soda that is a great accompaniment to a nice dinner. I get the lemon soda when we grill salmon and we LOVE it. There used to be a blueberry pomegranate and strawberry pomegranate, but now there is just strawberry pomegranate (which is really good, I just miss the variety). They have a blood orange flavor that also has a really clean, refreshing flavor. Try this the next time you head to Target. SAVE THE ITALIAN SODA! (And please ship some to Deutchland....) 8. Amazing Grass. Sounds like something they called marijuana in the 70’s, huh? This basically is a powder that you can add to your juices, smoothies, milk or water. The powder itself is made from dehydrated veggies and fruits… nothing else. It is chalked full of vitamins. And while it is definitely not as good as eating fresh fruits and veggies, it helps you get to your almost unattainable 5-7 servings a day. You can get powders that are chocolate, berry, or mango flavored. The only downside is that it doesn’t dissolve fully in liquid and will always have some powder at the end of the drink. Smoothies are really the best thing to put this in. 7. Liberty’s Kids. This is a cartoon series that highlights the American Revolution through the eyes of three children who lived through it. They work for Benjamin Franklin’s printing press and are miraculously always in the middle of every major happening of the Revolution. Funny how that happens. The kids learn about key figures in the Revolution and American history. They also touch on issues of slavery and individual rights in a way kids can understand. I have had discussion with my kids about some important subjects, like slavery, because of this show. I became a fan of this series when I found my kids giving Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech (and I mean, the speech… not just the line) and knew that it was Patrick Henry that gave it. Logan loves talking about General George Washington. Those DVDs are gold as far as I am concerned. 6. Clarisonic Brush. Most of you know what this is so I don’t need to say much just that it works just like it says. I use Retin-A on my face at night and a lower concentration of Retin-A during the day. Needless to say, I have a lot to exfoliate everyday and this little tool does the job. You can use it in the shower and it needs recharging every two weeks or so. The only negative is that you have to pay for new brushes every three months (though I find that if I soak it in a bleach/water solution that will extend the life of the brush) and that could set you back $20 a brush. There are less expensive options out there now, though I don’t know how they stack up. I really like the waterproof recharging stand feature. You never have to open it up to change batteries and you can start recharging it while it is wet. 5. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. A little background here: I knew for a year that I was going to homeschool Logan for a least part of his Kindergarten year and knowing that this year was setting a foundation of reading skills for the rest of his life, I became obsessed with finding a reading curriculum that would help a child who had no interest in reading. I bought flash cards, games, books, and even enrolled him in an expensive summer reading program. After wasting a bunch of time, effort and hundreds of dollars, I found a book that made all the difference. It worked so well with Logan that I started with Reagan and she caught on quite fast. It is to be noted that while the lessons are brief and easy in the beginning, they do not end that way. The end result? In a few months, Logan went from not reading at all, to a second grade reading level when he finished the last lesson. (I think age, inclination and sticking to it also made a difference as well, of course, but the book was the best program I had come across and all my children will learn to read from this book! Best of all, all you need is the book and a piece of paper for the lesson, no cards or extra books to buy as with other reading programs. Simple and only $15!!! 4. African Black Soap. Honestly, 3, 4 and 5 are all really tied. I love all of them and don’t go a day without them. I am trying to slowly change the products I use to more natural, less chemical riddled products. I change each product after a lot of research and couple trial runs. One big thing I always look for is that it is not a new natural product. Ones that have been around of decades or even centuries usually wok much better, in my experience, than something a guy mixed together a month ago and added crappy lavender oil to cover the smell. This was one of my big winners. I have very acne prone skin… VERY. As in, if I forget to wash my skin one night (almost never), get stressed, use an unfriendly product and it is breakout city! (And this is after I went through a full course of accutane!) I have tried almost every acne product out there, over-the-counter and prescription. I have read books on acne treatment and skin care philosophies… all because I have horrible skin. I wanted to try this product because it has been used for quite a long time, has less than five ingredients (all of which I could pronounce), it was inexpensive (I wince at what I have shelled out for a skin care bottle) and many people who used it loved it. This soap is ugly and not something I would look at and say “Oh baby, let me put that all over my face!” Especially since I am so crazy about what I do put on my face. I must say though, this soap is AWESOME! It cleans my skin and doesn’t over dry. My acne (I started using is during a particularly fun stress breakout.) responded immediately. You only use a small amount, it lathers really well and this chunk will last me an awful long time. I actually have one in my food storage and 72 hour kit. 3. Apple Cider Vinegar. I do not love how this tastes or smells, but I love what it does! Blake, who is very sensitive to smells, has to make a comment every time I open this bottle, but I will keep opening it! I drink 2 teaspoons ACV in 8 ounces of water and raw honey to taste every morning (two weeks on and one week off). I feel like it has really helped me feel more alert during the day and I have more energy. I am the first person to admit that it might be the placebo effect, but hey, it works either way! I have also put a cotton pad soaked with the stuff on a wart on Reagan’s foot at night for about two weeks, covered with duct tape and then just a band aid on during the day. I didn’t know what wart treatments were too harsh for a four-year-old and we were far away from our pediatrician at the time, so I went with the least invasive method. The wart turned black all the way thorough the root and died. It took about two weeks for the wart to dry up a fall of, but it was gone and no gaping holes and blistered skin that I experienced in my childhood from treatments where the wart always came back. It has been a few months and no new warts. I use ACV in a hair rinse I use and a shine spray I use on Reagan’s hair. I also put it in the dogs’ water every so often. It is a staple in my house now and I keep finding new uses for it. (I am talking about the real, organic stuff here.) 2. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. I use coconut oil ALL the time now. It is not just for cooking either (though I suggest using it in fried brown rice and cut the soy sauce by a ¼ and then you have a light, yummy fried rice). I also use it as a lotion. It started with Chase’s eczema and me trying different products to not aggravate it and keep it in check. I tried all the staple lotions for sensitive skin and eczema and none of them were that great, though some helped more than others, but all of them were pricey $$. The doctor gave me a steroid ointment which I was too afraid to use unless it really started getting bad and Chase was cracking and bleeding. I started using coconut oil on him after every bath and giving him Noni juice (supposed to help with allergies). His skin started clearing up. Noni juice became too pricey to continue to I slowly stopped using that and still his skin was better. Score! As of right now, Chase does not have a trace of eczema on him and I use it on all my kids now and myself. Although coconut oil is a saturated fat, it is a plant-based saturated fat and does not work in your body as a meat-based saturated fat. There are people who claim that using coconut oil has aided in bring down their cholesterol, but I have no first-hand experience in that happening. What we know about fats now verses 20 years ago really tells us that coconut oil should be given another look.

1. Amazon's Kindle. Oh, dear, dear, Kindle… how do I love thee?! I shall compose thee a sonnet though it could never give full voice to the way you have changed me… I love to read and I love to keep those books to reread… no joke, it is not unusual for me to read a book 3 times. How else do you get all the nuances of a story or argument?! Blake and my house, on the other hand, hates the clutter and really, if I keep buying books at this rate, I will be on hoarders when I am forty-five and my kids will be too embarrassed to bring their friends over because their mom is the crazy book lady. All of this is beside the fact that we have to move every three years minimum and the packers are starting to hate me even after I buy them pizza. Last time they had to come back for another day of packing because they had to bring more book boxes from their warehouse. No joke. Though I am pretty sure they were just ill-prepared… they had walked through my house a few days before after all. This is what I have to tell myself when the guilt comes. I have had two kindles. I had a DX (which I passed onto my Dad since I needed one that would work in Europe) and now I have a third-generation. I miss the big screen of the DX, but that is about it. The third-generation is about ¼ inch thick, fast and I can fit it in my purse. In a few seconds I can download a book I want and start reading (this is also a negative, since that instant gratification is never good for the pocket book). I have downloaded the scriptures at church and looked up cookbooks that friends were talking about. On trips I would often bring a stack of books that would take up a large amount of space… now all I have to bring is my Kindle. It has made a world of difference to my mobile lifestyle! It also has a slow internet that I use in a pinch if I don’t want to go home to look something up or have sent my Kindle a document that I didn’t want to bother printing out but needed. It goes everywhere with me. It is my one, my only, my precious…..

Christmas Letter 2010

2010-12-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, as great as this year was, I am so glad to be done!! I think all of our little family looked at the end of this year as the time we could all finally be together for the foreseeable future. I feel a sense of accomplishment just making it to the end of the year! Right now we are in Arizona for two months before we ship off to Germany! (At least we think so... you can never tell with the military...) We are enjoying the warmer weather immensely! I went to the park with the kids the other day in a short-sleeved t-shirt!

Blake is glad to be home after spending the first half of the year in Iraq. He worked as a recruiter for a few months upon returning to Utah and then has been attending an intensive training course at Ft. Huachuca, AZ ever since. He has worked so hard this year in his career and we are so proud of him and all he does. He read a lot of history books while deployed and came back with a pretty impressive breadth of knowledge. Blake also had the opportunity to attend a few BYU football functions like Thursday's Hero, BYU Couples Night and a special Thursday's Heroes dinner. Being a huge Cougar fan, he loved every minute! Once he returned home for good, Blake and I were able to go to an event where we met Greg Mortensen and heard him speak. What an experience!! I don't think I have seen many people get a standing ovation before they even spoke a word. In case any of you missed it, here is the video of Blake coming home to Salt Lake City airport:

I have been keeping busy trying to keep my kids alive (much bigger job than one would expect), fixing up our home for renters, packing up the house for the move and some "just me" activities. Obviously the biggest event of the year was welcoming Blake home from Iraq. I am thrilled beyond words to have him back with us! You forget how stressed out you are until he comes home and the cloud you have lived under for a year has suddenly dissipated and you can see the sunshine again. It felt like a massive exhale. I had a piano recital this year in June and I recall being wedged in between the seven and ten-year-olds... at least that is how it felt in my mind. I definitely felt a sense of accomplishment when it was over. I also earned three of my karate belts this year, my yellow, orange and blue. It was VERY hard work and I was pretty sure I was going to die during the first test, but it was SO worth it! This was something I have wanted to get involved in since I was a child and really enjoyed learning so much. Other highlights include Blake sending me off to the Utah Shakespeare Festival (everyone should go!) by myself and going to the Orson Scott Card Writer's Workshop and listening to him speak for two whole days straight. Amazing!Logan is forever full of energy and curiosity. He wakes up at full speed ready to start the day. He started learning to read and I always marvel at how quickly kids progress when they put their mind to it. He loves learning about everything and generally going crazy. I often find myself watching him and thinking, "If I could harness your energy, I could take over the world!" (Not that there are any impending plans of world domination.... yet.)I am pretty sure he is the class clown at his school since every one of his classmates laugh whenever he approaches... like they are preparing themselves for the hilarity to come! He graduated from the Tiny Tiger program in our karate studio and I have really seen a lot of growth from when he started until now. We are very proud of him!

Chase is still our family teddy bear and loves to be silly and make people laugh. He has yet to learn his colors but he can identify at least 25 different dinosaurs and tell you the differences between them. Go figure. Speaking of dinosaurs... why talk about anything else in his presence?! Unless you are talking about trains... then it is ok. Chase was starting karate as we were leaving and loved calling himself "The Karate Kid" every time he put his uniform on. He is full of personality and always says the funniest things.Reagan is my giggler. She giggles all day long (when she isn't complaining about Logan, hahaha). She is a little smarty-pants and is already learning to read and doing basic geography. She loves princesses (I have no clue where she got that from) and dance. She had her first dance recital this year and she will pay rapt attention to the dance instructional DVDs we got her last Christmas. Right before we moved she was able to earn her purple belt in the Tiny Tigers program in karate, which was her goal when we started. She is so funny to watch when she is sword-fighting or flag-sparring because she is so busy laughing that she can hardly do anything. Reagan is a little spitfire and we adore her!

As this year comes to a close we fully recognize that we could not have gotten through these past two years without the support of our dear family, our amazing friends and incredible neighbors. You are such a blessing to us. It is hard for me to feel like I have taken more then I have given these last few years and I have learned a lot about letting go. You all have sent Blake messages (and packages) of support, put 30 American flags in out yard to welcome him home, helped me with my home/computer repairs, watched my kids, fed us, helped clean my house, gave a listening ear when I thought I couldn't do it anymore, and, quite honestly, kept me sane. All of you will be sorely missed and will always be an intricate part of our lives no matter where life takes us. We hope that this season finds you well and surrounded by those you care about. We love you all and wish you all the best!

Love,
Blake, Diane, Logan, Chase, and Reagan

You're The Best! (ok, 3rd... but STILL!!!)

2010-03-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

Today Logan participated in his first karate tournament. I had signed him up to compete in padded swords and flag sparring. He was out the first round in padded swords since he kept going for the kid's legs, lol. He has always loved flag sparring and did well. He placed third out of 20-25 kids. He was really motivated after seeing other kids getting trophies in the padded sword division and him getting just a medal. He kept telling me "Mommy, I want to win a trophy." "I really want a trophy." I told him that he could try to win one by taking all the other kids' flags and boy did he set himself to the task!! He did have a mini meltdown when he lost to the last kid, because he thought he didn't get a trophy. Crazy kid! He didn't care at all about getting taken out the first round of padded swords! (We had to address grace in defeat after the tournament, lol.) Ultimately, he was elated to have won a trophy and is very proud of the fact that he did it himself. This was Logan's first sport event/game that he has ever participated in and I am happy that he feels a measure of success.

As to the video... I have had this song running through my head all week as we were preparing for the tournament and I really couldn't help myself. It is a home movie, so it isn't really great quality. I saw parents out there with tripod set-ups! I kid you not!!! (When you see how packed these tournaments are and how there is no room to even walk, it seems ridiculous.) Making this was a hoot!! Here I pay homage to The Karate Kid with my own karate kid:

Thursday's Hero

2010-03-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

Blake was honored on Thursday, March 18th for his military service (specifically, his deployment to Iraq). The history behind this was that a few weeks ago my brother Matt emailed Tom Holmoe. He is the Director of Athletics at BYU and told him about how Blake is a huge BYU fan and will be home for two weeks around the same time that spring football starts. Matt asked Tom if it was possible that Blake could watch a little of spring football since he had missed the 2009 season. It was just kind of a shot in the dark. Matt was surprised when Tom emailed him back that day saying they would definitely let Blake come. Matt called me very excited and so it began. We tried to keep it from Blake, but he was onto us about a week into coming home.

The day came and Blake's uncle Rusty was able to come with us. Patrick Hickman, a recruiter for BYU football, showed us around the football offices and we got to see Bronco Mendenhall's office and all the other staff (like Brandon Doman!). I was VERY impressed with their new facilities and their film rooms and team meeting rooms. They surround their staff and players with awesome resources. They showed us a highlight reel from their 2009 season. The good parts version... everything you want to remember, lol! We got to see the locker rooms, which are the nicest locker rooms I've ever seen. (Blake had me take a picture of Harvey Unga's locker. Hahaha...)

After the tour we were led outside to see the team practice. It was awesome to see the team running drills and playing a little scrimmage. Incredible really, to see all those players you usually only get to see from far up in the stands. We found out while talking to Patrick that he was from Stockton (small world!) and that he remembers well Atwater High and Beyer High's football teams.

After practice was over, the team huddled together and Blake was led over to them and he was introduced to them by BRONCO MENDENHALL!!! The following are Blake's memories of what happened afterward and then I will put in my memories.

Blake: Well, Vic So'oto and Matt Putnam (team captains I'm guessing) spoke for the team. They were incredibly nice and mature young men, and were both two of the biggest, tallest guys on the entire team. They both thanked me for my service and were all very appreciative of the military and what they do. Vic handed me a bag full of BYU gear, hats and shirts and other stuff. And Matt Putnam asked me to sign their team flag that they will have up for the 2010 season. They said that those they have sign the flag commit to live the honor code and conduct themselves as representatives of BYU. These players were very nice guys, knew about our family and that I was heading back to Iraq in a few days. I thanked them all for the experience, and was really humbled by the whole situation. It was all kind of a blur and quite a surprise. I had no idea I would be presented to the whole team and coaching staff, I had a great feeling of being undeserving of all of it. Oh yeah, I then got to lead the team in a 1,2,3 Go Cougars...and then all the players and coaches came by and shook my hand and said thank you. Chad Lewis (former Cougar great and Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro) was also there and came by and said hi.

The coaches were all there and came by and talked with us and were very nice. Bronco came by and said I needed a hat, so he gave me his (it was new and clean). I talked with Jake Heaps for a while (star Freshman recruit considered the #1 quarterback recruit in the country this year), who just wanted to stop by and thank me for my service. The entire team signed a BYU flag for me and everyone was nice enough to stop for some pictures.

It was a very humbling experience for me to be in that position, but as a fan it was so freakin' awesome!!! It was all very classy and generous of the team and everyone involved. Just have to give a huge thanks to Matt Bartholomew for his passionate and heartfelt email to Tom Holmoe or none of this would have happened.

Back to Diane: Vic So'oto first awarded Blake some BYU gear. His words were very kind. He said something to the effect that they were honoring the work Blake was doing in Iraq and know that whatever they are doing and how hard they are working, they know that the work the Army does in Iraq is much harder. He mentioned a few specifics that I was surprised that he knew (like his going back on Monday, and where he is serving in Iraq). Matt Putnam then had Blake sign the team flag and then gave him a team flag of his own that the whole team was going to sign. I was very impressed with the team and staff. Bronco stayed and talked with me for a while while Blake was shaking hands with the team. He even asked me where my twins were. Many of the staff, like Brandon Doman (we talked about 5-year-old boys, he has two, and holes in the walls, lol), and the players talked to Logan and I. So'oto gave his wrist bands to Logan and he put them on right away and was so proud. Many players stopped and chatted with us for a bit. It was obvious that the team takes an effort to know who their visitors are and make them feel important. It worked! Blake (and the rest of us) walked away from the whole experience a little choked up and very humbled. Besides a HUGE thanks to my brother, Matt, big thanks to Tom Holmoe, Pat Hickman and Duane Busby for setting everything up and taking such pains for us and thanks to Rusty for taking some great pictures!!! It was an amazing day and not one soon forgotton!!

Christmas Letter 2009

2009-12-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

I am saving some paper this year and just posting my Christmas letter! Of course, I did send out cards so I guess that negates it, doesn't it? (By the way, I am aware that I made a grammatical error on my Christmas cards, for those that noticed... ha!)

This year has been an eventful one for our family. We started out the year in Sierra Vista, Arizona and moved back into our old house in Clearfield, Utah in April since Blake was deploying. Blake had training in Kansas for three months and then shipped out to Iraq for a year on August 1st. We all miss him like crazy. The whole dynamic of the family is so different with him gone. We are counting down the days until he will be home... as of today, it is 225 days left. (Yes, we are LITERALLY counting down the days!)

Logan is still as energetic as ever! I don't know where he gets all his energy from; it certainly isn't me! He is always getting into mischief, but when he gets caught is very repentant and says "Ok, Mom. I will not ever do that again." He is really at his best when I let him be a helper. He wants to get everything just right and tries to act very adult about it. He has been participating in tumbling and karate for most of the year. Karate was a tough change for him at first and for the first six weeks, I was wondering if it was wise to put him in there, but he has risen to the challenge well. He is currently an orange belt and will be testing for his blue belt at the beginning of the year. He just started preschool this month and is loving it!

Reagan, like Logan, can't stop moving. I am pretty sure she has restless-limb syndrome. It is funny to see her in church, sitting so quietly, except for her legs which are going every which way. (I swear, it is like her legs are independent from the rest of her body!) It is interesting to see how much faster girls develop than boys. She is already going to Logan's preschool, even though she missed the age cut-off by a month, and she is loving it. She is also in dance and karate and likes both though dance is where she really seems in her element. She shows up eager and excited and leaves happy and with a smile. She talks so well and gets concepts so fast that it startles me sometimes and she often asks questions about things that make me stop and wonder "How old ARE you?!" She is developing WAY too fast for me! She is even starting to adopt her little attitude now too and I am learning to deal with that one... it is like having a miniature teenager in the house!

Chase is my little momma's boy. He has always been my best hugger from the time he was a little baby and still gives big hugs to any who ask him for it. He loves trains and carries one with him almost constantly. He is not ready for the same activities his siblings are in (again, so interesting to see the developmental difference between girls and boys when you have girl/boy twins!) and so just the two of us hang-out quite a bit. I am starting to actually be able to understand 70% of what he says now and he is becoming quite a chatter-box. Chase is constantly trying to sit on my lap and demand my full attention so he can tell me about a truck, or train, or a social injustice that he feels isn't being addressed (usually involving his siblings). When he is really angry, he yells "I am going TIMEOUT!" I try really hard not to crack up at that. He is loving this Christmas season since he has an obsession with bells and tries to take them off of every decoration he can get his hands on. You will usually find him dawdling behind our little group staring at some object he finds fascinating and not paying attention to anything else.

Blake is stuck in a little camp in the middle of the desert on the Iraq/Iran border called Camp Minden. Right now is the rainy season and it is making all the sand and tents and muddy, dirty mess. He says that his OCD is taking quite a beating there and I can imagine that is true! I am sure he will have many stories when he returns. He says that he is really appreciative of all the support of his friends and family and we both have been really touched at the outpouring of support we have seen for him! Thank you!

I have been trying learn how to balance everything at home and not go crazy. I have a profound respect for single parents now... and I don't have to worry about the financial aspect. I have come to really understand the concepts of "not enough hours in a day" and "bone-tired." I have been able to do a few things on my own agenda though, which has been nice. I have been wanting to take up piano for some time now and, starting in September, I have been able to do that. We have a Christmas recital tomorrow that I am anxious about. AAAHHHHHH!!!! I have also began applying for Masters' programs to start school next year! It seems forever since I have been a student and I wonder if my brain still functions.

Our dogs, for those you who care, are nine and eight-years-old now! Time sure flies! We found out this year that Marley is going blind in one eye and last year she had cancer! I hope that this doesn't become a pattern for her, poor baby! She is coping quite well with the problem though and is just a little more clingy than she usually was. Maddie is doing well and still wants to act like a puppy and chase balls all day even though her knees won't support it. They spend most of their days sleeping like yen and yang on the dog bed. It has been nice having them while Blake is gone because, even though they are small, I know that they'd bark if the strange noises in the house were anything to worry about, lol.

It has been a challenging year for our family, but we have also grown so much (especially the kids). I am always astonished at how much they grow and how rapidly they develop everyday. The next year will provide new changes as well. Blake will be here to visit for two weeks in March and then will be home in August. Of course, home will be moving then and we will be around Kansas and Arizona until the beginning of the following year. Then in March 2011 we will be off to Germany! Life is an adventure! Hope all of you are having a Merry Christmas! We think of all of you often and keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,

The Botill Family

Blake, Diane, Logan, Chase and Reagan

AND Maddie and Marley

Reagan and Logan's Christmas Program

2009-12-17T16:50:00.000-08:00

Reagan and Logan both go to Syracuse Dance Academy. Logan for tumbling and Reagan for dance... just so you know that I am not forcing Logan to take dance! They had their Christmas "demonstration." They are just showing what they can do so far this year. Reagan's was really cute. I got such a kick out of it. You can tell that Logan is just so excited to be able to run and jump around without getting in trouble for it. Hahahaha!

My BIG Girl...

2009-12-11T00:07:00.001-08:00

My little three-year-old girl, Reagan, has just been growing by leaps and bounds lately. Is it incredible, by the way, how much more mature girls are than boys! She has been doing really well in her dance class and has been wanting to go into karate for sometime now. I have been reluctant, because (besides the cost!) karate demands a lot and I didn't know if Reagan could handle it. Well, a good and bad thing happened: Logan got a new karate teacher. His old teacher was perfect for Logan... didn't let him get away with anything and pushed him to get better. Logan needs that. This new teacher is quite young and is just learning (which we all have to do at some point, right?) and lets him get away with a lot more. His style is perfect for Reagan, though, since she needs more gentle guidance. So I finally signed her up and she was so stinkin' cute!!! She followed instruction so well and loved it!

She was also accepted into preschool even though her birthday is the 23rd of September and the cut-off is the 1st. I, FINALLY, found an awesome preschool for her and Logan. Her teacher says she is doing wonderfully, despite her being so young. I have been paranoid that I might be stressing her out and been watching her like a hawk, but she does it all with such excitement. I am so proud of her!

Side note: Ok, I know some of you are going to laugh at me for saying this, but I have to.... I hate Reagan's hair in these pictures... I went last week to get her hair cut and asked for an a-line bob that was stacked in the back. (I like having a good quality style cut for her, since she is rarely able to keep anything in her hair for very long.) Instead, the lady did this choppy, knarly looking haircut. It was like she didn't even bother making the stacked back either... it is just some choppy layers. Ggggrrrr! (You laugh, but even some of my friends admitted that this was a badly done haircut.) I'm going to get it fixed tomorrow!

Logan Turns Five!

2009-12-10T23:44:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my little man turned five! No stopping the clock apparently; no matter how hard I try! This lucky kid had three birthday parties though. Yep, three! He had the first one with two of his cousins on Blake's side of the family during our usual Sunday dinner and had the next one with my side the day before Thanksgiving since my brother's family was with us at my parent's house. We made homemade mini pizzas and had a bonfire afterward. (My mom is a closet pyro and will take any opportunity she can of lighting something on fire... legally, of course.) The last one he had with his friends at Classic Skate, which has video games, bowling, skating, 3 blow-up castles, 3 blow-up slides and this huge pirate's cove climbing/slide/ropes/obstacle course... in short, a lot of things to get kids exhausted!

We're Famous!

2009-11-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

Ok, not really, but my friend from up in Honeyville has been starting her photography business and she is really talented! Anyway, I gave her the daunting task of taking pictures of my three crazy kids who don't stand still for ANYTHING, let alone a professional picture. Chase is the worst; as soon as you sit him down for the picture, he is up and running. That is ok, since I didn't want them super posed anyway. Some of the pictures she took are up on her website now. Chase is the first one on her main page and there are some more under her portfolio. Thank you Brandy!
(By the way, check out her prices! She charges $100 for a family and $75 for just the kids and just gives you a CD of the prints!)

http://www.sweethoneyphoto.com/

http://www.sweethoneyphoto.com/blog/

Our First Play!

2009-11-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

A local kids' museum here, called the Treehouse puts on plays during the winter and for a season pass for a family only cost $25. The great thing is, this is considered educational theater, which means that part of the experience is teaching kids how to act during a play. I think that is just great!!!

Logan was so caught up in the moment when Goldilocks laid down in Baby Bear's bed, he yelled at Goldilocks "Hey, you can't do that! That's Baby Bear's Bed!" I quickly clapped my had over his mouth while the audience laughed. Crazy little guy! Can't say he didn't enjoy himself....

Logan Earned His Orange Belt

2009-11-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

We are so proud of our Logan! He earned his orange belt last week and recieved it yesterday! He works hard for it, so we are excited for him!!! Congrats Logan!!!!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-17T06:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I can actually say that I feel like we got our money's worth out of our costumes this year. We had a Peter Pan theme this year and the kiddos loved it. I start searching for costumes months ahead of time. I have to prepare them way ahead of time to bribe them into wearing my theme. We watch the movie, talk about how cool it is. "Does Captain Hook have an awesome hook and sword?" Etc. We went to, at least, half a dozen Halloween parties and we even won best costumes at the Dinosaur Park party (as a combined group)! We had a lot of fun and the kids still want to dress up in their Peter Pan costumes. I LOVE HALLOWEEN! (Can you tell?)

Twins Turned Three!

2009-11-16T20:42:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I am a little late posting this, but I can't believe my little babies are three years old!! They are so big and independent now! It is crazy when they get little minds of their own, isn't it?! These pictures were taken on their birthday at the end of September in my grandmother's garden in Southern California.

Reagan's "Big Girl" Dance Class

2009-09-10T11:20:00.001-07:00

Tuesday Reagan started her "Big Girl" dance class. We have been going to a Mom & Me one since April, but now she got to go to a 3-5 year old class without Mommy. She was in heaven the entire 45 minutes. Of course, she did cut a hole in her brand new dance clothes before we walked out the door. Go figure.

At This Moment, All Is Right With The World

2009-09-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

BYU beat Oklahoma tonight 14-13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was a beautiful moment in BYU football history. Blake said he woke up at 2:30am to watch the game and he called me three times during it. The second time he called was when it looked pretty certain we were going to win. I just picked up and yelled "Holy Crap!" into the phone. He was ecstatic! My brother Matt and my parents were at the game (JEALOUS!!!) and my brother Aaron was monitoring the game from his computer. So between the four of us there was a lot of calls with screaming, weeping and celebration! What a victory!

In the words of my brother Aaron, "At this moment, all is right with the world..." Blake, these videos are for you baby. Here is your moment of zen....

(My favorite part is when Chase starts spacing out and eating the BYU flag.)

Logan's Yellow Belt Ceremony

2009-08-31T10:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been slacking for a while, but now I intend to get back on the ball. Anyway, today we had a great time at Logan's Yellow Belt Ceremony for karate. He started about three months ago and struggled at first. I was very worried whether it was too early to put him in since the program is very demanding, so this may just be the lowest belt but it is a hard-earned one! We have practiced at home quite a bit and he has really improved his focus. He still spaces out often, though I believe he inherited that from me. so I can't complain about that....

I am really proud of how far he has come in these past three months. Way to go Logan!

Here They Are....

2009-06-30T20:20:00.001-07:00

My niece and nephew, Tyler and Brittany, were staying with me for two days and we decided to post what we did for the time they were here in their own words. So here they are: Brittany covered Monday and Tyler took Tuesday. Enjoy!

Chase's Reward By Tyler Botill

2009-06-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

What's up people who own computers. This is Tyler writing about our trip to Salt Lake. The whole reason for this was because Chase filled up his bean jar. If you don't know what the bean jar is about, it's like their rewards jar. They get beans if they're good and lose them if they're bad. When they fill up their jars they get a reward. So Chase's reward was to ride on the trains! We again had the buddy system. I was Logan's buddy(most of the time) Brittany was, again, with her Mini-Me(a.k.a. Reagan) and Chase was with me and our Aunt (well Chase's mom but my aunt). But we couldn't just ride trains all day. So after we got off the trains we took a trip to Clark Planetarium! And let me tell you that was cool! First thing we did there was went and saw a cool IMAX movie.....IN 3-D! It was an awesome movie about Bugs. Then we were gonna see another movie at this cool place in there called The Dome Theater. But the movie wasn't till 12:30 so we had to do something while waiting. So we looked around and found some really cool landscape things that looked like the surface of the Moon and Mars. We acted like there was Zero Gravity there and pretended to space jump(as seen in the pictures). Then we found another cool thing. It was a Weather men's Broadcast Station. We all pretended to be weathermen(and weather women). After playing over there for about 20 minutes, we still had time to SPARE!!!! So we found this really cool Ball Machine. It was like a factory, a very mini and cool factory. After looking at that for about 10 minutes(more since Chase and Logan didn't want to leave the Ball Factory) we watched the movie. It was pretty cool. But after that everyone was pooped and ready to go home. So we took the train home and took a long nap. It was a pretty awesome day!

MOON JUMP!!!!

Brittany and her Mini-Me travel to MARS!!!!
Mini Spaceman Logan

The Twin Martians!!!

Reagan's reward by Brittany Botill

2009-06-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

it's very hard to push two kids at the same time

This is my first time doing this so i may be kinda bad. We went to Dinosaur park because Reagan filled up her bean jar. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had buddy's again i had my mini-me, Tyler at first, Logan wanted to be his buddy but sometimes he was Chase's buddy but chase's buddy was mostly our aunt diane's buddy. There was a lot of bones, it was really cool. They had some skeletons of dinos. Every time we went to a different thing Reagan would always say WOW ,it was funny but after a while it got old. Reagan chose to go here, and there was a T-Rex that made noises and she was scared of it. Whenever it made noises she would cry. We got to pretend to be paleontologist. Then we fed the birds and fishes there was also segulls and they always ate the fishy food so I always throw one really far and the segulls would chase it then i would drop some for the fishy's and duck's. When we had to leave to go to the park chase was really upset. I put Reagan in one swing and Chase in the othere and I pushed chase then pushed reagan. Tyler was playing with logan. Logan was a little ball of energy. He would go from one thing to another so he was disappointed to leave. But when he figured out we were going to get pizza and ice cream at cold stone so he was all better.Reagan filled up her bean jar again and we went to the book store and Reagan got a tinker bell book. I say it was a fun day!

he's happy with his work

Logan is pushing Tyler off by holding on him

giddy up dino

yeeha!!

Northern Cali - Day Five

2009-05-13T14:22:00.001-07:00

The last day was spent visiting with Blake's dad and grandmother in Gilroy. Blake's dad took us out to Famous Dave's (which we live next to, but ironically, I have never been to). Even though it was raining, we sent out for Gilroy Gardens which is, I kid you not, a botanically-themed amusement park. Of course, there was a train and that was all Chase wanted to do for the whole time. Since it was raining we got to most of the rides in the park in about three hours. I hate lines, so this made me VERY happy! The park was actually very cool, there were a ton of rides for the little kids and a few for the big ones! Brittany and Tyler were very patient with all the little kid stuff we did. Actually Tyler and Brittany were amazing in general... absolutely golden. I would take them anywhere, anytime! They were a huge help with all the little ones and had such a great attitude at all times. Thank you Tyler and Brittany!

Northern Cali - Day Four

2009-05-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

We went to the Aquarium early in the morning the lines to get in were massive. Four small kids in crowds full of people were hard to keep track of, but Brittany and Tyler were a HUGE help! Seriously, I don't know if I could have done it without them. We each had a buddy. Tyler was with Logan, Brittany with Reagan (which she called her "Mini-me", I swear they look like sisters), Blake with Chase and I was with Emma. Their displays were so impressive. It is so much bigger than when I was a kid. The younger kids were tired by one o'clock, so I took Logan, Reagan and Chase back to the hotel for a nap... I needed one too! Blake stayed with Brittany, Tyler and Emma and looked at more of the Aquarium and took them to the Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shop. When my half of the kids woke up, we all met up on a small beach on Cannery Row. Chase ran after birds, Tyler and Brittany pushed each other into the waves, and Reagan fell into the water (of course).

Logan and his friend.

Tyler and Emma

Brittany and her Mini-Me

These kids take so many better pictures than mine! Jealous!

Northern Cali - Day Three - Blast From the Past

2009-05-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

Today we were driving to pick up Blake's nieces and nephew Tyler, Brittany and Emma as they were going to go with us on the rest of our trip. As we were going to Merced to get them, we went through Modesto (where I grew up) and Atwater (where Blake grew up) and checked out our old houses. I got to see an childhood friend of mine, Erica Baird Evans. Then we picked up the kiddos... so we had six total and headed out to Monterey so we get to the Aquarium early the next morning.

Northern Cali - Day Two

2009-05-11T23:26:00.000-07:00

We made our way into San Fransisco itself on day two. We first went to the Exploritorium but it wasn't opened yet so we wandered around the outside of the building. It has a huge duck pond and Chase was so excited. (Chase has a thing for any water and trains and we expect a huge fit if he leaves either.) The kids practically fell in the water a few times while chasing birds.

The Exploritorium was just as I remembered it as a kid. It is so nice to go places where your kids are actually EXPECTED to touch everything. What a relief! Reagan stood for quite awhile at this display that had you put your hand in and try to grab the tea cup, but it was an illusion made with mirrors. Reagan tried forever to get the darn tea cup, but her hand kept going through it. Chase, of course, found a train and proceeded to refuse to leave, or let anyone else see while yelling "Train! Train!" Ahh, small minds. After we finally wrenched him away (45 minutes later) he cried about the train the rest of the time. Where Logan lacks focus... Chase has an unwavering single-mindedness. Could I transfer a little between the two?

While the kids slept, Blake and I drove to a few historical sites that we'd never been to and took turns sitting in the car while we checked them out.

Once the kids woke up, we took them to Ghirardelli Square (chocolate, of course!) and the Maritime Museum which had several restored ships that you could look around on. They had a tugboat, a large ferry, a steamboat and this large sailing vessel.

Chase eating Daddy's face while we were trying to get a picture. I think the picture turned out well.

Northern Cali - Day One

2009-05-11T22:48:00.000-07:00

The first day in Northern California we went to Muir Woods and Point Reyes. It was an interesting experience to be in the Bay Area and have so much wilderness and empty space around us. The giant redwoods were beautiful. Chase, as usual, saw a stream immediately and didn't want to go anywhere else. It took some convincing for him to realize that the trail followed the stream.

Then we went to Point Reyes and the kids played on the beach. Reagan did her normal beach thing and sat on the towel, wrapped in a towel and watched the boys play. Chase made Blake run after the waves and Logan played in the sand. We saw a sea lion trying to come in to the beach but it was too scared of us. Can't say I blame it. We didn't last long since the water was cold and the wind was blowing the sand around, but the kids had fun.

Some Easter Pictures

2009-04-14T10:03:00.001-07:00

Hope all of you had a Happy Easter. We had a good time at Brenna and Justin's. The kids were in candy heaven for the day. (I throw out any uneaten candy after the day is over. Yes, I am very mean. Somehow I'll get over it.) I didn't get a picture of the boys in their Easter clothes since I couldn't get one before we left for church in the morning and a kid threw up all over Chase in nursery, so there went the picture of the kids. Maybe next Sunday. I got one of Reagan though.

Senora Nancy!!!!

2009-04-12T22:03:00.001-07:00

It was my mother-in-law's birthday last week and we went to Mi Ranchito. When the waitress found out it was her birthday, they did the whole "embarass you on your birthday" thing. I had to put this up... for the rest of the in-laws. Your moment of zen...

Reagan and Her "Big Girl Bed"and Reason #679 Why I Love Blake

2009-04-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

Reagan got her big girl bed on Saturday. She had a convertible crib that would become a full-sized bed. When we stayed at my parents' house she slept in a regular bed and did fine so we thought it was about time to make the change permanent. It is funny because she is still this little thing and she is sleeping in a full-size bed. She is a small speck on the huge bed.

Saturday I was having a pretty crappy day and I was being snappish and generally unpleasant. Blake took Logan out to lunch and came back with lunch for me, some dark chocolate and these roses. Blake is the greatest husband; he is always trying to make things easier for me. He is amazing!

Day 4 of Awesomeness

2009-04-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

The fourth day we spent on Mission Beach. They have a boardwalk there and we got an awesome parking spot since the day started out overcast and no one was out. If any of you know Blake... when he gets an awesome parking spot we are not going anywhere. In this case, though, it was perfect. We started out on the boardwalk, going on some rides and then spent the rest of the day on the beach. Blake built and fort with the boys that actually withstood the tide. The kids spent most of the day digging, eating, and chasing the tide and the birds.

Here are the girls destroying the hard work of the boys. We are so mean! (Actually, it was to keep people from tripping.)

In closing, I need to give a shout-out to two of the awesome places we ate: Big Kahunas Pizza (which didn't serve pizza at all, but Hawaiian BBQ, yum!), and Island Pasta on Coronado; (homemade pasta) I will never forget your manicotti. And I huge "thank you" to my brother, Matt, the San Diego expert. Awesome advice and tips and I promise we will go to Kona's next time!

By the way, anyone notice how many times I used "awesome" in the last few posts? Cali must be rubbing off on me!

Day 2 and 3 of Awesomeness

2009-04-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

The next day we went to Sea World and the kids had a blast. We got there at opening and stayed until closing. It was amazing! The kids loved the beluga whales and stayed at their exhibit for a full hour, I believe. The dolphin show was a big hit, along with the dog and cat show, the tide pools and the ray exhibit(which were hands-on). We saw everything but Shamu. I know, terrible, huh? And we even got out of there without a stuffed animal. I think that is unheard of.

The big pay-off was that the kids actually understand what whales and dolphins, etc. are now and still want to read and learn about them. Chase always wants to wear his whale shirt now, when he only wanted his train t-shirt before... yea, I get to expand the wardrobe!

On day 3 we went to the USS Midway. I enjoyed the history since my great uncle was in the Battle of Midway and I always remember stories of what happened to him. It was an amazing restoration of the carrier and they even had some helicopter and planes on the deck much to the delight of my aircraft-obsessed children.

The second half of the day we went to Cabrillo NM. It is right on the point and the views are amazing. There are several hikes there, but we went specifically for the tide pools. The kids poked all the anemones they saw. We found a few crabs and lots of sea life. We all ended up soaking wet and had a great time in the process.

We ended the day with a swing on the beach back at the hotel.

Day 1 of Awesomeness (Or Our Trip to San Diego)

2009-04-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

We drove into San Diego in late afternoon and it was almost dark, but our hotel was right on the beach and we had to let the kids see the ocean for the first time. It was cold, but the kids soon got over it and enjoyed themselves chasing the waves in an out and chasing the birds too, of course. Poor birds never had any peace our entire stay. We stayed at the Naval Base on the island of Coronado and it had its own private beach that was HUGE and it was right out our door.

What I miss about Sierra Vista...

2009-04-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

We are finally unpacked and I am beginning to feel like this is home again, but there are a few things about Sierra Vista that I miss:

1. Weather, weather, and weather! It was 75 degrees when I left Arizona and it snowed in Utah the first night here. It made me so depressed. The kids and I went to the park in January with just long sleeves... no sweaters or jackets to speak of. The only cold week in the winter was the week family visited... go figure.

2. "Creek Park" That is what my kids called it at least. We had only discovered it in January, but after we found this awesome park that nobody went to, we were there 3 times a week. It had everything: a slide/jungle gym, fire pits, a creek running through it and lots of rocks to throw in the creek (a particular favorite with my kids). I am one of those parents who is tired of the park as soon as I get there, but I can stay at this park for hours and have. We would often bring lunch and meet Blake there for a picnic. The best part... we hardly EVER saw anyone there. It felt like our own little playground. I will miss that very much.

3. The Bread Basket and Rodolfo's. Anyone who lives in Utah knows how hard it is to find good Mexican food. Rodolfo's was that hole-in-the-wall place that served the best Mexican food... and their breakfast burritos... I miss them so. The Bread Basket was an authentic German bakery that served the same breads I remember and loved in Germany all those years ago. Their pretzels, Bavarian Rye loaves and apple strudel were my favorites. I would often pick them up on our way to "Creek Park" for lunch.

4. The traffic, or lack thereof. There is no I-15 rush hour that is to be avoided at all costs. Enough said.

5. Friends. Of course, with every move, we make friends and lose friends. Which is hard. There are always people that I wish I could just put in my pocket and take with me wherever we go. One of the benefits of moving is to be able to meet all kinds of interesting people with all sorts of experiences, but the hard part is leaving them behind... many times I know I'll never see them again (At least in person. Thank you internet!) and that is heartbreaking.

6. All the sights. Now when you think border of Mexico, you probably don't think that there is a ton to do, but there is actually quite a bit. Our kids loved Tombstone, Coronado NM, Chiricahua NM, Tucson, Phoenix (ok, it is 3 hours away, but it has so much to do). We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in Sierra Vista and we will miss you! (Of course, we'll probably be back there in about 16 months anyway.... but still.)

Why I Love Christopher Walken...

2009-02-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

Need I say more? AWESOME!

What I Want To Be When I Grow Up!

2009-02-22T20:51:00.000-08:00

I was asked a while ago what I would want to be in another life. (You can't choose doing the same thing you are doing now... it is cheating.) I knew right away what I wanted to be: a Kung Fu Master! What would you be?

A Crazy Car Driver

2009-02-22T20:43:00.000-08:00

Well, this video speaks for itself. We just thought it was funny.

My New Obsession...

2009-02-22T20:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome, my friends to the Holy Grail of chocolate. You will never be the same and Hershey just won't cut it anymore. Seriously, I don't even crave chocolate bars anymore... I have been spoiled, never to be the same again. (Here is where you imagine angels singing in the background.) Fran's Chocolates! (Hallelujah chorus here.) The salted caramels are wonderful, but the dark truffles are like nothing I have ever had before. When they ship them to you they are fresh... and AWESOME! (Angels crescendo.) Blake got these for our anniversary... I love that man! For the first time since we met, we decided to celebrate Valentine's Day just so we could buy another box. I have always been morally opposed to Valentine's Day, but that is another blog altogether. These suckers are expensive... but so worth it. I have been fundamentally changed my dear friends... and it is wonderful here in the land of obsession.

One Big House

2009-02-22T19:34:00.000-08:00

On the way to Phoenix we stopped by Casa Grande NM. It was a small area, only a few acres, but it was interesting. The real reason I mention this place is this... you see that roof? It was built in 1932 and it cost $35,000. Which was a huge amount of money, but there is more. Every few years they have to paint the roof. A couple of years ago they painted the roof and it cost... get this... $100,000! Your tax dollars at work my friends! Give me half of that and I'd still profit $48,000. Believe me I'm all for preserving historic sites but that is ridiculous!

Another thing I thought was interesting was that the local Native Americans in this area are called the Hohokam. They were called that because when some missionaries came into the area and asked the locals who used to live in these structures they said "hohokam" which meant "those who have gone before" or "no longer." So we adopted that name. I just think it is funny how these things happen sometimes.

It's Phoenix, Baby! Again! (Day 3)

2009-02-22T18:54:00.000-08:00

In the morning we went to the Arizona Science Center. It is a very cool place with everything being hands-on, which is awesome for the kids. For lunch we went back to the Farm. I love that place. Awesome food, the kids can run around while you eat and Chase can commune with the chickens!

That night we went to this place called Enchanted Island. It is a park with rides for kids 2 years to 8 years old. They had a blast. Chase didn't understand that you had to get off the rides when they stopped. (Hence the sad face on the dragon ride.) Once they got the concept down they ran from ride to ride.

It's Phoenix, Baby! Again! (Part Deux)

2009-02-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we went to the Renaissance Festival east of Mesa. It is a huge production (approx 52 acres of shops and entertainment) with twelve different stages of shows going all the time and that is not including the jousting. The kids LOVED it! They didn't have a nap and they didn't throw a fit. That is unheard of! The shows included fire-eaters, tight-rope walkers, singing, playing all sorts or instruments, comedy shows, pirate shows, sword-fighting demonstrations and the list goes on. There were kids rides, play areas and a petting zoo, too.

Logan and Chase playing with sharp objects. I couldn't be prouder.

The Dragon Castle behind Logan is really a gigantic slide. Super-fast, but Logan went down by himself.

Ok, so I never thought that "stars in his eyes" could ever be a reality, but Logan seriously had stars in his eyes after he met this fairy. He talked about her frequently afterwards and kept trying to get her to stay.

We let them pick out something small from the festival. Reagan picked a butterfly wand, a dragon for Logan, and a lemon slush drink for Chase (food, of course).

Why is it always Reagan?

2009-02-19T08:54:00.000-08:00

Why is it always Reagan that I get this kind of video of: (Wait until the very last second)
Poor Reagan...

It's Phoenix, Baby! Again! (Day 1)

2009-02-18T08:08:00.001-08:00

Last week we went back to Phoenix. It was awesome! Figures that we would start going as we are about to move. Anyway, on the first day we went to Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments. They were about two hours north of Phoenix. We had our lunch by the creek at Montezuma Castle NM. Logan thought it was crazy that people actually lived up in those rooms in the cliffside. Next was Tuzigoot NM (awesome name, huh.... maybe for our next kid...). It was some ruins on a hill over looking the valley. The view was gorgeous. I can see why they settled there. I tried to get the kids to imagine that these little rock rooms were their whole house. Where would you put your bed? Eat breakfast, etc. Chase tried to drink some muddy water.... oh well, I tried...

Ok, the thing I left out....

2009-02-09T21:47:00.000-08:00

There was one more stop that we made on the Apache Trail that I left out... We made a stop at Canyon Lake to eat lunch and play in the water. You know that feeling of premonition you get as a parent? Your kid is doing something that you know is going to end badly... Well, Reagan loved the lake and she was the only one of our children that wanted to get into the water. She kept getting deeper and wobbling around. We kept pulling her out and she'd get right back in. Here's for learning the hard way:

No Reagans were harmed in the making of this video... Blake was right there in getting her out and she was fine. I had a change of clothes in the car and she was as good as new in five minutes, but she wouldn't go back to the water. She was quite upset though. We did have fun though:

Anyone notice it is winter and my kids are wearing shorts... SHORTS! Arizona is awesome!

Phoenix (Part 1): Holy Apache Trail Batman!

2009-02-09T21:08:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we went to Phoenix and had a great time! The first night we were there we held to tradition and went to a old west revival "town" called Rawhide. It was complete with the little train and shootout reenactments. We had to ride the train, of course. It is like a commandment with our children. Half the places we go are to ride trains, I am pretty sure. They love it though. I am really excited about this picture though, since it is one of the few that we have all together. Wonder of wonders!

I love this picture of Reagan and Daddy!

Here we are.... on another train and in another ghost town at the head of the Apache Trail. This day found us driving the Apache Trail. It really is a great place to drive... if you have a truck... and more than one day... There are so many places to stop on the trail, it was really fun (minus the messing up a six week old, brand-new car). The first stop was the ghost town at the foot of Superstition Mountain, a popular sight for gold mining even into moder times. This is where the Lost Dutchman's Mine is.... or isn't...

Once we left the ghost town, we somehow ended up on this twisty dirt road for 22 miles. I don't know why we did this. We were wondering it at the time as well. I have to say, though, the views were spectacular! Logan is in front of what they call the little grand canyon. It was amazing... but imagine driving along a small winding road with both lanes of traffic coming... it is a dirt road along the cliff edge... with little or no railing... CRAZY! Finally we hit pavement and the Roosevelt Dam. Very impressive! Along the second half of the trip was many other places that I would love to hit (Like Tonto National Monument), but we ran out of time... I had no idea how long 22 miles of unpaved road could take! Hopefully we can go back soon... maybe just on the paved road....

The next morning we went to The Farm for brunch. It was this organic farm where everything they made was from what they grew on site. While you are waiting to eat, the kids can wander around the farm. I had a very difficult time dragging Chase away from the chickens. That kid seriously LOVES animals. The last picture is of me and the kids (who are obviously being forced to take the picture). Ah, I love forcing happy poses!

Tumacacori National Historic Park- Lots of pictures!

2009-01-25T07:43:00.000-08:00

We are looking into the sun... can you tell?

We went to Tumacacori National Historic Park on Saturday. It is a site where three missions are preserved. It was interesting history. Old churches are some of my favorite sites to tour. The kids enjoyed playing in the replica of a local Native American home with the "kitchen" and everything.

This is the San Xavier mission. It is still a working church and is being restored. It is quite beautiful. Logan thought it was fascinating that people go to church here. It is so different from what he is used to and I have to always remind myself to see through his eyes.

Afterward, we went into Tucson to go to a chocolate place Blake read about. We happened upon Trail Dust Town right in the middle of Tucson. It had gold-panning, shooting gallery, a little train, a merry-go-round circa 1920 and, of course, CHOCOLATE! We were only planning to go to the chocolate shop, but the kids were so excited that we stayed and let them play.

I told him to look as sad as he could.

All in all, a great time had by all!

Coronado National Monument

2009-01-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

About two weeks after the last national monument, we hit the next one. The Coronado National Monument was very interesting. The Conquistadors walked over this barren land and through heat in very heavy armor (we actually tried some on) in search of Cebola (the seven cities of gold). We hiked up the mountain (drove most of the way) and as we hiked there were signs along the way of quotes from the expedition. The expedition was, of course, considered a failure because they did not find any cities of gold, but I thought one quote was especially poignant: "I have always noticed, and it is a fact, that often when we have something valuable in our possession and handle it freely, we do not esteem or appreciate it in all its worth, as we would if we could realize how much we would miss it if we were to lose it. Thus we gradually belittle its value, but once we have lost it and we miss its benefits we feel it in our hearts and are forever moody, thinking of ways and means to retrieve it. This, it seems to me, happened to all or most of those who went on that expedition, which Francisco Vazquez Coronado led in search of the Seven Cities, in the year of our Savior, Jesus Christ, 1540. For although they did not obtain the riches of which they had been told, they found the means to discover them and the beginning of a good land to settle in and from which to proceed onward." –Castaneda’s History of the Expedition, October, 1596

They were so caught up in finding some crazy mythical cities that they failed to notice the value of what we immediate around them. HHHHMMMM.....

Anyways, our kids were so proud of themselves to make it to the top of the mountain. It felt like we were on top of the world. You could see 360 degrees and it was a beautifully clear day so we could see forever!

It is funny; our kids show their personalities just by the way they hike. Reagan catches onto the idea immediately and is very single-minded to the task at hand (getting to the top). She doesn't want any help and is extremely determined. Chase wants to stay at the bottom just picking up rocks and sticks and throwing them. He dawdles... big time. Chase is quite content to stay in one spot explore the dirt immediately around him. Logan.... he is somewhere in the middle of Reagan and Chase. He loves throwing the rocks, but wants to get to the top as well. There is one more quote. A bit long, but I really enjoyed the description:

"From Coronado Peak the ranks of distant mountains seem to march across the plain. In silent procession they vanish over the horizon- and with them seems to go the urgent, pulsing time that man uses to count the years of a life or an age. In this perspective, past centuries blend into a timeless present…
Far below, where the green-banded course of the San Pedro River marks the valley floor, the expedition’s advance party crawls across the immense landscape. The marching line can barley be seen, so insignificant it is upon this spacious stage. Into the unknown these few men come undaunted. With them they bring the seeds of a new civilization. They look upon this great land as something to conquer. They will raise their crosses, declare dominion for God and King. They will name mountains and rivers and valleys after their saints. They are Conquistadors-God and Santiago give them strength.
There is an urge to dare in man; the difficult and the demanding challenge him. Goals and tools may change with the times, but the urge does not. Here on Coronado Peak that urge to dare, as it moved men four centuries ago, can be understood.
It is good that those dusty men below-fading now into distance and heat shimmer-are Spaniards. For they and their successors bring into North America a passionate culture that enriches our lives with rhythm and color, form and food.
With them comes the ardent soul of Spain and Mexico."

Chiricahua National Monument

2009-01-24T20:10:00.000-08:00

Right after the Holidays, it was such nice weather that we decided to go to a local national monument. We went hiking (ALL of us!) and saw some interesting sights. It was like we were in Southern Utah. Logan loved climbing all over the rocks. Scared me to death, but he did great.

Nerd Withdrawal---- HELP ME!

2009-01-20T12:11:00.000-08:00

So, I was sick and tired of reading and watching all these series out that seem like they are never going to end (at least in the next year). Then I heard Battlestar Galactica was ending this year and it had awesome reviews from many critics. Perfect! I can watch a show that will have some kind of conclusive ending! So, I start renting season 1 of Battlestar Galactica. Blake was home when I started watching and he sat down with me. Well, very early on we were hooked. And by hooked, I mean obsessed. We get videos through blockbuster.com and they were not coming fast enough (we get three at a time, mind you). We tried being patient, but soon Blockbuster had become our evil nemesis and we couldn't wait for them any longer. We bought all the series on Amazon.com and had it shipped to us overnight. Unfortunately, we did this on a Friday which meant we wouldn't get it until Monday. AARRRRGGHHH!!! We didn't know how we would live out the weekend! We would debate who we thought were the "final five," what we would do if we were Adama, what is with Starbuck's mental issues, why doesn't someone just kill Baltar, etc. We would dream Battlestar Galactica. Every night was a rush to put the kids to bed so we could watch BSG until 2:30 in the morning and wake-up with what we coined a BSG hangover.

Now, we have reached the last of the episodes on DVD and we have to watch the rest of the series ON REGULAR TV!!!! WEEK TO WEEK!!!! WITH COMMERCIALS AND EVERYTHING!!! What everyone on Earth is a Cylon!? I still can't believe Colonel Tye is one! What is with dead Starbuck? And what exactly does her being the harbinger of death REALLY mean? Is it because Cylons are mortal now? I so called it that Ellen was Cylon back in season 2! What have they done to Lee Adama's character now, he has become a whiner! Overload! Overload! My brain is melting! What do I do with my life now!? How do I go on?! I am going through nerd withdraw! Someone help me! Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all..... SO SAY WE ALL!

Reagan's First Dance Class

2009-01-20T11:54:00.000-08:00

I started Reagan in "Pre-Ballet" for two-year-olds to give her something to do away from the boys and mommy. Reagan was not happy. The parents had to stay in the lobby while the dance class was going on. She was crying and crying and I was questioning my brilliant plan. I left her with the teacher (who said this was not unusual at all and they get used to it over time). I thought that she was crying for me and I felt so bad; then I finally heard, through the sobbing, what she was asking for: "I want my Chaseyman!" (What she calls Chase.) I didn't realize until that day that she was always around either Chase or Blake or myself. Even when I drop her off for nursery on Sundays (which she has never had a problem with) she has always had Chase with her. The second dance class went MUCH better. No crying (until the teacher took her boa at the end of class).

Back to Pima Air Museum

2009-01-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

A few days before Christmas, we went to the Pima Air and Space Museum with my parents and Aaron and his family. Our kids go crazy when they see airplanes and they LOVE this museum.

There is a play cockpit, several airplanes, and control tower.

We went on the tour through the Boneyard. It is a huge lot of thousands of planes being used for scrap, being rebuilt, and being put on display. I highly recommend the tour to anyone with a remote interest in airplane history.

How do you get the perfect Christmas picture?

2008-12-29T14:55:00.000-08:00

I liked how our Christmas Card picture ended up this year (only the kids this time), but I think it is so funny HOW you get to the perfect Christmas photo where everyone happens to be smiling:

I was trying to get them to laugh (instead of cry) and I succeeded.... too well.

Finally!

"It Just Tickles"

2008-12-21T23:09:00.000-08:00

It seems this is every mother's right of passage. She must allow her children to "do" her hair with whatever implement they see fit.

I think Logan's fidora is just awesome... look familiar Aaron? Sorry, not giving it back! By the way, the "just tickles" comment from Logan is what our friend Kelly (who cuts his hair) tells Logan everytime he freaks out about the clippers.

Logan is doing his Darkman impression.

Making a "Gingerboy House"

2008-12-17T19:03:00.001-08:00

We made our annual gingerbread house tonight or as Reagan calls it a "gingerboy" house. (They love an episode of Super Why with the gingerboy.) They had a blast and were actually quite good with the self-restraint until Daddy started eating the candy. hehehe... Chase was the most intent on decorating the house of all of the kids. After we finished, Logan said enthusiastically "Mommy! I love it!"

The boys got haircuts today! Yeah!

The finished product!

Logan's Birthday Party - 4 Years Old!

2008-12-16T10:59:00.000-08:00

It was Logan's birthday on the 29th of November. We had a pirate birthday party with a Kung Fu Panda cake. Mixing themes! An attrocity!

In the morning, after breakfast, the kids got a treasure map to find buried treasure. (Eye patches, compasses, glittery necklaces, pirate earrings, etc.) Now they could be proper pirates and they fought the big, bad Daddy Pirate!

On second thought, Blake might not like me posting this.... oh, well....

Then Pirate Logan got to open his presents. He got some great gifts from his aunts and "Gram Gram." THANKS!

Only present picture he was smiling in.

Then we went to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch. No one was there... on a Saturday at 11am.... it was awesome to not have to worry who your kids are getting in the way of, etc. Logan insisted on the eyepatch. Next, cake and naptime and we were done with his birthday by 12:30pm! Not bad. Of course, all the kids did for the next few days is play pirates.

What in the.....

2008-12-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

I leave my bed for a few minutes early in the morning and I come back to find this....

Hey that is MY spot! (That is Blake in the far right trying to ignore what is going on.)

Halloween 2008--FINALLY!

2008-11-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

Well, I know ya'll have been waiting on pins and needles for our pictures from Halloween. We went with the Wizard of Oz theme this year. Chase would growl at everyone and they all loved Trick-or-Treating. Reagan was scared to death at the first house where a possessed clown answered the door... and so begins the nightmare and the years of therapy. She was shaking like a leaf, but after a few houses she recovered. Candy has that way with children, doesn't it?

Carving the Pumpkins

2008-10-30T20:45:00.001-07:00

The kids had a great time carving the pumpkins. Though, Logan didn't want to get "yucky" when we took out the pumpkin seeds. I couldn't believe it... what kid doesn't love to get yucky?!

Logan just got some new Star Wars pajamas that he is in love with. As you can see, he is even wearing them during the day. He never wants to take them off.

The kids were absolutely delighted when Blake started carving faces in the pumpkins. Reagan started literally squealing. "Daddy! Make may pumpkin!" When did she start speaking in complete sentences? Crazy.

The Pumpkin Patch!

2008-10-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

We went back to Apple Annie's (where we went pear picking) to go to the pumpkin patch with the Walkers. They first have an all-you-can-eat pumpkin pancake breakfast. It was awesome! (Then again, I love all things pumpkin.) I think I am going to try to figure out the recipe for Halloween day.

After the pancake breakfast, we went on a tractor-pulled hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin.

On the hunt...

Taking a rest after all that hard work.

What we were doing tonight...

2008-10-30T20:03:00.001-07:00

This is what we were doing tonight... Nice, huh? We made carmel apples for Halloween and the kids had all that sugar-rush energy. We were trying to wear them out and just succeeded in wearing ourselves out. (The Bartholomew Clan will remember doing this ALL THE TIME!) What are ya'll doing tonight?

The Tucson Zoo

2008-10-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

On Thursday (October 23rd), the kids and I went to the Tucson Zoo with the Walkers. They have two boys who are practically the same ages as our kids. Each of their birthdays are off by just a couple of days from our kids and we go practically everywhere with them.

Logan, Merrick and Braxton are playing with the frog water fountain.

Reagan and the boys ate their snack while watching the giraffes.

Reagan always has to have one of these pictures. She is a wonderful pouter!

These were the best pictures I could get since the kids are not at all interested in posing for pictures. They loved the animals and had a great time.

Stake Chili Cook-Off

2008-10-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the Stake Chili Cook-Off. Reagan was the only one to actually eat the chili, but there was a blow-up castle, and homemade donuts (the kids LOVED those), cotton candy, ballon animals and all kinds of activities for the kiddos. They had a blast.

Pear Picking at Apple Annie's

2008-10-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

We went to Apple Annie's, a local U-Pick orchard and we picked asian pears.

They ate the pears right off the tree. It was hard to get them to keep picking and stop eating.

Chase was like this almost the entire time.

Lovin' the Dress Up

2008-10-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

This is the new big thing at our house. Logan, Chase and Reagan are really into dressing up right now. At minimum, they are wearing some kind of hat around the house.

AHH!

Reagan and Chase's 2nd Birthday!!!

2008-10-12T19:54:00.001-07:00

I feel so old saying "How time has flown!" It really is true though. I can't believe they are two-years-old! They were just babies!

Reagan loves her birthday hat and was trying to keep it on all day, but it kept falling off and frustrating her. Even weeks after their birthday she was still asking for her "Bir-day hat."

Reagan and Chase got up and had their birthday breakfast (a waffle with and candle in it). Then we went into the front room to open presents before Blake went to work. (Bristle blocks were a HUGE hit Brenna.)

We went to Peter Piper Pizza that night with some friends to celebrate. Reagan and Chase stayed on the token car and motorcycle pretty much the entire time. They occasionally switched places, but that was as far as it went.

They had an "Over the Hedge" birthday cupcake cake. We had a great time.

Pima Air and Space Museum

2008-10-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

In August we went to the Pima Air and Space Museum. The kids had an absolute blast! They were running everywhere yelling "Airplane!" Airplanes are their favorite things in the world at the moment and they can't get enough of them.

You might notice Logan and Chase got their hair buzzed. We were tired of the emotional trauma (or drama, whichever you prefer) Logan had whenever we cut his hair so we just buzzed it. After we were done, Logan looked in the mirror and started crying saying "I want my hair back!" I told him he could grow more hair and he seemed satisfied with that.

The Pima Air and Space Museum is the second largest air museum in the country. (The largest is in Dayton, Ohio and the third largest is at Hill AFB.)

They had a lot of displays that the kids could climb and play on, which is a relief for us!

There is even a control tower, where the kids can talk to an play airplane close by.

Reagan and her private drama.

This is an old Air Force One used by JFK. Don't they look presidential?

I thought this was funny. Notice the dates it was in service. 1945-2005. Incredible.

The Space Museum portion was dedicated to the space shuttle Challenger and had hands-on learning for the kids.

First Visit to Tuscon

2008-07-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

The kids and I out in the courtyard of the International Wildlife Museum.

In and out of the ferret hole.

We didn't have anything to do yesterday, except sit in our little room all together, so we went to Tuscon to visit a few things on our LONG list. Tuscon is about an hour and ten minutes away, but as soon as we got into the car Logan was asking "Mommy, are we fair (there) yet?". I don't know where he came up with that. Probably all the TV we have been watching lately.

We started at the International Wildlife Museum. The kids had a great time. It was nice going to a museum that Blake and I could enjoy and the kids could touch and experience much of what was on display. The kids ran around, pointing and "oohing" and "aahing". Reagan would point at everything and yell "animal!" and Chase was constantly doing his happy dance (picture Bill Cosby doing a jig and you'd have it about right). I need to get that recorded and put on here. They had a lot of fun.

We get to pet the lion!

It's gonna bite me!

"Look Mommy! ANIMAL!"

This tiger is huge!

At the Tuscon Children's Museum

The next place we went was the Tuscon Children's Museum. That was a big hit too. They had fire engine and a police motorcycle with all the lights and sirens, a dinosaur display, a rain forest climbing area, play doctor, dentist, and kitchen areas. They even had an art studio, the Mars experience, music room and multiple model trains that you could control (a BIG hit with Logan). It was the kids' dream come true. As soon as we left, they we asking when they could go back.

Chase "caught" doing puzzles.

The train models were controlled by buttons. Logan spent over an hour just pushing the buttons.

Evidence of a day well spent.

Tomorrow, we are out of our one room and into a house! I am so happy, you could even say that I am giddy! All our stuff will be delivered on Monday! Yeah! See you soon!

What To See in Arizona

2008-07-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here is what I said I would post for those who are thinking of visiting. We have been pleasantly surprised at the number of things to do around southern Arizona. Here are some links that all of you can check out if planning to visit.

www.visittucson.org

http://www.tucsonazhomes.com/tucsonguide-2a.html

The link to Tombstone: http://www.tombstone.org/index.html?ur.html&1

Bisbee is a pretty artsy community now: http://bisbeearizona.com/content/

The International Wildlife Museum: http://www.thewildlifemuseum.org/

The Pima Air and Space Museum has the Challenger Space Center and tours of the famous "Boneyard" http://www.pimaair.org

This is a often used movie studio that has shows and an interactive western environment http://www.oldtuscon.com

I really want to see this since we didn't go on our vacation down the PCH and see all the missions: http://www.sanxaviermission.org

We definitely are going here too since Arizona has some of the best sky-watching in the world: http://www.noao.edu/kpno/

For the kiddos: http://www.tucsonchildrensmuseum.org/

We have caves, aquatic centers, mine tours and other stuff that I didn't list here, but this is a good start.

Happy Hunting!

Time in the park and watching movies.

2008-07-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

As I have stated before, we spend most of our free time at the local parks. Here is some footage of Reagan and Chase on the swings.

When we aren't in the park, we are stuck in a small room together. Needless to say, we watch a lot of movies. A Bug's Life is the movie of choice at the moment. Reagan even watched it right after getting bitten by a host of red ants. When they are tired after playing hard, we come home, take a bath, get into some pjs and the twins get into our bed and settle themselves down under the covers (completely on their own). It is really funny.

Is this Arizona?

2008-07-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from the observation point/picnic area on base as an afternoon storm was rolling in. Is it what you pictured Arizona to look like? Not me.

This is the housing on Fort Huachuca. Amazing surroundings. Although they do have quite a problem with rattlesnakes and scorpions. (We are not living on base.)

Fort Huachuca is bordered on one side by mountains (what they call mountains, but Utahans know better). We were told it was quite pretty and temperate compared with the rest of Arizona, but we were blown away with how lovely the area really is. Sierra Vista, Tombstone, Bisbee and Fort Huachuca are much greener than expected. There are rolling hills everywhere. This time of year is the rainy season and every night we get spectacular thunderstorms. It is often cloudy and when the clouds cover the sun, the weather is just perfect. We stay out in the parks every morning and evening. Although the bugs are a different story. Reagan has already been attacked by large red ants that have bit her feet and little legs. (She was beside herself for several hours.) You can't seem to avoid all the ants... they are LITERALLY EVERYWHERE! The playgrounds are infested with them.

Here we go...

2008-07-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Blake, Reagan and Chase waiting for the Wild West Show to begin. Logan with the "Marshall."

Well, everyone seems to have a blog/website nowadays, so in interest of not being left out of the loop: here is my very first blog post. Beautiful, isn't it?! We have been in Sierra Vista, AZ now for a week and it has been chalked full. We are staying in a little hotel room: yes, two adults, three toddlers and two dogs in a little hotel room (Motel 6 style). Hey, I guess the pioneers did it, right? We spend most of our time outdoors on the playgrounds around here, to say the least. We will move into our house on Friday and I am counting down the days!

We have already gone to Tombstone and Bisbee. Logan LOVED Tombstone. It was very kid-friendly. With colorful characters placed all over town. We saw a shoot-out at Helldorado and a roping & riding show where Logan learned so roping tricks. We ate at the Crystal Palace (pulled pork sandwiches and sarsaparilla.... mmmmm...). The second floor of the crystal Palace is where Town Marshal Virgil Earp and Sheriff Behan had their offices. We only went to a small portion of what they had and I was surprised at how much they had to do there.

There is also a mine tour, OK Corral reenactments, shows at the Bird Cage Theatre, Boothill Graveyard, and tours by trolley or horse-drawn wagon. By the way, I would've put more pictures of Reagan and Chase in, but they just wanted to sit in their strollers and eat, for the most part, so they didn't do anything exciting.

Bisbee is more of an art community and has galleries and antique shops. They have a mine tour where you go around in actual mine carts (big yellow hat and all). We didn't go on it since Chase and Reagan are still a bit young.

I will be posting websites for people to go to who intend on coming to visit. It will give you a better idea of what there is to do here. See ya'll soon!