Dayne, lately

We often talk about our nightly dreams in the morning. The other morning I asked Dayne how she slept and if she had any dreams the night before. Her reply, "Yes, I did. I dreamt about Barbies. We were all running away from the monster, but I didn't have a car, so I jumped on a dog and took off." I don't know, to me this is HILARIOUS. Dayne comes up with the funniest stuff. However, I don't think she just "came up" with this, because I asked her to re-tell her dream to her dad a few days later and she said the same thing.

And then this morning, while getting her dressed for church, Dayne says to me, "Mom, I can't wait to be a mommy," to which I replied, "Good Dayne. You'll be a very good mama".

Dayne (with a little laugh): "I know. And I'll take them to Old McDonalds EVERY day because you never take us there."

note: (Old McDonalds is MCDONALDS..for those who were wondering.)

I could live in a tent

This first little pic of June was just too funny/cute to not add. And don't you love that she looks just like a little boy from behind (er..her hair, not her BEhind!)? We found her up on the kitchen table like this playing with her "birthday parties" (aka: Polly Pockets). She loves those things. I love that she loves those things. She and Dayne have been quite entertained lately with dolls and dress up and tea parties which makes me so happy. So happy in fact, that I wish Dayne was staying home one more year because she's so pleasant to have around. I know! Can you believe it?! Just a month ago this same girl was driving me coo-coo! And now I can't stand to see her head off to school (all day! yuck!). So sad. I packed up her back pack with all her school supplies and started tearing up. This girl has grown up without me noticing. Can't turn back the clock.















And the rest of these splendid pics are of our camping trip to North Bend Park on Kerr Reservoir. Camping with kids can be such an ordeal, but we're getting better at it each time. I swear, some of these "seasoned" campers might have thought we were crazy (which we will surely attest to) with our ONE tent, no camping chairs, lack of fire wood, and most importantly, three YOUNG children!! We ARE nuts! Oh, it was so great, though. I dropped Geof. and the kids off to run back to the entrance to confirm the site we'd chosen and found them down in the lake swimming with the sun setting behind them (can you see them up in the top pic on the far right?? Geof.'s throwing someone up in the air, I believe)? I couldn't keep a smile off my face. The water was heavenly (I overuse that word, I'm aware). The moment was perfect. We were so glad to be there. And of course our three little fishies (yes, June's swimming all on her own!) couldn't be more pleased. Geof. took great care of us and made sure we were properly sunscreened. He also was calm enough to lay back and read a book (works been crazy busy). Dayne was her creative self, snagging dad's book when she got a chance to "read" to herself. I found her many times walking up and down the beach talking to herself and telling stories. And then she found some pine cones, sticks, rope, nasty plastic garbage bag, sea shells...and some other debris, and built a sand castle. Can I tell you how excited I get when my kids are outside and doing things like this? It's the best thing in the world to me.

Cole stayed in the water most of the time. That's his home. He belongs there and always has. He also experienced the hugest splinter Geof. and I have ever seen get stuck in his foot (can someone edit that last sentence?). It was so sad to watch Cole's face while Geof. calmly tried (and tried, and tried) to pull that thing out. Cole was miserable.

Junie followed me around and got plenty of mom time which is all she ever wants, anyway. And I was able to read some good books that I hope can help me in my quest to enjoy motherhood more.

If only we could live outside..?

To the bestest brother-in-law (in CA) that we know!!

Feliz Cumpeanos a Steve!! Man, you're OLD! (;

Happy 61st, Mama!

For your birthday, we woke up way too early (for summer, at least!), drove downtown, crossed a beautiful and unique walking bridge ontohttp://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/bel.shtml, and ran a one mile race (well, Cole and Dayne did). The weather was nice and breezy (I'll let you take credit for that. Thanks for sending us CA's perfect climate), nothing like the usual 100 degree plus humidity muck that we've been dealing with. I'd say I had more pre race jitters than both kids, but thought for sure that I could sense Dayne's uneasiness. This was her first race! Boy, was I wrong. She was confident in her running, but lost interest probably half way through. Cole was pretty worried about her having wandered off on the trail. Geof. went to look for her after it'd been a while since Cole had finished, and found her walking with another little boy chatting away (typical). When I finally saw her, I cheered and yelled for her to push through to the end and she just laughed and laughed. Geof. had to guide her to the correct ending point where the flags were since she seemed content ending right where I stood. Funny girl.











Cole's definitely more competitive but was tired and irritable this morning. He still did well, though. He was pretty unhappy when Dayne received a 2nd place medal for the 5 and 6 yr. old girls (I think she was one of the 2 running in her age group).

And June, she was her consistently whiny self in these situations; holding her arms up to be held, asking to, "go home" every minute. In the end, the kids took a ride on the zip line that a local river company provided, and then we threw the free frisbees around that Geof. was all too happy to have paid for with race admission. It was a good morning. Have a good day, Mom! Love you.

p.s. These pics were taken with Geof.'s work camera. They're okay, right? For now they'll have to do..

Double Trouble

June and cousin Sawyer take it upon themselves to get their teeth clean. I guess we were too busy to even remember. (;

Food, glorious food!

Making this for dinner tonight: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/03/eggplant-almond-enchiladas-recipe.html YUMMY! We'll see how it turns out.

Update: Geof. ate 3 helpings. Said it was really good. The kids poked around and June liked the corn tortilla. In the end, they opted for Grape-nuts. Ha! And I LOVED it (could have had a bit more sauce, but sooo yummy), especially the roasted almonds.

Forgiveness

Just stole this from another blog. Very real stuff. Good spiritual food that I needed to feed my soul. The atonement is real. We can become like Christ if we allow allow it and desire it. Please watch and share. And tell me your feelings on it. I'm interested.

Rawson's blessing

On the fourth of July, the kids and I headed to my cousin Raquel's ward to see her new baby boy Rawson be blessed. I love being back in the Sacramento area with family. Especially in the summer! It's been forever. My kids adored having so many cousins around, as did I. (:

Carmel

Our last leg of the trip was to Geof.'s sister Brooke's home in Carmel (by the sea..just had to say it). Oh my..was it incredible. Wish we'd had more time to spend here because it was beyond words. Brooke's husband Mike is in the army so they've lived all over and we've never once been able to stay in their home. So this was such a treat. When we pulled up to their home we couldn't believe we actually KNEW someone that lived here. It was foggy and the streets were windy and narrow and the homes were all breathtaking (or at least their view was).

Sweet Brooke has it all together (or she's great at faking it). Their home has so much style yet it looks like it was put together effortlessly..It's totally cool and eclectic and I LOVE IT! There was so much LIGHT which is something I'm really missing in our home now. I really was so happy there (aren't you always happy on vacation? Especially if there's a beach nearby?). And Brooke's kids? So wonderful! Sadie's eight and recently baptized and is such a good kid! She kept all three of my kids happy and entertained. And there really wasn't any fighting or arguing, which made us adults so happy! Janie's the oldest (almost 14) and rocks. Literally. She's so spiritual and mature. I sat in Young Womens with her and Brooke and was so impressed. I WAS NOT LIKE THAT at all. Ellynn is their third child. She's 6. So sweet and also so gorgeous. She's also severely autistic, and Brooke and Mike (and their other children) do so well with her. Their home has a peace and calm to it that I envy (yes, ENVY). And Sawyer. Cute little Sawyer who's younger and taller than June and precious. Really, there's not a mean bone in that family. All very kind people. Wish we'd spent more time with Mike, but we'll just have to visit them again. Thank you for the wonderful trip to the beach, Dennis the Menace Park, yummy food and a comfortable home. We love you guys!