Up Up and Away

Happy Leap Year!







Missing my computer desperately. New Logicboard didn't fix it. The genius guys are still trying to figure it out. So I finally installed the camera software to the old PC so I could look at some photos. What a pain. Love the mac...when it isn't in the shop!

San Francisco Weekend

San Francisco Weekend



My sister's family came for the three day weekend so some big fun in the big city. We headed into San Francisco on the train first thing in the morning. I am pretty sure this might have been the funnest part of the day for the kids. Little Aidan kept saying "choo choo" and looking delighted. When we arrived we walked a couple of blocks to catch a trolley up to the "little disneyland" part of San Francisco, Pier 39.



We checked out the place and some shops and then got some lunch overlooking the water.



Then we went to the Aquarium of the Bay and checked out a bunch of cool sea creatures. We got to see tons of fish and plants, touch sea stars, rays, urchins and even sharks. Then all the kids made sea creature crafts.



To finish the day off well, we walked over to Ghirardelli square to get some ice cream treats...I was freezing of course, so it was hot cocoa for me.

Do you need a Valentine?

Option #1



Option #2



Option #3



We had a lot of fun making these Valentines cards for Maren and Neve's classes at school. We tried hard to get the photo just right so that it really looks like they are holding the big candy sucker. Turned out cute.



We hope you have a Happy Valentines Day!

Bed Head

Kiera had the best bed head yesterday. How this happens I do not know. I think there are tiny creatures that live in her bed, who really know how to party. Clay's thinks she sleeps outside, like some tiny homeless fairy.

Daddy Daughter Dance

So Clay took the girls to the fancy dance on Friday night. The girls loved getting fancied up and having a special night with dad, and a bunch of their friends.











Kiera cried for 15 minutes after they all left, only stopping after I told her we were going to get a milkshake at In-n-out. The dad's and daughter's went out for pizza on their way to the ball, but Clay's car wouldn't start when they came out of Roundtable. "Uh-oh," the girls cried, "our carriage can't take us to the ball!" So they walked (a very short distance) over to the dance.



At the dance they had fun with crafts, face painting, making valentines and shaking their booty! This will definitely be an annual event.

Primary Sharing Time

So my class at church is in charge of the lesson in a couple of weeks, so we decided to make a movie to help teach our lesson. This is the first of three stories we are doing. Be looking for the story of Samuel the Lamanite when I get finished editing.

New Camera

So, we finally got ourselves our Christmas present. We debated for so long about which camera to buy, that we missed the Christmas cutoff, so then we were in no hurry. We ended up with the Canon xti. We have only had it a week or so, most of that time with our mac at the mac doctor...that is a whole other story. So we finally were able to upload some of the new images. We are still trying to get a feel for it, but so far so good.

More birthday cake for moi:



Thanks Clay and Rach!



The big girls at cheerleading practice...egad!



Kiera fingerpainting


figuring out exposures...that's my baby.

Happy Birthday

My sister-in-law Sarah and I have birthdays on back to back days, and have never before lived in the same state, so we decided to throw ourselves a joint birthday party this year. First we grilled up some pizzas, (it stopped raining just for the party) and then played wii all afternoon.














Thanks, Josh, for selecting such a lovely and delicious cake. Also, thank you for forgetting the rest of it in our fridge. Clay and I just had another slice. Mmmmmm.

Jacob comes for a visit

We spent the weekend hanging out with my brother Jacob, who was visiting California to interview for his residency. We haven't seen his family in a while, and had a chance to meet their new baby. He is adorable as you can see. As is his older sister!




We got to host them for a day, so we went up to the hills above Berkeley to Tilden Park for a little hike and train ride.



All five of us on the tiny train car.



After the park we headed off to see the grandparents. We had a lot of fun with them and the cousins. On Monday we went to the Sierra's for some snow fun. We rocked it.



A six minute movie for your viewing pleasure.

Please watch carefully at the end of the movie for some awesome slow motion action of Papa. Ouch!  We hope you are recovering fully!

"First" lost tooth

So, a couple of days ago, Neve lost another tooth (the third one).  Her first two teeth were lost in a sort of violent way involving a bit of youthful exuberance and a bicycle.  Please see below. Click to view larger.

So now, a few months later, Neve finally had a tooth that she started to wiggle, and twist, and get ready to come out the natural way...no caesarian here.  She did her tooth wiggling exercises until I had to (read: the thing was hanging by a thread and flirting with her lips) help it out just that last little bit.

Our little  Neve is growing up!

Now if only that tooth on top would grow in sometime. Sometime in '09 I suppose.