Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Something...
... old...
My Halloween displays change yearly except for my oldest still-life, the witch's table. It is my favorite decoration. I added a few things this year like a new spell book and a gazing ball.
Something new...
Photocopied pictures from my father's anatomy book onto velum paper then placed inside various glass containers. You should see it all lit up with candles. Very eerie and FREE!
Something borrowed...
I borrowed this idea from an old Halloween magazine I saved from my college days. I have been dying to make this pumpkin display but knew that folding a 400+ page book would be tedious. Thank you to Morgan for folding pages for hours to help me realize a Halloween fantasy!
Something orange?
Yes, I actually painted my door orange for Halloween. We love it! Even Josh! The color? Jack-o-lantern orange. I love it with my feather wreath, thank you Target.
Can't wait for next year and the exciting new additions I purchased today, 75% off!
My Halloween displays change yearly except for my oldest still-life, the witch's table. It is my favorite decoration. I added a few things this year like a new spell book and a gazing ball.
Something new...
Photocopied pictures from my father's anatomy book onto velum paper then placed inside various glass containers. You should see it all lit up with candles. Very eerie and FREE!
Something borrowed...
I borrowed this idea from an old Halloween magazine I saved from my college days. I have been dying to make this pumpkin display but knew that folding a 400+ page book would be tedious. Thank you to Morgan for folding pages for hours to help me realize a Halloween fantasy!
Something orange?
Yes, I actually painted my door orange for Halloween. We love it! Even Josh! The color? Jack-o-lantern orange. I love it with my feather wreath, thank you Target.
Can't wait for next year and the exciting new additions I purchased today, 75% off!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
da da da da da da da da...
...BATMAN!
The caped crusaders were out in force. These are NOT their Halloween costumes this year. This is just a typical day in our household. I have friends with little girls who say "at least boys don't change their clothes 10 times a day." I beg to differ. They might not put on 10 new outfits but they do put on 10 costumes. I encourage this sort of creative play, doesn't involve me!
The caped crusaders were out in force. These are NOT their Halloween costumes this year. This is just a typical day in our household. I have friends with little girls who say "at least boys don't change their clothes 10 times a day." I beg to differ. They might not put on 10 new outfits but they do put on 10 costumes. I encourage this sort of creative play, doesn't involve me!
Monday, October 26, 2009
It's the most...
... wonderful time of the year!
Hence, no time for blogging. Therefore, I will cram a month's worth of blog posts in one week. Behold the sites and sounds of my favorite season!
"Finn, you may not be outside without your hat and shoes on. Go get your hat and shoes on now!"
Hey, I never specified which shoes and witch hat (ha ha ha). Such a good listener.
Hence, no time for blogging. Therefore, I will cram a month's worth of blog posts in one week. Behold the sites and sounds of my favorite season!
"Finn, you may not be outside without your hat and shoes on. Go get your hat and shoes on now!"
Hey, I never specified which shoes and witch hat (ha ha ha). Such a good listener.
Monday, September 21, 2009
I have no self control...
... I was keeping these puppies a secret till Christmas. I was hoping to give them as gifts to our family, of course at the top of everyone's wish list is a photograph of our family ;)! However, I can't keep them a secret any longer. Our best friend in the whole world, Damon, once again took brilliant photographs of our family. He took them in July so I have been sitting on them for a couple of months. Today, Damon put together a short video advertisement using our portraits for his business, Fairchild Photography.
Here is the link for the video. I am sorry, that's all you get. I don't want my grandma to be able to copy and print the potraits, sorry Red. But I DO want you to be able to see the talents and gifts of a person who is so special to us! All we need now is for him to move the biz to Denver!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nybH88f0ZnU
Here is the link for the video. I am sorry, that's all you get. I don't want my grandma to be able to copy and print the potraits, sorry Red. But I DO want you to be able to see the talents and gifts of a person who is so special to us! All we need now is for him to move the biz to Denver!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nybH88f0ZnU
Friday, September 4, 2009
But Peter, who was very naughty...
...ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's garden, and squeezed under the gate! First he ate some lettuces and some French beans; and then he ate some TOMATOES... (Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit).
Actually he ate some radishes but my garden pest is mutilating my tomatoes.
My "Patio Princess" has a bunch of ripe, half-eaten cherry tomatoes still hanging on the vine. What kind of culprit goes to the trouble of getting into the pot but doesn't eat the whole tomato?
This kind of culprit.
How did I not notice my 10-month-old eating oodles of my tomatoes straight off the vine? I guess I am "that" kind of mother!
I should probably take his jacket, the one with big brass buttons, and his tiny shoes and make a scarecrow to stave off future garden heists!
Actually he ate some radishes but my garden pest is mutilating my tomatoes.
My "Patio Princess" has a bunch of ripe, half-eaten cherry tomatoes still hanging on the vine. What kind of culprit goes to the trouble of getting into the pot but doesn't eat the whole tomato?
This kind of culprit.
How did I not notice my 10-month-old eating oodles of my tomatoes straight off the vine? I guess I am "that" kind of mother!
I should probably take his jacket, the one with big brass buttons, and his tiny shoes and make a scarecrow to stave off future garden heists!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Where did summer go...
... and can it please come back?
Do you remember when you were a kid and you would race down the streets on your bike? You'd fly through the summer air and pray for it to never end! Today I watched my boys take flight. It was a wonderful thing to behold. It was even better when Cole discovered that his bike flipped over and became his own factory. I delighted in his creativity and giggled inside because I used to do the same thing. My bike became a chocolate or peanut butter factory. I would turn the pedals and the wheels would turn like cogs in a machine. Cole was much healthier than I was at that age because his factory was a milk factory.
Thank you summer for such great memories!
Do you remember when you were a kid and you would race down the streets on your bike? You'd fly through the summer air and pray for it to never end! Today I watched my boys take flight. It was a wonderful thing to behold. It was even better when Cole discovered that his bike flipped over and became his own factory. I delighted in his creativity and giggled inside because I used to do the same thing. My bike became a chocolate or peanut butter factory. I would turn the pedals and the wheels would turn like cogs in a machine. Cole was much healthier than I was at that age because his factory was a milk factory.
Thank you summer for such great memories!
Monday, August 24, 2009
The fruits of my labor...
... are delicious. Behold my favorite salad, caprese, made from tomatoes and basil straight from my garden. Thank you, thank you (me bowing). No, I did not milk a cow for my mozzarella. Nonetheless it was heavenly.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dear any caregiver...
...contemplating a cross-country car ride with small children. I just wanted to share a few activities that proved to be hits during our two week road trip.
BUBBLES:
I bought bubbles at the dollar store with the intention of using them at rest stops. Instead I used the car's air conditioning to blow bubbles every hour on the hour. It gave the kids something to look forward to. HILARIOUS to watch how excited they got about the bubbles.
LAP DESKS:
I looked everywhere for lap desks but refused to pay $20 a piece for them. Found cookie sheets at the $1 Store (I LOVE THE $1 STORE). They worked perfectly. Finn loves to thread/string things. The lip of the cookie sheet was nice because it corraled the little beads. I brought Cole magnetic letters and numbers and he worked out math and spelling problems on his cookie sheet.
TOM TOM:
Yes, it is a luxury to have a GPS (Thank you Isabel for buying Josh one for his 30th!) I don't know how people traveled before. So convenient to be able to look up gas stations, restaurants and parks along our route. We tried to stop and eat at parks so the kids could play instead of being trapped inside a restaurant.
PRESENTS:
I wrapped some new things from the $1 Store for the boys. It made it more exciting for them to be able to unwrap their activities. I spent a grand total of $23 dollars at the $1 Store. Money well spent for 40 hours of relative peace and quiet on the road.
LISA LUTZ:
A good book is a must on the road. I can't read in the car but I CAN read at the gas station, restaurant, park and hotel. Vacations are not vacations without a ton of reading. "The Spellman Files" are laugh-out-loud funny. Dark comedy. I love the series (Thank you Elizabeth for the recommendation).
BUBBLES:
I bought bubbles at the dollar store with the intention of using them at rest stops. Instead I used the car's air conditioning to blow bubbles every hour on the hour. It gave the kids something to look forward to. HILARIOUS to watch how excited they got about the bubbles.
LAP DESKS:
I looked everywhere for lap desks but refused to pay $20 a piece for them. Found cookie sheets at the $1 Store (I LOVE THE $1 STORE). They worked perfectly. Finn loves to thread/string things. The lip of the cookie sheet was nice because it corraled the little beads. I brought Cole magnetic letters and numbers and he worked out math and spelling problems on his cookie sheet.
TOM TOM:
Yes, it is a luxury to have a GPS (Thank you Isabel for buying Josh one for his 30th!) I don't know how people traveled before. So convenient to be able to look up gas stations, restaurants and parks along our route. We tried to stop and eat at parks so the kids could play instead of being trapped inside a restaurant.
PRESENTS:
I wrapped some new things from the $1 Store for the boys. It made it more exciting for them to be able to unwrap their activities. I spent a grand total of $23 dollars at the $1 Store. Money well spent for 40 hours of relative peace and quiet on the road.
LISA LUTZ:
A good book is a must on the road. I can't read in the car but I CAN read at the gas station, restaurant, park and hotel. Vacations are not vacations without a ton of reading. "The Spellman Files" are laugh-out-loud funny. Dark comedy. I love the series (Thank you Elizabeth for the recommendation).
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Dear Anguiano family...
... well, you let us down. MISERABLY. But I will get to that.
Friday night we drove from Seattle back to the Tri-Cities for one last goodbye. We knew we had the short leg of our trip, 6 hours, on Saturday so we spent a leisurely morning eating left over Mongolian and checking out the Reil farm (Libbie's parents farm.) The kids loved the sheep and chickens. They got to hold some of Maddie's bunnies and take a peek at the new kittens.
The best part of the visit was walking through the orchard. I have never picked a peach off the tree and eaten it where I stood, peach juice dripping down my forearms. The Reil's are growing plums, peaches, apples and pears. How wonderful to have fresh fruit in your backyard! I stood in this beautiful orchard gulping in warm fruit-filled air and felt so blessed by Heavenly Father and his creations.
We loaded back into the car with full bellies and Josh opened the sun roof. It was literally the perfect summer day, until Josh went to close the sun roof... and it wouldn't budge. We tried everything. We took it to the dealership they wanted a week to fix it. We sat on the phone with our dealership trying to find the manual crank only to learn the new models don't have a manual crank. So, we were facing an 18 hour drive with a gaping hole in the roof.
That's where you Anguianos came in. We expected you to watch over us and fulfill your purpose. You worked just fine through Oregon where the speed limit was 65 (Did I mention I now hate Oregon, a story for another time) but as soon as we hit Idaho and opened her up to 80... you couldn't handle the pressure. The result? We still ended up doing 14 hours roofless.
Anguiano's discarded family portrait which Josh cut to fit in the exposed sun roof. See picture below for Anguianos in action.
Josh "MacGyver" Saunders engineered the roof with portrait and cut up pool noodle to keep the draft out. It worked beautifully for a time. I blame the Anguianos!
Friday night we drove from Seattle back to the Tri-Cities for one last goodbye. We knew we had the short leg of our trip, 6 hours, on Saturday so we spent a leisurely morning eating left over Mongolian and checking out the Reil farm (Libbie's parents farm.) The kids loved the sheep and chickens. They got to hold some of Maddie's bunnies and take a peek at the new kittens.
The best part of the visit was walking through the orchard. I have never picked a peach off the tree and eaten it where I stood, peach juice dripping down my forearms. The Reil's are growing plums, peaches, apples and pears. How wonderful to have fresh fruit in your backyard! I stood in this beautiful orchard gulping in warm fruit-filled air and felt so blessed by Heavenly Father and his creations.
We loaded back into the car with full bellies and Josh opened the sun roof. It was literally the perfect summer day, until Josh went to close the sun roof... and it wouldn't budge. We tried everything. We took it to the dealership they wanted a week to fix it. We sat on the phone with our dealership trying to find the manual crank only to learn the new models don't have a manual crank. So, we were facing an 18 hour drive with a gaping hole in the roof.
That's where you Anguianos came in. We expected you to watch over us and fulfill your purpose. You worked just fine through Oregon where the speed limit was 65 (Did I mention I now hate Oregon, a story for another time) but as soon as we hit Idaho and opened her up to 80... you couldn't handle the pressure. The result? We still ended up doing 14 hours roofless.
Anguiano's discarded family portrait which Josh cut to fit in the exposed sun roof. See picture below for Anguianos in action.
Josh "MacGyver" Saunders engineered the roof with portrait and cut up pool noodle to keep the draft out. It worked beautifully for a time. I blame the Anguianos!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Dear Red-Hair Grandma...
... I always know that I am getting close to home when I start seeing billboards for Little America. Do you remember the place?
When I saw the first sign about 100 miles from Rock Springs, a little breath caught in my throat. I remembered when you and grandpa picked us up in Denver and took us to the cabin in Montpelier. You had an inspired idea, you wrote down the names of all the cities we would have to pass before we got to the cabin and you had us cross them off as we came to them. Cheyenne, Larimie, Rawlins, etc. GENIUS! I am sure it saved you a couple earfuls of "are we there yet?" We stopped in Little America, tradition I suppose. No more 33 cent ice cream cones, they are 50 cents now.
The kids thought the extra 17 cents was worth it...
...so did I!
Not the most beautiful drive. Though some of the expanse is filled with giant wind turbine farms. There is something so graceful yet violent about those monster pin wheels whirling in the wind.
Wish the boys could have seen the cabin. I have some great memories there. I am excited though about them making some of their own memories at the ranch. We miss you and thought of you today as we continued our trip!
When I saw the first sign about 100 miles from Rock Springs, a little breath caught in my throat. I remembered when you and grandpa picked us up in Denver and took us to the cabin in Montpelier. You had an inspired idea, you wrote down the names of all the cities we would have to pass before we got to the cabin and you had us cross them off as we came to them. Cheyenne, Larimie, Rawlins, etc. GENIUS! I am sure it saved you a couple earfuls of "are we there yet?" We stopped in Little America, tradition I suppose. No more 33 cent ice cream cones, they are 50 cents now.
The kids thought the extra 17 cents was worth it...
...so did I!
Not the most beautiful drive. Though some of the expanse is filled with giant wind turbine farms. There is something so graceful yet violent about those monster pin wheels whirling in the wind.
Wish the boys could have seen the cabin. I have some great memories there. I am excited though about them making some of their own memories at the ranch. We miss you and thought of you today as we continued our trip!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Dear Elisha...
... took a trip down memory lane today. We visited the old stompin' grounds in Bellevue. Drove by our old condo and the previous Barry residence. You can't see the roof of your old place, it's covered in pine needles. They need some gorgeous thong-clad gutter cleaner to come do the roofs. Ahhh the memories. I took the boys to that great park around the corner from your house. It was one of my favorite parks because of the walking trails and green grass. The grass is not so green right now, the heatwave has scorched everyone's yards so there are just rows of houses with lush green trees and brown parched lawns.
Took the boys to Kidd Valley. You introduced us to Kidd Valley, should I be grateful? I don't know, because I regularly crave their garlic fries and "Secret Hand Shakes" and while my stomach is grateful my hips are not. Oh well! Love it anyway! Kids loved it too, they now have sweet potato fries at Kidd Valley, so they are a little healthier.
It was a fun trip but it was missing something...YOU! You really made Seattle bearable for me. I miss your warmth and sense of humor and I miss your wonderful example which drove me to be a better wife and mother. I miss sneaking hot cocoa into movies in my purse and I miss having a friend who'd stay up late to howl at the moon with me. I hope once baby #4 is born that we might plan a trip up to see you. Hope you enjoy the summer. We start the long haul back to Denver tomorrow. Have fun in Alaska.
Took the boys to Kidd Valley. You introduced us to Kidd Valley, should I be grateful? I don't know, because I regularly crave their garlic fries and "Secret Hand Shakes" and while my stomach is grateful my hips are not. Oh well! Love it anyway! Kids loved it too, they now have sweet potato fries at Kidd Valley, so they are a little healthier.
It was a fun trip but it was missing something...YOU! You really made Seattle bearable for me. I miss your warmth and sense of humor and I miss your wonderful example which drove me to be a better wife and mother. I miss sneaking hot cocoa into movies in my purse and I miss having a friend who'd stay up late to howl at the moon with me. I hope once baby #4 is born that we might plan a trip up to see you. Hope you enjoy the summer. We start the long haul back to Denver tomorrow. Have fun in Alaska.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Dear Laena...
... wish you were here.
Eating farm fresh raspberries right out of the flat. The color and the sun literally burst in your mouth with each juicy bite.
And what would a trip to Pike Place Market be without a dozen mini doughnuts straight from the fryer?
Seattle is having a record-setting heat wave, thank goodness we have a hotel where we can blast the air conditioner. Though nothing beats the natural air conditioning of the salty ocean breeze right off the sound. I have missed the green, the lushness, the freshness of Seattle. I have NOT missed the traffic. There is traffic everywhere, caused by a single source... can you guess what the source is? I can't tell you but you should know me well enough... remind me again how many times a stereotype has to come true before it's a fact?
Eating farm fresh raspberries right out of the flat. The color and the sun literally burst in your mouth with each juicy bite.
And what would a trip to Pike Place Market be without a dozen mini doughnuts straight from the fryer?
Seattle is having a record-setting heat wave, thank goodness we have a hotel where we can blast the air conditioner. Though nothing beats the natural air conditioning of the salty ocean breeze right off the sound. I have missed the green, the lushness, the freshness of Seattle. I have NOT missed the traffic. There is traffic everywhere, caused by a single source... can you guess what the source is? I can't tell you but you should know me well enough... remind me again how many times a stereotype has to come true before it's a fact?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Dear Ryan ...
Do you know how much I love you? Enough to have now seen your latest flick four times! That's right, four times! Mind you it was no skin off my teeth to see your naked goodness once again. But really, for a so-so movie, four times seems excessive.
Luckily, the fourth trip was FREE!! The whole night was wonderful and FREE! Thanks to our best buds we enjoyed a kid-FREE night of complimentary dining...
Olive Garden with Libbie
...and an exclusive FREE showing of "The Proposal." Thanks to Mamie for getting us a theatre all to ourselves. The movie was only elevated by our personal commentary and Brett's delightful symphony of sounds.
(Josh, Damon, Libbie,Tsveti, Tyson, Scott, Meghan, Brett, not pictured Mamie and Bekie)
It was a great night! Another one for the Saunders/Faichild's annals.
Luckily, the fourth trip was FREE!! The whole night was wonderful and FREE! Thanks to our best buds we enjoyed a kid-FREE night of complimentary dining...
Olive Garden with Libbie
...and an exclusive FREE showing of "The Proposal." Thanks to Mamie for getting us a theatre all to ourselves. The movie was only elevated by our personal commentary and Brett's delightful symphony of sounds.
(Josh, Damon, Libbie,Tsveti, Tyson, Scott, Meghan, Brett, not pictured Mamie and Bekie)
It was a great night! Another one for the Saunders/Faichild's annals.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Dear Mom...
... thought you would most appreciate your little girl exercising her 2nd Amendment rights.
Now, more than ever, I want a gun. I desire the ability to defend my family. Plus, Josh says I am a pretty good shot.
Yes, I still look hot working the ear and eye protection
Yes, that's a ball of fire that Josh actually caught on film the moment the bullet expolded from the barrel of the gun! Insane!
Now, more than ever, I want a gun. I desire the ability to defend my family. Plus, Josh says I am a pretty good shot.
Yes, I still look hot working the ear and eye protection
Yes, that's a ball of fire that Josh actually caught on film the moment the bullet expolded from the barrel of the gun! Insane!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Dear Future...
... we are really enjoying our road trip to Seattle. But will you do me a favor, could you please slow down? Stop coming at me and just let me live in the now! This trip has provided so many great memories which I will keep forever. But it is also giving me glimpses into the future... a future I am just not ready for. As we drove into Couer d'Alene tonight, the sun was setting in front of us, casting a warm pink glow on the lake and trees. In the failing light I glanced back at Cole and saw two little feet propped up on the seat.
In that moment I saw a flash of Cole as a teenager, all legs and giant feet (like his daddy). My heart turned over in my chest and my head reeled. I don't want these moments to end. So, please, take a vacation future.
In that moment I saw a flash of Cole as a teenager, all legs and giant feet (like his daddy). My heart turned over in my chest and my head reeled. I don't want these moments to end. So, please, take a vacation future.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Virtual postcards...
Dear TomTom-
Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestion about the park today. We were definitely weary travelers and it felt great to get out and stretch our legs someplace other than a truck stop. The kids appreciated having a picnic at the park in Bozeman and I appreciated your ability to get us there without arguement or attitude. You are priceless to me.
P.S. Your British accent is sooooo sexy!
Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestion about the park today. We were definitely weary travelers and it felt great to get out and stretch our legs someplace other than a truck stop. The kids appreciated having a picnic at the park in Bozeman and I appreciated your ability to get us there without arguement or attitude. You are priceless to me.
P.S. Your British accent is sooooo sexy!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
What the world really needs is more love...
... less paper work. (Pearl Bailey)
It's true. One week of kindergarten and Cole has brought home at least 5 pieces of paper a day. I am coming to the realization that I get as much homework as Cole does! Forms and more forms to fill out.
How long to you save their papers? We have total meltdowns if Cole finds one of his papers in the trash. Since Cole started preschool I have been taking pictures of his best works of art. My intent is to have a book made of his art collection. But what do I do with the handwriting practice sheets and math problems? Am I an ice queen if I just want to purge them immediately? I can't stand the clutter.
What do you think of saving his work in a binder so that at the end of the year he can see how far he has come? Then I can throw it away and start a fresh one for first grade!
It's true. One week of kindergarten and Cole has brought home at least 5 pieces of paper a day. I am coming to the realization that I get as much homework as Cole does! Forms and more forms to fill out.
How long to you save their papers? We have total meltdowns if Cole finds one of his papers in the trash. Since Cole started preschool I have been taking pictures of his best works of art. My intent is to have a book made of his art collection. But what do I do with the handwriting practice sheets and math problems? Am I an ice queen if I just want to purge them immediately? I can't stand the clutter.
What do you think of saving his work in a binder so that at the end of the year he can see how far he has come? Then I can throw it away and start a fresh one for first grade!
Monday, July 13, 2009
And the winner is...
...The Epilogues
(Nate is the one in the hat)
My brother's band won Denver's Westword Magazine's best modern rock band. It's a pretty big deal!! They weren't favored to win. In fact, the band had a show scheduled in New Mexico but decided at the last minute to support their favorite local bands at the award show. So it came as a pretty big shock when they were announced as the winners of their category. This comes just days after a killer show at The Big Gig at Fiddler's Green.
I am pretty proud of my baby brother! It has been cool to watch their music evolve and to see them receive the validation and recognition they deserve. They work hard, they not only compose great music and lyrics but they do their own promotion, publicity and even make their own merch.
They truly put the "rad" in Colorado. (They copyrighted that slogan so don't even think about stealing it!) Congratulations boys! Can't wait to see where your music takes you!
http://www.myspace.com/epiloguemusic
(Nate is the one in the hat)
My brother's band won Denver's Westword Magazine's best modern rock band. It's a pretty big deal!! They weren't favored to win. In fact, the band had a show scheduled in New Mexico but decided at the last minute to support their favorite local bands at the award show. So it came as a pretty big shock when they were announced as the winners of their category. This comes just days after a killer show at The Big Gig at Fiddler's Green.
I am pretty proud of my baby brother! It has been cool to watch their music evolve and to see them receive the validation and recognition they deserve. They work hard, they not only compose great music and lyrics but they do their own promotion, publicity and even make their own merch.
They truly put the "rad" in Colorado. (They copyrighted that slogan so don't even think about stealing it!) Congratulations boys! Can't wait to see where your music takes you!
http://www.myspace.com/epiloguemusic
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