OMSI with friends

We jumped at the chance to go to OMSI with friends. This cool museum is so fun, but it's always helpful to have another set of eyes on the scattered kids. The girls are funny because they clearly remember the gift shop and the binoculars we got there last time. Once we got inside they remembered all the previous exhibits and events we saw. Oh, to have such a good memory! They enjoyed running around and checking things out. James clearly did NOT want to be contained in the stroller this time.

James enjoyed the rotating chain and the feeling of it on his fingers. He would do his high-pitched scream when he was excited... which was often.

Sand. Always a favorite... they could play in it for hours probably. Then play doh and arts & crafts. Seoul really liked the magnetic shapes to make her own pattern. Sydney did enjoy the science exhibits. From the various science-y things we have done over time, she really shows an aptitude for understanding the logic and science behind the experiments. (This must be from Kelley's side of the family - ha!)

The kids had a lot of fun! I'm glad we were able to go and have fun with friends.

Sydney is 5, oh my!

Our lively Syd-Syd is a whopping 5 years old! She has been looking forward to this for so long, of course. She said she doesn't feel any older or bigger, but she feels happier. When she chooses to be she is extremely loving and helpful, but she has learned to assert herself and emphatically declare, "NO!" when asked to do something. Discipline is always a work in progress with her since everything boils down to her choosing and the mindset she is in. Her enthusiasm for everything {she likes} is contagious! As they say, strong-willed children become great leaders, right? We love her to pieces!

 

Of course our tradition of breakfast donuts and chocolate milk continues. I failed and forgot the birthday banner, which was pointed out to me numerous times.

She chose Red Robin for dinner. Just for the sundae of course. She is very good about sharing her treat with the sibs.

Her friend, Natalie, brought some yummy cupcakes so I was off the hook making a cake this day.

She is beautiful, exuberant, loving, and so very willing to share. She loves being in preschool (both co-op and Lilly's Pad Learning). Her enthusiasm to learn and grow is fantastic. She has even started reading words and doing math. She took on the challenge of learning to ride her bike without training wheels this past fall and accomplished it with minimal injuries. She loves ballet/dancing and dressing up. She also loves soccer and t-ball and motion. I'm pretty sure this silly kid doesn't realize she is constantly moving and making noise of some sort. Her smile lights up the room and her laughter is contagious. Happy birthday to our sweet Sydney and may this coming year be filled with even more fun.

Snow!! {for real}

The first Sunday of the year was a snow day!! Total surprise to wake up to white... not a lot, but enough to make some hearts happy. Yesterday {Saturday} Seoul asked if we could go up to the mountain tomorrow to play in snow.When we awoke to snow, she exclaimed, "My wish came true!!"

We had Sacrament Meeting only, then the rest of the meetings were cancelled. The girls were in heaven that they could go play in the snow! We bundled up and spent a good couple hours outside running around, making snowmen, playing with our friends and their sled, and of course a little light saber action. Great memories made!

Oh, Kelley and his silly expressions!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This year Sydney is in the CTR 4 class with Sister Langford and Sister Knowlden as teachers. She is pretty excited to change where she sits in primary. Haha - the little things :) In January she has already been asked to give the opening prayer... which she didn't do. At least she stood up there with me while I did it. She is surprisingly shy about many things. At the primary luncheon to get to know the teachers, they handed out spotlight sheets to be filled out to eventually use to get to know them in Primary. Here is Sydney's (with dad's help filling it out)...

Seoul is in now the CTR 6 class with Sister Rice (me!) as her teacher. She is very excited that I moved up with her class. She gave a talk with the theme "Feast Upon the Words of Christ" and she wrote it and gave it by herself. I stood with her and held pictures, and of course prompted her to finish reading it a couple times. We are so pleased with her for being brave! Here is her spotlight sheet, which she did all on her own.

Sierra is in nursery for another year, but she is loving it! The Klein's are fantastic and much loved. We love hearing her sing primary songs and nursery rhymes, and she always says, "I learned it in Primary!" Her favorites are "I Love to See the Temple," "I am a Child of God," and the ABC's.

James goes into nursery at 18 months old... which is in March. Ack! Where did the time go?! I'm sure he will love it. He's a busy kid but does pretty well sitting through church.

As mentioned, I am a teacher in primary. It's fun, and I enjoy being with the kids. I love hearing them sing the primary songs.

Kelley is Elders Quorum secretary, and he enjoys getting to know people and helping out where he can.

We are very grateful for the gospel in our lives, and the things we learn. I believe we all have a testimony of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. I look forward to becoming closer to Christ through our faith and actions this year.

Happy New Year!

The years go by so quickly! Time to start another one, and I have no doubt it will fly by with all kinds of excitement and adventures.

A little game of Pie Face with Grandma to kick off the new year. She was a good sport. Seoul is scared of it.

 

New years day we went to see the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks. The kids giggled through quite a bit of it. I love spending time with my family, and it was a great start to the rest of the year.

November 18, 2015

Today is one of those days I feel tired. Sierra is in the habit of waking every night for some reason. Last night I found her like this... sleeping on my bedside table. I should be doing many things today but instead I've played on the stairs with my boy, played on the floor with my girls, read requested stories, and chatted with Sydney about random things that pop into her crazy little mind.

Someone I know started a blog. I got teary-eyed as she wrote of her baby's health issues. It inspired me to open this blog, and then I got discouraged that I'm so stinking far behind. Then I looked at the wonderful picture at the top of my awesome family. That image never fails to make me smile. It was taken almost exactly one year ago. James was new. The girls are smiling. Those little people are the reason {I claim} the blog and my journal are so far behind. Life will go on and we will remember what we can. What's important is to live in the moment and enjoy what is right in front of me. 

Yesterday I held an adorable little newborn - 8-weeks-old. We are now out of that phase, and it passed far too quickly. James is almost 14 months old. I am sad that he isn't even alive on the blog, and I haven't done monthly updates. I am so in love with him. He is snuggly and loving and smart and funny.

In just a few minutes we will go get Seoul from school. Things will get louder and busier. The playroom hasn't been cleaned, so today may or may not be chalked up to a "fail" but that's life. Just slow down and enjoy the moments, I suppose.  It goes by so quickly.

Rosse Posse Acres

My friend, Adrienne, knows about all kinds of neat places to check out. I never would have thought of going to an elk farm... especially in this area! She had a deal to go to Rosse Posse Acres in Molalla one day. So random and fun, and I thought it was pretty cool. Elk are such majestic animals! First was a talk about the history of the farm as well as facts about elk. I thought it was rather interesting. The kids really enjoyed the petting zoo at the end, especially "chasing" the baby goats.

[I borrowed a few of Adrienne's pictures - thanks!]

running time 1:28

{June 2014}

June 2014

Oh, how I love looking at old pictures. Sierra wasn't walking yet. The big girls look so little. Big changes this month!

Highlights:

• Father's Day - Kelley got his first official school project as a gift! May there be many more to come.
• Move to new house - we outgrew our 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house... so on to bigger and better! 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, double the square footage. We loved the old place. We love the new place!
• Family fun - various activities together! Park, DQ, home, library, swimming, friends, daddy-daughter building days :)
• Allegro Dance Recital - this one will have it's own post

pics from Joo Lin's iPhone

running time 2:32

pics from Canon

running time 3:22

pics from Kelley's iPhone

running time 0:56

{I know, not the most efficient way to organize pics but.... yeah, no words to explain. Ha!}

Amanda Graduates from 8th Grade!

To high school she goes! Amanda is a fabulous girl... beautiful and smart. She has so much potential!

{June 2014}