Monterey Bay

 In November (last year) Neil, the girls and I got to go to Monterey Bay Aquarium with Brenda and her girls. It was really neat to get to see all the water life that God has created up close. There were several tide pools and shallow water spots that they could put their hands in and touch stuff. That was pretty cool.

These cousins sure do love spending time together! They had a blast running around and calling to each other. "Look at this" "Come Over Here!" They were kind of loud.

 Anna was peeking out from a glass wall and I just thought it turned out so cute, with all the little fish in the glass. Cute little face!

The penguins look pretty unimpressed! Anna and Emily, on the other hand, thought they were pretty cool looking through that bubble window. 

Clara had a blast too. Of course she got to squeeze in a nap. And she was a pretty happy camper after that.

 There was one little corner where, ever few minutes, a mass amount of water would flow over the glass ceiling and "flood" you. The girls really loved seeing that and hearing the water CRASH on top of them!

 Abby waiting for the water to flow down.

Emily took this picture of Brenda and I. Anna had to rush over and get in with us.

Today is a good day. Because "This is the Day the Lord has Made"

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

I read something a few days ago about PERSPECTIVE. and that our attitude has a lot to do with how we see things. And of course, because we all live in a place called Human Nature, we pretty much only see things from our own limited point of view. Now that I have a 2 and 4 year old I have noticed that my own attitude is, well, pretty bad. It is an interesting phonominon when you see your own bad attitude reflected off the face of a 4 year old, and one that you love at that!
You know that feeling when you see someone make a basic mistake and they are mistifidy! And you shake your head and wonder "How did they not see that coming?" I wonder if that is how God looks at my life. "Really, how did she think that would turn out differently?" His perspective is so much more than I will ever grasp, or even His unconditional love! But it is better than the one I've got . . . so

here is to a new year of looking at things from a NEW PERSPECTIVE! Everyone raise your glass and say "Clink"

You make the mess, I clean the mess?

Neil and I got to go to dinner a few nights ago all by our own selves. It was one of the nicest times Neil and I have had in a long time. We got to sit and chat together. The was no pressing need to talk about anything. That was nice too, because then our conversation just kind of floated from topic to topic. It is so nice to get to talk to your spouse about things that really effect you, when they are NOT effecting you. I am such an emotional ball lately, that anytime Neil tries to work it out, I just cry. or get mad. And that's fun too. But he has so many points of view that obviously could really help me, if I would listen.

One of the topics I thought was really interesting. . . Neil was asking if I enjoy cleaning up after myself when I am done with a craft? Or when I have to clean up dinner? And I told him "No, clean up is not usually fun." So he asked me why I clean up after the girls so much, instead of making them do it. I know it is a LOT easier to get it done faster, but is that really helping them? Clean up is a part of life. Play time and Work time. So, I should be teaching them now that it is a part of life. And to get used to the idea. I know it is hard now to let them do it, (it goes SO MUCH quicker if I do) but isn't that my job, as a mom to teach them the things that they need to get through life, not just today? And isn't cleaning up your own mess a HUGE part of life. In so many ways!!

Being a mom is so much different than I ever thought. I never realized that it is teaching so many simple things, like HOW to brush your teeth or fold socks so they stay together in the drawer. It is so tedious, but I am so glad my mommy took the time with me. . .

Maybe I am trying to be way to philosophical, but hey, at least I posted something. :)

Christmas Tree Cutting 2010

Here are a bunch of pictures from a GREAT day in the snow!!!! We had such a blast. The weather was PERFECT!!!! and the snow was powder. The kids all did so good. We spent to whole day up in the mountains. Enjoying a fire and eating leftovers. And now I have a cute tree in my living room. Enjoy the pictures. There were so many cute ones that I couldn't decide which ones to leave out.

Aunt Martha's Porch

Trip to Arkansas (part 2)

Neil's aunt and uncle have to COOLEST porch around their home. It doesn't go all the way around, but that is because the back of the house is the dinning room and it has floor to ceiling windows. I love it. The porch is the funnest thing to play on. Our first day at the house it poured down rain. I don't think the kids minded at all though, because we could still all go outside and play. The porch is so wide it is pretty easy for the adults to sit and watch kiddoes play without getting bumped (too much). It would be so awesome to some day have a house with a porch like this; to sit out on and sip lemon aide.

Anna and Abby with their G.G.

Grandmother and Neil.

Pops, Mrs. Mom and Grandmother

Grandmother and Jennifer

The rain coming down.

The kids watching the rain.

Neil with him Mommy

Traveling to Arkansas

Neil and I had the opportunity to visit with his family in Arkansas in the beginning of August. It was a crazy FAST trip. We got to fly in and out of Redding though, so that was super nice not having that extra travel time to an airport. I was very nervous about all the traveling with the girls, but the Lord is a miracle worker and I only drove my family slightly crazy.  Neil tells me I am THAT crazy lady every one laughs at (from a distance).  I used to be very spontaneous, but since I had my girls, I have a very hard time just going and doing. Now I have to plan and think about it. Really annoying! Even for me. I am not sure I like this new trait in myself. Anyway, not what we are taking about.
We had a pretty long layover in San Fran, so I got to start taking pictures early. For all the switching and flying we did, all the kids did really well. But I took too many pictures to post in one blog. And it has been so long since I blogged that I figured I should drag it out. So here are some pictures of our traveling to Arkansas.

Tessa playing with her stickers

Bella and Abby playing with their stickers

Abby watching the planes out the big windows.

Alicia and Dixie

Neil killing some time.

Abby, Bella and Anna headed down to the Kids Zone.

Tessa trying to get in on the fun and making it a little more crazy.

Anna and Jack watching the planes.

This VERY nice, random stranger let the kids play on her iphone. At first it was just one of them. I don't know who started it, but really quick they were all over there trying to get in on the fun. The lady was really nice and let them look and then pretty quickly found a new place to sit.

Finally back on a plane and on our way to Little Rock. This is mostly what Abby did on the plane. It was really nice that we got to take her car seat. I think it helped that it was familiar. And a plus was, we could strap her down.

Anna loved writing on her board. It was the best buck spent. She wrote on it for hours.

Well, here's to a finally making a new post. And hopefully I will get to post more pics from our trip soon. So check back.