Scholder Baby Boom 2010

Part of the visit at Aunt Donna's (in Southern California) was a photo shoot for some ridiculously cute babies.  Kris managed the impossible to get a shot of all babies sitting and content (it took some time).  They are grandchildren of Grammy Pat's and two of her 12 siblings (Donna, and Daniel).  It will be fun to see get them together in some years for another shot.

(Isabel, Rowan, Kai, Vivian, and Dawn--you have brought so much joy to 2010!)

magical moments

Looking through the pictures for this blog  brought back all the magical moments and help fade some of the other stressful ones ( 4 hrs to go 20 miles, wrong date on reservations, bjorn lost, melt downs, stuck on a ride...)

Back to the magical ones.

Visiting Aunt Donna, a true warrior of a woman.  Battling years of cancer with grace, hope and humor!

First moments in Disneyland

Never too early to enjoy the magic.

Magically becoming a beautiful kitty cat.

Chocolate cake...always magical (looks how sad Rowan is not to get some).

Sharing the magic with a friend.

Ride with mom and she holds you tight the whole time.

Hands up in the air when you ride with dad. (looks a little bit like the Y M in YMCA)

Meeting Ariel

a fall drive and hike

Big Cottonwood Canyon's fall colors did not disappoint.

Solitude is Josh's favorite frisbee golf course...looks like he has a few more partners in training to go with.

What else do you do when standing on a boulder?

Aunt Beck was in town for the party and got in one excursion before leaving.

Josh prepping Noah for his first season of skiing.

noah's b-day

I had a vision for Noah's birthday party....a harvest hoedown...gingham, tractor rides, wheel barrow races, hunting for treats in a haystack. The ideas came quick and became more and more elaborate, unfortunately, the vision came only about a week away from his actual birthday.  The reality was much more scaled back but turned out super fun.  We still enjoyed lots of harvest inspired treats...caramel apples, pumpkin pie pops (pinkpeachcakes.blogspot.com), Grammy Pat's caramel corn, rolls, brownies, carrot cake cupcakes, and granola bars.  My chocolate ganache bundt cake didn't even get cut during the party!  Becky and I had a great time baking together. In the end what made the party was Josh's idea and phone call...

The bounce house was huge (basketball hoop, slide, obstacle course) and we had it all day (it was used ALL day)

All ages had fun.

I can't believe my little guy is five!

The Stika boys took the sack race to a new level...Casey had wounds to show for it...I wish he were in the picture too.

 It was a lovely family party.  I need to add a few more darling cousin shots that were taken that day as well.  I love you my John Deere loving, camo wearing, big brother helper, and bear hugging buddy!

a family hoedown

In celebration of Noah's 5th Birthday we had a family hoedown.  (He is quite into all things John Deere.) The party was so fun.  I will still try to manage a post of my own but Darcie did an amazing job capturing it on her blog. I had to share:

http://pinkpeachcakes.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-nephew-had-autumn-harvest-birthday.html

We had quite a bit of family out of town and missed them.  We were so grateful for those who were able to attend.

littles...their own words

I can't tell you how many times lately I hear something ridiculously cute or funny come from Noah or Clara and  file it way in that 'ole brain of mine.  Well here I sit trying to recall them to blog about them.....still sitting.....WHAT WERE THEY!  (okay think, laura, think, start with that one from tonight).  

Note to self: write it down instantly and tape it to the wall, you lose your cell phone and keys daily, and can't remember your own dad's b-day. p.s. buy sudoko or crossword puzzles or your going to be suffering from alzhiemers at 40. 
(here are a few, I wish I remembered more)
Noah:

The kids wanted to go to the pool but there where lightening clouds building up.  In my attempts to explain why we couldn't go swimming, I kept saying "lightening likes water... lightening likes metal, etc."   Noah looks at me confused as says, "How does lightening talk to tell you what it likes?" 

Noah wore his fireman costume to a family event.  He spent the evening sharing safety tips to whoever would listen.  On the drive home he pipes up from the the back of the van.  "Being a firefighter is hard work" and even ends with an exhausted sigh.  Little does he know how many times I tuck myself in saying the same thing about being a mom.

Clara:

Clara chose the largest horse to ride on the pony ride at Thanksgiving Point.  (I think the purple bridle was the deciding factor).  "By myself",  were the first words she uttered.  I nervously told her to "hold on tight" and off she went.  She did great for a long six laps around but rounding the corner from me I could see her sliding off, clinging to the saddle.  I ran and caught her while the worker stopped the horses.  The timing was perfect.  She wasn't scared or crying but as we walked away she said, "dat hors sippery"   (that horse was slippery).  Phew!

Rowan:

I know she doesn't talk, but her belly laugh can bring me to smile and laugh like nothing else. The easiest way to make this happen is have her watch someone swing or have her siblings run by her.  We really have giggle fests. because you can't just watch without joining in.   She just turned 7 months and I find myself singing, "where are you going my little one little one..."   I don't know how to explain it but part of me misses their childhood already. 

labor day=project day

Saturday I bought the chair at a yard sale for $5.00 (she said it was the last of her mom's 1940's dining chair and would love to see what I did with it).  It was pretty dirty, rickety even had an old hornets nest, but nice lines. I spent $3.00 on fabric and $6.00 on spray paint... a little elbow grease... and now I have cute $14.00 chair.  It's still a little rickety but it's done which is a big accomplishment for me.  

p.s.  the kids started out by helping me clean the chair then moved on to the garage floor and then the mini van (in that order...and we had just taken it to a car wash that morning!)  with such eager excitement at their hard work, all we could do was compliment them.