July, July

Swimming, freedom festival, hot-flushed faces, tantrums, prizes, joy, sleepover, balloons, naps,  fireworks, parades, bbq's, family, horseback rides, sparklers, 10+ hrs of sleep.  Overall a GREAT weekend!  Thank you America.

artichokes

 

Finally, a vegetable we can all agree on.  We love them.  We have had them about 10 times this season...thanks to some great sales and the decent price at Costco.  It was a major treat as a child, we would of course have to share.  My kids have followed in my footsteps and enjoy theirs dipped in a butter, lemon sauce.  (Josh hasn't even broken out the mayo in recent years and converted to it as well.)  They love the process of me preparing the heart.  Clara eats the stem and all and still manages to wiggle a few bites of Josh or I's heart.  It's funny (mostly gross), at the start of the season I  would go back over the kids leaves to not waste any (mom, I so remember you doing it when we were little as well!).  The last time I actually went to the heart first and didn't finish all my leaves (gasp!).  Josh and I really were meant to be, we both loved them as children and have passed that love on.  I hope you have had the chance to enjoy one this season as well. 

Hello, anyone still there?

More about my excuse for being MIA in a minute. I couldn't let Clara's party go undocumented...I don't know when I will be able to be that ambitious again. Think woodland, fairy tea party....it turned out AMAZING, truly magical. Clara Jane has never been so happy, so sweet, so gratious. She placed little treats for the fairies in nutshells and checked to make sure they were eating them. There was dancing, fairy/bird house making, treats, and merriment enjoyed by all. I swiped these shots (with permission) straight from Ms. pinkpeachcake(Darcie).

Now to the other news...let's call it a Mother's Day miracle to share and my excuse for not blogging. Baby #4 is coming our way in late october. We have been laughing in that "wow, we are still trying to figure out managing our three!". We have already had many miracles and know this is what is meant for our cute, all be it, crazy family. So, 65 shots down...only 300+ to go (miracle #1 I didn't have any pulmonary embolisms the first six weeks I was unknowingly pregnant.  miracle #2 the shots went to generic in the past 6 months which takes them from our out of pocket cost of $1,000 a month to $10!). I'm praying for an easier 2nd trimester otherwise I can't promise the blogging will be any better (I've been in complete survival mode...really come over and take a seat on a pile of laundry and you'll see!) Despite some of the challenges we are SUPER excited...and that's right Noah will be in Kindergarten then Clara 3, Rowan 1, +newborn!!!

green eyes

Dear Clara Jane,

Happy birthday my dear, dear girl. When Daddy gave you a name and blessing he shared that we would always be friends. I think of that often. I love our mommy/clara time. It's been a big growing year full of challenges and things to celebrate.

You are bright, courageous, fearless yet timid, shy, and delicate. (You can swing a light saber at your brother and in the next moment gently tuck in your babies.) You have a twinkle and playfulness that brings such joy to my heart. I love your imagination, voice, and artwork. You adore your brother Noah and Daddy. You love to snuggle and be little. I wish I could hold, carry you as much as you wanted.

My hopes this year for you are that you feel loved, that you can feel little while still letting go of some of the things that make you feel that way (pacifier etc.) that you can feel the joy that comes through sharing, and embrace some of the fun that comes with being a big sister. While I'm wishing I better throw in no tantrums and letting mommy brush and do your hair.

I love you so much, my little green eyed beauty!
xoxox mommy

you like: mimi's (princesses), tinkerbell and fairies, care bears, and dora. You love to play with your dollies, and animals, go to the library and read to yourself if the green circle, chocolate babas, binkies, playing with Noah and daddy, making Rowan laugh, mommy time, baking, nursery, singing (old mc d. is still your favorite), cousins and family.

you don't like: things not going how you wanted them to go, having your hair done, mommy wearing her hair in a pony tail, and scout stealing your snacks.

a few quotes...

"I quit being 5." He went on to talk about the good ol' times when he was four and life was easy. Poor kid.

Josh had just finished drinking up some DELISH, rich hot chocolate and Noah smelled something yummy. He asked what that good smell was and I asked him to guess. Josh opened his mouth and Noah leaned in for a big sniff and exclaimed, "BROILED BEEF!". We were in tears. I have no idea where he gets this stuff but he sure keeps us laughing.

We do a lot of "raise your hand if you love mommy"..."raise your hand if you had fun" etc. On our last trip back from the library, clear, and cute from her car seat in the back, "Raise your hand if you want to snuggle in mommy's bed and watch care bears!" (Yes! Especially with my cutie, Clara Jane)

the place where I am from

I am from tall pines, oaks, rivers and lakes. Damp, wet winters, and hot,dry summers. I am from poppies, pine cones, and pasties. I am from, "let's go to town" and "sanders, lot 91". I am from county fairs, pioneer dances, and spaghetti dinners. I am from red dirt, gold country, and Grass Valley.

My heart felt a bit heavy, this last visit home. The longing for yester-years while on the cusp of change. I tried to soak in each little place and remember the hundreds of moments at each and try to share it with my family. Josh and the kids humored my nostalgic journey you may as well if you feel so inclined.

The front pasture, running down the hill climbing through the fence to catch the bus, a camp out spot for the beehives, track for 4 wheelers, at different times home to Stony Lonesome (Aunt Sharon's horse), Trev's skateboard ramps (where I'd hopelessly watch cute boys my age idolize my brother and not even look my direction), deer, cars, and Grandma's trailer.

Much to the dismay of my mother my Dad would burn leaves (he did always check that it was a burn day). The olfactory senses take me immediately back.

This is an old mining park that Ad and Darcie took Josh and my engagement pictures.

Ah, the guard gate, need I say more?

The home my father built. Where I came home from the hospital and lived until I was in 6th grade. The blackberry bush and trees for each member of the family are no longer there but beautiful memories are held...roller skating rink in the garage, floating leaves down the gutter, standing in front of the swamp cooler. We made the big move to 5 acres in the ranchos and have been there happily ever since(20+yrs).

We were one of the first to build in this lake community my mom picked a lot just across the street from the lake because of the safety worries of six littles on the lake. Park 7 was our own private park for years (just a few steps from our house) Dad even took his own mower down to keep the park up. When we were young I remember boating as a family and even watching mom water ski.

Main beach park, original swing set and rainbow bars. I remember painting them for "day of impact" one year in mutual. Main beach...laffy taffy, myra, swim lessons with auntie, swimming to the ropes and back, "mary poppins" off the diving board etc.

The bear river...freezing, wearing generic keds to protect from the rocky bottom, avoiding nudist and trying to not get high centered in the shallow parts while floating down the river. The scary bridge that lets you know your almost home driving back from Utah.

The church on Alta hill in Grass Valley. My mom was blessed there, walked to church as a girl, my parents had their wedding reception in the cultural hall, I and my three older siblings were blessed there too. It was built by members and lives on as another church's parish.

Grass Valley building. Dad was bishop at the time of the transition and building of this Church. I was baptized here. Stand out memories include, Grandpa's production of the Sound of Music (where I played Brigetta), Curt's baseball dugout eagle project, running through the forest on pioneer day with the uncles band playing in the background (Elvira, I Love a Rainy Night), my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary, sippin' soda serenades with Dad's barbershop quartet, lots of family receptions and funerals.

Anyone still with me? probably not. To think I really only scratched the surface. I guess that is expected to having generations established in one area. I am so glad I grew up with my mom taking us around to her old homes in Nevada City and GV sharing her own childhood memories. I recognize it was she (and dad) who were giving us a since of belonging, love of our heritage, and our own identity. Those things have very little to do with the places themselves but the relationships that were build from the experiences. I will be so sad when our branch is gone from there. I will be so happy to have my parents closer and recognizing memories stay with us where ever we are.

I heart nor cal.

railroad museum

Sacramento has an awesome railroad museum. I have wanted to take Noah for years and it finally worked on our visit with my parents. Noah loved it. We all did. Mom was a trooper with her injured ankle. I had forgotten how large trains really are.

Daddy and Noah trying out the engineer spot.

Wheelchair came in handy for more than just Grandma.

Even Rowan was caught the magic of trains.

The second floor was completely dedicated to model trains. Noah was in HEAVEN (G-Pa Too!)

Grandpa chatting up one of the many eager volunteers on a mail car.