Spring Break Report -- Prescott

We went to stay with Grandma and Grandpa in Prescott during Kira's spring break.

Grandpa took a break from work to come and play with his grand kids in the park!

Kids in carseats at the park! Can I say how in love I am with Tessa's blue eyes!

Who is the best new cousin in the world? Trenton loves his new cousin, Jackson. (I think he is glad to have an ally against the girls). Anyhow, he decided that Jackson needed to be "nurseded". He fed him his bottle and sang "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" until he went to sleep. Awww!

Kira and her big friend, Cassidy, after Cassidy gave her a little make over.

5 months!

I have so much to catch up on with Spring Break and Easter, but in the meantime, Miss Tessa has turned 5 months and keeps growing and changing. As you will notice, if you click on the bottom pic., my traditional photo sessions are becoming more difficult as Tessa can do more things, like eat my sign!

She is certainly not lacking in the chub department. She delights everyone she meets with enthusiastic smiles. My father-in-law has taken to calling her the "Gerber Baby," and at this moment she is blowing raspberries on my arm. We are starting her on solids as she seems to have an insatiable appetite and I am waiting for a tooth to surface anytime now.

She is so much fun!

I Do Not Like Green Eggs and Ham...

He does not like them, Trenton he is!

The kids and I joined Kira for breakfast in the school cafeteria on Dr. Suess' birthday. Trenton wouldn't touch his green eggs, and to be honest, I didn't like them much either--the eggs were bland, the ham a little too crispy, and the hash browns incredibly greasy--but what do you expect from the school cafeteria?
Kira insisted that we follow her to class so she could show off Tessa. Her teacher was actually very nice about it and turned it into a teaching moment, talking about babies and how they grow and develop. Kira and the other students asked if we could stay, and when I said "no" they, of course, wanted to know why. I said that Tessa would distract them and they wouldn't listen to their teacher, or learn anything.

Their response: "That's OK!"

Jackson's Blessing & Kristin's No Good, Very Bad Day

(The man of the hour)

We all got together for Jackson's blessing, March 2nd.

(The Halterman side of the family)

For the most part, it was a beautiful, lovely day, unless your name is Aunt Kristin. Kristin was being a great aunt and playing with Tessa during Sacrament meeting, when all of a sudden, Tessa decided that her beautiful, white dress, would look better if it were a bright shade of yellow (breast-fed poop yellow)! We made quite the exodus to the ladies room. Tessa had to change out the bottom half of her outfit. Luckily, our friend April--who isn't even a mom yet--was prepared with a Tide-to-Go pen, which worked quite well on Kristin's dress. You can't even see the mess in these pictures. Adding insult to injury, we later learned that Jackson peed on Kristin...3 times that same day. She's never going to want to have kids!

A Day at the Zoo!

The day before my nephew, Jackson, was blessed, we decided go on a big family trip to the Phoenix Zoo. It was a fun day and not only did we get to observe unique habits of the animals, but of the two-legged creatures, as well, since there were at least two weddings going on at the zoo that day. This first picture is of Kira with her grown-up buddy for much of the day, Bobby's Dad. He is also Trenton's "Grandfriend." (With tortoises in the background.)
And here is Tessa loving on her Aunt Amber.

Zoo Pals

Some of the fun creatures we saw at the zoo...
This baboon came and snuggled up to the window where I was standing. Don't you love baboon bums?









This tiger kind of gave me the willies. While we were standing there he actually climbed up to the top of the big tree in his area. It would have just been fascinating to watch him climb, but in light of recent events and the fact that he looked ready to pounce any second, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Of course, Kerali's family in India is yawning right now, because they recently saw a tiger in the wild on safari!

Has anyone seen these children?

I once read a suggestion in a parenting magazine that seemed like a good idea. The mother said that anytime she goes somewhere that her children are likely to get lost (i.e. the zoo), she takes a picture of them on her digital camera when they first arrive, so that if they do get lost, they can show people a picture of the children in the clothes they are wearing that day so they will be easy for anyone to recognize.
We lost Kira after about 45 seconds at the zoo, so once we found her (fortunately fairly quickly) I snapped these shots. We also implemented a "grown-up" buddy system that worked really well, so I didn't end up having to use these pictures for anything other than this blog, thankfully!

Trentonisms--Vol. 579

Trenton sat down on the piano the other day and played a beatiful song of his own composition. And as he played he sang:

"I love you too much

I really do

and all of a sudden

a lightning bulb (bolt)

destroyed my house"

I think he has a future in love song lyrics, don't you?

*****

T: "I want to play that Star Wars game."

Me: "Are you talking about the one on the wii?"

T: "No, I'm talking about the one on the ME!

*****

Before the zoo, Trenton was going around telling everyone how they are related to him: "you are my Grandmommy, " etc. Bobby (Trenton's Uncle) had his family there too, so Bobby's dad asked Trenton what he was to him. Trenton thought for a second and said,

"You are my Grandfriend!"

*****

Mikelle has been put through the ringer lately healthwise with complications since she gave birth to baby Jackson. Last night she had priesthood blessing. Trenton sat reverently for the blessing. When it was over he came to give her a big hug and said, "I know just how you feel!"

*****

On a warm day:

"It's a real scortcher out there, Mom!"

(I think we can blame Jimmy Neutron for that one)

*****

"That Dazzle from Venus is a really hot girl!"

Deep Thoughts...by Kira

We are like cakes and life is like us getting baked in the oven. And when you are done baking in the oven, some one eats you..that's when you die.

Valentine's Day finally came...on Leap Day!

We declared Leap Day to be Valentine's Day in our house because of Barry's crazy work schedule.

The old saying "it's the thought that counts" usually ends up being an excuse to give a lousy gift, but it has truth in that it is the thought and effort put into a present that means the most, not the dollars spent.

Barry got the message this year and surprised me with a treasure hunt based on Shakespearean sonnets. This was especially neat because he was taking a Shakespear class while we were dating and so we would spend time reading and discussing the sonnets (haven't done that for a while though). My clues were based on sonnets I had to look up in our Shakespear book. Along the way I found a musical card, makings for s'mores (already eaten), "Becoming Jane" (I wonder why he thought I would be interested in a period romance. :-)), and the book of great Hollywood kisses.

Later that night, we went to the Melting Pot (thanks Mikelle and Bobby for the Christmas gift certificate!), and had a great time, except that we had Tessa with us, and she decided that we couldn't enjoy our chocolate course together. We took turns with her outside getting her not to cry. Valentine's is a little different when you are parents, isn't it? I still have some even more belated plans for Barry, but scheduling is proving tricky!

So I guess there is some truth to that other cop-out saying "better late than never!"

Anthem

These are from nearly two months ago, but I just got the pics from Kristin. We met at the big park in Anthem and had a fun time playing.

This is Tessa giving smiles to Grandma








And here is a funky digital layout I did showing some of the other fun activities, including the Daisy Mountain Railroad.

I am grateful for...

...GOOD HEALTH!

I have many pictures from a fun weekend and other stuff to post, but have been a little busy focused elsewhere so far this week.

On Sunday I learned that my little nephew, Mitchell had his first helicopter ride. Unfortunately, it was to the Primary Children's hospital in Salt Lake. Mitchell had what they are now calling a prolonged "complex" febrile seizure, although the doctors really can't say why this happened or how to prevent it in the future. He is home now (yea!) and seems to be doing well, but could still use prayers on his behalf.

I spent today with my sister-in-law, Mikelle, who has somehow managed to fracture a couple of her vertabrae. She has been dealing with back pain for a while, but just now learned what was causing it. She is now in so much pain that it is difficult to move or even cough, but still has to care for her newborn son (6 wks. old). So Tessa and I went over to help, today. Feeding two babies at the same time, gave me greater appreciation for those who have twins, and my friend Amberly's situation.

So today I am especially grateful that my family and I are currently in good health and recognize what a blessing good health is. Please say an extra prayer for Mitchell and Mikelle!

Tessa's Official Stats

The ear infection is cleared up (yea!) and our little one just isn't so little anymore!

4 mo. check-up:
weight - 16 lbs. 5 3/4 oz.
height - 27"
head size - 17"

The weight and height are both above the charts and head size near the top. We just don't grow 'em small. She is drooling like a faucet and Dr. says her gums are "lumpy" so that first tooth likely isn't too far off. I don't understand why my kids are in such a hurry to grow up!

4 months

So, I'm breaking with my traditional format a little here, but I had fun playing with this picture in Paint Shop.



















This one is the official growth documentation picture.




Miss Tessa is 4 months old, now. I had to take her to the doctor yesterday [ear infection :-( ], so I know that she is just over 16lbs., now. I will give the official stats when we go back in next week for her check-up. And in this picture, you can see all of those 16 lbs. :-)
She is pretty amazing with her flipping over and can hold her head up so high now.












She is incredibly sweet, and all in all, I couldn't have asked for a better baby!

I've been TAGGED...and this time, I'm actually responding!

I have been tagged so many times, but usually have neglected to fill the assignment--it takes me too long to think about what I want to say. But for some reason I decided to give it a shot when Kenise tagged me. I think it is because she used flattery, “[I tag] Kendra because although I'm sure you have been tagged before--I love to hear about your life--you are so fun!!!!" How can I resist…

10 YEARS AGO....I was teaching middle school in Chino Valley, AZ, and waiting for Barry to give me any indication that he was interested in me. While waiting, I was enjoying getting to date lots of other fine young men. :-)

5 PLACES I HAVE LIVED....
*Las Cruces, NM
*Santiago, Dominican Republic
*New York City (Ok. It was just over 1 month…does that count?)
*Hyrum, UT (Cache Valley)
*Prescott, AZ (and many more)

5 THINGS ON MY TO DO LIST....
*Take Trenton to the park.
*Pay bills
*Submit my entry for the “Little Dreamers Designs Apprentice program”
*Write thank you notes (the kids and I) for our Christmas gifts. (If this doesn’t happen , thank you everyone!)
*Knit enough hats to turn in to Humanitarian Aid. This was supposed to be our Christmas Service gift…I’m aiming for Easter. Anyone want to have a “knit in” and help me knit on those looms? It’s really easy!

I ENJOY....…anything that uses creativity. I have recently started designing digital scrapbook papers and elements, and have become totally addicted! More addicted than I am to blogging! I love new adventures and travel, but lately with a young baby, I am becoming more of a homebody. It just makes me tired to have too many places to go with 3 kids. Of course, I love music and singing. I like reading a good book, watching good movies, and playing games. Anyone up for a game of boggle?

3 BAD HABITS....
*Anyone who knows me very well, knows that my worst habit is picking at my split ends. I’ve tried to stop, but it is so hard when they are so plentiful!!
*Staying up too late at night (copying Kenise, here)—but when else can I think in peace and quiet?
*Stressing about too many things.

5 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT ME....
* (Here’s the one that I shared at Enrichment last night) I am in an Academy Award nominated movie. I am aware that sounds pretty impressive, but it isn’t so much. I was an extra in the movie “The Savages” with Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I haven’t even seen it, and may not, since it ended up getting an R-rating (I was told they were aiming for PG-13). Anyhow, if you see it, (edited, of course), I am the car rental person in the scene at the Phoenix Airport where Laura Linney is taking off her winter clothes because it is so hot. I am probably just blurry in the background, if you can see me at all, but I am the only extra in the scene. I was about 4 ft. away from Laura Linney as she was getting her mic. pack put on and learned what an intimate relationship actors have with their sound technicians. I also learned that P.S.Hoffman, is a serious chain-smoker. Every time they stopped rolling, he had to have his cigarette.
*I won the chess tournament in 5th grade.
*Although I am not very athletic, I competed in regional track meets in elementary school. Can you guess my event? The long jump, of course.
*I’ve been on the same stage as Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Congressman Jeff Flake.
*I am considering switching to cloth diapers, or “g diapers.” My sisters have all gone cloth lately. I just have to figure out how to make it easy enough for me.

5 JOBS I'VE HAD....
*Teacher (mostly middle school…spanish, art, reading, choir, ESL, history, etc.)
*Hostess/ busgirl at “Chili’s” in Orem
*"Singing Mannequin” (true, but most of the time I just worked in the boutique. We only pulled out the mannequin act on special occasions).
*Singer/actress/model (but not ever enough to pay the bills)
*Librarian (actually just a helper in college, shelving, checkout)

WHAT WILL BE GOING ON IN 10 YEARS....Kira will be dating and driving. Aaah! I may be too stressed about her to be doing much else. Maybe we will have another kid or two. Hopefully, Barry will be in a position professionally that he enjoys AND that won’t take him out of town every other week! I don’t know where we will be, but we WILL be in a bigger home.

Now I have to tag some people. I am going to tag all of my sisters and sisters-in-law, and family, because I don’t think any of them have done it before, and I would enjoy reading what they say…although, I don’t have high hopes that many of them will comply. Should I throw in a little flattery? You are all so interesting and clever! :-) So that includes everyone who is listed under my family links. And if the rest of you will create a blog or send an email, I am extending this to Serena, Liz, Jenny, and Amber.

Happy? Valentines Day

After running a fever for 5 days, Kira was well enough to go to school on Valentine's Day and participate in her class party--thankfully! That meant that Trenton, Tessa, and I could go to the preschool-age party at the park.

Here are a few pics from our day:
Tessa's first Valentine's outfit didn't last more than an hour. I thought she looked so cute in the hat, so I snapped a picture before I changed her. Obviously, she didn't think it was picture time.


Here's my big helper "looking at the camera" for a picture. Trenton helped me make this heart-shaped cake to share with our friends at the park.




Watch out, ladies!

We had a great time at the park with our friends, except it was a windy day! I guess that didn't bother Trenton too much because he was very upset when all of our friends decided they had had enough and packed up to leave. He was not ready for the party to be over!

That evening the kids and I ate off of heart-shaped plates and watched the Charlie Brown Valentine's special. So they had a thorough Valentine's celebration. Unfortunately, Barry and I have not, since he had to leave town again. He swears he has something in the works for me, but it will likely be March before I find out what it is. :-( I'm drawing a blank about what to do for him this year. Any ideas?

Enchanted Island

We took advantage of a half day of school and Barry actually being in town to have some fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!

Today is my Dad's b-day. I wanted to share some of the pictures and memories I put together for his big 70th, a couple of years ago:

My favorite memories with Dad are from the summer we spent traveling in South America (1997). I learned a lot about Dad, myself, and the traits I inherited from Dad. I realized I got his passion for travel, love of languages, interest in people, and propensity to run late.
It was the next summer, however, when it became painfully clear that I had also inherited my dad’s corny sense of humor. While on a trip to Nauvoo with my cousins, we met one of Dad’s old friends from Albuquerque. He was the missionary giving us a tour of a Nauvoo home. He explained that if a tax collector could step into a closet, shut the door and turn around it counted as a room and would have to be taxed. I commented that one wouldn’t want a skinny tax collector. He stopped the tour and exclaimed, “You are your father’s daughter, aren’t you!” Dad’s reputation for corny jokes and play-on-words has spread far and wide. (I bet he has one on the tip of his tongue right now!)
On a serious note, I am grateful to my dad for shaping me by sharing the world with me. And by so doing, opening my heart and my mind to so many truths.

So, Dad, does this make up for me not sending you anything this year? :-) I love you! Hope your day is great!

Good Mail!

Since we finally got out of the house, today, I decided that it was time to get the mail, and when I did, I found a very pleasant surprise. I was the recipient of "Good Mail!"

I have seen good mail before on other sites, but hadn't been involved before, so I had to get the back story, here.

Anyway, Becky knew that Barry has been gone an awful lot lately, so she sent me a "my husbands out of town survival kit", with all of he fun things you see here. Honestly, I think my favorite part of the package are the little post-it notes with messages, like "You ARE a good mother!", and "Breathe!" How did she know I would be needing those reminders so much, about now?

THANK YOU, BECKY! You really made my day! And sometime, when I'm not so overwhelmed remembering to breathe and all, I will have to pay it forward!

Parade

We, (me and all of the children, since Barry was gone) participated in the Laveen Community Parade on Saturday. Since my children take classes at Johnson Performing Arts Studio, we had the opportunity to ride on the float. I would have just sent the kids, but I didn't want someone else to be responsible to keep Trenton ON the float. We were prepared for a chilly morning but it was actually quite warm, and bright (as you can see!). I think the kids had fun, but Kira was more interested in taking pictures than waving at the crowd, and I think Trenton was tired. Maybe next year we will watch instead.

Trenton's World

Before I forget, here are some classic Trenton philosophies:

On law and order...

(I was explaining why he had to be in his carseat)

"If the law is broken, I will fix it!"

On the birds and the bees...

"Mom, if you eat a lot of food and get a big tummy, can I have a baby brother?

On politics...

"We need a hero to be president!"

Me: "Who would you vote for?"

Trenton: "Spiderman! ...and Batman!"

Jackson is here!

My kids finally have a cousin on the Halterman side! Jackson made his debut on the 24th(?) of Jan.--a little early, but since he was 7lbs. 11oz. already, that was probably a good thing. We are so glad he got here safe and sound!

These are the pics of the night Barry and I got to meet him. Tessa looked enormous next to him, already! The bigger two kids have yet to meet their cousin (RSV season, and all). For some really cute pics of Jackson, check out Yellow Pear Photography, where he just had his pictures done today!
And here we our with our babies...me with Tessa, Mikelle with Jackson, and Kristin with Spiderman!

Rubba Dub Dub...

3 kids in a tub!

Installing A Husband

My sister forwarded this to me and I thought it was clever and timely advice with Valentine's Day approaching:

Installing A Husband

Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance -- particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5 and then installed undesirable programs such as NFL 5.0, NBA 3.0, and Golf Clubs 4.1. Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do?

Signed,
Desperate
-------------------------------------

Dear Desperate:

First keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an Operating System. Please enter the command: 'I Thought You Loved Me.exe', try to download Tears 6.2 and don't forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update. If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5. But remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grum py Silence 2.5. Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-in-law 1.0 It runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources. Also, do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0. In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend Food 3.0 and Hot Lingerie 7.7.

Good Luck,
Tech Support

Election Time

So...as far as I can tell, I don't get to vote in Tuesday's primary elections, since I am registered as an independent. Perhaps it is just as well because I keep vacilating between a couple of candidates. At any rate, I believe in the democratic process and encourage all who can to take the opportunity to cast a vote. If you are still undecided--or even if you aren't--I found this Candidate Match Game at USA Today, rather insightful, to see where the candidates stand on each issue, and to see how closely they align with you.