Adventures of the Mad Seven

The Many Faces of Kate

2009-02-20T10:23:00.012-07:00

I wanted to get some shots of Kate. She didn't want me to. Obviously.

It's a miracle.

2009-02-18T15:24:00.001-07:00

I've found the camera and the cord! Pictures coming soon...

CA Pictures Coming Soon...

2009-02-05T14:11:00.001-07:00

If I can find the cable to download pictures, I'll post them soon. We had such a fun time!

The Time Has Come...

2009-01-20T12:28:00.003-07:00

So I'm at Target with my mom, and we realize all clearance shoes and clothes are an additional 30% off. Sounds pretty good, right? I mean honestly, when shoes are $3.74...then another 30% off?? Obviously I went a little nuts and bought a few (a lot) shoes for the kids for summer. Sandals and flip flops ad nauseum.

Purging the guilt of a shoe-buying frenzy isn't the reason for this post. My daughter's ginormous elephant feet are the reason. Just kidding, Kate. When I bought all those shoes, I was thinking that I should buy size 8s for Kate to grow into and wear all summer. I come home triumphantly, heavily laden with bags of shoes and show the kids the booty (as in pirate, Tyler). Kate tries her shoes on and tells me they're too small and that she'll need a bigger size, probably a 9. Size 9? Women's size 9? What the...that's what size I wear. My 11-year-old wears size 9.

Most, if not all, men will not realize the significance of this. "Who cares what size she wears," Big D asked, "They're just shoes." *Just* shoes? There is no such thing as "just shoes." Each and every female I told about the elephant feet incident knew exactly what size they wore in 6th grade at age 11. They were as astonished as I was. They commented on how grown up Kate is becoming. Why is this? Why do we equate disproportionately large feet with maturity? I have no idea. I don't know why foot size is such a milestone for women, but I guess it is. All I know is that my baby growing up. And stealing my shoes.

I'm back and better than ever!!

2009-01-11T10:00:00.003-07:00

Okay, I'm probably not any better, but I'm back. I've been feeling some guilt for not keeping up this dumb blog. I'm not super computer savvy (Derek says it's "user error" - do you see the fam picture on the right? Yeah, not so good). Well, at least not technically. But if you need an online deal or coupon, give me a ring. I'm a pro. And a big nerd.

Anyway, I'll be doing better this year. We have family that doesn't live close, and this past December I was reminded how much I miss them and love seeing them and their amazing kids. And soon, Mom and Dad could be leaving again, and Mom made some not-so-subtle comments about how much she looooves blogs, how awwweeesoooome blogs are when they're gone, etc. So, Mom, I get the message. I'm on it. I'll do better. Love ya.

Andersen is 2 years old!! - Yes, I know this is way past due...I just fixed the photo issues.

2007-09-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

Andersen in the hospital - Katherine-8, Brooke-6, Allison-4, and Kimball-2 is in the chair with Grandpa Ray as he would have nothing to do with this nonsense.

Looking back at pictures of newborn Andersen really makes me emotional. While I'm not an overly sentimental or emotional person in general, remembering such a special time in my life makes me a little teary. And while that time was exhausting, medically challenging, and just plain hard, it was more than worth it. He is such a blessing in my life, and I cannot possibly imagine him not in the center of it.

As he is running around behind me humming the Darth Vader theme song, it is hard to think of him as a somewhat tiny newborn. Although his hair looks much the same as it did then, he is now a little boy. He is finally starting to talk my ear off, and firmly believes he is one of the big kids. I don't think it occurs to him that he may not be able to do everything the big kids can. Every day at lunchtime he asks for a Capri Sun to drink with his lunch just like the big kids have. Every day he clamors up to his big boy chair at the table as he has relegated the high chair to the garage. He hugs, dances, sings, teases, and just plain entertains the entire family. What more could I ask?

I thank Heavenly Father every day for the amazing blessing that my children are in my life. I am so thankful for each birthday to remind me of who my babies were and who they will become. We love you, Andersen.

Here he is at his birthday party, opening his Star Wars stuff. He is mid-jump and that's why his head is partially cut off. And excuse the red eye...I'll fix that.

Sanny the CoolBoy

2007-09-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when you have three older sisters. Derek and I are hanging out in the loft, and Brooke comes running and says, "Ladies and Gentleman, presenting Sanny the Coolboy!!" In comes Andersen with the hugest smile on his face. I look at Derek, he looks at me and says, "Oh, that's nice." We both started to crack up, and Andersen loved every second of it.

Ca-li-for-nia, Here I Come!

2007-08-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

So I told Derek I had decided we needed to go to California before school started. He looked at me with his usual suspicious glance (he calls it "the dubious look") and asks what I'm up to. Just my normal hijinx I tell him. No worries...oh, and get a few days off work, I said.

We went to San Diego to see Jen and Gonzo and it was so fun. Tiffani even came with us! I think Tyler was a little miffed, but we had a blast. We went to the all important American Girl Store in LA, the Birch Aquarium in Del Mar, the beach in Oceanside, and most importantly, Jen and Gonzo's apartment pool. But seriously, Katherine and Gonzo's water show was amazing.

It was actually really hard to leave and face starting school in the scorching desert, but we will press on, longing for cooler days and hilarious nights with those we love and miss so much.

Here are just a few of the pictures while we were there...

The Girls at the American Girl Store
Much screaming and fun was had by all. I should have taken a picture of Derek, Kimball, and Andersen bored out of their minds.

How cute are these kids? Katherine, Brooke, Ally, Kimball, and Andersen at the Cove in LA. Andersen is doing his best to not smile, and Kimball is wearing a jacket because it's frigid 75*. Yep, we're normal.

Here is a lucky shot I got at Birch Aquarium. This place is the coolest. If you haven't been, you need to check it out.

Kimball accosted the Shark Brain Surgeon and was asking him all kinds of questions. We finally pried him away, but a few displays later he was back over there quizzing the guy. Future career, perhaps?

Andersen and Kimball checking out the starfish and sea cucumber. When Andersen saw them on the ground, he jumped out of his stroller and ran over there. The volunteer kept saying, "Gently, gently young man..." We finally had to gently put Andersen back in the stroller and move on.

We happened to be at the aquarium during Shark Week, and the kids thought that was the coolest. Here they are trying to look afraid. Andersen, again, is trying to not smile. He was more focused on the enormity of those teeth.

Our Family at Seal Beach

(Note to Self: Never wear the yellow "makes you look pregnant" shirt, unless you actually are)

There weren't actually any seals at the beach today, which is very rare, but we had a great time looking for sea animals in the tide pools.

The kids goofing around at the beach. I told them to show me their muscles. Kimball looks as though he may have an aneurysm, but you have to give him points for trying.

It was so crowded at the beach when we went. But if you look closely behind the lady with the big brown hair, you can see Brooke and Katherine splashing around.

Gonzo taught Katherine how to boogie board. She rocked the boogie board on her first time, but when Brooke and Ally saw her get rolled by a wave, they wouldn't go near it. Even with Tiff's candy bribes.

Speaking of Tiff's bribes, she had to bribe herself with watermelon sour gummies to try surfing with Gonzo. She tried it and did great for her first time. I was going to go, but we ran out of time. Next time, Gonzo, I promise.

Here is Kimball with his magnificent sand castle. what, you can't see it? It's the dark pile of sand next to him. Forget shark brain surgery, we're looking at architecture schools right now.

Thanks, Jen and Gonzo, for an awesome time! We miss you!!

Well, look who's jumping on the blogwagon...

2007-08-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

For years, I've avoided starting a blog. I don't have enough time, I have a bunch of little kids, I don't want to mess with the programming aspect, and the honest answer...I just don't want to.

Due to pressure from Family-Members-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, I am going to start. We now have family that is far away and I want to keep in touch. I'm going to do my best, but cut me some slack, I'm a busy woman.