Help Me Be On Oprah!

So most of you know I am a huge Oprah fan. In fact I wish she would just run for president. But anyway....one of my dreams is to be on her show and I have finally found a way to do it. Read my note that I sent her and then if you are able go here and write her a quick note yourself suggesting my idea - and of course that I be on the show. Maybe if the producers get enough e-mails they will consider it! https://www.oprah.com/plugger/templates/BeOnTheShow.jhtml?action=respond&plugId=226400002

I think you should do a show on "Mommy Bloggers". It is a huge thing right now with stay at home moms. I want to be on the show as the "Ultimate Mommy Blogger". Please take a look at my blog. You will love my adorable children, hilarious stories, and my real and transparent thoughts. Plus I offer some money-saving advice. It is my dream to meet Oprah. I adore her. I think if she does a show on bloggers it could be a win-win situation. She would get a lot of viewers and I would get to meet her. Plus my blog could become even more famous than it already is!! So here you go....give it a try...Http://abbyhoefer.blogspot.com

Fun Weekend

Matt and Kristi came for the weekend. We always love having them here. I even made my debut on the new hit TV show "Cooking In The Country". There is a link for it on the food network but the traffic is so high today that it may be easier to access it here. Unfortunately it is just a sneak peak of the end of the show because we are having some technological problems. We hope to show the show in its entirety sometime soon.

It was great hanging out with the Craigs! We had good conversation, a walk around town with coffee (well Kristi and I did), played an exciting strategy game that I won both times, and had lots of laughs. Thanks guys for coming! We miss you already!

More Practice

I took some pictures of Avery today. Tried to practice looking for catchlights and such. Then thanks to Rachelle who I only know through the blogging world I have been inspired to put my photos in frames before blogging them. Now if only I could figure out how to get rid of the drool. This photoshop stuff is quite an art. When I try to get rid of spots and such it ends up looking really weird.....

Is It Really March?!

So it has been snowing all day here. These pictures were taken this morning and now we have a few inches!!! Please come back spring!!!

Bitter Sweet

Well it's official.....I think Avery is totally weaned!! I can't believe it....Saturday night she acted like she didn't really want to nurse. So Sunday night I just didn't nurse her, or Monday night, or Tuesday night, or Wednesday.......she hasn't asked for it, hasn't cried, hasn't even seemed to notice. Which I guess is the best way. I thought I would be really broken hearted over this but I have actually been fine. I have cried a little but to be honest I mostly feel this huge sense of relief.

I told Scott is has been 5 years and 9 months that I have been either pregnant, nursing, or both!!For the first time in almost 6 years I can drink whatever I want (I am thinking of being really adventurous and having a latte with caffeine after noon some day), eat whatever I want, and take whatever I want whenever I want. I am quite excited to try some new allergy drugs this season! I could even go somewhere all night long, or even for a couple nights. Whatever am I going to do with myself?! I am thinking Scott and I need a night away....we will have to find a way to make that work....

Anyway I am happy Avery is growing up, she is healthy, she is sweet, and so much fun. She still looks like such a baby to me and I hope I can still baby her for a long time. She is a cuddly one so that is nice and she really likes to be held so that is good too. We have been in baby mode here for so long that it is hard to imagine not but it is also quite a relief. I hope that doesn't sound bad...I love having babies but they are a lot of work and having a 3 and 5 year old feels so much easier to me. I really like the preschool years!! So one more baby milestone accomplished......

Busy....Busy....Busy

Sorry for the lack of posts this week but we have been so busy. We decided to move the girl's room upstairs to the scrapbook/workout/computer/guest quarters. (Don't worry Matt & Kristi the move takes place next week after your visit.) So I have been making curtains, organizing closets, painting a dresser, and trying to figure out paint colors. It is quite the process. The curtains I made ended up taking hours because I am not a professional on the sewing machine by any means and because they are huge. One of my secrets for having great sleepers is room darkening shades. Well the window up here is big and has a sun ray type curve to it if you know what I mean......so to buy the shades would have cost around $500. A little out of the budget.

So......I bought fabric and room darkening fabric (didn't even know it existed) and sewed them together......I hope no one studies them closely because the seams aren't exactly even. OH well..... Now we are off to buy paint and next week start painting. Since Andrea lives far away I have found another home-decor- specialist who will be coming tomorrow to give advice on paint color and placement. My good friend Steph is one of those people unlike myself with a natural ability to know what looks good. So throughout the next couple weeks I will try and photograph some of the changes. I am very excited about the girl's new room- I hope it turns out really cute. It is huge so we plan on keeping all their stuff in it instead of spread throughout the house!!

A new Karisim:
Yesterday she was putting beads on a string and Avery kept trying to get close. She said, "Avery- I am really stressed out......you need to go away......I just need some space......"

Ummm....wonder where she's heard that before.......and speaking of Ummmm.....Avery says it constantly. Everything I ask her she goes, "Ummmm" and I couldn't figure out why....until I listened to myself and realize I say it constantly........ummm......anyway gotta run......

Yeah!

Well folks I have won my first photo contest. Just the beginning now of my career as a professional photographer I'm sure. I have already had so many inquiries that my schedule is packed but don't worry....I can put you all on a waiting list and should be able to get your photos done for Christmas of 09 I hope.
When I told Karis the news she said, "I won?! And Ella and Hailey didn't RIGHT?!"
Yes....such a little competitive one she is.....have no idea where she gets it......
Thank you to all my loyal fans- I couldn't have done it without you. And of course thank you to the Lord for giving me this amazing talent.




(For those of you who have never met me....I am joking.....kind of.....)

Easter!!

OK forgive me if this post is out of order and if the text doesn't match the pictures. I am sure most of you realize I am not the most computer savvy or technical person out there so I still can't figure out all the ins and outs of blogging!! But anyway I figure if you are reading this you must not mind so here's our Easter......

We went to Yakima on Saturday morning. We started off by dressing the girls up in their matching Easter dresses courtesy of Papa and Gamma. When I was going to buy their dresses I told Hailey and she said, "Doesn't Gamma usually buy our Easter dresses?" Well once Papa and Gamma heard that they decided to buy all five grandaughters matching dresses. We didn't get a group photo but we will this summer with them all wearing them.

My pictures didn't turn out very well either...I really wanted one with all three girls but it just didn't work that morning.....maybe in a couple weeks I will try again. We went and saw Grandma Ruby who is still doing great by the way. She really wanted to see the girls in their dresses so that was fun for her.....and then we went to "Yakima". That is actually my parent's house but they literally think it is called Yakima. It is quite cute. Auntie Rach and Uncle Mike were home so that made it even better. (Although I doubt Rach thinks that now....because my Dad got the flu and now Rach, Andrew, and Sadie have it......ahhhh......)

OK anyway.....when we got there Claudia was there. Who is Claudia? Well...she is this wonderful woman who works for my mom and the girls love her!! So sometimes my mom hires her to stay and play with the kids so we can go to coffee or go shopping. It is fabulous! So that is the picture with her and the girls playing. So the girls went shopping, the guys played basketball, and the children played with Claudia.....what a deal....

Then we had the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Let me tell you it was a little more toned down this year. Usually all the adults hunt too and act like children. Especially Josh who tries to hold people back and tear through to get all the eggs. The eggs are full of money and tickets for gift cards. It is quite motivating. This year though with Grandma being in the hospital Mom didn't have as much time to get it all together so just the kids hunted. They however all walked away with quite a loot of money. And the adults still managed to get gift cards so it was quite fun and exciting. We seriously have the most generous parents ever!! I also put a picture in of my mom's catering kitchen. Jan's Catering. It is too hard to describe so I just photographed it. Just think...scrumptious food and baked goods 24/7.

But the highlight of it all for Hailey and Karis was what they got from Gamma in their Easter baskets......new ballet outfits. Karis has literally not taken hers off......

Sunday we went to Scott's old church to celebrate Easter. It was great to see his old friends and to focus on the true meaning of Easter. He is risen!!

Dyeing Easter Eggs

The girls love to dye Easter Eggs.....and for the first time Avery got to be in on the action! We only had two major spills...but I anticipated it which is why they are in their jammies......

What A Man!

So here is my wonderful husband- changing sheets and carrying Avery around! He also carries her in the backpack when he cleans the garage, does yardwork, and multiple other house chores. I think you will all agree....what a man he is!!

How's That? (Never Mind)

OK So I am trying the catchlight eye thing....I think it needs to be a bit more subtle? The before is on the top.

EDIT: The more I looked at it the weirder it looked so I deleted it and will work on it a little more. I am too mortified to post my daughter looking slightly possessed to leave it up any longer.

However today when I gave her a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats she took one look and threw it on the floor. I was less than pleased because cleaning up cereal with milk is not a fun job. Karis took over the parenting though and said, "AVERY.....darn......don't EVER do that again.....the answer is NO!" Funny how you hear yourself in your children....not that I ever combine both those sentences but in her mind that must be what she hears! :)

It Actually Worked!

Well thanks to Mindy's tutorials I actually created a vignette! It is something I tried over and over on my own and ended up with large black ovals in the middle of my pictures....not the look I was going for! But thanks to Mindy I just did one in less than 5 minutes!! Thanks Mindy!

Avery Kendall- 18 Months!!

Avery is growing up sooo fast. Way too fast! I can't believe she is 18 months. Well actually from her behavior I can.....All I can say is wow.....she sure is different at this age than the others were! Very, very opinionated. I am trying my best to not give her any attention for naughty behavior and praise the positive. But we have had to institute the old time-out pack/n/play. She seems to love pulling her sister's hair as hard as she can and refusing to let go!! They will be crying and they are so good, they have never hurt her back, and she won't let go. I have to pry her little fingers off the hair while she is grinning. So we have started a 1 minute time out that has worked wonders!! Hair pulling is almost non-existent now. But man she sure is opinionated about things!!

Her personality is still really quiet though and very sweet and cuddly. Everyone comments on how quiet she is...but when she is just with us she talks a ton!! She has at least 30 words! She is also really busy but not like Karis was....busy in her own way but not climbing up on the counter or smearing pudding on the walls. She is nursing once a day but I am thinking of ending that soon....if I can get up my courage...she is my last little nursling!!

And the most fabulous news of all.....in the last 2 months she gained 2 pounds!!! For Avery that is unheard of!!! She now weighs 21 pounds 2 ounces and is 33 inches tall. So she is in the 10% for weight and between the 75% and 90% for height!! We have had a bit of a struggle with her and weight gain so this is huge- I can not tell you how relieved I am!! She had sooo many tests ran on her and they all came back normal but she would only gain 2-4 ounces a month. Two months ago she was below the 5% for weight!! Praise God!!

We love you Avery Kendall!! You are the greatest and I am so thrilled you are in our family!!

Sisterly Love

Can you feel the love? I love watching these girls play and love on each other. Nothing brings me greater joy than watching my little girls play and grow! Thanks Girlies for letting me be your Mommy. You've made motherhood so easy and so delightful!!

Parenting The Five Year Old 101

Tell the child it is time to get her hair cut. When she refuses and says she wants to grow it long agree that this would be fine. Everyday when you comb her hair and she cries, carries on, complains, and so forth lovingly spray large amounts of no-tangle spray and oh so casually mention how much easier her very fine but very thick hair would be to comb if it was shorter.

Wait approximately 2 months. The 5 year old will then come up with a great idea, "Hey Mom...I think I want to get my hair cut. Don't you think it would look cuter short?" Act nonchalant and say, "Are you sure? I thought you wanted to grow it out?" However frantically run into the next room and see if the hair stylist has an opening that day. Schedule it. An hour or so later say, "I could see if we could get you in today to get your hair cut." The five year old will jump up and down in excitement. Say, "I don't know though...you've been growing it out for awhile though and it can be hard to get into the hair cut place." The five year old will then ask you to try. A few minutes later let her know she has an appointment and will be able to get her hair cut that afternoon. Take her to the salon beaming the whole way and let her tell the lady she wants short hair. Presto.....and a tear free morning will result. You will lovingly look in each others eyes as mother and daughter as you gently comb her now short and manageable hair. And she'll look super cute too!

My Little Assignment

So in my attempt to become a better photographer I am completing a little assignment from a professional friend. (Can anyone tell I finally figured out how to attach links with the right name?!) However I ran into a little snag so those of you who use the Canon Rebel XT can you help me out? I have it set in AV and can't get the f number to go below 5. Am I doing something wrong? I am switching the dial thing. I am so inept at this whole photography thing that for all I know I am not even turning the right dial.

So anyway I was trying to shoot in AV with a low f number and attempt to focus on the pupil to get the catch lights. I think I did it on some? Any and all advice greatly appreciated!!! I really want to learn so feel free to share what you think!!

Hailey is always harder for me to get a cute picture of. She is so darn cute in real life but when the camera comes out she makes either weird faces or fake, squinty smiles. Then she moves so much which is why she is way off center.

Poll

OK since there was such a great response on the poll I will be doing another one! Wow....I am so glad to see I am not alone in what I do with forwarded e-mails....so here is my moment of truth:(And by the way after watching a little more of the show last week I am appalled and will no longer be wasting my time. I am sorry....it goes a little too far. Very sad. But that's a whole other post.)

I rarely if ever even open FW emails!!! I hope that isn't too terrible! I just don't believe most of them and feel like they can be a little on the cheesy or dramatic side. All that to say I have occasionally read some but only if I had a ton of extra time. So if you send me them I am really sorry. It is nothing personal, really its not.....usually I get the same ones over and over anyway. So please don't cross me off your list of friends (maybe just your FW list). But if you are one who is touched by them that is great too. I was just curious if I was the only one out there who felt this way and apparently I am not......

Grandma Ruby Update

So the last few days have been really busy as I have spent a lot of time either crying or sitting at the hospital with Grandma. And Praise the Lord she is doing soooo well. She has come through the surgery better than expected and is already up in a chair!!! I am so relieved. We all love her so much and we love her spunk. She is never one to complain so I can't imagine if her life had to change now and she had to be confined to a wheel chair. It would devastate her. She loves to bake, bake, bake,and shop and she is quite good at both! Thank you for all who prayed. This has been a hard few days but a lot of blessing mixed in too. I know the reason she is doing so well is all the prayer. Thank you God- Jehova Rafa the God who heals. Please pray for her continued healing and mobility. The dr. actually said she should be up and moving with the same mobility she had before in 4-6 weeks!!

A cute story. My dad was sitting with her when she came out of surgery and she thought she was at a doll factory making dolls. She kept asking him if the nurses were real people. She said she must have been dreaming about dolls because she had just ordered the granddaughters more bitty-baby clothes last week when they were doing their free shipping special.

Happy Birthday Scott!

So Scott and Sydney (one of the girlie's best friends and daughter of our good friends-Pam and Dave-the photographer from a couple posts ago) celebrate the same Birthday! So we had them over for dinner tonight and for cake and ice cream. I decorated the cake with a S for both of them. Very creative I know. We had Scott's favorite dinner and once a year treat- meatloaf. Although I liked it more this time than ever before. Probably because we bought grain-fed hormone free hamburger from some friends around here. I never would have believed it but it really is so much better and really lean too!

Anyway....Scott had a fun day (I think). The girls and I made a treasure hunt for him and with each clue he found a present. The girls could hardly contain themselves they were so excited. They went to the fly fishing store with me and each picked him out some flies. It was really cute.

We love you so much Scott (Daddy). You are the best husband and dad ever. You are ever so patient, sensitive, helpful, and caring. Thanks for being you and more than I could ever ask for in a husband!!!!

Grandma Ruby

My Grandma fell and broke her hip yesterday. I feel so bad for her. She is having surgery today so please pray for her. I just hope she can recover quickly and continue doing all the things she loves to do....shopping, baking, interacting with her great-grandchildren. I was with her last night and will be going back tomorrow. The girls spent much of the afternoon drawing and writing get well notes for her. It was really sweet and she was thrilled.

An Ordinary Wednesday

Wednesdays are busy for us. First we go to Story time at 10:15. The girls love it and as you can see have a great time listening to stories and dancing to the songs. Avery is even totally into it which is so different than when Karis was this age. I almost quit going because I was pregnant and would end up being up and down and chasing her all over the library and leaving Hailey by herself. Avery sits and listens for the most part, does all the motions, and dances. It is so cute to watch. (See her sitting nicely in the chair?! Amazing what watching the older siblings does...)

After story time Hailey has Speech Therapy. We had her IEP meeting today and she is doing fantastic! I am so proud of her. She has a speech delay in articulation. It isn't too bad and most people can understand her for the most part. We didn't know she had fluid in her ears for a long time (which is why she ended up with tubes) so she couldn't hear very clearly which impacted her speech.

Then we load back into the car and go to Preschool. I pack a lunch so the girls eat it in the car. Then tonight we have small group from 5-7. I am looking forward to that. Sitting with 10 of our closest friends and chatting and praying and eating dinner. What could be better? Oh and the girls all happily playing in the activity hall with 3 great babysitters. I've said it before but our small group is such a blessing! When we moved here we were really looking for community and a place to belong and grow together- and that is what we have found. We love our church's emphasis on building community and also reaching outside of ourselves to those around us.

So that's our Wednesdays....busy days but lots of fun!

Blogger Question

How do you put a border or frame around photos on the blog?

Taking More Pictures

So Since there were some extra girlies here today and it was kind of cloudy out (a rare occurance in the burg) I decided to try taking some photos. I keep saying I am going to take a class and I really need to. My friend Dave gives me lots of helpful hints but I really need some assignments or something. Plus I don't want to drive him nuts asking too many questions. I also read some talented bloggers and look at their photos for inspiration but there is so much I just don't get. Although it was kind of funny one day Dave and I had a conversation something like this:

(He had come over to give me a little tutoring.)

Me: "So is this photography thing just really, really complicated?"

D: "Well...I have a four year degree in it, so maybe...there is a lot to learn"

Me: "OOOHHH....so this would be like me trying to teach you how to teach Sydney to read in an hour?"

D: "Exactly...."

So anyway the whole point of this post was I do like the way these photos turned out...it seems like it is so much easier to take pictures outside than inside...way, way easier for me at least. I know they don't compare to Mindy's or Sam's but Anyway here you have it.....the funny thing was I told the girls I was a professional photographer and they believed me and therefore posed quite a bit. So if any of you out there want to give me any advice I will gladly take it! Oh and I still have no idea how to look for the catch light thing...