The present I really wanted to give to Everett is a BB gun, but I settled for the dart gun because he is still a bit young for the power of the 200-shot carbine-charged Red Ryder.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Double-Barrel Dart Gun
Beau "Jammin'" w/ Casey
For our ward talent show, a friend (pretty good on the horn) and I (not so good on the horn) performed a couple of elementary-level Christmas songs. The first song we played went pretty well, but Saundra only had time to record the second; so, here it is. I really choke at the end, but it was still fun.
Eliza's Birthday Present
Thank you Nani, Auntie Alli, Auntie Lexi for the warm gift! It is being put to good use on these cold winter days we are experiencing. We love and miss you!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
聖誕節快樂!
Christmas letter 2009
Gratitude is a tough thing to hang on to. It is human nature to see what we want rather than focus on what we already have. It is especially difficult in the time and place we live. A time where we can talk to friends on the other side of the country/world while cruising at 35,000 feet above the ocean in what 100 years ago would be considered extreme luxury; yes, I speak of coach class. In a country where having two cars, internet service (high-speed of course), and game consoles seem to be necessities. So, it is good, at least once a year, to reflect on things that really matter; things that are of an eternal nature and consequence. Christmas provides us a wonderful time to do so, and we will share with you a couple of the things that really matter in our lives.
First, we have come closer as a family as we have strengthened our relationships with Christ. He prayed that “[we] may all be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” We are grateful that our God “so loved [us] that He gave his only begotten Son” so that we can be one with him; one in mind, one in heart, one in purpose.
Secondly, we enjoy each other. Below are some observations I’ve made about our family over the past year:
Eliza: She looks like a mix between Snow White and the Michelin Man. We enjoy taking advantage of the therapeutic value of squeezing her chunky thighs and kissing her plump cheeks. Her poop is starting to smell more like Zach’s and less like a baby’s; it never was fun changing diapers, but now it is less enjoyable; plus she squirms a lot. Fortunately we have lots of experience! It also seems as though Eliza wants to know at what audio frequency and amplitude tympanic membranes begin to rupture. Her experiments include screaming at random moments in time--especially when her mouth is fairly close to another’s ear. Her laughter seems to soothe the pain though, and may even have a healing effect. We shall see, or hear for that matter.
Zachary: He is bursting out of his caveman shell and becoming an articulate three-year-old (if one really exists). Maybe soon he will take on the civilized manner of waste disposal, but for now, he still soils himself and comes to us for clean-up. He still loves to wrestle, but has also picked up on Everett’s obsession with mixed martial arts…so I now have to protect the more delicate parts of my body when it’s play time. He keeps us smiling (and vigilant) all the time.
Everett: The smartest four-year-old boy I’ve ever met; he is learning to read, and can get through the easier books fairly well. Much to his mother’s chagrin, he has adopted his father’s fascination with the fine art of marksmanship. He will make just about anything he can find into a bow or gun; like I said, he is really smart! He ran his first 5k, and although he collapsed into his mothers arms at the end, it wasn’t because of fatigue. It was because it was freezing cold and raining outside…he has proven himself worthy of a double-barrel dart gun, which I bought him for Christmas. I love my stud and he is everything I wish I was.
Abigail: She is more like a teenager than a six-year-old. Emotionally she is like a rollercoaster ride. I just try to understand that girls don’t make sense and they really aren’t interested in stability; rather, they just like to make capricious decisions that are based on feelings vs. collected thought. One might think that this would bother me, but actually I find it interesting. Predicting how she will react to a certain request or situation has become somewhat of a game for me…very rarely do I prognosticate with any accuracy. She is a voracious reader and devours books like a bear eating spawning fish after a long winter’s hibernation. We love her and are grateful she is one of us.
Saundra: Still running… She completed two marathons this year (Air Force & Baltimore), and doesn’t seem to be satisfied with that. She still acts as the Taylor Elementary School superintendant, principal, and teacher. On top of that, she is a wonderful homemaker/mother and finds time to take care of her church responsibilities (primary presidency). Oh, and of course, she is the loveliest wife a man could possibly ask for.
Beau: Building my first .45 was a wonderful experience. I have become a fan of Wynton Marsalis, and have started pursuing the dream of one day making a trumpet sing the way he does. This pursuit of musical proficiency is a bit annoying to the rest of those who live within hearing distance, but it shall go on…
We love you all and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Gratitude is a tough thing to hang on to. It is human nature to see what we want rather than focus on what we already have. It is especially difficult in the time and place we live. A time where we can talk to friends on the other side of the country/world while cruising at 35,000 feet above the ocean in what 100 years ago would be considered extreme luxury; yes, I speak of coach class. In a country where having two cars, internet service (high-speed of course), and game consoles seem to be necessities. So, it is good, at least once a year, to reflect on things that really matter; things that are of an eternal nature and consequence. Christmas provides us a wonderful time to do so, and we will share with you a couple of the things that really matter in our lives.
First, we have come closer as a family as we have strengthened our relationships with Christ. He prayed that “[we] may all be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” We are grateful that our God “so loved [us] that He gave his only begotten Son” so that we can be one with him; one in mind, one in heart, one in purpose.
Secondly, we enjoy each other. Below are some observations I’ve made about our family over the past year:
Eliza: She looks like a mix between Snow White and the Michelin Man. We enjoy taking advantage of the therapeutic value of squeezing her chunky thighs and kissing her plump cheeks. Her poop is starting to smell more like Zach’s and less like a baby’s; it never was fun changing diapers, but now it is less enjoyable; plus she squirms a lot. Fortunately we have lots of experience! It also seems as though Eliza wants to know at what audio frequency and amplitude tympanic membranes begin to rupture. Her experiments include screaming at random moments in time--especially when her mouth is fairly close to another’s ear. Her laughter seems to soothe the pain though, and may even have a healing effect. We shall see, or hear for that matter.
Zachary: He is bursting out of his caveman shell and becoming an articulate three-year-old (if one really exists). Maybe soon he will take on the civilized manner of waste disposal, but for now, he still soils himself and comes to us for clean-up. He still loves to wrestle, but has also picked up on Everett’s obsession with mixed martial arts…so I now have to protect the more delicate parts of my body when it’s play time. He keeps us smiling (and vigilant) all the time.
Everett: The smartest four-year-old boy I’ve ever met; he is learning to read, and can get through the easier books fairly well. Much to his mother’s chagrin, he has adopted his father’s fascination with the fine art of marksmanship. He will make just about anything he can find into a bow or gun; like I said, he is really smart! He ran his first 5k, and although he collapsed into his mothers arms at the end, it wasn’t because of fatigue. It was because it was freezing cold and raining outside…he has proven himself worthy of a double-barrel dart gun, which I bought him for Christmas. I love my stud and he is everything I wish I was.
Abigail: She is more like a teenager than a six-year-old. Emotionally she is like a rollercoaster ride. I just try to understand that girls don’t make sense and they really aren’t interested in stability; rather, they just like to make capricious decisions that are based on feelings vs. collected thought. One might think that this would bother me, but actually I find it interesting. Predicting how she will react to a certain request or situation has become somewhat of a game for me…very rarely do I prognosticate with any accuracy. She is a voracious reader and devours books like a bear eating spawning fish after a long winter’s hibernation. We love her and are grateful she is one of us.
Saundra: Still running… She completed two marathons this year (Air Force & Baltimore), and doesn’t seem to be satisfied with that. She still acts as the Taylor Elementary School superintendant, principal, and teacher. On top of that, she is a wonderful homemaker/mother and finds time to take care of her church responsibilities (primary presidency). Oh, and of course, she is the loveliest wife a man could possibly ask for.
Beau: Building my first .45 was a wonderful experience. I have become a fan of Wynton Marsalis, and have started pursuing the dream of one day making a trumpet sing the way he does. This pursuit of musical proficiency is a bit annoying to the rest of those who live within hearing distance, but it shall go on…
We love you all and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Jingle bells, snow and marshmallows
Saturday was the last 5K in the Runner's Series on Post that our family had been participating in. Everett decided to join in on the "fun" and run his first 5K. He had been training with Abi for almost 3 weeks. What a trooper these kids were! The day of the race started COLD with rain, and ended colder, but with snow! There were a lot of kids running this time around, which was fantastic!
Before the start of the race, our friends were in good spirits, even though it was so cold. They thought it was great to wear red noses and have antlers on their head. I had put bells on all our shoes, only to have them fall off before the end. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right? 
Here is Everett crying at the finish. Not that I blame him, it was FREEZING! Despite the temperature, he finished around 41 minutes. Abi and I (and Eliza and Zachary) finished not far in front of him and Beau. I'm so proud of my kiddos! I never would have thought to do what they do at their age. I suppose it's just the way of life at our house! 
We came home and everyone took warm baths to warm up. I even put their clothes in the dryer to make them extra toasty. They loved that. After all that, they forgot how cold it was outside, and begged to go out and play in the snow.
Of course, Everett had to bat the snowballs. Silly boy.
We were invited to a friends house after dinner for snacks and some Wii play time. Abi and Everett had fun! Of course there were plenty of arguments and bad sportsmanship, which illustrated to me that owning a Wii (or any other gaming console) is definitely NOT in our future!
Eliza and Zachary chilled on the couch with our friend.
Since their house is older, they have a fireplace. They let the kids roast marshmallows. YUM!
Sunday morning I decided to let the kids wear their Christmas outfits. I usually pull out the Christmas outfits on Christmas Sunday, but I figured we don't just put up the Christmas tree for one day and take it down, we enjoy it all season. So, they will get to wear their new clothes all month!
And Beau finally cut Everett and Zachary's hair! Don't they look handsome? And, very similar??
Abi has got the art of posing for pictures down to a science......
Eliza, on the other hand is having trouble. Well, she's still working on it. ;)
Before the start of the race, our friends were in good spirits, even though it was so cold. They thought it was great to wear red noses and have antlers on their head. I had put bells on all our shoes, only to have them fall off before the end. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right? 
Here is Everett crying at the finish. Not that I blame him, it was FREEZING! Despite the temperature, he finished around 41 minutes. Abi and I (and Eliza and Zachary) finished not far in front of him and Beau. I'm so proud of my kiddos! I never would have thought to do what they do at their age. I suppose it's just the way of life at our house! 
We came home and everyone took warm baths to warm up. I even put their clothes in the dryer to make them extra toasty. They loved that. After all that, they forgot how cold it was outside, and begged to go out and play in the snow.
Of course, Everett had to bat the snowballs. Silly boy.
We were invited to a friends house after dinner for snacks and some Wii play time. Abi and Everett had fun! Of course there were plenty of arguments and bad sportsmanship, which illustrated to me that owning a Wii (or any other gaming console) is definitely NOT in our future!
Eliza and Zachary chilled on the couch with our friend.
Since their house is older, they have a fireplace. They let the kids roast marshmallows. YUM!
Sunday morning I decided to let the kids wear their Christmas outfits. I usually pull out the Christmas outfits on Christmas Sunday, but I figured we don't just put up the Christmas tree for one day and take it down, we enjoy it all season. So, they will get to wear their new clothes all month!
And Beau finally cut Everett and Zachary's hair! Don't they look handsome? And, very similar??
Abi has got the art of posing for pictures down to a science......
Eliza, on the other hand is having trouble. Well, she's still working on it. ;)Friday, December 4, 2009
Happy Birthday, Eliza!
I no longer have a baby. Eliza is now 1 year old, and officially a toddler, because she is getting braver at walking. How sad! This past year went by much too quickly. We spent her birthday at home. She had a couple of presents, and cake of course! She had fun with the cake, and when I gave Beau the option of cleaning her or the chair, he picked the chair. I had the easy job. Just stick her in the tub! I took pictures of her throughout the day, to mark this momentous occasion. 
The day begins with Eliza impersonating Cousin It.
So shy in front of the camera.
Breakfast of juice, and cereal. Of course, they taste better after being thrown on the floor a few times.
After breakfast, it's time to read and eat a few good books.
Eliza's new favorite thing is to climb up onto Zachary's toddler bed.
While I was exercising, she was getting a workout as well.
After all that, she was worn out, so it was nap time.
In the afternoon, after Daddy came home, it was time to go for a ride in the stroller. Zachary is so nice to share his pretzels. Abi and Everett are training to run a 5K. More to come on that this weekend. :)
All right! Time for presents!
Can you see her little hand on the tray? It's almost like she's saying, "Give it to me Mommy! I want it, right now!" (Which is exactly what she was saying, because when I took the tray away to blow out the candle, she SCREAMED!)
She wasted no time in getting down to business. See her closed eyes? She was really getting into it! 
Now that she's all full of sugar, it's time to go take a bath.
She was awfully hyper in the bathtub. She wouldn't sit still. I guess she was experiencing a sugar-rush. 
Before long, she was joined by Zachary....
And then, before she knows it, EVERYONE is in the tub.
Showing off her new pajamas.
The day begins with Eliza impersonating Cousin It.
So shy in front of the camera.
Breakfast of juice, and cereal. Of course, they taste better after being thrown on the floor a few times.
After breakfast, it's time to read and eat a few good books.
Eliza's new favorite thing is to climb up onto Zachary's toddler bed.
While I was exercising, she was getting a workout as well.
After all that, she was worn out, so it was nap time.
In the afternoon, after Daddy came home, it was time to go for a ride in the stroller. Zachary is so nice to share his pretzels. Abi and Everett are training to run a 5K. More to come on that this weekend. :)
All right! Time for presents!
Can you see her little hand on the tray? It's almost like she's saying, "Give it to me Mommy! I want it, right now!" (Which is exactly what she was saying, because when I took the tray away to blow out the candle, she SCREAMED!)
She wasted no time in getting down to business. See her closed eyes? She was really getting into it! 
Now that she's all full of sugar, it's time to go take a bath.
She was awfully hyper in the bathtub. She wouldn't sit still. I guess she was experiencing a sugar-rush. 
Before long, she was joined by Zachary....
And then, before she knows it, EVERYONE is in the tub.
Showing off her new pajamas.I went back through our pictures, and picked out a few of Eliza. She's changed a little bit. I'm amazed how much her hair has grown!
The wonderful day of Birth.
3 months. 
5 months.
6 months.
8 months.
1 year old!
The wonderful day of Birth.3 months. 5 months.6 months. 8 months.1 year old!Friday, November 27, 2009
Thanksgiving
We were invited to spend Thanksgiving amongst friends. What a treat it was! Thankfully, the hosts have a rather large house, because there were 11 kids ages 8 and under crawling and running around. 3 of those 11 kids were babies under the age of 1! One would think that tragedy would have occurred, but nope! Everyone played very well together.
What would Thanksgiving be without Pilgrims and Indians? We had 5 Indians and 3 Pilgrims. The babies didn't get to play.
Just like the First Thanksgiving, our Indians and Pilgrims gathered around the TV to watch a movie.
Oh yum! The turkey. Can you see the looks of joy on their faces? Thanks, guys!
What would Thanksgiving be without Pilgrims and Indians? We had 5 Indians and 3 Pilgrims. The babies didn't get to play.
Just like the First Thanksgiving, our Indians and Pilgrims gathered around the TV to watch a movie.
Oh yum! The turkey. Can you see the looks of joy on their faces? Thanks, guys!Wednesday, November 25, 2009
1911 .45 ACP Beauty
This is the pistol I recently put together. Don't worry, a more qualified person than I helped me out quite a bit. It is a Caspian receiver, slide, mainspring housing, and grip safety. The other components are from Wilson, Nighthawk, and a few other manufacturers. I will take this beauty out on her maiden voyage this weekend...your prayers are appreciated.Monday, November 16, 2009
Who is that baby??
This morning I woke up and couldn't find Eliza. All I saw in her crib was Cousin It.
After getting her dressed, and fixing her hair, I found my beautiful princess.Saturday, November 14, 2009
Current events
My friend Misty came to visit for a couple of days. We spent one afternoon in Baltimore, and one day at Mt. Vernon. In the orientation theater, I noticed this quote on the wall. I liked it. I wonder what the current administration would think about it.
The weather was picture perfect at Mt. Vernon. The kids love the "ha-ha walls." If you don't know what a ha-ha wall is......google it!
Of course, they have to be silly wherever they go. That's why they're called KIDS!
Zachy is pretending to be Jacky Custis. Silly boy.
On another evening, our very good friends came over. Eliza and Clara had fun together. They are only 6 weeks apart. Eliza looks so much bigger than Clara, because she is, and she is also sitting on her knees. That is her favorite way to sit. It's quite cute.
Ah, my boys. Beau told them that when he goes shooting, he wears glasses to protect his eyes. Well, when they go shooting, they have to wear goggles as well.
Our family participated in yet another 5K. This makes it number 3 for Abi. She ran her fastest time yet...40 minutes. She's becoming quite the runner, and we are proud of her.
The weather was picture perfect at Mt. Vernon. The kids love the "ha-ha walls." If you don't know what a ha-ha wall is......google it!
Of course, they have to be silly wherever they go. That's why they're called KIDS!
Zachy is pretending to be Jacky Custis. Silly boy.
On another evening, our very good friends came over. Eliza and Clara had fun together. They are only 6 weeks apart. Eliza looks so much bigger than Clara, because she is, and she is also sitting on her knees. That is her favorite way to sit. It's quite cute.
Ah, my boys. Beau told them that when he goes shooting, he wears glasses to protect his eyes. Well, when they go shooting, they have to wear goggles as well.
Our family participated in yet another 5K. This makes it number 3 for Abi. She ran her fastest time yet...40 minutes. She's becoming quite the runner, and we are proud of her.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Baltimore 26.2
Ah yes, I did forget one thing. The reason I forgot, was because I didn't have any pictures to prove it. 2 Saturdays ago, I ran the Baltimore Marathon. Yes, it was 3 weeks after the Af Marathon. Crazy, I know. Even though I was still tired, and a bit jet lagged from just getting back home from our trip to NM, I had SO MUCH FUN!! There were more than 20,000 people participating in the entire running festival, which included a 5K, 10K, Kids Run, Half Marathon, and the Marathon. I wasn't aiming for any particular time, so I just took it easy, and finished in 4 hours and 22 minutes. Since I didn't push myself, I was hardly even sore the next day. I took the entire week off from any sort of exercise, to let my body recover. I think I'm recovered. Time to get back to business!
While I was running the Baltimore Marathon, Beau was participating in his own, "marathon." He was taking the SAT. What? The SAT? Yes, since Beau is trying to get into a special program, he had to take the SAT. I'm sure he did just fine. We'll find out his scores soon!
So, if I was running.....and Beau was taking a test...... who was watching the kids? A GREAT friend of mine from church came over bright and early at 7am to help us out. She is truly an angel to watch our 4 kids when she is 9 months pregnant with her first child! I hear she took a 4 hour nap when she got home that afternoon. She deserved it!
I have a cousin who is running his first ever marathon in January, in Arizona. If it were on a Saturday, I would fly out and run it with him. But of course, it's not! Our next marathon will be in March.....the National Marathon in Washington DC. I look forward to it.
While I was running the Baltimore Marathon, Beau was participating in his own, "marathon." He was taking the SAT. What? The SAT? Yes, since Beau is trying to get into a special program, he had to take the SAT. I'm sure he did just fine. We'll find out his scores soon!
So, if I was running.....and Beau was taking a test...... who was watching the kids? A GREAT friend of mine from church came over bright and early at 7am to help us out. She is truly an angel to watch our 4 kids when she is 9 months pregnant with her first child! I hear she took a 4 hour nap when she got home that afternoon. She deserved it!
I have a cousin who is running his first ever marathon in January, in Arizona. If it were on a Saturday, I would fly out and run it with him. But of course, it's not! Our next marathon will be in March.....the National Marathon in Washington DC. I look forward to it.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Finally!
I think I have finally caught up with the blogging that I have neglected the past month. There were so many pictures from NM, that I had to do a slide show. Sometimes it won't run on Blogger, so if you want to see the pictures, just click on the SEE IMAGES button under where the slide show should be, and then you will be directed to the website to view the pictures.
New Mexico Trip
We flew to NM to spend a couple of weeks with our family. As always, it was a lot of fun. The kids got to spend time with their cousins and grandparents.
We went to the zoo, where we saw lots of baby animals! The baby orangutan was my absolute favorite! We saw baby snow leopards, giraffes, and an elephant calf. Those were all that I can remember. There were signs everywhere alerting us to the new babies.
We spent time at Eplora! which is a great children's museum. Abi and Everett spent most of the time in the craft room with Grandma Donna, making things. The bubble area was also a bit hit. I think the adults enjoy themselves there just a much as the kids.
We woke up SUPER early one morning to go to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, only to have it canceled because of bad weather. The sky was beautiful, with it's dark clouds handing over the mountains. We didn't let it damper our spirits. I enjoyed spending money in the Artist Tent buying jewelery, and ornaments. The kids and Beau got in a balloon basket, called a gondola, and took a virtual ride. Beau did a good job flying it. I wanted to try to go again the next day, which happened to be the day we were leaving NM. What a change a day can make! The weather was perfect. Chilly, windless air, and a cloudless blue sky. Perfect conditions for flying. Bonus: It was the Special Shapes Rodeo! We saw a Space Shuttle, 2 bees kissing, Darth Vadar, Nemo, a Fire Truck, and many, many more!! It was worth the extra trip.
We attended a High School football game, so we could see my sisters perform with the marching band. It sure brought back a lot of memories. I was in marching band all 4 years of high school, and loved every minute of it. My sisters are enjoying their time as well, and it was great to finally see them perform. I helped my sisters to get ready for Homecoming. I was very proud of them for choosing to wear modest dresses, and to have their own dance at the house. They knew what the actual dance was going to be like, and didn't want to surround themselves with that garbage. We set up one room in the house for dancing, and Beau's Dad brought over his projector, so they could watch a movie in theater-style. They had dinner at home, and my mom and their date's moms made the food, and friends helped to serve. I think they enjoyed their evening.
Beau and I enjoyed the cuisine of New Mexico. We had chile every chance we could. We brought home some green chile, and I plan to ration it. :)
My sisters have the Twilight series, so I stayed up much too late almost every night we were there, in order to finish the 4 books. I liked the series a lot. I don't think I'll read them again, but it was entertaining to read. Someone asked me the question: Who do you like, Edward or Jacob? I don't know. It's a toss up. They both have good qualities. If you were to combine them, they would be a perfect man. But, one is a vampire, and one is a werewolf, and to me, that is creepy.
Playing at Grandparents' houses was most definitely the highlight for the kids. My mom has apple trees, where the kids would grab an apple for a snack while they were playing outside in her huge backyard complete with a tire swing and cats. Beau's Dad has a trampoline, a front yard with rocks to play in, and a room full of toys. Abi was very sad to leave, and cried for the entire ride to the airport. We had a great time, and always miss our family while we're away. Come visit soon everyone!
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