Saying goodbye

It's never easy to say goodbye. In fact, it seems like it gets harder with each friend who sets out. And even worse when they are attached to our family. First we said goodbye to the Rozeski family (though we keep saying it over and over with every visit :) and then at the start of this summer, we said a farewell to the Pace Family. They had become perfect friends for us.

They played competitive board games (which we are so into I can't explain rationally), Ashley was always good for calling me on my craziness, they played sand volleyball which thrilled Andy to no end, and our kids loved each other. I mean, seriously...we had the perfect boy / girl thing going for a long, long time. So our final night of kids playing together was a fun night of dress up and dance... And for Baker to share his blanket with Abbey was huge :)

Couldn't resist a little dress sharing...
A final kiss farewell
The next generation...curses that we all have jobs that cause us to move on with life!!! But there is always Michigan Football. And of course, another state capital. Cheers to friends we will never forget!

Are You Smarter than a First Grader? Apparently Not!

By now, everybody is familiar with the game show, are you smarter than a 5th Grader. Well, I had my own version of that game show tonight. One of my really good friends had his birthday today so as a family we decided to make brownies and deliver them to his doorstep. By the end of the day (when the brownies were finished) Heather decided she needed a little break so I packed up all of the kids into the van and made the trek over to his house.

When we got there the kids wanted to get out so they could personally hand him the brownies and the cute little card that Katie had made that had a picture of my friend wearing a crown. After we visited for a few minutes I told the kids it was time to get back in the car so that we could go home. Here is where the game show ensued. As I put Katie and Baker in the van (after having them run in separate directions away from me) I was already a little frazzled. It didn't help that I had four spectators all curiously awaiting to see how I was going to handle this situation.

After I got all of the kids in the car I walked around to get into the drivers seat when I heard a loud bang. Well as I was walking around the car Katie thought it would be funny to open the sliding door in the van. She was not alone. Not only did Baker laugh but so did I and our four spectators. Seeing the reaction Katie knew that she had a new game on her hands. However, just because I laughed the first time did not mean that I was still laughing by the fourth time. I kept running around the van; desperately trying to get in the van before she could pry the door open. Finally, I had had enough. I decided I would out fox the fox.

This time as I closed the sliding door, I opened the front door and locked all of the van doors to prevent her from opening it again, or at least givng me 2-3 more seconds to get around the van. I thought I was brillant and so did my spectators until I went to get into the van and realized that in the process I had locked myself out as well. By now the spectators were thoroughly entertained. In fact, my friends wife said, "thank you for not only bringing the treat but also providing the entertainment." Luckily I was able to talk Katie into unlocking the sliding door and finally letting me get in before prying the door open once again. So apparently I am not smarter than a first grader. Also, it appears that Katie's sharing time lesson this morning, the one about being obedient to your parents, flew right out the window. The silver lining of this story is at least now I know why they invented those annoying child safety locks.

Here is Katie's version of the events:

Boys Keep Out!

A few months ago, I was babysitting a bunch of 2 & 3 year old boys and they thought that the best activity was following Katie around and knocking over everything she was making. I'm not sure who came up with the idea, (most likely Baker) but it led to Katie screaming every 20 minutes.

She eventually slammed her door as she stomped into her room but it wasn't long before she opened the door to quickly put this sign into place and slam the door again. When I saw it, I couldn't help but smile. Especially the part where she thought the boys could, or even would, read it. And I really like the emphasis she placed on the eyes and mouth. While Baker cannot read, he can't miss the message there. it says, "you come into my room and these fists will make a bruise." Now, months later, she has decided to take it down. I happened to find the poster in the trash and pulled it out. I think when my dear Katie turns 16, I will rehang the sign on her door.

For Charlotte

It doesn't seem that long ago that I sent out an email announcing the arrival of Charlotte Larsen. We were all lucky enough to be pregnant together. and have our children be born within weeks of each other.
we shared some fantastic celebrations and some perfect summer days
and tonight I wait to hear if she will live. I'm so sorry Molly and Doug. My prayers are with you and my heart goes out to you. I love you and I cry with you.

first grade here she comes...

First day of Kindergarten August 2008

Katie started Kindergarten this year and after requesting a teacher change, she rocked school. She loved her teacher and was loved by her in every possible way. Mrs. Dashman had Katie reading to all sorts of classrooms, writing science reports about American Goldfinches, and she was even the first kindergartner to get the bronze medal for Math Facts (which is taking timed tests for every level from plus 1- 12 and minus 1-12, and she even went on to complete the first three levels of multiplication...can I brag a little about these brains she has in her head??? The best part is that she would get so frustrated when she failed test after test, but she kept going, even after threatening to quit and she accomplished her goal. And she had to try, where most things come easy to her, and I loved how proud she was when she finally finished and had truely earned the medal.) Andy volunteered every Friday morning with math facts and Katie loved this special time with her father. One thing I love about Andy is that he makes time for us. Many wonder if he works at all since he spends so much time with the family, But I know of the sacrifices he makes. Both professionally and physically. He chooses the family over everything and I love it. I know he has a lot of grading and teaching and stays up late many nights or works late or wakes up extremely early to read scriptures so that he can spend time with his children allowing me time to better myself as well and I love him for it. I'm once again reminded how wise my friend Eldon was to tell me to marry this guy. Despite every rocky road we started on, I am continually amazed at this person that the Lord blessed me with. I'm so glad we stuck it out...and that he realised how dumb he was to break up with me in the first place :)!

but back to Katie...

Throughout it all, she has been friendly to others, been a leader and learned many lessons. I was so proud of her. I got to volunteer almost every week with her classroom and once I started my Master Naturalist training was able to teach her class a couple times as well about science. It was a most impressionable first year. Her teacher called late last night to tell me how she had broken down when her class left (as she does every year) but how lucky she was to have such a talented class. I agree. I loved the little kids. I made her a scrapbook of pictures and thank you notes from every child and a basket of food to cook with an apron with all the kiddos hand prints and she told me that in 30 years of teaching, this was the first book she had ever received. And she deserved one. Katie said goodbye....

and moved on up to first grade. She will be in Mrs. Custard's class (who based on the class list, has some of the brightest students in there so Katie should be challenged next year). But really, Katie doesn't care about all that, she's happy for her new teacher and sad to have good friends move into other classes. But if Katie is anything like her mother, and grandmother, and great-grandmothers (for whom she is named)and I like to think she is, she will have no trouble making new friends. Congratulations Katie. I love my little miracle.

With a flutter, flutter here, and a flutter, flutter there...

Katie woke up on May 7, 2009 at 4:45 AM to join her mom in bird banding at the World Bird Sanctuary. She was pretty excited to go the night before, but fell asleep on the floor as we tried to get her dressed. After a little food in her system, we were off. Katie chatted the entire way there. who knew one could talk so much that early in the morning.Even though it was dark outside, and she was young, the workers quickly put her in charge of pulling off the ribbons that held all the nets shut. I think she appreciated having a job instead of just standing around. They all worked really hard to give her a memorable experience.

She caught her first bird, an Ovenbird in net # 5. After it was
removed from the net and tagged with a clothespin to identify the net, Katie’s job as a runner took over. The birds were generally still in the bag, but this Ovenbird loved to flutter around and the first time it did it, Katie jumped but held onto the bag. I was so proud of how calm and brave she was.

Here we are with the second bird (a Swanson Thrush). Katie and I had some wonderful moments in the woods. Katie kept saying "Oh my" with every new discovery and although I have no idea where she heard this, it was endearing to all around to hear her enthusiasm caught in those two words.

After a bird is taken back to the processing center, it is hung on a line where it waits to be identified and recorded.Katie then got the bird off the line and brought it to the
the processing center where it was measured, banded, weighed, and
checked for parasites and gender. The ladies allowed Katie to see the wing feathers, the feet, to look closely at their eyes and basically to really understand up close and personal some pretty cool songbirds. And I must say, while Katie was learning all this information, my brain knowledge increased as well. It's pretty amazing when you think of what a busy job the creation of the world was. There are some really beautiful creatures out there. Katie then was taught how to release it back into the wild. She
was able to release two birds. A Swanson thrush and an ovenbird.
She was able to participate in this migration study and learn
about birding at the same time. The ladies there were so sweet. They involved this little six year old in every aspect and made her feel special and excited about birding. Now you know you belong in our family if you stick your little tongue out. it always helps you to concentrate. I can see why some people home school. You can just experience it so much more in person than in a book. What an educational day we had...and all before school even started.

I finally found the the right habitat...or is it niche????

Andy and I always talk about my seasons of life. I really wanted to be something. (skip ahead to pics if you don't want to read my saga..I won't know so I can't get offended) I don't think I was ever sure what I wanted to be. That's probably why my favorite person was Benjamin Franklin. He was a master at all sorts of stuff, and just did as he was inspired, regardless of the opinions of others. When I went off to Ricks college, I started as a computer programmer (and that was when pascal and basic was the known and used programming language :). ) But after a semester of that, I grew bored. So off I went into Theatre Arts. I graduated with my associates in that field ( a good fit I'm sure you're thinking) and then off to BYU. Once there, I found a love of the ocean and all things in it and became a Marine Biologist. I was all set and accepted to attend the John Hopkins Marine Institute in Monterey Bay when I decided to go on a mission. My parents were not all that thrilled as they felt if I left school, I would never return.

Interestingly enough, Andy entered the MTC not long after I did (though we never met). But they were right. If I had stayed in school I would have been a very different person since I would have stayed with Marine Biology and would probably be married to a water person, living off a boat studying sea otters (which was what I was doing at the time, studying sea otters I mean, since there are no boats in BYU you could live on.) Such a different life back then. Anyway, I came home, finished my minor in zoology, and graduated in Human Development (a whole other story in itself). At which point, I worked to put Andy through school and pay off debts until I was finally able to have Katie. But I always said I would go back to school, only after 10 years of working as an SSW in Utah and having children and being a mom, I don't think I know what to study and be anymore.

Long story short, I can never make up my mind. So along comes this opportunity to become a Master Naturalist. And to the complete surprise of my husband, I announce I would like to do this, and while yes, it will cost money for babysitting while I attend classes, the enrollment fees and whatnot, he says okay. Mind you, this came with a lot of questioning of my sanity since Andy was never a part of my life during my biology phases. But everything seemed to fall into place. First of all, I got accepted into the program (and Andy took the call and said they were happy to have me, even though there was a wait list for others), we were able to get a homeschooler to watch my children (and for the amount I could afford to pay) and off I went. I am in love. This is one of the best, most fulfilling, things I have ever done for myself. there is no way to explain it. It just makes me feel smart and useful and I am thrilled to say that Valley Park Elementary is allowing me to teach the kindergartners their my science classes, I get to be in the bat cave at the school and the Third graders are letting me teach butterflies. so perhaps when someone asks me what I do I can say I'm a Master Naturalist. that will probably get the same stares as "a mom" does but what the heck...I love it. The best part is the ride home when I call my sister to "share" all the fun things I learn. My brain is always on overload with random facts (like did you know dragonflies eat mosquitoes) and she just calmly listens to my excess of everything factual. In the book, The Know it All...the guy is constantly talking about all the facts he babbles out to others because the knowledge has to just come out. I feel the same way. So thank you Shelby!!

So on to my pics...On Saturday, we went to get trained on how to lead cave tours. (where to stop, what to say, and so much info I can't even get it out of my mind). But Andy also had to speak (for his job) and was going out of town. I sent out an email and my dearest friends stepped up and took turns taking care of my children, all day. And off I went to go to school. We were in the classroom for about 4 hours and then began our hike. About 2 hours worth up and down a mountain while we learned how caves look on the top side and what grows in karst environment. Also where the rivers drop off.
Then off to "wild" caves. These are ones that are not gated, but rarely used or seen as they are hidden. This particular entrance you have to belly crawl through water, but then it opens up to huge rooms.

Same entrance but looking down, you'd never spot it. I am standing in the entrance to the cave right by the guy in blue. But you cant see it. :)

This is a leopard frog. in the water just outside the mushroom cave entrance.

here we are heading in. In order to go into a "wild" cave, you must have at least 3 sources of light (including a head lamp if possible) and a helmet with a chin strap (many use bike helmets).

This is probably one of the coolest creatures found in caves. Most salamanders in caves lose their pigment and are blind (for obvious reason of blackness). But these little guys are bright orange and retain some eyesight, though not great. All across the roof of the cave are bats. This is the end of hibernation season and they come and go, though a few hang out. This is a brown bat. It is larger in size and has black forearms and ears. Though this little guy is smaller than my middle finger in length. The bats were so close, you could reach out and touch them, and though it took a lot of effort. I restrained myself.

A column is formed when the calcium deposits are formed. Basically a stalagmite and a stalactite join up. It reaches from floor to ceiling. Caves have some of the most amazing deposits. You crawl, swim, or climb through little holes into large cavernous rooms that are just inspiring. Plus, its the only place where you can truly feel darkness.

This is the group of Missouri Master Naturalists that I'm training with. They are some of the most knowledgeable and fun people I have met to date. Listening to the things they do, I have to remind myself that I can do it all as well, just in a longer season.

When you see a stalagmite ("g" for ground up) and it is white, or a stalactite ("c" for ceiling down), and it is white and crystal like, it is actively growing.

More fun creatures that wander around in caves.

This is another brown bat, but watch between this and the next one

This is an eastern pipistrelle. Note the pink forearms and pink ears. They are also smaller in size (about my index finger length..and are more common hanging alone, rather than cuddling) again, the brown bat, this one kept flying to different spots.
and again, then pipestrelle (know as pips)
So can you see why I would be in love with this? Thanks to my dearest friends who made this possible by taking my kids all day so I can be trained. The good thing is that I can take up to 10 people in now, so come with me and let me show you all I learned :).

Boys will be boys will be boys....

After exercising class today I decided that I would borrow another little boy to play with Baker and keep him occupied while I clean house. But of course, I needed to shower. So I told the boys what they could and could not do while I took a brief break to take a shower. Who knew when I forgot to mention, get naked, soak yourself in the left over rain water and then play in the sandbox, that that is what they would think of doing first. Imagine my surprise when I heard giggling coming from outside my window?!!! Thinking they had simply gone outside while I took a shower (breaking all rules anyway) I looked out ready to give them my sternest stranger danger lecture. Laughter once again bubbled up (this time from me) as I realised what they had done. Two little bottoms covered in sand pointed in my direction said it all. Sorry Tina, for posting naked pics of your little guy, but I couldn't resist this brief moment of what can only be described as "boys will be boys" or "Baker and Nathan being Naughty and loving it"...take your pick!this is the two of them running away from me while I tried to get them to come in. What you don't see is that they are shivering because it was cold outside!!

I finally told them they had to come in because they were naughty. See the smiles. Yeah...Naughty is not such a bad thing in their mind...heaven help us over the next 4 years.Here they are getting clean and splashing water while they warm up...can't blame you. You probably have a smile right now. I did. And I'm off to clean it all up!

In no particular order...here's our life

So this is my brief catch up of what we have been doing lately. In no order since I'm too busy to care what layout this uses....here is Baker and his friend Nathan at the zoo. These two boys make my heart laugh since they are very creative at what mischief they get in to. The other day they both decided at the exact same moment to poop in their underwear...tell me that's not a coincidence.

There is a new baby at the zoo. A giraffe. The zoo keeper said 500 people turned out to see her be born. They birthed her right in the open pen. Can you imagine that sight? I be the angels were smiling. Griffith and Baker love the fishes at the hippo exhibit

here's Baker and Nathan climbing the all to the slide

and yet again playing in the hippo's mouth

Mardi Gras here we come!!!

Somehow...we though going to the downtown Mardi Gras parade would be fun. And it was, for the drunken masses that surrounded us. But we got through it. Katie got a bunch of beads, Baker cried through the whole thing, and we got to see some of the oddest floats (if you could call it that). But another St. Louis first down. We want to try and get to very parade at least once. So far my favorite seems to be St. Patty's day. Though we want to try and get to the Dogtown St. Patty's day one year. And I just found another one. The Barkus parade for kids at Mardi Gras. That one will be our next years goal.

I have gotten into making Bento lunches and really enjoy it. It has spilled over into making Bento meals as well. Note my fun egg penguins who are swimming in a sea of blue cottage cheese.

We decided on what traditions we want to do for Valentines day. They each get a bucket with silly string, candy and a book. Our silly string fight was loads of fun for everyone except Baker.
Even Griffith got into it. and Katie loved shooting it all over.

So we weren't really thinking one day, but we decided to take 13 kids to the Zoo. Yeah, I know...crazy huh? There are 4 babies not pictured here. Needless to say, we lost one (which Andy hunted down) and just kept herding them around. Can we say Polygamy!!! One man, three women and 13 kids. Oh boy!

This is what life would be like with triplets. I babysat them one day and I thought, oh yeah...no wonder the Lord didn't answer that prayer to send all my kids at once. Regardless, they are all so cute I could just eat them up...Adam, Caleb and Griffith

Especially this one. His name is Caleb Boyce and I think looks more like my child than his twin brother...I think when they all turn 18 months, the nursery leader will run for the Ozark Mountains and never return...There will be 5 babies all entering at about the same time...heaven help us all!

Katie got very creative one day and made her very own castle for Hello Kitty. She really just wanted an excuse to use tape. But I am continually amazed at what she will fashion out of her mind.

Baker and Katie playing paint the rocks. I'm not sure why Baker thought this meant "lets get naked and paint ourselves..." but what do you do? Naked tighty whitey boys come from the Brimhall side. We went to World Bird Days and the kids all loved seeing birds and especially the pygmie owl which was only as large as my palm. Andy was at Spring training with all his brothers so this was a great way to pass the time.


Andy missed the annual St. Patty's day parade but this year, we had a great number of people come with us. It is always fun to see the balloons and get necklaces. Here is the yearly leprechaun photo. This guy is there every year and we love to get pics with him.