Deck Watch

And now for an overly detailed, long description of how we built a new deck.

Dad was the head honcho on this job, Jan, Thad and I were apprentices. 

This is where we started, sure it looks fine, but in reality I haven't stepped on the right half of the deck for a year- 

-Because of what was (or wasn't) supporting it. During demo, three of us fell through the spongy rotten under deck, but there were no injuries.

We cleaned it out and built the framework.

Then got the decking and railing.

And now all stained and finished, it looks great, it's super sturdy, and just what I envisioned. We still need to work on the landscaping before we can check this one of my summer to-do list.

Update: here is the final product, loads of black bark, a few pavers, and pretty plants make it look so good! Thanks Dad!

Ninja Anna

Anna started taking karate in January, but of course with a broken leg we had a 3 month intermission, so she just barely advanced to a new belt - yellow! This pic was at the belt promotion ceremony where she was showing us her flying side kicks.

She's ready to move up to the next level and get ready to do black belt training. Not sure if I am ready for that commitment though.

High Ropes Course

 

I'm finally tall enough to do the ropes course at the Curiosity Museum, so we went this week to try it out. First there was a bridge with far apart and crooked pieces of wood that I had to walk across.  It was easyish-hard. Then there were two parallel ropes and a grid going up and I did that twice. There were tons of different courses and at each platform I could choose from several different ones. There was one with ropes on either side, and steps that you had to walk up and down. There was a guide rope that the leader said to put on your shoulder to make it easier. There was a course I didn't go on, it was a shaky beam that you walk across. Another one I didn't go on was like lily pads on poles that you had to go from one to another.

It was a scary and fun experience. I would do it again. Everyone should try it.

-Anna Gaines

May Days

We were extra busy in May, we've been having too much fun to sit down and write about it.

We finally got the sand for our sandbox. My sweet father helped us build it during Spring Break and then went and got all the sand for us and helped us fill it up. The girls were more than willing to help, mostly because we watched "Holes" the night before, and were anxious to put their shovels to work.

 It's been a great addition to the yard, the kids build in it throughout the day and it's far enough from the house that most of the sand comes off them before they come inside.

 Anna's leg finally healed! Hallelujah! She wasn't very cooperative about taking a picture but I snuck one in when we stopped home after the Dr to get her other shoe so she could wear it to school. After she had the boot for 2 weeks, she was hopping around and not slowed at all, nevertheless, we are SO happy to be done with it.

 Calvin is POTTY TRAINED!!!
It was not as bad as I thought it would be, if I hadn't put so much pressure on myself maybe we could have done it sooner, nevertheless, it is done and I'm very happy.
Just look at that cute smile.














He earned many rewards throughout the process, one was this backpack, he calls it his "'venture packpack" Which is adorable and we haven't gone on any adventures yet, but we should. I don't know what he would put in it. He is also realizing that he will be going to school soon and will use it there.

 Look at that face. This was just a nice picture, not really a story. Though I do like how her bangs have been extra swoopy lately.

 Becca was given a sun hat, she didn't rip it off immediately, which is a win. Also Ben bought her some sleeveless onesies so she can show off her guns.















                   

 

Eliza graduated preschool, and her wonderful teacher didn't plan a ceremony or anything, but did send me this picture, which was perfect. The next day she threw a big water party for the kids in both classes and any parents or little siblings that wanted to come. It was great, the weather mostly held and there was tons of food.

 Ben and I took a late birthday/anniversary weekend up to Park City and let Uncle Thad watch the kids for 2 nights. He saved this easter bunny sugar cookie house kit for weeks until we could get together, the kids decorated it all and it was adorable. We had a great weekend and the kids loved the time with him.

 Calvin still smiles with his eyes closed. It's adorable.

 I just love all these pictures I took of Becca.












<--especially this one
She's a super happy/patient baby and I hope she stays that way.

 Our biggest event this month was Anna's baptism that finally happened on the 14th. She was supported by a good group of family and friends. Our family photographer had sick kids, so this was and is the only family photo we have of all of us and it is not great. I guess we'll have to go to sushi or something to get pictures again.

Springtime

These pics are all out of order, and I can't bring myself to spend 15 minutes trying to figure it out. Besides these all took place within the last 2 months, so close enough...

Julia and Becca will be best cousin friends. Julia came out 3 months after Becca but already almost the same size. So we are taking advantage of these few months where Becca can claim to be bigger than Julia. But they are both totally adorable and fun to hang out with.

Becca 4 months, Julia 3 weeks

Here's Becca at 4 months, she loves tummy time and occasionally turns over. Or maybe she'll just fall asleep on her quilt. She adjusts to life in many ways.


We went to the zoo on the last day of Spring Break - Anna crutched all over the place and we were all exhausted by the end of our visit.


We got a new bike trailer, and have had lots of fun going on rides. Once Becca is big enough to sit up in it, we'll have lots more bike rides/jogs for exercise.


About 2 weeks after Anna broke her leg, we were able to unwrap it and let Grandma clean it up really well so it could heal properly. I love this picture a lot. Anna was in a ton of pain, mom was very patient and caring but she made sure it was all cleaned up before she let her out. Grandma is our favorite nurse in the world!


Happy St Patricks Day!


Swinging on Grandpa's tree swing


self explanatory, I think.


Happy Easter! We hosted a big family easter egg hunt/party that was tons of fun.

Calvin found the leftover cake from the easter party on Sunday morning and helped himself. Then I asked him to smile for the picture - so perfect.

Anna and I had a girls night out organized by our ward Activity Day leaders. It was a fun, low maintenance night to relax and enjoy each other.

Backpacking

Lately I have been enamored with the idea of backpacking. I read "Wild" about the woman who backpacked the Pacific Coast Trail by herself. I saw the movie of "A Walk In The Woods" about an odd-couple pair of old guys walking the Appalachian Trail. And the other night I saw "The Way" an Emilio Estevez -- Martin Sheen indie movie on netflix about a pilgrimage through Spain.
The idea of a long backpacking trip is alluring to me, and I think I know why -




1- Solitude and Quiet - I picture myself walking down beautiful trails alone without another being in sight listening to wildlife gently scampering through the woods. This serves as a contrast to my current position, a hostage of 4 needy jailers forced to spend every day together, usually in the same room. As Ron Swanson says "There is no quiet anymore, there is only Doc McStuffins"



2- Visual Progress - On the trail you have a map that tells you Where to go, How far you have already gone, and How much is left. These days, I am doing the same thing every day without any measure of progress. That would be like hiking the same trail every day without actually getting anywhere. The only thing that changes is the weather.


3- Trail Guide - A prepared hiker may have a trail guide with them, this will give information that the map doesn't show, information from past hikers of where to camp, get water, expected dangers etc. Can you imagine if someone could say to you "At mile marker 15 your 3 year old will be ready to be potty trained" Oh my gosh, that would be amazing! Now, lots of parents are willing to give advice, but I'm talking about information specifically about MY kids that would help me know how to prepare and what to expect.


4- Escape - Don't we all need to escape once in a while? To get away from the world, the same people and places you see every day, and do something different to spice up your life? I think it all boils down to this funk-buster, Escape into Nature.


Now I am of course a realist. I know that if I went on a backpacking trip I would be pretty miserable. As soon as I got cold or wet or tired, I would be worthless. Still, it might be a nice change of pace for a while.

(for those keeping track I have had 4 kids for 3 months now and Anna's leg has been broken for 3 weeks - maybe it has been a little rough)

Mailbox Moving Day!

We were just hanging out in the backyard when Eliza suggested we go move the mailbox - like it's just that easy- well, we can go dig a few test holes, I thought, the ground is really tough right there.

And it was for the first 6 inches, then we got to a massive rock that almost beat us. But once we got it out the dirt was rocky, but soft. I/we dug almost 2 ft down. When we decided it was deep enough she said "okay mom, go get the mailbox" - like it's just that easy - so I walked across the street and pulled and tugged and moved it around like a loose tooth, and it came out.

So I walked it over and put it in the hole (which turned out to be way too deep) and she filled it in about halfway with her blue plastic shovel. I finished it and we placed stones around the base in an attempt to be decorative.

And now it's done and hey, sometimes it is just that easy.

Birthday Mayhem

For Anna's eighth birthday she got crutches. 

The Friday before her birthday (Sunday) Anna ran out to get the mail and was hit by a nice woman in a minivan. Anna didn't check twice for cars. Some nice moms walking by helped Anna, called the police then me, we went to the hospital in the fire truck. The top of her foot got some bad road rash and her leg above the ankle broke. Other than a few other scrapes on knees and chin, she was fine.

For her birthday she got roller skates and golf clubs and Lots of gifts and attention from neighbors and friends and family, the driver brought her a big basket of get-well toys and the principal even brought balloons.

Now she is impatiently recovering at home and Calvin hasn't even hurt her leg once. Our deepest thanks to everyone for their help/prayers/thoughts and gifts. 

We Shall Overcome

(And we shall get the mailbox moved over to our side of the street)

A Recipe That DID Work

We all know that my cooking and baking failures are myriad, so I am pleased to announce that today I made my first cake from scratch - I followed completely the recipe from friend LJ - and it totally worked. 

I recently watched a season of "the Great British Bake Show" and by the middle of every episode found myself hunting my cupboards for desserts, specifically cake - which we did not have. Well no more!

Eliza wanted to help so I let her "clean the bowl." She would not allow a picture of her face, unfortunately.

Here is the gorgeous Texas sheet cake right out of the oven-

Frost it while it's still hot - that's what LJ said

My helper was pretty disappointed that she couldn't add food coloring to the frosting, so I said she could put sprinkles on. My eyes were wide with disbelief as she dumped the entire bottle of sprinkles on the cake. So there's that.

I will now freely admit that I plan to stand over this cake with a fork and eat more than I should, and I suspect that it will get better and better every day. 

Thanks LJ

Baby Becca

I haven't posted anything here about her for the last 5 weeks and baby has changed so much.

In general she is a pleasant little person, she eats, poops, and sleeps at regular and appropriate intervals. She smiles and holds her head up on special occasions and she is beloved by all. She is growing out of the newborn stage, she has already lost all her hair, outgrown the NB clothes and diapers, and constant sleepiness and is moving on to being a sturdy little baby.

Here are some pictures, most have been on FB/IG but some might be new.

This is all 4 of my kids at about the same age, I think they all look very similar. Anna is in b/w, then it goes clockwise Eliza, Calvin, Rebecca.

I think this was Christmas Day.

No more squishy newborn face-

Starting to smile, me struggling to catch one in a photo, but they are adorable

Dear future Rebecca, you were once a very tiny thing. (Toni for scale)

Calvin loves to cuddle with her in his bed, here it turned into quite a love fest

They are so cute

Here are some more attempts at photographing smiles, I should probably just do a video.

Sleeping on mommy. I miss this when they get older.

Eliza asks to hold the baby constantly, but only for an average of 45 seconds, so it's not super helpful. This pic gives you a nice view of her very bald head. This is at its baldest (I hope) she should start growing and retaining hair in the coming weeks

Here she is in her Sunday best, this sweater was made for our first baby by a friend in Boston, they have all worn it and loved it. 

That brings us up to date on pictures and Rebecca. Stay tuned for more in the coming months and years and eternity.