Another Busy Week

There was SO much going on this week. I hardly know where to begin. So, I will try to keep it somewhat brief.

First off, Greg did a Wii Masters tournament with Lowden, Parker, and Lauren this week. Lauren was way ahead but decided to drop out after the first few rounds siting her need to "do something with mommy." I wish I had gotten a picture of them playing but here is Greg's summary of the tournament:

"The first annual Wii Masters golf tournament was one for the history books. Lowden emerged as the Tiger Woods of Wii golf, beating the field by twenty strokes and leaving the other participants to jockey for 2nd - 4th place (Dad got out-jockeyed and finished last.) Long putts were made, balls were chipped-in from the fringe, Parker even knocked down a long driver shot on the par 5 5th hole for Eagle. There were smiles and high fives, and there were hot tears of frustration, but fortunately more of the former than the latter and on balance a great time was had by all." Final Score: Lowden +3, Parker +20, Daddy +27.

And in other news...

Lauren with her friend, Addy, we were all bundled up to watch one of the boys baseball games and then it started pouring down rain. So, the coach decided to bag it and we headed to scouts.

Parker showed us a magic card trick at Cub Pack Meeting. We received many "ooos" and "aaahs" for this dazzling display.

On Thursday, Lowden had a fourth grade concert at school and Parker went to the baseball game. Lowden did a great job reading a poem about the environment at the concert. I was so focused that I didn't take a single picture. And poor Parker was very cold at the game. He's huddled under the Oregon blanket on the right side.

Lauren spent a good part of the week rehearsing for Snow Maiden. She performed on Saturday at the Soreng Theater at the Hult Center. She did a beautiful job as a butterfly! I think her favorite part may have been getting to put on makeup for it. I gave her a single rose afterwards which she named "Rosey" and said it her best friend. She also wants to name a child "Rosey" now. Here she is backstage...

Here she is on stage...

Also on Saturday, more baseball games...Lowden's favorite thing is still stealing bases.

You can watch him here...

Here is Parker up to bat...

Here is Lowden letting Chris by for a run...

And here am I...wrestling the angel. I had to work hard at this game. I was his seatbelt, his headphones (put my hands over his ears and sang him a little song), and his binoculars. I finally discovered bribing works the best. Ice cream...who doesn't want to sit still for ice cream. And oreos. ☺ He was wasn't feeling like smiling here...but we love him anyway.

Quick Quote-April 2008

In response to my asking him, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Bennett said, "A Cub Scout!"

Quick Quote- April 2008

Lauren kissed her tooth tonight and put it under her pillow. Then said "Bye Bye Tooth...And Hello Money!" About five minutes later, she came downstairs bawling. She said "I want to keep my tooth!" I assured her the tooth fairy would understand.

A New Talent

This last Sunday, Parker drew these portraits of the high council speakers during church. I think he captured some of their essence although I don't remember their teeth looking quite like that. But you can't argue with art!

What We've Been Doing This Last Week...

This was the weirdest weather week I can remember for April. It started off nice and warm...making our flowers and us baseball-game-watching-parents very happy!


By end of the week, it was snowing. Our poor plants didn't know what to make of it.

Lowden and Parker had their 2nd baseball game this week. Parker got the MVP medal for the game which I posted about here.


Bennett was having a hard time sitting still so I let him use my camera for a bit. Thankfully, these pictures which were in the camera kept him laughing for awhile.

I convinced him to play Peek-A-Boo with my friend's baby but that only lasted for one minute so long.But then Bennett started taking pictures himself. One hundred and sixty-three pictures later, our camera was filled with his photographic brilliance. This kind of raw talent should shouldn't be repressed.

You just can't make this stuff up!

Parent Teacher Conferences were this week and the kids all got glowing reviews although each one has something they need to work on too.

Lowden - A TAG (Talented and Gifted) specialist determined he was definitely TAG and has the math ability of a starting 11th grader ready for Pre-Algebra. He is not officially a TAG kid though since the district TAG specialist said he was one point below TAG. His teachers are going to give him extra enrichment activities until we test him for TAG again next Fall. Lowden needs to work on his handwriting. He just likes to go SO fast. My parents may remember I was the same way.

Parker- His teacher just loves him especially his sense of humor. At school, he comes off as kind of shy at first. Anyone who knows him knows that isn't really Parker. But, he has this inherit ability to charm his teachers. I wonder if he realizes it. He's a friend to everyone. And, is very smart as well getting all E+ (E= Exceeding Grade Level Expectations) on his Math and mostly E+'s on reading. He needs to work on giving more effort into his work and expressing his ideas when speaking.

Lauren- Her teacher says she has an awareness of everything that is happening in the classroom which would make her a good teacher. She is often reminding her teacher of what they should be doing next. And, she always wants to help...taking kids to the office when they are sick, to the library when they can't go to recess, and taking kids to lost and found to find their missing coats. She got a lot of E's on her report card as well. She needs to work on remembering to bring home and return her homework ALL the time. She also needs to slow down when she is working so her handwriting is more easily read.

To prep me for a Wii tennis girls night, Lowden was kind enough to give me some pointers on how to play. I'm a racquetball girl by heart. So, when I play tennis in real life, I tend to hit the ball way too hard. But, he was able to teach me some serious moves!

He told me, "Maybe you should bring me with you to beat your friends." Then, after beating me, he said "I bet you will beat the people your age!"

And, I played like a pro reasonably well at my girl party.

Lauren brought us back into good standing a the local library by finding the books we've been missing for 2 months. She also saved Parker and her a chunk of change that they were going to have to pay for losing them. Somehow one of the books had slid almost under Parker's mattress. Inspired by Lauren's finding skills, Parker dug out found the other one in his desk!

On Saturday, Bennett got to join his siblings for his first Primary Activity at church. The Primary Presidency puts on activities for the kids 3-11 four times a year. So, I felt almost guilty dropping off all four of my kids for free babysitting the primary activity at the same time. But, they all had a good time and I got some shopping done. It was good times for all of us!

Lauren has been rehearsing on Saturdays for a special show called Snow Maiden that her dance studio is putting on at the Hult Center. She is a butterfly and is looking forward to fluttering about next week for the official show.

On Saturday, Greg and I went on our date and were happy to meet our beautiful, new niece.

Our date was fun too! It was so fun to be able to talk without interruption.

And, that's what we've been up to...how's life in your neck of the woods?

Welcome to the World Baby {H}

Greg and I were very happy to meet our new baby niece yesterday. Congratulations Martin and Rachel!!! She's beautiful!

It's Snowing....In April

Quick Quotes- April 2008

(A self portrait by Bennett)

Bennett: After the boys baseball game, Bennett said, "I want to go home to live happy ever after."

Lowden: After making him a zucchini omelet, said "This is the single most greatest meal I have ever tasted in my life!"

Parker's MVP Medal

Parker and Lowden's baseball coach gives out a MVP medal at each game. Last night, Parker was awarded this special honor. He was SO excited and we were all very proud.

Here is Greg's game recap (If only I could get him to do all of the writing for our family blog, we would all be riveted to our seats):

"The Phillies scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the 1st inning, then gave up six straight runs to the Cubs to fall behind 6-1. But they hung in there and came up to bat in the bottom of the last inning down 6 runs to 3. Things looked grim when the first batter grounded out to the Cubs' second baseman, but the next few batters drew walks from the suddenly erratic pitcher and a couple of ground ball hits evened the score at 6 runs each. Another pair of walks loaded the bases as Parker made the long, scary walk from the on-deck circle to the plate. With the bases loaded and one out, a hit would win the game, a double play would end the inning and bring the Cubs' best hitters up again in the first extra inning. The pressure was on. Parker, looking shorter and scrawnier than usual in his batting stance, could barely see out from underneath his helmet. Parker's dad was mumbling half-coherent words of prayer and desperate encouragement.

The first pitch sailed toward home plate; Parker waved the bat in its general direction: strike one! The second pitch was high and outside: ball one! In came the third pitch, chin-high and inside: ball two except for the vain swipe Parker took at it. One ball, two strikes. Incredible, suffocating pressure...Parker probably felt it too.

The fourth pitch came in slow motion, each stitch on the ball's seams clearly visible as it tumbled toward the crouching 9 year-old. High again! Don't swing! But the end of the bat started moving forward, in slow motion of course! A sickening moment of helpless frustration: strike three, inning over. But wait, what was that 'cracking' sound?--and what was that small white object rolling toward third base? Someone (I'm not sure who) screamed "It's a hit! It's a hit!" and Parker took off running for first base.

Reaching top speed in about three steps, elbows and dust flying, Parker churned toward safety at first. The runner on third base sprinted in for the go-ahead run; the third baseman mishandled the throw from the pitcher and the next base runner scored as well. When the dust settled and the cheering subsided Parker was standing on first base, the huge grin on his face just visible beneath the giant overhanging brim of his batting helmet. Final score: Phillies 8, Cubs 6."

EDIT: After posting this and adding it to our baseball team's website, Parker saw what I had done and asked "Does this mean I'm famous now?"

Quick Quotes- April 2008

Lowden & Parker: Lowden says "I cannot believe that dad survived this whole weekend while you were gone. Because it was CRAZY with capitals." And then Parker interjected, "And three exclamation points." (I found this picture on Lowden's camera...I have no idea how he created this three-Lowden effect. I'll have to ask him his trick.)

Dad, Lauren, Parker & Lowden: We are at the dinner table and dad says, "Modest is the Hottest." Lauren starts repeating, "I'm the Hottest. I'm the Hottest." Parker says "It means you are beautiful or something." Lowden says "It means your sweaty. Very sweaty."

Our Week in Review Monday-Sunday

This is late a few days since I just got back from California. But, here a little bit about our last week...

On Monday, the skies in Oregon smiled on the sport of track, but frowned on the sport of baseball. It was pouring rain when Lowden started his first day of track. But, that didn't dampen his excitement! Luckily by the time they started running, it had stopped raining. Lowden and Parker got dressed for baseball practice and then it started pouring rain….it kept raining till the coach decided to cancel practice…then as we drove away the rain completely stopped. Funny spring weather...sure keeps us on our toes. But, I will take it over snow or ultra-hot weather anyday.

Lauren has decided not to become a book writer after all. Now she wants to be a teacher like her first grade teacher at school. She also insisted I take this picture...

Bennett had a bit of extra social time when we attended a church lunch group this week. He learned that sharing is hard work on both ends. But, he gave he managed to share his Sun chips with Whitney and Emily without complaint.

In other news, the sun came out. The kids were so excited that they insisted on having blankets to sit on and ice cream cones. How could we say no to these faces?

On Friday, I headed to California to see my parents and attend my dad's retirement dinner. It was so fun to meet up with my mom and have some time together. We had a great time on Friday shopping in Sacramento and eating at our favorite mexican restaurant across the street from the Arden Fair Mall.
I also got to see my grandparents who recently moved back to Lodi. You can see from this picture that I didn't get my height from my grandma's side of the family. But I love her just the same! Grandpa talked and talked....it's fun to listen to him. They have a newly remodeled home they are living in next door to my Uncle Frank and Aunt Norma. I have so many fond memories with them from my childhood. Grandma taught me how to play King's Corners (a card game) and makes the best garlic spaghetti next to my mom's. And grandpa always made us laugh.

Back on the home front, I left Greg with a charge to take pictures of the boys' opening ceremonies for Little League. He turned this charge over to Lauren and I got this riveting video... WARNING: If you are affected by motion sickness, you may want to reconsider pressing play. The good news is there is no height restriction for this ride. And, pregnant women who have stable stomachs are welcome too!

On a less twirly note, the boys had a great time! Here they are with their friend, Chris.

They were especially excited to sit in "reserved seating" at the Eugene Emeralds Civic Stadium. Here they are running out on the field. Lowden is number 12 and Parker is number 10.

Then, they line up all the players across the field and do the national anthem and some other baseball ceremonial stuff. I wasn't there...I'm just trying to remember from the last few years what they did. But, the word is they had a great time. Oh...I just asked Lowden and he said "We ran across the field. They introduced all the teams. And some other stuff." So, there you have it...the word straight up.

Greg told me that Bennett was having a hard time sitting so he had to bribe him. When I got home from California, Lauren spilled, "Yeah Bennett was crazy so dad bought us a bear claw, a big cinnamon roll, a long chocolate bar, and a nut doughnut." She is always good for the scoop.

Later that day, they had their first game. There are no pictures due to a cranky Bennett and an exhausted father. But, the boys each got a run and got to play a few positions 2nd base, shortstop, outfield and benchwarmer (apparently their coach calls that a position...and there are 13 boys on the team so they rotate that honored place near the field.)

Back in California, I got all dressed up to go to my dad's retirement dinner put on my the Deputy Sheriff's Association. Here is me and my step sister, Michelle! It was so fun to be with her.

My dad looks pretty happy about retirement, doesn't he? I had to harass him to get this smile out of him....this is rare photographic evidence that my dad can be coerced into a smile. It's a cop thing.

Here he is with his wife, Mindy. Doesn't he look sharp? Mindy and I discovered two hours before the dinner that my dad didn't have an outfit that was fitting for his special night. So, she and I drove to Mervyns (20 minutes away) and bought him this suit jacket, tie, shirt, and belt. It was a lot of fun to buy something for my dad to wear. And, he looked very sharp! Mission accomplished. This dinner included all the men and women who retired from the sheriff's department in the last two years. Also present was the County Sheriff and the President of the Deputy Sheriff's Association.

Mindy has two children, Michelle and Robby. It was great being together with them! I haven't seen Robby and his wife, Melissa, since they lived in Oregon. He is in the US Navy and recently moved to Monterey from the base in Hawaii. He and Melissa have a ten month old daughter named Bridget. She is a beautiful baby and is a little angel. They tell me she cries sometimes but I haven't seen or heard any proof of that. I do not have a picture of her here ,but I'm hoping Robby will send one soon.

The Sheriff's Department gave my dad a special retired sheriff's badge. He served 35 years in law enforcement. Five of the years were with the California Highway Patrol and the rest were served as a County Sheriff. I'm very proud of my dad's accomplishments. And, I know that if his mother and father could have been there, they would have been very proud too!



I love this picture of me and my dad. This is out in front of his home in California.Here are my dad's other kids, Champ and Buddy. My dad has always had a thing for large dogs. He has had a labrador retreiver ever year of my life. My dad and Mindy in front of their yellow country house.My dad has always liked to go to breakfast. When I was younger, he took me often. He always knows all the server and cook's names. Going to breakfast with my dad is a tradition.It was so fun to be together with them all. I had the belgain waffles with fresh strawberries. It was yummy!

And there you have it our week in review.