Sleeping Beauty

We still have a rough time sleeping at our house. When things seem like they are getting better it shifts again. But, there are those times that a moment takes you by surprise and it is glorious.

He will always be my baby boy.

Back to School '10

Sorry, I haven't been posting much. I wanted to spend time with my kids and also, I have been reading. But, not much has been happening anyway. Pam, Chris and Dutch did visit this weekend, but we of course didn't get pictures. (We had Mexican food and no food poisoning.)

The day has come. My children have been gone all day. I did not cry this time, though. (Which is a miracle considering I cry at everything else.)

Last night they had me help them set their alarms for 7:00am. At 6:30am this morning Anneke had been up a while. She was fully dressed and ready to go saying, "Mom, I am not sure why my alarm didn't wake me up." I try to study and work out a bit in the morning. Instead this morning I was changing clothes, earrings and doing hair for my children. By 7:20am they were anxious and we still had 35 minutes until we leave to go to the bus.

I always take back to school photos in front of the door. 4 different doors since we started the tradition.

The next one is our silly picture. I am missing a child because of an incident that caused him to leave and pout. (Maybe that's why it was easier to have them leave this morning.)
I also always seem to take pictures walking to school/the bus stop.
Luke and I played games most of the morning. He didn't want lunch and instead asked for his "bank". He was either really tired or is getting sick.

We met their teachers last week. Marcus got who he wanted. It looks like poor Anneke got the short end of the stick again. It seems interesting that Marcus always gets the best teachers for him and excels and Anneke just doesn't in either case. But, I hope I am wrong...

Happy first day of school to all.

I heard this as I was getting ready for church last week. The kids were watching the latest Veggie Tales installment. I was crying by the time it was over. As I listened I thought of Anneke and the sweet spirit I am carrying. I was struck by how special this unborn baby is and will be. I am so blessed to have such amazing children. They are so beautiful. But most of all, it was a good reminder to me. I am not feeling very "beautiful" lately.

Children's Museum '10

Every summer since Anneke was little we have gone to the Children's Museum. In Colorado we quickly discovered the WOW museum and went at least 3 times. Here it is the Lied Discovery Children's Museum. (I prefer the one in Colorado because adults are free. Here they cost more than the children and really can't do much. I was able to do one or two things. It seems odd. WOW has it right in my opinion.) I didn't realize that we had started a tradition until Marcus and Anneke were so sad we hadn't gone to the museum yet this summer. So, we did. (No pictures of me. There rarely are, so don't be too shocked. I get to take pictures while everyone else plays. Doesn't seem fair.)

First was a maze that Andy helped the older 2 with:

Then we visited the Berenstein Bears.
Working on cars was Luke's specialty.
Then the boys got to pilot the plane:
The passenger was a bit nervous.
Good thing she found an alternate exit.
My personal favorite part was the bubbles. Luke didn't really understand and kept popping them before they really became anything. (Much to his siblings frustration.)

What would it be like in a hurricane? Ask them.

Mellow Yellow

This baby may be more like Marcus than my middle two children. She doesn't move a whole lot and when she does she pauses quite a bit. If I tell someone else to feel she just kind of taps a bit instead of being forceful or stops all together. Andy has yet to feel her move. He didn't feel Marcus move until close to his actual birth for very similar reasons. I don't know for sure, but it seems like she is trying not to be inconvenient or something. It is probably a good thing if she is mellow. She is going to get a whole lot of love, especially from her big sister. Last trimester, people. The count down begins. Less than 3 months 'til due date.

Cedar City

Of all the places we have lived, Cedar City was the longest. Marcus was 4 months old when we moved there and Anneke was born there. It holds a lot of memories for us. Last week at this time we went back for the first time since we moved to Colorado. There were a lot of little changes, but it is still pretty much the same...beautiful and memorable. (The scariest change for me was the larger than life Fred Adams statue by the Randall theater.) While living there both Andy and I attended and taught at SUU. (Sort of for me, I guess. I taught preschool and child care.) We both worked for the Utah Shakespearean Festival, too. Here are some Memory Monday photos mixed with our trip photos.

Anneke by the Juliet statue. Marcus used to call this one "flower". They added another girl statue, Queen Titania. She is small and hard to get a picture by. Eventually, though, she will be the top of the fountain.

Marcus dubbed this statue "Tummy" when he first saw it. (Not pictured is King Lear tearing his clothes. Marcus called that one "Bad Day".)
Park Discovery was designed by children and their moms. It was built about 9 years ago, just before we moved to Cedar City. It is large and we spent hours there before and last week. It makes me sad how much it is falling apart now. Marcus wants to move back and fix it up since kids made it possible in the first place.

I haven't seen tire swings in a while.
Shakespeare bench in the Randall Theatre, Anneke and Marcus. Fall '05
Same location, my children-Summer '10
When we first discovered Park Discovery Marcus was about 18 months old. Then-
Now-
Then- (Marcus)
Now- (Lukers)
Life changes so quickly. I thought these times would last forever. I can't believe I have been married for almost 10 years, am almost 30 and have been done with college for 4 years. Enjoy the journey...

Hair Cuts

After a summer of swimming and sun hair has been damaged and bleached in the sun. Well, in preparation for school starting I thought it would be a good idea to cut Anneke's hair. When I found a coupon for a hair cut that cost $6.99 we did it. (Plus, we got a $10 off coupon to Old Navy and they are currently having a $10 kid jeans sale.)

Before-

After-

(She insisted on the sideways position so you could see the angles better.)

The hair dresser asked how her was so shiny and then after tsking at me said, "It must be chlorine." This is Las Vegas, of course it's chlorine, give me a break!

Tea Party

Since Anneke's tea party birthday Andy has wanted to try the kind of tea we can have. Basically that is the fruit zinger type, you know the tea without tea. Anyway, we bought a variety box and have tried a few. Since Anneke got her tea cup from Queen B's she wanted to have a tea party. So, we made ham sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches and cucumber sandwiches and had a tea party for lunch last week. Luke tried to use a British accent, but it came out Southern. He would say "darlin" a lot. Everyone had to wear a hat, but during the prayer and eating they were hung on the backs of the chairs. You didn't know dinosaurs liked tea, did you?

(Andy and I have tried to have tea in the evening instead of snacking on unhealthy things. It seems to calm our tummies down. I remember my mom having chamomile tea growing up in her mug with the lid. I loved that mug.)

Green Eggs and Bacon

We made fried eggs and bacon with M&Ms, pretzel sticks and white chocolate. They insisted on including some green eggs. The snack was too sweet for me, but easy and fun to make. Now, if I can just find the book to read with my kids.

Home

I didn't mean for the previous post to be up for so long. Life has been busy, I guess. I have been trying to control my panic. One day I went through all my kids clothes and decided what was needed for school. We had to go get it RIGHT THEN. We are now done school shopping and school doesn't start for another 19 days. Yep, I am neurotic.

We went to Cedar City for a conference. It was interesting to see people and the small changes that have been made. It really made me want to go back. It was top on the list of Andy's choices after he graduated, but that doesn't look like an option now. People are retiring and then sticking around, straining the system. We were told they have more teachers than they really need right now. Marcus kept saying, "I remember this..." as we traveled around. I am not sure how much he really does, but that's okay. Cedar City is the place Andy and I lived the longest, 4 years. (But, we moved around within the town.) It feels homey, but not like home. I want to find a home...a place where I feel I am needed and truly belong.

Tomorrow I have a doctor appointment. I am now in the 3rd trimester people! Still no name for sure. Our children call her Gwendolyn, Andy calls her Bailey. Plus, we have very little we need. I panic about school clothes, but not this, interesting...

I signed Anneke up for dance again today. That may be a mistake (because of the baby and such), but she begged. It changes times after October, which will be interesting to try and remember.

Halloween decorations are starting to creep up. Anneke is now stressing about what she wants to be. Currently angel is winning. We are thinking of having Luke be Aquaman since his favorite colors are green and orange. Marcus wants to be a werewolf. (Look out Jacob Black!) I am not going to dress up, but I could do an oven again. (I will be 38 weeks pregnant on October 31.)

Last night Marcus decided the professions of my children. He will be an artist. Anneke will be an entertainer. Luke will be an engineer. The baby's current most likely job is probably soccer player or football quarterback. ;)

Confused

I don't like politics. I try to stay out of them and talking about them. But the whole Prop 8 thing has me confused. When I lived in Colorado we voted on the same thing. Marriage remained between a man and a woman there. That was before Prop 8. Why is the California thing so big? Just because it is a bigger state? The states where it passed aren't as big a deal. Doesn't California have bigger problems they should be focusing on? Anyway, I am not expecting an answer.

Texas Summer Pfiester Style

This post is overdue. I was going to break it up so it wasn't so long, but so much has happened since this is what you get.

All of the pictures above were taken by the talented Jodi Carpenter. I put in one of Mom and Dad because I am pretty sure Mom will never post them. It was so hard to narrow down which ones to include.

Obviously I got the photos to work thanks to my talented husband. I am going to do highlights from the trip and then you can choose to look at the photos. (There is one where Carianne looks so much like my cousin Julianna it is spooky.)

The title of the blog is what Carianne told me it was when we were planning the trip. She was definitely right. Highlights:

*The drive down was nice and overcast. When it started to rain Anneke asked to roll down the window so she would feel it. (Yep,we live in the desert.)

*We made it to El Paso quickly and even had time for a dip in the pool. Anneke entertained everyone by doing belly flops into the pool.

*For breakfast we had Texas shaped Waffles. (I tried to find a waffle iron that did that to take home, but had very little luck.)

*In Texas they have such state pride they use the state shape, flag and name in most advertising. In Kerrville there is even a hotel pool shaped like Texas with a hot tub in the shape of a star.

*Dad and Carianne restored the crib Popi made me when I was little and painted it pink for Anneke.

*Luke loved exploring (or 'ploring) at Aunt Cari's. He caught minnows with his net and a tiny frog he named Water.

*Anneke had a tea party and even got a tea cup and saucer. (Check out my mom's blog for pics if you are interested. I forgot my camera.)

*Marcus got to go fishing and pass stuff off for Cub Scouts.

*Nathanael (and my dad) had a birthday party at the movie Despicable Me. He and Anneke started the movie.

*The whole week was a party for Anneke's 6th birthday.

*Anneke and her cousin Noah were inseparable.

*Jodi took some amazing pictures for us.

*I watched Eclipse with my husband, Mom and Cari and Inception with my husband, Carl and Cari.

*The surprise Build-a-Bear party was super fun. (Again, pics on my mom's blog.) I am pretty sure I have never seen a Long Horn at any other such store.

*People in my old ward did not recognize me and had a calling all picked out for Andy.

*I held 4 tiny frogs in my hand for my nephew because I love him.

*I have still got some good dance moves. We played Just Dance on the Wii and I actually won a round against Carianne and Jodi! (By the way they have one with Broadway songs that I am excited about.)

*The Newlywed Game is interesting when you are playing with couples that have been together for 10+ years.

*Roswell, NM is way overated.

*The trip back was awful (food, dirty hotel, a never ending straight road, etc.)

*My children wanted to stay/go back and still talk about it.

*I am still a Texan and have converted my husband and children.

There are not many pictures of Marcus. I am not sure why except that he was doing his own thing. I feel really bad. Sorry, Buddy.

On the way to Texas!

Almost there...

Anneke needed to have a crown. (See her nose? That is from playing doggy and getting rug burn on it the day before we left. Luckily most of the scab had disappeared before family pictures.)

This is Water. Luke caught him and named him.

Anneke at Nathanael's birthday party. (She got the only pink balloon.)

Aunt Cari helped Luke catch a fish.

Andy helped Anneke catch a fish. (She was in heaven being able to go to the creek and play outside whenever she wanted.)

At the pool before family pictures.

Grandpa giving Luke a ride.

Anneke's actual birthday and her muffin.

Luke was quite jealous of his Longhorn's outfit. He kept putting on the hat.

At Bass Pro Shop Anneke slips and Noah catches her.

We found Luke the perfect hat, but when he said he didn't want it, Andy put it back. (Of course, Luke then asked for it in the car and we realized he meant he didn't want it right then. Ah, 2 year old speak.)

Last evening at the creek. Marcus almost caught a bass.

My oldest sister and me. (Julianna anyone?)

Roswell, NM. This is as good as it got.