Young Men's President

Yes, my husband is now the Young Men's President. He loves the boys and will do a great job. He is uber-organized and solid on doctrine. I'm just grateful he has the opportunity to serve and be there for them. Cheers Joe!

7 months

21 1/2 lbs!! We had to change car seats (Still rear facing because she isn't a year) and so far she loves it. She says Yaya, Dada and growls. She can roll over and sit by herself and eats solids (loves mangos, just like sissy!) She can sleep for 5 hours (on a really really good night) but still wakes up every 3 hours. Hooray for 7 months!

They Fit!

I don't know how Joe did it, but they both fit! 25 years since the garage has been this clean! Yea!!

Nursery Rhyme Birthday Party

Did you know that 95% of children that enter kindergarten do NOT know standard nursery rhymes?!?! What is that? Well, of course, Christina knows all of her nursery rhymes word for word- her favorite being Hey Diddle Diddle. So we had a great party with games centered around favorites like Mary had a little lamb (pin the lamb by the school), Baa Baa black sheep (pillow case races), Humpty Dumpty (Egg on a spoon race) and Pat A Cake (Drop clothespins into a jar, pretending clothespins are cakes and the jar is an oven). We had cow over the moon cupcakes, I am not a baker. And overall it was just really fun. I also made these great party favor baskets (I know... modesty) But honestly, they really were great. I cut, color and laminated stick puppets to go along with mini books of the nursery rhymes. Christina loves her set! The baskets included twisty straws, (crooked man, crooked mile) gummy spiders, (little miss muffet) gold fish, (fish alive) socks, (old woman in a shoe) water pail (jack and jill)... great fun! We were very happy to have Ram fly up for the party...dedication and love. If only Mormons did the whole Godmother thang... Then that night we celebrated at Yaya and Papa's with a fantastic dinner and parachute play.

What to be for halloween?

Well... it's been decided. A ghost, with a bone. I love that my child is so into books! Thanks teeny tiny woman! On a side note, when Yaya Sofia told her she should be a princess, Christina responded, "Well... I don't think so. I'm not a princess, I'm just a mommy. So I'll be a ghost."

The Big 3

Oh my sweet Christina. The day you were born was one of the greatest days of my life. It has been 3 years of total bliss and happiness and I love you more than words can ever say. You are my soul, my joy, my everything. I can honestly say that every single day with you is heaven. I know that you are exceptional, I know that you are special... you are great and will grow to be even greater. Thank you for 3 wonderful and perfect years.

Pasta Pot

At the park the other day, our giant cup of pasta was quite the hit. Carson, Julianna and Christina had fun running up the grassy hills and playing in the wood chips.

Smoking... A Fire Hazard

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but Reno has some beautiful people. E.G. Smokers at a library meet and greet local firemen. While they blew their second hand smoke into about 20 little kids' lungs (my favorite part being when the librarian confiscated the cigarettes and put them in the ash bins and then the women went back to the ash bins and started to re-smoke them- class.)- the local firemen did a splendid job talking about fire safety. The kids got to go in the fire truck and try on the firemens' clothes. Also, one of the firemen ended up being Dallan Smith! Ramya, did we know him through Adam Frenza? Was he in student council? Lastly, as we left Christina, being the SWEETHEART!!! she is told one of the firemen, "Thank you for being a hero." Is she not adorable!

Alas, didn't make Sparks Tribune

Christina almost made her first claim to fame in the local newspaper, but alas.... was not chosen. We went to the Boys and Girls club grand opening over the weekend to get free t-shirts and do crafts. It was great! Christina got her face painted and even got lollipop! She bounced in the bounce house (Which Maria HATED!! Every time we even got near she would scream!) and made lots of friends, all older girls who thought she was the cutest thing alive... which she and her sister are. We also got 2 free blankets for filling out community surveys. A photographer for the Sparks Tribune took her picture and asked for her name but it was not to be.... Next time. Next grand opening.

Th Nugget Is Here!

Official congratulations go out to Lateef and Ramya! Here's to finding meaning and purpose in life through one of God's greatest blessings, children! Can't wait to see and hold little nugget in March! You will be fantastic parents. As a side note to Ram, Joe had lunch with the cougar and she was just glowing! She was talking about what she thought the baby should call her and she had already called all the family in Canada and England. Hooray Hooray! Now we can get to baby shower business!

Deadly Lab Puppy

On a morning walk to the paper we were confronted by a huge dog NOT on a leash or behind a fence. It was giving us the hungry eye and started to follow, mind you it was the size of a small horse. Fortunately it stopped following us and no harm done. Then a little white yapper dog, NOT on a leash or behind a fence started to bark at my ankles and chase me. I could have kicked it or beaten it with a baby toy from the stroller, but I am not Michael Vick. (sp??) However after 2 blocks of running I was starting to get agitated, I mean what is this? Ladies and gentlemen, 5 pitbulls live on our block and I'm ready for pepper spray. I'm not going to stop going for walks and live in fear. It's not fair to my kids either to grow up afraid of dogs, just because a few lazy crazies can't keep their dogs under control. Well, I called animal control and they picked up the black dog and gave the owner a violation notice. Come to find out it was a black lab puppy, America's favorite (are you jealous lassie?) I honestly thought it was a pitbull. As for the yapper, I walked door to door trying to find out who the owner was so I could give them a taste of my wrath, however no one owned up. Lesson learned? I am a vigilante at heart.

Morning Breath of Fresh Air

I love walking. I never learned how to walk and enjoy it until I was forced 4 years ago in Washington DC. Bless the Metro system. My only problem is that our neighborhood has about 5 pitbulls that are constantly barking. It makes me nervous, but we still go to the paper machine every morning and enjoy all of the wonders God has created for us. As a side note, this double stroller has come in quite handy! Gotta love Marin and the great garage sales there! $20!

Strep Throat

Wednesday, my little Christina looks at me, walks to the toilet, stands over it and throws up. Ahh!! I ask her if anything on her body hurts and she points to her knee. Then she starts to sleep and the fever kicks in (mind you this is in the morning). I get her to the doctor and it's strep throat! Come to find out, Dr. Sachdjev says that it's good we caught it early because it can lead to kidney and heart failure in little children! What is this! She has gotten sick every birthday now! But fortunately, she'll be better for her party in a week. Thank you Lord! She's been in heaven because I've been letting her watch movies (so she's not jumping and running around screaming, "The leaf!! The leaf!! I need to rock my baby leaf and feed it.")

Celebrations

This last tuesday, we went with our friend Carson to celebrations. It's a playroom for kids (not quite the bay area discovery museum...) but fun, nonetheless! While there a boy was whacking another girl with a broom and with my encouragement decided to channel his energy into being a princess, tiara and all. I know I say it often, but honestly, my little girls are angels. I never had to listen to Christina moan "mine" or "gimme". In fact, just the opposite, recently she has taken to giving compliments. "My... Yaya... you look beautiful today." or "Daddy, you are so handsome." Every morning she has been waking up and asking if it's her birthday yet. "First, Ramya's. Then Nono's and then Nina's!"

*As a side note, Christina does not have "tea parties". She refers to it as "getting her party on"

Sunday Fun

So this last Sunday I was the only person there for primary and Joe was the only person there for the young men's program. It was a little chaotic, but we managed. I was able to teach a lesson and at one point I looked down and the baby was asleep in my arms... so peaceful. I look forward to when Christina is in primary! I also love trying to get both the girls to smile for a picture... it takes every noise possible I can make. Sometimes it works, sometimes not!

Saver's Labor Day Sale!

So even though the whole "event" to shop at savers took 2 hours, thank you long lines. I got some great deals. Our favorite is the superman costume because now Christina can fly. I also learned an invaluable tip that on Mondays- the color of the previous week's tag is only 99 cents no matter what the item. Fantastic eh?

Our $25 profit

We decided to sell some stuff and have a yard sale. We are more the type to just get rid of than sell, so our total profit was $25. Joe had quite the time talking and meeting people and Christina was a great little helper. It was also nice to see our cars parked together in all their fineness. Perhaps by winter they can both fit in the garage? We shall see!

First Foods...

The other night I woke up 7 times... yes, 7 times with my little angel Maria. So I decided to bump up the solid feedings. What was our first taste other than Mama's milk? Carrots with rice cereal! Hooray. Maria wasn't overly excited but the process has begun!

Garage Sale Feva

Christina VenHuisen... I crush your garage sale slide with my left foot and present to you our $13 little tykes play gym. Thank you.