2007-09-21 Elizabeth learns to ride a bike

Elizabeth learned to ride a bike this past week. She can even get on and off by herself. She demonstrated her skill in our cul-de-sac on Friday

2007-09-23 Michelle's Update

September 23, 2007

Hi Everyone,

Attached are some pictures of us making sugar cookies last night. It was a very exciting event for all. It's been awhile since we've done that. Justin particularly enjoyed helping. It just didn't seem quite so sanitary with the plumbers bum. Also some pictures of the zoo trip we took yesterday and of the office with its new sign on it. The office is looking good as it now has some walls. Hans has been reviewing resumes this week and is interviewing on Friday. He's found someone he wants for the dental assisting position, but is still reviewing for the front office manager. There are some strange resumes, he says. He advertised on Craig's list. I'm surprised at the response, especially considering it's part time and strange hours those 3 days a week. It's all coming together. It's hard to believe that he only has 10 days left at small smiles. He can't wait. We're hoping to survive it all mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially.

I am 37 weeks pregnant. That can pretty much describe how I'm feeling and doing. I feel like we keep busy with activities. Kindergarten, pre-school, ballet, playgroups, and playdates. Katelyn is dying to take gymnastics. She tells me she's going to take nastics instead of going to kindergarten. We suggested that a gymnastics career not take the place of an education, but she is pretty strong willed on this one. Everything is on hold until January as far as classes go for the girls. I plan on hibernating until then.

The girls are well. Ashley told me last week that she wants to own a small business when she grows up. I asked her what she wanted to sell and she said probably gardening stuff, and some fish, "well, maybe just a little bit of everything, like Walmart. I want to have a walmart." Very cute. She is enjoying kindergarten and learning new things. She's doing great with the new schedules. She is still a homebody and just wants to be here when she's not at school. She's not interested in playing with neighbors, etc. which has been slightly frustrating to me, but we're adjusting. Katelyn also wants my undivided attention and refuses to have playdates while Ashley's at school and Justin is napping because she knows she gets me to herself. I had to force her to go to playgroup one afternoon last week. This is also frustrating since I could potentially have two hours to myself. I'm trying to give them all the attention I can now, but it's exhausting. I feel like this pregnancy I am just in self-preservation. Any energy outside of just doing the day- to day I give to the kids. I don't have much left to socialize with friends and neighbors like I want to. I'm grateful for understanding friends and neighbors.

We are counting down til baby. We'll keep everyone posted. 14 days!

Love, Michelle

2007-09-17 Natalie's Update

Hello All,

It is time again for another update. Is it really the middle of September? I can't believe how quickly these last few weeks have gone by. We celebrated Labor Day weekend with spending Saturday waterskiing in the morning and swimming all afternoon. Elsa practiced getting up on waterskis with Brian pulling her in the swimming pool. She is so light that it didn't take a lot of speed to keep her out of the water. She did extremely well with keeping her knees bent and controlling her skis. She was able to stand up and stay steady holding onto the rope. It was so fun to watch her. She was so nonchalant about the experience, but very excited and proud of herself too.

It was a good thing we were outside all day Saturday because Ava got sick that evening, and we spent the next two days at home while she recovered. Labor Day ended up being a little mellower than we anticiapted. This wasn't so bad since the girls started school the next day. Both girls were so excited to start preschool. Elsa has her same teacher as last year. At first I thought she might be disappointed, but she was thrilled. It helps that her three friends that all live in our neighborhood are in her class too. It turns out that two kids from chruch are in Ava's class. It helped to start school with familiar faces. Ava was really cute about being "so big" now. Ava's classroom is right next to Elsa's. They sometimes are out on the playground at the same time. This is really fun for Ava to be able to play with her sister at school. They are so cute with each other. In fact, yesterday on the way home from church I was asking Ava who her friends were. After listing a few friends, Elsa interrupted saying, "Remember? You have one more friend who is in your family. She is your best friend. Me!" I thought it was sweet.

The first week of school passed quickly in anticipation of Elsa's 5th birthday. She was so excited for the big day. She could barely sleep the night before. Once she was asleep, Brian and I continued our tradition of decorating the kitchen with balloons, streamers, and birthday signs. Brian was able to go into work later that day so he could spend the morning at home for a big birthday breakfast of chocolate chip waffles (a favorite) and to watch Elsa open her presents. Elsa loved her presents. Because she opened her presents in the morning, she and Ava were able to play with them all day long. Both girls were quite occupied for most of the day. In fact, the original plan was to spend the day at the zoo. Since we got such a late
start, we only were able to be there for 45 minutes. I didn't realize that the hours changed after Labor Day so it closed an hour earlier than we expected. Elsa didn't seem to mind. She was very agreeable all day long. We ate at McDOnald's for her birthday dinner. Her choice. What a treat! We then celebrated with her friends this last Saturday. We had a craft party. Each child was given an apron when they arrived. We then split into two groups. My group, which I thought would be the more difficult and require hands-on help, ended up being less demanding. We painted wood cutouts of frogs, butterflies, flowers, etc. with acrylic paints. The second table we had paper bag puppets, where each child was able to choose one of the following: dogs, pigs, birds, crabs, lions, and frogs. (These are darling Martha Stewart craft kits from Michaels. Very fun and resonably priced if you use the 40% coupon from the newspaper.) These required someone showing the children where the correct pieces needed to be attached. As a result, Brian ended up assembling a dozen paper bag puppets. :) While I cleaned up and set out the aprons to decorate, Brian took the kids outside to play games. I thought we'd finish crafts quickly and have too much time on our hands, but we were pinched for time to eat cake and open presents before the parents arrived. It all turned out well. At the end of the evening, Elsa told me "Mom, this was such a great party. Thank you. I have so many presents that I don't need anymore for a really long time." I am pleased to have a grateful child!

Besides birthday gatherings, we filled our week with one activity/responsibility after another. Tuesday night we had dinner with the Kreges. Mary Dawn Krege, who is a kindermusic teacher, helped Elsa prepare for her solo to be sung at the Primary Program in October. She has been asked to sing the second verse of "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus." (We should feel honored that the primary presidency thinks that Elsa is worthy of a solo. I just hope it turns out as a positive experience. Elsa gets better and better each week with LOTS of practice. I am amazed at her courage to stand in front of ALL the primary children and sing to them each week. I wonder if Sacrament Mtg. will intimidate her too much. Keep your fingers crossed for her.)

Wednesday, during the day I franctically ran errands and spent the afternoon cutting fruit and preparing food for the Quarterly Enrichment activity. We had a service auction. I've spent hours collecting service items, and preparing auction lists, tally score cards, etc. My one other member on the committee had to have surgery that day, so I was solo in all the work and preparation. It turned out to be a fabulous meeting. We had a great turnout, the best we've had at any activity. Everyone had a really fun time. It helped that our auctioneer is a most energetic person with a great sense of humor. I enjoyed the evening as well, but am happy to have it over. (I have all the templates for invitations, planning, etc. if any of you need a fun Enrichment idea.)

Thursday night, Elsa had her first soccer game of the fall season. After being distracted by playing with a blade of grass during practice, Elsa did well in the first part of the game. She was very brave and got right in the middle of the game, running and kicking the ball with the mass of children. I cheered "GOOD JOB ELSA," which distracted her. As she turned her head towards me, another player collided into her giving her a good nose bonk. She was distressed for the rest of the game. She told me that she didn't like that the other players were trying to take the ball from her and that she wanted to kick the ball in the goal. I had to explain that this is what all the kids wanted and it is called "Friendly Competition." She still didn't like the idea. I'll have her stick with it for the rest of the season (another five weeks). Afterwards, if she wants, she can stick to non-contact sports like swimming, tennis, running, etc.

If this isn't enough (I am worn out just writing about it), Brian raced out after Elsa's birthday party on Saturday to conduct a BYU Alumni speaker engagement. We have been selected to be the Indiana Chapter Co-chairs of the BYU Alumni Association. Somehow (I don't recall giving consent), we accepted and now have another responsibility added to our somewhat vacant lives. Can you sense the sarcasm? After my grumbling, Brian has told me that they will remove the co-chair title and just give him the title, which isn't quite the outcome that I wanted. Regardless, Brian found the time to fulfill this responsibility as well as his Elder's Quorum duties, traveling to and interviewing in NJ for a consulting job, and preparing for conferences and travel for his day job at Eli Lilly. He is now in Hawaii for the ASBMR conference, which ends on Wednesday. He is staying until Saturday evening for some R&R with Jared Theler, who lives there. I am not sure if the term R&R will ever apply to Brian or to Jared, but they will at least get in some sea kayaking, hiking, and possibly surfing. Brian deserves the break and the high adventure, but I am slightly jealous that heis staying in Waikiki on the ocean while I get caught up on laundry and ironing, carpool children to preschool and other activities, attend playdates, and plan Enrichment activities for 2008. Don't I lead a glamorous life?

My consolation is that we have beautiful fall weather. It is 80's during the day and 50's at night. It is nice to have a repreive from air-conditioning. I love to have the windows open but get a lot of dust from the construction next door and behind us. I hope the spec house they are building next to us doesn't sell for a LONG time. Our sunroom windows look right into the family room. I will be able to watch TV with the new neighbors. Isn't that great? It is quite unfortunate. It just means that I'll get really close with the neighbors. They will know all of our family secrets! Maybe I'll just add them to my bi-monthly emails and they'll have
all of our insider information. :)

Time goes by so quickly. It doesn't seem like summer should be over, or that I should have a five year-old. But reality sets in quickly around here. I am grateful for our blessings, especially our two precious daughters. Thanks to all of you for your birthday wishes and greetings to Elsa. She felt so special. I hope you're all doing well. Thank for listening to (or reading) the ramblings of our lives. Enjoy the pictures. They are of the girls' first day of preschool and Elsa's birthday.

Love,
Natalie

2007-09-17 Michelle's Update

September 17, 2007

Hi Everyone,

We were able to go apple picking last week with Ashley's school so there are pictures attached from that. Ashley had a great time riding the bus. It was 45 minutes away. It was extremely hot, so she didn't have much fun beyond that. They did pick a bunch of apples and play some games. We made a delicious apple crisp, which I am single-handedly eating, as I am the only one that likes that kind of dessert.

Ashley got 8 inches cut off her hair and I cried about it. It looks so cute on her, I was just so upset at the girl that cut her hair because she didn't listen to what I wanted. She didn't actually know how to cut hair, although she is building a salon into her basement. Oh well. I won't go back. It's not at all even in the back and so I figure I will just wait a couple months and then get it cut again with a style. I was SO SO sad. She is doing well in school and has learned so much already. She loves learning spanish. I went on Friday to a 3 hour class about the curriculum they use. It's pretty intsense. I can't believe how much she will learn this year. I am trying to teach it to Hans since I am confident it will make him a better speller. He's on board.

Katelyn is doing well in school too. She loves that she gets to go more than actually being there. It makes her feel grown up. She is getting so tall and lean. I can't find any pants to fit her. 4t falls off her and 3t are way too short. What a problem, right? She loves her time with me while Ashley is at school. She asks everyday when Ashley is leaving. It's been so nice to reconnect with her. I love being with her as well. We read books, do education time, play a game - usually (katelyn says lusually) zingo, do her puzzles, and play outside. Justin sleeps almost the entire time. I am trying to find some one on one time for Ashley, but I haven't been able to do it yet. Ashley tells me she likes being at school more then she likes being at home. I'm happy she's found a place.

Justin is growing. He's 18 months this week. He is so grown-up, but still so much a baby. He loves to point out pictures of babies on the wall that are actually him. He'll identify Katelyn and Ashley, but he doesn't recognize himself. He has so many words, I can't even name them all anymore. Yesterday he rode by me on his bike, looked right at me, grinned, and said, "It's fun." Hans' favorite is green bean. He stands at the fridge and asks for green beans and pickles. Clear as anything. He can't wait for Halloween so he can eat as much candy as he can handle. He has my sweet tooth. He is my on the go kid. He always wants to be going. While we're at Ashley's soccer game, he goes up to everyone around and says go. He'd go with anyone. He screams when Hans leaves every morning because he wants to go to. He wakes up thinking about the bikes and wants to go. Unfortunately for him, he's usually home. The morning we spend around here and then he naps and then the girls have been busy all day and want to stay home. I'm trying to figure out when I can get him going somewhere. He's happy dragging on the floor behind the cart at Walmart.

Speaking of soccer, Ashley is quite the soccer star. I've been impressed at how aggressive she is in the field. She's so quiet and sweet everywhere else. I think sports may be a good outlet for her. She can outrun everyone on the team.

I'm well. I spent an hour in the hospital on Saturday thinking my water has broken after having contractions for 4-5 hours. Nothing painful, just wanting to be careful. I'm 36 weeks. I'm pretty much done. I can wait 3 weeks, I hope. I pray for endurance. The baby is really active and seems healthy. Being in a hospital gown hooked up to monitors was daunting for both Hans and I. We're nervous.

The practice is right on schedule. Hans has 15 days of work left at Small smiles. Hard to believe.

Miss you all,

Michelle

2007-09-03 Michelle's Update

September 3, 2007

It's hard to believe that it is labor day already. Time is going fast and slow all at the same time. We have had a busy week of me nesting. I have bleached just about everything that could be bleached. Next on my list is to clean out all my kitchen cabinets and sanitize those and re-organize everything. Hans cleaned out the garage for me yesterday and detailed the car. I cleansed all the carseats, including the infant carrier and we now have a place for the new baby to ride. Hans told me he wasn't surprised that I was so tired all the time because nesting is a lot of work. He is working on finishing up the crown moulding and chair rail in the upstairs bedrooms. Attached is a picture of me at 34 weeks pregnant. I've grown a lot in the last few weeks. I'm hoping to limit it mostly to my belly, but I keep eating my yummy chocolate chip cookies. I'm trying to let it go. I did buy a road bike this week. It's awesome. I am anticipating a time when I can work out super intensely again. I swam laps today, but it's just not quite the same. Hans managed one full lap of butterfly. Very impressive. Attached are some pictures of Hans' new office. The framing is underway. I'm hoping they will be done in time. The outside of the office looks nice though. He has both of the suites shown. It's a pretty big office. We picked out wood floor, carpet, paint colors, chair colors, etc. this week. He will finalize this week. It should look nice. It needs to, according to our consultant. I finalized stuff for the postcards, which was easy now that I asked the consultant to do all the phone and submitting work. I decided that since we were paying her so much money that she ought to be doing more work than me, at least. I still need to design the website. My list of things keeps growing. I have a lot I'd like to finish before the baby comes. I do have babysitting all lined up. My C-section is scheduled for 12:30 pm on the 8th of October. It's a convenient time, except that I can't eat until then. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle that. I'm really hungry up until about that point of the day. I think we're pretty much settled on Mia Marie for a girl. For a boy we are still talking. Hans likes Reid and Grant. They both sound like old men to me. Probably because they are our grandfather's names. We'll see what happans.

The girls are good and adjusting to school. Justin is growing and still amusing. We counted about 40 words he can say clearly. My new favorite is Einstein, who happens to be the neighbors dog. It's extremely satisfying to hear what a 17 month old is thinking about. I'm so glad he can talk.

Hope all is well with all of you,

Michelle

2007-09 Taking a trip to the temple

We used to drive 5 or 6 hours to Washington DC to attend the temple. Now we all live closer. Brian and Natalie have the longest trip. We complain about our drive to the Jordan River Temple across the valley, and we look forward to the Draper Temple.

After looking at this temple trip, I won't complain much again.

Take a look at this trip report:

http://www.bsmarkham.com/mission/Africa/Aug%2005/aba.html