Merry Christmas from Maryland!!!

We made it to Maryland.. it was a little bit of a Nightmare getting out of LAX flying the wonderful airline.. Southwest. The kids were great putting up with the fiasco. We are enjoying the time we are spending with the Davenport side of the family. Lillie has really enjoyed the Christmas tree and now all the ornaments start two feet from the bottom. She IS FASCINATED with all the many colorful balls and lights which Isaac never bothered with when he was her age. She also enjoys digging or should I say gardening, as Grandpa Davenport calls it, all the many plants in the music room. Most of the plants are now out of her reach. She keeps all of us very busy.
Isaac is enjoying a wooden train that he found under the tree and also a playmobil nativity set. He loves watching the birds in Grandpa's yard and can even pick out the woodpeckers that come to feed at the feeder. He loves going on special errands with PawPaw to the store and picking up Grandma from the train.

Arianne our night owl is enjoying special holding time from each Grandma and Grandpa.

We are excited to see everyone that is coming over tomorrow for Christmas Eve and also for Santa to come. We love our Savior and enjoy this time of year that we are able to celebrate his Life. Merry Chirstmas!

MY BFF!!!

One of our jobs as co-op parents at Isaac's preschool is to take photos of the children and scrapbook it for Me book that they receive at the end of the year. Thanks to Cate I was able to get this job done in two days. She came over to my house yesterday and saw how many photos and pages I had to do and how I was doing it.. and KNEW.. I NEEDED HELP! She completely organized everything and we were able to whip these out in an hour or so.. I just added the comments and finishing touches that night. We did two events and two pages of each child so 40 pages or so... I think we did great. I really thought I wouldn't complete this task until the end of January. Thank you, Thank you Cate. You are my BFF! :)

Hometown Christmas Parade

Saturday..Mike and I decided to take the children to the hometown Christmas parade. Lillie and Isaac loved every minute of it and I thought that it was a perfect parade through the eyes of a child who is in love with TRANSPORTATION!!! You know anything that moves trains, planes, automobiles, trucks, and more. We did not bring our camera but I thought the description of this parade was worth a journal or blog entry. The Theme for the parade was....(THINK GREEN) a recycleable christmas. Everything it seems is green these days, I feel like you can't get away from GREEN. Anyway.. I want to describe this parade, okay, you have got to imagine yourself as a three year old.

The parade started with a sign of the theme followed by the first vehicle a GARBAGE truck decked out in holiday attire. Isaac is in love with garbage trucks so this was awesome in his eyes. This garbage truck was very shiny and new and looked as if they only drive it each year for the parade. It definately didn't stink. They also had lots of fun looking vintage cars, trucks and tractors. Followed by BIGGER cars, trucks, tractors and FIRETRUCKS. The firetrucks came in three different colors red, vintage red, and yellow. Then there was a finale of more cars, trucks, and tractors and tractors and tractors and firetrucks. The last vehicle was a long flatbed truck with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus (sporting sunglasses) and his sleigh inside. To me, a better finish would have been for Santa Claus being in a firetruck or tractor it would have been true to the area. :)!!!

We driveby many tractors wherever we go. And California needs firetrucks to help it stop going up in flame. A California Santa Claus should come in a tractor.

We also had a person dressed up in a recycled Elmo costume that had seen better times. Let's just leave it at that. LOL!!! Some things after awhile don't look well and should be thrown away don't you agree?

December Daze!

Arianne trying out her first smiles in front of the camera. Daddy is doing the taking!

We had the Meyrings over for a little while last week which was great fun. Isaac and Kelsey play really good together. Collin and Kelsey love Lillie and think of her as there little sister so I didn't have to play referee that much. Maybe five is the magic number! Kelsey came to us wearing the most outrageous outfit.. She wore Collin's shoes and socks, a ballet tutu, and princess shoulder pads on her arms complete with chopsticks in her hair. What am I in for when Lillie and Ari get this big. I am already having a hard time keeping Lillie outfitted with her diaper intact during the night and at naptime. Could this possibly be the beginning?

The children watching Rudolph this lasted for the first 15 minutes before Mike got out the popcorn.

I am falling behind in my posts.. I have felt this week has been truly crazy and that we have had a million things going on. Well, maybe not a million but a lot of things needed attention this week.

Last Saturday, Isaac had his Christmas program for his preschool. We dressed him up in church dress so that he would be a star in his first debut on stage. Isaac and his class did three songs.. Sesame Street (Sesame Street, Sesame Street I want to live on Sesame Street with Big Bird, followed by Count Dracula 1-2-3!, Sleeping Elmo, and Cookie Monster),

Two Hand up and Two hands down, and Jingle Bells. My son knows the words to the songs but refuses to sing. If you sing to him he will fill in the blanks when you pause. He will however do all the actions. Jingle bells was a hit! Each child was given their own jingle bell to ring and boy did they know how to use those jingle bells. I just wish the audience was much more curteous.

Isaac with his preschool class and his teacher

I love this pic of him! I took it right before he performed..Stagefright?

Putting on 3year old shoes

Yesterday morning, Isaac and I had the opportunity to attend preschool together. Isaac's job was to have fun and enjoy every opportunity that came along that day in 3 year old form. My job was to try ( I emphasize on try) to help Isaac, his fellow classmates and teacher enjoy an unstressful, uneventful day in the classroom filled with fun. As I was working in the classroom, I was guided to think about several things. 1) I sometimes don't take the time to really sit back and observe about what in the world is going on around me. Motherhood sometimes overwhelms me and I am sometimes completely lost in my own bubble called ... My LIFE (survival mode). I am not going to make excuses. 2) I really have got to brush up on my teaching skills. I taught preschool a long time ago and was very good at it. For some reason all those skills that I once had have become very rusty. I know that if I helped out in the classroom consistently I would get them back. 3) From Teacher to Me and my son: If you guide him back to his chair by his shoulders rather than pulling him by his hand he will feel that he is doing the walking. I used to know that! 4) I sometimes get overwhelmed at the things that my son can't or won't do rather than thinking about all the wonderful things that he can do. What an amazing gift! I am thankful for the opportunity that I was able to observe and watch my son without too many interruptions and remember what it was like to be three. He is so easy going and happy. As I watched him play outside I was so proud of him and so proud that he was my son.

Sweet ending of November

Kalise and Brian imitating the first Thanksgiving!

It has been 5 years since I was able to have Thanksgiving with my family. I am not counting the year that we went to Vegas and saw Marisa play Volleyball for the Y on Thanksgiving day. That did not feel like Thanksgiving at all. Thanksgiving day in my mind should be traditional. A day that children come to their grandparents house and learn about the first Thanksgiving and the 5 kernels of corn. Along with what a Turkey should look like when its done. And how much seasoning should be put in the gravy or how many lemons are used to make the Yams and Apples. It is a day that children are taught how to cook-- how their grandmothers and great grand mothers cooked long before they were born. Thanksgiving is time that those long ago cooks are honored and the traditional dishes come out. And when we cook a traditional dish we remember. We remember those Thanksgivings long ago that happened when we shared dinner with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. I love thanksgiving because it is a time for making memories along with reminiscing with family about those memories of the past.

Ari was already full and napped during the feast.

Our traditional Thankgiving dinner!

We blessed Arianne Bernice Davenport on Thanksgiving Day which made the day extra special!

Family photo

Lillie and Mommy!

Our Anniversary!

November 8th 2003- November 8th 2008

Happy Anniversary Michael!!

We have been married for 5 years and have 3 children.. 3 years and under.

We have lived in two States and have moved four times.

We will be gearing up for another move real soon....

It's How-wee-ween Time!!!!

THE BAT!!!

THE LADY!!!

AND THE BABY!!!

the How-wee-ween time meal the children really enjoyed. They loved eating this witches brew with pumpkin and leaf noodles

Trick or Treat

It How-wee-ween Time as Isaac calls it.

We started the morning early with a visit to the doctor. It was Lillie's 15 month appointment and Ari's 1 week appointment. Lillie is in the 90th percentile for heighth and 60th for weight. Ari is in the 60th percentile for heighth and the 90th for weight. At 6 weeks Ari weighs 11 pounds all those night feedings or snack times that last up until midnight have really paid off.. for her. Me.. tired of course.

10 am we left the doctor with Lillie and Isaac sporting their breakfast in their mouth.. a tootsie pop sucker. It's How-wee-ween Time.

We stopped on the way home for breakfast at IHOP. Kid and family friendly. Where the kids picked up more candy which they ate it and the wrappers on the way home. It's How-wa-ween Time.

The Late breakfast paid off because at a little after three I started making dinner and we were able to make a head start trick or treating after baths from dinner of course. We were ready at 5:30 and lasted one hour. The children were in bed by 7:30. It's How-wee-ween Time.. and it is over.

5 Days of Pumpkins

What kind of face should I carve a happy face or a scarry one?

I guess it doesn't matter since Daddy does all the carving anyway.


I thought I would try to make this week special by making something with pumpkin or some other type of squash each night . So far I have been able to keep to the plan. Monday night I out did myself by making a sweet potato casserole and a Turtle Pumpkin Pie among the main meal and biscuits. Tuesday we had spaghetti and spaghetti squash, Thursday I made those lowfat pumpkin cookies and we carved pumpkins which Lillie tried to eat the top off of hers.

Anyway, the Sweet potato casserole comes from the cooking light magazine which I am a total fan of. I love getting the magazine in the mail and dreaming about the meals that I might one day cook once we get passed the noodle and the peanut butter and honey stage. But, I do however try to make a meal once or twice a month out of the ordinary.. I usually end up substituting ingredients because I don't have them on hand but I have learned from the Queen of Improvising and Substituting (My mom) so many of these recipes end up tasting well.

This is a Vandersteen family favorite and has even won over my Grandmother's recipe of Yams and Apples.This one is now part of our Thanksgiving menu.


Sweet Potato Casserole (go to this link for a picture since I didn't take a picture of ours)

Yield
16 servings
Ingredients
Potatoes:
2 1/4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup half-and-half
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
Cooking spray
Topping:
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.
To prepare potatoes, place potatoes in a Dutch oven, and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until very tender. Drain; cool slightly.
Place potatoes in a large bowl. Add half-and-half, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and vanilla. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add eggs; beat well (mixture will be thin). Scrape mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
To prepare topping, sprinkle miniature marshmallows over top of casserole. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in pecans, and sprinkle over potato mixture and marshmallows. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Our Turtle Pumpkin Pie

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. caramel ice cream topping, divided
1 honey Maid Graham cracker crust (which I didn't have on hand I ended up making a nilla wafer crust)
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp of pecan pieces, divided
1 cup cold milk
2 pkg (3.4 oz.) Vanilla Instant pudding
1 cup of canned pumpkin
1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping
Pour 1/4 cup caramel topping into crust; sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans, Beat milk, pudding mixes and spices with a whisk until blended. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of whipped topping. Spread into crust. Refigerate at least 1 hour. Top with remaining whipped topping, caramel topping and pecans before serving. Makes 10 servings.

Sunday's Fall Walk

Today is Sunday... a day that we usually go on our family walk. Today I decided to take along our camera hoping to get some candid photos of the children and possibly some with fall leaves for an Enrichment project that is coming up. I enlisted Mike to help me with this project.. he of course started to take pictures of this up on the hillside.
We did eventually get all the kids together for this one.
Lillie in the grass

Isaac in his cave

Books, Books, and more books!

What have you been reading for this season? I am addicted to scholastic and all their catalogs so I have got a collection of Halloween Books for the children. My ultimate favorite Halloween book is "Big Pumpkin" by Erica Silverman though I don't have it yet. I am still looking for the song that goes with it. Isaac's favorites are "Ten Timid Ghosts", "Big Green Monster", and "5 Little Pumpkins." Lillie's favorite is "Skeleton Hiccups." We also have favorites that need to be read everyday such as "Goodnight Gorilla"(5 times from me. I don't know how many times Mike read it for her), "We're going on a Bear Hunt", and "I am a Crane" :)!!!

We are gearing up for the big night... Halloween!

For family night, Mike worked on Isaac's Bat costume. It is really neat to see an engineering mind to wings for a bat costume.

Sycamore Canyon

A DAY AT THE BEACH

Friday Oct. 17th we all headed out to the beach. It was Mike's parents last day here. We thought we were going to go tidepooling but instead ended up at Sycamore Canyon State Beach. It was a beautiful day to go to the beach. If I planned the day better I would have brought the beach towels, a change of clothing for Isaac and Lillie, the beach quilt and of course.. lunch. Plans do happen to change suddenly but it was a good day at the beach.

Grandpa, Ari, Mike and Lillie

Isaac playing in the sand and trying to climb trees


Ari's first day at the beach and is 1 month old!

Isaac getting a ride from Daddy

Lillie caught eating the sand..again! Smug grin!

Lillie enjoyed her time with Grandma. She loved getting her feet wet and watch the waves crash.

What a beautiful Day! The water and sky were a beautiful blue.

Isaac preferred to find treasures in the sand rather than get his feet wet. I thought this pic was a real treasure. He got himself dressed that morning. Can you tell?

Proposition 8

This is from an email that an Oakland Temple ordinance worker sent to people in our ward]



Dear family and friends, I had a very disturbing experience yesterday ... Early Friday morning I received a call from the second counselor in our bishopric to let me know that there would be numerous protesters outside the temple.... The beautiful Oakland Temple is located right across the bay from San Francisco, very close to the city of Berkeley. Apparently the opposition to proposition 8 ... has realized the deep involvement of the Church and begun to protest right outside of the temple and harass temple patrons.... As we approached the offramp, I realized there would be trouble. There was a backup onto the freeway from cars stalled on the offramp. As we moved forward inches at a time, we realized this was due to a large group of loud protesters who were standing on both sides of the street, yelling, screaming and waving signs. When we got to the top of the offramp, ready to make our turn, one protester jumped out right in front of our car. It took my husband all his self control to carefully maneuver around him to the left and proceed to the temple. I tried not to listen to all they were shouting at us, but I was shaking as I got to the temple front door. Several of the sisters, especially the ones driving on their own, were crying ... Later, as I was sitting in the perfect quiet of the chapel, I couldn't help but think of Lehi's dream, and the people who mocked the Saints from the big spacious building but "we heeded them not." It was a truly surreal experience, I'd never thought that I would have to go through an angry crowd to get to the temple. As we left late at night, the protesters had dispersed, temple security (who all looked very large and Tongan) stood by the gates. I never saw a single police man. Please pray for those of us in California fighting for prop 8--it's getting kind of scary out here!

It's true.. it is getting scary here in California. Many people have had signs stolen or vandalized on their lawn. Mike is currently working on calls while I get the kids bathed and ready for bed. We are trying to do are part to get this passed. We hope and pray that it does and your prayers will help us too.

Vote YES on Prop 8
Here are just a few examples of how this will affect us if it does not pass.
1. Children in public schools will be taught that the marriage model encompasses any combination of genders. This would be taught as early as Kindergarten. (Already happening in Massachusetts, watch the video below if you don't believe me)
2. Churches could be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies.
3. Religious Adoption agencies will be challenged by gov agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. (Already happening in Massachusetts)
4. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages (i.e. the plan of salvation and eternal marriage) will be sued for "hate speech" and could be fined by the gov (Already happening in Canada)
5. It will cost you money. All of these lawsuits and court cases will have to be paid by someone. And with the type of judges we have today, do you really think we would win?
I know it is a tough fight we are facing, but the consequences of this proposition not passing scares me more than the fight I must give in the next month.
Please help us pull together as a society to pass Proposition 8!!!!!
Go to http://www.protectmarriage.com/ to see what you can do to help or to get more information about it.
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Here is the link to the movie about teaching kindergartners about same sex marriage in a public school in Massachusetts.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1815825713/bctid1819819843

The Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch Pickin'

On Monday the 13th, Mike's parents and I packed up the children and headed to Underwood Family Farms. It was a very windy day. The farm was packed with people when we first got there until everyone received word about a fire breaking out on highway 118, then the farm turned into a ghost town all you needed were big tumble weeds to blow through it. Isaac and Lillie enjoyed themselves anyway. They enjoyed looking at the animals, climbing hay bales, looking for perfect pumpkins and of course riding tractors.

Lillie looking right at the camera.. Yea! you have got to take what you can get.

The littlest Pumpkin slept throught the whole visit. I tried to cover her the best I could with all the dust and dirt blowing.

In the hay.. They had a big pyramid there for the kids to climb. Grandma helped Isaac and Lillie climb all the way to the top.

In the train that all the kids loved to climb on.

IF you can drive it he will come. Isaac loves driving everything. Underwood Family Farms had many and many tractors that Isaac loved to look at. Three of them children could ride and pretend to drive them. Isaac, as his grandparents pointed out could do this all day.. who cares about pumpkins. I agreed. At the farm they also had several animals.. in the goat pen was an old truck. This goat happened to be in the truck. Isaac kept on saying that he wanted to drive this truck with the goat. Grandma tried to tell him that this truck was the goats truck.

Grandma and Grandpa took Isaac on a real Tractor ride through the pumpkin patch which Isaac truly enjoyed.