Biker Chicks

Here are the girls with Grandpa on his motor cycle.

For the past year every time we've seen a motorcycle they associate it with Grandpa, but wanted nothing to do with it because it's too noisy.  We got them to sit on it with him....then eventually they each got to go for a real ride with him and both loved it!

 

 

Goodbye

James just turned down a fellowship that would take us to Romania for a year.  I cried!  I know it was the best decision for our family, but it was so depressing.  I realize it doesn't necesarilly mean this, but it feels like we just shut the door to any chance of living overseas or traveling as a family.  I know it wasn't right and something else will come along...in a few years we'll look back and be grateful for where we are.  But right now it kind of makes me sad.....luckily we do have so many other things to be happy about.

Hannah's 4!!

I can't believe she has been with us for 4 years.  Crazy.  I can't really remember life without her either.  On Fathers' Day Hannah celebrated her 4th Bday.  She was pretty excited.  As you can see, pink is definitely still her favorite color. 

 

Grandma has a teddy bear cake mold and that's what she requested for her big day.  However, the cake kind of overflowed in the oven and fell apart while I was taking it out.  So, I froze it and turned it into an ice cream cake.  It took a little persuading, but she ended up being quite pleased with it.

She had a pretty good day and was pleased with her presents: a book, new church shoes, and a pair of prescription sunglasses.

Normal Saturday

The 3 years James has been in school his Saturdays have been like any other weekday - spent on campus doing work.  But this past Saturday I feel like we had a 'normal' Saturday.  We:

 

- went for a 'hike' along the Riverside trail and let the girls throw rocks in at the end.

- walked around the temple grounds

- stopped at a few stores - and even bought some clothes for James (major feat)!!!!!!

- helped Grandma ad Grandpa clean out their garage (by we...I really mean James helped while I tried to occupy the little hands with a preschool activity).

- washed the cars

- went for ice cream cones down the street

- after the girls went to bed we watched a movie while organizing our photos from the growing up years!

 

Pretty boring, but pretty enjoyable.

New Bike

James got a new bike he found online the other day.  He is really excited about it and here he is taking it on its first real ride around the block.  Of course the girls wanted to join:

This is the first time they've ever biked on anything that isn't flat.  Sofia copes by making faces:

Hannah does pretty well peddling uphill....but down hill is another story....she's trying to wear out as many shoes and toes as possible

There are the girls trying to follow Daddy!!

Now James has 3 bikes and I have 0.  I figure I was okay with him getting a newer, nicer bike that was a better fit....but now it's time to get rid of the other 2.......just a friendly little reminder hon!!

Graduation

It was almost a month ago, but I figured I should document the occasion.  James hasn't walked for any degrees since High School, so this was big for him.  Here are a few pictures of the big day.

Hannah found Daddy in line before the ceremony:

After the very bearable ceremony and hooding:

We only went to his actual school ceremony and it really wasn't bad....a few speakers that kept it pretty short and the reading of the names....thank goodness.  I think James is even glad he did it!

Sewing Helpers

I was trying to finish up some sewing projects for baby TJ the other day.  The girls discovered Grandma's fabric stash and boy did they have fun.  They were entertained while I got the last of the sewing done.  :D

Hannah wants a dress from this material!  They came up with a lot more sewing projects for me.

Memorial Day Hike

 A few years ago we started doing a hike on Memorial Day and have continued the tradition the past few years.  We knew it would have to be a relatively easy hike with my large belly and James pushing the girls in the double stroller.

We thought we had found the right trail for us and got started on the 'hike.'  Shortly into it, it became evident that the trail was not finished and wasn't meant to be used.  I was looking to get some exercise so James stayed with the girls while I went a little further along the trail to the dead end.  Needless to say it was a lame hike, but at least we kept the tradition alive.  Here are some pictures James took while I was gone:

While in LA we were always wishing we had the 'outdoorsy' trails and opportunities from home.  On our way down from this 'hike' we found ourselves wishing we had access to the paved trail of the Hollywood Sign.  How's that for irony?

The MOVE

We had been sorting and organizing our stuff for the past month.  We were definitely in get -rid of mode.  I seem to enjoy de-cluttering and throwing out.  Our goal was to fit everything into the back of my parents pick-up.  One day we thought we would be able to - the next we weren't so sure.

Anyway....we took several loads to Goodwill, sold all of our major furniture, and tossed a bunch of things into the garbage.  Here's what it looked like when we finally moved:

It was a whirlwind of a week:

Thursday:

* James defended his dissertation

* I had my last doctors appointment in LA

* James graduated

Friday:

 * Visited the space shuttle Endeavour

 * Finished up all of our packing and most of the cleaning

 * Went to a hotel to do some swimming and relaxing

Saturday:

 * Visited the beach

 * Loaded up the truck

 * Finished all the cleaning

 * Got rid of the last of our furniture.  :D

Sunday:

 * Went to church for the last time in LA

 * Drove back to Utah