Dear Lara, Amy and Krystal

I know, I know, my updates are pathetic!  I can promise I’ll update more–but I know better:)

It is pouring, and Queen’s “Somebody to Love” is blasting through my house.  All the cousins are rocking out . . . and so am I.  How can you refrain when listening to that song?

In between breaks of rain the cousins race out for some four square.  In this house–it’s all about the four-square.

Even little Ollie has learned the rules (which are still a mystery to me) as he yells out “BUS STOP!!!”  Which means all must run to touch the ball and the last one there is out.

Sophie celebrated her 9th on the ice with all her friends.

How can my baby be so big?  Nothing but smiles, ever appreciative of what she is given, the best sister.  She can now add Student Council to her list of activities–that was a big one for her!

Christmas came and went.  Scaled back, simple, lovely.

Live nativity with the cousins, gingerbread houses, decorating the home, viewing the temple lights, corny PJ’s:)

The only part missing–my family which I didn’t get to see this year.

My favorite gift?  A couple days away in Napa Valley sans kiddos.  Beautiful country, a natural springs spa, and AMAZING food at the famous Bouchon.

Swindles made their annual January trek.  We squeezed in a couple trips to the city (wowed by the new California Academy of Science), enjoyed parks in record-breaking warm weather and whipped up these skirts for the little ladies–(seriously Becs, you are a genius)

We are enjoying sunny days and cozy nights–complete with firelight storytelling (how about that full-moon?)

If you are up for a mean game of four-square, do stop by.

Changes

School began this week . . .

Many tears were shed, both from my school-goers and non-schoolgoer. The transition from Kindergarten to first grade may be a little tough for my Sam Man. The extra two and half hours is a haul and he is quick to tell me, “But it is so loooong . . . I have to stay the whole time?”

And Mr. Oliver, who is 3 but thinks he is 7, cannot understand why HE is not attending elementary school as well. Everyday he dones his backpack and lunchbox hoping it will be the day the rules change and he can hop out of the van with his brother and sister. It is EVER so sad . . . I can hardly stand it:(

Feeling so grateful for my brood this week.

The story of a lovely mother in the blog world has filled my thoughts this week. She and her husband were involved in a serious plane crash in which they were severely burned. They have 4 children under the age of 6 who are under the care of her sister. Many sites are holding silent auctions to help fund the costs of the long recovery for these parents. Check out DesignMom who lists all the amazing things up for auction. Happy bidding!

**Do you not adore these pics? They were taken by Jonathan Canlas and just make my heart melt every time I look at them.

Clear Skies

It has been raining all week. Rain is what makes this place beautiful, but
it is also what makes this mama with little ones a bit crazy. So when
yesterday delivered a clear day, we took full advantage. After a couple
hours of tennis here in town, we hopped in the car and headed into San
Francisco with no plans in mind–just to enjoy the day and take in this
beautiful city. With no traffic we were there in quick 20 minutes.

We headed to Ocean Beach–because there is no other place I’d rather
be than near water. This beach is right in the city so it a little more
gritty–but it has it’s own special flair.

The children enjoyed the sand and running from the cold tide. I enjoyed watching them.

The sound of waves can relax me like nothing else–it gives Percocet
a run for the money. The light was amazing . . . golden, diffused rays.

A drive through beautiful Pacific Heights and a quick stop at the Palace of Fine Arts–built in 1912 for the World’s Fair.

It was going to be torn down but the city felt it was just too beautiful. Having read Devil in the White City last year, I understand a little more what went into creating these amazing fairs (I highly recommend this book).

We ended the day with Clam Chowder and Ice Cream at the Wharf.

It’s raining again today–but it’s all good. With yesterday’s
adventure under our belts–we’re happy to snuggle by the fire and dream
about our next clear day.

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At the request of Miss Melissa, a girlfriend who recently moved out
east (we miss you!), I want to share with you some of my design
resources. There are many great design blogs out there, by far my
favorite blog is decor8. The blog’s author Holly has amazing taste and is a WEALTH of resources about furniture, wallpaper, homes and Etsy artists. Other blogs I enjoy are Style Court and Absolutely Beautiful Things.

Magazines that I draw inspiration from are Domino and House Beautiful.
I’ve been loving House Beautiful lately because each issue they have a
section on paint colors–which I think is one of the toughest parts in
design.

Blueprint, a more youthful and modern mag from Martha Stewart is also really fun. It has lots of funky DIY projects.

And don’t forget that almost all the decor magazines have fantastic
websites with loads of photo galleries you can go through for
inspiration. In addition to the magazines listed above, check out HOME,
ELLE Decor and Cottage Living on-line.

A little bit of Rock and Roll

I remember my first concert–Donny and Marie Osmond. I was probably just about Sophie’s age. The anticipation, the lights dropping, everyone going crazy as my purple clad idols appeared on stage, all of it is quite clear in my mind.

I think much of it was the same for my Sophie and her cousin Emma when we saw Hannah Montana this past weekend in Las Vegas. They sang, screamed and danced their way through the concert. Hannah was fabulous, Miley was great. But the very best part? Seeing and experiencing it through the eyes of Sophie and Emma. I have been to many amazing shows by many amazing musicians. But this is one I will never forget.

Thanks to Brig for getting the tickets. And thanks to Kristin and Emma for a fabulous GNO weekend!

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In an effort to prove to myself I am still a creative and compelling person, each post I am going to pass on little pieces of interests or projects that have caught my fancy. Useless or useful, you decide:)

I adore beautiful, groovy fabric and am always looking for simple, creative ways to use them. Here are the cute notebooks I made for gifts this Holiday Season.

My girlfriend, Vanessa tweeked a pattern from Martha Stewart. They are really quite simple and make wonderful gifts. (For anyone who wants the specific measurements just let me know–I’ll put them in my comments)

New Beginnings

Ahhh, the new year. I adore the changing of the guard–the new perspective a new year brings. I have a plump little list of goals and changes for the upcoming year.

We celebrated New Year’s in Missouri. The kiddos and I flew in and my folks had Christmas waiting. All of the family gathered to celebrate Christmas a little late. We began the week with snow and ended it with 60 degree weather–CRAZY!

How funny that snow is now such a novelty for my California babes.

Gifts were opened, including the infamous bowling pin that is newly costumed and given to a different sibling each year. We have been doing this for almost 20 years now. This year it was adorned as my sister-in-law Krystal who broke her foot while jumping up and down in excitement of finding out she was pregnant. Poor thing–it has been a rough few weeks for the her.

The cousins played beautifully and the posse will be +2 next year.

Earlier in California, Christmas morning brought many wonderful gifts as well. Star Wars Legos, a race track and a karoake machine were among the favorites–although three hours later of children singing HS Musical 2 nonstop I was questioning this choice!

Sophie and I will be enjoying her big Christmas gift this weekend. We’re off to Las Vegas to see Hannah Montana in concert with her cousin Emma and Aunt Kristin.

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In an effort to prove to myself that I am still a creative and compelling person, each post I’m going to pass on little pieces of interest that have caught my fancy. Useful or useless, you can decide.

I wanted to share three female musicians that will drive away any January blues. They will make you HAPPY! Two of the three artists, Andrea Lindsay and Yael Naim are French (well, actually Yael is Israeli but French raised). The other, Ingrid Michaelson, is one you have most likely heard by now on the radio–but is really lovely. Side note: I was surprised today when the new Apple laptop the Macbook Air was unveiled (I’ve decided I NEED one of these beautiful babies) that Yael Naim’s song was featured in the ad. Enjoy!

December at the Wises

Home is adorned . . . I’m having a very blue Christmas.

A trip to see the ever beautiful Nutcracker Ballet–hot fudge brownie sundaes followed.

Caroled by the children at both church and school performances. A sit on Santa’s lap to complete the evening.

Participated in our school’s annual traditions including a sunrise hike for the kindergarteners. While still night, the children and parents leave for their pilgrimage. Circling a tree, they welcome the winter dawn through song. (I would tell you more about it but I felt Alph needed the opportunity to bond with his son in the freezing dark )

And what would Christmas be without the making of Gingerbread houses?

Finding quiet time to cozy up by the tree with my Ollie.

And what would December in California be without flowers blooming in your front yard (I’m still not used to this one)?

Happiest of Holidays!

Sophiefest

Our Sophie Louise turned eight this month and this being a BIG year, we initiated “Sophiefest”–two weeks full of celebrations. First of all, let me just tell you I am AMAZED that my baby girl is this old. How in the world did this happen?

Sophiefest began on her birthday with the traditional birthday breakfast in bed. Usually this consists of their favorite box of junk cereal. Their mother rarely indulges in this–so it is a big treat. At this time–all family members say what they love about the birthday gal/guy. It’s not hard to come up with things to say about Sophie Lou. Nurturing, loving, kind, patient, wonderful sibling, creative and friend to all comes to mind.

After school 16 of Sophie’s friends came over for a very “girlie girl” party. I hired my favorite babysitter and her sister to help out. They provided the glitzy manicures and make-up while I did hair. Pink rocker hair was the “do” of choice.

We all then had a dance party jammin’ to our favorite gal Hannah Montana. It was crazy, wild and loads of fun!

That weekend my folks and my brothers Chris and Josh flew in for a lovely Thanksgiving with all of us at Alph’s parents house. They were then there to share in Sophie’s baptism.

What a wonderful, lovely event. Sophie just beamed. She listened intently to every word of the talks given by her grandmothers and never stopped smiling. I hope I never forget her sweet face as she came out of the water. Sam provided the humor (as usual) when he then yelled “Can I go in now?” He still is referring to it as the swimming pool.

Everyone from the baptism came over for brunch afterwards. We provided a great spread of cheesy potatoes (great recipe for the crockpot), bagels, muffins, fruit and of course, Martinellis. It was really wonderful to have so many friends and family there. Alph projected the BYU/Utah game on the big screen so many stayed for some time. The children kept busy outside with swordfights and building enchanting fortresses. I have to say, I am happiest in times like these–my home brimming with friends and family with busy, happy children bustling about. Thank you to all who came.

And since this IS Sophiefest–here are pictures from two other Sophie events.

Attending High School Musical on Ice–a big GNO (Girl’s Night Out).

And SOCCER! Sophie had a great year in her very first season. She LOVED it!

A Little Truth a Little Fiction

p>Yesterday I was going through Sophie’s stash of papers from the school year and I found this little gem, dated March 12th. A bonus of being a first grade teacher must be reading this stuff. Enjoy!

Last night Mommy and Daddy were trying to git a houes (house) but they said you have to wait four more days and they also told it is faer (for) 10,000$. [in my dreams] Mommy started crying. I was crying too. [okay, so I was a little stressed out] The next day we got a call it was Jill a person that finds hoes. [Jill is our realtor, not the local pimp] She said you got the hoes. We were so icksidid (excited) but I thout (thought) we had to go to a new school. [She doesn’t] It was sad to leave my school. When we got to the hoes Mommy said honey for your brithday presint from me I have a baby. I was supriesd. [imagine MY surprise when I read this]

Happlly Ever Aveder
The End

A Little Magic

We’ve taken some great trips the past couple weeks. One was completely commercial. One was really dirty. But all were magical.

The first trip was to the kingdom of all magic, Disneyland. Alph flew to Anaheim for a conference and met up with Jeremy Swindle. The wives and kiddos flew in a couple days later. We had a grand time.

Even a good dose of the flu could not stop us. We were delighted to introduce Oliver to Disneyland and he was in heaven as he rode the Buzz Lightyear ride. Sam was awed by the Jedi training (even post flu weakness could not dull the experience of seeing Darth Maul rise from the ground). Sophie rode her first real roller coaster–the jury is still out on what she thought of that

I have no question, however, how much she enjoyed dancing at the High School Musical performance.

Becky introduced us to a new tradition which we are looking forward to doing every year. In the end we were pretty tuckered out, but we took with us many wonderful memories.

The following weekend we made more memories as we set forth on our first camping adventure. Good friends from Sophie’s school invited us to come along and we decided it was time. The kids did GREAT! It was something else falling asleep under the stars, all cozy in our tent. We had s’mores, campfire songs and plenty of boat rides. The kids looked right at home. This was the kids first night in a tent. Everything was going well until Oliver woke up at 6AM, looked up at the open sky and the sun reflectng off of the perfectly still lake . . . and started screaming. Not what he was expecting to see. It took us a while to calm him down. Oh well, it was time for the rest of camp to get up anyways.

The boat rides were a hit.

But when we asked Sam if he wanted a ride on the tube, Sam was quick to say “I won’t ride on that NEVER EVER!”

A sunset boat ride provided a beautiful view

Alph and I finished off Memorial weekend by taking in a Giants’ game. We were lucky to be invited by some friends with great seats. And even though the most exciting thing about the game was a bench-emptying fight on the field that almost happened–it was fun being out on a date in the city, hanging with good friends, and finishing it off with hot chocolate at the Fairmont - so chic.

A big surprise

Tuesday evening Alph walked in with a familiar baby on his hip. I was SHOCKED to realize it was none other than my adorable niece Allison. My sister, Heather, surprised me by flying in from Missouri! It was wondeful having her here. Besides being such a brave lady flying solo with a 9 month old, she is amazing because she put up with all our craziness. Last week of school activities, house signings, theater dress rehearsals/performances, swim team and me hosting a shower kept things pretty much on the insane level. She was such a sport to put up with it all and I adore her for it. I hope I haven’t scared her off from doing it again!

It was hard for me to say goodbye as I dropped two of my favorite gals at the airport this morning.

I love you Heather! Thank you, thank you!