Halloween Skirts 2011

Today's project was this years Halloween skirts for the girls (& a onesie for baby Adam-- elizabeth's baby). They're much cuter than years past. I don't think Georgie will think this one is scary.

Can't wait to see the girls wear them! So looking forward to all our annual Fall festivities! Just wish there were a way to get all 6 girls together for a picture... maybe next year... when there's a possibility of it being 8 of them!! Oy vey, that's a lot of girls from 3 mommies in the past 6 years.

Meeting Xander

My dear friend, Heather DelH, had her Bookend Boy, Xander Grey, on Monday afternoon. Today the girls and I were able to meet that sweet, sweet boy.

Both Georgie & Naomi were very curious about him and thought he was just so cute. When we got home Georgie told Gram that I'd asked NaNa not to touch the baby so that meant Georgie couldn't either. She was sad she didn't get to touch him. Soon enough girls, soon enough you'll be able to (and asked not to) touch your own new baby.

35+3 weeks

Feet?
They're down there somewhere but its been awhile since I've seen them.

35+3 weeks feeling:

heavy.
sore.
tired.
anxious.
excited.
unprepared.
crazy.
unbelief.
excited.

and wondering where the time has gone!

School Pictures

Our sweet kindergartner.

And his class...

{Back: Valery, Cash, Emma, Nicholas, Ayari, Deborah, Raul
Middle: Tatiana, Jackson, Jacob B., Eduardo, Jacob M., Jose, Zaira
Front: Gilberto, Cindy, Diego, Marco, Cynthia, Adilene, Christy}

Balboa Candy

One other stop Dan & Megan wanted to make on their Southern California adventure was Balboa Island so this morning, before they headed to Disneyland for their final day, we all went out to the coast.

The kids loved the Balboa Candy store. We all loved just spending a final few hours together.

{Hadley, Georgie, Naomi, Jacob, Alec}

Once we left Balboa Dan & Megan went back to Disneyland and we headed to Downtown Disney to spend some time & get the kids something since we'd promised them a toy back in June but hadn't made good on it yet.

They loved playing in the Lego store, walking through the big huge Disney store, and finally picking out their 'something'. And then it was time for a late lunch and to get Papa and Grandma to their hotel so we could head home.

It was a really fun weekend. We are all exhausted. We loved spending time with everyone (well almost everyone). We can't wait to do it again... wherever it might be next time!

Our Day at Disney

We started our day at Disneyland at 10am and finished the day watching World of Color at 10:45pm. It was a long, fun, hot, exciting, wonderful day at Disneyland and California Adventure.

We're so glad we were able to be there with Uncle Dan, Aunt Megan, Hadley and Alec, as well as Papa and Grandma.

We rode as many rides as we possibly could, watched the Disneyland Parade, saw fireworks, and witnessed the World of Color. We packed so much into the day and still Dan & Megan have a lot we suggested they do tomorrow. Apparently there really is three days worth of stuff to do & see at Disneyland! ;)

(PS- the only way I survived the day at nearly 35 weeks pregnant was my kind father-in-law rented a motorized wheelchair from Disney so no one had to push me and I could keep up with all the fun & excitement. It was a bit humiliating, to say the least, but at the end of the day -- and actually several times throughout the day-- I was so glad for his generosity! Thank you, George.)

Busy & Exciting Day

Some days are more anticipated than others and today was one of those days. The kids have been so excited that Papa & Grandma were going to be here, along with Uncle Dan, Aunt Megan, Hadley and Alec to visit Disneyland for their very first time. They've been counting down the "sleeps" until we get to pick up Papa and Grandma from the airport and go to the hotel.

But, before we could head out on that adventure, Jacob had school to attend, I had my 34+4 week appointment with Renee, and John had a bunch of running around to do.

My appointment with Renee went really well. The baby is in a great posistion, her/his heartbeat is perfect, s/he feels on the smaller side (don't let that fool you into thinking it'll be a small-er baby, all the others were smaller at this point too. My body just gets really big early in pregnancy so that those last 6 weeks the baby can pack on the pounds and take up the entire space!), my blood pressure is perfect, still have no swelling, and everything is exactly as it should be for a low-risk pregnancy and birth. While we were there Georgie helped measure my fundal height and listen to the babies heart, she loves being Renee's helper and I love that she can be. John took a couple of pictures, but with my camera issues, they didn't take. Darn! (hopefully next time!)

After my appointment we ran some errands and as soon as Jacob's school bell rang we were on our way to the O.C. to pick up Papa and Grandma from the airport.

Then we checked into our hotel and headed to dinner at Mimi's Cafe in Anaheim. Dinner was very exciting (& frustrating but for entirely different reasons) as soon as Jacob took his first bite he yelled, "Whoa!" and then he spit out his tooth. That dang thing has been flopping around in his mouth loose as loose can be for over 2 weeks and it finally fell out... while we were away from home. We were worried how he would react, but he thought it was the coolest thing ever! I asked the server for a baggie to put it in and we were on our way.

Once we finished dinner (which took extra long since neither girl would eat or sit or behave) we drove over to Downtown Disney to meet Dan, Megan, Hadley and Alec as they exited California Adventure's World of Color show. It was so exciting to see their excitement (and exhaustion after spending an entire day at Disneyland!). Our kids were tired as well since it was after 10pm, but once those cousins got together they ran & ran all over the place jumping off everything and loving being together.

Finally we called it a night and went back to the hotel to get a good nights sleep for our busy day tomorrow at Disneyland!

McTeachers

Jake's on unit 3 in his Social Studies lessons and he's very excited about it. Mrs. Halstead is really keeping him interested and anxious for the next lesson, which I love!

Unit 3 is all about work, especially jobs and community. Jacob was given an assignment to choose a job he wants when he grows up and then to 'dress' a paper bear in the uniform of that job. I'm not sure he's ever thought about what he wants to be when he grows up, its generally not something we talk about... college, absolutely, but end result... not so much. Anyway, in his class they hit all the common jobs: fireman, police officer, teacher, doctor, etc. and Jacob decided he wants to be a teacher. So, this afternoon we worked on his bear.

The assignment was for the student to pick the career, supplies needed for the uniform, and the decorate it themselves. Parents were asked to help obtain the supplies, but not to do the project for the student. Jake said the bear needed clothes so he wanted fabric, it needed eyes, and fur, a book and an apple. So that's what we did.

I pulled out some fabric for him to choose from. Once he chose the shirt and pants for his teacher bear, I drew lines for him to cut so they looked like clothes. Gram found some google-eyes and we let him run with it. He did a great job. (and as much as I wanted to get in there and fix things for him, I didn't)

Then tonight we supported his schools McTeacher Night at McDonalds, which is certainly not one of my favorite places to eat. (You can totally tell we aren't use to eating there... we stood to the side forever looking over the menu trying to figure out what to eat. I thought it was funny!) Mrs. Halstead was working the register we ordered at and Jacob kept hiding from her. She was shocked! She kept saying, "Jacob is not shy in class. He's great at participating!" But, he is a little timid in public and new situations. Even a friend from his class came over to say hello to "Jacob M." and he hid behind John's arm the whole time. (Afterward we had a nice talk about how his behavior was rude and he needs to at least acknowledge when people say hello to him.)

It was nice to be out of the house and together. The kids weren't exactly fans of the food but they did enjoy the ice cream cones after dinner.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The past couple of weeks our little NaNa has really started to talk! She's gone from calling everyone "Mommy" to saying: Georgia, Daddy, hello, no, Guppies, Wubzy, phone, bath... actually it seems like she knows most words as long as you listen closely and understand the context of what she is saying. She has the cutest little voice. It's so fun to finally hear her express herself and have conversations with whoever is around her!

8 years...

8 years ago our adventure began... 4 kids (almost), 3 homes, and 2 cities later life is better than we ever expected!

Happy Anniversary, I love you!

Sarah Jean

{Kristin & Sarah}

Sarah Jean Forshee Talbot
August 13, 1982 ~ September 6, 2011

"At funerals our tears are genuine, but not because of termination- rather because of interruption. Though just as wet, our tears are not of despair but are of appreciation and anticipation. . . . The closing of the grave is but the closing of a door which later will be flung open with rejoicing." ~Neal A. Maxwell

It's been an emotional day.

I attended funeral services for my sweet cousin Sarah. It was so surreal being there, I cannot wrap my head around the fact that she is gone. She is such a fun and outgoing girl. She is the life of the party, the first one to throw her arms around you with a great big hug and a kiss on the cheek. She was beautiful and kind, she always has a smile on her face and a funny story to tell. She is Sarah: bright, beautiful, loud Sarah. And I love her dearly.

But today we said goodbye --- temporarily.

My head aches from crying. My heart aches for her family and especially her sweet daughter Taylor. I'm mad at her and yet understand that I don't understand. I cannot relate to where she was and I cannot judge her for her decisions- only the Savior can and He knows her heart. He knows her soul. He knows her desires and fears and struggles and He will help heal her. And He will help the rest of us heal as well.

How grateful I am for this quote by Elder Maxwell and the reminder it is that death is not the end. This life is not all there is... how grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation and the wisdom of our Father in Heaven. ♥

Until we meet again, Sarah. I love you.

{Forshee Girls, Schlicher Family Christmas 2009:
Kristin, Becky, Carrie, Megan, & Sarah}

{The Forshee girls: Kristin, Becky, Megan, & Sarah}

Georgie Starts Preschool

Our sweet Georgie Girl started preschool today. She's been counting down the weeks and days waiting ever so patiently to go to school, like Jacob.

We've been worried though... because she isn't a big fan of her Moonbeams class at church (which is essentially preschool at church). Every week as we take her into class she clutches to our hand and gets this look on her face that says, "you cannot leave me here. I am afraid/scared/terrified/something of being here." We don't understand it at all, because at the end of the day she ends up telling us how fun it was but the drop off part is really, really hard. She's never pulled a "Georgia" on them, but we expect it to happen sooner or later so John usually ends up staying with her for a little while and then leaves once she's finally comfortable.

At church no one cares if the parents stay - it's another set of hands to help - but in preschool they want the parents to leave immediately. And we worry, "will she pull a 'Georgia' at school"?

We've talked with her on several occasions about how school is just for kids, the mommies and daddies have to leave but sometimes get to work in the classroom. She's asked us to stay with her every day for class.

We decided, since I'm expecting this baby sometime within the next 4- 9 weeks, I should get my working days done as soon as possible. So, today on the very first day of school, I stayed with her to work. I explained to her last night that I wasn't there to play with her, I was there to work and help Miss Diane. She seemed to understand but told me that she didn't want to make friends because sometimes other kids don't share or are mean. We talked about that for awhile. (Sometimes I forget what a tender heart she is... seeing how at home she's generally the first one to throw a punch or start an arguement.)

But today she did so well! I know Wednesday might be completely different because I'll just be walking her in, helping her put her lunch on her name plate, getting her started on something, and then walking away, but today was a success and I am so very proud of our Georgie Girl.

She didn't necessarily interact with any of the other kids, but she did have a good time and even went on the slide several times with the same little girl. Hopefully as her time there goes on she'll realize that not all kids are scary (although she already knows this because she plays with Andrew, Norah and Tommy all the time without ever having a disagreement) and that she really is capable of being on her own at school.

It must be a scary time for her though, she's had Jacob to do everything with until this point. But... it's time for our girl to spread her wings and fly. She is so capable of anything she sets her mind to. She is a determined little miss, always full of spunk, she just needs to take that first step and realize she can do it! Once she does... there'll be no stopping her.

(which reminds us of how very, very, very important it is that we teach her young to live the Gospel because she will be a force to wrecken with... for good or bad... and we want good!)

Digging

When we packed our house in December and sent it to storage we never imagined two things:

1. We'd be in California in September, or
2. We'd be having another baby in October/November

so, we put all the baby clothes (since they were already packed in boxes) into the storage unit first, against the back wall, and then the entire contents of our house in front of and on top of them.

Well, ha ha the jokes on us, and life has a funny way of not working out exactly like you plan/hope. And... it's September and we're still here AND expecting a baby sometime within the next 4- 9 weeks. (that takes into account my history of 2 weeks 'late').

A few weeks ago we stopped by the storage unit thinking we'd put Naomi & Georgie's new car seats in last (we had to right, we knew we'd need them in the not-to-distant-future) only to find they were no where near the front of the unit. (If they had been we talked about just going out & buying a few newborn items ... because we plan to be moving somewhere soon after this baby arrives -- ahh, plans.)

So, since they weren't in the front we knew we have to go digging for them and just might have to empty the entire contents of our house into the storage unit parking lot to find them. We determined today would be the day since the temperature was supposed to drop nearly 30*. John and I went over at 10am and got started pulling things out. We didn't have to move much before John realized that there was almost an 'upstairs' in our storage unit so he was able to get to the back by walking on dressers, the piano, the washer and dryer and tables.

{bet you wish you were there!}

And... once he found he could easily get to the back of the unit it didn't take long for him to locate the car seats... and since he was there anyway I had him look for the boxes of newborn clothing: girls AND boys (I'm not completely sold that this baby is a girl!). It didn't take him long to find those either. He had to dig and move quite a few boxes of other size clothing, but he knew he was in the right place. And...

JACKPOT!

By 11am (just under an hour after arriving) we were back in the car with everything we went it for! (Plus a box of size 5 diapers to boot (Naomi is in 4's now...))

When we got home we had one very happy little girl who was far past ready to get out of that tiny ole rear-facing infant seat!

Now, let's just hope we don't need to go back in to get the 3- 6 month clothes!!
Although John was a totally impressive picker!
(maybe he could audition to join the team on American Pickers!)

Adam & Courtney

Elizabeth sent this picture the other day.

Oh how I love them... and ache to hold them & cuddle them & tell them just how wonderful they are & how lucky they are to be Elizabeth's.

Labor Day

It's Labor Day so I made them get out there and work.

Then we headed to Disneyland for the afternoon...

Georgie was even tall enough to ride two rides she's been waiting to ride! Jumping Jellyfish

{before}

{during}

She says she didn't like it. She also got to ride Soarin' Over California with Daddy & Gramma. She says she didn't like that one either... which is a cryin' shame. I love that ride! ;)

But, she did get to ride one of her favorite rides with Gram & Daddy... the rocketships. Naomi got to ride too. They both loved it!

You know what they say... all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy... and we can't have that happening now can we?!?!?