March 2014 - All At Once!

The Phoenix Marathon was on March 1. Ironically, the Phoenix Marathon begins in and finishes in Mesa. This year Ryan ran the full and Lilly ran the half. We went to to show them support. The night before my girls slept at Angela's and the race path went pretty close to her house. After we picked up my mom, trying to make our way to Angela's was rather tricky. But we made it... and then we just had to make our way to the race which wasn't quite as tricky, but we had to go pretty far out of the way. We watched Lilly finish and then went to go get breakfast while we waited for Ryan. We got back just in time to hear them announce Ryan's name (mispronouncing Melzer) and see him cross the finish line. I'm so proud of these siblings of mine. I've never had much of a desire to run in a long distance race, but standing at the finish line and watching the sense of accomplishment and pride on the racer's faces made me think maybe I would like that. It really was a cool experience. That day it also rained. A LOT. My girls had fun playing in the rain and we were all so grateful for the moisture. It had been several months since the last recorded rainfall. I made potato soup, bread sticks and chocolate covered strawberries for dinner. I love soup on a rainy day. The culture celebration for the new Gilbert Temple was that night and it rained and rained and rained the whole time. I laughed a little that after so long of not having rain, we had rain on a day with a lot of big events around the valley, but I didn't hear any complaints. 

Daniel and Ashley in town ::: sisters on scooters ::: wild child ::: little Miss Studios ::: I ate my first Sprinkles cupcake (and didn't think it was that great - I prefer my homemade cupcakes) ::: Clara helping with dinner - Hazel said, "Good job sissy for not cutting your fingers off" ::: Hazel and her friend snuck behind the chair and were pulling every single piece of paper of multiple sticky note pads ::: Angela, Beth, Violet, Margo and Ames came over for lunch and Hazel got a bit muddy

My mom does a cousins sleepover once a month. I LOVE it so much. There's nothing like having a night where you don't have to pay a babysitter and you don't have to be home by a certain time AND you get to sleep in. It's awesome. One night we got to my mom's a little early and Clara and Hazel were catching rolly pollies in the yard. I love my bug-loving Clara. They also found the butterfly pictured and Clara was going to take it home but at the last second decided to let Elsa take it. She's old enough now that I don't make her be nice, so it always makes me happy to see her choose that and see her recognize the joy it brings her.

Hazel running (when the weather is nice, we walk/run/jog/shuffle a lot and every now and then she decided she doesn't like the stroller) ::: Elsa and Clara missing their top teeth together ::: vegetables are so pretty!! (and delicious sauteed with noodles) ::: Jason has a mild obsession with Henry Weinhard soda - I told him we're going to name our first boy Henry (because I actually do love that name) ::: orange trees are so pretty ::: family piano practice ::: Clara was insistent that she do everything at Target when she used her own money to buy something ::: and Hazel was insistent she ride on the bottom of the cart ::: Karen gave me some preserved lemons and I made chicken with them and it was delicious. I liked it so much I made six more jars or lemons ::: Clara still loves to hold my hand

Margo turned 2 in March and she had a art party. Hazel had a party with her ice cream cone.

Crazy bed head ::: pizza popper things I made that were delicious ::: sisters conversing in the windowsill ::: I bought a grape vine and it sat in this box unplanted for months. I finally planted it and so far, it's still alive! ::: a princess and her rings ::: we hadn't had asparagus for a while and it turns out Hazel LOVES it ::: I started playing wally ball and I kept breaking blood vessels in my thumb. I loved going and it was seriously good therapy for my wrists that hurt when I work too much. Unfortunately, I didn't go in the summer, but am hoping to start back up soon. ::: March madness at Kevin and Chrystie's... boys ::: Clara pretending Hazel is the horse - ha ha.

I got a new roll recipe from Kathryn. It is SO good! I decided to make them for the missionaries and clearly my bowl wasn't big enough. But I had enough to make a ton of rolls and I used the leftover dough to make cinnamon rolls for Sunday morning. Both were delicious. It's my new favorite roll recipe.

Clara got to spend the night with Lucy and Elsa the first night of Spring Break. It was Sunday and I figured it'd be about a 1.5 mile walk to their house, so we decided to go on a family "stroll", Clara's suitcase and all. Turns out it's over 2 miles each way and took us a LOT longer than we thought. But it was really fun and the weather was nice so I'm not promising we won't ever do it again. ;)

Lucy and Elsa got to spend a day with us for Spring Break. They painted rocks and explored in the backyard. Later that week, Lucy, Elsa, Leta and Annie went to the park with us while Ryan and Kathryn went to a wedding. After that, I went to a gardening class with Kathryn and my mom. I really liked it, but I feel like life is busy enough without a garden. Maybe when work slows down.

Another day of Spring Break, we went exploring in the mountains with Angela, Margo and Lilly. We found a cabin, saw beautiful scenery, found sand, had a picnic, played in a little patch of snow and drove my car where a minivan doesn't belong. :) I love the mountains and exploring. It was a fun day.

giant laundry basket (aka guest bed) ::: bags are packed ::: we got to go to quite a few of Jason's basketball games. I'm glad there were other kids to play with and that I had someone to visit with. ::: Hazel helping me stir ::: often we'll go out each quarter for Clara's good efforts, but this time she wanted me to make pasta, so I did. We threw in some Martinelli's and had a fancy dinner. ::: snack time on the grass - cookies, milk and mini lemon meringue pies that were way too tart ::: a flower on our pomegranate tree - yay!

Clara made lunch ::: Hazel acted like she was one playing in the toilet paper ::: just my cute girls ::: home from "work" and doing my more important work ::: I laugh every time anyone gets in these ninja costumes ::: Hazel jumping on the tables ::: Hazel wanted to fill out her own tithing slip and did. She's in this phase where her writing looks like Hebrew and makes me laugh ::: My van became a part of the 100K miles club!

Goodness I love these two little sweet girls so very much. I especially love Clara' obedience of being still and smiling in the picture and Hazel's wild personality and the expressions she can go through from picture to picture. I also love that they love each other. They fight, but usually they don't. They are also always comforting each other and worrying about each other. I'm glad they have each other.

And that wraps up March. I'm not even going to take the time to proofread... 

The Rest of February 2014

The night/morning we got back from Disneyland, I noticed Hazel felt warm. Sure enough, the next morning she woke up terribly sick. That night (Thursday), I started feeling sick and sure enough, I caught whatever Hazel had and it knocked me off my feet. It was AWFUL! I seriously don't know the last time I was that sick. I literally laid on the couch for nearly a week. I had a fever for three days, sometimes around 104*. Even once I was able to get off the couch, my energy was so limited. I had to rest for 30-60 minutes for every 15 minutes I stood. It was bad, but I survived thanks to help from people around, including our Elder's Quorum president that dropped off some canned soup. Something that seemed so simple was actually so appreciated because I couldn't cook or grocery shop. So here's what went on during that time: Hazel sick, sick and sick. She basically hung out on the couch for 2-3 days. Clara's second top tooth was SO wiggly but she refused to let anyone pull it for her. Toys. Gray/red tight theme for church. I taught my RS lesson when I was sick. The night before I prayed to Heavenly Father and told him I needed to know tonight if I could teach tomorrow because I wasn't going to be able to call someone to fill in for our 8:30am church in the morning. I felt reassured that I could teach. I felt fine and was able to teach, but as soon as we got home from church, I went straight to the couch. A new way to pick oranges. I laid down anywhere I could when I was recovering. If my kids wanted to play out front, I went and laid in the grass. Ugh, even six months later, I can still remember how horrible that 10 days was and am so grateful for good health.

One day Hazel begged for a picnic. She helped make her sandwich and went and sat on the porch to eat. I love watching my girls be independent. It makes me feel like a good mom.

Hanging out - on the couch - still sick ||| Hazel loves to peel her own oranges ||| For Valentine's Day, we had a little cookie decorating party at our house ||| Unfortunately, Hazel was sick (again! but luckily this only lasted 12 hours) and had to stay inside ||| Riding a tricycle ||| Making Valentine's ||| On my way home from the temple open house, I stopped and got Jason and I Filiberto's to eat on the couch for Valentine's Day. :) I actually think we were going to go out but since Hazel wasn't feeling great, we changed our plans. While eating our classy dinner, we watched a basketball game together and we had a lot of fun. Neither of us cared that we weren't at a fancy restaurant or doing something more exciting. We just like being together and we can show that we love each other any day of the year ||| Technology party in our bed. Every morning |||Hazel and her scissors. This girls has cut more with her scissors than Clara ever could have even thought about cutting. Luckily they were nice straight lines so I was able to tape it back together.

The Gilbert Arizona Temple open house was in February. James missed being able to go with my mom and dad and Lilly, so we had him come with us. It worked out good because Jason got stuck at work and wasn't able to go. We waited A LOT. While waiting to go in to watch the presentation, Hazel threw up. She said her throat hurt and started coughing and threw up all over. James handled it like a champ and helped me with the girls while we got someone to clean it up. He's such a sweet guy and I love having him for a little brother. We sure are going to miss him when he leaves on his mission. The temple was beautiful. I loved being in there with my kids. The next day, I got to go back. This time I met my cousin Lisa, her son Travis and my Aunt Peggy. Since they have never been inside a temple, it was fun to be with them and be able to explain a little more about what we do in temples and why they are so important to us. I love the restored gospel, which includes the sealing power. I love knowing I'll be with my family forever. That brings so much peace. I kept trying to get a good picture when I was there the next day, but there were too many people there. I realized I can go back anytime to take more pictures when no one is around so I stopped trying. :)

Hazel crashing Ava's party and eating pizza with Olivia ||| The tooth finally came out ||| ready to gather oranges with Dad ||| It seems every time I watch Margo, it ends in a bath... ||| Hazel at the park ||| My apples from October were still in my fridge at the end of the February. They started to wilt so I made homemade crockpot applesauce. It was so easy and delicious. Hazel loved "screwing the apples" ||| Lilly + Clara eating chocolate covered strawberries - my most favorite treat ||| Just Hazel ||| And Hazel again with her glowing hair ||| Sisters at the park

Hazel getting into makeup. Again. She loves being "big". At least she got it mostly in the correct spots, right?

Lost Dog Trail hike with my dad in the McDowell Mountain Preserves. This was a great hike. It was pretty easy, but a little longer than some of the others we have done. Clara was such a good little hiker. We even saw a few mule deer which was exciting. One direction we could see the sun, the other the setting moon. I can't wait until it cools off enough to be able to hike again.

Penrod Orange Fest 2014

I missed these pictures last year. :( I was not about to miss again and I even got a mostly successful family picture with our orange eyes. I don't think we'll ever get sick of our orange trees. It is so wonderful having fresh, delicious produce for several months out of the year. I wish all produce grew on trees.

 

We went to the inaugural game at the Cubs' new stadium in Mesa. It was pretty hot out, but fun to be there for such a historical game. I think the girls preferred rolling down the hill and wrestling each other. We all had fun and are glad we went.

Disneyland February 2014

We took the girls to Disneyland for the first time in December of 2012 as a combined birthday and Christmas present. It was fun, but it is so expensive and it's a pretty exhausting trip, so I didn't think we'd go again for at least a few years. But then, Suzanne decided to plan a trip with the Estes family and invited the Melzers. I was going to go only if my parents went. They decided not to go. So I decided not to go. Then they decided to go and Kathryn and Ryan decided to go. So I decided to go. I'm not usually such a follower, but I couldn't help it. Kathryn was able to get us discounted tickets and I wasn't sure if I would have the opportunity to go with so much of my family again. Jason didn't come. My parents and James drove to California with us. The sky was beautiful and James bought me my first vanilla frappuccino.

Lilly went with Ryan and Kathryn. Doug and Suzanne, Suzie, Jill and some of her kids, Jake and Britany, Kyle and Miranda all went too. Emily, Alexis and Justin met us on the first day too. We didn't see the Esteses much, but it was fun visiting briefly with them. The drive over was fine. We left after school on a Monday so we didn't get there until pretty late. We got settled in (we stayed at the Ramada - Main Gate) and tried to get kids to bed as soon as possible knowing we had busy days ahead. The hotel wasn't super nice, but the location was superb since it was across the street from the main gate. I would definitely stay there again. Clara and Hazel shared a bed and were SO excited to look out the hotel window when they woke up bright and early.

Our first day at Disneyland was fun. There were a handful of rides that were closed, but there was plenty to do. 

One thing that was different about this trip compared to our last was Hazel. Before, if I wasn't with Hazel, Jason was, so it didn't feel weird to go do stuff without her. This time, I had to rely on my family to watch her if I went on a ride without her. I didn't love leaving her, so we spent a lot of time on rides together and just walking around when everyone else was on a ride that we couldn't go on. One of Hazel's favorite rides was this rocket ship one over the water in California Adventures. Just like when we were there a year ago, we rode it many times.

That night we watched World of Color. The worker told us there was a constant mist if we were in the designated "Wet Zone" so we decided to stay there anyway. Um, we got drenched. It was horrible! And freezing! I took my jacket off for my kids and huddled behind the stroller. The cupholder in my stroller had about 1/4 inch of water by the time the show was over. The show is awesome, but both of my kids fell asleep, we were wet, freezing cold and exhausted from a late arrival the night before and walking who knows how many miles that day. Needless to say, when everyone else went out to eat, my kids said they preferred to go back to our hotel, get in their pajamas and eat snacks from the car ride. So that's what we did. My mom brought me a baked potato which I ate in my bed at like 10pm while my girls slept.

I had a pretty urgent work e-mail when I woke up that I felt like I needed to respond to. That delayed us about 45 minutes and even on vacation, Hazel felt the need to cause mischief. She put my cover up stick on as lipstick. 

 

Day two at Disneyland was also fun. Other than the Cars ride, the longest we waited for a ride was 10 or 15 minutes. We got to ride so many rides repeatedly and lucked out a few times. Like when the Toy Story ride broke down so a bunch of people got out of line and then it started up within 5 minutes. Or when we went straight to Peter Pan as soon as the park opened, only had to wait 10 minutes, rode on Dumbo since Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was shut down and got back to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride just as they were opening it up. It really made our trip more enjoyable. 

We all happened to be near each other on day two for lunch, well, I guess Suzie and her kids and grandkids weren't with us, but at least we got Jill and her kids and Doug's family!

As dinner time approached, we figured we better get ready to go home. Some of the people wanted to go on the River Raft ride. I told Clara she couldn't because lots of people in my car had work or school the next day. But then everyone said she could go. So she went with James, Kathryn, Annie Lucy and Elsa. Since no one was on the ride, they rode it I think three times. By the time they were done, Clara was drenched and pretty uncomfortable so it's good it was time to go. We headed back to the car so I could drive through the night. I was the only driver that didn't have to work or go to school the next day. Good thing I'm used to staying up until 3am, so I didn't get too sleepy. :)

Some people thought I was crazy for taking my kids without Jason but our adult to child ratio was so high there was more than enough help. I am so glad I went. It was really fun being there with my parents, Lilly and James, Emily and her kids and my extended family. One bummer was my mom hurt her knee so she rented a wheel chair to make walking all over easier. But other than that, it was a very memorable trip and I'm so, so happy I was able to go.

January 2014 - Part II

In honor of the new Cubs' Spring Training stadium, the City of Mesa had a big party. We went with Ryan and his family, my parents and what seemed like every other resident within 30 miles. We got to see the stadium, which was cool, but we didn't do much else. There were just too many people. It's exciting for the City and also, for us, because they put a really fantastic park for the kids on the grounds.  

Christmas tree box:::she asked for it:::they love each other:::makeup thief:::deep concentration:::my friends bought a huge clock for my wall and then even hung it up for me:::chalk with Margo:::little artist:::peek-a-boo

dropping Lilly's notebook off:::folding laundry:::my awesome deal - zucchini, tomatillos and serrano peppers, 25 cents each - then they rotted in the fridge because I got sick:::yardwork is a family affair:::Dan and Karen had baby Miles:::a giant orange

one day I walked all over, the park, through neighborhoods, etc., and when I got home, I noticed a bird had pooed on me!:::crazy hair:::my tiny little Sunbeam:::goggle phase - her pose and expression are too much:::pretty flowers in my yard:::they grew into the trees:::beautiful fresh produce:::Jason playing restaurant with the girls while I was sick

Clara got sick at school and although she seemed okay the next day, she stayed home just in case. She stayed in her pj's all day and they painted and blew bubbles to avoid watching movies all day. They missed the sleepover at my mom's too since we were all going out of town the following week and I didn't want to take any chances, so I tried to make sure we had fun.

Ostrich Farm

I miss having Clara home all the time so whenever she has a day off school, we try to do something fun. We usually drag Angela and Margo along with us. We went to the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Farm January 20th when she was out for MLK day. It was kind of a drive, but we had fun. Clara probably liked it the most, considering her passion for animals. She saw me looking at these pictures and asked if we can go back. Her love for animals cracks me up. There were deer, goats, prairie dogs and ducks in addition to the ostrich. The deer noses were all slimy and snotty and the ostriches were super mean and aggressive. There were a few tiny goats roaming around and Hazel chased them all over saying, "Here, goaty-goat." 

The best part, however, was the lorakeets. It was awesome how they would just land all over you to eat the nectar. We bought three rounds of nectar because we were having so much fun. I'd probably go there just for that part, it was that fun. It is a bit of a drive, but if I'm ever on my way to or from Tucson, I'd probably stop for sure. Good times.