Emma at 9 months

 

Emma brings so much joy into our home.  Harley refers to her as a happy little vegemite.  The month of May we spent a good deal of time traveling in the car. On one trip to San Diego, we only stopped once each direction to change her diaper.  She took her bottle in the car seat and slept the bulk of the way.  She is a trooper!  She decided this month that she prefers what we are eating and drinking as opposed to baby food.  She just pushes the spoon away if we try to sneak it by her.  She loves watermelon, cantaloupe, and bananas.   She tried a bit of Alaskan cod and wanted more!  She is crawling well and getting into everything.  If you leave the bathroom door open she goes straight for the toilet paper or toilet water.  She really has become more attached to her pacifier which I hope won’t be to our detriment. She has been teething like crazy.  She now has 8 teeth (4 top and 4 bottom).  Her hair is actually starting to grow more like she has a mohawk. She can light up a room with her smiles and laughter. Adam can make her laugh with just one look most of the time.  She claps her hand and likes to play peek-a-boo.  She likes to watch Baby Einstein and wants to follow the boys into their bedroom.  If they won’t let her she sits outside the door waiting for them.  She either gives up or starts crying which none of us can resist.  She’s even cute when she cries.  

 

First week of Summer Vacation 2013

 

One of my biggest challenges during the year is summer vacation.   Luckily it is a time when we have Adam and Luke with us half time.   But trying to keep them productively busy and happy is always a hard task. We started off the time by making a list of things they would like to do at home and outside the home.   I was surprised by the length of the list and the thoughtful ideas they had.  We put together a calendar outlining the days they will be spending with us.   Then we began planning the first week.   Highlights of the week included:  going to see the movie Epic at the Wofford Heights theater, swimming and bowling with the Bunting children, a road trip to the Cat House Museum in Rosamond, and finally a trip with the entire family to the Trail of 100 Giants. The trip to the Cat House went relatively well.  Its about a 1 1/2 hour trip and everyone cooperated in the car.  Adam and Luke practiced multiplication facts and Emma slept most of the way.   We arrived at 11:30 which we a big mistake.   It was 95 degrees already and the majority of the felines we in their dens.  We only spotted a few which was very disappointing to children and myself.  As we went to leave the docent mentioned that the best time to come visit was during feeding time which takes place between 2:30-3:00.  Really????  Couldn’t they have mentioned that on the website.  So we decided to go have lunch and come back later.  We had over two hours to burn in the dead heat of the day.  And was it worth sticking around……..yes I think so.   All of the animals on display, excluding the tiger, were out on display.  Also around the property are some beautiful peacocks. Adam and Luke wanted to chase them but the docent said absolutely no chasing the peacocks! I think the kids were still a bit disappointed with the day.  They wanted them to do tricks or something to entertain them a bit more.  But all in all it was much better than a day spent watching television and playing video games right?   I think so but I’m sure they would hesitate to answer.

Harley has wanted to take the boys to the Trail of 100 Giants for a few years now.   Saturday the temperatures were predicted to hit 108-110 degrees.  We decided it would be a great day to go up into the high country and enjoy some of the beauty and cooler temperatures there.  Also 1 1/2 hour drive from home, we found ourselves surround by some of God’s beautiful creations.  The  Sequoia National  Forest is absolutely gorgeous.  The trees in this particular forest make up half of all those living in the world.  It is estimated that some of the larger ones are 1500 years old.  They are over 125 trees with a base of more than 10 feet in diameter.  The trail was fully paved until two trees whose root systems were intertwined recently collapsed.So we had to go off-roading with the stroller.  After walking the mile trailing and dodging bees, we sat for a drink and snack in a grove of trees.   We finished the adventure off dinner at the Pizza Factory. 

We also set some goals for the summer which include reading and completing a book each week they are here visiting.  And today they will finish their first books.  Thanks to our great neighbors Bob and Jacque they have taken an interest in the Hardy Boys series. 

The boys have been particularly helpful with Emma also.  Adam has a way with her that always results in laughter.  Luke is very protective of Emma and never wants to hear her whine.  They are happy to play with her and give her a bottle.  It is sure nice to have more helpers!!!!!!!!!! 

Since I work outside the home two days a week, the children are subject to daycare.   Luckily we have some wonderful solutions!   On Tuesday, Sandy Yunt come into our home to babysit.  All the kids LOVE her!   This makes leaving for the day easy for a mother.   On Thursdays, Adam and Luke go to Pat Harker’s home for child care.   They love it there because it is a never-ending fun house.  They swim, play tag football, basketball, video games, and play with newly acquired friends.  Emma goes to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.  Emma’s excitement when we arrive is adorable.  A few times when the front door is locked and we can’t get in immediately she gets a worried look on her face.  That look is instantly changed when she spots Grandpa coming to the door through the window.  What a blessing it is to have so many people that are willing to assist in nurturing and loving our children.

Looking forward to lots of fun adventures this summer.  NEXT UP:   Weekend away in San Diego and Los Angeles

aMazing Month of May

The month of May 2013 has been one of the busiest months is a long time.  We end April by celebrating Adam and Luke’s birthdays and that was just the beginning of the celebrations yet to come.  

My mom, my sisters, and I hosted a bridal shower for Krissy.  We held it at my family’s favorite restaurant in Bakersfield… Rosa’s.   We had about 15 close friends and family their to honor Krissy.  Krissy was showered with some lovely gifts for her new home and some fun gifts for she and Daniel to enjoy.  Did I mention that Krissy likes “playing nurse?”

The following weekend, I was able to take out my endowments at the Los Angeles Temple.  My lovely family accompanied me and my Mom was my escort.   It was a very special day for all involved.   Thanks to Tori Hogue for watching Emma outside the temple that day for us.  From there, my parents jumped on an airplane to St. Kitts for the week. 

A few days before my parents returned, I learned that my Uncle Ray had taken a bad fall and was in the hospital in San Diego.  He had broken five ribs and punctured his lung.    I desperately wanted to go be with Farris but was stuck in Lake Isabella helping with Nicole and Kelly.  I also realized that taking a 8 month old to hang out at the hospital probably wasn’t the best idea.   The day after my parents returned, my Dad, Emma, and I drove to San Diego to see Ray.   By the time we arrived it was determined that his condition wasn’t improving and that he probably wouldn’t live another day.   We were able to visit with him and both Emma and I got kisses from him.  It was a bitter sweet  visit for us because Ray passed away the following day.  I will always cherish that visit and the memories made throughout my life with him. 

Ray was a wonderful man is so many ways.  He was extremely charitable and willing to help me when I lived in San Diego.  I stayed in their home for about 2 months while waiting for my apartment to be available.  He and Farris couldn’t have been more accommodating of me.   They taught me to play Scrabble which I think they beat me every single time.   Ray tried to teach me how to ballroom dance but like many others decided it was hopeless.  He always complimented me and said if he was younger he would have married me in a heartbeat. 

Childhood memories of Ray are plentiful.  Some of my favorites include times spent at the beach in Carpinteria.  Ray was the master chef and spent hours cooking for all of us.   He also taught me how to play bridge and progressive rummy….both games I still love.  He pitched the ball as slow as possible in hopes of making it so I could hit it when we played family softball.   He instilled in us a love for the Padres and was ever hopeful that they would make it to the world series again.  He and Farris always brought a container of Red  Vines and See’s candy for the adults.  Most Thanksgivings they came to Lake Isabella for a visit.   I can still remember the excitement as a child awaiting their arrival. 

Ray will be missed but he leaves behind a legacy of love for his family, his country and our church.  I know he is rejoicing with loved ones on the other side.     Ray’s funeral was planned for the following Saturday (the day after our next celebration…)

On Friday, May 24, 2013, Krissy married Daniel Schultz in the Fresno, California Temple.   It was a simple wedding with immediate family and friends.   We stayed Thursday night at Krissy and Daniel’s new home in Tulare and put together the flowers for the event.  Following the wedding, we had an intimate luncheon at a restaurant fifteen minutes away.  Dessert was cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory! 

  The following day we left for San Diego at 5:30 in the morning.  We arrived at Miramar Military Cemetery in plenty of time for Ray’s interment.  Ray was a Marine during World War II and one of the few survivors of Iwo Jima .  He was honored  with a complete military service.   We then proceeded to El Cajon where we had a memorial service at the church building.   Nancy, Howard, Craig and my Dad all spoke paying tribute to an incredible man.    The members of the ward provided a lovely luncheon after the service.    Almost all of my Dad’s living cousins were in attendance.

   The month of May ended with the conclusion of the twin’s completing the third 3rd grade and joining us for the summer.  Emma was truly in heaven with them around the house. 

We also celebrated Elle and Kent’s birthdays a few days late due to all the craziness.   I made them (along with Adam and Luke) lap boards this year for their birthdays.   I think they all liked them.   We are sad that the Tucker children  will be moving to Tulare soon but happy for all the new changes to come in the years ahead.