Snips & Snails

2009-11-17T06:39:00.001-08:00

Pretty much done blogging.

in da' hizzy

2009-08-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here it is. We're still getting all settled and stuff, so more pics later. But so far we love it.

Our HouSe is a VEry veRY vEry FIne HouSE

2009-08-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

K- So most know, I think, that we finally found THE ONE and bought a house - thus committing to the great state of Colorado. We love it . . . and the whole situation made for one crazy summer (love that movie). But, instead of posting house pictures yet, cuz it takes me ages to update, I'll just pop up a nice shot of the munchkins from Father's Day. This was by our rental house this spring and I have zilch in terms of photog skills (shadows on Dane - hello?) so enjoy casually. I love these little guys - even if their frequent smackdown sessions make me crazy.

Oh Canada

2009-06-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

Off to the Great White North for a fortnight.

Naked Wood

2009-06-29T10:09:00.001-07:00

A month or so ago I picked up an unfinished wood table at a garage sale for $80. (I love me a good deal! ) Some hours and dirty hands later we had this finished product below. Darren did the final coat of poly and it shines like glass, I tell ya! Well done my love. Yeah, yeah - I know the chairs don't match, but I don't really like too much matchy matchy stuff. I'm not sure what to do there . . .

And here's Davis having some ice cream for lunch. Just kidding honey! It's only breakfast. Sheesh, these pictures look washed out. Too bad, I'm not taking more.

Estes Park

2009-06-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

So Colorado is so full of that "purple mountain majesty" that we are all about exploring and staycations. A couple of weeks ago we rented a cabin up in Estes Park near Rocky Mountain National Park. (like 45 min away to HEAVEN!) We had fun enjoying the beauty and even a little snow. Yes, I said/wrote SNOW! I tell ya, it was cool - and I mean both kinds. {Sidenote - I'm not being narcissistic by including so many pics of me, it's just that I realized that like 1 - 2% of my pics have me in them, so it might be nice to have some with the kids. I'm not dying of cancer, but as the official family photographer I have to document myself as well. This self - portrait technique is courtesy of Rachel. Kthnxby.}

BolderBoulder

2009-06-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

So listen, I'm no athlete - but I likey to run. 'Tis my therapy, for real. And so as a surprise my loverly sister Jenni flew out to run the BOLDERBOULDER 10K road race with me over Memorial Day. Isn't she nice? The weather was perfect and the course was fun - complete with people along the way offering beer and bacon (really people? bacon?) and spraying us with hoses and runners taking time out to make a slip-n-slide run. The 6.2 mile course ends in CU stadium (up a rad {not} hill) where you take a victory lap. So get this, I didn't know it ended with a lap - I thought you hauled it up the raunchy hill and then got spit into the stadium to collapse. So what did I do? I booked it up that hill beyond top speed (finish strong, eh?) and then went in the stadium and hullo?!? I trotted gingerly 'round the track and finished. It was kinda my cool down 'cuz I was spent. Plus all the other runners were in my way looking for family. (Another point - who is so annoying as to WALK - three people deep - on the inside of a turn?)

Getcha Harry Potter On

2009-06-26T16:50:00.001-07:00

Calling all Harry Potter nerds! (myself included) It's officially time to start re-reading #6 to be ready for the movie. Are you as excited as I am? I'm sure I missed plenty the first two times I read it and so here we go again. And I think I'm finally to the point that I can read the book and see the movie right away with minimal disappointing comparisons. The last few movies have been exponentially better, in my not-so-humble opinion. But I think Twilight taught us to lower our expectations and just accept the fact that the books are always better. Plus - film is a different medium, right? Content will be tweaked, so that's that. Bonus - this film is rated PG, so the kiddos can see it!!!

Paper Guns 2

2009-04-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

Mr. Picasso Head

2009-04-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

The boys love Mr. Potato head, especially Davis. He puts them together with one intent: to fill every hole. No facial structure whatsoever. So the other day we were playing and Dane wanted to pretend we were a family. So his potato was the son and mine was the mom. Davis had a potato as well, but Dane said "Um, can we pretend Davis is the brother - but he's an alien?" Sure. He's got three arms on one side, so it only seems fitting that he's our alien brother.

Paper Guns

2009-04-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

Lately Dalton has been making lots of paper guns. Who needs the DANGEROUS BOOK FOR BOYS? He's so cute (no bias here). He asked me to record him making a gun and he wants to put it up on YouTube. There's a niche audience for such things, apparently. It's pretty long, so don't feel obligated . . .

Dr. Renegade

2009-04-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

The other day one of Darren's patients, an old lady, thought his name was Dr. Renegade. She was probably having palpitations at the thought of a dentist with that name or that reputation. (like um - Steve Martin, the crazy dentist in Little Shop of Horrors)

He's a renegade dentist - throwing crowns on everything! root canals on a whim!

no topical? no problem. He's Dr. Renegade.

Why does this make me laugh? A dentist run amok, with a leather jacket and rubber gloves, huffing on laughing gas in between exams. Hmmmmmmm . . . I guess that's enough. I will be forever grateful for a new nickname for Darren.

Boycott Best Buy

2009-04-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

K - Best Buy sucks. Truly.

The place is full of money-grubbing liars and scoundrels. Workin' their angles. Deceiving the technically impaired and computerally (I know I'm making up words) naive, luring us into their web, gaining our trust and then tricking us into buying their CRAP!

I am not over-reacting. And I take no, I repeat NO - NONE - ZERO, responsibility in the following narrative. Bam.

Once upon a time a nice 2 year old desk top computer stopped working. It's owners were so sad. They took the computer to Best Buy - to the all p0werful Geek Squad, the one place they thought could solve any computery problem. The powers at the techno Mecca told them, after thorough examination, that the computer was gone - beyond salvation, and that they should say their good-byes. Astonished, the owners pressed the geeks - could she really be dead after such a short life? Is there nothing more we can do? Not even a transplant? No hope left, they said. She outlived her life expectancy, they said, and it was over.

Devastated, they consented to a harvesting of viable parts (pictures, music, etc.) and shopped reluctantly for a replacement. After a couple of days, a choice was made - a Macbook purchased. They took the notebook home and began the transition from the HP to the MAC. Bumpy, but worth the effort (we love it, but THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT I'M MAKING HERE). Yet, they still couldn't believe their desktop dead. (And they were really frustrated that the lame-o's at Best Buy only transferred the sample pictures instead of all the jpg and photo format files that they said they would and got paid mucho dinero to do.) So they sought to resurrect their machine by alternative methods, old school style.

A little voo doo? No. A mom and pop computer shop. Genius - they should have gone to the small business first. They showed their deceased comp to the man and a miracle occured. He told them it was only a fan that needed to be replaced. "Best Buy told you that it couldn't be fixed? HMMMMM." That's odd, considering they sell hundreds of NEW computers. NOT!

45 minutes and $36 later she was a-purrin' again. And the moral of the story is:

1. Best Buy sucks. I said it again. The Geek Squad is full of legit geeks, not the kind that are suddenly cool because they possess skills that those of us born before 1980 have to work for.

2. Never have a wagon dealer serve as your wagon repair man. You know what I mean. The agenda is too clear. They got new, so why fix old? Why not tell the lady that it's OVAH for the computey and she needs a brand new one? Dang, Gina - that's smart! I feel dumb.

Busted

2009-03-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

This is the price I pay for 15 minutes of hands-free time. (I'd better check and see what they're doing right now. )

The other day I discovered Davis quietly enjoying this hoard of gum - his cheek bulging and his lips dripping - and just shook my head. Not in surprise, but in the exact opposite sentiment. So typical. These guys really keep me on my toes.

He's like "What? It's just a couple pieces of gum." What an attractive wad he's got tucked into his cheek - he looks like he needs a spittoon.

THEN . . .

merely 2 days later I found myself with too little distraction from my entourage and began looking around for them. I found them giggling and wet in the bathroom as they (mainly Dane) hurriedly attempted to scour his skin free of the PERMANENT BLACK MARKER! Davis was merrily splashing in the water, oblivious to the fact that he was all tatted up. So oblivious, in fact, that he'd crawled up the stairs with the offending marker still in hand - capless, of course - and leaving a trail of black spots on the carpet (on each step) that would make Hansel and Gretel proud. Luckily the kitchen floor, the bathroom vanity, the sink and the wall are all mark free now - thanks to every mother's secret weapon (besides dark chocolate) Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! The carpet came miraculously clean due to Folex, the best cleaner I've discovered for carpet. As for the kiddos, some fading has taken place - but it's slow enough to give us a good laugh. (Not for them to see).

Okay, I messed up the red-eye reduction and couldn't recover the original, so Dane looks a little funky.

It's in his hair, his ears, on his neck, his hands - everywhere.

And he's right, Dane did it.

Growing up

2009-03-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

The little man is "growing like a weed", "changing right before my eyes", and whatever other cliche conveys the fact that I am amazed and delighted every time I look at him - finally grasping that desperate plea from seasoned moms: "Appreciate every moment when they're little because it goes by so fast."

He turned 18 months last month and it's like his social switch was flipped. He is funny and smart and compassionate. K- obviously I've got a serious bias, but isn't that a prerequisite for motherhood?

Some stuff he's doing - calling daddy "mommy", which I truly enjoy because I was "Daddy" to Dalton for a long time; wearing Mr. Potatohead's glasses and the Build-a-Bear's sunglasses; reading "Goodnight Moon" over and over and over; putting 3 binkies in his mouth at once; and pulling mad tricks on his 4 wheeler.

What a goof.

Women

2009-01-21T13:32:00.000-08:00

My wise, oldest sister Christy sent this poem to me. It's clever . . .

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table.. or a charming Inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

As I read these things I can't help but think of all the things I've learned in only the last ten years, from age 20 - 30. It's so liberating to mature and grow up. I wonder what I would I would have told my 20 year old self?
What do you think every woman should know?

2009-01-15T13:45:00.001-08:00

Yesterday the boys said a couple of things that struck me as funny/interesting. They're always saying zany stuff, but these quips made me laugh a little more than usual, and stop to ponder. Hhmmmmm.

Dane is going through a contrary and independant phase, exploring the boundaries of obedience. He's been experimenting with "I don't want to" and "Why?" in response to my commands, I mean requests. Well yesterday he pulled out the "NO". The flat out refusal to comply obviously wasn't successful, so it quickly turned sour. He threw up his arms and slackened his posture in defeat and looked at me sincerely and said:

"I am so tired of always having to do what you say."

AAAaaaahhhhhh . . . truth. I laughed heartily, then sat back and appreciated his honest self-awareness and articulation. He stripped away any potential screaming and crazy futile frustration (brought on by his lack of control over most of his circumstances) and simply stated the truth, the motivation for his behavior. He wants to make more choices for himself.

He's 5 on Sunday and maybe I need to give him more opportunities to feel some control in his little life. But dang - that was funny.

-----------------------------------

Dalton is a picky eater, no bones about that. Well last night at dinner he told me something that I actually wasn't sure about.

The setting: dinner, where I had prepared spaghetti squash as a side and was attempting to coerce the chillins to partake. I was shameless and Dalton looked at me with a matter-of-fact tone and said:

"You know, Mom, as you get older you lose taste-buds, so you don't mind eating vegetables as much. "

I actually paused and had to think. Is this true? Darren says heck no - you don't lose any, just maybe some sensitivity loss, but I have yet to look it up. I mean I have had my tastes change quite a bit as I've gotten older to include a lot more veggies, legumes, etc. He may be on to something, but I still won't let him off the hook at dinnertime.

It was pretty smooth if it was totally fabricated. Scary. And if not, where did he learn this? He didn't remember.

Christmas Greetings

2008-12-23T18:37:00.000-08:00

Here is our Christmas card and picture this year. I'm sure it won't get to everyone we know and love, so I thought I'd put it up here for fun.

It was the best of times. . .
It was the worst of times.
2008

This year held lots of changes for our family – primarily Darren’s anticipated graduation from USC Dental School in May! Lots of family joined us on this special day and we were all so proud of Darren.
Mostly we were just happy to stop paying tuition and finally, finally be “making” money instead of “paying” money.

We were so sad to leave all of our wonderful friends in Los Angeles (we miss you still), so we drove away in late May with our eyes full of tears and our hearts full of memories.
The tears could’ve been from the inland smog or just frustration from the downtown traffic on I-10 at the 110, it’s a toss up.

We spent a week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in June with Stacie’s family – enjoying the scenery, white-water rafting, Yellowstone Park, horseback riding, wildlife, alpine slides, hot springs, trams, and all kinds of fun with the cousins.
The best part was seeing all the grandparents in their wetsuits. Priceless.

In July, after a month of enjoying the perks and fun of living by family in Arizona, we made the exodus to our final destination – beautiful Boulder, Colorado – where we’ve settled and Darren has bought into a dental practice. We love Colorado – the “family-land” lifestyle, the outdoor activities, the mountains, and the great weather. We’re sold.
Last week it was 13 below zero. 13 below zero. They tell me it’s abnormal, but I don’t know.

Sweet little Davis turned ONE on July 11th, and we celebrated with all our family. He’s walking and talking (“No”, “I want”, “Bye”, and “What’s that?” being the favorites)
Stacie proved what a great mom she is by putting his birthday cake right in front of him as everyone sang to him – only to have him curiously reach out and grab his flaming birthday candle. Let me tell you – it was party OVER! Call C.P.S.

Darren became a legit and licensed dentist in June and began seeing patients in July. He really enjoys finally practicing and being a partner in his own practice.
He’s had some interesting experiences – like when one patient came in wearing dentures he bought off e-bay, sold because the owner died. True story.

This fall Dane started preschool with great enthusiasm. He attends a cute little Presbyterian Preschool where he’s made new friends, learned to do the monkey bars, is starting to read, and has picked up the habit of saying an abbreviated version of the Lord’s prayer over his snack.
Now his belief that our prayers are WAY too long have some confirmed validation.

In September we took a road trip to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota – a very fun and educational destination. Did you know there are crystal caves all over the Black Hills?
Poor Dane threw up all over the car as we drove through Custer State Park, attracting buffalo from miles around.

We traveled to Canada for Halloween weekend to surprise Darren’s parents on their 45th wedding anniversary. All 9 siblings, spouses and offspring (minus 3) were in attendance and the surprise was successful.
The kids favorite part was the new kittens in the hay shed. We don’t know why the kids’ forearms were covered in scratches. Could it be because they kept putting the kitties in pots with lids? Hmmm.

Dalton turned 8 in November and chose to be baptized a member of our church. He was so earnest in his desires and we enjoyed helping him prepare. Lots of family traveled to attend and it was wonderful to share the experience.
Deep down Stacie truly believed/hoped that he’d forever be more obedient and never trip his brother or say “stupid” or “fart” again. Wrong. But he is a great kid.

Darren got to take a 5-day unlimited golf trip to Palm Spring, CA, with some colleagues in November. He seriously golfed 2-3 rounds a day (that’s 18 holes per round?!). He was in heaven. This was his reward for such hard work in dental school . . .
at least that’s what Stacie kept telling herself as she slipped into the depths of insanity. That, and “I am earning one sweet girls’ trip.”

Darren and Stacie took a trip without the kids to New York City to celebrate their 10 year wedding anniversary. They packed it all into 4 days and made wonderful memories.
Stacie realized that she can leave her children and they’re OKAY! (thanks Grandma!) They don’t die without her. Isn’t that amazing?

Well, after this eventful 2008, we’re hoping our 2009 is full of peace and happiness. We wish the same for you and extend our love at this special time of year.

Thinking of you,
Darren, Stacie, Dalton, Dane & Davis Rennaker

Shock . . . a new post

2008-12-22T22:39:00.000-08:00

There's a little pressure when you don't post for say, two months or so, because it feels like the ice-breaking post should be significant. Well I'm going to buck a trend and just write pretty much nothing. Blah blah. It's two days til Christmas and we've had tons going on. Living life, not blogging it. Blah blah.

I'm so lame. Does anyone even check this anymore with my infrequent posts?

If so, you're in for a treat . . . here's some significance:

MY LITTLE SISTER ELIZABETH HAD HER 1st BABY TODAY!!!!

Hooray!

Welcome Brogan Ray,

son of Beth and Darrell.

I can't wait to eat him up, he's so adorable! Congratulations guys, and don't worry I won't let my kids touch him. As a matter of fact, I'll bring some face masks, okay?

No Snow

2008-10-22T08:45:00.001-07:00

We thought that last night would bring the first snowfall of the season, but no such luck. The temps dipped below freezing for the first time, but we woke up to sunshine and green grass. It'll be cold today, but the forecast calls for the 70's through the weekend. We want snow!!!

Dane, oh Dane

2008-09-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

Some tidbits from the trip - it occurred to me that each day included some special and unpleasant event for Dane. Poor guy - he's so fun and bright, but I think the stars were aligned to dish him out some H - E - double hockey stix.

Our first day, after Rushmore, we spent some time at this park to give his highness, Davis, some time to snooze in the car before the next attraction. It was a pretty area, centered around a small lake, with a bridge out to a gazebo on an island. The kids burned some energy running around, and where did they play? Right at the water's edge, of course. And what should occur while Dane is traversing the slimy, bird poopy covered rocks? He falls in, of course. Shoes, socks, pants, underwear, half of his shirt - SOAKED! And with our hotel roughly 17 miles away, we had three choices: 1. Stay soaked and stink. 2. Wear his buddy Sam's pants from the day before that had been peed in. or 3. Find the nearest Walmart or Target and get some new duds.
What did we do?
We hit up the Walmart in Rapid City - hands down the busiest Walmart I have EVER seen. It was like the center of the universe. Everyone was gravitating there and everything revolved around the action. Well I made it out safely with some sweet $3.50 pants, some clearance shoes and some Star Wars undies. Dane was kicking it South Dakota style and lookin' FINE! Here's his new outfit. (not the hoodie) He managed to survive the rest of the day incident free.

The next morning we visited a crystal cave and had a good time going down, down, down and seeing the sights. The boys were a little nervous at first, but nobody fell . . . that is until after we safely exited the caves and the kids were playing on some stone steps near the picnic area. Dane fell down a couple steps and we heard that ugly THUD you hear when a big human noggin hits a too hard surface (cringe). He was a mess and I wish I'd gotten some pictures of his injury - especially a day or two later when it was all scabby and the bruises were at their height of color. Yuck. Well, he was fine - but he slowed down a bit after that. Here he is a mere 20 minutes beforehand, exploring a little side cave with a flashlight.

*Incidentally, when I snapped this shot I was in complete darkness. I took the picture and was amazed at what I couldn't see. I had hit my head a couple of steps before because of course the kids wanted to carry the flashlights.

You may not know, but motion sickness runs strong on both sides of our family and Dane is severely afflicted. He's just like his Daddy. So on the last day when we took a scenic drive on the Wildlife Loop through Custer State Park, it was no surprise that Dane got a little green. We were listening to the Beatles, ironically, and really feeling the lyrics "The long and winding road . . ." when Dane (already prepped with a puke bucket) opened the flood gates. He felt better, but we had to hold on to that puke for WAY too long. I think the buffalo smelled it on his breath and wanted a closer whiff. They got pretty friendly.

But despite all his haps, Dane had a good time and said his favorite part was the Chuckwagon dinner where he rode the pony. He's lucky he didn't get thrown off into a pile of yuck. Aaahhh, I love that little guy.

Rushmore

2008-09-16T21:01:00.001-07:00

Okay, be prepared for picture overkill. I took a bizillion pictures from a million different angles, but only posted some - and it's still too many. I just didn't feel like doing a slide show this time.

So Mt. Rushmore was amazing. The scale and scope of the whole thing was unreal. It was our first time there and we were really impressed with it. The memorial is in the Black Hills of South Dakota, about 20 minutes south of Rapid City (a bustling metropolis). The granite is abundant all over the area (it looks just like the granite used in SLC at the temple and conference center) and we discovered that the hills are really like giant geodes because they're all full of crystal caves! (I think I read that 68 of the world's 72 calcite caves are in the Black Hills. ) So we also visited a cave and I'll have to post those pictures later.

Anyway, the clever folks who take care of the area went to great lengths to enable visitors to have some pretty cool views of the mountain from the roads leading to it, especially Ironman Road. We went through 4 tunnels that perfectly framed Mt. Rushmore as you entered them. The whole thing was pretty cool. Here's a view through the trees from the same road on a turn.

It was pretty sunny so the lighting was tough, but you get the idea.

It was interesting to learn why they chose this spot - it had a large expanse of granite, mostly flat, and it faced into the path of the sun. It was very visible.

This is a shot of the valley that the mountain looks down on. Low rolling hills and meadows.

This is a shot from the visitor's center. Good idea of scale.

Here are Darren and Marc (his dental partner) hefting the stroller down some stairs. There's a trail you can take to get some closer views.

Here are our boys and two of Marc and Deb's girls, Ashley and Courtney. Of course, none of them are looking at the camera. BTW - Dalton slipped into his cowboy mode. It all goes back to the Rennaker farm, but it came on REAL strong earlier this summer when we spent about 8 days in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Uncle Lee got him this sweet cowboy hat.

An up the nose shot - just to emphasize the undulating surface.

President Lincoln all by his lonesome, as seen from the trail.

Good Ol' George as seen through a crevice in some rocks at the base of the trail. He has such grandeur.

Their prominence in the rock face actually gives them more prominence period.

All four gentleman as seen from the viewing terrace. Classic, right? The pile of rubble at the base is interesting - from the blasting.

The entrance to the memorial is flanked on both sides by all 50 state flags. It was pretty cool.

So patriotic.

Hard to see, but this is Darren, Marc, and the kids at the entrance - just to give an idea of scale.

It was a fun trip and we were surprised at how much the surrounding area offers. Maybe I'll post some pics of the other stuff we did, but for now I think this is plenty.

Off We Go!

2008-09-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

Headed with the Cannons to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota! Pictures when we return.

Smitty Romney

2008-09-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

Smith is Dane's new best friend. He lives right across the street and they're in our ward. The boys also go to preschool together. (His mom also went to high school in TULSA! Small world, eh?) Well, Dane and Smith hit it off right away and I've never seen him play like this with anyone except his cousin Benjamin. They are inseparable from morning until dinner time every day. They play elaborately imaginative games with their legos, communicating details of their adventures as though communicating by telepathy. They're totally in their own world.

Well, yesterday was cute little Smith's birthday. And yesterday we found out that his fun family is definitely moving to guess where . . . LOS ANGELES!!!

We are just switching places. Stinks for us, but I guess I am happy for them. Lots of you that I love are still in LA, so I guess we'll have to arrange blind couple dates so you can all be friends.

I just don't know how I'll tell little Dane. He was at the door at 6:30 this morning, dressed and heading to the Romney's before I could stop him.

September 11th

2008-09-11T11:11:00.001-07:00

I haven't read any blogs or watched the news today, so I haven't felt inundated with reminders about 9/11. I've just been doing my little family thing and been thinking about how I felt that morning and thinking about how we were all affected by that day. Considering this is an election year - and there is no incumbent favorite, the polls are pretty split, and the climate is tense - a reminder about how unified we can be is so refreshing. It makes a sad commentary about our society that it takes a national threat to bring us together as Americans, and more fundamentally - as humans. I don't want to sound like an endlessly forwarded cheesy, but I hope I never forget that day. I don't mean the horror and terror and devastation, but I mean the compassion it inspired, the love for my unknown brother, the desire to reach out to help and give. Those feelings are usually strong for those in our immediate influence, but not always for those outside. Okay, enough soapboxing.

Croak

2008-09-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

R.I.P.

Freddie the Frog

2008-09-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Stacie and I am not a pet-lover.

This may seem cold-hearted, (I have no problem with other people's pets - I really loved our old neighbor's dog Riley - I just don't really want one in my house until my kids can take better care of themselves) but it’s not personal – it’s completely practical and logical.

Practicality:

I am allergic to cats and most dogs. This means that I don’t enjoy the consequences of most animal encounters, so I avoid them.

Logic:

Animals = mess, mess = enemy, therefore animals = enemy. (it's an occupational hazard as a mom/housekeeper to have a desire to eradicate the source of a mess; I can't get rid of my kids, but . . . you see where I'm going)

Darren's with me on this, too. Growing up on a farm has made him see animals as functional - they all had a purpose (cats kill mice, cows give milk, chickens give eggs, whatever), plus you can't get attached when the animals die at regular intervals. (Some day I'll recount our experience when we were visiting the farm and they slaughtered a cow. ) Anyhoo, my non-animal-lover status coupled with Darren's functional view of animals (companionship isn't enough; they have to pull some weight) leads to circumstances rather unfriendly for pets in our house. I guess we're just plain old meanies.

I only explain this because I think my anti-pet sentiments have created a frenzied pro-pet environment . Perhaps our attempts to postpone the acquisition of a family pet have caused our children to exhibit such enthusiasm around little animals that it's possibly dangerous. And that brings us to this:

Our cute little neighbor boy, Smith - Dane's partner in crime, went on a walk and found a frog. His cute family left town this weekend and let us care for the frog while they were gone. The boys were, needless to say, THRILLED! Darren was not. He was mandating the application of toxic levels of hand sanitizer at every turn, but the boys didn't care. They manhandled that thing constantly, obviously putting him on a motorcycle and a little car and dancing him around all over like the performing frog from the old school Looney Tunes.

I just knew he was gonna croak (hee hee) from the overload, but he's still hoppin'. They christened him "Freddie the Frog"and they're gorging themselves on the fun of having a pet. Truthfully, I can tell they adore this little frog, but they treat it like a toy not a living thing - and that's a wee bit scary. I've given them the countdown. We're releasing him for FHE tomorrow night. Hopefully he'll still be alive amd can return to his family!

Please don't report us to PETA.

TEEF

2008-09-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

This just in - 2 HUGE FRONT TEETH!!!

After months of drooling anticipation and sleepless nights, the stars of Davis's mouth have appeared center stage. Their arrival was greeted by an anxious gum exam from Dr. Dad, who promplty prounounced that the chewing show could begin! Applause erupted around the house from nearby family members, eager to see the end of not only the cranky nights - but also the beginning of a whole new world of cuisine for the baby. Immediately following the grand entrance, the central incisors got right to work - creating a beautiful cacophony by grinding heavily on their lower jawed counterparts. All are eager for what lies ahead for these lovely dientes.

Oh Ace!

2008-09-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, don't laugh - and just pause a minute before you think "Whuh? why is this doof front and center?"

Let me explain . . .

Dalton (shortly after returning from school the other day): "Guess who my music teacher's son is?"
Me (rather uninterested and distracted due to my service as a jungle gym for Davis and fielding snack requests from Dane): "Uhm, who?"
Dalton (ecstatically, complete with hand gestures and high eyebrows): "ACE YOUNG!"
Me (thinking fast - trying to remember who the heck that is and why it sounds vaguely familiar): Really? Cool!
Dalton (rather quietly): "Um, who's Ace Young?"
Me (after retrieving a file from my brain labeled "useless tidbits lifted from past reality tv shows" ): He was a guy on a show called American Idol; he's a singer.

Dalton sees the guy's pictures all over his music room - a veritable shrine to Mrs. Young's son - she's so proud! It reminds me of when Dalton found out what his name meant and rejected it completely, insisting instead on being called "Ace". I guess he can give up that dream since the name is clearly taken. Too bad.

Brian Regan

2008-09-03T15:36:00.000-07:00

The other night Darren and I couldn't find much to do but channel surf, and with the lame late summer lineup there wasn't much to choose from. We went to "on demand" and watched a Brian Regan stand-up set, and it reminded me how funny he is. And he's CLEAN! Imagine that - humor without profanity. The novelty.

So check out this clip for some good laughs - which we ALL need, right?

*Also, Jenni 's (my sister) husband Jim is a pilot and a Brian Regan fan, so Uncle Jimbo - this one's for you.

seriously so funny

2008-09-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

okay - another funny blog, a spoof if you will. a blog making fun of blogs. a friend told me about it and it keeps me laughing so I linked to it and now I'm blabbing to all of you. checkitout. s'worth it.

First Day of School x 2

2008-09-03T12:15:00.001-07:00

Dane started preschool today and so I thought I'd take the chance to report on his first day and on Dalton's first day- which was about 2 weeks ago.

Daners:
Dane was so excited to go. He and Dalton picked out matching shoes and almost identical backpacks. He packed his snack and decorated his school bus with his picture and name and he was ready. The best part is that his buddy across the street and in the ward is in his class. He and little Smith has become two peas and having him in his class makes everything dandy. Hopefully next week he'll even add another pal, Sam, who is the son of Darren's dental partner. Dane already has plans for them to play the 3 Musketeers! So Dane is all set and hopefully will have a great year.

Dalton Bear:

Dalton was so brave this year, starting at a new school in a new city. He put on his tough face and meticulously planned his outfit, his lunch, his bike route, etc. We headed out at 8:30 on the dot and every door on the street seemed to open in unison as we all marched toward the elementary school. (If it hadn't been so exciting, it would've been creepy) After we arrived, we lined up and Dalton's cute teacher, Ms. Payne ("But she doesn't cause pain") came right to Dalton and gave him a hug and some sweet words of welcome and encouragement. She knows he's new and nervous and she was so kind about it. Luckily, he has two little boys from the ward in Ms. Payne's class with him.

Funny story - in his class they all brainstormed to pick a mascot/class name. He said he wanted to be the "Monkeys" (?) but the "Mustangs" won out. He said one kid named Tyler really wanted to be the "Beverly Hills Ninjas", but alas it only got one vote (Tyler's) because, as Dalton said, "it was just too long". Little did they know what they'd be if that name won - fat wannabe ninjas, a la Chris Farley.

Anyway, we all love his school (Boulder Valley School District is the best in CO) - and hopefully his 2nd grade year will be fantastic. I still remember gazing out the window of my second grade classroom and staring at the clouds. We learned multiplication that year. Wow, how time flies.

Sunset Boulevard - Colorado Style

2008-08-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

We have some great trails around our neighborhood - well around the entire state, actually. They section off land for public use and call it "Designated Open Space", filling it with trails for walking, hiking and biking. It's great! So here are some pictures from our sunset walk for FHE the other night. I went a little overboard with pictures of the sky, so be patient. It was just so breathtaking.

A Day at the Pool

2008-08-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

We spend a lot of time at our community pool. It's been really warm and the kids have turned into little fish. It has a great waterslide and waterfall and spouts and a kiddie pool and playground. The boys love it and frankly - so do I. (Free entertainment - and afterwards they're pooped!) So I took the camera a couple of weeks ago and decided to snap a few of them playing. The pictures could've been better, but it's tough trying to keep the camera dry while chasing around Davis. He still thinks he can step right into the pool from the side - like walking on water. All he wants to do is dig through the pool toy bins - as you can see.

Davis & the Balloon

2008-08-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

The big boys now have a standing Friday movie night with some neighbor boys, and this week it was Mason's turn. So while they were watching Robots and downing popcorn we gave Davis some 2 - on -1 attention. He was perfectly happy playing with a balloon. I just love his jabber-wocky talking and his Frankenstien walking. He loves to say "bye" and "hi" and "dad", but otherwise it's nonsense. AAaahh . . . the joys of babyhood.

And as you can see, we're still short on furniture.

Sweet Home Colorado!

2008-08-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, if you didn't know it already - we moved to Colorado. Darren bought into a practice in Boulder and we are living in Superior, just a few minutes south of his office. And guess what? We love it!!! I think if I were to create the perfect place to live (for us/me) this would be it. Yeah, yeah - talk to me in 6 months when it's FUH-REEEZING outside. Maybe I'll change my tune, but I doubt it. I love the snow, too.

Pictures to come of the house, the neighborhood, the beautiful scenery, the kiddos, etc.

This past summer has really been a whirlwind of adventure - packed with thrills. In a 2 1/2 month period we had my 30th birthday, Darren's graduation, Darren's 35th birthday, Davis's FIRST birthday, our 10 year - yes 10 year - wedding anniversary, a move across the country (broken into two stretches), plus mother's day, father's day, july 4th, and a 8 day family reunion again across country. It was wonderful, but lots to celebrate!

Needless to say, after all the action I am thrilled to be settled. We're getting all adjusted and I'm realizing that life was more stressful in LA - it wasn't just in my head. The space, the fresh smelling air, the kiddies all over the neighborhood - well it's just Familyland here and it's so great. We love our house, our new neighbors, upgraded cars, the new school is awesome and most importantly Darren loves his practice. (I'll post some pics of that too!)

So, if any of you want to visit - feel free.

Tick Tock

2008-05-14T23:12:00.000-07:00

It's almost here! Graduation. Commencement. The end and the beginning. I feel so full of emotions - like a rainbow of fruit flavors. Excitement, sadness, stress, longing, anticipation, and yet . . . YEEHAW!!!!!!

I said Goodnight L.A.

In this case it's Goodbye L.A. And when we come back to visit biannually, we will not just go to Orange County - I promise.

I still can't believe that the 4 years have already come and gone.

MoFash

2008-05-02T14:05:00.001-07:00

The coolest Stake Activity EVER!

Our Stake goes all out in the name of activities and once again they've outdone themselves. It's MoFash, a modest fashion show - bringing high fashion together with practical ideas for modest styling. It's sure to be fun, and hopefully will spur a trend toward more classy dressing. Check out their list of "Sites we Like" for some truly good shopping.

The Final Countdown

2008-04-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

Well, we're down to less than a month left here in Los Angeles. I wish I had more time so I could post all the great pictures I'm taking of our final moments.

I've had an "LA List" of our favorite thing to do in the area that I wanted to revisit for the last time and a couple things we hadn't gotten to yet. Our favorites- The Getty, Zimmer Museum, Santa Monica pier, favorite parks - Kenneth Hahn, Aidan's Place, etc., the Grove, Travel Town, Zoo, Legoland, Hollywood & Highland, "Whimsic Alley", aka - the Harry Potter store, Gene Autry Museum, Shrine Circus at the Shrine, LACMA, Tide Pools in Malibu. I still haven't managed to get to the Griffith Observatory yet, but that's slated for next week. I'm going to an Ellen show taping tomorrow afternoon and I hope to get down to the Pantages to see Wicked once more (front row for $25 in the nightly lottery - can't beat that!) We're also doing one last bonfire at Dockweiler beach this weekend. It's also my bday this weekend, #30, but I got my present a couple weeks ago - tickets to Phantom of the Opera. We're also doing weekly Disneyland trips to savour our passes, so we're heading down to Anaheim in a couple hours.

The boys are playing tball and 5-pitch and doing really well. Dalton can snag a ball and throw it from 3rd base to first with spot-on aim. He totally didn't get that from me. Darren is coaching Dane's team and it's just a riot to see him chugging around the bases with the giant batting helmet on. He also like to draw pizzas in the dirt.

This is a rambling post that I'll surely edit later. I just want all to know that we're alive and kicking and trying to prepare ourselves for some huge and exciting changes.

Just in Time, eh?

2008-04-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

Looks like we're headin' out of Dodge just in time. Check out this article packed with stats about the high probability of quakes in the near future of good old Southern California.

california_quakes

And the ladies at Target looked at me like I was loco when Dalton told them we were making an emergency earthquake kit. Who's loco now? HUH? Yeah, that's right.

But seriously, they're reporting this as though it's groundbreaking, jawdropping information. As if every single person who lives in Southern California, or the entire state for that matter, isn't painfully aware of the impending doom awaiting. They've been predicting "the big one" for eons. We send little earthquake kits to preschool with family pictures and beef jerky and a toy. We have little teasers quakes to keep us on our toes and remind us not to get too comfy. We just choose to pretend that it's not a serious threat so that we can get through the day. My mom warned me to sleep with clothes and shoes near the bed so just in case it's in the middle of the night we won't be caught unaware. I don't. Denial is a beautiful thing.

WORD!

2008-04-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

Anyone else LOVE Elder Ballard's talk yesterday? A friend put it best - "If I could've clapped afterwards, I would've." It was so validating and practical.

Great New Blog

2008-04-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

A friend referred me to this great new blog:

www.enlightenedhomemaker.blogspot.com

It's all about feeding your family the right way, practically. It's really informative and helpful. I'm off to clean out the pantry!

Dancing with the Stars

2008-03-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

I admit it - I love Dancing with the Stars. Yeah, the girls wear skanky outfits, especially Edyta, but it's so fun to watch! I wasn't always a fan, but last year I went to a taping with my friend Maegan and have been into it since. (She has a friend that writes for the show so we got good seats - mine even said "Stacie Denneker" HA HA!) It was two seasons ago - when Apollo won, and I was pregnant and it was Maegan's first time leaving her newborn. Although we were preoccupied by needing to potty and having milk let down, it was so fun just to watch the dancing. You forget that it's celebrities out there and just enjoy the excitement. And not to age myself, but I was actually more excited by who was in the crowd by us - Boyz 2 Men and some cast members from Beverly Hills 90210. Good memories of the 90's right there.

As for this season, my early favs are Kristie Yamaguchi and Jason Taylor. First elimination tonight!

Happy Easter

2008-03-24T22:52:00.001-07:00

Easter was super early this year, and although Aunt Jenni didn't make it out to visit - we had a happy day! And no, much to Darren's dismay, we did not give the kids carrots in their easter baskets - they got good old chocolate.

It's always hard to make sure that the kids understand what we're celebrating - not the arrival of Spring, but rather Christ's resurrection. Luckily the stake was putting on a performance about Christ that we could take the kids to. It was actually the second act of the same show that the church put on in the Conference Center during the Salt Lake Olympics in 2002.

It was a nice addition to the holiday, but Darren and I had a silent laugh at an older sister who was sitting in front of us. She turned around shortly after we arrived - about 10 minutes before it started - and said to Davis (in respons to his slapping the metal chair), "It's cute when you do that now, but after the show starts I'll turn around and give you a mean look." Then she looked me and said snidely, "I had 9 kids you know, but we never took the babies to performances. That's what babysitters are for. " HAH HAH! IF we had more than 3 young women in our ward I might have better luck with that, but even so - isn't the church all about families? Momma mia.

This picture is the night before, Easter Eve if you will.

On Saturday we went to a couple of Easter egg hunts at local parks - one that started at 9am SHARP and was over in literally 30 seconds. The kids just stared at the mayhem and didn't get squat. So we headed to another hunt at Aidan's Place (site of the Christian Bale incident) for a "festival" where they had millions of eggs but kept shouting "only get ONE egg!" Did any kid listen? Of course not, so after everyone caught on, we all dumped their baskets out and took the one egg to trade for a goodie bag. It was weird, but much fairer. And they also had some hot rap music playing while the kids rocked out in the bounce houses. Only in LA. Then the kids got their faces painted by the BEST face-painter ever. NOT. Dalton wanted a spider and as she was painting she said, "All spiders have 6 legs you know. " Then Dane wanted a Harry Potter scar (shock) and she put a big yellow blob on his forehead. Good thing there was no mirror or he'd have been all put out. He's kinda picky like that. Anyway, it was a good time.

Here the boys are with the Merrells and Marshes at Lindburgh Park, the first hunt. The Merrells also have three boys almost the same ages as ours.

On Sunday we had the Merrells and Coveys (family away from family) over for dinner and it was nice to enjoy the Spring weather. Oddly enough, Maegan and I made the EXACT same dessert - strawberry shortcake trifle. Great minds think alike, eh? Hoppy Easter 2008!

Life's a Beach

2008-03-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we experienced what happens when you don't make plans. After about 30 minutes of "What should we do?" " I don't care. What do you want to do?" We ended up heading down to 3rd Street in Santa Monica, where of course we got in some great shopping (window shopping in some cases - we had all the kids) and saw lots of bizarre street performers. Check out this guy - atrophied legs in a cross position, then up on his arms. Crazy!

Here he's magnified, but a little blurry. He stood like this for like 5 minutes straight. I'm sure gonna miss all the weirdos around here. But maybe not the shirtless guy with the hairy back and the Arnold mask complaining about how we "Don't need Sacramento! They're idiots up there!"

Afterwards we just walked along the cliffs above the PCH and I realized I'm already starting to miss the beach. Darren doesn't understand, but I would spend all my time there if I could. I wish I could stuff it in my suitcase and take it with me.

Motivation

2008-03-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

As Dane was eating his veggies at lunch today, he turned to me with a steely look and said, "I am going to eat my vegetables so that I can grow up to be as tall as Daddy. Then, I won't have to sit on the couch when I hold Davis."

Little Daners just loves Davis. He'll frequently come away from whatever he's doing and just plant a big one on Davis's cheek. Or he'll bring his cherished blanket over and shove it under Davis's nose so that he can smell it as Dane loves to do. Too bad that by the time Dane is as big as Darren, Davis will probably be close to his size and won't want anything to do with being carried around.

Why is the grass always greener? When you're a kid, it always seems so powerful and exciting to be bigger. When you're grown, you look back on childhood as such an idyllic an simple time. Human nature I suppose. For now, it's a great motivation to eat the greens and chug the milk.

Christmas Revisited

2008-03-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

Long overdue, but here's a Canadian Christmas slideshow.

March Madness

2008-03-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

Have you filled out your NCAA Tournament bracket yet? Hurry up - games start tomorrow. I think I'll choose someone else besides BYU or OU this year.

Vegas

2008-03-19T16:11:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we took a little trip with some friends to visit Vegas. Our purposes were threefold:

1. Darren - to see the almighty Cougars rock the Mountain West Tournament (lost to UNLV in the championship game).

2. Stacie - to visit Lindsay Stoddard and have a little girl time with her and pal Jenny Covey in exchange for the hubbies' time at the tourney.

3. Boys - to see buddies Jake and Joe, to run like hooligans in an actual backyard (not a teensy front yard like ours), jump on the tramp, play the Wii 24/7, hang with the cute Covey girls, eat fast food, find fossils (roof tiles), and have unlimited access to the beloved Stoddard snack drawer.

It was a great time, and despite the hazards of taking kiddos to the strip ("Mom, did you see the innapropriate pictures? That girl had hardly any clothes on. We should write a letter and tell them to take them down." I think he's been listening to me too much. I get a little miffed by the barrage of billboards around LA. Anyone remember the "Nip/Tuck" ones? The creepy ones from the wax museum movie a couple years ago? I almost did write a letter about that one. ANYWAY! I digress . . . ) we couldn't resist the Bellagio fountains. They just don't get old. The Grove here in LA is a mini version, but it's still fun to see the scale of the spray. Too bad the garden was in transition and inaccessible.

I Wear my Sunglasses at Night

2008-03-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a video for all you Top Gun fans, featuring a young Tom Cruise in some mean shades. This is a couple months old, at the height of Davis's love for the doorway jumper. The sweet sunglasses are from a birthday party the boys attended - where they also received some sweat bands. (nice swag, eh?) They felt cool but looked pretty dorky. Naturally, we couldn't resist putting them on the baby and laughing at his oblivion.

Little Does He Know

2008-03-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we spent some time in Newport Beach (lovely, BTW) and on the way home we spotted a limo on the freeway. Spotting limos is like spotting VW bugs for us.

You see, a last year Dalton won a limo ride to Chuck E. Cheese with 10 other kindergarteners - as a reward for a fundraiser. Ever since he's been enthralled by limousines - "Why can't we have one? Do you have to be famous to have one? I have an idea, let's get famous and buy a limo to ride around in!" Needless to say, Dane's also quite fascinated by them because he WASN'T allowed to go along on the ride. You know how seeing your sibling doing something so awesome you can't stand it can make you bright green. So, la dee dah, they love limos.

Back to the OC freeway - limo next to the van (which has recently been christened the "Millenium Falcon" - which luckily won out over the "Death Star") . . . Dalton again brings up the subject of our lack of limo or prospect of limo and I try to pacify him by suggesting that perhaps for his wedding we'll get a limo for him to ride in. This idea is immediately exciting and he starts giggling and looking for someway to commit me to this forever. Then in a sweet voice he says, "I'll take my wife, you mom, dad, and all my little brothers. You're my family and I don't want to go anywhere without you guys."

What a sweetie! Little does he know that his wedding night will be one time that he'll certainly not want us around. Aaahhhh, innocence.

random dinner conversation

2008-02-13T23:58:00.000-08:00

In spite of all the actually interesting stuff we've been doing lately, I'm going to jot down a funny conversation we had at dinner tonight. We played "2 lies and a truth", where you say two things that are completely bogus - but sound believable, and one thing that's actually true. Everyone else tries to figure out which is the truth. Dalton and Dane's turns were, needless to say, rather entertaining.

Dalton: Today I, um, . . . I went to school and I forgot to wear clothes! I was naked! Then at recess I fell and broke my arm! Um, . . . I did math.

Mom and Dad: Okay Dane, you decide which is true.

Dane: Um, uh. . . you broke your arm?

Dalton (with a self-satisfied laugh): Nope!

Dane: Uh . . . you went to school naked?

Dalton: Nope.

Dane: I know! You did math!

Dalton: You got it!

Then for Dane's turn we weren't sure if he'd get the concept, but here's what he came up with:

Dane: Today I watched tv and had a drink and a snack. Today I watched tv and had a snack and no drink. Today it rained poop.

The truth was that he had a snack and no drink. It was a big deal because I didn't give him a drink with his snack and of course he brought this to my attention. Customer Service here in our house being as accomodating as it is, the situation was shortly rectified.

2008-01-30T18:20:00.000-08:00

Yes, looking back I can sense the latent hostility of my last post. Evidently someone turned off my filter - you know the one that censors your offensive thoughts and inappropriate comments, thus allowing you to make friends and other such social stuff. But, I will not delete it. Sometimes it help to be a hag. You feel in the mood to be lots nicer afterwards, right?

So behind

2008-01-28T13:19:00.001-08:00

Yes, I know. I'm really backed up in my blogging. All you die-hards are secretly judging and chastising my lack of commitment to my blog.

Well, here's the deal.

In addition to the really busy life that is swirling around me, my attempts to live more efficiently in this new year have shaken up my priorities a wee bit - bumping blogging a little lower on the totem. Don't get me wrong, it's fun to do all this posting WHEN I magically get 5 consecutive minutes to sit at my computer before midnight - but realistically that rarely happens in the absence of other, higher priority activities demanding my attention.

Thus I have to roll up the nagging guilt incurred over not posting lately, place it in my hand, and blow it away. I will post perhaps in binge episodes when the kids are whisked away by daddy for a few minutes or when I get post-bedtime computer access (Darren is done with part 2 boards, so that might happen again soon :) ) But otherwise - don't give up on me, just lower your expectations a bit. I'm not going for "loser" status, just upper-end mediocrity. I try not to kill my self esteem by holding myself to perfection level standards in all areas of my life - just the super important ones - you know, like . . . um, the "hair fixing" area, the "faucet cleaning" area, and above all the "using a blinker" area.

And while I'm soap-boxing, I must add that I am a little - well, repulsed is a strong term, but it's along those lines - by all those blogs out there that seem to have been contracted out by a public relations firm. Are they selling something, i.e. the idea that they are perfect and their life is so utterly idyllic that they don't even need to shop for deodorant or mouthwash? I can't even attempt to market that idea because anyone who knows me is aware that I am REAL and mercilessly self-depricating if anything. So consequently my blog is as well. No offense to those of you attempting to perpetuate the modern myth of the perfect hot mom, but I'm not gonna read your blog. It's boring. Truthfully, I have no time for bloghopping anymore, but if I did I wouldn't read it. (Feel the love JLC).

ENUF!!!! Time to let go of this thrice saved draft. Blow away!

Poor Baby

2008-01-07T19:55:00.000-08:00

Diagnosis: RSV and double ear infections.

I almost took him in last Friday, but didn't make enough effort. What a bad Mommy.

Recovery Complete

2008-01-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or is it hard to recover from a vacation? Getting back to normal takes a little time. I always try to leave my house in tip top shape when we leave town so that I can come home to cleanliness and order - but why? It turns into chaos within 15 minutes of being home.
First there's the laundry volcano that erupts from the crammed suitcases - even though I did it all before we packed up to come home! Then there's the creative meal whipped together from the meager cupboard contents and the impending HUGE grocery trip to restock. Sprinkled throughout is the messed up sleep schedule - translating into overtired kids who don't sleep in and are suddenly bored out of their tree because there are no cousins to play with 'round the clock. Then you deal with mail and bills and emails and all the stuff you ignored while you were gone. Then, my favorite part . . . your husband has to go back to his normal routine, abandoning you with the children!!!!!!

It's rough. But - it is predictable, so you just deal and get back into it. That's how Stacie got her groove back.

Yesterday was Plain Awful

2007-12-29T22:28:00.000-08:00

You can say that again.

Yesterday was plane awful.

It was. And you may say, "Stacie, you're prone to exaggeration." And I'll rightly admit I have a dramatic flair for storytelling - but this time it's just a black and white fact: yesterday was plain awful. Because of a plane. Well, actually multiple planes. I suppose I should expound even though my shoulders tense up just remembering the harrowing details.

Let's just say it involved a rowdy drive in heavy snow, security check (which I hate!!! love the end, hate the means. must we take all of our shoes off? must I remove the peacefully sleeping baby from his carseat and put his blankets in the scummy gray bins? do we have to toss all of our water? it's so annoying!) hours of delayed flights, kids sleeping on the Vegas airport floor, paying a taxi for a ride home so our friend could go to bed, and hitting the pillow at 2:15am.

That should suffice. Seriously, in the taxi on the way home - with soft armenian chatter in the background, watching the meter go from 26.75 to 28. 85 - I felt my jaw slacken and realized that it had been clenched for the previous 13 hours. And although deep down I know this isn't true, it just makes me feel better to say that I will never fly again!!! Curse Southwest Airlines and whoever made the decision to give our plane to the flight heading into Orange County because they have a curfew and LAX doesn't!!!

Phew! I feel better. My back still hurts, but I'm over the rest. Ya know why? Because . . .

The sun'll come out . . . tomorrow!!! So ya gotta hang on 'til tomorrow!

Long December

2007-12-29T21:22:00.000-08:00

It's been a long December and there's reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last.

Love that song.

Yes, my sporadic and lackluster blogging is finally coming to an end. Somehow I don't think I'm alone in the dryspell, or at least the decreased frequency in posts. And I seriously doubt we've all been checking on one another that much lately with the holiday mayhem and all. Onward and upward, eh.

So the boys are back in town. After 12 days in Canada, we've resumed our post in Los Angeles. It was a winter wonderland in the Great White North, and we partook of all the Creston Valley has to offer. Grandma Rennaker's homemade goods are unparalelled - and she pretty much has a store in the basement. I wish we lived closer so I could shop there. Unfortunately we can't take much across the border or I'd fill a box with home canned everything, fresh steaks, ground beef, big ol' brown eggs, delish dried apples, and the lastest of Marie's wonders - homemade soaps. I told her that wherever we move after school she has to come and help me put in a garden. Perhaps it's being here the city, feeling vulnerable with little space for food storage - but lately I've been feeling this urgency to become more self reliant. I also want more whole food for my family - and nothing beats home grown.

But I digress. Didn't we just have a major holiday? Oh yeah! Christmas was like, only 5 days ago! How was the haul?

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Sorry times up. S'pose I'll have to finish this story tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Long time no blog

2007-12-07T20:25:00.001-08:00

I feel like I'm standing windwhipped and dazed on the platform. Life is flying past me before I can even get out my ticket.

The holidays? kids? life? I swear I am savouring to the best of my ability, I'm just not blogging about it.

Legoland tomorrow and maybe, probably, hopefully I'll post the pictures. Heaven knows I'll take a million.

Dalton Bradley

2007-11-10T21:04:00.000-08:00

Happy 7th Birthday Dalton!!!

How quickly they grow. I used to shrug off older people telling me that, but now I really understand that it's true! You have to savor every moment of their little lives; they grow so gradually that you don't even realize it's happening. I always think of the movie Finding Neverland, where Johnny Depp says, "Little boys should never be put to bed, because when they wake up they're a whole day older. "

So here are some random pictures from the life of Dalton, about one per year.

Happy Birthday to Dalton, happy birthday to Dalton . . .

Here is a little update on our firstborn son as he rings in his lucky 7th year!

favorite color- back to BLUE, the original favorite (he went with green for a couple years out of

loyalty to his buddy Aidan)

favorite food - corn on the cob

favorite toy - legos, especially the new bionicle and underwater explorer sets he just got

favorite place - zimmer museum, disneyland

favorite movie - Pirates of the Carribean #3 "which I haven't seen, but I know must be really

cool!"

favorite thing at school - "take away", aka: subtraction (go figure!)

favorite sport - baseball (with dad at the park by our house and Dodger games)

favorite book - How I Became a Pirate

favorite scripture story - Ammon and the Sheep thieves (dismemberment? of course it's a fav!)

Seven Years. Also an anniversary of a different kind.

Seven years ago today I became a mother. Our lives were changed when Dalton was born. How do you even begin to express or comprehend the significance of this? The beginning of a new life? the beginning of a new part of yourself? an entirely different way of living and thinking? I remember sitting in the hospital hours after giving birth and feeling the weight of the parental mantel falling on me. It was actually a tangible experience, for me. I can recall the dawning of realization of what it truly means to be responsible for another life in every way - and honestly, it was stressful!

AAAaaahhhh, parenthood.

Well, I'll post about the festivities later. For now, I'm just happy to be Dalton's mom.

California Dreamin'

2007-11-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we all headed out to one of my favorite spots, the beach - a place I've been missing because I didn't get to spend much time there over the summer. (I was rather huge pregnant and then purdy busy with a newborn) Well, since it's clearly too chilly now to do the waterplay, it's time for other kinds of fun - like strollerblading. It's been years since I got Darren to put on his rollerblades, so this was a treat.

Baby Davis and I enjoying the sunset by Venice playground.

Mom: "Dalton, look at me and smile."
Dalton: "Not now mom, I need to watch the road."
He's learning bike path ettiquette.

Dane and Davis all snuggly in the stroller. Dane was pretty upset at first that he couldn't ride his trike (holy smokes, that would take forever!), but we finally convinced him it would be more fun this way. He sure doesn't look like he's having fun, but that's only because he's almost asleep. Just a nice side effect of a stroller ride.

So nice that Dalton can ride his bike. He was cranky earlier in the afternoon and was in such a better mood as we got going. Reminds me of that part in Legally Blonde when she says "Exercise gives people endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. And happy people just don't kill their husbands. They just don't." Classic.

Goodbye Halloween

2007-11-03T20:09:00.000-07:00

It's been done for days, but here are the boys in their costumes.

1. Davis the "Jack-o-Lantern", minus the interior candle - although he does have a radiant inner light ;). He wanted to be Freddy Krueger, but I thought it might scare Dane.

2. Dane, aka - "Harry Potter". I had to take away the spectacles a few weeks ago to keep him from breaking them (from constant handling), so he hasn't been impersonating the wizard lately. (phew!) But when his Harry alterego reemerged, it was very cute.

3. Dalton as "Indiana Jones". Not a lot of kids knew exactly who this was this year, but I'm sure with the new movie coming out next year we'll see Dr. Jones a lot more. Now that Dalton is tall enough to ride the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland, he thinks he's pretty cool (although the ride freaked him out a little).

4. Darren - Daddy gone Mummy. We had our friends the Merrells over and all the boys (they have 3 as well) mummified their dads. This is Aaron and Darren hamming it up for them as they all ran away screaming.

Goodbye Halloween! See you next year.

The Carve

2007-10-31T00:24:00.000-07:00

We know they'll rot if we carve early, but we had to be ready for the trunk-or-treat! So last Saturday (my blog is on time-delay) we got out the kits and had a little carvin' party. The boys love this and sit patiently by us as we carve, cheering us on - for about 5 minutes. Then they run off and play, returning intermittently to ask "Are you done yet?" Ah, but it's worth it in the end. Gotta love a good jack-o-lantern. And wouldn't you know it - I don't even have pictures of the finished product loaded. At the time I actually put down the carving knife and said, "That's as good as it's gonna get" I went straight to the sink to wash - I didn't want to look at my butcher job for a while, even through a camera lens!

Our duplex neighbor is the graphic editor of the LA Times and he came out and saw us making a mess all over the paper. He laughed and took a picture of a big glob of punkin innards and said something about how they stress over content and it's really just tomorrow's fish wrapper.

Big goopy messes!!! Why do they always want to taste the pumkin guts?

Dane wanted a happy pumpkin, so he chose this cute face.

Dalton wanted a creepy skeleton - labeled "difficult" to carve. I can't wait until they can do it themselves! Actually, I can.

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch

2007-10-31T00:09:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we visited Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Hollywood. Of all that we did there, I think the kids most enjoyed playing in the haystack maze. A good time was had by all!

This is the pumpkin we picked to take home. He was too cute to resist!

The pony ride was fun - and surprisingly not stinky.

I thought Dalton might be bored - seeing as the ponies are attached to a pole and just go in a circle - but whaddya know? He loved it, too.

Yeah for Mr. Bones!

Halloween 2006

2007-10-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

As we countdown to the big day, I couldn't help but look back a little to last year's festivities. It was a monumental year for a couple reasons:

1. Dalton didn't want to be a pirate (he had been a pirate in some form for three consecutive years out of his 6 year life)

2. It was the year that Dane figured out what Halloween was all about. (He was 2) It was fun to watch him take it all in and come to understand the fun of Halloween.

Now that Darren is Dr. Candy Nazi, we are on our 3rd year of "Great Pumpkin" visits. Essentially, they trade their candy for toys and the giant gourd gives their candy to less fortunate children. I wonder when they'll catch on and we'll have to let them learn to self-ration their candy. I know that as a child I would hoard my candy and still have some left by the time Easter rolled around and we got a new batch. So maybe we underestimate their restraint.

So here's a look at last year's costumes . . .

This is little Daners as a pirate. He wanted to be Thomas, but when it came down to the wire he refused to wear the cumbersome get-up. We resorted to the good old pirate standby. He wouldn't even wear the hat for pictures, but he was cute anyway.

Here is Zorro at the school carnival. He sure felt cool - you could tell from his strut. What is it about the costume alter ego that makes you so silly?

I actually dressed up last year - which I love to do but haven't done so much since I had the kiddos. This is my friend Maegan, prego with her little Kieran and glowing. It was hard to recognize her in the wig.

Here is Karalenn Hippen - Halloween Queen! I wish I had a picture of her full costume. I'm sure her blog will show it somewhere. It was phenomenal and entirely handmade. She based it on the "Twilight" books - not necessarily a character, they just got her excited about all things vampire. She spent months on it. I have nowhere near that patience or creativity. Notice my cliche witch costume.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

The Clinic

2007-10-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

For all you out there who watch The Office, this spoof is worth your time. It was made by Loma Linda Dental School students and it's hilarious. The dubbing is off at times, but it doesn't deter from the cleverness. It's called The Clinic and so it's actually two spoofs in one - a parody of dental school life and the tv show. Here's the link:

The Clinic

Enjoy!

Burn Baby Burn

2007-10-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

We're here in the "disco inferno", aka Southern California -presently the fire capital of the nation. She burns every year, with not enough time to recover in between. Certainly I could come up with some religious metaphor about destructive flames that would condemn Los Angeles, but isn't Las Vegas 'Sin City' - therefore, more burn worthy? Yeah, it's a toss up.

Anyhoo, to respond to well-being queries:

1. Yes, we are okay.
2. No, we are not directly threatened.

HOWEVER, we are suffering!!!!! The sky is all gray and smoky. The air is full of ashy stuff. The smell is a rancid combo of campfire and burnt rubber. It's hard to breathe and we're all staying inside, thank you very much. Even the kiddos at Dalton's school have lost recess privileges, the poor dears - I mean the teachers, of course.

Okay, okay - that's not really suffering. That's inconvenience and a cough.
We still have our lives and our possessions. (cue John Lennon's Imagine)

My sister Christy told me about a cousin who got evacuated at 11pm and found out her house had burned by 5 am. Single mom, 4 kids. THAT's suffering.

Blog Stalker

2007-10-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

A curious new pastime has cropped up among internet users, particularly bloggers. Thus, the following . . .

To The Blog Stalker:

You read my blog, you check my site
To compare your own with my mundane life.

Behind you leave no comment-
No trace that you came, then went.
But on to the next link ,
Lest someone might think
Your time is no better spent.

No worries blog stalker, your secret is safe
From those who may judge or scorn.
Blog hop with no fear of scrutiny from me ,
But just be aware as I warn:

You know your blog's linked to quite a few ,
So don't be naive - you get blog stalked, too!

We all do it. And clearly I am no poet.

Davis's New Best Buddy

2007-10-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

My wonderful sister Jenni had her third baby very recently. We haven't seen him in person yet, but he looks gorgeous in pictures. He will of course be Davis's best friend; cousins are special.

Introducing . . .

Samuel James Stewart

born October 6, 2007

9lbs 0 oz

21.2 "

Spooky Spider

2007-10-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

K - we've got this CRAZY HUGE spider trying to squat on our property. He moved in last week and set up this ginormous web, starting making a killing in the bug catchin' biz, and totally didn't even ask if we were into subletting! Now he's got a couple more webs set up - they're about as thick as yarn- and even invited his lady friend to move in. They're spread all over like they own the place and frankly, we're done putting up with it.

Yesterday Darren went out and was like "Hey spidey, we gotta talk. No offense, i know it's your schtick - but all the wrapped up dead bugs and your freaky size body are scaring the kids." (not to mention the fact that Dane's trike is stuck in that monster web and he really wants to ride it. rude!)

Mr. Spiderman was completely nonresponsive, like he didn't even care that we pay out the ying for rent on this place and he's way overstayed his welcome - uninvited in the first place!!! So we had to evict him. We didn't squish, but we did relocate him and his lady - and then vigorously remove his halloween decorations with a gusto spray from the water hose. So long dude.

Darren's thumb for size reference. He's saying "thumbs up, my friend. we like you and all, but we have our own problems, so move on."

His arrival was seasonally appropriate - I love halloween. And he gave a good scary showing, but I'm just not into arachnid-neighbors.

I never thougtht I'd say . . .

2007-10-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

"You do NOT wipe your boogers on Davis!"

The Onion

2007-10-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

I've found it. Finally a news source I can rely on and trust to deliver what is relevant, honest, and spankin' hilarious. Here's today's headline:

That Full House Episode Where They Meet The Beach Boys Is On Tomorrow At 3 P.M.

WASHINGTON, DC —Officials have advised all Americans to remain indoors, huddle close with their loved ones, and stay completely silent unless it's a commercial.

Sk8er Boy

2007-10-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

Dalton is really into skating lately. He's campaigning for a new board for his birthday in November. Check his moves in the driveway. So sad for a boarder to be confined like this, but would you set a 6 year old free in a Los Angeles skate park? uh . . . no.

Lars and the Real Girl

2007-10-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so last night I had a personal first, and probably last: Thanks to my lovely, well connected friend Maegan, I got to attend a real Hollywood movie premier. I don't want to bore my family with more stupid stories about encounters with the rich and famous, but this was too fun. We pulled up to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences building on Wilshire and yep - the red carpet, the bright lights and paparazzi. Luckily you don't have to actually walk on the red carpet to enter the theater. BIG FAT NO THANK YOU! But as we were walking in, who should be right there, with his date, chatting up ET? (do I sound starstruck or what?) Ryan Gosling! Check out the pic below. The date is not Rachel McAdams, but we loved her big bootie. (a rump like that was a rare sight last night amid the SCARY facelifts and lip jobs. eek! like halloween on parade.)

Then we entered the theater, where cameras were expressly forbidden. So I snuck a flash-free shot of Oscar flanking the screen. The producer and director spoke, then everyone cheered all through the opening credits, cuz they were there and apparently couldn't help themselves.

After the show there was a reception full of delish food, an open bar (sprite, anyone?), and networking and hob-snobbing. Are you done hearing about this yet?

So, it was a fun night - but the best part really was the movie itself. Lars and the Real Girl - comes out October 12th. I laughed, I cried. I thought about it falling asleep. It's a great story. I highly recommend it! So here's a link to the trailer. And everyone go see it - it's good for Maegan's husband's production company. I should get paid for the plug, eh?

Click here: Lars and the Real Girl

The Potty Trainer

2007-10-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

You've got to check out the blog of a friend of ours - Seth Hippen. He's a super duper talented animator and his latest post gives a little shout out to our Daners (and his arduous potty training). Just click on Seth's highlighted name to get to his blog, and be sure to check out all the cool artwork he's got on there.

A Fly on the Wall

2007-10-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

This is life with little ones. They're so darn cute while they figure out this big ol' world. All of the following are true accounts.

(in the car on the way to school, following a rousing rendition of "Oh Suzanna")
Dane: I wish I had a banjo on my knee.
Dalton: No you don't Dane. Banjos are HUGE! It would kill your knee.

(during a morning prayer - literally smack dab in the middle of it)
Dane: Jesus and Heavenly Father are pretend. They live at the church I think. I don't see them anywhere around here.

(at the dinner table, out of the blue)
Dalton: I wish we could go swimming at that fun cat pool again.
Dad: What cat pool?
Dalton: That one at that dental school party.
Mom: (picturing a nasty pool of stagnant water, full of mangy cats) What are you talking about?
Dalton: The cat pool! Where I played with that little girl.
Mom: (realization dawning) OOOoohh! The "Kiddie" pool?
Dalton: Yeah, the kitty pool. I miss it.

(getting ready for bed. this has been a common topic of discussion lately.a response to the new addition to the family?)
Dane: Mom, when I grow up to be a dad I want to marry you.
Dalton: No way Dane. If you were my dad I would freak out!
(that would be the least of his problems if Dane and I got married. eek!)

(on the way to preschool - feeling really grown up)
Dane: Mom! My legs are huge. They go all the way down to my feet!

(again, over dinner - when Dalton gets really chatty to avoid food he doesn't want)
Dalton: (after a quiet moment of contemplation) There's a kid in my class, my size, who has a mustache. A real mustache. His name is Christopher.
Dad: What does he look like?
Dalton: Um, he's kinda lightey/darkey (he's Latino). He has dark hair. Stop laughing mom. He's just different, that's all. He's really nice and he's my friend. He just has a mustache.

Aaahhh. kids.

Austen Lovers

2007-09-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

If you love Jane Austen, like I do, then check out this link :

Take the Quiz here!

www.strangegirl.com/austenquiz

Take the quiz to find out which Austen-ian herione you are most like.

Gems

2007-09-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

Just a couple good quotes from my boys that I jotted down today:

"I don't want to kiss you right now mom." Okay, when will you kiss me? "I can next Thursday." -Dane

"I don't want my sandwich in a heart for school today, mom. I want it like my friends' sandwiches. Just one piece. That's how all my friends have it." -Dane (I'd used a cookie cutter, but I guess it's not cool enough for preschool)

"Mom, I don't feel comfortable at recess. All the girls won't stop chasing me. I didn't even do anything! I had to hide in the boy's bathroom. Then I told my teacher and all she said was 'Aw, I'm sorry.' " -Dalton

Big Bear - Conclusion

2007-09-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you lost sleep wondering if Darren and the boys made it out alive, not to mention all our precious camping gear. Well, worry no longer!!! After some negotiations with the ranger and some sneaking beyond the lines by some fellow campers, they were able to return to the site to pack up and get out. 'Voluntary evacuation' - yeah, right! Darren did read online that the fire was the biggest in the nation so far this year. Seriously?

Masterpieces

2007-09-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law Rachel posted some pictures that her budding artist Ana had taken (hers were actually really good), and it prompted me to post some that I found on my camera, courtesy of Dalton Bradley. Clearly my son is Ansel Adams in embryo and I am so proud of the skills he already has as a photographer - in every aspect! lighting, content, framing, composition, color. . . Look for yourself. Any inquiries for prints or purchases should be directed to my personal email account.

subject: Dane playing Trains
title: Overexposed

subject: The bedroom

title: Where My Head Rests

(note: Check out how Dalton rearranged the letters in the alphabet on the wall so that "D" came first - since Dalton starts with "D". egocentric? perhaps)

subject: the artist himself

title: My Rennaker Nose

subject: the throne

title: What All Boys Talk About, Think About, Joke About, etc.

subject: the artist -AGAIN!

title: Mirrors - The Pretense of Reflection (I don't know why he chose that title; it makes no sense!)

Baby Love

2007-09-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

Here's another picture of little baby Davis. (it's hard not to say 'Baby Davy' - but I will not! I must not!) He is a cutie pie, but I'm not biased or anything. He's already changing so much and as I watch him grow and then read through the older boys' baby calendars, I realize that this time I have with him as a tiny baby is so fleeting in comparison to what the future holds. I just wish I could stop time ("I'm Mr. Time! Stop Time!" -Seth Manning) and savor the present. I just feel like life keeps me hopping all the time and before I know it, my baby (my first baby, Dalton) is telling me he wants an ipod. (he really did. he said he needs it?!)

So, I just have to take a minute to bask in the love I have for my kids!

Dalton will always be my baby - he broke me in as a mommy. Dane will always be my baby - he still loves to be held and smell his blankie. Davis will always be my baby - that's all I know him as thus far, and he may be my last baby, actually. (Well, talk to me in a couple years.) But nevertheless, no matter how big they get or how obnoxious they might act - these boys are my babies. I grew them in my belly. I see them at their absolute sweetest and most innocent moments. I cheer for their triumphs and I cry for their frustrations. I am immersed in being their mother and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Big Bear

2007-09-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

Holy Smokes!

Well, I missed out on the family camping trip. I LOVE to camp - from tent life to the s'mores to the cheesy campfire bonding. This year's trip was not to be missed; we were headed to Big Bear with a bunch of friends and their kiddos for a weekend of dirty camping fun.

But alas - I had to stay home. It was a last minute decision that boiled down to the fact that Davis (2 months old now) is really congested and sleeping in 40 degree temps would most likely give him something or lead quickly to something else. I don't want to be a hypochondriac, but seriously - why get your new baby sick when you can prevent it? Not to mention that the night before our departure the aforementioned congestion stole all my sleep as well as Davis's . This resulted in a fussy baby, a nasty migraine and voila! . . . I didn't go camping.

So I'm here at home missing my boys. I've already called about 8 times (yes, we actually get reception up there!) Dane puked twice on the drive up then pooped in his underwear - either because he was too busy playing or has no idea where to put it. But things have settled down and they're having a blast. (Darren is too, I'm SURE!)

This afternoon they all headed into town to do the alpine slides and buy a new toothbrush for Darren. He just loves to brush. (actually, I neglected to pack his - oops!) He called me when they got back to the campground to say that the Rangers won't let them back bcuz of a fire threatening the area. Darren said they saw the beginnings of it yesterday when they pulled in, but it wasn't a problem because of the winds, blah blah blah. But now they're being evacuated? Scary.

And yet all I can think about is all our stuff! Do we ditch it? Am I selfish?

Well, I'm checking the Big Bear webcam and forest fire updates to make sure my men make it home alive.

And now Davis is telling me to get off the dang computer in his sooo subtle way.

Davis

2007-09-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

The first day of School - Again, already

2007-09-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Here Dalton is headed off to 1st grade, and so excited about it!

Actually - me, too ;)

Check out the little bag in his hand - as we were making his lunch and snack he decided that he wanted to take an apple to his teacher. He wrapped it all up in tissue paper and put it in this flowery bag. I guess she loved it; he told me later that she called him "beautiful boy", which, needless to say, he loved.

And then there was Dane . . . pretty bitter that he doesn't start preschool for another week.

And then the bitterness showed its true colors - so sad! He was rather bummed that he's home with mom still. He did sport his froggy backpack full of cars, though, as we took Dalton in. I think it made him feel pretty big.

Thanks to Harry

2007-08-15T15:35:00.000-07:00

All kids do funny/weird things, and mine are certainly no exception. Dane has recently gone through a 'Harry Potter' phase - not that he's read the books, obviously, but we've listened to the first 2 books on CD in the car and he's seen the first couple movies. And with the new movie and book release last month I suppose he's heard the name thrown around a lot. Well, now he's all about Harry.

He came home from Arizona with glasses and a wand from grandma. He asks to be called Harry and wants to wear solid colored shirts (which he calls 'closed shirts') with unbuttoned plaid shirts ('open shirts') on top. We can even tip our hats in thanks to Harry for nudging along the recent potty training (all Potter fans will remember that Peeves does call him Harry "Potty", right?) because . . . well, Harry Potter doesn't wear diapers.(duh)

So - the other day we were playing with Davis and some of his toys. After a while Davis went down for his nap and I found Dane rediscovering some old friends (aka baby toys). He was Harry Potter clad, so I -of course- got out the camera and had him demonstrate how to play with a classic: rings around a post (I do believe that's the official name).

Here's the vid. Enjoy, and pay particular attention to how he tries not to move his head or look down. This does give the effect of blindness or mild retardation, but I think he does it because he's afraid his glasses will fall off. My mom says I was a weird kid growing up, and I never really knew what she meant until . . .

FYI -you'll need to mute the music from the slide show. Just click on the sound symbol.

Finally - some new pictures!

2007-08-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

M.I.A.

2007-08-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

I've slipped from reality into that other dimension called "new motherhood", except sadly, I am not a NEW mother. Still, the whole survival mode thing is very real and has pared my priorities down to what Dalton refers to as Bear Grylls (Man vs. Wild) most important things: 1. water, 2. food, 3. shelter, 4. a way home. Okay, so #3 & #4 aren't truly relevant (although 'shelter' is debatable - as any mother of young kids can attest; however, I might more aptly call it 'hideout' or 'sane time away' or something like that) Anyway, the heirarchy of needs is dominating my daily ativities - and it's mostly the needs of my munchkins that get met most readily.

We've achieved the 4 week mark and I can feel the clouds parting and the sunshine of normal (albeit altered normal) life peeking back in. I've done the park a couple times, the grocery store, and target, but I did turn down the beach today (not without my husband). O-blah-dee O-blah-dah, Life goes on! Shockingly, it doesn't slow down and wait for you to catch up. So here we go.

And yeah, I'll post some more pictures soon. yeah, yeah.

Baby Videos

2007-07-20T20:19:00.000-07:00

Well, Davis is now 9 days old, and I'm finally getting around to posting some videos of him. The big boys, Dalton and Dane, are in AZ with Grandma & Grandpa and their aunts and uncles and cousins. Despite my being worried and feeling guilty (the God-given right/burden of parenthood) about sending them, they are having the time of their lives! It also gives me the chance to rest and just stare at my new baby. I can't get enough of him! (I think this is what they call 'bonding') So here are two videos of the cutie pie - which Darren said is clearly "straight from heaven". (he really said that! what a good daddy)

This first one is from the hospital the day after he was born. Ignore the red light; I hadn't yet thought to cover the red light on the camera. Love the new baby noises!

This second one is from his one week birthday. Again, the red light. Future videos will not include this charming touch. This video features a sneeze.

9 Years

2007-07-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

I know, I know - everyone wants more baby pictures, BUT I would be remiss if I failed to at least acknowledge the passing of our 9th wedding anniversary - July 17th. It has definitely taken a backseat to all the excitement over the baby, but it deserves some blog space. Nine years and counting. I could fill volumes with 'how much I love Darren', but don't worry - I'll save the mush for a card . . .

Presenting . . .

2007-07-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

Davis Bitner Rennaker

born July 11, 2007

at 4:24 am

7 lbs 8 oz, 19.5 "

Surprise! He arrived 2 weeks early, and we're so happy he made it safe and sound.

He's a wonderful baby.

translation: he sleeps really well ;)

2007-07-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

Shameless Product Endorsements

I can't help myself, I have to plug these things! I know it's because I'm pregnant and they're all to do with that, but perhaps somebody out there can benefit from this consumer's report. I should really get paid to post this. (click on the link to see the product website)

1. Snoogle Body Pillow - thanks to Collette Archibald for loaning hers to me. I'm currently shopping for my own. It has become a must have. It has changed my night life! I get some every night! Sleep, that is. Now I only get up to use the bathroom and visit the trough for another drink of water. Seems like a vicious cycle in pregnancy - constantly thirsty and constantly needing to go. But I digress . . . I love the snoogle.

2. Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter - Essential for any prego mommy, especially in the end of days when the tummy skin is as taut as Joan River's most recent face-lift. To top it all off, it smells yummy! It's impossible to just use it on the tum-tum.

3. Bebe au lait - okay . . . I haven't used this yet, but I've seen it in use enough to know that I will love it when I get to use mine! (thanks Maegan Merrell!) Super clever in comparison to traditional nursing covers and cute to boot! (plus, the nickname 'hooter hider' brings a smile to my lips every time)

Okay, enough. I'll stop.

Happy Canada Day

2007-07-01T17:24:00.001-07:00

It's July 1st, Canada Day!

And even though we're not celebrating, we can't help but remember a year ago today when we were in Creston for the festivities. So here's a little stroll down memory lane as we recall a few moments from our time in the Great White North, the destination of our cross-country (LA-Canada) trip in the summer of '06.

This is the Rennaker farm - gorgeous in any season.

Darren and Dane - looks like Dane just discovered his hand, but I think he's waving.

Kissin' Cousins Kiley and Dalton. Don't mind the weird colors on his face. She had toy make-up and used it to give him glasses like Harry Potter. (?!)

Dalton and Dane and their cute cousins Addi and Benjamin (our traveling companions, along with their cute mom Aunt Jenni). We had two portable DVD players going at this point. It was nice for the mommies up front.

The hayride around the property, with Grandpa at the helm.

The view out the back window. Makes me wanna sit on the porch for a while, play some Rook, then head into town for a screamer and some fries'n'gravy!

OH CANADA!

The Crowd's Calling for It

2007-06-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, fine! Quite a few people have asked to see a picture of me (I can only assume to make themselves feel better about how they look when they're full of baby), so here I am in all my gestational glory. For reference, this was taken yesterday (36 weeks, 5 days) - so I will get even bigger, though I'm not sure that's possible!

A little help please!

2007-06-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Okay. It's getting down to the wire (kind of) with less than a month left until #3 comes our way . . . and we have no idea what to name him.

We've been searching and making lists for months and still no clear winner. Not even a clear front -runner. I like a couple names, Darren wants some others, Dalton has a clear preference, and Dane doesn't really care (he's suggested Dalton, Baby Jesus, and Kieran - his friend's baby brother). We've kinda painted ourselves into a corner with the "D" thing, but at this point I don't think we can deviate.

To complicate matters, Dalton had some drama in church last week when they were discussing the meaning of names. He found out that his name means "valley farm" and needless to say he wasn't impressed. As a matter of fact he was upset (didn't help that some other kids laughed - even though the meanings of their names were equally nonsensical).

We tried to console him by telling him that we named him after his Grandma and Grandpa Rennaker's farm in the Creston Valley, that we made lots of lists and his name was always on both of ours - so it won! That, followed by a procession of apologizing primary children (with prodding parents in tow), wasn't sufficient to assuage him. He still insisted that he hated his name.

Then, on the way home from church he announced that he wanted us to call him "ACE". (Stifled laughter and wide-eyed bewilderment exhanged in the front seat at this point) I don't know where he got that (maybe from Chicken Little -"Oh Ace!") but luckily he changed his mind later in the afternoon. (We did our best to call him Ace at every opportunity - in hopes of annoying him into wanting his old name back. All very passive agressive) Consequently, the ordeal has made me look a little more at the meanings of names than before.

Should I mention that one of the names I like, Drew, means "manly"?

I suppose we'll see what happens in the next few weeks. Maybe inspiration will strike and we'll just know. Or we'll keep tossing ridiculous suggestions back and forth until we're in the hospital and suddenly we've got a baby named after my painkillers.
Only time will tell.

Cookie Monster

2007-06-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

Dane loves cookies, so we made some by hand today. He stuck by me through the entire process and was literally very "hands on". He's such a good helper and the cookies were delish.

(Don't worry Darren, his hands are clean and he didn't eat any cookie dough!)

The Last Day of School!!!

2007-06-23T22:14:00.000-07:00

REWIND to last September . . . the first day of kindergarten. So exciting!

Back to the present . . . finally- the last day of kindergarten arrives. Even more exciting!!!

Is it me or does he look way older? They grow up so fast :)

We celebrated with an afternoon at the beach. Dalton is the ultimate beachcomber - especially when it comes to hermit crabs.

Dane loves the water. Unfortunately this means I never get to sit and chill for very long.

Of course- I love the water, too!

Little guy has a routine: he'll play in the surf, get tanked by a wave or two - then when he's shivering, he'll lay in the warm sand and dig his feet in. Repeat.

Oh to be 3 again!

Father's Day

2007-06-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

Here's to Darren - the fantastic father in our house.

On Sunday we did the traditional breakfast in bed, . . .

. . . gifts, . . .

. . . and the candy tie which MUST be worn to church. (here's this year's version. I know Dalton's getting older because he actually said, "ya know Dad, you don't have to wear that. It's kinda funny looking.")

We also made a book/card all about Darren. Here's part that was pretty funny:

All about Darren
By Dalton and Dane Rennaker

How old is Dad? 29 (Dalton)
What is Dad’s favorite color? Blue (Dane)
What is dad’s favorite food? Chocolate & apples (Dalton)
What is Dad’s favorite thing to do? Play Thomas and pirates (Dane)
What is Dad’s favorite TV show? Golf, hockey, basketball, baseball, football (Dalton)
What is Dad’s best talent? He beats monsters (Dane)
What’s the best time you had with Dad? Seeing TMNT with him –“it was a very special time” (Dalton)
What’s your favorite thing about Dad? He reads to me; he’s fun (Dane)
What is something nice about Dad? He took us to Father/Son Camp and made me a bow&arrow (Dalton)
What’s your favorite place to go with Dad? Target (Dane)
How much do you love Dad? With all my heart (Dalton) To infinity and beyond (Dane)

We're pretty lucky to have a dad like Darren in our family. He truly is the best. Love you!

Life is like . . .

2007-06-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

. . . a bowl full of cherries?

I bought a bunch of cherries and realized quickly that I was the only one who liked them. They reminded me of the summer of 2004 when we spent a month in Creston, BC, at Darren's parents' farm. Marie (mom-in-law) brought home a case or bushel or something of lovely cherries. She would even know what kind they were - because I think they grow something like 30 varieties in the valley up there. Migrant workers come to pick each season and they're not hispanic - they're French Canadian hippies who bathe in the Goat River.

Anyway, Marie got a cherry pitter and I got to work it. I set it up by the fridge in the kitchen and I'll never forget the bright red splatter all over the side of the bare white fridge each time I punched a cherry. It looked like some gory crime scene better suited for a sleazy motel. We moved operation outside after that.

Strange story, I know, but I can't eat cherries without thinking of it.

SO - if life is like a bowl full of cherries, then it's sweet and rich at first - and full of bitterness and rot after a while. ( like I said - I can't eat them all by myself!)

Here we are world!

2007-06-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

Well, this is our blogging debut. (One giant leap for me that most of mankind took a while ago.) I thought this would be the easiest way to share news of the upcoming addition to our little family (baby boy #3 due 7/23/07), as well as to keep in touch with so many loved ones spread across the world. We're not that continental, but I can't say "country" when Darren's from Canada, eh?

So here's to self-exposition, becoming increasingly techno-saavy, and making interpersonal connections through a computer. Cheers!