The Easter Post

We did have a little family Easter celebration at our house, although very subdued as most of us were not feeling so hot. Tessa spent the weekend with a fever that would not die. By Sunday afternoon I couldn't stand it anymore and called the doctor. The doctor on-call was not our pediatrician, but he said she likely had a virus that would just have to run it's course. As we hung up the phone, I thanked him for his time and wished him a Happy Easter. What do you think the chances are that Dr. Reinstein in Encino (Jewish capital of LA) celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Whatever. By Tuesday I couldn't stand it anymore and took her to our dr. Turns out it was a virus (with a rash by this time) but she also had a double ear infection. Poor little pumpkin. Anyway, we did get a few Easter photos in the morning with the kids baskets. We have yet to get a pic of the kids in their Easter clothes because only Kirt and Cal were well enough to go to church.
This year Cal asked how the Easter Bunny gets in the house. Santa comes down the chimney...Maybe the Easter Bunny is magic?

I think it's obvious that Owen found some jelly beans before the camera found him.

Sweet little Tess. Even being so sick, she has been so cuddly and happy. Her first Easter dress is still hanging up with the tags on.

Because no post is complete without a shout-out to our American Idol - This is what Owen has to say when you ask him what Brooke says.

I forgot that not many of you speak "Owen." This is his version of "Let It Be."

Party like a Rock Star

Who said being a stay-at-home mom was boring? Are you kidding? I've had just about more excitement than I can stand this week. We started off the week with pink eye. Owen and Tessa ended up with infections in each eye. It got better when the doctor's office charged me a co-pay for each of them even though we were just there for one quick appointment and the eye drops were over $60 - with insurance. Sweet.
Yesterday really was a good day. I got myself a new shop-vac. We had some walls in the new house fixed and there was serious dust everywhere from the mudding and taping mess. My new heavy duty vacuum had everything cleaned up in no time and that is the kind of housework I can really get into. Instant dramatic results.
Okay, sarcasm aside, this week was awesome! I actually got to go to the American Idol results show on Wednesday. It was so awesome. I was so excited about the celebrity sightings, and all that's involved in putting on a show like that. But the best part was getting to see Brooke. When she came out on stage I just wanted to run up there and give her a hug. We are sooo proud of her, but we really miss her too. The show was totally surreal. For the record, I did think Amanda Overmeyer was a much better performer in person than she comes across on the show. We also got to go to dinner with all the Idol contestants and their friends and family. I can't imagine that life! Security even had to follow us to the bathroom and there was Paparazzi waiting outside the restaurant! Thanks to the Ray's for such a great night. We love you guys!

And we couldn't let Dave get away on this one. He's become a celebrity himself. Before we even got into the show everyone recognized Dave and after the show he's been getting lots of girls wanting their picture taken with "Brooke's Hunky Husband."

As promised, a pic of our little vampire. Pardon the Cheerio in her mouth, we're still teaching her to chew with her mouth closed.

Owen on the Jungle Cruise. We thought he would LOVE this ride. What's up with the monkey shooting a gun. I agree Owen - it was totally disturbing!

Cal and Aunt Joni with their delicious desserts in Disneyland.

Obsessed?

I have found myself talking about American Idol quite a bit lately and telling random people to vote for Brooke - even if they don't watch the show. Now my obsession may be broadcast on national television. We had a viewing party last night and Access Hollywood was there to cover the event. (Great planning Anneli!) It was a great night and so fun to have Cal there too. He was so excited about the TV cameras, but got a little shy when they wanted to interview him. BTW- Wasn't Brooke awesome!? Once again, she had me in tears. We have enjoyed Brooke's talent so much and are in awe to see her sharing it with the world. Way to go Brooke!
P.S. Pics of Tessa's "fangs" will be coming shortly - as well as a few from our recent trip to Disneyland with Grandma Peterson and Aunt Joni!

Time to get serious!

If you have to read this to know what I'm talking about then you are not my friend or family member any longer. But lucky for you, there is a chance for you to redeem yourself:
Brooke is in the Top 12! We are obviously so proud of her and now the pressure is on us! Last night they said they had received over 36 million votes for the contestants. And I thought my 900 votes were making a difference? I don't actually count, but I figure I can vote about every 7 seconds on my home phone and because we use Sprint for our cell service, we get more busy signals, but still get a few votes per minute. I'm proposing a 300 vote minimum. What do you think? It's just a little over 30 minutes of fierce redialing and really, what better thing do you have to do on Tuesday night? Get your redial button ready!
Go Brooke!

Pictures at last!

Can you see those little teeth? She is already grinding them on the top teeth. Yuck!

Kirt thought the last picture of stitches was a little gross, so here's the day after stitches. The gross part of this picture is all the Oreo cookie and Owen's teeth!

Cal the Super Speller!

Yes, I'm updating again...

Sometimes I wonder if anyone checks this blog. When I update, it's mostly just for me. I like having a place where I'm keeping some pics of the kids with notes of little things that are going on. But I have realized that if I wait too long, that's when people start weighing in. And to all of our grandparents - our regular computer is on its way back to us and pictures will be posted soon.
Just a few notes about what's been popping at our house: Tessa now has 4 teeth. She has her two front teeth on the bottom and her two "eye teeth" on the top. It is totally bizarre, I know. She looks a bit like a vampire baby. She's pulling herself up to furniture and just might be walking soon. What's up with that? My boys didn't walk until well after their first birthday. She loves looking at herself in the mirror and does a great "worm" to get from place to place.
Tuesday night Owen got his second set of stitches. He was just too close to Cal swinging the bat when they were out playing baseball. He got 6 stitches up on the side of his big forehead. The plastic surgeon suggested that we keep him on retainer. Yikes! On the bright side, he is talking up a storm. We're getting lots of sentences out of him and he's really good at saying "please", "thank-you" and "you're welcome".
Cal had a huge week at school. He was in the school spelling bee. (It was for the top 3 spellers in each class.) He did very well, but was a little sad when he misspelled "tommorow". (I mean tomorrow.) He had spelled it correctly every time we practiced it at home, but it was a big crowd, a stage and a microphone that got him a little nervous. He also got a "Super Star Award" for his awesome math skills. This is an award that is given at an assembly in front of the whole school. He also came in 3rd place in the Jump 4 Heart Jump-a-thon for the 2nd grade. He is one great kid!
Enough info for one post, right? Pictures to come soon!

I've been tagged!

I hope there's no expiration date on the tag from Libby! Now that I think about it, Anneli tagged me like 6 months ago...I'll get to that soon! Our computer has not been working for a few months now. I finally took it to get fixed and should have it back this week, but my internet access has been limited to about 20 minutes at night if Kirt remembers to bring his laptop home. It drove me crazy for a while, but I have to say, there is a part of me that likes the simplicity of life before constant internet access. Okay, on to my tag...

10 random things about me:

1. I like to pick up around the house and organize closets and drawers. (I do not enjoy actually cleaning or scrubbing anything -floors, toilets, etc.)

2. My favorite movies are Sweet Home Alabama and Ocean's Eleven.

3. I always worry that something I said was taken the wrong way and hurt someone's feelings.

4. All but one of my grandparents are alive and my Grandpa Ozmun has only been gone for 10 months. (All but one of Kirt's grandparents are alive as well.)

5. I like mowing the lawn and working in the yard. (And here in So Cal, we get to do it all year long!)

6. Kirt is my most favorite person in the whole world.

7. I LOVE Christmas cards. I already blogged about this - but it warrants repeating.

8. Kirt has taught me to love road trips. As long as I don't have to drive: I'm in!

9. I really like when family and friends come to stay with us.

10. This has taken me far longer than it should have. I guess I'm just not that random!

BTW- Libby is mostly crazy, but I must ditto the chapstick and folding the clothes straight out of the warm dryer. If I get to the clothes after they have cooled off, I run the dryer long enough to get the clothes warm again. And why don't you dance while singing in the car? That's the funnest part!

I don't dare "tag" anyone. Anyone who'd like to share 10 things about yourself - have at it!

Who is your American Idol?

Alright, so everyone has probably quit checking my blog because it's been many moons since I updated, but this is a BIG post - so pass the word along! Our dear friend Brooke has made it to the final 24 contestants for American Idol. If you attended my sister Libby's wedding dinner or Cal's baptism, you've heard her amazing talent. We are so excited for her - we can hardly stand it! (Check her out on YouTube if you missed the show so far.) Beginning this week the show is going live and our votes are going to get her to the next rounds. I've included a link to her contestant page. Go Brooke!!!

I put the "good" picture from this set on the side of the blog, but really, who doesn't like these kinds of photos that display the real moments in life. Here they are in their new duds on Christmas night. The day didn't go exactly as planned, but still a treasured holiday together.

Okay, so maybe a little ridiculous, but we blessed Tessa over 2 months ago and we forgot to get any pictures. (I know, I'm a horrible mother.) Anyway, it's a good thing we couldn't find this dress in a smaller size and it still fits her. I got some fun shots today. I thought the light in this one made her look especially angelic.

Before the game, we spent some time at Balboa Park in San Diego. Here are a few pics of the family. We all know that Owen hasn't met a fountain that he didn't like!

Kirt & Cal at the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. Utah beat Navy in a super exciting game. So glad we went! Speaking of bowl games: Did BYU luck out, or what!?

Jon and Abby also came to visit. This is a picture of them and a sleeping Tess at the Poinsettia Bowl. It was so fun to see them. I also have to thank them again for all of their babysitting. I was able to finish all my Christmas shopping while they hung out with the kids.

Just so you can see Aunt Katie. The kids weren't looking, but it was a good pic of Judd and Katie so I decided to be nice. : )

Check out Owen's face. He does this when we say "Freeze!" We make him do it several times a day and it isn't getting old yet. The other dude in this picture is Uncle Judd. Judd and Katie came to visit a few weeks ago. We had a blast with them. They're expecting their first baby in June. The kids are very excited about their new little cousin Herbie.

Christmas Eve is here already. I decided to cut out a lot of non-essential things that I sometimes do at Christmas time this year. Since I'm not working, I didn't have to worry about co-worker's gifts. I kept it simple for Cal's teacher, and just a few home baked goodies and cards for our new neighbors. I'm really just looking forward to a day off with Kirt in the middle of the week, seeing the kids open their gifts and breakfast at Western Bagel. It's really not the big things about Christmas that excite me anymore. I must be getting old!

I've been thinking about my favorite things about Christmas. I think my very favorite thing is Christmas cards. I LOVE seeing all of your families grow so much with every passing year. If you thought you were left off my Christmas card list last year, you're not the only one. With a 1 year old that was into everything, pregnant with our little princess, working full time, and all the other craziness life brings, cards just didn't get out. I have to thank all of you who didn't black-list me and kept us on your mailing list. By the way Shannon, you put us all to shame every year with your hand-made cards! Stacie and Rachel - your custom designs are awesome! Someday I hope to join your creative ranks. Sometimes the cards are a reminder that it's already been another year since we've all seen each other, but at least we all took a moment to remember one another and send our love, right?

Anyway, I know I'm not much of a writer on this site, but I guess the season is getting to me. We hope you all are well and that you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Another slide show...

I've had the camera out a lot lately. I figured a slideshow was the easiest way to display all the pictures. We had a great Thanksgiving. We've never spent Thanksgiving in Utah since we moved here, but I've also never cooked the entire dinner all by myself. After 10 years of marriage, I figured it was about time to figure out how to cook a turkey. Everyone kept saying it wasn't that hard. Well, they were right. Getting everything on the table at the right time was probably the biggest challenge, but it was one yummy dinner. We also love to get to Santa Barbara this time of year. While there, we hit the zoo - which has become our favorite zoo. It's great for little ones. It's not too big, but has some great animals. Check out the picture of the giraffe with the crazy neck!

Happy 2nd Birthday Owen!

Double click on the picture to see the photos a bit larger.

Okay, so maybe the boys aren't always so sweet. This big scratch on Tess's face is courtesy of Owen's fingernail. She'll be one tough girl after surviving 2 brothers. (Look at the adorable "Wendy" dress - from Peter Pan! We love it!)