The big 4 year old

The much anticipated day finally arrived. Mitch turned 4! He had been saying he was almost four for a long time. As other family members had their birthdays he would ask each time, "When is my birthday? Am I going to be four yet?" I think to him, four is a big step. In his mind it is moving up to the bigger kid category. I hope and I think he had a great birthday. He did have to sit around a little in the morning while I finished preparations for the party but, he enjoyed decoration cupcakes. He explained to me very clearly what he wanted his birthday to be like. He wanted to play at the park with his friends (including cousins), eat dinner, play T-ball with Daddy, play soccer, hit the pinata, then go back to our house for cupcakes and ice cream. He then wanted everyone to go swimming like we did at Monte's party. Well, I explained to him the difference in weather in July and October but, thanks to continued warm in the valley he did get to swim (it was too cold for most). Another cute thing Mitch did was he insisted to me that he was not four yet when people would mention it. When I asked him why he was not four even though it was his birthday he said it was because everyone had not sung the song and he had not blown out the candle. Once he blew out his candle he could then declare he was four. Oh, and a few mentioned that it was too bad that we requested no gifts at the party and some feared that he would be very sad. He was a little sad at first when we explained that we were not opening gifts at the party but, as you can see and I promise he was still as happy as can be with each gift he received. He still got more then he needed but, the funny thing is that at first he was most excited about his new power tooth brush. What a good kid. We feel so lucky.

 

 

Monte is Two!!

Monte was into the party more than last year. He definitly liked the cupcake more. We appreciated everyone that came to help us party hardy and we missed those that couldn't make it. Although there was a no gift rule, Monte was very grateful for his big trucks which between him and Mitch the trucks have gotten their fair share of use. Thanks to Sheri for jumping in fully clothed to save Monte from death (to make sure no one worries Monte was showing off his swimming talent but she got a little frightened). Thank you to Charlie for help with blowing out the candle, you were so fast I couldn't catch it on a still shot. I'm glad everyone seemed to enjoy the cupcakes but I do believe Alea wins the prize for enjoying the cupcakes the most. We have been so blessed to have Monte in our lives. We feel so blessed that he is healthy and strong and always ready to give a hug and kiss. Happy Birthday Monte!

Whales, Sand, Sun and Hula dancing

Aloha! Well in February we escaped the cold (well, Fresno never really gets too cold) to go to lovely HAWAII. It was a family/business trip. That means Dave his parents and Ben worked hard selling chicken and shaking hands with all the bosses at the new Maui Whole Foods while Mitch, Monte and I ate very yummy pineapple in the prepared foods area. It was a very nice trip.

It was nice to all be together.

Nana tried to protect herself from the other travelers germs but, Monte was not seeing the point of the mask, except for playing peek-a-boo.

This slide is where 80% of our time was spent. It went like this; eat, sleep, slide, cry when we take them from the slide.

I wanted to see a waterfall and Dave, the boys and BJ braved the rainforest's weather to go with me. It wasn't quite what I was looking for but, it was still beautiful.




The food was good as you can tell from Monte.

The hotel we were at had free Hula lessons, so I thought "Why not?" I learned that child bearing hips are not the same as Hula hips. If you look close you can see the littlest Hula dancer. Monte can sure shake it.

We went on a whale watching adventure. We really got our monies worth. It was amazing! A pod of whales put on a great show for us. Mitch talked about the whales waving their fins at us for months.

This was one of the first times on a Pitman trip where the girls almost equaled the boys (this picture is missing Nana, she was sick). The hotel also offered lay making. The flowers smelt wonderful.

The trip was great also because Mitch and Monte got some good time with their cousin on the Pitman side. Little Alianna seemed excited and a little frightened every time she was with the boys. They are three adorable kids aren't they?

Let me not forget the unforgettable Tsunami that occurred while we were in Maui. This was the actual Tsunami in progress. We were lucky that they had the helicopters getting everyone off the beach and to their rooms. We may not have survived (can you catch my sarcasm). But really we were grateful it wasn't more then a few little waves.

It was hard to come home but, a least we came home a little less blinding white.

Movie star Chickens

Earlier this summer some pretty chickens got their chance to be on camera. The pasture raised chickens seem so happy but, they still like to huddle up a lot. They only spread out when Mitch and Monte came over to say "hi".

Start them serving young

So, at the beginning of the summer in June we had a stake service project to clean up Clovis walking paths and Bicentennial park. Well, Mitch and Monte got in to the work. We still remember the service project when we see the paint on our stroller and on Mitch's sandals. One thing I hope my kids learn is to serve willingly. We had a lot of fun.

A grand vacation

Going to Colorado again after eight years brought a flood of emotions. I felt so, so grateful for my time there as a missionary. I felt so grateful for my husband and kids and how blessed we have been. I felt grateful for good examples and help getting out on a mission. I felt an overwhelming love for the people I came in contact with. Thank you to all who let me visit, Tiffany, Ed, Palmers, Ellen, Sister Lee, Kayla and Temi. Temi, I think my visit was divinely guided. I only felt sad that I could not visit everyone. I can sing again the theme song, " Colorado, I love you."

We visited an butterfly and insect museum. Mitch loved the different butterflies but, Monte didn't get into it. I told Dave I would not hold his hand after that gross thing was touching it.

Not too far from Denver is Buffalo Bill's grave site. We visited and got a few adorable pictures of our two cowboys. Buffalo had a great view from his grave.

In a town called Glenwood springs there is a natural hot springs right off the freeway. I saw it one time on my mission and thought, when I'm not a missionary that is where I want to go." Well, I got to go. It was fun. Mitch went on a huge slide with Dad. The veiw was terrific and the hot springs were very relaxing.

One of the last touristy things we did was to visit Rocky Mountian National forest. It was beautiful and we were unprepared for the snow that was clearly still up there. Mitch and Dave had a snow ball fight. This picture of Monte was a good story. I was behind him holding him up when Dave took the picture. He was sitting on a seven foot stone wall (7 ft on the back side). Well and car drove up full of people the were gasping that Dave put this little baby on the wall until I popped up and everyone started laughing because they did not see that I was behind him supporting his back.

On the way home from Colorado we spent one day in Salt Lake City. We had a nice visit with my Grandpa, who was in good spirits and showing so much faith. We also visited one of Dave's missionary converts (we forgot to take a picture of Yolanda's Family). Of course we also ate at Wingers diner and thought of Mark. We also made a stop off at temple square. Dave want's to take his boys to their first Priesthood session of conference in the conference center. I think that is a great idea. Mitch really liked the statue of Christ. I thought he might be frightened by it but, he wasen't. He wanted the picture by it.

We ended the trip with a beautiful train ride home. Mitch loved it and everyone loved him in his enginers hat. Monte enjoyed it too because he could move around. We got a room and slept on the train. It was so much fun to eat in the diner and watch the mountians roll by. Other then the lateness of the train I would ride the train for a long trip again in a heart beat. We loved it.