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!

Funny kids

I wanted to record a few things the kids did the last two mornings to make me laugh. Yesterday Mitch got up before Monte and I. I guess after he had been up for a little while he came in and woke me up. I noticed a crusty part in his hair. I asked him about it and he told me he put gel in his hair. "Oh great" I thought. Well, it could have been worse until he told me that he did Monte's hair too. Remember, Monte was still asleep in his bed. So, when Monte woke up almost an hour later he came out with half his hair standing straight up. When I went into the room I found gel, a spray bottle, a mirror and two combs by Monte's pillow. I guess Monte had slept through his hair styling. I had to laugh.
This morning at breakfast I told Mitch, "Bud, I have bad news. Yesterday you and Monte played with your cars by the piano and one fell behind it. The piano is very hard to move so I don't know how we will get it, so don't play by the piano with your small toys."Mitch replied,"Oh no. Well, Mom, do you have any good news for me?" I had to laugh a little and I said, "Well, it is a sunny day and we will get to swim." He replied, "Alright!". Then he turned to Monte and said, "Monte, the bad news is our car fell behind the piano but, the good news is we will get to go swimming today." Monte's response,"Oh tay, Yeah!"
These little guys make me smile everyday.

Oh and thank you very much Mimi for the piano, other then a lost car it has been great to have in the home.

A moment from General Conference

For those who don't know twice a year in April and October our Church holds a conference that is broadcast all around the world. Luckily BJ, Dave's brother with his computer smarts wired it so that we could watch the conference on our TV(most people with cable can do this but, cable is still not in the budget). The conference consists of the leaders of the Church giving talks and the Mormon tabernacle choir singing for four two hour sessions in two days(actually the guys have an extra two hours totalling ten hours for them).
I love conference. It is the spiritual feast I need. The problem is that the feasting is not as easy with two active little boys who don't see the joy in sitting and listening to the pearls of wisdom the leaders have to share.
This last conference Dave and I had a little moment of parental joy. As the Tabernacle choir began to sing Mitch recognized that it was a song he knew. He sat down and started to sweetly sing along, "What does the Father ask of us, what do the scriptures say? Have faith have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way." As I listened to his little angelic voice sing these words I looked at David and teared up a little. Then at the moment the last words were sung, he jumped out of his seat grabbed a toy baseball bat near him and shouted, "Monte, lets hit Uncle BJ!" and Monte happily agreed. The moment was gone and I was reminded that he was not an angel but a true boy but,a sweet boy though.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

I know I am so far behind on the post I would like to make I watched this just know and it made me feel so good I had to share it. Especially after Mitch had a two hour tantrum and both boys almost drew blood because they bit each other, it was a message I needed. I hope you enjoy. I will get to more of the family updates soon. Hillari
Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

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.

5,4,3,2,1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

So we counted down the New Year at 9:00pm toasted with apple cider and went a little crazy with silly string. Oh but what a wonderful time we had.

So, I hope these pics of snow cool you down in this hot summer weather. I am determined to catch up all each important event (and so of the less importnat but memorable).

We rang out 2009 and rang in 2010 up at David's Gandpa Pitman's Cabin. It is up just south Yosemite and it is one of the shortest trips we can take to unwind the Pitman Clan (mostly David, his Dad and Brothers but, we all enjoy it). Some know the cabin is also special because it was there that David suprised me and himself and asked me to marry him.

We had so much fun playing in the snow with the boys in the snow. We unfortunantly only had one snow suite that fit the boys so they took turns.

Mitch cleary loved it. Monte on the other hand we were not sure, he didn't cry or laugh. I think that means he liked it.

If you can not tell, Dave and Monte are standing on the frozen little lake.

Papa Rick loves showing Mitch how to do things like cooking waffles. Mitch loves it too. He came home and started telling mom she was doing it wrong.



Playing cards (Hand and Foot) is a favorite past time up at the Cabin. Mitch and Monte got in on the game this time.