The homies in the LBC!

One of the perks of living in G-town is that we are relatively close to each of my three siblings. And living with my parents means that if they come to visit Mom & Dad they cannot help but get a visit with the four of us. We've been up to see Lyndsy & Jon, we're going to Alan & Jen's at the end of the month, and on Monday we got to see Neal and Meleah. They bought a condo in the LBC. We've been there several times - this time takes the cake though! We got to meet Neal at his office in downtown, walk to the Port of LBC, go to their house for dinner, and play lots!

Neal and Meleah are a good mix for our family. They both like to play, have fun, joke around, and have a good time. We had such a blast! I'm looking forward to our next N&M family adventure!

The boys at Neal's office.

Walking across the bridge to the port.

The train that takes the containers from ships to trucks.
So cool, especially for the two little boys.

Helping to wash Meleah's car! Nothing like kid-labor.

"Driving" the car. A favorite past-time.

Getting to take a bath in their bathtub! A treat!

Reading stories in our jammies.

Belly raspberries from Uncle Neal.

Balboa

We were thrilled to hear that my cousin Stephanie and her husband James were going to be in town last weekend. Stephanie grew up in a town near my hometown so we have always been close. It was fun to get to know James before we moved away. They came down to visit her family and have a vacation. We were tickled that they wanted to see us. I actually think James just wanted to see the boys and see if they'd talk about body parts or bodily functions.

We met them at Balboa Beach. It was a ton of fun!

James played Frisbee and badminton with the boys for a while. Well, you cannot actually play the game with them - rather you just hit the ball, they scream with delight, and then you have to go pick the ball back up and hit it again. James was a good sport:


Steph's Mom (my Aunt Cindy) and sister Stacey were there when we first got there. It was fun to get caught up on the whole family:



We couldn't wait to start the campfire though. It was fun to sit around, chat, watch the boys' delight in such simplicity (hot dogs and fire), and enjoy a little bit of nature.

The boys treated us to an original song:


Thanks Steph and James! We had a glorious time!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

The Gregorian New Year may have come and gone but that doesn't mean that our house is done celebrating the New Year!

Ever since having lived in Hong Kong Daddy Eric believes he is a little bit Chinese. In fact in Chinese culture they call him an 'egg'. White on the outside but yellow on the inside.

So each year since we've been married (that's almost eight for anyone counting!!) we've celebrated the lunar New Year in the tradition of the Chinese. Some years we had parties and other years we celebrated by going to (now closed, sniff, sniff) Kuong Jou Cafe in Salt Lake.

This year we are keeping our tradition by going to the Chinese New Year's parade on Saturday in Chinatown and having a Chinese New Year's party!

(I made the invitations so I am pretty excited! Here is a web friendly version without our contact info. A gold Chinese coin is going in the upper right hand part with all of the leaves!)


We even went to Chinatown last Sunday to get some of the goodies we need. Plus Eric really wanted to get some Gai Mei Bao.

We also got the boys these cute outfits for both the parade and our party:


Finally, on the official start of the Year of the Rat, lunar year 4706, we gave the boys their lai shi. We taught them how to say 'Gung Hay Fat Choy' and to also ask for their lai shi. This is a Chinese tradition where the married people give red envelopes with an even amount of money inside. When you are hardcore you usually give hundreds of dollars - for the boys it was a dollar. Here they are with their lai shi:

Come-on baby light the fire!

Life's not always a beach. Especially at the beach.

We headed down to the beach on Saturday for a little family time. Will wanted to see the sunset at the beach so we were trying our best to get there post-nap-time. Walker, well we all know from previous experience that he just really wanted to get to the sand.

We packed our hot dogs, our regular and gluten-free buns, ketchup, mustard, charcoals, and a lighter. Since we had no newspaper Eric grabbed printer paper. That should have been a sign.

As we neared the beach we decided to get some firewood so that we could have flames and heat as well as a place to cook. I got out and grabbed it. I couldn't get it to scan the price tag and when I tried to pull on it, it was wet. That should have been a sign.

Still - we trekked onward to the beach. We made it just in time for the 'Rainbow sky' and got set up. The boys immediately jumped into the sand activities and Eric started in on the fire. And a story was born...

Here is Eric trying to start the fire. He started with a 'tee pee' set-up
but then switched after no success. Come on fire, come on fire...

For the first 30 minutes all we got was smoke. Lots of smoke.

We soon realized that our wood was damp (duh Shell) and
also that we were out of paper. We tried using a pull-up (fire resistant)
and then I tore up a tortilla chip bag. The boys had fun trying to find kindling but
with limited success. And still the wood would not burn.

I was starting to loose patience, but Eric, ever the boyscout, kept
going. We remembered that we had a cardboard box in the car
with stuff to take to the storage unit. Soon enough I was unpacking
the box and lugging it down the beach. We all had a blast
tearing the box up - and for a while it seemed as though the fired
would take.

But, even with Will's super helperness, it was kaput.

Eric and Will tried really hard - lots of blowing (Eric)
and throwing sand in (Will).

Walker and I tried to keep our distance.
You can see how damp the air was since it
looks like there are raindrops in the picture.

The fire never took off so after tearing apart
the entire box and two hours of Eric's work
we decided to call it quits. We had enough lit
charcoal to cook two hot dogs
for the boys - which was greatly appreciated.

Walker like the bun the most.

Will's bun was...well made from tapioca.
So he enjoyed mostly the hot dog.

So - life isn't a beach. OH who am I kidding! No fire, Eric's damaged lungs, not beach hot dogs for Eric & I and we still had a blast. We're lucky to be at a place to have these adventures and this time with each other.

Cousins: The Next Generation

At this point in our lives the boys don't have any official cousins. I guess 'official' depends on who you are asking - but what I mean is any direct cousins with which they can play. Sorry Michelle, but Alium is not quite big enough!

Fortunately they have second cousins!! Especially ones like Liza and Landon. Liza and Landon are the children of my cousin Sarah and her hubby Tyler.

We have had a picture of Liza on our fridge for most of the boys' lives. When Will was learning how to talk he would talk to Liza on our fridge...and up until a week ago he still thought Liza was a cute 1 year-old in her pink dress. Well she is still very much cute - but no longer one and no longer in a pink dress...at least not this day!

Sarah and her kids were in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. We took advantage of them being here to do some much needed bonding. Sarah and I have always (well, I'll speak for myself) been fond of each other, but never close. We are both at new, and similar chapters, in our lives and have found a new kinship. I cannot even say how excited I was to see her and chatting and let the kids play.

It was a hoot! The kids played like they always do - with one eye on the toys they were playing with and the other eye on the other kids. It took Will and Liza a little bit of time to warm up - pretty normal - but I suspect that given even more time they'd have been best friends. Sarah, in her ever-creative-mommy role, got them playing a game outside. What fun to see our children play together. Not to mention to see Sarah as a mom.







Liza is a vivacious little girl! She wanted me to notice her Princess Aurora hair (I had to ask who that was!), she put on a little modeling show, and cracked me up with her conversation! I could have a whole afternoon with Miss Liza and no doubt be smiling the whole time.

Landon was so refreshing! He is a happy-go-lucky little man. And he really is a little man. He looks so much like his Dad that it took me back a couple of times. He toddled around the house. It wasn't until 1/2 way through the visit that Sarah mentioned he did not feel good - you could have fooled me! Wish that everyone could have such a good-natured one.



Sarah and I got to sit (mostly) and chat, and finally catch up on some of the things we've missed out on, the life lessons we are both learning, and the myriad of parenting experiences we have had in just four years!

After lunch we headed outside to let the kids have a popsicle. Liza decided to show will 'Bert'. Bert is the pool cleaner, who to Liza (and now Will), is actually alive and lives on the bottom of the pool. She and Will had a great time watching it swim around the pool. She told me everything that he eats and even when he sleeps.



Spending time with their family just made me so grateful that as adults we understand that we can change dynamics. Certainly Sarah and I, and our kids, could live life without a relationship with one another. I am grateful that she and I made the time to change that.

Fond farewell

I posted this already on the site for my Grandparents - but wanted to post it here as well. In case you don't know my family - my Grandparents had six children (some are mentioned below): Gene, Dory, Kaye (my Mom), Patti, Mark, and Steven.

Shelly


Family & Friends,

Thank you so much to those of you who could join us on Saturday for Grandpa's funeral.

It was such a tender and honest memorial to a man who touched so many people's lives.

We met as a family - after the morning viewing - to say our goodbyes. Gene led us in a family prayer which put our hearts at rest.

The meeting was started with a song, sung by a dear friend of Grandpa's, Simon Bolivar. It was soft, yet powerful and set a nice tone for the meeting.

Steven gave the invocation. It was moving to watch him as he signed - his hands gently asking for comfort for the grieving and guidance for the speakers. It would have been apparent what he was saying by the very movements of his hands, face, and body and was confirmed by the words his wife Krista relayed.

Mark spoke next reflecting on the moments from Grandpa's life that he might want us to remember. Mark was humorous and sweet - and included many traits of Grandpa that had us all laughing and crying. It was tender to see him read his notes, smile with a memory, and then share those thoughts through his own tears and laughter.

Patti followed Mark reflecting on the life that Grandpa led. She touched on three things that she knew he would want remembered: 1) his love for Grandma, 2) his love of family and, 3) his unbelievable work ethic. She was right when she said that Grandpa 'would get as close to people as they would let him'.

The speaker portion of the program paused as we were treated to the amazing talent of Sarah (Mark's daughter). Playing Grandpa's favorite song, Clair de Lune, she guided our minds to experiences we had with him.

After Sarah we were treated - and I do mean treated - to remarks by Grandpa's younger brother Garth. Garth and Grandpa were the best of friends growing up, a bond that continued through their life. Garth touched on the man he knew, and the gospel that Grandpa cherished.

We sang as a congregation - a song which include the fitting lyrics - 'When such a friend from us departs, We hold forever in our hearts a sweet and hallowed memory'.

Doug (Patti's husband) closed the meeting and prepared us all to let go of Grandpa at his burial.

Below is the life story video that was played at Grandpa's viewings. It is eight minutes long so if you want to watch it, pull up a chair and relax.

Thank you again for all your words, letters, calls, and shows of love. He was truly an amazing man, one who will be missed.

Best,
Shelly

Sand + boys = TROUBLE

As you all know Southern California is on fire. As of today there are 500,000 people who have been evacuated from their homes, 1,600 homes lost to the first, and hundreds of thousands of acres burnt. Our hearts and thoughts go to each person effected by this.

We, fortunately, have not been effected with the exception of smoke and ash. Wanting a little bit of fresh air and open space the boys and I ventured down to the beach. I hadn't really thought my plan through too well as most of the fires in Orange County are blowing smoke out to the ocean. The closer we got the redder the sky got. It was surreal.

When we got to the beach itself the air was not as bad as expected. There was a lot of smoke out over the ocean but we were breathing just fine.

The boys LOVE the ocean and I am so glad that one of my passions is evident in them. They immediately got into sand and played their hearts out. We stayed for almost three hours - it was heaven!







Within a half hour of being there though - well, I think I'll let the pictures and video tell the story. This kid cracks me up!

"Whoops Mom, my sandwich fell down! Oh no!"

"What to do? What to do?"

"Oh man, there is sand on my sandwich!"

"Well - it is a SANDwich!

(This video is from 15 minutes later after he had buried the sandwich several times!)

Dad's Business Trip

This week is Eric's first business trip! Well, technically the trip he took to Las Vegas last week was his first, but we are counting this one since Las Vegas was a last minute, quick trip.

Both Eric and I have been so excited about this since he is in one of our favorite cities - Chicago! Having just been there in July with Lyndsy I must admit that I was a little jealous to have him go back there. Still, the excitement of Eric getting to have such a life changing experience outweighs even my petty jealously.

So far he is having a wonderful time! He is staying at the downtown Sheraton - he got a little time off and spent it at the Art Institute! Now his coworkers are in town and the convention is off to a great start!

Every day Eric has sent pictures from his trip to give me a quick update since we haven't been able to connect by phone each day.

I'll update this post every time I get a new picture - but here is his first business trip as told by his pictures:

Eric with the boys at the airport on his way out of town:










The boys watching for Eric to wave from his plane
(this is why I love LGB Airport):










Eric's plane - we love JetBlue!
And it's so fitting to be Bond-ish!










Eric at Millennium Park in downtown Chicago:










Pizza...deep dish Chicago
style at Pizzeria Uno:










Awww...Chicago from the
McCormick Place Convention Center:










Yum! Dinner at Sushi Samba.
(He doesn't get this kind of food at home!)










Dang - isn't he the cutest?! All
dressed up for the convention start on 10/24!










Woot woot! Wilden power
is in the hiz-ouse!










More to come in the next few days! The trip ends on Sunday!

Making Daddy proud!

Walker and I had our nice Mommyschool time today. This included a quick trip to the grocery store.

I treated myself to my favorite lf/nw/iced mocha from Starbucks.
(This is a rarity, partly because I feel that spending 3+ dollars on a drink is crazy - but mostly because you all know how much I like to clean without caffeine...so with a little espresso I can be a wild cleaning machine!)

And Walker got his first taste of Starbucks!






(Ok, it's not what you think! It's water...but isn't it cute!)

Aunt Noonie!

Now this is living! Many of you know and love my sister Lyndsy (aka Noonie, Petunia, Lyndz, Inka). But none of you know and love Noonie as much as my two boys!

When I announced bright and early this morning that we were headed to see her, I got grins larger than heads! Of course I had to spend some talk arguing about how she no longer lives in Santa Barbara - though Will was determined to prove me wrong.

So we drove up to visit Noonie at her new apartment. We had a great drive up - singing songs as we listened to Anne Murray, Raffi, and Wiggleworms! The boys were so excited about the trip that the drive didn't really bother them.

We had a wonderful time with Lyndsy - though the boys by that time were quite done with being in the car and quite hyper! I think they about scared the crap out of her cats...on purpose....many times!

The best part of the visit (from the kids' perspective) was that Noonie had brought toys out for them - the CAT toys! And the boys loved them. Walker played, almost the whole time, with a toy that looked something like a cross between a pom-pom and a fishing pole.

And both boys liked the scratching post! Hilarious!

Noonie and I got a little big of bonding time, over Taco Bell and The Office (sweet!), while the boys took naps.





Noonie's apartment is quite cute. She & Jon have two bedrooms, a nice kitchen, a fantastic bathroom, and a balcony!







Will capped off the trip by taking photos of the apartment. Most of them are really white and you aren't quite sure if it's a cat, the carpet, or his hand. He did get a couple of good ones - including this classic Noonie one:



It will be fun when we can head back up there - with a little less time on the road and maybe Eric too so we can tag-team the twosome :)

Thanks for the adventure, as usual, Noonie!