Catching Up

Okay, so I've been a slacker. So, what's been happening in good ol' Baltimore since the last time we posted (can't believe that was 4 months ago!)?

First of all, we moved. Our previous landlords were selling their home to their daughter, so we were pretty much forced to look for another place. That was quite a process- to find a house that we could afford- in a safe area of Baltimore. We ended up not having to go far, just a few streets away. It's almost harder to do it that way, as the move seemed to drag on forever. We just brought a carload here and there. But we're here, and getting used to our new place. We miss our old neighbors, but the boys like being around more kids.

John has been keeping busy with school and his calling in Young Mens. He has been working hard on a paper, and has barely missed submitting it twice. He doesn't quite have it polished enough. He is still working on his Ipod games, in his very sparse free time.

I am doing the same old things, trying to keep up with three very active boys, trying to keep the house decently together, and serving as Primary secretary. I started playing in a rec volleyball league with a friend from our ward. It's fun to play semi-competitive volleyball again! It's been several years.

I still can't believe it's October already! The summer seemed to fly by. We spent a lot of time outside at playgrounds, at the practically-free splash park, and exploring with friends.

Adam will be 5 in December. He's growing up so fast! He will be in kindergarten next year. He's a really good kid- very helpful and very aware of people around him. He is thoughtful and is so good with smaller kids (including his baby brother, Aaron, whom he likes to make laugh).

Adam started playing soccer a couple of weeks ago. He is having lots of fun. He just runs around, chasing the ball, and the other kids, but has a smile on his face the whole time!

One of Adam's very favorite pastimes lately is playing games- Memory, Uno, Mastermind, and his new favorite game (probably because he can play with dad) is chess.

Jacob is three now (just celebrated his third birthday a couple of months ago). I need to get a picture of Jacob's Lightning McQueen cake from Kelli! :) He gets more and more goofy every day. He loves his big brother, Adam, and follows him around everywhere.

He has started really liking to play with Aaron, which is fortunate, as Adam will be in kindergarten for a full day, and I think Jacob will have serious withdrawals without someone to play cars with.

We are doing a co-op preschool for kids Jacob's age this year, like the one we did last year with Adam's age group. Jacob is one of 6 kids in this group, and the only boy. He seems oblivious to that fact- his favorite thing is to chase the girls around, roaring like a lion, growling like a dinosaur, and whatever other boy noises he could possibly think up. I think Jacob is liking feeling grown-up!

The boys are looking forward to Halloween: I think more to wear costumes than to get candy. I don't even think they remember that they get candy at Halloween! We just found out that some schools in the area take candy that kids donate to the hospitals around, for kids who cannot go trick-or-treating. So, I'm going to have the boys take some of the candy they get and give it away-- is that mean? I just remember last year having their Halloween candy for months, and eventually just throwing some of it away.

Aaron is just growing fast. He's almost 8 months. He likes to sit up, is reaching for things, and trying to pull himself up on whatever he can grab. He isn't crawling yet, and I don't know if he ever will!! He doesn't like to be on his stomach at all, he'd much rather sit. He loves his brothers, and stays awake as much as he can- hates to miss a minute! He likes being held and he loves being tickled (didn't get that from me!) He smiles more than any other person I know. He's a really happy baby.

Let's see: some fun things we've done in the last couple of weeks:

1) Big Truck day at the Baltimore Public Works Museum- see the pictures. The boys got to sit in all sorts of trucks. We saw a fire truck, a backhoe, a sidewalk cleaner truck (don't remember the technical name for it), a boat that collects trash from the water (don't remember that technical name either), a helicopter, an excavator... I get some points for remembering the names of some trucks, right? The boys had so much fun and were very disappointed when we had to leave before they had the chance to sit in all of the trucks that they were displaying. But, that was the week of general conference...

Look what the excavator scooped up!!

2) Free day at Baltimore zoo- we met up with some girls in our ward. The girl in the pictures with Adam and Jacob is in Adam's Primary class.

3) One of the county libraries here has a pretend town, called Storyville, that is a real hit with the kids. It has a miniature grocery store, a lighthouse, a construction zone, a kitchen, a garden, a post office, a theater, etc. We've been there a few times, but a couple of weeks ago, the boys were so excited to take their dad with them.

Pilot Adam and construction worker Jacob...

Not in your mouth!! It's just pretend food (how many times did I tell him that?)

I want to end our blog posting with some funny things our kids have said that I have been wanting to record, so I can look back and remember these things that made me smile.

1) For the past couple of weeks, Jacob has prayed every day - 'please bless that we'll go camping.' Unfortunately, we didn't make it camping this summer. But he has been asking to go-- just seems like we're busy every weekend, or the weather was not good the weekends we could actually go...

2) Jacob told his Nursery teachers a couple of weeks ago that he got bit by a leopard at the zoo. Luckily, I don't think the nursery teachers believed him. He has quite an imagination. Last week, he was telling me about the time that I left him at the store. That's never happened, by the way. I think I'm going to get in trouble with social services someday, and for something that never happened.

3) Adam talks pretty much nonstop, everytime we get in the car. Jacob likes to ignore Adam sometimes- just to push his buttons. This time, Jacob was ignoring him. After a while of Adam trying to get him to respond, Jacob tells Adam that he can't talk; he can't move his mouth, because he's a statue. Quite the imagination our little three year old has.

4) Adam says everything is his 'greatest idea.' Let's see, what was his 'greatest idea' today? Oh, yeah, he wants to finish the pan of brownies, but for breakfast. He was trying to talk me into it, and thought maybe if he said it was a great idea, I'd go for it? Like he needs more sugar! These boys have enough energy and go nonstop!

5) My sisters and I grew up making wishes on dandelion seeds (we called them wishes), you know, those white things that float around in the air... Well, Adam made a wish on one recently and when John asked him what his wish was - he said, I wish our car was faster than a taxi.

Interesting story about Brittney's Grandfather

Brittney has never known much about her father's father, who is named Kenneth Parsons. Brittney's grandparents were divorced when Daris (Brittney's dad and the oldest child) was about 4 years old and the youngest child Dale wasn't yet born. Brittney's dad never talked much about his father and had not seen him since he was about 10 years old. His whole life, he had been under the impression that his father had essentially wanted nothing to do with him and his siblings, but since reuniting with him found that this wasn't the case. After his father had remarried and his mother had remarried, someone (either Daris' mother or his new stepfather) had communicated to Kenneth that Daris' new stepfather intended to adopt the children and that he wasn't wanted anymore.

Now for the interesting story about how they found their father. Daris had frequently mentioned his father in passing to Brittney's mother (Janean). Apparently this had been happening with increased frequency so Janean asked several times whether Daris was interesting in trying to find his father. Daris always said "no", but Janean took matters into her own hands. She started searching on the internet for his father's full name. A common result was a bio of a movie and TV star named Karyn Parsons who was born in Santa Monica after Kenneth had remarried. She is most notably known for playing the character for Will Smith's cousin Hilary Banks on the TV show "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air". They knew that Kenneth had married an African American woman and lived in Santa Monica during that time period, so thought that maybe she was their half sister. Several weeks later, Daris' youngest brother Dale sent a message through Facebook to her and received a response. They in fact did have the same father.

Karyn's parents, though divorced, both live near each other in the same area of Massachusetts and meet for lunch somewhat often. Karyn's mother-in-law also lives in the same area. For years, Karyn's mother Louise has often urged Kenneth to contact his other children but he has never done it because he thought they had been adopted and didn't even think of him as their father anymore. After Dale met with Karyn, Karyn's mother-in-law sent a lengthy email to Daris and Dale telling them a about their father and getting them in contact. A few weekends ago, Kenneth invited Daris and family up to Massachusetts and they went up. It was the first time Daris had seen his father in almost 50 years and they had a great time.

So, I guess that is the whole story. It is interesting that they never would have found their father if their sister hadn't been famous. I thought it was kindof a fun story and worth an entire blog post.

The past couple of weeks...

We've been busy trying to keep up with a house full of little boys!  It's hard to find the time to keep up with the blog, but I want to keep family and friends updated as to what we are doing... 

John is working hard on his first paper- at least the first one on which he is first author.  It's about a new way of moving a robot arm with a camera on the end-- it's very complex, and if I wanted to explain it here, I wouldn't be able to.  I honestly have no idea what he's studying, besides that it's related to robotics.  I understand very little of what he is doing.  I wonder if he knew he was marrying someone so clueless when it comes to computers, robots, and all of things he knows so much about... Too late now! :)

John spends his spare time making an ipod game and gardening.  He's pretty proud of his little garden, and it is actually producing this year.  We have gotten spinach, and need to get our lettuce out soon.  We have peas coming up, and tomatoes look promising.  The only thing that hasn't seemed to take at all is the broccoli.  John is also spending more time exercising, in fact, he's pretty proud of the fact that he's lost some weight.  He's been lifting weights and running pretty regularly.  I'm just happy that he's maintaining more healthy habits.  I want to keep him around for a while.  

I've been finishing up with this year of preschool for Adam.  I teach for the last time in 2 weeks. Then, we'll be free for the summer.  I look forward to unstructured time with the kids.  It'll be fun to just play, or go to the library, or whatever.  Adam does love his preschool, though, and likes to have things to do every day.  Every morning, when he's getting dressed, he asks 'What are we doing today, Mom?'  And he's often disappointed when I tell him we have no plans.  He's quick to suggest something we can do-- 

Here we are, getting ready to go to the playground, and the boys cannot go without their sunglasses!

Adam is also finishing up with teeball for the season.  He has really liked it.  Now we are thinking of starting him in soccer in the fall.  

Jacob is still crazy as ever.  He's the king of random comments, and is really good at saying things that are, well, random.  We have no idea where he comes up with some of the things he says!  He likes playing outside, playing with cars, and copying his big brother.  

Here they are- on the father/son campout a couple of weeks ago.  They had so much fun!  Mom had fun too- in fact, I told John they should do more of those!  Those are the weekends that I'm glad I have boys-- it gave me a chance to relax a little bit, even if only for one night!  Maybe I'm horrible for even saying that!  I love my boys, but it's nice to have a little peace and quiet every once in a while!  

Jacob's newest fascinations are bugs and worms, and anything that moves in the dirt.  He'll pick anything up, where his big brother doesn't do more than look at those wriggly things in the mud.  He loves to stomp mud puddles, and I think he has a sixth sense for smellling a puddle as far away as a half mile.   I've been successful in the last few days at convincing him that stomping in mud puddles is only fun in rain boots!  Thank goodness-- since it has rained about half of the time in the last month.  Jacob also loves kissing and holding his little brother.  

Aaron is growing so fast, and has become very talkative over the last couple of days!  But I guess that's understandable- he has two brothers who talk constantly (I think we have John to thank for that).  His favorite things have changed very little: eating, sleeping, and smiling at his brothers, mommy and daddy.  I guess we do have a couple of new ones to add to the list: he likes to roll on his side and suck on his hands (until he gags himself, at which point I have to extract his fist from his throat)--  

A couple of weeks ago we took a family trip to the zoo - we were able to get in for free, so we took advantage!  

Well, that's about all for now, but thought I should update, and add some recent pictures!

Aaron's Baby Blessing

Aaron was blessed today- John's friend from school Eatai and my parents, two sisters and grandma were able to come.  We're lucky to have friends and family to support us.  We have p picture to share.  We really need to be better about taking more pictures!!  

Aaron still looks a lot like his big brother Adam, and is becoming a more happy baby, which we are glad about.  He smiles at his brothers and makes cute little sounds.  

Adam is enjoying his teeball- and Jacob doesn't quite understand why he can't run around with Adam during his game... see Jacob in the yellow shirt below--

Waiting for the ball--

This last picture is one we took when we went to the DC temple visitor's center to watch general conference a couple of weeks ago-

Just thought we should send pictures so our friends and family who are not nearby can see!

Starting Out...

Okay, okay, I give in.  I'm starting a blog, just because I think then maybe I can keep everyone updated on our family happenings.

I've been motivated to start this blog by two of my younger sisters, who, along with the other girls in the family, are light years ahead of me (in many ways).   

So, what's happening in our house? 

Well, we just had our third baby boy (Aaron) in February.  He started smiling about a week ago - he's doing that earlier than our other two boys.  But, I think he has a lot to smile about... His brothers love him and love when he's awake.  In fact, Jacob loves him so much, he's often found practically sitting on him.  Adam took a while to warm up to Aaron, but now loves to hold him and talk to him.

Jacob is potty training.  That's all that I'll say about that.  Potty training is not my favorite part of being a mom.  He's a goofy kid, loves to run around with Adam, doing whatever Adam does.  We're surprised he's such a silly kid, because he was such a serious baby.  His favorite things are anything to do with the Disney Cars movie and candy.  (That's his favorite part of potty training.  He loves to sit on the potty about 20x a day, as long as he gets a treat!)  Oh, and he also likes to pretend he's characters in movies.  When I say "Jacob - it's time to clean up," he'll tell me he's not Jacob, he's Ducky.  I'm sure Karli will remember Ducky from one of her childhood obsessions, the movie 'Land Before Time.' And, he's started calling me Mommy Ducky.  

Adam is growing up fast.  He's learning to speak better, and has lots to say.  In fact, at mealtimes, we often spend 20 minutes or more before he even eats any food, because he just talks.  Adam just started playing teeball (Kelli, he's #9).  He's having so much fun with that-- maybe he'll be a baseball player like his Uncle Spencer or Grandpa Parsons.  He's part of a co-op preschool (with 4 other kids) and loves that as well.  Anything to be around other kids!!  It's hard to believe he will start kindergarten in a year from September.  I really think I'll cry the first day he's gone at school.  

John is busy with school and Scouts.  He's finishing his third year as a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University.  Things are going well; he expects to finish in about 2 1/2 years (Dec 2011).  He is planning on taking his Graduate Board Oral Examinations in mid-June.  If all goes well with that, all he'll have left is his dissertation.  

Who knows what I do all day!!  Take care of kids, that's about all.  But it's so worth it!  In my very little spare time, I like to cook and collect recipes.  I also like to play sports and play outside with my boys.  I also like to organize.  Ask John, I'm a nazi organizer.  And, if I'm bored, I reorganize.  Don't ask me why... 

I have started trying to learn how to sew, not to sew clothes (can you imagine??), but to sew things for the home (curtains, etc).  Our latest project is re-upholstering some dining room chairs we got on Craigs List.  We'll see how that goes.   

Plans for the summer - not really anything special.  We'll just try to stay cool in the hot, humid Baltimore weather.  Adam and Jacob are looking forward to camping this summer, probably May or June, depending on the weather.  We'll also try to keep our garden going.  John has worked hard on our garden, and we hope to get some vegetables this year!  And Adam is proud of his little flower he's growing...

I've written an essay, but one last thing: some friends of ours do this thing on their blog where they record funny things their kids say.  I'd like to start doing that, if for no other reason, so I can remember the things that brighten my day.

Favorite Kid Quotables:

Okay, can't think of any off the top of my head, but I'm going to start that for my next post.  And, I'll put pictures up then, too.