Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh! Unh!

We've learned that this means anything and everything!!! Who knew such a cute face could make such an annoying noise?

BUT THEY'RE GOOD FOR YOU!

We discovered a food that Sarah doesn't like...it's the first one yet. GREEN BEANS. Even though she didn't like the way they tasted, she ate most of them. FYI...she will be finishing them tomorrow for breakfast. I am bound to have her a veggie lover. Does that make me mean?!

Obsessed

I have always been and always will be obsessed with accessories.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE shoes, earrings, and handbags. I can always make a pair of shoes look good but I can't say the same for pants and shirts.

I have an obsession with shoes and sunhats for Sarah. The problem is her head is getting too big for infant sunhats and too small for toddler and her feet have always either been too short or too chubby.

But finally she fits into a pair of shoes and for the next little while I might just have to dress her in all brown.

Atchley Family Fun

A--Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and Grandparents galore this weekend. Suzanne and Jessica came from Colorado and it was the first time they met Sarah Jane. Jessica paid for her own airplane ticket because she wanted to meet Sarah. Richard and I hardly had to do anything for our girl this weekend with all the extra hands around. Grandpa and Grandma Atchley stayed with us and it's always great to have them here. I think Grandpa enjoyed Sarah more this time because she's super fun to play with.

T--Topanga Canyon. Friday night Grandpa Ron and Grandma Liz watched Sarah and Richard and I got to go on a date. We went up Topanga Canyon to a Mexican Restaurant we have been wanting to try. Abuelitas was delicious and I HIGHLY recommend the carne asada burrito. Of course we followed dinner with Pinkberry.

C--Campos. Yummy tacos with Mark and Becca's clan. Whenever they visit it seems we find ourselves there with them. I imagine one of the things they miss the most about California, besides the beach is all the good food we have here. Especially Mexican food which I think we all could eat daily!

H--HOT, HOT, HOT!! It's was really warm this weekend and we couldn't keep cool. It was in the 80's in Santa Monica with no ocean breeze. I know that doesn't sound hot, but for Santa Monica it is and we don't have air conditioning. You rarely need it but when you do, you really do! In Simi Valley where we spent a lot of time this weekend, it was in the 100's.

L--Leaving on a mission. Ryan Steele reported to the MTC this Wednesday. He will be serving a mission in Cuernavaca, Mexico, thus all the visitors and activities this past weekend. Ryan is super fun and Sarah loves being around him. Many people think that he and Richard look a lot alike. He is a HARD worker and will have a very successful mission. Good luck Ryan! We will miss you!!

E--EVENTFUL!!!! Dinners, movies, swimming, food, games, parties, and family fun! As you can see wherever the cousins were Sarah was sure to be included.

Y--YIKES! Saturday night the house was really warm and I couldn't take the heat anymore. So after we got Sarah put to bed (still swaddled, poor girl was cooking, but still only sleeps bundled, so what were we to do) we went out to the backyard which was the perfect temperature. We were more worn out than we knew because we woke up to Ron locking the backdoor. Thank goodness we have good hearing or we might have been in trouble.

MORNING CALISTHENICS

Lions, Tigers, and Bears...Oh, My!

Sarah and I ventured to San Diego to spend some time with the Bergs and Mickelsons who were in town for a family wedding.

It was such a wonderful time to go to the San Diego Zoo because there were so many babies. We saw baby lions, panda bears, giraffes, and flamingos (and some moms sitting on eggs). Babies of any species really are adorable. (I'm beginning to sound like Miriam.)In addition to seeing Ashley and her family an old college roomie from Utah State joined us for the day. The last time I saw Loralee was 10 years ago at Ashley and Ken's wedding. It was wonderful to meet her daughter Abbey and to catch up. They live here in Southern California as well and so hopefully it won't be another 10 years.

Xander does tricks as well. He lays flat on his tummy then lifts up his body into a plank position. How do they do all these things. I can't do Sarah's tricks but I can do a plank, but am still amazed at little Xander's strength. They had fun playing together on the hotel floor. It had been a long day at the zoo and they were still in good spirits. Xander is 5 weeks younger than Sarah. He's super long and adorable!

To Cross or Not to Cross

I have mixed emotions today.

Sarah and I try to get out and walk every afternoon. It's wonderful for me to get some fresh air and Sarah enjoys it. It's also how she gets in an afternoon nap. She usually stays awake for the beginning of our journeys but by the time we head home, she's taken in enough sights and is ready for beddy.

We live directly behind an elementary school; Franklin, the one Richard attended, to be exact. It's fun to see the kiddos with the parents walking to and from school and the sound of the kids at recess makes our quiet neighborhood lively and enjoyable. I always have mixed emotions about the last day of school because the hustle and bustle will be gone. Sometimes on a long day as a stay-at-home mom, just the noise from Franklin keeps me sane; I can't explain it.

Here's where the mixed emotions come into play. Along with having to say goodbye to my distant noise makers on the playground and crowded neighborhood parking I have to say goodbye to the crossing guards; with whom I have a love-hate relationship. Here's why.


On our afternoon journeys I encounter many crossing guards and although I am thankful for the work they do, somedays I feel like they do it too well. Shouldn't I be able to cross the street by myself?!? They see me coming from far away and get up out of their chairs so they're ready when we arrive at the corner. Then when I go to cross they stop me, go first, and escort us through the intersection. It's nice I know, but irritating nonetheless. I've even seen them yell at people (ADULTS, not children mind you) who use the crosswalk across the street instead of the one with the guard. I guess they really feel the need to be useful.


There is one crossing guard further away from our house near a different school and he's on the opposite side of the street from where we usually are. He ALWAYS assumes that we are going to cross his way and begins entering the street with his sign held high, and everytime I have to wave him off and thank him anyway as we turn the corner and head away from him. I told myself that one day I would cross his way just so he could do his job and feel good about it, but I never got around to it and now school's out for summer. Bummer, but at least now I can cross the street and feel like a big girl.


I guess I should just be happy to know that my kids will be well taken care of at every corner when they become schoolage children.

SUPER SWIMMER

Sarah's favorite part of the weekend was swimming with her dad. She really enjoys the water and we sure enjoy watching her!

Father's Day Weekend

We were able to go to Carlsbad this weekend to spend it with the Johnsons. Papa and Grandma Weldon were there as well as Katie, Matt, and Nathan. We had a wonderful time celebrating Taylor's graduation Saturday night with a cul-de-sac party and honored all the magnificent daddies on Sunday. (somehow I only managed to get pics of Sarah and her great grandparents)



Here's Sarah Jane and her daddy; the best daddy, just chilling after a late night the day before. I love this picture--they both look so content!




Earlier in the week, Papa and Grandma stayed the night with us on their way down to Carlsbad. It meant A LOT to me to have them in my house. I appreciated that they took the time to come visit. It was Papa's birthday so we had yummy lemon chicken and broiled green beans with almonds. For dessert, Grandma helped my make Strawberry Shortcake and we went all out with real whipping cream. We couldn't serve Papa fat free cool whip for his birthday! We played Racko after dinner. SUCH FUN! Here's a picture of Papa doing one of the things he has always done best! :)



Sarah Jane with her Great Grandparents. I had no idea that Papa loved the little tykes like he does. He couldn't get enough of her while we were with them. I loved seeing him dote over her as I imagined that's what he did with me when I was a youngster. I know he loves me and always has, but seeing how he treats my little munchkin, gave me just a little taste of how he must love me!

Here Sarah and Papa are just chatting but soon, very soon she will be able to play the toothpick game with him. It's a game he's played with all of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Really it's scary to watch; I fear one time he'll swallow it as he passes it between himself and whoever he's playing with, but I wouldn't have Sarah miss the opportunity. The kiddos really love it!





We miss you! Can't you come back already?!?!?

HEADBAND HEAVEN

Grandma Bigelow sent Sarah a package and it was full of headbands. She must have been reading my mind because lately I have been checking out little girl's bows thinking my daughter needed a few.

IT'S A HAPPY HAPPY DAY IN HEADBAND HEAVEN!

That's My Password

Richard knows the password to my email account and it's never been a big deal to me. I always know if he's getting into it, or atleast I think I do. Well, last night he logged into my account so that he could send an email regarding a new "couple calling" we received on Sunday. We were called to teach a Sunday School class, which mind you I already do. Here's the catch--we were called to teach an 8 week Marriage and Family Relations class in the singles ward!! WHAT?!?

So Richard was going to send our teaching availability as well as the biography about ourselves the bishop wanted so that he could start selling/promoting the class. He said that the singles are really into "resumes" so Richard sent along ours. Please remember that it was sent from my email account so he probably thinks I wrote it...

Bishop,
We are excited and looking forward to this new calling. If you could get us a manual, or instructions on how to get one, then we will get started right away. Unfortunately, as we had mentioned, we have several things going on this summer, such as trips and missionary farewells. Here is a list of the Sundays for the next few months with our status. I think you had mentioned that it was an 8 week course, so that would take us up to September.

6/15 not available

6/22 not available

6/29

7/6 not available

7/13

7/20

7/27 not available

8/3 not available

8/10

8/17

8/24

8/31 not available

9/7

9/14

You had also said that you wanted a sort of bio for us. We have been married for 2 1/2 years and have a 6 month old daughter Sarah. Richard works for a local construction company in the accounting department. I taught elementary school until Sarah was born and now stay at home with her. I am from Boise and moved to LA 6 years ago to teach in South Central. Richard and I are both former members of SM3. Richard from 1968 - 1972 when it was a family ward and me from 2002 - 2005. We both love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, biking, camping and unicorns.

Thanks,
Kim & Rich

Well if that doesn't draw them in, I sure don't know what will!

You'd Think We NEVER Feed Her

Disclaimer: This is long and probably most exciting for Grandparents & Aunties! Enjoy!

Did She Actually Swallow Any?

Friday she got messy, but as you can see she didn't improve any and actually got messier on Saturday!

Old Habits Are HARD To Break

I had to look back at the pictures to see how Stephanie had noticed. She's an old friend; the kind who will tell it like it is, whether good or bad, and then end it with XOXO!

I have always; as long as I can remember had the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad habit of biting my nails. My family has tried everything to get me to stop.

• My family; parents and grandparents included, have offered me money to stop.
• I have used that yucky tasting polish. It's nasty, but guess what folks, it washes off.
• I think if I remember correctly my parents threated to ground me (they grounded us for everything growing up, right Stephanie?).
• I like facial hair as long as it's cleaned up daily. Richard knows this and doesn't like to shave. We've compromised and now he shaves every other day. However, he has threatened to not shave when I bite my nails.
• I have had fake nails put on many times but I don't like the upkeep and they look too fakey for me so I always end up pulling them off and then my nails are in worse condition than when I started.
  

Most of these attempts to stop only last for a little while and then without knowing it I have started again. Unless you bite your nails or have in the past, you don't get it. I bite them without even being aware of it. It's ugly, disgusting, and down right dirty but I can't kick the habit.

Stephanie called me out. She noticed in one of the pictures; not sure how, but she did, that I started biting them again....never really stopped, but hopefully today is the day. I am going to stop. If she can tell in a tiny picture, where you should be looking at my adorable daughter and not my hands, then what is the rest of the world thinking?! Today's the day, thanks for getting me on track Steph. Your honesty has always been one of my favorite characteristics...most days! :)

Get Well Soon Grandma

Grandma Bigelow---WE LOVE YOU! We are thinking of you as you recooperate and want you to know that you are ALWAYS in our thoughts and prayers, but especially right now. Wish we weren't hundreds and hundreds of miles away so we could squeeze you tight. Thought we would send you a little Sarah lovin' to make things all better!

XOXOXOXO

One Big Question Mark...

What does this taste like? Do we even have a clean kiddie spoon? Did any of this actually get past her mouth? Is Richard going to get a second job inorder to pay for the organic version? Am I wrong or is more of it coming out than in? She's supposed to eat all of this? Won't we be here all day then? Do you think she will like the sweet potatoes better? Would it be wrong to tie her hands down so she won't grab the spoon everytime it comes near her? People look forward to this? Doesn't she look like a big girl in her highchair? Do you think we should have purchased oatmeal instead of the brown rice? She's a mess, where's the washcloth? Should we give her her bottle before or after?

Sarah Jane's first spoon feeding. Can you tell she's just thinking..."Where's the bottle?"

Dedicated to Darrel

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd,

Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks,

I don't care if I never get back,

For it's root, root, root for the DODGERS,

If they don't win it's a shame,

For it's 1, 2, 3 strikes you're out,

At the old ball game!!