Halloween + Update

Here are some of our Halloween pictures! Lizzie was an angel, Caitlin a ballerina, I was an Indian, and Rod was Tony Stark (if you haven't seen Iron Man, it won't make any sense!)

I made Lizzie's angel dress and Caitlin's ballerina skirt, and they made their annual Halloween treat boxes (cereal boxes cut in half). I really like the cereal boxes- they don't stretch much and have a limit to the candy they can hold!

Our fam- I don't think the flash went off.

Iron Man just came out on video a week or two ago, and everyone knew Rod was Tony Stark - his chest light was on, but didn't show up in any of the pictures. Just one of those stick-on L.E.D. lights from the dollar store. He worked on his goatee for a few days before and picked up some dollar-store glasses and viola- is that Robert Downey Jr. or what?

This was a few weeks before Halloween. I just thought it was funny. Here we are, trying to have some family fun, and Lizzie is just ticked off she was dragged along. Seriously, this kid's attitude belongs in the body of a 16-year-old!

Also, I had a great birthday today! Thanks to everyone for calling! Rod took me out to dinner and shopping last night, and this morning made us breakfast! We had a scrumptious dinner and cake (made by Rod!!) and presents. The girls each wrapped up a piece of Halloween candy to give me. When I opened Lizzie's, she insisted I share. What's up with that? Anyway, it was a great birthday!

Also, just to update everyone, I had to go the hospital to get a bulge in my calf checked out. I woke up on Tuesday with this bulge in my calf, some pain, and some redness, along with the veins behind my knee bulging. Since it could have been a blood clot, I went to an imaging center on Tuesday (after my midwife came over and looked at it) and they said it wasn't a clot. But we (us and my midwife) wanted to be 100% sure so I went the hopsital on Wednesday and got it checked again, and they said it's okay- it's varicose veins!! AAAHHHH!!!! I guess pregnancy brings them on a lot. But I still have this bulge in my calf (think a macaroni noodle under your skin- it's wierd) and have to wear these compression nylons probably the rest of my pregnancy. The stockings won't make them go away, but sometimes the veins hurt and they help a lot with that. The good thing about all this is it's recommited me to exercise- I have to do something cardio 6 days/week to keep them from getting worse. I'm grateful I don't have a complication where I have to stay in bed or something. I read they sometimes go away after pregnancy, but sometimes they don't. Hopefully they will!

Guess Who Game

All four of our girls have worn the same costume at two. (I have to admit Talia was forced and we barely managed a few pictures - she was extremely particular about the many different costumes she did and did NOT want to wear!)

Now here's the fun - can you guess who is who?

Halloween Photos

It's been a while since I posted pictures, so here's a few catchup photos from the summer & fall...

Fun at the Zoo

A visit from Tom















Lisette's Birthday

Kaylee's Birthday

Riding the Train with Grandpa!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

Prop 8

My mom just posted their most recent Prop 8 experience. They've walked routes, knocked on doors, talked to people about Prop 8, made phone calls, and put up signs in their yard (that got torn down). I'm amazed by the dedication of not just my parents, but all the members in California. It's hard to do things like that, it's definately a reach out of most people's comfort zone (I know it's out of mine!), and it's amazing that so many members are putting themselves aside, doing what the church has asked them to do, and making a difference:

"I just got back from waving Yes on 8 signs with a few ward members on the corner of First St. and Military. I thought I might need a bullet-proof vest, but all I got was a coke can thrown at me. Actually, the feed back was about 70% in favor. However, the opposition were not nice. Sometimes, just a thumbs down, we did get some obscene gestures and f---bombs. I heard "idiots" and "bigots" a couple of times. The one guy threw his coke can at Jim Shoemaker and me. He missed, but there was a little splash. Jim waved down a Benicia policeman and filed a report on the guy. I didn't know it was a felony to throw something out of a moving car! I was just thinking a littering fine would be good. The policeman said he would send out word to all units to look for the guy. Anyway, we did have a lot of honks, thumbs-up, encouragement and thank yous also. One guy yelled out "It will be a landslide for Yes on 8!" An exciting week ahead! "

Here's to the passing of Prop 8!!!

Goodbye, Cali

Maybe we're just not working out to be "cat" people. Last night, while doing the final lockdown before going to bed, I peered out the window and saw our Cali lying in the street. She had been hit by a car and died. So farewell to Cali, a good and patient cat! She has gone to join her brother, Rocky! The kids are taking it well, and I think this is helping them learn the whole life/death process, where we go after we die, etc. But I enjoyed having a patient cat who never scratched little kids and even sometimes napped with Lizzie, helping Lizzie stay in bed and sleep. No poop to scoop, no walks to have to take. She was a good, low-maintenance animal! We will miss her!

How we imagine Cali & Rocky's reunion in heaven..

They were such cute kittens!

This is proof that Rod does have a soft spot for cats- sometimes! This is Cali offering moral support during Rod's gallbladder removal recovery.