Valentine's Day prep

Well, the girls are old enough this year that they wanted to create their own valentines for their friends at school. Cass started weeks ago. I kept asking her to wait and I would help her, but she had other ideas. She cut and glued hearts on a piece of paper, gave the heart a face and hands and legs...then informed me that we needed a piece of candy for each hand of each heart. She wrote "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY" on the bottom of each one as well. She was quite pleased with the result and I have to agree that they are very cute and very personal.

Kalya, on the other hand, had grand ideas but needed help executing them. She wanted to make cupcakes with trains on top and a smoke stack that had a puff of smoke that said, "I choo choo choose you!". Everyone helped with the assembly and creation of KK's valentines. They were cute but I made her promise that next year things were going to be a bit simpler. Oi.

Busy Boys

This is how Brogan and Brian like to spend mornings these days:

From the moment the girls leave the house (KK and C for school and mom for the gym) these 2 construct and build amazing lego creations. What can't be captured on film is the fact that while they are doing this, they listen to inspirational music. You know, the good stuff like "Indiana Jones", "Star Wars", "Rudy", and "Last of the Mohicans". Brogan is fond of making construction vehicles and buildings that will service these vehicles. He populates them with musketeers. They drive the vehicles, and run the shops/buildings that are created. Some day, these 2 will start filming lego animation videos. Can't wait to see those mash-ups.

Brogan is a Tiny Tiger!

Brogan attends first martial arts class today! Welcome to Tiny Tigers!

Brogan got his uniform and stretched, ran, bounced, and tumbled with a group of three- and four-year olds this morning. Miss Gi Gi (who also instructs Kayla's class) had a busy and active class. Hooray for someone else tiring out our Boy on Saturday mornings!

Suiting up.

Stretching out.

Chop-Socky!

Go Go Cassidy...

Cassidy has started gymnastics. She goes every Wednesday. There are about 9 girls in her class and she is the tiniest one in her group, but she is also one of the strongest. She has a lot of power packed into those little legs. This past week she got to try some of her very favorite "events". It was her first chance to jump on the trampoline. They were instructed to do 5 seat drops....pretty sure she was able to squeeze in 10 before the coach noticed and encouraged her to move on to the next station.
She also loves to do the uneven bars. She has no problem walking right up to the bar and giving a big jump to grab on (most of the girls use a folded up mat to reach the bar). Last week she was the only one who was able to do a full flip and this week she was asked to show everyone how high she could swing getting her knees up way over the bar but not going all the way over.

Cassidy also really enjoys the beam. She is a little hesitant when she is up higher, but she never gives up. She is conquering the beam and with practice she thinks she will LOVE it as much as she loves the other events.

L-O-V-E

I have an amazing husband. It's true. And just to prove it, this past Sunday he (with the help of my sister and sister-in-law) managed to whisk me away and spoil me at the beautiful and secluded vacation get-away called "THE RESORT ON THE MOUNTAIN" on Mt. Hood.

The night we arrived, we were treated to a couples massage. SOOOOOOO nice. I was pampered with hot stones (totally recommend it) and Brian was given a pressure point for "sporties" one. We both left feeling like warm jell-o. Then slunk our way to the resort restaurant and consumed delicious food (I had mushroom risotto and Brian had a pan seared trout). Feeling full and relaxed we headed back to our room and passed the hot tub on the way. It would have been a waste not to embrace the opportunity, so we quickly changed into swim suits and indulged. Have you ever had the chance to sit in a hot tub while cool little rain drops pepper you? It isn't half bad.

The next morning we got up and went for a walk. Brian is impressed by the amount of moss that grows in the Pacific Northwest. This tree trunk was on the losing end of the battle and had succumbed to the moss completely.

Brian also got a kick out of this sign:

Boring, Oregon. Hmmm.

Thanks to those who helped make this evening possible. My mother, who stayed with our 3 little monkeys and helped get them packed off to school in the morning and my sister and sister-in-law (and their hubbies) who are responsible for planting the bug and planning most of this. Brian was left with the task of creating a convincing story to get me out of the house. It worked. I thought we were going to an art show...and when the GPS indicated that we would be on a specific road for 30 miles, I questioned Brian. He handed me a paper and requested that I double check the address. But there wasn't an address written on the paper. Instead it said, "Surprise! You aren't going to an art show tonight....". It was a lovely surprise and we both appreciated the peaceful quiet time together.

Fun in the Sun

When we told people that we would be relocating to Washington State for a year, we heard a lot of "You know it rains a lot in Washington, right?" Yeah. We know. BUT....it is also beautiful and sunny jacket weather in January. As evidenced in the photo below:

This very cool little plane is in Grandpa and Grandma's back yard. It can comfortably seat 7, which is perfect because there are 7 little cousins regularly running around this back yard. And so, while our friends and family are reporting FEET of snow and bone chilling temperatures in the NEGATIVE digits, we are enjoying sunny comfortable days that are occasionally interrupted by a cloud burst of rain. We think we might have the better deal. What do you think?

Game On Kayla!

Daddy plays Halo: Reach. Every day those clever folks at Bungie (the makers) post a set of Daily Challenges; complete them and earn high scores, piles of credits, and acclaim from thousands of your 18-35 year-old virtual friends.

Each Monday morning a Weekly Challenge is posted, always tougher than the Daily Challenges and often difficult enough to send scores of teen gamers crying to momma. The other day Kayla helped daddy earn the "Legendary Friends" Weekly Challenge by completing the Nightfall Cooperative mission in the campaign on not Easy, not Normal, not even Heroic, but LEGENDARY difficulty.

If that doesn't communicate anything to you, imagine giving a six-year old a gun and asking her to follow you into Mogadishu for some jogging.

Closing seconds of Nightfall mission:

"Alright Kayla, that's the end up there, we just have to get on the other side of those rocks."

"Are there too many bad guys? They keep shooting me!"

"There's not that many, we're going to run, stay right with me-"

"RAWR!"

"Oh no, oh no, oh no! Run! Run KK!"

(BANG!) "Daddy I got him!"

"No just run-"

(BANG! BANG!) "It's okay, I got another one!"

"No you just- What?"

"Look out Daddy, one more!" (BANG! BANG! BANG!)

"I got him!"

I'm so proud!

VROOOOM

Can a boy have TOO many match box cars? We don't think so. And neither does our boy. They get sorted (according to style, color, size, etc) and lined up like dominos fairly regularly at our house.

1-11-11

Just wanted to post today....cause the date is just that cool! This past weekend Kenneth and his boys drove up from Vegas. We had a wonderful weekend together and were fortunate to host them at our place. We spent Friday at OMSI. This place is quickly becoming a family favorite!

Their drive home was a trial. They were involved in a roll-over accident and miraculously all 3 walked away without injury. The car was totaled. We are grateful that they were protected.

We've had a busy start to 2011 already. KK and Brian have started martial arts (see post below). Cassidy begins gymnastics this Wednesday. Brogan has been busy creating, building, playing and potty training. We're almost there. We all go swimming together frequently...Cassidy and KK have really improved and Brogan shows very little fear (if any at all) when in the water. I continue to go to the gym every morning alternating between circuit classes, step aerobics, and a class called "pump it", which is basically 50 minutes of free weights. We all enjoying having more activity in our lives. Additionally, Brian will start a Photoshop course at the Portland School of Art later this month and still enjoys volunteering to teach art once a month in each of the girls' classes. Cass and KK continue to enjoy school and the friends they are making there. We spend a lot of time with our family here in Vancouver and are loving every moment of it. Slow preparations are already beginning though for our return to NH. We've registered Brogan for preschool and have started the long process of getting our girls re-admitted to their old school as well. Soon we will be involved in the SPS housing process. For now, we are enjoying our moments here on the West Coast....very much.

**This particular post is more for the historical documentation this blog serves for our family. Some day soon I'm going to have to print it all up.

HI-YA!

Kayla tested for her first belt in karate today! I was very proud to watch her block, kick, and punch her way into a white belt (yeah, this school makes you earn the very first belt).

Daddy is recovering from his first week of Krav Maga training (Google it, if you dare) and looking forward to some rest this weekend.

Listening to her sensei

Wearing her new white belt!

Sensei writes "Kayla: Awesome kicker" on her first broken board.

Happy New Year...welcoming 2011

We rang in the New Year with family this year. Earlier in the evening (before all the little ones fell asleep) we decided to light some fireworks that may or may not have been purchased in Wyoming during our drive out West this summer. Below, the kids have taken cover in the new amazing play ground Grandpa bought for Christmas (it should be noted that although the directions indicate it will only take 10 hours to build, this puppy took 5 men and 3 days of cold hard effort. The pieces were miss-labeled...some were missing altogether, and at one point they were assembling under a tarp with the BBQ running in an effort to heat the small space they were working in while hail and snow fell outside. They were dedicated individuals.)

Brian was the master of the flame tonight. He was temporarily blind after the flash from this photo. Sorry!
Our 3 little monkeys posing for a photo. It was freezing!
Cass waving around a 2 foot super sparkler....
Abby taking her turn while KK watched and waited....
What New Year's Eve party would be complete without balloons? And if they can be shaped into animals and swords, all the better. The hats came at the end of the festivities and were pretty basic creations.
Brogan really gets into the spirit of the festivities...
The kids had napped for 2 hours earlier in the evening and were all awake to watch the ball drop on TV. It was awesome to get hugs and kisses from each other for the FIRST TIME EVER as a family. Shortly following this shot KK was out! Cass followed and Brogan was the last man standing.
Our family tradition of "Father Time" presents continues even today. The kids set out a shoe and magically, that shoe is filled with presents (Usually only 1 or 2...3 tops and NONE of them too expensive or big). The kids know this is something the parents do for them, but they still call the gifts "Father Time" presents and pretend that Father Time himself delivers them. Cass is convinced that he is Santa's brother or some other relation.
All in all, it was a wonderfully fun night. As I journal this (because I made the mistake of drinking some Dr Pepper earlier tonight and the effects have yet to wear off...) my sweet little family is spread out all over the living room floor in front of a roaring fire and sleeping soundly. It is a perfect way to end 2010 and begin 2011. All together. All peaceful. And all very happy and blessed.

Over the River....

....and through the woods, to Grandmother's House we went. And stayed for a couple of nights. We visited with Aunt Carrie, Uncle Peter, and sweet baby Madeline. But sadly, we weren't all healthy. The camera got forgotten at the bottom of a packed bag, and little ones were kept apart in an attempt to keep all healthy. Brogan had been running a fever and we had determined that Mom and he would stay home in Vancouver while Brian and the girls went to Sehla. But, when it came time to hug good-bye...it just didn't feel right to be apart. B's fever seemed to be in remission, so we quickly grabbed the previously packed bags and loaded everyone up in the car for a 4 hour drive. By the time we arrived, the fever was back (but not as high) and the boy was cranky. But we snuggled together on the couch while presents were passed around....books, necklaces, clothing, and more were exchanged. We had a yummy dinner and then, at 6:30 KK approached and asked if she could go to bed. Not a good sign. Sure enough, the next morning KK was running a fever (but Brogan's was all the way gone). While the other's left to do some gift exchanges and brave the world of "After Christmas Shopping Sales"...mom, KK, and Brogan laid low at home and rested in hopes of speeding recovery (and maintaining it, in Brogan's case). The group returned home, we watched "UP" together (all dog lovers really should see this film), and then turned in for the night. It was decided that since Carrie and Peter would be leaving the following day, we too would head home. It was a short visit, but it was wonderful to spend time with Grandma Reynolds, Bob, Carrie, Peter and Madeline. So sad that the camera never saw day-light....but the memories are still securely tucked in.

Christmas Day Splendor

A review in photos: The tree post visit from Santa pre carnage of the children (lights out)

Remember, there are 5 different households represented in the gift giving below. 16 people in total. It looks like a lot. It is a lot but...it's Christmas....(if you turn on the lights, this is what you will see)
These are the 3 top-secret presents left for Cass, KK and Boy-O....what could they be?
Stockings. Lots and lots of stockings......
The happy faces of the little ones (see KK clinging to her cousin MO?) as they are allowed in to spy on the tree and bask in all the Christmas Morning splendor...Cass was permitted to peak in and see all of this FIRST by herself and because she is one of the older kids she waited patiently as the little ones shuffled in for their first look....
One of the gifts eagerly hoped for by each of the grandkids was the beloved PILLOW-PET...no sleep-over at Grandma's can be complete without one. And now, they ALL have one! Thank you Grandma! Cass got a panda...
Brogan received a frog (have we mentioned that green is the boy's FAVORITE color?)
And shoved in this tall thin box, cleverly disguised, is KK's Monkey....
The entire room fell silent when the girls opened THIS present and exclaimed quite joyously (and loudly), "TOTORO!!!!". What is Totoro, you might ask? A charming Japanese cartoon about a little girl who gets lost in the woods and meets 3 sweet "totoro's" which is an intentional mispronunciation of the japanese word for troll. Ask the girls about the cat bus. We dare you. Don't you tube it. It's a bit disturbing.
Brian scored this t-shirt from Glenn and Lori. I think it fits him perfectly. Wish I had thought to give it to him.
Remember those mysterious red Santa Boxes? Here is what was found inside:

Brogan got Power Miner Lego's. Exactly what he asked for.....he must have been really good this year. Santa has told him there is more where that came from if he can manage to be potty trained. Thank you for being on our side, Santa.
KK (wearing her new snow hat...like Agnes' on "despicable me" which we highly recommend if you haven't seen it yet...) was thrilled to find the asked for Strawberry Shortcake Berry Cafe. She too enjoyed a year of good behavior.
Cassidy was all smiles and squeals of delight when she opened her very own bow and arrow set that came with a target (all plastic with suction cups..that Santa is a wise individual!). She had originally asked for a bow and arrow with a rope attached so she could shoot it high up in the trees or buildings and then climb up or down, as the case may be. We told her those types of things were for special op's and she would need to settle for one a little less special. Turns out she is a natural and quite a good shot. Perhaps she will graduate to the real thing sooner then planned....she and Daddy are making plans to go to a shooting range as soon as we can arrange it. Fun! Cassidy also had a wonderful year and Santa took care to give her what she asked for with some modifications for safety purposes.
Of course, all good boys deserve some love on Christmas and Brian was included in that. Brian got a brand NEW xbox 360. Making him the proud owner of....not one...not two...but THREE x-box 360's. Why so many? Well....can you really ever have too many? To be honest, one was slightly mangled when Brogan decided to use it as his very own DVD player and became frustrated when his disk wasn't loading fast enough...he pushed a little too hard and broke the disk tray rendering a perfectly good xbox in-operable. (gasp!) So we only had 1 functional system. It's a difficult thing to share something like this. The kids want to play games....Daddy wants to play only ONE game. So, in the name of family harmony, the purchase of the additional box was necessary. And it was a surprise. A secret kept since Thanksgiving night when it was purchased during a clandestine and insane special op's mission to Toys-R-Us where we fought crowds of holiday shoppers. Then reported that the mission had FAILED....when really, it had been a success. Sneaky. Very sneaky. But worth it to see this smile and the glazed look in his eye (maybe it was tears...we'll never know).
There were so many presents....wrapping paper pilled high....laughter echoing....a perfect and wonderful birthday celebration. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Festivities

We had a gift exchange among the cousins and the adults for Christmas Eve. The kids had fun spending time searching for the perfect gifts for their cousins. And they were equally as thrilled with the gifts thoughtfully chosen for them. Perhaps one of the most entertaining gifts came from Brian who drew Mo's name (he is 14 now, so he was grouped in the adult gift exchange). Brian made Mo 2 original pieces of art. The first piece was intended to be a joke...a very lovely image of Mo riding a pink my little pony while wearing a pirate outfit and the slogan "Pony Power!" across the top. The second piece was a black and white painting of Mo mid-transformation from human to the grim reaper (he's a teen...this was very acceptable...and his mother loved it too). We were all impressed with the art but perhaps a little surprised that the Pony Power piece was actually just as loved as the real piece and we were assured that BOTH items will be hanging on his bedroom wall! Check it out below:

Of course, our family tradition of opening and wearing new Christmas Jammies was also honored this year. The girls graduated to "big kid" jammies with new micro-fiber bottoms and columbia waffle shirts on top. Cassidy's sport a cute little penguin and KK's, of course, have a monkey on them. Brogan's, although not photographed, are digger jammies. All went to bed snug and warm and anxious for the morning.

The sweetest moment of the evening came when we all gathered together before opening our jammies and presents and read from Luke 2. Uncle Ryan did the reading this year. We all listened with reverence and genuine appreciation as the story of Christ's birth was recounted in scripture. It is a story that is beautiful in it's simplicity.
We are grateful this year to be spending the holidays with the many branches of the Harmon family tree. Of course we missed our East Coast roots but memories of Christmas's past and the sweet sound of Grandpa Schroyer's voice (see post below) kept you in our hearts. We've been very blessed this year most significantly with love and family.

A Few of My Favorite Things....

Grandpa and LaLa sure do know how to pick 'em and spoil 'em. The kids were thrilled with their gifts. The backpacks were quickly filled and rolled around the apartment....and every place else we go. Who knew we really needed backpacks this entire time? It has made life simpler and travel easier. The kids instantly fell in love with their new slippers and the BOY was completely an utterly in love with his new dump truck/robot. It is quite impressive and named "rocky".

Their favorite gift though was opened and listened to/read on Christmas Eve. The thrill and joy of hearing Grandpa read "'Twas the night before Christmas" to them on Christmas Eve was a fond tear filled moment. We miss you! We love you! Thank you...so very much...for that most thoughtful gift that has been listened to over and over again sometimes as a group and often times as individual time with Grandpa.