Seasons Greetings

Bath Time!

Snow Day!

We made it to Utah and the snow! The girls were so excited. I may be a bad mother, but I think they stayed outside for 5 hours today. The best part was that Tuffer and Morgan took them all out with their Saint Bernards and I took pictures from inside. Oliver couldn't stand being inside for long. He kept kissing the dog through the window. He absolutely loves dogs. He has no fear of dogs--even of these giant ones. Oliver joined them, but didn't like the falling snow on his face. After Morgan and Tuffer had to leave the girls stayed out and finished decorating the snowman. Then their cousins showed up and joined them outside for sledding and more snow fun. They had a blast!

Oliver is walking!

Turkey Day

Two days before Thanksgiving i got the flu--this is of course is after a week of ovarian cysts--so I was feeling pretty bad and I still had to clean and get food. Not to mention Allie and Ollie have the croup and I have a bad cough too. Ben's parents were on their way, his brother and girlfriend, and one of Ben's residents too. So, I was feeling overwhelmed and sorry for myself. And I had to make Oliver's birthday cake too-for the night before thanksgiving. I actually pulled it off before his parents arrived only because they got stuck in traffic. Then Oliver got up from his nap and we were ready for cake and presents. I had gotten all prettied up for the first time in a week--I did my hair and makeup and got him up from his nap--sat down-- and he threw up all over me. In my hair, down my shirt (and by that-yes I mean my cleavage--great!) and all over my pants. So, I went to take a ahower when I realized that our hot water was gone. The repairman said we needed a new water heater (it is only 6 months old) I had to give it to the landlords they really tried, but we didn't get it replaced till the day after. The pilot light wouldn't stop clicking on the stovetop so I finally had to unplug it and use a lighter to start my gas range instead. Of course we got our first big rainstorm-and if you know me--I don't work well in gloomy weather. On thanksgiving morning I got up at 6 to start the rolls and turkey and that just ran into the rest of the food. Then after the turkey was done, I went to put the casseroles and rolls in and my oven wouldn't turn back on-thats right. It was getting pretty comical by this point--so I ran to the neighbors to beg them to use their oven. Well, we still ate--and on time. So, I am pretty much exhausted. I got pictures of the table, but I got distracted once dinner started and so I didn't get pictures of the people at the table---but I can't do everything:) So, the day AFTER Thanksgiving I am thankful for HOT water, working appliances, sunshine, not throwing up, and not being thrown up on.

Izzie's Turkey!

...but he was still hungry!

My sister-in-law Stephanie has 4 boys and so I was picking her brain on what kind of party to have for Oliver. She said she always just picks what they are really into at the time-like cars ets. So, I thought and thought--now at the time Oliver hadn't gotten into playing ball yet--and I couldn't think of anything he really liked, except...FOOD. So, thats how I came up with the hungry caterpillar theme. This boy can eat--a whole banana, a bowl of oatmeal, and a big jar of baby food, and you guessed it---he was STILL hungry! We postponed cake until Ben's mom and dad got here, but when Oliver woke up from his nap he wasn't feeling well--so we did it Thanksgiving morning instead. I have to say I think the cake turned out super cute! He got a new tool bench from Nani and Papa. He got a ride on toy from Nana and Poppy. He got hammer toys, a basketball hoop, and a jeep toy! Lucky boy. Happy Birthday Oliver!

Happy First Birthday Oliver!

Happy Birthday my little man! I can't believe you are already one--yet it seems like you have been in our family always. I love how sweet you are and how happy. I love that you "talk" to me in your own little way. You have always been so good at communicating what you want. I love that you love your daddy so much. Dada was your first and only word for the longest time. Then came "I love you" or "I ya ya", then "sis". And slowly you started to say "mama"--usually in tears or when you needed me--but you still said it! I love that you look for dad everyday in and out of the house. It does make sense that he would be right outside--he leaves out the door and comes in the door-so he must be right outside. I love that at 5 months you started making eveything a ball. I love how you throw the ball so good. You love to hammer and build. You love cars and wheels and playing ball. You are such a boy. But you are so sweet and lovey and cuddly too. You give the best kisses--on demand--and all on your own too! You are so curious and self sufficient. You love to pull everything out of the drawers. You have gotten quite good at getting around, and you are so cute when you take those few little steps. I love love love when you dance. You are like your sister Izzie, whenever you hear music--in the elevator, in the store, a commercial--you dance and dance. You have a darling sit-dance that you just pump your stomach back and forth and throw your hand up and down. Then there is the standing dance when your little bum goes up and down so fast. And you are even trying to get tricky lifting up one foot at a time-going side to side. You say hi to everyone and grin so big. Everyone that sees you comments on what a happy baby you are and what amazing eyelashes you have. You are so happy and such a sweet little spirit. I am so happy we finally have you in our family. We love you to pieces! Happy birthday!

Tough Guy

Oliver has becoming quite the little man! He absolutely loves to play catch, and he has discovered tools. Everything is a hammer. I thought this was cute--building stuff with dad.

American Girl Party

Isabelle had her 7th birthday party at the American Girl store in Los Angeles. Isabelle got her own look like her doll from Nani and Papa for her birthday just in time for her party. The girls had a blast having lunch with each other and their dolls.

I don't know if this is as exciting for everyone else as it is for me. But I had an American Girl doll, Samantha, when I was little. My friend Marisa and I would play for hours with our dolls. It brings back fond memories to visit the store. There are only 3 stores in the United States and we happen to live right by one!

The girls could put their dolls up to thte table in their very own doll chair. The dolls even had their own tea set. The food was adorable with shaped fruit skewers and mini hot dogs and burgers with curly fries. Most of the girls ordered hot chocolate.

The meal ended with a gorgeous "present" cake and peppermint icecream in a flowerpot with a daisy poking out the top. All in all an adorable birthday lunch!

Isabelle Elaine Karren on her 7th Birthday

Isabelle,
On your birthday I just wanted to tell you how much you mean to me and you dad. You are such a sweet spirit. You are so kind to your sister and brother and all of your friends. It is so fun to watch you with people, because they are so drawn to you. You have a way of making everyone feel special and loved and important. You are so genuine and pure. I love to hear you sing. Heavenly Father gave you a very special gift --your beautiful voice. It is so clear and strong --just like you. It always amazes me how advanced your singing is, it far surpasses mine. But I feel that way about you too. You are so far advanced for the seven years you have been here. Your understanding of the gospel, your unselfishness and giving nature are so well intentioned. I love that you always include your sister and brother. I love that you include everyone at school, so everyone can have a friend. I love that you have an eye for everything beautiful, in design, in art in nature. You really have such a creative little mind and so much artistic talent. I love that your are so curious and love to play detective, finding clues wherever you go. You told us yesterday that you want to be a scientist or have an animal shelter--already such big goals to change the world. You wanted to be a vegetarian before you even knew that their were vegetarians or what that was. You stood up during dinner and declared that we shouldn't eat animals, poor defenseless animals when we have so many other things to eat. I love that you love to learn and that your favorite shows are on discovery channel. Yet, you are such the little fashionista and love to sing and dance. You really feel music--you always have since you were a tiny baby. You dance so beautifully--the 10 year olds have a hard time keeping up, yet you only do it because you love it. Every class you include someone new and within a few weeks at a new studio you were friends with everyone. You always strive to help others succeed and you teach your sister so much (I still can't believe she can spell "sleep"--good work) I want you to know that we love you and feel so lucky to be your parents. You are so smart and funny--I love to spend time talking with you. I love to watch you grow and mature, but no matter how big you get, you will always be our baby girl. I love you sweetie, happy birthday!

Happy Halloween

Oliver was a sock monkey. I have to say--he makes the cutest sock monkey ever! For those of you unfamiliar with the sock monkey--he was very popular when I was growing up--Oliver has had his own sock monkey since he was born all those 11 months ago. He is well loved-already needing repairs.


The girls were fairies--inspired by the Tinkerbell movie (see previous post). Alexandra was Tinkerbell who is actually really nice in the movie. Isabelle was Silvermist, a water fairy. This choice was unusaul because of the black hair, but she does love anything to do with water right now. They made cute little fairies, with tons of pixie dust. I can't get the glitter out of my house, car, their hair!

Ivanhoe-down


Isabelle's elementary school, Ivanhoe is so cute. The weekend before Halloween they have the Ivanhoe-down. It is a fall carnival--all the kids dress up--there are booths with crafts and cake walks and all sort of fun stuff. The kids had a blast. They made really cute "nature art" at one of the craft booths.

Parade


Izzie's School had a halloween parade and they invited all the siblings to join in too. They let the kids wear their costumes and have a halloween party--complete with cupcakes! I love this school--I never saw anything wrong with a cupcake every once in a while! I heard one of the moms say "Just look at this school--we are so blessed to be here" I really think we are. The teachers are so sweet and involved. The office knows all the kids and parents by name. The parents are so welcoming and involved-even the dads. It is so family oriented and people focused. Everyone pitches in to make it a "10" school in the middle of LA. We moved here to get her into this school. I know it is where she belongs. We are lucky.

Pumpkin Carving


Ben had the day off--so we finally got around to carving the pumpkins--better late than never!

Trick or Treating


Trick or Treating was so fun. All of the locals here in Silverlake go to Armstrong. It is a set of streets blocked off so all of the kids can Trick or Treat. They get around 3000 kids every Halloween. The girls saw a lot of kids from school. I didn't realize that Ollie's treat would be so cute with his costume! All in all it was a good Halloween!

Fall is here!

Fall is officially here. Although there are no falling leaves and it is still 80 degrees outside, it is getting crisp in the evenings. It even smelled like fall the other night. ( I know you know that smell--) This is when I miss Pittsburgh-fall is so amazing there. I kind of feel jipped the last couple of years. But I don't miss the winters, which are 8 months out of the year. So, I am definitely glad to be on this coast. But the girls looked so cute in their fall dresses--we had another after church photo shoot. Again Oliver was napping. I will have to get him later.



But I also wanted to show off the new headbands for the girls that I made late last night. (So excuse the cheesy far off gaze-but you can see the headbands) Izzie is officially over bows--so I am expanding my hair accessory creations. They are made with velvet, dupioni silk, and tulle with swarovski crystals. I may have gotten carried away. But I couldn't help myself. Ben stayed in the car with the kids while I strolled around (okay I ran frantically from store to store before he ran out of patience) in the fabric district in downtown LA. I was like a kid in a candy store. I was literally giddy. When I got back to the car I was so happy--my heart was still racing from the excitement (and the sprinting). So, this is my first creation with my purchases--more to come...

High School Musical 3

I got our "High School Musical 3" tickets over a month ago. Good thing--they were sold out everywhere. We went opening night at the El Capitan. The line was out the door-just to enter the theater. They had a lot of the props and costumes on display. There was a cheer off, a high school musical version of "Don't Forget the Lyrics", and confetti before the show. But, note to self: Don't go opening night to anything High School musical. I think I may have permanent hearing loss now. Everytime Zac Efron came on screen the entire theater of preteen girls errupted in piercing high pitched screams. Alexandra thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the experience. She had no idea what she was screaming for, but gave it her best woo hoo everytime-arms up in the air and everything. She got tired toward the end and layed down on my shoulder--but even with her eyes closed and close to comotose--she never missed a woo hoo with a token arm toss. It was a little more grown up than the last two High School Musical's--so warning (there is more kissing and a shirtless Zac Efron) We'll hold off on buying the DVD. Isabelle was a little confused with all the attention on Troy, bless her heart. She is still more impressed with the girls and especially the music. Lets keep it that way. Next time we'll hit the matinee with a younger group that didn't draw so much attention to the fact that Troy is a favorite. Anyway it was a fun girl's night out. We even took one of Ben's co-residents. She needed a reason to go, so she offered to take the girls months ago. Thanks, Jess, it was super fun!

Primary Program

It was the primary program today. Alexandra sang "I am a Child of God" with her sunbeam class. She is so cute--she sticks her lips way out when she sings. Isabelle sang in a trio (although she was the only one you could hear). She sang a verse of "When Jesus Christ was Baptized". She never ceases to amaze me with her musical ability. She has already surpassed me in her understanding and recognition of pitch, key, and harmonies. She did a really great job. She sang it with her own little flare--slides in the notes and all. Her voice really is so amazing for such a little girl. They looked like little angels,so, we decided to go for a little photo shoot after church. It has been a while since I took pics of the girls sunday dresses. (Compared to in Pittsburgh--when I took pics of all of their matching outfits--almost everyday--it did make a cute scrapbook though). After sifting through most of the cheesy poses--here are my little angels. (Minus little Oliver--it's nap time) I especially like the rhinestone button on the sweater. It matches the gorgeous necklace from Nani. They have their initials and swarovski crystals. Thanks Nani! The girls felt like princesses!

He's on the move!

Oliver is officially crawling on all fours instead of his tummy...and he is everywhere! He loves to pull everything out of drawers and has an attachment to the little detergent door on the dishwasher. He also like to climb---AHHHH another Allie! He has conquered the dishwasher and the girl's bedside tables have a shelf underneath that makes a perfect perch. Somehow it is much more fun to play from up there.