Blake's New Ride

If you were wondering how we have been getting around with all our visitors, you are probably not alone. How could our little Honda Accord be fitting all these people? Well, here's the answer--
About a month ago, Blake was rear-ended on his way home from work. Don't worry, Blake is fine. But our car did get a little roughed up. Nothing major, but it needed to be fixed. So, we waited until this weekend to get it fixed when the insurance would pay for a rental car, and this is the rental car we chose. Blake has loved testing it on the hills of San Francisco. Plus, it's so roomy--easily fitting three carseats. Of course, this wouldn't be our dream minivan. No automatic sliding doors and leather seats. But no one loved it as much as Max. After the van had been returned and we went to get in the Accord to pick up Blake from dropping it off, Max threw a fit because he didn't want to ride in this car, he wanted to ride in the new car. I had to force him in, and the first thing he said to Blake when we picked him up was, "Where da new car go?" Blake told him we'd get the new car back after mommy had another baby. Is a minivan in our future?

Happy Birthday Geri!

We are so lucky that Geri decided to spend her birthday here with us in San Francisco. After an awful time getting here last night (their flight was 5 hours late!) we knew we had to do something special to make up for it. And don't worry, Max was up to the task. Among the things that my mom sent out for us was a "leash" used by Aunts Dawna and Lori on little Tony at Disneyland about 15 years ago. Well, Max thought it was great. He called it a "pull" and pull he did. After hooking up Geri, he would drag her around the house after him. He even got smart and would pull her into his room, load her up with toys, then pull her out by the TV to drop off the toys so he could play with them. Max just wanted to keep her legs young!
After all the fun, I made Geri a yummy sweet and sour meatball birthday dinner. But the real yum came after dinner with the birthday ginger snaps. Geri's favorite. I know mine aren't as perfect as Aunt Sue's, but I did my best--I don't know all the half of this, half of that secret. Geri was lucky to have a lot of help blowing out her candles.And blowing them out again...But don't think that was the end of Geri's big day. After the boys were in bed and we had picked up our wonderful babysitter (thank you SO much Christina!) Blake, Geri, Cindy, and I went to see Beach Blanket Babylon. Blake and I have been wanting to see this since we moved here and it did not disappoint us. Well, maybe Blake was a little disappointed because he always thought you sat on beach blankets, but the show was excellent. It was hilarious. Blake's favorite was John McCain, my favorite was Barbara Streisand, I don't remember what Cindy's favorite was, and Geri's was a toss up between the couple making out in front of her, and the crazy dancing ladies to the side of her. A huge success. I think this was Geri's best birthday ever!

Zoie Came to Visit!

Who cares about Matt and Beth! Baby Zoie came to visit us! And let me tell you, this girl loves San Francisco. She told me. She said, "Please have Blake bug my mom and dad to death by setting up job interviews for my dad, finding apartments to manage for my mom, and calling them non-stop to tell them how awesome San Francisco is." Well, Zoie, Blake did his best. And hopefully this "recruiting trip" to San Francisco was not a disappointment. We had so much fun touring all of San Francisco and taking a lot of pictures. Well, mostly pictures of Zoie during her several photo shoots, but we got some good family ones, too.

One of the highlights of their trip was venturing across the Golden Gate Bridge. The first stop was Muir Woods. It was perfect for Max to run around a little and for the babies to get some fresh air. And we actually got to put our double stroller to some use since lately Max has refused to ride in it. I can't tell you how many times we got asked if these two were twins. Those people must not have got a very good look at the babies since the only thing they really have in common is they're both wearing hats!
After Muir Woods, we drove up to Mt. Tamalpais for some spectacular views. Seriuosly--spectacular! All three babies were sleeping so Beth and I waited in the car while Blake and Matt hiked up (or close) to the top. I love that they took pictures of each other. I wonder what the other hikers were thinking...

And, of course, what would be a trip up north without stopping in Sausalito for some yummy, yummy, yummy, banana with chocolate chunks and caramel swirls ice cream. EVERYONE (but poor Jack) thoroughly enjoyed it!

And every night we had so much fun at home, watching the babies play together (Zoie has become quite the scoocher, trying to steal Jack's toys), playing NES (Well, at least Blake and Matt did. When they finally decided to try something besides Techmo Bowl, and invited Beth to play Wheel of Fortune, the game went all crazy. However, when it did, Beth was ahead!), doing the Absolutely Abs and Thin Thighs workout videos (I know, now THAT'S what you want to see pictures of) and kicking some boy trash at Friends Scene It (Finally I had a partner who could beat Blake!). Max is already asking where Baby Zoie went. My boys love their cousins!

Come back and visit (or just move out!) soon! We miss you already and I'm sure Zoie is ready for some more Bay Area fun!

Happy Easter!

Our Easter celebration actually started Wednesday with a fun playgroup egg hunt. Doesn't spring in San Francisco look so springy--jackets, hats, and bright red noses! Max was actually much better at this egg hunt than the one in Utah. This time he found the egg, then opened it up, checked out the contents, put the candy he wanted in his basket, and threw the other candy and egg back on the ground. Not once did he dump out his basket. This time I only had to pick up a partial mess. Yea! But just like the egg hunt in Utah, he came away with a green face. Green really is his favorite color. I love our playgroup. What would I do without the moms of these super cute kids?

Saturday night we decorated eggs. And, again, Max proved his favorite color is green by trying to put all the eggs in the green dye. It took some real negotiating for him to try some different colors. He thought it was pretty cool how you could write on the egg with a white crayon and then it would magically appear in the dye. He basically thought Blake was some sort of magician. And this year's egg dying accident didn't involve any eggs cracking. If you look closely at the picture of me with the boys, you can probably tell where Jack's foot is about to smash down and what it is about to splatter all over the table.

The Easter Bunny this morning was basically a bust. Apparently he didn't bring cool enough stuff. Max didn't stop and look, or even give a second glance to his basket. And yes, it even had candy in it. Who is this boy? I just figure he knows the TRUE meaning of Easter, right? After church, though, we did have fun reading his new New Testament book and trying to read Jack's Easter book. Max wouldn't let any one but Jack hold it--"No, dat's Baby Jack's book!" For dinner we were invited over to our dear friends' house. It was so nice of them to carry on our Easter dinner tradition, even though as the years go by the group of diners changes so much. This is our third Easter dinner together, basically a lifetime of Easter dinners for us San Franciscans. And it was so nice of them to host, since last year, at our house, we had a major casualty. Yes, that is Jonny Fisher. And yes, he is holding half of our glass table top. And yes, he did break it trying to get more ice cream. And yes, we did forgive him. Actually I was VERY happy to get rid of that table. And it only took six months of having a table from the church before we got our own new, beautiful, black table. I love it. Now if those Fishers could just move back and break my chairs!

And I have to post a picture of my precious boys in their new Easter outfits. This is the best picture I got and I love it to pieces! Happy Easter!

Blake's New Finds

1. A new place to watch the sunset for all you visitors--Mt. Tamalpais. Beautiful.
2. Someone who loves watching sunsets just as much as him.

Roommates

While we were gone, Blake was one busy, busy boy. I left him a list of things to do, half jokingly and half seriously hoping, wishing, praying I'd come home and find my list of items all checked off. Well, Blake was up to the task and even went above and beyond the call of duty. He organized, painted, scrubbed, assembled, and even threw away (a BIG accomplishment for Blake considering his roots). I think Blake's biggest accomplishment was rearranging the boys' room. Yes, the BOYS' room. It is no longer Max's room, but Max and Jack's room. Blake successfully painted and put together Max's big boy bed and shelf (for the toys so there was space for the bed), then arranged everything very neatly in their room. I had forgot how much I love the crib in the up position with the bumper pad nice and straight rather than smashed down from being stepped on. So, we decided to give the roommate situation a try on our first night back. I love having the monitor back again, so I can hear everything that goes on in there. Max was such a good brother, saying, "Shhh Baby Jack. No crying. Sleep in bed Baby Jack. No crying." Too cute. Both boys slept the entire night in their respective beds, not disturbing the other. Jack fussed a couple times and I ran in to make sure Max didn't wake up. Max didn't move a muscle. And when Max woke up, he turned on the light and started to play while Jack just kept sleeping. I guess this is now a permanent situtation and the boys have 16 more years to enjoy it!

Special Occasions

When we planned to come to Utah during this week, we had no idea that there would be so many special occasions we could be a part of.

First, on Saturday was the quarterly Jardine family party, the first of its kind since the monthly birthday celebrations were canceled. And this party was extra special for Max since his second cousins (or is it second cousins once removed...I don't know, just my cousin's kids) Deacon and Abi came down from Montana for a quick trip. Max had been asking for Abi the entire week and kept checking downstairs at Grandma Myrtice's for her. And finally she came. So in addition to good food, and jeep riding (good thing Dawna has two so everyone could fit and have a turn), someone decided to have an Easter egg hunt for the kids as well. There were so many eggs and with only three participants, the baskets filled up pretty fast. Max's strategy was to fill up his basket and then dump the eggs out, run around the yard screaming, then come back and act silly while his mom tried to talk him into picking up the eggs. I know, whose kid is this? (Blake's.) One of the treasures hidden along with the eggs was a golf club and ball. While the other kids were swinging their club trying to hit the ball, Max was busy throwing his ball and club between Grandpa's legs and yelling, "Goal!" Wrong sport, Max. But when all was said and done, that candy sure tasted good. (Note green saliva dripping out of Max's mouth.)
Next was St. Patrick's Day! We were so sad Blake wasn't with us, wearing his green Celtic's shirt. But I bet Blake wasn't too upset that he wasn't with me when I realized Jack didn't have anything green to wear. So it was lucky Andy and Bri who got to go searching with me. After not finding anything or being much too picky, I decided to go with Andy's House of Iron-Ons. The price was right and the genius mind behind the artwork was at its best. If you can't tell, Jack's shirt says, "I'm Magically Delicious." I love it. We celebrated by eating some Corned Beef and Cabbage (I've never had any I actually liked before. This was tastey. Thanks Lor!) and kissing everyone that was Irish. My two lucky charms in all their glory--And if St. Patrick's Day wasn't enough, Monday was also the season premiere of Dancing With The Stars. What a good excuse for a party! The pre-show party consisted of Dancing With The Stars, Wii style. We actually had a pre-pre-show party the Monday before, and the pictures from that turned out much better. Geri and I started off, scoring a 9 with the judges. Yes, a total of 9. And we were happy with it. But then, Tony and Bri had to go and show off. After a few tries, they got a 30! Tony was a-ma-zing! His stir-it-up, locomotion, and shake-it made Bruno so proud. This just showed, once again, that Tony has many hidden talents or way too much extra time on his hands. If he could just channel his energy for good, the world would be a much better place. Oh, and by the way, Geri and I did end up getting a 29. We didn't stink the entire night.

We go home later tonight. Those 10 days went by way too fast. Thank you wonderful family for having us come visit you. We love you!

Blake, are you sure you don't want to move here?