BREEZY FIELDS

I am looking at my calendar completely baffled. I don't quite know how we are going to fit it all in. The good news is that it is nearly all fun! Fun is just hard work sometimes:). Two more days till I get to go to Wicked. Mike is taking care of the kids and my friend Jen and I are going to spend the day in San Fran. It will be great! Brooke via iPhone

Ellyn's tutor called in sick and so we took advantage of a free Friday afternoon and evening and headed up to Oakland. We had a great night even if I spent a little more time doling out food than I did watching the game. No, not really. Father and son bonding- Thank goodness for the peanuts. They kept our Sades entertained... mostly. Between the ride up and sitting for the game it was a bit too much non movement for Sadie, but she did love it all. Jane brought her friend Jenny. They giggled all the way through the game. Mike made me pose for a picture. I'm happier being the one taking them. Sawyer loved yelling "Good Job!" and "Let's Go Open!" which does sound very much like "Oakland." After repeating this phrase several times he would finish the sentence with "the door." Although there aren't any clear pics of Ellyn she absolutely loved the game. She watched everything with interest, clapped, ate hot dogs and drank pop. She sat...

How we keep ourselves entertained... Brooke via iPhone

Things I haven't talked about- can you ever cover everything? No. The kids and I have decided that we are going to start going swimming every Wednesday afternoon. We went last week and had a great time, barely made it home in time for dinner and YW, but that is the one day Ellyn doesn't have tutoring. We have a wonderful woman from our ward, Anne Sirman, doing Ellyn's respite now. Finally, after 4 1/2 months. She basically comes to help with Isabella since most of the tutoring session requires 2 people these days. Anne takes care of Tues. and Thurs. so I can spend time helping with homework, making dinner, and on Tuesday, spending an hour at the gym with Jane (Mike takes her on Thursday). Anne was given the calling of being Ellyn's aide in Primary since Ellie was getting way too big to hang out with the nursery kids. Mike and I are her home teachers, so every Thursday she will stay after and eat dinner with us. I am so pleased with this development. Friday Mike ...

It was a perfect day for an outing with the kids. We left our familiar surroundings and headed up to San Jose for the day. Sadie and Sawyer laying on the grass in the park across from the museum. Team work making a track using kitchen utensils. Ellyn loved the shadow wall where butterflies land gently on your head. All of the kids loved the Imax of "Under the Sea."

Sadie, it's been awhile since we've done this. How have you been? Sadie- Excellent. I'm starting my "Faith in God" book and it makes me really happy. Mom, I'm going out to my secret garden to pray. Me- In a minute, I'm not done. Sadie- Mom, I'm working on my goal and praying is more important than a dinnerview (yes). Me- What other goals are you working on. Sadie- I'm trying to write down my testimony so I can tell it in church. You're never too young or too old, unless you are a baby of course. I'm trying to make Lucifer upset by being good because I really want to see Heavenly Father and Jesus again. Me- That sounds like a good plan. So what have you been learning about in church lately? Sadie- Prayers, scriptures, what we should be doing to go back to Heaven, Joseph Smith, his vision, John the Baptist. He was born when his mom was really old. Nobody believed that she could have a baby but God wanted her to. Me- Is there anything ...

It's impossible not to be happy with this Batman running around your house! Brooke via iPhone

Janie Bear minutes after getting her braces off. Isn't she gorgeous? Brooke via iPhone

I might have used this already but I love it. Jackson you are the coolest kid ever and I adore you. Hope you have a great birthday!

"We write to taste life twice..." Anais Nin and this past month was too delicious not to indulge in leftovers. Frankly, we've been so busy living there hasn't been much time for writing. I think that perhaps a photo essay might be best. So much for writing, eh? A picture is worth a thousand words anyway. We can't believe how blessed we are to live in this gorgeous part of the world. To live here is to believe in God. We had several rainy days but we also had many clear days and we tried to make the most of them. We took a walk one Sunday out at Point Lobos. Mike took our wagon on the most wild ride of its long life. Ellyn happily walked the parts where we had to carry said wagon over rough terrain. As a side note, Jane is wearing a sweatshirt that I bought in England when I was 15. I love that thing and it has been so good to me. My cute cousin Jess called at the beginning of March and asked if they could possibly spend their Spring Break with us. YES!!!!...

-- Post From My iPhone

The kids and I are in washington for spring break. We came up to see our new baby and to see Aunt Ellynn and Uncle Jason and Finn. We haven't seen them in over a year. Of course we want to play with all the rest of our family as well, both sides. Mike had to stay home for school and it is ridiculous how much I miss him. So here is baby Harris. He looks like a little man, he is adorable and I love him. -- Post From My iPhone