Sunday, April 18, 2010

Still catching up...

I thought I would start this week off with Sofie's "morning garb". If I hadn't know better I would have thought she's been watching Project Runway with me. Which, by the way, in my opinion, Jay's collections was more creative and more outside the box than Mila's--but Mila's on her way to Bryant Park. I think they picked Mila because she's a woman. Stinkin feminist :-)

We've had a great week. A very busy week. Dave had to finish his part portion for the Built on the Rock Youth Conference. We had saw dust everywhere in our garage. Styrofoam, cardboard, even glue guns could be found. I had the Boy Scout district dinner. Jodi's and my 4th year and we think possibly the last. It's hard turning down Bruce Salmon on anything but I think his wife is pulling even him out. We served a rolled chicken breast stuffed with spinach and mushroom. On the side a brown rice and spring vegetables. Rolls of course and our first course was a yummy salad from Jodi's recipe collection. It had sugared almonds, parmesan, apples, spinach and romaine lettuce and slight similarity to a poppy seed dressing. Very nice. I have been out in hiding it seems and not really wanting to come out but it is always a pleasure for me to work/play with Jodi. She brings a smile to me and the woman can charm a snake. When we would work the YW high adventure it was always better for me to stand in the background and watch and listen to her "talk". Just talk. It is obvious I'm the English major and she's the Speech therapist. I can read, she can talk--to anyone. I fumble, I'm clumsy and I can say the most ridiculous things without intention of course. But not Jodi--she has a silver tongue. She can talk anyone into anything. And now as I listen to Sofie, she will have a similar gift. She's a charmer and she has beauty to match. A pretty incredible combination. The other day when mom and dad were here I asked them to give the FHE lesson. Dad told his version of the Aesop fable story of the Crow (that was charmed by the sly fox) It was all about speaking kindly to each other. So after that dad would go around saying "You better say something nice.." Well he was giving Sof a "hard" time one day and after he asked her what nice thing she could say she replied.."I love you grandpa". Now not too many people can shut Bob up. But she did and it brought a smile to all. Not only because we finally found someone to shut grandpa up but because she really does love him.

It's so amazing to listen to these kids and hear how their minds work. Sam came down the other day from his bed and told me to not freak out and kill myself when I go up to check on him before I go to bed and I can't see him. He informed me he will just be under the covers. OK then.

Dave's in UT for the next week and 1/2. I am sad. I thinks he's a little happy though. I've used and abused him so badly for the last 2 weeks with my jury duty and then getting this BSA dinner done. I think him traveling back and forth to school made his back hurt. Now he's a cripple.

Below are some pictures of Ashley's Easter party, April Fools day and John & Krista's reception
Sof, lounging pre egg hunt. She loves this dress. It's about impossible to get it off her.
Our gracious hosts! Ashley and Zig






Let the games begin.....

































This "pie" was for April Fools Day. We obviously told the kids we were having Strawberry pie for dinner. Sam was like "I HATE strawberry pie!" Sofie was rejoicing. In actuality it is a vegetarian "shepherds pie (thank you Ashley) with beet colored mashed potatoes. Not too bad but I think Sofie was really looking forward to some strawberry pie.







For dessert we had "grilled cheese" sandwiches. Pound cake with orange butter cream frosting. Pretty sweet. Literally.









Because I was on jury duty during the kids spring break and Dave was to be out of town on business, we made arrangements for the kids to go to Deidra's. They would be there during Easter so we wanted to have our own little Easter celebration here. So on Good Friday the Easter bunny came for a visit. He brought yummy candy, hid some eggs--Sofie found the golden, and I will not lie, I was totally shocked when Sam was pleased for her.



The Easter Bunny brought Sofie a Barbie slide or the bath tub and Sam a boom box so he can listen to Jewel's lullaby's at night. His favorite song is Brahms lullaby and he reminds me frequently that when I have sung it to him I get some of the words wrong. Who knew there were like 20 verses!

This egg here is reminiscent of the sugared eggs my mom and dad gave us when we were young. I just had to get them for Sam and Sof







Here's our breakfast table.









John and Krista. I have to say, they are cute. The reception was up at this old barn and they had a darling informal gathering. Dave and I felt pretty old as we only really knew 2 of the 20 songs we heard. The unfortunate thing was we drove 4 1/2 hours to get there, stayed 1 hour and drove back. We didn't want to take the kids but maybe next time we will and stay in Portland rather than drive 9 hours!





Lara and Brig. He is so much cuter than this picture and she is so much prettier. Thanks IPhone!

It was so great to visit with her and Jenny. They are a remarkable family that have overcome their fair share of trials. They truly are an inspiration. I'm certain Bruce and Jane can rest easy. They have good kids. They did well.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Miracle of "Ordinary" days

I wanted to get the blog up and going again so I thought just posting some pictures of the family since October would catch us all up on where the Sharps have been. We have had a lot of "ordinary" days but I guess the miracle in all of those are they are not ordinary at all for us. Each day builds stronger bonds for us. Each day allows us to see things in a new light. Each day allows us to be better. And we are. We are a happy FAMILY.

I am sad I haven't kept this current as there are so many more memories that are worth noting. But here is a sampling anyway.
Sam was a champ on this bike and so it looks like Sof is not unlike her brother. She goes fast!
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!
Great Wolf Lodge. I have pictures of Sofie who is a great swimmer as well but they are all movies and for some reason I can't get them on here.
Remlinger Farms. Also had lots of pictures. The kids love the rides there too. Feeding the goats was great fun as well.
While picking out our pumpkins the patch had a corn maze. It was average
Pumpkin carving time!

Dad at "work" at MHF.
I just couldn't pass this up of Miss LuLu as Snow White--and this isn't even Halloween--kidding.but she does wear this dress daily.
Arrgghhh...We missed Markoff's Haunted Forest this year. However the "booty" looks like there was still fun to be had. Jax, mom and Kole.
Sam and "friend" at Ashley's bon fire during her halloween party
Bummer...but these are the only 2 decent photos of Sam and Sofie at Halloween. Sam was speed racer and Sofie was witchie poo. Sam had a great red helmet that he loves to just wear around for any reason. We painted Sofie's face green. She did NOT like that in the least. She had a darling hat too but wouldn't wear it. Here we are at Ashley's. We had such a great time pre trick or treating. Ashley's dad made some "mean" hot Texas chili. Sof loved it--the girl likes her spice!
Sam's 7th birthday--red velvet cake
Fun in the tub at Stephanie's
Cayucus


dude.........
I can't believe this is the only picture I have of the RV. We borrowed Uncle Mikes RV for our trip down to California to Stephanie's for Thanksgiving and Olivia's baptism. We had such a great time and the kids still are always wanting to go in the RV--everywhere! We stopped at Deidra's on the way down. Continued down on Highway 1. The windy road was beautiful but a little too windy for everyone. Sofie tossed her cookies at one point. Needless to say we chose highway 101 to interstate 5 headed back home.
Christmas cruise on the Stevulaks yacht

Tired after putting up the Christmas decorations


Part of Christmas "photo shoot"














Rides at Yonkers (?) in KC. LuLu did NOT like the roller coaster ride after all


Christmas Eve's nativity play by the grandchildren. Sam, Sotir and Aidan were the shepherds. LuLu was the angel and Sofie was Mary.
Loves for the "reluctant" Aidan

After swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's hot tub the kids would get so hot that they would strip down and run outside in the snow so as to cool off. Sam and Sotir would run out to try and catch a goose for dinner sometimes. Never happened but they were so darling about it.

Sam's presentation on the Rosetta Stone with his classmates Zoey and.......















Sam and Sofie's visit to Dr. Hansen's





Day at the Pacific Science Center. Sofie and Sam loved it there. Besides being terrified by the butterflies Sofie could have stayed all day. As could have Sam. We went to the planetarium for the first time that day. Sam was especially enamored.

Sam and I had a mommy/son bike ride day. We explored the whole afternoon.

Decorating cookies for Valentines day.

Sofie's first year skiing. She did great! Here she is skiing at Jackson Hole

Sam and Sofie's "igloo" Finally roasting marshmallows


Sledding at the ranch during mid winter break


Eggs gathered at Uncle Jason's

Jason's Birthday (party)

FINALIZATION!!

At the Court house post finalization with Mom

March 12, Sealing of Sofie in Seattle Temple






Aunt Sarah came all the way from Arizona for the sealing as did Grandma from Kansas.
We were so happy to have Deidra, Jeff, Jaclyn, Grandma and Grandpa Davis travel in as well.

















Big Swing


Easter Egg coloring at Deidra's with Claire and Callan

Family Christmas Photo

Now we'll begin regular entries: