Little Si of Relief

Saturday was beautiful here in Maple Valley. We have been wanting to go on a hike for, well, really all summer and it was finally time. I bought a Kelty carrier for Isla from Craigslist that morning - score! - then we finished some odds and ends here around the house, had lunch and then outta here. On our way to Little Si in North Bend. 2.2 miles one way and we had been told it was medium-easy. . . we'll see.

So we started out full of energy and excitement. At least the majority of us. Uh maybe middle matilda had some good whines and gripes about the family activity. oh well. keep moving. The oldest child was there to excel and that she did. Always ahead of the group telling us to hurry up. The Feeza was a champ! Amazing. She fell often and only cried when she was completely flattened after tripping on a root. Luckily, her face was saved. We brushed her off, the quicker the better, and kept moving. She was having fun for sure. Brian and I were glad we were there while Isla hung on the back of Bri - too cute. The middle of the hike up was good but someone wanted to turn around. Majority wins and we kept moving. End of the way up was tiring. We wanted to be at the top and it was dragging. BUT we made it! Sigh.

So nice at the top. But I'm sure I'm not the first to say that. :)

Peaceful, yes, even with 4 crazies trying to get as close to the edge as they can and me trying to keep them as far from the edge as I can. ha - kinda sounds like parenthood.

I was proud of us. It is nice to complete something that I wasn't sure we could do.

The way down was great - took us about half the time. Still a couple spills but nothing big. We stopped at a local burger joint/frosty freezy place there in North Bend and that was ok. The best part was dessert. We will have to remember the lime slushy and a soft serve vanilla cone.

Enjoy the pics. I love the people in them. They are the best.

First Day of School

So the girls have made it (almost) through their first week of school. Technically it will be tomorrow and tada the first week is over. Then next week. . . school again but I guess you could say "the honeymoon is over". At least that is how I feel. So much excitement and jitters and nerves and stomach aches for the first day of school and we need to have a new outfit (in our house just a shirt will do) for every single day of the first week of school. Then the weekend comes and Monday rolls around and it is school again but it could be the middle of January for all I care the first week is over - no more nerves no special pancakes like on the first day of school, Dad isn't staying home to walk with us to the bus, the girls are lucky if they have a juice box with their pb and j. Don't ask about the chips and treat. Fi would say "that's not fair" but I say "that's life, move on". So we have made it through the first week of school and actually I think I might make some bread tomorrow for lunches come Monday, maybe even cookies. :) I love these girls! They are wonderful and they keep me loving what I am doing at this point in my life. Happy first week of school to all!

First Birthday and First PB&J

Isla Jane turned 1 on June 14 and we had a fun little family party for her. She is wonderful! She opened her first present which was a baby doll and was good with that. She didn't want to open anything else. So we moved on to the cake. We sang and it was time for her to blow out her candle and I realized she didn't know how to blow it out! I forgot to teach her for her big day. sad. oh well, we have moved on. In fact we moved on to PB & J hooray! She thought that was one tasty sandwich - thank goodness. Isn't that the best smile EVER?!!

Summer lovin'

Fiona really wanted to help Brian mow. I am sure he is hoping she still wants to in about 12 years.

How cute is this?! Fiona was telling Isla all about her scratch on her elbow. I think Isla really cares!
I caught this picture of Fiona sharin the love. One of my favorites.
The 4 ragamuffins.

Someone's been sitting in my chair. . .

Goldilocks found Fiona's rocking chair the other day. . . so cute.

Dancing Queen

Fiona has had a lot of fun with her dance class and she ended the season with a recital. She was darling that night and her sisters were all very excited for her. Below is her in action at dress rehearsal. Next is her the night of the recital before the performance and last is all 4 crazies after Fi's performance. It was a really long night and I have to be honest, she is all signed up and ready for swim class in the fall. . . sorry Dance Expressions.

Birthday girl!

Camilla Margaret turned 7 on May 19 and it was a good week of celebrating for her. She took lollipops and pencils to the kids in her class at school and then we celebrated at home that night with her family party. This picture she is making one of my favorite faces - sort of. I will try to get a better one of her doing it cuz it is hilarious when she does it right. Then on Saturday she had her friends over for lunch, games, a pinata (she was born in LA so she knows how to party) and cake and ice cream. That was a fun afternoon with some pretty silly little girls. Camilla is way funny now days. She is really getting in touch with her sense of humor. I love it. She still has forgiveness issues but we are trying to teach her how to accept an apology when they are meaningful (ta heck with the rest) - she does however know how to imitate the fat lady from Nacho Libre PERFECTLY when she says "I forgive you". . . go figure.

Isla is on the move!

I love when the girls let me put curlers in their hair. Aren't these so fun? I first saw these curlers when Valerie was putting them in Abby's hair about a year ago. They aren't near as uncomfortable as the old pink sponge curlers and they give a great result. This was the first time Fiona asked for some in her hair. she cracks me up.

I don't know what it is but the first time my girls stand up in their crib always kind of creeps me out. I come in to get them from a nap and I find them on their knees or standing up and I want to ask "who helped you up?" Maybe it just makes me nervous. . . whatever.

So then I find Isla really getting used to using her legs and I find her on her knees in Fiona's room diggin around in a toy box. She was so excited to find all these new treasures. So proud of herself.

No more knee time. That's for babies. I got feet. I know how to use them. I can stand.

I have been wanting to get a picture of Isla in this pose for a while now. It is my absolute FAVORITE! Camilla says she is proposing. classic. Well I just love it.

Christmas Morning on the Stairs

Here are the girlies on Christmas morning - I love their faces in the morning, they were READY to get to the tree but we had them wait while Brian read the book I'll Love You Forever, a Harold Farnsworth tradition that we adopted. It is a good one. We got through the book and down to the PRESENTS!!! Way too much fun - I love Christmas. We were alone this year - both sets of parents on missions and most siblings with other family, so it was a little weird but not at all quiet. This was a fun year - their ages were almost perfect. Although Isla was too young, Oni, Camilla, and Fiona were way into Christmas and all the festivities. They had fun delivering goodies and gifts, listening to Christmas music, making sugar cookies and hot cocoa, and watching good Christmas movies - they were loving it all and that made it a ton of fun. Next year will be better with Isla, but I am afraid that Oni will no longer be on the Santa wagon. . . sooo sad. Oh and if that isn't saying enough about how fast they grow up - Camilla the other day: "Mom, I remember how babies come out, but how do they get in?" sex ed anyone???? HAPPY NEW YEAR boooraahhh to 2010!

Conference Attire

Fiona was zoning while watching conference yesterday. Her outfit is just right - diaper and bear hat.

Long Time No Post

Yup, those three ELK on the top were in our yard eating from our trees. I thought it was a joke - maybe some horses or something. . . I am from Burbank mind you. And sweet little Bambi there on the bottom - how cute, spots and all. Fiona was soooo excited. This all happened a few weeks ago, although not on the same day.

Yes, yes my mom IS on a mission. However, I somehow got her to come out to help with the move and the baby - wonderful mother, nice mission pres. Don't get me started on missions for couples and the rules and mission presidents who, well, how should we say this, need a hobby. My parents are working hard and they have a great mission president. Thank heavens.

Fiona is a new member of the La Leche League. . . for purple stuffed animal cats. meow.

My mom brought a crystal making kit for the girls to do and they had to wear protective eye gear and well, they really got into it. The process was a bit lengthy - it said we should have crystals in about a week. . .

Still no crystals to be seen - my mom has been back home now for about a month but we are still hopeful that they will appear. ha. The kit said for ages 12 and up but I think we are all very mature for our ages.

Little Isla finally got blessed. We are believers after all! Valerie, Stephanie, Stacey, Teri and Troy were all here to enjoy the day with us and Troy was with Brian for the blessing. It was very sweet. Every cousin on the Farnsworth side was here too - it was fun!

She looked so sweet for church.

Isn't that fun! I love their goofy smiles. You almost forget all the pain from birth. . .

Isla Jane Farnsworth

Who does she look like???

We are trying to figure out what side of the family she most looks like and we don't know. But we LOVE her! She is wonderful. Isla came almost a week late and we could hardly wait to see her. Saturday the 13th Brian had a golf tournament he was playing in and I was having contractions off and on all morning. Brian kept checking in with me and I finally told him at about 5pm that I thought the baby was on her way. He came right home. We headed to the hospital although I was not in a ton of pain it was just consistent and I didn't want to miss my opportunity for an epidural. We ended up getting a good bit of rest before she came at 2:49am on Sunday morning. Delivery was good and my doctor was on call that night so he was able to deliver Isla, which was kind of nice. We couldn't believe her weight at 9 pounds and 1 ounce - that was weird to hear. And she also has this brown hair - weird to see. She is so sweet and so fun to watch. We love Isla.

Camilla is 6!!!

Camilla Margaret Farnsworth (say that 5 times fast - better yet, try getting your kindergartner to write it for homework once a week without complaining) turned 6 on May 19th. She woke up to balloons from the balloon fairy/monster in her room, enjoyed a day at school and then had a great family party with Bri's hamburgers on the BBQ followed by a new Webkinz and some cake. It was fun for all. Low key, but fun. It is actually a party everyday in this house for these crazy kids (cousins). They are loving living together. . . the moms of the house are just trying to stay sane among all the chaos. Oh and the dads are playing way too much Wii.

Camilla is the middle child and a classic one at that. We will see if that label sticks after #4 comes. Anyhow, Camilla is sweet and sassy, the nicest and mean, could be in a skirt all the time and loves playing sports. She is my two extremes girl, my opposite girl. She is great with Fiona and I can't wait to see what a big helper she will be with her new sis. We love Camilla!!




The crazies.




The crazies continued.

Play Ball!

Brian and I went to the Mariners game a couple weeks ago and I love baseball games. I love watching them outside - as long as the weather is wonderful. My Dad would take us kids to Dodger games often growing up and I loved it. I am so glad we had beautiful weather this day that Brian and I went, it makes all the difference in the world.

Now on to bigger and better. . .

Yes, only about two weeks left until baby girl #4 is due to arrive. We are way excited. The girls are very aware of how many more days we have but they also know that she will come when she is ready. We are trying to get Fiona out of her diapers (so baby sister can wear them:)) but she fell in the toilet about a month ago and has not really wanted to get back on since. go figure. I refuse to buy those disgusting toddler toilets that I have to clean but I do believe in the little seats that sit on top of the toilet so your child won't fall in. I have one in storage so I didn't want to buy another one. Well, Fiona and I broke down while on our weekly trip to Target and blew the ten bucks the other day. So now we are trying to just get her to not freak out about the big toilet - she has the death grip on me every time I get her to sit on it. She is making progress but it is super slow. Its not like she was in the toilet bowl for very long - her tiny rear end was barely wet when I pulled her up. She has way too good a memory.

So this last story is for sure rated PG-13 but I have to record it before I forget. . . Oni, 7 and Camilla, 6 were in the shower about a month ago and
Oni says in a quiet voice, "Mom I know what that name is for the boys body"
so of course I bite. . .
and she says "p-e-n-i-s and girls is v-u-l-v-a"
HELLLLOOOO!!! "Oh yeah you are right. how did you know that?"
"I read it in the cat book"
CAT BOOK?? "what cat book?"
"the one from the library at school"
WHAT THE!!! "oh, how did you find it in there?"
"I was seeing what kind of a cat I wanted to pretend to be and I saw the pictures"
PICTURES!!!!! "well that is good but lets not use those words too often because some kids still don't know them - like your little sisters and I don't think we need them saying them at the wrong times."
"ok mom"
"and also, lets find some books at the school library that you can read and that have a fun story in them."
"ok mom"