Candy! Candy! Candy!

Anna has discovered the wonderfulness of candy. Monday after Halloween, there was some candy on the coffee table in the family room when she woke up. Needless to say, that was way more interesting than breakfast. I went with the 'no candy before breakfast' rule but she was quite loud before I was able to get her away from the table. At least she can be distracted and momentarily forget about the candy.

Then, after breakfast, she rediscovered the candy. Unfortunately, it was not her candy so some of the other kids were trying to keep her from eating it. We soon learned that simply telling her no or pushing it into the middle of the table would not do it. The high-pitched, ear-piercing scream let us know. So I put that candy in a bag and put some of her candy in her own bag. She happily carried it around and got the bag and herself completely sticky.

I was beginning to think I would have to bathe her every day since she was getting totally sticky all the time. Some of the candy I have to open for her but the lollipops she can get into all by herself. Since she doesn't have the patience for a whole lollipop at once, she often puts them back in the bag (without the wrapper) or just on the floor where she is. I keep picking wrappers and half-eaten candy out of the carpet.

Fortunately, we didn't get too much candy so it is almost gone and it will all be over soon.

Sand Dunes

A few weeks ago, Kristen, Nathan and Jonathan went down to the temple with the youth from church. They left freakishly early in the morning (before 6) and got home late (after 10). So Jason and I were in charge of the rest of the boys. We knew we had to schedule an activity so we wouldn't all drive each other crazy and decided on playing in the sand dunes at the beach.

Christopher (the oldest) stayed home to work on homework and we were able to leave Luke (the youngest) home with him. I'm not sure if they had been to this particular place before but how do you not love giant hills of sand? We were even able to keep them away from the water with tales of the strong riptide.

We found a place where they could jump from the hill and into the sand.


Sadly, our camera is kind of slow so I missed a number of the shots. Oh well, I did get a few good ones.


Then Jason dug holes for them all to sit in.

They made little castles in front of themselves which morphed into a mansion for the caterpillar they found and named Bob. I don't know if he fully appreciated the amenities of his home but they sure enjoyed making it for him.

It was a great way to pass the time while parents were away.

Halloween Night

After we got back from our trip, it was time to get ready for Halloween. Kristen had an old Bumblebee costume that we decided to use for Anna and I just wore my Indian clothes but got some bangles and stick- on jewels for my forehead. Jason opted against dressing up.

We went to a party at the church first. They had dinner and a bunch of games. Most of them were too old for Anna. The ones that she could have done, she was too scared to try or wasn't willing to wait in line. I did a lot of throwing things for her. We still had fun walking around, talking to people and checking out all of the other costumes.

Everyone in their costumes (left to right): Back - Braden as a tourist, Kristen with a sparkly boa, Anna as a bee, Jacob as an Indian, Jonathan as a kid from the 80s, Christopher as an accident victim Front - Luke as a dragon, Peter as a mad scientist, Eric as a knight, and Alec as a spelunker

Then they had something called trunk-or-treating which is where cars in the parking lot pass out candy from their decorated trunks. Someone even set up a little haunted walk. Then we did a little bit of trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Anna thought it was pretty cool. It was her first time trick-or-treating since we were in London last year and they don't do it there (over there, Halloween is basically a holiday for parties and drinking as far as I could tell, not for kids). She couldn't quite say 'trick or treat' so it came out more like 'tree' and she figured out pretty quickly to hold out her bucket (a cleaned out gallon ice cream container). We let her have a lollipop while we were going and I think it helped her not try to eat it as it came.

Anna watching as Luke got into his costume.

When we got home we opened some m&ms for her but put her to bed before she could really figure out that she has a whole bucket of candy at her disposal. She has since learned what is in the bucket and doesn't let a little thing like a wrapper get between her and her candy. I don't look forward to the day when she misses the things that Jason and I eat out. By then, we should have another little kid's candy to eat.

I think it got her in the spirit of dressing up. This morning, she was in the dragon costume that Luke (9 months) wore last night. I was a little surprised it fit but was glad it did because dang was she cute.

The back complete with tail.

Kristen said that when she was putting Anna in it, Luke started getting upset like he knew that it was his costume. So she gave him the pants for a while to appease him before putting them on Anna.

Pinnacles

Shimmying through the rocks.

For Jason's birthday (last Sunday) we went to a place called the Pinnacles. It's a national park where we can hike and go through caves. He's been wanting to go there since the summer but we couldn't find a good time to go and it was dang hot so we decided to wait and go for his birthday. It proved to be a good call because the weather was perfect.


Unfortunately, Nathan wasn't able to go but we went with the rest of Kristen's family along with us and Jason's sister Ann. We were a little bit worried about how much time we had (since we had to be back in time to get into costumes before a Halloween party at 6) since we heard it could take as much as three hours to get there and back. We meant to get going nice and early but, as is often the case with us, it took us longer than we intended to get out of the house. Fortunately, it only took about an hour and a half each way so we had plenty of time to be there.

Anna on my back for hiking. Talk about a versatile moby wrap.

We hiked about a half a mile to where the caves were. It was a good easy hike and even Eric (3) was able to do it.

There were some cool huge pinecones. We thought they made Jacob look like Carmen Miranda.

Then came the caves. They weren't too long but it was enough to need flashlights and to have to kind of climb down then up. Kristen and I both had babies strapped to us so it was a little bit exciting but we made it. Anna was pretty good about keeping her head down when I told her to.

Anna following Eric up the rocks.

At the end of the caves, we sat on some rocks and had snacks while some of the kids went back into the rocks to explore more before going back.

Ann at snack time.

Kristen and Luke enjoying their graham crackers.

Once we got back to the car, we had lunch and went home. Most everyone slept in the car on the way there and back so we had peaceful drives and got back in plenty of time to get into/figure out costumes. I'll talk about that in my next post.

Job Hunt

I was thinking about how I haven't blogged in a long time (sorry about that) and was thinking of why. There are several reasons but one that I realized today is that the major thing going on in our lives right now is looking for a job (and Anna but I don't feel like I can just talk about her all the time). While naturally it may seem like there is nothing to report on that end since we don't have one yet, there is actually quite a bit going on that I can talk about. The reason that I haven't wanted to talk about it is that it is a very personal and spiritual process and I wasn't sure if I wanted to put it out to the world like this. Then I realized today that I actually want my friends and family to know what we are up to and how we are making our choices. (Besides, if I waited until the process was over, imagine how long that post would be to try to explain in all.) I don't really want to have to explain things to each person individually, make sure I have informed everyone when things change or have them think we just couldn't find what we really wanted and just settled for anything we could get out of desperation. We're not really that desperate but our criteria have significantly changed. Let me bring you up to speed.

On the look out

When Jason graduated, he was looking for a top firm in a cool city, preferably abroad. He noticed that there were a lot of firms in Amsterdam that did work that he liked so we were kind of looking there. I knew the thought of us moving to Amsterdam (the Vegas of Europe where everything is legal) would freak out certain members of my family so I kind of kept that choice under wraps until we had something so they wouldn't have to worry about us longer than they had to. I figured while it would be hard to raise a righteous family in that setting it wouldn't be impossible.

Then in August, we had our school blessings. In my family, every year before school started, my dad would give us each a priesthood blessing. We've been doing it since before I was born and we don't stop just because we have graduated. This year, we were quite interested to see what was coming. To our great surprise it said, in essence, that we shouldn't look for a job in a prestigious firm or a prestigious city but should look somewhere small and out of the way instead. The analogy was that we should look for Nazareth and when the Lord needed Jason to rise up and be a leader, He would know where to find him. It pointed out that he could get a job where he was looking but that a job like that would basically suck him dry and he wouldn't be happy. What would make him happy would be a job where he had the time for his family, his church callings, community work or even designing his own house (which, oddly, Jason has had no real interest in but he would have the time for it if he wanted).

Well, after council like that, what could we do? We started thinking about big cities that are kind of off the architectural radar so to speak. We decided to stay in the States and from our list of a few places, decided to look into Boston. Jason found a web site that listed all of the firms in any given city and he started looking into them. Some of the firms were actually hiring and he applied to them. Others weren't but he liked what they did so he contacted them anyway. I, in the meantime was investigating Boston so that we would be ready to go when the job came.

Things didn't seem to be going anywhere and Jason was getting discouraged and kind of sequestering himself into our room and playing games on his work breaks. One day, not that long ago, he left our room and was talking to Kristen. I came in kind of in the middle of the conversation so I don't know what prompted it. They were talking about Jason's school blessing. Kristen had been there when he got it and was pointing out that maybe we were looking in the wrong place and that is why things weren't going so well. She thought, from the Nazareth description, we were looking at places that were too big and needed to look at smalled towns. She pointed out that we could get what we wanted in a place to live (things like museums, culture and general things to do) without living in a big city and we would probably be able to actually afford to do them. Which was a good point. When we lived in Salt Lake City we really enjoyed going to the symphony even a few operas. We had wanted to do it in Philadelphia too but they were just too expensive, even when I was working. She also pointed out that there are a lot of things about Boston that will be hard on Anna. Things like legalized gay marriage, longer school days (3 hours longer, there was an article in the paper) and universal health care (although that last one would affect our taxes mostly). She pointed out that if the Lord wanted us to go to Boston, then she wouldn't worry but based on the blessing, it didn't really sound like it.

We conceded that she had a point. Since then we have been looking for firms and towns that are around the size of San Luis. Needless to say, this had been a tough adjustment for us. Jason is having a hard time getting excited about the work that they do and I am having a hard time knowing how to help him feel better and get excited. We went to the temple the day after talking to Kristen. It was a good trip. I was worried about how long it would take to essentially start over and had the prompting that once we were able to kind of wrap our heads around the change, it wouldn't take long. That was a huge comfort to me because as much as I like being here, I don't really want to be here forever.

So we have made a list of what exactly we want in wherever we go. As I was reading the list to Kristen, she said it sounded like Fort Collins, Colorado. They have 9 architecture firms there. We are also thinking of the eastern Midwest, a place that looks like the East but isn't as uptight. I'm looking online at things like lists of Top Small Towns for Families and things like that. We are trying to find people we know anywhere who might know architects. That is one nice thing about being friends with people while we are all students, as we graduate and scatter, I now have friends all over. So, if anyone knows someone who is an architect (not necessarily an architect who is hiring, just an architect) anywhere, let us know. We need all the help we can get.

Although the life of a beach bum is appealing. j/k -Jason

Tidbits

- We got Anna some little sunglasses. She wears them really well, not even taking them off when we go into stores. I was a little bit worried because she was so old when we got them but I think the fact that Jason and I wear them all the time helps her to see that they need to stay on her face. She can even put them on herself. Sometimes she'll put them on up side down but if we tell her they are and to turn them around, she will. She is so smart.

- Anna has learned how to open doors, at least the kind with the handle-type doorknobs. So a closed door is not the impediment it once was. Ironically, she can only open them if she has to pull it towards her but hasn't figured out pushing the door open yet. So she can get out but not back in. There are definite pluses and minuses to this arrangement.

On the hammock with her cousin Brennan on the 4th of July

- A while ago, we took her to the doctor. He turned out to be the dad of a girl that Jason and I ran with in high school. His partner is the doctor that Jason went to when he was little. It's always a little strange being home again.

- At said doctor's appointment, we learned that Anna is in the 30% in weight, 60% in height and 75% in head circumference. I'm not too surprised because her clothes always get too short before they get too tight and it's almost impossible to get some things over her head (don't get me started on baby clothes proportions).

I'm ready Mom, you can let go.

- Also at the doctor's appointment the doctor was saying that this is a hard age for kids because they know what they want but can't articulate it yet. For the parents, it's like caring for a stroke victim and for the kids, it's like playing charades with an idiot. Frustrating for everyone involved. I think about the charade comment when Anna is being very insistent about something and I have no idea what that is.

- Anna has decided against sitting in a high chair even though she isn't quite tall enough to sit at the table. She often stands on her chair to reach her food or she will put the bowl or plate on the chair with her. This means that quite a bit of our meal is spent in putting Anna back on her chair until she is done eating. For some reason, she feels a need to sit to fold her arms for the prayer (which she does quite well). I don't know why but it's dang cute.

In a tribute to Philadelphia, Anna does her best Rocky pose.

- Jason is working hard to find a job in two different markets. He is looking in Boston for a long term job (so if anyone knows anyone who lives or has lived in Boston, preferably an architect but we aren't picky, let us know). On top of that, he is looking around here for something short-term on a contract basis so we have some money coming from somewhere. Talk about switching mental gears.

- We are staying at my parent's house while they are away on a cruise. It's really quiet here. The first day Anna took a three hour nap! Plus, she is needing me more to entertain her. I thought getting out once a day would be enough for us but she has been needing to get out more than that. We are spending at lot of time at the little park down the street.


- I'm doing a diet with Kristen. I haven't been weighing myself though so I didn't really know how it was going until we got to my parent's house and used their scale. I think I've lost 10 pounds (I don't really know where I started). When I told Jason, he was not surprised. Apparently he notices my weight loss before I do. Strangely, when I was eating ice cream last night (not on my diet but oh well), my cheeks looked kind of gaunt. Strange considering my chin often looks fleshy to me.

- We found a web site with funny t-shirt designs. Some of them are really funny so Jason saved pictures of the designs and made a collage background out of them. One of my favorites says "Free Tibet* with purchase of another Tibet of equal or greater value". We giggle whenever we look at them.

Disneyland!

Disneyland

For my birthday on Monday, we decided to go to Disneyland. Neither of us had been since we were in high school and I really wanted to take Anna while we are so close. Although I really wanted to go, we almost couldn't seeing as we don't have a job and the income that goes with that. Then on the Thursday before, I was out with some other girls in the ward for a girl's night and it came up that we wanted to go but wouldn't be able to. They were all sufficiently bummed for us (they all have jobs) and one, who had just moved up here from Southern California, told me about a friend she has who lives down there and can get three people into Disneyland for free (her husband used to work there) and would totally get us in as long as she was in town. Well, she was and she did.

We stayed with my cousin, Michiko, who lives about 10 minutes away and has a daughter who is 15 months old. She came with us and it was great having another adult there who was more familiar with the park than we are. Plus, Anna thought Cosette (the daughter) was great.

There were a few downsides to our trip. A company had rented out the park so it closed at 6 instead of 8. That was annoying but we found that by then we were good and ready to go (we are so not hardcore Disneyland fans). Of course that also meant that we didn't really have time to see California Adventure. Oh well. Then Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion were closed for getting them ready for Halloween. I was kind of bummed because we both like both of those but even without them, it was fun.

In front of the Matterhorn

Dumbo ride

We finally got into the park at about 9:30 and went to It's a Small World first thinking Anna would like it. While she did like being on the boat before and after going in, she was a little bit overwhelmed inside the ride. She just leaned back on my chest and stared. Fortunately she perked up for the Nemo 'submarine' ride. The bubbles across the porthole really did it for her although the fish swimming were also a hit. The other thing we did that she totally loved was the Tiki Hut. She got so into those anamatronic birds and flowers singing. It was really cute because she kept looking to Cosette for confirmation that it was cool and did not get why she wasn't having as much fun as Anna felt she should be. Then after her nap, we woke her up to go on the carousel. She wasn't so sure about it until it started moving and then it was pretty dang cool. From there, she was interested in the Dumbo ride. We had to wait a little bit and she loved watching the Dumbos going around and up and down but when we got onto it, she wasn't so sure. We thought about doing the teacups after that but figured three rides in a row that spin might be a bit much for her so we opted against.

Buzz Lightyear (Jason level 3, Ellen level 2)

Tiki Room (sorry for the poor picture, it was dark) Anna loved it all

Since my cousin was there, we were able to have her watch the kids while Jason and I went on rides she couldn't go on. So we did Autotopia where I bumped Jason's car in front of me. Fortunately none of the workers were looking. We also did Indiana Jones and Thunder Mountain Railroad. I also did Splash Mountain on my own. Jason doesn't like the big drop (he's not really a roller coaster kind of guy) and Michiko wasn't interested so I went alone. It was handy because they have a single rider line so you don't have to wait in the big line. Of course, this way I ended up in the front of the little log thing and was soaked by the end. Good thing I had linen pants.

Autopia looking cute

Anna did great the whole day. Before I knew the park was going to close early, I thought about going home for lunch and having Anna take a nap and then going back later in the day. Of course the early closing nixed that idea. Fortunately, Anna fell asleep while we were in line for Pirates of the Caribbean and slept for a good hour before we had to wake her up to do rides for her. She was patient with the lines and waiting and didn't even mind waiting while Jason and I did our thing. We borrowed a baby leash thing for when she wanted to walk around (which she used when we were waiting for lunch) and we wanted to keep her close. We may need to get one of our own because it is handy and totally cute to have a little dog strapped on her back.

Riding Carousel

Then that night after we went home exhausted and had dinner, Michiko made me a birthday cake. Then, the next morning, she watched Anna for us while we went to the temple (I'm telling you, this girl needs a medal for all she did for us). So we had a great trip and a great birthday.