MHS ~ 10 years later

I just had to write that I get to go to my 10 year high school reunion. See our reunion website. I am so excited!! I was able to get some cheap airfare to Salt Lake. So the kids and I are going to fly out to Utah for 6 days. Unfortunately Tim can't come because of work and the paper route. But I am excited that I get to go!!

New Calling

Saturday night we went to Lincoln Lopez's Baptism. Afterwards, Bishop Score came up to Tim & I and said we needed to talk. You never know what is going to be said when the Bishop asks you to come into his office to talk. {My heart starts to beat a little faster.} We first started with some small talk and he asked us what our callings were and if we magnified our callings. Then he started to say that Sister Dangerfield has been the Relief Society President for about 6 years and her husband isn't doing well ... So I am thinking to myself "Relief Society President, NO way, I'm not old enough." Then he says that they are not releasing her {Thank goodness} but they are looking for a new 2nd Counselor who happens to be the Home, Family and Personal Enrichment Counselor because Jen Munns is moving in a few weeks {Thanks Jen}. So Bishop extended the call me! I was, and still am, feeling a little overwhelmed. It is going to take a lot of time, and planning and prioritizing of my time and life.
The amazing thing to me is how quickly it happened. Friday was our Stake Temple Day. Bishop Score said he was at the temple praying for an answer to fill this position. He said my name was the right one that came to mind. He saw Tim and I Friday evening at the Temple and he had his answer before he even saw us. So he extended the call to me Saturday night, before he had talked to his counselors, before he had talked to the Relief Society President. He just knew it was right. That testifies to me that I know this calling, at this time in my life, is right for me. It is truly inspired, because I wouldn't pick it. The Lord knows I need it. WOW!

Digital world

I have been online looking at blogs from some of my friends from high school. They all have CUTE blogs that they have designed using digital scrapbooking. So I thought I would try it out. This is my first page that I have designed. It's not the best out there, but I am learning on my own and hopefully I can get better.

SO BIG!!

Alexandra loves to play "Soooo Big!" Miles took the bottom picture. He did a great job!

Here is a new video of Alexandra & Caden.

The Week of the Desks

Two Sundays ago (June 10th) we were driving home from Church and we were stopped at a stop light. On the corner of Clayton Way and Concord Blvd. there was a big desk with a sign that said "FREE." I said to Tim, "Look a free desk" more teasing than being serious. We drove passed it and and he called Chris immediately asking to borrow his truck to haul this desk to our house before anyone else took the desk. Chris and Tim went back, picked up the desk. They said it was heavy and big. They didn't know how to two of them lifted into his truck at all. Chris had to go somewhere. So Tim called J.M. and Max to haul it into our house. It WAS big! But it was free!

Then on Thursday (June 14th) we were on our way to a park for a picnic with our friends. On the corner of Concord Blvd. and Denkinger there were about 20 school desks sitting out. Once again I said to Tim, "Look free desks." He said we would pick one up on our way home, if I really wanted him to. We got home and we forgot to get a desk, so I made him go back and pick one up. When he got back he had brought home 2!! One for Miles and one for Caden. They were so excited!! They put all their school supplies and books in them immediately.

What we learned: Concord Blvd. has sweet stuff for FREE!! Hurray for free stuff.

Cute Babies ... Best of Friends ... Upcoming Terrors in Nursery

We were at the park Tuesday night celebrating Chris' 35th Birthday (he's SO old) and realized I had my camera so I took some pitures of our all babies who have been born since March. It will be fun to watch them grow up and be friends. Looks like little Tyler will be the "ladies man."
From left to right: Sophie McKissick ~ April 12, Tyler Cook ~ April 18, Lauren Jacobs ~ May 17, Alexandra Doll ~ March 12.

Here are all the mommies holding their cute babies!! Tammy & Sophie, April & Lauren, Hayley & Tyler, Me & Alexandra.

Jana & Anthony's Wedding

Tim's baby sister Jana got married this weekend. Everything turned out beautiful. Thursday night we went to the Oakland temple for Jana's endowment session. Friday we helped set up for the reception and we had a family dinner at the church. Saturday Jana and Anthony were sealed in the Oakland Temple. It was a short but sweet ceremony.

The kids were surprisingly good, for being such a long day. Miles was "Mr. Photographer." He took almost all the pictures that he wasn't in, and he did surprisingly well. We had 260 pictures on our camera. That kept him busy most of the day. The highlight for Miles was that he caught the garter at the reception. He was so excited and kept running around with it. Alexandra looked beautiful in her black and white dress. (And not in the HUGE bow on her head in the first picture.) But she was the happiest all day after I took off her dress and carried her around in her onesie during the reception. Caden had fun running around with his cousins and friends. Tim was busy being the DJ for the reception.

Memorial Day Weekend

Last weekend was Memorial Day. So on Friday we took the kids to see Shrek the Third. We went to the re-opened drive in theater. I think we will do this more often. It was great! Kids 11 and under are free and you get to take in your own food. That was nice and cheap. Plus the kids can talk with out bothering everyone in the theater and I could wear my PJ's!

Saturday we took the kids swimming. We were at the pool for 4 hours. I even brought my camera to take pictures of Alexandra in the pool, swimming with Tim. She doesn't seem to mind the water. But we only keep her in for about 5 minutes.

Monday we went up to Mt. Diablo. The biggest "mountain" (it's more like a hill, compared to Utah moutains) in the Bay Area. We stopped for some Subway sandwiches and then had a picnic at Mt. Diablo. First we stopped at "Rock City" and climbed around the rocks. Then we drove up to the top and looked around. We could see Concord, Clayton, Walnut Creek, Martinez and Danville. Miles got a little scared being up so high. Alexandra was a trooper and survived the day. We went to Tim's parents' house afterwards for a BBQ. The boys swam in Grandma's pool/slide. Miles said that was his favorite thing he did that weekend.

What a silly bunch!

I love my kids, even though they may drive me crazy! They can be so sweet, cute and loving! (When you find them in the right mood.) It looks like Alexandra is learning from her brothers how to make faces for the camera!

Caden's Big Day

Caden "graduated" from Preschool today. (Even though he will still go to preschool again next year, he will just have a different teacher.) He couldn't say graduation, he kept calling it his "grad-u-ta-tion" day. Anyway, they all marched out in their little graduation "caps" to "Pomp and Circumstance" music. His teacher then called each child one at a time and received their "diploma". They sang the parents a couple of songs and then they got to play and eat. The teacher had a bounce house set up for the kids to play in. And everyone brought food for a potluck! He had a good time. His teachers were Miss Honey and Miss Nikki. He has learned a lot this year, including his numbers and colors and working on writing his name. The video below is him singing the crocodile song. He loves to sing! You can tell when he gets shy because he will stick his fingers in his mouth. He is such a cute kid!!










Caden with Miss Nikki and Miss Honey.

The Chicken Dance

Caden had preschool graduation on Thursday. After they got their little diplomas, the class celebrated by doing the Chicken Dance. I have to laugh because my little brother danced to this when he was in kindergarten and about wet his pants because he was laughing so hard. So I thought Parker would enjoy this little video. (Caden is wearing the blue striped shirt.)

Alexandra 10 Weeks old

This is great to keep in touch with family and friend we don't get to see all the time! Now you can watch to see the little milestones that Alexandra hits. She is now talking and smiling!

Upside-Down Girl

For some weird and strange reason Alexandra loves to have her head and neck arched back. Here are some pics to show you. Ouch! Looks uncomfortable to me! Hey, whatever keeps her happy.

Water baby

We knew that Alexandra liked taking baths because the water is warm but ... Today the boys wanted to go swimming so I took them over to the pool and Tim met us there after he got off from work. I brought Tim's swimming suit and at the last minute I grabbed a little suit for Alexandra. The weather was only like 65 degrees and a little windy. But that didn't stop Miles and Caden. Tim decided to get in and so I put Alexandra's suit on her and Tim put her in the water. I was waiting for her to start screaming. She never did. Tim held her in the water and floated her around for about 3 minutes and then we got her out. She was very calm the whole time. Never cried but never smiled. I didn't take my camera or I would have a picture of the first time she went swimming. (If this doesn't make her part of the DOLL family, I don't know what else would.)

Gotta Love Baseball Season

Tim took me to the A's game last night for Mother's Day. (even though we got the tickets for free). We didn't have ANY kids with us, which was a little weird. Tim's mom watched the boys while Aunt Densie offered to watch Alexandra. We had a nice quiet evening.
This morning Tim called me at 10:00. Someone from his work offered him 2 free tickets to tonights game. I let him go as long as he took both boys with him. He had to buy one ticket for Caden, which is fine. They got free A's beanies and time with Dad -- and quiet time for me. So I am sitting here at home doing nothing. Which is nice. I will feed baby, and flip between the A's game, Warriors game and American Idol.

Time flying by ...

I can't believe Alexandra is already 2 months old. The last 8 weeks have flown by. She is such a sweetheart. I love her smiles and the way she "talks" to me. She is so strong, she knows she is going to have to keep up with her brothers. She had her 2 month Dr. appointment on Monday. She weighed in at 10 pounds 7 ounces and was 23 inches long. She is in the 50th percentile for her weight and 75th percentile for her length. She also had her first set of shots. I have to say she is one tough little girl, she cried when the needles were first poked into her little legs but was not upset for very long. I was very proud of her. She slept a lot when we got home but nothing seemed to bother her. (The picture of her is after we got home from the Dr.)
Miles is getting used to her and even said on Mother's Day that he would watch her for me. Caden just adores her and wants to help change her diaper and wants to feed her. He loves kissing her and holding her. Tim, of course, LOVES her. Tim, Alexandra and I went to Kohl's Saturday night looking for a Mother's Day present for me. I wanted some new sandals. The infant clothing is right across from the shoes. Tim couldn't find me -- so he went shopping and picked out a cute little sundress for Alexandra. I know that he just adores her. I think I just became girl #2 in Tim's eyes.

Rock 'n Roll - Fireman style

Today at Caden's pre-school they had a fireman come talk to the kids, and brought a fire engine to the school. Caden was telling telling me about his day. He got to touch the fire truck and talk to the fireman. I asked him if he learned anything. He said "Yes, Rock and Roll." I realized that he meant Stop, Drop and Roll. How cute!!

Alexandra's Blessing

Alexandra's blessing was Sunday May 6. Tim did a great job and had us all crying. It was very special. He gave her a name and told her that she was named after someone who is very special to us -- Grandma JoeAnn Doll. Tim blessed Alexandra that she would be a good spouse, mother and grandmother, just like Grandma Doll was.

My Mom and Dad came out for the weekend. We went to Muir Woods to see the Redwood trees and to a San Francisco Giants game Friday night. They also saw the boys play ball on Saturday.

SMILES!

Alexandra's first smile was April 19th. But they just keep getting better. Tim took this one last night (May 2nd).

Miles is a Doll(y)

Miles thinks he is HILARIOUS with his newly added features. I think his Great-Grandma McDonald and his Great-Aunt Robin would be proud. Tim isn't.