{The Call Family}

{New Chapter}

2011-07-11T21:34:00.000-07:00

We've opened a new chapter in our lives. It's one we didn't see coming, and wouldn't wish on anyone, but it's been bestowed upon us and we are ready to take it on...Lyndon has been diagnosed with colon cancer. He had surgery on June 27th to remove a portion of his colon- a third of the colon, the lining of the abdomen and 27 lymph nodes were taken out. He is home now recovering, and is doing really well. He needs a few more weeks to heal, and will be starting six months of chemo on August 1st. He will be off work until he gets through all of this. He is considered stage four, but luckily they say he is not a traditional stage four, as they think they already got all the cancer surgically.

So for now our days are busy with scans and tests and follow ups and appointments. We're lucky to have Lyndon's mom staying with us for the coming months while we go through this. I would be LOST without her right now, trying to manage caring for the little girls and Lyndon. We hope this is a short chapter, and are confident it is going to have a happy ending! We have already felt so humbled by the love and support we have received, and continue to get on a daily basis, and for spiritual blessings already received through this trial.

THANK YOU family and friends ~ you are AMAZING! XOX

HAPPY EASTER!

2011-04-24T01:10:00.000-07:00

HAPPY EASTER FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

Having to explain in detail to a small child what each holiday really means is by far the best reminder I have why we celebrate these special days. I feel humbled by this one...

I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES.

Dear Livi Love,

2011-04-20T00:10:00.000-07:00

6 months already?!?! WHAT? Please slow down! You are a literal ray of sunshine in my life... you make me smile all day long. I love you baby girl!!

Love, Mommy

{photos by Kristy Dunning}

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2011-01-01T23:12:00.000-08:00

My first attempt at Christmas cards... so they went out the week after Christmas, what do you do?!

Pictures taken by my friend Kristy Dunning... I love them! Thanks Kris. Anyone looking for some good family photos, she does an amazing job!

Christmas

2010-12-31T23:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas with small kids really is so much fun! We had a great day- lots of relaxing, football, eating and of course toy assembly. Santa is sure tired though, and he (she) reallllly wishes Christmas would now take itself down ;)

Making our Santa cookies on Christmas Eve...

finally 'wrapped up' - photo taken sometime around 3am....

Christmas Angel!

clearly enjoying her new toys...

Santa brought all three Call girls matching aprons (please disregard my tired make up less face)...

Opa (Lyndon's Dad) flew in on Christmas day and spent the week with us!

Proudly Introducing...

2010-12-24T01:46:00.000-08:00

MISS THREE

Build A Bear (she picked Rudolph)

her besties, Noah & Aly

How cute is this raincoat? She LOVES wearing it...

I hope she wished to always be this precious!

Dear Santa,

2010-12-12T23:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry I screamed bloody murder when my Mom tried to get me to sit on your lap the other day. In the end they tricked me into sitting next to you so my 'baby sister wouldn't be nervous.' But I still showed them and I refused to smile. For some reason my Mom keeps saying she can't wait until she doesn't have to be in the picture with you...oh well, maybe next year.

P.S. Of course, I would still like you to bring me gifts. I have been a pretty good girl and have a loooooong list of things I'd like-I'm in the process of writing you a letter, keep an eye out for it to arrive (you know, since I refused to talk to you and all). Also, please disregard the last few months as I've been having a bit of an identity crisis due to the whole new baby thing. Thanks Santa, Love Addison

Six Week Mark...

2010-12-01T23:35:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it's only been six weeks since I became a mother of two...wow, I am still trying to adjust (I mean COPE)! At the same time I can't believe little Olivia is already six weeks old, it's already going by too fast.

First time in her bathtub...she's not a fan.

Rocking with her sissy...

In her crib, again with big sis...

Sadly, this is the only photo I got of Olivia's first Thanksgiving!

Tiny Turkey in front of our 'Thankful Tree'

First church day...not gonna lie, she looked REALLY cute.

We LOVE our little Livi!

{Halloween}

2010-11-02T17:47:00.001-07:00

Miss A was the cutest little owl you've ever seen, and Miss O was completely clueless as to what was going on, but was a cutie in her Peek-A-Boo ghost get up anyways.

Irvine Trunk or Treat... a complete bust; too many scary masks and a lack of private places to feed the babe. Oh well, next year!

MY GIRLS...

Trick or Treat!

She's here...

2010-10-27T22:42:00.001-07:00

{Miss Olivia Catherine Call}
Born 10-20-10 @2:40pm, 7 lbs, 1 oz, 18.75". We're in LOVE! Tired...but in love.

The Patch; Take 1

2010-10-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today we tried to get in our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch... it was VERY HOT and VERY HUMID. I might have dressed the kiddo in a pretty warm Fall outfit, for the photo op...oops. Also, we arrived about 11:30am and appearantly the ponies don't clock in and get to work until 1:00. We'll be back some time soon for 'Take 2' (unless someone miraculously forgets all about this promise).

Sea World

2010-09-30T09:50:00.001-07:00

Addison and I hit Sea World last week, it was now or never given the size of my belly! It was actually a great day... not too hot, not too crowded and one of my besties, Stacy, got a pass and she and her boys met up with us. A loved it!

Shamu show... the trainers no longer get in the water and swim with the whales, I'm sure after the FL Sea World incident?

huge turtles...

A & I (and 36 weeks preggo face)...

We just learned that week in dance class that Flamingos do 'passe' like ballerinas. This is Miss A doing passe with them...

Feeding the sea lions...

{Stacy & Mitch}

this guy was waving to the crowd, trying to score more fish. so cute!

manatee with a bird on his back...

PENGUINS {Our favorite}

they really are so cute when they waddle...

'Bay of Play' {Addi & Mitch}

{handsome little Brody}

polar bear...

polar bear paw...

Greatest Show on Earth...

2010-09-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Or so they say! In an effort to take Miss A on some fun special dates before she's a big sis we've been on a couple excursions lately. First, in August we went to the Circus. Too bad the circus starts at bedtime, and is dark and loud. Given those circumstances I think it went pretty well.

tiger tricks....

not quite sure about it all, she stayed safely on Dad's lap...

crazy contortionist's....

I think nine motorcycle's went into this ball and drove around together, it was pretty amazing...

Noah the clown! our circus trip was organized and attended by some of our old Irvine friends...

lots of fun animals...

plenty of people on stilts...

acrobats on the high wire...

and the elephants! lots of them, lots of tricks...

pretty much all A remembers is the elephants pooping on the ground right in front of us, which makes her crack up every time she mentions it! Good times.

and lastly, her Circus pony that she named Peanut...

Hey Utah Ladies...

2010-09-14T14:30:00.001-07:00

If you live in the Utah/SLC County area, plan on stopping by this boutique... the one and only Maureen Porter (my Mom) will be there with a booth (Cake Plates).

'Big Girl' stuff

2010-07-24T22:48:00.001-07:00

I had wanted to have Addison sleeping in a big girl bed and potty trained by October, before Baby Sisters' arrival.... one is going well.

painting...

Grandma built the big girl bed...

one happy girl!

Her room is almost done, it turned out super cute (if I do say so myself). A few more back ordered pieces of furniture to arrive and we'll post some pics.

Just thought I'd throw in a few of swim lessons, Addi did great. She DOES NOT like to go under the water though... and by 'doesn't like it' I mean she won't do it.

By the way, there's only one thing in the world worse than swimsuit shopping and that's maternity swimsuit shopping. I'm just sayin....

House Guests...

2010-07-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

We were SO happy to have a few visitors... and let's be honest, it's nice to have a guest room instead of a couch to offer people when trying to get them to come see you!
FIRST, MIMI (Lyndon's Mom). She probably didn't envision never getting out of her pj's because we'd work all day, getting fed only sporatically, and filling my neighbors trash cans on the sly when she clicked 'buy' on her plane ticket. Thanks a million Mimi! This is Mimi (green sweater, getting her ballet on) and Addi at dance class...

NEXT, GRANDMA & GRANDPA (my parents). These two arrived with a truck full of goods for us and their sleeves rolled up. We wore them out, thank you so much guys for all you did! They got to make dump runs, paint kids' rooms, and build furniture.
Grandma, Grandpa and Addi playing with Izzy...

AND LASTLY, THE COUSINS. Don't know how I didn't get a picture of my sis, but I didn't. Everywhere we went we had four wild girls in tow and we are each pregnant so we got a lot of looks...next time we see each other there will be SIX kids~ WOW. Addi sure misses these faces: Kort, Grace & Ella

Hmm, I didn't make visiting us seem too appealing did I, with that long list of work everyone did... ah, next time it will be all pool days and pina coladas!

4th of July cuties

2010-07-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

I'm dropping the ball on taking pics lately. I blame it on the combo of heat and a big belly...
But these girls sure were cute on the 4th!

Before & Afters: The Kitchen

2010-06-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

The only completely finished room in the house... enjoy (and now my sis can stop texting me to post some pics)!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

pull out spice racks...

big people table...

little people table...

half bath, just off kitchen...

and there goes my excuse for not cooking...

It's not much...

2010-06-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

...but I have been waiting TWO AND A HALF YEARS for this one to have some hair. She loves her little itty bitty pig tails. I do too.

p.s. don't mind the mess on her face- I pay her in Reese's Pieces to let me trim her nails and she just had a manicure and a pay day.

Out with the old...

2010-05-22T22:18:00.001-07:00

You know the saying, in with the new...like a NEW home with a new address in a new neighborhood-we love it so far! Adios condo/apt dwelling, we don't miss you at all!! Seven weeks (and counting) with no kitchen is a bit old, but as I write this I'm just a couple days from having that remedied. How many things can you think of to make that require no refrigeration and can be cooked in a mini microwave (that you'd actually want to call a meal)? There has been a lot of peanut butter & jelly and 'Donalds I tell you.
Anyway, we bought a house in Rancho Santa Margarita and have been remodeling it. And it is everything people say... more $$ than you think, longer than you think and harder to live in than you think. That said, it's finally coming together! I'm not quite ready to post before and after pics just yet, but they're not too far off. Thank you to my incredibly talented and hard working brother-in-law, Tony, who has been our contractor.
This one has a NEW hobby ... mighty cute!

And what are you doing for Halloween this year? Why you may ask? Our plans include snuggling a NEWBORN about then. Like I said... a lot of NEW is going around here.
*Not to mention my sister is due just five days after me, so this one will have a NEW cousin to buddy up to. Congrats Kimmy :)

check, check, check

2010-03-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

boxes to move: check
tape and tape gun: check
a set move in date: check
a very long to do list: check
the will to pack everything we own: mmm, not so much

and while I'm at it...
one week into a sinus infection that won't die: check

Sound familar?

2010-01-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

I have never related to a blog post more... I was laughing until my stomach hurt. Then right at the end... bam, reduced to tears! This girl is generally very witty, and I love her blog. She also happens to be NieNie's sister, so I guess I'm just obsessed with the whole family.
Anyway, this is a must read if you're a Mama, and really a must read on one of 'those' trying days (weeks, months, whatever)! Read here
Except this is what is currently on MY fridge:

Just what is needed to bring you back to reality! A tiny scribbled on hand out from nursery. So simple, but so powerful.
This week was a little rough as I've been trying some 'sleep training' with Addison. Yes, my two year old who still wakes up every night (at least once, sometimes twice), calls me and asks to be rocked while begging for juice. We usually just do water at bedtime, after we've brushed. During the night however, my resolve is weak and I'm usually much less concerned about tooth rot and more concerned about sleep deprivation. I've decided two years of interrupted sleep is enough already. For both of us. So I decided no more getting up, and no more middle of the night sippy's of juice. And for the record, she's still winning... I give up at 4:15am, after THREE hours of crying. Oh yes I do. There is still rocking and juice and plenty of crying, by all parties involved.
After sleep training I think I'll tackle hitting/anger management, and then our three meals a day obsession with Ramen noodles. One issue at a time, right?!

p.s. we are in escrow! cross your fingers and knock on wood...we'll be moving to Rancho Santa Margarita in February!

Dear Grandma,

2010-01-15T22:32:00.000-08:00

I love love love love love my new tutu!! Thanks a bunch, you're the best. XO~ Addison

Uninvited House Guest....

2010-01-14T22:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Flu, while we've loooooooooved having you......seriously, it's time to go! Addison had the flu for 7, yes SEVEN, days. Poor kiddo! She was so pathetic.
And let's not forget me. Yah, I said me.... I probably shouldn't be thinking of myself while my child is beyond miserable, but I truly can't stomach one more crib full of vomit at 2am, anymore diarrhea diapers (I have an idea for you Pampers... 'sick day diapers,' that truly hold a runny load), keeping up with load after load of pukey laundry, or enduring sad sad late night trips to the ER due to dehydration.
ADIOS NASTY FLU, WE'LL SEE YA NEXT YEAR (or skip us next time, why don't ya?)!!!!!!!

Birthday Girl, part 2 {P~A~R~T~Y}

2009-12-23T22:20:00.000-08:00

{birthday girl}

{jumping, sliding, bouncing, laughing}

{cupcake decorating}

{cake, singing and candle blowing}

{presents}

{and of course Lucy made a guest appearance}

{I think our birthday girl had a great time, thanks everyone}

Birthday Girl, part 1 {Tiny Girl Turns 2}

2009-12-20T21:59:00.000-08:00

We were driving to Utah on her actual birthday (12/20), so she opened gifts and ate about a half dozen doughnuts before we hit the road.

She loves her new little kitchen! Stop by, she's usually whipping something up in there...

FIVE YEARS DOWN, FOREVER AND EVER TO GO...

2009-11-26T21:43:00.000-08:00

Double whammy! We had our five year anniversary on THANKSGIVING this year (it was bound to happen soon, we got married the day after Thanksgiving). Anyways, it was a great day, spent relaxing with Lyndon's Mom in town. She also babysat for us earlier in the week so we could go out and celebrate. Our date included a trip here:

and dinner here:

THANKS BABE!
Unfortunately, I took NO pictures on the date or Turkey day :(.

Once Upon A Time...

2009-11-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

This little princess (Princess Aly) had a princess party when she turned two...

and two Snow Whites showed up!

they were beyond cute...(Princess Addi)

All the kids had a blast, playing outside, eating pizza and decorating their own cupcakes...

And They All Lived Happily Ever After...

THE END

HAVE YOU HEARD????????????

2009-11-04T08:46:00.001-08:00

They're opening a Cafe Rio in Lake Forest!!!! It's true! I'm dying...dying for some pork quesadilla that is. CR signed a 10 year lease in the Shops at Lake Forest (corner of El Toro & Rockfield). I mean, Utah got In N Out it only seems fair they throw us a Rio here. And only 10 minutes from my house... oh, life is good.
Anyway, I couldn't find the exact opening date, I think it's early 2010. The sign is up though, if you want to just drive by and drool a bit until then. See ya there!

sneak peek...

2009-10-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

I know it's not quite Halloween... but here is a peek at our little monkey, dressed up tonight for Trunk or Treat. Oh my, she was cute. Too shy around others, but when alone she was shrieking monkey noises and gnawing on her pretend 'nana.

The costume was super padded, I didn't notice the tag say chunky monkey, but it should have...

She definitely didn't get the whole trick or treat thing, holding out your bucket, strangers dropping something in, etc. Plus, she doesn't like candy so we only hit up a few cars before I realized it was pointless.

These are Addison's besties...Aly & Noah (aka Minnie and a Power Ranger). She doesn't care where we're going, as long as they're going too! No, seriously.

S~P~O~O~K~Y

2009-10-29T16:36:00.000-07:00

Addi picked out the kitty pattern, and colored on a small pumpkin and lost interest while we were still gutting them. I did the Kitty for Addi, and also did the mouse pumpkin. Lyndon likes old school Jack o' Lantern faces, and he did the big one.

Fall Festivities & Fun

2009-10-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

p.s.I am the newest member of the Pottery Barn seasonal sales crew! Yippee.

And here is where I'm going to put all the sweet furniture I buy.... in this cardboard hut, because yes people.. we are STILL homeless. I'm going insane. Supposedly we are moving in four weeks. I'm not packing yet... or holding my breath.

Caged

2009-10-12T15:49:00.000-07:00

Yep, like a wild animal! This one turned into a crib jumper. We spent a few nights going to bed at 10:30-11:00. Then we spent one night in the pack n play, until she figured out a way to get out of it too. Which left me with no other option... besides the tent! I just wasn't ready for the toddler bed, she would NEVER sleep if we went that route. She thinks it's really fun, and treats her bed like a trampoline now. Except when she's angry and I zip her in, then... not so fun.

2nd product I never thought I'd buy my child... first was 'the leash' puppy backpack. They're tricky, these little toddlers.

I have someone I'd like you to meet~

2009-10-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

Toilet, this is Addi. Addi, this is the toilet.

DISGUSTING. After I captured this on film, she was told this was never to happen again... sick huh?

Anyways, these two first met at my Mom's and she seemed all excited so I came right home and we bought a stool and an Elmo seat, and NOTHING.
She's sat on that seat no less than 100 times, and not one drop has ever passed into the 'potty.' Oh well, wishful thinking. Guess we're still gonna be friends with diapers for a while.

Addi, on the other hand....

2009-09-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

during our two week stay in Utah became accustomed to:
*cousins- three of them.... Ella, Cie Cie and Kort
*Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Kim, Uncle Mustache (or Tony, but all she remembers is his terrifying mustache), and Mimi
*translation LOTS of attention!
*dogs- her favorite thing! Izzy, Lucy Oakley & Zip
*large houses, with lots of rooms and toys
*even larger yards.... with sprinklers, trampolines, and horses
*& not being on a schedule

My, how terribly disappointing to come home to our place, with only Mama & Dada.Sorry baby girl!

Looks like fun on HGTV huh?

2009-09-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Staging a house. Decluttering and depersonalizing each room. Cleaning, taking some things away, putting some things in, repurposing stuff you have, hitting yard sales and Big Lots for good finds.

Making children keep their closets look like this....

HGTV makes it look like a party...it's not, it's really not. BUT, I am so happy I could help my sister do it!

I spent two weeks in Utah to visit my fam and help my sister put this beauty on the market. It's an extremely nice house, and her husband is a contractor so they've put a ton into it. 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms & it's on an acre of horse property, and I think you should all consider buying it!

Happiest Place on Earth?

2009-08-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

Do you think Disneyland is still the 'happiest place on Earth' when it's 105 degrees and you stay all day?!
Well, on this lady's birthday it was a pretty happy place, weather and all. Addi had a cold so we brought her home to nap and left her with Lyndon and my Mom and I went back and we didn't exit the park until they asked us to!

Happy Birthday MOM!

In Awe

2009-08-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

I find this woman....

her story...
Stephanie Aurora Clark Nielson returns from a almost fatal plane crash. Happy to be blogging again from Utah and recovering too. Four happy children and one sweet husband make her life as good as it gets.

and her blog....

NieNie Dialogues

to be EXTREMELY INSPIRATIONAL~
If you don't check in on it every once in a while, ya should! Thank you Nie.

Loads of fun

2009-08-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

Addi and I have been home bound for over a week now-Addi with croup and me with a cold and sinus infection. Is there anything more fun than a sick and cranky one and a half year old?? We've spent time at the Dr., and time in bed, and plenty of time doing 'inside' stuff- we're going stir crazy! Our collective stash of meds===>
Oh, and when A's cough was really bad we had to go in the bathroom and turn on the shower and have her sit in the steam, so I'd do puzzles in there with her on the floor... now she thinks that is the best play place ever and she hauls all her puzzles in there. YUK.
Far worse than that though...Addi has officially hit the TERRIBLE TWO'S. This is no joke... it's TERRIBLE. As a first time Mom, I kind of thought this is something that was exaggerated. Oh my, it's like a switch, and she swings into full blown meltdown mode about ten times a day now. Her shenanigans include: throwing herself down on the ground, crying- with actual tears, kicking, screaming at the top of her lungs, throwing anything she can get her hands on, biting, hitting (she will bite or hit me if I'm within reach, but funny enough she'll bite or hit HERSELF too), and my favorite- she will go in her room and shut the door and tell me to go out when I try to come in. Jeez, just when I thought it might be time to cook up another little one.

But seriously how can you be upset with this face? Is it a coincidence God makes them so darn cute and loveable?

Another thing she's into? Doing EVERYTHING I do. She's my new little shadow/ helper. Here we are making banana bread (no worries, she licked AFTER we got the batter into the pans). I sure love this girl, I am just gearing up for a wild ride with her!

fickle /ˈfɪkəl/ [fik-uhl]

2009-08-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

–adjective 1. likely to change, esp. due to caprice, irresolution, or instability; casually changeable:

Decided we don't want to move to Corona. So it's back to square one house hunting in Orange County (but very happy with our decision).

If you need to find me, I am either on the internet scouring the MLS list or out seeing houses with our agent. No joke.

simplicity

2009-07-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

the power went out last night and we had soooooo much fun..... bath by candlelight, playing with flashlights, eating cereal for dinner and reading until we fell asleep. miss A definitely thought it was a very fun game. admittedly, it was pretty hot, but it was also a nice quiet change of pace (but let's be honest, in this heat, i'm glad all power's back on today).

"I have a book I'd like to recommend you read...."

2009-07-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

Dr. C: It's called The Strong Willed Child, by Dr. Somebody or Other

Me: Oh, okay.

Dr. C: But I think you should know that there has been proven a correlation between 'strong willed, or spirited' children and intelligent and creative adults.

Me: Oh, great.

Addi's 18 month check up! That's how it went. No shots even, just an utter meltdown. She had to be pinned down so they could look in her eyes, ears and throat.

Usually, she is sooooo sweet... and pretty freaking cute, if I do say so myself:

Addi, how old are you?

k, show me your teeth

can you kiss your owie?

Swiffering with pedicure seperators on her toes...

loves to eat corn on the cob

first pedicure.. can someone give me a pedicure while I eat breakfast and watch my favorite show??

thought I'd share...

2009-07-21T14:13:00.001-07:00

cute cute cute

I love these, I bought a few for baby gifts and one for Miss A's room. Spoiler; if your expecting, expect one of these from me :)

{find them here: Persimmon & Pink}

{reference this for a deal (who doesn't love a deal): Dear CJane }

Call Family

2009-06-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

It was our first Call Family Reunion...we met in the middle in Kansas City, Kansas and spent a week just hanging out and having fun.

cute farm... feeding goats

Addi with Opa

fishing at the farm

Did I mention it RAINED? No complaints from me, it bought us two extra days there due to flight cancellations. We did lots of indoor things on rainy days...
games and rides

um, there's only one wheel?

Jeanie ROCKED at this pounding game, and the girls got MANY tickets because of it!

first sucker

Hallmark Center, downtown

swimming- what a cute bum!!

mini golf

Addi's spot on the plane ride, at my feet...

Our Utah Peeps

2009-06-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

... came to visit! First, these ladies showed up:

followed by these three:

and we celebrated this one's 30th birthday (at Disneyland of course)!
My sis and I were playing with my camera a lot during their visit and there are soooooo many pics I didn't even know where to start so far as posting just a few.

beach time...

Irvine Reg Park
Train ride

secret sister handshake..

play ground

crazy flower marching band

and a little naked time! Uh, for the three and under crowd only. Kimberley, please put your shirt back on...

We wish you all lived here!!!

{MAY}

2009-05-31T22:13:00.000-07:00

Agh! I get so behind I don't know where to start... and then I start getting 'hate texts' from my sister regarding my blog. Anyway, here's an attempt at catching up.

In May...

Cutie got a little 'fun flow sink' and starting spending at least half of her day on our back deck playing with it, what we like to call our backyard. Thank you Draegers (for the idea) and Costco (for the sink). She is one happy kid. Also note, she is still inseperable from all her little stuffed dogs.

Mother's Day was Addi's first day in NURSERY... seriously, where did the time go? Yah, she went in a little early (was supposed to start in June). I was worried sick the entire two hour block she was in there, but appearantly she did great. When I picked her up she had made this for me... melt my heart!

HOUSE HUNTING...

HOUSE HUNTING....

MORE HOUSE HUNTING...

AND THEN SOME MORE HOUSE HUNTING....

These are a few of the houses we've put offers on (all in CORONA), but alas...we're still homeless. I'm exhausted. We'll see where we land!

{i heart} the santa ana zoo

2009-04-24T21:22:00.000-07:00

my friend {JUDY} introduced us to the santa ana zoo last week, and it's really great. it's part zoo, part petting farm, and part playground. they have a train and carousel to ride, and i hear on saturdays your kids can ride an elephant for $5 bucks. we'll definitely be heading back there soon...

Dear foreclosed upon homeowners,

2009-04-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

May I take a moment of your time (I know, you're busy rebuilding your lives) to ask....WHY? Why must you destroy the home and take everything you can out of it before leaving? I mean, I wasn't there, but YOU signed on the dotted line for the loan you couldn't afford. Anyway, in the end WHERE are you taking this stuff.... you're off to an apartment or maybe your Mom's basement- do you have the cooktop range, the AC units, the shutters and the closet doors/rods with you there??
Anyway, just a little grievance from someone shopping the market right now who's sick of looking at seemingly decent homes only to find they are trashed.
Anyone else hear me on this?!

p.s. a sidenote to the Realtors, could you use current pics instead of ones taken when the house was nice? It's a real waste of time for all of us. Must be what internet dating is like when the picture doesn't match the person you meet...

p.p.s. I guess I can't only complain, the silver lining to this cloud is that I am definitely going to get more house for my $$ now. Thank you housing market crash.

Easter

2009-04-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

Last year on Easter this tiny bunny got blessed! Look how far she's come...

Easter Egg Hunt, with the play group. She had no clue what was going on. She (I) got two eggs :). Totally fun anyways. And no worries, we cracked them open and gave away the candy.

Easter Morning. She was SO cute and surprised that the Easter Bunny hid a basket and some goodies for her!

Talking Elmo was by far the biggest hit!

I personally can't wait until this one's batteries die and we get a little break from Elmo and his jokes and stories :). Is that evil?

Happy Birthday G.B.!!

2009-03-24T23:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Grandma Betty!
We basically worshipped the ground our Grandma walked on. WORSHIPPED. So Addison and I headed to Forest Lawn on her birthday to visit her, clean off her grave and leave some flowers. It was a great day. I know she appreciated us coming!

{We cleaned off the grave- look at this cute helper}

{Washed it with baby wipes}

{Went and saw Grandpa Riley while we were there}

{And drove past her house... SO many memories in this little yellow house on Roderick Rd!}

BIG DAY

2009-03-18T23:55:00.000-07:00

Today was Lyndon's birthday AND Addison's first trip to Disneyland. So fun!

{p.s. we got annual passes, so call us if you ever want to go!}

OPA!

2009-03-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Nope, not OPA like what the Greeks yell. OPA is Addi's grandpa, Lyndon's Dad. He came to visit for four days and we had SO much fun hanging out with him. Addi warmed up to him on day one and they had lots of laughs together. Thanks for coming Kev!

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-03-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

This cute lady at Grosgrain is giving away this to die for dress... follow this link, and then post a link on your own blog for a chance to win it (or don't, and increase MY odds of winning it)!

Adventures in Babysitting...

2009-03-07T10:09:00.000-08:00

FYI- this posting is just for my own preservation of this memory.
I hate to use 'babysitting' when a Father is watching his own child, but that's what I'll call it. I put Addi down for a nap and went out to run some errands and get a Saturday morning mani/pedi (no joke, only my third since she was born, such a luxury now). Anyways, I ran my errands, and had just starting to relax at the salon when I get the panicked call. 'Where in the world are you?' says the crazy sounding man on the phone (Lyndon).

So it turns out Addison hadn't gone to sleep after I put her down so Lyndon got her back up. ooooh, not the route I would've gone! a one year who's past nap time.... ugh. So she was a little cranky to say the least and he couldn't get it under control.
Then she had a poo diaper- yah, it's a daily occurence, but for those who don't know, Lyndon doesn't do poo. He will only do it if I'm not home and he has to, and he wears little plastic gloves and dry heaves the whole time. Her room looked like it had been ransacked by robbers.
Whenever baby girl does something she's not supposed to she loudly says "no, no, no" the whole time while doing it. So Lyndon came running when she was announcing a 'no no' to find that she had knocked over a diet cherry coke on the white carpets I had cleaned 10 days ago. Hmmm. who left that on the floor?
He is telling me this while all the ladies in the salon can hear my end of the conversation and when I get off the phone they're like... is everything okay? And man did each woman spare no time in jumping to tell me the ridiculous things their husbands had done while watching the kids. They also suggested I leave him with her more- great idea!
Amyways, fun times. I came home to find her in a sweatshirt and no pants running around like she owned the place (let's face it, she does, but I don't want to admit it). Let's just say this morning it was...Addison- 1, Lyndon- 0. Hilarious.

Park Play Day (and a slacker Mom)

2009-02-04T23:25:00.000-08:00

My friend Stacy and her darling boys, Jack and Mitch, live down in San Diego so to play we decided to meet up in the middle at a cute park for a few hours. Realizing I hadn't taken many pictures of my little cutie lately, I hauled my big camera to the park and made up for lost time by taking 140 pics that day. Here are a few I liked....

Jack bowling... courtesy of Grandma Vicki, of course!

Jack letting Addi know she needs to stop picking up the pins.

Jack was our trash runner all afternoon on his little bike. So cute!

Stac macking on the Adster

This little girl wanted to push Addi :)

Sweet Success

2009-01-20T23:17:00.000-08:00

My friend Judy and I hit the road with the kiddos and headed down to the outlets in Carlsbad. We scored some good stuff (good like Coach having a half off sale- I helped Lyndon out and bought myself my own Valentine's Day gift... you're welcome honey). Thanks for inviting us!!

...and here is what a successful day of shopping looks like (and it buys you a pretty quiet car ride home)!

Puppy Love

2009-01-17T23:06:00.000-08:00

Addison LOVES puppies and dogs. So naturally we got her one for Christmas. She walks him almost every day...

Grandma Maureen

2009-01-10T22:45:00.000-08:00

My Mom drove home from Utah with Addi and I, and we had a fun week with her here!

(still in Utah) Our cute little sickie fell asleep on Grandma
while I was at the store getting her some medicine.

me & my mom

Fashion Island carousel

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T22:48:00.000-08:00

You'd think I would've taken a million pictures of my baby girl's Christmas morning. You'd be wrong :). Only snapped a couple, but we had a great day. Hope yours was merry and bright too.

CHRISTMAS 2008

My shirt says... 'Mom's Favorite Gift'

CHRISTMAS 2007
Five days old...'holding' the gift she gave me last year

b-day blizzard

2008-12-22T21:45:00.000-08:00

We planned a fun day for Addison's birthday, but the day had plans of it's own... we got snowed in by a blizzard (yuck), with Addi's cousins all stuck in Salt Lake and us in Provo. So, we got pizza and cake and stayed in... hey, Addi won't know the difference, right?

LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture of my girl.

When we lit the candle and sang to her she burst into tears.

She wanted NOTHING to do with the cake we got for her to tear into herself- would not even put a finger in the frosting. Oh well.

She kept putting her head down on the carpet like she was embarassed while everyone was staring at her and she was supposed to be opening her presents.

Poor kid, will always have her birthday banner hung by the 'chimney with care' in front of the stockings. I was sure to use no Christmas wrap though!

Uh, anyone claim these two little elves?? Huh? Addison's Mimi & Grandma showed up at the party as twins. Cute guys.

My baby is O-N-E!!!!!

2008-12-20T11:15:00.000-08:00

There has never been a more precious girl than this. We LOVE you Addison!!

Arrival: December 20th, 2007 @ 9:54pm

{More celebrating to come on Monday in Utah with the family}

CATCH UP

2008-12-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

Yah, I apparently can only get to the blog once a month. I am sure I have disappointed all three people who read this. Ha! Here's what we've been up to:

Lyndon went to Pennsylvania to visit his brother and his family, and attend the blessing of our new nephew, Tyler Reed Call. He's a cutie.

The condo we live in was supposed to get fumigated for termites (I know, disgusting), and though they cancelled it at the last minute, we had already bought tickets to go to Utah for the week so Addison and I had a nice little getaway. It was a fun week and we got to see lots of family and friends. Only downside is that flying with Addi is a nightmare. Lyndon had to stay home to work, he started a new job recently and has no vacay time, bummer.

Our Mimi and Uncle Drew (Lyndon's Mom and little brother) came to visit and stayed with us the week of Thanksgiving. We had lots of laughs and good food.Oh, and we celebrated FOUR years of wedded bliss that week too!

New stages of kid proofing, we've got the cabinet latches now in the kitchen and bathroom (thanks to our handy Mimi). I'll remember those are on there sometime right? Addi got so mad when she discovered them she kicked the cabinet, she had been having a really great time pulling everything out.

Should I throw in here the flu Addi caught (which started with throwing up twice while we were in a restaurant in LA), or the mastitis I got? So not fun.

Getting in the Christmas spirit! Decorating for Christmas now comes with the new challenge of making sure everything is out of reach to the kiddo. We also have a tradition to go to Rogers Gardens every year and see all the lights and pick out one new ornament to kick off the Holiday season. Seriously, if you haven't been there at night, head over it's free and very festive.

Lots of shopping; the hard kind, which involves crowds, long lines and trying to not buy anything for yourself amongst the million great deals out there right now. I am COMPLETELY done with my Christmas shopping, stockings and all... miracle of all miracles! Everything is even wrapped. Well, I won't mention the few gifts I am making which aren't so close to being done....

And finally, Addison turns one this Saturday... where in the world did a whole year go already? I have finished all her birthday shopping too, and am already making an all out effort to over compensate for her birthday since it's only five days before Christmas... admittedly this is the only year she'll be clueless and I could've just given her tissue to tear up but it was fun to get her lots of new 'big girl' toys. Please see her big birthday present, which we already gave her, the little red chair. I now know why the label said not for children under two...I was scouring the thing for anything sharp or dangerous, and upon not finding any choking or safety hazards, I bought it anyway. Oooooooh, I see... it makes the most fun jungle gym you can imagine for a one year old. She has no interest in sitting her bum in it, and has already fallen off it many times. Argh.

the proud peacock

2008-11-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

first a little pumpkin...

and then the cutest peacock you've ever seen!

And for the second year in a row, we didn't have even ONE trick-or-treater, so I ate my weight in candy while we carved our pumpkins!

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

almost....

2008-10-15T22:33:00.000-07:00

We almost have a walker. Addi LOVES her new little walker toy, she instantly took to it, and is beside herself with giddiness after she walks with it. I am happy, proud, fearful and a little sad! Here's a small clip, enjoy.

The Patch

2008-10-12T21:22:00.001-07:00

I find all 'firsts' to be so exciting! I think Lyndon and I enjoy them much more than Addison, actually. Here are a couple pics of our trip to the Pumpkin Patch. More to come after carving, and of course of her cute costume :).

p.s. a word to those new to pumpkin patches, like myself! The very same size pumpkin I paid $14 dollars for at the patch, can be purchased at Trader Joe's for $3.49. Play at the patch, but buy at the grocery store! Ah, next year....

Nine Months

2008-09-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

Nine months (and five days to be exact). Forty weeks ago today. That's 280 days, 6,720 hours, 403,200 minutes and 24,192,000 seconds... that Addi's been mine. Sigh. It's true love.
Why does it seem so much longer?? Maybe it's that you can't imagine your life or family without them once they've arrived, or maybe as a Mother you actually feel like you have a child as soon as you've peed on the test/heard their heartbeat/seen them on the ultrasound screen... so that was a year and a half ago.
Whatever it may be, this little princess is nine months old! Her personality is coming out more every day, and unbelievably it's even cuter than her sweet face! Love this girl. Adore might be a better word.
9 month stats: 18.5 lbs (50%), 27" (50%), cruising but not walking!

too funny to not share...

2008-09-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting here browsing friends' blogs while Addi naps (yah, prob not the best use of my time since I'm still in my robe, don't judge me) and I run across a couple posts from girlfriends I grew up with in Orem that have me laughing out loud! HARD! Thank you girls!!!! And sorry, I just pirated this stuff off your blogs :)

First, one of my all time besties (on and off from second grade through freshman year in college), Emily, posted this hilarious blurb about the glory years in high school, she's a very creative writer...here are a couple excerpts:
I was also involved in Young Republicans (please don't judge me by this). My friends and I had agreed to be part of the club because one of the most popular boys had asked us (enough motivation for any teenage girl). Once we were asked to make phone calls--which we ended up calling people we knew, who we didn't usually call, but really wanted to, rather than the official list we were supposed to call. Another time we were asked to get people's permission to put signs on their yard. We had a big stack, and weren't too excited to be spending our Saturday like this, especially since we weren't even in the same group as the popular president, but wanting to please him, we got rid of our stack quickly putting them in any empty field, or available public land. When we got to school Monday, the president frustratingly told us how some people hadn't gotten permission to place their signs, and had put them on private property, which he had to go back and collect. Oops.

My best friend Lisa and I lived about 8 bocks from the school and would meet everyday on the corner to make the jaunt. This "quick" walk was miserable in the cold and we used to get so bugged by the friends who would drive by, honk, and wave. How about a ride?

I remember Lisa and I upgrading our friend's coolness quota, by quite a bit, when she was the first of us to get really kissed.

Dances were always looked on with excitement and dread (Would I get asked? Would I not get asked?). Once, Lisa told me an hour before a boy in our neighborhood was going to ask me to a dance in my History class. I had a complete panic attack. I did not want to go to the dance with this boy, so I begged Lisa to go and tell him that I had already been asked by my non-existent boyfriend. He didn't ask me, and I spent a lot of time feeling guilty about putting an end to his excited preparation. I didn't even go to the dance. This is something I would do differently if I had a chance to live my life again.

Another time Lisa and I decided to throw caution to the wind and ask boys in the top tier of popularity (who we never even talked to) if they would go with us to a girl's choice dance. We knew they were available, because we used to call boys we didn't dare talk to in real life, and anonymously ask them if they had been asked to the dance yet--with no intention of really asking them, just wanting the opportunity to talk to them (I'm embarrassed for my youth even typing that). I don't know if caller-id was available--let's hope not, but I can't be sure because my family was always 10 years late in getting new technology. Anyways Lisa and I bought some Happy Meals, put our names in the hamburger, and left the meal in their front yard. We were terrified to go to school the next day. Terrified!!! But amazingly the boys said yes, and we had an amusing date, at one point of which I was so nervous I forgot to turn off the car before I got out.

And a few days ago I saw this gem on Ashley's blog (she does this cute thing called Flash Back Friday): yep, you're looking at a Jr. High get together in about 1988/89 at Ashley's house. Holy BANGS-were we serious??? Me...awkward one in the black shirt, Ashley is behind me in red.

Desperate Housewife

2008-09-02T01:04:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this post and you have one of these:

That you have gotten to stop using these:

And take this instead:

Please leave me a comment and tell me what worked for you. As per the post title, I'm getting desperate. We're making NO progress. XO~

Happy Birthday to You....

2008-08-27T15:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom! To my Birthday Buddy. Wish I was there... we could share the spotlight and a chocolate cake with mint frosting! My Mom is AMAZING- she is kind and caring and creative and talented and funny and driven and hard working, amongst many other things. She has been my biggest cheerleader and she gave me opportunities to get where I am and be who I am today. LOVE YOU LADY!!!
Last year's b-day...

LA GIRL...

Wonderful Grandma!

This one LOVES Disneyland...

Does not like to get her hair wet

And loves Hawaii

I LOVE YOU MOM~

TAGGED!

2008-08-23T14:40:00.001-07:00

So, I got TAGGED by my cute friend Maria Pia.... FUN, I've never been tagged!!!

THE FIVE

10 years ago I:
1. Was 21 (Oh I mean, um 15... since I'm only 25 now!)
2. Was living in Provo, UT- with my friend Marissa Beyers
3. Was attending BYU- they had closed my major and were offering each class one last time, so I was taking all Fashion Merch classes trying to get everything in
4. Was waiting tables at Outback
5. Had short short hair

5 things on today's "to do" list:
1. Wrap and mail my Mom's birthday gifts
2. Go to Old Navy- as per a commercial I saw last night, today only all adult jeans are $12 bucks and kids jeans are $7... worth a peek
3. Frame a couple pics of Addi for Lyndon's office
4. Complete Primary agenda for September-assign talks, etc. (Primary Secretary)
5. Have some family fun!

5 snacks I enjoy: Anyone who knows me knows this will be hard for me to narrow to five, as I'm a complete treat addict
1. Baked Goods- can I lump them altogether? Cupcakes, Chocolate Croissants, Brownies, Cookies, Rice Krispy Treats
2. CHOCOLATE (good dark chocolate, Hershey Kisses, See's candy, Frango mints)
3. Frozen Yogurt/ Ice Cream
4. Doughnuts- total weakness :(
5. Pretzels at the mall
Honestly, I could keep going...Creme Brulee, Churros at Disneyland, Del Taco Quesadillas, Chips and Guac, (and there really are some healthier ones I enjoy in there-I just can't help that nothing even semi-healthy tops the list)

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Buy or build my dream house- I can think of a few beach front properties in Corona Del Mar I wouldn't mind living in!
2. Travel the World
3. Set up all relatives so they were taken care of- homes, retirement, etc.
4. Start/invest in a business now and retire young
5. SHOP SHOP SHOP SHOP SHOP

5 places I have lived:
1. Orem, UT / Provo, UT (all the same right?)
2. Los Angeles, CA (when I was very young, 2-5 I think)
3. Honolulu, Hawaii (for six months in 2000)
4. Huntington Beach, CA (moved there after graduating in 2002)
5. Newport Beach, CA (in 2005, for a year with Lyndon)

Five jobs I have had:
1.Retail- JMR (total Utah throw back), Banana Republic, ZCMI, EDF (fragrance company)& Nordstrom
2.Server- Outback and Hardrock Cafe Honolulu
3.BYU Bookstore- sophomore year at BYU
4.Recruiter- post college, for accounting and finance... miserable. Do you know anyone that likes to cold call??
5.Events Manager (commercial real estate co)
(& the hardest job ever- MAMA...does a really rewarding job with no paycheck count?)

I tag...
Anyone who wants to play, and
1.Stacy Circuit
2.Jill
3.Debbie
4.Gaby
5.Lezlie Wagner(girl, you have GOT to update your blog more often :))

Rules:
Each player answers the question themselves.At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.

SKEPTICAL...

2008-08-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

but I picked up a copy of Twilight. Vampires.... REALLY?!?! Anyway, we'll see. This was totally a purchase of peer pressure, given all the hype from seemingly cool normal girls everywhere.

Um, this was a lot of fun.....

2008-08-06T00:30:00.000-07:00

Go to www.dailymakeover.com and you can do it once for free! Scroll over the pic to see which celebrity's hair I am sporting....

TODAY

2008-08-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Before Addi was my girl... these were my girls.

TODAY; this one turned 11. Happy Birthday Kort!!! I have so many happy memories that involve you, little girl! You'll always be my Kortney Ellen Smellen Balls :)

TODAY; this one started Kindergarten. Oh, Gracie Girl... you are an ORIGINAL, you'll be the cutest smartest kid in the class. In the words of your favorite song: Life flies by in seconds, you're not a baby Gracie, you're my friend. You'll be a lady soon but until then you gotta do what I say.

FYI, You'll still always be my girls! I love you both more than you can possibly know. I remember holding each of you on the day you were born... you are still just as precious to me.

XO~ Auntie

Home Again Home Again...

2008-07-29T00:28:00.000-07:00

We're back! Ever feel like you need a vacation after your vacation? Yep, me too. I flew alone with Addi for the first time... could have been better, could have been worse. You're probably thinking it's a short flight to Utah, but we had a one hour stop in Vegas where we didn't get off the plane so we were actually in our seat for almost four hours. Picture me with her in the Bjorn in the front, her diaper bag on as a backpack, rolling my carry on behind me with one hand and her giant car seat with the other (I won't ask you to picture me nursing in the airplane bathroom during turbulence, but it happened). And who knew they'd send you to the end of the line if you didn't remove your infants tiny shoes and put them through on the belt??
Anyway, I'll upload some trip pics in due time, but I just received these in the mail from a little photo shoot we had done in June and couldn't resist putting up a few of my fave girl, you know the one....

{Pictures taken by Randi Brunt, of

Flutter Photography: www.flutterpix.com}

K.E.D.

2008-07-28T01:43:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite (and only) sister. Between July 28th and August 28th each year she is two years older than me instead of one, and I gloat every year during this time :). Here is to two girls, only 13 months apart, who were the worst of enemies and became the best of friends.

I don't want to give away her age, but here are 33 memories of the girl I love to call Toons (in no particular order)....

1. The infamous biting (just the beginning of some serious sibling rivalry)

2. Our little kitchen set, and the pee in the pitcher incident

3.The bookcase/collarbone fiasco... QUIET, I'm on the phone!

4. Summers at Grandma's- swimming at the Police Academy pool, shopping at Pic N' Save, going to the Pledgers' house (yuck), cute Jimmy at church that we both had a crush on, and getting left in that restaurant when I wouldn't eat all my fruit with a fork

5. You getting tied to the dresser during our sleepover at the Hinich's house in Pacific Palisades

6. Going to school early on Thurs and Fri during your sixth grade and my fifth grade year to sing in Scera Park Singers (and those awful turquoise dresses)

7. Dad taking us to school in the tool truck

8. Your bloody incident at the Alpine Slides, because you were just barely tall enough to ride alone so you did!

9. I won't mention any names.... but one special babysitter we had that locked you in the closet a few times and promised to take us to McDonald's if we didn't tell Mom. The crazy part is that we didn't tell, until she failed to come through with the McD's!

10. Summer movies at the Scera theater, when we'd get the tickets for a show once a week that included candy and a drink and Mom would drop us off

11. My new ten speed, courtesy of your lousy grades. Sorry Dad!

12. Oh the fights we had! I fought with words (let's face it I knew how to push your buttons and you were an easy target), and you would beat the crap out of me... scratching, hitting, and kicking. Remember the time I broke your wrist with the phone and no one believed you for a couple weeks?? SORRY.

13. The Christmas of the chickenpox

14. Summers in Scottsdale, lounging at the pool

15. Mike Taylor saying the entire pledge of allegiance to us, while I literally peed my pants on his porch, when we asked him if he would like to 'pledge us for our walk-a-thon.'

16. Those boat shoes- 'nuff said

17. Road trip with the three of us in the back of the truck with the rug kit all the way to Canada for Expo '86, and making the 'Why Do Fools Fall in Love?' commercial

18. How freaking early you would get up to take a bath and hog the bathroom, getting ready for school- I think you mostly spent time on your hair and bangs to heaven. And you still almost missed the bus all the time- I can see you running toward the already moving bus with your big ESPRIT bag. Man, I loved those bags.

19. Hanging out with Brian and Danny together, and the time you broke up with Brian and then he was stuck at the house with you, because I had taken his red camaro for a few spins around the block

20. Me, you and Emily in drivers' ed together. Me getting my license before you and taking you places, and then the two of us sharing the Fairmont- 'It's a cute little car.'

21. You and Mom doing math at the kitchen table together, I don't know who was more frustrated

22. You running away, and the note you left :(

23. Going to Girls Camp at Mia Shalom, and the tear-fest testimony meeting

24. Sharing a room our entire lives, and having bunk beds until graduation!

25. Being the only member of the family who was present at Wedding #1 while you were all two hours late because the basement had flooded. Argh.

26. You, me and Mat throwing auctions for someone or other, pretending we didn't know each other, and getting paid cash under the table (should I have written that one??) CRAZY

27. Waiting outside the room when Kortney and Gracie were born

28. Lots of babysitting Kort for you when you were single. Oh, that night I took Kort to give you a break, and ended waking mom up at 5am crying myself, the house in shambles, because the kid just wouldn't sleep

29. Taking out our endowments together

30. Each of us being the other's Maid of Honor

31. Countless late late nights in your kitchen in Mapleton coloring my hair, re-coloring my hair, laughing our arses off and eating treats (and then me leaving with a beanie on my head due to a little color we like to call Orange). Tony was always dazed and confused

32. The drive home this past April- the babies getting the flu, getting separated in Vegas with no phone and arriving at 5am...crazy train alert!

33. The way you cried when you saw me and Addi at Famous Dave's :)

This is where you can find us:

2008-07-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

We're spending a couple weeks with family and friends...

'He's A Big Boy'

2008-06-27T23:43:00.001-07:00

That's what Addison's pediatrician said after entering the room, looking at her and reading the chart the nurse had just updated with the new stats at her six month check up. I'll give him some credit, she had on no clothes, just a diaper and no gender identifying bows or bracelets, so we'll forgive him.
She (he) is 17.1 lbs, in the 75% percentile for weight, and 26", in the 85% for height. If she (he) was going to be insulted or scarred by being called a heavy boy she (he) all but forgot about it by the time we left the office, due to the four shots they gave her (him).
And here's what we've been up to....

We like to walk to the park by our house a few days a week to swing, slide and blow bubbles...what chubby legs??
We spend a lot of time on this blankey playing with toys, reading books and watching Einsteins (okay, and enjoying the nearby air conditioning vent- dang it's been hot)
Addi is crawling. Should that make me sad... it does! And this is what I wake up to each morning :) Am I lucky or what?

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential...

~Ashley Smith

POOL PARTAY

2008-06-27T23:27:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it was a small party, but a party nonetheless! Addi and I went down to San Diego to visit one of my best girlfriends Stacy, and her little boy Jack for the day. What do you get when you mix friends and floaties... lots of fun. It was our first pool day and we LOVED it! So worth the trek down South. Thanks guys!
p.s. I didn't think Stacy would want me to post the pool pics I got of her, but she looks amazing four weeks before her due date :). Stacy will soon have her hands full with TWO little boys and we are so excited for her.

Whiteys

Scuba Jack...quote of the day "Watch me!"
Loved this little floaty boat...
Again, what could be cuter than this kid?

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the

two most beautiful words in the English language.

~Henry James

Who's Your Daddy?

2008-06-27T23:06:00.000-07:00

Argh, do you ever just feel like the blog is ANOTHER thing on your to do list that you've fallen behind on... hmmm, I sure do.
Anyways, we had a very chill Father's Day at the Call household (total Lyndon style, lots of relaxing involved). Late post or not I did want to say that Lyndon is an AMAZING Dad to our little angel and I am constantly impressed with his devotion to her and the way he loves and adores her. They are so fun to watch together and listen to, and it melts my heart and makes me love him all the more. All the children we have will be SO lucky to have a fun doting Daddy. Here are some of my fav Daddy-Addi moments...

L's card... nice and slobbery since Addi held it when we took it into

Daddy with his breakfast in bed. Yep, I got a pic of the card, but not one of the Dad- oops!

This is what happens when Daddy does dinner... er, playtime, whatever.
Daddy has started making bubble blowing appearances during

bath time to the delight of one chubby little girl...

MY LIFE!

And of course my Dad is a one of a kind and I hope he had a very happy Father's Day too, even though I couldn't be there (and didn't call him until midnight... long story, sorry pops).

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.

~ Sigmond Freud

Marvelous Marv & Magnificent Maureen

2008-06-08T17:18:00.000-07:00

We got really spoiled and had both Lyndon's Mom/Marv/Addi's Mimi and my Mom/Maureen/ Addi's Grandma come visit us the last two weeks. There was lots of hanging out, shopping, eating, talking and laughing. We love and miss you guys already... our door (couch) is always open!

Mimi and the Amazing Bubble Machine she got Addi!

Grandma Maureen and Addi, girls lunch out!

All that I am or hope to be I owe to my Angel Mother.

-Abe Lincoln

S.W.P.

2008-06-04T00:12:00.000-07:00

So I'm cheating and backdating this, since I didn't do it on his actual b-day, deal with it.

Happy Birthday Spence!! My little bro is entering his last year in his twenties... enjoy it while it lasts buddy, you're getting OLD just like the rest of us! Spencer is.... adventuresome, free-spirited, rugged, honest, hard working, non-conforming, loyal, sweet, and an all around great guy. Hope your year is the best ever~ love ya!

Life is either a daring aventure or nothing.
-Helen Keller

FiVe MoNtHs oLd!!!!!!

2008-05-20T01:17:00.000-07:00

On one hand I can't believe Addison is already five months old, and on the other hand it seems like we've had her forever. Addison, aka.....Addi, Ads, Adster, Monkey, Monks, Monkison, Sweetheart, Sweet Pea, Cutie, Tiny, Tiny Angel, Baby Girl, Miss, Missy, Munchkin, Little Lyndon or LL (the kid is an exact replica of her dad), Princess, Sis, Sunshine, AddiElle and Addi-my-Addi.
Our little girl is growing up! Addison has mastered rolling over both ways so can now maneuver her way around a bit, she eats in her new big girl high chair, is sleeping between four and five hours at night (I know that may not sound great, but it's a major improvement and I'll take it), she can prop herself up on her arms, can put her binky in her mouth herself, she sucks her thumb, and more than her thumb she loves to suck her toes, she can sit up by herself... not for too long without tipping over but it's a start, she is constantly smiling and laughing, she eats anything and everything... thank goodness for the sanitizer, she likes: toys-she likes empty water bottles and the remote just as much as any toy though, books, Baby Einsteins, being outside, walks around the lake, being in the Bjorn, Peek-a-Boo, bath time, to enthusiastically kick her legs (coupled with bath time this one is even better for her), attention of any kind and being cuddled.
She is an overall JOY in our lives and we can't remember what we did without her... here are a few pics of our big girl!

"Of all nature's gifts to the human race, what is sweeter to a man than his children?"

-Marcus Tullius Cicero

Being A Mom

2008-05-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

My Mom sent me this blurb when I was pregnant and I remember reading it and tearing up at the prospect of the awesome, exciting and frightening journey I was about to embark on. It is an extremely intense experience, this becoming a mother, and yah it's probably much too early for me to know how much more intense it will get, but I am loving every minute I get with this little angel, sleep deprived and all. Just looking at her little face makes me SO happy.... ahhhh, heaven.
And like I already told my Mom, I was talking to Addison the other day and I was saying that she was a lucky little thing, and that I sure wish I had someone to dote on me all day, carry me around, entertain me, feed me on command, bathe/change/dress me, be my pack mule and my driver, kiss my face incessantly, etc. etc. etc. when a light bulb suddenly went off in my head.... someone did do all this for me! Oh the new found appreciation. THANKS MOM, love you!

BEING A MOM
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of “starting a family.”
"You think I should have a baby?”
“It will change your life,” I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
“I know,” she says, “no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations …”
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, “What if that had been MY child?” That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of “Mom!” will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment’s hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby’s sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy’s desire to go to the men’s room rather than the women’s at McDonald’s will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years-not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter’s relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children’s future.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts. My daughter’s quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.
“You’ll never regret it,” I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter’s hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. This blessed gift from God … that of being a Mother.

And my first Mother's Day was GREAT, including a long nap in the morning before church while Dad watched Addi, breakfast in bed, a fancy steak dinner (and partial dish duty) and this baby jogger that I'd been eying! Now me and the munchkin can hit the streets of Irvine in style and do some walking/jogging and yes, eventually running. It has some swanky built in speakers that connect to your iPod and an odometer so I can track how far I've gone (or not gone as the case may be right now). Thanks babe!!

New Obsession...

2008-04-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

Have you tried PINKBERRY yet?? I've only been twice... but this stuff is awesome! They just have one flavor of yogurt, that is sort of sweet and tart and then you pick your toppings... I highly recommend fresh strawberries and Cap'n Crunch- a self claimed 'regular' told my friend about it, and it's very good. I had heard a lot of hype about Pinkberry and I think it's as delicious as they say (okay, what I heard was that it's as addicting as heroine, which I cannot vouch for). Side note, as I was searching for a picture from PB, I found all these articles saying Pinkberry is being sued because they won't disclose their ingredients, and it may not be frozen yogurt and/or that healthy- bummer, it may not be as healthy as they claim, but it's still yummy and a great change from Golden Spoon! They have locations here at The Spectrum, The District and Fashion Island.

It's hard to be a baby sometimes!

2008-04-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

The last couple weeks have been event filled for us... Addison had a bout with the stomach flu which led to two pediatrician visits and a night in the E.R. (poor kid, they had to give her a catheter to take a urine sample for some testing and then they gave her a shot to stop the vomiting). After the flu, something got off kilter and the girl didn't poop for five days, and we got to experience the joy of baby suppositories... tmi? I know, oh well I wish I didn't know about it either! As soon as we were past the poop sitch, we were hit with teething (two cute little guys on the bottom are peeking through)! Between all this and the transition from the bassinet to the big girl crib in her own room, and a bit of a growth spurt we have been getting up every hour and a half to two hours at night. WOW, talk about the cranky monster stopping by the Calls... and his mean cousin NO SLEEP. I'm painfully tired! BTW, does anyone else get really angry when their husbands say they are tired?? I mean, he's allowed to be tired, I just don't think he should ever tell ME about it :).
So imagine my delight at her four month check up this week when her Dr. told me to start feeding her rice cereal and baby food twice a day. I felt like it was Christmas Day and I was a kid... my gifts? The prospect of sleeping 8 hours or more and nursing less... YEEHAW! Giddy with what was to come, we went directly from his office to the closest Target where we bought all kinds of cute little bowls and spoons, along with cereal and every flavor of 1st stage baby food Gerber is putting out. Well, we don't always get what we want, now do we? Here are some fun facts I've been faced with:

*She doesn't like the food
*She doesn't like a spoon being put in her mouth
*She knows how to close her mouth, turn her head and bat her hands at the spoon making it darn near impossible to get anything in
*She doesn't sleep more!!!!!
*She doesn't nurse less!!!!
*My laundry loads just tripled, bringing food into the mix (though I'm getting smart, and stripping her down to her diaper during feeding time)
*One last fun fact... she doesn't like the food in her mouth, but she likes it even less when it ends up in her nose!
Okay, today is day four and the process is getting a little better each day. Even given all this, as I upload these cute pics of her eating I am just enamored, I LOVE this girl more than words!

The goods....

Peaches... not a hit!
But at least I'm cute

Now the applesauce... I'm not saying I like it,

but it's better than peaches and bananas!
Question: Are the shots more traumatic for the Mom or the baby??

UTAH

2008-04-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Addison and I spent three weeks in Utah, (Lyndon was there for five of those days, then he came back home to work- thanks babe, somebody's gotta bring home a paycheck) hanging out with family and friends- we had a blast. We got to hang out with everyone and do things we miss out on living far away...birthday parties, Sunday dinners, watching riding lessons, going out to eat, hanging out inside on cold days, manicures and lunch dates with the nieces, making fun stuff at Grandma's with all her supplies, dinner dates and shopping with girlfriends, a Laurel class reunion, Kiddie Kandids shots with the cousins, and overall LOTS of cuddles for Addison from everyone. We did not get to experience the sweet Spring season we had hoped for, instead we got SNOW...uh, Addi and I hate snow! Oh well, the trip was great all the same, a few pics are below. We already miss everyone alot, and Addison is bored without all the excitement of grandparents, cousins and dogs!
My sis and her three kiddo's drove back home with us and stayed a few days- what fun! The trek back was anything but fun however... calling ourselves the 'crazy train' was an understatement with a four month old baby, a two year old, a five year old and a ten year old. We had more stopping time than drive time, not to mention the two youngest coming down with the stomach flu which grounded us in St. George for a whole day. Whew, were we glad to finally pull into Irvine bleary eyed at 5am! Wish my sis lived closer, life is much more fun when she is around :).

Mimi's birthday lunch
Riding lessons- Kortney, English style riding
Gracie, with her horse Gochute Billy the Kid
Grandma, Uncle Tony, Ella (please note the helmet over the face), and Addison
Ella, my Ella....Happy Birthday! Trying on her new shades
Addi clearly loves Chuck E. Cheese (I think she may
sense how many dirty germs are on that ride and it drove her to tears)
Kort and Auntie, both in braids
Grandpa, aka GRUMPaw
Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum
Gracie, Auntie, Addi and Kortney

Addi sees her first dinosaur
Addison sat up by herself here!
Yup, look close... Gracie is 'nursing' her doll :)
The DooDawe gang... Kimberley, Ella, Kortney and Grace

Easter Sunday

2008-03-29T01:51:00.000-07:00

We blessed Addison in Utah on Easter Sunday, she looked amazingly sweet in her little dress and the blessing was beautiful. We had a brunch at my parents afterwards, and a photographer on hand to capture it all. It was awesome to celebrate her blessing on Easter. Oh, and yes... the Easter Bunny found her here!

B-Day Shout Out!

2008-03-18T18:20:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my main squeeze! Lyndon is 32 today...I love you honey. Other honorable birthday mentions: Addison turns 3 months on the 20th, Marv/Mimi's birthday is the 22nd (never mention a lady's age :)), and my niece Ella turns two on the 27th!

Like the Deserts Miss the Rain...

2008-03-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

I miss you Grey's Anatomy. I NEED some new episodes of McDreamy and Meredith, George and Izzy, Bailey, Sloan, Callie, Alex, etc. etc. etc. Thursday nights just aren't the same. I mean, I had fun tonight packing food storage cans at Enrichment (let's face it, that will have to be some emergency for me to down the powdered milk and vienna sausages I just packed away that promise to be good for the next five years) , but come on. Thank goodness this writers strike is over! Private Practice and The Office too, I look forward to your speedy return...

Thanks Grandma!

2008-02-29T14:51:00.000-08:00

Grandma Maureen was in town yesterday for a visit for just 24 hours... unfortunately all cute Grandma-Addi pics are in her camera (so maybe she could email those to us, hint hint). Addi says THANKS for cuddling, giving me my bath and taking me shopping and Mom says THANKS for folding ALL the laundry, doing the dishes and letting her take a shower. Here is us trying to get Addi to sit in her Bebepod Chair... I think it's still a little early, there was lots of tipping to the side!

US

2008-02-29T13:26:00.000-08:00

We are the Call family- Lyndon, Lisa and Addison. We enjoy living in Southern California and all is has to offer. Lyndon works in the accounting and finance industry, Lisa is transitioning from working into being a full time mom, and Addison is working on being cuter (and bigger) every day. Anyone who knows us knows we embarked on the journey of parenthood about two and a half months ago... what a ride!
Addison Elle Call joined us on December 20, 2007. We are LOVING this sweet little girl we were blessed with, and she has become the center of our universe. I am sure most posts to this blog will involve her. Here are some of my fav pics so far of our Addi.

Here we go...

2008-02-26T22:11:00.000-08:00

I can't say no to one more person who asks 'Do you have a blog I can take a peek at?' so here is the start of the Call Family blog! I'm not sure if our lives are exciting enough to blog about but stay tuned for more to come....