So, What the HECK have you been up to lately?!?

I have no good excuse for not maintaining this blog. Really. I've been busy, but not that busy. I've been tired after work, but not that tired. I just haven't made it a priority. And that's the truth. And since it is always best to stick close to the truth no matter the circumstance, that is exactly what I choose to do now. Cool answer, if I do say so myself.

So, what has been going on?

We moved into a sweet little house made so much better after the remodel. As you can see we still have a lot of work to do, like the stone around the pillars, not to mention a yard, but it is such an improvement. This is a photo of us having one of three garage sales (we have a garage now) and after getting rid of over 30 boxes, we still have more to sort out. Man, can we collect a bunch of junk! Dad helped this week with Sarah's new work room (located under the dining room). We're getting there and dad has been such a huge help. Sometimes it takes someone to just show up and say, "What are we doing today?". I really love that man.


We also finally hung the family photos.
At least some of them. That's another project on my list. Sorting through the photos and getting them scanned into the computer. Katie offered me her old one and I certainly could use one just for the pictures. My family is so generous. Perhaps its pity for the poor fool who doesn't know when to say, "Slow down."




Our little Lizzy had a very large group of friends over for her 7th birthday. She simply couldn't decide who not to invite. The great thing is her theme. It was a princess, fairy, pirate, wizard and witch sort of event. Fairy tales collide in an array of colors. I have a cool video of the kids all rockin' out, but since I can't seem to figure out how to download the darn thing, you'll all just have to imagine.













I could go on and on, but I realize I'm running out of time and I know you'd all rather see the photos. So here they are. No captions, but each one is a story unto itself. Sarah says I "wax poetic" too much anyway.









I can't help myself. This one needs a caption. Lizzy says its the "indian" peach, but I just think its really excited to be here.

RAMONA QUIMBY COMES TO LIFE

Our little Toria got a haircut a month ago and we thought it was adorable. Yet, we couldn't place our finger on who she looked like. Well, at church today I place it. Do you remember those books written by Beverly Cleary (spelling?) who wrote the Ramona books, plus scores of others I read as a kid. Anyway, Ramona is this little terror of a five-year-old who gets into all sorts of trouble, yet, is so darn cute and smart she never really gets punished. Well, here she is - made flesh!

Sunday Dinner in the Raw

As many of you know, our little family has started to eat Raw. So, what does that mean? Well, think of it as being vegetarian, while in addition not cooking any of the meals. Why in Heavens name would we even think to go this radical? (You know how much Sarah and I enjoy good food.) In the last year we started dealing with a number of current health issues. In addition, we were being told by doctors to put some of our children on Ritalin. Being in the profession I'm in, we simply decided to find another natural alternative. And, although its been difficult on some of our family (those who have addictive personalities) we've done well and I realize we've made the right decision.

However, knowing it for oneself and trying to get others to see your point of view is more difficult. Mom and Dad have been very supportive, yet they didn't know really what we ate besides salads and fruit. Plus there were those questions about not getting enough calcium or protein. So, when Dad made the comment about us not being able as a family to eat together anymore, it was Sarah's and my opportunity to invite them over for a taste.

The following photos are of the "Mexican" meal we fixed. It was really quite fun and the girls transitioned well. (I'm the addictive personality mentioned above.) We made corn chips, seasoned beans, all the trimmings, even sour cream and ice cream. Those last two made from young coconut meat. WE use a dehydrator instead of an oven to maintain the "living" enzymes. Funky stuff, I know, but it tasted good and everyone enjoyed themselves.








This desert is called a Dark Chocolate Gan ache Tart.

We also made Coconut Ice Cream and Vanillia Nut Macadamias.

The Kids, The House & Everything

Okay, so I failed in my valiant attempt to maintain this blog.  I'll admit it.  Time has been a little tight this year.  The girls are all active in school and outside activities; Sarah and I are working full time trying to get people to see the benefits of raw food and wheat grass juice; and to top it all off we are working on a "small addition" for the home.  So, without further excuses, let me try to sum up the year so far...

Let's begin with the youngest.  Victoria informed us this past summer that she was going to marry "a boy from Idaho with a big truck".  She went on to explain she needed his really big truck for her two really big dogs.  Otherwise, when she learned to drive where would they fit? I guess the Idaho kid was just a means to an end.  You just can't fault the girl's logic.  She is currently in Pre-K.  Her teacher was so excited to have her in the class because she remembered Karen as such a sweet, pretty little thing.  Two weeks later we talk with her and learn that Toria had been in Time-Out numerous times due to her tendency to tell the other children to chase her, then runs around the room screaming at the top of her lungs.  "Sweet" and "Pretty" are two words Victoria doesn't like us to use on her.  She prefers "Awsome" and "Cool."  She also goes by the codename Superman!

Elizabeth graduated from Kindergarden this past May.  She looked so proud and of course now that she is in 1st grade things are only going to get better!  She is such an artist.  Anything and everything she can get her hands on with be "touched" by her magic!  She also loves to write.  It isn't unusual to come into the kitchen and see her composing a story - complete with words and illustrations.  Have you ever looked at a child and their whole future seemed to open up to you in a instant?  Our little Lizzy is going to do some amazing things!

Carmen and Karen are just too "involved."  Sarah and I finally had to sit down with them and go through their activities to determine what they would be willing to drop.  Karen is currently in Karate and Orchestra (she was willing to drop Ballroom Dance for our sakes), not to mention her church activities.  Carmen does Karate, Symphonic Band and Drama (thank goodness Tap Dancing classes ended before she started Drama).  She is also the Secretary in Beehives.  Both girls are wonderful with their little sisters and really great examples to them. Carmen is now in 8th grade (she'll be 13 in December) and Karen is in 6th.  We are so proud of the young women they've become.  We're getting extremely close to those "terrible teens," but I'm holding on to faith that that storm will be a mild one.

I could go on for hours with the narrative, but in truth I don't think most of you really want that.  What you want is pictures...and lots of them.  Therefore, I'll skip the small talk, show you a few family photo favorites then proceed to the little addition I mentioned in the beginning.

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The girls got a chance to go to a working "Dude Ranch" and ride horses for the first time.

Thanksgiving Point.

Halloween night.

And now just a brief look in time...

A "Construction" Party before the big event.

We even brought out the family sofa to fit everyone comfortably.
Siding comes off.  Foundation being dug.

Dad (Allen) went to great lengths to save our beautiful trees above.
Foundation buried.  New Windows being put in.
New Porch.
New Door.  New Entry.  New Garage.  New Everything.

That's it for right now.  Its getting close to midnight and I really need to get to bed.  I'll send more photos tomorrow...maybe.