Ketchup

Read "Catch-up".
In 4th Grade my teacher Mr. Scott would trick us somehow into saying a phrase with the word "catch up" in it.  Like: "I need to catch up on my homework." (I'm not sure how he got us to say that.) And then he would call us to his desk and write the word "ketchup" on our hand.  Not sure if that was part of the fourth grade curriculum at the time but it sure stuck with me! Hmmm. 
Anyhow.  It has been practically ages since I have updated my blog and there have been umpteen million things big and small that have occured since then.   Therefore:  I am going to attempt with this blog post, to be as minimal as possible and still "ketchup" on the last little while of our family's life.
Pictures fill in where I can't do all the words.

Here it goes:
After a happy "Nathan passed the Bar!" party... Nathan and his Dad drove to California the last few days of November, driving a Uhaul with all our stuff, pulling the car and driving the van loaded to the brim.  Housing option after housing option had been popping like bubbles before our eyes the last few days as December approached.  But it only takes one, and luckily one worked out in the school boundaries we were hoping for. While Nathan spent a few days waiting for our house and moving into the house, the kids and myself were enjoying our last few days at Grandma and Grandpa's house (while trying not to be too sad about that time coming to an end.)  We had some fun things to distract us -- like the ward Christmas party, singing in Relief Society ( the girls were a smash -- singing my Uncle Kelly's song), finishing up Christmas projects and trying to gather up any little odds and ends that didn't go with the rest of the stuff.
Then we flew to San Diego.  When we left Preston it was like 7 degrees.  When we landed in San Diego it was like 60.  It was raining, and so I couldn't see the amazing ocean views from the hills and our house when we arrived.  But I can see them now!  I love living here on this hill -- about 4 miles from the ocean.  I can see it from my backyard. I see it from my driveway. I see it on the way to the store.  I am still not used to it -- it is like a dream everytime I see it.  In the morning when I wake up -- I can see the firey sunrise too with the palm trees in silhouette.  At night when I go to sleep I can see the city lights in the distance.  Anyway, I like the place!  The kids are liking it to.  It turned out to be nice timing for moving here.  It was holiday time for the school, so Elle had three weeks with Ava to delve into boxes full of forgotten toys, books, clothes, etc. and get used to our surroundings.  Nathan had some training stuff -- but things were kind of slow and then closed up for the holidays, so he could help us do some sorting and arranging and playing!

On Christmas Eve we went to Coronado island to the Hotel Del Mar there and went ice skating -- at a rink right on the beach.  It was perfect weather and very fun.  We had a picnic there as well, and then went home for a nice little low key red and green Christmas dinner.
The holidays were fun because of the beautiful weather.  We had trips to the beach, Sea World, the Zoo... That's San Diego for you.
Nathan has been busy at work at this point -- which he loves.
Elle started school in a new school in the new year.  She is strong and up to the challenge.  She makes the best of things -- and she does like it a great deal.  Of course it isn't easy, but people have been nice and she is learning the ropes quickly. She does "running club" at school going twice a week to run before school starts.  Nathan and I have talked before about her having a body frame suited for running... long lanky legs.  Sometimes she comes home and reports that she ran 12 laps!  I'm inspired.
Ava is interested in learning to read and is picking it up quickly.  She misses Elle at school and can't wait to go to school to.  Just 2 more years, Ava!
 And both Ava and Elle are taking dance class and violin class, so it is busy all around. 
We try to go down to the beach on Friday after school... we just pick Elle up and go -- since it is just 2 blocks from the ocean.  The kids love the beach -- it is fun to watch them there. 
Saturdays are Sea World or Zoo days -- Rock loves Sea World and the Zoo too!  He sits at attention through the Sea World shows and has now added "whale" and "fish" to his signing vocabulary.
 Sundays -- we enjoy our ward.  I just got called as the Sunbeam teacher (Ava's class!)-- which means Nathan's calling is to watch Rock.

January's big event was Rock's first birthday.  We can't believe how fun he is!  He is a good natured lovey.  He hugs us and pats us, and makes us all feel so good.  He loves to climb and be outside.  He is always looking for something to laugh about... And he is a total Daddy's boy!  There is some serious male mojo -- he just feels special with his Dad.  I think Nathan might be a little bit "whooped".  It is so fun to see them together.

There.  Our life in a nutshell.  Whew. 
Oh -- and come visit!

Photo Catch-up

Make a Smilebox digital slideshow

Playful

These pictures were supposed to be included in the post about Rock's playful romps...

Another violin girl

Ava has started violin lessons and just received her 1/16 size violin this week!
Does she look happy enough?

Tonight Ava decided to be in charge of the family night lesson. She drew pictures and handed us each one, then she told us a story about Dora (weren't you going to tell us a story about Jesus? nope. just Dora), and then she wanted to play violins with Elle -- so they got out their violins and did some bowing on "A". She is pretty excited about it.

Can you stand it?

I can't stand how fun Rock is! It is painfully fun. He likes to work on standing alone, climbing things like the vaccuum and stairs, he explores the house and loves to hold something all the time like a paintbrush, or drumstick, or pencil... he then taps on things and experiments with how it moves and sounds... just too fun.


When he wakes up he looks out the window.

He crawled in this little drawer. He thought it was pretty fun, until he realized he was stuck.

Total pals. You can see by the look on Rock's face... that he has what he wants: his dad, and his dad's calculator.

Did I mention Rock loves cords?

First Day of First Grade!

A little late posting this... we are now into our school routine. I don't cry all the way home from school everyday like I did that first day after dropping her off! She loves it. Weekends are "boring". And the minute she gets into the car at the end of the school day she says, "Mom, I can't wait for tomorrow!" So... there you go. Elle the First Grader!

Sunday Clothes

Ready for church. Rock was killin' me in his button down white shirt!
What a man. Not to mention the princesses at his side.

Soft Rock

Soft and Sweet.

(He learned to crawl this week!)

Rock's Blessing

We finally blessed Rock. Thanks to all those who were able to drive/fly in to be there.
We so appreciated having out little boy surrounded by all those great men!

I had another outfit for Rock, but at the last minute I remembered Nathan's blessing outfit, and literally squoze Rock into it.
I'm glad I did. It made everything a little more meaningful.

NATHAN ROCKWELL ROBINSON

hooked

WARNING: this post is not for the faint of heart.
This is not a hearts and flowers story.
It is pretty gnarly -- at least for our little lot.
Regard picture of hook below --
from an antique trunk in our living room.

A few days ago I heard Ava yelling -- "help! I'm stuck:"
I came running in to find her hanging upside down from this hook
(this nice rusty hook! thank goodness for tetanus shots)
-- which was hooked through some skin on her leg!!!!
(Sorry -- for the yucky lurch you just felt in your stomach)
So I lifted her off and realized it was time for stitches!

I couldn't get in touch with Nathan. He wouldn't be home for several hours. So I called my friend (and life-saver) Jackie -- who dropped what she was doing and helped us trek over to the hospital by taxi. At the hospital they only let one person in the room with the patient.
So I had to send Ava in with Jackie-- so she could explain what had happened and then I went in while they stitched the poor girl up! They were very nice -- but I definitely felt more anxious just because I could not communicate the way I wanted to!
What would I have done if Jackie wasn't there to hold Rock and entertain Elle, and speak Spanish for me... well, we all know it would have been more than ordeal. It would have been a disaster.

Ava was the picture of mental toughness. When it hurt
(and it hurt like the Dickens -- from what I could tell she could feel pretty much everything)
she would yell "I DO NOT LIKE THIS!!!"
and then when there was a break in the pain, she would plaster a fake smile
(see picture below) on her face
-- like "bravery = smile". What a girl.

She has decided 2 things after this experience she told me as she was falling asleep that night.
1. "I am never going to get on that trunk again. I am never going to touch that trunk again!"
and 2. "I don't want Elle to ever get stitches!"

In the end all is well ...
-- just don't tell Ava that those stitches have to be removed.

(This is Ava waiting in the Emergency Room.
Her little smile can't quite hide her worry.)