California Fun--Monday

Monday brought us In 'n Out and the tide pools at Dana Point. Very lovely and more colorful than the usual Crystal Cove tide pools we visit. The low tide was perfect--smack in the middle of the day and not at some crazy hour. The highlight had to have been when we discovered the enormous purple and orange starfish clinging to the sides of the rocks. Awesome!

After the tide pools, we drove up Hwy 1 and visited Newport Beach--our favorite beach to play at. It was funny to see the surfers in their long wetsuits and then my children in only their bathing suits frolicking in the COLD water. The sun was setting and the colors were magnificent. We were truly blessed.

California Fun--Sunday

Two Saturdays ago we were able to drive to So Cal for a little R and R and to see Matt and Ananda get married. I have to say the drive went very well. All the children were troopers, and Evy only cried a total of 10 minutes. The following day was Sunday, so we went to church and caught up with old friends. We enjoyed having Sunday dinner with the family. I think Will loved how all the aunts and uncles there took turns playing Legos with him. What a lucky guy! The highlight of the night had to have been meeting Celia for the first time. Such a darling little girl. I love the look of awe she seems to always have on her face. Bri and Mike are doing a wonderful job. Celia is a lucky girl! The lowlight of the night was finding out Will cut his hair when he should have been sleeping. That stinker! Right before the wedding and all. Eric gave him a buzz cut, and he actually looks really cute.

Us

A late Valentine to Eric. . . I'm so lucky to have him as my husband and best friend and for all the good times we've had together. I'm so thankful for his patience with me (and my cooking)!

The Dog House

A very funny video that probably anyone who has been in a long-term relationship can relate to in some way!



P. S. Eric is currently not in the dog house. :-)

This baby of mine. . .

. . . is sweet, cuddly, a talker (yes, another one), blue-eyed, big-eyed, long, healthy, lovable, loving, alert, beautiful, and just right. I just can't get enough of her!

Retold with Permission

Saturday morning I was nursing Evelyn upstairs. Eric and Ezra were downstairs cuddling on the couch and watching cartoons. I could hear Eric "blooper" as we call it in our family. Then, in a nice low, guttural, raspy voice, Ezra said, "You cut the cheese!"

Oh my goodness. . . that child cracks me up! This morning when Evelyn pooped her pants, Ezra said the same thing, "Evelyn cut the cheese." So funny!

That Boy of Mine

I'm realizing maybe one reason I have Will and Ezra in my life is to bring out laughter in my often serious attitude. Last night and this morning were more occasions for me to think, "Goodness, I need to write that down." So here goes:

Reason #1 to laugh last night:

As I walked back into the kitchen to clean Ezra up from dinner, I saw a ball of rice zoom over the table and across the kitchen. (Ezra has a great arm.) I walked over to Ezra and said, "Ezra, no, no!" He looked up at me with those blue, long eyelash rimmed eyes and said, "A snowball fight!" I couldn't help but laugh. I guess he remembered my reaction when he wanted to be funny and turn his blueberry muffin into a ball this morning.

Reason #2 to laugh this morning:

While changing his poopy diaper, Ezra said, "That's awesome!" I asked, "What's awesome, Buddy?" He then replied, "My poop." Awwww yes. . . the joys of being a mother!

Aspen Grove

A big thank you to Lynn and Val for making the Youngberg Family Reunion at Aspen Grove such a success! I had such a great time being with the extended family in such a beautiful setting. (I missed Bri, Mike, Steve-O, and Ananda, though.) We had a blast snowshoeing, sledding, eating, playing games, having a white elephant exchange, staying up late, experimenting with my "nifty fifty" lens, and more eating! (I do have a little regret that Kerri and I changed the clocks forward two hours so the little kids could have a "midnight" toast and go to bed earlier without having the ill effects of staying up late the next day--guilty because we were so sneaky about it!) Abby, Will, and Ezra certainly had a good ole time playing with their cousins and spending quality time with their aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I also need to add that it was wonderful spending time with Nana Beth. I hope I can become like her someday!

P. S. Thank you to Ashleigh who took the fun pictures of the kids and Matt sledding, and thank you to Matt for the silly pics of Eric and others on this slideshow.

Evy's Blessing

Sunday was a happy day as my little angel was able to be blessed by Eric. I'm so thankful Eric was able to give her a baby blessing, and he did a wonderful job! I'm also so thankful to Lynn and Dave who were able to stand in the circle and for the family that came to support us.

It was a special experience for me to dress my perfect and pure little baby in white for her big day and to have her wear the same dress (made by Nana Val) that Abby wore for her blessing. A sweet moment in a very busy morning!

Ezra Speaks His Mind!

Yesterday during lunch Ezra was eating on the bench we have on one side of the table. Will was sitting next to him in a chair with his feet on the bench. Out of nowhere, Ezra commands, "Get your feet off of my ottoman!" Will and I exchanged glances (Did he just really say what I think he said?) before Will decided he better remove his feet. Seriously, I'm pretty sure I didn't know what an ottoman was when I was two years old!

Faux Gingerbread Houses

Our family had a memorable time with the fun and creative Green family making faux gingerbread houses (faux because we use graham crackers--awesome alternative!) Eric whipped up the icing and helped little Ez, Dave helped Kate with her cool house with balcony, Kerri helped Ben with his wee chateau, I attempted to help in between baby feedings, and the big kids went to town on their very creative homes. It was a great night with everyone eating candy and being industrious, listening to Harry Connick, Jr., and enjoying good company over wassail.

Fun(ny) Times

What entertainment was I blessed with this morning? Watching Abby, Will, and Ezra do the "Macarena" at 9:10 in the kitchen = fun times! I especially love watching Will try to get the beat by bouncing his knees (rather awkwardly) and swishing his bum in an exaggerated manner at the end of the routine (as taught by his p.e. teachers). One would have loved to hear me verbally chime in the music for them. Awesome times in Crazy Castle!

My Juvenile Sense of Humor

Ever since I've seen Illinois' governor on tv, I just can't get past his hairdo. What is up with that? So when I saw this SNL skit I was laughing so hard. I guess it just goes to show what a juvenile sense of humor I have! (I also often try to figure out what animal some people resemble. I've decided the governor of Illinois looks like a Chow.) I couldn't figure out how to post this video here, so here is the link to the video. The part about his hair is during the second half of the short video clip.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/really-gov-blagojevich/881482/

Blake

We love our cousin Blake! He treated our family with a visit on Sunday evening and rescued us from one of those late Sunday afteroon feelings of I-have-serious-cabin-fever-what-are-we-going-to-do-with-the-kids-the-rest-of-the-night? Blake took the children on a nice, frigid walk, put up with a noisy dinner, and read books to Ezra. What a nice guy, huh? He's not only nice but fun and full of facts! Thanks, Blake, for rescuing our family from the Sunday night doldrums!

P. S.

I changed the name of my blog to "Crazy Castle" because as I was telling Abby and Will how they were a prince and princess, Will commented that I would be the queen and our house would be the castle. Then he added, "Evy sure picked a crazy castle to come to!" This Willism has stuck ever since! With four kids under the age of 6 1/2, our home truly is a crazy castle!

Smitten

This picture of Ezra speaks so well the love and joy we all have for little Evy!

Also, she just had her two week check-up and is doing very well. WHAT A BLESSING! She has grown a 1/2 inch so far and almost gained a whole pound. All we can say is. . . thank heaven for little girls!

She's here!

Our little Evelyn Rose made her quick debut on Thursday, November 20th. (Quick because she was born less than an hour after arriving at the hospital!)

She weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and was 21 inches long. She has the longest feet that are reminiscent of a jackrabbit!

This Thanksgiving we truly are so thankful that she is here safe and sound.

FYI--Evelyn comes from my dad's mom and Rose came to us by way of a visiting Wisconsin couple who I met at the Gardens. They were avid gardeners themselves and when they found out we had chosen the name Evelyn, they informed me of the existence of an English rose called "Evelyn." Ever since then the middle name of Rose has stuck!

Today was a good day

because Abby came home relatively happy and did her homework, reading, and piano without complaint.

because Ezra said, "Mommy, me like it!" when he tried caramel on his apples.

because Will and I built a marble tower together that totally rocked!

because Eric came home for lunch and is doing the grocery shopping for me right at this moment.

because Kerri brought an awesome dinner over for our family. Those homemade rolls were "da bomb!"

Will on the way to school

On the way to school this morning, my friend overheard Will explain to her son that a "blooper" is "when gasoline comes out of your bum." All I can say is. . . nice.

I just can't take it!

I just can't take how stinkin' cute my boys are in the snow. (I know, I'm a little biased.) I love how their pale skin and blue eyes pop against their dark snow clothes. I'm so glad that even though I have brown eyes, I was blessed to have these boys with their beautiful blue eyes. Thanks for helping with that, Eric!

I'm also glad Ezra enjoyed the snow today. Last year he did not enjoy the snow one bit. He wouldn't crack a smile for anything. Looks like this snow season will be different. As soon as Eric walked in for lunch today, Ezra said, "Snow fun. Snow fun." He couldn't wait to share the good news with his dad.

Although the boys were so cute, you should have seen me. Wow, what a 9 month pregger sight to see! No snow pants to fit--not to mention no coat in sight that will zip up over my huge belly. Also, I was not wearing gloves or a hat, so I was quite cold and wet within 30 seconds. Oh well. . . not too much longer!

Leaves. . . everywhere!

Living up in Salt Lake in an older home means older trees with more leaves. We are so excited to finally have piles of leaves to rake up and jump in. After the kids' last soccer games, we came home and celebrated by playing in the leaves with neighbors. Will thought it was too hot, so he just had to take his shirt off. Of course, Ezra had to take his shirt off as well. Cute little tummies!