Stacie's Spook

Valentines

2012-02-10T13:35:00.002-07:00

I like helping my kids do Valentines and each year we seem to find something unique. This year we bought bouncy balls and smiley rings and bagged them with this tag. I got the idea here.

So-Cal vacay

2012-01-21T19:54:00.016-07:00

Disneyland was perfect (bad weather + school= less people on vacation). We decided last-minute to take off. Longest line was for Rapunzel from Tangled, Julia demanded it. She really wanted to touch her hair.

"It's a small world" ride.

Thunder Mountain ride. You can see Mike at the very back in an orange shirt. He waves below.

Funniest pic from Splash Mountain- our big drop at the end.

The cold beach.

More pics to come. We went whale watching and saw a few gray whales and dolphins. It was awesome!

Julia's new furniture

2012-01-21T14:08:00.002-07:00

We finally found some pieces for Julia's room! We bought it from a gal who refurbishes items. See here. Julia is delighted.

Mia's Dec Piano Recital video clips

2012-01-10T10:40:00.005-07:00

I finally got my videos streamed to my computer and was able to pull this for you. I have another clip that I can't seem to post (so I quit), but it had two other solo pieces. This is a duet with me. Mia has a short recital coming up (at our home in 2 to 4 weeks) where she will play about 25 minutes of music that she has memorized and polished for any family and friends who want to come. She is working hard each day and we are very proud of her.

School pics

2012-01-05T10:47:00.003-07:00

School pictures!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T12:18:00.003-07:00

Resolution: Be a better blogger.
Opposition: Old computer died. Blogger says I have exceeded my total photo upload quota.
In my favor: New i Mac works like a dream. Kids are back in school! Am computer savvy (i.e. tenacious).

Crazy Hair Day at School

2011-10-27T12:04:00.003-06:00

Wood Duck Sighting

2011-10-25T19:34:00.001-06:00

We finally saw our first wood duck in the wild! We have been trying for a few years. Another check off the bucket list. So beautiful!

Fall Fun

2011-10-21T15:10:00.005-06:00

Gardner Village Witches today...

CornBellys yesterday...

Summer Fun with Hans and Phil

2011-09-02T12:46:00.041-06:00

Cowabunga Bay!

Julia's birthday. At Boondocks she wanted to do mini-golf.

Temple Square visit- top of the Joseph Smith Building.

Top of the LDS Conference Center.

Dinner at Buca di Beppos. The boys liked this water statue.

We got to eat at the Pope table.

Hansi caught a fish!!!

Best roasted marshmallows ever.

Julia's first day of school- kindergarten.

Visiting Pirate O's shop.

Airborne Trampoline Arena- impossible to get the kids to pose. They can't stop jumping.

Visit to the "Up" house.

Summer

2011-09-02T12:33:00.004-06:00

There is a full-scale replica of the Up house (from Disney movie) in Utah. We stopped by after swimming and were in awe.

Julia playing chess with her dad. The kids love chess. Mia and Luke recently joined the school chess club and loved their first day.

Snowbird Vacation

2011-09-02T12:01:00.031-06:00

Look at this... I am blogging again! The kids are in school, so now I should be able to keep up. We love Snowbird. We took a mini-vacation up Little Cottonwood Canyon to do some fun activities and stayed at the resort. Mike had a bunch more pics in the camara that I will have to post later. These are from my cell phone.

We did this new ropes course. It is hard to fight the fear of the height, but it is fun once you can relax.

Mia and Luke liked the air jumper.

Rock climbing.

Here is the tram. It moves quickly up the mountain gaining lots of altitude.

Luke is nervous.

Good Summer Times

2011-08-08T14:34:00.041-06:00

My good friend, Chris, got married! I went to the reception with my old roomies.

We could not get enough of the centerpieces with the live butterflies in them.

Mia came with me too.

Mia would have loved to catch the flowers.

Had a great visit with my Poughkeepsie peeps- That is Rhonda and April.

Neighborhood kids at play.

Camping (picnicking) in the mountains.

Swim lessons.

Luke diving.

I got to go to Girls Camp this year!

The dark blob in the trees is a porcupine - near my tent!

More swimming. Kids have made great progress on the diving board.

We caught one! We just picked up fishing this year. The kids LOVE it!

Julia graduated from her preschool-on-line program.

Mike coming down a hill on the "flying turtle". We were at a work party near Sundance.

Luke's Baseball

2011-07-04T13:14:00.004-06:00

And lastly, to be done with my June posts, Luke played coach pitch this spring. Here is the team photo. The coach put together a great slide show that you can view here.

Fathers Day Adventure- June 19th

2011-07-04T09:44:00.015-06:00

Mike wanted to go look at his old stomping grounds. So we took the kids to his Elementary School in Orem, UT. They loved all the new playground stuff.

We also visited "the grave."

This is some high point over Orem (forget the name)- I had never been and Mike was surprised. It was glorious.

Bridal Veil Falls.
We also stopped on 75E to see "the house," but I don't know where those pictures went to show you. It was a nostalgic day for Mike= rare.

More Spring Hiking and Birding

2011-07-04T09:16:00.009-06:00

Lazuli Bunting in flight.

MIa's Birthday- June 15th

2011-07-04T09:04:00.007-06:00

Took a few friends to the Lehi pool. They had so much fun.

Nope, you are not getting in!

This is the Place park trip

2011-07-04T08:59:00.006-06:00

2011-07-03T20:03:00.002-06:00

Spotted Towhee

Spring Hiking and Birding

2011-07-03T18:39:00.014-06:00

Lots of cute Lazuli Buntings!

Mia's Spring Soccer has ended

2011-07-02T20:26:00.005-06:00

Just a few last pictures.

June 2nd- Happy Birthday to Mike

2011-07-02T20:08:00.005-06:00

You get pictures of the cake- the best classic chocolate cake we have ever had! I used America's Test Kitchen recipe. I wanted to have it with raspberries or strawberries or even a mint leaf, but unbelievably, it is too good for all that. It truly tastes best on its own. I would post the recipe, but blogger won't let me cut and paste and it is way too long to type out. I will email it to you if you decide you want it.

Lazuli Bunting on my Feeder

2011-07-02T19:56:00.003-06:00

I finally caught one on my feeder!

My Baby has Graduated

2011-06-03T10:01:00.004-06:00

I finally broke down after all these years and 3 kids and put my kid in preschool for the last 3 months. It was such a fun experience.

She calls her teacher "Aunt Stephanie"- this makes 3 Aunt Stephanie's in her life!

Bird Adventures (take two)

2011-05-29T18:22:00.022-06:00

Bullock's Oriole!

Closeup of hummingbird.

Swallows.

Quail.

Red-winged black birds are stunning in flight.

Western Kingbird.

American White Pelican!

Looking for stuff.

We found a black ground beetle.

It is hard to look away from ducklings- so cute!

We spotted this Caspian Tern!! You can read more about this rare sighting and its visit to Utah here.

Common Merganser above.

A pair of cormorants.

Petting "mother goose."

Snowy Egret!

Birding Adventures

2011-05-28T10:14:00.022-06:00

Wow! I just spent an hour posting all the birds we have seen and for some reason- it was all lost... Ugh!!! Will try again later!

Fun with Mark and MikalAnn

2011-05-27T20:23:00.015-06:00

Spring Break 2011 in California

2011-05-19T14:08:00.031-06:00

Legoland

the beach

Aquarium- seahorse!

Walking and caring for the dogs- kids' favorite

Torrey Pines

Pelicans!

What bird is this?

The water was not cold for these Utah kids!

Moonlight Beach at sunset.

Spring Break 2011

2011-05-19T13:04:00.019-06:00

Birch Aquarium at Scripps near La Jolla, CA

Aunt Joy!

The dogs and pool at Joy's were my kids' favorite part of the vacation.

In front of Ruby's at the end of a pier.

Tide pools.

Legoland

2011-05-19T12:09:00.014-06:00

We were in California for Spring Break. Legoland: first stop!

The girls were volunteered in a show to "Walk like an Egyptian."

Fun ride where you pull yourself up to the top and drop down.

Legoland pics to come

2011-05-05T15:39:00.003-06:00

Birding up Corner Canyon

2011-05-05T15:06:00.010-06:00

Scrub Jay's always squawk their welcome at the start of our trail.

Hawk

Gnat Catcher?

Spotted Towhee

"Hail no!"

2011-05-05T14:42:00.004-06:00

2011-04-29T10:29:00.005-06:00

Typical day working on homework with Luke (minus the complaining and agony).

Correction: Spring is not here.

2011-04-03T14:13:00.010-06:00

We woke up to this today.

I love my fat finches.

Mourning dove on our tree.

(Close-up)

Spring is Here!

2011-04-02T20:40:00.019-06:00

Mike bought a new camera. Here are some of the first pics. Julia loves to pose.

Mia and a friend.

Kids in motion in Luke's room.

Julia in her room.

Luke.

Mia is in soccer.

My magnolia bloomed!

My tulips are coming.

My music studio.

Goodbye to my Sweet Grandmother

2011-03-20T19:29:00.021-06:00

My Grandmother had a stroke over 2 weeks ago. It got serious and I flew to NY thinking it would be for a funeral. Instead, she held on for a few days more and I was able to visit with her one last time. It was a very difficult and draining experience for me. I debated whether to post about it, but life is about death as it is about all things.
Here are some of Grandma's angels that tended to her and held her hand these last days. She is aware and follows them with her eyes in this picture.

In the hospital room, I noticed the picture that we sent in the mail earlier had arrived and was posted on the board. Julia (my 4-yr-old) loves to draw and I told her to create something happy for Grandma to see- a bright hillside flower with blue sky above.

Here are all of Grandma's children.

Aunt Alvina, Grandma's sister, came to visit one last time on March 16th, the day she passed.

Julia loved seeing "Indiana Jones" the cat.

Phil and Hansi at the diner.

Mathias.

My Julia sitting by Wendy.

The night before St. Patty's Day, mom made corned beef in the crockpot and cabbage in another. I enjoyed all the food I ate so much that I started taking pictures of the food.

Julia was a big surprise. I took her with me and did not tell my parents. They love to spoil her. Here is my dad's paper where he took her "order" for breakfast.

Lunch at River Station.

Beautiful view of the Hudson River and bridge.

Mom's delicious Shepherd's Pie.

My fish and chips.

Plane-ride home was St. Patty's day. Julia wears a shamrock headband.

Disney on Ice

2011-03-20T18:17:00.008-06:00

We attended Disney on Ice with my sister and Steve's family. It was so fun. The kids loved it.

Luke's Birthday Dinner

2011-03-20T17:15:00.004-06:00

On Luke's birthday (the end of last month), we went to dinner hibachi-style.

Luke's Birthday Party

2011-03-03T16:34:00.019-07:00

We had cupcakes and pizza and then went to Airborne Trampoline Arena!

Julia and Julia!

The brave "pit jumpers."

There was also an area for dodge ball.
It was impossible to get the boys to stop for a picture! They had so much fun!

My friend, Connie, and I.

Northern Flickers in my Tree!

2011-02-25T09:03:00.003-07:00

About them: Northern Flickers are large, brown woodpeckers with a gentle expression and handsome black-scalloped plumage. On walks, don’t be surprised if you scare one up from the ground. It’s not where you’d expect to find a woodpecker, but flickers eat mainly ants and beetles, digging for them with their unusual, slightly curved bill. When they fly you’ll see a flash of color in the wings – yellow if you’re in the East, red if you’re in the West – and a bright white flash on the rump.

The iLove

2011-02-14T16:13:00.005-07:00

We made iLove's for the kids' valentines this year. They said all the kids were delighted at school. We had fun making them. We just took boxed candy and wrapped colored paper around it and pasted cut outs of the controls and screen and then at the end of yarn, we glued foil-wrapped heart candies. We wrote "You rock" on them also.

One day I noticed this "strange bird" out my kitchen window! I love our neighbors cat. Notice, there are no birds to be seen.

Jan to Feb 2011

2011-02-13T19:00:00.031-07:00

Sorry. It has been a while! Here is a family bowling night- kids call is "balling!"

Roberta and I took Christian to lunch at the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at the Garden restaurant. Beautiful views and I found the best fish and chips I've ever had (except in New Zealand).

You are looking at a bunch of bald eagles in that dead tree at Farmington Bay.

Here is a closeup picture I found online.

We saw a few kestrels that day and one landed in the tree by the eagles, but you wouldn't know with my phone's camera.

More eagles in the water on floating ice.

This is a Northern Harrier, above picture, and then below picture in the tree.

Mia played a game "Minute to Win it" for Activity Days (girls of her age get together twice a month and have fun). She is in deep concentration as she tries to wiggle that cookie down to her mouth without it falling or help from her hands.

Another part of the game involved lots of tissues!

Another trip to our favorite local park, today, actually. We saw a kingfisher, a lot of hooded mergansers (never have seen more than 2 couples), red-winged blackbirds (they haven't been around in a while), a flicker, robins and lots of common waterfowl.

Mia's Piano Recital

2011-01-06T11:01:00.003-07:00

I am finally getting to post Mia's piano recital which was last month. She is doing so well in piano. She played Jingle Bells and made a few mistakes. Her nerves got to her. Sorry the video is so dark. The camera had difficulties.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-26T15:56:00.016-07:00

Coming down the stairs early Christmas morning.

Good times Dec 2010 continued

2010-12-26T15:15:00.013-07:00

Chuck-a-Rama in Draper rocks!

Visit with a friend.

The Festival of Trees.

KFC tree.

My favorite tree was this one with a bird theme.

Cookie Monster tree.

Camels in a live Nativity (Hard to see in the dark).

Manger scene was stunning.

Nov to Dec Activities- Catch-up Post

2010-12-26T14:58:00.016-07:00

Good food and company at PF Changs.

(Luke hides under the table)

Getting warm at the new Deseret Book store downtown.

Seeing the lights on Temple Square.

Nativity in the reflection pool.

Concert at the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Sledding.

Going to see "The Savior of the World" production at the Conference Center.

A picture with "Mary."

Happy Gobble Day!

2010-11-25T14:08:00.008-07:00

Dinner

Dessert

Clean up and football

Tryptophan sleep

Playtime

Parents' Visit

2010-11-22T18:59:00.006-07:00

Thanks, Grandma (Thelma), for the knitted treasures!

Halloween

2010-11-15T15:41:00.004-07:00

Julia- Lilo (from Lilo and Stitch), Mia- witch, Luke- Rolie Polie Olie (thanks, Steph, for 2 of the 3 costumes). My kids decide all on their own each year. They have plenty of costumes and it always is a surprise for me.

Halloween Costumes at School

2010-11-15T15:39:00.003-07:00

Luke - a ghost

Mia- a robber

My husband is a killer

2010-11-15T15:30:00.002-07:00

kids' pictures

2010-10-30T15:23:00.002-06:00

My Handsome Nephew in Utah

2010-10-22T20:45:00.000-06:00

More Hiking and Birding among the Fall Trees

2010-10-10T14:11:00.003-06:00

We found a mouse and her 3 calves!

Mini's Chocolate Cupcakes

2010-10-10T13:56:00.004-06:00

I discovered my favorite chocolate cupcake this week is at Mini's Cupcake Shop. They are the best cupcake shop - 2 years in a row from City Weekly.

The chocolate is amazing!

More Birding Adventures

2010-09-14T17:12:00.006-06:00

Cascade Springs off the Alpine Loop.

Up Mill Creek Canyon looking for owls. We think we did find a juvenile Great Horned owl. This means my obsession with that owl continues.

Dave came to visit

2010-09-14T17:07:00.008-06:00

Zach's baptism

Julia likes her Grandpa Dave.

Birding adventures with Dave.

School Lunch and Recess with My Kids

2010-09-14T17:01:00.005-06:00

2010-09-09T11:20:00.010-06:00

Pictures from our Stewart Falls hike near Sundance in Utah.

The kids participated in a soccer clinic in Provo.

First Day of School 2010

2010-09-09T11:15:00.004-06:00

The kids had their first day of school on August 23rd and 24th. They are really enjoying school this year. And their mom loves it more than they do.

My Baby Turned 4!

2010-09-03T12:14:00.006-06:00

The cake is all from scratch and you can see that we didn't wait for the icing to set up before we put it on. It was a really divine chocolate raspberry torte. My sister, Steph, was visiting, and now I am sad I didn't take more pictures.

Julia had excellent swim lessons from our friend, Becky Thomas. She did amazing! Only 6 lessons and look at all she can do!

More Pictures of our Summer

2010-08-18T11:48:00.044-06:00

Swimming at Roberta's pool.

Mike's cousin's (Brittney) wedding reception.

Hiking.

Birding.

Julia's first swim lesson.

The Lehi pool.

Camping up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Lots of deer.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the cool hats!

more deer.

Mark brought up his scope. We watched the meteor shower that night. Beautiful!

Heidi and Steph visit

2010-08-18T11:28:00.030-06:00

Went to the preview float party for the Days of '47 parade.

Up Big Cottonwood Canyon at Silver Lake.

Dirty!

Mike chucking rocks at me for taking pictures. Do you appreciate what I go through to post for you?

The nickelcade!

Red Butte gardens.

Little Cottonwood Canyon Hike

2010-08-15T19:38:00.019-06:00

Snow drift in July!

Kids are afar on the rock hill.

Feeding a squirrel? Chipmunk?

...right out of Mia's hand.

Paul McCartney concert in Utah!

2010-08-15T19:14:00.003-06:00

Utah Symphony Concert in Draper

2010-08-15T19:10:00.004-06:00

The balloons were let go after the ribbon cutting. This is Draper's new amphitheater.

Heather and Heidi visit

2010-08-15T19:03:00.003-06:00

Agricola time.

The rest of the NY pics from our vacation

2010-08-08T17:58:00.048-06:00

Out clubbing with Margot and Deanna and her sister.

This is on the Walkway over the Hudson. It is New York's first air park and the longest pedestrian bridge in the world.

We met with Wendy's 4th-grade class on their last day of school.

They have a family of ground hogs or something outside their window. I think his name is "Chester."

At the Spratt Park.

Mathias knows right where the Pirate snack is at his dad's store.

Luke with Indiana.

This is looking at the Mid-Hudson Bridge from the Walkway over the Hudson. There is a peregrine falcon (fastest animal in the natural world) that nests under that bridge on the left that we saw flying around.

Grandma and Aunt Pam doing Julia's hair.

Down at the train station.

Aunt Carol giving out treats.

A boat down by the river (Hudson) at the park.

The Hudson bridge in the back.

The Walkway over the Hudson.

Went to Matt and Wendy's church. Afterwards, visiting the graves of Matt's mother and brother.

"Teetsie"

Camp Liahona or Whaley Lake- my favorite summer place as a kid.

Visiting Patty (a cousin) on Nuclear Lake in Pawling, NY. She is the caretaker and maintains the section of the Adirondack trail that runs by it. So beautiful!

At park with Wendy and Mathias.

Backyard fun in NY

2010-07-28T00:07:00.028-06:00

Fireflies for the fist time!

"Indiana Jones"- a much-needed nap.

With their clothes on!

Luke lost his first tooth (besides the one that hit the pavement on a bicycle fall last year).

Mia and the neighbor friend.

Kevan and me! We were in kindergarten together and so on. It was good to catch up.

Stacie's Spook

Valentines

So-Cal vacay

Julia's new furniture

Mia's Dec Piano Recital video clips

School pics

Happy New Year!

Crazy Hair Day at School

Wood Duck Sighting

Fall Fun

Summer Fun with Hans and Phil

Summer

Snowbird Vacation

Good Summer Times

Luke's Baseball

Fathers Day Adventure- June 19th

More Spring Hiking and Birding

MIa's Birthday- June 15th

This is the Place park trip

Spring Hiking and Birding

Mia's Spring Soccer has ended

June 2nd- Happy Birthday to Mike

Lazuli Bunting on my Feeder

My Baby has Graduated

Bird Adventures (take two)

Birding Adventures

Fun with Mark and MikalAnn

Spring Break 2011 in California

Spring Break 2011

Legoland

Legoland pics to come

Birding up Corner Canyon

"Hail no!"

Correction: Spring is not here.

Spring is Here!

Goodbye to my Sweet Grandmother

Disney on Ice

Luke's Birthday Dinner

Luke's Birthday Party

Northern Flickers in my Tree!

The iLove

Jan to Feb 2011

Mia's Piano Recital

Merry Christmas!

More for the catch-up post

Good times Dec 2010 continued

Nov to Dec Activities- Catch-up Post

Happy Gobble Day!

Parents' Visit

Halloween

Halloween Costumes at School

My husband is a killer

kids' pictures

My Handsome Nephew in Utah

More Hiking and Birding among the Fall Trees

Mini's Chocolate Cupcakes

More Birding Adventures

Dave came to visit

School Lunch and Recess with My Kids

First Day of School 2010

My Baby Turned 4!

More Pictures of our Summer

Heidi and Steph visit

Little Cottonwood Canyon Hike

Paul McCartney concert in Utah!

Utah Symphony Concert in Draper

Heather and Heidi visit

The rest of the NY pics from our vacation

Backyard fun in NY