tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54113812012-01-25T07:57:14.205-07:00Like my bluechair journal, but shorter cuz I have a kindergartener, a pre-schooler, and a toddler--just my ramblings, photos, and occasional deep thoughts. Enjoy.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.comBlogger20321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-37788727903404124022012-01-24T22:42:00.010-07:002012-01-24T23:55:27.376-07:00

I am having the hardest time blogging with my angry baby lately. Everything has slid to the back burner for a full month while he has battled his ear infections, allergic reactions, teething, general hyperactivity, and the bonks and owies that go along with new found mobility. Oh, yes, he started crawling over a week ago, and it wasn't but a few days later he was standing and scooting around

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-52500017947974253292012-01-03T16:25:00.005-07:002012-01-03T17:14:14.838-07:00

Treats to deliver on 12.17Niles is indeed a gift ;) 12.19Please excuse the nudity, but look at those cute baby boy bums! 12.19On 12.20, Heidi played Baba in her class productions of the Ukranian folktale, "The Mitten."Is she not the most adorable little Baba (grandmother) ever?After the play, Mrs. Meador's second graders sang us some really enthusiastic carols. Cutie Heidi Niles snuck a sugar

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-84030397543329344932012-01-02T11:18:00.004-07:002012-01-02T11:43:13.280-07:00

I know I have tons of Christmas and New Years to share here, but for today, I am sharing about Niles. He got his first haircut last night so we took lot so of pictures. But in all the Christmas Hullaballoo, he also had his first ear infection & a round of antibiotics, learned to sit up, crawl, and (FINALLY) cut his first two teeth (so that explains 8 totally sleepless nights in a row, right?). I

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-76512137565628704792011-12-18T23:24:00.010-07:002011-12-19T00:19:14.740-07:00

The PAST NINE DAYS, in which we celebrate Christmas everyday in every way...Last Friday, Rich and I had Thai food for lunch at a new-ish restaurant right near his office. It was delicious. See? It was really good and really generous--it made 2 meals.Niles came, too, and nibbled on tofu. This is also the last time I remember having my beautiful wedding ring on my finger. It has been lost ever

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-64158982633045624012011-12-17T20:00:00.005-07:002011-12-19T08:22:22.097-07:00

Today was our Gitter Done Day for Christmas Treats. I made several cookie doughs over the past 10 days & froze them. Then last week I cut & baked all the sugar cokies & froze them again and baked Russian Tea Balls. The other day Addie made about 100 Rolo Pretzel Turtles and I made another 50 or so yesterday along with the peanut butter kiss cookies & brownie bites. Then this morning we powdered

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-79682215728731368012011-12-15T09:33:00.002-07:002011-12-15T09:46:14.812-07:00

I'll be back with a family update later (so many pix!), but I had to say something about the end of the war. I kinda didn't really believe it or think about it until last night. I was wrapping gifts by treelight, watching The Colbert Report. Stephen's guest was General Ordierno and he first interview question was, "So, is the war in Iraq over?" and the general answered, "Yes!" All of a sudden I

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-4430347244555584262011-12-08T23:10:00.007-07:002011-12-08T23:53:05.332-07:00

The first weekend of December is always a fun "kick-off" to the hoilday season in Livingston. On Friday night we had the Downtown Stroll and on Saturday we had the Holiday Craft Fair. We had a great time at both events (I was especially glad I got to go since I had to miss both last year since I was neck-deep in morning [all-day] sickness).James with Santa at Truex FurnitureNiles with Santa at

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-16143872777144769952011-11-30T23:12:00.002-07:002011-11-30T23:27:12.318-07:00

Our "pre-lit" tree is no longer lit as of last year, so after nearly a week of dinkin' around, I finally got lights for it (600!) and we decorated it as a family tonight to the sounds of our dishnetwork "Holiday Pop" station (with which I was unexpectedly impressed--I heard Robbie Robertson and Tom Petty Christmas songs, among many others I've never heard but really liked tonight). Observe the

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-65964197228925052872011-11-30T18:29:00.000-07:002011-12-01T01:08:39.384-07:00

Uncle Sam & Aunt Elaine arrived on Monday 11/21, just in time to celebrate Addie's birthday with us. On Tuesday, we stayed out at the ranch house with them and they made us Navajo Tacos for dinner--YUM!!!On Wednesday, we started cooking for Thanksgiving, and this came... Aunt Marti & Uncle Ralph sent flowers since they're in Ukraine this year--BEAUTIFUL!!! Uncle Sam making soup for the Wednesday

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-10710948186394234482011-11-30T06:59:00.000-07:002011-11-30T06:59:00.516-07:00

I was drowning in post-holiday funk Monday, sad about circumstances on both sides of our extended families, missing my people, neck-deep in stuff to clean up. The kids DID go to bed nicely after decorating the Christmas trees in their rooms for FHE, so that was a tender mercy. Rich went out to take out the ranch trash, so I thought it would be good to take a nice hot bath and read. But my book ("

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-8305133969823609302011-11-21T23:06:00.001-07:002011-11-22T16:05:23.453-07:00

Day 21: Addie turned 10, so I've been a mom for 10 years. You can read what I wrote about being a mom HERE. Today I am thankful for my kids and all they have taught me. *** Addie had a fun bday weekend. Between getting her nails done and going to a draft show and seeing "Annie", we went to the grocery store and ran into Addie's friend, Kendall who moved to Butte last year. We made banana-nutella

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-38000500262049417132011-11-20T23:27:00.004-07:002011-11-22T14:31:18.243-07:00

I got behind again, but in my own defense, it was Costco's fault. Or Mother Nature's. Whatever. All I know is that it was kinda like Black Friday at the Costco Tire Center (which is, I might add, 30 miles from my house across a winding canyon road) all week long with the combination of a snowy forecast and a really great tire/installation sale. So I went and waited in line for a tire appointment

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-83140000106933916162011-11-16T18:30:00.002-07:002011-11-16T18:37:15.963-07:00

Today I am thankful for public education, specifically the excellent experience my children are having in our little local elementary schools. We have special teachers and a nurturing, family-friendly environment and it is really good for us. For all its shortcomings, we are blessed to live in a country where literacy is a priority and education is free and available where ever you go. THANK YOU,

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-32332327642387204322011-11-14T21:00:00.005-07:002011-11-15T13:40:51.600-07:00

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.-Henry Van DykeOh, my, this month has been a busy one! I want a pause button so bad--pause time with my Gram, with my baby who is growing way too fast, with my girls who will all -too- soon be teenagers and want less and less to do with

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-26684492805084614632011-11-14T18:32:00.005-07:002011-11-14T19:17:47.490-07:00

This year we had Veteran's Day completely off from school, so the kids and I went shopping in Bozeman. We happened to be at Walmart (our 3rd stop) at 11:11am on 11.11.11, so we snapped some pictures to remember the moment:Me & Addie All the kids at 11:11: Addie, Niles, Heidi & James***The kids kept saying, "Mom, getmethis for Christmas! Iwant THIS for Christmas! Will you get me this for Christmas

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-42682148344618197152011-11-07T15:03:00.005-07:002011-11-07T15:31:32.796-07:00

We spent the firstof November recovering from Halloween, attending PTo meeting, and packing to go to Utah to take Gram back to my mama's house. On the second of November, I took Addie out of school and Niles, Ad, Gram, and I headed south at 9am. By 3pm, Niles was getting tired of his seat and we were almost to Nana's house so I didn't want to stop. I had Addie share her Halloween candy with him

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-38707530703566957492011-11-07T12:15:00.012-07:002011-11-07T14:47:18.480-07:00

See what happens when blogging goes to the back burner? You get a backlog of funphotos that need to be shared with far-away loved ones! Sowithout further ado, I give you the rest of October in photos (mostly courtesy of my sis, Laura). Let's start back on the 8th when Grandma first arrived... Gram & Gabriel (my nephew, age17)Me, Gram & LauraGram & RooHa!Us again :)Me (in an unflattering tshirt)

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-41417596309078331252011-10-27T10:08:00.005-06:002011-10-27T10:37:21.144-06:00

Our fall peaked this week and most of the leaves have fallen. It was GLORIOUS over last weekend and the first of this week, though! I am glad to live in a city with so many trees! [warning: this post is a little Niles-heavy--sorry other kids]. Also, we got our hughchair back from friends that borrowed it, so here is Niles giving it his first test drive...He's a lot happier with it now than when

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-71244642302589522482011-10-18T11:31:00.007-06:002011-10-18T12:26:10.257-06:00

Time is flying! It seriously feels like it has accelerated exponentially since I had Niles--like each day has only 18 hours or something because I just never get done all the things I used to get done. But it's okay because I am keeping up with my family, having fun with the kids and enjoying my Gram(who arrive on 10/7), so blogging is on the back burner for a while. Here's a little photgraphic

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-91339022326599127212011-10-15T14:05:00.002-06:002011-10-15T14:46:59.345-06:00

Heidi went missing yesterday.She took her regular habit of wandering off at Target (they know her by name there) and broadened the field to the entire town of Livingston (and/or beyond...yikes!). Here is how I described the experience to a friend today in an email:"It was such a crazy experience. I have to say I was totally comforted through the whole thing because we prayed before I went out to

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-87009470864598129032011-09-25T22:31:00.007-06:002011-09-25T23:16:44.632-06:00

Last week on Sept 15th, we went to the open house at Addie's new school. Addie introduced her teacher (the adorable Mrs. Bunkers) to Niles.James & Ava Petry busied themselves around the class room...Cute little kindergarteners!Addie showed us all her cool stuff.The night before we had loaded up at the farmer's market, so we had the most beautiful organic stir fry--YUM! But we weren't ENTIRELY

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-66068369600059753172011-09-25T21:15:00.005-06:002011-09-27T11:21:01.472-06:00

I know it has been a record TWO WEEKS since I posted, but believe me, I have been SUPER busy. In a good way. I will do a regular post with pix and family updates soon, but for now here's what I have been doing BESIDES blogging & Mom stuff.I've been watching things on Netflix when I do laundry, so this month I have had a couple of themes. First of all was nutrition. I watched Fork Over Knives ,

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-46603871850103964242011-09-18T14:43:00.004-06:002011-09-19T13:18:42.739-06:00

[This post was originally written on October 13, 2010 at 2:43 pm; I am publishing after nearly a year of pondering & prayer.]I have been contemplating the topic of my personal feelings about homosexuality and my church's doctrines vs. my church's culture about homosexuality for a long time. There are many areas--most, really--in my religion where my testimony and understanding of principles have

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-50856402155866731032011-09-08T18:26:00.004-06:002011-09-08T18:46:16.297-06:00

Niles is 16 weeks old today. He got weighed and measured and he's shot up from the 50th percentile all-around to 70th in height and 87th in weight. That's my boy!He's so happy, especially when he wakes up, and he's been sleeping about 8-8 with one feeding between 4-5am. It's SO NICE. Here he is chatting with the ceiling fan and chewing his fingers, two of his favorite things. He is so excited in

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-46490927041151628982011-09-06T20:08:00.006-06:002011-09-06T20:35:23.263-06:00

I know I'm a litle late to the party, but I am completely obsessed with this song (we don't get radio music here and they didn't play it on any npr shows). I don't just like it. The first time I heard it was like a punch in the stomach and for some reason I felt 14 and totally thrilled like the first time I heard The Jesus and Mary Chain. Then I saw the video and my 14-year-old self freaked out (

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-79636036001201120042011-09-06T12:17:00.004-06:002011-09-06T12:41:07.309-06:00

James turned 5 on Monday the 5th--golden birthday! His day began with opening a gift and eating blueberry pancakes and bacon with the family. Niles joined in the fun by eating his first rice cereal at James' birthday breakfast.YUM! Niles will be 16 weeks old on Thursday---hard to believe he's grown so fast. The gift James opened was the 25th Anniversary Edition of Michael Jackson's Thriller album

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-7059015605378446842011-09-03T07:27:00.000-06:002011-09-03T19:29:49.591-06:00

First, a word about the weather: Yesterday, I was out and about at high noon and realized that the sun had already slanted to the south and was casting more of that gentle autumn light on things, even though autumn is still 20 days away. I LOVE it—the soft light (as Addie said last year, “It seems like afternoon all day” as the sun hangs low), the chill in the air, the golden grass and the

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-42418020992857815652011-09-01T14:01:00.002-06:002011-09-01T14:27:28.191-06:00

My Big Three are all in school this year...it's hard to believe my Sweet Baby James is in full-day kindergarten because, really, until recently, he was a baby. My baby. But he's reading and socializing and educating the general public (anyone who'll listen) about dinosaurs, so I had to let him go (sniffle). Good thing I've got this new boy to keep me company (lol). Anyhoooo...here are the

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-52143662759432420182011-09-01T13:59:00.000-06:002011-09-01T14:27:08.391-06:00

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-57000234777124111792011-09-01T13:43:00.009-06:002011-09-01T14:26:45.905-06:00

Niles doesn't quite know what to make of the bubble bath That sober face just cracks me up. "Being a baby is serious business." *** Last Thursday we went to play at the ranch for one last hurrah. I failed to take pictures of most of the fun, but I did get Addie and Izzi playing on the beach. ...a big windy storm blew in and pooped our party, so we went out for pizza rather than having

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-45150112085710174222011-08-22T08:34:00.001-06:002011-08-22T08:34:50.014-06:00

Lagoon Day from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-23727717339409371972011-08-21T22:59:00.013-06:002011-08-22T00:22:53.361-06:00

Well, I suppose there's no such thing as too much fun, but there is such a thing as too many pictures. I have tried all week to get photos from last week's trip to Utah organized, and finally decided to just make some videos, the first of which is featured in my previous post (below). I will post more as I finish them, but for now, here is an abbreviated collection to tell the story of the past

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-89072037236217328822011-08-21T22:53:00.000-06:002011-08-21T22:56:27.638-06:00

Nana's 60th Birthday from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-82724153793368239162011-08-11T00:01:00.010-06:002011-08-12T09:38:40.133-06:00

Last Friday (8/5), Rich and his brother Mike took the kids backpacking up Suce Creek while Gram and I stayed home with Niles (we had our own fun time but didn't take pictures). At the trailhead Friday evening On the trail with Uncle Mike Setting up camp and roasting dinner James and Addie bedding down for the night. Heidi in the creek

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-90881484533769375352011-08-03T16:29:00.005-06:002011-08-03T17:08:40.606-06:00

This picture captures my sentiments exactly (you can find it HERE). It has been a pretty great week, actually. But I failed to take pictures of it, so here are some illustrations:We drove down to my own private Idaho (my dad's house in Poky) on Friday night. We got there late, so we just put the kids to bed and visited adn introduced Niles to Papa Jim and Gramma Becky. It was fun.Dad and Becky

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-65419028993479485702011-07-21T13:30:00.005-06:002011-07-21T15:31:36.935-06:00

My darling hubs went to college at BYUH in Laie, Hawaii on Oahu's north shore. He had a great time not just in school or at the beach, but working as a photographer at the Polynesian Cultural Center and working on the yearbook, too. His best college friends are from the yearbook staff, so you can imagine our excitement when his friend and former editor, Amber Bodily Greenwood and her family came

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-33123134191730644152011-07-18T09:26:00.006-06:002011-07-18T10:24:32.345-06:00

Heidi is still all over Niles. I have to watch her pretty close, but she loves to take him in her room and read him stories and snuggle him. The other day She took these pictures of him on her bed.sweet little baby! chillin' on Heidi's bed James took these pictures of his room (he actually took about 20, but these are the only ones where you can see something). dinosaurs!***On Thursday night we

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-44384953589865107332011-07-10T15:07:00.006-06:002011-07-10T20:04:02.675-06:00

First of all, here are some other rooms of the ranch house we haven't posted yet... Dining RoomThe deck with a view!***On Friday, we had a summer fun day. We went to the Museum of the Rockies and then went swimming.We saw the frogs again...this one looked like a gummy frog, but it's a...Chinese Gliding Frog!Addie, Heidi, & James with a frog skeletonWe watched an educational film about frogs

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-38656793152346070322011-07-06T00:50:00.005-06:002011-07-06T01:25:26.344-06:00

First thing in the morning, the Melin gang met at Pine Creek Trailhead for a hike up to the waterfall. It was already pretty warm at 10am, so we were glad to make it up to the nice cool falls! Niles with Grandma Liana, TJay, and James on the trailKelli & Lexi Matthew & Jess Richard & Me at the fallsJames, Richard, Summer, and Me on the bridge at the fallsSummer & Addie taking a break at the

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-85754139029674917432011-07-04T00:41:00.008-06:002011-07-04T01:31:14.852-06:00

James resting up for the big weekend Early morning smiles from Niles Daddy & NilesMore sweet smiles from Niles (look at those cheeks! He's up to 11lbs)Hoodie!***Our Independence Day celebration kicked off (as always) with the Livingston Roundup Parade down town. Rich's brohter Mark & Family arrived from Texas on Wednesday and Jess and family arrived on Thursday, so we had a little Melin Reunion.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-29518922300685105112011-06-30T09:50:00.005-06:002011-06-30T10:23:35.979-06:00

Last Sunday we stayed over at the ranch so the kids could spend some time with their busy Dad. Addie took these pictures of Niles while we were out there...When he's snarfing his hand, that means "I'm so hungry!" SURPRISE!***On Monday (and most days) we went swimming a thte city pool in the afternoon. Buying a pass was the best idea this summer because the kids all swimso well and see lots of

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-31208441371556140032011-06-19T23:54:00.001-06:002011-06-20T02:28:53.391-06:00

We actually didn't take any pictures of Father's Day. And none of Rich's (40th!) birthday, either, which we spent at the ranch, and then went out to dinner in Bozo at Canyon Burger Co. But trust me, it was a great weekend celebrating the guy who made these adorable children... We had a quick little family photo session on Friday night...Addie, Heidi, Niles, & James Melin Kids!(had to include this

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-429843732539625982011-06-15T12:53:00.003-06:002011-06-15T13:14:09.553-06:00

On Monday cousin Danny came over to play and have a sleepover. I took a shower Monday afternoon, and when I came out, this is what the kids were doing--a nativity play with Niles as baby Jesus. Little kooks. James was a cow, Addie was Mary, Heidi was a lamb, and Danny was Joseph. Nice.Niles/ Baby Jesus was not so thrilled.Later that night he crashed out on my lap on his boppy pillow...so cute!

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-47085590455834678762011-06-07T22:24:00.005-06:002011-06-07T22:44:12.498-06:00

Somehow I didn't take any pictures of our visitors last week, not even our trip to Chico with Nana on Memorial Day or Aunt Laura with Niles at our girly party last Friday. Darn it. Here are a few I DID take... Niles' belly button finally healed up & his clamp fell off on Sunday 5/29, so he had his first bath on Monday 5/30 and he loved being in the water. So snuggly!Here he is stretched out on my

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-13777468575654842172011-05-29T20:41:00.005-06:002011-05-31T12:53:43.137-06:00

I will admit to being in a post-partum coma most of last week, but once Niles adjusted to life at home and started getting enough to eat, things settled down a bit and we're all a bit more sane today.Much of the credit for the week being so pleasant goes to my amazing SIL, Amie, who made a special trip from Helena- handbasket with her three delightful children to help me. She brought 4 wonderful

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-45031740925475543892011-05-22T20:40:00.000-06:002011-05-22T20:41:16.807-06:00

Bringing Niles Home from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-58884302174734535272011-05-22T18:08:00.007-06:002011-05-22T18:53:28.301-06:00

On Wednesday, Rich and I went to the hospital for our scheduled induction. Actually, the induction was scheduled for Thursday, but we had the Wednesday option and I took it becuase I was feeling so worn out and didn't want another sleepless night before going through labor. [Plus, I just had a gut feeling I should go, and I am glad I did because they would not have been able to help me on

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-2846869770238716422011-05-22T16:56:00.002-06:002011-05-22T16:59:06.955-06:00

Niles and I FINALLY got some good sleep today since he got to eat. So I am working on some more pictures and stuff to post. Until I get that done, here's a little video of Niles waking up on Friday, especially for the Nanas & aunties...Niles Waking Up from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-79067357577833515792011-05-20T07:52:00.003-06:002011-05-20T08:13:29.942-06:00

Niles Arthur Elrey Melinborn Thursday, May 19, 2011at 12:38 am7 lb 7 oz, 20 inches longsweet as can be! Uncle Mike Melin Grandma Rosalie Grandpa Tom***Iam missing a pic of our dear, proud daddy with his boy, but I am blogging one-handed on sketchy hospital wireless, so I am gonna get this posted and get back later with more pix. All is well with us and we are so thankful Niles came safely. We

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-40413175921655680832011-05-10T11:11:00.002-06:002011-05-10T11:26:03.428-06:00

We're taking bets on our baby's arrival and size, so post your guesses and we'll send you a prize if your guess is closest. Two prizes: one for date and time of birth and another for height and weight. Post your guesses in the comments and keep your fingers crossed for us! ;)Addie with James, Sept. 2006 Trivia: I happen to know the dates upon which each of the kids was conceived, so I know

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-66686031072639703262011-05-08T16:17:00.007-06:002011-05-08T16:39:52.592-06:00

After church, I took a nap and then went out on the porch to watch the rain. I had Rich snap some pix of me and the kids for Mothers' Day.James, Addie, Me, and Heidi on the front porch.Don't forget the baby!Me & my Heidi(that's me with no make-up and a puffy prego face...keepin' it real)Me & My Sweet Baby JamesCracking up with James Me & my Addie Me-n-Ad againJames, Addie, Me, and Heidi with some

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-9347376520625644272011-05-03T09:32:00.004-06:002011-05-03T10:01:20.472-06:00

"Change and decay in all around I seeO, Thou who changest not, Abide with me..."On Sunday I was released from serving as the secretary and Personal Progress Leader in the Young Women's organization (along with the rest of the presidency), and later sustained as the second counselor in the Primary Presidency, which means I will be working with all the children ages 18 months- 11 years old. I am

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-3120436594995962692011-04-30T17:58:00.004-06:002011-04-30T18:36:07.331-06:00

I've done A LOT of [fun] things today for someone on bedrest! First I got up early and made some yummy food for a brunch baby shower for my PTO friend, Christina Howell (who is having a baby boy on the 13th). Christina opening gifts with her kindergartner-daughter, Evie.Brunch!Christina's friend, Amber, came and did some mom-pampering, Mary Kay style.We all went home with fabulously soft hands

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-42200787235113021142011-04-26T09:58:00.000-06:002011-04-27T09:59:03.229-06:00

Untitled from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-52353706350486522592011-04-25T11:04:00.005-06:002011-04-25T11:33:26.254-06:00

We had a lovely Easter despite Grandma Rosalie (aka the Easter Bunny) being in Florida this week. We managed to delight the children without her, and it was was pretty fun, though I am exhausted! (Good thing this is the last major celebration before the baby comes cuz Mama's clockin' out for a while now!) Anyway, here are the pictures. Please forgive the obvious lack of the Easter Sunday church

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-20125361076586248082011-04-22T15:16:00.003-06:002011-04-22T15:31:31.451-06:00

I had an ultrasound today to measure the baby and fluid and whatever else they needed to know. He--and it's definitely a "HE"-- is measuring 35 weeks + 5 days and looks like he's an ounce shy of six pounds. There didn't appear to be any cord-tangling and he is head down, with several pockets of fluid to keep him comfy and room to grow the next 3 weeks. So yay that, right? I get to start

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-56586177106948028592011-04-20T12:28:00.006-06:002011-04-20T12:54:13.563-06:00

FIRSTLY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my nieces Sariah Melin (6) and Kaylee Hamlin (4) today!We love and miss you cutie punkins!On Saturday at the ranch, Mike finished the tiling upstairs and started rocking the fireplace (which is now finished & beautiful). Have a gander... Upstairs spare bathroom tile Great work, Mike!Excuse my dusty lens...here is the basement family room from the stairs. It's going to

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-25947270172985216782011-04-16T09:08:00.004-06:002011-04-16T09:26:56.120-06:00

Last night (Heidi's birthday), the girls and I went to Jessica Holm's Bridal Shower at the church. Jessica has been: my favorite Beehive (8 years ago), a favorite babysitter, and James' swimming teacher (and crush). Her mom is our Aunt Debbie (Heidi's grown up BFF) and we're all really excited about her upcoming marriage to Zachary (on 4/22 in SLC).SO CUTE.Heidi playing with Baby Porter at the

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-88245228518395410052011-04-15T09:30:00.006-06:002011-04-15T09:57:10.937-06:00

Happy, happy birthday, Heidi-Dear!Addie & Heidi in Sept. 2004Heidi was the cutest, sweetest baby ever! I can't believe she's SEVEN! We celebrated with a family party last night because tonight we are going to Jessica Holm's bridal shower. So we had a pizza party here last night before I had to dash off to PTO... Addie took this picture of us all sitting down to dinner: me, Grandma Rosalie, James

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-17439352715984390092011-04-11T13:30:00.001-06:002011-04-11T13:33:47.663-06:00

James took this pic of me (look at my puffy nose...prego face!)... ...and I took this one of him today. "Hi, Nana Lyn!"

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-40381212239713915992011-04-11T12:17:00.005-06:002011-04-11T12:55:30.169-06:00

Addie really wanted to make fried chicken on Friday night, so we decided to make Asian Chicken Salad. She was in charge of the tempura chicken...Battering the chicken for the fryer Chopping cabbage, carrots, celery, water chestnuts, snowpeas, and toasting almonds & sesame seeds for the salad Addie frying like a pro! (it was DELICIOUS!) When we stopped at Papa Jim's & Grandma Becky's house last

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-63667032351819322512011-04-05T16:48:00.005-06:002011-04-05T17:04:08.965-06:00

Here are the last few pix we took when we were saying good bye to our Posties. They were on the plane to Australia a few hours later and we already miss them!"He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich"Willy with one of his plethora of Aussie delights. Happy Cousins! Melanie, Liam Heidi, Maeby, James & Spencer (Addie had slept over at Ally's) Not even "silly face time" could make Spencer

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-35860281750022463252011-04-01T08:55:00.002-06:002011-04-01T09:05:14.270-06:00

We slept over Wednesday night with the Posties at their new Herriman house. The kids were together all day long, but I failed to take pictures of all the frolicking. I finally whipped out the camera when we all went out to dinner because I was too full of smashburger lunch to eat Rock Creek Pizza. Melanie and Addie Spencer excited about frosting Addie and Mello-Yello I tried really hard to get

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-33686900321778582172011-04-01T08:23:00.003-06:002011-04-01T08:55:01.015-06:00

Item Number One on my Utah To-Do List this trip was to have lunch with Kacy (you may remember my linking to her series "Tips for Not-Very-Good-Housekeepers," or her current thing about moms, here). It's not often you make really great e-friends, and it's even more rare to meet them in person and not be one bit disappointed, but that's what happened yesterday (and Kacy was even more fun in person

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-25338854606333477072011-04-01T08:03:00.003-06:002011-04-01T08:22:55.541-06:00

On Wednesday morning at 4:53am, we drove out of our driveway in Livingston and headed for Logan, Utah to meet up with my mom and cousins and siblings at the Logan Cemetery to celebrate Grandpa's 86th birthday. The drive went well, I felt surprisingly good (considering), and the kids behaved. Sadly, the weather didn't cooperate and the picnic celebration portion of the event was cancelled, so we

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-84023146222243380682011-03-29T19:08:00.006-06:002011-03-29T19:30:07.223-06:00

The kids' Spring Break began on Friday, but we aren't leaving for our Utah Cousin trip until Wednesday, so I decided to do something fun with them on Saturday to make the break special. When Rich was finished working at the ranch house, we went to Museum of the Rockies to renew our membership and check out the frog exhibit. We didn't know it was PBS "Dinosaur Train" Day when we made out plans, so

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-45828661836140152412011-03-29T17:21:00.005-06:002011-04-01T09:10:05.197-06:00

I opened my eyes this morning and looked at the clock. 7:04am. My first thought, to be honest, was, "Yay, the kids slept in!" But my second thought was, "Happy Birthday, Grampy." This is the first March 29th in my life without him. It's a hard day for all of us, I know. In my early morning fog, my mind wandered through the year. Last year on Grandpa's birthday, we found out he was in the

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-77104102282915539292011-03-23T14:03:00.006-06:002011-03-23T18:37:44.841-06:00

Although I am not a fan of snow, I cannot deny how GORGEOUS spring snow is. I love it......everything looks dreamy with big blobs of wet snow on it.And even though the snow is deep, the sun came out so brightly and it was warm enough to skip the coat this morning (this is looking SE down my sidewalk).I hope my tulips survive!Out the back yard you can see how deep the snow piled. It doesn't really

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-39151300125136083112011-03-20T16:36:00.005-06:002011-03-20T16:59:11.299-06:00

Yesterday morning, the girls and I got dressed and went over to the Strupp's house (and Addie took ALL but 2 of these pictures). Kim hosted a dual-baby shower for me and Bambi P. (who is expecting a baby girl in the next 2 weeks). It was a lovely morning!The food was delicious... ...YUM!!!Bambi & Me on our thrones.(Bambi is so adorable, I cannot WAIT to see this baby girl because she is going to

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-33189115980268185742011-03-17T16:25:00.005-06:002011-03-17T16:35:43.735-06:00

...that Addie still says "mazagine" when she means "magazine." Heidi says, "Pootfrints" instead of "footprints" (as in, "the leprechaun left footprints all over our class room today!"). And they both still say "callapitter" for caterpillar" and I think it's all so dang cute, I don't correct them.PS: Happy St. Paddy's!

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-47473179255440938872011-03-14T14:44:00.007-06:002011-03-14T16:28:05.064-06:00

It is really uncomfortable for me to sit these days. Even when I try to do perfect posture, the baby protests like crazy when I am sitting upright, so it's been either stand up, lay down, or float in the tub lately. Sitting at the computer desk is especially tricky, so I haven't been too enthusiastic about blogging--obviously.Anyway, it's been two weeks since I last blogged and it has been very

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-12723462285646373552011-03-01T11:44:00.004-07:002011-03-01T11:51:12.099-07:00

I haven't posted any belly shots this pregnancy because I haven't really had one. But now that I'm starting week 28, I can kinda poke it out at will. Mostly it still looks like I am carrying some chub unless I arch my back, but here's my obligatory 28-weeks belly shot: Now you see it... Now you don't! (these are those under-belly maternity jeans I was telling you about, mom)I am grateful to have

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-64235550729969054822011-02-25T12:49:00.004-07:002011-02-25T13:17:57.314-07:00

I haven't had much news or any pictures to post this week, so I let 10 days go by without posting here, which is against my personal blogging standards. Oops. So here's an update.I DID update the ranch blog and worked hard on all things DB7 including getting letterhead and envelopes and rental contracts printed up, collecting brochures, etc., taking photos of rennovation progress, making design

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-29566682307753171772011-02-16T09:14:00.002-07:002011-02-16T09:42:14.775-07:00

Thanks to my new "job" running the DB7 Listings/Blog, we can send James to a few months of pre-school. I got to thinking about how even though his academic skills are as good as some first graders', he is never away from me for very long and full-day kindergarten next year might freak him out, so we signed him up at Little Feet Preschool at the Methodist Church. He is pretty dang excited...

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-23687478959736292562011-02-12T21:03:00.000-07:002011-02-13T10:14:25.879-07:00

We celebrated Valentines Day with friends this weekend.James had Ashely over for lunch on Friday...they discussed their wedding plans again. ***On Saturday, Rich & James went to the ranch while the girls and I had a Valentines party at home. Heidi had two friends over, plus Aunt Debbie, and Addie had 3 friends over. Somehow I missed getting a picture of Heidi and friends, but Addie and her

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-90368843281966582012011-02-12T19:21:00.003-07:002011-02-13T10:03:11.498-07:00

This weekend was all about Valentines and PETER PAN! I went to all three shows and it was super fun!Here's the program......and the inside.The play was held in the brand new Dulcie Theatre--it's SO NICE!Here's the audience at the Saturday 2pm show. The PTO manned the ticket booth... ...and the concessions stand where we sold tons of homemade treats donated by parents.Here's a picture of Addie

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-33849431373469875112011-02-07T12:45:00.005-07:002011-02-07T15:53:04.602-07:00

Our winter months are usually pretty ho-hum, low-key and inert by design. I kind of like hibernating and watching winter through the window (and there is a lot of "winter" this year! Holy cow, it's snowing AGAIN! it's like all the snow of all my 8 winters here COMBINED!). But some how life got kinda busy these months--we're breaking with tradition doing lots of new things this winter. Here's an

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-19110404558419926162011-02-07T10:21:00.002-07:002011-02-07T10:31:18.495-07:00

I just realized I never posted these pictures of Mark's and Jared's visit from Texas last month.James & Jared playing trains On Jan 15th, all the Melin boys took the kids up for some snow fun at Pine CreekAddie by the carHeidi, Jared, and James playing in the snowJess & Mark making hot cocoa Mark & JaredAddieJared & Heidi making a snowman Heidi's SnowbabyHeidi, James, Jared & Addie warm up with a

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-64242343787744094032011-02-03T08:58:00.003-07:002011-02-03T09:09:29.437-07:00

I have a lot of little things to write about today and in coming days, some pictures to post, etc., but right now I am getting ready to take my daughter to the doctor. She has been having tummy aches that sound a lot to me like lactose intolerance, but I've noticed she started worrying about what she eats besides the dairy products and I don't want her to be one of those dieting 9-year-olds.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-63879302348950285732011-01-30T18:54:00.007-07:002011-01-30T19:33:36.052-07:00

I didn't do a very good job taking photos on my trip to AZ 1/21-1/28, but here's what I got...The kids built this snowman as we were getting ready to leave for the airport. Even though it's snowy, it was a very warm day.James thought Owen would be excited to see the snowman.At 5:30 pm, James and I boarded our airplane to fly to AZ. James was super excited! Ready for take-off!***Aunt Lisa picked

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-43724013978871547812011-01-24T12:50:00.001-07:002011-01-24T12:50:37.695-07:00

Happy Birthday Dear Grandma... from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-22019418490506171922011-01-18T12:56:00.003-07:002011-01-18T13:06:15.537-07:00

Sorry I have been away so long. Not much is going on so it's not like you're missing much. We just spent a week focused on the ranch house. Hopefully all the decisions we made will keep the project rolling along. I am now the webmaster for Diamond Bar Seven, which means I now have a part time job setting up our vacation rental website as well as maintaining the new RANCH BLOG and getting all our

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-55690681608260030712011-01-12T18:28:00.000-07:002011-01-12T18:29:24.966-07:00

Playing with Cousin Jared from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-58429632218957191382011-01-08T14:28:00.003-07:002011-01-08T14:54:38.223-07:00

I've been having a bit of an Elvis revival since I saw him on Colbert a couple of months ago, then he popped up hosting Piano Jazz on npr (and I never listen to THAT show), so indulge me as I post the first Elvis video I ever saw, back in 1983. I've been thinking of this particular video ever since Will & Kate got engaged. I am so enamoured of the clever lyrics (typical of Elvis) and the snarky

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-77583160669720631532011-01-04T14:53:00.002-07:002011-01-04T15:00:52.936-07:00

...and it's a BOY!(for the sake of his modesty, we did not print the adorable and unmistakable photo of his manly parts, but it's a boy fer sher!)This was the most fun ultrasound I have ever had! The baby was cooperative, the technician was totally excellent and professional (and patient), our whole family was there, and the baby is healthy and put together perfectly (so far)...WOO HOO! I even

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-32153547661741521132011-01-03T16:30:00.002-07:002011-01-03T16:33:05.682-07:00

Here's a small thing that makes me laugh:Every time I click on my blog (or click back to my blog), the little cartoon baby/fetus always pops up first, before the page changes. It shows up, just bobbing around on someone else's web page for split second and it cracks me up. I hope the real baby is that eager to "pop up" when it's time. And I hope it's not modest during The Big Show (ultrasound)

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-74104494583661440682011-01-02T20:23:00.000-07:002011-01-02T20:24:00.525-07:00

New Year's Eve 2010-11 from MelinFamily on Vimeo.

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-5623626920718247732011-01-02T20:08:00.004-07:002011-01-02T20:22:04.386-07:00

We're still working on our Time Capsule post, but I thought I'd post some images from our New Year celebrations. I was sicker than sick on New Year's Day, but the family gathered at the boat house for games, puzzles, s'mores, and a run-down of what needs to be done to start the remodeling at the ranch house.Here Addie, Grandam, Uncle Mike, James, and Heidi do puzzles and party it up in the

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-73277660633652180532010-12-30T12:41:00.003-07:002010-12-30T12:47:38.198-07:00

Remember this from last year?We celebrated "East Coast New Year" with our (mine & Jill's) kids at 10pm at my mom's house. Just before the big countdown, we gathered the kids around the table and asked them two questions: (1) What are you going to try to do better in 2010/ How will you try to be more like Jesus? and (2) What's your best memory of 2009? I am posting their answers here so we can

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-80951710325766353802010-12-29T15:29:00.005-07:002010-12-29T15:58:18.186-07:00

Here are the actual Christmas pix of our family. I called this post chaos because that's what I see in the pix--my house has been upside down for a week, but I am trying to enjoy the happy-crazy of being home on Christmas break. On to the photos... Addie opening the first gift of Christmas morning...she and Heidi couldn't WAIT to see what Aunt Lisa sent!(Santa doesn't wrap at our house, so they

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-55310889525653583622010-12-24T22:52:00.007-07:002010-12-24T23:18:04.116-07:00

This morning while Rich was repairing his car, I FINALLY tied his T-Shirt quilt. Back in June I starting stashing away all his old T-shirts and Mom Melin helped me make them into this quilt eventually.There are lots of shirts from BYU-Hawaii and surf shops, 2 from our honeymoon, 2 from our Europe trip, some concert shirts and some Summerfest shirts. A few of his faves were up in the attic (Old

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-38184654374572328612010-12-23T16:37:00.007-07:002010-12-24T11:10:59.200-07:00

Overnight Monday and into Tuesday morning, I was terribly sick. I could barely lift my head, I had thrown up so much I pulled muscles and my throat hurt. There were so many lovely Christmas things I wanted to be doing. By noon, I was feeling really sorry for myself and I laid in bed crying. Then I noticed on my nightstand the gift my friend Debbie had given me the night before. It's the book, "In

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-51497185033016515022010-12-23T13:46:00.003-07:002010-12-23T14:07:17.068-07:00

On Tuesday night we went down to the high school to watch the Winans Elementary School Christmas Program, "Surfin' Santa."Santa takes a tropical vacation...Heidi singing in the chorus.Addie singing in the chorus.Daddy & James in the audience. After the program, Daddy took us out ofr yummy soup at The Pickle Barrel. It was a fun night!***Today (Thursday) was the first day of Christmas vacation. We

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-11629932957339333052010-12-18T19:38:00.004-07:002010-12-18T19:56:38.314-07:00

Last night (Friday) the kids had a Primary Christmas Party at the church. They sang some songs then went to their rotating "centers" where they learned more about Jesus' life and birth.Here are Rosalie, Ashley and James at the little center where Addie and her friend Sarah (left) taught the younger kids about Jesus' baptism.(It's so cute when Addie gets to be one of the big girls.)Heidi with

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-18791793143754156922010-12-16T15:55:00.002-07:002010-12-16T15:58:58.679-07:00

We got our big box of Christmas gifts from Aunt Lisa today. After school, the kids opened thier ornaments...Heidi and Addie decided the fairies were for both of them and the animals were for me and daddy. Whatevs. James loves the flashlight!

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-72655511268606789562010-12-14T12:55:00.005-07:002010-12-14T22:02:50.249-07:00

UPDATE: After I posted this, James and I went to my 2nd official OB checkup. We heard baby's heart thumping away at 152bpm and everything looks good! We have the big ultrasound on January 4th, so check back to learn the gender! YAY! Last Saturday, December 4th, I stayed home and did some Christmasing while Rich and his brother Mike took the kids on a cross-country skiing picnic. Gearing upSkiing

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-31393599829501384392010-12-09T13:22:00.003-07:002010-12-09T19:28:33.394-07:00

First, some background info. I have been super sick for 26 of the past 30 hours, barfing up my toenails. I am pretty sure it's pregnancy related because I have also felt a huge hormonal surge and it seems like the baby grew a foot over the past week. So anyway, I am all spacy and weak, but grateful to be up and feeling better. I finally stopped barfing at about 10am, so I got dressed and went to

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-60643678903613428502010-12-01T13:16:00.005-07:002011-11-22T15:57:39.198-07:00

As summer turned to fall, I noticed that all three of my Mother’s Day flowers had stayed alive this year (in fact, one of them is still thriving in my bedroom window sill). I found this very symbolic (cuz I’m a symbol/patten-seeker, you know) because this is the year I feel like I grew into my motherhood (better late than never, huh?).What I mean by that is that I finally feel like I deserve to

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-42136953621848875062010-11-29T19:22:00.007-07:002010-11-29T20:14:10.035-07:00

So...the dust has settled on a beautiful, exciting, relaxing, snowy (the most snow I have seen here in 8 years!) holiday week. Grandma and Aunt Marti are headed back to Arizona on their airplane as I type We are so grateful for all the effort they made to come here and be with us, and for Uncle Ralph and Scott coming, too. It was a terrific visit and such a happy Thanksgiving and birthday week

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411381.post-42724694221269874772010-11-25T18:43:00.002-07:002010-11-25T18:56:13.422-07:00

We cooked for two days and finally took a little break around noon today to watch some Charlie Brown Holidays DVDs...Cousin Danny, Rich, James, Heidi, Cousins Scott, Grandma Elrey, Aunt Marti & Adeline Father & SonMarti & Addie watching Peanuts Thanksgiving... Then Grandpa & Grandma Melin brought over the extra table and we set up for TG dinner at 3pm. Grandpa Melin sat with his grandkids...Kids

Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03981388823737554845noreply@blogger.com6