Coast of Northern California

These are views near Big Sur.

Waterfall Hike

During Spring Break, we went camping with some good friends to northern California. We enjoyed some beautiful hikes in the middle of big redwoods!

Released

All 5 butterflies successfully emerged from their cocoons. Yesterday, we took them from their temporary home and released them into the world. Here is to a propitiation of the species.



This swallowtail was just a visitor - but he was big and beautiful!

Life Cycles

Here are some of the fun things surrounding us these days.

We ordered 5 caterpillars who made cocoons.



One emerged last night and has been drying her wings all day long. It is amazing to gradually see the colors spread on her wings. The inside is vibrant and the outside is still pretty dull. We expect one or two more to emerge tomorrow!

We also have 3 birds who have built nests at our house. This one we found today. It is right about eye level in a pretty small bush. The opening is 1 inch in diameter and the nest measures 9 inches from top to bottom. It is SO long! The birds that fly back and forth from it are as tiny as can be. They have been a lot of fun to watch.

It has a bunch of toilet paper weaved into the nest. :)

As we were walking home from the park yesterday, this nest was lying right on the sidewalk, so we brought it home. No eggs were nearby and it must have blown around in the wind, because it wasn't near a tree either. It's beautiful to look at, though.

A Teaser

Here is the BEFORE picture. You'll have to wait in suspense for the AFTER.

I Believe in Fairies

In preschool a week or two ago, we gathered different materials that we could find and made fairy houses.

I bought some little "pocket fairies" on a good sale just as distraction tools for my girls, etc. In taking a closer look, I realized how darn simple it would be to make them, so a friend and I have been whipping these little beauties out to give as gifts and my girls think they are tons of fun.

Emily

I saw this knit doll about 4 years ago and fell in love with it.
I wanted one so terribly for my own daughters that I found the pattern for it, and taught myself how to knit.
I was only able to work on it at odd times, like on long drives, when my children were in bed, and so forth.
She often was a project set aside because so many other things took priority.
I started on her when Millie was a few months old. The pattern is called "Emily" and it seemed fitting because that is Millie's name.
Not to mention, Millie is obsessed with babies.

Here she is - finally completed! (Well, I still have to make a flower for her hat, but I'm still declaring her finished.) It took me just under 3 years and I'm happy to report that Millie loves her too.

They Keep on Growing!

He climbs on everything, adores his dad, says only "ball" "dada" and "more." He smiles constantly and just had his first birthday 2 weeks ago. We like to call him Jimmer.

She will only wear dresses, tells me how to do her hair, eats mainly carbohydrates, and bullies her brother (and older sister.) BUT - she's quick to say she's sorry, rocks a baby doll like the most seasoned of mothers, has a contagious smile, is constant spunk and energy, and is nurturing when someone is sad or hurt.

Her Primary teacher calls her "Perfect Katie." Derek said, "Not quite," but the teacher replied, "She's as close as you're ever going to get, Buster!" We don't deserve this child, but we are grateful to be blessed with her presence. She can be a bundle of emotions, but she LOVES to follow the rules, has a sensitive personality, gives constant "Sunday School" answers (which is SO cute!) tries to hard to be helpful and be a peacemaker, draws beautifully, and LOVES the Gospel. Almost 5 is a GREAT age for this girl!

The oldest is the life of this family. Things mostly revolve around him - his schedule, his interests, his STRONG desires at any given time. He is becoming very helpful, is a great student, is super creative with his Legos, and is still a very active and strong boy. He outsmarts me often and always keeps me on my toes. I LOVE this kid!

Some Favorites From the Beach

Fall Pictures

For Halloween costumes we try to make do with what we have in our dress-up box. We probably should have made sure that Ryan's costume actually FIT him beforehand, but he survived. :)

Millie was a ladybug at Ryan's school parade, but was having none of it for our trunk or treat.