Quick Brazil Trip - James

Went to Brazil for a quick couple of days this week (gave a talk at a conference), and thoroughly enjoyed my time (flew into Sao Paulo - what traffic!, spent a day in Sao Carlos - enjoyed some great food [Brazilian fruits, cheese balls, Brazilian pizza], and the conference was in Sao Pedro - very quaint). Sad to say that I was not diligent in taking out the camera to record the sights, but here are a few videos of the trip.

Morning view from the hotel room.


Sorry for the bumpy quality of this video (most of my videos are from the ride back to the airport when I figured I should probably try to get some footage to show I was actually there). Going back watching it, I realized that I almost recorded a fatality ... watch the motorcycle (tons of them all over, and they all pretty much drive like this one)!

Kentucky Derby and Pie - James

We decided to start a tradition (since we are living in Kentucky), and honor the Kentucky Derby by making Derby Pie. Kalei found the recipe on-line and made it herself. The kids loved it (and so did I ... sorry Bess, I don't think there will still be any left by the time you get home). Way to go Animal Kingdom! (that was the winner, for all of you who did not decide to watch - you are invited to our house for the running of the 2012 Kentucky Derby).

note to self - bess

saw this yesterday:

hmmm....

are we thinking that this is:

a) a gentle nudge

b) a firm poke in the arm

c) a smack upside the head

d) all of the above

well... i think it's (d), actually.

this was exactly what i needed at exactly the right moment.

it's inspired a letter to myself - here it is:

dear bess,

put on your big girl panties and get over it.

to quote mr. magorium: "your life is an occasion - rise to it."

you (we) can do it!

love, bess

tooth tales

koa has lost his first tooth! it fell out a week ago in church - he was very excited. the tooth fairy did visit him, although she hid the cash so well that koa couldn't find it until james helped him (read: james hid the dollar as he was "finding" it - that was close!).

and kawelo went to the dentist for the first time! he did so great and was happy to "open wide like a crocodile" whenever they asked. he was excited that he got to keep the glasses - score!

happy easter!

John 11:25-26: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

Believest thou this?"

happy easter from our gang to yours!

(i made the boys new bow-ties for easter - which i noticed at church will also work for fourth of july - bonus!)

9!!

well, kalei had another birthday.

i keep telling her to stop growing up. yesterday, i told the kids they just needed to stay their current ages for a while and not to get any bigger! i'm sorry to say they laughed at me. i can't believe our girl is almost to double digits!!

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?!!!!

anyhoo, just wanted to share a little of her birthday, so you can feel like you were there (feel free to sing along):

kalei's cake was SUPER yummy. she special-requested a lemon cake (i used a lemon cake mix, added 4 eggs, 3/4 cup water, 3/4 cup oil, 1 cup sour cream, and a lemon pudding packet - mix all together and pour into greased and floured cake pans - bake as directed on the cake mix box - the cake turned out so deliciously moist!), but she doesn't really like traditional icing, so i mixed a small tub of cool whip, a packet of lemon jell-o, and two 6 oz. cups of lemon yogurt to use as icing. it was sooooo good!!! the birthday girl was very pleased with it.

kalei had one present on her wish list: an american girl doll that looked like her. we went online and she picked out the doll she liked, and we even ordered glasses so the doll would indeed look like her mini-me.

here is kalei's "surprised" face.

hmmmmm.... looks more excited than surprised, yes?

we love you, honey girl!

thank you for being part of our family - we hope your day was as special as you are!

weekend craftiness

i signed up to participate in a quilt-along a few months ago. i think i was supposed to have this quilt top finished at the end of february. better late than never, right? (story of my life!)