Spencer's 4th Birthday

Spencer had a very eventful birthday this past week. He had a birthday party- truck themed, with several of the families that we play with on a regular basis. Larry was in charge of the games and activities (we decided a few years ago that he would be in charge of the boy parties, and I would do the girl ones).

They started by coloring and putting stickers on some coloring pages, then a game of "Car, car, truck" (similar to duck, duck, goose).
They also had a yellow truck pinata full of candy that they took turns beating to death. Of course, the hunt in the straw for chocolate coins and pennies was a big success. The kids got to choose prizes.
Here's Spencer's cake. We did have some roads that extended onto the platter, but they had to be removed because of the fish tank flood (see blog entry below). I carved into the cake and put the extras on top to look like rocks. So, it's supposed to look messy- I promise I'm really a decent cake decorator.

After all the cake and ice cream and the gifts, Spencer was pooped! I think he was over stimulated because he threw a tantrum for about 45 minutes afterwards about not wanting to eat his birthday dinner of choice- french toast and eggs. After Larry got back from waterpolo practice, Spencer opened his gifts from us. He even let Lindsey open several of them (not that she gave him much choice).

Fish Tank Disaster!

Ever wonder what 10 gallons of water spread out all over your kitchen would look like?? Well, I found out this week while I was decorating Spencer's cake. All the kids were gathered around the counter to watch me decorate the cake. I had finished the cake, and was making a small batch of frosting to write his name with. See that glass Pyrex bowl? I had one beater in it, and it started to spin the bowl. Then it went out of control and spun into the front of the fishtank, breaking a huge hole in the front of it. Of course, it cracked all the way down the front, letting all 10 gallons out.

The kids totally freaked! Everyone was screaming. Lindsey was standing on a chair closest to the tank and got totally soaked. She just stood on the chair and screamed! Spencer was next to her and got his shorts all wet. Miranda and Derek were on the other side of the counter and didn't get too wet. Derek kept crying, "the fish are dead! The fish are dead!" They all ran for the living room while I grabbed towels to contain the mess. The water spread from the carpet by the bathroom, through the whole kitchen, and half way into the dining room. I stripped down myself and Lindsey because we were drenched, and then started mopping. It took over an hour to get things under control. I found pieces of glass on the chair Lindsey was standing on, in the dining room, and on the kitchen floor. We were blessed that no one got hurt. Miraculously, I only had to scrape off a tiny portion of the frosting on the cake. Opening drawers and cupboards showed just how far the water had gone. I had to wash all my tupperware and wipe out utensil drawers. What a mess!

After the majority of the mess was cleaned up, I discovered one of our fish still alive in the tank. I put it in a bowl. It was traumatized, and I finally had Larry discretely flush it last night because we AREN'T getting a big tank again, and the fish was barely moving and not eating. So, now our fish tank supplies are on craigslist. Moral of the story for me: don't multitask so much while cooking!

Lindsey's Second Birthday

On Lindsey's birthday we had a special dinner with some of her favorites: noodles and garlic bread (forget about the fruits and veggies!)
She opened up each of her gifts very methodically. She made a little pile of her Wall-e and Eve toys and Wall-e book, one pile with wrapping paper pieces, and the other pile of non Wall-e items. She also got some new magnadoodles and money from grandma (which turned into some new fall clothes).
She just loved blowing out her 2 candles.
On Sunday, we had a duel birthday celebration for Lindsey and Spencer. Lindsey got her Wall-e cake and a new baby doll that she just LOVED! Also some very cute clothes. Spencer got some candy and some serious nerf guns.

August Adventures

Spencer had fun with a little tennis class these past couple weeks. He actually did quite well and especially loved hitting his instructors with the practice balls.
Miranda and Derek had a week of soccer every day. Miranda wasn't very enthusiastic, but Derek enjoyed it quite a bit. I was just happy to survive the week and that the weather was rainy and not hot.
Intel has been doing some family movie nights in one of their conference rooms this summer. We were able to go to Return of the Jedi and the kids got to see some people dressed up.
Behold, the HUGENESS! Just 3 more weeks to go.

Lindsey enjoyed having a turn with Derek's remote-control truck.
The kids went to Oak's Park with Larry for one of their prizes for Summer Reading from the library. It was very hot, but the kids enjoyed it- especially Miranda!
We also had our ward campout at a nice place about 25 minutes from our house. They had playgrounds, a little lake, and peacocks roaming around. The kids just loved being able to play till late in the night.
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What started out as an hour long tantrum on Miranda's part, suddenly turned into an underwear-on-the-head parade by the kids. It was hard to get them to settle down that night!

Random Tidbits

1. We went to our ward campout. I was very wary of it because it was 103 degrees in Hillsboro that day. Luckily, it was only about 85 at the site. It was a really fun experience for the kids- they had a cool lake with paddle boats, multiple playgrounds, and friends to play with. We even stayed up to watch Cars on someone's projected screen. I even survived and managed to get some sleep.

2. Larry is gearing up for coaching. He is going to coach High school waterpolo a little this year to help out because the main coach is having a baby. He will be covering a practice once a week and some early games this year. He is also going to coach a soccer team that Derek and Spencer are on this fall. The league was organized by someone in our stake, so all the kids play on Tues/Thur from 5:30-6:30. It's super cheap, too, so it's a great chance for Miranda, Derek, and Spencer to try it out. That starts next week and goes into early October.

3. Baby update: As of this week, I am still 1 cm dilated, but my belly is measuring 39 cm. (Usually, you are supposed to be the same number of cm as how many weeks pregnant you are). So, basically, I'm as big as someone about to deliver their baby- but I've got 4 weeks to go. I'm still feeling pretty good, although I'm starting to daydream about having a waist again and sleeping with just one pillow.

4. Derek is in morning Kindergarten! Yay! That means he will go everyday with Miranda to school and then I pick him up at 11:10 from his classroom. Spencer's preschool is MWF from 8:30-11:30, so it should work out for getting them both to school and home. It will be nice to just have the little girls for a couple hours three times a week. And then the boys can play in the afternoons with each other.

5. Tomorrow is Lindsey's Second birthday. I think that Derek is the most excited for it. We will just have some food she likes, gifts from us and the kids, and a little cake and ice cream. On Sunday we will celebrate both Spencer and Lindsey's birthdays with Larry's parents. It should be fun. Spencer's birthday is the 29th- and he's going to have a friend party. He's excited, but we still have a lot of planning to do.

Baby Update

So, I am now 35 weeks along, and about 1 cm dilated! My doctor says that could mean that I'm about to go into labor or it could still be 3 weeks away. Knowing my past history, I'm thinking it's still 3 weeks away! The baby is still high, which has been mostly good because I'm not that uncomfortable. I'm still doing my water aerobics three times a week, and that is helping. I'm also still sleeping well- I hope it lasts!
Today we got our BYU football shirts and tickets for the UW game on Sep 6. I still want to go, but if the baby comes, that would be great too. We will have to see what the next few weeks bring...

Dickinson Reunion

This past week was our summer Dickinson Reunion! Of course, it was a lot of fun mixed with exhaustion- there is always something to do and someone to talk to (and children to find!). It all started with two days of camping at Lake Detroit, then a day spent at Grandpa Dickinson's house, and the Hedman picnic the following day!
The kids had so much fun getting attention from everyone! It was great to see the cousins bonding more and more. That is one huge plus of being a Dickinson- everyone spends time with our kids and makes them feel so wonderful!
Lindsey was fascinated with cousin Zora! She just loved to look to peek in on her! Of course, when Grandpa was holding Zora and Lindsey wanted to be with him too, it was NO WAY! She didn't want to share her Grandpa.

Here's Derek riding in the tubes with Tanner and Grandpa in the other one. Miranda and Derek loved to ride in the tubes.
Breakfast with our four munchkins.
Derek was SO happy camping. The transformation was unbelieveable. It was as if nothing could ruffle his feathers! Even when I had to tell him No for a couple things; he just accepted it pleasantly and let it be. I think this change was due in large part to everyone playing games with him. He even made a new friend in the campground to play games with. Heidi is tutoring Derek in Sudoku in this picture. She is the master.
Here's Miranda and Larry on the Ski Rocket. Miranda couldn't stop smiling.
Spencer loved helping Sherry drive the boat.

They had this amazing playground right behind our camp sites, so the kids went there often.
Miranda and Eden were two peas in a pod! Miranda even slept with Eden the first night, then with Grandma the second night. She also rode there and home with Grandma. I think she basically decided to become Lucy's little sister and avoid Larry and me as much as possible.
Spencer and Tanner are quite alike- both just happy and a little silly. One night Spencer manned a flashlight and they collected pine cones and rocks for his "collection". It was so cute to see them combing the campsites for treasures.
Spencer also emptied his backpack full of toys that he brought to share with cousin Dallin.
Lindsey liked the boats, but mostly the chips and other goodies that were stowed away. I came along for the ride.