Sock Hop

Kalyn and Rob going to the Father/Daughter "Sock Hop" at her school.

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The Storm Is Finally Passing

Part two of the Ford saga.

We took the Ford in and they kept it for two days and put 30 miles on it but couldn't find the problem. They told me to call them when it happened again and they would send a mechanic to where I was and try to diagnose it. The next day....(The kids think the car is mad at me and doesn't like me anymore)I go to get a prescription filled and the car wouldn't let me drive it AGAIN! I call the mechanics and sure enough they came! Get this, they drove me and my kids home and took my car to the shop. We thought that was so nice of them. They found the problem and $700 later it was "fixed". So far so good. Nothing major since then, just a flat tire and we are starting a round of the flu, but that is minor. I think the "storm" is passing. Compared to everyone else's problems it was more like a large "black cloud". It was a very expensive "cloud", but at least it's leaving. Tired of dancing.
We got to go to the temple yesterday and it was so nice. Of course it has been a while since we went (like 2 years) so we got lost, but eventually found it (L.A. traffic!). Life is good and I am ready to dance again, but only if I need too.

The Freakin' Ford and the Daring/Darling Duo!

I am learning how to "dance in the rain". This blog entry is my attempt at dancing. (See quote on left.)

We have been having some problems with our Ford lately. At first we thought it was the battery, so we got it replaced under warranty. Then it still wasn't working well. Then we thought it was the alternator. We had it tested and Auto Zone said it was bad. We went to Ford (it's under warranty) and they said the alternator was fine and that it was some overloaded wiring, blah, blah, blah. We paid our $90 and Rob asked them to pinpoint the problem and he would look at it. He played around with some fuses and it started working again. I thought it would be a good time to go to Cost-co and get the "4 things" I thought we so desperately needed. Those 4 things always cost alot. I came out to the car and started it and it wouldn't keep running, so I couldn't drive it to go home. I called Rob and asked him to come and rescue me. During normal years, January would be "cold", but it was 70 degrees that day! So to keep the things that I bought from Cost-co somewhat frozen I had to keep the car on in park and rev the engine so my ac would work and my stuff wouldn't melt. Rob rescued me (he somehow figured out how to keep it going during the stoplights) and I took the things home and put them in the freezer.

As the kids were getting resettled.. I heard a flushing sound and then a..... MOOOMMMM!!!!' Now normally I wouldn't rush, but the tone in the voice was one of panic. I came in to see the "Daring Duo" staring up at me with their big blue eyes and lovely toilet water filling around their toes. Let me introduce you to them:


Mr. "Whatdidido"


Miss "Whomei'mjustababy"

Cute aren't they?

Now back to the story. You know the flushing sound. I asked ever so calmly, of course,"Oh sweet, little, and darling children of mine...what happend?" Mr. Whatdidido said, "Miss Whomei'mjustababy put a pencil in the toilet and I flushed it." As I ever-so-swiftly turned the toilet water off I asked, "Now, Mr. Whatdidido, haven't we learned our lesson from the box of band-aids and the bar of soap...that nothing goes in the toilet except #1, #2, and toilet paper?" Silence. "Oh sweet husband of mine can you fix our toilet with your newly discovered talent?" "Sure Sugar lips." So he went out to his ever-so-organized garage and grabbed one of our wax rings (since we buy them by the case now) and an auger. He starts working on it, when to our surprise only half of it comes out....the auger that is. "Sugar lips you better find a toilet that you want me to go and buy". So I scurry off to research on the computer the toilets with the biggest pipes plug thingys and the biggest "bulk removal" holes. My sweet husband came back with a toilet and a logo on it that claims that it can flush a "bucket of golf balls". "That should do it!", he says. A 10 cent pencil cost us $300.

Now to get our sweet, little, and darling children to bed, when what do we see? A big and beautiful, mural drawn by Mr. Whatdidido. It was all over the wall and the windowsill. I just have to say, I LOVE THE MAGIC ERASER! As I was nearing completion of clean-up duty, I hear a crash. Miss Whomei'mjustababy comes running in with front of our stereo. "Oh sweet husband of mine will you please remove the stereo that we NEVER use, to your ever-so-organized garage?" "Sure sugar lips."

The next day we went to church, since our Ford was on the fritz, a friend of ours took some of our kids, so that we could all fit into our FIT! The rest of the day we relaxed, and I went to a meeting. After I got back I said, "Oh sweet husband of mine, let's go take the Ford to the dealership tonight so we won't have to wake the kids up so early in the morning". "Sure Sugar lips." So our friend came over to watch our kids and we went on our merry way. We get parked and Rob gets out to fill out the envelope to leave our key, when a man rushes out of the building and runs straight over to me. After hearing a loud, buzzing sound, He says, "Do you work here?" (after I realize he wasn't coming to me to rob me and he was Ford's cleaning crew, I answered)"No." "Does he work here? (pointing to Rob)" "No, we are just dropping off our car". "The smoke alarm is going off and I don't know the code...do you know the phone number to the fire department?" " No, but I'm sure there is a phone book in the building" (I know I'm so helpful). Just then we are surrounded by 5 fire trucks of all shapes and sizes, 1 police car, and 1 helicopter. They all look at me and I point to the man (cleaning crew)."Oh SWEET HUSBAND of mine, we need to go! Maybe we should move our car." "Too late Sugar lips the key is already in the box". "Ohh...PLEASE don't let my ever-so-reliable Ford burn to ashes!" As soon as Rob got in the car, we sped off. (We didn't want to be involved with this incident when it wasn't necessary, of course.)

Our car still isn't fixed. I used it everyday this week to drop off and pick up my sweet, little, and darling kids from school. It strangely worked long enough until the last kid was home and then it would putter into our driveway and die for the rest of the day. It did this for 3 days until yesterday. I had one measly little errand to run and as we got in it to come home it died in the middle of the parking lot. Without the engine working, the power steering doesn't work so I asked Logan to put his foot on the gas (while in neutral) and steer the car to a parking spot while I pushed. He couldn't reach the pedals. Heavenly Father loved me so much and saw how frustrated I was, so I tried again and it worked just long enough to get it into a parking spot. I called Rob, "Oh sweet husband of mine YOUR car died again and I'm stuck in a PARKING LOT! Please come rescue us again". "Sure Sugar lips."

Part 2 of this saga to be continued....

The Stewart Annual Christmas Pagent

Every year Grandma and Grandpa Stewart have a Chirstmas Pagent at their home. This year there was 47 family members that came. Lots of little ones and lots of chaos. I laughed as I caught one of my sister-in-laws taking a big breath before she went in. I told her that in a few more years she would be used to it. This is Brayden as a shepherd. What a goof!

These are the shepards, Brayden is in the red and white stiped robe. We get everything from the traditional lambs and staffs as props and and sometimes dart guns. Logan is in the background with one of his cousins (Jason). He is a wise "guy" with his "gold". The other two cousins are Skylar and J.J.

Logan is a wise"guy".

This is Kalyn and Madisen as angels. What cute smiles. Bayley is the other angel (cousin).

Kalyn's School Performance

Kalyn had a performance at school with her Kindergarten class. She knew every word and did a great job. This is a picture of the kids after the performance. Ally was able to come too.

Kalyn showing me the ornament she made for us.

This was the group of Kindergarteners (120 in all).

Thank goodness Kalyn was in front.

This little random picture is of Madi and Bray enjoying juice and a pop tart one morning.

Christmas Performance with Tavaci

Logan and Kalyn at their Christmas performance. They did a wonderful job and we are very proud of them. They also did a little skit that I can't figure out how to put on here and Logan did a little solo, of course I forgot to record it. They were so happy that some family and friends were able to come and watch them. They sang lots of songs and we all had a good time.

Visit to Santa

This was at our ward Christmas party. Madisen was a little mad about Santa holding her and Brayden just wanted the candy canes you get from him. Logan and Kalyn were excited though.

Dang It!

My cousin put a story of her son on her blog concerning the elections, and that reminded me of something my son said. Most of you probably know that Prop 8 was a big thing here in California...still is. For a few months I was able to help with the various phases of polling and informing people of what prop. 8 was about. He would see the sign out front on our yard and would make sure and point out every "Yes on 8 sign". He would always tell me "8" would win in the election. I asked him if he knew what prop. 8 was, and he told me that it was to protect traditional marriage (it said that on the sign). I told him he was right. I didn't need to go into anymore detail, so I didn't. He comes up to me late on election night and tells me to wake him up and tell him who had won the presidency. I told him and he said, "Dang it! Grrr..Now we will have to pay higher taxes! Dang it, dang it dang it!" The funny thing is that we haven't talked with him about the president at all, it must be all the Glenn Beck that Rob watches. He was very aware of the elections this year.
Kalyn said a funny thing the other day. Earlier this year she got her ears pierced. She asked me if boys could get their ears pierced too. I said that some boys do, but it really should be for girls only. As I was dropping off my son at school one morning, a little boy opened the door for Logan (we have a valet program) and he had big, bright diamond earrings in his ears. She asked me, "Mom was that a boy or a girl?" I said, "A boy. Why?" "Why does he have earrings?" I told her that maybe he didn't know he was a boy, or that maybe he thought it was cool. She replied, "or maybe he just likes the bling bling".

Bakersfield Pageant Performance

Logan and Kalyn getting ready for their Tavaci performance at the Bakersfield Pageant. I took some video of their performances, but I have to figure out how to put it in this blog.

THE BIG BAPTISM DAY!

We have been looking forward to this day for a long time. Logan was so excited. I am so grateful for these pictures that Carolyn (Rob's Mom) took for us. About 15 minutes into the baptisms for the stake Madisen got the flu.....bad. I barely made if for the baptism and totally missed the confirmation. She was so sick. He was baptized and confirmed and even though I missed it (which I'm sad about) he is happy.

Logan's Baptism Day!

Logan getting ready to be baptized by his dad.

Logan with family members after they confirmed him.

Kalyn at Spring Fest '08

Kalyn getting ready to do a running/jumping thing.

Kalyn on the bars.

Kalyn showing off her medal.

Logan performing at Spring Fest '08

Logan getting ready to do a handstand.

Logan jumping high.

Logan's coach posing in his picture.

Combined Birthday Party

Logan blowing out his candles on his 8th birthday.

Madisen staring at hers.

Madisen

Kalyn, Brayden, and Madisen