Goodbye Endeavor!

When I was five or six years old, I remember making a list of things I wanted to be when I grew up.

#1 - First female astronaut
#2 - Professional soccer player
#3 - I forget but it was something just as lofty

Sally Ride burst my bubble on the first one. She was the first woman astronaut in 1983 when I was 9 years old. As for the second one, I didn't even play soccer in college.

Today was the last day the space shuttle took the flight. My co-worker's husband called us just in time for us to run out and see it as it passed by (my work isn't too far from Moffet Field). As I watched it fly overhead, I felt the urge to wave with excitement as if I were a little kid.

All of the kids were lucky enough to see it pass by their school. A friend of mine was able to capture the kids on the playground.

When I asked her to send me a copy of the video, her only comment was, "the kids' reaction was magical." After the kids returned to their classrooms, Lucas's teacher had a PowerPoint on the space program. At one point, she turned around to find Lucas crying. When she asked him what was wrong, he answered, "I am just sad that the space shuttle  is over." She attempted to comfort him and returned to teaching the lesson. Within a few minutes, 10 kids were crying in her class about the end of the space program.

I completely understand Lucas's feelings. I too teared up when I watched the video and the kids running after it to make sure the could keep it in sight for as long as possible. Farewell Endeavor!

Claire's First Day of Soccer

Claire is fierce. She is a crazy combination of sugar and spice and puppy dog tails. We will put her up against kids a few years older than she is in a foot race. Her determination and speed are quite striking.

This year Claire is very excited to be playing with her cousin Kylie. It was fun to see them next to each other for the entire hour.

The first day ended with the coach putting them in three teams. The goal was to collect as many balls as possible. Claire made sure to guard her team's balls with all her might.

My Five Year Old is Better than Yours

For those of you that know Claire, she is a piece of work. She is the typical 4th child. Claire is able to smile and melt your heart. Meanwhile she flies completely under the radar to get away with things.

Lately, she has taken to writing me notes. This one she left on my pillow.

In case you need the translation:

Mom 
You love me
You help me
You care for me
You snuggle with me
You make stuff with me
and I just have to say 
I can't stop loving you.

She is a great kid and tells me every night that "I am her best mommy ever."

Jeff saw the note that she wrote me and asked why she didn't write him notes. She responded with...

As I said, she knows how to cover her bases (note no hearts for dad though.)

First Day of School

It is here, the first day of school. They were so excited.

Claire is in Kindergarten.

Lucas is in first grade.

Leah is in third grade.

Jared started middle school this year. I tried to be a good mom and didn't walk in with my camera.

Leah's Baptism

Here is Jeff's letter inviting our friends and family to Leah's baptism along with the pictures from the day...
  

Hi family and friends, 

It's hard to believe, but our beautiful little brunette Leah is turning 8 years old on February 28th! As such, she's old enough to be baptized and confirmed as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The ordinance will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 5th. 

Like her brother Jared before her, Leah is very excited to be baptized. And as I did for him, I'd like to take a minute to brag about what a great person she is... Since she was a little girl, countless numbers of complete strangers have gone out of their way to comment on her gorgeous brown eyes and curls (see picture below); I'm already dreading the attention she'll get in a few years when the boys start noticing. She has a remarkable work ethic - she's always asking what she can do to help around the house, and she completes tasks with an attention to detail far beyond her years. Combine this trait with her love of learning and you have an exceptional student who eagerly does her homework without being asked, and then will often ask for extra schoolwork to do. Like Jared, she loves to read, and she followed his example by setting a goal to read the Book of Mormon (531 pages!) on her own before she turned 8... She finished just a couple of weeks ago. :)

Above all, my favorite thing about Leah is her wonderful ability to make people feel loved. She is always ready with a smile, a hug and kiss, and a sincere "I love you Daddy" that just make the cares of the world melt away - and I see her do the same for others all the time. In that way, she expresses her love for Jesus in the best way possible: by helping others to feel His unconditional love also.

Did I mention that she LOVES to eat vegetables, and in fact we have yet to find a food that she doesn't like? Flaws, you ask? Well, if I'm nitpicking, I suppose she can be just a bit bossy... OK, to be honest, that's actually like saying that Michael Jordan is "just a bit" bald - but we're going to keep her anyway. She's just preparing for her inevitable future role as the ruler of the free world. Hey, anyone who has spent even a little bit of time around Leah definitely wouldn't put it past her. :)

For those of you receiving this email who live long distances away, we understand that you likely won't be able to join us for the baptism, but please know that we miss you and would love to see you if the opportunity arises to take a trip out here. We have six in our house already but there's always room for guests! For the many of you who are not of our faith, we hope you'll feel welcome and comfortable in celebrating this special occasion with us - we'd truly love for you to attend if you're able to do so. 

Love to all!
Jeff, Carli, Jared, Leah, Lucas & Claire

It was a great day. Bobpa and Nonni gave the talks on Baptism and The Gift of the Holy Ghost. Jeff and Jared sang Leah's favorite song, "A Child's Prayer."

Happy Hollow for Winter Break

I decided to take the kids to Happy Hollow since I had President's Day off. On our way, Jared asked if we could bring Marcus and Kylie (their cousins).

Here is the gang.

Lucas can't ride in the back of the car without getting sick but he seems to do fine on the rides.

Marcus, Jared and Leah were the only ones up for the roller coaster.

Another picture of Leah and Marcus looking like siblings!

Our little fearless Claire in action.

Oakland Zoo for the MLK Holiday

We went with some of our friends to the Oakland Zoo for MLK Day. Jared (with his gangsta glasses and backward hat), Makenzie, Adam, Leah and Jamie.

Claire and Lucas had fun playing on the animal statues.

Claire, Jared & Lucas hiding in a shell.

Jared's favorite animal as a baby was the elephant. It continues to be a family favorite.

Perhaps my favorite animal of the day. The alligator was sitting up right against the glass. Apparently they can sit in one place for hours at a time. He had us fooled - we thought he was dead but when we went back he had moved. It is crazy to be so close to those teeth!

Lucas's Bowling Birthday Party

For Lucas' 5th Birthday Party we went bowling. Nothing is better than 5 year olds bowling.

The Birthday Boy!

The ball was bigger than Claire.

Annie, Lucas, Lola and Claire messing around.

Leah striking a pose!

The bowling cupcakes were a huge hit.

The party guests each had a bowling shirt: Seth, Shawn, Leah, Lucas, Carina, Lola, Claire, Cooper, Annie & Miranda.

Max's Birthday

Miel's son, Max, turned two this week. Miel was my best friend in high school and introduced Jeff and me. That is why Leah's middle name is Miel. The kids affectionately call Miel "Tita" because she is more like an aunt than a friend - they have known her their entire lives.

They were excited to celebrate their "cousin's" birthday.



We love cupcakes!

Memorial Day - Going to a Picnic

Our friends, the Carters, invited us to go with them to a winery to picnic. It was a great place that had a huge lawn for the kids to play football and soccer. There was also a stream with tiny frogs. The kids had a great time.


It was a great setting to get individual shots of the kids.



Lindsay, Annie and Leah playing in the creek.



Literally, just hanging around!

Christopher, Matt and Jared - generally up to no good!

Sister do really love each other at times.

We took a short walk and there were beautiful hills and a little pond that had water snakes.

Leah with her little frog friend.

Just Hanging Out

Some of the best moments to catch are the ones where the kids are just having fun together.


Leah and Claire were playing together in the play kitchen.

Lucas and Claire cuddling on the the couch. Lucas's lightsaber is never far away!