The Dark Side

From Director Jay Fear comes the thrilling tale of

Darth Dexter

Enjoy!

We Wish You a Fuzzy Christmas!

Christmas was wonderful! A day full of family, fun, and food ... what can be better than that?!?

Unfortunately, I won't be able to show you much of it because our camera was out of memory and the only pictures I took were on my new Christmas present (an iPhone!), which turned out pretty fuzzy and/or dark since I'm apparently a technology dunce.

Oh well. I was able to capture a few moments, but frankly I don't feel up to uploading them right now. Feeling lazy after weeks of Christmas prep and other responsibilities, I suppose. What I will show you is this:

Everyone's favorite present, the trampoline from Papa! There was much happiness all around when it was revealed (set up temporarily in the garage).

Later in the day, it was moved outside:

Then, it was placed in the hole Jay and his brother Jack dug out of the hillside over the last few weeks. (We had to tell the girls we were digging for a garden....)

Then, the enclosure was added (thanks, Jack & Chris, who did all the work!), and the jumping commenced!

We've only taken a break for Sunday, but you can trust that on Monday we'll be out there, bouncing again. It has definitely been the hit of Christmas! Thanks, Papa! Now we just need to get to weeding the backyard, creating a path to the trampoline, etc. By summer, I hope it is a place that the kids will gladly spend the majority of their days. :) I'm sure I won't be a stranger to the trampoline, either ...

Sometimes words aren't necessary...

(But close-ups are!)

Thanks, Macio & Aunt Kate!

Angel in Orangevale

Tonight, on our way home from cutting down our Christmas tree, we stopped to pick up a set of Jay's uniforms from the dry cleaner. The kids and I waited in the car as Jay ran inside. The minutes passed slowly. I could see through the large glass window that something was amiss, and Jay looked slightly frustrated. As another customer entered, Jay turned to leave the store - without his uniform.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Their credit card machine isn't working," Jay said with an exasperated sigh. We had been to the dry cleaner earlier, but were asked to come back because they were still working on Jay's jacket. The items were actually supposed to be ready on Tuesday. It wouldn't have been that big of a deal, but Jay needed his jacket for work, plus we were all hungry, including the kids. (And if you know anything about me at all, you know that patience is not my best virtue in normal circumstances, but especially when I am hungry.)

Just as Jay was about to start the car so that we could go to the bank and get cash, the other customer opened the store door and flagged Jay down. Wondering what the man needed, Jay got out and talked to him. The car door was left open, so I heard the man ask Jay if he was short on cash to pay for his dry cleaning. Jay explained the situation, and the man said, "Come back in, I'll get it for you." Jay protested, but the man very kindly persisted. They walked inside, with Jay still protesting. The dry cleaning bill was just under $30, so I knew Jay wouldn't actually let him pay for it.

I watched them through the large glass windows, wondering what was happening. The man said a few things to Jay, smiled a warm smile, and shook Jay's hand. Jay responded, and then the next thing I knew he was coming back into the car, dry cleaning in hand. "Why did you let him pay?" I asked.

"He insisted," Jay said. "He told me 'Merry Christmas, and pass it on.'"

It was one of those random acts of kindness you hear people talking about, but you very rarely experience. I was honestly shocked that a complete stranger would spend $30 of his hard earned money on us, but I was also very touched. What an example of selflessness and Christlike behavior. What an example to Jay and I, and to our children, about serving in the moment. And what a way to begin the Christmas season.

To the stranger at the Orangevale dry cleaners ... thank you. Your small act of kindness has made a lasting impression, and we will definitely "pass it on."

End-of-November Festivities!

Our Thankful Tree (on top of awesome paneling... don't be jealous)

This year, we celebrated Thanksgiving on Saturday due to Jay's work schedule. Saturday also happened to be Calvin's 1st birthday. A two-fer! It was also the very first time in our 8 1/2 years of marriage that we tackled Thanksgiving all on our own. I think we did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself.

No fancy table arrangements, but some really, REALLY good food, mostly courtesy of Jay and some new recipes he got from a former chef that he works with. But, I was in charge of the homemade rolls and pie ... and let's face it, what is more important than pie on Thanksgiving? (Don't say "turkey," because everyone knows that pie trumps turkey any day of the week.)

What's Thanksgiving without a little olive theft?

Cal's birthday party was possibly the most low-key birthday celebration we've ever had, and that's saying something. Just the six of us and a few presents ... perfect! Anything else would have sent Dexter into a complete tailspin. He already had a hard enough time watching Cal open gifts. He kept screaming, "No! MY birthday!" and grabbing the gifts. This is what he looked like 80% of the time:

Poor guy. It's hard to be two.

Calvin didn't seem too disturbed by Dex, though. He just straight-armed him when necessary, screamed when he needed to, and played the rest of the time.

Here the girls prove that you are never too old to play with talking magnets:


I didn't want to bake a cake in addition to the three pies I made, so Cal had the unique privilege of being our only child to ever receive a birthday pie! (I have a feeling I will only be able to get away with this for another two years, max.)




The whipped cream was a hit ... the pumpkin pie, not so much. At least in Cal's opinion.

Overall, it was a successful and happy day. I felt so blessed to be with my family to celebrate all the many things we are grateful for, including the birth of our little (?) guy! Happy Birthday, Cal Browns. We love you to pieces!

Hi-YAH!

Tonight, not long after I had tucked the girls into bed, Beatrice came down the stairs, followed closely by Natalie.

"What do you need, Bea?" I asked.

"I'm just scared of the dark," she cried.

I responded sympathetically, "No you're not."

"I'm just afraid someone is going to take us," she exclaimed, burying her face in my stomach.

I gave her a big hug and reassured her that she was safe, our home was safe, I was here and I wasn't going anywhere, etc. That's when big sister Natalie chimed in, "I'm here, too, Bea." She paused. "And I can kick really high in the front."

I don't know about Bea, but I know I'll sleep a little sounder tonight...

My Kind of Girl

I found this "to do" list of Natalie's the other day (I hope this doesn't embarrass her, but it was too cute not to share):

In case you can't read it, it says:

5th Thursday list

Clean room, if it's messy

Play with Bea and Dex (the Dex part got cut off)

Play Nick Jr.

Go to school

Solve a mystery

Make my bed

I just love that even after a full day of solving mysteries, she will still remember to make her bed.

Pumpkins, Costumes, & Candy - Oh My!

Despite all attempts from our nemesis, the flu, we made it to the pumpkin patch before Halloween!

We fed goats, picked out our pumpkins, listened to Calvin scream, and balked at the price of a train ride. ($5 per person!) We came home with a wagon full of pumpkins, and on Halloween day, we carved them to pieces!

The day before Halloween was a busy day, with a parade at the school, and Trunk-or-Treat at the church that evening. We had a wonderful time at both events, and the kids really enjoyed dressing up in their costumes.

Saturday was trick-or-treating in our neighborhood, and I have to say, I was really happy with the experience. We live on a circle, and it was hoppin'. Families came out in droves, and even the groups of teenagers were dressed up. (I really hate when teenagers come to the door with no costume, their pillowcase thrust in your face. I don't think so.) Anyway, their was a friendly spirit in the neighborhood, and we were happy to be part of it. A big thanks to my mother-in-law, who passed out candy while Jay & I chaperoned the kiddos... you're the best!

Calvin, squeezed into a costume one size too small. Mobility is highly overrated anyway.

Dexter finally agreed to wear a costume. What a cutie!

Natalie, looking like the teenage sleuth herself, Nancy Drew:

Bea, wearing Jay's awesome creation - a shower:

(yes, it was inspired by a movie)

She got quite a bit of attention wherever she went. People were taking her picture at the door, and summoning loved ones from inside to take a look as well. She seemed to enjoy it, but I started to worry that all the attention would take a toll on Natalie. Natalie was a trooper, though, and didn't show any signs of jealousy, even if she felt them. She loved being Nancy Drew and taking notes in her notebook. And although Bea really loved her costume, I think she was happy when it was time to take it off. It was certainly not an easy thing to walk around in. She only fell one time though ... much better than I expected!

I hope everyone had as fun of a Halloween as we did.

OH! How could I forget?

Happy 31st Birthday to Jay, the love of my life. "One year older and wiser, too..."

Too bad he'll never catch up with me.