Short weekend trip to Cannon Beach. Weather was actually very, very nice. Great for a walk along the beach and wondering if we could really retire to a coastal community......????

So with the weather getting hotter down here in San Diego, I decided to cut the hair. I did a pretty crazy thing (but it was fun!!) and I went in to my hairstylist and said "Do whatever you want." She was really excited about it and it was really fun to not know what it was going to look like. I really like the cut - it is kinda crazy but fun. You can sorta tell what it looks like in these pictures but it is such a 3-dimensional cut that it is hard to get the full idea. The front left is longer then towards the back - shorter, then long pieces in the back, then shorter on the right front. It looked a little 70s rockstar when I left the salon but it has settled a bit more since then. :)

Hey Family,

So here I am the long lost brother who has not posted on the blog for 3 month or so. Or at least that is what I was told by Chad today on a phone call. Chad and Kristen are our good friend that live in Irvine. He checks out our blog periodically to check in on what's going on with us. So he helped me see the light.
Everthing in our house is going very well. Definately settled and loving the home. I just arrived back in town from 2 trips to very hot places. The first was to Phoenix and the second to Las Vegas. None of the days had a high less then 105 degrees. Very educational conferance though and I learn a lot about inspiring people in my life and work. I am in charge of the credit card program for Outlet in the Pacific NW so that is why I went to Vegas and was able to stay at the Marriot for 3 days and enjoy a great speech from a motivation speaker. I was very inspired by his message and it all revolves around "Finding your Red Rubber Ball". I will probably share the little book's message with some of you as I talk to you guys but it really hit me hard. It spoke to seven things we can do to never lose sight of the red rubber ball (or our dreams)

1)Committ to your red rubber ball and it will fuel your decisions about what you study, where you work, whom you befriend, and how you act.

2)Build and nuture relationships, and others will help you pursue your red rubber ball.

3)Be creative and discover new oppourtunities

4) Do the lonely work - those unglamourous tasks that no one asks you to do and that others may never notice - and you will surpass expectaions

5) Speak up and challenge boundries and you will overcome them

6) Expect and Respect the unexpected and you'll acheive your goals faster

7) If you maximize each moment and focus on the present, you'll create the furture you desire.

Kevin Carroll is the guys name and if any of you have seen the commercial for Nike that has people on a city street in suits and ties and police all playing tag during the work day. That was his idea. It was the PLAY idea. He also inspred the Livestrong wristbands. He has a blog at kevincarrollkatalyst.com that has stories from around the world.
But one quote from the book that I love was the following

"The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion.
He hardly knows which is which.
He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing.
To him he's always doing both"
James Michener

I thought I would share that message with you guys. Sorry to bore you all. Anyhow, congrats Mike and Brooke on Ben. Love the name!! I am off to bed as it is late.

So the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day in San Diego. I still await loads of pictures that never seem to make it from Dad’s camera to my email inbox but I suppose someday I might see them.

Last weekend was very fun to have Mom and Dad visit me and the other San Diego Stinchfields. Mom and I spent Friday together – hiking Torrey Pines, eating at Rubio’s, devouring Heaven Sent Desserts, and shopping the sales. Dad’s plane ended up being delayed so poor guy didn’t arrive until almost 3am on Saturday morning. So after not much sleep we had breakfast at one of my fav local breakfast places, The Mission Café, in North Park which was quite delish. Then we ran a few errands before meeting up with Tom, Tracey & kids to hang out, eat Chipotle and make Sprinkles Cupcakes. On Sunday we had a great Father’s Day with attending Tom & Tracey’s new ward and going to visit Tom at Balboa hospital where he had duty that day. All in all it was a great time and a fun visit. Thanks again for coming, Mom and Dad!

As for now, I am trying to study as much as possible. I am also finding that a lot more of my friends are available to do things now that school is over and summer is here. So I have been going to dinners, movies and stuff with old friends that I haven’t seen in a while. I have also redone my training schedule so that it better reflects how much time I have left till my race. I am trying to get into some kind of routine before geek-month starts.

July, aka geek-month, is coming up fast and I have a lot planned. With Harry Potter, Comicon, and quite a few visits from friends I think I will be pretty busy. It should be really fun though. This is definitely one of my favorite times of the year.

Another thing that is happening in July is the airing of that show that I tried out for back in Jan/Feb., remember? The World Series of Pop Culture? Anyway, it starts on VH1 on July 9^th. So they are getting it all geared up. They have a website here and here are the pictures and names of the teams that made it through. I think just from the pictures you can see how obvious it is that there are specific niches that they need to fill with each team…I think we would have been in the niche with The Lucky Stars. (we would have been better I am sure) So I assure you I will be tuning into the show to see how good these teams really are. And, in case you are wondering, I didn’t see any of the teams that got through at our audition.

Oh – David – since you have control of the blog layout, template, etc., I am going to have to figure out a way to get that access…can you have two administrators? I just want to jazz things up a bit cause there is a lot more we can do with the site.

I think that is it from me for now. Remember the count is now 7 to 6 with one on deck – girls in the lead!

**Just for fun – here’s a really cool website that I found using my “cool-website-finder-thingy”. Enjoy!**

We are very excited to announce a unique situation. We will actually have another male in the home this October. I guess the Lord figured 15 months was way too long for the 4 women to conspire against me.

Mike

Well the title says it all. I haven't gotten to the point that I have to throw up but many times have I wanted to just stick my finger down my throat just to rid myself of the feeling. Anytime I eat something, I get so nauseous I almost run to the bathroom just to throw up. Anyways, I have been tired and nauseous but ok I guess. It hasn't been extremely bad though since I am not having some symptoms some women get.

I have been trying to keep up with running but I haven't really been sticking to the training schedule like I should be. Peter says I should still try and do the half marathon even if I have to walk most of it as long as it is ok with my doctor. So as of right now I am just running around 2-3 miles 4 times a week. I keep dreaming of miscarrying this baby so I am trying to keep myself away from anything that might cause that. Although, I am playing in a grass volleyball tournament this next weekend with one of the girls I coached this last season. But if I can play volleyball when I am 6-7 months pregnant, I should be able to do it now. My goal is to not gain the 50+ pounds that I gained with last pregnancy. By the way my first appointment is July 2nd, so we will let you know how that turns out.

Andrew is growing so big and Kim made a comment this last weekend that he looks so much like a little boy rather than a baby now. I hadn't really seen it until Andrew was with Melia. We had tons of fun out in Rexburg and were so glad to see the perry family. Andrew and Melia were so cute playing together and every once in a while would start play screaming back and forth to each other. Andrew will be a year old next month and I can't believe it has been that long. Andrew took half a step yesterday and is so close to getting the walking down. He is now to the point that he is going down the hallway walking and holding onto the wall and doorways.

Peter is doing well with work even though it has been very busy lately. He loves it but always loves it when he gets home and Andrew is so excited to see him. I love being able to watch them together and can't wait until the new baby is added to the bunch.

Well I guess I will stop blabbing and get to doing stuff around the house. We love you all and can't wait to see you guys soon.

Love,
Anne

So, Tom helped me purchase a new "clippers" for my keeping my hair short for the summer. It has a dial on it that you turn to select the proper depth to cut. While at Tom and Tracey's this last weekend, Tom helped me cut the length to a number 7. That is a very shallow cut, meaning the hair length is quite long. Well, when we got home late last night, I got the braniac idea to try it out on myself and started cutting away right down the front center of my forehead. The result you see is what you get on a setting of "1" when you forgot to place the setting at "6" or "7". Oh well, just have to do some more trimming and try to get my "went tee" to look like the rest of my hair. Dad

Tom has duty at the hospital tonight for the first time, that means he left this morning at 6:30 and won’t be home until tomorrow evening. At dinner tonight Hayden asked why daddy couldn’t come home tonight. I told him that he had to stay there in case one of his patients needed him. He got a very sad look and said “But what if I need him?” I quickly tried to cheer him up and lightly said “Don’t worry, he’ll be here tomorrow if you need him!” He was quiet for a moment and then got a bright eyed looked, tapped his finger on his forehead and said “I have an idea, I can be his patient everyday!” He was so happy with this new idea all I could say is “We’ll see...” and he went about happily eating his dinner. Hayden sure does love his daddy!!

Happy Father’s Day!!

So I am sitting in our office trying to waste time while I wait to leave to pick up my two favorite men in my life... good time for a blog.
Brent is returning tonight from Phoenix where he was for a work conference and my dad is flying in from San Francisco for the weekend. The funny thing is their flights are currently scheduled to come in about 5 minutes apart at 11:35pm and 11:40pm (mere coincidence). Tim has not spent much time in the Portland area so we are hoping to get out and see a little especially since Amy and I are hoping he moves here when he retires soon.
As for me, work is great and I am still liking it. My patient load is very diverse and keeps me on my toes. Everything from 80 year-old total knee replacements to professional athletes. I am pretty exhausted after work a few days a week and I am trying to ignore that and get back to going to the gym in the evenings. However, I do get off at 6:30 and it doesn't leave much time. I don't know how many of my co-workers find the time to get a workout, shower, and lunch all in an hour... definitely not for me!
Brent seems to be liking the change in the everyday routine for his job with the two trips this month. Only the GAP would have themed dinners at every conference and ask it's employees to dress up for it. Before he left on Wednesday we had to purchase some western items (hat and belt buckle). It sounds like he had fun which I am glad for.
Well, I better check the flight statuses again.
Happy Father's Day to all you dads!
Buffy

And also thanks to Adina and Tracey for posting....I'm glad I have such great daughters-in-law or the blog really would be dead...Mike, Dave, Brent and Tom...you need to do your part too.

So much for my nagging. I am leaving tomorrow morning to go down to SD to see Marnie, Tom & Tracey and kids. It will be fun to see their new house. Dad is coming down late tomorrow...right before midnight! He said that if the flight is delayed or canceled he just won't come as we are leaving to come home on Sunday evening. I think Marnie and I are going for a run/walk on the beach tomorrow...and may take in a movie or whatever she wants to do.

Our painter is still working away. We finally got the right color for the background to the cupboards in the kitchen. We started out with blue but it looked horrible against the cupboards. We then switched to a color that looked grey but turned out to look lavender on the walls...horrible! So Wednesday he repainted it "Almond" which is kind of a grey green. He's doing the family room today which is an earthy gold (Oak) It really coordinates well with the cupboards and kitchen. I think I may go ahead and use the colors that did not work in the kitchen for the spare bedrooms...we'll see!!!

I am on the committee for the trek food so I spent two hours today cutting onions up for a dutch oven meal. My eyes just poured with the first onion...but by the third or fourth one either my tears had run out or I was immune. The rest of the time wasn't bad at all. I walked up to her house and back...up the big hill on 29th so I got my walk in today! I have a bunch of "hard tack" to make next week. Fun!!!

I need to go over to Grandma Esther's this afternoon to visit and change her bandages. I'm trying to do that as much as possible since I am the one who has to answer for it at the doctor's. Her foot sores are really gross!! She is also more and more confused and upset...I wish she was just confused and happy but she keeps wanting to leave. We're trying to get the right medication to calm her down but have not found anything yet that really works. Yesterday she was having a really hard time feeding herself...kind of new problem there!

I'm working on getting a database together for my recipes as they were all a mess in the cupboard. It'll take a while at the rate that I am going!!!

By the way, I will be teaching seminary. They have someone who taught this year that doesn't want to next year but is willing to sub for the time I will be gone...6 weeks at the minimum!! Brooke, I am planning on coming for two weeks after the baby. I'm thinking that will land in the first part of November. Keep me posted on your mother's plans...I can come anywhere from October 22 to November 28 but can only be gone two weeks. I think I'll be teaching the junior class at Bliss Rd. (For Kim, that is Barbara Lay's old class. She has been battling cancer so can't teach any more.)

Love to all...and Happy early Father's Day to all our dad's!!!

Love,

Mom

Well we just got back from the pool and I don’t want to get up to the laundry or the dishes so I have to blogg to give me an excuse to keep sitting here at the computer. Danica is napping and Hayden is having quiet time which means he can do anything except bug me, today he chose to play on the old x-box. The pool was a lot of fun, it was the ward playgroup at the park which is right next to the pool and since the weather is so warm now they said it will be at the pool most Thursdays. Luckily I had our swimsuits in the car. There were three other boys Hayden’s age so he was in heaven. I am still dealing with being new but I know that just has to last a while. Everyone is really nice and I’m just waiting to “click” with someone who is also in need of a new friend so we can move past just saying hi in the halls or making small talk at playgroup. Luckily I have only been here two weeks so I can’t get discouraged yet! There were 4 other new families on Sunday so that is really promising. There is another family in the ward who graduated from dental school last year and she is really nice. She has two girls, ages 4 and 2 and is having her third tomorrow! So maybe once she gets back on her feet we can get together... although that is just in time for me to have the baby!!
I am now over 30 weeks and getting nervous! Time is just flying by and I don’t feel ready yet! Most days I feel great and only mildly uncomfortable. The baby is kicking ALL the time!! The Gap here has a nice maternity section so I just got some great shorts that I want to wear every day! I’m still sorting through the medical insurance stuff, from what we can tell our “prime” policy which allows us to get the medical care for free doesn’t kick in until July 1st but they will see me down at the hospital since it’s an OB thing. There is a clinic closer but until the paperwork is done I can’t get a straight answer on whether or not I can go there instead. Since I am a new patient they want me to come in and spend an hour doing paperwork and then sit around waiting for a nurse to be able to see me. I asked in if I could come in the afternoon and she said it had to be in the morning in case it takes a long time... so until I figure our what to do with the kids for so long I am just going to have to wait. Maybe I’ll get visiting teachers soon and I can ask one of them to watch the kids... in the meantime I’m hoping Tom can pick up the paperwork for me so I can fill it out in advance and then I’ll utilize the daycare at the hospital, it’s $4 an hour for two kids so if I can be done within two hours that won’t be too bad.
Anyway, these are a lot of boring details that you don’t need to know. I have really stalled long enough... oh, but a funny thing Hayden said yesterday. Tom wasn’t going to be home from work until at least 10 so we went to my grandma’s house, it’s an hour and half north of here. When we got home at 9:30 Hayden asked where Tom was and I said he was at work. He got worried and said “But how will dad find the way home in the dark, he doesn’t have a map in that car!!” I told him not to worry because he was a smart dad and he would figure it out. Hayden said “Yeah, and I’m a smart kid, he learned it from me.” So thank you Hayden for teaching Tom how to be smart!
Maybe one of these days Tom will actually blogg about how it’s going starting the new program... don’t hold your breath!
Tracey

Very subtle, Marnie.

One week left of school. Kids are ecstatic, I am leery. We will start the summer off with a bang by leaving that very night for California - Erin is getting married on the 23rd. Beyond that, we have swim lessons, scout camps, family camping and who knows what else the summer will hold. We haven't nailed down our 4th of July yet - there may be an opportunity to meet up with a bunch of Cleveland friends in Salt Lake - but we are not decided. Dave has the time off, but it's not a trip we were planning to make.

Arizona was fun - and HOT! We were there for 5 days and Dave never set foot in the pool - what a trooper. He wouldn't even think of skipping a day of lecture, even to spend time with his wife (which I think is great - really). He did treat me to a day at the Spa, which was a little foreign to me, but very relaxing. We were both glad to return home to the kids (K&B were glad, too, I'm sure) and to the beautiful Northwest. The browns, reds and pinks of the Arizona desert were getting to me...nothing compares to the beauty up here.

Isaac is going to be playing 2 songs in the Talent Show at his school: Evil by Interpol and Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls. I so admire his courage. I never would have done something like that in middle school. He plays both songs well and we're excited to watch him perform.

Taylor, I'm happy to say, has not consumed any more weeds - to my knowledge. He just did a play at school - he was Farmer Zuckerman in Charlotte's web. He worked very hard on his costume...Mom, I need a plaid shirt! Mom, do farmers wear watches? Mom - do farmers wear glasses? He did a great job. Had his lines memorized like a month ago.

Parker...his last baseball game is Friday. I think he has been playing the whole season for the ice cream and pizza promised after the last game.

Morgan is done with preschool and so follows me around all day asking, "What are we going to do now, Mom?" The boys are such a blessing, because they play with her constantly when they are home - I just can't keep up. She affectionately refers to them as "The Brothers". Mom - when do the brothers get home? Are the brothers coming with us to the store?

K & B found an old album at Esther's - photos Dave had never seen. Jokingly, we call it the Marnie album - with a few photos in there of other family members. First girl syndrome - we're familiar with it. Anyway - lots of great pictures. I will have to post a few for entertainment and nostalgia's sake.

Anne - would love to know how you're feeling these days - that goes for Brooke and Tracey too. Tracey - I've been thinking of you a lot - moving into a new place, a bigger place, getting to know San Diego, being pregnant...reminds me a lot of our move there - hope everything is going well for you all.

I'm off - pictures to follow soon...
Adina

I added some fun pictures to our family imac site, check out the link on the side bar! Thanks!

Tracey

Well we certainly are not as consistant as our counterpart here but we can try to write somthing! Everyone is napping and that is what I want to do so I have to make this brief. We are getting settled a little more each day, we decided to take a few days off and just enjoy ourselves which has been nice. We have still been busy running errands and emptying a few boxes but nothing like the pace we had before! We went to our ward again today and everyone was really nice. I hate not knowing anyone's name and being stuck on the small talk but hopefully we will get past that soon enough. Danica went to nursery for the first time (she's 18 months on Tuesday) and she seemed to love it. There were three other new kids in nursery who just moved in, bringing the number to more than 20 kids!! It was really busy and I felt bad for the leaders and was worried about how tiny Danica is but she was fine without me so I didn't want to ruin it by sticking around! They said she did fine and was just playing and so smiley when we picked her up. Hayden likes his class and teachers and wants me to call the kids in his class to come over and play! Tomorrow morning we are going to check out a preschool that has been recommended to me by about 6 different moms in the ward. I called and they have an opening so hopefully we'll like it! The kindergarten cutoff here is December 2nd so he barely misses it! I don't mind that he isn't going to kindergarten this year (although I don't want to pay for preschool) but also all of the kids in his primary class will be in kindergarten!

Okay, I'm getting to sleepy... I'll have to write more later!
Tracey