I know you are all dying to just squish this baby again. He is getting so big. He is 14lbs and is in the 90% on height and weight. He is getting really smiley, but sometimes the smile gets lost in those chubby cheeks! Here are some pics for you. Dont you just love that curly hair!! (again, sorry abt my dumb camera, it really has a hard time!)
Here are a few shots of people at the wedding. It was great to be able to be there. We had a great time!My camera is really crappy so I am sorry some arent very clear.
Hottie Mike, sporting the goatee. Grandpa Banzhaf and the Twins. Why cant my children ever look at the camera at the same time??!? The Banzhaf boys! (frm lf to rt) Matt,(holding Mason) Nick, Mike & Dad Eden holding Asher Great Grandma Banzhaf, she looked GREAT in her dress! Steve and Lori Banzhaf (Grandma and Grandpa) Darlene had a surprise under her wedding dress. Personalized Banzhaf sneakers! She was beautiful. Trying to catch a pic of the bride. Our new Aunt, Darlene
We just got back from our trip to Tucson, Az. We had a great time with the Banzhaf's at Uncle Nicks wedding. (On a side note, Mike was born in Tucson and spent every summer there as a kid. My mom was raised in Tucson and my grandparents lived there for years until recently. So we have lots of ties to the area!) It was alot of fun to see family and play in the sun. Of course, when we got there the temp was breaking records. It was 110 the day of the wedding! YIKES! We stayed at the El Conquistador Resort, it was amazing! Here are some pictures of the many things we did. It was Lex's birthday party on Friday. We had a "Thomas the train" themed party with all the trimmings.Saturday was the wedding, it was lovely. And the rest of the trip was spent relaxing and hanging out at the resorts fantastic pools and surrounding area. Several of my brothers live in Arizona and a couple of them came down to see us with their families. Thanks for spending your hard earned money on gas to drive down guys! We loved it! Thanks to all for the trip and fun.We loved seeing everyone! Pool time with Grandma Banzhaf Asher sleeping in the shade. He is 9 wks now! Lex's Thomas B-day Party. That is a working train on the cake. Even Tanner and Zach got presents at the party. Heres Tanner with his bug puppet and Thomas Slippers. He named his bug "Buddy". I think he was trying to say Buggy...lol Grandpa Banzhaf walked to get his mail and forgot to take off his Thomas engineer hat! Zach & Tanner in the pool at the resort
Uncle Cole (Eden's bro) came down from Flagstaff to play! And Cousin Taj came from Pheonix
Uncle Taylor catching Zach on the slide Cousin Taj & Zachary
Like most of us, I say things sometimes that I wish I hadn't. When you talk as much as I do, sometimes things just come out. Its diarrhea of the mouth, and its chronic with me. I don't try to be mean, I just speak my mind.
Sunday there is talk about the missionary meals in the ward. My girlfriend sitting next to me mentions that one of the missionaries is a vegetarian. So this is a particular soapbox of mine and I just start going off.
Me: " Why is it that we send our American missionaries to foreign countries where they have to eat what they are given or they starve? And our American missionaries feel obliged to be picky and have eating preferences forced on those who are doing them a favor by feeding them. I understand if you are allergic, suffer from disease or have health issues that have food restrictions. But being a vegetarian by choice is not a reason to have everyone in the ward cater to your food whims. Get over it. If you dont like it, dont eat it. But shut up about it. We dont need a special announcement made about what we can make you for dinner and what we cant. You will eat what I make for my family. If you dont like it, tough! How ridiculous. It really makes me mad!!!" My Friend: "shhhh.They are sitting right there." Me: "Who?" My Friend: " The missionaries"
I took Asher to the dr.'s to have them look at his eye (clogged tear duct). They put him on the scale. The dr couldn't believe how big he was. a Whopping 13.25 lbs! Wow, I knew he was big when we was in 3-6 mth clothes 2 weeks ago. He was 7 weeks old on Monday. Finally, a BIG baby! We love it!
WARNING: This is LONG!! I am dying to go to the city, that is NEW YORK CITY! I love going as frequently as possible. I love New York. Due to my pregnancy and the inability to walk like a normal person (or run, depending on what part of town I am in when it gets dark) through the busy city streets, I haven't been since last Sept. I feel like it has been ages, and I am ready to get back. Several people have asked me about tips while there. I am by no means an expert, but here are a few things I have learned and a few places I like to go.
-Never drive in New York if you can help it. Park your car at Newark Penn Station and take the train in. Park in a secured lot. It is worth the 15 dollars.(Once you see what Newark looks like, you will know why)
-Taxi's are a waste of money if you are in good health. -Subway entrances are typically located on street corners with a staircase for descending into the station. If a station is marked with a large green ball, you can buy a MetroCard inside; if a station is marked with a red ball, you need to already have a MetroCard to enter.At many Subway stations, there are separate entrances for trains running uptown and downtown. Once you swipe your card, you can't get a refund, so be sure to check the sign to make sure you're swiping your card at the right entrance. Typically, trains run in the same direction as the above ground traffic. Enter on the same side of the street that the traffic is heading in the direction you want to go.
Remember: One New York mile is approx 20 blocks. You can see alot in a short walk.
-If you want to see the Statue of Liberty by Ferry, get to the ticket booth EARLY! I mean like 8 am be in line! -Battery Park is awesome to just go and hang out. -My favorite part of the city right now, is the West Village. Find Bleecker and enjoy great restaurants and fun stuff! Washington Square is a must when in the West Village. -I also love Chelsea Market. Its a great place for kids too!
Best Street Vendor: Kwik Meal 6th & 45th Street-GYROS!!! LAMB! I tried Super Tacos too, it was ok, but the meat was really fatty and had some grissle. I found this on youtube about the Vendy awards. I used it to start tasting some great food. I also frequent www.chowhound.com before going.
Food is the best part of NYC!!!
Museums with free or pay-what-you-wish hours Tuesdays Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Free all day Tuesday, all year around (normally $8) China Institute Gallery - free from 6 to 8 p.m. (normally $7) Wave Hill gardens - Free all day during off-peak months (January–April, July–August, November–December) and free 9 a.m. to noon during peak months (May–June, September–October) (normally $6)
Wednesdays Bronx Zoo - Admission by optional "donation" all day (new spring/summer rates are normally $15) Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust - Free from 4 to 8 p.m. (normally $10) NY Botanical Garden - Free grounds access all day (grounds-only access normally $6) Van Cortlandt House Museum - free all day (normally $5) Transit Museum - seniors free all day (normally $3 for seniors)
Anyway, this is making me excited. Im planning on going again next month and then again in Sept. WOOHOO!
Well, I did it. I cut my hair after 2 years of growing it out. It was just getting too hot and humid for me to have it long through the summer. Not to mention that the baby pulls it every time he is on my shoulder. Im not sure I love the new cut yet. I do think it will be alot cooler in the summer heat. It was pretty sad to see all the hair on the floor when it was over. And I put more brown in it than ever which always feels strange because I love being BLONDE! I just needed a change. Hopefully, I wont regret it in the morning. I always seem to have cutters remorse the next day! And yes, a Supermodel I am not.
As my boys are growing accustom to a new baby they are getting more and more daring. I caught Tanner trying to give the baby a drink from his Sunny Delight bottle the other day. Yesterday they were trying to roll him up like a burrito in a blanket to roll him around the room. Instead, I made them lay down next to him for a picture. I cant ever get everyone to look at the camera at the same time. They wouldn't lay down long enough for me to take the picture. They just kept getting up to kiss his checks. Pretty cute, but it makes me nervous to leave Asher alone with the twins.
While I was getting the boys dressed this morning, I put Asher in his bouncy chair with a pacifier. He normally doesnt take it for longer than a few minutes, but it buys me time. Today he just sat there,looking around, totally content for about 20 minutes. Then he drifted off to sleep. YEAH for the BINKY!!! I hope he continues to take it!
For the past week Zachary has been going number 2 in the toilet at the same time everyday. As soon as Sesame Street is over, he runs to the bathroom. I just thought it was his body clock getting regular at the same time everyday. Then I figured it out. I was sitting in front of the TV folding laundry, (the job that never ends) and I hear Abby Cadabby talking. Abby is this new character they have added to Sesame Street in the last year. She is a "fairy god-child" who is pink and carries a fairy wand. Undoubtedly, the people at Sesame Street finally realized that to really get the girl market in Sesame's retail industry, they needed to add a feminine character to the show that little girls actually liked.Most little girls weren't going to carry around cookie monster, Grover, or Bert & Ernie. Prairie Dawn just wasn't cutting the mustard with her whinny voice, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and her annoying talent of playing the piano to answer questions in song. Not to mention, the name Prairie Dawn!? And who in their right mind would ever think of making a "MARIA the Fix-it-Shop" doll? I can just see some poor mom trying to push that one at the store."Look honey, a Hispanic doll that speaks English and can repair a toaster in less than 5 minutes. All for under 10 dollars! She is a must have!". Anyway, whenever Abby disappears, she lifts her fairy wand and says " I've got to POOF now". Then she is gone. So, this morning I hear Zach answer back to her. "I POOP too now. BYE!" And he runs to the bathroom.
Thanks for all the potty training help Sesame Street. I knew PBS was good for kids!
Asher was blessed yesterday in church. My parents and 4 sibling came down from Nazareth, Pa to attend. Maleah is home for the summer break from BYU. She is holding Asher in all the pictures. I manned the camera, since Mike disappeared. I have no idea where Mike and Tanner were when we called everyone for a group shot. Typical!!!Mike did a great job with the blessing. He gets super nervous talking in front of crowds. I was proud of him. I always cry like a baby when I see my husband holding & blessing our children. It is a tender moment for me.I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful little family.
Sorry Asher, we get to see up your nose. Yes, he is my son, but his nose really isnt that big. Aunt Maleah & Asher The Whole Fam Damily from Pennsylvania. We missed my other 4 brothers and sister who were elsewhere in the world. We wished you were here
I am the happy mother of 4 sons. My husband is a neurophysiologist and I am a stay at home mom and Zumba instructor. Life is great and we love to share our fun adventures with our family and friends, near and far. After a few years on the east coast, we have returned to the west for a new adventure. Every place we go, we meet wonderful people. We find that even though locations may not always be perfect, as long as we are together, we are at home.
"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around and shouting that he has been robbed. The fact of the matter is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey...delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."Evening with a General Authority, September 1980President Gordon B. Hinkley
"You will have significant experinces. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experinces." -Gordon B. Hinckley
