Our Cali Girl

Once again something that begins as "just playing around" ends up here on our blog. It started when I clicked on the wrong computer program and mistakenly opened up Window 's Movie Maker; a basic video editing program that comes standard with Windows. I had never edited a video before, to be honest it has always kind of intimidated me. Well the program looked so easy to use once it was opened, so I began playing around. An hour or more later and I had put together a whole video to some sample song that also came pre-downloaded on our computer. Jeremy suggested I post it on our blog so here it is, my first attempt at video editing, and a very nice recap of Cali's first six months of life (she will be 6 months on Sep. 3rd!)

"Little Kids Don't Crush"

I overheard Sade was telling Jeremy about a boy in her preschool class named Spencer. Jeremy asked Sade if she thinks Spencer is cute. Sade flashes a coy smile but says nothing. Seeing her reaction I jump in...

Me: "Sade do you have a crush on Spencer?!"
Sade: "Mom he is just a little kid."
Me: "But you are a little kid too."
Sade: "Silly mommy little kids don't crush!"

Adventures in Risserland

First of all, you people are always asking for pictures (which I understand), so here you go. Since Kristy has put me in charge of blogging this weekend, and because I've already typed up a lengthy blog entry, I'll briefly tell you about our weekend and then you can enjoy the pictures.

This was a very busy weekend and I'm exhausted. It started off with a Father/Daughter camp out put on by our ward. The camp out was done at the Castaic Lagoon (nice and close to home). We had a great time with lots of our friends. This was really the first time that Nyah and Sade have been camping, at least that they can remember. The girls loved it! Our ward brings a projector and screen and puts on a movie on for everyone to watch (I know...we were really roughing it). Besides the movie and pop-corn, I was able to show the girls some racoons that I heard climbing in the trees. The girls were facinated with how the racoon's eyes reflected the light from our flashlights. During the night we had to use the restroom and upon walking back to our tent we saw the largest skunk that seen in my life. It wasn't too comforting that it was only 10 feet from our tent. I made sure that the girls stood very still and I explained that we didn't want to startle the skunk or he would spray us and make us really stinky. Thank goodness the girls comprehended this and didn't make any sudden movements.

After the girls got a good nights sleep, and I struggled with a deflating air mattress, we woke to go for a walk on the lagoon, have breakfast with our ward, and play some in the playground with our friends.

When we got home I was beat, but Kristy had had a nice quiet night of sleep (Cali is a great sleeper) and wanted to get out and explore. We decided that we would head up to Mount Pinos (near Frazier Park, about 50 miles from our place) and do some hiking. It was overcast, drizzling, about 65 degrees...just perfect!!! We had such a nice time hiking around in the beautiful mountains in such nice weather. We climbed on rocks, hiked for about a mile, and enjoyed our drive. I'm glad that Kristy talked me in to doing something instead of laying around on the couch. We had a really fun day, and everyone slept well that night. :)

Enjoy the pictues.

Playing at the playground with friends

This is one of the big-kid playgrounds at the lagoon. The girls enjoyed climbing rocks and playing on the ropes.

Getting ready to watch the movie.

Enjoying our walk at the lagoon.

Nyah lost her tooth while camping. As you can tell, she was excited.



We had a good time.

It's hard to believe this is even the same day.

Kristy and Sade having fun climbing rocks.

Cali and I waiting for our turn to climb.

Cali and I made it to the top.

Enjoying the hike.

Everyone enjoyed themselves. Including Cali.

Getting ready for the drive home.

Another Nyah?!? How can that be???

Last weekend I took Nyah and Sade to watch my soccer game, while Kristy stayed home with Cali (who was exhausted). After the game ended, Nyah found me and was super excited to tell me that she had made friends with another girl named Nyah. I thought that maybe she had misheard the girl, and maybe her name was Mya, or something like that. As I followed Nyah to the bleacher section at the soccer center, I asked her to ask the girl how she spells her name. Sure enough, the girls spells out N-Y-A-H. I couldn't believe it! Wow!

Of all the places where we might possibly run into another girl named Nyah, I would have never thought it would have been here is our home town. It turns out that Nyah #2 is only 4 months younger than our Nyah and lives in Canyon Country.

For those of you that didn't previously know, our Nyah's name was taken from a lake in Yosemite named Tenaya. We just decided to change the spelling. I spoke with Nyah #2's grandmother who said that the girls parents took the name from Shania Twain, but decided to shorten it and change the spelling. Funny enough, both us and the other girls parents decided to shorten the names because the original names sounded to twangy.

Kristy and I have always told Nyah and Sade that we decided on their names to set them apart from others and make them speacial. When we arrived home from the soccer game and told Kristy about the girl, Nyah said, "I guess my name isn't as speacial as we thought". We quickly told her that she'll likely never meet another Nyah Elle. That pleased her and she smiled and ran off to play with her sisters.

Nothing Political

Today while I was in the kitchen getting lunch together, Sade sat at the computer desk. I had left up a news article that I hadn't gotten to reading yet and on it is this picture.

Sade sits there looking at the computer screen than says,
Sade: "Mom President Obama is funny looking isn't he?!"
Me: "Umm, why?"
Sade: "I think he looks so funny with a bow in his hair, why did he do that?"

Sade thought that the lights behind President Obama's head is instead a bow on his head. Once she pointed it out I have to agree, he would look funny with a bow on his head. Sade thought he was trying to be silly, I love how little minds work :)

Our Big Preschool Girl!

(Sade on her first day of school)

Sade is all grown up and off to Preschool! She goes to school three days a week & LOVES it. Now when Nyah & Sade talk about school Sade has all sorts of stories of her own to discuss. Sade has been looking forward to school ever since Nyah was in Preschool. We are so excited for all of the friends Sade has already made and the fun activities she is already enjoying. So far singing time, story time, and playing on the playground are the highlights!

First Grade Here She Comes

I told the girls that they are not allowed to grow up and move far away from us. To this Sade said, "Mom, I am going to live with you one hundred million days but when I grow up one day I'm going to go to the candy store to buy a lollipop but I will come right back!"

While discussing who is the "cutest boy" (scary, I know) Sade says, "Well Nick [Jonas] is the cutest boy because he has cute hair, cute shirt, and a cute face."

Today:

(Nyah) Mom these shorts are really short?!
(me) Uh, ya, because they are Cali's

Sade and Nyah are getting to be close enough to share some of their clothing now; but I didn't think the day would come so soon when Nyah could put on something of Cali's (all be it very snug)!