MORLEY MOMENTS

Family Photo

2011-06-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

We got a new family picture taken the other day. Very happy with it - but we don't have a digital copy - so it looks a little weird here being that it is a photo of a photo. We'll try again and hopefully get a better copy up.

Forgotten Photos

2011-06-24T06:16:00.000-07:00

Well, not so much forgotten as not-got-around-to. As mentioned in a previous post, we had a little trouble with our previous photo-card reader, which made our getting photos from the camera to the computer a little tricky. BUT we finally got a new one, and what a delight to sort through photos from all the way back to last December including Christmas & Lennox's birthday among other things. Here's a few of the best shots. And good grief do these guys bring happiness into our home. We love them so.

Princess Violet.

Lex's Birthday CD Player Cake

Oliver going fast

2011-05-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

Lex off the path

2011-05-11T22:54:00.000-07:00

Spring Bike Ride

2011-05-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

Easter Egg Hunt 2011

2011-05-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter

2011-05-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Easter, Mothers Day, and the like

2011-05-10T17:01:00.001-07:00

Pitiful Blog,

2011-04-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

Our blog has been neglected as of late due to:

1. We had the sickest boy ever for a good two weeks through the end of March and beginning of April. Mr. Lennox, who had a fever for over a week, crazy cough, ear aches, barf, the whole nine yards. Even his plump little thighs thinned out. The only up side was we got to cuddle him virtually day and night, which is usually rare with Mr. Energy. Oliver got a bug too, but not nearly as intense. His main problem, along with the rest of us, was cabin fever. We have had a super cold and snowy spring that has kept us inside going a lot bonkers. Fortunately, both have recovered, and the weather is even looking to get warmer.

2. The fact that someone in our house, (a boy who is three) has broken our card reader making it impossible to get pictures from the camera onto the computer - of course we will get a new one right a way. But until then, here's a few shots from the old camera phones of the boys in action. More to follow after our next trip to WallyWorld. (wal-mart) - Photos will include... Preschool Fun!

While Lennox was feeling so ill, he took to nursing his little friend Elmo. He made sure he took his medicine and had plenty of cereal.

As ever, Oliver is always looking for ways to help daddy. You can't imagine the delight when he discovered if he tipped the garbage cans just right, he could get a hold and bring a whole can in from the street all by himself. It was a proud moment for him. And for daddy.

Lennox Turns Three!

2011-03-04T18:14:00.000-08:00

Olivers first joke.

2011-02-09T23:59:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in an earlier post below, Oliver and Lex started preschool a few weeks ago. At the beginning of each of Oliver's classes there is thinking question presented to get the class going. The other day the question was .... "What is the opposite of quiet?" Oliver's answer.......... "Brother." (thanks to my dad who pointed out I had misspelled quiet for several days. quite silly.)

Winter around the house 4

2011-02-09T23:52:00.001-08:00

The last few posts are published in reverse order - see below for an explanation. Handsome little devils though, aren't they?

One of Mom's photo shoots-

Winter around the house 3

2011-02-09T23:48:00.000-08:00

Little lamb so soft and fair.

See below

Winter around the house continued

2011-02-09T23:43:00.000-08:00

You'll have to read these post backward from Christmas I guess... more from around the house.

Shhhhhhhh....

Winter around the house

2011-02-09T23:33:00.001-08:00

As you can imagine, and probably do yourself - we spend a lot of time in the house during the snowy winter months. Lex and Ollie have both started pre-school this last month and both are loving it. Bringing home art projects to show off and telling us the interesting names of their new friends like "Om." Here are a few shots from our indoor happenings when it isn't school time.

Indoor high jump. Lennox won hands down, he was born with no fear. When we play hide and go seek, Oliver always sends him to go find dad, while he waits safely in the other room. as a result, Lennox will usually "win" when it comes risky behavior. Here's to the future.....

Februrary Already?

2011-02-09T22:51:00.001-08:00

How did that happen. It is rather incredible how our two boys are managing to consume every second of every day. It is wonderful and we love it, but boy does it cause us to put some things off. We have rooms in our house that we haven't ventured into since early October, projects started in August that are yet to be completed, and I am sure some condiments in the refrigerator since before Oliver was born. Is this pretty much what we should expect for the next several years... forever?

Anyway, an update of our lives this winter - we had our Christmas update on our most recent post, but here are a few sights and sounds of the rest of this winter season that we have been meaning to share for quite some time now. Our apologies for the delay. Anyone still out there by the way?

Update 1 - Oliver, Dad, and Grandpa Joe all went snowmobiling. It was the first time for Oliver to share his Grandpas favorite past time and what a success. Oliver took to the snow, the mountains, the machines, the burgers at the soda fountain in the old drug store in Kamas, like a fish to water. Never once cold or scared, Oliver could only ask at the end of each lap to "Go Faster Dad!" We intended to just take Oliver up and drive around in the field a little while, but after an hour of doing that, and Oliver not wanting to stop - ever - we headed on up the mountain for a few miles ride. What a blast, dad loved it, Oliver loved it, and Grandpa really loved it. We all really loved it. Can you tell? For the geography people - we are in Kamas Utah and the Uinta Mountains above.

Christmas Morning 2010

2010-12-25T23:29:00.000-08:00

(You'll want to upgrade the resolution on this to at least 360.)

Thanks to everyone who helped make this such a fantastic Christmas for all of us.
Our boys have been nothing but smiles and glee. We love them dearly. Merry Christmas.

Days 5-7

2010-11-14T20:22:00.000-08:00

Lennox thought you were supposed to "use your head" on the tether ball.

Lennox scored his major prize for the trip at Disney - a bubble gun that lights up. He made sure it was by his side through the next 3 days and all the way home and into bed.

Dad and Oliver and Ride Makerz building Lightning McQueen RC car.

Lennox after we made it home at the SL airport.

Oliver the traveling champion. Notice the self decoration stickers he entertained himself with.

MMMM Ice CREAM!
The Entrance to Kobe Bryant's hood.

Cars from Safeway in Newport Coast. Bentley .

Ferrari who just got pulled over by the fuzz.

Aston Martin Rapide - Base Price $195,950. Things are a little different in Newport.

Balboa Pier.

Oliver loved his new car just a little.

Oliver enjoying Dad's favorite - wetzels pretzel cheese dog.

Since we had Disney out of the way - the rest of our vacation was supposed to be the relaxing part. But we forgot we were traveling with a two and three year old, so the relaxing time was minimal. We did do quite a few fun things however. Downtown Disney for Wetzel's and Cookies. Building Oliver's Lightning McQueen car at "Ride Makerz." The The Pool. Balboa Island and Balboa Pier (we rode in our car on the car ferry between the peninsula and the island.) Chocolate bananas on a stick. The putting green. The pool (again.) Ice cream for breakfast. Johnny Rockets for Burgers and Shakes. A little window shopping at Fashion Island. Counting gazillion dollar cars. Stalking Kobe Bryant's gated entry and neighborhood. Mom and Dad even got a one hour break for dinner at a fun spot on Highway 1 called "The Summer House."

We made it home to snowy Utah tonight, truly grateful to be home. We are enjoying looking back at our pictures and video while two little boys are sleeping soundly in their beds worn out from our travels. Thanks guys for a fun family vacation.

Day 4 - Disneyland

2010-11-12T20:58:00.000-08:00

Well... back to the big D. This year we were greeted by smaller crowds (although by human standards, still a huge crowd) fewer strollers, and big fun.

We made it in the gate by 11:00 am and stayed until closing at 8:00 pm, quite a day for a two and a three year old, but you know... "you have to get your money's worth."

We had great luck not waiting more than a couple of minutes for anything the boys could ride or that we could all ride as a family. We couldn't quite talk Oliver into riding the Matterhorn, but we did take them both on the Pirates of Caribbean. Having Callie with us was quite a help in taking turns with napping boys while mom and dad snuck in the roller coaster & tower of terror.

The boys were all smiles on the carousel, the storybook land ride, the zephyr, the bugs life rides, and dad and Oliver had a great duet on the teacups. We ate corndogs, bengal bbq, some delicious "loaded baked potato soup."

Disney is really something else. That many people, thousands of people, and they crank out good time after good time. We lost a bag at the end of the night and had to go back the next day to check the lost and found. No chance, right? Wrong, it was right there waiting for us.

Anyway - A couple of pics, with video to follow..

This is not a mistake, this is Oliver sticking it to us when we say "smile!"

Day 3 - Crystal Cove Beach - The Video

2010-11-12T08:54:00.000-08:00

Day 3, The Beach

2010-11-10T23:07:00.000-08:00

In an effort to minimize the risk of needing to call the laundry ladies downstairs yet again, we decided to hit the beach Tuesday while we let any lingering nausea run through our systems.

Just across the road from where we are staying is the Crystal Cove State Park, which is a protected and all natural beach. The nice thing about it is there are hardly any people there, the natural thing about it is that it is quite a hike to get down to the actual beach. Sometimes you have to pass by wild cougars on the way down. Not older single ladies often found here in the O.C., but actual cougars.

As many of our photos will prove, Oliver has developed a real hobby of not looking at or smiling for the camera. The moment he senses he is on film, he closes his eyes or turns away, here he is posing by his name in the sand.

Lennox was determined to beat back the sea. I think he did in fact make the tide recede quite a bit.

Here is the before mentioned "cougar". Look close right in the middle and you can see his rear end and tail. On our way down to the beach, a surfer was on his way up to the parking lot and stopped us and said "don't be alarmed, but there is a good size bobcat just down the path walking around." Sure, not to be alarmed. We walked down cautiously with another guy who determined on seeing it that it had a long tail, so that made it a cougar. O.K. Anyway, the cat crossed down into the ravine and away from us, but it was pretty exciting.

Mom and Ollie shooting foul shots near our villa. The best thing about this court is the ocean view.

Oliver dribbling coast to coast. So to speak.

Lex on his way down to the playground. Get out the way.

Oliver has been doing a lot of running on this trip. I think he has pretty good form. We spent about a half hour just running up and down the beach yesterday. We got some video of that we'll put on later.

Anyway, another easy day a little beach and fun. After the beach we hit Ruby's diner for a Bacon Cheese Burger and their yummy fries. Our friend and neighbor Callie also arrived to help us wrangle Lex a little bit for a couple of days. We are glad to have an extra set of hands.

Day 2

2010-11-08T23:40:00.000-08:00

Well, it happened again, and I can't believe it. Barf. You may or may not remember that when we took this trip a year ago, we all had the flu just before, and for the first 24 hours of our trip. It was quite a time, and one I never wanted to experience again. But, we did.

Just about an hour after getting the boys to sleep last night, our first night here, Lennox got the heaves and took care of our linens on the hide a bed the boys were using. Not fun. About 3 hours later, Oliver woke up and took care of the other bed for us. So we have become pretty good friends (enemies) with the laundry service folks here at the Marriott. Though they may resent us, I am sure grateful for them.

So, that slowed things down for us today, but I am happy to report that as of right now, the boys are both o.k. Just seemed to have a stomach bug, maybe something we ate in the way of too many treats on the plane ride.

Our big adventures today were limited to walking the grounds, hitting the playground and basketball court (with an ocean view) and taking a short drive for some pizza. We slept, watched some good pixar flicks, and cleaned up a lot.

I promise the pictures will improve. As will our activities.

Back to California, Day 1

2010-11-07T19:40:00.001-08:00

It's our favorite time of year, the time we get away to Newport Beach and enjoy the air of Southern California on our skin.

We'll try and keep a daily account of our adventures this week, and post photos that may help tell our little stories.

Today we just used up on the journey from Oak Circle in Sandy to back here at the Marriott on the Newport Coast. It's always so nice to see the ocean.

We had a pretty good and tragedy-free (of the toddler variety) trip this morning. We hitched a ride with Pa to the airport, got help from a friendly sky cap with the three checked bags, two car seats, 3 carry-ons, and one stroller.

Once through the check in we made our way up to the terminal where we found our flight was 30 minutes late. We were banking on very minimal wait, time so we had to come up with 40 minutes of "keep the boys entertained." This is where we insert our two photos from the day:

Lennox and the green apple sucker that he held on to with an iron fist through the 40 minute wait and the ENTIRE 1 hour and 40 minute flight. He licked it once in a while, but mostly he just waived it around like a scepter. He was pretty good on the plane, for Lennox, but he did kick the chair in front of him enough to get the guy sitting in said chair to turn around and give him a bit of a talking to. Finally Lex moved over and say on Dad's lap for the majority of the flight. But no real tantrums or flip outs.

Oliver is there spotting planes out the window. Both boys love anything with wheels or that goes in the sky. The airport has many of those things. Baggage carts, helicopters, planes, etc. Oliver was as good as gold for the entire journey to our villa. He told the folks on the plane we were going up in the sky, to Califonia, and to the Ocean and to Disneyland. I had a nice couple from Ogden comment how well Oliver was behaving when we were standing in line for a short eternity for our rental car.

We got in the car, headed to pop-eyes chicken and mcdonalds for a healthy start to our holiday, and made it toward the coast. Our only real mishap was that we left one bag on the carousel so dad had to make a trip back to the airport to pick it up later, but fortunately they had it waiting for us.

Tonight the boys fell asleep on mom watching Disney's Rob Hood. Man, they are beautiful when they are asleep.

So we are all geared up for the big week. We have very little planned other than Wednesday at D-land, so we will see where we end up.

T-H-R-E-E !

2010-09-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

Oliver loves: DADDY, his SILKY, Grandpa, books, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, Lightning McQueen, wearing shoes, "Daddy's red car," his bike, being "cozy"--wrapping up in too many blankets and sweating himself to sleep, chasing our dog, jumping on the trampoline, swinging, "working hard" at the retaurant and in the yard with Daddy, shows, cars & trucks, dancing, fries, holding the sprayer in the shower, going to church, the alphabet, Bob the Builder, Shaun the Sheep, talking about the cabin, sugary treats, delaying bedtime, and sunglasses.

Dislikes: Daddy leaving the house, having his hair combed, getting buckled in his carseat, when Brother breaks the rules, and being upside down.

Oliver is funny, sweet, polite, cool, agreeable, convincing, coordinated, cautious, a lefty, and BELOVED. He brings joy to our family everyday. We can't believe how fast he is growing and how deeply we love him.

96 reasons we love the cabin!

2010-07-10T16:23:00.000-07:00

- be sure to watch in 480p, it's much better.

Oliver and Lennox Trampoline

2010-06-25T22:32:00.000-07:00

The Sink

2010-06-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves the pump sink that X got for his 2nd birthday from Grandpa and Grandma Morley. The boys' best pal, Coen, who shares his fun grandma with us, brought some nuggets and fries and came to play. Hear the squeals, screams, and laughter. Smell the sunblock mingled with McDonald's grease. See the gleeful faces. Wish that Summer would quit faking us out--and keep giving us days like June 7th.

I lost my sunglasses, and X broke my back-ups. So I've been sporting this glamorous pair from the costume box--my Mom's from decades past. After sink fun, I caught Xy (pronounced: Ecksie) nonchalantly puttering in the dirt, having perched the shades on his own little nose. Best face ever.

Chez Morley

2010-06-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Chez Morley, where the soup du jour is Kibble. The activity pictured here combines many of Lennox's favorites: water, "cooking," no pants, dog food, outdoors and Pim (the name he gave his pet yellow rubber spatula). X can't help snarfing any stray nugget of kibble that Maudie overlooks. It putrefies his sweet breath and makes me ill. He really scored this evening as Maudie's dishes were left half-full and within reach. Combining their contents, he stirred and stirred an appetizing Science Diet Soup. Bon apetit!

Hangin' Tough

2010-06-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Whenever Oliver resists getting dressed, I tell him the article of clothing I want to put on him was Malcom's. (Malcom is his cool, big boy cousin who hands down lots of handsome duds.) Oliver falls for it every time. This Lightning McQueen muscle-T really was Malcom's, and it's the best shirt Oliver has ever seen. "This Malcom's shirt. Lighting Queen. So cool! I don't can b'weeve it!!" Last week his wore it to bed, all the next day, and cried when I wouldn't put it back on after his bath. I had to hide it until it could be laundered. Helping Daddy in the yard, he fell and kissed the concrete. But he bounced right back from his scraped nose, chin, forearms and knees. Apropos of his ensemble, here Oliver shows off his muscles and wounds.

Big Hair and the Piano

2010-05-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

We had the Grandfolks over for some Sunday dinner on, well, Sunday. Grampa Joe got a couple of good shots of the boys, and Oliver rocking out 80's Hair Band style.

Happy Mother's Day, Happy Spring, Wonderful Life.

2010-05-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

I have an unusual amount of mothers in my life. And my life is better for it. In fact, my life is because of them.

My emotions and gratitude are full, and to "blog" about it seems trite. But as the attention requirement from the two-year-olds in the room will prevent me from making a record by cutting down the maple tree, shearing its bark and forging an archival quality document with my bare hands, or hunting down a pheasant and crafting a Quill pen to use with ink fashioned from rare boysenberries, I guess this will have to do.

Back to the volumes of women in my life....

My own dear mom, who magaged to raise me to adulthood in spite of my daredevil tendencies and various high-risk activities through her patience, kindess, and love.

My mother-in-law who's passed on, leaving me to enjoy the beautiful heritage that was her home, and who is her daughter (more on her later.)

My mother-in-law of the present, who has listened, advised, and given me a great set of cookware.

My maternal grandmother who blessed me with her cooking in England during our shared mission.

My paternal gradmother who patiently taught me to play the piano when she felt I was old enough after turning five.

The Birth grandmothers of our two boys who have blessed us with their grace, kindess, and tenderness. Mother's of true grandeur.

The birth mother of Oliver. The Woman, The Saint, The Miracle.

The birth mother of Lennox. The Miracle, The Saint, The Woman.

You are both the literal hands of God in our lives. And because of you, my hands are full and therefore my heart is full.

And the mother of my children. Dear Cambry. My wife, my love, my light. Thank you for doing, being,....everything. Literally everything.

The common thread here is that these women bless my life everyday from every angle. From the woman who gave me life, to the women who have given us life, to the women who sustain our lives, to the woman that is my life. Each and every day my life is full because of all of you. You have taught me love, and I love you all.

Happy Mother's Day, Happy Spring, it's a Wonderful Life.

Happy Mother's Day, Happy Spring, Happy Boys 4

2010-05-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day, Happy Spring, Happy Boys 3

2010-05-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day, Happy Spring, Happy Boys 2

2010-05-09T08:38:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day, Happy Spring, Happy Boys.

2010-05-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

2010-05-07T14:19:00.000-07:00

Oliver Rocks it to Russia

2010-03-29T22:54:00.000-07:00

So the other day we hooked up Oliver with the Rock Band guitar-- the results were better than we could have dreamed. This might be one of those things that only a child's parents think is funny, but keep in mind 1. he's two, 2. he hadn't ever done this before. We think he might be born to rock.

Neat Nick

2010-03-11T20:03:00.001-08:00

One of Oliver's most endearing qualities is his preference to have everything "just so." He keeps a very regular schedule, wakes up nearly the same time every morning, prefers his socks off when not wearing shoes, always makes double sure to "kiss better" if you have an owie and expects the same in return. Oliver also loves counting and saying his ABC's, and has recently begun singing songs with us (he knows ALL the words,) and even requesting certain songs be sung. His memory is incredible, and we are pretty sure he is the smartest kid ever.

ANYWAY, a fun little example from the other day. Mommy was in the other room when she heard Oliver practicing his new trick of opening the fridge. Brother X was sleeping, so she knew the damage wouldn't be beyond a level 5 hurricane. When she came back she found Oliver had emptied the door of the fridge, and neatly lined up every bottle we currently have along the edge of the table. Notice the neat semi-circle form, and the even spacing of the bottles. Notice the stools placed up on our counter (this is to prevent X from climbing up on them and then on to the counter, and making sure eveything is NOT "just so." Oliver, you're so dang cool. We love you. Lennox, we love you too. A lot. We'll post about your special talents very soon. As soon as you let us clean the house.

Gratitude and Happiness

2010-02-15T00:37:00.000-08:00

As I have been so much enjoying our boys lately, I've been thinking about our son's birth parents and feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for their gift of parenthood to Cambry and I. In case it's not obvious, we love Oliver and Lennox more than words can say. Each day is a joy and a wonder with them. We can't believe how fast the months are flying by and how our boys are growing way too fast. I can't explain the joy of having two little guys squeal when I come home from work, or of Oliver crying when I tell him I am going back. The greatest blessing to me is that we have two very happy boys. I think every day of how great it is that they are so delighted with the smallest and simplest of things. Lennox with bubbles, Oliver with books and trains. Oliver clapping when we get it right, or Lennox just dying to be chased and then tickled. Nuggets from McDonalds or jampa! and jama! coming for a visit, rocking chair, silky, elmo, miook (milk), and especially tubby! Gratitude and Happiness from us to you.

itsy bitsy spido

2010-01-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas Time Is Here...

2009-12-18T14:46:00.000-08:00

HOP ON POP

2009-12-13T23:50:00.000-08:00

BAGS OF BABIES

2009-11-15T21:33:00.000-08:00

I don't know what we would have done without Aunt Kristin's advice and generosity in lending us these sleep sacs.

Since September Lennox has been scaling his crib and jumping out. Lamb and I would be watching t.v. around 11pm, and we'd hear the tinkling of piano keys from the living room. X would have made his way upstairs in the dark for a little music (and who knows what else before we heard him). On our trip to CA where the boys slept in small port-a-cribs (and in the same room), X showed Oli how it's done. We must have lifted them back into those cribs 700 times.

Not long after we got home from CA, Oliver started waltzing into the family room long after we had put him to bed, trains in tow, ready to play. Instead of chaining them to their cribs, we zip them in these warm and cozy bags. Now they can't swing their legs up or grip the bars with their little toes to escape. Oliver freaked out the first night. He quickly figured out how to unzip and shed his straight jacket, so now we have to safety pin his zipper.

Because Oliver mastered the "child-proof" doorknob covers ages ago, this system gives me peace of mind. I don't worry about finding him in the backyard in the middle of the night.

Months ago we removed the chairs from our kitchen to prevent the boys climbing onto the table, counters and stove. Recently I unscrewed the handle from the lowest drawer in the kitchen; the boys were using it as a ladder. Half the furniture in the family room has been relocated. And nail heads in the wall indicate where pictures hung before, tiptoeing on the couch, our boys swatted down the frames. Maybe for Christmas, Santa could bring us a monkey.

A CONVERSATION

2009-11-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday X and Oliver held what I consider their first conversation. I put in a Thomas DVD so I could stand at the stove and make dinner without mini men climbing my legs. As the copyright warning came up, Lexy said, "Elmo!" Oliver responded,"No, no Elmo. Choo choo show." Ta da! Up to now they've really only told each other, "No" or "Oli's turn."

It's a crying shame that I ruined our video camera while saving Oliver from being swept out to sea from Laguna beach (Notice the swirly hairdo he is sporting in our beach photos. I had to yank him out of the Pacific by his ankles--and he wasn't even upset until I pulled his sandy t-shirt off over his head.), because he is doing some adorable talking. One reason I have slacked on the blog is because for the past several months, it has been impossible to get photos of them together. X is incapable of holding still without being buckled down. They're both so busy that it has been more effective to take video footage. But, as I don't know how to post video online....

I hoped Brent would put together a video/photo montage of Oli's birthday party, like he did for the boys' first birthdays. That's why I never posted Oliver's second birthday pics. Happily, Sony was able to recover most of our data from the saltwater-corroded video camera. So Brent's not off the hook. And I'll try to catch up on the backlog of photos that I have meant to post.

PUMKIN FUN

2009-10-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

The boys get very excited about pumpkins. Oliver lights up when he spots one, squealing, "Pucky!" He was thrilled when, two weeks ago, we brought home a couple of plastic jack-o-lantern trick-or-treat buckets from Mega Lo Mart. But last night we finally let him and X loose in the "pumpkin patch" in front of Macey's. Loved it. We came home with four choice specimens--each with a good "handle" (the requisite stem that tops every pumpkin purchased by any of Marsh's progeny). This morning both boys shouted, "Puckies!" as they rocked and smacked their heavy harvest. Tonight we had fun poking plastic facial features into one of the pumpkins as well as a squash that has been rolling around our kitchen. The boys began by kissing the pumpkin. We ended the evening eating orange, pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies. Prepared by Nestle Tollhouse, slapped onto the baking sheet by toddlers' hands, and baked in our oven, they were delightfully mediocre. The entire evening was a slice of heaven.

Better Vacation Photos

2009-10-07T14:01:00.001-07:00

Family Vacation

2009-10-01T00:20:00.000-07:00

September 30, 2009

I’ve started a journal several times, and blah blah blah….. here it goes again.
I’m writing tonight primarily out of a sense of gratitude and overall happiness. Here, in Newport Beach at the Newport Coast Villas as summer gives way to fall back in Salt Lake (one report said it might snow there tonight,) we are here doing our best to prevent winter from coming. The place of eternal summer, Southern California, has become a healing escape for us. Already a tradition for our tiny family, this is Oliver’s third trip with us in two years, and Lennox’s second in less than one.

This year we have come to meet up with my family Mom, Dad, Nicole, Ryan, and their two boys Jackson (4), and Henry (2). I’m sure Nicole and Ryan are bound for more children, but at the moment it’s fun to be the parents of two little boys a pair. Today at Disneyland, all four boys wore their red “toy-story” t-shirts to completely eliminate any question as to whether the boys were related.

This trip did not start well. Not at all well. The previous ten days before departure our home was filled with influenza. Poop, vomit, poop, vomit, and so on and so forth. Started by Lennox and followed by Oliver, then Cambry, and finally Saturday, the day of our flight, me. Our flight was to leave at 4:50 p.m., and at 10:00 a.m. I was throwing up my shoes into the scrub oak in the back yard, something I am sure our Wheaton Terrier, Maudie, has been exploring since we left.
Anyhow, we decided to make the attempt hoping and praying that all would be well through the flight, and feeling optimistic that since our family had been suffering so long already, the worst must be behind us. With Grandma Lora and Grandpa Joe coming along to help, we boarded the plane and took off. And guess what…everything was perfect. Not a cry, whimper, poopy diaper, barf… nothing. I was a little green and sweaty, but the boys were fabulous. Sat still, ate their animal crackers, and sucked on some lollipops provided by mom to help with the ear popping from the altitude.

Then we landed. Goodbye smooth travel. My dad and I went to pick up our rental cars and left the boys with Mom and Cambry. When we came back to retrieve the family we found Oliver in the diaper-changing position on a bench near the baggage terminal. But the smell and scene surrounding Oliver let us know immediately this was no ordinary diaper change. Up his back, through the bench, on the ground, all over clothing, and as Cambry later described “the consistency of Jamba Juice.” I am sure the situation technically required a HAZMAT team. If the baggage claim hadn’t been outdoors, I am sure the area would have been shut down for at least two or more hours.

So we cleaned up. Mostly.
We loaded the cars and we headed for our villa, Grandma and Grandpa headed for Disney. About ten or maybe eleven minutes into our drive, Lennox happened. Barf. Barf. More Barf. Remember the lollipops from the plane? They liquefy into quite an unpleasant state when regurgitated. Especially when mixed with bananas, cookies, still unidentified pink and blue stuff, and a lot of dried blueberries. The pleasant new car smell we had commented on only minutes before was gone forever.

We stopped in a somewhat bad part of town (“Look, Honey! The map says we aren’t too far from Compton!”) in a McDonald’s parking lot. Thank you Mcdonald’s for always being around the next corner. Whether I have to really use the bathroom in Paris (ooo et toe-let?), or just clean up the car-turned-bathroom my kids just fashioned, there has always been a McDonald’s when I needed one. So we cleaned up, got back on the road and five minutes later…barf. How Lennox had anymore to throw up will always be a mystery… I didn’t know it was possible to actually evacuate your entire body weight.

So we finally arrived at the villa. Beautiful as always, ocean view, lots of space, and can’t wait to settle in. We got unloaded, somewhat cleaned up, and started to think about the next week ahead of us. “Jooos Daddy?” says Oliver. “O.k. Buddy” I said. And after one swig of the watered down Powerade…. YACK! Oliver unloaded everything he had in him. At this point I started to cry a little on the inside. It looked like a very very long week was ahead.

But the reason I am inspired to write, is because despite our ominous start to this vacation, it has actually turned out splendid. The next day, Sunday, we took it easy and got our stomachs back in order. Since then we’ve been all systems go.

Our first day at Disneyland was more or less to cut our teeth on doing Disney with toddlers. This is not something I would recommend. Millions do it of course, but that’s exactly the reason I don’t recommend it. There are so many attempting to attend Disneyland with toddlers that it really is a bit of a fiasco. The Monday we were there was Yom Kippur (we were told), and the huge numbers of strollers fighting for sidewalk space was terrifying. Imagine Hitchcock’s The Bird’s only with herds of strollers instead of the terrorizing flocks. But I digress. We had fun anyway and took the boys on Small-World, Dumbo, the Carousel, and had some overpriced and very bland pizza. Two slices and a medium sized beverage = $17.50. Nice. We called it a day at about 6:00. By the time we hit the on-ramp the boys were asleep.

Golf on Tuesday at the ocean side Monarch Beach was divine. I got a great hook-up from our next door neighbor Steve Gallenson who is also vacationing here coincidentally. His son-in law Adam used to be a superintendant at a golf course and managed to get us a professional courtesy rate that saved us over a hundred bucks each. The weather was perfect and Steve, Adam, and their cousin/nephew Todd were all fantastic partners. We stopped at Ruby’s diner on highway 1 for some great burgers on the way home.

But today, Wednesday, is why I am really writing. Another day at Disney, only today was everything we could have hoped for and more. We started the day at Goofy’s Kitchen for their “character breakfast.” I wasn’t so sure this was a good idea because taking our two boys to any restaurant including my own usually ends in one of them crying, or at least being shot dirty looks from the surrounding tables. But this was perfect. A delightful buffet of breakfast foods perfect for the tiny hands and fickle appetites of little people… I mean children, but also for adults. Fruit, cereal, omelets, gummy worms in Oreos, hot dogs, peanut butter pizza, smoked salmon, ice cream, it really ran the spectrum. And it was good. The boys were so happy to have so many different things to eat placed in front of them one after the other. Lennox was shoving strawberries into his mouth complete with stems and all. Oliver was thrilled with bacon, jello, oj, eggies, fruit loops. I realize none of those food items sound particularly gourmet, but just having the variety, not having to wait for it to arrive, not caring if they didn’t like it, just get something else… this was kid (and parent) heaven. On top of all the food variety were the Disney characters. We had Goofy, Pluto, Dale, Princess Jasmine, Baloo, all come to visit. Both boys were all smiles, which was a relief since Oliver started off our Monday at Disney being terrified of the car valets in flat-caps and knickers. Halfway through breakfast chef goofy came out and had all the kids in the restaurant gather and help him “bake a cake.” He handed out pretend shakers of sugar that Lennox and Oliver danced with and shook wildly, grinning the whole time the music played.

After breakfast we ventured to California Disney, or Disney California, and explored their toddler’s attractions. We rode lady bugs, caterpillars, drove bumper cars and played in the fountain. We succeeded in getting three of the four boys to sleep while the adults took turns on the “Soar over California” ride that was really a neat simulator type ride honoring the airplane history of California.

Later we hit the “Tower of Terror” and Cambry and I loved the size and scope of the hotel with all the details and clever things the Disney folks came up with to add to the experience. The hotel lobby and boiler room was just as neat as the ride itself. The boys of course stayed with the grandfolks while we rode some of the grown up stuff.

We also went to a cool animation-movie thing with Crush from Nemo, but Oliver got tired of being “inside” so mommy had to take him out while the rest of us stayed and laughed at the turtles funny jokes. We think Oliver doesn’t like to be in a place without windows too long. He doesn’t much care for elevators either.

Oliver went to nap with Grandpa for a while and Cambry and I and Lennox went to a Mexican restaurant at Downtown Disney that we had liked last year. Unfortunately the waitress was a crank and the food was overpriced. We spent $40.00 to split a burrito, some guacamole, and a margarita. The food was o.k. but come on, its rice and beans people.

After we changed a few diapers back at the room, the four of us headed for the real Disneyland. We took the boys to the haunted mansion that was all decorated with the “Nightmare before Christmas” for their Halloween festivities. I was nervous they would be scarred, but we gave them each a Mickey Mouse sucker and they were both enthralled. It was the longest I have seen Lennox pay attention to one thing in his life. His eyes were glued to all the fun. By the time we were done, the suckers had pretty much made the boys sticky from head to toe.

Cam and I took turns on Splash Mountain. Cam got soaked, I did not. I learned some pretty skillful maneuvers pushing two strollers at once and got a couple of comments from people passing while Cam was on the ride. We got some “BBQ” from the Bengal BBQ, and we learned that Oliver loves Cheetos, but not really BBQ. He also loves orange Fanta, so it was a pretty orange meal all around.

By now it was getting dark, so Cam did one more on “Indiana Jones” and we started toward the exit. We stopped in the gift shop for a briar bear/rabbit/fox souvenir but mysteriously there are none to be found. We said goodbye to Mickey and headed toward the car but not before stopping for one more frozen lemonade and a Wetzel’s Pretzel cheese dog. Some of mine and Cam’s favorite foods are found in downtown Disney within 100 feet of each other. A Wetzel’s Pretzel and Frozen Lemonade, and a Supreme Chocolate Chip Cookie from the candy shop. We are nutritious I know.

As we approached the car I was nervous that it was going to cost us $40.00 to get out of the lot. We had parked in a kind of premium parking lot due to the Goofy’s Kitchen Breakfast in the hotel that morning. The rates were six dollars an hour and we had been there all day. But when we got to the gate – the light was green and the attendant was gone for the day. Hooray! Free Parking! Just as we pulled out the fireworks started up and Oliver from the back seat with glee shouted “Pop!”… “Pop!” “Hot!”……. “Pop!”

The ride home tonight was much different than Monday night. Oliver and Lennox laughed most of the 20 miles, teasing each other and “talking” about their day. We had races to the elevator in the parking lot at the villa and played peek a boo in the courtyard. At one point when we weren’t looking Oliver pushed the elevator button again, and he and lennox got on and the door shut behind them. We didn’t know where they had gone until the door slid open again and they came out in a pile laughing at us. When we finally got back to the room Oliver didn’t want to come in the door because I think he knew that meant our day was finally over. He cried for a second, until he heard the bath.

Well thanks Disney. You took great memories from my childhood, mixed them up with great new memories of my kids in their childhood, and now I really am a sucker for Disney.
But really, what I want to remember is how much I love my family and how much adoration for them I have after spending this week together. Cambry is a stellar mom to our boys. Our boys are the most wonderful thing I can imagine. And I get to be the dad. To be the dad and a husband for this crew is such a privilege. To have time and means to go on a family vacation like this is truly a gift. I am so grateful to have been a part of and a witness to the miracles that have occurred in our lives over the last couple of years. I am positive that Heavenly Father put this little family together. I am so grateful to Him for that. I am a lucky lucky man. Can’t wait till next year.

- Brent

Catch Up

2009-09-06T21:16:00.001-07:00

Has it really been since July that we have posted?! Good grief.. summer has flown by and here we are up to Oliver's 2nd Birthday. Seems like we are still cleaning up from the first one. Pictures of the Birthday to follow soon, but first a little catch up. Here's a few from a fun Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks ago at Grandma and Grandpa Morley's house.

MY GUYS

2009-07-19T21:47:00.001-07:00

Thanks for a swell birthday, my loves.

Grandpa's Garden

2009-07-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Joe took this picture in his beautiful backyard. He calls it "Too Much Pumpkin Juice."

2009-07-12T01:06:00.001-07:00

December 08

2009-07-11T23:52:00.000-07:00

We've been meaning to post this for a while...Of course as parents we think this is the cutest thing in the world. And you'll have to pardon the "baby talk" from mom. It's the same voice both mom and dad have 90% of our conversations in these days.--Brent

What Happens in the High Chair...

2009-05-27T21:31:00.001-07:00

What's more precious than a sleeping baby?

What's more rascally than taking advantage of a sleeping brother?

THANK YOU

2009-05-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

I'm eternally grateful to the beautiful,courageous,and loving women who gave me the unparalled gift of motherhood. I love you, Kelsey and Heather!

Daddy's Hat

2009-04-30T23:15:00.001-07:00

Mr. Mischief Got a Big Boy 'Do

2009-04-30T23:12:00.000-07:00

All He Wants To Do Is Drive

2009-04-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

Oliver is all about cars and trucks. He has a hybrid word for the two that sounds like "cock." (You know, half car half truck. Like an El Camino.) It's almost impossible to buckle him in his carseat these days, because he wants to DRIVE. Sometimes when X is napping, Oli and I hang out in the garage. He could stand in the driver's seat for hours steering, making sound effects, pushing buttons, and opening and closing the garage door with the remote.

MY BABIES

2009-04-11T10:30:00.001-07:00

I could kiss these faces 800 times and not be done.

COME ON, SPRING!

2009-04-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

The boys are loving the wagon that Grandma and Grandpa gave them for Christmas.

QUARTET

2009-03-21T22:28:00.000-07:00

The boys had great fun when their cousins came to town early in February. We celebrated Jackson's third birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Morley's house, ending the evening around the piano for a monkey concert. (Both Henry and X have February birthdays too. Good times abound.)

2009-03-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

We also had a bang-up time at Gymboree. And, Grandpa Joe captured every blessed moment of our fun. Lennox, you may perceive, was particularly pumped about playing at the Gym.

Old MacLennox Turns 1

2009-02-23T10:11:00.001-08:00

Thanks so much to every one who made this such a special day! Happy Birthday Lennox - We Love You!

WE'VE CHANGED DIAPERS

2009-01-31T21:33:00.001-08:00

Since July I've been sneaking into Oliver's room around midnight to change his diaper once more before I go to bed. Even so, he would be soaked through by morning almost daily. He does not drink excessively--but he has been known to sleep up to 15 hours a night. (I know; I couldn't love him more.) We got a tip about Pampers Cruisers and made the switch from Huggies. The Pampers have been doing a much better job for my little race horse. Plus they have a pleasant baby powder scent.

TWO BOYS, JANUARY '09

2009-01-19T00:04:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since we posted any video. Here's a little montage of life around the house this winter.

LOOK WHO'S WALKING, TOO!

2009-01-18T22:02:00.000-08:00

At 10 1/2 months, Lennox took off walking on January 9, 2009! The squat-thrusts he has been pounding since he turned nine months have paid off at last. His are some powerful little thighs, inspiring a new nickname: "OX." (As in "Strong as an ox.") He can walk across the room, but Oliver and Maudie rarely give him the chance.

WINTER FUN

2009-01-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

Lots of snow this year: bundle up.

CHRISTMAS 2008

2009-01-08T20:51:00.001-08:00

OVERDUE

2009-01-08T12:57:00.000-08:00

For the past week or two, the babies have been alternating naptimes. After breakfast X goes down for his morning nap and then happens to wake just as I put Oli down for his nap (O's down to one day-time snooze). Then after Oliver is up for a while, X is ready for his late afternoon nap. I believe they're in cahoots to keep me from the daily shower I had started to take for granted. No overlapping naps also means no blog time during the day. I'm behind.

WE LOVE BABY VI

2008-12-24T11:22:00.000-08:00

FUNNY BOY

2008-12-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

Oliver, in his most dapper and mature stance, watching Elmo.

There is something so irresistible and amusing about the way Lolly moves. He is very dexterous and coordinated...but he pulls these funny faces and leads with his tummy. He looks like a little Who. He is an agile climber and you always get the feeling he knows something that he's not letting on. In his deep, dry voice, he jabbers in what sounds to me like Hungarian. Or Hebrew. Lots of consonants. My neighbor thinks it sounds like the Ewok language. Oliver often runs with his eyes closed. ?? And he loves to zip around with his silky over his face playing peek-a-boo as he bounces of the walls, floor, and furniture. He reaches for outlets or climbs on the piano, looking over his shoulder at me saying, "Nuh-no." He keeps me smiling all day. A busy bundle of joy!

MAMA TIRED

2008-12-21T21:48:00.000-08:00

The boys got over their stomach flu a good week and a half ago, yet I dreamed all last night about cleaning up vomit. A couple times I woke up, thinking I heard one of them whimpering in the next room. Turns out it was just my companion's nose whistling. An exhausting night, even with the babies sleeping soundly.

Not only has Lamb been working ridiculous hours--like SEVENTY this week, plus Messiah rehearsal and performance--but he has also taken my car to work because of the bad snow and the extra deliveries and catering jobs that pack December. So my lads and I have been home-bound even after they got well. (No end in sight to the runny noses they've had since Thanksgiving weekend. But the ralphing and the big D are over.) It has already been a long, cold, lonely winter. If not for dear Lori and Marge, I wouldn't have even a little Christmas shopping done. I just barely got our Christmas cards to the post office late last night.

When X was napping yesterday, I bundled Oli and took him in the backyard to alleviate his cabin fever. Maudie immediately absconded with one of his mittens. She's bored, too.

Can't wait for 3pm on Christmas Eve when the restaurant will be CLOSED for the blessed holiday.

I'm pooped but restless. Who wants to meet at midnight for some treacherous sledding at Willowcreek park??

ATTEMPTS AT A CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTO

2008-12-15T19:59:00.001-08:00

9 MONTH CHECKUP

2008-12-05T20:10:00.000-08:00

At his 9 month check up, our little X weighed in at 21 pounds (50%) and was 29 3/4inches long (90%). He was working on some squats for a few days and now can push up to standing without holding anything for support. With hands and feet close together on the floor, he pushes his bum up, stinkbug-style, and then simply raises from the waist. (He won't do it while the video camera is on.) He stands in place for several seconds, making gorilla noises, and we're afraid he's just going to start marching one of these first days. He and Brother have been under the weather. We've got boxes of tissue in strategic spots. And lets not talk about the synchronized dia diapers today.

THANKSGIVING

2008-11-30T20:19:00.000-08:00

A tidy Thanksgiving at home with just the Larson side this year. Note the swell place cards and centerpiece Asher helped me make.

"IS THERE A PROBLEM, OFFICER?"

2008-11-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

SHORN

2008-11-30T13:05:00.001-08:00

I took Oliver to Cookie Cutters for some help with his long locks. The stylist buzzed him much shorter than I requested. Maybe since it was Veteran's Day, she was providing haircuts suitable for lads wanting to enlist. Right afterward I thought it was cute, though drastic. But the next day I cried a little for my baby. He looks so big--especially as he is running everywhere he goes these days. It will grow.

TEETH

2008-11-30T12:52:00.000-08:00

X's first tooth finally poked through on November 16th, just before he turned 9 months old. He let us know it was coming a few days prior by screaming all night, according to Brent, "like a chimpanzee getting skinned." Poor baby. Oliver was cutting a couple new teeth at the same time. Instead of crying about it, he found something soft to bite.

Naughty, but Lennox is so delicious, you can't really blame Oliver.

NEWPORT BEACH

2008-11-21T22:57:00.001-08:00

LONG LIVE HALLOWEEN!

2008-11-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

Much to the disappointment of the neighborhood, we didn't do our standard Halloween Bash. Three reasons: 1) two mobile babies who would have ruined or been injured by our haunted basement/backyard. 2) Shayna and family, some of our most dedicated party patrons, had a 7-day-old baby. 3)We were flying to California the morning of November 1st. So we had a drastically downscaled Halloweener. The party was at Shayna's on the 30th.

I even let slip my philosphy of "creepy over cutesy" costumes. Lennox had to be a bunny. He simply is an adorable chubby bunny. So Oliver was his magician. Cool as ever, he stayed in character all night. And when I decided Lamb should be a sock monkey, I tried to think of another toy for my costume. I found the blouse in the costume closet, and "Back From Beijing Barbie" evolved. Looking at the pics (I'm only sharing the most flattering), perhaps "Thunder Thighs Barbie" would have been more accurate.

Here's Kinners again since she got cut off in the slide show:

BABY VIOLET

2008-11-19T11:04:00.000-08:00

Shayna had her baby girl October 23 at about 3:30 am. (Kevin called me about 2:20 am, "This is your brother-in-law, Kevin Swiss." I guess you want to be specific at that hour. He said I was quiet for two beats and then replied, "BABY??")

Violet Jan Swiss. Jan after our mommy whose birthday is the following day. Our mom didn't much like her own name, but we really like our mom. Shayna is She-ra. She devlivered naturally again, by choice. Kinsey and I joined Kev to witness the miracle. Nothing, NOTHING like the birth of a new person. I get weepy thinking about it. Violet is beautiful like her momma, and we all love her.

She's about 12 hours old in this picture.

And here she is in confection form: the cake I made for Shayna's shower.

FALL PICNIC OCTOBER 16, 2008

2008-11-16T19:24:00.001-08:00