Nuala braves The Falls

Nuala is awesome.  She loved going down the falls during our Oregon camping trip.  She and Bran both really wanted to do it, so finally we let them.  Bran went once with Daddy.  He liked the ride, but came up crying because the water was so cold.  In the video you'll notice that many of the big people are wearing wetsuits, but little Bran and Nuala toughed it out without one.  Nuala went down three times, and had a blast, the little thrill-seeker.  I wish we could make the video full-screen, because you can't really see her wave to the camera, and then plug her little nose, let it go, and plug it again.  AND you can't see the big grin she has on when she pops up out of that freezing water!  Cousin McKenna goes first in the video, then Nuala on cousin Morgan's lap.  Oh, that girl is something else! Not many 2-1/2 year olds brave The Falls.  Next year she's going backwards...

A little more Texas...

Just a few more pictures...

Sweet little Maire's (Maura) baptism day.  We get baptized in our church at the age of 8.  Her dress was so pretty, she looked like an angel! But we know better... And Declan, her 4-yr old brother.

Nuala, Declan, and Rowan...just hanging out...

Playing ring-around-the-rosey with Granny at Aislinn's awesome neighborhood pool!

Rowan, RUNNING at the pool.  His mother should be ashamed.  See the very cool slides? I told you it was an awesome pool.

Bran and his sparkler, celebrating the 4th in the Mellor's backyard.  He didn't sleep till about 10.

Aislinn and Ciaran, and Tara and Teresa, after the babies were blessed by their fathers in sacrament meeting today.

Granny made Cookie Monster's famous sugar cookies with the kiddos.  We used to make these when we were little, too! Always our initials...and other stuff, but that's the big one we remember, making our initials.  Now Bran and Nuala get to do it, too, and they loved it!  Lotsa fun.

Still makin' the cookies... Uncle Gary is a big help... ;)

Grandad telling "Ban Knight!" ("Bran Knight") stories to the pair of them.  They're full of demands for people to "sing a story!"  Grandad is a good story-singer.  :)  

Gotta catch up, gotta catch up...

Goodness me, I am so behind on blogging and reading blogs...but to keep me a little caught up, here are some pics from our time here in TX. I'm somewhat annoyed, because our little point-and-shoot not only has been acting funny, as in producing fuzzy, washed out pictures, but SOMEHOW (I blame myself, for letting Bran play with the camera too much...) batches of cute family and river pictures got deleted. Grrr.... But, here are some that stuck around:

The newbies. Ciaran (Keer-an) and Teresa, at a little over a month and almost a month old. Such cuties! Nuala asked, when she first met Teresa, "This OUR baby?" Ohhhh, Nuala. If only it were that simple...

Boerne Bergesfest Parade. Something cool was no doubt on its way...

Bran pretending to drive. He really liked the little cars behind him.

Z, Nuala, Bran, and Granny and Grandad, at the end of the parade. Well, the end for us. It was HOT out! And we got loads of candy.

Bran taking a swing at the piñata at the church party. He lives for whacking things. And he's darn good at it, too!

Nuala. In pink. She was having fun, too!

Erin and Rob and their 3 kiddos overlapped our time in Texas, and they sent Liam, Brigit, and Colin to the party while they went to Erin's 10-yr high school reunion. This is Colin. I like this picture, because Nuala has Bran's sucker, poor boy. Doesn't look too happy, does he?

Granny turned ** while we were there, so she got lots of help blowing out her measly few candles (which greatly under-represent her age, ha ha! ;)

Erin, Rob, Liam, Brigit, and our little family went to Schlitterbahn, pretty much the coolest waterpark ever... We had so much fun, even with the kiddos! It wasn't all the crowded, and there were fun rides we could all go on. Brigit and Nuala are so cute. Brigit was 3 in February, Nuala 2 in December, and they really clicked. They share a love of pink and princesses and getting into mischief. That's Nuala in the blue, and Brigit in the pink above.

Zac and Liam.

Nuala and Brigit on a PINK duck.

Erin, me, and Bran coming down one of the slides.

Nuala, Brigit, Colin, Liam, and Bran at the library storytime.

Uncle Gary reading a Barbie book to his little pink nieces. And Liam. He's a great uncle!

Bran and some new additions to his arsenal. He strips his shorts off so he can sheath the swords just right...

Feeding the ducks at the river -- Nuala and Granny.

Me. Feeling pukey, but not showing it. Go, Fiona! Gary is sneaking off in the background. We match. He likes to copy me sometimes (not that I blame him).

A new way Bran has come up with to carry his swords around. And see the little ducklings? Awww...

This is adorable. I got to visit with a couple of friends from High School, Katie and Kyle. Katie's little girl had outgrown one of her princess dresses and Katie was so sweet to give it to little Nuala! Even whipped out her sewing machine and stiched up a torn ruffle. And Nuala adores it. My poor deprived girl has no princess dresses, and insisted on wearing this one all over the place. Here she is with Bran going to storytime again (without cousins...sniff, sniff...).

And with her new princess shoes!! Finally. Doesn't she look like a showgirl with her dress hiked up like this? Usually she's a tad more modest, which we encourage. ;)

Bran helping Granny pick really hard pears from the trees in the backyard.

My cousin Ruth and her husband James and their 5 children (almost 6!) came to visit. David, who is a month older than N&B, LOVES swords, too. He and Bran provided some great entertainment for us! They were so cute!

Aren't her girls adorable? They're the ones in blue...well, the ones that AREN'T Nuala and Bran are, obviously, hers. And little David's in there, of course.

So that's a bit of what we've been up to. I'm still looking for pictures that mysteriously disappeared from our GOOD camera (what's up with our picture luck?)...we'll see if those show up. There's a drought/heat wave here in Texas, and the rivers are so low and warm. Well, they're always relatively warm, of course, but we love going there to play and it just wasn't the same. We go camping next week in Oregon with Z's family, so we'll be playing a lot at the river there. But it's so cooooold! We will survive. And Zac, the polar bear, will thrive. It'll be fun, we're looking forward to it!

We just got back from Austin. My 8-yr old niece was baptized yesterday, and the two babies were blessed in church today. It was a special time; I'm glad we could be here for those things, too. I'll miss my family so much! The time goes too quickly when we come visit. We got to see all 3 of my sisters and their families, and my brother. At the SAME time. Doesn't happen too easily... I've been very blessed with wonderful parents and siblings, and a wonderful family that I married into, also. Family is good. Very good. :)

bleh

While we are THRILLED to be pregnant (if you didn't catch that in the previous post...we're pregnant. Well, I'm pregnant. And Nuala thinks she is.), it is a colossal bummer to be nauseous and morning sick for what will most likely be the entire time we are here in the States. Sigh. Do you know how I've dreamed of good Mexican food, Thai food, spicy BBQ, Popeyes fried chicken...??!? Ah, the carefully thought-out plans of where we'd eat in each city...now, even if I can choke it down, I feel so disgusting afterwards. Even the plethora of delicious fruit available right now makes me ill. Oh, the blueberries and apricots, raspberries and cherries, plums, peaches, strawberries... Sigh, sigh, and double sigh. Worth it, though.

Though thankfully, I'm not nearly as bad as I was when I was pregnant with Nuala and Bran. A definite blessing of only having one little baby in there! At least in my case. And I'm only 7-1/2 weeks along. Pretty early, so hopefully all goes well and I will continue to feel gross for several more weeks. Though I'd rather all goes well, and I DON'T feel gross, but I'll take it either way, as long as the "all goes well" part stays consistant.

Also, we're here! In the good ole' USA. Obviously. And have had a great and tiring time in Virginia seeing old friends and going to lots of appts., etc. for our next move. But, all that good stuff will hafta wait for another post. I'm kinda behind. And did I mention I feel pukey?

And just because I need a picture...all of us in front of the Washington DC temple. I've become addicted to taking family pictures in front of the temple and have some from the Montevideo temple I want to put up. And haven't yet. But here is the beautiful DC temple! And both children, somewhat smiling, and LOOKING in the general direction of the camera! Gasp.

This time...

This time on Friday, we'll be on a plane to Virginia.

This time in two weeks, we'll be hanging out in Texas.

This time next month, we'll be camping in Oregon.

This time in two months, we'll be in our new place in Bulgaria.

This time in six months, we'll be getting ready to wish Nuala and Bran a happy 3rd birthday.(what the --?? where does the time go!?)

This time next year, we'll be snuggling a sweet little 4-month old!

Plaza de la Armada

These are some pictures from different outings to a park here in Montevideo that we've grown to LOVE. It's just a big plaza, Plaza de la Armada (plaza/square of the Navy) , with a lot of green space and loads of people just enjoying the view. It's very restful (even when chasing Nuala and Bran around), and usually has lots of woof-doggies we can stop and talk to/pet. Which is very important if you're Nuala or Bran.

Downtown Montevideo sticking out into the water...

Throwing rocks into the little pool.

Watching the "big" boys play fútbol...

Woohoo! Rock climbing!

Plenty of aimless running around, too...and plenty of running around aimed at something in particular -- namely, pigeons.

Handsome fellas!

I love it. People just sitting on the grass, enjoying the beautiful view...drinking maté. Like I said, very restful. They don't even seem to mind when N&B go full speed past them. OR, haha...when it's a couple snuggling and the kiddos stop right beside them and S.T.A.R.E... Oh, that's the best. And then loudly say to Z and I, "beso, Mama! Give besos!"

The crazy cool sewer troll! This is some sort of sewer thingy, and while the art is pretty awesome, it doesn't do much to disguise the smell.

Climbing up past the troll, there's even more art...

And THIS...this is the pipe that blows out really stinky air...Ah, yes, the joys of childhood.

There's a pier of sorts where people like to fish, and we like to watch.

There was one potentially traumatic experience, when a nice fisherman caught a fish and plopped it in front of N&B, who were then left watching it flop in its death throes while the guy returned to his pole. I really wanted to throw it back in, but Z convinced me it might be the guy's dinner and it wouldn't be fair. N&B seemed slightly worried about the fishie, so we said a little prayer that he wouldn't be scared and moved on. Overall, it's still fun to watch the fishermen.

Ahhhh...the beautiful sunsets...

Packin' Out

Or rather, "packed" out. All our boxes of stuff have been loaded into big wooden crates, to make the long journey via ship to our new pink house in Bulgaria. Well, except for one lonely box that gets to go by air, full of owie-pokie foam swords, 2 little yellow bicycles, and a couple of other toys. You know, the important stuff. And let me tell you, we are really missing those foam swords! In the last couple of days, we have all fallen victim many, MANY times to whackings with nice hard sticks by super-apologetic-after-the-fact Bran...just can't help himself... Anyway, it sure is empty around here! Feels kinda nice...nice and free.

This time next week, we'll be on a long flight up to VA... Doesn't feel quite real yet!

(Notice how Bran is armed with one of his nice whacking sticks. These are collected any time we're outside, and then seem to be stashed all over the place. His secret little arsenal.)

Going for rides on the dolly was lots of fun. They didn't let me have a turn.

Back to the tents, after packing up their cribs. We left them unzipped, and found them like this. Nuala had totally moved herself, her blankie, and her princess doll to snuggle by Bran. It was really cute and sweet. And her bum's up in the air, which makes it about SIX times cuter and sweeter.

Also, they aren't going back into their cribs once we get to Bulgaria! Sad, huh? We figure we might as well put 'em into "big" boy and girl beds, just let the embassy furnish those for us. So we get to do some fun sheet shopping! Nuala wants Dora or princesses, she goes back and forth, and Bran wants "owie-pokie knight" sheets. I should specify, that when Nuala's a princess, she and Bran always refer to her as an "owie pokie princess" because she is well armed and fights trolls right alongside "owie pokie knight" Bran.

Not packout related, but look at these pretty orange flowers blooming at the beginning of winter down here! Surprise, suprise!

ALSO when the aloe vera flowers are at their finest. You should see the huge spreads of aloe when they're in bloom. And you could, if I took a picture, but that hasn't happened yet. They look beautiful, though, take my word.

Two of our gardeners hard at work this past Monday. The little one is not a regular gardener, that's Bran ;) He wanted so badly to go out and work with them! He is just so sweet and cute and growing up way too fast!

I'm so grateful that I've been blessed with these little kiddos; even on rough days I'm thanking Heavenly Father for them throughout the day. On those days, sometimes it's followed with a "but..." as in, "but please help him to actually listen to me!" or "but please help me be more patient!" or "but please let them nap for about 3 hours!" Ha! As if. That one is seldom answered with a "yes." Ah, well! I'm still thankful! ;)

Новото ни вкъщи в Вългария... our new house in Bulgaria

It is time for us to be moving on again, we've enjoyed living in Montevideo but we are also really excited to get to our new home and settle in. I had a business trip to Europe in late April and while I was there I was able to take a week and visit Sofia and see the outside of our new house. It's pink, and outside pictures don't do the inside justice. It also couldn't be located in a better place. It is up the side of Vitosha mountain just under the treeline, and the ski resort is nearby, along with the embassy... though I'm personally more excited to be close to some decent skiing, it's been a long time coming. Nuala loves the fact that it is pink.

We sold our TV and home theatre this last week, but Nuala the Disney movie czar is convinced that we just mailed the big 'ol tv on to the "Pink House". It's been a lot of fun as we prepare to packout to see what the kids think about moving and where we are going, and a little sad to realize they have no comprehension of the fact we will be living out of suitcases the next 9 weeks starting this wednesday. They are going to want to go "home" after the first 2 weeks of being on the road, hopefully they will forget what they are missing as they get to play with their tons of cousins in Texas and Seattle.

Prior to travelling to Sofia I was in Frankfurt for a week, and in between heading to Bulgaria I had a weekend so I drove over to Brussels to visit my cousin and his wife, Greg and Megan, who are attending the same Masters program I did already too many years ago. Fiona and I will always have a soft spot for Brussels, if you haven't been... go, it's such a great city. While there I hit a bunch of our favourite places.

Beersel Castle

St. Michaels Cathedral, near Grand Platz

Five star accomadations at the Jentzsch residence

Fresh from Heaven...!

Those May babies are here! Much to the relief of their mothers and the excitement of the rest of us...

May 18, Ciaran Oliver Joseph made his grand entrance, at 8 lbs 8 oz and 19 inches long. Aislinn, Curtis and the rest of the gang are in love. He was early, like all five of his siblings, and was quickly welcomed into a poking, prodding, "My turn to hold him!" home. Lucky boy. If he can survive 3 older brothers and 2 older sisters, he can survive anything.

(When Bran saw the above photo, he immediately, and very excitedly, yelled, "Him sucking thumb!" Bran is way into his thumb, and since the only other "person" he has seen sucking his thumb has been Prince John on the Disney cartoon movie Robin Hood (which is the movie of choice lately), I think he was pretty stoked to see a cute little boy (Rowan) with his thumb popped in his mouth instead of a cowardly bad guy. I love my Bran Man AND his thumb! And below, 4 of his 5 siblings, making sure Ciaran feels nice and loved.)

AND, Early May 29th, my baby sister Tara had an induced 5-hour labor (now, I've never been in labor, but even to me that sounds unfairly short! ;) and "little" Teresa Brigid -- named after my mother's mother -- was born, at 9 lbs. 13 oz. and 21.5 inches. Oh, that chunky girl :) Pictures courtesy of her pleased-as-punch papa, Marcus... Look! A double chin!

(The dainty pink bow makes me chuckle a little, on this chunky little screamer! But still oh-so-cute!)

FIRST, I can't believe my little baby sis is a mother! And, SECOND, little Teresa looks just like a Ricker baby! I look at pics of her and I see the baby pics of my sisters and brother and me. It's just amazing. Fat cheeks, squishy eyes, black black hair.

When we were born, people always thought we looked Chinese or Mexican, I mean, LOTS of black hair, and all 5 of us were over 9 lbs. None as big as Teresa. (Erin's Liam still holds the family record at 9-14, though) My twins were dinky little 6+ pounders, and had hair, but not the black hair this girl has. Erin's Brigit, who's 3 now, looked Ricker-y, her boys not so much. Aislinn's 6 kiddos didn't all that much, either, but Teresa! It's just uncanny. I know y'all don't really care about this, but to me, WOW! So that's why I'm going on and on...but I'm done now.

I can't wait to see them and hold them in a few weeks. Not only are new babies darn cute, but I love the sweet feeling of their little spirits, coming straight from Heavenly Father! Nuala doesn't call them by their names, but is full of plans to hold the "pink baby" or the "niña" and also has planned that Bran will hold the "blue baby" or "niño". Me, I plan on holdin' and lovin' on them both!

p.s: I know...8 pics of babies that aren't even mine...a tad overboard? well, it's MY blog, so there! ;P

boys will be boys...

Doesn't matter what country they're from, or what language they're speaking. Boys are just hard-wired certain ways.

Example -- wait a sec, I'm LAUGHING again...right NOW, thinking about this...............okay, I'm ready:

A little background...In my little Sunbeam (los Rayitos del Sol, or 'little rays of sun'. Isn't the Spanish name so cute?) class at church, I have 3 little boys, and 1 girl. This is the class for children who are 3 at the beginning of the year and they turn 4 during it. So they're little guys. Wow. Bran and Nuala will be Sunbeams next year...wow. Anyway, the girl, Vicky, is the little jefa, the little boss of the class. Long dark hair, big brown eyes, super on-the-ball and bosses those boys like nothing else. I love her :) The boys, Gabrielito, Joaquim, y Joaquin are cute little fellas, too. They have their rascally moments (they ARE 3, after all), but are little sweethearts. Joaquim totally looks like he could be Zachariah's son with his red wavy hair, and the other two are handsome little dark-haired fellows, with deep brown eyes. I love those boys, too. :)

Anyway, the STORY! Potty breaks are often a necessity with our class, and one Sunday all four of them needed to tinkle. So off we go, trooping down the hallway to the ladies room, where there are two stalls. Vicky immediately dashes in one, shutting and locking the door while loudly proclaiming that SHE was in there and NOBODY should open the door, etc. etc. Hahaha :) The three boys look at the other toilet and all start the long process of undoing belts and extricating you-know-who's. Gabriel heads over to stand by the toilet first, and before I know it, Joaquim y Joaquin have joined him!! I told them to take turns and all that, but did they? Nope. Three little boys, all standing around one toilet, ALL peeing and -- this is amazing -- not ONE of them got peed on! You'd think with three little streams a-going, someone was bound to get caught in the crossfire. But, no. Apparently they are all miniature sharpshooters. And then, when I thought the spectacle of three little boys all peeing in the same toilet couldn't get any better, little Joaquin, the smallest fella, pipes up while shamelessly staring at the others' goods: "¡El mío es el más grande!" Need I translate? Probably not, but I will... "Mine's the biggest!" (But it wasn't. Don't worry, I didn't point that out.)

It was very hard for me not to bust up right then and there. Very hard. I love my class :D