mostlyazalea

February 4

2012-02-07T20:40:00.002-06:00

a little dance party with glow sticks and good friends

December 19 video

2012-02-07T18:16:00.002-06:00

December 7

2012-02-07T18:12:00.003-06:00

Playing hide-and-seek with Lois & Charlie

January 31

2012-01-31T17:05:00.003-06:00

This is what happens when Azalea (our teacher) comes home from Spanish language dual immersion kindergarten (not complaining). She made the book at home, not at school. It sort of goes on and on...

January 18

2012-01-22T16:26:00.001-06:00

movie, popcorn, glow sticks = pure satisfaction

January 15

2012-01-22T16:14:00.001-06:00

Can you find Monkey?

January 8

2012-01-22T16:05:00.002-06:00

Great day for a lemonade stand!

Some Azalea quotes:

7/24/11 Amy, involve me please (while Amy is singing to Vaughn).

7/26/11 That’s the thing about that container, it’s always your enemy.

8/1/11 Would it be natural for me to ask Beth and Terry to take me to Wisconsin Dells?

8/7/11 I never keep my mouth shut unless I have to.

8/18/11 When mint ice cream reaches the back of my throat it’s like so comfort-able.

8/19/11 When I grow up I want to be a cloud investigator.

I want to make people by using star stuff, star dust.

8/22/11 What I would like is some mosquito REPELLENT.

8/30/11 I broke a piece off my crown and now Vaughn doesn’t have one.

9/1/11 This is going to be a great new life of school!

9/5/11 Did you know a girl can marry a girl?

9/9/11 Vaughn can I call you Bob? No. What about Vaughn Bob? No.

9/12/11 When I grow up I’m going to marry Brandon.

9/18/11 Ilya, talk in a normal voice without using Spanish or English.

9/20/11 When I’m at school I feel kinda tired and sick. I think I’m allergic to school. (totally serious)

10/1/11 Hey, pay attention to your daughter! Being ok is more important that just dancing!

10/4/11 Now, I think, it’s available for my poop to come out, so I’m going to poop now.

10/9/11 Mom, I have a surprise for you after dinner.

Cut my damn ravioli for me please.

I know what the F word is: FOG. I know the G word too. What is it? I don’t know. Raul told me there’s a G word, but not what it is because he didn’t want to get in trouble.

Here is your surprise, mom. Unh… (trying to fart on me)

I don’t want to do it unless I have the skills to win. (re: Timber Wolf Trample)

10/11/11 It’s cracker-lackin’ butt-attackin’.

11/9/11 Vaughn: Open head, Asalea. Azalea: What? Vaughn: Open head. Azalea: Vaughn, if my head was open we’d all be heading to the hospital.

11/12/11 I want to win that party for my class or I’m going to quit that damn school.

11/14/11 Terry, get your butt movin’.

11/29/11 Vaughn, Astrid does not have a dagger and does not make diaper jokes.

12/18/11 Guess what: Raul saw Ajeo at Walmart!

12/29/11 I can’t believe I was on the Kindle Fire for 3 or 2 hours. I am afraid my brain would stop working so I had to get off it.

1/1/12 Ilya, how would we ever find them without HER (Amy’s) direction?

1/8/12 Hi - my name’s Azalea but my short name’s Sleeping Beauty, sooo you can call me neither.

1/18/12 It doesn’t scare me, stop that. (after I scared her while she was watching ‘Ghost Light’, the Cars short)

and Vaughn:

7/28/11 Drive on mom. No drive on mom.

Make food, mom.

8/1/11 Take car coffee shop, Mom.

I’m dragon. You’re a dragon? Yes. … I’m man. You’re a man? Yes. … I’m busy.

How bout crackers? How bout cereals? How bout mancakes?

8/4/11 Relaxing. (sitting back naked in Azalea’s chair while eating fruit)

Cryin’, mom.

8/6/11 Azalea, get up, Azalea. Please, Azalea.

No poop on sofa. Never ever do that.

Bite your cookie, please. Bite your cookie, please. Bite your cookie, please…

Lightning car says ka-chow.

Dump truck park. Get some gas.

Dad freak out me.

8/9/11 Want see Ilya more. Best dad ever!

8/14/11 Wake up Big Sister.

Want have beer.

I’m baby Hiccup.

Q R S TV show… Y Z…

8/17/11 This great song, mom.

Want pick more rasberrieees.

8/18/11 Just Gramma…no Papa today.

8/19/11 MY Monkey Doo Doo Man. Mi-ine.

8/20/11 Hate hand dryer. (It’s true – he is afraid of electric hand dryers more than anything this world has shown him.)

8/21/11 That’s MY daddy!

Drive car on daddy’s head.

Need toilet! Somebody!

(rubbing the temporary tattoo on his stomach) I’m Auntie Sha Sha!

8/23/11 Dad be home soon, mom?

Please see your keys please.

8/24/11 Move it, Lola. Thank you, Lola!

8/26/11 What making dinner tonight, mom?

I like nurse me, please!

8/30/11 What your name again?

It’s beetle car! Hahahahaha!

9/1/11 Azalea…school.

That’s beautiful necklace, mom.

9/2/11 Smell good, mom.

Need toilet! … Privacy mom … I just pooped.

9/4/11 Mom proud me I pooped in toilet.

9/6/11 Reflection! Reflection!

Let’s go in kindergarten! Let’s go in kittengarten!

9/7/11 Like feeling your beautiful hair, mom.

Let me snuggle Monkey!

9/8/11 Look at my moves!

9/9/11 I love you, yellow car. *kiss*

9/17/11 Don’t call me that… don’t call me ‘Baby Boy’.

Nurse me!

9/18/11 Be butt naked. (to Ilya)

9/19/11 What this music is, Mom?

9/20/11 Look at that beautiful car, Mom.

9/21/11 Look at that picture!

Welcome to dragon training.

This freaking me, Mom.

9/29/11 I don’t like this music, Mom. (the country song at the end of Cars!)

This my crazy dance.

10/1/11 Because I WANT tooooo. (in world’s most annoying voice)

10/4/11 Stop speaking Spanish like that.

10/6/11 These toys are not for you, Lola. You’re not old enough.

10/11/11 This my Buick. No whining.

10/13/11 Hi finger. You best finger EVER. (to his pointer finger at breakfast)

You’re strong, mom. I’m strong too.

I not a Peterbilt, I a Mackey!

10/16/11 Take care me, mom!

Take care me, dad!

10/23/11 My lip hurting badly!

10/25/11 Hold me, mom. Take care me, mom. Why do you need me to hold you, Vaughn? Because of my sadness.

10/27/11 Mom, I want to go to Home Depot more. Nope, we’re done there for today. I want go there by myself.

10/28/11 G’morning! Where’s my special mommy?

I love you Vaughn. I love Gramma and Papa.

11/7/11 Aunt Kathy: Goodbye, Vaughn, I love you. Do you love me? Vaughn: Mm-mm, I love Lois!

11/9/11 Sing ABCs. That a great song.

11/10/11 That boy was playing with my Mustang but I took it away from him. I do that sometimes.

I want Starburstses. I’m hungry for Starburstses.

11/12/11 Where’s mine? Where’s my booze?

11/13/11 I’m just looking at candy, and snack-o-bars, and cheese crackers, and marssmallows. I’m just looking at candy, and snack-o-bars, and cheese crackers…

11/17/11 You’re not a lady you’re a mom.

I’m not a tiny guy I’m a big guy.

I’m Stinker. … Don’t call me stinker!

11/18/11 Sit here, Dad. That’s the rules, Dad.

11/21/11 Maybe Monkey want to wake her up. Then she come upstairs and say “Good morning” to me. (while Niki was sleeping in)

Ignore me.

11/23/11 You look like Lightning McQueen and I look like Sally.

11/25/11 You look like a… morning bun.

Yaaaaa! I’m scared! Of ghosts!

11/28/11 Thank you for kissing me, mom.

I love you. (first time to me on his own = pathetic!)

11/30/11 Why do you love me so much?

12/1/11 Is your favorite car Mustangs? Yeah, Mustangs, and Corvetteses.

What should we get Azalea for Christmas? A Mustang, and a Lightning McQueen car!

12/5/11 Nice pee, Monky!

Bye, Lola. Take care self, Lola.

Are you freaky? Are you ghost?

Look at me mom, I’m in zoo. What animal are you? I’m chicken. Chacally (=”actually”), NO! I’m tiger.

12/6/11 I’m mooning mom. Do you want … MORE? I’m mooning you, mom. I wanna show you this.

12/9/11 May I can hang out wif you?

12/11/11 That kitty looks like a flashlight. (with an Elizabethan collar on - it did!)

12/12/11 I’m like a choo choo. Why? Because of my hot steam. Where is your steam? Here. (head point)

12/16/11 May I can kiss you?

Ho Ha Ha (being Santa)

12/17/11 May I can play outside tiny more minutes?

12/21/11 Chacally, I can’t find Mater. Or Finn McMissile. They’re lost! It’s ok.

12/29/11 I’m a king that YELLS AT YOU!

1/7/12 Dad why you so annoying?

1/8/12 I so much love you, mom.

1/12/12 What’s in here? A crown?! Oh my GAWD!

1/15/12 It’s not time to get up? Is it time to watch Packers and eat popcorn?

1/16/12 You’re ruining my creation! (the way he snuggled his blankee JUST SO)

1/18/12 Azalea, do you want to go to the Coop? No. Do you want to stay at Amy’s house?

1/20/12 Knock knock. Who’s there? Orange you glad I didn’t say stinky pinky underwear?

I’m Simba. Say hi to me I’m friendly.

December 28

2012-01-22T15:56:00.003-06:00

Lois and I took the kids to Madison Children's Museum (along with half the county)

in the Rock-it ship (my fav) and in the car (Vaughn's fav)

December 26

2012-01-15T18:48:00.002-06:00

beautiful handmade headbands by Natasha

December 25

2012-01-15T18:27:00.003-06:00

Arnold Family Christmas at Kathy & Dale's

back at Chez Wick for some relaxation

December 24

2012-01-15T17:58:00.005-06:00

new car!; Monkey the Calm (in the car)

VERY excited about candy

VERY excited about finger lights

December 23

2012-01-12T18:17:00.003-06:00

a Holt Wick Christmas

December 22

2012-01-12T18:11:00.002-06:00

torrone helpers

December 17

2012-01-12T16:03:00.005-06:00

our first snowfall (and Ilya really dressed up for it, eh?)

Lois & Charlie's holiday dinner

December 14

2012-01-06T15:25:00.001-06:00

Dooo your cars hang low, do they wobble to and fro...

December 12, Comparisons

2012-01-06T15:07:00.003-06:00

and July 2008 (same stoller):

December 7

2012-01-06T14:47:00.003-06:00

Olbrich holiday train display - Vaughn's first outing alone with Lois & Charlie giving Lois a check-up

December 1

2012-01-06T14:39:00.002-06:00

Why, Vaughn, why?

November 24 - our first Thanksgiving

2012-01-06T14:05:00.003-06:00

November 23

2012-01-06T13:55:00.002-06:00

The day before Thanksgiving: now Vaughn's sick.

The girl cousins in their tent.

November 21

2012-01-06T13:43:00.001-06:00

I thought Azalea was being really cute and snuggly with Nik, but it turns out she had the flu. This was after I forced her to go out and choose a Christmas tree, too. Oops.

November 15

2012-01-06T13:34:00.002-06:00

Azalea in a tree with a crown on

November 5 - last nice day of 2011

2012-01-06T12:22:00.003-06:00

October 31

2012-01-06T12:06:00.002-06:00

Azalea's Halloween weekend with her grandparents

2011-12-19T12:59:00.007-06:00

chocolate cookie-making with Gramma

car princess; who rolls like this??

at EAA in Oshkosh; at Halloween celebration in SP at Schmeekle

October 2

2011-10-28T20:26:00.005-05:00

Just another day at our house:

We visited Sutters Ridge on a gorgeous fall day.

October 24

2011-10-28T20:15:00.001-05:00

October 16

2011-10-28T20:02:00.008-05:00

In case you don't recognize it, they're checking the air for witches.

Beth made this lovely matching knitwear. And here is how Azalea wears it (all day at school too).

October 10

2011-10-28T19:53:00.002-05:00

deck crafts with Beth & Terry (because Vaughn loves spiders for some reason)

October 8

2011-10-28T19:51:00.004-05:00

October 4

2011-10-28T19:11:00.001-05:00

What happens when Vaughn is bitten by particular mosquitoes :( The doc says it's within the realm of normalcy. And thankfully, it doesn't itch much. The next day it actually swelled MORE.

September 25

2011-09-28T07:50:00.005-05:00

We spent the weekend in Minneapolis

sunset seen from WISCONSIN; boys; my one smiler

reunited!; playing with Woody's handmade toys; Vaughn and his minder: Amelia

September 20

2011-09-27T21:04:00.001-05:00

"Mom, take picture me" said the boy

September 12

2011-09-27T20:57:00.001-05:00

Vaughn thinks he's pretty hilarious in Lois's Crocs

September 11

2011-09-27T20:50:00.000-05:00

September 10

2011-09-27T20:20:00.004-05:00

The Holt Wicks headed to Festge Park on Highway 14. I feel bad saying so, but it was pretty boring as far as natural areas go. Getting lost in the woods on a 'trail' for over an hour with 2 whiners didn't help either.

I must admit to loving the fuzzy caterpillars.

September 9

2011-09-27T20:03:00.003-05:00

I basically have Knock-Out rosebushes to burn, so the kids have enjoyed petal harvesting

right photo: Vaughn really enjoys being obstinate, like 75% of the time (doesn't my front yard look nice and jungly?)

September 5 & 8

2011-09-27T19:56:00.003-05:00

two views of Vaughn, the second as Papa: button up shirt and mustache

September 1

2011-09-02T13:52:00.002-05:00

First day of school! Azalea attends our local public school and is enrolled in the Spanish language dual immersion program. Her teacher only speaks Spanish to the class.

August 31

2011-09-02T13:37:00.002-05:00

(that's centimeters, not inches, but still!)
Check out this mother in our garden! Anyone know what type of spider besides Freakin Gigantic?

August 30

2011-09-02T13:13:00.002-05:00

celebrating Lois's 40th birthday again!

August 29

2011-09-02T13:06:00.001-05:00

Ilya took these. I'm not sure what was goin' on here, but she looks pretty cute, even with food in her cheeks.

August 26

2011-09-02T12:46:00.003-05:00

Beth & Terry brought Azalea back to Fitchburg, so we celebrated Beth's birthday again

August 21

2011-09-02T08:31:00.012-05:00

Ilya's been wanting to check this place out for years: Dr. Evermor's Sculpture Park http://worldofdrevermor.com/ It's fantastic!

August 18

2011-09-02T08:12:00.002-05:00

trying out the nap mat (fabric chosen by Azalea in case it isn't obvious); Mac from Krista & Brian

August 14 - Vaughn turns 2!

2011-09-02T07:48:00.003-05:00

an apt representation of Vaughn's day

double duty; presents; neat car from David

eating fresh raspberries from our bushes; watching a somewhat scary part of a movie

August 13

2011-09-01T20:55:00.005-05:00

Rudolph's finest produce stand at the Stevens Point farmers market; the special carrot Joan would not sell

Terry's inventions: meanwhile, the ladies painted nails; learning to use a party blower or whatever they're called

getting into presents; brand new electric bubble blaster from Aunt Dottie - a hit!

Vaughn tries; Azalea loves bubbles; overwhelmed 2-year-old with ugly but delicious cake

August 5

2011-09-01T20:45:00.001-05:00

my college friend Nicky visited with her adorable and friendly children

August 2

2011-09-01T20:34:00.002-05:00

kicking back enjoying some tv, buck naked

July 31

2011-09-01T18:41:00.004-05:00

That's my sister Debby! Too bad our visit was so short.; opening Suzanne's birthday gift: including big-boy underwear!

that IS Azalea in the cupboard - she is THAT tiny...and crazy

Vaughn's first trip to Belts', as unbelievable as that may be at the age of 2. He liked it.

July 30

2011-09-01T13:39:00.004-05:00

MaryFest!

July 26

2011-09-01T13:36:00.001-05:00

Monkey the Tolerant

July 23

2011-09-01T13:13:00.003-05:00

playing with the new toy from Papa Terry: Tornado Maker; a get-up designed by Natasha and one of my favorites

July 12-13

2011-09-01T11:57:00.004-05:00

We survived yet another trip to Wisconsin Hells.

Notice the action figures; after eating in an Italian restaurant that was actually good; on Duck Boat ride eating taffy

kiss blast; overlooking the dells; on the little train ride

July 8

2011-09-01T11:32:00.003-05:00

The wonderful Opland Family visited us once again. As usual, it was too short.

July 3 - one of the longest days of our lives

2011-09-01T07:33:00.012-05:00

We started by visiting Joan at the farm. Lots of work to do! Barbara Jean happened to be there too.

Then we picked beautiful berries at Arnold's Strawberries. These fields still hold my sweat (not from July, from the years circa 1987-1995)! We got to visit with Shane, Bijan, & Dylan too.

Ilya flew with Terry; both kids taxied in the Funk; Vaughn cried for more

We finished our day with fireworks in Stevens Point on the Wisconsin River. The glow sticks were a total hit, even afterward, long past bedtime.

June 27

2011-08-31T20:36:00.003-05:00

catching fireflies

June 19

2011-08-31T20:22:00.002-05:00

June 18

2011-08-31T20:08:00.004-05:00

my sweet-cheeked weeding buddy (Vaughn will be extra naked in the coming photos because he started potty training at 22 months and being naked worked the best for him)

June 16

2011-07-22T21:30:00.001-05:00

enjoying strawberries

June 16

2011-07-22T21:17:00.002-05:00

Cousin Shane visited; Joan was over for a film

Quotes from Vaughn

2011-07-22T21:12:00.003-05:00

This starts when he's 1 year 5 months old.

3/2/11 Mama, hold you. (but it came out like “Mama, holdjoo.” )

Often: opendoor or opedoor

3/18/11 More… ice cream!

4/13/11 Bub-bye car. Bub-bye orange. Bub-bye cracker.

4/20/11 Chips. Eat it!

V: Dad! I: Vaughn! V: Car. (showing a car; happens a hundred times a day)

4/27/11 Hit Azalea bad.

Strawberry sucker.

5/15/11 Ever ever do that.

5/16/11 Push ME!

5/18/11 Push Vaughnie.

5/23/11 Mama eat coffee.

5/28/11 Papa…Point.

5/30/11 Good mording.

Pider (for spider)

Have it.

6/2/11 Ice cream! Please! Container! Have it!

Seamus…tail…wiggle. (neighbor dog)

6/6/11 Digger, where are you? Digger…

6/10/11 Help, Amy.

Corvette. Have it.

Fire truck. Drive it.

6/11/11 (during a night waking) Calico kitten please. … Thank you!

Dr. Vaughnie. Listen heart.

Tiny pider! (spider)

6/26/11 Uh oh. Push me in.

7/8/11 Hurry…go. Hurry…go! Where are you going, Vaughn? Beltline. … Right now. Oh god.

7/12/11 I’m spider boy.

I’m daddy!

I’m Beth!

7/13/11 Have it! Coffee!

7/14/11 I fine.

7/15/11 ‘Struction! Oh god!

7/16/11 Dada, come in blue kid po-ol NOW!

7/17/11 Like dress. (to Ilya wearing his housedress)

7/19/11 Hand off ice cream Aija! (that's Ilya)

7/20/11 Morning Vaughn, how are you? Sleeping well.

Thank you breastmilk, mom.

Privacy please! (while on the pot)

7/21/11 Lola special girl.

Mancakes! I love it! (pancakes)

7/22/11 Coming down stairs, like this! (standing up, no hands)

The latest quotes from Azalea

2011-07-22T21:07:00.002-05:00

1/11/11 I wish I had a step-mom.

1/17/11 Today, while you were gone, I had a screaming loud burp that echoed up the stairs.

Where’s my coffee? (a new tradition at breakfast)

1/27/11 Vaughn, stop acting like you’re not a puppy.

2/6/11 Ilya: Azalea! Don’t do that; you could get sick! (eat boogers)

Azalea: (gasp! Then a super fake smile, ignoring what was said) How’s it going with the shelves?

Oh beautiful! It’s a giant TV!

2/10/11 Kids who are still a kid should not have a kid. That would be terrible.

How do zebras digest their food?

2/15/11 Why am I dancing alone?

I’m not watching it when I’m 18. I’ll be half past dying.

2/28/11 Some kitties are bitey and nibbly, like Manny. Monkey is cuddly. Some kitties poop and pee on the floor, but they’re still cuddly. (can you tell what’s been going on at our house?)

Can you imagine 10 kids in a house? All your jam would get used up.

3/1/11 Coffee is not bad for you, but too much ham is.

3/3/11 We’re going to pick my dad up at the hospital. He has a thing in his testicle… (Ohhh [says the man who sold us doughnuts]…that they’re taking out so we don’t have more kids.

3/6/11 Tomorrow I’m going to sleep even later, dammit!

3/7/11 Amy, he picked MY nose.

3/10/11 Azalea (playing Uno): Dammit. Ilya: Why would you say that? Azalea: Because it’s a dammit.

3/11/11 The gods don’t hate him, nature does! (watching HTTYD)

3/13/11 Now he’s hitting everything! You can’t help it. You might as well let him go on with it.

Goodnight Mom, don’t let the dragon screeches bite.

3/15/11 I love you even though I say stupid idiot things to you.

3/16/11 I’m in the bathroom, Amy. I’ll be talking to mySELF.

Know why I always sleep with Beth? Because I’m worried about Terry keeping her up with his snoring.

I don’t want to be cremated. If Beth decides to be cremated, I want to keep her ashes. And Terry too, if he decides to be cremated.

3/17/11 I’ll freak YOU out…to death.

Devil Mother. I love you mumma.

3/19/11 Life is easier when you’re magical.

3/21/11 I’m not into the bible as much as Miss Janet is.

3/25/11 Vaughnie, don’t beat up my dad.

4/4/11 I can’t sleep because I have an action “figgur” in my shirt.

4/5/11 Mmm, nice soup, Amy.

4/13/11 Ilya took the worst DUMP ever last night. I can still smell it.

Vaughn, can you say Monstrous Nightmare?

4/14/11 I’ve had a runny nose for like 9 years.

How come this damn thing keeps not clicking where I want it to?

4/17/11 FOR I AM RAPUNZEL! I AM THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE GIRL! No one can kill my hair, for it is deliciously scary! (dramatic recreation of Tangled)

I wish that people never died. Only the villains. The good people would stay.

4/19/11 Be nice to your children or I’ll change the past in a WEIRD way.

4/24/11 I wish Lawrence Welk would do How to Train Your Dragon.

4/27/11 I wish that kitties and we never died. I wish that we would start a new cycle.

What if we were action figures to the action figures?

5/1/11 I’m glad I joined this world, Amy, because it’s beautiful.

5/4/11 I better love you up now before I go crazy for Terry & Beth.

5/6/11 Steph, you married the wrong husband! … This one’s too silly.

5/15/11 I’m deliberately snuggling you.

I’m a mom because I own kids.

5/19/11 Do you know what Astrid said to Hiccup yesterday? She said, “Is your head backwards?”

5/24/11 Everybody wants to marry Fiona. And everybody wants to kill her.

5/29/11 Turn up this rock-out music! You listen to rock-out music LOUD!

6/2/11 What color was your bedroom when you were a kid?

6/17/11 Whenever you see me blacksmithing, Amy, remember to call me Hiccup.

6/23/11 Vaughn, no more Shanes or Nikis.

6/25/11 It’s funny but I’m worried even though I’m laughing.

7/2/11 Do you have a husband anymore? (to a woman at a nursing home)

7/8/11 I hate it when I feel guilty, sad, and innocent.

7/10/11 Vaughn, I want you to stop saying that. I can’t stand it, though it IS cute.

7/11/11 We don’t get Ilya today. Dammitall!

Your kisses are almost always beery and almost always wet.

Should I just go tell Amy about how you’re acting? (to Ilya) … It’s like you’re a bad dad like I saw at the Badlands!

7/13/11 It’s odd that you never see Hiccup’s penis in the movie. And you never see him take a dump. I thought you would think that’s funny. Write it down!

7/15/11 I was just talking to the king in the pink dress. (Vaughn)

7/16/11 This person (Hiccup action figure) is just like you (Ilya pretending to be Hiccup under orders), except he’s a toy, and I gave birth to him about a year ago.

In the car I was picking my boogers and I made them into a bird’s nest and threw it into a tree and a little baby girl bird who wanted to have a baby flew into it and went ‘cheep cheep’.

Does it hurt when your boobs grow in?

7/17/11 Where do you buy a bra?

7/21/11 When I grow up I’m going to have a big house and have parties that will involve coaches. (on the way home from soccer)

June 6-11 Meanwhile, back in Wisconsin, WITHOUT Azalea

2011-07-22T20:41:00.003-05:00

Unfortunately, Azalea missed Lois's annual Peony Party, where it hailed

today, July 7

2011-07-07T13:33:00.002-05:00

June 6-11

2011-06-18T18:39:00.014-05:00

Azalea's vacation with her grandparents

hotel cart; (not sure); corn palace

mostly in Wall, SD

Mt. Rushmore!; Badlands

Laura Ingalls Wilder school in De Smet; comparing jewelry with the server; Buick time

just before Fitchburg

May 31

2011-06-18T18:29:00.003-05:00

swinging with Aunt Joan; dessert on deck; look at Lola's tongue

watching a 'scary' movie in their usual safe spot

May-June bird visitors

2011-06-18T18:24:00.002-05:00

This Northern Bobwhite quail hung around for a day or two (I almost stepped on her by accident!). I don't know what the babies are, but something common because I couldn't even tell which were the parents.

May 26

2011-06-18T18:16:00.003-05:00

Vaughn forced Terry to hold his new toy, then wanted it himself. This shot with Beth is the longest he's ever sat still for her.

May 24

2011-06-18T18:07:00.002-05:00

Gardening at Lois's. We actually accomplished some vegetable planting.

May 20 - yet another Fitchburg Days

2011-05-31T21:38:00.003-05:00

This is how happy they were when I relented to cotton candy begging.

May 19

2011-05-31T21:31:00.002-05:00

his most vehement "cheese" ever; even his butt has sand on it

May 18 - Azalea's Preschool Graduation

2011-05-31T19:17:00.003-05:00

Yes, that is a hat made out of a coffee filter.

Spanish language dual immersion kindergarten here we come!

May 14 - Minneapolis visit

2011-05-30T13:14:00.004-05:00

Woody turned 90 this week!

May 13

2011-05-29T21:41:00.008-05:00

Azalea's preschool field trip to Schuster's Farm in Deerfield

Vaughn was all about playing; I got to hold a baby duck!

2 dudes; feeding the very greedy goats; Ava & Az; the huge, s l o w slide

round barn!

May 9

2011-05-29T21:28:00.002-05:00

The way they spend a lot of their time. I love Vaughn's look of resignation in the second one.

May 5

2011-05-29T21:23:00.002-05:00

holding as many vehicles as possible

April 30

2011-05-29T21:17:00.001-05:00

watching a movie together (note the ever-present matchbox car)

April 24

2011-05-29T21:11:00.001-05:00

Easter morn: sleepy but happy

April 5

2011-05-29T21:06:00.002-05:00

We sure do love our Monkey Doo Doo Man

Greenville, SC trip March 29 - April 5

2011-04-09T21:43:00.020-05:00

at the fantastic Greenville Children's Museum

walking around Paris Mountain

I like this shot of Azalea; at Bald Rock

Justin, Erin, Ernie - we stopped at Bald Rock on the way to Brevard, NC, where Azalea ate a chocolate pastry

Vaughn likes rocks; Azalea spent a lot of time in this tree; love the dogwood

Azalea being punished for splashing with splashing; Vaughn loves Justin

in front of the garish azalea bushes

Azalea's 5th Birthday Party!

2011-04-09T21:12:00.012-05:00

Azalea requested a pink, raspberry, dragon cake. (She is obsessed with the movie How to Train Your Dragon.)

She also requested a pink scooter and a pink bicycle, but Beth & Terry found lavender (thankfully).

For some reason, Ilya perfectly matched his 5-year-old daughter's new bike; Natasha with party favor

Beth, Azalea, Terry; here I am playing Terry's party game - bombs away! (I came in second)

Beth playing; Azalea being awarded the prize of wine she chose

March 19

2011-03-20T15:53:00.002-05:00

We got dolled up to attend Ilya's work party (+ a cling-on)

March 14

2011-03-20T15:50:00.001-05:00

Natasha came over for fondue and leftover birthday cake, even though Azalea had the 6-hour flu

March 13

2011-03-20T15:14:00.004-05:00

Vaughn loves machines, especially those that make cookies & cakes

February 27

2011-03-20T14:56:00.002-05:00

licking whip cream beaters

February 3

2011-02-12T12:57:00.002-06:00

why vacuuming is sometimes more fun, but simultaneously less fun (because vacuuming is generally oh so much fun...?)

January 30

2011-02-01T15:47:00.003-06:00

Meeting Jessica's new puppy: Echo. She's half Bichon Frise-Poodle, half Chihuahua, 100% sweet. Vaughn was gaga over her. I sort of was too.

January 29

2011-02-01T15:29:00.003-06:00

from the Thoe Christmas

January 18

2011-02-01T15:25:00.000-06:00

playtime with Lois

January 15 - celebrating Natasha's birthday

2011-02-01T14:23:00.003-06:00

Hmmm, which boy is heavier?

Azalea likes the furniture; Vaughn was absolutely pooped

January 14

2011-02-01T14:18:00.003-06:00

Ilya's coworker and family came over for pizza. Baby Charlie is basically the perfect baby, and adorable to boot.

January 13

2011-02-01T14:16:00.001-06:00

Vaughn's new hobby: see what he pushes around?

January 7

2011-02-01T14:10:00.002-06:00

back to December 27

2011-01-26T20:11:00.005-06:00

Heather always takes such excellent photos (and Pern too). These were in the Rapids.

more quotes from Azalea!

2011-01-15T16:34:00.002-06:00

11/13/10 I’m introducing you guys to my plan.

11/13/10 I’m not a butt blaster; I’m a princess.

11/14/10 Can you excuse me here, I’m having a crisis. It’s a Jesus Chrisis. My name is Jesus Chrisis.

11/15/10 Vaughn: Dada. Dada. Azalea: Dada went to work to get us money.

11/17/10 (Azalea is going on and on about Prince “Charmy”) Prince Charmy is going to rescue me and then we’ll get married because we’re a good match. How do you know if he’s a good match? You don’t even know each other. He is. What’s his job? MOM, his job is rescuing princesses!

11/20/10 Mom, look at that full, milky moon.

11/26/10 Azalea, Woody built that wooden rocking chair from scratch all by himself in the basement. Can you believe that? How did he bring it upstairs?

11/29/10 Lola, will you move? Will someone let Monky in; I see his green blazing eyes at the window.

Before I hurt Vaughn we were playing happily with the balloons.

(discussing gifts for Terry’s birthday) We could get him a chocolate mustard… a sandwich that has candy… a kind of candy burrito thingie.

12/3/10 She’s the best Prince Philip EVER. (Lois)

Mom, we’ve gotta praise god. Why? Cuz.

12/5/10 I just saw a woman I don’t know doing something TERRIBLE. What? SMOKING.

12/5/10 I am NOT doing real life now, guys.

Actually, when I grow up I’m just knitting.

12/8/10 I feel like I’m pregnant. Why? Because of my horribly exhausting day. (It’s noon.)

12/11/10 Vaughn, don’t play with those (stones)! You could choke and die, and then we’d have to tell Beth and Terry!

12/13/10 Hey, why would any mother want 3 kids?

12/14/10 I forced Beth & Terry to buy those trees. They said to only choose one, but I said BUY BOTH OF THEM.

12/15/10 He talks kinda funny. He talks like a monster with straight lips. (about a kid at preschool)

12/16/10 I want to be the queen of Stevens Point, and make rules and make them do what I say.

12/18/10 I’m sick of that Miss Janet, Miss Jackie, & Miss Anne. All they talk about is God all the time.

Let’s have conversations. You’ll be the Son of Grandma.

12/19/10 Sometimes I want to go back to when I was born and start over again.

12/20/10 I wish I had more Dora in my life.

12/22/10 Sometimes I can see Chris’s face in my head…I’m doing it now.

I didn’t make a fart, but I smell the funkiness of one.

12/27/10 Sometimes I put my hands in my underwear to feel my gas.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing but the jokes are too funny!

12/30/10 Azalea, are all the necklaces put away? Yes, but some I perched beautifully on the tree.

Ilya, don’t make Amy’s s’more for her. She’ll harass you and complain.

Too bad you only had junk when you were a kid.

1/1/11 Meeps, my heart is purring for your love all night long.

1/4/11 (about Amy) The Nature Preserve paid her no account, and gave her no speakatrition. (because of both The Fox & The Hound & Fantasia 2000, Azalea thinks the fairy is called a nature preserve)

1/9/11 Amy, thanks for letting Vaughn come out of you. He’s the best brother ever.

1/12/11 Vaughn, I will now dip-atize you. Come into the water. (At preschool today they obviously heard the story of John the Baptist! Vaughn was dip-atized at least 5 times that I saw.) The Bible is a biography.

I told them, “Enough Jesus. Let’s talk about The Jungle Book.”

1/15/11 Yesterday I had to draw a bunch of toilet paper because my poop was like a tornado.

December 30 - January 1

2011-01-12T18:36:00.003-06:00

Poor Nik was stranded in Madison 2 extra days. It was bad for her but great for us. We got to celebrate her December 25 birthday, roast s'mores in the fireplace, bead. And she wanted to be with her new husband on New Year's Eve??

December 29

2011-01-12T18:26:00.001-06:00

Azalea skated for the 1st time and was decent!

December 29

2011-01-12T18:13:00.002-06:00

competition for food

December 24-26

2011-01-09T15:24:00.015-06:00

We started out celebrating at Niki's parents' in Kellner

Christmas morning we spent at Krista & Brian's in Stevens Point; the cookie spread was fantastic once again; Vaughn thinks Barry is hilarious (and he is)

getting a good picture of this group was tough!; the girls instantly liked their new MP3 players from Grandma Suzanne

Sunday the 26th we celebrated with the Wicks; Ilya is playing a guitar shirt from Beth

Azalea & Terry made a snow castle with many decorations atop

Azalea decorated a cookie that was more sprinkles than cookie; Vaughn got into cookies, though not as much as his sugar-crazed sister; Beth & Azalea 'camped out' the last evening in SP