Opa runs and reads with Cayelle August 31, 2008
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The weather is turning way cold this week and I don’t know how much longer he will be able to do it, but dad has been coming down a couple of times a week to take Cayelle on a stroller ride (for running exercise) and then he takes time to read to her. He bikes most of the way here too. Yeah, that’s a lot of exercising. Cayelle has two board books that I allow her to chew on, so she gets her “chew book” and then Opa will read to her. She is getting to know him better and becoming more comfortable with him (in general, Cayelle does much worse with unfamiliar males than she does with unfamiliar females).
Opa is ready to take Cayelle on a brisk morning (note Opa’s bike in the background—he really bikes before he runs).
Cayelle’s got her chew book.
Superman=Superfun August 23, 2008
Posted by mandsrix in Baltimore Ricks, DC Ricks.2 comments
About two weeks ago we went to see Superman at Screen on the Green with Robert and Nancy. (For those of you who don’t know, Screen on the Green is an a free outdoor movie venue hosted by HBO. The one we went to was on the mall in DC.) I had never actually seen the original Superman in its entirety and was delighted with its corny lines, “special” effects and the fact that it stood for “truth, justice and the American way”. We had a lovely picnic outside and savored our last outing with Robert and Nancy before they left for Utah. We are very sad to see them go. We’ve been spoiled to have family so close- especially hip, savvy, fun family like Robert and Nancy. I’ve included several pictures from our evening out as well as some random pics of Gabe and Elijah playing with their hats and sunglasses. I can’t remember why they didn’t have clothes on in this particular instance but I feel compelled to share with you one of the joys of having twins: the poop fight. Yes, one morning I discovered that putting them to bed in nothing but diapers, because it was so hot, was a big mistake. Elijah had created a delightful substance which both he and Gabe managed to get their hands in and smear all over each other, blankets, toys, etc. Upon seeing the horrific, smelly mess I came nearer, perhaps, than ever before to saying a naughty word. Needless to say, they both received baths and I did several loads of laundry that day. I have recovered from the incident and have decided to keep them despite this manufacturer’s defect.
Marc and Sarah Ricks fam sporting BYU gear
Elijah shows off his scooting prowess.
Gabe was scared by all the loud noises- lucky Uncle Robert was there to protect him.
Uncle Robert and Aunt Nancy with the buddies
We had a great view of the Capitol lit up for the night.
Despite having all the symptoms of “teething” for several months, our boys are still the toothless wonders.
“Give me that hat…” Gabe has gotten very grabby lately. He also seems to have a double standard. If he takes Elijah’s things, that’s fine but if Elijah takes his things he throws a temper tantrum. Marc said he had a hard time sharing when he was little too… maybe it’s genetic.
Hyphema–what? August 22, 2008
Posted by mom6 in Provo Ricks.1 comment so far
Robert and Nancy arrived safely yesterday. However . . . when Tawna Smith and I (with Tawna’s truck) delivered the mattress set for Robert around 4:30, Robert was injured by the backlash of the bungee cord holding the mattresses on as he was trying to release it. It flipped with great force into the left side of his face, particularly his eye, sending him and Nancy to the emergency room. He has been diagnosed with hyphema, bleeding in the anterior chamber between the cornea and the iris usually caused by blunt trauma. He is to rest for five days, with no reading, so Dad is going to supply him with plenty of tapes to listen to. The eye can clear out the bleeding, but it is important not to cause a rebleed. So, welcome to Provo! Here is a picture of the loser in the battle between the bungee cord and Robert:
Quick Trip to SD, ND August 22, 2008
Posted by mom6 in Provo Ricks.1 comment so far
Dad and I made a quick three-day trip to get at least one high point in this year. First we drove up through Martin’s Cove in Wyoming, where we hiked up to Devil’s Gate.
Early the next day, after staying in Rapid City, we went to Mt. Rushmore. Look at these impressive faces!
We stopped at Belle Fourche, SD, which has a new monument marking the geographical center of the United States (the actual center is some miles away).
The next stop was Deadwood, SD, where Wild Bill Hickock was shot in the back of his head while playing cards (thus the “dead man’s hand”).
Then we made our way to White Butte, the high point of North Dakota (that makes 35 for Dad).
On to Medora, ND, where we briefly visited with Dad’s cousin and wife, Stephen and Kathie Ricks.
We missed the endowment session at the Bismarck Temple, but we were able to do some initiatory work. This is a beautiful, small temple.
This was a good trip with lots of hours of driving. We read Me to We and Johnny Tremain to each other while we were driving. We arrived home Saturday evening.
Bedroom remodel, Phases 3, 4, 5 August 22, 2008
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Hooray, the painting of our bedroom was completed while we were on our recent trip. And the carpet was installed this week. Now we are working to put things back in the bedroom–but only after we have thoroughly gone through every drawer, etc. This is the time to dejunk!
As soon as we get settled back in our room, we’ll concentrate on clearing out the office and getting that painted and carpeted. Lookin’ up!
A Grand Day Out August 20, 2008
Posted by sockcrazy in SF Ricks.3 comments
Cayelle was on the go most of today, but she loved it. In the morning she went with Ryan to run lots of errands. Then we went on a family outing. We ate at Chili’s for lunch and then we went to Barnes and Noble. Cayelle just loves her books, so we went to the children’s book section to get some books for her. We got a “Taggies” board book and two Mo Willems’ books (The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! and Knuffle Bunny). They are all very cute and Cayelle especially loves to play with her new board book. In the evening I took Cayelle to the city center park where they have great little kid swings. She absolutely loved them. Note her two bottom teeth that came in the week she turned 6 months old.
Bedroom Remodel, phases 1 and 2 August 10, 2008
Posted by mom6 in Provo Ricks.1 comment so far
Exciting things are happening around here. I have long wanted to get some work done in our bedroom–painting and carpeting, etc. The impetus that got me started on this was deciding to get more insulation in the attic to take advantage of a Questar rebate. We have noted that since our remodel, our home has been much more comfortable, and we hope that increasing the insulation will aid the comfort and the utilities bills.
But, of course, if I was going to get more insulation, I needed to get ceiling lights installed in our bedroom before that was done. So, the ball was rollling. . .
Here are some shots of our bedroom as it has been:
Note the decor–books!
Note the curtains (they are now history)
Note the lamps–I was told they need to go!
Phase 1: Here comes the work crew, aka the Helping Hands Club. Lora, Jennifer, Tine, and I were able to take most everything out of the room (which has given Dad and me the opportunity of spending hours to sort through things so that less stuff goes back in when we are done). Dad and John moved the really big pieces, and John took down the curtains and the rods.
Phase 2. Kurt Baxter agreed to install the can lights in the ceiling, put in a dimmer switch, and upgrade the four outlets (which weren’t grounded, etc.).
Here you can get an idea of the can lights–we will be able to see when we go in the bedroom! Kurt finished his tasks yesterday–he’ll put the final touches on after the painting is done. On to phase 3 next week!
Our goal is to get our bedroom and the office done before we leave on our cruise in mid-September and before Grandpa Ricks comes to live with us end of September. He turns 98 on 9 September.
Thanks for the help and support!
Mom
Mom and Baby August 2, 2008
Posted by sockcrazy in SF Ricks.2 comments
I love being a mom. Cayelle is so much fun.
Escape from Art Scape August 1, 2008
Posted by mandsrix in Baltimore Ricks.5 comments
In July, we went with some of Marc’s friends to Art Scape- one of the nation’s largest art festivals. The boys loved all of the colors, costumes, music and the taste of strawberry smoothie that we gave them. We had a great time and decided to walk back to our friend’s apartment to feed the boys before going home. On our way, we saw a huge crowd of people cheering. We assumed this was yet another Art Scape spectacle and moved in to see what was so exciting. It turned out not to be part of Art Scape at all, but a vicious street fight between two men. When we realized what was happening, we tried to move but it was difficult with the stroller. Marc was able to get the stroller through a brief parting in the crowd but I got separated from them and found myself in the middle of the action. The fighters charged towards me, one falling down in front of me and the other grabbing me and almost pulling me to the ground. I was able to stay upright but I was still caught between the two guys. Luckily our friend Sahel, 6′8″, saw what was happening and yelled at the fighters to get away from me. He was able to drag me out of the center and we found Marc and the babies. I was definitely shaken but okay. I now just add this experience to the list of “only in Baltimore” things that have happened since we moved here. Anyway, the rest of our evening was great and I even almost beat Marc at Mario Cart on our friend’s Wii. Here are some pics from Art Scape (sorry- no pics of the fighting action):
Our favorite part was the Art Cars like the Lobstermobile (seen here with Marc and Finn and the babies)
the wooden truck
the phone car- which can really be driven on the highway
and our very favorite- the singing fish car. All of the fish on this car have moving mouths and tails and they all move differently and in time with the song being sung. It was really amazing.
See the guy in the right corner with the blue Yale shirt? That’s Sahel, my rescuer.
There were also many people on stilts and in outrageous costumes.
As a result, the Elders who were volunteering with the Baltimore Recycling group were asked if they were “really Mormons” or if they were just “Catholics or something dressed up to make fun of Mormons”. Marc vouched for the Elders and our friends who are both Catholic got a kick out of the question too. “Yes,” they said, “we Catholics are sneaky like that.”
The kids section had a lot of cut outs to take pictures in. We chose this one because there’s nothing that says Baltimore like giant rats.
