Backyard photo shoot

We have lots of pictures of our children, but not many frame-able pictures. I've noticed that the girls aren't wearing pants in lots of our pictures, or they have crazy hair. I'll be honest, the girls hate having their hair done so unless it's a church day or preschool, I let them go free. It also feels so useless because Ginger will usually pull her hairdo out within the first hour so why even waste the time in the beginning, you know? I remember thinking that my little sisters always looked crazy because their hair was never done and I was in high school and embarrassed for them; but now I understand. It feels futile.

Anyways, I was trying to find a picture to frame of Penny and Ginger and we seriously had none of them both fully clothed and not looking homeless or too goofy. So, I took some pictures of them and couldn't believe how cute they looked with their hair done and in clean clothes.

Another pile of pictures...

I feel like I never really say anything on this blog. All I do is post pictures of my kids. Unfortunately here's another post without much to say but lots of photos. 

On Christmas Eve we read the nativity story from Luke. I told Penny we could act it out and she assigned everyone in the family a part. She actually surprised me with her assignments because I thought for sure she'd make herself Mary and Ginger would be Joseph or something. Whenever they play house, Penny always gets to be the mommy and she makes Ginger be the daddy, which if you didn't know, is the less desirable role. As the angel, Ginger took her part seriously. She stood on the little chair with her arms out bringing tidings of great joy for some time.

 

Grandma and Grandpa pulled out the snowman bubble blower and the girls were in heaven while they waited for Christmas Eve dinner. As I look at this picture, it's seems so ridiculous that snowmen are associated with such a green Christmas.

 

Stephan's Grandpa Lovstedt is visiting his parents so we were able to get a photo with four generations of Lovstedt men. 

 

 

Christmas morning was fantastic. The girls loved all their presents and I was embarrassed by how much they got. I swear next Christmas will be different.

We got to skype with my sister, Amanda, on her mission. I couldn't even e-mail on my mission and I swear it hasn't been that long since I was a missionary. She is happy and enthusiastic about the work.

Later on Christmas Day we went for a hike with my sister Juliann in the nearby Santa Monica Mountains. Juliann graduated from BYU this past year and moved to Southern California last month. Everything was so green and beautiful. Juli claims we only like having her around to take our pictures for us.  

 

We went for another hike later during the holidays in the same area, except we made it all the way to a waterfall. It was just over three miles and Penny hiked the whole way. She even crossed the small river. Penny decided her and Ginger should both wear all pink. I'm sure the day will come when my kids wonder how I could let them out of the house in this. Ginger insisted on walking so we let her start out but then forced her into the backpack. Her little legs make her a slow hiker.

 

 

Another day during the holidays, we went sailing with some good friends. Stephan got a turn behind the helm. Doesn't he look like a salty sea captain with his beard? Ditte's dad was nice to let Stephan try it. It's so crazy to learn all the weird sailing terms. If only I could remember what they meant. Like "coming about."  I think it means turning around, or something. I probably just made that up. Aside from some sea sickness, it was a beautiful day. We left Ginger and Jake home and had a fun day with only Penny. The sun was setting as we cruised back into the harbor.

 

 

 

Hiking Sycamore Canyon with the Fam

One of the best things about living here is our fantastic weather. Last weekend was beautiful so we went for a family hike in Sycamore Canyon with Grandma and Grandpa. Not many leaves change colors during the fall so it was fun to be in the canyon where we could see some yellow leaves. I know, I know. It's December and our "fall" is finally here. 

We're having crazy, rainy weather today so don't be too jealous all you family in freezing places. Although you're all probably having snow so maybe you're jealous of our rain. 


Grandma was trying to get Penny and Ginger to smile naturally for the photo so she was telling them an interesting story. Ginger paid no attention to the story and gave her cheesy, typical smile while Penny got too sucked into the unusual details of Grandma's story.

 

Ginger, like her Grandpa Keller, loves examining and collecting rocks. She is always filling her pockets with rock treasures.

How can you resist Jake's smile?! He's still mostly my favorite child. We can't get enough of this kid.

Grandma's two new knees did a fantastic job while she was hiking. Penny and Ginger love that Grandma can go for hikes with us again. 

Grandpa surprised us with some delicious chocolate covered peppermint oreos and that's how we got the girls to pose for the picture. There's not much you can't get a Lovstedt girl to do for some chocolate.  

Jake's superpower

I found out what Jake's superpower is recently. Apparently anger is what triggers it. Which, as it turns out, is pretty common for the early stages of superpower development. He can transform from a cute little baby into a baby seal. Watch the transformation:


I'm not sure how he'll use this power, but I think it could be exciting.

Alternatively, he may also just be a really talented gymnast.

Though not a Chinese one.

Happy Wednesday

Penny got to wear a costume to pre-school this morning. She was a witch. Ginger of course needed some kind of costume also, even though she wasn't going to school. I have the cutest girls.

My favorite child

A friend took some cute pictures of Jake last week. I know he's older than most newborn photo shoots but he was still so cute. His smile is to die for. I'm sure every mother feels that way about her baby. He is, by far, my favorite child right now. His sisters are really making me crazy.

First Day of Preschool

I find myself in this weird, unfamiliar phase of life: I have three kids. I drive a minivan littered with crayons and dirty, unmated socks and sippy cups. I own a house that has a million unfinished projects. All my clothes have unsightly stains or pulled seams from being washed too many times. My laundry pile seems to never end. Even when I spend all day doing laundry, there's a another pile at the end of the day. Food crumbs are everywhere: the couch, the car, the floor, the girls' beds. Despite the "food up to the table only" rule, it's amazing how I find it everywhere! 

And, now I have a preschooler. When did Penny get old enough to go to preschool? I cried on our way to the school thinking about how fast she was growing up. I can't believe she'll be four next week. It feels like she was just born. (I probably said the exact same thing when I was writing about Ginger's 2nd birthday.) But seriously, why do they have to grow up so fast? 

As I pulled into the parking lot driving my Honda Odyssey, I noticed the two Odysseys in front of me and the two behind me, all with parents waiting to drop off their preschoolers. I sat there and cried for a brief minute. In my minivan. Probably in denial. We've had this minivan for five months and I'm still having a hard time accepting it. It's a great car but I still can't believe it's what I drive. Weird.

As we were getting out of the car Penny said to me, "Don't worry, Mom. I won't be gone for very long. You can have fun with Ginger and Jake while I'm at school." Thanks. Apparently she could tell I was having a hard time.

When we picked Penny up, I asked her how it went. "I had a lot of fun at school. I drew a picture but I didn't bring it home because I gave it to Ms. Ida because we have too many pictures at our house already."

This is Ginger smiling. I know. It's a shame, especially since her natural smile is so cute.