All Hallows Eve...

Okay, so I know I'm late getting this post up, but with all the computer issues we have had (are having) I'm doing well to post at all. It seems to take forever to get one up! Anyway, costume construction started early this year, and I wasn't too terribly stressed until various/several YW events interrupted the time when I was supposed to have started Madelyn's dress. Started it late, but got it finished quickly and with only a few minor snags that resolved rather quickly.

We had friends over to do a little trick-or-treating with us, (we had to wake Josh up when it was time to go...yes, he's in the hallway), and as has become the tradition, our across-the-street-neighbors waited patiently for our kids, promptly loaded their buckets to overflowing, and slipped inside and turned off their lights. They love our kids!

The kids were so proud of their facepaints that I couldn't get away without posting them...yes, I did them freehand.

Pictures on Halloween night didn't turn out very well, so I made the kids put costumes back on on Saturday so I could get some pictures in the daylight. Enjoy!

Proverbial Pumpkin Patch- Southern Style

Well, contrary to popular belief, we actually donned hats and mittens on our family trip to the one and only local pumpkin patch this fall! It was kind of exciting because it made us feel like it really was fall instead of like a family of frauds trying to convince ourselves that it was autumn despite summer temperatures. Anyway, it was chilly (translation somewhere between 50-60 degrees). We enjoyed the crisp weather and took our time choosing just the right pumpkins in just the right sizes for each of the kids!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Our baby is one!

Dallin's birthday was two weeks ago, and it was twice as nice because we celebrated once on his actually birthday as a family, and again the next night with a few friends for a little cake and ice cream.

I was glad to get a second chance at his cake...which turned out measurably better on the second round!

After having his cake, and eating it too, Dallin opened a few gifts

and turned his focus to Halloween preparations, as well as learning to walk! Happy Birthday Dallin! We are so thankful to have you in our family!

Technical difficulties...

Please stand by. We cannot get any pictures out of our My Pictures folder!!! We can't open it from Explorer, can't upload to email, can't upload to Blogger...upon attempting any of this, every open application shuts down and all is lost! It is driving me crazy!!! I discovered this hic-cup when I was drafting our Rain Tag post, and decided tonight to go ahead and post it sans pictures since we can't seem to fix the issue. So, until further notice, you will simply have to imagine all the wonderful things I tell you are happening here in Alabama! LOL!

Rain Tag!!

The other night, (shortly following hurricane Faye) we were having a picnic in the backyard when it started to rain. Normally, we would have run for cover given that it rarely rains in Alabama without thunder and lightening to accompany said rain. However, neither were anywhere to be seen or heard so we stayed out and got soaking wet! Josh decided that we should play "rain tag" and so we did. The kids are always delighted to chase or be chased...even Dallin! In fact, he makes such a fuss if he isn't involved that Parrish has to carry him, and he even gets a turn to be "it" which they all find absolutely hilarious! Anyway, we had a great time, and even caught a great picture of Dallin's top tooth. (We think he looks a bit like Nanny McPhee.) While Dallin is getting his teeth, Madelyn is losing hers faster than the tooth fairy can remember...she lost one during our picnic that night!! And Joshua, well, anytime he gets any food caught between his teeth, he is convinced that a tooth is loose, and wants someone (anyone) to try to pull it out. He wants desperately to be five and thinks it is taking a long time. Sorry babe.

Marital Bliss...

Parrish and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on Monday, August 18. I wanted so much to post a pictoral tribute to our ten years of marital bliss on the blog, but life has not allowed the time. In fact, we had planned on spending a long weekend in Savannah, GA for our anniversary, but again, it was not in the cards (or the checking account). So, we settled for a quick dinner (I had to be to work by 8:00) at the local hibachi grill while a young couple from our ward (with their 7 month old baby) watched the kids at home! Ah, how romantic!!! Exactly what I was thinking! Maybe after the next ten years...?

Oh, well. To my hubby: I am truly blessed to have you as my partner in life and in the eternities. Thank you for ten years of excitement, adventure, laughter, love, and learning. I love you with all of my heart. Love, me

Summer "VACATION"

So, we've been absent from the blogging circuit since early June, but what have been up to instead...? PLENTY! With less than 3 weeks until school starts, here is a summary of our summer vacation since our last post...


Parrish and I took a group of youth to the Atlanta temple on June 6, which is always an all day affair (the temple is 4 hours one way). Then we celebrated Parrish's birthday complete with a carrot cake shaped like a fish (Parrish has rediscovered a love for aquariums and has two at home and one at work), ideas provided by kids, designed and created by me, eaten and enjoyed by all! Happy Birthday Honey!



On June 21, I hosted a bridal shower- thankfully, they just needed my house- they brought all the food, etc.!!!


We spent the next week finding the bed and the floor in the office/spare bedroom as we prepared for Nana's annual summer visit. Which came quickly and ended too soon.


We enjoyed the first week of July with Nana, complete with a trip to the beach, where we took NO PICTURES, and our annual 4th of July celebration (Fort Rucker for the fireworks). This year, our tradition was altered slightly when we climbed in the car as a neighbor set off a bottle rocket, and poor Joshua, who had tubes placed in his ears in April and can actually hear us now, completely lost it! He was terrified by the sound, and started shaking and sobbing and screaming uncontrollably. So, we watched the fireworks display from Washington DC courtesy of PBS, while we ate our munchies on a blanket on the living room floor! It was an enjoyable evening with no traffic, no crowds, and plenty of air conditioning!



Nana left on July 5, and on July 8, I left for Girls Camp! I came home early so that Parrish could keep his appointment to shadow at a Family Practice clinic in town. The kittens went to the vet last week so that we could do our part to help control the cat population, and last night we enjoyed our ward Pioneer day celebration, complete with dutch oven dinner!


Dallin has learned to stand up to furniture and is cruising around at an unimaginable pace. He finally has his first tooth! He appears to have a magnetic connection to the dog's dish because as soon as you turn your back, he heads straight for it, but he never seems to eat enough to pass up his next meal! This week brings doctor/dental appointments, more time spent outside in our pool, some yard work, some last minute school shopping (just odds and ends)...and maybe next week we can squeeze in a quick family camping trip! Anyway, that is how we've spent our summer vacation!Maybe next summer we'll get the CRV A/C fixed!

Cars and Kittens...

Okay, so here we are unveiling the Beemer!

We love it! We've put a decent amount into repairs, but far less than we would have spent on a previously owned, and run-into-the-ground piece of junk! Anyway, we are eternally grateful to our friends in the ward who helped us get our "first, second car."

So, about the cat acquisition...make it two cats in that tally. Madelyn didn't choose the one I wanted, so we got both. Funny enough, she has now decided that the long-haired calico, female is softer, and therefore, has given the orange striped, male tabby to Joshua. (This "softer" argument is nothing new.) Anyhow, meet the kittens (not yet named)...

A few of you have commented on the seemingly sudden change-of-heart I have experienced when it comes to animals (particularly the "in-house" variety). I want to comment on that. Sometimes, we do things for our children because we love them, and want to add to their happiness. If you could see Madelyn in particular, and even Joshua, play with these animals, and snuggle them...Well, it's just enough to make my heart melt with happiness. Madelyn has, for months, cried every time we left PetSmart, because she feels so bad for the caged animals. She is in heaven! And her heaven makes our zoo, a little piece of heaven on earth.

For the Birds...

So, we were just minding our own business, doing the usual Memorial Day yardwork while the kids played in the pool, when suddenly, Parrish says, excitedly, "Look at that!" We all turn, and what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a Blue Parakeet just sitting there. Yes, folks, you read that right. We proceeded to grab a wire basket, and catch that crazy bird, so we could return it to its rightful owner. Well, after two escapes once we got it in the house, I sent Parrish to the pet store for a cage. I wasn't about to have a bird flitting around my house while I searched for its owner!!

It is Friday. We have placed notes like this one in every mailbox in the neighborhood (150 homes), talked to everyone we know, even had a few calls about a missing African Grey Parrot, and well, I guess we are taking the leap, buying the bigger cage, and will officially open our menagerie! The moral of the story is that if you see a beautiful bird in your yard, and it is obviously someone's pet, just say, "Oh, that's too bad" as sincerely as you can muster, and continue with your task at hand.

But the saga continues...we have been promising Madelyn a kitten for quite some time. I tried putting it off as long as possible with talk of summer vacation and her help in caring for it, but I can avoid it no longer. School is out, and she would not accept the newly acquired bird in place of the kitten. Tomorrow we will set out to "Save-A-Pet" to find the perfect kitten. Requirements are as follows: "Chosen kitten must snuggle with humans as well as dogs, patiently tolerate grabbing, strangling, and any other torture that infants and toddlers can dish out, eternally avoid scratching any and all furniture in the home, proficiently and neatly take care of business in litterbox provided, and last, but not least...STAY AWAY FROM THE BIRD!" Once we get the kitten, our pet count will be: 1 dog, 10 fish, 1 bird, 1 cat, and 3 children. We'd love to have you come visit our zoo!

Our Crazy Life...

Okay, so here it is folks...the next big trick!! Note the drip of drool on his chin- it's his trademark. Actually, he is usually frothing at the mouth and has a river of bubbles all the way down his neck instead of a single drip so I guess we got lucky on this one! Anyway, Dallin is 5 1/2 months old and weighing in at 17 lbs, 9 oz- placing him in the 60th percentile. But since we're starting cereal and fruit, there's no telling what our next visit will bring!!!

Madelyn (now 7) and Joshua (now 4) had great bdays spent in Atlanta at the Aquarium and at the Zoo! The animals at the zoo were in rare form which made for an awesome day!!

On our way home, we stopped and picked up Aunt Carrie at the airport and she spent four days in Dothan with us... We spent Wednesday worrying slightly about forecasts of "significant weather," Thursday hanging out at the house aside from the short shopping trip late in the day, Friday was spent in Panama City, Florida at the beach where we basked in the sun and in one short hour, got slightly sunburned! Sadly, on Saturday, Carrie and I left for Atlanta for her return flight to Salt Lake. Meanwhile Parrish took the kids to the ward Easter Egg Hunt. Here are a few photos of Madelyn and Joshua in the three-legged race...and one from Easter morning.

As a side note, and in my defense regarding blogging (or rather, my lack thereof)...I was called as YW President about six weeks ago...an enormous undertaking, and overwhelming physically, emotionally, and spiritually to say the least! I guess I'm going to camp again this summer! :-)

This just in...

He did it!! No, I didn't catch the first time on video, I didn't even see it! I left Dallin in the living room playing on his back and came back to find him on his tummy!! So, THEN I pulled out the camera and coaxed another roll out of him for your viewing pleasure...

Not as exciting, but noteworthy nonetheless is my latest project...the one that has been nothing but scraps of fabric for several years...I give you (drum roll please) the Balcena family Christmas tree skirt!!! I decided that rather than pack the fabric away for yet another year, I was going to make it this year. Now, two months later, I am still not finished, but I'm getting close. Yes, I pieced together all the squares (small and large) as well as the rectangles...all of these scraps match my tree decorations as well as my homemade stockings (thanks to a Christmas workshop many years ago...) and I must admit, I am so excited with how it's turning out!

Truly Blessed...

So, as many of you know, Parrish and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary in '08! So far we don't have any big plans, although I would be happy to go snorkeling off the Florida coast, and just spend a day or two at the beach minus the other three loves in our lives...time will tell.

Anywhoo, we are still tirelessly transporting one another back and forth to work, church activities, and the like in our trusty 2001 Honda CR-V. Don't get me wrong, we love the Honda- I mean what's not to love about a car that 1.)was purchased "used" in '03, 2.)wrapped around a pole in a UM parking garage in '04 (and then unwrapped-I'm not sure what he was thinking when he put it in reverse), 3.)has added 100,000 miles to our purchase mileage as of this week, 4.)lost it's AC early in our first summer here in such a "moderate" climate, the cost of repair totalling a mere $1500 in pocket change that we are still trying to find in the couch cushions so we are yet to repair (and summer is coming soon- HERE), 5.)faithfully offers me back-and-forth trips to Fort Rucker three times a week- just so I can have the car to drive (mind you Fort Rucker is 30 minutes one way, so this little trip equates to two hours a day, three days a week spent driving Parrish to work- JUST so I can run earrands...Anywhoo...

Many people have "advised" us to get another car, but that is easier said than done- at least until tonight when Heavenly Father decided we were worthy of a miracle. Today happened to be one of the days that I drove Pears to work, went straight to work myself, went from work to getting Madelyn off the bus and taking her directly to gymnastics, driving from gymnastics to pick up Pears, and returning to Dothan to attend a relaxing, quiet bday party at Chuckie Cheese, from which we arrived home at 8:30pm. Mind you, my kids are usually in bed by 7:30.

Sorry-Back to the miracle. On our trip home from the party, my phone rings with a # I don't recognize, but answer anyway. It was our Bishop. He was doing his home teaching tonight, and the sister he was visiting asked him if anyone in the ward needed a reliable car- nothing fancy, she said, but it runs. He thought of us, as she continued..."My boyfriend has an "89 BMW that is in good condition, but is old, and he would like to donate it to someone." Yes, friends you read that right. He wants to DONATE it to someone. Bishop asked me if we wanted to take a look at it and make a decision...is he crazy?! We just want to know when we can pick it up! I keep thinking that surely I will wake up and this will be a dream, allbeit a wonderful one. And then the Spirit touches me, and I marvel once again at the Lord's mercy and love for me. And that too is a miracle. We are truly blessed.

We're back...

I was going to title this post, "Remember how this blog was supposed to help faraway friends keep up with our life, but I never update the blog because life is so crazy that I never sit down for more than five minutes at the computer unless it's with a baby in one arm and only one hand for typing?!" but that seemed a bit long and so I opted for the shorter title.

Anyway, Thanksgiving was short and sweet. Christmas was NOT white, but it was warm, wet, and wonderful!

Now for some details...Tksgvng- Was literally short lived because Dallin (at 5 wks) and I flew to DC the day after for a week spent with part of my family! My sister and her husband were sealed in the DC Temple, which was awesome, and was the primary reason for the trip, but touring DC with my parents and three younger sisters was a ton of fun!!! I didn't realize I was the least bit homesick for the North until I saw the leaves on our descent into Dulles- I cried!!! But I was happy to fly south for the winter after two days on a double-decker bus touring DC in the arctic wind!

Christmas WAS wonderful! Aside from some near misses with the oldest child and the magic of the season, we got through unscathed...and I'm pleased to announce: We still have three believers!!! Whew!

Christmas morning was cozy with our fire in the fireplace- wish the stockings had still been hung, but they were too full for the stocking hangers (Santa was pretty good to us this year!) Madelyn was excited to find not one, but four gymnastics leotards under the tree, as well as gymnastics lessons through the local Rec & Ed. Joshua was more than thrilled to receive a full set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, along with some dress up Ninja Turtle stuff- that included plastic weaponry (Thank you Santa- What were you thinking!?)

And Dallin, he enjoyed most of it...and then settled in for a long winters' nap! We did manage to catch the kids in their Christmas pjs later that night- and amazingly, got a picture of all three relatively happy at the same time!

Post Christmas- a.k.a. my birthday- was spent going out to dinner, viewing Alvin and the Chipmunks AND Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium at the drive in movies, and enjoying a day at the beach- one of our new Christmas traditions that I enjoy immensely!
New Year's has come in with a bang- I started working at Joshua's preschool this week, and Madelyn went back to school today! She made the honor roll again this 9 wks and surpasses all her grade-level goals for reading by four times the recommended words per minute! We are so proud of her! Joshua has learned to write his name, and loves to play games on the PBS kids website! Dallin giggled this morning, and seems to be settling in to longer periods without screaming or being held- we are all happy with this development! He does still sleep through the night, and this week has decided that he can put himself to bed- he just rubs his face on your shoulder instead of burping, and that's the cue..."Put me in my bed or I will thrash and scream until you do." We are quick to heed his warnings!

We are doing well, and have loved all the Christmas wishes- I'll consider myself successful if I copy this post and email it out! And Maren- at some point, I will take care of the "Tag" I got way before the holidays...but not tonight. ;-)