A little bit about Isabel

Isabel is almost 2. She is the happiest little girl ever. She has recently figured out how to climb onto the counters. She loves to pull all the dishes and glasses out of the cupboards and try to stack them on the counter. I thought it was cute at first, when she was using the plastic dishes, but recently she has started pulling out all the real dishes which freaks me out a little. So far nothing has fallen off the counter (including Isabel) but I'm over the cuteness now and would just prefer if she stayed on the ground.

She loves to play hide-n-go seek. She stands right next to Shane and tries to count. Every number sounds like two. Then she follows behind looking for the Hiders. As soon as she sees them she yells "rrrraaaa" as loud as she can. When it's her turn to hide she likes to jump out and try to scare whoever is looking for her (before they actually find her.)

As a side note to all those who knew me growing up: The ponytail on top of her head is in remembrance of the whale spout hairdo I had in junior high:-) Like mother Like daughter.

Sleding Trip

We tried to take the kids sledding since we have so much snow. I thought it would last maybe a half hour since the kids are so young. Gunnar marched right up the hill with Shane, jumped on the sled and took off down the hill. He continued this pattern for over 30 minutes and never did he look were he was going before he got on the sled. For the most part he had a clear path but randomly he would cause a stranger to dive out of the way. Once while Shane was getting him on video he came straight at Shane (good for video, bad for Shane and Isabel standing in front of Shane) At the last second, realizing Isabel was in some danger, Shane grabbed her out of the way and Gunnar slid right under Shane's left leg.

Livy and Isabel turned out not to be big fans of sledding. I waited in the car with them after about 15 minutes when they got cold.

Superbowl Sunday

The Superbowl is always a favorite holiday for our family. The thing I enjoy the most is seeing how many times Shane makes a comment BEFORE (this year) John Madden makes the same exact comment. I lost count it happened so many times.

This year was especially exciting because we actually had a home team to cheer for. Since lived in Phoenix for the last 6/7 years (I lose count) we were forced to watch all Cardinals games. The networks usually play the best match up in the area but we would always end up with the Cardinals. So we suffered through awful games, huge blow outs and depressing games. So we've watched them slowly build this team. We've been to a few games and great to see them make it to the Superbowl. To bad it wasn't last year though. Then they could've had home field advantage. We were sad they didn't win but as a football fan I couldn't have asked for a better game.

The kids don't know what's going on but Gunnar loves to yell touchdown. They were especially hyper during the first half (probably a result of all the sugar) and then slept through the second half so we just put them to bed. All in all a great Superbowl this year.

The Cookie Game

Shane made up this game for Family Home Evening one night. Mostly because Shane loves cookies. The rules of the game are simple. Everyone has to sit reverently for the time is takes to bake the cookies, about 7 minutes. If they talk to loud of get out of their chair (NO COOKIE FOR YOU!) yes, I get to be the cookie Nazi. It feels like an eternity for the kids, but they watch the timer and are usually reverent. For me it's quiet and peaceful. Even Shane is reverent. I think he's worried he won't get a cookie either.

The human jungle gym

It's cold outside and the kids aren't used to being in the house all day long. They have come up with their own way to keep their climbing skills up. Izze is the most daring of them all. She always wants to be the highest up. She has found an alternative when Dads not around. We have a 1/2 bath with a pedestal sink. She likes to hang upsidedown from it. It makes me a little nervous but she seems to be quite the little acrobat.

Shane the master negotiator

As many of our friends know first hand, Shane is a master negotiator. He has a crazy way of getting his friends to buy quads, rc vehicles, paintball guns, 5th wheels, cars, computer upgrades, etc...Whatever he's interested in. He loves to research his hobbies, thank you internet. Personally I think he just gets so excited about something you can't help but be sucked into his vortex. Not to mention he can justify anything to his advantage. So for all those that have been sucked into this vortex, I thought I'd give you an inside glimps at how this goes down on my side. I actually enjoy this, but I've had 14 years to develope counter measures.

Background: Shane has been waiting for this new Yamaha quad to be released and it finally did. There is only one at our local motor sports dealer and he just went to go test drive it. The following conversation happened a few hours after he got home.


Beki: Hey do you like this swimsuit? I think it's pretty cute...oh never mind it's $190.
Shane: It's great! and it gives me an idea.
Beki: I know that look...
Shane: Why don't you buy that swimsuit now even though you won't be able to use it until summer and I'll get the new 450R(quad) now even though I won't be able to ride it until summer?
Beki: hahaha...how is that even fair?
Shane: They are both things that we really want. And I think you'll look great in it!
Beki: How much is the quad?
Shane: Oh I worked them down to the best price. It's an amazing deal.
Beki: Don't you already have FIVE OTHER QUADS?
Shane: Yes but this is a NEED. It has fuel injection so I don't have to re-jet (yada yada yada)
Beki: What color is it?
Shane: White and Red, it's beautiful
Beki: Ummm...no deal I like it better in blue.
Shane: .........blank stare.......
Beki: (can't stop laughing)

The playful banter will continue for weeks or even months depending on how long I can hold out for. Some people don't believe me when I tell them Shane & I have never had a argument. How can I when I end up laughing at the end of most conversations. Shane's the cutest guy I know:)

France cont..start at the bottom

Last is the night life. You can sit around and try to watch a movie with the kids. A favorite is playing Rock Band and getting the chef to make chocolate chip cookies, or visiting one of the many parties going on. I do love the fact that you get dressed up to go out then you have to take your shoes off because no one is allowed to wear shoes on the boats. That's okay though because the supermodels they fly in are tall enough without their stilettos on.

Fifth, Back to another merry-go-round or the only park in the town. Notice there is no grass and only one piece of equipment. I thought I'd add the security protecting the strollers and diaper bags for fun. Poor guys. Shane loves to play practical jokes. He can keep a straight face through the most blatant lie, its amazing. One evening our 2 Israeli security men were going to watch a movie in one of their rooms together. Shane suggested that they would love Broke back Mountain. They had no idea what it was about and Shane explained it had won a lot of awards, it was a western. I couldn't stop laughing after they left and was still laughing 15 minutes later when they came storming up the stairs demanding to know "is this movie about homosexuals!!!??" Ah, I love Shane.

Then it's time for dinner. I love that my sister Lizzie was the first to the table and always knew what time dinner was being served. She was pregnant though, so she has a good excuse.

Fourth, We sit on the beach!! This is my favorite part. We get all the kids into the tender and the crew does everything else...Heaven. They gather and load/unload all the toys, masks, boogie boards, towels, snacks, water, sunscreen and a walky talky so you can call when you're done and they'll come get you. When the water is rough or a little deep they will even carry you to shore. I only did it once because I was in clothes and had medicine for Livy that I didn't want to get wet. I admit it was a little embarrassing. Then you just relax and let the kids run around and burn off all that energy. The little islands we went to were the best. Not very crowded and the water was shallow so the kids can play pretty far out there.

Third, time to eat lunch. Everyone loads into the tender. (small transport boat) They take you to a restaurant with a dock and I pray they have a kids menu or at least plastic cups which they never do. Then you try really hard to remember the french you learned in high school so you kinda know what you are ordering. The french like to take their time, so in other words they are slow. That's why if the kids want to eat their lunch under the table, it's fine with me. If they aren't bothering anyone, no harm done. Occasionally you see a celebrity. I tried to get a shot of Bono behind Isabel at Club 55 but some lady walked by. Then you load into the tender and go back to the big boat.