Turkey day with the Grovers

The Johnny Grovers that is. The parents are still in China (don't ask, it is my Dad's latest adventure and my mom went too). Marion had a short break between shifts, so she came over too. My compliments to chef Vanessa who did a beautiful and very tasty job. I love me some PECAN PIE!

a few more pics from utah

Utah Trip

OK, this is my last posting. You better enjoy it because it will probably be months before I get back to it again. By the way, I'm still sitting in my bathrobe and it is 1:30 in the afternoon. I've just been blogging and playing with the kids all day. Nice as long as no one knocks on the door.

OK, this was my Utah trip from several months ago. It was my first trip with the kids, but no Wyatt. I felt very brave, and luckily there were no major travel catastrophes.

It was a great trip because I got to see lots of both sides of the family. The first couple days were spent with Sarah, her kids, and Marion (my sisters). Most of the pictures were of these days. Being around Marion makes me feel like taking photos. I have to keep up! Those of you that know her, know what I'm talking about. She is always making everyone stop having fun to pose for a photo. Well, and since everyone is posed, I snap a shot too. We had a really good time seeing the Frampton clan in Spanish Fork, going the the BYU Natural History Museum, going to the BYU football game, swimming at Solitude, and a hike up at Silver Lake.

I'm sad that I did not take more photos of the second part of the week. The few I took, didn't really turn out. :( We stayed with Wyatt's sister, Trisha and her family for the last part of the week. They have a set of twins too, so it was interesting to see how they all interacted. The last night we knew that they had bonded when Rachel was listening as Trisha read good night stories to Grant/Alex, she wanted to snuggle in right there at the foot of Alex's bed and spend the night. When I pulled her out, she cried for "cousin Alex" for a good 1/2 hour. That's love. As famous Dursteler tradition, we all got together for several "game nights." It was really good to see everyone again. I'm am lucky with my in-laws.

Becky's Trip

Ok, now I'm really getting caught up! Becky (Wyatt's Sister) and her two daughters came to visit So Cal in October. It was so good to get to see her. She is one of the most remote Dursteler Sibs (montanta), so it seems as if we don't get to see her enough.

The very first night the girls (Julie, Becky and myself) went to see Wicked, the musical in LA. Very fun girls night. I recommend it! Go see it soon, this is the last month.

The other following photos are of a trip down to Sea World and another day at the beach. It is funny James kept calling Ali, Alex, which is another cousin. There are so many, he cant keep them straight. Anyways, we were sad when they left. It always seems like too soon.

Go Utes!

SAY WHAT?!! Yes, it is true that when U of U isn't playing the good ol' blue (not lookin' so good for Sat Cougars) I would call myself a Ute fan. This is simply for the fact that my husband is totally over the top for them that it is the easier path to go along with.

We had a great weekend last week, and when I say "we" I mean me and Wyatt. Hooray for a break from the kids!! Julie and Sterling and some of their favorite cousins took the kids on Friday night so we could go down to San Diego for a romantic night (nice dinner, James Bond and the Hilton) and then a quick temple trip the next day. Julie and Sterling got two babysitters for the cousins and joined us at Qualcom for the Utah/San Diego football game on Sat night. The Utes dominated, all the San Diego fans left so we scooted down to the best seats. Very fun! The ladies pretty much chatted the whole time and would stand up an yell at each touch down. That is the best kind of game in my opinion. We miss going to more football games (well, I kinda miss them).

**By the way, we would love to crash a football party this weekend for the BYU/UTAH game. Anyone gettin' together? You will have to put up with the UTE fan though.

Pickin' Apples at Riley's Farm in Oak Glen

A couple of Saturdays we went up to pick apples at one of the local apple farms. We are new to Beaumont and this was our first time up to the Oak Glen. The day was perfect. The weather was lovely, the kids were happy, the apples were yummy, the pie was even better. We spent most of the day up there just enjoying the countryside.

Happy Halloween

Hooray for a Happy Halloween! We had such a fun time for Halloween. First of all, I'm loving my new job and how I'm not having to work as many holidays. The holiday working is BY FAR the worst part about my very cool job, so I'm glad that things seem to be working out better at Loma Linda. (I'm very happy there)

Our Halloween started a week early at the Ward Party. The Beaumont Ward has an awesome activities committee. They really put effort into things. The kids loved getting dressed up, getting candy at various booths, decorating cookies, and seeing friends. Wyatt tried to drag them through the Haunted House, despite vocal protests. They are still sleeping with their lights on and talking about "scary ghosts." Thank you Wyatt. He thinks that it is hilarious. Anyways, now it is so funny, any time that we drive past the church, they get all excited and want to go. "Mommy, Mommy, it's the CHURCH PARTY!!!" Not a bad thing right? Wait until they figure out that church doesn't always = candy.

For the actual Halloween night, we went out with a few friends from the neighborhood, the Jamisons and the Gardners. We had quite the group! James and Rachel totally grasped the concept that trick-or-treating meant candy at each door. James was leading the pack as always, Rachel was lagging behind looking at her various princess accessories as always. Opposites. James showed his true candy collecting dedication and valor when he was the only kid willing to go up to the door that the owners had decorated with all sorts of scary lighting, goblins that jump out and make loud noises. He made the decision to go, let go of my hand, ran up to the guy, grabbed the candy and booked it out of there at full speed running past me on the way out. Too funny.

Pumpkin Patch

Hooray! I know that everyone is doing a happy dance because I'm finally updating my blog. Sorry that it has been so long. I am trying out a new look, but I need help to make it all cute and custom the way some of you blogger do. Help a girl out will ya?

We are getting more familiar with the area and have been finding some fun "fall" stuff to do. These are photos of us at the pumkin patch just up the highway a little. I'd have to admit that it was not the perfect day- the kids had the grumpies, therefore Wyatt had the grumpies, and i followed suit. We made them have fun anyways despite it all. Here are the pics!

Concert

Hey for you Jason Mraz fans out there. He is coming to Morongo Casino on August 13 ($35). This is the casino about 10 min from my house (by the Cabazon outlets). We are going to try to get tickets, so call me people if you are interested!! Don't post a reply cuz I'm going out of town tomorrow.

Favorite quote, "You have to laugh at yourself, or else you would cry your eyes out if you didn't."

Hey, just a quick update on our family. Our computer is down temporarily (viruses=major suckage), so I have not been in touch lately. Nothin' personal.

Update #1- Our "Stinker-" James is finally potty trained. Hooray! I'm doing the happy dance for all those who are wondering. After a week of messy pants, he finally did his business in the potty. After that, not one mistake. Whew! He is such a funny kid- doesn't talk that well, and is always getting words mixed up. One of his first days putting his "stinky" in the potty, he was proudly showing me his latest progress. He kept exclaiming, "Mom, I'm a stinker! I'm a BIG STINKER!!" After reflecting on what we went through to get him that far, I had to agree with him. Seriously.

Update #2- Princess Rachel- Who knew that you could have a princess living in our little town? Rachel is in full blown princess phase- stripping at every oppontunity to don dress-up tutus, frills, jewerly and slippers. The more frills and fluff, the better. We read the Cinderella book at least 4 times a day. Each time she get a dreamy look as the princess lives happily ever after with the "Daddy Prince." One day as a reward, I took them to the dollar store to pick out a "prize." (Yes I am a cheap skate, but is that really a surprise to anyone?) Rachel picked out some shiny, made in china, breaks after 5 minutes, jewelry. There were these crazy clip on earrings that kept falling off. Each time she would come running back to me, "Where did my ears go? My ears fell off!!! Mommy, put my ears back on!!!" I couldn't help but think, no wonder she doesn't listen very well. It all makes sense now.

Update #3- The kids both got hair cuts-- by themselves! Luckily, I saw Rachel as she did it and not much damage was done. James is another story. He likes to wake up at the crack of dawn, sneak downstairs and get into trouble. The other day I caught him making toast. I wasn't even surprised. Anyways, he got the bright idea one morning to push the bar stool over to a high cabinet (above the fridge) where I keep their art supplies and helped himself to his brand new scissors. He is now missing most of the front of his cute shaggy hair. The crew cut is inevitable I'm afraid at this point, although Wyatt is still in denial and says that it will grow out on his own. I was trying to prove a point by showing him his reflection in the mirror and showing him that his hair was "ugly." Now he just walks around saying "I'm ugly!" or telling Rachel that she is. I think that he missed the point.

Photos to come as soon as our crippled computer is fixed. By the way, it is 3:40 am at work and I'm trying to stay occupied until the last set of vital signs are due. So if I seem a little sarcastic, enjoy it while you can. :)

Privacy Please!

OK, it is time for me to go private with our blog. I have mixed feelings about it honestly. I wish that we didn't have to live in such a scary world, but we do (my husband recently reminded me of it, and is insisting on a password). So, all those loyal followers, please comment to this entry with your email address and I will send you an invite to create a password. Or at least that is how I think it will work.

OK, here is a funny side note. Today is the first day of watching my Hirsch niece and nephew, Iris and Carmen, for the weekend. The kids all get along pretty well now and were all looking forward to the get together. So, this morning I made a special oldschool breakfast. You know those delicious cinnamon rolls out of a can- the refrigerator kind? Well, I started off the day with some hot and toasty out of the oven. Rachel felt like it was such a treat, that it must be a birthday party. She started singing "Happy Birthday." Soon, all the kids joined in and they sang it to each child (not really knowing whose Bday it really was). Funny time to celebrate, but a cute moment. Afterwards, they all got giggly licking their frosting and reveling in their good luck. :) Let's hope this keeps up!

Laguna Beach Fireworks

Marion came out for a surprise visit for the Fourth of July. We spent the evening at Laguna Beach where we watched the fireworks. Beautiful!

Beaumont Lavender Festival

Toasty Marshmellow = Happiness

We had such a fun time camping in Southern Utah for the First Annual Dursteler Family Reunion. We were all (30 of us and more coming!) camping at Duck Lake, an area close to Cedar City. The weather was beautiful. We have missed the outdoors and spending more time with Wyatt's family, so this was perfect. The weekend was filled with lots of fierce board games competitions, hiking in Bryce Canyon and Zions National Park, badminton battles (my mother-in-law will NEVER give up!), campfire cooking (yum!), lots of swimming in the nearby lakes and waterfalls, fishing for the guys (Wyatt seems to love it even if he doesn't catch much), sisterly chit-chat, hammock snoozing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and a million marshmallows toasted to utter perfection by yours truly (I think that was my favorite part). Ahhh, what a good time! I did not worry a bit about keeping clean, but just enjoyed the dirtiness of it all. The kids were thrilled to spend time with all their cousins. I love that they have a big family to be a part of. The Durstelers have a great time when we are all together. Enjoy the pics (wish that I had gotten one of each person)! I miss everyone already. Hooray for Lake Tahoe next year!

Dursteler Family Reunion- Southern Utah Camping

Darling Daisy Debut

Thanks to a tip-off from a thoughtful friend (thanks Christina!!), Darling Daisy Hair Accessories has finally gone retail! This came at a perfect time for me. I was debating going on with the business, but still had lots of inventory, and was feeling overwhelmed starting over in Beaumont. So, there is a new kids boutique off the HWY 79/Temecula parkway called Kidzilla (across the 79 from the community church) that agreed to selling my bows. Hooray! No more marketing for me! I love making the bows, but hate selling them. The store is really cute with some killer chic clothes. And for cheapskates like me (I know you are out there), they have a second hand clothing section as well. The used clothes are all in perfect condition, but are usually about $5ish. I am crazy about a good deal. All you Temecula-ites should check it out- tell them Ruth told you about it.

Brotherly Love

Here are some photos of when Wyatt's sisters, Trisha and Kristie came out to visit a few weeks ago. It is cute how much the Durstlers look alike.

Crash Landing

I feel as if we have crash landed in our new home. The move did not go particularly smoothly, but now the dust has settled. We are feeling more comfortable in the house and adore the neighborhood. I love our new home (we are super spoiled), love our new ward already, and are loving our jobs. I am feeling optimistic, but occasionally feel sad when looking back and missing Temecula and friends. Thanks to all those who have kept in touch... Here are just a few updates to get y'all caught up.

*I have started a new job on a peds unit at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. It is fun to be back into the field I'm the most interested in. After several years of coasting, doing mostly post-partum at Rancho Springs (the nicest nurses ever by the way, and coolest friends too), it is time for me to be challenged at work again. I needed a laid back job while the kids were young, but now they are more independent (well, sorta). This type of Medical-surgical nursing (we see anything that a kid could be sick with from birth to age 21) is so diverse. There is much to learn. I come home exhausted, but feel like I have done something truly good in the world. Nursing is the best!

*Our kitty, "Ezzy," we have had since our first few months of marrage (yes, that means 7 years), ran away when we moved to the new house. :( We didn't keep him inside long enough I guess. My eyes are always searching for him when we are outside. I miss him and feel terrible about it. Sad.

*My brother-in-laws , Joey and Sam, came out to live with us for the summer. Sam already decided to go back (the big looser!), but Joey is here still. What a nice guy! The kids really love "Uncle Joey" and bug him endlessly. If any one knows of any cute 20-something girls to hook him up with... let me know.

*I hate painting. I hate the back-ache. I hate the touch-ups. I hate the smell. I hate the clean-up. I hate the guilty feeling when I look at all that is unfinished. Unfortunatly, I love the result. We have painted about 1/3 of our house (not to mention beds, a dresser, side tables and bunch of picture frames) and still have so much to do. Right now we're taking a break, but it is driving me crazy how their is mess everywhere and even paint tape around. My personality is somewhat perfectionist (this is a news flash to those that know me I'm sure), so all the mess makes me crazy. We are working on things slowly, but surely. The results, I'm happy to say, have been nice. Did I mention how lucky I am that we ended up in this house? I'm an ungratful grump for whining about the painting I know. Call the "whaaambulence."

*Wyatt is settling into his job. The business seems to be going better than expected and so that is a relief. He is planning on trasitioning from being the operations manager, to more of the sales/brokerage side of the company. Good for him. He comes home exhausted but fulfilled. Hooray for 2 hours less a day commuting!

*Toddler Boot Camp- I had a light-bulb moment this last week when I noticed that my kids are turning into little tyrants- sometimes demanding my attention in naughty ways. Since for the last 2 months we have either been packing, movning, unpacking, painting or otherwise working on the new house, we have not been devoting quality time for the kids. When I say "we," I mean "me." It feels like in my effort to multi-task, my Rachel and James have been somewhat neglected, especially in their disipline I'm afraid. So, this week we have started Toddler Boot Camp! It will include several weeks of quality attention, quality dicipline, and general whipping us into shape. Any wonderful dicipline/ positive guidance tips from you wonderful parents out there?

*No, James is not potty-trained yet. Not cool.

*Wyatt's sisters from Utah, Trisha and Kristie came out for a fun visit. They brought along the oldest of the Dursteler cousins, Whitney. It was fun to show them around. We all spent most of the time at the beach. I have great in-laws. His sisters are completly some of my best friends. I'm lucky.

Whew! Ok, this is enough rambling for the night. I'm not even going to spell-check, but am probably going to regret it. See Ya! Ruth

"Dirt Don't Hurt"

We have a sayin' way down south in Alabama, "dirt don't hurt." This means that getting a little dirty now and then can be good a good thing. I am reminded of my tomboy childhood growing up on the outskirts of Auburn, AL. When my best friend, Andi Renden, and I would come home filthy from a long day's playing outside, I never once remember my mom (a MAJOR neat freak) complaining. What I do remember however was having to strip down to my undies and wash all of the dirt off with the cold hose before coming inside. It was always worth it though. Sometimes, I am kinda sad that kids today don't get that kind of freedom- you know the kind where you are out exploring nature, having adventures in your imagination, playin' hard and gettin' dirty. I know that Wyatt feels the same way. That's why we neglected our infinite "To Do List" to take the kids camping last weekend.

This was our first time to Big Bear Lake. It was beautiful! We will definitly be going back. Wyatt is happier in the mountains than anywhere else on earth I have decided. The kids had a great time too. Saddie (our Golden Retriever) probably had the best trip however. You have never seen a dog so happy as when Saddie was with her peeps, eatin' charred hotdogs, swimmin' after ducks in icy waters. Rachel and James were completly occupied the whole time with just simple things (watching ants, putting sticks into the fire, riding in the kayak on the lake, climbing trees). It was cool to see them learning to love and admire nature the way we do. The only thing that would have made the trip better was if James and I had not gotten a touch of the flu (we still didn't want to leave even after getting sick). It was a good reminder to me that I might actually be a better mother if my kids are dirty than if they look perfect and clean. They need a chance to be kids right? Sometimes, Dirt don't hurt!

"MY Rachel!"

Up 'til now we have not put our kids in big beds. Yes, that means our 3 year-old have been in cribs (and loving it) until recently. I am not ashamed. It seemed like they always did better that way and with the impending move, we were putting it off. Until recently... James (who hardly sleeps now) has been waking Rachel (who needs lots of beauty rest) up too often. The result is a cranky little girl. In fact, several mornings this week we were hearing (at about 6:15 am), "Rachel, WAKE UP!" Her grumpy responce is, "GO AWAY JAMES! I'm SLEEPING!" We finally decided to split the twins up at least when it comes to bedtime.

So, Rachel was getting to take naps in our spare bedroom. She was very excited and ready to sleep in her big, "special" (her favorite descriptive word) bed. The naps were going so well, that on Sunday night we decided to put Rachel in the separate room for the whole night. They were both very tired from staying up late with guests, so they went right to sleep. You know as a parent, every once-in-a-while everything seems to work out and a brief moment of harmony is achieved? I thought this was it. I was WRONG!

The first night, Wyatt and were just settling down to sleep and Rachel started screaming. I thought that she had woken up scared from being in a new place. I wish. Instead, she was vomiting all over her new, big girl bed. The same bed that I foolishly still had made up for guest with 3 quilts and countless pillows. Yuck! It was a huge mess. After cleaning her up, she went back to sleep in her crib. Strike one!

Last night (#2), we put them down in their separate rooms. Again, Rachel was so happy to snuggle in her new, bed. James was feeling a little left behind and cried for a few minutes before falling asleep. A little later, we went to sleep as usual. 4:11 am- James is screaming. "Oh no, now he is puking," I thought as I rushed to him in my just woken-up-out-of-a-dead-sleep delirium. Rushing into the room, looking for another huge mess, I rush past James and to his crib. All clean. Huh? I turn to James, no puke. And then I start to listen to him, "I want MY Rachel!" he is screaming frantically. You woke me up for that? Still screaming, I try to put him back into his crib and explain about Rachel sleeping in her big bed. By then Rachel hears all this and comes in saying, "it's OK James, I'm sleeping in my special bed." She helps tuck him in and kiss him goodnight again and then runs back to her big bed and falls back to sleep. Strike two! What will tonight bring?

I am amazed however at their beautiful bond. James loves and depends on his sister so much. Rachel knows just how to reassure and calm him. Throughout each day, often there is more fighting between them than not. Moments like this make me realize that they are building a sweet, genuine bond despite it all. They have history.