Dear Santa,
I want a walkie-talkie for Christmas. I'm a good boy. I showed Gwen some toys and a special surprise. I'm also a big boy because I wear underwear and babies wear diapers.
Thank You,
Lincoln D Hills
(as dictated)
Friday, December 24, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Out with the "OLD", in with the NEW
Five days after my birthday (Nov 11th), we traded our lovely 2008 Accord EX in for the family wagon (2011 Odyssey EX-L). As much as we like the new ride, I must say, this was definately one of the lesser desirable aspects of a growing family. With number three (3) due mid-January, we felt it was time to upsize. It was hard to say goodbye to an exceptionally nice car. Hopefully the new Odyssey should last us a while.
"OLD"
NEW
Sorry...I can't find the photos I took of the interior. The interior is called truffle, which I love. It seems most of the new cars come with interiors that are much to light in color for my taste. I was happy this new model year came out with the new truffle leather. As you may notice, we added three (3)accessories to the van...limo tint thanks to my friend Brett Lee, factory rubber floor mats and splash guards on all four (4) wheels. Thought the splash guards would help keep the black paint job cleaner. Nikki and I promised each other this was our early Christmas gift to each other...I hope she enjoys it as much as the kids will:)
"OLD"
NEW
Sorry...I can't find the photos I took of the interior. The interior is called truffle, which I love. It seems most of the new cars come with interiors that are much to light in color for my taste. I was happy this new model year came out with the new truffle leather. As you may notice, we added three (3)accessories to the van...limo tint thanks to my friend Brett Lee, factory rubber floor mats and splash guards on all four (4) wheels. Thought the splash guards would help keep the black paint job cleaner. Nikki and I promised each other this was our early Christmas gift to each other...I hope she enjoys it as much as the kids will:)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
A Sampling of Lincoln's Questions
Zach and I were chuckling last night over some of Lincoln's recent questions and I thought I ought to record some of them for posterity's sake.
Since 90% of conversation with Lincoln consists of him asking questions, I've got a good arsenal of them to post, now if I can just remember some of the best...
Why is honey sticky?
Where do beavers live?
Do beavers have doors and windows on their houses?
Do beavers eat flesh? ( this was a follow-up after learning that Tigers eat flesh- a question his Daddy answered)
Do snakes eat flesh?
How do snakes walk?
Do alligators eat flesh?
What is flesh?
Why do turkeys have legs if they can fly?
Why do chickens need their wings clipped?
How did the baby get in your tummy?
How will the baby get out of your tummy?
Why do we have to plug in the vacuum?
Why can't I drive?
When can I drive?
Does this plant have thorns?
How did the thorns get on the plant?
Why do motorcycles have motors?
Where are the clouds? (Many of his questions are those of which he already knows the answer.)
And so on, and so on...
I'm tellin' ya-it's all day long!
I can't say I mind too much for the most part- I like the idea of having an inquisitive child and I know that it's an extremely common phase.
But, there are times when I think, okay kid, let your mom have some time for her own thoughts.
He's so into this questioning phase that he'll even preempt himself. For example, yesterday he asked me if he could have a cookie and before I could even answer him, he said (a little incensed) "why?"
He's too funny. We sure love this kid and consider it a great blessing every day that he's our oldest.
Since 90% of conversation with Lincoln consists of him asking questions, I've got a good arsenal of them to post, now if I can just remember some of the best...
Why is honey sticky?
Where do beavers live?
Do beavers have doors and windows on their houses?
Do beavers eat flesh? ( this was a follow-up after learning that Tigers eat flesh- a question his Daddy answered)
Do snakes eat flesh?
How do snakes walk?
Do alligators eat flesh?
What is flesh?
Why do turkeys have legs if they can fly?
Why do chickens need their wings clipped?
How did the baby get in your tummy?
How will the baby get out of your tummy?
Why do we have to plug in the vacuum?
Why can't I drive?
When can I drive?
Does this plant have thorns?
How did the thorns get on the plant?
Why do motorcycles have motors?
Where are the clouds? (Many of his questions are those of which he already knows the answer.)
And so on, and so on...
I'm tellin' ya-it's all day long!
I can't say I mind too much for the most part- I like the idea of having an inquisitive child and I know that it's an extremely common phase.
But, there are times when I think, okay kid, let your mom have some time for her own thoughts.
He's so into this questioning phase that he'll even preempt himself. For example, yesterday he asked me if he could have a cookie and before I could even answer him, he said (a little incensed) "why?"
He's too funny. We sure love this kid and consider it a great blessing every day that he's our oldest.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
General Update
Thought I would just post a couple small updates about our family since it's been a while since I updated much.
Gwen has become a bit of a jabberbox. She talks all the time and often will try to use complete sentences. It's fun to hear her careful pronunciation of words. When she's not speaking for herself, she'll parrot whatever Lincoln says. She loves babies- no surprise there, and is still a bit independent- but has become a little more of a mommy's girl lately. She's decided she doesn't need naps every day- just a couple times a week. She'll stay awake in her crib and play for an hour or two, if I try to put her down and she doesn't want to take a nap. She gives the best "squeeze" hugs when asked-it's pretty much one of the best feelings in the whole wide world. She loves to bounce and jump and when healthy is a very happy, sweet girl.
Lincoln is now the "why?" kid. He asks me questions all day long- especially when we're in the car. He's suddenly interested in cartoons- something he never even spent a minute on before. He can't ride his bike without training wheels yet, but he asked us to take them off a few weeks ago and is determined not to have them go back on because he wants to be able to ride his bike like a motorcycle. Now he just uses his feet to push and balance, kind of like those Skut bikes. He's becoming a pretty good boy- I think he'll be a great big brother and he's extremely excited to have a baby brother. He talks all the time about what he's going to do when his brother comes and what his brother will and will not be able to do (i.e.crawl, ride a bike, play with baby toys...)
Zach and I are busy with the usual- work, raising kids, church callings, life... Life's good.
Gwen has become a bit of a jabberbox. She talks all the time and often will try to use complete sentences. It's fun to hear her careful pronunciation of words. When she's not speaking for herself, she'll parrot whatever Lincoln says. She loves babies- no surprise there, and is still a bit independent- but has become a little more of a mommy's girl lately. She's decided she doesn't need naps every day- just a couple times a week. She'll stay awake in her crib and play for an hour or two, if I try to put her down and she doesn't want to take a nap. She gives the best "squeeze" hugs when asked-it's pretty much one of the best feelings in the whole wide world. She loves to bounce and jump and when healthy is a very happy, sweet girl.
Lincoln is now the "why?" kid. He asks me questions all day long- especially when we're in the car. He's suddenly interested in cartoons- something he never even spent a minute on before. He can't ride his bike without training wheels yet, but he asked us to take them off a few weeks ago and is determined not to have them go back on because he wants to be able to ride his bike like a motorcycle. Now he just uses his feet to push and balance, kind of like those Skut bikes. He's becoming a pretty good boy- I think he'll be a great big brother and he's extremely excited to have a baby brother. He talks all the time about what he's going to do when his brother comes and what his brother will and will not be able to do (i.e.crawl, ride a bike, play with baby toys...)
Zach and I are busy with the usual- work, raising kids, church callings, life... Life's good.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Halloween 2010
Halloween was spent a little differently for us. The Shamo crew got together up in Pine Valley to put on a home-spun Halloween for the kids. Our candies were homemade and trick-or-treating took place only at one house. But, the kids participated in a "spook walk" -can't think of what else to call it.
The night was based on two children's Halloween books: The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything and The Bones of Fred McFee.
The festivities started on Friday with first a visit to the reservoir because for how long I've been going up to Pine Valley, it's pretty pathetic that neither Zach, nor I, had ever been to visit it. It was beautiful up there and we were able to take my grandma with us. Friday night we participated in pumpkin carving and Halloween semi-scary stories.
The next day the kids played outside while the adults decorated and prepared for the evening. My sister, Jamie, thought of everything. She really should be an event planner. If you're familiar with the two books, an integral figure in the Little Old Lady book is the pumpkin-head scarecrow, which Jamie made and "planted" in the garden. Fred McFee's bones were hung high in a tree in a spooky corner of my grandma's yard for the other book. There were other scary sights to see as well. Including a couple of mask-clad uncles that moved in the foggy bushes, and some haunting figures in the bunk house. The night ended with a visit from a "Yettie"? Lincoln was terrified and called it a witch- even though that's what he was for Halloween.
The younger kids just went for a walk through the decorated yard before it got dark, but the older kids were invited on a treasure hunt through the haunted bunk house. They did survive and receive the treasure after-all.
After all that, we returned back to the cabin, drank cider, enjoyed some of the candies and watched Disney's Mr. Boogedy--a classic for our family. We didn't let Lincoln and Gwen watch much of that, I enjoy sleeping a little too much. And, even though it's not that scary of a movie-I didn't want to push it with Lincoln.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Cute Kids
Arggghhh! Darn my lousy camera and lack of photography skills! I'm sure this picture would have turned out much better had either or both of those been any better.
Gwen's hair is so curly and she struck such a cute pose.
This bike is Lincoln's pride and joy of late. We got it from Craig's List for $10. Actually, it was two bikes for $10. The other one is too big for him and kind of beat-up so we have a few years before it's needed to get it all fixed up.
Newport Coast 2010
So it's been almost a month since this past trip, but it was such a fun trip (as usual) I wanted to get it on this blog.
We again stayed with my generous parents at one of their time shares in So. Cal. There was beautiful weather and the beach!
Lincoln was most excited about swimming in the hotel pool, but we spent many of our days at the beach enjoying the cool breeze and playing in the sand.
Gwen again wasn't sure about the sand, but warmed up to it eventually. It took a while to get Lincoln to actually let his feet get wet, but he did. Gwen never did enjoy that part--oh, well!
We did let Lincoln spend some time at the hotel pool, but his favorite was the hot tub--or hot pool as he calls it.
My oldest brother and one of his kids came down for part of our trip as well. I actually let him talk me into taking a 5-mile run along the coast and would have to say that it was easily one of the most enjoyable runs of my lifetime. Something about being at sea-level, in a humid environment with a view of the ocean can do that for you, I guess. I was a bit nervous about going with him because he's my Iron-Man brother-but he let me pick the pace ( which I'm sure was beyond-slow to him). And, before anyone gets impressed with me running that--let me just say--ANYONE could have run at the pace I ran. Really, Anyone.
We spent our last day on Balboa Peninsula walking around and discovering a great little Italian Restaurant since our usual (Spaghetti Factory) wasn't open for lunch. Lincoln loved looking at the boats in the harbor.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Drumroll Please!
So number three is.....
A boy! (ultrasound tech was 93% sure)
His ultrasound picture is pretty revealing.
Lincoln was hoping for a little sister, but fortunately a friend of mine has a little boy whom Lincoln adores. So, I just told him he was going to get a little brother like Isaiah (said little boy) and he beamed. I'm really glad he gets a little brother--he needs one. With a little sister and a ward full of mostly girls his age- he's pretty surrounded. He always wants to be pretty on Sunday- instead of handsome. A little brother will be good for him and he'll be a great big brother!
Gwen of course has very little clue about what's going on and just repeats the words baby brother (pronounced beebee brudder) whenever we talk about him.
A boy! (ultrasound tech was 93% sure)
His ultrasound picture is pretty revealing.
Lincoln was hoping for a little sister, but fortunately a friend of mine has a little boy whom Lincoln adores. So, I just told him he was going to get a little brother like Isaiah (said little boy) and he beamed. I'm really glad he gets a little brother--he needs one. With a little sister and a ward full of mostly girls his age- he's pretty surrounded. He always wants to be pretty on Sunday- instead of handsome. A little brother will be good for him and he'll be a great big brother!
Gwen of course has very little clue about what's going on and just repeats the words baby brother (pronounced beebee brudder) whenever we talk about him.
Pine Valley
Because it gets sooooo hot here, I find it necessary to escape to cooler places as often as possible in the Summer. Thankfully I have Pine Valley to go to. It's the perfect retreat, not too far and beautiful! I took the kids on my own up for about 5 days. We were joined by my sister and her kids and my parents as well as two other nieces.
Lincoln and Gwen loved being able to spend all day outside everyday, sleeping with the windows open and going for Rhino rides. Grandpa was nice enough to take all the grandkids, (and Aunt Jamie to help chaperon) on a ride down to the river where they played in the water and Lincoln reported he played Pooh sticks. Some of the other highlights were going for wagon rides, going to look at the cows, spotting the biggest beetle I have ever seen (not exaggerating at all it had to be about an inch and a half in length), roasting marshmallows, and enjoying family.
Good memories were made!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Life Was Getting Too Predictable
Just when I start getting the hang of having two kids and I get my body back-mostly--it's time to start all over again. So yep, we're pregnant again! I'm about 15 weeks along and all's well! I actually just went to the Dr. for the first time two days ago and it was kind of nice being able to bypass the unnecessary first visit of them telling me what I already knew- that I was pregnant. I was able to have a very useful prenatal visit- even though it was only my first. And, they weren't even mad at me for waiting so long.
The baby's due next Mid-January putting this baby and Gwen almost exactly two years apart. I'm no longer sick--yea!! And- I'm definitely showing--no big surprise there, I always show way early.
I'm very nervous about having number 3, but I have to say that in many ways--it's been a blessing having Lincoln and Gwen so close. So, while it may be a very difficult year again-next year, I'm betting and hoping it will be worth it.
My baby-bump--already!
The baby's due next Mid-January putting this baby and Gwen almost exactly two years apart. I'm no longer sick--yea!! And- I'm definitely showing--no big surprise there, I always show way early.
I'm very nervous about having number 3, but I have to say that in many ways--it's been a blessing having Lincoln and Gwen so close. So, while it may be a very difficult year again-next year, I'm betting and hoping it will be worth it.
My baby-bump--already!
Aspen Grove
This vacation was two years in the making--it takes nearly that long to get in to this place- but I think it was worth it.
The last time I went to Aspen Grove I think I was 13 years old-- some has changed-they've added a lot more, but much has stayed the same. There are still great counselors, lots of food--not bad, but I seem to remember it tasting a little bit better, gorgeous scenery, and TONS to do!
We arrived the afternoon of Saturday and checked in, ate dinner, met our kids' counselors and were briefed on the week's activities.
Sunday we ate breakfast, went to church in the amphitheater there (received a very healthy dose of Vitamin D in the process), and attended a fireside that night.
The rest of the week's activities I'll try to illustrate with pictures.
Riding the baby bear--those bears always had some kid on their back.
Air-rifles. My dad actually got best marksman in the whole camp- I hadn't realized he was that good. 
Cowboy Village- we found Darrin playing with this thing by himself-claiming he was there to watch his daughter. I'm pretty sure he was having more fun than she was. 
Gorgeous! I couldn't get enough of this view!
Riding White Lightning
These kids LOVE each other! A funny little anecdote--Lincoln and Gwen were supposed to be in two different groups. Lincoln couldn't stand being in a group with a bunch of kids he didn't know so we requested that he join Gwen's group. After that, he was much better off.
FRONTIER NIGHT
Zach- roping.
Train Ride
Tomahawk throwing
Panning for Gold
Stewart Falls Hike
Timp Falls Hike
These Falls were gorgeous. We hiked up to the first falls and we couldn't get down to the falls so we decided to hike up to the second one and it was definitely worth it. So beautiful and refreshing! 
Aspen Grove in the background.
Flowers!
Family Pictures at Cowboy Village
A cousins shot-couldn't even fit them all in!
Bean Museum--had to get it in.
Gwen and the ducks- her favorite animal!
Gwen's new move- she's really good at it. (another little fun anecdote- since she's mastered this move she's made taking her to public places a difficult thing. The other day at the library- I became the mom everyone pities. She was squealing and squirming and running as far away as she could so she could tear off as many books or DVD's as she could and Lincoln decided it would be fun to follow her example instead of BE the example--we've got to work on that one.)
Even with this uber-long post I haven't recorded even half of what we did-the shuffleboard--Zach really liked that one, the swimming, the miniature golf, the walks,the lectures. It was a very nice trip!
The last time I went to Aspen Grove I think I was 13 years old-- some has changed-they've added a lot more, but much has stayed the same. There are still great counselors, lots of food--not bad, but I seem to remember it tasting a little bit better, gorgeous scenery, and TONS to do!
We arrived the afternoon of Saturday and checked in, ate dinner, met our kids' counselors and were briefed on the week's activities.
Sunday we ate breakfast, went to church in the amphitheater there (received a very healthy dose of Vitamin D in the process), and attended a fireside that night.
The rest of the week's activities I'll try to illustrate with pictures.
Riding the baby bear--those bears always had some kid on their back.
Air-rifles. My dad actually got best marksman in the whole camp- I hadn't realized he was that good. 
Cowboy Village- we found Darrin playing with this thing by himself-claiming he was there to watch his daughter. I'm pretty sure he was having more fun than she was. 
Gorgeous! I couldn't get enough of this view!
Riding White Lightning
These kids LOVE each other! A funny little anecdote--Lincoln and Gwen were supposed to be in two different groups. Lincoln couldn't stand being in a group with a bunch of kids he didn't know so we requested that he join Gwen's group. After that, he was much better off. FRONTIER NIGHT
Zach- roping.
Train Ride
Tomahawk throwing
Panning for GoldStewart Falls Hike
Timp Falls Hike
These Falls were gorgeous. We hiked up to the first falls and we couldn't get down to the falls so we decided to hike up to the second one and it was definitely worth it. So beautiful and refreshing! 
Aspen Grove in the background.
Flowers!Family Pictures at Cowboy Village
A cousins shot-couldn't even fit them all in!
Bean Museum--had to get it in.
Gwen and the ducks- her favorite animal!
Gwen's new move- she's really good at it. (another little fun anecdote- since she's mastered this move she's made taking her to public places a difficult thing. The other day at the library- I became the mom everyone pities. She was squealing and squirming and running as far away as she could so she could tear off as many books or DVD's as she could and Lincoln decided it would be fun to follow her example instead of BE the example--we've got to work on that one.)Even with this uber-long post I haven't recorded even half of what we did-the shuffleboard--Zach really liked that one, the swimming, the miniature golf, the walks,the lectures. It was a very nice trip!
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