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The Fantastic 5

The Fantastic 5
Beware our Super Powers
We are whole and complete as a Family. We love, laugh and live together - lifting one another up and becoming stronger as we grow. We believe in eachother and cheer for one another without fear or hesitation. We will always be one - no matter where we are or who we are with... the ties that bind us are not perceptible by the eye but are unbreakable and eternal. We are pieces of one soul branching out into the world in different ways and with different talents but always grounded by the same root. We are a Family. Our common tie that brings in our nourishment and plants us firmly in the storm is that singular family root we derive from. Unique, unfettered and full of a million possibilies we bloom, because we always have the same root - we have eachother. (Photo by www.cowleystudios.com)

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Fun Fun Fun

We had the pleasure of going kayaking with Terry and Zac last week on Lake Almaden. Ramsey and Mom had a blast. The weather was cool and gray but not cold - with dozens of geese and other wild birds on the water or in the air. It was brilliant. A bit of nature and bonding... it was a incredibly peaceful and memorable morning.


And Ramsey was finally convinced to wear his first tie to church! He looked so handsome that we even attempted a family photo, with the camera set on the hood of the car. It was such fun!








Monday, November 24, 2008

Let the Marathon Of Traditions Begin

We love tradition... and this time of year the marathon of traditions begins! And we are the family that has the energy and determination to do it all!!! LOL

We went to the Mall and wrote Santa letters - at Macy's. (Bring stamps - they donate a $1 to the Make A Wish Foundation, for every postcard mailed while there!) Then we ventured out into the larger shopping area and found that Santa was already set up to welcome children - and since it is so early in the season, there wasn't a line! And Mom was sooo excited - she acted like she was 5. She sat on Santa's lap! And then took photos of the kiddos with Santa. We wandered through the mall, spending most of our free time playing in the Disney Store and the children picked out presents for one another. Then we enjoyed lunch and some music shopping before heading home. The only one not dead on their feet was Mom! But a lovely time was had by all.

(Writing letters to Santa - Mom asked for Mr Right - LOL j/k)




(Above - kids and Santa Below - a photo of the photo of Mom sitting on Santa's lap, and the kids)



(Playing in the Disney Store)



Thanksgiving Feast



Ramsey's preschool held their Thanksgiving Feast last week and it was darling. They dressed in costumes they had made, sang songs and then joined their families to partake of the 'feast.' Kristine and Isabella had an early day and were able to join us. It was so wonderful - and his robust performance of the Itsy Bitsty Spider made Mom cry!












Tuesday, November 18, 2008

November and Texas

Another trip to Texas! The five of us spent four days in Dallas and had an amazing time. We saw the Frodshams (stayed and played with them), the Rebers, Ryan Thompson and his lovely wife Kerri, as well as a few other friends. I got to hang out with my good friend, Dana and the children and I managed to have our Christmas photo taken while there (thanks again Brenda)! We saw Sydney as one of the leads in her newest play, watched a football championship in freezing conditions, cheered for Kennedy at a volleyball championship, made trips to Starbucks, ate out and did a bit of shopping. AND we went to the new James Bond movie! We even managed to debate politics with Joe and some friends. It was a delightful trip and we love and appreciate the Frodsham's and all they do for us!!!


Isabella, Davis and Ramsey jumping in the leaf pile that they had spent two hours working on!


The construciton of the leafy giant!


Enlisting help from others with 'brute strength' was also part of the plan!


Kristine and Kennedy talked non-stop. They were so happy to be reunited and to have time together. They even worked on Kennedy's school art project together!


Tate (who won his Football championship) was very good with Ramsey and lots of fun to hang out with!


Rebekah with Sydney on her right and Kennedy on her left. All of the girls spent time talking, laughing, hanging out and enjoying their time together! But as is often the case, it came to a close all too soon and we headed back to California. But not without a brilliant rendition of 'Defying Gravity.' Thank you girls - that was amazing.




Earlier this month:
Having attended the Egyptian exhibit at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum frequently with Opa (located in San Jose), I could not pass up an opportunity to take my own children there. The facility and its pieces have expanded and improved. My children were awe struck and I was in heaven, feeding them wonderful details about life in an ancient land across the world. I was particularly delighted to discuss Hammurabi's code, Cuneiform and Mesopotamia with them, when we entered that section of the building. (A college student followed us through the museum taking copious notes as I talked to my children - it was hilarious!) Rebekah was a bit sensative to the fact that most of the mummies (people as well as animals) did in fact still have a dead body inside - Ramsey was fine until he saw one with the teeth exposed! That, he thought, was a bit frightening. Kristine and Isabella had lots of questions which of course, delighted me. It was a splendid adventure.


Also, I got to take a group (including the missionaries) up to the Oakland temple! Our trip was to enjoy Angela Johnson's exhibit: Rejoicing in Christ. Her bronze sculptures were beautiful - her depiction of Chirst walking on water was amazing and I was moved... In all, it was a beauitful day and the scenes from the temple (of the Bay) were lovely.




And let's not forget: My cousin Beth got married this month and part of the bachlorette party included a dance class in these five inch stiltetos! It was wonderfully fun and crazy and sexy...




And the best start to November was, Ramsey won his first coloring contest! It was done at the gym and he received a poster and prize bag for his creativity! He was sooo proud of his accomplishment and carried the goodies around for two days... Well done.



Tuesday, November 4, 2008

HISTORY WAS MADE TODAY


The first African American was elected to the White House today: Barack Obama. And we were part of this moment: Incredible.

...the rest of Samhein weekend and the start of November.

We were up early and off to Kristine's Roller Hockey game. She plays on the Oilers and they have had a great season. She is number 3 - and usually plays defense as she is so much taller than the other kids her age. Her skating has really improved and she loves the sport. I am so proud of her!

I AM A HOCKEY MOM.


Then we picked Rebekah up from her Rainbow meeting and headed over the hill to Santa Cruz. We met with Michelle Gillette, an old friend from college I hadn't seen in years. We had a blast - the rain was crazy going over the mountain but once we got there the kids and I enjoyed the bowling, laughing and french fries!






Me, Michelle and Naoki. It was so nice to reconnect and play - and she's hasn't aged! Not fair ;)


We headed over to Grandma's house Monday night to celebrate Noah's 5th birthday. We gave him track for his Thomas the Train (when did these boys get so big?).


(Jen and Noah)

(Monty - the man!)


(Isabella and our friend Katie - her mom and I have known eachother since I was 5.)



(Rebekah, Naya and Ramsey)



(Nyssa, Kristine and Rowan)



(Grandma and Aunt Joyce - wish the other two sisters could joing them - then all the Guldenschuh girls would be together!)


(Grandpa - my Dad!)



(Noah - the birthday boy!)

All Hallows Eve

We began the day with a full schedule which doesn't include the overwhelming amounts of candy... Kristine and Isabella had a Halloween parade at school. Rebekah opted not to dress up - the pressure of Middle School.





And Mom was joined by Grandma, Naya and Nyssa - we cheered for our girls then we all headed over to the preschool.



Ramsey's class had a party and Noah's Ark parade - he was a Tiger for that activity!







Mrs. Piazza and the four other children in his class had a great time! They are the best of friends. Then it was off to Roller Hockey practice and Grandma's house for dinner. When we finished there, we ran home and put on costumes. Ram was back to his real costume: The Human Torch from Fantastic 4.









Assyia came by for a visit in the gingerbread suit I bought for her before she was born! She was cute enough to eat. And Aunt Shirley gave all of the kids goodie bags (just in case they didn't get enough candy!).


Then friends and cousins joined us to go trick or treating! Rebekah went with friends and then the rest of this crazy group danced through my neighborhood and enjoyed the soft rain and cool evening. It was lovely.