There's No Place Like Hope...

Benjamin Nicholas

2013-01-15T19:51:00.001-08:00

The other night Ben was upset at both Grace and Eva for teasing him. Although it is done out of love and the fact that they think he is adorable, let's just say he was not in the mood. At dinner he was at his wits end and told the girls that they could not sleep in their room because they keep him up with their talking. I asked Ben where he wanted the girls to sleep and he thought for moment and stated, "the sun." As you can imagine the girls erupted in laughter and told him how they would burn on the sun. Ben then looked right at them and said the moon. I agreed and ordered the girls to sleep on the moon. After the kids had been tucked into their bed and after the girls started to talk instead of go to sleep Ben yelled down the stairs, "Eva and Grace are not sleeping on the moon!" I yelled back up, "I am building the rocket ship it will be done in a little bit." That seemed to appease him and the kids went to bed. That night I photoshopped proof of the girls and their new sleeping location.

When Ben and the girls got up the next morning for school they were shown proof of their trip to the moon in the newly built rocket. Ben studied the picture and stated, "where's the rocket." Kim told him that it was refuelling. Eva and Grace laughed at the picture and went to school. After I returned from work, half joking, half serious, Eva asked me, "was I really on the moon?" I shrugged my shoulders and she smiled and left.

Tonight we were getting the kids ready for bed and our routine is the kids get to pick out one book and one song. As I was asking Eva what song she would like. I heard Ben in this deep voice start singing, "do you really want to hurt me?" (for those of you who don't know this is a catchy little tune from the Culture Club) Ben then pretended to sniff as though he was crying and continued in his fake low voice, "do you really want to make me cry." What a character he is. I am sure when some of you read this you are going to ask yourself is this the same boy who is so shy and usually unable to crack a smile when he is given attention? Go figure.

Major Catch Up.....

2013-01-01T12:44:00.001-08:00

One of our New Year's resolution is to keep this thing going more regularly. So here is the the catch up.....

Halloween

Ben's Birthday

Boss,
We love you so much and can not believe our baby boy is 3! You are such an integral part of our family. You make us all smile with your large motor-skills of hugging and loving everyone.

Thanksgiving and Max's Farewell
After Ben's birthday we drove to Salt Lake to see Max off on his mission to Accra, Ghana and spend Thanksgiving with both of our families. It was great to spend some time with everyone before he left. We really missed Gatete and as always felt like we did not have enough time to spend with everyone.

Christmas

New Years

BOSS

2012-09-26T21:43:00.000-07:00

Big Ben has been a trooper. Since school started for Eva, Grace and Tanner he has pretty much lived in the car. Between school, seminary, soccer practice, soccer games, and errands he has been awesome and mom's helper. We decided to do his favorite thing this weekend, hang out by the tracks and he had such a good time seeing the steamies and diesel engines. The video below captures just how excited and in love with trains he is. While trains are his favorite riding bikes and playing soccer/basketball/football are close second. He is so sweet to his siblings and has such a special bond with each of them, especially Eva.

Long time coming....

2012-09-16T15:24:00.003-07:00

It has been a while since we updated the blog. Here is a very quick look at some of the stuff we have been up to. Tanner started high school, which he loves and is playing on the soccer team. Grace and Eva both started school and soccer as well. Grace turned 9 in Salt Lake we had a wonderful time there and then enjoyed a great time at the cabin. Tanner had his first highschool soccer goal at their first game. Grace is a defense machine stopping anything that comes her way and Eva had 5 goals last game!

Tanner turned 14! He custom painted his new longboard and loved all his gifts. Thank you.

First day of school.

Ben is no longer in a crib and working on potty training. This is the last picture of Ben in the crib that has so many memories from each of our 4.

Happy Birthday Eva!

2012-07-09T23:10:00.003-07:00

For those of you who know Eva, you know she has a unique spirit. To give you an idea of her optimism, as we watched the Olympic Gymnastics on TV she said very seriously, "I think I could do that if I practiced." Another time this week, she was at my soccer game when she turned to Tanner and said "I am going to go make some friends," and 5 seconds later she had achieved her goal.

Eva is always happy, always willing to tackle challenges, and very energetic and physical. One minute she will be doing cartwheels the next falling into the splits and grooving to some music. On 7/7/2012 Eva turned 5! She loved her gifts and had such a great time trying them all out. As you can see, she was not afraid to show and scream her excitement. We were so happy to celebrate such a wonderful girl who is growing up way too fast. She is a great sister (Ben and her are the best of friends), talented ballerina, and just a joy to be around. Our family could not get enough of spoiling her. After her gifts and her party we headed to build-a-bear where Eva got to pick out a new friend with accessories. After that Eva wanted Chinese food and Orange Chicken. At the end of the day as she was fading off to sleep she looked at us and said "that was the greatest day ever."

Although Eva went through many different themes, she ultimately settled on a Hello Kitty theme for her big day.

BRACE FACE- Tanner got his braces friday and although he is hurting he actually was excited to get them on. Braces, somehow, make T look even older. We still can not imagine he starts high school in less than 2 months.

Kim's amazing decoration for E's big day. When Eva saw it she was so excited.

14 Years and Counting

2012-07-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our 14th Anniversary, which both Kim and I can't believe, where has the time gone and how can we be that old?

Anyway, Grace and Eva decided to plan out our evening. First Grace had me take her to the store. On her list she had made the day before there was:

Large Table
Fancy Tablecloth
Colorful flowers-moms favorite color
Exotic Fruit
Chocolate Cake Mix
Chocolate Frosting
Stuff for Carnitas
Raspberries
Squeezy frosting - preferably pink.

After purchasing most of the things on her list, minus the large table, Grace and Eva put on aprons with dress coats over them and got to work making menus, signs, and setting our table complete with floating tea candles. As Kim was returning home from dropping T off at a birthday party, they scrambled to make a romantic playlist on itunes to download to my ipod so that we could eat with the right ambiance. You should have heard the girls comment on songs I clicked as to whether they were romantic or not -pretty funny. Let's just say they were not impressed by cheesy rock ballads. We were sat by the hostess, waited on, and checked on to make sure our drinks were topped off and our plates were cleared. Ben of course followed suit. What a wonderful night with my beautiful, loving wife.

Babe, here's to 70 more anniversaries!

"Eye of the tiger"

2012-06-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

Ben saw Tanner's 8th grade class dance to this song for their graduation and he was hooked. This musical plays at least 4 times a day in the Uji home.

End of School year fun!

2012-06-24T16:22:00.002-07:00

The end of Preschool, 2nd grade, and 8th grade was a busy time, but chalked full of sweet memories!

Grace's Greek Festival! She had so much fun learning of Greece and constantly clarifies that her outfit is NOT called a Toga. It is a Chiton, for heaven's sake.

Ben had LOADS of fun at all his sibling's end of school activities. He has non stop joy... Except when he doesn't. ha ha

At Lovely Eva's Pre-School graduation! She did a great job getting up on stage for the commencement, especially because she is SO shy. She was great and had the best year! She's already figuring out how multiplication works, so I'm pretty sure she'll eat up Kindergarten.

Getting fancy for the Spring Show at school.

Master Trumpeteer at work. He did a great job!

JR had to speak at a conference in Boston for work, so his cute brothers met him there! Enjoying the games and sites of Boston!

Enjoying his 32nd Bday cake!

Visiting the Rhododendron gardens with good buddies.

Celebrating with Dad on his Father's Day!

Cutest thing ever. When we were done giving JR his Father's Day gifts, Ben kept running and grabbing toys and favorite things to give his best buddy dad. He loves him SO much and wanted to make him happy. He even gave him a little train tunnel "hat."

Going fishing for her LAST 2nd grade field trip. We did this in conjunction with Greek studies. SO fun!

Eva LOVED a ballet class she took for a month. She eats, sleeps, and drinks ballet.

Tanner's 8th grade campout

2012-06-24T16:00:00.001-07:00

This June, I was able to (with the help of several chaperons) take Tanner's class on a camp out at Silver Falls. We stayed in an amazing old sheep farm called "Old Lodge." We had a HUGE fire pit in the middle in which we made cookie s'more sandwiches, made "hobo" dinners, warmed up on cold nights, etc. We had a dance party, complete with a disco ball and strobe lights, we went on 6 mile hikes, we had spaghetti wars, ate lots of good meals and played to our hearts' delight. It was a blast, and I had so much fun watching Tanner socialize and have a hugely fun memory of his 8th grade year. I'm so excited, yet sad he's old enough to be entering high school in the fall. He is a GREAT kid and I'm so proud of him, but mainly-JR and I feel really blessed at all he's taught us.

EVA's School Picture

2012-05-07T22:46:00.001-07:00

We just got Eva's school picture and it is adorable. I thought I would also add some recent videos of her and Ben. Enjoy.

Normal Blood Counts!!!

2012-04-30T16:35:00.002-07:00

Since treatment has ended, Grace continues to go in for blood work every two months. She will continue to do so for several years just as a precaution. We received word from Grace's favorite nurse, Katie, that for the FIRST time in more than THREE years-Grace has a NORMAL blood count! Even her ITP (platelet condition) has a low, but NORMAL status! What a miracle! I am using A LOT of exclamation marks!!! Seriously!!! We are SO humbled and thankful for all the prayers in Grace's behalf. They worked!

Re-emerging...

2012-04-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

After a LONG, rainy winter...spring has emerged. We are SO glad! I guess we took a "blog hibernation period" but it's time to play winter catch up. So, in order of events since January...

Ben decided to play dress up...in girls undies. Not sure I want to try

to explain this one.

Eva LOVES playing dress up as well-and "personal make up stylist."

I turned 32 in January, and still am officially a cradle robber, since I've got four months age gain on my hubby.

I got an awesome Cricut for my Bday! Here were Eva's fun Valentine cards and homemade playdough.

Again...dress up...faux nails style.

Red Velvet Valentine's Day "cupcake in jars" Je Vous Aime!

Tanner's wicked battle wound from a metal piece off our couch base. It left a gruesome scar, but he thinks it makes him look like a man. A long with his three arm pit hairs.

Man beauty extraordinaire! Need I say more?

The Leprechaun's visited! They even visited our "Lou" and then rewarded us by leaving golden coins.

Sunday Finery

The first Sunny day...Ding Dongs, Ice Cream, and sibling affections. Notice how we are relishing

in sunlight? It's because we see it a handful of times in Portland.

The same kiddo that dressed up in girls undies pretending to sleep on a Barbie bed. Funny kid.

Easter finery...except that poor little Ben. Sick and inside resting.

Christmas 2011

2012-01-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit behind on posting our Christmas fun while we were in SLC, Utah. But, if I'm going according to how I work these days, I'm right on time- being about a month behind.

Anyway, we had no shortage of fun with our families over Christmas and we have pictures to prove it! So, I'll let them tell the story....they do it more justice than I can with words.

Put on your seatbelt, this is sure to be a long ride...

The end!

UPPP

2012-01-19T14:07:00.000-08:00

JR was diagnosed with a BAD sleep Apnea. I think he has had it ever since I married him, although I don't think I'm the attributing factor. ;-) I hope. Ten days ago he had a surgery called a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). Poor kid-

Miserable probably is not a sufficient word for what occurs after they cut out giant tonsils with a root system that was deemed by his doctor to be the equivalent of a giant iceberg-large on top, but nothing like the base of it. Not only did she cut out his tonsils, but she removed his uvula and part of his soft palate as well. So, miserable is probably too soft a description for his discomfort. But, he has been a pretty good sport about it all. Here's to hoping it solves his apnea!

Doernbecher Radio-A-Thon

2011-12-09T22:37:00.000-08:00

Poor Benny looks like such a bruiser! He pulled a solid, wood table down on his face, resulting in a swollen eye a WWF wrestler would be jelous of.

Today was 99.5 The Wolf's Annual Hunt for the Cure Radio-A-Thon. Grace was an honored Co-Host and LOVED it! Throughout her experience with Cancer, she really felt the need to give and be proactive rather than caught up too much in her own discomfort. It was one of the things that humbled us most as parents. So, today- from the perspective of one who battled and beat Cancer she shared who story of her month and weeks long hospital stays but focused on all the fun and good memories she had at Doernbecher. Kids are amazing aren't they? They see the good in situations rather than the bad. Perhaps that is why they come out so refined instead of bitter.

Grace was able to raise LOTS of money for our favorite hospital and even answered a few of the calls herself! She's got star quality, I tell you. Expect more from Grace.....lots more.

Some catching up....

2011-12-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

It was Tanner's year to hang the star

We went to go see the steam engine. Ben called them the steamies. He was so excited when he say the huge plume of steam. When the train started we were covered in steam and all Ben could do was smile as it rolled passed us.

For all of you who know Eva, you know she loves Ballet, but hates attention. Every time she would look at me and see I was taking pictures I would get the evil skunk eye.

A beautiful and tasty Thanksgiving Dinner

Some videos of Grace's soccer skills

Baby Ben is two!

2011-11-21T17:16:00.000-08:00

It is a bittersweet day when your baby turns two. Ben has been nothing short of a blessing in our lives. I knew before Ben even entered our home that we would be having a little baby boy named Benjamin Nicholas. In my womb, he rarely moved. That always worried me because my other babies were so active. But, then I realized that he would have a calm spirit. Ben is a listener, an observer, and has a joyful nature. Ben knows how everything ticks and has a keen intellect. Ben has a smile that can melt any heart. He loves to snuggle and just wants to be near his little family. He is happy, has a witty sense of humor, and is quite capable for a two year old. He surprises me with his resourcefulness. Benny LOVES Thomas the Train, still loves Hoops, books, TREATS, and being outdoors. He loves singing songs, reading, drawing, and dancing. He came into this world in a miraculous way, and I have no doubts his life will be full of wonder. We are absolutely IN LOVE with two year old Benny!

2011-10-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

The video below is the unveiling of Thomas since we had a trunk or treat tonight. Ben was a little lost for words, but he would not get out of the Train all night. So we are assuming he likes it. All of us worked on it and didn't show Ben until tonight.

The nerdy nerd, the fancy witch, the pirate girl, and the train conductor.

Eva Shele and more pictures and vids...

2011-10-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

EVA SHELE.........For those of you who know her well, know that there is something pure and sweet and at the same time devious and sharp. This weekend while mowing the lawn Evan ran out to me and hugged me, kissing my leg while saying that I was the best dad in the world. For Eva, this is not an uncommon occurrence for either me or her mom. You can see that she has so much love that she cannot contain it. After this sweet gesture she ran in our yard twirling and skipping enjoying the day like only Eva in a twirling dress could. She is loving school and is so sweet to her brothers and sisters.

A new way to carve pumpkins

The last batch of tomatoes from our garden.

Ben's "Blue Steel"

Ben is such a trooper.. He had to use his nebulizer this week because he is sick and his asthma is bad, of course he doesn't skip a beat with his trains and takes everything in perfect stride.

Morning cuddle friends finding the heater vent and holding hands to keep warm.

Designing the perfect pumpkin....Tanner was at a haunted house with his friends so his design and pictures will be soon to come...

Each week Tanners seems to get better and more aggressive. He is also now playing goalie and loving it. He is a great kid with an amazing an amazing sense of humor.

Pumpkin patch fun.

Recent Photos and vids...

2011-10-14T23:00:00.000-07:00

One year since Cheomotherapy

2011-10-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrate our families huge accomplishment. As we sat and ate we talked about Grace's courage and our entire families' courage. Eva has known nothing but hospitals, doctors, and her sister fighting Cancer. Tanner has at times dealt with the gravity of cancer and children young and old fighting for their lives, but today is a day to celebrate. And of course the little lady who struggled, fought and suffered it all Grace. What better way than for Gracie to have a soccer game and just be a kid. Thank you once again to everyone for their support and love. You have made this last year and all the great years to come so sweet.
-JR and Kim

Eva loves Ballet....

2011-10-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

These are videos of her first class which she counted down the days. Although she does not need a class to flitter around our house for hours. You can see by her smile in the first video that she is having a blast.

Newsflash...Tanner is officially a teenager!

2011-09-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

When, when, when did time decide to fly so quickly? As cliche as it seems, people warned me time would just slip through my fingers, and it definitely has. On September 14, 2011 Tanner turned 13!!! Thirteen people! I'm talking- three years away from driving and dating, and just a short five until high school comes to its close. I am not ok with this. S.E.R.I.O.U.S.L.Y! The only thing that redeems this warp speed, is that it is spent with the most delightful of company. Tanner is sincerely a joy to parent. He is compassionate, kind, hilarious, curious, self controlled, thoughtful, loyal, the best big brother that was ever born, and really and truly one of our best buds to hang out with. We absolutely, ardently adore him and feel so blessed that he is our son. Thank you SO much sweet "little" Tanner for allowing us the best thirteen years and we can't wait to see the man you'll become. The prospect is looking good!

Tanner invited his WHOLE school class...that's 30 kids...to a backyard movie/night games evening. It was a blast, but it required a LOT of cake!

Grandma Shele got him a vintage Peter Pan, for the boy who played the role in his school play and practically lived in his "Petey" costume!

Tanner requested cake "pops" for his bday night dessert.

Back to School

2011-09-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

Ben's new trick he learned today.

First day of school for all three!

Camp Harlow and the Harry Potter Party...

2011-09-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

Grace finished the first Harry Potter and loved it. As a reward we had a Harry Potter night and watched the first movie after Eva and Ben went to bed. She is on to the next one and loving it.

Candlelighters, a group that supports children with cancer and their families hosts a camp once a year by Eugene. This was our second time and we had a blast. It is always amazing to see what people due out of the goodness of their hearts. We had a great time and it was great for one last hurrah before school started.