Baseball & Cocoa Puffs

sense-itive

2012-01-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

hear no evil. see no evil. smell no evil.

or as allison coined it "damn this family is loud"....

bringing ricky home

2011-12-22T23:31:00.000-08:00

almost... we made a detour at my mom & dad's house for a week of recovery & rest. i was over-the-moon to finally leave the hospital!

the dirty eyes

2011-12-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

guess where he got these?

hospital photo shoot...

2011-12-17T21:18:00.000-08:00

three days old

falling...

2011-12-17T19:11:00.000-08:00

i've fallen for you... my littlest love.

people to love you

2011-12-17T13:59:00.000-08:00

meeting all the people who said prayers for your safe arrival... your family.

brothers & sisters

2011-12-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

the evening after ricky's birth, he was reunited with his brothers & sisters. they were thrilled that he has finally joined them on this grand adventure.

big ricky, little ricky

2011-11-22T10:28:00.000-08:00

my poor dad got on & off several planes that week to be there when ricky was born & he still missed it! he flew in first thing saturday morning to meet the little one that was named after him. i was a complete wreck the whole time he was there: hysterically crying, itching & in pain. (i don't do well with general anesthesia!) my dad held ricky while michael tended to me.

i think we made a good choice in naming little ricky...

my miracle

2011-11-21T15:39:00.000-08:00

everything was fine... until it wasn't. it was the worst day of my life & among a handful of the best.

i had been in labor for what seemed like months, but "real" labor for about 24 hours before i was finally admitted during my doctor appointment (i was dilated to a 4). i had dreamed for nine months of the moment i gave birth to my baby... i couldn't wait to hear his cry, to see his scrunched up face & most of all to see the joy on michael's face as he saw his baby born.

my dad was out of town but joined the party in my room via telephone calls. my mom, allison, hillary, kitty, larry & katie were all there to share in ricky's first moments of life. we were reprimanded a few times by the nurses for "checking under the blankets", we were all curious/anxious to see how i was progressing & even had some bets going on as to when he would arrive. it was almost time, the delivery table was set up.

everything was fine, perfect, textbook actually... & suddenly it all went horribly wrong. i started to have breakthrough pain which prompted some questions from the anesthesiologist & an adjustment of my epidural. then, as well as i can remember they checked me & i had been a 7, and was now a 6... the baby started having de-cels. this didn't worry me at all because all of my children's heart rates had dropped during birth. but his kept dropping & dropping. it got down to the 70's & 2 nurses ran in. most of the rest is like a foggy nightmare... i do remember trying to ask the nurse what was wrong & if he was okay, & being completely ignored. that's when i knew it was bad. they decided to shoot saline into my uterus to try to give him artificial waters. they turned off the pitocin trying to stop the contractions to give him a rest because he was stressed... at that point the nurse told me that she didn't want to tell me everything was fine if it wasn't. the monitor was loud, it was all i heard. i laid there helpless as i heard my baby, my sweet baby slipping away. 60, 40, 30 20 then nothing. silence. she turned it down so i didn't hear it.

nurses everywhere. my whole family ushered out. there's no time for privacy. put these scrubs on. turn to your left, turn to your right. get up on all fours. i'll do anything. anything. save my baby. i'm the doctor... i am sorry to have to meet you under these circumstances. we are going to perform a crash c-section. code green. all hands on deck. clear the halls. running. helpless. sobbing. say a prayer. save my baby. save my baby. save my baby. we only have 4 minutes to get him out, we've already lost too much time. clear the halls. say a prayer. say a prayer. i can't lose him now. i won't survive this. where's michael? where's my husband? crashing my bed into the wall. back up. hurry up. OR2. hillary running along-side me. i'll be here when you get out. say a prayer, PLEASE! bright lights. 3 doctors. 12 nurses. 1 anesthesiologist. we've trained for this. where's michael. get him out! start cutting now! i don't care if i can feel it! save him. grabbing onto the anesthesiologists arm. save him. don't let her take the oxygen off.. cold on my belly. ripping the paper sheet. oxygen. intubation. suffocating. will he be here when i wake up? please, save my baby. hold on. fading away.

darkness.

i can't breathe. is he alive? where is he? i am dying. i can't breathe. the tube is still in. they can't hear me. where is my baby? you aren't dying. you can breathe. it's breathing for you.

darkness.

is he alive?

darkness.

back in my room. michael by my side. bring her baby in. he's only 5 lbs. 13 ozs. what happened? is he okay? i'm sorry you didn't get to be there michael. i'm sorry. i was with him. he's beautiful. everyone is outside waiting. they can't come in. she's too foggy. here's your baby.

he's perfect.

thank you God...

i love him so much...

my sweet baby boy.

i'm your mommy.
i would give my life for you.

black & whites

2011-11-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

boo

2011-10-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

halloween is...

.family.

.thriller hip-hop.

.songs & jokes performed by the 1st graders.

"what do you call a mummy who eats cookies in bed?"

a crummy mummy!

.pumpkin squares.

.bobbing for apples.

.trick or treating.

.party at grandma & papa's.

.scary pizza.

.a wear-wolf attacked cheerleader.

.candy corn.

.sleeping pumpkins.

.really creepy masks.

.being a child, at any age.

mister jack

2011-10-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

on halloween eve we carved jack-o-lantern's, roasted pumpkin seeds (yum) & watched ghostbusters. i love this time of year!

hank

grace

faith

happy 227

2011-10-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

227. temples & the blessings promised there.

pumpkin patching

2011-10-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

our first outing as a family of six... we all chose our pumpkins, faith chose the biggest one she could lift! (surprise). now if the weather here in southern california would just cooperate & start to feel like fall!

from heaven

2011-10-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

our new baby boy

ricky michael bingham

born 9.24.11 at 2:16 am

5 lbs 13 oz

18 inches

happy 225 & 226

2011-10-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

225 & 226. this sweet girl & her brand new glasses make me very happy. she has a great attitude about wearing them & now that she can see... homework is much easier!

mister cool breeze

2011-09-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

on september 21st my baby boy turned four. he was king for a day on his b-day with an impromptu party at chuck-e-cheese. since the day he was born he has brought nothing but pure joy & love into our home. he loves to cuddle & we spend lots of lazy mornings together in my bed reading books & playing with matchbox cars. i cherish these days & am grateful for 2 more years with him until he starts kindergarten... if i could i would keep him at home with me forever...

i love you phirsty cool breeze for always... as long as i'm living my baby you'll be.

happy 224

2011-09-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

224. alter-egos.

this is a pilot costume, but when hank wears it he is .... captain america.

back to school 2011

2011-09-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

cinnamon rolls, vegan sausage & fresh peaches started off our early & exciting morning! the girls were ecstatic to meet their new teachers & see all their friends! i was sad to see them go, but happy that they have adjusted so well to all the changes life has thrown at them during their little lifetimes. michael took them to campus & hank stayed with me for a bit & colored before his first big day! when it was finally his turn, he was thrilled to be back in his routine of preschool with miss dianne.

when i went to pick them up, they were so hot that their little faces were bright red & their hair was plastered against their heads after walking up "the stairs"; faith was especially ticked off because her shoes hurt her (she gets that from me). hank came home completely worn out & crashed in the car only to wake up sweaty with a head & tummy ache. a quick trip to rite aid for children's tylenol & after school activities started again in full force with a soccer banner order, last minute shoe shopping & 2 hours of dance. i am grateful this year for my new car, better gas mileage, dvd players & tinted windows!

despite the heat, the bomb threat at sc high school (that made me decide my kids are never leaving elementary school) & the fact that 95 degrees & me at 36 weeks don't really agree the first day was a success! we celebrated at ball park with pizza, $15 worth of games & 3 pitchers of water!

i love these babies... & thank heavenly father every day for the privilege of being their mother.

last day of summer

2011-09-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

& it was a scorcher. grace went shopping with a friend (it's happening already!) while firsty, double, papa & i beat the heat with subway & a little pool time...

tonight we had 2 soccer practices & celebrated the night before school with an end of summer bbq, father's blessings, lunch packing, laying out clothes, painting nails & me trying to make a back to school banner (thanks to katie, it actually happened)!

i think i am more nervous/excited than the kids are!

teacher postings!

2011-09-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

class lists were posted. let the countdown begin...

me & the boys

2011-08-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

last night jane had her little 7th birthday party at wild rivers. hillary took the girls & i spent the afternoon with these two characters. they rode mini congo probably 83 times. i was so hot (9 months pregnant & the irvine sun will do that to you) so we spent an hour in the lazy river; i floated in a tube while they floated in life-jackets... we were a sight! so bummed that they are tearing it down this year to build housing. i am going to miss this place & the decades of good memories.

that's one place to put them

2011-08-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

august in avalon

2011-08-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

4 days. 3 nights. hotel metropole. descanso nachos. free ben & jerry's. big sticks. snorkeling. inter tubes. big olaf's. portofino's. antonio's. hawaiian french toast. laying out. fish & chips. haunted house. jacuzzis. diet cokes. andes mints. turndown. instant oatmeal. "up-bagels". extra towels. dramamine. mini-golf. taxis. peel & eat shrimp. jumping off the platform. the pier. sand toys. sand dolphin. the "hummer". vons express.

august in avalon...

happy 223

2011-08-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

223. sunday naps.

end of summer

2011-08-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

summer is winding down....we are busy squeezing the last few days of laziness in.

happy two

2011-08-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

be married to you.

thank you for loving me & being my better half in so many ways.

i love you michael,

my little fish

2011-08-13T20:59:00.000-07:00

i cannot get enough of watching this little guy swim. even when he was really little, you would look underwater and he always has a huge grin on his face. i hope that never changes!

royal street cafe

2011-08-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite restaraunts in utah! it is only open for lunch during the summer... if you're in the park city area, do not miss it. i will occasionally have fish (i don't eat meat), & the crab-cakes are among the best i have ever had. it's pretty hard to go wrong with their menu though, they have a pulled pork sandwich that back in my carniverous days i absolutely loved!

after lunch we rode the chairlift & riding it in the summertime with your children is a whole different beast when the ground below is hard dirt, not soft snow. it wasn't the most relaxing ride ever. mom lost one of her shoes on the ride down, so they had to go again. i sat the second ride out. this whole pregnant thing has turned me into a major wimp!

hank wanted to try a "brown line" of this frozen lemon meringue pie so, i scooped him off one. he obviously like it, because his next move was to swipe the rest of the lines in one handful. i blame myself, i would've probably done the same thing at 3.

mountain air

2011-08-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

being on full bed rest was certainly not easy (i am on modified now), but my parents took me on a drive every day so i didn't go nuts. driving through the mountains, breathing in the pure air & seeing the majesty that is nature always lifts my spirits.

empire pass...

this is one of my dream house locations

the alpine loop

there was so much water this year that the runoff was incredible. this is usually a trickling stream, not a gush of white water rapids!

ready, let's go!

2011-08-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

the girls spent 3 days at byu cheer camp this summer with their cousin mia. they had so much fun, learned some great moves & showcased their stuff at a final performance complete with an appearance by "cosmo the cougar"! their show was in 100 degree weather with no shade but they didn't seem to mind a bit. luckily, my mom brought an umbrella for us or i might have passed out, especially since hank insisted on being my siamese twin the entire hour. (i don't handle heat well unless i am on a beach sipping a diet coke). we celebrated their accomplishment with a big lunch at the brick oven... or as my parents still call it, "heaps".

go cougars!!!!

goggles

2011-08-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

i have no words...

right of passage

2011-08-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

i was so mad when grace came down with this disaster. i think she wound her hair around the comb 500 times, but who's counting? then, i realized.... what girl hasn't gotten a comb stuck in her hair? 2 hours later, the comb was ready for the recycling bin, but her hair survived... with some new side bangs.

please say a prayer

2011-08-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

"even though she is tiny, i know she is mighty"

ani taylor

ruby jane

happy 222

2011-08-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

222. double dog

park city olympic park

2011-08-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

when i was on bed rest, papa took the kids on "adventure-days". they explored most of the salt lake, park city, heber valley & provo areas. this day was spent at the utah olympic park where we saw amateur ski jumpers, rode the alpine slide, the chair lift & checked out the museum.

happy 221

2011-08-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

221. 17 miracles. the movie weaves the stories of two handcart companies (willie & martin) & the miracles that occured during these treks. my ancestor, ephraim knowlton hanks was the first person to show up & give much needed aid to the martin handcart company after traveling alone through a blizzard following a dream. during the freezing night he found & killed a buffalo, cut the meat from it to feed the starving company & survived by sleeping inside the buffalo's hide. my mom often reminds my sister's & i that we can do anything because we are of "pioneer stock". this movie reminds me what that really means. i am proud to be a Latter-Day-Saint & eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by these amazing brothers & sisters.

happy 220

2011-08-09T21:23:00.000-07:00

220. photo booth magic.

we scream

2011-08-09T18:53:00.000-07:00

for the grand re-opening of midway's "timp freeze"

8 months

2011-08-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

next month little ricky will be joining our family. i have not been the most patient pregnant woman around these days, i pretty much hate everything about it. but, we got an ultrasound this week that is helping me hang on for these last weeks. he has chubby cheeks & a nose that is the spitting image of his father. we couldn't get great shots because he prefers to suck on his toes & hands (all at once) than show us his sweet little face. that's okay, pretty soon he will be all mine & i can kiss that face as much as i want, & there ain't nothing he can do about it!

i love you baby boy...

the fourth!

2011-08-04T13:36:00.000-07:00

swimming. bbq. apple pie. fireworks. mittens (my mom's idea). friends. big firework show. group texts. grand finale. i love my country.

duck watching

2011-08-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

sunday evenings in midway. watching & feeding the ducks. gentle breezes. seeing the aspens quake. waiting for the thunderstorms to come again. time with those i love most.

cousin days

2011-07-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

my sister allison organized weekly "cousin days" this summer... we've only managed a couple days total with all our schedules, but they have been some of my very favorite. i am so grateful for eternal families & the bonds that we share. i am pretty much a hermit so these relationships are everything to me. i love being able to do, say, wear anything & everything with my sisters.... anything goes & if it doesn't, they are the first to let me know!

love these days....

happy 219

2011-07-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

219. midnight pie making with mom!

grace dance recital 2011

2011-07-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

grace danced ballet & hip hope this year, it is her 7th year of dancing, wow! she goes back & forth on whether or not she wants to continue, but after this year's recital she told me right after "i want to do ballet, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, jazz & tap next year, k mom?" the recital gets them every time! grace is a little more shy than her sister but when she got on stage this year she rocked it! i could not be more proud of her & i just love being her mom. i love you grace!

ballet... paquita

hip-hop... dynamite

faith dance recital 2011

2011-07-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

i can't get enough of this girl & i love to watch her dance. the energy she puts into everything she does is contagious. this year faith was in 3 different dance classes & watching it all come together in her end of year recital is always bittersweet. i adore you frelly!

tap... lollipop

ballet

hip-hop... michael jackson's abc!

ketchup

2011-07-10T17:08:00.000-07:00

don't waste your money on de-green shampoo products, just grab your old ketchup (you know, the kind loaded with h.f.c.s.) & have a little party! i have vivid memories of sitting with my sisters in our backyard jacuzzi with ketchup loaded in our hair... i couldn't deprive my own kids of that experience, & now their chlorine-damaged hair is back to beautiful =)

concert in the park

2011-07-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

heber city, utah.

nothing like a country concert & corn fresh off the cob!

sarah's 7th birthday

2011-07-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

we celebrated at build a bear & ruby's... i love these girls.

father's day breakfast

2011-06-29T21:26:00.000-07:00

the day started out rainy & cloudy which made ruby's the perfect place to share cinnamon roll french toast & hot chocolate with the bingham side of the family. the kids gave michael his dad's day gifts & we got to celebrate with 3 generations of dads!

happy father's day boys...

father's day bbq

2011-06-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

the gardner side of the family met down at doheny for a beach bbq to celebrate the dad's in our life. it was like pulling teeth trying to get a few of us down there (faith in the weather was lacking), but once we did... we didn't want to leave! we ate yummy food: vegan & classic hot dogs, mango quinoa salad, chips & salsa, fruit salad, snappy pea salad, lemonade & roasted marshmallows.... actually, the marshmallows made it in the kids mouths (& in a few hot dog buns... courtesy of faith) before the bonfire.

it was a perfect sunday afternoon with perfect company.

happy 218

2011-06-29T20:15:00.001-07:00

218. family home evening & reliving childhood memories with my children at wild rivers!

jr. olympics

2011-06-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

my little gold medalists!

my lala girl

2011-06-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

grace's class worked hard for their performance of "tall tales" she was one of the lala girls who held the ransom note.... she did such a great job & had all her songs/lines down pat! good job sweetheart, and please, stop growing!!

preschool end of year party!

2011-06-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

so hank did it, he survived his first year of preschool. he has gotten taller, more confident, can use the "facilities" now, has made new friends (who he adores) & most of all he is head over heels for miss dianne. and i, am head over heels for him. we celebrated at missy's beach house with a pinata, presents, food, fun & goodbye hugs... till next fall!

forever

2011-06-12T17:12:00.000-07:00

saturday may 7th, 2011

michael & i were sealed in the newport beach, ca LDS temple....

i got my letter of approval the week before & we didn't want to wait another day to be sealed. i told my mom she had to help me plan my "shotgun" wedding.... everything fell into place & we made it to the temple! it was a perfect day, the weather was cool & michael's brother, anthony took pics for us. we celebrated with our family, bishop & closest (oldest) friends & had a "backyard bbq" luncheon at the ritz carlton afterward where we ate: coconut shrimp (what little pieces matt left for us), potato salad, onion rings, veggie burgers, chocolate fleur de sel cookies & root beer floats! we listened to the beach boys & laughed with the people we love.

the afternoon was a little taste of heaven. but the very best part (the part i don't have pictures of, just the ones in my heart) was kneeling across the alter holding hands with michael as we were sealed for eternity as husband & wife. the sealer asked us try to always see each other as Heavenly Father sees us, to realize our divine potential & to help one another become everything we were meant to be...

i love you michael... thank you for taking a chance on me =)

milk & sugar please

2011-06-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

afternoon tea, scones, clotted cream & berry jam.

mmmmm, heaven.

open house 2010-2011

2011-06-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

i can't believe how quickly my girls are growing up. with kindergarten & 3rd grade coming to a close, it gave me a chance to reflect on how big they are getting & how precious these years really are. i was a proud mommy last night as my girls showed off their hard work... these are the highlights:

faith... sunflower wall, picture of daddy (apparently he's a baseball playing hippie) & "meet the masters" art.

grace... "meet the masters" art, her desk name-tag, all about grace, her family totem pole & her biography oral presentation in a can... yep, that's shel silverstein!

happy 217

2011-06-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

217. my boys.

happy 216

2011-05-31T15:51:00.000-07:00

216. this yummy wreath i got from williams sonoma!

where's waldo?

2011-05-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

happy 215

2011-05-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

215. waking up to these two iron-men reminds me of what i love most about being a mom: the imagination & innocence of children.

big bang fridays

2011-05-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

light up the halo!

"the price of freedom is written on the wall"

2011-05-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

i forgot my camera, so the pictures are blah... but, going to the traveling wall in laguna niguel to remember the vietnam war was nothing short of amazing. it included a tribute chronicling all the wars in the USA (including the current war on terror) which gave me a chance to talk to the kids about what it all meant. it was nice to stop, ponder & remember the sacrifice made for our freedom. kitty & larry told us a few of their wartime stories which is always fascinating to imagine what it must have been like.

God bless America.

happy 214

2011-05-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

214. my new blog... gardner girls cooking green.

forks over knives

2011-05-19T16:57:00.000-07:00

this movie was an amazing documentary about the benefits of adopting a plant based, whole foods diet (some of which include actually reversing & stopping certain conditions in their tracks such as: type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer & heart disease). my mom treated me, allison & the guys to a special movie premiere in la jolla that was catered by whole foods market. we met some amazing people (including Rip from Engine 2's Diet) who participated in a panel discussion after the movie. if you haven't read (or heard of) The China Study, Eat to Live or The Green Diet (by my good friend mary jolley) this movie is a good summary of all of these ideas & studies. it's a must see movie, for your health & your life!!! don't miss it!

i love how the knife at the bottom is a scalpel. touche..

happy 213

2011-05-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

213. these two knuckleheads.

happy 212

2011-05-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

212. this thought.

back to my roots

2011-05-09T17:49:00.000-07:00

just in case you don't recognize me =)

mom's day celebrations...

2011-05-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

hank had a preschool show where he gave me a rose, homemade cinnamon roll & sang (among other songs)...

Skinny marinky dinky dink
Skinny marinky do
I love you

I love you in the morning
and in the afternoon.
I love you in the evening
and underneath the moon

Skinny marinky dinky dink
Skinny marinky doo
I love you

faith gave me jolly ranchers, a drink, a handmade banner, told me i was 105 pounds & 8 feet tall & sang a dozen songs incuding....

Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita buy your baby a banana,
A ripe banana and a papaya,
A ripe papaya that your baby will enjoy!
Mama, mama, Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita says "I haven't any money
To buy bananas and ripe papayas,
Let's go to Carnival and dance the night away!"

Mama, mama, Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita buy your baby some pajamas,
Some new pajamas and a sombrero
A new sombrero that your baby will enjoy!
Mama, mama, Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita says "I haven't any money
To buy pajamas and a sombrero,
Let's go to Carnival and dance the night away!"

grace made me a book of coupons which included washing the family dog & a tv show of my choice! she also sang "mother i love you" to me...

this little guy made me hungry & tired... he has a few years to make up for it =)

i love being a mom... it's the best job on earth.

busted!!!

2011-05-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

my sweet firstborn just turned nine. the years are flying by too quickly & i wish i could stop time. we partied at dave & buster's this year with a few of her closest friends...

i love you baby girl.

easter sunday 2011

2011-04-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

my easter babies

mr. e.b.'s treats

brunch & more baskets at nanni's

dinner & the hunt at allison's

the gardner grandchildren

we heart horses

2011-04-19T14:43:00.000-07:00

spring 2011 banner boutique

2011-04-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

spring break 2011

2011-04-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

this year we headed to the snow for deer valley's closing ski week...

the mountain

all 3 kids skied. grace used to learn poles, faith perfected the snow ball & angel, & hank worked very hard making pizza. michael & i skied a few days together where he lovingly earned the nickname "old dog-turtle". turtle because he would stop on each run to readjust something (everything) & old dog because, well we all know you can't teach an old dog new tricks (i.e. don't wear the thickest socks you own if your boots are too tight & spring skiing does not require 17 layers). we had perfect powder, sloppy slush, storm, sun & so much fun!

the lodge

having skied at deer valley since the year it opened i have seen plenty of famous faces. michael was excited to see a few of his own this year: conan o'brien, president uchtdorf & the man of the slopes, mr. stein erickson. he also fell in love with the lodge's famous blueberry pancakes & turkey chili. but, honestly... how could you not?

the deer

this area boasted 16 deer. the kids love driving around & spotting them. we love midway & it's animals.

provo beach resort

an oxymoron, i know. it boasts a wave pool, bowling, games & a very high harnessed tight rope walk (i.e. give the mom's a heart attack). we stayed till closing on saturday night with all the provo daters... i felt older than dirt.

stein's brunch

a delicious array of fresh fruit (papaya mmm), made to order crepes, omelets, fresh seafood, homemade ice-cream & a well earned tummy ache.

the secret's in the skillet

2011-04-11T20:21:00.001-07:00

i have tried dozens of banana bread recipes & this one tops them all. no contest.

(recipe from cook's illustrated)

MAKES ONE 9-INCH LOAF

Be sure to use very ripe, heavily speckled (or even black) bananas in this recipe. This recipe can be made using 5 thawed frozen bananas; since they release a lot of liquid naturally, they can bypass the microwaving in step 2 and go directly into the fine-mesh strainer. Do not use a thawed frozen banana in step 4; it will be too soft to slice. Instead, simply sprinkle the top of the loaf with sugar. The test kitchen’s preferred loaf pan measures 8½ by 4½ inches; if you use a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan, start checking for doneness five minutes earlier than advised in the recipe. The texture is best when the loaf is eaten fresh, but it can be stored (cool completely first), covered tightly with plastic wrap, for up to 3 days.

INGREDIENTS

1 3/cups (8 3/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1teaspoon baking soda
1/2teaspoon table salt
6large very ripe bananas (about 2 1/4 pounds), peeled (see note)
8tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter , melted and cooled slightly
2large eggs
3/4cup (5 1/4 ounces) packed light brown sugar
1teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2cup walnuts , toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)
2teaspoons granulated sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8½ by 4½-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl.
2. Place 5 bananas in microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and cut several steam vents in plastic with paring knife. Microwave on high power until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer placed over medium bowl and allow to drain, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes (you should have ½ to ¾ cup liquid).
3. Transfer liquid to medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to ¼ cup, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir reduced liquid into bananas, and mash with potato masher until fairly smooth. Whisk in butter, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla.
4. Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined with some streaks of flour remaining. Gently fold in walnuts, if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan. Slice remaining banana diagonally into ¼-inch-thick slices. Shingle banana slices on top of either side of loaf, leaving 1½-inch-wide space down center to ensure even rise. Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over loaf.
5. Bake until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 55 to 75 minutes. Cool bread in pan on wire rack 15 minutes, then remove loaf from pan and continue to cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

found

2011-04-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

2 baby bear cubs & all their mischief.

let the season begin...

2011-04-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

scooter's jungle

2011-04-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

my kid's start talking about their birthdays as soon as one passes. they plan, they change plans & they change plans again. i usually have to remind them to focus on the "next holiday" i.e. easter, christmas, halloween (since their birthday is usually still months away during these strategic planning meetings). when it gets close to their actual birthday month i always give them a choice: a whole day at disneyland with all the rides, cotton candy & fun you could ever want or a party with friends. this year wasn't even a question for faith, it was "scooter's jungle!" or bust! even though morning sickness was in full swing for me... the party had to go on. we spent 3 hours playing, sliding, hide & seeking & eating: (pizza, fruit, peanut butter-pretzels, goldfish, fruit roll ups, pasta salad & cake). she was all smiles & giggles the entire time & loved every minute of it (except for when they put a crown on her... it cramped her style). even though the party route is usually more work, the smiles on their faces & the memories they make are worth every bit. happy birthday to my little six year old!

life with frell...

2011-03-31T12:59:00.000-07:00

...in a nutshell!

our favorite field trip... again!

2011-03-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

it's that time of year... the preschool sea world field trip (the cheapest way to see our favorite sea creatures). this year katie, larry & sophia joined in the fun. the weather was perfect & so was the company!

can you hear the music?

the sea otter show

i will never look at one of these the same after my brother in law was bit on the head by one scuba diving... hahaha.

hank insisted on holding my sweater... the whole day.

front row seats to shamu!

my favorite part of the day, the rapids ride.

soaked

the dolphins

sesame street playground. the kids were in heaven!

martha & co.

2011-03-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

it was a family affair. unlike the little red hen's peeps, everyone in our family did something to help make this jam .... just call us martha & company =).

the auditorium

2011-03-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

i can remember vividly the school auditorium from when i was a little girl: learning how to tie my shoes with 100 other kindergarteners, the smell of all the school kids in one room, the microphones, the padded walls & the excitement of an assembly... now it's my turn to cheer on my little elementary school girls! grace was awarded a special award for "fairness" & frell nailed her speaking part as "betsy ross" in the kindergarten patriotic performance! cameras snapped & video cameras filmed as each parent cheered on their favorite little mako.

super hank

2011-03-25T15:41:00.000-07:00

celebrating six

2011-03-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

for frelly's sixth birthday we spent the afternoon at the beachcomber. six years & so many things i love about her. here are a few of my faves...

1. how she hits the ground running from sunup to sundown

2. the way her smile lights up a room

3. her sensitivity

4. what a good sister she is to her siblings

5. her sense of humor

6. the way she can shake those little hips!

i adore my little fireball!

happy 211

2011-03-19T17:43:00.001-07:00

211. i recently discovered this blog. reading it, makes me drool.

flashback to summer... part 2!

2011-03-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

the children's mood was quickly lifted as we picked up hillary, henry, jane & max, just minutes after michael's helicopter took off.

hillary braved the ferry trip over alone, i had told her it was a piece of cake (jane threw up the whole time!)

our "car"

hanging out by the pier

max's makeshift shelter

my favorite picture... it brings me back to my childhood & the simple, sticky, sweet pleasure of a popsicle, yum.

christy & her kids also joined us for a few days

these tourists wanted a picture with the kids, hank wasn't so sure.

we even convinced jake to head over. we look polygamist.

the kids stole my camera...

playing with rocks

outdoor massages

rolling down a grass hill

unfortunately out of the 2 weeks i spent there, the day they came, it was overcast =(

over the limit? nah.

waiting for buffalo burgers.

afternoon naps on the beach.

michael came over for a night so we took an evening boat ride to see the flying fish... it was amazing!

that's a big olaf!

mini golf

snorkeling with daddy

till next year...

flashback to summer!!!

2011-03-15T10:36:00.001-07:00

the bingham's go to catalina each year. the memories we make there hold us all over till the big reunion next summer. i have had so many pics to blog i didn't know how to do it, so these next 2 posts might be the longest posts ever =)

my favorite part about catalina is the feeling of going back in time to a simpler way of life. no cars, no walmarts, no worries...

on the ferry ride over there we must have seen thousands of dolphins, it was breathtaking!

hugs

our hotel (till they kicked us out before we even checked in because we had too many kids... what?!)

day one, straight to the beach!

the only shot i have of the kids in their wet bathing suits waiting to find new accommodations.

losing our hotel was a blessing in disguise, for the same price we got a 2 bedroom condo, with a golf cart included, a pool, jacuzzi & our own private cove! gorgeous.

spain won the world cup, hank was ready to cheer them on.

our first breakfast, we hosted, instant pancakes... very gourmet.

canon ball!

larry getting some mid-morning zzzz.

hayden strutting his stuff.

the view from the pool

us on the first day... tan anyone?

one of many meals at antonio's

girls night out... dinner & eclipse.

fancy tourist sunglasses, modeled by desi.

scuba buddies

"our" cove

look close, the girl has cheetos in her pockets. only my frell.

my girls

the cousins

looking down on the big slide

my independent two year old

best friends

melts my heart every time

zipline!

antonio's again

the oompa loompa mirror

laying out (& on mommy)

we saw these deer every day, several times a day

adult kids night out (thank you kitty & larry!)

photo shoot

never to early to learn how to throw a pitch

check out double dog's shirt

hot chocolate

we invited my parents over to paradise for a day, and they were sold!

buffalo hank

zip-lining again

hanging out in our cabana at descanso beach...

my 2 mamas

my boys

we had so much fun that the kids and i extended another week... the kids were more than a little sad to see daddy get on the helicopter.

stay tuned... more to come.

happy 210

2011-03-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

210. being ding dong ditched.... a very sweet treat.

christmas morning

2011-03-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

we spent our first night in our new house on christmas eve... waking up to a fresh start, a celebration of Christ & a happy family was the best gift ever.