The Detling Dish

2011-07-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

Congrats to the Happy New Couple!

2011-07-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

After Garrett and Danielle's wedding we spent a few days at Bear Lake. We enjoyed the beautiful weather and time together as a family.

Sunday we headed back to Tremonton to visit with extended family.

Happy 100 Birthday Grandma! We enjoyed our day spending time with family, in celebration of Grandma "Red's" 100th birthday. It was great catching up with everyone in honor of this amazing woman who is our common link.

Here's the old sign that still stands today, pointing the way to Grandma Ora's Bridal Service. My amazing Grandma made wedding dresses for over forty years in her small town of Tremonton to help support her family. She charged no more than 25 cents an hour from the first dress she made until the last. She said that it was her desire to help every young bride-to-be to be able to afford a beautiful wedding dress.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-10T21:50:00.000-07:00

One of my best memories as a kid was making an indian teepee with my mom and siblings. In an attempt to try and recreate that memory with my own kids, one afternoon we got out some sticks, an old sheet, my staple gun, and lot's of paint. The boys loved it! Later we made some feathered bands with our "indian names" on them. Bryant was "Grizzly Bear," Ethan was "Little Warrior," Jonah was "Wild Horse," Kenna was "Little Dove," and I was "Sitting Fox."

2011-07-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

As a mother of three boys, one of my most favorite things ever is all the bouquets of flowers I constantly get... as long as they are from our yard.

2011-07-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

Ethan has been so excited to start kindergarten this fall. He loves to practice writing his letters.

2011-07-10T21:32:00.000-07:00

The other night Bryant lost another tooth...How many teeth does this kid have anyway? Under his pillow he left this note for the toothfairy.... "Pleas give me $5 if you cant $4 is all rite." I guess the $1 haven't been cutting it. Needless to say, the toothfairy left the "usual amount" anyways.

2011-07-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

Isn't it every woman's dream to have their own personal chef... especially as cute as this one! Way to cook those peas Jonah.

2011-07-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

I definitely got spoiled for Mother's day this year with all the home-made gifts, cards, and pictures. Who could ask for anything more!

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

At school Bryant has been doing a running club. To reward the kids they get to earn "foot charms" to put on a chain. So far, Bryant has run 50 miles.... and still counting. Way to go!

2011-07-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

Kenna's beloved "baby" get's to go for a swim!

Summer Fun in the yard!

Jonah won't let us forget about the water-rocket.

2011-07-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

Our proudly colored Easter Eggs!

Bryant couldn't get enough of the hard boiled eggs.

I don't know what was more fun....making houses for our peeps, or watching them explode in the microwave???

2011-07-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the beautiful spring flowers at Balboa Park.

2011-07-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

Gotta love laundry day! Usually, with a household of six... and a three year old that changes outfits numerous times a day... I try to keep the machine going.

Last week was a little more busy than usual and the Mama Machine fell behind. Today I paid for it. Luckily my kids were willing to help out... that was a first.

2011-07-10T19:48:00.000-07:00

This year we celebrated St. Patricks Day by making lepracaun traps (Thanks to Family Fun Magazine for the idea). The boys had fun making a green hat from an oatmeal canister, along with a miniature latter, and... the best part.... a trap door at the top. For bait, the boys cut out some fake gold coins to sprinkle on top. To create some extra enticing, Bryant made a sign that said, "do not climb the latter," for lepracauns are naghty and like to break all rules (said Bryant).

So... did we catch any???? Unfortunately, this year the lepracauns were a little too smart, and a little too quick. Although, they did leave behind some edible gold (holo rolos) and Bryant found a miniature shovel one day in the back yard that he knew for sure belonged to one of those tricky guys. Maybe next year we will have better luck.

2011-03-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

Happy 1st Birthday Kenna!

Bryant learned how to play Happy Birthday on the piano for Kenna.

She loved her little bonnet that she got in the mail from Grandma Susan.

Earlier that day we (along with my parents and Aunt Jo) took a drive to Point Loma to see the Cabrillo Monument. We lucked out with clear skies and the most amazing 360 degree views of the ocean. It took my breath away. There was an old lighthouse there that was open to the public to walk through. The boys all had fun running up the narrow spiral staircase to see the light at the top. My Dad had fun checking out the WWI bunker/museum close by. I fell in love with the view looking out the vintage glass windows from the top of the lighthouse. It was a wonderful afternoon.

2011-03-06T18:05:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we had Rob's aunt Joanne visit us from Oregon. We always love it when she comes. Unfortunately, we didn't have the best of weather that weekend (except for a few moments of sun here and there). One afternoon we took advantage of the sun and played in the backyard. We broke out the popsicles and even got a little game of croquet going.

2011-02-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

Love Mail

You would think that with Valentine's Day around the corner there would be just a little bit more.....well....niceness around the house. Think again. For my three boys, Valentine's Day is just another holiday to load up on the sweets. Maybe that's the blame for all the extra yelling and fighting around here.

The solution. We made and decorated a Valentine Mailbox. I've heard of this before and thought we could try it in our family. Each day everyone can write love notes to whoever they want in the family and after dinner we open it up and read all the mail. It has been fun...and definitely entertaining! One day Ethan drew me a family of kissing rattlesnakes. Very funny. Another night Bryant had fun writing down valentine jokes and riddles for everyone. Even Rob and I have had some extra fun with it. The result.... yes, I would say there's some extra niceness around here. This will definitely become a longstanding tradition for us.

2011-02-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT

The new house that we are renting has a theme. How can a house have a theme, you ask. Simple. There are Asian Rabbits EVERYWHERE. From the bright red door with a rabbit windchime and chinese writing hanging above, to the rabbit shaped stepping stones in the backyard, the rabbit items (inside and out) are hard to miss. We even learned that the previous tennants had a live rabbit living in one of the bedrooms upstairs. So with the Chinese New Year celebrating the Year of the Rabbit, we felt it our duty to celebrate. This is our lucky year, apparently.
How did we celebrate? It began as a craft day galore.... chinese lanters, fortune cookies made out of felt, lucky red envelopes with chocolate gold coins in them, chinese yo-yos, finger cuffs, chinese horoscopes, sparklers, chopsticks...and then ended with some yummy chinese food Rob brought home for dinner. Oh, yes, and the dragons...

We had the "tame" dragons...

The "ferocious" dragons...

The "kissing" dragons...

And "baby" dragons.

and much more...

Earlier that day we had Ethan's preschool co-op at our house. The boys all loved making their own dragons and chinese lanterns. We then had a parade with our creations up and down the steet (roars and all).

2011-01-30T20:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we took the whole family to Oldtown San Diego for a special event with the Mormon Battalion site. We had a great time walking around and seeing all the historical buildings and people dressed up in clothing from that time era. The boys loved the museum and all the fun presentations they had. Bryant and Ethan enjoyed panning for gold and actually found some "treasure." Jonah loved an exhibit where they let kids wash clothes on a washboard and make bricks in an oven. Rob, I believe, liked the candy store the most. I had to go in and drag him out after he went MIA. He was definitely like a "kid in a candy store." My favorite was the mexican restaurant we found that served the best horchata I've ever had....mmmmm. Kenna just went along the ride with contentment. There was so much to see we ended up spending most the day there.

2011-01-30T17:56:00.000-08:00

I recently found this picture of Ethan and his "beloved powerangers." I love it. For me, it's a glimps into his world.

2011-01-30T17:39:00.000-08:00

The boys and I picked up this book at the library last week and have loved it. You know you've found a good book when your squirmy three year old, with an attention span shorter than an ant hill, will sit and listen until the very last page. The best part...we all got our very own "moon pie" dessert afterward.

2011-01-24T17:19:00.000-08:00

We have been enjoying the amazingly warm weather here in San Diego. On Christmas Eve we took the whole family to the beach....Love it!

2011-01-24T17:16:00.000-08:00

Honesty is the best policy...right Ethan?

2011-01-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

I love these Halloween pictures my friend Charlene took of the kids before we went out trick or treating. Thanks Charlene!

2011-01-24T17:06:00.000-08:00

Ethan's Preschool Halloween Party.

2011-01-24T16:58:00.000-08:00

Jonah's Halloween/Birthday party.

2011-01-24T16:49:00.000-08:00

2011-01-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

A day at the pool with Grandma Holly.

2011-01-24T16:34:00.000-08:00

2010-07-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

MONTEREY
A few weeks ago Rob had a property to inspect near Monterey, so we decided to make it a weekend family get-away. It was nice to get out of the Sacramento heat and enjoy the coastal weather. While we were there we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was amazing! The boys enjoyed all the hands on attractions they had there. Bryant loved touching a sting ray, while Jonah loved the sea cucumbers. Rob made sure to let him know that they're NOT the kind you eat. Ethan was content just waving to the sea turtles.
Of course the highlight for all the boys was the shark tank. I was amazed that something could capture their undivided attention for more than five minutes, but it did. They loved it! As for myself, I was impressed with the jelly fish and the interesting seahorse that looked like drifting seaweed. Even little Kenna loved gazing at all the colorful aquariums. It was all just so amazing. We'll definitely have to make that trip again.

2010-07-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

On our way to Monterey for the weekend we stopped for some ice cream in San Juan Bautista. We had a great time exploring all the historical sites and even got to walk around an old mission built in the early 1800's. The views of the valley were impressive and the boys had fun climbing all the trees.... minus the lone cactus.

2010-07-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

Well it FINALLY happened....Bryant lost his first tooth. He has been quite the determined kid, making sure he wasn't the "only six year old on the planet who hasn't lost a tooth yet"....his words, not mine. After weeks of wiggling and tugging, the little tooth that was hanging by a thread at last came out. Now we can all rest assured and not hear another word about it from our relentless six year old.

The following day Bryant was excited to find the tooth that he had left under his pillow was gone, and in it's place a note and $2. I asked him if he saw the tooth fairy that night. He said, "no... but I know that she's real and that it wasn't you that put the money under my pillow." When I asked him how he knew he said, "Because I got cash... you would have only given me a nickle." Glad to know my six year old thinks his mom is cheap.

2010-05-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

Ethan's preschool graduation program and party.

2010-05-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

A few pictures from our trip to Maui...

2010-05-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Haircts anyone?

2010-05-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

Rob and I decided to take the kids for a day trip to San Jose. While we were there we visited the Winchester House. It was fun learning about the interesting history behind the house and it's very interesting owner, Mrs. Winchester, who spent much time and energy adding on to her mansion with hundreds of useless rooms, hallways, doors that lead to nowhere, and elaborate stain glassed windows that looked out to a brick walls. Bryant summed up the experience well with, "I just hoped that I didn't get lost in the Crazy Lady House!"

2010-05-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

Ethan loved the green socks that Grandma Susan made him for his birthday.

2010-05-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th Birthday to Ethan!

Ethan and I made some birthday cupcakes to take to his preschool class... and of course they had to be GREEN.

2010-05-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

Kenna Lorenne Detling
born February 25, 20010

2009-07-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

A Picture Perfect Nightmare

Your driver's license picture isn't likely to be the best photo of your life, but does it have to be your worst???

It finally came in the mail....the long awaited "renewed" drivers license. I couldn't help but compare the old one with the new. Somehow the five years (and three kids) later version of myself is a hard one to swallow. The tired eyes, frazzled hair, and shiny face left me asking myself, "do I really look like this?"

I know this sounds very vain and shallow. I'll admit it. But can't the DMV have pitty on us haggard moms with young kids and just let us send in our own picture of ourself? ANY picture would have been better than what they took.

While on the DMV website to check out my "options," I found that they actually give you pointers on "how to take a good driver's license picture." A little late for that now.

I think that this woman had the right idea while at the DMV. I'll remember this one for next time.

2009-07-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

This holiday weekend has been an adventure-filled one for us with...birthday parties, horseback riding, emergency room visits (poor Jonah got stitches on his chin), biking with friends, playing in the American River, pie eating, Bar-B-Q assembling, fillet mignon grilling (thank you Andrew), and...oh yes...the fireworks!

2009-06-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

For Father's Day this year the boys and I made "cake bites" for Rob. I found this yummy recipe online and decided to try it out. A friend of mine and her girls then joined us in dipping the cake bites in melted chocolate and putting them on sticks. The kids loved dipping them (all the while sampling the chocolate) and then decorating them with sprinkles. The end result turned out cute and DELICIOUS.

2009-06-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from our recent trip to Coos Bay Oregon to visit Rob's Aunt Jo and to spend some time with his mom Susan. It was nice to get out of hot Sacramento and see the beautiful Oregon coast. The boys loved visiting with Grandma Sue and playing at Jo's house right on the water. We even got to see the Umpqua River Lighthouse and climb to the top. It was a fun and memorable trip.

2009-05-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

Can I just say how much I love cherry season! Today we bought a few bags of cherries from a local farmer in Auburn and have been devouring them like crazy.

2009-05-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

KEEPING AHEAD OF ENTROPY

I remember hearing the term entropy in a science class once, and for some reason it's definition comes to my mind whenever I clean my house. Entropy is a universal law that states: disorder creates more disorder.

In other words, messes seem to have a way of creating more messes, which then have a snowball effect. For example, have you ever left out an open jar of peanut butter only to find that somehow it gets smeared all over the kitchen floor, tracked into the carpet and couches, only to end up caked on your favorite jacket you left out on the armchair last night. You look back and think, wow, if only I had put the peanut butter away.

Keeping ahead of the mess is a constant battle for me with three little boys....and today I lost.

I probably should have a little more pride and dignity and not reveal today's defeat, but my kids have stripped me of that long ago.

2009-05-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

OUR TRIP TO FLORIDA

One of our favorite adventures in Florida was visiting Gator Park in the Everglades. They had numerous exhibits on reptiles, alligators and any other animal you might find in the everglades. The boys loved watching a live demonstration on alligator wrestling and were even able to touch and hold baby alligators (jaws bound, of course). The best part of it all was the air boat ride wich was driven by our crazy guide who kept telling us to "watch out for 'em croickies," as he zoomed at high speeds through the mangroves. We got to see thousand year old cypress trees, iguanas, alligators, snakes, turtles...the list goes on. I loved every minute of it!

Marco Island was beautiful and relaxing. We spent about three days doing nothing but playing at the pool and going to the beach (my kind of vacation). The boys were amazed when they spotted a little turtle scooting along on the beach.

Clearwater, Tampa was a fun place walk on the boardwalk, play on the beach, and visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. My favorite part was taking a boat out to Caladesi Island, which we had heard was one of the prettiest secluded beaches in Florida. It was beautiful and the shells we found on it's white sands were amazing.

We spent a few days in Orlando and decided to take the boys to Disney's Animal Kingdom. They loved seeing all the exotic animals and especially loved the safarri ride, wich let you see every African animal you could imagine in it's (somewhat) natural habitat. It was amazing and far exceeded my expectations. Of course we had to end the hot humid day with a lemon freeze, which the boys devoured in seconds. It was a great day.

2009-04-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

This year for Easter the boys and I decided to make some of our own Easter docorations. I got an idea from a magazine to make paper mache eggs with balloons and tissue paper and then put smaller eggs with little creatures inside. Bryant and Ethan had fun with the gooey project and Jonah had fun with the extra balloons we blew up for him. It took about 24 hours to dry, but the end result turned out really cute. Ethan made a little pink fuzzy pig to put in his egg and Bryant made a mouse.

2009-03-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

This morning I came down the stairs into the kitchen to find this lovely seen before my eyes....Jonah had been dressed and fed by his two older brothers (Ethan made sure he had on "big boy" underwear). I suppose I probably shoudn't be posting these pictures and reveal my shear-amazing mothering skills, but I couldn't let this one go without a mention.

2009-02-12T20:09:00.000-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY!

Today I had a few friends over for a little pre-Valentine's Day lunch. On the menu: Chicken Penne with sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes, spinach and cranberry salad, served with french bread. I don't always get the chance to go this fancy so I decided to break out the wedding china and celebrate. It's nice to know it has finally gotten some use after five years in a box. The best part... I had plenty left over to redo the whole thing again for Rob later that night (with the added touch of candles of course). He was so suprised that I had gone to all that work, I couldn't bare to tell him that it was left-overs from earier. Yikes! Two great meals in one day...what more could you ask for!

2009-01-29T20:07:00.000-08:00

RED VELVET CAKE

When you are making a Red Velvet Cake...

Rule #1: Do not let your kids help with the food coloring.
Rule #2: Do not wear a white shirt.
Rule #3: Make sure you have enough ingredients to double the frosting recipe (your kids end up eating the first batch)
Rule #4: You, and only you DESERVE the first bite after all that work.
Rule #5: Did I mention not to let your kids ANYWHERE NEAR the food coloring?

Ethan loves cakes....he literally asks at least once a week, "Mom, can we make a cake today?" (I blame it all on the Food Network chanel). So today, after relentless pleading, I gave in and we made an "Ethan cake"...aka Red Velvet Cake. Ethan made sure that he was by my side helping (and sampling) every step of the way. Here's a few pictures from our baking adventure this afternoon...and our final creation.

Who doesn't love to do a little sampling along the way? With my back turned Ethan went straight for the blue food coloring (Rob would be proud to know) and headed for the batter. Luckily I caught him in time or we would have had Purple Velvet Cake.

The end result was beautiful, if I don't mind saying so myself...but not enough to keep us from devouring it within seconds.

2009-01-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd post a few pictures of Bryant skateboarding...which has been the latest thing at our house. Ever since my brother Garrett showed him a few tricks, Bryant has been determined to learn a few of his own. He got one for Christmas and has been on the thing non-stop.

2009-01-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

Hasn't every girl waited for their "knight in shining armour?" How lucky am I to have TWO...thanks Mom and Dad for the fun Christmas gifts!

2009-01-06T10:18:00.000-08:00

After Christmas we took a quick trip to UT to visit Regina and Steve and see their new little baby. We had a great time visiting with them. I think the boys especially had fun getting together and being their usual "wild" selves. All I can say is SIX BOYS...Wow! Here's a few pictures of when Rob and I took all the boys sledding. They all had a great time...minus Jonah, who was not a fan of the cold snow.

Anyone up for a snowball fight?

2008-12-07T23:49:00.000-08:00

Some pics from the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, hosted by our outrageousely outfitted friends, the Evers.

2008-12-07T23:21:00.000-08:00

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY IN AZ

We had a great time visiting with family in Arizona this Thanksgiving. The boys loved playing in my grandparent's backyard. Jonah had fun with their chicken and would feed it pancakes left over from breakfast. The chicken also took a liking to Jonah but always ran away whenever big brother Ethan came near it. I wonder why???

If I were a chicken I too would run away if I saw this coming towards me.

Bryant had fun exploring and even found a gecko. I don't think Grandma was as excited as Bryant was about the little critter.

When the Thanksgiving dinner was underway we all did what we could to help out Grandma in the kitchen. The turkey turned out superb this year! Just ask my Dad, who made sure he got the first helping. The olives were a big hit with Ethan. That was about all we could get him to eat, though (picky eater).

After all that could be eaten was eaten (and then some) we broke out the games. About half of us played Ticket to Ride while the other half played the Wii American Idol....all the while stuffing our faces with about ten different kids of pie. The kids had fun getting rides on the tractor out back.

....and when all was said and done, G & G took a little breather.

2008-10-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday to Jonah!

I know I haven't been the best at keeping up on the blog, but I couldn't let Jonah's birthday go by without a mention (I will post some messy cake-eating pictures later). He has been quite the busy one year old, especially now that he is walking, or should I say "running," around trying to keep up with his brothers. He constantly keeps me on the chase, which has been fun for me since I broke my toe and foot bones on Friday (long story) and am now hobbling around after him like a gimp. He has such a sweet disposition and we feel very blessed to have him in our family.

2008-10-19T00:45:00.000-07:00

BISHOP'S PUMPKIN FARM

2008-07-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

A FEW PICS FROM OUR TRIP TO HB

Here's all of us down at Sunset Beach trying to get my brother Garrett's surf kite up. The winds were extra strong that day and my Dad had to hold him down so it wouldn't drag him across the shore line, while my mom (she's the one in the sombrero) tried to maneuver the kite. Luckily, I got out of it because someone had to keep Jonah from eating sand...and of course take pictures of the whole thing.

Grandma Holly with Jonah

Bryant asked Grandpa if he wanted to go ride bikes with him. My Dad went out to the garage and pulled out this little "jallopy," powered by a lawnmower motor. The boys thought it was the coolest thing and were eager to take a turn riding it with Grandpa.

2008-07-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

I remember hearing once a funny story about my grandma Ida who grew up more or less a city girl and when she got married, found herself living the farm life. Ironically, she wasn’t too fond of the farm animals and was even deathly afraid of the horses and cows. Thus, anything that had to do with the animals on the farm she left up to her husband and others to deal with. Then, one day while out walking she saw one of the workhorses choking. With no one nearby to aid her she had to push her pride and fears to the side and act fast. She opened the horses mouth and reached down it’s throat to dislodge the object, saving it’s life.

The comical image of this fearless girl, my grandma, reaching down a horse’s throat has never left my mind. In fact, I think of it often as I encounter my own moments of “why do I have to do this?” All you moms out there should know what I’m talking about. I’m talking about when your kids flush a bucket load of toys down the toilet and you have to fish them all out, or when your small child shows you a rotting tuna sandwich in his closet that he made a week ago. Or how about removing a clogged up vent only to have years worth of dirt and animal remains fall on you.

As moms, with households to manage, we face things on a daily basis that we would just rather not deal with. Now don’t get me wrong, I do pawn off a good share of it onto my dear sweet husband, but as our lives get more complicated with kids, and the “honey-do” lists just get longer, and the hours in the day seem to get shorter, I have to be realistic. If it’s going to get done it’s up to me. So I’m learning to get out the “how-to-manuals” and work gloves, keep my gagging reflexes in check, and just do it.

I guess I’m writing this because it seems as though the “choking horse” moments were ceaseless today, and I’ll be the first to admit there were plenty of pitiful “why me” and “just shoot me now” remarks around my house. But now the day is over….and so is this entry.

2008-05-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

I admit complete and utter defeat!

This morning as I was packing for a camping trip for the weekend I couldn't help but notice the unusual sound of...well, nothing. I enjoyed the silence for a second or two and then went down stairs to face it's cost.

"Bryant!".... "Ethan!"

One small giggle escaped from the garage and I made my way in it's direction, only to find an explosion of tools scattered around a disassembled cooler.

Mental note: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR CHILD

The embarassing part was that after I thought I had reattatched everything, I found that I had extra screws and bolts and the lid wouldn't shut right. Not suprisingly, Bryant was quick to correct me and together we fixed it. Yup, my four year old is already smarter than me.

2008-05-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

Poodle-Lamas

Ever come across a “poodle-lama?”

We did. A few days ago the boys and I went out for a drive in the country when we discovered a whole herd of these bizarre looking creatures. I’m not sure exactly what they are, but they look like miniature lamas (about the size of a dog) and are shaved like poodles. They are also very friendly as one of them let Ethan feed it a leaf.

Somehow these animals have become the latest attraction around our house and every time we get into the car my kids insist on driving by them. Though, I have to admit that it has become an excellent source of bribery.

“If you don’t stop yelling in the car then we won’t drive by the poodle-lamas!”

Silence.

Now Bryant has stopped bugging me about getting him a pet cat and has turned to the idea of a poodle-lama for a pet. I just answer him, “someday,” which has become my go to answer for everything lately.

Although, I do think these things are kind of cute and have tossed around the idea of getting one for a pet (ssshhhh…don’t tell Rob). Anyone know what these things are and if they make good pets? (For future references of course)

2008-05-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

The other day Bryant asked me, amongst his never-ending, random questions, "Where's your mommy's mommy?" I searched for a picture of my grandma Ruth to show him and found this one that my mom had made a copy of and gave to me a while ago. I love this picture of her and my grandpa! It was taken in the late 40's/early 50's during an interview she had had with some popular magazine of the time. Amazingly, it was taken just a few days after she had given birth to twin boys (she had a total of six living children). Although I never knew my grandma at this stage of her life, raising her family, I often times think of her and how she did it (and with six!) as I am now raising my own brood of boys. Grant it, I only knew the fun, loving lady who spoiled her grandkids with ice cream and sugar free gum, I'm amazed to think of how this special, dear woman has influenced me, even today. So as we are approaching Mother's Day, and thinking of the wonderful women in our lives who have influenced us for the better, I would like to mention with gratitude my own mother and grandmothers who have inspired me through my own joys and challenges of motherhood. Happy Mother’s Day!

2008-03-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pics from our trip to Cabo San Lucas. It was a fun and much needed get-away. We took the baby with us while my parents watched the older boys in Huntington. I think Jonah enjoyed having Rob and I all to himself.

Jonah and the whales (look close in the water...there's two humpback whales)

Our tour guide, Ignacio, greeted us on the bus to our hotel and welcomed us to Mexico, right after he stumbled up the stairs to the bus and handed out the beer...classic!

2008-01-18T15:55:00.001-08:00

Snow Baby

2007-12-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

Playdough Snowman

2007-12-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

Here in California we make our snowmen out of playdough.

Ethan takes his pet "mouse" for a walk

2007-12-06T21:24:00.000-08:00

Ethan has taken quite a bit of interest to an old computer mouse that we had lying around the house and has been taking his new "pet" for walks. It has been a great reminder to me of how kids really do get a kick out of the simplest things. So as the holiday season approaches and I'm wondering what to get my kids for Christmas??? Forget the expensive toys with all the bells and whistles...it's the old useless junk that they really care about.

Ethan, Jonah, and Bryant

2007-12-06T21:19:00.000-08:00

The Detlings celebrate October

2007-11-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

Meet the newest member of the Detling family~Jonah Samuel Detling was born October 12, 2007

2007-11-06T15:39:00.000-08:00

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-09-17T23:35:00.001-07:00

...after a tough day on the courts

2007-09-16T23:34:00.001-07:00

These are mine...go get your own Honeycombs Ethan!

2007-09-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

Tyke on a trike

2007-09-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

Ethan discovers chocolate

2007-09-16T23:24:00.001-07:00

All Smiles!

2007-09-16T23:18:00.000-07:00