Happenings Under Hill

2012-01-29T19:06:00.000-08:00

2012-01-29T19:01:00.001-08:00

2012-01-25T08:44:00.000-08:00

We've been trying to keep busy with indoor activities lately. The weather just hasn't been good for getting out. It is either very cold (we've had cold snaps of -10 to -14 degree weather) or it is wet and icy. We've had a couple of great snow storms, but the snow's only lasted a couple of days before it gets rained on and freezes solid. You could say it's just New England weather, but even Vermonters are disappointed at the lack of snow this year. Ethan did get to go skiing one day though, and enjoyed skiing with his friend Asa. I do miss shoveling our Logan walks and visiting with our lovely neighbors!

Leif's First Real Haircut

2012-01-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

I didn't think he would sit still and cooperate, because that's usually not his style, but he did. He sat perfectly still.

Christmas Morning

2012-01-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

Ethan thought Sequoia ought to have a stocking too so that Santa could leave bones

Ethan got a black eye a few days before Christmas. He was playing at a friends house on some soft play equipment and somehow landed head first on their radiator. It was a hard hit. I am massaging the left over calcium deposit above his eyebrow daily with arnica oil to try to get it to break down faster.

Ethan asked Santa for a pull string helicopter last Christmas and got one in his stocking. But, Leif got a hold of it and that was the end of it. So this year Ethan asked Santa to bring a new one for him, and one for Leif too.

These fun birch wood toys were made locally here. I hadn't seen walking blocks in years.

Leif checking out the candy coal that came in Grandma Pam's package

We hope everyone had a nice Christmas. We had Grandma Annette and her friend Steve visiting and awoke to a beautiful snow. Ethan insisted that I pull out his Christmas jammies from last year even though they didn't fit. He wanted to match Leif. Ethan's never been so excited to awake to check his stocking. He didn't want to go downstairs without Leif of course, but Leif wouldn't budge. Thank you to everyone for the gifts and cards. It was wonderful to be able to hang cards and think of loved ones.

Solstice Pinata

2012-01-14T07:01:00.000-08:00

Ethan and I decided to make a pinata for winter solstice night. He wanted it to look like midnight. We covered the balloon in three layers and the pinata was not an easy one to break.

Where's Leif

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

If it's quiet and Leif is nowhere to be seen, chances are he's in his new favorite hiding/play spot under the kitchen.

More Pictures

2011-12-05T14:02:00.000-08:00

I made stockings for the boys because we can't resist anything with owls.

Older pictures worth posting.

2011-11-30T14:24:00.000-08:00

Ethan's got his own sledding hill on the side of the house. We sent Leif down on his own too and he squealed the whole way.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T15:06:00.000-08:00

We're thinking of all of you this Thanksgiving.

Month 2 in Vermont

2011-11-17T06:18:00.000-08:00

Ethan was "riding in a hot air balloon" for Halloween. But we were all sick so we stayed home and played games. We all had an upper respiratory infection for 2 weeks and we're pretty sure Leif had coxsackie virus after that. No sores in his mouth, but he had blisters on his mouth, nose and hands. So, we're glad that's over and we'll hopefully stay well for a while.

Shelburne Farm, which is south of Burlington is a functioning farm with public trails that lead to a beautiful view of Lake Champlain

There are a lot of kids programs at Shelburne Farm. Here we are walking through "story in the Forest."

Leif has been following Sequoia around asking for "tisses." Quoia kisses are his favorite.

First Snow

2011-10-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

We awoke to deer running through the snow in our yard this morning. Such a treat.

2011-10-28T17:55:00.001-07:00

Hello. Now we're really starting to settle. We've found a preschool for Ethan (Good Shepherd Lutheran School). It is a lot like his Montessori school. They are non-denominational, except that they are housed in the church and do spend time discussing values like gratitude and integrity. I like that. We've also been to story time at the library and have met some nice people. Justin is settling into work and enjoying it. It is a commute though. It isn't that far of a distance, but the drive can take a while on smaller roads with slow speed limits (which is nice). And, the drive is pleasant because it is beautiful and VT does not allow billboards. The Underhill/Jericho area has so much Vermont charm. Lots of red barns, churches, hand-made co-ops, etc. tucked within the hills.

Out and About

2011-10-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

The Underhill/Jericho area is so beautiful, rural with a lot of character. It is the home of Wilson "snowflake" Bentley. We've already been to the museum where his photographs of snowflakes and his first camera and microscope set-up are on display. There are a lot of trails in the area too. Here are some pictures of trails that are nearby. We are also close to Mount Mansfield, but haven't made it to those trails yet.

2011-10-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

Our house

The area

Goodbyes

2011-10-17T05:25:00.000-07:00

Some pics of our last few days at home. We're so grateful for our friends and family (only a few of whom are pictured here).

Saying goodbye to our house. We love our little house.

We really love our neighbors. We already miss having them so close by. They've been an important part of Ethan's life too.

Visiting family and a few of our favorite places.

Ethan has such wonderful teachers and friends.

2011-09-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

Landscapes we will miss

I really hated to miss my family reunion but we had already planned a trip to Yellowstone. I really wanted to go before we left the West. I spent a wonderful summer working as a biotech there and love the place.

Trying to get as much family time as we can

2011-08-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

We decided to accept the offer from Draker Labs and move to Vermont this fall. Justin will have a new position doing solar research and development. We're so excited for a change and to experience New England, but it is sad to think of being so far from our family and leaving our house and community that we love so much.

Fun with Beeswax

2011-07-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Lotion, beeswax crayons and beeswax clay. The crayons didn't turn out as nice and smooth as they could have. I figured out a better method though. melt the beeswax in separate babyfood jars in a pot of hot water, add coloring, and add soap last.

Our first egg

2011-07-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

We got baby chicks this year and have been waiting to find our first little egg. Yesterday we found it and it is so cute. So little compared to the eggs our old girls lay. We should start getting about 6 eggs a day soon.

2011-07-07T18:47:00.000-07:00

Which ones to post?

2011-06-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

Ethan's Happiest Moments

2011-06-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

Ok. I'm trying this.

2011-06-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

I've been making my own soap, which I use to make my own laundry soap, and I clean mostly with vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice. So, I'm ready for the next step to becoming detergent-free. I'm going to give this a try: http://simplemom.net/how-to-clean-your-hair-without-shampoo/

2011-06-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

Lovely Spring

2011-05-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

Death camas

Arrowleaf balsamroot

Puccoon

Brodiaea

It has been such a long and wet spring. I love that it is cool and green. Lots of flowers almost out our front door, and interesting mushrooms in the garden too.

Visit to the refuge, and other photos

2011-05-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

Exciting finds not pictured: Double-crested cormorant, Forster's tern
Western Grebe

White-Faced Ibis

American Avocet

Long-billed Curlew

Cliff swallows

Marsh wren

Easter

2011-05-23T17:24:00.001-07:00

Spring Pics

2011-05-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

"John the Rabbit" by Elizabeth Mitchell from "Sunny Day"

2011-05-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

Ethan has been walking around singing this lately.

2011-05-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

2011-05-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

Ethan's Montessori school did these fun pictures. Our neighbors gave us these beautiful eggs. We blew the yolks out for breakfast and used them for Easter decoration. Ethan thought the turkey egg tasted the best. Why wouldn't it? They are so pretty.

April

2011-04-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

Kale Effect

2011-04-17T19:21:00.000-07:00

Check it out at kaleeffect.com. Once you see some of the recipes you will be sold.

My friend Christina is a co-author on this new cookbook. I haven't gotten it yet but am excited about it because 1) Christina is an amazing cook and 2) the only way I ever cook kale is sauteed in butter and garlic on eggs or rice. I could use some ideas. 3) There are a number of leafy greens I've never cooked with successfully.

Old Family Photos

2011-03-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

My Uncle Frank scanned old slides of family photos and I have so enjoyed looking through them. Thanks Uncle Frank.

Handsome Grandpa loved to fish

On the farm

My grandparents with me

Lovely Grandma

My Grandparents, Uncle Dale, Uncle Frank and my mom

My beautiful Mother

Birthday Boy

2011-03-19T15:25:00.001-07:00

That hair! Tight curls in the back, unruly locks on the top.

Two very special boys who adore eachother.

He didn't dive into his cake as I predicted (par for his approach to most things) but he did enjoy it.

Leif got his first visible owie for his birthday. Mom didn't strap him into his chariot and he climbed out and nose-dived onto some gravel. Come to think of it, Ethan had a small shiner on his birthday too.

We sure love our happy, loving, assertive, beautiful boy!

Jill Andrews & Sam Quinn (the everybodyfields) "By Your Side" at The G...

2011-03-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

2011-02-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

We love winter!

2011-02-17T09:12:00.001-08:00

Ethan's family portrait. My favorite is the little Leif bug on the bottom left.

Lots of pics to post

2011-02-01T14:06:00.001-08:00

We finally got rid of that ugly painted brick and covered it with tile.

Making homemade granola bars

Cousin Reid

2011-01-23T16:29:00.000-08:00

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2010-12-29T12:54:00.000-08:00

Look out neighborhood. Time to buy some ear plugs!

2010-12-28T10:03:00.000-08:00

Holiday handmades

2010-12-25T18:56:00.001-08:00

Silly ornaments

Ball for favorite fabric scraps

Pillows for solstice night

New jammies

2010-12-23T15:47:00.000-08:00

2010-12-17T11:54:00.000-08:00

Blowing spit bubbles
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Peeling chestnuts

Vermont

2010-12-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

We joined Justin on a work trip to VT to check it out. Beautiful. We didn't take many pictures though. These are from a ferry ride on Lake Champlain to Essex, NY.

Fun at Thanksgiving

2010-12-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

Missing: pictures of everyone wearing Thanksgiving-themed hats made by Elysia, Danny and Ethan. We should have gotten pictures of the beautiful dinner too. Nice to see everyone. A good time.

2010-11-28T13:25:00.000-08:00

2010-11-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

Brothers

2010-11-10T12:18:00.000-08:00

2010-11-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween

2010-10-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

2010-10-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

2010-10-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

My Grandparents and Me

2010-10-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa

I wanted to post some pictures of my Grandma and am slowly going through them. I defended for my Master's! The list of things I want to do with my new free time it LONG. Organizing photos is one of them.

Ethan Turned 4!

2010-09-26T09:03:00.001-07:00

I've been a bit busy lately but couldn't miss posting my beautiful boy's 4th birthday. Unfortunately, he was sick over his birthday. I was disappointed because I had envisioned a little woodland cake for months and was excited about how it turned out. It was also the best tasting yellow cake I had ever had (recipe can be found here: http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/) and Ethan didn't even taste it. But, he still enjoyed sharing it with family. We celebrated at Jeremy Ranch (Justin's family has a timeshare)so when Ethan felt better we took a lovely bike ride on the Swaner Nature Preserve loop. The fall colors were beautiful.

Alice Baer Ballard, My Lovely Grandmother

2010-09-19T11:27:00.000-07:00

My Grandma passed away just over a week ago. I spent a lot of time with her growing up. She shared so much with me. We traveled to Germany and the Caribbean, the Tetons, and even the local canyons where she would sit and paint while I played. I loved sleep-overs where we'd play in the yard and I would watch her do her daily chores, then we'd sit down for dinner in front of the evening news while waiting for Grandpa to come home. He'd often treat us to ice cream and then I'd crawl into bed with a new book Grandma had found. She read me many books and we shared many favorites. I always thought she was such a Lady. She had a special appreciation for things handmade, as she was an artist herself.

Alice Baer Ballard 1922 ~ 2010 Alice Irene Baer Ballard, born April 11. 1922 in Deerfield, Michigan to Walter Baer and Alice Fletcher Wyman, passed away Sept., 9, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She met and married Dale H. Ballard during World War II while serving in the Women's Army Corp. After the war ended, she and Dale moved to Draper, Utah, where Dale originated. Alice was a beautiful woman with many talents. She had a very difficult childhood, being orphaned at the age of ten. At the age of 16 she attended the Twin City Beauty College. A locally well-known artist, she loved blending travel and painting which took her many wonderful places around the world, Bali, Egypt, and rafting the Colorado River being her favorites. She was an excellent seamstress and culinary artist, cooking everything from tofu to enviable chocolates, and delighting her family with memorable birthday cakes. She served many callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and supported her sons on their missions. Alice enjoyed the beauty of nature and was simple and unpretentious. Her flowers were an inspiration and she and her grandchildren loved picking food in her garden. She loved the many family gatherings and holidays we shared, especially the delightful Easter egg hunts. She loved to learn, devouring hundred of books in many subjects, taking art classes and a variety of seminars throughout her life. Alice is survived by her children, Dale Ballard Jr., Frank Ballard and Pamela Ballard, fourteen grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Dale H. Ballard.

Leif Has a Tooth!

2010-09-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

I made this stencil for Leif's shirt and I love how it turned out.

Ethan wanted to try washing clothes they way they did before we had major appliances to do everything. So, we got a washboard and found a rinsing tub and a hot bath. He worked hard.

Leif got his first tooth and is SO interested in food. He watches Ethan eat with excitement and tries to grab anything he can. We tried some mashed pears and he threw them up, so he will have to wait for a little while.

I defend for my Masters Oct. 1 (I actually have a date set so it WILL happen). Between preparing for that and preserving food from our garden, we're busy.

2010-08-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

Picking huckleberries...yum.

Bottling currants with friends

Fun at the beach...Bear Lake of course.

2010-08-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

2010-07-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

Escaping the heat (Miss you Fay!)

Playing in the sun

Grandparents' Yard

2010-07-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

My Grandparents have the most beautiful yard and I have so many wonderful memories of playing in it. I'm happy to have some pictures of my boys in the yard as well.

Von Baer Park

2010-07-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

Leif Found His Feet

2010-07-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

A fun project Ethan and I did. Line the jar with construction paper and fill the inside with wet paper towels. Place beans between the paper and the jar. Ours grew this much in a week!

Leif found his feet and now is always grabbing onto them.

Preparing for snow. He takes after his parents.

Has anyone tried making cottage cheese? I followed the directions and the curds didn't hold. I guess I didn't let it sit long enough (18 hours). I did let it sit multiple hours longer than both recipes that I read suggested though.

Leif and Aunt Lindsey

2010-07-10T19:41:00.000-07:00

Summer

2010-07-01T15:07:00.000-07:00

Quail eggs in Vivian's yard.....a fun surprise.

Enjoying the Yard

2010-06-19T14:09:00.001-07:00

The alligator Justin saw at a work site in Florida.

Finally, we are remodeling our living room. We tore down the wall paper and found quite a mess. Plaster falling off of the walls due to water damage. I didn't want a textured look, but rather smoother looking walls. So it took a lot of repair mudding and sanding. We actually hired a friend to finish it. I love how the walls turned out. They are a warm creamy color that goes well with the wood. We also got rid of that mirror. We are now finishing the fireplace. It was painted brick but soon it will be tiled. Pictures to come...

Carrots for sale

2010-06-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

Nature Walk

2010-06-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

And More Pics

2010-05-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

Fun Pics I Never Got To Posting

2010-05-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

After this pic was taken, Ethan fell in the river while jumping around so I handed a diaper-less Leif (it was a hot day and I wanted him to air out) to Shannon and he peed on her. Wet drive home.

He's a sleeper. Lots of sleeping pics. Next time I'll post some smiling pics. He's smiling a lot lately.

Franzl Lang - Einen Jodler hör i gern

2010-05-28T06:49:00.000-07:00

Ethan wanted to learn about yodeling. Boy did he enjoy this clip.

Some More Pictures

2010-05-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

Basil jelly. I had to try it. It tastes great on meatballs or as a marinade for veges on the grill.

Leif has started smiling and talking. He makes the cutest little noises. We all just melt when we hear them.

What we're listening to

2010-05-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

Ethan and I have been making CD compilations for the seasons. The spring one has been great and has this song on it. I saw this posted on another blog and thought I'd share too. Leif is getting big and chunky. He slept 6 hours the other night. I haven't downloaded photos for a while. I need to get to it.

2010-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Emilee took some great photos of us. Here are just a few of them for now. I couldn't decide which to post.

Three Weeks Already!

2010-04-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

Easter

2010-04-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

When I was little my Grandparents hosted the best Easter egg hunt with lots of eggs full of good things. My siblings and I were discussing how the best part was that they were really hidden. You really had to look for them (for the most part). We'd find eggs later in the summer while playing in the yard which was really a treat.

I love how our dyed brown eggs turned out.

The funny banana slippers Aunt Lindsey sent Ethan for Easter. They look so hilarious I've taken lots of pictures.

Visit to my Grandmother

2010-04-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

I have so many great memories of playing with my siblings and cousins in my grandparents beautiful yard. We visited on such a beautiful day with sunshine and snow. Ethan really appreciated playing underneath the big white pine that we all grew up loving.

Imagine Childhood

2010-03-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Check us out on the Imagine Childhood Blog: http://imaginechildhood.com/blog/?p=8559

If you look at my blog you have already seen the photos. They feature nature walks with photos and stories that people send from around the world. It is a fun thing to read with Ethan and we get to see lots of beautiful photos. So, I decided to submit some. Anyway, I think it is a great blog and a great resource.

And his name is...

2010-03-26T10:36:00.001-07:00

Leif Jonahs Robinson

He's Here!

2010-03-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pics of our beautiful baby boy. More to come....

Our last day as a family of 4 (counting Sequoia) and Ethan's last tumbling class

2010-03-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

It is weird knowing that I will be induced sometime tomorrow. It makes me feel nostalgic about Ethan being my baby boy, and how wonderful it is to experience pregnancy. But, we're all pretty excited.

Bear River Migratory Refuge III

2010-03-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

With no progression toward delivery in the past few weeks I decided a bumpy ride through the Refuge was a great idea. March is my favorite time to go after all. Maybe it helped because this morning I had a doctor appt. and I am 90% effaced and dilated to 4 cm. Not bad for walking around feeling great. So, I guess it really is any day now.

On a different note, Justin and I finished the documentary, Food Inc. last night. Wow. I have to say that between starting work and being pregnant, I had relaxed a bit on buying everything I can locally with as little processing as possible. But, after watching that, I have a renewed sense of dedication. Perhaps I do have time to follow Lau Farms scheduled visits and wait in line for local meat after all. And maybe I should put more emphasis on the garden this year. Now, if Justin would just agree to chickens. After all, I want to teach my kids mindfulness and to give them a connection to their food and a sense of the true cost of the way we live.

Ethan at Beaver Mountain

2010-03-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

Getting Ready for Baby

2010-03-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

I've been having fun with some baby projects....the photos are terrible, but here they are.

Thanks Chantel

2010-02-17T19:53:00.000-08:00

For the beautiful fresh eggs that Ethan boiled and gobbled for dinner. And for all of the other inspiring gifts and ideas.

Ethan Skiing

2010-02-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

Actually, I didn't get a good shot of Ethan skiing that day. But, it was a good day. He got to ski with his friends Miles and Jemma, and he learned how to turn and stop on his own. He even rode the chair lift this time. The run was a bit steeper and longer but he didn't get frustrated.

Later that night I ended up with a permanent seat by the toilet and had to be treated in the hospital for dehydration. I guess I got a really nasty stomach bug and it's taken days to get my energy back. They took me straight to labor and delivery because I'm so far along, and luckily everything was fine with the baby.

We got a special visit.....

2010-02-06T19:36:00.000-08:00

~ 6 weeks to go....

2010-01-27T17:47:00.001-08:00

Ethan is very excited and curious. He asked if my tummy will be broken after the baby is born.

What We've Been Doing

2010-01-17T13:53:00.000-08:00

We already have the PERFECT girl name picked out. We just can't agree on a boy name. Any suggestions?

Ethan's amaryllis, his best Christmas gift if you ask me. It's been fun watching it grow.

Bec organized a tumbling class with Ethan and other friends. They have SO much fun together. It's the highlight of the week.

We always love seeing the swans on the way into Maple Grove hot springs

Ethan eating the sugar mouse that Marie gave him for Christmas. It's an English tradition.

Ethan has been working on more songs

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2009-12-23T20:35:00.000-08:00

A fun afternoon at the American West Heritage Center

2009-12-19T18:52:00.000-08:00

We got a beautiful tree from the AWHC this year and with it came a train ride and lots of fun. We made an orange and cinnamon stick garland for the tree. Having something we made together really adds to the tree, though it is kind of sparse. Still drying oranges.

Ethan, Dad, Jess and the dogs went looking for snow.

2009-11-22T10:06:00.000-08:00

Snow!

2009-11-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

Ethan's Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Lars and Cousin Reid come up for a visit. And Shannon came over to join. Ethan adores his aunts, uncles and cousin.

The rug I just finished for Ethan's room. I've been trying to figure out what to make ever since I first saw this beautiful bird fabric.

Halloween

2009-11-07T15:42:00.000-08:00

Loving Fall

2009-10-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Our little friend is still catching wasps outside of our bathroom window. We love watching her. We've seen her spin multiple webs now.

Apples

2009-10-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon and mace are usually my spices of choice for apple cobbler, but today I tried rosemary and it was delicious. I mixed a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice in ~1.5 lb. apples, ~ 1/3 C. sugar, and a couple of pinches of ground rosemary. Much less spice than I would normally add but I didn't want the flavor to be too strong. The flavor was subtle and perfect.