2011 Dec | Christmas

2011 Dec | Picking the Tree

A Pole for Good Measure...our "Super K" Karsen helping the big bro out with the pole. She liked to run in between the trees trying to play hide-n-seek with her Mama.

Parker: "I want That One!"

TA DAH!!! Our Sugarbush Tree All Decked Out.

We went to Macburnie's Tree Farm in Cedar Ridge. Parker picked this year's. And it turned out great for the corner of our living room.

2011 Oct | Bridgeport Fall Fest

2011 09 10 11 | Kids

2011 October | Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treating in downtown Grass Valley...a nice lunch break from work...we ate @ Toffaneli's.

Karsen caught on video cutting in front of trick or treating line.

We went trick or treating in LWW in the evening. This year was in Thistle Loop.

God Bless the Frank Children | 2011 Sept 24 BAPTISM St. Patrick's Catholic Church

We baptized the kids at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church this past Saturday 9/24/11. We wished everyone was there with us to celebrate. It was fun and exciting. Jim almost sat on Karsen during mass. Karsen almost walked off when we were doing the baptism but we were able to pull her back, thanks to the help of Tito/Uncle Saul and Tita/Aunt Jolie -our Godparents. My arms are sore from carrying the baby girls. After mass, when we were taking pictures with Father Sylvester and Parker was goofing around in the front – he says “I know I baptized & blessed you, but I still see a little devil in you” - we all laughed. Overall, the kids made it through mass & baptism and behaved very well. Jim and I only had to take Karsen & Kennedy outside once each. The kids thought the “pouring of the holy water on their forehead” was interesting. Karsen almost blew her baptism candle out like it was her b-day. Parker says “in the name of the father, the son, and the moley ghost.”

It was a Good Day. Thank you Father Sylvester and Karen Burford. Big Love & Hugs to our God Parents Jolie & Saul Rozema. Parker, Karsen, & Kennedy finally got to spend some Quality Time with Tanner & Avery + Aunta Amanda was with us. Thanks Dad/Lolo Jim for taking us out to Maria's for our Baptism. It fits that that's where Jim proposed to me over chips & salsa and announced our engagement to the Frank Family.

Thank you Aunt Leslie & Jolie for making us the Best Baptism Blankies in the World. Looking for more Memories Together. We're Truly Thankful & Blessed you are our Godparents and thank you for accepting & adopting our whole family :)

2011 August Celebrations | Karsen turns 2!

August was a good month. Karsen turned 2. My good friend from college Cheryl Palarca got married to Nate Conn in the beautiful island of Kauia, Hawaii. It was also Che's bday so was my Lil Sis Marilyn and her husband Marc + they celebrated their 2 year wedding anniversary. Lots of 2's.



We also went camping @ Englebright. Water was cold. No fish caught. But we had a splendid time. Jim and I completed our baptism classes so we can get the kids baptized this September. Hurray. Thanks to Auntie Jolie & Uncle Saul for being our Godparents.

Parker's 1st day at Pre-School | Bright Beginnings August 22, 2011

Parker did good today. He even woke up with a good mood and did not fight me to brush his tooth. I just told him "Parker you have school today and you HAVE TO brush your teeth" and he goes okay "I'll brush it with you after your shower" and he did. He watched his lil sis Kennedy from "trying to crawl" off the bed while I showered. Kennedy can roll over now. She prefers her right side. And she can lift up her head & shoulders and kinda do a crawl.

Lola watched Karsen & Kennedy this morning while we met w/ the Teachers & the other parents for orientation. There was about 10-12 kids in his pre-school class. Parker was not shy or afraid. He jumped right into the activities and he did not have a hard time making friends and playing with the other kids immediately. Although at "circle time" - Parker was a little anxious for Ms. Angie to finish the book she was reading so he can go out and play. Although noticeably the girls in his class sit & behave and the boys are the antsy ones. It's clear that the boys have shorter attention span. It was a good day. This Wednesday will be Parker's official "1st day."

2011 end of July | Tubing on the Lake with the Cousins (the Rozemas)

Jolie, Saul, Avery & Tanner visited us this July & August.  Tanner brought his buddy Max.  We tried wakeboarding and had an awesome time tubing.  Karsen & Parker are getting more comfortable on the boat with their lifejackets.  Parker is brave enough to sometimes try to swim without his lifejacket. 

Parker's 5th Bday | CA State Fair in Sacramento

We went to the CA  State Fair.  Jim and I never been there.  We celebrated Parker's 5th.  He will start preschool this Monday August 22, 2011.  He was tall enough (44 inches) to ride the rides.  We got him an unlimited ride tickets bracelet.  He hung out w/ his best bud - Lil Robert.

Parker & his Ice Cream Cake...

2011 June | North San Juan (Mike & Alli Green's Property)

2011 June 26-July 1 Mackerricher SP Camping | Fort Bragg, CA

We went to Mackerricher State Park again this year.  Last year we went in August.  We had fun with Chris & Nora.  We did geocashing (sp?) the last day and Parker & Karsen liked the treasures they found.  Jim and I got a good workout carrying the girls on backpacks.  Parker did good and did not complain too much for not having a stroller.  He's a big boy and getting better at it.

June 2011 Parker & Kennedy Bonding | October 2004 Parker & Kennedy Bonding

What a loving Kuya he is.

The Big Bro Parker with 2nd Lil Sis Kennedy (@ 2 months old)


The Big Bro Parker with 1st Lil Sis Karsen (@ 2 months old)

2011 May | Spring

May is a good month.  Parker caught his first 4 fish for the season so far.  Jim and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary.  Jim cleaned our fish tank and got us some new fish to celebrate.  The kids love watching them.  Kennedy is steadily growing and doing great.  Karsen is able to walk around more and kinda keep up with his big brother.  She knows to say "please, pretty please, thanks/thank you, bottle, strawberries but sounds like sawbirriess"  We can't believe they're growing so fast.

2011 May 07 | Malakoff Diggins Fishing Derby (Kids 5 thru 11 of age)

We took Parker to join the Children's Fishing Derby this year at Malakoff Diggins.  It's about an hour away from Penn Valley.  They gave prizes to the biggest catch, heaviest total weight, etc  You can catch and take home 5 fish total maximum for each child.  The parents could cast out for the little ones but they had to reel them in themselves in order to count. 

Parker did great and caught 4 the 1st hour (it was from 9:30-1 pm).  We all had fun.  And the fish was delicious.  Here are some pics... so glad Jim is teaching our boy to fish.

2011 Easter

My 1st born and my 2nd in their swim gear  "Is it summer yet Mom?!"  Parker is always asking.

We easter egg hunted at Rob's new home in Penn Valley on Bitney Springs Road.  Lots of Kids.  Parker even played in the rain with the big boys.  Karsen was a trooper - even though the ground was wet she was still gung ho for the hunt and did not mind wet muddy pants.  Thank you Rob & Rebecca.  I'm glad the sun peaked out some of the day. 

Here are some pics...

Kennedy Annemarie Frank's Arrival

Kennedy was born 4/7/11 at 11:04 am, 7 lbs 11.4 ounces, 21 inches.  

Contractions started at 6:30 am, went to Dr. Office at 10:15 am, checked in SNMH at 10:45, water broke at 10:55.  Only had to push twice - she was out 9 minutes after my water broke.  Yippee.  We are now just getting over colds & stomach flus.  Looking forward to some time off with the little ones this summer.

2011 Parker & Karsen Dancing Videos

Ahh... my little Dancing Monkeys :).

2011 Jan 14-16 Lake Tahoe with the Balls | Martin Luther King Weekend