Cleaning Up His Image

The other day Luke was taking a bubble bath. He had a big blob of bubbles on his head, so I gave him a mirror so he could see the bubbles on his head. But he quickly became more interested in the funny face in the mirror. He was hilarious - laughing, pointing, and kissing the the blue-eyed babe in the mirror. Luckily my camera was nearby, so I snatched these candid pictures.

Who is that funny looking kid?

Our little Narcissist!

Luke is getting to know himself a bit better.

"BO BOs"

I Like My Birthdays, Every One

Last week was my birthday. I love birthdays, and this one was no exception! I don't need elaborate parties or fantastic gifts. My favorite thing about having a birthday is just being remembered. It is the cumulative effect of all the phone calls, cards, emails, visits, thoughtful gifts, birthday songs, and well wishes, even from strangers, that have such a powerful effect on me because they make me feel really loved. And I was showered with lots of love this year.

It started just hours before my birthday when my friends from taekwondo surprised me with a cake. Our class is late in the evening, and when my friend Michele went to buy my cake, the bakery counter was closed and the lady wouldn't put "Happy Birthday Rachelle" on the cake. With much begging the lady finally suffered herself to write a big "R" on the cake. That was the best she would do. Michele didn't know that I love monograms, so it was perfect!

The phone calls started early, and went to late at night because people didn't want to miss me. And I have never heard so many wonderful new improvisational arrangements of the birthday song, many from non-singers who wouldn't be caught dead singing otherwise (that was gift in itself). I could have had my own personal American Idol-Birthday Edition because the competition was fierce. Twice Alex answered the phone and listened to the whole birthday song before telling Nonie and Grandma Webster that he wasn't me. Poor Alex, I mean, lucky Alex, got to hear Nonie sing.

In the morning Dennis and the boys presented me with a fun Italian charm bracelet. The boys helped pick out all these mommy-love charms for it. I've never worn such priceless jewelry before, or even seen anything like it on the red carpet. Its priceless to me! Dennis and the boys also got me a new bicycle helmet with pink flowers on it, and a pocket sized digital camera to keep in my purse. It's not as nice a my full size Canon Rebel XT , of course, but this one is so small I can take it everywhere and snap photos whenever the need arises. Very fun! I'm glad to have both!

My sweet friend Jenie took Alysa, Denice, and I out to lunch at the Blue Coyote. We all had the fish tacos, and they were very tasty! We all had such fun talking and visiting with each other. I love those gals! It was perfect. Exactly what I needed on my birthday! Thanks ladies. You really made my day special!
Later Shari came over for a visit with a huge homemade cheesecake. Oh my! It was the most amazing cheesecake I have ever had. It made anything from the Cheesecake Factory taste like cardboard. It was SO good I ate almost that whole thing by myself! Yikes! Thanks Shari! The cheesecake fits me perfectly around my waist. It's a good thing her other gift was jewelry, because jewelry always fits no matter how much cheesecake I eat.

That night, Dennis and I went with my parents to Fisherman's. I had the yummy salmon Caesar salad, on Alysa's suggestion. Mom gave me a Cuttlebug - a very cool tool that I have been wanting for a long time.

Even after my birthday was over, the love kept coming. Alysa and I got together one afternoon and I opened a few thoughtful and surprising gifts from her. I am excited about everything! Let me just say, that girl knows how to think outside the gift box. She also helped me put together my fun new blog. I am so excited about it, thanks to all her help and advice. I love my sweet friend, Alysa.


A week later, Shari and Roxanne and I went out to lunch. I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time. Those two ladies are hilarious! Oh, and Roxanne has the uncanny ability to give me EXACTLY what I wanted for my birthday. How does she do it? Let me just say, she is nimble with a credit card. Love ya Roxy!

Of course there were a lot more gifts, phone calls, and "Happy Birthdays," and I can't possibly write them all here. But I loved every one, and all the people who love me and let me know it on my special day. Still, as much as I love my birthdays, I am willing to wait a whole year for another one. Until then, I hope I can help celebrate as many others' birthdays as possible.

No More Elementry for Me!

By Nate

Friday the thirteenth was a lucky day for me - it was the last day of elementary school . Mrs Watne was my teacher from September to December, but she had to move to Utah for her husband's work. She was a good teacher and my whole class missed her. She came down here to go to my class' graduation to sixth grade. I felt really happy when Mrs Watne came.


The man in the picture next to me was my other teacher Mr. Sakemi. He was not as good as Mrs Watne but he was still good. It was kind of funny at the graduation because at the end they had a slide show that had everyone's baby pictures. But my picture was totally the cutest. At the end of the graduation I said good-bye to my classmates and my teachers.


After that my dad, my mom, my grandma, and I went out to lunch. Even though it was Friday the thirteenth, it was a great day for me (But not for my mom because she got in to a little car accident on the way home.)

No Longer a"Big Tot"

"Pomp and Circumstance" played and the graduates marched slowly and solemnly up the aisle. All those months of hard work, patience, and struggle would finally pay off. (I am not talking about the graduates, but the preschool teachers. How much work did it take to get all those 4 and 5 year olds to walk in slowly and solemnly like that anyway? They must have worked on that for months!)



It was the first of many (hopefully) commencement exercise Caleb would march in, but he probably will never sing "Monkey Mambo" in a mortarboard cap again. But then again, he might.
As the names were read, they announced the future professions of the graduates. It was impressive! Caleb was graduating with future professional princesses, pokemons, and a coconut climber- the new greatest generation, no doubt.

His teachers, Miss Kristen, Miss Tamra, and Miss Marian, were wonderful. They really went all out for these kids, and their love for them was obvious.

Mom and Dad, brother Luke, Grandma Signs, and his buddy "Kelly Thomas" (he calls her that, 'Kelly Thomas') came to celebrate with him. He was so glad to have them there on his big day! His two buddies, Luke and Walker, graduated with him. I'll miss overhearing their conversations with each other when I drive carpool. And I'll miss the excuse to visit with their moms everyday at drop him off. Mostly, I'll miss the wonder and magic that only comes at this tender preschool age when everything is new and exciting. But time marches on a lot more quickly than these little guys marched up that aisle.

Congratulations Caleb! We love you!!!

What's up?

So what do we do all week with dad and 2 big brothers

gone at scout camp?

Just HANG OUT!

We miss you, Daddy, Alex, and Nate!

Hope you're having this much fun.

Show Down at Kitchen Stadium

It was a meeting of the greatest culinary minds at our own Kitchen Stadium back in April. Our very own Iron Chef, and birthday boy, Nathan and his team of expert cooks went head to head with a team of top-notch, pint-sized chefs and restaurateurs in our first ever IRON CHEF competition.

On the Iron Chef side- the blue team - was Iron Chef Nathan, Chef Jared, Chef Carson, Chef Tanner, Chef Ryan, Chef Kennan, and Chef Dylan. On the Challenger side - the red team - was Chef Sara, Chef Alex, Chef Derek, Chef Reagan, Chef Brodey, and Chef Brittney.

Tensions were high as the SECRET INGREDIENT was revealed...

...CHEESE!!

Each team has to plan a menu featuring the secret ingredient - cheese of any kind. They had to come up with and appetizer, salad or side dish, main dish, and dessert. Then they had to go buy the ingredients, and come back and make their masterful culinary creations before the time limit .
The tough chefs on the blue team, (intimidating, aren't they?) quickly get to work in the outdoor kitchen.
Chef Dylan chops fresh fruit, perhaps for the for the dessert.
What could Chef Carson possibly have in that bowl? It remains a mystery.
Chef Tanner mans the grill over what could become cheeseburgers.

Chef Jared grates a fine sharp cheddar over what looks to be chili-cheese nachos.Chef Ryan and Chef Keenan help Iron Chef Nathan select the finest, flawless, heirloom tomatoes.
Hear the clash of steel as the Iron Chef deftly slices the succulent strawberries. Sou chef Caleb is happy about broccoli for the first time in his life!
Sou Chef Luke - not so much.
Meanwhile in the indoor kitchen, the red team puts their fluffy white heads together to plan their unbeatable menu.
Chef Brittney gets right to work on her world famous scrambled eggs, cooked to perfection. Wonder what those are for?
Chef Sara is preparing what looks like pizza dough for baking.
Chef Derek seasons the main course perfectly.

Chef Regan opens cans with enthusiasm. Don't know why she is so happy because the clock is ticking down.

Tensions rise as Chef Brodey adds cheese, and more cheese to everything! The red team's game plan must be "Make it Cheesier!" Let's see if that is a winning strategy.

The Buzzer rings and time is up. "Put your spatulas down!"

Lets meet our distinguished panel of judges. Grandma and Grandpa Signs have been eating, and cooking, most of their lives, have highly developed palettes and are therefore perfectly qualified to decide this contest .The blue team is the first to present to the judges. Their Menu:


A beautifully presented tomato cheese salad, spicy chili cheese nachos, fat and tender cheeseburger (the cheese was IN the burger,) and a fruity cream cheese bagel for dessert.

The Judges are impressed! Lets see how the red team fares.
Then the red team takes their turn to try to wow the judges' taste buds with their menu:

Their own version of chili cheese nachos, a classic broccoli and cheese, a savory breakfast pizza worth waking up for, and strawberry cream cheesy, chocolaty, cherry mini bagels for dessert.

The judges had a tough time deciding as all of the food was beautifully presented and of gourmet quality. When they tallied the scores, believe it or not, there was a tie! Unbelievable! But one team must rise as the winner, and that team was...drumroll...the blue team. The coveted "golden measuring cup" was, in the end, awarded on a technicality. You see, the Iron Chef's team, under the pressure of Chef Carson, cleaned up after themselves! Way to go Chef Carson (they are doing something right in the Whitlock home! - shout out to Alysa - you go girl!). Tonight in kitchen Stadium, the Iron Chef team emerged victorious! The Turkey Cake
What a great party it was, and the easiest party ever to throw because the kids did ALL the work! (Of course it would have been even easier if my dishwasher hadn't literally gone up in smoke the night before. Those kids used every dish in the house. AARGH!) And these kids worked HARD. Nobody messed around. How is it that the harder you make them work, the more fun they have? Moms, did you know your kids could cook like that, or even work like that? The food was really, really tasty, especially those truly gourmet burgers and that breakfast pizza. Scrumptious! Great job guys!
Happy birthday Chef Nate, and congratulations on your victory!

P.S. Cookbooks from this Iron Chef competition will be available soon!!!