When Brian called from Virginia the other night he mentioned there had been some tornadoes around him from a tropical storm that had blown threw. I couldn't help but remember when we were in Virginia as a family one summer. The first hurricane of the season missed us but had turned into a tropical storm when it did hit. We lived in a townhouse in Glen Allen, right across from the tennis courts. They predicted about 10 inches of rain in 3 hours if I remember right...i could be wrong, but not far off. Anyway when it hit the kids were asleep so Brian and I locked the door to the house and went out to play tennis.
It was incredible how much water there was. We couldn't see the ball most of the time, when you could see it the water spewed off the ball. It is one of my most favorite memories with Brian. We had such a good time that night.
It was shortly thereafter we heard Kenny Chesney singing Something Sexy 'Bout the Rain. For some reason that song now reminds me of that night.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Spring Break
Monday through Wednesday we had a grand time at Rebekahs. The kids played hard and had a great time. Thank you, Rebekah.
Thursday was bring your kids to work day so Brian, Ethan, Bel, and Nan got up at 6 to catch the bus into the city. Brock was too young so he and I did what ever he wanted to.
Brian and the 3 oldest kids: ate breakfast at work, then divided into their groups where the kids spent the day learning how to save money, to write checks, how to communicate and network. They got together to have lunch, then went for a walk around Bryant Park near the PWC building. After lunch they got to play like crazy and win prizes. The kids each got a T-shirt and back pack and had a fantastic time. They look forward to next year.
Brock and I: well, he wanted to play pbskids.org as long as he wanted cause no one was home to make him take turns. We went to Burger King for lunch and walked to the park where he got to meet a boy who will be in his class next year. We played for a long time, then walked to the library and caught a show that the library put on for Spring Break. We got home just in time for ice cream and jumping on the tramp, then our older people were home. It was a great day.
Friday dad got home early! We took the day to hang around the house and enjoy being together. Something we really haven't had too much time to do. Saturday we took a drive and found a fun little place I can't remember the name of, its right next to RUTGERS, but we spent the day there at a park with a zoo, and cricket players, an olde Jersey towne, and tons of playground. Brian and I got to go out that night and sadly enough he left sunday immediately after church for Virginia, again.
Ethan has strep again, we thought Bel did too, luckily she doesn't, but we didn't find out til it was too late to go to school so we all stayed home one more day. It was great. We miss Poppy though. Can't wait for him to get home friday. Over all it was a WONDERFUL Spring Break.
Thursday was bring your kids to work day so Brian, Ethan, Bel, and Nan got up at 6 to catch the bus into the city. Brock was too young so he and I did what ever he wanted to.
Brian and the 3 oldest kids: ate breakfast at work, then divided into their groups where the kids spent the day learning how to save money, to write checks, how to communicate and network. They got together to have lunch, then went for a walk around Bryant Park near the PWC building. After lunch they got to play like crazy and win prizes. The kids each got a T-shirt and back pack and had a fantastic time. They look forward to next year.
Brock and I: well, he wanted to play pbskids.org as long as he wanted cause no one was home to make him take turns. We went to Burger King for lunch and walked to the park where he got to meet a boy who will be in his class next year. We played for a long time, then walked to the library and caught a show that the library put on for Spring Break. We got home just in time for ice cream and jumping on the tramp, then our older people were home. It was a great day.
Friday dad got home early! We took the day to hang around the house and enjoy being together. Something we really haven't had too much time to do. Saturday we took a drive and found a fun little place I can't remember the name of, its right next to RUTGERS, but we spent the day there at a park with a zoo, and cricket players, an olde Jersey towne, and tons of playground. Brian and I got to go out that night and sadly enough he left sunday immediately after church for Virginia, again.
Ethan has strep again, we thought Bel did too, luckily she doesn't, but we didn't find out til it was too late to go to school so we all stayed home one more day. It was great. We miss Poppy though. Can't wait for him to get home friday. Over all it was a WONDERFUL Spring Break.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Brock's Orientation
Today was Brock's kindergarten orientation. At 1:00 he was begging me to hurry. I couldn't figure out what we were in a hurry for. His Orientation was across the driveway at the school at 2:00. I finally figured out he was worried we were going to miss it. I told him it didn't start for and hour.
At 1:10 he started bugging me again about not wanting to "miss my meeting!" I explained again the time frame for him. He seemed content, for the time being. He asked me 6 more times if we were going to "miss my meeting?" Needless to say we left early and he was very much on time for "his meeting."
He is SOOOOOO very excited to go to school next year. All the new kindergarten students and parents meet at the school, the kindergarten teacher takes the kids to "their classroom" and the parents are lead to the library. Brock didn't hesitate when they asked the kids to leave their parents. I was quite proud, I didn't cry. Once we got to the library and Mr. Kearny, the principal, started saying he hoped we were all comfortable, that our kids were in good hands, I got teary! I didn't cry!yet....we haven't had the first day of school.
At 1:10 he started bugging me again about not wanting to "miss my meeting!" I explained again the time frame for him. He seemed content, for the time being. He asked me 6 more times if we were going to "miss my meeting?" Needless to say we left early and he was very much on time for "his meeting."
He is SOOOOOO very excited to go to school next year. All the new kindergarten students and parents meet at the school, the kindergarten teacher takes the kids to "their classroom" and the parents are lead to the library. Brock didn't hesitate when they asked the kids to leave their parents. I was quite proud, I didn't cry. Once we got to the library and Mr. Kearny, the principal, started saying he hoped we were all comfortable, that our kids were in good hands, I got teary! I didn't cry!yet....we haven't had the first day of school.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Brian Ethan Tullis
Brian Ethan Tullis was born May 25,1999 in Seattle Washington. His dad was so very excited to be getting a boy first. Ethan was a big boy once he started growing. People always thought he was about 3 months older than he really was. Ethan loved to eat and play. He and Brian would chase around the kitchen for hours, or as long as daddy's knees could handle it! Ethan has always been very tender toward people. He is very caring and concerned for others. He does not like to see you upset. 
Ethan loves music, drawing, coloring, playing swords with Brock, using his imagination, playing computer games, and reading. Ethan has always been a good reader. He asked me to teach him to read when he was 4. He picked it up so easily. He loves to read Guardians of Ga'Hoole. He has been in cub scouts for almost a year now and has done a great job earning awards there. He was challenged by Bishop Luthy to learn the Articles of Faith, it has been relatively easy for Ethan to do, he has such a quick mind.
Ethan is very analytical. He is in all of the advanced classes in school and is learning Italian. Ethan loves going to Michael Ramos' house because he has a chance to rough-house with someone closer to his own size. Ethan took some time making friends when we moved to Jersey because he wanted to make sure they "were good people". Ethan takes the church seriously and has a strong 
desire to serve a mission. He is not afraid to talk to people about the gospel. When we were in Texas he left pass along cards at the hospital so people could find them and call the missionaries. Ethan is a good big brother and a good example around the house when his dad is gone.
desire to serve a mission. He is not afraid to talk to people about the gospel. When we were in Texas he left pass along cards at the hospital so people could find them and call the missionaries. Ethan is a good big brother and a good example around the house when his dad is gone. Ysabel Dora Tullis
Ysabel Dora Tullis was born May 30, 2000 in Seattle Washington. Ysabel has always been quite a quick little person. She can even out-wit her dad sometimes. Brian likes to pull tricks and show magic tricks, but Ysabel has such a quick mind he struggles to pull one over on her! Ysabel is a great one to have around for helping out 
with finishing a chore. She works really hard and does a great job while she's at it.
with finishing a chore. She works really hard and does a great job while she's at it. Ysabel enjoys sports and is very agile. She has been in Karate and soccer and did a great job at both. She was lucky enough to be on a soccer team with her cousins Kyah Davey and Maylie and Brandon Coles.+of+DC+048.jpg)
They had a great time playing. Ysabel LOVES to jump rope. She had the opportunity to teach her brothers and sister how to jump also. She is the best jumper in her class and is in the top 5 in the school of K-6th graders.
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They had a great time playing. Ysabel LOVES to jump rope. She had the opportunity to teach her brothers and sister how to jump also. She is the best jumper in her class and is in the top 5 in the school of K-6th graders. Ysabel has found that if you obey and are quiet in school you get "prizes". Her teacher loves to use her as an example. Ysabel comes by good grades naturally and loves to study. She didn't get homework in Ririe, but gets it every night here in Nutley. She loves it. She loves to learn. 
Ysabel is very good to her brothers and sister and they appreciate her for it.
Ysabel is very good to her brothers and sister and they appreciate her for it.Hannah Elese Tullis
Hannah Elese Tullis was born February 12, 2002 in Rexburg Idaho. She is named after grandmas on both sides of her family. Hannah first started smiling a week after
she was born and hasn't stopped since. When she was a week and a half old she was hospitalized for RSV and Pneumonia. Because she was projectile vomiting after every meal the Dr. decided to run a reflux test. Once the Dr. determined this was indeed her problem and started treating her for it her pneumonia got better. It was then we realized she was aspirating every time she threw up making the pneumonia worse. The day we left the hospital the Dr. came in to let me know he was so relieved to see her leave. He worried she was so bad she would not live through it. 
Hannah has a tender heart. She is very vigilant and knows when you need a hug or a big cheesy grin. She has been in karate, learned to jump rope, and looks forward to being in soccer this fall. Hannah loves her baby dolls and school. Hannah loves school so much she doesn't even like to stay home when she is sick.
Hannah loves to watch movies with Ysabel, especially High School Musical
one and two. Hannah is good at helping out with chores. She loves a nice made bed and a clean room. Hannah also has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. He has a hard time telling her "no". She just grins at him and she gets an immediate "yes!"Brock Justus Tullis
Justus after my great.....grandpa and Charles after Brian's dad) but after 2 days in the hospital and after all the paperwork was done his dad decided to rename him. We kept Justus as a middle name because I was insistent. I can't remember exactly where we got the name Brock, but it sure seems to fit him!"All go, no stop, Brock Tullis!" The phrase we use in our family to describe Brock. He is famous for his "Jedi" moves and ability to get what he wants because he is so darn cute. He loves pirates, Jedi's, swords, transformers, Nerf guns, and being outside. His favorite color has always been blue. He has a very infectious laugh and smile.
We had only been in New Jersey a few weeks (January 2008) when Brock started getting a rash.
It is April and finally all of it but one spot on his arm has gone away. The doctors (four of them) could not figure it out because he did not have any other symptoms. No creams or medicines did anything to help it either. Weird huh? I am relieved to see that his face didn't scar!Brock loves all sports. He has just learned to jump rope, dribble a basket ball, and is playing catch with Ethan as often as possible.
April FOOLS! I wish!
April Fools Day:
I was making breakfast, Brian was in the shower, the neighbor was doing laundry. All of a sudden my kitchen sink turned itself into a polluted version of Niagara Falls! I screamed up to Brian to shut off the water. As he did the water slowed. There was about 1/2 inch of water on the floor, my drawers and cupboards were filling up. The neighbors washing machine started draining and the flow increased and Niagara began spilling over the counter tops again. The water flowed across the kitchen floor into the laundry room and pantry. I had done laundry the day before so most of my towels were on the couch. We used every towel in the house to try to contain the quickly growing lake. I ran upstairs to beg Dianne to shut off her water. As she did the waters receded again. But then a toilet flushed and I was no longer in a "this is horrible" mood I was just completely disgusted! I am sure I don't have to explain!
When all was said and done it took me 6 hours to sterilize my kitchen. Brian helped me pull out all of the drawers, empty the cupboards, but then he had to get to work. I did 3 batches of towels, used half a bottle of bleach and seriously it was 6 hours before the mess was cleaned up. When the land lady called she said, "April Fools." Yeah, not very funny!
Groundhog Day:
Saturday we got up, got breakfast going so we could get to the Dr. when they opened. Hannah had come in to sleep with Brian and I because her neck hurt. Her glands were swollen very bad from her jaw to her collar bone, so we figured we better get going early. I was making Crepe's and all was going great when all of a sudden my kitchen sink turn turned itself into a polluted version of Niagara Falls!
Brian screamed to Ethan to run up to Dianne's to have her shut off her washing machine, while the rest of us ran upstairs to grab my newly sterilized towels. The washing machine started to drain and the flow increased. The water flowed across the kitchen floor into the laundry room and pantry. We used every towel in the house to contain the quickly growing lake!
I called the land lady who sent another plumber out. I couldn't handle the thought of waisting another 6 hours sterilizing my kitchen so Hannah and I went to the doctor. 2 hours later we got to see him. He didn't even look down her throat. He took a swab and said "we will call you in the morning." Seriously he was with us 2 full minutes. When we got home I called my friend who had invited us to watch conference with them and told her the situation and that we would not make it. She told me to pack the kids! She was coming to get them. I didn't hesitate because... while I was away the plumber asked that the toilets be flushed. WRONG THING TO DO!!!!! We had boneless brown trout floating in my kitchen drawers and toilet paper soaking itself with my dishes again! The kids were rescued just in time!
Our pilot light in our water heater has been finicky and needed to be changed last month. While we were sterilizing again, we ran out of hot water. We called the land lady again, she said she needed an hour. Brian and I had not eaten at all so he told me to wash my hands good because he was taking me to dinner. We never did have hot water that night so we had a slumber party with the Ramos family. We sterilized the rest of the kitchen while listening to the last session of Sunday's conference. I don't have a reliable water heater yet, but I think ,for now we are OK with the sewer.
I was making breakfast, Brian was in the shower, the neighbor was doing laundry. All of a sudden my kitchen sink turned itself into a polluted version of Niagara Falls! I screamed up to Brian to shut off the water. As he did the water slowed. There was about 1/2 inch of water on the floor, my drawers and cupboards were filling up. The neighbors washing machine started draining and the flow increased and Niagara began spilling over the counter tops again. The water flowed across the kitchen floor into the laundry room and pantry. I had done laundry the day before so most of my towels were on the couch. We used every towel in the house to try to contain the quickly growing lake. I ran upstairs to beg Dianne to shut off her water. As she did the waters receded again. But then a toilet flushed and I was no longer in a "this is horrible" mood I was just completely disgusted! I am sure I don't have to explain!
When all was said and done it took me 6 hours to sterilize my kitchen. Brian helped me pull out all of the drawers, empty the cupboards, but then he had to get to work. I did 3 batches of towels, used half a bottle of bleach and seriously it was 6 hours before the mess was cleaned up. When the land lady called she said, "April Fools." Yeah, not very funny!
Groundhog Day:
Saturday we got up, got breakfast going so we could get to the Dr. when they opened. Hannah had come in to sleep with Brian and I because her neck hurt. Her glands were swollen very bad from her jaw to her collar bone, so we figured we better get going early. I was making Crepe's and all was going great when all of a sudden my kitchen sink turn turned itself into a polluted version of Niagara Falls!
Brian screamed to Ethan to run up to Dianne's to have her shut off her washing machine, while the rest of us ran upstairs to grab my newly sterilized towels. The washing machine started to drain and the flow increased. The water flowed across the kitchen floor into the laundry room and pantry. We used every towel in the house to contain the quickly growing lake! I called the land lady who sent another plumber out. I couldn't handle the thought of waisting another 6 hours sterilizing my kitchen so Hannah and I went to the doctor. 2 hours later we got to see him. He didn't even look down her throat. He took a swab and said "we will call you in the morning." Seriously he was with us 2 full minutes. When we got home I called my friend who had invited us to watch conference with them and told her the situation and that we would not make it. She told me to pack the kids! She was coming to get them. I didn't hesitate because... while I was away the plumber asked that the toilets be flushed. WRONG THING TO DO!!!!! We had boneless brown trout floating in my kitchen drawers and toilet paper soaking itself with my dishes again! The kids were rescued just in time!
Our pilot light in our water heater has been finicky and needed to be changed last month. While we were sterilizing again, we ran out of hot water. We called the land lady again, she said she needed an hour. Brian and I had not eaten at all so he told me to wash my hands good because he was taking me to dinner. We never did have hot water that night so we had a slumber party with the Ramos family. We sterilized the rest of the kitchen while listening to the last session of Sunday's conference. I don't have a reliable water heater yet, but I think ,for now we are OK with the sewer.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Nutley
I wanted to give everyone a chance to see our place here in Nutley. We live on the bottom floor. The 3rd story windows are our neighbors. We have the first and second floors. Dianne and Megan have the back of the second story and the third floor. We live right next to the elementary school. If the kids could hop the fence they would be in the school parking lot. It really is nice to be so close.
The people here are so sweet to us. They have taken a liking to the "incredible blonde hair" the kids all have. Seriously there are only a handful of true blondes here. Most of Nutley is Italian so everyone has really dark hair and great color. But they go crazy for my blonde kids.
I am very happy to say that the kids are doing very well in school. I did worry they would have a hard time adjusting, but they really haven't. Ethan took some time "choosing" his friends. He says he wanted them to be good people. Ysabel has flourished and is friends with everyone. She has become the teachers pet. It shocked the teacher to have a student that was as polite and obedient as Ysabel. And if you know Bel, she is eating it up! Hannah loves school so much that she fought me when she had to stay home because of strep throat. Brock is registered for kindergarten next year. He is so excited! On his 5th birthday (last friday) he got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed his teeth and hair, was slipping on his back pack when he announced to Brian that now that he was 5 he was going to Kindergarten!
We have seen a few sights since we have been here. We got to go to liberty park to see the Statue of Liberty, we went to a fish hatchery the last weekend in March, we drove across the Brooklyn Bridge, have been to Timesquare, and Brian took us to Conneticut for dinner. We are really looking forward to the summer where we can really do some site seeing.
We are going to do some fun stuff with Rebekah's family during spring break. We really want to make use of the time we have here while we do have time here.
OH! One more little bit....we have a Pizza place that the kids love. Joseph always makes us our pie when we go there. He loves the kids. We didn't think he would recognize us the 2nd time we went but he did and has invite the kids to come back and help him make our next pie.
The people here are so sweet to us. They have taken a liking to the "incredible blonde hair" the kids all have. Seriously there are only a handful of true blondes here. Most of Nutley is Italian so everyone has really dark hair and great color. But they go crazy for my blonde kids.
I am very happy to say that the kids are doing very well in school. I did worry they would have a hard time adjusting, but they really haven't. Ethan took some time "choosing" his friends. He says he wanted them to be good people. Ysabel has flourished and is friends with everyone. She has become the teachers pet. It shocked the teacher to have a student that was as polite and obedient as Ysabel. And if you know Bel, she is eating it up! Hannah loves school so much that she fought me when she had to stay home because of strep throat. Brock is registered for kindergarten next year. He is so excited! On his 5th birthday (last friday) he got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed his teeth and hair, was slipping on his back pack when he announced to Brian that now that he was 5 he was going to Kindergarten!
We have seen a few sights since we have been here. We got to go to liberty park to see the Statue of Liberty, we went to a fish hatchery the last weekend in March, we drove across the Brooklyn Bridge, have been to Timesquare, and Brian took us to Conneticut for dinner. We are really looking forward to the summer where we can really do some site seeing.
We are going to do some fun stuff with Rebekah's family during spring break. We really want to make use of the time we have here while we do have time here.
OH! One more little bit....we have a Pizza place that the kids love. Joseph always makes us our pie when we go there. He loves the kids. We didn't think he would recognize us the 2nd time we went but he did and has invite the kids to come back and help him make our next pie.
Suckered in
I finally got suckered into the whole wonderful world of BLOG!
A few reasons it has taken so long is because I have seen some of your blogs and I immediately felt inadequate....I'm getting over it.
A few reasons it has taken so long is because I have seen some of your blogs and I immediately felt inadequate....I'm getting over it.
Well, here goes nothing.
(This picture is my kids and my sweet Grandpa Fielding. The picture doesn't exactly fit right here, but I wanted a picture of him on the blog.
I'll work on it! Not to mention this is one of my fav. pictures of him and my kids.)
I'll work on it! Not to mention this is one of my fav. pictures of him and my kids.)
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