Playing a little catch up!!!

Well I guess I should probably update after yet another blogging hiatus. As my history shows I tend to be very diligent one minute and then completely starve my readers the next. I could use the excuse that we've been very busy, which is somewhat true. However, the real reason is that at the end of the day when the kiddos are all in bed and I have a few brain cells to spare I don't want to use those brain cells at all. Instead I wait until there is way to much to talk about and I have buckled under the guilt of not recording the little events of our family ,(this has actually become somewhat of a journal for me). Anyway, so here is an update. Sorry this post is somewhat of a commitment. If you are interested ,enjoy, and if you just want to let your brain rest while you look at the photos I won't be offended.


Labor day weekend we spent at DanDann's and Grammies'. Grammie is an amazing chef/baker. Whenever we come she is always busy in the kitchen taking care of us. This strawberry pie is a summer favorite and was delicious.


Haven and Elias enjoyed the pool with Ben and DanDann. Elias learned how to swim at the beginning of the summer and is a natural fish, just like Ben and DanDann. Haven is also obsessed with the water and will outlast everyone when it comes to who will stay in the water the longest. She doesn't want to get rid of her floaty ring just yet. Maybe next summer.


Grandad came up with us for the weekend as well. He loves holding this third generation Counihan.


Let me explain this random picture of my brother Codey with the weed-eater. The entire weekend I had this huge, painful bump on my wrist which I though was a spider bite. Saturday and Sunday I spent the entire time soaking my wrist in hot, salty water. When I woke up Monday my wrist was very swollen and the bump was noticeably bigger and very tender. Of course it was Labor Day, (Why do things like this always happen on the weekend or holidays?), but I really felt that I needed some medical advice. Long story short, I went down to the urgent care by my parents house, found out it was a skin infection (disgusting), and got some antibiotics. Instead of heading back home in horrible Labor Day traffic we decided to wait out the day at my parents and leave later. My Dad was off work and wouldn't you know it He and my brothers were doing yard work. Codey was obviously weed-eating while Jay and my Dad were cutting down a tree for firewood. I know I have said it a bazillion times, but I love living close to our families.



As a late birthday bash a bunch of girlfriends took me to see the 80's cover band 'Tainted Love'. I have to say it was a blast. I'm a closet 80's music lover and so I loved belting out the words and dancing with everyone else doing pretty much the same thing.


I love decorating my home so I thought I would take my hobby a step further by making over the front of our van. Details are available upon request.


I got to go to the wedding reception of one of my dearest friends. Things are always the same when I get together with all of my best friends from high school. I have told my mom this many times, but these girls were the salvation of my high school career.


Many of you know this already, but Haven is one of the shyest girlies ever. She would rather die then bring attention to herself. I thought it would help her to break out of her shell a little if she took a ballet class. The beautiful opportunity presented itself so I approached Haven with the idea. She flat out told me no, but when she found out that Anna, Emilia, and Audrey were also taking the class she consented. The days before the first session it was all she could talk about, that little stinker. I wanted her to have a good experience so I decked her out in the full ballerina attire complete with a tutu, which thanks to Rocia I made myself. As you can see from the pictures she isn't wilting from the attention so I would venture to say that the first ballet session was a complete success.

The kids have been bugging Ben to take them on motorcycle rides. He finally gave in to the pressure and took them on fun yet 'safe' little rides.

6 years ago today...

Six years ago today Elias entered the world and changed our lives forever.


For 6 years we've enjoyed his contagious smile and bright eyes.


He's a wily one with a joke up his sleeve and a tease on the tip of his tongue.


He's a kind big brother and mom's little helper.


And one of dad's best buds. Happy 6th birthday Elias. We couldn't be more pleased with the boy you are.

A Day of Firsts

Elias had his first day of school on Monday. His first of many.

It was the first day that two of my boys were in school at the same time.

Haven's first day ever without Elias for an extended period of time.

The first day that Elias wouldn't be there to help me with Simeon.

My first day sending a child to school. The first day packing a lunch for Elias. And, the first day letting Elias out of the nest after almost 6 years.

I'm pleased to report that Elias' first day of school went well. The first thing he said to me was, "Mom, there are so many rules". I asked him what all the rules were and he told me that he didn't remember. Oh no, we're in trouble. No really, Elias is a sweet kid and I know he is going to do great. I asked him if he made any friends and he said he had, but that he didn't know their names. In fact, after his third day of school he still refers to a particular boy as the boy with the black shirt. I just love seeing my little man taking everything in.

I feel I must report on the first day of school for the rest of us. Well, without Elias teasing her Haven was as quiet as a church mouse. It was cleaning day at the Counihan house. Thankfully Simeon took a 3 hour nap and Haven was seriously stoked that I let her clean the toilet. Does it get much better than that? I have to say that it was a nice first day to begin the rest of my life, or at least for several years to come.

Now that we have finished the 3rd day of school I can tell that Haven is not excited to be without Elias anymore. After being home for 10 minutes she says that she wants to go get Elias. She even socializes differently with other kids without her big bro there. I know it's only a matter of time before she defines who she is without Elias.

On a sentimental note I just have to say that I love being a mom. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out of course. However, my kids are my greatest adventure. I love my husband and the support he gives me in being at home with our children. Financially I know it's hard, but our family is the most important thing. Heavenly Father has blessed us for that.

Happy 9 yrs.

On August 6th Ben and I celebrated our 9 yr. anniversary. Ben and I were married in 1999 though he had my heart long before that. This picture was taken when I was a senior in high school. Now 12 years and 3 kids later we laugh a lot more and have become truly best friends. The celebration of our 9 years was much like our marriage, fun with a few bumps and detours along the way. I made a reservation at the House of Prime Rib for 6:30 pm. Did I think to find out exactly where it was? No, of course not. I drive passed the darn place and notice it every time I drive down Van Ness, but on the night when I actually have reservations to eat there I can't quite remember where it is. Basically we missed our reservation. I found myself quietly crying while Ben drove aimlessly around SF. All I could think about was that I had a 2 hour window before Simeon would have to eat again and I was wasting that 2 hours stuck in crazy San Francisco traffic. This was not how I pictured spending my anniversary. However, Ben pulled through. While I thought he was driving aimlessly around the city he was actually looking for 'The Stinking Rose', an Italian place we have been wanting to eat at for a long time. He found it, we ate delicious Italian food loaded with garlic (not exactly romantic), we enjoyed each other, and even made it back in time for Mr. Sims to eat. At least one of us had our heads on straight.

This pan WAS full of steamy herb olive oil garlic cloves. Along side a loaf of fresh bread this made a heavenly appetizer.

Ben and I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves garlic. The food was good and there was an eclectic, artsy, yet funky atmosphere about the whole place. Benny, I love you my little garlic clove.

Our Friends the Romeny's

One of my good friends from Utah came out to visit us with her two kids. Jessie was my life saver the last year I was in Orem and we had been missing their little family a bunch so this was a welcomed visit. We had a good time touring them around one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Here are a few highlights...

The first day was absolutely beautiful. The sun was out, though you can't tell in the picture, and the breeze was pleasant. The kids bathed in sand while Jessie and I did what we do best, sat and talked. Jessie literally left a part of herself in San Francisco. She got a bad sunburn do to this beautiful day and was peeling her entire visit.

We took the kids to play at Alamo Square park. Anyone who watched the sit com 'Full House' knows why this would be an attraction. Here we are in front of the 'Painted Ladies'.

We also went up to my parents house in Auburn to enjoy the summer in the pool.
Thanks Jessie, Alyssa, and Owen for visiting us. Thank you Brandon for letting us borrow them. You are all welcome at any time.

On the Subject of Birthdays...

DANDANN HAD A BIRTHDAY IN JULY! However, summer craziness has kept me from blogging about it. You are a truly good man and amazing grandfather. Happy Birthday to you.



MELISSA'S BIRTHDAY IS TODAY! You are beautiful in so many ways. Happy Birthday little sister. I wish I could share in the festivities with you today, but many miles separate us. Oh well, enjoy the day and I hope you get spoiled.

Simster Update

I love all of the different stages of my babies, some more then others. The 4-6 month stage however, is my absolute favorite. Simeon is smack dab in the middle of this delicious stage and I am loving every minute of it. Some milestones for Simeon are: He plays with his toes, he yells and shrieks just to hear himself, he laughs, he rolls over both ways, he puts everything in his mouth, he is sleeping from 8 pm- 3am most nights, he spits up like a champ, he can hold toys and play with them, and he is increasingly obsessed with his daily dose of rice cereal, SURPRISE! At Simeon's 4 month check-up he weighed in at 19 lbs. and he has the rolls to prove it.

Simeon has a willing smile and loves to interact with just about anyone, especially Dad.

Introducing Elias #2 and x2 (Elias was big, but not that big)

My little Sims is definitely the 3rd child. "Oh Mom can't get to me right now. I guess I'll just go to sleep right here".

When Simeon smiles it's as if you can see into his soul. This is probably my favorite 'Simeon feature'.

I couldn't be more pleased with my sweet, easy going, happy little guy. I look at him and wonder how we ever functioned without him.