The Hulse Family Way

Play. Play. Play.

Is it even a remote possibility that we took family pictures without our dear photog friends Angela and Gerardo Garmendia? Barely! We did it, but we didn't like it. Well, we liked it a little. The truth is, we can't fly to Texas every year for family pictures, or every time we need to capture an important moment. And since no one could ever surpass Garmendias in our minds, Aynn did a great job. Especially with what she had to work with -- us!

Marin

STOP growing up Marin!

She doesn't listen.

She just doesn't listen.

Santi

A girl without freckles is like a night without stars.

I've heard that quote several times before... it just never looked so good as this.

Abram

You want some of this?

How about some of that?

Halyn

Here's our little bundle at just 3 weeks.

How could we be this lucky?

Abram fell down, and bumped his crown...

...and the girls came tumbling after.

Actually he didn't bump his crown, but he was stung by a bee. Poor kid.

When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder,

who has a chance against us?

I have NO idea.

Being a father of four is so becoming on Brian.

Abram turning it on. Mostly for the ladies, but for anyone who's looking. There's more where that came from.

My boys. Any more would be too much. Really. I'm quite serious.

And I don't want to toot my own horn but, I just did.

Braggadocio.

Perfect 10

Marin's 10th

Marin wanted to go to the American Girl store in L.A. and pick out her very own doll. She was proud to save up birthday money and buy it herself -- which I thought was quite a feat. She ended up picking Rebecca and is looking forward to reading more about this character and her Jewish heritage.

The girls absolutely enjoyed the girliest of all girly style brunches. The menu was darling and the girls had so much fun eating, ever so dramatically, the tiny little finger sandwiches.

And they were tiny. Dad and I could've downed the entire menu on our own. Well, I would've been able to eat up the scones and tea cakes by myself anyway. Maybe not, since I can really only eat a tablespoon of food at any one time. Preggers is Blah.

And what will you be having my dear?

I LOVE chocolate malts (YUM) and I LOVE Marin! That alone made for a perfect day.

Beautiful Santi. Our beautiful Santi.

When Dad is with his girls, he's always the luckiest guy in the world. I hope he can handle one more when the baby's born.

So what was it she wished for? If only I could see half of Marin's imaginations.

The girls at the Salon with their dolls.

Brown. Blue. Blue.

It seems a great big world out there when you're a little girl.

Marin took the picture above. After much convincing, Brian kissed me and Marin snapped this photo. Poor Brian was so embarrassed.

And below is exactly what I did in the parking structure while Bri and the girls waited for the Hollywood sign to light up. There I am in all my nine month pregnant glory. So glad Brian caught how I've been feeling for the last few months. I will show it to the new baby every day!

My very favorite picture of the night and so far, my second favorite picture of the temple. After leaving the American Girl store, we drove by the L.A. temple where Brian took the girls out for a picture. I'm so glad he did. I will always treasure this one.

The night ended with us driving on a balmy fall evening through Beverly Hills while en route to the 405 which prompted Brian to put on Weezer's "Beverly Hills." So we all sang along like we were in the music video. Because we think we're pretty cool.

Day One

First day of school for these girlies was harder for me than for them. I kept running through all the obstacles they'd be facing (like a new school in a new state, fifth grade girl drama, etc...) and hoping neither would come home in tears. However, it was I who left the school in tears, though I held it all in until I got to the car and half way down La Paz before I exploded. Brian, from the driver's seat, just sort of looked at me as if my body had now been inhabited by an alien being -- perplexed and curious. He was probably wondering what my reaction would be come the high school years. Maybe he'll be conveniently be out of town on business that day.

One of the coolest things about moving in with Grandma Nae this summer is that when the fall came, the girls got to register at Dad's old elementary school. In fact, all the Hulse aunts and uncles went there. What a treat. And come to find out, Mrs. Stratford, Marin's reading teacher was also Aunt Amy's fifth grade teacher! That sure was a delight for us all.

I'm so glad these girls have had each other through all these girlhood experiences.

Oh yeah, little guy wanted to come along with his very own lunch box. Poor thing thought he was actually going to stay for school. It has not been easy for him to be separated from his sisters for so long. He often goes to the door and asks if it's time to get the girls. He sure enjoys the attention when they come home. I suppose Aunt Squirts and Unkie Chrisses will have to do. And maybe a few visits from Woody too.

Wicked Awesome

The girls and I saw Wicked in San Diego. What a treat! Dad was working and Abram was too little, so it was just the three of us. It was such a fun girls night out. I hope there are many more to come. Thanks girls for always being willing to try something new. And thanks for all the endless renditions of Wicked you've performed since. I haven't seen musical theater like that since the KMQ one-gal shows of Joseph at M2. Good times.