Sissy and Big O

Back to the routine

2012-01-04T08:09:00.001-08:00

First day back to school after Christmas break and we're easing him in with hot chocolate. Too bad his sister will be staying home with a fever!

More proof I'm deaf

2011-12-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

My friend Cass was talking today about a Christmas song that made her sad, thinking of baby Jesus in the cold manger. Then she said something about Pompeii. I snorted and said, "Jesus wasn't born in Pompeii!" She rolled her eyes and said "I said 'I wondered if he was allergic to HAY!'"

I am thankful...

2011-11-25T18:27:00.000-08:00

...for our home sweet home!

I am thankful...

2011-11-24T16:26:00.000-08:00

...for this family!

I am thankful...

2011-11-23T22:24:00.000-08:00

...for a night out with all of Adam's brothers and their women - my sisters! We get along so good and I wish that we all lived closer together. Can't believe we forgot to get a picture of us at dinner!

I am thankful...

2011-11-22T16:36:00.000-08:00

...for friends and family we don't see too often. For too much good food. And inside jokes and laughter, unconditionally.

I am thankful...

2011-11-21T07:33:00.000-08:00

...for safe travel.

I am thankful...

2011-11-20T15:35:00.000-08:00

...for doctors and hospitals. We found out yesterday that one of Lauren's classmates had her appendix burst and she had to have emergency surgery. She'll be in the hospital for a week to get rid of the infection. Please pray for Emma and her family during Thanksgiving week!

I am thankful...

2011-11-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

...that we can afford to do fun things like go to concerts with our little family. And also thankful for ear plugs and headphones to protect our ears!

Watching the warm-up singers

Kutlass

No idea how he fell asleep when it was that loud, but it was way past bedtime!

I am thankful...

2011-11-18T15:08:00.001-08:00

...for coworkers who are also great friends. We can make each other laugh like crazy. Going to work is so much fun because of them.

I am thankful...

2011-11-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

...for my bed. Flannel sheets, down comforter, heated mattress pad - I'm headed there now. Good night!

I am thankful...

2011-11-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

...for the fact that we have food in the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Too much food for the pantry, actually - it's expanding to the corners of the dining room! Not a bad problem to have, but it certainly doesn't look good!

I am thankful...

2011-11-15T18:58:00.000-08:00

...for the brains God has given our children. We had our parent teacher conferences today and both of them are doing fabulously!! I am so very proud of them!

I am thankful...

2011-11-14T19:05:00.000-08:00

...for my parents, for too many reasons to list. Today specifically, it's because they kept the kids overnight and took them to the movies and out to lunch. Thank you, Mom and Dad!

I am thankful...

2011-11-13T12:21:00.000-08:00

...for the view out our back windows.

I am thankful...

2011-11-12T23:10:00.000-08:00

...for weddings and love and family and friends!

I am thankful...

2011-11-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

...for our veteran's and all that they do every single day defending our freedom.

I am thankful...

2011-11-10T17:38:00.000-08:00

...for my Girl Scout and the things her troop does for the community.

I am thankful...

2011-11-09T06:58:00.000-08:00

...for my babies, who are growing up fast. These pictures just came home from school yesterday. Love them!

I am thankful...

2011-11-08T07:22:00.000-08:00

...that my wonderful husband loves to cook! He can whip up gourmet meals out of ordinary ingredients. I love this man!

I am thankful...

2011-11-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

...for good friends who make me laugh!

I am thankful...

2011-11-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

...that this weekend we've only left the house to go to church this morning. So enjoying being lazy and cozy with my family!

I am thankful...

2011-11-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

...for rain! SO glad it's finally here!

I am thankful...

2011-11-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

...that this is my five year old's favorite song, and he's not embarrassed to sing it with me.

I am thankful...

2011-11-03T16:25:00.000-07:00

...I have a job that I love and that is flexible to our family's schedule, even if it keeps me busier than I want it to some days.

I am thankful...

2011-11-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

...for songs that get me choked up:

I am thankful...

2011-11-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

...for these characters and how much fun they are!

Well...

2011-10-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

I've been slacking big time! I can't promise I'll blog more, but I will promise to TRY to make more time for it.

A little excitement for the evening

2011-08-19T18:50:00.000-07:00

(DaddyBoi's first post, yea like 7 yrs later... I know it's shameful.)

The setup: I had just arrived home from work today much earlier than usual, around 4:30 PM and we were out in the garage talking as I was getting something out of the rafters.

Ali: Honey is that smoke?

Adam: It's probably just a BBQ

- a few minutes later -

Ali: I don't think that's a BBQ honey.

Adam: *sniff* no, that's not a BBQ.

Adam: Get the keys for the back gate and my phone!

And there was running...

And then a quick chat with a 911 dispatcher...

And there was some banging on the neighbor's door... thankfully nobody home.

Then there was a big red truck (E23 from Station 108), and the brave men in yellow coats began to do what they do so well...

Soon they were joined the good 'ol *whump whump* of a Huey, as Metro Copter 2 made a pass, then off to snorkel up a river nearby...

About 10 min later the *whump thump* returned, and there was water falling from the sky to join with the ash and smoke...

And then finally... that most poignant of aroma's... well soaked, smoldering ground.

** To the punk kids who figured that a grass fire in the dry scrub oak nestled in residential neighborhood was "fun," I wish that you may reap the benefits from many of life's lessons in an unfortunate way.

Anti-social

2011-08-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

We needed the kids to record a new message for the answering machine. We asked them what they wanted to say.

"We're not here so hang up."

They are so their father's children.

Love is...

2011-08-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

The kids have been arguing all morning, so I sent them each to their rooms for a time out. Owen came out a few minutes later to see if they could play. I told them they couldn't come out until they could love each other. He came running back after another few minutes to say, "We did everything that is love."

What??

He said, "We did everything that is love. We did this (eskimo kisses), we hugged, we bumped bellies, and we high fived."

What are we, a football team?

Tortuga @ 6.5 weeks

2011-06-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

Our boy is FIVE!

2011-06-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy 5th birthday to our baby!

Owen was born on a Monday, the day after Father's Day. I had a doctor's appointment that day, and I was 41 weeks, 1 day pregnant. I'd gone 9 days overdue with Lauren and I was at the end of my rope being 8 days overdue with Owen. My mom and Lauren had come to the appointment with me. While waiting in the waiting room I realized I was having contractions. They hooked me up to a machine to time the contractions. So, of course, they stopped. My doctor told me to go home, but I'd been through it before and I ignored his advice and crossed the parking lot to the hospital. Women's intuition! I called Adam and told him to hit the road and join me. My mom waited for him to get there, then she headed home with Lauren.

The nurses told me to walk the halls for an hour so they could process the paperwork. I lasted 45 minutes, and by the time the nurse checked me, it was go time. The took us to a room and as I laid down in the bed my water broke. Instead of trying to clean it up, we just moved to an empty room across the hall.

My local family was all at the hospital by this time: Adam (of course!), Lauren, my mom and dad, my brother and Talia, my aunts and an uncle. We knew it was a boy, and labor was obviously moving fast, so everyone was excited to meet the little guy. Adam and my parents were in the room with me, and my mom was pacing around, nervous. The anesthesiologist rushed in, literally, to do the epidural and my mom went out to the waiting room, not wanting to watch. Adam said that anesthesiologist was working fast, ripping packages open and that things were flying everywhere.

A few minutes later, after he was done, my dad went out to the waiting room to get my mom. He announced to my family, "She had it." He meant the epidural. The nervous Noni exclaimed, "She had it?? The baby? Already?" My dad said, "The epidural." My mother, in disbelief, says, "It's a GIRL?!?!" And they say hearing loss isn't hereditary! That story never gets old.

Once Owen was born, everyone joined us in my room. We were all talking, you know Italians. I was just staring at him, memorizing his face. He was wide awake, and he had the biggest eyes. He reminded of Squirt on Finding Nemo.

I told everyone, "I hate to say this about my baby, but he looks just like a turtle." My brother said, "I was thinking the exact same thing, but I didn't want to say it!" We called him Tortuga, spanish for turtle, for quite a while after that!

Duck, Duct, Goose

2011-06-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

Owen found a roll of duct tape in the house that Adam had just brought in from the garage. "Mama, what are we going to use this goose tape for?"

Once again, playing catch up

2011-06-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

It's a good way for me to spend a rainy June day! Make sure you scroll down to see all the new posts. Some even jump below a few of the older posts, so don't miss any.

Rainy June Saturday

2011-06-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

We've spent our day coloring,

playing dress up,

(a hippie Hawaiian cowgirl witch with Mario hands)

and learning about rainbows and prisms.

Owen-ism

2011-06-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

"Mama, my foot just fell asleep and it's tinkeling."

After party

2011-06-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

After the graduation celebration we were invited to a BBQ at Owen's best buddy Michael's house. It was overcast and too cold for the adults to swim, but some of the kids got in the hot tub. They thought they were pretty cool!

My child is so pale!

Graduation video

2011-06-03T16:12:00.000-07:00

This video was too big to go with the other preschool graduation post, so it's getting one of it's own (after Adam had to resize it for me!). Ms. Lily does a great job of telling the crowd about each of her students as she presents them with a binder of their artwork and writing from the year. We're so proud of our smart little guy!

Pomp and circumstance

2011-06-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Our baby graduated from preschool! Where has the time gone? We are going to miss Ms. Lily tremendously. We're so grateful she's had both of our kids, and that she just gets them. I've been on the parent board for three of the last four years and I'm really going to miss it. If you're looking for a parent participation preschool, I can't recommend it enough!

Buddy Aidan

Buddy Colin

Buddy Michael

Our graduate

Papa and Noni with Owen

With Jada - these two will be together for the next 9 years as well!

Enjoying his ice cream with Mama.

Daddy was also there, but behind the camera the whole time.

Showing Ms. Lily the quilt made by a few families

who have been with her since her first year, in 2007.

(All credit to Michele!)

All About Lauren

2011-05-31T16:11:00.000-07:00

Lauren's teacher picks a child each week during the school year to feature on a special bulletin board called "All About Me". You supply pictures of your child doing their favorite activities, with their family, a baby photo, and anything that is special to them. The child fills out a questionnaire about their favorite food, sport, television show, book, etc. At the end of the week all of the classmates fill out a half page "Lauren is..." sheet and the teacher puts them all together in a book as a keepsake. Some of the things her classmates wrote about her: funny, silly, cute, smart, nice, cool, and fun to play with!

I've mentioned before that Lauren's current teacher is the same woman who taught me third grade. I was her very first class, and back then she did a similar project called Super Kid. I still have my Super Kid book!

County Fair

2011-05-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

We surprised the kids with an afternoon trip to the county fair - and we were all surprised when it started to rain almost as soon as we walked through the gates. I'm usually on top of the weather, but this storm snuck up on us. Luckily we had dressed warm enough and had a couple umbrellas in the car, despite Mother Nature's attempt to drown us out. We had a good time watching a seal show and a small circus of imagination. The kids enjoyed the farm animals and magic distortion mirrors.

At one point while we were waiting for the pouring rain to stop, we ducked into a tent and listened to a live band. The kids were hopped up on kettle corn and were dancing to the music:

We ended the afternoon with the demolition derby. The kids were so enthralled, they just could not believe people were crashing their cars on purpose. For the last week whenever we see a car that has even the slightest dent on it they both gleefully exclaim, "That car belongs in the demolition derby!"

Four and eleven twelfths

2011-05-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Owen's 5th birthday at preschool a month early, since his birthday falls during summer vacation.

Preschool Open House

2011-05-24T21:21:00.000-07:00

Country Fair fun

2011-05-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

Family dinner

First grade girlies being silly

Park fun with friends from out of town

2011-05-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

Lauren's class party

2011-05-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

Lauren wanted a party with her whole class, so we decided a bounce house party could handle that craziness. All the kids had fun and worked up an appetite for the Funfetti cupcakes.

Little brother, all smiles

The class being silly

Birthday Girl

2011-05-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Our girlie is now seven years old! Here are a few shots from her birthday.

Getting ready to head out to school.

Lucky enough to sneak in a quick visit with Great Grandma after school.

The night before she and Daddy had made their own one of a kind birthday cake: two chocolate bundt layers with strawberry jelly in between, and they tinted some Funfetti icing pink.

Blowing out seven candles

Obligatory cake shot for Auntie Michelle!

Daddy even made her some pink milk to go with it!

A wind chime from Great Grandma

New Tinkerbell summer jammies

A mosaic art project from Auntie Louie - which Lauren finished that very weekend!

Stirring peanut butter, the manly way

2011-05-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

Down to two wheels after about 10 minutes with Papa

2011-05-10T16:58:00.000-07:00

Heart attack

2011-05-09T16:08:00.001-07:00

From another room, as I'm in the kitchen making dinner: "Mama, I can skip!"

"Sis, don't be silly, you've known how to skip for years."

"Yeah, but I have my roller skates on!"

Best Mass of the year

2011-05-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

At Lauren's school every class is responsible for putting on one Mass per year. 1st Grade was in charge of May's and they did a fabulous job, so full of enthusiasm! Lauren was part of the bell choir.

Adam put together this video:

If you hack my phone...

2011-05-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

...prepare to be blogged.

Dying laughing...

2011-04-24T18:30:00.001-07:00

Earlier this afternoon the kids were all hopped up on who knows what, since they hadn't even had any Easter candy yet. We sent them each to their own room and told them to shut the doors, because they usually just sit in their doorways and chat.

A few minutes later we heard them shouting back and forth. I looked at Adam with a cocked eyebrow and asked him, "Are they trying to talk through their walls?" We told them to be quiet and forgot about it.

Just now, hours later, they are in their rooms supposedly getting ready for bed. Adam and I are in the living room and we can hear muffled echos. We put two and two together and crawled over to the floor vent. We could hear their conversation all the way on the other side of the house, coming up through the vents. They'd been laying on their floors, having "secret" talks through the vents!

Steeped in tradition

2011-04-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

Book nook

2011-04-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how much I loved seeing this in my FOUR year old's room - a book set down, mid-reading, to save his page:

P.S.

Please excuse the flowered sheets - it doubles as our guest bed!

Volleyball

2011-04-16T22:20:00.000-07:00

The kids played some volleyball today while we were at an Easter party. I'm pretty sure it's the first time either of them had ever tried it, but they were both naturals at it. I'm disappointed I didn't get better pictures and video, these were from my phone. They definitely get their volleyball skills from their daddy!

Hunting eggs

2011-04-16T22:13:00.000-07:00

She shoots, she scores!

2011-04-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

My son, the u.nabomber

2011-04-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

On the schedule: Tour de Sidewalk

2011-04-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

We decided it was time to buy the kids new helmets, and ended up with two new bikes, too. Luckily I'd been hoarding gift certificates from birthday's and Christmas's past - a special thanks to Uncle John and Uncle Chad & Aunt Talia! I think it was two years ago when we last got them bikes and helmets, but they hardly ever used them. We're making a push for more outdoor activities!

Cheese skirt a la S.queeze Inn

2011-04-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

Pool shark

2011-04-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

The Happiest Place on Earth

2011-04-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

Noni and Papa were the top bidders on a four pack of two day D.isneyland tickets at Owen's preschool's silent auction last month. The tickets were only good until next month, so they had a small window in which to use them. Common sense ruled out spring break, so they scheduled their road trip for last week. They lucked out with fabulous weather: T- shirts and shorts for the last day of March and first day of April.

Thank you so much, Noni and Papa! Memories to last a lifetime for the four of you, and some much needed quiet time for us! And don't forget, as Owen said repeatedly the night they got home, "We can always go back in five more days!"

Finishing up some school work when they got to the hotel after a long car ride.

Day One:

Fresh and clean start for a day at the park!

(Owen just has too much of his Uncle Chad's childhood dorkiness in him!)

Waiting in line for Gadget's Go Coaster in Toon Town.

My dad's caption when he sent this to me from his phone: "Crazy drivers"

Doesn't everyone have a picture like this??

Day Two:

Jungle cruise!

At least they got one picture with all four of them in it!

3D action

My mom's caption when she sent the next two pictures to me: "We won!!!! Nap time...we finally wore them out!!!"

Glow in the dark O and L

Luck of the Irish

2011-03-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

P.S.

Lauren lost tooth #4 three days before this!

Daisy's on the river

2011-03-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

Lauren's Daisy troop had their monthly meeting overlooking the American River. They learned a lot about water conservation and what they could do at home to help. Afterward, they all got their own canvas, so they could paint a water scene.

Lauren's newest adventure

2011-02-27T20:04:00.000-08:00

Noodle Ball! It's water polo while straddling a noodle, for young kids who are still getting comfortable in deep water. She participated in an introductory clinic to see if she'd be interested. The pool she'll be playing in is 12 feet deep and, luckily, heated. She's not that strong of a swimmer, and it was pretty cold out that day, so I didn't have high hopes. But when we got there she stripped her clothes off, hopped right in, and didn't look back. As soon as it was over she asked, "So am I signed up? I love it!" And every day since then she's been asking when she gets to go back in the pool.

A bonus I hadn't considered:

As she ate dinner that night you could tell she was so exhausted. What a great way to use up some of that endless energy!

D.isney on Ice

2011-02-19T19:57:00.000-08:00

Cass and I surprised our kids by taking them to D.isney on Ice. Her husband's company has a suite, and the tickets were free. Nothing better than that!

The lights had just dimmed and the show was about to begin.

Spoiled in their box seats!

Molly was so excited.

We had a fabulous view.

Molly and Cass

Me and my kiddos

One of the big dance numbers with almost the whole cast:

Updates!

2011-02-14T14:20:00.000-08:00

I'm taking some time today to catch up on this blog. I'm too Type A to just throw posts up in any old order, so you are going to need to scroll through at least four pages to see all the new stuff. Thanks for being patient with me!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T07:42:00.000-08:00

P.S.

Happy Happy Birthday to my FABULOUS mama! I love you!

Master Chef

2011-02-13T21:51:00.000-08:00

Here's my hubby and the two lemon meringue pies he made for my mom's birthday dinner - her favorite. He's a keeper!

Super Bowl Sunday

2011-02-06T15:36:00.000-08:00

Seven years ago today Adam and I were doing our baby registry for Lauren. Crazy to think that about the only thing we still have left is a lonely stroller in the garage. That stroller is harder for me to get rid of than the crib. Too many memories!

100 Project

2011-01-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

Love this talented artistic little girl!

P.S.

Daddy helped with the hot glue gun and the foam board cutting.

Pajama Day in 1st grade

2011-01-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

Playing the Wii with Uncle Chad

2011-01-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

Where've you been hanging out?

2011-01-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

The kids were just helping me load the dishwasher and as I closed it Owen said, "Let's get this baby started!"

And tooth #3 is officially gone!

2011-01-07T19:32:00.000-08:00

Hanging by not even a thread

2011-01-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

Lauren's tooth has been loose forEVER, it seems. Today at lunch she knocked it while playing, and the dried blood is the only thing still keeping it attached. Attractive, no?

Incognito

2011-01-02T18:33:00.000-08:00

Can you guess whose house she was undercover at?

Snaggle tooth

2010-12-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

Practicing

2010-12-30T11:46:00.000-08:00

Lego time with Uncle Andy and Aunt Stacy

2010-12-29T20:19:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Santa!

2010-12-25T21:34:00.000-08:00

Cousins on Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T21:57:00.000-08:00

Playing with guns

2010-12-18T19:40:00.000-08:00

Nothing like taking your kids to dinner at friends' house and letting them take turns shooting bottles and cans off a log - at the dinner table, no less! Such a fun night!

Lauren takes aim

Paige is a pro

Owen's a straight shooter:

Guess where?

2010-12-18T14:35:00.000-08:00

Preschool Christmas party

2010-12-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

Owen and Ms. Lily

Getting sugared up with his good buddy Michael

Polar Express

2010-12-15T18:24:00.000-08:00

In a break from tradition this year we did a daytime train ride, with different friends and sans jammies. This was Molly's first time on the Polar Express. The kids enjoyed the hot chocolate and cookies, not to mention getting sleigh bells from Santa!

Owen, Lauren, and Molly

Waving to Santa before he joined us on the train.

Cass and Ali with happy kiddos

He's OUT!

2010-12-13T16:42:00.000-08:00

Obligatory Santa picture

2010-12-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

Making monkey bread

2010-12-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

Answer: Three, but it will still be crooked

2010-12-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

Question: How many people does it take to attempt straighten a Christmas tree that is too heavy for it's stand?

Wedding

2010-11-27T10:39:00.000-08:00

Adam's brother Andy got married to beautiful Stacy the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Here's just a few shots from their special day.

The groom and his men

Saying their vows

The whole family

Newlyweds, table for two

Bean bag dance

2010-11-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

Getting the crazies out at preschool:

Owen would NOT dance at all last year, but this year he is embracing his inner rhythm and loves to join in.

Sisters by chance

2010-11-08T21:12:00.000-08:00

One of Adam's brothers is getting married in a few weeks, so this past weekend I flew down to attend a couple bridal showers. Here's a picture of my future SIL Stacy and my SIL Michelle. So blessed to have these lovely ladies in my life!

Friday night fun

2010-11-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

Lauren's Daisy troop participated in their first multi-troop event - decorating and filling Christmas stockings for the needy. The girls teamed up and made some glitter heavy stockings. Can't believe I neglected to get a picture of the finished products!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T20:55:00.000-07:00

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

2010-10-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

Pictures from our trip a couple weeks back:

High flyers

Thrill seekers

It just so happened to be a high school band playoff of

some sort, the 50th annual. Needless to say, it was packed!

I remember riding these exact same rides when I was little.

Adam loves his new camera. Great picture, right?

Lauren *loved* this ride. I went on it with her in the morning and felt nauseous for at least an hour afterward. She went on it about three more times!

Both the kids love this roller coaster. I was supposed to get pictures of Adam on it with them right before this, but I couldn't figure out how to use his camera!

Cheers!

2010-10-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

Robin, my oldest friend, got married yesterday. It was a fabulous, beautiful day, and it went by so fast. I certainly didn't get enough pictures!

Friends since the womb - for 32+ years!

The kiss!

My hubby and I

Boy genius

2010-10-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

Owen just spelled this on the fridge: