Roach Family Craziness

Little Fishes

2012-02-17T23:04:00.000-08:00

Paige and Austin are still taking their swimming lessons and they are learning so much. Paige is a regular fish now, she knows how to do all 4 of the major strokes and her teacher says she has the best form that he has seen in a long time, she just needs to work on her endurance. Austin is a little charmer in his class. He has the teacher thinking that he cannot do anything so that she will always help him, he wasn't happy with me when I told the teacher that he knew what he was doing and she should make him do it alone. We are so glad that they are learning to swim and that they enjoying it as well.

Austin and Paige being goofy before class starts

Paige taking a quick break to smile for me. All she does for 45 minutes is swim laps back and forth.

Austin practicing his kicks across the pool.

A quick brother sister moment during class

Austin would be happy to just stay by the edge and keep going under the water to look around at everyone else. He like to practice holding his breath.

Under the water again, he really enjoys this best I think.

Paige in the stripes way up at the top

Paige's class is always on the move, so it is hard to get pictures of her.

I caught him once with his head out of the water

He is all blurry I know, but the shot of him jumping into (I mean kneeling on) the water.

Their last lesson of this session is tomorrow, but I am positive that we will be starting up the next session as soon as we can. On a different note, I hope to keep up on getting updates done so I am caught up, but Lisa and Darren are flying into town with Anya tomorrow morning.....so I am going to be busy for the next few days totally loving on my sweet little niece. And don't worry, I am positive there will be a few photos from the visit!

Field-trip Annie

2012-02-16T15:34:00.000-08:00

Austin got to enjoy his second field-trip of Kindergarten. He was so excited to go and so was I! For the first time ever I got to go on one of the school field-trips!!! I couldn't ever go with Paige because I always had Austin at home, now because my baby is finally in school I can go, yea!!! Austin and his class got to go see Annie at the theater in town. His class spent two weeks leading up to the play listening to the music and talking about the musical. It was great too because the theater was filled with all school kids so it wasn't a problem when they couldn't sit still for that long and watch quietly.

Our ticket to the show

Austin really was excited to go, he just doesn't look like it hear because he wanted to pay attention to his friends and not have mom taking photos of him. It really is part of my job to torture him :-)

After the play we got to go to the park and enjoy a picnic lunch with the other classes that got to go. It was a beautiful afternoon and even though I spent the day with 24 kindergartners, I had a great day with my kindergartner and all his friends!

Groundhogs Day

2012-02-15T17:12:00.000-08:00

Paige and Austin have been talking non-stop about groundhog day for weeks. I was actually kind of glad when the day came because it meant that we could finally stop talking about it. Besides, lets face it, when you live in SoCal who cares if you have 6 more weeks of winter! We decided to walk to school, we have been doing that more and more lately (every little bit of exercise helps!) and it is something that we all enjoy doing.

The peacocks are all over the place and walking to school is the best way to see them. It never ceases to amaze me how we always spot them up on the roofs.

Paige and Austin somehow always end up walking part of the way holding hands, it really is the best thing in the world to see them getting along and being so great to each other. This sight always puts a smile on my face and makes the day good.

Austin's whole class turned into groundhogs for the day. As you should all know by now, the groundhog did see his shadow so we have another 6 weeks of winter headed our way...I hope the rest of you can get a winter as mild as ours :-)

Chinese New Year

2012-02-14T21:50:00.000-08:00

Paige spent the whole week leading up to the Chinese New Year (1/23) talking about how she was going to have a part in the assembly that the second graders put on. She was actually excited because she had a speaking part but then kept telling us that she didn't have to practice at all because she got to read it off a sheet of paper. We didn't know how this was going to play out, but I rearranged my schedule to make sure that I was there with the camera in tow.

We went to school Monday morning in the rain, lots and lots of rain! This meant that the assembly had to be postponed...but on a happy note, I got to wear my totally awesome new rain boots!

With all the rain we decided to have a warm dinner of spaghetti and mozzarella bread. Paige decided to channel her inner Papa by hollowing out her toasted bread and heaping her spaghetti into it!

Tuesday morning (1/24) the rain was gone and we headed to school, the assembly went on. This is before it started she was all ready with her lines and just waiting.

Paige was centered in the perfect spot for pictures, right above the Happy New Year sign.

Giving her part of the story. She did a great job, she spoke so clearly and was amazing!!

I think all my apps and iPhone have finally started working nicely together. They are finally all working so that I can upload videos and get them posted to the blog for your enjoyment. As you can see and hear, Paige did a wonderful job!

Chinese New Year from Jennifer Roach on Vimeo.

WICKED!!

2012-02-13T08:31:00.000-08:00

For Christmas Neal totally thought outside the box and surprised with with tickets to see WICKED at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood! I was so excited, the only problem was finding a sitter for the kids that would be able to help that long. We brainstormed and finally decided that a date night swap with a set of friends would be perfect and luckily we have some great friends who were totally willing to help out and swap with us. I wish we would have been thinking enough to take a picture of us all dressed up for a night on the town but I didn't think about that.

We went down without reservations but were lucky enough to get a table on the heated patio of the french restaurant right across the street from the theater, Delphine was amazing! This is the view of the Pantages from Delphine.

This is as we were walking into the Pantages. I tried to take photos inside the theater, but they didn't allow photos, and NO I wasn't trying to take photos during the performance, I was just wanting to take photos of the amazing intricate carvings on the ceilings!

Paige and Austin clearly had a great time with Taylor and Carson, playing outside, enjoying McDonalds, and thank goodness being on their best behavior and going to bed wonderfully for Ms. Kelly!

We told Paige and Austin if they were good they could open their little surprise toys from Disneyland we got on our last trip. They were really good and they enjoyed their Star Wars Vinylmations the next morning.

Chess Club

2012-02-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Back in November the kids started taking Chess Club. I never thought that my kids would want to play chess, this is something that I can write down as the first official time my kids know how to do something that I don't. But last year Paige learned how to play in her classroom, but we never let her take the after school program that you have to pay for. This year they both begged to take it, and I caved....not that this is a bad thing to cave on at all. Anyways, for 8 weeks they met for an hour after school, learned the rules of chess and play against other kids their age and skill level. They had a great time and they both learned a ton...and I still don't know how to play! They each got a chess board for playing and they enjoying practicing against themselves and each other.

Austin thinking about his move

Austin was trying to explain to me how to move and what to do, but I am clueless

Paige setting up her chess board

For the most part they play against each other so very well.

This has become a common pastime in our house and they are always willing to play anyone, so hopefully some of the Aunties or Uncles know how to play and want to challenge them sometime.

Snow Fun

2012-02-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

While we were back home the kids were super excited to actually get to see and play in the snow, even if it was a crazy small amount of snow for Fargo in December!!

Stepping in the snow for the first time.

Throwing snowballs, always a fun time!

Paige and Austin were super excited to come home and see that Uncle Ryan had built a Hawaiian Snowman!!

Unplanned Trip

2012-02-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

After Christmas we had to make an unplanned trip back home. Neal's Grandpa Beilke passed away and we didn't waste any time in getting home. We were only going to fly Neal home because ticket prices were outrageous, but thanks to Nancy we were reminded of Aligent and their great prices, so we were all able to fly back for a really good price. It was definitely sad circumstances but being able to see family and for them to see all of us was a great thing. From the time we got the news, bought tickets, packed and were back it Fargo was a little more than 24 hours, why do I tell you this? Because in order to pack light we didn't bring the camera with us, just my iPhone and some pictures that Grammie took and emailed us, so for the sake of trying to get caught up on the blog, our trip through Instagrams!

Austin and Paige taunting Aiden with the fun electronics

Paige and Austin playing games with Aunt Lisa at Aunt Karen's house

Paige and Austin with Grandma and Grandpa

Great Grandpa and Grandma with Paige and Austin

With packing light and quick we didn't bring any toys, but everyone had so much to keep the kids entertained, they played so well together.

Aiden, Paige and Austin with Great Grandma Bernie on New Years Eve

Aiden, Paige and Austin with Papa and Grammie

Austin just loves playing with Papa's MME truck

Paige and Austin were glad to get to play with Kaycie while we were home also

All the boys, Kevin, Tim and Neal

Great Grandpa Beilke we will miss you very much! We are so glad the kids got to know you and your stories will always be told to them!! We are sad for the circumstances for our trip but so glad we got to see everyone, especially so close to the holidays.

Merry Christmas!!

2012-01-30T21:03:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!! (Let's just all pretend that I got this put up on time, ok). Christmas morning was a low key wonderful flurry of activity in our house. Santa spoiled all of us and we enjoyed spending the day with each other.

Running down stairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought

The stockings were filled to the top

With that smile and pile of toys at his feet I think that Santa did very good

Austin got a HUGE Lego train from Santa

Daddy needed some help digging everything out of his stocking

Santa brought some TC pillow pets

Austin put nearly all the Lego train together all by himself

Santa even brought Ginger a new bed and she loves it, it is definitely her new favorite place

Paige got a HUGE Barbie airplane and has flown it all over the house a few hundred times

One of the biggest hits though is one I didn't expect. Karen sent them a look and find tube that has objects hidden in it, they sit quietly with that thing forever!

So, we enjoyed a couple of very quiet and fun filled days at home with each other. I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and an excellent start to the new year.

Christmas Eve

2012-01-26T14:05:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve this year....however, just the fact that we were together made it wonderful! It was so great to be together as a family this year instead of opening presents over Skype. We enjoyed a very relaxing day and evening, a wonderful Church service and more than enough presents. I hope that everyone enjoyed their holiday and that you forgive me for taking so long to get these up on the blog, I hope they are worth the wait.

Family self portrait

A whole family picture, Ginger included this time.

Austin being a goofball with Ginger and Paige. Ginger is such a good sport to put up with all his antics!

Paige asked for books this year, and boy oh boy did she get a ton of them! If she keep reading at her usual rate her 37 new books will last here about 40 days!

Mr. Grinch himself got some grinch sleep shorts, the kids loved picking these out for him!

A new baseball pillow from Aunt Karen was quickly put to good use

Austin made us an awesome handprint reindeer pot holder, he was so proud of it!

New baseballs.....

He LOVED them!!!!

Neal totally surprised me with lefsa grill, I guess he got sick of me whining about not having lefsa at the holidays. Grammie got me all the extras that I needed and I cannot wait to put them all to use!

Connect 4 in any form is always welcome

Auntie Nancy made the kids some very cool wreaths

I was totally spoiled in the Project Life category! I cannot wait to finally get the last 8 years worth of photos into albums and write down all the memories.

Austin got lost trying to get his new Lego organizer out of the really large gift bag, I wish I would have had the video on because it was hilarious!

Unwrapping the last gifts of the evening.....

They were super excited when they saw what it was, they got Cars 2 figures that work with an iPad game.

I was super excited to get my Simply Scored board from Stampin Up! I have wanted this for months, and I cannot wait to make all my projects (I will be posting my first big project with it soon!)

Holiday Program

2012-01-18T12:48:00.000-08:00

The day after the kids Christmas program at church they had their Holiday program at the school. They both were so excited for their turns and they were really excited to have Neal there to share the excitement with. I apologize for the bad photos and very far away video, lets just say there was a failure to communicate about when we were going and who was saving seats, but I know that all the grandparents, aunts and uncles will love it just the same.

Paige, pretty in pink and ponytails, right up front

Austin is the 3rd red antlered reindeer from the left on the top row. When he woke up in the morning he made me pick out different cloths for him because "I need to look handsome, Mommy"!

Holiday Program 2011 from Jennifer Roach on Vimeo.

Disneyland Christmas Fun

2012-01-17T22:20:00.000-08:00

With the kids out of school for 3 whole weeks we decided to take advantage of our Disneyland passes and go get into the Christmas spirit with a half million of our closest friends. We have always been blocked out this close to the holidays, but this year we can go every day if we wanted to, so we went the day before Christmas Eve. It was actually not very crowded at all and we had a great time. I don't know what we are going to do when we are finally told that we have to move and we have to find something else to spend our weekends doing!

Austin and Paige in front of the HUGE Christmas tree, with presents as big as them and ornaments as large as their heads, just imagine the size of the tree!

Waiting in line for our turn at Buzz Lightyear

I always love the snow on the castle this time of year

Neal talked the kids into going on one of his favorites, the Jungle Cruise

All smiles on the merry-go-round

I just LOVE that toothless smile

The calm before the twirl on the teacups

My baby growing up way too quickly :-)

Spin, spin, spin

Faster, faster, faster

Really bad lighting but the smiles are contagious!

Christmas at Disneyland isn't Christmas without a trip to the see a Small World

When we came out of small world the parade was going on so we just had to stop and watch :-) I think the kids might have gotten the best seat in the house for the parade!

We had so much fun and as usual we weren't even to the parking lot before they were planning our next trip to Disney!

Updates Are Coming!!

2012-01-15T23:04:00.000-08:00

I am sure by now the whole 6 people who read our blog are beginning to wonder when they should start to send me the comments reminding me to update the blog. I promise that they are coming and I will get caught up soon! But after an unplanned trip back home after Christmas and getting the kids back to school after 3 weeks off, then our usual busy schedule it has taken a while to get back on track....but I will get caught up this week so check back soon and often! Thank you for your patience and the pictures and stories will be worth it!

Christmas Program

2011-12-25T22:17:00.000-08:00

The kids have been practicing for WEEKS for the church Christmas program. The program is called GT & The Halo Express, it is really cute but a big production for a small church like ours to put on. The premise of the play is some kids are in the mall before Christmas and they meet GT who gives them a magic staff that transports them between the crazy mall and biblical times to tell the story of Jesus' birth. The music is great, it mostly original works of song that are the bible versus turned to lyrics. We listened to the music and script on the cd over and over and over again, and I can still easily say that it is great music. Paige and Austin both had speaking parts, Paige knew hers really good, but Austin was seriously throwing a fit, screaming and crying the Thursday before the program saying that he wasn't going to remember the parts and that he wouldn't do it. I was so worried, but he did amazing, and I am not just saying that because I am his mother, everyone at church told us that he stole the show. Hearing him say his lines makes me smile every time!

Singing during one of the biblical scenes, they were all shepherds

Paige made a wonderful angel Gabriel, she proclaimed Jesus' birth perfectly!

Austin was the 3rd wiseman and he had so many lines for a 5 year old, but I still cannot get over how well he did! The other 2 wisemen are 4th grade and older, yet my wiseman was the only one that didn't need to have his lines prompted to him from the director!

The program was really great, and I will gladly show the whole thing to anyone who comes to visit and reminds me. I didn't record the whole thing, but one of the wonderful other parents did and he gave us a copy of the program the very next week (clearly he is way more on top of things than I am!) but I did record all the kids speaking parts and edit them together for you.

Christmas Program 2011 from Jennifer Roach on Vimeo.

Advent Fun, Lego Style

2011-12-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

Last year I found the best advent calendars ever, they were Lego and the kids loved them! They were the best, until I found this years advent calendars, and what could be better than a Lego advent calendar you ask???? A Star Wars Lego advent calendar!!!!

The kids knew that I had found them because I let them choose, one like last year or a Star Wars one. I knew Austin would choose Star Wars but I didn't know what Paige would want, she wanted Star Wars too.

They were so excited for the beginning of December so that they could start

They waited so patiently for me to finish all my pictures so they could starts

Let's Go!

They were hard at work, I cannot recall the last time they stayed so quiet to get something done.

He worked so hard and is slowly getting a collection of miniature Star Wars people and space ships.

They are just too cute enjoying the simple things!

Holiday Stroll

2011-12-12T06:37:00.000-08:00

The kids have spent the last 2 months practicing for the holiday stroll dance recital. Its not as hard core as the June recital, this is just a fun time for the kids to show off what they are learning, its laid back and has no costumes involved. The kids love it and this has by far been the most enjoyable time that we have had there. Usually I have video of the dances to show you, but this year she didn't get the flood lights so there was not enough light to see the kids dancing on the video. But, Neal got some wonderful pictures with the camera!

Before the show we had a few extra minutes, the weather was so nice and Paige had seen some dolphins jumping and playing in the water on our drive down so we decided to take a walk down and enjoy the sunset and dolphins.

Austin is loving his boys hip hop class and I cannot believe how big the class has gotten.

Austin has really worked on perfecting his favorite move the coffee grinder!

Paige getting her tap groove on

Paige always knows her dance moves, but I really know she did this time because her bows kept tipping her hat forward so it covered her eyes and she couldn't see her cues, she still got all the moves done on time!

Paige twirling high on her toes for ballet

I smile every time I see her perfect little toe pointe!

The kids did such a good job learning their dances and they are excited to have a few weeks of fun before they start working hard on their June recital dances. I can only imagine all the hard work that they are going to put into the recital in the next few weeks!

Our New Little Visitor

2011-12-11T13:48:00.001-08:00

We have a new little visitor in our house!

Can you see our visitor??

This is Little Buddy! He arrived one day while Paige and Austin were at school, we don't know how he got into the house, I think Neal forgot to lock the door and he walked right in :-)

Austin spotted him hanging out on our shelf right away, and thank goodness he brought a book along to teach us the rules! I don't know how he gets in or out of the house every night, but we know he does because every night he flies up to Santa and reports on their behavior, he always comes back but he is a tricky little guy and always finds a new hiding spot to keep an eye on things! He really likes to hang on all our curtain rods, they must have the best view in the house!

California Adventure Fun

2011-12-04T20:49:00.001-08:00

After all our decorating and getting ready for the most wonderful time of the year we thought that we should spend it at the most wonderful place in SoCal, Disneyland, or California Adventure to be more exact. The kids have started wanting to go there more and more and we really enjoyed out time there. The crowds were no where to be seen and it was decorated for Christmas so it really was wonderful!

Goofy's Sky School is the new favorite, if the kids only rode that all day long they would be happy

Taking a spin on the ladybugs!

Paige and I were ready to go after the boys on the bumper cars!

The lighting is bad but the Christmas balls are huge and cute

Waiting by the tree to meet Santa, even this line didn't have a wait!

Santa!! They both knew just want the wanted and wasted no time letting Santa know.

Daddy took the kids for a turn on the swings. I wanted to go but Austin didn't want to ride with me in a double swing and I can't stand to be next to Paige as she rides on a single swing flying around, so I sat out and just watched.

It was so hot, nearly 85 on the last weekend in November! So Neal wanted to take the kids on the water ride and they totally wanted to! I don't know why but I wasn't in the mood to get soaked so I sat this one out too. This is right as they came down the huge slide.

Rafting around the corner.

They all loved it!! The kids must have begged to ride it again with me for at least 10 minutes after they got off!!

We are already planning our trip to Disneyland so that we can see the Christmas small world :-)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Christmas Decorating

2011-12-03T19:45:00.001-08:00

It is really beginning to look a lot like Christmas....as long as you don't look outside and realize that it is 75 outside and there isn't any chance of snow coming here....but all the inside stuff is looking like Christmas and we are excited to have the season upon us. We are running around like crazy people with all the kids activities and everything, but a couple more weeks and then we will have a small break for Christmas where we hope to be able to slow down and just enjoying the hope and promise that the Christmas season brings!

Austin getting excited to hang some ornaments

Paige hanging some ornaments, she is getting so big she can almost reach to the top of the tree by herself!

Austin and Daddy putting the topper on the tree....

for some reason though it kept falling down so Mommy had to help Austin put the Packer helmet on the top of the tree.

Austin loves all our Star Wars ornaments, I think Yoda is his favorite though

Almost done, its looking good!

Ginger didn't want to help at all, she decided to take a nap instead!

A couple of cuties!

They were such big helpers and even though I don't have a full shot of the finished tree, trust me, it looks great!

After the inside decorating it was time to head up to the roof and hang some lights. Paige and Austin had a great time watching Neal from her bedroom window.

Because he didn't hang up the lights last year, I think he forgot how to untangle them and it took a while but at least it was super nice outside and he got to enjoy some sun.

Paige and Austin trying to help Neal with the low lights, it didn't last long before they were distracted by other things and Neal was back to working solo.

When he went back to the roof they watched for a little bit longer, but Paige and Austin soon got bored and headed downstairs to watch the Star Wars marathon that was on TV.

I cannot believe that I didn't get a picture of the finished house in the dark either! I am totally slacking on my pictures....but at least I am back in the groove of updating the blog in a timely manner :-) I hope that everyone else is enjoying decorating for the season as much as we are!

Thankful

2011-12-02T12:22:00.001-08:00

This year we have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, I could go on and on, but most importantly I am thankful that our family is back together again and that we have each other and our wonderful friends and family! We didn't take many pictures actually on Thanksgiving (we were too busy relaxing and doing nothing) but I did think there were a couple to share.

Paige and Austin putting together the stick puppet kits that they got.

Trying to figure out where all the pieces go without directions.

It makes me smile when they can work so good together!

Our turkey was super good this year, Austin said that he wanted one of the drumsticks....until I put it on his plate and then as you can tell from his face he clearly didn't like it!

Paige loved everything, she keeps telling me that we should have thanksgiving dinner at least once a month

Once the drumstick was gone he enjoyed dinner!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Fruitful Thanksgiving

2011-11-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

The day after all of the Kindergarten Thanksgiving festivities we had to let some 2nd graders enjoy some fun too. Since I am Paige's room mom I was responsible for getting all the volunteers and food lined up, and boy is that a tougher job than I thought it would be, but it all came together and the kids had so much fun. Paige's teacher, Ms. Webb, had the idea to do a Thanksgiving fruit salad, each child would bring one fruit (cut up and ready to put into a fruit salad) and then one at a time everyone would tell the class what they were thankful for and then add their fruit to the bowl. It was so great to hear all the kids thanks, it ranged from hot dogs and hamburgers to God to the one boy who said he was thankful for his dad would had just returned 2 days earlier from a YEAR long deployment (that one hit home for me!). After the fruit salad was made everyone got to have lunch with all the wonderful food that was brought, including the fruit salad.

Paige's turkey with something she is thankful for on each feather, along with her place mat that she made behind it.

The whole class on their patio telling everyone what they are thankful for.

Paige adding her fruit to the fruitful Thanksgiving salad

The finished fruit salad, it looked so wonderful and it tasted delicious!!

Paige and some of her classmates waiting to go and get their lunch. It was so much fun to spend some time in Paige's class, I haven't gotten to do that much until now because it never worked with Austin being home and when her classes needed help. I am thankful that I get to help so much and spend so much time with not only my kids in their class, but also all their friends and teachers, it really is a blessing!

Stationery card

2011-11-30T20:09:00.001-08:00

Our Family Story Christmas Card

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View the entire collection of cards.

Kindergarten Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T15:59:00.001-08:00

Before the birthday celebration, we got to watch Austin perform in his very first kindergarten play. He was so excited, I think mostly because Daddy got to be there, but they spent so much time practicing and they all did great! It was the same play that Paige did, and equally as enjoyable the second time around!

Even the decorations were the same

Austin waiting to say his lines

He had two letters and lines to say, the first one he got was J, he picked this up because one of the other boys in the class was too shy to get up and say it so Austin volunteered. He didn't know this line as well, he only had a few days to practice, but he did great!

His second line, the first one that he got, was P and he really knew this one well!

The whole class then sang a song together complete with hand motions, this was different than Paige's and a very cute surprise.

After the play the entire class and their families got to go back to the classroom for a Thanksgiving day feast. Being at the class parties is always so much fun, not only do you get to know some of the parents, but its really neat to see Austin interact with his classmates.

There was even enough time left he got to run out on the playground for a little bit after the program and feast! I got a video of the play on my phone, but after spending way too much time today trying to get the wifi signal to work and upload it, I am done trying, maybe I can get it figured out soon and post that for your enjoyment.

Belated Birthday Celebration

2011-11-27T16:51:00.001-08:00

The kids spent weeks talking about how to celebrate Neal's birthday, and then we found out that he would have to be in DC on his birthday, the kids took it well considering and we just saved up the celebration for when he got home. Neal ended up taking the whole day off, not just for his birthday but because there was a Kindergarten play and conferences to go to (more on that in the next post) so we had the whole day to spend with him.

Taking a photo with Daddy, they all look like they have something else going on, each one has a totally different expression.

There was some present opening, I think he was totally surprised with some of his presents

Austin made him a paper airplane for his birthday, it flies in loop-da-loops!

I was a total slacker with class parties and other obligations so I didn't get a cake made for him, but I think everyone was happy with the raspberry chocolate cupcakes!

This group shot is much better :-) getting ready to sing happy birthday to the birthday boy

Make a wish and blow out the candles!

I think it was definitely a success, there are certainly no complaints here

Just look at that mouth...I don't know how she managed to eat that cupcake with no teeth!!

Happy Birthday Daddy, we love you!!!!!

My Escape

2011-11-26T22:12:00.001-08:00

Back in September (or about then) I got invited to a Stampin' Up party and decided to go. I had a lot of fun and thought that I would give a new hobby a try. I started out small and haven't looked back, I have had so much fun making cards and slowly getting into "fake scrapbooking" as I call it. I have taken a few card making classes from a great friend and at one of them I happened to be in the right place at the right time to pick up a spot to go on a girls only crafting weekend up at Lake Arrowhead!! It was over Veteran's Day weekend, so Neal was able to get the time off fairly easily to take care of the kids. I planned and looked forward to this weekend for way too long, but I wasn't at all disappointed, 4 days with no kids, some wonderful friends, lots of crafting, book reading and movie watching!

The first morning I took a chilly walk with a great friend and the view of the lake didn't disappoint at all!

The colors.....

Amazing!!!!!

I didn't go up there with a ton of projects to do like some of the girls, I just wanted to make a few home decor items. I hadn't been able to find anything that I really liked for fall, and I have to say that what I made I LOVE!!! The frames were bought, but otherwise I stamped and made everything else.

The first stamps that I bought were these cute little candy wrappers. I made some for Halloween, these are the Thanksgiving ones, I have also made some for a baby shower and now I have my Christmas ones out.

I still cannot get over how totally cute and perfect the framed art is, I am totally proud of myself!

I didn't stop with fall decor, when I finished those I moved on to Christmas. I love the blue snowman print, I think it is great. I am still trying to figure out what to add to the red one, I just think that something is missing, I am sure that it will come to me soon, but for now it will work.

For the last year I have been kicking around the idea of starting Project Life, a simple scrap booking system to get all my photos and the stories that go along with those photos into albums for everyone to enjoy. I hadn't taken the plunge to actually purchase the kit yet because I hadn't actually seen it in person so its hard to know if it is really as cool and easy as the website makes it out to be. Needless to say I was super excited to see that 2 of the girls that went on our weekend brought it along and I got to see, touch and play with it. It really is that cool and easy and I am so looking forward to getting a couple kits for Christmas so that I can finally start to get our photos off the hard drive and into photo books for us to enjoy!

And just for fun, this is my newest addiction from our fun, relaxing weekend, Trader Joe's Mini Peppermint Waffle Cookies!! Paired with my Keurig and my favorite Peppermint White Chocolate coffee creamer and I am one happy camper!!

Who's #1??

2011-11-26T21:50:00.001-08:00

So lately every time that football is on the kids have been saying that they like both the Packers and the Vikings and they don't care who wins.....but....I think that this picture says it all!!

Austin picked this outfit out all by himself, he is such a little ham for the camera lens!

Happy Halloween!!!!!

2011-11-20T21:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween ....just a couple weeks late!!! I hope that everyone had a safe and exciting time, I know we sure did! I have to say that we had the cutest Daphne from Scooby Doo and Obi-Wan Kanobi in the neighborhood.

Obi-Wan Kanobi, Daphne and Knight Collin ready to go out for some trick-or-treating

Taking a break to catch our breath

Its hard work carrying all this candy, the pumpkin was overflowing!!

We are still coming down off this sugar rush

Paige had her work cut out for her trying to keep Daddy away from all the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups!

Austin was all smiles when he was allowed to eat a piece of candy

Paige finally found the fun in a pixie-stix!

Pumpkin Carving

2011-11-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

After picking out such wonderful pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, the kids could hardly wait to carve them. There was so much talk about what we were going to carve in them, but we had to wait until closer to Halloween. I don't like to clean out the pumpkins at all, and last year with Neal being gone we carved pumpkins early because Auntie Nancy was visiting, and because we carved them so early they got all moldy and had to be thrown out before Halloween. We waiting until the day before Halloween and ended up with some awesome pumpkins to greet all the trick or treaters.

Austin with his pumpkin just waiting to get started

Toothless, I mean Paige waiting to get started on her pumpkin

Giving him a hug

Smiles for Mommy and hugs for the pumpkin

Helping Daddy take off the top

Austin checking up on Paige's progress

Paige cleared almost all of her pumpkin out herself

Austin was in a great mood all day and his facial expressions were the best!

Trying to pull the lid off

He got it!

Paige getting all her seeds out

Paige, Daddy and Austin cleaning the pumpkins out

I just love this boys smile :-)

Just look at Austin's expression, I love it!

Toothless cleaning out her pumpkin

This is bound to brighten anyones day!

I don't remember what this face was for, but it makes me smile :-)

Cutting out Paige's cat

I cut and Paige poked out all the pieces

We had to make sure it was all cut and poked out

Austin decided that he wanted to draw his own pumpkin face

He is hilarious!! This cracks me up

Poking out his pumpkin's mouth

Paige with her finished cat

Austin loved pulling out the gross guts, what I love most is Paige's totally crinkled up nose smile in the background

Austin and Mommy with our good pumpkin face

A couple of cuties with their finished pumpkins

Austin didn't even notice Darth Vader sneaking into the kitchen, he was surprised when he finally noticed

And of course Daddy isn't allowed to have all the fun :-)

Pumpkin Patch

2011-11-16T20:48:00.001-08:00

I still cannot get used to the fact that we have to go pick out our pumpkins when the sun is shining and the leaves are always green and still on the trees. That being said, the kids still love going to the pumpkin patch and they had a great time!

Looking at all the pumpkins wondering where to start

Daddy and Austin deciding if this one will fit a good face

my little pumpkins smiling with some pumpkins

a couple of hams I think

I hope I can get them to take a photo like this every year :-)

Paige looks like she found a good one

I can't believe how big my pumpkins have gotten since our very first trip to the pumpkin patch!

School

2011-11-16T20:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know it has been a while, and yes, I know that it is nearly Christmas break, but I figured if I was going to go back and start to update that I should do it properly. Paige and Austin are loving school! They both have such a love for learning, reading and enjoying everything else that school has to offer. I must admit that I am also enjoying being room mom for Paige, volunteering in Austin's class room and helping out with a ton of other activities and fund raisers at the school. Here are some of the shots from the first day of school that were taken with the real camera and not just the iPhone.

Paige enjoying the donut that daddy brought

Austin sure doesn't need any more sugar in him, he is sweet enough just the way he is

He can't wait to get to his first day

He sure isn't my little baby anymore

Just look at my big 2nd grader

They are so excited to go to school they didn't even realize they were being nice to each other and actually smiling at the same time :-)

I think we have the best view in the world on our walk to school! I don't know what we are going to do when we have to leave here, I will miss this view

Austin just waiting with Mommy for his name to be called so he can go to his first day of kindergarten!

Watercolor Interpretation

2011-10-11T20:57:00.001-07:00

In school the other day Paige was all excited to get to paint with water colors. Neal and I love the painting she did!

When we asked her what she painted a picture of, she said that it was the red rocks from our vacation to Sedona!!!

Its official, someone loved vacation and we will be taking many many more of them!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Getting Into the Spirit

2011-10-09T22:11:00.001-07:00

Paige has been begging for some curly hair, so I finally gave in, and she was thrilled!

I must admit that its awfully cute, too bad it takes so darn long to roll at night. But back to getting in the spirit :-)

I am quite certain that in Southern California, where to a ND girl it never gets cold enough to call it fall, there is no better way to get into the spirit of fall and Halloween than a trip to Disneyland for some oversized pumpkin spotting!!!

And the best way to go is to go with some friends!

These 2 pictures are actually the same photo just edited two different ways. I just love playing around with all my photo apps :-)

We had a blast and we are hoping to make it back once more before they take down Halloween and replace it with Christmas!

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Our Saturday

2011-10-08T22:56:00.001-07:00

Well, another week has gone by and we are busier than ever! The kids are loving school and I cannot believe how much they are both enjoying their classes and how much they are both learning! At least on the weekends we are having fun :-)

He was quite the ham when I pulled out the camera! The kids are back in swimming and doing wonderful!

Paige on the other hand was all business, she wouldn't stop and smile for me at all!

She did enjoy going to her friends birthday party after swimming. There were so many fairies and gnomes running around that her eyes went buggy :-)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

We Have Been BUSY!!!!!

2011-10-01T17:53:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I didn't download all the pictures from vacation because I figured when the kids start school I will have all this free time on my hands to do that and everything else.....that's a big farce that parents everywhere lead you to believe! I have less time now than I did when Austin was home and Neal was deployed! How does that work????!!!!!!?????

Anyways, between Neal's crazy busy work schedule, travel schedule and his commitments (he took on our church's Christian Education council seat) and all my commitments (school volunteering, LA AFB spouses board position, thrift store accountant, church committee member, helping a friend by watching her son 10 hours a week, and everything else that a mom has to do) and all the kids homework and activities, we are seriously never home!!

So, all the vacation pictures and all the pictures since then are still sitting on the camera. But, I do have photos on my iPhone, so here is a quick glimpse at what we have been doing since vacation.

We enjoyed a trip to the aquarium with all our friends from the block.

The rays were going crazy and nearly jumping out of the tank.

Over the holiday we went to Disneyland, Buzz was a hit of course

We actually ran into some old friends from Minot there that day so we had fun riding a few rides with them.

And of course the first day of school, I know everyone has been looking forward to this!

Austin is loving kindergarten and Paige is so excited to be in 2nd grade!

Not the first day, but the view of Catalina was amazing!

Someone lost her 2 front teeth :-)

We got to enjoy a wonderful afternoon with our church family at a beach picnic. Sunset just isn't done any justice in this photo!

I am sorry it has taken me so long to update. I hope by the end of this week things will slow down and I can go through our camera and finally get some of those photos posted for everyone to enjoy!

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Resort Relaxing

2011-08-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Even though we have been keeping ourselves very busy, we have been slowing down enough to take advantage of all the resort amenities that are around. We were pleasantly surprised with everything they had for kids to do and the kids were really excited!!

There were a couple games of checkers and chess (Paige is a chess playing fool!) played on the life-size board. That was really cool.

How could you not have fun with a bunch of ducks wondering around down by the creek??

And the kids pool, Neal, Paige and Austin had way too much fun playing under the mushroom!

Austin has turned into a cannon ball jumping fool!! If I can get it fixed I have some awesome video.

Paige preferred to practice walking on water instead of cannon balls :-)

And really, with a mini-golf course on site just 100 feet from our room who could complain??

Their favorite part was the hole that you got to fish your ball out of the water if you missed the bridge and it fell off the course!

We even had a little bit of quiet time where the kids worked on their workbooks in the condo. Paige was such a big sister to help Austin with some pages.

As for me, I totally enjoyed the Spa portion of the resort. I got my first facial, a hot stone massage, a manicure and a wonderful pedicure to enjoy on the ride home today.

We enjoyed our vacation so much and we cannot wait to go on another one soon!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Odds At The End

2011-08-28T14:44:00.001-07:00

The last couple days of our vacation weren't filled with any big plans (unless you were me and really looking forward to a couple trips to the Spa!) so we just stayed close and enjoyed some of the little odder things to do.

We dared to go and eat dinner with some aliens, unfortunately we only saw their ship.

And luckily after dinner we found the exit back to earth!

We drove up to the airport which had some of the best panoramic views of Sedona and all the red rock formations.

Luckily Neal finally remembered to bring a quarter so the kids could look through the big binoculars.

Austin was too short and needed a little help to see anything.

We found a great hot dog restaurant for lunch one day, Señor Bobs was amazing!! Neal is still kicking himself that he didn't get the bacon wrapped hot dog.

We tools a scenic drive and came across a fish hatchery, even though I nearly melted (it was over 100) we got out and fed the fish.

We even got the wonderful pleasure of a huge thunder storm, it was great!!! This might be one of the few photos we got of the resort too.

They had these pink jeep tours all over the place, we didn't take one but thought that Papa would like a picture anyways.

And on our way our of town today to head home we saw the worlds largest Kokopelli statue, definitely picture worthy!

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Ruin & Creek Adventures

2011-08-26T20:47:00.001-07:00

We have been continuing our adventures and having so much fun doing so. The kids have been good sports about all the hiking in heat (although Neal would argue that I haven't been good about that!) and they have been rewarded with some fun activities at our resort, those pictures are coming next.

The other day we drove about 30 minutes to Montezuma's Castle National Monument. The kids learned a lot, as did Neal and I. It was really cool to see the ruins, the kids just kept asking all kinds of questions.

Every park we have been to the kids have gotten the Junior Ranger program, although we have only completed 2 of the 4. This was one of them that they completed. They each get an activity packet that they have to complete and then they get sworn in like a ranger with a certificate and badge!

We drove up to Chapel of the Holy Cross. As you can see it is built into the rocks, totally cool.

I managed to get a picture of me with the kids that wasn't too bad :-)

I even found a Starbucks, with a great view! I was slowly going into withdrawal.

On a stop by the visitor center we were told about a great little state park that had the creek and some good swimming holes running through it, of course we had to go and get our toes wet!

It was a tiny creek (at least where we were) but it was very swift.

The trails at this park have some of the closest to Cathedral Rock without actually climbing the rock so we had to stop for a photo opportunity.

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Grand Canyon!!

2011-08-24T19:27:00.001-07:00

Since we are staying so close to the Grand Canyon we just had to drive up and spend a day there. Austin thought that every time we said Grand Canyon that we were actually saying Grand Cannon, someone clearly has army men on the brain, and because of this he just couldn't understand why we would go to spend the whole day up there! Don't worry, he still had fun even when he realized he wasn't going to see a cannon :-)

Paige and Austin at the visitor center lookout point of the south rim

Neal and I drove through and saw the Grand Canyon on our first move, but this is the first time that we got to see the Watch Tower, that was really cool.

The scenery made it fun to play with my different photo apps

Neal thinks this one looks like a painting.

I had to take some self portraits

Me and my goon-boy :-)

Lots of fun and memories!!

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Vacation Packed Fun

2011-08-22T14:58:00.001-07:00

So we are finally on a vacation! I know we have done vacations before, but I say finally on a vacation because this is the first vacation we can remember (except a weekend camping trip, and a 2 day trip to San Diego) that was just our family going somewhere that didn't involve visiting other family since our honeymoon! We figured after Neal's deployment we earned it! So we left on Saturday and have been having a relaxing and fun filled time.

We spent an afternoon in Joshua Tree National Park, the Joshua trees are really cool!

While we were there we went on a hike and found some big horn sheep.

Thanks to this really cool road trip app we found the General Patton Memorial Museum.

Of course anything that let's boys see some toys is always fun.

Did you know that Jefferson Davis, as secretary of war, approved a trial plan to use camels in the Arizona and California dessert?? My road trip app taught us that, and we found the tomb memorial that a town built for the camels trainer.

They also had this really cool camel built out of tire rims and painted red.

We finally got to Sedona and were very pleased to find this was the view from our condos bedroom, not too bad!

We went hiking in Red Rock State Park, that is cathedral rock behind the kids.

The kids completed the Junior Ranger program and were sworn in as Junior Rangers there.

They were not very happy to sit down on a rickety old bridge for this photo.

Did you know that Sedona has the only teal green McDonalds arches in the world?? We can't figure our though if these are also the only arches that are not yellow, just that they are the only teal green ones.

Now I have to stop because it is about 100 outside and the kids really want to go swimming!

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Baseball Through My iPhone

2011-08-18T22:44:00.001-07:00

Are we noticing a trend yet?? :-) have I mentioned lately how much I love my iPhone, photos taken on it and all the apps to make them fun??? Well I do!! Enjoy my playful look at our trip to the ball park :-)

Neal and Austin ready to leave for the game

I love this one, Austin's goober smile and Paige looking way older than she is, this is my new phone home screen photo and it always makes me smile!

I love this part of Angels stadium and I think that it looks really cool as a pencil sketch.

Neal, Paige and Austin watching the players stretch for batting practice.

Paige and Austin keeping an eye on the players.

Austin showing off his baseball before he got it signed, he was so excited!!

This is for you Grammie :-)

A panoramic shot of the ball field

Paige and Austin got a delicious ice cream sundae in a monkey dish, it was good!!

Austin liked the pool shots, just not the fireworks that came after it was hit.

Self portrait, I couldn't even get him to smile at the ballgame!

Paige goofing off with Daddy.

Enjoying the last inning of the game :-)

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Take Me Out To The Ball Game

2011-08-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

For Father's Day this year the kids and I got Neal some tickets to see the Twins play the Angels here in Anaheim. I don't know who was more excited, Austin or Neal to go to the game. I just cannot get over how much that little boy likes baseball, he can sit there and watch any game for hours or multiple games for hours, just like his Daddy! The Twins may have lost the night that we were there, but we had a great time anyways, and for once I think Neal took more photos than I did :-)

At Angels Stadium :-)

They just love the big baseballs outside the stadium!

Austin got another ball from batting practice. This time one of the reporters gave it to him, but unlike last time he was able to get that ball signed by a player,

Twins pitcher Joe Nathan to be exact! He was so excited about getting his ball signed, he is collecting quite the collection!

Showing off his baseball

Paige got her hat signed by Joe Nathan also, but unlike Austin she was not thrilled to be at the ballpark early enough for batting practice so she was over the picture portion of the night.

Neal only took another 135 photos like these two, but I decided that you really didn't need to see that many of them. Austin and Neal really enjoyed getting their early enough for batting practice, Paige and I thought it was a little bit too hot, but it cooled off nicely and despite the Twins losing, we still had a wonderful time!

Vacation Through My iPhone

2011-08-18T21:47:00.001-07:00

Admittedly I have been taking way more photos with my iPhone than my camera, this is for a couple of reasons. First, the kids don't run screaming in the other direction when they see the iPhone and second the photo apps are way too much fun!! So enjoy some of my favorites from our trip :-)

Me and Aiden :-) he just loved seeing his reflection on the screen with the front facing camera so it was easy to get him to smile so nice!

Austin playing baseball at Grandma and Grandpa's, for some reason the camera didn't get good pictures of this at all.

Paige hitting a ground ball

Me, Nancy and Aiden hanging out at the street fair.

I could have sat there and watched Neal talking to the kids about the Badlands all day....if only we didn't have another 6 hours to drive that day!

There way a wonderful double rainbow outside our hotel window in MT.

I was able to get a wonderful panoramic of the entire rainbow, I love this app!!

This is a photo of the world's tallest thermometer in Baker, CA turned into a pencil sketch.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Vacation Wrap-Up

2011-08-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

So, our trip back home ended quite a while ago but because of a wonderful combination of my laziness/busyness, too many pictures, and just falling so behind on posting pictures, I am combining the rest of our trip into one big post (ok, 2 posts, but the other one is going to be everything from my iPhone). We had a great time and like usual we crammed way to much into too few days, we ended up coming home totally exhausted but we are still very glad that we got to come home and see everyone.

We got to enjoy some s'mores one night

Austin loved chowing down on this goodness

Paige enjoyed the marsh-mellows the most

This much sugary goodness right before bed did not go over to well when it was time to go inside, but the smiles were sure worth it

Just like her mommy, Paige only wanted the toasted marsh-mellow

There was some raspberry picking one afternoon

Climbing in all this could explain most of the bug bites they were covered in

Showing off all their picking goodness!

Of course we needed to go on a jeep ride!

Aiden can't wait to drive this baby

I think this is proof of 3 crazy crazy grandkids!!

Feeding the fish one last time with Grammie

Sadly this is the best picture that we got of us with Aiden, the kids were just pictured out by this point

And really, did you think that we could drive by the Badlands without stopping for at least a few minutes?!? I really wish we could have spent more time there, hopefully soon!

We had a great time and enjoyed seeing everyone!

Backyard Pool Fun

2011-08-08T13:41:00.001-07:00

While we were back home it was HOT! Ok, not as hot as it got the day we left, but for those of us used to 75 and no humidity it was hot. We were glad when Grammie told us she had her fish pool (yes, she bought a pool to put her pond fish into when she was cleaning the pond!) and that she would have Papa put it up if the kids could go swimming. We all know that they never pass up a chance to swim, so they were more than happy to swim and we were glad that Aiden decided to join us!

Aiden looking very confused waiting to go outside to swim

When you can't jump into the pool, having Daddy throw you is the next best thing :-)

Splashdown!!

Paige was a little more hesitant, but still glad to get in.

Who's up for some fishing?

Now some jumping

Aiden had some fun in his own little pool

Splashing like crazy :-)

Austin getting thrown in again!

This time he was too confident and misjudged the bottom, head underwater he went :-)

Brother, sister splash fight!

Swimming, swimming, swimming

Aiden got sleepy and took a little nap with me :-)

While Aiden was napping, Paige and Austin turned his pool into a target for all their fish

Grammie decided her pool wasn't cool enough, so she decided to swim with the fishes!

Austin figured out that Aiden's pool was slightly warmer than the big pool

Paige decided to take advantage of Aiden's pool when Austin was done with it, I think she looks slightly more relaxed than Austin did!

Go-Karts and Mini-Golf

2011-08-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

It has become a tradition when we go home to take a trip to go do some go-karts and mini golf with the Roach's. The first time we went with the kids Paige was still in her newborn car seat, without looking back at the photos (which I unfortunately don't have readily accessible) to be sure, I would guess that it might have even been the weekend she was baptized. It was so cold the day we were there then that she stayed bundled up under my favorite pink blanket with a pink hat, and one of my most favorite baby pictures of her I took that night, she was peeking out of the blanket and smiling at me. Well, a trip down memory lane and 7 years later, the kids have more and more fun every time we go. It is hard to say who had more fun, Paige and Austin or Daddy, the Uncles and Grandpa???

Uncle Tim and Austin taking off

Daddy and Paige in close pursuit

Kevin and Grandpa in the lead

Everyone else racing around the corner

Neal and Paige on the inside taking the lead. I have a video of them racing, but its on my iPhone and my wifi isn't staying connected to it so that I can upload it....I will work on it and hopefully get it up soon.

Austin getting his golf on

Paige taking her putt

Daddy lining up his shot

Austin climbed up on one of the obstacles. Unfortunately we didn't get to golf the whole course because we were attacked by a mean swarm of mosquitoes, they were HORRIBLE the whole time we were home. Paige actually got bit so bad on her foot that she had a 1 inch raised bump! But, the kids said they would brave the mosquitoes to have fun out there again (Mommy will just remember the bug spray next time)!

The Reason For The Visit

2011-08-03T21:42:00.001-07:00

To meet Aiden in person and watch him get baptized was the best reason for our trip home. I just cannot believe how sweet and wonderful Aiden is and I am so glad that we were able to make it work to be there for his baptism. It was extra special because Nancy and Ryan asked if Aiden could wear Austin's baptism outfit for his special day. We were super excited to share that with them and its a good thing his baptism wasn't any later or he wouldn't have fit in it. Austin was born Feb 28 and baptized on Mother's day, so early May, Aiden was born 3 weeks (and a few years) before Austin, was baptized in early July and is slightly bigger than Austin was in general, so we were pushing it on the size. But it was still incredibly special and just a wonderful day! Thank you Nancy, Ryan and Aiden for allowing us to help celebrate Aiden's baptism.

Aiden looking all cool before church

Aiden kept an eye on Neal and I from his Godmother's lap

Getting baptized

Aiden, Nancy and Ryan

Martin Family picture, I wish Kelsie and Scott could have been there for the complete picture, but they were there in spirit.

Paige and Austin just loved to entertain Aiden and he just couldn't keep his eyes off them

I think this is my FAVORITE!!!! cousin shot of the whole trip

Paige smiling and showing off her toothless smile

They could have sat there and entertained Aiden all day long! It was a wonderful day spent with family and friends!

Saturday On The Farm

2011-07-17T09:17:00.001-07:00

Saturday was full of fun, adventure and family. We woke up and headed out to the farm, Austin had been talking non-stop about going out there and seeing the tractors for what seemed like months, it was all that we heard about. The day didn't disappoint at all, unless you consider the extreme heat that kept most of us inside instead of outside with the kids play. Aunt Karen had a ton of activities planned so the kids were very busy all day.

They played a little baseball target practice

Austin was a pro, he nailed it into the catchers glove so many times

I guess the original forecast for Saturday was calling for rain, so Karen got some kits for the kids to make stones with inside to keep them busy. Since it didn't rain they still make the stones, we just moved it outside instead. Austin and Paige both put handprints in theirs.

Paige loves to decorate the stones with pretty rocks and jewels

Getting it just perfect.

Karen also had the coolest bubble kit. This bubble wand made the biggest bubbles that the kids have ever seen! It was really cool.

Uncle Brian helped them out with getting more bubbles on the wand

Grandpa sneaking some practice in for later in the week.

Every once in a while Neal manages to get a really cool photo, this is one of them.

These bubbles were so cool

Paige decided to blow regular bugles when Austin had the big bubble wand.

Paige and Austin with Great Grandpa and Great Grandma

Paige just loves playing on cousin Laura's swing set, even if it is blazing hot!

Swinging

Look, it's an upside down Austin!!

Austin finally got to go and see all the tractors and combines.

Grandpa and Uncle Brian took him around and showed him everything, he loved it!

A whole group shot before we had to leave. We all had such a good time and are really glad that we got to head out there to see everyone. The kids were totally entertained! After the farm we had a quick trip back to Fargo and then we went to another baseball game. Austin was in heaven seeing so many baseball games!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Fun Friday

2011-07-16T19:42:00.001-07:00

Our first full day in Fargo we headed up to Grammie and Papa's house. There was a fun day waiting for us up there. It started out with seeing Lisa and Darren who flew into town for Aiden's baptism and was quickly followed by feeding the fish

They never get sick of seeing the fish and of course feeding them, I think the fish never get sick of being fed that offer either.

Cousins :-)

Grammie and Austin decided to stick their fingers in and see if the fish would come up and eat them

Paige with her almost visible hole in her teeth

Austin found Papa's MME truck right away and he loved playing with it all week long.

2nd attempt to get all the cousins together for a picture, not really good, but I promise a good one is coming!

It was really hot and humid so the kids all got on their swim suits and ran through the sprinkler, even Aiden got in on the fun

Paige was hollering like a fool all afternoon

Washing their feet

Jump high!

Taking a break to check on the fish with Papa

Follow the leader through the sprinkler

They stole Aiden's sun shade umbrella and decided to play with it

Silly grandparents trying to get "the" photo

Paige and Austin laying out to dry off some after they were done

The afternoon ended with Papa teaching Paige to make hamburgers. I still cannot believe that she actually helped out. After we grilled and enjoyed dinner we spent the rest of the evening enjoying a baseball game and some fireworks (I cannot believe that I didn't get any photos of that) and then we got the first of our big thunder storms that we were hoping to get while we were home! It was definitely a good start to our vacation!

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Arrived In Fargo

2011-07-13T14:35:00.001-07:00

After 3 long days of driving we finally arrived in Fargo and have been busily moving from one activity to another with very little sleep in between. I think we will need a vacation from our vacation when we are done with all this. The kids traveled really well, it was a challenge to get them to sleep every night but after 10-12 hours on the road a day, you can pretty much assume they will have way too much energy built up from all that sitting to sleep right away. But we made it and have been enjoying spending time with everyone,

Along the way there were many DVDs watched, some books read and Paige loved to do her summer workbooks.

The highlight of making it to Fargo was definitely meeting little Aiden for the first time in person! Paige has been waiting forever to hold the little guy, she just loves him so much.

The first picture of the cousins, don't worry, there are much better ones coming later!

We got to Fargo just in time to go downtown and see Papa's jeep on display. Austin hopped right up in the drivers seat and made all the other little boys jealous.

Paige and Grammie catching up on everything that has been going on

Papa is talking to Austin about all the jeep parts

Austin taking a break on the jeep to look cute for me

And of course we all knew there would be some Auntie stealing Aiden time, I am trying to come up with a plan to sneak him into or car and bring him back to California with us...any suggestions??? :-)

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Toothless!

2011-07-07T10:47:00.001-07:00

Last week we hit a much anticipated milestone in our house. A certain little girl lost her first tooth!!! I will be the very first to admit that I get creeped out by loose wiggly teeth, so I was so glad when Paige didn't lose any while Neal was deployed, I was less than thrilled when she did finally decide to lose her first one that it happened while Neal was gone TDY! I guess everything turned out good and clearly we had one happy girl so that is all that matters.

Showing off her new smile

We had to include daddy even though he wasn't there!

The one thing I love about their Daddy Dolls is that they have this little pocket on the back and one suggestion for it was to use it when they lost a tooth, so that is what we did. She is tucking her note with her tooth inside of it into her daddy doll.

Her note was too cute! This is actually the second note she wrote, the first one included a request for money that was too rich of a precedent for the tooth fairy to grant so we had a talk about how you couldn't ask for money. I want to know what kids in her class are getting because I would go broke paying what she said you could ask for!

She woke up to some pretty good stuff from the tooth fairy, a lollipop, a new toothbrush and $1! She was tired but much happier than the picture makes her look.

Then last night she decided that her other loose tooth was "bother" her (for some reason she won't put the ing on bothering) so she yanked it out.

She wrote another note so the tooth fairy would find her in the middle of Montana.

I think her favorite part is that she figured out how to stick her tongue out of the hole in her bottom teeth now!

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Father's Day

2011-07-06T08:20:00.001-07:00

This year for father's day we very glad and excited that Neal was finally around to celebrate a holiday with us! We keep going back and forth about what we wanted to do. We finally decided on a low key day that involved going to the aquarium, renewing our passes there, and of course spending time visiting everything. Then dinner out and how to give daddy some presents. It was a fun day and the kids loved having daddy back to take to the aquarium.

This was the first time that we could remember the octopus out and moving about like crazy!

A bad picture of Austin I know, but daddy and Austin were being crabs with the crab

They had to count the legs on the crab at least 5 times

And we all remember how much they LOVE to touch the starfish.

They just cannot get enough of it and it makes them smile so much!

Austin loves to sit and watch the sharks, swear he would spend all day there if we let him

Touching the sting rays

They are usually scared of the sting rays, but decided that today they were going to go for it.

I cannot believe how daring they have gotten when it comes to touching all the sea life.

A very nice (and short lived) moment

Daddy with his crazies on the was out of the aquarium

We love you Daddy!!!!!!!

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Dance Recital!!!

2011-07-05T15:09:00.001-07:00

The kids were so excited for their dance recital this year, first off because they both put in so much work and had so much fun, but they were so glad that Daddy would finally get to see everything that they had learned this year. Paige was worried about how she would do with her first ever costume change, but she handled that like a pro and I was worried about how Austin would do for his first recital on a big stage, but he did amazing! It was a great night that capped off a very busy week of practices for the kids. We are so proud of them and so glad that they enjoy taking dance lessons and all the hard work that comes with the recitals. I of course have video, but for some reason it didn't turn out!!! I am so bummed, but somewhere between the lights on the stage and our camera the white balance is off and the kids are nothing but glowing balls, so I apologize that you don't get to see the video, the pictures don't do their amazing jobs justice.

Paige and Austin all ready to head to the show. Paige had her tap dance first, so she went in that costume and Austin only had the one costume.

Paige tapping to "Walking on Sunshine"

Paige in front of the sun that I got to help make for the show. Another parent made the sun out of plywood and I got the privilege of covering it, don't worry, I am up to date on my tetanus shot, so when I shot myself in the leg with the staple gun we didn't have to take time out of our day to go to the ER for that. I know, only could I manage such a disaster!

The whole class in their final pose

The boys hip-hop class that Austin is in did E.T. (as in the movie, not the Katy Perry song) so they got to ride their bikes and scooters out for the opening.

Break dancing

Let's get down!

And finally the "Moonlight Sonata" ballerina

Our wonderful dancers posing up on stage at the end of the night. The kids did so good and I am so proud of how well they dance, all the hard work they put in and the fun that they had!

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Kindergarten Bound

2011-06-30T17:30:00.001-07:00

Austin is officially done with pre-k and headed to kindergarten in the fall!! He has learned so much and is so very excited to be in kindergarten in just 68 days, have I mentioned lately that I am excited to have both kids in school 5 days a week, 6.5 hours at a time???? What ever will I do with myself???? Don't worry, I have most of my time already spoken for, and none of it involves watching soap operas and eating bonbons! We had an excellent time at the graduation, the kids sang great, everyone got their own diploma and it was even more special that Neal got to be there to see it all!!!

Walking in to graduation, he didn't know where we were at this point

Despite that frowning face he really was happy to be there!

Singing :-)

Getting his diploma from Miss Betty

Smiling afterwards so he could get a cupcake

Mommy & Austin kisses

Smiles all around

Goofy smiles from the graduate

Posing by the nice trees outside on our way home! I still cannot believe that my baby boy is ready to go to kindergarten!!!! Where does the time fly?????

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Disneyland iPhone Photo Fun

2011-06-20T21:22:00.001-07:00

Over Memorial Day Weekend we headed up to Disneyland. It was beautiful weather and we had a wonderful time as a family, the crowds were there but they were not bad. I decided the night before we went up there that I didn't want to lug the big camera so Neal brought his point and shoot with, but since I have yet to get that from him, you get a special treat instead :-) you get all the photos that I took on my iPhone and then you get to see the edited versions that I made while we were waiting in line for all our rides. I hope you enjoy because we had a blast!!

Daddy, Paige and Austin waiting for the roller-coaster ride to start

This is one of my favorites from the day, we were waiting to rise the new little mermaid ride and the wait was 90 minutes but the view was great!

Paige and Daddy riding the jelly fish ride

Meeting Austin's favorite :-)

Sully!!

Sibling smiles :-)

The beauty of a front facing camera, we get a photo together!

We walked down to the Lego store on the way to the car and Austin just had to get his photo with R2-D2

This might be my favorite part of the app, turning your pictures into pencil sketches, I just love this!!!!!

Hope you enjoy my fun playtime!

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Science Project Fun

2011-06-20T20:59:00.001-07:00

Last year when Paige had to do her science project it was back in February. When we found out Neal was deploying the one thing I was worried about was doing a science project with Paige, I am the first to admit that I am no good at them! But, I lucked out this time, Neal came home there hadn't been a science project to speak of. About a week after he was home, the science project packet came home and the two of them set out to create a great project, I think they succeeded. The chosen topic was how are beaches created, it was wet and fun and everything that a project is supposed to be.

Paige with all her supplies before they got started

Ready to add the ocean

Ask her to smile and you get the goonies :-)

Creating the waves

She made a mark on the side every 2 minutes to see what the beach did, and then she measured it all.

I didn't get a picture of her finished project on the camera, what was I thinking??? I did get one on my iPhone the night of Open House at the school, but I cannot figure out how to get them in this same post, so I guess that you will have to get another post later with that :-)

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My Kind Of Saturday Morning

2011-06-20T20:37:00.001-07:00

I love that Paige and Austin are big enough and old enough to let me enjoy my Saturday mornings (when we don't have to be any where that is). Lately they have been great about letting Neal and I sleep in while they go down stairs and play games together nicely. I love that they are getting along, enjoy each other and are finally playing games together nicely :-)

I love my sweet little angels!!!!!!!

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Aquarium Fieldtrip

2011-06-20T20:28:00.001-07:00

Okay, I had this typed up the other day and then it crashed on my so here goes attempt number 2! Austin got to go on his last field trip as a Pre-K kid the other week. I was very glad that Neal was home and able to go along because the morning of the trip I woke up with a horrible headache that kept me in bed all day long! His whole class went to the Cabrillo Aquarium and from the pictures had a very great time, I wish that I could have gone because their smiles say it all :-)

Austin standing on the whale tales in the parking lot

Taking in the great beach view

Having fun hanging out under the walk through fish tanks

Not the best photo, but you can't miss how much fun they are having!!

Taking it all in

Checking out all the shells and displays

All the kids learning about the grunion

Each child got a jar filled with some water, sand and some grunion eggs. The kids got to shake the jars and hatch the grunion eggs

Checking out all the baby grunion

The whole class enjoying a trail walk to learn about all the nature around the ocean, clearly a good time was had by all!!

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Daddy's Present

2011-06-16T20:46:00.001-07:00

The kids and I decided that because Neal was away from us on his birthday, Christmas and every other holiday around we wanted to have a special surprise for him when he came home. With LOTS of help and scheming with our neighbors we were able to get Neal and great surprise. We decided to get a brand new grill for him, his old one was horrible and this is a slight step up from what he had. I know he is enjoying it and I am enjoying the fact that he is cooking on it so I can have some breaks from cooking!

Daddy opening his new grill cover

Daddy with his grill helpers

Austin showing Daddy how to start the grill

Everyone doing some grilling

Disneyland with Daddy

2011-06-16T20:32:00.001-07:00

The first weekend Neal was back we loaded up the car and drove out to Disneyland. The kids were surprised and we were excited to get out of the house and do something fun with Neal. We didn't spend much time there, and I only took 19 pictures! We were just too busy having fun and just being with each other to take photos!

Sign Making

2011-06-16T20:15:00.001-07:00

For the 2 months before Neal came home all the kids could talk about was how we had to make Daddy a welcome home sign. Since we didn't tell the kids when Neal was coming home until the morning he flew into town I had to wait until the day before he came home to do the sign, and even then I told them that we were making the sign early so that we made sure that it was ready. The kids like that answer and they had a great time coloring all the letters on the sign and making all the pictures around the letters was their favorite part. It was so much fun and knowing it was the last thing that we needed to do before Neal came home made it all the better :-)

Flower Reader

2011-06-08T21:13:00.001-07:00

Paige doing what Paige does best and what she loves to do, looking pretty as a flower while she does it! We really are in trouble when its time to let her date (which I think we have decided isn't going to be until she is 37 years old)!

Judy Moody is her new favorite, I am guessing that the 6 pack of Judy Moody books I bought her at the book fair will be finished before we make it half way home this summer.

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Duck Pond Goodbyes

2011-06-08T19:28:00.001-07:00

The one thing that really sticks about being in the military is every time that the PCS season rolls around. Having to say goodbye to all your friends while you stay behind or you having to drive away from your friends who are more like family than friends is no fun at all. The kids are taking it in stride like always, but it doesn't make it any more fun. This year I think is going to be the hardest one that the kids have had, they both have so many great friends leaving. The first of many goodbyes actually happened a few weeks ago, we decided to have one finally play date with everyone before that happens, Maggie and her boys are greatly missed already!! Austin loved to play with her 2 oldest boys, Danny and Bobby, Paige even enjoyed it but you won't hear her admit that out loud. I will miss having Maggie around to talk to on my walks past her house and running into her at Starbucks, and I will always be grateful and thankful that she let me borrow her Mom who lives with them to help with Paige and Austin while Neal was deployed!!! Kari, Gracie and Bed are still here, but we will be sad when they move in 2 weeks also, it just won't be the same around here with all these kids together!! The kids at least got to share a morning of fun at the duck pond before Maggie and the boys left and us Moms got to talk while the kids were running around burning off some energy!

Paige and Austin scoping out the ducks before everyone else arrived

Finding all the ducks

Austin, Paige and Hugh trying to find the best place to feed the ducks at

Throwing their bread

Gracie, Hugh, Paige and Austin

There was a ton of bread, but with 7 of the 8 kids there throwing bread it didn't last too long!

Austin spent a ton of time rolling down the huge hills

Austin, Bobby, Paige and Danny running down the hills

We are going to be in huge trouble in a few years!!!!!

Our sweet kiddos

Paige, Austin, Danny and Gracie

The final shot of all the kids, Paige, Danny, Austin, Gracie, Ben, Hugh, and Bobby. Little James was only a few weeks old at the time and was happily sleeping on his Mama so he didn't get in the photo. I sure will miss seeing all these kids run around together this summer!

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Disneyland

2011-05-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

The kids and I took a trip to Disneyland over spring break (yes, I do realize that was WAY back in April). We had so much fun, the kids got along so well, not once did I have to ask them to be nice or to stop complaining. It was smiles all day long, it was wonderful! We spent our day in California Adventure and rode everything that was on their list. It was a fun fun day, I am so glad that we renewed our annual passes again, but sad when I think that this is the last time that we will renew our passes (no, we don't know when/where we are moving, but every 4 years is the trend....you will all be the first to know when we know).

I never get them to smile like this and hug each other, it really was a sign of the great day to come!

Austin waiting for the carousel to start

Paige on the carousel

And what would a trip be without the crazy smile and a spin on the ladybugs??

We go from crazy forced smile to absolute glee!!

I don't know if Paige or her flying pigtail was having more fun???

Paige and Austin were so animated on Flick's Fliers, they were yelling and talking about everything. I laugh every time I see Paige looking like she taking lessons from Tarzan :-)

Package Fun

2011-05-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

We love to get packages in the mail, and really, who doesn't??? But when they come filled with late birthday presents and wonderful homemade Easter treats they hit a home run in this house!!

Paige with her awesome new MN Twins shirt from Nancy, Ryan and Aiden

Austin with his new Twins shirt, if he could wear this every day he would!

What kid wouldn't love a bunch of rice krispie bunnies???

I just love his smile!!!

They clearly had too much fun with these wonderful surprises!!

Backyard Reader

2011-05-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

Paige and Austin LOVE to go outside and play, they never run out of things to do and always find a reason to stay out longer. Lately though, Paige has been going outside, playing for 5 minutes and then deciding that it is boring! WHAT!!!! Her solution....continue to stay outside, only bring a book with you to read. She is such a good reader that she can read though an entire 95 page chapter book in just 90 minutes!!!! I hope she always loves to read this much!

We started out reading in a patio table chair

Then she decided that the hammock was a much better place to lay and read, she stayed there for at least an hour!

And Austin just had fun running around and throwing balls back and forth over the fence with the neighbor boy

Welcome Home!!!!!!

2011-05-18T22:46:00.001-07:00

Nothing makes me happier than saying this "WELCOME HOME DADDY"!!!!!!

I know this has taken me a while to get up, but we have been busy enjoying being together again!!! The kids didn't know that Neal was coming home until the morning that we picked him up and to hear their reaction that we were going to get him was priceless! I had been telling them all along that he was coming home soon but never exactly when because let's face it, nothing is exact in the military.

I convinced them that we needed to get the sign done so it was ready when daddy came home. They were so proud of it and it turned out great!

Neal's wonderful coworker came with us to make sure we got back to the gate and took photos for us. This one is blurry, but that smile shines right through.

Austin's smile when he first saw daddy is priceless!!!

First kiss in 242 days (but who's counting!)

Paige was in shock I think, she hugged him for at least 10 minutes before she let him go!

Just look at all that joy!!!! This is absolutely my new favorite photo, they shine so much!!! I love it!!!!!

All together again :-)

My favorite photo of the family

This was the best I could get of all 3 of them with the wonderful welcome home sign. Paige hung onto his leg like that for at least a week, prying her off him at school the next morning was very difficult!

Welcome home Neal!! We are so proud of you and love you so very much!!!!!!

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Eggstravaganza Round-Up

2011-05-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

These have taken a while to get up, but we had a ton of eggstra special fun over Easter weekend! The base held it annual Eggstravaganza and of course we decorated some eggs. Neal was able to Skype with us for the decorating portion of the day. It was a fun weekend and the weather couldn't have been any better for the egg hunt. Enjoy

Paige and Austin with the Easter Bunny

Does she know how to pose or what :-)

Playing some mini-golf

Austin playing mini-golf

Just look at all those eggs....

just look at all the crazy kids collecting the eggs!

Austin with his pirate skull tattoo

Pretty as a flower

I was trying to get their tattoos but their smiles are so much better!

After the egg hunt it was time to decorate some eggs, she was so careful with her eggs

Austin starting his first egg

Paige loved writing the secret messages all over her eggs

Such concentration on his messages

Just checking :-)

all smiles

She had so much fun picking the colors and getting them to just the right shade

Austin was not at all happy when he found out that all the eggs were done....

Good thing he thinks Paige is funny, the crying only lasted for about 30 seconds!

After I downloaded all the pictures I realized that for the first time ever I didn't take a photo of all the finished eggs with the kids! How did I let something like this slip through the cracks?? I guess that next year I will have to make sure that I get that one!

My Good Excuse!

2011-05-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

I have so many pictures to post and stories to tell, but I have fallen so far behind!! Usually I don't have a good excuse, but this time I do!! I went back to work....kind of. Every Air Force Base has a spouses club, most of them have a non-profit thrift store that they operate for the military. I decided to volunteer and take on the thrift store's accounting position and I am loving it!!! I am remembering why I got my degree in business and accounting, it is so much fun (I admit that I am crazy)!!!! The only problem with this is, is that their books are in VERY BAD shape, the last few volunteers who have been in charge tried to do a good job, but to say a lot fell through the cracks would be an understatement. I have been working my butt off for at least 2 hours a night since last week when the books were dropped at my house to try and get things ready for the next spouses club meeting. I haven't fixed everything, but when you don't keep track of written checks for 18 months, it will take more than a few hours to fix things. Hopefully tonight I can get the final fixable things fixed, cross your fingers for me! But, I have also been pushing to get things fixed and workable before Neal gets home because this will be the last thing I want all my attention on when he gets back. Once everything is fixed, this job should only take about an hour a week to update the books and a few extra hours here or there for meetings, the bank reconciliation and quarterly taxes. I am super excited, even though I am not getting paid, I love it!!!!

I do promise that updates will start coming in a couple days. Until then, enjoy the kids eating the ears off their rice krispie bunnies from Grammie! I have the base Easter celebration, decorating eggs, a trip to Disneyland, a fun day at the duck pond with our friends, lots of outdoor fun, and a ton of other trips and activities that I haven't even taken off the camera yet! Pictures are coming very soon :-)

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!!! We had a very relaxing and low key Easter at home. The kids slept in late, mainly because they were up late the night before decorating eggs with Daddy via Skype (look for a later post on that), so we didn't get much time for egg hunting before Church, but they sure made up for it at Church and when we finally got home.

Paige with her basket

Austin and his basket

I don't know what was so funny, but their smiles sure are contagious!

Hunting for eggs after church, they had so much fun but unfortunately it was raining so I didn't want to follow after them to get a ton of photos (I know, I have turned into a wimp).

Aside from Austin getting distracted by the other egg hunters, this is a good photo

Austin with his loot

Paige and her bag full of eggs

Waiting to hunt for eggs at home

OMG!! Is he not the cutest most handsome little dude ever!!!! Seriously!!!

Paige finding some eggs hidden in her lego house

Paige showing off her eggs to Daddy on Skype

Austin opening his eggs and finding his treasures

The kids have yet to find one egg that the tricky bunny hid....it is absolutely killing Austin that he cannot find it! How long do you thing it will take for them to find it??? Guesses????

Window Trouble Makers

2011-04-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

Trouble makers would be an understatement for the craziness that has been going around our house! The kids in general have been testing my patience lately, just like all kids do and I think that most of it might be the fact that I have been doing this parenting thing single handed with no breaks for too long, but the other week it went to a level I never thought they would hit. For about the last year, if Austin gets bored during quiet time he decides to do bad tricks to get me to come up and let him get out. He usually unlocks his window and opens it up, he says he just likes the fresh air and watching everyone, so I let him keep it open. Well, the other day he decided to bring his toothbrush into his room and shoved it through his screen, thus landing his toothbrush on the top of our garage roof.

Austin was very upset from losing his toothbrush. He wanted me to climb out on the roof and get it but I wasn't about to do that. When he was still sobbing about his toothbrush an hour later I had to tell him that even if I went on the roof and got his toothbrush he wasn't going to be able to use it because birds poop on the roof and that is just gross! I got him to laugh for a minute and then he agreed to not talk about the toothbrush, not go near the window and if he could do that I would take him to Target and buy him a new one the next day. He agreed and I thought that was the end of it, and it was....until Paige came home from school....then he had to tell Paige all about it and show her about it and act like it was a huge deal all over again. I should point out that this was only 1 of his 6 different toothbrushes!

I must have told the kids 4 more times over the next 3 hours before dinner and bed to get away from that window and forget about the toothbrush. The last time I had to chase them away from the window it was right after they had brushed their teeth, they were checking on it one last time before they went to bed. I tucked Austin into bed, we had a talk about listening to what Mommy said and about how dangerous it was to go on the roof and that was why I wasn't going to get the toothbrush and would just buy him a new one. I then went into Paige's room and had the same conversation with her, only she got it a little bit worse because along with not listening she should have been setting a better example for her brother. She said that she understood that it was dangerous to go on the roof, that she should have listened better and that I was disappointed in her listening for the day. She then promised me that she wouldn't go near his window again. I gave her a kiss, turned off her light and went downstairs.

I came straight downstairs, took Ginger outside and when I came back in 4 minutes later I heard a funny noise up in Austin's room. I went up there to check on him and find Paige coming out of his room because she heard me coming. She ran into bed and didn't say anything, it took me a minute to realize that Austin's window was open and connect the dots. Paige had gotten out of bed, gone into the bathroom to get the stool, went into Austin's room and opened his window, what she did next is my worst fear.

She tore Austin's screen and was trying to get his toothbrush off the roof. I don't know how far she would have gone out the window if I hadn't have heard her, and that thought kept me up for a good chunk of the night! I am so glad that I caught her and nothing bad happened except a huge hole in the screen and a couple of very scared kids from my lecture about the dangers of their actions.

I still cannot get out of Austin what was so important about this one toothbrush! Especially since he has at least 6 others and I promised to go and buy him a new one the next day.

When Paige was getting ready for school the next morning she walks over to me and hands me this very sweet apology note. I think her reasons for getting the toothbrush are a little flawed, but I do like that she was so concerned about her brothers feelings that she wanted to make him feel better. I guess we need to work on helping someone and knowing when it is too dangerous to help them.

I think Neal knew how much the whole situation stressed me out and sent me a wonderful surprise! I was also able to finally find some child locks that work with our window and they have been installed and work wonderfully. But in the week it took the locks to get here the kids never went near the window again, I guess scaring them worked this time but I hope I don't have to do that again anytime soon!!

Backyard Fun

2011-04-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

The kids have been enjoying LOTS of time in the back yard recently. They are getting really good at playing back there without immediate supervision which is great because this allows me to get dinner cooked or clean a little bit without little feet under and all around me. It has been great, a win-win for everyone!

Paige practicing her jump roping

Austin getting mad at his jump rope

They are just too cute!

They just melt my heart :-)

Office Corner Re-Organization

2011-04-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

So this is my 50/50 post...50% embarrassment, 50% accomplishment. I cannot believe that I let our office corner get this bad (or should I say, just never cared enough to ever do anything more with it other than make Neal hang the shelves)! It just kept piling them with junk, it was all stuff that I needed, or needed to put away, and I really did know where everything was, but something really needed to be done about it. I got an email from the Container Store (one of my top 3 favorite stores) about their office sale, and got inspired. So a little bit of cash and 3 long weeks waiting for everything to ship, I went to town and got things cleaned up and looking nice. I am really happy with the way it turned out and like that it is inspiring me to get everything else cleaned out and organized...now if only I would have done this sooner so I had a chance of getting it all done before Neal come home, oh well, I guess now he just gets to help!

Shelves before the re-organization (don't ask what my flash did either, but my walls are definitely not this ugly color)!

clutter-filled desk

Shelves after everything is sorted out, organized and put back in its proper place (the only thing left to do is to put the labels in the holders).

Desk cleaned, gone through and cleared out. I actually had all of Paige's preschool & kindergarten homework still stashed in there, yes absolutely every piece of it! I kept a couple of my favorite notes and sadly threw the rest out. Take notice of the coolest paper shredder ever! Bring on the last 7 years of stupid paperwork that needs to be shredded. I am so glad that this is done and we can now efficiently use our office desk space...pay no attention to the clutter on the side of the desk, that is my next clutter stash to tackle, all the kids arts and craft supplies!

Friend Filled Disneyland Trip

2011-04-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

The morning we dropped Papa off at the airport Paige had the day off of school and I planned to surprise the kids with a trip to Disneyland. I asked Kari if she wanted to join us and we had a plan :-) I told Austin that I thought he would want to spend the extra time with Papa rather than going to school, but after we dropped Papa at the airport we headed over to Kari's and pick up her, Gracie and Ben. It was a wonderfully fun, but very hot day! We even ran into Rachel and her family there too, even more friends means even more fun!!

Gracie, Paige and Austin enjoying some lunch...I wish I knew what was with Austin's crazy smile though.

Paige, Austin, Collin and Grace on the Jungle Cruise, I have never seen them have more fun on this ride!

Leave it to the boys to not look at the camera!

Who knew the 17,000 time you saw the mechanical elephants spray water could be soon much fun!!!

Gracie was showing her brother Ben some loving, she really was kissing him even though it looks like she is eating his nose :-)

Keeping an eye on the head hunter

Collin: Look at that sleeping zebra.

Gracie: I wonder why that zebra is sleeping every time we sail by that cave??

Paying such close attention

We headed over to California Adventure after a while. We wanted to go on the swings, but they closed those down right as we got there, so we hit the jelly fish instead. Paige is now tall enough to ride every ride at the parks, and since her birthday last month she is also old enough to ride them all by herself, this has been a great help with Neal gone, I am only one person and obviously cannot ride with both kids at once. She is so excited to be big enough to be a big kid rider now!!

Despite the look of torture on her face, she was laughing hysterically from this...I am pretty sure that Bryon didn't find it quite so funny when he realized how much heavier and bigger she is than the 2 boys he first did this too! You have to entertain the kids in those lines somehow

When we hit the ladybug spin we had to split the group up, boys in one ladybug and all the girls rode in the much cooler and funner ladybug. Gracie and Paige had a blast spinning all around.

I mean really, you didn't even have to be there to know this was FUN!!

After we were done with all the rides we stopped to take a break and watch some movie clips in a nice air conditioned building. The kids got to slow down, get a snack and get rested up before our long walk to the car. Ben and Austin enjoyed sharing some goldfish and watch the movie screens.

We had so much fun and cannot wait to go again, hopefully very soon, and definitely again with all our friends before they slowly start moving away!

36 Hours With Papa

2011-04-13T21:16:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to get a short visit from Papa a couple of weeks ago. Papa had some business meeting in San Francisco and added some meetings down here so we were able to see him. He picked our busiest day to come to town, but the kids had a great time showing him all their activities and Papa had a good time seeing everything and went home totally exhausted! The biggest surprise was the night Papa came into town, I had bunco that night so I already had a sitter, I told the kids that we were picking Papa up the next morning, but I snuck him into the house with the help of the babysitter and they got to wake Papa up in the morning! They loved the surprise and all the rest of the fun that we had.

Papa got to walk Paige to school in the morning, but I don't think he quite understood how much of a hike it was...

It was so hot and such a walk that we had to stop at the top of our hike and it was the perfect opportunity to get a photo of Austin. You can just barely make out Catalina in the background under all that fog. Austin just had to wear his baseball hat because Papa was wearing his.

After we got back from our walk, Papa helped Austin work on some flash cards while I took a shower. Papa turned the whole day into a game of "what sound does ??? start with" and Austin loved it.

After a while we took a walk down to the end of our cul-de-sac so Austin could show off his great bike riding skills. The heat wore out Papa and Ginger though, they were taking it easy under the shade of the tree.

Austin on the other hand couldn't get enough of his bike, he just kept riding and riding it around the basketball court

We eventually headed out to get some lunch, we decided to go to Subway because the view of the one we go to is amazing, and it is right next to the church (I had a meeting there after lunch). While I was at my meeting Papa and Austin played on the playground and eventually saw that the field across from the church brought in the goats again.

Every year they bring in the goats to eat all the grass and brush to help control everything for fire season. Austin could have sat there forever and watched them, he had so much fun talking to Papa about them.

After our time at church we had to go back to the school and pick Paige up. From there we had Austin's gymnastics class and Paige's ballet class. Paige kept her nose in her new library book nearly the entire night, so this is how we saw her most of the time! After their activities we went to Ruby's for dinner and some shakes to celebrate Paige's birthday with Papa.

Paige and Papa :-)

After dinner, it was home to get ready for bed, open some presents that Papa brought with him and of course take some photos.

The 3 trouble makers!

Present time! Grammie sent Paige Annie :-) and everyone enjoyed it for movie night last weekend!

Paige telling Papa all about her new magnet blocks

These have quickly become a favorite in our house!

Austin just LOVES his lego sticker book from Papa and Grammie!

Paige was upset when it was bedtime because "Austin got all that time with Papa when I was in school and I didn't get any time with him!" so I let her stay up a little bit later to spend time with him as long as she was the one to read the stories to Papa :-)

The next morning we had to get up and take Papa to the air port first thing in the morning. We enjoyed having him here, but I really hope that the next time he comes it will be for more than a day and 2 sleeps! It was so much fun to show him our day and I hope that he recovered quicker than I did :-)

Friends Forever

2011-04-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

My hope is that Paige and Austin will always be the best of friends. I know that they will fight, Lord know they already do, but I hope that they will always remember how much they can learn from each other, how much they can comfort each other, how much they can support each other and how much they will always have each other. They really are each other's best friends and that makes my heart happy, especially with all the moving around we do!

My Good Students

2011-04-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

I hope that Austin and Paige always keep their passion for learning and eagerness to do their homework. They get so excited to learn new things and share them with us and everyone around them. I enjoy seeing them learn about the world around them and they take such pride in their work and all that they are learning.

Our little lefty :-)

Good study habits will come in handy for all the schooling that she has planned, Paige has recently decided that she wants to be a dentist when she grows up!

Bike Riding Fun!

2011-04-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

Last week we took the warm weather as a great sign to go and ride some bikes! Austin has been so excited to go bike riding ever since he got his new bike and Paige decided that even though she never really wanted to before, so was more than ready now (I think she just never wanted to ride alone). I couldn't believe how awesome Austin did for his first time and how much Paige had improved since last summer. I had so much fun watching them, and now they are always asking to go out and ride their bikes, bring on summer, Paige and Austin are more than ready!!!

Safety First, never ride without a helmet!

He looks like such a big boy

Cruising along

CRASH!! Always watch ahead of you!

Having Fun :-)

My Little Cruising Machine :-)

And a special treat just for your viewing pleasure!! I still cannot believe that this was Austin's first time riding a bike, he is a natural!! Paige still has some work to do on the starting, she just doesn't like to start on her own. Enjoy!!!

Bike Riding Fun from Jennifer Roach on Vimeo.

Tea Party Celebration

2011-03-29T23:16:00.001-07:00

Saturday Paige got to celebrate her birthday with all her friends in true princess style! Paige decided this year that she wanted to have her party at Olivia's Dollhouse Tea Room, this has to be every little girls birthday dream! It involves all the girls picking out a dress (either party or princess style) getting their hair, makeup and nails done and then putting on a fashion show, having a real tea party and at the end of the party they all get to pick out a prize from the treasure chest. I must admit that I was opposed to having her party here but when it came down to decision time, they provided everything (and I mean everything!) and the look on all the girls faces made it all worth it!!! Easy and super fun, what more could you ask for?!?!? I have a ton of photos, but I picked out my favorites for your enjoyment.

Paige getting her hair done

Paige getting her pixie dust (aka glitter) sprinkled over here to make all her birthday wishes comes true

Time for some makeup

And of course you cannot forget about the manicure!

Daddy is having nightmares about prom in 10 years, I think we are going to be in some trouble!

Up until the party started we didn't know if Austin was actually going to participate or not. Paige kept changing her mind and then every time she said he could Austin would change his mind and say he didn't want to. He was a very good sport about it, especially when he found out that they had boys cloths and he didn't have to dress up like a princess!

Is he not the most handsome little dude you ever saw??? He was a hit, the girls just loved him!

Running around and playing while everyone was getting their hair and makeup done.

They loved playing with all the tea sets that were around

Paige posing during their fashion show

Austin taking his turn at the fashion runway

Queen Paige enjoying her tea

She loved being the Queen and sitting at the head of the table

Everyone posing at the end of the party before it was time to change back into their own cloths

I just get such a kick out of this photo! It makes me smile :-)

Paige and Sabby with their pretty hair and makeup, I wasn't able to get one of them together with their dresses on before they changed.

Austin showing off his spiky hair and mustache to Daddy

A very fitting gift for Paige, she cannot wait till her manicure for the party wears off and she can do her own manicure at home!

Books for our bookworm, she is so excited to read these!

I think my favorite part of the evening was seeing these two cooperate so much to clean up all the wrapping paper! Just kidding, this was nice, but seeing Paige and all her friends smiling so much and enjoying themselves was great! They had so much fun and I am already looking forward to next years much calmer and more low key party, Daddy will be home then to take care of everything :-)

Happy Birthday Paige! I hope you will always keep that smile on your face and look forward to your birthday with excitement no matter what number is on your cake!!!!!

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