~Thought For The Day~

While I am no Stuart Smalley.....

Marriage means commitment. Of course so does sanity.....

Talk amongst yourselves....

~Have You Ever Held a Rainbow?~

Another Thanksgiving holiday, another chance to head out camping! We packed it all up last minute and headed out to camping along the infamous Delta River!

Last year we had a great time. The weather was perfect, the sun was shinning, little to no wind and tons of fantastic family time! Not this year.....

We got out there on Thursday and had an outstanding meal prepared by yours truly and PopPop. We rock if I do say so myself! Grammie picked up a great ham and Eric brought, ummmm.... himself? Well, regardless, it was awesome. We had turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls..... you get it, right? EVERYTHING!!!

Everyone ate too much including Tyler, who was over the moon for turkey and mashed taters. So, for the remaining afternoon we stayed pretty quiet and just walked around, watched a movie and talked. It was wonderful! Friday morning was a tad chilly. We ended up having wind and rain most of the day, but Katelyne and Grammie each had their first chance to "hold a rainbow".

Yes, Katelyne is showing Grammie how to do it right! "Yike dis Grammie!"

By the time Grammie was done hoggin' Rainbow holding time, Katelyne needed a boost! In steps, the Dad Ladder... coming to HSN this holiday season.

I simply could not resist a picture of my very tired little girl.

So, that night we awoke to winds in the 60mph range. The trailer was insane! (If that sounds redneck-ish, then good. I am not afraid to say I live in a trailer with no permanent address... it is how the government cannot find me.) Grammie had the flu all night and Eric and I decided to do what any other normal parents would do: Get the hell outta dodge before the children loose their minds from being cooped up! Well, it was mainly our own sanity, but whatever.... who's keeping track?!

We had a lovely time that Saturday evening in front of the fire all warm and cozy with the children.... AT HOME!

All's well now, trailers back at home, we're back at home, Grammie is re hydrated and Roxy is still sleeping.....

~Sea Cliff Beach Trip~

While Vetrans Day is filled with loving memories of those we have lost and those still living this free life with us... we always embark on something that is relaxing and fun so we can enjoy this wonderful country we all live in...

This year we headed to the beach to hang with Grammie and PopPop!

Tyler had sooooo much fun with his PopPop. I think they are the same person, only different sizes? PopPop acts like he is about 3 when he is with Tyler... which is awesome. They both had such a great time trying to out fun the other, that they even attempted a nap!... Grammie and Katelyne found new ways to ride a scooter - you know a way that requires zero physical activity!

But, we never forget why we really have this day off... to remember.

~Ladybug~

Took an extended lunch to San Francisco this past Sunday.... Packed up the fam and headed to "Rainforest Cafe".... We strolled the pier and had some great Hamster time.... She hung out with Daddy watching the Seagulls... ...she ran across a bench and attempted to fly... which is what Ladybugs do...Then she converted into a giraffe...

Whew! Busy day.

~Halloween 2009~

How could I forget Halloween?!

Eric's crazy Mother-in-Law dressed as a Honey Bee, my Katelyne the perfect Tinkerbell and my Tyler a little puffy Mickey Mouse...

Katelyne and Grammie put the hurt on about 20 houses, then we were off to a Haunted House that only Eric and Grammie braved... Eric had gouges in his arm from Grammies "bravery" of attempting to protect HIM!!! After all was said and done, Katelyne, Tyler and Grammie all slept really good that night, regardless of sugar intake...

Thanks Grammie for being the "honey" in Katelyne and Tylers lives.... You "bee" wonderful....

haha I quack me up.... wow, that was bad.

~Attempting Holiday Pictures...~ TAKE 1

So, the kids and I ventured out into the great wide open that most would call.... "our backyard" to start the annual "holiday picture quest". This is our first year heading out on said quest, so , I hoped it didn't get too.... ummmmm, fuzzy?

To start, Katelyne just was not having her adorable outfit... her main focus was a juice box. When could she have it, what kind can she have, could she have more than one???... now?... now?... now?...

Mommy's internal monologue, "NO, NO, NO!!! DAMIT KATELYNE JUST SMILE A TAKE A GOOD PICTURE!!!! JEEZ." *protruding vein on forehead...*

Mommy's actual words, "Muffin, you can have a juice as soon as we take a few pictures, OK? Now smile pretty so we can be done sooner...." *flutter my eyelashes*

Well, I got some pretty good ones. There are some with her "guiding" Tyler's head toward the camera - I am sure because she was tired of me saying his name 100 times, there are some of her dancing around - impatiently and there are some that I just look at and smile... they are who they are. At least there was no nose picking..... on film anyhow.

And yes, for those of you with Child Protective Services on speed dial, she did get her juice...

~Little Boys Will Taste Anything~

Tyler sat so quietly on the bed one evening after a shower... playing and talking with Daddy.
Out of nowhere he burst into laughter... I believe the internal monolague was, " I'm gonna get you sucka!"...Grabbed Daddy's face and opened his teething mouth... Tyler: "mmmmm, is that Dove?"...Daddy put his head down and Tyler chomped Daddy's head!!!! Tyler: "Nope! It is Pantene..."...wounded, Daddy moved and over Tyler fell..... Such a sad, sad tale of 2 boys...

~Pumpkin Patch 2009~

October brings cooler temperatures, shorter days, cozier evenings, more work for Daddy and.... The Pumpkin Patch! About this time of year, Katelyne realizes that the holidays are starting. More importantly: Christmas is coming!!!

To distract her, and every other child I am sure, Halloween is strategically placed roughly 2 months prior to the opening of waaaayyyy too much stuff. To seize the given opportunity, we take her to said pumpkin patch to increase the excitement for candy from strangers, and lessen the excitement of gifts from family and friends! (?)

This is also exciting as it proved to be a very entertaining first pumpkin patch experience for Tyler. It started out innocently... I carried him in his Ergo carrier and he took in the sights and smells of a hay filled, musty pumpkin field. After about 15 minutes of the search for a wagon to haul Eric's pumpkin (yes, Eric's H.U.G.E. pumpkin) I decided to set my little man down for some pictures.

Then it happened.... I set him near a few nice looking pumpkins, took two steps back, squat ed low to be eye level and he leaned forward, grabbed two handfuls of hay and was a miserable, emotional mess after that! He had this look of, "It's. Touching. Me." for the rest of the afternoon...

Even with Katelyne sitting right next to him, he was sooooo upset. Katelyne thought it was funny for about 2 seconds... she then looked at him and very sternly stated, "TyTy, it only hay... move on..." (*insert* 13 year old eye roll)... amazing.

She, on the other hand was fine.... had a small melt down with a few rides, but Mom and Dad prevailed!!! Parents Unite! We won an argument with the 3 year old!!!! Whoo Hoo!

So, another conquering of pumpkins... in a few short days we will be attempting to tame the beast of the sugar rush.... I am off to rest now.

~Just a few smiles...~

Just a few recent pictures of my Babes..... They are just a growin'... *sigh*
Disclaimer: I cannot be sorry that my kids are cuter than any other in the world.... it was just meant to be...

~Lucy In The Sky...~

..With Diamonds!!!

I NEVER thought my kids would EVER have an interest in anything I loved growing up... Fraggle Rock, Strawberry Shorkcake, Boyz II Men, Vanilla Ice... you know, '90's Baby! And I am sure my parents thought the same about me - but growing up in my parents house you had no choice but to listen to, sing and dance with REO Speedwagon, Tom Petty and.... THE BEATLES (insert: *collective girl scream!!!*)

My brother recently purchase The Beatles: Rock Band. I am sooooooo past being a 12 year old girl and playing video games, but THIS. IS. AWESOME.

It includes a microphone, guitar and drums. You watch the screen and follow along to your part - ours went something like this:

Me: Guitar (No record scores made here, but I was tappin' my foot and bobbin' my head as you are supposed to - I forgot to check style points - I would have won.)

Grammie: Vocals (Yeah.... that is were all concentration is lost. It is a perpetual Flower Fest, complete with screeching cats...... )

Katelyne: Drums!!! She rocked it!! My baby was concentrating to the fullest. She is bound for MIT... because she is smart, not because she can play the drums, because she has focus!
Watch, and be amazed......Just for those of you trying to remember the words as you read this: *you're welcome*

Picture yourself in a boat on a river, With tangerine trees and marmalade skies Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly, A girl with kaleidoscope eyes. Cellophane flowers of yellow and green, Towering over your head. Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes, And she's gone. Lucy in the sky with diamonds. Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain Where rocking horse people eat marshmellow pies, Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers, That grow so incredibly high. Newspaper taxis appear on the shore, Waiting to take you away. Climb in the back with your head in the clouds, And you're gone. Lucy in the sky with diamonds, Picture yourself on a train in a station, With plasticine porters with looking glass ties, Suddenly someone is there at the turnstyle, The girl with the kaleidoscope eyes.

~FEAR?! WHAT FEAR?!~

My daughter has NO fear.... zero, zilch, nada, none...

We were off to a friends 4th birthday party. Her Father, (lets call him Psycho for anonymity sake) purchased his little girl a Honda 50, which is a smaller version of an adult size dirt bike. Katelyne could not wait long enough for Psycho's daughter to finish so she could Diva-fye the helmet and have a ride herself.... with Dad. I was naturally against the whole thing... but I HAD to take pictures.

There are kitty ears on the top of the helmet and a kitty tail on the back... yes, she is wearing a dress. How do you ride a dirt bike?!

~Movin' Along~

I realize it has been almost a month since I updated this little blog! My, how times flies when life is crazy!

This Mommy business that I have started has become rather hectic with my 2 little guys and then I go and read about the Duggers having their 19th kid... Yup! I think there is a slight level of crazy there, but I refuse to judge... out loud anyway.

Katelyne has started swim classes! She is such a fish! So much so that Eric and I having lovingly nicknamed her Michelle Phelps (hopefully without the "herbs" to "help her swim faster"). She recently started in the 3 year old class at school and learns tons daily! From tid-bits about insects to spitting, she has learned lots! Now, Eric and I spend our time directing her to what is acceptable behavior and what is not... we have laughed out loud several times.

Last week, Katelyne and I had a Mommy/Daughter day and headed to the Mall for some girly shopping... we raided Claires and came home with a purple feather boa, colorful hair extensions, tattoos, glitter eyeshadow and stick-on earrings... We had a blast!

Here is Katelyne modeling everything...Tyler is also growing like a weed. Last check he was 19lbs and 14oz! The kicker is that he is 27 3/4" long! He. Is. Huge.

He cut his first tooth last week.... not fun.While life has been crazy, what with business, work, parenting and attempting to relax in 3 minute intervals, I have to remind myself that my babes are growning fast!!

~GIMME GIMME GIMME!!!~

So, as you have read in the past, my beef-cake son, is not petite, nor is he average,... he is adorably fluffy! At 18lbs 14 oz he is in the 99th percentile for his chubbiness. He is also a rather lengthy 27 3/4" long. It is a good thing football season doesn't clash with basketball, right?

Well, at the visit with the Doc for Tyler's 4 month check, it was unanimous that Tyler should start on solid foods. Yay!!!! I am soooo excited! This means I can cut being a "milk buffet" at least once-a-day!!! Whoo Hoo!

We raced home to feed my Hungry, Hungry Hippo! If you ask Eric, I had been carrying the spoon around with me for at least 2 weeks prior... At home, I dished up the yummiest, most tastiest, most bestest temperatured brown rice cereal you have EVER tasted! I am sorry none of you were invited... I only made about 2 tablespoons - times are hard. (Damn economy >:-() But we decided to save and share the moment...

We took some pics:

Since, these pics and a few more attempts at chowing down, my Handsome Guy has decided that maybe food is just not for him at the moment... Maybe too young, maybe not hungry enough, maybe just a boob man! Who knows. We haven't abandoned the thought of food - I know I cannot breastfeed him through college.... Lord knows Eric would be lost without me!

I am off to feed again... afterall - at almost 19 pounds-only nursing... I have some pretty gnarly bragging rights!

~Just a QUICK Happiness Moment~

We were off to another camping trip this past weekend... this time with Grandpa and Grandma to Rio Vista (I was a bad Mommy and forgot my camera...)

Well, on Saturday evening after a long day in the sun, swimming, playing and running I found myself in bed sunggling my two precious babes watching HGTV... there was nothing better than that moment.

~3-Year-Old Princess Party~

My baby is 3... My baby is 3... My baby is 3.....

Such a profound moment for a Mother to realize on her child's birthday that the child is actually getting older and bigger...

We had a small family get-together BBQ with a pool that Katelyne could not stay out of! She jumped in at 3:15pm and we MADE her get out and have dinner, then right back in until 8:30pm!!!! She had a blast! We also had a fun sprinkler... Still not sure who had more fun, the kids or Roxy!!!

Days before we had a hard time picking just 1 Princess cake, so Daddy let us have all 4!!!

Katelyne had the Tinkerbell one.... Made with blue frosting! Yummy!

It was amazing to look at my Little Girl on her 3rd Birthday. She is such a giving, caring, loving little person with a huge heart, she even has a little sass thrown in for kicks... I can sit and have a real conversation with her and she and I understand each other. She seems to be coming into her own - what with independence, confidence and a tad bit of fear. I have to say I pat Eric and myself on the backs as we didn't do too bad (so far) with our trial run.

Just an amazing girl.

Happy Birthday Princess Katelyne!!