~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.