A Perfect Day

The kids and I had a great day today. The weather is finally warmer. Honestly, I don't know how I ever lived in the Midwest! I don't think I could ever go back! Anyway, the kids and I walked to Barnes and Noble and bought books (thanks to Aunt Dena's gift cards) and sipped hot chocolate. We had a lot of fun. On our way home, the kids asked to go to the park...and so we did that too! We are enjoying our vacation from school. Actually, I am not looking forward to next week at all! I love being with the kids...love having no structure! We stayed in our jammies until 12 today! (that alone can make it a perfect day) I wish it were summer! I have to post these pictures! They are completely unrelated to my post...but they are so funny! I made a turkey on Sunday...the legs of this turkey were huge!

Father/Son Flag Football

Hubby and Tiger had a fun time playing Flag Football again this month. It is so fun to watch them play together...what a great day of making memories!

Tiger took a flag! That's my boy!

Mom, stop asking us to pose...this is serious stuff! The whole gang

Fun with daddy

Merry Christmas

Holiday Fun

We spent the day at a friends house making gingerbread houses and decorating sugar cookies. It was so fun and relaxing. I am so glad that I am done with my shopping and wrapping...otherwise, it probably would have been stressful! Here is a picture from our day. I took a few more, but they aren't worth posting! We hope you are enjoying your Christmas vacation too!

Does it Get Better Than this???

I just want to say how thrilled I am that I have two weeks off from work to spend with my wonderful kids. I look forward to every minute with them! How refreshing it is to not have to wake any kids up in the am, no packing lunches, no time commitments, no hurried breakfasts eaten in the car on the way to school, NO STRESS! Just us...being lazy and having fun enjoying one another.

Financial times seem to be hitting us all pretty hard right now. It is easy at times, to start to stress about things that are really not in our control. When I start to feel my thoughts drifting to the economy, I stop and begin to count my blessings. Thanking God for all the wonderful things has provided for me. I am so thankful to know a loving Father...one who knows all my needs and will take care of everything. I have a wonderful hubby and three precious children. We live in a nice house, have cars to get us where we need to go. There is always food on the table and a warm bed to snuggle into at night. We have amazing friends...live in a beautiful climate...really, Does It Get Any Better Than This? We are truly blessed!

A Wonderful Hubby and Morning

This morning I went for my usual jog and workout with friends...and then we grabbed coffee and chatted for a little while. I usually get home by 8:30 and start breakfast for the family. Today however, was very different. When I arrived home, this is what I found...

The boys making sausage gravy...supervised by hubby

and Cutie making biscuits

It was a pleasant surprise to an already wonderful morning. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful hubby. He loves spending time with the family. The kids were thrilled to help cook with dad AND get a very unhealthy breakfast! Did I mention that he took them all to the store to get all the ingredients and juice. He even googled a recipe for gravy! What an amazing hubby! What a great example for my children. Love you honey!

Little Guy and PreK

We went to Little Guy's Open House last night. He was so excited to show daddy, Tiger and Cutie everything he was doing at school...however, once we were there...he froze. He didn't want me to put him down. His teacher (he likes to call her Aunt Carrie...because she is such a great friend of mine) finally had to tickle him for a few pictures! Hard to believe this little comedian is actually quiet at school!

Winter and the Beach

I love winter in CA! We had some friends come visit us for Thanksgiving and we took them to a private beach, thanks to my fabulous friend, Beth (and her brother-in-law). Here are a few pictures of our fun day!

Tiger sharing his lunch with Little Guy

Exploring...they found hermit crabs and little crabs

So precious

17 Years Ago...

Dena and I the night of our high school graduation I lived in NJ and worked at the Gap. I was BFFs with Dena. She was an amazing friend to me. You see, I had moved to NJ in the middle of my senior year of high school. I remember feeling like it was the worst thing my parents had ever done to me. I had a boyfriend that I thought I was going to marry (Ha! I thought I knew everything at the age of 17!) Anyway, I got a job at the Gap and met Dena. She was my BFF! When I met hubby, she flew out to IL to be a bridesmaid. Then somehow we lost contact. I have thought of her often...and always wondered what happened to her! THEN, I got addicted to Facebook and FOUND her! The crazy thing is that she lives in LA! So close to me! We met up for dinner last night and tried to catch up on the last 12 years! It was so fun! Here a few pictures she brought from our high school and Gap days.

This is me modeling for the Gap fashion show! Check out the plaid!

Backstage, changing for the show!

Precious Sleep

We have had such an eventful day! So tonight I thought it would be a good idea to put Little Guy in front of the TV (SpongeBob)while I did a little more preparing for Turkey Day. When I was finished making a pumpkin roll, I found this little pumpkin with his puppies! What more is there to be thankful for???

Candy & Tylenol

A spoonful of sugar does help the medicine go down! In our home, our children are always given ONE piece of candy after they take all the medicine. I know, it sounds awful...but it really helps them to drink that nasty stuff if they know there is a reward at the end of it.

So today I was flipping pancakes and noticed something on the sour patch bag. It read, "to be enjoyed as part of a healthy, active lifestyle." So I then flipped the bag around and read the front. It said, "Be treat wise, Get to know what's inside." I have to say I was impressed with the candy company. I am a big reader of labels...so I already knew that 15 pieces = 25g of sugar! Did you know that? It was amazing to me that the manufactures of this candy are trying to get people to read their labels! WOW!

Cutie's new desk

Cutie and I had so fun making this garage sale desk look new! Once we finished the desk, we painted the letters of her name and hung them with ribbon! Thanks to Beth for the idea and to Chrissie for helping us hang the letters! Thanks to hubby for repainting the stripes on the letters! You are amazing!

Cost of desk: $75(four years ago)

Cost of paint: $8
Cost of knobs: $9

Precious time with Cutie: Priceless!

Me and My BOYS!

The boys and I had a night out together! We went to the movies and saw Madagascar 2 and then came home and colored fun stickers! Hubby took these shots before we left! They are holding their movie passes and Baskin Robins gift certificates. (I just realized we forgot all about the ice cream!) It was so nice to hang with my boys...wish they could stay little forever!

So Thankful

I am so thankful for my fabulous Second Grade Class. We had so much fun baking Apple Jack Cookies today in Math! How nice to be able to bake in our school! So Fun!

I went against all the advice!

Can you believe that?! Actually my fabulous friend, Beth came over today to help with the arrangement of furniture. She also agreed with all of you that the leather couch should be moved back into this room. However, once she saw the room in person, she changed her mind. The leather couch is actually too big for the wall...so she came up with this arrangement. I really like it. You have to see the other living space to see the flow...but I don't have all the wall hangings up yet...so more to come soon! Thanks Beth and all you readers for all your help! I will post the other room soon!

I need your help!

Hubby and I did a little moving of furniture today. We are not sure which couch looks better in this room. Please give us your thoughts...should the leather couch go here OR the taupe couch?

Christmas Card???

So, a few people have suggested we use this picture as our Christmas card! What do you think?

My Favorite Room

Many of you have asked me to post pictures of our new home. Here is a picture of our living room. It is my favorite room right now. Mainly because it is the most "done." I still have a lot to do...but am happy with our progression so far. The garage is coming along really nicely. The kids love having their own play room! We are thankful the Lord has provided us with a nice place to live.

***Hubby loves his new tv too! Nothing like watching football on the wall!?!

IRONY

We were at Barnes and Noble this weekend buying our two older kids new bibles. They were thrilled to buy "real" bibles...no more baby stuff for them! It was fun to do it just the four of us. Little Guy stayed with Jess. I still can't believe that Tiger can read a bible now! Crazy how fast they are growing up!

Anyway, while we were purchasing their bibles, my hubby said, "Honey, look?! Turn around!" So, I did. I was amazed at the irony! Don't you think it ironic that the gay/lesbian section is right next to the Christianity section. What irony!

Piano Recital

I have been so bad about posting lately! I am feeling more settled into the home now though! Tom and I are taking a break from hanging pictures right now! Here are some pics from the kids recital last week. They both did an amazing job! I will try and get their video up soon!

Cutie and TigerCutie and Tiger with Julianne (their fabulous teacher)

All of Julieanne's students after the recital

The EXTRA Hour

This morning I got up, took my shower and was all ready for church before I realized we needed to set our clocks back an hour! LOVE IT! I always enjoy feeling like I have an extra hour in the day. So, I woke up hubby and said, "Do you want to sleep another hour? It's daylight savings!" He rolled over and said, "No, let's continue our date and get some breakfast...just the two of us." That sounded wonderful, but the boys were awake. (Remember we have Jayka living here for two weeks...so we can steal little minutes together!) Hubby had an even better idea! Let's take just the boys to get bagels! We rarely get time alone with the boys. So we loaded them up and were off!

Here's a picture of how we spent our extra hour!

Last night before we went on our date

Happy Halloween!