Thanksgiving and a fake birthday

Since Wayne was going to be in South Africa for Thanksgiving, the kids and I went to California to spend the holiday with my family. (I the idea of cooking for hours and hours only to have the kids eat for maybe 5 minutes and most of it disliked was not something I was willing to do!) To my excitement we missed a huge snow storm in Utah and were blessed with warmth in California and the unlimited use of Nana's hot tub. It was great to spend at least one more big holiday with my family before the big move.

These are our candy cornacopias. They were my mom's nursery activity and she saved some her grandkids to do too. It was such a fun activities. I might be stealing it for my nursery next time!

Also, as is tradition in my family, we had a fake birthday for Bethia. For all of you who don't know, which is most of you, my family thinks it's funny to almost always do holidays on our own schedule. It started with my Mom trying to accommodate holidays at my Dad's house and then for the In-laws but has become just they way we roll now. For example, Fake Christmas this year for my family will be in January. We're weird!!! But I digress, we had a Chuck E Cheese party for Bethia with her brothers and cousin. It was a lot of fun and got her very excited for her "real" birthday on the 11th.

Long random blog, just wanted to share!!

All treated out

After a couple weeks of being able to wear their costumes, I think the novelty has finally worn off a bit. I still love them, but getting them all dressed up is becoming a chore. They put them on and them can't wait to get them off.

The candy on the other hand is calling their names. Brad has yet to stop, "trying" as many as he can. You would think the kid has never had a piece of candy before. I am waiting for the tummy-ache in the morning.

Bethia will always ham it up for the camera!

Luke on the other hand is just over it!

I love Halloween with my kids. I really love when the night is over and I can go to sleep. Happy Halloween everyone. Hope it was a great night for you all too!

Toothfairy is coming to town

Bethia has finally lost a tooth! Not just one, but two, thanks to our wonderful friend Krista! Bethia realized a week ago her tooth hurt, Dad thought it was nothing but smarty pants Mom knew it meant a lose tooth. Except it wasn't one, but two lose teeth. This evening Bethia decided it was time to get them out, with some pressure from Mom. She would only let Krista help. Luckily, Krista was up for the challenge and came right over and pulled both of the little buggers. Now we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the tooth fairy with the hopes of receiving $5.00 since it is a two-for-one deal. We will see. G1ood job Bethia, you are awesome and look so cute with your toothless grin.

Pumpkin Patching

We have so much fun going to the pumkin patch and choosing our perfect pumpkin each year. This year was bitter sweet with the knowledge that this might be our last Halloween for a couple years. I love watching each of my littles checking out hundreds of pumpkins and then finally deciding and being so proud of there pick.

Then of course they have to be decorated. Since Wayne leaves soon and it is too early to carve them, we went with painting. It was so fun. Pretty creative pumpkins this year, if I do say so myself. And that polka-dot one is amazing.

what the....

This horrible, huge, humongous, disgusting 3 inch critter was just hanging out in our garage when we came home this afternoon. Seriously, that is why we have the people spray for creepy-crawlies all year. I know all things have a place in this world, but not in my house!!! Ewwww!After I had throughly srayed him with spider killer, I needed to see how big it really was. 3 inches!! It is dead here, just posed for the wantabe science geek in me. Hope this guy doesn't have friends.

Halloween has Landed!

So as many know, my sweet Mom loves to purchase my kids Halloween costume every year. (I don't complain!) Since she lives in California we have to plan this out early. And to my delight they arrived on Friday. And since they are here and my kids are here, why not try them on and take pictures? I love these costumes this year!!!

Brad is a Top Gun Air Force Pilot. It's so long on him, he looks like he has no legs. I love the badges and the helmet. It makes the costume. This we are calling this, The Moon Princess. You'll know why as soon as you see Lukey's costume.

That's right, that is Astronant Luke! Is that costume not the coolest thing ever?! He saw all the details and had to have it ALL. The helmet even talks and flips open with a button.

But I must say, he is the most handsome Astronant I have ever seen. I can't wait for Halloween to really get to wear these bad boys out and about.

My Lukey's 1st day of kindergarten

With Bethia having her first day last week, I thought Lukes' first day would be a bit easier. it wasn't. The tears flowed as if it were me first expirience with school ever! (The hair is all Luke, I wanted to do spikey, he wanted it straight with lines!)


Luke impatiently waited for the bus to come so that he could go to school.



He has told me for several months, "I am not going on your stupid bus anymore, only on the cool school bus." Today was finally that big day for him. He couldn't wait to get on.

I bravely followed the bus to school. I made it in time to walk my son jump off the bus and yell, "This is awesome!" Wow, who knew a bus could bring so much joy.

He quickly lined up with some of his cute soccer buddies.

I went home and drank my Diet Coke until the end of the school day. He had a great day and can't wait for day two.

I love you Lukey and am so glad you love school. You are amazing.

1st grade is hard.....

....For Mom!! Bethia was ready and excited about her 1st grade class. She only put on a sad face when she saw mom continually crying this morning as she was getting ready. B-Girl, I love you and can't wait to hear all about your day!

Sunday pics then and now

So a while back, I mentioned that I was going to be trying to take pictures of my kids every Sunday to catalog their growth and development. I have been taking the pictures almost every Sunday but I have not been posting them. That seems like a lot of work and I am too lazy! But here are a few of the ones that show how much they have grown in just 4 months.
I think the biggest change has been in Brad. Gosh I love these three!


This the most recent picture, from this last Sunday.

This is from May of 2009

Wharf to Wharf 10k part II

So for the second year in a row my siblings (sister only this time) and Mom ran the

Wharf to Wharf.

It is an awesome 10K run from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Capitola. It is beautiful. There are surfers riding the waves. There are bands playing along the run. People are out with water hoses. It is amazing! It is a lot of hills but after the 6.2 miles I felt wonderful, as if I could take on anything. This year I want to run at least two other runs before next years Wharf to Wharf.
And in case if my kids ask, yes, Mommy won the race for her!

Cow Day @ Chick-fil-a

We love the annual Cow appreciation Day @ Chick-Fil-A. This year was no different!

My kids are saying "moo" not frowning, it was fun to get all dressed up for free food.

These are just a few cute pictures of the friends we met up with. If they had done the largest herd again this year, we would have totally W-O-N! Oh well, we were still awesome.

Lukey + 5th bday = Star Wars Party

My sweet Lukey is 5!

What a great kid. And of course this year was the year for a Star Wars Party!We had Jedi Knights in training. They had to defeat Darth Vador with their Jedi skills, light sabors and water ballons. Luckily they were prepared and won!
What could be better than a cupcake cake topped with Star Wars figures, according the Luke... nothing!

And finally the night ended with fireworks, pop-its and sparklers. Fun filled evening all in celebration of Luke turning 5.
Sweet, Totally ;)

Fancy Dress

This year we finally purchased suits for our boys. Luke is an ease to take pictures of, Brad on the other hand has his own ideas on everything.

My sweet Bethia is all about the pictures. She will drop anything to smile for the camera. These are our Easter Sunday pictures.

Someday we will get everyone in a picture together smiling all at the same time.

Then again, maybe not! Love my littles.

Sunday Pictures

I was told once to take Sunday pictures every week to show the change in your kids. I am finally going to try and do it. Here is my start.

Brad is 3

My little baby is 3. Not only that he loves Go Diego Go, to the point of obsession. Her a few highlights from his big day. The cake, I made it all by myself. I am rather inpressed. At Brads party we rescued animals, that was Brads saved puppy. It was such a fun, cute little party.

Happy 3rd Birthday, my sweet little Brad!