Happy ( better late than never ) Birthday, boys!

Boy, where did the year go?! Are these 2 little monsters 2 and 6? On Nov 28 Andrew turned 6 and on Dec 23rd Luke turned 2. A birthday bash was had on Dec 5 with our friends and family, and what a celebration it was! We bounced until we couldn't bounce no more! Unfortunately, Tia Andria has all the original photos from the party so I can't post any without them being blurry. But I will have an awesome hard copy photo album for the boys to remember their special day! Thanks Tia Andria for bringing your equipment , and special setting to help in capturing those hard to get moments!

Buyer Beware

I'm a little out of date on my posts so please pardon the old news. Sunday officially marks the start of my vacation, and on of the things on my "to do" list is get my blog up to date - as well as some new posts from the holiday as well.

On Thanksgiving, which was celebrated at the nlaws, we noticed that Luke has some blue stuff all over his fingers and in his mouth. We couldn't figure out what he had gotten into. It was concluded to be a marker, which appeared to be washable - whew! I washed his hands and mouth out and turned around and they were blue - Again! At this time they were snacking on some Cheetos. After a few minutes of this bugging us, we noticed that everyone who had eaten some Cheetos had blue mouths! The Cheetos were from Halloween, and were color changing!

We were cracking up! I guess this teaches you to always read the labels when buying food!

Let it snow let it snow let it snow

Now here's something you don't see every day in Sacramento. Snow... yes snow folks! I can't remember the last time it has been as cold as it has been the past few days! Burrrrrrrrrr

what you can't see , is behind the firetruck door, is a white car flipped over on its side on a residential street. There was absolutely nothing around! How in the world they flipped is beyond me! Never the less it was that highlight of the drive to school yesterday morning!

Snow on the neighbors car. Steven had already left so I was not able to get a pic of the snow on his.

Snow top fence!

Snow on the grass.

I was certainly sad to see it melt away!

First hair cut

As much as it hurt me to do it, it had to be done! 

Halloween 09

This year we strolled the neighborhood as Mickey Mouse and Bumble Bee. A FANTASTIC Halloween it was! The day was spent around the house, cooking home made Chili and visiting with Manama, PaPa, Grandma and Grandpa! There were more Trick or Treaters this year, but still not enough. It's exciting to see the neighborhood slowly growing though! 

Transform and roll out!

Cutest mouse I've ever seen!

The Buckets! 

All combined together with our left over candy! 

Luke had a wonderful time, and was so good! We let him got to the first set of houses, but it got tiring after a while because you have to go with him and make sure he doesn't trip or fall down the stairs. He sat the rest of the trick or treating in his stroller. Sometimes I would push the stroller up to the house and they would put the candy in his bucket for him.  He had no problem sitting back and taking in all the costumes and decorations! 

Yeee Hawww He's finally asleep!

Since retiring the crib and putting Luke in his big boy bed, it has been challenging to say the least. Naturally, having this new found freedom to get in and out of bed whenever, and not having to risk breaking a leg doing it, Luke thinks nap time is play in the room quietly time. Or take all the clothes and diapers out of the drawer time.  Today after about an hour of constantly going back and forth, telling him to get his little towhead in bed, I noticed it was quiet, so thinking I was going to go in and find him into something he shouldn't be in, I found this instead....

Peacefully napping ( on top of Sulley ) wearing brother's cowboy boots! 

Ah.. the life of a toddler!

Cousinly Love

Are you ready for some ( Flag) Football?

We've started football! We've had 2 games so as you can see I'm just a tad behind. The season is short, but it's something recreational for Andrew to do before we hibernate like bears this winter! December we'll sign up for T-ball again, and await the call for the line-up in Feb. I'm not entirely pleased with Fair Oaks rec. It's not an extremely organized league.. there's no team parent that I know of, no snack schedule and communication is not so great. The first game was supposed to be at 9, which is what our schedule says. We got there between 8:30/45 and they had already started.. thought it was a little off but ok. So, second game, this past Sat. Same thing. We get there same time, and the game already started. I was a little steamy at this point. Apparently there was an email that went out ( that we never received ) stating the game time had been moved up to 8:30. Sheesh, do I get a pro- rater refund for the game time he missed out on? Totally just joking, but pissed me off a little. 

Andrew lucked out and didn't get assigned to the Raiders, he's a Colt. Which we can live with!

We're still getting used to the mouthguard!

"Alright man, lets knock this play out!"

So serious! 

Blue 42 - HIKE!

They've invaded; we're under attack!

Before I blog anything I must say how good it feels to be blogging. whew! I miss my wittle bloggy world!

Here is Luke, my little prince charming... Only that frog is not quite the princess, and I think we've got this backwards?! So, what in the world does this adorable photo have to do with the title of my blog? Well, glad you asked... Living in a new development, there is still much that is undeveloped. Across from us is a big empty hole and right now it serves as very many things. During the summer it's serves as a little pond for the ducks, and occasionally a swimming pool for the neighborhood dogs. Lord knows what else lives in this muddy mud hole. But I can assure you, I won't be finding out. ? With our rain storm yesterday, brought out some familiar green slimy friends that we had a problem with the first winter we moved in ( almost 2 years ago) I will add that the problem then was not as bad as the one we had yesterday. The rain came and these guys came out in full force, let me tell  you!

We've been infested with frogs!

As you can see some aren't quite as large as others. They varied in size I had only seen one huge one, and he seemed to be the smartest of them all to keep cover!

Here he/she is hiding under the basketball hoop, he was pretty big, thought it's hard to see with all the babies surrounding his/her body.

I'm afraid to report that these little green slimy guys didn't stand a chance against the traffic that comes down are street. To be honest, we live on a dead end street, so the only traffic that passes are those that live down our street. But with the looks of the street now, and all the frog remains that are waiting to be washed away or pounded deeper in the pavement with passing cars, it's quite devastating. I think we lost half or more of the frog population in our little "pond".

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We even had some friendly ones who came right to the porch to visit!

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peek-a-boo!

We dedicate this post to all our green friends who lost their lives to the cars of Hetch Hechy Dr.

New beginnings with old friend...

My apologies to those who actually ready my blog for my longer than usual absence. The routine of getting back into school mode and the starting of Flag football have had me rather occupied ( Among other things). I thought I would get back into my bloggy grove with a very unique story that happen this weekend.

On Friday, I met up with an old friend ( I don't mean old as in 10 years ) but it has been about 6 years I believe ( roughly ). Before I worked for Apple I was an Asst. mgr in retail. I worked retail thru my pregnancy, and with the horrid things the company did to me prior to leaving, and the train wreck of things that happen during my Maternity absence, it was easy for me to decide a career change was in order. One of the girls who was working in the store at the time this was all going on was Nicole. There were so many qualities about Nicole I absolutely loved, but was not sure she was in on all the craziness that was going on. We worked together quite a bit and soon realized that she too was effected by all the madness and was not in on the scheme of things.

I went on leave, Nicole worked at Papyrus and also became pregnant with her first child, Taya, or Tater Tot as her mom calls her, which Andrew thinks is the funniest thing right now. The last time I saw Nicole before Friday was right after Taya was born about 5 years ago. I don't know how, but in the midst of life and starting families we lost touch for a bit. I found her on FB/Myspace and well the rest is history how we are reunited. You would think this might just be a story of 2 friends finding each other on a social network but I am not so sure about that...

So, Friday...Andrew and I went to her house. Andrew played with Taya or Tater Tot, while Nicole did my hair and got caught up on 5 years worth of life. When I arrived ( after being 45 min late from being lost! Soooo my fault! ) Nicole begins asking me about where I lived exactly. I explained over the phone that I would be taking Grantline down to El Dorado Hills and then would hop on 50 the rest of the way to her house. knowing I lived in Rancho Cordova, she asked where exactly did I live. Now, being a fairly new community and being hidden at that, not too many people know exactly where Sunridge Park is, but know of the community over, which is Anatolia. I just said I live by Anatolia. She says well I just bought a house in Sunridge Park. At that point I would of LOVED to have seen the look on my face when she told me that! Of course I was like OMG I live in Sunridge park!!! Turns out, her and her fiance will be moving into a house down the street that is across from mine at the end of November! I tell you I still can't believe it. It's the strangest thing. And here when I saw her I was thinking it took 5 years for us to see each other again, when is the next time we are going to be able to get together!! Forget about that! We are going to be neighbors! Ironically we will be going to Tater tots B-day in a couple weeks, so we will see them again before they move here. And what is even more awesome, Taya and Andrew will be going to first grade together next year too! Seriously I need to be pinched! It's like our friendship was destined! * lol*

Luke gets wet!

Compliments of Tia Andria, here is a sample of some of the fun we have been having this summer.Andrew starts school Monday and I am hoping to get some blogging in. I have some really cute pics to post.

Could it be the last?

I fear that this could be, if not, one of the last play dates we will have with our wild cousin's. It's has been a summer full of spray parks and Starbucks and I am just not sure I am ready for it to end. As Andria has been searching for jobs left & right ( in between our play dates of course ) she finally has an interview! Woo hooo! 

On another note, School starts very soon ( Aug 17th ) and I am just not ready for it all to end.My what a different life having a child in school brings. School clothes shopping, homework, nightly reading, packing lunches and the hours of my sleep decreased by 2! 

What a handsome duo these 2 are!

Silly boy, it's clear he is too big, but he would not stay off of it!

Ah and to our wild ones, without which, our play dates would not be possible!

Summer treats!

Today I decided to forgo lunch... Well, not cold turkey! The boys did eat but not your traditional PB&J that's for sure! By the time Luke got up from his nap it was about 2. And lately we have been eating dinner pretty early. So, I changed and dressed Luke, threw a shirt and shorts on Andrew, loaded the car and off to McDonald's for some soft serve Ice cream. ( We stopped at Costco to top off the gas tank for The boy's Tahoe Trip tomorrow ) 

I got the ice cream cone, while the boys got it sundae style. Andrew watched me in panic thru the rear view mirror as I eat my rather large cone. "It's going to fall off" he was shouting. I just giggled and said, it's not going to fall off! We got home and Andrew could not wait to dig in. Luke was already diving face first into my cone as I carried him in the house. I was actually a bit full at this point and offered up to him the rest of my cone. He willingly accepted the offer! And surprised to say, he did not make as big of a mess as I thought he would. I think it was so yummy he just did not want to waste a single drop!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Olema Ranch Camping 2009

I was starting to think that our camping trip was not going to arrive. With a couple minor bumps we were loaded and off bright and early! We had stayed at Olema Ranch before, this time not so crowded. Which, in a way, was probably good. During our days, we have some people camp next to us. Some people stayed 1 night and were gone early the next morning.

We kept busy. We pretty much did a beach a day. It was so much running around. I'll be honest, I would of enjoyed a little more down time, but Steven does not like just sitting around relaxing as I do. He did take Andrew one afternoon to a second beach and Luke and I napped. Nothing like taking a nap in the afternoon right in the great outdoors!

We also made the much anticipated stop for the Oysters! They are a big thing down that way. We were actually invited to try them by a camper the last time we were there. That guy had the small ones but Steven got the big ones this time. He eat 10 of the 12! I passed this time.

Despite the nightly raid to our camp site by the Raccoon. All was really well. We had one night we were awakened my a man yelling. It was rather strange. I almost thought I was dreaming, but Steven said something the next morning. The boys slept amazingly well considering how chilly the nights were. Luke slept like a baby that he is. He was well bundled so I did not worry about him, but Andrew, we had to show him the proper way to sleep in a sleeping bag.

All in all, the trip was just what I needed. Does not solve the problems but surely lets you forget about them for a few days.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A FANTASTIC 4th!

Today was spent with nothing better than family. Originally, we did not plan to do anything with the leaving for camping on Tuesday. I did not want to pack too much into our schedule. We decided to BBQ some burgers, and then we invited both our parents as well as my Grandmother and Uncle. With the help of someone bringing something, I didn't once feel overwhelmed! Everything went smoothly. The food was great and the visit was just long enough. 

To have a little more cash for camping, we decided this year to go see Fireworks. Hagan Park was having a 4th of July celebration with a Fireworks show. They were scheduled to begin at 9. Now, I know these things never start right on time, but had I known they were going to start at 10, I would of reconsidered this idea having my 18 month old along for the ride. Boy was he pissed! Usually he takes 2 naps. Today he took 1 and that was early in the day. He did fine up thru 9:00 even 9:30 ish. But of course when the show started he was just done. I got to stand outside the car with a crying pissed off baby, while the boys sat back and enjoyed the pretty lights from inside he comfortable car. I supposed this was all still worth saving the 50+ bucks we would of spent on fireworks in exchange for our much anticipated camping trip.  But we won't be going to any fireworks display during the next few independence day celebrations.

Hope you all had an amazing 4th! 

Another Wild play Date

I'm beginning to like Tia Andria not having to work! ( not really ) but it's surely nice to have someone with kids around the same age as mine. And really it can't get any better than it being Family! Our Cousin's, "Our Three Wild Ones", are great kids, and a blast to hang out with. Not to mention, having some adult companionship myself. It's our second play date, and I am already looking forward to a 3rd. I tell ya, with everything going on with my Mom, it's so nice just to get out in that sun and play with my munchkins. It really helps takes my mind off of things. 

Once again, I was camera-less. But as always, and probably extremely selfish of me, Andria had hers handy! Perhaps I like her camera better too =) A special Thanks to you Andria, for the awesome pics you took of my boys! 

Today we actually did the spray park. We didn't do it last time because it was jut a bit too cold. But today was absolutely perfect. After hanging out in the shade for the first part. We made our way over with the babies to cool off. The water was perfect! Now, this is a huge gamble for me because Luke seems to be afraid of water. Bath time is a disaster with him unless Andrew is in the tub too, which is not always and wont always be the case. But I couldn't believe it! He did not mind the water at all. I let him approach it on his terms , did not push him in or splash him. He was soaked at one point and it did not seem to bother him! Tub time this evening was a 360 as well. He got a little mad when I rinsed his hair. Hopefully with swim lessons and some summer swimming I can cure him of his water phobia! 

Make a Smilebox postcard

Play date with the Wild Ones

Today was the first, of I hope, many play dates this summer. I was lucky enough for the first one to be with my cousin -n-law, Andria,  and her Wild Ones. 

Andrew had a blast hanging around with his cousin Dominic.

Cousin Donovan had a great time scootin' around by himself...

While Devin (L) and Luke (R), had a great time hanging out in the wagon eating Fruit loops.

The 2 hours seemed to go by fairly fast. And Andrew not wanting to leave is a good indicator that he had a good time. Thank You Andria for the pictures. It always seems my camera is out of batteries when I want it most. I enjoyed our adult conversation while enjoying our adult beverages *smiles*. Looking forward to doing it again!

Farewell Diamondback's

As school came to an end, so did our first T-ball season. This year a diamondback, next year, who knows? But I did certainly enjoy T-ball better than I did soccer and I think Andrew did too. Saturday marked our last game of the season and they really made it a good one for the boys. After the game on Saturday, the Diamondbacks headed over to the Sunrise Fun Center. The boys ( and one girl) had a great time! We all met in the Party Corral for some pizza, cake and distribution of Trophies! 

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The cake was oh so yummy!

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The boys, waiting for their cool trophies! 

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Jocelyn did a great job telling a little about each player! 

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Daddy, getting his coach's plaque!

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After being so patient, and having to chase a child down (or pull a coach from the batting cages)

It was finally time to go burn off all that sugar! Most of the kids were too small for the go carts, so the majority of them migrated to multiple bumper boats......

He wanted to keep going and going and going...

... the arcade, water balloon wars, batting cages, and the shortest game of miniature golf cheaters I have ever seen!

Grandpa would be proud! 

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Luke managed to even get in a little riding time.

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Among other things....

What a ladies man!
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By this time we had all been there a few hours! I think we all (including myself) were ready for a nap! I must give credit to mini man. For such a long day he did so good!

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The last photo of the Diamondback's 2009 season

You thought the day was over, didn't you? =) Nope! We went home and rested for 2 hours, and then it was off to Cousin Dominic's 7th B-day!