the staley family

Thanksgiving Festivities

2011-11-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was spent at my parents yet again. Not as large a crowd as in years past, but still wonderful to have family in town for the celebration. Paul had to work yet again, so he missed out on the food again. I did manage to save him some sweet potatoes.

Dinner was wonderful, as always. After the dinner we headed out to the traditional movie, "The Muppets" was the movie this year. My sister and I headed to Toys R Us and braved the crowds and a total of 2 1/2 hours spent in lines to get in and to pay for our items.
Friday morning we headed up to Apple Hill so that the fam could find their perfect tree and then off to grandma's for the best soups on earth. Our tree will be taken care of in the coming week. We don't get our tree without our daddy with us. We just go along for the company.

That sums up Thanksgiving this year. Christmas will be much more exciting. You will have to wait...it is a surprise.

11 Years and Still Hanging on for the Ride

2011-11-26T20:58:00.000-08:00

That's right Paul and I have been married for 11 years. Hard to believe that it is already 11 years. I don't feel that old or feel that there has been that much time between then and now. We have had our ups and downs, peaks and valleys, weight gain and weight loss, but I couldn't ask for a better man to spend that time with. This year has been a tough one, but we take it in stride and hope for the best. I really can't wait to see where the future takes us. Who knows where we will be in 11 more years or 30 more or 50, but I know we will have a lot of fun with them.

We spent our anniversary in Reno. It was just a short trip, but it was nice to get away and have adult time together (especially the fact that we didn't have kids come climb into bed in the middle of the night). I didn't get pushed off the bed or lose the covers (BLISS).

Didn't take pictures of our trip or anything. I guess I am getting old, if I didn't even get one picture taken of Paul and I on our anniversary. Oh well, there is always next year.

She's 5. Oh No!!

2011-11-26T20:39:00.000-08:00

That's right, my little Madeline, aka Bama, aka Boo, is 5. It's hard to believe that she started out as a tiny little 10 pound baby, but she has grown up into the most interesting little big girl, as I like to call her now. I no longer have little ones at home. She is a full fledged full day Kindergartner. She loves to talk. She loves to be the boss. She is clever and trouble all wrapped up with a cute little bow or flower in her hair. She is a joy and a wonder. You never know what she will say, what she will do, or what interesting look you will get from her. She amazes me every day. She makes my day a little brighter. Always quick to be my helper when it is on her terms.

Her birthday landed on a Saturday, so we had a full day planned for her. It's her 5th birthday, which meant she got to have her very first friend birthday party. They had a blast with the bounce house and all the activities that we had going on. Don't know if it could have been any better for her.

We love this girl more than life itself. She makes our family that much more interesting. She is a joy and a blessing to our family. She is growing up so fast.

I'm Baaaack!!!!

2011-11-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

Sorry to have left you out hanging on all our exciting adventures. Well, not that exciting. Now I have to remember where I left off and where I need to start up again. September is a blur. Probably busy with kids school stuff, family and who knows what else. What I do remember is this last photo of Paul's beloved motorcycle.
We held onto this beauty for as long as we could, but in the end it succumbed to being sold, to what I hope was a good home, where they will take very good of care of her. Paul babied this beauty.

On to October. Lots of fun fall activities. Here are the pics to prove it.

There was the corn maze at the start of the month.

And then to end October is our Halloween fun.

Me and my wild and crazy coworkers dressed up for Halloween.

We're Still Here

2011-10-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not being better about keeping up on my blog lately. It has been a busy last couple of months. Between work and raising a family it is hard to keep my head screwed on strait. I promise that there will be many updates of what we have been up to very soon. Hang in there just a little longer.

Cookie Sunday!!!

2011-08-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

So my tradition of making cookies is still going strong. Two weeks in a row. Lets see how long I can keep it up. Probably long enough to make snickerdoodles for Cameron. I made them two weeks ago, but I am trying to branch out and keep it interesting. Lets hope these cookies last past Wednesday. My cookies from last week were gone fast.
These are Easy Pudding Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 pkg. (3.9 oz) Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups flour

1 pkg. 6 square Bakers White Chocolate, chopped (I used Ghirrideli)

Heat oven to 350. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add dry pudding mix; beat until well blended. Add eggs adn baking soda, mix well. Gradually beat in flour until well blended. Stir in chocolate. Drop tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are slightly browned ( you can't tell if they are browned though, it's a brown cookie). Cool 1 minute on baking sheets, remove to wire racks and let cool completely.

Madeline said they are really good and the kids licked the bowl clean after we were done scooping out all the dough. Enjoy another recipe from our cookie Sunday.

Party!!!!Party!!!!

2011-08-28T21:48:00.000-07:00

Had a great day with my co-workers yesterday. I really have the best office to work for. We got together at our house for some BBQ and swimming...only Madeline and I did all the swimming, everyone else forgot to bring suits. Forgot to get the camera out for photo ops, but it was great. I hope we make it a regular occurrence so that we can get the families together instead of just the adult party at Christmas time. I think it is what I needed to get me out of my blah. I think I was having my own private pity party for myself. Those happen with the shift that Paul is working right now...but I take it in stride and try to go with the flow. They don't last forever. And parties always make everything all better.

Why Do I Do It????

2011-08-28T21:43:00.000-07:00

This week has been a rough one. Probably more rough for my husband and kids than for me. Only because I have been really grumpy. Really, really grumpy. Not only was I grumpy, but I was extremely lazy. Lazy as in don't even want to get out of bed or off the couch. It was a blah week. I guess I am entitled to a blah week. Thank goodness my blah weeks don't happen very often. I think my family would walk out on me if I was always nasty, and short with them. I didn't even like how I was acting. I just couldn't get out of it for a while. Here's to a new week and no more blah's for awhile...PLEASE!!!

It's Cookie Sunday

2011-08-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

I had started this tradition with the kids a while back and am usually good about doing it about once a month. I am hoping to make this more of an every Sunday thing. I am hoping to get my kids into it, so they can eventually make the cookies themselves and maybe make a meal here and there when they are old enough. Maybe give myself a break here and there. Can you sense my well laid plans on how this is going to work in the future. Hahaha, I know, you should have done the same thing right. Well, now you can.
These are chocolate chip cookies with a twist. Not the regular old Toll House cookie recipe that everybody uses. Why, you ask, because the Toll House Cookie recipe never works out for me. They meld into one ooey gooey mess for me, so I found a new recipe. Haha, chocolate chip cookies will not be my downfall. I have conquered. Here is the recipe if you would like to use it.

Pudding Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 pkg. (3.4 oz) Jell-0 Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

2 -1/4 cups flour

1 pkg. (12 oz) Bakers Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks (I used Chocolate Chips and they worked out great)

Heat oven to 375.

Beat butter, sugars, dry pudding mix, and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add eggs and baking soda: mix well. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in Chocolate. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough, 2 inches apart, on to baking sheets. Bake 8-10 min or until golden brown. Cool 3 min on baking sheets. Remouve to wire racks. Cool Completely.

Enjoy. We are.

Daddy is a Swimmer

2011-08-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

Can you tell it was a little early in the morning for the kids on a Saturday.

Saturday we spent out by the pool at Modesto Jr. College to cheer on daddy. I actually enjoy myself when we go out to the swim meets. Paul did great. He has been working really hard. He heads out Mon.-Fri. to practice. This was his first taste of swim meets since he was in high school. Haven't seen him this nervous and excited in a long time. I hope this becomes something of a regular occurrence for us, I can't get enough of it. And no I will not be taking on swimming just like him, I'm a land sport kind of girl, but do love swimming in our pool with the kids.

Movies under the Stars

2011-08-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

The City of Oakdale puts on a movie under the stars on the 2nd Saturday of every month during the summer months. We went last year and saw How to Train Your Dragon so we headed out agin with some friends to go see Rango. While the movie stunk it was still fun to spend time outdoors with the kids. We will head out again in September to see Hotel for Dogs. Hopefully it is better than Rango.

School is in Session!!!!

2011-08-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for the day that I would have both of my kiddos in school...and it has finally happened. Don't think that I don't love my kids, but it will be nice to not have to drag poor little Madeline on all of my errands. She has wanted to be in school for so long. She finally gets her wish and I get to have a house to myself, but it does get awfully quiet without my kiddos laughing in the next room. There are up sides and down sides.

Where Did The Summer Go????

2011-08-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

This summer vacation was absolutely the shortest. I don't think we had time to breathe, it went fast. So here is the summer wrap up. We had swimming, swimming and more swimming. Can you tell that there was a lot of swimming.

Cameron and Madeline had a great year on swim team, we have the ribbons and heat wins to prove it. Cameron got light years better and I don't know how. He finally learned to dive which took half the year to get. He hates the cold water and complained every chance he got at swim practice about how cold the water was. It doesn't help that summer took it's time getting here. Madeline did marvelous considering she was one of 7 other 4 year olds in the swim league. By the end of the year she had taken so much time off of her strokes. Not enough time to get some heat wins, but she didn't finish last. Can't wait to see what next year holds for these two.
After the swim season there was Madeline's early back Kindergarten. This allows the kids to get a head start on Kindergarten, so they are familiar with the rules and what they need to know. She loved it. She thought she was all that, because she got to go to school and her brother had to stay home. How's that for being a big girl. Didn't even need her mommy to walk her to class every day like some of the other kids in her class. Can you say ready for school. She is.

We had lots of family visit from out of town and it was the best. I wished that I had gotten the camera out so that I could have taken some photos of our way out of town relatives. Hopefully they will travel this way again soon.

No camping trips or vacations taken this summer. Money has been tight , as probably can be said for just about everyone. So we pitched the tent in the backyard, brought out a TV and DVD player and had some popcorn. I kind of think that is the way to camp out. No getting up in the middle of the night to walk down some little dirt path hoping that an animal won't jump out in front of you while heading to the stinky toilets. All I had to do was get up and walk into my house for a clean bathroom break. The next time we camp out I would prefer to not hear the construction going on at 6 am in the morning. That is not the kind of wake up call I was looking for. Hope that your summer was as enjoyable as ours. Now for the start of the new school year. Which means that both kids are off to school so that I am left with afternoons of peace and quiet and ridding our home of so much clutter. At least I hope that is what it means.

Let Sleeping Children Lie

2011-07-10T22:18:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than catching your kids sleeping and snapping a quick photo. I have always loved catching my kids sleeping and getting a quick photo op. Not a care in the world, not a worry running through their little minds. They get to just be kids and enjoy it. And I enjoy them too.
These photos were caught directly following the kids swim meet on Saturday. 5 am is an early wake up call for these kids and it showed by the end. At least they didn't have to be up by 4 am to make sure the car was loaded and a breakfast for my champions was hot and ready. The sacrifices I make for these two. They deserve it.

Madeline is the one with the pink cap bobbing up and down. She's only four and one of two four year olds competing on our swim team.

Cameron has become one very good swimmer this year. I hope he sticks with it, cause this mom thinks he is going to be great.

Workin' Mom

2011-07-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

I never imagined that my time would be so precious until I became a mom that worked outside the home. I am not a Monday - Friday working mom, but am still out of the house 3 days a week and sometimes more depending on vacations and illnesses. I am grateful to have an office that is so supportive of me trying to raise my family, but also provide for them in monetary means as well. California is not the easiest place to raise a family with one income, a huge reason I work outside the home.

I would love to be the mom whose house is always spotless. Mine hardly ever is. I would love to be the mom who can go to every school trip or function. Again that isn't always the case. I would love to be the mom who is Wonder Woman, but I am not always that either. Instead I am the mom, who fixes boo boo's when she can, cuddles on the couch and watches a movie with her kids, or heads out into the swimming pool for some fun in the water. The cleaning is always last on my list at this point in time. I would much rather see my kids smile and know that I would much rather spend what little time I have at the end of the day with them instead of worrying about what my kitchen and bathroom look like.

Today instead of standing in front of the kitchen sink after work, doing dishes or folding the laundry I sat on the couch with my Bama (aka Madeline) and watched a movie and swam with my kids in pool.

I am not a mother of the year candidate, but I at least am making memories with my children. That accounts for something.

He's the Best

2011-07-05T23:38:00.001-07:00

He just is.

The Fourth Fun

2011-07-05T00:12:00.000-07:00

Another 4th of July is in the history books.
Spent the day at my parents this year. Had the annual BBQ of hot dogs and hamburgers. The best food for the 4th. Had most of the family there with us. Paul had to work, no surprise there. I know how much he hates missing out on the memories, so I always take lots of pictures. There weren't any huge catastrophes other than the fact that it was very hot. Cameron was stung by a yellow jacket, Madeline and some of the girls were caught with their hands in the homemade ice cream can. Madeline didn't have her hand in the can, but she was watching the others take handfuls and lick it up off of their hands. There were tears shed by more than one. There were some sparkler mishaps (ie. kids who may have slight burns on arms or feet when they wake in the morning). More tears shed. And then it was all over. Everyone is home. And children are sound asleep from a long and hot day enjoying our Independence Day.
Happy 4th of July to all of you.

My Little Fish

2011-07-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

I have two kids who I think should have been fish. I cannot keep them out of the water and they are starting to swim faster than me. Water tag is becoming very difficult for me to win. I can't even swim to the bottom of the pool to get away from them. I can't believe how fast they have taken to the water and how much better they have gotten in just the shortest amount of time. I think the pool and swim team are going to be staples in our lives for a very long time.

Then He Was 8

2011-07-03T21:01:00.000-07:00

Cameron recently had his 8th birthday on June 11th. He opted to have a grand old bash instead of going to his swim meet. In this instance we were too disappointed by his decision. From what we found out from other parents on the team it was a very long meet.
Cameron is our sensitive boy. He hates to jump into the cold water at swim practice. He cries over the littlest of dilemmas. He even cries if he loses a game on the computer or it freezes up on him. Every little bump turns into a cry fest. But, he is so in tune with what is going on with others. He hardly every raises his voice at another and is quick to point out if someone is getting the short end of the stick (usually himself).

He is growing up into such a wonderful kid and soon to be young man. There was never a doubt in his mind on whether he was going to be baptized. He was ready. I have never seen a kid more ready for what the future holds for him. He is smart and witty and has a way about him. He doesn't run out and look for friends he waits for them to gather around him. He is the sweetest little guy I know and has girls swooning about. I think it has something to do with his dimples.
My little guy tests me at times, but I think that is the Lord's way of making me more patient. And we know I am far from being patient.

Our family would not be complete without this guy in our life. He makes each day better. He tries so hard to be perfect and in my eyes he is.

Feeling Old!!!

2011-05-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

Not the creak in my bones or difficulty moving. More like I am weeks away from my guy Cameron turning 8. Every time I look in the mirror I see another gray hair growing. I am not getting any younger. I need to do something about that. I think I am going to go eat a popsicle. That makes everyone feel young. Go enjoy a popsicle today like I am and enjoy the fact that we can still be young at heart.

On to my to do list to prepare for a big eighth birthday for my guy Cameron.

Defeated!!!!

2011-05-25T21:13:00.001-07:00

Here is what defeat is. I had to work a lot last week, and by a lot, that I did not get my usual days off. My house looks like a tornado has blown through. The dishes are piled high. The laundry all over the floor. Cat hair clinging to everything. That is what defeat is. And to top it all off, I have had zero patience with my kids. I mean zero. Every little thing has set me off. The only thing that brings the slightest bit of sunshine and hope is the fact that with all my flaws and inconsistencies is that fact that my kids still tell me they love me when they go to bed. That is unconditional love.

And tomorrow is the start of a new day. A day that hopefully will not defeat me.

Giants Game & Easter Weekend

2011-05-02T22:16:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is another post about another trip to the San Francisco Giants game, but we can't get enough of a great ballpark and a great team. They didn't win, it was bitterly cold, and we ended up with a very unhappy 4 year old who had way too much sugar at the ballpark, but we were together and loved every minute of it. Paul got to watch more of the game than I did. Cameron pretty much played on his Nintendo DS and Madeline fell asleep in my arms in the 6th inning. What better way to spend a Friday night.

Easter consisted of easter baskets, easter egg hunts, and of course lots of cousins around to play with. There is always the picture of the kids in their easter duds, but is it too much to ask to get just one picture without my son making some kind of face, I mean really. I would have a file full of great pictures of the kids, if it weren't for a little man making faces. At least I have pictures to show future girlfriends. BLACKMAIL. We had a lot of fun with the family and got to help Grandpa Meadows celebrate his birthday.

A Breath of Fresh Air

2011-04-03T21:08:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful weekend to feel refreshed and ready to take on the world. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we had the opportunity to partake and listen to our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and leaders of our church speak and direct our paths. What a wonderful conference it was. It felt like it was directed to me or someone I know, that needed to know that the leaders of our church are called of God and have been given the inspiration, with the help of our Heavenly Father, to know exactly what the members of our Church are in need of. I am so blessed to be a member of the Church, to be married to my husband and have my family together for eternity, and blessed to be raising my children with the knowledge and love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for them.

If you have ever been interested in our beliefs, just want to know more or are seeking for answers please visit the following website: http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/04?lang=eng

Hoping Spring is Here to Stay

2011-03-31T21:33:00.000-07:00

After having to deal with winter weather for what seemed like eternity in the month of March (picture above), I am hoping that this wonderful spring weather that has bestowed itself upon us, will hopefully decide to stay for a very long time. I am so done with the dreariness and gloominess and so ready to get out and till the ground so that we can enjoy a harvest of our own in our new backyard.

We Love The Snow!!!!

2011-03-29T21:34:00.001-07:00

We love the snow. We love the snow. Did you know that we love the snow. I am sure that if we lived somewhere that always had snow we would say how much we love the beach. Enjoy the pics and videos of our fun in the snow.

Sometimes It Only Takes a Wave................ And A Muskrat

2011-03-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

From the beginning, Cameron has had a little quirk that is quite interesting. When he gets exceptionally excited both hands curl up into fists, come right up next to his cheeks, and shakes. Hence the muskrat term. It really makes him look like a muskrat.

Today while walking Cameron to school, which is just around the corner, I had to just smile and laugh. I always walk Cameron to the end of the pedestrian walkway and watch him cross the parking lot. Today he stopped and waved, and I stopped and waved, and his little hands ran right up to his cheeks and the muskrat appeared. I walked a little further, turned around to make sure Cameron had made it safely past the construction gate only to find him about 2 feet from his original stopping area waving. I waved back and the muskrat appeared again. Again I walked a little further, turned around, and found Cameron waving again. Again I waved back and the muskrat appeared. This went on two more times before I made it back to the sidewalk and back home again. All I could do was smile. It really made my day that much better today. What a great little guy I have.

We Moved

2011-03-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

Which means that our other home was sold. It was touch and go for awhile, but we are rid of our first ever bought home. We moved to a very quiet little neighborhood at the back of a court. It is so nice to be off of a busy street so my kids have room to run and play and not worry about a car flying around the bend toward them. I feel so much happier in our new rental. We are going to rent for awhile, but if this home were to ever come up for sale we would probably buy it. The kids rooms are very large, with some room still to grow. The kitchen is marvelous. The backyard has a beautiful swimming pool with an area already set up with a drip system if we find the time to get our garden in. We still have a lot of work to do. The previous tenants kind of let the yards go a bit, so when the weather finally gives up and brings spring here, we will be outside cleaning up the yard.

(If you are in need of our new address please feel free to send us a message and we will make sure you get it.)

My Princess

2011-03-14T21:19:00.000-07:00

The Disney Store had a Princess Tea Party a few weeks back and thanks to cousin Julia who let us borrow her princess dress. Madeline really wanted to go as Alice, but it was a princess tea party. She makes the best Alice. She makes a good princess too, when she wants to be a princess. It was fun to see all the little girls in their different princess dresses and play cute little princess games. They even got to decorate at little princess tea cup to take home with them.

FOUND...Holiday Photos

2011-03-08T21:33:00.001-08:00

I finally found my camera cord. HALLELUJAH!!! Don't ask how many boxes it took to find it either.

You'll have to start from the bottom of the post to get the full effect. I posted the pics and realized that I needed to reverse the order. Instead of messing with it I figured you could just start at the bottom instead of the top. I am just going to be lazy. Something I am perfecting very nicely.

And then it was all over
We opened lots of gifts from grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, mommy and daddy, and of course, Santa
We stuffed many gifts under the tree for Christmas morning
We sprinkled our reindeer food so they would stop and snack for awhile
We opened our Christmas Eve pajamas
We made reindeer food for Santa's reindeer
We decorated the Tree

Blessings Abound

2011-01-20T22:28:00.000-08:00

Our family is abundant with blessings. After a very long process of trying to sell our home, prayers, trips to the temple, and diligence paying tithing, our home will officially be in the hands of a new owner in 45 days (barring any last minute issues). And we will be in the most perfect home when that time comes. Patience paid off this time around and I don't always like to be patient. If only it didn't happen to be a rental. If the owners do, in fact, plan on ever selling this home, our family would love to purchase it. I can hardly wait to post pictures. The backyard is huge, with the most wonderful built in pool, plenty of room for the kids to run away from the pool, and even more room for me to take on gardening. A plot of land for a garden, oh the joy. A kitchen that i will be so happy to cook in and have the kids help me cook. Plenty of space to store so many of our items that need storing. Hallelujah's are in order and everyone is welcome in our new home. Lots of fun to be had at our new home. Can't wait to move.

On the diet front...we are still going strong. My body hurts from all the old muscles that haven't been used since college, but I will overcome the pain and keep on at it. No more baby fat for me.

And It Just Keeps Going

2011-01-19T22:41:00.001-08:00

Today is day 6 of our diet/workout. I am very impressed that we have lasted 6 days. A feat I did not think that we could make. I figured we would get tired of it and go back to our old ways. We are being very good and diligent with our food diary's and workout schedule. As I am typing this post Paul is off playing basketball (a really good way for him to burn some calories and something he enjoys more than running). Friday is our weigh in day. Hoping for a small result from all of my hard work this week.

I have had a busy day. Covered a half day shift at work while a co-worker had to attend to her civic duty for jury duty. Did a quick clean up job at home and had the missionaries over for dinner. Paul made some killer marinade for our chicken tonight and grilled it up on the BBQ. So yummy and so healthy for us. I had a meeting at church after dinner and came home to do my cardio workout afterward. I was so ready to barf...and my legs feel like jelly. Just part of the hard work to get my pre-kids body back, and so worth it if I can be happy in a bathing suit this year.

Life is moving right along. The house should be sold by (hopefully) the end of March so we can get into another house that is a bit bigger with a better kitchen. We are working hard to get ourselves out of debt, which would make life so much easier for us. Just the essentials for awhile, but I can live with that. Living within our means...that's our motto, and keep working.

...Coming soon will be the pictures from our holidays. That is if I can find the wire to connect the camera to the computer to download my pictures.

The Pics (We took a lot)

2011-01-18T21:59:00.001-08:00

From the start in San Francisco to the sunshine in Coos Bay when we left, our trip wasn't exactly as planned, but it was wonderful and we made the best out of it. We has a beautiful drive along the coast of CA. A most wonderful drive through Redwood National Park, that made me so thankful for the beauty that our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon this earth. And you will notice what a foggy day looks like in Coos Bay compared to the sunny days, both equally beautiful. We got to end our trip with the ocean touching the sky and not finding the division between the two. A trip for anyone to add to their bucket list.

The Anniversary Trip???

2011-01-18T21:28:00.000-08:00

This was supposed to be the trip of all trips.

We left on Monday, Nov. 29th after dropping Madeline off with Paul's parents and Cameron off at school. We headed to Coos Bay, OR, by way of HWY 1 and 101 which travels along the northern coast of California. If you ever have a chance to take this drive, you have to do it. It is the most beautiful drive, a very long drive, but so worth it.

Upon entering the Eureka area (very northern CA) we received a phone call from the owner of the cabin that we had rented in Coos Bay. Quaint little cabin right on the bluff, overlooking the ocean on clear days. The owners previous caretaker, who had been fired a year previously had decided to show up on the property while the cleaning lady was there prepping the cabin for us. In the process he decided to chase her around the property with an axe. She in turn, called 911 promptly, the sheriffs dept. showed up, proceeded to try to arrest him, only to have to taser him twice, which did not stop him. They do finally arrest him, only to have the DA release him until his arraignment. Here is the hitch in our trip. We now have nowhere to stay in Coos Bay and are over half way there. I, for one, was not going to take my chances staying in a cabin where, at any moment someone with an axe could be standing over me in my sleep. I know this story sounds so far fetched, but anything is possible. Especially when you are married to someone in law enforcement.

We decided to still head up to Coos Bay and search out for another place to stay. We ended up at the Mill Hotel and Casino, which was a very nice hotel. They took pity on us and gave us a really great rate.

We did a lot of sight seeing. The Oregon Coast is beautiful, cold this time of year, but beautiful. We went and drove along the sand dunes in a buggy, which I think Paul enjoyed more than me (he was driving and did a very good job of making me fear for my life). I wish I could have gotten pictures, but it was so wet and I did not want to ruin my new camera. We did some shopping. Ate at the most wonderful Italian place ever. Got some souvenirs for the kids. And spent some very much needed time away together, without having to worry about work and all the jobs of being parents. We did check in on our kids by the way, we aren't that terrible at being parents.

We did check on the cabin for the owners, and also to see if we would come back with the kids sometime. We might just do that, but only if the crazy loon of a caretaker is in jail.

On a side note, I now know how big of a place I have to live in to be happy. The Coos Bay area made me feel claustrophobic. I have to live in a place with at least 50,000 people, a very large mall and shopping centers (Wal-Mart does not count) within a 30 minute drive, and be close to the mountains for snow and beaches for fun in the sun, but not in CA. I have my work cut out for me.

Pictures to come.

Where Have I Been???

2011-01-18T21:14:00.000-08:00

In answer to that question I have been here the whole time. I have been busier than all get all. I thought that life would slow down once the holidays passed, but that hasn't been the case.

There was our anniversary trip, that didn't pan out as planned (another post to come). Then my birthday, Christmas, New Years, back to work, back to school, and now I will be packing a house and moving into another house just a few miles away. This means some big changes for us, new school (in the fall), new ward (for those who don't understand, in the Mormon church our areas are designed into wards and our home determines which church building and ward we will go to), we will be heading to the Ceres building in the Turlock Stake, and some new memories. When we are able to get into the new house I will make sure to post pics.

I am hoping to keep up on the blogging front. I know that this is the only way that some of you get to see us and watch our kids grow. I'm not perfect, so it doesn't mean that I won't disappear for a while, only to pop back up on the radar.

I am hoping to make this more of a daily blog, especially since Paul and I are doing the diet/workout thing together. I mainly am looking to tone up some body parts that sag since having children and Paul is looking to drop a few pounds and inches around the middle. This is a win win for us, because we are so competitive we will keep each other going. This diet/workout thing is so much easier with a partner. I will keep all updated on how we are doing with our weight losses and toning.

10 Years & The Best Week Ever

2010-11-21T22:31:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it. Paul and I have been married for 10 years. I know I can't. It really feels like it was yesterday that we married for eternity. We don't look exactly like we did 10 years ago, but we have two of the most wonderful and entertaining kids in the world. I wouldn't trade my life for anything.

We celebrated our anniversary on Thursday with the kids, with a trip to Texas Roadhouse. I love their steaks. Yum Yum. I finally got a new camera so you will be glad to know that I can now post pictures again. You no longer have to use the imagination. Sorry to make you all work so hard imaging our family adventures. Did I mention that he also surprised me with flowers at work. It is not very often that he can surprise me, but he did this time.

Our real anniversary trip will be a week driving along the coast of California until we reach Coos Bay, Oregon. I am so excited. I have never been that far north. If it is a good trip we might even consider doing it again with the kids in the future. We have rented a cabin along the ocean in Coos Bay/Charleston. I will be able to look out the windows and see the ocean and probably a lot of rain also. Can hardly wait to break in the new camera to capture all of the beauty that we will see.

On Saturday I got to attend my first hockey game with Cameron and I have to say I had the best time ever. Thanks to my dad who let us come along for the fun. Cameron ended up getting a replica jersey also. All the kids that showed up got jerseys...if only I were a kid for just a second, if the jersey is big enough to fit me I may just have to steal it...hahaha. There was also a player on the team whose last name was Cameron. I tried the whole night to get a picture of him on the ice. I thought it was cool...the rest of you probably think I am crazy...well maybe a little crazy (Paul would agree). Hope you can tell from the picture that his name is Cameron.

The coming week has lots of fun in store. We have lots of family traveling in for Thanksgiving and we have a lot of fun scheduled. Thank goodness my husband is the best ever and got me a new camera. I love him.

Beauty and the Crazy End to the Week

2010-11-16T22:43:00.000-08:00

I had every intention to post this Sunday after the performance of Beauty and the Beast, but that of course was not to be. Oh how the time slips away and I never finish anything on my to do list. Maybe I make my to do lists to big and daunting. Oh well.

Last week was the week from H... E... double Hockey Sticks... that's right it was.

(Saturday) The birthday party over, Madeline came down with strep. Not a fun illness to watch your little ones deal with.

(Sunday) Next came the run to the after hours nurse for the test to come back positive and 10 days of antibiotics. My lesson in Relief Society...which went really well in my opinion, not that my opinion would matter in this respect.

(Wednesday) There was the Dr.'s visit for both kids to have their well visits with their Dr. DO NOT EVER DO THIS. It was absolutely crazy in the Dr.'s office with two kids in there at the same time. Learned my lesson. Only to have the missionaries come for dinner, which kind of didn't happen until much later due to a zone conference that interfered only to have them come back after an appt.

(Friday) Next was the run back to the Dr.'s for an x-ray for Cameron's thumb that does not bend and has not bent since he was 18 mos. old....this mom is persistent to get something done about it. (He see's the plastic surgeon Wed. to have it looked at. Persistence pays off.) Then there is the lab visit for Madeline where blood and urine was drawn (routine for those going to enter kindergarten next year) only to find out she has a UTI (urinary tract infection) to go along with the strep. Next is the injection clinic, where we waited 45 min. to get 4 immunizations for Madeline. (And she didn't shed one single tear with any of it, my strong baby girl.) Next was the 35 min. jaunt to my work for our annual picture for the paper. A baby shower I couldn't attend because it conflicted with softball.

(Saturday) My sister's baby shower and some fun shopping with the sisters.

(Sunday) The absolute best day of them all. I got to end the week with taking my "Bama" (Madeline) to her very first big time production at our local Theatre. Our birthday present to her was to see "Beauty and the Beast". If any of you mom's have the opportunity to take your families to this production it is worth it. She acted like the most perfect little angel and I got to watch my little girl's eyes sparkle with wonder while she watched. I only wish it would have lasted a little bit longer.

Those days that you don't see listed were the days that I spent at work not worrying about what the next day entailed. Thank goodness I get a break with work.

Gratitude

2010-11-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, I have been a little selfish as of yet, and have forgotten all that I should be thankful for. My lesson for Relief Society really opened my eyes to being more grateful for everything I have, including the trials in our lives. Sometimes I think the inspiration I get from the Spirit is for my good more than it is for the sisters in Relief Society.

I am extremely grateful for my husband and the hard work that he does to keep us safe and protected and keep money in the bank. I don't tell him often enough how truly grateful I am for him.

I am grateful for healthy, happy children. For the moment I have a sick little girl who doesn't get to enjoy the healthy part. No mommy likes to see their kids sick.

I am grateful for umbrellas, especially today. It started to rain today and while Madeline cuddled with her daddy on the couch, Cameron and I opened up our brand new umbrellas and took a walk to the park. He talked and I listened. He talked only about his video games, but that is what is important to him at this moment in time. We had a lovely walk and are going to do it again when the next storm blows through. And Cameron will talk and I will listen.

I am grateful for family who live close and get to enjoy the kids as much as we do, and are so willing to help us out in a bind. Couldn't ask for a better family.

She's 4

2010-11-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that my baby girl is four today. She has had a busy day so far and we haven't even had the birthday party. That comes tomorrow. She has had donuts from her favorite donut place, Mr. T's. We had a play date at the park and shared birthday cupcakes with her friends. Picked up her brother from school and enjoyed some birthday ice cream.

She is our rambunctious little girl who loves to wear dresses and play like the boys. She keeps us on our toes and in stitches. She definitely knows how to make us all laugh. She has to be the center of attention and the boss of her bother. She is clever and witty and the most enjoyable little girl to have. We love our little "Bama" even if she isn't so little anymore.

Goodbye October...Hello November

2010-11-02T23:46:00.000-07:00

The pumpkins carved, the kids dressed in their finest Halloween costumes, the house decorated with bats, ghosts, pumpkins and all things scary. Fun family outings, trick or treating and an all around good time. October has been a great month and treated us all well.

Now it is on to our busy November. We have a birthday party, a few baby showers, the coming of the end of my softball season, an anniversary and many thanks to be had and given. I am so looking forward to what this month has in store for us (maybe even a new camera). I can hardly wait for all the family and friends that will be near.

I am so grateful for everything that I have and all the blessings that have been bestowed upon our family this year. Now on to all the holiday festivities and more memories to be made.

The Best Weekend Ever...Almost

2010-10-17T19:11:00.001-07:00

I had one of the best weekends ever. It would have been the best if Paul were able to be there with us, but it was still wonderful. There is always next time.

The day started out great. The kids were easy to get up and get ready. It is amazing what donuts from Mr. T's will do for getting kids going in the morning. We were able to get out the door by 9 am, stopped for donuts, topped off the gas tank and headed to the Oakland Zoo. Met up with my college roommate Ashley and 3 of her 4 kids (her husband and oldest son were missing as well). Walked around, saw lots of animals, and caught up on all the news. I am sure we could have talked a lot more and spent a lot more time together (a lot more). It was so nice to catch up. I needed a weekend like that. It has been too long since we had seen each other last and we only live about an hours drive away. Definitely need to get together more often.

Left the zoo and got home just in time to get to my nieces 5th birthday party. Let the kids get their sugar fix and play in the bounce house.

Left the party, picked up my sister, picked up blankets and sleeping bags at the house, stopped for McDonalds (they are giving away trick or treat buckets for happy meals if anyone is interested in getting some) and ran out to the park in Oakdale for Movie under the stars (How to Train Your Dragon). Only it wasn't under the stars it was under the clouds, but the rain held off until the movie ended. Thank goodness for that. Cameron had his heart set on the movie and the weather cooperated for him. Was so fun to watch them out there cuddled up in their bags watching the movie. Can't wait to do it again when they start it up next May. It is the perfect family activity. Get there early, bring some food and snacks with you, stake your spot and let the kids run wild until dark.

I had so much fun and now it feels like fall outside today. It won't last (the weather). It is supposed to get right back up into the upper 70's and lower 80's, but it ended my weekend on a high note.

Here's to next weekend. How will I ever top this weekend.

P.S. Still no camera, means no pictures. I will one day have photographs. Continue to use your imagination. It will keep you young.

A New Tradition...Sunday Baking

2010-10-10T19:53:00.001-07:00

I have decided that since there isn't much for me to do to keep my kids occupied on a Sunday I would start to include my kids into some fun and easy baking recipes. They can put in the flour and other dry ingredients and I will take care of the wet ingredients. Not only do they like to help, but I am teaching them to be able to bake when they get older and have families of their own.

I am not one for baking much anymore. Used to love it in college when my roommate and I would spend an entire day making baked goods for boys and delivering them to their apartments. This baking session usually coincided with a dance that my roommate and I were not asked to and wanted to remind certain individuals that they had forgotten about us. It never worked, but I am sure that our goodies were gobbled up quickly.

Today our assignment was cupcakes. Not from scratch mind you. I got a good deal on the boxed mix and we set out to bake, frost and decorate our cupcakes for some Halloween fun. I am still without the ability to photograph our fun times so you will need to imagine my kids on the barstools frosting cupcakes and using way to many sprinkles for the size of their cupcake. Watching Madeline frost her cupcakes and upon finishing with the decorating licking off all the frosting from the said cupcakes. I am not one to eat those kinds of cupcakes. Still it was lots of fun to watch my kids enjoy some baking fun together.

The Joys and Pains of Parenting

2010-09-30T22:46:00.000-07:00

It has been a rough week in the parenting department and I still have a few days left of the week. In all my weeks as a parent this has been a tough one. I love my children to death. I would run into a burning building to save them. I would do anything for them. They bring me so much joy when there is joy to be had. But this has been the worst week ever. I don't know if it is just the teacher that Cameron has or if it is just Cameron, but this is going to be a long school year.

I was informed by Cameron, on Wednesday, that his teacher would take away his afternoon recess if he continued to go up to the office. Here is some background to the story. Cameron is sensitive. Has been from birth. It is something we have been aware of. The slightest little bump from a kid on the playground sends Cameron into a tizzy. Even his 5 year old cousin knows that he is sensitive and has been known to use that to her advantage, which is slightly funny, only slightly. One of the women from our ward is a yard duty at the school and knows how Cameron reacts and so she gives him a choice to either go up to the office or stay with her for a minute and go back to playing. Somehow his teacher has become aware of Cameron's trips to the office and now she is threatening to take away his afternoon recess.

Then there is the note that was sent home from school today (Thursday). Cameron was playing with his partner during silent reading instead of staying to task. He was warned and when he didn't stop, was asked to pull a card only to go back to his seat and start playing with his friend again and asked to pull another card and go and spend 30 minutes in another class. And all I can think is that my poor son is bored out of his mind in this classroom because he is miles ahead of every other student in his class. I am afraid that my kid is being singled out by this teacher because he reacts differently to situations and the teacher does not like it.

Here is hoping to better parenting next week. Thank goodness for weekends.

Laughter...the best medicine

2010-09-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of catching up on those duties that I have neglected the past week. Cleaning, laundry, paying bills, you all know what I am talking about. The things we would rather not do. Same goes for me, but they have to be done, and I did them. As well as my duties it is also pizza night. I love pizza night. No dishes and no mess to clean up afterwards. The best night ever.

And what makes it even better are my kids laughter. My kids have the best laughs. It doesn't matter where they are, those laughs put a smile on my face, and Madeline has been particularly giggly tonight. I love it. Makes me feel better about my day. It brings a great end to a mediocre day.

P.S. I am really missing not having a camera around to catch my kids by surprise. They really do some funny stuff when they don't think anyone is watching. I continue to save my pennies for a new one.

What Would I Do Without Them

2010-09-21T23:39:00.000-07:00

I have been so lucky to have a great family that lives so close and helps me when I need it. I don't always need the help, but when I do, they do their best to come through. As a working mom that means the most to me. I am so lucky to have such wonderful people to help take care of and fulfill what I sometimes cannot for my kids.

I appreciate all the games, meets and church activities that my family make a point to be there for. As a kid it always meant the world to have my mom and dad cheering me on and even as I get older it still means a lot to now have them and the rest of our clan out there cheering for my kids. And the smiles when they see more than Paul and I cheering for them is even better.

I don't know where life will take us in the near future, but I will always have my family and they will always have me and my family. I would hope that someday I might be able to repay them, in some fashion, for all the help and support that they give my family.

Ready for Fall

2010-09-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today on my way to work I was teased with some beautiful fall weather. It was sunny and a bit warm at our home, but as I made the short 20 min. drive to Oakdale the weather was so different. Slightly overcast with some fog, a slight breeze and some very cool air. I felt like I was on the coast. It was wonderful. It didn't stay all day, but it was a nice break from the norm around here. Hopefully I won't have to wait to long for fall to make a permanent appearance.

A Day Like No Other

2010-09-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today needs to go down in the history books. For the first time ever I did not have a single issue with getting kids ready for church. They got up on time, did not fuss about breakfast, and even were dressed earlier than usual. I was even able to curl Madeline's hair before church. There are miracles out there, even if they are small ones. Got out the door 10 minutes before church, which allowed us time to sit and prepare for our meetings. I, of course, could not tell you what was spoken during sacrament meeting because I forgot the crayons and was trying to keep our soon to be 4 year old Madeline occupied. So it was a typical Sunday.

I am very excited for next Sunday because this will be Madeline's very first Primary program at church. Here is hoping that she does well and doesn't blow out every hearing aid when she speaks her part in the microphone.

Changing Things Up

2010-09-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

It has been yet another month since I have posted any news on our end and I can honestly say that not much has gone on.

We have been very busy trying to sell our home, which means keeping the house spotless and I mean spotless. Not the easiest thing to do when you have two kids and two cats. As well as pay attention to the rentals in the area so that we can find a home in the area with a great school and more kids in the neighborhood for our kids to play with. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the house will be sold before Christmas so that we can have a really great Christmas with decorations and a tree in a new home. I am not looking forward to the possibilities of having to move during the holidays.

Cameron is doing very well in school when it comes to his work. Which we knew was not going to be his problem, but his meltdowns have started up again and we have a teacher who is not patient in that department. Even threatened him with going to the office if he couldn't control himself. We are in the process of trying out different techniques to combat this problem. Hoping that one of them is going to work.

I finally cut Madeline's hair. I was so tired of the tears every time I had to take a brush to it and make her look presentable. And when I say cut I mean cut. I had the stylist cut her hair to her chin. It is so cute and totally makes her personality shine. Love that girl and her funny little quirks.

I have decided to kind of change up my blog and make it more my journal. I find it easier to journal on here than writing it down in a book. I will still be posting all the family doings as well as journaling.

I am still without a camera for the time being so when I do get a camera I will make sure to post pictures of Madeline's haircut.

The Summer Recap

2010-08-17T22:56:00.001-07:00

The Summer Season is done for us. Cameron started 2nd grade on the 17th so I thought I would recap all of our summer fun in a single post.

There was camping trips and swim meets, ball games and birthdays, holidays and day trips, county fairs and slumber parties, late nights and early mornings, family time and swimming parties, cleaning house and prepping house and hopefully selling the house. We had a great summer this year. It was very full and very busy, but the best part was the time that we got to spend together as a family. Can't wait till next summer so we can do it all over again.

I wish that I had photos to post of our very last camping trip, but I no longer have a camera. I now know that 7 year olds can not be responsible with cameras, especially when they are standing on rolling logs. I will have a new camera someday, but until then you will have to use your imagination to go along with my posts.

4th of July Festivities and Weekend

2010-07-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July Holiday brought us a break from our swimming endeavors for one weekend so what does a family do with nothing else to do, celebrate in style.

We hit up the local baseball team for a BBQ, game, and fireworks on Saturday with Paul's parents company.This is what happens when a baseball game goes extra innings. You get a 3 year old who falls asleep and doesn't even wake up to see the fireworks.

The 4th was spent at my parents house for another BBQ and a fireworks show in the front yard. Couldn't have asked for a better 4th of July Weekend. All of my parents grandchildren.

Sea Dog Invitational 6/26/10

2010-07-11T11:37:00.001-07:00

I did not get a lot of video at this meet. It is hard to get a place to watch with so many teams, parents and families there to watch their kids. I did get this photo of Cameron during his freestyle event. I get a kick out of watching this little fish of mine.

Ripon Swim Meet 6/19/10

2010-07-11T11:05:00.001-07:00

More video for you all to see. Cameron does not like to be cold at the swim meets we have found out. So you will find that this is not one of Cameron's best meets, but he still tried hard.

Happy 4th

2010-07-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

Wishing you all out there a very happy and safe 4th of July. Grateful for the freedoms that we have and those who have fought and continue to fight for them. We are very blessed to live in the country that we do. God Bless America.

More Swimming

2010-06-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

Yet another swimming post. This is currently what takes on most of our time. Monday thru Thursdays are practice and weekends we are hanging out at the pool watching Cameron swim and get better each time he jumps in. I had posted these on Facebook, but not all of the family is on Facebook, so I am posting the videos onto the blog for the family to see how well Cameron is doing. Just be patient with me for the next 5 weeks and we will be on to new adventures.

He is growing up...7 years old

2010-06-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

On June 11th 2003 @ 7:06am our lives changed forever. Our twosome became a threesome and life could never have been crazier. I was so ready to be a mom. I knew I had wanted to be a mom. And on this day I became one. I did not expect motherhood to be so hard, but it was. Cameron was a clingy baby. Always wanting to be held. Always wanting to be loved (didn't mind that). But he couldn't have been more perfect. He was brought to my arms to teach me patience. A virtue that was not in my vocabulary before I had him.

He has grown into such a wonderful little guy. He dotes on his sister. They never fight only argue and Madeline usually ends up the victor in the argument which will only make Cameron that much better of a husband to some lucky girl far in the future. He is a bit of a klutz and has his meltdowns, only not as many as before. He is like a sponge when it comes to learning and soaks up anything you put in front of him to read, write, or do. He loves swimming more than anything else in the world. And if he isn't in the pool swimming he is playing Wii or watching his favorite cartoons. He has definitely taught me patience and that a kind word goes farther with him than harsh criticizing words. He does anything I ask of him and sometimes more. He will surprise his mom by making the bed sometimes, and is so proud when I notice and thank him.

We are so grateful for this little boy and life would not ever be the same without him. I hope he enjoyed his spongebob themed birthday, but I'm sure he did. This family would do anything for this little guy and he does everything for us.

Madeline's Joy School Graduation

2010-06-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Madeline has finished her 1st year of Joy School. Here are some pics from our little graduation party. She is a ham if you hadn't already figured that one out.

Better Late Than Never

2010-06-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of the kids in their Easter duds. It is a little late, but the weather here has been crazy and was not warm enough for Madeline to wear her cute little dress. Had to wait till June to get the picture, but it was worth the wait. Right.?

My Little Fish

2010-06-13T18:14:00.001-07:00

Paul and I have been trying our darndest to find a sport that is just right for Cameron. He loves soccer, but hasn't gotten the coordination down to be able to keep up with the kids in his age group. Same goes for baseball. The kid loves to go to baseball games, but when it comes to playing he just looks silly trying to throw the ball and hit. So instead of him being humiliated and laughed at, we were at a loss for what to do for him. Then came the World Swimming Championships. Thank you USA Swimming.

I sat down to watch the last day of the competition and Cameron happened to come in and watched with me. After it was all done he asked if they really do that. Apparently he doesn't think anything is real on TV, which this mom is grateful for, back to the competition. I said they do and he asked if he could do that. Sure, why not. He loves to be in the water, we just had to find him a team, a team that would be patient with him and help him learn the strokes. He has had swimming lessons, but hadn't reached the level where they go over the strokes. We got lucky when we found the Modesto Sharks team that as long as they can front crawl across 25 yards and aren't afraid of the water they will take them. Woo Hoo. So Cameron has taken to the water really well and is loving every minute. Fingers crossed that this is what he wants to continue to do. This mom would spend any amount to make sure this kid has something that he is good at and passionate about doing. And I think swimming is what it's going to be.

He Did It!!!!

2010-06-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

Cameron set a goal for himself this year to get perfect attendance. He really wanted to get the trophy that they give away at the end of the year. By golly he did it. I was worried there for a bit. We had one day that he was not feeling well, but he went to school anyway. And no, I did not make him go, I was prepared to have him stay home and make it up to him in some way for trying his best to get perfect attendance.

Memorial Weekend Camping Trip

2010-06-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

Another year means another camping trip. Our plan all along had been to go to Lake Alpine again. Not the case this year as you will see from some of our pictures. They still had 5 feet of snow on the ground, so we headed to a new campground for our camping trip. This year we were at Wakaalu Hepyu. It is Miwuk for wild river. And the river was very wild and very fast while we were there, but gorgeous to just sit by and watch and listen. Here are some pictures from our trip.

The Simple Things

2010-05-17T22:34:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than watching your kids enjoy the simple things in life. That being a warm spring day where they can run through the sprinklers and ride their toys along the sidewalk. I enjoy watching my kids enjoy life. I makes me realize how lucky I am to have them.

Why I Love California

2010-05-16T21:17:00.001-07:00

I have always lived in California, except for the most perfect 2 1/2 years that I spent at Ricks College, in Rexburg Idaho. That said, all I can do is think about getting out of this awful state. Not because I don't like California anymore, but it isn't the California I grew up in. The politics, the lousy education system, the crime, and the liberals.

I do have my reasons for staying and here they are. The Beach and that wonderful sea air.
The Rolling Green Hills in the Spring
The snowy mountains in the Winter

Does any other state have this to offer? Nope, so I am content to stick things out for the time being until they get so bad that it's time for the millennium and there isn't any other choice than for them to get better.

Catching Up

2010-05-15T22:06:00.001-07:00

I know I have been slacking. Life has really gotten busy since I posted about my time at school with Cameron.

There was Easter, which was pretty laid back and uneventful thanks to the soggy weather. The Easter Bunny was very nice to hide our eggs in the house instead of outside this year.

We went to see my sister, Laura, in her production of The Secret Garden. This was the kids very first trip to see an actual stage production and I have to say they did very well. Madeline did much better than I expected and Cameron asked me to go and buy him the book so that he could read it. I will wait a little while before I buy the book. He is a great reader, but some things may be a little to difficult for him to understand.

Then there was Cameron's school trip to the Monterey Aquarium and the beach. Cameron loves the aquarium. This was his third time there. They had the most wonderful exhibit on sea horses. Truly beautiful animals in the sea.

Can you see the sea horse in the photo?

After the Monterey trip, we signed Cameron up for the city swim team. This is something he is very passionate about. I hope he stay passionate about it. We have been looking for something that Cameron would love in the way of sports. Hopefully this is the ticket. He asked to join swim team after watching the world swimming championships last summer. He isn't the greatest at his strokes, but he doesn't give up, so that is saying something for him.

And then there was Mothers Day. It wasn't a grand day, but it didn't have to be. I got to spend some great time with some great mom's that are in mine, my husbands, and the kids lives. I had a great day at church with the kids. After which we headed to my mom's house for lunch and let all the cousins play together and then it was on to Paul's mom's house as soon as he got off of his shift.

This is a tacky way of catching up I know, but I will do so much better once the school year ends and things slow down a bit during the summer.

It is 12:43 AM & I can't SLEEP!!

2010-05-12T00:43:00.000-07:00

It is really late in the evening and I just can't sleep. Don't know the reason, I just can't sleep. Maybe it is the impending cleaning fest, chili making and impending work that needs to be tackled and finished. Maybe I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the soon to be end of the school year or the impending pay cut to Paul's salary. Maybe I am feeling a little lonely and without a really good friend to hear me and understand me and help me. I guess I am just feeling a little emotional and it is only early Wed. morning. Maybe it is that time of the month, as my husband would say, which makes me a little angry when he says that now that I am thinking of that.

Am I the only one who goes through these kind of low points. You know that kind that makes you feel a little worthless and boring and unattractive. The kind that makes you a little angry at others and makes you speak your mind a little to harshly only to realize you may have hurt another's feelings. That is how I am feeling at the moment. (Or maybe it is because I have been up way past my bedtime.)

I really shouldn't feel this way. I have an amazing family, an amazing husband, two amazing kids, and a life that I am sure others would want a little piece of or a glimpse of. But I still feel kind of blah. Blah. Blah. Blah.

I'll get over it. I always do, just don't understand why I feel this way sometimes.

I did not disappoint!!

2010-03-03T16:01:00.000-08:00

For the first time in a long time I felt like I didn't disappoint.

As a working mom life gets difficult and you have to pick and choose those activities that you can attend and will mean the most to your children.

On Tuesday, Cameron's school had their annual Read Across America Day. It is also Dr. Suess's birthday. This is probably the same on every elementary school campus. On this day parents can come to school and spend an hour for lunch reading and having time with them. It was really important to Cameron that either myself or Paul could attend. Paul of course could not, so I was left to hope that the schedule of patients at the office would suffice me to leave a little early for lunch.

I arrived at work only to find that there was no way in heck that I was going to be able to leave early. There were far too many patients that would allow me the luxury of spending a little time with a little boy who wanted it so much. So I worked diligently and regretted that I was going to let my little guy down and was going to have to make it up to him in some sort of way.

As the morning progressed a few patients showed up very early for their appointments and some didn't stay as long because of other issues that were pressing. I thought this might be my chance. I weighed whether I should go or stay and finally just told them I was leaving a little early to spend some much needed time with my little guy. Thank goodness I have an office who allows me that luxury. Some aren't so lucky, but I am. Heavenly Father has really blessed my with a great workplace that is so understanding, and on this date he made it possible for a little boy to get his prayer answered.

I walked into Cameron's classroom and that look of joy will be forever etched into my memory. I did not disappoint. His mom was there and he was so happy and so was his teacher, who has been a breath of fresh air and understanding for Cameron.

I love that little guy, and though he makes me crazy, he will always be my little guy. And I will always do my best to not disappoint.

(The picture you see with this post was taken by my friend Diane Conn. She is magnificent. If you live in California's Central Valley look her up, you won't be disappointed. www.connphotography.com)

Did I Mention We Love The Snow...

2010-02-25T21:50:00.000-08:00

This post has been a long time coming. Life has indeed gotten in the way. So much to do and the blog was put on the back burner. Now I am back to update our journeys and travels in the past few weeks. There hasn't been a lot of them but we have still been busy.

The pictures in this post are from our second trip to the snow this year. Cameron had a day off from school and we took the opportunity to go head up to the hills while everyone else had to work. It was fun to have most of the snow to ourselves. There were maybe a dozen of us up there, which gave us lots of room to run and throw snowballs.

Paul and I have been busy trying to purge our home of all the junk (stuff we don't use anymore) from the house. It is a long process, but we are getting things done. Slowly but surely we will get there. The garage is almost done, which means I will be having a yard sale in the near future to make some money off some of our gently used items (mainly toys).

So here's to the fun and the not so fun.

Snowboarding...NOT FOR ME

2010-01-17T20:30:00.000-08:00

Paul and I headed up to the slopes with some friends for some fun in the powder. It was absolutely perfect for me to be learning to snowboard (for the very first time). I know you all want to know what took me so long to finally try it out. Don't worry, I won't be trying it out again.

I had a great lesson and was doing well on the little hill, and then our instructor said we were ready for the lift and going down the mountain (it is more of a bunny hill, not a mountain, but I would like to exaggerate in this instance) . No more small little hill.
I was up for the challenge, of course, I am always up for the challenge. And then I got off the lift, strapped into the board and looked down the mountain. You have got to be kidding me is all that ran through my mind. I am 33 years old, have two kids at home and she wants me to board down this mountain. Well I tried, and fell face first, tried and fell on my butt, tried and fell on my butt again, and tried one more time and fell again. Only to get back up and hear the instructor say we would take the lift one more time to go down again, and again I repeated my first run down. Upon completion of our second attempt down the hill (hell) she said our lesson was done and we were free to go on our own. As she said that, I am thinking absolutely not. And that is exactly what happened. I took off my board headed into the lodge and waited for Paul and our friends Dennis and Heidi. Upon their return I told Paul he would not need to buy me a board, I would not want to try it again.

Don't get me wrong, I did have fun being up there, just not going down a mountain with both my feet strapped onto a long single board. Had this been 10 years ago I probably wouldn't give us so easily, but that would be 10 years ago, no two kids, and abs that could get me up every time I fell. Not to mention the next morning I felt like a car had hit me. Instead I will be trying my hand at skiing the next time around.

New Years

2010-01-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all of you out there. 2009 was anything but easy, but we have been truly blessed with what we have been given. I have wanted to pull my hair out at times, but who doesn't. Life just keeps going and our family is hanging on for the ride. I am hoping that 2010 will be filled with a few less trials, but if the trials come our way we can take them in stride and learn from them.

New Years Eve was uneventful for us, so you will see no pictures associated with this post. I stayed up with the kids at my parents house, and they stayed up right until the ball dropped and literally crashed as soon as it fell. Paul had to work so I didn't have my honey home with me, can't remember the last time he was off for New Years, but I have grown accustomed that. He works hard and does his best and that is all that I can ask for.

I hope that 2010 brings you all hope and happiness.

Snow Snow Snow

2010-01-02T10:18:00.001-08:00

Can you tell that we love the snow. We finally had a year where I didn't have to carry anyone around, because they didn't like the snow. Madeline had the best time ever, and was sad when we had to leave. Same goes for Cameron. So we will be heading up to the snow again at the end of January.

Meet The Newest Members of the Staley Family

2009-12-27T18:49:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce you to the newest members of our family.

Please welcome Rascal (orange) and Gracie (diluted calico).

They joined our family on Christmas day and things will never be the same again.

Christmas and Everything Else

2009-12-27T18:25:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I know. This post has been long overdue and I am sure you will all just graze over the words and look at all the pictures.

I will start off with the latest and work my way to the earliest news.

Our tree is always the last tree on the street to drop it's leaves, I don't know why, but is always the last and always drops them right after Thanksgiving. So we piled up the leaves, made sure to leave a pile in the middle of the grass, and waited for Cameron to come home from school. Boy did those two have a blast.

The Sunday before Christmas my family headed out to Christmas Tree lane, like we do every year, and walked around and looked at all the lights. It was nice, but so very cold. This Christmas season has been really great because Madeline has really gotten into it this year. She gotten into it so much that she even opened presents 2 weeks early only to have them wrapped up again.

And finally we come to Christmas and all the presents and family gatherings. It was a busy one for us this year, but we enjoyed every minute of it and I think the kids did too.

Now we are on to the New Year and new beginnings.

Christmas Lights Parade

2009-12-06T21:20:00.001-08:00

So I hauled the kids off to our local Lights Parade that they hold every year thinking they were old enough to not complain too much about the cold. I was wrong. With only half the parade done I had my leg peed on because there were no bathrooms in the vicinity of the parade route and the boy was tired of being in the cold and wanted some dinner.

The parade was much longer than in past years, so it took 2 hours before it was finally over. Yet I made them stick it out until we finally got to see Santa close out the parade. If I was going to be out there with a wet leg they could make it to the end of the parade. Then we walked as fast as we could to the car, turned the heater way up, ran to Taco Bell for dinner, and made it home to cuddle under the blankets and watch some movies together.

Note to self for the next year, it would be much better if you have friends to go with, because they can commiserate with you and your kids about how cold it is. I will be investing in a cold weather thermos for next year to haul in my own hot chocolate. Starbucks was far too busy and I didn't stick around to buy my kids some hot chocolate to quench their poor little appetites and bodies for warmth.

Acoustic Christmas

2009-12-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

Our local radio station puts on an acoustic show every year right around Christmas, hence the name Acoustic Christmas. This year they had a stellar line up and I had to go, and take two of my sisters with me. It was awesome. So glad I spent the $70 to go. I hope that they have just as good a line up next year so we can go again. Third Eye Blind
Mat Kearney
Ingrid Michaelson
Green River Ordinance
A Fine Frenzy

Amanda, Myself, And Laura

Cutting Down the Tree

2009-12-06T20:57:00.000-08:00

Again this year we were along for the ride and the company. Paul was working and we don't get a tree without dad. So we went to enjoy some great company with the cousins, their great friends, and my wonderful grandparents.

We head up to Apple Hill every year to cut down the tree, stop at the farmers market for some farm fresh apples, and then back to the grandparents for yummy hot soups.

It was great. Loved the extra time with the cousins. And even got a picture of all of us cousins that were able to go just like my Aunt Wendy used to do when we would go to cut the tree.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-06T20:49:00.000-08:00

It was an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday this year. We had a total of 36 at my parents and it was wonderful. We had so many cousins that we have not seen in a number of years and all sorts of nieces and nephews running around and some really great friends that helped make the holidays even sweeter. It is holidays like this that really makes you appreciate how important families are and how lucky we are that we get to spend eternity with them. For that I am thankful.

I don't have a lot of pictures from the festivities at dinner, but did catch some photos of Cameron playing with my cousin Ashley's little girl Dakota. They really enjoyed themselves.

I hope that we can do that again very soon.

First Haircut

2009-11-22T07:39:00.000-08:00

The time had come that Madeline really needed a haircut. I was tired of the tears when it came time to brush and comb out all of the tangles. So I bribed her with a large piece of cake to get her haircut. And I mean a large piece of cake. (If only it was that easy all the time) She was all for the cake and the haircut.

We went to a small little place and walked right in to get her haircut. Thank goodness it wasn't busy or Madeline may have thrown a fit. She was so good. She climbed up into the chair and sat so still while the stylist cut and brushed her hair. We didn't cut a whole lot off. Just enough to make it easier on mommy to get the tangles out.

Now I have a cute little girl with a cute little haircut.

Nine Years and Eternity To Go

2009-11-18T07:37:00.000-08:00

It was on this date, on a warm fall day, that I married my best friend and husband for eternity. And how lucky I am that I did. He is smart, silly, serious, and just the most wonderful person all at the same time. The first nine years haven't always been bliss, but we still love each other and care for each other and what more could you ask for. Life would not be the same without him.

I would be lost without him and so would our children. He does his best and that is all that a girl could ask for.

He was my Prince Charming from the very beginning and still is today. He gave me two of the best gifts ever, our children Cameron and Madeline. And now we can be an eternal family.

I love him more and more every day.

So here's to eternity.

What Do I Want???

2009-11-12T22:19:00.001-08:00

This is the question that has been asked the most of me at the moment. With my anniversary in one week, and birthday in one month, and Christmas coming up, I am being asked constantly what I want. While pondering this question I had an epiphany.

For my anniversary I want my husband, all to myself for dinner and a night of holding hands walking down the street, to the car, shopping, whatever it is that we do for our anniversary. No XBOX, no kids, no phone calls, no hassles, just me and my husband having some alone time on a date.

For my birthday, I would like the same thing.

For Christmas, I would like my family to be together enjoying the most absolutely best Christmas in history, where the kids understand the true meaning of Christmas and their eyes twinkle with delight know that their hearts desires might just come true.

And so this is What I Want.

Now She Says "I'm a Big Girl"

2009-11-05T21:43:00.000-08:00

Three years ago today our little girl joined our family and changed the dynamic of our small little family. We were a quiet little family with a sweet and quiet little boy who followed directions, cuddled constantly, and stayed close to mother hen. Then there was Madeline.

She was so calm and easy going in the beginning, I thought she would be my little angel. Little did I know it was the calm before the storm. She was crawling just before 6 mos. old, walking by 9 mos. old, and running by a year old. She was loud. Didn't understand the word quiet or whisper. She beats to her own drum, which often gives her the opportunity to run around the pews during church services. Not anything like the quiet and subdued nature of her brother. But we would not have things any other way. She is the perfect complement to her loving big brother. And she makes our family a little more interesting. Not so quiet and subdued anymore.

She really is my little angel and my little dress up doll. It won't last forever, but I am thankful for the time that God has granted me. And the tremendous responsibility he has given me.

We love you Madeline. Happy 3rd Birthday Baby Bama.

We Love Halloween

2009-11-03T21:21:00.000-08:00

It was a really good Halloween for our family. It was a lot of running around, but a really good one. Paul made the most amazing Spongebob costume for Cameron and Madeline was "pretty Minnie" as she put it. Lots of candy and lots of good times. Hope the same can be said for yours.

Fall=Halloween Corn Mazes

2009-10-25T17:59:00.001-07:00

This has been a long time coming, considering that we went to the corn maze the first week of October.

We go every year and enjoy some fun times together. This year the farm has added a train, so of course we had to check it out and go for a ride.

Cameron was much more adventurous this year than in past years, so the two of us went through 2 of the 3 mazes. Madeline was done after just one.

We had lots of fun and can't wait to go and see what they have in store for their first year decorating their farm for the holidays.

Waiting

2009-10-04T23:34:00.001-07:00

It is late Sunday night and I am staying up trying to wait for my husband to walk through the door. The little ones are bundled up in their beds sleeping the night away and so the house is quiet. I am up all alone waiting for my Prince Charming. I just need that pick me up, that little cuddle, that kiss good night, that hug that makes everything all better, the smile that makes me feel so secure in myself.

The swing shift/cover shift is a lonely one for the wife. I am in bed before he comes home and out the door before he wakes up. He is out the door before I get home some days and so the cycle continues. So I sit in front of the computer listening to my music, typing the night away hoping he walks in the door as soon as he can. Making me smile and making me remember everything I miss about him when he isn't around.

I love him and miss him and so I continue to wait, hoping he knows how much he means to me, and hoping that he is hoping that I am still up when he gets home.

Decorating

2009-09-27T23:47:00.000-07:00

Paul has had a shift change, which means I have a lot of alone time in the evenings.

I also have a broken air conditioner at the moment.

So to combat the alone time and take my mind off of the fact that it is a sauna in the house, I decided to finally put some decorations up on Madeline's poor barren walls. Which have been barren since the day we brought her home from the hospital. I know, nearly three years, but I was waiting for the perfect decorations to jump out at me for her walls. They are a particular shade of green and yellow, and it has been so hard to find exactly what I wanted until I walked into Target (my favorite store by the way, can't walk out of that place without something in my hand).

Some wall washing and some sticker sticking and we have a room fit for a cute little girl. We have butterflies on the yellow half of the wall and flowers on the green. Still have a lot of work in her room, but at least it is a start.

Holiday Weekends=Home Improvements

2009-09-09T18:25:00.000-07:00

For nearly 3 years I have lived with the ugliest of ugliest of cabinets. They don't match and they completely enclose my kitchen so that I feel claustrophobic if there is more than me doing anything in there. While we don't have the money to completely remove the cabinets and get new ones, we could at least paint them to look alike. That is what we did over our Labor Day Weekend. We were supposed to go out of town, but they had changed my pay schedule and had a really small check coming so our hope of leaving vanished, instead we made improvements on my ugly cabinets. Here are some before and after pictures for you. The After Pictures

Here are the Before Pictures

All Grown Up

2009-09-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Well not completely grown up, but it sure feels like it sometimes.

My little Bama (Madeline) has started her first year of preschool, well Joy School. My sister Tiffany and I did it for our boys and now the girls are having their turn. It has been fun to see how her vocabulary has grown in the two weeks that we have done so far. She really is picking up so much so fast. Soon she will be on her way to school and I will have an empty house. It makes me sad just to think about it. I love my little girl so much and am so glad that she is doing so well. She really is growing up.

Another Busy Weekend

2009-09-01T22:47:00.000-07:00

It just seems like life is getting busier and busier as the kids get older. School, soccer practice, PTA, work, and not anytime for some family time. Well, we got some family time over the weekend.

Saturday started early for us with the Primary trip to the Oakland Temple. We met at the temple @ 9:30 am, which meant a departure time at the latest 8 am, which meant I was up at 5:30 am to get everything together to have a smooth morning. Did I mention that I am not an early early riser. I need to sleep till at least 7 am to even function normally.

After our wonderful trip to the temple it was a quick jaunt home to pick up Paul and head out to the Giants game with a 6:05 start time in San Fran. Another 2 hour trip back to the bay, but well worth it. The kids did so much better this time around at the game. Madeline didn't need the restroom near as much as the first time and the kids got along great.

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

Firsts

2009-08-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

The picture is of course my little Cameron man on his very first day of first grade. And he really isn't that little anymore. My little boy has grown up so fast. He has gone from my sweet arms to the first grade and I still wonder where all the time has gone. He is at school all day now and I miss having him at home. Who would have thought that I could miss having a kid at home, but I do. It is a lot different when it is just Madeline and I. That will change in week as well. She too will be starting her very first year of preschool.

My kids are growing up before my eyes and I would like time to stop for just a year or two so my kids don't pass me by. So here's to firsts and kids growing up when all we want is for them to stay innocent and little.

Busy Busy Busy

2009-08-22T11:28:00.001-07:00

I had figured that with school finally starting on Monday I had better get all of the pictures posted prior to Cameron's first day of school photo.

It has been a busy last two weeks. With the end of the Jr. Giants season, our team got the opportunity to play a game on the field at AT&T park. Along with that trip, my sister and I took the kids to Sacramento for a last trip before the start of the school year. We headed out to Fairytale Town and the Zoo.

We have had a lot of fun during that last 2 weeks, but I am so ready to have Cameron back in school and for a full day of school. No more half day school. I can get so much more accomplished with just one child at home instead of 3 (hahahaha).

A Lost Tooth

2009-08-09T21:29:00.001-07:00

Cameron has finally lost his first tooth. It has been a long time coming. We (mainly the dentist) were getting worried when his back molars were coming in and there was no sign of him losing his front teeth. I was afraid that some teeth pulling were going to have to happen at his next dentist appointment in October, but the hands that be made it possible for Cameron to lose his tooth while swimming in a swimming pool at a BBQ on Saturday Night. He just opened his mouth and out it popped down into the depths of the deep end of the swimming pool. Thank goodness for little girls with goggles who swam down and found the little culprit. It allowed Cameron his first visit from the tooth fairy with a crisp dollar bill under his pillow, which he informed me of at 7:30 in the morning. Now on to the next loose tooth.

Gaints Game

2009-07-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here is the pictures from our annual family trip to the Giants game. Had way too much fun this time around. Madeline was yelling "Go Giants" the whole game, Cameron was cold, we got to see Tim Lincecum finally pitch at AT&T Park (we've been trying to see him for 3 years) and get 15 strikeouts to boot. Enjoy the pics.

Fun In The Sun

2009-07-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

We were invited to a 1st birthday party for one of our good friends little boy, Ryan. The kids ran around in the fountain and had a great time getting wet and a little sunburned. Here are some cute pics of the kids.

Paul is 30

2009-07-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

My wonderful husband turned 30 on July 20th so I tried to make it as special a day as I could. I had tried to get the day off from work, but to no avail. On my way home from work I stopped to get a cake and some fixings for burgers. Got home cooked up the burgers and we sang happy birthday to Paul.

He really is one amazing husband and dad. I couldn't ask for anything better. He does his best to provide everything we need and is really fun to be around. I love him very much and would be lost without his silly sense of humor and his little quirks.

And I finally am no longer in my 30's alone. Paul has finally joined the club with me.

No Doubt Concert

2009-07-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

WooHoo, WooHoo, WooHoo!!!

I have been a No Doubt fan since the beginning. I was so excited when they announced that they would be getting back together to tour and make a new album. I told everyone I knew that if they were looking for a great birthday gift for me they could get me tickets to the No Doubt concert. Sure enough I got an early birthday present and went to the No Doubt concert on Friday. Here are some picks of my sister and I and the concert. It was a blast. I would love to go 100 times over.

Camping Trip/4th of July

2009-07-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

This should have been the post where I write how much fun we had in Monterey at the MotoGP Race, but alas, we were not able to attend the races this year. Instead we tivoed the races and headed up to the Sierras to Lake Alpine, about 7500 ft, for our very first camping trip.
Paul headed up a day early to get the perfect campsite and we headed up on Thursday to join him. It was a perfect campsite. It wasn't too far from the lake and easy access to the bathroom for a little two year old with a very small bladder (I spent a lot of time running her to the bathroom too). Thursday was spent getting everything and everyone situated before we lost the light of day. Friday we had a lot of fun. We set out for a short little hike around the lake. It is a beautiful lake. We hiked back to the campsite and Paul set out on a short 4-wheeling trip in his Jeep. I stuck around the campsite with the kids and read while they took naps. Saturday (4th of July) was a blast. We headed out for some fun 4-wheeling with the kiddos along this time. It was a lot of fun. Got back from 4-wheeling and headed for a swim in the lake. The lake was cold and busy so we didn't stick around for long. Paul's mom agreed to watch the kiddos for us while we (Paul, myself and his step-dad) took another 4-wheeling adventure along Slick Rock Road. It was so awesome. It was definitely a good idea the we left the kids behind. It was a rough ride, but so much fun. We broke camp Sunday and headed home to the very hot valley. Wished we could have stayed longer, but unfortunately work calls and we have to have money to head out on the next camping trip.

And Then He Turned Six

2009-06-18T22:20:00.000-07:00

My little man Cameron has finally had his sixth birthday. What a great birthday it was. On June 11th, which is his actual birthday, our small little family headed out to Chuck E Cheese's for some pizza and fun. On the 13th we got the huge family together for a very large and very nice birthday party. I think he really had a lot of fun. Some of his faces as he was opening presents are priceless.

What would I do without that little man. He really is a joy to have around, even if his meltdowns and whining get on the annoying side sometimes. He is one of the most sensitive little boys I know. He really does wear his heart on his sleeve. All the old ladies at church are always commenting on his deep little dimples and how he is the luckiest boy to have them. I am not so sure about that. When he is older, I am not wanting some teenage girl to catch wind that he has dimples, as adorable as they are when they pop during a picture. He loves his little sister and I don't think there is anything he wouldn't do for that girl...(Madeline takes advantage of that right now... and it will only get worse as she gets older). He doesn't like yelling, so there is definitely not a lot of that in our house. He is my calm next to the storm named Madeline. He is responsible when asked and does his best to get out of any kind of cleaning (he is going to be that guy that you can't get to do anything I am afraid). He was my whole world when it was just him and I most days as dad ran off to work, and it may end up being his downfall. He is loved by his mom and dad and sister and we really would be lost without that little boy of ours. He really can put a smile on anyones face.

Mommy's Little Helper

2009-06-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to the grocery store for a few items for dinner, Madeline insisted she had to come along. She loves going to the store with me. I figure the more I take the kids out on my errands the better behaved they will get in the long run. It is challenging sometimes, but worth it to me.

Madeline wanted to get a cart to push around, but it was only a few items so I didn't see the point. Instead I handed her a basket and let her carry it around the store. And when it got to heavy, she pushed it.

Fun @ The Park

2009-06-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

I have been doing my best to get the kids out of the house so they don't go stir crazy...or maybe that is just for me. Anyway here is our trip to the local park that has a really great fountain for the kids to run through and get wet on a hot summer day.

Kindergarten Graduation

2009-06-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

I know that most kids have been out of school for two weeks now, and so has mine. It has just been really difficult for me to get my blog updated. We really did do a lot in the last four weeks. Without further ado, my little man's graduation ceremony, awards assembly, and last day of school. I am really going to miss Cameron's teacher, Mrs. Uva. She really was a life saver for me. She handled his little meltdowns woderfully and did her best to make him a better student. Cameron is going to miss his little friend Darla. She will be going to a different school next year. The two of them were so adorable together.

What do you do?

2009-06-18T21:28:00.000-07:00

What do you do when your 2 1/2 year old gets a hold of your mascara and tries to put on makeup... take a picture of course. I got a very good laugh when she walked in and said "I pretty". Of course you are.

Just A Little More Time

2009-06-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

The day after my sister Cara's wedding a few of us headed up to Carmichael to spend some extra time with my great grandma while she was in town. While we were there we headed out to the river (which is only about an 8 block walk from the house) for a game of pooh sticks. This is a picture of the first stick that Cameron grabbed for pooh sticks... it is more of a log than a stick. Cameron and mom got to spend some one on one time while Madeline took a little nap at grandma's house. It was fun wading in the river and catching minnows for the kids to see.And of course the dropping of the pooh sticks (Cameron's second stick... he took it from his aunt). Had he kept his log he would have come in second place and not second to last.Alas, it was time to head back to grandma's house and I took one last shot of Cameron crossing the bridge with his head down and the river in the background. I really do love this picture a lot. One of the few that I will always look at.

Father and Son @ the Ballpark

2009-06-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

Paul has made it a father and son tradition to head off to AT&T Ballpark for a fun trip to watch the Giants. He and Cameron got to go to a game last year and Paul had such a great time with Cameron that he has decided to do it every year... so on Memorial Day they headed out to the 2nd annual father son ball game in San Francisco. Cameron slept through most of the game but there were some great pics before he zonked out.