An Exciting Weekend

It has been an exciting weekend for our little man. We are one week shy of the end of Cameron's first year playing soccer. This poor guy has wanted to score a goal during his games since the first week, and on Saturday he finally accomplished his goal. He scored the very first goal of the game. His coach was so excited for him and Cameron was so excited, his coach had him run off the field to give Mom a great big hug (made me melt). You couldn't wipe the smile off his face for the remaining of the game. I am so glad he was able to do what he set out to do.




I also got a rare opportunity to spend away from the husband and kids to spend a girls night out at our local "Color Me Mine", painting a ceramic snowman. It was so nice to get away for just 3 hours and talk about girl stuff. I think this is probably going to be my newest hobby. We are already talking about going again next month. Especially since on Saturday's it is their pajama party day and only charge you $2 to sit and paint, but you still have to pay for the individual ceramic pieces that you paint. My snowman will be completely finished on Wed. after it has been glossed. I can hardly wait.

A New Tradition

With our brand new bed able to handle more bodies, I thought that I would start a new tradition with the kids. So now on Thursdays, Madeline gets to pick a movie and we watch it in bed. Usually consists of Dora the Explorer or a Disney DVD that has a lot of music in it. Cameron has school so he doesn't get to participate on Thursday. Cameron gets to pick a movie on Fridays. I am trying to give the kids more one on one time so that when they are older they don't feel as if they were jipped in some way. I had to snap a pic of the kids during one of our movie bedtime parties.

I'm Loved

Today was one of those days that I knew I was going to be extra tired. I was up early to get Cameron off to school and Madeline to grandma's house before 8:30 am. Then it was off to work for me until about 5:15 pm (alot of you out there can relate to this even if you don't work outside the home). Paul had said that he had to work late so I picked the kids up and grandma's and was racking my brain as to what to make us for dinner (we had waffles and sausage). I don't care for long days at work and no help after work with the kids. But today Paul surprised me by not having to work late and showing up with flowers and a very sweet card. It is not often that my husband buys me flowers. I can count about six times, seven if you count today, that my husband has bought me flowers. So it is a rare occurrence that I receive them, but I love surprises like these. Maybe next time it will be a trip to Hawaii (I can wish can't I).

Lots of Soccer, Lots of Parties

It has been a busy last couple of weeks. We have had lots of soccer games, school parties, birthday parties, and fun little outings. Here are just a few of the pics of our adventures over the past two weeks.

I Miss My Ricks College Buds!!!

It has been one of those days today that I just couldn't feel happy for any reason. Husband has to work late and I can't find the time to get even the simplest of tasks finished. I have little ones who are tugging on my apron strings (so to speak), a pile of dishes that never seems to end, laundry that can't fold itself, and a really rotten mood to boot. I have come to the realization that I miss all of my Ricks College buddies. A time that was the absolute best for me. Your best friends were down the hall, next door, or a stones throw away from your apartment window. Where time stood still for a short time. Where we had some wild and wonderful times. Now if only we could repeat that at this point in time. It's a wish that I hope someday will come true. Here's to wishing on a star. So all you Ricks College buds (and you know who you are) I hope you enjoy the pics. And p.s. why didn't someone tell me about my hideous eyebrows.

Flashback-Our Engagement

We bought new bedroom furniture a few weeks ago (a life saver) and were cleaning out all of our old furniture that we have had since we got married. As I was cleaning out one of our many junk drawers (you know, the drawer that has all the birthday, christmas, anniversary, and special occasion cards along with loose change safety pins, etc.) I came across our photos of when Paul had proposed to me.

It was nearly a year to the day at the summer fest concert we had attended that was our first outing together as a couple. So nearly one year later, Paul pulled some strings and got it worked out that he would propose to me on stage at the concert. I of course was completely oblivious to what was going on.

My dad was the entertainment writer at the time so I figured my mom had come to the concert to hang out with my dad. All our friends had come also, and again I figured it was just to hang out all day at the concert. We arrived at the concert and Paul made sure to get a place near the stage, which was weird because we usually like to be more toward the middle in order to get a good look at the entire stage. Paul kept telling me that when he asked I was to put on my flip flops and follow him, I of course agreed and followed him on stage. The staff from B93.1 kept me occupied while Paul was being prepped about the microphone and then the band that I was totally looking forward to seeing kept telling me they weren't ready to start and not to introduce them yet (this is what I thought the surprise was) and then I heard every girl at the concert gasp, I turned to see Paul on one knee asking me to marry him. So in front of 10,000 concert goers I was proposed to. I of course said yes and have now been married almost 8 years and have to beautiful kids to show for it.

My Baby Girl

Unfortunately kids do grow up way to fast. And my baby girl is not so much of a baby anymore. With that said I could not help but post this most recent picture of my adorable little blondie, Madeline. She is a real spitfire and always keeps me on my toes. She is always one step ahead of her mommy. I am definitely not looking forward to the teenage years.

Cameron's Soccer Game

I was finally able to get some pics of my little man playing some soccer on Saturday. Unfortunately, Paul kept telling me that Cameron was not playing like his normal self. He was more than a little out of it. He had woken up saying his tummy hurt, but this happens on almost a daily basis, until he eats breakfast and then he is fine. Later in the afternoon, while at our nephews birthday party, Cameron was indeed running a fever, which would explain his very odd behavior on the soccer field. I am hoping for a better performance next week in order to get some good pics of Cameron playing, Paul says he is a real natural at soccer, I wouldn't know anything about that. I am still dealing with the fever as I write this. I hate when my kids are sick. I always feel so helpless because I can't make it all better.

Another Exhausting Weekend

Here is how the weekend played out for the family. I was out the door before 8am in order to make it to Fresno, by 10am with Madeline. Paul was out the door by 10:30 with Cameron for soccer pictures. (Baseball season ends and no break for us, we go strait into soccer). At 2pm Cameron has his first soccer game (104 degrees outside) which I did not get to see any of or take any pictures. Those will come next week. I did however take pictures of Madeline telling the flock of geese, at the park where the baby shower was, who was boss. That kid has no fear. Thank goodness the geese decided not to take any pecks at her. After Cameron's soccer game, Paul and Cameron headed to SF to go and see the Giants take on the Pirates. I got home around 8pm and father and son got home around 10:30pm. Fun stuff for us. Gearing up for next weekend with soccer game and another party at a park.

School Begins For The Cameron Man!!!

I am now the official mom of a kindergartner. My little guy (only not so little anymore) started school on Aug. 25. I was so sure he was going to have a hard time, but in fact I was wrong. Both Paul and I were able to take off a little time in order to get Cameron to his class and make sure he was ok. We park the car, Cameron climbs out, runs to the front gate of the school and then runs for the playground, we waited for the bell, walked him into class and were off. Not a single tear shed by Cameron or mom and dad. Wasn't the case for some other little ones entering school. The first week was hard for him (had a few issues with crying) but I am sure it is just going to take some time adjusting to being at school 5 days a week instead of just the 2 he had for preschool.

One Very Busy Weekend!!!

I know a lot of you can relate to what we went through this weekend, but just wanted to share. It has been one of those weekends where everything gets done in two days and you are trying to make it all work. So here is how our weekend played out. It started with a promised trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for Cameron, which is a two and a half hour car ride (Kids had so much fun they slept all the way home). Next was the 30th birthday party for one of Paul's friends. Next came the 2nd trip to the bay area to attend the home run readers play day at the San Francisco Giants Stadium with a rush of a trip home to make it to Cameron's first year of soccer meeting. So without further ado, here are the photos to go along with our weekend.

So I had to post this picture of Madeline. I am now referring to her as my "little fish'. I was getting the kids out of the bathtub, and had gotten Madeline completely dressed for bed when, of course, the phone rings. I of course answer the phone since it is the husband checking in on us from work. Not 5 minutes go by, when I don't hear Madeline and I find her in the bathtub diaper, pajamas, all of it. Thought you all might get a little chuckle from the pic. I am sure you have all gone through it before. I deal with it at least once a week. At least this time I have the picture to show everyone.

Giants Game!!!!!

The sports fanatics that we are. We can never go a year without seeing the San Francisco Giants. Here are pictures from the game on Monday night that we took.

Drive Safely Please!!!!!

Yesterday afternoon my niece Julia (2 1/2) was struck by a car. By sheer luck the driver was driving the speed limit. Which probably saved my nieces life. My sister was getting ready to take the kids to a friends house to swim, when my niece got away from her, ran between the cars parked in front of my parents house and was struck by the car. She flew about 10-15 ft and was unconscious for a short time. The paramedics arrived, placed her in a brace and got her to the nearest hospital. She was stabilized at the hospital and flown to UC Davis where the have a better trauma center for children. She was released at 2am this morning with some large scrapes a bruises. Thank goodness the driver was going the speed limit. I hope that you all remember that speed limits are posted for one reason, to protect us and others. An extra minute doesn't mean anything if it means a life. Please drive safe out there. I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks.

A Weekend Away

It has become a tradition with Paul and I that we take off to Monterey, CA for the annual MotoGP races at Laguna Seca. This is also one of Paul's birthday presents since the races always fall on his birthday weekend. This was our third year going and we had a lot of fun this year.

The first year was unbearable considering I was 6 months pregnant with Madeline and they had a horrible heat spell in Monterey that year. Not to mention the 3 hour wait for the shuttle bus to return to our cars and the 6 hour drive from Monterey because of the traffic.

The second year was much better, but still a little warm for Monterey standards.

This year was by far the best (except a little chilly). It never got above 70 degrees while we were there. The race was absolutely exciting this year. The rider we wanted to win (Nicky Hayden) finished fifth, but it was exciting from beginning until the 30th lap of 32 laps. Casey Stoner dropped his bike, picked it back up and still finished in second because of the lead he an Valentino Rossi (finished 1st) had over the rest of the field.

The video is of the start of the race from our grandstand seats at turn 4.

Anyone who is interested in coming and hanging out with us next year is more than welcome. We will get you addicted to motorcycle racing. The sound those bikes make are awesome.

Swimming Lessons

We recently signed Cameron up for swimming lessons. He did a lot better this year than last. He was able to pass his level one and will move on to level 2 next year. He is getting really good at swimming. Might think about him being a swimmer since baseball is not going well this year. Here are some photos I took of Cameron at a couple of his lessons at the college.