End of an Era

Well, the time has come and we are now a crib free house. It's been 5 years we've had that crib and I can't believe we don't have to use it anymore. Drew has moved into her "big girl" bed and is pretty content so far. It's the cutest little Pottery Barn toddler bed that my cousin handed down to us. It is so tiny and low to the ground that we need to but some furniture so the rooms doesn't look so empy. It's only been 2 nights but she goes down easily and never gets back up. We'll see if it lasts but it's been nice. It's funny to hear her little foot steps at 5:15 in the morning running to our room and asking if she could watch Dora. I know I won't think it's funny or cute on Saturday morning when I can finally sleep in. She was really excited when she saw it and her afro looks exceptional in the pics don't you think? During the week I don't gel her hair so it seems to "fro" out but the weekends when we have things to do I always try to put some effort into it and it usually looks pretty cute if you ask me.

On Sunday's we usally turn off the TV and blast the music. We decided to put on mexican music and the kids went to town dancing with each other. It was the cutest thing. We're planning on buying a new camera that films little videos so we can do a better job documenting. For now the pictures will have to do justice.

Decorating

Now that everyone is healthy (Drew finally got over the flu Wed) we started decorting for Christmas. I can't believe how fast it's coming. We got a small tree this year to put on one of our end tables. We were afraid the dog and Drew would knock it down. Sure enough, the minute we put some ornaments Drew was jumping up trying to grab them but they were out of her reach. We're done shopping for all the kids we have to buy for so that feels good. Now, it' on to the adults. It seems like it gets harder and harder each year. Every year I swear I'm going to be done early and every year I wait till the last minute. I'm starting to become the scrooge and complain that I wish I didn't have to deal with Christmas this year. The line, the money, the wrapping....Of course, Christmas morning I'm wide awake at 5:00 dying for the kids to wake up and run to the living room to see the goods. That makes me forget about all the headaches and stress and reminds me that it was all worth it.

Today was our last soccer game and we lost. The kids were pretty upset but they got over it once they got medals. I of course forgot my camera so I have nothing to mark the occassion. We're having our end of the year party on Wednesday so I'll have to make a note not to forget that day. Tonight we're going to an adult only Wine Party at our friends The Hershbergers. I love going to their house and not having to worry that Drew might fall in the pool is going to be an extra bonus!

Peyton lost his front tooth Wednesday at school so here he is Thursday morning still trying to open his eyes. He called us from his room and didn't want to get out of bed until he re-enacted how he felt the dollar under his pillow and how it woke him up. Wouldn't it be great if there was a diet fairy who left a dollar under our pillow for every pound we lost....

Drew posing in her new Pj's

The Vegas

We're back. Vegas was fun, relaxing and unbelievably mellow. We weren't in party mode and went to bed pretty early every night according to Vegas standards. We got there on Friday afternoon and had a ton of fun but when we called to check up on the kids Saturday morning our trip took a turn. Both kids had been throwing up and not keeping anything down. My poor mom sounded so tired and was trying to talk but with both kids crying it was hard to hear. We wanted to come home but she assured us she could handle it so we continued on but it was hard since the sound was lingering in our heads. We walked the entire strip and took some fun pics along the way. All in all, I was so happy to go and get away. I can't wait till next time. We met up with Santa and made sure Peyton and Drew were on the good list. Peyton was very happy to see the proof and is counting down to Christmas eve....

Off to Vegas

We're off! We'll be back Monday with good stories and pictures. I'm gonna be the ultimate tourist this time. Lots of pictures, margaritas by the yard, anything to make Mark embarrased.

Not enough time

There is not enough time in a day. I feel like I'm constantly running to keep up and by the end of the day I'm laying in bed thinking of what the first thing I have to do is because I didn't get to it the day before. I'm sure it's just the holiday stress. So, to catch up on a few things, Peyton got his kindergarden and soccer pics. I think they turned out so cute. He normally doesn't show his teeth but since his front ones are about to fall out he loves to show them off all of a sudden. Sure, being a thumb sucker doesn't help with his overbite but what kid doesn't have braces nowadays. By high school he'll have a colgate smile!

So it was a goal to have our Christmas cards ordered and mailed before we left this weekend. Here are some of the results of trying to get the kids to smile for the camera at the same time. It was a much better experience than last year but I'm still a big fan of last years card. Most people loved it and even called to tell us how funny it was but some but some hated it. My reasoning was that it was my reality at the time, we're not a picture perfect family and that was the best I could do after hours of trying. Looking back at it makes me laugh.

Confession

I need to confess. I'm a greenbean casserole junkie and I completely overdosed on it this weekend. I've been eating it since Friday for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and in anywhere between. And now, it's all gone and I'm having withdrawls. Mark promised to make sure to make it more often during the year so I won't overdose next year. On the bright side I very carefully stepped on the scale this morning, peeked through my fingers and let out a sigh of relief. I didn't gain a pound during my weekend binge and and debating on making this my new fad diet. If there is a cookie diet there could be a casserole diet.

We had a good time with both of our families this weekend but not many pics. My Uncle Ruben came and took some really good pictures that I'll post when I get them. Peyton made so much artwork at school that we made a collage on our big empty entryway wall. He was very excited and made sure everyone noticed it when they came in. The other pics are from Jen and Christophe's house Thanksgiving day. Dinner was fantastic and the company couldn't be better. This is Drew with Christophe's nephew Arnaud. She was happy to pose with him and sat next to him most of the night.

Jesse and the kids

Jen Martha Douheret Stewart

Happy Thanksgiving

It's Thankgiving and I'm so excited. Turkey, Green bean casserole, stuffing, I CAN'T WAIT! It's the start to the holiday season and the most wonderful time of the year. Isn't that a song? Mark works today so we normally celebrate on Friday with our families in Tehachapi but this year they're headed out to the desert. You can't pass up this gorgeous weather.

We're lucky enough to get to celebrate today at Jen & Christophes house. This is our 4th year going there and it's become a tradition I really look forward to. Thanks Douherets for having us once again.

Just a quick couple of other things I'm Thankful for:

My Wonderful Husband. 11 Years together (7 married) and we're still going strong.

My 2 Kids who make me laugh more and more (on the days I'm not pulling my hair out)

Our Home and neighborhood. We have the best view of the mountains.

My Job (most of the days)

Kiddie Kollege and Desiree (Drew's daycare,who I don't have a picture for)

And of course all of our friends and family. If I put pictures up of all of them this could be the worlds longest post. I'm thankful that I have so many of both. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the day with your family.

Very Special Birthday

A very happy birthday to my Grandpa. He turned 82 years old on Sunday. The things he's seen happen in his lifetime amaze me. He grew up on a ranch in Mexico without any electricity or running water. He got married and had 4 boys, one of which is my pops. He moved his family to America for a better life and has worked his way up the ladder. Still to this day he mows lawns and does gardening to keep himself busy. I give him so much credit. He hates to hear me tell him I'm tired. That's just not a word in his vocabulary. He's a great man and I look forward to the call he sends me every birthday. It's touching that he remembers it. Here is his with his only great grandchildren. Last year he had trouble with one of his eyes and had to wear a patch. Peyton remembers him as Grandpa the Pirate rather than great grandpa!

Jewel

Jewel was fantastic. Unfortunately, thats the best I could describe the whole night. I need to work on increasing my vocabulary. We left early and had dinner at the casino with Mark then went upstairs to the show. As we were standing around having a drink Christophe said, follow me. Low and behold we went behind a curtain and there Jewel was! We got to meet her, take a picture and shake her hand. Of course I wanted to grab her, sit her down and ask a million questions like, Where's Ty, Can I meet him, Want to have lunch sometimes, but, I kept my composure. She is short like me and very pretty (like me, hee hee). A bit shy, but I would be too if I had strangers gushing over me which surprisingly enough I don't. It was very exciting but Morongo was taking the pictures so I don't know when or if I'll get it. Seating was general admission but since Mark was working all day he had reserved ours which were 10 rows back on the aisle, center stage. Excellent. If you've never been to see Jewel I highly suggest you do. It's acoustic and she sings so effortlessly. And, she even yodels at the end which is quite a talent!

I wanted to say good luck to Lillie. She's having a baby girl tomorrow via C-Section. If you've never read her blog, click on her link. It's adorable. I'll be thinking of you Lillie!

The Weekend

Well, our weekends now consist of soccer on Saturdays, which is so much fun and I get more into it than I ever imagined. Sundays, which is supposed to be Sunday Funday, are now errand days and catching up with the housecleaning. Not very exciting. The Geckos tied this weekend for the first time. It was such an exciting game and Peyton got to play against his friend Magnus from school. They were so close to winning but the other team put a goalie in so our last goal didn't quite make it in. Tieing is just as good though since we're not supposed to be keeping score! I never knew the state of my competitiveness until soccer. It's almost embarrasing how much I'm yelling and jumping on the sidelines. Thank goodness he's not a teenager or he'd be horrified! :) I just love watching the kids. You can tell how much fun they are having and truly that's whats most important. Even though I'm really keeping score in my head.

Now, onto Sunday. I've been doing a lot of overtime lately for a new broker that moved to Merrill and with that, comes my kids. During the week I can stay but on the weekends they have to come with me. They've been really patient but today you can tell they were over it. I happened to have the camera in the car from soccer and Peyton looked like he just couldn't take it anymore. I just had to put a few hours in then we headed over to Jens for a playdate with the kids and girl talk with Danielle. This turned into a whole afternoon of gabbing, with the guys joining us into the early evening because we just weren't done. I feel like it was so rewarding, almost theraputic. It's true what they say, Woman need girlfriends. It's a fact of life. We need to cry on each others shoulders, laugh at our most embarrasing moments, and ask for the upmost honest advice. Sometimes friends like these are hard to come by but I know I'm lucky enough to have a few. Carly, Court, Jen and Danielle, here's my little shout out to you!

On a different note Jewel is just a few days away and I CAN'T WAIT!!! Notice I've mixed her music in. As I've said before it's a date that I've been waiting 4 years for and I know we'll have a blast.

And on another CRAZY note, Randy just called to tell me that he got in a fight at the San Diego Chargers game. Kind of wierd and completely out of his element but he's okay and I'm shocked. He's never done something like this so I know he had to be pushed to his limits. Way to end the weekend with a bang!