Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Halloween 2010


Click on the picture to see the slideshow!!!

What an amazing Halloween and a crazy busy weekend!

Saturday, after a morning rain and a round of solid nap time, we headed over to Gage Elementary for their Fall Carnival. It was a blast. Sawyer was a bit self conscious about his Captain America mask so, he decided to ditch it before we even set foot on the campus. He was also pretty nervous to dive in and play the games but, after some gentle nudging and a quick hello to his friends, he was off and running! Owen had a blast and Cameron even did a few of the games! It was awesome and one of the the great fundraisers for our school.

After a quick stop home, we headed over to visit some of our friends from Sawyer's kindergarten class. The kids had so much fun playing together and I got some much-needed grown-up talk with some good people.

Eddie spent the day at the USC/Oregon game in LA so, after 1 night alone, he returned and off we went to try and get the Halloween photo session done. The pumpkin patch down the street seemed perfect but, when we got there...there was NOTHING left! It was cleaned out & the owners had already started closing down! We made it work though . :)

After a delicious dinner (made by my wonderful hubby) we threw on our costumes and got ready to go. We were joined by our good family friends, the O'Harrans, and some other schoolmates including Charles & jaylen.  We walked down a few blocks to the most AMAZING HALLOWEEN STREET EVER!!!!!!!! 

We all had such a wonderful time! It was perfect!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Dress-up time!!!!

Cameron wearing Owen's old Donald costume & my wig.

The pirate pants were too big for Owen so, he said, "Who needs em?"

A preview of Sawyer's costme for this year! He loves it!!!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Happy Birthday, Braden!! What's the party like in heaven?


Today is Brady's birthday! He would be 6-years-old today. I am sitting her wondering how to process this event. So, lets say, there isn't just one way to feel. I have been fluctuating between all of them.

crap....gotta tend to kids....will finish this post later.

I have this argument with myself. I say, celebrate him. Remember how fun he was and how much Sawyer loved him. Remember how much he loved to dance to the Wiggles but how he didn't move during the entire live concert. Remember how funny it was that he never wanted to take his shoes off at my house. :) I want to be happy for him, for the gifts he gave us and for the opportunity to have known him, even if it was only for 3 yrs. I say, "Live for him. Don't forget him but don't stop living in that happiness he brought instead of constantly getting sad when I think of him."

Still, there is such a huge part of me that just wants to be sad for him. I can't imagine how it must be for his parents. I can't imagine how hard it is to have lost a part of themselves like that. What are they doing today? I am not sure how they do it or what they do but, I do hope that soemday, his birthday present to them will be that they are able to live with the light that he gave them, rather than dwelling in the darkness he left. I am sure it is an unrealistic expectation. I don't know (thank God) what that level of grief is like...and I hope I don't sound crass by saying it....but I do hope that they will find definitions for their lives other than the death of their son. They have a beautiful daughter now, did you know that? He name is Hope. Isn't that perfect??? 

So, today, I looked up photos from his last birthday parties. He had two when he turned three. One was with his preschool crew where everyone dressed up and then he had another smaller one with just a few family and friends. He was sooooo cute! Here's a slideshow of those photos.

Brady. I love you. We love you. I see you pictures in my hallway and see Boy Doggie on Sawyer's bed every night. While our lives are continuing, you are very much a part of our stories and have helped to shape us into the people we are. You were a blessing, still are. I hope you are having an amazing birthday today and that you heard the Happy Birthday Song coming from our house. Give your family a boost today.








Friday, October 1, 2010

Sawyer's Birthday!


Click on the photo to see the album of today's photos!!!

Today was a beautiful day. I am sitting here watching Iron Man 2 while my husband is out with the guys, thinking about how amazingly blessed I am.

Anyway, this morning, Sawyer, who is normally as hard as a teenager to wake up, came bounding into our room announcing that he had grown overnight. of course, right? He is six now! :) He was so excited. he had this huge grin plastered from ear to ear and just kept leaping from Eddie to me giving us hugs.

We threw Sawyer and Owen's clothes on, had them eat a granola bar and Eddie took them on a surprise trip for donuts. Eddie took the day off of work today to hang with Sawyer and get ready for his weekend trip. So, after donuts, the whole fam took sawyer to school and participated in Friday Fitness. Then, an hour later, Eddie got to drop Owen off at his beloved little preschool class.

We hung out at home for a few hours with Cameron & Gavin (the boy I babysit) then started the pick-up routine. Owen is done at 1pm so Eddie picked him up & we raced around for 45 minutes packing for the evening's activities.

We got to Sawyer's class a few minutes before school was out and he got to pass out superhero cupcakes. He was so excited and took the job very serious. The kids were in heaven and covered in chocolate frosting in no time.

We scooted out of school (dropping cupcakes off with the principal and Sawyer's kindergarten teacher) and headed off to Sea World for the dolphin encounter!!! This was the gift Eddie and I decided to give to Sawyer and it was awesome!

After Sea World, Sawyer got to pick out his choice of restaurant (or 'dinner place') and are you curious to know his selection??? Denny's!!!!

The kids were amazing all day and i am so in love with my husband. Who could ask for more!

I am sorry if my storytelling seems a little choppy this evening. As I previously mentioned, I am watching Iron Man 2 and it is nearly midnight so my attention is a bit divided.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

How did he know??

We were playing with our costume box today and I put on this HUGE, long blonde wig. Sawyer said, "Who are you supposed to be? Lady Gaga??"

Hahahahahah!!!! How does he even know who Lady Gaga is??? He is hilarious!

"...but, Mom, my arms aren't sick!!"

So, yesterday I got a call from the school saying that Owen was behind on his vaccinations and that he shouldn't return until they are up to date. So, in a panic I went on a search for his shot records, called his old doctors, and set up an appointment for the shot he needed (according to the school nurse)...the DTAP.

So, at 11am we walked in to the pediatric nurses clinic. I had warned Owen that he might get a shot and while he wasn't exactly okay with it, he agreed when he was promised a lollipop. So, the nurse looked at his record and BAM...he needed 4 shots! What the heck was his old pediatrician doing?? So, sweet Owen was held in my arms and give a series of shots in both arms. POOR BABY!!!!!

He cried and it was soooooo sad! When we were walking out of the office he asked why he needed to get shots. Here is the conversations:

Me: "Honey, those shots make your blood strong so that when certain sicknesses try to hurt you, your blood can fight those bad guy germs and kill them. It's kind of like you have superhero blood!!"

Owen: "But Mom, my arms aren't sick!!! Why did she shoot my arms??? That was mean!!"

Later he showed his little round bandaids like they were war wounds to his brother. Sawyer asked if it hurt and he said, "Well, just a little. I have strong blood."

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Owen's First Soccer Game 9/11/10

Owen has started soccer!!!! He started practices a few weeks ago and spent the first 3 of them on the sidelines. He absolutely refused to join!! No matter what we offered as a bribe, the boy wouldn't budge. Then, I decided on a new tactic. I stood up and cheered like a maniac for the other kids on the team. Their parents might have considered me crazy at that point because it was full-blown hollering!!! Well, it worked. he got a bit jealous and headed out on the field! Wahooooo! Practices are Wed & Fri and games are Sat mornings.

His coach is wonderful! His name is Dave Sherburne (Sp) and he has a gift with these kids. He has two daughters that help him out, too, and they are great! A wonderful family.

So, click on the link to see the pictures from his first game!!!

By the way, we have purchased new shorts for him since them so, he no longer looks like he is wearing kulats. :)

Owen's First Soccer Game Photos!!!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Labor Day @ Bates Nut Farm



We had a perfect day today. eddie and I packed the kids and a picnic and traveled about 45 minutes north to Bate's Nut Farm. I have never been there but will definitely be back. We had such a great time letting the kids run wild! the weather was perfect and I reiterate...I am madly in love with my family!!!!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Hello Froggies!


We took a day trip to Sea World on thursday and spent some time getting to know these little guys. The glass was pretty dirty from fingers and little faces but I got a couple of cute pics! (8/27/10)

Well, he eats his greens eventually...


once he can find them. (8/29/10)

Our own Blue Horizons!


Sawyer is obsessed with the Blue Horizons show at Sea World. He pretty much breathes the music and his movements are all based on how the divers and acrobats move. One of his greatest outlets for this obsession/creativity is making his own stage using blocks and using action figures as the performers.

The constuction phase is serious business! I will have to take some pictures of the finished product for you but, check out the concentration in this shot!!

Cam the Trouble Maker

Cam is bossing Charlie around!

Thursday, August 26, 2010



I just printed this for our hall and wanted to share it here...if I haven't already. he is soooooo cute! This is an old pic...almost a year ago!

"Oh, Man!"

Poor O-Boy. TOday was supposed to be his first day of soccer practice. We signed him up with Crusaders Soccer League and he will be on a team with Dane Peterson, the little brother of one of Sawyer's classmates. BUT, the fever monster came from hiding and bit our plans in the butt. He was all dressed in his soccer practice gear (and looking ridiculously cute) when I felt the skin on his back. Hot....super hot. Poor guy. So, I told him he couldn't practice. He was cool with it as long as he could keep wearing his gear until daddy got home. :)

I have to get my act together and get some new pics on here!!!!! geesh!

I am tired and up way too late because I am obsessed with organizing my loads of scrapbooking stuff. Seriously, there is a ton. Someday it will be used. I guess this is a good test of the quality of some of the papers becuase I won't get around to scrapbooking those events until I am in my 60s....if then.

Accomplishments today!!! Guess what I did with 4 kids this AM? Bank, filled tires, McDs for coffee, Target (no success), Sports Authority (for Owen's soccer stuff), Albertson's (for refill of essentials). I did all of this before noon! 4 kids?? No, I haven't given birth and not told you. I watch an adorable 4-yr-old boy now during the week. He and Owen are like brothers!!

Coughing like crazy so, it is time for bed. :)

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Super Owen!!!

Owen is convinced he is a super hero. As most of you know, there was an extended period of time when he was to be referred to only as Buzz....as in Buzz lightyear. As of late, this title has been dropped to be replaced by Iron Man (or Fire Man as he calls him) or Elastigirl from the Incredibles. Sometimes, i think he actually expects his arm to extend farther when he reaches for something!!! he stares at his hand like it isn't doing what it is supposed to and gets the funniest expression on his face. Tonight, he and Sawyer were watching Incredibles (again) and Sawyer was Dash. During a scene where Dash kicks super-fast to get his mom & sister to shore this is what I saw: Owen on his stomach with his hands and feet up in the are...kind of like a Superman pose. Why? Because Elastigirl, in the movie, had stretched to the shape of a boat. Next to Owen on the floor was Sawyer, on his stomach, kicking furiously....he was being Dash. Eddie and I found that quite amazing.

Anyway, I also wanted to share Owen's comment the other night. Recently, our dog Gizmo passed away. She was 16 years old and lived a long wonderful life. Owen hasn't seemed to phased by her passing. On this night though, after everyone had left the table and I was sitting with him while he finished (he is the slowest eater in history) he said, "Mama, I have a plan. I will be dead and go to heaven. I will bring my boogy-board and slide on the clouds and FAST get Gizmo and put her in the van. I will vroom away. Stop and a red light then go green and turn left and bring her home." How beautiful is that.

Sawyer is OBSESSED with the BlueHorizons show at Sea World. I am not exaggerating in the least when I say OBSESSED in caps! I shot a few video clips of it on one of our visits and the boy has his own link on the computer desktop to these videos!! I have to put a time limit on them or he will watch them until the battery runs out on the laptop! He practices the jumps and helps choreograph Owen's entrances into the show. Today he had nearly every plastic animal in our toy collection on the table. They were in different positions and standing on boxes and cups that, all together, resembled the stage at the show! It is amazing! The boy has theater in his blood. Whether he ends up in front of the camera or behind it....he will be there.

Cameron is growing up WAY TO FAST!!! I can't believe all of the things he learns moment to moment!! TOday he learned the word fish and the sign for it. He carried around this little picture of a fish and kept showing it to everyone. He now says (if I can remember it all) hi,bye, fish, juice, up, help, doggie, daddy, mom, mama, grampa, baby, bubble, bath....I can't think of anymore right now. He loves to play with his brothers and often coerces a bro to help him up on the couch to participate in whatever Sea World production Sawyer is running. He is sleeping much better (thank you, God!) and is down to one nap a day. I wish it were two because I like the time but, with our schedule it just wasn't possible. He loves to eat tomatoes, black beans and nearly every veggie you throw at him. He also loves cereal after you've put it in a bowl, poured the mil over it, then scooped it out. :)

They are amazing kids. I am so blessed.

I have a high school classmate whose son has recently begun a war with stage 4 neuroblastoma. His son is 3, like Owen. I can't get him out of my head. I find myself measuring the exhaustion or the challenge of some days against the challenge and exhaustion that family is going through. It helps me reset my mind, that's for sure. If you read this, say a prayer for Ronan and his family.

Well, Eddie's been asleep for a while and I told him I would just be a few minutes. Ha, he probably knew that wasn't true. I am working on getting pics from Hawaii and this summer up....I am a perfectionist though, so it is hard. I will try to let go of it all though so you can share in our lives.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter!

Our Easter weekend has been beautiful so far. Yesterday, after a record-breaking Cameron nap, we zoomed off the the Santee Lakes Easter Extravaganza. We arrived too late to join the Easter Egg Hunt but the kids had fun in the petting zoo and on the jumping castle/obstacle course. The prices were RIDICULOUS!!!!! We spent $1.50 PER CHILD to make ONE trip on the blow-up slide. CRAZY!!! But, as I mentioned, the petting zoo was a hit.

This morning, the Easter Bunny came to our house early and the kids had a blast finding the eggs, although a curious slug found his way into one of the eggs Owen found, YUCK! Then, when we came back in to the house, the sneaky bunny had delivered baskets for the kidlets. oooooooooweeeee! They were so excited! Even Cameron got in on the action although he wasn't so sure about the basket's grass.

Happy Easter, Everyone!!! We love you!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

A Day in the Rain!

On Owen's birthday, 3/7, it rained and rained hard so of course we HAD to go for a walk! I told the boys they could jump in any puddles they wanted as long as they stayed out of the streets and didn't get the camera wet. They also brought some of the boats from the tub and lauched them down the gutters. They had suc a great time and it was so fun for me to get out there and play like a kid. Enjoy the pics!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Sawyer's Got My Back!

Tonight, while we were all sitting down eating dinner, Eddie asked me what the pile of papers on the table was for. I admit that I got a bit defensive and I said that it was mail that I hadn't had time to go through because "I am too busy and can't do everything!"

Sawyer immediately slapped Eddie on his arm and yelled, "How many arms do you think she has, Dad!!!????"

It was freakin hilarious!!!!!!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010