Christmas Day & Night

Who would have believed that we slept in Christmas morning.... okay everyone but me. I had to wake up and get the Mississippi Mud made. I enjoyed the quiet house, sipping coffee and making desserts.
Santa came sometime during the night and left full stockings and added a few presents to the christmas tree. The kids tore through wrapping paper and destroyed the house. There were clothes and kitchen toys all over the Familyroom.
After cleaning up, we made christmas pancakes and then headed to Amy and Tylers new house to enjoy Christmas day and dinner with family and friends.
Guests included - our five, Tyler, Amy, Bailey, Nana, Papa, Rachelle, Cole (who the girls call Cool) and Paige. Donny had to work at the hospital and he showed up late... and I don't think I took a picture.

We filled up on snacks. Yummy stuffed mushrooms, chips and dip, olives and veggies. We sipped Apple Cider all day and played with the new christmas pup Bailey. Cole and the girls played outside on the swings and then played with his bakugones (sp?) Nana was in the kitchen warming the HoneyBakedHam, and mashing potatoes.
The kids opened presents in the middle of the day, played dress up and tag. After dinner we made sugar cookies and decorated them (I didn't get pictures of that either)
Sydney and Peyton spent the night with Amy & Ty.

Peyton munchin olives and playing

Cole aka Cool

Sydney

Uncle Ty and Amy watch the fun

Paige loves cookies

Group photo

Ty is dreaming of sand mountain

Kids are so easy

"Let's play Cool"

Bianca and Bailey

Peyton and Cole

Bianca, Bailey & Ben

Peyton, Ben, Bailey & Bianca

Ben wants a puppy of his own

Give me some suga

We took Amy's Hot Rod home leaving them my car with the carseats. I forget how much fun it is to drive a stick. We got home and Uncle Michael came over to hang out. Michelle was sick with a fever so he left her at his parents house. ;P First thing we did was play Band Hero. Uncle Micheal on the vocals, Me on the guitar and Bianca on the drums. He sang "beautiful soul" then we switched it up with Bianca on vocals, me on the drums and Uncle Michael on the guitar. Too many songs to remember.
Ben was feeling left out so the boys played UFC ... I got this on video and pictures. They were funny. Michael and Bianca ganging up on Ben. High Fives flying along with disgusting air masses from Bianca.....

Uncle Michael on the Left, Ben on the Right

UFC champions
They are concentrating

Christmas Eve

Time to bang these blog posts out while the memories are fresh.... Merry Christmas!!!

I started the Christmas vacation early this year, but it didn't really help with shopping and wrapping, not as much as I'd hoped, instead I spent those days chasing Sydney, Peyton and Bianca when I could catch her.
Bianca went to Grandma and Papa's early to help make Tamales for Christmas Eve dinner. I spent the morning wrapping the rest of the gifts, and making cookies jars. Sydney and Peyton really loved measuring and jarring the ingredients. I know what we're doing next year.
Tia Carmen, Matthew and Kalyn were already at Grandma and Papa's when we got there. Carmen and Martin were sick the night before and Tio was still feeling under the weather. They werent' planning on staying long.
Tia Andria, Tio Rudy, Dominic, Donovan and Devin were there. All the kids had a dance off in the back bedroom. Yes, eight kids.... one small bedroom, that was stinky with sweat... I didn't get one picture of it... They were shy when camera's came around.
Movies to watch - Dark Knight, the Simpson's movie & DragonBall. I don't think anyone watched an entire movie, just bits and pieces of different ones
Rudy talked a whole bunch of mess about how his Fantasy Football team was going to slaughter mine, he put an L up to his forehead and walked around the house, he's quite amuzing
Carmen packed up their christmas goodies and headed home to take care of Tio
Andria's parents were there, her mom brought some 7 layer dip that was delicious, and a kids dip with Chocolate, peanutbutter, Nutella, marshmellow cream, chocolate chips, coconut (tiny bit) and gummie bears... a kids dream of sweets... and it was rich and I think I'll take some more ;P and her camera!
Dinner was excellent, the company was great. The kids opened presents and played. It was a great evening of being with Family.

Christmas is near

There's lots of Holiday cheer. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas



Some December pictures...

Dominic & Bianca at the Tree lighting

Peyton, Bianca, Donovan

My goalie

decorating the tree

Hot coco & popcorn

A Happy Birthday to Uncle Rudy

Uncle Rudy turned 40. We stopped over to wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, we missed the Wild Ones on Thanksgiving...

Fruit Basket Cheesecake

Pumpkin Cheesecake


Daddy smiles for the camera

Dominic holds onto the bullets for safe keeping

Devin smiles behind the Binkie

Friday, November 27, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Ben, Papa, Nana, Tyler

Kristie, Peyton, Bianca, Sydney, Amy

Ben woke me up at 7 am to start the Turkey. I guess someone woke up on the hungry side of the bed. I felt like I'd just fallen asleep an hour before he woke me up. Talk about tired....

Ben washed the Turkey while I got all the veggies washed and cut. We made a Rosemary Orange Turkey. Fresh Rosemary and freshly cut oranges... Oh what a difference ;P

Nana and Papa brought over their dogs for a playdate with Kallie. Nana also made brownies to start the morning off right. We took the dogs and kids for a long walk, and then played in the backyard while we finished up the cooking.

Dinner guests included Soccer Jim, Amy, Tyler, Nana, Papa and our five.... after our Turkey Feast we had a concert (rockband style) pumpkin pie.... and then after a nice nap (only Ben got one of those) We headed over to the in laws for some Pozole, cheesecake and cake. Yummie

Dinner is served

roll anyone

Bloody Lip

Kallie had a feast as well

Soccer Jim in action

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Furlough Friday

Another Furlough Friday and this time we decided to stay home and make our own fun. We pumped the jogging stroller tires and got some snacks... let the kids choose their own outfits and then headed off on a 1.5 mile walk to the closest park in our neck of the woods. We covered asphalt, pebbled/dirt roads, sidewalks and a grassy field all for the name of adventure.

Once there we played on the swings, played hide and seek and let daddy chase us around the enormous soccer field for a couple hours and then went to seach for a bridge that goes over the wetland preserves.... I don't think the bridge is built, even though it's on all the maps....

We probably walked a good mile in seach of the bridge and then braved the 1.5 trek home.. it was long and my feet hurt.... next time I'll wear jogging shoe

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Velocity wins their first home game

With an 18-3-2 Tournament Record. Yes, they placed in every single tournament this year. 1st and 2nd in most of the Tournaments and one 3rd place trophy.... They finally got a league win against the first place Roseville team....


Bianca started in the goal box. First time playing goalie in a game. She did awesome. She came out running, sliding, punching balls out. At half time she came out to play the field. Final Score 3 Nil Velocity....


My camera battery died mid way through the game but I got a few pictures of the lil ones...

Pub Crawl

Ever been on a pub crawl? This is year 3 for a group of die hard pub crawlers.... The Straight Shooters - and it benefits cystic fibrosis.... We crawled through 25 stops on the Nosh. From Sushi bars, Yogurt shops to the leading Wine Bars. Great Food, Drinks and Friends

Christina, Sharon, Marlene, JW, K, Alison, Diane, Lisa

Big Nosh

Sharon getting cozy

Standing room only

deep conversations

Here is a list of the stops & their ratings:

1. Sophia's - BEST coconut Mojito's in Sac.
2. Brew It Up - Great Beers, but the service was terrible, we went back for dinner after the Crawl. Not that we really needed to eat more. Coffee and Creme Brulee was good.
3. The Melting Pot - Yummy Fondue - chocolate strawberries, brownies, banana's & Champagne
4. Clarion Mansion Court
5. Butch & Nellie's Coffee - They served Guinness beer floats
6. Azul Mexican Food & Tequila Bar - Flavored Tequila's & Chips & Salsa
7. Toreros
8. Beach Hut Deli
9. Kru - sushi and sangria
10. Temple Fine Coffee & Tea - One of my favorite Coffee Houses. Organic Stuff
11. Sweetwater Restaurant & Bar - Yummy Skewers
12. Cultive Frozen yogurt - Fresh Fruit on yogurt, huge fresh blackberries
13. Hot Italian Pizza & Panini Bar
14. Mochii Yogurt
15. Rubicon Brewing C0
16. Paaesano's Pizzeria
17. Old Soul Co - More Organic Coffee
18. Aioli Bodega - Yum
19. Buckhorn Grill - Best Steak Sandwiches
20. L Wine Lounge & Urban Kitchen - Best Atmosphere & wines
21. Yogurttagogo
22. Celestin's Island Easts & Cajun - Best Jambalaya
23. 3 Fires Loung
24. Sapporo Grill - Best Sushi - they had a feast fit for Kings and Queens.
25. Bistro 33 Midtown

My Favorite place on the crawl was Sapporo.

Andrew & Luke

So this is my continuation on Furlough Friday..... I couldn't post anymore pictures and still needed to talk about our Playdate/Kid sittin....

The girls and I walked over to the Fantastic 4's place to play with Andrew and Luke while Uncle Steven and Aunt Joan went to a Parent Teacher Conference.

The kids had a great time.... There was horseback riding, coloring, reading, apple jacks, working with tools and building forts... all in the matter of a couple hours.... There were no time outs, no naps and no changing diapers.... oh did i mention kisses... Luke gave me about a hundred kisses, I think he was making up for all the growls he used to give me.....

Andrew, Sydney, Luke, Peyton

Luke comes after the camera with a hammer

Luke insisted on showing me his new bed while wearing Peyton's crocs

apple jacks rule

Furlough Friday

The girls and I enjoyed our Furlough Friday.

First stop was picking up our Roller Derby Tickets from Lora. Always running late by way of Starbucks. It was time for a treat, so we stopped by the local cafe for some hot coco, ice water, ice tea and cookies....

We hunted leaves and chased Chickens at Fair Oaks Park. Peyton chased the Roosters and Chickens around throwing crackers and apples to them. At one point she was surrounded by our feathery friends. Sydney kept them at bay with her wand/sword full of bubbles. We played tag on the play structure, raced down the slides, triumphed at the rock wall and swang to reach the sky.

I scanned my picture memory card and I have 28 pictures that I feel are must posts.... How will I ever get them into one post.....

asleep

Nothing better than cuddling up with your sister and falling asleep dreaming of chasing butterflies and singing along with Taylor Swift.

Halloween Pictures

Crazy Hair Day

and yes they pick out their own clothes... it's scary at our house. Sometimes I think they really love each other. Other times they are pulling hair and throwing punches.

They sure look sweet here.

Peek a boo

Sydney... wait a minute.. .I'm supposed to be the big sister.

October Memorial

Where did October go? October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Sharing Parents held it's annual October Memorial on Oct 11th at McKinley Park.

This year the wind showed up early while we set up, but by the time the Memorial started, she left us all to enjoy the beautiful Fall weather.

This year we had new and old friends show up to remember the babies we love, and continue to remember.

Here are some of my favorite kids who came to remember.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Bishops Farm

So I got really behind on my blogging. I have four posts to finish before this one loads... never gonna happen.

Ben and I loaded up Sydney and Peyton and drove through Lincoln to our Favorite Pumpkin Patch near Wheatland. The ride there was filled with sad faces, crying and tears... They were Peyton's. She didn't feel she was getting enough time to hear her songs. Usually we have to deal with cranky Sydney dictating what songs or CD's we listen to.

Usually it's Taylor Swift 'Fearless' songs 1, 3, 4 or 6... but this week it's Danity Kane 'Show Stoppa' and Peyton loves any song that isn't that... therefore she thinks she should get to hear her songs more. Through the tears we made it.

The place was packed at 945. We parked further out that we normally park during the weekend trip. Since we were first to arrive of the bunch, we walked around the newly updated farm, and I took a couple pictures of the girls and pumpkins. I might even be in a few pictures this year. We got apple pumpkin muffins and cinnomon rolls. Tastey treats.

Sydney and Peyton played on the slides until Dominic, Donovan and Devin showed up... oh and Tia and Tio, Grandma and Grandpa Gertie.. minus Gertie the dog. We had quite the spread (picnic) Sandwiches galore, deviled eggs, olives, pasta salad, chips, pineapple, soda's, H20 and candy...

I don't think I got any pictures of the train.... but we took a train ride around the entire farm. Tio (Uncle Rudy) rode in the cattle car with Dominic, Donovan, Sydney and Peyton. Tia rode with Devin, me and Ben in one of the open cars, and the Gerties (so not their last name, but the dogs name) rode up front somewhere... wonder if she got pics.

More slides.... Then Coyote Mountain... where the big slides are. I have pictures... Sydney talked me into riding the tunnel slide with her a dozen times, then while Tio, Tia and Dominic did the Corn Maze I took Devin a few times on the big slide... oh yeah there was Marble Mining. Time flew bye before we realized it... 230 rolled around and it was time for us to pick Bianca up from school. We didn't get to do the hayride to pick pumpkins.... So now we have another excuse to visit another pumpkin patch.

Okay Drama.... We loaded into the car and Taylor Swift was in the CD Player and Sydney lost it. She wanted 'Show Stoppa' and since I didn't jump she threw a tantrum. She screamed and cried and kicked my seat for an hour. The ride was grueling. I about lost my mind.

Okay so I sound like a total bitch for not putting on the right CD.... but they were tired and cranky and I figured they'd fall asleep. at one point I might have caved a bit. There was this yelling, sobbing of Sydney wanting me to hold her hand. After thirty minutes I think I held her hand, I really wanted to stuff a sock in her mouth so that I didn't have to hear her any more. I might have even put her song on.... So she got what she wanted for a minute or two, but then for some reason she decided she didn't like the carseat straps so tight, and the crying began again. So the song was turned off, the hand stolen away.....and then she was screaming that she wanted my hand until we got home. There was no more giving in.

First thing I did was run upstairs and change, put on my running clothes, grabbed my ipod and Kallie and did 3 miles. I felt so much better when I got home. Peyton was still asleep in the car, Sydney had fallen asleep in the corner of against her dresser, sitting up, head back and mouth open. Ben called it her yoga pose. It was cute, I wish I would have gotten a picture, but Ben did take a couple.

Finally Sydney got her nap and the house is now calm again..... The Fantastic Four dropped by to hang out for a lil while tonight. All in all... it was a good Friday.

13 year old check up

Today I took Bianca for her 13 year old check up. Yep, the title says it all. I shouldn't have been surprised that she needed shots.... but I was. Three shots to be exact. As soon as the shots were mentioned Bianca was glaring at me.... If looks could kill.. I'd have died right on the spot.

Height 5 ftt 2 1/2 and 94 lbs. She's 60% in height and 30% in weight. According to her charts she's stayed on the same slope the last few visits. The nurse took bianca's blood pressure and a quick glance, then asked her to undress and put the gown on... open in the back.... As soon as the nurse left Bianca looked at me and the tears started to flow, she told me she hated me because I brought her to the dr and because she had to get shots and she didn't want shots.. and i could go on and on.... Did I mention she told me she HATED me... over shots... like my plan that morning was to wake up with the satisfaction of knowing I was taking my daughter to get shots... needles stuck into her arm, shoulder, leg, who knows where....... It really hurt my feelings.


She refused to get undressed and after a half dozen kleenex and my explanation on why she needed shots and why I take her to the dr... She finally put on her paper robe and sat down.... oh only after I told her I'd ask for a reincheck on the shots....

Luckily Bianca was calmed down by the time the Dr came in.... a new Dr too. She asked Bianca 20 questions and checked B out....she commented that Bianca was very healthy. I sure hope so... it was the shots that were going to get us in the end.... actually Bianca promised to come back for the shots... and that's a visit I'm going to skip. Ben gets that trip to the Dr.

I took the Sydney and Peyton to drive their Jeeps around the neighborhood... but I made them take turns driving and made them ride together.... I just can't keep up with them both on my own in two seperate cars.... What am I going to do when they turn four??????????