A Tale of Christmas Pajamas

 Every year I give Christmas PJ's to my family, usually home made.  This year, while cleaning out my sewing stuff I found a few unused ikea curtains.  Rather then throwing them out, I thought I would use them for this years PJ's.  After starting the project, I realized the foot I needed for the shirts was missing and had to have it shipped by Sears costing me pretty penny.  

There was just enough material for the kids, but when done, Tom was wishing he had a pair as well (I later discovered he was just being nice).  Thinking he really wanted a pair, I pulled down the curtains that were being used in our downstairs living room, and ran to the store to replace them so I could start on Tom's. 

At this point, it would have been cheaper and easier to just buy them, but then what would be the fun in that?  After all the work there was just enough for me, but I did end up with Capri's. 

Santa

Along with trains, he fears Santa.

This year at least he got close with out screaming.  Notice how Tom is pushing him closer and he is leaning back.

Golden Gate National Cemetary

In case you were wondering, this is where the Zombies live. 

At least that is what I am told by Sean every time we drive by it.  Perhaps a lesson on the Resurrection and Plan of Salvation is over due?

This is what you get when you are raising a 4 year old along side of an 11 year old.  No wonder he doesn't sleep at night.

And Now he Rocks Out

While on the phone with a client Alice & Chains started blaring from our upstairs.  I was a little confused as Sean was the only other person home.  I went up to find this.  Stick with it, he really starts to rock a few seconds into the video and wait until you see the splits.

His choice of music as matured and apparently he prefers Rock over Pop.  I thought I had a few more years before I had to deal with blaring music in my house.  Perhaps next he will be sneaking out at night?

Thanksgiving 2012

This year it was at my Brother Jeff's in Valencia, CA.  I was feeling a great deal of gratitude for my family this year.  It is never a dull moment when we all get together and the cousins never tire of just hanging out.  This years party included my brothers new fiance Jen, the hot tub, lots of Long Boarding, an overly physical soccer game, lots of food, lots of pie, a few tears from tired kids, a few movies (Twilight and James Bond), the X-Box, Capture the flag (in Jeff's house), one broken down van (poor Bailey's), and a dinner out to New Moon. 

The Dessert Table, we are always good at this one.  

The White Team stretching.  This was serious business.  Don't ask what I am doing, I am really not sure.

The soccer game mostly involved large piles of people and many fouls.  I realized early why my brother Jeff chose to ref, rather then play.  

Tom took no mercy on anyone, including me.  I will spare you of photos of my many shin bruises from the love of my life. 

The little kids soccer game that mostly ended up in tears. 

The long boards, these were a hit this year. 

The rugrat neighborhood kids.  Oh wait, that is Andrew and Connor. 

My brother entertained the kids in the hot tub with Simon Says, losers had to jump in the pool. 

The cooks.

Lots of Football.

Good and exhausting times with the Scholz's.  Sorry Jeff if we brought down the property value of your home.

BYU

We made it to the BYU-San Jose State game right before Thanksgiving, thanks to my brother and his family.  They drove all the way up from LA to catch the game and what a disappointment.  So glad we took 3 car loads of kids to a game that was almost embarrassing.  

Trying to get on the big screen.

The crew, waiting for the game to start. 

Sorry Tom, I just don't get it.  They just seem to keep breaking your heart.  

My Favorite Things, #18

Reliable Warranties.

We bought a Tempur-Pedic mattress back in 2006.  We loved it initially but over the years it stopped holding it's shape as promised.  My friend from work had one as well and told me she had just gotten a replacement due to the fact that her's was also sagging. 

After emailing some photos, and explaining to a really nice lady the problem in one phone call, I got an call to hear that a new mattress was on the way.  Not just the same mattress, but a better one and a more firm one.  

It was delivered as promised hassle free, and I haven't slept so well in years.   

Thank you Tempur-Pedic, your service and warranty is the best I have seen in a while.  I will forever be a customer.

Band

It is serious business.  You would be amazed at the amount of work and effort that goes into these band competitions.  We usually make it to one each season and I am always surprised at the effort and grandness of it all.  Hot meals are prepared for the bands in the parking lot.  Sometimes all three meals as they are usually gone from 6am to late at night.  You see the BBQ's and the parents, the moving trucks (carrying equipment) large buses, and the enormous sets for the field shows.   We usually drop a good $40.00 for admission, get our wrist bands and enjoy a little of the show.  No one in our family has the patience to last an entire competition, just watching Kira with Terra Nova is enough for us.  The season has wrapped up, uniforms dry cleaned, and the horse packed away.  It was a great year for them, and I am sure next year will be just as great. 

The Trojan Horse from Terra Nova's field show.  Sean is in the bottom left corner so you can see how large this thing was. 

The parking lot where all the prep and magic happens. 

Each year I find myself more and more involved.  The way it is looking by the time Kira is a Senior I may be one of the parents standing in the parking lot cooking food.  Oh joy. 

Seriously, I am thankful Kira enjoys it so much and I am thankful so many parents are willing to give so much time to make it all happen.

Feeding the Birds

There is usually an old man that sits and feeds the pigeons (rats with wings) at the beach.  It is sweet and you can tell he enjoys it.  I am not referring to the really old man that sits by the Cafe, I am talking about our friend Reggie who sits by the flag pole.  I think this is his new hobby.

My kids seem to feel that where birds gather, bikes scatter.  It made for a fun afternoon.  

Thanks Reggie.

Zombies Yes, Trains No!

We have been to the California State Railroad Museum a few times with the kids as they have been growing.  We have only taken Sean twice and both times we have taken him shaking, and very nervous.   This last time, he literally made a break for the exit after being inside for 5 minutes and Tom had to chase him down before he left the building.  Something about trains do no settle well with my little tough kid.  I first noticed it during a stop at Casa De Fruita when Sean was about 18 months.  Andrew was climbing all over a parked train and Sean was screaming and yelling the entire time for him to get off.  He was screaming and shaking so much I finally had to make Andrew get off just so he would stop.  

I was starting to think he had out grown this fear, but this last trip proved he is still just as terrified of trains as before.  We did get him to tour some trains this trip as you can see in the picture below.  Can you see his excitement of being inside the mail train?  

Finally we made our way upstairs where he played for an hour with the train sets.  Apparently small trains are fine, big trains are scary.  My son has no problem with zombies, but trains?  Funny kid.  

If you want to know more about the museum, go here.  It is located in Old Town Sacramento and makes for a great day trip from our house. 

Daylight Savings

It does a number on this kid.  With the clocks moved back, he is now waking up at 5am and probably will all week until he adjusts.  It took him 2 weeks to recover from the spring forward and I am sure it will be the same for the fall back.  Ugh. 

Can we add getting rid of Day Light Savings to the ballots tomorrow? 

Yes, that is a sucker in his mouth, a dentist nightmare I am sure.  I removed it after taking a photo.  

Giants!

Life is good in our house when the Giants bring home the big prize, the World Series.   Now my children become torn, do we go to school or the Parade?  Yep, I let them decide.  This year they all chose school as the parade fell on Halloween and the kids didn't want to miss wearing their costumes to school.  Tom did the parade solo and got some good quality time with his other family... the Giants.  You can see pictures of the parade on Tom's Facebook page. 

Our first date back in 2004 happen to be front seat tickets to a Giants game, thanks to our friend Merrill.     Our love story started with the Giants, and has continued with the Giants.  I wouldn't say I am fan just yet, but slowly and surely they are growing on me.   This year I watched more baseball then I have watched in my life time.  Tom, don't get too excited, I am not venturing into football anytime soon.  

Halloween 2012

Every year I find myself caring less and less about this holiday.  Perhaps next year I need to step it up and put some effort into this one.  If it wasn't for the kids I would probably forget all together.  This year we didn't carve pumpkins, didn't go to a pumpkin patch, and I didn't give it much thought at all.  

I have to admit even in my laziness towards the holiday, Andrew pulled out a great costume made up of stuff in our costume box.  I am not sure he ever decided what he was, but does it matter?  Sean did a series of costume changes through out the day and ended up as Captain America for school and a Knight for Trunk or Treat.  The kids had fun and this year Andrew brought home over 8lbs. of candy, oh joy. 

Kira had a great Halloween as well, I just didn't get one picture of her.  She was busy this year hanging out with friends.  I think she has officially outgrown her family on Halloween.  

Andrew and Luke, crazy Jr. High kids. 

Cap as Sean calls Captain America.  

Sean with his friend Makoto.

Seans favorite activity is killing Andrew.

Early Mornings

Teenagers are stressful.  Really, I had no idea how stressful they could be and Tom and I live with a pretty good one.  Even in all her goodness, I stress.  We only have a few more years with her living under our roof (Unless she starts threatening like Andrew to never move out) and I stress about the little time left I have with her.  I find myself spending quite a bit of time with her in the car early in the mornings.  If it is not seminary, it is heading to a band competition and they are always early.  This poor girl gets very little mornings to sleep in as most teenagers would prefer, yet she is happy and willing to give it her all.

She is smart, and good, and I adore her.  I told her the other day that the best thing I got out of marrying Tom was her, and I meant every word.  She is a light in our family, even at 5:30 am when she is rolling out the door for the seminary.  I am glad she is setting the example for her younger brothers, I could only image what life would be like if Sean was the oldest.  Kira, thanks for the stress you cause, I welcome it.

This is her smug early morning look, not wanting her picture taken.

Band Season

Yep, it has started again, in fact the Terra Nova Band has been practicing since July of this year.  Last weekend was their first competition and they placed FIRST in parade and in Field Show.  It was a big win for the band and made for one happy 15 year old in our house.  

If you want to watch the show, check it out here.

 As for the rest of us, you will find us in the stands on Friday nights at the football games cheering on the football team and the band's half time show.

My favorite last weekend was watching Sean continually photo bomb these girls pictures in front of us. They kept moving the angle of the phone and he would move to get in their picture.  Nothing like doing duck lips with a 4 year old peeping in. 

FEET!

This is a brief moment in our lives where Andrew, Kira and I all have the same size foot.  We will see how long this lasts. 

Sean Loves...

His brother and Dad, but apparently not my singing. 

Normally Sean loves to have Tom sing to him before he goes to bed.  The other night I was requested to do the singing (2 songs) so I quickly jumped in to my version of ABC's with a few added lines of my own.  When finished with that song, Sean looked at me and said, "It's ok mom, you can sing just one song, good night."  Well there you go, I guess Tom will be doing the singing from now on. 

The above photo was from Andrew's bridging over recently.  Sean was happy to get to have Andrew's blue shirt and he has now graduated to the brown shirt. 

Fog Fest

Yep, it was here again.  Comes every year at the end of September.  Kira's band marches, Andrew and Luke box in the jumpies and this year Sean got just as involved.  He jumped on every jumpy they had, then barely made the walk home to crash that afternoon.

We love the Fog Fest, and we love that it is so close we can walk to the fun.  Since you get a report on this festival every year, this year my focus will be a little negative.  There are two downsides to the Fog Fest.  One being that parking is out of control.  I am always saying a little prayer on Sunday that we will be able to get to church and return home with out side swiping the parked cars on our street. 

This was 9am on Saturday.  By the afternoon, cars are parked on both sides making it really hard to get in and out.  

The second negative is that there is always a slightly over weight, very pale skinned girl dressed as a mermaid in the parade.  It is the same girl and she clearly enjoys doing it every year.  Our family can only think of one word to describe watching her flip her tail in the air on the back of a car... "Awkward."  I am not sure at what point does someone say, "perhaps we should skip the mermaid this year?"

Sorry no front picture.  We were sitting on the opposite side of the local news.  She was more focused on the cameras on the other side of the street.   

Sean having a blast. 

Until next year Fog Fest.  

Sean's Birthday

 As of yesterday, Sean became a 4 year old.
I am thrilled this kid is now 4 and becoming more independent.  Yesterday, he told me, "Mom, now that I am 4, I will stay in my bed...I won't let you down."  So far, he has held true to his word, maybe he is growing up?  I was starting to worry this kid would be eight and still getting up at night.

He is lucky to have a friend, also named Sean, who has a birthday very close to his. This year we did a joint party at the park and these two were super cute.   I have never seen chocolate cake and ice cream consumed so quickly and happily.

Happy Birthday to Sean and Sean!

Me... Uh, Surfing

Crazy I know.  Since Tom and I have been married he has pushed gently that I learn to surf and play golf (two of his favorite activities).  With small children around, both have been nearly impossible for me, since when are we ever going to both get to go in the water or golf for hours with out kids?  Well, now I guess.  With Kira and Andrew being old enough to babysit and Sean being a little more manageable the time came.  

I will have to admit, I was embarrassed to be a 30 something in my wet suit rolling around in the white water on one of the busiest days at the beach.  I am sure there were a few people laughing at my expense while I tried to get to my feet on the board.  Funny enough though, I had the last laugh as it was way more fun then I thought, and also less cold then I was planning (after I peed in my wetsuit).  

Just wanted to warn all who are hanging out at Linda Mar these days.  You just might see this 30 something in her wet suit more often looking like a poser hoping to get to my feet soon.  Laugh all you want but someday, I will be better then you, watch. 

Goodbye green, hello grey stripes!

I bought a cabinet awhile ago with plans to use it as a desk for the kids in our living room.  After getting it home I realized, with the help of my husband, that it was clearly a kitchen cabinet and no matter what I did to it, it would always look like it belonged in a kitchen.  So, I put it in my kitchen and it fit perfectly.  The small problem was the cabinet didn't look so great with my green walls.  My solution was grey stripes, and I couldn't be happier.  I knew it would be cute, but I didn't realize it would make me look for reasons to hang out in my kitchen, I love it that much.  

Next time your over, you might just find yourself hanging out among my stripes as well, being uplifted from the happiness they bring.

Summer is Officially Over

 

Andrew is always the last one to start school and it brings summer to an official end for me.   Today is a big day as he starts a new school as a Jr. High kid in 6th Grade.  I was worried he would be nervous or hesitant, but in fact he headed out the door as if it was just another day.  If I could only be as cool and collected as you Andrew.  Have a great day!

80's Dance

Kira's 80's outfit bought straight off the rack at the mall.  

We were thrilled they were finally doing a stake dance here in our stake.  I don't think I can remember when they did one and no one was more excited then Kira.  Keeping my fingers crossed that it was successful enough to warrant another one.