Before I get to Christmas I just wanted to post a pic. of Kirk and I before we went to dinner to celebrate his 40th birthday. We had a great time w/friends and family. Just wanted to say how grateful I am to be married to such good, kind, genuine, handsome, awesome man...and really, he has the best sense of humor around. I'm looking forward to the next 40 plus!

San Diego

Kirk and I went to San Diego this past Oct. for a quick getaway. We were expecting warm beach weather but got breezy 60 degree weather instead. At least it was sunny. Instead of relaxing on the beach, we decided to go on a tour of the USS Midway that was docked in the bay. Here's a few pic.'s...

View of the Bay

We later met up with some friends and went to some yummy restaurants and walked along the beach. We also took a trip to Tijuana...I don't recommend it (I'll leave it at that). I look forward to another vacation....

Ty and Crew's Birthday...Oct 4, 2009

Before I post Christmas pictures, I have some catch up to do.

Ty and Crew turned 2 this past October. They had so much fun opening presents. Here are few pictures from their party:

Faith and I made birthday cupcakes.

Notice the Christmas wrapping paper.


One of Crew's favorite gifts...a leaf blower.

Faith sporting the glasses that came w/the leaf blower...oh, my!

The birthday boys w/their new toys.

Silly boy!

Silly boys!

Silly boy again!

The list...

Out of frustration, I started making a list. Not a Christmas list...but a list of things that have broken this past year by the hands of Ty and Crew. Here's the list:

-microwave
-hot chocolate maker
-laptop
-new computer hard drive
-toilet tank
-Chase's DS
-ihome
-home phones

Interestingly, after making the list I felt a huge sense of appreciation for them. Maybe because if I didn't have Ty and Crew...I would trade any and all of these "things" for them. The few years spent wanting them has made these few years of having them so much better. So, as I think abt. the real meaning of Christmas this year, the Grinch said it best..."Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!” This Christmas I'm especially grateful for my family...for Ty for his sweet grin, Crew for his persistence (which will get him far in life), Faith for her willingness to help when needed, Chase for his sensitive side and Kirk for working hard and always being there for us. Merry Christmas!

Crew lost...again

Just wanted to jot this experience, memory down. A few weekends ago Kirk and I decided to load the kids up to see Santa at the mall. Usually we have our stroller in the car but didn't b/c we'd just done a Costco run. So, we ventured off to the mall w/no stroller...and only a parent can know how valueable/pricless a stroller is...especially at a crowded mall.

So we got to the mall and the kids sat on Santa's lap....first Ty and Crew then Faith and Chase. While Chase and Faith were hanging w/Santa, Ty and Crew were playing on the side of Santa's "stage". Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ty playing...but no Crew. I asked Kirk where Crew was. He couldn't be found. He was gone...just like that. Now we've had wanderers before...Chase was known for this when he was little but he'd get lost b/c he wasn't paying attention. Crew, on the other hand, gets lost b/c he tries. It's like he knows he's not supposed to be separated from us but he's going to run away anyway. After abt. 10 minutes (and that feels like an eternity for a parent) he was found...halfway across the mall running towards the outside doors (according to the old couple that found him). The appreciation I felt towards the people that kept him from going outside was so great...but the relief I felt when I saw he was safe was even greater. I was so overcome w/tears that I couldn't talk. Thank you old couple...whoever you are. And as for Crew...one word, LEASH (a short one).

Early Fall

Chase started football in late August. He wasn't very excited in the beginning, but started to enjoy it by mid season. His team had a slow start, losing their first three games. They made a strong comeback after those losses to win three straight! Go #62!

Chase is in the center in black.

Chase in the center...#62.


We were proud of Chase for getting in on tackles...it can be intimidating for a skinny guy.

Laura, Stella and me enjoying Chase's game.

Faith and Crew. Notice Faith's glove. She spotted this gem at Claire's in the mall. All her friends ask her if they can wear it...isn't it lovely?

Crew slurping down a slushy at his cousin's football game.

Ty climbed up to finish Kirk's dinner. Notice Crew peering over the counter...I'm guessing he kicked Ty off his spot soon after this was taken.

Faith and her friend, Eden. Faith up to her usual goofy self.

The climbing duo.

Faith and her cousin, Bo.

Group bath after swimming in the pool for the last time.

Chase and Faith's first day of school. They were both SO excited to go.

Today

Ty and Crew crawled out of their cribs during naptime today. Wish their sleep blankets were just a little tighter around the legs. So, crib tents are a must now. Kirk thinks maybe naptime for them is over. NO WAY! Our two turkeys will be taking naps until preschool (or kindergarten if needed).

Then, Crew decided to follow Chase and his friends outside and got lost (Chase says his friends didn't shut the door). Our little 6 yr old neighbor girl was holding Crew's hand and bringing him home by the time I noticed he was gone. According to her, he'd made it to the street entering our neighborhood...almost to a 50 mph road. I shudder to think abt. what could've happened. I called her mom to tell her again how much I appreciated her daughter's help. Her mom said she told her she'd saved a baby's life today. It made me tear up a bit. She did!

And finally, Faith and I did a little grocery shopping tonight. While we were gone, Kirk put Chase in charge of watching T and C. Ummm, big mistake! While Chase was watching TV, the partners in crime got on the kitchen counter, turned the faucet on and sprayed down the kitchen and family room (where Chase was watching TV). There was so much water the shop vac had to be used to suck it all up. I wondered how on earth Chase didn't notice water being sprayed into the very room he was in? And...of course, where was their dad? Kirk says he was in his office "working" and says he heard the water on but thought I'd gotten home and was in the kitchen using the faucet.

I think I'll say my prayers tonight...for thanks, inspiration and patience.