Thomas & Hotdog

That's what we named our pumpkins this year, and by "we" I mean E. (he also named grandpa's pumpkin salad.)Thomas was a bit deformed so we gave him a marker face with lots of crazy hair. E helped Dad clean out Hotdog for the carving.

Scare tactics

The other day I was trying to get E to do something and he was not listening (what else is new.) I don't even remember what it was about, but in an effort to get his attention I said to him, "if you don't start listening to Mommy I'm going to call SANTA and tell him you're being naughty."

Now, I remember this working very well for me as a child so I thought I would give it a shot, hoping I could use it all the way up to the big day. But after threatening twice to call the big man, E looked at me and said, "Umm, how bout we just call Santa and say Happy Birthday." I had to laugh. I guess phoning Santa just isn't a big enough threat. He actually really likes the idea and asks everyday now if we can call Santa on the phone. Maybe instead I should try the old tie Santa up on Christmas eve story, in honor of Grandpa Stan of course. Just kidding, I'm not looking to scar him for life. (My grandpa really did that and we went to bed crying every Christmas eve. aaahhhh memories.)

What happened to FALL

It's FREEZING here!!!!!

Well, that might be a little bit of an exaggeration....but it sure does feel like it!!!

This is a picture with our pumpkin. His name is "hotdog"

CA: week two

Mon & Wed were spent at the "HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH" also known as Disneyland. I don't know who was more excited, the kids or me? It was so much fun!!!! And really different. It's been over 8 yrs since I've been to Disneyland so a lot has changed. But we had such a blast and E was at the perfect age to appreciate it. He was tall enough to ride almost everything, and ride he did!!!!! Even Space Mt, Thunder Mt, & Splash Mt. After every ride we asked him if he liked it and he would say, "YES!" Then we would say, "do you want to go again?" To which he would always reply "NO!!"

We saw the PIXAR parade with all the characters and E was so excited that he got to see the REAL Lightning McQueen

The Haunted Mansion was by far his favorite of the whole day. It's pretty much the only one he asked to go on again. He also really liked Soarin' over California, the bumper cars in Bugs Life, and he even asked if he could go on the dark fast train ride again (Space Mt)

M got to go on all the little kid rides and her fav was NEMO

I loved going CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE, especially since it was my first time. I loved CA Screamin', and the Tower of Terror, they were so much fun!! But Soarin' over CA was by far my favorite.

All the kids were so good. They had so much fun that we survived both days without any meltdowns, tantrums, or fits. Even the baby's were little angels. We couldn't have asked for a better trip.

We stayed basically from open to close both days (monday night until 11) so we had some pretty tired kids. Exhausted but Happy.



The rest of the trip was spent relaxing at the beach. The weather was absolutely wonderful, and if the water had been just a few degrees warmer it would have been perfect.

The kids had so much fun playing together that it was hard to say goodbye.


This collage captures M's progression to becoming one with SAND.

She began, a clean baby on a blanket playing with a toy(photo 1)
Curiosity got the best of her and she ventured off the blanket to touch, grab, and let slip through her fingers(photo 2)
First taste: Unsure what to think(3)
Starting to like it(4)
Really starting to like it(5&6)
Can't get enough(7)
Discovering wet sand(8)
Covered head to toe and loving it (9)

California: week one

Just as I was gearing up for fall in Ohio we went back to 90(+) deg & never ending summer. At least that's what it felt like. The kids & I went out to CA to hang out at my parents house for a week and then meet up with Scott and half the Yeates clan the next week. We had so much fun just hanging out at Grandma & Grandpa's house. It was really low key, and E had a blast helping Grandpa in the garden, feeding the tortoises, and of course playing with Joce. (thanks so much for coming down, we always love seeing you :) ) M liked having a new place to crawl around and explore, just not so much on the hard tile. We also discovered her love for ice. I was happy to do some scrapbooking for my mom and spend some time with Darcy. We also went out to Oak Glen one day, which is always fun.

Darcy snapped these AMAZING photos for me!!! Thanks so much, I Love ya ;)

Cougar treats...

I made these dipped pretzels in Honor of the "Y" for the game last night. I thought they turned out pretty cute and you can never go wrong with dipped pretzels....mmmm! (well it's only a problem if you eat as many of them as I did.)

Dan did really well even though he didn't get in until the very end of the game. He had a few big tackles and my personal favorite was that late hit on the quarterback! Scott and I were so proud when we heard the announcer say "ruffing the passer #44." It was AWESOME!!! Keep the hits coming D.

Happy Half Birthday

My little Molly turned 6mo. last Friday, and she has had quite a busy week.

*On Monday she started crawling and has gotten more adventurous each day. Her crawl is still a little broken and slow, but she can get anywhere she wants now days, well almost. Last night she was trying to crawl into the kitchen but couldn't get any traction on the lanolin and was just sliding around on her tummy. It was funny to watch. Today it seemed like she was trying to stand up!!! That, hopefully is a long way off, but she sure is determined.

*She has been eating cereal randomly for a month now but this week she got her first taste of some real food, and she isn't really likin' it. But we will keep trying.

*She also is the proud new owner of THREE tooth stubs in her mouth, with two more on the way. I was so happy when they finally popped through because she has been "teething" for about a month and a half which wasn't too fun.

She is always so happy. Her favorite thing is to sit on the floor with a pile of toys and just enjoy.
My BUCKEYE babies!!!
On a side note.... we found out last Sat. that E is getting married. At least that's what Julia says. They sure make a cute couple!!! Ahh, young love, so sweet!making out already....I'm in trouble....well at least he seems to be enjoying it!
We went to the Zoo this week and it was a perfect day. The weather was so nice, and I felt like we were the only ones there. It is so nice in the fall because the animals are usually more active in the cooler weather.
Usually when I try to get a picture of E he runs the other way screaming. But for some reason this day he kept asking me to take pictures of him. This is definitely a first for him. I was cracking up as he was climbing all over the statues saying, "take my picture Mom. CHEESE!"

So excited for TONIGHT!!!!

Back to School!!!

Ahhh....High School. I have some wonderful memories but wouldn't go back if you paid me. My good friend Annie had this on her blog and I thought it was so funny to read about her in her past life, so I thought I take the trip down memory lane myself. I don't know if I've tried to block it out or I'm just getting old, but most of the details were a little fuzzy in my mind, but this is what I can remember....
(Below are pictures of pictures, so they are kind-of blurry)

Did you date someone from your school?
No!!! How sad is that? I don't think I was ever even asked out on a date by someone from my school! I've been told that all my brothers were too intimidating... yeah right!!
What kind of car did you drive?
97' Nissan Sentra. Oh yeah baby! My parents actually bought it from the Church. It was a used missionary car, so you can bet it was in pretty good condition :)
Were you a party animal?
Not so much. I was pretty social and always liked to be doing something with friends, but I didn't really go to the parties. To be honest I was a little scared to go to the parties. They usually resulted in a shooting and a few arrests.

Were you considered a flirt?
I honestly don't know if guys thought of me as a flirt? I was pretty oblivious to things like that. I always had a lot of friends that were guys, but it wasn't until a few years later that I learned most guys aren't usually friends with girls to just be friends. Looking back... I guess I flirted a little, but I honestly thought I was just being nice.
Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
No, No, & No
Were you a nerd?
I really have no idea how people viewed me? Like I said I was a little oblivious to stuff like that, and also I mostly didn't really care what people thought of me back then. Surprisingly I wasn't too self conscience in High School, but in hind-sight I personally think I was pretty nerdy or maybe just embarrassing. I guess I should have been a little more self-aware!

(proof of my nerdy-ness)
Were you on any varsity teams?
Yes! I played 2(+) yrs of Varsity Soccer. SAL Champs 99 & 2000. And 2 yrs. of Varsity Volleyball. I was even the captain of my Volleyball team.

Did you ever get suspended or expelled?
No, that was reserved for the druggies and gangstas.
Who were your favorite teachers?
I feel really bad, but right now I'm completely blanking on my teachers names. They must have really had an impact on me. :) I really liked my yearbook advisor Mr. Goodyear, and my AP History teacher was so cooky and crazy, he was hilarious. (name? help me out if you remember)
Could you still sing the fight song?
In High School I knew every word to our Alma Mater, and I'm trying really hard right now but can't seem to find the words. But I know if I heard it, everything would come rushing back. (seriously having children has ruined my mind.)
Where did you sit during lunch?
Where ever my friends were sitting. We had a general area, but no exact spot.
What was your school's full name?
Colton High School, Colton CA. Go YELLOWJACKETS!!!
Did you go to Homecoming?

Yes I think I went to 3 or 4. Since I couldn't ever get a date, I always went with a group of friends. How sad is that. I have never been asked to a school dance by a guy. Not even Prom! (I went to prom, but I always had to be the one to ask, and pay! I always felt bad having the guy pay when I was forcing him to go with me.)

What do you remember most about graduation?

Grad Night! It was at Disneyland and it was so much fun. That and just the fact that I was done! I was so happy to graduate from HS and be done with it. I was really excited to move on to bigger and better things. Class of 2000!!!!

Where did you go senior skip day?
We had two skip days. We went up to Big Bear earlier in the year while it still had some snow and then the beach of course when it was closer to grad.
What was the best part of high school?
Defiantly football games!!! I Loved going to the games with all my friends. And since I always had a brother on the team it made it even better. One year my friends and I even made #88 SORENSEN shirts and wore them to every game.

I think EVERYONE that reads this should participate and tell us all about your high school selves. I would love to find out what you were like back in the day.