A view from our family room window...Look at our backyard visitor!

Mike snapped this shot of our backyard from our family room picture window. I knew when we built this room we HAD TO HAVE a huge window facing our backyard. It's our favorite place in our house!

Snow Day!

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A few weeks ago we woke up to snow. In California! Well, we get snow here every couple of years but got it last year and it usually melts by afternoon. This year was different- it snowed early Monday morning (that's why it's still dark in the pictures- the kids got up to it at 5am to play in it) and it lasted until Friday. School was cancelled Monday and Tuesday and we didn't go anywhere because we needed new tires on the van and Mike said we better not drive in it. So Wednesday, he got new tires for us and we were back to normal. The kids played in it forever. Even Addy kept crying to "go owside". Fun times!

Stitches...Bad day...and wise words from a 7 yr old...

My crazy Nathan- 7 yo- fell on the playground at school- on his chin...so I picked him up, called the insurance who made an appointment at the clinic for 2 hours later, after I told them he needed stitches. Then I ran an errand, came home and while I was taking the sleeping 2 yr old to bed, Nathan came and said, "Mom- I locked the car so the burglars don't get your purse". Well, I had my only car keys- (Mike had my other set) cell phone and purse and groceries in the car. I wasn't sure I could get him to the stitches appointment, but Mike came home and saved us, only to get to the appointment and the clinic said, "Oh- why did they send you here? We don't do stitches!- You'll have to go to ER!" So Mike had to come get him and take him- because I had parent teacher conferences and YW in Excellence to get ready for and the ER is 40 minutes away! CRAZY! But I had to laugh in the end and our YW in Excellence was nice, so it made for a good ending. I should have stayed in bed that day. But it's one for the journal!
Best part was when Nathan was disappointed he couldn't get the stitches at the clinic. I asked him why he wanted stitches so bad and he replied, "Well, Mom, I just figure I need to experience everything in life, and I haven't had stitches yet, so I really want them!"

Terrible 2's once again!

More putting on makeup- (at least she knows mascara goes on the eyes), and something new: climbing on the bathroom counter playing in the water- includes an almost flooding of the bathroom! Yippee for 2 year olds to make us laugh!







Don't mind the blue and green toothpaste in her hair- she loves Aquafresh!

Soccer season 2009

Sydney had another great soccer season and wonderful Coach: Coach Brad. She was on the "Cool Cats" team. She didn't play goalie like the past few years, but mostly played forward this year. These pictures are from the game on Halloween- that's why the coach is in his funny cat sweats and the girls have cat whiskers painted on them. Fun year in soccer!

Great Season of Marching Band!

McKenzie just finished her first season of marching band and LOVED it! Our school did very well at competitions, winning first in their division at both of them. It was a lot of work for her, but she loved every minute of it. I didn't realize how much went into marching band-many hours of practice, all day competitions and exhibitions, etc... I'm proud of her for working so hard and finding something she loves so well!

Addy's playdate with Penny...

Addy had a early morning playdate with Penny (hence still in jammies) while Penny's mom volunteered at the school. After Penny stopped being sad her mom left, we walked up to the
bus stop to see the older kids get on the bus. That was a favorite! Then they spent a LONG time cutting food. I kept putting it all back together, and they just kept cutting more!
They both kept saying, "I did it!". I needed that lesson to learn to celebrate when I accomplish something great~Seems like sometimes I just go to the next project!

Addy's 2nd birthday

My little Halloween Birthday baby turned 2! I can't believe it's been 2 years since we cracked up painting my pregnant belly like a pumpkin! Time sure flies!


Since Addison's Bday was on Halloween and we had marching band exhibition and soccer game, trunk or treat, parties, and other things, we decided to have her little family party on Sunday afternoon, November 1st. We invited our adopted grandparents to come have cake with us and they loved watching her and celebrating with us. We all cracked up when we put her giant cupcake cake in front of her with the huge candles and her eyes got huge! (double click on the photo to get the full effect!) I think she was really scared of the fire. Stared at it with big eyes until after singing and she finally blew them out, then laughed and clapped when they were out. Funny!

With Leona and Herb...

Present opening time! She loved her little dog that barks and wags its tail when you pet it. She wouldn't let anyone take it-


With Sisters and brothers trying out the new wooden veggie cutting toy. They all cut up vegetables for an hour or so and made a big bowl of pretend soup, then Nathan got bored and being the boy he is, started using the veggies as hockey pucks. I had to get under the couch to find all the peices!


This is what happens when you have a 12 year old boy living with you...

Addy used a lot of concentration to get everything cut up. It's hard work to cook a meal!

Not sure what this sour face is...I think it's her new way of smiling, I find it in a lot of my pictures now. Smiling to her includes closing her eyes for some reason!




I love this little angel. Our home certainly wouldn't be the same without her to make us laugh and entertain us! She is a wonderful little daughter! Don't want her to grow up too fast, but will enjoy the journey!

Halloween 2009

Visiting our neighbors, Leona and Herb, same pose in front of the piano each year for the last 7 years! Fun tradition! They love it!

Parties with friends and trick-or-treating:










Me and my wild friend, Karen, biker chick at her party this year.

Costumes:
Addison: ballerina
Nathan: skeleton
Sydney: SuperSyd (her made up superhero)
Bradley: Ron Weasley from Harry Potter
McKenzie: cowgirl
Mom and Dad: exhausted parents from running from one thing to another, then walking all over the neighborhood with these kiddos!

One of the kids counted their candy when they got home (302), and one weighed their candy (9.2 pounds). Way too much this year!