Tamale Party!

 

The kids and I had a fun time at the Tamale Festival.  Last year just Drew, Lil and I were able to go due to dance, but this year the four of us went (maybe next yr the 5 of us can go) to win fish, eat ice cream, play hot potato, watch balloons fly away, and listen to music.  

Soooo, the kids and I headed over to downtown for exactly 1 hour (I kid you not) before the girls had to meet their call time for one out of 12 shows they performed over 9 days.  As we walked quickly up and down the quarter mile length of the festival the kiddies got balloons, Drew won a fish, and a vendor I have been looking forward to seeing since last year was THERE! 

Ya, so much fun!  However, the balloons ended up flying away, the ice cream vendor did not have my flavor, and Drew's fish died!  Other mentionables... #1 we had fun, #2 Drew almost own a prize from Radio Disney, #3 I ate some-sort of bubblegum flavored ice cream, #4 did I mention we had fun! 

Not the best pictures above of Emma, but ya know she is still the cutest little gal around!  They were taken while she was trying to look at me and a balloon flying away and hitting some wires at the same time!  She was so worried about it.   I was not worried about the entire thing until I realized that we were sitting under a stoplight!  That sucker could have fallen down at any point!  haha

Downtown.....until next year!

My side, Gobble 2012

I realized that I did not post about my-side of the family for Thanksgiving!  For the past few years we have been celebrating the Turkey Day on the Sunday before the actual holiday and I have to say it works for us!  With both of my sisters out of state, Jo being married now, and things going on with other family members it really makes sense to have it beforehand.

I was in the kitchen cooking along with Uncle Kev and Jo with Ken watching Uncle carve the bird....and the end of it all we were tired, Derek was a dork, my babies were stuffed and there was little strength left to play Apples-to-Apples.

I love these pictures of my girls eating off of our China, Derek wearing 'Minnie Ears,' and my mom relaxing for just a minute while at my house.  I missed my sisters, but I can not wait until Christmas Eve to have a lovely night...even though it may be sad.

Thanksgiving 2012

This Thanksgiving was well, interesting for me.  I have been emotionally a little out of it lately, but got around to the Turkey Trot  for the second year in a row.  I was sad that Jen did not do it with me (she would have ran the 10k probably anyways and left me in the wind:)), but I had Elisa again and Carly with Dwayne joined in the fun.  It is really a fun way to start the day.  Well, until I go to my neighbors and have a bloody Mary and wanted to sleep the rest of the day!  So, when we headed over to Linda's I headed straight for her bed for a rest!  Once all rested I joined in the food, dessert, planning family days, secret Santa stuff, and of course watched the Pat's game.  The kids made snowmen with Chow, Drew played, or rather watched Kyle and Max play video games, and everyone was very full.  A full tummy did not stop Kels, Saige, Chow, Connor and Daniella from leaving at 9pm to go shopping.  I am not sure how I feel about these new hours for Black Friday starting on Thursday.  Thanksgiving is about family, not shopping.  Well, whatever I think it does not matter, I just know I will NEVER do that.  For me it is not worth it.  I hope everyone had a great Gobble Day!!

I forgot my camera, but Derek got a few.

Of course we had to get a picture of Carly sleeping!  But she had to fake it this year because she ACTUALLY STAYED AWAKE!  So pretty all of the girls are!

Fall Sport Roundup

Last month was the last of the fall sports for the little ones. I have to admit that we were not able to go to any games this season, but if it is makes any difference we REALLY wanted to! I guess that is what happens when you have kids of your own and they start to have busy schd of their own that us as parents have to drive & pick up and this and that. I am so happy that I was able to go to some many soccer/baseball/plays/shows/graduations until this past year or so.

So, when I got to the last of Madi and Connor's games in the same weekend along with Drew's last game and both girls having rehearsal at different times on the same day I was STOKED! I was very impressed with Madi's abilities on the soccer field (not impressed with the traffic out to Corona) and, of course, the All-star Connor speeding around the bases. Now all I have to do is go to one of Saige's shows, Carly's races, Damon's games, Kyle's meets, and one of Max's games, have Hannah over some more and I will feel like a better Auntie:)


Below are pictures of Drew, Madi, and Connor's last games.

 

 

 

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Drew did have a blast this season playing baseball! This was his first season in "Pinto" or "kid pitched" and I must say I am so happy that the shorter/more-layed back season of Fall Ball was his first exposure to this level. He did not get a hit, but walked all of the time, played right field and 2nd base almost every game....but most importantly HE HAD FUN! He had the most fun when he realized that if he just stood there while in the batters box and let the balls go by without swinging that he would get on base. Really it was very smart of him because he scored a lot! But, it was also a little frustrating because he needs to learn to bat. We will see how he does in a few months when spring starts up.

Spring, spring! I always think that the holiday months are busy, but when I have all three kids in sports/dance it is super busy. Last year I was so lucky to have my mom to help and I am sure I will be calling her this spring as well. She goes to all of the the games anyways, so I am sure she will not mind..haha.

 

 

Fallen Heros

Do you remember not too long ago the story of the 4 service members that were killed on a float? It was such a tragic story of heroes that then came home to only get killed in such a senseless way. I prayed for the families and thought how horrible it was and went about my days. Than I received an email from my sister Em who lives in NC and was very impressed at how my little niece Hailee, who is really not that little anymore at 11 years old...was growing up to be a very smart/loving/kind and mature young lady. Bobo and I are very proud of her. Thank you my sister for sharing!

Here is my sisters email....

Not sure if you all saw this last week the parade float and train accident. But, one of the men filled lived down the road from us. His son is one of Hailee's school friends plus someone in her "group". You know how those groups go...see each other at sporting events and "hang out". Anyways, Hailee has been talking and texting Shane, seeing how he has been doing. Which at first I was skeptical of, I didn't want her to say the wrong thing. Secondly, I though is she really mature enough to handle talking to another child about death, and then the death of his own father. But, her and her friends have been amazing. She hasn't shyed away from talking to him....which I would add I would totally do..She wrote him a beautiful card last night. I'm just so proud of her. Below is a link to an article about the family and even a video....thats Mr. Stouffers daughter and his brother. At the end of the video you can see a picture of the whole family. Shane told Hailee he would miss hunting and camping with his dad.

Just so very very sad

Here is a link to the article about Stouffers.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/11/a_brave_man_family_remembers_p.html

Ticked off!

It may take me a few days to blog about his past weekend. I just got done typing it up and they erased it! I did not realize! I am so TICKED OFF! That just added to a FAB Monday!!!

I realized I sounded really upset! Opps, but I was! Do you know how long it takes to post sometimes!! hahah

Say Cheese!

Look at those cutie faces! I just want to eat them up!

Big Bear!!

We LOVE Big Bear! Every time we go there we find something new that we love about it I am just so grateful to have the Kemper's in our lives (Mar's fam), I will never be able to express it correctly.

Going up the mountain I DROVE! Amazing, I know, but Derek did not want me to get sick again...oh so nice! The one thing that I did miss when driving was looking out at the open space. Those colors! The colors are beautiful and the weather of 60 degrees was exactly what we wanted! The 25degrees at night...not so much:) I know, I know my backeast family. On the way home I got to enjoy the view because Derek drove, well, until I started to feel ill and fell asleep. I think Derek is a lucky man when we drive. I do not bug him and want to talk & talk because I am ASLEEP most of the time. haha

Like I wrote, we LOVE Big Bear..but it is very different when it is "off-season." Most places of interest are CLOSED! "See you in May," was the theme. Yes, the ski season is almost here (I think this weekend maybe?), but that does me no good since I do not ski (I would like to learn one day) or snowboard (I am not teenager wanting to ride a skateboard on the snow) and I really do not feel like getting all wet from the snow either, but what I want to do is go to the Zoo or a Museum. Many of those are closed. Oh well. We went for walks, are a bunch, Derek made pancakes for the kids, we drove and drove around, picked pine cones, walked on the bridge over the marsh, and went to the park. Derek wanted to just relax with this family and enjoy his long weekend. He enjoyed himself and so did I! Then kids did not want leave and we of course can not wait to go there again!

 

 

 

 

 

Of course there was, "I do not want to hold your hand Emma!"

But Bug held it for Em:)

Scarecrow Voting

The girls and I headed over to the Great Park to vote on the 'best' scarecrow which was displayed in the garden part of the park. We love the OC Great Park! Can you guess which one I voted for?

 

 

They have a few exhibits there & one of them tells the history of Irvine and the transition it has gone through. I knew a lot of it, but it was interesting to learn that the symbol of the USMC El Toro based was designed by Walt Disney.

Also interesting was the slogan of "Free A Man To Fight" during WWII.