Can I go Back to Napa??

Back in August I hitched a ride to Napa!  I kept calling myself the 9th wheel because I went with 4 other couples.  Derek could not (did not) want to go....so off I went with the help of Linda watching the kids for a bit while Derek worked.  It was four wonderful days of no one calling me mommy, no one needing me to do anything for them.  I just chilled and was stress free.

So can I go back!!!!!!!???

 

I am not sure how many wineries we went to but I can tell you that my favorites were Foley Johnson, Raymond and Beringer.

 

 

 

 

We ate and ate!  We loved loved being there.  We all want to go back and I hope this time Derek comes with.  I have so many pictures of that place.  I had always wanted to go and was very excited when DeAnne finished her BSN and decided she wanted to go there!  Congrats to my friend!

SO WHEN CAN I GO BACK!??

Saying Goodbye....

Another thing happened in October, my mom moved to Atlanta.  She also took my Auntie Chrissy.  Oh, and she and my step dad got divorced after being together since I was 11.  Oh and my Aunt Deb and Uncle Kev got divorced to after 31 years of marriage.  Also, both of my grandparents on my mom's side died, eight months apart from each other.  My Nanny died on Palm Sunday and my Poppie on the first Sunday of Advent.  So sad.  Maybe one day I will blog about that more.  It is all so much in a year.  It is still all hard for me and I think it will be for some time.  

So Lilly and I took my mom to lunch during her last week here....  

My Auntie Deb hosted a brunch and Jo and Ken

 

Then we said goodbye.  I went in my room and cried a bit, but I know that this is what my mom wanted.  She got the transfer she wanted for work at the Law Office and since both of her parents died....well, a little change never hurt anyone.  Well, in this case it is a BIG CHANGE.  At least she is only 7 or so hours from both of my sisters....who also live on the east coast.  Oh my dad lives there too.  Pity party for me:)



Oh and then my BFF Marlene moved back to NC!!!  Dang it!!!

October Fun!!

October is one of my favorite months!  It is the kick off to a wonderful, and busy, three months.  I sit and plan everything that we can do.  We do not get to everything, but I try.  I am usually pretty beat at the end.  Because not only are there the following activities that we do, but work, house work, school, ballet, homework and so on.  CRAZY!  But we would not have it any other way!

First, I love to decorate.  The daytime pictures never do it justice!
 

We craved pumpkins twice this year!
 

Of course there is the annual Heritage Parade and Festival.  When I was in the Mom's Club I use to be in the booth, but now I just get to hang out and see the old cars. the kids on the bounce houses, eat some great food and look at all of the craft vendors.  This year we even got to spend some of it with Mar and her little one's.

 

Then there is the Christopher's annual Wine Tasting Party.  There is always a ton of food and even though it was a smaller crowd this year it was SO MUCH FUN!  We did not have a sitter, so Derek stayed home this time.  I was shocked when my pricey bottle I got from Napa did not win.  A cheap bottle from Trader Joe's made was crowned the winner.  **hate these pictures of me, but oh well**

 

First pumpkin patch.  I never take my kids to this one, super expensive, but a mother in Emma's class set it up and we only had to pay $8 a kid.  Not too bad.  Lilly had fun bouncing all by herself:)

 

Second patch is an annual tradition for me and the kids.  It is at the Great Park.  you pay $10 for parking and everything but the food is free.  We love that Park!!!  Extremely busy though.
 

 

Oh and we even met up with Jo and Ken for our first family trip to the San Diego Zoo.  Derek had never been to a big zoo before.  I think he had more fun than the kids.  Since the month of October is free for children at both the Zoo and Wild Animal Park, made the trip down.  Next year we will for sure be going to do both parks.  

 

Then Pumpkin Patch #3.  Love the Irvine Park.  It is also a tradition.  We ride the train, walk around the park, take our usual pictures.  It is pricey so we only do the train and free stuff....but it is fun.  And I always get good pictures.
 

Then of course....Halloween time!  The kids school does an annual parade though the school, which is always cute.  I love to see how many of the same costumes their are, this year for sure was Duck Dynasty.  Hilarious to see all of the little guys with old man beards.  

 

For Trick or Treat time we headed back over to the Christopher's for the 3 year in a row.  We eat soup, chat, let the kids play, then we head out for CANDY!  Nate is getting a little old, so he stays home and hands the candy out.

 

Oh then back to the dentist we went.  It happened to be dress up like a clown day at the office.  Good thing my kids are not afraid of clowns!  I wish I was in the room to see Emma all gassed up, but she did not want me in there.  Now we are cavity free.....but too bad it was not free!



***this is not even everything that we did in October!!***

Jog,Jog,Jog

I am not a fan of giving to schools more than I need to.  I already spend $100+  on school supplies, get teacher gifts, join the PTA, give for earth quake stuff, give for the needy , give for the library, give my time to be Art Docent, give food, give money for Life subscriptions, and say again.....give give give!!!  I still have one more child to enter school.  Who, BTW who will already be 6, but that is another sorry.  I get it and people may not agree with me.  I give and give to help the teachers and the CHILDREN.  However, it stinks!  I am sick and tired of it.  I do not care to give more.  I am done.  Judge all you want!  Judge, judge that I did not have sponsors for Jog-a-thon!  Hell, there is a play in March, three more fundraisers   Maybe if the PTA did not offer the 'bling wear' then they would get more money for the school.  BTW, I have the bling wear and still give.  I am sick of having to live up to all of  this.

So go back to my first sentence..........I will give.  However, if I have any sense left in this extremely busy brain...no more needless stuff for school.  Remember college when you just got by, but all was well!  Well, the kids getting by now adays contains Smart boards, microphones, days off, bling wear, plays with kids flying (yes, my kids will be in it) and four course lunch meals which the kids never eat.  Oh wait, now they have breakfast.  WE LIVE IN THE OC, REALLY!!  WOW.  I am sorry school, but you get my $20.00 and I will do so until my children are old enough to realize they are not getting a key chain or slice of pizza for lunch like the rest of the kids.  Then and only then, because I do not want my children to me mocked....will I give more than needed.  Thank you Jog-a thon.  Oh wait, the kids had so much fun with the sound system and DJ.  

After that day, I felt more inclined to work out. .....Still am.  Lets see if the back holds up! 

Grandpa Came & The Sox Won!

Grandpa came out to see us!  I do not think he really wants to see me at all, it is all about the grandkids.  This time he taught Drew how to tie his shoes.  I love it!  The kids love their grandpa and I love my daddy so much that when I see him it is as if I had seen him every week as opposed to every 6 months or so.  

What made the visit even sweeter was the World Series of Baseball!  Loved it!  I have so much Red Sox gear to wear and so do the kids......it was meant to be!  The kids had a great time with my daddy.  I loved eating The Hat, him helping to get the kids ready for school, driving to dance, going to the dentist, and of course watching movies that I normally would not watch.  Oh, and taking naps in the morning.  I love me my daddy!  I regret to say...I am too much like that man!  

 

Look at our baby boy Drew!!!  Of course, I did a TBT for this picture after the Sox WON!

Flu....not here???

I know many people do not like my 'children crying' pictures, but they are real life for me.  Yep, another reason for many of you to laugh at our family. 

So, not too long ago, Lillian had her 4 year old check up.  I promised her she would not get a shot.  Well, momma did not realize that this is flu shot time and she was going to get one.  So she threw a fit.  The below picture was not her getting or even knowing she was getting a shot...she was just crying to take her dress off.  HUmmmmm, why has Derek never gone to any doc appt past the two week check up..hummmm.  Lilly is in good health, beside her epilepsy, and got her shot.  She was PISSED!

Then the following week Drew and Em had appointments for their shots.  Ya, it was glorious.  Emma screamed and screamed and screamed and screamed and screamed....one more...and screamed!  I swear I tune her out because back in the day I would be sweating.....maybe my ups in meds help too, hahahhaa.  Drew got the dreaded 'prick' first while I heald his sweat hand.  He just had one tear.  Then he was fine.  Emma, that crazy girl, said, "oh that is it?"  Whatever, Emma!  She puts poor Nurse Sam through the gauntlet for a shot.  With mommy exhausted, but not sweaty, we headed to Yogurt Town for a treat.  Now just mommy and daddy need to get shots.  I will be fine.  Derek, is just like Emma!

 

9years & a Beer Fest!!!

I can not believe that we have been married for 9 years, well now over 9 years!  So much has happened! Three kids, a few moves, Derek getting a new job, and our life getting crazy day by day!  Derek and I decided to go to Kiaro in Fullerton (love the fresh sushi) then headed over to Hero's.  I am sure we were home by 10pm!  Oh how things have changed!  I am hoping that for our 10th that we will be heading somewhere on a plane!!!!!!!!!

However............Since I rarely get Derek to go anywhere I was extremely excited that he agreed to go to Ventura for the weekend for the California Beer Festival.    OMG, so much fun!  Even if you do not drink it is so much fun!  Listening to bands, talking to crafters, talking with people, and just people-watching is GREAT!  Dale, Suzie, Uncle Alan and Aunt Cindy all went there last year and this year we joined them along with Dwayne and Elisa.  Alan is definitely a pro.  We just followed him and his hat/shirt around.  We were all running to keep up with him.  We hung out, drank, talked and had a blast.  We even walked to dinner and then a bar after.  I still can not believe everyone made it to dinner after standing in the hot sun all day with drinks....wow!!!  

My favorite part was back at our hotel when we sat by a fire and talked.  AWE, I am becoming sappy yet!  

 

Oh and like we normally do, we headed to Hero's for lunch before picking up the kids from their WONDERFUL WONDERFUL GRANDMA!!!!  Thank you Linda!  Also, I must give a huge shout out to my mom who drove the girls all over town for ballet class and rehearsals!  Love ya mom.....even if you are now in Georgia!

Summer's End 2013 #2

Once again, I am so tired since I had to fix the blog...argh!  Right now I do not care about writing more!

 

 

 

Summer's End 2013 #1

My crazy computer made me break up my last post......I am not going to write anything, over it since it took me forever to fix the problem!