Jog-a-thon 2013

Auntie Jacqui, the kids and I went to cheer on Jbird at his 2nd annual Jog-a-thon.  He did awesome!  25 laps!  Way to go Jeremy.  He raised $225 for his school!  Auntie Jacqui thought we should make him a sign so she helped them do that.  Thanks Auntie!  Jbird asked me if we "could make that sign for him again next year"!  Of course we can!

Everyone took turns jogging and pacing him!

He made sure to stop to get oranges for energy.  Typical!

Jbird and his buddy Jett.

Amelia can't wait to run for real next year!  Good job buddy!

Vegas Baby!

Ryan and I went to Vegas with Beth and Guy for the weekend and we had a blast.  We saw a show, went out to nice dinners, relaxed and gambled.  I won $1000!  First time ever winning more than I spent.  It was awesome.  Thank you video porker!

Christmas 2012

I can't believe it's over already.  Waaaaaaa.  I love Christmas!  So do the kids and Ryan.  We have so many traditions that they love and it's sad for it to be over.  We've had lots of family visits, lights, treats, adventures,  parties and presents.  We hosted Christmas Eve and it was a blast.  Grandmommy arrived that day and it was all quality time until she left on New Years Eve day. 

Grandmommy just wanted to hang with the kids so we kept outings to a minimum so we could chill out and enjoy having her here.  Our one big outing...the Santa Monica pier!

Court and kids arrived on the 28th and Jac and kids have been here on and off since November 26 so it was a full house when everyone wanted to hang out.  

It wouldn't be a visit without a trip to Baskin Robbins in the Palisades.  We take up every seat :)

We celebrated New Years as a family!  East Coast time of course

I love watching my boys hang out.  Some quality time with dad.

Court and kids left, Grandmommy left and all festivities are over :(  Thankfully we still have Auntie Jacqui and kids here until Feb 10!!!!  Yeah!  Let the regular day activities begin.....

Birthday Celebrations

Birthday morning

All she asked for (numerous times) was paint.  That's it.  She also asked to go and paint as soon as she opened it.  

After her choice of a pasta dinner, we sang and ate cupcakes!  She loved her mini cakes!

 Big big breath in....

and gently blow it out!

 Girl's holiday performance at school! 

Gingerbread birthday party!

I didn't get any pictures of the finished houses :(  It got a little busy since it was a "drop off" party!!!

Holiday Parade

Jeremy and his Indian Guide tribe walked in the Westchester Holiday Parade last weekend and they did really well.  It was J's first time doing anything like that and he seemed to enjoy it!!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday sweet Miss Mabel

Dear Miss Mabes, 

I can still remember every detail about the day you were born.  I remember being in labor at home but totally in denial that I was actually IN labor.  Your daddy and I got to the hospital around 4am and when they said, "you're having this baby today" we looked at each other and we were so excited to finally see your little face and find out if you were a girl or a boy.  I knew when they put you in my arms that you were special and that you would complete our family.  I remember how you smelled, every detail of your face, the tiny cut on your face, your little mouth and that it was just you and me.  Since you came early, no one was here to help us so Daddy stayed home with Jeremy and Amelia and that left just us.  You were my little buddy.  You still are.  You are honestly the sweetest, most kind hearted little person I know.  I'm not saying you're all sugar, because trust me, there is a lot of spice but you are selfless and always willing to help everyone before yourself.  It takes some people a lifetime to learn that and some people never do but you, you were born this way.  I have no doubt that you will be loved by everyone who crosses your path and that you will make the world a brighter place.  You are the final puzzle piece to our family and not a day goes by that I don't love, appreciate and thank god that I'm lucky enough to have you as my own.  If I could kiss your chubby cheeks and inhale your being all day long, I would.  If I could bottle up your independent self and watch you get dressed, fix your hair and put your shoes on every day, I would.  Some of my favorite things you do are...the way you replace the V with B and Z with an S when you sing the alphabet, the way you compare the size of things with your tiny little pinky finger and say, "is it this tiny" while you hold up your finger, the way you sit on your daddy's lap for hours, the way you pat the seat next to you every morning and say, "sit next to me momma", the way you kiss and pet Luna (you call her "Nuna") all day, the way you put your chubby little hand over your heart and say, "I'm tired" with complete drama even though you've done nothing and I LOVE the way you tell everyone that you're going to marry me instead of any boys.  My answer is yes and always will be yes :)  Thank you for your sweet love and for making me laugh and appreciate being a mom.  I honestly CANNOT imagine our lives without you.  Happy 3rd Birthday baby girl....you can finally get the paint you've asking for and eat your chocolate cake that you've requested :)  I love you!

Thanksgiving 2012

Morning walk

 Dinner at Oma and Opa's house with Uncle Christian, Aunt "Dindy" and Kira

First official "kid's table".  We usually feed them first and then put on a movie while we eat but Oma moved the little table in the dining room for them to join us.  I still think they were done before we sat down :)

Halloween 2012 - Captain Hook and his princess'

When we first asked the kids what they wanted to be Jeremy said a Ninja and the girls immediately said princess'.  Jeremy then said, "I want to be a pirate and protect the princess'" and the rest is history.  Another super fun Halloween treating up and down our block (44 houses in total) and we only had one mishap.  Mabel was running across a lawn and tripped on an electrical cord and scratched her face up pretty good.  She was bleeding and crying but pulled it together to finish the second 1/2 of the block.  

Our neighbors (not the George's) invited all the kids on the block over for some pinata fun and AMAZING food.  

Here is a collage of the "pre" treating fun!  The middle picture is classic.  Amelia doesn't like the noise and Mabes looks bored.  Neither wanted to hit it.  Typical of our kids.

Jbird broke it open!

Mean Captain Hook and his princess'

Happy Halloween!!!!

Johnny's Halloween Parade 2012

It was the first time I didn't have a child in tow since both girls are now IN the parade.  The girls wanted to be princess' for Halloween so their wishes were granted!  They usually go to school on Wednesday but the teacher asked if they wanted to come 2 days in a row and Trick or Treat twice.  Um, yes they do!!!!!!  Mommy snuck in some studying.  Anyway, Mabel did really well for her first "performance".  However, the teacher who got them ready has 3 boys so their t-shirts were left on and they looked a little homeless but they were still pretty cute!!!!

Amelia as "Belle"

Mabel as a "pink princess"

I did a quick fix on Mabel so she looks a little better.  I found these cute wands but they were kind of big.  So I cut the top off (the girl's crowns) and the lower part is their light up wand.

Oh, and then Mabel decided to undress because she was "itchy".  Halloween should be interesting.  Here she is making sure she's not the latest tabloid picture showing her privates.  Classic!

I'm out!