Michelle's Exciting Adventure

Happy New Year!!! 1-1-11

2011-01-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

Last year was a pretty great year, and I am really hoping this one is EVEN BETTER. As a matter of fact I know it will be!

So what did we do in the last year you ask...
Well since the last time I updated my blog was around Easter I will catch you up!

I started doing emergency foster care. Basically that means that I do foster care for children when they are first taken out of their home. I prefer to do little babies (newborn) as they don't really know what is going on. They usually stay with us for one to fourteen days, but I have had them as long as 22 days. Over the summer I took a break from emergency foster care to just hang out with the kids. We spent a lot of time going to the pool, the boys went to skateboard camp for a week, and we spent some time down in Orange County with my family. All in all a pretty great summer.

The boys have really gotten into skateboarding. I looked and looked on for a half pipe for them that we could get and put in our back yard. Most were too expensive and if it was free it was not in our area. Finally I found one on craigslist that was free, and right around the corner from us! It took Shannon and Adam the better part of two days to take it apart, transport and put it back together, but I am happy to say we now have a mini half pipe IN OUR BACKYARD!!!

In August school started again (WooHoo)!!! Skyler is in third grade and David is in first. I help out in their classes on Monday mornings. They both really like school and have great teachers. I enjoy helping in their classes. It keeps me in touch with the teachers and they love having me there! (the boys, and the teachers). Skyler is in a class that is taught by two teachers, one at the beginning of the week and one at the end and they switch off Wednesdays. I thought this might be a problem for him, but he has done quite well with it. One of his teachers has a working cattle ranch and so we got to go out there as a family (the whole class got to do this) and have a hike and lunch. It was a lot of fun.

David's birthday is in the beginning of October, and he decided he wanted to have a roller skating party. It was a lot of fun and the boys really liked roller skating. They recently started doing roller hockey on Monday nights at Rollerama. Skyler is a born athlete! He seems to be good at whatever sport he tries. David is good too, but he is a couple of years younger...you know... he will get better as he goes along (and has gotten better!)

Hallie is such a cutie!!! She is 18 months old and really a lot of fun. I am enjoying having a little girl. It is so different than having boys. She is really a good baby, happy and good natured. She currently repeats everything you say (good and bad) and is learning lots of new words each day. The boys seem to really enjoy her and are such great big brothers! The most exciting news about Hallie is that WE GET TO FINALIZE OUR ADOPTION ON JANUARY 14th!!! Less than two weeks away. Let the countdown begin.

We had a wonderful Christmas. We drove down to my sister Amy's house in Orange County, took our fifth wheel and spent the week down there. Christmas Eve was at Amy's. We had a wonderful dinner (as always Amy and Brock are such GREAT hosts!), and then it was on to the gift opening bonanza. The kids all got a lot of presents and were SO EXCITED! Christmas dinner was prime rib at my parents. It was so, so yummy!!! We got to spend time the rest of the week playing and enjoying our cousins, Aunties, Uncles, Grandma and Papa! We went one day to the Discovery Science Center which was really interesting and the boys really had a lot of fun. We were intending on staying through New Years Day to be able to eat some really great Korean food, but came home a couple of days early as there was a threat of SNOW on the Grapevine. We will have to go back down in a few weeks and pick up our 5th wheel.

So today is a NEW YEAR! Happy 2011. May you all have a Happy and Prosperous year filled with Joy and Blessings!!!
Love Ya,
Shell

ps: I hope to get some pictures up here this afternoon! Oh and send out my Christmas cards this week!!!

WHAT A LONG STRANGE YEAR IT'S BEEN!

2010-04-05T10:28:00.001-07:00

Easter 2010

Wow, the title is almost a song! It really has been a long strange year. Let me give you the highlights.

The last time I posted the boys had just started back to school, we still had Esmerelda, and had just got a new baby who we thought we were going to be able to adopt named Gracie. Much has changed since then....

We only had Gracie for about a couple of weeks and she went to her Mother's cousin. Adopting her was not in God's plan for us.

I was still working as a preschool teacher at our church three days a week.
In the beginning of August we got a phone call about another little girl named Malyna. She was almost a month old, and we were a little skeptical because we at that time had, had Esmerelda since January and although we knew we were only supposed to have her for three weeks we did know she would be going home someday. We were nervous about opening ourselves up again to another child and then her going home. I am sure you can all understand that. We really asked the worker a lot of questions before deciding to go ahead and bring her home. She came to live with us the 4th or 5th of August. Happy Birthday Shannon (August 5th).

School started again at the end of August. Skyler is in 2nd grade and David is in Kindergarten. They are both really enjoying school and doing well. It is currently our Easter/Spring break and the boys have had so much fun! They have spent most of the week outside with friends coming over to play everyday.

David turned six at the beginning of October. We had his birthday party at our house. We had a bounce house and boys from his class (he chose not to invite any girls.) It was a lot of fun and a good way for me to meet some of the moms from his class. I decided at the beginning of the year to volunteer in the boy's classrooms. Each Tuesday I was going to Skyler's class at 9am and David's class at 10am then eating lunch with David at 11am and making my way home! I took a little break after Christmas, but hope to get back to it soon. It really is fun going into the classrooms and getting to know the boy's friends.

I worked through the end of August at the preschool three days a week. The preschool decided to get licensed and go full time. I had the opportunity to work there but decided not to. We decided that financially it would not be a good decision. I still work at the church doing childcare for the Bible study on Wednesday mornings, Awana/discipleship classes Wednesday nights, MOPS every other Thursday morning, and then for evening services on Sunday nights. I think that the Bible study, discipleship classes, and MOPS will soon be coming to an end for the summer and I will soon just be working Sunday nights.

We went to court with Esmerelda in October and at that time they just continued her case and scheduled the next court date for March. Her mother was again pregnant and the baby was due in January. Since her parents were doing so well they petitioned the court in December to get her back early. We went to court in the middle of December. At that time I truly thought she would go home, but God had other plans for her. The judge said that the Mother should go ahead and have the baby, adjust to having the baby and then go back to court in February. She did visits with her parents a couple of times a week to help her adjust to them, and when we went to court on February 22, she did go home. It was a sad day for all of us, I am just grateful that we were able to keep her for so long. She really brought a lot of JOY and LAUGHTER to our home. I said all along God had a plan for her, and I was able to take comfort in that when she went home.

So what about Malyna??? Well she had been doing reunification with her parents. At the end of December her parents started showing up sporadically, and even then even less in January. For some reason they showed up for every visit in February, but have not showed up for any visits since the end of February. We go to court April 15th. At that time the county is recommending termination of reunification services. 120 days after that they will do termination of parental rights and I think 90 days after that hopefully we will be able to adopt her! We are going to name her Hallie (it was my Grandma Richards name). Won't that be cute, Hallie Hamner.

So when Esmerelda went home we decided to do emergency foster care. We started the sixth of March, and since then we have had. . . a one day old little girl for four days, a one day old little boy for ten days, a 19 month old little boy for 14 days, and I just got called about a six month old little boy. We will see how long he is with us.

The boys continue to get bigger it seems like every day! They both got awards at their respective reward ceremonies in the last month. David for outstanding academics and Skyler for most improved. I think they both really like their teachers. Skyler's teacher has been wonderful working with him and he has really improved.

I think you are pretty much caught up!

This past weekend Hallie and I took a trip down to Orange County. Amy had brunch at her house for Easter. We went down early Saturday morning and came back that same day. It was fun seeing everyone. We also got to go over to the block and visit the Gymboree Outlet, and also visited with my good friend Sharon! Totally an easy fun day!

Sunday we went to church, Sunday school and Services, then over to Camilles for lunch. In the early afternoon we had an Easter Egg Hunt over at the school with three other neighborhood families, and then it was back to work for me for evening services!

I promise I will make an extra effort to do better at posting! Sorry for the really long post.

Happy Monday (last day of spring break woohoo!!!)
Love,
Shell

SCHOOL DAYS

2009-08-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

WOW, even Esmirelda was excited about the boys going back to school. I was doing the happy dance I have to tell you!!! All these girls were talking about their kids going to school and how sad they were going to be and how they cried, but I have got to tell you, I sang a happy song, did a happy dance, even this morning I did another one!
So Skyler is a big second grader and David had his first day of Kindergarten yesterday. They both liked their teachers and had great days. I think David is a little tired, he is currently having a tantrum! Maybe we better go to bed earlier tonight! Getting into the routine of doing homework again is seemingly going to be a challenge. Skyler thinks he should play the wii for a little while before doing homework. It may be ok for this first week, because there is really not any homework, but after that it is NOT GOING TO FLY! Home, snack and homework in that order. No privileges until your homework is done! I can't tell you how nice and quiet it is when Es is taking a nap, and the boys are at school. Woo Hoo!
Anyway, just checking in!
Happy Tuesday!
Love Ya,
Shell

Well. . . .

2009-08-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

So, I am still doing homework. It is no fun! I remember why I have not gone to school in 100 years! I am so close to being done. Probably tonight.
What else is new. . .
Well Christine had her baby. A really cute little boy.
This happened the same weekend of the Richards Family Reunion.

We did not go up as we had the new baby here and were adjusting (and TIRED!!!) It sounds like everyone had a great time and I am sorry that we missed it! We got a call from the little baby's social worker on Monday and a cousin of the mother had been approved and the baby was placed with her on Thursday. So the little baby went away. Back down to Skyler, David and Esmirelda.
Esmirelda had a high fever (104.7) on Wednesday and Thursday so Thursday afternoon I took her to the E/R and it turned out she had strep throat. They gave her some antibiotics and she is much better. She has a little rash on her face from the high fever, but is fine.
Shannon had a convention to tape this weekend, it was McCartney's birthday (my friend Sharon's grandson), so we went on over there for swimming, BBQ and cake. It was a lot of fun. All in all we had a great weekend, but I was glad when Shannon got home.
Well, that's about it for now.
Back to the grindstone!
Happy Monday,
Shell

GUESS WHAT???

2009-07-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

I found my camera and the charger!!!
We are in business now. More to post soon.
Gotta work on my homework (yuck).
Happy Sunday!!!
Love Ya,
Shell

Wow, Look What Happens When I Don't Post For Over A Month!!!

2009-07-14T19:58:00.001-07:00

I am so sorry it has been so long. So many things have happened. Skyler turned eight on May 25th and not long after that the boys both grew mustaches. It has been a really long time since I posted!
About a month or so more and Shannon's brain spontaneously combusted. Just lit on fire out of the blue. Or maybe the red white and blue (Happy 4th of July).
And last but certainly not least in the last week the number of girl children in our home has doubled making it a little more pink (and she is little!!!) Oh, by the way, look how big Esmirelda is getting!
Ok, now I will go back and explain a little.
Let's see. We had a great birthday party for Skyler at the Riverlakes Pool. It was so much fun. He invited a lot of his friends and we had about 17 boys and girls there. It was a little cold during the week so I was a little nervous but it warmed up nicely by friday for his party. There were a few parents that stuck around and we all had a great time visiting. We ordered pizza for the kids and then had star wars cake/cupcakes. A wonderful time was had by all. The next weekend we drove down to Orange County for the day to celebrate Skyler and Amy's birthdays at Barbara's house. It was really nice, a wonderful dinner and Skyler got a lot of really cool legos (his favorites!). It was a pretty quick trip up and back in the same day.
Right after Skyler's birthday it was the end of the school year. Skyler was promoted to the second grade and David is all signed up to go to kindergarten! He is pretty excited.
Next came Vacation Bible School. I am working part time at Valley Baptist Church as a preschool teacher and volunteered to be a coordinator for the two year olds this year for Vacation Bible School. Skyler had gone last year and had a really fun time. This year David also got to attend and ALL OF US had a really fun week!
For forth of July this year we went over to my friend Sharon's house in the morning. The boys swam and we all visited, then we came home and had a small front yard barbique with our neighbors down the street. It was so much fun. Our street is really turning into a neighborhood. That is the night Shannon's head caught on fire! Just kidding. He taped sparklers to his hard hat and lit himself on fire! Too funny he is.
Esmirelda is still with us. When she got here she was supposed to be here for about three weeks and six months later she is still here. She is getting so big. She crawls all around the house and boy is she fast! The boys have such fun with her. Yesterday was court and it looks like she might be with us until at least the beginning of October. I just try and remember one day at a time, God has a plan!
Last Tuesday we got a call about a little girl that we think may go right into adoptions. She is just little, about two weeks old, and we are calling her Grace. I will keep you posted as we know more about her situation.
So the pictures. . . .
The first one is odvously the boys (growing up with moustaches already!!!)
Next Shannon on fire!
The next two are Es. Just to show you how much she has grown.
And finally little tiny Gracie.
Well, I am tired so I am going to call it a night.
Happy Tuesday!
Love Ya,
Shell

SOME CUTE PICTURES. . . .

2009-05-18T15:23:00.001-07:00

Well, I still haven't found my camera charger, as a matter of fact I can't even find my camera, but here are some pictures the babysitter took yesterday. They are pretty cute so I thought I would share them with you. We had Skyler's birthday party Friday with his friends from school, and I have some pictures from the party on a cd, I just have to upload them to the computer (my new little computer does not have a cd drive!) I will try and get them posted tonight or tomorrow, but until then, enjoy these!
Happy Monday,
Love Ya,
Shell

I Missed It!

2009-05-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was Aunt Nonie's birthday. Her 80th birthday! So I was going to call her in the morning but it was too early, then each time I was going to call her I got busy and before I knew it, it was 11pm and I was putting a load of cloths from the washer to the dryer and remembering that I never called Aunt Nonie to say Happy Birthday! I will give her a call today on my break at work!

Today we are having Skyler's birthday party with his friends from school. It will be at the pool here in our tract. I don't really know how many people are coming, I have not gotten RSVPs from over half of the people we invited. Should I assume that they are not coming??? We will just play it by ear. It starts at 4pm, the kids can swim for awhile and then we will have pizza around 5 or so, then Darth Vader cupcake cake, then more swimming and presents! It should be a lot of fun. I got squirt guns, dive pegs, and squash balls for party favors, with candy and bouncy balls. I figured they could play with the squirt guns in the pool at the party.

I still can't find the charger for my camera. I might have to see if I can purchase just a new charger. If I can't find it before the party, I might have to get a disposable camera and just go with that!!!

I will post pictures tonight or in the morning.

Happy WaHoo Day (Friday)!!!
Love Ya,
Shell

OBSESSIVE ~ With Every Bone In My Body!

2009-05-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

I remember one time my friend Sharon said that about herself and I know it totally applies to me also. Not only am I obsessive with every bone in my body, I obsess on multiple things at one time. Kind of like multi-tasking but multi-obsessing!
So one of the new things I am currently obsessed with is sewing. I know, this really isn't something new for me, but I have not sewn anything in about ten years! I think the last time I sewed the tension was messed up on my sewing machine and I couldn't fix it so I put it in the hall closet and have not given it any more thought except when I have to move it for one reason or another. My sewing machine I got when I was thirteen years old and it was a school sewing machine, I think I paid $100.00 at the time. Over the years it got a lot of use. At one time I was pretty good. I remember making a pair of gauchos for my friend Jodi Dokken when we were in high school! How funny! Anyway, I really want to sew something. Now that I have a little girl to sew for I think it would be fun. One of the Mom's in my class is sewing for her kids. Her blog is www.tylerkateandaddison.blogspot.com. She is making some really cute dresses, and pants with ruffles. Check it out! I went to a fabric store in town that has some nicer fabric and it was that feeling of a kid in a candy store. www.strawberry-patches.com. The same feeling I would get every time I went into my favorite bead store. I could just stay there for hours. Looking, touching, planning, changing, then finally getting something going home making it and having to go back the next day to get more!!! I may have to start out on wal-mart fabric and work up to the more expensive fabric!!!
I will keep you posted and maybe even have something to show you soon.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
I am grateful I get a day off tomorrow. David is having one of his friends over in the morning to play and then I have to take the baby for shots in the afternoon. I am sure the remainder of the day will be spent on laundry! I have fallen a little behind. :(
Oh well,
Happy Tuesday,
Love,
Michelle

I Wish. . . . .

2009-04-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

I wish I could find the charger for my camera. . .
I wish I could find my sister in law Cathy's phone number. . . I washed Shannon's phone and it was in there and now we don't have it. Cathy if you read this please call or e-mail me. Uncle Tom if you see this please call or e-mail me! Thanks.
I wish I had two boys that really were nice to each other. . .
I wish I had two little boys that I didn't have to bribe or threaten to clean up and/or do their homework . . .

I think I am just going to concentrate on the things I have to be grateful for because the list is so much longer than the things I wish for!!!

I also think that if I get up and start doing rather than sit at my computer I might find my camera charger, get the homework done and the housework done!!!

Happy Tuesday!
David has an appointment at the dentist tomorrow morning to get his kindergarten paperwork filled out/teeth checked!!! We also have tomorrow off!!!

Love Ya,
Shell

Oh I will work on getting some new pictures posted in the next couple of days.

WELL YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT GOOD INTENTIONS!

2009-04-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

Well, we are here in Orange County for Spring Break 2009, and already I have missed a day. Oh well you know what they say about good intentions!

Yesterday we all went off to the Long Beach Aquarium. It was a lot of fun. There were ten of us all together. Alison, Amy, Jack, myself and the kids. We had a great time. Jack was really helpful and kind of took David and Skyler along with him so that really all I had to do was push the stroller! We got to feed birds necter out of our hands (David was not liking that too much) and then pet baby sharks and rays. It was really cool. We were there most of the morning and then the kids and I took Jack home, went and got coffee drinks and went over to suprise my friend Sharon at her work. She had her cute little dog with her so the boys were entertained while I got to visit. We left there and I took the boys over to the barber shop to get their hair cut. They look so cute. I will post a picture of them and their new hair tomorrow.
Today we hung out at Amy and Brock's house while the kids played. We stayed for dinner and then came back to my parent's house to get to bed so we can wake up early tomorrow and go hunt easter eggs!
I promise more pictures tomorrow.
Happy Friday (wahoo day!)
Love ya,
Shell

I'M STILL ALIVE AND KICKING!!!

2009-04-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

As I sit here typing this I am thinking about how when I check a blog page and it has not been updated how frustrated I get. I am going to see if I can post something each day for one month starting today!

Is this just the cutest picture you have ever seen? Yes, Esmerelda is still with us. It was just supposed to be a couple of weeks and it has now been three months. She is six months old really coming alive. Starting to talk (babble) and really interact with everyone. The boys are the best. They act like little monkeys, or whatever it takes to make her laugh. It is really sweet to see them with her. We will definitely all miss her when she goes home.

It is spring break here. We are all off school until next Tuesday. Monday the kids and I went to Chuck E. Cheese and played games with some friends then went to Del Taco and played on their maze for awhile. Yesterday David had his kindergarten physical! Can you believe he is going to be in kindergarten next year. It is hard for me to even think about. And Skyler will be eight soon and in second grade! Wow! Last night Shannon and I went and got our taxes done. It feels good to have it all done and out of the way even if is only a week before due date.

Today the kids and I are traveling down to Orange County to hang out with family the rest of spring break. Tomorrow we are going to the Long Beach Aquarium and I think we are going to a giant egg hunt on Saturday morning. Sunday we will have Easter dinner at my parent's house and then drive back home early Monday morning to be ready for school on Tuesday. Alison and Bodhi are also flying down! I am really excited to see everyone.

Well that's all for now. I have to pack and get everyone going. I will be taking my camera and computer so I will post along the way.

Happy Wednesday!!!
Love,
Shell

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS ALREADY MARCH 1ST!

2009-03-01T21:44:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can not believe that it is already March 1st. Next week we get to spring forward! I love daylight savings time. If only I could get rid of this cough and get back to feeling 100%. I feel like I have been sick since Thanksgiving.

So you ask yourself what has been going on here in our world. I feel like I am always busy. . .
work, homework, boys, baby, laundry. . . the list just goes on an on. Most days it is really ok, but by the time I think about updating my blog I am just too tired. I also think since I have been on facebook,I have not spent the time updating my blog. So, here I am.

Esmeralda is still with us. I still don't know for how long, but one day at a time she is here. She is so cute and getting bigger by the day! David and Skyler are doing well. Skyler and I have some good homework days and some not so good homework days, but never the less it always gets done! It is some of our quality time together. The boys have been having a great time, especially this weekend being outside, throwing the football with their Dad, and just enjoying the outdoors.

At the end of January the kids and I went down south for Isabel's 5th birthday. We had a great time. She had a jump house, and it is always fun to see all the family. She is such a big girl and it will be fun to have her and David in the same grade together. Both going to kindergarten next year. Can you even believe it??? Here are some pictures from that weekend. (sorry about the little pictures, I got them off of Amy's facebook!)

The end of February (the 22nd) was Aidan's 2nd birthday. We were all scheduled to go down, but I was SICK. SICK,SICK,SICK! I was so disappointed that I could not go down. David kept saying, I can't believe we aren't going to Aidan's birthday. I felt so bad. Even Alison and Bodhi flew down. Here are some pictures from Aidan's birthday. He is so big now!

Well, I promise I will update more!
Happy Sunday,
Love Ya,
Shell

A'S & B'S = DINNER AND BOWLING

2009-01-25T20:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess I am doing OK this morning. It is only 7:10am and I have cleaned all of the boys bathroom and the master bedroom toilet. Now on to lunches, cloths, dishes, and getting everyone out the door! This is the second time I am doing this post. I did the whole thing last night went to post it and for some reason lost the whole thing. It had something to do with Foxfire (which I really don't like but Shannon makes me use.)

So Skyler got his report card last weekend (a week ago) and had all A's,B's and S's so we all went out to dinner to celebrate. When I asked him where he wanted to go he said Orange Chicken Place (Panda Express) or the Bowling Alley (the BEST fish and chips), so off to the bowling alley it was. We had a great dinner and then the boys played a couple of games. They did really well (with the bumpers up). Shannon, Esmarelda, and I were the cheering section. Then it was home, showers and to bed. Fun was had by all.

Not much else to report. . .
Esmarelda and I went to a Pampered Chief party this weekend on Saturday. Everyone loved her and she was really good. It was a power cooking class so you make enough chicken for three meals and then you make up two meals and put them in the freezer and eat the other one. This is my favorite kind of cooking! Cook once ~ eat three times!

Here is a really cute picture of the baby from last week. She has all that hair and it looks really cute a big bow in it. This outfit was given to me from a girl who has the station next to my hairdresser. The bib says "Nobody's Perfect, But Me"! Too cute!!!
Well, off to do the rest of my day. I have to get everyone out the door soon!
Have a great week!
Happy Monday,
Love Ya,
Shell

THINGS JUST GOT A LITTLE PINKER AROUND HERE!

2009-01-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

This is Esmarelda. She is our new little foster child. She was placed with us this week. We are thinking it will probably be short term. I will keep you all posted. She is a little over three months old and is really a good baby. She even sleeps through the night. Skyler and David are so cute with her. It is really fun to watch them. So... as I said it is a little pinker at my house!
Because last week there wasn't much pink, just this!

Off to feed that cute baby girl now!
Happy Saturday.
Love ya,
Shell

A FEW CHRISTMAS PICTURES

2009-01-03T20:45:00.000-08:00

Well these pictures actually ended up being uploaded backwards but it is ok. The first one is the boys in front of the Lego Store at Downtown Disney. The next two are in the Lego store. The had a huge Darth Vader and a R2D2 whose head really spinned around. David got a new digital camera (for kids) from Santa and Skyler and David are checking it out on Christmas Morning. Each year we drive down to Orange County and park our 5th wheel trailer in Brock and Amy's driveway. We open all of our presents on Christmas Eve and then Santa comes and brings presents for Christmas Day. Here is a picture of Skyler, David, Isabel and Aidan on Christmas Eve. I don't know where Bodhi is in most of my pictures! The last picture is a picture I took of the boys at Skyler's 1st grade Christmas Program at his school. David and I went over to the school and all the first grade classes participated in singing Christmas songs. It was really cute!
Not much else new going on here. We drove home yesterday from Amy's house. We all had a great time down south but I was sure glad to sleep in my own bed last night!!! It was a pretty kick back day today. Shannon picked up around the house and Skyler and I made our way over to Target. Tomorrow it will be church, washing cloths and getting ready for going back to school/work!
Oh well. . . .
Happy Saturday,
Love Ya,
Shell

Another Cute Picture

2009-01-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

Here is another cute picture of the boys with their cousins Aidan and Isabel. They were all playing nicely with the barbies. Isabel got a Barbie bus for Christmas. It sure is souped up from the one I had when I was her age. It even has a hot tub!!! More soon. . .
Love Ya,
Shell

HAPPY NEW YEARS ~ 2009!!!

2009-01-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

So the boys and I have been staying in the trailer at Brock and Amy's house since Christmas. On Monday morning we all went to Downtown Disney. It was a lot of fun. We hit the Lego store and Build A Bear, had a great lunch at the mexican restaurant and then went to the huge Disney store. It has been great fun hanging out with our cousins ~ a growing experiance for all the children. They are learning how to get along and share. Well, more soon!
Happy New Years!!!
Love Ya,
Shell

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF!!!???

2008-12-31T10:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I have to be the first to admit I might just win the worst blogger of the year award, but I am turning over a new leaf! Stay posted for Christmas '08 pictures. . . coming up later today. I promise that 2009 will be a much better and more often updated year.
Happy Wednesday!!!
Love Ya,
Shell

BENTOS AND BIRTHDAYS!!!

2008-10-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

I think I am obsessed with reading blogs! It is quite irritating to me. Now that I am at home all the time I can spend a whole day on the computer. I just get lost in it. I find something to focus on and I'm gone. It is even worse than the tv or a novel for me!!!

The other day it was BENTO. Have you heard of bento? This is from http://www.lunchinabox.net/.

What is “bento”? Is it the style of packing? Is it the box? Is it the food?
A bento lunch is a compact, balanced, visually appealing meal packed in a box. Historically, it’s a Japanese box lunch, similar in concept to the Indian tiffin, the Korean dosirak, or the Filipino baon lunch. In Japanese, “bento” or “obento” refers to the packed meal, and “bento-bako” refers to the bento box itself. See the Wikipedia entry on bento for more details.

Ok, so I was on this for a whole day. It all started because I decided that I was not going to buy Skyler school lunches this year. I was going to pack lunches for him. Last year it seemed like every time I turned around I was forking out $50 for lunch tickets... we would get behind, I would owe the school money... they would send home notes. . . so I decided to send packed lunches this year. Then the question is what do I pack for him that is nutritious and yet something that he will like and eat? I could send peanut butter and jelly each day but really how good is that for him? And how much fun is a pb&j? And squished peanut butter and jelly is just ugly. So my quest began. Now a lot of bento is made up of sushi, and or rice. Skyler looks at sushi and gags so you know that wasn't an option. I decided to take some of the things I saw on all these different web sites and blogs (and let me tell you I saw a lot, obsessed I tell you) and put them into my own little creations! It turns out it is kind of fun. It does take a couple more minutes to get it all together than just throwing in a sandwich, but I am having a lot of fun with lunches. I even ordered some cute animal picks, little sauce containers, and egg molds!

So here are a few pictures of some of my cute lunches I have been sending with the boys (I make David a lunch to take to preschool on the days he goes, and on the days he doesn't I still make him one to eat at home, sometimes it is easier to do two at one time.)

This was the first day. I made star tortilla, cheese and salami sandwiches, pasta salad, cantalope stars, and put in some pumpkin cookies. I used the foil cupcake papers to seperate everything. Skyler likes tomatoes and mango, David likes strawberries.

So it worked like a charm. The first day they ate everything! Here are a couple more cute lunches. . .

Leftover chicken, fruit kabobs, pirate bootie (white cheese popcorn), grape tomatoes, and a mint double stuffed oreo for desert! I got the little halloween toothpicks at Target.

This one is salami with cream cheese, strawberries, cheese cubes, mini strawberry newtons, and mini chocolate and cinnamon rice cakes.

For the most part these lunches have been a hit. I usually give them chocolate milk, juice or water with their lunch, depending on what they request in the morning. More often than not most of the lunch is gone when they come home!

So enough about my quest for the cute lunch! What else is going on. This weekend was our fall festival at Skyler's school. We are so lucky that we live across the street (diagionally) from the school. I stand out front in the mornings and watch him walk to school. I am the Room Mom for Skyler's class. That means for the fall festival we were responsible for a booth and ours was pizza. I am so grateful we got such an easy booth. I got volunteers from the parents in the class to man the booth and my other job was to decorate the booth and make a sign/banner. The banner really turned out cute. It was black with pizza, three tickets, the teachers name, and then all the kids in the class made little slices of pizza and decorated them with bats, pumpkins, ghosts and haunted houses. I will take a picture today or tomorrow so you can see (I forgot to take my camera to the fall festival! Too much going on that day!)

Let's see what else. . .oh

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!!!

Today is my cousin Julie's birthday. I hope you have an excellent day, a wonderful year and that everyday is filled with happiness. This is a busy birthday month. Julie, then my Mom, then my Sister!!! Too much fun. I better go so I can go buy cards and get them sent out!!!

Happy Monday!

Love ya,
Shell

MONKEY DANCE. . . . aka Wednesday Post #3

2008-10-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that the tiny little baby that I brought home from the hospital almost five years ago turned five last Thursday. I have such a hard time thinking of him as five, but he is getting to be so big and amazes me daily with how smart he is.

Skyler's school was having a fund raiser for their Parent Teacher Association at Pump It Up on Thursday night so we took the boys to that. There were a lot of kids there, but I think they had fun. Afterwards we took the boys to Rosemary's Ice Creamery. They both got mint chocolate chip ice cream. The next day we took cupcakes to David's preschool (he goes Monday, Tuesday, and Friday) and then when Shannon got home from work we opened presents. He got so many nice things. I sometimes think that Skyler thinks they are for him. We have to remind him they are David's presents, but he does get to play with all of them. We then had the meal he had requested. Cheeseburgers and macaroni and cheese. We had talked about going to Chuck E. Cheese to let the boys play games sometime over the weekend (they love it there), but they were playing so well with all the new toys that we never went. Maybe this weekend.

Well, it is time to put those boys to bed.

Maybe more later!!!
Love ya,
Shell

HOW OLD ARE YOU? (aka Wednesday Post #2)

2008-10-08T13:38:00.001-07:00

Me: David, how old are you?
David: five

Me: David, how old are you?
David: Five Mommy

Me: David, how old are you?
David: Five

Me: David, how old are you?
David: FIVE, MOMMY, FIVE!
ME: Oh my goodness you are so big!

and of course his five friends!!!

Wednesday ~ Post #1

2008-10-08T12:17:00.001-07:00

OK, Uncle Tom called me out!!!

So the last time I posted I mentioned that I would post some pictures that weekend if I could find my camera. That was some time in September, it is now sometime in October and I did find my camera, but have not yet posted! I got an e-mail from Uncle Tom today asking if I had found my camera so I thought I would do a couple of posts and try and catch you up on what we have been doing.

These three pictures are from the end of August. If you click on the pictures they get bigger.

The first picture is of Skyler. . .
Skyler started the first grade on August 19th. When I picked him up from school on that Friday he had this card saying he had lost a tooth, a sticker and his tooth in a tooth container hanging around his neck. He was so proud!

That same day we drove over to San Luis Obispo because Shannon was taping an event. We went over to spend some time over there in the trailer. It was at the Veteran's hall in SLO, and they had a museum there with a tank and a cannon in the front area. The boys had a lot of fun climbing on the camera. We also got to spend some time with my cousin Steve and his family. Steve and Helen are so nice, and their children are getting so big. We went over there both Saturday and Sunday and it was really nice to visit.

What's going on. . .

2008-09-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been forever since I posted. Here is what has been happening. First I don't know where my camera is. I haven't really looked for it, but every time I think about updating my blog I think I should put a picture or pictures up and since I don't know where my camera is I can't put up any pictures. Then I get busy and another day goes by and pretty soon ~ well, you know how that goes.
Skyler is doing ok in school. 1st grade is HARD! The first couple of week were pretty easy, kind of just repeat stuff but the past couple of weeks we have had sight words and spelling tests. Hard. The first week he got 100% on both tests. This week he missed one word on his spelling test and two on his sight words. He could not for the life of him get how to spell the word "the". I think one of the problems is that he gets frustrated and gives up. Oh well, we just have to keep trying, I know that just when I am ready to give up he totally amazes me!
David is going to preschool three days a week for four hours a day. He got Student of the week/day (not sure which one!) and got a certificate and a prize today from school. It is so nice to have them both out of the house and have a little peace and quiet! I can't believe that David will be five in a couple of weeks. That just boggles my mind.
I got the coolest new bluetooth speaker thing for my car today. It is by BlueAnt and is called a Supertooth 3 (or something like that.) I took it out of the box turned it on and it paired with my phone, uploaded my contacts and was ready to go in about 3-5 minutes. It attaches to your visor and when someone calls me it announces their name and then you just say ok and your call is connected. Too cool!
We had some friends over for a barbecue labor day weekend and I made some pinto beans. One of our guest brought chili beans so I put my pinto beans in the freezer. I have been eating these for the past two weeks. They are so yummy. I am kind of bummed because I ran out tonight. I will have to make up another batch tomorrow. Also over Labor day weekend we moved the Wii game from the living room to our bedroom. It is so nice because now when the kids play video games they are in another room. We have a love seat at the end of our bed and it is so nice to have in there because the kids have been hanging out there.
Well, if I find my camera over the weekend I will get some pictures up!
Happy WaHoo Day!!!
Love,
Shell

So, I might be a bad mom???

2008-08-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

Well, today was the first day of first grade for Skyler and I didn't get any pictures!!!
I did get both boys breakfast, dressed, lunches made and over to the school on time, but I was in such a rush I didn't take any pictures. David was so cute, when we got home from dropping Skyler off he immediately came in and ate everything that was in his lunch box. I even remembered to pick Skyler up from school at 2:15!!! He was so cute. He had a sticker on that said, "I am in 1st grade" and was standing waiting with his teacher. She said he had a great day. When I asked him about his lunch he said he only ate his sandwich, when I unpacked his backpack and lunch box the lunch box was empty. When I asked him about it he said he threw everything else away! Oh well, hopefully tomorrow he will eat more or bring it home and eat it after school.
We did his homework for today and then he and David were off to the pool in the back yard! I spent about four hours out there yesterday cleaning, sweeping and getting rid of spider webs. The boys washed off and shined their quads after going in the pool.
Time to get dinner going - Chicken Enchiladas and Apple Dumplings!!!
Happy Monday (woo hoo school has started!!!)
Love ya,
Shell

Summertime Fun!!!

2008-08-16T08:26:00.001-07:00

Isn't this the greatest picture. It truly reflects summer fun and family to me! Too bad I wasn't there. This was a couple of weeks ago at my cousin Steve's house. It was his wife Theresa's birthday and my cousin Ramona and her family were visiting from Utah. Steve called me and invited me over and I really would have driven down but we went to Hurricane Harbor that day. Hurricane Harbor was great fun! I was so organized. We were leaving the house at 8am and Shannon was out of town so it was just the boys and I. I packed everything the night before so all we had to do was get up and get dressed. Unfortunately I forgot to charge my camera so the only pictures I have are of the boys sitting on their booster chairs waiting for Sharon and Greg to pick us up.

I really don't know what David is doing in this picture. I got these swim shirts for them from Target. They are wonderful. They are spf 50 so they totally protected the boys from the sun and I just really had to worry about their faces, ears and necks!!! Hurricane Harbor had the same kind of play structures you see at playgrounds but with water. They had a smaller kids area, a just a little bigger kids area (with a pirate theme and a real water slide for younger kids, not toddler), a great wave pool, and then they had the lazy river which goes in a circle around most of the park, has a slight current, and you can float on tubes around in a really relaxed way. We all had a great time and I am looking forward to going back someday!

Summer is winding down for us. School starts here on Monday. Skyler will be starting 1st grade so he and I walked over to the school yesterday at 4pm to check and find out who his teacher is and what classroom he will be in. David isn't going to school (kindergarten) until next year so, but will be going back to pre-k September 2nd for three days a week.

Well have a super Saturday!!!

Love ya,
Shell

ps Julie, Thanks so much for the cute card!!!

Dallas - Bako - Laguna - Bakersfield

2008-07-31T15:12:00.001-07:00

Dallas Convention Center

Mary Kay Corporate Offices

My Cute Boys!

My Cute Family!

John, Bodhi, and Alison
Brock, Amy, Isabel and Aidan
Boys on the rocks
Grandma, Papa and the grandchildren
50 years of wedded bliss!

Wow, it has been a busy couple of weeks!

First I went to Dallas for the Mary Kay Convention. We left Bakersfield on Friday afternoon @ 1pm and thought we had plenty of time to get to LAX for a 5:30 flight. No we ran into traffic, traffic, traffic. It took us over two hours to go just five miles. I think there was a pretty bad accident on the freeway that day. Thankfully we were able to change our flight to a 7pm flight and had just enough time to get some dinner and make our new flight. We got into our hotel room around 1am Dallas time. The next morning there was some kind of alarm going off around 7am. I had such a great time. There were about 10 of us from our unit there and it was a great group of women. We got to go tour and have lunch at the Mary Kay Corporate offices and also tour the manufacturing plant. It was pretty cool to see where everything is made! Seminar was wonderful. Really inspirational and motivating. They gave us so much!!! We got new products you can not even order yet!!! It was long days and longer nights, but you know what they say, you can sleep when you are dead. Our flight home was pretty uneventful, but again I did not get into my house until about 1am and was dead tired the next day!

Thursday I was supposed to be getting ready for Laguna where we were all going for my parent's 50th anniversary, but mostly I just hung out on the couch!

Friday I got us all packed up and we were off on another adventure! We had such a great time. My parents, sisters and their familys were all there. We played on the beach and enjoyed each other and relaxed! It was truely wonderful. Sunday night we went out to dinner, and Monday morning a photographer came and took some family pictures. The pictures I have posted here are pictures I took. It was time to come home really too soon. Amy wants to make it an annual vacation. I think it would be such fun for the boys to be able to do that each year. Especially since I was able to go to the beach so often when I was growing up, I want them to be able to experiance some of that even if it is only once a year!

Well, time to pick up the house and start dinner.

More soon,

Love ya,

Shell

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

2008-07-04T21:59:00.001-07:00

Master of Ceremonies - Head Sparkler Lighter!

Skyler - Sparkler Specialist

David - Head Sock Monster

Friends and Neighbors Sparkling!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Wow, fun was had by all. Our friends Dave and Beverly and their cute little boy Matteo came over for dinner. We had salmon and tri-tip that Dave barbiqued, it was wonderful. I made macaroni and cheese, green beans and ice cream cake. After dinner Shannon and Dave went over and got some sparklers and as soon as it got close to dark we were out front sparkling. The family down the street was out front doing poppers so they came down and we all shared. It was a lot of fun. The boys went to bed really late. I am sure they will be a little grumpy tomorrow. Who knows we might have a miracle and they might sleep in! (I can only hope).

Hope everyone's holiday was safe and a lot of fun.

Happy WaHoo July 4th holiday!!!

Love ya,
Shell

As Myrna would say. . .Wii should probably be doing something constructive!!!

2008-06-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

The Lego's Star Wars game for the Wii has taken over my house!!!

Look at that concentration

Player and a patient observer

Goofy David!

Big Daddy!

Wow! Star Wars is in the house!!!

For about a week now all I hear from my kids is "Can I play Star Wars now???" or "When can I play Star Wars???" I have got to tell you, I am over it! Over the Wii Star Wars game. It might have to go on a little vacation soon!!! Both children and their father are all obsessed with this game. I tried to play but sucked so I gave up. That's probably why I am now over it.

We have taken breaks to go outside and play in the pool. I don't really know what was up with me today, I had a case of the lazies (what's new!) It took me three hours to get out of the house to go to Costco. I really went to get Sweet 'n Low and they didn't even have it! They did have these two water toys for the pool that you blow up and you can sit in them and shoot water at the other guy. They looked pretty cool so we got them.

Every picture I took of David in the pool today he had his eyes closed.

I think this is the cutest picture of Skyler. He looks like he is just chillin'.

I guess these are a little big for our small pool, but the boys sure had fun with them.

While the boys and Shannon had a little fun in the pool I made burritos for dinner. We ate in the living room. I think it is so cute when the boys eat at the little table in the middle of the room. Fine dining at its best.

So it was a pretty great weekend. I watched the movie Fool's Gold last Wednesday. It was a really cute movie. Last night Shannon and I watched The Bucket List. It was also really really good.

Well, I hope you all have a great week.

Happy Sunday!
Love,
Shell

WET SUMMER FUN!!!

2008-06-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

THE CUTEST BOYS!!!

So today was the Father's day luncheon at the boys' school. They really do the nicest things there. They served barbeque beef sandwiches, potatoe salad, apples and desert. The boys gave their dad the cute little things that they had made for him at school (Skyler is going to David's daycare with him for the summer). Actually only Skyler gave him a present, David couldn't find his, his teacher was out all week with a bad back. I am sure they will find David's present on Monday. When they got home the water fun began. . .

Earlier in the week when I was not watching my children's every move they put dirt and grass our little pool. Today their Dad dumped out the pool in an effort to get the dirt out. Here are a few pictures of the fun they had in the water that came out of the pool.

This is them posing for mom!

Skyler doing snow angels in the water.

Look at the joy on Skyler's face. Too much fun!

One of the most fun things was when they ran and jumped landing in the water or landing on their feet on their "surfboards". Here they are posing on their "surfboards".

When we went down to my parent's house Memorial Day weekend my dad gave us a tomatoe plant. We planted it finally last weekend in a big pot and got it all hooked up to our sprinkler system. Today I noticed it had a few blooms on it!

So here is the pot, the plant, and our tomatoe cages.

Here is a close up of the little yellow blooms it has on it.

So after taking all of those cute pictures they decided they wanted an ugly picture. I know they are still pretty cute even when they are doing ugly.

HAPPY WAHOO DAY!
Love Ya,
Shell

BEWARE ~ Enter at Your Own Risk!

2008-06-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness! This is the boys' toy room. It was cleaned from top to bottom yesterday. Yesterday! This is the toy room today about 1pm. Laurie, our housekeeper had put all of Skyler's papers fr0m this school year in a paper box. Today the boys threw all of the papers all over the floor in the just cleaned (and cleaned out) toy room. They then did snow angels in the paper, and had much fun tossing everything up in the air over and over again. They also eventually took the sheet off the bed in there and yelled and screamed over and over telling on eachother.

At one point this morning David came out with marker ALL OVER HIS BACK. Skyler had made a tattoo on his back for him. You can't really see it in the picture, he had gone into the pool and most of it had come off before I took the pictures.

Anyway just wanted to share a little bit of my day! Oh, by the way, it is HOTTER THAN H.E. DOUBLE TOOTHPICKS HERE, and we have NOT YET turned on our air conditioner!!! Crazy! I think we are crazy. Tomorrow the boys get to go to school and I get to wait for Unemployment to call!!! I will keep you posted.

Happy Monday,

love ya,

Shell

I THINK IT'S ALL A BIG GAME.

2008-06-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

So I asked the boys to pick up their toy room and their response was to set up bags to get rid of toys. I think they think they are making room for new toys, little do they know. NO NEW TOYS!!! It's pretty funny, they pick each others things to get rid of, then veto the other. I think it is all just a big game to get out of cleaning the toy room. Little do they know they will have to clean the room when they are done with their little purge!
I am so so so very tired tonight. I might even go to sleep before they do.
Well almost wahoo day!!!
Happy Thursday,
L0ve ya,
Shell

Staying Home

2008-06-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to admit, it is a lot easier to work out (go to the gym) and cook dinner on a daily basis when you don't have to go to work!!!

Shannon goes back and forth between being REALLY freaked out and saying it's all good. I hope he gets better, it has after all only been one week and Indiana Jones is still protecting our home!!!

Happy Wednesday,
Love ya,
Shell

INDIANA JONES INVADED MY KITCHEN!!!

2008-06-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

or maybe he is protecting my kitchen.

I have got to tell you, ready, confession time. . .

I HAVE NEVER, EVER, EVER EVER SEEN AN INDIANA JONES MOVIE! EVER!!!

Skyler asked for Indiana Jones Legos for his birthday and got three kits. Well this afternoon Skyler and I sat down at the kitchen table and put together all of these! It was great watching him. I remember when he turned five and he got some batman lego kits and he could not put them together to save his life, but today at seven he could do most of it himself (with the directions). Toward the end I think he was a little tired (we did this for most of four hours), he had a little meltdown saying "you do it!" Other than that he did great!!! It was a lot of fun hanging out with him working together. Shannon and David took a little nap and went grocery shopping.

Well time for dinner. I will try and post pictures of our new car soon. We traded in the 4runner and the Volvo for a Jeep Compass. Part of some of our financial changes. Two car payments for one!!! It is cute and gets great gas mileage!

Happy Sunday!!!

Love ya,

Shell

SKYLER'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND PICTURES!

2008-05-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY

SKYLER

Skyler in with the monkey in front of the Santa Ana Zoo

David with the monkey

Skyler and Amy blowing out their birthday candles

Vanessa and I

Griffin

Isabel, Skyler, Griffin and David

Kelsey, Griffin, Vanessa and Curran

My Cute Boys!

The boys monkeying around

So last weekend it was Skyler and Amy's (and Al Conrad's) birthday! Happy birthday all. The boys and I went to Orange County and spent the weekend with my parents. Saturday my mom and I took the boys to Atlantis Park, and Sunday we met my friend Vanessa, her cousin and two boys, and Amy, Brock, Isabel and Aidan at the Santa Ana Zoo. It was a lot of fun. Afterward we went to Steve's house to see Christine's new dog, Princess. Then back to my parents for dinner, cake and presents. We all had a GREAT DAY!!! We left for home early the next morning, there was hardly any traffic at all and we were home by 11am.

The next day I went to work, worked all day and around 4:30 I was told that that they needed to make some changes and that it wasn't working out and so I don't have a job there anymore. I am now an unemployed stay at home mom!!! Skyler's last day of kindergarten was yesterday so he and David will go to David's school (preschool) Tuesday and Thursdays and I will get to spend some time with my boys over the summer. Financially Shannon and I are making some changes. I will keep you posted! (good so far!)

Happy Saturday,
Love ya,
Shell

Summertime Fun!!!

2008-05-20T23:22:00.001-07:00

Our resort like pool!

Gotta love the dead plant!!!

It's like our own personal little water park. I think David is sitting down!

Wait, Skyler's going to show him how to do it!!!

Check out the form!!!

It was really, really hot here over the weekend. We finally turned on the air conditioner and pulled out the water toys. It was like raging waters in our own back yard!!!

Time to sleep.

Love ya,
Shell

Breakfast

2008-05-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

Look at this concentration. My boys are so cute. This morning we went to breakfast @ Zingos. I took this picture while we were waiting for our food. Skyler was playing Legos Starwars game on his gameboy and David was watching/helping. In between watching/helping he would color.

We got home from breakfast and I immediately took a two and 1/2 hour nap! Yea for me!!! When I woke up the guys were all outside playing in the little pool and the water slide. I went out there for a few hours. It was great fun!!! They will sleep good tonight. Speaking of sleep I think I will go get some.

Happy Sunny Saturday,
Love ya,
Shell

Out of Hand. . . .

2008-05-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

I really don't understand how things got so out of hand. I remember when Skyler was two or so he would take a three hour nap, wake up at 5pm and go to sleep at 7:30 every night like clockwork! It is almost 9:30 and I can still hear both of them moving around making noise. I wish for the 7:30 days. I miss them so. If anyone has any great ideas on how to get them to sleep earlier please pass them along.
oh well, maybe if they continue to stay up late one day some weekend not to far away they will sleep past 7am!
I can dream!!!
Happy Tuesday to You all,
Love ya,
Shell

A & B

2008-05-12T22:35:00.000-07:00

Well, Alison sent me this great picture of her and Bodhi. I think it was taken on Mother's day, but I could be wrong. Isn't he cute. I am told he looks just like me!!!
Happy Monday,
Love ya,
Shell

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2008-05-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

Well it was a pretty great weekend around here, hope you all had an enjoyable one also. My boys are so cute. I woke up yesterday morning around 7:30 to Skyler yelling at the top of his lungs from the kitchen for me to come there. I came out to a heart shaped toast sandwich! Too Cute! Friday I got to go to David's school and have lunch with all the mothers and students. It was really nice. He made me a wind sock and the teacher had us all bring an old shoe that she spray painted bronze and put a pant in. It was totally cute.
This morning I got up and the boys were coloring with markers. Ten minutes later they both had marked all over their faces, colored on their feet, and put spots on their legs and arms. They said "look Mom, I have spots!" It was a little hard to get off in the bathtub tonight, but it did come off!
Well, I apologize for not posting more often, but promise to try harder!
Again ~ HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Happy Sunday,
Love ya,
Shell

HAPPY EASTER!!!

2008-03-23T18:08:00.000-07:00

Well, Happy Easter everyone!!! We have had nice relaxing day. I even took a nap for a few hours. Right now it is quiet at my house. Shannon took the boys over to the lake to fish, I put a meatloaf in the oven, so I thought I would post a few pictures.

My boys are so cute. A week ago Friday we got the boys a trampoline. It is a fairly small one. Only two feet off of the ground and eight feet across. They have had such fun on it. I put the swing set we had back there for sale on craigslist and in one day had at least five inquires! I was able to pay for the trampoline with the money we got from the swing set!!!

The first picture is a picture of David last weekend. He found the had and glasses in the toy room, picked up a toy drill he got for Christmas and was walking and dancing around. There is also a picture is of Skyler from this weekend. They have cowboy sponge bob square pants cowboy toys right now at Burger King, so Skyler is our little bandit! I think the last picture is a picture of David sleeping in the bottom of the box that the trampoline came in. He fit perfectly!

Well, that's all for now.
Hope your Easter was happy!!!

Love ya,
Shell

Wow!

2008-03-03T06:12:00.000-08:00

It has been forever! We finally went down to Amy's house this past weekend and picked up our motorhome! It had been there since Christmas. iI also got my charger for my camera so hopefully new pictures soon. I have to get ready for work... Happy Monday, Love, Shell

IT HAS BEEN SO LONG!!!

2008-02-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

Don't you just hate people who don't update their blog often? I DO!!! I totally get irritated if I go to someones blog and it is the same day after day, week after week, but here I am updating after OVER A MONTH! Wow. . . .
All I can say is we have been busy, and my camera power cord is in our 5th wheel which is in Amy's driveway and has been since Christmas! So no new pictures here.

Friday night we went to a hocky game. It was so much fun. We have a local team, the Condors, who play here. I got tickets from work. The seats were right on the glass! It was so much fun. The boys had a great time. We went as soon as we got home from work/school, ate dinner there (hotdogs and chips!) and then went down to our great seats just in time for the game to start. It was fast and loud and we all loved it. Our team was winning 6 goals to 2 when we left a little into the third period. It was a late night for the boys. We didn't get home until 9:30, but it was great fun.

Yesterday we went to breakfast and then came home and Shannon went to the auto parts store to get light bulbs. He and I both had right brake lights out. While he was replacing them he let the boys go over to the school accross the street and ride their bikes. When he was finished with the cars he went over and helped David ride for the first time WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS!!!! It was quite exciting. The boys from down the street came over to the school with their bikes, and there were a few other kids from the neighborhood. We are so lucky to live across from the school. The boys down the street had an extra bike that was a little bigger than Skyler's bike that they gave to us yesterday. So I think Skyler will try out the new bike today and David will ride Skyler's old bike. Too cool!

I will try and post more often.
Happy Sunday!
Love,
Shell

Bedtime Blues

2008-01-03T21:24:00.000-08:00

Some days are certainly better than others. At David's pre-school they take a nap every day. Most nights David is still awake at 9pm. Sometimes 10. This week (and last) since Skyler has not had school he has been going to David's school. I have got to tell you bedtime has been quite the challenge.
Tonight Shannon sat in the room with the boys for about 1/2 hour at which time he was done. Some time after that Skyler lost every privilege he might have tomorrow, TV, gameboy, wii. You name it he lost it. Well he just came unglued. At that point Shannon sent David into my room to go to sleep. When I walked through the house sometime in the next five minutes after that, this is what I found.

David looking at the Toys r Us catalog in my bed. . . . . .

Guitar hero in the living room (picture taken in the mirror, check out the new TV!!!)

And one very sad boy in his room.

It is now less than ten minutes later and I still have guitar hero in the living room, but David has migrated back to his room, and all is quiet.

Tomorrow is another day!
Almost WaHoo Day!!!
Love ya,
Shell

Too Cute. . .

2008-01-02T20:03:00.001-08:00

I swear these little boys can be so cute. Tonight we got home from work/school and David helped me roll up some pigs in a blanket, then he moseyed on over to where his brother was laying on the floor playing his game boy to watch! Too cute! Check out Skylers new shoes ~ they have wheels in the heels!

Happy Wednesday!!!

Love ya,

Shell

SOME PICTURES FOR YOU

2008-01-01T20:15:00.001-08:00

Skyler as a Transformer and David was the Blue Power Ranger!

Halloween 2007

David was a tree in his Christmas Play!Pancake Breakfast with Santa

at David's school!
Skyler as a Gingerbread Boy at his school Kindergarten Chirstmas Presentation!

David & I on Christmas Eve
Aidan, Papa and Steve on Christmas Eve
Boys opening toys! Mini Guitar Hero

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-01-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!!!

Well, I am right now as I write this downloading from my camera 473 pictures. I have this horrible habit of taking pictures and keeping every single one of them on my camera. I don't think I shared Halloween pictures and I have not posted any Christmas pictures. I will try and do so after all these hundreds of pictures download.

2007 was sure quick!

We all in all had a great year. Everyone stayed pretty healthy here. Skyler started kindergarten and seems to be doing quite well, David is in pre-K at his school and I am amazed every day at the things he is learning. Those little boys are growing up, getting bigger and it sure is fun to watch.

We went to see the chipmunks movie today. They had songs that I have been singing for years. It was really a cute movie!

Well, I need to get those boys out of the bath. I will try and post some pictures later tonight!

Happy New Year!
Love Ya,
Shell

The Coolest Thing!

2007-12-10T20:32:00.000-08:00

I have got to tell you this is just the coolest thing. Last week I came home from work to find a notice saying that there was a package at the post office for David and Skyler. Well it was quite a surprise to me so before work Wednesday David and I went over to the post office to pick up this package. It was from Julie Barreto! It is the coolest thing. It is a Lego Advent Calendar. Everyday you get to open a little door and behind it is a little Lego thing or person to put together. We are having so much fun with it. Since it was the 6th of the month the boys each got to open three doors. We do it a little differently, we open two doors every other day. That way they both get to open something on the same day. They take turns going first. It is a great gift and was a wonderful surprise. Thanks Julie!

Shannon and I went out to dinner Saturday night and then made the pilgrimage to Toys 'r Us. It was really crowded and the isles were small and I had big boxes in the cart I couldn't really see over, but it was a successful trip and I don't think I will have to go back there before Christmas!!! I think the little kids are done. I just have adults left.

Well, I have lots of tickets for fun Christmas things to do. I will try and keep you posted!

Happy Monday,
Love ya,
Shell

I got elfed!

2007-12-03T20:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1156907089

This is way too funny!!!

God please help me to get through today!

2007-12-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

I swear some days that is my mantra and I just have to keep saying it over and over.

I know, it is hard to believe when I have two boys as cute as this that I would have to repeat that over and over but I swear some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed!

I have this killer headache from coughing all the time, and every single thing I have said to Skyler today he has had something to say back to me. He has no concept that this is talking back and it seems that there is nothing I can say to him to help him understand.

I do seem to be feeling a little better. Cough is still there, but I did put on some clothes today and make my way to the grocery store!

Tonight I took a few pictures of the boys. Skyler brought this bear home from school. Its name is Sunny bear and you bring it home and then write in a journal about the things you did together over the weekend. It also has a small photo album for you to put a picture of the child and the bear. This weekend the bear go to go to the gym with Skyler, he had to wait in the car as they don't allow outside bears into the gym. On Saturday he and Skyler got to help Skyler's dad put up the Christmas lights (I am still working on getting a picture for you!), and during this time got to go to target (for more lights) and played with the boys down the street. Sunny bear even got to try and play the WI with Skyler. I think they had a fun weekend!

Oh peace and quiet, they finally fell asleep. I better go in and check on them so I can remember they are angels!

Happy Sunday,

Love ya,

Shell

Christmas Light Time Today!

2007-12-01T16:31:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving night as we were driving home from my friend Sharon's house the kids were oohing and awing overt the Christmas lights, and as soon as we could see our house they yelled at the top of their lungs "we have Christmas lights on our house". Well we didn't, as I previously mentioned, Shannon spent Thanksgiving day in bed and was not in the putting up lights frame of mind. They were so disappointed. Needless to say every day since then they have asked their dad about our Christmas lights. Today is Christmas light day! They are outside as we speak supervising their dad (and playing with the boys down the street!) We have always had multicolored small lights, but from the beginning I wanted white icicles. This year since so many of our lights needed to be replaced Shannon bought me white icicles. I will try and post a picture after they are all up, if I get a good one! I really love this time of year. There are so many fun things to do. The community has a lot going on that we can take the boys to. They have a great holiday lights display up at the California Living Museum, they have a fun Christmas display with a Santa that we went to last year, they even have a winter wonderland at the local ice rink. Last year I got tickets to all of these events from work! I am looking forward to taking the boys again this year!

Today I am sitting inside feeling a little worse than warmed up dog doo (sorry mom!) I have a cold that has settled in my chest and all I do is cough and wheeze. Then wheeze and cough. It isn't pretty. In addition to my lack of breathing properly I have a HUGE headache from all the coughing.

I think I will go take a pill for my head and lay down. Just wanted to check in. Will post pictures of the lights tonight if I get a good picture.

Happy Saturday,
Love, Shell

Countdown to Christmas!!!

2007-11-28T21:50:00.000-08:00

Can you believe there are only 27 more days until Christmas? Where has this year gone???

I am unfortunately feeling a little under the weather. Shannon was snotting and sneezing all weekend and now I have a cough and feel like my chest is burning up. Yuck! I swear he only got out of bed about three hours total on Thanksgiving! I am going to try the humidifier tonight when I go to bed. My mom swears by it!

I am waiting for my list of wants from Brock, Amy and my Dad. John Malkin said he would rather be surprised. I told Amy if I didn't get her list soon it would be 100 items from The Dollar Store, or I could go shop for her at Big Lots!!! (Big Lots does have great kid toys!) She kind of needs to hurry. I am ready to get this Christmas shopping adventure over!!!

Oh well, off to humidify myself. Wish me luck and send good health wishes my way!

Love ya,
Shell

The End of a Long Weekend

2007-11-25T07:59:00.000-08:00

Well, it's Sunday morning, Thanksgiving is over, and I am almost looking forward to going back to work tomorrow! Almost.

The past couple of years we went camping for Thanksgiving weekend, but this year our friends we usually go with Sharon and Shane could not make it so we decided not to go. So then the question is what do we do? We thought about going to see Bodhi, but Alison and John had already made plans. We decided to go down to Orange County and go to Steve's house for Thanksgiving dinner. We were going to have Turkey dinner Friday night (afternoon) at Amy's house and then go see The Glory of Christmas at The Crystal Cathedral. I have never been! Well Shannon came down with a pretty bad cold, I had a sore throat, and David had a cough so we stayed home. My friend Sharon invited us over to all the meals at their house this weekend and we went for a couple. They have a smaller Thanksgiving dinner on the actual day and then a big ol all of the family for miles around dinner on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We did both. They also get up at the crack of dawn on Black Friday and go shopping. This year they went out at 5am. I passed!

Shannon has spent most of the weekend in bed. I hope he is feeling better! He seems almost human again and there is not copious amounts of snot coming out of him! He did get out of bed long enough to go see George Lopez at the Arena with me on Friday night. I really enjoyed it. He was very funny. I think Shannon did not feel good enough to really enjoy it, but I was grateful he went with me.

I also spend some time this weekend cooking! The boys and I made fun-fetti cupcakes with vanilla fun-fetti (little sprinkles) frosting. I also made a pretty easy lasagna, enchiladas, crock pot chicken, and Eggs Benedict. I went to the store Friday morning and bought all this chicken intending to make chicken in the crock pot and then shred it and make all kinds of casseroles with it, but when I got home I remembered we threw out the old crock pot because the lid had broke (I didn't, Shannon did, he does not have the gene where you keep everything no matter if you have all the working pieces or not!) So at 10:55 pm after George Lopez there we were at Target, getting the $15 on sale crock pot. I will make a few more casseroles today with my shredded chicken and put them in the freezer. I am so grateful Shannon likes casseroles. They are so easy to make up and freeze. I found a web site http://www.pioneerwomancooks.com/ and she has some great recipes and step by step directions with pictures. That is where I got the lasagna recipe and a great really easy recipe for spaghetti chicken. She also has a recipe on her site for cinnamon rolls I might try if I ever get brave enough!

So this year for Christmas we are going to try something different. We picked names. We did our big family and then our little family and then we will all buy for the kids. I think this is good. I has really shortened my list! I got both of my brothers in law. Brock and John. Shannon got Amy and my Dad. I will now have to get going on my shopping!

Well, I think I will start breakfast. Biscuits and gravy today. Shannon is so funny. He loves weekend breakfasts so we go out to breakfast, but it is so much easier to buy the ingredients and make it at home. I was totally impressed with my poached eggs yesterday and Shannon said they were better than the restaurant! Cooked perfectly! I truly love cooking!

Oh well ~ off to the kitchen.

Happy Sunday,
Love ya,
Shell

FALLING OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH!

2007-11-11T09:14:00.000-08:00

Wow, did I ever fall off the face of the earth!

Life has been so busy. I have been working a lot. Evenings, weekends, it is just crazy. And trying to fit home life in with work life. . . this can be challenging.

So much has gone on in the last two months. I will get my camera and try and tell you all about it this afternoon!

Cowboy Day, Chinese Food, and a Cousin!!!

2007-09-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well, lets see, labor day weekend we didn't really do much. We set up the water slide for the boys. I did work on cleaning out and organizing the toy room for about 4 hours on Monday.

Tuesday was Cowboy day at Skyler's school for the Kindergarten classes. I guess it is something they have every year. The first week of school they were on the letter C and it ended with Cowboy day! Skyler wore his cowboy hat and made sure he had his belt on. He didn't have any boots but looked really cute anyway. His teacher gave him a red bandanna and that really finished the outfit. Here he is on his way to school!

Every Saturday morning the boys have swim lessons at 9am. Yesterday we went to swim lessons and then went over to get them both haircuts. They were both looking a little scruffy! After their haircuts they wanted to go out for Chinese food for lunch (brunch). We went over to Panda Express and then Rubio's Fish Tacos for me. We sat outside, the weather was beautiful! Here are a couple of pictures of the boys with their new cuts. Skyler lost his other tooth on top Friday night so now all he wants for Christmas are his two front teeth!!!

Finally we have a new little cousin. Alison had her baby on Friday 9/7 at 10:10 am. Everyone is healthy and the baby sure is cute!!! We are anxiously awaiting his name.

Well that is about all for me today!!!

Happy Sunday,
Love ya,
Shell

1st Day of School ~ Kindergarten

2007-09-03T10:41:00.001-07:00

Well, lots of pictures today! Skyler started school August 20th and seems to really like it. The first picture is the front of Skyler's school. It is diagonally across the street from us. A pretty quick walk. The next two pictures are of Skyler out in front of the house. He is missing a tooth on top in the front and the other one is about ready to come out so it sticks out a little. He wanted me to make sure that I took a picture of his backpack, Pirates of course. He is in room 2 with Mrs. Garcia. We went into his room and found the desk with his name on it. When all the children had sat down Mrs. Garcia said ok everyone, turn around and tell your parents to have a good day, and say goodbye, and we the parents were dismissed!!! His teacher says he is focused and motivated! He seems to be doing quite well, really likes it and is making friends. On thing about Skyler, he is very social.

David is at his same preschool and has moved up to a pre-K class. I anticipate that he will be there this year and next as he will not turn five until October 08. That will give him a great foundation for school!

This morning I woke up to race sounds. A couple of years ago the boys got this racetrack and the cars that go with it. They are the ones that you shake and they go so at 6:55 they were racing away! They argue about who should sit in the middle.

Skyler got this great camera for his birthday in May and has been having a great time with it. We had to put new batteries in it yesterday and now it has a new lease on life. Here is a picture of Skyler taking a picture of me taking a picture of him!

Speaking of birthdays, David is busy planning his. It isn't until October, but every day he tells me something that he wants for his birthday! We are going to Disneyland for his birthday. I called and they do a birthday celebration where everyone gets a little cake to decorate and Micky and Minny come and sing happy birthday. We are going on October 6th if you want to join us!

Well, Shannon is leaving tomorrow for his annual fishing trip with the guys. He is starting to get a little squirly. I think I will venture into the toy room and clean up a little.

If you don't hear from me in a couple of days, send help, it means the toys won!

Happy Labor Day!!!

Love ya,
Shell

I am REALLY supposed to be working right now!

2007-07-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

Let's see. . . .
work ~ blog ~ work ~ look at computer ~ work. . . .
OK, blog update wins.

So, what did we do this weekend? Thursday night Shannon went and picked up the trailer, he had a roundup to tape this weekend. This is one of his favorite events. We never make much money there, but it is a family event, in the Tehachapi mountains and is always a lot of fun. The people are really nice and always excited to see us. Friday morning the boys and I went off to work and school and Shannon went to set up at the campground. Saturday morning we got up and went to swim lessons, and then made our way up the hill (it is about 45 minutes away) to go camp for the rest of the weekend. We went for a walk on Saturday for about 40 minutes while Shannon did some duplication and then we went fishing where each boy caught 2 fish! Skyler was so funny during the walk he would look at me and say, "do you think we should take a little break now"! He did that three times during our walk, each break was just a few minutes, but it was cute. The only thing I don't like about this roundup is that the campground is mostly dirt. Other than that it was really nice. I did have to make a trip into town as I found I did not have any kid videos in the motor home and I gave the boys a shower and put on pj's at about 6pm so . . K-Mart saved the day! Today we packed up and came home, went out to lunch on the way. Shannon made burgers and we have all showered. So I have to do the payroll tonight or at least give it a good shot!

I am pretty excited about the next couple of weeks. I have a spa day on Monday night and another one on Saturday. On Sunday Skyler and I are driving down to Orange County for Alison's Baby Shower. Skyler is staying the week down there and I am going to the Mary Kay Seminar in Dallas!!! I am really excited about going! I expect to come back on FIRE!!! I will be there from the 24th to the 28th and will fly into LAX. The 29th is Aiden's baptism so my family will drive down for the baptism and pick Skyler and I up and take us home! I promise to take and post lots of pictures of all events! (I didn't take any this weekend (bad mom)).

Oh well, off to work on the payroll. . .

Love ya,
Shell

Just another day in Paradise

2007-07-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

This is so funny. The Simpson's movie is coming out soon and they were in the lobby of the theater and Skyler loves the Simpson's and wanted me to take their picture with them! The funny part is that Skyler and Shannon would watch The Simpson's every day and I would keep telling Shannon I didn't think it was appropriate for a five year old (that's when he was watching it). Finally someone else told him the same thing and he/we told Skyler that the show had been discontinued. It was like old home week for him when he saw them in the theater lobby! Too funny.

The weekend was good. I went to a Mary Kay Career Brunch on Saturday morning and then came home and took the kids swimming at my friend Sharon's house. Afterwards we came home and Melissa came over to babysit and Shannon and I went to Red Lobster for dinner. Shannon painted the bathroom while we were all swimming. Sunday we went to the Circus. We went a little early so that we could go down and see the clowns and animals on the floor of the arena, up close and personal. I didn't know that all the animals were right next door at the Civic and we could have gone over and got up close and personal with them! We all had a great time. The boys got clown hats and red noses. I will see if I can get them to put them on and take a picture of them to post.

The bedroom turned out great. It looks beautiful and as soon as I charge my camera I will get some pictures. We got some peaches and nectarines mailed to us at the radio station this week so I took a bunch of peaches home and made peach cobbler. It turned out great and was really easy. I had to take Skyler to the dentist so I dropped it off at my work on the way to his 9am dentist appt and when I got back to work at 11am it was gone! It was so easy I am going to make another one tomorrow morning. Skyler did great at the dentist. He was a little nervous but got his tooth filled and it didn't even phase him. He said he didn't even cry!

Well, Shannon has to tape a convention in Tehachapi this weekend. It is a camping roundup. Last year we went up and spent the night with him and I guess we will again this year. Hopefully it will be a little cooler up on the hill.

I will post pictures of the bedroom soon.

Happy WaHoo day,
Love Ya,
Shell

OH MY GOD, THERE'S AN ANT IN MY EYE!!!

2007-07-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

You will never believe what happened to me today. I was sitting in my office and it felt like I got something in my eye, then it really started itching. I rubbed my eye pretty hard, it itched and itched. Finally I got a mirror out to see if there was something in my eye. I had a little black spot near my eyelashes and I thought it was probably a lump of mascara (I sometimes get those if I rub my eyes too hard.) I was kind of flicking it off and off comes an ant. That's right I said AN ANT! My eye immediately starts to swell up and so off I went to Urgent care. An hour and two prescriptions later they let me go. I don't think it is the best look for me, but the boys gave me two thumbs up!

Shannon painted all day and got two coats of primer on the bedroom. I took both coats to cover that yellow / red combo we had in there. It should look really good when we are done. I will post pictures!

Happy WaHoo day tomorrow. I will keep you posted on my eye!

Love Ya,

Shell

Happy Independance Day!!!

2007-07-04T23:15:00.000-07:00

No fireworks for us today.

Sunday we did marathon mall day. . .I can't even tell you how much fun it is to go to the mall for about five hours with my whole family! (not)

After the mall we went to a new sushi place in town. It was really good and the boys were both on pretty good behaviour so after dinner we walked to Rite Aid and the boys got ice creams. It was a nice day even if we did probably spend too much time in the mall.

I am going to the Mary Kay Convention in Dallas at the end of July. I needed to purchase a formal floor length gown for two of the nights I will be there. I found one at the mall at Sears, but it wasn't my favorite and it was over $150 and I did not want to spend that much. Monday during my lunch I ran over to David's Bridal and found a two piece midnight blue taffeta gown for $29 each piece. So for about $60 I got a gown I really like!!!

Today we decided to go to see the movie Ratatouille. We went to the theater at the mall and we were running a little late (as usual). We did not expect the whole town to be at the movies! It was really hot here today so I guess it kind of makes sense. Since we were not going to make the 11:40 show and the next one was not until 1:40 we called Fandango and got tickets for the later show and then went into the mall (back into the mall.) I truly have not been to the mall since I think right before Alison's wedding and here we are back at the mall! Anyway we found a really cute bedding set (we needed a new one) at Macy's. It was on sale, 24 pieces. The only problem is that it doesn't match the wall color in our room. So ~ now we are painting the walls! Shannon had taken Thursday off of work and Friday is his off Friday so there you are. We just now finished taping off the walls so that first thing in the morning he can start painting! I will post pictures of the finished product.

Well, it is really late, I think I feel myself turning into a pumpkin!

Love Ya,
Shell

Universal Studios Watch Out!

2007-06-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Michelle and Amber in front of the Hard Rock Guitar

Amber, Karen and Michelle on the Back Lot Tour

The Flat Tire

Well, Wednesday I went to Universal Studios in Hollywood with a couple of gals from Mary Kay. It is what is called a star trip and we go once a quarter. It was really fun. I had never been there! We left Bakersfield around 10:30 am and got there right in time to eat lunch. We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. We all shared beef and chicken fajitas and spinach dip. Quite good. Then we went on into the park. First we went on the back lot tour. It was really neat. We then made our way down to Jurassic Park the ride. If only someone would have told me how very wet I would have gotten I never would have got on! From there we went on Backdraft, then a show about special effects and then the Mummy's Revenge (a high speed roller coaster!) We made our way back up and saw a Blue's Brother's show and ended it all with Shreck 3D. On our way out we shared crepes at a little place on the City Walk before getting out to a flat tire on Karen's Mary Kay Caddy! It was a long and late night, but all and all a lot of fun!!!

Shannon had to work today so it was just the boys and I. We had planned to go to Sharon's house and swim all day, but that didn't happen! This morning we got up and had breakfast and went off to the boys swim lessons. They are both doing very well. After swim we went to the grocery store where David promptly got sick! Vomited all over the place, quite a few times. . . . So we ended up having a quite day at home. We watched a really cute kids movie, Arthur and the Invisibles. David and I took a nap, and Skyler played for a few hours with the boys down the street. David ate some dinner and seems to be keeping it down so hopefully that bug has passed.

We will see what tomorrow holds, I will keep you posted.

Love Ya,
Shell

Did You Miss Me?????

2007-06-26T21:46:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it has been this long since I have posted. I got a really nice e-mail from my mom yesterday suggesting that I get off my butt and update my blog!!! (not necessarily in those words!)

So what's new you ask. I will try and fill you in on what we have been doing, and if I miss anything, well, there is always tomorrow.

In the middle of April I decided I would start selling Mary Kay. I went to a spa day with one of my friends and had no intention of even buying anything, but really liked the products , wanted it all, found out how much money you could make and well, here I am, two months or so later having sold over $3000!!! I even have the beginning of a team with eight people signed up under me! Pink Cadillac here I come!!! At the beginning of May one of the other consultants and myself set up a display at a craft fair and got a lot of leads so I have been calling those lady's and inviting them to spa days (like the one I first went to). So if you need or want any Mary Kay give me a call or e-mail me!

Skyler and Amy (and Al Conrad) share the same birthday so Memorial weekend we went down to Orange County and celebrated. We got Skyler a pretty cool Digital Camera for kids for his birthday! (the camera is in one of the pictures) He turned six. I cannot believe how big he is getting. He had so much fun with Alison's camera one year when he went down south with Alison and John. This camera is cool because it is for kids; the viewfinder has two holes to look thru and it is bigger, easier for small hands to hold onto. We went to Knotts Berry Farm on Saturday and then then next day had a barbecue at Steve's house (he wasn't home!) Everyone had a great time. Brock's niece Megan joined us at Knotts. Skyler got his face painted like spiderman and David was two-face. I think Megan and Isabel got nice butterflys!

The boys are having a fun summer. Every day at their school right after breakfast they all put their bathing suits on and play in water outside. They are going to swim lessons every Saturday morning and seem to really be progressing. We go to the community pool in our track and they swim and have a great time. We bought one of those small pools (10ft round by 30inches) for our back yard. It has a little filter and is fun for those nights when you don't want to leave the house. Maybe someday we will get a pool in our back yard, but our yard is so small it would probably be all pool. My concern with that is the boys not having a swing set. . . and the cost of course! Well, maybe someday. There were a lot of bigger kids at the community pool and a lot of the things they said and thought were funny were not really nice, and not really something I would want my boys repeating (they are bad enough by themselves!!!)

Tomorrow I am going to Universal Studios with some Mary Kay ladies. I have never been and am looking forward to it! I will try and post with more frequency!

Happy Tuesday,

Love ya,

Shell

WOW

2007-05-17T23:24:00.000-07:00

So I guess maybe everyone didn't know that Alison was pregnant. And I thought I was the last to know everything! Anyway, I think she is due in September. I will keep you posted.

I found out today that Isabel's wrist isn't as bad as they first thought and she won't have to have a cast!!! Just wear the splint for a few weeks!

Skyler lost another tooth yesterday!!! This time it was the top (front) left. And again he lost the tooth ~ so ~ his dad made another cute note for us to put under his pillow. This time the tooth fairy left him three one dollar bills!!!

Last night I took the boys to see Sesame Street (elmo!). We all had a great time. It is so cute to see them dance and sing. We had great seats. It is funny how at the second half of the show the noise level is so much higher than the first half. Kind of like everyone all the sudden is way too tired and up way past their bedtimes.

Tonight we went to Payless shoes and the boys both got Spider Man Flip Flops that light up when you walk.

Julie reminded me that Al Conrad's birthday is also May 25th (he will be 54!!!) Al, I want you to know that you too are invited to spend the day with us at Knott's Berry Farm. Let me know if your are going to be able to make it, I will be sure to get you a ticket and make sure someone picks you up at the airport!!!

Well, I just read Julie's comment and it made me laugh, so I had to post!

Off to bed for me before I become a pumpkin. . .

Happy Friday (we are so close I am just going for it!!!)
Love ya,
Shell

Stuff

2007-05-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, it sure has been a long time since I posted and boy oh boy has there been a lot of stuff going on. The thing first and foremost in mind right this very second is that those two boys have been in their bedroom for at least an hour and they are both STILL AWAKE and causing each other trouble. Arguing, antagonising, and generally being mean to each other. I thing I may need to separate them at some point. I just hate to do it. It is so easy to have them in the same room.

Skyler lost his third tooth yesterday! He has lost each of the teeth that he lost (does that make sense???) So each time he has lost a tooth we have had to write a note to the tooth fairy and put that, rather than the tooth under his pillow. I was out last night when he went to bed so Shannon wrote the note, and it was so cute! He even put a picture of the tooth fairy on it (Skyler wanted to know how he knew what she looked like!) The tooth fairy left him $5.00. He has no concept of money so he wanted to know how come he only got one. I tried to explain about one dollar bills vs five doller bills, but it didn't really sink in! Oh well!

So we are still doing t-ball on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. We also started swim lessons on Saturday mornings. It is so cool to watch the boys learning to swim. Skyler has always been terrified to float on his back, but he was doing it Saturday morning! The lessons are eight weeks, 1/2 hour each. It will be fun to watch them progress. Hopefully by the end of the summer they will be swimming! The last t-ball game is on Memorial weekend. I can't believe that they would schedule it that day, but they did. I guess we will have to make arrangements to get our trophies (with pictures in them), because we won't be there!

So you ask, Where will we be??? At Knott's Berry Farm. That's right we are going to Knott's the Saturday of Memorial Weekend. It should be a lot of fun!!! Skyler and Amy's birthday is on May 25th which is the day before. So basically we are taking both of them to Knott's for their birthday! Amy, Brock, Isabel and Megan (Brock's niece) are going with us. We took the boys to Magic Mountain a few months back so they have been to an amusement park before, but I think that Camp Snoopy will really be a lot of fun for all the kids!

Speaking of Isabel, I guess she broke her wrist and will have to get a cast on Thursday (after the swelling goes down.) Poor Baby!

I keep asking Alison to send me pictures of her pregnant self, but so far I have not received them. As soon as I do I will post them. She had also said that she would send pictures of the ultrasound, but I have not received them either! I am disappointed that the are not finding out the sex of the baby. Oh well, I was not able to talk them into it, but I will keep trying. There was a nice bit about Amma on 20/20 last Friday. I TIVO'ed it, but watched it on the you tube link that Alison sent me.

So Mother's day was pretty relaxing at my house. I went to the boy's school on Friday for their Mother's Day Lunch. It was pretty nice. They had three different kinds of soup, a salad bar, brownies, and strawberry shortcake. I got to eat lunch with the boys, and then they gave us our Mother's Day presents that they had made! It was all TOO CUTE!

So for Mother's Day I got a small (really small) bird nest wind chime that Skyer painted (blue), a flower pot with a mum in it that David made (too funny, it said "I love my mom because she takes me to get a shot")!!!, a heart that Skyler made, and a NEW SMART PHONE!!!

Yep, you heard me right, I got a red Trio 680. It is too cool! Here is a picture of it.

One of the coolest thing is that I can read my book on it, listen to music (mp3s), and it's a phone (and it's cute!!!) So today I went to the gym (walked on the treadmill for 45 min) and read my book from my phone!!!

Well, sorry for such a long post, I guess since I haven't posted for awhile, I had a little bit to say. I will try and keep up with this a with this a little better!!!

Happy Tuesday!

Love ya,

Shell

T-ball!!!

2007-04-21T17:57:00.000-07:00

Skyler ready for his 1st t-ball game

Up to bat

Shannon and Skyler outfield waiting for the ball

Adjusting his mitt

Ready to Rock n Roll

David spinning round and round

David resting after his snack!!!

Well, today was our first t-ball game (we had practice on Thursday night.) We had a great time. We signed Skyler up for a non-competitive league so they don't keep score, everyone just plays and has fun. I think Skyler had a great time. Next week is picture day and then they will get a trophy with their picture in it. It is a six week program, so at the end he should have some idea of how to play, catch, hit. . .

David is signed up in a group called itty bittys. They don't have games, they just play on Thursday nights. They do two weeks of soccer, two weeks of basketball and two weeks of t-ball. Last thursday was soccer.

Not much else new here. I will try and post more tomorrow!

Love ya,

Shell

Shannon was a CHAMP!

2007-04-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Shannon had his gallbladder out this morning and he came thru with flying colors!!!
He was very nervous going in as he has never ever been in the hospital, never had any surgery, nothing! He was a MESS this morning! We got to the hospital and he got all ready, as soon as possible I asked the Anesthesiologist to give him a shot of something. He said that Dr Garcia had already told him that Shannon was super nervous. The doctor came out about an hour later and told me everything went well. Shannon was in recovery for about an hour and a half and then they transfered him to a room from which he was released. We were home by noon!

I had to take Skyler for his kindergarten physical on Tuesday so today we went back to the Doctors office so that he could have his TB test read. I took him back to school and then went over to the school across the street and got him all enrolled! He will be a big kindergartner come August!!! It is amazing how big they both are getting.

Well, it is back to work for me tomorrow. One day and then the weekend!!!

Oh I signed the boys up for t-ball today. Skyler will be playing with the 4 & 5 year olds and it is just t-ball. David is in a group called itty bittys. It is for three year olds and they do two weeks of basketball, two weeks of soccer and two weeks of t-ball. They will have practices on Thursday nights and then games on Saturdays. I will try and have some pictures next week. We get to go this Saturday to the meeting where they get their t-shirts and get to meet their coaches! I think they will really enjoy it, they are both pretty good at backyard ball and very coordinated.

Well, off to see the wizard.
Happy Thursday!!!
Love ya,
Shell

Another Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie Please!

2007-04-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

That was what fell into my brain as I thought about what is going on with us. Shannon has to have his gallbladder taken out, so tomorrow at 6am we are to arrive at the hospital for his surgery. He has never had any kind of surgery and is very, very nervous!

Easter was great! I went to my parent's house (actually Amy's) on Saturday to pick up Skyler and see Aidan. Skyler had spent the week with my parents as he did not have school. I think they all had a great time (he missed me!) Anyway it was pretty uneventful. . . Aidan is TOTALLY CUTE!!!
Sunday we woke up and the Easter Bunny had been here. It was great. Skyler was way better at finding eggs than David was so I helped him a little. Tuesday I took Skyler to have his Kindergarten physical. He had to have FOUR shots and a TB test. I have to take him in tomorrow to have his TB test read and then I can turn in all his paperwork. They only take 80 kindergartners. I will turn in his paperwork tomorrow!!!

Not much else new here. Kind of tired tonight, have to get up early tomorrow. I will keep you posted!

Happy Hump Day,
Love ya,
Shell

What a beautiful day!

2007-04-01T15:54:00.000-07:00

It is so nice outside today! This is a picture of Skyler and the fish he caught yesterday when he went fishing with his dad. He was so proud, he caught two fish and Shannon only caught one!

My parents came up to visit over the weekend and we all had a great visit. I played Cribbage with my dad this morning. I had played a couple of times before, but I think it was over 20 years ago! I did pretty good. I am pretty sure it was beginner's luck!!! My parents took Skyler home for the week as he does not have any school this week. We will drive down next weekend and pick him up.

Happy Sunday!
Love ya,
Shell

Finally. . . It's all coming together!

2007-03-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

Well I have wanted a patio set for my back patio for a couple of years and yesterday we got this set. I really like it (if only this was our backyard!!!) We got it at K-Mart and all the chairs are the kind you can rock in a little. I don't know if we will ever use the fire pit part of it, but it is a nice sized table and instead of getting a loveseat and two chairs we got four chairs. I think this will be really comfortable on our back patio. We put it together last night (after fishing at our little lake!) I think we might get a gazebo to cover our patio table. We have an umbrella, but it really doesn't do much for the afternoon sun.
I think I will brew a pot of decaf and take my Sunday paper outside and sit on my new patio furniture and relax!!!
Happy Sunday,
Love ya,
Shell

Gallbladder, Gallstones oh my!!!

2007-03-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

So I discovered that I needed my gallbladder out last week as I had a large stone. I went in on Friday morning and had it removed. My recovery was quite remarkable and I was back at work Monday morning! I had asked at the hospital if I could get my gallstone so here it is in all it's glory! Shannon took the picture and added the text. What it should really say is the average size of a gallbladder is 2.5 cm, this is a picture of NOT my gallbladder, but the stone thatg was INSIDE of it! I am pretty grateful I was not in pain!!!

Longer Days are COOL!!!

2007-03-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

With daylight savings time and the days being longer the boys have been spending some time outside after dinner. Tonight I look over and Skyler is holding on to the side of the swing rope and then turned himself upside down and his feet are touching the top of the swing set.

We are so lucky the boys play so well together. The look of pure joy on David's face as Skyler spins him around is priceless. It almost makes up for all the times Skyler yells at him!!!

Some days are better than others!

2007-03-20T20:59:00.000-07:00

Some days I just can't help it. I just feel sorry for myself. I know that I shouldn't. I know I have a great life... I have a great husband, great kids, a great job. I have a wonderful family, I am healthy. I totally have so much to be grateful for, I know I do. . .
it's just some days I feel like I am the only person that EVER does anything around this house (other than my housekeeper Laurie who does way more than ANYONE ELSE!!!), some days my kids don't listen to a word I have to say, some days my husband is the most self absorbed self centered human being on the planet, some days. . .
SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS!

Hopefully tomorrow will be one of those day!

I think I will just take my sorry, ungrateful ass to bed and try again tomorrow!!!

Happy Wednesday,
Love ya,
Shell

Sickies at my house

2007-03-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a week! Last weekend Skyler was off and on not feeling well and slept a lot. I thought he was better. . . Wednesday I got a call from his school telling me that he was sitting with his head on the table and the teacher asked him if he wanted to lay down and he did. She wanted to let me know that he did not have to go home (no fever) but did I want to come and get him. I did, thank God for Sharon. She was off work and came to my work and picked him up. He stayed home with Sara the next day and seemed fine by Friday so off to school he went. Friday I got a call around noon saying that David had a fever of 102 and would have to go home. I went and picked him up and we went home for the day. Yesterday he seemed fine, so I took them both to A Good Time Out, went to Target, got a pedicure and did a little grocery shopping. Our friends Dave and Beverly came over last night for a barbecue. I marinated some chicken (it turned out so good) and we grilled some veggies and had brown rice. Beverly brought a salad and we all had a nice healthy meal. David fell asleep in the toy room around 6pm and around 8 or so seemed go have a fever again! He woke up acting just fine again this morning! I don't know what it is that is going around but it has stopped at our house.

Wow, Daylight Savings Time already! I really like the time change. Tomorrow morning will be a challenge, but I love leaving work and having it be light for so late into the night!

Well, I am thinking I will get up and do the breakfast dishes (pancakes this morning). I am missing my coffee, gave it caffeine up for Lent. Maybe I will grind up some decaf beans and make a pot! I am going to (once again) try to go through and clean some things out. Getting rid off all the excess (I am so very bad at this!!!)

I will let you know how I did on my clean out efforts!

Happy Sunday,

Love Ya,

Shell

My Guys!

2007-03-05T06:35:00.000-08:00

We went camping this weekend at Buena Vista which is about 30 minutes from our house. It is really nice there. They have lots of mature trees, two lakes, and a great playground which our campsite was directly in front of!!!
Well I just tried loading some pictures (of My Guys!!!) for the last 15 minutes, and for some reason it isn't working. Never mind. Obsessive with every bone in my body I tried one more time and it worked. The first picture is a picture of the guys watching a movie. What you can't see in that picture is the lake outside of the picture window behind the guys! The second one is the story of Skyler's life (and probably mine too, if the truth be known!) Shannon and Skyler put together this puzzle. I even got in on the action!

Well, I have to get ready to go to work. I have some new pictures of Aidan I will try and post tonight.
Happy Monday,
Love,
Shell

THE LONG AWAITED PICTURES ARE HERE!!!

2007-02-25T19:00:00.000-08:00

Here are the long awaited pictures of my newest nephew Aidan. Aidan and his mom came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon around 2:30 and Amy sent me these pictures this morning. Pretty cute, totally bubba, and a little asian looking! I think he is adorable!!! I can't wait to go visit him. Hopefully I will get down there next weekend.

Not much going on here this weekend. I went shopping with Sharon for hours yesterday. HOURS! We had a great time. I got a necklace and some misc stuff, nothing big. She was shopping for an outfit to wear to her son Nick's boot camp graduation. In the first five minutes of shopping she found a suitcase she loved, it was only $500!!!

It is a Brighton! I am sure she would love contributions to her luggage fund! Or better yet everyone call her husband, Greg and pass on the information so he knows what to get her. I think their anniversary is coming up!

We went to church this morning, and then back home for the day. I took a three hour nap! I must have been tired. Anyway, I am going to throw a load of cloths in the washer and get ready for the week!!!

Happy Sunday!

Love ya,

Shell

He's Here!!!

2007-02-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

Aidan Richards Colburn made his appearance yesterday around 2pm. He was a little over 8lbs! A big boy. Both he and Amy are doing well!!!

No one has sent me pictures yet (Dad), but as soon as they do you will be the first to see them!

On another note, I picked up my new camera Wednesday night and am having a lot of fun playing with it. I will post some pictures tonight. I don't know if I will get to go down and see Aidan this weekend as they will probably stay at the hospital until Saturday. I may go down Sunday for the day. . . I will keep you posted.

Happy WaHoo Day!!! (Friday)

Love ya,
Shell

2.17.2007

2007-02-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

Finally Friday last night! I swear some days I love my job and can be there all day and be totally happy, and some days it is just like "What the *&#@, will this day ever end!" Yesterday was TOTALLY one of those days!

Last night I picked up the boys and took them to A Good Time Out. It is a drop in day care close o our house. I really love that place. It is a little expensive, but totally worth it. They have a lot of really fun things for kids to do while they are there, they do crafts, have a video room, and will even feed them dinner (which they did for Skyler and David last night, including brownies for dessert!) While they were there I did a little cloths shopping then met up with Shannon around 8pm and we went out to this great little Thai restaurant around the corner from our house.

Before we went to get the boys we went by Best Buy and I got this new camera! It is a Casio Exilim Card EX-S770. You can check it out here www.exilim.casio.com. I am pretty excited about it. In addition to being really small (thin) it has the capacity to do video for 1 hour (odviously not on the highest setting), and it looks cool!!! The only way it could be better would be if it came in PINK. The only downside is that they were out of stock and we had to order it and so I won't have it in my hands until Wednesday. Oh well, Wednesday will be here before I know it.

Today Skyler and I are going to his friend Matthew's house for his birthday party. They don't live to far from us and it should be a lot of fun. David and Shannon will hang out together. I am sure it will entail some nap taking! Tonight I am going out to dinner with the girls to celibrate my friend Anne's birthday. We are meeting up around 7pm. That should also be a lot of fun.

Other exciting news Brock and Amy announced the name for their new baby boy. Drumroll please. . . .

Aidan Richards Colburn!

According to Amy he should be making an appearance any time now. Probably next week!!! We will have to go down and introduce ourselves next weekend. I will have my new camera and promise to take lots of pictures!!!

Well I hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend. I will try and catch up again tomorrow!

Happy Saturday,

Love ya,

Shell

Not even v-day yet!

2007-02-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

I so totally had this conversation with Shannon where we are not getting each other anything because we just got a wi so I come into the house tonight and look what I found! Now I don't know if I need to run and get him something tomorrow or just be grateful??? Oh well, I will think on this. It's not like I am not in the v-day mood. I have had my fingernails decorated for over a week

I have the little hearts on my thumbs also!

Well, surround yourself with love tomorrow and know that I will be thinking of each and every one of you!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Love Ya,

Shell

PIZZA LASAGNA

2007-02-11T19:06:00.000-08:00

Today we were getting ready to go to breakfast and the guy who won the show about being a food network star Guy Fieri was making Pizza Lasagna. It has fried pepperoni, italian sausage, and then all the other regular lasagna fixings. I made it tonight for dinner. I had left over sausage, sauce, cheese and noodles so I fixed another regular (hamburger and sausage) lasagna for the freezer. Shannon and the boys LOVED the lasagna. Skyer even asked for seconds!!! Gotta love that! Check it out on www.foodnetwork.com. His show is called Guy's Big Bite.

BLUE HAIRED BIG MOUTH BOYS

2007-02-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

Can you see the blue in their hair. They are so funny. Skyler has been asking me for a few days to put gel into his hair, but I keep forgetting so this morning as we were getting ready to go to breakfast I remembered. As soon as Skyler was running around with blue gel in his hair David wanted some too. This is a first for him. They both look so cute!

This is what I call Skyler's rock star look. He was having fun posing for me for about a minute. He calls this one of his mad looks.

Here is a picture of my new glasses. I picked them up from Costco a week ago or so. They are for distance and up close! (old lady that I am becoming) I really like them. They take a little getting used to. They are kind of fuscha colored with peach rims. Most of the time they just look red!

It has been a pretty busy week. Skyler had a birthday party last Saturday, Shannon took him and David and I stayed home. Sunday we didn't do anything of what I had planned. Just kind of hung out. Worked all week. Friday I had a root canal. I am pretty lucky in that I was not in pain! Yesterday mostly running around. Today mostly relaxing. I am running out to the store right now as Shannon has requested lasagna for dinner. Skyler announced that he hates lasagna so more for us! Skyler doesn't have school tomorrow (they close for just about anything) so he is going to Sharon's house to do his valentine's day cards and make cookies!

Oh well, off to the store!

Happy Sunday,

Love Ya,

Shell

2.2.2007

2007-02-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been a little while since I was here so let me give you an update!

I tried a new class at the gym and just love it. . .

I took a spinning class a week ago Monday and I have to tell you, after I got over the pain in my ass (literally!) I absolutely love it!!! I went Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

After the class on Saturday I went down to Orange County for Isabel's third birthday. We had a great time. A little rain, but not much traffic either way, and the boys always have fun seeing the family and playing with Isabel. She had the cutest My Pretty Pony cake that someone that Amy works with made.

Here is a great picture of Isabel and the grandparents!!!

It was so cute to watch her open all of her presents. She got so excited over each one!!! She really is antimated. We spent the night and then made our way home early Sunday morning.

Monday night Shannon and I went to see Jesus Christ Superstar at the Civic Theater downtown. It was a great show and we both really enjoyed it.

Tuesday night I went and got hypnotised. My work was partnering with this hypnotist from Florida to do two seminars. One on weight loss and the other for smoking. I went to the weight loss one. It was really cool. We were there for two hours but it only seemed like 15 minutes. I have been eatting less, wanting foods that are better for me, and drinking more water, so hopefully it worked and it will last! We will see.

Last night I tried to go to a spinning class, but it was cancelled, so instead I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes.

I am going to try and go to the spinning class on Saturday morning and then hopefully put the kids in a swimming class. Skyler has a birthday party to go to on Saturday night! Looks like another full weekend.

I will keep you posted.

Happy Wa hoo day!

Love ya,

Shell

M & M People

2007-01-18T19:52:00.000-08:00

David
Michelle
Skyler
Shan the Fishing Man!!!

So tonight the boys and I made M&M people on the computer at http://www.becomeanmm.com/ (Planet M). It was a lot of fun. They picked out their own body type, eyes, hair, arms, even accessories! Too cute. (click to see them bigger)

Today at work 13 people signed up to do the Biggest Loser at work. We all weighed in and are putting in $100 and the person who loses the biggest percentage of weight by April 20th wins the pot. I plan on winning!!!

I am still fighting this cold/cough! David is progressing on his potty training. No accidents this week!

Well tomorrow is WAHOO day! WAHOO, it's Friday!!!

Love ya,

Shell

Student of the Week, A Little Ice, & Fluffy!

2007-01-14T17:54:00.000-08:00

Skyler was student of the week in his class last week so Friday at 1pm we went and listened to his student of the week presentation. It was pretty cute. After he and the teacher went through the presentation the class got to ask questions. They asked questions like "What is your favorite toy". I really got a couple of cute pictures.

I put the picture of the ice in because it is just so damn cold here that there is still ice here at 4:45pm from the sprinklers this morning around 10am. Isn't that just crazy???

We had a pretty good weekend. Yesterday I went to a luncheon/workshop at one of the churches downtown. It was called Simplify Your Life. The speaker was a lady named Kathy Peel. She was great, really nice. Lots of good ideas. Check her out at www.familymanager.com. The lunch was good, but the best part was that they had babysitting and they also fed the boys. All included in the price! They had so much fun that when I went to pick them up they asked if they could stay and play!!!

Last night Shannon and I went to see Gabriel Iglesias. He is a super funny comedian. He was here at the Fox Theater to film his one hour special for Comedy Central. He came into the station a couple of months ago to do some interviews and I swear Shannon broke every speeding law to get to my work to meet him. Here is a picture of Shannon and Gabriel from that day. Look for his special to come out "Live from Bakersfield"!

Well, we didn't do much today. Finally got the last of the Christmas decorations down!!! Thank God for Laurie, she took down the tree last week! :-) This afternoon we all went to the park for a little while. It is way to cold for me!

Well, getting ready for the week.

Happy Sunday!!!

Love,

Shell

Rough Day at Play

2007-01-06T19:22:00.000-08:00

This is David about 10 minutes ago in the toy room. He passed out intent on eatting that banana, but just couldn't stay awake long enough. He was still asking about it as I changed his diaper and put his pjs on.

I dropped the boys off today at A Good Time Out, drop in day care, went and got a pedicure, shopped at Michael's and then did some grocery shopping at the new Smart and Final over on our side of town! I have not had a pedicure since before Alison and John's wedding and was in despirate need!!! It was also nice to go shopping by myself, and then just go pick the boys up. I had put pork chops in the crock pot this morning so I just put some pasta in my Pasta Express and 10 minutes later we were eatting dinner. If you have not tried your Pasta Express yet I would urge you to do so and if you don't have one, check it out. I love ours.

Well tomorrow is off to church and then I want to take down the Christmas decorations and get a little organization going on. Also do some cooking. I will report on how much I get done. Shannon is really under the weather. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow.

2007 . . . . . . . . 1.1

2007-01-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

Well, I totally did not get as much accomplished as I wanted to get done today. I never even did my hair today! David has a little cough and fever so much of the day was spent holding him. When he doesn't feel good all he wants to do is climb up onto my lap and cuddle! I had great plans of cleaning something out, throwing some things away, organizing. . . but that all went by the wayside. I do have to tell you, last Tuesday I spent most of the day cleaning out the boys toyroom. I have four big black trash bags just ready to go the Salvation Army. I was pretty proud of myself that day!!!

Yesterday afternoon we took the boys over to the school across the street to ride their bikes and their scooters (they both got new scooters for Xmas!) We took David's bike over, thinking that maybe we could teach him how to ride without training wheels. Looks like he showed his Dad instead!!!

oh well, tomorrow another day, another dollar!

Love ya,

Shell

Wow, time flys!!!

2007-01-01T00:28:00.000-08:00

I swear this year just flew by. What a great year! Spending time with family and friends. We are truely blessed to have such a great and loving family, and the best group of friends!

The boys have grown so much. Skyler is truely no longer a toddler. He is a little boy. David is no longer a baby. I can almost always understand what he is saying, almost always! It is so amazing to me that they are so big. I don't really think about how much they have grown, then I will look at them (especially when they are asleep) and realize how tall they are getting. They are both very independant! As they get older we are able to enjoy them even more.

Well, I want to take this moment to wish you and yours the best year ever! I know I am going to try and make it mine!!!

Love ya ~ Shell

Christmas is almost here!

2006-12-23T20:01:00.000-08:00

Last night we went over to our friend Sharon and Greg's house and opened presents with them, and today we drove down to Amy and Brock's house. We finally left Bakersfield at 11am but did not arrive here until 3pm or so. Shannon has really gotten good at parking and manuvering our big old trailer! We are parked in their RV parking, all opened up, and hooked up. As soon as we got here I started cooking. We had enchiladas, spanish rice, tamales, and ghetto toffee!
Tomorrow night is Christmas eve. We open all of our presents on Christmas eve, and then Santa brings us presents to play with on Christmas day. Everyone will be here tomorrow night. A full house!
I should have pictures then!
Happy Saturday,
Love,
Shell

The grinch and the grump. . . .

2006-12-17T11:49:00.000-08:00

So last night our plans were to go to the magical forest and then to CALM to look at the lights. When we left the house it was raining. Not hard but a little. The magical forest was really cute. It was housed on the top floor of a parking garage. The boys got to visit Santa and they had a small shopping area. These were both on the third floor. On the top floor they had hundreds of Christmas trees with lights and then a bunch of stages around with different themes. This is a picture of the boys in front of the grinch themed stage. After walking around the top level we took the next golf cart down to the parking lot and went over to Jakes to eat dinner. When we got out of dinner it was raining too hard to go up and walk around CALM to see the lights so we drove over to Haggen Oaks and looked around there. That neighborhood always has the best lights. One of the houses even had Mickey Mouse, Belle, Jasmin, and the Beast dressed up, singing on the porch! It was pretty funny, at one point Skyler said he was done and wanted to go "strait home to watch TV."
Hopefully we will be able to go look at the lights tonight. . . . .

Snow. . .

2006-12-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

The boys have been asking for quite awhile to go to the snow. We had tickets at my work for a winter wonderland so we all went last night. I thought it would be a lot bigger than it was. They had a little (very little) snow at one end of the ice rink! I didn't get a lot of good pictures, it was pretty dark and most of the pictures are a little blurry. It was cute watching the boys make snowballs. They both even made snow angels. Tonight we are going to The Magical Forest and then to cool light show at CALM! Should be fun. It is colder than you know what outside so I will have to put on my big jacket! Hopefully I will have some cute pictures tomorrow.

Gingerbread Men, Trees, Boots, Stars, and Snowmen!

2006-12-16T16:28:00.000-08:00

We had the Gingerbread house kit for a couple of weeks now and it has just been killing the boys that we had not put it together yet. This morning we got up, ate breakfast, watched the movie Barnyard (really cute!) and then sat down to put together and decorate the gingerbread house. After that the boys put on their Halloween Costumes and we went to the grocery store. We got these cookies. They were already cut out, we just baked and decorated them. The boys stuck with me for most of both of the projects, but in the end it was me doing the decorating! I think everything turned out pretty cute!

David's School Christmas Presentation

2006-12-16T16:24:00.000-08:00

Even though he didn't sing much (none of the kids in his class did). He did ring his bells (when his finger wasn't in his mouth). He looked really cute!!!

What to do with Christmas???

2006-12-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

I have a tendency to get a little overwhelmed with Christmas. It is a really fun time of year, I love all the decorations. I love how excited the boys get about the lights and Santa. The part that truly overwhelms me is the gift buying. I have a belief that most of my family buys everything they want. If they want it, they buy it. Therefore, I find most of my family unbelievably hard to buy for. And because it is so hard for me, I have a tendency to buy them gift cards. Then I feel bad because I am giving them something really impersonal. Then it becomes overwhelming. Maybe if I had a bunch of time to go shopping and someone to watch the boys, it would be different. I should probably try to just do a little bit at a time over the whole year so that when it is the beginning of December I am not feeling like I do!
Oh well, in less than a month I will totally be over it!!!

This weekend I made some really cute Xmas cards to send out. I am working on getting a cute picture of the boys to put in them and then I will get them out. Hopefully this coming weekend! I had a great time stamping them. I am really happy with how they turned out, pretty and glittery! While I was stamping Shannon took the boys to CALM (our little zoo). They had a lot of fun. I have tickets to go back there sometime before Xmas as they really cool light show out there.

Tomorrow is our company holiday party. We are having at at the local casino. A Texas Hold'em holiday party. It is a luncheon so we will go at 11:30, have lunch at noon, and then they teach you how to play, and then have a tournament. It should really be a lot of fun. I will report back on how I do in the tournament!

Well, Happy Monday!
Love,
Shell

Dad's Little Helpers

2006-12-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

Holding the ladder

Here's the lights Dad!

Fishing Fanatic!

2006-11-29T20:37:00.000-08:00

While we were at the lake Shannon and Shane managed to do quite a bit of fishing. Epic Fishing! Shannon said it was the most exciting fishing they had ever done. Friday they pulled in around 75 fish and Sunday it was OVER 100!!!

MY CUTE BOYS!!!

2006-11-27T17:09:00.000-08:00

Gotta love this shirt

David's Turkey Day hat he made at school

Skyler looking sweet

Nacimiento Lake here we come!!!

2006-11-21T10:15:00.000-08:00

Well this is a map of the actual lake. It looks like a dragon. The place where we will be camping is way up on the hill. It is quite a hike to get from our campground to the lake. I will try and take lots of pictures and post them. This lake is actually a lot of fun on jet skis, but it is way too cold right now for my blood. There were a few guys out there last year on jet skis. Hopefully this summer we will be able to bring the jet skis back here! This trip we will be bringing Shannon's bass boat. The guys go out fishing early every morning (brrr), and in the afternoon (usually just before dusk). They really have a lot of fun. I think we will probably try and take the boys out for a boat ride a couple of times also.

I do not think I will have internet access while I am gone, so no updates, but I want to wish every single one of you "HAPPY THANKSGIVING".

See you Monday!

Love,
Shell

Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

2006-11-19T12:07:00.000-08:00

The Throne
This is the chair the birthday child gets to sit in to open their presents. Look at King David, sitting on his throne!
Blue & White Hair
You can kind see the white on the tips from this angle. I love this picture of Skyler. . .too cute!
All The Kids
Ryan, the birthday boy is the little boy in the front with the blond curly hair
Well, we went to Ryan's birthday party yesterday and it was GREAT FUN!!! They had slides, jump houses, and inflatable obstacle courses. The best part was parents could go too! They had two different play rooms each with three different inflatables, and then a party room with tables and a giant throne for the birthday child to sit in while they open their birthday presents. I will totally consider this place next year for birthday parties. Shannon and I both thought it was way better than Chuck E Cheese. More contained.

It is freezing here today and it is a no burn day. We have been having a fire for the past week or so but yesterday and today are no burn days. I would hate to get a fine for having a fire. I guess I will have to turn on the heater or put more clothes on!

Shannon went to get the oil changed in my car. We will be taking both vehicles to the lake. I will have to tow the boat. I think as soon as he gets back with my car he will go over and get the trailer so we can get started on getting it loaded up and ready to go. Hopefully he will be able to wash it before we go. It was pretty dirty the last time we went camping.

Well it is a pretty quiet day around here today. Too cold outside to do much but watch movies and play. The boys are pretty mellow (knock on wood!) Just hanging out watching Scooby Doo.

I think I will curl up with a blanket and my book (and my puppies) and save my energy for later today when I will start packing up the trailer.

Happy Sunday,

Love,
Shell

Happy WaHoo Day!

2006-11-17T20:17:00.000-08:00

Well, it is Friday again!
Only two more working days and then I am off to the lake for the Thanksgiving holiday for six days!!! I am pretty excited. We are going to try and bring the trailer home this weekend to get it cleaned and packed up so that we can leave Tuesday afternoon/evening and we will wake up Wednesday at Lake Nacimento.
Today was pajama party day at David's school. They were having new blinds installed in their nap room so they had a pajama party in the cafeteria in the afternoon. They got to wear their pjs all day to school and watch videos in the afternoon instead of taking a nap. Skyler was so jealous that he didn't get to wear his pjs to school.
Tomorrow is Skyler's little friend Ryan's fifth birthday party. We are really looking forward to his party. It is at a place called Pump It Up. I have never been there, but from what I understand it is a huge room with bounce houses and slides and we get to play there for a couple of hours during the party. They will also have pizza and cake! I will try to remember to take the camera and get lots of fun shots.
We took the boys to get hair cuts tonight. Skyler had the lady put blue and white gel in his hair and his dad liked it so much he bought the blue gel to bring home. I will get a picture of the blue gelled hair this weekend.
Happy WaHoo Day!
Love,
Shell

Sick Ward. . . . .

2006-11-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

Seems to be at my house.

I got a call yesterday that David wasn't eating his lunch and then the school called back after his nap to say come pick him up, he has a fever. We were able to get him into the Doctor's office and they gave him an antibiotic.

We woke up this morning and Shannon was throwing up. David didn't seem much better so we dropped him off at Sharon's house and he hung out with her today. It looks like he might be getting his molars. Big bumps in the back of his mouth. He seems to be in good spirits right now, but he goes back and forth. He will probably go back to Sharon's tomorrow. We are pretty lucky to have such a good friend who cares about our family!

Hopefully everyone is on the mend. Time to get everyone looking toward getting in bed and getting a good nights sleep.

I will keep you posted. . . . .

The Best Day Ever. . . .

2006-11-10T19:40:00.000-08:00

Over 24 hours of Spongebob Squarepants! It started last night at 8 (or 9) pm and has been going on ever since.

Neither of the boys had school today. I had arranged for a babysitter for the day, but David got sick last night (3am) so Shannon and the boys stayed home together and celebrated "The Best Day Ever".

David is now feeling better (hasn't gotten sick since 8am), but Spongebob is still on our TV. Hopefully the maddness will end soon!!!

It was a pretty busy week. We got David's fall pictures from his school. They turned out great, and hopefully we will get Skyler's pictures soon and I will send them out to everyone.

I think we are going to try and take the boys to see the movie Flushed Away tomorrow as long as David continues to feel good.

Boy oh boy I am tired. Grateful it is Friday.

Off to bed for me!

Love,

Shell