Teddy Bear Tea 2008

This weekend Kailtyn and I went to the 14th annual Teddy Bear Christmas Tea. This year was our thrid year going and I have to say as Kailtyn is getting older she enjoys it more. She loved getting dressed up this year. She learned to twirl her dress and requested that I do SOMETHING special with her hair. So as most little girls curl their hair for that SPECIAL look, Kailtyn has to flat iron hers for a SPECIAL look. Either way she still looks special. Getting very grown up . She pleaded with her brother to go outside and pick her Bear a rose and after much protesting he brought back a rose out of the backyard for the bear. Such a girly girl. Not sure where she gets that from ......

Halloween 2008

Fairys are particular scary but one could say they are a treat.. specially since they are so sweet as my special fairy.

Happy 6th Birthday....

I can't believe she 6 now. We survived with 8 little girls screaming thru the house and chowing down on all the candy they could get their hands on.

The princess castle cake was a hit along with the pinta.

The party was a success and I survived!

Bad blogger, BAD!

I'm sorry I have been so bad and not updating my blogg, its been more than 6 crazy months since I last updated!

I am going to try to be better as I find it useful to help me document our lives. I have been so busy with fiscal year end at work, tax season fast approaching here at work and general life with kids. Kailtyn now has homework and soccer games and practices during the week. And I have my own homework to complete every week. All I can say is I'm glad there is light at the end of the tunnel.

San Jose Childrens Museum

The other weekend we took

Kailtyn to the Childrens Musuem in San Jose. She loved it and I was suprised it was not as crowded as I was fearing. She is my science girl. She loved the spinning top area and so did Sean. She enjoyed making very large bubbles.

The craft section was her favorite. The craft of the day was to build boats from recycle products. She worked her magic and her boat was the first sample of someone flipping over the syrafoam square. The aids were quite impressed. She flipped it over and punched holes in the top for the sails and because it was inverted the water did not sink it. very clever little ladie the aid told her! Of course she was beaming from ear to ear the rest of the day. ( see the center pic of the boat)

Deaver Getaway

I was able to get away with my scrap sisters for my first EVER weekend away.

I can not tell you how much fun and relaxation I had. We stayed at a beautiful B&B in Amador County. Amador country was SO beautiful. The hills were still green and the BEST thing was there were Lilacs everywhere. I thought I was in heaven.

There were many more wineries than I expected. I fell in love with many of them.

I came home with 12 new bottles of wine stashed away.

Don't dare ask how much scrappin we did because the wine was flowing......

GOLF, GOLF, GOLF....

Jeez, this brings back some serious memories of my child hood... being on the golf course with my Dad... just like Kailtyn is now.

Sean bought Kailtyn her own clubs, pink golf bag and of course pink golf balls.

I think the golf gene runs in the family because she can smack the ball well.

Her favorite part is putting though AND of course driving the golf cart when she can....

Life in General.... a general update of sorts

Life has been good... we got rain for the drought and now we're getting lots of warm rays.
This is the first year for me back at work in an office with NO WINDOWS!!!!! UGH! I'm not feeling very spring like as I usually am.
Work is getting slower the majority of tax filings have happened we have reached the peak and its all down hill from here... at least thats what the veteran tell me here at the Enterprise.
I have not picked up my camera it feels like for months, not even for the lunar eclipes which was AWESOME.
Spring break is around the corner and for me that means a couple extra days off as Kailtyns christian school closes for the break.
Last friday I had my two wisdon teeth out and that was an expereince I'm glad I don't need to live thru again, I truely would rather have another baby.... and thats not going to happen.
So I spent the weekend of lovely spring weather in my bed! UGH!
Well hopefully I can make it up this weekend and get some things done.
The easter bunny needs to get some shopping done!

Does anyone care to share any easter traditions or recipes?
There is a lime jello salad mold with creamsheese and marshmellow I love to make , the sad thing is I'm the only one that like to eat it!

Kaitlyn's First Ride

Not sure who was happier when Kaitlyn finally decided to ride her dirtbike that has been sitting in the garage for the last two years. Maybe it was the new riding gear we had to buy last weekend becasue she out grew the last set? Anyways not sure if Kailtyn was more excited or Daddy was!

She gave Daddy ALOT of excersie today, .. made me think of the Forest Gump movie... runn Forest run.....

Christmas 2007

It was rough trying to enjoy the holidays is the usual style now that I have been back to the working world. Alot less time and energy to spend on the festivities of the holiday season.

We did make the Festival of Trees Teddy Bear Tea and we made the Dance studios version of the Nutcraker. I make lovely hand made christmas card back in late October to get a jump on the season... sorry those didn't make it out of the scrapbag from the crop day they were made at ...so sad! Anyways I hope all had a lovely holiday season and best wishes in the New Year.

Carmel Mission

California has its own history, like any place, I love history and since I come from New England it has a special place in my heart. The boys didn't learn much about the New England history growing up here in Cal but in four grade they had to create a mission.

I lived near Mission San Jose for 10 years and never really visited, I attended Mass but didn't really think it was more than a church. After helping the boys with their projects I got a new understanding of Missions. I hope to visit as many of them as I can before leaving california. This mission here is in Carmel, it was very moving to walk around this mission. I really like the spanish style. So rustic and distressed!

It was a great place to visit!

What happened to November?

Yet another month has gone by way too fast.
The saying the grass is always greener on the other side, I'm feeling it now!
I can barely remember that I use to complain that I had TOO MUCH TIME...

The job is going good, I LOVE the 10 minute commute, it really works for me.
I have cleaned up the accounting mess and stream lined some processes so things have slowed down. There is even down time I can get in a little homework, that really helps when I get home and all I want to do is suckup all the time I can with Kaitlyn.

Kailtyn has changed so much, she is a regular chatterbox. She is my little shadow and helps me with everything. Its so much fun and she has an amazing personalitiy.

Sean's back is getting better, he rushed being back to work but he making progress.

Thanksgiving Day was quiet, and my mom arrived the next day for a 10 day visit.
We took an overnight trip to Carmel/Monterey. We stayed at the Monterey Plaza Hotel, it was awesome, just LOVE that place. It was right on Cannerey Row. Have a great weekend of shopping. I will post some pics soon.

Next weekend we hope to get the Christmas decorations out and up .

October Happenings

I can't believe its been a month since Iupdate my blog.... I rememeber the days I would search out my favorite blogger and be just a little miffed it there was nothing new! So now I'm the guilty one of what getting a life? Yes now my life is SOOO full my head hurts.....

We got thru Kailtyns 5th birthday this weekend, she was so into it , very excited and very aware of everything going on.... we held the party off site at Party HEarty.. a warehouse with five blowup jumpy the kids go wild on.. they ran themselves crazy and sweaty, we fed they cake open presents and went home 3 hours later to a quiet clean house!!! LOVED IT!!!

Included the family shot for those of you asking about Sean's back surgery... he had out patient back surgery to remove a bluging disc in his lower back. Last friday after hours at the hopsital waiting I drove him home at tem pm all drugged up . The doctor wants him out of work for a month, not sure if he'll last all month or not. He as been recouping slowly by sitting and standing while working on his latest RC Airplane and new gas engine for this huge thing.

The job has become very chanllenging cleaning up the mess from the prior accountant. The companies fiscal year end was 9/30 so the hours of auditing and correcting is starting to make me cranky! Thankfully there is left over birthday cake to relieve the stress..... which leads into the next update.... the diet... ahh tried today Monday to start backup.. after an icrediable stressful day at the office I caved and ate some mash potaotes and cake for dinner while trying to catchup on my homework.. which has slipped a little.. coupldn't catchup with the amount of weekend activitites I had this weekend.

I hopefull i can catchup and keep my sanity even if I have three birthday parties in two days to cart Kailtyn around too!!!
whewwww....

I'll try to update sooner , I'm also realizing I'm not taking as many pics as before.
And a BIG special THANKS to my buddy Shauna who took all the pics at Kailtyn party so I could be in some of them ;) Thanks so much!!!

Pink Poodle for an early Halloween

Kailtyn found her Halloween costume last weekend when we were out shopping on Sunday.

A poodle for Halloween? AHHHHH Hmmmm maybe you should be something else I suggested. We walked the store trying to get her to possibly change her mind.... needless to say the mind wasn't changed and the costume will probably be worn out before Halloween. At least tis not getting just one night of use. She has fallen alseep in it more than once. Its such thick fleece and probably very cozy for her even in 85 degree weather!

getting back in the groove....

Oaky so I'm in the NEW PHASE.... I am so trying to get adjusted to working outside the home, the laudry and the dishes pile up and I feel so far behind in the housework when I come home from a whole day at the office...

Kailtyn is adjusting well, most of the time when I pick her up from extended care she doesn't want to leave.... what a relief... she goes there for about 5 minutes in the am so I can get across town by 8am for my job. She runs right in and doens't even look back....

I am in LOVE with the commute and driving my new car makes it even that much more enjoyable. I leave at 7:30 drop the kids off and I'm at my desk by 8am...LOVE IT.

The job is going well, I am learning the ropes . Their yearend is the end of Sept so I'm sure things will get busier soon.

Not much else new.. just learn to get back into the groove of working 8 hours a day!

The next phase....

Ever feel like life is lived in stages? I feel that way. You have the stage of HS, then college, living on your own with your first REAL job, relationships, marriage/newleyweds, motherhood ( although you never grow out of this one/ mothering is a life long commitment), raising little ones, then ..... you slowly start to get YOUR identity back.....your not the Mommy.. slowwly you get to complete a project without interuptions from the little ones, then they learn to entertain themselves and form friendships.....

The place I'm going with this is I have been soaking up or embracing a new phase in my life.

Kailtyns in Kindergarden, matt's learning to drive ... and I got a new job!

Yes I got the job I wanted and interviewed for last week. I start tuesday. I am so excited!

It's a tax/accounting software company right here in Tracy. Its 10 minutes from my house.

They offered me great money and is a job that will utilize all my accounting skills. I have been walking on cloud nine since thursday!

With this new phase and after drive Kaitlyn and Matt to school the last two weeks in the Mustang, I was beginning to feel confined and it was a pain to get Kailtyn ina nd out of her car seat in the back of the Mustang. Sooooo..... driving by a car lot on the way to the Mall to get some new clothes for the new job .. this car caught my eye. Last november we test drove one but wasn't ready to let go of the Mustang then... I stopped and test drove the CHarger for 2 hours... I ended up bringin it home for Sean to checkout because its used.. only 9k miles!...

long story short we brought it home last night! I absolutely LOVE it.... its my first Car ( other than the convertiable in almost 10 years! We did the minivans, the jeeps, the suvs ( yes we still have the excursion.. the xlarge SUV) so now I have this beautiful car.. and its so luxurious inside I am sooo lovin it.. gotta get my homework done so we can take a drive .. maybe to the coast or the City, althought the Bay Bridge going into SFO is closed this weekend.....

Will I miss the convertiable? Yes there is a pang in my heart as I drove away... I'm trying to focus on the moonroof, the dvd for Kailtyn and all the room we have to stretch out..... and oh yeah the cooler color here in the 104 temps of late.

Not any slower....

This last week flew by.... I had grandous plans of projects I would complete around the house before going back to work... none got accomplished.

Monday started with an interview with an Employment agency that two of my friends recommended. So I pulled out and dusted off my suit and selected aconservative top that Matt and Sean approved. I scheduled a haircut just before the interview so I wouldn't stress figuring how to use the hairdryer and flat iron... did they still work after a 5 year hiberation?
The shot of it... the interview went well and my refernces were glowing.. I secured an interivew with a accounting software company right here in TRACY!!! AHHHHH no commute over the hill was that possible to make decent money without commuting? There is hope....

Tuesday I went to the Galt Flea market with my friend Gloria. It was SOOOO hot but got some great deals on things I didn't know I needed. ;) We stopped at the only scrapbbok store left in Lodi and got inspired by some new papers which I purchased and they are still in the bag on my desk, maybe this coming week I'll get the time...after school I took Kaitlyn to the gym's pool and she had a blast going down the water tubes by herself. She has really excelled in swimming this year.

Wednesday I went to Walmart/ Costco and the Mall ALLL by myself!!! in record time!
I pickup Matt and took him off campus for a quick lunch. Then preceded to waste the rest of the day ;(

Thursday I cleaned my living room put on the new couch slip covers and did a major dusting. Then I pickeup the kids and got ready for my 5:30 job interview. The interview went well, not your tradition corporate interview but then again we're talking a small farming family going corporate. So some of the question were over the line in accordance to HR ediqutte but I really like the owners... I felt like I was back east.. not a Silicon corporation.

Friday, Sean and I drove to sacramento after dropping the kids to school for this neosurgon appointment. Our thoughts were confirmed, Sean will have to have surgery to fix his back pain. He has a herniated buldging disc. So now the preparation/planning mood begins. I also got feed back on the interview from Thursday night... they want me back for a second interview on Wednesday afternoon. pls keep your fingers crossed for me on wednesday ;)

Saturday, yesterday, I bought Matt a new computer for his room at a liquidation warehouse. A friend of Matt's is a computer guru and guided Matt with his suggestions. We got an awesome deal. Matt was so happy... he was cranking the tunes out of his iPod thru is new $25 speakers and subwoofer and enjoying his own internet connection in his room.

Sunday today.... hmmm got a paper for school to complete and lot of household chores that are screaming for attention.... hopefully I can get some done.

I realize this is not the most exciting post but as I mentioned before I also use blogging to document the passing of time for my scrapping. ;)

Lots going on....

There is never a dull moment and for this I feel I am blessed... tired but blessed.
The last week we have survived the ups and downs of life rather well.

Kaitlyn had strepp throat and very high fever. The doctor visit included strepp culture, blood work and a pee sample.. The last was the worst. Then the issue with the Amoxacillin.. we did not get the pink stuff... we got orange.. it took both Sean and I to hold her down to take the orange stuff... we both felt like horrible parents. The next day I DEMANDED the pink stuff.. so a few more days of that...

Matt has completed his first week as a Junior in a new high school and was ontime EVERYDAY... now thats something to celebrate!!!

The Toy recall put me in a tail spin, I scoured the house for every polly pocket piece.
Although Kaitlyn doesn't put anything in her mouth I wasn't going to take any chances with the daycare kids... not to mention our two retrievers who greet us with toys in their mouths everytime we come back to the house. I boexed up all Polly stuff and sending them away!!!

I gave my notice to my last daycare family. I am ready to go back to work. The job search and getting back in touch with old contacts has me on an emotional roller coaster. So many possiblities. I'm excited , nervous and anxious. I am looking forward to getting out of the house and using my brain. I feel good that Kaitlyn is in school and enjoying it.

The diet plan has been derailed because of the emotional rollercoaster of this past week, however getting on the scales this morning I still lost 2 lbs without trying... is worrying a fat burner? I thought stress makes you retain weight. Anyways I was thankful as this weekend I need to shop for something to where for interviews....

School is going great. love this Marketing class I'm taking. Iam hoping to find a local job so I won't need to use valuable school/study time to commute. I WILL complete my degree in 2008 its a must!

Anyways the ranting is done, documenting is done.. its time to move on to the weekend.
Saturday I am going to go scrapbooking from 10 am to midnight!!!! I am so excited I haven't done this in a couple months. I usually don't get much done but the soical aspect is soo much fun!

Rock n Roll girl....

There she is our new musical protege....

okay thats what Daddy may wish but her interest in music has really picked up in the last 6 months. Saturday in our travels we 'found' this barbie guitar.. it was love a t first sight. She even said... "look Mommy we can plug in OUR iPod right here and I can play my songs!"

Not sure when MY iPod became OUR iPod unless it was when she was enjoying Justin Timberlakes Summer Love song for the 40th time ( no kidding theres a feature on my iPod that shows the number of times a song is played!)

Good thing the Christian Academy has a STRONG music program that starts in KINDERGARTIN! And I think she'll soon give her brother a run for his money on his guitar hero video game! Watchout Matt!

Remodeling progress

Progress is being made..... with Sean off last monday and tuesday he made some significant progress on the shower.

In fall 2004, we added on to our house a two story addition. We got two additonal bedrooms down stairs and extended our master room into a suite with a much larger shower and a two person jaguzzi jet tub.

The master bath took a back seat to Sean'ss job changes and long hours working and of course the family trait of procrastination....

so almost three years later , fall 2007 we might have at least a completed shower.. next the is the tile around the new tub that is buried underneath all that construction 'junk'...

the long two sink vanity was completed in summer 2005 when we had relative visit and we needed the sinks to be installed in our room...

Sean is a perfectionist so every four or five tiles that are laid they are then checked with a level.. so of ocurse as with any project its taking longer than expected.