For Ages 4 and Up (Way Up)

Sophie received this cute little Leapster for Christmas. It has these really fun games that help her learn the alphabet, spell small words, and begin the process of learning to read. Apparently, Tim finds these games useful as well. Moments before this picture he raised his hands in the air in excitement because he just achieved a new high score. The learning just never stops in this house.

What's wrong?

What's wrong Mommy? Just pretend I'm not standing on this chair....just focus on how cute I am.

Christmas 2008

Noah was very excited to get his new big wheel for Christmas! He and Sophie took a quick ride around the living room before they opened the rest of their presents.

This little butterfly dress with wings is the only thing Sophie wanted for Christmas. We made her open several presents before this and each time you could see her little face getting more and more worried that Santa might have forgotten. So, instead of having her wait until the last present, we let her open it sooner. She was so excited and had to put it on right away!

Noah is showing off his new power tools. Now he can be just like Daddy!

If it has any princess on it, Sophie is in love with it. She's pretty easy to please!

A cute picture of Sophie and Noah with their Auntie Jen....we were so glad she could make it out and spend the day with us! Overall, we feel very blessed and grateful this year. We had such a wonderful day with family and the kids were so excited all day long. Can't wait for next year!

Sophie and Auntie Michelle getting ready for the big day!

Papa and Noah hamming it up for the camera!

Auntie Lourdes reading Sophie a princess story.

Auntie Paula and Mama hanging out and having seconds!

Auntie Jen and Auntie Michelle getting ready to get their grub on.

Noah's New Game

Noah thinks it's really funny to run from me and hide when it's time to get dressed in the morning. This particular morning, he decided to run screaming with laughter to his sister's room.

Noah recruited Sophie to join him in his mischief.

They think they're a bunch of comedians.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! We are feeling very blessed this year and pray for another wonderful year ahead! Here's a picture of Sophie leaving Christmas cookies out for Santa!

Sophie and Noah do their best pose for the camera....can you tell they're giddy with excitement?

Christmas Program 2008

Sophie and her class had their annual Christmas Program this week. She did such a great job singing and was so excited to wear her beautiful Christmas dress!

Here's the whole group together. Sophie was a little nervous at first, but she warmed up quickly and did wonderfully!

Daddy and Sophie after the show.

Sophie and her best friend, Emilie. These two are inseparable at school. They were even a little chatty during the program and the teacher stuck a poor little boy in between them to keep these two quiet!!!

The things we do for a little white stuff

Yesterday, Tim proclaimed there was snow on Mt. Diablo...lots of it. It was freezing cold so there was really no reason to doubt him. We decided to bundle the kids up and take them to our bay area mountain to play and sled in the snow. Long story short.....the trip was freezing, foggy, scary, and included a 10 mile winding road that caused Mommy to, well....let's just say I felt the queasiness in a pull-the-car-over kind of way. Oh yeah, did I mention we never actually made it to the snow? That's right....they closed the road at the top of the hill and some people parked and made the 4.5 mile uphill trek to the snow. We Californians go crazy for a little white stuff!!! We took one look at each other and headed back down the hill. As Sophie said, "It's ok Daddy, maybe another day!"

I'm so cool.

Here's Mr. Cool himself. He thinks he's too cool to smile for Mommy.

Oh, here's the lovable smile I love! See why I have such a hard time disciplining this child?

Merry Christmas to Me!!

It's quite possible I'm starting to fall in love.....with (gasp!) cooking. Who knew a dutch oven named Le Creuset would do the trick?! I have been eyeing this product for a while now, occasionally wondering what all the fuss was about and hearing from other "owners" about their fabulousness. Finally, while Tim and I were shopping, they were offering a deal we couldn't refuse and since I will be cooking Christmas dinner...Tim offered to buy it as an early Christmas present. Now, please understand that I do cook all the time....I just never really enjoyed the process the way others have. I never really obsessed over recipes or felt the need to make the perfect stuffing. It wasn't me....and I don't think it is now.....BUT, I will say this little number has improved my relationship with my kitchen and if I wasn't sold on it before, I am now! For those of you who do not like to cook or never feel like certain dishes come out the right way....you MUST get one of these. It's going to cost you, but I promise your husband (or wife!) will thank you (and me!). Now, I have to go and look up some more delicious recipes to cook in my new cherry red beautiful dutch oven! Seriously, who am I?

Isn't she beautiful? I made a killer chicken tetrazzini tonight.

My Little Bubba

This little boy has challenged me with his cuteness. He knows when he's misbehaving because he will turn on his cuteness to the max and actually make me feel bad for disciplining him. For this, the kid is gifted. He's learning so much every single day, which also means he is in exploration mode constantly.

Noah came into my life almost two years ago and it would be truthful to say my love for him has grown more and more every day. I didn't think it was possible, but I love his name more and more every time I say it (and sometimes loudly) and my love for his personality has grown significantly as well. This kid will be my challenge....and not because he is so darn mischievous, because he just is, but more so because he is just so lovable. He has the cutest pouty face. He is always up for giving endless hugs and loves to cuddle, which makes it very hard to discipline when he is misbehaving. He constantly makes me laugh (just like his Daddy) with his playfulness, personality, and huge smile. When I'm having a bad day at work, I often look at his picture on my desk and imagine myself receiving the biggest hug from him and suddenly my day gets better. His energy is contagious and his excitement for life is inspiring. He is and always will be my sunshine.

Mini Me

I can't figure out why this picture reminds me so much of his Daddy.

Evidence

We bought Sophie her own digital camera for her birthday. It's a cool one for kids, nice and big, fun buttons, and she can even photoshop princesses into her pictures. It works just like my digital camera, but supposedly more "fun." Except for the fact that she prefers the more expensive Canon and can't keep her paws off of mine. I explained to her this morning why she and Noah cannot play with it and put it high up. Surprisingly, she got a hold of it again today....and the evidence is startling.....pictures of Daddy relaxing on the couch, pictures of the Christmas tree with Daddy's foot in the background, pictures of the T.V. with Dora on....hmmmm, maybe I should send Daddy to the thinking corner?

Another fun visit with Santa

It seems we will have yet another 3 year gap between pictures with Noah and Santa. He wanted nothing to do with him this year, last year, and probably the next two years at least....but Sophie is now a brave little girl and loves him! It seems baffling to me that every other kid in line before us sat with Santa happily....both younger and older than Noah. Everyone always tells me their kid cries with Santa too....how come these people are never in line with me? How come I'm the only one with a screaming child? Why am I the only one sweating?

I'm not going to worry about it.....this whole picture with Santa thing is overrated in my opinion. But guess who's going to try again next year???

Fun with Auntie Jen!

Sophie and Noah were so excited to visit with Auntie Jen this past weekend! They decorated the Christmas tree together, showed her all their toys, played outside, and pretty much tired her out! We are very lucky she lives much closer to us so we can enjoy her even more!

Here they are carefully hanging the ornaments on the tree....and then there's Noah who is hamming it up as always!

Auntie Jen and Sophie

Obviously something else was keeping them from looking at the camera (what a surprise).

Auntie Jen getting a mini workout in!

Sophie Girl

This child never ceases to amaze me. She asks me a lot of questions, many of which I do not know the answer to. I often have to do research and get back to her. She is inquisitive, she is incredibly caring and protective, and she is bright beyond belief. She remembers things from two years ago, random things, and recalls places with a photographic memory. She is a sponge, eager to learn, and eager to please. She loves to teach Noah new things and tries her best to show him proper manners at the table. She tries so hard at new tasks and practices on her own until she masters it. She has a sensitive soul and thinks deeper than the obvious. She helps me look forward to every day and reminds me consistently how important it is to always learn, grow, and play. I love her to pieces and thought today was a good day to let her know just how much.

Two Little Monkeys

Noah and Daddy monkeying around. Noah is in a very rough and tumble stage....he is all about tackling people, flipping off couches, jumping over Sierra and riding her like a horse....something tells me he will be in this stage pretty much forever!!

Tony the Turtle Undergoes Surgery

Sophie has been known to stall and come up with numerous excuses at bedtime. We pretty much don't believe 95% of her excuses, but once in a while we'll play along. The other night, Sophie came running out of her bedroom insisting there was a bug in her little turtle nightlight. Obviously, she is delusional and we send her back to bed (good parenting, right?). After I walk her back and turn off her light, I look over at the turtle and see a moving shadow crawling on the inside of her nightlight. Without freaking out (who am I kidding, I hate bugs and am quite confident Sophie has inherited this from me), I call (i.e. scream) for Tim to come and take care of the situation. The following ensued and Tony is currently recovering:

He's folded in half here....see his guts (or stuffing...whatever)?

Tim goes in with his tools.

Carefully putting him back together.

Let's just say Tim would have been out searching for a new Tony the Turtle nightlight if he wasn't able to fix this one and kill the bug...I mean free the bug. Sophie's had this little guy forever and cannot fall asleep without stargazing (thanks Monroe family!).

Heads Up!

This is how Noah likes to play with his blocks. Just make sure everyone maintains a 10 foot radius and nobody will get hurt. He also likes to put them together and stack them, but cleaning them up doesn't seem to be his strength!

The true meaning of Black Friday

Many people do not understand why I would get up at ridiculous hours in the morning to save a few bucks on a few items on the craziest shopping day of the year. Trust me, I used to be that person who thought these early bird doorbusting people were nothing but a bunch of crazies. And then I experienced it, skeptical, making fun of people, and in awe of the complete mania I witnessed. It's crazy; I don't condone aggressive behavior and I hate to read about people getting hurt or trampled....or worse as we have learned this past Black Friday. Over the years, I have learned, for me anyway, that it practically has nothing to do with the shopping (well, I am a sucker for good deals) but it's more about the fun experience I share with my sister and husband and whoever chooses to join us that year. With full bellies we search the ads and come up with a strategic plan, carefully choosing the stores we will invade. We set our alarms and the following morning, not even kidding, is spent laughing hysterically and enjoying the little scavenger hunt we have set up for ourselves. We finish it off by eating a good hearty breakfast, reveling in our great purchases, and just enjoying each other.

To me, Black Friday and the spirit of Christmas are two completely separate things. I promise you.....find a fun girlfriend, sister, guy friend, whoever.....find someone that you enjoy being with and I promise it will become your next favorite yearly tradition!!!

Happy Thanksgiving....And Black Friday!

We are so lucky to be able to spend Thanksgiving in Reno with my family this year. We are feeling very blessed and grateful and pray for a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

Okay, enough with the sap. This is a day to rejoice and spend time with family...but it is also the day that the Palaroan sisters strategize and prepare for our annual shopping competition, oh, I mean event. In addition to shopping for ourselves and trying to find great buys (I am in the hunt for a new Sonicare toothbrush and some luggage...text me if you know of any good deals...seriously), we are also shopping for a couple of needy families we have adopted for the holidays. So, the stakes are high and we are sticking to a list this year...no random items (unless, of course, they are practically a steal) and I'm a little concerned about a certain variable we haven't had to deal with: Reno weather. Actually, it's more like freaking cold Reno weather. We are looking at temps in the teens when we are out shopping in the wee hours of the morning....I am hoping this doesn't slow us down. I think we will have to properly stretch beforehand, maybe have Tim stay in the car and keep it running on high heat. I don't know...my mind is running a mile a minute and I need to get back to planning and stop blogging. Best of luck fellow shoppers....may the good deals find you!

Here we go again

Tim has once again decided to grow a beard for the holidays, his so-called gift to the world. I don't know if it's his way of hibernating for the season or what, but I have tried numerous tactics to get him to shave it off. Needless to say, all of them have been unsuccessful. My last attempt today was telling him he looked like an angry mountain man and I thought he was starting to scare the children. He ended up just laughing at me. Maybe he is trying to be Santa Claus...I don't know. The Youngberg side keeps telling me they can't grow beards....I don't believe them anymore. Tim's beard, although hard to see in this picture, is full and less than a week old. And unless they would like to volunteer trying to kiss this guy, then their vote doesn't count anymore!

Tim is trying to tell me he resembles Justin Timberlake and his beard. For some reason, it's not working for me...

Taking Bets

My parents were nice enough to give us their old couches (which aren't really old at all) since they purchased a new set. Tim and I are currently taking bets on when the first "accident" will occur with these lovely kinda new couches!

Here's Sophie and Noah inspecting the couches bounce potential.

Here's Noah getting buried in the pillows and cushions...he later catapulted himself from one couch to the next.

Jackpot!

Tim was cleaning out the attic while getting down the Christmas decorations and he found a few of my purses (okay, maybe he found a lot of my purses) that I no longer use. I decided to bring several down and I will actually attempt to rotate them instead of carrying around the same boring purse day after day...after all, Burberry, Louis, and Coach do not deserve to collect dust in a musty old attic! Anyway, as I was looking through the purses, I felt something crisp in one of the zippers....crisp in a monetary kind of way. I reached in and pulled out not one, but two $20 bills! The way I reacted you would have thought I won the lottery (I'm still working on that goal, by the way)....but nevertheless...$40 to start my day off right! Yes!

Relax and Rejuvenate

Here is the view we had from dinner. Not my picture, but that's pretty much the exact view!

Tim had a gift certificate for a free night at one of the Westin hotels, so we decided to cash in and spend the night in the city. We stayed at the St. Francis and it was wonderful. We had a great outdoor dinner on top of the city overlooking Union Square, enjoyed some adult conversation (well, for the most part), and took some time to just be husband and wife.

I absolutely love the city....the excitement, the lights, the nonstop activity, and the unique people that belong to it...there are moments when I think I can be a city girl, but then I realize it would be an ideal situation only if I was single, without children, and a career woman. Unfortunately, I don't fit any of these categories...career woman would be pushing it considering I require at least three months off out of the year! But, it's definitely great to live so close to San Francisco that we can enjoy all it has to offer, while also being able to go home to our nice little suburban bubble. It was a fantastic weekend...hopefully we can get away more often!

They like each other!

Not every moment in the Youngberg household is spent pushing each other off couches, kicking each other out of bedrooms or fighting over toys....most times they are spent playing nicely, laughing, and even hugging it out.

Future Picasso

Noah loves to draw and makes our trips in the car ten times more manageable with him occupied with his little doodlepad and other notebooks. Hopefully, this kid will share his gift with the world and support his Mommy and Daddy!

He's a champ at drawing circles.

He also likes to walk around in in everyone else's shoes. Little does he know how hard it is to walk in my shoes!

I can't make this stuff up....

Tim and I are often in awe of DNA, especially when our children prove to us that certain things just can't be taught. Sophie seems to be a little too much like me and I'm not so sure how Tim feels about this! Tim and Sophie were in the car today and she told her Daddy that she was thirsty. Tim proceeded to give her a bottle of water. Sophie took one look at the water, noticed it was half gone and asked Daddy if he had a drink from it (yes, most of you know where this is going and unfortunately, so did Tim). After responding with a slow and skeptical, "Yeessss," Sophie gave the bottle of water back and told him she was no longer thirsty.

We've been noticing similar behavior lately and neither of us chose to point it out and decided to chalk it up to coincidence, but the evidence has slowly been stacking up against us. She refuses to share her beverages with anyone and also refuses to drink out of anyone else's cup. She won't allow different foods on her plate to touch each other and sharing anything that anyone has pretty much touched recently or ever for that matter, means it's off limits to her. I'm not even kidding about this....and for her sake, I'm not even going to fight her. I think Tim wants to break this cycle, but being the germaphobe that I am (is that a word?), I'm willing to let it slide for both our sakes!

BTW---I still can't do it. I have lied to friends and have said there will be a day when I might share a beverage with them, but that day never came. And let's be honest here....it never will. Tim's still waiting to share a bottle of water with me and on the rarest occasions (i.e. I'm choking) I might take a sip. I know....I'm weird.

Beware

Don't let this cute little face fool you. One minute she will be telling you how "you are the best (insert intended compliment here: Mommy, hot chocolate maker, hugger, bracelet fixer) ever!" And then, in an instant, she will turn on you. She refuses just about every meal I serve her, "pants" is not a term in her vocabulary or her wardrobe for that matter, "I don't like" seems to be the first three words out of her mouth these days, and her sleep habits have regressed to that of a newborn baby.

Bottom line, she is an exact replica of me when I was her age and everyone who was lucky enough to witness my childhood will attest to this. Unfortunately for me, I am learning on a daily basis how to deal with....how shall I say this...myself? I have two very expensive pieces of papers (i.e. college degrees) that have taught me nothing on how to work with a four-year-old. I have studied every psychologist and their so-called theories and nothing has helped in reasoning with a pre-schooler. I'm not looking for a parenting manual...I'm just searching for a little sanity as we get through this particular stage (I know there will be more difficult stages...thank you moms who have been there and now have grown children). Seriously, is this why people drink?

The Little Things

I went to Starbucks and realized the time had arrived (so early!) for "red cup season." You could tell other people were excited too, walking out with their beautiful bright red cups signifying the beginning of the holiday season. I have to say I had an extra skip in my step as it reminded me of the wonderful days ahead...

It doesn't take much to put a smile on my face!!

"In my heart I know you didn't come here just for me, you came here because you believe in what this country can be. In the face of war, you believe there can be peace. In the face of despair, you believe there can be hope. In the face of politics that has shut you out, that has told you to settle, that has divided us for too long, you believe we can be one people, reaching for what is possible, building that more perfect union."
--President-Elect Barack Obama

An extra hour of chaos

I don't know if I like the whole "fall back" concept anymore. It's obvious this tradition wasn't invented by parents of small children because this has been the longest day of my life thus far. First of all, gone are the days when you could rejoice and enjoy an extra hour of sleep. This morning I was pleasantly greeted an hour early (or so the clock told me). The rest of the day I was pretty much confused, wondering why it felt like 3 o'clock in the afternoon when in actuality it was only noon. How did I only fall back one hour, yet it feels like three? How does that work? And how come my children are NEVER tired? All I know is today needs to end....I need a do over....I will be ready for this tomorrow, I swear.

Boo!

Another Halloween has come and gone. The kids had a great time trick-or-treating and Sophie had a fun harvest party at school today. All in all, the kids are full of sugar and Mommy and Daddy are exhausted! Here's a few pictures from the evening!

Noah is ready to go! My little cow was running around yelling "Moo!" everywhere.

This is scary Cinderella.

The proverbial porch picture.

OK, so maybe Noah wasn't too fond of being a cow on Halloween. It was too cute to pass up and I figure it is our last Halloween where Tim and I will ever have any real influence on his costume. He adjusted quite well and was the happiest cow by the end of the night!!!