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!!!