Knott's Berry Farm

Ryan, Kevin, Bonnie & Will

 

Cousins:  Scott, Zachary, Jonah, Ryan & Will

 

During our three weeks off at Christmas (i love that modified-traditional school schedule), we spent a day at Knott's Berry Farm.  It had been 10+ years, since either one of us has been there.  The kids were so excited as they spotted Charlie Brown.  Their uncle Jacob has taught them to LOVE all things Charlie Brown.  Then, they dragged us onto the dragon swing a million times.  My stomach had enough after four times.  

One of the greatest highlights was sitting by the entrance to the park.  Knott's had a full sized Nativity Scene displayed there.  I thought it was very cool of them.  (note to self - send thank you card to knott's).  And thanks to Nana for the great idea of going to Knott's.  We had a lot of fun!

New Year's at Nana's

This was something new for 2009... Kevin with a mohawk.  On New Year's Eve, Kevin asked me to cut his hair.  Kevin's sister, Pam said that I should give him a mohawk.  It was more of a faux-hawk... but it was funny.  Kevin was a great sport about it.  But, it only lasted about 36 hours before I had to cut the rest for a more professional, clean-cut (kevin) look.  So, it's a good thing I got a couple of pictures.  I am sure he's going to be thrilled that I am posting these on the www.  

We were at Kevin's parents house for New Years.  Kevin & I offered to let the kids stay up until midnight... if they would take a nap.  So, we all laid down at 3:00p.m. and woke up at 7:00p.m.  It felt great to have a nap... I think this will become a great family tradition.  Then, it was on to games galore:  Speed Scrabble (Take Two),  Wits and Wagers, Boggle, Blokus, Monopoly (Electronic Banking Edition), Apples to Apples, Ticket to Ride, TransAmerica, Word Pirates, Zingo, Cherry O', and more.  Then the PS2 was busy with Lego Batman, Lego Star Wars, Lego Indiana Jones and of course SING STAR.  Pam (Kevin's sister) and I, totally get into it.  We have some hilarious video of us singing Whitney Houston and making up lyrics.  Just thinking about 80's music makes me LOL.  

Grand Graham Cracker House

          

As a tradition, we get together and make graham cracker houses.  This year I started going a little over the top.  I made a house that was two stories, with stairs, and fire place.  Then I had to take my children to the bowling alley.  When I returned, Keriann and Jacob had picked up where I left off.  They added a christmas tree, a couch, a dinning room table, chairs, and a tv.  It  was great... so, I just had to post a couple of pictures of the "Massive Mansion".  (That was the awarded name)  

Christmas in a cabin

Ryan licking icicles.

Brock & Will climbing hill to sled under tree loop.

Dad & Mom braving a blizzard to talk to Mark.

This year for Christmas we went with my side of the family to a cabin in the local mountains.  My sister found a great cabin roomy enough to fit 18 of us.  (The dinning table was long!)  It was great to have a white Christmas.  The first night was Christmas Eve... and we had a lot to do.  I got started in the kitchen making ham, potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls, salad, etc... Erin (my sister) tracked down a Christmas tree.  Grandma helped the grandchildren make all of the ornaments.

After our feast, we went through all the linen closets and found towels to make the nativity costumes with.  All of the children looked so funny.  It was cute.  I was trying to direct them, so I do not have any pictures... good thing Erin did.  (I love having a photographer as a sister).  After some hot chocolate and games... we sent the children to bed.  Then, Santa's helpers got busy.

 

Christmas morning was exciting.  The usual - children open presents, children are happy, children go play - adults pickup an excessive about of wrapping paper, tissue, and break down boxes.  The best part came a few hours later, after lunch.  When William made an observation out loud.  He said (dead serious), "I think that Nate got the most presents.  But that doesn't make sense,  because he is the naughtiest kid".  I think that everyone in the room was dying with laughter.  His cousin, Nate does get into a little bit of trouble, but the best part was that Will was not complaining about it.  He said it very matter-of-fact, like he was a reporter.  Like he was auditing Santa's work.

Later that day, we did some sledding and then we headed down to the lake.  The clearing of the trees apparently provided better cell phone coverage.  We all got a chance to talk to my brother Mark.  He is currently living in Vermont serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He was getting a good laugh, reminding us that a 26 degree sleet-storm was not that bad.  (His current all time low is NEGATIVE 25 degrees.)  I can't wait to send him this picture of my parents braving the elements to get the chance to talk to him on Christmas Day.  

To remind him of just how much we love him.  

Only in Southern California

So, this morning I step out into our yard to get a couple of oranges, for some fresh squeezed orange juice.  And this is the view...  snow covered mountains and palm trees.

Now, I have a serious dilemma.   Do we play hooky to drive to the beach or to the mountains to play in the snow? Life is full of hard choices.

p.s. I have I told you that I love Southern California? 

  

Confession

Will and I played hooky today.  He declared that it was too cold to go to pre-school.  It was kind of cold for California.  But, my brother living in Vermont (with a high of 22 degrees) would beg to differ.  

However, it was one of those mornings when you just want to stay in your pj's.  So we indulged ourselves, and did just that.  We made pancakes and hot chocolate for breakfast.  Then, we just snuggled up on the couch and read books.  Mostly Dr. Suess and early reader Star Wars books. We did not get out of our pj's until noon.  Basically, until we had to leave the house to pick Ryan up from school.  It was fun.  I know... the school police are going to come after me.  Hee Hee!   

It's beginning to look like Christmas

Will, Bonnie, Kevin & Ryan at tree lighting ceremony.

This year's Christmas celebration as gotten off to a great start.  Saturday morning, I went to a Relief Society Brunch.  The center piece at every table was a manger.  There were six women in the ward that were asked to read brief descriptions of life and events of women that lived during the time of Christ.  The presidency then gave everyone a tile with the following saying, "Are you part of the INN crowd or one of the STABLE few?"   We ended the brunch with a slideshow of pictures of Christ with Christmas music.  It was perfect.  I wish I had some pictures to post.

Then on Sunday evening, Kevin & I took our children, some friends and some extended family to the annual community tree lighting ceremony.  (The tree looks pretty small in the pictures.  However, it was a fourteen foot tree.  We were just pretty far away.)  Then everyone returned to our house for dinner and a great dessert... thanks to Shannon's mom.

It is delightful to spend time and celebrate with friends and family this time of year!  I look forward to seeing more family & friends... that will be coming into town during the next few weeks... or at least seeing their Christmas cards. (Lizzy - my mom can't stop talking about how cute yours is!)  

Anyway, from our house to yours, "We wish you a Merry Christmas!"

  

For Mothers Everywhere

Our friends, Jamie & Maggie

Okay, this story is for all the mothers out there.  Just yesterday, I was watching Maggie (my friend Shannon's little girl).  Her mother and I switch off baby sitting, so we can volunteer up at the elementary schools that our older children attend.  I was just about to walk out of the door with Will & Maggie (giving myself an extra ten minutes) to go and pick up Ryan from school... when Maggie filled her diaper.  Realizing that I do not have her diaper bag and calculating that it will be about 45 minutes until I meet Shannon... I improvise.  I remember that I have a small stash of leftover cloth diapers (that were decorative handouts at a recent baby shower).  So, I grab a cloth diaper and some wet paper towels and begin to tackle the mess.  At that exact moment, Will's nose starts gushing blood.  I direct him over by the phone to a box of tissues and quickly attempt to clean a bottom and safety pin a cloth diaper.  Will leaves a nice trail of blood all over the carpet.  After, I get the bloody nose under control I glance at the clock.  We still have one minute before we will be late... so I pull Will's bloody clothes off and put fresh ones on, and spray spot remover on the carpet.  I am now totally sweating from running around.  Then, I huddle everyone out to the garage.  I run inside to grab the tissue box... just in case the wad up his nose is not enough.  When I return to the garage, I begin to pick up Maggie to strap her into the car seat, but I realize she has just wet herself.  I strip off her shoes and pants and leave them in a puddle on the garage floor.  I grab the other cloth diaper that I have and some of Will's old underwear to use as a makeshift diaper cover?  I know that I am going to look to some as the "late mom, with a half naked child."  But I feel accomplished... like I have taken lemons and made lemonade.  So I strap everyone in and head for Ryan's school.  I am ten minutes late.  When I get to Ryan's class she asks, "Where have you been?"  

I just had to LAUGH OUT LOUD!

I should tell her the truth - that being a mother is like crisis management.  It is the best and worst job in the world.  Becoming a mother is like falling in love.  It's CRAZY but there is nothing better in the whole world.  But, I know that no words can adequately describe that.  I just hope that one day she will know for herself.

So, to all the mothers out there... our job is both the best and the worst at times... but it is always the most important!  Thank you for doing your job...  and I promise that I will not be too judgmental if you show up late with a half naked child to school one day.    :)

P.S.  if you like to laugh... I highly recommend motherhood for you.  Laughing is a required attribute for the job.  (Otherwise you go insane). 

Thanksgiving

Kevin and his brothers, Dave and Mike.

Well, a could list a few thousand things that I am thankful for... but who wants to read that blog?  In order to simplify (and not put everyone to sleep) I will just list two.  First and foremost, I am thankful for my Heavenly Father... who has blessed me so much.  Secondly, I am thankful for my husband and his family.  I am grateful that I have spent every Thanksgiving with them for the last nine years.  As you can see, every year the feast gets bigger and better. This year, Mike cooked over forty pounds of turkey, ham and prime rib roast.  Mike - hats off to you!  Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!  

There's nothing like spending Thanksgiving in Huntington Beach.  Okay... I have to add a third.  I am thankful that my husband is smart enough not to go surfing - after the first rains of the season have washed everything from the gutters into the ocean.  Even if the surf was good.  You're such a great man, I am lucky that I married you.      

Fall

Will and his blue eyes.

I have no idea where Ryan gets that from?

One of the many stops along the hike.

Leaves are falling all around... right?  If not, then according to one of my children it is not Fall. Apparently, William believes that the season of Fall is only during the moments that you visually see leaves falling.  I have tried to explain it... but no point in getting into an argument with a four year old.  Luckily for us, there were plenty of leaves on our hike in the local mountains with Grandma Janet.    

This is Halloween!

Our jack-o-latern masterpiece

Reagan, Mrs. Richards, and Ryan at Fall Festival

Kiele, Cara, Janelle, Kathryn, Olivia & Will at Pre-School Halloween Party

We had a great Halloween!

(minus this song) 

My husband loves just about every kind of music... and likes to have it on most of the time.  For the most part I do not mind.  Occasionally... it drives me crazy.  Like, when he is losing his patience waiting for me to be ready to go.  Then when we get in the car - no matter how LATE we are - or- how SHORT of a distance to our destination - he will spend five minutes putting in some tunes.  Seriously, we used to live across the street from the grocery store... and he would still search for some tunes before driving out of the parking lot and crossing the street.

This year he updated Ryan and Will's MP3 players - and the song from the Nightmare Before Christmas "THIS IS HALLOWEEN" is now sung around the house constantly!  I never thought that I would say this BEFORE Thanksgiving - but bring on the Christmas Carols - I'm tired of the one Halloween song that is stuck in my head.

But, we are still loving the fruits of our labor (trick or treating).  We collected candy at five different events this year.  We gorged until our dental cleaning appointments mid November.  I promised Uncle Mark who is on his mission in New Hampshire that I would ship him the rest.  Just what every missionary needs - a serious sugar high!  

 

Our Trip to Big Bear Lake

Will & me trying to stay warm Ryan the cold water lover

        

Kevin a.k.a. Mr. Athletic

Apples... apples...

Will feeding the goats

Ryan with antlers

Ryan, Will and Ryan

We seized upon a great opportunity (a half day of school) to go up to Oak Glen with friends.  Cheryl and I were the Room Parents in kindergarten last year.  Cheryl's boys are the same ages as Ryan and Will.  Our Ryan (Ryan G.) and Ryan T.  have spent countless hours playing alongside Ben & Will... and us mothers have enjoyed watching them, while sitting in the shade and chatting.  At Oak Glen, the kids were content playing with the dirt.  We did manage to have a small picnic, and check out the goats.  We purchased a 5lb. bag of small Granny Smith apples.  Now we need to plan a play date to decorate some carmel apples with m&m's, nuts, and maybe some gummy worms.       

Where the Wild Things Are...

Reminds me of Pinocchio when the boys turn into donkeys

Ryan & Jamie

Kevin and Will on the Safari Tour

A cheetah about 6 ft. from Will

The San Diego Wild Animal Park is one of our favorite places.  We had a ton of fun hanging out with our good friends and checking out all the cool animals over the weekend.  

The elephants were very entertaining!  We saw three little elephants and their mom splashing around in the pool.  My guess is that they were trying to stay cool since the humidity was about 50%.

We also saw, one cheetah out of the cage (on a leash).  The children (and us - the nervous parents) were in the front row... completely excited and terrified at the same time.   

Shout out to the M family - thanks for hooking us up with tickets!  And for being seen in public with the "tourist".  Here are some pictures of our WILD little ones.   

I will go and do, my talk!

Last week Ryan was asked to give a talk about baptism at church.  Being Bonnie - I completely forgot about it.  So an hour before church began, Kevin sits down and types as Ryan dictates her whole talk to him.  Kevin put some images into the document to prompt her when to change the pictures she was holding.  

She read over it once while I was trying to curl under the ends of her hair, which was in pony tails. Unfortunately, we bumped into each other and Ryan got a bad burn on her shoulder.  (First time in over a year that she gave me permission to curl her hair... and now it will be at least another year before she'll let me again).  I seriously felt bad.  I have never burned myself that bad.  It looked very painful.  Ryan took it like a trooper.  We put on the magic spray (Dermoblast), threw on the band aid and made a mad dash to the church building.  

After the sacrament was passed, Ryan asked us if she needed to go up the front and sit down.  We were puzzled for a minute.  Then we realized - she was planning on giving the talk to the whole congregation.  (Moment of stunned silence).  Then we clarified that she would be speaking during Sharing Time in Primary, she just shrugged and said okay.

She was totally ready to give the talk, by herself in front of the entire congregation during the Sacrament Meeting.  How cool is that?  I know grown men who dodge the Bishopric in the halls, and screen phone calls... trying to avoid being asked to give a talk.  And she was willing to do it... with only an hours notice.

During Primary, she stood in front all by herself, and read the entire talk... not missing a single beat.  You ROCK Ryan!

 

Sweet! It's mine turn to go to School.

Okay, I just have to say that William loves Pre-School.  What boy doesn't, right?  After all, on the first day of school his teacher hands him some nails and a hammer.  After pounding way (with my supervision) he created this cool tank/ship with blaster gun on the back.  Nice!!!

But all in all, he loves his teacher and his classmates.  As, do I... it is a parent participation pre-school.  We have met some terrific moms and kids.  They seem like a second family, we love spending time with them, and look forward to getting to know the five new moms & kids that are in the class this year.

School is in full swing!

This picture is of Ryan's first day at her first grade desk.  She is elated that her good friend Reagan sits right next to her.  (I wonder how long that will last, before the teacher has to separate them?)  Ryan was put into the first/second combination class.  I am thankful that learning comes quickly to her because this class is taught on a second grade level.  I am a little apprehensive about her being in this class.  The teacher is great, the children are all very well behaved, but it makes me feel that before I know it she will be a second grader...  and then a teenager.  She is growing up so fast.  I miss rocking my little baby girl to sleep.  I guess I will have to settle for rocking out with her instead... since her favorite song is Move Along by All-American Rejects.  (Not a bad choice.)  Besides, she is only about fifteen inches shorter than me.  So, she can't exactly crawl up into my lap and get comfortable... or at least I'm not.  But, I do cherish it!