Marina at Jedi Training, Disneyland

She's on the left, behind the kid who was in all my videos of her :(

Phelan vs Darth Vader

Jedi Training at Disneyland, June 30, 2010

Giveaway at Santa's gift shoppe

I wanted to let you know about the giveaway that ends Nov 7th. A beautiful Italian stone with a heartwarming message. Just go to the blog santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com or email her at santasgiftshoppe@gmail.com.

good luck!

New (to me) Christmas gift boutique

I stopped at a yardsale a week or two ago and was invited to a boutique next month. She gave me the info and a small gift of the most delicious homemade jam. I noticed an old Sing with Me companion book. So I found out she is a very famous and loved member of Clovis 7th ward from several of my friends who already know about this boutique.

Santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com is having a boutique Dec 4 and 5. I am so excited to go! I have followed this blog for a day now and can't wait to see what's in store.

Halloween

I dressed as a bubble bath. It sounded good at the time...

Literacy Day Part two

The two middle children whose interests could not be more different. It is actually shocking that one dressed like a girl this year...

Literacy Day Part one

My oldest and youngest in their costumes for school. Animal trainer/conservationist and the inimitable Capn Jack Sparrow (mini me version)

Shelter Adoption, good and bad.

We adopted a few kitties in the last month or so. Haru (Japanese for spring) has stayed with us. She is 7mo, white with Gray calico. Aki (fall) had to be returned because of chronic upper respiratory virus. We miss her alot. She was sooo beautiful! White with gray and orange calico coloring.

The littlest and latest addition is Kaze (wind). A young gray striped male that loves to beat up on the ever patient Haru.

Marina's Birthday

Turning seven is hard work! She likes Pokemon, SeaPals and playing with sisters. And with brother, when sisters are NA

Playtime with Daddy

While Daddy naps, the kids placed all their Lego "phones" on him.

School starts 2009

Better late than never. Thanks Aunt Halicia for the new clothes!!

Babysitter Blues

this is what happens when Naomi operates heavy equipment (common ordinary office stapler). Went straight in, looks worse than it is. Morgan the babysitter handled it really well. Thanks to Sue who came to the rescue while I was across town. Marina goes to the doctor to get staples put in, Naomi goes to get them taken out, go figure...

Butterfly Blues

Outside the children's museum in Oakhurst, we were hounded by a persistent and friendly butterfly.

Shark cage for Rent

Birch Aquarium at Scripps University in La Jolla.

Naomi's "Freedom Idol" appearance

Our own singer/composer at the end of year talent show at Freedom Elementary.
"I'm on the road to success.
I'm on the road to the future.
I'm on the road to the past,
I don't know where I'll go,
I'll just be up for adventure.
I'm on the road to success.
I'm on the road to the future.
And an antique mystery."

Happy Memorial Day! (yes I'm back...)

We took the train to Hanford for lunch and pigging out at Superior Dairy. Their single (!) scoop sundaes put even Coldstone to shame! The kids had a blast and were excited to be able to share their holiday outing with friends at school. We don't get out enough if a 5 hour trip is such a treat. It was the kids' first train ride and they said it was the best part of the day!

Go Rockies!

Phelan was loving time with Daddy. There was so much going on at his first T-ball game. Dad had to prod him in the right direction the whole game. Phelan chased every ball and hit the ball on his first at-bat. We all loved cheeing him on.

WARNING, not for the faint of heart

WARNING, not for the faint of heart (anybody without kids...). I have mixed emotions about this. Sad my little girl got injured, happy that it wasn't worse and it was the first urgent accident in nine years of having kids. I was surprised at how calm I was. This is probably nothing to many of the experienced parents out there. I was glad to be home when it happened. Marina was playing with sisters and sat back on the corner of an end table. It has merciless corners and has limited accessibility because of it. But she managed to bang into it regardless. She was a real trooper and wanted her daddy for a blessing. The "sterile suture staples" were in before she could take two breaths. KC Fletcher came to my rescue to watch all my other kids (and an extra) while I took Marina in to urgent care. Sisters welcomed her back with tissue-wrapped toys. It's all good and I hope that future accidents turn out so positively. We are blessed indeed.

Springtime QTs

My kids had a blast washing cars and picking flowers on the first day of spring break. I am grateful for school days but my kids are old enough now for me to enjoy a day or two with them. We plan to bowl and view the zoo and check out the latest parks. Kirk has to work of course but we will take pictures.

Sayonara sweet Saturn!

Oh I am so sad. I feel like little bits of my life get sold off like so much yard sale junk. Just before children, we sold Kirk's truck that we dated and fell in love in over the course of 3 months. Then we sold the replacement, a big white 70's suburban that could haul a horse on its bumper. NOW we are selling my only brand new car I've ever (or possibly will ever) have. I'm glad to be doing it but just a little nostaligic. I wish I were Iron Man, who is not the least bit nostalgic, even when changing out his own heart...Anyways, just wanted to give my friends a heads up about my cool little car.