"Sum" Birthday

October 20th

(15  years of marriage + 4 children) x (2 inches in my waistline) - (2 inches in my bustline) =36 years of age.  Can't quite read the name tag?  It reads. . .  "Happy Birthday Mommy.  123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536."

Disneyland

Wednesday, October 15th . . . Ryan had "professional growth day" at school, so we took advantage of the mid-week day and went to Disneyland.  It is always fun to go this time of year.  One of the kids' favorites is The haunted mansion.  They love seeing "Nightmare before Christmas" theme.  We were fortunate to see Jack Skelington and Sally outside the castle.  Alie commented on how beautiful she looked.  Blue and beautiful.  Not beautiful enough to stand in the line to meet her though, so I snapped a shot with them in the background.  Candy corn grew a plenty on stalks in California adventure, and Justin enjoyed playing in "the jungle" with his pirate sword while we waited for the older kids to go on Indiana Jones.  (This ride not to be repeated.)  Being swallowed by a Whale, eating giant pickles and churros always repeated.  Meeting your fairy godmother: very rare indeed.

Teachers

The end of September. . . She loves to read.  He loves to listen, repeat, and sound out the letters.  Alie is patient and kind with her little brother, and a good little teacher.

Alie had her Teddy Bear Breakfast and parade at school.  How fun. . . bread bears, stuffed paper bears, gummy bears, and juice.  What could be missing, you might ask yourself.  If you asked her, she might respond with a toothless grin.  Ahhh... so nice to have them both out.  (Alison with her first grade teacher, Mrs. Glynn.)

All smiles

Lindsay got her braces off yesterday!  Perfect timing for her school picture that was taken today.  This event required me to straighten her hair, which she loves to run a brush through over and over again.  Her daddy prefers the curls.  I think it is because it is hard to watch her grow up.  What do I know?  She is such a good helper to me and such a good girl.  She is an animal lover.  Featured here is Lolly, her new hamster.  Lolly replaced our dear frog, Gigantor, who was tragically run over by Ryan on his bike.  The toad was enjoying a nice splash in the hose water, when he was blindsighted by the cyclist.  The accident caused his fatality, which was followed by utter histeria and a trip to the pet store for a quick replacement.  This made all involved feel much better.  Alan was not involved.

Not posted:  Alie's first grade frog dissection project.

Feeling Blue?

Alie's solution to the blues.  Coat hands thoroughly with a shade of blue chalk, then rub over all parts of the body that you wish to illuminate.  Whala!  Homemade body paint to make anyone feel like smiling!   Pretty soon she will have a true toothless smile.  That last top tooth will not last long, this girl is not afraid of a little blood.  She is a wiggler and loves to add "windows" to her smile.  I love you Aliwishous!

Oh, Baby!

The date. . . Sometime in September. . .

Ryan has always loved babies.  Once they can run around, get into your stuff, and get too heavy to cart around, the love diminishes a bit.  Until then, mothers if you need a helping hand, Ryan will cuddle, appease, and entertain your little bundle of joy.  The smiles will come flooding out.  The baby will smile too.

Ryan with cousin Daegan (10 months)

                                   

                             Mommy's little angel baby.  (Note the halo.)

Castle Rock

So, I am starting this blog like a would a scrapbook, backtracking a bit, and highlighting a few events that took place between September and February.  I know this is not how it is typically done, but I am the sort that tends to be stubborn and not easily motivated to move forward.  I now begin my reflection of the past few months.  Reflection.  Remembering.  Yikes!  

(The pictures help.)

Let's see. . . The month is September.  The weekend is Labor Day.   The trail is Castle Rock.  The place is Big Bear.  The game is "The Bear Hunt".   The participants are:  Mimi, Papa, Nana, Hoho, us, and the kids.  (Justin being the leader of the quest.)

No bears or relief for Nana's sore knee were revealed in this brigade.   Some things that were discovered included caves, fallen trees, gigantic rocks, just a few pinecones, stick swords, a beautiful view of the lake, and of course, the legendary Castle Rock.  It is also necessary to note that Lindsay's retainer was also found, but not in the short uphill search from the bottom starting back up the trail, but in her pocket, safe and sound, where she left it. 

                                                                               

                                                             "Where's Ryan?"