Christmas Fun Followed by Barfing

So we had a fun time last night. The idea was some Christmas cheer, but it ended with some Christmas horror! Ella and I wanted to make a gingerbread house which was fun. We went to the store and bought loads of candy and a pre-baked gingerbread house- yes, I'm a cheater! Ella had been complaining of a sore stomach for most of the day, but it did not stop her from celebrating the night away. We had gum drops and chocolate, sweet candies, and - on top of that I baked chocolate chip cookies.

I think the finished product was cute and Ella digs that kind of thing. All along, she did keep mentioning that her tummy kind of hurt. However, she did keep stuffing her face with a variety of candy. What could that hurt, I thought. You only live once. Oh, my punishment was coming.

Chuck has been working nights, so Ella has been getting to sleep with mom- along of course with Jack Bazil. Before Ella nodded off, we were having fun torturing the cat with the Santa hat. He is such a good sport. Shortly thereafter, Ella had fallen asleep and I was on the phone with Michelle. As she lay asleep, there was a volcano brewing. All of a sudden, Ella, while sleeping, started to hurl! I had to excuse myself from my phone call to try my best to contain the flow. When all was done, I had grabbed numerous blankets to try and catch the excess, my guess was that a blanket is easier to wash than the carpet.

As soon as Ella woke up and bathed, she said, "I feel great now. " Her and Jack cuddled up and went back to bed while I was left with clean up patrol. A child's puke fest is a true test of how much we love our children. Unconditional love is cleaning up your kids vomit while holding back the dry heaves!! AHHHH Christmas Fun.

Bling Bling

My son asked to get his ears pierced. This is a time that you find out really what kind of parent you are. I did not find it too offensive, I guess there are worse things out there. He could have wanted a bone through his nose or eyebrow, or unmentionables. Also, regular pierced ears are for sure better than the kids getting big fat round circles in their ears! I do not think ears were meant to look through. Anyways, I thought it was funny that as a choice for the earrings, they had of course little silver balls, little diamonds, and big, bigger and bigger diamonds. (Crystals of course.) Taylor chose the biggest, diamonds (crystals) of course because that's how he rolls. I tried to explain that in life, if it is not real, it is tacky, but he wanted none of that. If anyone can remember what new earings are like, specially when you sleep, I'm sure the big rocks will not be too much fun. OUCH. I must be a semi-cool parent, because I did not put up a fuss.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

So here is Chuck's latest waterfall. So proud of his creativity! I'm the wife- why don't I get one?

Since Ella put up our Christmas tree, Jack Bazil will not leave it alone. He was even taunting her through the window and playing with it.

Have you ever tried to get a cat to pose? Not an easy task. Ella and I tried for a long time for this one. He might not look like it, but he was about ready to tear our faces off.

So why did we decorate our tree this early? I would like to think that my Martha was coming out. Actually, we did a garage cleaning yesterday. My garage was downright unsanitary. Can anyone else identify? I don't just mean cluttered. UNSANITARY!!!! Calling all vermin... come on in and set up shop in my garage because I will feed and keep you comfy cozy all winter. Anyways, I knew I should do something before that happened. While cleaning it, we stumbled (literally) across the Christmas stuff that we packaged up and tossed out there last year. Yes, it had been a year since I last cleaned it. So, I figured I would just bring it back in the house and go for it. One good thing is Ella pretty much did everything! Oh I love love love daughters. They just ooze the art of housekeeping. She likes to clean and decorate. Now if I could just fine tune it and keep it going. Now, my garage is spiffed up and clean- I think I will move out there.

HALLOWEEN MEANS GOOD TIMES!

We have had a swell time here for Halloween. The morning did start out with me almost forming a picket line at Ella's school. I did not want to embarrass my child though. Believe it or not, my child could not wear her costume to school. THIS IS AGAINST MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OR SOMETHING!!!! (Nic- do kids get to wear costumes in Cali? If so, I am really there!) I did not even have any warning. Ella came home last night and when I was getting her costume ready, she said, "Oh no, we can't wear costumes, we get to wear our slippers to school." What?? Slippers SUCK! She just doesn't know what she's missing. If I would have known, I could have at least dressed her in Orange and Black head to toe as some sort of silent protest. Stupid @#$%^& people who have nothing better to do than make our kids so generic that not one of them will have one ounce of creativity in their being! Hey, look at me- I'm not too screwed up, and I dressed up for Halloween! OK- maybe don't look at me, you know what I mean! I'm done with my rant.

My day brightened up after school when Ella and Taylor got ready for trick or treating! I loved Ella's costume. We originally thought she was a pirate princess - then we settled on gypsy!

Taylor cracks me up- for school he was the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He was so proud of his neon sweat suit he found at the Salvation Army. Then, he and a friend were Gay Ghosts. Or shall I be p.c. and say "Happy Ghosts." I am proud of his imagination. He had thought that he was too old to go trick or treating this year, but at the last minute, he decided that as a ghost, no one could be sure of his age and he really really wanted a big bag of candy again just one last time.

GOOD TIMES!!!!

Doin the Puyallup- Eating for six hours.

As a tribute to my town, I thought I would let you know how our trip to the Puyallup fair went this year. Ella's birthday party was partly held at the fair- lucky girl. My dad was in town and we decided it would be fun to do the Puyallup! He is desperately afraid of crowd's, but I tempted him with a fair burger. We would like to tell ourselves we went to let our kids go on some rides and have fun, but to be truthful, I go to see how much I can possibly stuff into my face, and in search of whatever might be a new addition to the lineup. Last year they introduced frozen cheesecake on a stick- TO DIE FOR!!! First thing we do- buy a Myers Fair Burger. OK, we think, but not the greatest. Next, a bbq beef sandwich and corn on the cob. YUM. Next, a 13 pack of scones- a fair must have to bring home for breakfast and to keep your blood sugar up while waiting in line for the roller coaster. Since the first burger wasn't too good, why not another one? Chuck and my dad downed another one- me, I'm saving myself for an elephant ear. Oh, I see a Krusty Pup- have to have one of those! A bottomless alien mug of lemonade too. I did share it though. Finally, after eating two burgers and still not finding the right one, dad and Chuck see the Earthquake burgers- that is the big one that fills an entire plate. Oh that's right, that's the good one. Chuck looked ill, but as not to look like a weener in front of my dad, he orders one. AHHH young samurai- you know not who you are up against! He has not found out my Dad is a bottomless pit. While they were consuming the Earthquake burger, I ordered a Philly steak sandwich. Come on, it was there... I took two bites and could not finish it. My husband, who cannot waste anything, ate the rest. Now he was blue! But he had not had his yearly Elephant ear. Yes, on our way out of the fair, he found a stand and ordered one. Needless to say, he was really miserable.

I find it funny that Taylor's obsession during the fair is the Fleischkiechle fried beef turnover. This year he asked the ladies to pose in a picture for him. He will buy a whole bag of them and bring home for breakfast and lunch at school. Oh, the fair- good thing it's only once per year. I still think Nicci's chicken sandwich on a crispy creme sounds good!

Birthday Girl

Ella was queen for a day at school- because of her birthday, but she felt the need to carry it way into the weekend too.

Quinn jammin.

We all had fun at Ella's 6th birthday party.
Grandpa visited from Alaska and we were all glad to see him.

Ella had lots of fun with Grandpa on his visit- She told him he needed more hair and gave him a corn silk toupee.

Star Search

Quinn is a rock star on Guitar Hero.

First day of High School

Oh my gosh- I have a high schooler! Taylor has started 10th grade this year. I can't believe it. Hey - check out the shoes. All of the kids wear the old Jordan's that look just like the first one's from- 1989??? Funny huh? Taylor is a great kid and I am very proud of him for making my parenting job easy! It must really suck to be a kid of parents who were pretty sneaky as kids. We know all the tricks! I think Taylor realizes this and doesn't even try to pull one over on me. Or, he just knows I am a over-protective worry-wart freak and saves me from any freaking out! Nonetheless, he is a super easy kid.

Dance Fever!

Brings back memories of cheering for the G-Men. Didn't Nicci cheer for the Lumbermen?

Go Strawberries!

Ella at Cheer Camp- She is in the back, (Taller One.)

Summer Fun

Taylor likes the quad too- Quinn maybe not so much!

Ella had Cheerleading camp last week. Just 5 year olds in her group. It was very fun to watch. They even did a dance. Cute Times.















Ella and her pal Jack Bazil. He now has been trained to ride the quad. Priceless.

Lon, Kelly, and Quinn visited at the Boat. New News- they are having another BABY! Or, is Lonnie having the baby???? Sympathy pounds! I'm the sister, I can say that. Notice the big box of Emporers Palace- Thanks to Kelly and her Palace connections! YUM!















Quinn loves Ella. She does not appreciate the mauling though. He just wants to tackle her.















Ella and Daddy getting dirty.

Boating Fun

Funny story behind this one: Ella was really brave and wanted to go in the little boat by herself. So, she got in and we let her out about 10 feet and tied it off to our boat. Within seconds, the rope came untied from the boat and she was set asail by herself. Within a split second of realizing that she was loose, she started to scream and cry. Of course we had to rub it in and wave goodbye to her. Eventually Dad had to jump in and swim after her. Does anyone realize how cold the Puget Sound is? Both Chuck and Ella were unhappy by the time they got back aboard.














Taylor working on his tan. Check out the sweet hair. Taylor is going into 10th grade this year. A big high schooler.













For some reason I think of the "White Wedding" Video when I see Ella in her headdress.

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

Photography by Ella at the M&M movie.


















AAARRGGGHH with some dracula teeth thrown in.


























Notice Taylor is still wearing jeans and it's only 100 degrees
















Ella and Daddy love the pool.

We all had a great time in Vegas. Taylor got to bring his longtime friend Jordan and Ella just had a great time by herself as she always does. The boys actually really played good with her and kept her entertained. I have to say that she is much tougher than them as she can walk for miles as they would just complain about how tired and hot they were. It was great to have really hot weather to unthaw us. When we came home, we were met by rain and cool wind --- booooo!

Stay OFF the Road.

Taylor is about to be driving. Can you believe it? I am not too worried about him, because he is so responsible and laid back. He tells me he will not be in any hurry to get where he is going and that he will just be cruising his ride. Ya Right.

Do you know how much it is to insure a child? At least $300 per month. OUCH!

So, Chuck is excited to look for a car- we were thinking that a nice smaller pickup would be good. (Better gas mileage and one seat- will not fit many friends. ) So he and Taylor went to look at cars the other day. After seeing some nice trucks Taylor informs him that he needs an SUV because they have leather and great stereos or that he really likes BMW's. Chuck came home kind of bummed and tells me this. I said, and you told him where to stick it right? I guess it did not occur to Chuck that the kid does not need to be spoiled all the time.

What will you do???

Here is a question for all of you that do not have teenagers yet. You think you are so smart, but just you wait... So last night, it is 11:00 pm. I am trying to sleep and my cell phone signals that I have a text message. Weird, I never get text messages. I look, and it is from Taylors girlfriend. Am I seeing things? I think I'm having a dream. As I read the first of three messages, She tells me that Taylor does not know she is texting me, but she would like to know if he can come to her house this weekend and attend her little brothers b-day party. As I lay there in a stupor, wondering what the hell is going on, I think back to when I was 15 and crushing on boys. All that I can recall is that I would have DIED before I ever asked a boys parents anything let alone even speak to them. What is happening? I think another woman is taking over MY son. I can't take it. So, I ignore the messages totally until I can talk to Taylor. The next morning I mention to him the text messages and he turned a slight color of green. He could not believe that she did it behind his back. I got the hint that he did not really want to go to this party, and just ignored the invite. Then she takes it in her own hands to get him there. I try to probe to see what he might do about it and he had no clue. I tried to explain to him that girls should be somewhat modest in their actions. Good God I feel old and it seems like my son has already turned into a typical man and lets his manhood be carried around in a purse. What to do?

HANG LOOSE

I found this old picture of Lonnie when we went to Hawaii when we were kids. He had met a buddy while on our trip. I do not however, remember him actually surfing. WOW, check out those calves on him- even when he was young they were huge.

He and I were laughing the other day because Ella has two bottom teeth that are loose and he told me he remembers me losing a tooth in Hawaii. I told him that I remembered him chasing me to our hotel room, and I barely made it in the door and slammed it on his big toe and ripped his toe nail off. Then, for fear of a sure pummeling, I would not let him in- bloody toe and all until my Dad got back to the room. I had a nice laugh about that. Those were fun times.

Superbowl Fun

Ella and Quinn had great fun during the Super Bowl. Kelly let Lonnie bring him up and we promised to watch him. He chased Ella around for hours - her on roller skates and Quinn with one slipper left on his little feet. She would run away screaming "Chucky's gonna get me" and Quinn would laugh and laugh. I thought for sure he would collapse at some point, but he kept going and going.

After a while, we thought we would play a joke on Mom, so we gave Quinn an empty beer bottle and took pictures. I was quite pleased that I caught one that actually looked drunk. I promptly emailed it to Kelly and told her not to worry, her son was in good hands. I really think it was the responsible Sister-in-law thing to do. Thanks to Lonnie for the GREAT Gumbo. I think we all ate way too much.

For Nicci

This one's for Nicci- Taylor and Ella running on the beach in Newport last year. Insert O and C and you have great times. How I wish that we could just jump in the car and be at a warm beach. Probably it is our month of freezing, snow and wind storms that is talking, but I just want summer. Good Luck with your move. When we go to Disneyland we for sure have to visit. Also, we jump in the car and you are in Cali. in 17 hours. It can be the same for you to come and visit.

HAPPY B DAY TO NICCI AND MICHELLE!

Hey Guys, happy birthday in 2007! Isn't it weird getting older? I do not have any issues, but is seems to go faster. It does help that our husbands are older because mine thinks I am so much younger than he is. I tell him he's a cradle robber. Makes me feel better. We do have 5 action packed years before the big 40 though. Let's enjoy it!!!!