Granny's Visit August 2011

    Granny came to visit this month. She got to stay for about 12 days.  We tried to fit as much fun in the sun and relaxing into that short period of time as we could. We were also getting ready for my father-in-law's 80th birthday during that time so it was BUSY!

    We did make it to a few cool places. The San Diego Train Museum, of course, Balboa Park, and the Chula Vista Nature Center, Summer's Past Farm. Oh! and the beach. We took Granny to La Jolla Shores this time. We almost always go to Mission Beach so it was fun to take her somewhere new!  We also had a little pool party with some friends while she was here. We are so grateful that she can come and hang out with us!

    One night Granny and I even left the kids with Daddy while we went out to dinner. That was the 1st time we'd been out to eat without at least one of the kids in almost 5 years! Far too long!

    Mostly it was just awesome having her around. We, mostly she, peeled peaches from our tree. We made peach cobbler and peach jam. She and the kids played cards and had dinosaur wars. We sat around and drank coffee. Went swimming. It was very cool just hanging out doing all the simple things.

 
     It's always sad when it's time for Granny to leave but it is getting harder every time. Ryan just boohooed and boohooed when we left the airport. Then every morning for 3 or 4 days he would tear up and say, "I miss Granny." Heartbreaking. To the point that I can't help but start trying to plan our next trip home. : )
    

At the Chula Vista Nature Center

Christmas 2010

As is the tradition in my family, I put the tree up and started decorating the day after Thanksgiving. It was extra special this year because my Mom was here. It was the 1st time since I left home that my mom was at MY house to see it decorated for Christmas. Pretty cool.

Aunt Danni gave the boys a very cool present this year. The Elf on the Shelf! For those of you who don't know, the Elf on the Shelf is a little elf that goes back and forth to the North Pole to tell Santa whether you have been naughty or nice. The kids bought the idea hook, line, and sinker. Part of getting the Elf on the Shelf the first time is naming him. After I told Keric all about the elf I asked him what he wanted to name him. With a devlish little smile he said, "Pussy"....I was shocked, amused, trying not to laugh, trying to figure out why he said that...You name it...but mostly laughing on the inside.  After a little redirection he decided "Andy" would be a better name. Thank you Lord. : ) Thus started a new family tradition.

December 10th, Keric participated in his first Christmas show and on stage performance. He and his preschool class sang two songs, "The Stable Song" and "Tapping elf". It was so cute to see him up on that big stage with all his little buddies. The whole family went. Kurt was really proud to see Keric be such an outgoing little guy. He videotaped the whole thing. Kurt was a very proud Papa.

I have to mention also that we went Christmas caroling for the 2nd time this year. Our friend Angie invited a bunch of us over to make cookies and go sing. It was such a good time! Santa even paid us a visit!

     Christmas Eve we had the Alan, Lois, and Uncle Mike over to the house. Kurt smoked a turkey for the first time. I made the dressing, green beans, etc. Everything was really good. Uncle Mike brought the boys two big Hot Wheels sets. Grandma and Grandpa went overboard, of course. The kids got to open up lots of stuff from the folks. Somehow though we lost Grandma's present. Keric had picked her out a locket. I wrapped it up all super cute and, well,  we still don't know what happened to it. Best guess, Ryan threw it away. He had just discoverd the trash can and he loved playing around by the tree so, best we can figure, he was "cleaning up" and threw the present away. We'll make it up to her one of these days. Christmas Eve was lots of fun and will hopefully be  a tradition from now on to have it at our house.



Kurt and Alan preparing to carve the turkey. : )



Ryan giving Uncle Mike one of his presents.

 

Trying to catch up!

Oh my goodness, It has been a while.

My last update was Keric's 4th birthday. Since then we had Grandma's 75th birthday party, Granny came to visit, Thanksgiving, Keric's Christmas show,  and Christmas! That is a lot to cover but I've got to do it. : )

First off, Granny was supposed to come and visit about a month before she actually arrived. She made it as far as the Atlanta airport but had to go back home. Turns out she had pneumonia. We were all super bummed in California but glad that she was able to stay at home and get better. 



Soooo...Fast forward a couple of weeks to November 17th. West coast Grandma, Lois, turned 75! Kurt and I threw a dinner party for her at our  house. It was our first big "fancy" dinner party. It was  a lot of work but the food came out great and everybody had a good time. Kurt smoked a couple of tri tip roasts and I handled all the sides.  Lois was surrounded by lots of friends and family. Keric and Ryan went totally beserk because there were balloons everywhere. What is it with kids and balloons??? I think they thought it was their birthday! They were just running laps with balloons driving everybody crazy!



Lois celebrating her 75th Birthday













 

My Mother-in-Law, Lois, and her friends















Sometime between the party and Thanksgiving, Granny arrived! The boys loved having their Granny around. Especially Keric. When he saw Granny in the morning he would say, "Well Helloo Granny!" as if he hadn't seen her the night before. He would even ask Granny for "neck sugar". For those of you who don't know those are big ol' smooches on the neck. Keric is a fan. We went to the  San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and  Summer's Past Farm.

Granny and Keric at the zoo

Watching a movie with Granny

You name it. Except for the beach. The weather wasn't really cooperating for the beach but we'll go next time. I was so happy to have my Momma here to help me with Thanksgiving. We celebrated at the inlaw's house but we were in charge of the dressing and a homemade cherry pie. It's not the turkey or anything but I feel like the dressing is a big deal. I was really grateful to have my Momma here to show me how to do it right. Thanksgiving 2010 consisted of Kurt and I, Keric, Ryan, my Mom, Alan and Lois, and Uncle Mike. It was nice to have a fairly "quiet" family Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving 2010

I think I am going to save Christmas for another post. There was so much leading up to Christmas this year. With the boys being 2 and 4, Christmas is extra special.