Decorating the Christmas tree w/ Grammy and Grandad...
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
First Christmas Event
Our first Christmas outing...La Arcada Christmas walk. The line for Santa was at least an hour long so we were able to skip the Santa thing by buying balloons and candy canes (see Nick's face)...
All In One Afternoon...
Starting the afternoon with the cutest sight...Grandad and Nickie snoozin' together for their nap...love it!
That allowed my mom and I to attempt for the first time making our familys famous "Haws Mustard"...turned out perfect our first try!
After naps boys hangin' out cheering on the gals as we finish up our batches of mustard...
After naps boys hangin' out cheering on the gals as we finish up our batches of mustard...
Grandparent's Day
After 3 years of living in Costa Rica, Grammy and Grandad FINALLY made it to Montessori's Grandparent's Day for Ben! The crew in front of Ben's new door (class)...Orange Door.
Surfin' Army Man
Nothing exciting, but had to post this hilarious sight...
Nick surfing in a horribly nerdy outfit...
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Kids Halloween
For the last 3 years we go to our friend's house for trick-o-treating. Their neighborhood goes NUTS for Halloween, almost every house goes all out...here are the boys leaving one house...
Another house...
Our friends always have a pirate theme...this was just one of the MANY cool things they had on their front lawn. The ship even blew smoke!
Below is Ben in outfit number 3. To make a long story short, Ben picked a bleeding skeleton outfit this year. After a test run he found the torso of the outfit was very uncomfortable, so he wore his race car outfit underneath...just in case. We got the fake blood pump working on his skeleton outfit, starting walking for t-o-ting, and he kept stepping on the long cape. So, we took off his skeleton costume and felt very lucky we had his race car outfit underneath. BUT the blood to the skeleton outfit leaked and ended up making a huge wet spot at his crotch! Drama! So off mom went, back to the house, quickly grabbed his Power Ranger costume, and there you have it. The best part is that the fake blood totally stained poor Ben...yes, all over his "you know what" and down his legs. After 2 baths it is almost off!
Another house...
Our friends always have a pirate theme...this was just one of the MANY cool things they had on their front lawn. The ship even blew smoke!
Below is Ben in outfit number 3. To make a long story short, Ben picked a bleeding skeleton outfit this year. After a test run he found the torso of the outfit was very uncomfortable, so he wore his race car outfit underneath...just in case. We got the fake blood pump working on his skeleton outfit, starting walking for t-o-ting, and he kept stepping on the long cape. So, we took off his skeleton costume and felt very lucky we had his race car outfit underneath. BUT the blood to the skeleton outfit leaked and ended up making a huge wet spot at his crotch! Drama! So off mom went, back to the house, quickly grabbed his Power Ranger costume, and there you have it. The best part is that the fake blood totally stained poor Ben...yes, all over his "you know what" and down his legs. After 2 baths it is almost off!
Adult Halloween Party
It has been WAY too long since I dressed up for Halloween. We were invited to a Las Vegas theme party at the Creekside and so here we are...Lady Luck and the old-fashion dealer. We had a great time and it just reminded me that dressing up for Halloween is NOT just for the kids, it was SO fun!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Ben Starts Orange Door
We are all very excited to start the next adventure in Montessori...Ben graduated from Primary in June and just started the next level...Lower Elementary in September. He was placed in Orange Door w/ Rick...this was our first choice and we got it! We love Rick, Todd has known Rick since Todd was a little boy, Todd's sister (and Ben's aunt) Ali, was Rick's assistant teacher for years, so Ben has known him a few years as well. Here is Ben getting to know his new friend in class, Elvis.
We have our first camping trip (yes...WE, the whole family) w/ the class this Tuesday night at El Capitan...stay tuned!
2nd Tooth Gone!
Ben lost his 2nd tooth during his soccer game! It was barely "hanging" in there, and just popped out while he was running. It was never found, but the tooth fairy still brought his $5!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
New York Trip
We finally made it back out to New York after almost 2 years. Todd was born in Brooklyn and moved to Santa Barbara when he was about 7 years old. Some of his family moved out to Santa Barbara, but most of them are rooted in New York. Todd is so lucky to have amazing family on both coasts and we try as best as we can to see the ones back East, they have been a dear part of his life and have touched my life and my boys lives dearly.
We had a LONG travel day on Friday, leaving Santa Barbara at 6am, flying into JFK at 5:30pm, getting into Jason's car (Todd's cousin) and driving 3 hours to Upstate New York. Just outside of Downsville is where Todd's Uncle Jack has worked on building a cabin for over 40 years. Todd has been wanting to take me and the kids there for sometime...it has been many many years since Todd has been there, but has fond memories of the cabin upstate.
First thing Saturday, we hopped on the Quads and took a nice ride down to an amazing pond (very big pond)...
Me and the boys getting ready for the ride...
Ben and Uncle Jack were partners...
The land is absolutely breath-taking...acres and acres (44 to be exact) of untouched land...
Ben was catching salamanders...
The Malesky family took the paddle boat out for a spin...
Loving brothers... & the boys can't wait until they can ride their own
We had a LONG travel day on Friday, leaving Santa Barbara at 6am, flying into JFK at 5:30pm, getting into Jason's car (Todd's cousin) and driving 3 hours to Upstate New York. Just outside of Downsville is where Todd's Uncle Jack has worked on building a cabin for over 40 years. Todd has been wanting to take me and the kids there for sometime...it has been many many years since Todd has been there, but has fond memories of the cabin upstate.
First thing Saturday, we hopped on the Quads and took a nice ride down to an amazing pond (very big pond)...
Me and the boys getting ready for the ride...
Ben and Uncle Jack were partners...
The land is absolutely breath-taking...acres and acres (44 to be exact) of untouched land...
Ben was catching salamanders...
The Malesky family took the paddle boat out for a spin...
Loving brothers... & the boys can't wait until they can ride their own
Beautiful shot of Nick...
And tough guy Ben...
The Motorcyclin' Maleskys...
Nick got to ride sandwiched between mommy and daddy...that was a treat for me just to hear my sweet little boy say..."weeee weeeee" for the whole ride....
Another picture of the crazy two...
Ben's first time on Uncle Jack's Harley...
Front and back side of the cabin...absolutely amazing...
And tough guy Ben...
The Motorcyclin' Maleskys...
Nick got to ride sandwiched between mommy and daddy...that was a treat for me just to hear my sweet little boy say..."weeee weeeee" for the whole ride....
Another picture of the crazy two...
Ben's first time on Uncle Jack's Harley...
Front and back side of the cabin...absolutely amazing...
The boys afternoon, beer and rocking chairs. Jason got a little toasted on Cranberry Wine Coolers (sissy!)...
One afternoon I took the boys out to pick fresh blueberries and blackberries so Aunt Ellen could make her famous blueberry pancakes...delicious!
Big Nick in his rocking chair...
A picture of us on the deck...a deck that wraps around the cabin and you can look out at the amazing land behind us...
Jack taught Ben how to use a bow and arrow...
A picture of us on the deck...a deck that wraps around the cabin and you can look out at the amazing land behind us...
Jack taught Ben how to use a bow and arrow...
The 3 cousins...Jason, Todd, and Tommy...
Plus the little munchkins...
While we were up there we also went to the State Fair, went fishing, a skunk was shot by Uncle Jack, Ben's leg was bit by a dog...very adventurous trip. We had a wonderful time there and look forward to our next visit.
Picture of Lauren, Paulie, Nanny, Todd, Nick and Ben...Paulie is Todd's Uncle, Nanny's 5th son, and Lauren is Paulie's daughter...
Todd has to get the boys one of his favorite treats as a young boy in Brooklyn...he loved this picture of the boys sitting on the apt. stoop eating their "ices"...
One night, Paulie, Lauren, Todd and Ben went to a Cyclones baseball game...here is Ben and his Cyclone Dog...
Then the next day, Cousin Tommy took Ben and Todd to a PGA golf tournament while Nick and I cruise Bay Ridge Brooklyn...it was one of my most favorite parts of the trip. First we went to a famous waffle cafe for breakfast...
Plus the little munchkins...
While we were up there we also went to the State Fair, went fishing, a skunk was shot by Uncle Jack, Ben's leg was bit by a dog...very adventurous trip. We had a wonderful time there and look forward to our next visit.
The last night we were in town, we had a fabulous dinner w/ our Upstate crew again (Uncle Jack, Aunt Ellen, Jason, Aunt Jane & Tommy & Michelle We got to see Todd's cousin Christine & her hubbie Paul who weren't able to come to Upstate, so it was great to see them. Below is a picture of Todd and Christine...
After Upstate we went to Brooklyn to visit Todd's dad side...The Maleskys. Below is a picture of Nanny and Todd...they truly are an amazing pair. Ever since I have known Todd, he has called his Grandma (Nanny) at least twice a week...she is a huge part of his life and we all love her dearly...
After Upstate we went to Brooklyn to visit Todd's dad side...The Maleskys. Below is a picture of Nanny and Todd...they truly are an amazing pair. Ever since I have known Todd, he has called his Grandma (Nanny) at least twice a week...she is a huge part of his life and we all love her dearly...
Picture of Lauren, Paulie, Nanny, Todd, Nick and Ben...Paulie is Todd's Uncle, Nanny's 5th son, and Lauren is Paulie's daughter...
Cousin Lauren w/ the boys...she is sooooo great w/ them!
Uncle Paulie and Todd...Paulie is only 11 years older than Todd and they are like brothers. Another huge person in Todd's life...we love our Uncle Paulie!
Todd has to get the boys one of his favorite treats as a young boy in Brooklyn...he loved this picture of the boys sitting on the apt. stoop eating their "ices"...
One night, Paulie, Lauren, Todd and Ben went to a Cyclones baseball game...here is Ben and his Cyclone Dog...
Then the next day, Cousin Tommy took Ben and Todd to a PGA golf tournament while Nick and I cruise Bay Ridge Brooklyn...it was one of my most favorite parts of the trip. First we went to a famous waffle cafe for breakfast...
Then Nick got pushed in my shopping cart while we looked for school clothes for the boys...
Nickie eating a homemade sucker...when I told him to stop so I could take his picture, this was his pose of choice...
We had to stop off at the pet store...so cute!!!
We had to stop off at the pet store...so cute!!!
What an amazing trip...we can't wait til next year! We love you all!
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