family

We were fortunate enough to spend some time over the holidays with my family. It is wonderful when we are all together. The kids love playing together and we adults love getting together and sharing stories about our lives. It is hard being so far away from my family especially around the holidays.

 William, Alana, Elizabeth, and Tyler

Dave, Becky, Jeremy, Myself, Grandpa, Grandma, Amy, Tyler, Alana, Elizabeth, William

 This year was a little bit rougher for me than the years past. Dave had to work the 24, 25 and 26 which made for a long Christmas home alone with the kids. It reminded me of what the holidays are really about. It has nothing to do with the gifts you receive. It has everything to do with spending it with family. Looking back I would have done things a little differently. I would have taken my in laws up on their offer to have myself, the kids and dogs down to celebrate with them rather than spending it home alone with the kids. The kids had a great time, which is wonderful, but I know they would have had an even better time seeing their Grandparents and Aunt and Uncle on Christmas and had a nice Christmas meal instead of chicken nuggets, broccoli and apple slices. I have a much greater appreciation for family and have realized that I can't do everything on my own and that some times "toughing it out" just doesn't work. You need to be surrounded by family and people who love you and care about you; Be it blood relation or friends that feel more like family.

Tyler's turn to start singing.

I tucked Tyler into bed tonight and I heard him singing. He is actually singing The Black Eyed Peas song. Though he heard it on a music show with Dora and a few other characters singing it. I couldn't resist taking video of it.

First day of school 2010

Alana wanted to pose with her brother on the steps . Thankfully Tyler agreed to it and the morning went off without a fight! They were both just so excited to start school. Alana going into first grade and Tyler going into pre-K.

Hugs!

playing with the bike pump. Seems to be the toy of choice while waiting for Alana's bus.

First Day of School Alana edition

Well it is here. Alana's first day of FIRST GRADE! She is so excited! Her teacher is Mrs. Talhelm. There are only a few kids from her kindergarten class in her class this year but she says that is okay. She'll make new ones.

Alana's backpack and name tag

The big first grader
Checking out her shadow while waiting for the bus

She was so excited to see Miss Aby that she ran up gave her a hug and forgot to say bye to me. Very cute and it makes me happy that she is so excited about riding the bus and going to school.

Bye sweet-heart. Have a wonderful day of school!

First day of school Tyler edition

Tyler started pre-K this year and is very excited about it. We were happy to hear that Miss Missy is his teacher, who was Alana's teacher as well. He had a great morning.

On the way to school.

Walking to his classroom

Of course he made friends with a girl first :)

Rough day at school apparently. He was out within 5 minutes of the drive home. And the drive is really only 10 minutes :)

New car whaaat!!!!

The end of being the unhip soccer mom, and neither of my kids even play the sport, is here!!! We traded in the minivan for this brand spankin new VW Jetta!!! What a great trade. I will miss the doors that open at the push of the button and the built in entertainment center, heck even the fact that the kids could sit on the potty in the way back without ever having to step foot outside. But I think the joy I have towards this new car more than out weighs the sorrow of loosing the minivan. Though I will not have the pleasure of driving this fine piece of machinery very often since there was a very practical reason behind getting a car. Dave will be taking this to work to save us on gas money and I will drive the explorer. However I have a very strict policy.....NO FIRE GEAR IN THE NEW CAR!!! Case in point this morning.....it was pouring down rain and they had a fire. He came home soaked, stinky and dirty. Dave, being the very wise man that he is, agrees with me that the car is no place for his dirty gear. Yes we are now a little more yuppifed with an SUV, sedan, son and daughter, dogs, fenced in yard, and me staying home. I guess the next few things to work on to be the complete stereotypical yuppie family is a lawn boy, a housekeeper, a freezer full of bon bons, and an umbrella in my drink.....

Apple Picking

We went apple picking with the MOMS club here. The kids had so much fun. They first learned about bees and how they rent and buy bees for their farm to make honey.

We then loaded onto a big wagon and rode through the orchard. They have apple, peach and plum trees along with blueberry and raspberry bushes. The kids had lots of fun riding on the wagon.


We each got to pick 5 apples from their trees. Yummy Gala apples that the kids could not wait to get home and eat.
Yeehaw. both kids enjoyed pretending on the horse out from. Tyler said he needed a cowboy hat.

Over all it was a great day. They kids did wonderful and I got to meet some more local moms. Tyler had so much fun that he actually asked to go back there. Which we will soon to get more apples. The kids got coupons for a free small bag of apples each. Hopefully the next time we go I can look around the shop some more and not have to leave so quickly. Oh well. You have to do things at the kids' pace not yours. :)