Throw Like a Girl...

and you might just become a celebrity in Brainerd, Minnesota.

That is if you do it like Karlie and Chelsie. Just wanted to brag a little and tell my nieces that we are so very proud of them. The photo above is from their summer league last year. This picture has both of the girls and my brother in it. Chelsie is the first one on the bottom left. Karlie is also on the bottom row and is the last girl on the right. Tracey is in the back on the left.

Currently, Karlie is a freshman and is pitching for the varsity team. Chelsie is in eighth grade and is also doing some pitching for the high school varsity team. How awesome is that?! Way to go!!!

Keep up all of the hard work girls. Have lots of fun. We love you and miss you lots. Can't wait to see you guys sometime this summer.

Lucky Girl

The title says it all. This picture was taken on Mother's Day last weekend. Looking at it I am reminded how truly blessed I am. First, to be lucky enough to have married my best friend, soul mate and exceptional Daddy to Red. I couldn't have asked for a better husband. He is the person who reminds me to have faith and believe in our dreams.

One of those dreams was to be a Mom. I wasn't sure that dream would ever come true but after eight years of marriage and lots of prayers, God answered in an awesome and unexpected way. We were given the opportunity to adopt and I became a Mom. It has been such an awesome adventure. Red is an amazing, smart, BUSY, sweet, fun, social, lovable boy. I can't think of anything better than him waking me up every morning with hugs, kisses and a "good morning, Mommy."

I am a very Lucky Girl.

How Many Points Do I Have?

As I mentioned in a previous post, we have been on Weight Watcher's. Franky and I started back in February as an attempt to not only lose weight but change the way we eat and get healthy. When I told Mom we were on it, she got motivated and she and Dad started as well. When they got here, Mom joined with me and while they were here, we both attended the meetings.

I have to say it was so awesome. We all participated in making our meals. We all became addicted to pico de gallo (Franky and I had started that trend and were already addicted to it when Mom and Dad got here.) We would all help cut up the various components. Mom cooked all sorts of wonderful dishes from the Weight Watcher's cook book and we modified some of the recipes to make them even better. In the evening we walked to the strawberry patch close to our home and got fresh strawberries for shortcake. Dad would cut them up. We would take turns preparing them. Dad liked it when Franky made them the best...he really loaded up the cool whip!! Mom and I would scrap it off and give it to one of the guys!

Red caught on quickly that something was going on. All this talk about "points". He frequently asks "How many points do I have." We just tell him he has lots of points!!!

I am very proud to say that I have lost the 100+ pounds I gained over the last 12 years. I currently weigh 15 lbs. less than when Franky and I got married. Even better than losing the weight, my lab work relating to my diabetes is all normal! Yeah!!!

Franky has lost around 35 pounds and is currently weighing what he weighed in high school. We are exercising and feeling great.

Mom has lost 11 pounds so far. She and Dad have started walking now that they're at home. Yippee!!! So proud of us all.

I'm Thinking of Something...

So, as I eluded to in the previous post, I have a lot of catching up to do. I'll start by saying that it was so AweSomE to have my parents here for the entire month of April. I miss them terribly. It was great to be able to visit and spend time with them. The month seemed to fly by (as is usually the case when you wish it wouldn't.)

My parents got here right before Easter. I had to laugh, being that there has been snow on the ground in Minnesota since November, Mom and Dad hadn't seen green in a while. In fact, my Mom was so tickled by all of the greenery and flowers in Laughlin (yes, Laughlin) as they were driving through, they decided to stay there an extra day!

On Easter Sunday, we drove up to the foothills and took this and the other pictures from the slide show below this post. The weather was beautiful. Everything was so green and the wildflowers were gorgeous providing a terrific background. It was really nice.

I hate to admit this and am now wondering if indeed I did "have a bug", but these pictures are (almost) the only photos I took the entire time my folks were here...How sad is that?

Very sad, but I am happy to say that instead of pictures, I have great stories to tell. : )

The week after they arrived, we left for the coast. We had the trip planned since June of last year and were really looking forward to it. When we arrived at the beach, we were all kind of surprised by how cold it was. Even the "it's 10 degrees but feels like -15 and I'm only wearing a sweat shirt" Minnesotans were FREEZING. It was a "wet cold" don't ya know? (I'm only teasing Mom and Dad, it WAS cold there.)We made the best of it though!

The day after we arrived, Franky and Dad went golfing while Mom, Alex and I went shopping. First we went to our favorite, "Birds of a Feather". It was as wonderful as ever. We found some very yummy Easter decorations there. Next we drove to the village of Arroyo Grande. There we went to Susan Branch's store which is just too cute. I found an adorable vintage step stool there. Alex really liked it and we decided that it had some pretty great potential as a "time-out" chair! jk

After all of that shopping, we rewarded Red for being so patient (did I just use Red and patient in the same sentence?!) with a sweet treat at his favorite ice cream shop. Mom and I watched as he ate every last drop. We were (and still are) Weight Watchers and managed to stay on track. I must say though, I really enjoyed watching Red really enjoy eating his ice cream. I guess it was one of those "living vicariously through another" moments. : )

We had decided to head back to camp and were driving through SLO. It used to be that there was a terrific little shop called Anthology that we loved to go to there. The last time we were in SLO we were disappointed to see it had closed. The owner had previously had a shop Lavender in Pismo that we loved as well. On a fluke, we drove down a side street on the way back to the freeway and happened upon a shop called Nest.

We were both so excited as we walked through the door, it was fabulous!!! The funny thing was, turns out the owner is Connie, the woman whose other two shops we had admired so much. It was like a reunion. We visited with her for a while. I found a couple of great old cameras, a vintage picnic basket and a couple of "nesty" things that are perfect in my scrapbook room.
We had a great time.

The rest of the time we were in Morro Bay, we walked along the beach, rode our bikes, ate wonderful meals, played dominoes and visited with my parents, Aunt Sally, Uncle Billy and their daughter Rachel.

Red had lots of fun. He did have a few periods of naughtiness. He figured out pretty quickly that if one person told him no or not to do something, he could find someone else that would swing his way. Actually it was quite hilarious how he worked his magic.

As we were packing up getting ready to head home, Alex was having a particularly naughty behavior streak. Just not listening, doing the opposite of what we told him to do, etc. Needless to say, he had been in time out a lot that morning. When we were pulling out, Red decided to ride with Mow and Papa. You see, they are WAY more fun and they have Bubble Gum... Since he had been in trouble earlier, I told Mom not to let him have any gum until he started behaving better. She agreed and we all left. About 15 minutes into the trip we had stopped to get gas my Mom comes to our car cracking up. She told me this story:

After they got into the truck and got Alex all buckled in, he asked Papa if he could have a piece of gum. My Mom tells Red that I had said that he couldn't have any gum until he started behaving himself. She suggested they not talk about it and when they stopped for gas, he could ask me if he could have some then.

Mom says about a minute passed when Alex pipes up, "I'm thinking of something... It's squishy, and it tastes good...and you can chew it..."

Mom tells Alex he isn't supposed to be asking for gum anymore. To which Alex replies, "I didn't say gum, Mow!!!"

Little Stinker!

All Aboard...

The Railroad is recruiting them young! Not really. : ) We had to take Franky to work yesterday. Alex loves to drive into the train yard where the BNSF shop is located. There is always something very exciting going on there. From a train of cars going through the yard to a crane lifting equipment onto a rail car. This thrills Alex. He begs to "just sit and watch".

The yard was especially busy yesterday. There were loaders working in the yard, freight cars being loaded onto the train by two giant cranes, complete trains moving through the yard and lots of large equipment used to repair the track parked near the shop. Red Head was in heaven. He begged to stay with Dad so that he could watch all the action just a little while longer.

Since we had to get back home, he settled on having his picture taken with Dad in his very own (borrowed) hard hat. It's awesome to see how much Alex already admires his Daddy. He told me on the way home that when he grows up, he's going to work with trains just like Dad. Too cute.

I Scream, You Scream...

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Today was Grandma Mary's Second Annual Ice Cream Social. What a terrific Christmas gift! On this day the whole family gathers to enjoy each other's company and indulge in a little (or a lot) of this frozen treat.

Piled high with whipped cream, hot fudge, caramel, nuts, strawberries, pineapple and scoop after scoop of delectable ice cream, yum yum. We all giggle as the waitresses/ waiters set our frozen treats in front of us. Some are conservative and order "just a scoop". While others choose to experience the mother lode! No matter which you choose, you are guaranteed an amazing time.

There is something magical about sitting in Rosemary's Ice Cream Parlor. It makes you feel like a kid again. Truly a wonderful way to capture the feelings of the season. Thank you, Grandma Mary. Can't wait until next year!!!

The Train is Up...

and Red couldn't be happier. Franky set it up last night. Our living room was alive with excitement as he brought the boxes in from the garage. Both filled with anticipation as Franky pieced the track together with a little help from Red Head. They couldn't wait to see the old Santa Fe racing around the track, sparks flying beneath it as it zoomed around the tree. Franky loves this train as much, if not more than Alex.

The story of the train is Binker (Franky's Dad), just knew his second child would be a boy. So certain of this, he bought this Lionel train set to be used and enjoyed with the whole family. Especially a BOY! Well, Leah was born. : )

The train became a tradition. One the whole family looked forward to each Christmas. When Franky (a surprise!) came along, he also enjoyed the tradition of the train. He tells stories of he and his Dad playing with it, of him running two engines simultaneously so that they would crash into one another, of loading up the coal and cattle cars.

After Franky and I were married, the train was passed to him to continue the tradition. We have set it up every year since. Now Franky is teaching Alex to run the train. It is amazing how quickly he has caught on.

I love watching the two of them. A glimpse of the past, a connection between Father and Son. One that will take place year after year until one day Franky will pass it on to Alex and his family. Until then, we will all look forward to the day the train is up.

I hope this season, you too enjoy traditions and all of the wonderful memories that accompany them.

O, Christmas Tree...

Dance, Dance

On Sunday, we went to Emily's dance recital. She danced as a penguin to Happy Feet and then to Let it Snow. She was adorable. Ellena was a little surprised that morning when she was getting Emily ready for the recital. You see, the day before we had put fake tattoos on all of the kids. Well, Emily's didn't come off. So, she stood out a little more than the other dancers with a fish tattoo on her right shoulder. Hubba hubba! : ) Sorry, Ellena. You have to admit, that's one to remember!!!

Alex loved watching all the little routines. He was dying to get on stage and so during the intermissions, he would sneak up there and jump around a little. At one point he even did his version of the Robot. It was too funny.

He also enjoyed watching and imitating the class instructors who were coaching the dancers on stage. He would move his arms around, shimmy his shoulders- it was cute. So glad we got to see Emily's performance.

Well the weather outside was frightful...

but the water park was delightful. ( I know, kind of corny.) On Saturday after freezing while getting the trees, Franky, me and all the kids went to the lodge where he was staying.We ate some pizza, put on fake tattoos (emblazoned with the lodge logo) and then visited the water park.

Who would have thought that Red Head's first water park experience would be in below freezing temperatures, 18 inches of snow on the ground and in Minnesota? Did we join the Polar Bear Club? Nope. It was indoors and it was a blast.

Franky and I had checked it out the night before (on a "date night"). My Mom and Dad kept Alex. That being the first night EVER spent away from us. (Thanks, Mow and Papa!) We were like teenagers sliding down the slides, splashing, floating along the lazy river. Only we are twenty five years older and shaped like Shrek and Fiona. (hee hee)

Anyway, Alex was in awe of the water park. He was a little hesitant at first. But quickly became a his full throttle self. He loved it. He and I even went down a big slide together (Yes, a momentary lapse in parental judgement). We lost our tube half way down. I was holding on to him for dear life. We shot out the end of the slide like a rocket. I was terrified and trying to recover when Alex yells, "THAT- WAS- FUN!!!" Franky asked if he wanted to go again, to which Red Head responds,"N-E-V-E-R!!!" I agreed.

All in all, it was lots of fun. We ended up taking Alex back the next day. No big slides. Just lots of splashing, floating, sliding on the kiddy slides and creating wonderful memories.

Did you know...

When you get a Christmas tree in Minnesota it has to "thaw out" before you bring it inside? On Saturday morning we all ventured out to the tree farm to pick out a tree for Mom, Dad and Tracey's family.

It was so pretty there. It's kind of funny, you go out, pick your tree, cut it down with the saws provided (or if you're smart, your chain saw you brought along), load it up, then leave a check in a drop box as you leave. Never making contact with the farm owners. Do you think that would happen in California?!

Mom and Dad picked a beautiful tree that had few limbs on the back so that it would fit in a certain spot. Tracey and his family picked a ginormous (Red Head's word for "HUGE") tree to fit in their living room that has vaulted ceilings.

I love to decorate Christmas trees and so Ellena and I put the lights on their tree (which ended up being around 14 feet tall). With a ladder, a extending light bulb changing pole, a broom, garden gloves (Minnesota Christmas trees are VERY poky), 2500 lights, and two very determined women ( Ellena and I) the lights were on and absolutely amazing. (We Rock!) It was fun. Probably very funny to watch. Lucky no bones were broken. : )

I will always remember that night.

I also helped Mom with the lights on her tree. It was hilarious. Because of the lack of branches on the back, it fit perfectly into the space chosen for it, but as we were putting the lights on, it kept falling on us! It took a little while but we finally got the lights on and managed to get the stand fixed so that it would stay up. It (too) looks absolutely beautiful. Franky has decided that I will be the one putting the lights on our tree from now on. (He's the one who taught me how to do them and always does ours.) But, a tradition is a tradition and he's not getting out of this one!

The pictures from the slide show titled "O, Christmas Tree" were taken on this day.

Baby It's Cold Outside...

Two days before we arrived in Minnesota, they had about 12-18 inches of snow. It was so beautiful. Alex thought it was great and couldn't wait to play in it. We explained to him it was very cold and he needed to put on all his gear before going outside so he would stay warm. Red Head HATES wearing a jacket so getting him dressed while he wiggled to take off what you put on took some time. By the time all the layers were on, he didn't wiggle much anymore. : )

Once we got outside, he rolled, jumped, laid, ate, and threw the snow. He rode the snow plow with Papa and laughed/squealed with delight when Papa went after me with the blower! His favorite thing was shoveling snow. He was pretty good at it but tended to shovel the snow right into the places that had already been cleared.
It was about 5 degrees outside on that day. We had a blast shoveling until Alex got stuck (face down) in the snow. (Then we went inside to warm up!) I think I lost 5lbs. shoveling Mom and Dad's deck. Unfortunately, I ate the rest of the time and gained that (probably more) back. Oh, well. January 1st is coming...

Getting started....

October has been such an amazing month. We were in Minnesota at the beginning of the month visiting family, enjoying the cool weather and the beautifully colored leaves. (The pics in the slideshow titled "Family" are from our trip.)

It was so awesome to get to spend time with my parents and my brother's family. The girls ( Karlie, Chelsie, and Emmy) are growing so fast and are all amazing. Alex was in his element having three girls doting after him. In fact, by the end of the trip, he was calling them "sissy" instead of "my cousins".

We went to a pumpkin patch/corn maze on the Friday after we arrived in MN. It was a blast. We ate pizza, watched the kids run three-legged races, (ate dirt when Tracey and I challenged the girls to a race), got lost in the (two-foot-tall) corn maze, went on a hayride, and at last picked out a couple of pumpkins.

On Monday, we drove up to Duluth and visited a shop Mom likes and a playground that "red head" loved! (See Picture.)

The rest of the time, we mostly visited, which was perfect! (Some might say that the rest of the time, I took pictures.I'll admit, I do have paparazzi tendencies.)

We rounded out our trip at the Mall of America where I got to go to Archiver's. Heaven on earth for scrapbookers!!! Alex got to ride some rides at the amusement park, which he loved (the little thrill seeker!)

After getting back to Cali, we went to our church's food festival and ate to our hearts content while Alex jumped in the bounce house for two hours...I wish I shared his energy.

I was glad to be home after our trip. I sure do miss everyone though.

This last weekend, we decided (very spare of the moment) to go camping. Franky and I were having withdrawls since we hadn't been in about 2 months. So we loaded up the car, picked up the trailer then headed about one mile (from where our trailer is parked) to our campsite at Lake Success. I know, we are DORKS!

We had a great time though. It was very relaxing. We ate, hiked, ate, visited with the people in the camp next to us, watched a couple of movies and ate some more.

Alex was so funny, while on a hike, he noticed several tracks and things left behind by different animals. This was very exciting to him so when we got back to camp, he ran to our neighbors campsite and said ( in a very excited voice) "Guess what? We saw racoon tracks, Moose tracks (actually deer) and RABBIT POOP!!!" We all got a good laugh.

Family