Valentines is never a big deal at our home. I do try to make the kids a valentine and give them a little candy, and something cute to go with it. Audrey couldn't believe that OWen and I were leaving for Reno on Valentines day. She thought we were bailing out on the hoilday and I quickly reminded her that us celebrating Valentines alone was perfect!
Owen and I drove 7 LONG hours to Reno to check out a practice. The drive from Vegas to Reno has got to be the longest drive ever! There is nothing except for 3 sleepy towns and I mean sleepy! I couldn't believe people existed here! The largest town was TOnopah and well this old motel sums up this city.
Reno was...well, lets just say I didn't get the warm and fuzzy vibes while I was there. Instead I was disappointed, and I even cried at the Fuddruckers. We left a day early and I think Owen was frusterated with me after that trip cause I made such a quick judgement about it. What can I say? It just wasn't where I wanted to spend the rest of my life.
Part 2--like Father like Son.
Drew has taken on Owen's green thumb. Here he is perfecting the art of bonsai! I think Owen was in heaven to see that his boy was interested in plants.
Part 3-Basketball
Maggie played on a city league this year. Her team was the lakers and she was 1 of 6 girls in the whole league. I would defenitly say she's was the most improved player. It was pretty painful in the beginning, but she caught on, and got so much better. She even scored a basket in one of the last games. Overall, she had a lot of fun and I'm glad that there are no more Saturday games since we are now in baseball season for Drew and are at the field every Sat morning.
Part 4--Miles
This kid is a busy body! He is into everything he shouldn't be into.--especially the computer button--turn on, turn off, turn on etc.--same thing with the printer. The gate doesn't work, he can tear it down. We have to keep all doors closed, or he will destroy the other kids rooms. And heaven for bid that he gets in the bathroom! He will destroy the carpet with green toothpaste and pink body wash in about 5 minutes. He gets in trouble at the gym day care and church nursery for hitting. He is a bully. I've seen him on many occasions just walk up to random children and wak them across the face for no reason. I swear we don't abuse him. He rarely gets a spankin. I think it's his survival mode at home being the youngest of 4. He loves to go on bike rides, and eat with his fireman hat on. That is when he eats. He rarely eats. ANd he loves to play in the sink. Anything water and he is there. He is the kissist child ever! He kisses me about 50 times a day--just randomly too. on the leg, the arm and the face, but his favorite is on the lips! Nothing says a good smooch like an almost 2 year old smackin you on the lips with a snotty nose! We love him! Last night we took the kids to see a movie and we left Miles with a sitter. Owen felt so bad neglecting him. It just isn't the same without Miles. Except at a movie--i would be the one wrestling with him--not OWen.
Part 4--Audrey
Smarty pants Audrey has recieved several awards this year. This was for the Principles award. Her teacher even sent me an email that said that she really deserved it! She is most of the time pretty pleasant and easy going. I'm sooooooo glad my kids are doing well in school.
Part 5--Drew
He just stared playing T-ball and loves it! I haven't taken any pics yet, but he was required to get a cup. He had the giggles about that one. He is READING! He is doing great! He can read Hop on Pop all by himself and is about to start GO DOg Go. He will be so ready for kindergarten. He is still my little sweetheart. He has a thing for me, and most of the time will do anything to make me happy. He is a great cleaner! Here he is at his preschool fieldtrip to petland with one of the birds on his shoulder.
Part 6--Disneyland
As it says above on the Valentine that we took the kids to Disneyland. And like we all haven't seen enough pics of Disney to last us a lifetime right? Well, too bad, it's my blog so I'm posting pics. But just a couple. We are lucky to have Owens parents live so close to Disney. They watched Miles for us on the first day while we went to California Adventure, and then we took him to the Land on the 2nd day. I think 2 parks 2 days in a row would have been too much for miles. Owen and I felt like yuppies without him. We had no stroller for the first time ever! It was actually kind of nice cause we just went from ride to ride. But theres something to be said about taking your sweet 22 month old on It's a small world. Priceless!
Part 7--Maggie turns 10!
Maggie celebrated her 10th birthday on March 9th! Can you believe it? 10 years? That is nuts! We said no parties this year, but we did kidnapp her from school and took her to lunch--just her. Owen met us down on the strip at Serendipity. It was a nice warm day and I think she enjoyed the fact that is was just her. She had a BLT and Owen and I shared our favorite turkey and Brie sandwich. Of course with the best sweet potatoe fries ever. Do you know what is Maggies favorite thing to eat? Sweet Potatoes with brown suger! And of course fried oreo sundae for dessert! Holy crap! The calories! That night we opened presents and had cupcakes. We love our Maggie! She is a beautiful, creative girl! Still as bossy as ever and is always writing plays, stories and trying to organize shows to perform. Still wants to be an actress when she grows up.
Above are some paper flowers I made to decorate the room for her birthday.Last part ---Washington/Oregon
Here we are at some gorgeous falls near Seattle the day we flew in. I can't remember the name of them casue I was still drugged from taking 2 dramamine right before we flew. I was passed out all day--Owen couldn't revive me. But I do remember the falls were amazing!Owen and I went to Yakima Washington for a job interview with the indian health service cor. It actually isn't a bad deal considering the loan repayment and extra ammenties you get with the job. The problem is living in Yakima. I guess I have just lived in too many big cities, that going to a small town would be difficult for me. I had a really hard time seeing myself there. It was pretty and all, but I guess I didn't get that warm fuzzy feeling there either. I think if our kids were younger, then it would be doable for a couple of years, but to get a lot of our loans payed back, we'd have to give 6 years and that would still leave us with 100k to pay. Maggie would be 16 by the time we were done, and I don't see myself packing up then. I think Yakima would end up being our home for--ever. And I just don't see that nor do I want that. I feel like we could do just as well somewhere we really want to be. (Still awaiting job situation in Denver) So we drove to the Oregon coast with the rest of our time and Man, I was so tempted to suck up the rain just so I could live there. Owen and I immediatly fell in love. That place is amazinly gorgeous! But....it did rain, and rain, and rain. That is why it is so gorgeous! i think it would be a great vacation spot. We stayed in Lincoln beach and our room overlooked the ocean. We were literally feet from the water. If there was a tsunami, we would be toast. At night we'd look out our window, and it was somewhat frighteneing to see the dark water that lay in front of us. The next day we drove all the way up the ORegon coast to Seattle to fly home. So, so beautiful! OWen was in heaven and said the beaches buried SOCALS beaches in a heartbeat. He was sold and was ready to pack up and move to one of these small beach towns. The best was Arcadia beach. ANd i was disappointed with Astoria. Thought it would be amazing like I remember from the movie "Kindergarten Cop", but it was kind of old and rundown. I think we'll vacation there in July or August though. March was a bit chilly.
This was the view from our room
This sign was encouraging after what just happened in Japan. Right?
This was right after a sneaker wave came and soaked me from the shins down. Little stinker wave.
Arcadia Beach
