Our life and stuff

Appreciation

on Saturday it was beautiful . too bad I felt awful

 

I was awoken invited (shhh, don't tell her that the phone woke me up - I already pretended it didn't.) to go see some quilts with my Mother.

I don't feel good... 

I've got this, that and the other thing to do...

I just woke up and plan on staying in my PJ's all day...

I have the two kids with me...   

She wasn't buying any of my excuses.  Begrudgingly I got ready, made beds, fed the kids - grabbed camera, stroller and snacks and we finally left.  On the way to pick up my Mom, Luke warned me for the third time that he didn't like shopping.  

'Not to worry my dear.  These quilts are on display with awards so we're not really shopping.'

This was a small scale quilt show, in the gym of a local university.  These women were so sweet and friendly.  They approached us and told the kids pleasant stories behind their beautiful projects.

 

 

We voted for a few BEST OF SHOW pieces.

Each of us took a turn at writing our name with a long-arm quilting machine. 

 

So many different styles and interpretations.

This is the first year that I saw bedazzled quilts with crystals.

They were machine quilted and hand quilted

To see them up close and think of the YEARS that they took to make... it was worth it.
 

 (Standing right up close - it took the quilter's description to notice the black netting that she pieced to create the illusion of smoke from her never-ending candles.)

 

 

 
  

• Mom always walks away inspired.  She is a truly a dedicated fan of the Arts.    
• Luke gained a new understanding for the amount of thought, effort and love that goes into every project. 
• Sydney appreciated all the candy that the vendors were passing out - so perfectly timed following Halloween.
• I like to see the quilts, believe me.  But the neatest thing was just being there and sharing this experience with my Mom.  I know how much she loves it.  A long time ago she taught me so patiently and I watched her do that today with my kids.  Something I don't do enough of. 

 

 

Thank you Mom.

We had SEW much fun.

     

It's my Blogiversary

This picture sums up why I started a blog...

 

We save these little scraps, jot down funny things they say, tuck away bits of their first haircut or the stubs from their first flight - all in efforts to remember.

Then, if you're like me, you buy tons of cute stickers, eyelets, papers, vellum, fancy scissors, diecut punches etc - to dress up my memories. 

And then they sit. 

I used to be okay with it because I knew I had everything to get the pages together, someday.  That photo above has my little scrap saved from 2005.  My kids were teething at the time (Sydney getting hers and Luke just starting to loose his). 

That picture was taken TODAY.  STILL undone.  I can't recall anything about those days, how we felt, looked or what we said. 

Two years ago I said 'enough', and I started this blog.  It has made me take more pictures, even if it's inappropriate.  It's helped me remember the everyday stuff, the little things - and I love that.

It also reminded us it's time to take...  a new family picture

2005 

2006 

 2007 

2008 

 
 

We are going to attempt the 2009 photo ourselves a'la tripod, we'll see.

Oh ya, coincidentally - this is post #300.

   

Tired Babies

Tonight, Luke was sleeping before 8pm. 

THAT.NEVER.HAPPENS

Little Syd had a long night on Friday.  Up several times, unable to sleep and stuffed up.  All day, the cough got worse and she lazed around.  Daddy ran out to buy Snow White & Pinnochio for her watch in a pile of pillows.  

By dinner she had a fever of 102 with no appetite. 

She ate a few bites of white rice but lost all that an hour or so later. 

Poor baby

 

 

We put her back in her room with Kleenex, a water bottle and bowl (just in case). I hope they both get a good night's rest and wake up feeling better. 

p.s.  Do you see Luke's room?  We finally re-did it.  I'll post better pictures soon.

Through the years...

When we first got married time moved so slow.

We would celebrate every month.  When people would ask 'how long have you been married?', I would excited say '8 months!'.  It was always the same reaction... Awww, Newlyweds - it always bothered me.  Especially when they would say it after 3 years. 

Then they'd start asking... 'where are the kids already?', and I'd want to kill them.  That was a very sad time for us (mostly me) as we tried to start our family.

By 1998 we finally outgrew the Newlywed status and celebrated on Oahu ~

This was also our last anniversary alone.  The day we got back from Hawaii I found out we were pregnant.  And then, the years flew by...

 

I can barely believe we've been married for 16 years.  Even to me, that sounds like forever.  The reaction is much different now- 'Wow that's a long time...  you still love each other?'.

As usual, he had something amazing planned.  I always look forward to the touching hand-written cards.  The fresh flowers are always nice too...  (it reminds me how much he loves me every time I pass by them)

 

We had a great night out celebrating.  I didn't even take a camera, can you believe that?  Here is what I wore though, it was cutie...

 

Before you know it,  (October 7th 2013)  we will be celebrating 20 years.

I can't wait...

  

Fill the house with flowers

That is what I like all the time.

Fresh Flowers 

Lots of them.

In

Every

Room

Especially...  when it's Our Anniversary

   

On the road to Victory

 

 (downtown LA)

(and their towering freeways)

 

 

We were on our way...

The Colisuem is HUGE.  

The fact that it is PACKED FULL is amazing. 

There are SO many people at these games.  We walk, walk and walk some more.  Up the stairs and through the crowds.  We arrive at our row...  excuse me, sorry, excuse me, we won't get up at all promise, excuse me, not even to use the bathroom, pardon us.  

Finally, at our seats.

'Albert?'

'Oh hi Kathy'.

 

What are the chances, really. 

About 90,000 people and our seats are right to someone from his work.

  

 

  
 
 (I snuck downstairs and got this picture of Pete during half-time.)

 

(He was busy reviewing notes and such so he wouldn't pose for me.)

 

 

The second half was just as exciting.  The Trojans beat Washington 27-6.  We began our LONG walk through the campus back to the car. 

 

 

 Family Fun night ~ 9.26.09

 

 

-Ok, so I'm not friends with Pete... photo courtesy of this Trojan Blog

-and we went in-and-out of our row a million times.  They hated us.

In closing

 

Still with me?  

Oh good.  {I love you for your patience}

It's Day 7 and one of Sydney's favorites... it started here:

 

* A girly breakfast with the Princesses *

 

We walk into the dining room ~

 

A tower of treats await ~ 

Soon, a hot breakfast, coffee and juices are delivered. 

Then, one-by-one each princess makes an entrance.  

  

 

*Mulan was the most beautiful.

 

Following breakfast we changed the girls and went on a few rides (Ariel's Grotto is in California Adventure). 

 

It all started out good ~

 

 

Then it got even hotter and the girls were DONE~

So we left~ 

 

 

We had big plans that night anyway. 

The kids were off with Nanny and we hit the town... 

 

All 12 of us~

 

 

 

A few pics from the final Days 8 & 9~

 

 

~ Thanks for the visit Martellos ~

  We miss you already!

  

Magical

 

 Day 6 was ...  * Magical *

It was Summer and the HOTTEST Week Ever, but we still made it Disneyland.  I think the heat (and the recession) spared us from overwhelming crowds.

Still... the lines were long but we managed to forge ahead. 

 

 

We decided to hit up Big Thunder Mountain while waiting for the Hemingway's to meet up with us.  I stood by the exit to catch a picture.  I snapped the first car to go by. 

SURPRISE...  it's the Hemingway's

(They had been in the same line at the same time... and posed perfectly)

 

Along came the next car...

(their little heads in there - holding on for dear life)

About this time, Luke and I had to leave.  He had baseball practice, again.  I returned to the park and spent time with the little girls in the Hundred Acre Woods...

  

 

 

 

It was time for

 * * Face Painting * *

 

 

 

 

 

Something was missing...

She needed gloss- Glitter Gloss to be exact:   

(she shared)

 

 

~ they LOVED it ~

A shower, change of clothes and a few hours later - Luke returned. 

(thanks to his Dad)

 

It's a Small World

 

  

the Vibrant Color, Catchy Tune and Air Conditioning were graciously recieved...

 

 

The day wrapped up quickly ~ suddenly it was time for dinner.    

We were entertained while we ate:

 

It didn't take long for the kids to join in...

 

(the boys were 'too cool' to dance)

 

Our last ride of the night was Space Mountain.  Sydney made it on (just barely) and LOVED it! 

We ran off the exit to catch the very end of the fireworks...

Disneyland really is a beautiful place. 

I love it especially at night...

 

This was a L-O-N-G day...

(hence the long post ~ and ridiculous amount of photos)

    

Sunblock, lots of it.

 

It's been in the high 80's/90's - E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y.

Thankfully- Day 4 and Day 5 were 'Water Days'

 

'Yes, I do accept this challenge.  May the best skinny dude win.'

 

 

 

 

*Wipeout*

 

We munched on whatever, listened to music and visited with family.

They swam ALL.DAY.LONG.

 

 

Later... they got BRAVE. 

The swimmies were NOT on and they'd be off the steps.  Frantically kicking and paddling.  Barely treading and exhausted, running on adrenaline.

 

'Look Mom.  I could do it'.

(Do what?  Give me a heart attack?  Cuz that would be about right)

'Be careful Syd and stay by the side and the steps'.

(totally not listening)

 

They did venture off to play in the cabanas tents 'Kid's Only Clubhouse' for a little while.  I think each of them ate their weight in dum-dums.

 

  

Luke did have baseball practice today of course. 

(Remember that whole 'commitment' issue)

Well, he left and played baseball for 3 hours when it's like 127* outside.  It may have helped him to get by, knowing that he got to come back and jump in.  As a bonus we let him bring back two friends...

 

 

 

On to Day 5:

(That's right.  I have no pictures.)

 

We went to Wild Rivers.  

We were tempted to buy a water camera to capture their craziness.  Even found a store, checked the price but ditched the idea.  We just decided to go have fun!

 

Sydney was in heaven.  

Sometimes (ok,  most-of-the-time) I'm scared to death because the girl has NO FEAR.

There is a ride called "The Abyss".  It's a black tube slide, that even me an admitted scaredy-cat was a bit hesitant of.  The older ones went and it was FUN.  She begged.  There is no way that she's even tall enough.  That did not stop her from asking...

 

'Can I go, PLEASE.  I want to.  I'm brave.'

She got on the ride somehow.  She went with her Dad who held onto her for dear life so that she wouldn't slip right out of the innertube. 

She was all smiles...  Loved it! 

'That was awesome!'

 

Lots of fun. 

Lots of sun.

 

It was time to go EAT...

 

It was FUN and DELICIOUS. 

They paid:

It was perfect.

 

days 1 thru 3

Day 1 = Arrival

Yes, they had a rental car and a hotel to drive to but we couldn't help ourselves. We drove to the airport so we could met them once their plane touched down.  Just to say 'hi' and give hugs.

We had tons of things planned.  Almost like we were on vacation too.

We started with lunch at CPK...

They were wild, loud and obnoxious.  It doesn't seem like a whole year has gone by since these ones were last together.  TIme goes so fast.  

Following lunch, it was time to get checked in, rest up and unpack.  Before you know it, it was time to meet everyone for dinner, all 32 of us.  It was even louder and more obnoxious, only this time it was the adults. 

It was a warm summer night. 

We finished up with a walk around the Orange Circle... we peeked in windows, splashed in the fountain and enjoyed bowls of frozen yogurt.

 

 

 

Sleeping in doesn't happen when you have a schedule to keep.

It's Day 2... time to swim and play and get ready to spend all night with the Daddy's because it was *Sister's Night*.  

We did take full advantage and started things early.  Drinks and appetizers to start, down in Sunny Beautiful Huntington Beach at the Hyatt.

We did some 'exercise'...

It was a drive back to Trabuco Canyon for a sleep-over.  (That is after raiding Albertsons for late night snacks, including break and bake cookies and stuff for nachos)

This is where Day 2 and Day 3 get fuzzy.  We stayed up until almost 5am being ridiculous.  We laughed, danced and everything else.  It's already Sunday. 

By Day 3 we were dragging.  I guess 2 hours of sleep will do that to you.  Thankfully, the little girls were able to entertain themselves.  All I remember was sitting on the couch.  What seemed like a few minutes later I hear their little voices.  

'look, we put pajamas on so we could sleep like you'.  

(It's called a power-nap, don't be calling CPS)

The boys spent the afternoon at the ballpark.  Ironically, my family weren't the only ones here visiting from NY. 

The Yankees were here as well.  They came to play the Angels and we had tickets.  It's like it was meant to be.  

That night we kept it easy... 

Good Mexican food and ice cream.  The kids had their own table.  I have no idea what they were talking about but it involved a vote of some sort - 

And everytime it was unanimous.    (End of Day 3)