Week 49

Welcome to Tuesday! Can you believe there are only a few more Tuesdays left in the year?!  It's always a crazy but fun finish with so much happening in December.  Boy has it been freezing out with a cold snap in effect.  It most certainly feels like winter now, and I'm happy to hear there has been snow in the mountains.  Ski season is just around the corner and we need a good base.  It's always great for them to get snow just before Christmas too since it's one of their busiest times of the year.  We won't be heading to the hills though, we'll be going tropical and heading towards warmer temps.  Can't wait!  Until then . . .

Take a look at how we started December:

Day 336- Monday, 12/2/13

Scout, our Elf on the Shelf, has been making himself right at home.  The boys are loving his crazy antics and having fun finding him every morning.

Day 337- Tuesday, 12/3/13

It's time to walk the dog and the wind is howling as the temperatures start to drop for a cold snap.  I was more than happy to bundle up in my long, sleeping bag like jacket for the job.

Day 338- Wednesday, 12/4/13

Tonight was the High School Water Polo banquet.  The boys had a fantastic season and are sorry to see it end.  The next day they found out only 1 of the 5 boys that tried for ODP made the first cut.  We wish him well in the next tryout and hope he makes the second cut too.  For the rest there is always next year and in the meantime the city's winter polo league starts soon.  Brrr!

Day 339- Thursday, 12/5/13

Brandon looks forward to opening the windows on his advent calendar every day for a little chocolate treat.

Day 340- Friday, 12/6/13

The boys came home early from tennis because it started to rain--it's so cold out we're hoping for possible snow tonight or first thing tomorrow.  Justin is unwinding from his week by watching old episodes of his favorite shows on the computer.  This is one of his favorite Friday night things to do.

Day 341- Saturday, 12/7/13

No snow, but we did have a fun party to attend.  The MIND Institute had their annual thank you party for the kids, and they always go big to throw the best parties.  It was a space theme this year with fun slides and bounce houses outside plus rooms with space-themed games inside and lots of good food, door prizes, and gift bags.

Day 342- Sunday, 12/8/13

What's better than chicken wings and a football game on a Sunday?  The boys suited up to watch the Niners beat their biggest rival, the Seahawks, while I locked myself away to start wrapping presents.  A tree without presents under it bothers me so I've been unsettled all week and now I can relax a bit ;0)  

That's all folks!  Only 3 weeks of the year left!  Hope to see for the rest of them.

 

Week 48

Happy Tuesday!  I'm glad Monday is done and out of the way.  I was home last week with the kids for Thanksgiving break so the first Monday back is always a rude awakening. Thanksgiving was a week late this year which means I feel a week behind in preparing for Christmas.  It's just around the corner!  I'm excited and stressed all at the same time.  We'll be spending the holiday in Hawaii which I'm really looking forward to, but I'm still logistically trying to figure out how to handle Christmas away from home.  My two younger boys are not thrilled and still need to feel the magic so we'll see what I can do to continue our traditions.  Before I worry too much about Christmas, take a look at how our last holiday went.

Here are the pictures from Thanksgiving week:

Day 329- Monday, 11/25/13

My vacations from work usually included squeezing in appointments for that pets and kids.  This is exactly why I need to leave town for Christmas.  Today it's time for the cat to see the vet and get his annual shots.  The poor thing is not used to traveling and was pretty stressed, but Brandon tagged along to give him support which really did help.

Day 330- Tuesday, 11/26/13

This is pretty much our only free day all week so the boys and I did something fun.  After Justin's tennis lesson we saw Catching Fire and then went out to lunch.  Everyone really enjoyed the movie.

Day 331- Wednesday, 11/27/13

This morning we spent a few hours at the dentist and orthodontist where Tyler had his bottom braces put back on (it's a sore subject so no picture).  Later this afternoon Justin helped me make a pumpkin pie for our feast tomorrow.  He's been looking forward to making this pie all week and did a great job.

Day 332- Thursday, 11/28/13

Happy Thanksgiving!  We prepped a turkey and a few side dishes to take over to the Wong's house for dinner.  They made a ham and few sides too so we had a pretty amazing meal once it was all put together.  Everything was so good, and we all had a great time together.

Day 333- Friday, 11/29/13

I'm resisting the urge to put up Christmas decorations.  I had to run into work briefly this morning and then the boys took off just after lunch so I decided to enjoy this beautiful sunny afternoon.  Bella and I took a nice, long, fall walk soaking it all in before the weather gets nasty and starts to feel more like winter.  After that I joined the rest of my crew and some good friends for dinner.

Are you there uncle Raul?  Haha!  I found out he's one of my biggest blogger fans ;0)

Day 334- Saturday, 11/30/13

We should be cleaning house today but why bother when we'll just make a mess decorating?  I can't resist anymore.  It's time to deck that halls and make this place feel like Christmas is coming.  I packed all the pumpkins away and busted out the tree.  It's the first year with a fake tree for us.  John didn't want a tree at all, but we still have to make it feel like Christmas for the kids even if we won't be home.  They are super ready to get in the spirit.

Day 335- Sunday, 12/1/13

Welcome to December!  I just blinked and here we are at the end of the year.  Our elf, Scout, has returned and is ready to keep an eye on the kids.  His sign says, "I'm back!" and Brandon was kind enough to pose with him and my monthly marker for today.  I was also able to get our Christmas cards made and ordered.  I'm so grateful to be checking lots of things off my list, but there still so much to do!  This month is going to fly by. 

That wraps up another week and another month.  Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you back for the remaining days of this year.

 

Week 47

Welcome to Tuesday!  I'm glad to see you, and I'm glad it's a holiday week.  There is no work for me and no school for the boys so we're happy to hang at home.  Maybe we'll go see Catching Fire today before we have to start prepping for the big feast on Thursday. It's time to start digging out our favorite recipes.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Until then, here are last week's pictures:

Day 322- Monday, 11/18/13

Brandon and I are hanging out after school waiting on Justin.  He has one class that always lets him out late so we wait and wait.

Day 323- Tuesday, 11/19/13

Today was a wet and rainy day and the first day this fall we've needed to turn on the heat and could enjoy warming up by the fire. 

Day 324- Wednesday, 11/20/13

I'm here, before sunrise, at my building with a warm mocha ready to start work on another rainy and cold day.

Day 325- Thursday, 11/21/13

They younger boys have discovered they can pull up a stool and help themselves to a cookie or two after dinner.

Day 326- Friday, 11/22/13

It's time to change out the pictures in all my frames.  The last of the school and sports pictures came in this week.  I also have my "Doors of Italy" poster printed and ready to frame.  Hopefully this is all something I can get done over Thanksgiving break.

Day 327- Saturday, 11/23/13

Finally a beautiful weather day.  No more rain and no more wind.  It's nice and sunny and warm--the perfect day to check out the Mandarin Festival in Auburn with friends.  John and Richie were kind enough the carry our haul.

Day 328- Sunday, 11/24/13

Tyler and I spent the day in Stockton so he could tryout for the water polo ODP.  There were over 70 boys competing for about 35 spots.  It was a long hard day with him spending 6 hours in the water.  He was beat! We're not sure how well any of our boys did. They'll find out sometime next week.  Even if he didn't make it, it was a great experience that will help improve his chances next year.

That's it!  Only one more month until Christmas and just a few days until turkey :0)  Have a great Thanksgiving all.

 

Week 46

Here we go again.  It's another Tuesday and it's a wet one with the first winter storm of the season. Last week was nice and short thanks to the long weekend. We need more of those.  At least Thanksgiving break is right around the corner. The boys and I have the whole week off with no real plans.  I can't wait!  Now to get through the rest of this week.  I have a lot of things to tie up at work before I can take time off, but at least that will make the week fly by or so I hope.

Here's a look at last week's pictures:

Day 315-  Monday, 11/11/13

On this Veteran's Day the water polo team had their last game for the high school season.  Here they are before and after the game.  Sadly they lost in a very close match, but they went out fighting and most certainly didn't make it easy for the other team.  Look at those bleach blonde boys--such a great group of guys that did us proud.

Day 316- Tuesday, 11/12/13

It's getting colder here in the afternoons so when I get home from work this kitty boy want to curl up in my lap and share some body heat.  I'm not sure how comfortable this position is, but he stayed here and slept for a bit until I had to move.

Day 317- Wednesday, 11/13/13

Spaghetti!--that's what's for dinner and also a little wine ;0)  I like the words of wisdom printed on the cork of this one.

Day 318- Thursday, 11/14/13

When we get home from school the younger boys take turns unlocking the door.  Justin has it down, but Brandon still struggles with the proper way to orient the key and which way to turn for the different locks. He'll be a pro in no time though.

Day 319- Friday, 11/15/13

Time for an early evening walk during the "golden hour".  The sun feels so good on this chilly day and look at all those fall leaves!  It won't be long before the trees are completely bare at this rate.

Day 320- Saturday, 11/16/13

Ugh!  Some of those trees loosing leaves also have really big thorns they are dropping.  The thorns are seriously like thumb tacks and are ruining Tyler's bike tires.  He came home Friday with one flat tire and by this morning the second one had deflated too.  3 thorns were pulled out of the first tire and 2 out of the second which means a repair today.

Day 321- Sunday, 11/17/13

It's time for our annual family pictures so we spent a good chunk of our day here at the mall.  So glad that's done for another year.

Wait!  One more--

November's Family Photo

Here's one of the fun shots we took during our photo session.  It's not the one I'll put up on the mantle, but I still had to get a copy because we all had a blast posing for it, and I love that you can see that in the kid's faces.

Now we're done--at least until next week ;0)  Hope to see you then.

 

Week 45

Happy Tuesday!  It was nice having yesterday off for Veteran's Day, but it felt more like water polo day with early morning practice and a second game for sections.  The boys played hard and strong but still ended up losing 11 to 9--so close!  Our high school season is now done.  Next up ODP (Olympic development team) and winter polo after a short break which will be nice.

Now let's rewind to last week:

Day 308- Monday, 11/4/13

I've started my Christmas shopping--thanks Amazon!  and even bought a small pre-lit tree for under $20 since we can't have a real one this year.  All of this will collect in the office space and pretty much take over for the next month.  Also, Brandon made his own Ben 10 Omnitrix yesterday and added a couple revisions finishing it up today.  When I asked him what he was up to he said, "Just a little craft."  LOL!  Love his creativity.  At first I thought it was something he printed off the computer to cut and put together, but he totally made it all on is own.

Day 309- Tuesday, 11/5/13

Justin helped out at the planting event for the school's new habitat project.  It was fun and there was a great turn out.  Brandon got to put a plant in the ground too.  It will be fun for them years from now to come back and say, "Hey that's the plant I started."

Day 310- Wednesday, 11/6/13

We're at middle school conferences waiting and waiting for our turn.  There is always a lot of waiting when you have multiple teachers to see, but all is good.  Justin is having a great year so far.  I know he looks a little down in this shot but he's just bored and tired and ready to go home.   I second that!

Day 311- Thursday, 11/7/13

Shocking!  Tyler just walked in the door like this.  The water polo team decided to represent at school tomorrow and for the next week at sections by bleaching their hair.  Oh my!  They sure know how to make a statement.

Day 312- Friday, 11/8/13

I'm working on a new project at work that involves purifying proteins in the fridge.  It's nice to have a great built-in cooler but it's also very cold doing this kind of work.  Good thing I don't have to stay in there for long at any one point in time.  Brrr!

Day 313- Saturday, 11/9/13

John came home from his business trip late last night so this morning was the first the boys got to see him all week.  They missed him a lot.  Justin always gives him the best hugs when he returns.  Later today Tyler and his water polo team (all with their blonde heads) competed in the first round of the section tournament and won their game which means they move on to the top 8 and play Monday for spot in the final 4.  Go River City Raiders!

Day 314- Sunday, 11/10/13

It's another relaxing Sunday--I could get used to this.  The kids are playing upstairs and I'm running laundry up to put away while John works in the garage.  Bella is not allowed upstairs so she likes to lay where she can see us.

That's another week.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again next week.