Go COWBOYS!

For my birthday, we decided to go to Oxnard for the Cowboys Training Camp and the Salsa Festival. It was neat to see the players out on the field and so close up. We didn't get any autographs, but Grant had fun playing on all the inflatables.

The Salsa Festival was a little disappointing as we went there with high expectations that we would find a salsa we absolutely loved. We didn't. In fact, we know of several restaurants in Bakersfield that have salsa 100 times better than most of those. It was fun to experience though!

 
 
  

Salsa cook-off

We decided it was time to make some homemade salsa, so the kids and I decided to split up the tomatoes and each try our hand at our own style of salsa. We made Daddy the "judge," and without knowing which was which, the winner was ...

Katelyn!! She came in first, then me, then Grant. However, after a couple of days, the others actually started tasting better than the first day!

The kids really had fun making their creations, so we will definitely have to do it again!

 
 
  

meet izzy ...

Her real name is actually Isabella, but we call her Izzy, and before you say it, yes, we know we're crazy. But this one will work out much better than Snickers. As much as we loved Snickers, he was about to drive us to the funny farm ... and I'm not kidding! It just wasn't a good fit. We did find him a wonderful home that he loves, loves, loves and they wear him out much better than we did!

Izzy is pretty sweet and quite the emotional little girl. I'm not sure if it's because she's female or because she's a Cocker, but I've never seen such a cry-baby for a dog! It's almost funny. I guess I shouldn't laugh, though, because I don't want to hurt her feelings ;) Anyway, Max loves her to death and doesn't even mind when she attaches her mouth to his diaper as he's running down the hallway! He loves to give her kisses and hugs ... it's pretty sweet!

  

first day of school ... 2006-2007

As sad as I am that summer is over, I am glad that the kids are really enjoying their new school year! Katelyn loves her teacher and loves every single thing about school, even the homework. She has even been asking the teacher for extra work. I told her to lay off, or she's going to drive her new teacher nuts! Ha, ha ...

Grant has a long-term substitute as his teacher is out on maternity leave until January. She's a great sub, and we think of her as his teacher, and not a sub. I know he will miss her when she goes. As always his favorite part of school is recess, but he is doing really great with school work also. We just have to work on neatness, but he is excelling in all other areas.

The hard part has been adjusting to waking up in the mornings and getting ready without dawdling, but they are doing pretty well! They enjoy walking to school, so they have to be ready 15 minutes earlier than normal to do that.

Max and I miss them, but do enjoy the little bit of peace and quiet we get too! Max has the dogs to harrass while they're at school!

 
  

Sniff, sniff ... another year gone

I keep telling myself that I can't believe Katelyn is 9 and in 4th grade. It just doesn't seem possible! I remember dreading it when people would come up to me and say, "I remember when you were this big," as they would make a little knee-high gesture with their hand. I would laugh and think, "poor old people." Ha, now here I am thinking the same thing. What happened to my little two-year-old that was always smiling and night and talked non-stop? Well, now she's 9 years old and smiles all the time (except when she's mad at me ... which is definitely more than when she was two!) and pretty much still talks non-stop! I love it though, and I love her. I can't imagine life without her, and I'm so blessed that God gave us such a wonderful gift!

It's a little belated (for the blog anyway), but "Happy Birthday, Katelyn!" We love you!

PS: We opted out of birthday parties this year, and instead had a little birthday dinner with Grandma Gotcher and Katelyn's 85-year-old friend down the street, Dorothy! We made all her favorites ... hamburgers, party potatoes, homemade ice cream and bough Smith cookies instead of a cake! It really was a fun time!

PSS: And don't forget to check out that great shirt ... MOM ROCKS! She loves me! (And NO, I didn't tell her to wear it!)

 
  

no greater joy ...

For Max right now, I don't think anything brings him greater joy than someone saying, "Max, do you want to take a shower?" He makes a beeline for the shower, struggling to strip off him clothes as he goes. He even goes so far as to grab the little stool that sits in my closet and strategically place it in front of the shower door, so I can sit and read my book as he enjoys his shower!

 
 
  

a little behind ...

Well, I wish I had a cute picture of Max's little behind, but I don't ... yet!

So, as you can tell, I'm several days ... OK, nearing several months behind on updating my blog. I could give you the excuse that we were out of town, or have been busy playing, but excuses are excuses, so my goal is to get this blog updated soon!

We did drive to Lincoln (the kids and I!!!) and spent a couple weeks with Steve's family! We had a great time, and it was definitely hard to say good-bye. We're looking forward to Steve's parents coming to visit here in September and getting to go to the Nebraska vs. USC game! WOOO HOO! This event has been in the planning stages for a couple of years! Go HUSKERS!

Anyway, we have lots to update you with, and I'll probably go backwards, but oh well, it will get up eventually!