Quick Trip to Lincoln

For part of Steve's Christmas present, we all flew to Omaha to meet Steve's parents and then Steve & I drove on to Missouri for the big Nebraska vs. Oklahoma game. We met up with the Weller clan who were tailgating it in the bitter cold (crazy, I tell ya!). Of course, we were crazier, as we were staying for the game, while they got to go back and warm up at Great Wolf Lodge (a great place to stay with kids!!!). It was cold at the game, but not toooooooo bad ;) Ha, ha. Unfortunately, Nebraska didn't pull out a win, but it was fun to get to go. The kids had a great time at Matejka's, making cookies, learning how to play pool and just hanging out with their grandparents!

Sunday we drove back to Lincoln. We celebrated Christmas with Steve's family and the adults got to play some hands of 31 while the kids watched a movie. I was sad that we had to go back so soon,

and it was one of the those times that made me really miss living by all our family. I know our times are precious when we get to visit, but I sure wish there were more of them. Maybe someday. Grant definitely would love to move back to Lincoln to be close to Cole! He talks about it all the time :) They are great buddies, and all the kids do great, especially when the girls leave the boys alone (and vice versa!).

Thanksgiving Feasts at School

The kids had their little Thanksgiving parties at school, and Max and I went to celebrate with them. Max made himself a new little friend ... they were so funny together, chasing around the classroom (yikes!), but fortunately, there was a lot going on, so no one really noticed. OK, I take that back, all the kids thought it was hilarious, and they were probably the "lot going on," but it didn't last too long :) The food smelled delicious, and the kids enjoyed their meals!

Max's birthday party ...

If you haven't seen the pictures before, here's a link,

Max's Reptile Party

We had such a blast with the Reptile Guy, and Max was fearless! Some of us were a bit squeamish with a few of the creatures, but not him ;)

My little man, Max

It's hard to believe he's two already. Why does time have to go so fast. He's still my little baby, but getting so big (and opinionated!). Here's his 2-year pics. I only snapped a few, but I always love the ones with his sweet lips :) I'll try to add one of him smiling later for the grandparents! Ha, ha.

Max's first haircut!

It killed me to do it, but I finally took Max in for his first haircut. I loved his long, surfer boy hair, but it probably was time. He was very serious the whole time. I don't think he really knew what was going on, but he didn't cry and sat pretty good. We took him to Cool Cuts (Grant's favorite place to go). I didn't get it cut too short, but it was still quite a change for me! He's such a handsome little man :)

Max ... Sneaking into Katelyn's Bed

Once Max started climbing out of his crib, we decided it was time to move him to a toddler bed. Fortunately we had one that our friends had given us (and it even matches Katelyn's bed pretty well). But, it definitely has been a chore to get Max to bed every night. If we don't stand guard, he will get out and play around the house. This night I finally gave up, put the gate across the doorway and left, only to come back about an hour later and find him in bed with Katelyn. I'm sure it's much warmer, but probably not very safe ... Katelyn is the craziest sleeper around! We ended up moving him, but it is sweet that he wants to sleep with her. We've found him there a couple of times in the middle of the night :)

The Happy Dragonfly ...

Grant and I thought this little guy was so cute, and he just loved hanging out on this little plant hanger of mine outside on this nice day. No matter how many time he got scared off, he always came back for more pictures :) I think he was enjoying it (notice the smile on his face!).

Couch Potatoes ...

It was so cute when I walked out and found Max & Grant hanging out on the couch together watching Over the Hedge. They are definitely my couch potatoes and love to watch TV whenever they get a chance. Max would probably watch 24/7 if I'd let him! It does come in handy when I have some work to get done :)

Carving Our Pumpkins!

The kids had fun working on their pumpkins! It's always hard to wait for the actual cutting part, but it didn't take too long to get all the gunk out! Max wasn't sure he wanted to put his hands in there. All his mess on his face/body is from dinner! ha, ha. I don't think he even attempted to touch the pumpkin, although Katelyn tried hard to get him too! I should have a picture of the finished pumpkins, but I've been a bad mom about taking pictures ... I'm lucky I got the ones I did. Mine was the coolest, of course :) hee hee!

Katelyn's V-ball season

Katelyn had a fun year in volleyball this year. It was fun to see her learn so much more and really pick up on a couple of things. I think her favorite part was being with friends and hanging on the coach :) Anyway, they did a great job and had a lot of fun. She even tried an overhand serve for a couple of the games (didn't get it over, but tried!).

Reptiles!!!

My friend Rosanne invited us to her little shop, Paulywoggs, to a reptile party. I didn't really know what to expect, but we had such a great time I had to book the guy for Max's 2 Year b-day party! The kids had so much fun, and the Reptile Guy was a blast! Katelyn got to hold a couple of crazy tree frogs that were crawling all over her. I don't think she was too fond of that. Her favorite was the turtle. Max was intrigued by all of it, and got to pet everything that came around. Grant got to hold a snake and a lizard (I think). Anyway, it was definitely a fun time for all!

NE vs. USC

Steve has been planning for this game ever since we moved to California 4 years ago! The plan was that his parents and his aunt and uncle would come to CA for the NE vs. USC game and we would all hang out in LA for a couple of days. They also came to Bakersfield and spent some time with us there. We had a good time, but unfortunately NE lost. It was kind of a depressing game, especially for me, since I hate the running game ... PASSSSSSS the ball, man!! But it was still fun. We had front-row seats at the end zone, but it was cool to be so close to the action. Couldn't see much at the other end, but that's OK! We got to see the cheerleaders ... woo hoo. And Steve's dad was heckling Lee Corso as he walked by (Lee said earlier at the ESPN Game Day event that he picked USC to win). We also got to see Larry the Cable guy (even though I really don't know who he is), but I guess he's big in Nebraska. Who knows? But we saw him!

Katelyn for Secretary!

Steve and I are always amazed at the things our kids like to do that we would never want to do! So when Katelyn decided to run for student council secretary, we were so proud of her. Here are some pictures from election day. She didn't win, but we are proud of her for trying and look forward to her trying again next year!

Max & Izzy Sharing a Drink

These two crack me up ... they're almost like brothers, wrestling all the time, watching tv, and even sharing a drinking fountain! Glad I caught them in action!

it's not ALL about the kids!

Though it may seem that way! Steve and I just don't take pictures of each other! Ha, ha.

Most of you may know this, but Steve has been in credit union school for the past three years, this one being his last. It is a two-week course that is in the middle of summer (and always messes with our family vacation!!!). Each year they have had to take a test at the end of the two weeks and the last two years, they had to work on a huge project that is turned in April 1. True to his form, Steve usually was working on his up until the last minute (procrastination is his strength!). However, it must be a gift with him, because on both projects he did very well and received Honors, if not High Honors.

In order to graduate with Highest Honors, a student must get Honors or High Honors on all tests and projects. We were so proud of Steve when he was one of 8 people to graduate with the High Honors title! YEAH!! And it was great to see his fellow co-worker, David, also graduate with High Honors! It was an impressive thing for a credit union to have two students achieve such an accomplishment in the same year!

They didn't find out until the night of graduation how they did on their last test, and let me tell you, Steve was sweating bullets. He definitely didn't feel totally sure of himself on it, but God was watching out for him, and he received a great score!

And, of course, I forgot to take my camera to this special event, so fortunately his co-worker's wife brought her camera and shared a photo with us! So, here is Steve & David with their boss, Barbara and the CEO, Vince.

  

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!)