Izzy Bizzy Busy Bee

Isabella's Letter to Santa

2010-12-15T18:10:00.001-08:00

Dear Santa,

For Christmas I would like a DS because I want to play games. A dog so I can play with it. New markers to draw with. And with the DS, can I have some Mario games. A Nintendo DSi with games too. I would also like a new bike to ride around on. I also want binoculars to look at stuff far away. And case for my DS and DSi. Colored pencils to draw with. I would also like a Barbie car. And an air hockey table. And a new yoyo. I have also been very good. I helped my friend Jackson. I cleaned my room and help my mom. Now I would also like a new watch. And a Toy Story 3 book. And most of all an electric guitar. And last, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Isabella

The letter was translated on paper by her big buddy at school. I'm not sure how much influence she had...happy new year? Can you imagine if Santa didn't bring this flipping Nintendo DSi? This letter came home today and after reading it, Santa needs to go back to the toy shop...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! One of my resolutions...to blog more in 2011. 2010 was pathetic.

Easter will never be the same...

2010-04-05T18:43:00.001-07:00

"There is no such thing as the Easter bunny. There can't be a big giant bunny in the world." And it's over. Santa is still real...for now. I think I was five when I found out that all the people that did cool things for me once a year were really my parents :-( At least the presents didn't stop. Can you imagine? "By the way, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy are pretend and you don't get jack." What a devastating day that would have been.

To be honest, I slip up every year so I guess it won't matter anymore. And I finally get the credit I deserve (even if I did go to Walgreen's the night before to fill her basket) :-D

Here are some pics:

How much did I spend?

2010-02-11T15:09:00.001-08:00

18 babies
x
$10-$30 each
=
OMG

Wait, change that to 16 because looking at the picture closely, 2 are my mom's babies from when she was little, aka. freaking-scary-porcelain-eyes-moving-creatures :-/

Chore Chart = bliss, peace, and harmony.

2010-02-11T15:05:00.000-08:00

She has to do at least 5 off the list to get a smiley for the day. She has to have 14 smileys to get a toy, dinner, or an activity. See you at Chuck-E-Cheese's???? Please????

The Dentist

2010-02-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

Highlights:
1.Twenty minutes to take a one minute x-ray.
2.Gagged on the flouride.
3.Took 27 cheap plastic toys instead of 2.
4.Tripped on the cord to the sucker thing.
5.No cavities!

Holy crazy mommy.

2010-01-25T15:15:00.000-08:00

I need to work on my need to live vicariously, and selfishly through my 5 year old daughter. I have always wanted long, blond, thin, hair. Yes thin. I despise my thick hair. I want stringy, straight hair. Isabella was BLESSED with this. I have worked 5 long years growing her hair and her bangs out until Monday when all my hard work came to a screeching end. Watching the lady at Dot's-n-Dashes "trim" her beautiful blond hair gave me a nervous stomach ache. All that beautiful blond hair falling to the ground. But afterwards, and maybe 2 inches later, I was pleased. I liked how it was one length and it hung a little neater.

It took me a couple days to get used to it because she did look different to me. She looked older. I could still get it in pretties and her bangs stayed in place with out clips. Yesterday, I call her to find that she has gone back to the butcher shop and had more taken off. Layers were added. Hearts were broken...

And then I stopped being so dramatic. OK? I've seen it and it's really cute and I am happy. But done cutting it for 5 more years.

BEFORE:

First cut:

FINAL cut:

Something I am not OK with:

2010-01-25T15:12:00.000-08:00

Tornadoes in California. I was in one when I was in Kindergarten in Colorado. Of course my mom was at the grocery store with my brother and I was at friends house scared out of my mind. We had to go down to the basement and kneel on the ground with our florescent pink/green/orange windbreakers pulled up over our head.

I don't remember anything after that and not because I was knocked unconscious, but because nothing happened. I don't think. I just remember my mom NOT being there, running down the basement stairs, kneeling and pulling the jacket over us. The end. HOWEVER, on Storm Chasers this past season, they did say something about the tornado in Denver in 1988. So FACE to all who never believed me!

Anyways (wow), there was a tornado warning in our area on Saturday. This is a picture of the funnel cloud over Marsh Creek Road, a.k.a. "down-the-street-from-my-house" :-/ No me gusta. I can deal with the fear of earthquakes but don't add tornado's to the mix please.

My Christmas Present

2009-12-17T12:16:00.001-08:00

Isabella gave me this last night:

It was in a Nordstrom's box :-) She wouldn't let me wait till Christmas to open it. She said I have to wear it all the time except when I shower so it doesn't get wet or when I go to the gym so it doesn't get sweaty. Thanks.

All I want for Christmas...

2009-12-17T12:01:00.001-08:00

Is impossible things. Santa is not God. He works part-time as a recruiter and has bills to pay.

I asked Isabella to make her annual wish list. I reminder her that they need to be things that Santa's elves can actually make or buy at Toys-r-us. Unlike her list last year, involving light up ties and all kinds of really over-the-top shirts.

She's a year older now. She has to be able to grasp the idea of real vs. make-believe to some extent right? No. Wrong.

1. A real dolphin that swims in the ocean.

"Isabella, Santa can't bring that." "OK then, a plastic dolphin that swims in the ocean."

She will be getting a blow-up dolphin swim toy.

2. All the Lego's in the world.

Santa can not afford all the Lego's in the world. Santa was shocked when he found a 250 piece set for $20.00 :-/

3. A remote control dog.

Do-able!

4. A remote control duck that quacks and says "Hi, hi." in my voice.

A remote control toy that has a record button for Isabella to talk into? Probably not.

5. A hula hoop.

Done!

6. A DS (gameboy)

McRae is selling me his old DS and some games for $20.00. She is only 5 and does not need a $200+ hand-held game system. No way Jose.

There were a few more things but you get the idea. Her Kindergarten teacher said that all the girls in the class wanted some five story Barbie condo with a hot-tub on the roof and Isabella wanted a pet dolphin. That's my girl. So practical...

Dead serious conversations with a five year old.

2009-10-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

First, a moment for James the Dark Knight :-( He MAY have hit his eye on the rocket in his tank, causing his demise. I can no longer eat hard-boiled eggs because of it...sucks. R.I.P. JDK <3

And moving on...

Isabella has been saying some really great things lately and I am using my blog to record them. Can we make a book out of our blogs???

Mommy "I am going to miss you this weekend."
Isabella "Why?"
Mommy "B/c you are going to be gone for Daddy's wedding."
Isabella, "It's not Daddy's wedding, it's Jacqui's. She's paying for it."

2. Takes place at 6:50 AM:
"Mommy we are up way too early! It's still night-time outside.

3. Re: cut in between her fingers.

Isabella "I can't go to school like this."

Then I was talking to her while I was trying to get the band-aid out of the wrapper and she says, "you need to stop talking to me. This hurts too much." :-(

My favorite and possibly the most dramatic thing she has ever said "Have you ever had a cut like this? My hand is cut wide-open."

Still with the finger 30 minutes later and a custom made band-aid "I can't eat breakfast (real tears) b/c that is the hand I hold my fork with."

Everyone keep in mind, the cut is a teeny tiny paper cut. I posted a picture of the custom made, purple band-aid.

This picture was taken maybe two minutes after she woke up. EVERY morning, she sits up, eyes closed, and talks for about five minutes straight. Her best material usually comes out during this time. Sometimes I am forced to play a game. The rules are usually complicated and confusing, especially when playing with someone with their eyes closed. Sometimes she wants to know EXACTLY what we are doing that day, play-by-play. Sometimes she tells me about her dreams (usually I already know about them because she speaks full sentences in her sleep). And sometimes she says stuff like this:

"I think that at the carnivals we should win money. Wouldn't that be cool? Winning hundreds of bucks?"

Ok, that's all for now.

Holy catching up to do...

2009-09-23T15:41:00.001-07:00

Ok, so my last post was in June. A FEW things have happened since then...

July:

We went on our annual trip to Pajaro Dunes. I wish I was a fancy blogger and knew how to make a link to last years "McRae/Isabella beach pic" to see how they've grown. But I don't so if you're bored or curious, click the link from 2008. I'm probably the only one that will click it.

August:

Kristi's Bachelorette party in Tahoe. We've had a bachelorette in Tahoe for the past three summers. If no one is engaged next summer we plan on going w/a fake bachelorette each night. That's fun.

We DROVE to Portland (b/c i HAAATTTTEEEE flying) for Devin's agriculture show and for me to see Lindsay! We drove the 9 hours Tuesday and drove home the 9 hours on Sunday. It was worth it because of Lindsay <3

August 31, 2009 was a pretty big day. Isabella started Kindergarten. I still can't believe she is in Kindergarten, with a backpack and a snack, and blue homework folder. I miss preschool. She loves it though and is making new friends. There have already been two fundraisers. Want to buy some cookie dough?

September 9, 2009 she turned 5. Again, wow. Where does the time go? Hold on to your babies and cherish every moment because those babies become big kids with big mouths and big hearts. She told Devin this morning, "Devin, mommy is so crazy isn't she? I wanted an english muffin. But that's ok."

Introducing our new family member, James the Dark Knight:

He's a blue (of course) betta fish. I'm kind of in love with him.

Hide-and-seek...they <3 eachother I swear.

2009-06-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

Pool Fights

2009-06-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

2009-06-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

Side Note

2009-06-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

This song should be taken off the radio. It is unfair to play it on a station that Isabella and I occasionally listen to. We like Lady GaGa and Britney Spears. There's nothing wrong with that. 94.9, 106.1, and 102.5 play them. But when this song comes on afterwards, or we catch in the middle, or she hears it somewhere else, OR SHE SINGS IT IN THE FREAKING GROCERY STORE(!!!!), I have a problem. I should call in to the stations.

And the song, if you haven't guessed:

Jeremih: Birthday Sex.

Isabella, "Birthday sets. Birthday sets." Spelled out it seems harmless, but a four year old saying "sets" sounds different.

DANG YOU JEREMIH

The weekend.

2009-06-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

Thursday 6/18: Isabella's Graduation. Cute. Proud. Hot.

Friday 6/19: Pool. Fun. Noodles. Fights.

Saturday 6/20: Peter and Callie's Wedding. Beautiful. Wine. Old Friends.

Sunday 6/21: Father's Day. Appetizers. Dad's. Eclairs.

Ok

2009-05-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

Some updates and pictures:

Isabella read her first word. She sounded it out on her own. Very proud of her. Does this mean she will teach herself to read? Out of all the things that I have been dreading, teaching her how to read is at the top of my list. I remember how frustrated my mom was when teaching us and how frustrated I was listening to my brother sound out every flipping word and taking forever to get to the best part of the book. Her first word as a reader: "It."

McRae had his school play. He rapped. He LOVES singing and acting and says he wished he had a solo in the play. Maybe next year...

Isabella and I have had the pleasure of spending some days with baby Luke while his Mommy is at work. We love it and Isabella is VERY helpful! And maybe had a dirtle once when both kids were crying at the same time. "Zhere's zur zirtles."

I don't have pictures of this but Isabella now has two pet frogs at her Dad's house. Bill and Taylor. They eat crickets and worms that go in the refrigerator. Gross. She is really into catching Rolly Polly's and slugs (whom she refers to as squids). One day I found 2 Rolly Polly's in her water cup on her night-stand. We now have rules in place for the bug catching.

And she stole. From me. I have a drawer of candy. I'm not proud of it. She likes these bunny candies from Easter and USUALLY asks for one. However, yesterday when I was in the shower I heard the drawer shut. I called her name. She came running over to the shower, empty handed. I asked her if she was in the candy drawer. She said yes. I asked where the candy was. She THREW it down in the hallway when I called her name. Tricky, I'll give her that, but naughty, naughty, naughty. And then I found out that she took three pieces. Two is always the limit.

The reason we got the dog.

2009-03-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

FINALLY! Brody has been the one lab in the world that jumps over puddles, holds his pee for 9 hours to avoid going outside in the rain, and tip-toes through the wet grass. Until…NOW!! Devin and I took him on a walk the other day and went down into the creek that runs through our neighborhood. At first Brody was jumping backwards trying to get away from the creek. Then I tried throwing a “treat” which was a rock, into the creek and telling him to get the treat. He reluctantly stepped one foot in the creek and reached his neck out before him as far as it would go until he realized he was going to have to go in further. And he did.

We were happy. He is supposed to be a hunting dog, swimming through the marshy waters, retrieving the ducks.

Yesterday, as we were looking Brody’s favorite ball I threw over the fence the night before, we decided to try the creek again. We walked down and Brody ran right in. We only had to do the treat fake-out one time! He ran up and down, through the shallow and the deep parts, and loved it. We were happy. He is supposed to be a hunting dog, swimming through the marshy waters, retrieving the ducks.

And… do you know what this means for me? He tires himself out doing this and it only involves me walking him for less than a block. Plus Isabella gets to “explore”. Two birds, one stone.

Can someone please buy this for me?

2009-03-27T15:18:00.001-07:00

I want it. Devin says, "No. Absolutely not." I've only spent a few minutes with him, but I think I love him more than Brody. I haven't stopped thinking about him since we first met on Sunday. Maybe someone could be his foster mom and dad, and I'll come by and hang out sometimes??

Here he is:

Well, this isn't "him" but a google image Parrotlet. He looked a lot like this though, just with a sweeter disposition.

And here is where you can purchase him for me:

$139.00 at the Concord Feed Store in Pleasant Hill.

Weekend Getaway in Napa

2009-02-23T15:07:00.001-08:00

Devin and I went to Napa this Saturday for a post-birthday/Valentines Day celebration. His Dad works for Silver Oak and was able to make us appointments at some very nice wineries. We started at Twomey. They have the GREATEST Pinot Noir. This is my favorite wine, and my favorite bottle. Devin’s dad spoils us and brings us home a few bottles at a time.

Our second stop was Arger-Martucci. A girl I work-out with told me about it. They are a very small winery, only producing about 200-700 cases a year, depending on the wine. They are not sold in stores, only at local restaurants, and available to their club members.

Then we went to Silver Oak. Ever seen the license plate frame: Life is Cabernet? Silver Oak's slogan. They only make Cabernets and they run about $100 a bottle in the Napa Valley. Jim spoils us here too. We have a couple bottles of this as well that we are saving for a special occasion. We had a tour of the new winery, a special meat and cheese plate, and a private VIP tasting table. It was very fancy.

Our final stop, thankfully…was Pina. No thanks. The guy was kind of a jerk. He stood behind a three inch table and poured us a drop for each tasting. The wines were $75 a bottle and NOT worth it. We were there for about 4 minutes, and all we got was this horrible picture:

Please remember this is after a LONG day of wine tasting. And because Jim got us these special VIP appointments, we were poured a little/LOT more than the average taster.

We then went to our hotel, The Silverado Resort:

Nice. Despite the fact that the place reminded me of a retirement community. It is a really old country club w/golf courses and mansions. We ate dinner in the Mansion at The Grill. Dinner was OK. We tried to go to breakfast there also, but ended up leaving b/c I did’t like the menu. The room was really nice. We had a bottle of wine, Devin made a fire, then we went in the hot tub, and after the 11:00 o’clock news, we went to bed. It sounded good for a while there, huh? Strictly PG.

I'm sort of serious about putting up this far away and blurry picture.

It was very fun being with Devin alone. It has been awhile since we’ve had more than 24 hours alone. I had been looking forward to it for sooo long. I am sad it is over, but realize that we only live 45 minutes from Napa and should take advantage of that more often.

For those of you Red wine fans, here are our favorites from the weekend:

Twomey 2006 Pinot Noir-$50
2005 Merlot-$50
Arger-Martucci 2005 Syrah-$30
2003 Pinot Noir-$30
Silver Oak-2004 Napa Valley Cabarnet-$100
2004 Alexander Valley Cabarnet-$70

Screw Pina. This is not the first time we've come home from Napa HATING a winery. Plump Jack, Gavin Newsom's winery, really pissed us off last year when the single guy behind the counter ignored us and poured only for the bachelorette party of 12. Boo Plump Jack.

When Isabella met Luke <3

2009-02-23T14:49:00.000-08:00

She fell in love. She has been talking about “baby Luke” ever since. She watches the video over and over. Now she wants a sibling. She says she will push the baby in the swing and bring me clean diapers. Well then, if it’s that easy, what are we waiting for??? Just kidding… We will wait till she is of actual “baby-taking-care-of” age =) Luke sure is cute though and pretty tempting…

She fell in love. She has been talking about “baby Luke” ever since. She watches the video over and over. Now she wants a sibling. She says she will push the baby in the swing and bring me clean diapers. Well then, if it’s that easy, what are we waiting for??? Just kidding… We will wait till she is of actual “baby-taking-care-of” age ;-) Luke sure is cute though and kind of tempting…

A weekend full of LOVE

2009-02-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day was a big deal for us this weekend. Friday Isabella had her school party where she passed out/received valentine's and candy and then had a HUGE lunch with all her friends. I got to sit in a tiny wooden chair and eat lunch with her and her friends. There was a lot of joking around, some potty talk, and a great big mess to clean afterwards. She had a lot of fun and I was able to see her interacting with her classmates. Very cute. Minus the "poo poo" talk.

That night Devin's parents had us over for a Valentine's Dinner. It was delicious and Isabella had a good time eating candy.

Saturday night, Devin and I had a couple hours to ourselves. He picked up my favorite wedge salad from the steakhouse, and made chicken picatta. We also opened a bottle of wine that we had been saving for a special occasion.

He's Here!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-18T14:51:00.001-08:00

Luke Richard Hansen
2/16/09
8lbs. 11oz. 21 3/4in.

Megan was a champ. Mommy and baby and Daddy are all home and doing great! I'll let Meg blog about the birth experience.

Heart's-a-burstin’

2009-02-11T12:16:00.000-08:00

Isabella has this new obsession about whether or not a person/fictional character would be nice to her if she was their daughter. Maybe she's shopping around for a new, nicer mommy or maybe she just thinks that everyone should be nice to her even if they're not to others. I just don't know. She has asked this about the parents in the movie Matilda, and about Rhianna, Lady GaGa, and Taylor Swift. I have no idea why, but she needs to know how they would parent her.

Last week, I found what I thought to be the original CARTOON Snow White on ONDemand. However, it was actually the 1987 British version, w/real people. But she liked it and didn't know the difference, so whatever. We all remember the evil step mom that tries to kill Snow White (why are these kids stories?) and looks in the mirror to see who is the fairest of them all, blah blah blah. Well, in the car yesterday Isabella asked:

“Mommy, if the step mom was my mommy, and she was mean to me, I would tell her she was beautiful and then would she be nice to me?”

But before I could answer she added:

“What if I told her she was handsome? Would she be mean to me?”

I think answering her own question. I love her reasoning.

Yet another Heaven conversation:
My mom picked her up from school the other day and she asked about Teddy, our family dog who was put to sleep in May (devastating to all  ).

“Grandma, who is going to give Teddy food and water in Heaven?”
Grandma: “God provides as much food and water as teddy needs and he can run around and play all day with his other dog friends. Teddy is very happy in Heaven.”

Isabella, “I didn’t see any food or water when I was in Heaven.”

Grandma, “Um, when were you in Heaven.” Maybe slightly creeped out…

Isabella, “When we put flowers at Nana’s in Heaven.” She thinks the graveyard where she visits her Grandma is Heaven.

Thank you Supernanny Jo xoxoxoxoxo

2009-01-29T16:07:00.000-08:00

We created the "bead jar" a couple months ago. There are 3 lines on the jar, and "beads" (I say beads loosely because they are actually x-mas bells) to fill the jar when she has done something "bead worthy". She normally gets one bead at a time, and on special, special occasions/when mommy is in a really good mood, she gets two at a time.

Here are the rules:

The first line- she gets something that has been taken away back...please DON'T open my linen closet upstairs!!!!

The second line- One toy at the dollar store. Love love love that place....for toys only. A little lead never hurt. Just kidding. I think.

The third line- 4 toys at the dollar store (because that is how old she is), or a big toy at Target or something. We rarely hit the 3rd line...

A typical "bead getting" day consists of these things:

*Gets herself dressed

*Brushes her teeth (yes that is a Spiderman electric toothbrush)

*Brushes her own hair...normally resulting in a mullet type do. Mommy does it over, usually. Sometimes I'm too tired to care.

*Finishes her breakfast or at least eats till she is full.

On special, special, occasions, she cleans up her room or the downstairs mess. These are my favorite "bead worthy" chores and have been known to be worth two beads! When she does clean up, I begin to wonder if she is too young to vacuum? It's a light weight vacuum. Obviously, I would carry it upstairs for her when she was done with the downstairs.

Again, thank you Supernanny! When I do implement the "bead" jar, life with a drama mama preschooler is a little easier!!

Not making it easy...

2009-01-26T13:12:00.000-08:00

It's hard to follow my #10, #9, and #8, 2009 resolutions when stuff like this keeps happening:

2009

2009-01-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

I realize New Years Resolutions are supposed to take effect January 1st, but I couldn't decide on NYE what I wanted to work on this year... until today. Yes, there are 10 things, because chances are I will only follow through with 1 or 2. I'm OK with that though. It means that I've changed a little from 2008. Here they are in order of importance, #10, clearly being the least important:

10.Play fetch with the dog.

9.Take the dog to the dog park.

8.Take the dog for a walk.

7.Stop buying Isabella a toy EVERY TIME we go to the store.

6.Donate 80% of the toys filling ALL the closets and storage cabinets in garage.

5.Save money.

4.Stop being selfish with the laundry. Devin needs clean underwear too.

3.Make dinner for everyone, once a week.

2.Play with Isabella instead of finding chores to do while she plays.

1.Stop laying w/Isabella till she falls asleep. And STOP moving myself and my blankets, pillows, and snoogle into her room @ all hours of the night when she wakes up. She is four. She can sleep alone.

Stalling techniques at bedtime.

2009-01-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

Isabella is the queen of stalling when it comes to bed-time. She is either thirsty, too cold, too hot, wants socks, doesn't want socks, needs new sippy, needs black teddy, brown teddy, curious George, or the pink hippo, needs the lite-brite on, close the closet door. My favorite of all time: take the scary Raggedy Ann, life size doll, out of the closet w/her "baby", Madeline.

But the winner of the most frequently used stalling technique: I need to go potty!!! This is by far the worst one and the most time consuming, especially in the winter when she is in feety pajamas.

Lately,she has been stalling with really sweet questions. I thought I'd share a few of the ones that melted my heart:

Isabella "Mommy, what color are butterflies eyes?"
Me "Um, black." Right?

Isabella "I wish I was a baby again."
Me "I'm sorry but Mommy can't do that for you."
Isabella, "Can you ask the police officer then? Or God?"
Me "I'll see what I can do."

Isabella has finally learned how to say her prayers at night. I used to say them for her and she would say Amen at the end. Now she can do the whole thing. However, at the end when we say "God Bless Mommy and Daddy, etc." she'll always add a few extra special people. Soemtimes it's Mickey Mouse, or her teacher, or the neighbor kid, but this time she added her Great Papa. We usually do just immediate family and then end with, "and everybody that I love" kind of summing it all up, but this time she said Great Papa and this is what followed:

Isabella "I miss my Great Papa" (he passed away in June '07).
Me "I know but Papa takes you to see him right?" (meaning his grave in SF)
Isabella "No silly, Great Papa moved to Heaven."

I could eat her sometimes.

Where do I start???

2009-01-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in a record breaking 3 weeks! I usually blog every Monday but with the holiday's and being sick, it didn't get done. I am gonna make this short with lots of pictures to sum up the last 3 weeks. So much to report:

First we picked our tree, and made cookies:

Devin and I went to his super fancy Christmas party for work:

We then had a birthday party for Devin's dad:

Christmas Eve was spent at Devin's parents house, delicious!

Santa came and the kids had WAY too many presents. Maybe I'll put some away and take them out slowly? Isabella would never know. I still have presents hidden away from her b-day.

New Years Eve was low-key and exactly how we wanted it to be. I was with Isabella at midnight. I think she may have stayed up later than I did.

New Years day was spent at the duck club. It was my first time going and I didn't really know what to expect. We tried to go fishing, but the guys were shooting clay pigeons and Isabella hated the noise. So we watched a little TV and ate some Craisin's and then went home.

Isabella had a lot of fun with her friends over the break. We went to Story Grow in Concord (really fun for ages 0-6). We played outside in the freezing cold with the neighbors, brrrr! And we went to Marine World, also very cold but fun!

Happy and healthy 2009 to all of our friends and family!!

It's Snowing?

2008-12-18T10:58:00.000-08:00

When we came downstairs this morning, Isabella looked outside and said, "It snowed last night!" There was frost covering the tanbark and the grass. I'll give her that, but what she was actually talking about was not snow.

She asked to go outside while I made breakfast. She came running in a few minutes later with two "pieces of snow" in her hands. I didn't have the heart to tell her that she was holding the stuffing from Brody's dog bed (that's a whole other blog).

She asked to put her "snow" in a Ziploc and bring it to school. So we did. And it will probably sit in her cubby for the entire day b/c every time she brings something to share, she forgets to take it out of cubby. There are several Ziploc bags filled with Isabella treasures at the bottom of the cubby. I should probably clean that out. Someday.

Too Busy

2008-12-15T12:21:00.000-08:00

This was a fun-filled/jam-packed/exhausting weekend for all of us. It was a little too busy for my liking. I normally enjoy ONE activity per weekend. Here is the breakdown of the madness:

Friday:
Play-date at the wet slides, swings, climbing structures, park. 9:30 AM is probably not the best time for the park, especially in December. But Isabella and her buddy Will had fun despite their wet behinds!

We then had to run some errands, bake a cake, frost and decorate it, and get Isabella ready for her Winter Wonderland Play at preschool that evening. The whole gang was there to watch her concert or what she called it, her "contest". The Pre-K class were singing "You better watch out" and "Jingle Bells". Isabella did inform/warn me that they were to sing Jingle Bells, not once, or twice, but five times! It was cute because my child was up there singing, but I felt bad for the poor parents of the kindergartners that had to wait for all four age groups to go first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpCbUYuC4qs

We then went back to my parents house for my brother's 24th birthday celebration, of pizza and cake, decorated by Isabella :-O! Let's just say, if you can't tell from the pictures, that she likes sprinkles. It was a little crunchy.

Saturday:
We had a bowling birthday party for the neighbor girl. The kids were over that pretty quickly, as were we. There was a buzzing noise in the background, the entire time we were there, that seemed to only be apparent to Devin and I. After the party the kids came home and rested, I cleaned, and got ready for our big Fondue party at T.J. and Shane's. I have pictures but snapfish won't let you "right click" and "save as" anymore? So that will have to be a separate posting. Are you excited?

Sunday:

We celebrated Kristi (ahhh I type Krisit eachtime. Never Fails.) upcoming wedding!! We went into the city and had brunch at Baracuda. There were bottomless mimosas and something besides sushi for Ash and I. We were home by four. I spent the rest of the day on the couch, which I'm ok with admitting to and doing, after the weekend I had!

Friday Night after Thanksgiving = Bust

2008-12-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

Apparently the Wednesday before is the night I should have had my mom baby-sit. There really are no words to describe the night that ended at 11:00PM, other than these pictures:

Ok, no words besides the words I need to narrate the pictures:

This was the crowd @ Arties. Northgate class of 1980.

Our activities included taking pictures of ourselves. (Please notice the empty tables in the background.)

And last but not least, the waitress at the Greenery walked us to our table, took our drink orders (3 budlights in cans) and brought us what Sophia thought was going to be a plate of nachos, but turned out to be Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos. Good times.

I am hopeful for next year.

Dear Santa,

2008-12-03T15:16:00.000-08:00

I am a four year old girl (boy) from California. I have been extra good (not so much) this year and would really like these four things:

1. Transformers-"Optimus Prime" and "Bumblebee". ( I think she may only have one of those names right. But I wouldn't know b/c I played with CABBAGE PATCH KIDS for crying out loud!)

2. Spiderman Backpack.

3. Spiderman Clothes. (I kinda thought we were past this phase...)

4. Buzz Lightyear tool box (For reals? Isn't he an astronaut? Does he also build things in his spare time?)

Thank you Santa and I can't wait for you to eat my cookies and see my room (I told her he stays downstairs but she insists he see her room.)

Love,

Isabella

Ps. You frighten me and maybe will forever, but please deliver these gifts.

(The list is in an envelope addressed to Santa, with a 42 cent stamp. We are taking it to Macy's and then they donate $1 to Make a Wish Foundation. EVERYBODY DO IT NOW!!!)

Megan's Baby Shower

2008-11-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

” Babies are such a nice way to start people.” Don Herrold

"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body." –Elizabeth Stone

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bank balance smaller, home happier, clothes dirty, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.”-Author unknown

"A baby is an angel whose wings decrease as his legs increase."
Author Unknown

The pro's and con's of Devin's hunting...

2008-11-12T16:09:00.000-08:00

Devin, his Dad, Dad's bff and his son go up to their duck club (condo's somewhere in the middle of marshy nowhere land) every Tuesday and Saturday night during the hunting season. This has been a tradition for about 5 years now. There are other guys up there with them and they eat a 3-5 course meal, drink some wine, and get up at the crack of dawn to hunt. I have mixed feelings.

Pro's:
-Devin gets to spend time with his Dad.
-Devin gets to spend time with his friend.
-Devin gets a night off of Brody.
-Devin is successful at the hunting and gets his limit each time.
-Devin is excited to bring home the ducks, pluck their feathers, clean them and get them ready to cook, in our garage.
If I have to have one that starts with me:
-I get to watch my DVR girly shows that Devin refuses to watch with me when he is home.
That's it.

Con's
These will all start with me:
-I miss Devin terribly on these two nights.
-I am all alone (Brody doesn't count) b/c Isabella is happens to be gone Tues/Sat.
-I have to make dinner for myself.
-I have to go swimming (well so far only once with TJ but big plans for more). It is cold because it is an outdoor pool and it's November. Not to mention, swimming is much harder than I remember and I felt like I had swimmers ear for a couple days after. This is all because I am trying to keep busy and pass the time.
-I am solely in charge of Brody. It's a big job taking toys, toilet paper, water bottles, pillows, the stupid kitchen towel (everyday!) out of his mouth. This up and down from the couch really prevents me from watching my shows. And That was my only pro, btw.
-I don't eat duck.

Here's a picture of Brody with the duck Devin brought home:

Are you grossed out? Devin would throw the duck and I swear if it wasn't dead already, it definitely would have been after what sounded like his neck breaking every time it hit the grass. Brody would run after it, pick it up by it's wing, and bring it back. Devin was so proud.

FYI: For those of you PETA members or for those of you not so extreme, but still find hunting cruel:
Devin pays lots of money each year for the ducks to live and reproduce. For every duck shot down, a new one is being born. I don't really know, but he did tell me once and I felt better about it.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

2008-11-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

We celebrated on Tuesday night at Evanna's Italian Kitchen. The food, wine and company were all great. However, do you remember this scene from "A Christmas Story", when they go out for Christmas dinner b/c the dog's ate the turkey???

That's right. We were the only people in the resturant. This may have had something to do with it:

It was kind of nice having the place to ourselves though.

Love ya Dad!

Dracula and Spidey

2008-11-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

The Ghostbusters, the Devil's wife, a sailor, and Bert

2008-11-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween!!!!!

2008-10-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Funny

2008-10-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

Isabella bought her bff R.J. this:

When explaining the "really cool" birthday present to McRae, she said this:

"I got him Deanie Hook, Hockie Talkies."

Translation: Incredible Hulk, Walkie Talkies.

Awe.

Isabella's Resume

2008-10-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

Isabella G.

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Highly developed flower girl skills with ability to effectively walk down the isle in a straight line.
• Excellent wardrobe of white dresses, white hair clips, and headbands.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Simpson Wedding -Discovery Bay Sept. 20, 2008
• Successfully walked down the isle and stood at the alter with the bridal party.

McCabe Wedding – Heather Farms, Walnut Creek. Sept. 6, 2008

• Walked down the isle with Ring Bearer, no problems. Stood up at the alter for the remainder of ceremony.

Baxter Wedding- Christ the King, Pleasant Hill. Aug. 2, 2008

• Attempted to walk down isle in front of Mommy and Megan but ended up walking in between them.
• Did not have to stand at alter, instead sat quietly with Grandma.

Hansen Wedding- St. Mary’s, Moraga. Aug. 11, 2007
• This was my first wedding, let’s remember…
• Wasn’t so into walking with the other kids, so cried instead and walked down the isle in Mommy’s arms.
• Mommy’s groomsman had to walk alone.
• I sat with Grandma during the ceremony.
• I then walked back down the isle with Mommy, again leaving her groomsman to walk alone.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
8/11/2007-9/20/2008
• I believe I have grown up a bit since my first wedding and after 2, I am able to walk down the isle w/out Mommy.
• I have also grown in the area of standing at the alter rather than sitting with Grandma.

References available upon request.

Baby Terror

2008-10-02T14:35:00.000-07:00

Somebody is getting WHISPERED this weekend...

Sissy Pants

2008-09-29T16:13:00.001-07:00

I love her and her cheeseball smile.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

2008-09-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

My mom turned 61 on Thursday 9/25. We celebrated on Friday with a dinner and a spectacular birthday cake. Somebody REALLY talented made it. Me! Somebody also ate the batter off the beaters and got a tummy ache.

She is the greatest. I could probably come up with 61 things that I love about her, but it might take my whole work day. So I am going to come up with 6 wonderful things about her and 1 super wonderful thing (I did a similar formation with the candles).

6. Helps me out at work so I can make more $$$. (It's complicated but it means a lot!)
5. Cuts out and highlights articles that she reads in the paper or magazines that usually applies to Isabella and her behavior.
4. Was a HUGE help for Isabella's party. Actually, every party I've ever thrown!
3.Picks up Isabella on Mon/Wed from school so I can go to the gym.
2.Makes sure she is home almost every lunch break so we can eat together.
1.Listens to me vent, gives good advice, and deals with my moods.

#1 Would and does do everything for her family and friends!

Love you Mom!

Look-alike Meter

2008-09-22T14:51:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Love at first sight

2008-09-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Brody the Bruiser met Lexi (Punes, Pooney Toones, etc.) on Saturday for the first time. We took him to the vet on Friday and she gave us the go ahead to mingle him with vaccinated dogs.

The meeting went a little like this:

Not quite BFF's yet, but they will be.

More B-day Pictures

2008-09-18T11:36:00.001-07:00

Am I abusing blogspot? It's become my online photo album.

Mobile Post

2008-09-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Well kind of. I just emailed myself pictures I've taken from my cell phone. I know with my track record they won't get developed so I decided to post them here.

Isabella's B-day Bash

2008-09-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

The party was a success! Isabella had a lot of fun, jumped on the jumpy for hours, was redder than I've ever seen her, soaked her pretty dress, changed into clothes I would never pick out (thanks Ash!), threw a couple fits, played the baby in a game of house, ended up with a pacifier for the last half of the party (good manipulating lovey), bashfully blew out her birthday candles, finished opening presents and asked for more, rode bikes into the moonlight, requested to go inside because she was tired (never happens), and passed right out.

Thank you to everyone who came!

Who's a good boy??????

2008-09-15T12:30:00.001-07:00

Brody is!

Yes, we changed the name. There were a few people that thought of Henry as an old man, or kinda sissy-ish. Devin and I, plus the help from our parents, considered many names before settling on Brody. Brody Grace came home yesterday. We took the kids to Manteca to pick him up. It was a very long car ride there and an even longer car ride back. Brody doesn't love the car. My neck was covered in welts from him jumping up to give kisses. I was tempted to wear a turtleneck, (although I don't think I own one) to the two b-day parties we had to go to yesterday. I looked like I had some sort of skin disease.

Anyways, Brody is getting settled. He seems to be potty trained. When he has to go, he just walks outside. Sleeping was a little rough last night...for Devin. Isabella was up at around 2:30 and I went in her room to sleep. Not b/c of the puppy, I do it every night. I know.

Brody has strong hunting lines in his family. Devin is very excited to take him hunting with him next duck season. He already points (def: The stiff and attentive stance taken by a hunting dog.) He will also bring the ball back to you, a.k.a. fetching and he supposedly sat for Devin.

Last night he attacked my down comforter. I think maybe the goose feathers had something to do with it?? It was very cute. He was growling and I think trying to take the comforter off of me. He was saving his mommy :-)
I love him.

We are very excited to have Brody in our lives!

The new man in my life...

2008-09-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

Isn't he cute? This is "Baby Boy" Hansen. I can't wait to meet him!!!

My baby is 4!!!!!

2008-09-11T14:07:00.001-07:00

Four years ago...

9/9/04:
Labor began at 12:50 AM. Excruciating pain till about 9:00 AM when I received my epidural, heaven! Isabella Marie was born at 5:47 PM, weighing in at 8 pounds, 1 ounce and 19.5 inches. Those 17 hours were well worth it.

9/9/08:
We opened presents in the morning. I tried to stick with the list but come on? She did get a Lightning McQueen shirt that lights up (remember she has one that makes noise)and a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse toy. I kinda did my own thing for the other presents. The light bright was a HIT! She sleeps with it every night.
One thing she did ask for was a blue bike. Well...I remember falling off a boys bike when I was younger and it hurts. Right? So Devin and I went to Toys-r-us and picked out a girls bike that was blue. Devin put it together (very sweet watching him on the family room floor with his tools) and wanted me to wait till he was home from work to give it to her. She knew she was going to open his present when he got home and I kinda built it up, so she was very excited. He came home, got the bike from the side yard, set it up behind the patio furniture, and asked her to go find it. What do you think she did when she saw it?

A. Jump up and down with excitement
B. Get right on and start riding
C. Throw herself to the ground and cry

Yes, C. Devin knew that would be her reaction and was upset that we didn't get her the boys bike. I had to sit with her outside, calming her down, complimenting the bike, and reassuring her that all the neighborhood kids would think it was cool. About an hour later, not kidding, we went out front and she rode the bike. When her friend R.J. came home, she got right off and made me carry it to his house. She was embarrassed that she was on a girls bike! I told Jessica (the mom) to have R.J. go up to Isabella and tell her how cool her bike was. He did and within 10 seconds she was back on and riding with all the kids.

Success!!!

Party is on Saturday. 90 degrees. Broken A/C. Will post pictures of the sweaty event next week.

Napa

2008-09-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

The Hansen's, Baxter's, Devin and I, took a day trip to Napa this past weekend. We started out at Silver Oak for the best red's you've ever tasted. You know their slogan, "Life's a Cabernet." Then we got a sandwich at Oakville Market. Probably one of the best sandwich places in the Country. I always get the chix salad w/chutney and curry mayo. Or something that sounds yummier than that. We took our food to St. Supery and ate outside on their picnic tables. We then tasted a mix of whites and reds. Bought a couple bottles and moved on to Silverado. The pictures are mostly from here w/the great views of the valley. After Silverado we went to Rutherford and tasted wine with chocolate. Possibly my favorite winery b/c of this. We were kinda over the tasting and wanted to go find a place to open one of our bottles, so we went to Chandon. Turns out it was Champange only and the grounds had one picnic table at the top of the parking lot driveway. We set up shop. Shane carefully cleaned the chair he was going to sit on w/a small branch and took a seat. SNAP, the chair leg fell off and Shane fell forward. He did a heck of job saving the red wine he was holding. He only spilled on his leg. Very funny.

We had dinner reservations at Hurleys, a cute little place in Younteville. I was soooooooooooooo excited for this place b/c when I went in January they had a salad with polenta crutons. I talked about these crutons all day and Devin kept saying "I bet they won't have them. It's probably not a permanent fixture on the menu." I would get really mad each time he said it. "HOW WOULD YOU KNOW!!! Well, he was right. I was mad. Devin jinxed me. Despite the crutons, we had a great dinner, good wine, and lots of fun! Thanks for driving Meg!

Isabella's Top 10 Songs

2008-09-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

I cannot listen to Elmo, Wiggles, Raffi or Ralph's World anymore. The i-Trip made for the i-Pod is the greatest invention. I am able to listen to my songs from the i-pod through the car radio (I hate all you new car people that have xm or the i-pod capability already built in). Isabella has found many non-kid songs that she loves, but tires them out very quickly. Here are her top ten songs in order of what she calls them and their actual titles:

10. "Do do dah do" -Ryan/Sharpay-What I've been looking for-HM1
9. "Feel the rain" -Natasha Bedingfield-Unwritten
8. "Sticks"-Natasha Bedingfield-Pocketful of Sunshine
7. "Skeleton"-Tim Burton's Nightmare before x-mas song-What's this
6. "Funny song"-Maroon 5-Makes me wonder (Don't know why it's funny)
5. "Slow-fast song"-Ne-Yo-Closer
4. "Steps"- Jordin Sparks-One step at a Time (knows all the words)
3. "The bad words song" -The Ting-Tings- Shut up and let me go
2. "Shake em dice and roll em"- Pitbull-Go girl (Not proud of this)
1. "The one when you picked me up a daddy's"- Pink-So What

Most of these songs, at one point, were my favorites. All have been compromised due to overplaying.

That was kinda fun so I am going to do my top ten right now. I would like if other's did the same b/c I am always looking for new songs!!

10. Bittersweet-Fuel (kinda old school)
9. Suffocate- Cold
8. Just Dance- Lady GaGa
7. Left Outside Alone- Anastacia
6. Demons-Guster
5. Forget about the rain- Trapt (Remember them Meg?)
4. Champion in Me- 3 Doors Down
3. The Garden-Mirah
2. The Resolution-Jack's Mannequin
1. Whatever you like- T.I. (sometimes I need a little gansta rap in my life)

Ok, enjoy.

I'm mad...

2008-08-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

I was soooooooooooooooooo excited when I was able to right click this picture and save it. The photographer is charging $13.50 for each 4x6 picture. There are 540 pictures and I have saved 54 in my "favorites" folder. That is 13.50 x 54 = $729.00. You can imagine how excited I was when it worked. Well it must have been a fluke b/c I can't save any others. I've tried everything. Any IT people out there?

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

I went to pick Isabella up at my parents house after the gym last night, and she came running as usual to greet me. This time she was running towards me, holding her shirt and going off about something. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it:

A FLIPPIN' LIGHTNING MCQUEEN SHIRT, THAT GOES DOWN TO HERE, AND MAKES NOISE!

(For those of you who have not read the birthday wish list entry, please read and this will make more sense. )

I call her Dad and ask when she got the shirt. He says last weekend, which was way after she made the list! I knew I wasn't going to be able to honor everything on the list but I've definitely been thinking "where the heck am I going to find a shirt that makes noise??" Apparently at Toys-r-us.

And then I'm sitting outside last night w/my neighbor Jessica telling her the story. I said something like "At least she has one now that makes noise b/c a shirt that lights up doesn't exist." Wrong again. They're at Mervyns. Power Rangers, Bat Man, Spiderman, etc.

Wow.

That's the button she pushes and it sounds like cars racing.

IPhoto Booth Fun

2008-08-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

So busy at work...

2008-08-20T15:21:00.000-07:00

First steps!!! Or the first week of walking? I don't remember. Exactly why I wish I had this in '05. Please ignore my awful commentating! I hate my recorded voice. I don't care what people say, it's not the same!

I had another video but can't figure out how to get it one here. I'm not completely sure how I even uploaded this!?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUBX9ET9CG4

Check out the link if you're bored.

"Watch this one, super huge!"

2008-08-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

(Something happened when I originally posted this. So, here it is again.)

Isabella is REALLY into baseball right now. She is good too! She has hit a few over the fence, dozens against the windows, one direct hit to my chest, and I pitched one right at her head. I think she's fantastic at everything she does but I am her Mom, and possibly a little biased. However, Devin agrees and thinks she's incredibly coordinated for her age :-) I knew it. I was thinking of putting her in Tee-ball this Spring, but I think she may be too talented for a silly Tee. Again, biased.

Get a good look at the outfit, too. Football long johns, her new $9.99 "gym shoes" from Target (she picked them out.) Hiding under those awesome shoes, are her Spongebob socks, and under her shirt, a Spongebob watch.

Again, should I be worried?

Here are a couple action shots. My camera broke during a self-timer picture at the beach. It fell off my make-shift tripod and into the sand. I haven't bought a new one yet so this is my phone's camera. Not the greatest shots, but you get the idea.

BTW, do you see our garden in the background? If anyone likes tomatoes (grape, Roma, big beef, etc.), green beans, or cantaloupe, don't hesitate to ask. Also, our sunflower finally bloomed. We only planted one, and it faces the neighbors flippin' fence.

Block Party

2008-08-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

Every year our little neighborhood or should I say "Circle" gets together at the end of one of the courts for a Block Party. There are only about 50 houses, so I guess it's easy to organize. Everyone had to bring an appetizer and their own drinks. Devin and I brought a cooler w/4 bottles of wine, that we were planning on sharing, and artichoke dip. We went with Robert and Jessica (my new friend, love her!) and their three kids: Mikayla, Annelise, and R.J. (Isabella's bff).

It ended up being a lot of fun, except for the introductions we had to make. Well, that Devin had to make. Everyone was listening intently to Devin's intro b/c we are the mysterious couple in the neighborhood. Sometimes we have Isabella and McRae, sometimes just Isabella, or just McRae, and sometimes no kids. Are we married? Who's the parent of Isabella? McRae? As a matter of fact, someone actually asked if the Isabella was Devin's! COME ON! I made that!

We took three group photos that took almost as long as T.J.'s wedding pictures. I smiled in 0 for 2 . But Annie (Jessica's daughter), who is normally really shy around me, wanted me to hold her and my heart burst out of my chest :-) She's my favorite! Shhh. Devin and I did feel really weird not having the kids there. I held someone's baby for 2 hours to make up for it. She spilt my wine all over my pants, and kept shoving her piece of Melba toast in my eye. Definitely not ready for a baby. I'll borrow your's Meg.

To sum it up: Fun. Wine. Cold. Cute kids. Wine. Good food. Wine.

I was definitely not feeling well the next day. Good thing I don't have to do it again for another year!!

HAPPPY 1YR ANNIVERSARY, MR. AND MRS. HANSEN

2008-08-11T16:22:00.001-07:00

This time last year, we were celebrating at Mike and Megan Hansen's wedding. I can't believe it's been a year! And...they are expecting their first child in February!!! I can't freakin' wait! Congratulations on your first year of marriage! You two are the greatest!!

Isabella blog day

2008-08-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

Originally this blog was created so I could document the things Isabella says and does. It kinda turned into T.J.'s wedding events for the past two months, but now I'm bringing it back. This past week, Isabella had two really funny quotes. I'd like to share them:

The first took place with my mom. They were talking about Isabella's Great Papa (he passed away last June). I think my mom said something like, "Oh you went with Great Papa?" And Isabella responded with, "No silly, Great Papa moved to Heaven." I thought that was pretty cute.

The second was while we were laying out at the pool with Megan. Meg may remember it differently (kinda like "Do you love your baby so much? vs. Do you ALREADY love your baby so much?) Anyways, I was called out for saying a bad word. "Oooh, mommy said a bad word." I didn't believe I said a bad word. So, stupidly I said, "What bad word did I say?" She said she wouldn't say it because it was a bad word. Duh. I've taught her well. The mature thing to do would've been to drop it, but I was really curious b/c I really didn't remember saying anything. So I said "Did it sound like 'shhh...?' She said no. I said, "Fuh..." And she said "UCK" It was really funny. Not good. Quite bad actually but still, really funny.

Here she is:

Isabella's Birthday Wish List...

2008-08-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Isabella is going to be 4 on September 9 and I am really struggling on what to get her. I was thinking a sand box, but Devin and I are putting in hardwood floors and don't want to feel sand beneath our toes everyday. Plus, it might scratch the floors. So, I decided that she should make a birthday list. Actually get what she wants, all the while making my shopping easier. She's REALLY rude if it's something she doesn't want or like and kinda hurts my feelings. This way, I can throw the list back in her face if she says she doesn't like it. J/k (kinda).

Ok, so here is the list:

-“Mickey Mouse shirt, that’s clothes, that I can wear to preschool.”

-“Thomas the Train shorts.”

-“Lightning McQueen shirt that I can wear to preschool.”

Ok, the whole "wear to preschool" thing is b/c I told her no boy clothes to preschool. She can wear them at home but not out in public.

-“Minnie Mouse shirt that goes down to here (points to her wrists), that I can wear to preschool.” YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! Hopeful at this point...

-“Goldfish shirt, that goes down to here (wrists) that I can wear to preschool.” She was eating goldfish while making the list.

-“Power Rangers shirt.”

I butted in and said that I would like her to name some toys that she wants, not just clothes.

-“Mickey Mouse clubhouse toy.”

-“New blue bike w/a lighting McQueen helmet.”

Toys, over.

-“Thomas the Train Shirt (goes down to here, wear to preschool…) but also makes noise and matches my shorts.”

-“Play-doh shirt that lights up, makes noise and goes down to here.” Good luck with that, huh?

-“Calculator shirt” (does all the same things as the shirts above)

-“Spongebob shirt” (same as shirts above)

-“New jeans like Devin’s. Same one as Devin’s” Devin juiced.

-“Moon shirt.” (Same as shirts above)

-“I really want Mickey Mouse Shorts.”

McRae slightly irritated, “Does everything have to make noise?”

Isabella, ”Yes, because I like noise.”

-“Hat shirt” (same specifications)

-"Sippy cup shirt” (Same deal)

-“Camera shirt” (You get the idea)

Should I be worried???

More wedding pictures

2008-08-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures that people sent after my last post. These are better I think. They show the groom :)

T.J.'s Wedding

2008-08-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

MR. AND MRS. SHANE BAXTER

In order of events:

Thursday we had the rehearsal dinner at El Charro in Lafayette. Very yummy! Here are some pictures:

The Bridal Party. Friends since 6th grade! Obviously making new friends isn't our thing.

The Maid, Bride and Matron.

T.J.A.M

The Maids.

The Wedding

Saturday August 2nd, 2008

Location: Christ the King Church in Pleasant Hill and Contra Costa Country Club The Church.

Before.

Devin is scared?

True Love.

We were carded? I am arguing.

She makes me really tan...:-) She also did a good job walking down the isle. But she held my hand and walked in between Meg and I. She raised her right hand also during the ceremony. Very cute!
The girls peaking through the blinds, watching the guests arrive. We thought they were glass mirrors. Turns out they weren't and you could see right through. Oops!
The toss.

We took 7000 pictures and we were about 2 hours late for the reception! Hope they turn out! This is a shot of the photographer taking 20 minutes to set up each couple. Right hand out. Chin up. Sometimes he made us do serious faces?

The expecting parents!!!!! Little Dark.

"Where's Julie??" -T.J.

Potty. I didn't know. Plus some one's mom was laying on the b-room floor after consuming too much alcohol. It was exciting. Sorry!!!

These pictures don't really do any justice for the wedding or the individuals in the wedding (me and my shiny face). I will add more as soon as I get them.

Congrats to the newlywed's!!!!!! I love you both and wish you many years of happiness!!! Thank you for letting me be a part of your day!

Lots of tears....Very sad it's over :(

Pajaro Dunes

2008-08-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

Cowboy and Mimi (Devin's Parents) took us and the kids to Pajaro Dunes 7/24-7/26. They rent a two bedroom condo each year, on a really nice, sandy, private beach. The kids LOVED the beach this year. Isabella was so scared of the water when we went last year and stayed as FAR away as possible. This year, totally different. The waves were crashing as high up as her chest. She requested many sand "balls" (castles) and loved the fire "bark" (bonfire) that kept us warm at night. McRae stood guard of the fort that Cowboy and Devin built and loved playing Smash Ball. Devin and I enjoyed our alone time in the mornings with a run along the beach (thanks Mimi and Cowboy!) We all had a great time!

T.J.'s Bachelorette Party!!!!!

2008-07-17T14:33:00.000-07:00

Where:

South Lake Tahoe

When:

July 10-13 2008

Who:

Top: Sophia, Julie, Brook, Nikki, Brionna
Bottom: Kristi, Ashley, Megan and T.J.

Why:

A fun weekend with the girls, celebrating T.J.'s upcoming wedding!

What:

Beers, shots, vodka sodas, jell-o shots, wine, the pool, Riva Grille, Club Blue and some fun little toys!

How:

Quite difficultly. I'm in my mid-late 20's, drinking 3 nights in a row is rough. However, it was a great trip. Lots of good memories! Sad it is over but so excited for the wedding 8-2-08!!

(See myspace.com for some racier pictures.)

Monkey bears.

2008-07-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

I received an email today from Kodakgallery.com saying they were erasing my account if I didn't purchase my pictures. Now I don't know about some of you, but I have Isabella's entire life on these websites (snapfish, shutterfly, costco.com, etc.) I freaked out and started ordering.

(Warning: Do it fast b/c I've hear flicker.com is the same way as well.)

This discovery brings me to this post. I found these two photos, my favorites in that month. (If you're a mom you will understand this. We take/group pictures by the month until they hit about 3 years. They change a lot, really fast!)

Note to Megan Hansen and Alix Allocco: It goes REALLY REALLY REALLY fast! Enjoy every moment. Take lots of pictures. Sleep when the baby sleeps (just kidding, one lesson at a time!)

4th of July

2008-07-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

A very patriotic four-some, if I do say so myself!

We started the day with a parade in "downtown" Clayton. I'm pretty sure all of Clayton's 10,000 residents were there. Little kids had their bikes, trikes, powerwheels, and scooters decorated and rode in the parade. There were also firemen, police, boy scouts, the mayor and some councilman, and the Blue Star Mom's in fancy old cars. Isabella loved the parade but McRae had a little injury that prevented him from enjoying the festivities...

There were some jumpies set up in the back to keep the little ones entertained (parade was a little long). McRae's hand got stuck under his bum while he slid down the slide and it burned him. So we walked to longs, picked up some neosporin and band-aids and went home.

After he was all bandaged up, we went swimming at Mimi and Pa's house (Devin's parents) and now I think I have swimmers ear. Isabella went to a party at her Dad's house and Devin and I went to Tj and Shanes house and enjoyed an adult celebration for Independence Day.

I will not be posting pictures of that night...

Hope everyone had a fun, safe holiday!

Bowling and Leeann's Wedding

2008-06-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

Well...this weekend involved a lot of indoor activities. There are over 1000 fires burning across California (I think) and the air quality is very poor. Because of McRae's asthma, we really had to stay inside and find fun things to do. I love my house but it's not big enough for two, extra hyper kids to play in for 3 straight days. After fingers were pinched in doors, heads were bumped, and one slip down the stairs, we decided to go bowling. Twice.

McRae kicked butt both games. Barely used the bumpers. Isabella rolled her ball down the lane, and about 7 minutes later, 1 mph., the most she knocked down was three pins. But she was very happy and both had a great time.

I did not. Those balls are really hard on your finger nails. Especially your thumb nail. I can lift more than 10 lbs at the gym but for some reason, had a hard time maneuvering that flippin ball.

Saturday was Leeann's (from work) wedding at St. Mary's. Isabella made it about 10 minutes and then we walked to the car and took pictures. Leeann looked beautiful and the reception had very good food. Apparently I only took pictures of Isabella.

Because I'm new to this blogging...

2008-06-26T10:57:00.001-07:00

This is my first day with a blogspot thingy. Megan started a couple days ago and told me I should have one too b/c it's more grown-up than Myspace.com. So here I am. I don't really know how to use it. I want a picture on the top and can't figure it out. I also hate the picture I put up at Ashley's party but can't figure out how to erase it.

Besides these two problems, I am excited to start using this. I need a place to write down the things Isabella says and does. When she started talking, I wrote (on a grocery list note pad) her new words and how she would say them. No idea where that is now, so this is my new start. The point of this blog, is to show some of my favorite pictures of my favorite people. I will become more organized once I get the hang of this.

T.J.'s Bridal Shower

2008-06-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Megan and I threw a bridal shower for T.J. We had a lot of help from the other bridesmaid's and the mother of the bride. Everything came together nicely and I think everyone had a great time! After the "adults" left, we sat outside and enjoyed the rest of the wine.

Father's Day Weekend

2008-06-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! Saturday Isabella performed in her first dance recital, Candy Man. Happy Feet Dance School put it on. Ms. Veronica has been coming into preschool every Thursday afternoon and teaching them this tap dance. Isabella scared her Daddy and I at first b/c she wouldn't go on for the dress rehearsal. She cried backstage up until 10 minutes before show time. And I was very, very surprised, and proud that she went on! She knew all the steps (for the most part) and took a ton of bows. She loved it! Still talks about it and says, "Remember my dance show, and you are so proud?"

After the dance show, we attended another infamous Tyson b-day party. Happy 26th Ben and Ashley! These parties are definitely a tradition. I have personally been attending since their 10th birthday. Now that everyone is grown-up and doing their own thing, these parties are like our once-a-year reunions. I had a ton of fun. Drank way too much, stayed up way too late, and ruined my entire "Father's Day" Sunday.

Father's Day was spent at Devin's parents house with my parents, Darcie and Steve, and Devin, McRae and I. Although I felt like death, the dinner was great and everyone had a good time. I let Devin enjoy the wine and I took the role as D.D.

It was a good weekend!