Sunday, December 21, 2008

November in a Nutshell

We went to Maryland for Thanksgiving week to celebrate with Scott's family. For the first time since before I have joined the family, we had everyone there for a holiday! It was so much fun! My mother-in-law outdid herself, and we all had a blast. Talk about good food...I haven't dared weigh myself since we got home...since the eating hasn't slowed since. ;-> Caden and Soleil had so much fun with their cousins! And I have almost thawed out. Brr!!


Playing in the leaves. The kids LOVED those leaves!


Seriously, they loved those leaves. 3 acres of leaves!!


What's a Thanksgiving without a little touch football?
That's Caden in the blue sweater with the ball...already a quarterback!


Well, it was supposed to be touch football until the uncles started tackling each other.
I think that's Scott getting tackled by his older bro Brent. Tackled or wrestled....just like old times.


The 3 boy cousins, or should I say the 3 boy superheroes?


Soleil loved playing with Grandma.


Grandpa and Caden's birthdays are a day apart, so they had a joint family birthday party.
Happy Birthday boys!

We went to the Baltimore and Ohio Train Museum on our last day there. ( The B&O Railroad has a square on the Monopoly board if it sounds familiar to you) Caden still loves all things trains, and we all had fun.










Well, we all had fun until it was nap time, right Soleil?

Thanks for a wonderful trip, Barry and Linda! We can't wait for the next family reunion!
My good friend Maree was kind enough to have her birthday in November as well, so we rounded up the gang and went to lunch. It was perfect, crazy chaos with as many kids as adults, but it was so fun being with good friends, eating good food, and only having 1 kid to wrestle myself. Happy Birthday Maree! And sorry I didn't get these pictures to you any sooner!




My mom was able to spend some time with us in November. She timed her trip with Caden's party, so we had an extra set of hands to help and she got to help us celebrate his birthday. It was fun to have her!
Grannie with her favorite grandkids.

My dad was also here for a couple of days, but for some reason I CANNOT remember to take a picture when he is with my kids. I kept him busy with house projects - thanks Dad for being my Mr Fix It!
This is from his July visit. At least we have good tans!

Love you both!
Caden turned four in November. It's been a fast four years! He is such a sweet kid - so funny and kind. He is a great helper, which I love, and is becoming quite the sports fanatic, which Scott loves. Caden loves playing with his friends and being outside, so this year we did a Batman birthday party in the park. We played lots of games, ate pizza and cake, and hit the Batman pinata. It was a super hot day (because what else would you expect at the end of November?) but we stayed cool in the shade. Happy Birthday, Caden! I love you!!


Duck Duck Goose...but where did the Goose go?


The boys waiting their turn for the pinata.


You are going down, Batman!


Showing off some of his Batman spoils.
Soleil got her first haircut at the beginning of November. It was time to clean it up and make it less mullet-ish. She's watched Caden get his haircut for a year now, and has wanted her turn for a long time. She loved every minute of it. This girl is all girl!



The end result. She even got bedazzled!

Note to self: even though it sounds cute, do not get the glitter again. It just makes a mess and gets all over everything!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Let's Review

Now that it's practically Thanksgiving, let's review October. We went to Austin to visit my dad and clan and got to see my little sister dance with her high school drill team at the football game halftime. I was on my high school's drill team back in the day, and out of all of my 7 siblings, Melissa is the only one to follow in my footsteps. (7 siblings from 2 families. Let's not forget that vital fact!) My other sister and brother (plus girlfriend) who are currently edumacating themselves in Provo flew in for the festivities, so it turned into a big family reunion. Party!!
Soleil thinks she can swim by herself, which is scary, but at least she's got the posing down!

At the morning pep rally at school. From L-R: girlfriend Carrie, bro David,
sis Michelle, stepmom Jill, sis Melissa, dad John, Caden, Scott, me and Soleil.
All the Osborne kids together for the first time in over 3 years.

Making sushi, yum yum! Caden was off chasing the dogs, but the rest of us huddled around the food.

We swam and ate and swam and ate and had lots of fun in Texas. Thanks for a great time, Papa and Grandma!
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Pumpkin Patch and Halloween

It seemed wrong to be picking pumpkins at the end of October in almost 100 degree weather. We had fun, but didn't stay long. Phew!!

And the end result of the jack-o-lantern carving:


Soleil was sad because...I don't know. But I think it's a hilarious picture. Does that make me a mean mom?
It was so hot here that these pumpkins rotted in 5 days. So 30 minutes before we went trick-or-treating, we quickly carved out 2 more pumpkins.


Caden wanted to be a bat for Halloween. Since his preschool only allowed animal costumes, the bat idea was great! I figured we have years of princess costumes ahead of us, so this year Soleil got to be a bat too. Although I will give her this, she accessorized the bat costume all by herself! Those shoes kill me! And yes, Caden picked his shoes too...just didn't have the same effect.
Yeah for bats!!

Getting ready to get some candy!!
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Caden's Sports
Caden has been taking a sports class once a week. They rotate through the different sports, giving the kids a chance to figure out what they really like to play. Caden is a natural athlete, like his dad, and loved every sport, like his dad. And for once, he was the biggest kid in the class! Coach Steve was great with the kids. There is a 2 month break until the next session starts up, and I don't know what do to with Caden in the meantime....he's been asking for his sports class all week.
Budding Beckhams and Kobes.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Happy Birthday Soleil!!

My baby is 2. Wow, that happened really fast! We went to Chuck E. Cheese's and celebrated in style there. Both kids love going there, and since Scott and I can split up and each follow a kid, it's fun and easy for all of us. Then back home for cupcakes and presents.
We have now officially entered the princess phase. She is starting to love all things girly and pink, which is such a stark contrast to Caden and all things boy. She got so much pink stuff this birthday, it's almost the main color of the playroom! (thanks, grandparents!) Soleil still loves to play trains and throw balls, so I don't have to worry about her not being too well-rounded. Although to add to her girly-ness, she seems to have developed a love of makeup. She loves to watch me put it on and she loves to put it on herself (she doesn't know there isn't anything on Mommy's big blush brush). She loves to color - anything, this is why I have microfiber couches - and makeup is just another version of coloring, right?
Soleil LOVES animals. It seems like her favorite is an elephant. She knows most of the animals and their sounds, and will imitate them for you. She does a mean elephant, complete with hand gesture.
I love to watch my kids interact. They love to play with each other. I'm almost intrigued by their relationship, never having any close-in-age siblings myself. Soleil will walk around the house when Caden is at school yelling, "Caden, where are you?" Whenever Soleil gets in trouble, which is just starting to become more frequent, Caden will tell me to leave his sister alone. I dig the big brother vibe. I love that they watch out for each other and love each other so much.
Soleil is such a happy, easygoing kid. She has a smile and giggle for everyone. She also has a strong personality and is becoming more independent, which I am glad for and scared of all at the same time. I wonder what I'll think in 10 year's time?
I love my little girl!!


I know I'm biased, but how cute is she??

Lining up the shot...Caden is a natural air hockey player!

Mmm....pink frosting! Although she never did eat any of the chocolate part.
What's that about?
"I love cupcakes!"

I love this picture. It shows how "well-rounded" my baby is....trains and tutus. And princess shoes, cause every girl loves her shoes!
A big shout out and thanks to Aunt Judy for making that adorable tutu for Soleil. Since none of her 3 Grandmas do homemade crafty things like tutus, I bug my aunts to adorn my daughter in their creations. Thanks, Aunt Judy....she LOVES it!
Another thanks to Tom and Jen. I got some wonderful comments from my last post about applying for my couch warmer position (you are all hired, by the way!), but Tom and Jen actually brought over chocolate! Thanks, guys!!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Taking applications

Now that it's autumn and school has started, I thought our lives would slow down a little with the Bramwell Bed and Breakfast vacant. But if anything, things have gotten crazier! The last two weeks either Scott or I (or both, in some cases) have had something every nite. And with my swim class and Scott sign waving for Prop 8, every morning is filled now too. So I am taking applications for an evening stand-in couch warmer. (I get the Laz-E Boy chair to unwind at nite, and Scott gets the couch) Requirements: Sense of humor, a bag of chocolate, and no adverse body odor. Any takers?
Soleil's birthday is Thursday. I can not believe my baby is turning 2. Although the girl is all attitude already. She is going to give me a run for my money as a teenager. And my mother is laughing hysterically at that. Karma, right? 
Love you mom!!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

I AM SO EXCITED I JUST CAN'T STAND IT!!!

I have regressed back to being 11 years old. I didn't think it possible, but last nite, as I was standing in the 3rd row, watching the New Kids on the Block come onto the stage, I found myself screaming and jumping up and down, hysterical, practically in tears. Mock me if you will. I don't care! Cause that was the BEST CONCERT I HAVE EVER BEEN TOO! (the awesome seats didn't hurt, either!) I was able to gather my emotions enough to dance the nite away, still screaming all the while. Good times. And, to further convince myself that I have regressed 20 years, I am very proud to say that both Joey and Donnie looked at me and Jen twice. Joey did the head nod thing, and Donnie winked at us. And yes, I screamed like a little girl and almost had my knees go out. I'm glad Scott doesn't ever read this.

So Jen and I drove up to LA last nite for the concert - today is my birthday so this was my big birthday present. What a great husband to let me go and not mock me too much about this. (Thankfully my sis-in-law is going to a NKOTB concert next week, so at least the teasing will be spread throughout the family!) Jen and I had a great time, and got home at 2 in the morning. Can't remember the last time I was up that late that didn't involve nursing a baby! ;-> The 1 thing I am bummed about pictures. Online it said "no cameras allowed", so I obeyed and didn't bring my camera. Whatever! Everyone had their cameras! So we only got bad camera-phone pictures. Bummer. Oh well.

My throat still hurts from screaming. Good times!
Dark and grainy, but so fun!!
Whose Joey looking at? That's right, baby, ME!!
Jordan and Jon
The Boston Boys are back!! NKOTB For-eva!!
It's my birthday. Feel free to send flowers or chocolate.

First Day of School

I know it's October, but bear with me as a catch up. Caden started preschool a few weeks ago. He loves it! And I love him loving it! He started while I was in Aruba with our camera, so these are from Scott's phone. I think these are the first 2 days of school. How cute is he?
Soleil started yesterday in her Mother's Day Out program. It's 1 day a week for 3 hours. She absolutely loved it, and I loved having 3 hours to run errands by myself. I think Wednesdays are going to be my new favorite day!
She was so excited to go to "preschool!"
I'm posting 2 pix of her so you can see that she does have hair. When I did a ponytail in her hair, I didn't think how that would translate into bald-looking photos.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

The Bramwell Bed and Breakfast

70 days. Out of the 122 days in June - Sept, we have either had guests or been gone. No wonder I am so tired and my guest sheets are looking so threadbare. That's more than half the summer!
I started wondering how busy we were this summer after realizing that, as of today, we have had 6 days this month without someone here or us gone somewhere. We've been REALLY busy. But it's been so fun. I really do love having company. Especially if they help clean up!
Let's recap: Five of the 6 grandparents visited. Five of my 7 siblings visited (one being on a mission, so he doesn't count.) One of Scott's four siblings visited, but he came twice and his wife came once, separately. (We are trying to convince them to move here, so they were on recon missions.) Two of my dear cousins came, with family. And two (friends) families stayed with us this summer. We went to to Idaho, Phoenix, and Newport. Scott went to Portland, New York City, Baltimore, and camping. I went to Aruba.
So then I started thinking about the entire year. Last year we traveled every month but Jan and Feb. This year it didn't seem like we had really done that much traveling...until I looked at the calendar. Again, no traveling the first 2 months of the year. March - Maryland and Philadelphia (plus guests later.) April - Phoenix. May - Idaho. June- Sept. I already recapped. Oct - Austin. Nov - Maryland. Dec - NO WHERE!! Yeah for December!

So we just went to Phoenix for my Grandmother's 75th birthday party. It was so much fun - most of the family came for it, so it turned into a mini-reunion. Good times. I love it when my extended family gets together. I cackle just like my mom and aunts and (girl) cousins, so it's really funny when we all get together.

My beautiful Grandmother, the woman who holds us all together and who I absolutely adore.

Some of the cousin crew.


Hmm...maybe it's not just the women in my family that can cackle.


You'd think these guys would have seen an underwater camera before, but I got home with a full memory card of underwater self-portraits.


So after our whirlwind trip to Phoenix (thanks again for letting us stay with you and for watching my kids, Jill and Spencer!) my mom came home with us. We played with Grannie for the week and had lots of fun. It culminated with going to Disneyland and meeting my cousin Jill and her crew there. That was the best Disneyland trip I've ever had! Sorry, Scott! He didn't go with us, and boy, did my arms feel that for the next 3 days! Pushing 70 pounds of stroller and kids or carrying kids is tiring! Since Caden is finally tall enough to ride everything, for the FIRST time in my adulthood, I did all the big rides. We went on Space Mtn, Thunder Mtn, Splash Mtn...all the mountains! It was so much fun! Caden loved them all except Space Mtn. My mom was a rock star helper, and Jill and Spencer were so much fun! Thanks for introducing me to all those rides, guys!

Jill with her daughter, Avery, and Caden and I getting ready for the roller coaster ride! Nice picture taking skills, Spencer!


While we were getting jiggy with Mickey, Scott went to NYC to watch the Yankees play his beloved Orioles before Yankee Stadium closes after this season. He had fun rooting for his team and catching up with hometown friends and family. Plus he brought back great presents, so we were all happy. ;->

Our next trip is in a couple of days, and hopefully I won't be too late posting about it! Soon enough I'll be all caught up on my blogging...you know it's been awhile when your Google reader has 24 after your friend's name. Whoops!
Until next time...