Soccer and dance

We are those kinds of parents. The kind that try to "instill" a love of whatever activity/sport that we love into our kids. Thus, Caden is in soccer and Soleil is in dance. Both kids seem to love it! I am such a proud mama!

Caden (on the left side dribbling the ball) is becoming a soccer stud!

Caden got the "player of the week" award on his very first game!

Soleil loves her tap/ballet class. And I have no idea how to turn this picture.

Shuffle, ball, step across the room

Labor Day weekend

In need of an adventure before getting bogged down in the school and upcoming holiday craziness, we headed to Big Bear Lake with R&M and gang for the Labor Day weekend. It was a lot of fun! Big Bear reminds me a lot of Jackson Hole - quaint shops set in a beautiful landscape. We rented a cabin and explored the area.

The water was freezing!! But that didn't stop the kids from having a great time!

Muscle men!

Feeding the ducks and fish

First day of school!

Caden started Pepp this year. Pepp is a pre-kindergarten program that our school district has for the late-fall birthday kids, since our birthday cut-off date is in December! It gives them another year to mature and grow before kindergarten. It is only held at a couple of elementary schools, so we were lucky to get in at all. Caden loves his class and his teacher! Caden's good friend Brennan is also in his class, along with some kids from his preschool, so that helped with the transition. He's never really been a clingy kid, and on the first day, he marched right into his classroom without a look back. I, however, did leak out a couple of teardrops. I can't believe he is at the big kids school now. It is still tripping me out that my baby is almost 5, and for all intents and purposes, in kindergarten! How did this happen so fast??!!

Caden and Brennan

Soleil started preschool this year. She LOVES it!! Her teacher is amazing! She also has some friends from church in her class, so it helps seeing familiar faces. I was worried about the potty issue with her, but after the first week, it hasn't been an issue. Hallelujah!

I am loving my 9 hours/week to myself. It's so nice to get the car smog-checked and grocery shop by myself! ;->

Summer 2009

We had a fantastic, full summer. We drove up to Idaho for my brother Forest's mission homecoming. The kids did great for the long drive, thank goodness for DVD players! The family all dressed in our best missionary outfits for the airport arrival of Forest. It was so fun to see him, and have everyone together. I love hanging with my family!

Yes, we were quite the scene at the bustling Idaho Falls airport.

My mom did the forced matchy-match photo.

Stormie teaching Caden all her best faces.

Soleil and Forest walking the river belt. I love having everyone home!

Since Scott can only handle a few days with my family at a time (just kidding, Mom!), he flew up to Alaska to meet up with his brother, dad, and uncle for a week of fishing, beard-growing, and male bonding. They caught some serious fish, including a 5"4' halibut. Yes, that is as tall as me. (so is that a big fish, or a small person?) I now have 125 lbs of salmon and halibut in my freezer - so if you've got a fish hankering, come and get some!

Uncle Doug, Scott, Ross, and Barry

Holy fish, Batman!

The kids and I also spent the 4th of July week in Utah hanging with my dad and family at our good friends' home. It was a relaxing, though hot, week. Thanks, Gary and Sue, for letting us take over your house!

David and Soleil

Caden on the 4th of July
After yet another week back in Idaho, Forest and I drove back to SD. We played at the beach and did a little post-mission shopping before he went home.
At the beginning of August, we flew out to N. Carolina to Scott's uncle's lake house. Despite the 5 hour plane ride, this is one of my favorites of our annual trips. Eat, swim, eat, nap and read, eat, take a boat ride, eat, watch a movie, eat and go to bed. See the pattern? Scott's aunt and mom are great cooks, and I am a great cleaner, so together we are unstoppable!

Scott and Caden enjoying a pre-dinner boat ride. Guess who feel asleep?


Scott getting some air wakeboarding.


Soleil imitating the older cousins and attempting her first toe touch.

Uncle Ross and Brinley on the pontoon boat.


Cheese!

Caden did two summer camps, his first ones ever. He and his cousin Drew first did a sports camp and then the next week did a bible camp at his old preschool. Gotta love the songs!

Hope your summer was as good as ours!!

Bramwell B&B

So our bed and breakfast is officially open for the season. Actually, it's been open for the last 6 weeks, but will be closing for the next 3 weeks. Our latest guests have included my wonderful in-laws back in mid-May. We went to a Padre game with them, huffed and puffed our way through the cystic fibrosis walk, and celebrated Scott's 33rd birthday with them. It was a lot of fun! I think I have pictures, but as stated in the previous post, I'm still learning the in's and out's of this new computer, and the photo program and I are fighting right now. The program is winning.
Three days after Barry and Linda left, my dad and stepmom's best friends came for the weekend. Gary and Sue are like my....fourth set of parents. Caden loved playing with Uncle Gary, and Gary and Sue both helped with my dreaded sac. talk. (see post below) They were also here for the start of potty-training, and even assisted with taking Soleil to the potty. Talk about great friends!!

Four days after Gary and Sue left, my brother David and his girlfriend Carrie arrived. David did a month internship at Scott's work, and Carrie washed windows. It was so fun to get to hang with my brother for an extended time, and gave my kids the opportunity to get to really know him. He and Carrie played with the kids, babysat the kids, and explored San Diego when we weren't unloading the kids on them. I really enjoyed having them here. Carrie left a week ago, and David pulled out this morning. And somehow I didn't take a single picture of David and the kids. He was here a month! Why am I so bad at this??? ugh!

My dear aunt Cathy came over from Phoenix last week for 24 hours to help me decorate my bedroom. She is a master decorator - incredibly talented and creative. She sewed my drapes, and I enjoyed her company, if only for a short time. One day I'll get her out here for a "non-working" trip. Thanks for all your help, Cathy! I LOVE the drapes!! It's probably weird to post pictures of your bedroom online, but I am so pleased with how these turned out. I'm anxious to finish the odds and ends, and get this room done!!

Please ignore the ghetto lamp. It WILL be replaced!!

This last week we had 2 different bouts of the fever thing going around. Caden got over it in a day, but poor Soleil got hit a little harder. I think we are all better now, just in time for our trip!

With the beginning of the month came the end of school. Caden LOVED his preschool and his teacher. This is from the last day of school.

Miss Cullison and Caden

Hope everyone has a happy 4th of July!

Sigh of relief

Sac. mgt talk - check. So glad that one's done with. For at least 5 years! Don't call me about speaking again until 2014, people! My nerves and my marriage can't handle it any sooner!

Summer calendar - double check. SUPER glad that sucker is done. While it is an annual affair, I think next year's will be easier...cause Scott got me a new computer!! I love him. He is da' bomb. We bought our computer when we got married, 6 years ago, which is like 50 in techno years. My computer did not have a calendar feature on it. It didn't want to download anything from the internet. And our newer laptop is a Mac. Shoot me in the head...I can't handle going back and forth between a Mac and a PC. Too hard. Anyways, complaining aside, the calendar is done, and I have a new PC!! Hopefully soon my special IT guy will come to set it up for me...firewalls and all. ;->

From Melissa's senior dance recital in April. That shirt makes me look prego. Dang, I thought it was a keeper.

Dad, Michelle, Melissa, Jill, and me. Shiny, happy people.

This is what happens while I work out. Maybe that's why I still have my "baby" weight, and my baby is 2 1/2!! Look closely...that's her hair caught up in there. And she's neekid!! Where are her clothes?? ;-> We are potty-training, so that means no clothes while at home. Keeps the laundry down.

Got to give her props...she never cried while Daddy got her untangled.

Send some happy thoughts for the potty-training. We need it!!

April Adventures

It's time for the Easter post!!

We had a busy April. Caden did a couple of spring break day camps with his cousins. On Easter weekend, my mom and my cousin Jill and her family and her mom, my dear Aunt Cathy came for a quick visit. We ate and laughed and reminisced. Thanks for stopping by, guys! The Easter Bunny was good to the kids this year.


Decorating eggs

While we were in a decorating mood, we finally finished our last gingerbread house from Christmas. I put it up on the counter to harden up, and went upstairs. Soon I noticed how very quiet the house was. I snuck back down, and peeked around the corner to find Caden and Soleil standing on stools whispering to each other and picking the candy off of the gingerbread house. This is them "getting caught."

I love Caden's face, but I'm a little nervous that Soleil isn't fazed at all by being caught.

Caden showing off some of his Easter wares.

Why does my 2 year old have more toned arms than I do?? She doesn't even care about toned arms!!

Still...how cute is she??

Trying for a Easter pix with Grannie. Soleil is all attitude already - heaven help me!

My mom's friend Penny and her 2 daughters came down from Canada to defrost for their spring break. We played at the beach and Legoland, and laughed at how quickly those Canucks got sun-burned here in sunny SoCal. And it's always good when my mom comes to visit!

The last weekend of April I flew to Austin to watch my little sister in her last high school drill team recital. It was so much fun to see...I'm so proud of my youngest sis!! Of course I forgot my camera, so Melissa - email me some photos!! It was a quick trip, but it was fun to just be daughter and sister, and leave the parenting to Scott for the weekend. Thanks, honey!! I love you!!

As soon as I find the camera, I'll post about May.

Feb and March

February was filled with valentines, playdates, meetings, and errands. It feels so long ago, I can hardly remember it. This is why I blog!

Soleil ready for her school's Valentine's party. I didn't get a pix of Caden before school, and there is no use taking one after school.

Caden finished his latest sports class. He loved it, and is counting down the days till the next one starts.

Running the football obstacle course.

A lazy Saturday morning spent popping bubble wrap. We are easily entertained.

As for March, we seemed to keep busy. Scott and I went with Ross and Maria to the Rascal Flatts concert. Mock me if you will, but I love their music! They aren't as cute as some of the NKOTB boys, but I do like their music a little better. (I know, blasphemy from a NKOTB fan) And of course I forgot my camera.

We had a free plane companion ticket burning a hole in our pocket, so we ran up to Utah for a long weekend. My youngest 2 cousins on my mom's side were sealed to their mom and stepdad, so most of the family was in town for that. It was a really cool experience. And thanks to Stormie, Star, and Russ for watching the kids during the sealing.

At the Mt. Timp Temple. Special thanks to Dusty for a pretty cute pix.

We had 3 different families and lots of friends to see, so we were constantly on the go during this trip. We were exhausted by the time we got home, but it was great to see all those that we were able to. Sorry to those that we didn't make it to. (Sara, Soleil and Scott both had colds, so we weren't infecting your babies if you read this before I get a chance to call you!)

My bro Dusty arranged to play in BYU's Guitars Unplugged that weekend, (out of like 75 bands that tried out, his was one of the 15 that got in) so we got to go cheer him on there. (Now you know you are getting old when the college kids look young!) He wrote the song that he and 2 friends played and he sang lead vocals. It was really cool!

Dusty is in the green turtleneck on the left. The drummer, John, is invisible, and Naomi, in black on the right, is ripping the violin.

Scott took Caden skiing for the first time at Sundance. He LOVED it! By the end of his lesson, he was skiing the main hill. I see lots of trips to Utah in our future, that or Big Bear.

My BFF Jenna lives in Orem, so I got to spend an afternoon with her. I love you, Jenna!

Caden and Matthew hamming for the camera.

Caden with David and Michelle. Yes, that is Cafe Rio all over the table. Yum, yum!!

Thanks to David and Michelle for hanging out with us one nite. It was fun to chat and catch up. I love you guys! We also saw Scott's bro, Brent and his family on Brent's birthday. The kids played and the adults ate. My idea of a good time. Thanks for the yummy dinner and extra-yummy Nothing Bundt cake, Kierstin! And last, but not least, thanks for lunching with us, Chanel. Even though it was brief, it was still great to see you and your cute, tiny baby belly and catch up. Next time we FOR SURE will go shopping too! I'm still sad we ran out of time!

Love to all you Utahans! See you next time!

January in Review

I wish I had more time to post great entries filled with humor and happiness. But I like television too much, so that's what I've been doing lately at nite instead of blogging. With American Idol finally getting interesting, and the new show Lie To Me (have you seen it? It's brillant!), and of course my old favorite stand-bys NCIS and The Office, I've been way too busy (and exhausted by 8pm) vegging than blogging. Plus, it's easier eating snicker doodle cookies while watching tv rather than typing.

That said, I have a lot to post about. The most important is, we finally have family here! After 5 1/2 years of pleading and begging, we finally convinced Scott's bro Ross, his wife Maria, and their 3 kids to move to San Diego from Atlanta. Ross is working with Scott. They ended up 8 houses down from ours. All the kids love going back and forth. I love having family nearby. It's been so fun!!

So to further celebrate, Scott's parents came out for a week visit. We had them running back and forth between our house and Maria's house all week. We all went up to Disneyland for a day, and met up with Scott's other bro and family there. It was a rainy day, but it was great for Disneyland. We didn't have to wait at all for the rides. Caden rode Thunder Mtn (his favorite - it's a train!) 5 times. Definitely worth the rain and the poncho purchases.

Soleil met Princess Jasmine for the first time. She was completely enthralled with her - or scared. You decide.

We completely filled up the "Small World" boat.

Grandma and Grandpa finally resting while little Carly slept. Those ponchos seriously came in handy!

Caden and Drew hamming it up for the camera. These 2 guys love playing together.

My dad and stepmom also dashed in for a quick visit. Jill and I unintentionally ended up gardening for hours - she has an incredible green thumb! My yard looks so much better! Thank you for always helping me with my house and yard! I love you!

The only pix I got during their quick visit - taken at 7am as they were leaving for the airport. Yes, my dad's eyes are, in fact, open.

December

Since it's almost Feb, it's time I posted about December activities and Christmas. Right on time for my behind-a-month post.
Caden had his first school program. Granted it was a preschool program, but I was beaming like the proud parent that I am. He was so cute! The whole class sat up on bleachers and sang their songs and recited their memorized lines that the preacher is brainwashing them with. It was great!

Caden's friends, Chaz (behind Caden) and Alex (next to Caden) make this picture great. I love their faces.

Our Santa picture for 2008. Soleil is screaming and hiding in my shoulder. Caden looks bored. We'll try again next year.

Christmas morning with her new shoes. At 2, this girl is all shoes. Hopefully we'll end up in the same size when she's older cause I have my eye on those Sleeping Beauty shoes.

Caden in his new Batman costume with his new scooter and sunglasses. Santa certainly set him up for lookin' good in 2009!

The Botanical Gardens - very pretty at night.

The Gardens even have free marshmallow roasting. That was Soleil's favorite part.

My family came down for the week between Christmas and New Years. We had lots of fun with them. We did Disneyland, and for the first time, Cali Adventure. Meaning for the first time, we stayed in a hotel up there and did 2 days of parks. It was a lot of fun! Having lots of aunts, uncles, and grandparents to help with the kids, or hold them while I go on a ride made it even more fun! Thanks for coming! We love you!

My mom and Caden in Cali Adventure. Mr Potato Head actually spoke to Caden!

My bro Dusty watching the parade with Soleil. To be 2 and carried around everywhere again. Ahh...

Because my feet are killing me!

The gang at Cali Adventure minus Scott and Soleil.