James and Potatoes

This is what happens when I let James feed himself- which he insists on most of the time. He gets his ear tubes tomorrow in Tucson. Fun.

Two Peas in a Pod

Cami didn't want to feel left out, so she went and hurt herself too. She fell on the stairs at her house. She came over during her lunch break today so she could take a picture with Lilly. These two belong together. Have I ever mentioned that they're both really LOUD too?

Merry Main Street

Two of Joe's kids.

The annual lighting of the town hall Christmas tree was also Friday night. With a lot of planning, preparation and hard work, we put a display together. The guys put out a propane fire pit, barbecue grills, jacuzzis, etc. It turned out nice, other than the fact that we were way at one end instead of in the middle. It started to rain toward the end, so I think the night ended early for most. The girls had fun with Cami decorating cookies and shopping at some of the stores that were open.

Bob's Birthday

Bob celebrated his 6th birthday on the day after Thanksgiving- the 28th. I took him shopping on the worst day of the year to get a new pair of tennis shoes- that's the only thing he asked for. I was thrilled when he found a pair he liked right away. I was less thrilled when we got home from the store and he busted open a can of diesel with an axe, and that wonderful fuel coated his clothes and new shoes. He said the girls told him to do it. I've washed his laundry 3 times, and it still smells. We had Merry Main Street that night, but left early to go eat his Transformers cake. He did not want to pose for any pictures all day. I told him it was my right to get pictures of him on his birthday, but that didn't fly.

Thankgiving

We had the quietest and dirtiest Thanksgiving we've ever had. Jay's family went to Utah and mine went to California, and we stayed here. We had some neighbor friends over for an untraditional dinner. We put a rib-eye roast on the rotisserie, and I made mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and PIE! This is the best picture I could get of the pies since Jay wouldn't wait to dig in. I gave 3 away, and we're still eating pie every day. It was a dirty day because it rained all night the night before, and then all morning. Gratefully our eating time was warmer and drier. The kids couldn't resist the mud.

It's That Time of Year

Christmas trees are here again. Although it generally isn't very profitable, we sell Christmas trees to keep our nursery in business through December. We got our tree delivery last week, and have sold more than I expected already. The "Die-Harders" as Jay calls them have already been out to get their trees and get them decorated. This is Dustin and Joe unloading the truck.

Pavers

Jay, Dustin and crew installed a paver display at our yard so people could see the different colors and varieties laid out. We've had a favorable response so far. Right now they're working oin some raised planter bed/display areas for the annual color to be displayed. It's looking beautiful.

Lilly's Life

is a rough one. Okay, she's just really active, not scared, clumsy or all of the above. Her injuries in chronological order:

January 29, 2004: Born

January 8, 2005: Knocked out a tooth falling down 2 steps

April 29, 2005: Black eye after falling off the counter

November 17, 2005: Stitches after hitting forehead on a bench

December 2, 2005: Broke her left arm when she fell off the couch and hit the door

December 9, 2006: Broke her left foot after pulling a bench on top of it

These were the only 2 I could find with Lilly's cast barely in the picture.

November 22, 2008: Broke her leg after pulling the TV on top of her (broke the TV too)

Along with all the other little bumps and bruises I don't have pictures of. She was sad about her broken leg, but is much happier now that the cast is on and she's mobile again.

A Couple More

A couple more from the family photo shoot. It was great weather that day.

Can you believe it?

I know you love the "engagement"-type picture... It's for posterity.

My first new header and family pictures. Here are a couple of my favorites from our photo shoot. I just got the CD back today, and I'm a little excited.

My Mornings

This is what my mornings are like if I'm lucky. The 3 youngest drink their Ovaltine while I get breakfast and the 4 oldest ready for school. Then Brook helps James play the piano. Sorry about blurry Lilly. I'm working on steady shots.

Halloween- The Boys

Jay and James were landscapers

Jay Jr. (We better get used to it) was Batman. I never got a picture of him in his costume. I might make him dress up again since there's no makeup involved.

I forgot to mention that Janna had a haircut. You can see her short hair in her Halloween picture.

Halloween- The Girls

Brook- A Princess

Lilly- A Princess

Janna- A Drama Witch

Emma- A Pirate

Abbey- A Chearleader

Can you tell I let them do their own makeup?

Go Abbey!

Now it's Abbey's turn to shine. I went to parent teacher conferences last week (conveniently they schedule parents with multiple students all right in a row so you don't have to keep going back). Anyway, when I met with Abbey's teacher, he said "I'm sure you already know Abbey's a great student, and the office said they already had you sign paperwork for the gifted program." I was confused. No paperwork signed by me. He explained that she had scored very high on 2 tests they use to determine qualification for the school's "Gifted" program, and they would like her to participate. I told him, and later the teacher in charge of the program, that we'll try it for now, and see how she likes it. If it's not something she likes, she'll go back to her regular studies. I'm not sure what the program includes, other that different types of learning activities that vary from the normal classroom setting. We'll see how things go. Only 4 3rd graders qualified, and Abbey is excited to try it out.

Pirates

No, it's not Halloween yet, but Abbey and Emma were in a pirate play at school. They both had small speaking parts and did well. It was the entire 3rd grade, but only lasted about 40 minutes, which was great! They have a 2nd performance on Halloween during school.

James and Bob

This is one of James' favorite places to play. He empites the cupboard, and plays inside with all the tupperware bowls and lids.

Bob thought he was an adult for a minute, and tried to glue his dart gun back together with a hot glue gun. He ended up burning himself. Lovely.

Pictures 3

Jay and Dad at a Nursery in the Oakland area. Jay had to check out some other garden centers before we left.
Us at a beach in Alameda with San Francisco in the background
Us riding BART into San Francisco
The boys playing games at Shauna and Justin's house