Lia Bird and Davy Doo

Skyward strike!

2012-01-27T10:47:00.001-08:00

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Eyes

2012-01-19T13:21:00.001-08:00

Last night as I got the kids ready for bed, we discussed in detail eyeballs. What they were made of, why I wore contacts, why they didn't pop out, etc. It was a very in depth discussion full of hypothetical statements and deep thoughts.

It must have been on Davy's mind this morning.

I was sucking on a throat lozenge due to my nasty cough, and in a fit of sneezing, it flew out of my mouth and landed at Davy's feet who was sitting near me. He took one look at it, scooted back and squeaked in tones of horror, "IS THAT YOUR EYE!?!?!?!"

Let's go racing... AGAIN!

2012-01-16T10:40:00.001-08:00

Those who know me know that life after kids has not included as much racing as I would like. I have been able to supplement my passion with one-off track days in borrowed cars, or hitting some outdoor kart enduros, but this has not been cutting it lately. Well about the same time I was making "racing" my New Year's resolution, my brother called me to say Brandon Kraus sold his USTCC winning prelude to Percy Howard, and so Percy was looking for a buyer for HIS Honda Challenge 2 Spec Prelude. Such good timing. So I decided to particiapate in the "Great Car Swap of 2012". Percy's car is now in my garage.

The Prelude has a very unqiue suspension for a FWD car, making it arguably the best handling front drive ever made. It also has honda's "big block" H22A, which gives it gobs of reliable NA torque.

H2 Spec means that modifications are limited. A custom roll cage by Mike Lock is the primary saftey element, while a Racetech 9009HR keeps me snug and safe. A sparco race wheel mounts to the stock adjustable tilt steering column.

Except for the intake, the engine is as it was from the factory. Currently the car uses the factory ECU and fuel maps, something I may change in the future, but for now will leave as is for reliability. Currently the car measures 188hp/150tq as far as output.

One thing H2 spec lets you change out is brakes. This car borrows the twin piston calipers and wider rotors from an Acura Legend GS. Rear brakes are stock. A tilton adjustable brake bias valve replaced the stock proportioning.

This car has a wonderfully retro LCD "cab forward" dash reminiscient of late 90's design. It may be heavy, but cmon, how cool is that?

So then what do I do with it? Honda Challenge in Norcal was an option, but I have done that before. This will be a spectacular endurance car, so I plan to partner up with Brandon Kraus and run some of the Western Endurance Racing Championship with him, as well as the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. But both he and Percy have become devils on my shoulder to take this thing out and contest some US Touring Car events. It's a long short without a lot more power. USTCC packs some turbo Evos and mazda 3s. But this car can out handle either. I wouldn't count it out. If I scratch around for some sponsors, a better engine would make this car a championship contenders, just like Brandon's(now Percy's).

Yeah, you will see me in March at the USTCC opener.(www.ustcc.com)

Before there was Avatar, there was...

2012-01-15T09:40:00.003-08:00

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Before there was Avatar, there was...

2012-01-15T09:40:00.001-08:00

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Chilling at the scene of the infamous mt view face biting!

2012-01-13T18:21:00.001-08:00

Take back the kids section! :)

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Davy

2012-01-12T19:47:00.000-08:00

I was chopping vegetables for dinner and Davy came running into the kitchen. He clasped his wee hands, smiled up at me and asked cheerfully, "Are you killing the potatoes for dinner?" :-)

Lia bump and pass

2012-01-12T17:23:00.001-08:00

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Good pork Amanda!

2012-01-05T18:08:00.001-08:00

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Engineering...

2012-01-02T10:51:00.001-08:00

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Lia's new recipe

2012-01-01T08:57:00.001-08:00

She calls it "sugar on bacon". She is very proud of herself.

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Steering mod Power Wheels

2011-12-26T10:37:00.001-08:00

Need to file down these tabs for more steering range on the power wheels. Better for quick turns and drifting

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Tuckered out

2011-12-25T15:03:00.001-08:00

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Davy modeling his new hat...

2011-12-16T17:34:00.001-08:00

On the front porch...

2011-12-07T18:06:00.001-08:00

Davy doesn't last too long with picture taking sessions lately... Lia on the other hand has started to be interested in them... :-)

Dogpile

2011-12-04T16:26:00.001-08:00

The kids always play for a while before falling asleep; most of the time now they fashion themselves a ''boat'' (out of their blankets) and fill it with their stuffed animals/toys/pillows. Sometimes they end up falling asleep in their actual beds in a normal fashion, but more often than not, they end up in a big dog pile in the bed.

(Creepy) Fun with Tape...

2011-12-04T16:18:00.001-08:00

A few nights ago I was making dinner and heard Lia and Davy giggling. I walked around the corner of the kitchen to see this. It freaked me out, but made me giggle too. I did give them a lecuture on how dangerous it is to tape people's orfices shut... plus, I don't think Davy liked the whole waxed eyebrow look that followed as I ripped the tape off...

Lia's 4th Birthday!

2011-12-04T16:16:00.001-08:00

I really wish that the quality of these pictures were better; but I was out of habit of taking pictures of the kid's so they sort of suck. Oh well. :-) Lia is four whole years old! Amazing, incredible and unbelievable that she is four. Next year she will be five. *squeak* She is such a wonderful, principled, disciplined, whimsical, funny, imaginative, original, unique, gorgeous little soul.

Snuggling with Elmo

Breakfast in bed! The Birthday Fairy came and left glittery pink fairy dust all over the tray (which held powdered donuts and sparkling apple juice!) as well as a Princess Balloon and lip gloss kit.

Opening presents over at Grandma and Grandpa's house

David was the designated present carrier. Some of the boxes were bigger than he was!

Blowing out a lemon cake with pink frosting that Mommy made. :-)

Halloween

2011-12-04T16:01:00.001-08:00

This year for Halloween Davy decided he wanted to be Captain Hook (a little odd considering that earlier this year in February when we went to Disneyland, both kids hid quivering whenever the Captain Hook person walked past...) and Lia asked to be Minnie Mouse. I guess Disneyland did make an impression on them. :-)

Being a rather non-crafty sort of a person I went online and ordered their costumes; which have now joined our growing dress up trunk.

Finding pumpkins!

Baby Jake's very first pumpkin experience. :-)

Josie and David

2011-12-02T11:57:00.001-08:00

Drinking smoothies and chatting

Holy cards

2011-11-30T21:53:00.001-08:00

Lia has been asking Big Duck about holy cards for the past week and it warmed my heart to see the two of them chatting on the stairs as they looked through mom's collection.

My Life

2011-11-28T10:51:00.001-08:00

These lovely, wonderful three people are my everything. :-)

Christmas Tree Hunting 2011

2011-11-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

We went Christmas tree hunting at Crest Tree Farms the day after Thanksgiving (tradition!) and I brought my camera. It was so much fun to take pictures of the kids. And my gorgeous husband. :-)

:: slideshow of Christmas Tree Hunt ::

We thought this tree was not the best...

2011-11-26T09:59:00.001-08:00

Shows what we know. A good Christmas tree saves it's magic for when it is unwrapped at home!

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First power tool

2011-11-25T08:04:00.001-08:00

Some toys these days are just awesome.

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Yes Dear, I'm on it....

2011-11-22T09:16:00.001-08:00

The scene: Lia is on the pot and yelling through the house at Davy.

Lia: (with all the desperation of a mom whose baby is crying and she is pooing on the pot)

CHRIS!! You've got to go get the baby!! She's in the kitchen and she's *all alone*! And the big bad wolf (I'm assuming she meant me) is roaming the house!

David: (comes careening through the living room and into the kitchen, swoops down, grabs the baby in a football hold and races back to Lia, all the while yelling:)

Yes dear! I am ON IT! I've got her! I'm on it, Bia!

My point is thus: You can tell you have a good husband when your son (who is imitating said good husband) responds to every feminine whim/whine and wail with, "Yes dear, I'm on it."

:-)

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2011-11-18T11:49:00.001-08:00

Lia

2011-11-18T11:34:00.001-08:00

Lia modeling her favorite dress she wore all around this past summer. This was taken a few months ago... :-)

The dress is sadly now too small...

Other randomness

2011-11-18T11:18:00.001-08:00

This past summer the kids were playing in the mud in the front yard so I let them. In their diaper and bathing suit. So cute and so happy.

Lia playing with her (then newer) cowgirl boots and the wooden horsie that Grandpa Tractor made!

Beautiful thoughts on marriage...

2011-11-17T23:48:00.001-08:00

I just came across this on pinterest. It is the letter that Paul Newman wrote to his wife Joanne Woodward on their wedding day. Really love it:

“ Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the Art of Marriage, the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say ‘I love you’ at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have the wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding rooms for things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner."

Lia's magic trick

2011-11-17T23:11:00.001-08:00

She is so funny... and I'm fighting a cold which is why I sound like a sixty year old man. :-)

Davy at gymnastics

2011-11-17T23:03:00.001-08:00

Davy loves jumping on the big trampolines at gymnastics- and for Halloween they had a couple costumes for the kids to dress up with. Davy was a little witch with a broom (swim noodle). :-)

Update to Our Life...

2011-11-17T22:18:00.000-08:00

Considering its been so long, I thought I would do a quick catch up on our life during the past six (or nine or however long its been...) months.

Starting with the littlest Lock. I didn't announce it on the blog for some unknown reason... but I am now 26 weeks pregnant. I can't believe that next week I will be in the third trimester. The new baby is a girl, and we have been calling it Gookah Mimi from the get go. Davy selected the name Gookah after his treasured lost turtle. It really was a heartrending story. Davy never was very fond of any stuffed animals before we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and I bought him this stuffed little turtle. He took an immediate shine to the turtle, but somehow; about four months after we bought it, Gookah disappeared. Luckily, he has since adopted Tuvee (from Lia's stash of stuffed friends) and Jeremy, who is a big green Frog of sorts that he got from the Easter Bunny. But back to the Baby Gookah Mimi- Lia selected Mimi. Thus, Gookah Mimi was founded. :-) She has been a super active baby from the start; and a big kicker. I just passed my gestational diabetes test; and am now completely overdosed on sugar. In between taking the test and finding out the results I took it upon myself to devour everything sugar related in case I didn't end up passing. So basically, for the past two days I have spent bloated, with a tummy ache, but rather happy due to the high amounts of sugar in my system. After finding out I passed today; however, I went to Trader Joe's and stocked up on seasonal treats (helloooooo chocolate dipped peppermint joe-joe's!) and am now feeling even more bloated. I really should just go on a fasting diet of sorts for the next few days. Oy vey.

Anyhow- Gookah's expected due date is February 22nd; a little after a week after David's third birthday. We can't wait to meet the little pudgy, kicker from inside. We are still throwing around names but Chris has a special affinity for Alexandra and calling her Lexi, while I am still leaning towards Charlotte and nicknaming her Charlie. Lia has requested we name her Anastasia (not sure where she heard that name) and Davy has asked to name her Pump'd. Both names I think we will be avoiding. :-)

David- Oh my. Where to start? He is the most lovable little boy I have ever met him. Everything about him just oozes wonderful heart hugging qualities. He is going through a phase right now where his favorite thing to do is come and rub his soft, chubby cheeks against mine or pucker up and give me kisses and tell me things like, "I love you mommy" or "You are my best mommy EVER!" He has been really wanting to be involved in things lately- he started making up stories about his ''school'' and his ''school friends'' so I thought he might have been looking for a friend base. So we signed up for gymnastics, which he really likes, and the little fellow is actually pretty darn good at it! :-) He loves balancing on the balance beam and doing somersaults which I think he does better than any three year old there. :-) He is a smart little cookie, often times I forget about how intelligent he is but then he will say something that makes me turn and stare at him. His greatest love is cars. Trucks. Things with wheels. He could spend hours playing with his die cast cars characters. But he is equally as happy letting Lia put pretend makeup on him or dressing up as a fairy and running around with a wand. I feel super strongly about letting him do whatever he wants and not limiting his choices about his play things; be it fairies/dancing/princesses or racecars/swords, etc. Anyhow- he is such a wonderful, special and amazing little person. He was going through a phase where he was being super difficult about everything (terrible 2's?) but now, he seems to be getting over it. Before, he would sit and scream for twenty minutes if he doesn't get his way. Now, if I look at him, he will still cry but run at me wailing, "OKAY! I SORRY!" :-)

And he is potty trained!! It was definitely harder to potty train him than Lia, but God bless his little heart, he finally did it! He quickly picked up the potty part, but #2 was a battle and a struggle. But thanks to kid gum (aka starbursts) he is now potty trained. Couldn't be prouder of him. He's such a big boy now. Can't believe how much he is growing and its unbelievable that in three short months he will be three years old. Oh, another thing I wanted to add about his personality. He is sweet. He loves celebrating with others. He cheers people on. He is selfless. Lia's birthday was a little hard for him since he didn't get anything and all of the attention was on Lia, but aside from a few small instances of acting out, he was happy for his big sister. He was sitting next to her as the cake was bought out and squealed happily and supportively, "Blow out the candles Bia! Blow them out!"

watch out for each other, support each other and love each other. Hopefully it continues as they get older. LOL. Another thing about Davy; he has got the cutest, huggable little body. He is built totally different from Lia; his little chest has some weight behind it and when he launches himself at you in a moment of loveable impetuosity you literally go OOF! I love his short clipped hair and running my hand over it after it gets cut. His big head. His head was in the 98% percentile at his two year old appointment. :-) His body was in the 50th. LOL. His cute little lips that give such sweet kisses. His fingers that are so delicate with his cars. He is so loveable.

Lia- its unbelievable to me that she is four. I don't think I ever could have imagined in my wildest dreams when I was in the hospital four years ago that the little fat mucho haired baby that I had would grow up to be the smart, wonderful, disciplined, funny, quirky little girl I am so lucky to spend every day with now. Where to even start?

Lia is the smartest four year old I have ever met. I am convinced that she blows every other child out of the water intellectually wise. She knows almost all of her letters. She is seriously an artist. You ask her to draw something and she draws it. Yesterday she brought me a picture of silverware (fork, spoon and knife) and then I asked her for a Christmas tree and voila- she drew me a Christmas tree; with ornaments hanging down and presents underneath. She loves math. She loves counting. She definitely gets that from her dad, not me. LOL. She loves helping me out. Yesterday as I was cleaning the toilets she came over and interestedly asked if she could help. I was so close to handing her the toilet brush and telling her to have at it, but I figured if I wait a few more years it will only get more desirable and then she'll really have some brawn behind it. LOL.

She loves her preschool. She has so many little friends and whenever I drop her off I always see her immediately get surrounded by a gaggle of chatting little girls, all vying to tell her about something. She is so polite. She always says thank you and please. She used to be my less cuddly little person, but I've noticed over the past couple of months she seeks out cuddles and hugs more often. Her weird quirks include asking if her tags are all tucked in, and if things will be done in five minutes. Like her socks in her shoes. If they aren't laying exactly straight against her leg she'll develop what looks like a nervous twitch and then ask, "Will it be done in five minutes?" Funny the things kids pick up on. :-) Today in the car as we were driving somewhere she saw a big cluster of balloons on a string and squeaked, "Look! Black and aquamarine balloons!" Not blue. She said aquamarine. I don't think I even knew that was a color until I was twelve. She soaks up so much information. She uses big words. She joyously told me on Wednesday that tomorrow at school they are going to have a "feast!" at school. Her enthusiasm for everything is so contagious and wonderful. She LOVES her babies. She has so many baby dolls I've lost count- as does she I think considering we've renamed a couple babies multiple times. But she goes through phases where she will treasure one baby and then move on to the next and forget about the previous one. I've never met someone more entranced with baby dolls. Well, that and princesses. Considering the only two Disney movies she's had the courage to sit through are Cinderella and Snow White (which incidentally scared the pants off of ME at twenty seven...)- I'm not sure why she adores them so; but she loves them all. Tiana, Aurora, Ariel, Snow White, Belle, Cinderella... and I don't think I'm missing anyone. I swear we aren't TRYING to raise her to love pink and princesses but she is definitely leaning towards that. :-) JASMINE! That's who I forgot. Princess Jasmine. :-)

Anyone else noticing that my sentences are getting more fragmented? I think its due to the fact that I polished off almost a whole sleeve of cookies. Sorry. :-)

Anyhow, back to Lia. She is really and truly so helpful- I know she is going to be my right hand woman for when Baby Gookah gets here. Already she loves to accompany Aunt Cindy when A.C. changes Baby Jake (Lia's four month old cousin)'s diapers and wipe his butt with a wipe. :-)

I love how in love she is with Chris. He is her designated person. He is the one she runs to for cuddles, comfort and special time. She loves talking with him, telling him things. He makes her feel so special. People always say that little girls who have a good relationship with their fathers will grow up secure and not get into any trouble. Let me just say that if that is true, than Lia is going to be the best little girl ever. :-) The two of them share such a comradery and bond that I watch and marvel at.

A funny thing that the kids do is that right now their favorite thing to play is to play Chris and I. For the past week, Davy has been Chris, and I'm assuming (and hoping!) that Lia is playing me. Lia tells anyone who will listen a few things (this includes random people at the grocery store or the OB's office)- "I am four years old now. This is my baby. And this is Chris (pointing to David) and he is the daddy." The funny and hilarious part is that they really do take turns taking care of that baby. Yesterday as they were watching their show, the baby fell on the floor and Lia squawked, "Oh NO! The baby fell! Chris, can you pick it up?" Davy, without missing a beat squawked in unison, "The baby! THE BABY! I got her Bia!" as he valiantly jumped off the couch to rescue the baby from the floor,. Funny that Lia calls him Chris but he still calls her Bia. :-) Anyhow- they pretend they are us in every aspect. As I cook dinner they will play at their toy kitchen and reenact Chris and I talking before dinner when he gets home. While I clean out the car, they will sit in the front seats together and pretend to be driving places. It's very cute and a little flattening. I've never had someone pretend to be me before. :-)

Another thing I love- when I nap now with them. I remember being incredibly tired in my third trimester with David's pregnancy; and this one doesn't seem to be different. It seems like afternoon around 2pm I get tired; but that is also the time the kids wake up from their naps. So what has been happening is that I will start my nap on the couch; and then the kids wake up from their naps and come and cuddle up with me on the couch. Lia sits in the crook of my legs and Davy lays next to me on the couch. I curl my legs around Lia and Davy rubs his cheeks against mine. I doze while they watch a show. They are just so cuddly and lovable in all of their sleepy eyed sweetness.

I am so proud of both of them and their wonderful personalities. I don't know how we got so lucky to have two such wonderful kids. Sure, they drive me absolutely batty sometimes. Sure, they can be loud and obnoxious at the store; but they are really wonderful, thoughtful, sweet and unique babies. So in love with them. Its funny, but as a kid/teenager/adult I never really liked other people's kids. I never wanted to babysit. I never wanted to be around kids. But being a mom is without a doubt something that I love and treasure more than anything. Lately I've noticed that whenever I am gone for an extended period of time I miss them so badly. I feel like something isn't right when I'm not surrounded by their little voices and hands and problems and happy moments. A few weeks ago my mom watched them for a few hours and I headed home for what I expected to be an hour or two of delicious solitude. I got home, and walked inside. It was too quiet. I cleaned. The house didn't look quite right after everything was put away. :-) I sat on the couch. It was too quiet. I felt lonely. I missed the kids. They are definitely my happy place. Which is good considering the next one is already on the way. LOL.

I know that this is already a massive post of WORDS, but I can't end without saying something about Chris. I feel like over the past year, we've grown so much closer. I think that its because I finally matured a little (LOL!) but he has been such an amazing person. I've never seen someone work harder at his job than he does. I can never tell anyone how proud I am of my husband. He is really someone at his work. He has carved a niche for himself where he is someone who is incredibly valued and respected at his company. He is a manager now. He takes on so much responsibility and rises to every challenge that is handed to him. He takes on roles that other people shy away from. I am so proud of him for all he has accomplished at his job. I think the role of manager suits him to a T- he knows how to motivate and inspire people. He knows how to talk to everyone, give advice/critique and get things done. His company has no clue how lucky they are to have him be a part of their team.

You'd think as proud as I am of him professionally, I couldn't be prouder of him personally. But I am. I should be the envy of every woman in the world. My husband is the best thing there is. He is the best blend of love, humor, support, challenge, friend, eye candy, laughter and individuality. He is also the very best Dad I have ever met (sorry to my Dad and Chris' dad- LOL). Something I never cease to marvel about is how very ''present'' he is in every situation. The minute he gets home; he is there 110% for our family. He drops his bag inside the door, and immediately turns his attention to the insanely loud screams of the kids. If you are greeted every night by the joyful screams of two toddlers who greet you like most girls greet a rockstar, you are doing something right. It warms my heart to be cooking in the kitchen, hear the door lock turn and then hear the stirrings of the kids followed quickly by frenetic screams of, "DADDY! DADDY!" as they fall over themselves to be the first one to throw themselves at their dad and cover him with hugs and kisses. He takes such good care of his family. He is there for every single person in this family emotionally. He listens to me if I am upset. Calms me down if I am crazy. Loves me if I am sad. He is Lia's special friend and confidante as I already said. He is Davy's biggest supporter and enabler. He doesn't mind if Davy wears lipgloss or paints his toenails. :-) He is an amazing provider. I feel like if I asked for anything, he would find a way for me to get it. Don't worry, I don't take advantage of that fact THAT often... (aside from the whole new van thing... LOL). He is really the backbone and heart of the whole family and the kids and I love him dearly and unreservedly for everything he does. Best man ever.

And I am done! This was actually more for me; things that I want to remember. Things that I don't want to forget about. I forgot to add that Lia's special animals she sleeps with are: Matilda (stuffed lamb from the Easter Bunny), Baby Minnie Mouse, Purple Bunny, Baby Doll (who I was informed today is really named Nina) and assorted other friends that come and go. :-)

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2011-11-16T14:03:00.001-08:00

Of course, Davy is super duper cute too. :-)

Last shot of a dreamy Bia

The many faces of Lia Bia

2011-11-16T13:44:00.001-08:00

I understand I'm biased, but isn't she a dear? I asked her to make faces for me (happy, sad, silly, angry) and this was what she came up with...

Snow in Scotts Valley

2011-11-16T12:37:00.001-08:00

Again, from last year...

Last April it snowed in Scotts Valley so I had to take some shots to document that event!

First Day of Preschool and Houseboat Trip 2011

2011-11-16T12:24:00.000-08:00

These are shots from Lia's first day of preschool of 2011. She picked out the dress herself. :-)

Cool glow stick on the houseboat trip

Blast from the past...

2011-11-16T11:54:00.001-08:00

Having been an absolutely horrible mommy blogger, I took an extended leave of absence... okay; so it really was just me being awful and not posting for nine or ten months or something insane like that.

But the good thing is that I now have a ton of stuff to catch up on, and just because I wasn't posting doesn't mean I wasn't taking pictures. :-)

These are from last April (yes I know... cringe). But they are too funny not to post.

Every morning, the kids join us in bed and we all sqoosh in and get warm and comfy. Chris seems to get the very short end of the stick...

I love you... Or not.

2011-11-08T21:14:00.001-08:00

Tonight Chris and I were sitting downstairs while the kids go to sleep. We heard Lia call down something that sounded like "Daddy, I love you!" Chris smiled fondly and proudly at me from across the couch and then called back to Lia, "Lia I love you too!" A rather insistent and annoyed voice yelled back very clearly, "NO! I said, I'm going POO!"

:-)

Submarine car

2011-11-02T10:55:00.001-07:00

I snapped this picture of the car parked next to us yesterday. As we hopped out of our car Davy looked over and saw this car and excitedly squeaked, "Look mom! It's a submarine car!"

Oh dear...

2011-11-01T15:07:00.001-07:00

This afternoon I decided to take a nap with Davy since I seem to be getting more tired now (can't believe I'm almost twenty four weeks pregnant!)- and was happily snuggled next to his fat warm body and drifting off to delicious sleep.

Then I listened for a minute. I had set Lia up with a movie and blissfully gone off to bed. I could hear the movie still going. Yes. But I heard another thing. Did I leave a facet running? No, it couldn't have been me because while I do sometimes leave facets dripping, I never leave them running. As in, full on-water-spraying-out. Cursing the God's, I crawled out of my warm haven and trotted dutifully downstairs.

I peeked into the lower bathroom and happened upon a most peculiar sight.

Lia, naked as the day she was born, standing on a step stool, completely engrossed in the task before her. In one hand, she held one of my small (but certainly big enough for a three year old to squeeze her rotund buns into) plastic buckets that I put the kid's toys into. In the other, she held her play food ice cream cone without the ice cream part on top (so basically just a cone). And while humming to herself, she was filling the ice cream cone, and transferring the water from the cone to the bucket.

"Lia?" I somewhat blearily asked; perhaps a tad blankly too. "What exactly are you doing?"

Lia looked up at me and said unperturbed, "Oh, hi mom. I'm just going to take a bath."

(I did give her a delicate lecture on the hazards of water play while mom is asleep...)

I can't believe I am still awake...

2011-10-16T02:12:00.001-07:00

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2011-10-15T12:12:00.001-07:00

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Start!

2011-10-15T12:06:00.001-07:00

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Pre grid. 12 hours starts at noon

2011-10-15T11:45:00.001-07:00

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Get ready

2011-10-15T08:55:00.001-07:00

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Front straight into the bullring. Holy crap!

2011-10-15T08:54:00.001-07:00

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New suit for machismo 500

2011-10-14T16:00:00.001-07:00

Representing the bay area!
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:: Seven Years ::

2011-08-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago I married someone who I thought was going to be my very best friend.

I married someone who made me laugh harder than anyone I knew.

I married someone who I loved to be around and who made me feel safe, comfortable, loved and appreciated.

I just knew that I loved this person and I couldn't imagine my life without them. Being twenty and (now!) I can look back and say I was rather superficial and fluffy for lack of a better word, I didn't understand definitively what I was getting myself into. I wanted to marry this guy (before someone ELSE came and grabbed him), and he was the most wonderful person I had ever met. Beyond that I didn't really think of much else. :-)

What I didn't realize and what I didn't know was how much of an amazing person I was marrying. I also didn't know that the person who was my very best friend could also irritate me the most of anyone I know. The person who made me laugh hardest could make me cry the hardest. I didn't understand than that times of test make a relationship stronger. I thought our relationship was just spiffy. :-)

But something never changed. The person that made me feel the most safe, loved, comfortable and appreciated would grow better each year. The person who I felt was just my best friend helped guide me through some of the hardest, most terrible moments in my life. He was there to keep me moving, to pull me back, to remind me that he loved me. He was there for good moments too; to cheer me on, to offer advice, to offer support, to give me a swift kick in the pants. He has never told me not to do something- he has offered me the chance and opportunity to do anything. That is pretty incredible. You know the phrase, the world is your oyster? Pretty much what Chris has said to me from day one. :-)

The person who I hazily imagined on our wedding day as a dad would never case to amaze me at just how GOOD he was at that job. He is the perfect blend of love, discipline, humor and fun. I've been around some incredible dad's in my life, and I never once thought that any guy could ever really touch them. Chris has surpassed them all. Best dad I have EVER seen; real life, books, anywhere.

The guy who I married got a job the week before we got married. I never realized that he would give up some of his greatest passions to make sure that he could be the provider he felt he needed to be to make his family comfortable. Sacrificing things that you love and want for yourself is the mark of a truly wonderful, mature and unselfish person. Took me a while to really appreciate this about him, especially considering he is one of those wonderful people who doesn't rub it in your face or TELL you what he is doing. Now, I'M one of those amazingly lovable people who will say, "Just so you know ____- I gave up my nap today to pick you up from the airport..." Whereas Chris wouldn't say anything; even though he gave up his nap, his lunch and the chance to play golf. :-)

When you hear someone swear to love you for the rest of your life, through good times and bad; when you haven't gone through any of that yet (it only was good)- it doesn't really make a ton of sense. I was not the easiest person to be married too (not saying I am now necessarily...) but Chris was ever patient during the past seven years. The amount of maturing that I did between the years of 20-26ish (okay, maybe still 27) I think is a little shocking. The only possible way I would EVER advocate someone getting married as young as I did, have to marry someone older, and the person would have to be Chris. :-) I credit Chris single-handedly with saving our marriage any number of times. There was never a briefest moment in our relationship where I didn't know in my heart of hearts that he was committed to this. That he would never let it go, that he would never give up, that he loved me and would do anything for me.

Seven years ago I married someone I was in love with. Seven years later I know I made the very best choice I ever made. I am so lucky that I got to meet the person I was meant to be with young. I'm so lucky that he loved me too. I am so lucky.

He is the best husband, friend, dad and person that I have ever met. He is the sort of person that most people dream of, or aspire to be. Thank God there is one of him and that I got him. I'm luckier than any girl in the world.

Best day of my life. :-)

Mommy, I am not proud of myself...

2011-08-03T18:15:00.001-07:00

Amanda related a story today that shocked the hell out of me, that
maybe we were instilling values in our kids after all.

Lia and David were being particularly troublesome while Amanda was
unpacking groceries: petty fights, whining, talking back, etc. She
the sends the locklings out of room to finish her work. When she is
finishing up, Lia comes back into the room with her head hung low.

"Mommy, I am not proud of myself."

Amanda was shocked, but managed, "Why, Honey?"
Lia looks up with mournful eyes heavy with tears, "Because I was so
mean to you."

IMG00132-20110628-1252.jpg

2011-06-28T12:53:00.001-07:00

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IMG00131-20110628-1250.jpg

2011-06-28T12:51:00.001-07:00

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Grandpa splainin the plane

2011-06-05T10:55:00.001-07:00

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See?

2011-05-28T17:48:00.001-07:00

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it's safest to watch "land before time" together.

2011-05-28T17:42:00.001-07:00

"when sharptooth comes, cuddle me"
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Last day for the 41

2011-05-28T12:01:00.001-07:00

Lots of memories. But today you go to a new home. May you see many more greens and checkereds.
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Penthouse! Game 4!

2011-05-22T11:56:00.001-07:00

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Part II- ish

2011-05-15T15:36:00.001-07:00

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Part I - some of Easter

2011-05-15T15:34:00.001-07:00

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Part III

2011-05-15T15:30:00.001-07:00

I appear to be having problems with posting... so this is part three- but two parts before part 2 and 3 are going to be posted, so technically this would be part 4. Indeed. :-)

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Part II

2011-05-15T15:22:00.001-07:00

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Mega Post

2011-05-15T15:12:00.001-07:00

So here are most of the pictures I took from when Em was visiting... :-)

Mom- let me know which ones you want, and I can have them printed up at Walgreens. :-)

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5 of 4

2011-05-05T13:41:00.001-07:00

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Petit machismo 8 hour kart enduro. Race day fontana

2011-04-23T06:54:00.001-07:00

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Lia's new haircut!

2011-04-11T18:27:00.001-07:00

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My three year old writes!

2011-04-07T19:38:00.001-07:00

Amanda shocked me today when she presented me with this and many other words lia started writing today. No we have not been teaching her other than to give her some alphabet toys and books... I am shocked!
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The "new" layout at LMK

2011-04-05T18:27:00.001-07:00

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"Hunger Games"

2011-04-04T09:23:00.001-07:00

This is the first book I have finished in one weekend since Dumbledore died. I didn't have very high expectations for this book, mainly because it was recommended to me by my Twilight obsessed wife, who said "it's like twilight, but in the future!"

Thankfully it is nothing like twilight. The main character is a teenage girl, there are two love interests, and many people are trying to kill her, but that is where the similarities end. Katniss is no damsel in distress, but the hard core angle is not overplayed either. The author is not trying to create a badass yet "vulnerable" heroine, as much as some anime fans might have wanted her too. What she comes up with is something better: A character who is driven by love of family and responsibility. The whiny, selfish, characters in twilight may be more realistic in terms of what teenagers are, but those in Hunger Games are more like you would WANT your teenagers to act, while still being accesible enough that teens ready this book will want to emulate them.

As the critics have already said, this book made for some great suspense, so I won't reiterate. I will comment on some other things that make this book enjoyable for me personally, such as feeling like someone had put any Gary Paulsen book and "Under the Tuscan Sun" in a blender and baked this up. So much of the story is focus on the specifics of the food, from the decadent meals served in the Capitol to the squirrels cooked on a spit or eaten raw, I could tastes every bite in my mouth, even when I didn't want to!

The story is fairly predictable, but still smells fresh. I guess that is the sign of a good storyteller. Next weekend, I am reading the second installment.

Sister + stickers = trouble

2011-03-31T19:44:00.001-07:00

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Watching Mickey mouse club

2011-03-31T08:28:00.001-07:00

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Big hail in SC

2011-03-19T09:03:00.001-07:00

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There is a lot of fashion sense in that little brain.

2011-03-19T08:44:00.001-07:00

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Muddin'

2011-03-14T19:34:00.001-07:00

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Fire fire!

2011-03-14T19:21:00.001-07:00

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33 candles for yours truly

2011-03-14T18:00:00.001-07:00

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Gap girl!

2011-03-13T12:05:00.001-07:00

Checking out the early spring line...
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Reading before bed...

2011-03-08T07:37:00.001-08:00

I have been an awful poster, but these pictures are from last night. I think that's what I just have to do in order to post. Upload them at night, work at them the next morning and post the dang shots. :-)

Waiting for Billy the Hill and the Hillbillies

2011-03-08T07:31:00.001-08:00

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Lollipop!

2011-03-08T07:30:00.001-08:00

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More house hunting for peel...

2011-02-18T13:32:00.001-08:00

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Last night of a perfect disney vacation

2011-02-15T19:34:00.001-08:00

People watching on main street with the princess sucker she has been eyeing all trip.
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Monorail nose ride!

2011-02-15T09:32:00.001-08:00

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Quote of the weekend:

2011-02-13T21:34:00.001-08:00

A random 14 year old in line for space mountain asks us "what kind of gaming system do you have?" "I have a Mac" I say. His shakes his head in disgust and says, "I mean a real system", the he follows it up 5 seconds later with " computers were originally made for science!". Oh his poor mother....
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IMG00070-20110213-0853.jpg

2011-02-13T08:58:00.001-08:00

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By far the most excitement yet

2011-02-12T10:05:00.001-08:00

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Meeting Minnie!

2011-02-11T10:29:00.001-08:00

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Bell horse!

2011-02-11T09:12:00.001-08:00

My sisters and I have loved this horse for as long as I cam remember Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fire alarm

2011-02-11T00:57:00.001-08:00

Great. 1am... Fire alarm. Whole hotel (all 757 rooms evacuated). Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Untitled

2011-02-10T19:45:00.001-08:00

Untitled

2011-02-10T19:44:00.001-08:00

Balloon hat!

2011-02-10T19:16:00.001-08:00

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Untitled

2011-02-10T17:23:00.001-08:00

Monorail!

2011-02-10T17:02:00.001-08:00

We got the room by the tracks, and we don't care

Lia loves the view.

2011-02-10T16:42:00.001-08:00

Perfect view of the monorail...

We made it!

2011-02-10T16:16:00.001-08:00

The grand CA is truly grand!
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Bags are packed!

2011-02-09T22:12:00.001-08:00

Yo ho yo ho......

My cute little fella...

2011-01-27T17:37:00.001-08:00

Yes, it is a lot of Davy, but isn't he cute? And I haven't updated in ages, so you need to see all of the cuteness!

I love this shirt on him- I'm sure the brand is some skater boy brand, but the shirt is so comfy and thin (sort of like that shirt you always wear because its comfortable and worn)- and he is just so huggable in it.

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I like this next shot because it reminds me of him when he was a baby...

Christmas with the Swanson's

2011-01-27T17:29:00.001-08:00

IMG00040-20110127-1350.jpg

2011-01-27T13:54:00.001-08:00

I put the kids down for a nap and walked in to check on them to see this sweet and silly face beaming up at me with not one, but two pink binks in his mouth. :-)

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Christmas at the Big Lock's...

2011-01-27T13:39:00.001-08:00

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It was very cute, we were all in the kitchen, doing stuff when someone looked over to see Davy, sprawled on his tummy, kicking his little feet and clasping his little hands as he gazed at his new toy, still in the box.

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This truck makes some music, and Davy LOVED it. He would jump around and dance wildly for the ten seconds that the music played. :-)

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