He still makes me laugh.

After we were cleaning up after another day of painting, Rick says, "Julie, I need a Tide Pen."

I turn around and see this:




Now I know where the "I turn around to see this" phrase originates from. :)

Looks so good you could eat it!

Construction Time


Cookie Time

Decorating Time

Eating Time?

Almost Done

The Finished Product

Wow! They passed inspection! :)

This is the first year the kids decorated real gingerbread houses (not counting the graham cracker hot glued ones from school parties). Thank you, thank you Target! It was so easy with their kit! The kids LOVED it and it looks to be a new tradition.

After shopping Rick and I pulled in the driveway just in time to see this go by:

I love the unsteadiness.. can you say broken limb waiting to happen. 

It can't be helping their cause that they are using size 8 women's and size 11 men's rollerblades.  

Spencer's 2nd Pack Meeting

When it was time for Spencer to receive an award at pack meeting he staggered and acted silly like he was fainting. He ended up losing his balance and I almost went down trying to save him from hitting the floor.  I saved us both just seconds before our pic was taken.  Look what we caught.

Yes - his scoutmaster was captured rolling his eyes because of his annoyance of Spencer's antics.  (When I showed him the pic I asked if he was looking for help from above.  He said no and that he was frustrated with Spencer.  At least he was honest.. and lucky for him this is only the beginning of Spencer's scouting career).

Nose goes!

Spencer loving being the helper for a game.

There are only 2 boys in Spencer's den, so he really likes pack meeting.  After a lesson, playing games, and getting awards; they had snacks and went home.  Fun for all.  Okay maybe only fun for the boys.  :)  

If Seinfeld was still on..

JERRY: You got a new job? Why didn't you tell us?
ELAINE: I posted it in my blog.
JERRY: Your blog?
ELAINE: Yeah, my blog.
JERRY: You have a blog?
ELAINE: What, you don't read my blog?
JERRY: Why would I read your blog? I see you every day. What are you going to say in your blog that I don't already know?
ELAINE: Well, that I got a new job, for one thing.
JERRY: So that's what it's come to? We don't have to talk anymore, because I can just read your blog to see what's new?
ELAINE: Pretty much.
JERRY: I don't get this whole "blog" thing. Everyone's gotta tell you what THEY think about the world. I don't care what anyone thinks. Why would I care what some idiot in Florida has to say about the new sandwich at Subway?
ELAINE: You get some interesting perspectives sometimes on the blogs.
JERRY: I don't buy it. The only difference between bloggers and those crazy guys who talk to themselves on the street is that the crazy guys don't have computers.
ELAINE: So you don't have a blog?
JERRY: No, I don't have a blog. What do I need a blog for?
ELAINE: Everyone has a blog! Kramer has one.
JERRY: (to Kramer) You have a blog?
KRAMER: Oh yeah.
JERRY: (after a pause) You can type?
KRAMER: (waggling his fingers) 80 words a minute, my friend.
JERRY: What's in your blog?
KRAMER: Oh, you know, this and that. Observations. Thoughts. Recipes.
ELAINE: See? Everyone has a blog.
JERRY: I barely understand him when I'm talking to him face-to-face. I can't imagine what that blog of his is like. Does George have one?
ELAINE: Eh, George, who cares?
Original author:
Snide Remarks #545
"Sein of the Times"
by Eric D. Snider
Published in EricDSnider.com on June 18, 2007

Spencer's Active Imagination

Jen said I should post this and since I aim to please.. :) Spencer has to write a story using his vocabulary words every week. This week the words were:

increase
depart
suitable
wearily
advised
discouraged
observed

Spencer's story:

I observed Sydney talking about getting a tattoo. I discouraged her from getting a tattoo and advised her that it will hurt very bad. Then she wearily agreed that it wasn't suitable for a nine year old girl to get a tattoo. I decided to depart and see if my Dad will increase my allowance because I stopped Sydney from getting a tattoo.

In case you are wondering.. Sydney is not interested in getting a tattoo.

Happy Thanksgiving!

With Tiffany and Dason being in Utah it was just the four of us.  We are used to adding tables to have enough room for everyone.  This year we did the opposite and took the leaf out of our table, so it wouldn't seem so lonely with two empty spots staring back at us.  

We had the normal cooking fiascos.  We forgot to empty the neck of the turkey and baked the giblet bag.  I forgot to put the ham in the oven.  (Thank goodness it was precooked and pre-sliced). The meal was simple and tasted great.  We had a lot of turkey and ham left over and Rick was telling me how sad it is we are throwing so much out when Spencer interjected with, "Why don't you sell the leftovers on the internet."   If only.  

We were glad to hear from Rick's parents in TX and later from Tiffany who is with Gary, Jen, and my mom in Utah.  Everyone seemed in good spirits.  

Afterwards we snuggled and watched Miracle on 34th Street (1947 version).  Then the kids and I went on a bike ride with their friends across the street and their dad.  (As a side note it was the first time I've been on a bike since the 90s).  Rick chilled doing something he never has time to do... watching poker tournaments.  Tomorrow is his big day of the year.   Tomorrow is my big day to relax.  :)  

We pray that all our friends and family had a nice Thanksgiving day too!!!  

Good News & TMI

TMI portion removed per Rick's request. If you are interested I will email anyone the funny part he asked me to delete.

My mom failed a heart stress test right before she came to visit us in October. She failed a more extensive one when she got home in November. It showed she had a severe blockage of her widow maker artery (L.A.D.). They set up an angiogram first thing in the morning expecting a stent or bypass to be done depending on the severity.

The cardiologist finished the procedure and tells her that the stress tests were false positives and he hopes his heart is as healthy as hers! Yay! Lots and lots of prayers were said for her this weekend and I am so grateful they were answered!

Reliving the Glory Days

Rick said they put this sign up just for him.

Rick graduated from high school in West Chester, PA. We drove by his former house and walked around the yard as he told me stories of hanging out with the neighbor kids, skating on the pond in winter, sneaking out of the house, and more.

We stopped by his high school and found a football game being played. We decided to stay and watch for a little while.
Cheering on his team!
Go Vikings like it's 1990!

The football team was just as "talented" as it was when he was there 18 years ago. He said that lacrosse, ice hockey, baseball, and soccer were the big sports and that no one really cared about football. For kicks I checked their records and found that all of East High's state championships were in the sports he mentioned and none in football.

I don't know why, but I thought this was amusing.

The pole on the fire hydrant measures the snow and lets them know where the hydrant is so they don't drive over it. Yay, Florida! :)

Had to eat at Friendly's.


Rick used to work at Friendlys. It brought back a painful memory of the first time he'd been kicked hard in the privates. While working he was teasing a girl co-worker pretty bad. (Rick tease? Never!) :) She couldn't take it anymore and unleashed her fury by kicking him where it would hurt the most. It worked - he stopped teasing her.

Pepper Mill ..another place he worked.

Once Rick found out he could make a lot more money delivering pizza he left Friendly's and joined Pepper Mill. He worked there with his best friend Chris Y and his brother Scott and said it was especially fun using the walkies.

We ate here and it was so yummy! On our way out Rick told me that the kitchen was a mess when he worked there and we peeked to see that it hasn't changed.

Rick's favorite football team is the Philadelphia Eagles, so we hit the mall to get the kids some team gear. We ended up at Modell's picking out stuff. Rick's first job ever was selling shoes for them.

Happiness?

We were walking along South Street our first night and got a kick out of the Rita's sign. On our last night there we decided to see if they truly served happiness. Rick picked italian ice and I chose a vanilla custard cone dipped in chocolate sprinkles. When he saw how yummy mine was he ordered one to go with his italian ice. They were the best icy treats Rick and I have EVER had!!! And their sign was no lie..happiness was served!

Driving to the airport. :(

We had sooooooooo much fun and hope the stars align for us to repeat this trip one day.

Day 3 History in Philly

Bright and early we headed out to see a few historical sights in Philadelphia. Even though we drove over, our hotel was walking distance from all of these landmarks.

Independence Hall

The United States Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution were both signed at Independence Hall.

Congress Hall

During Congress Hall's duration as the capitol of the United States, the country admitted three new states, Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee; ratified the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution; and oversaw the Presidential inaugurations of both George Washington and John Adams.

The Liberty Bell

Let Freedom Ring!

Philly Trip Day 2 D.C.

After enjoying the museum Rick said, "Let's drive to Washington DC." It sounded good to me, so on a whim off we went.

The Treasury Department

The only picture with both of us of the entire trip.

The FDIC

Please keep my money safe!

The White House

Rick would love to be President. This is his dream home.

Proof I was there.

You could see the snipers on the roof (in the first pic).

The Lincoln Memorial

Proof he was there.

Washington Memorial


More proof.

Congress is in session.

They were working on the infamous bailout while we were there.

Korean War Memorial

This was really haunting in person, especially at dusk.

Vietnam Memorial

The stories and letters that people had left about or from their loved ones whose names were on the wall were so touching. All I can offer is a humble and grateful "thank you" to all of our soldiers; past, present, and future.

A poignant day revisiting American history.

Philly Trip Day Two

After eating breakfast at the hotel we headed out to explore.  

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Rick loves museums, so this was our first stop.

Monet

Picasso

Medieval Exhibit

Rick thought this display was cool.

The highlight of the museum.  :)  

Can't be in Philly and not pose in front of Rocky Balboa! Doo doo doooh. Doo doo doooooh. Can you hear the song?   

The long awaited Philly post.. Day One

Preface: My camera broke right before our trip to Philadelphia in September. Rick used his SLR and took pictures in raw format. My computer couldn't read the files until I finally figured out how to convert them to jpg.

Rick graduated from high school in the Philadelphia area. He hasn't been back in a while and had a hankerin' for a Philly Cheese Steak. We decided it'd be fun to take a short trip to get the real thing. After finding inexpensive plane tickets and an awesome Grandma willing to watch the kids; off we went.


View from our hotel

After we checked in to the hotel we immediately headed out for the the best cheesesteak in town at Jim's. They treat you a lot like the "no soup for you" episode of Seinfeld. State your order and quickly slide over. Rick ordered it the only authentic Philly way: "steak with whiz". The sandwiches were sooooooo delicious! I am salivating thinking about one now!

The infamous Jim's Steaks & a funky pic of me on the 2nd floor.

The fixtures and furniture haven't changed since he left, so it was exactly how he remembered it. Rick said he and his buddies from High School would eat there after late nights of dancing at the nearby clubs.

Penn's Landing

After stuffing ourselves at Jim's, we spent the evening walking along South Street and Penn's Landing. (Making sure I spelled it correctly, I googled it and learned it's named after William Penn the founder of Philadelphia). We really enjoyed the atmosphere of South Street and were excited to see more in the coming days. (Don't worry this is the only day there were no pics of Rick. This rarely ever happens. Actually it is the only time I know of). :)

Don't go Nana! Someone finally loves me!

We loved having my mom stay with us for the last three weeks!

While here: She bonded with our dog Sony.

Sony loved Nana's attention!

She took the kids swimming.

No, he's not a terrorist. My mom said Spencer wore this part of his ninja Halloween costume for the entire walk to the neighborhood pool.

She sneaked away with me to Clearwater Beach while the kids were in school.



They were setting up for the Iron Man competition that was being held the next day. I thought it was kind of cool that a New Zealander won. Her kiwi vibes must've still been on the beach. :)

She made crafts with the kids.

Sydney's Praying Mantis battling Spencer's T-Rex.

She played games & tutored Sydney & Spencer almost every day.

They had no idea they were learning their math facts. Sneaky Nana. :)

She visited with a long lost friend who drove up from Ft Lauderdale.

My mom hasn't seen Janet (far right) since we left Sacramento in 1976 shortly after my dad died. She was a good friend who helped my mom get through that time.

She went on walks and took Dason out for ice cream, watched the kids for our anniversary, went to church activities with us, kept me company shopping for groceries, waited in line for the kids after school with me, sat through HSM 3 with Sydney, Spencer, and their friend Maddie, took Sydney & Spencer on walks too, etc., etc., and so forth.

Our last night with Nana,

so we took her somewhere fancy... ihop. :)
(It's hard to get Dason to smile now that he has braces).


He hawd too. Thank goodness everyone brought jackets because it was freezing!


Sydney tried a bite of sausage for the first time. Later that night she said that the taste kept going down, and then up, which brought us to her first lesson on heartburn. She decided she does not like sausage.


We hope Nana enjoyed herself as much as we enjoyed having her here! We miss her already!


Mom/Nana.. Thanks for everything! WE LOVE YOU!!!