November 2008: A is for...

Annual passes...taking a year off from the Magic Kingdom was necessary for my sanity, but we are now ready for another year. After forgetting about why we began to really dislike the 'Happiest Place on Earth', we plan on falling in love with it all over again.

Aging gracefully...we celebrated Kevin's grandma, Loretta's, 90th birthday with a big bash in Palm Springs!! She has definitely aged beautifully, and is still full of spunk! (I need some pictures of her instead of my kids post-party!! ) At the pool...while in Palm Springs, we got to stay at a great hotel with Kevin's sister, our niece, and her kids (who are the same ages as our kids). The pools at this hotel were unbelievable, with a beach entrance complete with sand...the kids loved it!Axel Rose, eat your heart out. This becomes consistent entertainment in our house, and we like to torture our company, too. Eastvale, let me hear you make some noise!! Rock on!! Another soccer season over!! It was fun and exhausting for everyone involved. Thanks to all of our family who came and cheered! Grandpa even came all the way from Arizona to watch a game!! Am I violating some kind of child labor law now?? I have to say that donuts and OJ at the garage sale were a hit. Action hero costume...Again. I am not exaggerating when I say that Garrett has worn this Spiderman costume everyday this month. Several of my friends are nodding "yes" as they read this. I am asking forgiveness for ever doubting the parenting skills of any parent who let their child wear a funky costume in public. I am choosing my battles.

Applying make-up for the first time...in secret...mascara...on her lips. She is Goth. Kami, I promise I will teach you how to wear make-up someday...when you are 18, and Dad and I are chaperoning your dates.

I'm Thankful for Swords

This year as we went around the Thanksgiving dinner table telling what we were thankful for, Trevor said he was "thankful for missionaries" and Garrett said he was "thankful for swords". They painted their personalities perfectly with those statements. I couldn't have described their personalities better with pages of text.

After dinner they got into the costumes they had made at school and Trevor told the story of the first Thanksgiving...forget the public school system...Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving was VERY educational.

We had Thanksgiving for the second year in a row at my house...thanks to everyone for battling freeways.

Everyone helped out and brought a dish or two, so it was very stress-free...for me. Seriously guys, I'm sorry about all the traffic you had to endure. I promise we'll travel next year!

I didn't cven have to do the turkey!! Lori and Andy deep fried it in the back yard...cooked PERFECTLY!

Kami napped during dinner (all that tryptophan) and apparently was upset that we ate without her...next year Kam, I promise we'll wake you up so you don't have to eat leftovers!