Still not there...

Okay, so i'm still not ready to share from our recent activities, mostly because I still haven't downloaded the pictures. (Where is that shocked smiley when you need it?) I read this quote on Ali Edwards' blog and really liked it. Hopefully, you will too.

Neil Gaiman : I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.

As far as I'm concerned it's always about being kind. A smile, a friendly greeting or a pleasant conversation can really help someone's day. It certainly helps mine. Anyway, kindness is one of the most important lessons I'm hoping to teach my children. Sure it's important to be smart - it's also important to have goals and to reach them. But, I really want them to learn that we're all in this together, lets try and be kind unless it's just not possible.

not even a recap

Well, not yet anyway. right now, just one image because I love it. Then, later, another time, a bit about our holiday and our excursion.

for now, happy and blissful to be home. about ready to rest up for tomorrow!

random

In order to have a post, I will have to make it super random. I'm crunched for time and well, packing at this point is REALLY high on the list. I have, however, started putting the clothes in suitcases, that is HUGE for me. We don't leave for 3 whole days, even!

Okay. So. We've been super busy. We've had parties at school, an evening trip to Disneyland, SNOW, bunco, my aunt and cousins up for an overnight visit and baking day, saw Santa...now we're on winter break. The baby is doing several funny things - including saying OW as he hits you. He knows that is what you're going to say as he inflicts pain. He's also taking a few steps at a time. Let's hear it for my boy! WOOHOO!!

Also, all of my photography sessions are over for the season, I've got to finish up editing and uploading, but other than that I'm set! WOOHOO! I feel so accomplished for all of the hard work and happy families!

{two boys waiting to tell Santa all of their wishes! they really asked for toys}

{The Fam waiting for santa!}

{the boys with the big man!}

{checking out Mrs. Claus}

{it totally, completely, without doubt snowed at our house in southern california, and here's PROOF!}

{The slope in my yard!}

{a love note from my darling husband}

{the next morn'}

{the mountains across the freeway the next morning!}

{getting ready to go to his Polar Express party at school!}

{the kids waiting for the fun to begin!}

{Thursday night Disneyland fun!}

{baking day!}

{andy and his bfff, Charlie!}

This has taken all day!

In honor of Miss Lynda

Today, Sawyer's preschool teacher, Lynda Campbell, is being laid to rest. I know it's sad and some of you are thinking, big deal, she was his preschool teacher, but she was really so very much more. She was kind, thoughful, zany, full of life, energetic, creative, nice, a wonderful teacher, a great friend and she's gone much, much too soon.

One year ago, almost to the day Miss Lynda got sick, very sick. She was later diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma - a form of cancer. Not a day has gone by where I haven't thought of Lynda, wished her well and wondered how she was. She was a blessing to our family and we're much better off for having known her.

Sawyer attended Lynda's school, The Learning Tree, for 1.5 years. The first year he went 2 times a week and the second year he went 4 days a week. She was so good for him, she understood him (which isn't to "get" Sawyer!), taught him, took good care of him, and mostly - she loved him. He loved her and we all loved her.

The tragic thing here is that Lynda was only 51 years old when she died last week - she should have had many years ahead of her with her loving husband and her 5 children. I'm sad she never got to have grandchildren and more sad that her future grandchildren will never got to have known her kind and fun soul.

I will be back to your usual drivel tomorrow. But, today, much love to Lynda Campbell and all that loved her.

Forecast for TONIGHT! In Southern California!!!

Tonight: Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with a mix of rain and snow late. Low 32F. S winds at less than 5 mph, increasing to 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 70%. About one inch of snow expected.

Continuing to be thankful

I consider myself to be a very thankful and LUCKY person - I appreciate all of the gifts in my life. Today, after hearing some bad news about folks we know, I'm considering myself even more fortunate.

Our lives are even more full and rich because we live near my aunt and her family. They are very loving and giving and we spend as much time together as possible. On Tuesday night we traveled south to watch Christie play basketball.

{Christie playing ball}

{Watching Christie}

{Walking on the court with Gini and Christie}

Last night Andy got the train out that goes under our train. It's still not actually under the tree - but it was good fun to have the train out!

Here is some of Sawyer's wonderful Holiday Art. He came home BEAMING about this piece -- he exclaimed how much he loves it. I love it too!



Here is where Nick, our holiday Elf, decided to hang out today. Festive!


I'll keep counting my blessings today, everyday this holiday season and beyond.

Okay, okay...

Alright, a couple of you have asked and I know the rest of you are thinking it -- what is wrong with Andy's face? I PROMISE - it's not even worth the space on here.

You know when you take pictures with a flash and you get those annoying red eyes? I do my best to avoid it altogether. But, when I take my point and shoot camera places, like dark rides at Disneyland, I have no choice.

so, on this particular Saturday, the baby was enjoying all of the spookiness of Sandy Claws on Haunted Mansion - so I snapped a pic. The boys all had red eyes.

Once we returned home, I had to fix that. and, I got a little overzealous with the red eye correction.

End of story. that is a digital snafu on Andy's face. it's not really like that.

More later, I have pictures to share!

Truly, I am about as behind as I can be. Do I really care? YES! I hate this feeling of needing to do 1,045 things. We're celebrating the season and enjoying each others company. Why do the 1,045 other things have to overwhelm me and not enjoy AS MUCH the other things that really matter? Oh well!

Took the kids to Disneyland on Saturday for a full day of fun. We did all of our favorite things, new and old, and just enjoyed ourselves and enjoyed being together!

{SOMEONE got into the leftover halloween candy before we left}


{The NOT blinded by the sun, boys}

{Momma and her baby outside It's a Small World}

{Look at who is on the naughty/nice list!}

{The mandatory picture outside of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride}

{Two happy brothers?}



{Don't ask about Andy's face}

{CUTE}

Enjoy your day!

The GLINCH!

Last year at the beginning of the season, we discovered Sawyer's favorite movie. Since then, we've honestly probably watched it well over 100 times. NOT an exagerration. He loves, without restraint, Jim Carrey's version of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

I don't even know if LOVE is strong enough. He *IS* the Grinch, he adores the Grinch - there are days when we eat, sleep and breathe the Grinch. Sawyer can quote several lengthy passages from the movie - and it's hilarious. It's one of those things that I love about having kids. How their personalities are so fun and really make you enjoy THEM as a person.

Anyway. Because of Sawyer's adoration for the green creature (because what is he, really?!) I decided to take him and Cam to a stage production of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas at the Globe Theater in Balboa Park in San Diego. (That is a mouthful) We went with my friend Kate and her 2 kids. Turns out, Kate's good friend is married to the sound guy there. We were lucky enough to get a tour after the show. Fun - and more to be thankful for!

{my grinch loving cutie}

{outside the theater. it was VERY bright and sunny}

{in the grinch's sleigh}

{enjoying the props!}

Thankful, every day

Did you see that? What you ask? The perfect day that has just ended. There were several things that made me happy that I had today.

1. Today was a warm 80* and not one cloud in the sky. I searched for a few seconds trying to find one. It was futile, so instead I enjoyed the warm sunshine on my back.

2. Gas prices are so low that filling up my incredibly empty (4 miles till empty!) gas tank cost less than $31.

3. Campbell took a Reading Counts! test today on Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone and passed. woohoo for my boy.

It's also December 1. That in itself is a good thing. We've had a good Thanksgiving weekend. Many days together and we weren't sick of being together! I was even sad to send the boys back to school today. Nick, our Elf on a Shelf, has been visiting since Friday - and so far so good. Today was day 1 of our Lego Advent calendar and we all enjoyed the little Lego man who came with a Turkey leg.

We have been planning our joyful month and we're looking forward to all of the fun we're planning. There are many good times out there that I'm looking forward to having!

{my cousin Christie and her new car. she turned 16 on Friday!}

{two of my turkeys}

{the advent calendar}