Girls Weekend

I'm Exhausted!! But, I guess that's what girls weekend is all about.

Jessica, my cousin, turned 30 on October 30. For her birthday - she wanted to re-live her 18th birthday and take a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain. I tagged along - and had a blast.

9am - Saturday...we were off. Well...I should mention it took us a good 1 1/2 hours to leave the valley due to a gas stop, McDonald's stop, and Starbucks stop. All stops included Jessica having an anxiety attack that we weren't already en route. We made great time...and besides a million potty stops we got there in time for a MUCH NEEDED pedicure and a quick mall shopping trip. Come on it was GIRLS weekend!

9am - Sunday...off to Six Flags. Those of you that don't know Jessica - she is always late...apparently, unless we are off to Six Flags. WE HAD TO BE ON TIME and we pretty much were. All day at the park was spent riding roller coasters. Lines were great - pretty much could walk on. In fact, often times we could stay on and enjoy the ride a 2nd, or 3rd, or in some cases 4th time without getting off. It was great. The weather was pretty chilly and we were SO happy to have jackets. Jessica did want to bring her gloves and we talked her out of it. Little did we know that we would be buying some at the park (or, should I say Debbie would be buying them for us - THANKS!!) And...I am happy to say that Jessica talked me into going on the Tatsu - super fun. We had a blast and except for a LOOONG lunch at the Mooselodge - it was all about the rides. Oh...and there was a cheerleading competition for teens - SO cute!! Of course, I loved it!

8am - Monday...drive home. Yuck - always the worst part of a trip...the drive home. Luckily I shared a car with Jessica, Kristen, and Patti. We literally talked the entire ride both to Cali and home. We had a great time...lots of family talk and politics. How did I end up on a trip with ALL Republicans??

I had a blast - thanks ladies!!

Change

This election was historical. Regardless of your vote, you must agree that America has taken a step forward with the 2008 election. I am very liberal. I always say, probably too liberal. I loved the Clinton's, I loved Hillary, and I learned to love Obama. I have never been so involved in a Presidential election before now. It was sad, exciting, infuriating, and at times, funny. I watched and researched so much about the election...that, by the time the "winner" was decided, I was exhausted, and kind of sick of the election. I watched John McCain give his concession speech. And, I will say I enjoyed it. Not because I was hoping to hear him concede (although I was), but because I really think I finally heard "him" talking. And, I finally like him. McCain fought a hard race and he got further than I ever thought he would. But, it was inevitable. America spoke loud and clear, they - as do I - wanted a change.

I was so tired of "election talk" that I am just now getting around to listening to Obama's victory speech. Isn't that awful? But, I thoroughly enjoyed it and truly believe the best man won. Many of my family and friends were and still are McCain supporters. This part of Obama's speech really stuck out to me:

“As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, ‘We are not enemies, but friends – though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.’ And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices, I need your help and I will be your president too.” - Barack Obama

Let's give him a chance. I have faith in Barack Obama. I am excited for the future of America.

Congratulations Barack Obama - President Elect!

Did you miss Obama's victory speech? Click here.

Lily Hearts Shoes

No joke - I have a shoe lover for a daughter. "Shoes" was literally one of her first words. Today, when she got up from her nap - Bryan said the first thing she wanted was her shoes...she wears them ALL THE TIME. She also loves my shoes, and Brady's, and Jake's, and Rylee's, and pretty much everyone's.
She's also all about fashion over comfort. She has these cute little pink Target shoes that look like doll shoes...she still stuffs her feet into them although they are WAY too small.

I'd say that this is a girlie trait - but, our nephew Jake is just as obsessed. But...so is his dad.

Bryan and I are not shoe people. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE SHOES...but, I just can't afford them - well, the ones I want anyway. I have this friend Julie...she has more shoes than I have ever seen. I recently had the chance of checking out her shoe closet - I was in heaven. Lily would have LOVED it.

I seriously think these pics of Lily wearing my shoes are the cutest pics ever. She doesn't let the fact that they are several sizes big for her stop her - she runs, plays, and of course, has time to stop and say cheese for the camera. The girl hearts shoes - plain and simple. And, I love it!

p.s. Julie loves shoes so much - here is a picture of "chocolate heels" - and she has a real pair just like it!

Thankful - Week 1

It's Thanksgiving Month!! Yippee!! I LOVE Turkey Day. It's one of those holidays that you get to relax, enjoy family, give thanks, and...eat!! So, for the month of November at least once a week I will be writing of something for which I am thankful.

Today - I am thankful to be an American. I live in a country that has a say in our government. I voted today and it has never felt so important. We all know which way I voted, but I am so thankful that I actually have a choice.

Today - even Brady got to vote in his Pre-K class. His teacher, Mrs. Allison had voting activities. She talked about the candidates (I'm sure not much - they're only 4 for goodness sakes) and handed out a paper with the 2 candidates. Obama was circled in blue and McCain was circled in red. The class was asked to cast their vote...guess which one he picked??!! Blue - Obama!! I have to admit I was a little excited when I found out who he chose.

Here is the conversation Bryan had with Brady:

Bryan: Why did you pick Obama?

Brady: Because I like blue and he is blue.

Bryan: You do? Why do you like blue?

Brady: My Red Sox shirts and hats are blue.

Bryan: I see. Any other reason?

Brady: Yeah. The other guy in red is really old and he looks like he smells and farts a lot.

Bryan: Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

When Bryan told me this story - I almost fell out of my chair laughing. I will admit - I tinkled a little bit, I was laughing so hard. Bryan said he had to try hard not to crash the car he was laughing so hard.

Ahhhh...the joys of parenthood AND being an American!

Big League Dreams

Have you ever been to a sporting event?

Any kind - pro, little league, college, whatever - just any sporting event? Well...you know that person that is LOUD, obnoxious, constantly cheering and never shuts up??

That person is me.

Sorry Boys - I cannot stop!!

Sisters

A sister is a forever friend. ~Author Unknown

I was at this wedding recently in which the maid of honor was the bride's sister. The maid of honor said something that really hit home - "Sisterhood is something really special, you can't even explain it. I feel bad for people that do not know this kind of bond." I totally agree. I'm not saying you can't have close bonds and friendships, sometimes those are even as close as sisters, but...there is just something about sisters that is so unique. I have 2 sisters and I thank my lucky stars everyday - seriously!! And...I do have 1 brother and we treat him like a little baby (or maybe I do that)...sorry!!! Love you Billy!

What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it? ~Jenny DeVries

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet. ~Vietnamese Proverb

Goodbye October - Hello November!

The last week of October was SUPER busy. With 2 pumpkin patch stops - Mother Nature's Farm and Schnepf's Farm, then a class Halloween party for Brady's Pre-K, then the Babcock and Sowa's party it sure was hectic, but of course, fun.

Schnepf's Farm is typically an annual stop for all of us. We just couldn't seem to find time for it this year...but, Brady and I did get to go with his class - his 1st Field Trip!! It was hot, exhausting, and fun. We traveled around with 3 boys and their moms from Brady's class. The boys had a blast - and Brady was out before we even left the parking lot!

Too cute - this one is before we were escorted into the farm...before the exhaustion sets in!

Choo choo - the famous train ride...it's scary at night!

Little monsters...

Brady and A.J - getting ready to fly the plane

Sweaty and hot - in line for the coaster...

the boys didn't want their moms to ride - they went alone

Buzzing by on the bees

Just a bit hot - cute pink cheeks

Collecting our "free" pumpkins and finishing homemade ice cream - YUMMY!

The Halloween party at Brady's class was a definite success. Mrs. Allison is the GREATEST teacher. She had several different stations set up with "Halloweeny" crafts - pumpkins, black cats, spiders, decorating cookies, puzzles, and "hammering" golf tees into pumpkins (this might not sound that great - but it kept the kids busy forever). I will think again before I bring Lily to a class party for Brady. I feel bad - I didn't really get to focus on Brady as I should. But...luckily, he doesn't seem to have cared.

The Halloween Bash at the Babcock's was a blast. The fam's with kiddies met at 6pm to go trick-or-treating as a group - and boy what a group it was:

Ashley, Brett, Ry and Jake

Dawn, Bryan, Brady and Lil

Cori, Mike and Aidyn

Tara, Bob and Ava

Nanny and Poppy

Robin, Aaron and babe Lincoln and of course, Aunt Karen

Debbie, Lindsay and Lily

Jacki and Sheldon

Jamie, Robert and Haily

Pam and Kevin

p.s - I hope I didn't miss anyone!! :)

I'm sure we looked crazy walking down the street together - but, it was SO fun! We only went out for about 1 hour...but, with 30 people - think 5 minutes at least per house. Lots of falls - Jake and Brady especially...but, no serious injuries.

Once the kids (or should I say little kids) were in bed - PARTY. It was a fun time had by all - lots of talking, food, drinks, and of course the norm beer pong, darts and poker. I think we had some very creative costumes - Deal or no Deal, the Alltel commercial guys, Sarah Palin, Gilligan and the Skipper, Nun and Priest, scary nurse and patient, and my personal fave - foosball table people. Check it out:

We are now so exhausted - we had to pass on the 2 other party invites for tonight...cleaning ALL day and are pooped! Happy November 1st - too close to Christmas, it's scary!