Zach

Chloe

Parker

The first of many...

Having major slideshow problems....so I will just post pictures. Here are a few for tonight....

Totally handsome and cool 9 year old!

A typical Chloe face!! Happy and singing all day long!!!

Piercing blue eyes and such blond hair! I always knew someday I would have a blond haired, blue-eyed little boy. I think I got it - but way cuter and lovable than I ever imagined!!

As Chloe puts it, "Ooooo, kissy-kissy!!!"

The whole gang minus one looking down from Heaven....

Soon...

...I will have more family pictures posted. I need to make them into a slide show. There are too many that I like!!

Bathtime torture...

Brothers are just supposed to pull the heads off of their sisters barbies, right? Well, Parker has already figured out at a young age how to torture his sister's dolls. This time, it is Chloe's Polly Pockets he finds so tasty!


More torturing cuteness....

Benefit concert!!

Many know about my fabulous and wonderful friend, TJ, and her fabulous and wonderful sister, Tiffany's older brother that was diagnosed with a very aggresive form of leukemia a few months back. Tiffany (and TJ from far away) has been super busy organizing and carrying out many different benefits in order to raise money for Todd and his family. He still has a long road ahead of him and could use all the help he could get! Please pass this info along to all you know - especially those living out in southern CA!! Sounds like a fun time!! Read below....

Oh, and if you are willing to register to be a bone marrow donor, go here. It doesn't take long and won't cost you anything! Help save a life!!

Todd Rocks! Benefit Concert House of Blues Anaheim (Downtown Disney)

Dear Friends,

Late last fall, Todd Larsen, a young music teacher who just founded the Irvine Music Academy and a 14-year veteran coach in the 2,000+ member Irvine Swim League, was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia. In response to the shocking news, Larsen’s immediate, lengthy hospitalization, and in an effort to support Larsen’s wife and infant son, the OC community has rallied to raise funds to offset the costs of his expected year-long, aggressive cancer treatments.

On Monday, February 1st, the public is invited to support Larsen with a benefit concert at the House of Blues Anaheim (Downtown Disney). Hosted by KLOS-FM’s Uncle Joe Benson, the evening will feature special performances by Vivian Campbell, guitarist for Def Leppard and Whitesnake and Mark Schulman, the drummer for Pink, Beyonce, and Sheryl Crow; and Jon Abrams, the star of Broadway’s “Movin’ Out.”

In a unique way to help this beloved music teacher while gaining stage experience, young pupils from Larsen’s “School of Rock” at the IrvineMusicAcademy will headline the entertainment. Bands including 10 Fold, Chix Rule, Out of Order, and Vicious Beat are scheduled to perform. A live and silent auction and raffle will round out the evening’s entertainment. Further information and reservations are available at http://www.toddrockinleukemia.blogspot.com/

WHEN: Monday, February 1st, 2010

TIME: 6 p.m. to Close

WHERE: House of Blues Anaheim (Downtown Disney) 1530 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA phone (714) 778-2583

If you would like to donate a raffle item, make a cash donation or purchase tickets to the event, please contact Ms. Sandy Jones at 949.252.2046.

Thank you – We hope to see you on February 1st.

Growing so fast!!!

UPDATE: IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN THIS POST...THERE IS ONE MORE VIDEO I ADDED ON THE BOTTOM!!!

Here are some fun videos of my little "Bubby" (don't quite know how he got that nickname!) as he has learned how to become mobile and even a little naughty!! His little cheeks get kissed ALL day long! How we love our little baby! (Makes his mommy sad that he will be 1 next month!!)

October 2009

Doing his daily push-ups while playing toys!

November 2009

Army-crawling to get around.

December 2009

He loves to be chased around the house! He is quite a fast crawler now! (yes, I know my kids and house look messy....don't worry - it was bed time!)

This was the first time he ever pulled down the toilet paper and luckily I had the camera handy!

January 2010

Parker feels like such a big kid now that he can get on and off this little 4-wheeler all by himself. He walks around pushing this thing ALL day long! He loves it!! Basically anything he can climb on - he loves - including Chloe's yellow chair! Parker is probably the biggest climber of all our kids!

"I WANT TO GO OUTSIDE TO SEE THE DOG AND SWING!! PLEASE!!!!!"

Little Piano Boy...

FINALLY GOT IT! Thanks, Chris!

On December 21, 2009, Zach had his first piano recital! I was so excited to hear him play in front of people. He has taken piano here and there for a couple years (thanks, Vickie!!). Since moving here to AZ, he started with a new teacher in August. I really think he has a talent for the piano. He picks up on songs really quickly and seems to enjoy it. He doesn't always like the practicing that is required...but I don't really know many kids who do! This is a little video clip of him playing his songs at the recital - and memorized too! His teacher, Laurie Ray, is the one in the kahki off to the right. Thanks for doing so well with him, Laurie! (be sure to listen to the very end of the video...quite funny!)

Peekaboo with Parker

This is a continuation of the Peekaboo cuteness from the last post. For some reason it wouldn't load into that post. Enjoy....

Long overdue recap!!

My life as a mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter and all the other "titles" I hold, are some of my greatest treasures. At times though, they can seem to feel as they will swallow me up sometimes - with the possibility of spitting me out...someday. There are times when I think I handle all my titles and responsibilities fairly well, and then there are times where I feel like I could drown and I am doing a crappy job with all of them. I think my lack of blogging over the last almost 2 months is probably due to the fact that I was just trying to keep my head afloat. I needed to do the best I could at my most important titles - that of being a wife and mom. I am not sure I really succeeded in that, but I know I tried.

So, since I haven't posted any pictures of my cute kids in forever and I know some grandma's and aunts out there are wishing I would....I will post lots of pictures! Lucky day for you, I know!

First up - my squishy, kissable baby!!! Dang, he's cute!! Can you believe his 1st birthday is coming up in February!!! Man, where does the time go?!!?As we were eating dinner one night, Parker decided to amuse us all with a game of Peek-a-boo.

Halloween 2009 - Zach as a Star Wars dude (don't remember the name), Chloe as Cinderella (thanks Morgan for the costume!!! It is getting lots of use!), and Parker as a chunky pumpkin!

Teach them while they are young....Wanna play the grass game anyone? (yes, my family is probably the only one's who know what I am talking about)

Thanksgiving was small and quite this year. We enjoyed a nice turkey dinner....just the 5 of us. Here are a few pics from the day.... Our turkey table decorations....(Chloe, Zach, Tracy, Chris)

The boys have been doing a lot of mountain biking lately. Chris was able to take off work for a week at Thanksgiving and then 2 weeks at Christmas. He used to mountain bike religiously before we got married. He finally just got a new bike so he could get riding again. Well, since Zach wants to do everything that his good old dad does - he had to get a bike too! I am glad they can go do this together.

Zach has been doing SO awesome in school lately!! He has stayed on the Honor Roll and has really been trying hard to do his best and behave his best. I am really, really proud of him and all he is accomplishing!! He brought home this certificate last month from the principal. He, along with 3 other kids were chosen to have lunch with the principal (on the stage in front of the cafeteria!!), and then they got an otter-pop from him! What a fun day that was!!

Chloe-girl waiting for Santa... Chloe insisted that she wear her Christmas dress (that Karleigh passed down to her!) to her Preschool Christmas party. She looked beautiful!Christmas Eve 2009 - For many years growing up, we put on the nativity while my dad read the Christmas story. I know as I got older and "cooler", I fought that tradition. But now I see how fun it must have been for my parents!! It was fun to get the kids dressed up - or at least 2 out of the 3 - even if it only lasted for a few minutes. Parker refused to keep anything on his head. At first we thought it would be funny to have him be baby Jesus - but we realized he wouldn't fit in the little cradle (this is my cradle that my dad made me when I was little!) - plus he surely wouldn't hold still! It was hard enough to get him to sit next to the cradle without him mauling our little baby Jesus!

Chloe was SO excited to be Mary!!

Christmas Morning 2009 - Coming down the stairs to check out what Santa brought! (yes I realize Chloe's pj's are mismatched! She did go to bed with matching pants....promise!

Santa did come and was very good to us this year! (and Grandpa and Grandma Clay) Thanks so much for everything!!!

I asked Chloe what she wanted to make for the boys for Christmas. Since her life right now revolves around playing dress-up, it makes sense that her immediate response was.....a Prince costume!! She helped me make them and was SO excited for them to open it!!

After opening up our presents, we had a yummy breakfast and then vegged the rest of the day. We watched movies, went to the park, ate yummy stuff from our stockings and then had a nice ham dinner later that night. I sure wish we could have been close to family this holiday season! We are so far away from anyone, but we appreciate you thinking of us and sending us gifts and love!! We love you all!!!

That is a quick, jumbled recap of the last few months. I hope everyone has had a fabulous holiday season. I will try to do better at posting from now on.....!