Funky Monday

I can't believe the weekend is over? Did I even sleep? Guess not, or I wouldn't be home today. Loli is sick yet again...mostly cough and congestion. He cried & coughed all night...starting at 1am and just passing out at 430. We have a doctors appt at 2pm so hopefully they will have some relief for him.

The first picture is of him watching Wow, Wow Wubbzy in between breathing treatments. The second is of me prepping for a video conference...i had to see what they were seeing. I learned i slouch alot and squish my face even more with my hands! Especially if I am in deep thought!

Still haven't posted b-day photos yet...i can't figure out which camera they are in! With 3-4 running around and people switching out cards you can never tell. I think Audrey had a great time, she was all smiles all weekend.

One big accomplishment: I have my Christmas Daily Journal ready to record the 25 days of Christmas. I have been working on it all week. All I need to do once December starts is to print out a picture daily and journal the days events...wish me luck!

gotta go, baby is coughing in his nap badly. g+b

Audrey's Birthday Weekend!

There is a tent in my living room and 3 sleeping kids inside! Audrey wanted a camping theme party so that's what she got. Today we will be doing smores roasted in the pit and other fun camp things... in between soccer and hair appts. I guess not everyone got to see Loli's new haircut...he had little friends living in his hair...so off it went! You have to love daycare...it just keeps spreading and spreading. Hopefully they will have it under control by Monday.

It started to snow a little yesterday but nothing to be excited about...we need that thick layer of snow to insulate the house and keep the kids from killing next years grass...though I think it's to late for the grass. I miss Texas and the roll out grass, I could use a few trucks of that in my yard!

Robert's home today! Thank God! He has been working Saturday morning for awhile now...looks like he will have a few off but lucky him he has to work the Saturday off after Thanksgiving... he's not a favorite in case you hadn't guessed. He is constantly being screwed over by a certain someone. Anyway...its a paycheck!

Have a great weekend, I'll post better pics of Loli's hair later...the card I need is down in the tent zone! much love g+b

November already?

Wow, it's already the 3rd! Taxes were due yesterday, I pray the bank did their job! We had a fantastic weekend. Lots of fun and laughter. The kids were exhausted and went to bed early Sunday night. It's a half week with little or no homework....Thur/Fri is teacher conferences. I hope to get great reports back.

Here are a few Halloween photos...Alaska style. It was really warm...well warm to us. It was above 0 degrees so that was a miracle in itself. Loads of kids came by, don't know if it was due to warmer weather or just more kids living in the hood now. It was fun!

I cancelled Alej's Shriner's appt for next week, he is still not a 100% so we rsch for Jan 13th. 2010. I will also be leaving for New Orleans 11/17 and will be there until that Sunday...so if anyone wants to drive to the Big Easy for a visit you are more than welcome! I will be done with my conference Saturday afternoon and have free time from there until I leave Sunday Morning.

Well better go, little man is due to wake up soon...much love g+b

Baby Satan

Its a running joke, that baby satan is crying, screaming, yelling, biting, hitting...so we thought it was only fitting to run with this costume. Have a safe and Happy Halloween all!

1 month later

Wow, i had not realized it's been an exact month since all our hell began! let's see it started w/chicken pox, turned into 3 cases of the flu, a skin infection, more flu, a few IV's & now were back at the beginning again. i am home with a sick loli...he has pink eye, double ear infection, congestion and fever. I hope this is the end of it. i am tired~my hair need coloring and i need a vacation to recover from all the germs!

We were able to have our annual pumpkin carving party even if we had to hide Mia away because it was her turn to be sick. We were snow free until 24 hours ago...we were beginning to wonder where it had gone. El Nino promises to bring us lots of snow this year, bring it, i say! Better snow than cold!

not much else for now, i promise i will start posting again regularly now that we are on the mend. Felicity is in soccer this season and put piano off until the early spring, Mateo will be playing in January...nice little break between the two. We have decided to let them try-out for comp teams...big commitment but we feel their ready. Wish them luck! Try-outs aren't until summer so they have plenty of time to practice their skills. g+b

Little Red Spots

On Wednesday I took Baby Boy to the doctor, he had a rash and lots of little red dots. When the doctor looks at his legs, she said yep, its eczema! Prescribed some meds & sent us on our merry way. I asked about the reds spots, she didn't seemed concerned. Yesterday there were more~with white stuff in them! Oh, no! We went to 1st Care and sure enough, it is confirmed ---We have chickenpox! Now normally if he was only child it would be ok, be he is not and we have 5 kids in the house...Oh no is right! But so far everyone is ok, no signs no red dots, then again the 2nd dr said it takes up to 10 days for the sibling to show signs. Yeah! I figure by Halloween they all should have had it and recovered! Wish us luck! lots of love & red dots g+b

Wednesday, hump day and then some

It's been just lovely out! The leaves are turning, fall is in the air but we are having wonderful temps. It was in the low 70's today. During work I started to get a little drowsy so I went for a walk around the block with my ipod. It was heavenly. I only wish I could have stayed out longer.

Alej had his first PT appt here in Fairbanks, it was a little strained since she doesn't really know what he is supposed to do. Then he refused to walk at all. It was just a little too frustrating. He is just not understanding what the purpose of walking is all about.

In case your wondering why there aren't as many pictures it is because my Cannon was stolen right out of my car in the driveway. We think it was the little punk down the street but there is no way to prove it. I have been resorting to the Kodak which I am relearning to use. So it is a slow process. Soon I will be up and posting pics again!

I am dressed and ready to go to they gym but all I really want to do is eat my ice cream cookie treat. We shall see what i do!! :)

Love to all! g+b

labor day lazy day

We didn't do much of anything today & that is A OK! The weather was beautiful so we made the kids spend as much time outside as possible. They are exhausted & already sleeping. Laundry is almost done and the house is clean, we had a great visit with Lisa & baby Jake! He is such a bundle of fun. To start the morning out Karen and I went to Safeway for bagels and coffee, then headed to Value Village for some half price sales. It was a lot busier than I thought it would be! I found tons of stuff but all for little sized like 6 an 8. I did walk away with about $10 worth of treasures though! Karen made out like a bandit and racked up a load of clothes for Mia and Audrey.

All and all it was a great weekend, we are tired and ready for an early bedtime. Last night jrb and i headed to the gym around 9pm, we had a great workout and I was glad he was there since the outside lights are set to go off yet. It was very dark as always before the snow falls. Wish me luck on my firs day back at work...it's been 2 weeks and left with so much hangin', hope it all turns out well!! love g+b

Sunday Funday

Had a fantastic Sunday just chilling with the family. Mateo got to spend his Game Stop gift card dad gave him, we went to church and shared Alej's story, played guitar hero...I totally sucked! And watched a movie. It was relaxing and fun and all the kids got to participate for the most part.

I am excited because as of this morning I finally pushed passed my plateau of 185 and landed at 183!! Yipppie! It feels so good, I know its not a major move but from 201 a year ago to 183 now, its a great start. It's almost 20 pounds!!!!

We'll gotta go, Karen wants to go shopping in the morning w/o kids and to do that we have to sneak out at the butt crack of dawn!! or 630 which ever comes first!! Love ya'll

g+b

Birthday Weekend-Mateo

We are back to being a family again and picked up where everything left off. We are celebrating Mateo's birthday weekend. He choose Denny's for breakfast-hey when did they change the kid menu? Then we headed out to the skate park where M learned how to do a 180 on his scooter from some big boys that liked him. Alej walked over 200 steps while there the best part being when he walked up the ramp and back down. Afterwards we stopped in @ Sports Authority to check out ski packages and goggles for snow machine season. Everyone needs their own equipment this year so its time to dish out the $$.

This afternoon is still undecided the kids are resting so I will know soon...we were thinking of hitting the hot springs but it is an hour drive so we'll see. Keep you posted with pics soon!

g+b

Happy Birthday Mateo!!

My big boy turned 9 today! And we surprised him by Daddy, CC...Loli and mommy picking him up at daycare for an evening out! He was so surprised, I think he even wanted to cry. So that is the big surprise I was holding in for the last 12 hrs, I have known that we were coming home since 2 pm yesterday. Robert found out when i called him and the stupid flight attendent decided to say something like...thank you for flying Alaska air... he was like, where are you? I couldn't hold it in, I laughed and told him surprise! We're coming home in 3 hrs. We were at SETAC about to take off when he found out.

So we celebrated with Chili's and a promise of a wonderful birthday weekend for Mateo. He decided to celebrate this weekend instead of the past so he could spend it with his baby brother and mom...how sweet. I think that earns him something extra special, we shall see.

Well i hope you can open the video, i took it a few hours ago, bring the tissues!

love g+b

Day 7 & Day 8

Hey Gang, sorry for no post yesterday. It was pretty uneventful. Alej did fantastic at PT, really showed his stuff...too bad he didn't do well today. He didn't fall asleep until around 11pm last night so his 9am therapy was unsuccessful. He just cried and whined and yelled. We got a few good steps out of him but they think he is doing great and started talking about going home. Please let it be soon!

Sunday we colored, played with play-doh, played piano watched Fantasia...he actually sat through the whole thing, he loved it! But bed time was miserable which is probably why he is napping so well right now. Not much else going on, I'll write more if anything other than our baths happen! g+b a+b

Day 6, the bank crashes

Today was mommas day to break down. For some stupid reason I forgot my pin # to my debit card and it ended with me trying one time too many and closing out my card. Meaning...i was left with zero funds for the weekend. They will mail me a new card and pin in 5-7 days!!! I was in tears yelling at the rep from AlaskaUSA in the middle of a busy hospital while Loli happily crawled back and forth across this incredibly long window bench. It was a bad ending to a pretty good day. He did poorly in PT but we had a good afternoon. I took him to see the Tram and planned on riding it Sunday but will have to postpone until Monday if at all. He loved it, he thinks its a floating bubble. I think it would be worth the trip down and back. We can't venture far as we don't know where anything is!

So i cried a lot today and ate. 4 families have gone home this weekend and one left Friday morning, it was the family that came in with us last Sunday from Fairbanks. I was upset when I saw their room empty. I wondered why they were up so early on Friday...it was like 5am when i walked past their room. they usually sleep in really late, actually everyone does except my little guy. He is the first one up and asking for chocolate milk. I told him he was going to turn into a little brown cow. He just laughs.

His speech has improved so much, I don't know if its because all he has is me to talk to or what...but he is a major chatterbox now. He told me I was "rude" for making him go to bed last night. And told the weekend PT he would "rather not" continue to practice. Next he will be saying, "how random?"

It's pretty boring in a hospital after lights out, they don't even have decent cable and their move selection is all G or PG rated. I can read and have done a lot but after reading all day i just want a break some good mindless TV would do the trick. The hospital is so isolated on this big hill miles away from the rest of town so you can't even sneak away unless you want to go the hospital next door, yippie! Been there done that, they do have amazing food but it's not that happening of a place at 10 at night i bet. LOL

I better go, little B has been alone long enough, he feel asleep early and without much hassle. I am fearful of another 5 am waking! Love to all g+b a+b

Day 5, Little Boy Blew!

We had a rough day all the way around today, it started with little b waking up at 5am because we had a neighbor move into our room! The other kids moved in and slept like a rock...my boy was awake and ready to go. By the time therapy time came around he was a wreck, he couldn't stand himself or the poor therapist. He spit at her, threw toys and even tried to bite. Very embarrassing but since I was so tired myself I really didn't care or do anything. I wanted them to get the clear message he is done and ready to go home.

We went on our field trip to the other cafeteria, it was fun and exciting for him. Nice to get fresh air, he loved rolling up and down the hilly sidewalks. I was scared i might lose him and have him roll out into traffic. But it was a highlight of his day and he came back with a full tummy of chocolate milk and we took a 3 hour nap. We were late for therapy session 2, Abby was great, she just picked up where we left off the day before. Even with the nap he didn't do great, he walked a little but mostly fussed.

This evening it took 2 1/2 hrs to get him to sleep. He cried, laughed, sang, talked to his doggy, called for daddy...the usual. And just when he fell asleep...the CNA walked in and he woke up!! AHHHHHHHhhhh...I am so ready to go home! We are hoping to leave on Tuesday but I won't know anything until Monday afternoon, pray they say he is good to go! talk more later...i am so sleepppyyy! g+b a+b

Day 4

Little B is sound asleep finally, it was a rough evening...he reminded me for the 100th time today that he is 2! It was all about his beanie doggy. I took it away from him because he wouldn't go to sleep and you would have thought I cut a finger off!! "Mommy took my doooooggggy away!!!" He was so loud I thought the nurses were going to come in and make sure i wasn't beating him or something. In the end he won...damn it...and i gave the dog back. he was exhausted by then and thanked me in tears and promptly feel asleep.

they filmed him in the motion lab today, which is where they study his walking in all forms of scientific way I can't even describe. He did full on independent walking...and then he fell backwards and it was all over. He cried so hard and kept telling me, "baby hurt, 'Hando hurt, baby very hurt". I felt bad because i wasn't able to catch him...so we bribed him with toys and it was all better. He spent the rest of his day playing and watching cartoons, after 2 therapy sessions and one 15 min walk with mom.

Today I got a break, I walked over to OSHU's main building and had a real lunch. They put FMH's cafe to shame!! they have a grill line, Chinese food line, hot line, salad bar, dessert bar, make you fresh sandwiches hot or cold while you watch bar! I thought I was in heaven! Plus a whole wall of soda and cold stuff like an isle at the grocery store, the best thing is they are 24 hrs and I could go now if i wanted. hmmm...maybe i should. :) I used the time to eat, buy a card for Mateo's Birthday...(Sept 1st) and mailed it. they have a gift shop, post office and laundry site also. It was nice to have a break from Alej, just to be outside and get fresh air.

I am getting him a pass for the weekend so we can have lunch over there and just get out of the hospital. Everyone keeps encouraging me to take the bus, it drops you downtown they say...and then what? What is down there I would enjoy with a cranky 2 year old? So i think I will limit our adventures to the hospital campus. We will be home soon enough for safe outings with the stroller.

I realized today with the help of my dear friend T that they are trying to force him to learn in 9 days what a normal child learns in the course of months! They start by learning to stand, progress to scaling the furniture and then in a few weeks or months move on to an actual step. In four days he has moved that far! This is amazing and challenging and more than enough for a 2 year old to take. He deserves all this tantrums he is throwing, he's tired and he wants to go home and see his daddy.

He sang to his therapist today, all about how much he misses dad and wants to go home. It was very sweet. Oh, and we made a friend, his name is Bexam...like Becham the soccer player? He wears a halo and has the sweetest mom. They are from Canada and have been here for 3 weeks, i guess i shouldn't complain. She is the one who told me where the laundry room is and she shared her birthday cake, it was some wonderful concoction of yellow cake, banana pudding and real bananas! Heaven.

I guess i should go, little b could wake up at any minute and fall out of the hospital bed...no crib for this big boy. I'm just lonely and want to go home! Love to all... g+b a+b

Day 3

Today was a busy day of therapy and sleep. We worked on walking the floor after breakfast, it took us an hour to get all the way around...which mind you only takes 1 minute in his wheel chair. It was rough going, with about 3 tantrums. One of which he laid on the ground for about 10 minutes while the whole nursing staff walked around him. I like when he works with his therapist Herb, he is really good for Alej and doesn't take any crap. He makes Alej do things you never knew possible. In the 57th minute as we were about to approach our room door Alej got away from me and walked in by himself. I was dumbfounded. I didn't know if i should run ahead and grab the camera or hug him or yell. It was exciting. Everyday is filled with so many great moments like this one. I only wish his dad and sibs could be here to share it with us! They are missing so much.

Tonight we finished off the evening with a little bit of Tarzan-Disney version and chocolate milk. He told me he loved me and was tired and wanted to go home. Such a sweet boy. He really just wants to go home and be left alone. A hospital is just not the place for a healthy little boy. good night all, lots of love g+b & a+b

First step!

So it happened! Last night before bed we tried one more time to walk with his RGO and walker. He really wanted to watch Jungle Book so I put him on the side of the room he couldn't see TV on and had him walk toward the TV. It worked! I watched earlier when he was with his PT and thought they were pushing him along but he does propel himself and he did last night. It was only 3 steps and he was done but it was something. I can't explain how it looks other than a little doll walking around, he is so tiny and it seems so surreal to actually she him up right. Amazing is all i have to say! It was a tough day yesterday for him I can only imagine what today will be like. We have 2 PT appointments and 1 OT; he will be exhausted by bedtime. Wish us luck! Love g+b & a+b!

First steps

He hasn't walked yet but he has stood. Sabrina his ot person came up before his nap to make sure the RGO fit properly and since he was awake she went ahead and put him in it and he stood all on his own. He was pretty calm about the momentous event...mostly looked irritated. I wanted to cry but I think I will save that for the big event in a few hours when he actually takes that step. I am unable upload the video i shot, they have a block on this computer so you know I will run all over the hospital until I can find a place to upload it. If not I will share once we get home. love & kisses gb + ab

Were leaving on a jet plane...

So here it is less than 24 hrs till we leave and I haven't packed a thing. I am nervous and excited and mostly I want to curl up in my bed with Robert and relax. The kids are sad but we are coping by doing large amounts of chores. Even the littles are helping. Karen is away in Valdez this weekend, fishing to provide food for our big family! It's just like the old days! LOL We hope she gets some halibut. Yum yum.

I hope to keep posting while I'm away...and hope to be able to upload video of him actually walking. That would be exciting! But my camera with all the fun gadgets has suddenly grown legs and walked away.

Better go, trying to finish a scrapbook page, post on facebook and here and pack. See you all!

g+b+m

Back to School

Well folks its that time again..back to school! The kids were actually as excited as I was. With all the forest fires and smoke we just didn't get to get out and enjoy the summer heat as much as we would have liked. I know the packs look heavy & they are! They are filled with all the supplies for the community classrooms.

Its been a busy week getting back in to routine but we are making it. I am glad my Wednesday off is upon us. I didn't think I could make it longer. It will give me a chance to start packing and prepping for Alej's and I's trip to Portland.

WE are going to go learn how to walk!!!

I know we are excited too, we will be in Portland for 2 weeks where he will be fitted with the RGO and taught how to use it. Its exciting and nerve racking all at the same time. Wish us luck and prayers for Alej to do his best. I understand it's really hard to watch them fall and learn to get up. I'll probably be in tears as much as he is. Need to go for now, need to get dinner rolling!

Have a good one, I'll write more soon!

gb

The end of soccer

We finally played our third game, after 2 cancellations and alot of smoke. The smoke has been really bad and we thought we had seen the last of it yesterday afternoon but no...it is back. We didn't even get time to enjoy that much. No pics to share oxygen is too low...LOL will most more soon. gb

Tourney Part II

...it was horrible! all i have to say is 6-1 we lost & it happened mostly in the first 15 min of the game..

game III tomorrow...we are already out of the finals but have to show up for good sportsmanship...yeah team

wish us luck!

Tournament Day 1

It was a very exciting game today! Felicity goalied the first half of the game and not a single ball got through...unfortunately neither did any of their balls either. It was a very busy game with balls bouncing off the goal left and right for both teams. First half score 0-0

Second half was a little tougher and the other team scored out of the shoot! Chase was goalie and did a great job at defending her post but allowed to balls to go through before she was replaced by Felicity due to an injury. She stayed in the game as defense. Felicity did a great job when she took over but they were able to get 2 more goals. Only 1 injury for her, it was her elbow and she is alive and well as I type. Game ended 0-4.

Hopefully tomorrow's game will have a better outcome or the will be eliminated from the tournament. Wish City luck!

GB

Golden Days

Hey everyone!

Sorry for not posting sooner we have been super busy with soccer and life in general!! This week was Mateo's last week of soccer, Felicity will continue on to Tournament next and hopefully we will be done with this crazy chapter by next weekend!!

Not sure if I want to do this again next summer, we have had no free time to explore Alaska like we planned. Mateo asked if he could try out for the comp team (competitive leagues) they practice and play all year long and even travel!!! We agreed he can tryout...we'll just have to wait and see if he makes it. We would be really excited for him if he made it but not too disappointed if he didn't.

This weekend was FMH Family Picnic and Golden Day Celebrations. Its been a fun and busy weekend, lots of activities...the parade, rubber ducky race, governor's picnic (go see Sarah Palin) and my favorite the Red Green Regatta. (duct tape & cardboard boat's floating down the river)

Karen and the girls are settling just fine, Karen got a job!! She is a Medical Imaging Assistant. It seems to be a really great fit for her and it has a nice career path in the hospital. She started mid-week & is enjoying it fine. The girls are settling down nicely in their daycare programs and have very busy days, everyone is exhausted at the end of the day. Karen is discovering quickly that have an excellent school system in place.

Not much else to add, I'm exhausted from our busy day and ready to sit down and watch some boob tube...we catching the new series "being human" on BBC looks promising.

Love you all!

3-Day Weekend!!!

Karen & girls
cheesin'

waiting for soccer practice to end

Felicity's new haircut w/out bows...we really love it!

Hey Gang!

So we aren't out fishing, camping, boating or swimming but we are enjoying ourselves. Robert has to work today & I went in for a few hours to catch up for next week. So we are pretty much hanging out around the house. Baby is napping and the big kids are watching the original version of Return to Witch Mountain w/Betty David!! They spent 5.5 hrs at Chena Lakes and 2 hrs on the soccer fields yesterday...they are tired, sunburned and dehydrated. I think a leisurely day is just fine!!

Beside the baby is napping and no one wants to mess with that! If he doesn't sleep no one is happy. So far today he has bitten Mia, punched Audrey, scratched F-City and nearly missed hitting Mateo. Enough is enough...off to nap!

We are going to b-b-q party tomorrow afternoon and Sunday we might go swimming for today it is rest and re-hydrating. Have a great 4th everyone & enjoy your fireworks! (remember we don't get to have them here due to the 24 hrs of daylight!!!

gb

Gloomy Sunday...look like rain!

Alej at his MRI...

Felicity getting her wart frozen...

Jeff Dunham with Peanut and Jose-the Jalepeno on a stick!

The weekend is final here but already almost over. We did garage sales from 8-11 yesterday and made all kinds of finds. We spent only 60 bucks and came home with a dresser, 2 book cases, a rolling pin (old one was used to lay down our laminate) plastic plates, a slide, a little tykes shopping cart, lots of snow gear...and much more. The Tahoe was loaded and impressed the heck out of us.


Busy week, lots of soccer games, an MRI for Alej, practices, rain--they kind that makes you feel damp all day, and Jeff Dunham! It was a great show but had me up way past my bed time! I am such a wuss!


The kids are really getting along greatly! They laugh and have fun argue but work it out, the big kids help take care of the little kids...its really been a lot of fun. And of course we enjoy having Karen back in our lives. We are working on getting her to laugh more often but late night talks are helping.


Have a great week and here are more pictures!

June 18th already

Can you believe it, it's almost Solstice!! Yep, we still celebrate those pagan holidays here with a passion!! LOL We will be up late Sunday enjoying the local fairs and activities. I hope the weather holds up, we are expecting on & off rain showers.

In the last few weeks we have won 2 soccer games and lost 3 not too bad. One win for each kid. 6 soccer practices, and 2 piano practices. 1 ultrasound for Alej everything checked out and 1 cancelled spinal MRI for him also. Felicity needs to have a mole removed that has gone rogue and I think that's it.

Oh yeah! Karen and the girls arrived on the 9th and have settled in nicely. It has been busy and hectic, there are lots of little shoes everywhere and my house has been introduced to the color pink! Karen has her new AK license and has started looking for employment, wish her luck!

Get well soon, Theresa...I know you must be bored to tears.

Talk to everyone soon...PS we are setting up our Skype so we can chat online, be sure to join us when you can.

Love GB

Mid-week update

well its wed & we have survived 2 soccer practices & 2 games, 1 more game to go~

today we received a call from baby's daycare that we needed to pick him up because they had an electrical fire~ crazy huh~ no one was hurt, they caught it before any damage was done but it is policy to send the kidos home~ jrb raced other there to pick up his boy~i was fine i know they do fire drills regularly & have observed so i was ok~

city did great at piano~she has excellent posture & caught on pretty quickly this should be fun+ also she won her game last night it was an awesome game + both kids games were really great they have come a long way~

well everyone take care...write more this weekend...after alej & i return of anc for a casting, soccer practice & finishing up the bathroom remodel....

Hey Gang,

Its been a crazy 2weeks, AZ was fun but fast...and cold. It was actually warmer back home in AK isn't that funny? Since returning i have had the worst cold/allergy thing going on..ugh i feel like hell. But steph's graduation was fun & exciting bringing back all those old memories from my high school years...ahhhh. we have alot going on..+eo started soccer this last week...practice every tues/thur and 1st game on mon @ 6. we'll keep u posted on the score. city has practice 2day @ 6, we'll find out when her game are today + she has piano practice on tuesday @ 430 pm...my i am going to have to stuff the car full of snacks/drinks since we will be on the go so much! Thanks T for the cooler! it has come in handy over & over!

OH--we saw star trek yesterday for date-nite...it rocked!! now that is how a prequel is done! speaking of sci-fi stuff-this is more scientific...we have been shook lately by a serious of earthquakes!!! yikes it didn't bother me before but ever since becoming a home owner it means a LOT!! i dread the shaking and rocking...i think each time what did that do to my foundation now???

karen & the girls will B here in 9 days!! the bathroom is still unfinished and when i say unfinished i mean it. there is only a tub and toilet-no sink, an open view of the attic, no extra light or fan...and we still need to prime & paint...i have a feeling we will be pulling a few all nighters.

have to go now, need to go buy shin guards/cleats for city, take alej to have his tb test checked, go see UP in 3d...etc you get the idea...we have a busy, crazy, hectic lives...i love it!!

Chena River Run 5K

Today was another wonderful sunny day! Temps hovered in the high 70s and the kids did fantastic. They ran...yes ran the 5k in under 40 minutes. While momma stayed behind and took an hour and a minute to cross the finish line. We celebrated with Mexican buffet at Gallo's and tearing apart our garage for some overdue spring cleaning. 4 hours later we have a clean garage and organized garage. We don't need no stikin' Clean Sweep, we did it ourselves! We got the bikes out and the kids geared up and hit the road. F-city is officially allowed to go around the block by herself, she only went once though....I think she was lonely. Mateo is not allowed for another year. The other thing she did today was head over to North Pole for a go-karts @ her friend Jazzy's birthday. It was great to see her so excited behind the wheel...hmmm thoughts of her driving 4 or so more years flashed before my eyes...we will need to up our insurance for sure! Have a great weekend everyone. G+M+B

Robert's Birthday Party

Busy week. short version, i almost quit my job but didn't...i like to shop so that would affect my spending a little. We have a birthday party for Robert, happy 34th. The cake was fun, Jen & Nils made it in honor of the snowmachine accident. It was a big hit. Its not a party unless someone pukes, rolls down the stairs or gets naked. Too bad it was just our party guests under 2. LOL We didn't hear from any family members...poor Robert everyone forgot!

Fairbanks is warming up, I think we hit 60 today, its wonderful! And the sun isn't setting until around 10 pm...ahhhh all thoughts of leaving Alaska have been temporarily erased. Have a great week everyone!

Sunny Sunday

With 15 hours of sunlight streaming in the windows its a little hard to sleep in now a days. You just feel like you have to get up and do something. We are planning on an afternoon bike ride, the first for the season, not sure how Alej will do but we will load up on snacks to keep him happy. I haven't ridden my bike for two years now so I am sure I will be very sore in the morning. Hope everyone is having a great weekend and getting outside in their surroundings. Our local walks start kicking in these next few weeks and so does our social calendar: May 2nd is the Chena River Run, May 8-10 we will be in Anchorage for the Alej's Shriner's appt and shopping, May 16th is the Heartwalk...funny followed by lunch at Big Daddy's Bar-b-q. So much for heart smart! The 19th is the last day of school, sis and I leave the next morning for Sunny Arizona for Steph's graduation...and return just in time for Memorial day camping and grillin'. Can you say busy? I just hope I can keep up with my 6 day a week exercise program.

Easter Sunday

well it was a fun casual sunday, we didn't get to the store in time to get plastic eggs so there was no egg hunt but the kid survived & had a great time. the famous m&m shirt we made mateo wear when he was a baby made a return this year. alej wore it proudly.

we watched Monsters vs. Aliens ++++ in 3D! It was awesome! even the baby sat through the movie w/glasses on! i had a break through this week, i have offically lost 16 lbs since i started excercising. i am beside myself with happiness...i had started to feel sorry for myself and didn't want to go to the gym and had a horrible work out session but when i got home and weighed myself it was 2 more lbs. it inspired me to keep going. have a great week all...enjoy your warm weather...we are getting there but not fast enough!

Friday Wrap Up

Wow, it's been a fast week! For those of you didn't know Robert was in a snow machine accident Sunday. Fell about 25ft from a ledge with his machine. He didn't bail out so his landing was the handle bar. Since they were so far out from the road he and his friends had to nurse the machine back to the main road. The whole process from accident site to ER took about 3.5 hours. I was in a bizarre state of calm shock...Theresa can vouch for me. He was lucky no broken bone, only 3 stitches, a dislocated shoulder and tons of bruises across his neck and chest. God was with him is all I can say.

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful, we have worked diligently to clear the drive way, I have made it to the gym every morning at 5am and Robert stayed home most of the week with his swollen neck...it looked really bad, like he had an extra side neck! Felicity had SBA testing at school all week so on Wednesday to give her a break I took her and Mateo swimming after school. It was a nice surprise and was a lot of fun! They are not babies anymore so I can do laps while they play and splash on their own. :)

We don't have any Easter plans! No lunch/dinner planned, I have only 1 basket for the baby and nothing else yet for the big kids. Robert and I have a date night planned for Saturday evening so maybe the Easter bunny won't come until Sunday afternoon. We haven't gone out in over ....um we haven't gone anywhere at all! Unless you count trips to the ER or transfer site (dump-we haul our own trash here) and i don't.

Oh yeah and my car died...this evening. Apparently, i have been driving around with a broken water pump for a few days, now i have to take it into the shop. We will be stylin' in the Escort the next few days...yeah. I may get a rental car just so we can have more room, we outgrew the Scortie about 2 kids ago!

Happy Easter, much love to all...Eat some Brisket for us!! With lots of bbq sauce.

Spring is near??

Nothing like a warm sunny day and seeing the snow melt. We hit the store for new sunglasses for the kids and break-up boots for the big kids. No sign of the geese yet but I am sure they will be here soon. Once that happens Spring will happen overnight. The daylight has already started to hang around well past 8pm. Its hard to get the baby to sleep when he know darn well the sung is shining behind the shades.

Have a great weekend, our week went really fast... I am not really prepared for it to start!

April Fools

lets see we had second round varicella shots for the big kids, a bloody nose for Mateo and more snow...and it's not an April Fool's joke! let me explain...Alaska is requiring a second round of chicken pox vaccine due to overwhelming cases in the last few years. My kids hate needles more than the average needle hater, so i chickened out and sent them to school to have it done by public health. they didn't cry this time! maybe i am on to something!! i think it was all about peer pressue we all know what a bit#h it is. it did snow slightly--just puffs floating gingerly from the sky, nothing stuck. and the bloody nose...during a roaring game of indoor soccer mateo took a fist to the nose...mind you the nurse never called to let me know...the first i heard is when i noticed the blood on his face.

all my kids are bruised up lately, loli fell from the bed saturday and has a black eye & bruised cheek. poor baby, but he wants to hang w/the big kids. what can we do. filly fell on her behind on the ice, hell i fell 3 time in 2 days my butt was killing me!

the last qtr of school just started and the dreaded scheduled came home. the magnet school send home schedules that you put together just like when you signed up for college. only instead of working around sleeping-in, we have to work to get all their required curriculum in on time. we HATE it...especially since we usually wait until the last night before its due and we are exhausted.

pics this week are of sledding baby and more baby eating ice cream with mini cones. its his new fav treat.

Good Morning ME! I'm 38 years old today 2 more until 40! October is my 20th high school reunion, May my Goddaughter graduates from high school and Alej turns 2...time is just flying by! HOW did I get here?

It's been a great birthday, Robert and the kids gave me wonderful gifts, Mom and Shannon called and sang me the traditional Happy Birthday song, I had lunch with good friends w/o kids, Yvonne and the kids baked me a birthday cake with lots of candles! All in all I would say it has been a great day! Just having Robert home has been the best part!

Have a great week everyone!

Sick Day cont.

We made it through the day with no high fevers...we did however have a case of pink-eye! Can this little guy ever get a break. He is sleeping now, happy because he is sleeping on clean Elmo sheets and knows daddy will be there for him in the morning. I rented movies for the big kids and just relaxed. It may not have been the Big Birthday Weekend kick off I was looking for but it will do. I will just be happy to see Robert come through the door at mid-night. Gotta go, High School Musical is waiting for me...yippie!

Sick Day

I'm home with a sick Loli today. He had fever this morning and shakes/chills. I always get a little nervous when the chills are involved. He seems to be doing OK, we went to wally world for the all purpose Pedylite, Tylenol and baby wipes. He is a good kid, he actually drinks it up for me. Right now he is watching Zaboomafoo and eating goldfish. It's progress from earlier when all he did was cry and whine. I think soon it will be nap time for the 2 of us.

Robert will be home from Portland tomorrow, and none too soon! I am not good at this by myself.

PS We don't have long distance anymore on our home phone, they have really crappy plans here so we pulled it, we just use our cells but even they have limits, after 7pm weekdays and weekends are free. Just in case anyone was wondering why we haven't been calling as often.

Monday, Monday...oh wait it's Saturday again!

We made it through another week! It swear it was just Wednesday. There was so much snow this week I almost fell out of my car in the driveway. We have a garage but of course we don't use it~too full of "Toys". Lots of my co-workers were unable to get their cars out of the driveway since it was over 8 inches. Crazy! Then the wind started and you would think we were in the mid-west. Too much.

Felicity and I went off to sell Girl Scout cookies at Fred Meyer's last night. She is so ambitious. She sold the most, maybe it was Thin Mint cookie costume she was wearing. I forgot my camera last night but one of the other leaders had one so I will post it ASAP.

It was a tough recruiting week for me, I just couldn't close any deals so I feel exhausted and like I didn't accomplish anything. It was a rough week in general, I've joined Facebook recently and reconnecting with my old friends just reminds me how much I miss living in the Lower 48. There is just so much to do, people to visit, sunshine~you can wear flip flops more than 3 mths a year. Silly things. Mostly, I miss my friends.

I have been preparing for my trip to AZ in May to see my God Daughter graduate from high school and i keep going back and forth between bringing one child or all 3. I think they need to leave the state once in awhile too! But I want to stay within budge and still have a good time. I wanted to swim every day but I have learned from past visits sometimes it's too hot and other times it can be too windy. I still have a month to make up my mind~it will be a surprise for Theresa. Maybe it will be just me! :)

The boys are doing great, Alej is just so in love with Mateo. He calls his name until he takes him out of the crib in the morning. He wants to go everywhere Mateo goes...it is so cute.

Pictures to follow later today, I thought my card was in the laptop, guess not. Never mind, as you can see there here now.

PS Robert and I have been watching way too much Battlestar Galactica~my eyes hurt from watching late at night and being glued to the screen! But we finished season 2 and only have 3 more to go! Don't laugh! I am such a Sci Fi geek.

PSS I have rediscovered my P880, I forgot what clear photos it takes! That is what I was using this week.