One.

Seems impossible an entire year has already come and gone.
Ellie is 1!!!!

Christmas tree....oh Christmas tree

You know, I was a little worried about putting up the tree with Ellie being "into" everything and all, but surprisingly she never touches it. No, Ellie did not do this. Nor did Nathan who painstakingly hung each ornament out of Ellie's reach. And in case you are wondering... this was not my doing either...nope, this was all Eric. Eric has always hated this tree, I think he is secretly trying destroy this tree a little each year until they come out with some kind of amazing tree that just pops out of a box and is already lit and decorated, then he will finally finish this tree off. Until then I will continue to buy replacement parts for this tree. Did I mention I LOVE this tree? Its so big and full and easy to put together and it was the tree we had when I was growing up until my parents gave it to Eric and I, so it was also free. Everyone who comes over thinks its real. They just don't make trees like this anymore. So when my new tree stand gets here, I will have her up and decorated... again. Nice try Eric, but you ain't getting rid of her so easily this year!


Nathan decorating the tree...when it was still standing

Halloween's Past

It doesn't matter the costume or the year, Nate has ONE Halloween pose....

2009 - Luke Skywalker


2008 - Optimus Prime


2007 - Elvis

Happy Halloween!

Fall Activities

Nate hustled on the soccer field!


Ellie and Grandpa Thornton


Nate LOVES his trophy!


The Team....Go Wild Animals!


Having a blast on the "big slide"


Cousins


Luke Skywalker



Nate does this "pose" every year!


Nate and Raychel...I hope these two will at least go to prom together or something so I can pull out adorable pictures like this to show them! Awwwwe!

32 Big Ones!

I hit the jackpot when I married Eric, I am truly a lucky girl! I don't do much to embarrass Eric (well at least I don't THINK I do) so I thought I'd put together a little list of 32 memories/thoughts of my favorite guy for his birthday!

1. You can't remember where you set your keys down five seconds ago (literally) but you can remember what I was wearing the first time we met.

2. You love your family (and mine) unconditionally, even the crazy ones!

3. You always remember to take the trash out...when reminded.

4. I don't know anyone else who has a favorite number anymore except you...and today you turn 32 which just happens to be your fav number! How excited are you?!

5. You are seriously the best Dad, I couldn't wish for a more patient, loving, and fun dad for our kids.


6. You can fall asleep in less than 2 seconds although science would say that is impossible. Who else can brag that their husband defies scientific research!?

7. You are one of the best people I've ever met. You have such a pure and generous heart.

8. You would rather pick a spider up and walk it across the street than step on it, regardless of how many times I tell you just to smash it!

9. You love to work! Eat, Sleep, Drink, Programming.

10. You totally get my sense of humor, actually we pretty much has the same sense of humor, it's so convenient!

11. You always kiss me goodbye in the morning. I love that!

12. You will eat ANYTHING. I never have to worry about trying new recipes because I know even if it tastes horrible, you will still eat it, all of it! There is a reason I call you my "human garbage can"...in a loving way of course!


13. You don't talk much in a group of people (that's my job) but you talk non-stop when we are at home. Some people may not believe this but it's true.

14. You are so smart, I hope our kids got your brains.

15. You scare easily. Like the "jump out of the closet" kind. Its so funny!

16. You like to dress up for Halloween, I hate it.

17. You ALWAYS iron your clothes in the morning (and I lay in bed secretly glad you didn't ask me to do it!)

18. You've been through a lot, especially during your early teen years when your mom passed away, but you have an incredible outlook on life. Most people couldn't have handled that as well as you did.

19. You keep sentimental things (if I don't find them and throw them away of course)

20. You love the outdoors and are always trying to get us outside to do things together.


21. You are always trying to improve yourself, riding your bike to work, eating healthier, although some days we fail miserably, you are always trying.

22. You always support me in everything I want to do or try. Even if its expensive, hair-brained or it's obvious I won't actually be able to do what I say I want to. I know you've got my back.

23. You love toys...almost as much as our 5 year old. I am amazed you can sit and play legos for so long! Which leads me to my next one...

24. You are Nate's best friend. Well his best dude actually. He wants to be just like you and do everything you do. I would love it if he turned out to be just like you.


25. You and Ellie have the same facial expressions, it makes me laugh whenever I see you two together!


26. You hate it when I swear. I can't help it sometimes!

27. You always fall asleep watching movies. Always. See #6.

28. If you were to ever sing to me the song would be "I love Technology, but not as much as you, you see."

28. You are the epitome of "slow to anger". Sometimes I try to pick a fight with you just to see how you will react....nothin'.

29. You don't like calling attention to yourself, but you do like having red hair because it sets you apart.

30. I won't go into to much detail, but you are totally hot! ;)

31. Sometimes I think I don't deserve you...

32. But like "our" song says..."I can't help falling in love with you!"


Happy Birthday Eric!!!

Kindergarten

The first day of school used to always give me butterflies in my stomach, but for Nathan it's pure bliss! He loves going to school so that makes it a little easier on me to watch him go.

Running late the first day! Not a good sign!


In front of his classroom


Picking him up after school (I forgot the flash but I had to include this pic, he was so excited to tell me about his first day!)


When we got home, he made a "fort" of pillows on my bed and CRASHED, complete with snoring!! I actually didn't let him sleep for very long because I knew he'd never get to bed tonight if I did, so When Ellie woke up from her nap (yes I actually had both of them asleep at the same time briefly) I let her loose on him. She was whacking him in the head and squealing, waking people up is definitely one of her many talents!


With Eric back in school too, I have to bathe both kids together right after dinner if it's gonna get done!


Eric actually started school today too! He is about half way done with his Master's Degree in Information Technology (or something like that). Luckily Eric got to come home after work for a few minutes before he had to go to class. It's hardest on Nate when Eric goes to school in the evenings. If you look closely you can see Nate's eyes are red from crying, but he will always smile for the camera no matter how devastated he is just seconds before!


Eric was thoughtful enough to get the kids "back to school" books to give to them when he left for school tonight. Eric gives the kids these Mr. Men and Little Miss books on special occasions or when he goes out of town. I love that it's a special little tradition between Eric and the kids.

With Eric back in school this year, I was a little nervous about doing "everything" by myself but I have a friend whose husband just got home yesterday from a year long tour in Iraq and I decided that I have NOTHING to complain about!

I just feel so fortunate that we have so many education opportunities in this Country and am grateful both my "boys" love going to school!

Rained Out

Eric and I have been itching to try out the fire pit with our new patio furniture as we are both fond of a good blaze! So we planned a fun dinner of roasting hot dogs, macaroni salad and s'mores last night. By late afternoon the clouds started rolling in but we thought we'd be able to beat any rain (if it actually rained since we haven't had any for several months) as it was still mostly sunny outside. We got the fire lit, the rest of the dinner on the table outside and the kids happily situated on blankets when it started pouring down rain! No warning at all! We were laughing like crazy trying to run all the food and children back inside. We were quite the spectacle and I am sure the neighbors all enjoyed watching Eric trying to roast hot dogs in a quickly dying fire while getting soaked to the bone. It was no use, the fire was out in about 30 seconds and we ended up having to microwave the hot dogs and eat them on soggy buns. We salvaged the rest of the dinner and enjoyed watching the the downpour (that only lasted 5 minutes or so but just long enough to soak the the wood and the patio furniture) from our warm dry kitchen table. Oh the best part of the whole situation was that Nathan kept repeating: "This is the worst day of my LIFE!" The rest of us thought it was quite funny!

Vacation

Well I am only like two weeks late in posting this...I figured it was about time I posted, you know it's bad when you get tired of looking at your own blog! Here are some pictures of our vacation to California. My parents and all us kids took a vacation to together to celebrate my parents 25th wedding anniversary. It was so fun, great to see all our old friends in Sonora and let the cousins get to know each other better! We all had so much fun we decided we are going to do it every year!


My sister came out a few days before we left to paint the kids rooms! LOVE THEM!!!


Nate's room isn't done yet, we are adding a bamboo fence around the bottom half of the room. This picture doesn't show it, but she also painted clouds around the whole room. Its adorable. I can't stop bragging about it!!


Big Trees. Way back when they cut this tree down they built a bar and bowling alley on top of it! This is a crazy big tree!!


Nate and Jenna, cousins and BFF's for the entire trip!


Nate and I in front of the trees called "Mother and Son"


I have a picture of me around Nate's age, sticking my head out of the same tree. I love that I get to share some of my childhood memories with my kids.


The whole gang. I tried to find a picture of my mom with her eyes open....but her eyes were closed in all 8 pictures we took in this pose!


Tracy and Ryan, Tammy and Ellie...this picture reminded me of one we took 5 years ago...see next picture...


Tammy and Nate, Tracy and Jenna - Nov. 2004


Our old house. Columbia, California


We took a stagecoach ride and even got robbed at gun point, but we didn't have anything they wanted, oh well!


The vacation house we rented in Arnold, CA. This is the view from the 3rd floor bridge looking down and outside. There is a reason they call this house "Castle in the Clouds" #1-the house is enormous and beautiful #2-you are literally up in the clouds its so high up. Not only was the house 3 stories tall but you had to go up 2 incredibly steep driveways (think San Francisco steep) to get to it! You can't be afraid of heights and stay in this house!

I am so glad we got to do this together as a family and am grateful that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!!

Five Years ago....

In some ways it feels longer...much longer, but in other ways, it seems hard to believe that five years have already past since Nathan was born. Most of you already know that Nathan was our little miracle baby. We were told when I was five months pregnant with him that he would not survive outside my womb. And today he is a awesome, happy, healthy, smart, wild, imaginative, lively, handsome, loving FIVE year old!


Five Minutes Old


Five Months Old


Five Years Old

Nathan's Five Favorites:
1. Transformers
2. Making Ellie laugh
3. Riding in the "sports car" with Dad
4. Playing with his "best dudes" (which is anyone really)
5. Sampling the food at Costco