just being brendan

yeah - halloween

We hit the pumpkin patch for a pumpkin . . . . group photo of Darth Vadar, Piercey (who decided not to wear his costume for the first time in four days, but stay tuned) and the cutest little skeleton you've ever seen.

 

 

 

Brendan also had a Harvest Festival at school.  There were several booths set up for the kids:  farmer's market, arts and crafts, candy walk, bouncy houses, cookie decorating and a ton of games.

 

 

 

 

And finally...the big day of celebrating and Uncle Dave and Auntie's house, trick-or-treating around the neighborhood and EATING CANDY!!!  

We actually let the boys eat the candy when they want it and as much as they want for about one day after Halloween.  Once that day is up, the candy gets taken out of the house and is never to be seen again (because they ALWAYS get more candy then they can eat right?)....."can we have just one piece now?"...."can we have one piece after dinner?"......"please can we just have one with breakfast?".....So, the answer is YES....eat it up, because in 24 hours, it's gone.  Both boys understood, ate a very reasonable amount of candy and said goodbye at the end.  PERFECT (and no drama, plus we don't have to think about it the next day or next week)!

YEAH!...Piercey actually wore his costume for trick-or-treating.

 

Our happy skeleton and Cinderella (Auntie!!)

girl power

This weekend had "girl power" written all over it.  A number of friends and family women ran the Nike Women's Marathon or half marathon....what an experience.  From start to finish, the entire weekend was filled with fun, HILLS, lip gloss, crazy cab rides, "firsts" (yeah mom!), shopping (of course) and obviously RUNNING!!  The excitement and energy was something I'll never forget....even as I was attacking and cursing a rotten hill I thought I'd never defeat.

Let's see - rockin' highlights:  Aunt Cheryl was running her 39th marathon (and that is not a typo!!)...yes 39th.  Mom completed her very FIRST marathon, Tex completed her very first 1/2 marathon, I was away from all three of my children for the very first time, Dayna missed soccer games two weekends in a row to be with us, Kirsten "PRed" big time, and the list goes on.

Here's most of our gang:

 

MOM'S FIRST MARATHON!!!  This is the first night we arrived and went to dinner.  Mom stayed cool, calm and collected the whole time before the race and completely kicked ass during the race.  With her sub-5:30 time, I couldn't be more proud of her and couldn't be more excited that her first marathon was such a great experience.  WAY TO GO MOM!!!....YOU ROCK!

Tex and I:  This was Tex's first 1/2 marathon - and also happened to be the longest distance she'd ever ran before.  She did amazing....She denies she will get the "itch" for more, but you runners out there know what I'm talking about...she won't be able to help it.

 

 

On the main corner in Union Square is Niketown (this is also the starting line for the race).  Covering one entire side of the building was a list of all 22,000+ runner's names....so of course I had to take a picture of  my own name right?

 

These would be our "you go girl", "run like a girl", princess crown rings that were part of our attire the whole weekend.  

This race also had the most "signage" I've ever seen actually on the course!  Some favorites:

Run Like a Girl

Eat Chocolate Like a Girl

Skinny Jeans Ahead

Sing Like a Girl

Climb Like a Girl

Chocolate Mile Ahead

Thanks girls for such a great weekend!  I hope we can all get in again next year!

playdate with Benny and Zoe

The kids and I went to Benny and Zoe's house the other day to play and have lunch.  It was a beautiful day and the kids all had a great time.

The cutest couple yet!  Benny is a month older than Miss Presley and they are so darn cute together.

Such an angel that Benny!

Big sister Zoe - she took care of the babies the entire time we were there.  

first week of school...

Brendan just had his first week of school for the new 2009 - 2010 school year.  He was okay going to school, however, it was hard to go back after a week of beach camp.  He actually asked me if I could "sign him up for beach camp again this week".  I had to explain that beach camp will come again NEXT summer.

So with this school year will come new friends, more computer class, Spanish class perhaps, a new teacher....oh, and a new Batman backpack!!

 

 

and for a special treat.....a fireman carry by daddy out to the car.

 

....the camera was already out and Miss Presley just looked so cute - couldn't resist a shot of her also.

beach camp

This week Brendan was out of school so we signed him up for the Mini Hammerheads beach camp in Manhattan Beach.  His friend Charlie was attending also, so it was nice he'd have a buddy there.  He was great at the drop off on Monday and has been so excited ever since.  Today is the last day and it's "carnival" day....lots of games, toys, snacks and a great way to burn energy!!!

Here's a snapshot of his first day....and actually, I should have taken a shot of his return that first day.  He was covered in sand, wet from head to toe and completely exhausted.  He looked like a real beach bum (and a big boy).

big bear

This last weekend we spent a couple days in Big Bear.  I had never been before and found it very beautiful and peaceful.  The cabin was right on the lake and waking up with that view was quite a sight. 

Most importantly, the kids had an amazing time!  Brendan found a wonderful friend in Charlie - they spent time collecting sticks, killing bugs, playing video games, missing their "girlfriends" (as we caught them chatting about it) and playing until their little four year old bodies couldn't take it any longer.

This would be Auntie P and her "girls".  These two little ones absolutely love their Auntie P.

Uncle Jack and his adorable children - Alex and Ian.

Miss Presley and her very chunky legs...happy as can be.  Look at those knees!

"Naked" Abby:  she spent most of her time naked over the weekend.  And if she wasn't naked she was usually wearing someone else's clothes....gotta love a girl who loves clothes!

Mr. Pierce - 

And what would a weekend in the wilderness be without roasting Marshmallows? ..

 

happy 4th big brother brendan

Yesterday Brendan turned four.  OH MY GOSH!!  We started the day with karate class and then some quality time with Kaiya who shares the same birthday as Brendan.  In the evening, the whole family came over to celebrate with a Spiderman ice cream cake.  I think the day was perfect according to Brendan....laughing, smiling, opening gifts and turning four!  Such a big boy!

.... and last week, Miss Presley had her seven month birthday.  She does a lot of smiling these days and it's so precious.

Here is one of my favorite pictures from our fourth of July weekend in Oregon. Kyle had to work, so the kids and I made the trip together to visit great-grandpa and the rest of the family.  I have so many stories and so many other pictures to get through and edit, but here's a favorite....

the best daddy

Happy Father's Day Kyle!  You are truly the best daddy in the entire world.  All of your children (and your wife for that matter) absolutely adore you.  We are so lucky!!!  I love you!!

Here's a snapshot of some morning activities - Kyle opening some gifts from the boys.  The beautiful crown was made by Brendan at school.  The card was picked out by Pierce at Target and Brendan wrote "I love you" on the inside.  Last, but not least, Brendan made daddy a race car at school too.  I think this item will be proudly displayed on daddy's desk at work.

and all of a sudden . . .

 . . . Presley is five months old.  Where has the time gone?  On a day to day basis, it sometimes seems as though the day will never end...time goes by so slowly.  But, like I said, all of sudden, my last baby is five months old.

 . . .  Pierce is talking up a storm.  I have to say I was a bit worried there for a while.  Having only my chatter box Brendan to compare him to, Pierce just wasn't talking too much.  And now, he's trying to say EVERYTHING and being very successful.  Just since the beginning of the month he's really come a long way.  Let's see...our latest words include:  meatball, hermano, hola, sister, brother, boat, down, Sydney (his little girlfriend), backpack, map, "oh my".  He's also stringing several words together (yes, all of a sudden).

 . . .  I was able to get ALL THREE kids to actually look up for a picture.  They aren't actually all looking "AT" the camera, but at least I can see their eyes.  It's been such a challenge getting a good picture of the three of them together.  Now, I've finally got something decent and included it in my new banner.

 

 

 

here's a very unsuccessful attempt at getting the three of them to cooperate for a picture....Pierce just can't take his eyes off of the baby.  He loves her so much!!!

quote of the day

Tonight as I was upstairs putting laundry away and getting clothes out for the kids for tomorrow, I overheard Brendan ask Kyle:  "Did God create basketball players?".

I believe all of this has come to fruition since the Los Angeles Lakers are currently in the NBA Finals and for weeks now, Kyle has been grooming the boys with his own enthusiasm for the team.  Also, in the last couple months, Brendan has been so interested in reading his Children's Bible - so, putting two and two together, it's only obvious that - Yes, my dear Brendan, God created basketball players.