a long time gone....

It has been almost five years since we moved away from home (Utah)!  I have really been enjoying the experience of seeing new places, and meeting new people, but I sure do miss the little things.  I never had to make a sunday dinner until we moved to AZ!  Every week we had our Mom's to cook for us.  I have to say, that it just doesn't taste the same when I do it.  When Len's schedule is busy I would give almost anything to be able to go to my parents house.  Having them close, as well as Len's parents gave me such a comfort.  I really miss that.  

Last week my parents came for a visit.  We had a lot of fun spending time with them.  Owen and Abbie loved every minute of it!  

We drove up to Maine to see the ocean!

My Dad & Owen went right on the dock to watch the fishermen load lobsters onto a truck.

It was a beautiful day!

We had a great week, but as the saying goes: "all good things must come to an end".  And just like that, they were gone!  Whenever my parents visit, I am reminded of all the things I am missing.  It is such a bummer to have my visitors leave!  We miss you so much, and can't wait until we can see you again!  We Love You!

halloween 2009

We had a great holiday!

why, you ask?

*no crazy meltdowns!  

-the kids were in surprisingly good moods, and very cooperative.

batman & kitten being very good for the camera.

* the weather was perfect!

- it was so warm, not at all what I was anticipating!

&

*we had a special visitor!

*the cutest baby chick you have ever seen came to see us!

cousin Carly came all the way from sunny California to be with us for Halloween!

Aunt Amy came too!

She really was the cutest little thing ever!

abigail loves to have her picture taken!

she makes it so easy

batman & the cookie monster

(Owen's gym teacher, Mrs. Spellman)

blurry batman & his superhero sidekick Carson

Carly had her first play dough experience with us!

Mmmm, salty!

We miss you already!

Thanks for coming to see us, we had a lot of fun!

We love you both!

P.S.  Hope you all had a great halloween!

we miss you!

Last week my younger sister Kristen & her husband Matt came to see us for a visit!  We had so much fun!  Matt had three med school interviews while he was here, and Kris & I had some major hanging out to do!

aren't they cute?

aren't we cuter?

We went to forest park for some play time.

While Matt was interviewing at UCONN we went to the museum.

The kids had so much fun!

six flags was freeeeezing, but the kids had a great time!

Len & Matt went on Bizzaro!

For those of you not familiar with this ride let me tell you a little bit about it.  This ride takes you up 14 stories high, and travels at speeds of 60-65 mph!  The ride itself is 3,985 feet long!  It is not for just anybody!  It features seven inversions including a vertical loop, dive loop, zero gravity roll, cobra roll, two interlocked cork screws and a high-speed helix!  It is crazy!  My stomach drops every time I look at the ride!  

We had a great week with Kris and Matt, and have been very depressed ever since they left!  We hope they will come again soon, to live!  Go UCONN!!!!!!!

happy damn birthday,

lenny!

Today has to be the most depressing day ever!  Not only is Len turning 32, but he has to work ALL day long.  He left the house today at 5:30am, and I won't get to see him until around 10pm.  Owen & Abbie won't even be able to see him!  How sad.  

Len has been working so hard lately.  He has only had 3 days off in the last month.  Every four days he has to work 36 hours straight!  Every other day he only has to work 12 hour shifts.  And after all that, he has to be up again the next day at 5am.  The poor guy has been falling asleep at the dinner table!  I feel so bad for him, so bad in fact, that I haven't even been feeling bad for myself!  I mean come on people, I am practically a single parent!  (okay, I guess I am still feeling sorry for myself.  I'm only human!) 

Len was able to pick four different weeks throughout the year to have his vacation.  He was sweet enough to choose the week of my birthday to have one of these vacations.  We spent a great week together.  I am suddenly feeling very sad, because he didn't choose to take his vacation during his own birthday.  Len is just that kind of guy.  I am one lucky girl to have found such a great partner and friend!  He is a very selfless person.

Len, I am very sorry your birthday is so lame this year, but just know that your 4oth birthday is going to kick this years birthday in the butt!  I love you!

P.S.  If anyone is wondering what to get Len for his birthday then please let me suggest........junk food!  The poor guy has lost over 20 pounds!!!!  ( I am not kidding!)

HELP!!!!!!!

Next week is career day at Owen's school.  His teacher sent home a sign up sheet for any parents willing to talk to the class about their job.  Len is going to be working, so I decided that I would help out.  I thought it might be fun to come and talk to Owen's class.  That doesn't sound too bad, right?

Wrong!!!!!!

The school called me today to inform me that I will be speaking to the entire school during the career day assembly next week!  I am freaking out!  I can't talk to the entire school!  I was already a little nervous about talking to Owen's class, let alone an entire gym full of kids!!!!!!  I am not entertaining, I am not interesting, I don't have anything to say!!!!  What am I going to do?  Help me please!!!  Any advice?????

cReEpY

Owen has been asking me for weeks if we could get spider webs to put all over the outside of our house for halloween.  I have been stalling, because I don't really want to deal with it.  This morning I was reading the paper in the sun room and I happened to look outside for a moment.  I had to do a double take, because I wasn't sure if I was really seeing this.  Owen walked in just as I was looking, and he looked outside too.  The first words out of his mouth were:

"Is that a decoration?"

my response: "NO!"

It looks as though it is floating in mid air right above this plant.  It has one strand of web going all the way up to the roof of the house!

I have no idea what kind of spider this is, but it is BIG and harry!

It is all curled up right now, but it's legs are long!

Owen is thrilled that we have our halloween decorations!!!!!

I hope this gets me off the hook!

september 18, 2009

My baby turned Two!  I can't believe it!  We Love you so much, and hope you had a great Birthday!  Love, Mom & Dad

September 17, 2009

The day started off great!  I slept in, which is something I LOVE to do.  Then Len made me crepes with fresh strawberries and raspberries, and lots of whipped cream, yummy!

After breakfast, Len took me to Boston for a fun day without children.  We drove into the city and went sight seeing.  We walked the Freedom Trail, ate lunch, watched the boats and spent the day talking, without interruption!  It was a great day! 

What a great way to spend your 30th Birthday!  Man I am old!  

We ate at Legal Sea Food, I would totally recommend it!  It was awesome.  Then we went to the Movies and saw a show!  It was a great Birthday!  Len got us a room at The Back Bay Hotel in Boston, it was beautiful.  My mother-in-law stayed with the kids in Springfield.  I am one lucky girl!  Thanks Len, I had a great day!

school already?

Owen started kindergarten this week!  And although, I am happy for him and his new adventure, it saddens me to know that "our" time is over.  Now more than ever I am feeling this immense pressure to make every moment count.  Owen is in full day Kindergarten, so my time with him is precious.  He has really been enjoying school thus far, and I hope it stays that way, but I miss him.  These past few days have been very quiet.  

Owen in his cute uniform!

Owen wanted to eat breakfast at school on his first day.

What a sweet boy!

something to think about

Last night as I was putting curlers in Abigail's hair Owen started asking questions.  I can't for the life of me figure out what prompted them.  (Note to readers:  I am NOT pregnant!)

He started off by asking: "Why are babies in girls tummy's?"

My response:  "So they can grow and get big enough to come out."

Owen: "How come only girls get to have babies in their tummy's?"

Me: "Because that was how Jesus made us."

Owen: "I wish boys could have babies in their tummy's."

Me:  "Why?"

Owen:  "Because I want to be able to hold the baby all the time!"

It was such a sweet conversation.  I love you Owen!

family fun

Len had Saturday off work, so we went on a little day trip to Vermont!  It was a beautiful day.  We packed the kids in the car and started driving.  We didn't have any sort of plan other than to see some place new.  While driving we saw this quaint little farm, and decided to stop.

Whitney's Farm

Fresh produce, plants, & a petting zoo!

Abbie loved the goats!

The even had a little playground area!

The kids loved it!

Right after this picture was taken, Owen accidentally slipped right into the river.

Since he was wearing flip flops I thought for sure they were goners, but he managed to keep them on.  Good Job buddy!

daddy & daughter

We found this cute little town in Vermont.

It had a lot of cute shops and beautiful flowers.

I could not believe how amazing Vermont was!

We didn't want to leave!

This has Jerry written all over it!

(my bro-in-law)

I think Owen ate a little too much Maple Candy!

I am in Love!

Abbie kept wanting to go "swimmin' " in the river!

She loved all the bridges.

this is the face of a girl who loved herself some new england clam chowder!

I have to admit, it was THE BEST clam chowder I have ever eaten!

I could really get used to this life!

this bike was leaning up against the side of one of the shops.

I guess they loved this place so much they never left.

I totally understand!

Abbie could not pass up the chance to drive her mother crazy by playing in this puddle!

It was a wonderful day, and we made some great memories!  I am so thankful for this awesome experience to see places I have never before seen!  I feel so blessed to have this opportunity!

summer time fun!

Len had the weekend off, so we decided to drive to Stow, Ohio and visit our good friends!  The Tranchells are in Ohio doing their residency.  We had so much fun!   After our weekend of fun, Len went back to MA and left me with the kids to play in Ohio.  

Abbie & Sophie sunbathing!

All the kids waiting outside The Harry London Chocolate Factory.

We went on a tour, it was delicious!

Livy, Tiff & Sophie, posing in the rain!

Abbie was not very excited!

All the kids in the car while we drove to MA!

They all came back with us, to spend some time at our house!

This is a weed mess in my yard.  Tiffany and I put down a lot of blood, sweat, and tears until it looked like this................

We built the planter box ourselves, did all the weeding, and planted a little garden!

It literally took all day!

We went to the Boston Zoo.  This is a beautiful butterfly from the exhibit they have!

Of course what is a trip to the Zoo without riding on the carousel?

I don't know what to say.

Part of the Zoo was blocked while a movie was being filmed.

Tiff asked one of the crew members what it was called.  

He said : The Zoo Keeper?

Guess we will wait and see!

The kids on the train!

Next we went to Boston Commons to check it out!

From this picture you can tell the kids were not as enthusiastic as we were.

We were not about to let four grumpy kids ruin our fun!

Owen posed for the picture!

Owen took one of us!

Just remember humidity = slick ponytail!

These two had so much fun together!

These two, not so much!

You can't visit Boston without seeing Cheers!

Too bad we had four screaming kids with us.

We really could have used a beer!

Owen and Livy saying goodbye!

I just about cried when they left!

It was like having your family leave!

We definitely have to do that again!

amber alert

Yesterday I had one of those horrible moments!

It was my worst fear, come true!

I was gardening in the front yard.  The sun was out, birds were chirping.

Owen & Abbie were playing in the yard.

Suddenly...........

It began to sprinkle.

I asked Owen to go get Abbie's bike out of the backyard and put it in the garage.

He happily agreed, and went skipping around to the backyard.

Abbie, of course followed him.

I continued to pull weeds.  I waited a few minutes and when they didn't return I called for them.

Nothing................

it was silent!

I got up, to go get them & coral them around to the front.

When I got to the backyard, I saw no one.

I walked around front, and into the garage.

Abbie's bike was put back in it's place, but still no children.

They must have gone inside, I thought.

I opened the door and called for them................

no answer.

I ran around the yard twice more, and looked up and down the streets!

I went back inside the house and ran down into the basement.

I checked all the rooms, and the bathrooms, all the while screaming!

  

Frantically, I ran back outside!  I started screaming for them!  I was running around like a crazy person.  The tears were flowing!

I had lost my babies!

Quickly I grabbed the phone!

Dialed 911!

Hands trembling!

The woman answered & I began spouting off information!

Crap, what is my address, I've only lived here a month!

She began asking me my children's ages and what they were wearing!

I was sobbing at this point!

She told me an officer was on his way!

We hung up, and I decided to run up and down the streets yelling for them!

I took off, and ran next door to ask them to help me find my babies!

My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it!

As I approached their door...............

I saw

OWEN & ABBIE!

After hugs & kisses, Peggy (my retired next door neighbor) told me they came knocking at her door.

She let them in and they were playing with toys at her house!

I felt like such a looser Mother!

I had to call the police back, and tell them I found my babies!  An officer still had to come out and check to make sure everything was all right.  That was awesome!  

Being a Mother can be a humiliating Job!

boobie prize?

*And the boobie prize goes to......................

The cashier who checked me out at the grocery store AND the man in line behind me!

A little background

Yesterday I went shopping before dinner, bad idea!  Abbie would not sit down in the cart.  She was continually standing up and trying to jump out.  She is a monkey!  After waiting in line for what felt like a lifetime we finally got our turn.  This is when Abbie decided to get totally out of control.  I was trying to get my money out and she was freaking out.  The checker had this look on his face of total annoyance.  I think the guy in line behind me even sighed.  Lets just say she was making things very difficult for me.  As I was trying to get the exact change out Abbie must have seen something down my shirt that peaked her interest because she quickly grabbed my shirt and pulled it out and down.  As I tried to pry her little fingers off my shirt, my wallet almost fell, and that baby easily has a few dollars worth in change.  So I quickly attempted to save the huge spill, all the while these two guys are getting a sweet peep show.  I don't know what her deal was, but she would not stop doing it.  They totally got a look at the ladies!    It was awesome! 

saturday

Friday night Len had to work the grave yard shift.  So when Dad got home this morning I decided to take the kids out of the house while he slept.  We went to some tag sales (yard sales),  and drove through Springfield, and some of the surrounding areas.  We stopped at this beautiful cathedral in Springfield that I just am in love with.  I had to take pictures, but I am very disappointed in the fact that they don't even begin to do it justice.  It is hard to get just one picture of it since it is so huge!

This is the best I could do.  Abbie refused to sit still!

Don't worry, she didn't pick it!

Abbie, sitting at the front door.  They were amazing doors!

After Len woke up we all took a trip to Northampton.  It is only 15 minutes away.  They call it the "Five College Region".  It is a very up beat, hip area with a lot of young people.  We walked around the town and did some window shopping.  It was a great day!  They have a lot of really cute shops, and great people watching.  Abbie loved all the dogs, and she made sure to point them all out to us.  Owen made sure and pointed out all the mohawks and crazy haired, tattooed people he saw.  I think he needs a refresher course in whispering 101!

Ya, buddy!  That is all candy!  This was the highlight of the day!

I am fascinated with all the old buildings!  

We stopped to watch some jugglers at the park.

Very entertaining!

We also saw a girl riding through town on a unicycle, but I didn't get her picture.

She was too fast!

*We had a great day, and to top it off, our neighbor George gave the kids each a new toy when we got home!  They were both thrilled!  Can't complain about that!