Update

It has been a while since I posted. I really have tried to sit down and type, but you know how Thumper's mom says, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Well, that's pretty much what I've been trying to follow lately b/c I've been rather grouchy : ).

Anyway, I guess a lot has happened since I posted last. Travis went to Alaska for a week with some buddies in August, I guess before I posted last. He had a great time fishing and doing what guys do when there are no women around. I had an eventful week while he was gone. Had to call poison control after Connor brought me an open bag of pills, lost my keys and got stuck at the gym for three hours (I only got them back last week, someone had taken them on accident), had some self-proclaimed psycho knock on my door to serve Trav a ticket from that stupid photo radar only to leave me scared to death all night and walk around my house with a pistol to scare off any intruders (ha ha.. this is a running joke in our house- I'm such a chicken and I frequently scream in my sleep. Travis and I just had a big laugh over that last night b/c it doesn't sound like a normal scream, it's creepy.) Anyway, it seemed like everything that could go wrong that week did, and I was very happy to have my hubby back.

Since then... let me think... Nick has moved in with us for a while until he finds some roomies out here, it has been really fun to have him. I think I'll be sad when he moves out, it's nice to have an extra buddy around.

We have taken in two baby desert tortoises from our neighbors, and the kids LOVE them (or love to torture them, I'm not sure which is more accurate). They have only been lost oh... three or four times, those little stinkers sneak away faster than I can blink. We've spent many afternoons searching high and low for those things. Kinsey has named them Alasaka and Bean (although their names change frequently- they've been China, Lulu, and anything else she comes up with...)

Kinsey is still in dance class, but some days I have to fight her to go. She is so tired by four o'clock and struggles to want to go by then. When she isn't tired she loves it and she is always happy by the time we come home. She is loving preschool, and I'm trying to decide where to send her to school next year. Any tips? There are so many options around here between all the charter schools and multiple public schools we have within a mile or two radius, it's hard to decide.

Connor is growing and developing so fast, he is such a little jabber box. A trait I assume he's learning from his older sister. It is fun to watch them really play (or fight, whatever mood strikes them), he is really holding his own when it comes to sticking up for himself : ). Although I've been really, um.. shall I say hormonal to put it nicely, Connor can always make me smile. He is such a good boy, I love that kid to death.

I am feeling very... pregnant. I swear the symptoms come on earlier and earlier with each baby. I have never really been addicted to chocolate, but I can now confidently say I. Am. Addicted. To. Chocolate. I'm not sure if it's because I'm so tired and my patience is falling short with the kiddos, and so I stress eat. Chocolate always seems to make it feel a little better : ). Well, for the moment anyway. So ya, when the doc told me I had gained four more pounds than I should have I wasn't so shocked. Oh well, it's only temporary right? No, he wasn't being a jerk, I asked, not sure why. I have managed to get Kinsey's room painted pink and brown and can about 60 cans of peaches and apples (don't ask) in between all of that chocolate eating so that's something, right? I need some more projects to keep the time passing for the next few months... any ideas? I need to do my curtains, any suggestions? That should keep me busy for a while. Also, any boy name ideas?

I still haven't posted about Kinsey's birthday, it was the day after grandma died. I know I'm terrible for not even mentioning it, but I haven't been able to bring myself to do it. I do love that little girl though, she is so full of life and spunk! Anyway, I promised myself I would do a quick update before the weekend was over, so there you have it in a nutshell. Plus, Travis is making fun of me for writing too much- "why don't you just write in a journal..." and "Wow, are you writing a book?" I swear. Men. So annoying : ). Seriously, one day I'm in trouble for not writing and the next I'm writing too much. Cannot keep that man happy. Just kidding babe (sort of). Love you.

Baby Girl Overton

Marianne had her baby tonight!! YEA!! A little girl at 7:50pm, 5lbs 15 oz, 20 inches long, and beautiful. I was on camera duty with Marianne's camera, and so don't have my own pics to post. I'm sure she will have hers up in no time. All went well, Marianne was very brave and went all natural, and mom and baby are doing great! : )!! No name yet... but will keep you posted.

It's A....

BOY!!

We are thrilled : )!

San Diego 09

We had the opportunity to go to San Diego the weekend before my grandma passed away, here is an overload of pictures and a brief synopsis. I am really glad we got to take this trip, it was a breath of fresh air and we really had a great time. We arrived at the Del Thursday evening and spent some time on the beach. Friday morning we got up and went to Sea World, which the kids loved. We spent about a half day there and the rest of the day at the beach. Saturday we went for a bike ride on the beach, then just hung out on the beach for a while. We went back to Sea World that night and saw some cool shows and animals that we missed the day before. We spent a few hours relaxing on the beach Sunday morning and came home that afternoon. I had a hard time coming home, it's just been such a long hot summer for me with this pregancy and it was nice to just take a breather. Thanks, honey, for taking us on this great trip!! We can't wait to go back! This is how Kinsey feels about the beach :)
I debated on putting this picture up because I look so chunky and not necessarily pregnant, but it's the only one of the whole fam on the beach. Try not to judge too harshly ; ).

Travy had a great time boogie boarding, wish I could have gone too. Next time we may take a sitter so we can do that sort of thing together.

view from our hotel

Saturday morning we rented a... I can't think of what it is called... but basically a four seater bike, and rode around the boardwalk and through some nearby neighborhoods. It was really fun, and a highlight of the trip, although I'm sure everyone else was ready for us to get off b/c Connor couldn't stop ringing the bell!!

Faces tell all!

The ritual burial...

Kinsey would work really hard to build a sand castle just to have Connor come and knock it down, aww...boys. He thought it was hilarious.

My children could play in the sand for hours

Our "aisle" as Kinsey kept calling it.

Sea World

Of all the animals, she was scared of the dolphins. Silly girl.

Kinsey LOVED Shamoo, although the name was first Shampoo then Bamboo until finally they got Shamoo.

We got there Thursday evening, and the beach was empty. It was cold, but we still had fun!

Love You Grandma

I didn't think I would be able to write this for a while and actually make it through, but I just needed to get some clarity. Don't expect eloquence or even coherency. Grandma had a blood clot in her heart, a massive heart attack, and has passed away suddenly today. I can't believe this happened. I thought I would have my grandma for many many years to come. She was so vibrant and alive, it still seems surreal. Grandma was so much fun and always kept me on my toes. I am grateful for the time I have had with her over the last few years to really get to know her better and for my children to know her. We have spent probably at least 75% of the last Thursdays with her for the past few years and those are times I will cherish forever. My kids love their GG. I know everything I am feeling is pure selfishness, because I know beyond doubt that she is with her husband, who she hasn't seen for 20 years, her parents, and her siblings. I know that she is happier. I know that she was ready to go. But. it. sucks. I wish I could have seen her one more time. Hugged her one more time. Gone to lunch with her once more. But I guess that would never really be enough either. I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday and did hear her say that she loves me and I was able to say it back, at least I have that. My heart is just broken, I don't even know what to do. I guess just stay really busy and try not to dwell on it. This post isn't really supposed to be about me, it was supposed to be about her and how great she was. I will have to post more about her when my thoughts are a little more clear, but for now- I love you grandma.

Connor at 18 months

I can't believe Connor is 18 months old! It has gone by so stinking fast. He had a check up today, here are his stats:

Height- 32 3/4 in tall which is 65%, 22#13- 10%, and his head is in the 50th% at 18 3/4 in.

This little boy melts my heart multiple times a day, he is really sweet. I want to remember all of the reasons why I'm so crazy about this little stinker so that when he colors all over my walls in crayon (like he did today) or pulls everything apart like the picture above, I'll remember why I keep him... so here they are: 1. His dimples. 2. the way he dances 3. He is talking so much and his words are so cute! Blapes=grapes, flop flops= flip flops, tinsey=Kinsey, the way he says thanks is too cute, he says, "hand" when he wants to hold my hand, he says so many more words and they just sound so cute when they are first learning to talk. 4. The way he always has to be playing with my hair or rubbing something soft. 5. He is such a snuggler. 6. He always says, "book", gets one, and then says , "lap" and plops on my lap. 7. I love the way he smiles. 8. The way he wraps his tiny little arms around my neck to give me a hug, especially when he just comes over to give me one out of the blue. 9. I guess I should quit telling him when things are cute because now when something strikes his fancy he says, "cute!" (I think it's cute but trav thinks it's not a manly enough word : ).) 10. He will lay by us at night and just watch TV or relax, Kinsey never did that. Okay well that's to name a few I've been feeling bad because I haven't written about him much, but he is just such a good little boy. He is really tender hearted and happy, always smiling. Travis definitely has a soft spot for him, too. He comes home from work and carries him wherever he goes. Connor cries the saddest heart wrenching cry every time Trav walks out the door. A little annoying to me, but cute all the same.

Little Ballerina

Kinsey has been begging and begging for me to put her in ballet. She refuses anything but ballet. So, I finally gave in and signed her up for a combo class so she could explore her options. I think I was more excited than she was to put her in her little black leotard and pink tights and watch her "moves" as she calls them. I was dying to take my video camera, but was sure that would scream, "FIRST TIME MOM!!" So I refrained. She really takes after me, I must say just about zero coordination. It was her first class though, so I'm sure she'll improve. It was just about the cutest thing I've ever witnessed. She tried so hard to follow what the teacher was doing, her little bod making all sorts of contortions-just not the right ones ; ). Kinsey had a blast though, on the way home she kept asking if she could go everyday.