Polish Christmas ...

We have returned from our quick trip to So Cal.

On Saturday, Dec 19th we had Polish Christmas with the Cernansky Family.

(even though they aren't Polish!!!)

Aunt Karen was a wonderful hostess.

The food was amazing and fun was had by all.

Thank you Karen and Howard for opening your home to our crazy family.

Our journey continued on to Grandma and Grandpa Cernansky's.

We celebrated Christmas with them Sunday morning.

Thank you for the wonderful gifts.

Journey on to Grams and Gramps.

We headed to Gramps work in Warner Springs for a surprise

horse back riding lesson for Hannah (Jeremy didn't go for it).

(watch for riding lesson post)

Then back to Grams and Gramps.

Christmas dinner Sunday night, joined by the O'Brien Family.

Thank you all ... we truly enjoyed our time together and the wonderful gifts.

Monday, the kids and I spent the day shopping with my dad.

It has been years since that has happened!

I really enjoyed the day.

Tuesday was a rise and shine for a very loooonnnnggg car ride home!!!

Thank you everyone for the wonderful hospitality and love.

Festivus with the Rest of Us ...

Well ... we are in full Christmas swing.

I am stressing trying to get everything done and Rich is keeping his cool.

I just hope we can work together without me freaking out and get everything done!!!

1st Annual Polar Express Party ...

Last night we had our 1st Annual Polar Express PJ Party.

It was so great.

Everyone arrived in their best pajamas.

Awaiting their arrival was a hot chocolate bar, equipped with ... hot cocoa, whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate syrup, holiday sprinkles and candy canes.

For the age appropriate ... coffee with ... Bailey's, Kahlua or Peppermint Mocha creamer.

Everyone brought cookies to share.

We all snuggled around and watched the greatest holiday movie ever.

This is definatly a new tradition for us.

A Night on the Boardwalk ...

The pictures from the Mother/Son Dance finally have arrived!!!

What a cute couple we make!!!

I still am not sure as to when Jeremy grew up ... in my eyes he will forever be my little baby.

(Please excuse the fact that I look like I have had my hand in the cookie jar way too many times)

Here Comes Santa Claus ...

Our visit with Santa!!!

Black Friday ...

As much of a shopper as I am ... I am avoiding the Black Friday Door Busters. For some odd reason unbeknown to myself ... I have no desire to shop.

What has happened to me???

Yesterday we had a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with just the four of us. And then ... off to work I went. The ER was soooooo sloooooowwwww ... something to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving ...

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.

We are so thankful for everyone in our lives, our health and our love for one another.

Mother/Son Dance 2009

Last night was the mother/son dance at school.

We had such a great time. Jeremy is growing up so fast.

This is his last year at the elementary school.

Probably the last dance he and I will go to together ... next he will be taking a girlfriend :(

We danced the night away!!!

School Pictures ...

Is that an "auuggghhh" that I hear???

Aren't these kids the best looking kids you have seen??? And yes, they are mine!!!

Jeremy - 6th Grade

Mr. Marvin

Hannah - 2nd Grade
Mrs. Howard

BRRRRRRRR ...

The weather is finally changing.

And with that brings the cold ... brrrr!!!

But ... cold means that the holidays are on their way. With the holidays brings all kind of new flavors ... like the peppermint mocha creamer for my coffee. Gotta love it.

Trick-o-Treat

Hope everyone had a very spooooktacular Halloween.

We did pumpkin carving to kick off the holiday. Jeremy did his pumpkin completly on his own this year. No template -- free hand.

Hannah insisted on having a scary mummy pumpkin. After watching her attempt to carve with the "safety" knife, I had a panic attack and carved for her. Next year, I vow to take a deep breath and let her do it.

Time for Trick-o-Treating.

We had a great time scouring the neighborhood for candy. We were joined by the Poole boys. Jeremy and Hayden were both Halo Spartans. Our little scarecrow was adorable!

The Big Bad Wolf with the Spartan

The Big Bad Wolf and the Scarecrow

Halo Spartans

So Adorable!

Our Scarecrow and Spartan

Happy Halloween!!!

Culdesac Party ...

Last night was our culdesac Halloween party.
We had a blast.
Lots of food, laughs and great friends.

Departing for Camp ...

This morning at 5:30am the Cernansky boys left for 6th grade camp in Sonora, CA.

They were sooo excited (not too much for mom taking pictures of the departure ... but he'll get over it!).


The question ... will Rich have to do carsick duty on the bus????
That will change that smile for sure!!! HaHaHa
What will the girls do while the boys are away ... bake, pedicures, movies and anything else we can think of that the boys don't like!!!

Hobb's Pumpkin Patch ...

On Saturday afternoon we headed out to Hobb's Grove in search of the perfect pumpkin.

They had a cute little hay ride that took you out into a little grove.

Along the ride ... we met up with a couple of home brewers who served the kids some home brewed "cider".

Hannah was determined to get the biggest pumpkin she could find. That is when we went with Gramps rule for pumpkin hunting ... you get the biggest pumpkin you can carry to the car!!!

And that she did!!!

Jeremy was occupied hanging with his friends so Hannah picked a pumpkin for him and daddy carried it to the car. I guess this is what happens when you are a tween and you are too cool to pick a pumpkin.

Jeremy made a scarecrow friend on our hayride!!! He seemed to be having trouble keeping the crows out of his crop.

And my sweet petite little girl had to jump in the tub of corn kernels. You know rats love that corn kernel tub at night when there aren't little ones ravaging through it!!! Hannah went straight to the shower when we got home.
We had a great afternoon and succeeded with finding our pumpkins.

Carving pictures in the upcoming posts!!!

Spirit Stick ...

Hannah received the spirit stick at cheer last night. Soooooo exciting.

The person chosen to take this home shows great spirit all practice. She fell from one of her stunts and jumped right back up!!!

Woooo hooo Hannah -- you go girl.
I am also sharing this adorable picture of our beautiful little princess. Today is crazy hat day at school. Doesn't she look adorable!!!

Where Have I Been?? ...

It has been forever since I posted anything new.

October keeps us soooo busy.

Jeremy turned 11!!! OMG --- how did my little baby turn 11??? I swear we just brought him home from the hospital. And then he just started kindergarten. Now -- he is in sixth grade (leaving for camp on Monday). Growing up to be such a great person.

After Jeremy's birthday we have soccer twice a week and a game on Saturdays.

The days Jeremy doesn't have soccer, Hannah has cheer. She is loving it this year more than last. This year she is the peak of the pyramid. I am in a panicking watching it every time. And there she is grinning from ear to ear. I will work on a picture!!!

Between all of this -- Halloween. Rich and I LOVE Halloween. Rich decorated the most amazing yard. We have our first party on Saturday. We are Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf - 40s style!!! Pictures to come!!!

We have only just begun ...

Well the week is coming to a close.

We have had a fairly uneventful week.

Both of the kids are really enjoying school. I am so glad Jer has a teacher he is enjoying.

We seem to be running every night.

Monday and Wednesday nights are soccer and Tuesday and Thursday nights are cheer.

Add to that that I have to work Thursday and Friday nights.

On top of our activities, Rich and I are addicted to True Blood. We can't get enough. We have been watching the full first season so we can watch the second season. We escape to our room every chance we get to watch another episode. It is pathetic but sooooo great.

Does it ever slow down???

I think we have only just begun!!!

Remembering 9/11 ...

Today is a day to remember.

Remember those who went to work or were traveling. Those who did not return.

Those heroes who did their everything to save a stranger but did not return.

All of those families who sent their spouses, mothers, fathers, children, friends to work for them never to return.

I am so blessed to know that even as crazy as our world may seem, we are still a country that will fight for each other to the end.

Crafting ...

I am addicted to craft blogs. I look at them daily. I have a ritual of the ones I look at first.

Do you think they have a support group for this???

Now if I can just get motivated enough to use all these craft tips that I am acquiring!!!

Tooth Fairy Visit ...

The tooth fairy has visited again!!!

Hannah lost her right side front tooth.

The tooth fairy left her $5 for her shiny white tooth.

Back to School 2009 ...

This past week was back to school.
Jeremy started 6th grade ... OMG ... how did that happen ... he just went to kindergarten!!!
His teacher is Mr Marvin.
Mr Marvin is a very laid back, easy going teacher. He is deaf in one ear (but wouldn't you want to be if you were teaching 6th graders!!!)
I was instructed the morning of the first day that a picture could be taken in front of the house but then I had to put the camera away.
I couldn't even hug good-bye.
So...a pat on the back with have a great day was my send off.

He didn't know I snapped this picture of him walking to his classroom!!!

Hannah was sooooo excited for the start of her 2nd grade year. Again ... where did the time go.

Her teacher is Mrs Howard.

Mrs Howard is a very energetic, loving teacher. We are all very excited to have her.

As you can see her book bag is as big as she is.

We are going to have a great 2009-2010 school year!!!

Smoke Detector ...

Ok .. so why is that while u have the ladder out .. do u not replace all the batteries in the smoke alarms???

Not even two days ago the smoke alarm in Hannah's room was sounding off that it needed a new battery and now -- the hallway is sounding off.

Of course I can't reach them and hate climbing the ladder. I am thinking of getting the broom and beating it down!!!

Ugggghhhhh.