Party of 5

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Where have we been???

Wow...it's been a while. How time flies. It all comes at once and it's been a whirlwind. The kids started school and I started back to work the same day (I am on the school schedule), along with that we started soccer season. This is the first year both boys are playing which meant 4 games a week. So between school, soccer, homework and work you can see why it's been a while.

Today marks the end of the 2010 soccer season. The games got rained out (oh darn) but that doesn't stop the parties. We had a brunch potluck this morning for Cooper's team and are headed to a pizza party this afternoon for Cameron. They both loved the season. They had the same coaches - a husband & wife team with kids the same ages as Cameron & Cooper. They both had lots of their classmates on their teams and loved playing. Cooper was a huge goal scorer and often made several goals in each game. Cameron 's skill improved greatly this season and he had a few goals of his own. His age group is very competitive and the games were VERY exciting. Sometimes us parents thought we were more tired than the kids after the games because we'd get so into it. Cameron's team took 3rd place in a big tournament- (we had 7 games that week)- it was such an awesome win for them. They were sort-of the underdogs going into it and taking 3rd was a huge accomplishment.

Third place... feeling good

Cooper after his exhibition game

Cameron taking control of the ball

Cooper going for it

I hope to be more up to date with photos & such as we love being able to share this stuff with you.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

It's official....

...school has started. Cooper started Kindergarten and Cameron is in 3rd grade. It has been a smooth transition for both of them. They both got the teachers they were hoping for and have been loving every day. They both have said on more than one occasion "today was the best day ever!" Cooper has 4 kids from his preschool in his class and 3 from his soccer team - it helps to have friends when you are moving to big boy school. Cameron is in class with several of his dodge ball buddies and 3 guys from his soccer team, so not only did they get the lucky teacher pick but have lots of friends in class too.

A little pose in the first day outfits.

The new backpacks.

This years "bell" picture (last year is below). Our third annual. They both have grown but Cameron just seems like a big kid now!

It's so cool having them at the same school - I mean really, not only does it make drop-off & pick-up much more convenient but they get to play on the playground together before school and see each other throughout the day. Their classrooms are across the grass from each other - it couldn't be better. It makes it a little easier on me knowing Cameron can keep his eye out for his little brother. We are looking forward to a fun school year - we'll keep you posted.

Friday, August 27, 2010

End of the Summer Fun

We made time for a quick last minute get-away before school started at the KOA in Willits. There is not much better than the Willits KOA. You can catch the Skunk train right out of the campsite (it runs from Willits to Fort Bragg - a beautiful route - unfortunately we didn't have time this trip but hope to do it next time). Besides the train the place is full of fun family activities more to do in the 1 1/2 days we were there. Like the 5cent beer pictured above that Eddie found...that was a score!! :)

This amazing play structure with obstacles & tubes for days...

a limbo contest - complete with Eddie as a pole holder & Cooper as a contestant

a hula hoop contest Cooper & I entered....damn if we just had our hoops from home we may have won :)...

a petting zoo...

a fishing trip for the boys...

and Cameron caught one all on his own. Even if Eddie warned him being quiet & patient would be hard for him...

a beautiful hike...

still on the trail...

a little water play with dad...

and a bit of relaxing with mom. Yes, our campsite had a private hot-tub! Now that's what we call camping. A much needed trip even if it was short...(oh...we even played pee-wee golf I'm not sure why none of those pix loaded). Soon..back to reality - school & work. Maybe the routine will feel good?! We booked another trip for October - that place was a blast!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Precious

Adorable! Cooper fishing....

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Enough Already!

A week to the day of my mom passing we had to put down one of our 13 year old Jack Russel's - Bonnie. She hadn't been well for about a year -what started as vertigo, the vet believes she had a brain tumor and was living in pain. Poor little 'Bonnie girl'...she was a sweet dog. I'll never forget how motherly she was to Cameron & Cooper when they were born. It always made me feel sad we never let her have a litter - she would have been a great mom. But, the tumor was causing pain and pain can make you angry...

...see. This is how she walked around most often the past several months. She looked like a predator out stalking it's prey. Her prey being Clyde - her brother. They would get into some serious brawls. I'm just very thankful none of the kids (or us for that matter) ever got in the middle of this. It was this behavior that made us realize how miserable she was. Like grandma Patti - she is no longer in pain. So,

Rest in Peace Bonnie - I'm sure Grandma is hanging out with her up in heaven!
Bonnie 8/3/1997 - 8/11/2010

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Memorial

My mom's memorial was held at her house on Sunday. She had an amazing turnout and would have been shocked and touched by the amount of people who came to honor her.

She was an amazing artist. She could draw, paint & create just about anything. She could also bake and decorate cakes beautifully. She has countless ribbons for things entered in the fair. Her talent was unbelievable. The above "phone booth" is a door in her house leading to her phone room (these pictures got a bit out of order - more on the phone room in a minute). The door is so detail oriented, complete with actual phone listings. Just a sample of her creativity.

My sister Becky and I standing in part of my mom's beautiful back yard. She worked her butt off out here for years turning this once bare area into what she called a "park-like setting"

The boys taking a break from the water slide Grandma Patti bought for them to enjoy at the 4th of July picnic. She loved watching them play on it that day and would have loved that they were having so much fun on it at her memorial.

My mom had an amazing phone collection. I'm not sure of the exact count and if I found out I will let you know, but it is ALOT of phones. She has probably anything and everything you could imagine. She has so many that an entire room in her house is dedicated to them. (hence the door) For part of her memorial she wanted her phone room opened up for people to view. It got a bunch of ohh's & ahh's from all that attended. No one could believe all the different phones she has. She would have been SO proud to show them off!

everyone of these are a phone

more phones - and that is just a sample of them!

The guest book

A nice display my aunts set-up for viewing. Some great photos were on display. The black&white book had her childhood pictures. This table also displayed many of her ribbons. It was heart breaking looking through all of these pictures. She was such a beautiful woman. Tomorrow will be one week. It has been a hard week to get through. I am happy my mom was honored with this memorial. xoxo
Patrice Clairlee - Patti - Grandma Patti 4/13/1946 - 8/4/2010

Friday, August 6, 2010

In Memory

My mom - Grandma Patti - passed away on the 4th. She was a strong, brave, beautiful woman. She will be so missed by all of us. We have so many awesome memories with her. Following are a few of the recent ones.