Christmas is Coming!!

• I attempted to get a few pictures of Ben and Molly, in their new sweaters, before they headed to a movie with Grandma. This one was my favorite.

• I think it is a miracle my kids have not figured out there are presents under the tree. Maybe it's because we have a gate around the tree to keep Ruby from eating the tree, or garland, or lights, or ornaments, that they haven't noticed. No squeezing or shaking to try to figure out what's wrapped up. I could have used less tape.

Let it SNOW!!

• Oh my goodness. We have snow. Darrin is off to plow again. With our long drive way, he has to keep up on it or we would be stuck.
• Our Thanksgiving was good. MIL made a huge ham. Then we headed to Pacific City. The weather was fantastic. We stayed in a house with some friends who have kids in the same class as both Ben and Molly. Darrin enjoyed having a fishing buddy and I enjoyed having a shopping buddy (although, I'm pretty sure we would have gotten much more done WITHOUT 4 kids). We went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Ben had to rush us through so he could get ice cream.
• Only 26 days left until Christmas. I guess I should figure out what to get the kids. Molly told Santa she wanted Princesses. Ben wants Lego's, or Lego's, and some Lego's. He loves to build and create elaborate scenes.

Happy Turkey Day!!

Molly has been singing:

I'm a little turkey, plump and wide.

Feet on the bottom, wings on the side.

When I walk I wobble, to and fro.

Hear me gobble as off I go!!

(gobble gobble gobble!!!)

Ben is just happy to have 5 days off from school.

Happy Halloween

My little princess and pirate are so excited today is Halloween. Molly was ready to go trick or treating at 7:30 this morning. Once again, the kids designed their own pumpkins. Notice Molly's has eyelashes? Ben's originally had 6 eyes. Luckily, he was easy to convince 3 would be enough as long as it had scary teeth.

Happy Halloween!!

She's Here!!!

Little 7 week old Ruby came to live with us on Friday. Ben and Molly are so excited. And of course, they have promised to help and do what ever I ask (ha ha). Ruby is a Chocolate Lab. She is just the sweetest little thing. She seems pretty happy here so far. She has to follow one of us where ever we go, unless she's in the middle of one of her 3 hours naps in the middle of the living room floor. I think she's been so exhausted from the first night in her new crate and getting used to us.

Why do gorillas have nipples??

How in the world does my 6 year old's brain work??? First he asked if a gorilla was half man. I tried my best to explain that no, a gorilla is a gorilla. Then he asked "Why do gorillas have nipples?" Then he wanted to know why boy gorillas had nipples. The fact that they just do, isn't good enough. He wants specifics. I think it's time to check out a gorilla book.

"Mom...you ROCK!!!"

That was the quote from my six year old son when he saw his Halloween costume. I had Disney points to use by the end of the year, so why not get the kids Disney costumes. Molly will be Sleeping Beauty. Her dress has a full skirt and gold sparkles. She had to wear it to the store and show everyone. I pulled out the dress and the first this she asks is "Where are the shoes???" Molly and her shoe obsession, that's a blog entry for another day. She told me she's so happy she can be a princess.

Ben will be a skeleton pirate. It is complete with dreadlocks and glow in the dark bones. He put it on and insisted on wearing it for most of the evening. I think he would have slept in it if I'd let him.

Happy Birthday to Me...

Yeah, I know my birthday was in May. But my friend finally gave me a fabulous birthday present. To her credit, she did start BEFORE my birthday with the intent of being finished by then. I am now the proud owner of fantastic hand knitted socks.

Thank you Destiny, for my socks. I love them. I'm honored you are willing to take the time to create something special for me, especially since I have the biggest feet you have ever knitted for. :)

First Grader

"I can't believe I'm a six year old first grader" Ben said as we were waiting for the bus Tuesday morning. He was excited for school to start. I think he was more excited to be able to play with his friend every day. Molly is disappointed because she doesn't get to eat breakfast at school like Ben does, that she doesn't have to have a back pack like Ben does, that she doesn't have a lunch menu like Ben does (yes, tears over a lunch menu!!) and that she can't ride the bus like Ben does. She wants to do everything Ben does.

August already?

Wow. July 5th was my last post? We've been a little busy and the blog was the last hing on my mind. July 7 was move in day. We spent the next few days dragging over the necessities. Now we have 2 houses full. How long do you go without items before you done have to have them? With school starting in 7 more days, my free time will be devoted to cleaning out the old house.

Helloooooooooooo it's JULY!!!

Wow. It has been 5 weeks since I've updated my few faithful blog reader. I am hanging my head down in shame. Really I am. In my defense, we are almost ready to move into the house. The carpet was put in the last 2 rooms this morning. I can't believe it is finally happening. Darrin was finishing up with a few last minute details today, lighting in Molly's room and our room. Tomorrow I get to touch up paint and clean up. Then I think we are ready. Darrin might need a few days. But I am ready :)

Ben had his first soccer game tonight. He kicked the first goal of the game. He played great and had a lot of fun.

Dining Room update

Here it is. An almost complete dining room. You will just have to imagine it with crown molding around the top and the floor finished. All we did is pull up the hideous green carpet to find these amazing floors. A little clear finish and it will be done. It is almost hard to believe this is the same room.

One less tooth

Ben has lost one of his top teeth. He is so proud he pulled it out himself. There is just something special about watching him check out his smile in the mirror. He woke me up before 6 am this morning to tell me the Tooth Fairy left him $1. He immediately put it in his bank so Molly wouldn't get it. Here is a picture of his new smile.

Let the painting begin...

It has started. The painting. The cleaning. The aching back and tired arms. But it is all worth it. For those of you, my faithful blog readers, who don't know, we are in the process of fixing up the house in the orchard for us to move into. Fortunately, the work in minor. Unfortunately, there is minor work in EVERY room. I spent the last week washing out cupboards and peeling contact paper from shelves. Yesterday, I began painting the shelves from the bathroom. Today, we began on the kitchen. Darrin washed the cigarette smoke and dirt from the walls. The yellow streaky walls were gone after the first layer of primer. Hello white clean walls. Tomorrow, one more layer of primer on the ceiling and it is time to paint. My color choice you ask...white ceiling and the one full wall will be Crimson. I can't wait to see that red wall. The new counter tops will be done the last week of May. I can't wait to see the first room finished.

Baseball begins...

I am the lamest blogger ever. Who goes 6 weeks between updates??? In my defense, we have been busy. We began cleaning out the house on the orchard. We worked for 3 weeks cleaning everything out and getting ready for the estate sale. Now the house is finally empty and ready for us to begin. Ben began coach pitch baseball last week. His attention to the game so far has been a huge improvement over last year in tee ball. He slides into home every time now. He said he learned it by watching the baseball players on TV. He has had a couple good hits. Darrin is coaching again and I know Ben loves being out there with his dad. Molly has added 2 more imaginary friends to play with. I never know when Angela, Friend or Baby might show up. Ben torments her by being mean to them. One of these days, she will get even.

Finally home

After 2 weeks of vacation, we are finally home. Our first 5 days were spent in Disneyland. THe kids has a great time. Molly's favorite part was meeting Ariel. We stood in line for over an hour that last day just to get her autograph. Ben's favorite part was meeting Jack Sparrow and getting his autograph. We just happened to see him as we were getting off the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, for the 4th time, and there he was. We were home for about 36 hours before Darrin and I headed to Las Vegas for the NASCAR races. Just so you know, 36 hours is just enough time to wash laundry and repack for 4 people. We left first thing Tuesday. we stayed the night in Jackpot, Nevada and headed into Las Vegas on Wednesday. I don't think I saw a tree after we crossed over into Nevada. We camped out at the NASCAR track. It wasn't bad. Our weather was 70's and 80's. Being at a NASCAR event is completely different than watching it on tv. It is amazing 160,000 people in one place. Only 357 days until we leave for next year.

Ugh...SNOW!!!!!

We have over a foot of snow! And it doesn't look like it is going to stop any time soon. Ben and Molly jumped at the chance to make snow angels and build a snowman. I can't remember seeing it snow like this. I'm not too worried, it has a few days to melt before we leave on our much anticipated trip to DISNEYLAND. As long as we can make it to Portland the night before our flight, we'll be fine. I don't know who's more excited, the kids or me. Ben has our first day all planned out. "first we have to go to Pirates of the Caribbean, then Haunted Mansion, then Buzz Lightyear, then Indiana Jones..." The poor kid is going to have us running from one of the park to the other if we let him. Molly is all about the Princesses. She is trying to get me to pack her Cinderella dress for our planned princess lunch. I'll post pictures next week (before Darrin and I head to the NASCAR race in Las Vegas).

Molly and her friends

Molly loves her Baby Stella. Baby Stella goes EVERYWHERE with us. Molly has started turning her face out "so she can see everything." Molly imagination is really starting to show. She will line up her stuffed animals to watch tv with her. In the top picture, she lined them all up and they are playing school. This week she has been teaching them how to brush their teeth because she is learning about dental care in preschool. What's a few damp stuffed animals--as long as they have clean teeth.

Happy Birthday BEN!!!

"It's my last day being 5" Ben said first thing this morning. He is so excited about turning 6. I was looking at the pictures of him just a few hours old. Time sure has flown by. He has grown into a neat kid. He has a fantastic sense of humor. He loves to read and draw. He is just fun to be with. He has a love for adventure. He wants to be a squid scientist or a clown when he grows up (it changes depending on what he is curious about that day).

I remember my 6th birthday. My uncle did some magic tricks and my mom made clown cupcakes. I guess I should say, we heckled my poor 16 year old uncle who tried to do some trick for us and devoured the cupcakes in no time flat. But I just remember being excited to be 6. I know Ben shares that same excitement.

Happy Birthday Ben!!! I hope tomorrow is fabulous for you!