I'm a Karate mom

Here is Warren right after his first karate class. He did so well, really surprised me how well he listened and participated and really enjoyed it. Jack has Gymnastics today so we'll see how he does.

Why we have a dog

Don't worry, this cat, which we had named Truman, ran away months ago...

This picture was taken for Warren to bring to preschool to show his favorite pet. I had asked him to find the kitty while I went to grab the camera and when I entered the living room, there he was proudly displaying his favorite pet.

So, here is the second picture after I had asked him to hold truman in a different position:

Pati-oh! Part II

Here is the latest fast moving patio news -- the entire patio is poured and stamped. They will be coming back tomorrow to seal it and do the finishing touches.





Yeah, then we have to actually landscape the rest of the yard.

Dreaming...

Infiniti FX35 in Midnight Mocha.


I'm sure if I hadn't been impatient in the parking garage downtown and totally scratched the crap out of the driver's side of my Odyssey I could totally trade it in without breaking the bank...I'm sure of it...

Pati-oh! Part I

Here is the patio project in its early stage right now. They overlayed the existing concrete patio and they have all the forms in for the patio that is going in at ground level. There is going to be stairs wrapping around the back portion.

The circular thing to the left is the gas fire pit!!

It still has a long way to go but atleast you can see the color of the stamped concrete and the stamp pattern we picked out.

More Vegas Pictures

Here are a couple more shots from our Anniversary weekend. It is so difficult to get pictures where we both have our eyes open and don't look completely cheesey...I can take a little cheesey but there is a line ;)

I am thinking of sending a couple of these out in the mail to friends and family. The five year marker is a big one so I want to celebrate it to the fullest! If I could shout it from someplace very high I would because marriage isn't always easy but I am happy to say we are working on it and making it a priority.

Public School it is!

I have recently decided that my kids will be attending public school when the time comes. Warren will stay at the current day care/school through kindergarten and then he will go to the public school that is literally 400 yards from our front door. Same scenario for Jack.

It is an adorable little elementary school and we are in a good county now for schools, so we are going to take advantage of that and put our tax dollars to good use.

This has been a big decision, as I was initially pretty set on them attending private schooling. Here were the biggest reasons I have decided on public:

1. I am a pragmatist. I don't really think my kids will be any better off for attending private schools so I just can't shell out money on that when I could save it for the ever increasing cost of college for them instead.

2. I think my kids are very smart and I have confidence that they will do well no matter where they go. Especially since they will be getting lots of encouragement and support from Bryan and I at home. I think the most important thing is just to show your kids that education is important and valuable and can be a fun process.

3. I don't want to raise little elitists and think it is better for them to be among a great variety of children so that they can learn to be adaptive and well rounded adults.

4. I am not a fan of the whole homeschooling concept for so many reasons but mostly because I think it is way better for the kids for ACADEMICS to be taught by someone other than parents. Children behave, think, and act differently around non-parents and the neutral environment free from emotional strings and preconceptions gives them greater leeway to try on different hats and explore their learning styles and just blossom. It is valuable for kids to interact with people outside of their family...like the old addage "it takes a village to raise a child."

Planning for the Winter

I signed the boys both up for 20 week long sessions at a Little Gym by our house yesterday. Warren is doing Karate and Jack is doing Gymnastics/Tumbling because he isn't old enough for the Karate yet. They are both really excited and I think it will be a great way for them to get some energy out during this Winter. The classes go through January and I am planning to enroll them in swimming lessons at the rec center when this is done.

Then, this Summer Warren is going to do T-ball, which will be his first team sport. And then it begins...the barrage of organized activities which I will be shuttling them to. I have actually put it off for a little while but I think I will be ready by next Summer.

I am hoping the Karate inspires Warren to have a little more self-control and respect for authority. He of course is hoping to learn to be a ninja and karate chop bad guys :)

Also, I am seriously considering doing Supper Solutions. I have always wondered if it is good and cost effective so I finally looked into it a little and there is one right by the house. And the menu looks pretty good, there is even some good fish dishes on the menu. The pricing is very reasonable. I generally cook two times per week and Bryan cooks a couple times as well and then the remainder is either take-out or a low key kid friendly restaurant. So, having meals premade and planned would definitely help us out. Has anyone tried this or have anything to say on the matter?

FINALLY

I ordered these two orange chairs over two months ago and after a couple of back order notifications, we were finally able to pick them up yesterday.

Oh, they were definitely worth the wait and really compliment the orange living room quite well. I am hosting Thanksgiving this year at my house, so the more seating we have the better!

And I found these great little pillows too...I love the details!

we're baaaack...

...and it feels SO good to be home! Thanks to my Aunt Shelli and Uncle Steve and Cousin Emma for taking such good care of Warren and Jack while we were away. I am sure it was quite the undertaking and we really appreciate it!

Anyhow, the boys thoroughly enjoyed helping me unpack. And these picture will provide excellent opportunity for bribery years from now :)





Also, here is what I got in Vegas! I have never been into designer purses, UNTIL I found this little darling on sale at Nordstrom's. It is the perfect size and shape and it seems really durable. I think it will hold up for a long time...at least that is how I am rationalizing the cost!

Five mostly Fabulous Years!!

Well, we officially made if to the five year marker!

Happy Anniversary, Bryan!


Spring Break, 2003 -- Maui, Hawaii (moments after Bryan proposed)


August 16th, 2003 -- Las Vegas, Nevada (isn't he handsome?!)

Here's to five more adventurous, comical, and full of love years...

Viva Las Vegas!

We went back to the Chapel where we got married and took some professional pictures there. It was kind of strange to be back but also very fun to see everything and everyone that works there again. Here are a couple preview pics from the session - definitely not the best ones, but I still have to go through all 61 shots and see what we ended up with and the "high speed" wirelesss internet 29 floors up in this hotel is not that great.

We went to the Beatles show last night and words fail me to describe it. I will just say that it was absolutely amazing and worth every penny.

Also, I got the other part of my anniversay gift....ohhhh, it is something I have always secretly wanted but never admitted to. I will take a picture when we get home and blog about it then. Home...kids...oh, yeah...we are going back tomorrow! I am missing the boys but also really enjoying alone time with Bryan.

All you need is love...

(card from my mom, Shannon)

...and a good anniversary gift!

Bryan already gave me what I am told is part of my anniversary gift. He took the tiffany setting from the ring he proposed with and put a beautiful pearl in it - how sweet!

Of course, I still have the original diamond, it is just now happily in this more antique looking setting that I love!

Morning Snuggles

We had the best start to the day today. The boys both woke up right on time in very good moods and dressed themselves and then played nicely while I got ready. It makes such a difference in the whole tone of the day when things are nice and pleasant in the morning!

So, here we are all ready to tackle the day ahead:



(Thanks, Daddy, for taking these pictures!)

Not Earth-shattering...

...but still big news for me. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I have been struggling with my career path. I went to college for 6 straight years and came away with two degrees in Chemical Engineering. Great! I am all set to be an Engineer! Working on exciting collaborative projects in cutting edge technology, making a real difference at my dream company and in the world for that matter.

Screeeeeech! That was the sound of the brakes of reality that ensued after actually starting to work as an Engineer over five years ago.

Enter a little place called reality, wherein I am sitting at a computer, pounding out Excel spreadsheets and barely interacting with another living soul the majority of the day. Not quite what I had in mind, BUT I can't just throw away my education background and *gasp* change careers...can I?

Oh yes, I sure can! In what might be the boldest move of my adult life thus far I have changed career paths and am now a part of The Dark Side. Not in the Star Wars sense though (sorry Warren)...I am now officially part of the sales team at a very cool company downtown.

AND I have also taken up a part time job to try my hand at something completely different just to see. Because, believe me, I am NOT claiming to have it all figured out. But I AM brave enough to try something new and see where my talents and strengths and interests truly are!

The new jobs start in a couple weeks and I will update as the journey unfolds.

OH!! And did I mention that I get valet parking!!