Dad's turn for FHE

A few weeks ago I was telling the boys they had to get their homework/chores done early because tonight was family home evening.

Bryce got really excited and said, "oh yeah, dad said we're going to McDonald's to win $100,ooo for FHE!!" I raised a skeptical eyebrow; "he did, did he?"
Bradley interjects "yeah, they're playing the Mormon Lottery there and the prize is $100,000!"

I've heard that term before, Mormon Lottery. It's Danny's jingo for Monopoly Game that McDonald's does every so often.

Of course this warrants a phone call right away to dad to verify what I know is going to unfortunately be true...
"Danny, I hear we are going to McDonald's to win $100,000 tonight for FHE!"
The laughter I hear on the other end confirms it.

This is one of those cases where I am not going to push a no. Mom gets sick of being the bad guy and I hate making dinner. This is an excuse to get out of it.

So off we went that night to McDonald's:

As you can see, like father like sons. They boys' enthusiasm can scarecly be contained as they play their game.!

Although Tyson is clueless, he can feel the excitement and he gets fries out of it after all!

However, my attitude is clearly reflected in that of Kierstin... what kind of FHE is this? Let's go home. Maybe we should skip dad's turn next time!! I do love you dear.

October 24, 2008

Well, He's not the first one to lose a tooth in our family, but he is the first one to lose a tooth in kidnergarten! Everybody else has waited until 1st grade to lose their tooth.
The toothfairy prize..... $1.00 in shiny new issue state quarters (the kind you can put in the state quarter map!)

Happy Birthday 14th Bday Kierstin

Happy 14th Birthday Kierstin!!

October 22, 2008

Kierstin's Birthday was on a Thursday which meant she had to go to school. I made her favorite breakfast of cottage cheese pancakes before she went off to seminary with her traditional warm up birthday wish (one candle on your fav. breakfast). We just celebrated as a family that night. Her favorite food is Thai so I found a Thai Restaurant out here in Murrieta and picked up some to take home. She also preferred to have a Marie Calendar's razzleberry pie to cake. Easy enough. We ate a late

dinner and had pie and ice cream.

This is what Kierstin looked like most of the evening. She is so blessed to have so many friends and family to call and wish her happy birthday; Aunt Mary & Ann & Karalee & Derek, Uncle Michael, Gpa Robin & Gmas Carol & nancy, Opa Fred, her friends from H.B. etc.

She got a straightening iron and a coupon from dad that said she could go choose a new cell phone as her old one is not working so well. It was pretty low key this year.... or so she thought!

Little did she know I had planned her a surprise party. It actually started with her good friends Renee Neishi, Kelsey Brookfield (her cousin) and Emily Pitt asking if they could come out around lunchtime on Friday after school and decorate her room and surprise her. I thought, what a great idea, let's really surprise her and have a big party. I have a big van, why not fill it with her friends and bring them out here for a surprise. It started with about 6 friends but by the time Friday rolled along I ended up picking up 10 girls.

I asked their parents if I could get them out of school at lunch and pick them up and bring them out here for a slumber party. So Friday, I went out and picked them up. Unfortunately, there was an accident on the way out that made me 45 minutes late and put me late on the road home so I got stuck in traffic. To add to the drama, this put me 45 minutes late in picking Kierstin up from school. Her cell phone hasn't been working so she didn't have it for me to call her and let her know what was going on. Fortunately, Bradley's school is right next to hers and he gets out 40 minutes later. So I knew that she would walk over there and wait. Poor Callie Campbell was stuck on the waiting too but at least she knew what was in store. While it was a bummer to be stuck in traffic, I giggled to her friends cuz I knew she would be livid that I was late which would make her surprise all the more dramatic.

I dropped the girls off at my house, armed them with silly string and poppers and went to pick up Kierstin. Sure enough, she was fit to be tied. She was practically fuming smoke! It was all I could do not to giggle. She was so upset she didn't even notice Tyson wasn't in the car. I'd left him home with the girls. (I later told Kierstin she owed Ty the most as he had to sit in his carseat for 4 hours straight and he hates the carseat!)

(Renee & Aubrey waiting)

Anyways, so we got to the door and she opened it to a complete onslaught of silly string, confetti, etc.

The look on her face was priceless!! She was clueless and totally surprised!! I wish we would have got a better pic but this is the best we

could do!

.

Shocked, but happy and now apologetic for being so upset!!

I love all of Kierstin's friends; However, I'm usually not a proponent of slumber parties at this age. Let's face it, girls get tired and cranky and can take it out on eachother. I wasn't looking forward to the giggling and squealing all night.

I had a few games planned; a scavenger hunt, a bertie botts every flavored bean tasting contest and a how well do you know Kierstin quiz.

The girls also played their own games like big bootie (?!)



I did a non-traditional dinner. I'm trying to encourage my kids to eat healthier and figured these girls are older and can handle it. So I made a couple of Kierstin's favorite things; potatoe-cheese soup with chinese chicken salad and corn-bread. Surprisingly, it went over really well (except for our dear picky Natalie, who we fed a corndog and corn-bread).

The girls laughed and had a great time. I thoroughly enjoyed them all. They were courteous and good with eachother even though they didn't all necessarily know eachother very well. The biggest shocker.... they were all asleep by 12:30 a.m.!! I miracle. I couldn't believe it. I guess seminary played a factor with the church girls and the fact that Kia had to go to an MUN conference the next day helped. But the put on Disney's Aladdin and fell asleep! Angels!

We woke by 8:00 for muffins and bagels with cream cheese and kiwi and bananas and then hit the road. Kia had to be back and I had to have the boys to a primary program practice in H.B. by 10:30. We were there by 10:25.

It was a perfect party! Mostly, I was so impressed with Kierstin's choice of friends. They are all so sweet, courteous and have good moral values. I enjoyed each one of them. I hope they all know they are sorely missed but we hope to stay in contact. I hope they all enjoyed themselves as much as I did. I know Kierstin had fun and that was what counted to me!

The H.B. Crew

back row starting with cute girl w/glasses; Natalie Boardman, Summer, Aubrey,
front: Callie Campbell (only Murrieta girl but former H.B.), Emily Pitt, Kesley Brookfield, Renee Neishi, Kyra Jensen, Kia Tahman with Kierstin seated in front.

My Latest Favorite Prop 8

Check this site out. He makes some very valid points!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10mNIVhGrnY

TOP THIS MESS!!!

It started off as a typical Saturday, got to sleep in (YEAH, that's not always so typical with Tyson); Saturday chores; etc.

I put Tyson down for a nap and told Danny I was going to take Kierstin shopping for clothes. This could be fun.... although I have to admit it usually is NOT. Kierstin hates to shop and I have to be in the mood for it. We were not off to a good start when I had to practically drag her out of the house. I put on a happy face and hoped for the best.

Things started looking better as soon as she walked into the store I chose for our spree. I was tickled to discover a 'Styles For Less' not far from our house. It's a "hip" young girl clothing store. Not your typical Target. We've been really striking out there lately. When we walked in she looked around for a few minutes and said "we need to come here more often." (Kierstin, correct me if I interpretted that wrong but I'm pretty sure I didn't). She actually tried on like 20 pieces and liked about 18 of them which we bought, ALL. It's rare to find stuff she likes. I was so tickled I didn't mind the bill. She has been so easy on my pocketbook all these years she deserves it. In the check-out line I called Danny and told him to get ready for his meeting and leave, Bradley could hold down the fort for 15 minutes or so, especially cuz Tyson was asleep.

We stop by our new favorite yogurt shop out here; 'Kool Bliss.' It has that new mangosteen yogurt that's been featured on Oprah. Supposed to be good for you even. You know it's good if it's not chocolate and I've become a regular there.

Anyway, the shop owner, who we've become friendly with, whips up our "usuals" (yes, he really knows what they are now), and my phone rings, it's home. I think, Tyson must have woken up and has pitched a fit. I don't even say hello, just I'm on my way home. It's Danny. He proceeds to tell me he's on his way to Priesthood Leadership or he'll be late (it's our stake conference) and he's REALLY SORRY but he has left me the BIGGEST MESS EVER to deal with!

I'm thinking, poopy diaper, mud, what could it be? Then he says, you know that big, unopened, Sams' Club sized jar of Teriyaki sauce in the pantry? Well, for some reason, Brian was in the pantry and managed to knock it off the shelf (even though it was 3 shelves up) and it is EVERYWHERE! UNDERSTATEMENT:
I should have taken a full sized pic of just how high up our pantry goes but here's 1/3 of the mess on the floor before I decided this would make a good blog entry.
See all those food storage cans on the bottom floor, there's like 40 of them? I had to take them ALL out and wipe & dry them off and return them.

There was sauce on ALL the shelves and yes, that is a pic of the pantry ceiling!!

SO, THIS IS MY FIRST TAG, I'm tagging ALL those who read this post, to TOP THIS MESS!
P.S., I'm patting myself on the back. I did NOT flip out. It was a 3 hour pain, but I figured, it's one of those things. It's even already funny and made a fun blog!

BECOME EDUCATED AND VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 8!!!

Please take a moment to educate yourself on the implications of PROPOSITION 8. We are blessed to live in a democratic nation where we, the people, do have a voice and can help make a decision. EVERY VOTE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

YES ON PROPOSITION 8 in California
You've been tagged. PLEASE READ THIS no matter what state you live in.

Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt children. If gay marriage remains legal, public schools will put it on equal footing with traditional marriage. Children will likely receive “age appropriate” information about sexual relations within heterosexual and homosexual marriages.
Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt churches. The court’s decision will inevitably lead to conflicts with religious liberty and free speech rights. Society will become more and more hostile to traditional beliefs about marriage and family. Over time, greater acceptance of nontraditional marriage will be demanded of all people. This could impact the ability of any religion to teach and practice its beliefs. Including adoption agencies.
A YES vote will not hurt gays. In California, the law provides for marriage-related benefits to be given to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Proposition 8 does not diminish these benefits.
For your information:
On Friday, October 10th, 2008 a first-grade class took a field trip to witness a lesbian wedding in California. Click Here for the article from the San Francisco Chronicle.
A father in Massachusetts was frustrated when his twin kindergartners were taught about homosexuality at school by the teachers. He insisted he be notified in the future before such things were discussed so he could pull his boys out of school.He was taken to jail. Click Here for the story.
A Catholic adoption agency In the UK closed their doors because of the Government's new homosexual equality laws. The Equality Act forbids discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation. The law was forced through Parliament last year despite past Prime Minister Tony Blair's recommendation that Catholic adoption agencies be exempted from the rules. Click Here for more info.
Earlier this month judges in Conneticut overturned the state law (just as the judges in California did) to legalized gay marriage. This is not just an issue in California. We voted years ago to keep traditional marriage as the only marriage recognized in the state of California, 4 judges overturned our vote…and we need to fight back. That is what this Proposition is about. This is happening everywhere and the leaders of the church and others have warned that the outcome of California’s vote will affect the way the other states vote. So PLEASE…even if you don’t live in California, put this on your blog or email this on. The internet knows no state line. You know contacts in California that I don’t…and so do your friends. Please pass this on as it could eventually have an effect on everyone!
"Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, "You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven't time to be concerned for others." Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord." --Thomas S. Monson
Click Here for excerpts from the Broadcast given by Elders M. Russell Ballard, Quentin L. Cook and L. Whitney Clayton.
A good resource mentioned in the broadcast: www.preservingmarriage.org
October 20th: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot if voting out of state. Click Here to get one.
October 27th: Last day to apply for “Vote by Mail” Click Here for info.
November 4th: Election day. Polls close at 8:00pm. Vote by mail must be received by this time and can be hand delivered if necessary.YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED...Here's what you do: In the broadcast we were asked to "go viral on our blogs, etc" by Elder Ballard. This is my way of going viral. If you feel this is an important issue I ask that you copy and paste this post...and post it on your blog. PLEASE keep it at the top of your blog through November 4th. which you can adjust each time you post under the "edit post" option. The internet knows NO STATE LINE. You know contacts in California that I do not...as do your friends and their friends...and so on. Please do this. If not for your own children and the effect it could have on them some day...for mine! After you have posted this...email this to your contacts and TAG all your blogging buddies to do the same. THANK YOU!

Mira Mar Air Show

When we went to the air museum a few weeks ago we learned that Mira Mar in San Diego would be hosting an airshow this coming weekend. The last airshow we went to was at El Toro before we had any kids. It was a blast but they've closed down El Toro. We didn't realize Mira Mar hosted them too. Kierstin was going to be in H.B. with her friends so I thought it would be the perfect thing to do with the boys.

The forcast of rain did not deter us. I felt that even if they didn't have any air demostrations the boys would love being able to actually climb on some of the planes. So we packed up and took grandma Nancy along.

When we got there the line to get in was 2 stop light long. But while we were waiting in line we saw some of the planes actually giving an air demostration. It was an old bywing like they used in the first world war. The plane would go straight up, stall, come straight down and pull out just in time. It was AMAZING! Even Tyson was entertained while we were waiting our 30 minute turn to get into the base and park. I was glad they were entertained in line but I thought, I hope this is worth it...

It was overcast but warm enough to definately not need jackets. It was perfect considering we had to wait in a 40 minute line to get our bags checked so we could actually get onto the airstrip. I'm so glad Nancy and I sent the boys ahead (you could go right in if you didn't have a bag) while we waited in line. While we were waiting I thought, I hope this is worth it....

After we got the bags checked Nancy and I walked the mile, pushing the stroller and stuff up onto the airfield. It was a pleasant walk but I thought of Danny doing it with Tyson and the boys and thought, I hope it is worth it....

So we finally got there and I found Danny had paid for a ride on one of those bikes with a seat attached and you get ferried up there quicker. He had even fed the boys lunch. They were having fun checking out all the awesome planes and military vehicles like Brad on this tank:

And Bryce getting instruction in this rescue helicopter:And Brian "flying" the rescue helicopter:And Tyson not believing his good fortune of getting to sit in it too:Bryce & Brian & (tyson far left, sitting) practicing being the actual rescue crew: It's hard enough for me to believe big, huge pieces of metal can fly in the sky but it is truly a wonder that this behemoth can lift off the ground. It is literally a flying city! A tank and even a helicopter can fit inside. I thought I got a picture of the "mouth of it" wear it opens up in the front to be able to swallow up cargo as well as in the back where it spits it out. But just look at the heli sitting next to it and you get an idea of how big it really is!!We really got to get up close and personal with even the fighter jets. I love the picture of poor Wil-E-Coyote hanging onto the side for dear life. I guess in times of such seriousness you have to find some spark of humor to be able to survive.But by far, the best part were all of the flying demonstrations from the old by-wing, the fighter jets (sorry, I can't say precisely what they were) and helicopters and a demonstration of how they refuel in the air to the Harrier (that one I do know) that can take off vertically and fly horizontally as well as stay in one place in the air!

I have to admit the biggest surprise of all was that Tyson absolutely LOVED it all. I thought it was going to be one of those things where the planes might hold his attention for a minute or two but then I'd have to spend the rest of the time trying to find something to entertain him. NOT SO! His little eyes were riveted on those jets as they wisked by so fast that you saw them and then you heard them as they went by. A lot of little kids, and adults, cringed at the noise they made. Not Tyson. He just ate it all up! He was babbling a million miles an hour! this was from a kid who I work with constantly to try to say any kind of word at all! He did say "BBRROOOM, BBROOM!" complete with hand motions. Even now, if we ask him about the planes, he'll stop what he's doing, make his noise and try to go outside to find them.

It is absolutely thrilling to see those modern works of marvel at work! I know my dad worked on the stealth jet while working at Northrup. It's amazing that man can create such things.





However, I do admit, that I had to stop and think, just for a moment, how absolutely terrifying it would be to be on the target end of one of those modern works of destruction. How absolutely terrifying it would be and how helpless you would feel. I pray we never have to live on that end of things!

The Blue Angels were actually due to show at 4:00ish so we left before that to avoid the crowds and cuz it was general conference weekend and we wanted Danny to be able to try to catch the Priesthood session. (we did record Saturday's sessions).

Here's Grandma and Tyson, they were both just funned out.

My favorite pic. I saw Danny walking along with his boys with them just quizzing him with all manner of topics. They were so enjoying one another's company. I just had to capture the moment! So, Airshow..................................WORTH ALL OF IT!!