School, Sports, and Super Busy time of year

I'm tired! It has been an incredibly busy last month, and I am afraid it is just going to get busier! Dylan started 3rd grade, and another season of flag football. His first game was Saturday at the same time as Cade's first soccer game, so I don't have any pictures, but he scored an entire length of the field touchdown. He also grabbed every flag on the other team while he was on defense. They call him Mr Defense, and since the score was 28 to 0, I'd say he really lived up to his nickname! Nick was so proud and said Dylan has just grown so much, and is really talented out there on the football field!

Cade started 1st grade and has made leaps and bounds over last year. He has the same teacher as last year, she moved up with her class, so he has many of the same kids in there too. He comes home and says he loves school and it was so much fun, just a complete 180 from last year. He is an amazing speller and actually doesn't fight me on doing homework! Mom is SUPER excited about this.

At the end of last year we had Cade tested for Autism and Aspergers Syndrome. The lady who did his observation said it is highly probable that Cade suffers from Aspergers Syndrome which is a mild form of Autism. We have to go in for a formal diagnosis, which is quite a large sum of money out of pocket. We are hoping the school will be able to help us and he can get some help through them. As for what it means for us as a family, it changes nothing. We have always thought Cade was special and so great, and we adore him just the way he is! He is so smart, he thinks so outside the box and is such a fantastic kid, the only real challenges we see him facing are school related. It takes him a little longer to finish tasks and it is supposed to make it harder for peers to relate to him. This may be true as he gets older, but for right now, Cade has more friends and GIRLFRIENDS than we can count. I worry about him a lot less this year than I did last year. Like I said he is a new boy, full of excitement for school and soccer!! This is Cade's first year playing organized soccer. He loves it! He likes having something to go do, like his big brother! His first game was Saturday and it was pretty funny to watch! My parents called it Swarm Soccer, cause all the kids just swarm to the ball! It is a great thing for Cade, he has an activity that is all his own that he can be proud of ! I can't wait to see how his team grows over the next games!!!

Miss Kendyll started Preschool and OH BOY do I feel bad for those teachers! Kendyll is going to be 4 next month but she is 4 going on 14. She rules that classroom. She is bossy and in charge at all times. She fished around for one of the boys to take her on a date and then when he didn't get the hint she outright asked him on date over to the reading corner! Both teachers told me I am going to have my hands full with her as a teenager! AWESOME! I can't wait for that, especially with all the boys that will be around because of her 2 older brothers! SERIOUSLY! Not to be outdone Kendyll wants to start dance or cheerleading so she has something to go to!~ Especially since we have so much time for a third activity! SO we are looking into that for Miss Kendyll! So just an FYI if you don't hear from me until next summer you will know where I am! TaTa for now!!

HOT HOT HOT

OH MY GOODNESS! I am so hot! My kids are so hot! My poor daughter is so burnt, and I can't keep her inside! The baby SPF 50 is not cutting it anymore! I know it has been so long since my last post, we have been fairly busy! The most upsetting news is we lost our beloved dog Dozer. He has been with us for 10 years(Nick had him for about 6 months before we got together) so he really was a member of our family. I, the terrible person I am, didn't see him and ran over his leg as I was backing out of the garage on the day after the 4th of July. His leg was so broken and he was in so much pain that the most humane thing we could do was put him to sleep. Nick made the decision, I couldn't stay at the hospital with him any longer, it was too painful! The entire time he was at the vet hospital he was wagging and licking the vet and nurses. It is so heartbreaking because we will never find a dog like him ever again. He really was special. For me and the kids, it was the first time losing a pet. Nick has had many dogs growing up and has been around when his dogs died, but this was my first pet. I still get upset when I think of him or expect to see him on the back porch. Nick and I were in the same parking lot as a pet store and I got all upset and started crying. Who knew I could be so sappy about a damn dog!

We were lucky enough that Nick's Dad came and got Dozer after he was put to sleep and buried him on their 20 acres. When we recently went over there, He had stenciled on his headstone DOZER AKA DUMB DOG, one of the first things Dylan learned to say as a toddler. At least we will be able to visit Dozer whenever we would like!

KENDYLL Wedding Rehearsal

Dylan turns 8 tomorrow! 8! To think I was about to pop with him when it was this hot out! I don't know how I survived! It is amazing to me how quickly time passes when you are a parent. I remember Dylan's first birthday party, how excited he was. I remember various people that were there bringing him lots of noisy presents since all he liked to do was bang on pots and pans with wooden spoons. I believe he got a drum and a tambourine. Now he plays Wii and Nintendo DS better than even his parents, and can ride both a quad and a dirtbike. He is as BOY as a BOY can get. He is like a mixture of Nick and his two grandpas put together. Ask him about any car you see on the road and he can tell you what it is and what kind of motor is in it. Give him any large piece of machinery and he knows how to run it! He thinks my car is his car and tells people to check it out. Boy do I have my hands full. I miss the little baby that had his days and nights confused and would cry all night long, and made me hold him all day while he slept. I want to give him a magic pill that will keep him and Cade and Kendyll small for the rest of time! Dylan has a heart as big as the ocean. He is thoughtful and caring, loving and kind when even I am not. He is wise beyond his years but still goofy and silly like a boy his age should be. He worries about Nick and I, and stresses out about things that are far beyond his years. I know every mom says their child is the best, but Dylan really is a very special person. Happy Birthday Dylan Wayne, I adore you!

DYLAN AND CADE RINGBEARERS AT MY COUSIN STACY'S WEDDING PRETTY HANDSOME!!!

PLAY BALL

I hope this works!! Nick got tickets to the Mariners Game on April 15th the day after opening day. He and D were just sitting there and some lady came up and asked if he wanted to say "play ball" like they say before every game. Of course always too cool Dylan said "sure." He got a cool necklace pass, and got to hang in the "green room" playing video games before he made is entrance. He was standing down there on the field with Edgar Martinzez, cool as a cucumber!! Turn your volumes WAY UP!!

Snowy Seahawk Sunday

In the midst of my January funk, I forgot about the Jets/Seahawks game we went to on Dec. 21st. It was snowing the entire time, LIKE SNOWING, not the little wet crappy snow we usually get here in Washington but huge crystally snowflakes. It was magical. We had an absolute blast, we were not under cover, and we were freezing but it was just unlike anything I had ever seen. We won which was totally cool, but all the fans were happy and it was just a memorable experience(can you tell we had a really good time)? These are pics from my cellphone so they aren't great but Nick looks so pleased (he loves snow) with his beer!! Cheers

Blah Blah Blah

I usually have a renewed spirit and lots of energy after the first of the year. This year I am in such a funk! I am worn out, I find it hard to even get up and do anything! Maybe it was the 2 weeks of snow that had me on house arrest lockdown, or just the let down after the holidays. But MAN I can not shake it!! Any ideas?

My cousin (she really is the closest thing I have to a sister) Stacy's wedding is June 6th, and I am her Matron of honor which is probably one of the most exciting things I have ever done. I have been a bridesmaid before, but I feel so much more important and loved that I am a MOH!! On to why I say this I HAVE TO LOSE 50 pounds at least, in less than 5 months!! This picture above is me right before I was preggo with DYLAN!! This is my inspiration, I was so young I feel 20 years older than that, and it was only 8 years ago!!! So this is my new year resolution!!

The picture of my 3 crazy kids was for our Christmas Card, I didn't use this pic, but thought it was cute nonetheless. Cade is dressed up for his Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast, HILARIOUS!!

Anyway I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and New Year, Lots of LOVE

SUPERBOWL CHAMPS

After a VERY exciting Flag Football season, Dylan's team the Colts had a chance to play in the playoffs on Saturday Nov 22nd. It was a tournament type playoff with one loss and you were out. They played at 10am and won that game, again at noon, won that one and then at 3 and WON THAT ONE TOO!!! So we were in the superbowl, on Sunday. We were told it was at the new Snohomish High School, Glacier Peak. We were playing a team from Mukilteo that had won their division for Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Everett etc. The field and new school was just beautiful, the boys were so excited to be playing on a REAL football field. They had music and announcers who called them out one by one and they got to run onto the field. It was so exciting for me as the parent I can't even imagine what it was like for these 6 and 7 year olds. Anyway after an absolute nail biter, numerous calls against us (LAME calls) THE COLTS WON!!! The boys were so excited!! I asked Dylan what he was going to do now that he won the Superbowl and he said GO TO DISNEYLAND!! That is the picture with his arms stretched out. The others are of him and Jack Hamilton his good buddy saying Number 1 dude, and the lineup being called onto the field. I am very proud of my little boy, he had a fantastic attitude, good sportsmen ship and never had a negative thing to say to anyone!!!! He is such a great kid!!

Things I am Thankful for

Well it is that time of year again. I start to think about all we have, and how blessed we are to have 3 beautiful healthy kids, and both Nick's and my parents alive and healthy. This will be my first Thanksgiving of having everyone over to our house. I am nervous but excited to have everyone together. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving I am giving you my crazy list of thanks for what I am truly thankful for and for what makes my life easier, and happier!! 1. My family, all of it, no matter how crazy they make me 2. Our house, I feel we are lucky to have one at this day and time. 3. Shopping Carts-never has there been a better invention for locking my kids up, to not roam free while I am chasing after them in a store full of many people and toys. Thank you, thank you for the Shopping Cart 4. Dvd player in the car. You have come in very handy this flag football season when it was pouring down rain and you entertained Cade and Kendyll. I appreciate you

5. Gas prices for my large non earth friendly SUV. Makes you wonder why did they get over $4.oo and are now 1.99?? We are still at war, the economy is still struggling? What happened? (Sarcastic tone implied)

6. The Twilight series for keeping me entertained. I love Edward Cullen

7. Coffee, and Kings of Leon for getting me through numerous late night homework sessions, and still being able to get up and run kids here there and everywhere.

8. Spanx-thanks to you I look 20 pounds thinner in all my new holiday clothes!!

9. My Girl-Friends-you keep me sane, let me know I am not alone, cheer me up, and keep me reminded of the girl I used to be before kids and husband!

10. My life -3 of my friends are not so lucky. I am thankful for my life, being able to see my kids grow-up. I pray my friends souls are at rest, and for the families they have left behind.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. xoxo