Thanksgiving and other pig outs

Well as we all know it is a national pastime to pig out on Thanksgiving and then take a nap. This year I took it to another level. Wednesday we had a hugh potluck at the office and with only working half a day you could guess that we didn't get much done. And you would be right. After work I picked up Taryn and proceeded to sit on the couch all afternoon and evening.
Thursday I had to get up early to make the pies I was too lazy to make the night before then we all went to Aunt Marilyn's for a family feast. Which included Marilyn two of her grown kids and their spouses and combined four kids, Mom and me and my two kids, Sheridan and Tony, and Ellen was in town for the week to visit. It was chaos but always interesting. Zack started not feeling well so we didn't stay too long. The afternoon progressed much as the day before did with a lot of couch sitting and a quick trip to MC D's for dinner.
We were lucky in that it seemed to only be a 24 hour thing and Zack felt better by Friday. To Bad for me though who he gave the crud to. But another day of laying around and some homemade soup and I was good to go on Saturday not that we did much. Actually Saturday we had round two of our Thanksgiving feast. With 10 Adults and 6 kids there was a decided lack of left overs from Thursday and what is Thanksgiving if you don't eat at least one Turkey sandwich in the days after. So we got a small turkey and made our own left overs.
I know that you are wondering if we did any shopping on the biggest shopping weekend of the year and the answer is yes and no, we did finally leave the house on Sunday but not for Christmas shopping but to by some much needed warm clothes for the kids visit to Columbus. Hey Zack is still wearing Shorts and t-shirts to school with only a jacket in the mornings. Don't think that will cut it in the Frozen Midwest.
That was it for our Holiday weekend not to exciting but full of good food and family and a lot of relaxing.

Birthday Gifts and other Things

I would like to take a moment to Thank everyone who sent Zack a Card of Gift. I know with the distance it is easier to send money or gift cards but I want you all to know that both of My kids like to shop ( well only for fun stuff not clothes ) so they really do like the money. Just so you know what you got him. Dad & Family you got Zack a new Scooter that he loves to ride. He has already destroyed two of them using them so much so a new one was just what he needed, Dave & Mary as you know you were part of the Bike gift. He also loves that and is upset with the time change because it limits his time outside right now. Ray if you get a chance to read this Zack bought a cart load ( not joking ) of Army guys and vehicles with your gift. He has a dirt pile beside our garage that he uses as his battle ground and there are always bodies strewn across it. Steve we just got our Barnes and Noble Gift card so we haven't spent it yet but Zack wants to stop tomorrow to take care of that problem. He is reading pretty good these days and loves all of the books he gets and especially loves to pick them out himself. Jenny thank you for the Scooby do book that is his favorite series though he is starting to run out of new ones to get. We will let you know what the next series is when we find it.

With all of the excitement last weekend we are looking forward to a quiet weekend at home this week but with two kids that still includes a Girl Scout Function and one for Boy scouts too. Luckily they are both short and will be over by tomorrow at noon. We all hope that you have a great weekend yourselves and hope to hear from you soon.

Please if you could pass this link on to everyone else in the family so that we can keep in touch with them too.
Jenny, Chris & Emma, Grandpa Ray, Aunt Dawn, Aunt Barbara, Jenny and Her Family, Rob & Family, Also Heather pass this along to the friends too please.

More Birthday Pictures

ENJOY

Zack's 7th Birthday

Wow what a day we had a blast and the weather was perfect. Zack's 7th Birthday and First ever Birthday Party went off with out a hitch. Guests included Tamara and Trisha form next door and Takumi his best friend from class and across the street, and Kathren, Lillian,& Ariana also from his class. Tina and Priya also showed up to celebrate with the kiddo. We had Treasure Chest cake with candy treasure and Pirate ship cake too. We had a few games like stick the flag on the pirate ship and the sea monster bean bag & ring toss ( Homemade sea monster ) But the most fun was just having the kids come over and play on the trampoline and sword fighting. Zack got lots of great gifts but his favorite by far was the Bike from Grammy and Papa, Mom and Grandma B.G. that we picked up after the party at Toys are us. The look on his face was priceless, he was speachless which as everyone knows doesn't happen often. Enjoy the pictures.

Halloween

Well as you all know from the abundance of ghosts and goblins (or maybe princesses and pirates )haunting your neighborhoods last week demanding candy we have survived another Halloween with out any major tricks. This year we had Zack dressed as the grim reaper or something of that vein. He traded in his sickle for a chain saw and had to have a scary mask which he then didn't want to wear when we finally went out trick or treating, and Taryn who is getting too old for this was a Goth Cheerleader. I had my annual Costume party at work and went as the Tattoo lady, then ended up giving tattoos to the kids who came with their parents. here are a few pictures for you all.

Wild Fires

We are fine the fires seem to be staying in the mountain areas and the area we are isn't even close. WE are getting a bit of ash in the air and we are watching that cause of my breathing issues but not to worry everything is pretty much business as usual in our family. I will up date this entry if there is more info later.

Coming to Columbus Part 2 - The info

Hey all the Kids will be in Columbus with their Dad starting Saturday December 15th and leaving on Sunday the 23rd. We are going to try to pack light so there is room for them to bring home presents but it's winter in Columbus it could snow or be 80 who knows. If anyone wants info on how to see the kids while they are there just let me know and I will call you.

Coming to Columbus

Some have asked when we are planning our next trip to Columbus and the answer is Christmas, sort of. We are in the process of trying to find affordable airfare for the kids to come out to Columbus. And it looks like it will be for the week before Christmas from about the 14th to the 23rd. I will keep you all posted when i know more. I don't know when I will be coming out next but I would love for anyone to come visit us out here. We even have a Hotel within walking distance of our house.

Birthday Bash in San Francisco

Well my weekend was amazing. My Friends blindfolded me and put me in a rented car and I wasn't allowed to take off the blind fold until it was dark and we were in the middle of now where. They took me to San Francisco. We left here at about six and took the inland route which had us getting into town about 11:30 then we went out to a bar with one of Tina's friends that lives in Oakland. What a blast we didn't make it to the Hotel and to sleep until 5 am. ( I had been up for 24 hours by then )We then got back up again at 8 am to go see the sites. We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and stopped at the observation area on the far side to take pictures and walk out on the bridge a bit. Wow what a view, you could see Alcatraz out in the middle of the bay and it is hard to believe anyone could swim that far to freedom. For lunch we went to Fisherman's Wharf and the girls had Clam Chowder while I had Chili, it was the best and the bread bowl it was in was sooo fresh and crunchy. We walked around the wharf for a bit and then took a trolley to union square park. the ride was great and we got some really good pictures of the city. (I will post them later) By then it was 3 and we were about to crash so we went back to the Hotel to take a nap. 2 hours later we were out again for dinner at this little Chinese fusion place we happened on, and then to the strip to find a club to go dancing. Wow it was nothing like I am used to in Hollywood but it was fun and we closed the place down at 2:30. after a little IHOP it was finally to bed again at 5am only to have to get up at 9ish to head home. I would love to go back again but take a little more time so I can see more and take the time to take a trip to Alcatraz. But all and all it was the best Birthday I have had in a looong time. Next time it needs to be Las Vegas.

Smart kids

Wow we just got lots of good news here, Zack is top of his class by leaps and bounds in Math and as a non teacher I was concerned about his reading but I found out last night he isn't doing to bad in that either. Way to go Zack
And Taryn well we have know for ever that she was smart but we found out that last years standardized testing she was the only kid in the school to score advanced in science. The only one in the entire school wow. And they are looking into her grades at her new school to see if she should be moved to Gifted classes. Cross or fingers that they see the potential in her that we do.
As for me well I have found that I am being taken away for my birthday weekend, Thank you mom for watching the kids, I have no idea where My friends are taking me but I leave Friday afternoon and come back Sunday. The only problem is that Everyone know but me, all my friends , my mom, her people at work, Taryn and now even my brother Steve knows. They are all teasing me. Oh well they may know but I will get to do it. I will tell more when I know more.

Busy Bees create pain

Wow I went from sitting on my butt watching T.V. to not getting a night off. My calander at work looks like an add for post-it notes. Monday I had a parents meeting for Zack's new Tiger Cub Den (The littlest boyscouts for you that don't know), Tuesday night we had to go to get his uniform man thoese things can get expensive.But he loves it all so it is worth it. Yesterday we were supposed to have open house at Taryn's school but they postponed it again, unfortunatly Taryn didn't tell us until after we had all rushed home and went over to the school. Oh well thats life. Tonight is the First Den meeting for Zack he will get to meet all the new boys and who knows what else is in store. TGIF I have nothing planned tomorrow except resting and going to bed early Saturday is our annual 10k at Manhatten Beach. Mom, Taryn, and I are walking and Zack is having a overnight with friends of mom's then they are meeting us at the Home Town Fair afterwards. Zack's Boyscout Pack will be there so he should have a good time even if it is mostly shopping. Then Saturday night is Girls Night Out Should be fun I haven't been out in way too long. But next weekend is my Birthday. I don't know what is planned but I will give you the details when it is over.

The Grind and other daily activities

As you can tell buy the dates on this I am not too good at writing on a regular basis. It has been two weeks and well other than driving around with the kids a lot not much has happened. New shows have been coming on and we are getting into the swing of sitting on our butts for the T.V. viewing season. Unfortunally I have not been getting to the Gym as much as I should but I will slowing get back there. Tonight is Taryn's first Girls Scout meeting and I think I will take the time to go look for a cute outfit for my birthday. Tina and the Girls are taking me out though I have no idea what there plans are they won't tell me, it is a surprise. I have been looking into BoyScouts for Zack and hope to hear something soon. Taryn's Catalina trip went great and she will be going to Big Bear this winter to do some winter camping ( in a lodge ) I also work with a women who has a vacation house up there so we might be going up for a weekend as a family sometime too. Wow snow for the first time in two and a half years. I might be ready for it.

All that Drama

Well we made it almost trhough the first two weeks of school with only a bit of hair pulling and crying.
Taryn still isn't sure about her new school or classes but it is early and all they seem to be doing is passing out books and learning the rules for middle school. She has a couple friends from last year and is even keeping up with Abby her BFF from last year who goes to a different school. This weekend marks the return to Girl Scouts with a Camping trip to Catalina Island, they leave Friday evening and come back Sunday afternoon but they get to ride the ferry over and once there they will get to swim and explore I can't wait to here more about it they haven't told us too much yet. And starting in two weeks we start our now bi monthly meetings, last year it was only once a month on wednesday evening and it tended to get lost in the shuffle for quite a few over commited kids but this year with it being pretty much everyother week we will hopefully remember it better. The only problem is that it is on Friday nights from 7-9 hey people some of us work and on friday nights I like to lounge on my butt in front of the T.V. or go out with my friends. Oh well I guess I can handle it twice a month.
Zack is starting to grow up and really come into his own. He just started 1st grade and we think he is doing ok so far. Though he has had a few problems with sitting still all day and even worse he isn't allowed to play on the play structure at school every day. They have so many kids they split the playground by zones and you are allowed in a different zone each day. He is also at this point in an afterschool program run by the rec center but we are not sure that this is the best fit of the kiddo. Too much sitting we are currently checking into the program at the school where he will just be able to play the entire time. So far he hasn't had any homework but we have been told that will change. Zack is the hit of the neighborhood he has friends from Kinderage to 7th graders that love to hang out in our back yard. Playing on the Trampoline and having water fights is the best. though the poor dog thinks it stinks since he gets shut in the house with me. ( he gets to hyper - definatly Zack's dog).
And me well not much happens in my life I work and drive the kids around. We try to do fun thing on the weekends but after the errends and cleaning it doesn't happen as much as we would like. We did go to the tide pools a couple weeks ago, though the tide was a little to high but the kids had fun exploring anyway. But back to me I still go out some on the weekends to play in Hollywood with my friends. We have just started a Girls night out where we will be switching off who plans and picks our saturday night. and so far it has been fun last weekend we went to the O Bar a trendy restaurant in Hollywood then we went to a House Party another friend was DJing in west LA. we all had lots of funn and the change from our previous club hopping was welcome. Our next outing is on the 22nd with Andrea in charge so i will tell you about it then. I am already trying to figure out where I will pick when my name gets picked out of the hat. Not being a native it is a little harder for me to plan than the others but so far the surfing for ideas has been fun.

Oh and not to forget with OSU football back on Mom is spending her Saturdays at the Bar on the Beach " On the Rocks" with the Southern California OSU Allumni Association Bunch cheering the Buckeyes to victory.

Summer 07 almost over

Well we are just a few short days til the end of summer as the kids no it cause school starts next week. But looking back even though we didn't go anywhere this year we had a pretty exciting time. The kids were enrolled in a summer day camp program run by the City rec center and they had a blast. Every week they went to the Farmers market and Library an Wednesday and Friday they went to the local pool where Taryn was free do go anywhere and though Zack isn't tall enough yet to go into the deep end by himself he did pass his swimming test and was allowed to go off the diving boards. But even though that sounds good to me it was Thursdays that had me wanting to skip work and be a kid again. I will run down from the top the list of places they went. El Captain in Hollywood to see Ratatouille and eat at the Kodak Theater food court. Knotts Berry Farms Water Park, Angels Baseball game, Salt Water Swimming pool down at the Redondo Pier, Knotts Berry Farm Amusement Park, and tomorrow the are going to Universal Studios Theme Park. There are a couple other place I can't think of right now but needles to say WOW.
And not to be forgotten the kids Dad can to visit them last week. They are always glad to visit with their dad but were very sorry not to get to see the rest of the family and friends in Ohio this year but we are looking into a Christmas visit.

As for me I have also had an interesting summer working, working and more working. Oh and then their was my Deviated Septum surgery and week off recuperating. All went well with that and I can now breath through my nose for the first time in my life. Though I have to teach myself to do it now. My week off I spent reading and laying in the sun, it would have made a pretty good vacation if My nose wasn't dripping and I hadn't had a headache most of the time but hey I was not complaining, much. Other than that I went out clubbing with my friends in Hollywood and though I still haven't seen anyone famous I have been some very interesting places.

I best get back to work now I will holla at you all soon and I promise I will attach some pictures too.

Busy Busy Weekend

Hello all well it is Monday yet again and wow what a busy weekend we had here. Thursday Taryn's Iguana Iggy died so sometime this week we will be out looking for a new friend for her. Saturday Morning Mark came out to visit the kids. We have found that flying Skybus into Burbank may be a little more of a drive but the air fare is much cheaper so it works for us. Saturday night I had a Birthday party for a friend to go to, we rented a Party bus and she got a table at one of the clubs in Hollywood, it was a lot of fun a couple people got really drunk but all in all it was a blast. Sunday Mom and I went to visit my Uncle Sheridan with Aunt Marilyn. It was ok but man I was tired I hadn't gotten in until like 4 the night before and I was on the road again by 10am. Now it is Monday and I am at work wishing for a pillow and dreading going to a dentist appointment this afternoon. Oh well it is almost over and at least this week I am not sick like last week.

First of many

Honestly I don't know where to begin. As any one reading this knows we have been in California for 2 yaers now and lots of things are changing at this time.
School will be starting again for both of the kids and this year marks a major change for both kids.
Zack will be starting 1st grade and out here that meens his first year of full day school. He will also be going to an afterschool program run by the community rec center, so he will have lots to share in a few weeks.
Taryn is in 6th grade can you believe it she will be starting middle school and again for the fourth time in as many years she will be going to a new school. Luckily she has meet some older kids who go to the school through the summer camp they were in and from the neighborhood. Taryn as usual is very excited to start school so we will just wait to hear how it goes.

Check out the kids schools at www.pearyms.org and www.186streetschool.org

I am doing fine the job is a job and well I have some friends I go out with on the weekends.

I will post pictures soon and tell you more about what we are up to.