HAPPY THANKGIVING ALL

Wow, allot has happened in the last week, Dax is off shopping right now so I thought I needed to get caught up on the blogging. This is the time of the year I start falling behind again. I hope to post some pictures as well. Last Sa. we had our typical basketball game schedule for Jake and at the same time Tanner had a Tae Kwon Do Tournament. I took on Jake's game and Dax went to Tanner's Tournament. I got to the competition just in time for Tanner's sparring. he took first. he took second in forms and board breaking. Then Sat night we went to dinner with some friends for my early birthday(It's this Sunday) We went to Melting Pot. That was the start of my bad eating for the week let me tell you. I really do not remember eating so much in one sitting. My goal for the week was to put in extra running miles to make up for all the food I plan to eat. Dax is usually either working from home or off Thanksgiving week so all we do is eat eat eat. We took advantage of the gorgeous weather Sunday and went to the field to play with the dog and finally let Jake play with his rocket, I actually got it on video and it was funny you can hear me shrieking when it actually took off. we ran into a couple obstacles while setting up and i didn't think it was going to work. This week was such a short week while Dax worked i got things done here. got the xmas stuff out to get ready to decorate did some baking. Tanner turned 13 on Tuesday so we went to his favorite place to eat and had a small birthday for him here. he is going to have a friend b-day next week after the holiday. he was happy to get the new guitar hero for the Wii and already finished the game. he got money a pretty cool book from his Grandma and more money and Lego's. We had his favorite ice cream cake so for my officially teenager he seemed pretty happy. I just found out that the school had gotten a grant and he is excited about some new after school activities that isn't just sports. i am too i never want my kids to rely just on sports to get them places.. grades and other interests are good too so i am pretty happy. he wants to do the finance class in Jan. and his friend is starting a juggling club. i would still love to See a debate club going as well. Wed. was a baking day and seeing my friends new preemie baby who just got home in time for the holiday. we choose to stay at home and just have us for Thursday, with Dax being on call we thought it would be the easiest plus with him being gone so long i wanted to just be us four. I make the pies and Carmel rolls the night before. i start Thursday am with a traditional track run. this year we did one hour of 200/100 meter sprints. (Friday my obliques we so sore) it gets me motivate to cook stress free so it was worth the pain. we always play games on thank giving watch football wear our jerseys the whole thing. Dax loves working on a puzzle as i cook. i made everything homemade as usual and still went all out. i did do a 12 pound bird this year and it still turned out great. i have yet to get a dry bird but i am sure my day will come LOL. I ate so much this week already that i swear my stomach was out a foot..The boys all did the dishes and we enjoyed the rest of the night watching movies.
So Friday comes and i am a ANTI Black FRIDAY PERSON, i have never gone and wont. i feel it takes away from the whole meaning of the holidays. we are into the whole Christmas thing but the gift part we are not. we do do gifts but typically we buy when we need it during the year so we make it for the kids mostly and every year we shop for other families that are less fortunate. we've been blessed through the years and especially this year we see were even more blessed. i know allot of it was from hard work and planning but i also know bad things happen to good people and our goal this year is to focus on the less fortunate. anyway reading the news online about the walmart worker that was stampede just ticked me off. people basically murdered a man to save a few bucks. it just confirms my feelings on black Friday.

Okay off my soap box i'll stop. you know i cannot help myself. but i do think people really forget what xmas is about.

plus sales are going to be crazy all month with the economic crises. now it didn't stop us from shopping a little after 11am. we got some hard drive stuff for the computer. there is no way i am getting up early unless it for a early run LOL!!! So it's Sat. now i think i am caught up. it's my last day as a 38 year old. i may not look it but i feel 29. it's been a good year, allot of growing and learning and i feel we are closer as ever as a family. I feel i am more fit then when i was in my top form many many years ago. i feel i have a good balance in my life. i look forward to my final year as a 30 something. i only see good things for myself as well as my family...
today i get to get my tree. we still cut a fresh one every year. we got all the fall stuff put a way and the Xmas stuff out. it takes a week for me to decorate. tonight it's our traditional zoo lights we are taking our friends with us being they have never been should be a fun day/night. well that's my weekly update hop fully post some photos soon..HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT THANKSGIVING with the ones they love. we all have allot to be thankful for,

Catching up

Trying to think back two weeks and play catch up on here..Got through the October fun craziness and basically crashed by getting the flu bug/baaaad cold that lasted about 2 weeks . i figured it's because i just don't rest like i should. Dax came home 11-8 for 5 days and that was the only time we actually hung out at home and vegged. i forget how nice it is to do that.

when were together were homebodies and love just hanging out playing games, watching movies, going for a short run or walk and maybe getting a bite to eat. i notice that he really calms me. so i did rest i guess.. anyway while he was home, we went to the boys conferences together.
Both boys had great reports. Jake is in the top 5 and is 1st to complete now two math workbooks.(they don't do A-F grading system just yet, he got all +'s) She wants to throw a bit more at him to challenge him so that make me happy. she says he's a great kid to have and makes her laugh. I volunteered in her classroom and have to say she impresses me how she keeps the kids in line. they listen so well and yet she's fun and kind.(my type of lady)

Tanner has done well too. he did break his 4.0 streak this year and of all classes it was ART that gave him the B at 89.4% to be exact. i don't think the teacher liked him either because out of all his teachers he said nothing about Tanner. He only said he turned in his work and he just didn't seem all that friendly to me. I was worried about Pre-algebra but his teacher was so nice and friendly and really enjoys Tanner. Anyway his other teachers were great.I was told Tanner is quite the writer and I notice he is really into writing short stories here at home. I just wish we had more to offer our kids here.More writing courses, There's no student council, no debate or chess club or any clubs. Tanner decide not to play B-ball this year and i have to say i am glad they put 30 kids on the"B" team and the "A" team coach they hired doesn't set a good example he also only takes the kids he actually likes.(good old boy network in play) so the 'B' team kids have to split up there games between them not fair if you ask me especially when you pay $50.00 a sport.. okay back on task about our weekend.. sorry I always get heated on the political sports thing I think it's the only time I get a little riled up I am always about all the kids...

Dax was able to watch Tanner's soccer game(he only got to a few games this year) and they WON yeah.. Tanner played well as always and made allot of great assists. (he plays right midfield) i didn't take pics because it was the 1st downpour rain they had since the season started.
We then went to Jake's 1st b-ball game that was fun and it was nice to sit and be a bystander, however i am tempted to "coach" the kids. it was fun seeing some familiar faces from soccer. i got lots of hugs that day:0) It was still storming so it was the perfect time to have grilled cheese(Tillimook of course) soup and hot cocoa. we watched "get smart" together and then we had a harvest party to go to that evening. Sunday we had a party to go to but most of the day was spent recuperating. Dax left Monday so it was back to the grind for me. keeping house, homework, sports driving around. I managed to have a couple lunch dates with friends. when the weather turned nice on Friday i got the chance to really clean up the yard. it looks so nice now. I went to a Zumba work shop Sat. that was a long day of physical and mental work. Learned allot.I need to practice allot to understand this type of Aerobics class, it not as easy as one would think. to do it yes to teach it no. I came home late in the evening to find out Jake played a great game made a basket did some great passing. Tanner played his last soccer game and then went to his party after. Sunday was church and dinner out(HWN BBQ). Today is work catch up and house cleaning although being we have nice weather I am wishing i would have maybe dug out my Christmas light and get those up. I found out my parents are coming DEC 6Th so I am hoping we have Christmas set up before they come out. Dax comes back Thursday until the 1st, then the 20Th permanently.. Anyway I almost want to take it easy until Thursday i just started feeling better this weekend and don't want to relapse. well that's about it on this end. I think we are caught up for now anyway. since the month started these are the only pictures I have taken...











Dax was so Happy to hear Jake read. His teacher from last year said he could read but wouldn't read for us all summer. Well I found out why. Because another kid in his class last year was a faster reader than Jake. so Jake just wouldn't do it. Suddenly we start 1st grade now he wont stop reading.. He reads to Dax almost each night on the phone. I think Dax was happy to sit with him in person. I LOVE IT!!!

Last Soccer Game for Jake

I had so much fun this Season Coaching Soccer. When they originally asked me to coach i wasn't so sure.Even though it's my boys favorite sport to play, my knowledge is limited and geared towards older kids. In my line of work i tend to push people to work there hardest, i didn't want to be that drill Sargent to the kiddos. I was hoping i would be able to balance love for the game, fun for the kids, but also to learn and understand some skills/rules that they will need later on. Plus being mom and dad right now with a busy schedule i wasn't sure i could balance it all. Well the parents really stepped out and helped. i had preplanned a couple of weekends out of town before i planned on coaching. We had to change fields in the middle of the season, but everyone was understanding and went with the flow. I could not have asked for better parents and especially better kids... They were just a great bunch and really wanted to learn about the game. They really worked on there passing and communication and it showed. If i knew i could get the same kids i probably would coach again, I do want to learn about the game more.. Tanner is thinking about getting into reffing when he can to earn some money, so it would be good to understand all the rules of this great game. Considering we are in Oregon we only had rain a few times and it was light drizzle, we lucked out and had great weather this season. After our final game it was off to the local pizza joint for pizza, trophies and cake. I got a surprise when the team mom gave me a gift certificate for a massage... WOW..She doesn't realize what a gift that is for me.. I try to go once a month but actually should get in more so this is perfect. I'll miss this season it has allot of great memories for me...Well Tuesday BASKETBALL STARTS....

Part 2

(me Laura and Diane)My Friend Diane gets so creative too. she also plays the part of her character the hunch back(she's also the BEST cake maker and decorator)it was too funny..


The 2nd party was later in the evening and i stopped by for just a few minutes. it was a adult costume party and a little risky so not many pictures of that one. There was a Joe the Plumber though. i didn't get a picture of him but it was funny on his back he had written. i am not licenced. and had a heart with Sara Palin's name in the middle. he did the bald head cap and a goatee it was too funny. My neighbors were looking sharp as hippies and it actually fit there personality it was cool... Well it was a fun way to end the month of October.. For as busy as it was it was all for fun... I want to enjoy the years of when the boys are young, Tanner is getting to the age where I wont get to do all these things so i am Milking it for every thing now. I have at least 4-5 years more with Jake..I ask the boys if they had a fun weekend and they both said YES.. They were so good. they got up and were ready for church and everything, then Tanner was working on his homework before we had to leave. Must be that extra hour of sleep they got.LOL

2 parties in one night!!

This room was neat for the kids. they had fog and a bubble machine with glow in the dark bubbles.. how cool is that?


I could post 25 pictures of this night but i wont do that... The 1st party was soo fun. My friend has done this party for 11 years now and they go all out.. they invite everyone and they transform there basement into a festive good time. They have tons of games.. Foos ball,pool, video games ping pong, air hockey. we do karaoke and dance. the best thing about this party is they always gear it towards the kids, they ask you not to dress scary but dress up(you don't they have boxes of stuff they WILL dress you in. Dax likes going to this party so it was a little bitter sweet. (he dressed as Earl 2 years ago before"my name is earl became such a hit) and when i saw the photo album of that year and him i was a little sad..Our plan was to be Zorro and a Spanish dancer. on the computer today though he said allot of people in Taiwan are dressing like sad clowns so now he wants us to do that next year. So the theme at my friends party was "The Bail out" so not only they were decorated for Halloween they also had money everywhere and games that were rigged not to win the big money but a negative number.. it was tooo funny. DJ again was creative and became a Executive of AIG.. all dressed for his Spa day..Too funny. Michele became Twister..so many fun costumes.. the food is always way good. lots of hot dishes, chili and appetizers. again i pigged out and my stomach ached for the rest of the evening..
The kids had a blast and this is always the party I try not to ever miss.. next year will be better having it the day before Halloween....





I always get a kick out of guys dressing like girls.. it just cracks me up but Dax wont do it for anything...


I love the dollar sign shorts this was ultra creative...

HALLOWEEN 08

Tanner a marine zombie(GPA Boyle supplied the shirt, Dad supplied the Cammie's.. We have Sea bags full if you ever need gear). Jake a ninja(supplied by Tanner 2003 costume)...Can't beat Free! Tanner had to paint his face Scary though but i say he didn't do too bad, he may have a future in special effects.
Jake and Caleb (our good friends nephew)I miss that age so much!
scary house!!!
Everyone really thought this was some one in disguised to jump at us when we took the candy.. nothing happened but it was a litl suspenseful
our neighbors and good friends getting ready to go
Caleb getting his sugar rush.(he had a blast) he's the sweetest boy reminds me of Jake at that age.
Caleb was in awe of this guy
looking up at Shelby
Tanner and neighbor boys
Candace and Shelby
the Crew
My sons ninja in pose
At Meadow park... Love the Hat!!!
smile Jakie....(LOL)
Fishing game, He went to this and the candy walk twice.
Day time party crew
eating jello gummy treat!
Tye Dye. (my friend was ultra creative)

Our day started with Jake and I going to his friends house for a Halloween party at 10am(no school for us). Leslie went all out they made Tye die pumpkin shirts, they decorated cookies, she made hallow mummies or what i like to call hallo weenies(a tradition we have), made jello gummies and apple cider and cookies. they all took home a goodie bag. It was a fun day planned and was glad to be part of it.
At 1:30 we went to meadow park home to do indoor trick or treating and games. When we moved here 4 years ago we started this tradition of going here. I think it's great for the residence to get to part take in the handing out of candy and seeing all the kids dressed up. The boys always like taking part and know why we take part. Tanner was officially to old this year but I would maybe like to have him do something else there around Xmas time, i may see of the church wants to do a youth activity there.

At 6pm Jake and i made our rounds in our neighborhood. Tanner was picked up by my friends so our older boys can(venture out on there own) We all then met up at Arbor Hill at my other friends house for a get together. They did a taco bar and everyone came and went as they pleased. I found Shelby so then Jake and i Caleb Shelby and Troy all went around the neighborhood then met up at Candace's, with the older kids and hung out til 10pm. Boy I saw so many people it was pretty crowded but fun. Tanner did good on his own and didn't wrecked havoc so he earned some more independence. LOL. It was a perfect night. Rain was predicted however it was clear and warm.. we had a great time. Jake loved the scary houses. Tanner spent a good hour scrubbing his face before i jumped in and suggested vasoline to wash it off before you scrub with just soap.. afterwards he decided NOT to paint up for tomoorows parties...Ohh the candy they brought home.. they even got some large size candy bars. big bags of popcorn, and a large bag of my fave.. Milk duds...about the majority of it gets tossed, i get creative with the candy bars and baking. about 10lbs of it goes to my behind.. LOL!!!

1 dozen cookies and SORRY

That's all we made and all we decorated.. between ALL of the festivities I usually put on 10 of my winter 15(LBS) on October alone, but it's all soooo good...We have been playing a continuous game of Sorry since Thursday. We keep playing SORRY on each other, this game may go on forever...

I always wanted a girl and a boy with a mullet!!!!

This gave us some good laughs Thursday while battling that flu bug!!

I hope you all had a FUN Halloween evening. I know we did. The weather was warm and no Rain.. It turned out perfect.. Will play catch up this week of our fun filled weekend... And by the way, I would never trade my boys in for anything!!!!