Holy Blogness!!!!!!!

Pace yourself, this is going to be the mother of all posts.  I know it has been a while since the last, but I can explain...I've been gone.  Like, haven't been in my house for longer than 36 hours since October 1st.  So let's catch up on what we have been doing on our fall break!

Join me in a picture walk....

Welcome back to the Magic Kingdom...it's been a while since we were here and we were so excited to be back!!!

First ride of the day!  Alice in Wonderland.

He's pretty excited too.

Tea Cups early in the morning, not a fantastic idea....but someone has to go with them!

Look at us...one the train!!  And more importantly this is a huge deal because this entire trip was STROLLER FREE!!!  Let me say that again....STROLLER FREE!!!  It was fantastic!!!  We used the train a lot!  The freedom of not having the stroller is amazingly liberating.

The second of firsts for this trip was that we were finally able to use our time share and stay at the villas at the Grand Californian.  It was amazing!  The best part about staying here was that I had to run back to our room to get jackets one night and from the back of California Adventure to our room was seven minutes.  Mommy likes that!

And another first...we actually used the pool!  Very fun!

And I went down this water slide.  Officially my first water slide ride since 7th grade.  it was so much fun, but when I realized that I was the only one over the age of 13 doing it, I made it a solo run.

The boys loving our room!

Little bit more room to move around and the mini kitchen was heaven especially since we bring a lot of food with us.

The view from our room.  I absolutely loved that we could hear all the people and music throughout the day.  We had a bet going the first night on whether the lights in the park would be on all night.  Only a few were on. 

Taking advantage of the balcony and having a snack!

Goofy's Sky School turned out to be our favorite "new" ride of the trip.  Ryan was so brave to go on  it and loved it!

It did not take long for them to pull out the bed from the couch and "rest".

Because we were staying at our new place, we got early entry to California Adventure.  Here are the boys mapping out where we were off to first...you know, like they haven't been there before.

Gorgeous day!

Me falling behind as these three race off to Toy Story Mania! 

Rich and Matt on the Ferris Wheel for the first time.  Not such a good ride for people who get motion sickness...just sayin'. 

My boy right before Goofy's Sky School.  The hair is growing on me...cutie!!!!

Lunch break at one of our favorite restaurants.

The Angry Birds shirts that made an appearence nightly.

LOOK WHO'S FINALLY BIG ENOUGH FOR THE ROPE SWING!!!  WOOOHOOO!!!

Matthew was chosen to do the Jedi training.  We thought he would challenge Darth Vader, but it turned out that it was Darth Maul.

Preparing....

Sword training...

The battle...

After a gorgeous start to the vacation, rain moved in on little vacation.  Our first ride in the front of the monorail.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

 After Ryan had been to see him several times, the family finally all went at once.

Hey look!!!!  FRIENDS!!!!  We met up with the Flemmer's on the last day of our trip!  Here is Matt and Ryan with Kendall and Lauren!!

Look at this group!  Half of them were prepared for the weather!  As much as we would have loved to spend more of the day with them, we were SOAKED and had to leave.  It was to the point of becoming miserable.  Luckily for them over the next couple of days the weather got better.  However I want a make-up trip...we need to do this again!

Great overall trip to the Mouse's House.

Change of gears....we came home Wednesday night from Disneyland and then Friday morning I left for West Virginia!!

Look who I got to spend a few days with!!!

On Saturday we went to lunch at one of Noelle and Greg's favorite restaurants.  I love this picture for two reasons...1. She's so damn cute!  2.  It screams..."All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!"

At her favorite place on earth...the children's section at Barnes and Noble.

A view from Noelle's back deck!

On Sunday Noelle and I headed to Pittsburgh to do a little shopping.  I brought my camera from school on the trip and did not take a single picture with it.  I have a new phone that decent pictures, so I found myself just using it.  And, prepare yourself...they are all taken from the car at a high speed!

Here is the stadium where the Pirates play.

A pretty bridge...

Heinz Field.  It was a game day and the place was rockin'.  Here is a crazy thing on game day EVERYONE, I MEAN EVERYONE wears Steelers shirts!  Or they are have on black and yellow, I have never seen anything like it. 

Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory

 Noelle's fish tacos..

Our dessert...pumpkin pecan cheesecake.

 Another view of Heinz Field.

I took a TON of pictures of the landscapes of Pennsylvania and West Virginia not only because with the leaves changing for fall, but because when we were here two years ago in March...the place did not look like this!!  There was not a leaf on a tree and all the rolling hills were brown because the snow had melted and the grass was dead!   I am happy to report it redeemed itself with the views this time. 

On Monday we went to a place call Ali Baba.  It was Mediterranean food....located at the Morgantown Airport.  No joke!  This picture was taken from the window by our booth!

 This is Ali Baba...

Noelle's lunch, she tries things more than me!!!

Gyro for me!

Matt was disappointed we didn't eat at his favorite place.

Me and the BIG SIX YEAR OLD!!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE!!!!!!!

Tidbits

• Two more days until vacation.  I told my class yesterday, "I love you all, but I need a break from you so that I can like you again."
• Last night, Matthew did the entire shower process by himself.  My boys have been doing baths and showers by themselves for a while now, but last night was different.  Last night he washed his hair by himself!!!  Huge night for the mom who is beckoned nightly to the shower to wash his mop.  I watched him do it last night...right amount of shampoo, right amount of scrubbing, and right amount of rinse.  I walked away slapping my hands together in a joyous tone singing...YES, YES, YES!!!
• It's conference week at school.  I can almost see the finish line, eleven more to go!
• A shout out to all parents who make a conference appointment and actually keep it!!!  It's appreciated.  Thank you, All Teachers of America.
• And speaking of conferences, will the Matthew Marini who is the ideal student in Room 25 everyday please tell the Matthew Marini of his household to share the goods.  Thank you, Your Mother and Father.
• The last three Sundays I have worn my pajamas all day and watched football all day long on the couch with my boys.  Not proud, just truth.
• And finally....EIGHT MORE DAYS UNTIL I AM IN WEST VIRGINIA WITH MY SISTER!!!!!!  Can you tell I'm excited????

License and Registration, Please.

Uhhh!  I don't know how this started.  I have no idea when it started.  All I know is that it has become a fixation and it needs to stop before it gets even MORE embarrassing.

So, a while back we were driving in the car and Matthew asked, "Why haven't you changed your sticker?"  I looked at him in the rear view mirror and said, "What sticker?  What are you talking about?"  He said, "You know, your 2011 sticker, the one that is on your license plate."  What???  "Oh, that sticker.  Um, I'm not sure.  Probably when my registration is due."   Then the conversation started of him asking what is registration, why do you have to pay for it, how often do you have to pay, when do you get the sticker and why does it come in the mail.  You know, all necessary questions for a seven year old to know in order to get on with his day.  I thought we were done with it.  So not the case....

It seems like every car we pass, whether it is in the Target parking lot or while actually driving down the road, he is paying attention to EVERY ONE'S registration.  "That one is May, that one is January, that one isn't until December."  It's like driving with a cop, who is only working for the DMV. 

Then one day he asked, "Why do some people have different months?"  I told them that it depends on what month the car was bought and that is usually the month the registration is due.  I told him that every year during that month, people have to pay the Department of Motor Vehicles to "have permission" to drive their car. (Regardless if that is right...it's my story for him and I'm sticking to it)  Of course there was a lapse of about three minutes in the conversation with dead silence and then he said, "Well, so, if it's 2011 and their month has already passed and they still have a 2011 sticker...what does that mean?"  Well crap...  "Um, it usually means that maybe they just forgot to put their sticker on or maybe they haven't paid the DMV yet and that's why they don't have their sticker."  Dead silence.... Then he says, "Well, what happens if the police see that they don't have the sticker?"  I say, "Well, maybe the police just ask them if they haven't put their sticker on yet.  If they don't have it to put on, then sometimes the police give them a ticket."  Out of nowhere, Ryan chimes in, "HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN A TICKET????"  I assure him that I haven't and the conversation is over.

In all of this education of the laws of registration, never in my wildest imagination did I think the kid would remember any of it.  Which is my own fault, because as he always says, "I've got the best brain in the family for memory."  Which, he's kind of right....my memory sucks!!  Unless we are talking mindless TV and movie trivia, then I'm your girl!!! 

Here's where it has backfired. 

About a week ago we are getting out of my car at school.  Walking in, passing all the cars in the parking lot as we do every morning, when it happens.  "Mom!!!  Look, *^$&%#$ (name omitted due to confidentiality) has a 2011 sticker and their month is March!  MARCH MOM!  I need to tell them that they need to pay their registration so they won't get in trouble.  I'm going to go find them now."  Me (screaming) "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"  He doesn't get it.  I wait until we are in my classroom to explain to him that it is not our business, I am sure there is a perfectly good explanation as to why they haven't put their sticker on and I remind him again to stay out of it!!

It's September.  My registration month is October.  The boy has been asking DAILY about when am I going to get my sticker because it is almost October and he.....can't.....stand.....it!!!!!!  Finally, it came.  Rich came home the other day, walked through the door holding the mail and told Matt the good news....my registration was finally here.  Every night he asks...."When Dad?  When can we put it on???"  Believe me, his brain will function well again when that sticker is finally put on.  Saturday morning a time has been set for the sticking of the sticker and all will be good again in Matthew's world.

Welcome to the insight of the Marini Family.....We can't make this sh*% up!

Weekend Fun!

We had our first weekend in a while with no sports...YEAH!  Don't get me wrong, I love the sports and the boys playing...it's the laundry and "stuff" that comes with me bring prepared and ready to leave the house at 8:30 and not come back until 1:00.

This weekend Mike and Stacy came up with the kids.  Mikayla got Taylor Swift tickets for her birthday and the concert was Saturday night.  She brought up a friend to go with her, Stacy and Nana.  They had an absolute blast at the concert and Mikayla looked so darling all dressed up for her big night!

Funny story...Ryan was SO excited (Matt too--but Ryan more so) that Mason and everyone else (yes, in that order) were coming up to Lodi.  He knew that Sharon, Stacy and Mikayla were going to be gone and I was the only girl that was going to be home.  He kept saying, "Mom, it's a boys weekend.  You're not invited, you know, because you are a girl."  I told him I was fine with that...I was more than happy to spend a nice quiet evening to myself.  What was hilarious is that Ryan repeatedly said, "It's going to be me, Mason, me, Matt, Daddy, me, Uncle Mike, Papa, and me."  He was definitely NOT going to be left out of boys weekend!

Here is Mikayla and her friend looking fab for the concert!  So grown up!

Here is all the girls right before they left!  Sooo cute!

My favorite...I just love this girl!

And these turkeys!!  Don't they just look like trouble!

One of the few times they were all together!  Love!

THANKS TO AUNTIE STACY FOR THE PICTURES!!!  :)

It's a "Hairy" Situation

Matthew 1....Mom 0.  That's the score in our house with regards to the new "hairdo".  I have not been shy about my objection to the longer look of his hair.   And he has not been shy about his objection to my objection.  Bottom line, I lost and the hair isa' growin'.  I am very fond of the hair when it is brushed to the side and takes on that "Bieber-ish" look, but let's face it...he's a boy and the minute he runs off to the playground it is back in his face again.  Oh well...it is the hill I have chosen not to climb.

What I do have to share is a picture that Rich's mom recently found an gave me.  It is of Rich (obviously) when he was younger, sporting the EXACT cut.  I love it!

Just sayin'...they might share the same DNA.  :)

GEAUX SAINTS!!!!

Are you ready for some football?????  We are!!!  Last weekend kicked off Matt's new flag football season! I missed last weekend, but this weekend I was prepared with my camera.  He played the entire game, had a great catch on a punt return, and came home and passed out! 

The headband is necessary or else his hair will be in his eyes!  Oh, and the black marking underneath apparently very necessary, "Because that's what the pros' use Mom!"

This year it  is a little different with referees and flags being thrown for penalties.

One of the first runs of the day.

Andres is SO close!!!

And down he goes!!  Luckily the cowboy player was caught.

Tired and hot!  Gonna be a long season!

GEAUX SAINTS!!!  (That's for you Auntie Noelle)  ;)

Girls Weekend!

*Be patient with the song...it will make sense in a little bit.

You know you are looking forward to going somewhere when you are packed and ready to go (minus bathroom room stuff) two days before you actually leave.  That was me last Wednesday...packed and ready to head to Tahoe.  In fact, not only was I packed, I might have already been mentally there Thursday and Friday...just saying.

Friday afternoon Emilie came into town long enough to meet the Notorious TED, pick me up, pick Melissa up and head up the mountain for our getaway.  Melissa had invited us to go up to her family's house and we were not going to miss the chance to do so!! 

Here's our "pad" for the weekend.

Right after we got there we put the pregnant woman to work making dip while we sipped our beverages.  I felt kind of bad....just kind of . :)

About 10 or so years ago we all came up here for a weekend and I love that if I posted a picture from back then...the living room would look identical. 

Shout out to the Marini Family!!!!!  Hello old friend!!!!!! 

Funny story...the weekend way back when us girls came up we were outside getting ready to go somewhere and we see this red Trans Am drive by...it was Rich.  He was there for the celebrity gold tournament and his cabin was right down the street from Melissa's family's place.  It was so crazy that at the time I knew two people who had places in Tahoe and they were both located on the same street. 

Here is me getting a closer picture of the cabin.  I had to be careful because there was a man inside watching me take the pictures and let's be honest...that's spooky.  Crazy girl doing drive by shootings is probably not to common up there! 

Gordie on a walk with Melissa and I.  He was BEYOND good.  Such a sweet puppy!!!!

After our walk we headed down to a beach...which the name escapes me...and had a very relaxing lunch.

And the view wasn't too shabby either!

Melissa and Emilie...soakin' up some sun!

It was definitely a hat day!!!

Later that night we decided to go to a nice dinner and then to the casinos.  As we were getting ready Melissa had her iPod playing.  (Back story---We we used to live in Chico together, there was ALWAYS music playing.  Mostly from Melissa, but it seemed like someone always had their stereo on.  And what I love about these two girls is that they are 80's music FREAKS!!!  They have been to every Def Leppard concert east of the Colorado border.  Bottom like--they have good taste in music)  As we are getting ready, singing along to every song that comes on, it hits me....BEST PLAYLIST EVER!!!  What then sent me over the edge was when the song "Lookin' for Love" from the movie Urban Cowboy came on I ran to the bottom of the staircase and screamed to Melissa...."BEST PLAYLIST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Who???  Who???  Other than me and my sister...who would possibly ever put this on their iPod????  MELISSA!!!!!!!!  She is my playlist goddess!!!

We went to a great restaurant called the Riva Grill.  Nice view for a late Saturday night dinner!

Thanks girls for a great weekend!  Emilie I hope you had a relaxing weekend before chaos ensues with the addition of another boy to the Eliasen Family!  And Melissa thank you for opening your home to us and planning a great weekend!  xoxo

Ryan's Soccer!!

First of all....let me knock on wood...he has played in every game so far.  I think we were ALL holding our breath these past couple of weeks.  Would this be the game he decides he's done?  Would we have to resort...AGAIN...to promising him everything just short of a brand new car when he is 16 to play five minutes of a game???  Because we came close last season, very close!

We are three weeks in and we have three weeks to go.  There has not been a "green socks" sighting yet...but, we think we'll play him soon.  There has been a "you know that number 4 kid" and a "that kid with long hair like Matthew".  These are all opponents that he has played against and thinks about after games.  We discuss them at length during the week and I do my best to assure him that we either won't be playing them again OR that he will be fine playing against them if they do meet again by chance.  These are the conversations we have all week....ALL week, I say!

Morning warm-ups.  He looks....well, you decide for yourself.

Fyi---"Boy with long hair like Matthew" is the one to the left.  He was quick, very quick!

Every time Ryan had a break away, "boy with long hair like Matthew" was right there.

Yeah...it was that hot.

Ryan with his teammate Zoe.  Her dad is the coach and he is fabulous and soooo good with the kids.

Yep, there he is again.  I found myself yelling..."Ryan...Man on, man on!!!"  Then it occurred to me...he doesn't know what the hell I am talking about and that this is TOT SOCCER!!!  I need help.

Score one for number 7!

Oy Vey!!

My cup runneth over.  Not only has it runneth over, it's dripping off the counter and there is a puddle on the floor.  Too much going on a once makes Mommy a little off her rocker.  I feel a little rest in the horizon, so all should be well shortly.

My sister and Natalie were here for two weeks!!! It was Noelle's 20 year reunion and so it was the perfect excuse for her to come out for the visit! We had so much fun, doing nothing really, just hanging out and being together.  Toward the end of the trip when I would walk into my mom's house, Natalie would take me back to the front door as to tell me to leave because she had figured out that every time I showed up, I usually left and took Noelle with me.  She was done with us having our outings!!


Ryan...right smack dab in the middle of Natalie's "book display".  Doesn't he look guilty of something????

My sweet girl!!!  I stole as many kisses as possible.

The annual "lets put them together and hope one turns out" picture!

Noelle and Natalie!!

Don't be fooled by these next two shots....they only want ONE thing and they are trying to use their charm to get it.

The ipad for Angry Birds supersized!!!  Even though they loved Angry Birds, we held some pretty serious Yahtzee games as well.  Matthew hates to lose, so after Nana posted the highest score, he was in the zone!

Love!!  Love this picture!!  The boys and Noelle right before she left for her reunion.

Noelle and Lynn!!!!

Me and my girl!!!

And in all of this craziness....SCHOOL STARTED!!!!  Shortest summer ever!

Just look at that face...still somewhat asleep...isn't he darling!!!  Ryan started on the same day as Matthew and I, so I took Matt and Daddy took Ryan.



The big third grader!  He's still cute...but I am losing the hair battle.  He REFUSES to cut it and I have no clue whether I have any rights to shave it while he's asleep. 

In mom's classroom waiting patiently for the bell to ring!

And finally...the best picture from the visit!!!  Yep, we got lucky!!!!



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I am literally spinning out of control with so much going on.  Let me get through my sister leaving, the start of school, Back to School Night, and the 14 piles of laundry I have...then I'll be back.  Promise!  Ciao.