And the winners are...................

Colby and Ed were the Overall Winners of the Lad and Dad Baking Competition. Would you expect anything less from my two over-achievers?? Needless to say we were so proud of them. They worked hard on the "Ultimate Smore". They enjoyed working together and had fun making it. Bigger is better right??

Recent Pictures of the Kiddos

Here are some recent pictures of the boys! I just love them to pieces. Hard to believe that Colby is a BIG 1st Grader, Nickolas is on his way to a whole hand (5) and Baby Adam who is not so much of a baby anymore! Enjoy the pics.

Pizza My Heart - Colby's 1st Grade Field Trip - November 5, 2008

I have to say that Pizza My Heart has to be the BEST Field trip ever! You can see this video and judge for yourself. Not only did the kids get a tour of the place. They became employees for the day and were given the standard issue PMH t-shirt. They were throwing the pizza dough in the air and in case you care PMH Blossom Hill are the reigning champions for the pizza dough throwing competition. They say they make up routines to music and compete. Talk about Team Building!! Made me wanna work there! Check this video out! The kids loved it....

After they had the tour and were outfitted....it was down to business they made their very own personal pizza. (Colby's was Peperoni, Cheese, Sauce and Pineapple). They were given a number and when the pizza was done we had a little party! Mrs. Rosete is a fantastic teacher and the kids were so well behaved as usual. Love Her! The parents were also given piping hot pizza too (veggie, combo and another one)! Yummy!

We all had a great time.....before walking back to school I managed to take this group shot!

My Life As A Mom

This is my life in a Nutshell! My Auntie Rose brought this to me last weekend. It was very fitting as we were at a family function however, I was alone with the boys. I usually never venture to family functions solo but this was special and Ed had to work (end of the fiscal year at HP)!

I have been known to be a Spa Junkie. In my past life I used to spend a lot of my time at the Spa. The attorneys that I worked for knew that that was the way to my heart and boy were they right. Now that I am in Mommy land I don't get there as often as I would like but Ed he always takes care of me when I need it......I guess this is me saying that I need it HINT HINT. You know the week that I have had :) I hope that you can all read this and enjoy it! If you want me to e-mail it to you just let me know-

Uncle Paul's Birthday "The Big 50"

We had a fantastic time at Uncle Paul's Birthday Party. We love going to the city. We had a fantastic lunch, followed by cake, we were able to visit with family and friends and took a walk down to the ocean. I can't forget the balloon fight in the front of the house. I would say that was the highlight for the boys! The boys couldn't wait to show Uncle Paul, Adrian and Charlie their costumes. We love your costume Uncle Paul! Adam had fun sitting with Sigrid. My grandpa and Rosel were the only ones missing. We'll have to get together again! Ed was sorry that he had to miss the celebration as he had to work. All in all the boys were behaved and had a fantastic appetite. Uncle Paul spoils them rotten! He had a Pirate windsock and a Pirate on a Bike wind blower. Can you imagine how happy they were??? Thanks so much Uncle Paul. We love you and Happy Birthday. Hope you are enjoying the 5 and the 0 birthday balloons!

Trick or Treat Halloween 2008

Trick or Treat and what a night it was! Filled with good eats and cool treats. A little rain and a lot of walking. Not to much whining and a whole lot of talking. Anyway, as usual the boys were filled with so much anticipation. They raced through dinner, got dressed soon after (except for Colby he was dressed by 3:00 P.M.) Here are a few pictures. We enjoyed trick or treating with the Litonjua's, the Brown's and the Bush's. Made it back just before the rain hit......we drove May and Joey home. Adam was a trooper and of course everyone loved him. His favorite treat was a small rubber duck given to him by our friend Tammy.

Halloween at the YMCA October 25, 2008

While Ed and Colby were off camping.....Nickolas, Adam and I went to the YMCA Halloween Party with Tegan, Morgan & MacKenzie. We met for dinner and then headed over to the Y. It was a nice night and the kids had a ball. Nickolas of course went as Buzz Lightyear and baby Adam was the cutest baby who just happens to love his Mummy! The girls were Tinkerbell and Belle. Tegan and I were festive in our favorite Halloween attire. They made Treat bags, had a dance contest, made mommies into mummies, tried to carve a pumpkin, played the limbo and I am sure that I am forgetting a few things. They had so many fun things to do they were busy the whole time. Adam was happy as usual and was more than tolerant when Nickolas turned us in to a mummy. It was nice spending time with Nickolas. This was like his time out from his Big Brother!

Ed & Colby Camping with the Cub Scouts

It is Official....Colby Alexander Larson is a Tiger Cub Scout. Ed and Colby have joined Pack 281 and are a part of Den 3. He and a few of his buddies and their dads are venturing into the world of Boy Scouts. So far they have had several den meetings and we will attend our 2nd Pack Meeting tomorrow. They are having a Lad and Dad Cake Contest. We'll let you know how it goes. You know Ed has a few tricks up his sleeve!

Anyway back to Camping....they went to Portola Redwoods for one night. The camping included Den activities like leaf rubbing and the boys had to make their own dinner. The pack as a whole had a campfire, went on a hike and toured a museum. Colby and Ed had a great time and Colby was chosen to write about his experience. I have attached a copy of his article. It will be published in the November Pack Newsletter. He also earned a camping patch and his computer patch as he wrote the story by himself on his computer. Way to go Colby! We are very happy that he is enjoying it and they often include the whole family. Ed will be doing this for years to come with Nickolas and Adam too. I am on the sidelines for whatever Ed needs. So far it hasn't been much....just a few trips to the Boy Scout Store....Yes, the Boy Scout Store. We will be hosting the next pack meeting I can't wait....it will be like spying on a secret society.

Punkin Cutin' October 29, 2008

Well the time has come again to turn our pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. Colby was anxious to use the knife with parental supervision. Nickolas wanted to see what was inside and Adam was wondering why these big orange things were and why they were in our house. The boys had a ball cleaning out their pumpkins and Adam joined right in but wondered why he was getting messy. Adam was curious and the boys continued to get as many pumpkin seeds out of the pumpkin as possible. The final call was called and it was finally BATH TIME! They all piled into the bath and were able to play and clean up. When were were finished with bath Daddy had everything cleaned up and the boys were ready to create their masterpiece. We have decided to create non traditional jack-o-lanterns by using plastic facial features. It was fun!

The Final Products

Colby's Writing Award October 28, 2008

Colby has earned the Writing Award for the month of October! Mrs. Rosete was impressed with his writing. He is one of the best writers in his class. This is his Second Writing Award (he earned one in Mrs. Romero's Kindergarten Class). He was very proud of himself because he loves to write. He really takes his time and doesn't like to write sloppy. We were very proud of him as well! Have you seen Ed's handwriting? Lets just say Colby takes after me in the Writing Department and he takes after Ed in the Math Department. Hooray for Colby. The whole family was there to see him get his award.

After the ceremony we were off to Clement to drop off Nickolas and watch his Sing A Long. We almost needed to be in 2 places at once. We pulled it off. Whew!

Nickolas' Sing Along at Clement October 28, 2008

Nickolas loves Sing A Long at Clement. Here he is with his class and the other kids on October 24, 2008. His favorite songs these days are If you are Happy and You Know It, There's A Dark Dark House, 5 Little Monkeys, It's Clean Up Time at Clement School and of course, the ABC Song. He enjoys school and his friends. (I may try and upload a video) He has recently learned how to do the Monkey Bars. So much so that he has had a few blisters on his hands. Nickolas is really coming into his own lately...that is my nice way of saying he has been a handful to say the least! I love my Nick A Doo but he could be the one who drives me crazy well that is if I don't drive myself crazy first!

Gilroy Gardens

We headed down to Gilroy for our FINAL trip to Gilroy Gardens. They were having a treasure hunt to honor Halloween. We always have a good time there! Adam even got into the action. He will be ready to go next year! Colby has outgrown the kiddie rides.....Nickolas is catching up faster than I would like too. Not to worry they should be good for a few more years as they need to tolerate things that Adam in interested in too! Besides, there are plenty of things to keep them busy. Colby went on the Banana Split and the Quicksilver several times with Ed and I. Nickolas was thrilled to ride the train and go in the maze and was busy taking advantage of the little kiddie rides before his window of opportunity is gone. Adam was able to ride the train and the Rainbow Garden Boat Ride. He had a great time! I can't wait for next summer he will have so much fun and so will I trying to keep up! OK so it will be bittersweet. Below are a few pictures from a fun day. I couldn't include all of the ones with the scarecrows from Scarecrow Alley. You know my boys and pirates. Here are Colby & Nick doing the Cub Scout Salute.

The Pumpkin Patch

We had another fantastic time at the Pumpkin Patch. We took the boys on October 18, 2008 down to Uesugi Farms in Morgan Hill. It was a nice day not cold, not hot, it was just right. Don't worry I am not going to give my rendidtion of Goldilock and the Three Bears! Oh Yeah.....I don't have a Goldilocks! LOL

We were headed to get some tickets when Ed and I spotted the Corn Stand. We got the tickets, took a few pictures and were off to do some activities. We rode the train, and took a hay ride! Walked around finally got a Hot Buttered Corn on the Cob and the boys conned us into getting them a couple slurpies.....Adam had a few snitches.....is that bad?? Ed and I didn't care as we were loving our corn with a daily alotment and then some of soduim. We added a little kick of garlic and hot sauce YUM!Then after all was said and done.....we were off to pick our pumpkins....who cares if we actually purchased them at Lucky's. We had fun looking for the Great Pumpkin and to think that Adam almost slept through the whole pumpkin process. Colby managed to wake up Adam just after I took the picture below. Although, mom was upset.....it worked out because Adam loved the big orange things that we call pumpkins. As you can see we are growing every year.