The Gigray Family

Giveaway!

2011-04-17T01:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry about this non-family post, but I'm putting my name in for this giveaway...lol!! “DO YOU WANT A WHOLE PARTY AT YOUR DOORSTEP? KAREN AYARS GIVES IT TO YOU!! HTTP://KARENAYARS.BLOGSPOT.COM” I promise to do a family post soon!! It's a little overwhelming since I haven't posted in so long...sorry!! ;)

Let's try this again!!

2010-09-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

So I've totally slacked on keeping up with this blog and I'm sorry to all the friends and family that have been missing out!! It's been a crazy year with me working again. It seems like I never have enough time in the day to get everything done I would like to!! Our biggest news to date is that we are expecting another baby due on December 31st!! We are so excited to welcome the newest addition to our family!! This summer we took a family vacation to California to see our friend Challise get married, visit Legoland, Disneyland and spent a day at the beach! Recently, Liam & Connor started school. Liam is a big 2nd grader and Connor just started Kindergarten!! Time really does fly by and I can't believe how big my boys are getting!! So now my goal is to try and update this at least once a month. We'll see if I can do it!!

The beautiful Bride Challise & her handsome Groom Bill!!

Family Pic with Auntie Challise!!

Liam was the most excited about Legoland!! It is a little piece of heaven for little boys!!

Here the boys are building their own lego guys!

Had to get a pic with the Fireman & dalmation built out of Legos!!

Connor couldn't wait to meet Mickey!

Nico's favorite ride!!

Waiting in line to watch Captain EO!!

Family in front of the princess castle!!

A day at the beach!!

It was too cold for me to get into the water, but the boys sure didn't mind!!

First day of 2nd grade for Liam & Kindergarten for Connor! School district went to a stricter dress code of solid color collared shirts and only navy, black or dark denim bottoms!!

The cool new backpacks!!

Connor ready to start the day with his friend Lilly and cousin Kayla!!

Liam ready & listening to the new teacher!!

Gigray Flash Back

2009-06-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

Okay so I've been a total slacker about updating my blog. Sorry to those who have been waiting for updates. A lot has happened since my last entry. The biggest news is that I went back to work. Will was laid off from his part time job back in August and with the hours he works at the fire dept. it was hard for him to find another part time job that would work around his schedule. I went back to work for a small community bank and Will is staying home with the kids on his days off. The good thing is that the kids only have to go to daycare 1 to 2 days a week. Life has been crazy busy with me going back to work and still trying to do the things I used to do. Our goal is to get out of debt ASAP so that I can't quit and stay home with the kids again. Will and I went through a course called Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey and it was amazing. We are committed to never having credit cards again!! The following are pictures from the past few months!!

Liam played T-ball again this Spring!

Liam in action!

Connor turned 4 in May!

These are the cupcakes I made for preschool!!

Connor had a Mickey Mouse birthday party!!

Family pic at Easter!

I just love this picture of Liam!

Nicolas turned 2 in February!!

A monkey cake for our little monkey!!

Connor played Soccer for the first time this past winter!

"I Have A Dream"

2009-01-19T21:34:00.000-08:00

How ironic is it that we honor this man the day before a very historic inauguration! In his "I Have A Dream" speech Martin Luther King, Jr said, "I have a dream the my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Well I believe that tomorrow is a huge leap to that day! Martin Luther King, Jr. also said "And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the Promised Land." I am so sorry that he wasn't here to see this day. What a great man to honor today and without him who knows if Barack Obama would be were he is today. Thank you Martin Luther King thank you! What a wonderful world we live in and it's amazing how far we've come. I am grateful that I am able to witness history in the making and even more grateful to share it with my children. It's great to be an American!!

Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I Have A Dream”

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back.
There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that:
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

The link below is to see the speech on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk

Snow! Snow! Snow!

2009-01-13T22:37:00.000-08:00

So we have loved all the snow we have gotten the past few months, but we were so sad to see it all melt away. When I was a kid there was always so much snow to play in and I wish it would snow the way it did back then. The first week back at school the snow was out of control and I thought that maybe Liam would have a snow day, but it didn't happen. After school one day Will took the boys across the street to the drainage pond to do a little sledding. The boys were having fun, but Daddy needed a bigger hill for a bigger thrill. So he took the neighbor kids, Jane & John, and Liam & Connor over to a school with a bigger hill. We were so sad to see all the snow go and are praying that the snow God's will give us some more! We might just need to make a trip to McCall to really have some fun!!

Daddy giving the boys a push!

Daddy & the boys enjoying the snow!

Say Cheese!!!!

Our silly dog loved the snow as much as the kids did!!

Connor was so excited to make snow angels!!

Jane & Liam and John & Connor!

The bigger hill for the bigger thrill!!

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!!!

2009-01-13T21:38:00.000-08:00

We spent New Years Eve at Will's sister Anne's house. For Christmas Grandpa Bill gave the family the Guitar Hero band set, so we took it over to Anne's and had a blast rocking out all night! The kids had fun until the grown ups took over. Will is obsessed with the guitar so it was hard for him to share, but he finally gave in and played the drums. We had so much fun playing Guitar Hero that we almost missed watching the New York City ball drop on TV. Liam was talking about it all day and he would have killed me if he had missed it. After midnight we went outside and watched Grandpa Bill light some fireworks. We had such a great time with family and it was really fun seeing Liam get so excited about a new year!! We hope 2009 brings everyone happiness and good health!!

Liam counting down to the New Year! 5..4..3...

2...1...Happy New Year!!!!!

Nicolas has had enough and just wants to go to bed!

The Monkey Doo Band!!

The kids had a blast pretending to be Rock Stars!!

Merry Christmas to All!!

2008-12-29T17:49:00.000-08:00

We hope you all had a happy Christmas. We had a wonderful time with friends and family. The boys were spoiled rotten by their grandparents, but what's new!! December went by so fast and I can't believe we are already coming up on a new year. Just before Christmas we went to look at Christmas light with our church group and Santa and Prancer showed up. The kids were so excited, especially Liam. This Christmas has been so exciting for Liam. He really is really starting to understand the whole Santa thing and just about drove his father and me nuts with the "I want". I decided to try and teach him about giving to those who don't have anything. We bought a present for a little girl and took it to the Salvation Army and I also let him put money in the red tins outside the stores for Salvation Army along with donating money to the Toys for Tots. Unfortunately on Christmas Eve here there was a house fire that ended up being a total loss for a local family. As it turned out the family also had no renters insurance. No time is a good time for something like that to happen, but it just makes it worse when it's Christmas time. Will went to help fight the fire and I, being a part of the Fire Auxiliary, called the other member and hurried to get some presents for the 4 year old little girl and gift cards for the family. This turned into a great learning lesson for Liam. I explained to him what had happened and had him go along with us as we delivered gifts to the family. Liam gave the little girl a princess book and she absolutely loved it. I am so thankful to have a health family and solid roof over our heads! Here's to everyone having a happy and healthy in the New Year!

The boys on Christmas morning waiting to open their presents from Santa!

Santa & Prancer!

The family with Santa and Prancer!

Christmas Treats!

2008-12-29T17:24:00.001-08:00

Okay so I had to share a couple of the Christmas treats I made this year. I got an awesome recipe for a Snowman Cheese ball dip from Martha Stewarts website. It turned out so cute and tasted so good. For Liams school party I made reindeer cupcakes. The kids loved them!!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

2008-12-29T17:03:00.000-08:00

This year for Christmas we decided to go to the mountains and cut down our own Christmas tree. It sounded like a good and fun idea and a great way to start a new family tradition! We went up to the mountains with my parents and my brother and his family. Unfortunately Will was out of town, so I was on my own with the kids. Liam and Connor had so much fun climbing up the hills and then trying to run down them. Nicolas on the other hand would not walk and only wanted me to carry him. This made it a little difficult trying to climb hills to look for the perfect tree. My poor mom didn't even get to pick out her tree because my dad went on a hike by himself cut one down without getting her opinion on it. My problem was that you can't really get a full tree that looks like the ones on the tree lots, so it took me a very long time to finally decide on one. Then when we finally set our tree up and filled the base up with water it tipped over. Just my luck!! The trunk on the tree was so skinny that we had to put wedges around it to hold it tight in the base. We really did enjoy ourselves, but I will definitely not do it without Will next year!!

Nicolas is very upset with Mommy for setting him down to hike up the hill!

Liam & Connor really enjoyed being in the mountains!!

Our Christmas Tree!!!

My parents odd shaped tree! Good job Dad!!

Tumbling Tots!!

2008-12-29T16:47:00.000-08:00

Just before Christmas the boys had their tumbling recital and my nieces had their dance. They were all so cute and Connor did pretty good for really not knowing what he was doing. I don't think Will enjoys it too much, but since we don't have a girl to put in dance I think he lets me have the tumbling!!

Connor trying to figure out what to do!

Liam waiting for his turn to tumble down the mat!

My niece Kayla watching the teacher for what to do!

I gave the boy a power ranger toy since I couldn't give them flowers!

My niece Morgan after her Jazz performance!

First Missing Tooth!!

2008-11-29T14:22:00.000-08:00

Liam lost his first tooth yesterday (11.28.2008)! While I was out shopping with my cousin for Black Friday. Will called to have Liam tell me he had a lose tooth. He had been eating a pear and his tooth hurt. So all day he wiggled his tooth and while Will was making dinner Liam pulled his tooth out. He walked in to show Will and of course Will freaked out. Will can't even stand to watch kids wiggle their teeth and so when he saw Liam bleeding and holding his tooth it grossed him out. Unfortunately with Will's flip-out Liam thought he had done something wrong and started to cry and saying he was sorry. I had to reassure him that he had done nothing wrong and Daddy was just being silly. Liam is so proud that he lost his tooth. I think it made him feel like a real big boy!! I told him if he loses another one before Christmas he can sing "All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth!"

If you look closely you can see his tooth in the baggy!

Proudly showing off his missing tooth!!

Happy Birthday Liam!! 11.22.2008

2008-11-29T13:48:00.000-08:00

Liam turned 6 on November 22!! He is such and amazing, brilliant little boy! It has been such a great experience watching him grow up into the little man he is today. He is a great leader already and the perfect role mole for his younger brothers. We are so blessed to have him in our lives!! I can't wait to see what the next 6 years are like, but take your time son and don't grow up to fast.
We had a busy day of parties! After the Build-A-Bear party with friends we had dinner, cake and ice cream with the grandparents, aunts & uncles, and cousins. Thank you Papa Frank and Grandma Pam for making chili and corn bread and thanks to Veronica for making rice. What a fun day!!

Liam with his Transformer cake!

I can't believe he is already 6!!

Liam showing everyone how old he is!

Excited about a Bakugan figure!

Even more excited about a T-Rex skeleton!

Thanks Grandpa Bill!

Nicolas really enjoying his cupcake!

Build-A-Bear Workshop!

2008-11-29T12:57:00.000-08:00

Liam had a birthday party with his friends at Build-A-Bear for his 6th birthday! He got to invite 6 friends so he choose two little buddies from school, one buddy from preschool last year and his triplet cousins. His brother Connor and cousin Kayla tagged along and one of his friends brought his little brother. They had so much fun! It was a little chaotic, but well worth it. Liam made a T-Rex which he had been wanting for awhile. In fact a couple weeks earlier we'd been there and I bought Liam the mini version and he took that thing with him everywhere. I tried to tell him he shouldn't take it to school, but you know how kids listen. He lost it at school and unfortunately it was never found. That was a hard, but good lesson for him to learn. So when I told his friend Jacob's mom the story she decided to buy him another one. That was so nice of her, especially since Liam tried to tell me I could buy him another one and I told him no!

The cupcakes mommy made for the school party and the Build-A-Bear party!

Pictures from the Build-A-Bear party!!

The kids had so much fun making a new best friend!!

Liam enjoyed having treats with his friends and opening presents!

He got a transformer from Mom & Dad and then he got the mini T-Rex to match his big one!

Fire Safety!!

2008-11-29T12:37:00.000-08:00

Will went to Liam's school to talk about Fire Safety to the Kindergartners. They missed out on the assembly the school had in October so since we had the inside track, we hooked them up. The kids were very excited and learned a lot. Will made Liam teacher put the fire gear on to show kids that even though they look different they are still the same person. It is so important to teach kids not to be afraid of Firemen!!

Liam's teacher all dressed up in the fire gear!

Will using the kids for a demonstration.

The kids listening to the fire safety rules from Firefighter Gigray!!

Our Angel Day!!

2008-11-19T21:52:00.000-08:00

Barbara Louise Gigray

January 17, 1949 - November 19, 2007

Today is Grandma Barb's Angel day! It's hard to believe it has already been one year since she passed away. We still miss her very much, but we feel comfort in knowing she is watching over us. She would be so proud of the family she has created! She was an amazing mother, friend, wife, teacher, and grandmother. Today Anne and Mary got tattoos to remember their mom which she would be so proud of! Just kidding!! Barb is probably screaming at her daughters right now! After the tattoo excitement we all went to Red Robin and the girls had Pina Coladas in memory of Barb. Those were her favorite! I also ate a dark raspberry chocolate just for you Barb! You will forever be in our hearts! We love you! LET GO, LET GOD!!!

This is a poem she loved and we put on her bookmark for the funeral:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in sideways, pina colada in one hand, dark raspberry chocolates in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming: "WOO-HOO! What a ride!""

The last picture of the grandkids with Grandma before she left for Seattle.

We love you so much!!

I..D..A..H..O..IDAHO! IDAHO! GO! GO! GO!

2008-11-14T14:23:00.000-08:00

Liam's Kindergarten class did the Idaho cheer for the BSU loving 5th grade teachers! It was so cute and I was so proud of my little VANDAL!! I made stickers for all the kids to wear and I'm sure that when they all get home from school there will be a few unhappy parents, but I love it!! Liam's teacher is a Vandal and was a Kappa Kappa Gamma! I knew I picked her for a good reason!! GO VANDALS!! (I know we may not win the football game, but we have an education program that is definitely hard to beat!!)

Liam's class with their wonderful signs!!

The cutest video ever!!

Remembering Great Grandpa Bill!!

2008-11-10T18:39:00.000-08:00

William Franklin Gigray Jr.

March 6, 1916 - October 30, 2008

Will's grandfather passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was 92 years old and lived a great long life. He worked until the day he died which is just how he wanted it. Bill even lived to see the Idaho Vandals will a football game and golf 18 holes with a score of 108 the Sunday before his passing. He had a mini stroke on October 28 and died on the 30th from complications.

He was an amazing and generous man. He was born and raised in Caldwell, Idaho. He graduated from Caldwell High School with Honors in 1934 He then went to the University of Idaho were he was a member of Beta Theta Pi and recieved his law degree in 1940. After law school he served as a special agent for the FBI. In 1943 he resigned from the FBI and joined the United States Navy. He served as a communications officer (Lt. J.G.) in the Pacific Theater of World War II on the Essex class carrier the Ticonderoga (CV14). He was honorably discharged in 1946 and then returned to Caldwell to reside and begin his practice of law. Bill was very active in the community, his church and his practice. He was a member of the Caldwell Rotary Club and recieved the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor Scottish Right 33rd degree, he was a member of the Elks Club and Hillcrest Country Club. He served as an Elder for Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church, taught Sunday school and sang in the praise band. Bill was a family man, an avid golfer, very accomplished dancer, played the drums in the College of Idaho Alumni Band. In fact Bill started golfing at the age of 10 and had to golf on sand greens in the beginning. He loved music and cards.

I am amazed at all that Bill lived through and experianced. We were so lucky to have him in our life and to share so many experiances with him. I know he was so proud to have Liam named after him (William F. Gigray V). He was worried that we weren't going to use that name and now I am so greatful that we did. Liam is so lucky to have know him and I only hope that those memories stay with him through the years. He will be missed greatly, but we know he is in a better place now and rejoined with Great Grandma Margaret and Grandma Barb. God Bless!!

Halloween in November!!

2008-11-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

Okay so I am a little late posting all of our Halloween fun, but better late than never right?!! The week started with a great Halloween Carnival at our church. Then I made treats for the boys school parties. Thanks Tricia for the fun Witches Fingers recipe. They were a huge success at Connor's preschool party. Liam was a little afraid to try the finger cookies and requested that I make something different for his party. I gave in and made Mummy cupcakes that he absolutely loved! I also help out in Liam's class for the Harvest Party. This kids had a lot of fun, but I don't think the party seemed a good as they were when I was in school. I especially think it stinks that kids don't get to dress up anymore! Halloween was a hectic day for us. Will's grandfather had passed away the day before, but we wanted to make sure the kids had a special day. We went to the Karcher Mall to Trick-or-Treat during the day and checked out a Halloween party that CAN-ACT put on. After that we went home met all our cousins at Grandpa Bill's house on Dearborn. We Trick-or-Treat Dearborn street every year and this year was no exception. After Trick-or-Treating we all went to Auntie Anne's house and played games with the grown-up while kids ran around on a sugar high!!

Pastor Aaron painting Liam's face at the Church Carnival.

Liam showing off his Optimus Prime! Thanks Pastor Aaron!!

Thanks Tricia for the great cookie idea!!

Liam's Mummy cupcakes!

Liam @ his school Harvest Party!

The kids enjoying story time at the Karcher Mall Halloween party!

Can you find my cute kids?

My cute Little Lion!

The boys Trick-or-Treating at the Firestation!

What this candy isn't all mine?!?

Liam & Connor with Triplets!!

(Liam as Optimus Prime, Colin as Hotwheels Racer, Aiden as Star Wars Trooper, Logan as Harry Potter Death Eater, & Connor as Jungle Fury Red Ranger)

The tired family after a long day!!

Happy Halloween!!

A New President!!

2008-11-05T08:29:00.000-08:00

This morning I am so proud of our Country. Being an American is a great thing and what happened yesterday just goes to show how great we are. I am so excited for the future of my children and what might happen tomorrow. This election was such a great time in history and I am so lucky to have been here to experience it. This Change is going to be a good one!!

More Pumpkins!!

2008-10-25T17:32:00.000-07:00

Connor had his preschool field trip to Linder farms this week. He was so excited to go since Liam already had a pumpkin. It was really cold that morning and finally warmed up when it was time to leave. Thank you to my neighbor, Tanya, who watched Nicolas for me so that Connor and I could ride the school bus. What is it about school buses that kids love so much? We had so much fun! I would really like to still take a family trip, so brace yourself for another pumpkin patch blog!!

Mommy & Connor!!

Connor & his little friend Garret (who just happens to be another Fireman's son)

Connor with the Pre-K boys!

Connor & Emily waiting for the hay ride to start!

Everyone getting settled for the hay ride!

Pumpkin Time!

2008-10-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

Liam's Kindergarten class took a field trip to Linder farms to pick pumpkins. We had so much fun! The kids walked through a corn maze, took a hay ride, picked pumpkins and even got to see some animals. The farm had a mini zoo with a zebra, camel, goats, cows, and a mini horse! I think Liam has allergies to dust, hay, and dirt just like mommy did when she was a kid. His asthma started to act up after this field trip and we had to go to the doctor to get a new inhaler. He is doing fine now and had a blast on his field trip with his friends.

Trying to find the Perfect Pumpkin!

I found the Perfect one!

Mommy and Liam (It was a nice sunny day!)

Liam's class and teachers.

The boys getting ready for the hay ride.

The farm dog was so friendly!

I wish we could have a mini horse, they are soo cute!

The boys in the corn maze.

When I grow up I want to be a Fireman!

2008-10-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

Connor's preschool took a field trip to the Firestation and Daddy just happened to be on duty that day. The kids loved everything. Earlier in the week Will visited the preschool to talk to the kids about fire safety and let them all try on the Fireman gear! On the field trip Will put his full gear on and let the kids get an up close look and sound of a Fireman. The funniest part of the day was when Connor wouldn't go near Will. It seems a little funny that the only kid afraid of the Fireman was the Fireman's son!

Will at the preschool taking about fire safety.

Daddy helping Connor try on the Fireman clothes!

Connor sitting in the Fire truck!

Will telling the kids that Firemen are their friends!

The kids checking out the Fireman up close!

Connor's First Field Trip!

2008-10-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

Connor had his very first school field trip. We went to a greenhouse, which I don't think was probably the most exciting thing for a 3 year old or mom. I had to keep making sure my child did not destroy the plants on the ground. Connor is not the most careful kid in the world, in fact he might just be the clumsiest! We did have fun and they had some beautiful plants.

My sweet Connor!!

Connor and his little "girl" friend!

Can you see the ladies face?

They had a playground for the kids. I think this was probably the best part for them!

Soccer or Futbol!!

2008-09-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

Liam had his first soccer game today. The poor kid has been waiting for over a year to play this sport because he wasn't old enough. Well now he is and he is a natural. He loves it so much and is quite good for his age. He did get elbowed in the nose during the game, but handled it well. He cried for a second and once Will got the bleeding to stop he was back out on the field. Will is the assistant coach for the team and I'm surprised at how good he is doing with not being too competitive. Anyone who knows Will knows how competitive he can be!!! Will is doing an excellent job coaching and I hope after the end of the season he will want to coach again.

Liam in Action!!!

Daddy doctoring up the bloody nose.

Preschool for Connor!

2008-09-06T14:29:00.000-07:00

Connor started preschool last Tuesday. He is only going part time, Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 hours. I was afraid he would not be able to handle it, but much to my surprise he loves it and is bummed on the days he doesn't get to go. I thought he might throw a fit/cry when I left him and he did great. Mommy was the only one to shed a tear! Nicolas isn't quite sure what to do with himself since he doesn't have anyone to fight with two days a week. He walks around the house looking a little lost!

Connor ready for the big first day of preschool!!

Nicolas wanted his picture taken too! I think he was feeling a little left out.

Kindergarten Here We Come!

2008-08-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of Kindergarten for Liam. He was so excited that when he woke up he got dressed before he even came out of his room. Papa stayed with the little boys so that Will and I could take Liam to his first day. I did better than I thought and only getting teary eyed once. I just can't believe how fast time goes by and my baby is so big and independent.

Liam ready to go to school and Connor watching us leave from the window!

Mommy saying goodbye on the first day of school!

Daddy saying goodbye!

Liam ready for school to start and trying to ignore me taking pictures!

Just starting out!

2008-08-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

So I've decided to try out this blogging thing. I'm not quite sure what I am doing, but I'm sure I'll figure it out as I go. I thought this would be a good way for my family and friends who don't have MySpace or Facebook to keep up on what the family is up to. I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy.