I Loved the Halloween Paparazzi

 

Halloween

 

Happy Halloween!

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Dean's Pumpkin Patch Excursion

Dean and I have some one on one time now that the other kids are in school. One of my good friends invited a bunch of us with "littles" to visit to the Clayton Valley Pumpkin Patch and then provided a delicious lunch and a bunch of activities for the kids. My favorite game was called "Find the Bones". She had an empty laundry basket and a backyard which held gobs of life size plastic bones of every kind. There were skulls, femurs, etc. The kids had to run and grab the bones as quickly as they could and put them in the basket. It was so cute to see their facial expressions as they came running as quickly as they could to place their bones. I loved it.

There is a play area in the Pumpkin Patch. Dean kept talking to me through this little hole in the play house. I found it to be incredibly cute.

Mommy & Dean in the Clayton Valley Pumpkin Patch

Snails on the Face

We have been in a babysitting co-op for a number of years now (thanks to Robin Perry, she's the bomb!). We trade with 4 families. Most of us have 4 children so it can be quite lively and exciting until the kids go down to bed. It is every Friday from 6:30-12:00. It's been great! We have 3 Friday's off without paying for a babysitter and then it's our turn. Here are a few pictures from one of our co-op nights. Aren't these girls so crazy?? I think Maren was the one who started it all. She is fearless when it comes to bugs and animals.

My Small Epiphany

I'm driving home from dropping the kids off at carpool. Maren (6 years) & Dean (2 years) are bickering directly behind me about an empty water bottle. The screaming and carrying on is making me feel like I am going to lose my mind. It's times like this when my normal looking arm, all of a sudden becomes incredibly stetchy and amazingly flexible (Plastic Man would be so impressed). I find myself extricating the cause of the problem and (I don't mean Maren and Dean) throwing it to the floor of the front passengers seat while still keeping us all alive. Problem solved, they move on and figure out other things to do with themselves.

Here comes my small epiphany. I know in life I've heard the phrase "He giveth and taketh away." and don't often think much of it. Well, when I removed the object from my children, I started to consider how this must be how my Heavenly Father feels about me. He gives and takes away and I wonder if he feels the same frustration with me, that I felt towards my children. Curious.

Walk of Shame

My kids (mostly Sid) often tell me I make delicious meals. I graciously thank them and then think to myself, "It's only because you haven't experienced enough of the outside world yet." A few years ago I took a 12 week long course called "Basic Essentials" at Viking Home Chef. It was helpful. I am now familiar with the processes of food making and actually enjoy cooking much of the time I find myself dealing with it. I still feel like meal preparation is far tooooooo frequent. OK, enough said. Here's my story. Our friends the Nelson's are moving to Connecticut. We were invited to an open house for them and were instructed to bring something to share. My "fudge" I decided to make was extremely DRY. When I cut it out of the pan it looked more like dried brownies. It tasted OK though so I wrapped it in aluminum foil and considered taking it with us. We got to the open house and I thought I should probably leave them in the car. Jon says "You shouldn't go in empty handed Tonya, take them in." So I take them in. After doing so, I immediately regret it. I take my package to the table and every head in the area turns and stares at what I am about to reveal. The Walk of Shame! Not really, but that's what it felt like. I tried to quickly unwap it so I could run away but it was the heaviest aluminum foil of all time and I had wrapped it underneath so I had linger much longer than I wanted. Oh, how I wish I had a picture! Oh well, at least I make everybody else look good with my humiliating under pressure food episodes. There have been a few of them.

'Twas the Jelly Belly Factory

This year for Maren & Wells 6th birthday they decided to celebrate their birthday at the Jelly Belly Factory. They were allowed to invite two friends because that's how many we could fit in our cars. For their "theme", Maren wanted bugs and Wells wanted pirates. We went on the tour and then during the candles and cake we had the entire cafeteria to ourselves because they don't serve food the last hour. Lucky us! The kids really liked it and so did we!

Sid's Poetry Tea

The Wolf

Sprinting by the tree

it runs like a deer from a frightening noise.

Its paws pad against the tickling grass.

It is the wolf who flees to the woods.

Its home is the green growing place.

The wolf.

By Sidney

Baby Names

NO I am not pregnant, but I had an interesting conversation with the kids about baby names. The question was "If you had boy/girl twins, what would you name them? Here are their replies:
Sidney - Cindy and Will
Maren - Goldilocks and Nugget
Wells - Jack and Jill
Paige (cousin) - Max and Olivia

Sand Dollar Beach

Our friends James & Beth Carlson have a tradition of camping in Big Sur, CA. The last two years we have joined them along with a few other families. We have loved the experience every time. In Big Sur, there is a beautiful beach called Sand Dollar Beach. One of us even found a tiny sand dollar. The kids had a great time making sand castles and playing in the water. I made my first attempt to boogie board. I loved it. I loved the crashing of the waves and trying to push against them as they tried to over power me. I think the taste of the ocean is one of the worst tastes around. YUCK! Wish I would have taken a few more photos while we were there.

First Day of School

Sidney, Maren & Wells are now all attending the same school. What a relief. Last year they attended two separate schools on separate sides of town. If the freeway is worn between the two exits on both sides of town it is definitely because of me. They seem to be well adjusted to their new situation in life. Dean and I are spending more time than ever together. I didn't realize what great babysitters my kids were until they were off to school. I miss you guys!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Dean!

Baby Dean is now two as of August 21st. Can we still call him "baby"? We celebrated his birthday with a small family party. I decided to make a FIRETRUCK cake for him. Can you tell? He seemed pretty thrilled with his PINK BUS.

Coast Oil Gas Station, Shame On You!!!

Yesterday Dean and I went to get a smog check done at COAST OIL SMOG CENTER at 1611 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek, Contra Costa, California 94596. The attendant at the smog check station told me it would be $138.00. That seemed high to me so I asked him if that was a normal rate for a smog check. He said YES. "You have an SUV and if it passes the smog check then we will also charge you $13.00 more to submit the information to the DMV." I didn't have much time because I had to pick up the twins at Kindergarten so I told him to go ahead and do it. As I left I called Jon on my cell to tell him about the experience. He told me that $138.00 was outrageously high and he was going to call around to find a better deal. A minute later he called and said that another company a block away would do it for $48.00. I immediately turned around and went back to the smog check station and said "Sorry, I found a better deal for $38.00 (I heard Jon's $ incorrectly, apparently to my advantage) a block away. They can take me now so I need to take my car and leave." They then offered to give me the smog check for $40.00 then and there. They did the test and let me leave for $40.00. I was polite and kind even though inside I felt very sad that they would treat me this way. They seemed a bit sheepish and apologetic as I left on my way. I am DISGUSTED by their ethics and hope they turn over a new leaf.

Skunked on the Russian River!

The Russian River is a beautiful stream flowing from Upper Russian Lake, through Lower Russian Lake and emptying into the Kenai River at Mile 55 of the Sterling Highway. There is a privately operated ferry at the confluence of the rivers carrying foot-passengers to what is perhaps the busiest fishing spot in Alaska. There is always a big crowd. We usually have a lot of success fishing there but this summer we were SKUNKED!!!! Too bad. The kids had a great time though. It was nice to catch up with my cousin Hazel and her kids.

Hallo Bay Bear Viewing in Katmai National Park

This summer my brother Ethan asked us if we wanted to go "view the Grizzlies" in Katmai National Park, Alaska. You make your way to Homer, AK and then catch a flight to Hallo Bay. Our pilot landed right on the beach. We saw a bear first thing when we got off the plane. Crazy!!! Having grown up much of my life in Alaska we were always nervous when the bears came around our habitats. Bears often made me feel afraid and I never thought I would seek them out. After extensive research on Jon's part we finally decided to go with Stephen Stringham a biologist who has done extensive research on the grizzlies for the last 35 years. He raised 3 grizzlies from cubs and has written 4 books about bears. He was an amazing guide and has so much knowledge to share in regard to bear behaviors. The picture where the bear has her face down to the ground was so amazing. She chomped on grass and would then look at us, chomp again and then look at us. Stephen said that was her way of letting us know not to worry. We could hear her tearing the grass off and then chewing it. If she were to stomp her paw then we would need to be wary. She came within 8 feet from us. She stood up and checked out some other bears and then she was off. Stephen said that the reason the Katmai bears are so gentle is because they have not associated humans with food. People have been coming to view them daily since 1972. It was an amazing experience and I now have a different feeling of respect for bears. I would highly recommend the experience. The pictures can't do it justice.

My Single Brother Ethan

This is my younger brother Ethan. He is single and we are wanting to help him remedy that. Any leads? He works as a Radiation Technologist and is the most fun out of us all. We had a great time with him in Alaska this summer. He loves children and is so helpful with mine when we are around. This summer Dean called him "alla" most of the time. Ethan finally worked with Dean and the last few days he taught Dean to call him "Uncle E". They were so cute together.

Lake Minchumina 2009

My boys getting ready for a ride on the Lake Minchumina mode of transportation.
Grandpa Randy taking me and Dean out on a boat ride.

Maren lost her first tooth up Deep Creek. What are the chances? I can't remember any of us ever losing a tooth up there. My dad used to take us in the "big boat" way up Deep Creek so he could cut down trees to make lumber for our families cabin. It seemed like we were up there for hours. I remember reading many "Alaska Bear Tales" books as a child and not wanting to leave the boat.

Wells showing off one of the many Northern Pike he caught on "the spit".

Wells and Dean pretending to drive Grandpa Randy's 4 wheeler. They loved it and couldn't get enough.

This year Sidney was optomistic. She was convinced she was going to get an even larger Northern Pike than last year. Last year she caught the largest Northern Pike we had ever seen using a fishing pole. Needless to say, she was a little bummed when she got this "little one".

Up

Our first day in Alaska we went with my brother Ethan to watch the movie "Up" in 3D. That movie pulled at my heart strings big time.

The Hunger Games

I loved the book "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. Here is a little ditty on what it is about taken from Suzanne Collins website. "Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place." I am so excited the sequel is coming out on Sept. 1st (my birthday). It is called "Catching Fire" and I can't wait. The movie is also coming out but the release date is not yet determined.

Arriving in Lake Minchumina

This summer we were able to visit Alaska. We flew into Fairbanks and immediately prepared to fly to Lake Minchumina which is close to Mt. Denali. I have visited Lake Minchumina almost every summer of my life. There are no roads to Lake Minchumina. We chartered a plane and met up with my parents who had already been there for a week. We spent a week with no running water (only a natural spring that produces the coldest, freshest water), no electricity, and no stores. Our only mode of transportation is an ATV with a trailer on the back or boat. Here are the kids seeing Grandpa Randy for the first time since last summer.

No way!!!!!!

Did it really work? Maybe it just hates my pics.

My Blog Hates Me

My blog hates me and only me. Rejection is a hard thing but not that bad when you assume the rejection is universal. The most frustrating thing about it is, I told my friend Heather Sheffield about my problem so she came over and tried to troubleshoot my blog for me. She did the things that I normally do and it all worked out smoothly for her. I witnessed the whole thing. I thought maybe my blog had a hiccup in it and now it must back to normal. Nope. It is me. It hates me. I'm concerned I am wasting my time even trying to post this entry. If this entry works maybe I will try again one day. I love you all! Meet me on facebook if this fails. Until then . . .

Gymnastics

Skiing at The Canyons

Such a long time without blogging - - - I know you've been sorely mising my entries. Right? My computer has been in rehab. Hopefully it is recovered. February 2009 we visited Jon's sister Liz's family in Park City, UT. They've got a sweet place at the top of the Canyon's. You just put on your ski stuff and step out the door. It's great. Here we are before heading down the mountain. Liz took the picture - thanks Liz!!!

My Grandmother I Never Met

This is a picture of my Aaka Hazel Aveoganna when she was 2 years old. She passed away in a hotel fire. The last time my mother saw her she was 12 years old.

Mt. Tamalpais

We took a quick trip to Mt. Tamalpais. The views were amazing. The kids loved walking around and exploring. We came upon a very large outdoor theater made of stone. I would love to watch a production there one day.

Junior Kindergarten in Disguise

This year, Maren & Wells are in a Junior Kindergarten program which they enjoy. Is there any detective in you? See if you can figure out which ones they are.