California Dreamin'

Andrew and I often talk about how expensive it is to live in CA, and how we could have a huge house is we lived somewhere else. This is compounded by the fact that several of our friends live out-of-state and have recently built new homes with basements that are bigger than our house (you know who you are). Well, Andrew and I celebrated our anniversary with a 12-hour date on Sunday, and after only a 30 minute drive we spent several hours lounging on a beautiful beach in Santa Cruz. So, here you go my out-of-state friends, finally something about CA living for you to be jealous of.

Too cute...

I asked the kids to pose for a picture today, and they both cocked their heads the exact same way. Too cute.

Future NHL Player

Matthew has had a fascination with hockey for a long time now, and has always said that he wants to be a San Jose Sharks hockey player when he grows up. We have a hockey set at home, and I must say he's got a good slapshot by now. One day we mentioned to him that he would have to learn how to ice skate someday if he really wanted to be a Shark, so of course he wants to take lessons now. Here he is at his second lesson, practicing getting up onto his feet.

Here he is concentrating very hard on getting all the way across the rink without the help of a chair.

And, the joy of accomplishment!

Dancing with Bubba...

So, I signed up for a dance class (intermediate jazz) at the local community college, and it started on Wednesday. I used to be a gymnast and a dancer, so I thought it would be fun to pick it back up again. The thought occurred to me that I might be in a little over my head when I almost passed out halfway through the class, most certainly due to over exertion. And, after the intense butt workout that our instructor, Bubba Gong, led us through to the entire song "Don't You Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me (extended version)," I find that even the most simple things (like sitting down on the toilet) are excruciatingly painful. Guess I'm not in as good of shape as I thought. No wonder dancers have such incredible bodies!

So, here's a dilemma I've been having. In July we went to Disneyland for the first time with the kids. We had a ton of fun, by the way, but the kids were a little scared by some of the rather huge characters that are there (think 7 foot tall Mickey Mouse). So, to alleviate their fears somewhat, I told them that they are really just people dressed up like the characters, and that seemed to work for the moment. But, I'm afraid I may have ruined the magic of Disneyland a little bit.

Matthew and I cuddle every night on his bed before he goes to sleep, and the other night we were talking about Disneyland. The topic of the characters came up, and he asked me me if they were real or not, and then he proceeded to ask if the tooth fairy was real and if Santa and the Easter Bunny are real? Yikes. So, I did what any mom would do in such a situation...I changed the subject.

So, apparently 4-year old Matthew is starting to get the idea that some things are real and some aren't, but I guess I'll just have to say that everything is real for now - to keep the magic alive. After all, kids only believe in magic for so long, right? And when they wake up screaming in the night about a seven foot tall Chip and Dale, I'll just remember that it's all part of the magic.

Happy Anniversary to Us

So, today marks 8 years of marriage for Andrew and I. But we've actually been together for 14 years now! Those of you who have known us the entire time are probably feeling very old right now. Can you believe how fast time flies?

We are celebrating by having a 12 hour date this Saturday. We're heading to the beach in the morning for some relaxation time, having a picnic lunch on the beach, going to a movie, then we'll cap the day off with a romantic dinner for two. Can't wait for that!

Looking back over all the years, it's amazing to me what we've been through. Andrew and I have grown up together in so many ways. Our lives have changed so much over the years, from carefree college kids to working parents with huge responsibilities. We've endured ups and downs, and sickness and health, and sadness and loss. We've endured parenthood, which some days feels like the most challenging. Luckily for us we've endured this journey together, and we're still going strong after all these years. I'm so thankful that Andrew came into my life, and I can't imagine it without him.

No time to blog...

So, I've done it again. I've started something that I know I have no time for. I do this all the time - I fly through life wanting to try to do everything, but I have no extra time for anything. I figure it will be a way to let others know what's going on in our lives, and document this craziness that we are living so we can look back at this chaos one day and smile.