This summer has been full of loads of challenges! As the boys get older... it seems harder and harder to find things to keep them occupied with activities that are easy to make good choices! Gone are the days when a puzzle or coloring book will keep them busy for at least 5 minutes! Since one boy requires more structure and supervision than the other - it makes it more challenging to have them both do an activity together! They have VERY different personalities and coping methods - that it often makes doing projects (with them at the same time) stressful for all involved! While most parents just LOVE summer break from school, I, on the other hand am wishing that school started back up in June! Not because I don't like hanging out with them - but the fact that the change of structure for them and for me is a challenge!
Summer has gone by pretty slowly this year..... We have another MONTH until school starts on Sept 10th... hard to believe - but true!
Hopefully - I'll be able to hang in there!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Getting back on track - I guess!
Day 6 - homeward bound
On Friday morning - we headed out of Reno early - to get to Bend, Oregon by early afternoon. We were all tired and getting a tad cranky of spending so much TERRIFIC quality family time together!!
When we got close to Bend - I looked at the hubby and said - we're going HOME! There was no argument, no discussion!!! Since we were less than 4 hours from home - we just decided to power through!
We got home about 8pm and just relaxed then everyone went to bed in their own beds and were thankful to just finally be home!!
I'm not sure if we will go on another road trip in the future - but we did have some fun on this one!!
Day 5 - On to Reno
After a few exciting jam packed days in San Fran - we headed north to Reno! I never imagined that the drive would be so boring and isolated!! No gas or services for hours! Oh well - we got thru it and had a pleasant time enjoying the scenery and the every 10 minute announcement of "I HAVE TO PEE!"
While in Reno, we visited a mega store called "Scheels" (I probably spelled it wrong!) which had some neat stuff inside - including a full size Ferris Wheel and a mountain of mounts - with pretty much every game animal you can think of on it!
We made the trip to Virginia City! When I was a kid, my parents took my brother and I here - I remember some of it - but unfortunately - when we arrived, it was in the 40's and raining.. super brrrrrrr! The kids got bored pretty quick - so we got a few momentos of the trip and headed back!
Big Al was not too excited about what this meant - it took him awhile to understand it! Once he realized it had to do with being an "outlaw" - he enjoyed it more!
Little J figured out what "streaking" meant - and liked his... it is fitting, I have to admit!
The three troublemakers together!
We took the kids to Circus Circus to play a few games and enjoy a REAL buffet! Little J, who is an eating machine totally loved it! Big Al - well.... it was NOT his style!
Little J and Miss O chowed down on the dessert bar - the boy had to have 3 or 4 different things and ate them ALL!
We played some games - and little J won big! Nothing like getting some .50 cent prize for spending $40 on games! Oh well - the kids had a good time!Day 4 - The adventure of Alcatraz
We survived another night in San Francisco - fortunately, we were able to get a great deal on a room right on Fisherman's Wharf (Thanks Leslie!) so we actually SLEPT! We were up and at'em Tuesday morning with a busy day of playing tourist!
The pictures are a bit out of order - but anyways... we visited Angel Island for a couple of hours - and had THE most beautiful weather!
The kids (and Lion) on Angel Island
Viewing Angel Island while on the boat.... not sure what was more exciting for the kids - being on a boat or being on a boat!
Big Al passed alot of time standing on the edge with the wind in his hair - and loved every second of it!
Little J and Miss O waited patiently for our boat to reload after touring Alcatraz
Little J posed for "visitation time" on Alcatraz
Lion was caught being naughty on Alcatraz... so here he is being held in lockdown! Poor Lion!
Hmmmmm... this picture makes me a little nervous!! haha
Little J wanted to take our picture while on the "Rock".... he didn't do too bad!Saturday, August 08, 2009
Road Trip - Day 3 - San Francisco!
Well ... day 2 was one extremely looonnnngg day! Our hotel was pretty much a joke- and we were kept up half the night by the sound of rolling luggage being drug down stairs outside our door... that's what happens when you use your "perks" to get free rooms... you get the crappy rooms!!
Anyhoo - another night of very little sleep... 50% was the stair traffic outside - the other 50% was a certain older brother who kept trying to wake everyone up... yep - fun!
We had a meal at the Rainforest Cafe on Fisherman's Wharf... extremely over priced and over loud and over stimulating... it was an adventure getting kids unwound after that! Here they are extremely happy about the fish!
Of course Lion had to come to dinner! Miss O was happy to have something very familiar with her on this trip... it made it easier for her!
We had lunch with John's aunt and uncle - Miss O was really thrilled to have the full attention of Uncle Greg - and of course - Lion was there too!
Being tourists - had to go and see the Golden Gate bridge! We were so lucky that the weather was perfect while we were there!
Here are the gruesome threesome in front of the GGB... Miss O was cranky that Lion could not be in this picture!
Having some fun with the street musicians! The boys really enjoyed him - he was pretty good... Miss O was staring hard at the money in his case... I could see the wheels turning! :)
The kiddos in front of Ghiradelli Square - right after some samples of chocolate! Yummy!
All three kids at the Cannery, a couple of blocks from our hotel! The actually all look happy!Family Road Trip - Day 2 - California bound!
You will notice that we have ALOT of pictures of Lion - which is Miss O's favorite (at the moment) critter!
Lion went along on the trip - so we figured we would track his journey! It was easier than getting the kids to smile and look at the camera at the same time!
We made it to the Bay area by the end of day 2... here is Lion with the Bay Bridge in the background!
Miss O and Lion pose for a picture in front of Mt Shasta - after we got to California!
Here is Miss O and Lion taking a break in front of the "pink" tree that she really liked at a gas station in Redding, California... she is just soooo easy to please!Family Road Trip - Day 1
Ahhh the joys of a family road trip! Honestly - I wonder how many families do this more than once or twice???
We left last Saturday and headed south to San Francisco... here are some of the "high lights" of our journey from Day one!
After a long day in the car... Miss O and Lion get ready for bed... we spent our first night in Medford Oregon!
Chipmunks ran rampant at a rest stop somewhere in eastern Oregon... the kids enjoyed spending a few minutes chasing them!
Our first official stop was at the "Stonehenge" memorial next to the Columbia river right before the Oregon border! It was a beautiful day - to be outside, that is!Where have we been?
I can honestly say that I have been so busy lately that I have hardly had time to download my pictures off the camera, let alone blog!!
The last 3 weeks have just flown by!
At the end of July - the boys finished up summer school (darn!) and have kicked full force into getting their piggies fattened up for the fair on Labor Day weekend...
Really and truly - not much has gone on around here!
We did get back yesterday from a week long road trip... and amazingly - I'm not typing this from the looney bin - nor jail! haha! pictures and trip stuff to come!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The last week in pictures (and comments!)
The last week or so has been fairly uneventful! We have been busy enjoying summer and then cursing the wind when it ruins things! haha!
The photos are sort of backward... so here goes! Above is the boys releasing some of the "mystery" fish that they caught at one of the lakes we went to. They released them into our pond.. probably not the "best" place for the fish... but who knows!
Little J is the "master".... he just Looooooves fishing! He caught four fish on this trip... we were only there an hour - but apparently he had the touch - yet again!
Big Al finally caught his first fish about 15 minutes prior to leaving... Little J let him borrow his "lucky" pole! Big Al ended up catching another fish shortly after this one!
Big Al and Little J had to do all the work! The hubby and I keep procrastinating on getting our fishing licenses! So the boys had to be pretty self sufficient (like usual) with the fishing... AND helping their little sister! Miss O caught one fish - loved it and then was done! She is a fair weather fisher-woman! I don't blame her - I get bored pretty easily too!
Both boys have been busy working with their piggies daily! They have to practice walking them and also getting the pigs used to bathing.. which is almost comical! This weekend the piggies will be weighed, informally, to see if they are on track for the fair.. keep your fingers crossed!
Little j just loves to read! He could be riding his boke, or scooter or motorcycle on this glorious day - but no - he's sitting down with a good book!
Miss O has been a busy little beaver! Here she is drawing with sidewalk chalk! Her constant buddy, Phebe is "helping"! Phebe likes to take the chalk and eat it! Yuck! Miss O also likes to play "birthday" with Phebe... trying to get her to hang out with her in the back yard and have a little party where she sings to Phebe... its really cute!
The hubby and I went away for a night to Cave B winery and Inn... it was reeeeallly nice! I don't drink wine - but the food and the scenery was amazing... and it was sooooooo quiet! It was a nice 18 hour escape that we really needed!
This was the view from our room. Our room was actually built into the hillside and resembled a cave - it was super cool!Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Summer school has begun!
Yesterday was the first day of Summer School for the boys... and gee golly am I thankful!
Luckily, there were kids there that they already knew as well as some of the teachers... since it is only for 3 hours a day, Monday thru Thursday, its just enough to keep them on track for the next month!
We have spent the rest of the time trying to keep the boys outside and ran ragged, which is tough for those two non-stop boys! They have been spending hours on their motorcycles and bikes, as well as drawing all over the driveway with sidewalk chalk! I'll have to get a picture of one of their masterpieces...
I just wish that the wind would stop... I love being outside - but not so much in the wind!
Have a great Tuesday!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Note to self....
Tuesdays are not good days to take the kids to one particular park during the lunch hour... apparently Narcotics Anonymous meets there....
Not that I have anything against people getting help... but let's just say that the quality of the people and their parenting skills they displayed today spoke VOLUMES about them selves!
I think that I got atleast 3 packs of smokes in via second hand.... I thought parks were supposed to be tobacco free????
Hmmmm
Monday, June 15, 2009
First day out of school.....
Today is the official first day with no school... what do the boys want to do????
Stay inside and watch tv......
arghhhhhh... luckily the remote got lost behind the tv!!
Monday, June 08, 2009
Home 2 and a half years later....
Today marks our 2 and a half year anniversary so to speak! We had court in Ukraine on December 8th, 2006 and were granted this beautiful little angel, Miss O! She has been with us now for 2 and a half years! Time has really flown! She has made so many great strides and had so many wonderful firsts! She does truly look like a different child! She has really blossomed! Her vocabulary has really increased - as has her princess attitude! She can be bossy and in charge and really drive us nuts - yet we just love the heck outta this kiddo! She does have a heart of gold and is kind and caring!
We were so blessed that the timing worked out the way that it did! You can go back and read all about her great strides in the labels under Miss O, 2006 adoption and firsts!
A great fishing video - starring Miss O!
This is a cute video of Miss O reeling in her first fish of the season! As you can see and hear, she was not the only one super excited! Both her brothers are great cheerleaders and helpers when it comes to helping their little sis!
More May fishing
Little J and Miss O concentrate hard on fishing! They had a great time!
One of our rules... you catch it, you clean it - you eat it! John and I passed on the trout - we already are fully aware of the wonderful pond-scum taste! The boys ate one trout each.. the cats got one, and the others were returned to the earth via a hole in the garden!The fishing derby!
I am pretty behind in updating the blog! Here are some pictures from a family fishing day in May!
Miss O caught a fish by herself - using the infamous pink Barbie fishing pole!
Big Al shows off his whooper of a trout - he caught 4 fish total! Wait til you see him try to eat it!
Little J gets very excited about fishing! He ended up catching 3 trout and had a ton of fun!
At the end of the afternoon - Miss O declares that fishing day is over! It was home to clean the trout and eat them! ha 
Big Al shows off all four of his trout at the end of the day... it was way too much fish! Monday, June 01, 2009
Memorial day weekend
We had a great Memorial Day weekend - the weather held up and we were able to relax and enjoy the day!
Little J spent most the time trying to juggle the soccer ball as long as possible without letting it hit the ground - inspired by his Uncle Steve, who can do it FOREVER!
Big Al and Little J spent most the day in the yard chasing balls and each other... they were worn out!
Great BBQ rib dinner was enjoyed - and the kids were happy to see their Uncle Steve - who can provide hours of entertainment for the boys!
Miss O raided the garden and collected us a bunch of lilacs to take home and enjoy! 
