6 days 6 days 6 days.............ok 7

its been 7 days since I blogged ---

Brendan's arm/wrist is fine (thank goodness) and definately NOT broken. He was so so mad at Dr. Christopher when he said he probably wouldn't want to play last Thursday --- Brendan did play - the entire game. He is SO stubborn....He simply must get that from his dad(hee hee hee). The boys basketball team (all 7 of them) played their 3rd and 4th games today -- the score of the 3rd game was 53 to 2o - US and today it was 34 to 6 - US.

Whitlee informed us of what she wants for her birthday............A MONKEY!!! Not a stuffed animal but a REAL one!!!! AND.......she wants it to wear pink tights!!!! Where does she come up with this stuff?? She is so worried that Jeff and I are going to forget her birthday party. She reminds Jeff every night. Gymnastics is going great! She is just loving it. There is a cheerleading class starting the day after her birthday and you have to be 3 to be in it. She really wants to do it. I'm not sure if I am going to sign her up or wait until summer to do it.

I don't have much time to blog today -- in addition to helping with the Thunderbird tickets I am also helping the 5th graders with their Valentine Gram fundraiser -- YIKES!!!! By the time Wednesday gets here I will be ready for a Valentine coma:)

I'll be back tomorrow and post some pictures and layouts I've recently done...........By the way I asked Whitlee what she wanted to be when she grew up...............................she responded with............A BANANA!!! You have to love a 2 year old!!!!!

It's NOT broken!!!

Well, it may be something called a compound fracture.........Which means it could be a little broken. Does that even make sense??? I mean seriously???? Can an arm be a little broke?? The answer is not blowing in the wind the answer evidently is yes. Hum.........and now you may be wondering what the heck am I talking about??? My sweet angel Whitlee Jane has recently learned something. She learned how to turn off the ringer on the telephone!!!! Today I picked up the phone about 12:30 and there was a message. A message??? How can that be??? I have been home all day - the phone hasn't rung???? Hum........As I ponder the mysteries of life..........I dial voice mail ---- it's Jeff ---- The school has called him..........Brendan got hurt during PE and as in the office...........He of course doesn't have his car.....he sent me a text message............What a text message --- my purse is right next to me.....it didn't ring and I didn't hear my text ring...so, what the heck is going on???? Well, I started looking for my cell guess where I found it ----- on the front seat of my car...it fell out when I was taking Brendan to school!!!!! According to the "health tech" said it wasn't swollen and it wasn't red.........so, he could rotate it and put some pressure on it but it was painful and it WAS swollen and red......PANIC PANIC PANIC........Brendan on the verge of freaking out --- why --- he has a basketball game tomorrow ---- the be all to end all ---- Since his ped from birth retired with little notice we haven't "offically" picked a new primary ped. YIKES.....................CRAP...............YIKES...................So, off to the ped office to see whoever we can see immediately. Dr. Christopher is great. He talked directly to Brendan not above him like he wasn't there. He really checked the arm/hand/wrist area and I could tell he was concerned......We had xrays many many many xrays!!!! And back to Dr. Christopher.............."good news......well, not bad news" and as my heart pretended to start beating again he said it wasn't a "clean" break but could be either a severe sprain or a compound fracture...bla bla bla ------- Brendan has to wear a brace 24/7 except when he is in the shower and putting his arm in ice. If it's not better in 10 days to 2 weeks I need to take him back. .....................sigh............thank goodness it's not broken!!!!!!...........Thank goodness my child is ok...........Thank goodness in the midst of what was happening to him he was concerned about his team.........Have I said lately how much I love my kid!!!!!! I am lucky!!!!!

FYI - GNOMESTEAD ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Willy Wonka????..............

I forgot to add the Sunday evening entertainment!!!

Home.................Funk and all:)

We are home and I am de-funkafied...................a great weekend was had by the "fresh meat" clan.........I am TIRED --- So, I'll be back later:) I have a LONG blog and photos including some ompa lompa footage:)

Ok Here I am!!! We had an experience on Sunday and I had to blog about it then --- I didn't have internet access to I waited to post it now -- pictures and permission to mention them was granted by the football freaks!!!

Saturday, January 21, 2007

So, I wasn’t going to blog until I got home but I in the need to process today so, I am blogging to work out my feelings and so I don’t become a neurotic mess…………

First, let me say that the football freaks ROCK SO HARD!!!!! Since we really only knew one of the five families attending I must admit I was a bit apprehensive --- I don’t do well in “crowds” I did have the opportunity to meet 2 of the other families at the Latta’s Ho Ho Ho party – it really did help put my mind at ease.

We left home Friday night on our way to Gary and Gloria’s new house. The kids were excited to see grandpa, Abuela and of course Brittney!!!! After a quick visit we were on our way to meet the Latta clan for a meal of Mongolian goodness…………

Evidently Gresham has a different outlook on the Mongolian spread……no shrimp (sorry Doug)……no salmon (sorry Jeffie) and not nearly enough cilantro for my taste!!! But after a lesson in writing ones name in plum sauce on the rice wraps, and getting pictures taken with it, many, many dishes of ice cream for Kaden – we were off to the snowy mountain of Mt. Hood.

















There was chicken disappointment at the Welches Thriftway – I still think Terri should have kicked the crap out of them for remodeling!!! There was much laughter at the local Welches coffee shop “Java the Hut!” and we were off to the “cabin”.

We were about 5 miles from our destination when the roads started getting bad so we pulled off to install the wonderful set of chains!!! Have you ever seen a grown man cry over putting chains on a mini van?? Jeff was on the verge!!! Doug came over to lend a hand and before you knew it, we were on our way! Luckily we were following the Latta Clan, or we would never have found our destination. The snow had blown over the signs to make reading them impossible.

The cabin was beautiful and spacious enough for all 5 families. We picked a room downstairs of course next to the Latta’s as the boy cannot stand to be separated. Can I just say that these 5 families mesh well. That is such a simple statement but it is oh so true. We were part of the evening meal so I decided to make comfort food – I made some clam chowder. I didn’t think it was very good, but Jeff said I was just being critical, and that it was really good.

The boys simply COULD NOT wait to take part in the Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament. First, they divided the box of cards – each boy ended up getting 6 packages of cards. It was a double elimination tournament. The standings ended up being Vance in 4th place, Kaden 3rd place, Blake in 2nd and Brendan took first – the grand prize was a structure deck called “Machine Revolt”. Since he already had the deck, he promptly traded the deck to Blake for Elemental Hero Phoenix Enforcer. He said it was a really good card. The evening progressed and Whitlee hit the wall, so off to the bedroom I went, leaving Jeff and Brendan getting ready to “kick ass” playing poker –

At some point Whitlee nodded off and since she was asleep, I lay there convinced she wouldn’t wake up. I nodded off myself (since she didn’t allow me to sleep the night before). Much to my sincere amazement, I discovered that she woke up – she decided to go upstairs and tell Mrs. Latta that her mommy sent her up for 2 Twinkies and some juice. Yeah, cause mommy was craving Twinkies (RIGHT………).

The remainder of the Cunningham family came to bed somewhere around 2 A.M. – Brendan didn’t win any money at poker, but managed to outlast Coach Doug! Jeff came in 2nd and won $15 – So, I got my $10 that I fronted for the buy in. The family slept until about 10ish and then we were up. Sheri made French toast and Hellmans provided eggs and cut up fruit.

Not nearly enough coffee...

Pool picking.....
pool picking.....

pool picking.........
pool picking.........

There was laughter and football pools to enter – The Hellman’s did the Bears/Saints game……We ALMOST won that one! The Parshall’s who I have been assured are big cheater-heads, won by one, yes one, tie breaking point!!! The mighty Garcia family won the Colts/Patriots pool.

Much to the Hellman chagrin, the Parshall’s Colts won the game making them the Football Freak 2007 winning family. What did they win………braggin’ rights for the next year, ownership of the penthouse suite, their cut of the snow weekend money back, names engraved on the mighty trophy, and all the glory we can muster………AAAAAAAHHHHHH they are truly the champions, and I could be really happy for them, but alas, they are Cougs!!

We took the kids sledding – they couldn’t wait!!!

Kyla

Kaden

Vance

Blake

Kylie

Eleri

Whitlee

Brendan

Even Jeff went down

We found a run really close to the cabin. Mr. Jon Garcia became the “bumper” at the bottom of the hill preventing the kids from doing a “Sonny Bono” with the tree --- all was well, and fast,

Thank You Mr. Jon for saving our lives!!!!!

and after almost 2 hours Brendan decided to take our double inner-tube(the death tube) down the run………to say that he reached mach speed would have been an understatement –

(this is at the start of the ride -- see smiles!!!)

Me - dropping my camera getting to Brendan

Some said they actually heard him breaking the sound barrier…Jon made a diving roll save as Brendan careened around the "Sonny Bono" tree and the metal trailer of death…I felt my heart stop beating and I believe that time actually stood still as I watched my first born disappear about 6 feet down into a ravine with about 3 inches of ice cold water……What stopped him were the slats from the wooden fence. Jon managed to hit warp speed getting to him. Brendan made it about half way up the 6 feet or so of the ravine when he started saying his back hurt. Jon held him in place and Jeff and I got him the rest of the way up. He was so scared…..who am I kidding we were all scared!!!! Thank you Mr. Jon for saving our lives!!!!!!!!!Jeff got him back to the cabin as I quickly collected Whitlee and ran/drug her back so I could check over every single inch of Brendan’s body. By the time we got him back inside and got his clothes off him he was shaking like a leaf. I checked him over and he said his hip hurt. I wrapped him in blankets gave him a Tylenol and just held onto him telling him he was safe. He was scared ok terrified more than anything else. Thank goodness!! I have never been so scared in my entire life!!!! I was holding it together until Terri asked if I was ok and then I promptly fell apart!! I don’t think my heart started beating for at least 20 minutes!

Doug due to the fact he picked the losing team was in charge of cooking the dinner.

He made his specialty meal of Turkey, stuffing, smashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole and corn (not to be confused with Korn). Whitlee was thrilled – Coach Doug gave her a turkey leg!!!! Even though he had previously given the warning that it was nothing it really was good. Whitlee promptly fell asleep on the dinner table and a large puddle of drool followed. She must have slept for 2 hours. As soon as the adrenaline wore off and Brendan had some time to deal with what happened he was fine. Before we knew it he was playing Star Wars with the boys and running up and down the stairs. And all is well in Cunningham land……...and scene:)

Notice the puddle of drool

Never one to pass up an opportunity

She woke up for the chocolate fountain!!

Kaden lost a tooth!!

This is how a family of 4 sleeps in 2 twin beds pushed together:)

Tomorrow, we will take another run at sledding – getting in some fun before we head home to the pinewood derby. I am off to separate the funky clothes from the clean ones, pack our stuff up, and then hose Whitlee off in the laundry sink downstairs. Thus far the snow weekend has been awesome!

Ah.........Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

have you ever had one of those moments??? You know the ones --- the giant light bulb appears above your head the universe aligns and the fates open your book to a page and you say "AH HA!!!" I have had one of those moments...........I have been BLUE you know having a hard time getting through the day......tired......ok I have been depressed. I chalked it up to the holidays and the anniversary of mom's death is next week. While packing for the snow trip that we are leaving on tomorrow I had my most recent Ah Ha moment..............I've been trying to shake it off you know really trying but just couldn't............I'm packing Whitlee's stuff and it hits me - 3 years ago Steve flew to California because dad was in the hospital and it didn't look good. I couldn't go because I was SO SO pregnant with Whitters. Dad was on life support and it didn't look good. They told us to brace ourselves. Steve took care of everything keeping the stress off of me and keeping me out of premature labor. Then we all converged in California - Rick, Me, Steven and Susie along with Auntie Kim and Auntie Sue -- Coja, Amber and Johnny -- we were all there!!!! He was off the vent when Jeff and I arrived -- they don't know why but he made it against all odds he was sitting up and breathing and talking and joking. And then things went so strange -- so awful. It's amazing looking back hindsight really is 20/20!!! To be verbally attacked by someone you blindly trust -- such awful things were said to us and we didn't do anything to deserve any of it. Rose-colored glasses shattered - I miss Mima ever much -- I think about her almost daily - it would be interesting to see how things would be...........she wasn't as "blind" or "unaware" as some believed -- I can't even remember how many hours she and I spent on the phone probably the last 6 or so months of her life!!! We talked about A LOT!!!! She would have loved Whitlee so much and yet she would NEVER have ignored Brendan - she would have NEVER made him cry - she would have NEVER broken his heart. She would have never!!!! I guess we really do reap what we sow ----- Karma really has a way of taking care of its own.......My children are what I breathe for each day each minute each second - I would never I could never say what was said to us. Grandchildren are a gift - to hurt one to make one cry. Brendan occasionally talks to me about that night at the restraunt -- I don't know what to tell him. I absolutely REFUSE to make excuses -- yet I don't want to cause him pain..................Sometimes I hate being a grown up.

Since, I have had my Ah Ha moment -- maybe the blues will lift -- maybe this year moms death won't be so hard -- maybe I can start doing cycles!!!!

For now, I am off to pack because we are off to the snow.................like we haven't had enough right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Candygram...pizza....LANDSHARK!!!!!

This is what Brendan has been doing for the past 2 days............


He LOVES LOVES LOVES sledding!!!!! I think it was a great warm up to our upcoming snow trip!!!!!!!

Where the hell is Ensbrook, Austria???????????

Have you ever felt that way???? And if you are a fan of stripes or Bill Murray you are currently giggling!!!!!!!!!!

2nd day of NO SCHOOL -- ice is everywhere. We tried to go up to the school area yesterday -- NO GO! Jeff we made it about 3/4th of the way up the hill and then Jeff backed down the whole thing -- I thought we would be killed!!!!! Now Brendan doesn't go back to school until Tuesday as Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. day - that makes it a 5 day weekend of course Brendan is THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Miss Whitlee has a new favorite song........Lynard Skynard will be so very proud!!! Sweet Home Alabama is the current favorite of the 2 year old set...........Here is Whitlee singing the only part she knows.........How old do you have to be to get on American Idol????



This is a video of Whitlee's 2nd gymnastics class --- her last class was cancelled because of the snow. They go on the school district schedule.



I'm off I'll have more later --- Brendan is singing the Anthem at the Husky Women's Basketball game!!!!

Snow Snow Snow!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe it!!! We actually have snow at our house --- I am talkin real snow -- Usually when it snows in the area we usually get only a dusting or nothing at all. In 1 hour we got 4 inches of snow!!! It's 9:30 p.m. and it had been snowing for 2 hours and we have at least 6 inches!!!! It is INSANE. The kids are loving it!!!!

It really has been 4 days!!!

So, it really has!!
Life has been busy -- I am on for just a second but wanted to blog about JC. JC is my godson -- what a label - he is family. I took Jeff to his moms so he could get his car last night - as we were pulling in the driveway I get a text message from Christy - she is sitting in the ER waiting room in Auburn JC had an accident on his bike. I couldn't get there fast enough! I knew that she was freaking out but being strong for him. He ended up with 3 internal stitches and 6 staples. I am so grateful that there wasn't more damage than that. Christy was SO pale when they came out from the room he was in. I was really proud of her. She is a strong person she just doesn't realize it!!!

I'll be back later with more of an update.

Hey look mom I'm a scum angel:)

16 days and counting.........The snow trip is looming large ahead of us. The kids are SO SO SO excited - I guess I am also - I just can't wait to see the enjoyment on their faces. It should come as no surprise that Whitlee LOVES the movie Finding Nemo -- in the movie the fish tank is all grossed out and the star fish says "Hey, I'm a scum angel!!!!" Whitlee thinks that this is just the funniest thing. She doesn't know of or has ever seen a snow angel --- I can just picture the video now --- Whitlee laying in the snow yelling -- "Hey mom I'm a scum angel!!!!!" I CAN'T WAIT!!!! Also, I can't wait to take pictures of Brendan in a snowball fight -- he can't wait. I wonder how much hot chocolate we will go through that weekend? Is it possible to od on hot chocolate??? I may have to take some apple cider, whip cream and carmel so I can make Brendan Carmel Apple Ciders -- he prefers them to hot chocolate.

So, what the heck do we need on a snow trip????
Snow boots --- Me (check) Whitlee (check) Brendan (needed) Jeff (needed)
Snowsuits/jackets - Me (check) Jeff (check) Brendan (check) Whitlee (check)
Gloves/Mittens - Me (check) Jeff (check) Brendan (check) Whitlee (check)
Hats - Me (check) Jeff (says baseball caps will do) Brendan (check) Whitlee (check)
A ton of warm clothes (Check - entire family)

I think that we may just have it covered -- who am I kidding I have no idea what we need! I just hope that I can figure out part of what so my kids don't catch their the death of cold. I'm not sure how the whole food thing boils down yet --- I'll have to get on that soon.

I have actually posted 2 days in a row ----- dare I call it a streak??? Nah!!!!!!

Christy started college today -- I talked to her this morning before her class - she was excited yet nervous. She sounded a bit worried after she found out about how much work is involved but I know she can do it!

Brendan went back to school today - he was SO TIRED!!! It shouldn't take him long to get in the swing of things. He should find out tomorrow if he made the choir or not. Saturday the 15th is the choir singing at the Husky Women's Basketball game - February is a Seattle Thunderbird game and then a Tacoma Rainier game and a Seattle Mariner game.

So Friday is Whitlee's 2nd gymnastic lesson -- she sure does love them. Each time I watch her little video on the long trampoline I can't help but to giggle.

I guess that is all for now I have about a billion loads of laundry to do..................................

2007 Can it be?!?!?!?!?

Really.....................Well, according to my calendar it really really is 2007 - wow!!!

This year Whitlee will turn 3 --------- 3 years old, 1095 days What wonder will the new year bring?? What will she discover?? How will her personality develop? Will her favorite color change? Will she still like Dora and The Backyardagians?? Will she continue in gymnastics? What happened to that little tiny baby I brought home?

This year Brendan will turn 11 ----------- 11 years old, 4015 days What will this new year bring? Will he LOVE baseball as much as last year? Will he love 5th grade camp? Will his voracious appetite for reading continue? Will he like middle school come the fall? How will he grow and mature?? What happened to that little tiny baby I brought home?

2007 will be a good year!!!!

What adventures it will hold for us and you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

17 days until we leave for our snow weekend ------------ WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO

New Year's Eve.................New Year's Eve????............Yes, New Years Eve!!

Odds are this will be the last blog post of 2006. I was recently asked if I do resolutions - No, why set ones self up for failure ------ I do have some goals I'd like to implement and achieve in 2007 but I refuse to put unrealistic pressure on myself.

I am feeling like wet cement today ---- I guess when you don't go to sleep until 5:30 in the morning one would feel like wet cement. We had a blast though. Freaking mermaids:) It was a great birthday.

2006 - wow it doesn't seem like it should be coming to a close. Where did the year go? Loved ones lost - new friends gained - breaking out of ones comfort zone - all in all I say 2006 was a good year. I hope that 2007 brings less loss but love and contentment to all.

Oprah OUT!!!!!!!!

Internet Rat Bastard!!!!...........Things could be worse......

So, I had this great blog entry all done. It was publishing and I lost my freaking internet connection mid post -- so what happened it vanished into cyberhell!!! Rat Bastard!!! I love this phrase!!!!



Here is a picture I forgot to post.
Whitlee getting up close and personal.









I'll try and remember what I posted............................................

So lets start with Christmas eve. We went to Christy's so the kids could exchange presents. I'm not sure if JC and Christopher liked their presents. Whitlee fell in love with JC's blanket while I made it and she drug it around the house for a couple of hours after I finished it. What I didn't notice was that she must have dragged it through her plate with pancakes on it --- there was syrup on his blanket. I am SO SO embarrased!!! Brendan got a telescope which he loves and Whitlee got a baby (her name is rock). She loves it becuase it came in a clear backpack and she can carry stuff around in it!!!!

We went up to Marilyn and Gary's house. Of course they totally spoiled the kids. I know I know grandparents don't have any rules!! As you can see by the photos below Brendan got a super cool Hot Wheel racing track among other things. Whitlee of course HAD to put on her Awesome outfit Grandma bought for her. She stripped right in the middle of the room.

Marilyn had a beautiful tree. Everything on the tree had been made by Grammy. We sure did miss her!!! I think we all thought of her at least a million times during the evening.








Brendan LOVING his Hot Wheels & Track he got from Grandma & Grandpa!!!!

















Whitlee looking "Mad Sexy Awesome" - (her words not mine). The outfit is from Grandma & Grandpa!











So, Christmas morning dawned and we found ourselves lost among mounds of wrapping paper. Whitlee was thrilled with the 12 Dancing Princesses Dancing Stone that Santa brought her -- She also got a battery operated kitty like her Grandma. Brendan was on the verge of a panic attack. He thought Santa forgot him. Santa would never forget him -- his presents were very close to the Christmas Ficus (more about that later). He got 2 boxes of Yu-gi-oh cards -- they are a hard to find item so he was excited that Santa was able to get them.

The mighty Christmas Ficus. No, I didn't make a typo we had a Christmas Ficus this year. We really did go out with Steven, Sharlene and Matthew to hack down a tree. We actually found a good one. We had it outside in a bucket of water until we were ready for it and wouldn't you know it....................IT FROZE SOLID!!!!! So, we had a treesicle. It was frozen for 9 yes 9 days -- by the time it thawed out there was no way that baby was coming in the house. As soon as it warmed up every single one of those needles would have fallen off of that tree. The tree stayed outside and we made merry with the Christmas Ficus:)

We went back up to Marilyn and Gary's house to spend some time with them. The kids really enjoy spending time with them.

Then we went to Steven and Sharlene's house. The first thing I'd like to say is that Steven is in DESPERATE need of medication lots and lots of MEDICATION!!! Only he could be so warped to appreciate what he did. He made the relish plate from hell(see below)

The Relish Tray from Hell!!!!!!







Only Steven would think of this!!! Anyhow I guess that's it for Christmas. I am grateful no puke navidad for us. It was a good holiday and we are fortunate.

I am grateful pure and simple. I am grateful for my kids. I am grateful for families who partake in our Christmas tradition and eat clam chowder on Christmas Eve - even though it was followed in short order by a chorus of puke navidad!! I really does mean more than I can say -- it means as much as cleaning baby puke off the kitchen floor!!!

We got some not so good news today and day before yesterday............I found out that someone we care about her father has stage 4 pancratic-liver cancer. I know what it does and IT SUCKS!!! Then today I found out that someone else we care about has stage 2 breast cancer -- she is young and has a young child. Both are in my thoughts.

2007 is just a couple of hours away................2007 really already!!!! We will be spending it with friends -- Brendan will be at Steven's per tradition but we will at friends - Jeff playing poker - Whitlee eating powerbar casserole:) and running wild - me........well I will be catching it all on film and maybe making movies!!!!

2007 - it's going to be a good year - I am learing cycles - It will be a good year!!!!
As per a request from Steven -- Snow Miser is gone.

Oprah OUT!!

Freaking internet!!!!!

I had this great post all done and then lost my internet connection while I was posting so of course it is in cyber hell now!!!

I am to tired to do it now so I'll be back later!!!!!

....Oprah out:)

Fa-La-La Christmas is Over..............

There are many things I want to blog about but I want to start with Friday. In addition to it being Whitlee's first gymnastic's lesson she also got her hair cut - now before anyone panics it was only a trim. but a hair cut never the less. She did SO GREAT!!!!!!! Here are a couple of pictures of the event.

Washing her hair

A trim with our beloved Ms. Angie

Looking Good!!!

Getting a french braid

Beautiful Baby Beautiful!!!!!

There is only 2 more shopping days left..............

fa la la la la!!!!

This has been a busy busy week! Life has been stressful maybe not more stressful than any other day but compounded by other life events stressful never the less.

There was school on Tuesday and Brendan was happy to get back. Winter break started on Wednesday. The school's Winter program was cancelled. I'm not really happy about that because Brendan had 2 parts. I still want to see the program. I am working with the school to see if it still can happen.

It seems for every step forward I find I am a block behind:) Ahhhh such is life. Terri (that's Mrs. L. to you:)) and I have decided we are the new Oprah and Gail -- Jeff is starring as Stedman and we haven't decided who D (her husband) is yet. Since D works nights and they have 5 (yes 5) children her free time is limited (I am not going to give anymore information about her since I don't have her permission to talk about her.........yet:)) -- so we have been hanging out at the scino -- Not dropping a ton of money (no Steve I don't need an intervention) but its a nice place where we can sit and just talk - you know mom talk - she can see the humor and not the humor of Whitlee's latest art project -- grilled cheese dipped in ketchup torn apart and plastered on the side of the toy box. Or the delicate engineering of balancing the Elmo couch on top of the coffee table while eating grapes and cookies:0 You have to just LOVE 2 year olds:) Anyhow we have decided the Jade Monkeys SUCK - freaking monkeys...........We have a love/hate relationship with the fairies...........Disco Freddy no longer SUCKS he is the disco king.........The penguins can be really nice..........the dolphins are fickle...............The witches have mood swings.........The big Kahuna is TOTALLY rad.......Milking the cow is a fun place to start...........and any machine over $.05 makes me break out in a cold sweat:) I did however get my totally bitchin white trash Muckleshoot Casino blanket...............hmmmmm now to decide if I want the crystal that is available in January. And for the record I am currently $35 up and I used it to buy part of a ham from the Honeybaked ham store for Christmas. Brendan loves to hang out with her boys as they LOVE Yu-gi-oh:). It's nice she gets me and I don't have to feel defensive about anything --- they are good people!!!!

Christmas.................it's just around the corner and not a present wrapped ok 1 present is wrapped..........really just one!!! I am trying to convince Jeff that since I shopped and purchased the presents he should wrap all of them. He isn't going for that. I haven't given up yet..............they will get done Jeff and I are no strangers to staying up all night wrapping. We have a Christmas tree but it's not in the house -- We had a tree-sicle the bucket of water we put the tree in was a solid block of ice. Even though it has thawed out if we bring that baby in it will lose every single needle on the tree and I don't want to clean that up. So, we are so getto we have a Christmas Ficus - yes that is right a Christmas Ficus. We brought the fake ficus out of Whitlee's room and I trimmed all the branches that she had peeled the leaves off of and tomorrow we will be putting on lights and ornaments - I'll be posting photos when we are done. The kids don't care as far as they are concerned our tree is the jewelery tree that Grammy made us. It has always had meaning but this year it means more to us since it is our first Christmas without her. It doesn't really matter that the tree-sicle is outside a tree doesn't make the holiday - spending it with family and people we care about is what makes it special.

We aren't going to Jeff's dads until January - I think the plan right now is to try and go down Friday night before our Snow/Ski weekend with the football freaks. We'd go down Friday spend the night and then leave Saturday to drive to Mt. Hood. I wonder how long it takes to get from Portland to Mt. Hood -- we should check that out. Can you believe we are going to the snow on purpose!!! I know I know pretty crazy huh!! The kids are so excited. I think Brendan is waiting for us to say we aren't going. We need a getaway weekend. We didn't go on vacation this year - not even the beach so snow in the winter it is and probably the beach this summer (but I can't think of that right now). We are gearing up to be snow bunnies ok I'll resemble a polar bear but we will have fun fun fun. Of course I am bringing my computer I never leave home without it -- I am actually only bringing it so I can download the photos I take. My goal is to take a MINIMUM of 3000 yes that is THOUSAND pictures - I think I can do it. Ahhhhhh, visions of scrapbook pages are dancing in my head.

Whitlee started gymnastics today --- she loved it -- I am trying to upload some video of her -- it was precious!!!!! Cheerleading starts the 28th of February - we are EXCITED.


And here is Brendan............


Whitlee got her first "real" haircut -- it was actually a trim but then Ms. Angie french braided her hair -- I literally took 500 pictures:) I love my new camera:)

Jeff doesn't have to work on Tuesday so I am going to see if I can take Brendan into downtown to see the Bodies Connections exhibit. He has really wanted to see it but it's not really something that I want to take Whitlee. The only thing is to see if they are open the day after Christmas. I'll have to check into that. Maybe I'll have him take Whitlee to see Charlotte's Web so she can scream "RATS RULE!!" at him. Hum........something to think about.

Extra Christmas Vacation Day or two...........

Well, only one extra day......Evergreen Heights had no electricity - so Brendan had a 4 day weekend. He was wishing that it would turn out to be an early Christmas vacation start but NO WAY!!! The school got electricity this afternoon and they were working on the boiler -- I am actually glad there is school I have a present for Brendan's teacher and the principal - add to that I have some "errands" to run and doing it with a 2 year old who won't remember what I bought it PERFECT:)

We don't have a Christmas tree this year -- well that isn't true we do have a tree-cycle. We had our tree outside in a bucket of water and well ----- it FROZE solid!!! It has been that way for 3 1/2 days. Even if we were able to hack it out of the ice and bring it inside once it warmed up we would loose all the needles. So, I am tomorrow I am taking the 6 ft fake ficus I have in Whitlee's room and we are going to decorate that! How getto -- or I could take Terri's idea and go buy the 2 ft pink tinsel tree -- I know that at least Whitlee would LOVE it because it is her color.

We have put up Grammys tree -- It brings Brendan and Jeff comfort. This is going to be such a hard Christmas.

I should have my shopping done tomorrow - then all that will be left is the wrapping man I HATE the wrapping ---- I still have the calendars to run - I only have 2 months left to do.

Tonight was the Cub Scout meeting that Jeff dresses up as Santa. It was PRECIOUS!! Whitlee didn't even realize that it was her dad. She was SO excited to see him and he called her by name which sent her over the moon!!! She kept saying Santa knew my name. She was sure to ask him if he was still coming to her house and did he remember that she wanted a Dora Princess (I'll have to find that tomorrow) and the 12 Dancing Princesses Dancing Stone (That's in the closet). Jeff.....I mean Santa asked her if she had been a good girl this year and she was so honest and she said well, sometimes I give my mommy attitude:) Out of the mouth of babes!!!!

I am off to download the pictures of tonight -- I'll post them later.

3 Days............

Since I posted anything well our internet connection was out. I know I know that is whiney and selfish and spoiled. There are many many people who don't have their power back and we are lucky to have not lost ours.

I did some Christmas shopping tonight and then Terri and I went to the Cino for a couple of hours --- the fairys were nice to me but the jade monkeys and the witches were not -- Louie the Lobster gave me some of my money back but I am about $10 down - not bad for a couple of hours entertainment.

Whitlee is AWESOME!!!!! Potty training is going SO well!!! She really really does want that big girl bed. She had an accident today but it wasn't her fault.

Brendan is doing well -- His Christmas program is on Monday afternoon -- He is so excited about it. He has speaking parts!!! I am going to take lots and lots of pictures so I'll post on Monday.

I think that is all for now -- I am really tired and need to sleep............Cunningham OUT!

12 more days.............just 12 more days..............

until Christmas!!!! Can you believe it! YIKES and like every year not a present wrapped -- man I just HATE and I mean HATE wrapping presents - I don't mind doing the shopping for them I just hate wrapping them. I may enlist Jeff's help as of this weekend. I am almost done shopping ALMOST! There are a few people (Grandma and Grandpa and Sharlene) who are not being helpful I see cans of corn in their future:)

Last night (Monday) was skate night -- since Brendan is still under the shadow of grounding we took Whitlee -- Brendan was there but was being used for child labor (someone had to help stuff those boy scout flyers). I forget she is only 2 sometimes -- This was only her 2nd time on skates - she is a natural!!!! As you can see she didn't need my help!!!!

Monday Monday Monday...........................

So the clock says but as far as I am concerned it is Sunday night:)

I haven't had much time to blog recently -- Brendan is really giving us a run for our money right now --- needless to say he is grounded and I mean bottom line grounded no tv no computer or video games but he did log and extra 500 minutes or so of reading this weekend -- he read an entire biography on Walt Disney:) If I were a betting woman I am guessing he won't be lying in the near future.

Anyhow I am off I have a billion things to do before I do a billion things tomorrow:)

Food poison..................

it sucks!!! Last night I had the enchalida from HELL --- the pukes started and man have I been in a world of hurt -- Jeff and I you should see us what a pair - he was home sick today that is day 2 - you know in order for him to be home he has to be REALLY sick!!


I'm only on for a second.....................

Christmas is just around the corner...fa la la la la

Trying...........I am trying..............really I am........

I just can't find my Christmas spirit! It's no secret that I don't enjoy the holidays in general -- no warm and fuzzy holiday memories. Although I do have memories of the relish tray from hell and burned homemade clam chowder with raw potato hunks:)

Since having children I have REALLY tried to "get in the holiday spirit" this year I just don't feel it.

I just got word that an old friend is moving back to the NW area -- not back to Seattle but maybe Portland -- that's closer than San Francisco. It will be good to see Emilie:)

Brendan starts 5th grade basketball practice tomorrow -- He is SO excited he can barely contain himself!! He is very excited his friend Blake who is homeschooled will be playing on the team with him. He has been waiting since Kindergarten to play on this team. It's going to be a good year!!!!

You may have noticed that I only have one song on my blog ipod -- it is from my favorite Christmas movie - A Year Without A Santa Claus - enjoy

Heat Miser

Snow Miser

What a difference a year makes..........................

I think it is safe to say we have left the puke zone!!!! Whitlee is feeling GREAT(knock on wood!!!) There has been nothing for over 24 hours and she actually had cereal with milk!!!

I decided to "chance" it and we went to see Santa today -- Whitlee and I did a dry run last week -- very casual and we just went and talked to him. He was so kind to her - She was VERY VERY excited to see him today - Brendan well not so excited but then again he is 10 years old!!!. We only had to wait in line for 45 minutes...Not bad. When they opened the gate for us Whitlee literally sprinted up to Santa. She couldn't get on his lap fast enough. I'm going to post the picture from last year and then this years shot ----- What a difference a year makes!!!

This is last year...........



























And this year......
























Double click on the bottom photo for a better view of the shot.

I am dreaming of puke.................

seriously!!!! I "think"(fingers crossed) we may be exiting the great vomit period................Whitlee seems to be feeling a bit better - notice I say seems....she has fooled us before. I figure at some point I'll get some sleep!!!

I know this is short but with all the puke I have masses of laundry!!!

Just how many times can one 2 year old.............

throw up in 18 hours???? ANSWER: A LOT!!! Poor sweet Whitlee Jane..................She started throwing up at 1:30 AM -- and hasn't stopped yet -- although she does hold off long enough for her parents to start thinking that maybe we may be getting a hand up on this -------BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. She hates it and I hate to see her cry. I must run...........I hear gagging............................

You want me to take WHAT?????

That was my expression to my stand-in Gyno this morning. We all know I have some serious fertility issues and now..........................I have to take freaking birth control pills!!! You have got to be kidding right?? Talk about a waste of time - well I guess not a waste of time as it is suppose to "regulate" my cycle. That is the start I say just yank the crap out I certainly am not in the market for anymore babies. So, I am taking the new "superstar" birth control pill -- Yasmin -- I go back in 3 months -- we'll see how it goes..........BLAH

Just A Thought................................

Just was thinking about this. Here is the question of the day...........

What would you do if you weren't a parent????

My answer: I don't know and I don't want to know --- have I mentioned I LOVE MY KIDS!!!!