Christmas is packed away

We spent yesterday evening packing up the Christmas tree and decorations and when it's all gone the house looks so empty. I always hate packing it up because it means that I have to help Neil push the HEAVY boxes up the latter to the attic. Last time I was in the attic, I hurt my back. Bad memories!
We truly enjoyed Christmas this year. We spent Christmas Eve at our house with my family, lots of food, and game playing. The guest list included Mom, Jess, Geena, Chelsea, Robert and Melissa, Bev , JonJon, and Grandpa Ron. We were missing quite a few this year and we missed them. I did about half of the cooking the day before so I would have time to get ready, shower and put on makeup, for the day. Christmas day was spent quietly at home. Grandpa Ron came over in the morning for breakfast, then we had a visit by Lyndee who stayed and played for a couple of hours. It was the most peaceful Christmas I've had in many years.
The kids favorite gift this year was the Nintendo DS games that Neil and I got for them. They received many gift cards and money and the day after Christmas they spent their money on more DS games. Thank you everyone for all of the generous gifts you bestowed upon us this year. We were blessed with an abundance of love.
The kids go back to school tomorrow, I go off to work for my Dad, and Neil will return to work after a 4 day hiatus. We enjoyed our time off but we are ready to go back to work!

Weekly updates

Neil is on a motorcycle trip with 2 of his fellow traffic officers. They origianlly had planned on going to Reno but due to the weather, they went to Las Vegas instead. So far he is having a great time. Yesterday they took a trip to Hoover Dam and Neil called home from the very top. He also spit to see what it would look like! He will be headed home tomorrow evening.

Samantha has started piano lessons and is going on her third lesson. She has picked it up rather quickly and loves it. I brings me back to my own piano lesson days and how much I hated to practice! My grandma told me I would regret quiting some day. So, no matter what, Samantha will take piano for at least 2 years. After that, she can pick a different instrument if she wishes.

Alex is excelling in kindergarten and it's remarkable to see how quickly he learns. He is still in soceer, although we have missed 3 games so far (out of town, sick, and raining).

We went to out friend Nathan Wallen's 2nd birthday yesterday. The theme was balls so I made him his own football cake. I was privledged to make his 1st birthday cake as well which was a horse's head. He was having a bit of a hard time with all the people and it was his nap time.

I have my application in for a part-time job at 2 different places. One is for a teachers aide at a nursery school and the other is to be a caregiver here in Turlock. Both would be flexable and work around the kids schedules. I'll keep you updated.

Neil's dad, Ron, moved to CA from Wisconsin this week. We are so happy to have part of Neil's family here. He has offered to help with the kids while I'm working. Alex adores his Grandpa Ron and wants him to live forever in our house. Ron is looking for something close by. He is used to the bachlor life for the last 15+ years.

Staycation

As many of our family members have woefully heard, we will be staying home for vacation this year. It was a rather difficult and sad decision but in the best interest of our families financial wellbeing. Neil still has to take 2 weeks off so he scheduled his wisdom teeth removal for the 10th and after he recoups, will be doing some mini-home improvement jobs. We will celebrate Alex's birthday by going to the movies and having dinner and cake at home. We would also like to take the kids to some "local" attractions, possibilities include Casa de Fruita, Marine World, a water slide park, the zoo, Sacramento, camping with Horsey Grandma. Neil also decided that since we will be home for the 4th that he will might as well work. He will be doing bicycle patrol at the University for the fireworks, then on the 5th he will work the parade on Main St. Busy boy. The kids were pretty disappointed but I think the understand.

Weeks Happenings

More and more I find I have less and less time to post on here. So I'll combine the week.

- My youngest sister Geena moved to Turlock last week and is renting a room in a house with a bunch of Christian girls. She'll be attending CSU in the fall and she plans on being here for about 4 years. We've been hanging out, going on walks at night with the kids on their bikes. We also both share a love of bargain shopping so we hit the Goodwill one day. She found a dress that she loved but it didn't fit. We took it home along with another dressed and I altered the sides for her and made it her size. She took it with her on her trip to Spain were she will be for the next 3 weeks.

- Samantha left for camp and I miss her greatly. It's quite and lonely here, even when Lyndee is in the house. I've noticed there is no fights or yelling! I'll go to Hume Lake to pick her up on Saturday. Can't wait!

- I registered for 2 classes for the fall. Yes, I'm doing it again. I can't give up even though I wanted to after my last online course. I'll take these two on campus this time. Both are Child Develpment and I've decided to work towards a cert. in preschool education. A small goal to accomplish first, then I'll think about the big picture of earning a degree.

New Car for Kellie

(Old car..not mine, just a picture of one similar)
We traded in my 2003 Mitsubishi Montero for this economic beauty


It's a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. I had the Montero for 5 years and because of the cost of gas and repairs, Neil and I decided this is the perfect time for a new car. Actually, Neil has been looking at cars for the past year on the internet and I have just been saying, "No, NO, NO, I don't want a car payment." But with Alex finishing up preschool, we won't have that payment anymore and it works out to be about the same amount of money for the car payment. Plus, we will pay less in gas and insurance. We got a great deal thanks to my husband's detailed prepardness (he printed up everything and brought it with him to the dealership) My new car will save us a ton of money this summer because we will be driving to Minnesota and Wisconsin to see Neil's family. Neil is getting the car ready for travel and bought a GPS system on Ebay for $150 and a dual headrest DVD player for the kids in the back. Looks like we are all set...Oh, yeah, need the Dramamine for Alex!

Happy Mother's Day

We celebrated with a family dinner at our house. My mom, sisters and step-dad Jess came to visit and we had a very nice time. I made London Broil the night before and cut it up Sunday morning, stuck it in the crockpot with BBQ sauce and a yummy Pomegranite Chipotle Sauce from Tastefully Simple. Yum! My mom brought a coconut cake from Raleys/Nob Hill and I'm going to try and replicate it for this weekend.

My mom, sister Geena, Alex and Samantha
Alex showing off his new hair cut and Mother's Day Gift!

Recap of Weekly Events

I thought I would recap the events for the week to keep all of our family and friends informed.

- Samantha had one of her baby molers removed. It was hollow and dead and started giving her pain. She was a trooper with the Noviacane shots and went back to school after a short nap and lunch.

- Samantha went to a play, Straw into Gold, at University Stanislaus, with her class on Thurs.

- Alex had Pajama Day at school. I was really glad it wasn't my day to work in his class. The excitement level was exceptionally high that day.

- Neil went on a motorcycle ride with 2 friends. They toured down to the Santa Cruz mountains.

- I completed a couple of knitting and craft projects.

- I went over to Rachelle's house for dinner with our book club then to a movie. We saw Juno (I ate 2 candy bars...thanks Rachelle!) and laughed our buns off.

- Neil and I went on a date Sat. eveing and saw the movie I am Legend. Really awesome movie.

Family Group Pictures

While we were at mom's party, the Rydalch Family and the Mangini/Fonbuena Family posed for family photos. We also took a picture with all of the 1st cousins who attended, old and young.