Fun at the DSA Picnic

The kids had a blast this past weekend when we took them to the fairgrounds for the annual Deputy Sheriff's Association family picnic. For Chris this is really just heaven one earth. Think about it form his prospective for just a moment. In one place you have police cars, police trucks, police motorcycles, police horses, polices dogs, police robots, hot dogs, snow cones, candy, his friends and of course the ever popular bouncy houses. Now I think you understand why we did not tell him where we were going until we were about half way there.

The weather could not have been better and it was fun for Dani to actually be bale to run around and do stuff this year. Dani loved riding on the Sheriff's Posse horses and got a kick out of walking up and down the ramp into the bomb rig. Chris of course was just fascinated with all the "police" things there. He and his his partner in crime Aidan Barker where in hog heaven. Don't mind the fact that in most of the pictures Chris has his purple flower purse with him. Bryan is still trying to recover from that. Bryan helped out wit a bite demonstration with one of the K9's. EH put on the full bite suit and took quiet the beating from John's dog Risso. Chris thought it was the funniest thing the world seeing daddy get bit by the dog. Good things things like this don't scare the kids, I was a little worried at first.

It was a fun day spent with the kids and as a family.

Dani in front of the bomb truck

the kids loved playing in the car together.

Dani and mom went for a ride on one of the police horses.

Chris and Aidan on the motorcycle......take note of the cute purse

Chris and Aidan again, this time with the bomb suit

Kenny helping Bryan into the bite suit.

Bryan and Chris in front of the newest addition to the bomb squad fleet

Cupcake Face

I just had to share this picture because I thought it was so precious.
Dani was a very happy camper after her cupcake.....CUTIE!

The oh so subtle sounds of the night

Nights are the time that I have to myself to unwind and relax. Bryan is at work, the kids are in bed and I can pretty much do what I want....well as long as I don't leave the house. I think that would just open a whole other set of problems.

After starting laundry, cleaning the kitchen and getting things ready for the next day, I grab the computer and catch up on the days happenings. On nights....like tonight I sit here in quiet. Oh but wait, what is that noise. I hear the subtle creak of a door, Chris has emerged. You see over the past few weeks Chris has perfected the art of finding EVERY possible stall tactic to go to bed. He is great at bedtime. We read books, say prayers, he MUST go check on Dani and then it is to bed he goes. Generally around 10 -15 minutes I can count on hearing the creak of the door. The fun part is trying to guess what he might be getting up to do. There are a variety of reasons

going potty
washing his hands
brushing his teeth....again
putting his stuffed bear on the chair out side his room
taking off his PJ's
going potty again
washing hands ( this happens at least twice a night.)
rearranging his bathroom drawer

That leads me to the next night time ritual of Chris's. One night this week when he got up I walked upstairs to see what the excuse was this time. I found Chris in the bathroom and told he me "my drawer was messy so I fixed it" I think we may have some early onset OCD from this little guy. I will have to take a picture of the drawer for you, I was laughing so hard when I saw it.

So I sit here in peace, listening to the creaking of doors, flushing of toilets, the rushing water in the bathroom and the pitter patter of the little feet upstairs.

I love my quiet nights.

What should I be when I grow up?

Dani is BIG into dressing up and trying things on these days. During a few playdates at Vicki's house, she tried out a few professions. I am sure they will turn a little more girlie a few years down the road.....

should I be a cyclist....

with these goggles I could be a race car driver.....

or I can always follow in daddy's footsteps and be a police officer......OR

I can make Daddy really happy and be a fireman!

4 year old Logic

Tonight the kids and I were in Dani's room doing a little pre-gym diaper change. The windows in her room were open and Chris had his face pressed against the screen making fun noise. A car drove by and he stopped. That is when this conversation began:

Mom, the street is dangerous right?
That's right it is.
If you play in the streets the cars will get you right?
Yes they will. (this is where is got good)
The car will run you over and smush you.....then you will be hurt....the ambulance will come to get you. Then mom the ambulance has this thingy that goes up and down that you sit on, it is cool.....'member mom the one they had a pre-school
Yeah I remember.
They put you on that and cover you up and take you to the hospital with the loud sirens. Then, then when you get to hospital they say that you are dead.
Oh,
But then you go to heaven with Jesus.
Uh....okay
I don't like to play in the street 'cause I don't want to get dead

So there you have it. The obvious reasons for not playing in the street. I was quite amused and partially disturbed as this conversation played out. The nice thing though is that he truly never goes out in the street due to his fear of "getting dead." LOVE IT!

Questions of the Altamont

I try and find joy in the little things that I do in my day. Having my witty four-year old around with his little insights on life help. A few times a week when I am driving to work I have the kids with me. Depending on traffic it takes me about 30-40 minutes to get to work. These minutes are filled with some interesting conversations, or whatever it is you call the back and four between a 4 and 1 year old. Chris is big into questions these days. He is a sponge for knowledge, not all useful, but none the less he is a sponge. Here are a few of the fun questions I get during my Altamont drive.....some he answers him self. LOVE IT!

Why is there traffic, are they all going to work?
Why are there gas trucks and loader trucks?
What are they building? (we drive thru construction everyday)
Why are there 2 scrapers and not a bulldozer? (makes me proud he knows the difference)
Do all car have hot pipes? (his word for exhaust pipes)
Is our car fast?
Did that break? ( this he said today after my rear view mirror fell off while driving)
Are there alligators in that truck? (there was a pic on one on a semi)
Do all the Costco trucks go to the Church Costco?
Can you eat the french fries on the McDonald's truck?
Are we taking the church freeway? (we drive 580 so much this is what he calls it)
Why are some fans on and some are off? (I would like to know the answer too)

Some people enjoy a little commute to hacve time to get ready for the day, unwind or just listen to music and relax. Me, I have to gear up for a drive full of Altamont Questions. But it keep some on my toes to have to find the answers. LOVE IT!

Lazy Saturday morning

Saturday mornings are a little different around her now. For five years Bryan has had Saturdays off....and now with the new schedule he is working. So that means I get to fill that day with fun for the kids. This Saturday was PJ day in the morning. Dani somehow lost her top int he mix of things, probably from a food casualty (that's usually the culprit). Not quite sure where she gets her love of shoes from

Dani loves being a big girl in Chris's camping chair

Sierra was convinced Dani was going to share her raisins

Flying Dani

I promise Dani was having fun. We were at my sisters new house breaking in the pool. Dani being the water loving baby she is, insisted on being launched into the air. This went on for quite a while. She was not happy when we left.

Dani the Daredevil

Last week the kids got to go to the water park in Antioch. Chris was able to go on pretty much everything since he got the "tall" gene from dad. But the real hit was Dani deciding there was no reason she could not go. So with mommy at the bottom and Joanna up top with Dani, away she went. It was the cutest thing ever!

ready to go for the first time

for some reason she enjoyed backwards better.

Again mommy again...

she is my adventure queen!

a day at the lake...

We had a perfect day on the boat at Hogan's with our friends Ryan & Lisa and their two kids Caleb & Carly. (Dani got to stay at home with Mor Mor) . I think it had been since I was pregnant with Christopher since I had been in skis. We had a blast! Chris...after watching Caleb do it....loved jumping off the back of the boat into the water to Daddy. Later in the day we got him on the tube with Bryan and he was hooked. Then that was all he wanted to do. Later I got to head out with both the boys on the tube (lots of laughing). We're grateful to have great friends to let us join them on the boat for the day!Chris and Bryan.....first time out in the tube

Bryan, Chris, Caleb and Ryan enjoying the cool water

Mom and the boys out on the tube

Alison ready to see if she remember how to wake-board

Looks like she did just fine

Caleb was ready for a little nap