Sunday, March 30, 2008

Just Plain Tired

We are all just plain tired in this house. No one is really moving yet this morning, so needless to say we didn't make it to church. Anthony is full of stories, not all of them good. He doesn't seem to mind telling me stuff that could get him into trouble. Like the wheelchair races the boys where having in the airport when no one was around.

I can't believe spring break is already over. It has been a mellow week that I really enjoyed, but that is over. Soccer practice starts this week so that means I should be hearing from Jason's baseball coach. We got him a new bat, helmet and some brand new balls for practicing. He wants a baseball bag just like his brother. Anthony starts baseball a little later in April. Actually I am looking forward to it. I like watching the kids the play sports and they like it so much.

After all the trips we made to WalMart yesterday, I still forgot stuff. Yeahhhh, Walmart and Landry that is my day today.

A Picture from Anthonys trip. This was taken at Arlington.
Arlington

Saturday, March 29, 2008

He is Home

We got the call last night at 11:30pm that the bus would be in town at 2:15 to 2:30 am. They arrived at 3:45am. He looked tired but excited. He wanted to wake up Jason and Megan but we told him "NO". I tucked him in at 4:15 and he was snoring by 4:20. What a good kid, he came back with gifts for us all (and his girlfriend). He even saved some money to do some shopping here later. He is still in his jammies right now.

He has over 200 pictures (I am so proud) that I will post later. I will not kill him for the picture of the street from the top of the Empire State building. Yes, he hung my camera out over the edge. This is my old camera, but I still love it. He says he had a good time, but New York was over whelming. He really wants to go back and see more of Washington DC. He and his friends where very impressed to find Steve's cousins Dads name on the Vietnam's Mem. Wall. He didn't find my Great Grandfathers name at Ellis Island but he did find lots of Silva's listed.

I need to go and track down my two youngest. They are hanging out at the ice cream store eating root beer floats and playing chess. The weather is nice and most of the snow we got yesterday is gone. However, we are suppose to get some more.

Have a good weekend!!!

Friday, March 28, 2008

Update

After an hour delay, Anthonys plane is in the air. I will post when he lands.

Anthony's Last Day

Today is Anthony's last day in New York. The trip has gone by so fast. We didn't hear from him last night but they got back to their hotel rooms really late. I am sure he will have lots of stories and pictures to share.

Bird Watching

Yesterday we went on a bird watch hike. We only saw one bird and I wonder why. Could it be that my two youngest where yelling, running and have a general good time. We got a map from the Forestry Dept. of all the trails in our area. There are hundreds of them. We picked one that we thought would not be too snow covered and set off. It was very pretty and we can't wait to go back when the snow is all melted. If Steve and I are going to see any birds, we are going to have to go without the loudest of our bunch.
Marsh

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Happy Birthday, Lady Grandpa

We are thinking about you today. Happy Birthday

Almost Over

Yep, Anthony's trip is almost over. Today is the last full day they have. He called both last night and this morning. This morning to ask what our relatives names where that came through Ellis Island. I got the last name right but not the first. How many Silvas can be on the list. lol

He says the Empire State building was very cool and New York is really busy. He cracked up at the guy on the corner yelling "I am the black Jesus." At Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, he bumped into what he thought was a wax person. He turn around a grabbed her so the figure wouldn't fall only to find out he was grabbing a real live person. He is very impressed with his hotel room. It has a computer, plasma tv and a view of the Brooklyn Bridge. The kids all thought that the Liberty bell was a fake because it was a lot smaller then they thought it would be.

His day today: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, US Customs House, Trinity Church, Federal Hall, Wall Street, Ground Zero, St. Pauls Church, Broadway to see "Wicked" and Rockefeller Center.

Tomorrow: Midtown Manhattan, Rockefeller Center, St Patricks Cathedral, NBC Store, Fifth Ave., Trump Tower, Tiffanys, NBA Store (where the bulk of Anthony's money will be spent) , FAO Schwarz, then to the airport and home.

What are we doing for the last couple of days? Who cares, it's not as exciting.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Wheres Anthony?

Kind of like the Wheres Waldo game. He has seen Philly and currently in New York City. The list of things he did today is too long to type. Right now he should be in Times Square on his way to the Empire State Building. I can't wait to hear what he thinks about NY.

Yesterday was such a nice day, cold but sunny. Jason and I went for a little hike and ended up getting him some ice cream. He is good to take on a walk because he never stops talking. He really gets your mind off the exercise. Today is colder with a little snow coming down. I drug the dog with me on the walk today and now he is lying here snoring. We have been working on proper dog walking manners and he did really good today.

2008_0325walk0011

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Heard from the boy again

We heard from him last night and again this morning at 5:45am our time. He is having a great time and sounds super tired. He said they have walked over 17 miles in 2 days. He forgot his camera at the hotel today, but T said she would share hers with him. The Holocaust Mus. made a real impression on him. They don't study that part of history until high school. The social studies teacher came over and did a 45min presentation a couple of weeks ago. It left us parents in tears and the students speechless. She made the kids understand what would have happened to their families had we been Jews in Germany at that time. She also gave the kids great pride in our country and our roles in WWII.

What are they doing today? Well, I will tell you. Ford's Theater, Petersen House, Embassy Row, National Cathedral, National Archives, Smithsonian, Natural History Mus., Air & Space Mus., they have dinner then off to Philadelphia. Nice easy day. lol

Monday, March 24, 2008

Anthony Update

I heard from him yesterday. He said he was having fun and so far everything has been very cool. The flight in was fun and he was tired. The hotel has a pool and they had just finished swimming.

Today they are doing: Capitol Hill, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Mt. Vernon - Home of George Washington, Alexandria - Christ Church, Pentagon City Mall, Lincoln Mem., Korean Mem., Vietnam Mem. Another full day.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Some Pictures From Today

This Morning
2008_032300692008_03230066
Don't you love Megans outfit, and that is not wind it is really Jasons hair.
Cheddar checking to make sure all the eggs are there.
2008_03230070



2008_032300832008_03230087
There are so many eggs, that Megan is stuffing them in her jacket.
Below, not sure I want to know what she is doing....
2008_03230074

Of Course, they didn't want to leave Anthony out. This eggs for him. Can you feel the love?


2008_03230033

HAPPY EASTER

Happy Easter Everyone.

I am just getting ready to wake Megan and Jason up to see if the Easter bunny stopped by. Then we are off to church and their egg hunt. Then to the big community dinner. Every big holiday the area churches and business put on a big dinner. It is right next door to the house and smells sooooo yummy. So Megan and I decided this year we are going. I am really missing Steve and Anthony today. Steve of course is working but might be back late tonight.

Anthony today is visiting the White House, Holocaust Museum, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Arlington, Kennedy Gravesides, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (they are laying a wreath there) Changing of the guard, Challenger Memorial, Custis Lee Mansion, Air Force Memorial, Iwo Jima Marine Mem., FDR Mem., Jefferson Mem. Do you think that is enough for today??? Mom and I decided that we are going next time.

Have a wonder Easter and I will post some pictures later.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Just Some Pictures

Here is a couple of pictures from a few nights ago. This is a finished lamb cake. It was one of the better ones. Lets just say, us adults who helped that night, stayed away from the cake.
2008_0319church0058
Jason and his favorite babysitter.
2008_0319church0049
Anthony and his girlfriend. Can you see him blushing?
2008_0319church0044
This is the kitchen where I spend my Wednesdays.
2008_0319church0012

My Baby is Gone

Anthony leaves
He left last night at midnight. Right now he is in Mn and his plane has left the gate but still on the ground. I love modern technology. I have been on flightview (thanks Dad) all morning. It actually tracks the flight so I can see where he is at. I know its a little crazy, but me and the kids are having fun with it. Anthony was too funny last night. He finally got excited when he saw his packed suitcase. Well, actually his head was ready to explode when he finally got to hold all his spending money. It was a year of hard hard work, but I think it is going to be worth it.

**UPDATE** He has landed in Washington DC., We have been tracking him all day. flightview very cool website.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Lamb Cakes

My cakes are done.
DSCF2811 DSCF2823

Yesterday was a very productive day. I got the last of the cakes done, and they will be decorated tonight for a church dinner tomorrow night. I will be taking my camera to youth group tonight for pictures. I also got another project down that I wanted to do. I did all this while my ipod was on and catching up on my podcasts. I love my ipod because I can listen again to Tom Sullivan. He used to be out of Sacramento and now he has gone national. We don't get all the talk radio up here, so thank goodness for ipods and podcasts.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Happy St. Patricks Day

We hope everyone has a fun filled day. Jason was so excited this morning. His class has been having a leprechaun visit for the last week. They of course haven't seen him, but he has been leaving little treats around. Megan is hoping someone isn't wearing green today. I don't even want to know what she has planned.

The crazy Easter week begins. I have some project to complete everyday and someplace to be every night. In fact I should be baking my lamb cakes right now. I need to have 8 done by Wednesday night, so Anthony's youth group can decorated them. I will help with the decorating and then off to the high school for new student meeting. Ughhh, I can't believe I will have a high schooler next year. Tonight is the last meeting for the Philly trip. He leaves Friday night at midnight. He still doesn't seem that excited, I am beginning to think he might be a little nervous. I got his suitcase out and everything is purchased. I can't believe my baby is going to be in Washington DC., next week at this time. Maybe I will post some of his itinerary next week. Oh boy!!!
Jason - Day 69/365
Here is a picture of Jason heading off to school. He is showing off his green shirt. Yes, that is snow on the ground. Outside was very pretty this morning.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Spring Weather???

A couple of posts back, I said I would not count on the nice weather. It has snowed everyday since then. None of it is staying around and it is pretty to look at, but I would really like to see some sun for more then just an hour. Steve decided to only get a couple of hours of sleep and go to the movies with us. We went to see Horton Hears A Who. What a rotten Mom, I have never read them the book. So I would lean over and whisper to Megan, "Maybe they should yell, We are here, We are here." Then she would elbow me when it would happen.

We are trying to get ready for Easter. Anyone else taking out a personal loan to buy eggs? Holy cow things are expensive right now. Anthony can go through a gallon of milk every two days. I read that bread (pasta, anything with wheat in it) is the next to go up. Or maybe it all ready has. I stocked my freezer full the last time it was on sale. We are going to Costco this week sometime. I really hope I can get some stuff there a little cheaper. We already have cut way back on cereal, pretty soon I am not going to let Anthony and Steve eat. I am teaching Sunday school tomorrow, so I need to finish my lesson plan.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Good News

Back from the Orthodontist. Not such bad news. Anthony is only cosmetic so he doesn't need braces. If you look at him, his teeth look fine, and he could care less. Jason is another story. He is going to cost us some money. They are thinking braces about age 10. The Dr., just looked at me and said, "start the braces fund." I really liked the guy. He didn't make try to make us feel like Anthony just had to have them. But then, he could be figuring he will be making his money on Jason. I am going to go and kick back before I am up to the school again to pick kids up.
Jason - Day 60/365

Yeahhhh!!! Its Friday

Well, sort of Yeahhhh. It was a tough morning at the school today. One of my reading groups would not listen and they kept fighting. Unfortunately they had to lose their recess, which makes me feel bad. I hate it when they can't go out and play, but then again, maybe next time they will listen. Speaking of losing recess, Megan's class. Half the class had to sit outside the Principal's door yesterday. Megan included, she and a couple of others, didn't get their spelling homework done. The rest where punching each other while playing soccer. I guess parents are getting called. I see this teacher almost every day, so I am very up to date on Megan. Plus, Megan just walks in the house and tells what happened during the coarse of her day. I try not to get to mad at her, because she is talking to me about what is going on. I would rather her it from her then getting a phone call.

A week from today Anthony leaves on his big trip. This weekend we are going shopping to get the last of what he needs to pack. He needs some more jeans because - while walking home, he threw a ball at someone and slipped on the ice, fell on is side which had his cell phone in his pocket, which in turn ripped a hole in his pants. Nothing unusual, just a typical day for Anthony. He is enjoying weight training and is walking around here flexing his new muscles. The middle school has a dance tonight so he is looking forward to that. I don't believe he does much dancing. I think the girls dance with each other and the boys (at least Anthony and his friends) just run around being goofy.

I hope everyone has a good Friday, and I am off to the orthodontist. Yeahhhh for me......

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Feels Like Spring

It is starting to look like Spring, but I don't want to get my hopes up yet. Two years ago we where doing an Easter egg hunt in the snow. Anthony is all signed up for baseball and he is ready. We enjoyed sleeping in this morning because he didn't have weight training. Who would have thought that I would consider 6:45am as sleeping in. I worked at the school yesterday morning and at the church in the afternoon. Charlene and I needed to be shown how to do enchiladas. I know that sounds crazy, but the way I make them at home wasn't going to work. We needed to have at least 100 of them today. Normally we have someone make them for us but it hasn't been working out very well lately. It took three of us 2 1/2 hours to make them and that doesn't include the time it took to cook the turkey. So, pats on the back for Charlene and I. We got them done and they where even edible. The next few days are going to be busy. I have a few lamb cakes to make for church next week. Both boys have an orthodontist appointment on Friday that I am not looking forward to. I don't even want to think about what we have going on next week.

Monday, March 10, 2008

A Park Day

Steve at the park Jason - Day 61/365
Steve being home (and awake) during the day is a rare event lately. He has been so busy that he has only seen the kids for a couple of hours last week. We decided to head to the park and have some fun. Of course, I went with camera in tow. The weather was a little cold, but not to bad. Sweatshirt weather for us, extreme jacket weather for our family in Ca.
Anthony at the park Megan at the parkThat is Jasons head under her arm.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Cookies Cookies Cookies

Girl Scout cookies are here and gone. Meg and Dad are out delivering the boxes of them right now. Yeahhhh, I am so glad to have them out of my house. She has been working for the last two weekends at different stores in town selling with her troop. One more weekend and she is done.
Cookies
It has been a pretty mellow weekend. It's the calm before the storm. Anthony leaves in two weeks. Baseball and soccer seasons are right around the corner. I am enjoying the mellow weekends while I still have them.
cookiesI took this with my cell phone.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Prayers Please

For Steve's Family. They are going through a rough time right now and could use all your good thoughts and prayers.

Mushroom picking

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Things that are scary

When your 14 year old says "I'm not hungry." Yes, Anthony is home sick. Jason did have an ear infection but he is at school today. He doesn't always run a fever so we have to be careful when he complains about his ears. I have 150 cupcakes to bake for lunch n discussion tomorrow. Plus a house that needs some serious picking up. Why am I still sitting here???

Monday, March 03, 2008

Its Monday

What else can you say but it's Monday. High school football is begun in this family. I know Anthony is only in 8th grade but that is when it begins. He now has weight training at the high school at 6:45am. This is not easy for my son, he is not a morning person. I think the first football camp starts in June and "Hell Week" is in August. Anthony has the dates circled on his calendar. He leaves for the big trip in 2 1/2 weeks. I think it is finally sinking in. He got excited when we started making the list for a shopping trip. It is a hard time right now for Anthony. It is the longest break he has between sports. He really doesn't know what to do with himself. lol

Jason is starting to complain about his ears bugging him, so off to the doctor this afternoon. He has also complained a couple of times that when he reads that it makes his tummy hurt. A trip to the eye doctor maybe next on the list. Did I mention both boys are seeing an Orthodontist this month. Yeahhhhh

Megan has been pretty mellow the past couple of days. The drama with friends at school seems to have calmed down a little bit. She found a Rottweiler puppy that was lost yesterday and helped her get back home. She was so upset and thought the poor dog was going to get hit by a car. She took care of the dog until the owners got here. Cheddar was a little upset that he was not allowed outside while Squirt (funny name for a dog that is going to weight over 100lbs) was here. After all, he just wanted to play with her.

That is about all that is going on at the moment. I am sure as my crazy week continues I will have more to add.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

The Hat

Ok, it really doesn't fit Steve's head, but he was a trooper and wore it anyway. In this picture he is playing his new game for the peter.

2008_0301stevebirthday0001

Roller Blading

Jason - DayJason found Megan's old roller blades in the closet. He is ready to give it a try. We couldn't go far because it had started to rain. It has started snowing here today, but not sure if that is going to amount to much. Steve came home last night and opened his presents. He should be home long enough for some birthday cake before he is back to work. We may just have to drive to him tomorrow and take him out to dinner. I will post some pictures later of him in the birthday hat.