Apple Cup

If you know me at all then you know what Cougar football means to me, and this blog entry will not really be news to you. For those of you that don’t know me very well, I will start by saying that without a doubt next to my wife, kids, and family, cheering on the Cougs is one of the things that brings me the most joy. Ok, now some of you are saying, “this doesn’t sound like Amy”. Well its not, but Amy has always said "this is our family Blog”, and she has encouraged me to write, but up until now I couldn’t think of where to start. It seems fitting to start with one of my favorite topics on my favorite week of the year, Apple Cup week.

I can think of dozens of reasons why Apple Cup is my favorite week of the year, but the two biggest reasons for me are that this game involves both family and Washington State University. My Mom and Dad took me to my first Apple Cup at Husky Stadium in 1997 and I have made every game since, and for the most part our family has attended these games together. Over the years this tradition has expanded to my wife, children, mother and father in-law, brothers and sisters, cousins, and countless friends. All of whom have helped make this tradition what it is.

Below are a few pictures of past Apple Cups, some good games, some disappointments, but overall great memories. Happy Apple Cup week and GO COUGS!

1997: WSU 41, UW 35. This picture says it all... Well not all, it really says Rose Bowl!

1998: UW 16, WSU 9.

1999: UW 24, WSU 14.

2000: UW 51, WSU 3.

2001: UW 26, WSU 14. Don't we all look young?

2002: UW 29. WSU 26.

2003: UW 27, WSU 19.

2004: WSU 28, UW 25. A good WAZZU win at the end. I almost missed the final series due to my sister's shenanigans!

2005: WSU26, UW 22.

2006: UW 35, WSU 32. To Pullman, WA via Shanghai, China. Dad arrived the morning of the game after 23 hours and 4 layovers.

2007: WSU 42, UW 35.

2008: WSU 16, UW 13. Huge 3 day tailgate in Pullman and Abi's first Apple Cup. Oh and yes, that is me celebrating, 0-12!

2009: UW 30, WSU 0. Not sure I remember this one, I think I have completely blocked it out.

2010: UW 35, WSU 28.

2011: ????

Little wonders and holy molars

I love watching my little ones grow. Everyday they change, everyday everything changes -good and not so good. Like how Abi is pooing on the potty, but I'm not a fan of racing stripes. It's amazing to me that they are born the way they are and although we can guide them through life, they still are who they are. My mom always says "they have a right to be who they are" -although sometimes I think I'd like to make Abi a little easier to live with she has a right to be herself and I wouldn't want it any other way. It makes me feel better when the other moms at the preschool talk about problems with their kids, I know I'm not alone when my daughter has to change her shoes 4 times before we can leave the house or pretty much do the opposite of what I want her to do. Abi is growing up and preschool has really helped her confidence and social skills. She easily and instantly makes new friends at the park or where ever we may be. Ben is not shy he walks over to complete strangers and wants them to pick him up. He is a complete boy, physical and tough, but he is so sweet. He likes to be held a lot, which I LOVE! I looked in his mouth yesterday to discover 3 new molars, holy molars, no wonder why he hasn't been feeling great. These little monkeys keep us busy and happy and more than anything we are thankful for them.

Finally done!

Yay, finally finished with my lastest cross-stitch. This took me about 30 hours, seriously. But it gave me comfort and something to do the long hours and days spent in the hospital with my mom. It is for a baby quilt we are making for an expecting mom at my work. I got one when Abi was born and it's pretty special to me.

Bam bam

We should have named Ben B, Bam Bam because he is always banging on things. The louder the better. He bangs his fists on the high chair tray, he loves to bang pots (or anything heavy and loud) on the hard wood floor, he bangs toys or fists on the toilet seat and/or picks up the toilet seat and drops it (making lots of noise). His other favorite thing to do is to throw his music table, or any other object large or small. He is such a boy, solid and tough, football in his future? Also, I think he eats more than I do.

Abi Gabby is so smart I don't think there is much she doesn't know at this age. Her new favorite thing is puzzles. I'll find her in her room quietly doing a princess puzzle while Ben is napping. She repeats anything and everything I say and I find when she repeats my own words back to me they don't sound great, so I'm trying to use different words and lots of patience when she is frustrating me. This is when parenting scares me the most, when my actions could make an impact that will affect this child the rest of their life. So as we are trying to raise two children I also must better myself in every way possible way too.

By the way, family pictures were a disaster ;)

Figures.......

This evening we have an appointment to get the kids pictures taken and a family photo. I was thinking this morning that it was good timing because Ben actually doesn't have any bruises on his face......about five minutes later he fell down and got a black eye. Figures.

Baby wipes

Baby wipes are good for everything and I do mean everything. I use them to do a quick wipe down of the counters and sink in the bathroom, wipe off the counters and table and high chair in the kitchen, clean small spots off the carpet, I put them on my Swiffer and mop the floor, I use them to clean spots off the furniture, wipe off the dog, clean dirt off my shoes, dust, wipe out the frig, if no Clorox wipes are available I'll use them to wipe off a grocery cart, not to mention wiping bums, faces, boogers, and hands. Couldn't live without them that's for sure.

Favorite pics ever

Two of my favorite pictures. Love these little munchies.

Ups and downs

The police officer that came back on Saturday said it's extremely unlikely that our house would get broken into again (especially since the person was scared off and to their knowledge took everything of value that was easily accessible) and that burglary in our neighborhood is rare. We are wondering if our dog did scare the person off???? She has been jumpy and barking all weekend. I know she would be protective of us if we were home but maybe she wasn't sure what to do since she didn't have anyone to protect???? I guess we'll never know. An extra lock for the backdoor, security alarm stickers on all the doors, maybe a beware of dog sign too, hopefully will be enough to detour anyone thinking about breaking in again. So far the insurance company has been helpful and we are starting to feel back to normal. When I get home after being out I still poke my head in the house and look around before even unbuckling the kids from their car seats. I find myself being a little jumpy and nervous, looking out the windows. I'm sure this will go away over time.

Somehow the universe has a way of finding balance. A super generous friend brought us presents (love ya Jen)! It was a perfect football weekend! Someone at my work asked if they could work Christmas day for me! Abi and Ben are extra cute and cuddly and have been sleeping from 7pm to 8am! The chickens started laying eggs again! The holidays are so close I can feel it! I just feel happiness and love around me. Life just has it's up and downs.   

Unlucky day

11/11/11 did not turn out to be a lucky day for us. The kids and I ran to the grocery store in the afternoon (which is always a bad idea that time of day because they are tired and cranky) when we got to the check out one of my worst fears came true, I looked in my purse and realized my wallet wasn't there-yikes! I took it out and put it in the diaper bag at the museum. We ran out to the car because I thought the diaper bag was in the car, it wasn't. I started crying, I just spent an hour grocery shopping with cranky kids for nothing. I was mentally drained when we got home so I sat on the couch for a while. I can't remember why but for some reason I went into our bedroom and I saw my earring on the floor, I thought that is weird. I picked it up and went to put it back in my jewelery box when I realized almost everything was gone out of my jewelery box, I thought very weird. Then I looked down at the carpet and saw pine needles everywhere, I had just vacuumed-panic swept over me (another worst fear came true). I ran back to the kitchen and saw the knifes were missing out of the butcher block, hysteria and panic took over-what if someone was still in the house! I grabbed the kids, shoeless and coatless, my cell phone and the car keys and threw everyone in the car (not even in carseats) and left. I called Brad, I knew he was almost home. He could barely understand me because I was hysterical so he called 911. Abi kept saying "mom, it's OK dad will be home soon".

The police came and searched our house, no one was there. They took finger prints and filed a report. At one point there were 6 police officers searching in and around our house. Stupid dog, now I can say she is really good for nothing. She is the reason I feel secure, she barks viciously at strange sales men that knock on our door. She's big, black, and has a deep bark and is kind of intimidating. On top of that I left the TV on our while we were gone only because I couldn't find the remote to turn it off (the kids like to take it and hide it). Which leads me to the scariest question of all, how did this person know we weren't home? I'm pretty sure I scared them away when I got home and opened the garage door because there was a pile of stuff by the backdoor that they had planned on taking but didn't have time. They took my jewelery, Brad's watches, eagle scout ring, digital camera, video camera, i-pod, knifes, and other random stuff. I am so thankful they did NOT take a small tin I have in my jewelery box that has all my important/valuable jewelery including my heirloom diamond ring from my grandma, necklace from Brad, and a few other small diamonds (which are now in our safe). The only way we can assume they got in is through the backdoor which we always, always double check to make sure it's locked. I never leave it unlocked even when I'm home, but as I said it was not my day and the one day someone wants to break in our house I forget to lock the door???? How is that statistically possible, what are the odds???? If only I had paid more attention when we first walked in I would have noticed right away and we wouldn't have even gone inside.

I'm thankful they did not take anything that can't be replaced. I'm thankful my kids are too young to understand what happened. Abi thought it was fun that our house was full of "boys" (police officers) and Ben just wanted an officer to pick him up, sweet boy. I'm thankful we were not home and that my family is safe. This unlucky day makes me realize we still have so much to be thankful for.

Children's Museum

We met up with some preschool friends at the Children's Museum today, and I ran into my cousin and their little girl Gracie. Abi had a good time and so did Ben. They liked the farm area and the playground area the best but also liked the trains and planes. Abi either did not want me to take her picture or she was running around playing and I couldn't get her picture. All in all a good way to spend a rainy day :)   -and glad we made time yesterday to enjoy the sun at the park.

Helpless

Feeling a little helpless today. I wish I could say my mom is doing better but we may have taken a few steps backwards. She still can't see, or walk, or pour herself a glass of water, or put toothpaste on her toothbrush, or even go to the bathroom by herself. She falls down so much that she is covered from head to toe with bruises, she has lost 10 or 15 pounds, and she is having some kind of mouth infection (or reaction to medication) that is causing her tongue to be swollen, bleeding, and painful. I can barely understand her on the phone because her mouth is so bad. She has been acting out of character and hallucinating (especially at night). My dad is exhausted on the point of mental breakdown and there is nothing I can do. IT SUCKS! I feel so helpless. I hope somehow someway things will get better.

I heart baby legs

Preschool Newsletter

Abi's preschool sends out a newsletter every month and this month I couldn't help but notice under teacher comments (where the teacher talks about things going on in the classroom) she wrote "some of the children seem to be having trouble keeping their hands to themselves and some children are non-verable in the class". Which is worse? Probably the not keeping your hands to yourself but I'm pretty sure Abi falls under the not-so-verable caterogory. She chats with the kids and will answer a question from an adult if not put on the spot in front of others. She is painfully shy sometimes, although getting better all the time. I wish there was something I could do to make it easier for her but I think this is something she has to figure out on her own. All we can do is support her and give her confidence when we can. If only they knew the crazy running around screaming and yelling and talking-up-a-storm kid I know.

FYI

I finally changed my settings so anyone should be able to comment on any post. Lets see if it works :)

Sock monkey

Ben's new sock monkey hat (I couldn't resist). I wanted to share two of my favorite sites on esty, I like them as much as drinking coffee in the shower (my other new favorite thing to do). Perfect Christmas presents for any little one:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/littledarlynns?utm_source=transaction&utm_medium=trans_email&utm_campaign=purchase_buyer

http://www.etsy.com/shop/knottybabywear?utm_source=transaction&utm_medium=trans_email&utm_campaign=purchase_ftb_alt

Yay, just so happy to spend some time outside today.

Un-thankful

This time of year makes everyone remember all that we have to be thankful for, but in the spirit of thankfulness I would also like to include what I'm not thankful for. Starting with-I'm not thankful for waking up and stepping in cat puke this morning and having it gush between my toes causing me to hop on one foot to the bathroom while Ben was crying. I'm not thankful for the dinosaur, I mean giant spider I had Brad kill right outside the back door. I'm not thankful for all my dying rotten plants outside that so desperately need to be cleaned up. I'm not thankful for being sick and tired, and when I say tired I mean exhausted. I'm not thankful for already starting to worry about how much Christmas presents will cost. THEREFORE, I can say I AM THANKFUL for absolutely everything else!!!!! (and that list is way to long to type)

Lindsay had her baby!

Alana Marie born 11/4 5:31pm, 7lbs 11oz, 19 inches

Sweet, sweet Abigail

I knew I had a sweet little girl but oh my goodness, I had no idea. We have been at my parents for two days and Abi has done nothing but tell Grandma how much she loves her, give snuggles, and hugs and kisses. Who is this sweet heart? Abi is so gentle and sweet (no trouble at all) and literally tells Grandma and Papa she loves them every five minutes. She wouldn't even run to the grocery store with me because she wanted to stay with Grandma, and when Grandma lays down for a nap Abi wants to lay right next to her. Cute cousin Evie came over today to visit and Abi had to give her kisses too, and help give her a bottle. Ben toddles around arms stretched up in the air, someone please pick me up and love me. He has grin from ear to ear and has been so sweet and good (hasn't gotten into anything). I was a little worried bringing both kids down would be too much with my mom still needing so much help but so far they have been an absolute joy. I'm still worried about my mom and being here doesn't lessen the worry. Baby steps, a little progress at a time. Vision, a tiny bit better; balance, a tiny bit better; mental state, same. I guess I never realized before during previous visits that her brain (thought process) just isn't working right. My dad is definitely getting burnt out. Taking care of someone 24/7 and doing house chores is a lot for anyone. Which is why I am so glad Abi and Ben are like little rays of sunshine, happy and sweet, and perfect. I've heard a friend say before and it's so true- "no storm clouds are a match for my child's sunshine".

The best news ever

The Doctor told me today that my heart is great! No murmur, no fused aortic value, no aneurysm. I am free from having to worry!!!!! Which brings me back to the stupid Group Health Doctor that told me they thought I had a murmur but it was so small not to worry, leading me to assume for the past 7-8 years that I had the same heart value problem as my mom and sister. Even better I am leaving to visit my mom with the kids today and staying through the weekend. Happy, happy day...........

Trick or Treat

Ben in a basket

 Castle tent for the princess (see Ben in the cornor)

 I used her Easter basket as a candy bucket, kind of goes with her outfit-princess and the frog. She refused to wear her crown.

 First, we went to the Mill Creek towncenter.

 Abi's ready to go.



 Next, we went to Ryan and Sherry's with Aunt Keri for some real trick or treating. We decided Halloween is Aunt Keri's holiday, she hasn't missed a year of taking Abi trick or treating.

 Abi loved trick or treating, maybe just because she was with her friends. She ran from house to house happy as can be, she thought it was a great time. The picture below cracks me up because the girls would send Brandon to the door to ring the door bell while they waited farther back. If there were other kids at the the door they were always the last ones to get candy. They would patiently stand to the side and wait their turn.