The Family Bean

Happy Valentines Day!

2012-02-13T18:32:00.000-08:00

Veda and Adele are enjoying all of their Valentines presents... especially these sock monkeys from Auntie Kel. We will have a special Valentines pizza dinner and open the rest of their Valentines packages! They are also having parties at school and Veda chose princess Valentines for the girls and Justin "Beaver" Valentines for the boys;)

Underwear Party

2012-02-12T20:15:00.001-08:00

Veda was in Adele's room with the door closed for about 5 min. She comes out and says "Adele asked me to put underwear on her". This might be plausible if Adele knew how to talk or even say underwear for that matter...

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(Milk) Drunk

2012-02-12T18:07:00.001-08:00

Watching the Grammys with dad.

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Morning Bathtime

2012-02-12T07:10:00.001-08:00

Nighttime baths are a total nightmare with Veda, but for some reason the morning bath today was play time...she even let Adele join, which normally is taboo.

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Journey 2...another so so movie

2012-02-11T18:36:00.001-08:00

Veda filled up her sticker chart so as a reward she wanted to go to a movie. Lots of PG rated movies lately for me. Today, Duane "The Rock" Johnson headlined the movie, but Veda mainly wanted to go because the trailer showed a bee pooping on a guys head. We have high standards around here.

Happy Birthday Auntie Kel!

2012-02-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

We Love You! We are so excited for our new niece or nephew to arrive at the end of July! XOXO

The Honeymoon is Over

2012-02-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the balmy winter weather with story time on the back step.

Didi trying to weigh Winston on the scale in the living room. We skipped his two week check up at the recommendation of his Dr. She said it wasn't worth it to bring him in to be weighed in the middle of flu season. She said she trusted that since I'm a third time Mom that I would know if he was eating enough and gaining weight. I don't have as much confidence in myself so we were trying to confirm he had packed on at least a pound. The scale says he's just over 8 lbs so we should be good.

Winston is going to miss his snuggle buddy.

Didi leaves tonight and my four weeks of help is in the past. I'm enjoying my final hours on the couch snuggling little man and watching trashy reality TV.

Overhead

2012-02-07T05:04:00.000-08:00

Veda talking to Grandma Diane at breakfast this morning:

Didi - "I'm gonna miss Winston so much, he's so cute and cuddly..."

Veda - "Don't worry Didi, you'll find a baby of your own somewhere when you get home"

Book Time

2012-02-06T18:46:00.001-08:00

Just reading a book to my dog.

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"Blue Steel"

2012-02-06T17:07:00.000-08:00

My good friend Katie paid us a visit and took these amazing photos of Winston. Kind of feeling guilty that I haven't had one professional picture taken of either of the girls. Now that the fam is complete I think it might be time for a photo shoot with all of us... after I shed the baby weight;)

Super Bowl Halftime Show

2012-02-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

"Like a Prayer" - dance off by Veda & Adele.

New Friends

2012-02-04T18:20:00.001-08:00

I'm sure glad the older kids in the neighborhood don't mind entertaining the girls because Veda is in heaven. KK is teaching Veda how to play games on her phone... good January outdoor fun.

Overheard

2012-02-04T10:23:00.000-08:00

While Veda was watching me feed Winston... V: "Mom how does milk get in your tummy?"
Me: "When you have a baby your body makes milk"
V: Not satisfied with the simple answer, "Can you show me how it works on the computer?"

Sleeping Positions

2012-02-02T19:35:00.000-08:00

Just when Adele got all of these mastered, along came Winston to kick her off to Redemption Island. Favorite positions for each child? Adele loves the 'neck scarf' - at dad's expense and Veda is pretty partial to 'Jazz Hands' - which everyone gets to enjoy...

Nana and Bull

2012-02-02T06:27:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad were here for two and a half weeks. We almost let them leave without getting a picture with all the Grandkids. Adele is especially sad that they are gone and keeps asking for Nanny and Bull.

Here goes nothing...

2012-01-30T19:53:00.001-08:00

First day out of the house with all 3 kids. The first major obstacle was convincing Veda that her demotion to the 3rd row was actually an upgrade. Some questionable negotiating tactics and a little red pony buckled in the adjoining seat and we were off to Target. I might have also told her "if you don't get back there, we are taking Winston back to the hospital and giving him away". #NoShame

Overheard

2012-01-29T16:08:00.001-08:00

I asked Veda to help me with the baby gate since I was holding Winston. "'Mom you can do it... get your head out of your button."

The Highlight of the Day...

2012-01-28T10:41:00.001-08:00

"Dad look! The giant meatball sign...we must be at IKEA"

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Adele on the Potty

2012-01-28T07:39:00.001-08:00

Without a doubt, this is the longest she's ever sat in one position. She is insistent on learning how to go in the big girl potty (even if she doesn't quite know what she's supposed to be doing).

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Happy 10 day Birthday

2012-01-27T18:35:00.001-08:00

Little Buddy keeps progressing each day...looking less and less like a little alien. To celebrate, we took him to a movie, "The Grey". Slept the whole time.

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Ice Painting

2012-01-26T18:07:00.000-08:00

Every day Veda's teachers send out a summary of the days activities and significant events. The other day they wrote about making colored ice cubes and using it to paint. I used food coloring and this made for a fun afternoon project on yet another rainy day... it made a beautiful watercolor. I don't think I'll use food coloring next time because it stained her hands... maybe finger paint?

Proud Helper

2012-01-26T17:54:00.000-08:00

Veda has been anxious to help take care of Winston. She loves diaper changing and feeding time... which is all the time. She has been "helping" me feed by holding his head in place which generally means she is pushing his head into me and suffocating him. I was able to pump enough for her to feed him herself from the bottle. Made her day!

Firsts

2012-01-26T11:44:00.001-08:00

1st Dr. Appt

1st Car Ride... Home from the hospital - I'm so small!

Naughty

2012-01-25T16:50:00.001-08:00

Coloring the walls and my car...

YouTube Video

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Little Boy Blue

2012-01-25T16:23:00.001-08:00

A nursery rhyme for my little bro

YouTube Video

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Watching Baby Brother

2012-01-24T18:37:00.001-08:00

This is classic Adele - "If I get a running start, I think I can make it to the crib..."

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Fight Club

2012-01-21T15:24:00.001-08:00

A gift from baby brother today. The only rule with this fight club...no hitting in the head...

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Big Sister visits Winston

2012-01-20T10:08:00.001-08:00

"He's the cutest baby I've never seen"

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3 day old foot, 3 yr old hand

2012-01-20T08:55:00.001-08:00

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Little Gym Recital

2012-01-18T18:29:00.001-08:00

Not only was it a big day for Winston; it was a big day for Veda as she had her season finale dance & gymnastics recital. Kathy was not able to attend but I was able to catch most of it.

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Introducing Winston William Laabs

2012-01-18T10:41:00.001-08:00

Born on 1/18/12 at 11:38am. 7lbs 13oz and 21.25"

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It's go time...

2012-01-18T07:49:00.001-08:00

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Adventures of Tintin

2012-01-15T13:10:00.001-08:00

Veda's first movie movie in 3D. As we walked out the door for the movie, she said, "it's a beautiful day today, birds are chirping, chickens are cock-a-doodle-dooing, what a perfect day for a movie". She kept the glasses on for about half of the movie...until she realized she couldn't really touch the people flying off the screen.

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Finding Nemo

2012-01-15T06:57:00.001-08:00

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Book Nook

2012-01-14T19:29:00.000-08:00

Nana had her fair share of puzzles and reading today... spoiled little girls.

Fun in the.... Snow

2012-01-14T19:24:00.000-08:00

Bull and Nana arrived on Wednesday. After an evening of painful and consistent contractions I thought it best to call in the calvary early. Turns out there has been little action since then but we've sure enjoyed their company. When Adele wasn't busy eating the snow she was enjoying the snowball fight.

Veda decided that she was going to ice skate today. We tried to explain to her that we needed ice to skate and she explained to us that snow is ice so she would skate on that. We gave up on the reasoning and decided to let her put her skates on so she could figure it out herself. Well... we did find a small patch of ice near the curb and that was all it took to satisfy her curiousity.

Our own Stevie Wonder

2012-01-14T16:30:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Papi!

2012-01-10T06:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Happy 60th! Veda sent you a "note" in the mail and I forgot to include the transcription. "Dear Papi, Happy Happy Birthday, Love Dear Veda. It's your birthday on 11:30 896. You will be the birthday boy. Come see us soon. Love Dear Veda."

Happy Feet

2012-01-08T15:56:00.001-08:00

37 weeks and 3 days - Full Term!

2012-01-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

This poor third child has gotten no attention due to all the craziness in our lives througout this pregnancy. Good thing I remembered to document at least one bump photo before the big day. Last week they FINALLY scheduled me for the 18th at 11am EST. I'm praying that nothing happens before Bull and Nana get her next Sunday because I'm just not ready.

Finally Fun Outdoors!

2012-01-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

Well it stopped raining and started to snow early last week! Turns out that two things get the neighbors outdoors... nice weather and snow. We met some neighbors and Veda had a blast making snow angels in the street with her new friends. Adele just couldn't stop shoving the snow down her throat. I finally intervened when I caught her scooping handfuls of slush off the street into her mouth.

Then of course it was 55 yesterday so we were able to walk to the park and then spent some time in our cul de sac til the sun set playing with the neighbor boys. Turns out there are quite a few boys on our street who are either Adele's age or slightly older than Veda... Veda didn't seem to mind and was having sword fights right along with the 1st graders. Now we have to get her her own light saber.

Overheard

2012-01-06T07:56:00.001-08:00

Veda to adele:

Come into my playroom Adele. It's not scary. There are no skeletons, monsters or biting teeth.

This is particularly funny since biting teeth have been the weapon of choice between these two lately.

Best Buddies having fun at our new outlet mall - almost as good as Camarillo

2012-01-03T19:19:00.001-08:00

Growth Spurt?

2012-01-03T19:12:00.000-08:00

This is the kid that once wouldn't eat a thing. Now I can't keep her full. This is a 12:30a snack attack after she woke up and started screaming EAT EAT EAT!!!! She downed a serving of applesauce, 2 hunks of cheese and a handful of nilla wafers.

Christmas Morning in Pictures

2012-01-01T13:06:00.000-08:00

Heading downstairs to see what Santa has brought us!

Hooray "a Tamborine"!! We got smart and went straight for the gifts this time.

He ate his cookies! Most of them...

Oh my goodness the reindeer ate the carrots!

Sleds! We sure hope it snows. If not it's sled rides around the basement.

A Sayre Family tradition. Mini Cereal Boxes! I was having a hard time finding these but lucked out at Target at the last minute.

Santa's loss is my gain. Adele went for the leftover cookies last time too.

"Headphones" (Veda told everyone at school this is what she had gotten for xmas) and mittens from Dad's trip to China. So cute!

Loving my new Elmo slippers from Aunt Kel and Uncle Chris and munchin' on my cereal.

The scooter was a big hit! It will have to be an inside ride for now until the weather warms up.

Taking pictures with my new princess camera.

Evidence that we made a gingerbread house this year that didn't have its walls cave in.

2011 Xmas Card

2011-12-29T11:52:00.001-08:00

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

Ready for church.

Too many cooks in the kitchen?

Butternut squash salad with apple cider vinagrette

Rib roast, Black truffle mac and cheese and green beans. Todd cooked every dish himself;)

Tracking Santa online with Didi. He's in Indiana Mom!!!

More cookies for Santa and chocolate Mice... which Adele loved by the way.

The Laabs Crew comes for Xmas!

2011-12-29T11:13:00.000-08:00

Making popcorn with Papi

Showing Owen how it's done;)

Didi gave Dad a cut and color and Adele wanted in on the action. Veda was happy to play Stylist.

Papi needed a deep clean. This was toy 1004 that Veda showed everyone when they walked in the door on Thursday night. She couldn't contain her excitement.

Who knew he had such mad Play-Doh skills?

A Few More...

2011-12-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

Ryan has traditionally wrapped his presents with flare. In fact, one of the gifts for Adele almost got tossed because it didn't look like a gift at all. Veda wasn't impressed... "But it's so weird," she cried!

Happiness;)

2011-12-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

Yum turkey leg! Adele tasted each piece of food in the box;)

Adele investigating the flameless candle I got from Nana. Anything that lights up gets her attention.

Thanks for my fancy bottle of wine Uncle Ry. Can't wait until I can enjoy it in a few months;)

Who knew cleaning supplies would generate so much excitement?

Santa Came!!!

2011-12-20T19:06:00.000-08:00

Examining the evidence. Sure enough. The reindeer ate the carrots and left one with a big bite taken out of it.

Look! Santa took my note and he left some cookie for me for breakfast! I'm so excited about this finding that I haven't noticed all the presents right behind me.

Adele... doesn't even know what it is but it has a bow and wheels so I'm game!

"Just what I always never wanted," Veda exclaims. We knew what she meant;)

Twas the Night Before Sayre Xmas

2011-12-20T18:34:00.000-08:00

Todd and I went to his P&G holiday party and left Nana, Bull and Uncle Ryan to prepare for Santa's arrival. Veda had so much fun cooking with Nana. They put carrots outside for the Reindeer and Xmas cookies out for Santa. Veda dictated a note to Nana to leave with the cookies. I should also mention that Nana and Bull made a point to come to town on Wednesday so they could also be present for Veda's holiday show. Veda was over the moon excited to have them there.

Decorating the Tree!

2011-12-19T19:27:00.000-08:00

Nana came to the rescue and brought me boxes of ornaments from my childhood. This is the first tree Todd and I have had considering we've never been home for xmas so needless to say we are short on supplies. Both Didi and Nana made sure I had the original family stockings for the fireplace as well. I have all 13 hung with care;)

Winter Show at School "Winnie the Pooh"

2011-12-17T17:42:00.000-08:00

Veda's class made up the honey bee cast in the winter show at school. She enjoyed practicing her honey dance over and over and over for us. The best part of the night was that Todd arrived home from China just minutes before we left so Veda was extra excited to perform.

Cuteness

2011-12-13T10:52:00.001-08:00

Serious Work

2011-12-13T10:26:00.001-08:00

Veda is has mastered the mouse which means she has mastered her NickJr games online. Don't try to interrupt her or else!

Official Critic?

2011-12-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

Veda has been to her 4th movie in a month. Uncle Ry took her to see Arthur Xmas and they snapped this photo in the lobby while they were waiting for me to pick them up. I asked Veda how she liked the movie and all she could talk about was the minature blue monkey that Ry won for her out of the vending machine.

Stinker

2011-12-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

Someone decided she wanted to get in for another dip right after I had dried her off and put her jammies on. I think I'm going to need to put a gate around the tub...

Bad Taste

2011-12-10T15:56:00.001-08:00

She won't eat what I make her for dinner but she will eat soap... go figure.

Overheard

2011-12-10T15:54:00.001-08:00

Todd is in China for an entire week so Ry and I thought we could get away with putting onions in the soup we made. Would give the house a good 7 days to air out so Todd couldn't smell the evidence. As I was cutting onions and Veda supervised she said "ew they smell like toenails". Such a Daddy's girl.

Flying in Style

2011-12-08T19:34:00.000-08:00

Todd sent this picture from the plane bound for Beijing. He felt bad because he is relaxing in business class while I'm home with the crazies. A thousand times over I would rather be home than travelling overseas on a plane right now. Being very pregnant makes me boring and happy to be at home!

Is this healthy?

2011-12-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

Feeding on Veda's curiousity of all animals, dead and alive, Todd rigged this makeshift coffin for the dead bird we found in the yard the first day we were here with the kids. Veda enjoyed giving her bird rides around the neighborhood before we put him to rest in the garbage.

A River Run Through It

2011-12-05T18:48:00.001-08:00

This would be our backyard today. I think they said we hit a record rainfall for the day... last time it rained this much was in the 1800's. This is a bad joke... it has been raining since we moved here.

Pizza Date with Dad

2011-12-05T18:47:00.001-08:00

We met Dad for lunch today at Dewey's. The girls couldn't stop talking about how the guys made the pizza. Great entertainment while we waited for lunch.

Morning hugs for Uncle Ry

2011-12-05T18:43:00.001-08:00

Newport Aquarium

2011-12-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

We had to pick up uncle Ry in Kentucky this morning so we promised Veda an outing to the Aquarium. We weren't disappointed and we bought a season pass so we can go back as often as we'd like.

Overheard

2011-12-03T09:22:00.001-08:00

I asked Veda if she liked the tree skirt. She said this tree is a boy, not a girl, it doesn't need a skirt.

Avoiding the Mall At All Costs

2011-12-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

So I was reading the local paper's calendar of events and I found a Christmas Craft Fair benefiting the Children's Hospital. Santa was to arrive at 9:30a by firetruck and pictures with old man were free. Bingo I thought. When we showed up there was a line down the street of mostly 70 something women eager to raid the Christmas bakery and silent auction. Only a few kids in sight... I was worried that I was in trouble. Turns out none of them wanted their picture taken with Santa so we got plenty of time and takes... unfortunatley Adele never warmed up to the idea. She kept one eye on him most of the time... I think he smelled like beef and cheese.

Christmas Tree Expedition

2011-12-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Veda and Todd went with Papi, Owen and Uncle Chris to cut down thier Xmas Tree in Madison over Thanksgiving.

Children's Museum Madison

2011-11-30T20:07:00.000-08:00

And a few pictures from our visit to Madison's Childrens Museum while we were in Madison at Kel and Chris' for Thanksgiving. Adele was pretty sick the night before but she sure perked up when she walked in the door. I'm the bad Mom who took her sick kid to the museum and probably got a lot of other kids sick. Sorry - I was in survival mode;)

Children's Museum Iowa City

2011-11-30T19:20:00.000-08:00

Some pics from our October visit to the Children's Museum while we were in Iowa City. Will always be a fan favorite;)

Movie Night

2011-11-29T19:24:00.001-08:00

Veda got to see two movies last weekend. Here friends Jacob and Alex played the young Adam Sandler in the flick Jack and Jill so we thought it would be a good idea to take her. Wrong... not a kid movie and Veda freaked out when she didn't get to see Jack and Jill go up the hill to fetch a pail of water... yes she said that.

So we made it up to her by going to Puss in Boots. As luck would have it the main characters were Jack and Jill so Veda thought we had just got it wrong the first time. This was Adele's first movie and she loved it! She sat in awe for the first hour before she realized she could run up and down the stairs for added entertainment.

ANOTHER rainy day...

2011-11-29T19:21:00.001-08:00

At the girls school they try to get them outside unless the weather is extreme. It was still raining today so Veda's class got to run outside... literally they just let them out the door to chase each other for a few minutes to burn energy and get fresh rain air;) Thank goodness for PlayDoh later in the day...

Timeout

2011-11-26T12:32:00.001-08:00

Adele was a little under the weather this weekend but that didn't stop her from antagonizing Owen. She is so use to Veda picking on her that she decided she would pick on someone her size. So she spent a lot of time on the stairs in timeout and got really good at saying sorry.

The finger rub

2011-11-26T12:31:00.001-08:00

Everyone knows that Veda's comfort is rubbing fingernails. Papi took her to the muppets movie Thursday and said his fingers hurt from Veda's finger rubs during the flick. Well she discovered another victim... Owen actually liked it though.

Christmas Card Outtakes

2011-11-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

Lots of different backgrounds...all equally challenging to get everyone on the same page...

Thanksgiving Prep

2011-11-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Veda got to make some Rice Crispie turkey treats for Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday morning with DeeDee and Papi...Adele happily contributed by making her own chocolate dipped pretzels.

Catch Up

2011-11-19T12:21:00.000-08:00

The move put my blogging talents on hold for some time. Here are some pictures from our stay in Iowa. The movers came mid-October and then we flew home with the kids to Iowa for a bit. Todd and I went on to Ohio to move into the house on our own while the kids stayed with Nonnie and Bull. I went back to get the kids and my parents drove back with all of us to help us with unpacking. It was a crazy few weeks and the kids were obviously unsettled. I think we've finally found our happy place. The girls have started at a new school, Veda is in dance classes and we have a routine. Now we can start to enjoy all that Cincinnatti has to offer - other than cold weather;)

Adele exploring the empty shuttle truck before they started loading in CA.

Clear Lake - apparently this dog sculpture is a tree stump.

Bull worked hard to make leaf piles for the girls.

Digging for carrots... which we ate for dinner... along with fish Papi had caught on his trip to FL.

Veda and Papi got lots of fishing in. She was especially entertained by the gutting of this fish. "Oh look... at all the blood... there goes his head."

Cousins

Owen and Adele the Artists.

Cuddle time with Bull.

Keeping busy in Nonnie's shower.

Fun at Wilson's Apple Orchard. The apple slushies were the highlight I heard.

www.stayclearlake.com

2011-11-17T18:15:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard the news by now... the Laabs family has bought a hotel! Formally the Heartland Inn of Clear Lake. We are very excited about our new venture. Please follow us on Facebook at South Shore Inn Clear Lake and visit the website www.stayclearlake.com often for updates on the renovation and resturant (2012 project).

The Little Gym

2011-11-10T19:42:00.001-08:00

I enrolled Veda in a ballet, tap and gymnastics combo class. She had lots of fun but kept asking which of her friends was going to go to class with her (since she took class w Ella in cali). We've been touring preschools/daycare and I hope to have them started in something after next week. That will be a relief as they need to be around other kids desperately!

Worker Bee

2011-11-10T19:26:00.001-08:00

Nana hard at work unpacking boxes!!

On the subject of fish...

2011-11-10T19:24:00.001-08:00

This is the fish that Veda caught with Papa in Iowa. Bull fried it up and I have to say it was amazing and super fresh. Maybe instead of a lemonade stand she can have a fish stand next summer in Clear Lake;)

A moving present

2011-11-10T19:22:00.001-08:00

I am way behind on my clogging updates because I am having issues with internet on my laptop. Here is a pic from my phone... I promised Veda a fish when we got to Ohio (didn't learn my lesson the first time w Bob;). This was Bull and Nana's treat. We went with the 13 cent feeder fish as I will probably have to replace it weekly after I kill it. This one is named Nemo and Veda was told she should only feed it every other day. So I told her she can feed it when she takes her baths... genius because she is back to throwing tantrums about bathing.

The playground by our new house...

2011-11-06T08:04:00.001-08:00

Good Times

2011-11-04T14:38:00.001-07:00

We just got to Cincinnati with the girls. They were especially excited about the playground in the backyard... second to the spiders in the basement (ewww)!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-03T05:18:00.000-07:00

We were sad that Dad wasn't with us in Iowa for all the fun. Veda and Adele took Nana and Mom on an hour and a half hike. They really couldn't care less about the candy... they just had so much fun ringing doorbells and hearing everyone tell them how cute they are;)

Adele putting rocks in her pumpkin... not a good strategy considering she had a long way to haul that pumpkin.

No matter how many times Adele face planted she was determined to keep up with Veda. She would get out and run to the door and then climb back in her stroller for a free ride to the next candy station.

Even the police give out candy. I thought they were after me when they came whipping around the corner...

Neighbors

2011-11-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

We are desparately missing our neighbors in California right now. It's been almost two weeks since the move and it's finally setting in that we aren't going back. Veda asks about her friends and misses her playtime just outside our front door. In the weeks before our move our friends demonstrated how amazing they really are. They all got together to throw us a going away party on the lawn... they let us use their dryer when ours was unhooked and we still had a load of laundry in the wash... they even folded our underwear;)... they let us hang out at their home way past bedtime while the movers finished up... they let our children take baths at their house... they took Veda for an entire 24 hours so that she didn't have to stay with us at the hotel... they made us the most amazing homemade Japanese dinner and didn't even flinch when Adele tore up their house...they let us mooch off their wireless when our internet was disconnected... they made us cookies for the trip home... they offered to watch the kids... they showered us with gifts for baby boy laabs and our new home... they offered their homes so we didn't have to stay at the hotel... they made sure we left town with at least one more load of hand-me-downs;)

I can only hope that we find at least one neighbor in Ohio that is anywhere near as generous as the Cali crew. We love and miss you all!

The House

2011-10-31T06:16:00.001-07:00

Trying to catch up on some posts... Here's the house. Took the movers two full days to get everything off the trailer and put the beds and crib together. Todd and I spent 4 straight 16 hour days unpacking, organizing, and shopping. We were wiped out. I'm back in Iowa for some meetings and will drive back to Ohio on Friday with Mom, Dad, and the kids.

Of all things...

2011-10-29T14:29:00.001-07:00

There's an onion patch right outside the back door. Todd's favorite;)

Overheard

2011-10-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

Veda and Papi were able to get some fishing in today and caught two fish. A small one and a larger one. Veda was excited to show us the catch in her net.

"There's a baby fish and a mommy fish."
"What are you going to do with them," I asked.
"We are going to eat them, we are going to eat this family."

Coincidently we did have fish for dinner. Fish that Papi caught on his trip to Florida. Veda is not a fish fan but when we told her we were eating the fish she had caught earler she couldn't resist and decided she loved it.

Clear Lake

2011-10-22T15:56:00.001-07:00

We've made it to our next stop! I'm sick now... finally caught it from the kids. Making our trip a challenge but the girls are better and having fun and that's all that matters.

Homecoming Parade

2011-10-21T17:06:00.001-07:00

We made it to Iowa. Emotional and exhausted but we couldn't miss the Iowa Homecoming Parade. Have to be honest though... total let down. Good thing Veda is easily impressed by deadbeat college students standing on Uhaul trailers.

Overheard

2011-10-21T17:02:00.001-07:00

Dad can you open the car window so I can dry my thumb? Its wet because I sucked it. Dad go faster its not drying yet.

The Movers are Here

2011-10-18T11:56:00.001-07:00

Having a Happy Meal picnic outside to stay out of the way. Lots of action.

Everything Fun

2011-10-16T15:03:00.001-07:00

We brought the girls to a fundraiser for a child with cancer at a friend's salon. Adele sat for a $10 cut but Veda wont let anyone but Didi touch her hair;) There was a band, snow cones, hot dogs and a silent auction for mom!

Movie night in the hood... we're gonna miss this place!

2011-10-15T19:34:00.001-07:00

Croup

2011-10-14T13:43:00.001-07:00

Add this to the list of things we have to deal with before the movers get here on Tuesday. I guess I should be thankful she didn't get sick while we are holed up in the hotel and homeless next week. Poor thing is miserable and as usual we can't get her to take any medicine.

Overheard

2011-10-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

I was taking a shower this morning and could hear the girls in the other room fighting. Rather, I could hear Veda screaming. Adele was pulling Veda's hair and laughing every time Veda would react. She thought it was a game. I tried to explain to Veda that Adele thought she was playing and that she really just wants to be close to her big sister because she loves her.

Huffing and puffing Veda says, "NO MOM! She wants to hurt me. She is trying to kill me."

Pool day

2011-10-13T14:25:00.001-07:00

It's well into the 90s here which is a bit unusual so we decided to go for one last dip yesterday before the big move. I hadn't planned on getting in but Veda got excited and jumped in without her water wings which meant I had to go in after her... fully clothed;(

Overheard

2011-10-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

I had lit some candles around the house and Todd had gone around and blown them out because we were leaving. Veda asked who had blown out the candles and I told her that Daddy did it.

"Oh, because he thought it was his birthday?"