Lingenfelter Family

First Days of School

2011-08-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

So, first of all, you can all pick your jaws up from the floor....yes, I have updated our blog! :) Today is Sarah's first day of 5th grade. I am feeling very sentimental today and started to look at her first days over the years. Here is the snapshots:

1 st grade:

2nd grade:

3rd grade:

4th grade

And today's big moment!
5th grade!!!

We love Burrtec Waste!

2010-12-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

So! I sent the pictures of Ben dressed up like a trash truck greeting our awesome Garbage Man, Nacho, to Burrtec letting them know how awesome he was and how Ben looks up to him. This company has been nothing but amazing to Ben! After my email, Nacho came by our house and let Ben sit in the cab of the Trash Truck! Today, Nacho and his supervisor came to our house to present Ben with Burrtec goodies! Ben was a little overwhelmed, but has not stopped talking about it since they left!

Don't forget to thank your Garbage man! They do a great service for us! :)

Trash Truck Costume!

2010-10-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

All Ben wanted to be for Halloween this year was a trash truck. Papa came through for him with flying colors! He made the costume AND went down to Burrtec and got "official" stickers and an official hat for Ben!

We met the trash man on garbage day. He was just as excited as Ben was! :)

Growth Charts

2010-09-20T11:06:00.001-07:00

My kids are growing like weeds! My food bill alone has double; not to mention the clothes and shoes they are both going through!

One of my fondest memories from my childhood is my dad getting out the cereal box and lining my brothers and I up in the doorway to the pantry. That growth chart still hangs in my parents' house (even though this is house number 8 from that original pantry door frame!). Tyson and I have started a similar tradition with our kids. We line them up , take out a cereal box and chart their growth along our pantry door frame. I hope their memories will be just as fond as mine.

We measured our kids again this past Sunday. They seemed to have flip-flopped. Ben has been growing by inches (many inches) each time we measure him. Now it's Sarah's turn to sprout up that fast.

First Day of School!

2010-08-25T10:48:00.001-07:00

Because I was feeling quite sentimental this morning, here is Sarah's picture from her preschool days. This is her "red" 3 year old class. Ben is also in the "red" 3 year old class, too! (although different preschools).

Ben was so excited to have a "first day" just like his big sister! He was ready for preschool. In the car he told me, just drop me off mom and say "bye" in the car.

First Day of School 2010

2010-08-16T09:00:00.001-07:00

4th Grade!

Wow!

Sarah's First Swim Meet!

2010-08-15T15:54:00.000-07:00

We are SO proud of Sarah and her first swim meet! She did awesome! She swam the 100M Backstroke and the 100M IM - and she swam great in both!

Proud Swimmer:

100M Backstroke

100M Backstroke

Get Ready, Grandpa, I am coming for you.....

2010-07-09T16:10:00.000-07:00

Sarah has been the swimming queen this summer! She has improved so much in just the 6 short weeks she has been on the swim team! She was moved up to level 2 after a month! Those practices are much more intense.
Sarah challenged my dad to a swim competition when we visit them in Arkansas.
My money is on Sarah!

4th of July

2010-07-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome, low-key 4th of July at home. We hung out in the back yard, kids played in the sprinklers & slip-n-slide, grilled dinner, and played with sparklers. At the end of the evening, we even built an outdoor fire - it was that cold tonight!!

This morning, Tyson watched the Shot Put finals for the Pre-Fontaine Classic Invitational online. Ben watched it with him and both of them were mesmerized by the throwing.
Here, Tyson is having a proud dad moment as he shares his shot put with Ben. Ben could NOT pick it up!

Ben's Trash Truck Birthday!

2010-06-27T16:15:00.001-07:00

Since we will be in Arkansas for Ben's official birthday, we decided to have a small party to celebrate Ben and Daddy's birthday (since they are less than a month apart!).

I am pretty darn proud of Ben's trash truck cake:

Happy 9th Birthday, Sarah!

2010-05-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Update!!!

2010-05-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

It's been too long since I last posted!! We have been busy having fun and living life!
Here are a few things we have been up to in the last month:

Ben received a Lightning McQueen glove and ball from the Easter Bunny. Daddy LOVES having a boy to play ball with now! :)

Friday night S'mores: A couple of weeks ago we decided to light a fire in our outdoor fireplace and make smores for the kids - FUN! Sarah was amazed that we could have smores when we weren't camping!

Mommy and Daddy look-alikes:

Sarah's guitar recital:
I will post the video soon!

Ben and his "boys":

Mother's day!

Sarah entered the Yucaipa Iris Festival's garden show and won first place for her poppies and rosemary entry!!!

Photo Updates

2010-04-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some things that we have been up to lately:

First group of pictures is Ben and I baking cookies - notice the underwear! YAY! We are potty trained!! Woo HOO!

Ben and I visiting Sarah's school for her 3rd grade performance. She was awesome!

Ben being his silly self.

"I don't want you to take my picture right now"

SO SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah Sings About Polygons

2010-04-16T13:46:00.000-07:00

Today at school, 3rd grade performed at spirit day. Sarah's class did a cute song about polygons. Pause the music below and ENJOY!!!

Pet Lizard!

2010-04-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Tyson and the kids were playing in the backyard when this lizard found them! He was so friendly with the kids. They had tons of fun watching him and letting him climb all over their sweatshirts. The lizard actually to up residence in Ben's pocket for quite some time (although none of my pictures of that turned out).

After the fun, we released him back in our yard.

California Adventure!

2010-03-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we went to California Adventure!
Ben was elated to finally meet "his boy" Lightening McQueen! He doesn't look all that happy in the pictures because he did not want to take the pictures! He just wanted to touch and see him. It was over too quickly for his liking, but he loved it and then kept asking me where Chick and Mr. The King were?! Bumper Cars!

Love this picture!

Yes, I am a boy and will not smile when asked!

Hermoine Granger

2010-03-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

In celebration of Dr. Seuss Week, today was character dress up day. Can you guess who Sarah picked? Her favorite character from Harry Potter! She did a great job putting the whole ensemble together!

Crazy Hair Day!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-01T08:14:00.000-08:00

Today is crazy hair day at Sarah's school in honor of Dr. Seuss week. I think she looks a lot like Cindy Lou Who!

Rainbow Cupcakes

2010-02-19T10:16:00.000-08:00

We received our Family Fun magazine in the mail yesterday. Sarah saw the treat of the month - Rainbow Cupcakes, so we had to make them! She did it almost completely by her self!!! Lots of fun, too! I think they turned out awesome!! Yummy, too!

Mini Vacation

2010-02-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

Tyson and I took the kids and headed to Long Beach this weekend. It was a nice little mini getaway!
On Saturday, we went to the Highland Games at the Queen Mary.

On Sunday, I took the kids to the Long Beach Aquarium.

Ben's favorite part: the Scuba Diver. He talked about her all day and night!

Sarah loved this turtle - I love this picture!

On Monday, we took the kids to DisneyLand! It was Ben's first visit. Sarah decided that she wanted to ride all the big roller coasters and dad was too happy to take her on all of them! :)

Ben was NOT sure about the characters. He really wanted to meet them, but really had hesitations about it, too.

Oh, my sweet boy! Love this picture!

Ben's favorite ride: the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters!

We had a great time with the kids this weekend! We are exhausted now! :)

Trash Trucks!

2010-02-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

Ben loves trash trucks - something he inherited from his father. From the stories I have heard, Tyson used to chase the trash truck down the street every trash day. One day he went so far he got lost and his dad had to come find him!

Ben is following in his father's footsteps! The trash truck is his favorite truck. Every Monday (our trash day) we run out the door and stand in our front yard three times to watch the trash trucks pick up all of the trash cans. He is SO excited on Sunday nights when he helps Tyson take the trash cans to the curb and is even more excited on Mondays to watch the trash trucks circle our block! I thought I would share some of his amazing thoughts and actions regarding this king of trucks.

As I was putting him to bed the other night, I was reading him a fire truck book (unfortunately, we have not yet found a trash truck book). I asked him if he would like to drive a fire truck when he grew up. He thought about that for a minute and then replied "No, I want to drive a trash truck!" Of course.

Ben was wearing a trash truck shirt that grandma bought him (she found four and he has worn nothing else since he received them in the mail). We were at Chick-fil-a and another mother in the play place said to him, "Wow, you have a dump truck on your shirt!". Ben looked at her and said "it's not a dump truck, it's a TRASH TRUCK!". (He was not rude to her, but he was very taken aback, like, "um, don't you know the difference between trucks?") He then pointed out all of the truck's features to her including the blue trash can, the trash can's wheels, and the trash (that you cannot see, but MUST be in the trash can because why else would the trash man be dumping it?).

I had to deliver testing materials to a colleague of mine. Ben and I arrived at her house and Ben hopped out of the car. He immediately states, "Wow! Mom, look at all these trash cans! Where is the trash truck?" Now would I have EVER noticed that this neighborhood's trash cans were on the curb waiting for pickup? Doubtful.

I love watching the world through his eyes.

Snow Day 2010!

2010-01-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

Sarah came bursting into my room this morning at 6:30am telling me to look outside - "it's snowing mom, it's snowing!!" School was canceled for her and Tyson, so we went out to play!Ben getting his first feel of snow!

Thanks for taking this great picture, Sarah!

Hey, who are you going to throw snowball at?

Sarah working hard on her snowman!

Our little snowman!

I tried to take some artsy pics -

Love the way this tree looks!

Ben and daddy's snowball fight.

The end of our street:

Our house: It was REALLY coming down!

Love this pic of the kids running across the street!

This poor cactus in our neighbor's yard :(

Getting ready for the fight!

We tried sledding down the hill on our street, but it wasn't steep enough.

Too tired.......

2010-01-15T21:51:00.000-08:00

Friday night...

Tyson and I were watching The Soloist in the living room, and Sarah and Ben were watching Robots in the playroom. Ben comes wandering out and tells me that he is hungry and would like some cereal. I pour him a bowl of cereal and go back to watching my movie on the couch while he eats at the counter. A little while later Tyson says, "Jessica, look."

This is how we saw Ben:

So tired he couldn't even make down off the stool!
And don't you love the "pop" stuck to his face??

The Trash Can Man

2010-01-05T19:43:00.000-08:00

I was taking pictures of Sarah tonight and Ben insisted on having some pictures taken of his trash can. This is the trash can that goes with the super cool trash truck that Santa brought him. Notice how ALL sides of the trash can have a picture, he made sure I got all the angles!

American Girl

2009-12-29T17:33:00.000-08:00

Sarah and I took grandma to American Girl Place in LA since she had never been!
We had a super fun day!Sarah added a new girl to her collection: Julie!

A Very Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T23:04:00.001-08:00

We spent Christmas Eve with Tyson's dad and Tyson's mom.

Opening their Christmas PJs!

Ben opened a gift from Grandma and Grandpa - a Cement Truck - on Christmas Eve.
He kept saying "I love my 'ment truck! I love my 'ment truck!" If he hadn't fallen asleep on the ride home from Tyson's mom's house, I am sure that he would have slept with it!

Sarah also opened a gift from Grandma and Grandpa on Christmas Eve - an American Girl carrying case! She immediately filled it and brought it with her to our parties!

When we returned home from our parties on Christmas Eve, I got the BEST present! My parents surprised me! They flew in from Alabama to spend Christmas with us! I was SO happy and overjoyed to see them - as were the kids!

Christmas Morning:

Grandpa helping Ben open his gifts. It took Ben until after 12pm (we were up at 7am!) to finish opening presents! He just wanted to PLAY with everything that he opened! It was awesome!

Daddy's Turn!

The Wii!

Sarah's American Girl Concession Stand

From Grandma!

Hooking up the Wii; Sarah helped dad A LOT!

Ben ate part of his breakfast with his new pliers.

He also fed grandma with them!

Ben's Buzz Lightyear camera! He would stop opening a gift and say "I need my camera!" and then run out and get it and take pictures of what he was opening! So awesome!

Books about trucks!

This is what Grandpa and Ben did all day:

Daddy and Sarah dueling!

Grandma and Grandpa got Sarah a guitar (she really wanted it!). Grandpa started her lessons that will continue. Most importantly, it's PINK!

Grandma and Sarah playing the Wii cooking game!

It was a fabulous Christmas! I loved every minute of my family and the fact that we stayed in our PJs and played ALL day!

Christmas Pictures of the kids

2009-12-23T21:56:00.001-08:00

Thank you to my dear friend Pamela who took these amazing shots of my kids.

Kids! :)

2009-12-23T21:45:00.000-08:00

Sarah and Ben were playing in her room one Saturday night, and Ben fell asleep on her bed. She was so excited and wanted him to sleep with her - aren't they sweet?Sarah & Chase have decided to tear down our swing set (we were going to do it anyway) and use the wood to build a playhouse! I love their creativity!

Sarah and her friend Lauren:
Lauren spent the night the other night and they found out that they are both reading the second Harry Potter book and they are both on chapter 10! They took turns reading to each other!

2009-12-04T11:17:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Catch

2009-11-22T17:57:00.000-08:00

Tyson was outside playing catch with the kids -Sarah using my old softball glove and Ben using Tyson's. It was pretty darn cute to watch them!

A boy and his truck

2009-11-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

Ben loves trucks!! Today, he just looked so cute playing with his tractor. He was fixing it, scooping up "dirt", and transporting other trucks.

I also love the boots - can you tell he dresses himself now?
He is so darn cute!

Halloween 2009!

2009-11-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

Carving pumpkins-

This year, Sarah carved a pumpkin ALL BY HERSELF!!!!! She did great!!!

Mummy dogs for dinner!!!!!!

Sarah's pumpkin!

October Fun!

2009-10-31T12:22:00.000-07:00

We went to the pumpkin patch on Friday, Oct. 30. Ben was smitten with all of the tractors - this isn't the greatest picture, but it's the only one with a tractor and he loved them!

I love, love this picture!!

Family Soccer Picture! Sarah's team won! YAY!

A Haunted Story

2009-10-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

Sarah's homework assignment tonight was to write a Halloween story with her spelling words. We were so impressed with the results! I thought I would share!! I have kept ALL of the punctuation and spelling the way it appears on her paper - check out her use of semi-colons!! I have many high schoolers who can't use semi-colons (some who don't know what they are!!!!). Sarah, you rock!

The Haunted House
By Sarah Lingenfelter, 8 years

One scary Halloween night all the trick or treaters were having lots of fun. My friends and I wre going to the best decorated houses on our street, and we found one that actually looked like a haunted house. We went to ring the doorbell and we got a high pitched scream instead! So, we cried for help, but everybody had already gone home, and no sign of our parents either! We wanted to cry but, we knew we had to be brave, so we all stepped inside on my lead. It was amazing on the inside, but wierd and creapy on the outside; we thought the people's decorations were really in style! There was a striped carpet, and it was red and black for a reason I don't know. We didn't admire the ceiling because it looked like blood was dripping down. We went up in the attic and .......BOO! A ghost was right there in front of us! Until, the ghost took off his white, slick sheet; it was only my dad! But, where were my friend's mom's and dad's? Out came four more ghosts and then they took off their sheets. Oh, there they are!

The End

Sleeping Beauties

2009-10-14T23:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I walked into my children's rooms to give them a final tuck before I headed off to bed. I was struck by the beauty , innocence, wisdom, and love that was captured in both of their faces. I just sat there and stared at them for a long few minutes. It is amazing when these little moments hit you and how much you can love someone else.

Fall = Football!

2009-10-11T18:18:00.001-07:00

Ben loves wearing his football uniform (thanks grandma!!) and watching the game with daddy!

I missed this shot, but Ben was in a three point stance - dad was proud! :)

Football player by day, construction worker by night!

September 2009

2009-10-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last post! September was one busy month for us!
Here are some shots from the last month that captures what we have been up to:

Ben and Papa hanging out at Sarah's soccer game
Mommy and Ben apple picking

Sarah picking apples

Ben playing with his trucks

Ben finally got his Raiders Helmet from Grandma!

Ben has learned how to take off his shirt - this is how he spent the day at Sarah's soccer game!

Soccer 09!

Yucaipa Fire 2009

2009-09-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

It has been a couple of scary days here in Yucaipa. On Sunday, we received texts from our neighbor that Oak Glen was on fire - only a mile or so from our home - we raced home to see the hills directly behind our house burning. That fire burned it's way up through Oak Glen and over on the other side of the ridge.
Yesterday, (Monday, Aug. 31) another fire was started a mile to the north of us. This fire is threatening many more homes and is causing horrid smells and air quality in our little town. We are very thankful that our house is safe, but we continue to pray for our friends that are displaced.

The view from our back yard

The view from the top of our little slope in the backyard.

Ben kept telling me "more picture helicopter mama"
So, we have lots of cool helicopter pictures.

The view from the end of our cul-de-sac

As we were leaving our house to go run a few errands, we were stopped by police to let a motorcade go by. I knew that Arnold was in Yucaipa doing press related to the fires. We followed the motorcade to the freeway, where they stopped at a Starbucks to get coffee!!

When we stopped at a red light, Arnold, who is sitting in the back seat, had his window rolled down and he waved to my kids! I gave Sarah my camera to take a picture, but he had rolled up his window by that time. Sarah was excited to have seen him! :)

Helping daddy...

2009-08-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

Tyson worked on the retaining wall today and the kids wanted to "help"! They had lots of fun-

Here they are pretending to be on a roller coaster ride - notice Ben's "harness".Tyson working hard

The kids created their own see-saw! So cute!

Sarah was a little tall, but still had fun!

What a hard day's work looks like:

First Day of School 2009

2009-08-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that Sarah started the 3rd grade yesterday! Where oh where did the time go???
She had a great day seeing old friends and getting acquainted with her new teacher and classmates. We are looking forward to a great year!She is standing to the side to make sure that she shows off her backpack - she is so excited about that!

San Diego Vacation 2009!

2009-08-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

Vacation......ahhhhhhhhh!

2009-07-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

For the last three years, we have vacationed in Palm Desert (right next to Palm Springs). Sarah attends The Living Desert's Zoo Camp, which she LOVES, and we relax in the pool and go out and play. This year was no different - lots of fun and relaxing!

Watching a movie one afternoon -

One evening we took a golf cart ride around the course. Ben loved the ducks, the ducks did not love Ben!

The Children's Museum....
Painting the Bug!

Ben spent a LONG time on the "dadoo" (motorcyclye).

Playing dress up

Bowling

And yes, after our game was over, I LOST to EVERYONE - including Ben and Sarah!!!!

We spent hours in the pool every night! So fun!

Ben's 2nd Birthday

2009-07-25T09:20:00.003-07:00

Sarah and I stayed up late the night before Ben's birthday to frost all of his cupcakes - she was a GREAT assistant!

I am PROUD of these Elmo cupcakes!!!!

Elmo's friends...

Ben's birthday breakfast:

Presents!!!!

His BEN train!

Sarah made Ben a very special card - don't you love the Elmo she drew?

This is what Sarah gave me:

Daddy and Sarah built a really cool new track with the new presents!

Eating Zoe....

Ben blew out his candles all by himself (we then had to light them 3 more times as he kept insisting "again"!)

Happy 2nd Birthday, Benjamin!

2009-07-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

2009-07-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

Lauren came over to spend the night tonight and they decided to make a tent on Sarah's bed -They have been playing under it for a LONG time - having a blast - tents - who knew????? :)

Sarah, Lauren, Ben holding the tent up with their feet.

Crazy picture!!!

4th of July

2009-07-06T17:28:00.001-07:00

We had a very relaxed 4th of July this year - we stayed home! The kids played in the water most of the afternoon. Here they are "sunbathing":

After water play, we changed and cooked dinner. It turned out to be a gorgeous night, so we ate outside.

Sarah and Ben in their 4th of July shirts that we made out of pasta and paint, pretty cool, huh?

Ben riding his new tricycle - a 2nd birthday gift from Grandma and Grandpa!

SPARKLERS!

I love these shots of Sarah - very cool!

Mommy & Ben & Sarah

8 & 2 year pictures

2009-06-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how fast they are growing!
Here are Sarah and Ben's yearly portraits!

Summertime and Tyson's Birthday

2009-06-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

Tyson and Ben mowing the lawn

Sarah giving Ben a ride on his new trike!!

Having a drink and a laugh!

Love those freckles!

Our hydrangea bush is loving this extended spring we are having. It is just gorgeous right now!

Ben's turn ... he didn't get very far!

Baking for daddy's birthday

The kids lining up to lick the batter....

Making the pizza dough. Ben and Sarah LOVED this!

Tyson and his father's day trellis

Happy birthday, daddy!

mmmmm...cupcakes......

Father's Day 2009

2009-06-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

This year, we made Tyson a trellis out of the scrap wood we had lying around the house. I let the kids paint it however they wanted - Ben had a great time!
It turned out awesome! Tyson LOVED it!!!

We spent father's day at Tyson's dad's house. The kids were like fish in his pool. Both of them were in the pool from the time we got there until the time we left!

Sarah wanted to learn how to dive into the pool. I gave her a couple of quick lessons and she was off! She did awesome! Look at those pointed toes!!!

"Papa" and Ben!

A very happy birthday!

2009-05-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Sarah turned eight!!!! I can't believe it! Where has the time gone?

Her birthday morning always starts with breakfast in bed...pancakes shaped into the number that she is turning (she also wanted 8 sausages - ha, ha - so I cut two sausages into eight pieces!)Rise and Shine Birthday Girl!

In our house, the birthday person gets to pick whatever they want mom to make for diner. Sarah chose "make your own pizza". I bought a whole bunch of toppings and some crust and we all had fun putting our own pizzas together!

Presents!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The game of Clue from Aunt Susan!

Reading her cards from Uncle Arran, Grandma, and Grandpa:

Clothes from Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Alicia, and Paige!

Scrapbook and accessories from Mom, Dad, and Ben!

Eight candles and one to grow on!

Happy 8th Birthday, Sarah!

2009-05-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

Ben's Early Birthday Gift!

2009-05-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

Ben wanted a scooter SO bad!!! Grandma to the rescue! :) She bought this as an early birthday present - that way he can use it for the whole summer!
He LOVES it. He immediately jumped on the scooter and took off. He has been watching Sarah on hers because he copies all the things she does! It's so cute. He tried to keep up with her in the street, but, of course, he just couldn't. So cute to see him try, though!

Spring Soccer!

2009-05-17T09:55:00.000-07:00

Sarah is playing spring soccer this year! Her best friend Lauren is on her team - which makes them very happy! Ben wants to play so bad.....a few more years!

Sarah and Lauren

In the huddle!

Game over!

Daddy and Ben

Yucaipa Iris Festival Fun Run!

2009-05-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

Today, we participated in the Yucaipa Iris Festival 5K Family Fun Run. Many of our friends participated, too! We had a blast. Sarah and her friends ran a lot of the way. I kept up with the girls and Tyson stayed back with a few of the younger kids. After the run, the Kiwanis club hosted a free pancake breakfast! YUM! Ben walked and ran some of the way, but this was his best ride of the day!

Ben and daddy crossing the finish line!

Sarah and her friends Dallas and Lauren

Friday Night Pizza

2009-05-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

We opted for pizza tonight from our favorite pizza shop - The Gourmet Pizza Shoppe (we love their All American Burger Pizza!!!). We had fun eating and joking around! The Family -isn't this a fabulous photo?

Sarah and Chrissa

Earlier in the day, Ben was playing with this fly swatter in the dining room. He was throwing it up and it got stuck! He kept waiting for it to fall and it just stayed there! After I got it down (and had a good laugh), he tried to do it again!

Teacher Appreciation

2009-05-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

This week was teacher appreciation week at Sarah's school. All week, the children at her school were encouraged to bring a small token of appreciation for their teachers. Sarah decided that it would be cool to make something for Mrs. H on Friday. We bought material that Sarah picked out and Sarah sewed it (with Susan's guidance)! She made Mrs. H a bag! She did such an awesome job! Mrs. H LOVED it!

Sarah and Mrs. H with the bag!
Sarah was so proud to give it to her!

American Girl Place - Sarah's Birthday!

2009-05-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

This year, Sarah wanted to take a friend to The American Girl Place in Los Angeles for her birthday. We went yesterday (a little early - her b-day is May 27). We had 5:30 reservations for dinner - it was fantastic! They do such a great job with the food and making the girls feel special! Sarah invited her friend Lauren. They both brought their American Girls Mia and Chrissa. After dinner, we shopped! It was so fun!

After we left the store (at 9pm!!!), we watched the fountain at The Grove. It was such a nice night - music playing, people out, it was quite wonderful!

An Early Birthday Surprise!

2009-05-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

Sarah got a very special early birthday present today!
Since we are going to the American Girl Place on Saturday, Grandma decided to send her a friend to go with her! She was so surprised and SO happy to get Chrissa! - Just look at the expression on her face!!!

Chrissa's swim outfit

Just me and Chrissa!!!!

Ben Blow Drying His Hair!

2009-04-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

After I was done blow drying my hair this morning, Ben wanted to dry his hair. He had fun doing this for about 15 minutes! I love the way he shakes his head - I must do that while I dry my hair because that is how he imitates me! How Cute!!! :)

Pause the music at the bottom so that you can hear the video!

Easter 2009

2009-04-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

We had a fun Easter this year!
Ben loved looking for eggs this year! The Easter Bunny left Sarah clues in each of her eggs - she had a scavenger hunt to find her and Ben's baskets.Do I have eggs in here?

I found the egg in the teapot!

I found the baskets!!!!!!

Beverly Hills Chihuahua!!! It's what she really wanted!!!!!!

Ben LOVED his pull dog!!! He has played with it each day! He has even taken it on walks down the street.

Bunny Glasses!!!!

Bunny kisses!

Later in the afternoon, Ben was trying on Tyson's old high school football helmet! He was laughing at the mirror looking at himself! So cute!

5th annual 29th birthday!

2009-04-11T23:07:00.001-07:00

My 34th birthday was great! Sarah decided that I should have a "rose party", so she bought be a dozen roses (beautiful), a rose card, and got me a rose cake (see below). She is so wonderfully thoughtful!
It's so rare that Tyson and I get in the picture alone! This one turned out great, I think! :) We went to our favorite Italian place in Yucaipa (Two Guys) for dinner...that way the kids could run around and I could actually eat!!!

My cake - Thank you, Sarah!

Tyson called Ben's name and was trying to get him to smile for the camera. Instead he did this:

Tyson's aunt Susan joined us for the weekend!

Happy Birthday!

Sarah made me a birthday crown!

YAY! Tyson and Susan got me the mixer! I LOVE IT!

More fun in Alabama!

2009-04-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

On Friday, the rain finally stopped (it has rained ALL week here!), so we took advantage and went out! Our first stop was Alligator Alley - acres of swamp land that are dedicated to rescuing "nuisance" alligators. The kids loved it!

Here, Ben is looking at juvenile alligators:

Here is the information on the biggest Alligator here - he was taken from a Florida neighborhood for good reason!

And here he is:

Ben touching the alligator:

Mommy holding the alligator:

Sarah was reluctant, but she finally held one, too!

After Alligator Alley, we went to LuLu's for lunch - it is owned and run by Lucy Buffett (Jimmy Buffett's sister). It was so family friendly and delicious! Here is some of our food (yes, we pigged out!).

MMMMM...these onion rings are so good!

We ate outside on picnic tables that are all around the kid's play area! It was so awesome! We were there for hours letting the kids play!

The kid's play area:

The kid's sand pit: She has a ton of sand trucked in - water + sand = happy kids!!

Sarah slid down the sand hill and her jeans made a cool imprint in the sand.

That night, in Fairhope, Lucy Buffett was signing copies of her cookbook at First Friday Art Walk, so we met her! She was so excited to see Sarah's shirt!

So, she signed it!

Dancing in the street!

On Saturday, the city of Daphne held an Easter Egg hunt for the kids - it was so well done and so fun!

Ben LOVED playing in the fire truck!

Having Fun in Alabama

2009-04-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

For Spring Break, we are visiting my parents in Alabama. Here are some of the highlights so far:

The Saltine Challenge

Okay, my brother found this online - try and eat 5 saltine crackers in one minute. Think it's easy? That is what we thought! It is NOT possible!!

Ben & Sarah snuggling with Uncle Arran.

Ben reading with Grandma.

Walking along the shore on Sunday after church. Sarah found some bamboo and said that was the best part of her trip! :)

Putting on the green....cute, huh?

Eating crab - aren't you proud, dad???

Ben LOVED this video game! He wasn't really playing, but the motorcycle would move from side to side and he just had the best time on it!

The geese down at the bay. Ben didn't know what to do....they were as big as he was! Sarah was a little freaked because they kept pecking at her feet.

Grandma and the kids....

Ridgeview Science Award

2009-03-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

Sarah received an award for her participation in the District Science Fair today at school.
She was so proud - can't you see it in her face?

My New Car!!!!!

2009-03-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am officially a mom!
Tyson and I bought a new car yesterday (we needed it....my Durango went downhill FAST!). Isn't it beautiful? I love it!

Some St. Patty's Day Fun

2009-03-11T10:47:00.001-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Fancy Nancy

2009-03-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday, Sarah's school has had fun dress up days all week. Today was dress like your favorite story book character. Sarah picked Fancy Nancy. She created her whole outfit! Doesn't she look great?!?!

A Boy and His Wheelbarrow

2009-03-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

Benjamin could spend his entire life outside (just like his dad!!). The other day, at Toys R Us, I found this little plastic wheelbarrow - Ben LOVES it! Tyson bought him the shovel about 2 months ago (he loves that, too!). He digs and digs then moves the dirt to another location in the yard. Then digs some more....just like daddy does! It's so cute to watch him!

Science Fair

2009-02-28T14:54:00.001-08:00

Today was the Yucaipa-Calimesa District Science Fair. Sarah had lots of fun doing her project!Sarah decided to test yarn strength. She came up with the idea one day when she was knitting. She asked me which yarn is the strongest - I didn't know and told her that would be a great science project.

Goofin' around after the 2nd grade interviews!

AWARDS!!!

Sarah won a blue medal!!!!

She was so proud and excited - so were her parents!

Sarah and her friends all won blue medals!
From left: Julian (Tilicia's brother), Melody, Tilicia, & Sarah

The scientist and her project!

Out for celebratory ice cream!!
We are so proud of you, Sarah!

Sarah's New Haircut

2009-02-24T12:09:00.001-08:00

On the last day that my mom was here, she took Sarah to the mall. My mom got her hair cut and told another stylist to wash and dry Sarah's hair so she wouldn't have to do it in the morning. After a few minutes, the stylist comes over and says that Sarah wants her hair cut! My mom says okay - just a little off the bottom. Next thing she knew Sarah was telling the stylist to cut bangs!!!!!!! Sarah knew exactly what she wanted!!! :) I think she looks great! Everyone in her class was shocked to see her the next morning!

My mom was at our house for Valentine's day. My dad called and asked us to buy her roses to surprise her - she was surprised!!!

Like, Totally Awesome!

2009-02-22T11:26:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, we attended Shannon & Levi's totally awesome 80s themed wedding in Phoenix, AZ. Most of the people who came dressed up (including us!). It was so fun to see how everyone dressed and hear all that great 80s music!

Our outfits:Like Ben's Mohawk?

Ben had a great time running up and down the aisle (after the wedding ceremony!)

Sarah and Mariah - Don't they look awesome?

Grandma and Ben

We forgot his sippy cup - he didn't mind - we poured little bits of water in this wine glass....he loved drinking out of it!

My mom and Kathy (the mother of the bride)

Doing the train dance!

The train...Mom and Jenny

Grandma dancing with Sarah!

Grandma and Sarah

Ben and Mommy

Sarah and Mariah tore up the dance floor Saturday night! They were the last to leave!

Ben literally passed out on my shoulder on the dance floor! He was so tired. I headed back to the room (and what was on TV...The Wedding Singer!!! ha, ha!). My mom and Sarah stayed until the very end! Sarah never leaves a party early!

Still dancing!

The bride and groom

Mom and Shannon (the bride)

The four of us!

And dancing still....

Here are some random pictures of what everyone wore to the wedding:Okay, how awesome are the red spandex pants? He won best dressed!

I loved the taffeta prom dresses!

Jeremy, Alicia, and Paige Visit

2009-02-22T11:17:00.001-08:00

Here are some more pictures from Jeremy, Alicia, and Paige's visit!Sarah and Paige

Ben and Paige

How many of these can I stick in my mouth?

Playing around with Uncle Jeremy

Alicia and Paige

Paige will be be one in March, so we threw her a little "pre" birthday party at our house during their visit!

Ben and Grandma Sandi

Cousins!

2009-02-21T10:08:00.001-08:00

Jeremy, Alicia, and Paige came for a visit last week! Sarah had so much fun playing with Paige, Ben wasn't so sure about this new little girl who was playing with his toys!

SO SWEET!!!!!!!

The three cousins -
Paige (11 mos), Ben (18 mos), and Sarah (7 years)

2009-02-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

It has rained since Thursday! The rain finally turned to snow this morning! It started snowing at 10am - this is what the yard looked like at that point:After lunch, around 12:30pm, it started to stick. Ben went outside to see what all this was. He wasn't so sure about it!

This is what the yard looked like at 12:30pm:

At 3:30, it was still snowing (and now Sarah was home from school, yay!). This is what the yard looked like at that point:

Pretty amazing, right?

We played outside for about an hour, building a small snowman, having a snowball fight, it was a blast. We came in when our hands were raw and our faces cold and bright red!
The kids enjoyed hot chocolate after it was all said and done!

Watching the Rain....

2009-02-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

It has been pouring rain here since yesterday afternoon. Jayden and Ben have been at the back door quite a bit today watching it come down! I love the back of their two little heads! So cute!

Christmas in February! :)

2009-02-06T11:32:00.000-08:00

Today, we received our Christmas presents from Aunt Dorie!!!Ben loved the clothes she sent, but......

he had way more fun playing with the box and tissue paper!!!

Aunt Dorie sent Sarah an American Girl gift card!! She can't wait to get online and spend it! :)
Sarah wanted me to take a picture of her before school today because she thought she looked "stylin'"!

What's for lunch?

2009-01-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

Don't you wish that your lunch would taste better if you ate it from a wooden spoon?

How cute am I???

Lunch Total: 4 Scrambled eggs: $0.65, Raisin bread with peanut butter: $o.50, bowl of grapes:$0.80, Falling asleep in your highchair: priceless!

Brother and Sister!

2009-01-23T19:18:00.000-08:00

TAG

Ok...I got tagged the other day and I am weird and actually like writing these things!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:00 - thanks to Ben! :)
2. Have you brushed your hair yet today? yes - of course!
3. What is the name of the last song you listened to? It's all right here - Hannah Montana
4. Do you like to text? YES - now that I have a full keyboard, I love it!
5. Facebook or My Space? Facebook
6. Where is your favorite place to go? My mom's house
7. Do you have a passport? Yes
8. Are you in love? Absolutely
9. Have you ever had a broken heart? Yes
10. When was the last time you "laughed your head off"? Yes, today with Ben!
11. When was the last time you cried? It's been a while
12. What is the best gift you have ever gotten? My children (my new diamond ring is nice, too!)
13. What was the best day of your life? Jan. 3, 1998; May 27, 2001; and July 16, 2007
14. What was the worst day of your life?
15. Pepsi or Coke? Coke!
16. Are you wearing socks? Yes, it's cold here!
17. Did you like high school? Yes and No
18. Where is the last place you went out to eat? Frugos
19. What is your biggest accomplishment in the past year?
20. What is one random fact about you? I could talk most men under the table in any football conversation.
Okay...I'm supposed to Tag 4 people...
I will just say...anyone who wants to post, can! :)

Mid-January Report

2009-01-18T14:46:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted on the blog in a while. Things have been a little crazy and stressful around our house for the past week or so.

This past week, we had to put our dog, Hank, down. He has been with us since Tyson and I met in college. Tyson got him from the Humane Society in Tucson, AZ when Hank was 8 months old. He's been our family dog ever since. He died of old age. He would have been 15 this coming May. Tyson was upset and so was Sarah. It's weird to walk outside and not see him anymore.

After that happened, Ben got very sick. He threw up for two days. Once he was finished and back to 100%, Sarah started to throw up.

Tyson is at University of LaVerne this entire week working on his doctorate.

Hopefully, we will all get better and I will have some fun new pictures to share soon!

2009-01-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

Today, Tyson and I celebrated 11 years of marriage!

We went to dinner at one of our favorite places in Redlands, The Farm. We opted for the 5 course chef's tasting menu. It was fabulous! We had a fennel and beet salad, potato leek soup (my favorite...it was to die for!), an acorn squash tortellini with spaghetti squash and a beet reduction sauce, lamb and risotto (Tyson's favorite!), and a lemon curd with chocolate mousse for dessert. We had a great time talking, laughing, and enjoying the alone time together. It was a nice LONG meal with just us! (we don't get to enjoy many of those these days)!