The Birthday Party

Lucas' birthday most people remember - it's 4/4/04 - so when we told Lucas we'd have his birthday party in March he was really sad. He didn't understand the concept that ...... 'your real birthday is on Easter this year, your friends will be on vacation!' Once his buddies all got there he got over it...

We went to the Guildford Spectrum and had a Pirate party - those parties are the best - you just show up and you don't have to clean up the mess!!!

Here are some pictures of his very fun day....

The boys - Lucas, Henric, Adrian, Jack, Matteo, Sami

Lucas & Scrappy

December

December is a good month - it's always hectic, crazy, frustrating at stores - but it is also all about celebration.

After our California friends went home I continued on my whirlwind month. My good friend Cathy - who was my neighbor here but went back to the States - flew in and we went with a bunch of other friends from the school/women's club to the German Christmas Markets - we went to Aachen, Cologne & Bruges on the way home - it was beautiful! We had so much fun - and did quite a bit of shopping!

Me & Cathy - Aachen

Cologne (Koln)

Hat ladies

Bruges, Belgium

I found this little treasure in Bruges - my new purse (for my birthday!) I have a great love for tulips - so when I saw this purse - I had to have it!

Tyler had her girl friends over before the Winter Dance...

We made Sugar Christmas Trees this year

My birthday was on the 13th my big bday (I turned 25 again) and I was given one of the very bests gifts - my kids were so cute - my birthday was Sunday so when we came home from church the kids 'wanted' to stay in their church clothes - what is that about!?

Well they put on a Winter Concert for me - I have it on video but - it's 10 mins long so couldn't download ...they did such a great job though - Tyler was on the piano, Cman - Clarinet, Ian - Trumpet & Lucas on the keyboard! They played Jingle Bells then did a solo each and then met up again with jingle bells - it was so special and I felt like they were the Von Trapp kids!

On Saturday Mike & I went in to London for lunch on Saturday and a little shopping we had such a nice day I loved it!

Now we're on the downward slide toward Christmas - so busy - but we're having some friends over for Christmas Eve since we're not going back to the States. It will be a bit quieter but Christmas is where your heart is and your heart is with your family after all don't you think?

Peptol Bismol & Bday Pix

Either we're having a girl or I spilled Pepto in my laundry......I'm getting ready finally - I started washing all the clothes yesterday and boy is there a lot of pink! After 10 years of having boys it's a definite change.


I've also been nesting - well that and it's hard to walk a lot with my hip - my crochet hooks and knitting needles of course didn't make it in the shipment (I found quite a bit of things missing - I think they ran out of room and shoved everything else in storage but failed to ask or tell me) but I finally found a craft store - so I went and got some yarn... I made a little hat and booties and I started on this blanket....



I haven't said much about the health care here.... well - since this is #5 I do see a difference - I think that ignorance is bliss a little bit...you have to bring all of your own supplies for after the birth - and I mean literally - diapers, wipes, bathing supplies for baby & yourself, blankets, clothes - t-shirts for baby, TOWELS to dry yourself after a shower, pads and disposable underwear for yourself.... no sweet little gift pack for the new baby, no "take everything in the drawer" - no "welcome to the world little one" - I've even heard from one lady they don't even bathe the baby - so the next day if you don't think about it there's afterbirth on it..... lovely. The nurse that gave me the tour was really cute - she was so honest she said, "The food here isn't that great and they don't give very large portions unfortunately so our nursing moms tend to be a bit hungry". No chocolate cake upon request like at Valley Care. Well at least she told me, Mike will have to bring me food! They don't even measure the length of the baby the first day. They wait until you are home and send a midwife measure later. Oh and I didn't mention - that is with the Private Health care that I have, not the National Health Care!! Just imagine....We shall see - I'll return and report :)

These are pictures of Mike on his bday - welcome to middle age!



Hopefully all goes well - we're scheduled to go in next Friday to be induced... Mike is going to Paris on Tuesday so hopefully I don't go spontaneously on my own - or maybe in spite of the trip she'll want to come early.... yikes!!

I also have forgotten to mention church lately - well I thought with a bun in the oven I'd get a break, but unfortunately I already have 2 callings!!! Mike & I were called to Activities Directors - would be okay but we have to do the Christmas Party - and it will be something like 2 weeks after I have the baby.... hmmmm. And then I was called to teach RS - which is something I quite enjoy anyway and is easy for me so I like the once a month Sunday calling! Which I'm also supposed to do in December, but my VT's said they'd cover for me if I wasn't up to it. Whew!

The kids are excited about the birthday: we'll have one on the (obviously different months) 3rd, 4th, 21st, 22nd, & 23rd.... funny huh?

So the next month will be busy - the baby on the 21st if all goes well, my mom on the 24th, my in-laws on the 2nd, baptism for Ian on the 6th, blessing hopefully on the 7th, mom goes home on the 8th, in-laws go home on the 17th - that doesn't include pinewood derby (yes they have it in December!?) holiday celebrations at school, and school concerts.... good thing I hibernated most of last week and the week before... better do some more in the next few days!

Happy Birthday Mike!

The fall is a busy time for our household - we have lots of celebrations between now and through January. Today is a special one - It's Mike's big 4-0 birthday. I can't believe how fast time flies. We had a very fun surprise party for him in California before we left and tonight our new friends the Hamberlins came over for dinner (we missed you Smiths!).

Mike is definitely my soul mate - I'm so glad he found me - he is the most patient person - and he loves adventure. He has taken me on most of mine - we've known each other now for almost 19 years - yikes that sounds so old. We've been to obviously England, France, Australia, Indonesia, Spain & Italy. I'm sure I missed some place - doesn't count all the domestic travel of course - but it is quite a feat with life and kids in between them all.

We used to do lots of biking and hiking and other outdoor stuff - he'd still prefer to go dancing with me than sit on the couch and watch a movie.

I love him with all of my heart and I am so proud of the person he is. He never shirks responsibility, he is so intelligent and yet so naive in the same breath - sounds silly doesn't it? He has accomplished so much in life and work which I don't talk about too much - but I would imagine many of his goals in this life he's met (or at least I hope so). He is so generous and always tries to think of the sunny-side. He is my other half - he makes me into a nicer person - and he is very supportive.

The things we have done together have filled my memory books - I love to be with and just plainly - I love this man.

Happy Birthday to my one and only, the father of my sweet babies, my companion forever....

Happy Birthday Mom & Linda!

Oh - 2 of my favorite people share the same birthday! It's hard being so far away from them - but at least I'll be the first to wish them a happy birthday since we're so ahead of time!!

My mom since moving to Las Vegas 10 years ago has become this major craft lady - it is so funny - I of course love to craft - all things - she has always sewn - then one day I told her I was taking a quilting class - and she was like - I think I'll do that - well - now the lady doesn't go anywhere without looking for the local quilt shop in town - she's coming here to visit me when the baby arrives - she's already looked up where the quilt shop is!

My mom makes all the matching PJ's for the kids for Christmas, makes all the Halloween costumes (she stole that from me a few years ago) She uses all my chinese food ingredients when she comes to make Chandler and my brother their favorite foods (so deprived in Vegas) She's also the secretary for the Quilt Guild - it's pretty cute for a grandma under 60 (I have to do the math I think she is finally over 55). My mom was born the year of the Dragon and a Scorpio so she's a spitfire. One of my great-friend's husband is older than my mom. Yes my mom is pretty young for a grandma of 4 1/2 (and I didn't start that early!) but she loves doing the craft thing with Tyler and the boys love to play video games with their Pau Pau - I can't stand to play video games - but I think my mom really loved Tetris when my brothers were growing up and I was in college so she can handle a joy stick - but a computer mouse she is still working on - but now that we're here we're forcing her to learn more about her high technology since it's so easy because we are far away!


Not the best picture I have of my mom, but she's camera shy - she's usually the one always taking the picture (along with a covered flash or a finger) We love you mom - hope you have a great day!

Today is Linda's Birthday too! Mike's is Sunday so every year for the last 12 years we've had a "Birthday Dinner" - Chris and I seem to get left out on this celebration - however it is a very fun tradition I'm very disheartened to miss this year. We kinda had it early this year - but it was really was the guise for my surprise par-tay for Mike.

What can I say about Linda - we've grown so much in the last 10-12 years - luckily not just in the waist! She is the sister I've never had, my BFF & one of my closest friends and it is so much fun to have someone your own age (although she is older - wink wink - by a month) and with husbands the same age and kids the same age - we always have fun. She's super fun, she loves to shop and she teaches me about make-up, clothes, and the latest celebrity or TV happenings! I miss our shopping excursions and our lunch dates and just our regular conversations - even the mundane - you know - "what's for dinner??".

I have a ton of pictures of Linda - but she'd kill me if I posted some of them- you know, camping trips, vacations, cooking, just having a baby pix, getting her brows plucked..... I'll have to save a few for bargaining chips...It's so sad to be so far away - and for their impending move - I always expected them to be there when we got back (if the market stays the same for a while maybe I'll get my wish!) - that's one place I won't follow to move to....

There's not much hidden about Linda - what you see is what you get and that is a lot of fun, she's beautiful, caring and all those boys! Those boys are my kids BFF's and cousins and they love their ma-ma! We spend every holiday, birthday, Sunday dinner and event together. Such a lucky girl I am to have such a great friend - love you lots and hope you have a great day!





As for me - I'm looking forward to the weekend - the baby is coming if not on it's own than my Dr. may induce a tad early - likely within the next couple weeks - my hip from my cycling accident last year isn't doing all that well - so we need to get the little alien out. So I spend quite a bit of couch time right now - and I've been getting reaquinted with my crochet hook!

Happy Birthday Ian!!

Well my little man is 8 today - Chandler told him he wasn't 8 yet because in California it wasn't morning time yet!

Ian is a cute little bugger - there are 2 things I think of when I think of when he was born:

1. He was born with a smile on his face
2. And a book in his hand......

His BFF Juddy Buddy (on our memorable Houseboat trip)

See always smiling

Here are 8 things about Ian:

1. Always smiling or laughing
2. Loves video games (however slightly addicted!)
3. Loves his new room - he loves having his own room by himself - he also keeps it the cleanest!
4. Ian loves his friends (and misses them too!)
5. Ian can get along with ANYONE
6. He is very thoughtful and usually thinks of other people first
7. He is very smart :)
8. He loves to play football (soccer) especially with his HEAD!

We are going to wait for the baby to be born before we baptize Ian - he will be the true middle child after that - What a neat spot to be in - Sister-Brother-Ian-Brother-Sister.

We love having Ian in our home. He had to be born with a good nature because he is also my "peanut, hay fever, animal allergy, allergy shots, eczema-ridden, nose stuffy, bone breaker, prone to colds, asthmatic".... so with all that he has to deal with whining would just have sent me over the edge. Our medical insurance is worth it's weight in gold for this one child alone!

Ian always has a story - long stories - so you have to pay attention - he likes to build, but likes to read more - he has this monkey he cannot live without - and ah, his favorite color is Orange!

Tonight he had the choice - we're going to the school Trunk or Treat - he wanted to dress up as a hobo - tomorrow is the last day of the term so they have next week off. We're going to Paris for his bday :) What a lucky boy!

Happy Birthday Cman & We arrived!

Cman is Double Digits!!!!!








I did a great post for Cman's bday in our temporary hotel as his bday was before we left - but something happened to it. We love having this kid in our family - he is the first in the family so if his father were Chinese instead of his mother - he'd have great honor - instead - he's just gets to be known as a great kid. Chandler is one of those kids that would give the shirt off his back if you needed it - he's a nice boy - kind and considerate - he is so athletic I know he'll be some type of pro one day! Cman knows how to push buttons too (especially to his big sister - but I know she loves him) but we're so proud of all that he is and does.....

I wanted to do a quick post also of our travels to let you know stage 2 of our adventure has passes successfully ....



What a joke! Look at all that "baggage!"



"Where is our plane????"

We survived the flight although it left 2 hours late - Ty, Cman & I got upgraded to Business - Mike offered to stay with Lucas & Ian in Economy Plus - it was a good thing for my veracose ridden legs. The kids slept a good deal of the flight - me too - here we are just before we left with our 12 pieces of check-in luggage and here just as we got off.....



We have arrived!!! 1 buggy (stroller) and 4 luggage carts

We had weird sleeping times today - we all woke up about 3 am - so turned on a movie for the kiddies on my computer - then we took a 'nap' before breakfast - unfortunately we didn't wake up until 11:30. We aren't sure where any of Ty's closed toe shoes ended up so we ended up going into Kingston to go shopping - tomorrow hopefully we'll get up earlier then we'll go into London for our Red Bus Ride...


Uh-oh boys - what did you do now??!! Push boys push - look at Ian at the very end!

Bowling Par-tay

Well I survived the last kid party - we went bowling for Ian's early Bday - we had a great bargain though - we had planned the party a month ago - and it ended up being $0.99 for games and shoes and hotdog & drink .... hello - it was something like $2.97 per kid!!! Score!!

Good thing too because we ended up having 17 kids! Last week for Cman's party it seemed all his friends were out of town - this week (school starts next Tuesday) everyone was home!!! So random.



We had a good time - Ian's friends tend to be a bit more "rowdy" than my other kids friends - but they were all great and had a good time....




On Monday we went to see Rachel (side bar Brackett) and went to Chuck E's - but in a different town - I know - Linda is going to be SOOOOO thrilled that I posted my pictures!!

My good friend Grace came to see us too - such a great place - between the 4 of us we have 19 1/2 kids - luckily for Chuck E's we didn't bring ALL of them!!

After that I had to run down to SJ for ANOTHER surprise party for Mike at his work - his Admin put together a little ditty - it was nice - but now I'm exhausted between the kids activities & purging - my house looks so empty it's great!

This weekend my next door neighbor is throwing me a babyshower - the fun NEVER stops...

SURPRISE!!

My great friends help me carry off a great surprise 40th bday for my man last Friday night. I didn't obviously also talk about this party in my earlier post because Mike blog-stalks sometimes! ( I love what Hot Mama has nicknamed me: Marathon Mom! I totally feel like I am running crazy)

We went to a place called Campo di Bocce - so we played outdoor bocce ball!!! It was soooooooooo much fun. I love my friends - I am going to miss them so much when we move to London - but I'm also so grateful that so many of them are planning to come visit me already! My friend Christy has already booked her tickets to come out for Easter!

Mike's real bday isn't until November but I wanted to celebrate before we left - I had always wanted to do a big party for him - but this party was perfect - he was very surprised - Mike & I always do a Birthday Dinner every year with Linda & Chris - obviously this year with us being in the UK by November we won't be able to do it - so that was the guise to get him out to dinner....

All of our great friends that could make it

Heels aren't allowed so I had to remind the men not to wear Stillettos

Such a good sport!Me hiding my 25 week belly, Laura & Michele (my GNO girls!)

Miss Linda winning at Bocce

Lots of friends: Todd, Mike, Linda & Christy

Let's eat Cake!

He loves me

Me & Lulu (Auntie Nu!)

Chris & Mike

Dan, Herbie, Mike & Jimmy Cole