Happy Halloween!

This is our 7th year in our neighborhood.  I love how friendly our neighborhood is.  Every Halloween we have a get together before Trick or Treating.  We eat pizza and drink beer and let the kids run around like Wild Banchee's.

It's pretty much the same crowd annually. My parents join us every year, which I love.  Mom usually makes the kids costumes, but this year we let the Disney Store do her dirty work.  Next year she is back on duty for sure. I love it when my Mom makes the costumes.  It guarantee's your child's costume is unique and made to order....couture if you will.....

Festivities started early this year, and to add to the Halloween fun, we got to watch the World Series while we enjoyed our Halloween feast.

Mmmmmm Rocco's...

Lynne was in charge of dessert...

She made Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

It paired perfectly with the beer I selected.

(Have you tried Blue Moon's Winter Abbey Ale??....If not....run right out and purchase some....It's deeeeelicious!)

We were all ready for the Trick-or-Treaters.

(Full size Candy Bars are the only option in the Kirbyface household)

Maddie's BFF was her hair stylist

It was kind of a mad house before we left....

(my poor living room...)

Here they are!

Tink and Peter Pan

(This is the only one I could get of the two of them together..)

So here they are separately...

Trigger joined in the fun too!

Britt and I opted for Target Tee's

While Daddy and Uncle Ben went all out...

Jack and O were quite the pair

Our Motley Crew

This was Maddie's first "real" Halloween experience. 

(Last year she was carried by Daddy the whole time and was only 3 months old)

She fit in just fine and got the hang of this trick or treating thing right away.

We brought the red wagon just in case Maddie couldn't make it..

Uncle Ben felt he needed to make sure it was a safe ride...

Thank God it was! 

Maddie felt very special in her trusty old wagon.

Our Annual Ladies shot

Look at all that LOOT!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

It's not all bad....

Clay's home. Yay!

And life is pretty much back to normal.

I failed to mention the positives this last weekend.

Lindsey and I accomplished a lot!

My house stayed fairly clean the whole weekend...

And I finally finished my photo wall. (Thanks to Lindsey...)

I'm so happy with how it turned out!

Have I mentioned that I have the most amazing photographer on the planet??!!

Laura Cottril is our family photographer.

This December will mark Laura being our

 photographer for 5 years.

Every picture on this wall was done by her.  

She is so talented!

I also added Jack's 4 year birthday shoot to the stairwell. 

Every year on Jack's Birthday we do a photo shoot of Jack in Clay's Military Uniform.

(Best idea I've ever had- it's so fun to see Jack grow into the coat.)

And....Our Neighbor Lynne is back from her two week vacation to China!

She is my savior.  It's so nice to have her next door.  She is Madeline's BFF. 

Lynne brought Madeline some treasures back from China..

Madeline had to put them on IMMEDIATELY....

Maddie is almost back to her old self.....

Thank god!

Here is a shot from this weekend....

Poor Baby......

Lindsey took this one...... 

(pretty good for an amateur....   ;) ...  you know I'm kidding!)

P.s.  Linds made fun of my photo taking all weekend.  First she called me a shutterbug..and I told her my Mamarazzi Joke I got from a favorite blog I read...and she could not stop making fun of me. 

Whatever.  

I told her when I'm dead you'll be glad I'm such a shutter-bug.  

So Shutter-up.

Lindsey.

I'm so glad the cold weather is here. 

 And tonight is our first one of these of the season...

I love Fall!  

I also love Mr. Kirbyface hangin by the fire....

(Have I mentioned I'm glad he's home??)

Weekend Fun?

What a weekend!  Let's Review:

Husband gone for the weekend: *check*

Best Friend to help in his absence: *check*

Rainy Weather: *check*

Crazy Dog: *check*

Antsy Son: *check*

Daughter with Flu for the first time:*check*

Cabin Fever: *CHECK*

All I have to say is poor Lindsey.

Not two hours after we got both kids down on Friday night, Madeline woke up screaming.  I picked her up and brought her downstairs without turning on a light.  Put her on the couch and realized she had completely soiled her clothes.  As I began to strip her down, I noticed how awful she smelled, and not from the poop that was all over her, but she smelled like vomit too.  I ran up to her room and found that her bed, bumpers, sheets and blankets were all covered. I stripped the bed, put her in the tub, started the washing machine and  apologized over and over again to Lindsey. 

Maddie seemed fine after being cleaned up.  She was dancing around the living room and acting like her old self.  I let her stay up with us for about an hour, and then put her back down.  She did get sick one more time, but it was right after I had brought her down.  I figured it was something she ate, and hoped it would be out of her system by morning.

It wasn't. 

Maddie woke up late, and started screaming.  I went into her room. She had thrown up again.

I had to go through the whole routine again.  

I think I may have done 27 loads of laundry this weekend.

Lindsey was such a trooper. 

She went to Safeway and picked up Pedialite and everything else I did not have.

She played with Jack while I tried to console Maddie who was a moaning rag doll.

She went and picked us up lunch.

And assured me there was nowhere else she rather be.

(I love her for that....even if she was lying)

Gram saved the day and took Jack to her house for a bit. 

and Maddie finally slept. 

Brit came by later, and watched the kids so I could go to Target and pick up all the things the Pediatrician told me to get.  Maddie is on a no lactose, pretty much carb only diet for the next two weeks.

It was tough enough to be cooped up in the house for the kids, but to add a sick sister and no Dad on top of it.... Lets just say.....Jack was having a hard time.

He wanted to drink the Pedialite.  I told him it was special for Madeline, and that I would give him his own water.

So he poured all of the Pedialite Lindsey had just made a special trip for, out in the sink.

When it was time for bed, he snuck into my medicine cabinet, and stole my deodorant and used it as a writing instrument on his walls.

While I was changing Madeline, he used a blue ball point pen to draw on my white sheets.

I let him take a shower by himself and he emptied all of the shampoo and toothpaste out onto the floor of the shower.

To say he was having a hard time...is probably an understatement.

Madeline was getting a lot of attention....

I tried to explain to him, and reason with him....

But then I just lost my cool....

Jack probably had a time out for every diaper I changed this weekend.....

(I'm pretty sure I just finished changing diaper # 123)

It's hard. Sometimes it's so hard to be a parent. And nobody talks about it. 

Sometimes I feel like my children are the only ones who act they way they do....

That I'm the only one who occasionally loses her "cool".

So I figured I'd share.  My Wonderful weekend.

I'll say it again..

Poor Linds.

I probably have given her enough birth control to last her 2 years....

Or longer....

Still...

I am grateful for many things.

First and foremost, I am grateful that Clay comes home tonight.

I am grateful for my wonderful friend Lindsey for sticking it out the whole weekend.

I am grateful for Brittney who is always there whenever I need her.

I am grateful for my Grandmother, for still having enough energy to have Jack over.

I am grateful for my neighbor Lynne, who we call the "Baby Whisperer"

And finally, I am grateful for my children.  Who teach me patience and love like no one else could. I am grateful for their health and feel blessed that it took almost a year and a half for Madeline's first real illness.   I am thankful for Jack's unconditional love, and his understanding..that sometimes....Mom...just loses it but that her love for him will never end.

Let the Weekend Begin!

Soooo... Clay is in Minnesota for the weekend....

And

Linds came down for the weekend to help with the kids.

I love me some Lindsey.

I think Jack was the most excited. 

My wild Indians.

Uncle Ben and Aunt Brit stopped by for our fun filled evening....

Aunt Lindsey even did story time before bed...

 (I had to sneak in for a photo- Jack did NOT want his time with Lindsey interrupted..)

Once the Indians were tucked into their TeePee's.... Aunt Lindsey and Heidi enjoyed some "Grown Up" time...

Linds and I spent the rest of the evening playing with my new Canon....and all the settings.....

(this one is my favorite)

Ahhhhh Linds.  Our time together may be few and far between, but I enjoy every minute of it!

Happy Friday everyone!

In Control

Have a I ever mentioned that I am a control freak?  I have to have complete control of all that is going on around me.  Even if it's chaos, I like the feeling of knowing, the mess of my life is in my complete and utter control. 

Clay is pretty great with letting me be me.  He has come to accept my faults and I love him for that.  So needless to say he is pretty easy going about our life.  He doesn't care where we eat, where we go, or what we do.  He embraces my spontaneity and usually just goes with the flow.  I love this about him. 

Lately with work, and the kids, and our home, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed.  So when our Anniversary rolled around, I said....You can plan it.  The whole night is up to you.  

All I have to say is I should put Clay in control more often.

The whole day was so perfect.   This is what I found at my car when I came out in the morning:

My first of THREE anniversary cards.

Such a wonderful way to start my day!

I had no idea what we would be doing, and as much as I like being in control I like to be surprised just as much. 

Clay got off work early to surprise me.  I figured he would not be home until 5:30ish and he rolled through the door at 3.  He coordinated Brit to pick up the kids and watch them for the night.  He told me to wear something nice, but comfortable.  

We left early, and headed toward Highway 4.  I had assumed dinner would be in the City, so I was surprised we were driving in the opposite direction.  We crossed the San Rafael bridge and pulled into the Melting Pot in Larkspur. 

I have only been to the Melting Pot once before.  We had gone with another couple.  We had a good time, but it was hard to have to agree on one pot for each course with 4 people's different taste bud's in mind.  Regardless, I had had a good time, and was very excited when we pulled up.  The Melting Pot in Larkspur is unique because it is in the original Brick Kiln Building.  It's a very old building and creates a very romantic dim lit setting for your dinner.

Clay had made reservations.  The woman greeted us and immediately congratulated us on our 13 year wedding anniversary.  I was so impressed!  I explained to the waitress that we had been here once before and were seated over there- I pointed to the cozy tables just down from her station.  She just looked at me and smiled and then walked in the opposite direction.  My internal monologue went something like this: "The table we had last time was PERFECT, she is going to sit us at some dumb table in the middle of everything, she is going to RUIN my anniversary, I should say something and make her switch it.  I can't believe THIS!"- Then she turned the corner to this dim lit area.  And said...  "You're husband has requested the best table in the house.  We call this Lovers Lane."

I about died.  As she sat us in a very private booth next to old wine barrels, there was this waiting at the table side:

My favorite Champagne on ice.

And this on the Table:

 An Anniversary card from the Restaurant!

So nice!

Clay had pre-ordered dinner- The Lobster and Filet dinner for two.  It was amazing.  

Here is our first course of cheese fondue:

So, So, So Good.

The awesome thing about only going with Clay, is he let me decide on EVERYTHING.  (Remember Clay and his go with the flowness...)  "Whatever you want Babe is fine by me..." (Love him!)

This plate came with our dessert.  

Love the Melting Pot!

So much fun!

My husband can be so romantic, and then turn right back into the tough Marine I married.  Clay and I had about an hour drive each way to and from the restaurant.  On the drive we talked a lot about life, and the kids, and what will happen in the next 13 years.  Then Clay reminded me that I had promised him once we were done with kids, he could get a tattoo with the kids name, to go with the one he had done when we had been married a year with my name on it.  I'm not a huge fan of a lot of tattoos, but Clay puts them in discreet places, and they are all tasteful.  So I agreed.  And on Friday Clay had this done:

I have to admit.  I REALLY love it.  And so does Clay.  And so does Jack for that matter.  When Jack saw Clay's tattoo, he pointed to the top and said "That's my name!"  He then looked at the fake tattoo Aunt Brit helped him put on his tummy earlier in the week and then looked at me and said, "How long until Daddy's washes off?"  I had to explain that Daddy is a grown-up and his tattoo is a different kind and won't ever wash off, and when he's a grown up...if he wants...he can get one that doesn't wash off either....in fact....I'm sure....Daddy will take him...  

Such a great Anniversary week....  I think I may have Clay plan all our events.....   or Some...  :)

Lucky 13

Thirteen years ago today I married my Best Friend.

We couldn't afford the  Main Chapel...so we said "I do" in the waiting area of the Chapel of Love.

We Eloped.

In South Lake Tahoe

And Rocked the World.

( or atleast Walnut Creek and the greater East Bay)

Just over one year later...

We had our *sinful* union Blessed in the Catholic Church

Complete with White Gown and Dressed Blues



And then at Ten Years, Renewed our Vows

Right Back where it all started.

South Lake Tahoe

( The Chapel of Love -which is the actual name of the chapel- had since burned down, so we renewed our vows at the only Catholic Church in South Lake.  And then partied like Rockstars afterward OF COURSE!)

13  years.

I can't believe it.

Here is a short list of our years together.

Of our 13 years, only 11 (due to the Military) have been spent physically together.

We have purchased 12 cars.

We have purchased 2 homes.

We have moved 10 times.

We have adopted 2 cats, 2 dogs and had 2 children.

We have had Good Times.

We have had Hard Times.

We have made it through all times.

You are the love of my life. My soul mate. My one and only.

Without you.  I would not be me.

Thank you for all you do.

And the Person you have helped me become.

There is no one I rather have by my side.

Happy Anniversary Clayton.

Here's to many, many more....

10.10.10 Ten on Ten

Take a photo every hour for ten consecutive hours on the tenth of each month. Document a day of your life and find beauty among the ordinary moments.

I first saw 10 on 10 done by Heather at Cookie Mondays , I thought it was such a great idea!  I learned that Heather got the idea from Mel at Larson Lingo who got the idea from another blog, and I'm sure the list goes on and on.  All I know is a good idea when I see it.  I have wanted to copy the idea for some time, but since I'm never home on weekdays, doing a 10 on 10 during the day at my work would be so boring (who would want to see  my feet sticking out from under cars all day???... ).  So I was so excited that the 10th fell on a Sunday, and to top it off, the perfect date for a 10 on 10!

(I had a very big surprise in store for me today....you may notice a difference in my photos as you read)

So here goes!  My first 10 at 10!

Clay let me sleep in!  Yay!  
How else could I repay him but to make Blueberry Pancakes from scratch! Jack sifted, while Maddie sampled the fruit for edibility.
You'll notice the cooking bible next to Madeline for reference. (God bless the Joy of Cooking!)

Jack had a little craft time and wanted to use his new colored pencil set.

 The Walnut Creek Farmers Market was hoppin today! 
 I love fall colored flowers...

We may have stayed too long...... Nap time was calling someone's name...

Both kids fell right asleep for their afternoon naps and Clay and I enjoyed a little downtime.

Clay surprised me with my Anniversary present early!  He was so sweet!  He said he didn't want me to have to use my little *crappy* camera for my first 10 on 10.  
I am SO excited about this camera. 
I am now a photo taking fool!

A late afternoon snack....and a little wine to celebrate the new camera...  ;)

Clay enjoying the Giants big win....

Waiting for dinner to simmer......

Soups on! 
It was SO hot today!  But I had all the ingredients to make Chicken Corn Chowder.  Homemade soup...down to the last drop.  I even made the chicken stock from scratch!
Clay made me turn the air conditioning on just so we could eat without sweating to death.  You gotta love Fall in California!




Thank you to my wonderful Husband for embracing my new found love of blogging and buying me the most generous and thoughtful Anniversary gift a girl could ask for.


I love you Smooch!




Hope you enjoyed my 10 on 10!


Next month give it a try!


I would love to see how you spend your 10 on 10! 
Thank you Heather and Mel for letting me steal borrow your idea!