It's that time of year again~Football season!

The Football season is on! Pre-season is well under way and the regular season is just around the corner. We couldn't miss the chance to go to the Oakland Raiders CELEBRATION day a couple weeks back and see what it was they did there, and the best part....it was FREE!
We got to see all 3 Super Bowl trophies! Daryle was so excited about this. He was thinking it could be our Christmas card picture.....(you know he was excited, if he was talking like that!)
We got to meet and get autographs from the Raiderettes! I'm surprised Daryle didn't jump in this picture! They were all very nice ladies.
and we got to watch the Silver and Black practice.......it was really fun and interesting to see what they do and how they practice these big guys....Now we can only hope it helps on the field, as well as the score board....we need a good season...heck, we'll even take just a decent one at this point!

First day of school....REJOICE!

The first day of school...the most dreaded day in our house...except by ME....or even Lindsey, for that matter....she loves school! We now have the experience & joy, also of traveling between 2 schools...Middle & Elementary! whoohoo...don't be too jealous now! We started off our first day of school morning at 6:30 A.M. The kids filled up on Pancake/sausage corndogs and cereal.
Of course...First day of school...PHOTO SHOOT!!!

7th grade and off to Middle school.....I kept it together(my tears!) until he got out of the car and I watched him walk into the building. I think I was more nervous and sick to my stomach than he was! Kindergarten was a piece of cake, compared to this feeling!
My big 5th grader! I'll be dropping her off at Middle school before I know it. She was so happy to get the teacher she wanted but, sad because almost all the friends she made last year, were of course, in the other class! Figures! Just Natalie's luck. It never can work out for her. I told her, well, she just gets to have her old friends and make a bunch of new ones too!
2nd grade, Lindsey! We were so happy to get the same 2nd grade teacher for the 3rd time! The teacher may think Tyler and Natalie were a piece of cake, compared to my Lindsey! Just kidding! They all love Lindsey. She is much different for them ,than she is for me....why is that???
I always tell them if they will pose for a few good ones....example~good smiles, looking at the camera, not bugging the person next to you....we can take some silly ones too. Still works!

HOLY COW! Middle school??!! How'd that happen so fast!?!?!?
I am too young! heehee..... :o)~

Lindsey's new spot for the next 10 months! ahhhhhaaaa! The first day of school, came and went! Now we are back to, schedules, homework, school lunches, bedtimes, PTA, lunch duty, girl/boy Scouts, fundraisers, parent club, soccer practices, and a week with no video games-(except weekends!). And you thought I was relieved that they went Back to school....Yes & No....the days just get busier...& I do miss them when they are at school and then they come home.... argue & fight with each other....and I sit there and say to myself....what was I thinking??
I gotta just remember to breathe...............

a sneaky intruder...

Once in awhile, we seem to get a "sneaky outside intruder", that makes his way into the house as something is being cooked or prepared...and every so often, you see a head or should I say "eyes" popping up over the counter.

Some fun....

Cousin swap......We did a kid swap with our cousins this past week and it was great fun! We swaped 1 boy-Tyler....for 2 girls....Ryley and Payten. We did some fun girl things and had a good time just being together......wwwwwhhheeew! I gotta tell you, it was a little rough at times having 4 girls under one roof, for 4 days. No matter how much they love each other, there is always the drama, hurt feelings, left out, bossy attitudes....ahhhhhhaaa....I was ready to hang my own 2 more than anything!
I was glad to see the treasured Doll house come out from under the dust and the 4 of them playing house.
We made it to the pool one day and had a delicious Taco bell lunch... followed by swimming & sun bathing.
Jelly Belly factory is always a good spot to take our out of town guests. That place is always busy! I was relieved the girls didn't care to go on the Tour. The line was so long already at 10am. So, we stood in the sample line. We must of got in the sample line about 20 times. The guy seemed to be getting really annoyed with us. Too bad for him,,,,we wanted to make sure we tried every flavor.
The promised bowl of popcorn and movies!
We met up to exchange kids back at the Children's Discovery Museum. I really thought Tyler and Cayden would be too big and bored with it,,,,boy was I wrong. They loved it. Everything there is hands on and they get to do so much. I think we will have to go again.


Tyler "practicing" being a paramedic. His patient isn't looking too good!
This place had police motorcycles, cars, ambulances, fire trucks, helicopters...all life size, that the kids could get in, play around, and explore. It was very neat.
We were invited to a BBQ at Chris and Lisa's to swim and visit with Uncle Greg, who was in town. So, of course we loved getting to visit with everyone and taking turns holding
you know who!!!