It's been awhile

I haven't updated in, forever, and it seems that night time is the only quiet time I have to really think long enough to write. So here goes, be prepared for picture overload, and you all know I talk to much so be prepared for that too. First, Disneyland was a lot of fun, thanks again Mom and Dad! Allie has talked about it nonstop since we got back, and asked several times to go back. You wouldn't have known she was enjoying it though while we were there. She has such a funny little personality, once you know her and she is comfortable she is just like me and never stops talking, but until then she is just like her dad, quiet and takes things in from the sidelines. Here are some pictures in a random order because I am still figuring this blog thing out.

Hannah loved the parade in California adventure, that little girl is such a trooper, she was so good the whole trip!

Little Girls in their matching hats

Grandma, Grandpa, Megan, Makenzy, Becky and Carol all rode the carousel in an attempt to convince Allie that maybe it really isn't all that bad, It worked because she did ride it and even asked to go a second time!

One of Allie's favorite's, face painting.

The following picture shows her expression through most of the trip.

We were lucky enough to have my awesome parents who would take the kids while we rode a few of the rides. I went on the tower of terror with my mom and sisters and wow is that a fun ride! Definately my favorite. Ricardo's favorite was Space Mountain, and Allie's favorite was Pirates of the Caribean. Yep she was scared of the teacups, scared of the caterpillar that goes -1 miles per hour, and scared of Winnie the Pooh, but she loved Pirates, go figure.

Well it is getting late and apparently blogger thinks I've added enough pictures for the night, so I am off to get some sleep and I will update with Halloween pictures later.

Heading to Disneyland!

So we are off to Disneyland on Tuesday! We are all very excited (especially Allie) and are preparing to head off on our adventure. Allie asks me at least 10 times a day 'Mom, are you excited for Disneyland?' And she has started to make a list of things she is taking to Disneyland. I can take my princess dress, and my monkey costume (we are going to Mickey's Trick or Treat party) and my cramra to take pictures of the princesses.....etc.

I'm a little nervous about traveling with two little ones, although I know I'll have the help of my whole family. Hopefully they won't scream the entire plane ride. Thanks so much mom and dad for taking us :) I'll update Saturday night when we get back with pictures and hopefully some fun stories!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Ricardo's birthday, so I'd like to take a minute to tell him happy birthday and let you all know what a great husband and father he is. I am really blessed to have him in my life. He is a huge help with the kids and the house, he isn't above cleaning the bathroom or doing the dishes, or changing dirty diapers, and is great at helping me. He works really hard in school and in everything he does. He also is a great listener, he really pays attention to what people are telling him, and remembers it. He is such a great father, he plays with the kids, gives them baths, reads them stories, and even bakes banana bread with Allie. I love you and hope you have a happy birthday today!

It has been a while since I have updated so I thought I'd also include a few new milestones in our lives lately. Allie is starting to get potty trained and went for her first accident free day yesterday! Her reward was a princess dress which she is in love with, it is a battle to get her to take it off, I think she would bath in it if I would let her. We are hoping that soon she will be 100% out of diapers! She has also gotten to be curious and has begun asking a million questions. As Ricardo was watching a show where several political analysts were sitting around discussing the upcoming election she asked who one of them was. I answered that he was a political analyst and she replied 'oh I like political analysts.' She has also expressed her opinion frequently that 'I don't like Barack Obama.' Who knew we'd have a two year old with political opinions?

Hannah has mastered the art of rolling back to front, but can't figure out front to back and despises being on her stomach, so while she loves rolling she frequently gets stuck on her stomach and screams until we put her back on her back. She has also learned to give 'fives' and 'pounders.' I can't believe she is almost 6 months old already!

Ricardo has been working away at his classes, he is doing well in all of them and spends a lot of time in his study and up at the university. We are counting down the days (well I am, he says not to tell him how much time is left) until he is done. Only 7 months left!!

And I have survived (barely) the first month of school. I have had many challenges in my class this year, and I am learning a lot about trying keep a positive attitude when situations aren't ideal. I am grateful though for the opportunity that I have in my job to make a difference in the lives of the children in my class, some of whom really need a difference made in their lives.

And here are a few pictures from a couple of weeks ago, Allie has really enjoyed our garden, and loves to pick tomatoes, even though some of them are a little green. We have harvested pretty much everything in our garden except for some butternut squash.


This is my favorite picture of Hannah, she loved laying in the grass and playing.

Allie loves her little sister.

Fun with Cousins!

We spent yesterday evening at Ricardo's parents house and had loads of fun with his family. We got to see his cousin Maria Cecilia that he hasn't seen in 19 years and her two beautiful children, Madeline, 6 and Roman 2. Allie had a blast with them, and they all had a great time playing in the boat. They also brought her a Minnie Mouse balloon which she took to bed with her that night she loved it so much (thank you!)

Thanks for a great barbecue!

Hello Blogging World!

Well I was starting to feel kind of weird about hanging around on everyone elses blog and not having my own, and I have to be the world's worst scrapbooker, so I figure this will work nicely as a condensed quick version. Besides the idea of having pictures, scissors, glue, tape, stickers, etc. scattered on the kitchen table with a two year old around makes me shudder. I can imagine stickers all over the wall, table and who knows where else, this is much less messy.

Our lives are never boring with our two little girls who keep us plenty busy but I doubt that anything I write in this blog will be overly amusing to anyone else.

Today we have the Warner Family Reunion at my mom's house. Kim made some hilarious invitations that included the phrases 'please leave the neighbor kids at home' and 'you know this will be entertaining.' Should be good time for all involved, its always fun to catch up with family and it seems we don't get too much time to do so lately.

Well last night we had Ben and Melissa and their darling little boy Logan over for a bbq. It was fun catching up after so long! There little boy is a cutie and Allie was VERY sad to see them go, we had to watch from the window and wave before she would go to bed.

I am also trying to get ready to go back to school, maybe it is the thought of taking care of 25 five year olds and then coming home to my little ones, and the exhaustion that comes with it, but I am having a hard time getting into the 'back-to-school groove' this year. I am usually excited with the prospect of a new year, but I am having a difficult time getting happy this year. I guess I should be happy because I AM the social committee president, whoopee! Anyone have any great attitude changers? Am I the only teacher who feels this way? Are you tired of listening to me whine?