Popsicle Delight

I was shopping in Safeway the other night & came across these beauties. I am a fan of almonds ... they make me happy. BUT I'm not always a fan of ice cream ... weird, I know. Anyway, I decided to give them a try & they are YUMMY in my tummy! I definitely think you should try them! If you don't like almonds, that's ok, buy them for me! ☺

Fettuccini Anyone?

The final (I think) birthday celebration for Calob was held this past Sunday at Olive Garden. Our family and Sharon's family ate to our heart's content (and then some). Calob ordered the Seafood Fettuccini, which is his favorite.

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This picture just kills me. I'm not sure how much wider Calob can open his mouth ... sheesh, can you imagine when he's eating something that's actually big?!? HAHA

Christmas Eve Dinner

We went to Sharon & Gord's last night for a lovely Christmas Eve dinner. Normally we have dinner on Christmas day but Gord had to work so we celebrated early. It was great as always. It's amazing to have such good friends who are always willing to invite us to share their holidays with them!!!

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Calob & Gord playing Mario Kart.

The 2 families.

Meet Leo ... and a few other things

Obviously I'm just a smidge behind on posting about all the happenings in our lives. I fell out of the habit & am struggling to get back into the habit. I'll work on it this week ... hopefully!

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One night, while talking to Donna on the phone,

I saw this "scene" in my dish drainer.

Should I be worried? You be the judge! lol

This is Callie before we went out for her family birthday meal @ Red Robin's. The dress is from Grandma Sachi (T's mom) who bought it for her when we were in Hawaii last.
The day before Callie's birthday, she had a special birthday lunch, with her "special" friend Oskar. You may remember when she danced with him at the recital ... or when she received a special gift from him ... they're adorable together!!! He bought her lunch (at her restaurant of choice, which happened to be McD's ... lol) and gave her a gift. Priceless!
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I love the look on her face in this one.
I wish Oskar wasn't blurry, but she's holding
the bracelet he gave her

Oskar & Callie

Here is Callie's new fish, Leo. He isn't purple (as we expected her to pick out) but when we went to PetSmart, this was the one she wanted. He's a Crowntail Betta ... and he's actually quite colorful. I don't know that this picture really does him justice but it's more difficult than I thought it would be, to get a good shot of him.

Calob's B-Day Lunch

Today we went to lunch to celebrate Calob's birthday. His actual birthday is Tuesday but that isn't actually the best day to have lunch (as the kids are in school, adults are at work, etc) so we decided today was good. Although it was snowing ... again. Anyway ... Sharon, Gord & girls joined us to celebrate ... it was yummy. Calob chose Olive Garden this year which made Gord oh so happy (apparently he HATED Pad Thai last year). We all ate lots & left with full tummies ... the perfect meal.

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Calob w/his seafood fettucine

Not sure what is making Callie smile

but I like this picture

Emily, Katie & Callie

Sharon & Me

Dudes ... Terence & Gord

All of us

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On our way home we noticed a female neighbor out shoveling her driveway. I figured Calob, as a young, spry teenager, should help her out. And so he did. That's what kids are good for ... right? :)

McRib is Back!!!

Andrea (Kelsey's mom) & I got together today to make some plans for an upcoming D.I. fundraiser. We decided on McDonald's to help keep Alex, her son, occupied & happy. Little did I know what a lovely surprise was in store for me. I enjoy McDonald's. I enjoy it a lot. We aren't going as often as we used to though, as we're trying to save a little money (trying SO hard). Anyway, when we drove up today I was THRILLED to see that the "McRib is Back!!!" I have loved the McRib since I lived in California (over 13 years ago) but I can't find it often. There are some years that our McD's doesn't have it at all. Seriously, it sounds silly but it's just one of those "things" that really does it for me.

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Here's my McRib ...

I get it with NO pickles or onions

McRib is Back! Yippeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Walk On Donna!!!

My sister, Donna, that lives in San Diego came to Seattle to participate (for the 2nd year) in the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk. She participates in San Diego as well (coming up in November) and puts a lot into it. Unfortunately for Donna, this just was NOT her year. She spent most of Thursday sick. I don't need to give you icky details, just know it was NOT good!!! She wasn't feeling well enough on Friday to participate in the 1st day of the walk & decided to let herself rest & try to get better. She got up Saturday & checked in with Jerrie and I while we drove to meet up with her. She wasn't feeling great but she was "walking on." We met up with her at the lunch pit stop and she wasn't feeling up to par. We were going to take her with us but the medics wanted to check her out first. This is Donna getting the royal treatment.

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Temperature: Normal

A little rest: Great

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In the end she was fine to leave so after completing 1/2 the Saturday walk (around 11'ish miles) we checked Donna out & headed back to the hotel.

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Donna, Jerrie & Me

Donna & Me ... we look NOTHING alike!

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After hanging out at the hotel & giving Donna time to shower we headed to dinner. We went to The Cheesecake Factory and indulged on dessert as well (of course)!

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Donna

Donna's, Mine & Jerrie's
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This is Sunday morning before Jerrie & I headed home.

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Donna in all her pink garb

Me & Donna
Awwwww, sisterly love!
One last shot of Donna walking on!
These are the little "treats" that Jerrie & I got for Donna to congratulate her on a job VERY well done! The trip didn't go according to plan but she sucked it up & did what she could. This was the least we could do for all she has done!!!
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Jerrie & I then headed to the same mall where we ate dinner the night before to do a little more shopping and we had lunch at P.F. Chang's. We ventured across the street & saw this fabulous display that I, of course, LOVED!

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At this point Donna wasn't sure how much, if any, of the walk she'd be able to do. She had to get in a long line to head to a 2nd destination for the beginning of the walk. Her plan was to check in with the medics and have them check her knees and ankles as they'd given her quite a bit of trouble the day before. We heard from her at the first 2 pit stops but then didn't hear from her again. I didn't know if she was ignoring my calls, passed out on the side of the road or what. I was worried. We finally heard from her around 4:30 and SHE WALKED THE WHOLE DAY! Yay for Donna! I know it wasn't easy for her being sick and definitely not 100% but she was able to complete the day and it's saying something about her that she could do it. Trust me, if you had seen her hobbling around Saturday night you'd have never thought it was possible!!!

CONGRATULATIONS DONNA ON A JOB WELL DONE!!!

Another Day, Another Birthday Dinner for Callie!

Callie had a grand idea for her birthday "celebration" with her friends. She wanted to go to McDonald's for dinner & Dairy Queen for dessert. Yeah, I know, you're totally jealous (as you should be). She invited Kelsey, Catyler & Emily ... and I have to say, the party might not have been fancy but the girls all had a great time. Here's an assortment of pictures from the night!

Jerrie got her a ballet diary, Catyler got her a Pet Shop "thing-a-ma-jig" that lights up, Emily got her some mighty fine bling & Kelsey got her a Pet Shop set

I'd say she made out pretty good!!!

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After donating her hair twice since kindergarten Callie decided to cut her hair "just because" and she had an exact idea of what she wanted. So off we went to the hair place. The hairdresser was very hesitant to cut it but it's only hair ... it will grow back! She ended up cutting 7 inches off (wow, only 3 more and she could've donated it again)

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This is Callie before

This is Callie after ... adorable!

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If you recall, Callie received a Build-a-Bear gift card from Terence & I for her birthday. We went to the mall today to redeem it & Callie was SUPER happy!!! This IS her first time actually doing anything other than window-shopping in the store!

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So many animals to choose from ... she ended up choosing the bunny you see in the right of the picture.

Hmmmmm, so many choices for clothing & such

Krys filling up her bunny

Trying clothes on in the "dressing room"

Oh yeah, she likes it

Gillian & Callie ... a cute reflection shot

Fluffing her bunny

Leaving the store ... an official "Build-a-Bear" owner (or I guess in her case it's "Build-a-Bunny" but whatever ☺)

Back to Normal ... Almost! ☺

So, mums has come & gone. We had a good visit and great weather (for us, she was too hot) that hopefully left her & everyone else with some good memories.

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When she arrives she always has gift bags for everyone filled with little treats. This time was no different. The kids each received a great assortment of gifts but the BIG gift came at the end. The kids had NO idea this was coming & they couldn't have been happier about it.

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"Wow, that's a BIG bag!"

"I wonder what it is?!?"
"Score! Guitar Hero: Aersomith!!!"
Trying out the new game
After the gifts ... Mums, Callie & Calob Mums with the kiddos Terence & Calob at Bob's
Sharon attacking me ... she's just weird! ☺
Me & Sharon ... as per usual!
Mums & Me ... "doin the Razz!"
All of us at the Raspberry Festival
Everybody else gets their gift bags on the first day but mine is always given to me when my mom & I go to "The Woods" coffee shop. I even found a new drink for me ... some kind of mango concoction that was FABULOUS!!! Mums gave me all kinds of goodies ... but the best was definitely ... (see the next picture)
TIM McGRAW ... OMG, how fantastic is this? I know, I know, you all want one of your own but I'm sorry to say, this one is MINE ALL MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥♥♥

All of us before heading out for the day on Sunday.On Sunday my mom treated all of us to a Starbuck's drink. This is the kids enjoying their beverages outside.
We had dinner at Billy McHale's with Sharon, Gord & her family. My mom didn't know but I had let them know it was her birthday coming up (she's turning 65 ... eek!) so they totally surprised her by singing to her. Her name was on the train the entire time but she never noticed it. I wonder where I get my dorkiness from?!? HA

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Sharon ... I swear, you can't take her anywhere!

Callie, Emily, Sharon, Katie, Terence, Calob, Me, Mums & Gordon
"Paint it Green!" Fantastic!!!