Good Times

On average, I'd say we visit In N Out about once a week. It started out as an innocent after church Sunday tradition, but now is a full blown, out of control, over the top addiction (on Riley's part that is). Of course I don't quite get it being a vegetarian and all, but I have to say, I don't mind a good ol' grilled cheese every now and then..Tatums pretty pumped about this place too, and Brady thoroughly enjoys gnawing on their straws and clapping their drink lids together.

A Little Dress Up

Maybe we should invest in a little fireman suit or something..

Carmel Valley River

This place is a true gem. A diamond in the rough..but the "rough" isn't so rough, its actually in the middle of a super nice Carmel Valley neighborhood down a twisted road and behind a baseball field, then down a path and there you are. I hope I haven't divulged too much information. This beach is secret. If I told you my source he would probably be killed. Ok its Aaron Gaily.
Anyway, it was beautiful today @ 73 degrees..My kiddos love the great outdoors and I must admit it was darn fun for us too.

An Easter to Remember

These Easters just keep getting better and better. Yesterdays was especially memorable, as my brother taught for the first time as SENIOR Pastor of our church (catch the study at calvary.com) It was probably one of the most powerful messages I personally have ever heard-the man was ON FIRE. Its very cool to see him in his element, a place where God himself has obviously placed him. The only downfall to this scenario is that I am once again vunerable as being the brunt of sermon illustrations (an embarrasing post that I took as a child) nevertheless, I will consider it a ministry.

Another highlight was that Tatum was easter egg hunt ready. Last year she could have participated but was so tuckered out by the time the hunt started she had to take a nap. This year though, along with her two cousins Lauren and Violet, she was clearly VERY INTO IT. She was plopping those eggs into her basket like a pro and loving every minute. There was even a few moments where she was forced to be a bit cut throat as her and Lauren spotted the same egg. Usually Tatum prevailed due to her competative nature and brute force strength (well that and Lauren letting her). Brady and June will be joining the fun next year, a realization that Chrisina and I were blown away by as we sat around in the late afternoon eating berry trifle and citrus bars..which was another highlight-the food. Simply way too much of it, but every bite
DE-licious. Happy Easter to all our (much loved) friends and family.

Brady and Uncie Bonding Time

Mr. Dino

For 5 years now, Riley and I have given each other these flosser things in our Christmas stockings. It was probably around year two when we discovered that we both hate them and prefer the traditional floss, yet the tradition still remains, and I continue to, for some reason, keep them all piled in a bathroom drawer. But that's beside the point. Yesterday morning I happened to have this drawer open with Tatum by my side, and as swift as a gazelle she plucked one out and immediately said "Whats this thing Mama?". I looked down with a smile and asked her, "What do you think it is?" It was then that she told me matter of factly that it was a baby dinosaur and his name was, of course, "Mr. Dino". It has been two days since her and her new friend have been playing together. Mr. Dino has been able to experience all sorts of new things since he has been freed from the flosser collecting drawer (what was he doing in there anyway?) such as jumping in Brady's johnny jump up, sliding down slides, eating every meal with Tatum, sitting patiently on the bathroom counter while Tatum uses the toilet-hes even had a few time outs. Of course I am so glad that they can share this exciting life together, and I am not AT ALL secretly hoping that she will forget about him by the time she wakes up tomorrow...

This Week

So this past week Riley took off with my Dad and Brother on an exclusive man trip to Phoenix Arizona. I call it a man trip not only because the people on it were men, but because the trip consisted of pretty much everything man. I'm talking NBA games, In N Out Burger, all you can eat buffets, cheap hotels, spring training baseball games, late night shoot em up movies...they had a blast as you can imagine.
While he was gone I decided to pack up the kids and head down south to visit my Ramones side of the family. These visits are amazing...really, you would have to see it to believe all the crazy events that occur. To say that my kids are spoiled at "Ma" and "Papas" house would be a ridiculous understatement. The minute that we arrive-without fail-every visit-my children are literally whisked away from me and sucked up into a huge whirlwind of new toys, swimming pools, red wagons, cozy coupes, rocking horses, candy, bicycles, and whatever else might entertain. They literally transform their backyard into an amusement park/water park before we arrive. Seriously, these people would stand on their heads all day long just to make one of my kids crack a smile. The visit wasn't exactly bad for me either as Rachael (my sis-in-law) and I got precious shopping time kid free and I was practically force fed Oreos and ice cream every night. Tom even let me hold the clicker a few times (which is a huge deal especially for a Ramones male)
You guys are the best. Thanks for such a great week.

Progress Report

So after

15 Doses of Baby Tylenol

23 Saline drops

235 Tissues

25 Veggie Tales Episodes

97 Trips to the bathroom

35 Meals made and not one bite taken

104 Books read

367 Hand washings

7 Days inside

67 Temperatures taken

27 Middle of the night episodes

11 Screaming sessions with the bulb syringe
34 Bottles of Gatorade

12 Cool Baths

1 Trip to the doctor

and 0 hair brushings
We are feeling much better. Thank you for your prayers.

He Dun Good.

So today I got to pick up my ring from the jewlers (I needed to make a minor size adjustment) and I cant stop looking at it.

Didnt I tell you?

Riley got it for me for our 5 year..5 diamonds and all. A total suprise. I know that material possesions cant bring happiness..but..well.. sometimes they do. (:

Happy

Well it looks like someone is still happy around here. Brady has clearly not yet caught the full blown flu that Tatum has, and I guess is remaining quite happy with his cold. My one goal in life these past couple of days has been to keep that statement true. This usually entails washing a lot of hands, sterilizing everything, and prying Tatum's used tissues out of Brady's drooly little hands.

SICK

Usually being a mom for me is all rainbows and sunshine, but today? Not so much. This morning it was nothing over here but weeping and gnashing of teeth. My kids are sick (again). Its surprisingly similar to last weeks flu (fever, coughing, runny nose) but with the delightful added bonus of earaches and explosive diarrhea. Tatum usually denies all physical ailments (in fear of medicine, doctors, thermometers) but here she actually reveals a new symptom previously undiscovered... I suppose I should take these kiddos to the doc.

Im a Blogger

So they tell me Ive finally arrived! I gave into the forces (light or dark I'm not sure) and the Ramones Family has officially joined the blogger community! Its been a long time coming I suppose. But we made it. I guess my biggest hesitation has been that we are honestly the worlds worst picture takers. Seriously-we are. Once we have the camera in hand and subject in front, we do just fine. Its just the getting there that is so dang hard. Countless times we have failed-how hard could it be to "remember to bring the camera" ? (a phrase often said in our home) to monumental and very important experiences in life? Like poor Brady's birth we
(or should I say-I) forgot to include "camera" on our packing list. We did bring the video camera though only to take about 4 seconds of horrible footage. We captured great footage when we were in the hospital with Tatum though, yet somehow most of it happened to get recorded over by one of Riley's golf lessons (who's actually to blame on that one is still undecided to this day) No pics of My dads wedding. No pics of Our one and only nephew in the hospital. No pics of Tatum last year in her beautiful Easter dress. Graduations, baptisms, Bar mitzvahs. You name it-no camera. A few weeks ago Riley got me a snazzy new phone with a camera on it hoping that would help, but wouldn't you know it, I left that thing at home too. (Somehow I managed to walk right through the huge "Bryna Take you phone!" sign that he placed on the door every day..) It drives him crazy. But really, things are about to change. From now on I'm going to be a picture taking flash happy fool. You'll see. (on my blog of course) And Riley still loves me. After all ,we just celebrated our 5 year anniversary yesterday. And here's some pics to prove it (WOW!)