Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Preschool Party

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This morning we attended the end of year party at Jacob's preschool.
It was really fun to go and see everyone as school has been out a couple weeks already.  It was also wonderful for Ella because she will start school in the fall.  She fit right in with the other kids right and I think she is really going to love it.  They had games for the kids and an ice cream social.  There was also a visit from Dewey Decimole, the library mascot, who came to give everyone their very own library book bag and a couple of free books.  Img_9032This year Jacob's class has taken part in a great program called, "Raising a Reader."   Each week he would come home with a book bag full of new books to read which really excited him about reading.  We will definitely keep that up and head to the library frequently this summer to check out books.  Perfect timing too because Redding has a brand spanking new library! 


Click for pictures from the party today 

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Tis the Season

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For swim lessons to begin!!  Jacob is starting in Level 4 this year and Ella is in Level 1.  This is Ella's first year of having a lesson that wasn't with me in the water with her.  She did great!  So far she's never willingly put her face in the water, but she did with her teacher today and loved it.   Jacob is officially swimming better than me now too!
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Jumping IN!
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Monday, May 28, 2007

We conquered!

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We came, we saw, and we conquered the "newly discovered" falls at Whiskeytown Lake on Sunday.  It was 3.4 mile round-trip, somewhat strenous hike mostly uphill.  Aaron and I went with the kids and my Mom and I think we all did quite well.  Jacob impressively so, Ella maybe a little less so!  We found she's not much of a hiker and ended up falling asleep on Aaron's shoulders the last quarter mile or so.  Still a fun way to spend the day.  We finished it off with a BBQ and swimming at our house.  Uncle Jeff came by for that...guess he's a little too wimpy to have tackled the hike with us!  :-)


Click for photos from our hike

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Annual photos

Every year I take a photo of Jacob and Ella in an article of clothing of Aaron and I's.  Ella wears a dress that I wore on my wedding day for the "after party."  Jacob wears one of Aaron's dress shirts.  It's so fun to compare them from year to year.  Ella went first tonight and boy did I get some attitude!  She was not too fond of my dress and couldn't wait to take it off.  I was lucky I got the shots I did!


Jacob was a litle more into and wanted to have more fun with the process.  Maybe a little too much fun!



In a day or two I'll post some of the prior years pictures for a fun comparison.  I just took a quick peek at the  ongoing album I've made over the years and all I can say is "Awwwww...." as I look at their sweet faces.   :-) 


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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Grandpa's flying home

We just got back a little bit ago from the Chico airport where we dropped my Dad off for his long journeyImg_8860
cross country.  It was a great visit and the kids really enjoyed having him here and showing him different things.  I thought for sure Jacob would be shy for awhile but he opened up pretty quickly.  Grandpa was teasing Jacob that now he can have his room back but I'd be willing to bet they'll still want to sleep together in the same room!


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Aaron started off this morning in a not very fun way. While Ella and I went to her art class and Jacob hung out with Grandpa, Aaron attended a memorial service for one his co-workers.  One of the fire captains passed away while on duty last week which was shocking and tragic. The fire service always honors there own and he says it was a very moving ceremony with all the Fire Department traditions. 


This afternoon before the airport, we hung out in Chico a bit and played in Bidwell Park to burn off some energy.  We then ordered dinner at another favorite we don't have in Redding, Baja Fresh. Click for some more photos from today   

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Shasta Dam

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Only one more day to visit before my Dad flies back to PA.  Today we took it a little easier and slept in a little bit.  Then in late morning we packed up a picnic and the fishing poles, then headed up to Shasta Lake.  We hiked down by the dam and the kids did a little fishing.  After awhile we headed up to a picnic bench by the dam and enjoyed our lunch and walked around the dam and visitor's center. 


This evening Jeff came over and cooked us a delicious meal.  On the menu was seasoned flatbread, chicken alfredo and vegetables, and salad.  GOOOOD STUFF!  We just got done playing a lively game of 'Scene It' and of course Jeff won.  Exhausted now so it's time for bed...   Click for more photos from our day

Oregon Excursion

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We've spent the last couple of days exploring Southern Oregon.  Some of the activities we've done...ate at a Sonic Burger in Central Point (exciting because we're getting one here locally and I've been dying to try it!), did the Rogue River Hellgat Jetboat Excursion in Grant's Pass, experienced the amazing The Oregon Vortex and The House of Mystery in Gold Hill, visited an Oregon favorite, Harry and David for snacks, and toured the fun shops of Ashland.  All in all a great couple of days!


Click here for more photos from our trip!


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Saturday, May 19, 2007

Friday

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Friday ended up being an equally busy day.  We started off the morning at the Annual Rodeo Pancake Breakfast.  It's a tradition we go every year and we always meet the Nostrand family there, this year was no exception.  Later that day, we also checked out the "World Famous Sundial Bridge." 


Friday evening we attended the Redding Rodeo and had a great time.  The events were all very exciting to watch and the kids really enjoyed it. 


Click here for Friday's pictures

Thursday

My Dad got in LATE Wednesday night from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and we've been keeping busy with lots of activities.  Thursday was also Jacob's last day of preschool. (It's over already!?)  So Thursday after taking Jacob to school we headed out to the airport to look for my Dad's lost luggage...no luck.  We also had lunch Img_8436
at Uncle Jeff's restaurant, Vintage Wine Bar and Restaurant and had him make us lunch.  We lucked out because he also came over that evening and made us dinner!  A yummy gourment pizza with cheese stuffed crust. The kids also tried out the pool for the first time this year.  Too cold for me though!


After dinner we went to visit Aaron at the fire station and then out for ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery.  Gosh, I guess we really did have a busy day! 


Click here for pictures from our day

Thursday, May 17, 2007

All the way from Pittsburgh, PA....

Grandpa's in the house!
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Woo hoo!!

Matchbox Twenty Best Of, Coming October
by Paul Cashmere - May 15 2007


The long-awaited Matchbox Twenty compilation album will be released in time for Christmas 2007.P1021203
Atlantic Records has scheduled the Best Of for October.


The band members are working on the track selection for the forthcoming record. "Kyle, Paul and Brian just left my house this week and i can't wait for you to hear what we've got on tap for ya," Thomas said in a posting at his website.


Matchbox Twenty released their first single 'Long Day' in 1996. The following year, 'Push' from the debut album 'Yourself or Someone Like You' broke the band across North America and Australia.


In total, Matchbox Twenty has released three albums to date including 'Mad Season' in 2000 and 'More Than You Think You Are' in 2003.


For the Best of album, they will have 15 singles to compile from with possibly some new music added to the record.


The band has been on hiatus since 2005. Lead singer Rob Thomas has released his solo album 'Something To Be' in that time, as well as contributing to the soundtrack for 'Little Wonders'.


The band last performed on New Years Eve 2005 in Las Vegas.  "And I was there!!!" - Lisa

Monday, May 14, 2007

Mother's Day

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I had a very nice Mother's Day...it was a beautiful day.  The day started bright and early with breakfast in bed.  Aaron had to work so I had to have my breakfast early!  A couple hours later I had my second breakfast when my Mom and brother came over.  Then we all headed (with the exception of Jeff) to the Old Shasta Arts and Craft Fair to do some browsing.  The kids favorite part about going there is the shuttle bus ride to the fair!  We then grabbed some sandwiches at a local store and spent some time at a sad little park with some goofy looking swings.  All in all, a great day! 
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Saturday, May 12, 2007

Little Lady(bug) Birthday

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We've had an incredible week of birthday parties!  We attended another funImg_8344
party this afternoon....our dear little friend, Ava, had her 2nd birthday party today.  It was so much fun, her daddy is a kindergarten teacher and knows just the thing to make a group of kids happy---a colorful parachute and a bunch of balls!  The kids (and adults!) had so much fun and to watch the joy on everyone's faces while playing with it was priceless.  Img_8282
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Click here for more pictures from the party!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

The Force was with us!

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We survived Jacob's 5th birthday party!  Jacob being a bit of a Star WarsImg_8152
"geek", all things Star Wars was the theme.  We had Star Wars music playing in the background, Yoda Soda, a visit from Darth Vader, lots of games, and of course light sabers for everyone!  I think it was a big hit!


Click here for just some of the many pictures taken!  

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB!!

OUR BABY BOY TURNS 5 TODAY!!!
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Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Crazy Monday

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Monday morning started off busy and ended busy.  First thing we did once Aaron got home from work was head to the Turtle Bay Arboretum for a photo shoot of the kids.  The weather has been so beautiful and I thought if we did it early, the sun wouldn't be too much of a problem...I was wrong there was lots of shading issues, but it was still fun.  The kids gave lots of attitude too.  Guess they're getting tired of my photo shoots!  Well I should say Jacob is, Ella gives up quite some interesting model poses at times!


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We then headed home to get ready to go to our friend Wyatt's, 5th birthday party.  That was a fun little break to theImg_7994
day.  The kids were excited that they got to pet a baby chicken and a bunny rabbit.  While we were gone, Aaron started on the first of many loads of landscaping materials, we joined in helping him as soon as we got home.  We then headed out to purchase the annual backyard pool and run some last minute errands for Jacob's upcoming birthday.  We made it home just in time to get the kids ready for bed....whew I'm exhausted just reliving the day in my head!


Check out some more pictures from the day here!