Slick

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I just love our kids sense of adventure. Very little deters them from trying something at least once. But they live and breath to ride horses (gee, I wonder where they got THAT from?). Slick was the cooperative subject at my in-laws church harvest party this year. They are two lucky little girls.

Just too cute

Our girls love to play dress up all year round. It is a normal sight around here to see Abby in her princess dress and shoes (thank goodness she hasn't asked to wear it to the store YET). After church on Sunday we took a trip to good ol' Wal-Mart and let Abby and Bree pick out a costume since all the Halloween garb was 50% off. Bree choose a super girl costume and Abby chose an angel costume (no surprise there). They pretty much haven't taken them off since then and they are just too cute!

Welcome Mason Douglas

The girls and I had the privilege of meeting the newest member of our family Monday night. Our brother-in-law Brad and his wife Jen added sweet baby Mason to their brood Tuesday, October 27th. Mason is adored by his brothers and sisters and certainly a big hit with Abby and Bree too. He is just a little bit of heaven and I'm so glad he's here! Thank you Jen for allowing us to stay a while and soak in all his sweetness.
Life is good!

Toads

Some Day Her Prince Will Come

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I was just browsing through a bunch of photos from the summer and found these little gems. I had to scrapbook these because they make me smile every time I look at them. Our yard is taken over by toads during the summer. They love our pond and it becomes quite the gathering place once the sun goes down. *wink It is our tradition to let the kids catch toads for a bit each evening to run off that last bit of energy. They both love it but Bree started a NEW tradition of kissing all the toads goodnight. Nothing would stop her.

Squeekers!

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Abby wasn't so much into kissing the toads but she did love to name them. Her favorite one she named squeekers. He was the only one that would make a funny little squeaking sound when he was held. Abby would delight in holding the toad up to my ear and ask me what he was saying. I'd make up silly things like "he wants some anchovy pizza" and she'd just giggle and giggle. I love these memories and I'm thankful God has allowed me to be their mommy!

The Griswold “Will-amini” Family Vacation: Day 5

September 24, 2009

Lego Land-Take 2

They finally let us in! We all had a blast and the kids did really well on all of the rides. There were only a few we couldn't go on due to some obvious vertical challenges.

Bree and Ethan explain how big and how high they went on the dinosaur roller coaster.

The girls and I enjoying a boat ride through fairytale land.

Abby and Bree flunking out of Volvo Driver School. Bree ended up in tears and didn't even complete the course. Abby hung in long enough to get her Lego license but I think the owner/operator of the joint drank too much kool-aid that day. There is noooo way she's getting behind the wheel for awhile!

The lovebirds on a romantic train ride, chaperoned of course! You can see JenW and baby JJ behind them. We've decided all future dates will be chaperoned as well.

Aubrey having a roarin' good time.

Abby had her lions share of fun too! (sorry, it couldn't be helped)

Boy that was a close one!

Aarrgh!

Ever since sweet Ella's birthday party these girls are infatuated with horses!

Especially ones they get to ride on by themselves...

Watch out E. Here is your competition! A man in a tool belt will get a girl every time!


I have no idea what Abby is doing. Good thing we called it a day after this. I think she had too much exposure to the salty air or maybe it was those delicious fried apples she devoured. Either way, we had to get her out of there.

The End!

And that my bloggy porch friends is all I've got from our Will-amini Family Vacation. I hope you enjoyed the photos as much as I enjoyed reliving the memories. Have a great weekend!

The Griswold “Will-amini” Family Vacation: Day 4

September 23, 2009

Old Town & Belmont Park
This is where the Griswold part of our vacation comes in.

We planned on going to Lego Land on this day. The kids were so stinkin' excited to finally get to ride a real roller coaster. WE were so excited to take the kids to a park that was geared toward the 4 foot and under crowd. The girls even woke us up at the crack of dawn, literally, to inform us that the sun was shining and we needed to get our lazy bones out of bed. There were churros to consume and photos to be taken and bathrooms to visit and fears to be conquered for goodness sake. So we loaded up the cars made our way to Carlsbad.

We arrived at Lego land approximately 45 minutes early in order to get the kids all sunscreened up and pottied. The parking lot looked like a ghost town so we knew something wasn't right. I of course begin to panic; thinking things like; It's a scam! We just lost a whole bunch of money on tickets that I purchased for all us on online; Am I having a very bad dream?...No in a very bad dream I would have forgotten to get dressed before entering Lego Land but I don't realize it until it's waaaaaay. tooooo. late. But that would explain the ghost town scenario...

Well the guys went to solve the mystery while I continue to try to keep it together and answer 8,937,851,098 questions coming from the pipsqueaks in the back seat AND devising a plan B so the day wouldn't be a total bust. The guys return shortly after I broke into a cold sweat only to inform us Lego Land was closed. The sign did say it was open but that was for the Sea Life Aquarium next door. Eric tried to console us by telling me he punched Wally in the nose for me and Matt said he knew he should have brought his gun. After they witnessed all the color drain from my face Matt informs us "but the park will re-open on Thursday". Well that's a fine how do ya do! Fortunately, I like to surround myself with emotionally stable, well rounded folks who are problem solvers. We all agreed we wouldn't let the day be a total bust. So we loaded up the cars again and went to Old Town San Diego to do some more...you know...cultural stuff...that and drink the. best. margaritas. this side of Mazatlan.

Bree, Abby and Ethan hammin' it up in a covered wagon.

Cafe Coyote

We relaxed at our favorite Mexican Restaurant in San Diego. It's known for great margaritas and even better carnitas. It's fun to watch Tortilla Ladies make fresh tortillas “a mano” (by hand). We were serenaded by strolling Mariachi’s while we ate in the outdoor courtyard.

Abby got to shake her groove while the Mariachi’s played for us.

After lunch we went down to Mission Beach and set the kids loose at Belmont Park. They loved the boat ride, the submarine ride and best of all the carousel. Then it was back to our place for some pool action and dinner.

saw this photo by guruganja on Photobucket one day while I was uploading some photos. I don't know this person but I thought their photoshop interpretation was hilarious.

It turned out to be a great day even though this OCD chinobilly's plans didn't pan out.

Thank you Prozac! Over and Out!

The Griswold “Will-amini” Family Vacation: Day 3

September 22, 2009
da Beach!

Abby wiggling her toes in the sand for the very first time!

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Our day at the Beach.

I am refreshed!

The Griswold “Will-amini” Family Vacation: Day 2

September 21, 2009

No San Diego vacation would be complete without a visit to Sea World right? We arrived before Sea World opened and left after Sea World closed!

Bree at Polar Bear exhibit

Abby...worried the Polar Bear was going to eat her...at Polar Bear exhibit. It's OK Abs the Polar Bear just had sea lion for breakfast and is now taking a nap. You're safe!

This walrus was a hoot!

It would swim around the tank spitting out and sucking in this little fish it was munching on.

Then he would swoop up the glass and terrify any unsuspecting person.

Daddy and Bree at the Pet show

Jen and "E" at the pet show

Abby & me...at the pet show...

Eric taught the kids how to say 1-2-3 Shampoo instead of Shamu. It is now one of Aubrey's favorite lines. She thinks it's hilarious.

Matt & Bree on an Elmo fish.

Matt & Abby on the Elmo eel.

Bree and "E" on the Elmo spinning saucers.

Abby and I feeding the Bat Rays.

We had so much fun that I didn't take too many pictures. I was having such a great time with the girls making memories and enjoying the day. That and somehow my camera dial got switched to Shutter Priority instead of Aperture Priority so 80% of the pictures I DID take turned out way too dark. Note to self... check, check and double check your camera every time you pick it up again or you will kick yourself at the end of the day.

The Griswold “Will-amini” Family Vacation Day 1

September 20, 2009
Our sidekicks Eric, Jen, Ethan & JJ were crazy enough to go on vacation with us...or did we go with them?...We went with them to celebrate their 10 year anniversary. Still, they're crazy enough to let us join them. We had a great time, as always.
On our first day of vacation we visited Balboa Park because we, Chinobillies, are oohhhh soooo cultural. Seriously though it is always on our must see list every time we visit San Diego. The park’s beauty certainly attracts us and there are so many things to do that won’t cost you an arm and a leg either!

Eric and Matt admiring the architecture.


Matt & the girls checking out the Koi pond in front of the Botanical Building (always beautiful and free too!)

My sweet girls in the Botanical Garden.

This little cutie is J.J. He's so sweet I could just eat him up!

Lovebirds?

Everyone’s favorite this time around was the Model Railroad Museum.


It features the world’s largest model railroad museum.

And features four layouts

which depict railroads of the Southwest.

Most of my photos from this day are really grainy due to horrible lighting in the museums. I'm pretty sure it is a conspiracy to ensure no one makes it out of their with decent photos. Don't worry I have my people checking into it...as soon as I get some people...oh never mind.



Bree and Abby holding hands over the wind machine that is making the beach ball float in the air. They loved it! My personal favorite is the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. We watched "BUGS" in the dome shaped IMAX Theater and experimented with hundreds of hands on type science exhibits. We also visited the Automotive Museum where we saw Louie Mattar’s Fabulous $75,000.00 car. Unfortunately I have no photos of this museum because I was, well, I was just plain lazy.


So there you have it folks.

Highlights from Day 1 of San Diego Vacation 2009 (Williams and Bergamini Families)

Let the children...Do chores!

I was raised by…homebodies…you thought I was gonna say wolves didn’t you? Well that is a whole ‘nother blog post folks once I block my mom from reading my blog. I kid…I kid…I wasn’t raised by wolves but by well meaning, over protective, loving parents...in the middle of nowhere. So naturally I tend to be a bit of a homebody too. Around our house, we’re here most of the day, most of the week, most of the year, and if I don’t really stay on top of things, this chinobilly house can quickly spiral downward into a pit of baby doll clothes, craft projects, empty Capri Sun containers, filth, and squalor. Oh and laundry I can’t forget laundry.


Now that Abby and Bree are old enough Matt and I decided they are perfectly capable of pulling their own weight around here. Actually we were just trying to come up with a solution to better manage those oh so lovely whining sessions while teaching a few character traits as well. My genius husband (see this post) came up with this idea and we all love it. Let me explain the concept.

Each child has a jar (we let them make their own)

Each child earns a ticket for good behavior or completing a chore, washing one’s hands after going to the potty, etc. Each child looses a ticket for whining, being asked several times to do something, fighting with one another, etc.

Mommy has a rewards basket filled with goodies from the dollar bins at various stores. Each reward has a value placed on it. Inside the basket are items ranging from pieces of gum to chocolate-covered granola bars to gummy bears to small bath toys to a set of sidewalk chalks to books to craft kits to princess figurines…all the way up to really sweet items, like a Dr Seuss DVD to the amazing voice magnifying soop-a-staaah -microphones to wind up fishing games. Everything is priced appropriately and remains in the box until someone buys it…or I eat it, which has been known to happen.

Each child has the choice of saving up the tickets or “cashing” them in for rewards (whenever mommy remembers usually once or twice a week).

What I love about it is, it’s totally flexible and can be used in different ways to achieve the objective you want. It also teaches the little hooligans valuable lessons about contributing to the machine of a household, the benefits of being a kind, caring, civilized human being, as well as the value of saving (vs. spending) money.

I think it has helped them to see that when everyone chips in, the house is a much more hospitable and harmonious place. Plus, it eliminates the mommy nagging All. Day. Long. AND it doesn’t take long for one of the kids to watch their sib buy things at the reward basket before they get with the program.

The idea is, each week when the reward basket is open, the kids have to decide whether they want to blow whatever tickets they’ve earned that week…or save it and let it accumulate over a period of weeks in order to buy one of the nicer items in the box. It’s always fun watching the minds of my three year olds churn each week as they internally evaluate whether to give in to the immediate temptation of the candy and gum, or save their shekels for something better.

We’ve been using this system for over a month now and I think the system is working beautifully. Or maybe I just have really great kids. Well, yeah, I do have really great kids. Now I have really great kids that pull their own stinkin’ weight around here. Just kidding. I love my kids very much and I’m quite proud of them.