Happy Halloween!

Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday. I plan ahead months in advance. Every year I go up to my mom's house to make Halloween costumes. This year, Hannah was Glinda the Good Witch and Gavin was a pirate.

The day started off with a Halloween costume parade at Hannah's preschool. The kids walked around showing off their costumes and the parents fought like the paparazzi trying to get priceless pics. Check out all the parents in the background... that is how it was like all around the fence.

The kids walked along the sidewalk next. I was running around like the paparazzi getting pictures of my girl.This is her class picture. Hannah's sleeves are as big, if not bigger, than her head!We had our ward Halloween party. I signed up to make a cake for the cake walk. I think I bit off more than I could chew. I was pretty stressed all day making these dang cupcakes. I did mini chocolate cupcakes with black frosting and rolled them in black sprinkles... Then I had large cupcakes with black frosting. I used a mini marshmallow for the head and drew in the skeleton's body. I was pretty happy how they turned out.Thanks to a lot of help from my friends we were able to complete all the plates of cupcakes.
Thank you Stacy and Leslie.Poor Gavin slept through the whole party... We kept checking on him, the light was on, everyone was walking in and out of the room and he was passed out.Hannah won the award for the prettiest girl costume. I was so happy. I think it was the crown that clenched her victory... It really completed the costume. Hannah was so happy to get the award for the prettiest girl... wouldn't you?Hannah and Kevin Trick or Treated together. I made Kevin a pirate costume to match Gavin's, but he decided last minute not to wear it.Hannah and I drove around to a couple of friend's houses to show off her costume then headed home. We had a great time Trick or Treating with just Mommy and Hannah.

Hannah and Gavin October 2008

I LOVE getting pictures of my kids.. I try to get them done every year.

I can't believe how grown up they are from last year!
Had to get the Halloween pictures done. Hannah is Glinda the good witch, Gavin is a pirate (obviously)
Unfortunately, I was dressing Gavin so I didn't get to be all perfectionist on Hannah's picture. Her right sleeve is driving me CRAZY!!!

Look Who's TWO!!!

I can hardly believe my baby is TWO!! I always get way sentimental on my kid's birthdays. I reminisce about every detail of their birth. I was induced with Gavin, right after one of Kevin's hockey games.Hannah fell in love with "her baby" instantly. She gave him her Elmo blanket. She just loved to touch his face and give him kisses.He grew so much that first year!Now that Gavin is two, he is all boy. There is nothing baby about him. He sleeps with his hockey stick and ball, he carries it everywhere with him. He loves dogs, airplanes, and sports. He is a determined, persistent, and aggressive little boy.
Happy Birthday my little man!

Born to Hand Jive!!

Our stake had their 50th anniversary celebration tonight. Hannah participated in the entertainment portion. I have to give Kevin ALL the credit. Since I have school on Tuesday and Thursday night and I teach/train on Monday and Wednesday night, I was totally unavailable to take Hannah to ANY of her practices. Kevin took her to everything.Tonight when all the kids were getting dressed, Kevin made sure all the boys were put together properly. He was the only Dad helping out.During the performance he took Gavin and helped the kids get on stage so I could just enjoy the show. Hannah was so adorable! She did so well doing the hand jive. You can see her in the dark blue skirt.I loved every second of it. I appreciate all the hard work Hannah did and especially Kevin.

Dadda Hockey II

Kevin took Gavin to his first NHL game. I met Kevin and did the car seat switch, Gavin was so excited to go somewhere with just Daddy.
When they got home Gavin couldn't stop talking... using his limited vocabulary he told me he had the best time ever. He was awesome for the first period, but got a bit ansie for the rest of the game.
Ever since the hockey game Gavin has been carrying his hockey stick around everywhere... he even sleeps with it.
I let him run around the basketball court at the gym, he loves it. He just runs and runs and runs for 30 minutes straight. He even falls down like he's slipped on the ice.

Kevin's Six Quirks

First of all, I'm not a huge fan of this 'tagging' idea. To be perfectly honest, I don't want to do this, but in support of my wife I will.

My quirks:

1. Without a clean house I can't function. I know it may sound crazy, but it's true.
2. I cannot sleep on my back. Simply impossible.
3. One blanket on the bed. That's it.
4. I don't do scary movies. Never have enjoyed them, never will. Don't try and convince me otherwise. If you want an adrenaline rush, come play hockey with me.
5. On the subject of hockey, I do not allow my wife to wash my jersey until we lose. It's bad luck.
6. I have several hobbies: Hockey, Surfing, Cooking, Fishing, Golf, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Weight Lifting, Swimming, Coaching, Shaping Surfboards, Attending Sporting Events, Shopping, and Music. So many hobbies, not enough time.

6 Quirks

1. I clean weird places. My trashcans are always immaculate, I hate trash can gunk. I pull out my fridge about every month to clean underneath it, my toaster's crumb tray is always clean too. (Somehow the places that "matter" aren't always clean)

2. I carry a water bottle with me at all times.

3. I cut my in-laws nails and cuticles. I've been giving them pedicures for 7 years now.

4. I always have at least 4 pairs of shoes lying around the house, which drives Kevin crazy!

5. I can untie any knot.

6. I don't like stepping on manholes, or any kind of apparatus covering a hole. I had a hard time in NYC with all the subway vents.

I tag: Kevin, Stacy Peterson, Allison, and Robin Adlong

Dada Hockey

I like to record the "firsts" in our family. First step, first tooth, first day at school... well, Kevin, at 27 years old, had a first the other day...
Kevin has played hockey forever. In fact, the first time I met him I called him "hockey guy" because I didn't know his name. After taking a brake from playing in college he is back on the ice.
At practice the other day, he SHATTERED the glass! It's pretty hard to do, tantamount to Shack busting the back board in basketball.And the repair
He was so proud of himself he took these pics with his iPhone so I could blog it.

Gavin and Vanna

Gavin's hair is a controversial subject in this house. I like it clean cut, whereas Kevin likes it longer. I respect Kevin and don't cut Gavin's hair behind his back (anymore). I was shocked to call him on Sunday to see how everything was going and he told me Gavin got his hair cut! (I was taking a certification test all day). Kevin said Gavin was so good. Which brings me to another point. Vanna... he is our "hair stylist" at SuperCuts. Yes, I said SuperCuts. This guy is amazing... the only reason why he is not on Rodeo Dr. is because he is straight from Cambodia, or Burma... something like that. (So politically correct.) He is amazing! He gave Gavin the cutest hair cut. Vanna LOVED Gavin because he sat so still.

My Buddy

Do you remember those commercials (Pre-DVR) for "My Buddy" and "Kid Sister" ???? Well, Gavin is Aaron's real life "My Buddy." One night Kevin and I were putting the kids to bed right when Aaron and Rachel arrived at our apartment. Once Gavin heard Aaron's voice he got soooo excited and could hardly control his body as he ran out to see his Uncle. So, to elaborate a little more on my Laker cape story, I want to dedicate this post to Aaron and Gavin...
My Buddy....

My Buddy...

Wherever I go...

He goes...

Got Tagged?

This is my first ever tag! Thanks to Baby Wendy's Mommy...

10 Years ago:
1. I was in high school
2. I was driving the acura integra
3. My life revolved around the pool
4. I was dating Kevin
5. I slept in bed ALONE

5 things on my "To Do List"
1. Put the laundry away
2. study for my Microbiology test on Thursday
3. watch conference
4. go to bed early
5. clean up the mess from Mommy being gone all day

My 5 favorite snacks:
1. chocolate covered pretzels from Trader Joe's
2. Jamba Juice
3. cinnamon sugar toast
4. apple
5. bowl of cereal any time of day

5 things I would do if I was a millionaire:
1. pay off my student loans
2. buy a house
3.
4.
5. no more money!

5 places I've lived:
1. Long Beach, CA
2. Placentia, CA
3. Los Angeles, CA
4. Hau'ula, HI
5. Burbank, CA

5 Jobs
1. Lifeguard
2. Equipment Desk (USC work study)
3. Cedars Sinai
4. Full time mom
5. personal trainer

I tag:
1. Ashley Solis
2. Rachel Jones
3. Robin Adlong
4. Kim Tomsick
5. Kazia Brown

Post Bath Time + Pre Bed Time = Awesome Daddy Time

I have moments where I fall in love more with my husband. One of those times is when he is being such an awesome dad. I couldn't resist taking these pictures because it was just too cute! Post bath time, pre-bedtime.

Workout Buddies

I've been studying to get my certification to teach exercise classes. Last night was the first time I taught! I didn't teach the whole class, I did the abs and the stretching and cool down. I was so nervous, but I'm so happy my sister-in-law Rachel was there to support me. Now I am paying her back for all her support by putting a nasty sweaty picture of us up.
I've had a lot of fun working out with Rachel the past month or so. It's nice to have a work out buddy, especially one who used to play water polo like me! We enjoy getting in the pool and passing the ball around. I love my sister-in-law! Thank you Rachel for your support last night!!! You are always there for me.