The Schoffblog

Seaworld 2009

2010-03-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

October, 2009:

We joined Nana and Great Nana at Seaworld on this beautiful October day to enjoy the animals! We got splashed by dolphins, pet the manta rays and tide pool animals and watched the "pet show". We got up close to the polar bears, beluga whales, flamingos, penguins and orkas. Nana even got us some icecream! So many wonderful pictures from this day!:

Theme Party!

2010-03-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

October, 2009:

Me, Sam and Al/ Me and Al

Al and I attended a "G I Joe and Camouflage *bleep*" Party (this IS a FAMILY friendly website!) at Wes and Sam's place in Temecula. Al and I donned our best camo....you can hardly see us! I even stuck a branch in my hair! Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so these were taken on Al's phone!

Getting Ready for Halloween!

2010-03-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

October, 2009:

Today we met up with Sandi and Savanna at "Nanaland" to make gingerbread haunted houses. The kids had a wonderful time going through their pumpkins that Nana got them, and then eating.....oops, I mean decorating their haunted houses with an assortment of candy!

Afterwords, we loaded up in the van and headed out to Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center for our annual pumpkin patch visit!

Princesses on Ice!

2010-03-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

October, 2009:

Today, Nana treated the grand kids (and kids) to Disney's Princesses on Ice at the San Diego Sports Arena. The girls dressed up as princesses and Ty was his usual "princely" self. They had a wonderful time!

Leo Carrillo Ranch, Carlsbad

2009-12-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

Late November, 2009:

Papa and Ty

Dad got me out of my funk this morning and invited Ty and I to "Leo Carrillo Ranch" in Carlsbad for a photo shoot. My camera has been dead for some time, so I was more than excited to use Dad's amazing camera to shoot the sites at the Ranch. Leo Carrillo was best known for his role as Pancho on "The Cisco Kid" (1950-56). His family, though had been a part of San Diego History for some time. His ancestors had been part of the original Conquistadores of San Diego in the late 1700's. He purchased this beautiful ranch in the heart of San Diego in the mid 1900's. After his death, it lay untouched until recently, when it was renovated to it's original, beautiful, state, and made into a State Park. You can find out more info at: www.leocarrillo.com

My favorite photos!

Tyler especially enjoyed the "red carpet" and the peacocks"!

Thank you, Dad! :)

Frazier Farms Field trip!

2009-09-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

September, 2009

Leah and Allison

Today, I chapparoned the kid's field trip to the Frazier Farms Grocery Store in Vista. The kids had a great time touring the store. The got a behind the scenes look at the walk-in fridge, the bakery, butcher and recycling center. But the biggest hit was seeing the fish!

Robyn and Ms. Ivy with the kiddos

Ty/ In the fridge/ The really "cool" fish!

Free Flight Aviary: Take 2

2009-09-29T11:36:00.001-07:00

My new playgroup was asking for suggestions for play dates, so I suggested the Free Flight Aviary in Del Mar. We had such a wonderful experience there when we went with our Rockin' Moms, that I was sure we'd have the same experience again.

I met up with two new mom's and their kids and we went in. Unfortunately, the handlers didn't even greet us, let alone, educate us on the different birds. Last time, we had a wonderful handler that brought out "kid-friendly" birds for the kids to see.

Leah holding the bird (sorry about the sideways movie!)

So we were left on our own to explore. Leah was just dying to hold a bird, so I tried to get an idea of which birds would do okay with her. I finally found one that was extremely friendly. But while Leah knew to hold her elbow up high, she let it drop and the bird shimmied up her arm. Because of his sharp nails, Leah screamed and the bird got into her hair! All this while the handlers sat and watched! Needless to say, we were done after that. We left with a very negative feeling towards the Aviary, which is a shame.

Decorating for Halloween

2009-09-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

I've been chompin' at the bit waiting to decorate for Halloween, my favorite holiday! This year I just couldn't wait until my normally scheduled decorating day of Oct. 1st. Luckily, Al agreed and I got to bust out my 5 boxes of Halloween decorations and put them up! Now the inside of the house is SPOOKY! I will be waiting until the 1st to decorate the outside, though. I wouldn't want the neighbors thinking I'm weird!

Cloudy with a Chance of a Sick Kid

2009-09-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

The day had already been turned around. Leah's "cold" seemed worse than normal, while Ty seemed fine. I took Ty to school and Leah to the Doctor. Dr. Ricci told me Leah was fine and just had a cold. No sinus infection like I had suspected. Afterwords, since it was just Leah and I, I decided to make it a "Leah and Mommy Special Day". We wanted to see the movie "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"....just the two of us. We first drove by San Marcos. Not open until 1pm. Next we went to the Krikorian, Vista, where we saw that it was playing at 11:40. It was only 10:40, so we went to Panera for some breakfast to pass the time. When we returned, the box office was open and ready to charge us $24 for two tickets! Are you kidding?! So apparently, they failed to indicate on the marquee that it was in 3-D. Without the internet (or an i-phone), we headed to Carlsbad Mall of El Camino Real to check it out. We were in luck! "Cloudy" was showing at 11:10 (it was close to 11:30) in non-3-D. 2 tickets, popcorn, candy and a drink cost us under $20. So we sat down and began enjoying the show when my phone began to ring. "Montessori School" calling. Ty was running a fever, I had to pick him up immediately.
Luckily, the manager of the theater overheard our conversation and refunded us the money for the tickets. Leah and I rushed over to find Ty (who just fell asleep) at school with a very low grade fever. I took him home and he didn't have a fever at all. I'm thinking the poor guy got over-heated on the playground. Anyhow, Leah's special day got interrupted, but she was a trooper. We get to go back and watch the movie again for "free".

Daddy's Little Girl

2009-09-22T19:59:00.001-07:00

Rockin' Lampost (and Schmitty's)

2009-09-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

The Rockin' Mamas!: L to R (back row) - Amber, Stacy, Cheryl, Me, Laura, (front row) - Roshi, Lauren and Angie. Not pictured here are Jess and Melinda

For this evening's Rockin' MNO, the ladies got together to celebrate Stacy and Roshi's birthdays at Lampost Pizza in Vista. We had a great time laughing, sharing pitchers of beer and taking pictures. Notice everyone but Jess was in a black top and jeans....no memo! We sat around the fire pit for a long time before most of us moved on to Schmitty's (a little dive across the street) for some pool and karaoke. Luckily, I was DD, so no karaoke for me! That takes a couple of coctails! I really needed that MNO. It was my first since bunco in February! (L: The fire pit at Lampost)

Us again (with the missing mamas). L to R: Melinda, Me, Laura, Stacy, Jess and Amber

At Schmitty's: Angie, Laura, Jess, Cheryl, Me, Mel, Roshi/ Angie, Me, Amber and Stacy

The many faces of Angie and Patti!

*Thanks to Cheryl and Angie for the pictures! I'm not sure how I brought my camera and only got a picture of the fire pit!*

Playwerx and Some New Friends

2009-09-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

The other day I had taken Ty to Barnes and Nobles so that he could play with the train table while I got some free reading time in. While we were there, a mom's group had a play date. I ended up talking with them the whole time (instead of reading). Long story short, I joined their Mom's group (which is also a "Meet-up" group like my "Rockin Mom's"). The group is called North County Mom's of Tots and is headed by one one of the ladies I met at B and N, Suzanne. The next week I already RSVPed for a playdate at Playwerx in Carlsbad, where we met up with just Suzanne and her son, Aiden, who is Ty's age. He had a blast, but I ended up in the play structure with him for a majority of the time and didn't get a lot of "Mommy" adult time. I'll have to go back to B and N. That place was perfect for grown-up talk!

Praying Mantis

2009-09-19T22:30:00.000-07:00

Today was a strange day in our home. In the course of one day, we had a butterfly, a bee and a praying mantis inside our home. I have never seen a praying mantis in So Cal before, so I put him in a jar and took him to Leah's school, where her teacher, Mr. Kumar took care of him. Mr. Kumar was a former HS biology teacher and is very knowledgeable about this sort of thing. He told us that praying mantis's are a protected species in Arizona, so he returned it to Leah and told her to put it back where we had found it. That wasn't going to happen, so let it go in the yard!

Family Wall

2009-09-19T19:41:00.001-07:00

L to R: Great Nana and Papa (Nana's parents), Papa, Nana and Papa at their wedding, Grandma and Grandpa at their wedding, Al's parents and my parents wedding photos, Grandma's father and grandparents, Al's grandmother, Al's grandmother and great-grandmother, Al's other grandparents (Harry's parents).

For quite some time now, I've been wanting to frame and hang some old family photos. I've finally finished it! It was going to go in the upstairs hallway, but instead we moved the kitchen pics up there and hung the new pics near the kitchen table where we can enjoy them more.

Lunch with Cousin Julie

2009-09-19T10:53:00.001-07:00

Today after I dropped the van off at the shop to get the breaks fixed (yet again), Harry and Lupe picked me up and took me to lunch at Fidel's North. We met up with Al's cousin, Julie Thunder, who lives in Cardiff by the Sea. Julie is Harry's brother Al's daughter. She and her husband Kevin have four daughters in high school and college.

Harry, Julie and Lupe

Guajome Park with Friends

2009-09-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

Ty and Jonas

Jonas/Ty/ Marina testing out the equipment

Summer/ Christian/ The kids feeding the ducks

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Leah is at school and I have Ty. On these days I love to provide Ty with lot's of social activities that not only can he learn from, but that will wear him out. So today I put an email shout out to all my Mommy friends. I got responses back from Marina and Maria. So we all decided to meet at Guajome Lake Park in Vista to play and feed the ducks and geese. Maria brought her son Jonas, I brought Ty and Marina brought Summer and Christian. It ended up being a beautiful day to use up all those frozen bread "butts" in my freezer.

Marina and Maria

Ty, Jonas and Goose: "The Stare-down"

Sam's tattoo

2009-09-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

George Clooney in "From Dusk till Dawn"/ Charles tattooing Sam

Tonight I went up to Fallbrook Tattoo on the corner of Mission and Main St. in Fallbrook, to watch Sam get tattooed. He was getting work done on a huge tribal piece reminiscent of the piece George Clooney sports in "From Dusk till Dawn". He had already got the outline done and tonight he was getting much of the arm filled in. (R: Charles filling in the tribal pattern)

His artist Charles was a crack up. He was spouting out jokes left and right. It was great to get to watch the process of filling in so much color. I believe he used a number 11 or 13 shader. It was a long and painful process, but it's looking good!

Dinner with the Morellis

2009-09-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Sofia and Leah/ Ty and Gianna

This evening, we had another fancy pizza dinner with our friends the Morelli's. We really enjoy spending time with them. Leah and Sofia are the same age as is Ty and Giana. Al has played hockey with Joey for about 5 or 6 years, and Christina and I get along great. We used to even do Stroller Strides together when Leah and Sofia were babies. (L: Al, Christina, Joey and KC)

The kids always have a blast playing dress up and driving around in the Jeep while the adults get some much needed grown up time. (Below: Leah/ Ty chasing the girls)

My Sweet Husband!

2009-09-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Al!

Family in Town

2009-09-14T22:35:00.001-07:00

Daddy and his girl. Leah swam for almost 3 hours!

This weekend, the family came into town again. The Texas Misners, Arizona Ballatores and all the cousins (Bryan, Jen, Alex, Kelly, Tracy, Kevin), came together at Mom and Dad's again for a visit and to celebrate my cousin Bryan's 25th birthday. Our family, Sandi's family and "Great Nana" also joined the fun. (L: Papa and Ty)

Capri Blue: Mom and me/ Jen and Sawyer (which one is more nervous?)

On Saturday night we went to Capri Blue in 4S Ranch for a great dinner. On Monday afternoon, we all headed over to Mom and Dad's house for a "Labor Day" BBQ to swim, eat and play. After we were worn out and full, we went inside for some cake! (R: Leah in goggles)

Savanna

Dino and Jack/ Bryan riding the turtle/ Ty Ty's tushy!

Enjoying the sunshine (or shade)/ Ty, Savanna and Leah admiring the cake

The now infamous "belly-flop-off" starring Bryan and Savanna!

Bryan and his assistants blowing out the candles on his bday cake/ Ty

Rockin' Pump it Up

2009-09-14T22:18:00.001-07:00

Jess, Cheryl and me

This morning I met Jessica and Derby, Cheryl, McKayla and Mason at the "Pump it Up" (a Jumpy playground) in San Marcos. It was an eventful day for me and Ty. We slid, jumped, and ran obstacle courses. While the kids were good, it was the grown-ups that got in trouble for not following rules. Apparently, we each counted as 2 children, therefore violating the 6 people in the jumpy rule and getting a "time out" for maxing out the limit! I just wish I hadn't exercised that morning at the gym. Pump it up is an intense work-out. I was sweating! (L: Ty on the slide, his favorite)

Ty coming out of the obstacle course/ Cheryl practicing her cheerleading skills

First Day of School! First Day of School!

2009-09-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Leah begins her Fall "semester" of Kindergarten at Montessori School of Oside "2" this week in Miss Ivy's class (5 days a week, 7 hours a day), while Ty begin's preschool in Mr. Kumar's class (3 days a week, 7 hours a day). I'm a proud Mommy, but will miss my kiddos. Isn't it too early to be getting empty nest syndrome?

My Little Models

2009-09-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

They get their fashion sense from me...and they know how to work it!

MSO2 Mural

2009-09-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

So, I got talked into doing this mural at the kid's Montessori School. It's taken me quite some time, but I've got the life-sized animals all blocked out in color, as well as some of the trees, bushes and the ground. Now, I have the orangutan, chameleon, parrot, greens of the tree, details, shading and highlighting to do. I've already put in about 10 hours. This is some volunteer job. I'll post the finished result.

My Little Warrior's Fan

2009-09-14T21:27:00.001-07:00

Leah in her Fallbrook Warriors Lax hat!

Ethan (aka Indiana Michaelis) is 5!

2009-09-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

Ethan, Stacy and Deven

Ethan turned 5 today and Leah, Ty and I joined the Rockin' Moms to celebrate at Stacy's Dad's house in Vista. Stacy is so creative! The theme of the party was "Indiana Jones". The kiddos dressed like "Indy" as did Stacy. They had a great adventure cake with Indy figures, snake rice crispy treats and an Indiana Jones treasure hunt. (L: Stacy explaining the rules of the treasure hunt)

The treasure hunt was great. The kids each got a compass and Stacy explained the rules. We broke off into groups to find the treasure, clue by clue. One of the tasks was to go into the mummy room, wrap one of our teammates in TP like a mummy and get the next clue. Leah (who was on another team) got all wrapped up. Eventually, the kiddos found the treasure chest and enjoyed jewels, beads and candy. (R: Angie and Ciera rushing for the Crocodile pond)

The Mummys: Ciera, Jayla and Leah

Afterwords, it was cake and swimming in the beautiful pool in back of "Grandpa's" amazing Victorian style house! Good times!

Ty and Ciera/ Leah and Ciera

At the pool: Ciera and Angie/ The amazing home/ Laura and Skye

Swimming at Auntie Maries

2009-09-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Ty, Leah, Taylor and Phillip

It's been so hot lately, that the kids and I joined Auntie Marie and her grandchildren, Taylor and Phillip, at her pool in Carlsbad. Though the pool was a little chilly, they had a wonderful time together, as usual!

Teacup Collection

2009-09-12T09:11:00.000-07:00

I now have a complete teacup collection. I never thought to much about teacups until my mom gave me 5 or 6 of my Great Grandma's (her dad's mom). Several years later, my MIL, Lupe, gave me several of "Polita's" (her mom's mom/ Al's Great Grandmother). Grandma died in June, and I inherited about 8 of her's. I love them not only because they're beautiful, but because there is so much history behind them and they came from loved ones.

Jordis is 5!

2009-09-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

Jordis in the outfit Lauren made!

Today we celebrated Jordis Vizmano's birthday at Lauren's house with all our Rockin' mom friends. They had everything the kids could want: a big yard, pool and jumpy. I volunteered to do face painting. After Gerico (Amber's hubby and Jordis and Jayla's dad) was done grilling some food and Amber made some yummys (which included little sandwiches that looked like sushi rolls), we all dug in for a delicious lunch! (r: Ty enjoying the pool)

Bathing Beauties: Leah, Jayla and McKayla (photo by Cheryl Foster)

Painting a black widow on Devon/ Painting a cat face on Leah (Photos by Cheryl)

Ethan and Leah on the Jumpy/ Ty with his hot dog stogie (and TRex face paint)/ Leah's cat face. (last 2 photos by Cheryl)

Then onto the amazing cake in the underwater theme. The kids all stared at and drooled over the cake while Jordis, decked out in a Lauren original tutu, blew out the candles. (R: the cake)

Laura, Jessica and Derby/ McKayla, Leah, Ciera and Skye

Derby enjoying cake/ Georgie/ Jordis vs. the pinata

After all this, they busted out the pinata, and all the kids got a "crack" at it. Of course there were a lot of close calls and fights over the spilled candy, but overall it went great! We left afterwords, but I hear the party went until 9 pm! Party animals! (L: The kids lined up for the pinata/ below: Ciera attacking the pinata!)

Sleeping Bag Saturdays!

2009-09-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

For the past month, the kids have been having "sleeping bag Saturdays", where they are allowed to go to sleep downstairs in their sleeping bags. It's a wonderful family tradition we started, that the kids can look forward to every week.

But this is not a new idea. When my sister, Sandi and I were kids we used to "celebrate" sleeping bag night every Saturday, too! We always had such a great time staying up as late as Mom and Dad and giggling all night. Those are some memories I'll always have and enjoy! I hope my kids will, too!

Al is Injured...Again!

2009-09-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

Al with his crutches at the zoo

As we all know, Al is the type who goes to extremes in everything he does, whether it's hockey, off-roading, motocross or lacrosse. So needless to say, Al is injured quite often. This time around, ice hockey was the culprit. A player from the other team landed on his knee.

Al payed a visit to his orthapedic surgeon, Dr. Chao (also the Charger's team doctor) and found out he had a partially torn MCL a sprained (I think) ACL and a partially torn miniscus. He was given a knee brace and ordered not to bend it. Recovery is supposed to take around 12 weeks. While he is no longer on crutches, it is still painful for him to bend. Hopefully, he'll be mended by the time the next hockey season rolls around!

A Visit with the Demkes

2009-09-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

Al and Bill

Ever since Al joined facebook a couple of months ago, he's enjoyed connecting with old friends from the past. He had been communicating with an old high school hockey buddy, Bill Demke, who moved to Germany shortly after high school to play soccer. He ended up staying there, getting married and having three children.

Maya and Leah

It just so happened, that Bill and his family were vacationing in San Diego this Summer. Bill gave Al a call and we decided to go to the SD Zoo, since it's such a SD landmark, and I had enough free tickets for everyone.

The kids and I hit it off with the family, and Al and Bill got along like old times. Leah especially liked their little girl, Maya, who had only started learning English last year. What was so wonderful, was that the language barrier presented no problem at all for the two of them. They were playing and laughing and having a great time. The others had been studying English for quite some time and were extremely fluent. After a couple hours, the kids were melting down, so we parted ways with the hopes that we'd get together again soon.

Bill's wife, Ava and their two older children

Dino Mountain Take 2!

2009-09-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

L to R: (back row) Orangutang, Dad, Nana, Sandi, Mom, Me, Parrot, (front row) Ty, frog, Savanna, butterfly, Sawyer, butterfly, Leah

This time around, we hit Dino Mountain at the WAP with Mom, Dad, Nana, Sandi, Savanna and Sawyer. This time around, we only had to go through twice, where as last time I had to endure 4 passes through! Afterwords Mom bought the kids some dippin' dots, which the kids just "sort of" liked, we fed the ducks by hand, and then Dad treated the kids to a few rides on the merry-go-round. Ty loved the crocodile and Okapi, while Leah preferred to spin around in the nest! (R: The kiddos gathered at the dippin' dots cart.)

Sawyer and Me, Leah riding the gorilla, Dad and Sawyer

Leah having a blast feeding the ducks by hand!

Ty on the Okapi

Mosquitos and Spiders LOVE me!

2009-09-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Between visiting Chicago and hanging out by Harry and Lupe's pool, I have been eaten alive by mosquitos and spiders. But that's not the problem. For some reason, my body reacts horribly to the bites, causing bruising, rashes and swelling! Yucky! Here are the pics...enjoy! ;) (R: Mosquitos)

Spiders

A Visit From the Schoffstalls

2009-09-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

Al, Harry and Lupe at the Robin's Nest in Oside

Every year in August, Al's brother, Rick, our SIL, Jenni and our nephews, Zac, Luke, Jake and Eli, come to San Diego for a vacation. Harry and Lupe always join us to. Rick, Jen and the boys love the beach and spend every day, all day there (Carlsbad Beach). We joined them a couple of times, but mostly just choose to see them over at Harry and Lupe's in Oside (where they stayed). We had some good times swimming at the community pool, and just hanging out in the evening.

The Oside Harbor

Harry and his Bloody Mary/ The harbor/ Leah and Luke enjoying some ice cream

L to R: Lupe, Ty, Zac, Eli, Jake, Leah, Luke

Leah/ Eli/ Ty

One of the first days, we joined Harry and Lupe at the "Robin's Nest Cafe" at the Oceanside Harbor where Harry enjoyed a big ol' bloody mary and Lupe got some kind of crazy cocktail! We even got some adult time with Rick and Jen while Harry and Lupe watched all 6 kids! Crazy people! We went to dinner at "El Callejon", Al and my favorite restaurant and then saw "The Hangover". We laughed our butts off!

Me, Al, Rick and Jen

Story Time

2009-09-06T12:37:00.000-07:00

My kids have a love/hate relationship. This was one of their "love" moments. It was so sweet, I just had to take a picture!

Annual Sunrise Cafe BBQ

2009-09-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

The BBQ crowd!

My friend, Lori Jones, from our tole painting group, and her husband, Bobby, own a restaurant in Vista called "The Sunrise Cafe". They took it over a couple of years ago and have been extremely successful and constantly busy ever since. (R: Mom and Margaret)

Every year, they hold a BBQ in appreciation of their customers. Mom and Margret joined me. For $8, We got a huge meal, a t-shirt and drinks. It was very crowded, but worth the wait. The food was delicious! (L: Lori serving up some grub!)

My new dress!

2009-09-05T22:15:00.001-07:00

Leah: This is my newest Gammy couture dress! Do you like it? Gammy makes me lots of new clothes and I always look so beautiful. Thanks Gammy!

The Staab's Going Away Party

2009-09-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

The hockey team - Tony: bottom L. Al: top, third from right.

Today, the whole family drove down to Downtown SD, where Tony Staab and his family live for their going away party. Their home is a cute little bungalow just NE of Balboa Park. Tony plays on one of Al's ice hockey teams and he joined us in Vegas for one of the many tournaments there. He, Al and I became quick friends, and as soon as we met his wife, we loved her too.

But, due to a job opportunity for Talene (his wife), they were moving to Boston. We enjoyed a great party at the Staabs and said goodbye to some good friends!

Legoland Sea Life Aquarium Field Trip

2009-09-01T14:24:00.001-07:00

Apparently, because I'm a "SAHM" I'm available for every volunteer opportunity and field trip at the kid's school. So, again, I was roped into chaperoning the field trip to the "Legoland Sea Life Aquarium" in Carlsbad. The aquarium is the newest addition to Legoland, but requires a seperate admission fee, which is why we hadn't been there. There are several quality aquariums here in SoCal that I would rather visit for the money. But since the school was going at a discounted rate...I agreed. (L: Leah, Jack and Jackson...my responsibilities.)

Let me first say, I hate chaperoning. Having to "parent" and discipline children that are not your own is not a fun or rewarding thing to do. So we picked up the kids at 8:30 in the am. I had Leah, Ty and 2 boys from Leah's class: Jack and Jackson. Not so bad.

Jackson, Jack and Leah/ Ty in the lego stroller/ Leah at the tide pools

I now know why I have no more than two children. It is extremely difficult to keep an eye on more! Despite that, the kids had fun with walking through the tunnel, the tide pools and the bubble aquarium viewers. Overall it was a good time. (R: Eel)

Leah and Jack in the fish tank/ The kiddos watching the fish.

My fave: jellyfish!

A Warm, Sunny Day and The Bee Sting...

2009-08-31T22:16:00.000-07:00

Sunday July 26, 2009:

Living in Oceanside, CA, we are fortunate enough to experience beautiful, sunny days for 350 out of 365 days of the year. Today we enjoyed the afternoon heat in our chaise lounges while watching the kids catapult themselves into the 6 inch deep blow up pool water via the creative pool contraption they've built.

Like I said, we were laid out on our comfy chairs. Al with his dark skin, browning perfectly...no sunscreen. Me, the freckled white girl with a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and umbrella, enjoying the sunshine from the safety of the shade when suddenly there was a shriek. More like a blood curdling scream that made our Mormon church neighbors gather in the parking lot.

Leah had grabbed a handful of flowers...oh, and a bee. The bee stung the palm of her hand. Luckily, thanks to the wisdom of my dad, I had purchased a snake bite kit some time ago for just this kind of emergency. I applied the suction cup to her palm and watched as the poison was sucked right out. Afterwords, I applied a little baking soda and water and voile! No inflammation, pain or redness! Yay! All's well that ends well!

Dino Mountain: Take 1!

2009-08-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

The kids were very anxious to hit the Wild Animal Park since first hearing about it a couple of weeks ago. This was our first opportunity to go since we got back from Chicago. (Leah and the Troodon)

In addition to admission (which we don't pay since we're members), Dino Mountain cost $3 each! So much for my free day at the WAP (I know, I'm cheap). Anyhow, we just HAD to go since Ty is obsessed with Dinos. (Me and Ty. Leah took this pic with my big camera!)

The "spitting Dino"/ Leah and Ty getting "freaked out"!

We arrived at exactly 9 am and made a b-line for Dino Mnt! We were the first ones there. The kids loved it, of course. But despite the long conversation in the car ride there regarding dinosaur robots, the kids were still petrified of the carnivores! The herbivores were their friends. They especially loved controlling the stegosaurus robot with the controls and getting sprayed by the "I don't remember the name of it" Dino (sorry). They also enjoyed stamping their Dino passport at every Dino station. (L: Leah with a lorakeet...her fave!)

Leah and Ty controlling the Stegasaurus

Ty liked it so much that we went through it 4 times! Arrrrggghhh! We ended our journey with a few more fun things that we normally don't do while we're at the WAP. We fed the lorakeets, went to the petting zoo and rode the carousel.

Ty riding the Crocodile!

Rockin' the beach

2009-08-18T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ty prefers to watch Daddy and Leah playing in the waves.

This morning, Al joined my Rockin' Mom's Group at Carlsbad beach. It was a beautiful, sunny day...again! Ty stuck with playing in the sand, while Leah and Daddy played in the waves. I stayed under the umbrella and took pictures. (L: Wendy, Roshini and Stacy)

Ty playing in the sand/ Leah the mermaid

Leah reminded me of my sister and I when we were kids. We used to play in the water and then run up to the hot sand and roll around. She does the same thing. Of course, as a mommy, it drives me crazy having to some how get all that sand off of her before loading her in the car!

Building with Daddy

2009-08-18T10:36:00.001-07:00

Ty and his assistant, KC, working with tools

Al has been working on his "Man's World" in the 3rd car garage. Joey helped to frame it and Al has been putting up drywall, a door and a window. Ty has been dying to help his Daddy with the tools, so Al screwed a couple of screws and nailed a couple of nails into the drywall, gave him a hammer, screwdriver and tape measure and let him go to town. Ty had a great time and worked on his project for over an hour! Good job, Daddy!

Happily Married for 9 Years!

2009-08-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

July 7, 2009:

Our wedding day: 7/7/00

On this date, nine years ago at 7 pm, Al and were married at the Grand Tradition in Fallbrook, CA. We honeymooned in Costa Rica. Today we celebrate our 9th Anniversary! It seems like just yesterday, but at the same time feels like a lifetime ago!

Our Honeymoon in Costa Rica

9 years ago, Al and I lived in Moorpark, CA. Al taught History at La Mesa Jr. High School in Santa Clarita. I created and taught "9th grade intervention" at Simi Valley High School. We had two boxer dogs, Jasmine and Zeus, and two cats, Schlep and Jessie.

In front of our home in Moorpark

Things are a little bit different now. We currently live in a beautiful home in Vista, CA. Al teaches History at Fallbrook High School and is the head Varsity Lacrosse coach. I'm staying home with our kids, Leah (4) and Ty (2), and our boxer dog, KC.

Our 3rd Wedding Anniversary on San Diego Bay.

While our life has evolved and changed, Al and I couldn't be happier. Happy Anniversary, Al! I love you!

Me and Al in July, 2009

The worst flu ever!

2009-08-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Monday July 6th, 2009 (I think! I'm so behind, I'm mixing up my days!):

This morning, my little Leah came down with the flu. I woke up at about 5 am to find her in our bed, shaking uncontrollably. She was also burning up. Her temperature read 104! I gave her a dose of Motrin, and shortly after (when that wasn't working) some Tylenol. Finally her fever came down enough for me to leave her with Al and go to work. I sent Ty to school.

Al called at about 10 am to tell me she had already vomited several times and that she couldn't keep anything down (the only thing she was trying to consume was liquids because of the nausea). By the time I came home in the early afternoon, she was so weak that she couldn't even lift her head to vomit, let alone sit up.

I immediately took her to the doctor in Escondido to have her checked out. I had to put her in the stroller and push her into the doctors office because she was so weak. The doctor took her temperature (still 104), took her pulse, and checked her for signs of dehydration. 5 minutes into the exam, he called Palomar Hospital (right across the street) and sent us to the ER.

The Emergency Room staff was ready for us with a bed and everything. They hooked her up to an IV for fluids and ran every kind of test: Chest x-ray, blood, urine and "swine flu sinus swab" (so awful I had to leave the room). After about 5 or 6 hours, thanks to the awesome nurse Henry and the Dr., Leah was feeling a lot better. Her fever broke, she was hydrated and had more energy.

Unfortunately, her flu lasted 4 more days and she passed it on to Ty and me. I was glad when it was finally over!

Sawyer John Spier

2009-08-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 29th 2009:

Sawyer John Spier on his birthday

Aunt Patti is proud to announce that on this day at 8:09 am, Sawyer John Spier was born to my sister, Sandi, my brother-in-law, Terry and my niece, Savanna. Sawyer weighed in at an amazing 9 lbs 9 oz and was 20.5 inches long. I was so lucky to be a present for his birth, resuming my job as videographer (even though I have a reputation sobbing during the birth).

Sawyer and Sandi shortly after his birth/ Sawyer and big sister Savanna a month later

Sandi, however, was a bit put out with me. Sawyer was due to be born while I was vacationing in Chicago. I made it a point to tell Sandi's belly that under no circumstances was he to come out until after I returned. Everyone laughed at me, but my new nephew respected my wishes. Less than two days after I got home, Sandi went into labor! Woohoo!

Sawyer and Aunt Patti

He is so adorable! He's a month and a half now and is quite the talker!

Grandma's Memorial and Joining Grandpa.

2009-08-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, July 5th, Dad and Mom arranged a very nice memorial for Grandma at their home in Poway. All of Grandma's family were in attendance, as were some friends of hers. Dad also put together a computer "slide show" of her life. He printed copies of her memories (on the last blog post) and some of the emails that he had received after her death. It was a great opportunity to celebrate her life, share memories and reconnect with family and friends. (L: Grandma's memorial at Mom and Dad's. Above: The addition to Grandpa's niche).

On Thursday, July 9th, Ty and I joined my Mom and Dad, Jim and Nancy, Ron and Ryan, and Sandi, Terry and Sawyer at the "Witness" of my Grandma where she was placed into the niche with Grandpa at Fort Rosecrans. They had not yet carved her name into the stone, so a card with her information was temporarily placed on the "head stone" until it had been completed.

Everyone on the hill/ The brothers: Jim, Ron and John (Dad)

Dad and Mom/ Ryan (cousin) and Ron

A couple of weeks later we went back to Fort Rosecrans to see the finished product. It turned out beautifully!

Before and After

Grandma, Rest in Peace

2009-08-04T18:14:00.001-07:00

Grandpa and Grandma on their wedding day at La Jolla Presbyterian Church: May 19th, 1946

The following are my grandma, Alice Margaret Lauf McCleary's (1915-2009) recollection of her life and family. She died on June 19th of this year. She will be very missed. I have so many wonderful and treasured memories of Grandma. She lived in Pacific Beach in a home overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We spent many weekends there where we played with the dolls she made for us, dressed up in the clothes she made for us, taught us just about everything, helped her around the house, spent the night, played with Maverick and Cinder (her black lab dog and calico cat), went to Sunday school at Christ Lutheran Church in PB, and countless other activities. We lost our grandpa (John Frank McCleary) in 1993, but Grandma stayed strong and independent for quite some time. Later on, she moved to an assisted living/retirement home in Escondido, much closer to my dad and Uncle Jim (her youngest son). She was very loving, generous and one of the most intellegent people I knew.

Grandma’s recollections of her earlier years from October 8, 2006:

I was born March 4, 1915 in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Father came to America in 1901. He came over with his mother and his youngest sister (Anna - married Raymond Miller). He married Annie (Jacubecek) about 1911. Mom was 18 and Dad was 24 when they were married. They had 8 kids:

A daughter named Olive who died in infancy.
A daughter name Anna who died in infancy. She had 6 toes and a hair lip. Dad told Margaret (my sister) that mom kissed a rabbit and had a rabbit for a baby.
Alice Margaret (1915)
Minnie Susan (1917)
Irene Catherine (1918)
A son name Rudolph who died in infancy
Margaret Helen (1920)
A son named Oscar who died in infancy (1921)

My mother died in December 1924 at 31. She had a nosebleed that they couldn’t stop. They took her to the Hoff hospital in North Hampton. Many of the nurses were at a convention in Philadelphia. The person in the next bed was a friend of my Mom named Mrs. Kuchera. She wanted to go to the bathroom but no one was there to help her. So she got up to go to the bathroom and fell. My Mom got up and helped her back in bed. That night both died. My dad got a call to bring her clothes to pick her up the next morning. When he got there Mom was in the morgue. I was 9 years old at the time and Margaret was 4.

I can still remember the casket in our parlor (our living room). Dad wanted Margaret to cover up Mom in the casket, but she wouldn’t do it. Mom was buried in the Egypt cemetery (where the kids were buried too). Margaret knows the name of the other cemetery where my Aunt Mary and Aunt Katie were buried in. My father briefly remarried before he died in 1935. His new wife drank heavily.

I graduated from high school at 16 in 1931 and decided to go to nursing school in Allentown. I was accepted at Nursing school which was associated with the Allentown hospital. Nursing schools at that time were in hospitals. I graduated from Nursing School in 1934 and went to Philadelphia to take more nursing classes (Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Ward and administration and teaching). It was at the Jewish hospital at York and Tabor roads in Philadelphia. It is still there but it is called the Albert Einstein Medical Center. They have a medical school, nursing and other health related courses.

That was about 1936. I then went to Rochester Minnesota to work at the Mayo Clinic hospitals (1937). I heard about a course in Physical Therapy. They were recruiting nurses for the war effort. I applied at the University of Wisconsin School of Physical Therapy. I graduated from there in 1941. I took my state boards in Wisconsin and passed them. I was then a licensed Physical Therapist. I continued to work in Wisconsin as a nurse and Physical Therapist to earn money.

Then I got wanderlust again and contacted a placement service. “I have this much money and I want to go as far as I can and stay in the United States”. He said there was an opening in San Diego at the Rees-Stealy Clinic. So I took that job. I think I took the train to San Diego. Everything was camouflaged. There were searchlights in the sky looking for airplanes every night. I probably arrived in San Diego around the summer of 1943.

I had some roommates in Rochester and they also went to San Diego and joined the Navy. I tried to join the Navy, but they made me a “4-F”er.

I stayed at an apartment at 4th and A street (1943). I didn’t have any roommates, just myself. I worked at Rees-Stealy Clinic at 2001 4th Ave near Mercy hospital.

I went to the Lutheran Service Center on 6th st. and to the Lutheran Church at 1st and A St. The service center had social stuff for the servicemen - cake, snacks. The church asked us to go down there and talk with them, visit, dance, listen, play music on the phonograph and radio. I met Frank there in about 1945. He was in the Navy Shore Patrol. Every night he went to the service center. He would take me home every night in the paddy wagon. I lived in an apartment on 4th and A Street downtown.

I told him that I didn’t go out with married men. He said that he wasn’t married and he didn’t wear a ring, so I went out with them. One weekend we went to the zoo at Balboa Park. A little kid came around the corner yelling “Daddy Daddy”. Frank said, “go away little boy, I don’t know you”. Just then a lady came around the corner and Frank said “oh, hi Mom”. Surprise. I asked if he was married and she confirmed that he was divorced. That’s how I found out that he already had a son - Ronald Hugh McCleary. Frank lived with his parents at 741 11th St, and Ronnie lived with me for a while in my apartment - he was about 3 years old.

We were worshiping the Chapel in the Mortuary in La Jolla. I knew Frank for about a year before we got married. When he asked me to marry him he said that he didn’t want to get married in the mortuary, so we borrowed the Chapel at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church and got married there. We were married on May 19, 1946.

We stayed at Frank’s parents for a little bit, then we moved to a housing project on Hicock Street. We stayed there for a week or so and then moved to another one which also didn’t last very long.

We bought the Missouri street property in 1947. They sold the lots in 25-foot sections. We bought 5 sections (125 feet). The lots were each $450. We had to dig a trench and run the water from the corner at Haines down to our lot. We had to pay to have the sewer in the alley. Frank sold off 50 feet for $1500. We built 1524 Missouri and later made a studio unit out of the garage (1526 Missouri). We got an FHA loan to build the house. The rate was under 5%. There was a planter and screen that we had in the driveway to screen 1526 from the street.

1534 was built first then later built 1532. We were both working and didn’t really need the money, but Frank sold the east 50 feet as a “sharpshooting” deal.

My grandmother - Suzanna Galgon - was very smart. She took in boarders, planted vegetables, saved all the money from Boarders. When she saved enough she bought another property. She bought the house for all of my aunts, she bought for my father, and then she was mad at him for marrying a Slovak instead of a German.

She lived down the street on Church Lane. We lived on second street ( I think) with Hill st and Main st on the other. We would go down to grandmothers house - through the backyard and down the alley. She had a lot of fruit trees. We had apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, and cherry trees. We had the big black cherries and my grandmother had the yellow ones.

The big barn in her back yard was at the end of the alley. Margaret said that the barn is still standing today. My father would milk the cows and we would feed the chickens. At one time we also had geese. They would come up behind us and bite on the back of our knees. My father would laugh until one day they did it to him - then we had goose for dinner

We kids would go down to Grandmother’s before school and churn the butter and do chores. After both my parents died we would still go and do chores for her. We cut the hay, let it dry, turn it, bundle it, put it on the hay wagon, take it to the barn, and put it in the barn.

Our neighbor across the street told my Dad “What are you raising - a grand lady who won’t do any work?” “She’ll just get married and won’t be able to help you financially”. “Why don’t you have her quit school and go to work to help bring some money”. So that’s what I did. I was 14 when I quit school. Dad got me a job in a silk mill. I had 4 looms to weave silk. Dad was a loom fixer. Anything wrong with the looms he would go fix them. That’s when Aunt Anna Miller found out I wasn’t in school. She had me come live with them so I could go back to school. I did laundry, cleaning, cooking, and other chores for room and board. Irene and Minnie had a poorer deal because they lived with some Jewish families during that time. I skipped the 8th grade and went into the 9th. I stayed there for one year (Allentown HS). My father wanted me back home so I went back home and when to Whitehall HS in Hokendaqua, PA (They were all Indian names around there). I was the Salutatorian in Whitehall High School and graduated in 1931. Minnie was smarter - she was the Valedictorian when she graduated a couple of years later. Irene was in class one day and the kids were talking and the teacher asked who was doing the talking. No one answered, so Irene was picked as the scapegoat and had to stay after school. After she was allowed to leave she had to walk home from school and never went back. The teacher’s name was Mister Grammis, and this was when she was in High School. He used to walk around with a ruler and if he thought you were doing something he you shouldn’t be doing he would whack them on their hands with the ruler. He had strap in the closet that he used on the boys butts who didn’t behave. He also had a cat-of-9-tails that he used on the butt and legs of boys and girls who misbehaved. Corporal punishment was supported. If you told your parents that you got a whipping, you would get one the next day for telling.

My father had a still, and he distilled whiskey. I remember picking dandelions - and they made wine from the dandelions. They distilled them to make a stronger drink. They also used barley and hops.

They also got grapes and made wine and then distilled the wine to get the alcohol out of it. Every once in a while it would explode on the stove and we would have a fire. I don’t know why we didn’t burn down he house.

We didn’t have indoor toilets. We had to go out back to the outhouse - very stinky. It was a 2 holer - a big one for the adults and a small one for the kids.

I first learned about bed bugs when I went to Philadelphia as a maid for rich Jewish families. The bed bugs were in the mattresses, in the wallpaper on the walls. They had a very pungent smell so we always knew when they were around. Unfortunately, we brought them back home with us - they hitchhiked in our luggage somewhere somehow. We had to catch them, put them in a can, took them out in the backyard. We poured kerosene on them and set them on fire. We had to burn the coil mattress springs occasionally to kill them.

Remembering her family

My Grandparents on my mother’s side (Annie Jakubecek) were George Jakubecek & Maria Kupski (Kaufer = buyer). Maria had 3 sisters: one married John Burg from Egypt, one married Mr. Gaballa from Cementon, PA, (Burg and Gaballa each owned hotels). One married a Svaby over in Europe (the Svaby in Egypt, PA was not related). They would take in boarders, find them a job, etc and use the money as their income. The emigrants coming from Poland, Slovakia, etc would contact them and make sure they had a room and board for them and then lined up jobs in Cementon at the cement mills.

Two Jakubecek sisters unrelated to George Jakubecek above - one married Jacob Jakubecek, and the other married George Svaby (from Egypt - we don’t know if he was related to our Svabys or not).

Jacob Jakubecek was George’s brother. He had 2 daughters. One was Minnie who married a Ritsik who now lives in an assisted living near San Francisco. The other, Helen, was in Margaret’s High School class and they still have reunions and stays in touch.

My Mom, Annie Jakubecek married John Lauf Jr. She had a sister named Maria (Aunt Mary). She married Mr. Kóc. She died over in Europe not too long ago around 2000. She had a bunch of kids. Dushan, Milos, Katarina (Married Michael Jakubecek). Michael is still alive (7/2006) but Katarina died recently. Dushan lives in Martin, Slovakia, and has a daughter Martina.

My Grandparents on my father’s side (John Lauf Jr.) was John Lauf Sr, and Suzanna Galgon. Suzanna had some brothers: John Galgon (can’t remember the rest). John Galgon lived in Allentown (1140 Lehigh St, Allentown). John and his wife had a daughter Caroline. Caroline died recently (before 2000). She had a mastoid infection near her ear and went deaf from the corrective surgery (as a kid). She had her own beauty salon. She learned lip reading and had partial hearing from bone conduction so she could hear partially using the phone.

John Lauf Sr had two sisters that I know of. One was Julia who married John Gildein. They had a couple of kids - Helen (Short). She died; the son was “Buddy”. He was still alive last Christmas 12/2005). The other daughter of John and Suzanna (don’t remember her name) married a “Tindula”.

Grandma and Grandpa

Sandi, Grandma and me (about 1992)

Grandma on my wedding day

Leah and Grandma in 2005

4th of July BBQ at the Morelli's

2009-08-04T12:48:00.001-07:00

Saturday, July 4th 2009

Ty and Giana splashing!

Today, the Morelli's (Joey, Christina, Sofia and Giana) invited us over for some pool time. It was also a chance for the kiddos to play together, and the adults to catch up and have actual adult conversation!

Al showing Joey his new tattoos/ Ty and Leah throwing water balloons

Leah and Sofia peeking out of a cardboard fort.

Giana and Leah/ Giana/ Sofia

EHS Schoffstall Reunion

2009-08-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 3rd 2009:

L to R: Ryan Engstrom, James McNally, Nick Perkins, Nate DeWindt, Kyle Bissonet and Mike Workman

Over 5 years ago, during the 2003-2004 school year at Escondido High School, Al was very lucky to have an outstanding group of kids. As a teacher, you may get one or two special kids every couple of years, but for some reason a whole class of juniors came together that Al will never forget. He taught them History in class, coached many of them on the roller hockey team and let them to win the championship, and coached some of them as the head JV football coach. In return, they came together to help Al out and show him support when he needed it most. (L: Karla Mitchell, Nick, Mike and Ryan)

Tim Flemming and Janine Hicks/ Al Danielle Gardner and James

In 2005, after Al left EHS to teach in Fallbrook, we returned (with new baby Leah) to watch them graduate. Now, 4 years later, most of them returned to San Diego with new college degrees! I thought it would be really fun to get as many of these kids back together as I could and have a little EHS Schoffstall Reunion BBQ. (R: Karla and Danielle)

James and KC/ James and Karla playing lacrosse with Ty

We had a blast as Al caught up with their lives, reminisced, ate burgers, played ball and watched the kids play. Leah and Ty were in rare form as they chased each other around the trampoline playing some type of tackle football. As a mom, I would have stopped the behavior, but for some reason, they were having a blast knocking each other down and bouncing right back up for more. No tears! Oh, except us...we were laughing hysterically! (L: Ryan and Nate)

Leah and Ty playing trampoline tackle football!

Nate and Ryan getting cozy/ Nick, Mike, and Kyle

Independence Day Celebration!

2009-08-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 2 2009:

One of the things I appreciate and enjoy the most about Leah and Ty's Montessori School is their sense of patriotism. Every morning the children recite the Pledge and then sing our National Anthem. The kids learn all the words from the time their in the pre-preschool class. In addition, every 4th of July, they have a parade around the shopping mall, gather on the grass and sing every song about America there is. This year the kids decked out their bikes, scooters and big wheels. Even Al and KC came in their red, white and blues!

Chicago 2009!

2009-07-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

Al, Leah, Ty and I traveled to Chicago from June 14th to June 28th. The primary reason was to attend his 20th Cary-Grove High School Reunion (there were actually three events held during our two week stay). But we had other motives as well. Al's folks live in Palatine, a NW suburb of Chicago, where they have a beautiful little home, a large yard, oh, and a separate "apartment" for Al and I to stay in. Where do the kids stay? Oh, just in the house with Grandma and Grandpa. It was Grandma's primary objective to have the kids to herself for two weeks. And we were happy to oblige. So needless to say, we got a bit of a vacation from family responsibilities. Every night Harry and Lupe kicked us out the door and threw the car keys and some money at us, "go have a good time!". We partied like rock stars, sleeping in until we couldn't sleep any longer. By the time we dragged our lazy butts into the house the kids were fed, dressed and ready for an outing with "Gammy". Besides the partying, we also enjoyed some time with Al's brother Rick and his family. Since we were there for two weeks, I'll share the rest of our trip with you in the form of a "photo journal" with a few comments here and there. Enjoy!

Day 1: Sunday, 6/14

Quentin yard June 09/ Quentin yard Nov. 08/ Inside Quentin house...new wood floor!

Al, Julie and Tracy at Cuckoos

Me and Tracy/ Tracy squishing Al's head

Tracy/ Al and Cassie Carbone/ Julie singing

Al and Julie/ Me actually participating in karaoke (after a few drinks)...I just played the tamborine

Day 2: Monday, 6/15

The cousins enjoying dinner at Rick and Jen's newly built house: Zack, Luke, Ty and Jake

Leah helping Gammy garden/ Gammy, Al, Leah and Grandpa

Dancing on the deck after dinner: Jake, Ty, Luke and Eli

Jake and Luke/ The new house (next door to the old house)

Ty dancing/ Grandpa and the boys playing basketball/ Rick winding up

Eli and Leah blowing bubbles

Inside views of Rick and Jen's new home/ The newest member of the Schoffstall family: Rascal

Day 3: Tuesday 6/16

Al Relaxing/ Leah and Gammy painting the wagon

Ty jumping/ Leah and Eli jumping

Gammy, Ty, Eli and Leah playing/ Luke practicing his pitches.

Leah and Al watching Luke pitch

Gammy playing with fire/ Al and Leah. Al is bundled to protect himself from the killer mosquitos!

Leah and Ty dancing around the fire./ Al and Lupe enjoying the fire.

Day 4: Wednesday 6/17

"Lamplighters" in downtown Palatine/ The train station in Cary. We took the train that evening to and from Cary...no driving for us!

On the train on our way back to Palatine.

Day 5: Thursday 6/18 - I finally got my thunderstorm!!!

In front of Quentin house. I stood in the garage and watched "the show"/ the rain coming off the eaves/ Ty in the window.

Day 6: Friday 6/19 - The Pre-Reunion Party at "The Broken Oar" in Cary.

Bob Huffer and Al

The Broken Oar on a rainy night./ The outside patio.

Al and Frank Bueno/ Al and Dana

Day 7: Saturday, 6/20 - Visiting an old friend, Bday party at Lake in the Hills and The Reunion.

Sheryl, Jeff Worolton, Me and Al: Jeff played on "The Mariners", a Junior B hockey team, in 1999 and 2000 while Al was the strength and conditioning coach. The Mariners went on to win the National Championships in 2000. We haven't seen Jeff since. He just happened to be in Chicago for a coaching conference at the same time we were. We got together for lunch at "Gino's East Pizza".

Gino's was covered in "graffiti". Everyone who ate there wrote on everything...the walls, the benches, the pictures. We wrote on the picture frame with crayon (the only thing we had). / Ty at Frank Bueno's son's bday party at Lake in the Hills, splashing away./ Ty on the playground.

Leah, Ty and Gammy in the lake. It was so beautiful there!

Leah enjoying a "mud spa treatment"...yuck!/ Al's Cary Grove, 20th HS reunion at Wool St. Bar and Grill. This is all the former students that attended.

The football team

Al socializing with some old friends.

Day 8: Sunday, 6/21

Eli/ Leah and Ty at Aunt Jen and Uncle Ricks enjoying an ice cream.

Day 9 and 10: Monday 6/22, Tuesday 6/23:

Gammy and Leah enjoying breakfast/ Sprinkler time! Leah.

Ty blowing a kiss/ The kids and Gammy/ Naked booty!

Al, Me, Jen and Rick

Al Rick and Jen in front of Maggiano's where we had dinner.

Al and Rick enjoying "Dick's", a sporting store. They had fun trying out the merchandise!

Day 11: Wednesday 6/24

The view from our table at the Broken Oar. Notice all of the white fluff floating on the water and in the air!

The Fox Grove River/ Al enjoying a beer/ one of the small piers at the Broken Oar that boaters pull up to to have a drink!
Then over to The Cukoo's Nest to meet Julie and Tracy...

Me as "celebrity guest bartender". I was really bad at it!/ Julie watching the news that Michael Jackson and Farrah Faucet died earlier that day.

Me and Julie/ Me and Tracy

Day 12: Thursday 6/25: Long Grove! - Today Al decided to take me to a great little town North of Palatine. When we pulled up, we noticed the streets blocked off and lots of people milling around. It just happened to be "The Strawberry Festival" there. I was thrilled! We walked around, took pictures and went into a few shops.

Buffalo Creek Park: Long Grove. It's all so green!

The Long Grove Cemetery...spooky!/ Al on the covered bridge/ shops.

Some of the little shops

The Village Tavern (duh!)/ The old school house...notice the brick work on the path. Each brick was made by hand and stamped./ Some little old ladies eating ice cream outside the cider mill.

Me!

Ladies in head to toe strawberries!/Hee hee!

Day 13: Friday June 26 - Dinner with the Huffers.

The kids making pizza with Gammy!

Al and Bob Huffer

Me and the youngest Huffer/ The girls: CC's friend, Leah and CC Huffer.

Little monkeys/ Bob and Al searching for fire flies./ The fire pit.

Day 14: Saturday June 27 - The "meet our grandchildren" party! Lupe and Harry invited all of their closest friends to the Quentin house to "meet their grandchildren": Zach, Luke, Jake, Eli, Leah and Ty. Lupe made home-made tamales! Yum!

Leah having fun on the new tree swing that Grandpa made.

Ty/ Eli/ Leah and Eli glaring at each other for some reason.

Ty and Jake/ Leah

The cousins in the jumpy: Leah, Eli, Ty and Jake

Luke and Ty relaxing/ Citlalia and Leah

Eli in the mist/ Grandpa and friends

Jen and friends/ Lupe and friends

Frank and girlfriend, Me and Al at the all 80's Cary-Grove HS reunion at Wool St.

Chicago: The Aftermath!

Mosquitos and Spiders, oh my!

2009 Montesorri School Concert

2009-07-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

June 10, 2009:

Ty and Leah after the performance...Ty very proud and Leah missing a ribbon.

This evening Leah and Tyler performed in a concert put on by their Montessori School as well as two other Montessori schools in the area. It was held at an small, old theater, "The Star Theater" in Oceanside on PCH. The children practiced for several months to "perfect" their performances. Ty's preschool prep class was performing "It's a hard knock life" from Annie where the children all dressed in rags. Leah's preschool class performed "We Got no Strings" from Pinocchio and "So Long, Farewell" from Sound of Music. Leah was one of four students selected from the three schools to sing our National Anthem at the opening of the show.

Leah front and center!

Leah's class (Leah front, 3rd from left)/ Ty's class (Ty 4th from left, back row)

The show also had a playbill, of course! Leah's picture was featured a couple times as was Ty's. Al and I also bought some advertising space to memorialize Grandma.

We were able to sell a couple of tickets to Nana and Papa who joined Al and I to watch the show. Leah did a beautiful job singing the National Anthem. Her school is extremely patriotic and teaches the children the song in "preschool prep" class and then they sing it after the Pledge every morning.

The National Anthem. Leah center in front of the mic.

Ty was so cute all dressed in rags with "dirt" on his face. He thought it sufficient to run in circles on the stage as if it was a mosh pit! Leah and her class had more choreographed dances. The kids were so proud of thier achievements and we were very proud parents/grandparents!

After the show with proud Mommy!

I have messy children...help!

2009-07-07T20:28:00.000-07:00

So, when we get home from the street fair, Leah takes the remaining sugar-coated kettle corn into the jumpy and proceeds to dump it out. She apparently liked how the popcorn "popped" when she jumped. I didn't get around to cleaning it up that evening...big mistake. The next morning, Leah went out to the jumpy to find millions of ants swarming all over the popcorn. To make matters worse, the sprinkler had gone off in the early morning hours and rinsed the sugar off the popcorn and onto the surface of the trampoline creating a sticky mess! Yuck!

Now this is the kind of mess I can deal with...washable paint! A little creativity never hurt anyone!

RB Alive

2009-07-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 7th, 2009:

Today Leah, Ty, Mom, Dad, Nana and I braved the crowds at RB Alive, a street fair held in Rancho Bernardo. We enjoyed the usual street fair stuff: kettle corn, balloons, music and yummy food. They even had a great local reggae band playing in the food court. Too bad they blew out our ears...I couldn't even hear Dad yelling at me from 6 inches away. But despite the deafening music, we had a good time. Papa even shelled out a couple of bucks for one trip down an inflated slide and a couple minutes on the swings!

Backyard "Pool" Party!

2009-07-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

June 6, 2009:

What a beautiful weekend. Bright sunshine, blue skies and a blow-up pool! You can't get much better than this!

Field Trip!

2009-07-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

June 4, 2009:

Sipping Lemonade on Mission and PCH in Oside/ Colorful back ally of Oside.

This morning while Al was finishing up his last few days at school, I was home from work and the kids were off from school, I decided to take the kiddos on a little field trip. At about 10 this morning, we boarded the "Sprinter" and headed East to Oside. We arrived at 10:30 (an hour before the movie began). Since Ty had fallen asleep in the stroller, Leah and I got a lemonade and walked the streets of downtown Oside. (L: Ty's feet, asleep in the stroller)

At last the theater opened and we ran in. Luckily we were the first of 5 people into the theater...we got the best seats ever! Between Ty, Leah and I, we downed an XL popcorn and an XL box of chocolate. But don't worry...I'm not the kind of parent that buys the XL soda. That's just junk food! We washed the buttery popcorn and candy down with good-ole' water! (R: Leah sipping lemonade)

Finally, it began. We enjoyed the movie, "Up". The kids and I loved "Dug" the talking dog. As funny as it was, it still made me cry!

Afterwords, we walked across the street and down to the beach. Luckily, we had brought our umbrellas. The weatherman said that it would be cold and rainy. We ended up using the umbrellas to shield the sun.

We had a few minutes to spare before we had to catch the train out of Oside. I enjoyed watching the cliffside get destroyed by chipmunks/squirrels (I'm very unsure as to how the sidewalk doesn't fall into the ocean) while the kids enjoyed a half hour at the playground before I rushed them back up the cliff.

We caught the 2 o'clock train back to Vista and met Daddy right when he got home!

How many squirrels do you see? I lost count at 30!

Finally Complete!

2009-06-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Since Jason was "out of town" for a couple of months, I wasn't able to get my back piece completed for some time. But Wednesday night, I went over to get it finished. He busted out the left half of the roses in just two hours...and it is finished! Woohoo! But, Mom, I'm sorry, I'm not quite finished...

Leah Fashionista!

2009-06-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

Leah, being the complete ham that she is, loves to pose for the camera. Especially in new clothes! Nana went shopping for her this weekend and Leah was so excited to have a fashion show for me. She put the first outfit on (complete with shoes...thanks, Nana!) and stood in entry way, "take my picture, Mommy!". So, I busted out my camera and took a couple.

But that wasn't good enough. There was just something missing on her outfit...ah, yes, accessories. She took it upon herself to accessorize her outfit and came back out for the second half of the fashion shoot. I love the poses she comes up with!

Lori's Bday!

2009-06-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Mom (Susan), Marie, Margaret, Peggy, Lori and Sherry

My painting group, the "TNT'rs" forgo painting to celebrate birthdays when they come around. This past week was Lori's birthday. Thanks to my dad, I enjoyed a kid-free dinner at Red Robin in Escondido with the ladies! Happy Birthday Lori.

Oh, and I'd like to plug her restaurant, "The Sunrise Cafe" in Vista on Santa Fe (off of Mar Vista and 78). They serve delicious food and have great service. Everyone loves it so much that they bought out the space next door and just recently expanded! Go check it out!

Rockin' Balboa Park

2009-06-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Tuesday June 2, 2009:

Ty at the Little Boy Factory, where I purchased him originally (on sale, of course)

This morning the kiddos and I got up and ready early (well, no earlier than normal) to meet the Rockin' Mom's group at Balboa Park for "Free Museum Tuesday". This time, the Reuben H. Fleet and the Natural History Museum were having free admission to all San Diego residents.

Ciera and Leah loading groceries/ Ty playing with the air hose/ Ty and Leah checking their reaction times.

We arrived at about 9:15 am. Angie, Ciera and their Temecula friend, Ana, were already there. So were about 10 school buses jammed into the small parking lot behind the science center. Oh no! the place was completely swarming with school children....my worst nightmare! I guess the schools think Free Tuesday is a good idea too!

Ciera and the Derby Fairy/ Ty playing music

Leah enjoying her homemade popcorn/ Leah and Ciera watching the water/ Ciera in front of the Jasmine

So we rushed in, not waiting for our other friends, who happened to be running a little late. If I was going in, I was going in minus the crowds. We managed a good twenty minutes of peace in Rueben H. Fleet before the we were attacked! There were elementary, middle school and high school students there. You could barely walk through, let alone look at the exhibits. And for some reason, they paid no attention to the little ones. The kids were getting pushed, shoved and even knocked down. I had had enough! By this time, our friends showed up, but unfortunately, I had to leave. (L: Ty in the Stroller)

Leah and Ty

Ciera, Leah and Ty in front of the Allosaurus (though Ty threw a fit, insisting it was a T-Rex...OK! Its a T-Rex!)

We decided to brave the Natural History Museum next. How could I deprive my boy of the dinosaurs that he had been so excited to see? It wasn't so bad, so after viewing the Allosaurus, we went into the California room and saw live snakes and lot's of stuffed California wildlife. Leah had a hard time figuring out which ones were alive and which were "previously living". She also saw some puppets. She went straight for the racoon puppet and proceeded to make it bite her leg, "Just like Papa, Mommy!" HA! (Right: Ty giving a ferocious imitation of the "T-Rex")

Ty, Ciera and Leah observing the Rattler/ Leah and the Racoon/ Ty and Leah at the Koi pond.

We didn't quite make it upstairs...or we couldn't make it upstairs. The enemy school children that were at the previous museum had invaded this one. Bummer! No more dinosaur bones for Ty Ty. So, again the kids and I left, took shelter in the Atrium and then enjoyed the koi and lily pads. A double melt-down soon followed, so we ended our day. (L: Ty and Leah in the Atrium. Notice Leah's face...she was angry with me for some reason and insisted in being in the picture with her sour-puss face!)

My Ty Ty is growing up!

2009-06-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I started a new job....a part-time gig working for a Dr. doing billing and patient phone calls at their home office in Vista. I'll probably work about 15 hours a week. I'm just not ready to go back to teaching full-time yet. My new job also coincided with Ty beginning school. He's 2 and a half now, same age as Leah was when she started pre-school. Their pre-school, Montessori School of Oside 2 is very flexible, so I can send him 2 or 3 days a week (which ever days I choose). So I've been working just when the kiddos are in school.

At first I thought that Ty would have a hard time transitioning from Mommy time 24/7, to Ty Ty school time 7 hrs a day, 2-3 times a week. Time to cut that cord! But, surprisingly, it went very smoothly. He cried the first two days for a minute or two after I left, but big sister, Leah, helped to soothe him and make him feel more comfortable. The teacher said that he's been great: smart, sociable, polite (well, c'mon, what did you expect! He takes after his Mama!). It's been a great change for him. While he had always had socialization through playdates and SS, he is now getting some structured education and a very structured schedule at school. I'm a proud Mama!

The Stinker!

2009-05-31T16:30:00.001-07:00

How Ty got a hold of a permanent marker (on the counter among a cup of other less-permanent pens and pencils), I'll never know. Let's just say he's tricky! Luckily, after several removal attempts, I was able to take it off with some alcohol-free astringent. Phew! I was thinking I would have to send him to preschool like this for weeks to come!

Girl's Weekend!

2009-05-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

May 22-24th, 2009:

This past weekend, all the girls in my Mom's family came together to celebrate Jennifer's engagement and to help her shop for dresses. The Misners (Karen, Kelly and Tracy) came from Houston, Aunt Nancy came from Phoenix, Jen came down from Claremont, and Nana, Mom, Sandi and I came from, well, here.

Kelly/ Savanna and Kelly/ Jen trying on a long gown...obviously, not her thing.

Sandi and Tracy/ Savanna

And the winner is.....although it will be in ivory instead of rose/ detail of the embellishment/ The runner up.

On Saturday, we all piled in two cars and drove up to Pasedena, where Jen had appointments at two bridal boutiques. The first one, Songi, was a really quaint, small shop where the saleswoman gave us lots of attention. Jen tried on several dresses and was even a good sport about trying on some more "traditional" long ones that my mom, Nancy and I picked out. She, of course, loved the non-traditional short dresses.

Enjoying my camera in Pasedena

While she though about her choices, we all hit the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Then off to the second bridal salon, Marylinns. This one was very different from the first. First off, it was huge! There were a million dresses and each bride that came in had their own salesperson. Unfortunately at this shop, we couldn't take any pictures. So I hid my camera in my purse and snuck it out a few times.

Marylinn's/ Sandi and Savanna/ The girls

All the purses/ "who wears short shorts?!" Oh, Kelly and Tracy do!

Jen didn't find anything she liked there, so we walked back to Songi's where she put in her order for the winning gown. A short little cocktail dress with a black ribbon and silver embellishment. To wrap up the day, we stopped for some gelato...yum!

Nancy, Sandi, Savanna, Mom, Kelly, Jen, Tracy, Karen (and Nana hiding in the back)

Rockin' the WAP...yes, again!

2009-05-31T10:34:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 19, 2009:

Jordis, Leah and Jayla

If you haven't figured it out by now, we love the WAP! We have passes and go at least twice a month (usually with my Mom or with my Rockin' Mom's group). This time we met up with our Rockin' friends Stacy, Ethan and Devon, Amber, Jayla and Jordis, Rachel and Ethan.

Jordis and Leah/ Leah and Jayla

Since this is such a regular thing, I won't bore you with a lot of details. But there were some highlights, including the frisky meerkats, the baby cheetah, Amber pushing the double up the hill, the bouncy bridge and free foot massages! Enjoy the pics!

The frisky meerkats and the voyeur meerkat! HA!

Baby Girl Cheetah

Jordis

Amber pushing the girls up the hill...I didn't help, I just laughed and took pictures!/ Ty getting a bottom massage/ Stacy enjoying her foot massage

Sprayground!

2009-05-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful day in paradise! The weather was warm and sunny again...perfect for the sprayground after a good Nita workout at San Elijo Hills Park. As you can see, Mason also enjoyed drinking the water!

A little more ink!

2009-05-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

The other night Al and I went over to Jason's to hang out and get some of my roses colored in....finally! Those roses have been naked for way too long. When we got there, Jason was finishing up work on our friend, Jeff's back piece. The shading on the sails of the ship looked great! (L and lower R: Jason working on Jeff)

Then it was my turn. Since the coloring in is a lot more painful than the outlining, I could only take about 3 hours of it. The coloring needle actually had 7 tiny needles (gets the job done quickly), while the outlining needle usually only has 1 to 3. I go back Wednesday to finish the other side...I'm lopsided!

Buttons!

2009-05-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

I love buttons. So, I was so happy to find a big bag of them at the Big Red Barn craft sale the other day for just $5. When I got home, I picked out all of the beautiful vintage ones. Then I let the kids loose with a little glue and some egg cartons to make some "modern art". Their creations turned out really cute and are wall-bound!

Reunions!

2009-05-30T20:16:00.001-07:00

At this time twenty years ago, Al graduated from Cary Grove High School in Cary, IL. This year we'll be going up there for about 2 weeks to visit with old friends and classmates.

Al in 1989: Senior Year...with hair!

Coincidentally, it has been 15 years since I graduated from Poway High School in Poway, CA. Arlene Paraiso is putting on a reunion, but I'm unfortunately going to be in Chicago!

Me in 1994: Graduation day

Rockin' Movie Night

2009-05-30T18:41:00.000-07:00

Monday May 11, 2009

Tonight the Rockin' moms and kids got together for a little potluck and movie night. We all needed a night out, but babysitters are sometimes hard to come by. That's why I loved this idea. We all brought a dish and made our way over to Laura's in Carlsbad.

Ciera and Leah/ Dinner with friends

The kids feasted on mac and cheese, while the adults enjoyed a little wine and food. Tonight I had my three kiddos, Leah, Ty and Ciera (my "niece". Unfortunately, Angie couldn't make it since she had class).

Derby, Jordis and Jayla/ Ethan, Georgie and Devon

Leah kickin' it/ Georgie, Ethan and Skye

After dinner, the kids munched on some Pirate's Booty and watched Max and Ruby.

Happy Mother's Day 2009!

2009-05-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

Part III: The Tea Party!

The mama's: Sandi, Mom, Me, Nana and Angie

This year, I thought I'd do something special for the mama's in my life. Since we're short on money, I decided to throw together a little tea party for the family. I spent two days cleaning, baking and prepping. I even had to use bisquick for the petit fours and scones since I was out of flour. You would be amazed at what you can do with bisquick!

I decorated the living and dining room with some crepe paper and balloons, draped the dining room table and kid's table with table cloths and broke out Al's great grandmother "Polita's" (that's how Al and Rick pronounced Abuelita when they were kids) china....even for the kids.

The kiddos: Ty, Ciera, Leah and Savanna

I must say, everything looked lovely. At 10:30 am on Mother's day, the family arrived, all dressed in their tea party best. In attendance was Nana, Mom, Sandi, Savanna, Angie, Ciera, and the three Schoffstalls: Leah, Ty and I. Poor Ty was the only boy, but he wouldn't have missed it. Al was banished to Man's World in the garage (which he was more than fine with).

Mom and me/ Angie and Sandi

The adults dined on curried chicken sandwiches and deviled eggs, while the kids enjoyed little pb and banana and bologna and butter sandwiches. For a treat, we had scones made with peaches from the yard, petit fours and shortbread.

Ciera/ Savanna/Leah

After our tea and treats, we headed outside for a little craft. I printed out a poem for each child: "This is the hand you used to hold when I was only _ years old", then their name and the date. The kids loved painting their hands to make hand prints! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and we all agree that we'll make it a yearly tradition!

Happy Mother's Day 2009!

2009-05-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Part I and II: MSO2 and Dinner!

Four generations of mamas: Mom, Me, Nana and Sandi

What an eventful Mother's Day weekend. I began the celebration on Friday at MSO2 (Leah's school) where they sang us a lovely "Mom Song" and presented us with a necklace and poem. So cute!

Leah and her class/ Leah with my gifts

On Saturday night we met up with Mom and Dad, Nana, Sandi,Terry and Savanna at Capri Blue in 4S Ranch for a Mother's Day Dinner....yummers! After dinner, the kiddos played on the grass behind the restaurant and we took some Mom's day photos.

Rockin' the Aviary

2009-05-30T02:10:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 7, 2009:

Leah, Ty, Derby, McKayla and Mason at the Free Flight Aviary in Del Mar

This morning we met up with our Rockin' Moms friends Cheryl, Mason and McKayla, and Jessica and Derby, for a day at Del Mar's Free Flight Aviary. I've lived in San Diego my whole life, and I'm surprised to have missed such a gem! The aviary is located just West of The Del Mar Fair Grounds on Jimmy Durante Blvd. on the right hand side. How many times have I parked just across the street to go to the fair?

So for just $5 per adult and $2 per child, you can have an almost exclusive visit to the aviary. It's called "Free Flight", not because it's free...which it's not...but because most the birds are not in cages. It is also a rescue and adoption center. The people there take in all kinds of exotic birds and nurse them back to health.

Mason and Cheryl/ Jessica and the brothers/ Leah and the brother

We were thrilled to be able to hold many of the friendly birds there (Leah was more than thrilled...she got to hold 5 birds!). We held Casper, the cockatoo with the protective collar who just said, "hi Casper, hi Casper" (he was my favorite), as well as several other birds being housed there! They also had a lovely koi pond that the kids enjoyed! I'll definitely have to come back with my bird-loving mom! What a great experience for the kids...and for me!

Leah and "the brother's". They were so animated!

After our visit, we drove over to 15th street for a picnic on the grass. The park overlooked the ocean and it was a perfect day for it.

Daddy's Lacrosse Game

2009-05-30T01:51:00.000-07:00

Wednesday May 6, 2009:

GOAL! Ty, Leah, Sofia and Giana

Tonight, Leah, Ty, Ciera and I went to Al's lacrosse game. We met up with our friends, the Morellis', for a bit of a play date there. The kids love playing with Sofia and Giana, and I enjoy spending some time with their parents, Christina and Joey. Luckily for us, Fallbrook won....which means Al was in a great mood at the end of the game!

Giana/ Ty and Ciera/ Sofia

Sofia and Joey/ Leah on the field after the game

Another Beautiful Day in Nanaland

2009-05-30T01:40:00.001-07:00

Wednesday May 6, 2009:

I still do some bookkeeping for my Dad. I usually try to time it around Ty's nap time so I can actually get some work done. Unfortunately for me (fortunately for Ty), he doesn't transfer (car to house). So instead of napping, he usually gets to spend some fun time in "Nanaland" with Nana. Here is yet another one of those times: