Trick or Treat!

I hate this stupid outfit!

I am leaving! I am just going to walk away and show my dissatisfaction!

OMG, why aren't you listening to me! Take this damn thing off!

After a little bit of reasoning with a 22-month old and some milk and food, he finally calmed down!

Now, off to the squadron Trick or Treat!

As you can see, Cooper is Mr. Independent and prefers not to hold DaDa's hand ... he wants to go where he wants, when he wants and to run free!

UGH! Another picture Mama ... seriously?

Cooper and Riley were precious in their monkey and penguin costumes. Riley's favorite movie is Happy Feet, so it was no surprise that she had to be a penguin!

Cooper was so sweet to share his candy with Mama!

Now, off to Trick or Treat in Downtown Vacaville with Lauren and Riley and Amanda and Maddie. The hubbies were all at a conference out of town! Their loss!

Amanda and Maddie ... Maddie is lookin' fierce in her shark costume!

The kiddos are turning on the charm ... what kiddo wouldn't if you give them a lollipop?!

After all the walkin', Trick or Treatin', candy eattin' and dinner at Chili's ... Cooper was exhausted and he made the ride home such a delight! Right about now, I was wishing Dada was home for me to hand Cooper over!

The Pumpkin Patch and Petting Zoo

The whole gang ... (L to R) Cooper, Paul, Jenn (Kinsley in the belly), Jason Purcell, Lauren Purcell, Riley Purcell, Julia Buckley, John Habbestad, Amanda Habbestad and Maddie Habbistad!

Cooper and Dada!

Hello ... I can't lift this ... isn't anyone gonna help me?

OMG! I give up ... I will get a different one! Why is there hay all over me? I don't like getting dirty! WARNING - I am a few minutes away from freakin' out!
Okay, this one is mine!

Nooooo, this is mine ... you girls betta back up off my pumpkin!

I guess paybacks are a B----, b/c now Riley is tellin' Coop to back up off her wagon! Maybe it is time to get our pumpkins and run ... heading to the petting zoo!

Okay, 5 minutes later these kids with ADD are now friends again! Water under the bridge.

You come back here! I only want to grab you by the neck and swing you around ... doesn't that sound like fun!

Gotcha!

LOTS OF NEWS TO SHARE

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted anything and tons has changed. Right around the time of my last post, we found out that I am pregnant again! WHOOP! I didn't want to say anything yet because we were having problems right away. I was having severe pains around my c-section scar. After many doctor's visits and ultrasounds, the doctor's have come to realize that the pain is probably just internal tearing of the tissue around my c-section scar, but nothing that will cause harm to myself or the baby. Thank goodness! I haven't slept well for the past 7 weeks just worrying constantly ... afraid to move. I couldn't even pick up Cooper for the first couple of weeks and that was doctor's orders. That was so hard, because there is nothing better than good morning hugs, rocking him to sleep at night and smothering him with smooches. He would want to crawl in my lap and I couldn't pick him up. :( Now, that has all changed and he is allowed to crawl on me like the wild monkey that he is! I am almost 11 wks along now and looking forward to getting out of this 1st trimester, which has brought on a lot of morning-noon-and-night nausea!

Let me stop there, to note that as I am trying to write this, my son is standing on his 4-wheeler and free-falling onto the couch and then attempting to jump off the back of the couch! JESUS! Calling on Jesus! I really don't want to smack him, but today has been a trying day and he is asking for it! I will refrain for now! But let me tell you, I have already pulled him away from the dog's water bowl umpteen times today because he has felt the need to dip his paint brushes in it and paint the walls, couch, toys, tables, everything ... with the dog's water. Then he has proceeded to dump it out onto the ground and get the fireplace sweeper and mop it up, only to spread ash on the floor and then ... oh yes .... paint the wall with the wet, ashy fireplace sweeper. Again, I have been callin' on Jesus all day! Somehow, Cooper has survived to 5:30pm today!

Now, back to the news that I was mentioning earlier ...

As if being pregnant wasn't enough, we found out we are moving to Texas in May. Here is the plan....

Feb: Paul comes home from deployment when I am 30wks along and we begin preparing for the birth of baby #2.

April: Deliver baby #2

May: Pack up and move. I will be moving to Houston w/the kids for 6mos (staying with my parents) and Paul will be in training in San Antonio for 6mos.

Oct/Nov: Our whole family will be back together and moving to Del Rio. We should be there for 2-3 years.

Well, that is all I got folks! Cooper is now on the table and free-falling to the couch ... grrrr... what a little stunt devil! He has no fear! I need to go before he breaks a bone ... or my table! HAHA

JET-SETTING TO NYC

After spending the entire weekend with the Purcells and Walkers, I caught the midnight plane flight to NYC. I arrived at 8:15am and then headed into the city for some work meetings. While I was visiting Luxottica and waiting for the fashion show to begin, we goofed around with their photographer who printed this picture out from the Never Hide ad campaign layout! This is me sportin' the RayBan Aviators! What a blast! I have known many of our suppliers for at least 6 years now, so they are more like family. I know the trip from coast to coast and back in 24 hrs seems dreadful, but I always have a great time visiting!

Now, the plane flight, was a different story. It was the wackiest bunch of yahoos on any midnight flight I have ever been on. It consisted of a baby crying, dog yelping, a 38-year old man screaming profanities behind me most of the time, the lady to my left refusing to put her bag away and the lady to my right had 1.5 amputated legs ...what in the world goes on on these midnight flights! LOL! I really wanted to tell them all to shut up and friggin' go to sleep. I popped some Tylenol PM and passed out!

AGGIE FRIENDS COMIN' TO TOWN!

On Thursday, 7/30/09, Chris and Ashley Walker flew in from Ft. Worth, TX to visit. I am so glad they finally got here! We have not seen them in over 2 yrs. The last time that Lauren and I had seen Ash was when we told her we were both prego! You may be wondering how we know the Walkers ...
When Paul was a Sophomore at A&M, he, Chris and Jason were in the Corps of Cadets together. Well, Ashley and Lauren knew each other, but now I was the newest g-friend. Paul and Ash had Accounting together and Paul realized that Ashley and I lived next to each other in the same apartment complex. Small world! So, Paul wanted me to meet his good friend, Ash, and we went over to her apartment. When Ash answered the door, I said, "Hey neighbor!" From that point on, Ash and I refer to each other as "Hey Neighba" and it was a great friendship from that point on! It is always great to have Aggies come visit! Never a dull moment!
Day #1:
Lauren and Riley took them to Fisherman's Wharf for some yummy clam chowder in Sourdough bowls! Day of tourism while I was working! :( Then Chris and Ash went to Cooper and Riley's last day of swim lessons with all of us! After all that, everyone came over to our house for dinner and catchin' up on old times.
Day# 2:
Paul took everyone to the Sim to fly. They all defended freedom today ... and then crashed into a mountain! HAHA! After that, it was a trip to Monsoon Burger ... you can guess how yummo it is! Then nap time and party time. We all met up at Jason and Lauren's for dinner and just had a great time catchin' up on good times with great friends! (Pics to come)
Day 3:
We headed to the Jelly Belly Factory for a tour with the kiddos. At first, it was Riley's turn to act as if her legs don't work and fall to the ground showing her complete disapproval of God knows what! All the while Cooper looked at her like she was crazy. Then she calmed down and we went on the tour of the factory. Both kiddos were surprisingly good until the very end when Cooper lost control. He fell to the floor kicking and screaming and letting me know how ticked off he was. I tried to pick him up and allow my arms to restrain him, but he is too dang strong. He was kicking and flailing his arms everywhere. The only good thing was that we were at the back of the line and all the commotion really got the line movin'! HaHa! After the Jelly Belly Factory we stopped for some burgers at In-N-Out and headed home. The guys were off golfing the entire morning and mid-afternoon and when they returned we all decided to head to Napa!





Me and Coopie at the Jelly Belly Factory. The hat didn't last long. As soon as he realized it was on his head, he ripped it off, tore it up and threw it!


The guys posing after a long day of golfing!



Riley told Coop what's up! She was layin' down the law in their relationship!





Pics from our drive through Napa...













We stopped off to eat dinner in Napa and all hell broke loose! "What is this crap you are making me eat? I am going to throw it on the ground instead! So there!"

This doesn't even begin to explain the mess of food everywhere! It is getting more and more difficult to take him out in public!

"Here, you try this crap and you'll see why I threw it on the ground and started crying! Give me more guacamole and I will behave. And don't put it on my chip for me ... I am a big boy and I can do everythiing by myself ... don't help me ... don't hold my hand ... just shut up and let me do my thang!"

Day 4:
Sailing on the San Francisco Bay! We got up early and headed to the bay for a beautiful day of sailing. We thought it would be like a Beyonce music video, with us laying out on the sailboat getting our tan on ... NOT! If any of you have seen the show, The Deadliest Catch, it was just like that ...well, kind of! The first 2 hours was nice and peaceful and we just sailed around the bay taking pictures of the seals and dolphins. (sigh) I must admit though ... it was freakin' cold! No swimsuits for us! We were all about the ski jackets! For lunch, we stopped at Angel Island for a picnic and then headed back out on the water. This time, the wind had picked up, the water was splashing over the boat and we lost a sail! Not an ideal situation. The guys were helping the skipper, while us gals huddled together for warmth and safety...Ashley was certain we were going to die!
After a day on the water and praying like hell that we would live to see our kids again, we decided to stop in Sausalito to eat at Spinnaker Restaurant, which smelled like a bunch of old people ... like a nursing home ... not so sure I will go there again! But, we did run into some old Ags ... really old ags ...haha...but they were so nice. We all had so much to chat about ...they felt like family ... our Aggie Family!
You might be wondering where Cooper and Riley are ... well, we have some great friends who watched them all day! Thanks Katie, Ashley and Amanda!! We owe y'all big time!


The gals posing before we take off! (L to R: Lauren, me, Ashley aka "my neighba")

The guys getting the boat ready to start sailing!



Beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge.


Pablo and I posing on the boat before the wind and water went crazy!


The gang huddled together for warmth!

Beautiful spot where we stopped for a picnic!


The gang posing at Angel Island!
(L to R: Chris, Ash, Lauren, Jason, me , Pablo)

THE MINNOW SWIM CLASS IS OVER

Can you believe 2 wks have passed! Swim class has ended! Cooper loves the water, hates being cold, hates learning and loves playing! His report card is below. As you can see I had to un-crinkle it ... Cooper didn't care about a stupid piece of paper ... he wanted a medal!

Everything is pretty accurate, but the blow bubbles, making swimming motion with arms, and kicking motion are a far stretch. He would drink the water and spit... not blow bubbles. He would splash in the water instead of paddle his arms. I would tickle his feet to get him to move his legs. I don't think he even knows he has arms and legs! LOL!

PAUL PASSED HIS CHECK RIDE

As some of you know, Paul has entered a different phase of his pilot career ... Aircraft Commander. He is currently going through the process of AC Upgrade and after practicing in the simulator for 2 wks, he had his check ride today (kind of like a final) and he passed with flying colors! CONGRATS PABLO! You make us proud honey!

A DAY AT THE LAKE

What a fun weekend! We decided to head out to Lake Berryessa (30min drive) to hang out with the gang! Mike and Ash and Bobby and Julia each have boats so we were able to get everyone out there for a great day on the lake. We parked the boat on a little island in the middle of the water and the guys took off to go skiing while the girls lounged around and gabbed. Cooper held his own. He didn't want grown-ups around him ... he just wanted Cosmo (Mike and Ash's dog) ... see pics below.

Chillin' on the boat!


Me, Katie, Julia and Ashley gabbin'!

Paul and Mike showin' off! How manly! Studs for sure! LOL!

...and Cooper and Cosmo. Cos looks like he is about to eat Cooper if he doesn't give him that dang stick. Cooper would thrown it in the lake and Cos would go fetch it and bring it back to him ... they did this for hours!

Lunch ... Well, Cooper was the double-dipper of the group. He devoured the hot sauce...not so much the chips though! He would dip the same chip in and scoop out the hot sauce and lick it off ... only to dip in the same chip again and again! EWWW! Good thing our friends adore him.

Just gettin' a tan! He was so great at the lake! What a Coppertone Kid!