Evelyn's 11th birthday party

I was just way too tired to post anything over the weekend so, here goes.

Evelyn invited 4 of her BFF's to her birthday. She also invited some cousins (Jake, Nathan, Sam and Nicole). Evelyn did most of the planning herself (yea Evelyn).















Here is Sara, Marissa, Alexis, Evelyn and Jordyn.









Jake and Nathan




So, everyone started arriving around 4:30. Evelyn made all the introductions and the games began. The girls did a water balloon toss, limbo, find the balloon with the candy inside and a pinata.

poor pinata George got whacked good!












We had grilled panini sandwiches, fruit, veggies and chips for dinner.

Opened presents (thanks everyone for the great gifts!!) and had cake.














Headed to the lake to see How To Eat Fried Worms. (Blurry picture, sorry)














Made the drop off rounds and then headed home.

Marissa and Jordyn stayed the night. The girls played, watched some TV, and talked till almost 3 am. Luckily they slept till about 9:30 Saturday morning. Had waffles and pancakes for breakfast, water balloon fight vs. Greg and more girl talk and play time till noon when it was time to say good bye.

What a fun birthday!
Thank you Sam and Nicole for helping out too! It's great to have fun older cousins who Evelyn (and Greg) love to hang out with.

Evelyn is enjoying all her presents and thanks everyone again (thank you notes will be sent out soon)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVELYN

July 29 was Evelyn's 11th birthday. We had her party on the 27th and 28th. So, Sunday was Evelyn's day.

Greg gave Evelyn a Webkin for her birthday (and Evelyn gave Greg one as an early birthday present too)

After church, Evelyn and I went to Tustin to see Nancy Drew. Then to Laguna Hills Mall to do some shopping at Limited Too (she loves the gift cards) and to stroll through the mall.

Back home to rest and play more Webkinz on line.

The guys were fishing at the lake. So, when they got home it was off to Claim Jumper for dinner. Evelyn's choice. Back home to finish off the ice cream cake from Friday night.

What a birthday weekend. That's the way it should be! You are only a kid once.

We still have not decided on the perfect birthday present for Evelyn. She has quite the list and they are costly. Evelyn is still thinking of what she really, really wants.

So, Evelyn, we are glad you had a great birthday weekend and I enjoyed having a girls day with you on Sunday. You are growing up to be such a sweet young lady. You are a fabulous friend, super sister and delightful daughter. Don't you ever change (I know you won't).

We love you very very much. Mom, Dad and Greg

First day of football practice

Yesterday was the first day of many many football practices. Greg is playing for the Saddleback Valley Bears. He is on the Jr. Mighty Mights (JMM). They practice at Los Alisos Middle school and will play at El Toro HS or Aliso Niguel HS.
Practice is M-F, 5:30 to 8:00 pm through Labor Day, then it tapers off to 3 days a week, same time.
We got to the school around 4:50 yesterday as we came straight from Kumon. If you have ever driven by that school during football practice, you know what the parking is like. We were able to park on Los Alisos and didn't have to cross the busy street. Even though we were early, still tons of cars. I have to admit, we were so lost, didn't know what field to go to. But finally saw Greg's coach and we were at the right field. There are 3 teams practicing on each field! Plus the cheer squad on the grass.
Evy and I staked our spot on the bleachers and got to meet a few other moms. There was one girl Evy's age and they hit it off and had fun playing. Practice was not stop, but there were water breaks. Now, trying to pick out Greg is a group of 25+ boys who are all wearing blue helmets, white shirts, blue shorts, white socks and black shoes, is like trying to find just the right fish in a school of fish. Unless you are looking at the back of the shirts with the names, hard to pick out the right one. I ended up looking at legs. Greg's socks were scrunched down so I just memorized what his legs looked like and could find him most of the time.
Tom came by about half way through practice and took over so Evy and I could get home. Good thing as I was not feeling well.
The guys got home close to 9. Greg was starving and ate the food I had brought so Tom took him to Taco Bell where he ate 2 tacos and one enchirito. Saw the coach there and guys from other teams as well.
Greg's comment when he got home was "I am so tired!". I knew it.
I was already in bed when the guys got home, so went back to bed and slept till 6 am.
Greg was tired this morning and did not want to get up. Wonder what he will be like in a few days.
Well, can check off day one. Many more to go. I will post the game schedule when we get it. There is a practice scrimmage on August 25, but no details yet.

Daily thought

So many tangles in life are ultimately hopeless that we have no appropriate sword other than laughter.
— Gordon W. Allport

I guess I just need to laugh at Greg when he is giving me such a tangle! I am lauging very very hard right now.

A much needed lazy Saturday

Friday night was Evelyn's birthday party. Saving that for another post. The girls (and I) didn't get to sleep till almost 3 am. Kaydee woke me up around 7:30 am. I had crashed on the couch. Tom had left about 7 am for the Family Conference in Anaheim. (minus us but with his parents). I didn't even hear him leave. I made a huge batch of waffles (like to freeze them) so they would be ready when the girls got up. The ended getting up around 9:30. But before they were up, I was cooking , watching The Deadliest Catch marathon on Discovery and reading.
The girls left around noon, then I parked myself back on the couch watching Deadliest Catch and reading till I finally dozed off. Slept for 2 hours! Evy was in a daze on the couch and Greg was back and forth between a movie and the tv. He finally woke me up by banging on the piano keys.
Helped Greg put the pool back up out back. Called by dad for a chat and left him a message that I was sitting out side watching the pool fill up and Kaydee sleep in the shade.
Kids wanted Chuckee Cheese, so why not. Handed out tokens in small batches while I read a book and the kids kept bringing back tickets in exchange for more tokens.
Back home, shower and back into bed to watch more Deadliest Catch. Kids and I were out by 9:00.
So, that's my lazy day in a nut shell. Saturdays are usually spent at some sports event or event with the kids, cleaning house, doing laundry, errands and who knows what else. Been a long time since I just sat, slept, watched TV and read. Oh the life.

Count down to Party Time

Oh, it's almost here. Greg, yep, he knows exactly how many minutes until the first guest should arrive.
Evelyn is turning 11 on Sunday. Today is her party. She has planned out the entire night :)
She has invited 4 of her BFF's and some cousins. She has a Hawaiian theme with some games planned. She really wanted to see Nancy Drew. But the movies all changed today and Nancy Drew is not playing near us tonight.
After many changes, she chose to see How To Eat Fried Worms at Lake Mission Viejo. We dashed back from our errands this morning, put away the ice cream cake, grabbed a bunch of big blankets and went to the lake to claim our spot. Got a great big spot in the middle of the grass. I love watching movies outdoors.
So, the guests will get here, play some games, have some dinner, eat cake, hang out and then we will head to the lake for the movie. Have drinks and snacks and glow necklaces all packed up and ready to go.
Thought we would never get everything ready today. Felt like I was living Murphy's Law.
Tonight while the girls are not sleeping at the sleep over, I will hopefully get a chance to post some pictures of the party.
Saturday will be a chill out day and hopefully I can get in a nap. Sunday, we will find Nancy Drew even if we have to drive.
Happy Birthday Evelyn. Hope you have a wonderful party. Stay sweet. Never loose your beautiful soul!!

History made

I used to be able to buzz Greg's hair and keep it pretty short and managealbe. Not for the last few years though. He likes his hair to grow and he has a bushy bushy blond hair do. Great for surfin' the USA, but not to wear under a football helmet. I told Greg that when we were back from vacation he needed a hair cut before he got fitted for his football helmet. So, Sunday afternoon, got out the buzzers and scissors and cut and buzzed away.
So, Greg went from this















to this




















in a few minutes. He's also wearing some of his football equipment. Needed to make sure it all fit and we knew how to get it all on before Monday.

Landscaping services offered - great value

Planning on doing some remodeling to your back or front yard? Need holes dug for a tree, flowers, koi pond, or just because? Need to do some gopher or burrowing animals chasing? Looking for a long lost burried treasure? Well, I am the gal for you. I can dig super fast and I always finish what I start. I may take a nap or 2, but will finish the job for you. And I also offer very reasonable prices. Toss me a rawhide, pig ear or give me a good back rub, belly rub, or a walk around the block. I charge one price for each location, which could be several holes.


A little bit about me. My name is Kaydee Murphy. You might have seen my Gopherville handy work on this blog. I got to go on lots of runs after that job was done until I learned I have hip problems and can not run anymore. But I still get my daily walks for the additional work I do.


My owners recently left me all alone for 9 days while they went to some place called Florida. I was left in charge of the house while my very caring and wonderful neighbors took great care of me. But I had lots of work to get done to surprise my owners for when they returned. Here are some pictures of my handy work. I am still working on the hole by the apple tree and can't seem to get this sap off my forehead. I hit a root but dug right through it. Guess the sap needs to be cut off.




So, if you are in need of any landscape services, I specialize in digging and would love to help you out! Just drop me a note. Hope to be able to help you out soon.

Oh, I also caught another gopher this morning. But this time left it on the grass and didn't bring it inside the house.

Regards,
Kaydee ("K")

States I have been to

I like to blog lift when I can. So many things out there on the www! So, I got this from my friend Jacquie's blog. Pretty cool. Can't believe I have been to so many states. There may be a few more that I have forgotten about. Will have to check back through an old scrap book. In 1976, my family took a 2 month trek across the US for the Bicentennial. We hooked the tent trailer up to the trusty Chevy station wagon and off we went. From California to Maine and so many states in between. So many memories too. The kids like looking through my scrap book of that trip. (see, I was a scrapbooker even as a kid!) Some places I have visited again as an adult and have taken my kids there. Many more to go to again. Will make it a point of visiting all 50 states in my life time :)



create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

Daily thought

A hug is a handshake from the heart.
— Anonymous

So, hugs to all my family and friends who stop by our blog. I appreciate all of you. Family and friends are important and you are always in my thoughts :)

Think we are back to our routine after returning from Florida. Laundry is done and put away, suitcases put away. Only a few more things to put away and to finish going through the mail and emails. Still on a different time zone though. Back to work today for Tom and I :( Not fun. Oh well. Kids went off to their UCI writing and math program till 2:30. I have to make my time at home very productive.

We have to get the rest of Greg's football gear and finalize Evelyn's birthday plans. Can't believe my little girl is almost 11. Yep, 11. Planning on dinner, movie and sleepover Friday night for a few of her BFF's. Then it's time to plan Greg's birthday. He will be 9!! Growing up too fast.

Greg got his hair buzzed yesterday before getting fitted for his football helmet. He has been wearing around his helmet, pads and game pants. We have a lot more gear to get. Will need another closet just to put it all in! Practice starts July 30, next Monday. Yikes!

Well, back to work for me. Have a wonderful day and hugs to all of you who stop by :)
Will get to the Florida pix sometime.

We are home!

We are home! Had a super fantastic time! Have been up since 12:15 am CA time (3:15 am Florida time) and are tired, tanned, bug bitten and full of great stories to tell. Will post pix and stories when we get settled in.
Kaydee had fun redoing the landscape in the back yard for us while we were gone. Well, guess the gophers were there again to encourage her.

Ready to go!

Well, I did it! All ready to go! Just the last minute things to pack up in the morning. Weighed our suitcases too to make sure we are not over the limit. 50 lbs per perosn. I have room to spare too (he-he).
Kids had their dentist appointments this morning. I cancelled the lake as I wanted to have an easier day today. Got some antibiotics too although the dr. didn't see anything wrogn with the ear, but I sure feel it.
Animals are all set for our absence. So all that's left for today is Kumon, gas the car, vacum the house (like to leave a clean house when we go) and to bed early. We have a 7:45 am flight from John Wayne. Need to get up before dawn!
We touch down in Tampa around 6 pm. Hope to make it to the baseball game if all goes well getting luggage and the car. We have a layover in Denver.
Won't be on the computer while we are gone. so looking forward to a nice long break and relaxing. Have lots of books packed too. Any my camera and plenty of disc space.
Will report in when we return. :)

Why am I feeling so cruddy just days before we leave on vacation? Stomach all in knotts and kept me up most of the night, headache that makes me want to bang my head into a very hard object and what I am diagnosing as yet another sinus infection. I can not fly in this condition! Heading to the dr. this afternoon and hopefully the antibiotics will kick in prior to Thursday morning. Major dose of tylenol before getting into that plane. Well, at least my official vacation starts tomorrow so I can relax and go slowly as I am almost done packing. Trying to have a productive work day but kids are just not letting me, neither is my stomach, head and ear. I'm a mess! And I need to plan Evelyn's birthday party before we go so we can invite her friends! Yikes............................

Yo, June Bugs, didn't you catch the buzz..............it's July. July 10 to be exact. So, why are you still buzzing around my house? Yes, I do enjoy flicking you off my screen doors but don't like having to pick you up off my carpet in the house before the dog tries to eat you for a snack.
And it's July, so why is there June gloom? I don't know?

2 more days then it's vacation time! Kids have been counting down for more than a week. Think it's almost time for Greg to start counting hours.
Just about packed and know I am bringing way too much. But you never know. Going through the kids suitcases tonight, then mine tomorrow.
Still can't get pictures put in here or do titles. Oh well, least of my worries for now.
Finished my book last night and then started another and already 1/2 way through. Read way too late last night. "I know this much it true" by Wally Lamb. Great book! Highly recommend it. Now I'm reading "The Reckoning" by Beverly Lewis. She is a wonderful Christian writer. Love her books about the Amish.
Ok, back to packing and then getting some sleep. :)
Catch y'all later.

Sunday night already? What happened to the weekend? Well, I'll tell ya.
Slept in Saturday (love doing that!), took K on her walk and then I went on my run. Did tons of laundry (washing machine broke last weekend and it was fixed Friday morning). Cleaned out my car, started packing for our trip, got the oil changed in my car and the car washed, did more packing, finally put away all the stuff that was deposited in the back pack basket on the last day of school, did some shopping. Even did a little scrapbooking. Whew. Goes by fast.

Saturday afternoon the kids and I went horseback riding at the Ortega Equestrian Center in San Juan Capistrano. My mom told Evy she would take her horseback riding, so she treated me, Evy and Greg. It was a nice ride too, perfect riding weather. Greg's horse, Luther, just wanted to eat. We went through some pretty high bushes and his horse just dead stopped to munch. Greg couldn't get him started up again. Evy looked like a pro on her horse, Peanut, kept the horse from eating and right in line. Guess that weekend at Rawhide Ranch paid off! My horse, Cassie, was such a slow poke. Kept egging her on and as soon as she caught up, would put it in low gear again. But hey, I got to run her a few times when I really fell behind. Yee Ha!!
Thanks Mom, we had a fun time. :)

So, Thursday, July 12 we leave for Florida. We come back July 21. Have the kids mostly packed and my stuff mostly ready to go. Think I have everything we need for the trip. Lots of sun screen and bug spray, hats, bathing suits, new flippers and snorkels for the kids to bring too. We are flying to Miami then driving to the Everglades and down to Key Largo and Key West and possibly Miami. Greg really wants to see a baseball game when we are there. Got some great deals on hotels on Hotwire. We went to Disndyworld in 2000. Not going there this time, but will have plenty to do and see. 9 days of free time! No computers, cell phones, work, housework....... Ahhhh. Now that's a vacation!

Well, time to put away my scrap stuff and get some dinner. Just having a relaxing Sunday afternoon. I am almost done with my book and can't wait for the end. No I have not read ahead. "I Know This Much is True" by Wally Lamb. Great book too.

**Don't know what's happening here, but blogger won't let me put a title here or pictures :( Will upload the horse photos when I can.**

Our 4th of July

What an awesome day we had. And of course I took way too many pictures.
I overslept, but that was ok. Got up and took K for her walk (but I didn't run) and then got ready for the day.

We left at 9 to head over to the parade. Found a primo parking spot in a neighborhood near the parade route. A little investigating on my part the day before. Just a short walk up Lake Forest till we found where Diane and Rick had set out chairs and blankets for the parade. (Thanks for saving us great spots!!) Our neighbors Traci, Steve, Harrison, Halley and Hope came along too. They boys were brought their scooters so had something to keep them busy. Tom and Steve walked to Bagels N Brew for some bagels and ice tea and made it back in time for the parade.
Evelyn spent the night at Marissa's and of course they were up late so they slept late. We had a nice crowd for the parade.

This is the 9th year we have gone to the parade. Some entries are still the same and there is always some new ones. But I still like going, and so do the kids.
The highlights are the cars, horses and of course anyone who hands out candy.

The pictures above are Evy and Marissa, Rick and Diane, Halley, Hope, Greg & Harrison, My favorite car (hint hint) and Our church Youth Ministry

After the parade we headed home and chilled for awhile. Greg swam in the pool and I sat on the couch and watched some HGTV. Around 3 my mom came over and Evelyn and Marissa came over as we had plans to head to the Street Faire in Mission Viejo. Our first time. We headed over around 4 and were able to find a fairly good parking spot and didn't have to take the shuttle. Lots of booths with crafts and items for sale, food, drinks, activities and some rides. The girls rode in a very small Ferris wheel and did the inflatable rock climbing. We had some dinner, watched the BMX bike show and then headed back home.



















Pictures are Evy and Marissa on the climbing wall and the BMX guys upside down and doing jumps. Greg took most of the pictures of the bike show.

Then at 8:30, it was off to fireworks. We decided to drive to the top of Vista Del Lago and see what we could see from there. Janet and Paul came along with us too. We found a great spot! Parked almost at the top of Vista Del Lago and then followed some people up a dirt path. Wow! Talk about a view. We set out our blanket and chairs and the place started filling up. We even saw Christian and Travis from Greg's baseball team. What a great view for the fireworks. We could see the Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Irvine fireworks! Spectacular.

End of the day and we were all pooped. Felt like I had walked 10 miles that day. But it was well worth it. And the day just kind of fell into place.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!
Hope everyone has a safe and fun day, and night.
I love July 4th. One of my favorite holidays. This year I am passing on the 5k run in Lake Forest. But still going to the parade in Lake Forest. Have gone for the last 8 years!
This year we are meeting Evelyn's friend Marissa and her family at the parade. They live near Lake Forest (the street). Evy is staying over there tonight. They will get some seats in the morning along the curb. We plop down and wait for the parade to start.
This year we are going to hit the Street Fair in Mission Viejo. Never been before. Then fireworks somewhere. We can see them from our back yard. The kids said they wanted to see them from the lake. Will see how the day goes.
I remember going to Palos Verdes for the parade when we were kids. We would always go to a park by our house for fireworks. Things don't change much.
Looking forward to a family day tomorrow.
Let's also not forget the men and women who help keep our country the Home of the Free and the Brave!
Have fun everyone! and God Bless America!!!!!!!!!

Lobster tails and clams

The kids and I were at Henrys Sunday. Over at the meat counter, Greg spied the clams. "Can I get a clam?" Ok, we got 4, and 3 lobster tails.
Tonight for dinner we had clams and lobster tails. Yummy (not the clams)
I looked on the internet and found the easiest way to cook both. Steam. And it was easy.
The kids tried the clams, but didn't really like them. Greg loved the lobster, Evy said it was just ok, but she likes shrimp better.
The lobster was so juicy and sweet. Didn't really need butter.
So now that I know what I am doing, will have to cook some lobster again. Next time on the bbq.
Bon appetite!

A birthday party, a ride in the limo and airplanes overhead

Saturday was our friend Tricia's 40th birthday. Glenn (Tricia's husband) and Tom have been friends since they were kids. The party was at the King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach. Great place for party, right in the harbor, outside at sunset and so nice to see friends we have not seen in such a long time.

Before the party, we met at Patty and John's in Long Beach. John bought a limo several weeks ago and wanted to take us all to the party in the limo!! Of course we will go. The kids could hardly wait. Let me tell you , we sure went in style. The kids had sparkling cider (in sippy cups) and Tom, Patty and I had champagne. (no sippy cups). The kids got a kick of making faces at the people driving on the freeway who were staring at the car trying to see who was inside.

Evy and Greg ready to head out

Me, Tom, Patty

Tom, John, Patty

King Harbor Yacht Club

A beautiful sunsetAfter the party we headed over to LAX (Los Angeles airport) to watch the planes come in. There is the neat little park (by In and Out) under one of the run ways. We stood out in the dark under the planes watching them land, and could also see them take off. It is so neat to watch the plane when all you can see is a light in the sky until it is directly over you and then land on the run way.

The kids and I fell asleep on the way back to Long Beach. It was nice to have someone else driving. Evelyn is making plans and hoping for a limo ride for her birthday.

Thanks Patty and John for a very memorable Saturday afternoon and evening. It was perfect!

Summer Pool

Every Summer we put up a pool. Normally it's a big blow up pool and that's all the kids need for hours of fun. A few years ago we bought a larger one with a pump, cover, deeper. Didn't put it up last year for whatever reason. So, we dug it out from the rafters in the garage and set it up on part of the patio. It's bigger than I remember and this time on flat ground so works better. Saturday morning we filled it up and the kids couldn't wait to get in. The neighbor kids came over too for a swim in the pool.



The kids swam tonight until about 8:30. They couldn't wait to get home from Peyton's birthday party and get into the pool to swim some more.