YES I *know* it's always about Jace, however.....

So on a Tuesday, the kids tell me I *MUST* enter the "best pie" contest that Friday at school.  There is zero information from the school about rules, etc, so I wing it.  They insist I must make my (Bobbi's) cheesecake recipe, and that it will, indeed, win.  Seeing as no one at school has any idea what I am talking about when asked about it, I figure okay, I'll do it and make the kids happy when I win.  SO.

I buy all the ingredients, which includes three 8oz blocks of cream cheese - which is not on sale.  And sugar and 4 eggs, etc etc.  I prepare the graham crust by hand, start to incorporate the cream cheese and eggs and it curdles into some hideous mass.  SO, as not to disappoint, I go to the store and buy 3 more blocks of cream cheese (again not on sale) and start over.  And get the same hideous, curdled mess. So I head off to the store again and buy the cream cheese.  Now I am into this thing for like $25 and finally figure out that I am not whipping the cream cheese PRIOR to adding the eggs.  Duh.  I make the cream cheese, it turns out just fine, I send it into school for the contest.  And never hear another thing.  Okay, so I didn't win.  Which is fine, but then.................

As the kids are eating the cheese cake the next day (I made it into two small ones), Jace says to me....
"Mom, before you die, can you please write this recipe down for me?"
me - "sure - why?"
Jace - "Well, I need to open my own store and sell this, so that I can make enough money to get you into heaven."

So there you go.

Halloween 2010

We took the kids out to Davis Ranch in Sloughhouse to pick pumpkins - not your traditional patch, but they have tons of HUGE pumpkins to pick from and you cannot beat the price.

Haley is a good sport, and really wanted to help.  Jace is NOT into the guts at all and only grudgingly scooped out or two handfuls. 

Another Inspirational Video

What can I say about this kid?

Really?

FINALLY a family pic, where we are ALL smiling!!  Well, three out of four, isn't bad!  This was taken at Scott's Flat, camping with the Youngs....

2010-09-04 Camping Trip

First day Back at School

The kids were not really looking forward to "Back to School" - the summer went by so fast, and Jace couldn't get used to the idea that he would be in school for SEVEN hours.  SO, he declared he would not go, but would stay home with ME.  (I think not, little buddy).

Even so, they are liking it so far - Jace is in First, with Mrs Presley and Haley is in Third with Mrs Boemer.  AND Auntie Cristy is the aid in that class.  Wonder who that will work out better for?  Haley or me?

NorthStar 2010

As always, we had a great time on our annual NorthStar vacation with the "John Munsey's" (that's what Jace calls the whole family).  These pics were taken along the Truckee River, in Tahoe City.

We just hang out, go to the lake, the pool, the kids play in the dirt.  Jen and I manage to sneak away for a pedicure, if we can.  We always raft down the Truckee River, too.  And every year, we look like complete morons on the river.  We hit every single object in our path (and some we REALLY have to work to hit). You bring water blasters and shoot other rafters - this year NO one had the water guns, and that made our war fare even funnier.  We started shooting each other as soon as we left the dock - Bob tried at least 4 times to knock me into the river, but I prevailed. :)

F I N A L L Y!!

Peanut got her FIRST goal of the season this weekend! She has been working soooo hard for it, with so many shots on goal. We knew it was just a matter of time. She scored to tie the game in what ended up being our first-ever double OT game.
We lost in the 70th minute.

Heart breaking, but it was one of the best games the girls have ever played.

SO proud of Haley!

Great Wii Game giveaway

Go check out this giveaway on my Organized Chaos, one of my favorite blogs.  It's a great new game can YOU could win one!!

It's straight. Her head is crooked.

Go do this now. Don't forget, because you will NOT remember

You need to do this memory box . I have heard of it before, and always forget the minute I walk away from the idea.  Maybe with it on here forever, I will remember. 

Annual Grand Point 4th of July

We had our 11th Annual Grand Point 4th of July Parade and Block Party, and while the turn out was different (all the original kids are "too cool" for it), it was nice to see so many new faces.  I always have such grand plans for the "rides" and it always turns out simple, but festive.  Our first time participating, Haley was 3 months old, and I completely forgot about it until about 10pm on the 3rd.  Bob had to run out to Walgreens and buy what few decorations remained - her stroller looked awesome though! (I will have to find that picture and put it on here)  For the potluck this year, Bob made this Broccoli Salad and ribs on his new smoker.  Then we all settled in for an hour-long fireworks spectactular right in front of us.  It was 80 degrees and just so nice.  It's awesome that the kids will always have this memory of home.  Even if the people change, the event stays the same.  And, of course, the night would not be complete with out Jace injuring himself in some way.  He took a nice bit of skin off his chin jumping on his scooter.

Jace (out of the blue, of course):
"EVERY guy BBQ's.  Every one.  Except Abraham Lincoln."

Whatcha making for the 4th?

We always have some huge neighborhood party, just like everyone else, and I always struggle with what to make.  It has to be yummy, different, BUT able to stand up to the 100 degree heat.......I'm thinking I might try these shortcake-thingies this year.........maybe I will just make them for us at home. :)
What's on YOUR plate?

~lisa

Only here.....

Me: Downstairs reading
Jace: Upstairs watching TV.  WITH Haley
My Cell Phone: Ring.....ring.....ring....."Hello?"
Jace: "Hi Mom, can you please bring me up a bowl of cereal?" (from the HOUSE phone)
Me: "um, NO, good-bye"
Bob: "Even *I* wouldn't do that"

~lisa

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

YOU HAVE GOT TO TRY THESE!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 or 3 RIPE bananas mashed

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 to 3/4 cup chocolate chips (I used mini-chips)

1/2 to 3/4 pecans or walnuts (left these out - my kids are weird)

Bake 375 for 15-20 minutes!

Made 'em this AM and managed to just eat ONE. I'm stealing Shelby's post and putting it on my blog. Thank you, Shelby . Or maybe not. They are seriously good.

Three out of four gets you.......nothing

Haley played in the CalCup Jr this weekend at Cherry Island.  Thankfully, it was only about 100 degrees, rather than the 113 at this tournament last year.  Despite winning three of four games, the sweaty little U10 girls got NOTHING.  Well, pride in playing their you-know-whats-off, but really, does that matter to a nine year old?  Not like a medal or Tshirt would.  (They are easily amused, mostly.)  Oh well - Haley played awesome - had 3 shots on goal, and slammed a left-footer into the goal posts - it should have made it.  Oh well.  We DID play 1000 times better than last year, and that says so much.  In points, we ended up third of 10 teams.  I'll take it.

~ lisa

"Hit me with your best shot...."

They call her Peanut, but she doesn't let that stop her.

Haley has no fear and will take on any oppponent, no matter her size, or team affiliation.  People are always amazed by how hard she takes on other girls.  The team is really coming together this year and has even won a medal already.....here's to more of those!

Taryn and Tim

After a whirlwind courtship, Taryn and Tim got married on May 22, 2010 in Tahoe.  Despite the snow (!) it was a very nice ceremony, and a great chance to meet his family.  The newlyweds bought a new house in Oakley and we got to check that out last weekend........CONGRATULATIONS!

Rockstar Baseball Player

Jace started Single A this year, and was lucky enough to be on the Giants.  His Coach said that "no one hit the ball (or swung, anyway!) harder than Jace.  And (that) he has a future in baseball.  And as an artist".  Jace took great care coloring a special picture for Coach Ryan; when presented with it, Ryan was so sweet and told Jace it was going up in his office at school.

Walk N Rock

My sister and I came up with the idea to do a 5k walk with the girls.  Walk 'N Rock benefits Sacramento area children's charities and is a perfect fundraising event.  It didn't hurt that Sammy Hagar was playing afterwards.    I wasn't sure how Haley would react, but I knew that she would be up for the challenge, if Syd were involved.  Haley got enough (generous) donations to earn a T-Shirt for both of us, and she loved the walk (along with about 5000 other people).  Didn't complain once.  We started at Raley Field, walked across the bridge, down to the State Capitol, back through K Street Mall, across the bridge again, and back to Raley Field.  I was VERY proud of her.  Such a worthy cause, and a good way to get a little excercise. We are planning to do it every year.  H didn't get to go to the concert, but it was still a win-win.

Moving on up.....

Jace "graduated" from Kinder, and while he is NOT happy about the prospect of SEVEN hours of school, he IS happy to be a First Grader.  You will notice that his hands are jammed in his pants pockets.  When performing at school, he absolutely, positively, noway-nohow, will not remove his hands from his pockets.  He won't sing, he won't dance ....nothing.  It's like he thinks no one can see him if his hands are in his pockets.  Always been that way.

Both kids were lucky enough to have Mrs Fuhs and Miss Tovar for Kinder.  Haley even got her for First grade, too.

Umm......

So Jace had been catching little tree frogs at After-Care the last week of school, and SOMEONE told him he could bring a plastic container to school, so he could bring some home "as pets".  He comes home, so proud, with three little baby frogs.  One plays dead. D.E.A.D.  After many, many tears, we finally convinced him that they need to be out in the back.  He kept checking on them, checking on them.....poking them with a stick, whatever.  Finally he comes screaming into the house: "MOMMY!!!  The dead frog just jumped under the tree!!"  Ummm, I'm thinking it's not dead.

My First Ever Post!

Okay, so here we are....I doubt I will be able to come up with much to interest you, but I am taking a cue (?) from my awesome friend, Shelby, and trying to chronicle what happens in this busy household.  So, hold on, and let's see where this takes us.......