Early onset of Alzheimers?

CJ's birthday reminded me that I never posted a funny story about Jackson's birthday party a few weeks ago. As many of you know, I went all out for the big Pokemon bash. I made "Trainer Badges" and came up with 8 different Pokemon activities where the kids could earn a badge in each of the areas to become an official Pokemon Trainer.

They seemed to have a really great time and by the end of the two hours we were hustling to finish up and eat our Pokemon Pizza. I don't know if it was trying to keep up with Jackson and the other 9 eight year olds in my home, the fatigue from running and staying up until 2am or what happened but several hours after the party ended I had the sudden horrible realization that we never had the birthday cake! The kids were all having so much fun that we completely forgot the cake. Um, how does that happen? I am seriously concerned about myself.

I was especially bummed because this wasn't just any cake. This was special order Carvel Pokemon Ball ice cream cake. I am so happy that Jackson thought it was a funny mistake and wasn't sad about the oversight. Alas, we ended up finally singing to him as a family a week later and cutting into that cake. (We are still enjoying the left overs too.)

Happy Birthday CJ!

This shout out goes to my little bro CJ who turns the big 26 today! CJ is the 5th in line of the 6 of us and somehow managed to grow up to be one pretty cool guy despite years of torture from his older 4 siblings. These are just a few of the things that I love about him.

1) He was the first of my siblings to leave skiing and join me on the "dark side" of snowboarding. He now completely destroys me and I don't even mind. (It might be because he has almost spent nearly a third of his college career on the slopes but I digress...)

2) He can quote the entire script from Monty Python's The Holy Grail. How cool is that!

3) He liked to cook growing up and can make some seriously yummy pies.

4) He is a great uncle and loves to play with his nieces and nephews. They love him!

5) He has a great sense of humor and it is non-stop laughing when we get together.

6) We share a rather twisted love of Yahtzee and Sequence and can play for HOURS.

7) The man can dance and I have footage from Dance Dance Revolution to prove it. :)

8) He has fabulous hair :) We all wish for that natural blond.

9) He is SO very humble (hee-hee).

10) He and our youngest brother, Kurt, are best friends. I have always thought that was so special to have a best friend as your sibling.

I LOVE YOU CJ!!! -- ENJOY YOUR BIRTHDAY!

Ego Boost

As I openend the door to Ava's room this morning she took one look at me at said "You pretty princess". I don't know if it was the shirt I was wearing or her general amazing insight :) but it sure was a nice way to start the day!

Soccer Season Ends

Well the Pirate Dragons' season has come to an end. The boys had a great time and Jackson learned a lot at the Academy Jr. practices. It is the step before signing on to "Academy" and basically devoting the rest of your life to soccer. (lol) We aren't ready to make that commitment, so I think we'll keep on with Academy Jr. for another season or two and see how things go. Jackson really took off this season but he is also interested in tennis, swimming, golf and is going to try basketball this winter. I think that 8 year old kids are too young to choose a sport for life, don't you?

Jackson is pretty fearless. Going after the ball, challenging people and not being afraid to fall down and get dirty. It sure makes the game more fun to watch when he isn't crying. I remember the first season or two in U-6 when he would cry because some "took" the ball from him. :)

He also learned a lot about sportmanship this season -giving high 5's and being a team player. We were so happy to see being excited for his friends goals and good plays. He had a great coach who encouraged that behavior.

Until next season....

Catching you up Part 2 - Jackson's Baptism

Jackson was baptized on November 3rd in the Brockett Ward in Atlanta. It was a very small event but that was what Jackson said he wanted (until the morning of the event anyway but I'll get to that). There was more stress than I had anticpated with having a computer that was on the fritz. Jason also had 3 grants due during that week so we were completely handicapped planning the event. I stayed up very late the night before, working on the program at Nate's house and then got up to run 10 miles with TNT. I rushed home got a few last minute things done and we headed off to the church. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful day for Jackson.

Gramma and Grampa Hansen and Grandma and Papa Anderson flew out for the occasion and we were so happy to have them here. Jackson asked Grampa Hansen and Grandma Anderson to speak and Jason prepared what else? - a DVD of his life set to church music, which we showed while the guys were changing. It took us from his birth to now and ended with him in his baptismal clothing. Jason did a great job with very limited time. When I figure out how to do this I will upload it so you can see it if you'd like.

The morning of the baptism Jackson asked me who would be there. I told him the 3 families that he had previously asked for would be there but that was it. Suddenly he became upset. I reminded him that we had gone through the list of his school friends that we could invite and church friends too but he said he didn't want many people to be there so I made the event what he wanted (or what I thought he wanted). Gratefully, I was able to explain that this day was really for him and it wasn't like a birthday party where more people means a better time. He understood and was calmed but I was nervous for a second that I had ruined his big day.

We are so proud of Jackson and his decision to be baptized. He is such a tender hearted little boy who wants to choose the right.

Catching you up Part 1 - Halloween

I know that it has been nearly 3 weeks since Halloween but since I am using my blog as journaling too, I have to put together my slide show and give details. My Mom and Dad flew into town for the occasion and we were so happy to have them here. They graciously offered to pass out the candy so that all of us could go trick-or-treating together. Our neighborhood puts on a little costume parade for the kids each year and feeds everyone for they fill up on junk. So we first hit that and then made our way around the neighborhood.

Both the Andersons and the Stowells joined us for trick-or-treating and we were so happy to have them join us. Jason ended up taking the older boys on as they wanted to run from house to house and we took the younger ones and the strollers and slowly made our way down one street. It was a great time as always. It is a pretty no stress holiday which I do love.

I am pretty bummed that Jason and I didn't dress up. We had a great costume idea that we are going to have to do next year. Nope, my lips are sealed. You'll just have to wait and see..

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Did you miss me?

So, after nearly a month of being without a computer I am finally back in business! Blogging aside, I didn't realize how much I depended upon the computer until I was without one. Jason is heading out of town for the rest of the week so I'll have to catch you up on our lives in all of my free time. :) Until then...

8 Year Old Fun

I can hardly believe that our little man turned 8 years old yesterdat. It really feels like we were just going to the hospital for induction and now look at how big he is!

This is a picture of him with his favorite birthday present - a submersible cruiser. He has had his eye on this since April and the infatuation never wavered. I was psyched to find it on clearance in September and quickly snagged it. I hope it lives up to his expectations when he can finally take it on it's maiden voyage in May!

For his day, we told him that he could go anywhere he wanted for his 8th birthday dinner and of all places he chose McDonalds! Our wallets were happy but Jason and I would have definitely preferred a different venue. Nevertheless, we had happy meals and opened up his family birthday presents. Here are a few pictures of the very low key event. The theme for nearly all of the gift definitely had a Pokemon common thread but he couldn't have been happier about it. It was so refreshing to see how easy it was to make it a special day for him. I think he could have had 2 gifts and been just as happy.

We have a Pokemon friend birthday party in the works for November 10th and that is when we'll pull out all of the stops! We're trying to make the birthday last a month I think.

That is one happy face opening up a new Pokemon DVD. His first, and I am quite sure that it won't be his last.

Jackson was further thrilled by Grandma Hansen's gifts of Pokemon cards and book. He has counted and organized all of his Pokemon cards already and can't wait to add more to his collection. I can't believe how much he know about this stuff.

While Ava may technically have been the one to give Jackson this Pokemon Piplup. She just as quickly took possession on the item calling it, "My Klip-Klop". Thank heavens Jackson is an easy going big brother when it comes to things like that.

More Reviews

This book was a sequel to Goose Girl and it was wonderful! Both books have a strong moral undercurrent and very strong female characters. I will definitely encourage my girls to read them when they are teenagers! Shannon Hale may not have won me over with Austenland but she was right on the money with Enna Burning.

Speaking of strong female characters, this novel's lead character is positively heroic. You will totally fall is love with her! She comes from a difficult past to say the least but is able to triumph. Read this if you need a dose of hope.

Ava, Ava, Ava

This little girl is a total crack up! She is by far the most verbal one we've produced yet and is constantly making us laugh, even when we probably shouldn't. Here are a few of her latest funnies.

I bought this darling Flamingo costume from Babystyle for her to wear this year. She dons it once and then declares, "I no like birdie". She now refuses to put this costume on and instead requests to be a fairy for the upcoming holiday.

She has also decided that she chooses which spoon color, cartoon character bowl, type of cup, style of shoes, etc. If we decide for her, she cries and chants, "I like dis' one. I no want it". Kill me...

At the risk of painting this cutie pie as a demon child, she also has recently decided to start saying "Bad Mommy" and "Bad Daddy" when we give her directions that she doesn't care for. I have a really hard time keeping a straight face for this one! The gumption of a 2 year old I tell you!

Despite her burgeoning independence we are as always, completely smitten with this sweet girl. Kind of makes me wish I had another one. Almost...

Fall Festival Success

You all haven't heard much from me lately because of a little thing called The Fall Festival. For the last 12 years our elementary school has put on a really fun festival and yours truly was the co-chair of the event for the second year running. Despite the craziness that is our lives, I really did want to co-chair the event again and yet am SO happy that it is over. After putting in the first year learning the ropes, this year went much more smoothly and we had a great time "upgrading" the event. We added many new games, had inflatables, a rock wall, zip line, terrifically spooky haunted house, and yummy food!

I couldn't have done it without my better half (better fall festival half that is). I had an AMAZING co-chair, Angela, who is a "get-it-done" person and really made things happen so I didn't stress. Note - Don't you love our "Fall Fesival Boss" T's? Those were inspired by Jackson, who last year told everyone that his Mom was, "the boss of the Fall Festival". Angela thought that was really cute and our idea was born.

The kids really look forward to this event and I love being able to have a part in making it a very special day for them. Down side to today was that Kate was feeling really bad and had to leave the festival just a short while after arriving (for more details see her blog). Jackson spent the entire day there with me from 10am-5pm and loved every minute of it.

The wheels are already turning for next year's event. Stay tuned for a bigger and better Fall Festival!

Happy Birthday Anne!

This shout out goes to my very cool sister-in-law, Anne McNally Anderson! She is one of the most creative, talented and funny women that I know. It truly makes me sad that she lives in Austin and that we don't get to hang out on a daily basis.

(This is us singing you Happy Birthday now)! Hope your birthday is a great one, Anne!

Project Organize - Part 1

This post is basically just for my Mom so feel free to disregard if you find this too mundane. (I am celebrating a small victory here though.) Since we moved into our home in March there have been several unfinished projects that stare me down each day. They haven't broken me down to complete them mind you, but they linger and cause me a kind of guilty stress on a daily basis. Well, last week I completed one of those projects and it felt so good! I know that many people would have ensured that their closet was the first thing organized in their home but I managed to get by without having it done. (Of course, I have rotated the same 7 outfits for the last 5 months but it worked - sort of).

I really should have taken a "before" shot too, so that you could experience the true transformation but I will try to describe the chaos that was my closet. In the center of the closet was a pack-n-play that was actually set up. There were 3 laundry baskets divided into tennis clothes, running clothes, and "I have no idea what to do with these clothes". The shelves were a mish-mash of heaps of clothes which desperately needed some sorting and thinning out. After a mere 3 hours - VOILA! (Kind of makes me wonder why I didn't tackle this sooner).

I guess that all I have left to do is to go shopping. :)

Side note - Jason pointed out that this entire rack is workout clothes! I think that I need to spend some time diversifying my wardrobe and less time in workout clothes.

The Pirate Dragons

Jackson has really gotten into soccer in the last 2 seasons. Jason and I were laughing at how he used to get upset when someone wouldn't "share the ball" and we'd have to spend half of the game consoling him. If Jackson doesn't consciously think about it, now he is the one that wants to be the power forward and score all of the goals. This season, he and his teammates are working really hard on passing and staying in position.

It has been so much fun to see Jackson's footwork skills developing over the course of the last 2 seasons as well. His coach is very big on good ball handling skills and we can see how much more confident of a player that has made him. Soccer games are not a bad way to spend a Fall Saturday morning if you ask me.

Latest Review

If you liked the Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, you'll love The Mermaid Chair. It is essentially a book about a middle-age woman's path toward self-discovery and the redeeming power of love. If it sounds like a "chick read" it is and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Those kind of books are very therapeutic for me.


I loved Goose Girl by Shannon Hale and found Austenland to be not quitet as enjoyable of a read. It was still a page turner and cute but I just didn't LOVE it like I did Goose Girl. I am still going to read another one of her books, Enna Burning and will let you know what I think of it. Anyone else read any good books lately?

3 Cue Balls - well, almost...

The plan for 3 bald little ones has been in the works since Kate's diagnosis in April. After nearly 2 full years of a COMPLETELY bald Ava, she chose this summer to start growing hair! (Who knew at the beginning of this year that she'd be the one of our 3 with the most locks this Fall)?

Well, once we took off the rest of Kate's hair, Jackson couldn't wait to shave his head too. He patiently waited until tonight when we were both at home and had some time to make this a family affair.

Jason figured if we were going to shave Jackson's head that they should have some fun with it. Let's hope that we NEVER see Jackson looking like this as a teenager!

Before..........................After

Either way, we think that he is one handsome little boy!

Pokemon Crazy

Holy smokes! Does anybody else have a child who is completely obsessed with Pokemon? I mean, I don't think Jackson has ever seen a Pokemon show but apparently when every other Pokemon obsessed boy in his class introduced him to the world of Pokemon he was hooked. Now Jackson can only talk about Pokemon and the virtues of one over another. I sit with glazed eyes while I try to pretend that I am somewhat interested in the subject matter. Even though I think spending tons of money of trading cards is completely ridiculous, he's enjoying the collecting so I've let it go.

I have shown my utmost support, infact, by planning a Pokemon themed 8th birthday bash which will be held in our home (cringe). Wish me luck!

Happy 50th Briarlake!

Our elementary school is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year. One of the recent events was a 50's themed soc-hop at Briarlake complete with ice cream bar, hula-hoop and costume contests. Jackson dressed up for the occassion and even won the costume contest for his grade. (He scored a gift card to Brusters, our favorite local ice cream shop). The fact that he is long overdue for a haircut certainly helped in pulling off the duck tail! We think that he makes one cute little greaser.

I'm that wife

Kate had the week off of chemo last Thursday while her body was trying to build her counts back up. As luck would have it, my tennis team needed me to play in a home match that morning so I agreed. I dropped the kids off at my friend's home and headed to the courts at 10:30.
Well, all three matches before mine went to 3 sets and it was after 11:30 by the time I got onto the court. As the match began I realized that my friend, Clairon, had to leave to pick her son up from kindergarten and she wasn't going to have enough room in her car with both of my kids and her 3 children.
I frantically called Jason's cell phone and then his office but couldn't get a hold of him. I lastly called his lab to try and track him down with hopes that he could pick the kids up and bring them to the court. Luckily, his tech, Michael, answered the phone and I asked him if I could talk to Jason. Michael said, "He said that he's in the middle of an experiment". To which I replied, "Well, tell him that I'm in the middle of a tennis match". (Try to imagine those words being spoken with a head-bob and a particularly sassy tone.) I swear, as the words were coming out of my mouth I couldn't have felt more ridiculous - unless perhaps I also stomped my foot and demanded a pony!
I'm not that kind of wife! Right?
Lucky for me, I have an amazingly understanding husband and he saved the day by bringing the kids to court where my teammates watched them for the remaining 1/2 hour. Sadly, I lost 7-5, 6-4 but Jason scored big points with me! I'll have to think of a way to make it up to him.

Super Suppers

I am completely in love with Super Suppers! Shortly after Kate's diagnosis my Mom bought me a few meals from them and encouraged me to keep several back-ups in the freezer for those times when you need a quick but tasty meal. (We also received a few meals from My Girl Friend's Kitchen and loved those just as much.) If you haven't ever heard of these you've got to look them up and see if there is one locally. They are everywhere!

The easiest way to go (and yes I have done this) is to place a call and pick up those delicious homemade pre-packaged meals, complete with cooking instructions. Alternatively, you could make a date of it with some friends and put together you own meals. They put out all of the ingredients, recipes and packaging. All you have to do is show up. I swear it is that easy and pretty fun if you go with the right crew!

Let me know what you all think!

Heebie-Jeebies

Those of you that have never been to the South may not be able to appreciate the full shock of this story but you can substitute a cockroach for any other terrifying insect and you'll get the idea!

Today while driving to tennis practice, I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. When I turned my head I saw a HUGE palmetto bug (that's what the Southerners call those outdoor roaches) on the passenger side floor. I swear to you that I almost wrecked the car! My body instantly tensed up and I couldn't stop looking at the ground for fear of it crawling onto me.
I know that it is completely irrational but I absolutely freak out when I see a roach. When a bug makes its way into my house Jason or Jackson have to spray it and pick it up because I just can't do it.
Well, by the time I got to the tennis court I'd lost sight of the bug. I thought it had crawled under the passenger seat but wasn't sure. As soon as I pulled into the parking lot I jumped out of the car, grabbed my racket and by the time I got to the courts I had nearly stopped shaking. I told my teammates the story and gratefully, nearly all of them had similar stories and could empathize. (I was kind of afraid that they would think I was a northern wimp :)) One offered to drive me home, one offered to call her exterminator and another offered me her car until the roach was found! However, my teammate Anne, (who does not share my irrational fear of roaches) was so sweet and offered to investigate and rid my car of the creature after practice.
Happily, the roach was in plain sight in my cup holder and Anne bravely scooped it up and threw it outside. I tell you, I have goosebumps and shivers as I type this story! Yuck, yuck, yuck!
This is almost enough to get me to move to the West, except there they have scorpions...

We're Still Alive!

Jason and I competed (sort of - you'll have to use that term loosely) in our first triathalon this morning. We drove down to beautiful Peachtree City at 5am for the good times while our very sweet neighbor, Jo, watched our kids. Neither one of us knew what to expect and were both pleased to find that we finished feeling pretty good (I know, we were surprised too)! Here is a post race shot - medals and all.

As expected, the biking was the easiest for Jason and hardest for me and the running was easiest for me. (It felt good to pass runners after being blown by like 100 people during the bike portion). Jason felt like the swimming was the most difficult - citing completely murky, algea filled waters and clamoring people as the biggest challenges. Since it was our first race, we had no time to beat so we both just tried to pace ourselves. Jason finished in 1:46:41 and I finished in 1:41:11. We'll see if the next triathalon will find us with better times. Here are a few more pics of the good times.

It isn't hard to believe that this man was voted best legs in high school is it? I think that those legs are still smokin'. :) Sorry Jason. I type the blog and can embarrass you from time to time.

I knew that the race was going to be good when I picked up my number yesterday and it was 777! Luck was on my side for sure!

PS- You know we are both strong (and brave) people if I am posting pictures of us clad entirely in spandex. Is there no other way? Yikes!

Lessons learned: For the next race, I think I'll actually buy a road bike and ride it before the race day (I borrowed my friends mountain bike with hybrid tires yesterday) and Jason will invest in a more comfy seat. :)

Tennis Anyone?

Jason and I so love this time of year. No it isn't that fall is around the corner or that school has begun again. It is US Open tennis that we love. (We are completely exhausted but we love it!) One of our dreams is to go to the US Open in NY and watch the matches for a full week. Some day.... Until then we settle for staying up until 2 am watching them in the comfort of our own home.
I actually LOVE watching the players amazing tennis skill and not those sweaty biceps and gratuitous fist pumps if that is what you are thinking (I will admit that Federer's last opponent Lopez was gorgeous, but I digress). Andy Roddick and Roger Federer played in the quarter finals until the wee hours of the morning last night and I have to admit that I really wanted Federer to lose! As my brother Craig said, "He's like the Michael Jordan of tennis." Federer needs to be beaten every once in a while and make the outcomes of the matches less predictable. Plus I was totally turned off by his, made for the US Open shoes, that have 3 swiss flags on them - one for each win at the US Open. Over confident much? Somebody has got to take him down! Although my man Andy Roddick didn't win last night, he did put up a great fight and gave us some fantastic tennis to watch. Maybe the next Grand Slam will be his turn. Federer can't stay on top forever. Right?! Somebody please beat him!

Ava's First Day of Preschool!

Today was Ava's first day of pre-school! Too bad it had to be the day after a terrible day in the ER with Kate (see Kate's blog) because I was at home with Kate and her Daddy had to take her to school. It actually may have been kind of a good thing for him to drop her off and save me the waterworks of tears, now that I think about it. If there ever was a Mama's girl, it is Ava. I am pretty sure that her teachers didn't want me to send her with her lovie but I could see no possible way for any measure of success without it. We'll work toward leaving it at home by Christmas. :)

She'll be attending school M,W,F from 9-12. This gives her some time to play with little guys her age and for me to be able to volunteer at Jackson and Kate's elementary school. Hopefully she warms up to the idea soon. :)

A few more cute shots of our littlest one - note the lovie in every picture!