Pumpkin Patch 2010

Every year we try to take the kids to the Banducci Pumpkin Patch,which is about a five minute drive from our house. Its close, its cute and the kids love to go there. This October I vowed to get there earlier in the month, before all the pumpkins were picked over.This pumpkin patch also provides a great opportunity to snap a few good pictures of the kids.
So, let me just say for the record, I made sure to bring my nice camera, because taking pictures of the kids was the main reason I really wanted to go.
Forget the pumpkins.
I am not a big fan of Halloween anyways, much less pumpkin "carving." I figured with the cooler weather and lingering clouds, it meant less squinting and sweat! You see where I am going with this? ITS ALL ABOUT GETTING A CUTE PICTURE OF THE KIDS TOGETHER!
Of course it's Murphy's law that when the opportunity arrives for a potentially cute picture, the subject(s) will somehow come up with some bump, bruise, scratch, or gash on their face.
EVERY.STINKIN.TIME.
This time was no exception. It always happens to Bubba. Are you surprised? :)
I never can figure out how it happens. This time it was a large scratch smack dab on Bubba's forehead.
(And I am not opposed to using make up on my boys. Seriously---I think the last time I took a picture of the kids together in the Spring, Bubba had BAD chapped lips. I used some of my tinted moisturize and covered that baby up! He doesn't know it was make up, but I guess he will one day when he reads this post! Ha Ha Ha.)

I can always count on Tubbs to have his "comfy" work out shorts on. Oh well.


I am not sure this girl can take a bad photo. Of course she hasn't hit her terrible twos yet....


Ok--I was wrong. Petunia does not want to be restrained...obviously.


Ok--I was wrong about the squinting too. Bubba has a limit on taking photos. I should post the 20 photos I took in a row, just to get this decent picture.


My special middle child. He really does listen so well and does whatever I ask of him. "Stand here. Smile like this. Turn this way."

Somehow, by the end of the pumpkin hunt, I got talked into taking the crew into the corn maze. Thankfully it only cost us $5 for the family.

Luke took Petunia's stroller 4-wheelin through the maze. Poor girl.


Bubba----my dirt kid. Nothing bothers this kid in the least. I don't know if I should be scared or proud.


Look at that scowl. Who did he get that from? Hahaha.

Hamster Hogue

My husband is the "hottest" hamster alive.

Literally.
On Friday, October 15th he wore a handmade hamster suit (assembled by the mother of one of his employees) and rolled around in a human size, inflatable, hamster ball--- all in the name of his students. It was 90 degrees outside and the inside of that ball was like a sauna.
(Hot hamster indeed!) :)

Every year at his school, the kids vote on a task for Luke to perform if they make their standardized testing goals for the year. Its a very tough thing to do in his school district and even statewide. Thankfully his school has made their scores every year since he has been Principal.-- Its something he and his teachers are very proud of.
This year his school was ranked 14th in the county (among public schools).


Petunia and I watched him on the morning news and then headed to his school to see the hamster in person. On our way, we stopped and picked up a Sonic beverage for the bug guy who was rather parched!
She liked sharing the soda with the hamster.

So proud of you and your wonderful teachers who actually HAVE to teach the kids.
Keep up the amazing work. XOXO

**News Article Link

2008 Stunt Link

Anniversary Getaway 2010

Eleven years with the same person!
What an accomplishment. Who does that anymore?! :)

I guess we are just "old fashioned."

This year I had grand plans for our anniversary. Petunia is almost 14 months and I thought she might be able to handle two nights away from us....and us from her. :)

I recruited Luke's mom and dad to babysit for us at our house while I surprised Luke with a two night getaway.

It was all going according to planned. (Not that I had anything planned--besides the idea of getting away for two nights with my husband.). I enlisted Luke's Assistant Principal back in August to help keep the Friday of our anniversary clear of meetings/activities so I could show up in the morning and kidnap him. I thought I was so clever until he came home one day and started talking about different activities.....one big one which happened to fall on our anniversary Friday. I slyly e-mailed his AP and asked what the heck was going on and she said she couldn't block out the day on her calendar because he looks at her calendar (so she had forgotten)....and I guess Luke has a bad habit of scheduling everything himself anyways. So, this kidnapping scheme was getting difficult to conceal.

Time to go to Plan B---which was break down and tell him.

I am glad I finally did because I couldn't decide where to go anyways. Somewhere warm, somewhere cool. Beach or no beach? Once I told him, we contemplated a few different destinations before finally choosing Indian Wells. We stayed at a resort there once before about five years ago and LOVED it. Its about 5-10 miles east of Palm Springs so its still nice and warm AND quiet.

We decided to try Priceline.com to make the sleeping accommadations because I have heard so much about the website lately. Let me just tell you that I will be using this website EVERY TIME I have to books a hotel from here on out. It was so easy. Basically I created my account, entered my destination and requested a resort for $100/night. I was so excited it accepted my offer the first time and it was for a resort that is normally around $300+/night. YAY!

A few minutes later we began to get a little greedy and wished we would of started our "bid" a little lower. Oh well, live and learn.

The resort was right across the street from the Miramonte resort we stayed at in 2005, so we knew exactly where we were going. We stayed at the Esmerelda Renaissance Resort and Spa.

I loved this hotel. We would definitely stay here again...and again...and again! It was also VERY family friendly. I bet we can get a smokin' hot deal here next summer for the family when its 110 degrees outside!

---------------------

We left the house Friday morning after the boys got on the bus and Petunia got situated with Grandma. Indian Wells is 231 miles so we were ready for the long drive.

We knew we wanted to go see a movie and decided to stop along the way in Old Pasadena to watch it and walk around for a bit. Luke was just there the day before to see an educational movie with a co-worker, so he was excited to show me a few places that were new to us.

We loved the movie: "Life As We Know It." Very cute/funnyand would watch it again.

After the movie we walked a few blocks to a cupcake shop. They had so many flavors to choose from AND they made mini versions too. That meant I could try almost every flavor without the guilt! :)

I think my favorites were the strawberry lemonade AND the caramel apple pie.

After cupcakes we headed to Indian Wells....and got stuck in traffic.

Dinner: Cheesecake Factory. Their Chicken Stuffed Tortillas and Raspberry Lemonade are my favorite things to eat!! I think we were both buzzed off the lemonade after two refills. I don't even want to know how much sugar was in there.....

Saturday morning! Up bright and early.

We went to the fitness room, which was PACKED.

Who works out on "vacation?" haha!

Then we showered and headed out to do some sightseeing, shopping, walking, eating, eating, eating, watch another movie, walking.....

Luke with his new BFF. He is a great listener.

After lunch at "Island Burgers" (which had a delicious turkey burger) we saw another movie: "Its Kind of a Funny Story."

Except for my popcorn smothered with milk duds, it kind of sucked. I would have fallen asleep if I could. A few laughs here and there but slow and depressing.

Saturday night out by the pool. HUGE pool area with two hot tubs.

Sweeeeet!

Sunday morning we stopped by a French restaurant/bakery on our way home.

We picked up two chocolate crossiants and they were A-MA-ZING! The best I have ever had. I guess it could of been because the owner was speaking French when we walked in. This is me saying "Merci beaucoup."

------

Eleven things that I love about my husband:

1. He can read my mind, 99% of the time

2. He knows when its time to stop and feed his wife....before someone comes up missing or hurt.

3. He thinks its hot when I talk "Jeeps"

4. He loves my curls even though I think straight hair would be more delicious

5. He gave me a little girl who looks JUST LIKE HIM, even though he prayed she wouldn't.

6. He never calls me by my name unless he's not happy with me

7. He sends me scriptures via e-mail

8. He says he is a simple man, but he is actually quite complex

9. When he lets out a good belly laugh, it makes me laugh like a school girl

10.When he tries to pull his wrestling moves from HS/college on me...and sometimes I can slip away.

11. He has given me three little awnery, yet good lookin' bugs....who take after their father.

Happy Anniversary Luke! XOXO

"Schilhabel Strong" 5K Race

My second 5K race was today and not only was I surrounded by good friends, but it was for a great cause. The race was organized as a fundraiser for Tyler, a 16 year old boy, who was paralyzed Labor Day weekend in an ATV accident.

I was super excited to be able to participate in this race, as well as get outdoors and do my second 5K. When I found out about this race for Tyler it was the day of my first 5K and I knew for sure I wanted to run it or help out in any way I could. I e-mailed the registration form to everyone I knew and made copies to take to work. I wanted everyone to participate if they could. Luckily I think I was able to recruit at least a few runners! :)

The race was held at Tyler's high school and the course was challenging for me since I normally train on the treadmill. There was grass, LOTS of dirt, cement, and pavement. It was fantastic!

The individuals who created the course did a great job.

---------

This morning started off with a nice, long soak in the tub. The HOT water really helps my pulled groin muscle to loosen up----(as well as the Tylenol and Naproxen I popped like candy) :)

While I soaked in the tub, ate breakfast and got ready to go, Luke took the kids with him to run errands. Which meant I was able to really REEEE-LAX in COMPLETE silence.

Sooooooo nice.

Crossing the finish line - 27:29

I was really surprised I was only over my last time by 7 seconds. Last night Petunia was up a few times through the night coughing and fussing.... so not only was my leg aching, but I was exhausted! When Petunia woke up at the crack of dawn, I rolled over and told Luke I didn't think I could run it today. He whispered in my ear and gave me a lil' pep talk, telling me I would regret it if I didn't do it.

He was right. I was not only glad to get another race under my belt, but blessed to partake in this worthy cause.

Two of my cheerleaders.

The boys were busy running around the bleachers with friends from church. I don't even think they realized I was running or what they were there for! :)

Friends! Cliff, Joy, Amanda .....and Johnson babies!

Luke and Luke :)

My Luke was so bummed when "movie-date Luke" moved his family to Colorado last year. He was happy to pal around for a lil' bit.

Friends! Amanda, Shawna and Joy.

This little girl was SPENT.

Between snotty noses, chest congestion, teething, sleep deprivation.....she was ready to call it a morning as soon as I finished. She snacked on a few orange wedges and bagels and began letting us all know how she was feeling.

A few of the friends who volunteered: Kristin, Kim and tired Baby Audrey.

What a blessing the volunteers and organizers are to the Schilhabel family. I only pray that the money raised today will be able to make a difference with Tyler's family and his medical expenses. I know its very much appreciated!

Placed 3rd in the female age group 30-39.

Nice surprise.

Schilhabel Strong!

Here's to you Tyler... and the fight you have ahead.

You can do it.