TWILIGHT SAGA - ECLIPSE

Yes, no need to ask...I was at the midnight release of Eclipse last night!  I am becoming predictable.....even Aunt Scotty called yesterday after witnessing long lines  forming in the afternoon at her local cinema and assumed correctly that I would be part of the Twilight obsessed crowd nationwide.

The wonderful part of being obsessed is that I share my obsession with my Sisters, Sister-in-Law and nieces.  I am not alone, strength in numbers!!

Appetizer & Cocktail time provides fortification before we re-enter the line.  (Nieces and friends held our spot)  It pays to have connections!

See all the people in the background?  They are all waiting in line, we heard the line started at 3pm.  When we arrived at 8:15pm the line was already wrapped completely around the theater complex and heading out to Starbucks on the other side.  Total Madness, these were the longest lines I have seen for any of the midnight Twilight book, movie or dvd releases!!

At this point the line started moving again, Angie and I jumped up from our Antipasto salad to reclaim our spots in line just in case they made it inside the theater.   (See the white sweatshirt....Kayla and Hayley)  As it turned out, they only made it to just outside the entrance which gave us time to finish our meal.

Ahhhhhh.....we finally made it inside to theater 9 and were pleased with the seats we found.  We all ended up together which was the main goal after the mad dash to find seats in whatever theater you could find with empty seats.

Ready for the movie to begin.....

For all of you waiting

on our review of Eclipse,

WE LOVED IT! 

GO SEE IT THIS WEEKEND!

CAMPING

When the tents and sleeping bags come out, I know Summer has begun.  My childhood was filled with camping, I camped with my father in the High Sierra's, with my sisters and brother in the Yosemite valley and even houseboating in Lake Powell.   I've missed it, remind me......why haven't we camped? 

When I heard Violet & Chris were taking the grandchildren camping at Guajome Park/Lake I was thrilled.  I had never been to Guajome Regional Park and was pleasantly surprised.  

This was Finn's first foray into camping,

if you don't count our frontyard. 

Let the Good Times Roll

Just finishing up dinner,

Violet starting coffee. 

Camp Coffee always tastes better....

why is that?

Camping Diva's

Me - Angie - Chris

Princess Kirra of the Tent people

Todd with his second mother Chris

(These two have been camping together

since Todd's birth)

Finn, Memphis and Gracie rode their bikes until twilight, back and forth they rode from Campsite 2 to Campsite 5.  Games at one site, food at the other site.  Different family and friends to enjoy from site to site.

Campfire

Tent Buddies

Kayla - Grace - Memphis - Finn

I was so proud of Finn, he kept saying he didn't want to spend the night.  He didn't want to sleep in the tent, he wanted to spend the night in his own bed.....it went on and on....I didn't say much just let him think it out, but once there enjoying the Lake, his friends, the s'mores and Brown Bears......he stayed the night like a big boy and wants to go back tonight!  A success.

Happy Camping this Summer!

REPTILE MAN AND FRIENDS

Birthday parties have certainly changed over the years, in the 70's they were held in the backyard with family and cupcakes.   In the 80's they were held at the skating rink, in the 90's a limo was hired to take the party to the movies, and now the big attraction is..............

REPTILE MAN

Finn's friend Will from school turned 5 and was lucky enough to have the Reptile Man host his party.  He is in high demand and comes with a complete fleet of reptilians....much to my dismay!

 (Finn in green on the right)

Finn kept his arms and hands close to his body, he had no desire to become better acquainted with the python or tarantula.

Another draw to having the Reptile Man host your party is that he comes with music, games and is ready to entertain 4 and 5 year olds.  All the parent needs to do is provide food and refreshment.

Parachute Games

HOT POTATO GAME

Confession time:  Much to Finn's future disapointment, we will not be having a Reptile Man birthday party, so my greatest thanks go to Will and his mother Terra for providing this experience to Finn.

TOM GOODWIN AKA: GOODY

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is bliss, taste it.  Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.  Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.  Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, FIGHT FOR IT!!

 by Mother Teresa

Uncle Charlie - Goody - Todd

Old Town, San Diego

July 2008

When Todd's brother Erik passed away July 2008, Goody was the first to arrive from out of town to offer love and support.  Anything we needed, he was there.  We spent a wonderful evening in Old Town, with dinner at El fandango, compliments of Goody. 

At a time when Erik's death was so fresh and struggles of grief were being fought, Goody gave us a night in Old Town where we could be ourselves, cry or laugh, we enjoyed our time together and found comfort  in knowing we all had shared a part of Erik's life on Earth.  Thank you Goody for this special evening!!

It is now Goody's time of need, he is fighting for his life against Renal Cancer.  For all of you who read my blog, who love and support me....please take this time to pray and send your positive energy Goody's way.  He and his family are waiting on important test results due out Thursday and could really use the extra prayers and energy!

Please, Please, Please pray for our dear family friend...it's just too soon for his fight for life to be over! 

GOODY-TODD-FINN

(I am constantly surround by fabulous, amazing men!)

 As usual, Goody always smiling or laughing!

 

 Our Wonderful Extended Family...full of

Gustafson's, Goodwin's and Gray's

Must be a "G" thing!! 

GRADUATION - SUMMER IS HERE!!!

Another school year comes to a close.....

today we attended the Montessori end of year musical performance & Pre-K graduation.

5 and 4 year old Classes preparing to sing

"We Are the World"

Finn and Gregory

(Finn calls him Gregorby)

Is that really my little boy?

I can't help but see Todd when he sits like this.

Mrs. T with all her little chicks in a row

Am I seeing double?

I better lay off the Cool Aid

My Boys

Top of the World

Finn & Ethan

Sean & Finn

Just a couple of Monkey's

As of tomorrow, the Summer School program begins.  The Summer program includes field trips, outdoor water fun and a slightly relaxed curriculum. 

When regular school starts back up in September, Finn will be in the Pre-K classroom.  I will not cry, I will not cry..........yeah right!

Congratulations to all the graduates of 2010....may your journey ahead be prosperous and fullfilling. 

CHOCOLATE

How do you know Grandma Cher has been in the house?

Chocolate mysteriously appears,

 much to Finn's enjoyment!

Thanks Grandma Cher,

Finn gets two squares after dinner.  

STORM TAKES 2ND PLACE IN TOURNAMENT

This weekend Kirra's competitive soccer team played 5 games in the Copa Laguna Tournament, they took home second place!!!!  

GO KIRRA, GO STORM!!!

We are so very proud of you!

VOTE

Don't Forget to Vote!!!

It's not too late...

ONE DOLLAR AFTERNOONS

Saturday afternoon we found ourselves in Grandma Edna's backyard flying airplanes. Can you find the airplane?  I don't think Finn will be able to catch it.

My mother picked up the airplanes at the Dollar Tree....for $2.00 we all had fun playing together in the backyard, even Todd and Grandpa were lured away from the TV and joined in the activities.  Well done mother.

Launching Formation Flight

Son In Law - Father In Law

Flyboys - Tiago & Finn

Get ready to run....Chloe ready with her ball.

Crash & Burn

Don't be sad, Grandpa tapped it back together again.

Swinging with Grandma Cher, cousins and Buddy the Dog, only thing missing....Sweet Iced Tea.

You know it's been a good day, when you look in the rearview mirror on the way home and not an eye is open.

HAIRCUT

I am learning that little boys hair grows extremely fast!  Didn't we just do this?

 Hairstylist Lori

(friend & neighbor)

 

Hanging in there.....

only a few more cuts to go.

 Love it!!

Short & Easy for the Summer