Christmas Tree

Finn and Tiago's Christmas trees......


The Season has begun!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Freezing at Kayla's All-Star Game

Winning
2-1


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Almost Time

At Kayla's soccer practice waiting to pick her up to go stand in line for midnight showing of Breaking Dawn.....


You didn't think I would muss it did you???

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Halloween Package

When Finn came home from school there was a Halloween package waiting in the mailbox for him. What could it be?


The anticipation was building as he tried to figure out how to open the package without using scissors (instructions on packaging).


Thank you Aunt Scotty and Uncle Norm!!!!! Finn loves it.....the pillowcase fabric has mummies, witches, bats and even Frankenstein!!!! Will definitely use this a little past Halloween, it may be a fight when it comes time to wash it!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First Cro

My lime tree is finally producing it's first crop. Can you guess how many limes I have?!?!?!?


One Lonely Lime

Do you think this is enough to make one margarita?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Just pulled this out of the oven for my Fathers Birthday, he always talks about the one his mother used to make.  Wonder if mine even stands a chance?????  Will let you know tomorrow!

Can you even being to imagine

how good my house smells right now? 

October Bonfire

What are you doing right now? Me you ask....bonfire with my husband.


It's Saturday Night!!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone4

HALLOWEENTIME AT DISNEYLAND

  

  Monday I had the afternoon off, Finn gets out of Kindergarten at 11:35....What To Do?  What To Do?  What To Do?

Laundry - NO

Wash the Car - NO

Disneyland - YES!!!

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

We left Finn's school at 11:40AM and pulled into Downtown Disney at 12:41PM.  Don't you just love Carpool?  Better yet, Disneyland has their own off-ramp from the Carpool lane that drops right into the PARK!  Love it.                                       

Tarzan's Tree house Rope Swing

We have been reading the Magic Tree House series every night before bed.  We are on book #5, Ninjas Before Dark....if you aren't familiar with these books they revolve around a "Magic Tree House".  Because of this, Finn's favorite attraction at Disneyland is Tarzan's Tree House.  My thighs are killing me still....I can't tell you how many times we climbed this tree!

The Halloween Swag is everywhere you look! 

Finn in front of his favorite carved pumpkin, Buzz Lightyear.  Yes that is a Jack Sparrow sword...I couldn't say no and it was only $4.95 minus the 10% discount I get being an Annual Passport holder at Disneyland.  I just love perks!!

Pirate?  Ninja?  Pirate?  Ninja?

What's your vote?  Should Finn be a Pirate or Ninja?

My vote is for a Ninja....he's been a pirate before.

To Infinity and Beyond!

Happy Halloween

from

Disneyland

At Coyote

My Darling Boy #1




My Darling Boy #2



Enjoying Californian cuisine on a rainy Wednesday evening. Bon Apetite!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

OKTOBERFEST 2011

Last year we spent the first day of October running through apple orchards in Julian.  This year we started October the German way............Oktoberfest!!!

I don't think I have any German ancestry........Irish, Scottish, English, French YES......but German, not an ounce!  Maybe that's why I don't look good in white tights with bows!  

Beer is the beverage of choice at Oktoberfest but don't forget the GRAPE!  If you want wine at the Oktoberfest you have to crush the grapes yourself!  Just Kidding....OR AM I?  Finn waiting in line to crush his mother a glass of Cabernet.  Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  When was the last time he exfoliated?

Strongest Person Competition

They use pumpkins...

unlike the Highland Games where they throw logs!

Military Volunteers

Finn &Tiago's most memorable part of the evening!

Can you believe it? 

Grandma Edna attended this years Oktoberfest!

Me & My Grandmother

I am her first grandchild, because of me you can call her Grandmama!! This would be my favorite photo of the evening except for the horrible shadow.  I need a Photoshop expert!

You will not believe this....Gus & Violet left Portland, Oregon at 5am in the morning and still had the energy to attend this year's Oktoberfest!  I think the draw was the girl sitting next to them......Kayla!!  Or was it the Bratwurst?

Best Spiderman of the Night!

My Spiderman eating his dinner.

Me & The Birthday Girl

Teenager in the House!!!

Frau's &Frauline

Do you know the difference between Frau & Frauline? 

Frau - Married

Frauline - Unmarried

Don't feel bad, I just figured it out as I was posting this blog!

Sisters Forever

(My sister Kara attended but left before we headed over to the dance area where these photo's were taken, I will catch her at the next party!)

When we had our fill of Beer & Bratwurst we headed up the hill to Finn & Kayla's grandparents home....time to celebrate Kayla turning 13....a real life teenager!!  Can you guess which cupcake Kayla chose, pressure...sorry!  Surfboard with the turtle!

Happy 13th Birthday Kayla

You are a beautiful girl, inside and out!

We had a lovely evening....our bonus?

Kayla spent the night!

Portrait of Delilah

Sunday AfternoonDelilah enjoying the Indian Summer 

My Sister In Law-Allie

I must thank my sister in law Allie for her last post.....I am loving the new App for blogging!!!!






I can blog and drive at the same time now.......just teasing!!!!

Finn and I waiting in the car for Todd, you can see we were waiting a long time....Finn fell asleep!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone4

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN

It's official......

Finn's a Kindergartner,

heading off to school 7:30am 

Finn and his Daddy

Can this really be happening?

I let Finn pick out his own outfit,

he wanted Shawn White from Target.

Welcome Back Students 2011-2012

Todd and Finn heading to the classroom line-up.  Violet said she did this before with Todd....but alas, 40 years ago!!!

I love the RETRO vibe of Finn's school, it reminds Todd and I of our own elementary school's.  It's hard not to feel the  nostalgia embracing you from every hallway and classroom......who walked these halls before?  Where are they now? 

Three On A Tree

Finn - Mommy - Daddy

You can only imagine how excited Finn was when he found out the school  mascot was a LION.

We Are Magnolia!

My son is blessed, not only did he have his parents escorting him first day....his grandparents walked the halls with him too!  WE ARE THE GUSTAFSONS, we travel in packs. 

We were beyond happy when we found out Youshia, Finn's BFF from Montessori was in the same class!  Finn's greatest fear of Kindergarten was not knowing anyone, so this immediately dissipated his fear........and mine.

Is that a Kindergartner? 

He must have been held back a bunch!!  I bet it was because he didn't wear tennis shoes, always showed up in flip flops, that's a big no no in elementary school.

Time to line up, Mrs. Cooper arrived to escort her students to their classroom. This is when my anxiety level reached an all time high.......deep breathing helped.  I didn't want to cry in front of Finn...especially since he seemed to be handling it remarkably well!

My little one is on his way......

his formal education has begun.

BACK TO SCHOOL DINNER & MOTTO

This year we adopted our Back to School motto

from the Cub Scouts..........

DO YOUR BEST

(nothing less)

Let the Festivities Begin

I had a little helper this year....

Finn was in charge of seating arrangements.

You may have noticed the table is set for six, this year we had a new addition to our Back to School dinner, Tiago is starting school in Oceanside.  We included him in this years celebrations!

Dessert cups just waiting to be used!

(gift from Great Aunt Millie)

While I was putting the final touches on the food inside, Todd kept the back to school crowd busy in the pool.  The weather on Sunday was ideal for outside dining.

On The Menu:

Cheddar Chicken (requested)

Mashed Potato's & Gravy

Paula Dean Corn Casserole

Broccoli & Cauliflower Garlic Medley

Potato Rolls

Italian Lemonade

We chose this years motto based on the level of understanding for Finn & Tiago's age level, but at the same time the rest of us can embrace it fully......be it at school, at work, or for home...."Do Your Best"...."Nothing Less"

Time to Party

Savor Food

Drink & Be Merry

Educational Discussion 

Another reason to have a sit down Back to School dinner?

Practice Table Manners

I look forward to this dinner every year, it is so important to take the time and really listen and ask questions with the students in your family. Kirra & Kayla spoke of their classes, their goals for the year, likes and dislikes....I absorb it all and am excited for them and what they will learn this 2011-2012 school year.

Our Four Back to School Students

Kirra's Goal: 4.8 GPA

Kayla's Goal: Straight A's

Finn's Goal: Master Reading

Tiago's Goal: ABC's & Count to 20