Busy, busy busy!

I knew that January 2008, actually the entire first quarter of 2008, was going to be busy for us, but I had no idea just how busy, Here is a very quick recap of what has been going on: (forgive the typos, I am trying to type fast as my time is limited!)

We got home from Illinois Jan, 4 and had just enough time to greet the dogs and unpack before Rodney had to repack for a trip to Biloxi, Mississippi, for some airspace management training. He was gone for two weeks and did quite well in his class, which was all Air Force people. He was the only Marine in a class of about 8, but they did not seem to hold it against him. In his free time he played poker in the local casino and did some shopping in the outlet malls.

Menawhile, back at the ranch, Will and Xan were having some trouble adjusting to being back in California, and without Daddy around. There were a few fitful nights, but we got through it. Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Mark helped with some child care and after-school pickups along the way. Us, them, GG, Unlce Joe, Aunt Gina and Brandon all spent the weekend in Palm Springs Jan. 11-13. I went there to be a scrap vendor at a weekend retreat and they tagged along. We all kept busy with our own stuff, so I did not see them much, but tried to check in now and then. The dogs stayed at Pet Suites, which was a lovely pet resort that I, myself, would not mind staying in.

The plumbing went out in the house the following week, but was luckily fixed the same day. Will had a dental appointment and all looked great - it looks as though he will start losing teeth in about 6 months. I geared up for vendoring at ScrapFest San Diego this past weekend and Xan fought off some sinus trouble.

This weekend, I set up for ScrapFest San Diego at the Del Mar Fairgorunds on Friday, with the help of a very nice Marine under Rodney. Without Patrick I would not have been nearly as fast at setting up my booth! I picked Rodney up from the San Diego airport that night and, while the kids hung out at Grandma and Grandpa's house, Rodney assisted me at Scrapfest, where, according to several good sources, Kits2Remember was the talk of the show. I have been asked to be on an Internet radio show, the Diva Craft Lounge (the Diva was at Scrapfest and Rodney bought me a tiara from her booth), on Feb. 20 at 12:40 p.m. PST to talk about K2R and my acrylic. She also asked me to be a guest designer in her upcoming books she is having printed this year. I have also had a number of classes as local scrapbook stores and attendance has been fabulous so far in 2008! I might be able to make a career out of this yet!

So, on to this week .... tonight we took the kids to their favorite place - Irvine Spectrum, where we hung out at Dave & Busters. Tomorrow Rodney is having his upper GI scoped so we can see why he has so much stomach trouble. He is a little nervous about being knocked out, since he's never been put under for anything. We will keep everyone posted on the results.

This weekend I have yet another scrapbook show in Ontario, CA, Scrapbook Alley, where I will be a vendor and teach classes. Rodney is scheduled to assist once again and my parents are being kind enough to watch the kids again. I am looking forward to it - and to actually sleeping at home for a weekend! LOL!

Holiday Vacation to Illinois

We took our annual winter pilgrimage to Pittsfield, IL, to visit Rodney's side of the family. We had a nice, relaxing time while we were there.

Will had a great time hanging around the house with Grandma Peggy and laying with cousin Kara. We was not a big fan of snowball fights once Aunt Jill got him good in the neck - all's fair in love and war!

Xan loved watching Uncle Jim, Aunt Brenda, Grandpa Bill, Uncle Earl and Aunt Vic work with the cows. He also enjoyed doing absolutely anything with Uncle Jim or in the basement where all the Guthrie toys are. If he was playing with Uncle Jim in the basement, Xan was in heaven.

Rodney did some bow hunting with his longtime friend Cory. He was in range of a buck when he dropped his arrow. Whoops!

Jessica just relaxed (as best she can - she's not a big relaxer!) and got some work done that she had been meaning to do. Thank God for laptops!

We celebrated the Christison Christmas, take a gander at the all the damage from the restent ice storms in the Midwest, had fun with the church Christmas program and met new cousin Drew, who is about 3 months old.

Here is a slideshow of some of the pictures I took during the week:

Christmas at the Kasal's

Thanks for these photos, Dad! I think they speak for themselves (especially the one with Mom's new "earrings!")

Will's Holiday Program

We were too far away to get a decent photo of him, but Will did a great job in the holiday show his after-school program put on the Friday before Christmas break. Among the songs he sang were "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman." But he especially loved the older kids singing "Silent Night."

John Graham turns 1!

I guess you can say yearling John is a family friend: He is the son of Lisa and Kenny. Lisa is my mom's friend and former principal and Will's current principal; Kenny is a metal detecting buddy of my Dad's and John is in daycare with Xan. Brandon plays at the park each day with Xan and John. Yep, John is very much a family friend! His first birthday party was at Mom and Dad's house and we were invited to enjoy Honeybaked ham, birthday cake, and the fun puppet show put on by Sleeping Beauty. Sleeping Beauty also sang songs, did some magic and painted faces. Will insisted he be painted as a very Christmas-y vampire bat. Brandon rode a lion. And everyone enjoyed the ham and cake!

Raina and Dave are engaged!

My MOBster friend Raina got engaged this Christmas, to her boyfriend of six years, Dave. They are very cute couple and I am so happy for them! She sent me this picture of the ring. Can't wait to hear when the big day is!

A fun new trick!

Xan is quite impressed with himself ... he can take a small bottle cap and hold it between his toes. Then, he wiggles his toes so the cap dances back and forth, and then he laughs like a hyena. It's nice to know he is already working on his resume ... for the circus.

The Guthrie Christmas 2007

Will gets his Bionicles

Xan loves his new metal shopping cart

Dad helps with the stubborn plastic

Xan poses obediently (for once) with his cart

Ah, the pain of Christmas!

Something the boys can tear up the house with

We're cruisin'! And Will's bummed he can't go ...

Can't forget to spread the Christmas cheer to the canines, as well! They get toys and bones.

Rodney opens the iPod case "Xan" got him

Will's loot

Xan's loot
Christmas was quite lovely for the four of us in the Guthrie household. Will and Xan both got wonderful gifts from Santa. Will go the Lego Bionicles he asked for and Xan seemed to be pleased with Santa's suggested gift of a shopping cart full of groceries and cookware. Other gifts included Aunt Harriet's puzzle for Xan and rubberband-propelled car for Will; Miss Laurie's gifts of a remote-controlled ATV for Will and a very exciting tractor and combine set for Xan; books, coloring supplies, stuffed animals, puzzles, Spiderman slippers and much more from Mom and Dad. The boys and I got Rodney part of his new iPod, an adapter so he can listen to it in his car, a black leather iPod case, a bunch of his favorite pens, a handmade calendar with important dates already in it amd a bunch of shirts from Boot Barn that still not have arrived yet (grrr....!). But Rodney's gifts to me were the best of all. I got a fabulous new jacket with matching gloves and a green scarf that will be great for our trip to Illinois, a rolling case for the scrapbook make and takes I will be doing at Expos next year for Kits2Remember and a "honeymoon" CRUISE!!! Rodney and I will be taking a 5-day cruise to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada at the end of March next year aboard the Carnival ship Elation. We never went on a honeymoon when we got married and I have always wanted to go on a cruise, so I am VERY excited about the trip! Rodney said he is, too! Plus, it will be at the end of a very busy 3-months for us, so, all the more need for a fun, relaxing getaway! Oh, and I also got myself a new digital SLR camra ... the Canon Rebel XTi. And I absolutely love it! After a quick clean up, we were off to Grandma Nancy and Granpa Mark's house to Christmas it up there!

Ear Bugs

I am not sure how it started, but, for the kids' benefit, I started calling my Bluetooth an "ear bug," which, taken out of context, could be pretty gross.

Well, Xan is all about "talking on the phone" whether the phone is a puzzle piece, Hot Wheel car, or Duplo. This morning he wanted a "bah" and pointed to his ear.
"An ear bug?"
"Yis."
So, I handed over my old Bluetooth and the boy was quite happy, but afraid to move his head ... LOL! But after a while, it started weighing down on his ear lobe and fell off repeatedly. And needed it put back on repeatedly. Luckily, nap time wasn't too far away ...

Uncle Joe turns 28

Nothing too exciting ... a dinner at the Kasal's and gifts ... the kimd found in an envelope! :) Brandon enjoyed the envelopes, actually, and we all enjoyed the tasty cheesecake!

Holiday party time!

Each year we are lucky enough to be invited to the Lincoln Family's Christmas party at their home on Lake Mission Viejo. Santa always stops by to read "The Polar Express" and hear what the kids want for Christmas. Xan sat with his brother for part of the story, but was really more interested in a mechanical dog that lit up and sang when his paw was pushed. Xan DID NOT like the idea of sitting too close to Jolly Old Saint Nick, but Will didn't mind, telling Santa he wanted Lego Bionicles for Christmas. Santa said he would see what he could do (and was sure to announce Will's wish quite loudly for all - especially the parents - to hear). Santa was especially gracious in allowing Grandpa Mark to sit on his lap. Grandpa said he wanted some historical General Crook memorabilia ... Santa said he'd see what he could do loud enough for Grandma Nancy to hear!

The Kasals have joined the Wii Revolution

Mom and Dad got a Wii video game player a few months ago and everyone from Great-Grandma GG to Xan enjoy playing together. Who would have thought there would be a video game that entices all ages? Will is a natural at most of the games, from bowling to tennis to golf, schooling everyone with a flick of the remote. Xan gets in on the fun, using an old TV remote to "bowl" when everyone else does. When "he" gets a strike, he high-fives everyone in celebration! But the biggest battles are between Will and Uncle Joe ... you never know who might come out on top!

At the Spectrum ...

Earlier this month, the family headed to the Irvine Spectrum to play games, eat dinner, shop, etc. While I shopped for leggings, Xan discovered mannequins and was quite serious about figuring out why these ladies did not walk or talk or move. Even poking them in the chest didn't work (a true male test.) And, of course, the boys had to ride the carousel ... Dad reluctantly rode, too, but just so I could get some photos!

In time out ...

The terrible twos appear to be hitting Xan a little early. He is testing his parents rules, testing his brother's bunk bed ladder, testing his ability to stand on a chair ... all things we have told him not to do repeatedly. So, Xan has spent a good part of his days in "time out." This is one of those times.

5 stitches later ...

Xan is starting to live up to my prediction of being a bit of a wild child. While Will has sof far (knock on wood) avoided stitches, Xan got his first ones yesterday after playing in Will's room. Rodney was in charge, so no one is really sure what happened. Apparently Will and Xan were wrestling on the lower bunk when Will accidentally knocked him off and he split his chin open on the dresser next to the bed. The not-so-funny funny part was that Will was afrid to tell the truth, but finally came out with it after it appeared to be a pretty serious cut, admitting he "accidentally lied" about whatever the original story was he told his Dad. Since Will was crying, feeling pretty bad about what he had done, I stayed with Xan at the urgent care and Will and Dad went to McDonalds for lunch (and hopefully a discussion on being more careful with his little brother and lying).

Xan was fine as long as you did not touch his chin and I could hold him. But, it was pretty clear he was going to need ot be stitched up, so they numbed the area, and gave him a sucker to enjoy while we waited for the numbness to kick in. That's when this picture was taken. He screamed through the shot (who wouldn't?) and then the first couple of stitches (scared) but by the third stitch and the promise of his binki after it was all done, Xan layed there quitely while the doctor stitched him up. He was out playing in the waiitng room 10 minutes later and by dinner time and Grandma and Grandpa's, he was hardly phased. What a trooper!