I heart SD

One of our favorite things to do in SD is to go up to Pizza Port about ~11 to 11:30, which is early enough to not annoy too many fellow patrons. We drink beer and eat pizza while the children play on the video games. The driving car game is A and P's favorite. They each sit in a seat and "race" each other. They even let Lexi race with them. I wonder how much longer it will be when they figure out that there are "racing" to the video game intro and there's no money in the machine.
After eating we walk down to Fletcher's Cove and play on the beach. This time, I made the mistake of not packing towels or swimsuits since I figured it would be too cold for them to go in. I was wrong. We had soaking wet and sandy kiddos for the ride home, but I didn't care. I love how much fun they have at the beach and feel so blessed to be able to live so close to the ocean. I am excited that they get to grow up here and share my same love for the beach.

Giving thanks

We spent Thanksgiving with Tim's parents and the Quesnell family, this time at Aaron and Jessica's home. Since we moved to SD in 2004, I think we have spent 3 out of our last 5 Thanksgivings together. The first one was at Brian and Aaron's grandma's house and I was heavily pregnant. I went into pre-term labor the next day. We blamed grandma's fruit salad that had eaten the majority of. Come to think of it, I think I out ate everyone that year. It took a lot of work to get up to 200+ lbs. AGH- I just spent a half hour looking the picture of me passed out on the couch while others played cards. And they had an automatic shuffler that was so loud and it annoyed me, but I was too tired to care. It is a horrible picture and I will re-post when I find it.
The next year the babies were almost one and we were at Brian and Dina's old house. At that time, A and P were the only kiddos. This year we had 5 children (Adam, Patrick, Lexi, Will and baby Ethan) under 4 and one one the way. Times have changed. There is finally a kid table.

I am so thankful for the love of my family and friends.

Grow smaller

The boys found their Zebra and Elephant Halloween costumes in their closet from 2 years ago (2006) and wanted to wear them again:

Mommy: But you are now too big to wear those costumes.
Boys: When I grow smaller I can wear these costumes again.
Mommy: I am sorry, but you will just get bigger and you wont get smaller.
Boys: No, if I eat a lot of candy I will grow smaller. I am going to eat lots and lots of candy.
Mommy: Why would eating candy make you smaller?
Boys: Because you said that if I eat candy I wont grow big.

When it rains it pours....

I made it back from Philly and I am exhausted. I am so happy to have Tim's folks here to help out in my absence. I am sure Tim feels the same. Two trips back to back and a like million billables to do in between. I have to operate at over 125% of my utilization until the end of the year. It is going to be tough. I can't even begin think about planning for the holidays and boy's 4th birthday, which are all right around the corner. Yikes. Will it be bad if they still never had an official (inviting their friends) birthday party? I don't know if I have the time and energy required to pull it off. *Sigh*

Tim told me a funny that happened when I was gone:
Boys: Where's Mommy?
Tim: In Philadelphia.
Boys: Are there lights in Philadelphia?

They are so random. Guess they wanted to make sure I wasn't in the dark.

FDA- finally

I finally got to have my first meeting at the FDA. I have been chomping at the bit to go for years, but somehow my upper managers always went instead of me. Not this time! I was so nervous, but it went really well and the clients seem pleased. They even made me sit at the big conference table and not in the back like I wanted. And I had to talk and answer questions! They just love to throw me into the fire. Super shuttle called me at 3:30 am to let me know that they will be picking me up at 5:30. They were late and didn't come until 6:30 am. Today is going to be tough and I have to still make my reservations for Philly next week.

Prop sadness

Boo.
It looks like 8 might pass. I thought Californians were more progressive. I am saddened.
Boo again.
Prop D is going to pass. They are banning booze on the all public beaches. No more wine with my sunset watching. Boo.

It's raining in baltimore

I made it to DC (I had to wash a ton of laundry, according to the boys). It is kinda cool that I am in the nations Capitol for election day. As much as everyone is excited for the presidential election, I am more concerned over California propositions. In particular, I am most concerned about Prop 8. If Prop 8 passes it would amened the state constitution and eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry. Naturally, I voted No.
What shocked me is the amount of yes on 8 signs and protesters there were in my neighborhood. My boys asked me what they said, and I told them that the signs had hateful words. They told me the signs need a time out. Yesterday, when we passed a particular large crowd on our way home, PJ told me that some of the people holding the signs did not look like they were bad people, they just need to put down their signs of hate. Let's hope Prop 8 doesn't pass.

Happy Halloween!!!