We've been Tagged!!!

I was checkin' out my friend Karen's blog and she (inadvertantly) challenged me to a Tag! Because I do love to read other people's tags, I must fill in my own answers and post them. So! I am asking each member of our family (minus Nathan, obviously) the questions on her tag and posting the answers on our blog....happy reading!!!


Stephanie's answers...:o)

I am: a blessed person
I know: that I am a blessed person!
I want: to have my house projects finished.
I have: a lot of things that I am thankful for.
I wish: that chocolate chip cookies made you skinny.
I hate: rude people & animal cruelty.
I miss: my Grandma & Grandpa.
I fear: something bad happening to someone in my family.
I feel: safe & loved.
I hear: the pitter-patter of the rain outside.
I smell: my vanilla cupcake candle downstairs.
I crave: chocolate chip cookies (not just right now, but on a daily basis).
I wonder: how much longer til the end of the world.
I regret: stupid past mistakes.
I am not: as forgiving as I'd like to be.
I believe: that we will one day be reunited with friends/family who have moved on.....
I dance: when I hear a good beat.
I sing: to my Abba songs.
I don’t always: keep my temper in check.
I fight: the urge to tell people what I really think of them.
I write: on my blog cuz it's fun.
I lose: when I play scramble against Laura.
I win: when I do what's right.
I never: get all the stuff done I need to in one day.
I listen: to the "still small voice."
I am scared: of elevators & spiders.
I need: to cherish each moment & not sweat the small stuff.
I am happy about: fall is coming..one of my favorite times of year.
I tag: all of you who love to read tags about others.

Tim's answers...............:o)

I am: who I am!
I know: that I can do better.
I want: to live long and die with a feeling of satisfaction.
I have: the best family in the world
I wish: I could spend more time with my family in England
I hate: I don't hate, its not worth the effort.
I miss: my family in England.
I fear: something bad happening to someone in my family.
I feel: stretched.
I hear: Bon Jovi's - These Days
I smell: Roast Chicken
I crave: Mint chocolate chip ice cream
I wonder: when humans will realize we are destroying this miracle we live on.
I regret: not keeping in touch with people as much as I could.
I am not: as patient as I used to be
I believe: in what I choose to believe in.
I dance: rarely, it usually takes a LOT of liquid courage.
I sing: too much.
I fight: for the right, to PAAAARRTY
I write: rarely.
I lose: my patience to quickly these days.
I win: more often than not....
I never: get all the stuff done I want to in one day
I listen: I just don't always hear.
I am scared: of one of my children dying before me.
I need: to be a better person.
I am happy about: my Aunt and Grandma visiting from England next month.
I tag: therefore I am.

Samantha's answers.........:o)

I am: Samantha.
I know: that I'm a special child.
I want: my parents to know they are good parents.
I have: wonderful friends.
I wish: that there were no bad people in the world.
I hate: spiders.
I miss: my cousin Zach in Yakima.
I fear: being alone.
I feel: happy.
I hear: the clock chiming.
I crave: chocolate chip cookies
I wonder: how God made the Earth.
I regret: accidentally shutting Nathan's fingers in the door.
I am not: a bad person.
I believe: that Santa and Jesus are real.
I dance: the tango with Gavin.
I sing: When Jesus Christ was baptized.
I fight: with Gavin.
I write: about my family.
I lose: at Who Knew?
I win: @ Uno.
I never: have been to Hawaii.
I listen: to my family.
I am scared: of spiders.
I need: a lot of love.
I am happy about: starting school.

Gavin's answers...............:o)

I am: a person.
I know: better.
I want: to be with my mom.
I have: toys.
I wish: I had a new toy.
I hate: when Samantha be's mean.
I miss: Zach.
I fear: the fan in mom's room looks like a monster at night.
I feel: hungry.
I hear: the music.
I smell: farts.
I crave: food.
I wonder: where my laptop is.
I regret: doing mean things.
I am not: a bad boy.
I believe: that Jesus is real.
I dance: the tango with Samantha.
I sing: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
I don’t always: behave myself.
I fight: with Samantha.
I write: tomato man's.
I lose: my toys.
I win: everything.
I never: be bad.
I listen: to my mom & dad.
I am scared: of the dark.
I need: GIMME A JOB STUPID!!!
I am happy about: Halloween coming.
I tag: Samantha.
Posted

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE!! (DAY ONE)

The 1st evening we arrived in good old Orange County was spent visiting my neighbors from my childhood - The Giardina's...They lived right down the street from me in Huntington Beach & have known me since I was about 6 yrs. old! They were so kind to invite us over for a wonderful BBQ! Here are the kids bowling on the Wii against Ed Giardina. They had such a blast; now I guess we'll have to get one!!! :o)

Jenny, Ed & Cathy Giardina - the greatest neighbors of all time --- we miss u guys!

Okay, this photo was snapped as we trying (desperately) to get the kids up for Disneyland...it was super early and the kids were exhausted from our 4 a.m. wake up the previous morning. Gavin was not responding to my begging, so I pulled off his covers - hoping it would rouse him out of his deep slumber. No such luck!!! lol.....As you can see, Nathan just HAD to get close to the action (as he casually observes from the sidelines brushing his teeth)!

Here we are @ the Disneyland parking lot - about to embark on an adventure of ...(say it with me guys!!!) 16 HOURS OF PURE FUN!!!!!!!!!! That's right! From 8 a.m. til midnight - the Gregg & Godoy family experienced an adrenaline fueled day at the Happiest Place on Earth....


Straight inside the gate & off to the Matterhorn! Later in the day, the lines always get crazy long, so we decided to do this one first. This was also a ride the kids had never been on before; as they didn't meet the height requirement 4 years ago! lol. We tried to convince Zach to go on it - even bribing him with other rides, but he was having none of it!

Deb & the kids..... Now we are off to the Haunted Mansion - where I had to ride by myself because of my claustrophobia. Boo - hoo! I can't take the elevator, so I had a couple of employees escort me through a back entrance. I was a little bummed that I didn't get to see the kids' face as they experienced it for the first time, but I know they loved it!

While in line for the Haunted Mansion, Zach & Gavin tried to pass the time by tickling each other with a leaf. It was a crack up!

Ramon & Dane - this was his first time on the ride too (Dane, not Ramon - just to clarify). I'm sure Ramon has been on this ride hundreds of times!

Nathan & Daddy

As we waited for Tiffeny & her kids to arrive, we rode the Winnie the Pooh ride. I am taking the picture in the backseat, trying to get Zach to turn around and look at the camera. This was the best I could do....lol.

Zippity -Do- Dah! Photo op with Brer Bear! Right after this was taken, we went to lunch at the Hungry Bear Restaurant behind him. That was always a childhood favorite of me & Debbie's. :o)

Zach, Nathan & Gavie checkin' out the ducks at the waterfront near Pirate's Island.

Here is Tim trying to pull Excalibur from the stone - there are actually a few times a day when it actually comes out! No such luck for Tim - even being English didn't help him!

The kids are just atout to ride Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (which is probably a calmer experience than when mom is driving). Deb & I were watching from the carousel with the babies. It was scorching hot & we just wanted to rest in the shade & let the dads have a turn with the kids.

I Scream, You Scream, We all scream for Ice Cream!

At Deb's suggestion, we headed off to Gibson Girl's Ice Cream Parlour. She swore it was the best ice cream in the world, so how could we resist? (And I have to say she was right!) It was pure bliss as we ate our delicious ice cream inside the air conditioned parlour! What better way to cool off than a waffle cone of Toll-House chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream??? Exactly!!!!!

Goodbye "My Friends"

Wednesday was a happy day but also a sad day......Our little Gavie monster graduated from "My Friends' Preschool, " which made us proud, BUT I also realized that he is growing up...(heavy sigh). Gavin has had such a wonderful year at preschool. He has learned so much - he knows his numbers, alphabet, phone number & address, as well as several words in Spanish! If you ask Gavin what his favorite things were about preschool, he would tell you: making the "fake corn" for Thanksgiving, the color experiments & the Halloween party. He made close friendships with his classmates: Nicole, Jack, Elliana, Porter, Sydnee & Ella. He grew very close to his teacher, Miss Carolyn, who was also Samantha's teacher 2 years ago. I know the things he has learned in preschool will definitely springboard him into being ready for kindergarten. We are excited to say that Nathan is on the list to attend Miss Carolyn's class in 2012! The Gregg's will be back!!!

Nicole's mom tells me that Gavin was her first crush...(awwww, how sweet).

Gavin, Elliana & Jack

Gavin loved to go inside the treehouse when they had playtime in the backyard. Here he is, on his way one last time!!!

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

The children put on a mini program - singing a couple of songs they learned. One of them was "Oh, what do you do in the summertime?" which we remembered from Sunday School!

Miss Carolyn has always been fabulous - she has been an amazing teacher, mentor & friend.
We cannot say enough good things about her - we will truly miss her this summer.

First Grade Graduate..

Our little 1st grader graduated today - ready to make the leap into 2nd grade! It seems like just yesterday she was entering kindergarten & look at her now! Samantha had an excellent year - among her accomplishments was reading 300 books! Samantha says her favorite memories of 1st grade were music class, recess with her friends & learning about butterflies & mealworms. Her report card was fantastic & she got high marks in every subject. We are so proud of you, Snappy!

During the last hour of class, the kids collected "autographs" in their booklets...

Girl Power!!! Samantha with her best friends: Ashley & Elizabeth.

Singing time on the mat - going over all the songs they learned over the year.

One of the favorites was Wishy Washy - it's a cute, catchy song & involves lots of dancing around & changing partners!! Fun!!!

Mrs. L was a great teacher - thanks for the memories!!! Bye Bye 1st grade........

Fathers Day, Part Deux

It was a beautiful day outside as we celebrated Father's Day @ Grandma & Grandpa's on Sunday afternoon. Grandpa was hard at work on the back patio grillin' burgers n franks. He was so funny about it; he did not want the kids to be blowing bubbles near the BBQ in case the bubbles popped over the food...LOL. Cousin Zach kept us entertained at dinnertime, carefully explaining details of the "Twade Fedewation" & the "Cwone Wars." I have never known a 3 1/2 year old to know so much about STAR WARS! When he was finished eating, he excused himself, only to come back brandishing his Indiana Jones whip, which he used to torture those of us still eating...lol He proceeded to chase the kids around, as his whip sang, "dum da dum da...dum da daaaa." We then went out to the "yard" (which is just under an acre, really) to play croquet & frisbee. Grandpa opened presents once we were all tuckered out from the horsing around outside. The day ended perfectly with a yummy chocolate cake made by Grandma.

Nathan was captivated by the clay rabbit behind him.

Gavin & Coolio (aka Zach)

Don't mess with Grandpa when the grill is hot!!!

You can't tell by the photo, but Samantha is getting "whipped" by Indy (I mean Zach)

Bubbles.....he likes Bubbles

I love this photo of Nathan - I love the little chubby profile that he has here....I hope he doesn't lose it for a long, long time....(sigh....)

Happy Fathers Day!!!!

I got a phone call at 3:15 yesterday from my friend, Audrey. "IF YOU CAN GET TO FRED MEYER'S BAKERY BEFORE 4:00 P.M., THE KIDS CAN DECORATE THEIR OWN FATHER'S DAY CAKES FOR ONLY $2.99!!!" Audrey's daughter, Mikayla was already there with her working on her cake. You have never seen me get the kids ready & out the door so fast! On route, I called my friend, Lara to tell her about this fun opportunity. (I must admit that I waited until I was halfway there, as the event was good until they ran out of cakes & there were only 9 cakes left at the time Audrey called me!) Lara has 4 kids, but she made it there in record time too. The kids were able to completely accessorize their own 8' round cake for "Daddy" using frosting, sprinkles & an array of different embellishments, such as little signs that said "#1 Dad" or "Go Daddy!" We found out this is a tradition that the bakery does ONLY for Mother's Day and Father's Day. I did not let Nathan do HIS own cake, as that could have had disastrous results! He will have to wait until next year & then he can do a cake for mommy. :o)

My friend Lara with 3 of her little ones: Luke, Jacob & Kira

Little chefs: Samantha & Mikayla

Gavin loves anything that has to do with sugar....

MASTERPIECE!!!

More Kids on the Trampoline

Nathan is really starting to get his co-ordination together now, so much that he loves playing on the trampoline with Samantha and Gavin. These two videos show Nathan being lovingly bounced around the trampoline like a rag doll.

Funny Farm

No, it's not what you think -I was not committed to the local asylum! Wednesday was the spring trip to BiZi Farms with My Friends Preschool! The kids were able to take a tractor ride showing the various fruit fields. We learned that blueberries take 5 YEARS to mature! We visited the inside of a greenhouse & then it was off to see the baby chicks. I had to hold the 1 day old chicks so the kids could pet them with 1 finger. After that, they were able to see the inside of a bee's nest. Try as we may, we just couldn't locate that darn queen bee!! We were also able to stop & feed the pygmy goats some hay. As part of the tour, the kids were able to pot their own strawberry plant, which we will have to add to our own garden!! We also got to pet the rabbit, who comes & goes as he pleases in the barn. Just before leaving, I took the kids to the farmer's market just outside & bought a loaf of homemade blueberry crumble bread! Despite the overcast sky, we had a marvelous time!

Crazy Kids...!!!

Last summer, Nanny Edna, Doreen, Grandpa Fred & Sue bought us a cool trampoline! We had great fun on it last year; getting to know how to bounce properly. Now that the sun has returned (briefly), we are practicing some new skills. I think this one is called the Neck-Breaker or maybe the Concussion-Roll. We can't wait 'til Daddy says it is OK to try a triple lutz followed by a fosbury flop...

HALLCROFT LANE REUNION!! (aka Diana's Baby Shower..)

Saturday morning was very busy, as we were getting ready for Diana's baby shower....It was held at Lori's (her very nice neighbor who also toilet papers with us) Samantha was in her element, as this was her first official grown up function...:o). Tim & the boys dropped off Steph & Samantha and had to bail, as this was a GIRL'S ONLY party.....You might be wondering why I called this post HALLCROFT LANE REUNION?? Well, let me tell you! In attendance at the party were Melissa Sykes & Melissa Hansen (our previous next door neighbors of our childhood home in Huntington Beach), as well as Diana, Debbie, mom & myself. The food was fabulous - we had chicken salad croissant sandwiches, pesto pasta salad, chocolate fondue with strawberries & bananas & sparkling cider. Deb read a funny story about becoming ready to welcome a baby (I loved the line about spoon-feeding a watermelon swinging from a string, or something like that). Samantha was big-time, as she was THE girl who handed Diana the presents. Diana got lots of neat gifts and lets just say that she won't be running out of bibs anytime soon!! lol.... A fabulous time was had by all.........

Nathan is starting to walk!!!

Since the start of April, Nathan has slowly built up his confidence putting one foot in front of the other. His first tentative step has now become 26 bold strides. Leaving the last remnants behind of being an infant, he has now entered the dark world known as Toddlerhood. We have lots of fun ahead of us...heh heh heh.

Fun at the Embassy Suite's Pool!

Being that the Godoy's are in town for Diana's baby shower, we took the fam over to visit them at the Embassy Suite's Hotel in Portland. When we got there, Deb was holed up in the room with Dane, and Ramon and Zach were headed to the pool. The kids were super excited to see their cousin & had a blast swimming in the pool. It was also their first time in a jacuzzi, which they loved, but made it hard to go back into the pool, which was now a lot colder....! After a while, we went back up to the room where we just chilled out for a little bit.