Visit to CA

We left for California last Friday and got back yesterday. Blayne needed to do a ride along for Eli Lilly with the pharmaceutical rep working near Bakersfield, so he scheduled it for the same time frame as his high school reunion.

Tickets to his reunion were $100/per person! We debated for weeks whether I should go or not. It seemed like alot of money to pay for me to sit and watch him socialize with all of his old friends. Finally, at the last minute, we decided that I would go with him. The reality of it was, according to Blayne, that it was really only worth going so that he wouldn't wonder later what he had missed. I felt kind of awkward being 7 months pregnant in somewhat casual clothes while all the other girls looked so cute in their (little) formal dresses. But what can you do? It wasn't that bad. Blayne's friends all sat together and our table honestly got in trouble by the reunion's organizing company more than once. He said it was just like in high school! (Not for me, since I was biggest goody goody ever).

On the flip side, we got to spend a lot of time with Grandma and Papa Musick and Blayne's parents. One of the things I love most about visiting family is just staying up late talking about everything under the sun. We had a great time.

You wouldn't know it to look at this picture, but this group spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e.

Grandma T helped Darek take a ride on Andee. He looooved it.

Darek took every chance to lay on Andee.

This photo is just to give a shout out to Papa Musick in the background!

Grandpa Holloway Beware

We didn't take Darek trick or treating this year. We figure there will be plenty of years for that once he understands what's going on. We did, however, go over to our friend's house for hot chocolate and cookies.

Darek's Grandpa Holloway is a die-hard Redskins fan. Blayne is a die-hard Cowboys fan. This could get us into trouble.

Blayne's coming home

Blayne has had to make more frequent trips for work lately which isn't fun for me. The first day he's gone is the worst, but the day he comes home is great. He left on Sunday and my wonderful neighbor, Arin, had mercy on me and invited Darek and I over for dinner (we would have had cereal for dinner and been totally lonely if it weren't for her :).

Blayne will be home tonight, thank goodness.

In related news, I ate $21.57 worth of specialty candy yesterday (i.e. almond roca, toffee squares, and peanut brittle) and made myself sick. My intention was to give it to the ladies I visit teach. Apparently I have absolutely no self control. If I have food to give to someone, I have to give it right away, or I end up eating it. (And that was expensive stuff!)

And just because - I am in looove with my friend/neighbor's family picture. If you have kids, you have to check it out. www.natpete.blogspot.com . I hope you don't mind Natalie, but this picture has brightened my day!


A friend and I took our boys to get pumpkins and Darek just treated each one like a ball. He'd huff and puff to pick one up and then he'd throw it.


He thinks it's funny to put his hamper over his head and then chase me around the house. It really is funny.

The Backyard

We're blessed to have a huge backyard. Unfortunately this is what it looks like:

Up until the last few days, we thought it was sad that we had such a huge yard being left unused. Our plan is to one day put in a sprinkler system and sod and we figured up until then, it would just be an unusable space. Little boys have their own ideas, though. Darek has been throwing his ball, collecting rocks, and digging with his shovel for hours each day. Now I'm starting to think that he'd be sad if we put grass back there!

Hair Cut

I've gotten to that point where I'm feeling like a blob. My pants come down every time I bend over or walk too fast and the most comfortable shirts are the ones that are big and loose. My solution to this problem was cutting my hair - as my aunt said, I just wanted something about me to have structure. Looking at the pictures, it's actually not as short as I thought, but it's the shortest I've ever had it.

And just so you can see the belly...

Blayne took me on the most romantic date this week - we had a candlelit dinner for two at the top of a tower with rose petals, romantic music...the works. I don't think we've had such a romantic date since before we were married - in fact, we haven't had any dates at all in months!

I get so caught up in feeling like a housekeeper, it was nice to feel like a wife.

In more boring news, we have had a contractor here this week working on our basement and it has been a hoot. He turns his radio up so loud that it makes the floor vibrate and I can hear it throughout the entire house. The reason I haven't asked him to turn it down is the same reason I don't complain at restaurants: if you complain at a restaurant, they might spit in your food; if you complain to a contractor...well I don't know what he could do, but I'm sure he could think of something. The reason it's been a hoot is because not only can I hear his loud music, but he sings at the top of his lungs while he works. I get a kick out of the fact that while he's down there doing very monotonous work (texturing the walls), he's enjoying himself. Sometimes I even sing along too :)

After having snow last weekend, we've been very grateful to have beautiful weather for a couple of days. Blayne and I took Darek to the zoo today and it was wonderful.

We've taken him to the zoo several times and every time we go, his favorite thing to do is chase the ducks. He laughs hysterically.

Friends

My neighbor, Hunter-who's 7, comes over most days after school for about 20-30 minutes while he waits for his older brother to get home (both of his parents work). Darek absolutely loves it when Hunter's around and tries to copy everything he does.

In other news, at 24 weeks pregnant I've already gained 20 pounds. I still have a month until I start the third trimester, and that's when you gain the most weight. Awesome. In the end though, it really will be totally worth it.