Family Manager

I was thinking a few days ago about how much I have begun to embrace my role as a home maker (family manager)!  A few years ago, I was pretty miserable and couldn't wait to get away from the house and back to work.  These days, I really enjoy my time around the house and with the kids.  Partly, it is because they have gotten SO much easier and more fun!  Another reason is that with their current school schedule, I am able to find time to work out, cook, do home chores, organize, run errands and blog :-) It has been really great.  I am surprised at my love of cooking.  I think being married to Greg (and Pinterest) has helped with that.  I love looking up new recipes and trying new things.  Some are good (Jalapeno Popper Chicken) and some are not so good (Cranberry Marinated Pork Tenderloin) but none the less it is interesting. I also love organizing (something I have always enjoyed) and as a home maker and in this new house the closets, drawers and rooms are just begging to be straightened and put into some sort of order. That is really fun for me too.  
I do want to go back to work eventually, but right now I am not in any real hurry.  I won't be able to stay home once the kids are in school full time (or I will go broke shopping and going out to lunch everyday) so I am going to continue to enjoy this while it lasts.  I am very lucky and I am so glad I am finally realizing it!!  
Yesterday after school our therapist cancelled Ryan's session so we headed down to Playdate PDX with one of Ryan's classmates and his Mom.  It was a lot of fun and I love that Ryan has a friend now.  As we were leaving the boys talked me into ordering a pretzel and here are some pictures of the enjoying it. Ryan mostly just ate the salt.

No wonder my car is a mess.  ha ha!

Where have we been......

I kept meaning to write a blog post over the last few weeks and it kept slipping to the bottom of the pile!  We have been pretty busy these last few weeks.  After my trip to the beach with my girlfriends I gave the boys their little gifts that I found in the cutest toy shop.  I am in love with these little trains and once they finish playing with the on a daily basis, I am going to put them on a shelf in their train themed room.  Here they are:  

Adorable right?!!  I just love these and couldn't resist as they were 15% off.  What a bargain shopper :-)
The week following my beach trip was pretty average.  Nothing too exciting.  Just school for the kids and work for Greg and doing my "mommy" stuff for me.  Saturday night we had a chance to go out for a date night to celebrate my birthday a few days early.  We went for a beer at Deschutes Brewery and then for a drink at Trader Vic's to discuss and plan our trip to Hawaii in May.  Then is was off to dinner at Andina and it was so good.  On my actual birthday Tuesday, we arranged for a babysitter again and went and saw Zero Dark Thirty which I will be writing a review about on my other blog shortly.  The next morning Greg left super early for Jackson Hole Wyoming for his boys trip which they are calling Manuary......they think they are so clever :-)  He is there now and is having a GREAT time.  
This week has been a hustle, run, move it type of week for me.  I forget how hard it is to get everyone where they need to be on my own.  We did a few of our favorite things like Monday after class and before ArtzCenter (therapy) we went to Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  Here are the boys loving their burgers:

Bill and Sandy got here last night and will be here until tomorrow.  Today (Saturday) Ian and I went to check out an open house at Touchstone for him to attend for Pre-K next year.  I liked it a lot and so did he.  After that we went to Parker's super hero themed bday party at Playdate PDX.  It was so great to celebrate with everyone!   Here is a picture of the boys in their masks:

I think it is very fitting that Ian ended up as the Incredible Hulk.  From now on when he starts getting angry I am going to call him Hulk.  Perfect!!  
As for my birthday, it was my 39th so it really wasn't too big of a deal.  I am hoping to plan a Vegas get away for my 40th next year.  

While Mom is away....the boys will play

I went on an early birthday celebration weekend to the beach with my girlfriends this last weekend.  It was so much fun and so needed!  I always feel so blessed after spending time with the gals.  We drove over Friday night and came back on Sunday mid morning.  There was a lot of laughing, lounging, jell-o shots, champs, eating and drinking....all the ingredients for a fun time. While I was gone Greg took full advantage of his time with Ryan and Ian.  First on the list...dinner with Daddy.  

Here is Ian fully enjoying his pizza!

The next morning Greg decided to buzz cut Ryan's hair.  I was so nervous but I got the picture and it looks adorable.

The boys with matching do's

Saturday was a very busy day for them, Greg handled it awesome.  Ian had kids sports followed by Ryan's swimming class.  We signed him up for Special Needs Swim and this was his first time in the pool without me or Greg.  He said Ryan did awesome.  When I received this picture via text I almost started to cry, he is such a big independent boy!

Ryan and his swim instructors

After that they had a birthday party to attend for a girl in Ian's class.  Greg stayed for present opening and said it went really well.  In the past Ryan has had a hard time watching others open presents.  I think the fact that she was a girl and didn't get any cars probably helped.

At the birthday party

Coming home to my boys was great.  I missed them and they missed me!

Just a few snow flurries

This morning as I was getting the boys ready for school I noticed it seemed silent outside.  That only means one thing around here.....snow!  The snow was falling beautifully and it was so pretty to watch.  Ryan and Ian got super excited and wanted to go and play in the snow.  We had to leave for school in 15 minutes but I thought I would let them enjoy it for a few minutes before it melted.  They had fun and even ate some snow!

Ryan saying "cheese" 

Ian looking cool

What's Goin' On?!

Back to school today for Ian...yippee!  I went to work out today while both kids were in school and it was glorious!  Both boys were reluctant to go to school today (Ryan has been back since Thursday of last week.)  I think they are still in vacation mode.  I am out of vacation mode and into working on goals for the new year.  I always feel so motivated in January, oh if only that lasted all year long :-)
This weekend Greg gave Ian a buzz cut and it looks adorable.  He looks so much like his cousin Parker now.  

All his friends at school today mentioned his new do!  
He has also been into cooking again.  He gets the same pot every time and adds olive oil, salt and pepper and then the creativity begins.  In his latest creation he added tons of cumin seeds, a bay leaf, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, and 2 whole nutmegs.  (heave knows what else, that is just what I saw)  Check out some pics of the chef below:

Greg was traveling last night so of course Ryan came up with the craziest request.  He wanted me to build the letters of the alphabet with his cars.  We only made it to F before we needed to use lego's as we ran out of cars.  Check it out.  It was a fun...hour long process.

Hope everyone is enjoying the first week of kids back to school.  I know I am!!

Another Christmas - Camuso Style

We got to celebrate another Christmas on Saturday, this time with the Camuso clan.  Paul and Megan graciously hosted and we had a great time.  We had soup, sandwiches, salad and yummy gingerbread cupcakes made by Clara and Stella.  The kids exchanged gifts.  Here are a few pictures:

Greg, Ryan, Ian & Gabe playing Pop Up Pirate

Gabe opening gifts (notice Ryan & Ian huddling close by)

Ryan enjoying his meet the cars book

Corie & Me

I did get pictures of everyone else there, but none of them turned out at all.  Nate and Noah were none too excited about having their picture taken (teenagers :-)  Stella's eyes were closed in her picture and both Clara and Mike were blurry.  Guess I don't have the camera skills my husband does!  

We had a really fun time and got to catch up.  Hopefully this will become an annual event!

Zoo Lights & Polar Express

This year during the holidays we decided to attend Zoo Lights and to go on the Polar Express in Hood River.  We have been to zoo lights before and again it did not disappoint.  The train ride was so much fun and walking around the zoo was amazing.  I still don't know how they put up and take down all those lights.  Here are a few pictures from our adventure:

Ryan & Me getting ready for the train to leave the station

Mimi & Papa on the train

Ian & Me under the lights

Some of the beautiful lights

The next evening we drove to Hood River around 2:30 to get to the 4:30 departure of the Polar Express.  It was so much fun.  Neither of the kids liked the hot chocolate so we drank theirs too (good thing we brought some peppermint schnapps for the adults)!  The trip was a lot of fun and both kids hugged santa and thanked him for their presents.  After the train we went to Double Mountain Brewing and had pizza and beers.  It was such a fun night.

Here are a few pictures from our adventure:

Ryan's face lit up when the train started moving

Ian and Me riding along.  

Jeff & Parker on the Polar Express