Little Kickers

We took Andrew to Little Kickers this weekend. It's an indoor soccer class for children 18 months - 24 months. For it being his first time, I think he did really well. He was much more interested in throwing the balls instead of kicking them but towards the end, he was getting the hang of it. Who knows, maybe we have a soccer pro on our hands?!

Goodbye Y&R

There it is, in the number one spot on my DVR!

Good-Bye friend!

It's a sad day for me. I just took my soap opera, The Young and the Restless off of our DVR. After 15 years (holy cow!) of watching the soap, the story line has gotten too ridiculous even for me. As sad as it is, this soap has been a big part of my life for quite some time. It started in 1995 when I would actually set the VCR every day to tape the show. I would have to remember to rewind the tape so I wouldn't run out of space half way through the show and more importantly, I had to make sure not to tape over one of my dad's car races that he hadn't watched yet! It was a big deal when we got a new VCR that I could set to tape the show every week without me having to set it every day! (How did we survive before DVR?) In college Jennie and Paige were subjected to watching it on Wednesday nights during our weekly Mary's Pizza Dinners. They would laugh because I would fast forward through half of the show and could still tell them what was happening. It has sparked numerous conversations with co-workers and acquaintences who have also watched the show from time-to-time. I've even had conversations with people telling them about something one of my friends just did, just to realize it wasn't a friend of mine but actually a character on my soap!

So, goodbye Y&R. It's been a great 15 years but it is now time for me to move on. Maybe I'll come back to visit my favorite families in Genoa City from time to time but for now, adios to the Newman's, Abbott's, Chancelor's and Neil's.

Balloons are fun!

Receptionist...not in my future!

If you are ever in the position of hiring a receptionist, do not select me as your person. I'm filling in today for 30 minutes at reception and I am completely stressed out. When they asked me this morning if I could help out I figured sure, how hard could it be? I will tell you how hard it can be:

• I've hung up on one person who I was trying to transfer to another desk! Thank goodness they were nice to me when they called back and I confessed I didn't know what I was doing.
• I didn't know how to put someone on hold so I just put the phone down on the desk and ran to the next room to get the information they needed!
• An employee came up to the desk to ask a question and I had no clue what they were even talking about let alone where to send them for their answer!
• I can't get the stamp machine to work and the post office guy is supposed to be here soon. Oh well, I hope none of this needs to go out today!
• I have 7 minutes left of my shift, let's hope I make it!

Brew Session #1

Brian got a home beer making kit for Christmas and decided to use his time off this week to start his first batch of beer. He is making his favorite, an IPA. Greg has been brewing beer at home for awhile so he was nice enough to give Brian some helpful tips so his beer turns out good. Stay tuned, it will be ready to drink in six weeks and we'll have 45 bottles that we will need help consuming!

Brian and Gerg, the Brew Masters

It takes a lot of stuff to make beer

The boys taking full advantage of the box!

Oooo, my beer looks good.

The beer is all cooked, now it's time to let it ferment for a few weeks.

*As a side note, if you or someone you know ever decides they want to do this, here is my 1 piece of advice: Boil the beer OUTSIDE! It makes the house smell horrible while it is cooking. :)

2010's off to a fun start!

Jen and Zippy invited us over for the first brunch of 2010. The kids had a great time playing and trying out all of Grevin's new toys. Andrew is feeling much better so he was his usual chipper, fun self. Grevin was a great host and let Brewer and Andrew drool on, I mean play with, all of his cool stuff. Thanks guys for such a fun start to the new year!

What a fun slide!

Greg, Brian and Zippy doing what they do best!

Peek-A-Boo

Here I come...

HI!

Jen and Grevin, Michelle and Brewer, Me and Andrew

All pooped out from such a fun day.

New Years Eve

Since the kids wouldn't stay awake until Midnight and the adults were unlikely to make it to Midnight, we through a Happy European New Years party. Everyone came over at 3pm and then at 4pm (midnight in England and Greenwich Mean Time) we all celebrated the beginning of 2010. We had so much fun and the kids all loved hearing the blowers go off and running around wild. Happy 2010!

Greg and Brian prepping for the party!

Some of the party crew. The other half of the crew were hanging out by the fire outside.

Andrew wanted to rock!

Happy New Years Little Man!!

Mom, how do you make these work?

Happy 2010!

Lots of kiddos were running around. We managed to get them all in one place for 2 seconds.