Few and Far between

As I got deeper and deeper into this whole working world my time to myself do do things like oh, cook, laundry, and blog are fewer and farther between. Stick with us...
Updates:

D: Super dad-ing and super realtor-ing. Finding the true balance between work and home, and yes, the dishwasher does get full EVERY DAY!


K: Out of training and sloshing through the world of cold calling and outside sales. Oh, you just hung up on me? No biggie, I'll call you back in 6 months. Not sure where the thick skin comes from but it'll do for now. Hanging tough and getting out in front of clients. Got stuck in the car during a recent spontaneous snowstorm - for 7 hours- with my boss.


N: Always the funny stories from one of the boys - this time it's Nate. Last night Nate was invited to yet another Blazer game with his buddy Cole. It was the dad's turn so Dave went along. This was probably the 5th or so game this year - he could tell you. Anyway, the goal is always to get on the Jumbotron, the gigantic TV at center court. The boys dress the part, wave stuffed fingers, stand on their chairs and cheer like nobody's business. Last night Nate and Cole got on the Jumbotron for the first AND second time! Nate's comment to Dave? "Hey dad, that kid on the Jumbotron is wearing the same shirt as me!" Look again son, it IS you! Today Nate had a trip to the dentist to have a cavity filled. Poor kid has inherited my cramped jaw. His little teeth are tight together, a cavity nightmare. Better start saving for braces now! He did great. Doesn't remember a thing and thought the whole experience was pretty darn neat. Thanks nitrous oxide! Nate's comment to me when he got home? "I wish it was a gold tooth; that would be so cool!"

I: Started "Pre-kindergarten" two days a week (aka YMCA daycare). In true Ian style he hates it but ultimately I think it will be a good thing for him to make some more friends and get out and about more while Daddy works. Still into Taco the dog, trying to convince Grandma to get him a puppy, Charlie and Lola and infomercials. Ian may have a future as a pitchman. "Mom, Emery Cat let's your cat file its own claws and if you call right now...!" We don't even have a cat.

Jumbotron, from a previous game

Look Ma, half my face is dead!

Chirstmas at TLC, NYE at home

Have hat, will party!
Ian and his friend getting ready to ring in the new year

Our Charlie Brown Christmas tree at TLC

Dave's cabin tin can practice

Christmas eve concert, brought to you by N, I, S and A

Santa knew just what Ian wanted

Nate's new favorite game

Genetics

Like Father, Like Son

Heaven

Now THIS is Ian's version of Heaven.

Taco, Taco and more Tacos!

Naughty or Nice?

This was totally just for show.
Acting wild

Getting Schooled

Today I forced a Santa visit on the kids. You'd think I was asking them to walk on burning glass. Barefoot. Nate has been a bit of a Grinch lately and Ian, of course, follows suit when it comes to this kind of stuff. So the begrudgingly got dressed (NOT in sweats, fight #1) and we drove downtown our best known Santa ("He's a fake mom, just a helper. Why don't you send the real Santa an email instead." fight #2) I bribed them with McDonalds and off we went to stand in a (thankfully) very short line. Stomping, whining, pushing and rough housing, the usual (fights #3-8). By the time it was our turn I was ready to kill them both but with a little coaxing, Santa got them to engage. And the Shuster boys got schooled by Santa. Big time.

Afterwards, Nate said to me, "Mom, that was the real guy, not some fake. He knew everything. He said we have to clean our rooms and stop fighting and wrestling and do things the first time you ask." Moods improved significantly there after, if only for a few minutes.

Turkey Day, a new way

For the first time in 9 years, we are able to spend Thanksgiving in California with Dave's family.

We also drove this year, a first with the kids. Modern day travel is a blast. My laptop has an aircard so I can surf while Dave drives; the boys have new DS's, courtesy of Christmas coming early for the sake of the trip, a DVD player in the car, 3 PDA's and we are all set.

Dave's sweet grandmother arranged for dinner in the Wine Cellar at the Firehouse Restaurant in Old Town Sacramento (or, as I told the boys, the kind of restaurant mommy and daddy only go to when we have a babysitter!) The kids were relatively well behaved (thank goodness for the private room) they were able to get up and move around a bit considering we were there nearly 3 hours.

Dinner was 3 courses for the boys - they chose the fresh fruit salad with whipped cream and toasted marshmallows, roast turkey with stuffing and string beans and mashed potatoes, and for dessert a S'more creation with graham cracker cookie bars, brownies, toasted marshmallows covered with chocolate and carmel sauce.

I had the traditional turkey dinner, Dave had the prime rib. The potato leek soup and the holiday pumpkin torte was to die for.

Today we are hanging in our favorite hotel and maybe a bit of sight seeing. The boys get along really well with their cousins and are as silly as ever. More pics to come but in the mean time, happy Black Friday!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Ah, the perks of being gainfully employed again. Hi everybody! Is anyone ever out there anymore? Three weeks ago I went back to work. The blog, and the laundry have suffered. I am doing great and having fun. They boys are adjusted and being Dave is Super Dad and Mr. Mom all at the same time.

One of the perks of being employed by a great big company is being 'in the know' when I might otherwise have been oblivious. Last week an email came thru the ol' inbox about a Meet and Greet with Blazer Rudy Fernandez. Nate, do you want to go? DUH MOM! OF COURSE I DO!

We invited a couple buddies and headed to the new Cascade Station VZW store to wait in line. You wouldn't believe it but it was gusting, hailing and pouring rain here all mornig but by the time we arrive, gorgeous and sunny. We waited about and hour and a half-my fault. We were super early but got in about 15th in line. And, the boys got all kinds of cool give-aways.

Rudy was very quiet and so were the boys. I am not sure anyone even spoke. I got a couple shots off in the mere 30 seconds we were there but it was again, totally worth it. We finished off the after noon with fries and shakes at the neighboring Red Robin.

Thanks Rudy!