Bankrupt!

Tonight, I thought it would be fun to teach the boys how to play Monopoly. So, I dug out the game we got Jeff...it's the one that has locations from around the world...BUT, it doesn't have money. What is the use of teaching the boys HOW to work with money, if the Monopoly game uses a CASH CARD, not MONEY!!!!

So, we ended up playing Spiderman Monopoly. It was more fun than we thought...the boys actually got the hang of it by the time JEFF won. I got really sleepy...maybe it was the wine.

Of course, Jeff was the banker and he took all of our money....sigh....

Here is a bad picture of the board...but, you get the idea. The hard part was the dice were red and blue...not a great idea for this board.





*The boys didn't even notice the tv wasn't on all night!

Addicted!!!

Ok...so at first they scared me...but, now...um, I am a fan. I don't know what happened...I was walking around Target...and these three, (yes Julie...THREE) bags of Nerds jumped into my cart.

My friend Julie, has been blogging about these Giant Nerds since before Valentine's Day. They are a little scary...and who wants to eat a NERD?
I haven't had any since high school...anyhoots, I bought one bag earlier in the week, and took them to school. Julie said that she would take the rest of the bag if I didn't like them.

Well, now I have 3 bags....

Booties!

Yeah! The booties are done...aren't they cute? Of course, they have little purple ribbons, are wrapped in pink and PURPLE tissue paper...in a pink bag!

I'll have to get Neil to make a card...that should be interesting....

Oh, and yes Julie....I like the Giant Nerds...for those of you who do not know what Giant Nerds are...(don't worry, I was scared to try them, but I tried them today)...here is Julie's post about them.

Baby Blanket #1 is done

2009 is going to be a busy year for babies!!! I finished my first blanket...this one is for Neil's Student Teacher who is due next month.

(I can post the picture, since she doesn't look at my Blog....as for the other people who might look at my Blog or FB notes...you will have to be in suspense!)

Today, I was working on the booties...but, I had a hard time finding a pattern that "sort of" matched the blanket. I think I found it...I'll post a picture of that tomorrow...

Flat Stanley has RETURNED!!!

Flat Stanley has found his way home!!!! He went to go visit Auntie Canada's niece in Ottawa Ontario, CANADA! Here is a little about his adventure....(thank you Amelia and her Mom Jenn for writing today's blog entry!)

Dear Neil,

Your Flat Stanley came all the way to my city, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA. While he was here, these are some of the exciting things he saw and did: When Stanley arrived in Ottawa it was very cold, -20 degrees C. We decided that the first thing we needed to do with Stanley was make him some warm clothes. (that explains his new attire!!!)

Next we took Stanley to Winterlude, a 3 week long winter festival (Winterlude takes place along the canal in Ottawa. When frozen, the canal is the longest outdoor skating rink in the world! See the website here). We saw teepees, ice sculptures and an ice palace. We also enjoyed Beavertails, a traditional Ottawa treat. (Beavertails are who wheat dough that is flattened and deep fried, then brown sugar and cinnamon are spread on top. They were inspired by the natives --- bannock is a fried bread). Stanley then enjoyed some maple syrup taffy! All in All a great adventure!!!

The distance between Fremont, California and my city is about 2,925 miles or 4,700 km! If Flat Stanley comes back to visit, he should wear a snowsuit, hat and mittens because the climate here is cold in February. In the summer, shorts and t-shirts are best! =)

Here are some other interesting things about my city: We have a tulip festival in May and a balloon festival in August. Our city is the capital of Canada. We have the parliment buildings, and many museums and galleries. There are lots of things for kids to do in my city!

Love,
Amelia!

P.S. We have included some photos and some souvenirs. We have also included 2 toques (hats), one for Neil and one for Jordan. =) Enjoy!

Neil and Jordan (with Flat Stanley) in their toques!

Flowers anyone???

Today we went to the "Farmer's Market" @ Hartnell College. Kay (on the right) sells flowers there....if you are ever in Salinas...BUY from Kay! (I told her I would give her a plug....) But, really, I grew up with Kay and her family...and they are great. Their flowers are fantastic!

It was fun bumping into people...I saw my Sunday School Teacher, (Kay kindly reminded me that I taught her when she was in pre-school/kindergarten....), who I happened to see last week at Auntie Dollie's funeral. I have seen Mrs. Sak...maybe twice in 20 years...and I see her twice in a week....funny, eh.

On Saturday, I called Elizabeth and Brian to let them know that I was going to Kay's. They go every week...so, we were able to chat and catch up a little. Eliz is on the phone with my brother Dave. They are talking about Dustin Lance Black, who won an Academy Award for writing Milk. Turns out that he went to North Salinas HS with my brother Dave. Eliz had both Dustin and Dave in her classes...Eliz is trying to figure out how to get Dustin to come back and speak at NSHS...The funny thing is...that year is sort of a blur to Eliz. She found a few poems that Dustin wrote...but, she can't find any of his essays. She has all the years before and the years after...but, she can't find Dustin's year. Brian kindly reminded her...that she was a little busy preparing for their wedding that was in June of that year. :)

Happy Happy Birthday!!!!

Today we met with my family to celebrate Grandpa (my Dad), Uncles Dean & Gary's birthdays! It was lots of fun...(

Here's Dad with the birthday card we gave him....he didn't even open it up all the way because he wanted to get to the presents...they never grow up!

Gary is listening to a Hoops and Yoyo musical card. He always gets the boys musical cards and I thought it would be fun to give him one...a rather obnoxious one...

Dean is done...he had lunch, his cake, his presents and is ready to go home.

Afterwards, we went to Gilroy and visited my Grandfather @ the cemetery...and did a little wine shopping at Safeway. They had my Murphy-Goode Cabernet on sale!!! Sigh....

When we *finally* got to Salinas, we decided to go to Monterey for dinner...unfortunately, Karen and Haku-Jeff couldn't join us...but, we did bump into the Marks after we ate! Jeff couldn't figure out "why" Curtis was walking towards him...hee hee...

Many thanks to Auntie Irene for "cat-sitting"...She had to explain to Shaq that he wasn't going to get any food until he took his medicine...that must have been an interesting conversation.