No Fear

Not in a million years would I ever describe Brookey as "fearless." This child has been what I like to call, "cautious" for as long as I can remember. Heck, she's been downright afraid of everything, it seems like! Dogs, bees, amusement park rides that go up too high, roller coasters, large, human Disney characters (Mickey Mouse, Goofy, etc.) weird looking food, feeling comfortable in large groups of people, loud noises...the list goes on.

However, I found it truly amazing this weekend when the "wild creature birthday party show" pulled out every nasty, stinky, slimy, horned, legless creature from a huge bin, she acted as if she had died and gone to heaven. Her enthusiasm was so apparent that all the parents were saying how "fearless" she was. Fearless? Who? Not my kid!!! [Well, not Brooke at least. Now Buddy...]

Now, after a few drinks and about an hour or so of some smooth talk, someone could have convinced me to maybe,maybe touch that giant python. This was Brookey (yelling!) "C'MON GUYS!! They're bringing out the giant python! Let's hold it!!!" Ummm....who are you and what have you done with my sweet Brooke?

I was actually quite proud of my baby for being the only girl who would get within 10 feet of that snake. Even after the animal rescue people told the kids, "Now, this snake can kill you." Nice. But it was fun to see her so excited about something...as weird as it was. Maybe she'll be a vet. Who knows?

Touching some nasty lizard something-or-other. She would have taken it home if I would have let her.

Rite of Election

For the past year, I have been going every Tuesday night to classes to prepare me for the Catholic sacraments of baptism, communion and confirmation. Since I was never baptized, this has been a long time coming and I cannot express how happy I am to have found my faith community. It's truly been one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life.

The big celebration will happen during Easter but there are several other smaller "celebrations" in between....if you know anything about Catholics, we like to celebrate! :) This past weekend my class visited a cathedral in Sacramento which I honestly felt rivaled some of the cathedrals in Europe--it was just gorgeous. This "field trip" was called the Rite of Election. It was a beautiful ceremony and I even got my picture taken with the Arch Bishop...although I really have to admit I felt like I was standing in line at Disneyland to get my picture taken with Belle or some other Disney character! It was pretty funny!

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento


Say Cheese! He even kinda looks like a Disney character! Seems like a very nice guy...

My class--GREAT, SUPER people!!!!

William Riley Rooney: 2nd Year at OneTrueMedia.com

For the first time ever, I decided to go "non sappy" on the annual video. Instead, it's a happy, upbeat song :) I love the sappy songs, but I just HAD to use "You've Got a Friend in Me," the theme for the three Toy Story movies, for Buddy's video this year.

This child can hear the first two notes of this song and come running like Pavlov's dogs--the kid is OBSESSED with Buzz , Woody and the rest of the Toy Story crew. So it was only fitting to use this song for him. Plus, it's a cutsy song that's not too sappy-and that's pretty much Buddy in a nutshell...he can be cutsey, but he's not sappy in any way, shape or form...he's ALL boy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Buddy is 2!

I can't believe our Little Man is 2! On one hand, he seems like he's been a baby forever...on the other hand, it seems like yesterday were looking at him in the NICU hooked up to all those wires and tubes!

Well, he's happy an healthy now, that's for sure!! We stayed with our "traditional" no-birthday-party-for-age-2 mantra and the four of us just went of Chuckie Cheese for pizza and games. Buddy attended a birthday party there a few months back and decided it was his favorite place in the whole world. Conversely, it is pretty much my idea of a complete nightmare...but hey, it was HIS birthday!!!! He had a great time.

He knows he's 2 now and when asked how old he is he proudly holds up ONE finger and says "Two." We have a long way to go with this boy...he's confused over many things...for example, every time someone gives him something, he says "You welcome" instead of "Thank you"...he also enjoys torturing us by arguing that stop lights are indeed ORANGE (his favorite color) and not RED. He can be strong willed (not sure I know a 2 year old who isn't), but he's pretty much the easiest kid I could ever ask for. Plus, he gave US an amazing birthday present today by sitting through an entire hour and 15 minute church service without putting up a fuss or without me having to take him to the crying room--that's a first! Not sure if it was a fluke, his age, or him just getting used to church, but whatever it was, we'll take it :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE BUDDY!!!!

His birthday present--Buzz!!!!!

"Sissy" had fun at Chuckie Cheese, too!!

His cake--Buzz, of course!!!

Father-Daughter Dance

On Saturday, Brookey's school hosted the annual Father-Daughter "Luau" which both Scott and Brookey were excited to attend. I sent Scott with the camera because I obviously couldn't attend, so there are maybe 3 pictures total from the event...MEN!!

But it sounded like they had a great time socializing, getting their caricatures drawn, limbo'ing and learning to hula! I look forward to the Beach Party-Themed Mother-Son dance when Buddy starts going to school!!

Ready for the dance!
Brooke & Maddie-Aloha!

Walking The Red Carpet

I have never been "into" the Oscars...probably since we hardly ever watch movies. Scott and I have never, ever been to a movie together-imagine that! Although I am proud to say I did watch at least ONE of the nominated movies this year--Toy Story 3!!!

But since our good friends have started having an annual Oscar Party, I have to admit, we've had some fun walking the red carpet!! Especially since they made it "adults only" this year--big difference!!! :)

This party is especially nice for us since at last years party, we met and made some of our very best friends here in the community. It was a wonderful Mommy and Daddy's night out all around and a chance to catch up with some wonderful friends!

"Going to the Snow"

When Scott and I first met, I remember I used the phrase "go to the snow" (Do you want to go the the snow this weekend?). It was followed by a very odd look from my Midwestern then-boyfriend. He had never heard the term "go to the snow." Since he grew up in a cold weather climate, he didn't quite understand the reason why anyone would exactly GO or "seek out" the snow!!!

Ten years later, he has discovered the stunning beauty of Lake Tahoe and now I have a feeling we'll be "going to the snow" quite often in the winter!

Thanks to our great friends Traci and Matt, we got to spend the weekend at their beautiful tahoe Donner home last weekend. We could not have asked for better weather....except maybe a liiiitle colder!! However, I can't complain about 60 and sunny in the mountains at this time of year! No chains or 4x4 necessary!

On Saturday we took the kids to a snow park where they both had a blast tubing and sledding...even scaredy-cat Brooke was fearless that day...and Buddy made the tubing height cutoff by one inch and also LOVED IT, as expected--he's fearless. The rest of the time was spent eating, drinking wine and playing/sledding in the backyard. Even though it was only a 3 hour drive and we only stayed for 1.5 days, Brooke was so cute to tell me, "Mom, thanks for the GREAT vacation!!!" Indeed. :)

Ready to sled!!!

Brooke loved sledding!


Let's go tubing, dude!!!

Self-portrait while we were waiting to tube...

BFF's!

What's the snow without a snow angel?!
The beautiful view at dusk..can't complain!!!