1. Wow, it's been almost a whole month. That is pathetic.

2. So January....oh January. How is it that you have flown by so quickly? It is already the 20th and I barely remember what we have done the past 20 days. Where has the time gone?

3. Emerson started a new dance studio at the beginning of this month. We LOVE it. Not only does she seem to be learning so much, but we also added a tap class to her schedule. Guess who loves her tap shoes?!?!

4. Brennan had his annual cardiologist appt. yesterday. Since switching jobs I have also switched insurance. So unfortunately we don't get to see our amazing Dr. Hashmi anymore, as he isn't covered on our plan. So today we travelled to Riverside to see another pediatric cardiologist who was really nice. Brennan was a trooper as usual, always so patient and understanding of everything that is going on. Poor little guy has been doing this for as long as he can remember, it's just like a normal day for him.

5. Work is awesome. When was the last time I could say that?

6. Been teaching the kids how to ski. Or should I say, having someone else teach them. They are really loving it. And I am loving being outside and doing something fun too!

7. The other day I was thinking once again what a beautiful place we live We can ski, lay on the beach, walk on a golf course, hike a mountain, shop in awesome stores, eat amazing food....all within a relatively short distance. Crazy.

8. I just finished day 111 of P90x workout. I can't even believe that I have stuck with a workout this long. I am truly amazed with the results!

9. I have taken to watching Sex and the City from season 1. I love those girls! They crack me up.

10. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

December...where o' where did you go?

This month has completely flown by, so much so that I have lost track! So here instead of writing it all out, pictures it will be!

What would Christmas be without pics with Santa!

Snow Day Fun

Rockettes Show

Disney on Ice!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning

Lots of love,

The Gradys

He's back!!!

Fred is back and causing some serious BELIEVING in our house this

Christmas season!

Lots of love,

The Gradys

TEN

1. Been awhile since I have posted...even longer for a 10!

2. Life has been busy as usual. Time sure flies at times.

3. Thanksgiving was great. Drove north to see Jeff's dad and Kathy at their new house near Yosemite. Beautiful weather, crisp and cold, perfect for the holiday weekend. The kids had a great time playing outside and enjoying time with grandma and grandpa.

4. We were discussing favorite treats one day over lunch in the staff lounge. One of my favorites as a kid was elephant ears. My mom would get them at the bakery as a special treat for us. Such fond memories. So after the discussion I went online in search of the perfect recipe. And finally after some serious searching and compiling of a few recipes, I may have just recreated them. Yummy!

5. I love my little ones.

6. I love this time of year. The decorating, the lights, the food, the magic. But sometimes the craziness of it all is SO overwhelming. Between report cards, a little lady's birthday, shopping, baking, etc....phew! It's crazy!!!

7. I am day a 65 of P90x. I never thought I would last this long doing hardcore exercise for 6 days a week. For weeks on end. Dare I say I actually enjoy it?

8. I think I have an addiction. www.zappos.com

9. Emerson came home from school yesterday so thrilled. She was chosen to play Mary in a little play the 2nd graders are doing for Kinder and 1st grade. Beaming smile on her face (and mine!).

10. Just the other day my class and I were going through our social studies lesson. When out of nowhere a huge bird flew in the door, slammed against the window, hit the opposite wall, swooped down over the kid's heads, and finally landed by the door again. We were able to shoo him out...meanwhile screaming, and laughing, and shock, and kids dropping and taking cover was occurring. Talk about getting their attention!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Ghosts and witches and pumpkins galore!

We started out the day with some good ol' fashioned pumpkin carving! We decided this was the year for some classic Jack-o-laterns!

If this doesn't show their little personalities...

The day continued with Obi Wan Kenobi and A Greek Goddess getting ready for some trick or treating fun.

Happy Halloween!!!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

It's been a busy fall season! We had a great visit from Kathy and Jim. We had a jammed packed weekend full of exploring, soccer, cooking, and just enjoying each others company.

A view as we ascend up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway!

Emerson and Brennan taking a break from our hike.

School Carnival time!!! The kids look forward to it every year! This year we lucked out with beautiful weather and a fun filled afternoon riding the rides and playing games.

Emerson with her friend Taylor waiting in line for the Twister ride.

The BEST part of Brennan's day? Winning goldfish of course!

We have two new pets in our house! Meet Lucy and Bob.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

10 on "what day is it?"

1. Has it really been two weeks since I posted something? Does that mean I don't have anything to say? Or just that I have no energy/time to post anything? I'll go with option #2.

2. Work has been great. Typical teaching stories. Misbehaving kids. Awesome, smiling kids who do everything they are told. Piles of papers to grade. 29 parent teacher conferences completed and successful. Lessons to plan and meetings to attend. Still loving every minute though.

3. Went to see Tim McGraw last weekend. Fantastic!!!! He was so great in concert, so interactive with the crowd! Missed seeing a good ol' country boy in concert. Good times!

4. About 2 weeks ago we get home from soccer practice, tired, needing to get dinner ready, homework done, etc. Only to discover that Brennan's room has a nice coating of water across half of it. Long story short, a pipe in our foundation burst, flooding (upward) both kid's bedrooms and their bathroom. After jackhammering out a 3 foot hole in Em's floor, sealing up the leaking pipe, pouring new concrete foundation, and laying all the carpet back down, problem is solved. Phew! Never a dull moment!

5. So tonight Brennan asks, "Mommy, when is Christmas?". My reply, "In 2 months....". He then says, "I better start making my list now." Oh great!

6. Made a delicious soup last night for dinner. If you like Potato Soup you have to try this super, easy QUICK recipe!

7. Speaking of cooking. We, Emerson and I, have been on a baking splurge lately. Loaves of banana peanut butter bread, pumpkin spice muffins, jars of apple butter, lemon cookies...thank goodness people at work like this stuff. We would weigh 300 pounds otherwise!

8. Completely looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning...till 6am. Been getting up at 4:45 am everyday to work out. Friday is my day off. Cannot wait for a break!

9. Just joined a wine club through Sunset magazine. Love that the wines come from all different places along the west coast. So far each one has been SOOOO good.

10. Hip hip hooray for Friday! TGIF.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Emerson's NEW bedroom

A few months back we started the transformation of Emerson's bedroom. I think we are finally complete! We LOVE it!

Here are the BEFORE's

AFTER'S

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Soccer Time!

Well, it's official. I am a soccer mom. Brennan started his first soccer season this past weekend. His team, Blue Thunder, had a great time running around chasing the ball, I mean isn't that what 5 year old soccer looks like?

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Still here...

1. Barely breathing...remember that song by Duncan Sheik? My theme song lately. Phew.

2. My little girl is growing up, she started Brownies this month. I can remember being a Brownie when I was younger. I had so much fun learning new things, doing crafts, going on field trips, and so much more. I can't wait for Emerson to do all those things too. Today she came home having made her own pillow!

3. And speaking of growing up. Our little guy had his first soccer practice tonight. 12 little five year old boys are quite humorous to watch as they learn to play soccer. Looking forward to his first game this weekend! Pictures soon...

4. As I know everyone knows, our weather here in CA has been rather hot lately. Almost unbearable. But there is always a silver lining in something like this, right? Look what I snapped this morning.

5. I am so thrilled that all the new shows have finally started for the fall season.

6. Made a delicious new salad recently. Highly recommend it as a lighter meal.

7. I really love my new school. My kids are great. Families are wonderful. Staff is supportive. It is really great. But, I do miss seeing some dear friends on a daily basis.

8. Nothing better than driving to school with the kids each day and listening to them giggle, laugh, chat, discuss, point things out to each other, just love on each other. They were piling out of the car one morning and a fellow teacher said, "I love how they are so giggly this early in the morning." I said, "They really love each other, they are each others best friend." It's the truth and I love that.

9. I pulled out the fall decorations. I'm burning the pumpkin candles. I am baking like a crazy person. Yet...the leaves haven't changed, the temperatures are still over 100 degrees, and the sun is still shining at 7pm. Ugh.

10. i am exhausted and going to bed now...

Lots of love,

The Grady's

TEN

1. Settling into our new schedule slowly. Kids have actually done a wonderful job getting ready each morning and getting out the door. It's me that needs to go to bed earlier, so that alarm clock isn't so annoying in the morning.

2. Just finished a really great book the other day. I highly recommend it, but, be prepared to shed some tears...or a ton like I did. But, what an amazing story of friendship. Loved it.

3. We signed up for Netflix this summer when summer TV failed to entertain. We have been receiving three Dvd's at once and loving it. I have re-watched so many favorites, seen new ones that I wouldn't have taken the time to see, and ordered movies for the kids that I remember loving as a kid myself.

4. Priceless moments...glancing over in school mass at Em and seeing her sing along with a big smile on her face, walking to lunch and getting a huge bear hug from Brennan, watching Emerson walk her little brother to his classroom each morning...so fortunate to be where I am now and be able to witness things like this everyday.

5. I made homemade cinnamon bread this past weekend. 6 hours, kneading, rolling, resting, baking. SO worth the time and energy. Delicious.

6. When do the fall shows start. I am just about done watching House Hunters, Ace of Cakes, Cupcake Wars, Cake Boss, My First Place, Diners Drive-ins and Dives....well you get the idea. Think I am ready for some good stuff now.

7. Back to School also means back to a crazy schedule. Two dance classes, girl scouts, speech, taekwando, soccer, and who knows what else. So this is what the "Mom Taxi" is all about!

8. I have found a new love of cooking lately. Not sure if it is all the darn food network shows I watch or what. But, I have been trying a bunch of new things, taking time to really cook, and loving the end products (most of the time!). Someone asked me recently if I have always cooked or why I actually liked it. I told them I was so incredibly lucky to have two moms that are excellent cooks and used to show me things all the time. I was constantly in the kitchen helping. I hope that I can continue to pass these things onto my own kids too.

9. Found this cool website/blog recently with tons of FREE crafty things. http://www.livinglocurto.com/

10. It's finally football season again....are you ready?

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Back to School

10. Backpacks purchased and labeled.

9. Uniforms tried on, new ones bought, washed and hung in the closet, and ready to be put on.

8. Supply lists filled after multiple trips to Target and Office Max.

7. A yummy dinner and special treat the night before.

6. Showers, nails trimmed, hair put in curlers, and teeth brushed.

5. Early bedtime and kisses goodnight.

4. Morning wakeup with a special breakfast.

3. Lunches packed and put into backpacks.

2. Backpacks zipped and ready to roll.

1. Finally off and ready to start the school year! (even for me!)

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Buried

school starts monday. new school. new grade. enough said.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

thoughts...

There must be an age when children start to notice things about their body or how their body might be different from others. Brennan must have reached this age. This past month he has asked me two separate questions that made me realize how much he must be noticing things.

Tonight was one of those nights. He came into the kitchen while I was cooking dinner, and said, "Mommy, what are these two lines" (he's pointing to the scar on his chest/side). I said, "Bren, those lines are where the doctors fixed your heart when you were a baby". He looked down again and seeming satisfied with my answer walked away. I know he will have many more questions someday...

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Family Day at the Races

As we try to hang on to the last little bits of summer and cram in as much as we can into these last days of no schedules, we find that we are of course heading to cooler temperatures as well. We drove over to San Diego this past weekend and had awesome, cloudy, overcast weather! It was quite a treat. The kids just love the beach and just cruising around the local beach towns.

Sunday we decided to give the Del Mar racetrack a try. Who knew the races could be such a great place to send a Sunday afternoon with the family?

Face Painting

My little loves

Lots of love,

The Grady's