Puddles 2009

I'll Never See You Again........(maybe)

This week I traveled to San Francisco for a business trip. How lucky that my business trips for the last 6 years take me to such a beautiful city. These meetings were actually held in the city - an extra bonus! Since I missed the last meeting due to vacation, I was very happy to be able to attend this one and see my Sun Microsystems co-workers one more time (which may indeed be the last as Sun Micro employees).

I don't know what the future holds, but I am very thankful for the people I have worked with for the past several years. It isn't often you work with folks that are talented, creative, and down right nice people. Being a remote worker might also give me a deeper appreciation for my co-workers. Since I only see them a few times a year, I am even more thankful to have meetings where we can hash things out face-to-face --- and just catch up on everything going on in their lives. I can't begin to list the benefits of working from home, but not seeing the great people you work with every day is definitely a draw back.

And who knows, I might never see these people again (this joke is becoming more and more of a reality), but I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with them all and hope it continues. And if not, I know I'll still be in touch in the online world - thank goodness for Facebook!

Oh, and no kids running around, a couple nights on the town in San Francisco with co-workers and friends, and a walk along the water trying to catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate bridge isn't too shabby either. Thanks to my wonderful husband for all he does to make these trips a reality for me.

The Cool Uncle

Backyard football with Uncle Matt


Matt hanging with under-the-weather Tanner



Hanging with Bro

Drake actually has four pretty cool uncles, but man, does he love Uncle Matt. You really can't get a word in edgewise when Drake is around Uncle Matt. Matt was able to read some Harry Potter to Drake, play some backyard football, and take a walk while Drake showed off his biking skills.

Matt stayed with us Friday night and hung out on Saturday before he flight back to Brussels on Saturday night. We enjoyed a couple of BBQ's and Marshall and Matt got in some quality "bro time" and the chiminea got quite a work out.

When the boys get older, I do hope that Drake and Tanner will be able to enjoy spending time together like Marshall and cool Uncle Matt do.

Something about Family

Well, tonight I am missing my sister and my sweet, sweet nephew Grant (who never cried and slept very well during his visit - Marshall will say that he never actually saw Grant awake).



Jaima and I just enjoyed catching up and spending time together. We went for coffee, downtown for a sushi lunch, and got a little walk in with the kiddos (Drake got to show off his biking skills for Aunt Jaima). Jaima also got to sleep in a bit both days and was able to just relax (hopefully).

The boys were SO sweet with little Grant. Drake especially wanted to help feed Grant, make his bottle, and ensure that he was doing ok. Drake was tickled when Grant and Jaima were able to pick him up from school both days - simple pleasures.

Visits like these make me even more thankful for the wonderful relationship I have with my sisters. What wonderful women they both are and I am so happy to be able to call them my best friends. It is true that there is no relationship quite like that you have with your sisters. I miss ya already sis.........

Broncomania

ok - maybe the word "Broncomania" may be a bit strong....... but, we kicked off the Bronco's 2009 season over at the Torling-Johnson residence. They were nice enough to share their leftover Mexican birthday party food and the boys enjoyed attending the "party" and having cake (Drake has been complaining that Marshall and I are always going places and he and Tanner don't get to go). So, he was very excited to be invited over to Nadja and Ryan's for the football game.

We enjoyed watching the game (although not very exciting until the end), watching Drake and Marshall play football during halftime and just catching up with good friends. Drake was VERY excited when the Broncos won and I actually got him to wear his Cutler jersey (whew). Guess we'll be on the lookout for a some Bronco apparel this season. And in the meantime, we'll bask in the glory of a 12-7 victory.....

Oh and Tanner had fun playing in the dog kennel, playing with the dog toys, and playing with the actual dog sometimes too.

Weekend with the Boys

Labor Day weekend was spent hanging with a couple of my favorite guys. Marshall took off to spend a weekend with his brother in Laramie taking in some college football and floating down the North Platte - so I got the boys all to myself.

We enjoyed a trip to the Children's Museum on Saturday morning. There was a construction play area that both boys really enjoyed. Drake also the building station - which he hadn't done before. He loved using the tools - especially the saw. A really fun trip for us.

On Sunday, we hung out at home, did a bunch of puzzles, and went to the $1 theater (although the $1 theater is now $2.50) to see "Up". A cute movie, popcorn, and a fun time for all of us.

Monday brought a trip to the grocery store (with a bribe of doughnuts for breakfast). Yup, I'm not above a bribe to get some things checked off my "to do" list. The boys enjoyed their doughnuts and I enjoyed a coffee - a good way to break up the grocery shopping.

I'm a lucky lady to have a great couple of boys and enjoy some great time with them.

Time with Dad

Marshall and the boys spent had a "guys' weekend" while I was in Pender meeting my nephew and helping the Geiserts for a few days. Looks like they got along pretty well - biking, hiking, and hanging out.

Range of Emotions

What a roller coaster of emotions it seems to have been the past couple of weeks.

1. Oh - this newborn baby is so cute and wonderful- I could do that again....to...... thinking that I am slightly crazy to consider a third child. (What a wonderful time I had in Pender last week helping Jaima and Cam with their kids and having some precious time with my nephew Grant. And hanging with mom and dad wasn't too bad either.)
   
2. Life as I know it at Sun will be over shortly after Sept 3rd......to....... "business as usual" for the foreseeable future.......I have been so fortunate to work at Sun these past 8 years. What a wonderful company for working moms - and I work with some pretty great people too. And I can't say enough about how lucky I am to be have been able to work from home the past 5 years. The balance it has brought to ours lives is priceless. Although I'm ready for the next chapter of my working life - whether at Oracle or elsewhere - working a few more months at Sun is truly a gift.
   
3. I'm ok with this whole kindergarten thing......to......endless worrying about Drake being bored all year....and back again......

At least college football started this week and there's one thing that is for certain:

GO BIG RED!

And we wait......

It looks like I'll be working for Sun for a bit longer......

The Facts of Life

Now that we are getting into a regular routine at our house, we're getting to bed earlier - and getting up earlier. For the first time ever, Drake actually asked to go to bed! School must be wearing him out. One night last week, both kids were in bed by 8:15 - I think that is a record. It reminded me of my own bedtime as a kid. I had to be in bed at 8:30 and I was devastated that I couldn't stay up to watch "The Facts of Life" which was on at 8:30. I'm sure those days of the boys begging to stay up to watch a show are not that far away.......



We're still trying to figure out what he does all day - he keeps it pretty much to himself. We do get a daily update on PE, recess, and lunch. And every now and then, we'll find out which kids had to take cards (not a good thing) and Drake is quick to tell us that he does not have any cards taken.

Today he told us that he likes school - we were both very happy to hear it. He's also established a couple of routines - he rotates his shirt color (blue, yellow, white) and does the same with his milk choices for the day (strawberry, chocolate, regular). Anything to spice up the day I guess :)