Welcome to the World Elizabeth

And we add yet another baby to my side of the family. This is Elizabeth Raine Sardina born on June 26, 2007. She is 5 pounds 5 ounces. The proud parents are Jodi and Danny. Welcome Elizabeth! We can't wait to meet you!

Welcome to the World Cheyenne

Here's the latest addition to my side of the family. She was born June 24, 2007. Her name Cheyenne Elaine Mitchell. She weighed in at 6 pounds 6 ounces. The proud parents are Chris and Ed. Welcome Cheyenne! We can't wait to meet you.

Lucky 13

This is the lucky year for us (well maybe our second luckiest year - the first being the year we me). Today marks our 13th wedding anniversary. We've had so many wonderful things happen - the birth of three beautiful children. We've had many adventures. We've had fun moves from state to state. The most important thing though is that through everything both good and bad we've always had each other.

So honey here's to 13 more years! I love you Phil!

Some More Photos

A few more photos.

Photos from Long Beach Aquarium

I'm here in Long Beach, California for work but I did find about an hour and a half to walk over to the Aquarium. These are some of the things that I saw.

Conversation with Alex

A little while ago Alex calls me because he needs to tell on his Dad. Here's the conversation:

Alex: "Dad is not being nice."
Me: "Why?"
Alex: "He's not being nice because he hit me. Now I'm going to spank his butt. That's the deal. Okay Logan's turn to talk."

The real story - the boys got in trouble for not listening and not behaving while at Phil's school and got a swat on the bottom. (After they were given at least two opportunities to behave.)

It took all my will power not to crack up laughing.

Living With Uncle Tony?

Logan - "Uncle Tony built a bed for me so I can come live with him."

A Saturday Morning Scare

Saturday morning Phil and I work up to something a little scary. Around 6:50 in the morning we heard the door bell ringing. Obviously this is an odd time for the door bell to be ringing. Phil went downstairs to see who it was and it was our neighbor Chaquita with Alex. Alex had opened the door, went outside, and rang Chaquita's door bell (their house is located across the street from us) and told her he couldn't get back in. He was crying and obviously scared. He told Phil that we were lost and he couldn't find us. We know have to have something blocking our door so he can't get out. Next purchase - a chain locket.

For Baseball Fans

Play Games at AddictingGames

A fun game to play.

Kayla's Story - "Just Be Yourself"

Today was the last day of writing camp and Kayla shared her story that will be published in November.

Just Be Yourself by Kayla Reiniche

Have you ever been insulted just because of your looks? My name is Alexandra, but you can call me Alex for short. I'd like to tell you my story.

I'm part shark, part octopus, and part human also known as Hoctopus. Pretty odd mix, isn't it? My basic diet is fish, seaweed, and clams, but if I'm really hungry I'll eat coral. I have blue hair and blue eyes. I live in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii and I love to shop.

I'd like to tell the story of when my friend, Claudia, taught me an important lesson in life. It was a bight and sunny day. The water was as clear as the clearest glass. I was going to the Undersea Mall (as usual) to shop for some new shoes and get some seaweed salad for lunch. As I sat down to eat my lunch a merboy yelled, "You're the ugliest thing I've ever seen!" I started to cry uncontrollably and I quickly left the mall to go home.

Later that day my friend, Claudia, came to my house. Claudia came into my room and asked, "What did you...Hey, why are you crying?"

"A merboy told me that I was ugly." I said sadly.

Claudia replied with a little giggle, "That's whey you're crying?" I nodded.

Claudia said, "All you have to do is look in the mirror."

I slowly walked to the mirror and looked at myself.
Claudia asked me, "Do you think you're ugly?"

I answered, "No."

Claudia said, "Then you're not."

She told me, "It doesn't matter what other people think it's what you think that counts. Just be yourself."

From then on I never cared about what other people said about my looks because I knew that I looked beautiful.


Kayla will sign autographs upone request. :)

We're Going On A Bear Hunt

Tonight we went to the park for a hike through the woods and as we went along we sang:

We're going on a bear hunt, we're going on a bear hunt
We're going to catch a big one, we're going to catch a big one
With big green eyes, with big green eyes
And a little bushy tail, and a little bushy tail
Look over there, look over there
We're going a bear hunt, look over there!

Count Down To Father's Day

Logan asked me when Father's Day was the other night and I said in four days. This morning he tells Phil, "Dad, Mom said Father's Day is in 4 days, now it's 3 days, then it's 2, then it's 1 and then when it's none it's Father's Day."

Sexy Haircut

Last night Phil gave Logan a nice clean buzz cut. You can't tell here but before his hair was cut the hair was hanging over his ears. Well after his haircut he came down with his swim goggles on and said, "Look at my sexy haircut." Now only if he'd been wearing his sexy pants. A photo I'll have to post all too soon.

Swimming Lessons

Last week started swimming lessons for Logan and Alex. Of course Logan was very excited about swimming because he did it last summer. At first Alex had the same thought as is included in this comic strip - not sure I want to drown. Since starting last week Alex is loving being in the water.

Boys Having Some Skating Fun

Even Logan and Alex had some skating fun at Kayla's birthday party.

Rock Star Alex

Here's Alex having some fun rocking out on the inflatable guitar from Kayla's birthday bash. I wonder if he's going to grow up to be a rock star!

Survived 10 Year Old Birthday Bash

Well we survived Kayla's 10th birthday sleepover/roller skating party. Friday night was Kayla's sleepover party that ended Saturday afternoon with skating. We let her have 5 friends sleepover. They had cheese dip, veggies and dip. They did karaoke, jumped on the trampoline, swam, made clay friendship beads,had chocolate fondue and watched Harry Potter. Half the girls stayed awake until about 4 a.m.

Saturday we met the rest of the kids that were invited to the skating party at the local skating rink. This also included Kayla's friend Jake - the only boy cool enough to be invited. Kayla and Jake hang out in Jake's mom's room after school during the school year and have become good friends.

Here's some photos of the activities and Kayla's friends.

Bonk on the Head!

Last night Logan fell asleep on me on the couch. Phil went to toss an empty plastic pop bottle to Kayla to put in the recycling - mised and bonked Logan on the head. Logan's face grimaced and he kept right on sleeping. We (Phil, Kayla and I) all laughed hysterically. Had Logan been awake he probably would have cried.

Reiniche Idol

The last two nights we've been trying out a new game on the Xbox. A game we bought just for Kayla's sleepover this Friday night. It's Karoake Revolution! Also known as Reiniche Idol. Phil, the boys, and I have singing up a storm the last two nights seeing who can get the highest score and unlock the most new songs and new characters.

You get to choose what you look like on the screen, your song, and the venue back drop. Picking out the characters is probably what is most amusing. So far our singing hasn't been so bad that Mandy has started howling.

Who know living room idol could be so much fun?

Kayla Turns 10!

Kayla is now 10 years old! It doesn't seem possible that just over 10 years ago - Phil and I were at the hospital patiently waiting her arrival. Amazed at how alert she was just in her first few days of life. Watching her first steps, saying her first words, spelling her last name at 2 years old, doing ballet, tap and jazz, starting Kindergarden, and excelling in gymnastics. She really is turning into a smart, loving and beautiful young lady.

While we still have another party this next weekend (sleepover and skating) Kayla still had a memorable day. It started out at 2:30 in the morning with her getting sick - although since she wasn't yet 10 (that occured at 7:36 CT) it was her last illness as a nine year old. She woke up feeling much better and gobbled down 4 cinnamon rolls. Then it was off to church and then a breakfast lunch at the Orient Garden in Suwannee (chinese buffett at its finest). We came home and opened presents (a new DS game and crocs - she already received a bike). Kayla left for a few hours to play with her BFF Madison after having some cake with them.

We finally ended the day of celebration with ice cream cake and pot roast (in that order and the requested dinner was hers) while watching Pirates of the Carribean - Dead Man's Chest on USA Network.

According to Kayla she is no longer a child but a preteen. Happy Birthday Sweetheart! We love you!

I Want To Sit Behind Mom

Growing up my brother and I always used to fight about who got to sit behind mom. Everytime we went to go somewhere one of us would yell, "I call the seat behind mom." I never thought I'd witness that again. Now my boys (because they have car seats)say, "Mom will you sit in front of me."

The Family Comes to Visit

This morning the family got an unexpected road trip because in my stupor to get out the door this morning I left my laptop sitting by the couch. So as an added bonus they got to stop at the QT for breakfast sandwiches and donuts.

It was fun to see them come in. Logan was still wearing his pajama pants from last night. I think they had a fun time coming to my office and seeing photos of them and their artwork. Logan thought it was cool to see a photo of Uncle Tony (my favorite of him in big glasses) in my office. Ms. Kim left some stuffed animals for the kids and Alex thought they were soft.

The hardest part was when I walked them down to the car and Logan said, "Mom are you going to be a long time?" I just wanted to leave and go home right then.

I'm Sexy

Last night after Logan took his shower he came down in some pajama pants. He pulled them up to his chest and announced to us all. "I'm sexy."