WINE TASTING!

Last week while Justin was at Football Camp in Napa my friend Debbie and I went and did a little Wine Tasting! (we missed you SJ Denham!) We only had a couple of hours but hit two wineries and had a great time drinking wine...at 10am....and just chatting without our combined six boys!! I wish we would've had all day but hey, I'll take what I can get! Wine Tasting has really changed since the last time I was up in Napa...which was almost 13 years ago when I was actually pregnant with Justin. And no, I did not know at the time, it wasn't until I fainted in the Vineyard of Mondavi and went home and took a pregnancy test!! Anywyas, I can't believe we haven't been back up there in so long, we are so close and it truly is a beautiful area!!

Our first stop was Pineridge where Debbie used to work. It was a beautiful little place, so quaint and everyone was SO NICE!!
Then we went to BV....which is one of our favorite Cabs under $10! It was right next door to the Rutherford Grille where we had a fab-u-lus lunch! Thanks Deb for a fun afternoon, er morning!
And, this is for you Steph.....we were trying to take "arms length self portraits" but NO LUCK! It's your luck day though as I am actually posting a pic of me :-)))

THE BIG DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!

They got their football equipment! Jake has been beside himself waiting for the day to get here! He is soooooo excited about playing football this year. He looks so big and grown up in all his gear!! Football practices officially begin next Mondy (7/30). They will have (I believe) 5 weeks straight 3 hours a day/5 days a week practices then after Labor day it will go to 3 hours a day/3 days a week for the remainder of the season! It's going to be crazy!! At least Justin will have the first two "hell weeks" behind him when he starts JR. HIGH!!!
And, of course, Joshy had to get in on the action....brothers wouldn't let him try on the gear but were kind enough to give him an old chinstrap to put on!!

WARNING! IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH DO NOT LOOK!

Okay, so sometimes after a long day of running around we just "wing it" for dinner! This usually makes my kids quite happy as they can have whatever they want...within reason :-)) Everyone knows I love to cook, THANK GOD, and I married the only G--r-i-o who DOES NOT cook. Which suits me just fine and here is why...... He would kill us all! Nothing like taking left over Beef Stroganoff, which was quite good I must say, and putting grated american cheese and microwaved salami on it! DISGUSTING!!!!! And, he wonders why he has bowel issues!! LOL!!! He has to mess with everything. For example...frozen pizza....can't just take it out of the box and stick in the over. NO! He must spend 30 minutes "doctoring" it up with say olive oil, spices, more cheese, whatever might jump out at him! Honey, I hate to tell you this but an 88 cent Totinos Pizza will still be an 88 cent Totinos Pizza!!

So, after all the grief I gave him, the next night we went to some friends for a casual swim and hot dogs......
Help me here people!!!

JUSTIN-NFL JUNIOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT FOOTBALL CAMP

Today was Day #1 (of six days!!) of Football Camp for Justin. It was for 12-14 year olds so Jake was obviously too young to go. The camp is run by the NFL as part of their Junior Player Develpoment Program. There was quite a group of boys from our little town that headed up to Napa for the Camp. Stacie & I decided we would hang out today and just watch and check it out...the rest of the week the boys are on their own! LOL! We are planning on pawning all our kids off on Friday for a little early morning wine tasting & lunch if anyone want to join us!!! Anyways, it should be a great week and get the boys all geared up for Football which officially starts in TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY! So, basically two weeks from today thru Mid November I will have NO LIFE!!! With both Jake & Justin playing that will be our life for the next 3-4 months!!!!

Justin in his #11 practice jersey for this season...... Warm up time.....

Justin is in the black jersey right in the middle holding the ball...
CHECK OUT THE NEW RAMS HELMETS...AREN'T THEY COOL!!!?!??!!!

GOLF DAY WITH DAD!

I LOVE that the boys and Joe have found a "hobby" that they all love doing and doing together! I think it's so perfect that they have this quality bonding father/sons(s) time on the golf course! There is nothing better than the boys getting to spend this time with their Dad, and nothing better than the four hours Momma has to herself while they golf 18 holes:-)) LOL! Actually, Joshy is not quite ready for the golf course yet, but loves to go to the driving range, which in his mind is golfing, and hit some balls. Joe took the boys & TJ out on Sunday for a quick 9 hole game and Joshy got to hit some balls at the driving range, then head home with Mom....it didn't bother him though because he really does think that's golfing!!

Josh, TJ, Justin & Jake Jakey at the driving range....warming up for the big game!
Joshy "golfing".....
TJ warming up....
Justin.....

THIS IS WHAT WE WOKE UP TO SUNDAY MORNING!

This was taken right outside our front door! We love Spring/Fall time around here when you can see tons of hot air balloons flying off in the distance over the Napa Valley! It still baffles me when, on occasion, balloons fly right over our house!!! Nothing exciting near us to look at that's for sure!!

SLEEPYHEAD JOSH

...or should I say Al Bundy?!?!? Gee, I didn't realize how much this little poop "power napped" until I started posting these pics!!

CREATE YOUR OWN PIZZA NIGHT!

Inspired by the Reeeedlllls and their create-your-own-pizza-night we did the same! We actually used to do this quite often, but then it became too easy to just order one and have it delivered :-)) Anyways, the boys had fun making their own pizza, down to the dough and and sauce from scratch! They came out quite yummy and it was the perfect way to end a nice, relaxing, no plans day!


Joshy's creation...yes, that is feta cheese...who knew he would like it on his pizza!! And, according to Jake this was the best crust and pizza he's ever had!! Better than lunchables even!

LAKE ALMANOR PICS...FINALLY!

HUGE thanks to my cousins Brian & Kelly for having us up to their cabin over the 4th of July! We had a great week with lots of laughs, lots of fun, few sibling fights, and lots of margaritas!! We really love Lake Almanor and hanging out with B & K - they are truly the hosts with the mosts! We had a fun filled 5 days with boat rides, good food, tubing, good drinks, wakeboarding, more good food, playing at the beach, golf cart rides, cocktails, golfing, poker, eating, fireworks at the peninsula, yummy food, people watching, playing at the park, live music at the bandshell and lots more! Even though we stayed busy doiing fun things it was a relaxing week! Scott, B&K's oldest son (anyone have a cute 25 yearold girl you want to set up with a good looking, hardworking 25 year old catch?!?!?) came up for a few days, my brother's girlfriend Michele and her kids as well as my parents and my sisters kids all came up on the 4th. Again this year, at the concert at the Bandshell Joe ran into another Fraternity/Pledge brother. Everywhere we go, near or far, Joe ALWAYS runs into someone he knew from College, High School, you name it! They had a fun time catching up...and drinking beer! Anyways, if you haven't already checked out my flickr, here are a few pics in no ryhme or reason....

US on the 4th of July...yes, my kids are not happy about me dressing htem alike in Old Navy tees but I thought my parents would enjoy a picture with all the kids dressed alike!! Joshy & Scottie....he was so happy to see him! Joshy, Scottie....
Playing at the beach....the water is freezing!
Dinner's done, now time for a little poker....
Momo & Papa and their grandkids....
Cool kid.....Justin.....


Jake & Josh enjoying a ride in the boat.... Josh & Justin....Joshy was a little daredevil, thumbs up, the first day out tubing.....not so much the 2nd & 3rd days....
Justin & Jake....Jake is so not my daredevil one.....
Brian & Kelly....
Golf cart ride....I love to just cruise around on the golfcart looking at all the houses....

My new fave drink...Lemon Drop.... Dancing to the "swing Kings" at the bandshell. Ilove the Bandshell and music, such a fun atmosphere....
Josh playing at the park...
The boys having their hot chocolate in the hotub....

MORE NC COUSIN FUN!

Momo and my sisters kids came down for a few days this week, and despite not getting to see Shrek 3 we managed to have a little fun!

A trip to Jelly Belly is always fun. The tour has been changed up a bit since the last time I was there so that was good! It's like they have never been there every time we go!
We also took a little stroll Wednesday at the Farmer's Market. We used to go there quite often on Wednesday nights, have dinner and hang out and listen to music.
We also took a trip to the Arroyo Pool. I hadn't been there since my purse incident last year and the kids had a blast. We could've spent all three days there and they would've loved it. I didn't have my camera so you'll just have to envision all the fun we had ;-)) Maybe Momo can email a picture!!

MONSTER TRUCKS & MOTORCROSS

Huge thank you to Mr. Bret for the tickets to the Monster Trucks! The kids had a great time! Justin & Jake have been to them beofre but Joshy hadn't and he just thought it was so cool! He loved the motorcross and tricks and the highlight was when "Jurassic Attack" flipped over after a jump....the crowd went wild! The boys thought that was quite cool and loved watching the tractor flip it back over!
And, the big highlight was going for a ride in the Monster Truck! Jake opted to keep Mom company on the sidelines but Joe took the other two..and look was riding with them...Christopher-can't believe how much he's grown up! Of course they loved the ride, though Joshy said he was getting sick a few times :-)) At least he didn't freak out!! The boys cruising in "Thunder"

SLEEPYHEAD JOSH

Sacked on the boat.... Two hour nap, in his life jacket, on the beach!
Long ride home....
Tired from a long week at the Lake.....
awww....sleepyhead dadooo....

KNOCKED UP...THE MOVIE!!

LAUGH...OUT...LOUD...FUNNY! A must see comedy! There are certainly a few ris-que scenes and mucho potty mouth but it seriously is hysterical!! Thanks friends for the girls night out!!!

WE ARE BACK!

...for those that care :-))

LOTS of fun was had at Lake Almanor! Had a great time and have a few pics to post! But, you'll have to stay tuned for those...so much crap to unpack!! Hope everyone had a great 4th of July and can't wait to hear what ya'all did!

Oh, and I will spare you all the details of the "passing" other than to say THANK YOU Deb & Dan for the "suggestion"!! IT WORKED...on the 4th try!!!

Until then, check out these...
A COUPLE VIDEOS ON MY YOUTUBE

PICTURES ON MY FLICKR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRITTY!

Happy Birthday to my niece Brittany! We were lucky enough this year to actually get to celebrate her birthday with her up at Lake Almanor! Hope you had a great day on the boat and have fun with your present!!