Weekend Trip To Squaw Valley-Our Splendid Room

So this past weekend we headed up to the Lake Tahoe area and stayed at Squaw Valley USA. Squaw Valley was the location of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Hosting these Olympics was pivotal, it was the first televised Olympics and it wasn't being hosted by a European country. Another interesting component was that all athletes were housed on the premises and all ate together (photo of complex to come). Now this resort has become its own little village with restaurants and shops and is a huge ski getaway. During the summer they have a ton of activities as well, but the prices on the rooms are slashed so we booked a room and headed up. When we entered our room we relaxed they gave us a major upgrade!

As we entered

From the balcony looking in.

Living Room

Full Kitchen

Guest Bathroom

Guest bedroom

Master bedroom

Master bathroom

View from balcony

Our suite was on the top floor with a balcony.

We were suppose to be in a king bed room with a sofa sleeper and mini fridge...but didn't mind having more space and all the nice amenities ;)

The New Baby

So J has had his motorcycle license for over a year and this past week he went out and picked out his new baby. Initials are HD, 570lbs, and 85 inches. For shower gifts we will be registering at Harley Davidson and Cycle Gear.

The bike has gained a spot of honor in the garage. Plans are being made to be able to also get my van back in before the rainy season starts again.

Flashback to San Fran

With all the commotion of having grandparents here, a short "trip" for J, soccer starting, and school starting these pics were long forgotten on the memory card.  Before taking the grandparents to the airport we bummed around San Fran a little.

The boys had fun playing a little in the sand...

And we went into little Italy and found a restaurant to eat lunch at.

While waiting for our food we became friends with a pigeon...aka flying rat.

We had a great time adventuring with my parents and will need to start making a new list of things to go see for our next visitors.

Good to the Last Drop

Enjoy the pictures....really no words needed to describe what is going on here.

Back to School 2011

So on Wednesday the boys headed back to school. J is in Mr. Inns 2nd grade class and M started 3rd grade with Mrs. K. Both are excited about the teachers that they are assigned with and I know from M's experience with Mr Inn that he will be well taken care of.

We are very excited to have the bus route come right on our street, I can see the stop from our front door. I am not as excited about the $400 I had to pay so the boys could ride the bus though.

N thought he was going to school too...tears were pouring down his check when he was told he couldn't get on the bus.

Off to school, no looking back!

Wednesdays are short days so around 120 the bus was back to drop them off.

Both boys hopped off...

and raced home for an afternoon snack :)

Soccer Season 2011 Starts

Thought I would highlight some photos from this past weekends start of the soccer season. M and J are on the same team...The Hornets...and it is making my life so much easier...only at the field 3 days a week instead of 5 like last year. M is once again a strong aggressive player, having the need to understanding the game and be the best is a strong desire he has. J on the other hand likes the social aspect of being involved, he had some great plays this weekend as well, but I think has a more slow and steady philosophy ;)

About to start off with the first kick, J and M on the front line.

Spread out was mentioned once or twice at this first game, by the end they settled in and played together instead of against eacch other much better.

M with a breakaway...

M scored the first goal.

High fives and celebrating!

 

M controlling the ball.

Taking another shot...he took several, but only scored one...he was getting frustrated, but kept going in for the shot.

Unfinished Room: The Big Boy's Room

So in this post I showed you how I was working on J and M's room, it still isn't done, but came across this art that looked awfully familiar with a much larger price tag...Land of Nod framed map, they want $99 for theirs. So glad I made mine and had the maps already, although they also have the old fashioned roller ones....I think those are really cool, anyone else remember those from elementary school?  I am still not done with them though, still need to fill the cracks/holes in one and both need a quick sand and paint....still deciding on the paint color to make them pop out since the walls are white. I am also wanting to blow up some of the pictures I took at the Air Expo on either a wrapped canvas or sheet metal and hang them in the room as well, but both options are a little spendy and was wondering if anyone out there had a company to recommend...anyone....just leave a comment :) I am still antsy about painting the room itself, we are pretty much locked into staying here for another year and a half so I think it might happen...but it seems whenever we paint we get orders...and it is a pain to repaint it white right before we move out again. Just would like the room to look done and complete and I think color on the walls do that. J is gone the next couple of weeks, and the boys start school next week...so maybe I can get some of those little projects checked off my list again!
I also would like to work on N's room, he is now in his big boy bed and I would like to get the crib/toddler bed out and get some fun things on his wall as well. His theme for the room is space/space ships/planets, so I have been on the lookout for decor that matches and haven't had much luck. His room NEEDS to be painted since one wall became his canvas and is marked up pretty bad. I have been looking at using some wall decals, but think I might be better off buying one the machines and making exactly what I want would be cheaper, and make myself happier with the outcome...anyone out there have a Wishblade thingy?  Again leave a comment if you do :) would love to hear what you think of it.
Hopefully by posting my to do list on my blog I will hold myself accountable to get some of my half done projects finished...and declutter the work bench a little too.

6 Flags More Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

So while the Grandparents were visiting went out after work to Six Flags, two solid hours of riding rides and fun. Grandma, N and I took off doing some of the little rides. N had a blast having Grandma to himself.

J took the older boys and Grandpa and off to the big coasters...no pics....but then we met up and go some coaster time in together.

And airplane rides.

And some swing time.

In all everyone had fun, and even took home some new stuffies.