2010 christmas cards

Chic Diamond Squares Christmas 5x7 folded card

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Shutterfly to the rescue!

So just the other day I was online ordering our family photo Christmas cards online when I got a little frustrated. Im always so picky when it comes to deciding what family picture I like the best and what card setup I love the best. What you would think would be an easy process of picking out a family card to send, usually ends up frustrating me for some reason. And the older the boys get the harder it is on me, one of the boys is always making some sort of silly face...and if they are smiling Im usually making a weird face because I got them to smile by yelling out funny words. One of these years Im throwing in the towel, and all of you may end up with a Christmas card of a crazy family making funny faces from us. Stay tuned...lol! So after deciding on what family picture I thought was perfect the other day, I took a break to read up on some fellow bloggers pages before I chose what card to put that perfect family picture on and order them in time for the holidays. It was perfect timing because a friend from High School whom blogs as well, had a posting on her blog about an amazing deal through Shutterfly that I just couldnt pass up! (Thanks Becca!) You know me and my deals, every penny saved keeps me home raising our boys. So here I am, taking on the shutterfly challenge in order to save a pretty penny! And yes, I already have the card I want to chose from them picked out! Check it out, if you havent gotten your cards ordered yet for the year like myself, its a great deal! http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards I have never used Shutterfly for our cards, yet I have many friends that have an they love the quality of their work. http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery And if you've already ordered your cards for the year they have other options available through their website as well. I know another one we'll be using this year is their calendar option, as we make one every year online with all our pictures of the year. http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars so what are you waiting for...Christmas is almost here, blog about it too and get a great deal on your cards! http://bit.ly/sfly2010

And here's proof of why it takes me so long to chose a good picture....silly face Eli.

Halloween is just around the corner.

Our original costume plans for this year failed. Turns out my great idea of buying a toy for the mask and then making the outfit became too overwhelming for me right now. How do you turn a sweat suit into a Bumblebee and a Clone Wars guy with minimal work? Exactly my point. Not to mention the interactive toy masks I bought to use as their costumes are a little heavy and not so easy to see through in the dark, not so ideal for walking the neighborhood in the dark asking for treats. So we pulled out all the past year costumes to see if there was anything the boys would want to pick from the tote to wear instead. The toy masks I bought, they'll just be toys like they are meant to be.

Zach quickly got out Eli's old Tigger costume and was bouncing around happy as can be, informing us he found his costume. Eli on the other hand got very creative. He put on a little bit of every costume in the tote and came up with this very funny costume.

Witch tights, armor, a size 2T skunk top, a mummy mask, google eye glasses, clown wig and 2 clown bow ties. He then ran around the house like this for quite some time making us laugh alot. I'm not sure if this is what he will actually trick or treat in, but if he does I assure you he will put some shorts on to cover where his undies show through the witch tights. ha ha This picture is so coming out in his teen years!

Summer Reading winner

This is the second year in a row that Zach has won something from the drawings at the end of the Summer Reading at the town Library. Eli reads his little heart out and turns down the weekly prizes every time to turn his name into the drawings, but never wins at the end of summer. He's bummed he never wins the drawings, but luckily when Zach wins something he gets included in the fun day as well.

This year Zach won a couple games of bowling, so off we all went to roll some balls.

It was a fun afternoon. Turns out Bowling prices have rocketed since last time I remember going. And I finally admitted to being the worst bowler ever. I finally gave up and let the boys take my turn for me. It was only when they took over that I began to get some score on the board. Even with them helping me out, look how badly they all bashed my score. Maybe next time I'll save us some money and just watch. ha ha

Dolphin Dash

The boys had their Dolphin Dash fundraiser at school a couple weeks ago. Its so fun to watch how much energy these kids all have. Some of them take it very seriously, quickly grabbing a cup of water from the drinking station as they run by taking a sip and dumping the rest on their heads as they toss the empty cup in the garbage can as they turn the corner to begin another lap. Its a very serious event, its the one fundraiser every year that the kids are solely responsible for raising the money. They get very competitive. And we know how much competition runs in Waibel blood.

Eli's grade ran first thing in the morning. He ran his little heart out, but I could tell he wasn't as into it as last year. He had a tired morning getting ready for school, and it showed in his face as he ran.

Getting his lap punch.

I'm always proud of the boys no matter what the outcome is in whatever they are attempting, as long as they try. So even though he was a little upset that he ran 1 less lap this year than last, I was still proud of his 7 laps around that big concrete path. He ultimately decided that 7 laps was OK, because he's 7 years old. Such a sweet boy.

Zach's class ran about an hour after Eli's. I hate to say this out loud, but I wasn't expecting much from his turn. Anyone who knows Zach knows that he's not our athletic one. He tends to get tired walking to the restroom. And we all remember what happened the year we put him in soccer...remember the noodle body that would melt into the field? He'd rather sing, read and do some arts and crafts than to run some crazy long laps around the park. But I have to say, he sooooooooooo proved me wrong and made me proud! When that beginning signal went off he ran, and he ran, and he ran. He didn't stop running until the horn to stop went off! He hardly even stopped when he came running by me yelling "I'm hot take my sweatshirt off me!"

Look at that adorable red face and sweaty hair! He was so excited to come home that day to tell Eli he ran 6 laps! Yes SIX laps!!!...Almost as many as big brother. So where did this competitive athletic child come from? It was that competitive Waibel blood shining through. All it took was a little brotherly competition and off his little feet took him. And yes, he did have very bad leg cramps that night. And he woke up the next morning and said "ow, my legs hurt!"

Good job my little competitors!

A beach craving

I was having a serious beach craving. I love the beach, and our favorite times of year that we take our little trips to the beach. But a couple weeks ago it was feeling like we hadn't been to the beach in way too long, and I had a serious craving. We just couldn't find a weekend where we were completely free all weekend, so we chose to take a day trip on a Saturday. We realized once we were on the road early that morning, we've never done a "day trip" to the beach with the boys before. Normally when we go to the beach we stay for the weekend somewhere. They were so confused! So many questions came flooding in from them, why oh why would we ever just drive to the beach for the day? How absurd! ha ha

It turned out to be an amazing day. We left after breakfast, took our time doing whatever we wanted when we got there, had dinner and headed home. And we lucked out with amazing weather. Not too cold, not too warm, not too windy, just a hint of sprinkles occasionally...and none of it kept us from playing on the beach for good couple hours. I don't think we've had a play on the beach time like that in Oregon in a very long time...it was a lucky day, and the boys played until they looked like sand monsters.

Eli needed water for his sand creation, here he is venturing out to get some from the ocean on his own...very cautiously. (see that guy way out there swimming? crazy!)


There's nothing better in the world than watching these two creative minds work their magic in the sand while I lay on a blanket with their amazing Daddy. I have a pretty darn good life.

Zach "Um, did you notice that for some reason Bumblebee parked behind our car?"

Walking through town with their biggest buddy.

There was some sort of pumpkin event going on when we were there. It was early September, but there were tons of pumpkins like this all over. I think maybe some weighing event? Fun to look at regardless of why they were there.

You have to ride the carousel when in Seaside, its tradition. Jake said on the way down "I think they are too big for it now don't you?" ARE YOU CRAZY? No they are not too big...jeez.

I had a hard time getting pictures of them as it went around, Eli was all too happy to cheese it up for me but I couldn't get Zach to look in time.

So I had to settle for a good picture when the thing stopped. Of course Eli stayed in character for me to make it look real.

It was a very good short beach trip, definitely suppressed my beach craving for the time being.

Kindergarten

Zach was more than ready to begin Kindergarten. The boy was made for learning and making new friends. He amazes us every day with his brains, we call him our little professor. If it were up to Zach, he would have started school years ago. His first day of school he chose sausage and pancakes (smothered in regular syrup), topped with a first day of school wish candle. We make a wish on the first day of school every year with the boys, to wish for good things through the year. Apparently Zach didn't grasp the concept completely because after school he decided to tell us his wish because he wanted to change it. His original wish had been for a specific toy....so we had to explain that you wish things like that blowing out your birthday candle, not first day of school candle wishes... which are reserved for wishing for new friends, good grades, etc. Silly kid.

Getting in the car to go to school. "Mommy, take my picture." Such a nice refreshing comment. I'm used to Eli running away from me when I pull out the camera or making silly faces at me when I push the button to take the picture. :) At least someone in this family understands my camera/picture addictions. Thanks Zach!

Waiting in the gym before school starts, for morning announcements.

Sitting at his desk, happy to get started on his 1st day of learning.

Getting off the school bus after his first day of Kindergarten. Such a proud & happy little guy!

These pictures were not from the first day of school, they were from supply drop off a few days before...but I'm including them here anyways, they are cute too!

Zach standing in front of his new classroom. His teacher this year was Eli's teacher last year, she moved from teaching 1st grade to Kindergarten. Such a great surprise, we love her!

Zach posing in front of the school. Such a goofball!

I cant believe my baby is in Kindergarten, where has the time gone?

2nd grade

Eli was an old pro at this first day of school thing, so it made it very easy on Mommy. He chose sausage and pancakes (smothered in Gabrio raspberry syrup) for his breakfast, and made his traditional 1st day of school wish as he blew out the star candle. Belly full, new clothes and backpack on, we headed to second grade.


Eli is loving 2nd grade, EVERYTHING about it. He continues to amaze me with how easily he makes friends with both the girls and the boys. I havent found one student in his grade yet that he doesnt consider his friend. I absolutley love that quality in him. He's funny and carring all in one little 7 year old body, and in return he's surrounded by lots of great friends every day. He's doing great academically and LOVES his homework this year. He loves his teacher, and I cant say enough good things about her. We've been so lucky with the staff at the boys school, each and every one of them are amazing and the boys have been blessed with amazing teachers every year. We still cant get him to eat his lunch very well..the one that I so nicely pack every morning with a heart shaped sandwich and special note for him...he says he doesnt want to eat too long and waste recess time. Priorities right?
I still cant believe how big Eli has gotten. Second grade already? I draw the line at 5th grade, so he better just slow it down and stay little forever. :)

End of summer camping with friends

Campfires, friends, dirt, tents, hotdogs over the fire, etc...what more could a boy ask for to end the summer with before starting the school year?

Eli and Zach watching Madok play on his Dads phone.

All the kids we camped with playing by the water. They have all become such great little friends. Madok, Eli, Zach, Hannah, Hayden & Evan (and Bodie who is not pictured here, he's still too little to play on his own)

They spent a good part of one afternoon building a house behind the tents out of sticks and moss. It was really creative, it even had kitchen cabinets!

We are so thankful for such great friends in our lives, and that their children have become wonderful friends to our children as well. Here's to many more family campouts with friends!

photo's by Mommy

I called to schedule the boys yearly pictures at our favorite photography place, and found out they closed their doors forever. We've taken the boys in for their pictures there since Eli was 6 days old, so it was a sad moment when I found out the news that they were no longer a business. They were great priced, were wonderful with the boys, and the pictures always turned out great. So instead of looking for a new place to meet those standards, I decided to give it a go on my own with the outdoors and my camera. For the most part I think it turned out really well! I havent printed them yet, but if they turn out like the way they look here on the computer Im pretty happy with the turn out. The boys did great for the first while, but then they began to melt down and got bored..... and turned to the dirt on the ground and silly faces. Here are some of my favorites that I'll have printed off and hung on our walls very shortly.

occasionally I'd have them do an action shot to keep their interest in the photo session. :)

Never a dull moment in this family.

In the last few years since the boys have started school, Ive done most of my grocery shopping on my own in the mornings when they are both at school or with just Zach in the afternoons while Eli's still in class. On this particular day we stopped on our way through Beaverton to grab a few grocery items that I get at New Seasons. Well, on this trip I learned that 1.) there is never a dull moment in our family and 2.) Our children are growing before our eyes.

When we pulled into the parking lot they begged me to get the little kid car grocery cart. I had not pushed one of these in a while because the last time I can remember grocery shopping with both boys they were much smaller and I had to break up a pretty nasty brother brawl over who's turn it was to use the steering wheel....so we tend to stay clear of the car carts. But they swore they would be good and share, so we gave it a go. Getting in the car was a hilarious moment in itself. We learned that they are not little boys anymore. Poor Eli had to contort his body in a pretty uncomfortable manner just to get in the car. But man was he determined. Then as we drove through the store shopping, I think every person in there walked out giggling thanks to my crazy children. They took driving very seriously. "Excuse us, crazy driver coming through!" "We're on a road trip to the candy isle!"

They did hold true to their promise though, and there was no fights. It was a bit of work to get them back out of the car when it was time to go unfortunatley. The same contortionist positions Eli used to get in it, didn't quite work as well getting him back out.

I have to giggle when I look at these pictures and think about that experience. Just a year ago the boys were fighting non stop, we thought we were going to lose our minds. Now days they are such buddies, its amazing to watch. Sure they have their moments still where they need their space, but its fun to see them growing up and becoming good friends. I look foward to seeing their friendship blossom even more as they get older.