Go Devils!

This year we managed to get ASU season tickets...something we will do as a family! It's been really nice to have something to do together and it's really fun! We go and tailgate each game with a bunch of friends of ours and it's been great!

Andon is getting the football fan routine...yelling "DEFENSE" and "GO DEVILS" anytime it's quiet! Avery just loves to be all cute and dressed up...she wants to be a cheerleader or a twirler so that suits her well :) So far we are 2-0 so hopefully we keep it up! The "real" teams are yet to come :)

We haven't taken the pictures off the camera yet so those are still to come :)

Upcoming Vacations and Events!

October and November will be busy, busy months for us!

For AA's fall break, we will be heading to WY! We found a steal on tickets (only $10 more than our pass privileges) so we jumped on them and don't have to worry about not getting on the flight! We have not been back there since Avery and Andon were 13 months old....WAYYYYY too long!!! I am looking forward to taking a bit of a rest and enjoying some beautiful fall weather!

In November, Mark and I will be taking part in a 72 mile charity cycling event for Helping Hands in Africa. We have never participated in this one before but thanks to many who have supported me financially, I am well on my way to reaching my goal of $500! Mark is working on it, too! If you would like to support us, check it out at http://www.active.com/donate/HelpingHands09/JBibbey1 OR
http://www.active.com/donate/HelpingHands09/MBibbey
This event will be the first one where I am riding on my own bike (instead of tandem) so prayers for safety are appreciated! My goal? Simply to finish this one!!!

Then we finish that up and head out on a cruise to Cabo san Lucas! It's Mark's first cruise and I am really excited to see what he thinks of it! I love cruising :)

Then we get back and a few days later we head down to Tucson for our 3rd Tour de Tucson 109 mile ride! We will be heading down with Mark's cousin and her husband (who also ride tandem together) to enjoy a fun weekend :)

I think after all that travel, we will be staying here for the holidays :) I would like to try and get to Disneyland before Halloween (or during the Christmas decoration season) but I don't think that will happen with all that it going on....Mark will be thrilled! But, that just means a regular visit in 2010 in addition to a visit to Chicago! Boy, it's hard now that all 5 cousins are in school!

Soccer

AA started soccer this year! This is the last year that they are able to be on the same team since next year they go to all boy and all girl teams if we stay with this league. Andon scored his first goal at the first game....a hole-in-one right from kick-off!!! Avery has shown that she can hustle and can play with the big boys! She is right in there all the time! Andon is doing great, too! Here is the team picture that was taken this weekend....next month we get official pictures taken :)

Kindergarten!

Lots has happened since Disneyworld and I have been way behind on posting!

AA Started kindergarten! We have had some bumps in the road with some "rough" kiddos and some adjusting to all-day school but they are smart, smart, smart!!! I have finally adjusted to having them in all-day k and I am loving helping in the classroom! Friday is my morning to help and this coming week we have our first field trip....to the park next door to the school..Pizza Party!!!

Here are some pictures of their first day of school and meet the teacher....meet the teacher they are not wearing backpacks :)

2nd Half of Disneyworld trip

Monday June 22-
This morning we swam at the mail pool while Mark went for a run and Uncle Mike golfed. There was a fun waterslide, a fountain sink, a hot tub, and bridge and kid pool. After swimming, we took showers and took a boat to Downtown Disney to have lunch at Planet Hollywood. Then we went back to Hollywood Studios and saw the High School Musical 3 parade, went on Toy Story and ssaw Fantasmic....it was a HOT day!!!

Tuesday June 23-
Today we went to the Animal Kingdom. We had a huge thumderstorm early this morning while we were still sleeping with lots of thunderstorms and lightening! The kids slept right through it all...shows how tired they were! First, we ate a big breakfast at the hotel and then went to the park to grab fast passes for the safari ride. WHile we waited for the time slot to come, we went over to Rifiki's vet center and met Jiminey Cricket for the first time! Then we went ont he safari ride where we saw lots of animals. Then we grabbed fast passes for the rapids where we had lots of fun getting wet! Then we had lunch at a nice buffet where we also were able to get reserved, priority seating for the Nemo show, which was AMAZING!!! We also made it over to the Lion King show. It rained the second half of the day so we didn't get to swim at all but it was still a great day! It was even better to be cooled off!

Wednesday June 24-
Today we went to Epcot and had breakfast with the princesses again! It was funny because the Cinderella from Cinderella's Castle breakfast was Sleeping Beauty at Epcot....very interesting that Mark noticed that! Then we went on Test Track which Avery loved...Andon was a littel scared, go figure! THen we became world travelers and visited the World Showcase! It was great because the kids were able to decorate some masks and get a tag and stamp from each country....kept them occupied! Then we went to the giant golf ball where we went to space! Then we came home for some dinner and swimming and the kids watched Nightmare Before Christmas...not sure how the Chicago Bibbey's liked it but Avery and Andon love it! Then the adults all sat outside and shared some wine!

Thursday June 25-
Lucca and Nathan's Birthday! Today we had a great breakfast at the Grand Floridian with Mary Poppins, Alice, the Mad Hatter WInnie the Pooh and Tigger! Then we went to the Magic Kingdom and did a lot of rides! During a dance break during a parade, all the floats stopped, the characters came off the floats and they invited all the kids to go out and dance. Avery and I went out and Andon, who came out last minute, managed to hit his head on the float! Only Andon! He had a HUGE, purple bump above his eye and we immediately rushed him to a cool place and then to first aid. I was surprised that there wasn't Mickey stuff to make the kids smile but it looked like a school nurse's office! He had a moment with Daddy along with some ice cream....he was better quickly! Avery rode Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain 3 times! Andon went on the Haunted Mansion like a big kiddo and was only a little scared of the heads that jump up at you...this was a stretch for him! THen it started to rain and the cancelled the parade that Aunt Michele had sat saving us awesome seats...BUMMER! So we shopped, watched the fireworks and went swimming at 11:30pm! We had 2 tired kiddos!

Friday, June 26-
We dressed all the kids in their matching outfits, had some breakfast and hopped on the bus back to the airport. It was a great trip and I would not have done much different except go when it's cooler!

Week with Mickey

Wed June 17-
Travel Day to Florida. The kids still didn't know what we were doing for their b-day and we were not going to tell them until their actual b-day so we went to bed without a hint! On the plane, we had a layover in Atlanta and when Andon asked if Atlanta was in CA and if Georgia was in CA, he was bummed that were were not going to Legoland...our little detective!

Thurs June 18- HAPPY BIRTHDAY A & A
Mark woke up early to make a store run for some bread and peanut butter and we wouldn't tell the kids until we were all together. So, because they were wearing their Mickey and Minnie shirts, I wouldn't let them get dressed until he returned. They weren't as surprised as we thought but were excited none the less! We hopped on the Magical Express from the airport to Port Orlean's Riverside and couldn't check in to our room yet because it was 9:00am. We then hopped right on over to the Magic Kingdom. Around 3:00 we were sitting on the Magic Carpets when it started to downpour....we ran off the ride and found cover! It didn't stop for the rest of the day so we pulled out the ponchos and bought some umbrellas (that I forgot to pack). The Chicago Bibbey's met us at the park for dinner and we caught the fireworks at the end. A & A both got $63 gift cards for the Disney birthday promotions...that was a big help!

Fri June 19-
Today we went to the Magic Kingdom again. We had breakfast at Cinderella's Castle and it was great going when the park was empty!!! Poor Nate had some left over altitude/motion sickness from flying and carried a baggie all day :( After breakfast we went on several rides and then it got so hot we went back to the hotel to swim and take naps. We went back to the park for some more rides, fireworks and of course, the magic carpet when it wasn't raining!

Sat June 20-
TOday we went to Hollywood Studios and started with an early breakfast with the Little Einsteins and Jojo and Goliath. THen we saw the Ariel show and the Beauty and the Beast Show and went on a backlot tour. Our favorite was the new Toy Story ride.....it was fantastic and thank goodness for Fast Passes!! Our new found fun is pin trading! The kids, all 5, really got into it! Can't wait to do it again the next time we go. We went on Star Tours, which was a little much for everyone except Avery...she loves the fast rides!!!

Sun June 21- FATHER'S Day
Today was up to the dad's! We slept in and had a rough start with Andon over some glow bracelets and while everyone else went to Epcot, Andon and I stayed behind to catch a bus a little later! We went on a boat ride where we saw a cool garden and saw some shows. Mark got us all ice cream but it was so hot that it melted right off the sticks! Then we went back to swim, shower and head over to have dinner with Mickey at the Contemporary. We saw Pluto, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, GOofy and of course, Mickey! We then snuck out onto a balcony up ont he club level to see the park at night...it was pretty but a little scary!

I will post the rest later....gott put 2 kids together!

Andonism..

Andon: "I want you to get the spicy toothpaste from Target. You know the "Christ" one".

Mom: "Hmmm...I think you mean, Crest, honey. Christ is God's son, remember?"

Andon: "Oh ya...I still want you to get the Crest toothpaste though because I am almost 5 and can handle the spicy kind."

Disneyworld...14 days away!!!

Well, the big trip is just 14 days away and I am really excited! We have things planned but not too planned and we are having meals with....
Cinderella and her friends in Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom
Jojo and Goliath and the Little Einstein's at Disney Studios
Mickey and his Friends at a hotel
Alice and Wonderland and Mary Poppins at another hotel
and then again with the Princesses in Epcot

I thought it would be fun to take a look at the pictures from past visits...these are backwards by time, as you can see :)

Visiting Grammy and Family

Ok, so I know that I was the only one who took pictures but because it was a new camera, I now have not been able to get them off! So, pictures will be soon to come, I promise!

Last week the kids and I managed to FINALLY get back to see Grammy Stacy, Auntie Jelli, Papa Steve, Cousin Jamie, Cousin Josh and all the cousin kids! What a great time we had! We arrived into Sacramento on Memorial Day around 10:30am. This was definitely not the first time that I have flown on my own with the twins but this is the first time I rented a car with them on my own. We made it in our little Chevy Cobalt, which I would never recommend to anyone, and settled in just nicely with some yummy steaks, fruit salad and homemade beans! Does it get any better!

We spent the next 2 days waking up leisurely, playing outside, catching up on family chat and just being. Grammy took the kids shopping for their birthday (which is 2 weeks away) and they had a blast picking out toys and clothes. I really had to limit the spoiling because we had to carry on (ahhh, the joys of non-rev travel) and we barely, barely, barely crammed it all in! Grammy also decided to throw a little birhtday party (with 3 cakes!!!) for everyone which was really sweet. I was go thankful that my cousin Josh was able to be there!

The night that Grammy took us to dinner I started noticing that our fabulously sturdy piece of garbage rental car would make a weird grinding sound right around 45 mph. So, the next day I took it down to the Redding Airport Budget counter. The guy took it out for a test spin and of course could not hear the sound "that's like when you go off the side of the highway, you know the little marks on the side of the road to wake you up". No kidding because he took it up to 60 when I clearly told him it was when you are going 45ish. Anyways, after pleading my case that I didn't want to get stuck on the side of the road alone with my kids, he decided to give me a new car...a bright blue Versa, which was actually kinda fun to drive! After that it was smooth sailing home!

While we were there Kelly had her baby girl, Chole Sarai Kron. I knew she would go into labor while we were gone! She has a full head of hair and after a frustrating birth process which ended in a c-section, both mom and baby are healthy. Chloe is a "cutie peanut" as Avery and Andon call her! Welcome to parenthood....it's a wild journey but worth it!!!

Ok, so now I will get back to getting the pics off the computer to post from our visit!

All-Day K

Well, it's official, Avery and Andon will more than likely be going to all day kindergarten next year. Arizona has been in an amazing budget cut debate that it was completely on hold. One by one districts have been announcing that they will be keeping free all day k and Mesa finally announced that they were keeping it, too. When we had decided that enrolling in Sirrine we completely had God's hand in it and we put all faith and trust in HIM in whether it was going to be full or half day.

I came to terms with that before it was decided, however, I am completely torn on how I feel about this now! From teacher side, I know that all day k has it's benefits. Half day when I can be home with them does too! I think I'm struggling the most because once they start full time school, they will be on that journey until they are 17! Playdates, lunch dates, early morning zoo trips when it's not busy on the weekdays all are coming to an end as we know them now. Sure those things can happen, but are the kids ready for that? Am I ready for that?

I can see myself crying my eyes out as I say goodbye to them and drop them off that first day of school....geesh, I'm crying my eyes out now just thinking about it! Yes, I will be able to attend church staff meetings, lunch meetings, Mark and I will be able to fully train for cycling races, help lots in the classroom, and hey, I just may have regular hair nail and massage appointments at mom's salon but really, I'm not sure why I'm struggling so much!

Ok, enough about that....

Ok, enough abouy that...

France pics 2

In front of the roundabout iinto Bedoin...Mark climbed the mountain behind it! This is why people come here so climbing this is a big deal! The snowshoers that he met at the top said that Mark was the first cyclist of the season that they had seen at the top!

The boar sausage stand...

In front of the Gigondas Winery...

Sand carvings in the woods behind our house...this one is a camel!

Our "France Car" in front of the gite...

France Trip Last Month

Last month, I can't believe it's already been a month, Mark and I were able to head back over to France. This was a totally different trip than the last two. We did not go to Paris but made our way to Bedoin, about 2 1/2 hours from the southern coast. We rented a gite, French for guest house, to a wonderful couple from the UK Sally-Anne and Christopher. It was much cheaper than a hotel and much more convenient. We rented some bikes, saw a pro cycling race The Paris-Nice, went to some local markets, visited some wineries(drank a little more wine that we are used to), saw a Roman theater, the Pope's Palace in Avignon and drove around all over the south of France....my favorite trip!!! Christoper is a writer so when Mark went out on a huge cycling climb to the top of a snow-covered mountain, I opted to stay at the gite and read one of his novels, Lonicera! It was a quick read but I really enjoyed it. We were able to sit first class on all the flights so we are now spoiled and will probably only visit int he down season because of that...I guess the kids won't get to go with us until they are 8 because that's the age that kids can sit first class on Delta!

I'm on stage at the Roman Theater...

A cute little bridge in the turnabout...

In front of the Palais de Papes..

Mark on top of Mount Ventoux...

Cycling near Flassan...

Time flies...

Life has been busy here in AZ...I will catch up on blogs as soon as life slows down which may not happen until the kids go to kindergarten in August!

I need to post about:
France trip last month
Easter visit with Grandma and Grandpa
Upcoming events

We are all busy as can be. The kids only have 5 weeks left of school and then they will move on to kindergarten! THey will be going to the same school that I went to, Sirrine, and I am looking forward to helping in the classroom and utilizing all my education and passion for kindergarten! Avery is still reading up a storm! Andon is energetic and is getting close to stopping sucking his fingers. If you know Andon, you usually see him with them in his mouth! We get a movie pass from the dentist when that happens so we are hoping to catch Monsters vs Aliens before it leaves the theaters!

Everyone seems to be having babies! We are still content on that subject!

I have been busy planning our DisneyWorld trip in June with the Chicago Bibbeys. It will be a grand trip with lots happening! The kids still do not know! I love my new position at church. It's been an added change in schedules but we are adjusting.

Ok, so I will get back to posting more pics in the next week or so, I promise...does anyone even read this????????

It's almost MARCH?!?!? What???

Seriously, where did February disappear to? I know, we have been so busy planning 2 vacations (France in a few weeks and Orlando in June), training for cycling races, flying airplanes, coordinating classrooms and MOPS meetings, figuring out what to do for kindergarten next year, getting pugs adopted, taxes (nice return this year, woo hoo), teaching Andon and Avery right from wrong (no easy task) and applying for The Amazing Race!!! That's not including our day to day stuff like cleaning and grocery shopping! SOOOO, if I have failed to stay in touch with you, now you know why!

We have been WAYYYY over-scheduled lately...not intentionallly, just lots happening. I think the kids are on crazy mode now that it's back in the 80's again. Some sort of weird, goofy shift occurs when the weather starts to warm up. I think we'll stay here though so hopefully the transition will happen fast!

I am loving my new position as N-2's Director at our church. We are finally getting used to the change in schedule. I have been working on establishing a new, strong steering team for our next MOPS year and we are well on our way! I will be stepping down this year, which will be hard after 4 years of leadership, but it's on to the next chapter of work, being an involved kindergarten mom, soccer games and more!

Mark is still flying people around the country and cycling around the valley. He helped get Focus Racing, a cycling team for the bike shop that he is attached to! It's still in the baby stages but they are official!

Andon is still as energetic as ever! He has started to calm down a little bit though as he learns self-control. He's doing very well in preschool and LVOVES going to school! Right now he is into riding the big bike (he's done with the Thomas bike) without training wheels and anything outside...although he only wants to wear pants and long sleeves for some reason!

Avery is a smarty pants! SHe is reading and writing anything and everything...the other day she read "Available" on a sign as we were driving to school! She has started with little readers at school and usually reads them once or twice and it ready to read it to the teacher. She loves to draw, sing, dance, read and write! Her next tap recital is next week and her teacher wishes she was 6 so she could move up to the next level because she's ready....doesn't she know that they grow up too fast as it is!?!?!

We drove up to The Natural Bridge last Friday and it's a good thing because as on Monday they closed the park due to funding. It's one of my favorite places to drive to and spend the day...maybe they'll reopen it in the future.

We still have our foster pug, Charlie, or as Mark calls him, "Old Man River". He's a good dog though so we don't mind him hanging around!

Well, that's enough rambling for now....hopefully I'll get on here more often!

Cracking Coconuts!

In our producce co-op basket this week there was a coconut....what do we do with a coconut??? Well we dug out the cookbook and found some info on getting the meat out. First we poked the eyes out with a screwdriver to get the juice out...not to be confused with coconut milk, which you have to make by cooking milk or water with the meat and straining it, who knew? The juice was really sweet and yummy but like the people on Survivor, I can get sick of it real quick! Then we put it in a baggie, wrapped it in a towel and hammered the heck out of it! It cracked open but we still couldn't get the meat loose. So, as instructed, we put it in the oven for 15 minutes and it loosened up...not without some prying though! The kids didn't like the meat but we chopped it up in the food processor and it's now sleeping peacefully in our freezer for future use in cookies, smoothies or pina coladas. Here is the one before picture we managed to snap before all the excitement began...

General Updates

Well, I'm just going to type away...
Today was my first official day as the N-2's Director. While it has taken about a week to get the major parts learned, I still feel like I have a lot of little things to learn. I do feel like I am able to start being creative now and have started a new theme in the classrooms that I am so excited to develop...Planting the Seeds of Faith. My job is primarily overseeing curriculum and nurturing, growing and developing the teachers and volunteers. Lots of hospitality which I love to do! I'm teaching the teachers and that's also something I love to do! I think that once I get the general routine and feel comfortable with what I'm doing, I'll be able to really have a blast with things! I have some great ideas that I plan on developing!

Avery started Tap,Jazz and Acro Intermediate last night. She loves it and it gives Andon and I soome date time at the library right next door. Andon will be starting TIny Tots Tennis tomorrow. He has played it on the Nintendo Wii at mom's house and has wanted to play it ever since. It works out that class is the same length as Avery's, 8 weeks, and we'll see how he does. We bought him his first raquet and tennis balls and he is SOOO excited to use them!

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYWORLD!!! That's right, we are spending 8 days, 7 nights in Disney World with the Chicago Bibbeys. We arrive on Avery and Andon's 5th birthday and we will get a $75 gift card each for them to spend on goodies!!! They have the promotion where you get in free on your birthday in 2009 and since we purchased the 8 day park passes they get to choose one of the other options, the one of most value is the gift card worth the amount of a 1 day admission pass. Mark does not know his schedule yet and may only have a few days off but we'll do all we can to get him there as much as we can! DW has such a great promotion through June where you buy 4 nights you get 3 free...that includes tickets! We also don't have to get a rental car because we are staying at a Disney hotel we get free transportion! Because we are traveling with more than 8 people we get to do some Grand Gathering events...not quite sure what we can all do with that but it's supposed to be pretty cool.

Well, it's 10:45 and I need to get to bed....

What do I want to be when I grow up?

Tonight at dinner I asked Avery and Andon what they wanted to be or do when they grow up and Avery jumped right in saying:
I want to fly to outer space
I want to milk a cow
I want to pet a sheep (which they have done already...check!)