Fan Man's 9

Nathanael had a birthday celebration that spanned a few days.  The fun began on Sunday, the 7th, with a sleepover.  He's been doing birthdays with these two for 4 years now!

Luckily both of their moms were ok dropping off to Abby, the sitter, while Colombo and I finished our San Fran travel.  Abby did not delay in getting the fun going!  Mohawks for all!

Then she did presents with them.

That piece of 'pizza' from Sean is all chocolate.

When we finally did get home, Abby had cleaned the house, fed 7 kids, made a fun evening for the boys, and had brownies coming out of the oven so we could sing.  Yay, Abby!!!

Monday morning, Columbus Day, we headed out to Buell's.  The boys climbed all over this tractor, but when the driver came over to fire it up and get it going for the day, well, the kids thought they were pretty hot stuff!

Monday afternoon, Nathanael left with Daddy, Uncle Shaun, and Izaya for a special day at Six Flags.  Izaya's birthday was the 4th and it was his wish to do Six Flags, so they got to celebrate together.

On Tuesday the 9th, the actual day, the Birthday Boy got to have the day off from school, so he got cozy in the basement and watched a movie.

Madison made him lunch and ate it with him.

On our way to dance and hockey, we stopped in at Ninny's to pick up a card she had for him.

Birthday Boy chose Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner, a first-time experience for our fam.  They added some special touches, like this cup and getting on the microphone and announcing to the entire restaurant that it was 'Nathanael's birthday'!

He was all about the wings.  Couldn't wait!  He carefully selected four different flavors, one being the 2nd from the very hottest available, but in the end, ate my meal instead.  It reminded me of a certain lobster story. :)

Once back at home, we kept tradition and had apple pie instead of cake.

FINALLY, 5 days late, on Saturday his birthday book arrived in the mail!

He's such an amazing kid.  Always has been.  He's easy to love.  Following are some of my 'favorite' answers pulled from his birthday book interview:

1. What makes you happy?
"Giving my Mom a big hug."

2. What do you want to be when you grow up?
"I want to take over my Dad's business."

6. What is the best advice you've ever received?
"If you're in trouble, look in the Bible."

8. If you could be someone in history, who would you be?
"George Washington so I could be the first president."

10. What is something you dislike about yourself?
"Nothing...I'm perfect!"

13. What makes you feel sad?
"Probably failing a test."

14. What do you think the world needs now?
"God or Jesus."

15. Give me three words to describe yourself.
"Awesome, smart, kind"

18. If I were 5 would...
"...be happy to not have a full day of school."

19. If I were 40 I would...
"...retire."

Week 41

Monday, Oct. 8th

We made a birthday video for Mr. Mason for his 4th birthday.

We ventured out to Buell's, a Columbus Day tradition.  This year included family and friends, a bit of a mish-mosh group, but still a beautiful, fun, fall day.

Little Miss Serious.

My US Weekly celebrity pic!

Me and Rocco and Renna had a little bit of alone time since the moment we stepped into the pumpkin patch he announced, "I need to go poop."  Perfect.  We caught the next hayride back to hit the bathroom, separating ourselves from the group.  Upon getting off that hayride he announced, "I don't fink I have to go anymore."--Oh, yes you do!!!

Shelva and Marin were visiting from Colorado.

The pumpkin patch I was in for about 1.5 minutes!

Getting back home we saw several deer laying down in the neighbor's yard.  I think it was the first time I'd seen a deer laying down.

Waiting for the boys to finish drums, I tried to get a good pic of me and The Girl.

Tuesday, Oct. 9th
Happy Birthday, Nathanael!  Here's a sneak peek!

Wednesday, Oct. 10th
The boys were cleaning up all the blankets in the basement.

Thursday, Oct. 11th
A nice surprise!!!  Spoiled?  I prefer "well-taken care of."

Friday, Oct.12th

Saturday, Oct. 13th
We had the pleasure of having cousin Alaina from Friday to Sunday.

After church...Maddy was caught doing her thing-captivating the attention of all the kids in the atrium.

Sunday, Oct. 13th
Frank and Bob

Week 40--San Fran

I didn't have any pictures from the early part of the week.  It was craziness.  I was doing school, packing, hockey, dance, church, shopping, and cleaning in preparation for leaving for four days.  Every time we go away I get to a breaking point and ask myself, "Is this really worth it?"

It can be so difficult to get the kids covered and coordinate their activities.  It takes a spreadsheet.  Then not only do I have to do my 'usual' stuff, but I also have to get ahead 4 days.  But every time I get on a plane and exhale, I'm so grateful to get away, to reconnect with Colombo, to have the chance to explore this amazing world beyond Connecticut.

Colombo left 2 days before me, arriving Tuesday.  I didn't think I could leave for 6 days, so I left on Thursday, allowing him to do 2 days of meetings. I got there for the fun stuff.  First I started with a mani-pedi, and then Colombo and I went on a date.  He turned down 5 dinner invitations to take me out.  It was lovely.  And it'd been about 3 months since we'd done a date.

On Friday (Oct. 4th) morning, Colombo went golfing on the coast with 180 colleagues and I chose to do the Land and Sea tour.  Here are some shots from Colombo's day.

My tour left at 10am and started down at the wharf.  For me, any day on a boat is a good day, but Intelisys just knows how to make things lovely.

The Bay Bridge

Houses are literally built into the side of hills all over the city.  It's fascinating.

Alcatraz

There was LOTS of activity in the water and extra Coast Guard in preparation for America's Cup and Fleet Week.

These two were a hoot.  They took pictures of us as we took pictures of them.  They joked about 'needing' to board our vessel, knowing there was plenty to drink.

Such a pretty day!

The finish line for the Regatta.

The city was jamming!!!  The guide called it the perfect storm.  It was Fleet Week, Blue Angels, a massive Jazz Festival in the park, playoffs for the SF Giants, 2 cruise ships docked, America's Cup, and a huge conference that brought in 60, 000 people.  It worked in our favor though.  We got to watch the Blue Angels practice flights right over our heads.

And the trick planes.

I love the sky in this picture:

Back to the Bay Bridge.

Pre-race parking spots.

Friday evening was the lovely banquet.   Rick (on the right) is Colombo's business mentor and friend (and co-founder of Intelisys).  He made the bottle of wine Colombo is holding.  On the left is Mr. Dellar, Rick's father- a sweet man.

Colombo was recognized for his level of business.  I'm very proud of him.  I am very grateful he is such a hard worker and good provider.  God has certainly blessed our business.  Colombo is well-liked and respected among his colleagues and lovingly referred to as "the nicest guy in Telecom."  (He's 2nd from the right in the middle row.)

I don't have any pictures, but after the banquet we ran up to the room to change and went across the street to the Starlight, a swanky lounge on the 21st floor.  We ended up chatting with 1 couple the entire time.

Saturday, Oct. 6th

We woke up to a beautiful day!

For our excursion, we both chose to get a massage. The spa was inside of a mall and was by far the largest, nicest spa I've ever been to.  I did the cool mist, the sauna, the steam room....you name it, they had it.  The only thing I couldn't do was get naked and do the hot tub with 3 other women already in there. Maybe someday.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it's hard to spend a morning like that and not feel just a bit guilty. I mean, c'mon.  It was over-the-top ridiculous pampering, and I'm pretty sure a lot of starving children could have done well with that money.  Such is the corporate world.

Leaving the mall, I thought this was cool.

Saturday evening was the last of the official things.  About 60 people went to dinner down on the water and then to a show following, Babylon's Beach Blankey- a current events satire of sorts.

This was the view from my seat at the dinner table:

Meanwhile....back at home, Rocco had his first official sleepover...Mason's birthday.

Sunday, Oct. 7th

Meg and Chris took the boys to Bounce U.

Rocco needed a little encouragement.

Back in San Fran we were catching an early flight.  Down in the lobby we bumped into someone we knew and agreed to split a cab to the airport.  So, 3 people, luggage and golf clubs and THIS is what we got for a taxi.  Seriously? And it was a stupid battery-operated one to boot!  It took the driver and bellhop 10 minutes to fit us in like a Tetris game.

A HUGE thanks to Karen and Abby.  They completely filled my shoes and all the gaps.  Here are several pictures from while I was out.

Mohawk times 5

It sure was good to be home!!!

Madison had also left town on Thursday and got to go to CANADA with the Groves.  They have some silly copy-cat holiday--Remembrance Day--ironically a ditto of our Thanksgiving day and conveniently on our Columbus Day.  It was an amazing opportunity and privelege for her to go.  She had tons of fun with their extended family and with new Baby James, Juliet's newest cousin.