Sunday, September 23, 2007

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Another first...


This was a big day for us...Emma's first day in the Nursery. As a parent who hasn't left her much and with my hormones going out of control, you would think I was sending her off to college! But withholding all those feelings, I excitedly walked her to Nursery and to my surprise she was quickly entertained by all the kids and fun new toys. She immediately found a rocking horse and with all her attention turned to that, I was able to leave within minutes of walking in. As Chris and I sat in Sunday School with all four hands available, we couldn't believe what had just happened! It was definitely a strange feeling, I can't remember the last time I sat in a class with Chris and just Chris! Sadly after Sunday School, I peeked through the Nursery window and she was no longer happily entertained. A bit of a dissapointment since I had just spent the past hour thinking how wonderful this was. But she did a great job and we're very proud of her. Like Brett said, with the alternative being walking the halls or struggling in class to keep her quiet, I'd much prefer to have to sit in Nursery while she plays! We'll see how next week goes...I'll be teaching, so it will be Daddy's turn!

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Tribute to our Trojans!

It's college football season! Not only is it the first day of College Game Day but tonight USC plays Idaho in their first game of the season. There is nothing that motivates Chris more to get out of bed at 7am Saturday morning than college football and although he's been in and out of the house today, the TV has remained on ESPN and this is how it will be for the next 4 months! It's definitely a fun ride...Fight On!

Friday, August 31, 2007

It's true...

We are pregnant with #2 and very happy about it! We're excited for emma to have a little playmate and anxious to watch her as a big sister, we think she'll be a great one! Thanks for all your calls and messages. I am just about 5 weeks along, you all know I can't keep something to myself for that long! So we have quite a ways to go but we'll keep you all posted on any news!

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Top Ten Bainbridge 2007

A few years ago my parents bought a summer home in the small town of Bainbridge Island, WA. It's impossible to describe the serenity of this Island until you visit. Their house is surrounded by a forest of trees where deer can be found and wildlife is plentiful but as you look the other direction, it's set on the ocean with what seems like your own private little beach. However, all that serenity goes out the window once the Ogden clan of 24 arrives for our annual 4th of July vacation.

It's become somewhat of a tradition to list our Top Ten favorite memories, this is overdue but we didn't want to miss the chance to thank Mom and Dad for sharing their home with us and giving us these opportunities to create such great and memorable times...

1. Charades...Dave's "I'm Too Sexy" duck walk and Alisa's choice of "Popcorn Popping"
2. Early morning wakeboarding trips with John and Todd
3. Catchin' crab...and starfish!
4. Getting stuck in the middle of the ocean in the kayak with Alisa
5. Crabfest x2
6. Emma & Payson sneaking off together, exploring and smooching!
7. Watching Max wakeboard
8. Throwing rocks and crabs with Emma!
9. Meg's Super Croquet Comeback!
10. Boat trip to Paulsbo to gorge on yummy cinnamon rolls, donuts, and hot chocolate

Chris' add ins: Wakeboarding, Sorbet from Mora, and Watching Dave deep fry a frozen microwavable burrito!

Honorable mentions go out to Dave and his triple decker ice cream cone, the wonderful sweet lady who honored us with a prayer of hope in RS, trying to capture a cousins photo, Jacy's baby shower luncheon, "fire!", and the Cuz Club!

Thanks Mom & Dad...Can't wait for next year!!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Such as...

I know I have many other things to post, but this was just way too good to pass up. This is absolutely for real, Chris and I were flipping through the channels last night and came across the Miss Teen USA 2007...we were speechless. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Summer Breakin' It!

This has been one busy Summer, but I am back and ready to blog!

We started our Summer early with a trip to Kauai at the end of April. Chris was rewarded an extra week vacation with a paid trip of our choice for all his hard work at FMV Opinions, Inc. Good Job, Chris! We had such a relaxing and fun time together as a family. Emma was great for us and especially enjoyed all the time outside swimming, playing at the beach, and chasing around roosters. We stayed on the East side of the Island at the Waipouli Beach Resort and would absolutely recommend it. It has much more of a local feel which means better food and less crowded! Highlights of our trip...Sunday Brunch at Princeville Resort (a must do!!), Wailua Falls, Poipu Beach, Breakfast Burritos from Shakka Tacos, Snorkeling Tunnels on the North Shore, Helicopter Tour over Na Pali Coast, Dinner at Coconuts, and Smith's Luau.


If you're planning to travel to Kauai, check out The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The day after we got home from Kauai, I packed up the car and headed out to AZ to help watch my sister's kids for the week. Emma had such a fun time with her cousins swimming, playing at Peter Piper Pizza, discovering the Children's Museum, and eating cookies with Grandma. This was a big week for mommy too...we finally got Emma to fall asleep on her own. No more rocking! 14 months, that's good, right?! I've adored my many many days and nights rocking her to sleep, but it was definitely time!

Emma's newest cousin...

Welcome baby girl, Bailey!




We are so excited for another cousin for Emma, especially a little girl!! I was lucky enough to be here in AZ for her arrival and get to hold her just hours old. She's precious and has the sweetest little face and most beautiful color of hair. My sister, Jacy, is a wonderful mother and is such a good example to me. This makes a family of 6 for them...WOW!! And such a cute family they are! Congratulations!

Monday, May 14, 2007

And no broken bones! (Viewing Tip: Play in Slow Motion)



We love you Parker and hope that handsome face of yours in healing up!

And the party continues...

Even though we were driven out of the jacuzzi by the "smelly" men and blown over by the wind at the beach, we had so much fun having Jacy and Alisa's families come visit us after the party. We loved having the house full of kids, riding the Big Wheel at the Spectrum, and the special treat of Dave's panini french toast!! To top it all off, we got to spend some time with Todd's family at Disneyland...a highlight for me was riding It's A Small World with Cass and Teri and for Chris, riding something other than It's a Small World!...and after sending them the wrong way on the freeway, they made it to our house just in time for bed! The next morning we spent time at Newport Beach shopping for souveniers and ate the most yummy fish tacos. I can always count on Todd for finding awesome places to eat, right in my own backyard! He gave me some great words of advice..."Start enjoying California!". It's always great to watch as Emma develops relationships with her sweet cousins who are so good to her and love her so much! We love you guys and hope you come back soon!

Happy 90th Birthday, Grandpa!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Pre-Party Fun at Sea World


This has been a very busy but exciting past few weeks. It started with the celebration of my Grandpa's 90th birthday on April 13th right here in California. The whole family came in to town and it was a very special occasion to have all his grandkids and great grandkids present. We are lucky enough to live right here so we had family with us before and after the big party. On Wednesday night, Emma and I met Brett's family down in Carlsbad at Ruby's Diner and enjoyed some time with them before the whole gang got in. On Thursday, we met back up at Sea World where Alisa's family joined us (only after I sent them in the other direction on the freeway...this was just the start to their "wrong directions"...they spent more time in their car than anywhere else this weekend!!). This was Emma's first time at Sea World and we definitely plan on going back with Daddy. We saw Shamu, dolphins, seals, sharks and much more!! The Shamu show was awesome, Dave and I were very impressed (and touched!!) It was especially fun to be with family and watch emma play with cousins.

Sunday, March 4, 2007