Story Time

You have got to love it when the independence kicks in ! Madison is really doing great with her reading and now loves to read to the boys. Her is a picture of her reading to Tyson- a Star Wars book non the less. They are all really excited for Christmas. I will post pictures of them decorating the Christmas tree soon. Hope you are all staying warm and enjoying the joys of the holiday season!

Nuts Anyone?

SO tonight we had a cozy night of sitting in our pj's, popping some popcorn and watching Polar Express. Tyson was crawling on my lap and put his knee in my crotch. I said, "ouch". Madison told Tyson, " you need to be careful that hurts mom nuts." I told Madison girls do not have nuts. She replied a second later, "oh ya we have an ALIVA!"

Happy Birthday and Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We had a blast, we had Thanksgiving at our house and we had 36 people here. We had a packed house! We almost went through 70 pounds of meat. All the food was great. I have hosted Thanksgiving for almost 5 years now, I have marked it as my holiday to entertain. Also this year was Tyson's birthday, he turned 4! We had some Turkey and Star Wars Cake, Along with 4 other kinds of pie. No one left Hungry. Tyson was on cloud nine, he thought everyone was here for him, well that is partially true for him and the food.

I remember the day when he entered in to this world. I am so happy to my biggest little man in my life! He is such a joy to our lives. He keep us all on our toes! Happy Birthday Tyson! We love you very much!

The Wish
By Ann Friday

Each birthday wish
I've ever made
Really does come true.
Each year I wish
I'll grow some more
And every year
I DO!

On my honor, I will give Thanks.

Last Thursday Madison had a Thanksgiving feast in her class. They all had to bring a bag of food and mix it together and made some gorp. Half the class was pilgrims and the other half was Indians. They had all made a Thanksgiving book which they read to us. It was a lot of fun to see all the hard work they put into the books, they were all so proud. I am most thankful for these moments I can spend with my kids watching them grow!

Last week Madison got sworn into Brownies. It was a cute ceremony and they each got some pins. They were all put on upside down and they need to do 3 good deeds and then it can be put right side up. They also got some patches they earned the last 3 weeks or so. Here are some pics of the ceremony.

Happy fall!

Can you believe how long it has been since I have blogged?! I am so sorry, I have really no good excuse other than I have been busy with life and my computer was broke for a week. Since the last post John and I have turned another year older, we do not need to go into details about that though. We both had a great birthday. I actually got a bedroom set for my birthday. I am excited to finally have dressers and a bed that all match. All the kids rooms have matching sets and it was ours that was the last to tackle. I do liek my bedroom set very much and am glad to have a cozy retreat way from the world (well for at least 6-7 hours a day). We made it through Halloween and the kids had a blast! It was busy, I am a room mom for Madison's class so I was busy planning the party, then they had pumpkin math. That whole week I was at the school 4 out of the days. I also tried to work- It was a crazy week. Now I can not believe we are about to enter into the holiday of Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday! I love to eat and visit with family and friends. It sems this time of year goes by so fast. Soon it will be 2008.

Tuesday night we went to Niel Young. It was a great show. I could listen to his acoustic set all night long. John and I had a good time getting out and had a good time together. With kids it does not feel like you get enough of those times together.

I will leave you with a few recent photos! I will post sooner than later!

I am the MOM!

Well if this does not sum up my week I don't know what does! This is great. Please take the 2 minutes to watch! Saw this and had to share it with all you moms!


I am the mom!!!

Well I am getting a taste of my sister not being close to me and I am not liking it at all! I am bored and I miss our daily talks on the phone of about 10 times. ( for real). I have no idea what I am going to do in May when she does have to leave for good! My bro in law better pick up ALOT of shifts so he can fly her out here at least once a month! Really I am starting to freak out here, I will have nothing and no one to do anything with!!! Alright I am going to stop thinking about it. I hope she is having fun though...... brat!

Well this weekend it was me and the kids. John went golfing at this golf course 3 hours away. He was invited to golf for free at a new private course. An offer not to refuse. It would of been more fun had it not been for the 50 mph winds. Me and the kids hung out during the day, cleaning and doing laundry. Then we went to my moms house for dinner. My step grandma was visiting from out of town and my step brother just had a baby a month ago so we all got to meet him. I got a baby fix! Then Johns mom came over and we rented a nd watched the movie "The Ultimate Gift". The movie is great I highly recommend that you go and rent it!!! That was the second time I watched it and I loved it. GO GET IT! She spent the night and we woke up and went putzin around town. It was great to spend the day with her! We used to live close to each other and spend so much time together. Now with our schedules we do not do that as much so it was a real treat for the both of us!
This week is really busy with work. I have meeting everyday which always makes the week go by really fast. I am digging the cool off! I must say I am ready for fall. I love this time of year, the smell the color all except the illnesses that come with it! Hope you all stay healthy!! Talk soon.

T.K.

Life is good, things are going as you want them to be. You are going through life and all of a sudden you are stopped dead in your tracks. Your breath is taken away. This has just happened to me. Sunday the 23rd of September a dear friend of mine past away. It is just such a crazy thought that one day some one is here and the next day their not and never will be. You just never know when you say good bye to some one that it may be the last time you every talk to them.
It is just hard, he was one of my few good friends. I work out of the home and I am busy with the kids, I do not meet very many people. I have several great acquaintance's and my best friends are my family. But there is something to be said for the best friends you have outside the family who you get you, support you and are there for you. This was him.... T.K. Life goes on and you have great memories, it's just hard. My Tribute to Tom-

October 2, 2007

Heaven must have needed a special angel cause they now have you. I can not tell you how many times I have attempted to sign the guest book for my dear friend T.K. Signing this to me seems so final. I have learned so much from him. To never be afraid to follow your dreams, to push yourself to achieve goals you have, life is fun, to always laugh out loud!! He taught me it is o.k. to hurt and your heart will heal and most of all, life does goes on after you have lost some one you love. I had so many more conversations to have with you, so many words unspoken, so many laughs not laughed. I will forever remember the hours we would ride around in your car with the music up as loud as it could go and we would be singing at the top of our lungs, we would grab anything we could find in the car and that could be used a microphone. We just had fun being together. He was a big support in my life. I will always remember T.K. He is living inside my heart now. I am so blessed you were in my life, I cherish every memory I had with you. This world will not be the same with out you here. I love you. I will not say good-bye..... I will talk to you in the hours ahead.

Here is his Obituary.

Thomas Edward Kamb
Thomas Edward Kamb Resident of Richmond Thomas Edward Kamb passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2007, at Kaiser Hospital in Walnut Creek, CA. He was born in Martinez, CA on November 5, 1964. He attended Mira Vista and Sheldon Elementary Schools, Juan Crespi Junior High School and graduated from De Anza High School in 1983. He participated on the Tennis team and was active on the school Journalism staff. Tom loved music and while in Jr. and Sr. High School he performed as a DJ for groups in and out of school. During his early years as a member of the El Sobrante United Methodist Youth Group he participated in skits and was the drummer for the Joyful Noise Jazz Band. He also loved to sit at the organ at home and play by ear. He was always happy and upbeat with family and friends, being uncle to Kalene and Cameron were of particular joy to him. His health was always important with no bad habits, working hard and by staying physically fit. He did this by working our at Lakeridge Athletic Club playing racket ball, tennis, swimming, lifting weights and running on the treadmill. He lived by a code right is right and wrong is wrong. Tom lived over 36 of his 42 years in Richmond (El Sobrante). His last 6 years here in El Sobrante. He was Tom (Jack) of all trades with the following ventures: Richmond Police Canine Officer with Falko, Pinole Police Officer, Hercules Reserve Police Officer, KSFO Talk Radio, Denver, Colorado Talk Radio, KLIF 570 Talk Radio in Dallas, TX, Partner in a Subway at Hilltop, Owner of the Pizza Connection in El Sobrante, Loan Officer for Greater Bay Funding, and most recently as a Police Officer for the Solano Community College in Fairfield, CA. He loved this position where he could use all of his experience and talents in a combined effort to promote a positive and safe environment for the students, staff, visitors and faculty on the Solano Community College campuses. He had great pride in providing this service and was greatly appreciated by students, maintenance staff, cafeteria staff, library, book store, administrative staff, the faculty and his fellow officers. He graduated from, the Los Medanos Police Academy and Napa Community College Police Academy. He was a past member of the Pinole Rotary Service Club. His long term goal was to be Sheriff of Contra Costa County. He was interested in the political arena comprising West County and had been a candidate for West Contra Costa School District Board. Tom will be deeply missed by all who knew him and especially by mother and father, Ronald and Margaret Kamb of Richmond, brother, Dr. Carl Kamb of Los Angeles, sister and brother in law David and Nancy Sanders, niece Kalene Sanders, nephew Cameron Sanders of Lafayette. Relatives on his mothers side, uncle and aunt, Dick and Catherine Wynn of Napa, cousins Ed Wynn and Karen Wittington, aunt Joan Wynn of Winters, cousins Kathy, Debbie, Carol and Virginia. Relatives on fathers side, aunt, Beverly Bagwell of El Sobrante, cousins Tim Bagwell and Richard Bagwell, fathers uncle, Vern and Millie Lindner and aunt Erna Kamb. Many cousins and extended families will have great memories of Tom. A Celebration of Life will be held at the El Sobrante United Methodist Church, 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803 on Friday, September 28, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Tom could be made to his favorite charities: Concern of Police Survivors - www.nationalcops.org Gateway for Cancer Research - www.gatewayforcancerreasearch.org San Francisco Aids Foundation - www.SFAF.org And - www.lyric.org Family will deliver some ashes to his favorite spots that were special and a joy to his life. The family appreciates all the prayers and special thoughts expressed by everyone. WE LOVE YOU TOM. Smith & Witter 510-758-5466 Published in the Contra Costa Times from 9/25/2007 - 9/27/2007

Cones and Brownies

Today Madison started Girl Scouts, she is a brownie! She loved it! They meet 2 Tuesdays a month. Soon they are going on a trip to the pumpkin patch and during Christmas they go caroling. I think it is great what they teach the girls and how to help in their community, so I am really excited for her. There are 26 girls in her troop. She knows a hand full of them from her class, I also trying to talk her cousin (Julia) into joining, I think they would have so much fun together.

Marley got neutered and had his dew claws removed last Tuesday. We went back into the vet on Saturday to get his bandages re rapped, he had a stitch come out so they had to out a staple in his foot. I had to go back in again today, the staple had come out again, so once again he got another staple. They asked me if he was active. Ummm he is a 13 week old puppy... what do you think! So his is rather bummed theat he has to wear the cone for another 5 whole days. I am almost as bummed as him, he is constantly running into the back of your legs, he can't go for walks easily, and he can not hear a thing unless you speak into the cone. I could go on. So here is the pathetic pup with the cone. He is now referred to as "cone head". Poor boy.Please see the post below for pictures of our Atlanta trip!! I know 2 post in one day!

Our Trip to Atlanta

Our first night their we all got together for a BBQ The Bride and groom-

John and me at the wedding... ahhh love.
Anyone that knows me knows I LOVE dragon flies.... if not I will write a post later on why.


The Gang right before the wedding!
The wedding was at the Botanic Gardens- Beautiful, had to take some flower pics!


Jeff and Amy -
Our view of down town Atlanta from the hotel- see the rainbow in the background.
The guys all went golfing for a n afternoon while the girls went to the mall. When we picked them up they were all drowned rats, it poured on them!!!
Geoff and his girlfriend Leah-
The "dude" Brent and Kristina
John and me...

Beautiful fall sunset

A Welcoming

So yesterday we got back from Atlanta. We left on Thursday morning. We had a College friend out there that was getting married. We had 3 other couples that came there for the wedding too! We all stayed at the Residence Inn Marriott downtown Atlanta. We had a blast, the kids stayed at my moms house from Wednesday night to Sunday! When we got home last night we were exhausted!!! We both came back with a cold. We ordered some pizza and put the kids in bed early and we were getting ready to follow shortly after. John was on the couch watching football and I was in the bath, all of a sudden I hear John screaming, "did you just pee Tyson?" Then before I know it the whole family is in the bathroom- Tyson Peed from the upstairs on to Johns head!!! Can you believe it! He kept denying it . Smart kid. He said his humidifier leaked through the ceiling. John was so upset that Tyson peed on him. The kid has incredible aim to shoot and hit him in the head! Still to day he will not admit he peed on his head.... so hard to keep a straight face about this one!

I will post some pictures of Atlanta soon!

Grandparents Tea

Madison had Grandparents day on Wednesday last week- they were learning about their family. Where they come from, how everyone is related and also how times have changes from then to now. She had to do a family tree project. Each of the grandparents got a flower, they recited poems and had some drinks and snacks with the grandparents. The kids did great and the grandparents were all so proud. I am a room parent for Madison's class and helped plan the event, so much fun! Here are some pictures of the event! Happy Grandparents day Sept. 9th!

Where to begin

I can not believe it has almost been 3 weeks since my last post!!! I think that this summer is finally winding down?! I hope, I am ready for a little bordem!! Well 2 weeks ago we went to the hills with my sister Wendy and her 3 kids and did some good old mutin bustin! That was so much fun! Love to see the kids try new things and not be scared of new adventures! See the slew of pictures below from the fun weekend. Yes Tyson did do some mutin, I am still shocked to this day that he did it! (He actually did better than Madison!) Wendy and me and the 6 kids went for a hike, we repelled doen a water fall with all 6 kids one by one. We both were so proud of the kids and how they all went with the flow and were so adventurous! We lost the pics. It was all Wendy's fault. JK. She transfered them to the file and hit yes to replace them. Does any one know how to get them back? We took them to a store and they wanted 100$. WHAT?? I hope we can get them recovered they are so precious!

Last weekend weekend this we went up camping for I believe the last hurray. It was a bit chilly in the evening and the morning! Well we picked up Madison from School on Thursday and went up to the hills. As soon as we got everything all set up and put where we wanted it Madison tells me she was hot and cold all day at school. Yep she had a fever which she still has today. So i called the doctors office this morning and made her an appointment. She has pneumonia! So she is on some antibiotic and is on Neb treatments every 4 hours. I really hope she feels better soon. She does not get sick like this often. Little things here and there but not like this. She is not much of a complainer so for her to let me know that she is not feeling good, she is not feeling good.

Off and on this weekend we worked on a school project- she needed to complete a family tree. ( More of a mom project than a 6 year old! She is having a grandparents tea tomorrow at school, it is from 3:15 to 4:00. She will not be going to school tomorrow, BUT if she is fever free and feels up to it I will let her go to the tea. Is that bad? Should I get e face mask to have her wear? They said it was bacterial?

Let me tell you- I have been trying to put the bots to bed for an hour!! They will not sleep! They share a room so it is like double trouble every night! ERRRRRRRRR. Gotta go and scream some more!