New Year's Eve

Tonight Brian and I are planning on watching the ball drop from our couch in our most comfortable pjs. We also have a tradition of getting a unhealthy amount of fast food and just pigging out as we ring in the New Year. Then at 12:01 we start a diet! Hmmm... I love New Year's Eve.

Brian and I worked a half day (I brought Savannah with me) and then by noon we went to Tri-City park. We had Pepe's for lunch and played on the swings. Savannah loves the swings and kind of cries when we take her off.

Savannah ate dinner before us since we are planning on eating late. I guess the park (or most likely her antibiotics) took a lot out of her- as evident in the video clip.

Wall Street Journal

I was quoted in the Journal on December 28th. The article is called Beyond the Mortgage Payment and is located in the Real Estate section. Here is the link.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703278604574624424273068790.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_realestate#articleTabs%3Dcomments

Christmas Part 2

Savannah's first time with pig tails.

Christmas Part 1

This year for Christmas we went to Seattle for 8 days. We rented a car and drove from Seattle over the pass to Ellensburg, Yakima and Leavenworth to visit family and play in the snow. Savannah had a difficult time adjusting to sleeping in a new place, but we quickly learned that on vacation she likes to sleep in between Brian and I (side note: she was able to adjust back to sleeping in a crib very easily when we got home).

Some pictures from Yakima in the SNOW!

Tanner was standing across the street...

Because he had uncles that were trying to tag him with snowballs.

Savannah's first time in the snow!

Home from the Holidays...

We just got home last night. As we were excitedly walking from our garage and rounded the corner to our condo we saw a gangster-looking man with a white shirt, long black shorts, tall white socks and a "13" tattoo on his forehead standing on the wall next to the row of dumpsters. We don't know why he was there or what he was planning on doing. All Brian and I know is that we NEED to move. Period.

I LOVE DECEMBER!

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating, eating, listening to Christmas music and seeing family.

As our little family is settling into our first Christmas with Savannah we are creating some new traditions. Something we have done in the past that continued this year is having Aron come to visit. He flew in on Saturday and left Sunday (so a pretty short visit) but we had a full agenda. We had a small Christmas party, went to Disneyland, Savannah and I went over to my Aunts house to visit for a little while, then the three adults went out that night. We napped, watched a Christmas movie and ate lots of cookies.

Our trip to Disneyland was very wet. Our friends generously GAVE us tickets to go on Saturday, but it was pouring. As soon as we started driving over the ran stopped. It was perfect at first, but as we made our way over to It's a Small World it starting raining again. Savannah was all bundled up (trying out her new hat and mittens for the snowy weather in Leavenworth for next week) and had rain gear for her stroller. The three of us figured out that our jackets weren't as rain proof as we thought, but Savannah was perfectly dry and EVEN slept!

Here is a picture of our tree. I love decorating. Our tree tends to look the same every year, but we are really adding new decorations to represent things that are going on in our lives (as long as they match the color scheme!).

It's looks so much more beautiful with the lights dimmed, the fireplace on and the red, cream and white pearl lights on the tree. It seems even better with Christmas music and the smell of cookies baking!

Brian was covered in sap. I had him pick up at least 30 trees before I found the one I liked.

This is not the tree we choose- we almost did, but then I saw the picture and we started looking again.

On Friday we are off to Seattle, Leavenworth, Yakima and Ellensburg! Right now I get to do my favorite part of traveling... MAKING A PACKING LIST. I am very particular about making sure everything is packed perfect and that we don't forget anything. I like to be prepared. Everything goes in zip-locks. This year I am even making a zip-lock for each outfit for each day. This is because Savannah clothes are so small everything tends to disappear in the suitcase when you are looking for it.

There is just a bad feeling when you get an envelope in the mail that has a return address from the IRS. I have been filing my own taxes for 6 years with the exception of 1 year! I think it is silly to pay someone to file your taxes when there are such great programs and resources to do it yourself. In 2007 I was just WAY to busy to even utter the words "Itemization". This was when I was finishing my bachelors and just didn't have time. Of course the ONE time we went to H&R Block we WERE AUDITED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I immediately pulled out my tax returns for that year and saw the error almost right away. They tax preparer doubled our mortgage interest tax deduction from 14,000 to 28,000! So, we don't have to go through real audit since it was one error, but that error is costing us $2,000 by December 30th. When I called H&R Block and gave them a piece of my mind they said they only pay the penalties and interest, and even then I have to fill out a ton of paperwork. The part that sucks is the penalties and interest is only $164 of the $2,000.

On another thought... I WANT A KINDLE!

So far in the Ph.D. program I have print more than 10 reams of paper for articles that I have to read, highlight and take notes- besides taking down the APA citation for the literature. Plus I have to lug all those thick documents around in heavy bags. The Kindle would solve ALL of these issues. (Brian, hint hint!... my birthday's in February)

"When it rains it Pours"

My boss called me into his office today. He has been on vacation for two weeks. As I walked done the hall to his office I was scanning my brain thinking what went wrong that I overlooked while he was gone? There is so much to do when my boss comes back from a long trip. He usually has a laundry list of items that I have to take care of as well as pointing out things that went wrong while he was away. When I sat down he handed me some paperwork and I looked more closely and YES! I got another grant. This time it was for 20,000. Everything seems so small compared to the B of A 200,000, but it is still a BIG deal. My boss was so happy on his first day back, and so was I- this is a statement I have never said in the last four years at CCCS.

When I was walking out of his office he said, "Well, when it rains it pours." Isn't that a phase used to describe a series of negative events? Oh, well. I'm just happy I have another grant to put on my CV and I can actually hire another part-time educator.

Santa Claus

I just wanted to say how thankful I am for my friends at work. One of my co-workers sisters works for a non-profit that distributes baby formula to working moms. When I first was pregnant they helped me try to sign up for free formula, but I didn't qualify for the program since I am a salary-exempt status employee. However, once a month for the past four months I found a stack of formula (see picture above) in my office on my desk. Even though I thank her, she tells me she has no idea what I am talking about. Like it is no big deal that she is basically giving me $100 worth of formula. This month she told me it must have been Santa, and that he came early.

This got me thinking about the concept of Santa Claus. Little kids can hardly sleep the night before Christmas thinking of what Santa bring them. Although adults do not experience that same excitement on Christmas Eve it is still nice to think that their is still a Santa Claus out their to help us. What ever form the gifts are in (babysitting for a friend/family member, covering a shift at work for a co-worker, or surprising someone with baby formula) there is still a magical feeling of being the beneficiary of a Santa-type act, especially when we need it the most.

Thank you for all my Santas who have helped me this year. It was a year I needed it the most, and I will always be grateful.

Thanksgiving Day

This Thanksgiving was so much fun, just like most of them. Brian and my tradition (now including Savannah) is visiting my parents in Palm Springs. It is such a beautiful place during November, December and January. Also I left work at 3:00 we were caught in some pretty heavy traffic coming into town and didn't get here until 8:30. I was so anxious to arrive since Peter was waiting for us and I haven't seen him in a couple months. When we finally got there my Mom had made a beautiful dinner and Peter played with Savannah. Savannah loves to be read to and Peter loves to read. It was a good match.

We ran/walked a 5k in the morning. This is our third year participating and it feels so good to feel like you accomplished something. Savannah went with us. My mom and aunt pushed her in the stroller. I walked/jogged it, but I got a horrible head ache. I am sure my body was telling me, "Are you crazy, you haven't exercised in over two years!" Last year my excuse was that I was pregnant, this year it was schedule overload plus laziness.

Before the race Savannah played in the swings. It was her first time and she loved it!

Peter ran the race in 24 minutes... yes... 8 minute miles!! Brian ran it in 32 minutes which is his normal time. Aunt Caroline and Uncle Larry walked it in 50 minutes (including pushing Savannah across the finish line. Mom and I did it in 54 minutes. She slowed way down with me during my head ache. As soon as the race was over I took Excedrin and the world became a better place again.
We had 15 people over for Thanksgiving and it was lots of fun to have semi-large crowd. My Mom made the turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. My aunt made cream spinach, cream corn and yams. I took my job of appetizers and decorating a little overboard. I really wanted to make it a special Thanksgiving since it is Savannah's first. I made a yummy vege tray and relish tray. Somehow we ended up with about .75 pies per person.

I printed black and white photos of the family (extended family members too) and put them up all over the place. I had so much left over that I hung them on the umbrellas with cloths pins. It gave people something to do while they waited for dinner.

When Savannah would get grumpy Matt would whisper in her ear and she would stop crying. This video clip doesn't do Matt's trick justice. Sometimes when she would be almost screaming for me to hold her Matt could make her instantly stop. The best part is it looks like she is trying to really listen to a secret Matt is telling her.

After dinner we went swimming and played Wii. We had such a good time playing. When we would have a good tennis rally going we would scream and yell. One time Chiara smacked Peter with the controller, it was totally by accident, but Matt and I almost passed out we were laughing so hard. Peter had a look of shock on his face, which made us laugh more.

The next day I was up at 4:30 shopping and getting some great deals. A couple of us saw the movie The Blind Side. I could say that is my favorite movie ever. I am going to try to see it again in the theatres. I never see a movie more than once in the theatres so tells you I REALLY loved it.

Lastly, I love how fast my Mom's computer is. I am able to post video SO fast!

Savannah at Work

The great part about my job is that Savannah can come with me on certain days. I had to do a quick thing in the office on Saturday, and Kylee watched Savannah for about 20 minutes. When I came into the office today Kylee had emailed everyone regarding a potential new hire that is very qualified. In the email was this photo. I love that her curls are starting to show in pictures and just look at those cute cheeks. My second thought was... potential new hire that is qualified to work here... Kylee what are you trying to say about our jobs... Baby's could do them? I like to think she meant Savannah is a business genius just at 10 months old!

Bank of American Award Ceremony

Today was the awards ceremony for the $200,000 Bank of America award. The event was held in the Diamond Club at Angels Stadium, and we were able to bring 20 people. It was such a great event.

This is Natalie Lohrenz the Director of Counseling. She has been working at CCCS-OC for ten years. She is the other grant writer and mainly does the big federal grants. I focus on private foundations. About two years ago her husband (a pilot) bought a crop dusting business in Wyoming and they were moving. Jim (our boss) was too afraid to let her quit since she is so amazing. So she actually works from Wyoming and flys in once a month to attend meetings.

Since I wrote the Grant I gave the acceptance speech.

The award is beautiful and is made out of marble, granite and some other type of rough stone. It weight about 15 pounds.

OF COURSE, I couldn't resist taking this picture!

I am such a DORK!

The check is somehow more cool than the trophy :)

Such a Cute Outfit!

Such a Cute Outfit!

5 Things about Savannah

1. She likes to twirl the hair above her right ear around her finger.

2. She light to wag her finger instead of wave (too much Colbert Report).

3. She likes to have long, deep conversations with Lily, even though Lily hates her guts.

4. She likes to make extremely high pitch screams ONLY in restaurants.

5. Savannah can look through her toy box and will always pick out the book.

The FLU!

It's been a couple years since I really had a horrible flu... and oh was it horrible. From Friday night until about 5 pm today I have felt awful. I slept most of Friday night on the floor, unable to move. Saturday was mostly a blur, but at least I was in a bed most of the day. I remember thinking, "I should go to the hospital, but I am too sick to leave the house." This got me thinking even more during my dehydrated rant, "What do people do when they are too sick to take themselves to the hospital?" During a phone call with my cousin Mark, I mentioned this thought and he replied, "Kel- that's when you call a paramedic". Not that I was sick enough to call a paramedic, but, "Duh!" Next time I am so dehydrated that I can't critically think I will call Mark, after all, he is a rocket scientist!

Last Friday morning, Brian and I took Savannah to her wellness check-up as well as a check-up for her ear infection. She passed everything with flying colors, except that she actually lost one pound. The doctor said that she could have lost weight because babies at her age (10 months) are so active and crawl around everywhere. That's a good theory, BUT Savannah isn't crawling yet. The doctor looked a little puzzled and then said, "Well, that's common for a baby with her mass." Now, of course with a mommy with a history of child obesity I had a look of panic on my face. Not even a year old and we are already having these types of conversations with our pediatrician. Memories of Choc Hospital's child weight loss program, "Is that a good choice" was rushing back to me. He explained that, "Savannah is very proportional, but she is overall a large child." So, we kind of backed off of trying to get her to crawl and just figured it would happen when her body mass would allow her to.

OF COURSE, the moment she really started crawling was Saturday when I was the most sick. Here is a quick video.

Joe came to Visit

Our Friend Joe came down from Seattle to visit us and go the the University of Washington vs. UCLA game. It was bummer since UW lost by 1 point. They still seemed like they had a good time. My Uncle Larry, an alumni, also went with them.

We had such a great time hanging out! He took some great pictures of Savannah.

She said it!

Savannah said, "Mama!"

She hasn't stopped saying it all night. It is such a sweet sound. Ever since she learned how to wave last week she waves at everything- people, dogs, her toys and the TV. It was so cute this last weekend when she was sick and crying Aron waved to her and she stopped crying, smiles and waved back. Oooooo I just love her.

I am so surprised she is starting to form words, but still surprised she is not crawling yet. She kind of crawled at Aron's house, but nothing since then. I am pretty sure she is going to walk first. She is able to stand holding furniture and can almost pull herself up from on furniture. Today she also was able to sit up from a laying down position.

It's like a milestone explosion!

Happy Halloween!

On Friday night Aron, Brian's brother in Vegas, has a big Halloween party. There were 40-50 people and we had such a fun time eating and dancing. Everyone came in costume. I was Minnie Mouse, Aron was a cop, Savannah was a Lady Bug and Brian, well, he made a bold choice...

My shoes were my favorite part of my costume.

Aron has a movie room set up in his loft. He made it the kids room and put on Shrek. Savannah watched intensely. Aron put on her favorite movie (the My Baby Can Read DVD) on the big projector tonight (Halloween) and she was so happy.

Savannah has been very sick, but is doing much better today. This picture shows Savannah's red little sick face. Although she was not feeling well she still would manage to wave and smile.

Brian did wear this costume ALL night. It got a little weird when he would sit on the leather couches or forget he was in a speedo and cross his legs.

I made a new treat. These are white chocolate cover marshmallow mummies. I also made my cookies and were a big hit.

Another really cool thing about Aron's project is that it is not just set up for movies. We can watch TV or play video games. I played guitar hero, and did pretty bad. Brian took a quick video of my poor performance. It is just cool to see the game on that huge screen.