Go Blue Jays

Brother Bear is busy playing baseball right now. They finished 2nd this year. First and second place teams get a trophy from the league, so the boys are excited. Last year they finished 2nd to last! They won 4 games last year and one of them was in the end of the season tournament. Quite an improvement!!! Brother made a great play the other day at shortstop. A diving catch. I thought the ball was going into the outfield. Definitely a top 10 play of the day for ESPN. They play again tomorrow night and if they win it is off to the championship game on Saturday.

Florida

I figured I had better get the update up about our trip to Florida before the month is over. The beginning of May we headed out to Orlando for a few days. Papa Bear was presenting at a conference and he wanted the rest of us Bears to tag along with him. We took the red eye flight out on the Monday. I think the only person who really slept was Papa Bear. I heard him snoring in the row behind me. Sister Bear dozed. She was kind of stuffy so I think the pressure was bothering her because she fussed in her sleep most of the way. We got off the plane in Florida and boy was it hot! Sister was in her fleece pj's for staying warm on the plane. Got our bags and headed for the shuttle and off to the Walt Disney Dolphin Resort where the conference was. After we checked in, we checked out the hotel grounds....made sure we knew where the pool was and headed off to lunch at ESPN zone (I like the one at downtown Disney in CA better). Filled our stomachs and headed back for a little rest. Brother could barely control himself so I took him down to the pool while Papa and Sister slept. Eventually they came down to join us for awhile. When we were done swimming we got ready for dinner and headed out to Downtown Disney for the evening. It was nice, there are shuttle buses that take you everywhere for free.

The next morning we got up early and headed out for the Magic Kingdom. We could buy our tickets at the hotel so we didn't have to mess with that when we got to the park. When we got there they hadn't opened yet so we got to see the big song and dance they do in the beginning. Brother was pretty excited because we did the parent swap since Sister couldn't go on the big rides. The parent swap let him go on things twice, and he only had to wait in line once! I liked Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain better in Florida and I thought the Pirates of the Caribbean was pretty weak. It was kind of weird to go inside to wait in line for It's A Small World. We headed back to our hotel about 2:30 because Papa had a meeting to go to. While he was in his meeting the kids and I went swimming and had some dinner and then we all went back to the park for some more fun.

The rest of the trip was spent at the pool. We went back to Downtown Disney again. It really is a big place. I took Brother and Sister to ride the monorail one day. In Florida it isn't a ride at the park like it is in Disneyland. There it went from some of the resorts to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. The kids did pretty well for the time change and being so out of whack with sleeping. It was a fun little family trip.

Socks

Sister Bear and her friend Laci needed new socks. So last weekend Tami and I decided that we would do a little craft project. It is much cheaper to buy a bag of toddler socks, but they do not come with the skid proof markings on the bottom. Tami and I decided we would make our own skid proof socks. We bought some fabric paint and socks and spent some time decorating the bottom of the socks. You just had to let the paint on the socks dry for 72hrs and then they could be washed and good to go.

First Game of the Season

Thursday night we headed up to Safeco Field for the last game of the series of the Angels vs. Mariners. The Angels won!

On our way up we stopped at Subway to get some $5 footlongs (sing $5 footlong song now). I love that you can get the footlong but don't have to have all the toppings on the whole sandwich. I'll get a footlong and split it with brother. As we turned to go to our usual parking area, I noticed a spot right across the street. A free spot in front of Krispy Creme! We dressed warmly in our Angel gear. It wasn't actually that cold up at Safeco unless the breeze kicked up. It had been sunny during the day with about a high of 58. The roof was open on the stadium. We were sitting out in the centerfield bleachers for about 6 innings and then we went down to the bullpen to watch for awhile. As we were standing by the fence, Scott Shields motioned for Brother to go down to the end of the fence. He gave a ball to him and one for Sister too! I think that is probably ball number 20 for Brother. Another pitcher came over and talked to Brother for a few minutes. It is always fun to watch the pitchers warm up and to hear the ball hit the catchers glove.

Both kids fell sound asleep in the car on the way home. A good night for the Bear Family.

Baseball and Birthday Party

We had a busy Saturday in the Bear household. Brother had two baseball games today. His team has definitely improved since last year. Brother Bear likes to play catcher. He is pretty good at it too. I guess I am surprised that he likes it so much since he's not a big kid and you can get knocked around back behind the plate. In case you are wondering from the picture, brother is not left handed, he's a switch hitter. Papa taught him to hit and golf left handed. He actually hits better left handed.
In between the baseball games we had a little birthday party for Sister Bear planned. Cupcakes and ice cream. Not just any cupcakes either, these were Elmo cupcakes. All week sister was saying "Elmo cupcakes Saturday." I brought them home Saturday morning and she wanted to eat one then. The funny thing is she never really ate one. Talked about them constantly and said she wanted one. Really all she did was put her mouth down to it and got a little frosting on her face. Papa cut a cupcake up for her so it would be easier to eat but that was not what she wanted. How dare he cut up an Elmo cupcake. We even tried to take the frosting off for her. Guess she just wanted to hold it and have her Elmo cupcake. There were 3 wee ones to celebrate with Sister. The siblings were all outside playing....too cool for Elmo cupcakes, even though they all had two of them.

After the quick birthday party it was back down for another baseball game. They didn't win this game. A rough first inning and they couldn't catch up. Close it was 11-15. Brother had a triple so he was pretty excited. It was a long day. Needless to say Mama Bear didn't want to cook dinner and everyone wanted to stay home, so I headed out to the drive thru and brought home Wendy's.

A Good Day

Today is a good day! Its sunny and we are expecting a high of 73 today. Of course by Thursday it is supposed to be 50 again, but hey we'll take the nice weather. But the real reason today is a good day is....baseball has begun! The MLB package on our TV has been ordered. The Aflac duck will be cruising across the bottom of our TV screen for Sister Bears enjoyment. Papa Bear and I can begin our brainwashing of which team she's going to root for.

Sister Bear is 2!!!!!!

Our Sister Bear turned two today!!! Such a big girl. Time sure has gone by fast. We went over and had lunch with Papa at Carls Jr. today. We will have a little party for her next weekend.

Carly and Chase Get Married

We packed ourselves up in the Bear Family Camry and headed down to California for Brother Bears sisters wedding. Brother Bear had baseball practice on Wednesday evening so after Brother was showered and smelling pretty and the car loaded up we headed out. We drove for about 2 1/2 hrs and stayed at a hotel so we wouldn't have to get up so early the next morning. On Thursday we got up had a good breakfast at the hotel. Got the family truckster loaded up and hit the Starbucks across the street (which was packed) and we were on our way. Brother and Sister traveled pretty well in the car together. Sister talked most of the way down. We stopped twice which I thought with the two kids was pretty good. Once for gas and lunch and the other time at a rest stop where Brother and Papa played catch and Sister ran through the grass. Finally we made it to our hotel! After we checked in, we visited with Gramma and Granddad for ahwile. It was so nice of Carly to invite them to the wedding. Then it was off to Carly's house. It was fun to see all of the Bennetts (Gradpa, Granny, Aunt Stacey, Peter, Uncle David, Aunt Nicole, Gigi, Granny's sister Jann, and of course the bride and groom. We were missing Uncle Paul and Reuben though. Brother Bear and his cousin Peter had a good time playing legos together. Sister Bear and Gigi are at the age where they just played around each other. Good thing they both had an Elmo toy or there could have been trouble. Friday we went out to a park for awhile so the kids could run around and play. The weather was so nice!!!! Papa Bear wanted to hit up In-n-Out for lunch. After that it was back to the hotel for a little swimming. The pool was a little too cold but the hot tub was a good size. Peter came over to swim and hang out with Cade while Stacey attended to wedding duties with Carly. We had a yummy italian dinner that night. I had the biggest piece of lasagna I've ever seen. Then it was back to Carly and Chases house for awhile. Stacey taught us an Indiana card game(which now that I'm not tired, I think I understand). The morning of the wedding Papa and Brother went bowling with Chase, Grandpa, David and Peter. I stayed back at the hotel with Gramma and Granddad. Sister was in dire need of a nap. She napped from 9:45am until 1:45pm. When the ready rolled around she was ready to go. She was quite the little party girl out there dancing at the reception. Thanks to Gramma and Granddad who took the little bears back to the hotel with them. Brother and I stayed til the end of the reception and then went to the hotel with Chase and Carly and some of their friends. While we were at the hotel the Phoenix Suns came walking through the lobby. We saw Shaq, who is a very tall man! I managed to take a picture, however the one posted is compliments of Nicole. The next morning we all went back to Carly and Chases hotel and had brunch before everyone left. As we were sitting at the table, Shaq comes out of the elevator into the restaurant area. A few other players did as well. Later Shaq came back upstairs from where the team was eating and went into the gift shop. Brother was pretty excited to see him. After brunch it was time to hit the road and head home. We made pretty good time. David, Nicole and Gigi were headed up our way to visit some friends so Nicole and I texted each other for about 2 hours. It helped pass the time. Sister was actually pretty quiet this time in the car. Brother watched movies and read a few books, so all was calm in the backseat. It was nice to all get together for Carly's wedding. She was a beautiful bride as you can see from the pictures.

A Bear Family Update

Since I haven't done much posting lately, I thought I would do a quick little update of the Bear Family.
Brother Bear:
Just finished playing flag football. Games were on the weekend and the best part no practice! Only bummer was it was awfully cold at 9am. Now we are gearing up for baseball season. Practice started on two weeks ago. Brother Bear wants to play catcher again this year. He is pretty good, especially for his size. He is doing GREAT in school! Loves to read, especially Magic Tree House books. He had a good time helping his dad out this year during basketball season. Brother Bear would pass out the towels to the players as they came to the bench. The guys on the team are really great to him too!
Sister Bear:
This one is quite the little chatter box. She talks non-stop all day long! She is putting more and more words together. She loves to pretend she is on the phone talking to Elmo or Big Bird. If you tell her it's time to go, she thinks we are going to the mall. Our mall has a little kid play area in it, so my friend and I will take a lap or two around the mall and then let the girls play. Sister Bear is starting to want to do things all on her own now. She wants to get in her car seat by herself, take her clothes off by herself. She likes to help me unload the dishwasher. Good thing I got those Correll dishes a few years ago!

Zoey:
Well, let me tell you a puppy is much harder than a toddler!!! Zoey is getting big. She is a sweet dog. It only took 3 nights for her to stop crying at night and to sleep until 7:30. She likes to chase after Brother and Sister Bear in the backyard when they play soccer. Luckily we haven't had too many accidents in the house.

First Haircut

Well, I caved and gave Sister Bear her first haircut the other day. I had been wanting to wait before I cut her hair. Hoping that when she had a haircut she could have a cute little girl hairstyle. She has very fine hair and it has some funny curls in the back. One side was way longer than the other and the sides stuck out like wings. One time when her hair was all wild and crazy, Papa Bear said she looked like Ace Ventura. So, I got out the scissors and stuck her on the bathroom counter. She sat very nice for me and brushed her teeth with her elmo toothbrush.

What Month Is It?

Is it March or is it December? I think the weather is a little confused. This is what we woke up to today. It snowed yesterday off and on but it never stuck. Today it snowed until about 11:30 and then the sun came out and most of it melted. Now as I write this it is snowing again. I am ready to be done using the wood stove....my walls and blinds in the family room need a good scrubbing. Later in the week it is supposed to be 57 and sunny! Funny when that seems hot. They said on the weather channel the other day that this winter Seattle has had more snow than Denver.

Our New Addition

The Bear Family has a new member! Meet Zoey. She came to live with us today. Zoey is almost 8 weeks old. She is an English Cocker Spaniel. Her dad and sister live up the street from us. The puppies were born right after Christmas. They were so tiny, I could fit one in the palm of my hand. Brother Bear is beyond excited!!!!! He is currently laying by Zoey as she sleeps. Sister Bear doesn't really care except when Brother tells her to get away. So far she has only stuck her hand in the water dish once. Let's see how long it takes for her to eat some dog food.

The other dog in the picture with Zoey is her sister Lucy.

Brother Bear is 9

I can't believe that Brother Bear is 9!!!!! Where has the time gone. We didn't have a digital camera before he was 4. So I have posted pictures from his 4,5,6, 7 and 8th birthdays. For his 9th birthday we took him and a friend to the movies and out to Red Robin. Gramma and Granddad are here visiting and they stayed at home with Sister Bear. To top the day off we had cupcakes and Brother had his friend spend the night.

Happy Birthday Papa Bear

Happy Birthday Papa Bear!!!!! Today, the big bear is celebrating his birthday on a bus with the basketball team. I have been trying to age him. I keep telling people he is going to be 37. He so politely pointed out that if he is going to be 37 than I am going to be 39, and that is not true! So, I make sure that I remember that he is going to be 36. Since Papa Bear was going to be out of town for his big day, we made cupcakes yesterday and took them over to his office after Brother Bear got out of school.
A slide show in honor of Papa Bear!! Happy birthday, we love you!