Come see the presents

I have probably posted about this one before, but it bears repeating.

It had to be in the 1970's as we lived on A street.

Charles woke me up about 3 am Christmas morning. " Ken you should see all the presents out there." He'd been peeking. He started describing the haul we were gonna get come early morn. I believe he had a bike out there, walkie talkies, and assorted other goodies. As he described more, I couldn't keep it in any longer. " i want to see". I imagine he struggled with the idea for a bit, It was one thing to describe what he saw but to take his little brother out there and let him peek too, that could land him in all sorts of hot water. Of course he finally gave in, he was ghonna take me to see what gifts were out there. " Don't just run out there I'll take ya and we don't want to wake mom or dad. So we started heading down the hall, but just as i reached the "promised land" I felt his hands suddenly reach around and cover my eyes. Now at this house you could walk through our living room to the kitchen and circle back out the hall and back toward the bedrooms. This is exactly what we did too. The whole time his hands imprisoning my eyes as I am sure I struggled to be free so I could see the presents too. Didn't get to see them until the next morning.

I guess Charles felt he kept his promise to me yet still kept himself out of too much hot water.

Candy Making

Not a lot going on here just a lot of working. It is Candy making season though. I made some fudge for the kids last Friday. Yesterday I made walnut Brittle. The brittle was pretty good. I had my pans keeping warm in the oven while I made the candy on the stove. I followed the directions to a T. After getting the candy up to 300 degrees I had Kris pull the pans out I turned the heat off the stove mixed in the final ingredients and spread the brittle out between the two pans. The one pan started hardening up right away but the other didn't want to seem to set up.
Only when it started bubbling did we realize we had set the pan on the hot burner.

Still turned out ok though

Friends and Family

We had a nice weekend. After work on Saturday we went to my parents to visit with my Aunt and Uncle. They were here visiting from Arkansas. Its always wonderful visiting with them. The kids had a blast too. C wouldn't stop rough housing with Uncle Coy. My Aunt said shes been having such a nice time visiting with her sister (my mom). All shes wanted to do is cook. My mom does love to cook. She doesn't taste test her own cooking though. Uncle Coy helped with there garage conversion too. Its looking good. My Uncle Roy called while I was there, so I got to talk to him a little bit. Hopefully we can get back there to see everyone soon. While we were there my friend Mark and Janel were there visiting for a little bit too. They adopted a handicapped baby. The baby is three now. He gets around though. Very happy little boy. It was great seeing them too. We usually catch up to Mrk and his wife around the holidays every year. The kids helped make apple dumplings. I am not a big fan of cooked apples, but they did look and smell great. Especially when it was topped with a rum sauce. Plus there was Ice Cream Kris' favorite. She found a spoon just her size too. I am sure you can imagine. Unfortunately Kris had to work last night and I had to work this morning so we had to get back home yesterday. She did get a couple hours sleep last night before she had to go to work.
Now its time to start planning our Thanksgiving meal. We are not ham eaters nor that much into turkey. Maybe this year we will stray a little and do something unique. We'll see.

A post about nothing

Happy Birthday Big Bro

Heres to a very happy birthday to Charles. Hope you have a great one.

Random Thoughts...Literally

Been busy times at our house. Kris finished a 7 straight night run at work Sunday night. I did overhauls on kids rooms as far as cleaning putting away toys, organizing movies. We caught up all the laundry, trying to stay ahead of it. Its the putting away thats a pain. The kids have more clothes than drawers.

E goes to his environmental camp next week. a little anxious around our house.

I prefer the King James Version of the Bible to other versions I have read from.

Mondays here

It was a good weekend. Went to a halloween party Saturday night. Lots of fun. Then did some cleaning Sunday morning. Mom and dad came by Sunday afternoon and stayed for supper.

Tonight Kris goes back to work, thats no fun. Seems like we have to rush to feed the kids and get them in bed, so we can get the baby to sleep before she leaves. Then I am waking up in the morning and getting ready when she gets home and takes back over. She doesn't get to sleep though because by then its time to get kids off to school.

The diets going well so far. I am down 41 pounds since Aug. 4th. Kris has lost weight also. Not that she really had much to lose.

We are still taking turns reading to the kids from the Bible. They don't let us forget. E and J have been learning about jesus and John while K and C have been learning from Genesis. (I figure need to stress creationism as both major candidates believe in evolution.)

The weather has been great. I love the high 70s and low 80s. perfect weather.

Saturday yay...

Its Saturday. Kris doesn't work again until Mon night. We have our yearly Halloween party tonight at Ben and Hollys. Always a lot of fun with lots of games.

Customer left the store a little while ago after leaving a deposit for an in stock pool. Its been a long drought since the last sale. Thats why had to lay off two very good workers and friends yesterday.

Kris picked up our costumes. I don't think this one will have as much of an impact as people are used to. Pics will come tomorrow I am sure.

Friday?

Its Friday. For some people I guess. Have a Halloween party tomorrow night. That should be fun.

I laid off two employees today. Lack of work. Not any fun there. Not just employees but friends with families to support.

Kids are still doing great. L sleeping better and better every night. I think she has got used to when momma get home and sleeps until close to then.

E woke me up this morning and said there was something green glowing on his bed next to his pillow. Me being the protecting father that I am did what any great dad would do. "well move your pillow to the other end of the bed and I will check it out in the morning." Just light from something I am sure.

Good nights

L has pretty much slept all night the last two nights. So nice.

E may need glasses. Kris is gonna take him to Sears soon and have his eyes checked.

All the kids are doing well though. They are all good kids too. Big Hearts.

Work stinks. I have to lay off 2 guys tomorrow. Both have families to provide for. Where's their bailout? LOL

Monday it is

ITs Monday again. I Know God gives us our Mondays so that we can truly understand our Fridays. Whatever day they fall on for you.

Kris was off last night.. Shes off again tonight. We both get rest that way.

Really didn't do much this weekend. To cold and windy for kids to be outside. Kris was catching up on rest all day. Mostly just caught up on some of our shows we like to watch but don't get to for various reasons.

Kris made the kids tortilla pizzas for dinner last night..They only ate about 4 a piece. LOL

Sunday Sunday

Yay!! Kris is home for next couple nights. Shes gettin a little extra sleep right now. I am sure she is thrilled too. I got up and fixed the kids some eggs this morning. K3 wanted cereal and milk though.Drinking my morning coffee. Now I am talking about actual coffee, not a glass full of creamer with a hint of coffee flavor. The closest I come to that is either buying flavored coffee beans or I put a couple lids of extract in the pot.

Sheri.

You happy now. You got mentioned.

J suddenly has this great interest in drawing and coloring. Hes always grabbin a pad and some pencils and crayons . Certainly didn't get an artistic side from me.lol...

Later all

Good News from Washington

My brother and his wife got some good news finally. God is good. Now hopefully they make the most of this opportunity. How did that song go..."get on your knees and fight like a man".

Mom has been sick. I don't think it was just the flu or cold mom I think it was stress. You have always told us to let God handle things. If you are stressing you are not truly letting God handle it, Let go and wonder at what He can do for you.

Kris has worked 5 straight GY's with one to go, I am tired so I know she is. The good part is L and I are bonding...LOL.

E has been coming out of his shell so much this year. He wants to be in everything. I have been reading to him and J about Jesus and John at night. J asks me every day, Are you gonna tell us more story tonight? "Yes". "Oh Yay". I know as Christians we need the fellowship, but the modern churches have created their straw Gods so I am not sure I trust them to teach my kids.

I started reading Genesis to the younger two. I sat On C's bed last night to read and when I finished K says OK now my turn sit on my bed to read. I will tomorrow night I told her. Sleepy time now . So you know...E and J share a room and C and K share a room.

I am afraid Cay is getting bored because school is so easy for him. Gonna have to keep our eyes open just in case.

Dad.

Hadn't said anything about him and didn't want him to feel left out. LOL

L is such a happy baby. She flies around the house in her walker.

Gonna close for now.

Big weekend

Gonna go to mom and dads this weekend. Kids are so excited. Kris' mom is supposed to swing by there too and say hello. Mom and dad are going to watch the kids tomorrow night since kris and I have a housewarming to go to. That should be fun. Hopefully the weather will start cooling down the next couple weeks.

Kris made homemade chicken tamales last night. They were light, but they were still great. All the kids liked them except Evan. He is our pickiest.

Drums

E wants to start learning the drums this year. I asked him what about the Saxophone, as that is what he had been learning last year. He thought deeply about it and told me if he had a couple more hands he could do both. I had to laugh. I really didn't want him to quit on the one to start the other, but I kinda pushed for the sax last year and in all fairness the school required he was in fifth grade before he could take up drums. He seems genuinely interested and I think intends on working on his sax some too. The good news is, unlike the sax there is not a big outlay of money to get started.

Sunday

Sunday was nice. The kids got me that game for my birthday, so we each took turns playing it a little. After everyone had a turn, I thought we needed to get out for a bit. We decided to mall walk. We just kind of mosied around when we got to the food court all the kids were saying how hungry they were. Kris and I didn't get anything for ourselves but let the kids choose what they wanted. E wanted Teriyaki chicken of course, J wanted pepperoni pizza, K and C wanted cheese pizza. There slices were huge. there were no leftovers though. They were so happy with their treat, I love to see that. Sometimes you just have to get out of the house no matter where you go.

Six Quirky things me-me

All right Calisixpack.blogspot.com you asked for it.
Rules:
Link back to the person who tagged you (Check)
List the rules on your blog
Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of your own
Tag 6 "unsuspecting" bloggers to complete the meme

1. I hate to hear someone "earned" a million dollars or more. Whether a regular person, athlete, star, etc. I DON'T believe anyone ever "earns" this kind of money.

2. I like to wake up several times during the night. It makes the night longer.

3. I hate to misspell words. I hate to see words misspelled. I even spell words in my head as I hear them or say them.

4. I believe teachers should make more than any other professional out there..With this their own training and background checks should be more stringent.

5. I believe most people have "minds of their own", but don't use them. They become puppets, whether of their church, political party, peers, etc.

6. I don't like sun...I love rain. I hate being hot. Doesn't work well for Nor-Cal.

I have noone to tag so I'll get off my soapbox now.

My Birthday

Well, turned 41 yesterday. Kris put together a very nice evening for us. She made low calorie homemade tamales. They were delicious. Her mistake though now I know she can make them so it will become a more regular food around our house. She also made me a yellow cake with chocolate frosting, also one of my favorites. She used cake mix and diet mountain dew to make the cake. 1/15th was a serving, so still a pretty good size serving yet still able to fit it into my diet. It too was delicious. The kids got me Zelda for the Wii...eat your heart out D-13...LOL JK wish you guys were here to play too. Kris got me one of those picture frames that you use an sd chip in so the picture can change. Of course she had a chip loaded wth pics to go with it. It had pics of all the kids when they were real little as well as current pics. All in all a great evening. Thank you babe, Love you.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Big E ....We love you so much and are so proud of you. Can't believe you are 10

OLYMPICS

Just a quick note...Olympics ...By the way...I Don't care...I don't even care who wins...

Just another day

Just another Monday on the work front. We've been selling a few pools lately...Finally. Problem is we can't make much money on the sale because the market is so competitive right now with the blowout prices other builders are offering. I start my days here moving cars around front to look like its busy here. Then I go out to our display area and check for cleanliness as well as for weeds. Turn on a few water features to catch peoples attention as they drive by. Fixed some sprinkles this morning.

To my brother and his family, I do think of you and pray for you all every day. As you well know God always has a reason.

This is the kids last week off til school starts. I don't know whos more excited, Kris or the kids.

Went to a Kenyan party the other day. Lots of fun. The kids were wiped out. I visited with a friend of the homeowners, very nice guy, graduated from MIT...I don't think he truly realizes what a major engineering school that is. I was afraid the kids were going to overheat. We had to keep stopping them and make them get water.

Just me

Been a while I know. The kids are growing so fast. I love to watch there different personalities. Es developing quite a sense of humor. Hes also a lot of help cleaning now. J just loves people, loves to play and have fun. Cay is Mr friendly. At the park we have to watch him he just picks people out and starts talking to them. "Hi I'm Cay" just walks right up and says it. Followed an older couple around yesterday while they were playing with their grandbaby. Then Ki she is a princess and knows it.."watch me dance daddy"..is her favorite greeting. Sometimes I dance with her of course. Ad finally L she'll wait til she catches your eye then grins and turns her head. I'll never need therapy, just thinking on my kids always helps calm me on stressful days.

I have been tearing out shrubs in the back yard one by one. Makes the yard look even bigger. Don't know what we are going to do with that area but helps clean the area up anyway. That many less rotting leaves in the backyard anyway. Plum season winding down so we don't have as many to pick up as usual.

Kris is taking her English Comp class. Shes not thrilled. Other than that shes doin well. Tired I am sure but well.

School starting soon. Boys are lookin forward to it I think. Also means Scouts starts soon. Jarod gets to join. I think he will love it.

Kris and the other two will get a little girl time. Ki will love that.

4th of July

We had a blast. Had a BBQ at Robert and Ginas. Couldn't hardly keep Cay out of the pool. Someone made a delicious blueberry dish. I love blueberries. We played some redneck horseshoes, visited, the went home early and visited with Sheri and the kids. The neighbor called us and we went over there to light fireworks. FULL DAY. Sher and kids were exhausted and of course not adjusted to our time yet. Of course we were missing Charles and CO. Mike, and Mark. Still lot of fun though. Came to work the next day to find someone broke into the yard and stole a $35000.00 work truck. Sac PD is worthless. My salesman and I rebuilt the fences that were destroyed as best as we could. At the same time we were swamped too.

Not enough time

It seems like something always comes up lately when we are trying to plan out our front yard. The smoke kept us in a few days. The lawns were getting to thick so I mowed those yesterday instead of working on the front patio area. I did finally pull out the Gerbera daisies. I don't know why anyone would plant those on purpose. I tried to edge the lawn, but I think my weed edger is broke. I havent been able to find the parts to fix my front sprinkler valves so we have been watering manually. We still haven't built Evans bed. I still have a few bricks left to get out of the back yard from our fireplace and mow strip demolition.
As I was mowing yesterday I looked around the corner at our fruit trees and couldn't believe the sea of plums on the ground, not to mention how loaded the branches were. I see lots of plum butter in dads future...LOL

Happy 70th

Have a very happy 70th dad.

HAPPY 70th

Another month Random thoughts

I can't believe June is almost over. Tomorrow dads gonna be 70. Doesn't look it.
We haven't done any more work on our front patio since Sunday due to the air quality. I also have to figure out what to do with all the rocks that were in there. Its gonna look awesome when finished.
The kids are having a blast with their summer vacation. Last night we all watched Spiderwick. Good movie.
Kris has put in a lot of applications, no call backs yet. Just doing it for a little spending money anyways.
We did discover some really good fried chicken. The chicken that was donated to Evans day camp. Of all places it was Wal-Mart fried chicken.
I need to mow lawns but these dreary days make you feel like you should be inside relaxing.
In case I forget...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD

Evan will be having his third day of cub scout day camp. Hes having a blast. Playin marbles, shootin bb guns, archery, playin games. There is just not enough play time for adults these days. I wanna shoot bb guns and bows and arrows. LOL. The other kids miss him during these times though. I think Kris not only misses having him there but also he is getting more helpful by the day.

Fathers Day

Hope all had a great fathers day. I know I did. We all went to Home Depot and bought 20 more bags of black bark. Also picked up a few plants. Came back home and all of us were in the front yard pouring the bark onto the weed fabric Kris had laid out Friday. Kris raked as we poured out the bark. Then we went and brought the flagstone around to the area. I started laying it out in a path from the sidewalk to the concrete bench. As we laid it out Kris would move and switch rocks so that it had a more natural flow. Once we had the design down, we started moving the bark underneath the stones to make them flush with surrounding grade. I then placed the plants in the area to see how it would look. They are still in their pots of course. It was starting to get hot and it was Fathers day so we put our tools away and all went in and showered. I am sure Kris will get some pics on her blog soon. It looks great. We still have our solar lights to put out too. Just need to get sprinklers fixed and area in front of kitchen window landscaped and front yard will be done. YAY...We will have to get some more plants in the newly barked area too of course.

The cats NOT in the cradle

Its Fathers day weekend. Being a father five times over has to be one of the greatest feelings in the world. It may be work but thats OK, after all I was taught by the best. Thanks dad.

Working in sawmills, fields, etc. made dad a very strong person, yet he is the gentlest man I know. He wouldn't hurt anyone unless it was to protect a weaker person. Even then only as a last resort. Growing up I remember him chopping through a log for firewood in one swing. I could hack at it for ten minutes before it would split.
He also comes from the old school..."men don't cry" Whenever he would get bad news he rubs his forehead for a second and then gets to work on whatever he needs to do whether its funeral or hospital arrangements. Odds are he will even find room to make someone laugh about then.
He is quick to laugh good joke, bad joke doesn't matter. He loves to laugh. When I find times where things just seem to rough all I have to do is think of my dad and his humor and I smile.
He's young at heart. He is gonna be 70 this year but he loves to walk and talk to his grandkids.
He never has a cross thing to say about the ones he loves. He'll laugh at himself all day long and may tease others but he would never purposely hurt their feelings. And he doesn't judge.

They say to be a Christian by definition is to be Christlike. I know no man who is more of a Christian than dad. Christ preferred hanging out with the poor and the sinners people he felt had a true need for him. Dad is the same way. He would rather spend a month with his clients than a day with some arrogant pompous rich man.
I don't believe dad ever forgets where he came from. He was poor and did without a lot growing up. So many people today pass by that beggar in the street because "he's just gonna use the money to buy alcohol...or drugs" dad would tell you thats not for you to decide only God knows the beggars heart. Dad would give his last penny to make sure one would not go hungry.

So on this fathers day weekend dad I hope you have the greatest fathers day. We love you very much. Thank you for all you have done and all you have taught me.

Evan got a realy cool backpack last night. He and another boy are entering their second Webelo year. Since they were the only two not advancing to new rank (Webelos have to work at their rank two years), they both got these expandable backpacks. I am sure Kris will post pics.
Supposed to get to 100 here this week. I am not looking forward to that. Pool weather I guess.

More randomness

We watched a CGI Garfield movie with the kids last night. Cay used to love to watch Garfield with me... I remember him running to the videos yelling "Garfield, Garfield". I also remember to get Ev to sleep I would go to my room with him and put Rugrats on. Time rolls to fast and you feel like your in a tail spin with no control. Evan moves up to his second year of Webelos tonight. Next promotion will be to Boy Scout. Ki is my princess as always. Jar is all smiles...oh to be that carefree...LOL Lei is starting to grasp items . "...and I think to myself, What a wonderful world"

Sunday

Starting to warm up here, I can see the triple digits coming. I HATE heat. I really do. Got up this morning and mowed back yard, then picked up the fallen lemons, and a few fallen plums. The plums are going to be getting ripe soon. By the time I finished the back yard the kids were up. Kris and Evan had some scouting to do. They went and cleaned tables at the hall. The other two boys and Kiara stayed with me and we had a Mario Kart tourney...Winner got to keep playing, usually they have to give up controls after two races. It was fun. Looks like dogs tonight for dinner. Kris cleaned my BBQ yesterday and fixed burgers. Love BBQ. Cleanups great also. I still haven't fixed the front yard sprinklers yet. Been puttin out an old fashioned Oscillating one.

Long Week & random thoughts

Wanna know what I hate about holidays? The shorter week always makes the next full week seem so much longer. Sales are way down here. Kris had a coughing fit for two hours last night. I told her to keep it down but she wouldn't listen. Went outside shot a few baskets with the kids. Tonight I will have to have some Kiara time, she doesnt shoot baskets she likes to swing. To shoot baskets I have her hold the ball and pick her up so she can reach but evertime I pick her up she wants to let go of the ball to keep her balance.

Monday, Monday

I feel very garfieldish today. Yeah thats not a word but it works. We didnt do much yesterday, just kind of ran around town, went to lunch, watched a movie with the kids. The boys all got haircuts. MOHAWKS. I am sure Kris will put up some pics.

Growin up

Ev finished the fourth grade yesterday. Hes a little upset. He loved his teacher. He changed so much this last year, growing out of his shell. I can barely believe hes in the fifth grade this next semester. Then there is Jar, moving on to the first grade next year. He loves school. He seems to make friends quite easily. His speech has improved greatly. He also gets to join cub scouts next year. Following him o course is Cay. He gets to start kindergarten. I think hes gonna be teachin the class. He is so excited. Ki is gonna be a little lonely in the mornings without him. Mommy will be getting a little quality time with her girls though. Won't be long until Lei will be crawling after her big sis anyway.