A wonderful weekend

We had such a wonderful weekend. The boys were an absolute joy and seem to be really enjoying spending time with each other. They played and played and played and it made my heart sing. They chased each other in the yard, played in the freshly raked leaves, wrestled in the living room and laughed until they cried. They are both growing in leaps and bounds and while it makes me happy, it also makes me sad. I want them to grow up, to see the men they will become, but at the same time, I want them to stay young and carefree, innocent and sweet, forever. They have both lost their "baby" smell and that in itself makes me sad.

The swiftness of time makes me even sadder. I blinked...and now the year 2007 is gone. My babies are now 4 1/2 and 2 1/2, no longer babies. I am 36. Wolf is 36. Life continues on. And I do so love our life. There are rough days, rough weeks even, but that is the balance. You cannot enjoy the good if there is not the bad to make you truly appreciate it.

This is my favorite time of year. The leaves change, the weather grows cold, the heater comes on, the air becomes crisp and clear, and fires burn. I love that it gets dark early and I love that I can burrow down under my covers and be warm while the cool air blows in through the slightly cracked window. It's a time to celebrate, a time to spend with family and friends, a time to have some fun and eat some damn good food (preferably without guilt).

I would like all of my friends and family to know that you mean the world to me. We may be miles upon miles apart or we may only be minutes away but you all fill up the spaces that make up my heart. I love my friends, I love my family and I love that I am happy.

I hope that you all enjoy your holidays. I will try to post as many pictures as I can ( I was scolded today by Jessica so I will try to be better) and I will try to ramble on about nothing as often as possible. Please know, all of you, that I love you and hope you are happy, healthy and enjoying this wonderful time of year as much as I am.

Now, enough blabbering. Here are some pictures of the boys:




The joy of cupcakes-with "pudding" on top, as Mason would say

Secrets

Our trip to Monterey

Wolf and I took a day off of work, kept the kids out of school and headed off for an adventure to Monterey this last weekend. It was absolutely fantastic. We found a cute little "cottage" (aka renovated garage) that had 2 bedroooms and was the perfect size in the heart of Pacific Grove. Turns out it was a sports car race at Laguna Seca, so we got really lucky. We got there Saturday afternoon and although the weather was freezing, we stopped to check out a beach along the way. I also got to borrow an amazing lens from a friend of mine at work, for which I am very thankful. I got to take some amazing pictures, a few of which I will share here. How can I not, I have such a beautiful family?!

We explored, played, walked, ran, hopped, skipped and jumped our way around the Monterey Peninsula and couldn't have had a better time!








Wolf took this at a restaurant on the wharf. I just love it.

My angels

A day with Mason

Mason and I went to Davey's 1st birthday party today and had a blast. Unfortunately both Morgan and Wolf were under the weather and had to stay home. But Mason and I had a great time. He got to play with one of his favorite people in the whole world, Prescott, and visit with some many new people. We had a great day together and with family. He even let me take some pictures of him!

He is growing more and more every day, as Pop pointed out to me today. Since I see Mason every day, I don't notice all of the changes, but even in just the two weeks since Pop saw him, he is like a different boy. He's growing and maturing and slowly starting to outgrow his fits. We work really hard with him, and he is getting so much better at stopping them himself and cutting them short. Luckily, from everyone I've talked to, this age is one of the hardest, so I know it isn't just us! I had one of my mom friends tell me that her 4 year old daughter has serious break downs because she cannot be a cat. Seriously, she wants to be a cat. It's good to know that other parents lives are a bit hellish too!

Morgan is changing in leaps and bounds as well. His vocabulary is getting so much better and he is speaking more in actual english than in morganese. It is still hard to understand him a lot of the time but he is trying. He is using fuller sentences and is learning new words every day. And I swear he gets a new expression every day! I have never met another kid as expressive as he is, truly. He doesn't really even need to speak, you just have to watch his face. I try to capture these with my camera and am sometimes successful. My next entry will have to be dedicated to Morgan Expressions, I think.

Much love to everyone who reads this - all 5 of you! : ) We here in Schusterville love you all dearly and think of you often, even if we don't see you or talk to you very much.

Fun with bubbles

A typical day in the Schuster household....

When I left for work on Saturday morning, this is the picture that I took. My three boys all curled up together on the couch.


When I came home after work on Saturday, this is what the boys looked like! Daddy just couldn't resist.

Mason & Prescott

Mason and Scotty circa 2007


Mason and Scotty circa 2005

Farewell Grandpa

On the way to dropping off the kids at school this morning, my dad called me to tell me that my grandpa had passed away. Luckily the kids were already at school because I broke down crying. Wencil Andrulewicz is my paternal grandfather and he was 92 1/2 years old. The picture above is of him, my father, Jim, and Mason, when he was 6 months old. That is the last time I saw Grandpa.

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It's amazing how life takes you away, how time flies and you think, oh, I'll do that tomorrow. I'll call my grandpa tomorrow. I'll remember to send him a card on his birthday this year. I'll remember to tell him that I love him. Even though I didn't talk to him or see him very often, I never imagined that he wouldn't be there. That my crazy grandpa who loves to hang out in his garage and play with nuts and bolts, that gets yelled at by my grannie every day and that just a few months ago bought a brand new car, that that sweet old man might someday be gone.

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My grandparents celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this last Saturday. I may not have not understood their relationship but how can you not respect one that has lasted that long.

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Grandpa used to insist that my name was Amelia Josephine rather than Amy Jo. He loved me and I loved him.

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My dad said that when they had to leave my grandpa at the funeral home, he told Grannie that she should say goodbye to Grandpa as they would have to leave soon. Grannie went up, kissed Grandpa on the forehead and whispered, "Wencil, why did you leave me?" Then walked away.

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I will miss you, Grandpa. I love you.

Big boots to fill

Boys in the bathtub

Early morning snuggles

Giddyup Daddy

Nope, I look NOTHING like my mommy....

The Amazing Mason