From 26th November...

Saturday We got up around 8.00 and had breakfast and all got ready for our day out at Six Flags. (OR as Bruce has renamed it; 4 Flags, cause that’s what Mum called it) We were all ready to go at 9.30, which was 30mins later than we wanted but that’s OK. We drove up the freeway towards Vallejo to Six Flags Marine World. We arrived around 11.00 to find that it was CLOSED!!! The boys were devastated (especially Jamieson) they were so excited to show Grandma all the animals and shows. So we turned around and bought forward our shopping at the Outlet Mall in Vacaville. We arrived there at 11.30 and started out shopping day, we found a few bargains and then we went to Nike. Stayed there for far too long, but got some really great bargains, Size 17’s for Uncle Ralph, he will be happy. We stopped and ate our pre made lunch then continued on through the afternoon. We arrived back in Elk Grove around 6.00 and Mum had her first Burger from In and Out Burger. I forgot how YUMMY their burgers are. We arrived home and the kids went to bed, I chatted to Elise on messenger and were off to bed around 10.30. Another fun, but long day. Sunday Happy Birthday Lizzy!!! We all woke up and just chilled out for most of the day. It was raining for most of the day. I updated all the photo’s for me and mum, Bruce prepared for the week ahead and the kids ran around the house. They were full of beans, drove us all CRAZY!!! Bruce called Al and I spoke to Lizzy, which was great. We haven’t spoken in far too long so it was good to catch up with all the Bell Family gossip. Bruce went out to work in the afternoon for an hour or so and we just watched a movie and did nothing, it was so nice. The boys were in bed at 8.30 and we were not long after around 10.00. We have to be up at 4.30 to go to the airport in the morning, to go to Boston. Monday Bruce and I were up around 4.00 -4.30am; and out of the house to the airport to drop Bruce off. We were just about at the airport when the traffic stopped, everyone was going to the airport, it was moving pretty well, but the sheer number of cars was a bit disconcerting. We made it through and he was off to Boston and I was off back to home. I got home around 5.30 and back to bed. It must have been a good sleep, I woke back up at 8.30, and every one else was up and just chilling. I started tidying the office, something I usually do when Bruce is away, but this time I was actually at home and not off to work so it was getting done. We all just hung out for most of the day, I went out in the afternoon and ran out and did some errands. Bruce called to say that he was in Boston and had a good flight. I got home and the boys were running around still, they had been to the park and had to run back getting soaking wet. We were out the door to Jamieson’s basketball practice at 4.30pm. He is getting better and better. He was playing one on one against Julian (the big kid) and was out rebounding him; his improvement is blowing us away. We had some dinner and the kids watched some TV before settling them down, or at least tried. There was definitely something in the air today; they just wouldn’t sit still. The boys were off to bed around 9.00pm and I was in bed around 10.30 and out like a light. Tuesday Got up as per usual, I had every intention of getting some of my work done. That didn’t happen. They kids chilled out in front of the TV while I tidied up and then we got into he car around 10.30 and drove down to the market Galt. That’s a town down the freeway about 10 mins away. Mum got her LARGE suitcase and we jumped back into the car and headed back to Elk Grove. We made a couple of stops on the way home and Jamieson bought himself some toys with his birthday money. When we got home there were some parcels at the door, one of them was our Christmas present form Mum, our Memory foam mattress. You have no idea how excited I am. I did the happy dance!!! Bruce called to tell me that he arrived in Pittsburgh and he was in this, what sounded like a flea bitten motel. He wasn’t happy, but it was only one night. We had some dinner, I watched Gilmore girls the kids went to bed. We were in bed at 9.30 on the new mattress with the laptop and did some work. It was SENSATIONAL!!!!

Wednesday The boys came and jumped into bed with me at around 8.00 and we chatted in bed for a little while. Bruce called and gave me a laundry list, you can imagine how happy that made me. I got up and made the calls and organized the stuff I had to. It took me all morning, in and out of the house. Mum took the kids to the park to do their running laps for running club. I was still working when they got home. We all had some lunch and settled into the lounge for a lazy afternoon. Paula called and asked me to go and check out a house, it was really nice, so we’ll see if she takes it or not. We got back an hour or so later and I was a little car sick from all the reading of the addresses. Got back to the house and the kids were watching a movie so I went and did some more on the computer and then went out to get some groceries. We had bits and pieces for dinner and then kids were in bed early, which was nice, and peaceful. Although Conner is up and down for an hour before settling down, so that’s a pain in the butt. Thursday We woke up and were on the road around 10.00 to take mum to see some of the sights of Sacramento. We arrived there and parked the car, then started walking along the streets and looking through some shops. Mum got some cool stuff and the boys had a run around. We checked out the paddle steamer and the bridge and saw a horse and carriage then jumped back into the car and made our way to the Capitol. (That’s what they call it here; we call it the White House or Government House) There was a school excursion to go into Govt. House, so there were kids everywhere. By that time I’d had more than enough of Jamieson and his asking for stuff. We jumped into the car and my next stop was to go downtown and check out the stores but the kids had had enough and there wasn’t enough time cause they had to get back for running club. We stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home so mum could grab some space bags for her case and made it home at around 1.45. The boys went in and had some lunch and I went out the front and racked up the leaves, they were everywhere all from down the street too. So there is a big pile of leaves out the front of the house, not just everywhere anymore. The boys and mum went off to running club with their filled in booklets so they can get their marathon medals. I sat down and had a cup of tea and chilled before I started on some work and then prep for dinner. They got home and had a really good time; Conner even did some running with the coach. It wouldn’t surprise me if he starts running in some shape or form, he just loves it. Which would be great for Conner. Kristin, John, Dylan and Cooper came over for a visit, Alfie is away all week like Bruce. We hadn’t seen them since they came back from Thanksgiving in Hawaii so it was great to catch up on everything. They had a great time in the sun, playing on the beach. With the temp here hitting freezing over night, it made me a little jealous. Cooper had grown so much in just over the week, as growing bubbies do. He’s just so gorgeous you just want to hug and kiss me. He just wants his mum, so I’m biding my time, it’ll come and they will all come and do sleepovers soon so Kristin and Alfie can have some time. They left just before 6.00pm and I put dinner on, the boys did showers and we sat down and they told me about running club and their laps and how they went which was good. Bruce called to say good night from snowy Dallas and I was in bed around 11.00. I spoke to Rhys and got some Hultgren gossip, which was great. It sounds like the weather at home is lovely and hot but I am preying for rain for everyone and their gardens. There must be some very out of work pool shops and landscapers. Friday I woke up this morning and did some work and tidied up around the house. Paula called around 10.00 and asked me to run up the street and look at a house with her. I did a quick catch up with her and Tony and they went back to work and I came home to get organized. We had some errands to run before having to be back by 2.00 to wait for our Billy B balls to be delivered. We ran out and went out and sent mum’s box of stuff at the post office then mum grabbed a couple of things that she wanted to get. We were at home around 1.00 and had some lunch. I called Kristin to organize them to come over for dinner. She was having one of those BLAH days, she’s dealing with contractors and they are just letting her down and Christmas is coming and he can’t do anything around the house cause her lounge is a construction zone. Anyway, I’m glad a can help her out and get them out and have them over. It’s always great to spend time with them. The boys played and chilled out all afternoon and we waited for the balls to arrive. I went out with Renee to the Country club to check out the function room for the Sweet Heart dance the PTO is organizing in Feb. Paula and I are doing decorations so we needed to check out the space. It will be interesting to see the differences to what we do at home. I went to the supermarket and grabbed some pumpkin to made Kristin soup (which she loves) to cheer her up. They got to our place just as the truck arrived at 5.45pm. Luckily the 47 boxes were on 2 pallets not separate so moving them into the garage wasn’t a big deal, which was some thing I was worrying about. I came inside a popped a beer open for Kristin and the kids went off to play. We sat down to dinner at around 7.00 then I put the projector up and the kids watched a movie on the big screen. Paula dropped in on her way out to dinner and we all had a quick catch up. Bruce called from Phoenix to say his flight was delayed and Alfie called from Denver to say his flight was cancelled. Poor Kristin has to wait until the morning; I only have to wait until around 11.30. Looking at her, I would’ve rather it be me waiting, so she can just have a break. Even is it’s just at night, we’ve all been there. Mum went out and took some photos of the houses in the street and then came in and gave the boys their Christmas present EARLY!!! They got a portable DVD player each. Their faces were priceless; Mum was wrapped. Hopefully it will make for a quieter drive to LA tomorrow. I hope everyone has a great week; ours will be one to remember. Sorry about the delay on getting this week’s update up, I will try to get next weeks on time for everyone. Have a great week.