Welcome Sophie Marie

Welcome (10 days late) to little Sophie Marie... who seems already to look exactly like her bigger sister Cali. Congrats to Julie, Greg and Cali.

Happy Belated Birthday to me

This weekend we celebrated my birthday just a little bit late only because I my being so sick over the past week (almost better now!!). I asked for something a little different this year... no eating out! For lunch with Mom, Julie and Cali on Saturday we had meat and buns, sushi, fruit and coffee (a Eggnog Latte from Starbucks for me). After, we went for a little walk in the park and then Mom and I headed out shopping for something, anything for me for my birthday... we didn't find anything!! (Kinda my fault as I dont really know what I want and nothing jumped out at me) We did buy a few things for Christmas though. Anyhow, I had a really nice time with Mom.
Brian and I headed to Dad and Jeanie's today to work on our Kitchen furniture in the shop... they wanted to take us out for my birthday lunch as well and again, I asked for something homemade! Jeanie made us a salmon with rice, salad and a lemon dessert. Very good...
It was a good birthday weekend... and I appreciated everyone indulging in my not wanting to eat out because I had two awesome lunches!! Thanks everyone!

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Happy Birthday to me... 3rd day home sick :(

Well, I think this is officially the worst birthday I have ever had! Only due to being sick... Last night I had the worst gallbladder attack I have ever had and ended up at the walk-in this morning. Thankfully my fever and body ache is over, but after last nights attach my guts are in ROUGH shape so I am still in bed (still with a bad cough and runny nose). The doctor is sending me for an ultrasound and a few other fun tests. He thinks I have gallbladder and IBS issues... haha, yep, I agree to that. So, I have been told the best way to deal with both of those is a low fat diet which I am fine with.

Even though its an awful thing to deal with on ones birthday... it works perfectly into this year's birthday goal. Last year I told myself I wanted to get in better shape before I was 32 and here I am 13-14lbs lighter and able to run 10km races! Yay! This year's goal is to loose another 20lbs and do a half marathon before 33... now that I have to start a low fat diet, that should be easy right?

I guess I don't get cake... *pout*

December project is in the works...

This weekend isn't going how I thought it might... I came down with a terrible cold and now all my birthday plans are canceled and I am not able to help out Julie with Cali when she heads into the hospital which will be any time now! At least I can get going on my December craft for the kids!

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Brian sanding while me and Dad watch

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A little hard work... Sanding!

Brian and I went to Dad's shop yesterday to start work on the re-finishing of the Buffet, Hutch, Table and Chairs that all us kids grew up with. Dad got us set up with all the stuff to start sanding the doors and drawers while he worked on "modernizing" a few areas Jeanie recommended changing! Haha... anyhow, its going to look so awesome! I took some before pictures so I can show them along with the afters later!

Auntie Holly & Lilah's Shopping Adventure

Today I went and picked up Lilah for a little shopping trip! We went to Michael's to pick out the December craft for all the kids... sooo many fun things to choose from. Then our plan was to go get cupcakes at the little cupcake store in downtown Abby... unfortunately due to the holiday it was closed but Lilah is a quick thinker "Why don't we make our own cupcakes?" Great idea! We headed off to the grocery store to pick up our ingredients, quick stop at McD's to grab lunch and then off to Nana's to take over the kitchen!

I had been meaning to take Lilah out for a long time now so it was really great to spend a little bit of one on one time with her! We had a really fun time together!

Last minute pumpkin carving...

Today before I headed to Abby, Brian askes me if we are going to carve pumpkins tonight!! What?? I had no idea he wanted to do this... so, I said I would get a couple and bring them home with me later!

In keeping with Brian's new hobby... here is the first 'scope' pumpkin I have ever seeen! And my classic happy tooth pumpkin... yes, we put them outside at the gate and laughed about the concept of having kids come to us at the gate for candy (can't wait until we have an actual front door again!)... Anyhow, we took Tag for a walk around the neighborhood and were thrilled to see the amount of Halloween spirit... there were tonnes of haunted houses set up in garages... zombies walking on front lawns and lots of smoke machines and sound effects.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Cali's Makeup

I headed out to Abby again today to run with Nadia and do Cali's make up for halloween... Cali did so good sitting still for me while I did her make up... even, mascara!!! Wow! I showed her first how I was going to do the make up on myself and then put the make up on her... anyhow, it turned out super cute!

Carving Pumpkins with Cali

It seems to be a new Halloween tradition at the Lehner's.... Mom and I come over and help with the pumpkin carving! It is lots of fun and we made some pretty cool pumpkins!

Quick Family Photos

We did some quick family photos today between rain clouds (it was soooo dark out) but we got a few good shots! And some other fun ones with Mom (Nana)!

Saying goodbye to California again...

I have arrived back home again and was very sad to leave California! I had such a nice time with Katie and family. It was very special to have so much one on one time with little Aaron, he is such a fun little guy, such a personality and so smart! (I added some little videos of him below). It was wonderful meeting Olivia and I hope that she starts giving Katie and Ian an easier time soon, she is sweet but she can cry!! Katie is holding up so well, I am very impressed with her parenting skills... and even though she doesn't think so because she is so tired right now, she really looks great! You wouldn't guess she just had a baby 3 weeks ago! Thanks again for the great visit and I will plan to come back again soon as I miss you all already!

Little runner...

Running around the pumpkin patch

Baking with Auntie Holly

Watch what Aaron can do!

Little Olivia

I realized that everyone is probably wondering where all the pictures of little Olivia are! Here are some... she has really been sleeping or eating most of the time I have been here so the trip has been more bonding time with Aaron which has been a lot of fun and a great opportunity to have! I will make sure I take some more tomorrow before I leave... I have been lucky enough to spend some time holding her to give Katie and Ian a break here or there also...

Pumpkin Carving with Aaron

Pretty cool picture eh? Katie has had a few rough nights due to pure lack of sleep... so Aaron, Ian and I carved the 3 pumpkins we got at the pumpkin patch today... Aaron was a bit unsure of the gooeyness of it all, but did a great job helping!

Mount Diablo park.... Ummm... just a warning, Tarantulas ARE involved!

After a few hours of driving around in the pouring rain, I decided I wanted to go check out Mount Diablo even though I knew the view would be terrible because of the weather. When I paid my park fee going into the park and told the ranger I was Canadian, I guess some other traveler paid in Canadian funds so he says "what the hell am I going to do with Canadian money?" and gave me 5$ haha... I thought that was going to be my story for this little trip....

Me at the entrance of the park... again, taking my own pictures!!

Cows... I some how feel the need to photograph them now considering where I work!



Isn't always more interesting to see a person in the pictures every so often? Its kinda like proof I was there...

Ok... I warn you now... (Julie) scroll down quickly if you don't want to see this next part...

So I am driving along for probably a half hour up these winding roads to the summit when I see this thing moving on the road... I realized what it was and started screaming in the car as I drove past it!!! UGH!! A tarantula!!! I could not believe it. So, I turned around even though the hair was standing up all over my body... serious heeby jeebies!! I drove back... and there he was... I stopped the car and took this picture from the window but it really didn't give the full effect!

Still fearing for my life... I got out of the car and walked up to this enormous spider considering putting my foot next to it so you can understand the size but, I couldn't... I just took a quick video and a close up picture and got the heck out of there!!! It is about the size of my hand... Ugh... still getting shivers thinking about it!

Mt. Diablo park is beautiful... at the top it was way too foggy and windy to even bother getting out, but it was a great experience and an amazing drive (puts Westside Road to shame).

Here he is!

I wish Aaron (my brother) was here to see this! I know he was hoping to see some cool bugs on his trip a few months ago but I don't think it happened...

My Adventure...

After the pumpkin patch, I decided to go do my own thing since I have the rental car... I went for a drive through some beautiful rural areas... even though it was pouring rain, I jumped out of the car to take pictures!

My fancy beige Ford Fusion with the Oregon plates (did I mention that confused me at first?? I thought they gave me the wrong car... I am in California!)
Me enjoying the drive (since I was by myself, I had to take my own pictures!)

Aaron's trip to the pumpkin patch in Clayton

Today we managed to get everyone out to the pumpkin patch... it was raining and so windy but we thought lets get there, spend 15 minutes and then take Katie and the baby home! Aaron absolutely loved running around the pumpkin patch... we picked out 2 baby pumpkins and 1 small pumpkin to carve later.

Olivia is there... she is just all bundled up!!

Too many to pick from!!! Aaron ran from pumpkin to pumpkin... he was loving it!