HP SUCKS!

Well, our laptop is sick. HP makes the worst product and has the worst customer service. So, as a result, we are without a computer for...we'll I'm not sure how long. Until we either get ours fixed (which pains me to do) or we buy a new one, there will be no blogging. :( So sorry folks.

Until later...

A Cheesy Day!

Back in November, Kris, Parker, Beau and I had a fun filled day in good ole' Oakdale. We had Mexican food for lunch then headed to the Oakdale Cheese Factory to feed the animals and eat yummy cheesecake.

Parker was much more brave than Beau, but eventually Beau warmed up and even fed some goats. Parker's too cute and has an amazing vocabulary. He was walking around yelling llama at the llamas. We had a blast and can't wait for our next play date.

Bobby's Birthday

For Bob's birthday we all headed to the Del Rio Golf Course in Modesto for a night of wine tasting. Since drinking is out for me, I was the designated eater (and driver) and I took my job very seriously and ate... oh yea, and drove. Kelly was very impressed with Vellum winery, so she decided to show her support by holding up their brochure in the picture below.

After wine tasting we stopped off at Marcello's for a midnight night cap... ok, ok we're old... it was really a 10 pm night cap. I had cheesecake and coffee, yummy.

Nuts and One Big Ball

We recently visited my family in San Ramon where Beau was able to feed the squirrels and play with a workout ball. He had the time of his life and received a haircut...thanks to cousin Janelle. Doesn't he look so handsome!!!

Pumpkin Patch

A few weeks ago we visited Phillip's Farms along with the Arrighi's and Jenny & Mia. Beau is very shy and tends to shut down when in public or around groups of people. So, needless to say, we got off on the wrong foot. It only got worse when a goose stuck his head through the bars and lunged at him....I've never heard him squeal so loud. But after a long while, and seeing how much fun Mia and Kate where having, he warmed up and actually gave us a few smiles.

Naked Football & Daddy Love

While Joel was away on a golf trip, Beau wore his "I Love Dad" PJ's. When Joel returned, they played naked football (maybe I should call it Diaper Football since he is wearing a diaper).

He Drives Me Crazy!

When we travel from our house to Gabby and Popo's house Beau gets to ride on our laps. He loves to drive the car and hang his head out the window. Crazy Beau!

Vote for Beau

At Amy's recommendation, I entered Beau into the Gap Casting Call. What mom wouldn't want to show off their little one and win free stuff along the way?

To vote for Beau COPY and PASTE this link, http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/vakesterson/671263251/

I know what you're thinking, I could have found a better picture... well you're wrong this was the best one I had. :) So hurry and vote, before it's too late. You can vote once a day, every day through November 17, 2009.

Go Dolphins

Joel and Beau got all suited up for the big Monday Night Football game between the Dolphins and the Jets. It was a great night. Miami won.

Green Machine

Melissa just celebrated another birthday and this year we surprised her with a new bike. Since my bike is named Winter Wonderland, we thought it was fitting if Melissa's new bike was given a name as well. Joel started calling it The Green Machine and the name just sort of fit. Happy Birthday Melissa!(Sorry Mel, we couldn't resist showing your initial reaction.)

Man Vs. Food

One of our favorite shows is Man vs. Food. Joel seems to like it a bit more than me and has taken to critiquing every meal he has at a restaurant. For example, "this pasta is both buttery and creamy, yet has just the right amount of spice to create an explosion of flavors in your mouth." Of course he has no idea what he's talking about, but it doesn't stop him.

On an episode of M v. F he visited The Crab Pot in Seattle, so of course we had to stop there during our visit to Washington. The food was delicious and well worth making our 2 day drive even longer. The serve you by dumping your order in the middle of the table. Then you go at it with a mallet and board. I cracked all my crab before eating, whereas Joel cracked and ate as he went along. I think he was a bit jealous of me at the end of the meal when I had a huge pile of crab in front of me. Oh well...live and learn.

Our next M v. F adventure will take place here at home. On one episode Adam has to eat 3 meters of Bratwurst. I told Joel I could do that, and of course we ended up betting on if I could in fact eat 3 meters of Bratwurst. The good thing is I can choose what brand, flavor, etc of brat I will be eating. Should be a piece of cake, right? We haven't had our showdown yet due to that fact that Joel said it wasn't fair while I was in my first trimester [you see, I can (or could) eat a horse]. Now that I'm getting bigger I'm not sure I can handle that amount of food. We'll see. Maybe we should just do it and get it over with. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.

I Like to Move It, Move It!

While on our trip to Washington, the kids were sure to entertain at all times. While Kate ate dirt, rocks and much more, the older kids couldn't resit cutting a rug. Once that music starts, they got that fever that can only be satisfied by...dancing. After all the fun in the rain, Ethan and Leah warmed up under a blankie by the fire.

(video)

Gram's 80th

Joel's Gram turned 80 this past month. To celebrate the entire Kesterson family went to Washington to party. While almost everyone flew, Joel thought it would be fun to have drive. I, being pregnant, didn't think that was such a good idea, but in the end we drove. It took us two days as we stopped in Eugene, OR on the way up to rest.

Gram's brother and his wife live in Washington so we stayed near them and had a beach BBQ, in the rain, to celebrate Gram's big day. The next morning they had us over for brunch where those of us who aren't scared of heights we were able to climb down a really long ladder that lead to the beach for a morning walk.On the way home Joel and I stopped in Grants Pass, OR to rest and in the morning headed into town to see some Kesterson landmarks. The Kesterson family once had a lumber mill in Grands Pass. We were hoping to visit the historical society, but they were closed. Maybe next time. This picture is of Joel at Kesterson Park in Grants Pass, OR.

The Big ONE!

On September 14, Beau turned 1! It's hard to believe a year has already gone by. Lots of new developments between 11 & 12 months. He can point to his nose and eyes AND he has two teeth. He's still about 6 teeth behind, but hopefully he'll catch up soon.

We had a small BBQ to celebrate his big day. Unfortunately I didn't plan very well and we had to wake him from his afternoon nap to party. He was pretty grouchy the remainder of the day. In fact, I'm not sure I have any smiling pictures. We started off the party by me accidentally allowing him to snap himself in the face with his party hat (major tears), he perked up when Uncle Mark and Aunt Kaeli gave him a new football, started crying again when Kate tried to play with him...basically that's the way the entire evening went. Tears off and on.

Joel and I made his cake all by ourselves, which is why we don't have any close up pictures (we like to hide our flaws). I made the shape and did the white frosting, which Joel did the red stitching. Beau didn't seem to like it very much, nor did he seem to like the cupcake we gave him on his actual birthday. We all know he doesn't get his lack of love for sweets from me.