The Mickelsens

2009-02-04T20:13:00.002-07:00

Outline of our trip

2009-02-04T19:49:00.003-07:00

Friday after school- Drove from Home to Grant's Pass Oregon (9hours)
Saturday Morning-Drove to Crescent City in California, stopped on the way to go on a short hike into the coastal redwoods- most amazing thing I have seen, we loved it! Had a picnic lunch with the seagulls in front of the Ocean in Crescent City CA.
In the afternoon we got to drive thru a 2400 hundred year old redwood, and it only cost 5 bucks! Arrived in Windsor, CA stayed the night.
Sunday- Went to church in the Windsor area and loved the people! They tried to recruit us to their small branch and we would willingly gone if we could only find a job! This area was beautiful right next to Napa Valley. Drove on to San Fransisco got to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge (loved it), we ate a picnic on top of a parking strutcture that over saw Pier 39 and Alcatraz Island (prison)- very cool.
Met up with some friends at a Ethiopian Restraunt in San Jose in the evening the food was amazing! I missed it desperatly I do not cook it that well sadly! Then we drove on to LA for the night another (6 strait hours at night).
Monday- Watched a movie in the hotel which was nice since we had been nonstop driving and seeing for a couple of days. Then on to Hollywood Blvd. and to China town for luch (Trae is obsessed with China). Then we hit the road to San Diego got there by 4:30 it was perfect not too much trafic. The rest of Thanksgiving week was spent with ours friends there and we loved it! All together there was a little over 23 hours of driving in 3 full days. The kids were awesome and really liked it and I had so much fun with them seeing things none of us have seen before! My favorite was the Redwoods and Crescent City, Rob's was Golden Gate Bridge, Bobby's was San Francisco, Andee's was playing with her friend in San Diego, Trae's was getting a chinese outfit we bought in LA, Hana's was Ethiopian food in San Jose, and Matu's was the junk food I finally caved and let the kids eat in the car! I have been truly blessed with the best family any one could ask for, and I never felt it more than I did on that trip!

SERIOUSLY WHY HAVE A BLOG IF I DON'T USE IT!!!

2009-02-04T19:40:00.003-07:00

So I am at almost six months since I posted and that is pathetic!!! I love looking at everyone else's blog so I have been selfish and lazy to not update so here is some pics from our AWESOME trip thru California from the North West corner to the South West corner (San Diego). This trip by far was probablly my favorite trip ever! Even over any vacation I have taken on my own or with Rob. The kids were awesome on the 23 hours of driving with 3 night stops.

Bobby had a blast knee & wake boarding up at Lewis Reunion

2008-08-16T10:10:00.001-06:00

Andee loves to knee board

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Island Park Fireworks from Jenn & Ryan's boat

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Watching Fireworks from the boat!

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Hana in all her beauty!

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Trae loves to flag

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Matusala's 1st. kiss - he loves Maria!

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THE BEST MASONRY TEAM!!!

2008-08-16T09:22:00.001-06:00

END OF SUMMER

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Only a few more days of summer for my kiddos. We start school on Wednesday and the kids are ready! Did I mention how ready I am? Our first summer as a family of seven was a bit of a challenge for the kids and I. We had lots of squabbles (mostly the kids), and lots of crying (mostly mom), we have learned about each other in ways that only 7 days a week 24 hours a day of togetherness will teach you. We have actually had a great summer not as many excursions as I would have like but having a little one again that needs naps every afternoon kind of changed that but we have plenty of years without naps coming so I have enjoyed the quiet times! :) Bobby is in full swing 2 or 3 a day practices for football and is coming home hungry and tired! Andee is going again 2x a week practices for soccer. Trae is busy getting as much movie time in before school (which means no movies or tv 5 days a week). Hana is so excited to start pre school in September and is very prepared. Her English is great and is ready to learn new things. Matusala is a very naughty stinking little 22 month old. He is a very smart little boy and a joy to have around. He likes to walk around the house chanting who is stinky at the moment for example: Bobby stinky, Bobby stinky. Robert is very busy with work, we have been blessed to continue to have work and we are thankful. I have been with the kids hanging out not accomplishing as much as I would like but the beauty of routines is about to return with the school schedule. I am going to include a little look at our summer, enjoy. Eileen

Andee's Beloved Soccer!

2008-06-01T22:14:00.001-06:00

On Saturday we had Andee's end of year party for her first season with Kicker's United Soccer Club. It was great working with Kickers and we look forward for the next year with them. We have tryouts on June 11th. we will let you know how it goes but the coach assured me he has a spot for her. Her coach from this year wanted her to play up a year and be on the U12 team, but we decided to stay on U11 and give her some more time to grow. She has been a blast to watch and is very athletic. I will be getting more pics of her from a mom on the team that is a photographer, I will post later. This last week was a busy one, being the last week of school. The kids and I celebrated as is our tradition by going to a movie when they let out on the last day. We are looking forward to a busy 11 weeks of summer. On thursday Bobby got his liscense and on Friday after our movie he dropped his application off to the Sonic Drive inn that was just built near our home and got the job on the spot! We are so excited for him, he is moving towards independence rapidly! I am not sure who is more excited him or Robert and I.

Fun Times Ahead For All!
See ya later- Eileen

MY FIVE STARS

2008-05-27T20:50:00.000-06:00

ENTERING THE BLOGGING WORLD

2008-05-27T19:09:00.003-06:00

NECESSARY INTRODUCTIONS:

Hi I'm Eileen the author of this blog and the mom to five fantastic kids and one amazing husband!!! My kids are the stars of my team and I am the coach and Rob is the assistant :) :) ha ha. I have been watching other family and friends blogs and have loved the idea but I am very lo-tech kind of girl so it has taken me awhile. I want to keep everyone up to date with our every days and catch people up on our past happenings. It will take awhile but I hope that it is helpful for anyone who reads to get to know us better and to learn from our experiences.
A little about my husband & kids:
Robert (??) is finally healing after a much needed tonselictomy. He is back to work for our company and for me building a cubby system in our garage (will include pic later).
Bobby (16yrs) is about to finish up his sophmore year and almost has his drivers liscense! He will be starting football prep as soon as school is out.
Andee (10yrs) will be a fifth grader next year and is taking a break from her beloved soccer before the season starts again in July.
Trae (7yrs) will be a second grader next year. He just earned his yellow dragon belt in Martial Arts last week he had to kick through a board- he was pumped!
Hana (3yrs) will start preschool next year. Her English is really getting good and is having a blast playing dress up with her friend next door.
Matusala (19months) is a craker eating kid like you have never seen! He is talking soooo much and has done well switching to english. He loves to say to my friend-"Crystal Craker NOW"!!!
Catch you all later!