The Gray Effect

My New Cleaning Strategy

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Sat, 05 May 2012 04:54:00 +0000

More Easter Pics

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Sat, 05 May 2012 04:52:00 +0000

Via Kaari and Inger

"Try this chocolate egg!"

They might look innocent but they are guarding the chocolate eggs and jello.

Girlfriends!

That cake was good!

Squirrel!

Easter gifts and candy from Grandma.

Will the guilty party please step forward?

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 06:28:00 +0000

In case you didn't know, marker (even permanent) can be removed from walls, couches, and clothing with rubbing alcohol. thank goodness.

RIP

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:56:00 +0000

Dear Mike,
Being the history nerd from a young age, I remember watching your black and white "Biography" series in school. Other students napped but hearing your voice narrate the life of famous people I found fascinating. I loved your interviews and watching you on 60 minutes. I'm sure you are on the other side lining up interviews with Madame Curie, Lenin, and Ghengis Khan. You'll be missed.

Hippity Hop and Happy Birthday: Our Easter Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:58:00 +0000

It started earlier in the week when we went off to see the Easter Bunny. Which child do you think won Mr. Congeniality? He gave that big creepy bunny a high five, a hug, and posed for a picture. The other two hid behind me and took off. No big furry rodents for them!

Then the preschool egg hunt. I would of been happy with just the ears and some egg crafts, but you have to have the egg hunt. Picture 20 3-4 year olds being dismissed with a load of candy filled eggs right at LUNCH TIME. The sugar crash was awesome.

Saturday was the first day of baseball. Again which child participated and which child played the diva and hung on the sidelines? anyone? anyone?

"I play next week. I was a little bit scared."

If you know this child, you know why that is hilarious.

Braden, meanwhile went off to explore the preschool playground where we were and had a great time. He figured if Sarah wasn't using her hat, he might as well put it to use.

We had an Egg Hunt at a friend's house later that day. Thank you Parkes for sacrificing your backyard to 30 kids running around in complete chaos. I didn't take pics, but hope to get some from others who did.

Easter Morning was church and then back home for some pics. This is the first (and possibly the last) that all three kids were in coordinated outfits.

"Give Matthew a BIG KISS."

Braden joined in for one picture.

Then for a yummy (and I mean really yummy!) Easter dinner we went to the Jacobs. We ate and all the kids ran inside and out playing. Notice Louis in this shot on his phone holding the Diet Coke between his knees? Standard Operating Procedure.

And don't forget. It was Louis' 35th birthday! He's now pushing his way closer to 40 but hanging in there and going strong.

picture via Travis Murdock

I made him an Android cake but ran out of white piping from making a dessert from the day before. This is what happens when you try to frost a cake a midnight the night before.Oh well. It's the thought that counts, right?

Happy Birthday Honey! You can now run for President!

(which I'm sure scares certain members of your family)

Amid all the sugar, and activities we tried to talk about the real meaning of Easter and why we celebrate it. After reading one of their Bible story books about Easter Sarah told me, "Don't worry Mommy, it was sad, but then got happy."

I'm going to bed. I'm all Eastered Out.

Sleepy Head

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:07:00 +0000

Someone was trying to climb off the couch to go to bed and .......... fell asleep in the process. Too stinkin' cute! And yes, that is a Google TV pillow next to him, or I should say, Louis' Google TV pillow that he brought home this past week.

Spring Has Sprung!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 06:42:00 +0000

Sunny Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 05:50:00 +0000

Two weeks ago we had a warm Saturday before a week of cold weather was coming. We left the chores and got out to enjoy the sunshine.

A walk along the bay.

Then we headed over to the Googleplex to visit Stan the dinosaur and his flamingo friends. I have no idea why his name is Stan (or why he is even there) and why there are plastic flamingos all around.

Next stop was some play time at the sand volleyball court. I'm told people do actually get work done at Google.

Then to end the day, Mexican food at La Paloma. Tacos!

This boy takes his salsa very seriously.

February Thaw

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:08:00 +0000

Every year (it seems) we get a week of warm weather. Things start to blossom, leaves poke out, just more green and sunny weather in the 70's. This year's thaw coincided with the kid's winter break. I had great plans but was knocked down with a terrible head cold and hacking cough. Since all my energy went to getting dressed, making meals, and swigging Robitussin all day, we keep close to home, or just at home and de-thawed. Thank goodness the kids could go play out in the back because I had no energy to be cleaning messes.

Any ways, this week I like to think of as God's little way of saying to hang-in-there, don't get too down, spring is right around the corner and then time for summer. The memory of the sunshine, short sleeves and being outdoors helps to get through March, which turns windy and cold. I hate windy, I really do.

Flowers at the park and the plum tree next to our driveway.

Easy, Cheap Valentine Wreath

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:05:00 +0000

I wanted to make a wreath out of those cute conversation hearts, but I figured they would dry out and crumble in storage and not last more than one or two seasons. Also, my kids will go to great lengths to acquire treats and I did not want the constant worry of someone breaking their head open trying to reach some stale candy. Only risk injury on the good stuff!
See evidence here:

I spotted these at Walgreens and figured I would try using them instead. $1.99 for 40. I used two boxes and bought a third to replace any that fall off.

Went to Michael's and grabbed a wreath using my 40% off coupon and found a roll of ribbon on clearance for 99 cents. Wrapped the wreath with ribbon, used my glue gun to attach the erasers and
VOILA!

The kids or the ants won't go after this one.

Sarah's "S"

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:12:00 +0000

I'm slowly getting around to putting up personal touches and decorating the house. Moving in, giving birth earlier than expected, plus having two year old twins running around like crazy put a halt to anything beyond the bare essentials of house decorating. It took a year to pull out one of our pictures and put it in the living room.

I'm getting my crafty game back on, checking Pinterest and collecting ideas. At Michael's I grabbed these containers of buttons out of their $1 bin planning on using them for some cute Valentine project. I had seen some cute button art on Pinterest and wanted to see what I could come up with.

Well, Sarah saw those pink buttons and wanted me to make something for her. She's learning her letters and anytime she sees "S" she refers to it as "my S!" So that is the shape I decided to use for the picture in her room.

I picked up an 8x10 piece of foam board and glued on a cute piece of scrapbook paper that would go with her room. I found the font I wanted and cut out an S on my Silhouette Cameo and glued it to the paper.

Easy Peasy!

Then lay out the buttons before glueing, making sure they fit along the edges and you can fill the space without overlapping.

I had an old frame from a picture 5 moves ago. I spray painted it and distressed it a little. The I found some matting at Aaron Brother's and there you go! Sarah wanted the flower embellishment and voila! "Her S", as she points out when she goes in her room.

Well, Matthew saw she got her special letter, so in all fairness I promised him he will be getting his M shortly. He went with me to the store to make sure I bought everything I needed. And then I figured I would nip this in the tail and got the supplies for a B, so Braden won't feel left out. They are done and just need to be framed. I'll post pics when they are hung up in the boy's room.

These were so inexpensive to make. I don't want to spend a lot decorating the kids rooms because they grow so fast and will want to redecorate them to a "big kids" room before I know it.

They Exist

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I already mentioned in THIS post about our neighborhood parrots. They must have had a good hatching season because the flock seems to have gotten bigger. They have a distinct call and whenever they fly over our house the twins stop what they are doing and say, "The parrots, mommy, the parrots."

For all you doubters of their existence, here is a photo I was able to snap of one in our neighbor's tree. They don't stay in one place long, and blend into the leaves, so getting a picture has been hard. I just happened to already have my camera out one day when we were in the backyard.

What happened to January?

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:15:00 +0000

Ok, I blinked and January was gone. Here is what we have been up to since Christmas.

December 27th Louis and I took off for our FIRST vacation without the kids. Make that the second of any vacation since having kids. We had been trying to get away for awhile but between Louis' work and scheduling childcare, it had been difficult. So, the stars aligned and we were able to take three days off and go down to San Diego. Cal was playing in the Holiday Bowl, our fabulous babysitter Whitney was available, so we jumped at the chance.
Bye Bye!

Weather in the 70's, sleeping in, great hotel on the water, no food thrown on the floor while eating, no whining...heaven.

Who eats outside in December?

The game: The Bears didn't exactly show up to play football but you can't beat the 50 yard line and unlimited refills of Diet Pepsi.

Here is Louis outside the stadium by the statue of Jack Murphy and his dog. LOVE the Bible thumping protestor. Not sure what they were protesting, but reminding us we are all going to hell.

All stadiums need one of these. Do you know how frustrating it is not be able to eat the hot dog bun? And other GF people can have their beer too.

Back home we came to the kids with Sarah outside our room the next morning asking, "Where's Whit-Whit?"Sorry kid, your stuck with us.

We actually went out for New Year's and we able to participate in the Anderson's Mr. & Mrs. 2012 pageant. We came in third (I like to refer to it as 2nd Runner Up) and would of walked away with the title if it hadn't been for the talent competition. You had to have, well, talent. So I told Louis I'm signing up for tango lessons and we'll blow them away next yea. Carter's, you are going down!
For a complete wrap up of the evening, go HERE.

January was back to the routine of preschool, classes, playing with friends. Throw in some fevers, runny noses, pink eye, and it's been a pretty normal month of life with three small kids.

Except for one cold week, the weather has been great and we try to burn energy outside.

I got Louis to make some repairs.

A trip to the dentist for the twins. No cavities! And no crying!

This little guy is climbing and getting into EVERYTHING.

Baking and cupcake decorating!

Hello February!

Out with the Smooshed, In with the New

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:54:00 +0000

A lot of people have asked what happened with Louis' car after its unfortunate demise in our driveway. If you missed the excitement, go to this post HERE to see how Louis' car met tis premature end.

Since it took a few days to have the insurance guys and then the tow truck come to remove said car, it sat in our driveway about a week for all the world to see. His car, in all its glory, with that rock, now split in two, beside it, was quite the spectacle for the neighborhood. People would slow down to gaze, whether walking, biking or driving by. If I was out front loading the kids in the car people would stop to ask what had happened.

On morning, during this time, the doorbell rang and I answered it sporting my unshowered, hair in ponytail, wearing sweats look. There may have been a couple kids still in pajamas too. Two UPS guys were there and one handed me a package. I asked if I needed to sign for it and they said no. I'm thinking why is it taking two UPS guys to give me a package that they can leave on my doorstep? Then one of says, "We've been driving by your house all week for work and we just want to know, what it the world happened to move that rock into your car?" I guess it looked that incredible that both of them stopped their deliveries to hear the story. I'm so glad we provided a break from the day-to-day mundane routine of the neighborhood.

Shhhh... Don't tell, but the insurance company totaled the car and gave Louis a check for $4K more than he bought it for 3 years ago. So he bought the same car, 2 years newer and in a graphite gray, which I like better than the blue. The kids didn't notice that it was an entirely new car in the driveway and kept patting it and saying, "Daddy's car all fixed."

And that ends the tale of the Rock and the Beemer.

Scenes of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:17:00 +0000

We had a relaxing Christmas. No traveling, which meant no packing, no laundry, and no grouchy kids (or parents.) Through the month we talked a lot about the reason for the season and the Christmas story. What? It's no all about presents and Santa? I had bought the kids their own Nativity Set (thank you Fisher Price) so we could read the story together and act it out with the figures. They'll get it more as they get older, but at least it's a start.

Christmas Eve we suited up and headed to a friend's for a Taste of Italy feast. I forgot to take pics except for Braden with Logan the dog, but let's say it was tasty and the kids ran like a pack of wolves from one room to another.

Santa arrived and the biggest hit for all three kids was Sarah's play kitchen.

What's a Christmas in the Gray house without some Android stuff?

The kids got hats.

And Daddy got some pictures for the wall in his office.

The Aftermath

Another favorite gift from Nana and Grandpa.

Christmas Day we made a quick trip to Palo Alto to see my mom.

And then visited with the other grandparents and great grands online at home.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 09:34:00 +0000

What's in Your Attic?

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 08:08:00 +0000

Well, we don't really have an attic since we live in a post WWII California subdivision home, but some previous owner put a loft like storage space below the roof of our garage. This year we finally got around to storing some of our stuff up there. While I was getting down Christmas decorations I had a look a around of some of the ~~junk~~ treasures left by previous owners. Making more room for our own boxes I took down a few of the items. I know you are dying to see what I found.

One plastic Grecian lady. I know you really want this in YOUR front yard.

Lovely curtains circa 1970's. LOVE(not!) the orange and brown(what were they thinking back then?). No rips, tears, or moth holes. Great for that retro kitchen redo you were planning on.

A size 40 regular U.S Army jacket and clip on tie. I haven't been able to determine the time frame for this style. No name attached, but the shoulder insignia indicates Signal Corps and the stripes are that of a Sergeant First Class.

An army parachute manufactured in September of 1967. The Switlik Parachute company has been in business since the 1920's. No rips or tears. This thing is huge. The house was built in 1964 so possibly it belongs to someone in the first owner's family.

We could use it to make a tent in the front yard. What do think about a circus theme for the twins next birthday?

There are more boxes way in the back that I'm dying to check out. I need better light and older clothes, but it has been interesting to see the remnants of lives once lived by people in the same space you now occupy. I could find a body or something that Antiques Roadshow would value in the millions so we ca retire.

And there's a coffee table up there that is just asking to refurbished like one I found on Pinterest. Shhh, don't let Louis know. He's trying to squash my crafting/sewing ~~addiction~~ hobby.

Holiday Happenings

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:13:00 +0000

I'm trying to make this crazy time of year simple as possible. Louis and I split up duties. I did most of the kids gifts, and we are each in charge of gifts for our own families. Decorations are up high out of reach and not too elaborate in case any little hands get a hold of things.

Here's our tree decorated. I didn't even use half the ornaments I have to cut down on potential damage.

And here's our tree once I put the toddler fence around it. I like to think of it as the "maintaining my sanity" fence.

December 3rd we attended the Google+ holiday party. It was a roaring '20's theme and held at the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco. The food was amazing, great swing band and then DJ and the dessert table divine. Google does classy well.

Lobby of the Mark Hopkins.

On the way out we went across the street to the Fairmont to check out their holiday decorations. I can't wait until the kids are a little older and then I'll bring them up to the City to see all the Christmas displays just like my mom used to do with me.

A few days later we took the kids to the Vasona County Park Festival of Lights. You drive through and see all the light displays. We did it last year, but this year the kids really loved it. Sarah kept jumping up and down yelling," I love it mommy, I love it!" You crawl through so everyone lets the kids out of their seats and hang out the windows or sun roofs. Matthew liked the dinosaur display the best.

It's been great watching the kids get excited about Christmas. They love all the activities we have been doing.

This Monday we went to a friend's place to decorate gingerbread houses. Matthew is so proud of his house. He shows it to everyone that comes over and explains each of the candies and their colors.

This is the first year I took the kids to visit Santa. I never wanted to take two (now 3) kids down to the mall and pay to have them cry. I risked it this year now that the twins are older. The key is to go early in the season and during a week day. No crowds, no stress, and no crying.

Here's a picture of the picture. Braden looks "surprised" but they are all looking at the camera.

'Tis the Season

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 02:20:00 +0000

...for the 'ole family photo. You know, the one where we try to capture an image where we try look like a perfectly normal, well behaved family. Then there's the reality. When you see our Xmas card that will seem the case because Meghan always does an amazing job. How she captures so many great shots when it seems all our kids did was goof off I'll never know. She left in some of our "bloopers" because she knew they would make us laugh.

So here are some of our out takes. I'll post our "official" family photos later.

"Something's in my eye Mommy."

Matthew: "I need to scratch."

Sarah: "Nooooo. I don't want to hold Braden's hand."

Braden: "Help me Daddy."

Matthew: "I'm not happy."

Sarah:"na na na na na."

Braden: "Why am I always in the middle of these two crazies?"

"Na, we don't need to stand still and smile."

Matthew: "Hmmm, maybe this isn't so bad. I was promised candy afterward."

"Want to see my belly button?"

"I know this is what you meant by a 'sweet smile'."

"Yes, I am pretty darn cute, thank you very much."

"I'm not sure I like these new shoes Mom put on me."

"Oh brother."

"And then I saw this huge dragon..."

"I'm soooo done with this."

The twins ran off and then it was easy to get a shot with the rest of us looking at the camera and smiling.

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:46:00 +0000

We hope everyone is enjoying family, friends, football and lots of good food. We feel so fortunate for our many blessings here at the Gray house. We are very lucky!

Apparently there was a dinosaur at Plymouth Plantation.

I Love My Mantle

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:08:00 +0000

When we were buying our home, I fell in love with the living room mantle. Its top is very wide so I have lots of room for pictures and whatnots and I love decorating it for each season/holiday. I forgot to take a picture at Halloween but it looked cool.

While growing up I loved that my mom decorated for each of the holidays. Easter, St. Patrick's Day, and Valentines also meant the house was festooned with various decorations and there were traditional activities. I hope to pass that on to my own kids. Louis came from a family that wasn't big on traditions so every year I work on him to catch the holiday spirit.

Dude...You Hit My Car

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:38:00 +0000

If you are on Facebook or Google+ you know the sad saga of Louis' BMW. If not, let me catch you up. Here is the post Louis wrote this past Monday when the main event happened:

Tonight, while watching my kids, settling them down before bed, I heard a big BOOM out front. It sounded like there was a car accident in the intersection. So I ran out the front door, and found a Toyota Tacoma truck crashed into the side of my car in the driveway. Huge rocks that border our walkway had been pushed into the driveway, having been moved about 6 or so feet. The driver, an old man who just left the hospital and is under the influence of medication, had probably mistaken the gas pedal for the brake, and turned into my front yard, driveway and eventually my car, followed by a tree that borders our neighbors' yard, instead of continuing down the road. Both his airbags had deployed, and remarkably, he wasn't hurt. There were no passengers in the vehicle, and obviously, nobody in mine.

After making sure he was fine and could walk, and was in no shape to harm me or my family, I brought him in to sit in my living room, while I dialed 9-1-1. In the 15 minutes I waited as the officers arrived, I tried to distract the kids, quite curious, of course, and figured out this guy was pretty lost. He could tell me the town where he lived, but not much else. Meanwhile, I called my wife, at a late birthday party with her girlfriends, and asked her to come home, at least to put the kids to bed. After all, it wasn't my fault.

The officers came by. Part of their delay was that this guy apparently hit another car on his way to hitting mine (and the tree). Brilliant. They had a rough time finding out his son's phone number, to give him a call to have him picked up, and when asking his own address, he started it with 650... obviously a phone number. So this guy, nice enough, was pretty out of it, and I'd argue shouldn't get behind the wheel again.

So my nice car I am so happy with, sporting the GOOG +1 license plates, after all, is pretty wrecked up. It's ugly. If it gets fixed, it won't be quick, and is the second accident it's had in the year. Not fun. So I have no idea when I'm getting into the office tomorrow or what my transportation looks like. But the good news is that nobody was hurt, the kids are in bed, and everyone has now left my house. But it wouldn't be enough just to tell you the story. I brought pictures. This is nuts.

That ONE rock was minding its own business next to our driveway being a nice piece of landscaping. Now it is TWO rocks and I don't want to be the one to move it.

That poor tree has some nasty scars.

SMOOOOOOSH

That rock did all the damage to the side of the car including bending the frame.

I reminded Louis that his personalized license plate came through the carnage undamaged.

I have no idea what part of the other car made that gouge.

In the lower left you can see where the rock was and the tire marks of the truck. That rock was anchored in cement so imagine the speed of the car.

• It just goes to show you that your car isn't even safe parked in your own driveway.
• The man had just left his son's house down the street and I can't believe the son thought that his dad was in any condition to drive. Talk about incoherent and glassy eyed!
• At least he didn't do through the living room or garage! (always a bright side)
• Louis' car is totaled. He loved that car. So now we have to deal with buying a new car.
• It would of been my car that got hit if I had been there. Thanks Haley for hosting my Bday dinner that night!
• The kids were thrilled to have 3 policemen in their house.
• Classic Matthew quote: "The rock said it was sorry and needs a time out."

Last Halloween Post (I Promise!)

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:21:00 +0000

You thought Halloween was only one day a year. We managed to celebrate for an entire month. And why not? Life is too short not to.

Two actual events on Halloween itself. First, the preschool parade. The kids made little bat hats and then paraded around in costume for the parents. Then we gave them all candy. (Because they really needed more.)

Our buddy Rei who lived on the same floor at our old condo. He was born the same day as the twins.

The younger kids all got to hang out in the corner.

Posing with their friend Max.

Matthew's buddy Elouan.

The actual Trick-or-Treating. We went to a friend's house for dinner and then hit the neighborhood. They finally figured out the system and Matthew wanted to run between houses.

Sarah insisted on hiding her face behind her spider bucket while showing me her candy stash.

Until next year!

Parties Galore: Part III-Ward Party

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:11:00 +0000

Saturday the 29th, our church ward held their annual Halloween party. Louis was in LA for the day on business so I met up with friends to enjoy the festivities.

Sarah watched Matthew eating a donut on a string.

Then she decided to join in and help him out.

Next came the bean bag toss.

And then the 'ole fishing for a prize game.

Our Home Teacher

Then we took a break with Aubrey to enjoy some treats.

Blakely enjoyed her first lollipop.

I joined our 100 Acre Wood theme as Piglet.

Sarah gave Colin and Ryan tips on how to pick out the best candy.

Then Lance (Blakely's dad) explained the finer points of trick or treating.

Braden was a trooper as always, enjoying the antics of the older kids.

Wheeeeeeee! Sugar Rush!

Sarah making Blakely laugh with her antics.

I think someone really enjoyed her candy.

Thank you Kaari and Alyssa for letting me steal some of your pictures!

Parties Galore: Part II- Playgroup Party

noreply@blogger.com (Kristine Gray) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 07:23:00 +0000

We belong to a playgroup that rotates houses every week. Friday happened to be my turn so I figured why not throw a Halloween party?

The spread

Mini Mummy Pizzas-thank you Pinterest

Blakely was a cute garden gnome.

Kai found nothing is better than a truck, a cookie, and a nice place to sit in the sun.

The party included a pinata. Some of these guys are pint sized power hitters.

This guy didn't stand a chance.

Max shows us his haul.

"Unwrap this please."

Enjoying her lollipop.

Super Bennett climbing slides in a single bound!

Josh beating the last remnants of the pinata.

Sticky candy face.

"Hey Blakely, you distract them and I'll grab the rest of the candy."

The 3 B's. Braden, Bennett and Blakey. All born 3-6 weeks apart.

Vera dressed as Boo from Monster's Inc.

I think Braden showed Blakely how to climb the slide.

We had a great time. So glad to have these kids (and their moms) in our lives!

Thanks to Kaari for letting me steal some of her pics.