Monday, January 26, 2009

Celebration of Life

We have had an emotional, however wonderful week! Family from up and down the east coast and all over Cali came to town to celebrate Mamo's wonderful life and celebrate we did!

Wednesday night was an impromptu gathering at Bebe's house with everyone aside from our house guests that arrived later that night. Riley had a blast with her cousins, Zach (15), Willie (13), Lexi (11), and Benjamin (7) (well... her dads cousins children... would that be her third cousins??) Riley was in hog heaven with all the big kids, however Kyle had different plans. He preferred to spent the majority of the week on Tracy's hip - the crowds may have been over whelming for him (until the very last night that is!)

The kids stayed home on Thursday with Aunt Darcy and Lexa while the rest of the crew went to Arlington National Cemetery for Mamo's service. All three little ones had a blast running though the bus that the Lamb family rented for us to take up to DC prior to us leaving. The service was beautiful and Mamos children created a beautiful and unique eulogy that allowed the entire family to be a part of it. After the service we all had dinner at the Surratts and had a lot more laughs!

Friday was spent at Bebes with the entire family and also neighbors and friends. Kyle finally decided that the cousins were super cool and Tracy didn't see him again until bed time! Both kids played hard and were troopers till the end - even though Ri missed her bed time by three hours!! It was fabulous seeing the entire family and all of Mamos friends! She definitely knew how to live each day and I hope we can all do the same in her Honor!

Riley and Lexi snuggling late night on Friday
Benjamin, Kyle, and Willie (kyles new best bud!) Notice Kyles huge bruise on his nose - he had a collision with the train table and the table won.

Riley, Lexi, and Lexa - Ri wasn't the only 4 year old obsessed with Lexi!

The Bus! Thank you again Lisa and Randy - having the bus was such a HUGE stress relief!

We also visited Jim while we were at Arlington.

Beautiful view! This is right where the Pentagon was hit on 9/11

Bye Mamo - we love you!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A Historic Moment

What a day! Riley and Kyle got to witness a historic moment in time today and although they probably won't remember, we'll be able to say "don't you remember when you were four/one, and Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States!"

It has been an excited and busy few weeks - we have gone bowling, to the Children's Museum a couple times, to the movies, playgroup, school, and... I'm sure there is more and I guess my lack of memory should prod me to stay on top of our blog! Lesson Learned!

Riley recently discovered self will and spent an entire day telling Tracy "no" to everything asked of her. Obviously it was not a fun day, however we count our blessings that it took her 4 years to figure out that she can tell us "no" (however she has already learned that the results of telling her parents no end in losing some sort of privilege). Other than that, she is still our sweet little girl who is obsessed with the music to Mama Mia and knows every word to the entire CD.

Kyle has learned that he can tattle tale on Riley. He is still our man of few words, but he has figured out that when wronged, he can find one of us, and say with a pitiful pout, "Ri Ri" - this indicates that there has been an incident - of what nature, who knows! Kyles vocabulary is growing every day, however we think he just chooses not to speak much! Unlike Riley who was speaking in full sentences by two years old.

Riley and Kyle want to send special over seas love to Grandma and Papa who are cruising through New Zealand and Australia and a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Grandma! We are looking forward to keeping up with your travel blog and seeing pix when you get home!!

We are also looking forward to seeing all the family from Erics side in the next few days! Everyone is coming in to celebrate Mamo's amazing life and head to Arlington Cemetery to say goodbye.
Enjoy the pix!
Riley at the Children's Museum on a Dino
Bowling - resting between frames

Typical Kyle not sitting correctly. He now refuses to sit in a booster so we've put it away!

Riley and Kyle making Pizza - home for a sick day. See Riley's cheeks - it is Fifths Disease
yet another disease to pass through the Surratt household! Kyle got it the following week.
Also, notice Riley ever so slightly pushing Kyle off the stool - she has learned a way to be nice yet still make him mad! Tracy has been requiring the two of them to hug a lot more lately!

The trio at C-Mor

Riley and Lexa were interviewed by Radio Disney at C-Mor. When asked what her favorite Disney show was, Riley responded "Blues Clues!" - which by the way, is a Nick show! Opps! She is child of Tivo, who cares what channel it comes from:-)
Riley painting her jewelry box from Aunt MaryAnn - I've never seen so much paint or glitter on one box! She LOVES it!
Riley and Lexa at Romp-n-roll
Kyle at Romp-n-roll

Saturday, January 3, 2009

A Great Loss

Happy New Year to all from Riley and Kyle! We hope 2009 brings everyone great happiness and joy!

While the new year brings all sorts of possibilities and dreams, it is also a great time to remember the past year. Most importantly, we would like to take time to remember Riley and Kyle's great grandmother, Honor Taylor (Mamo). We lost Mamo on New Years Eve after 92 long and wonderful years. Anyone who had ever met or even heard stories of Mamo knows what an amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother she was. Her quick wit and spit-fire attitude kept us all laughing and we are all blessed to have had Mamo in our lives. Although Riley and Kyle are still young, we know that a part of Mamo will always be with them and they are so lucky to have had Mamo as such a big part of their little lives.

We miss you Mamo and you will always be with us in spirit! And, your "mamo-isms" will last forever! (for any cousins/Aunts/Uncles reading this - please write down all your favorite mamo-isms and send them this way!)


One last Mamo-ism for the road: "Shakin' like a jack-ass eating cuckle-burrs!"
October 2008 - Mamo's 92nd Birthday
September 2008 - Emerald Isle
May 2007 Holding her 11th great grandchild, Kyle, the day he was born.
Mamo has 3 children, 8 grand children, and 13 great grand children
October 2004 Holding her 10th great grandchild, Riley