Black Widows- Yuck

Do you know what a black widow looks like?

Unfortunately I do!!! They are all over my backyard. Not little ones- One that have a butt the size of a large grape. I can't even stand to write about it. I'm worried about anyone getting bit.. but especially Sadie because of her low immunity.

Anyway, we are tearing our backyard apart, taking out a planter, building a new planter, taking out some trees, putting in sprinklers, and getting ready to put in grass this Saturday. When they took out the original planter they found several dozen. They said they got them all- but NO! When some of them were displaced they just found a home in our bikes and pool toys. When I moved the bikes the other day I found 3. Today when Hannah was swimming she threw in a pool toy and a huge one landed in the pool. Tomorrow first order of business is to call a bug guy!!

Our Gang

The Teague Curse!

It's been a long standing joke in our family that everytime we get to know a family really well either they move to Utah or we move out of state. I have always been a bad long distance friend (I've lost a few because of it). I understand the ones who have let me go... But, I am thankful for those who have stuck with me.

One of the reasons I wanted to blog (besides keeping a journal for our family) is to stay in touch with those who have left us or we have left behind.

Here's a short list of the families we have been part from:
Adamson's- Moved to Utah
Page's- Moved to Utah
My Family- moved up to Washington with us- and we left them!
Draper's- We left them in Washington
Wentz's- also in Washington
Wolslegger- Utah
Peyson's- moved to Mississippi
Aaron's- moved to Texas
Ortiz- Utah
Peterson's-moved to Utah
Carey's- Utah
Bergeson's- Moved to Utah
Harper's moving to New Mexico

I miss these families so much! Hoping more don't leave us!

Here's Weird Al

My friend Melanie sent the picture of the kids with "Big Al"! (as she called him)

Jalissa, Jessalyn, Weird Al, Jaron, Kiersten, Madison & Hannah in awe of the idol himself!!

Well, it's been a week!

So much for trying to blog at least every other day... I guess I think there is nothing interesting for me to blog- but how can that be in the Teague household?????

So, I'll just leave you with a poem I found on someone else's blog.. one I have loved many times in the past 3 years.

The Creed of Babies with Down Syndrome

My face may be different
But my feelings the same
I laugh and I cry
And I take pride in my gains
I was sent here among you
To teach you to love
As God in the heavens
Looks down from above
To Him I'm no different
His love knows no bounds
It's those here among you
In cities and towns
That judge me by standards
That man has imparted
But this family I've chosen
Will help me get started
For I'm one of the children
So special and few
That came here to learn
The same lessons as you
That love is acceptance
It must come from the heart
We all have the same purpose
Though not the same start
The Lord gave me life
To live and embrace
And I'll do it as you do
But at my own pace

10 things about...

After watching Winn Dixie, maybe one of my favorite movies, I had a few things on my mind. One is about my cat Ella- who I will write about some day soon. She is my Winn Dixie- she is determined to have me meet everyone in this neighborhood!

Another thing the movie had me thinking about is the scene where the little girl askes her dad to tell her 10 things about her mother. It was a very touching scene- and I can't wait to read the book because I'm sure it will give us even more information about her mother.

So, I've decided to start writing 10 things about... well, whatever I think about that day. I guess I should probably start with my family members. But, I've decided to write 10 things about California (in a positive note- the good things).

So here goes.

10 things about California I like...

1. the weather of course!! I sat by the pool in the sun today- it was beautiful.
2. the amusement parks- Disneyland annual pass holder here
3. the beach
4. the different cultures (although this is probably on the list of things I don't like about California
5. the down syndrome community. It is very strong here and we have one of the best associations that has a terrific learning program!
6. Orange County Song and Dance (this also is on the things I don't like)
THIS IS HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE!!
7. Being close to Scott's family. Although we are close in area, I wish we spent more time together.. it seems we only see them one holidays.
8. Good friends who care about our family.
9. Scott's job! This job has been both rewarding professionally and financially.
10. We are close to three temples- Newport Beach 20 mins away, Los Angeles 45 mins away, and San Diego 2 hours away.

There I did it! That was hard- I'll work on family member's later.

Close Encounters with the famous!

I know I already wrote about Weird Al, but right after I blogged it (that sounds so weird- I'm blogging) a post on Downsyn was all about famous encounters. So, here is some of what I posted.

[quote="naomid"]I'm usually crap at recognising people, but living in Santa Monica I did see a few actors - [/quote]

I'm with you there!! During the opening of the Snow White Play at Disneyland I spent 2 1/2 hours in line infront of Rosana Arquette. My girls were 2 of 100 mini Snow Whites for the opening night and I had to spend all that time waiting in line, 7 months pregnant in the rain. I didn't know it was her until we were walking the red carpet and all the photographers were yelling out to her and she stopped to take pictures. There were so many stars there- like Kristi Yamaguchi (sp?) and Micheal Eisner.

Also, one of my favorites was when I was younger and Mork and Mindy was on TV. I met Robin Williams at a play that Mindy was staring in. He is one of my absolute favorites- although now I think he may be a little crazy!

Last Christmas during our Christmas Party for dh's work we were sitting there talking with the Canadian's who were excited to go "star hunting" after dinner. I looked up and there was Bob Newhart. He wasn't tooo thrilled with all our pointing and staring.

Last but not least, anyone here watch Yo Gabba Gabba? The boys who created that show are from two local bands. Aquabats and the Moon Monkeys. My husband is the back-up drummer for the Moon Monkeys and one of my best friend's husband, Ben Bergesen, was an orginial Aquabat and helped create the Moon Monkeys. I also grew up with Boyd Terry who is also an orginial Aquabat. Anyway, during one of the band outings Scott was talking to Parker (the main creater) and told him how much Sadie loves Yo Gabba Gabba. He gave her the complete first season on DVD.

There's many more... but these are some of my favorites!

Kiersten met an idol!

We went over to California Adventure after lunch on friday to hangout at bug land. The Adamson kids waited til we could join them because all the rides are for little ones like Sadie. After a few rides they decided to go on the pillbug bumper cars. Sadie was too small so we watched from outside. All of the sudden Scott spotted this goofy looking guy with long curly hair and jokingly said, "look they are on the ride with Weird Al!" We laughed and told Kiersten to go "bump" him. I didn't think much of it... but after Scott watched him awhile he was sure it was him. I, however, was not convinced. He said the smile confirmed it.

So, Scott took Kiersten and Jaron on a quest to meet him. Whatever, I was on my way to Grizzly River Run- they could make fools of themselves if they wanted to. They were taking so long Melanie went to find them... and who did she find them with? Yes, it really was Weird Al! Kiersten was in awe. Melanie was able to take a picture of the kids with him (I'll post it when she sends it). You would have thought they had seen Zack Efron - or Jonny Depp.

Kiersten's friends Kimmi and Lauren love Weird Al too. Later that evening Kiersten saw Kimmi at rehersal. Boy was Kimmi jealous!

Jackie

Yesterday my family was able to visit with my brother, his wife, and our two nephews for a few hours at Disneyland. It was so great to see them for the first time in a couple of years. Jackson (or Jackie or Sunny) was a hoot! He doesn't watch TV and isn't real familiar with the characters at Disneyland... but that didn't stop his excitment and enthusiasm as he explained everything he had seen earlier that day. The first thing he wanted to do was go see "Dumpy" - that would be Dumbo. Our conversation included, "Hey ladies, let me tell you about when they made butter in the good old days!" and "Do you know what they do to pigs? They skin them. That means they cut off the skin. (this is where I ask him why anyone would do that- and he replied) To get ham of course!!"

Unforunately, Candida and Julian are both not feeling well. We will be meeting up with them again on Friday. I look forward to many more cute stories to share with you.

It's been awhile!

I would like to start with the sad observation that Sadie has decided to embrace the "stubborn" part of the Down Syndrome gene and throw out the "always smiling" part. What happened to my sweet little angel? I'll tell you what happened, she decided that it is entirely more fun to stick her tongue out (while saying, "I funny mommy"), run from me any free chance, sit down and pout when she doesn't get her way, and quickly go ask another member of our family when mommy won't let her get her way!

On a much better note, I am proud to announce that Hannah Montanna , formerly known as Sadie, has decided to come and live with us. And remember, she must be referred to as "Hannah Tanna"! For those of you who are not so familiar with this beautiful teen idol, let me give you a brief description of what I have seen in the last month. She loves to put her hands out stretched at the side of her head and yell "moose", she is often caught singing "best of both worlds" while shaking her hips and falling into the middle splits, and she won't let you sing along with her--- she is a professional after all.

Hannah is already tan and has had lots of fun swimming in the pool already! She has really made a lot of friends this year and enjoys school much more. Hannah did not have a free day during Spring Break- as she played hostess and guest with many of her friends. She moved up to Madison's old cruiser, and has had a lot of fun riding around the neighborhood.

Madison was one of four 7th graders who made the Bell Dance team this year. She is really excited to work with Mrs. Adling and looks forward to a fun and social Jr. High experience. She was named student of the month this month- something she has always wanted. On April 1st she turned 12 and entered into the Young Women's program. Wow, where did that time go?

Kiersten is getting ready to compete in her last competition this Saturday. She is sad that her time on the Bell Dance team will be over shortly and feels like, "I'll be nothing once its over". I guess a common response from a teenager... but she really has grown these past two years, especially while serving as a captain this year.

I plan on keeping up on my blog- mostly for journaling, but hopefully Nana, Grandma and long distance friends can enjoy some of our daily fun!!!