Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas





Pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas morning...

Dad, Jaime and Tom came over for Christmas Eve...It is sad that we only see Jaime at Christmas-she is 7 months pregnant expecting a girl on March 22nd- Riley's birthday...I think the kids had a great Christmas. Tanner was a little disappointed in his gifts until we gave him his cell back (or should I say replaced the phone that he left on the back of Mark's bumper with his retainer-I am sure it is smashed somewhere on Newport Ave)...
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Wednesday, December 26, 2007

testing

I made a photo collage and I am testing to see if I could upload it to my blog and also order prints...hope it works...
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Friday, December 21, 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It is a little early but I probably won't be back on my computer until after Christmas...Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and is able to spend it with their family and friends!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROLINE!!**

bar cabinet..


I want this cabinet sooooo badly...why can't I have it?
Could it be that we went to Hawaii and spent lots of $ or that we go motorcycle riding and everyone has to have all the right gear and that costs lots of $.
I look at it frequently on the Pottery Barn website and it never goes on sale...I will be so upset the day they no longer have it....maybe I will have it by then.

Friday, December 14, 2007

*Friday!!!*

This is on Maui- watching the high surf on the north shore....


So happy it is Friday! I have had short work weeks with Thanksgiving and the trip to Hawaii. This is actually the first week I have worked the whole week in awhile! Yuck! All I want to do is go home and wrap presents!




Tomorrow night we get a date night- and we are going here http://www.citruscitygrille.com/Orange/index.html. It is probably my favorite restaurant!


And after that we are going here:http://www.twistedvinewines.com/ I couldn't figure out how to post a picture of either...


It should be fun!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

*Maui*

So for the second half of our Hawaii trip we went to Maui. This is what our view was from our balcony for the last two days of the trip- windy, rainy, stormy. We had a few moments of sun while we were there, but nothing like when I had been to Maui before. I was so looking forward to the kids seeing Maui...Maui is my favorite island, I love it so much. Their first impression was not a good one. They didn't get to swim in the waves at all on Maui. The best part of the trip for them was when we went to the Sheraton and they got to swim in their pool.

The day we left it was so bad with the winds & storm that all inter-island flights were cancelled....we were lucky to change our flight plans and leave from Maui directly to LA (instead of going thru Honolulu). The best part of that was we were place in Economy Plus, which means we had more leg room...

I want to bring the kids back to Maui during the early summer months when the sun is still shining when it rains!! :) Maybe in another 10+ years.

Friday, December 7, 2007

*Hawaii*


So this is Waikiki from the Royal Hawaiian or as we called it the Pink Palace. We didn't stay here we stayed at the Embassy Suites which was not on the sand. It was nice though. This picture was taken the first evening we arrived. The kids sure had fun playing with their friends and teammates. Out of the seven days that we were over there we had sunshine for 2 1/2 days.


The game was a let down. The boys lost and they played hard. We should have won, but as I have said in the past- some of the coaches have their favorites and their own agendas. I spoke up to one of the coaches (who is not the one who plays favorites) and he wouldn't tell me anything other than there are alot of underlines things going on with the team? What does that mean? Then I told the head coach, (who doesn't drink mind you) what I really felt about the whole season etc. I did all this after 4 pina coladas- great. Oh well. Live & Learn. So the game was a complete mud bowl. Here is Tanner after the game.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Dusty Holiday


We had a great Thanksgiving Holiday in the desert. The kids got dusty, dirty...but they love it of course. I love the above picture of Jake...you cannot tell, but he is filthy...The dust cakes in your hair and it feels like straw! Nice ;) The picture below is Isabella and Riley in Parkers buggy- Isabella is driving. They had so much fun. I have to say that I had a great time too, but I was ready to come home on Saturday. Mom and I did go into Ridgecrest for a few things and we went shopping at Walmart- I got some good bargains...so I guess that was my after Thanksgiving shopping... :) Mark wants to go back out for New Years-

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Time off needed....:)

Riley's cheer team did not go to the their football team's banquet- that was another problem this year- the cheerleaders were treated like step-children- or worse- invisible. So the girls had their own get together. They went to Justice for girls, had their hair & make up done and then went to Johnnie Rockets for lunch-- This picture is of Riley, Deija & Katie at Justice after they were done- too cute!

Tanner's banquet was a success, the slideshow was a hit and football is almost over- just the little trip to Hawaii and we can be done for awhile...I honestly don't want to think football anymore. Too much controversy and politics for me this year. Hopefully next year will be better.

We are leaving for the desert tomorrow for our Thanksgiving holiday. It should be very fun & I am kind of excited- don't know if I still will be on Saturday, when I will really want to be heading home but we shall see. Mark would leave right now if I didn't have to work...he is like a little kid waiting for Santa...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

slideshow


still working on the dang slideshow, I almost have it finished. It went from being a little project, to a major production, I hope everyone appreciates it (who am I kidding?) The above picture is Riley & Deija, a picture that I really like, but I already have them in the slideshow and I am not changing it now!! I am crossing my fingers that I can figure out how to copy it onto a disc...

Last football game is this Saturday, along with the banquet and this Saturday happens to be a work day for me...so that will be a fun day! :( Don't know how I will fit it all in...

We are going to the desert for Thanksgiving- should be fun, meeting up with Caroline & Cami and mom & larry are coming too.

Then home for two days and then off to Hawaii---- :)

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Wow, it has been over one week since I last posted...I haven't really had anything exciting to say (do I ever?). I have been spending all my "free" time at work, working on a slideshow for the Football banquet next Saturday....I get obsessed with making it perfect-I tell you... I have cute halloween pictures to post..but when I get more time! :) haha

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

*Art Show*



Mom was in an art show at Keyways Winery this weekend and we went out to see her. The kids had fun thinking they were painting...Fun day! :)

Friday, October 26, 2007

fast...

Who are those cute kids??? :) I cannot believe how big they are getting... they grow up too fast!! Tanner is going to his first boy/girl party tomorrow night...he is trying to pretend like it is no big deal but I can tell he is excited! Riley has two parties to go to tomorrow- such a busy girl!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

football - again


This week has been weird- no football or cheer practice and all games cancelled this weekend. After last weekend's game (another loss) I am kind of glad. Tanner did well, (at least I thought so). My favorite play was when he was on defense and the coach yelled out to Tanner-"now" and as soon as the other team snapped the ball Tanner was on the QB. He hit/pushed him so hard the ball came flying out and Colin was able to pick up the ball and run it almost for a touchdown. Too bad we didn't end up scoring...
The picture above is the 4 team captains for the game. The coaches always pick 4 different players, regardless if they are actually "captains". I think it is appropriate for Tanner tho, he played almost every play of that game -offense & defense. Then he got hurt. He actually came off the field with one of the coaches crying! in front of people! making noise! He doesn't do that. I think it was a combination of exhaustion and hurting himself. Mark had to carry him to the truck after the game was over on his back...he has a bruised achilles tendon... but you would never know it from watching him later that night when we had company over and he & three other boys were running around shooting each other with nerf guns!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Five

This is Jake's Junior K picture we just got. It looks like they said, "sit up straight" doesn't it? What a cutie he is (I know I am biased). I feel bad for him. He wants to know why he is five but he is not in Kindergarten like all of his friends. It is hard to explain to him that you turned 5 the week before school starts and you weren't ready to be in Kindergarten. I think that if he could start school now he would be ready. He is writing his name, spelling (a little) and trying to "read" because he recognizes words. He tells me that he stands at the gate (at school) hoping to see Makena leave Kindergarten. :( That makes me so sad for him. He loves her. Today on the way to school he asked me if I could go on the computer and find her address. And then he wanted to know if I knew what her mom's car looked like so we could try to find it. This year will go by fast and soon enough he will be in Kindergarten....

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

*TGIO*


Well, it has been awhile since I posted- I don't think anyone notices...We are winding down on the football/cheer season, which I think is a good think since the football team is so fractured. I don't think one person is happy on the team. I think almost every parent has complained even us. I think the coaches have their heads up their a**es and that's all I am going to say about that since obviously I am a little biased and maybe I put too much emphasis on my son playing football- you know there are more important things in life, right?
So this is their picture for this year- at least the picture came out good, I cannot say that for the season though....oh and TGIO- that stands for Thank God it's Over...we are going to throw a party for that!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Our Weekend...





While Mark was doing this...




Tanner did this.. and we did this...



After Tanner's game we left for Temecula...it is always so nice to spend time there. It is always like a mini-vacation. The kids & I got there just in time for dinner...I was greeted at the door with a yummy glass of wine. After dinner we got to go the Mom & Larry's game room where the kids can play, video games, ping pong, pool, skee ball, basketball, darts, checkers or a putting game. Pretty fun place to spend some time. The kids want to ride in the snapper (a rugged version of a golf cart) and now that they have the rhino they want to ride in that. But, one of the best things was watching/semi-helping them press out their Cabernet grapes....very cool.

Thanks Mom & Larry!!!

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

*Football*


Why is that every time I look at game film or look at pictures of Tanner playing football, I get this feeling that wells up inside of me and I feel like crying. Is that pride? I wish he knew how proud he makes me, really knew. You can tell someone how you feel but I don’t think they always “get it”. This boy makes me so proud. This shot is so awesome! I want to show everyone….:) Good job Tanner-I think you are the best football player on the team- there I said it. I hope no sees this blog… (actually I know that no one from the team will).

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

*Friday*

I am so excited to be able to have a date with my husband on Friday- we are going here
http://www.thewineryrestaurant.net/- I am excited to try it....hopefully it will be a nice place. If we can stay up long enough we may even try to catch a movie...but since we are getting old I don't know!! We are celebrating his birthday- he thinks it is pretty funny that he can say he is younger than me- by less than 3 months...

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

*It's official!*

We are going to Hawaii with Tanner's football team- well some of them anyway. Not everyone wants to go or can go....but we are. I am kind of excited. We will be staying on Oahu-not sure where they will be playing their game at. Once the game is over we are hoping to fly to Maui and spend three days there. That is our favorite island-so hopefully we can pull it off. We have got to start saving all our nickels & dimes!!! :)

Thursday, September 20, 2007

*Photographer*





So I just developed film from our July trip to Paso Robles, and I thought I had lost a roll of film that Tanner had taken while on this trip. I thought, no biggy, I am sure the pictures will be out of focus etc. But I was pleasantly surprised. The three pictures above were taken by my 10 year old. I think he did a really good job... He was so bored while we were wine tasting at Bianchi thatI let him take the camera from me. I like his perspective on things...



Monday, September 17, 2007

Weekend


So we had a what seemed to be a short weekend...The football after game party was at our house this weekend. I think we had people arriving about 11:30 ish and the last to leave about 8:30 pm! It was a fun party, but boy are we tired now. There wasn't too much clean up since everybody helped out before they left! And I don't think I want to eat tacos again for awhile (we kind of ate them all day long...)
This is Jake in his "gear" - he has elbow & knee pads on so he can ride Tanner's skateboard on the ramp....I told him I wanted to take a picture of him with all his stuff on and he gives me this look....what a funny kid! :)

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

*My new favorite*


is this walkway in the front of our house. It is has been bare since we moved back in...but Mark finally got the sprinklers hooked up and we found plants that we both like- I love it! :) I just like to walk outside and stand there and look at it. Weird, I know...

Friday, September 7, 2007

*Silly Girl*


Love this picture of Riley- she is posing as a model (I think). She said, "Mom, hurry take a picture"....just a little something that made me smile today...

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

*Black cloud??*

Do we have one over our family's head? It appears as though we do...here is a run down for our poor Tanner:
1. Lost retainer-$100
2. Lost cell phone- $?
3. Lost second retainer- $150
4. New Football helmet run over by a car- $155
nice.....

Then Mark's truck needs servicing - there goes about $1000.00 and on the day we pick up his truck, my car breaks down....

This all must mean that good times are around the corner for us!!?? right? right!

Friday, August 31, 2007

*Happy Birthday!!*


My baby has turned 5! Where did the time go? I think he had a fun birthday...he had all his friends over on Sunday, we got a water slide and the kids had a great time going down the slide.
Last night on his actual birthday we had dinner at Janet's with them & mom & Larry-
Sometimes I wish I were five again.... :)

Monday, August 27, 2007

*Princess*


I love this little kitty. She is so sweet and playful. We found her sleeping inside of Tanner's shoulder pads for football. She woke up when we took the picture....I wonder how she standed the smell... :) HAHAHA

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

life...

is not so much fun....hopefully my life will be back on track soon and I can dig myself out of this funk that I am in....hoping prayers will help.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

*25 years ago.....*

that we met during this month as we went through rush at Long Beach State to pledge Delta Gamma....it doesn't seem all that long ago and it is amazing to me that we don't get to see each other that often and yet we pick up right where we left off. I love these girls, we have been through so much together and I don't know what I would do without them....





And here is something else I just love- "Princess"- that is what Riley decided to name her. She is the cutest, most lively kitten. We have had no issues with potty training her, she loves us all- even Jake who picks her up and drops her...she makes me very happy.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

I am so excited to see some friends of mine tonight. We are meeting at Fashion Island for dinner and much needed girl time. These two people are so important to me and it is a rare ocassion when we get together since Kerri moved to Utah... hopefully I will remember to bring my camera and actually take some pictures!! :)

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

I have nothing much to say other than life right now is consumed by cheer & football practice...Tanner's practice is supposed to be over at 7:30, but he never gets off the field before 7:45...Laundry piles up, dishes pile up the kids are tired & cranky and so am I. At least Riley doesn't have practice on Friday- she gets the day off because she has to go to Jamz cheer camp at 8:00 am Saturday morning....And I get to be at the team garage sale Friday evening pricing everything & Saturday trying to sell. Right now the team mom thing isn't so fun!

Thursday, August 2, 2007

*Once again..*

I should expect this- it happens every season and yet everytime Tanner buzzes his hair I cannot watch. I hate to see all his pretty bond locks fall away from his head. I am sure it feels much better under his football helmet to have no hair, but I sure love his long hair. Everytime I see him at practice (after he takes off his helmet) I still have a hard time recognizing my own son! I am sure I will get used to it.

Monday, July 30, 2007

*The madness....*


starts today....at 5:00 pm football/cheer season officially starts! I cannot believe it is here again already. I hope that this season lives up to last season although I doubt it. Tanner's team was 10-0 and Riley got to cheer for his team. This year the boys moved up a level, have 11 more boys on the team, (with 6 of them hoping to be QB) and Riley has to cheer for another team. I don't know how that will work out...not looking forward to racing around on Saturdays going to two different games.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

*Paso Robles*




Had a great time wine tasting/camping in Paso Robles. We came home with 2 1/2 cases of wine! :) Our wine cooler is overflowing and M joined three wine clubs...


I think the kids had fun too- they got to go to the water park, out on a boat on Lake Nacimiento, explore a train car, wine cave, catch lizards, go swimming every day, feed fish in a koi pond, ride scooters...


My favorite thing (besides the wine tasting) was our couples spa package at River Oaks Spa- so, so relaxing and just what we needed!


I want to go back already!

Friday, July 20, 2007

*He's coming home!!*

it has been a long week...and Tanner is finally coming home! :) I hope he had a good time at Surf Camp...The house has been quiet without him there provoking Riley and Jake...I know he will be excited to come home and see the new kitten, he doesn't know we got her yet!

We leave Sunday for Paso Robles, hopefully it will be a great trip for all of us. We have some fun things planned.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

*Life*

kinda sucks right now.....I have nothing of importance to say...my life has not been the greatest lately...why do things have to be so difficult and it is hard to face another day.

We left my oldest at Surf camp this Sunday. I miss him so much. I find myself constantly checking the website for pictures that they upload every day. No new ones today. I wish he didn't have to grow up so fast.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

I am having a blech day...stayed up too late, had a little too much red wine and had to work this morning...all this causing me to be very tired and grumpy!!

I have been wanting this bar cabinet from Pottery Barn forever. I always scope out the catalog hoping that it is on sale. No such luck! I have the perfect spot for it and I need it NOW! Who cares that I have bills to pay and food to buy....:) Oh well, hopefully it will be on Sale soon!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

*The 4th*




We had a fun day...although I don't like when the 4th falls in the middle of the week, I have to work the next day and today I am soooo tired. The kids had fun, they decorated their bikes and rode in the parade at mom's, then later in the evening we went to a block party in our friend's neighborhood- what a neat neighborhood they have- they have their own parade, games, talent show, great feast and then a cool fireworks display. Very fun....