What can I say, this is me...

2011-12-20T08:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas time is in full effect around here

it has been since our last slice of pumpkin pie was gone

on Thanksgiving

we have been visiting the "biggest tree in the whole wide world"

according to the kids. Complete with giant presents you can sit on.

We went to see a real live Elf on the Self.

That was pretty exciting since we have our own named

Elfy at home.

Speaking of Elfy he has been up to some crazy things while we sleep...

last night he made the kids mini donuts

and was sharing them with Hello Kitty and the Lego man.

Christmas time with kids is just about the best thing in the world, they are so excited, it's makes the season magical again like when I was little.

5 More days... I don't think I can wait that long!

Faves

2011-12-12T08:07:00.001-08:00

I am hoping to do this for every grade

The pictures were taken by my cousin this summer at the beach

I just love how they turned out!

Idea taken from Pinterest (of course)

Giving Thanks

2011-12-07T07:34:00.001-08:00

Better late than never

A Thanksgiving Recap

We had some laughs, actually a lot of laughs:)

a picture of all the grand kids and great grand kids minus my bro

We enjoyed this beautiful set up

My Mom never disappoints

We had family

that's me and my Grandma

We posed for the paparazzi

and we of course got our grub on

and the food was so good, every year we say we should eat like this more often. It's true and my personal favorite is the stuffing and pumpkin pie~ DELICIOUS!!

Zoo Day

2011-09-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

We woke up early and took the hour and a half drive

down to the

San Diego Zoo

They HAD to have the frosty freeze's (Slurpee)

and they are still using the cups to this day:)

The Kids were so happy

It was a last minute trip

and we were so glad we went

It was one the first times they walked the

entire time with no stroller

and they did great

my little monkeys

having a blast

I love taking them places like the ZOO

they always talk about how much fun

they had for days afterwards.

Aleena's Very 1st Day of School Ever!

2011-09-20T11:27:00.001-07:00

My youngest, my baby, my little one, she started pre-school in August and I was so not ready for her to leave me for 3 whole hours everyday. Her on the other hand, well she was ready. On the first day she was dressed with shoes on 2 hours before school even started.

I am glad she was so ready, because saying goodbye to my little sweat baby was hard enough, let alone if she was scared too.

She walked right in and never looked back

Is it just me or do you feel the need to hang around the class for a bit to make sure

your child isn't going to to come running out of the door looking for you?

Maybe it's me...

She didn't, and I waited for a good 5 minuets.

When I picked her up, she was all smiles and ran to me with the biggest hug and kiss

she told me how she played and colored and had a yummy lunch "with chocolate milk"

I am so glad she loved her first day, and everyday since.

Christmas Card Contenders

2010-11-12T10:40:00.000-08:00

These are photos from summer
but I think they are pretty cute.

And if for some reason
we cant get a better family shot
around Christmas time

These might have to do,
but that would be OK by
me, they are pretty darn
CUTE!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

We had a great one!

We tricked we treated we had a blast Probably the best Halloween for my kids yet!

Tinkerbell loved her costume

Mr. and Mrs. Vampire danced the night away at a Halloween party!

he managed to scare the crap out of Tinkerbell with the fake blood!

I just love Halloween and it happens to be Alex's favorite holiday so it makes it even more fun for me.

Easter 2010

2010-04-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

We always do a brunch at my Aunts for EasterAs always it was lovely

The kids were REALLY into the Easter Bunny and eggs this year
it was fun to see them so excited

My cousin Daniel helped the little one find their treasures

They kept saying "oh my goodness"

This little girl is getting so big

and this boy is such a sweetheart

We tried to get a family pic

We kept it simple this year, no new outfits, no big baskets.

Just a simple casual Easter.

so nice and relaxing for everyone.

notice how I didn't mention the fact that I have ignored this blog since October!

Halloween 09

2009-11-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

Joseph was a Pirate

although he went through a lot of ideas

for a month he said he wanted to be a

CELERY

the vegetable

yes I know, strange right?

Here are to two before his preschool parade

Aleena said she was a Princess

but it's a 50's girl

the same one from last year

Alex and I have never dressed up together

we went to a Halloween party and went all out

Meet me- the Flower Child Hippie
and Alex- The Vampire

Joseph was not cool with his dad having a bloody mouth

he called them

"Red spilling owies"

All of our costumes were last minute, I ended up spending under 20$ on all four!

It was so fun, and we are already thinking about next year.

2009-10-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

We went to Pumpkin Patch

we do it every year

this year there was

crying, so it was a good trip

This was her first year where
she knew what was going on
last year she was just too little
but she wouldn't stop counting every pumpkin this time.

Waiting in line for the Pumpkin Train

big girl with her brother

Yes I'm the mom that dresses her kids the same,

so what~!

The Pink scary homemade elephant ride

that looked like it would fall to the ground at

any moment....

Didn't stop us from putting our kids on it though.

They had a blast, and we didn't even buy a pumpkin.

Blog, What Blog

2009-10-23T10:24:00.001-07:00

here is a bunch of randomness for you.This table set up is from September,

now it has Halloween stuff but

you wont see that until after Christmas

at the rate I'm going.

Here is a blurry pic of my big boy on

his school picture day!

Aleena is definitely reminding me she is
2, just wild and crazy all the time.
They like beanies it's like 85 but they like em.

Pumpkin faces, aka paper plates on sticks,
another random thing they LOVE

A close up of the flowers, my Mom made them for a wedding and gave me

the left overs!
So that's it for now, maybe Ill get back into it more, but for now I'm kinda in and out with

the whole blogging thing.

We will see how it goes!

A Wedding

2009-09-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

I just love weddings

I loved my wedding

and when we get invited to one

I get really excited

It was Alex's best friends brothers wedding

The bride looked beautiful

Here's Alex with his best friends three boys

practically like family to us.

The church was gorgeous, and old traditional Catholic church

Finally married and happy too

The pretty centerpieces

this pics for my Mom she is a florist and loves to see what people have as there wedding flowers

We didn't take the kids so we had a lot of fun time together just the

two of us.

LOVED THAT

The entire family wore the wedding colors

RED AND BLACK

Another one of the boys

What a beautiful day for a wedding,

We had a blast dancing the night away.

It's a Miracle

2009-09-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

It was a day that I dreaded

a day that made tears come to my eyes by just thinking about it,

he woke up happy and ready,

I was a little nervous

We wished him well, and made sure he knew how happy we were that he was

becoming a big school boy

We made something special for his teacher,

which he loved and couldn't wait to give her.

He might have looked a bit nervous as he waited outside his class

but it was nothing a little hug couldn't cure

Once inside he was happy as could be the

WHOLE entire time,

and he didn't even notice or care that I had left for a bit.

my picky eater wouldn't touch his snack,

but made sure to say "no thank you" when the teacher asked him if he wanted any.

he shared

he listened and so much more.

Preschool is looking to be one of the best things I have done for this big guy of mine.

I know he loves it, and I love that!

"Weny"

2009-07-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

Aunt "Weny" (Wendie)

this ones for you

Aleena has a certain connection with her Aunt Weny

she senses when shes around,

she runs to her first out of all her relatives,

she asks about her when she is not with us.

when I was pregnant with Aleena
Aunt Weny made this dress for her
until now it didn't fit
it fits!
I love it
it is so beautiful
just like her

Aunt Weny held my hand while they gave me the epidural,
Aunt Weny talked me through the long process of labor,
Aunt Weny smuggled cookies and Mountain Dew into the delivery room when they told me I could not eat,
Aunt Weny is always there
for me
and my Family

Aunt Weny this ones for you and
all
that you do

the dress is beautiful
the memory of opening it at my baby shower better
and seeing Aleena in it is the BEST
Thank You
Weny
we love you!

Lazy afternoons

2009-07-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

My kids love to be outside

what kid doesn't

we usually go out at least once a day

it's been so hot lately.

We have a long driveway

but the sun hits it almost all day with

NO shade.

After she wakes from her nap we put on our shoes and head out

she usually wants to sit with mommy until she wakes up a bit more

I just love the cuddles,

she is so sweet

so lovable

so kissable

I cant get enough

then she gets brave and starts to come out of

her nap coma

it's still hot so she stays close by

meanwhile her brother rides his tractor (that is not meant for riding)

crushing all the berries (random seed things that fall from the tree) on the drive way.

We love our lazy afternoons

although it would be better if we could get some shade,

but we will take what we can get.

{HAPPY SUMMER}

2009-07-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

We waited in the 30 min. line of cars to

get in...

we walked the half a mile to the gate...

and then we were there

at the
OC
FAIR

It was a hot day, but the breeze finally found us,

just as we entered the pig pens of course

mmmmmmmmmm

smell those piggies!

There were all kinds of
HOGS
at the pig exhibit

The fair is really nicely set up for kids,

just when they were getting sick of looking at sheep,

the TRACTORS appeared

Then when the life size dinosaur and Pirate was a little too close for comfort

the GIANT Sandbox was just around the corner

The family section of the fair, has all the perfect rides together

small and not too scary.

These two loved it!

The Farm

it was great,

brand new baby "Willvers"

as Joseph calls them

he thinks all pigs are Wilbur from Charlotte's Web,

the entire fair was like jumping into the movie for him,

he asked me where Templeton the rat was hiding.

they sure were cute, and popular, the paparazzi was in full force

around there pen.

We were sitting under a grape vine

SHADE

was key on this hot day.

The Fair did it's job,

two sleeping kiddos

and one Happy Family

My Birthday

2009-07-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I turned

I have to say that number sounds weird to me

I don't know why but, I always just see myself as

the name of one of my favorite stores

Forever 21

sometimes I crack myself up, or not.

(bad joke, sorry)

My Mom, Aunt, and Nana took me and the kiddies out to lunch

Nana and Aunt Wendie

a new trick for the boy,
I never could do this
he's got talent I say!

Then Alex got off work early and we headed to the game
GO DODGERS!

We were all decked out in our Dodger blue

MMMMMMMMM

Hot Dog

Garlic Fries

Jalapenos

and a grip of napkins

Our view

He bought me a hat from the team store,

he said it was getting sad how little Dodger blue I had.

Thanks babe, I'm all good now.

LOVE
the stadium

so old

so much history

Hot DOGS

crazy Dodger Fans

Beach Balls

Kiss Kam

it's just an experience, LOVE IT

It was

HOT

I mean

hello we need to walk around so some kind of breeze can hit my face

I'm dying here!

the baseballs that tell you which

parking lot you parked in

so cute and old school

LOVE

On Sunday my Mom and Aunt threw me a big pool party, more about that next time.

Thanks Family for a wonderful birthday

Thanks babe for a wonderful date night!

I LOVE YOU!!

Wedding Shots!

2009-07-15T13:26:00.001-07:00

January 28, 2006

I finally downloaded some of the Wedding pics onto my computer.

It only took me like 3 years.

The strawberry and whip cream cake that was

to die for.

Erik and Erika my twin nephew and niece

Ring Bearer and Flower Girl

Oh my goodness, look how little he was

so chubby too!

Some of the kids from the wedding,

Joseph was too little to be the ring bearer, so he just stayed with daddy at the alter.

Alex's Brother Hugo/the best man

with Alex my Hubby to be

My Mom the Matron of Honor

she was so gorgeous that day (as always)

She did most of everything involving the decor, details, and all things beautiful.

T.J., Hugo, Alex, Jr., Rafael (Alex Dad), Angel, Eddie, Jesse

Melanie, Angelica, Mom, Me, Crystal, Rosa, Stephanie

I have so many more pics of course, this just gives a little peek into the big day.

I have seen a lot of other wedding posts so I did one too,

It was one of the best days of my life, so much love, so much fun, so many special memories!

Random summer fun!

2009-07-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

We like to go the Chuckie Cheese around here,

if you get there before 11 am there is pretty much

no one there.

Unfortunately Chuckie himself was there and he scarred

the heck out of this boy.

He spend the whole time in the booth hiding from Chuckie

next time, if I see Chuckie coming out I will hide Joseph until he goes away.

Aleena gave him a high five though.

We have started a new bed time routine

Daddy reads them the children's bible

a couple stories at a time.

They really don't sit still

but it's nice to have a little Daddy time to look forward to at the end of the day.

Joseph will not let him forget story time either, he wont go to bed unless he gets his story.

Riding in the baby stroller has become the new cool thing around here.

Most of the time she pushes her brother around in it, his legs are dangling and she is acting like he is her baby.

Swimming at Grandma's house is great!

the kids can have more shade, and Grandma and I can relax in the Sun.

2009-07-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

We made some crabs or CRABY'S as the kids like to call them.

I know I saw this on someones blog, I seriously cannot find it,

please forgive me, this is not my idea, but it's cute so we did it.

edit*** I found it here

Joseph wanted to "paint" (dot art) while he waited for his turn

I idea I saw on someones blog used sand paper as the sand part, I just used paint.
Hand prints are a favorites around here, the kids like the way the paint brush tickles there hands.
If you paint the hands instead of dipping the hand in paint it works much better, but I bet you all ready knew that.

I like the bright colors, they are hanging in their room on their art clothes line.

Here is my big baby "painting" while big brother gets his turn.

***This is random, but yesterday I told Joseph that Uncle T.J. was my little brother

He was cracking up and saying "no he is not" "uncle T.J. isn't little"

T.J. is taller than me so he thought I was crazy.

Then I went on to tell him about all my family members and what they are to me,

me- "Grandma is Mommy's Mommy"

Joseph looked at me like "what are you somkin' Mom"

it was pretty funny, to see his reaction to all of the different relatives.

Sandy Toes and a Sunburnt Nose

2009-07-08T09:29:00.001-07:00

-The Bay-

it's so nice here

my kids are in heaven

my Mom and my Aunt are too.

I like it, but I get nervous with the little

brave ones

getting just a bit too deep into the water.

I practically grew up here

swimming in the calm waters

building sand castles

My Dad pulling us on a surfboard off the back of our little boat.

I am so glad to bring my little ones here.

Seeing them so happy is the best!

My Mom told me yesterday that this is where she learned to swim,

in the bay.

my Brother T.J. and his friend.

They didn't even know we were at the bay, he just came walking down the beach and saw us,

it was so fun to see him.

Sandy toes, I love the feeling of

Warm sand on my feet

I love her chubby baby feet,

I feel like a need tons of pics of them,

before they turn into big girl feet!

here is Aunt Wendie and Joseph hanging out in water

he had just told her

"Aunt Wendie, you are my best friend"

MELT * MY * HEART

That little speck in the water is T.J.

they were swimming across the bay to the island,

it's called Naples, because it has canals and little bridges.

When I was younger I used to swim all over the canals and jump off the bridges and peoples private docks!

That's what T.J. did yesterday, I think I would be too scared now.

The water was a BIT too chilly as well.

Snacks on the beach, she was so content

Timmy helping Aleena build a sand castle

My brother and Dad are BIG TIME surfers,
I grew up with it,
I really am no good,
but maybe Aleena will be better!

Joseph learned that you

DON'T throw sand at your Grandma!

It's nice a peacefull there, no waves, no wind, just calm and quiet.

If I wasn't freaking out about the kids in the water the whole time

it would have been really relaxing.

LOVE

the Bay

see you soon!

Photos from the 4th

2009-07-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

All ready to go,

looking really excited.. right?

Uncle T.J. and Grandma Trudy

Daddy and Aleena,

he had to work but got there just in time for a little

B-Ball

It was HOT

Aleena's cheeks were pink all day!

The Jumpy Jump

with Timmy (my cousin)

A little hand holding when no one is looking

L*O*V*E T*H*I*S

Butterfly catching

Hey there's me,

I was hanging out in the backyard on my Aunts swing

The dessert table, yummy,

those licorice are just too good!

Some of the party

Aunt Wendie has the BEST backyard for parties

My lovely Mom on the left and my beautiful Grandma on the right

the appetizers

the lovely arrangement my Mom made for the party,

she is just so good!

Hello, Aleena

You are just too cute with your little (BIG) attitude

hand on hip and all.

Bubbles,

everything is fun with bubbles
"I wish I liked anything as much as my kids like bubbles"

name that movie..

cake and ice cream has been eaten,

bubbles have been blown,

candy and chips are in there belly's,

tickles have been given,

and it looks like the day is getting close to be done,

these two were beyond tired, and happy!

What a day, Happy Birthday America, and Daniel (my cousin whom the party was for in the first place, of course I have no picture of him from the party)

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

Have a great weekend....
and Happy Fourth of July!

2009-07-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

I just

LOVE

4th of July

the food, the fireworks, the family
I also love putting the kids in their best

RED, WHITE, and BLUE

this is a $3 tank from Old Navy

(why does everything they make have to say Old Navy)

I wish I could cover up the writing without covering up the flag, any suggestions.

My Mom sewed on some white ruffle sleeves, I got the brilliant idea from

Julie!

This is also from Old Navy, thankfully it doesn't say it on the skirt! I love the button details and the cute belt.

We might switch to shorts if the skirt starts to bother her, we will see how messy she gets during the day!

no outfit is complete without matching bows

I am NO bow maker,

I don't even have unused clips,

I just pulled off the bows I made for her birthday and reused the clip part

Who says I don't recycle!

This is my son he lives in a

box

in his bedroom

According to him, this box is his

home,

he said he needed window to see

out came the knife and then there were some lovely lopsided windows

UPDATE****the box is broken and in the trash, he thought that jumping from his bed to his "home" would be more fun. He has cardboard cuts on his legs from all the house jumping!

******

This video is a typical conversation I have with my baby, she answers questions about her brother and what she is doing, all of them are about TV and "chipies" (chips).

She is so silly and her voice cracks me up! Please ignore the mess of a kitchen that is behind her, oh and yes, she always eats with her cars on the table so does her brother.

Baby's first braids

2009-06-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

her little thin baby hair is starting to fade into

thicker big girl hair....
I always had french braids as a kid,
and I knew I would have them on her as well
Here is my first attempt that actually worked!

Perfect for those hot summer days

when shorts are just too much clothing for a girl

those legs are

to die for

I could nibble them up!

we wont tell anyone that Doritos were involved in the braiding process

sitting still

not her best quality.

This girl

melts my heart every time,

just look at how she sprawls out on the hardwood for a quick snack.

Right Now

2009-06-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

I stole this idea from this post.

Right now my kids and I are doing this.

Aleena

- drinking her juice from a big girl cup with a straw(very important to her)

-getting up to get a closer look at Yo Gabba Gabba

-sporting a messy bed head and mismatched pj's

Joseph

-sitting in "his spot"

- eating his "sam-ach" (sandwich)

-watching (staring) at the TV

-wearing yesterday's shirt and black boxer shorts(so cute!)

-Aleena getting thisclose to the TV

-her favorite spot to put all the gooey, greasy, messy, things she can find

-Joseph's spot, were all his snacks, meals, and juice boxes are given.

-his famous tilted head look

-no picture (trust me not cute), but I am blogging and eating a Cinnamon raisin bagel with peanut butter, yummy!

-looking forward to a date with my hubby tonight at the DODGER Game!!

-thinking about all the yummieness that goes along with Dodger Stadium, Garlic Fries, hot dogs, Cinnamon sugar pretzels!

-thinking that maybe I should stop eating now to allow for all those calories, but really just thinking - oh well who cares, it's not everyday that I get to eat those things!

HAPPY FRIDAY

"I've Got Baby Hair"

2009-06-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

....That's what Joseph said after he got his buzz cut today!

Before

After

He loves it! He calls it a "short cut". I have to say that I cant decide if I think he looks older or younger. He had a buzz cut as a toddler so it kind of reminds me of him at that age.
All I can say is it is WAAAAAAY easier to wash in the bath, I don't need a bunch of soap anymore!

In other news, this is apparently there version of a SILLY face!
I say it's a bit more scary than silly. ( look at those eyes on Joseph, crazy)
There was also a trip to the doctor yesterday that involved
8 shots
between the two of them!
Fun I know.

message for grandma
Thank you soooooo much for helping me yesterday with the Dr.

"Pincess" Aleena

2009-06-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

She's a "PINCESS"

I always knew she was,

but now

she knows it too!

Good Pincess's test out baby seats to make sure they are extra cozy, or sometimes they just watch TV in them...

Good Pincess's also feed there babies all day long and wipe there mouths afterwards...

they also dress in there best Pincess dress and walk around the house with a big
SMILE!
I love you PINCESS

love,
The Queen

2009-06-17T17:59:00.000-07:00

And boy do we LOVE to swim,

especially in a brand new bathing suit!

I cant believe it's a 5T, she is only two

Whats up with that?

my big girl:)

Lake Arrowhead

2009-06-12T16:03:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful time in Lake Arrowhead, it was beautiful and peaceful, the kids LOVED the cabin, and we just had a blast.

We spent a lot of time by the lake in the village, feeding the ducks, shopping, and site seeing.

We went on a great boat that showed us the whole lake.
There were the most incredible homes up there acres of land and lake front property complete with there own boat garage!

These homes were beyond huge and most of the time they are empty, I would sign up to take care of them if someone would let me!

The kids loved the boat it was fun to watch them on there first boat ride.

At night the fog would roll in just like a Halloween movie.

Scrabble is my Mom and Aunts all time favorite game they always play it when we go on vacation, sometimes I join, but my attention span cant handle the waiting around for my turn so I never finish.

The ducks on the lake were the high light for the kids they could stay there all day and feed them.

That's the cute boat we went on.

We were so happy there, I had a hard time with the fog and the crazy roads with all the curves, but it was so fun and a great family memory.

Thanks Mom and Aunt Wendie for taking us!

Aleenas 2nd Birthday Part 2

2009-06-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

The party was so much fun, for Aleena, the guests, and even me!

She was happy the whole day, a little tired towards the end but very HAPPY

Lots of family to celebrate with

All of Aleenas beautiful cousins, and the baby is Aleena's niece isn't that funny they are almost the same age.

the pinata was broken by some strong little boys

ALeena tried her best to make is BURST!

this boy ate WAY too many cupcakes, I guess he figured if he put it all in at once no one would notice.

she jumped,

and jumped,

and jumped!

cupcakes were made, this was a big hit even with the boys

They were all so pretty

my favorite part was when they finished each child held there's up and the adults clapped for each creation, it was very special to see the little ones smiles.

BUBBLES

one of the easiest things I did and the kids were so happy

My baby and me.

her Jumpy Cake

The balloons on a ribbon were by far her favorite part, she walked with them for about 45 mins and was completely content, I could make a separate post just for the picks I took of her with the balloons.

I am so happy she had a great day, and that the other kids had fun too.

I love you Aleena I am so glad your my baby, what a wonderful gift you are to all of us.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl.

Aleena's Party Part 1

2009-05-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

What a party! I can tell it was good, because I am beyond tired today.

Here are some pics of the little details and the decor, I will post again about the actual party.

the invites (i just wanted to add these again)

Cupcakes were everywhere!

The dessert table was a hit

The cake that I screwed up once, the first try tasted like salty cornbread (yuck!), so I just did a box mix and hello why didn't I do this to begin with, it was delicious and with homemade butter cream frosting.

our little set up out on the drive way

My mom made these centerpieces, so cute everyone was in awe!

The jumper, the kids were so excited, Aleena called it her
"Jumpy Cake". Overall it was one of the best parties I have had and the birthday girl was loving it.

New Ride

2009-05-29T15:09:00.001-07:00

The look on there face when Grandma gave them the surprise!

New bikes, they were beyond happy

An early birthday present for Aleena and one for Joseph too.

These are just some of the goodies I am making for tomorrow, I cant believe it's all ready here!

Gotta go get ready.

Shake it like a salt shaker

2009-05-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Apparently that's what Mother Earth felt like doing yesterday, I was just relaxing at home, when WHAM!!

An earthquake, I hate them, I freak out, I scream, I run, and the only thing I can manage to do is get in a doorway, which is no longer the "thing" to do in these situations.

Aleena was asleep and didn't move at all, Joseph was watching cartoons and thought it was funny that his mother was screaming and running around like a chicken with her head cut off, Alex is always calm and just went to check on Aleena while I freaked!

I know it wasn't that big, but I felt my heart beating out of my chest for a good hour after the fact.

I'll get over it, but I still hate them, there's no where to run, it's just so scary.

Ok, I'll stop now.

I found this pic today and I love it so, I cant believe I never framed it, she is only a day old and she had her little bitty hand all wrapped around my finger, and not much has changed, I must be feeling the pressure of her birthday coming up because I cant get enough of her baby pics lately.

2009-05-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

Aleena,

Is it true? Are you really turning two this month? I just cant believe it, my baby, my little princess, my daughter, is growing up.

I know you are only two but, you are my baby and if you turn two that means one day you will turn three, then four, then 21, and I just don't know if I am ready for that.

I want you stay my little girl forever, but I know you cant, and secretly I am glad you are growing up, because I cant wait to see what you do next.

I still remember when I first met you at 1:23 am

after a lot of work on my part and yours I am sure, you finally came into this world as peaceful as could be. You only cried a bit and as soon as they set you on my chest you stopped, and you looked up at me and Daddy with those big brown eyes, right then and there you had our hearts.

I loved to sing you to sleep at night even though I don't think you ever really liked my voice, sometimes when I think you might change your mind I sing to you and you quickly tell me to STOP!!!!

You have always been good at speaking or crying your mind, I love that about you, I wonder where you might get that from?

Your personality is what makes you special there are not many little girls who can give there brother and black eye and kiss all in the same 3 minuets.

You are so sweet to others, but only when you want to be. I love that you give your brother hugs when he is crying, or that you want to hold his hand as you walk around the house, I love that you wipe my fake tears if I pretend to cry, that you put all of your babies to sleep and make sure that there diaper is changed in advance, that you always fix the pillows on the bed when you wake up in the morning, that you make sure Joseph has his juice cup next to him when he wakes up, and that you are so darn cute I just cant stand it.

Daddy and I are so happy that you are learning your numbers and shapes, and even that you know all the words to Lady GaGa's song Poker Face, your a girl that can appreciate some good music.

I love that you can say your sorry to me if you purposely step on my feet while wearing my high heels, or that you can finish my juice for me if I cant.

You are helpful too, like when you spill (pour) your juice out on the coffee table, you quickly wipe it up with a towel, and when you wipe my mouth for me, or when you brush your bothers hair.

I love your imagination and your spirit, I am constantly in awe of the way you move, dance, and sing!

Aleena, Daddy and I cant wait to see what you become as you grow, whatever it is, we are always here for you, to support and love you every step of the way.

I love you my Big Girl, please always keep that inner wild child in your heart!

Love,

Mommy

The Outlets

2009-05-15T10:34:00.001-07:00

Every year for as long as I can remember my Mom and her best Friends go to Palm Springs for a girls weekend!

Although I didn't stay for the weekend I got to do the most important and fun things on their trip......

****SHOPPING!****

it's one of my "outlets" ha get it

(pretty lame right?)

My Aunt was not digging the price of the so called Banana Republic Outlet, their shirts were like 40 bucks!

She found a skirt she had been searching for awhile maybe like 3 years, she is really PICKY. It looked great on her, but the price didn't fit, so all the ladies pitched in to get it for her!

I love that they did this, it was so cute to see them offer right up to pay for her outfit!

They were pulling all their money together, making sure to get the right change and all, I don't know about the sales lady but we were having a good time!

She also got that great turquoise top too!

Note to self the lighting in clothing stores is about as bad as it gets for photos, almost all of them made our blond hair look like we had been in the pool for days on end, eeewwww green blond!

I love shopping with you girls, it was a blast, and I am pretty darn tired today!

Mom, Camilla, and Kim

a shopping ACTION shot!

So ladies if you are reading this please enjoy yourselves and have a great time.

MOM- I love you, thanks for all the kids stuff and me too!

Aunt Wendie- Thanks for driving me up there, and for being you , and oh yeah drink a couple for me!

Camilla & Kim- It was great to see you , and I enjoyed shopping and laughing with you.

This ones for you Grandma and Grandpa

2009-05-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

We would like to say that...

We Really...

Really...

LOVE
our pool!

Thank you Grandma this is going to be fun all summer long!

Oh and Grandpa thanks for visiting, we really love it when you visit!

Our Handmade Holiday

2009-05-13T10:08:00.001-07:00

I made these cards,

from scrapbook paper for my Mom, Aunt, and Nana

I love homemade gifts especially from children

I helped make this frame for grandma from the kids,

Aleena didn't like having the paint on her feet,

Joseph said it tickled.

I love the colors, I want to make one for us to put in the kids room, really easy and fun.

I saw the butterfly foot idea somewhere on line but I cant find it now.

Long Mother's Day Post

2009-05-12T09:13:00.001-07:00

I just LOVE Mothers Day!

My kiddo's gave me a precious card from them and Daddy

When opened it played "Ain't No Woman Like the One Ive Got"

The kids even signed it. A Target gift card popped out of the envelope, oh how i love to see that red and white bulls eye!

My Mom gave me a bird feeder that is so cute. I just love it Mom!

I think I scared the bird away that was having breakfast to take this photo.

Mom and T.J., I love you guys!

We always go to brunch, it's outside in a lovely tent with flowers and Mimosa's that never end!

Joseph made sure to kiss all the Mothers and say happy Mothers day to them

It was so nice and relaxing, I love having all my family together.

I enjoyed a drink or five!!

Aleena and Joseph helped the staff by picking up all of the rocks

We always take this pic, I think it looks great Ladies!!

Alex, I love you and I love this pic too, thanks for always making mothers day special for me!

They had cookies the size of their heads, Joseph had more than one of course. Blond hair blue eyes, what a great photo of my Aunt and her boys, I mean men!

pretty good for us, the kids never look at the camera at the same time.

My baby just cant get enough of her cousin Timmy.

After brunch my Mom, Dad, Brother, and I went for mani/pedi's, yes the men in my family like a good spa pedicure, it was fun, we relaxed, talked and looked at magazines.

I had a great day, I love you MOM, Aunt Wendie, and Nana thank you for paving the way for me as a mother, what great examples I have.

Saturday

2009-05-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

Every year the woman and children in my family go to my Grandma's annual Mother's Day luncheon with her sorority sisters.

This year is was at the Long Beach Museum of Art, what a beautiful location right on the beach overlooking the ocean.

We enjoyed a nice lunch and great company, my kids were a little tired and it took a while to get our food, but other than that it was a great day spent with my family.

Here is Aunt Wendie and Aleena (doesn't she look happy), check out the palm trees in the background, so pretty and you could smell the ocean breeze!

Here are the babies and me, I cant get them to smile so this was the best we could do, I still like it!

The bully slept for almost the whole lunch, it was a good thing since I know she would have been flipping out half way through, throwing crayons, and spilling milk!

My Mommy and Aunt Wendie (sisters can you tell?) I love you both!!

Aleena and her "MaMa"

There she goes again with the heels, I think she walks better in them than I do.

When we got home from the luncheon we barley had enough time to change and rush out the door to my brother T.J's graduation from Vanguard University.

It was such a wonderful graduation, the speakers were so moving and their message was touching and inspiring for the graduates. I was so proud of my baby brother, I know he was so relieved to finally be done!!

My kids acting silly at the ceremony

We were very high up, but I wanted T.J. to have some pics of his big day.
We ended the nigh with Mexican food at a great local spot.

Mother's Day post coming soon....

BUSY!!!

2009-05-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

We have been really busy lately and all of the stuff I would love to post is not ready for CERTAIN eyes to see (not until after Mothers Day)!

Today my baby brother T.J. is graduating from college, I could not be prouder, and since I know the best way to my brothers heart is food, I am making him a giant cookie!

Here he is with Aleena, he loves the kids so much, and will forever be known has the Uncle T. to them.

This time I used the cookie mix that comes in the cake mix isle, you just add a stick of butter

and one egg. I think it made the cookie more cake like, I actually think I like this mix better for the big cookie, it also popped out of the pan a lot easier than when I use the all ready prepared cookie dough.

I also switched up the frosting, I used about a cup and 1/2 or powdered sugar and a little bit of milk, you have to be so careful with the milk it can get thin very easily. I just poured it on top and let it drip down, while the frosting is still "wet" you put the sprinkles on so they can stick.

Then I took more of the frosting and added more sugar as to thicken it and then a couple drops of food coloring, put it in a Ziploc and cut one of the bottom corners off and tried my best to write class of 2009, I was impressed because my writing never comes out right.

Then i froze the whole thing, I did this so that tonight when we are at the graduation it doesn't melt into a puddle in my car, I hope it can last!

Here is my little fashionista, she sure knows how to walk in them all ready, even if they are two different shoes!

I hope all of you Mother's out there have a happy and peaceful Mother's Day!

2009-05-06T08:31:00.001-07:00

My kids would LIVE outside if I let them, we don't have a backyard but our front yard is great, a little too close to the street for Aleena, but they love it out there.

It's where we go when they are running wild and crazy in the house, it also helps come bed time because they are usually completely warn out from all the running and bubbles.

Grandma came back from her mini vacation with all kinds of goodies for the kids, they were happy!

Nap time fun

2009-05-04T09:35:00.001-07:00

Joseph is at the age where he doesn't need a nap everyday, but Aleena definitely does need one.

The problem is keeping Joseph quiet enough for Aleena to stay asleep.

We have been doing a couple things that are quiet like this, Dot Art.

He calls it painting, and it's washable so I don't have to stand there and make sure he is not making a giant mess.

He is really good at getting the dots in the right place on the picture.

It's a coloring book that has shapes made to fit the size of the dot marker thing.

It's fun and quiet most importantly.

His favorite part is putting the finished picture on the fridge, it's the first thing he shows Daddy when he walks in the door.

What are your ideas for quiet time activities?

Some Stuff

2009-05-03T08:46:00.001-07:00

My little baby

Aleena is growing up way too fast, here she is first thing this morning, she gets up before her brother and because she is so polite she now tip toes out of the room and closes the door ever so slightly behind her, as to not wake up her big brother. She is so funny, she picks things up so fast, all of a sudden she is talking up a storm. She went from like 5 words to singing whole songs.

Speaking of songs, do you kids watch Noggin? It is the best, they can teach my kids things that I never could, Joseph now knows a bit of Spanish, Chinese, and Dutch. I know it's TV and to be honest they watch it a lot, but the teaching they get from that station is by far better than any other, and it has the cutest songs. This one bellow is too cute, and I love the art work, Aleena knows the words and sings it to us. Enjoy.

Cupcake Crazy

2009-04-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of pink and cupcakes going on around here,

I have been slowly making all the things for Aleena's party in May.

Yesterday I made her banner, I wanted it to say Happy Bday but making all of those letters was a bit too much for me, so I stuck with the basics.

I am really happy with how it turned out, and when the party is over I will hang it in her room.

I covered these candles to use at the party, but for now they look pretty cute on my bistro table.
Here is just a few of the many cupcakes I have been making to hang various places at the party, if I do a couple a day I figure I will have enough come party time.

Oh and I have just started to learn how to sew, my mom gave me this cute old fashion looking fabric, I think I will make something for my little BULLY!

Oh and last night I made some pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches, they turned out really well.

I also added some of the Pioneer Woman's Onion Straws, and let me just say that they made the meal completely! Delicious and so easy, make them and you will be happy!

Sunday Funday!

2009-04-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at the last minuet we decided to go to The Wild Animal Park, and it was so much fun.

I am was not prepared because I FORGOT my darn camera, and it really made me mad.

So I tried to get over it and stop looking at every moment as something i COULD have taken a picture of.

The kids loved it especially Joseph, he was in heaven looking at all the animals and of course he had to point out and YELL about their poop! That's a boy for ya!

When we were walking to the car Joseph told his dad "Daddy, today was such great day", I think that sums it all up for all of us.

We had a blast, and we were all very tired on the drive home, both kids and I slept almost the whole drive home :)

We bought them some monkeys that can attach around your neck, they loved them and slept with them last night.

Their monkey's have been "hugging" them ever since.

Sunday was a great day, today they are very cranky and tired, Nap's will be required for my sanity!

Little Gifts

2009-04-25T11:03:00.001-07:00

Yesterday started out like any other, breakfast, mess after mess, laundry

and the kids pulling out every toy they have.

Here is the coffee table from hell, yes that's a half eaten quesadilla in the bottom corner.

These two were all over the place and very hyper.

But then we went to a homecoming dinner for my Dad who just arrived home from his trip to Thailand.

Yummy Mexican food, I guess my Dad was missing the food we have here.

He brought my kids some gifts and they were much appreciated.

Here is the big guy with his Elephant shirt than is a bit big, and his favorite gift, the wooden flute thingy.

Um, Dad thanks a bunch for the long stick that can be used as an annoying noise maker, or a weapon. This must be why Joseph loves it so much, he slept with both things.

Aleena got these beautiful pearls with a silver flower clasp. They are so precious, I will maybe let her wear them for her birthday, but other than that we will save them for her when she is older.

And I even got some pearls too! I have always wanted some, but never thought about buying them myself. They are so special, and the fact that the are from my Dad and Thailand, I will treasure them forever.

My husband wasn't able to go to dinner (working late), so he was home when we got back from dinner. I walked into the kitchen and saw this note on the white board. I was so happy, he really knows how to make me smile.

I LOVE YOU TOO ALEX!!!

It turned out to be a great day, thanks Dad for the gifts, Mom for the dinner, and Alex for the note!

Party Time!

2009-04-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

This year for Aleena's 2nd birthday we are doing a Cupcake Party, I am really excited and I have found some great ideas out there.

A big thank you to Julie for the great links to her blog friend and all of her cupcake party ideas.

Here are the invites, I am not done yet, but I thought I would show you how they are coming along.

We going with pink or course and turquoise

So I started with turquoise paper and cut it to fix a standard size invitation envelope.

Then I cut the edges with these scalloped scissors

for all the paper I used double sided tape, it's easy and I don't like the way glue makes the paper wavy.

Then I cut out all the cupcake tops, I just free hand drew one and then traced the rest from my first one. I did the same thing with the bottoms of the cupcakes.

From there I assembled all the invites with two cupcakes and set them aside.

The cutting is time consuming and boring, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Then when all the cupcakes were on the invites I used red buttons to make a cherry on top or each cupcake.

So far the tacky glue seems to be doing the trick for the buttons, you only need a very little bit and I tried not to get the glue in the button holes.

I only have the front finished, I will use light pink card stock to print out the details or the party and tape it onto the back.

This is the party girl really not happy about Mommy's project!

I really love them, they are getting me all excited about the party.

My daughter even said "cupcake" when I showed them to her.

By the way my daughter, Aleena, well she is a wild child, she is rough and tough, and can often be found beating up her older bother.

We as a family have decided that her new nickname is Bully, it fits her to a T, she is the Bully of the family.

I love you Aleena, please don't take my lunch money.

My go to gift

2009-04-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Last week we got invited last minuet to a birthday party for my niece,

so I needed a gift.

I had nothing but remembered my go to gift in situations like this.

The BIG COOKIE!

it works every time, who doesn't love a big, giant, gooey cookie?

I buy the pre made dough and put it in the heart pan, or for boys you could do a circle or star.

I bake at 325 for about 20-25 mins (I like mine a little more gooey)

While it's baking I make the homemade frosting

1 stick butter (salted)

1 box powdered sugar

mix with a tablespoon of milk

add the milk carefully if you add too much it's too runny.
you could add vanilla, but I didn't have any.

Then when it's cool, take it out of the pan and decorate.

I am not to good with writing in frosting so I used these sprinkles for her initial.

She loved it! It's fun if you can find a gift box for it to fit in so it looks like a shirt or something until you open it.

A Sweet Surprise!

Dear High Chair,

2009-04-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

This may sound harsh, but I hate you, I mean I really really don't like you at all.

Look my kid well she is not the cleanest baby on the block, and I don't think I am alone on this one. Most kids who are at the age to eat from you are maybe not the cleanest either.

I know it's supposed to be easier for my child to consume her Mac and cheese from your tray, but really do you need to have so many cracks and crevices for sticky food to get stuck on?

I also know that you are supposed to be fancy and nice to look at, but your not, your ugly, sticky, and bulky, and you take up too much of the room in my kitchen for me to think you are in the least bit attractive.

So with that being said, I am sorry to break it to you but, we are done!

It's over high chair, no longer will your tray make my daughters tomato sauce her canvas, no longer will I have to basically take you in the shower to wash you off, I already have two kids to bath and I am not looking for another, especially the plastic kind.

Why don't you go find another family to bother, we are officially over.

Love,

Aleena's mom, you know the one that swears at you when her child is done eating.

New Look

2009-04-21T13:37:00.003-07:00

I wanted something new, I think I like this one, but we will see...

Stay tuned for more fun!

5 steps to pure happieness

2009-04-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Step 1: Buy this or make is from scratch

Step 2: cook it, make your house smell like heaven

Step 3: get some vanilla (light ice cream, who am I kidding)

Step 4: combine 2 and 3

Step 5: dig in!!!

I cant seem to get rid of the sugar this week it keeps creeping back into my cupboards, or into my basket at Target, damn red basket store!

It works for me

2009-04-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

When it's time to leave the house, it gets a little hectic around here.
So some times (all the time) I have to take charge and get the crazy running, screaming, kids out of the way and dressed.
So I just put them up on the kitchen counter, and they sit while I pack the bags, close the windows, pour the sippy cups, and any other last minute thing I have to do.
It actually works too, they stay up their and they don't cry to be held or get in the way of our mad dash out the door.

Sometimes they just sit, but mostly they act silly, and whatever brother does sister has to follow...

They love to give each other "knuckles" as we like to call them, my husband taught them this, it's almost like a greeting or a sealing of an agreement.

Even kisses are involved, but only when they are in a good mood, so this was a rare moment.

I know it's not the best idea I ever had to put my kids on the counter, but for now they stay put and I can get out of the house faster, because I am most likely late, as always.

Yum

2009-04-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

photo from Fly Through My Window

I almost forgot to post about these little delicious creations that I found on Darby's blog, they are incredibly easy and so darn good. I made them for Easter brunch and my family and I loved them, they may or may not have been delivered to the brunch with one missing, but I am not saying a word.

By the way if you have not checked out Darby's blog Fly Through My Window, you really should.

Not only does she have great and easy recipes, she has tutorials for sewing and hair bows, she also has the cutest little kids and some great photos to accompany her wonderful ideas.

I hope you all go and check her out.

Oh and these treats above are made from crescent roll dough, they are like a party in my mouth.

Easter with my Peeps

2009-04-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

Our Easter was a lot of fun, especially for the kids. We had brunch at my Aunts home and then did an Easter egg hunt. My kids were in heaven running and eating candy, they had a great time and it was very relaxing.

My aunts backyard is beautiful, my husband took advantage of the gorgeous day and relaxed under a tree.

Joseph was on a mission to find every egg, is poor sister barley got any.

She kept putting the eggs she had all ready found back in the hiding spots, I guess she wanted to share.

This boy and his cars, the ones from the movie "Cars" my Mom was able to find some that were in an Easter egg, Joseph was loving it.

It really was a great day, my kids didn't eat as much candy as I thought they would and they both took a nice nap/rest in the afternoon.

This year we didn't have leg of lamb like we usually do because my Dad is in Thailand and my brother was also out of town they are the only people besides my husband who will eat the lamb, I am just not into it. We ended up at our favorite Thai restaurant with my mom, it was delicious and almost empty so my kids were able to run around the lobby and look at the fish in the bowl, they love this place because of the coy fish in their little pond.

The things this boy says

2009-04-10T16:23:00.001-07:00

Yesterday after quite a huge tantrum by this boy, involving yelling, blood curdling screams, kicking, and snotty tears. He finally calmed down (meaning he continued for like 20 mins and got so tired he could barley talk), he gave me a hug and said....

"sorry I cried mommy, it's cause I lost my job"

to which I said

"well you know some of the people you work for don't appreciate your yelling and crying"

he said "yes mommy, they don't like me kicking them at work either"

Where did he hear this? Who knows, probably TV, although he only watches Noggin, and that's fro preschoolers, so unless Wow Wow Wubbzy lost his job, then I don't know, but he knew when it would be appropriate to say, which I guess I will count as learning right?

Now that I think about it, maybe he was watching the news with Daddy, all those layoff's lately can make a boy pretty cranky.

Dress Up

2009-04-07T17:34:00.001-07:00

I love having a girl, she is so fun to dress. I used to love shopping for myself, by now I find I cant get out of a store without buying something for her.

This is the boutique outfit I posted about yesterday.

She will wear it for Easter, I am not to big into frilly dresses for her. Plus we will be in my Aunts garden hunting for eggs and I don't want a super fancy dress to get ruined.

It's so simple and cute, I love that flower on a simple tank. She loves it too, her new word is pretty so she likes to walk around saying that everything she wears is "Peety".

Here is the little "peety" girl in her hula girl dress.

She had this dress for a while and I never put it on her because i thought it was too plain.

So I cut out some flower and leaf shapes and hand stitched them on with some embroidery thread.

She wore it the same night I finished it to a bbq and everyone was loving it.

When I told them I added the flowers they were impressed, it took me like 1 hour and that was just because of the hand stitching, if I used a sewing machine it would have taken minuets.

I am looking forward to doing more of this for her.

A bunch of randomness

2009-04-06T15:42:00.001-07:00

Ive got a headache that is making me think of everything I want to be doing but i cant because my head feels like it's stuck in a vice.

So here is what has been going on around here lately.

I cut bangs, and I hate/like them. It depends on the day, they get on my nerves when I am trying to concentrate on something like sewing or writing, but that might be because they are a tad too long. I just pin them when they bug me.

This might be the best thing in the world for my kids, blowing bubbles outside, they go crazy for them.
I also found that the hose can provide hours or entertainment and the highest water bill you have ever seen. needless to say the hose will no longer be involved in the bubble time fun.

Aleena does this knew smile when someones takes her picture, she is saying Cheese, but it comes out a little funny.

10 am on a Sunday is the best time to go to Chuck E. Cheese's, we were literally the only people there. Normally I hate it there but when there is no one else there, I can handle it. My kids were in heaven and I was eating buffalo wings, so it was fun for all of us, I guess.

Aleena has found a new love for her brother, she can often be found cuddling with him under the blankets and sharing his pillow. I love seeing this, my brother and I were pretty close growing up, so I hope this lasts for them.

I also went to a boutique this past week that my mom has been crafting for and attending for years. The Sugarplum boutique, my mom bought my daughter the cutest outfit for Easter. I will post pics of it on the big day.
We have been having a lot of fun around here, lets just hope this darn headache doesn't kill the rest of my day.

Spring has Sprung

2009-03-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

My shelf (aka mantel that we don't have) above the TV.
Usually I have shells in the glass but I added the eggs for Easter, the bunnies are old faves from my moms collection.

That's my fist bunny as a kid, and a basket of eggs one of which I painted yesterday.

A close up of my hand made little eggs and birds. It's just paper and paint, I added a whole punch and some fun ribbon. I cant decide if it looks too much like a baby shower or not.

This is the outside with the few little touches I have in the garden for Easter. My mom made this one.

I think my Aunt made this one, it's old but I love the bunnies big round nose.

This is how it looks with a topless skeleton and a pink baby running around.

This is a funky little pale thing my Mom found in my Grandma's garage, I thought it was cute and I love the yellow.

This is my bistro table, I just tied the ribbon on the candles and pushed a pearl ended pin through the center of the bow. There are some of my redone eggs in the basket.

That the valentines wreath the I put an egg on and tied some pink ribbon to, it looks a little darker in the photo than in person.

This is my first year actually trying to decorate for every holiday, I love finding little treasures here and there. thanks for looking.

DIY Easter suff

2009-03-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

My first DIY post. I try to make everything myself, I love it, but I tend to get sloppy and over it quickly.

Here is my attempt at revamping some Easter eggs my mother gave me.

They started out like this, cute but a little faded and ratty.

I pulled off the bow, and painted all one solid color, it took a couple coats to cover what was underneath.

Then I broke one, to be honest I didn't even know they were real eggs until I dropped it and well yeah.

Then I just went to town and painted all of them on solid color, then took the end of my paint brush and made dots on them.

I could not figure out how to dry them without having some part of them touch a surface. Since they had holes in the end I came up with this.

I'm still not sure where to put them but I will find a cute spot. Stay tuned for some of my Spring decorations.

Get Well Soon

2009-03-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

My father in law, Rafael, was rushed to the hospital last week. Long story short he had sever appendicitis. The surgeon said it was the worst case he had ever seen. We were so worried, but he is better now.

His hospital room looked so lonely and drab, so we decided to make him a pretty poster for the empty cork board hanging next to his bed.

He only speaks Spanish, so my espanol skills (aka asking my husband how to say things) came out in full force. The poster reads We Love you Grandpa (I think). It has a pic of my son, daughter, and stepson hanging from it.

He loved it and was happy to have some color in his room

Luckily he came home the next day, and now is poster is hanging proudly in his bedroom.

Our St. Patty's day

2009-03-18T09:34:00.001-07:00

In my family st. Patty's day is more than just green and beer.
It's my Grandpa Joseph's birthday, he has been gone for quite a while now, but we still love to celebrate him every year at this time.

We all gather at my Mom's for food, fun, and some green galore.

My kids had a blast, there favorite thing to do at grandmas is throw the ball for Scooter (moms crazy old dog). Oh and play with Uncle T.J. my brother, he tickles and wrestles so they love him.

Oh this is me, I didn't wear green, because all my green stuff looked like crap, but I did hold Aleena all night, does that count?

A few of moms great decorating skills, by the way she had knee surgery that same morning so the whole party she was sitting a relaxing.

There she is, poor mom, she cant stand sitting and doing nothing.

Part of the table she put together the night before

I love this holiday, but every year I miss my grandpa, he is who I named Joseph after. He was like a second father to me, he was perfectly healthy, played tennis and golf almost everyday. Not to be a downer, but one day he just collapsed in the shower and died. He had a brain aneurysm, I don't know what that means really, but he was gone. I love him so very much and I am thankful that he is watching over me and my family every day. Happy Birthday Grandpa Joe, I love you!!!

This is Scooter, he is old and groutchy, but he loves to play with the kids.

In this photo he is trying to hide the ball from my son, becuase he is too tired to catch the ball anymore.

Our day at the park.

2009-03-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was so much fun, we all went to the park.

1 family + 1 football + cheeseburgers and fries = a whole Lotta fun!

Daddy ready for action

Jr. showing us his moves

Joseph, just running as fast as he could

It was a little cold, but nothing a little running couldn't cure.

After a while we all got tired and just chilled out in the grass.

Some of us picked flowers

some of us just posed for cheesy photos.

but then Joseph spotted the playground, when you have a 4 year old the playground is like heaven.

He climbed and climbed, over and over, until we were all so tired we had to go home.

What a fun day we all had, we are going to try for another day at the park soon, and I know we all cant wait.

My Mommy

2009-03-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

I don't think Ive ever said it to you all, but she's the best.

She has always been so good at whatever she does, and she is very crafty and creative.

Thats her in the purple with her sister, my Aunt Wendie

At the moment she is going to school to get her floral license, her goal is to become a florist for weddings and events. I personally don't think she needs schooling, she is so good on her own, but she does come home with some great ideas.

Lucky me I get to take some of her creations to my home to enjoy. Here are a few of her creations.

She gave these to her neigh boors as a holiday gift

not sure what this is for, but it's so interesting

My daughter wearing a floral head thing and not too happy.

personally I am not a big fan of floral wreaths for your hair, but it was still pretty.

These are the corsage and she made for my cousins Winter formal at school.

They are just too cute.

Most of her creations are assignments for class, so for right now she is just learning. I cant wait to see what she creates next.

Joseph's 4th Birthday

2009-02-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

My daughter had so much fun, I think she thought it was her birthday too.

He loved his birthday song this year he even sang along, last year he cried and covered his eyes.

The jumper was a big hit as always, it makes the little ones so happy.

I made coloring books from the computer and gave them mini crayola packs like the kind you get in restaurants with the kids menu, then they got some stickers, a hat, and a lollipop.

Oh yeah I said I was going to make the cake, but this was cute and only like 30 bucks at Sam's Club. I was too nervous that I would mess it up, this was so much easier.

He is going to be 4!!!!!

2009-02-10T15:19:00.000-08:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Um it's January right?

2009-01-13T14:02:00.001-08:00

So today it is 88 degrees in the OC!!

It was just Christmas and I got all these cute sweaters and long sleeved tops and stuff, and now I am in my damn tank top and flip flops!

Even my kids clothes are crazy, we went to the park over the weekend and my daughter wore a sleeveless dress, and to top it off I had to break out the sun screen.

This is weird, but not too weird I guess I forget that it is Cali, and it did happen last year. I really was loving the cold, I wore a scarf a couple of times!! Woo Hoo.

I understand that others are getting like blizzards and the such, but here in California you could go to the beach today.

The sun feels nice on my skin though, but not for longer than a minuet or two, I burn like crazy.

OK, I'm off the let the kids run wild in the sun. They love it, so it's a good thing, I guess.

My blog is suffering

2009-01-13T08:38:00.000-08:00

I guess I took a majorly long unannounced break, and maybe I am not done yet.

I still love to look at others blogs, but lately I cant even get up the energy to comment, much less post on my on blog.

I also still have no camera that hooks up to my PC and this is so annoying to me, I also cannot afford to get a new one.

Enough of the sob story, so in in the mean time I am going to post about the major things coming up in my life.

On January 28Th my hubby and I will be married for 3 years!!! We are planning a trip to Big Bear with the kids. I cant wait to show them the snow, can you believe my kids and my husband have never even been in the snow!

our wedding Jan 28Th 2006

Next on the list is next month Feb. 15Th my son turns 4, so a big party is in order. We are having a Thomas the Train party, my son is absolutely obsessed with Thomas, so it's only fitting that I choose this for him. He is so into Thomas that when we go to Target (which he calls "the Red basket store") we cant take him down the isle with the- Thomas trains, if we do he gets so overwhelmed and excited that he will ramble on and start almost shaking. It's so crazy, so now we just split up, my husband goes down the toy isle picks out the train, while mommy and the Thomas-aholic look at the shoes or something not related.

I am really into children's parties and I like to make them as special as possible, my mom always made such a big deal out of mine so the tradition continues. My hope is to attempt to make his cake, I have found some great inspiration pics and I will share some of them with you.

I would really love the recreate the second one, I know mine wont be as good, but it is so darn cute, and I think I could try.

So sorry for the long break and please forgive me if I continue to take more breaks, I have so much going on in our life that the blog is totally not first on the list.

Oh I almost forgot for the first time in my life I am actually making it a point to exercise at least 4 times a week! I sucks, it's hard, and I hate it but, it does feel like I am actually doing something good for me.

Thanksgiving Recap

2008-12-03T10:02:00.001-08:00

This is the only pic I have right now, long story.

Why does my head look so gigantic compared to his?

I managed to add in a new tradition this year. We made a huge turkey out of construction paper with no feathers, then I cut out the feathers in different colors. Each member of the family wrote on the feather what they were thankful for and we hung up the turkey with all the thankful feathers on it.

I was surprised but everyone really liked the thankful turkey and told me to do it again next year.

All in all I ate way too much and had so much fun, I love Thanksgiving and this year was no exception.

Halloween pics

2008-11-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

Here is just a few of the pics of my daughter from Halloween, very late I know.

Turkey Day

2008-11-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

I can say honestly besides Christmas Thanksgiving is up there with my very favorite holiday. I just love having the family together and lots of delicious food.

We are planning on getting our Xmas decor down and looking through it, then maybe if we are really motivated we will put up Xmas lights. According to my mother you have to have your lights up on thanksgiving so that on Friday night you can turn on your Christmas lights.

After that we are going to my moms for early dinner and pies with my family.

The plan is to go to my hubby's sisters home for tamales and carne asada after my families dinner.

Needless to say I will be stuffed and happy.

I hope all who read this and their families have a great thanksgiving, and long weekend.

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

**I am thinking that I will actually have my first outfit post from thanksgiving soon, I cant wait. Stay tuned.....

Photo Shoot

2008-11-25T16:45:00.000-08:00

We did a little photo shoot of sorts at my Mom's this week and I thought I would share, she really has the prettiest yard.

I love this one, she was sitting in the middle of her garden out front.

I always try to get them to do the perfect smile, but the ones when they don't smile sometimes are the cutest.

Thank you for looking, I have so many pics of these kids it's so hard to choose my favorite.

Picnik

2008-11-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

I read a wonderfully creative women's blog called Whimsy Love about using Picnik to jazz up your photos. This site is so much fun, and it's free. I love the ideas they have, and I am even thinking of using them to make my Xmas cards this year.

Here are some of the pics I spiffed up.

My babies birthdays

2008-11-21T08:59:00.001-08:00

After seeing many posts about children's parties I decided to post about my kids last birthdays, Joseph's was in Feb. and it was Curious George theme. I wish I had more pics of my daughters it was Strawberry Shortcake theme, I will post about hers when I upload the pics.

For Joseph's he was Turing three and I wanted this party to be fun and memorable for him and his friends. We of course rented a bounce house, I used to be opposed to these, but after seeing how many hours a jumper can keeps kids happy, I am getting one every year now.

I made really cute invites on the computer, I cant find the pic of them.

They said: Are you curious to see, who's birthday it might be.....it's Joseph's, and he is turning Three!

Please Join him for food, fun, and some monkeying around, it would be a bunch of fun to see you there.

Here are some of the pics from the party, everything was red and yellow and I tried to put bananas everywhere. We even had banana cupcakes.

The goody bags, they had a DIY coloring book, candy, George stickers, and a DIY George Mask

Banana cupcakes, with a George plastic ring

The Bounce house that went with the theme and kept the kids so busy the whole day

some of the decorations

My mom made the terracotta pots with the Gerber daisy's, she just painted them and then planted the flower, we gave them to the parents when they left (Adults need goodies too).

it's hard to see but this is the birthday boy, I made his shirt with iron on paper, it says Show me the monkey, I printed it from the Curious George movie web site, I think it was meant to be a screen saver or something. In fact our whole family wore homemade shirts, even my husband wore a curious George iron on with balloons and all.

The kids wearing their masks, I printed them off the computer and used tongue depressors as handles and just taped them on, the kids loved them and they were almost free.

Gotta have a pinata, of course when i went to buy it they didn't have a Curious George one, they had some other character that was red and yellow so I used one of the George plates and taped it over the other character.

Since George has been know to write or paint on the walls, I thought the kids would love this, I just bought a big piece of butcher paper and taped it to our fence, I put George stickers on it, and put a big bucket of crayons out for the kids to color, they just loved this, and it was cheap too.

my three year old with his birthday cupcake, which was his favorite part of the day.

this is Joseph when we were singing to him, he was embarrassed. In the back round you can see the cupcake stand my mom made with red and yellow on the bottom of each tier.

more decorations, I don't know why I don't have a pic of it, but we used real bananas to tie down the balloons and then just left them on the tables as decoration, the parents loved it and the kids were asking me why there were bananas on the table.

I really enjoy theme's so this was a lot of fun for me to plan, I cant wait to do it again this year.

Some Christmas Gifts

2008-11-18T17:44:00.000-08:00

It is still in my book a bit early for Christmas shopping, but when I do go, I am thinking of picking up a few of the following items\

For my kids, they love this show and when it comes on TV they are both mesmerized by it, it is a bit strange, but I love the bright colors and it reminds me of some of the shows I used to watch as a kid.

Yo Gabba Gabba DVD and Brobie Dancing Guy

For my hubby, he says he wants a game for the computer, when I asked what kind he said "A War one" so basically he wants to shoot at stuff.

My Mom says she wants nothing every year, I usually buy her clothes but she said she wanted slippers here are some cute one.

Pink slippers from Old Navy

My grandma loves wine and I thought these were really nice and pretty.

Hand crafted wine stoppers from Pottery Barn

My mother is also a florist and I thought these vases were beautiful also from Pottery Barn

I want to buy these sweaters for my kids to wear for various holiday events

both are from Old Navy

I usually do my shopping all in like one or two days, with my hubby when we can get a sitter for the kids, it's sometimes hard to find everything I want all at once but I hate going from store to store on different days and not feeling like I got anything. It's fun for him and I to get out together and without the kids too.

Two Terrible Days

2008-11-18T15:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I awoke with a head ache, which for me is normal, it wasn't that bad and I took some Excedrin and went on with my day. Over the course of two hours it became so bad that I started vomiting and getting a fever, well the kids were freaking out watching me vomit and I kept moaning and crying. I was finally rescued by my mother, the migraine finally went away by morning.

I woke up and went to my mothers to do some computer printing and when I went to get up from the printer I jammed my head very hard into the corner of the wooden cabinet, I now have a huge puncture wound that is bleeding all in my hair and throbbing, so much for my head ache going away. I am home now, I refuse to go to the hospital because I know they will try to shave my head and that is not happening, I think I am fine, but it sure is bleeding quite a bit.

This post is so dramatic, just had to share what a lovely week I am having. Thanks!

****Update, I woke up this am with severe nausea and vomiting and my injury is totally hurting bad. I think I have a concussion so now I guess I have to go to the doctor, I feel terrible. My mother is freaking me out saying that I might have internal bleeding. Oh she is just as dramatic as I am, wonder where I got that from.
***Finale update, no problems just a huge scab and a bad head ache, other than watching how I brush and wash my hair all is fine.

Bad at this

2008-11-15T09:27:00.000-08:00

I know that I haven't even posted anything this month, truth is I really don't know what to post. I don't have a camera that hooks up to the computer, and I really would like to post actual pics of my life. I have asked Santa for a new one, so maybe after Xmas the posts might get more interesting, for now I will try harder to think of something to post that isn't boring.
Also my daughter has a full blown ear infection and if you know what a one year old with an ear infection is like then you can imagine my time is going all to her and the terrible tasting pink meds I have to give her like 4 times a day, which of course she hates.

I will post some more maybe later today, I am thinking our families xmas list, and if I can some Xmas card options.

2008-10-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

Ok I was tagged by Living the Fabulous Life, for the Honest Weblog award, so the rules are:

When you receive the prize you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back.Choose a minimum of 7 blogs (or more) that you find brilliant in their content or design.Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing they were prized with ‘Honest Weblog’.Show a picture of those who awarded you and those you give the prize (optional).List [if you can and/or dare] at least ten honest things about yourself. And then, pass it on.”

Ok so the 10 honest things about me are random but here it goes.

1. I had my son when I was 22, I had only been with his dad for 5 months, we got married one year after his birth and have been living happily ever after!

2. I am so obsessive about my children's appearance, so much so that I dress them in the 5 minuets before we leave the house so that there clothing and hair are not dirty. I change their clothing at least three times a day, and especially with my daughter I will brush and wash her hair if I see one little crumb or tangle in it. She is only one so this really annoys her, and you can tell when she sees the brush she starts running in the opposite direction. I just have always hated when I see a family with kids, the mother and father have their best outfits on and great hair and makeup, but their kids look like crap. I understand that they will get dirty at some point, but I try to avoid that as much as possible.

3. When I was in high school I was big into dancing and singing, I loved it so much. I was on a competitive dance team for 4 years and preformed in the CHOIR I loved it so much that I sometimes dream that I am on stage again, oh the good old days, I miss them.

4. I had a really bad illness during both my pregnancies, it caused me to have "morning" sickness for the entire nine months and on most days it lasted all day long. I was so sick with my 2Nd child that my mom basically had to babysit me and my son while my husband worked. It is called hyperemesis, and it is why I will not have anymore children.

5. I am a girly girl at heart, but my dad is an off road race car driver and owned a motorcycle shop for most of my life, so yes I grew up off roading in the desert. I can ride a motorcycle with the best of them, I even worked for him at his store for 5 years.

6. My name is Candice, but since I can remember my dad has called me Lucy. I have no idea why, he tries to explain it, but it doesn't make sense. When I sign birthday cards to him I write love, Lucy. It's weird and unexplained but, it's what he calls me.

7. I tried out for American Idol season 2 with a friend. I waited in the cold line overnight, for them to give me the boot after the first audition, my friend made it to the second round though. It was fun but I will never do it again.

8. I hate eggs, scrambled, over easy, or deviled, they are all disgusting to me. I can only eat them if they are baked into a recipe like cake or something, otherwise I cannot eat them at all.

9. I have a little brother who is two years younger than me, he is such a great person and a professional surfer, I love my bro!!

10. My husband and I met at work, he worked for my dad and so did I, we fell and love and worked together for 2 years, he still works there to this day.

11. I have 21 nieces and nephews, they are all on my hubby's side, and this month alone we had 8 birthdays! One of his sisters has 10 kids! I have none on my side, my kids are the only ones.

So those are the random honest things about me, it was harder than I thought to think of them.

I tag the following blogs:

All things G&D

Nuestra Vida Dulce

{A day in the Life}

A Diva and a Princess

Domestic Sophisticate

The Working Women's Guide to Domestic Success

Blog Fashion

My little ones!

2008-10-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

I cant believe how big they are getting and how their little personalities are blossoming everyday.

I just wanted to post some pics of my family and let you see who I am always talking so much about. As soon as I get the pics I will post about their Halloween costumes, this year they will be straight out of the 50's, Joseph is going to be a greaser and Aleena a poodle skirt 50's girl. OK so here are some of the family pics

our family Christmas photo from last year, I love how Joseph is holding his sisters hand.

Aleena's birth announcement photo.

Aleena's first lollipop.

a lovely photo of me after giving birth to Aleena, and Joseph meeting her for the first time.

My mom and dad at our wedding, holding Joseph.

Joseph's first trip to Sea World, he loves his stroller.

My husband and I in Michoacan Mexico last fall for our Niece's first communion, I was the god mother. It is a very small old school ranch, I think I was the only real blond girl they had ever seen.

The kids last Halloween, totally not digging it. Joseph was a skeleton, he hates anything that doesn't feel like clothes so their was no elaborate costume for him. My daughter was a butterfly, but she was so little you couldn't even tell she was wearing a costume.

Shoes, Shoes, and more Shoes!!

2008-10-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

I am one of the many women who love shoes, but to my dismay I looked in my closet today and found nothing but old flip flops and two use able pairs of heels. So I need more, I cannot afford them but, I really like to look.

I got the idea to feature gold and metallic pumps from the always glamorous girly at Living the Fabulous Life, she has asked for help finding classy gold pumps. Here are some that I came across.

Top- JCrew, Piperlime, Payless, Piperlime. Although they are not all exactly gold but they would work as a neutral color in allot of outfits. I love the JCrew pumps with the bow.

I also found some really cute affordable shoes on the Payless site, here are some of my faves.

I wish I had some extra fun money to spend, but October is full of birthdays and Halloween costumes so no extra money now, maybe for Christmas. Um, Santa I have been really good!!

What I want and what I need

2008-10-22T13:51:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately these are two very different lists, I will start with the fun and pretty one.

What I want

These totally cute princess ballet flats from JCrew

(Why do I even bother looking in their catalog, it's like torture.)

This JCrew Cardigan, I am not sure if this color is me, but it would look cute with the flats above.

This darling coat from Old Navy, love this color.

Oh and with the coat over it, this dress from Old Navy maybe for a holiday party or something.

This outfit for my daughter, I love Old Navy's kids clothes.

And just because a girl can dream, this dress from JCrew, so pretty and so not in my budget.

What I Need

This list is boring and no fun.

I need dish washing soap, Crystal Light, Ziploc Baggies, crunchy Skippy peanut butter, and more frozen chicken for dinner. You see, I can never go to the grocery store without forgetting at least three things, and this time they were major things, well at least to me. I told you this list was boring, but a girl needs her Skippy (is there any other kind).

BBQ Update

2008-10-13T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hello, the bbq was great and all my guests had a great time. I ended up wearing something really casual and warm, it was so windy, but I loved it and I didn't feel out of place at all.

BBQ outfit by canridings
Top- Plain white from Target
Pants- mine are corduroy- H&M
Jean Jacket- mine is darker denim-DKNY outlet
Shoes-Target
Scarf-cheap street vendor in Spain
belt-an old black wide belt from Banana Republic Outlet
Sunglasses- H&M

All my fashionistas I need help!

2008-10-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

I am having a big bbq for my husbands bday on Sunday, its an afternoon thing with just family and friends, it's really not a big deal. Let me say in advance that I am one of those people (maybe one of the only people) who feels the need to look amazing for big birthdays like mine, my children's and of course my hubby. I especially feel this way when I am throwing the party, you know the feeling that you secretly want all your sister in laws ( I have 5 of them) to think that not only does she throw a great party, she looks amazing too! This may sound a bit self absorbent, but hey that's me sometimes. I don't want to look like I tried to hard or that I am the only one at a back yard bbq with a dress, full make up, and heels, you know.
So here is my question: what would you wear?
I thought that maybe I would wear a cute sun dress with a jean jacket and flats, but the weather is kind of cooling off, so I don't know if it will look right.
I also thought about jeans and a cute top or cardigan, with some simple platform heels, but then I don't like any of my tops and my jeans are baggy and...... well I could find something wrong with all of my clothing. For some reason I feel the need to buy a new item of clothing when I have a semi event coming up, and given my recent design to be a stay at home mom, we barely have enough for the party, so not even a necklace is in the picture.
So any way give me your ideas on cute outfits and I will forever be great full. Thanks all.
I will leave you with some pics of me and the family, it will give you an idea of what I look like.

The mail man is my friend!

2008-10-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was hard for me, my daughter had to get a blood test done and I have been putting it off for weeks now. I finally went to do it yesterday and I now know exactly why I was trying to avoid going. We walked in the room with three nurses, they took their time getting the supplies ready, all the while my daughter is sitting on my lap and starting to get nervous and uneasy because she doesn't know who these people are and what they are doing. She is only 16 months, so I figured that they would be quick and have a certain way of doing the blood drawing on a baby. Well I was wrong, when they put the rubber band thing on her little arm she began screaming of course they are very tight, then they proceeded to ask back and for who wanted to do the actual blood test. "Do you want to do it?" "no you do it" "OK but you have to hold her arm down", I am not lying they did this back and forth while her arm was turning blue from the rubber band tied to her arm. At this point she was squirming and crying, when they finally stuck her with the needle no blood came out trough the tube, so I knew they were in the wrong spot. Then they wiggled and twisted the needle around inside her arm, while she cried and screamed until she was shaking. I finally had to tell them to either take it out or get someone who knew what they were doing. I am sure it was only a couple of minuets, but it felt like an eternity and my daughter was so upset when they finally finished that she could not catch her breath and was bright red. I felt so sad a upset at the same time, I started to cry when my three year old son said "we have to go now mommy, get Aleena (his sister) and lets go, they are giving her boo boo's" he was sitting in the waiting room with my mom and could hear his sister screaming and wanted out of there!!

After all of the drama, we finally got home and what did I find in my mail box?

Oh yes the Sex and the City movie!!!

The mailman saved my day, and now I could put my poor crying exhausted daughter in for a nap and enjoy the movie that I have been waiting to see for months now. Yes you heard it right I still have not seen this movie, and I will say that I wanted to see it the second it came out, but with two kids and no baby sitter in site, I had to wait.

It was all that I wanted it to be and more, I cried so hard, and I smiled so big when she walked into the closet at the end and BIG was standing there. Oh how I love thee Sex and The City movie!! It was a great ending to a not so great day!

It only takes one Movie

2008-09-29T09:44:00.001-07:00

Do you ever watch a movie or T.V. show with a beautiful women with a great hair cut or outfit completely opposite than yours, and realize that you have to have that hair or outfit because maybe in some way you could be as cute as them?

Well if that made any sense to you that you will understand that watching Sweet Home Alabama last night made me want Reese Witherspoon's simply adorable yet sexy short hair cut. My hair is long a curly, so the short hair would look terrible on me, but I don't care a girl can still dream of looking perfectly put together with a cute blond bouncy bob, right?

I have always loved her especially in this movie she is so down to earth and charming, the hair just adds to it. I don't think I could ever part with my somewhat long hair but if I did it would be for a really cute short bob. Above are some of the styles I love.