January 2011

January has come and gone too quickly for me. I have been reading more blogs lately then writing in my own, but the most common theme I am reading around town is to appreciate each and every day. Life is shorter then we think it will be.  I am trying to listen more to the kiddos, stay calm and just let them know how much I love them. I hope everyone enjoys each day to the fullest!!

Family celebrations rock!!

Date night with my favorite man

Good times seeing family

Girls having fun

This one always has a good time

Celebrating Gpa's birthday!!

Abby keeping warm at a soccer tournament in Apple Valley

My mini me...

Happy 7th Birthday big guy!!!

Wrapping up 2010

The end of this year was just as blessed as the beginning. The kids and I spent lots of time together, lots of time with family and friends and Darin and I got in quite a few adult nights out. Here are a few pictures from another blessed month. 

Isabella and Abby with play dough

Sugar cookie time

Grandma joined us for some fun

D-land at Christmas time is the best.

Abby's favorite face

My munchies

Out with good friends

Winter chorus musical

Abby's first school Christmas program.

Christmas Eve and 34th  

My absolute favorite pix of the month!!

New Year's Eve at our casa with wonderful friends

Good times 

Lots of just dance for the kiddos

As always it was a wonderful month and we look forward to 2011 bringing great joy and good health to all we love!!

It's been too long

It has been pretty busy around here. Lots of soccer, holiday adventures, outings with friends and family all the things I am thankful for. Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to and I will apologize in advance it hops around a lot.  

Pumpkin patch

Feeding the ducks after school. Can I just tell you they still love this such an easy way to keep them happy.

Spider face

My little Frankenstein

lots of soccer

Grandma Judy cheering on her favorite grandkids

Grandpa raising Abby up to the sky. It is so neat to see him do this because he used to lift up my sister and I all the time.

Getting together with our favorite cousins!!

Great getting together with family who live to far away

Isabella and Aaron arm wrestling. Isabella won 8 out of the 10 games.

Sorry out of order, but my here are the two bumblebees and optimus prime.

Lots of disneyland with the fab five.

Tustin Tiller Days

We went to Tustin Tiller Days earlier this month and had a great time. We had never been, but it was very similar to the Strawberry festival we attend every year in our city. We were able to go with some great friends and had a great time.

Isabella and Jaylyn

Watch out funnel cake, you don't have a chance with my family

My dare devil

Singing and dancing at the festival.

Isabella's Passion

Isabella your nine and I thought I would take a moment to reflect on what an amazing girl you are.

 

You love to help in the kitchen. Your interest in cooking is wonderful; always continue to ask if you can help.

School, not only are you doing fantastic in school you enjoy playing it at home with your brother and friends. You love to be the teacher and it is so precious to see you enjoy yourself.

Soccer…you have done a great job at improving your skills and working hard to become a better player. You love playing and you LOVE the friends you have made. They are great friends to have.

 

Music… you absolutely love singing and listening to music. You have made the chorus team at school and I am so proud of you. I love singing in the car with you and think you should always pursue your passion in music. It does amazing things for the soul.

Being the big sister I know is not always easy, but you do a superb job. Helping with Abby and Aaron is not always easy, but you are always there for me when I need you. You take such pride in them and are always willing to help them even when I do not ask.

Thank you so much for being a fantastic daughter, we are so proud of your accomplishments, drive and motivation to learn more and the love you share with your family.

You are my shinning star!!! Always go for it!!

Isabella is 9

For the past 5 years or Isabella has chosen to go to Disneyland with the family for her birthday. Not this year… this year she wanted a party at home with all her friends and family. Of course we said yes and it was wonderful. We had about 25 kids and 35 adults join us last Saturday for some good old fashion fun in the sun with hamburgers and hot dogs. It was carnival themed and the kids had a blast, which is all I could ask for.

Here are just a few pictures from her amazing day. Happy Birthday Isabella, we love you so much.

We had face painting and it was a hit..

So excited we remembered to take a picture of us

Here is the gang on the jumper

Just love this girl!!!

Two great friends from school

Happy Birthday big girl

Ten Things

Yikes.. I am a day late, but so happy to be writing about my ten things. Once again a big thanks to Emmy, an amazing mother, wife and woman who I have never met, but yet so appreciate for always just putting it out there and allowing us to follow along.

Ten Things to Smile About

1. This face.. just melts me... ahhh

 2. Dinner out with the family for my amazing mother in laws birthday.

 3. Having wonderful friends who invited us to their kids b day party and had horse/pony rides. Isabella was in heaven. I am in luck she has not figured out a stable is only 15 min away. :)

4. Attending an amazing charity event with my fantastic husband. Date night at its finest!!

 5. More birthday parties with great friends!!

and more horse rides and just as much fun for Abby

6. Having a car full of girls singing and raising our hands up in the air... These mother/daughter moments bring so much joy to me. Thank you Isabella and Abby, mommy loves these times.

7. Taking a little time for me and having an amazing lady, Carina at Flawless Faces, give me an amazing makeup lesson with one of my best buddies. :) Unfortunately I did not take any before and after pictures, but here is an after one with Isabella.

8. All my babes are back in school and loving it.

9. Planning Isabella's 9th birthday party. I am absolutely loving it and hope she enjoys it as much as I have enjoyed planning it for her.

10. My husband, without him working as hard as he does a lot of these smiles wouldn't be possible.