Luke's 1st Birthday!

Taking a break from the Hawaii trip reporting....Luke turned one on September 1st!  He's such a big boy now, walking so good, almost running basically!  His first birthday was nice, just a nice family dinner and cake (his favorite!)  We all kept saying how we couldn't believe he was one already.  Time just went by too fast.
Sissy was very happy and sad at the same time...we all were!

Looking at his cake!

Blowing out the candle...so happy!

Digging in!

Looks like he loved it!

July 24th in Kauai, cont.

For dinner we went to a pizza place called Bobby V's.  Mom and Jud hadn't been here before so this was all new.  We ordered a few pizzas and a salad (antipasto, I think?)  We had a fun dinner, we ate outside (again on picnic tables...hmmm theme for the day!).  After we ate we walked down to the ABC store to stock up on macadamia nuts and souvenirs.

Taryn (in the glasses!) Sissy and Nana

Do the guys looked thrilled or what? 

Zoey with glasses now

Nana and two of her grandkids

Kauai, 1st Beach Day!

Sunday July 24th....headed to Hanalei Bay for some beach time!  First stop was Bubba's Burgers in Hanalei...delicious!  Mom and Judi always go here so they wanted to take us.  It was very good, we ate outside on picnic tables.

Waiting as patiently as possible for cheeseburgers!

Hanalei Bay was very nice and quiet, but just the right size waves for the girls. (the boys enjoyed it too!)

We rented some boogie boards and had a great afternoon just being in the warm water and enjoying the beautiful day. 

Golf for Some, Pool for Others!

On Saturday July 23, Mom/Nana wanted to play golf (this day was her birthday!), so her, Judi, Bob and Mario went with and they all played a round at Malaki Golf Course in Princeville. (Did I get that right Mom?)
Needless to say Mom and Jud played the best (since they play the most!) and Mario did pretty well most of the day, but I guess Bob had a bad day...but he tried to just enjoy the view! He was in Hawaii after all  : )

Here's what most of Bob's day looked like:

 and

The rest of us spend the day at the pool(s) at the resort, and walking around, enjoying our surroundings!

A Trip to Paradise...Kauai, HI

We just returned from a fabulous trip to the Island of Kauai....it was really beautiful there!  I am going to document our trip in sections, so more to come in future posts.
To start:  We stayed in a time share condo, part of Mom's.  She went also, along with Alisha, Taryn and Luke, and Judi!  We had two condos...Mom, Judi and the boys stayed in one, while Bob and I, Lish, the girls and Lukey stayed in the other.  Here's a great view from our balcony:

And a great view of the big pool the girls loved!!

Perler Beads, Melty Beads...Whatever they are, they've taken over our house!

There's a new obsession at my house...these melty/perler beads are everywhere!  We started with just a few peg boards and 1 packet of beads....then a few more of each and now we have every bead color there is and tons of boards....on and on and on they keep finding their way here!  I have to admit, they are a lot of fun to make.  What started as a craft for Zoey mainly, now has turned into a fun family thing to do! Taryn and Auntie are in on the fun now too...they have their own at their house!  We have solid beads, glow in the dark beads, sparkly beads....and peg boards to make all different shapes, animals, and whatever we want.  We just broke out the tweezers too...they really help grab those darn little things!

DON'T LET MOM IRON THEM!
After you create the shape you would like on the peg board, you then take a piece of wax paper (usually included when you buy the beads) and iron them together for a few seconds on each side.  This might sound easy enough...however, read the directions carefully and practice on a few you don't care about as much before you go on.  This comes from first hand experience. I tried to do one...and got a big melty mess.  I won't post a pic of this as I don't need that much proof that I messed up!  So Bob (aka Daddy, Uncle Bob) is the King of the Iron!  Too bad for him he does a good job...he's the man now!

Pictures

I'm really focusing on taking as many pictures as possible. Of my family, the kids especially, since they are growing before my eyes.  But also just any interesting subject that might make a cool photo.  Trying to learn to really use my Canon....thinking I should take a class soon!  So here's a photo that is of one of my kids, but that is especially neat. I just love the way my Zoey looks in this pic, so free and so happy, with the trees behind her on a beautiful day.  This is just so her.

Big Events in Our Life

There's quite a lot going on in our lives right now...and this week is a biggie. I'm trying to put into words what it's like knowing Mario will be graduating from high school in less than a week...it's very surreal. I can remember finding out I was going to be a mom for the first time, and how happy and terrified I was. I've been thinking a lot about his childhood, and wishing time could go back to him being 5 years old, just for one day. I know I'm not the first parent to wish this, but it's such a strong yearning, to just see his face as a little boy again. It's such an interesting age, 18. He's a cross between a man and a kid, still hovering between the two. I am so proud of him, I can't wait to watch him get his diploma. He is creative, imaginative, funny, handsome and so kind. He convinces me more and more each day that he will be a force in the music world, in some way. He's an amazing talent, with a pure joy and love for music. I can't wait to see where life takes him.
But maybe for one more short week....I can still think of him as my little boy?

Finally Another Post!

Yes, it's time to get back into this blog!
There's a lot going on in our lives right now...Mario turned 18 last week, and he is graduating from high school on June 9! It doesn't seem real, feels like he was just my baby boy. Tyler will be leaving elementary school this June for the world of middle school (7th grade..yikes!) and Zoey will be finishing up 1st grade! My babies are all growing up...and they are just amazing, all in their own way!
Here's a pic of Mario and Jessica on their way to Senior Ball!


And my sissy had a baby boy, Luke on Sept. 1, 2010! I just love this little boy so much. He is so happy all the time, and she is such an awesome mom to him. Taryn is the greatest big sister, too...she just loves on him all the time.

Catching Up!

Ok, so I'm a little behind. But going to make up for it now, hopefully. Kids are enjoying their time off from school, and all of the Christmas presents. It's been a whirlwind of a fall/winter time for us...Mario played on the Varsity football team and he played so great! Was named Most Improved Player of the year and had around 70 tackles for the season. Tyler and Zoey both played soccer, they love it! Tyler is playing winter basketball as well...and Zoey is in Girl Scouts (the Daisies are her troop!) Between running them around to their activities, working in Zoey's class and driving on field trips, working in the snack bar for the football team, etc......life is on overload! It's nice to be on break right now, after all the xmas shopping, wrapping, baking, etc. Now in the process of taking it all down, putting all the holiday stuff away until next year.

First Day of School, Aug. 24, 2009

Today my baby girl started Kindergarten. I knew this day was coming but it got here fast! I was nervous, but she did so great. She was a little nervous at first, but then she got so excited to see the classroom and meet her teacher. We toured her classroom together, took some pictures and then she was off on her own. They had the kids go outside and play while we had a parent meeting, then as I was leaving I saw her lining up with the other kids. I started to get a little teary-eyed, but no crying for Mommy! She saw me, waved good-bye and that was it! So proud of my girl.
Ty was off to 5th grade...it was the first year I didn't walk him to his classroom since I had to be with Zoey. But it was no big deal to him...and after school he said he felt like he'd been in school a month already! Mario started his junior year in HS...11th grade. I still can't believe that...he's growing up in a fine young man. He didn't come home until after football practice, about 6:30. So he had a full first day.
My kids are growing up....it's bittersweet.

Happy Bday Zoey!

Today is Zoey's 5th birthday! Can't believe it's here. She starts kindergarten in less than two weeks, and it's a little sad for me. My last baby is off to school!
She had a great day today, Hello Kitty waffles for breakfast with her best cousin/friend Taryn and her brother Tyler. They played all day and then went to their first soccer practice!
She opened a few presents and is enjoying some one-on-one time with Mommy and Daddy since her brothers are both at birthday parties tonight for their friends. We will celebrate more on Saturday! Happy Birthday Zoey! love you!

Santa Cruz Pics and Video

We had a great time in Santa Cruz! Tyler absolutely loved the boogie boarding...he really got into it! Mario did it, too...but he wasn't as into it as Ty was. Too cold for him, but Ty didn't seem to mind that! The girls, Zoey and Taryn, had a great time in the sand and surf....it was very relaxing and fun to see everyone enjoying themselves. It was great just hanging out with my family!

Santa Cruz....

Well we had a great time last week in Capitola for our anniversary....quality time together, which was very much needed. We walked a lot, slept on the beach and had cocktails on the wharf....watched the seals and the pelicans do dive bombs for their food! It was a great way for us to celebrate our 10 years together! When you think of what's important in life...it's that we have each other, the kids and our families and friends. We're grateful for that, and vow to spend as much quality time as possible with everyone. The kids are growing so fast, and I want to enjoy every moment with them. Sometimes it's hard when life gets so busy, but we're going to focus on that! And our time alone was a necessity, too...we vow to try and do that more often also!
So we're going back, or close by....to Santa Cruz with the kids, my mom and my sister and my niece Taryn! We'll hit the beach and let them play and build sand castles, go on some rides, walk the boardwalk...should be fun for one last quick getaway before school starts!
These are memories I want to build for the kids to have of their childhood, trips to the beach, quality time with the family.

Our Anniversary!

10 years ago today we were married! We can't believe it's been ten years....sometimes it feels like yesterday. We're going to Capitola for some much needed alone time...not since our honeymoon have we been gone for so long together without any kids! We will miss them, but we know we need this time right now. Auntie Alisha will be staying at our house with the kids, taking care of the dog for us, and my garden, too! We're looking forward to it, and I will post some pics for sure.

Summer Pictures!

Here's a few pics from this summer that are my favorites. I've really been trying to take a lot of pictures of the kids almost daily....this time goes by so fast and I want to savor it all!

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Zoey's Dance Recital

On Sat. July 25 Zoey was in a dance recital called "Wish Upon A Star" based on Disney characters and rides. Her class performed the song from The Tiki Room. Cousin Taryn is also in this class and they were so great! They are not shy at all and got up there on stage and performed at Folsom HS Theater. We are so proud of them! Enjoy the video!
Zoey is in the very middle, and Taryn is 2nd from left.

Welcome!

Welcome to our family blog! We thought it was about time to give in and create one, so here it is! We'll be blogging about what's going on in our lives, as well as posting pictures and video. There might even be some food blogging by Julie at some point, so keep on the lookout for recipes and more! Hope you enjoy and come back often to check out what's new with us!
Bob, Julie, Mario, Tyler and Zoey (and Jake...we'll see if he makes an appearance or two!)