Summer Fun

Our house has felt more like a bed and breakfast these last few weeks with all of our California visitors that have been coming and going. Our 1st guest, my brother Jon, arrived on July 20th. For the first couple of days we just hung out around the house, ate at various ABQ hotspots, and he even helped Tony with a few hauling jobs. Then we headed to the cabin for a few days of relaxation. Tony, Jon and Beau went fishing, we went hiking and spent a day driving into Durango, CO. All in all, it was a very fun trip and I am so happy that my brother spent some of his vacaton time coming to see me and the kids.

Hiking Around Big Meadows Lake


My Baby Brother Jon

Once Jon left on the 30th, our friend Kara flew in on the 31st. Kara dates one of Tony's best friends named Mike. Mike had rode his motorcycle from the Bay to Gunnison, CO and the plan was to meet him at the cabin the following day. Sunday morning we all headed back up to the cabin. I have never experienced so much rain in a 5 day period as I did when we went back up to CO. Every day we would wake up, get started on our activity and it would dump rain buckets on us. But we still managed to have a ton of fun. We went rafting down the Rio Grande and in Big Meadows lake, a day at the Pagosa Hot Springs (with massages!!) and we taught them how to play Phase 10, which they are now addicted to.


The "Lost" Girls


Mike & Tony

I think that the highlight of Cienna's trip was getting her first ride on a motorcycle. Mike is the ONLY person that I would ever allow to take her and I hope she got her fill because it will probably be her last ride!


Hells Angel and Hells "Little" Angel


Easy Rider

I think AJ's favorite part of the trip was all of the rides in the baby backpack. He really enjoys the view from riding on someone's back!


Hitch Hiking

We caravaned back to ABQ on the 5th, where Mike & Kara cooked us a delicious meal and we attempted to watch Hot Tub Time Machine. The next day, Kara flew back to the Bay, Mike took off on his bike and my in-laws came over to celebrate Tony's dad's birthday. They were in town to close a real estate transaction so it was nice that we got back in town in time to say hi and celebrate. Cienna recieved her first pedicure....


Glamour Girl

And AJ grew a bubble Go-Tee!

Random Thoughts

Life has been pretty random these days so I thought it might be nice to document it in my "diary." It is nice to know that years from now I can read my random thoughts and smile just a little knowing that I am in a totally different place.

Random Thought #1 - I love my new car. I really, really love it. However, I do not like the color as I am at the car wash at least once a week. This is difficult for me, as I am a person who does not like to be a slave to something as dumb as water spots. I compare it to my hair. I would never want a hairstyle that I had to maintain so why do I want a car that I have to maintain? I don't even like to blow dry my hair let alone hand dry an entire vehicle. Why don't I just take it through the car wash? Because someone told Tony that if I take the car through the car wash once a week it will strip the protective coat on the car and ruin the paint. So I am stuck hand washing it once a week.

Random Thought #2 - One of the reasons I love my car so much is because it is so gangsta. Yes, that is right. Gangsta with an "a" at the end. The reason that I like this is because I wear cardigan sweaters and pearl necklaces. I love the complexity that it adds to my persona.


Random Thought #3 - As many of you know, we were approached by a production company in LA to do a reality show about our hauling company. After a 30 minute phone interview, we are now working on a casting tape that will answer some basic questions, show them what a day's work is like and it will probably have Cienna doing her "Single Ladies (You Should Have Put A Ring On It) routine. While this could be an exciting adventure for us, I can't help but think of all the families ruined by reality TV shows. Jon & Kate Plus 8 comes to mind. My life is already crazy...do I really need a camera following me around 24-7 trying to capture my latest meltdown?


Random Thought #4 - I am really excited about July TV! Real Housewives of NJ rocks, Teen Mom starts tomorrow and Jersey Shore begins at the end of the month. Then on August 5th Real Housewives of DC starts. I am going to have a full plate. The only thing that could make this ANY better is if Celebrity Apprentice was on too. That would put me over the top. Can somebody say "Fist Pump!"


Random Thought #5 - Facebook. I really enjoy FB for the most part. I love it when people are funny, or have big news to share or are obviously drunk when posting a new status update. But I don't like people who use FB as a way of tricking people into thinking that they are something that they are not. Be yourself. If you cuss when you talk you should cuss when you post something. If you are a spiritual person then I would expect to see inspirational thoughts. But don't use FB to get a bunch of fake friends that you have never met before because you are trying to gain support for something that you preach but don't practice. K?


Well that is all for now folks. I love this diary. Just think...in 20 years I am going to be so embarrassed that I watched Jersey Shore!

South Fork

Fresh off the road, we are back in ABQ after a very long holiday weekend in South Fork, CO. It has been a long time since we have spent more than 3 days at the cabin, and it was so refreshing to breathe in the mountain air surrounded by friends and family. Tony's brother Dominick flew into ABQ with his son Niko and we headed up to the cabin on the 1st. Tony's parents also came up (just for the night) and had the unfortunate experience of being rear ended by a drunk driver on their way back to ABQ. While their rental car took quite a beating, they are OK. Thank God for their safety!
Saturday was spent in South Fork celebrating the 4th of July holiday. At 10am they had their annual parade and once again Cienna was allowed to be in it. This year instead of riding on a float she rode a bicycle. Well she actually got pushed the entire distance of the parade on a bicycle because she got a flat tire. Thank you Heather for making her bike riding experience "so easy" as Cienna put it!


At 11am we waited in line at the volunteer fire department for the catfish fry. From there we headed to the duck race where Tony was asked to help fish ducks out of the river at the finish line. Instead of fishing ducks out he ended up fishing a kid out who got caught up in the fast moving water. Our little hero.

Dom and Niko at the Duck Race

After a couple of quick naps we had dinner and headed over to a beautiful home on the river to watch the fireworks. Cienna and Skylar had a blast waving their sparklers in the air...


The next day the guys went and spent a little quality time floating down the river while the kids and I drove into Creede for their annual 4th of July parade. Cienna scavenged candy, beads and other goodies like a pro and I think that even AJ was captivated by the "Creetards" as the South Fork locals like to call them. Speaking of AJ, he went on his first raft trip down the Rio Grande this weekend and I think that he liked it...although he spent most of the time trying to escape the death grip that I had on him.

AJ Showing Off His "Beach Muscles"

All in all we could not have asked for a nicer 4th of July holiday. It was a great opportunity to reflect on how our freedom isn't free and thank God for those who have served in our armed forces to keep it that way. We had a ton of fun hanging out with Dom and Niko as well as the BeauMeyer.com family that includes Heather, Skylar (and TJ!) The weather was BEAUTIFUL and the company was fab!

Oh Where To Start?

Why not start with the drama? The middle of June was progressing easy enough...that is until my Sequoia was stolen. I know what you are thinking...didn't their truck just get thefted from in front of their house back in December. YES! To make a long story very short (as most of you have already heard the story and or don't have the time to hear about it) we left my car running in front of our house while we loaded kids into Tony's truck parked in the driveway. Some hood jumped in my car and drove off. Two days later they crashed the car, ran from the cops and the chopper found one of them. A week after that they caught another winner with 3 of Tony's credit cards. RIP Sequoia. You were nice while you lasted.


The day after the car was crashed the kids and I jumped ship and headed west to Cali. We needed a break from the drama and the chaos! We had so many highlights from our trip it is hard to pick just a few pictures to share. I absolutely love my friends and family!

Cienna Enjoying The Jump-Itz At Pixie Playland


Riding The Teacups With Mimi La Rue


On The Carousel


Hangin With Granny


AJ Having A Blast

We also went to Fairyland in Oakland. Cienna was the perfect age to enjoy all that it had to offer!


Welcome To Fairyland!


With GrrrrrrrAnie!


With Her New BFF's (Tana and Lala)


Awww...My Mr. Mr.!

And of course we did a ton of hanging out with friends!

Posing With Ms. B


My Girls B and Rachel After A Night Of Gossiping


With Dena


Our Kids At Studio Grow

A big shout out to Jenny for being my partner in crime at both Arties and The Clayton Club. Both places can really get you into trouble. Thank God neither one did.
And thanks to Lindsay for keeping my mind right at Chris's party! Mike and Kara - Can't wait to see you in August! And DJ and Melanie for the yummy screwdrivers!

The latter part of the week got a little crazy. Tony flew in to celebrate his brother's 40th b-day and our 6 year anniversary. Thank GOD I didn't take any pictures at the party. Not sure I would have even made it home with my camera. It was a lot of fun but I am really glad that he only turns 40 once!

The next day was our anniversary which we spent in the most logical place that we could think of after a night of drinking...boating on the Delta! Well, technically it was boating since we had to be in a boat to get to the crazy island of total debauchery, but it was mostly just standing around and drinking in the sun. Crazy times!

This Really Is The Place That Your Parents Warned You About

Lastly, I wanted to share something really special. Tony and I were married at the Gardens at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek. In the middle of the rose garden there are several brick paths, which you can purchase bricks to commemorate births, deaths, weddings, etc. Well now our path is complete!


The Rose Garden


Path 6


6 Years Of (Mostly) Wedded Bliss And I Would Do It All Over Again In A Heartbeat!

An Update From The Home Front

Ah yes. We have been home for a little less than a week and it feels good to have the house clean, the laundry done and be back into a little routine. That is until Tuesday when the kids and I travel back to the Bay for a 2 week trip! Yes, you read it correctly...2 weeks! But before we embarked on our next vacation of sorts I wanted to provide an update from the home front.
We have been working a lot on remodeling the outdated parts of our 1950's home. Of course nothing goes smoothly and everything takes twice as much time as we planned but I am proud to say that we are 99.9% done with what we have started. So here are some pics of our blood, sweat and tears (literally. I am not good with projects.)

Kitchen Before



Kitchen After



Laundry Room Before


Laundry Room After


Guest Bathroom Before


Guest Bathroom After


"Shed" Before


"Shed" After


And the most important revision of our home came when we added a garden area to our backyard. This little project has been a huge source of pride for me, as I run out daily to check on the status of my little gems!

My 1st Jalapeno!


Yep. This is my first tomato. Cienna proudly plucked it so that she could show me. I still don't have any new ones growing as of yet....

Playing Catch-Up

Even as I sit writing this blog I am aware that I will have to do this in stages. Summer is upon us and things are crazier than usual...which means that they are really insane. But I wanted to take a moment to catch up on the last few weeks.

When we returned from Mexico, Cienna had her first dance recital. It was cute beyond words and Cienna absolutely stole the show. Now I am not just saying that because she is my daughter and I am being one of those crazy stage moms. In the middle of the dance routine she stopped and waved like crazy followed by this little boogie down move and then she blew kisses to the audience. Well she was actually blowing kisses to AJ, but the audience didn't know that and every one erupted in laughter. It was adorable. Such a character!

Our Dancing Diva

A few days later my friend Lindsay flew in from CA for a Memorial Day weekend visit. We went up to the cabin for a little rest and relaxation and to see our good friends Beau and Heather get married. I have to give credit to the groom. It was the most creative entrance that I have ever seen. He arrived via a boat in the Rio Grande, fishing off the front!

www.BeauMeyer.com

It was a great wedding and we ran into our old friends Ian and Paige. Paige and I were bridesmaids in each others weddings but had lost contact over the last few years. I was glad to hear that she and her husband were doing fab and we had a lot of fun catching up over keg beer.

The rest of the weekend was spent doing yard work (blah) and indulging in buffalo steaks. I absolutely adore Lindsay, and we always have a ton of fun even when we don't do much. When we returned to ABQ on Monday night we saw a late showing of Sex and the City 2. A perfect ending to a perfect visit!

Lindsay and Cienna

Two days later we were off to Vegas! Firefighters Mike and Jackie White were generous enough to invite us to their timeshare just off the strip and we made quite the road trip out of it! There were a total of 7 of us, including their 2-year old daughter Adriana. We spent 3 days poolside, and discovered that the resort had a lazy river that was to die for! Even though it was 107 degrees, we managed to stay cool between the pool and the air conditioned rooms. We only ran into one problem...3 days just wasn't long enough!

Daddy and AJ on the Lazy River


Cienna - Posing As Always


AJ Enjoying The Sand Pool

Well that catches us up on the last few weeks. I heart summer!!!