In-Laws, Icicles and Other Odds and Ends

A little over a week ago the unspeakable happened...my in-laws made the move from gorgeous and sunny Walnut Creek, CA to dusty and rustic Bernalillo, NM. It is still hard to believe that they are really here! Just 10 years ago we were all sitting in Walnut Creek sending out game film to potential recruiters and we made the comment that we could never move to Albuquerque...none of us knew how to spell it! And now here we all are, residing in the Land of Enchantment. What a difference a decade makes!
Tony drove back to CA to help the folks pack up all of their worldly possessions and then a caravan ensued...with his mom and dad, grandmother and middle brother. After two days and lots of bathroom breaks they crossed into NM and then the real fun began! We had lots of dinners at our house and celebrated both Cienna's and Mimi's b-days. Finally my dreams have (almost)come true. Now if we could just convince my mom to move here too!


918 Evening Primrose


Many Mazottis

It was a not-so-perfect week to move as Mimi does not like the cold...and I think that today is one of the coldest days that I have ever spent in ABQ. It reminds me more of the weather at Wolf Creek than NM. Lots of snow and ice and WIND...burrrrrr!


Beautiful Icicles

We have been on round the clock watch with Zeus recently. His breathing is getting more rapid, his appetite is barely there and overall we can tell that he is struggling. We went to get a second opinion regarding his health this week and the news was good but not great. The good news is that a) we did not have to put him down and b) there is a possibility that he has a fungus growing inside of his lungs that he would have contracted 4 years ago when we lived in Texas. The reason that it is good news is because it is treatable...expensive, but treatable. The bad news is that the only other thing that it can be is either heart disease or lymphoma cancer...neither of which would be good. So we had some more blood work done and will know more as of Friday (hopefully.) We are constantly watching his breathing and the color of his gums to make sure that he is getting enough oxygen. And basically I am crying every day at the thought of losing him.


My 1st Born Zeus - 2002

In more upbeat news, AJ got his cast off! He actually giggled as they took an electric saw and removed the cast...the vibration either tickled or he really enjoyed wearing the ear protection. It took him a little over a day to figure out that he could bend his leg again and a week later he still moves a little like Frankenstein. But boy is he enjoying his baths again!
Cienna has been enjoying having her grandparents close, practicing her singing, song writing and guitar playing and overall been a very good girl. And this makes me very happy....


The Future Taylor Swift?

We are (hopefully) heading up to the cabin this weekend if the weather permits. It has been too long and I am really looking forward to a lazy Superbowl Sunday!

Baby Girl

Our baby girl, better known as Cienna Elise, turned 4 years old today and boy was it crazy (fun.) Let me start by saying that I tried many, many times today to transport myself back 4 years to remember what it was like to become a mom for the 1st time. While my heart was bursting with emotion, the one thing that I kept remembering was the fact that 4 years ago I was laying in a hospital bed, having someone wait on me hand and foot and each and every time I wanted to go to sleep I simply pressed my "magic" button better known as liquid pain killers. It was heaven. They would bring Cienna in and we would nuzzle and I would inspect her and take in every bit of this new little person with the most gorgeous lips and then I would take a nap. The best. My life is a little different today. But it is great all the same. Just a little less inspecting and almost no resting!
The birthday celebration really started last night when we let Cienna pick ANY restaurant in Albuquerque that she wanted to go to. Her 1st choice was Mariscos Altamar, our favorite Mexican restaurant. But then doubt set in...She insisted that she must pick a restaurant that they would sing "Happy Birthday" to her. So after careful, careful consideration she stuck with her 1st choice, but only after we told her if they didn't sing to her we would take her out for ice cream too. Not only did she get sung "Happy Birthday" to, but some other VERY LONG song in Spanish. It was practically uncomfortable. The guy with the guitar was at our table for like 5 minutes straight. Cienna loved it (especially the sombrero) and so did AJ. But mom and dad were over it!


Then came the real birthday celebration. Cienna and 13 of her closest tiny friends saw magic tricks, received balloon art and got their faces painted by Huggs the Clown. After dining on chicken nuggets, lil' smokies, cheetos and fruit salad we wrapped up the party with presents and a cupcake cake. I for one am going to change things up a bit next year. I am going to have the cake at the beginning of the party instead of the end. Cienna was bouncing off the walls for the rest of the day and I am pretty sure she would have crashed and burned if I had fueled her with sugar at the start of the party!


The Birthday Girl


The Kiddos Feeling Huggs the Clown Out


It Took Lots of Tries (And I Think A Little Spit) To Get the Candles Out

I used the party as an excuse to get out my hot glue gun and put some of the gems that Tony got from a hauling job to good use. Cienna got a princess party hat and all of the guests received custom headbands. I am no longer responding to Alexis anymore. You can call me Martha Stewart (as long as it only involves using a glue gun.)



So another birthday has come and gone. Today she is 4. Tomorrow, 14. And by next Saturday she is going to be my age. It sure does fly. But we are loving every moment with our growing gal!

Resolutions

At the beginning of each new year I can't help but wonder what the next 365 days have in store for me and my family. In 2010 we experienced many wonderful things:
-Cienna starting pre-school
-Our 1st time in Cancun, Mexico
-A New (Yet Unrevealed) Business Partnership
-My Mom Getting Hired In A Full Time Teaching Position
-Acquiring A New Piece Of Property
-Another Fun Trip To Disneyland

And we experienced some challenges:
-Our Car Being Stolen
-Tony Being Injured By A Piece Of Hydraulic Equipment
-AJ Breaking His Leg
-My Gallbladder Being Removed

All in all, I would say that the good outweighed the bad once again. We are looking forward to many good things in 2011. To start, Tony's parents are moving to New Mexico in just 2 weeks! This is something that we have been praying for for years and we are excited to have some of our immediate family close by. Now we just need to work on the rest of them! We have a trip to Las Vegas planned in March, Cabo San Lucas in June, and some renovations to our cabin that should start taking place this month. Very exciting times.

I only made 2 resolutions this year....one of which I have already broken but I have not given up. My 1st resolution was to finally stop swearing like a sailor. I know that many of you will miss this part of Alexis, but it is a necessary change. I am sure that Cienna's use of "flippin" is going to evolve into "f*ckin" pretty soon so this is of utmost importance. However, this is also the resolution that I have already broken. Old habits do die hard. But I am going to keep trying.
My 2nd resolution is to lose 15lbs by the end of the year and keep it off! After the gallbladder incident I lost almost 30lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight and of course I loved it! However, I have slowly gained back about 15 of those pounds and I would like to lose them once again. For good. Again, another work in progress...but I am determined to make some changes in 2011.

Lately I have struggled with coping with everyday stress. I realize that many things that stress me out I bring on myself. And I also realize that many things that I stress about are not life threatening things. I guess that sometimes I lose focus on what is really important in life. I need to not sweat the small stuff. All in all life is really good! (Now if I could just keep repeating that to myself over and over and over and over again!)

I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011. We all deserve the best in life and I just want to be there to celebrate with you all!

Through The Eyes of a (Almost) 4 Year Old

We wrapped up a fantastic Christmas morning around 9am. After months and months of anticipation by Cienna (and myself too!) Santa finally came through. For better or for worse. I only have a few pictures of the festivities to share but I do have something that I think would be much more entertaining. The top 5 funny things said by Cienna during Christmas week.

5. As I was watching the Nutcracker on PBS, she said "Mom! I remember this! I remember that mean rat!" Knowing that she probably wouldn't remember what it was called I asked "Oh yea? What is this called?" and she said "The Fudrucker!" Uh...do you mean "The Nutcracker?" "Oh yes! The Nutcracker!"
4. While role playing as a ballerina who's entire family had gone to heaven (VERY active imagination), she requested that I ask her if she would like to be part of my family. When she accepted my invitation, she told me that she wanted to read me her Christmas list. "Two Pillow Pets, one for me and one for my brother who died. Oh...never mind, I guess I only need one Pillow Pet now."
3. When opening her Sketchers Twinkle Toes from Granny she shouted "that's what I'm talkin' about!"
2. After coming back from shopping with dad, she walked in the front door and told me that she couldn't tell me where they had gone to get me presents because it was a secret. So when Tony left the room I asked her "did you go to Target?" and she said "no, I can't tell you!" So I asked her if she went to Starbucks and she said "no!" and I asked if she went to Wal-Mart and she said "no, but keep guessing!" When I told her that I couldn't think of anywhere else she smiled and said "we went to L-I-L-L-Y B-A-R-R-A-C-K! But don't tell dad I told you!"
1. After a really rough Christmas Eve, I used every empty threat in the world. Santa is watching...Santa is going to give you one less present every time you are mean to mom...I even told her that I was cancelling Christmas. Finally she told me "please don't cancel Christmas! I will spank myself and put myself on time out!"

I only wish I could capture the facial expressions that went with all of these comments. A truly hilarious week!

And now for some pictures.....


The X-Mas Card Tree (Keep Em' Coming!)


The Real X-Mas Tree


Santa Brought a Pillow Pet and a Refrigerator for Cienna...She Didn't Notice the Refrigerator for at Least 5 Minutes Because She Was Sooooooooo Into The Pillow Pet!


AJ's New Recliner


"The Look" That We Strive To Duplicate Every Christmas Morning


I Opened This One First....


Only To Be Floored By a Tony Mazotti Custom Designed Bracelet!

As Christmas Day comes to a close, I sit here waiting for my in-law's plane to land and eagerly await our green chile stew for dinner...courtesy of my very kind neighbors. After reflecting back on these last few weeks, I can't help but realize that that I am surrounded by the best friends and family that a girl could ask for. For those of you that do not live close, please know that we think of you often and treasure our relationships with you! I am truly blessed on this blessed day. Merry Christmas!

Memories (and Mishaps)

This last week has certainly captured the essence of the Mazotti family. Hence the name of our blog, "Memories and Mishaps." We have had lots of fun creating holiday memories which included baking reindeer cookies for Cienna's class, dressing up as a "Who" from "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and creating a gingerbread house masterpiece (at least in the eyes of a 3 year old!)




We have been creating holiday memories in other ways as well. Almost every evening we have had friends over for dinner. Jarrod & Danyette, who Tony played football with and now lives in Houston, came over with their adorable daughter Victoria. Cienna and she had a blast playing while we had a great dinner and snuck in a few games of spades. And even though T and I got KILLED in the card game, it was great to see them and catch up!

Cienna & Victoria Watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas"


Jarrod, Danyette & Tony

Last night we went to see the "Bugg Lights" for the 1st time. While the display is rather small, we had the opportunity to finally get a picture of Santa with both of the kids. Although Cienna is only 3, I think that she is already jaded when it comes to Santa Claus. First, she was less than thrilled to sit on his lap (see below picture.) Second, as we walked away, she said "Mom, that Santa does not look similar to the Santa we saw on the Polar Express." And so began the talk about Santa's helpers and how they report back to the real Santa, blah, blah, blah. I thought I had at least another year or two before I would have to start these talks!

Tis The Season (For Horrible Santa Pictures)

The above picture is a great segway into the mishaps of the last week. As you may have noticed AJ had a cast on his leg. Now if you have a Facebook page you already know all about the leg incident. But for those of you who don't...here is the Cliff's Notes. Sunday morning while I was cooking breakfast Cienna and AJ were playing in her room. I remember hearing the laughter...and thinking to myself "this is the best! They are playing together and not running around in the kitchen while I am trying to cook!" About a minute later I heard AJ start to cry. This is not out of the ordinary, so I didn't think much of it. Until Cienna came in the kitchen and said "Mom, I think AJ is hurt." This IS out of the ordinary. So I went in and gathered him up and he appeared to be fine. We played on Cienna's bed for a while and then I put him down for his nap. An hour and a half later when he woke up I put him down on the ground fully expecting him to stand up and walk away and instead he kinda wined and struggled to get to his feet. He would just lay there. When I walked out of the room he managed to pull himself to his feet only to stand like a flamingo. He couldn't put any weight on his right leg. So I poked and prodded him, rotated his hips and pushed and pulled and I couldn't find anything that was making him cry or causing him pain. So I would again put him down and he would stand like a flamingo. At that point I decided that I should take him to Urgent Care. I asked Cienna what happened and she said that she was carrying him and trying to put him on the bed and she dropped him. A complete and total Mazotti mishap!
To make a long story short (I know! I told you I was giving you the Cliff's Notes!) AJ is in a full leg cast for the next 4 weeks. He broke his tibia bone just below his knee. He loves the cast! He can bang it against all sorts of things and it makes REALLY cool noises. And his favorite thing to do is kick Mom as hard and as crazy as he can so that he can hear me say "Ouch!" Gets a giggle every time!



Christmas Eve will be spent baking cookies for Santa, making luminarias to line the outside of our house and eating tamales at the neighbor's. After all, it's not a New Mexican Christmas without luminarias and tamales! Tis the season to be fat and happy!

The Holiday Sprit

Last week, after another bout of the flu hit our home, we headed up to the cabin to enjoy all that Colorado in the wintertime has to offer. The beginning of December is a perfect time to go because there is some snow, but not a ton of snow. In other words, I can enjoy the holiday feeling without being miserable!
Friday we (when I say we I mean Tony) decided that Cienna should take her first skiing lesson. I jumped on Wolf Creek's website and saw that 4-year-olds could partake in group lessons for a half day, and if the teacher thought they could manage it they would be allowed to stay for the full day for a little more money. We got everyone bundled up and headed to the slopes. On our way there we prepared Cienna for the fact that even though she was only 3 still, today she would be 4 if anyone asked. Great parenting, I know.
As we watched from the Wolf Pup cabin, Cienna hammed it up on the slopes. By lunch time she was already on the chair lift, making sure that everyone knew that she was having the time of her life. By the end of the day she knew every employee at Wolf Creek's name, giving them high fives and big smiles. I would say that her first day skiing was a success!





This is the look of a VERY proud father


AJ's Entertainment While He Waited For Sister

The following day we headed into Durango, CO with one of Tony's co-workers and his wife and son. We spent the day doing a little shopping, having a great lunch and then getting on the Durango / Silverton train for the Polar Express. It was a magical experience for the kids!


At The Train Station


The Palmer Family


View From The Station


That Is AJ's Look Of Sheer Terror As The Train Went By


Cienna Meeting "Santa"

Sunday we all hopped in the truck and made our annual drive through the Colorado forest to find our Christmas tree. Those of you who have never searched for a Christmas tree in the wilderness probably think that it is a simple task. Turns out that most trees you see while driving in Tahoe or Colorado are actually 2 or 3 trees growing together to make a perfect looking tree. To find 1 tree by itself that is decent is no walk in the park. But after about an hour and a half of driving and hiking and searching I spotted The Mazotti Family Christmas tree 2010. Then I sent Tony to do the hard work!





After the tree hunt, it was time for some FUN! We got out the sleds and let everyone play in the snow. AJ perfected his army crawl, Tonka discovered the joy of burying your head in the soft powder and Cienna participated in a snowball fight. A fabulous way to end the day.










Weekends like this make me so happy that I let Tony talk me into our cozy little cabin. The memories just keep stacking up!


Happy Holidays!