NOLA

Last week we went on an impromptu trip to New Orleans just for the heck of it. At first, we were a bit skeptical about taking the kids to such an "adult" destination. But within the first 48 hours we figured out the perfect mix of kid-friendly activities and 21-and-over festivities!
New Orleans was amazing. We went to the zoo, aquarium, children's museum and insectarium. We went on a swamp tour and a late-night carriage ride. We (kinda) experienced Bourbon street (where Cienna loved all of the beads)and loved people watching all of the musicians and transients. We took the street car, city bus and did a ton of walking. And thank God for the walking...because all of the po-boys and beignets would have sent us straight to heartattackville if we hadn't!


One Of MANY Alligators in the Bayou


Audubon Zoo


Audubon Aquarium


Carriage Ride (Where Cienna Heard About Vampires For the First Time!)

The latter part of the week we drove the Mississippi coast and I got to see where Tony worked in Biloxi after Katrina. What a beautiful place. Absolutely breathtaking!


Biloxi Coast

On the last day of our trip we drove to Baton Rouge where we visited the LSU football stadium and got to see their real LIVE mascot....a tiger named Mike! After we met my best buddy from World Market, Stephanie, and her husband Scott for a great dinner and lots of catching up. It was the perfect end to our amazing trip!


LSU

We can't wait to visit NOLA again. It was truly a wonderful place and a fabulous trip!

Halloween Festivities

Halloween 2011 was our best yet! AJ is mobile enough to navigate trick-or-treating and Cienna is at the point where she can run house to house. It is fun for all! The highlight of Halloween was seeing Tony and Cienna on the 10 o'clock news. They filmed Tony passing out candy at our house with his big chubby cheeks beaming at the little ones as he tossed stuff into their bags. Then they showed Cienna trick-or-treating with our neighbor Amelia down the street. I am still trying to get my hands on a copy of the broadcast but for now, my DVR plays it at least once a day. It was too cute!


Buzz and Jessie

From pumpkin carving play dates, decorating ghoulish cookies, the Harvest Festival and pumpkin patch hay-ride, Halloween was absolutely amazing! I have to admit I got just a little teary eyed when it was all over. Cienna will never be a 4-year-old Jessie again and AJ will never be a 2-year-old Buzz Lightyear. Nothing like a holiday to make you stop and realize how fast your kids are growing up and how important these memories will be to them one day. I wish I could freeze time!


My Super Scary Feel-Boxes at the Harvest Festival!


Pumpkin Carving


Decorating Cookies

Ever notice how everything Cienna does she does it in a princess costume? Childhood is the best....

Insy

My friend Lindsay aka "Insy" came to visit a few weeks ago. Insy and I have known each other since I was in 7th grade and she was in 6th grade. Wait...maybe I was in 6th grade and she was in 5th. That sounds right. Anyway, we "met" playing softball at JOBL fields. Apparently, I ran into her dugout and tagged out one of her teammates per my coach's request. I don't remember this. Insy does because she said that she didn't like me because of it. But the next year we ended up on the same team and at the same middle school...so the rest as they say is history!

Insy came to visit during the balloon fiesta. We didn't actually make it down to the event, but we did make it out the day before it started to watch a friend of ours get their balloon up. You don't realize how big hot air balloons are until you are up close to them. They are HUGE!

The rest of the trip was spent catching up over cocktails and running the kids around town. Insy is such a trooper. She just rolls with it. No need to entertain her or make sure she is having a good time. She just blends right in with the Mazotti family craziness. Scary.


Watching The Balloons Go Up


Insy and I


Besties


Hopscotch

Insy's visits are always amazing. I miss her already! Come back soon!

Happy Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. Someone must have told God, because my kids were excellent. After dropping off Cienna at pre-school, AJ and I headed to soccer practice where he presented me with my first present of the day...completely great behavior! He listened to the coach, participated with great enthusiasm and gave me lots of hugs, kisses and high fives.

Then came my next unexpected gift. My friend Cherokee texted me and asked if I had lunch plans. She had arranged someone to watch AJ and her two sons while we had a uninterrupted lunch. I had heard that when your kids start going to school, you start to meet some moms that you really click with, and it is so true. My best friends in ABQ have all been discovered at school or kids activities. Cherokee has turned out to be a really fun and thoughtful friend. I was so grateful for the simple gesture!

After picking Cienna up at school and putting the kids down for a nap, the doorbell rang. Flowers and chocolates from my grandmother in L.A. The day just kept getting better!

When the kids woke up we headed over to the fire station to deliver the class thank you note (it was actually a huge poster) that Cienna's class made after their field trip last week. We pulled up and Tony was in jeans....which is odd. Surprise! He found someone to come in and work for him so that we could go to the State Fair. Totally unexpected!

After treating me to an Indian Taco, green chili corn dog and homemade pie and ice cream, I had one of those moments where it's almost like your mind is taking a snapshot...a moment in time that you really take the time to take it all in. I got an overwhelming feeling of joy and happiness and know that I will always look back at my 32nd birthday as one that I will miss!

I am sure that you are wondering about gifts. The husband never ceases to impress and amaze me. Not one, not two, but THREE sets of Lily Barrack earrings! And Cienna already put dibs on them!

Cheers To 60 Years!

Last weekend my mom turned 60 years old (which did not come as a surprise to her) but we will still able to test her heart health. On Wednesday Tony, myself and the kids arrived unannounced at her classroom and surprised her. She had no idea we were coming, and I wasn't sure if she was going to cry or vomit when she saw us. But at least her heart didn't give out!

After several days of hanging at Chateau de la Chris Mazotti (in the shed, LOL) we treated my mom to an A's game, a hot dog and a few beers. After a much needed nap, we headed over to Rocco's Restaurante in Walnut Creek to set up for the real surprise. After 30 of her closest friends and family arrived, we yelled SURPRISE!!! when she hit the door. Again, I didn't know if she was going to cry or vomit...but she passed heart health test #2!


One Big Dysfunctional Family


Mom with Family and Friends


Motley Crue


Mom Consoling AJ After He Was Drug Away From The Cake

After winning brownie points with mom, my timing couldn't have been better when I asked her to babysit Sunday while Tony's brother Chris, his girl Wendy, Tony and I went to Golden Gate Racetrack for $1 beers and $1 bets! The venue really made me miss the Bay....houses stacked on the hillside, the ocean air on your face, and running into old friends, Bay Area rappers and athletes. There is nothing like the Bay. It will always be my hood!


The Track

All in all our trip was everything that I imagined it would be. We went from Vegas to Tahoe to Napa to the Bay and finally Laughlin. It fills me up with joy to visit with my friends and family. No matter how much time passes or our distances apart they always have our back! We are already planning our next trip!


Vegas Baby!


Tahoe


Napa with Great Grandma Betty


Go A's!

Till next time!

AJ Turns 2!

Watch out world! AJ is now 2 years old. We celebrated the little nugget's birthday in Lake Tahoe, CA with our childhood friends Jason and Lindsey and their son Landon. It was a fun day going down to the lake, swimming in the gorgeous blue waters and playing in the sand. And it wouldn't be a 2-year-old's birthday without a complete and utter meltdown as we were leaving!


Lake Tahoe


Showing Off His Beach Muscles

Luckily for him he rebounded after a diaper change and a nice long nap just in time to enjoy a private screening of "Toy Story 3" and some chocolate cake.


2 Years Old!


Mom & Dad With Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger

I want to freeze time. Is that possible?

Catch Up

Wow! I can't believe it has been a month since I last blogged. The summer always seems to go by so quickly and there are never as many hours in the day (even with the extra day light hours.) I guess it's all of the fun that summer time activities bring. So just to catch you up a bit....

The Lake
We went to Elephant Butte lake with our friends the Loughridge's and had more fun than I thought we would have with 5 kids in tow. Maybe it was their 4 bedroom "lake house" that made it easy (it seemed that everyone got their own room!) or the "boat" that we went out on that resembled a yacht that I have seen Beyonce and Jay-Z frolicking on a time or two in St. Tropez. It's not really work boating with kids when they stay down in the hull with 2 flat screen TV's and air conditioning. Not that I am complaining! The best part of the weekend was when I discovered (I was actually taught and then looked at in a judging manner when I didn't already know!) that if you put on a life jacket like a baby's diaper it will keep you from having to tread water and you don't spill your drink! Good times with good friends! Here's hoping they invite us back!


Ladies of Leisure


(Some) of the Kiddos Chillaxing


Did I Mention That They Have A Jet-Ski Too?

Big Boy Bed
AJ transitioned to a big boy bed a few weeks shy of his 2nd birthday. We knew it was time when he was not only flipping out of the crib after naps but also insisting that he flip into the crib before naps and bedtime. Funny thing though...now that he just has netting holding him in he is afraid to move!





Just a few more days and we are off on our road trip. Stay tuned for more updates!