Family Time

Last weekend we snuck out of Albuquerque for some much needed family time in Colorado. We arrived Saturday afternoon and were greeted by the most fantastic weather that we have ever seen in South Fork. It was clear and sunny and wind-free. We immediately jumped on the river with our friends and had an amazing evening float. The next day we hiked at Million Reservoir for the first time. It was kind of a challenging hike, being that parts of the trail were washed out and it was a good fall to the water below. After managing to make it all the way around the water, we discovered a water fall that the kids and Tonka loved. It was a fun and relaxing way to spend the afternoon. We capped it off with a picnic lunch on the tailgate of the truck and headed back to the cabin for naps. On our way back to ABQ, we stopped at Treasure Falls and hiked to the top of the trail. AJ is finally getting to the point where he can walk unassisted for quite a distance so these little trips are fun for all. No more whining and complaining that it's too far...now he wants to lead the pack!

This weekend Cienna cheered at her first soccer game. She was so adorable with her little uniform and pom poms. She really likes cheerleading (unlike tee-ball) so we are excited that she is sticking with it!

And if that wasn't enough for Ms. Fancy Pants she also had a dance recital today. Lord help me. I need to build a stage in my house so that this girl can stay in the spotlight!

In Action

The Prima Ballerina

With Her Biggest Fans

Easter 2012

Easter 2012 was full of fun. From the Easter bunny leaving the baskets in the washing machine to AJ finding more eggs on the hunt at Mimi and Papa's house, it was a holiday to remember! We began the weekend with the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the retirement community. My kids don't know how easy they have it...as hunting for brightly colored eggs within desert landscaping is WAY less hard than searching through lush California yards. AJ really got the hang of it this year, and had there not been a limit to how many each child was allowed to get, he would have found 99% of them. He ran around like a mad man once he realized there was candy inside each egg!

My darling Cienna was as graceful as ever, navigating zeroscaping in high heels and a dress, bending down ever so ladylike each time she discovered an Easter egg hiding in the rocks. Next year I am going to suggest she wear shorts and tennis shoes so that she can get her allotment of candy (although I already know that she will say no and pick whatever she feels like wearing instead.)

After a riveting candy hunt, my mom flew in from CA to spend the week with us. The kids were thrilled to see their "Ganny" (as AJ likes to call her). We immediately hit the mall where Cienna convinced my mom to buy her a bunch of stuff that she doesn't need. But I guess that is what Ganny's are for! We made our traditional Easter basket cupcakes (OK, maybe they are not tradition but it's been two years in a row now!), dyed eggs and prepared for the Easter bunny's arrival.

Cienna and Granny

The next morning the Easter bunny played quite a trick on the kids. Instead of their baskets being in their normal spot, all they found was an empty cupcake wrapper (they figured Santa shouldn't be the only fictional character who got a treat) and a note. The note had a clue where they could find another clue, and then another clue and another. After running around the house like crazy (AJ just followed sister wherever she went) they finally located their baskets...in the washing machine!

We then had yet another Easter egg hunt in the backyard and then headed back to Mimi and Papa's house for a wonderfully tasty Sunday brunch and...you guessed it....another hunt! This time for little presents stashed all over the house. No wonder my kids like Easter so much. It never ends!

The rest of the week was spent visitng the zoo (we saw the crocodiles get fed for the first time ever!), going to the aquarium, soccer, cheerleading, Gymboree music class, Costco, Walmart, Bank of America, Starbucks, A Child's Garden, Tingley Beach, the park and probably the gas station. My favorite memories of the week were when my mom fell flat on her a** at the park trying to show off for us (LMAO!) and when she fed the ducks with the kids at Tingley Beach. I love my mama. And I miss her already!

The Wonderful World of AJ

I just wanted to take a moment to document the many sides of AJ. At 2 1/2, it has become completely apparent that he is never leaving my side. Case in point; yesterday the neighbor took him to the park with her son and after 10 minutes she came back and told me that AJ said he missed me and wanted to come home. What kid would rather hang out with his mom than his friends at the park? My AJ, that's who.



In the morning when he wakes up he stands at his bedroom door (we still use a baby gate as sort of baby jail feature!) and says in his loudest voice, "Hi Mama! It's AJ!" I find this totally funny because who in the hell else would it be? Of course a 2 1/2 year old mind doesn't realize that though.



Another thing he says is "oh mama, I love you so much." And then he will touch my hair and say "I love your hair mama! Your gorgeous!" No wonder I am such a pushover!

Some of the less endearing things that he says are, "Bye, bye stinky poop!" and then he spits at me. Or when he puts his hands on his hips and says "Alright, that's it!" and then he spits at me. Spitting is big right now. I guess all the 2 1/2 year olds are doing it.



I love how when AJ sees a baby or an animal he says "aww, look at it mama, it's a baby, aww." It's nice to know that behind all of that brutality there is a sensitive side. And then one second later he runs up to me, hits me in the shoulder, roars in his loudest voice, jumps off the couch, yells "To Infinity and Beyond", then spits in my direction, clobbers poor Tonka, pulls his sister's hair and runs off before I have a chance to officially put him on timeout. I had no idea that boys were so much different than girls.



Good thing for AJ he is cute. Cause if he wasn't I would put an ad on Craigs List that read "Free 2 year old boy, waiting at the curb, comes with his very own selection of hats, but probably has poop in his Pull Up."

Spring Training

Last week Tony and I were sprung from the big house for a weekend of kid-free fun with his oldest brother Chris and his girlfriend Wendy. Thursday morning, Mimi arrived with her overnight bag and a smile on her face...which was probably masking the sheer terror of being left with a 2-year-old mama's boy for the next 4 days. I can't quite remember if I even said bye. All I know is that as soon as I saw her pull up, I threw my bags in the little Toyota pick up, jumped in and patiently waited for Tony to join me. Not that I was excited to be gone or anything. I just don't like goodbyes.



After a lovely 4 hour drive that was void of diaper changes and DVD swap requests, we arrived in Scottsdale, AZ and Hotel Indigo. It was right in the heart of the night life, complete with earplugs on the nightstands next to your bed. Some people might have been scared or turned off by them, but I on the other hand knew that by the time I passed out each night earplugs would not be needed. After taking a look around at our new surroundings we headed to the store to pick up some much needed supplies. Alcohol.

Couple's Retreat

Let's see...the rest of the weekend was kind of a whirlwind. We did lots of eating, lots of walking, lots of watching baseball and lots having a great time. Unfortunately, our Battle of the Bay ended with the Giant's beating the A's, but that's OK. It's pre-season. We know that the A's will sweep the Giant's when it REALLY counts!


I would be trying to get out of the picture too if I had on a Giant's shirt!


Go A's!

The highlight of the trip for me was when I got former A's pitcher Dave Stewart's autograph on an American League ball that Chris and Wendy had nabbed for me at batting practice. If it wasn't for liquid courage I wouldn't have any at all!



What an amazing getaway it was. Thanks Chris and Wendy for all of the good times! I can't wait to see what next year brings!


The Battle Rages On!


Back to Reality!

Birthday Fun

Last weekend we celebrated Tony's 33rd birthday with a trip to the cabin and some winter sport fun. This is our 4th year owning the property in Colorado and it seems that as each year goes by we get up there less and less. I sometimes day dream that one day we will live there full time...living a laid back lifestyle that consists of Lululemon outfits for me and REI gear for Tony. The dream goes on to include the fact that our kids will be home schooled because they will be training for the Olympics. Cienna in downhill skiing and AJ in half pipe snowboarding. I will go for long runs in the summer, followed by yoga, and then cook a delicious meal consisting of wild game that Tony has harvested during the last fall hunting season. LMAO. I guess my month in South Fork during the summer will be my trial run. I will definitely need to learn to meditate so that I don't go stir crazy!


Just To Give You A Visual...Here I Am In My Dream

Sunday we snowmobiled (my favorite cabin purchase so far!) with the kids in beautiful weather on great groomed trails. I am getting really comfortable driving them now and starting to get a little crazy! The kids love them too. AJ is always asking us to go "super fast" and Cienna always wants to be in the lead!


Tony In His Super Cool Green Pants and AJ In His Super Cool Hand-Me-Down Pink Gloves


Queen of the Road

Monday Tony and Cienna went skiing at Wolf Creek for the day while AJ and I hung out back at the cabin, cleaned and played games. By next winter I anticipate AJ will be ready to get out on the slopes and I just may get re-acquainted with my snowboard. After 6 long years of being pregnant and watching babies, I hope that I don't break anything!

It was a great (and relaxing) way to celebrate the big 33. Till next time!

To Be 5....

Because we were on vacation I didn't get a chance to commemorate Cienna's 5th birthday properly. So I must backtrack a few weeks to get this right. I can't quite believe that it has been 5 years since she was born, in a Dallas, TX hospital on a snowing Sunday morning.
At five years old you are outgoing, imaginative, and funny. You love; princesses, the color pink, rhinestones, tights, skirts, matching your clothes, pillow pets, Jessie, jewelry, practicing your alphabet, cheerleading, watching TV, eating blueberry pancakes in the morning, going to the park, having friends over, spending the night at Mimi & Papa's house and your family. You do not like; letting your brother in your room, brushing your hair, cleaning your room, going on hauling jobs, or listening to mom tell you anything that you do not want to hear. You are a master negotiator, which totally reminds me of me, and you would make a great attorney. My mom (your Granny) says that I need to sign you up for the debate team ASAP. The debating quality reminds me of your father...
It delights me to hear when I pick you up from school that you are a very nice girl and a pleasure to have around. When I drop you off your friends run up to you and give you a group hug because they are so excited to play with you again. And your little brother mimics everything you say and do because he wants to be just like you.
Thank you for an amazing 5 years Cienna. Happy Birthday. I am glad that we could spend the entire month of January celebrating!




Princess Cienna Being Fed Her Birthday Cake


Birthday Dinner in Phoenix


1st Cheerleading Practice!

Cruisin

January 15, 2012 should have just been an ordinary day celebrating a certain someone's 5th birthday with a few presents and a cake. Instead, it was a full blown 2 week trail of birthday dinners, Mexican ports of call, Disney characters and presents at every stop. So much for keeping her little ego in check. Cienna is formally a diva. At 5. And I only have myself to blame.

After stops in Phoenix and Los Angeles, we boarded the Disney Wonder for our first ever cruise. It was the biggest ship I have ever seen, with multiple swimming pools, big screen televisions, beautiful restaurants and lots of fun activities for kids. Our room was very big (which was much different from what I thought it would be) and we had a nice balcony which Tony and I spent nights talking, with cocktails, while the kids slept soundly.

Bon Voyage

After a few days of being at sea, we stopped at our first port of call, Puerto Vallarta, or as I like to refer to it, "The Gates of Hell." My last trip to PV was on our 1st anniversary and it was so hot I am pretty sure I had heat stroke every day. Not my favorite trip. But that was in June and this was January and I must say...in January it is not so bad!



The next two days we spent in Cabo San Lucas which is my favorite! Having been there only 6 months ago, we were very comfortable getting around and knew where to go to shop and where to eat. The weather was once again amazing. Cabo is the best!

Cienna's Must-Have Mexican Accessory...Braids!


AJ Never Wants To Be Left Out!


Speaking of AJ, he was quite a handful on the trip. After convincing the Disney staff that even though he wasn't potty trained he didn't belong in the baby room, we were able to sneak away a few times leaving him and his sister in the "Kids Club." That worked until we received a message saying that AJ needed to be picked up. Apparently he had an "altercation" with another child and then he smacked a counselor. When I asked AJ what happened he said "The bad guy pushed me, bumped my head, pulled his shirt, he ran away." While I was not pleased that he got into it with someone, I absolutely adored the little cave man description he gave and was proud that he stuck up for himself, being that the other kid was at least a year older than him. After a few more days at sea it was time to disembark. Overall, it was an amazing trip!


Breakfast With Goofy


AJ And His Girlfriend Tiana


Pirate Night...Argh!


Jessie Signing Autographs!

Once the cruise was over we drove up to the Bay Area where we had a chance to catch up with all of our friends and family that live there. It is always a whirlwind of a trip, but well worth all of the chaos. It was a fabulous way to kick off 2012!


Great-Grandma Vi at Casa Vega in Studio City


Uncle Chris


Mamacita


Great Aunt Marion


Great Grandma Betty and Great Uncle Ray


Best Brother-Sister Team Ever!

Lindsay

My Girls!

My New Godson Garrett and His Mama Melanie

And Many, Many Wonderful Friends That We Miss Very Much!