Holidaze

Rebecca, Tori, Nick, Tay and Court on Alcatraz. Clear view of GG in the background.

So the holidays have come and gone. We have been super busy in this house with tays hectic activity schedule. I was hoping for a break but alas there will be none.

Here's the update since october:

Soccer - Tays soccer team made the championship playoffs. After a nail biting first day of the tournament the Unicorns ended in first place. We were so excited but nervous for day 2. Day 2 came and we ended up winning and playing in the championship game. It was very exciting but alas our team lost :( however we ended up 2nd for the season which was awesome. This inspired tay to try out for winter select soccer which she made! So soccer continues on in our house thru March as long as there is no rain. They've already played their first scrimmage and won. We'll see how the "sparks" do this season.

Volleyball: Tay discovered a love for a new sport with volleyball and tried out for club volleyball and made the team. "Odyssey" has been in full swing for a while. We are looking forward to her first tournament.

Basketball: Tay played on her schools basketball team and really enjoyed it. Sometimes after school she heads to the gym with my boss (who is the coach) and practices with him. The season is over but the girls did fine with only 2 games. 1 win and 1 loss. Both games scored no higher than 15 points.

Cheer: Cheer is running along. We have had a coaching snafu and Shauna might step up to coach. I offered to help if needed. We are waiting for the head of the program to return from vacation to see whats going on with the squads. Our first competition is only a few weeks away. They had a holiday show on December 13th. It was cute.

Tay spent thanksgiving with her dad and cousins. Then happily went up to sacramento the next day to stay with lise for the weekend. They had a great time together. I did my traditional allison thanksgiving. Risa cooked up a fabulous meal and I acted as her sous chef for the day. It was great as always. Next year my bday is on turkey day, so I'm wondering if I should do something special or just hang as usual. Still pondering on that one.

Dan, David, Ashley & Stacey.

My sister and her family came out to California for Christmas. We had a lovely visit that started off with a trip to SF for the day with family. We had a great time at Alcatraz. It was a beautiful day in SF. Sunny, no wind and a mild 55. No fog anywhere. The kids loved the boat ride. Ashley and David stared out the window. We walked the whole island taking lots of pics. Camden is mighty scary in prision.

We then headed over to pier 39 for lunch and walked around. The cable car line was too long and the kids were getting cranky. So were the adults for that matter!

Stacey was so excited to get her travel box o' bread to take back to texas!

The family in the area came over to my house for dinner. This year we sat at the table. I moved furniture all around so everyone could fit. Of course not everyone could fit. Nic and Tay graciously ate on the couch. Thanks guys! As usual I made too much but it all turned out well. The kids opened some gifts and it was lovely to sit around and catch up with everyone.

I am still planning my big vacation year in 2011. As soon as the school calendar is out I should be booking our disney cruise to mexico. I was thinking today that it would be fun to go to disneyland for xmas, or just after, next year. I'm not a fan of the holidays there such big crowds. However, it would be fun to celebrate ashleys 2nd birthday at disney. She should be old enough to enjoy it.

I'm also waiting for more info on disney hawaii...maybe thats where I'll spend thanksgiving next year??? So many choices just waiting for dates to open.

Have a great new year!

More Critters

Today at work I was interrupted with the news that there was a family of river otters playing in the resevoir next to my work.

I declined to go and look mostly because I was in a groove and wanted to finish. Later, I had to head to the bank and stopped to find them on my way down the hill. Lo and behold there was mommy otter and her 4-5 babies. Playing on a booey in the water. It was adorable. Another reminder of the wonderful area that my work is located in.

I called my friend on the way to tell her all about it and realized I was starting to turn into the birkenstock wearing granola eating californian I constantly make fun of! I tried to take pictures when I got back but iphones are not the greatest cameras!

Vacation dreams without the caviar to pay for it! and other updates

Disney's booking line opened and accepted a butt load of ressies without me! cue sad face. I have many friends going on many different Alaska Cruises and mexico cruises and even one on the panama cruise, but I couldn't book one! Unfortunately no school calendar yet means no notice of when Tay goes to washington dc or when spring break is etc... I'm going to try to save my points to have a few different options when I have better dates available to me. On top of that I really want hawaii too. So I am willing to do another summer of nothing and save up for 2011 bonanza!


My view on the way to work the other day. Yes, this is the road I take to my office and the other "drivers" . Not so bad huh!



Volleyball season has ended and even though our match total was 1-3 we came out winners. The girls played a stellar season ending game against rough opponents. Next week they play the parents we'll see how that goes. I'm not allowed to serve apparently. hmpf!

Soccer is going well. Tay has been playing really well for her first time in 5 years. The unicorns are in 3rd place in their division.

Tay is also enjoying cheer. They have a long way to go but she is happy to be there.

Her next sport is basketball. Luckily soccer ends shortly after bball starts. She is doing well in her classes but still struggling with organization. It figures that she attends a school where she gets graded on organization! darn it.

I have been asked to coach a boys volleyball team. It's great to have the opportunity. I enjoyed coaching the girls and hope to be asked back next year. Student Council is going well. They need to get on it as they have alot on their plate this month. We'll see how it turns out.


Jillie and Senora Demaria on the first day of school.






I went to my first book reading in August and had a great time.
I have alot of books in the cue right now. I am reading the sookie stackhouse series and I have Jennifers new book and then Dan Brown's new one. Alot to read while waiting for tay at all her practices.


Looking forward to the holidays when my niece and nephew get to come out and visit. Can't wait to see how big ashley has gotten.

DIsney Does Cali!!!

So excited that disney is coming to california for good. I'm hoping they offer those california resident discounts!!

I have been in touch with mediteranean cruise friends and panama cruise friends and everyone is down with a disney alaska adventure. It looks like we are cruising with our med friends this time. My panama peeps are doing the repo and 1st cruise. We can't get out of school to go with them, so July 5th 2011 we'll be on board the wonder. I'm sure having a wonderful time in alaska.

We'll miss you panama crew..and you're welcome to join if you can't do april. However, I can't wait to see the med friends again. I'm sure I'll do mexico with the panama peeps. I'm also trying to get my disney freak friends to join in on the july cruise. I have 2 coworkers who like to cruise on disney ...how fun.


On to change the subject, first volleyball game this thursday. I can't wait to see how the kids do! keeping my fingers crossed.

End of Summer updates

Well after a long time not posting, I will give some updates. We had a very mellow summer around here. After 2 summers of big trips (europe in 07 and panama canal in 08) we took it easy and stayed local. In june tay and I drove to Avila Beach, Ca near San Luis Obispo and stayed on the beach for a couple of days. On the way down we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium and saw the Sea Horses. We took advantage of our central location to tour the area. We went to Hearst Castle and it was worth the tour. Beautiful and amazing don't do justice. I highly recommend a trip up the winding road to see the house. I can't wait to go back and do another tour. We also went to the Morro Rock or the Prudential Rock as seen in their ads. It was so cool. We saw sea otters, and a dolphin pack playing in the surf. We took a drive south to visit my favorite winery, Addamo. Yes, thats right I took my child to a winery. It has a restaurant so I fed her! LOL. Then we kicked it on the beach and chilled for a couple of days. My hope was to go back, but alas no time. We also hoped to go to the SLO Mission, but a flat tire got in the way of that...darn.

Taylor spent the next 8 weeks going to 3 different summer programs. This summer she tried a new program College for Kids. She loved it and can't wait to do it again next summer. She also tried a new summer camp and loved it. She was unable to return to Malibu camp but hopes to go back next summer.

Taylor also visited her gma in so cal this summer. She flew on a plane for the first time by herself! The flights went well until she returned to SFO. I found it hysterical that I booked and paid for her flights and her father and gpts had no problems dropping/picking her up at the gates, but when I picked her up from SFO they refused to let me go to the gate. Needless to say I was livid. UNITED AIRLINES SUCKS! but I'll still use my miles on them so whatever.

Tay and I also visited the Santa Cruz boardwalk with friends. It has been a while since I've been down there. I forgot how much I liked the beach. I also forgot how many people choose to visit a beach in the wrong clothes. It's a beach people, please bring a bathing suit. Jeez.

I won 3 day passes to Outsidelands Music Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park from 97.3 KLLC. I took taylor on Saturday and we say Raphael Saddiq, Jason Mraz, and the Black Eyed Peas. We would have stayed longer to see Dave Matthews band, but tay had a contact high and we were getting trampled and it's SF it got Frickin' cold! All in all it was fun. PS I took public transportation..still got it.

Now school has started and my munchkin is in middle school. She is loving not wearing a uniform. I however do not like the pain on my wallet this has caused. Mark another note in the yes column for catholic HS and uniforms LOL. She has her own locker and has decorated it.

This year also marks the time when I am allowing her to play sports again. After a 2 year hiatus due to my investment in a sport and then my daughters quitting said sport, we are back it it. And in a BIG way. Have I overscheduled my kid...possibly. This first 6 weeks are a test to see if she can handle it. Here's her schedule...Mon-thurs volleyball Mon/wed soccer tues/fri cheer and wed night church. She has something everyday. But only until the end of september. So far so good. She is more organized now than last year. She is making an effort to get her homework done and she is showing me all of her work to double check that it's correct. Her teachers are giving me positive feedback on her progress at the end of the first week. But I know this is the first week. I'm hopeful that she can stay on track. She wants to continue to have the sports, so she is really proactive on having everything done.

On a side note, I have picked up 2 more jobs this year. Student Council advisor to our middle school and Volleyball Coach. I'm enjoying both so far, but again it's only been a week.

Tays first school dance is next friday. They are just getting so old and mature. She is no longer seeking me out and walks past me in the halls with hardly a glance!

I'm still looking forward to our next big adventure. I have many to do's on my list including the greek islands and a return trip to paris. I want to finish out visiting the disney parks in asia. I may hold off on that if tay goes to japan and loop it in with that in 2012. I've also been looking into south america and australlia including tahiti. I know it's alot, but it's on the to do list. I'm young and have time. Additionally, it looks like disney is bringing a ship out to cali so I will (of course) have to do that. Hopefully with some past cruiser friends. Hear that Lori, Gaylean, Bubba, and Ken!!! Of course new friends are welcome too. I'd love to go with Susie and Robert to see what it's like with true disney freaks! ( I know it's just robert) and also the huckaby or hughes families. I promise to hold my drinking to a minimum...ok we all know that's a lie! LOL

Another final thing, so excited that my friends from Colorado moved back to california. I am truly looking forward to reconnecting with them this next summer. It's making me think that I should stay at my timeshare trade in carlsbad and do another staycation.

Too many things to think about in the future. I will just concentrate on the here and now. Wish us luck for our first volleyball game. I have a great group of girls who are rockin' it on the court. Tay and I are also headed to see P!NK in San Jose. Can't wait, however it's the same day as our first game so, of course, strapped for time. We may be ##sick# on friday.

Once Again I suck

So it's been a while and I have a couple of posts that are ready to go but I need to add pics. So just to give a shout for my eventual completion of these updates you can all look forward to:

Jump Rope for Heart

Cheer

Rainbows

Disneyland

and Church.

I promise to get these up soon. Have a great Spring Break!

You're a good man....Charlie Browns???

No pictures please

The 5th grade did their big music production of "You're a good man Charlie Brown". It was a stellar performance by the whole grade. I was lucky enough to see it multiple times. Of course my darling daughter was an intergral part (in my mind). Below are pictures and video of the performance.

Taylor in Little known facts.
Supper time with snoopy HappinessWhat a bunch of hams!

Pictures! Finally....

Ashley Danielle...cutie pie! A proud cousin!
Big brother kisses baby sister.

Great Grandma with her oldest and youngest great grandchildren
My baby, loves her cousin!

It's a GIRL!!!

Sorry to be so far behind, but it's been busy down here in texas. My sister and her husband welcomed a baby girl on 12/30. Ashley was born around 1pm and was quite smaller than her brother at 6lbs 14oz. She's adorable and her auntie was so excited it was a girl. Her parents are still wrapping their heads around the fact that it was a girl and not a boy as they had suspected all along. I have tons of pictures but I can't post from this computer. It will wait until we get home.

Santa found his was here to texas and taylor was happy with her gifts. She got the Ihome that she wanted and a the book twilight. We've been enjoying the very strange weather down here. One day sunny and 80 the next day thunderstorms and high winds and the next day it's 36 and freezing. This morning the fog was so thick you could barely see 5 feet in front of you.

We've been having a good time getting to know david better. Taylor is more determined than ever to have a sibling. I have told her that I'm all done so stop holding her breath. She's funny too cause she gets a little jealous when I am playing with david or holding ashley.

Hope everyone had a great new years eve and that 2009 brings wonderful times. 2008 sucked for most of us with homes, so hopefully we'll start to see some rebounding. It'd be nice.