Kenadee's 5th Grade Promotion...

This is so sad for me! I can't believe this girl is going to Junior High! I hate it...I know, it doesn't seem like that big of deal. But I swear I can remember her first day of Kindergarten. I couldn't be more proud of her and the beautiful young lady she has turned into. She is truly a gift from God. Great job this year Kenadee...keep up the good work love!

My girl is growing up...way too fast!

The Three Amigos

Another Year Older...

We decided to try a new restaurant here in Rancho for my birthday. Bill and Stevie and I went there in Maui and thought it was pretty good! It's called Kobe and they cook the food in front of you similar to Shogun. As I look back on another year...I feel blessed beyond imagination. The Lord has blessed me with a beautiful family! Thanks guys for making me feel so special on my b-day! Mommy loves you!

Sea World....

This was Avery's first time to Sea World....she LOVED it. With one exception.....she could have done without all the animals! She was so scared of everything she stayed in the stroller the majority of the day. Who knew...she is such an animal over, but when up close to these things...forget it! The moment one of these seals let out a bark...it was all over. She wouldn't even go near the glass aquariums...afraid they would "jump" out and get her! Too funny....we really did have a good time...she was just more comfortable seeing them from a distance...with no barking noises!

Spring Break in San Diego...

Over our Spring Break this year we decided to do a two day San Diego visit. Sea World gives away year passes to all teachers...which I think is awesome! So we get those every year. I happen to get this hotel on priceline....very cheap! We were all so excited...was a little too ritzy for us, but hey...what can one family do! The weather was a little cool, but as you can see the kiddos never mind!

I think I have the taking your own picture thing mastered!

This was taken from the pool! Awesome hotel!

My baby always has a pose for me..love her!

Hall of Fame Banquet...

This was a fun-filled night! I was elected into the University Softball Hall of Fame this year. It was a great honor and one I will never forget. The day was complete with many activities and then ended with a banquet at the Sheraton Hotel in Ontario. My biggest worry was the speech I had to prepare and give in front of a couple hundred people! Got through it and enjoyed the night. Was able to reminisce with former players and players I had coached at La Verne as well! Thank you mom and dad and Bill for supporting me during this humbling experience!

Pre-school shots...

This is a sad story people. After a few months of Pre-school...I received a notice that Avery needed her last hepatitis B shot...there are 3 in the series. So I explained that we needed to do this in order to be able to attend school. She was so happy go lucky.....she had not had a shot since she was little. So she did not remember what was about to happen. So being the mean mommy I am...I proceeded to take a before and after picture. Poor thing! She did great though...think she only shed one silent tear!

Another February in Cali...

I know, I know.....it doesn't seem fair...this is in the middle of February, and yes the girls are in the water! I decided to take them down there one Sunday afternoon to walk around because it was so beautiful out. Well of course that didn't work...kinda like taking the kids to Disneyland and saying we are not going on any rides! They BEGGED to swim...well I was not prepared so I luckily had a pair of shorts in the car for Avery and I bought her a $6.00 t-shirt! Kenadee being like her grandma...happened to come prepared! The weather was a nice 75* and the girls swam for a few hours while I soaked it all in!

Gingerbread Sleighs

I thought it would be fun to try these sleighs this year instead of doing the house we usually do. The house is kinda hard to get all the kids involved so these individual sleighs worked out great. They never look as cute or hold up as well as they do on the box, but the kids had a good time making them and eating the leftover candy! Of course they wanted to eat the finished work...but I wanted them to keep for decorations...so we just ate the leftover candy and licked all the excess icing off! Fun project....glad it only has to be done once a year!

Santa in November!

So since we literally live down the street from Victoria Gardens, we have utilized it quite a bit. There is a nice movie theatre there so Jen and I took the girls to see Rapunzel. After the movie was over Bill and the older kids met me there for dinner. Of course we had to go to Bill's favorite...Lucille's BBQ. The girls and I wanted to walk around after dinner but the boys wanted to go home to play video games. So I took the girls around all the shops and sure enough Santa was out....and there was NO line! We walked right in! It was great. Avery went right to him and told him the two things she wanted: a skateboard and a puppy! I think she is going to be one disappointed little girl this year!

First Thanksgiving in the New House

This was our first Thanksgiving in the new house! We had all the family over and we deep fried one turkey and BBQed the other one! They both turned out great! I couldn't believe how juicy the deep fried one was. That will be our new tradition from now on. We had tons of food and it was all good. Aunt Sue enjoyed gnawing on the turkey leg and Uncle Tyler enjoyed making antlers out of my decorative corn! We even attempted to go to Toys R Us at 10 pm this year. We got all the way there and the line went around the building..it was crazy! But Uncle Kevin was such a trooper for taking us and attempting to get us in! Overall, it was a memorable first holiday! Can't wait for many more!

The Birthday Party

What a day! Avery had a great time at her ladybug b-day bash! She loved having her friends over...she was so excited about her "big girl" bike that g-ma and pa got her. Thank goodness Katie and Aunt Sue came early to help me decorate and set-up. Y'all know I am not a party planner...so of course I forgot many things. But the kids didn't care...everyone had a good time and Avery was tuckered out at the end of the day! Thank you to all of our family and friends for making this an extra special day for our little Avery! We love you all!