Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Catching Up! September-December!!!


OKAY, so I have been a LITTLE busy completing my thesis and Master's program! It was so crazy to do a thesis in under 4 months! WOOOHOOO, I made it though, and am so glad that I did it! Now that I am finished, I am so much more relaxed, and have time to spend on this blog! SO I will start with the more recent events, and work backwards...

December


Small World looks so pretty at Christmastime

December 13th, Disneyland!

Okay, So on the weekend of my birthday, December 13, we went to Disneyland, to see it all decorated for Christmas. What was funny was that I was one of 3 members of my staff that decided to be there on a Friday with their families. Kris and the girls and I had a great time, and did a few things we hadn't done together before, like go up into the castle and see the new display of the story of Sleeping Beauty. It used to be dioramas, but now they move, and have animations with lights and sounds. The girls rode the zip line in the Brother Bear Forest and loved it, and watched the Muppet Show 3D. Later that night, we met up with my friend Heidi and her family and we went in the Haunted Mansion together. It is so cool at Christmas because they change the whole thing to have a Nightmare Before Christmas theme. The girls love it. However, they will both tell you that their favorite things are the rollercoasters there- the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, and California Screamin'. It was a great day, and we were back at my sister's by 10. The next day we went out to Mama Carpino's, a YUMMY Italian place not far from their house. The chicken parmagiana is to die for, and the kids shared a pizza, which they loved! We also exchanged Christmas gifts, and had a great time relaxing at the house!


The castle at night, and during the day!


Of course, we had to eat with the monkeys, fish and elephants at the Rainforest Cafe...








and see the HSM 3 Performance, which I must say, was a pretty good show...









and enjoy the big tree in California Adventure!

and hang with Pluto...





and Stitch!





Flippie Hair Cuts!


Toward the end of my parents' month here in September, my mom and I decided to take Bec and Mal in for a makeover. They looked so cute with this cut that we couldn't believe it! This is after a trim they had when we returned from Disneyland, and it flips much better again! I absolutely love this cut on both of them! (Becca has no bangs because it's easier for dance, when she starts up again someday soon)...




Ahhhh, sisterly love!!!
I took these pictures in the park by our house with my iPhone, and was so impressed with myself that one of them is going to end up on our Christmas card! It's not often I take pictures that I am totally happy with!





THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!


We were invited to spend the weekend with Jeb and Amber, and we had a great time. We ate lots of great food with them, Jeb's parents, his aunt, and his Grandma. They are the nicest, and always treat us like part of the family too. Amber and I went stark raving mad with our shopping ALL NIGHT LONG on Thanksgiving night in Barstow and the next day at Target, Kmart, and the Victor Valley Mall, with Brooklynn in tow for much of the journey! She was a very good shopper too. Somehow, we rested some, and still managed to make cookies with the kids



Becca got caught in the act of sneaking frosting!


they had so much fun customizing the cookies, although I didn't take pictures of the cookies, just the kids in the process of decorating.







HALLOWEEN 2008!


It just so happened to work out, since it was on a Friday, that my my sister came to visit. That, and they had an engagement party to go to. So we had a great time going around the neighborhood with the superheroes! After that, they got hungry, and they got to wear their costumes to Me'N'Ed's pizza, where a bunch of other kids and adults had costumes on still too.


using their super powers! and being super cute!




WELCOME BROOKLYNN SIERRA!!! SEPTEMBER 15th, 2008!



Brooklynn arrived, and we got there a couple of days later to meet her. I felt bad, because I didn't get to be a part of the delivery, like with Grant. But once I held her, I think we bonded. I like to think I am one of her favorite people, since a lot of times, I can get her to calm down if she starts to fuss. She is the sweetest little thing, but very wriggly and strong. The girls get a kick out of making her laugh-she is so good-natured. She is our "sister girl" and we love her very, very much!



aren't they the cutest family?
Grant loves being a big brother, and it's so cute to see him come up and give her the random kiss on the cheek :)


Brooklynn's first studio shot- 2 1/2 months!



SOOO, now you are officially CAUGHT UP. I am going to try not to get so far behind anymore!

It's too hard to catch up!



























Monday, August 18, 2008

First Day, New School! August 14, 2008

Becca and Mallory started school at our neighborhood school, Mountain View Elementary! They love it so far. It was quite a decision for me to make, since I have had them with me in Woodlake since pre-school, but it didn't seem to bother them at all. They were very excited to start a new school, and Becca even knew three kids in her class before the first day (Carson Crockett, a friend from church, Austin, a boy who lives right across the street, and Alyssa a girl from gymnastics/dance). They love their teachers and the afterschool program. In fact, Mallory came home the first day and made her teacher a card that said "I love you Miss Fox!, Love Mallory". My only feelings of guilt came today, when I saw the third graders at my school going to lunch, and Becca's friends were there, but she wasn't. I have also had to explain to everyone at my work, since they were expecting her. I could have had her at school with me this year, but she wanted to go with Mallory to Mountain View. Well, now regardless of what my next career step will be, at least they can stay where they are until they finish 6th grade and are ready for middle school!
They already have back to school night this Thursday, so we will take pictures and let you know how it goes!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Flashback to March- Becca's Big Baptism Day!

The kids had a blast together!


Amber was barely pregnant, but showing a lot :)

The cousins were adorable, as usual!
We learned that this little guy really loves him some lasagna!





A very proud moment for mommy!





and Daddy!





The beautiful and delicious cake!!!











Flashback to June! Amber's Graduation and Disneyland!

We had a nice visit at the beginning of June with my parents, sister and family. As soon as school was out for us, we headed down for Amber's graduation from Victor Valley College. We are proud of her for finishing up and becoming a full-fledged Respiratory Therapist. She passed the boards too! Yay! The long weekend was jam packed with fun stuff to do, as usual. We went to the graduation ceremony at the college, out for pizza, rode quads, played whiffle ball in the back yard, the guys went to L.A. to watch a Dodger game, we celebrated Grandma Carol's birthday at a yummy BBQ place called Lucille's, and went to Disneyland (of course, gotta get use out of those annual passes). I was actually surprised that Amber wanted to go to Disneyland, being pregnant and all. But she did, and we had fun! Here are some pictures of the weekend fun...


Thumbs up to the graduate, and Victor Valley Hospital's newest RT

Becca's first time on a quad. Watch the gas!
Mallory was a little more cautious...

but they both had a great time, asking us if they could get some of their own!!! (haha!)

At Lucille's BBQ at Victoria Gardens (Rancho Cucamonga) for Mom/Grandma's Birthday. Notice Dad/Grandpa is wearing his Dodger Blue. They had met us there after the game. It is surprising after all those Dodger Dogs, ice cream in the little plastic caps and nachos that they still wanted to eat. But it was Lucille's after all, with the yummiest ribs, chicken, beef and pork around!
As Kris said, "Heck Yeah!"...

Here is Dad with the pregnant girl...
and here is the birthday girl!....

Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure fun...

Amber did well. Here she is with Grant, and Brooklynn (still in the tummy, of course)...

this is Mallory's look of terror before going on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. She loves this ride, and thought it was funny that at the end, the guy asked, "Which gentleman in here was screaming like a little girl?", and she pointed to Kris and said, "MY DADDY!" We got to see Mr. Incredible...
and Sulley from Monsters, Inc...and...duh duh duh duh!!!!....CINDERELLA!!!!!We saw Pixar on Parade, which was very cool. It was happy, colorful, and left us literally "Dancing in the Streets", which I think was actually the last song they played for it...

Just a few highlights, cause I took lots of pictures...Here's Tow Mater!...

Lightning McQueen!

Jesse from Toy Story playing the cool new ride/game Toy Story Mania!!!
We always have fun when we go to Amber's, and to the "Happiest Place on Earth"...



Saturday, July 26, 2008

Rainbow Nationals Dance Competition


July 18-24

We had a fun but busy week! It started out with a weekend at Jeb and Amber's house. We had fun staying cool in their doughboy pool and playing Guitar Hero. The kids had a great time playing, and we had a great time relaxing and visiting. We also got to see Brooklynn's room. It is painted lavender and has lavender and pink butterflies, with a beautiful crib set to match. She is already being loved and spoiled by her parents, and we are excited for her arrival. I got to go to a Dr. appointment with Amber, and see the baby on the ultrasound. I saw an arm, a side view, saw that she is definitely a girl, and heard the heartbeat. I am lucky and thankful that I have such a great sister. It was so cool to get to go!
On Monday, we got Becca's hair and make-up ready and went to Rainbow Nationals in Anaheim. She got there, slipped on her costume, warmed up, and did her dance...

"I want fabulous, that is my simple request, all things fabulous, bigger and better and best"...

She ended up getting a First Place in Petite Jazz and 4th overall in Petite 8 and Under.
Her aunt cried, and I screamed! Becca proudly held the bigger trophy over her head during the awards ceremony


Here she is with her teacher, Miss Kim, her friend Crista, and their awards...
After the awards, it was time to eat, so we went to the Rainforest Cafe. The girls and Grant had a fun time making weird faces and sounds, and waiting for the storms every few minutes.


Then we walked around Downtown Disney for a while, and took these pictures at the Lego Store with Darth Vader and R2-D2...


a cute pic of Grant with his daddy. We were glad they could come with us Monday and watch Becca. Love you guys!!!
We ended up (after a move) with a poolside view at the Disneyland Hotel. Along with getting in to the concierge with our friends and getting to eat all the food up there and watch the fireworks, this was their favorite thing at the hotel...
yeah, I was pretty lucky to get this picture of Becca at the very moment of pool impact. On Mallory's, I forgot to zoom in...
On Tuesday, we had fun at Disneyland all day, but I wasn't very good at remembering to take pictures. I will have to go back and do a blog of our trip there with my sister when we came down for her graduation in June. Well, here is Tarzan's Treehouse, anyway...


Becca being a Tarzan...

On Wednesday, Becca did her team routine, and they got 1st place and 5th overall! We were proud of them! Then they went to a jazz master class with one of the judges. As you can see, they didn't group them by age or anything. The dance was difficult, but by the end, Becca was getting it...

They said they were the Cheetah Girls, and were posing and yelling "CHEETAHS!"- so silly, and so much attitude!
Becca and Crista on one of our several walks Downtown...

with the parrot in front of Rainforest Cafe...

I am so proud of Rebecca. She is one talented little dancin' diva!More pictures of my divas doing their things (Bec's dance and Mal's gymnastics) to come...