What? I have a blog?

Really, I'm sorry if you've been following me. I fell off the blogger bandwagon. I know... I know... so instead of backtracking I will catch you up with today. Wait. I will throw in Mother's Day too.

Today, Ryan actually took a nap. I thought I would catch his cute sweet charming sleeping face. He is going to be 4 in July and I can't seem to imagine where the time has gone.

Lily won an award in Kindergarten at an assembly last week. She was chosen as an exemplar of caring. He teacher said she always cares about those around her. She helps everyone and is very reliable to help her with setting up for reading groups and cleaning up the outside toys at the end of the day. Her teacher says she notices how she makes little cards and notes for all of the kids in class to cheer them up too. I'm so proud.!

 

 

Mothers Day

 

My family tried to a picture of all the cousins together for my mom. These were the best contenders of the bunch

Ryan had a mothers Day teas at preschool. He served me cake and strawberries, and he made me a pot with a flower they planted. I feel so lucky. If you saw my Facebook post then you saw the questionnaire Lily filled out about me in kindergarten. It was sooo funny. I love my kids

 

 

I had a birthday!

As you all know by now, I had a pretty big birthday in August. I turned 30! It was great. I had a roaring 20's themed party and held it on the last night of my 20's.Here are a few of the pictures.

 

This is my friend Farrah. I swear we didn't coordinate our outfits

I held the party at my moms house

 My friends the Nickels

 Jan, another friend and RN

My BFF Britt

Me and the hubby...He hated that I made him dress up.

There was gambling (no real money of course!)

Some of the decor.

This chandelier was a Pintrest idea that was successful. A hula hoop wrapped in lace and Christmas lights, then hung.

 

I needed a cake for every decade...in case you were wondering

I found this food vendor that makes ice-cream in really amazing flavors. She packages them in push up pops and pedals them out of her bicycle. Her business is called Popcycle. This one here is goat cheese and cherry.



 

 Some of the girls...there were guys there too. I just didn't take very many pictures of them. I decorated with the help of my family, and I catered the whole dinner,( I didn't photograph the food) I figured I wanted to enjoy the party. My little brother provided the Jazz play list for the music. Overall it was a blast.

My sister in law made her dress for the party. She made the suspenders and bow ties for her two boys , my brother and my cousin.That's my mom there of course. She was a great host and worked very hard to get the yard into shape for the party.

 

I had fake eyelashes on. I think I should dress like this all the time!

 



 

Family Promise

This week I had the opportunity to meet this AMAZING family! I want to tell you something about them.

They have been homeless for the last three months. Dad called shelters all over looking for a place for his family. Most shelters do not take whole families. Most places want you to be running from a bad situation...or a mental health disease...

Dad found an organization called Family Promise of Sacramento. Their mission statement reads " Family Promise of Sacramento helps homeless families achieve self sufficiency and regain a home for themselves and their children through an interfaith hospitality network of diverse faith communities. A family consists of at least one child and one adult held together by bonds of love and commitment where the adult(s) have the responsibility for the care and nurturing of the children."

Every week they have been hosted by one church or another as they have worked towards finding a place to live.

They are moving into their new home next week. Dad has a steady job and Mom is starting a new job too.

I want to say to this family that I think you are amazingly brave. That I can see the love you have for each other. I can see how much you love your daughter. I can tell how much you want to be together. I know that because you guys have made it through this tough time that you can make it through anything!

And yes... They are expecting a new little one into their family.

I wish you all the joy of a happy family and a bright future

xoxo

Kindergarten!

Well... my baby started Kindergarten this morning. I can't believe it. I didn't even have time to be sad.

 She has been sooo excited!

 She picked out her Hello Kitty outfit, shoes, and backpack. We were head to toe Hell0 Kitty today!

 Grandma came to see her off

 She hung up her backpack

 She played on the playground

Then it was time to line up

There she goes! ( Here is where I felt sad. I miss her already.) Good luck Lily!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

We celebrated by having 2 parties. The first one was a big family BBQ and the second was a party at Bounce-U. Both were fun! Here are a few of the pics... :)

A Walk in the Park

I want you to meet a few of the nicest people I know. Ginni and Dante. I know Ginni through work.  She is one of the most kind, sweetest and lovely people I know. I was honored when she asked me to do portriats of her and her charming husband Dante.

It was a beautiful evening on the American River, the animals thought so too. We saw a family of skunks, a flock of turkeys, a herd of dear, fuzzy caterpillars, and.... a rather large rattlesnake. Oh My!

 Ginni says she never takes a good photo. Well I don't believe it!

Dante, Ginni always says the most wonderful things about you. :)

You guys are perfect together. Enjoy all the time you have together. I will see you soon! And I'm looking forward to seeing you guys at my big 3-0 birthday!