Just Lovin' It!

Rylie's 2nd Bday!!

We had such a great time at Princess Rylie's 2nd bday! There was an amazing balloon artist, super fun photo booth, candy bar and a real princess!! :) Thanks Aunt Jenny & Uncle Frank!

Opening Day!

Last Friday night was Isabella's Carb Party/Uniform distribution for Opening Day. Opening day was on Saturday and a blast. We didn't get to experience it last year because of the rain. We started the day off with team pictures.

Then each team was announced on the field. They had booths everywhere and Isabella got her helmet air brushed with a softball that has Angel wings. She also chose to have it say Bella rather than Isabella, which I thought was totally cute. I got my super awesome Baseball hat! The Mayor of Chino Hills spoke, there was a beautiful prayer said over the day and softball players, and Olympic Gold Medialist Leah O' Brien gave the girls a wonderful speech.

Then we had our first game of the Season!

Team: Dippin' Dots
Number 5
Nickname: Mint Chip

Las Vegas!

Had an awesome time enjoying my Husband's company this past weekend! We did all our usual things and the time went by too fast. Chris wasn't into taking a normal picture for me...thanks Love! Thanks to Papa Joe and Grammy Alice for watching the kids for us - they also had a great time going to the movies, on bike rides and playing around.

Happy Time!

Do you have a time in your day when you are the happiest? I do... It is around 5:30-6:30ish. It is when I am cooking dinner for my family, setting the table, listening to the iPod and dancing/singing, and Bella is sitting at the counter doing her homework. I just love this time - Chris gets home, the kids run to the door and we can sit down as a family for dinner. Makes me VERY HAPPY!

Valentine's Day!

Well that went by in a flash, didn't it? My Valentine brought me coffee while I was getting Isabella ready for school and said, "Breakfast blend - Just the way you like it". It is the little things that start your day off right! Vincent and I took Isabella to school and headed on a couple of errands. When we came back home I noticed a card on the counter along with some papers. My Valentine sent me on a scavenger hunt through the house to find my gifts. I don't know when he had time to put that together. After I found the first gift, the ipod was there set to our First Dance song and I got to listen to that while I found the rest of my presents. The final thing I found was the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers (in the garage fridge that we don't use). I would say he is pretty darn amazing, that man!

We had Isabella's Valentine party at school. I took Vincent with me and he behaved SO WELL. He loved making a craft with the other kids. We played Bingo, had a treat, got goody bags and opened their Valentines from friends. It was adorable! Grammy and Popi came to visit us in the afternoon after school and brought the kids a few treats. We ended the day with a low key dinner of Chili and cornbread. It was super Yummy!

Valentine's 11, 12 and 13!

Saturday was a low key day, as Daddy had to work and we pittered around the house. I did some cleaning and baking. Saturday night we had Breakfast for dinner (per Bella's request for several days)  and that served as my Valentine for the day. Waffles and egg scramble. Yum, Yum!

Sunday they got Peep hearts!

We met our family for an early dinner. The kids got super spoiled by their grandparents and even special treats from Jon! Us girls got spoiled with flowers from Grammy and Popi, treats and baked goodies from Grammy Alice and Papa Joe. It was great!

And today: You make my heart bounce!

Today Isabella is off school. Vicent now has the cold Isabella battled all last week and she still has her cough. So on this rainy day, we are staying inside. I am trying to finish up several orders and the kids are resting watching cartoons! <3 being home!

A Father & His Girl

Oh how excited my heart was for Isabella to attend the Father-Daughter dance on Friday night. She was so happy after school. We played nail salon and I painted her nails red and pink. We curled her hair and she wore her fancy Christmas dress. She made her Daddy a sweet card and he surprised her with a corsage (school colors of yellow and green - very creative Daddy!). ADORABLE!

They went on a date to BJs after for dinner and pazookie. When she got home she told me all about her friends and how much fun she had. I love to see such happy smiles on their faces and these memories she will treasure forever!

Valentine #10

I like the way you ROLL!

Tonight is Father-Daughter dance and each room needed to make a contribution. Here is mine :) Aren't they adorable?!

Valentine # 9

New plates + a LOVELY lunch!

Valentine 7 and 8

Yesterday's Valentine was socks to keep them "warm and cozy". I figured it was a good day since Isabella was home sick and cold!

And Today was "I'm nuts about you"!

Birthday Party Fun!

We had a great time at Nicolette and Natalia's birthday down the street. They had a bounce house, taco man, humongous pinata, face painter and balloon maker. The kids LOVED IT! Isabella and Nicollette are friends from school and are also in the same CCD class. Funny thing is that Serchya and Glen were friends with Amy, Jenny and Frank! Small world!

Dang It!

I have to get back to my couponing - going through my coupon binder this morning meant I had to take out every expired coupon, which was all of them...DANG IT!

Valentine's 4, 5 and 6!

We had such a busy weekend. Saturday morning was "DONUT" you know how much I love you? Then we headed off to Nicollette and Natalia's birthday party in the afternoon (pictures to follow).

Sunday morning the kids got Mini-LaLaLoopsys and Daddy got "I have a Crush on you!". Isabella loves LaLaLoopsy and requested Blossom Flowerpot next. I was going to get it as her actual Vday present, but could only find the mini one. She was still so excited. This was before Church and Girl Scouts.

During that time, Isabella was coughing away and not feeling well. We came home and she took a nap. I decided a cupcake treat was just what the Doctor ordered :) After she woke up we headed to Aunt Amy and Uncle Soner's for some Superbowl Fun!

Isabella had a fever and was sick all night. She stayed home from school today. So the 6th Valentine was new coloring books (and the crayons they got during the day yesterday) so she could rest and color.

Valentine's Pictures!

Instead of taking the kids to JCP for Valentine's pictures, I opted for a mini-photoshoot outside yesterday afternoon. I think they turned out rather adorable :)

Valentine #3

This morning's treat was Hot Tamales for Daddy & I Love You Peeps for the Kids!

My dear Amanda asked where I get the ideas from. Last year I did it all by myself - a little browsing of the $1 section at Target and creativity. This year I found some extra ideas on Pinterest and added those in. There is no rhyme or reason, I just go off what I know the kids would like and it certainly isn't big things. Just a little treat to spoil them!

14 Days of Valentines - Day # 2

Today's Valentine was "Just Write"! The kids got Pencils and a pad of paper. I may have went over their head with their note, but I explained it and they were super happy.

Softball Practice!

Bella had a great practice. It is so much fun to have the practice at Community Park under the lights. There are so many fields and so many kids all practicing. I really feel a sense of community. Love it!

Get that elbow up, Kid!

Vincent's friend Nick  (4) was teaching him about 'Angry Birds'...it was so cute to hear their conversation. It went like this:
V: Look at all the Birdies!
N: They aren't Birdies, they are ANGRY BIRDS!
V: Angry Birds???????

Cricuit and a Craft

Ever seen a 1st grader make her Valentine's on the Cricuit? Isabella is cutting out larger pink hearts and then smaller red hearts to attach to the center. She is coloring them and writing on each and having a blast! Very detailed, my girl...wonder where she gets that?

Below is a cute little craft I put together. I saw an idea on Pinterest were each heart was painted pastel like a Conversation Heart with the family initials. I didn't want to spend that much time or money on it, so I bought some WalMart products and this is my version below...

10 things to smile about - Catch Up!

I realize I skipped November and December on the 10 things list. So below you get 30 things I had/have to smile about.

November

1. Thanksgiving with my wonderful family.
2. The end of a very fun Soccer season.
3. Being married to My Love for 7 years.
4. Taking a get-away to Las Vegas to Celebrate.
5. Family pictures on our Anniversary and dinner with the family.
6. Three service projects - teaching Isabella the meaning of helping those less fortunate.
7. A gorgeous RCE Wedding at Pelican Hill.
8. The return of Toodles - Our Elf.
9. Catching up with Old Friends.
10. Cutting my hair.

December

1. Vincent turning 3.
2. The look on Vincent's face with the Firemen!
3. The close of a hard month and looking forward to a new year.
4. Knowing Uncle Nick is in Heaven now - breathing free and running fast!
5. The courage of my Husband. His strength, emotional vulnerability and love he showed during his most difficult time in life.
6. Once again finding out who true friends are! And having the love of my family.
7. Picking out a Christmas Tree, a visit with Santa, looking at Christmas lights and still finding joy in these activities with our children.
8. Celebrating the Birthday of Jesus Christ.
9. Bianca's engagement :)
10. A small trip to Vegas.

January

1. Two trips to Disneyland.
2. The start of Softball and getting Coach Kristy/Jose again.
3. Watching Bella sale Girl Scout cookies.
4. Family time.
5. Cait's bday party and seeing the house, FINALLY!
6. Brynn's bday party and seeing Chris' cousin whom I love and is a role model to me.
7. Getting back on track with a Diet/Exercise program.
8. A few relaxing and almost boring weekends - many, many Lifetime and Hallmark movies.
9. Focusing on Blogging, etc for RCE
10. Keeping the house cleaned and organized. Planning dinner menus weekly and just being prepared.

14 Days of Valentines - Day #1

To kick off our 14 days of Valentines, I said "Good Morning" to my Rays of Sunshine with muffins, chocolate milk and coffee! Isabella has been waiting so patiently to see what will appear in her new adorable chair-backer and I have fun stuff in store. Happy Month of L-O-V-E!