Beach Soccer ???

What a great soccer practice ...

This is my kind of soccer...

Beautiful day, crashing waves, feet in the sand, & kids laughing.

In the middle of July of soccer team is playing in a beach tournament which meant beach practice...

Love it !!!!

Family fun in the name of soccer ... even the parents (not me) got in on the action !!!

from the heart ....

Nicole is making a difference and i'm so proud....

Nic is part of the Jr. Advisory Board for ... "From Maddis Closet"

a non profit charity who's goal is to help children with cancer  at the

Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles...

Today was the Jr. board's first event. It has been all fun leading up to the event,

planning a pinewood derby for the kids with cancer, painting cars, creating crafts,

deciding on snacks, etc. Then today came ... and Nicole got very nervous,

would she be able to be comfortable with the kids, will they look sick, will she be to scared to help them???? I am proud to announce she loved it...

As she sat telling me all about David and Christian and the many kids that she raced cars with, their Chemo ports, the iv stands, their sweet bald heads ... she had the biggest smile on her face ..

she loved it .. love racing pine wood derby cars with kids who are fighting the biggest

battle i can imagine .. Cancer ... and bringing happiness to them for an afternoon.

Way to go Nic and the rest of your amazing board..

I'm proud of all you for stepping up and making a difference!!!

Summer fun has begun !!

Bring on the Summer Fun !!!

We are off to a good start ..

Fabulous seats ... the kids having fun ... and a good dodger game !!!



birthday wishes & father's day

Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day

&

Nicole and Austin's Birthday ....

Special times and wishes come true!!!


Nicole's Birthday wish was a guitar ... that's all she really wanted..
to see her face shine when she opened it... was so sweet..

My musical little girl ... Love You .... Have fun with your new guitar

Happy Father's Day ... to the best grandpa ever!!!

 

One chapter closes ....

Wow... as June comes to an end so do a few big chapters for the family....

in the last week,

Nicole Turned 14

Ryan promoted from Elementary School

Nicole graduated from Middle School

& summer has officially begun !!!

Life is exciting as I watch my kids growing into such amazing people.

Today, June 10th .. Nicole is officially 14 !!!

nicole attended her 8th Grade Dance ... with Lauren of course





Ryan had a blast at his 5th Grade Picnic .. held at Splash Water park

Ryan enjoyed his last day at Scott Avenue

Nicole graduated from Granada Middle School

Wow.. what a few weeks ...

Next VACATION ....here we come!!

Ryan FLIPS for excitement !!!!
he's on vacation

Thank goodness for AAA

Mark has had his Chevelle for years now ... a few years of putting around

and a lot more years of sitting in the drive way...

Well recently, with the help of Rob ...

Mark has been able to spend many of his days off working on his car.

Well today, it started .. He and Rob even drove it around the block a few times ...

Both guys had big smiles and were so excited... I even heard a few cheers...

So , tonight mark & ryan took a quick ride to the gas station, things are really moving along...

WELL...

I think it needs a little more work !!!!

One fun thing .. Ryan got to ride in a tow truck !!

21 Years ago....



I married my best friend ...

Wow, I just don't think i'm old enough to be married for that long. It has been an amazing 21 years,

been full of some great times and not so great times, it has given up two fabulous kids,

and many many interesting side  notes, but I would'nt change a thing...

Our 21 years have made us who we are today... and I would'nt change that.

I love you Mark...

Here is to another 21!!!

On a side note, they sweetest thing ever .. was done by Ryan for our anniversary...

He came in to living room after school and said please may i run to del taco for a churro, of course our

instant parent response, NO.... after a sec of listening to him, we agreed, but only after Nic said I want something too. (ryan said i don't want to but we insisted)

Well come to find out !!!

Ryan returned home from a del taco with a huge bag, after a few dirty looks from us,

he pulls out 2 flower pots for me and a gift card for Mark from Home Depot..

along with nicole's snack .. which he got a del taco and he really wasn't going there at all.

What a sweet heart he has, his own money, his plan and his

great big smile as he presents us with these amazing gifts...

We love you Ryan and love our gifts!!!

Thank you..

Love it ..