Insta-Wedding

I wish I had Insta-gram 5 years ago when I got married. This past weekend, my partner {in crime and} at work got married! He was wrapped up in the planning and all the preparations for months; finding his suit, making an awesome slide show and being there for his beautiful bride!

Great wedding. Great location. Great people and all caught through the amazing eye of Insta-gram. I am linking up with Jeannett and Life Rearranged to share the Insta-Wedding!

 

 

 

 

Insta-Friday Linky

I guess I am not the only one completely OBSESSED Instagram! Instagram is an app that lets you add filters to your basic phone photos and make them look amazing in just a few seconds. For me my iPhone 4 has become not only my phone, but also my date book, music, child distraction and most importantly my take-everywhere camera! And Instagram makes them even better. So I am linking up for the first time EVER with Jeanette and Life.Rearranged for Insta-Friday.

We started a deck remodel back in October. The original was 30 years old and built by my grandpa, dad and uncles. It had holes that little feet could fall through, so it had to go. This is what we have now (almost done a few more coats of stain after it dries out from all the rain). With the amazing weather we had last week we spent many hours blowing bubbles, playing tag, and just enjoying the sunshine. Her are our memories caught with Instagram:

Zoo on a Tuesday Afternoon

The sun is shinning the wind is blowing. We had an afternoon to kill and so we went to the zoo. 

On a windy Tuesday afternoon, its pretty quiet, except for the Howler Monkey's which can actually be a little frightening. The only thing Brock said he wanted to see were "giraffises", it was too windy and they were locked tight in their barn. I told Brock that in wind like this they could blow over, he agreed.

The Merri-Go-Round was free. This was only Brock's second time and Sylas' first. Sylas just really liked the lights and the music. It was a little to complicated for me to figure out how to get them both atop an animal and hang on to them both, so we sat on one of the benches. Thank god we did, I got a little dizzy!

Then it was on to the BIG cats, they were out in full effect!

 

Brock wanted to balance on every curb we found, Sylas climbed all the play structures (on his own), and I took it all in...sunshine, wind and happiness with my Instagram App for iPhone!

So I know I am at least 4 major events behind on this blog, I am in no way happy about this as this is supposed to be tracking not only my life as a mom, but the growth and development of my children. 

This post will try to capture these last 4 events and then I am up to date. I have a few recipes that I hope to share from the last few months, as we did A LOT of eating over the past 2 months!! Welcome 2011! 

Thanksgiving in Eugene, OR

We rented a 4 bedroom house, best idea ever! 18 for Thanksgiving dinner. Great visiting with Aunt Susan. We went to the Invitational Tourney at Mac and took some cool family photos. We ate BBQ from The Hole in the Wall. Ryan and I went to the football game where Nicole was featured on the jumbo-tron! We ate way too many Voodoo Doughnuts! Hands down best Thanksgiving we have had in 4 years!

Christmas Pictures

Christmas 2010

This was our third Christmas spent as a large family, waking up at 510 Dellbrook. It is nice to have Nicole home for Christmas and this year Steven came too. We are lucky to know that she is loved even when she is not surrounded by us.  Christmas began for us on Sunday, December 12, with the wonderful gathering in Lodi. Ryan Christmas was small this year, but no matter what it is a blessing to be with such a loving family, and we all understand and cherish the family that is at a distance. We sure do miss them, though! Brock had a blast playing with Uncle Shane's electric train under the tree and we loved Kim's meatloaves! Home cooking is the way to go.

Christmas Eve with the Canepa's was held at Aunt Cheryl's house this year. We had ham and torttelini and champagne. And Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous provided the amazing Dark Chocolate Peppermint and Eggnog Ice Cream pies!!! 

Christmas morning was filled with Thomas the Train, Lightning McQueen, books, and a play kitchen! Santa and this family sure do love Brock and Sylas! Sylas and I slept off a cold while Ryan made his traditional papas con chorizo, eggs and sausage and mimosas for breakfast! We then all got ready for dinner (its the reason for the season, EATING!) and we had Nana and Papa (Kathie and Larry), Uncle Kyle and his Tofurkey, Uncle Lance and Billy and GG Sue and Aunt Susan for a delicious dinner of prime rib!

We ended the weekend, staying in, dry and warm and even though I had to leave with my laryngitis at 6am for work, I knew that the amazing festivities were catching up and everyone would enjoy a peaceful day at home. Christmas is a time to celebrate what brought the holiday to be, the making of a family! Happy birthday, baby Jesus!

[Somewhere between Nicole's birthday on Dec.23 and Christmas Day I lost my camera!]

WELCOME, 2011!

Ryan, the boys and I spent a quiet NYE at home. Mom and Dad spent it in Sonoma, Kathie was in Santa Paula with Pop and Betty and Monica had a few drinks with Lance and Billy before also retreating to home. Nicole was in Arizona for the opening Pac-10 games!

I didn't have to think too hard about a resolution, but decided that I have one ultimate goal this year and my resolutions encompass that:

1. get my health under control 

2. more discipline for myself and the boys

3. a better routine

 ...this year I will become a Marathon Runner!

I will be 30 in October, if I can't take complete control of my life now, what will the next 30 years look like? I want to be the best not only for my children, but ultimately for myself. 

Happy New Year! My your 2011 be filled with MAGIC!

First Birthday, Sweetness

Dear Sylas,

I want to write you a letter to tell you how important you are. I want you to know that you are loved and cherished in this madness and swiftly moving thing called life. You are so handsome and your smile and hugs make me melt.

You are 1 years old today. You were born on a Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 0845, Kaiser Hospital San Francisco, CA. You were 4 weeks early. 5 lbs 2 oz and 18.5 inches long. Just like me, you were breech and required a grand entrance via Cesarean Section. I was so worried that I was going to be in so much pain and so immobile after the surgery, but the moment I held you I new we would be ok. You were so tiny and so perfect. At home we met your Big Brother, Brock and our precious Maya Girl.

You are the completion of our little family. You bring us joy and happiness all of the time. You don't have many words, but you are very vocal and make it known when you want something. You love to dance anytime music is playing and sometimes to the silent little tune playing in your head.  You just started walking this week, a little unsteady, but determined. You get so excited at the sound of your brothers voice and you know that when he is coming you are in for fun. You 2 like to wrestle right now! You are so persistent, I realize that is what will make you successful as you grow up. I want to make sure you remember our 4 values: gratitude, faith, love and legacy. Win the day, everyday!

I love you so much.
Love Always,
Mommy

Our Favorite Lullaby
from Cool Hand Luke

I don't care if it rains or freezes
As long  I've got the plastic Jesus 
Sitting on the dashboard of my car.
Comes in colors pink and pleasant
Glows in the dark 'cause its iridescent.
Take it with you when you travel far.

Get yourself a sweet Madonna
Dressed in rhinestones, 
Sitting on a pedestal of abalone shells.

Going 90, I ain't scary
Cause I got the Virgin Mary 
Assuring me 
That I won't go to hell.

Halloween 2010

Sherriff Woody and a cute little Jack-O-Lantern were so excited for Halloween 2010. 

Pumpkin carving. Brock's first trick-or-treat experience. Midtown Terrace Fire House. Pizza dinner. GIANTS baseball.

2010 World Series Game 4 on Halloween night. 21 year old Madison Bumgarner goes 8 innings of shutout baseball giving up 3 hits, 2 walks and 6Ks. Giants win and take a 3-1 series lead. This has got to be the most exciting Halloween I have ever experienced.

 and the next night, November 1, 2010...

World Series Game 5: Lincecum, Renteria Give Giants First Title Since 1954

Maya Girl

A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary? -John Grogan "Marley & Me"

March 12, 2003 to October 29, 2010