Camping trip

Okay not really we were just at the bass pro shop but the pictures are neat.

All that Jazzzzzz

Victoria and Mia performed at the 11th street Jazz festival in Modesto with their school's Jazz band. They sounded great. They got to play with other professional jazz musicians. Mia plays clarinet and Victoria plays flute.

This is a great picture of my mom and Gordo at the meet. Victoria did so good at her first meet. She competed in the 50 meter backstroke, 50 meter breaststroke and 100 freestyle. She was first in her heat for the backstroke and 7th overall. She was second in her heat for the 100 free and 10th overall. The swimmers that were ahead of her were all returning swimmers from last year. So for her first meet ever she did awesome. She has meets pretty much every weekend from now until the end of July, so I will keep you all posted on her progress. Maybe she will follow in grandma Mar's footsteps and have a whole box of medals and ribbons.

Victoria's first meet with the Tracy Triton Swimteam

Go Girl



Sisters showing their support

A lot of hanging out

April 30th 4 years already can you believe it?

Gordo and I went on the wine train in Napa Valley for our anniversary. We also toured Girgich Hills winery. It was a beautiful and a really good time.

Victoria's Flute concert

The girls and their band teacher Ms. Williams.

Mia's Soccer Game

go Mia

Easter at Aunt Lauras 2009

Going Green this Earth Day

Going green, we hear it all the time now but what does it really mean? To me it really is about the three R's, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Humans have to use resources that is just a part of survival but the way we use resources needs to change to ensure a livable planet for our descendants. Did you know that people in the United States consume 40% more resources on average than people in the rest of the world. Not just our own resources but global resources. The way we live here affects the global community. I urge all of you to go onto myfootprint.org to see the impact of your own lifestyle. One of the problems is that the human population has increased so dramatically. It took thousands of years for the population to reach 1 billion in the 1800's. Since then it has skyrocketed to 9 billion. At this point we have passed the carrying capacity of the Earth, which is the level at which the planet's resources can support the population. Since we are already have this deficit the way we live must be altered to offset the population. So what can we do everyday to make a difference? Here are some easy things we can incorporate into our daily lives;
Reduce
Buy permenant items not disposable
Buy only what you need
Buy items with less packaging
Conserve water(for every minute less you shower you save 5 gallons)
Turn off lights and unplug small appliances when not in use
Reuse
Repair items as much as possible
Use reusable items like mugs and grocery bags
Use cloth napkins or towels
Recycle
Everything from paper to electronics to oil
Buy recycled products

If we reduce the amount we consume and recycle what we do use we can make a difference. Did you know that plastic is not biogradable? Everything you buy that is plastic will still be with us in 200 years. Keep that in mind when you make purchases. Other things you could do to celebrate this Earth day are learning to compost or planting a tree, but be sure to plant something that does not require a lot of water. I hope you will go green with me this Earth day so we can leave a better planet for Alli, Victoria, Mia, Archer, Halle, Avery, Lola, Elsie, and Lottie. Thanks

Bragging

So this is basically just my forum to brag about my family, if you had not noticed. But I can't help it I am just so proud of them most of the time, and today I am especially proud of Mia and Victoria. First Victoria made the swim team, she had to swim 6 laps to do it and she did awesome. I can't wait to cheer her on at meets all summer. Then we went to Mia's soccer game where she scored both of her teams goals. She played great. I am so proud of both of these little athletes, they really put it all into their sports and did amazing today. Love them love them love them.

Vacation

We have wanted to take the girls on vacation for so long and we finally were able to. We invited my mom along to double the fun. It was a great time. Everyone had fun at Disneyland but wished we had seen more princesses. The next day everyone was exhausted from our 14 hour Disney adventure, so we rested at Newport beach. It was a great time and I can't wait to do it again.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Vacation

Smart Girls

Victoria and Mia both received awards for honor roll again this trimester. They are so smart. We are so proud of them.

Happy Valentines Day

So proud of my man!

So this week I got to do something I haven't done in about 10 years. I kissed a college boy! No it's not what you are thinking, Gordo is taking some classes at Las Positas College. He is taking some classes to get a certificate in occupational safety, and might continue on and get his associates. I could not be more proud of him, so I wanted to let the world know. I know you will do great Gordo and I love you so much!

Adoring Wife

"I know that you are not perfect and nor can I claim to be either, but please believe me, when I say that I want to be by your side, to hold your hand, to treasure you in the morning and in the noon-tide, to be next to you, to be held close to your heart now and for the rest of my living years, to comfort you, dry your tears and calm your most frightening fears, to fight your battles and show no shame to scream my love for you out loud over and over again."

JOY
I LOVE YOU
P.S. Will You Marry me

Happy New Year Everyone

Thank you everyone who helped our trip to Utah be great. We came home exhausted, getting in at 1:00 am didn't help, but we accomplished a lot. Alli got her drivers license, yeah, we all got cleaned, drilled and filled, thanks Dad. I had much needed spa time with Amy, thank you. We ate at all our Utah favorites, Chuck a rama, Cafe Rio, Artic Circle, La Puente, Gandolfo's, and Iceberg. There were a few more on the list that we didn't get to. We were able to see Aunt Phlyis and some of her gang. We spent time with my gram and gramps, and Gordo's granny who made Chile Verde especially for us. It nearly burned our mouths off but was so good. The best part was visiting with everyone and being together for Christmas. It is good to be home, it was sunny and 50 degrees today. We took the girls minature golfing outside, you can't do that in Utah in January. But it is always bittersweet. I miss you all so much. I wish I could be there to be a part of your daily lives. I hate to see how big my nieces and nephew are getting. They are so cute. These blogs help though, they let me see what you are all up too. But really it was a great holiday and I love you all, even though you are still laughing at my fall. I was just trying to make it a more memorable event. It was planned. Thank you mom for spearheading the activity, it was a great idea. Thanks Jen and Joe for your car, I know it put you out and we truly appreciate it. Thanks Holz and Trav for having us all over. Thanks Dad for the great accomodations and all the great breakfasts, especially the steam bread, it took me back. Thanks Josh and Brit for just being you, and Lance and Amy as well. Thanks Angie for helping us with all the rides. See you again soon, I hope.

Goodbye Utah Goodbye Snow

At the airport, delayed again, traveling in the winter is so fun.

Christmas morning 2008

New Christmas outfits for Mia and Victoria

Stopping Traffic in my new orange PJ's
Alli was pretty excited about her new pink flat iron, yes this is Alli excited.
Mia and Victoria asked for cameras for Christmas. They took pictures all day long.

Christmas Eve at Grandpa Bri's

Josh opening a present
I didn't get a lot of good pictures on Christmas eve, to busy opening presents I guess. Here is one of Halle's backside while she is on her new present from Grandpa Bri.
I know that Jenny will love that I posted this picture. All I wanted for Christmas was for my niece to be born while I was there, but I guess I was naughty this year because I didn't get it, all Jen had was contractions for Christmas, doesn't she look happy.
A shared present of nail decals for Mia and Victoria. They are getting big, but they still get so excited for presents. Victoria asked me every ten minutes for about two hours when are we going to open presents. Their enthusiasm gets contagious.
When Gordo saw this shirt he had to get it for mom, does anything sum her up more, it says make cupcakes not war.