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.

The Drake Family at Bountiful Bowl

I would have won if I hadn't fallen on that first frame!!
Joy and Gordo
Lance Archer and Amy
Holly Josh and Brit



Mia
Alli and Victoria
Jenny Joy Holly -Sisters
Victoria
Gordo and Joe

It's almost over, for now!

So my quarter of school is almost over. It was hard, it was grueling, and I just might be coming out of it with good grades. But I could not have done it without all the support from my family. I had many breakdowns and moments when I thought I was the dumbest person on the planet.

I want to thank Victoria and Mia for all their understanding when I said for the 100th time " I can't I have homework" or "Be quiet I am doing homework". Thanks girls for your support, I know I was really busy, but like I always tell you anything worth doing is worth doing well.

I want to thank my mom for always being my cheerleader. Everytime I thought I couldn't do it, she told me I could. Thanks mom, oh and of course you were right when you told me I had smart genes.

Thanks to all my other relatives (Holz and Trav, Dad, Josh and Brit) who came out to visit and distract me. Its okay I'd take you over genetics any day and I loved to seeing you all.

And most of all I want to thank Gordo. Or maybe I should apologize to Gordo. Sorry for falling off my rocker when I thought I bombed my test. Sorry for neglecting you for cells and molecules. Sorry for being constantly stressed for ten weeks straight. Thank you for putting up with all this and loving me despite it all. Thank you for entertaining the girls while I studied, making me yummy studying snacks, and believing that I could one day be Dr. Gomez. I love that you believe in me so much. Thanks for being the braun so I can be the brain. Thanks for loving a geek. I love you!!!

Okay so after all this fanfare you may think I am actually done with school and graduating, but no I just had a really tough quarter and I am so grateful it is almost over. And in three short weeks I get to do it all over again. So thank you and sorry in advance.

Congrats Mia and Victoria

Mia received the Superintendent award for getting excellent grades, way to go pumkin pie
Victoria received the citizenship award for having excellent behavior, so proud of you sweet pea!

The zoo

A big cement snake and a golden lion.
A Siamang, isn't it cute?

Victoria and Mia went to the Oakland Zoo with me to do a science project on Siamangs. They were very helpful and would make great scientists. They even made their own data sheets and recorded data.

My old man!!!

The Big 4 0! happy birthday hubby!!!

The husband test

1. Where did you meet? The New Yorker

2. How long did you date before you got married? Four years

3. How long have you been married? 3 and 1/2 years

4. What does he do to surprise you? cleans the house

5. What is your favorite feature of his? His smile

6.What is your favorite quality? He supports me in whatever I want to do.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Sugar

8. What is his favorite food? My eggrolls

9. What is his favorite sport? Football

10. When and where did you first kiss? In The Bay Parking lot, in his car

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Watch football or window shop

12.Do you have children? Yes three beautiful girls

13. Does he have any hidden talents? He is good at everything he tries, cooking, fixing things

14. How old is he? 40 OMG

15. Who said I love you first? He said he thought he was falling in love with me, does that count?

16. What is his favorite music? He likes rock like the red hot chili peppers and tom petty and also old school hip hop

17. What do you admire most about him? He is very loyal

18. What is his favorite color? Orange

19. Which side of the bed does he sleep on? The left

20. Will he read this? Maybe

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from the WIZARD of OZ

Victoria as Dorothy
Mia as Glinda the Good Witch

There's no place like home!

THRILLER

The whole squad and coach Shannon The ZOMBIES

This picture is a little blurry but you get the idea.

Victoria and Mia performed the thriller dance at their school assembly today. They all dressed up as zombies. It was a very fun performance.

YEAH! More visitors!!!! Josh and Britt were here!

On the Golden Gate Bridge

Watching the surfers from the Taco Bell at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica
Playing on the beach near Half Moon Bay

The largest pumkin at the Half Moon Bay Pumkin Festival, 1500 lbs.

The pumkin festival is a good idea in theory, everything pumkin, how could that be bad? But there was way too many people there. Half the people needed to leave so we could enjoy ourselves. But still had a good time. We had some yummy pumkin cheesecake and listened to a local blues musician, Daniel Castro. Thank you Josh and Britt for coming to see us. We had a lot of fun and hope that you did too.

Cheerleading at the Fall Carnival

Waiting to go on.
About to start, Go Bobcats!!!
That is Victoria's backside, it is hard to get good shots when they are moving all over

Victoria and Mia performed with their cheerleading squad at their schools annual fall carnival. They looked really good and the squad has really improved since they started last year.

I can't believe my dad came for a visit!

Grandpa Bri and Mia hanging at the house.

We went out to dinner of course.
Alli and her dad, enjoying the meal. My dad was kind enough to drive Holly's civic that we purchased for Alexandrea out here to Cali. It was so nice of him and really good to see him. Victoria is not in this pictures because she was gone at science camp.

Alli's New Car

Where is it
Alli and Bella in front of her new Honda Civic