** Update **
Trish Brock Photography has closed.
I have returned to school and am pursing other interests.
Best wishes and enjoy your wedding day!
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My Blog
The boys sky high on the mushroom ride @ Gilroy Gardens!
08-28-2010
Happy Birthday Charlie!
Our Charlie is 12 years old today! We've had her since she was 8 weeks old...man how time has flown! Charlie is a wonderful pet...our alpha girl!
8-16-2010
Back to school....
Tyler started 4th grade today! He was so cute...and so excited! He couldn't wait to see all his friends. We went to school early so he could have time to play and see everyone...I think every parent had the same idea. It was so much fun to watch all the kids reconnect with their buddies and find out what each did over the summer. He had a great day and is very happy to be back...as am I! :)
08-09-2010
San Diego
We took a long weekend trip to San Diego...it was so much fun. We went to Legoland twice and the San Diego Zoo. Click here to see more pictures of our trip. Tyler especially liked that it was Star Wars weekend at Legoland...he got to high five Darth Vader!
07-11-2010
A movie weekend!
We saw some really cute movies this weekend. The first one was Toy Story 3. It was a rollercoaster ride of a movie, funny in parts, sad in parts and finally an ending for all the toys. I really liked all of the Toy Story movies, but the first one was by far my favorite. By the time number 3 rolled out, I knew all the characters and it was hard knowing this was the last movie. I loved all of their adventures. The second movie we saw was Despicable Me. OMG...we laughed so hard at Gru...especially the dance scene...he was hilarious! It was a really cute movie...again it had funny and sad parts...Tyler got very involved in this movie. Thank goodness it had such a good ending! Then we saw The Last Airbender. Wow...this was so good...and I don't usually like science fiction. I can't wait for the next movie to come out. It should be good too. Tyler and Scott loved the movie...but I knew they would...they love science fiction. Today we are going to see some Japanese drum players in downtown Japan. They have some of the coolest drums...and play very well. Their outfits are a little funny sometimes, but the music is so beautiful. Then tonight its dinner with the family in San Jose. It will be nice to see everyone, we've been absent for two weeks with all our travels.
07-08-2010
Last Day....
Tyler had his last swim lesson today...wow, what a summer it has been. I can't believe he did so well with all the strokes. Today his teacher had him doing it all ~ butterfly, back stroke, breast stroke, freestyle (an IM) and flip turns with the back stroke and freestyle. He is a natural. He did two sessions this summer of swim lessons...now we are just going to play in the water every day for the rest of the summer. We are also booked for our August vacation to Legoland. I got the tickets to Legoland today and booked the hotel. We are all excited and can hardly wait for August to arrive!
07-04-2010
The Silverado....
Wow...it's a 5 star hotel...and it is absolutely gorgeous! Our room was bigger than my first apartment. We had a suite with a living room, dining room, kitchen (stove, dishwasher, microwave, fridge, bar, silverware, plates and glasses), a huge bedroom with a king size bed and a bathroom with a square tub/shower! The hotel had 10 pools, a spa, tennis courts galore and a golf course that was just as nice as the one at Pebble Beach. The mode of transportation on the property is a golf cart. We took one everywhere...unloading my car, to the pool, to lunch with Scott and finally loading the car. This was truly a nice mini vacation. To top it off, they had the best fireworks show I've seen in a long time...the sky was full of firecrackers for about 30 minutes. There must have been 10K people there to watch them. Scott, Tyler and I had the perfect seats on the property...right outside on our balcony! We didn't miss any part of the show...it was spectacular. We had a really fun mini vacation. We went up early on the 3rd and came back this afternoon. I was somewhat worried about the dogs, especially Otto. This will be his first 4th of July....and I wasn't sure how he'd react to all the noise without someone here with him. Charlie and Maggie could care a less...they sleep through almost everything these days, but Lily is our little watch dog. She barks at anything out of the ordinary...and I do mean anything! It is so strange to me how she can remember such details of our home life...one thing is out of whack and she is letting me know there is a problem. Then there is Otto...he is curious about everything...doesn't really bark, but can. He sings (or howls) at sirens...it is pretty funny. I wonder if he is part Basset Hound....he's not, but he sure can belt the howls out. So, tonight I will find out how he does with the fireworks.
Right outside our balcony....the golf course.
Tyler out on the balcony in our room.
My two favorite guys!
07-03-2010
Napa, here we come....
*** Have a safe and fun 4th of July! ***
06-29-2010
OMG...he is swimming!
Today was Tyler's first day of swim lessons, session 2. The last session he learned how to breathe on both sides while doing free style and he excelled at backstroke. Today, he was doing the butterfly. OMG...I almost had a heart attack. I had no idea he was ready to learn that stroke...and he was a natural. Butterfly was always my favorite stroke as a kid...and now my big guy is swimming it.
06-20-2010
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day to Scott, Dad and Dad B! Tyler and I hope your day is lots of fun!!
06-17-2010
Lesson #3...
Another great day at horseback riding lessons! Tyler had a great lesson!
06-15-2010
Progress outside...
So far we have a green thumb!
Here are the bulbs we planted last year....they grew back twice as big this year!
My cucumbers are really growing! It's time to plant them in a bed now.
My first leaf from the peppers I planted a few weeks ago! YEAH!!
Tyler and Otto next to our new Bing Cherry tree. Notice its shorter than Tyler is this year. We shall see how tall it is next year! :)
Our second cherry tree...the pollinator!
06-14-2010
First Swim Lesson of the summer...
Tyler did so great today...he blew me out of the water. I had been working with him all last week on breathing while doing freestyle. Well, today with his teacher, he did it perfectly! His teacher's name is Laura and she was super wonderful with him. She said Tyler was easy and a quick learner! :) He did freestyle, backstroke and a little breaststroke. He is a natural! I hope he wants to be on a swim team when he is ready. He is great in the water!
06-10-2010
Lesson #2
Tyler did so well again today...he loves horseback riding lessons!
06-08-2010
I'm so excited....
I just found out my grades for last semester...Yahoo!!! All the sleepless nights paid off. I got an A in English...YEAH! I got a B in Math...YEAH!! Now we get to play for a few days before summer school starts!
06-07-2010
An Adventure...
Today Tyler and I drove to Salinas, then San Jose and back to Hollister. Then we had to drop off some paperwork in San Jose...and finally stopped to get Tyler some new sandals for the summer. His old sandals were a size 13 (kids) and his new sandals are a size 3. I can't believe he grew that much in one year!
06-06-2010
Otto guards the house....
He is looking out the kitchen window.
06-03-2010pm
Horseback riding lessons
Tyler had a blast on Haybug! His first horseback riding lesson...and he did so good. I think he is going to be a natural. He has a super fantastic teacher...her name is Jimene and she is so patient with the kids. I think Tyler is going to have a great summer with Haybug and Jimene! This picture was taken by Mark at Tyler's lesson.
After horseback riding lessons, Tyler came home and our babysitter came over while I took Otto to dog training. His first lesson. OMG...we have a lot to learn. Otto was very interested in the other dogs...he wanted to play the whole time. Treats did not detour his investigative nature. Nothing did until we brought out a frisbee...this dog is hooked to the frisbee. He did everything he was suppose to for a throw of the frisbee. We practiced sitting, watching me, laying down (although we need a lot of practice on this one) and touch my hand with his nose. It was amazing how motivated he was for the frisbee. He is one crazy dog...but boy is he smart and fast!
06-03-2010
3rd Grade Graduate!
Today Tyler graduated from 3rd grade...his report card was excellent! We are so lucky to have such a smart dude! He is very excited about being a 4th grader in the fall. I can't believe how time flies!
05-30-2010
Hollister Air Show!
We had a great time yesterday watching all the stunts at the air show. It was such a beautiful day...finally! Scott took some pictures of his favorite planes.
05-27-2010
Schools out!!
I had my last final this morning...I am done for 3 weeks! YEAH!! It was a productive semester...and I certainly learned a lot. It is nice being back in school...I like the college scene! I like the challenge and being a part of something bigger. It is an awesome feeling completing the class, knowing that all the sleepless nights of homework paid off and finally that I passed all my classes. Now I get to play for a few weeks! YEAH!! Then I have summer school. Tyler has signed up for horseback riding classes and I have dog training classes with Otto! I am sure a trip to Lego Land is in the near future!
05-22-2010
It's almost done!
Scott has been working on painting my soon to be office...it looks so good! It is a very pale yellow. I can't wait to move in!
05-16-2010
♥ You're still the one! ♥
12 years today...Happy Anniversary to us!
05-15-2010
The Girls got a day at the groomer...
Charlie was such a good girl for the groomer...for a change! ☺
Lily is always a good girl for the groomer...she is so pretty! ☼
Maggie is always an angel for the groomer...she even got her teeth brushed! ☻
05-15-2010
Registered for fall 2010
I can't believe how fast this year is flying by. We are just about ready to start summer vacation and I've registered for the fall semester at school.
05-14-2010
Baylor Gifted Games!
We had a blast today. Tyler participated in his first track meet. He got to do the long jump and the 50 yard dash. He did so well...and had such a great time! He even got a medal! The games were held at San Benito High School and the group of people who put the event on were fabulous. All of the kids had a blast. It was so nice to be part of something so special!
Tyler warming up for his 50 yard dash
Our school area
Tyler got his registration number
Right before the festivities begin
Miss. Liz and Tyler talking strategy for the long jump
Tyler goes for it
He has a great jump - you'd never know this was his first jump ever!
Tyler lined up for the 50 yard dash
His first 50 yard dash ever...wow, he did great!
And finally, the awards ceremony. Tyler got his first medal! It was such a great day!
05-13-2010
Otto turns 1...
Happy Birthday to Otto! Our puppy is a year old today! He is certainly a wonderful part of the family and a loyal pet!
05-08-2010
San Martin Air Show
We took a ride out to San Martin today to see the air show. It was such a beautiful day!
B 25 Mitchell Bomber (front view)
B 25 Mitchell Bomber (back view)
Tyler climbing inside the bomber
Tyler in the cockpit of the bomber
Tyler in front of a military jeep & bomber
Scott next to a two seater
Trish in front of a Japanese two seater
Scott & Tyler in front of a two seater
04-18-2010
A day of planting....
We got some outdoor plants to spiff up the garden. It is starting to look pretty good...I love spring!
I love the color of these bright pink azaleas'.
Blue lavender bushes...they smell wonderful!
Even my annuals are growing...the buds are starting to grow bigger too! They all looks so healthy!
04-17-2010
A Day in Watsonville
We went to A Day In The Sky at the Watsonville airport. Wow did we have a great day together! There were clowns making balloon animals, fire trucks, police cars, the bomb squad with a robot (Tyler thought that was cool...but I think Scott liked it more), music, free food, free parking and a jump house. It was really a great day!
Tyler got his face painted by this really wonderful patient lady...she was absolutely fabulous!
Up close look at the monster eye!
Dad and Tyler
Mom and Tyler
Tyler in the huge ladder truck. Its ladder was 100 feet long...it was huge! It also had a driver in the back of the engine...really cool!
Tyler got to put on the official bomb squad helmet!
Tyler petting the turtle and the tortoise.
There was even a baby calf at the event today.
Tyler got to sit in the cockpit of an airplane...
and play with all the controls! He is going to fly next month with EAA Young Eagles!
04-15-2010
It's a big boys room!
It looks so cute! We got the room all put together. Tyler loves it!
04-14-2010
We're getting close...
I got the bed made up and the floor all vacuumed. Now I just need to move his furniture (computer, dresser, games, TV & toys) and hang his pictures on the wall. It is turning into a really cute "big boys" bedroom!
04-12-2010
It's Blue...and looks so much better!!
The awful pink walls are gone...finally! I can't tell you how much better the room looks. I got a new comforter for the bed and still need to get curtains, but I think it will be super cute for a big boys room when we get done. Tyler is very excited about having a "new" room!
04-11-2010
Otto loves to play...
Another day of playing outside with Otto and his frisbee. He is such an athletic super star!
Otto waiting for the frisbee
Otto catching the frisbee
Otto pooped...look at that tongue!
04-10-2010
What a fun week!
We had a great time in Arizona...a real vacation from school and work! We celebrated Easter with everyone on Sunday...it was a full house! The kids had a ball looking for eggs and candy. We played some fun games too. Then Monday we went boating down Canyon Lake in the new "T squared" boat. We didn't burn! Then we had lunch at the Canyon restaurant which was really good. Tuesday Nana took us to see "A Diary of A Wimpy Kid" which Tyler loved. He read the whole series and loved the story. Wednesday I got my haircut by the same lady who did my hair for my wedding 12 years ago...how time flies. I love the way she cuts my hair! Tyler and Nana went to the zoo...he loved it. Then we went out for dinner to Olive Garden...it was fun. Thursday we met my sister in Anthem for a day of cleaning. My teeth are spotless! Then we took the boys out for dinner before returning to their beautiful new home for brownies and bathes before bedtime. Tyler and I were up at 3am to get ready for our ride home. That was the hard part of our trip...the drive home. Once the sun came up, it was a pretty uneventful drive...very green and pretty. We made it home in 11 and 1/2 hours with quite a few stops along the way...mainly to walk around and get drinks. It was a fun trip, but its nice to be home too. Now I have to start my homework and get it done before Monday...ugh!
Tyler with his cousins, Ryan and Connor, on Easter.
Tyler with his cousin Colin.
Dad, the captain of boat.
The new "T squared" boat.
Tyler and Nana on the boat at Canyon Lake.
Tyler on the boat.
The front of the boat...Tyler, Mom, Katie and Colin. The scenery at the lake was just beautiful.
Tyler loved sitting in the front of the boat on the swivel seat.
Canyon Lake.
Tyler holding open the dinosaurs head so he wouldn't bite him!
Tyler giving the dinosaur a belly rub!
The T-rex was huge compared to my little guy!
And finally, Tyler hugged a cobra! How many people can say they've done that before? :)
04-02-2010
We are out of here!!
A week of playing...no homework...no deadlines...sleeping in...sunshine...YEAH!! TTFN.
03-30-2010
Only 2 more days of school, then it's SPRING BREAK!
We start Spring Break on Friday! We are getting ready to hit the road...we're going to see my family in Arizona for the week!! After homework today, we are starting the packing process...and trust me, it is a process. Laundry is first...hopefully that will be done by tomorrow...then the official packing begins! It should be a fun trip...we are looking forward to getting out of town and not having any homework for a whole week!! :) Tyler is very excited about seeing his cousins and going in Granddad's boat out on the lake. I am looking forward to getting some sun and laying out by the pool! :)
03-27-2010
How To Train Your Dragon...
We saw the best movie today..."How To Train Your Dragon"...it was such a good story and so well done. Lots of action too...we were all glued to the screen. Then we came home and showed Scott a science project...Tyler has been collecting "How To Train Your Dragon" eggs. We showed Scott how a baby dragon is born. It is pretty cool to watch! Tyler loves it...he wants to be a scientist when he grows up...I think he will love it!
03-26-2010
A man and his wheelbarrow...
Scott got a new (old) wheelbarrow. He is in the process of sanding it down and making it look new! Gotta love craigslist!
The two poles are sanded and stained.
Now for the wheelbarrow....the sanding has begun.
03-21-2010
He is definitely focused....
I was playing with Otto outside today in the backyard. He loves his Frisbee...well, that is one way of saying he is obsessed with it. I got some good shots of him catching it too! He is one funny dog...and oh so smart!
03-20-2010
A picnic lunch at the Hollister Airport...
It was such a nice day we went had a picnic lunch at the Hollister Airport. We saw some pretty cool planes...one in particular, a P-51 Mustang that Scott just went totally nuts about. It was fun to watch them all take off and land.
03-17-2010
Happy St. Patty's Day!
We're all in green to celebrate our Irish roots. We're even fixing green mashed potatoes for dinner tonight (I think that sounds really gross)! Tyler asked me to save some that are just white...LOL...maybe I will take out two helpings before we add the green food coloring (one for him and one for me)! ☻
03-14-2010
It's Pi Day...you know...3.141592+
In honor of national pi day...we got a cherry and apple pie to take for dessert tonight after dinner! They smell so good!!
03-11-2010
A real lamp shade...
Otto had to go back to the vet...he pulled out his stitches...YIKES!! The plastic E-collar the vet gave him was broken within hours of returning home. So, I got a REAL lamp shade for him to wear. We got quite a few double takes at the vet...lots of smiles and questions. Mostly they asked about Otto and told us what a beautiful dog he is...which he really is...he has beautiful markings! The lamp shade has lasted 3 days...and now we need another one. He is so hard on them. You can see the lovely black tape I put around the edges trying to salvage what I could...but a new one is needed. He is one ACTIVE dog!
03-10-2012
Happy Birthday to Tyler!
Tyler is 9 today...holy toledo! We have some festivities planned at school and then after school a visit to Baskin Robbins for his favorite ice cream! It should be a fun day!
Started today in front of his computer in his pj's!
Then had a pancake breakfast at school! It was yummy!!
In class doing his school work.
After school we went to Baskin Robbins with Stephany for "wild & reckless" ice cream. They loved it!
Then they showed their blue tongues....just like the Avatar's!
Finally Tyler got to go to Target to spend his birthday money from Nana & Granddad! He had such a fun time picking out his presents...he knew exactly what he wanted!! When we got home, we found a gift certificate from Aunt Sally, Uncle Frank, Scott & Kate to Amazon.com. He picked out the game "Spiderman Monopoly." Tyler is the only kid I know who loves every form of Monopoly made...and he loves the game. I got him a PS3 game of Monopoly too...its his new favorite PS3 game!
03-09-2010
Last day of being 8...
We had a little celebration after Tyler was invited to say his poem again for the school board. It was so cute...he did a great job again! He was all psyched up and ready to deliver a good performance...and he did! They all clapped for his presentation! Then we went out for dinner...a really good Mexican dinner to celebrate Tyler's last night of being 8! We really had a fun time.
03-07-2010
Birthday Celebrations for Tyler and Jack!
♪♪ Happy Birthday to Tyler and Jack!! ♪♪ We had a great spaghetti dinner with salad and garlic bread. Everyone was in heaven, especially the birthday boys! Jack turned 4 and Tyler will be 9. Then we had cake and ice cream; then the presents came out. I think both birthday boys had a great time opening their gifts. I am not sure about Jack, but Tyler sure made out in the great gift department. It was like Christmas all over again. What a lucky boy! Star Wars characters, a few PS3 games and a movie were some of the gifts I remember. We had a fun family dinner! Below are a few pictures of cake! It was yummy!!
It was chocolate cake with a creamy filling....oh so good!
Jack & Tyler (the birthday cousins)
03-06-2010
Otto is on the mend...
Otto is back to being Otto-bot! He is waiting for his Frisbee! Funny dog!
03-05-2010
Otto had surgery...
Otto is home now...lethargic and shivering, very unlike himself. He is my hyper one...usually that is. He got fixed today...no puppies for Otto. We are doing our part to curb the pet population. He sure seems skinny though...he hasn't eaten anything today, and for an already skinny dog, he is bare bones right now. He looks anorexic. I have offered him cheese, a slice of ham and even boiled chicken...he has turned his nose up to it all. What ever meds they used for the surgery are certainly taking their time wearing off. I sure hope he is back to normal tomorrow...I miss my Otto-bot! One funny thing happened today. I was suppose to pick him up from the vet at 1:30pm. They called at 11:15am saying he did well during surgery and is very vocal about letting them know he doesn't like it there...could I please come get him. LOL. Otto has never been shy about speaking his mind! He is one funny dude, even under the influence an anesthesia.
Here is Otto laying next to my chair all bundled up so he is warm. He hates the lamp shade!
03-04-2010
Big Test today...
OMG...our first real exam in Math is today. My fingers are crossed and my brain is engaged! I have been studying for this thing for 2 days...I can't tell you how much sleep I will never recover...ugh!
02-26-2010
We made it!
It's the weekend...yeah!! With so much going on during the week now, I live for weekends!! It is suppose to rain all weekend (nuts) so it might be a movie weekend. I sure hope there is something good playing. I think the last one we saw that was really good was "A Princess and The Frog." ☻
02-25-2010
I got an...
A on my test...Yahooooooooooo!! I have a feeling the crown I am having put on my tooth today is going to hurt more than taking that test! Yikes!
02-24-2010
Math Quiz #2...
You got it...I am hoping for the best, but the anticipation is killing me! I hope I did better on this one than the last one...we find out tomorrow. ugh!
02-22-2010
A busy week ahead...
Between school, homework, swim lessons and working out, this week is bound to fly by. I have a temporary crown on a molar right now that will be traded in for the permanent crown this week. I will be happy when that is completed. I prefer white in my mouth compared to silver...it looks odd when smiling.
02-18-2010
The anticipation is killing me...
We had our first math quiz yesterday...I think I got them all, although the irrational numbers throw me off sometimes. I hope I did as well as I think I did...we find out today, hopefully! My fingers are crossed!!
We got our quiz back...
Man oh man, I missed 2 questions...1 easy one (it was so simple I almost died I got it wrong) and the other one was hard. But I will never get these two wrong on another test! I still have an A in the class, but only by 3 percentage points. The only thing saving me is that I've done all the homework and warm ups...so I have all of those possible points...and my math lab hours. I've just got to ace the next one!
02-17-2010
Happy Birthday Sal!
The big 44! We hope you have a really wonderful day!
02-14-2010
♥ Happy Valentines Day! ♥
I've got the two best guys in the world! Today was a great day!
02-13-2010
Such a hard day....
Today we drove up to Folsom to say good bye to a dear sweet Aunt. It was her birthday...Aunt Sophie turned 84. We sang to her in her hospital bed and she smiled. It was so sweet, but so sad too. It is so hard saying good bye.
02-12-2010
☺ OMG...My baby is growing up! ☺
Tyler did so well today at the assembly. Got right up there and said his poem. I was so proud of him! He was so excited when everyone clapped and shouted hooray...he even took a bow...it was so cute! He is certainly a blessing!
These were the third grade winners...1st through 4th place. They did such a good job!
02-11-2010
One more day...
Tomorrow is a big day for us...Scott has the day off so we can go to Tyler's school assembly where he will read his winning poem. He is all psyched! This week at school for me was very busy but productive. I got all the points possible in my English class on a paper we had to write about ourselves. YEAH! Also I got all my homework done for math (which is a miracle in itself) and earned all the possible points for the problems too! Yahoo!!!! I am so excited that this is a 3 day weekend! :)
02-06-2010
New Shoes for all of us...
We went to REI to pick up the sandals I ordered for Tyler and we all ended up getting new shoes. We got gonga deals today. I found a really cute pair of Merrell shoes (I love Merrell and Keen brands especially) for $20, Scott found a $125 pair of Garmont shoes for $19 and then we got Tyler some Teva's. I couldn't believe we walked out of the store with about $250 in shoes and paid less than $60...we did good!! I love deals like this!!
My new Merrell's!
Scott's new Garmont shoes!
Tyler's new Teva's!
02-04-2010 pm
UPDATE!!
He won, he won!! Tyler will be reciting his poem at the school assembly on Friday. He is certainly full of wonderful surprises!! Scott and I are so proud of Tyler!!
02-04-2010
What a week!
School is back in session for me. I started yesterday and already have 2 hours of math homework. Wow!! I got it done though...I am bound and determined to get straight A's this semester! I was so proud of Tyler yesterday. This kid is amazing. His school had a poetry contest in each of their classes. He was one of the finalist in his third grade class. The top 3 went on to compete against all the other kids in their grade. Yesterday was the competition. Now they will pick one winner per grade. I really don't care if he wins, I was so proud of him for trying and doing his best. This is the kid who has had speech therapy his whole little life because he couldn't pronounce his letters correctly...now he is speaking in public and winning speech contests. Who would have thought that would happen...certainly not me! Today we find out who wins...I am a little nervous for him. I think he may be upset if he doesn't get selected...but I keep trying to teach him that winning isn't everything...its how you play the game. It is such a hard lesson to learn!
01-24-2010
A busy day
Tyler and I joined the YMCA in Morgan Hill again. I've really missed that place. They offer Zumba now...I am so excited. Between Shallow Tone (water aerobics) and Zumba...I will be doing great in the exercising department. Tyler is going to take swim lessons starting in February...he is very excited about that! Today while I swam laps, Tyler went to Kid Zone and had a blast! I am so glad they have a cool place for him to play and have fun while I work out. It's a nice benefit! Then we came home...and Otto wanted to play Frisbee. He loves to play...I got some pretty funny photos of him today. First one is waiting for the throw, the second is bringing it back and the third is dropping it on my lap. He has learned a few tricks...and commands. He is a smart boy...and funny too!
01-23-2010
Maggie got a hair cut...
She is so cute!!
01-21-2010
What a week...
I finally got my schedule straight at school...the counselors are wonderful! I am really looking forward to starting classes...although my schedule is up to 13 units. It is going to be a busy semester for us...but well worth the work. Now I just have to save up for all the books...man those are expensive!
01-16-2010
Happy Birthday Dad!
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you! I hope you had a really great day and party...wish I could have been there!
01-13-2010
Having some fun...
I got some great shots today of Tyler and some sites on campus. We had a fun day!
01-12-2010
It arrived...
One of Scott's birthday presents arrived in the mail today! He is going to be so excited!
01-11-2010
Doggie Door...
I changed the doggie door...what an ordeal! First I took it apart then put it back together backwards. Otto ran through it and knocked the door flap down...oh man...I had to fix it or else cold air would be coming through all day until Scott got home. But after playing with it and the electric screw driver for a bit...I finally nailed it! Well, I got it all screwed together...not really nailed. I am beginning to think I am really not that mechanically inclined...more like mechanically declined! I hope it stays up the rest of the day...at least till Scott gets home to make sure its secure!
Before (note the holes Otto chewed out of the old flap)...
and after...
I need to get some of that thumb sucking agent to spray on the flap so he will leave it alone!
01-10-2010
A Birthday Celebration!
We celebrated Scott's & Glenn's birthday last night. It was a fun dinner. For dessert, we had a Baskin Robins ice cream cake...it was yummy. The little ones loved helping blow out the candles. I wished I had a picture to share with you, but I had two little ones on my lap so they could be close to the cake. They were all so cute. Those cousins had the candles blown out before Scott & Glenn could take in a breath to blow them...I laughed so hard. I think the birthday boys were caught off guard. You snooze, you loose! Scott got some nice things...i tune gift cards, apps gift card for his i touch, money and a nail gun (he is putting down a hard wood floor throughout our home).
01-09-2010
A Busy Day...
Tyler and I took Maggie & Charlie up to get their shots...that was a stressful event. First getting just the two of them in the car was a project. I bribed Lily & Otto with food to get them in the backyard and quickly locked the doggie door so they would be out while we got Maggie & Charlie in the car. So that part is finally done. The house is locked and we are ready to go...when around the corner runs Otto with the neighbors dog. Otto jumped over our backyard fence. They are having a ball (their dog is a puppy too, a german sheppard mix) chasing each other and running about 50 mph around the 5 acre lot we live in. Our neighbor came out to help me get the two pups to stop running...finally I was able to get Otto in the house (another bribe with food). This time I had to lock Lily & Otto in the house (no doggie door access to outside). So now we are in the car, headed out for shots. We get there and get our shots no problem. Maggie is a good shot taker...Charlie is a little more open about her feelings with shots...she doesn't like them! We finally get home and the girls are anxious to get inside the house. Tyler and I went to get their license at the Animal Control Center (yes, even dogs in the county have to have licenses now). After that we went to see a movie..."The Princess & the Frog." Man that was such a great movie...we both loved it. We laughed so hard...now I can't wait for that one to come out on DVD. Then we went to Costco to get a game for Tyler. He picked a new one with Mario and Luigi, "Bowser's Inside Story." This was the reward he picked for such a good report card. He played that game all afternoon, laughing so hard about the character situations in the game. Then after dinner we all watched Ratatouille on cable. That was such a cute movie too. We had a good time.
01-06-2010
A interesting item in the fridge...
We read an article today about people and their fridge...it reveals quite a bit. Below is my favorite picture...holey toledo!!
Then I started thinking what our fridge looks like compared to the ones in the article...I think we are pretty normal for a family of 3.
You can read the entire article here: http://www.good.is/post/picture-show-you-are-what-you-eat/
01-04-2010
The Tooth Fairy arrived...
Tyler was so excited...guess who wants to go get a toy after school today?!
01-03-2010
Tyler lost a tooth...
Now we wait for the tooth fairy!
01-02-2010
A Healthy Year...
I was reading an article by Dr. Oz this morning and thought you might enjoy it too. It gives good advice on how to be healthy and to expect failure, but also what to do when you hit the bump in the road. Here is the article:
"Here are the five most important things a person can do to undo holiday damage:
#1 Start walking today.
#2 Tell people. Go public about your goals and get enablers who reinforce your bad habits out of the way.
#3 Sleep. If you sleep the 7 hours you’re supposed to, you won’t crave carbs as much.
#4 Trick your body. Fool yourself when you’re hungry by drinking water instead or eating or eating simple things like mints that "blow out your taste buds." It works.
#5 Automate your life. Eat the same healthy option for breakfast. Bring a healthy lunch to work every day. Keep snacks like nuts in your pockets, your desk, anywhere that’s in easy reach, so you will never feel hungry. That, he says, is the real key to weight loss.
There are certain “power” foods that we should all be eating more of. Foods
that “come out of the ground looking exactly the way they look when we eat
them,” he notes. These include antioxidant-rich vegetables, blueberries,
apples, whole grains with lots of fiber and spicy foods!
*An interesting tip: if you eat spicy foods for breakfast, you won’t eat as much
at lunch.
There are also food we should start avoiding like the plague: trans fats (processed foods have lots) and saturated fats and anything with high-fructose corn syrup, especially soda. When you drink soda, he explains, it actually makes you hungrier and you end up eating more calories.
Muscle-building exercise is also key to undoing damage, as muscles burn calories even between workouts. This is even more important for women, says Dr. Oz, because we generally have less muscle mass than men.
One other important thing to keep in mind— expect to fail. The main reason we fall off the rails this time of year, he says, is because we think we have to be perfect which, of course, is impossible. If we slip up, we should simply do as our GPS tell us when we miss a street, “make the first authorized U-turn” and get back with the program."
Complete article can be read here: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/the-thread/undoing-holiday-damage-with-dr-oz-558499
01-01-2010
Riverdance
We saw a live musical at the San Jose Performing Arts Center tonight...boy was it good. We all loved it...especially Tyler!
Just having some fun...
Scott with Otto playing fetch
Our little retriever
I dare you to take it....
...oh man, he got it!
Happy New Year!
Wow, 2010 already! As I reflect on 2009, there were a few things that did not go so well, and other things that went great. I hope the lessons learned last year will help to make this year a positive experience...after all, isn't life about growth and how we accomplish our goals? I want the ride to be as smooth as possible!
My resolution is to exercise everyday. Good luck with your resolution!
I read an article about "How to keep your New Year's Resolutions: Advice from the Experts." I think I might be in trouble...here is number 5:
"5. Get Better Friends
Consciously and unconsciously, people tend to imitate those around them. That's why the latest research shows that things like happiness, quitting smoking and obesity can spread like a contagion through social networks. So, surround yourself with friends who can also be role models. "Make sure that people you hang out with are people who look and act the way you would like to. Social imitation is the easiest form not only of flattery but of self-improvement," says Stanton Peele, author of Seven Tools to Beat Addiction. (Read "In Old Age, Friends Can Keep You Young. Really.")
Social support is critical to changing all kinds of behavior. Good friends can not only help you through slip-ups, but they can also help keep your New Year's resolution from taking over your life. Rather than obsessing about what you shouldn't be doing, think about things you should, experts say. The distraction will help you curb bad habits. "Focus on your higher goals and positive activities, things that both sustain you and fill your life," says Peele. If you regularly engage in meaningful activities that give you pleasure - whether it's visiting friends, picking up a hobby, taking a class or doing volunteer work (one of the most overlooked sources of personal joy and meaning is helping others) - you'll simply have less time to crave or engage in the behavior that you want to reduce."
I may need to find some new friends! :)