Thanks, Cousin Shannon, for taking our Christmas pictures . . .

Halloween with Family and Friends!!!

First Day of School

And now we are back to school. Bummer!!! I really like the summers!!! Tanner is standing next to his first grade teacher, our favorite. She's the greatest!!! Tanner was showing her how is now taller than her. That made him VERY happy. We are back to a schedule and so far doing well in school.

Laguna Festival of the Arts

Finally, some girl time. My good friends Denise, her daughter Jodan, Vicki, and Anita and I spent Sundays at the festival. What a great time. We would go around 4:00 on Sundays, listen to the music (Beatles rendition), play poker, eat, and drink wine. I will miss these Sundays, but we will definitely do it again next year!!!

Tanner had a couple of friends over for a slumber party, our first. He and his friends had an awesome time!!! They stayed up until about 2:00 a.m. I fell asleep long before that. Woke up at 1:30 and told them they had another half hour. They said they went to sleep. Who knows. Up at 8:00 the next morning and back to the video games!!! Then we went to lunch and the Power Station which is a video arcade and laser tag. Yes, I get mother of the year!!! Tanner said!!! He did have an awesome time. I'm thinking for his birthday

Disneyland 5K

We participated in the Disneyland 5K. What an awesome time we had. We did it in one hour and 2 minutes. Not bad for us. We had made the New Year's resolution that we would do a 5k every month. We are very behind, but we have done five this year. We will do the Race for the Cure at the end of the month. Cute medals!!!!

We get our cast off!!!!

Yes, hockey camp was fun, BUT..... had a little accident. The coach kept saying, "Oh, he is fine. It is not broken." And I was in complete agreement with him. So we went back the next day, and he continued to favor his arm saying, "It hurts!!" I am thinking, oh, yeah..... By the third day, "You're going to the doctors and you better have a broken arm. I am tired of hearing about it." Ooooops..... To the doctors we go, and yes, he does have a broken arm. Lots of I'm sorry from me..... He forgave me......

Hockey Camp

We attempted hockey camp this summer. He loved it. They were generous enough to loan us all of the clothes and equipment so we or I lucked out there. A fashion statement he was not, but he doesn't care. I laughed a lot. He has never had that good of a workout in his whole life. He was dripping with sweat!!! He wants to continue to skate so we will be back on the rink as soon as...........

Summer Vacation

This summer we went to San Diego for 5 days!!! Our first vacation with just the two of us!! Had an awesome time. Went to Legoland on our way in. That was just okay. Tanner thought it was sort of fun. We headed to our hotel on the beach in Oceanside. The hotel was brand new and we reserved a studio suite. It was spectacular. Tanner never wanted to leave. He wanted to just stay there so we never made it to Sea World. Oh, well. We just sat on the beach; he boogie boarded every day and we just relaxed. Watched movies in bed; played pool; and ate. Never drove anywhere. We took the train to a Padres game!! Had awesome seats!!! Found a great place for breakfast. In the picture is an actual cinnamon roll!! Yikes!!! Best vacation ever!!! We will do that again........

Fourth of July

We spent the Fourth of July at Aunt Vickie's. She lives on the Mission Viejo lake. What a life?? We had a great time. Don't you love this pool? It is an infinity pool; it looks like it is part of the lake. Every year they have a party, and it is always lots of fun!!!!

This was such a great Mother's day. I spent with my best friend from high school. Tanner and I went to a graduation in Sacramento and got to spend the weekend with Gloria. It's always like we were back in high school!!! Spent the day at the wineries. My first time!!!

Mother's Day 2008

ABC's of Me

I'm not sure I remember how to blog or post. But I have been tagged three times (thanks to my awesome cousins and cousin-in-law) So here goes..

A - Attached or single? My least favorite question in the whole world - single
B - Best friend? I, too, am VERY blessed with lots of Best Friends.
C - Cake or Pie? I'm really not a sweet eater - I know you can't tell by my waist size
D - Day of Choice? Friday. Usually, a day off and the weekend is ahead.
E - Essential item? Flip-flops
F - Favorite color? white
G - Gummy bears or worms - neither
H - Hometown? - Cerritos
I - Favorite indulgence? massage
J - January or July? Definitely July
K - Kids - one awesome nine-year-old boy
L - Life isn't complete without? God and Love
M - Marriage date? There's that question again - not applicable
N - Number of brothers and sisters? one sister
O - Oranges or apples? apples - mostly due to the fact you can buy them already sliced
P - Phobias - freeway overpasses
Q - Quotes - "Think with your heart."
R - Reasons to smile - my son Tanner - I am VERY blessed!!!
S - Season of choice? No question Summer
T - Tag five people - My cousins are the only ones I know that blog. Thanks for thinking of me.
U - Unknown fact about me - Planning to enroll in a Master's program in January
V - This letter seemed to be missing - Very blessed due to the love of God, my son, my family!
W - Worst habit? Thank God I was able to kick that about five years ago.
X - Xray or ultrasound? Xray
Y - Your favorite food? Sushi!!!
Z - Zodiac sign - Aries

I'm going to Brag

Today Tanner's school had an International Art Fair and Brunch. Of course, I saw his teacher there. She began to tell me how she feels that Tanner is really maturing - finally . Then she gave me an example. She said that -- well, a little background. There is a boy in Tanner's class who is somewhat challenging. He has had a lot to overcome, and he has a very hard time in class and making friends with the other students. I feel like every day I am encouraging Tanner and explaining to him how important it is to reach out to kids like "Sam." Of course, he gives me a tirade of how mean the boy is and every other excuse. It is not unusual for the boy to get in trouble and if there is a toe-to-toe with another child, it is most likely "Sam" who started it. So the teacher explains that Tanner and Sam were having words and a little physical activity. The teacher disciplined Sam. I feel so sorry for Sam. Anyway, Tanner corrected the teacher and said, "Mrs. Frig, it actually was me who started it." I had tears in my eyes. I have never been so proud!! Sometimes they really are listening to you.... Thanks for listening...... I love my guy!!!

And so today I am thankful for:

my son....
his honesty
his school
and God for guiding us both.....

First Holy Communion

Tanner's First Holy Communion was a very special day. We attended Mass at 10:00. We spent time before and after taking photos as you have seen. And afterwards we celebrated with our family at Goofy's Kitchen, Tanner's favorite restaurant. We had an awesome brunch and then off to Disneyland. Where else??

As for my handsome son's suit, for that we went to LA. I had seen the suit online for $400+ and that was definitely not an option. So I searched high and low for an alternative. Of course, still focussed on the suit I REALLY wanted. A friend from school mentioned a place she had found her son's suit at in LA and off we went. And there it was the first suit, the first store. $90. He tried it on, and wow he looked Awesome!!! Of course, all he wanted to do was go home, and I just wanted to stand and stare at him. Paid the man and off we went. Well, quick stop to the tailor there (another recommendation from my friend) and for $4 had the pants hemmed. Pretty easy actually.

My cousins are now ending their posts with what they are thankful for. I love the idea so as usual I will follow their lead. They're too smart.....

And so today I am thankful for......

God in control of my life
My friend Vic who always reminds me God is in charge
My son!!!
My ability to make a living working mostly from home

Thank you, God!!!!

Bathtub Picture

Bathtub photo?? Today Tanner said, "Come see my beard, Mom." I laughed and then thought, wow, I haven't taken a bathtub picture in a few years. I may not have this chance again!!! So here's my nine-year-old in the bathtub with a beard!!! He's still very young at heart, and I love it!!!

Easter Break at Disneyland.....

Lots of Easter Fun!!!!

Easter 2008

We are today and always grateful for the love of God, our family, and each other!!!

Love Blogging!!!

PreEaster Celebration

Today we met some friends from church and school at the park. We had an Easter egg hunt and played with our friends. Then Tanner and I colored eggs. I wrote "I love you" on one of the eggs. Then he wrote "You rock." Then I wrote... this went on and on.... It was so much fun!!! How very lucky I am!!! I cherish so much my little guy!!!

Mug Run 2008

Trying to stay true to our New Year's resolution, we ran/walked in our third 5K this year. We ran with Tanner's school in a local 5K. Lots of fun. I actually thought I had ran it, but my time was 50 minutes; Tanner walked/ran and came in at 55 minutes.

Thought of the Day

I have always loved inspiring messages that make me think about life, what it is about, where do I fit in, and what is my purpose?

So as a new blogger, my newest distraction is looking at other blogs. Wow what an inspiration!! There are a lot of inspiring people and families out there. I found this one on a blog and loved it......

Today we may find ourselves summoned to a task which we know is quite beyond us
"Me, Lord?" we quaver,
"Who am I?"
God answers, "I am with you."

Tanner's 9th Birthday

Tanner turned 9 on February 16th. We agreed not to have a party but to have a super fun-filled four-day weekend. I started by buying some inexpensive gifts i.e., Chaotic cards, Funkees, and small water toys. I attached a clue as to what we would be doing next. We started with a day at Camp James on Friday. Then an overnight at Camp James. I then picked him up in the morning, and we were off to breakfast on Balboa Island. A walk to the Peninsula included ice cream and two arcades!!! We then went to Newport Dunes to check out the cottage I rented for two days. Lots of fun, a little small, but lots of fun. I think we would have enjoyed it much more had it been in the summertime.

Off to a surprise dinner at Dave & Buster's, another arcade, and a surprise visit from Auntie, Keegan, and Nolan. Had a great time. Then off to floor seats to see the Harlem Globetrotters. Great show!!!!! Back to the Dunes. Sunday morning we joined Victoria and Chad for mass and breakfast. Finally, back home. It sure felt good to go home and frankly, to quit spending money. Monday morning was the last of the surprises. Back to Camp James for another day camp. More than anything, he LOVES Camp James!!! We are off to bed and back on track for our regular life. I hope this is a birthday he never forgets; I know I won't!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Tanner

Cake Decorating

Tanner and his friend Thomas tried their hand at cake decorating.

Huntington Beach 5K

Our New Year's Resolution this year was to walk/run a 5K once a month. Well, we did the OC 5K in Irvine in January. We mostly walked coming in at about 100th place out of 120. Tanner didn't enjoy it quite as much as I had hoped. But we will try again.

Meanwhile, I signed up with my friend Theresa to do the half marathon in Huntington Beach on February 3rd. Well, didn't quite train enough or at all for that level so we opted to do the 5K. The organizers said we could not "downgrade" to the 5K because it was full. Hence, we did received the half marathon t-shirt. Due to the rainy conditions, we were able to "sneak" into the 5K since we had on so many clothes that they couldn't possibly see our "bibs." In spite of the rain, we had a lot of fun!!! It was cold. We were soaking wet. The first mile and a half the rain beat on our backs. On the last mile and a half the rain was slapping us in the face!!! We laughed a lot and couldn't believe we actually did it. I would do it again, and I'm sure she would too. I kept saying, "I wish I had my camera." We, along with everyone else, were a sight to be seen.