Breakfast with Santa

Sorry I've been gone so long. You would think since I'm not working I would have more time to blog! Well that's what I thought too! I'm just so busy! Well last weekend we had Breakfast with Santa with our cousins. It was fun. Karissa meet Santa, had breakfast, decorated a cookie and ornament, and Santa finished the morning with a Christmas story for the kids. It was great!

Thanks for your prayers

Our Jo Jo left for Afghanistan on Wednesday. I just want to say thank you to everyone that took the time to call her. She said she is a little nervous because she doesn't know what to except. I know in my heart she will be fine. With prayer I know Joanna will be back safe. Thank you again for all your prayers and support.

Reality Check

I think it hasn't quite hit me, (or I'm in denial) because I feel like I just took a few days off of work, and I'll be back at the store soon. Then my dear husband said " So hunny you're a stay at home mom again"! WAIT!......WHAT? I was suddenly brought back to reality, the store is closed and I will not be going back. My only job will be to take care of my family. Since my rude awaking things have been pretty good. I've been getting the kids ready for school with dr appts, shopping, and last minute trips. Of course I've been getting my schedule ready too. I've signed up for school, ( I'm very interested in graphic design I might take a stab at it) the gym, and a salsa class! I'm trying not to do to much since my main objective is to take care of my family. I'm sure my husband loves that there's dinner on the table every night now. I'm very excited to start my new journey & enjoy more time with family & friends. Thank you for all the memories!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my best friend's Birthday. So you know what that means...Disneyland!!! We took Audrey & Karissa of course. We had so much fun. It was sooo hot, but not crowed at all. Audrey had her 1st lollipop! It was a fun day. Happy Birthday Gracie!

Childhood Memory

When I was a little girl I remember my mother bringing home some pastries from a bakery in China town. I was probably about 7 years old. Well sometime last year I went to China town, my mission?... to find these pastries called "butterflies". Well my mission was completed, I found them, but since Chinatown is kinda far from me I haven't had them since. My hunny knows I've been craving these things, so he started looking up bakeries on the internet. Guess what he found?...."BUTTERFLIES". You won't believe where!!! Right around the corner from where I work!! So on Sunday we took a little drive down to Diamond Bakery to buy my beloved pastries

as soon as I took a bite I was 7 years old all over again!

Beach Party!

On Saturday Gracie had a beach party for her birthday. We had so much fun! Karissa & Audrey had fun playing in the water. Later that evening we had a bon fire, we toasted marshmallows & sang happy birthday to Grace. It's always great to hang out with our family!

Proud to be an American

I have always been proud to be an American. Our family loves to celebrate the 4Th, but this year its a little more special to us. As you all know our Jo-Jo joined the Navy back in November, and we are very proud of her. I just want to take this time to tell her Thank you! Not only her but all the young men and women who serve our country. Without their service we wouldn't have our freedom . I was told it takes a special person to fight for our country, & I know that's true. Joanna always says this is what she was born to do, & I believe it. Thank You for all your sacrifice, & your commitment to us, and to our great country. WE LOVE YOU!
God Bless America! P.S. I know I'm gonna cry for sure this year during the firework show, especially when they play.."Proud to be an American"

Check It Out!

My Bestfriend (& Aunt) just finished her blog. She's new to this, but she did a great job! So check her out....http://2sweetsmiles.blogspot.com/

Time well spent

We've been working hard all week, & when I say "we" that includes Karissa. She has been with me @ the store & warehouse almost everyday this week, & she doesn't just sit around, she's actually working..putting away ribbon and empty baskets & collecting empty paper trays. I felt bad that she has to come with me, so today we went into work for only a few hours, then I took her to get a special treat. We went to Miss Priss Cupcakes! It was yummy! A couple of friends were in the area so they stopped by to join us. It was a nice little outing spent with friends & it was great just hanging out with my favorite girl. Thanks for being so patient & helpful Kari ,I love you!

A Proud Walk Home

When Joanna was home, Karissa had 1 request.."Jo can you pick me up from school?" Maybe she had 2 request, I wanna say the next thing she said was more of a demand! "but when you come get me you have to have your uniform on!" I found these pictures today I didn't know Jo's friend had taken them. Jo said it was pretty cool watching the children stare at her and asking her if she was a real solider. She didn't have to say anything, because I know Karissa was proud to show off her "big sister" on that walk home.

Update

Well you know how I do it, when I finally have time to post I do it 5 post at a time! I've been busy with birthday party's, A welcome home party, and an anniversary. They were all back to back! I wanted to take the time to say Thank You to my friends & Family who helped me with all the preparations. Without you I would have gone crazy!!!! So Thank You very much! Also please keep our Seabee in your prayers, she might be shipping out to Afghanistan in August, I'll keep you posted. (MJ aren't you proud I finally updated my blog!)

The perfect find!

I worked the CKU show in Pasadena on Saturday, & I was so excited to find these stamps. Aren't they just perfect for my Seabee! This perfect little stamp made my day. I know, It doesn't take much to make me happy!

Sugar Plum Festival

Well "The Gang" went out to the Sugar Plum Festival on Thursday night. We found a few little treasures. After, we hit Applebees for a very late dinner. We always have a good time when we're together. Always alot of laughs!

School's Almost Over.....

.... so you know what that means. Scrapbooks for the teachers! Well only Karrissa's teascher, I guess for Danny it's not too cool to give out scrapbooks. I can't believe my boy is going to High school and Karissa's is going to 2nd grade! They grow up so fast! Well I hope Karrissa's teacher likes her book! Here's alittle look.....

Joanna's Home!

Joanna came for for about a week. We were all excited to see her. We were like little kids on christmas waiting for her to call to tell us she had landed. We had a little welcome home party for her. Of course Jayden was happy to see his Jo-Jo! She was born to wear this uniform, she looks good, doesn't she! Karissa & Jo decorated the cake, We all had a good time. We are so proud of our Jo-Jo!

CHA

One of my Fav's @ CHA was Anna Griffin.....Cute! Sophia, Tiffany and I @ the Graphic 45 booth.

Creative Imaginations came out with a Star wars line, so the characters were there to help promote the product. Very Cool!

I Love going to CHA, but I also love when it's over! I was able to take today off, (Thanks Soph) and spent it cleaning the house and of course taking Karissa to Disneyland! We ordered alot of cool things @ CHA I can't wait to get my hands on everything! Here's a couple of pic's we took. Enjoy!

A quick layout

I threw together this page this morning. Isn't she cute in her uniform! I will have this layout in the store for awhile. I know a lot of our customers will want to see it.

Freezing!

It was so cold in Chicago! The temp was -7 on Friday, plus the wind chill made it-40 degrees! My crazy kids couldn't resist playing in the snow (even if it was only for 5 minutes) The day we left Chicago it was the warmest at 20 degress. We are so glad to be back in sunny California!!!

She's A Sailor!

We all flew out to see Joanna graduate from bootcamp on Thursday. We were so happy to see her! She looks so good, and she is even more respectable and polite. We are so proud of her. She loves being a sailor. My heart is over flowing with love and pride for my JoJo. I am so in awe of her...I would catch myself staring at her in amazement, she has turned into such a fine young lady. WELL DONE SAILOR!