Tyler's 14th Birthday

We spent Sunday afternoon at Dave & Buster's for our nephew Tyler's 14th Birthday.  Of course, Eric forgot to tell me about the party until Saturday, 1 day before the party.  So, there we go circling the entire mall with a bunch of "maybe" gifts but, no gift which totally read "the one".  Until finally, almost the very last store we visited we found these slippers, and they were in his fav "Charger" blue and gold.  Nedless to say, he was very happy with them. 

The funniest part of the story was when Tyler and his friends said, "Oh wow, you got Michael Jacksons!"  LOL!  The adults could not help but giggle at the fact that these Nike shoes are Michael Jordans.  Wow, this made me feel really old.

After lunch, we went to the gaming area and Deric had a blast.  He ran around and just took everything in. 

We had a great day but, unfortunately ended in tears.  Those terrible (pre) 2's kicked in and Deric did not want to leave.  He got over it pretty quickly as we walked around Tempe Market Place and he was asleep within the hour.

Anniversary of Life

As a child, or young adult, we all could not wait for birthdays.  One year older, one step closer to independence, drivers licence, gradjuation, etc.  Then one day we ask, where has the time gone? 

My mother does not celebrate birthdays.  In fact, I think she has been 35 for about 35 years LOL.  So we decided to meet up for a nice meal and enjoy one anothers company and celebrate my mothers "Aniversary of Life".  I figured, if she no longer has birthday but she does celebrate aniversaries, why not celebrate her Aniversary of Life.  I'm thinking I may just start celebrating my own "Aniversary of Life" myself here in a few years.  Here are some photos.

Oh and I could not resist snapping a shot of this.  The monkey never did have a shot against this dinner roll.

Sorry I've been away... Update

Wow, we've been really busy these past few weeks.  Deric's 1st visit to Peter Piper Pizza as a toddler.

Play Dates w/cousins Breanna & Viney

My niece Breanna's 5th Birthday Tink Party.

Eric's Karaoke Birthday Bash

And last but not least, caring for my son and babysitting little baby girl.

Life has been wisping by filled with not one boring minute.  I am going to try my hardest to continue to document our lives but in a more timely mannor.

A new baby in the house

She is the 1st baby girl to very good family friend and they have chosen to make me her care giver. I must admit, it is nice to have a brand new baby in the house. She is 4 weeks old, and just a doll. She has the most beautiful blue eyes.

I was a bit worried to see how Deric would react with a new baby in the home but he actually was not bothered at all. Never the less I like to be prepared and weigh on the side of caution so, I invited my Parents over today, after their morning run to assist with entertaining Deric. I really don't think it will be necessary but Deric always enjoys time with Grandpa.

My Parent's 47th Wedding Anniversary

We hosted a Surprise Anniversary party for my parents this Sat to celebrate their 47 years together. After dinner I asked my mother, "What is the secret to a long lasting marriage?" My friend Cyndi said, "Yes, please tell." My mother answered, "Love but the biggest secret of them all is as simple as it is challenging. It is respect. Without respect, can lead into verbal warfare, and even the strongest of hearts can be challenged, and eventually broken down." So there you have it folks... Love & R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Their Anniversary was Thursday. No one mentioned it, sent a card, phoned, or verbally wished them a Happy Anniversary. This day is very special to my Mother, actually it is her favorite "holiday". So needless to say Dad & especially Mom, were very hurt that no one acknowledged. Little did they know that this was all part of our master plan. Little did she know that her children were planning a Surprise Party with dinner and gifts.

Mom called me Sat morning & said my brother had asked to borrow her car Sat at 3PM while his car was in the shop. Everyone who knows my Mother knows that Saturday's are her days so I'm thinking she may have been a little perturbed however, she would never admit that.

I asked, "So, what are you going to do today?"

"Nothing. Stay home. Pat has the car."

I said, "Have him drop you two off over here."

She said, "Okay."

Perfect!!! She had no idea what was in store for her.
She walked in and started weeping. She said, "I thought you forgot!" She was sooo touched.

Even the kids got in the action. I love that they understand that it is not the cost of the gift but the thought behind it. This was the best gift of the night. Two cans of Cashews.

My Daddy loves geography so, how perfect was this gift of a glob. It sits on a dark wood base. Very modern with an elegant flare.Kirkland's never fails with their beautiful picture frame with an iron tree in the center. Both Mom and Dad loved it.

Family photo time.

Like Father, Like Daughter

My brother-in-law is a real outdoors man and is teaching my niece LiAnna to be a real outdoors-wo-man. Surprisingly she is really taking a liking to it but don't get me wrong, she is no tomboy. In fact she is so girly all her outdoor gear is in her favorite color pink. She is not fearful or squeamish of creepy crawlies (like her Mother & me lol). He has taught her how to fish, bait her own line, and now they have moved onto Archery. When she grows older, she is going to give meaning to the song, "What ever you can do, I can do better."

Play Date w/Jesse & Jenelle

Yesterday my parents picked up my neice and nephew and brought them over for a play date w/Deric. The were sooo happy 2c one another. This is the boys gave each other a (manly) hello hug then immediately went to the toy bins and dumped everything out. Their 1st choice has always been the big retractable Fire Truck or School Bus (2day was the Fire Truck).

I thought it was so cute that where ever the boys went, Jenelle was right behind. She may only be 6months but she can keep up.
Jen brought her 4th of July Tutu w/her so I had to snap a few photos. She looked Tutu Sheek!

Deric refused his own bowl of cerial and insisted on sharing w/Baby Jesse. Good thing he didnt mind and actually was feeding him - too cute!

Uh-oh... who's there? Here comes Jenelle ready to break bread w/the boys. After lunch, the boys returned to their toys. This was actually the calmest they were all day. I believe it to be fatigue setting in. Neither of the kiddos could/would relax enough to actually fall asleep for their nap, and believe me they were fighting it.

The kids left at 4:00 pm. I placed Deric in his high chair AKA "Papa Chair" for a light snack before taking him down for a nap but the poor little guy did not make it. He fell asleep in chair after just one bite. What a great day. I feel it is very important that these kids stay close and develope an ever lasting blond filled of childhood memories.

Destination: Texas

My parents are driving to their homeland of Texas "ya'll". They made the move to AZ some 40 years ago but they still have siblings, nieces, and nephews who still reside. They will be stopping in Tucson to pick up my Tia Carmen, who thank goodness will be helping my father w/the 12hour drive, since my mother doesnt drive, even though she does carry a drivers license lol. They will be staying with my mother's sister, Tia Landa, and her daughter Yvette.

I hate that they insist on driving every where so I pray for their safe departure and arrival.

Wordless Wednesday

Away We Go

Have u seen the pre-views for the movie, Away We Go?

My Father-in-law looks JUST LIKE John Krasinski in this movie, in his younger days. I mean seriously, this actor could play him if they ever made a movie of his life story. The similarities are amazing but, I'll let u be the judge of that.

Birthday fun at Fudrucker's

We celebrated DJ's BDay at Fudrucker's. While there, I had the pleasure of meeting DJ's parents Dan & Sheryl who made the drive in from San Diego. To Eric, these wonderful people are also known as "Mom & Pops" as well. DJ & Eric have a brotherly friendship that goes back to their Jr High days. They have warmly excepted Eric into their home & he interns considers this loving couple his 2nd Parents & home away from home.

Deric took a really quick liking to Mom. He couldn't stop kissing her. It was too cute. Pops was not spared either. Unfortunately I wasn't able to catch a photo but Deric was making googly eyes to Pops.


Thank you for letting us into your family....
you will always have a special place in ours.