The Hamiltons

Nerdy Love...

2011-06-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

Studying for finals and this made me laugh..so ignore the nerdyness that has been frequently happening over here

End of the Year Wrap Up

2011-05-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

Ryan and his cute buddy Katie..its a love hate thing

Ryan is out of school, and in true elementary school fashion it was sent off in style. All the first graders did a patriot performance. They sang such cute songs, and did what Ryan calls "Jazzy Hands" which made me laugh and get teary eyed all at the same time.
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Ryan was the tallest kid so he was at the very top side of the risers, which was PERFECT to see him. Except he almost passed out one day at practice, and I was worried that if he passed out during the performance he would take down 10 kids with him

Hooray for America

Look at those Happy Jazzy Hands..he was way into it!

Ryan also made honor roll again for the semester. We are really proud of him. Ryan worked really hard and reached all of his "Smart" goals and learned all his sight words.

Ryan and Abby..she is such a cutie and so sweet

Ryan and his Honor Roll Medal.

First grade was a great year. Ryan's teacher, Mrs. Cannon was amazing. She has such a passion and talent for working with these little people. I had the opportunity to volunteer every Monday afternoon, and what I learned was, I could NEVER teach, and that first grade teachers have a disturbing tolerance to noise and tattle tailing. I loved seeing Ryan is his element. Ryan learned so much this year, and is even reading beginner chapter books. He is really gifted at math, and is very lucky because it come easily to him. He wants to be a scientist, a pilot, and Lego creator when he grows up...for now anyways. Adam and I are so happy to watch him grow up and do well in school, but most important we are happy to watch him develop into a kind caring warm person.

Summers Here...almost

2011-05-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

Ryan started summer break today weird huh because it is sooo early. But, my summer break doesn't start until June 7th...so I am in this weird place mentally where I am ready to relax but I am in the thresholds of finals and exams. But I am so looking forward to SUMMERTIME.

I love summer, and I love staying up late and watching movies. I remember one summer April and I watched Clueless and Twister almost every night. I think I can still quote most of Clueless. AS IF! I am already starting to assemble the old movies that I cant wait to watch again, and setting up my netflix cue to check out some new ones.But I am also looking forward to:
YosemiteBig Bear
Las Vegas <-adam and I are going for our anniversary
Beach DaysAttempting to teach Ryan how to surf
Santa Barbara
Frozen YogurtBaseball Games4th of July
Watermelon and Corn on the Cob
Legoland
Sleeping In
Yoga
Swim Lessons for Ry
Museums
Leisurely breakfasts
and
The Farmers Market
I seriously have lists of fun things to do, not to mention I am planning on doing a little educational hour each morning..gotta keep Ryan on his "A" game!

I love summertime, and this is my first summer not working since like ever in my adult life I think. I am taking an online critical thinking writing course, but I can do it all from the comfort of my own home. What are you looking forward to most about summer?

Nerding Out

2011-05-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

For starters I am a NERD..no I am not trying to hide it, I am actually really proud of it. But often times I come across equations, problems, or concepts that I need to know more about and when I do I go to my buddy Sal. I wish I knew him personally, but he is brilliant and in my opinion changing the world of education and learning.

Here is the link Khan Academy

He can really teach you practically ANYTHING!

Also, like I said before...Khan Academy is really changing the world. Here is their mission statement, "The mission of the Khan Academy is to provide access to high quality instruction to anyone, anywhere. It was founded by Salman Khan who has recorded over 1,800 videos on math, science, finance, and economics at khanacademy.org"

I know this is a nerdy post, but it Khan Academy makes me SOO happy. And if your kids are driving you nuts this is a good site to throw them on!

Amazing Weekend...

2011-05-16T13:09:00.002-07:00

I cant lie and say this weekend wasn't loads of fun:

Ryan went to Father's and Son's campout with cousins, uncles, grandpa,and Adam

While he was away I,
Grubbed at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles with great company!!
Ate Dots Cupcakes (try it, they are in Pasadena)
Stayed up late playing Rummicube and watching The Office
Brunched with my sisters as well as, Rachel, Katie and Camille also sisters, at The Avocado House in Chino --A M A Z I N G..seriously life changing..that post will soon come.
Took a Saturday Nap
Watched Movies at home and ordered pizza with my boys
Sipped Hot Coco from Starbucks in bed brought home by my sweet hubby
Watched "How Do you Know"--Adam cant pass up a Reese Chick Flick he admitted it himself
Spent time with my brother and his family grubbing on kabobs, and taught the under 8 crowd how to play Clue ..which brought out plenty of giggles from me and Sarah
And today is Monday..I registered for the class I need over summer and GOT IT!
Adam and I dropped Ryan off at school and then went to the mall and enjoyed shopping (doing returns and getting cuter shorts that don't make me look like a pirate). Strolling around, and then delicious taco bell.

But you want to know what the best part was?
I have lost 30 lbs since January...yup 30 LBS!!! The new shorts I got at the mall today were 2 sizes smaller than what I was in January. I danced out of the dressing room, Adam laughed, but it is wonderful. Seriously, I LOVE Weight Watchers..amazing.

Yes I Did...

2011-04-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

Yes I did watch the Royal wedding. I didn't wake up at 1:00 am I watched coverage this afternoon. The Hubs was making fun of me, and then I caught him standing in front of the "telly" with a huge smile. Like ear to ear. I called him out on it, he responded, "weddings just make me really happy."

But I just have one comment...this came from my sister April's mouth, "Don't these two look like the evil step sisters from Cinderella?" Discuss amongst yourselves.

Week In Recap..

2011-04-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

I cant believe April is almost over..let the countdown to summer begin. So here are the Hammy's adventures for the past week.

Adam and I saw Soul Surfer and really liked it. Adam claimed we were going because he knew how bad I wanted to see it, but secretly I think he really was anxious to see it too!

Plus Bethanny Hamilton is awesome and it is pretty cool we have the same last name, right?

Grubbed at Lucille's while listening to some awesome Blues music, and watching hockey playoffs!

Went to the Elementary School Talent Show where Ryan and his friends did school cheers. They were so cute, and so many of the kids were very talented. Ryan has decided next year he is going to play the ukulele..better start practicing kid!

We got goodies from the Ice Cream Man. Although, it wasn't as amazing as I remember it being as a kid. Plus, he was out of Big Sticks and didnt even have screwballs WHAT THE???
(I remember eating screwballs from The Stefans house growing up all the time, I think there freezer was the first place I went when I walk through their front door)

So I settled for this beauty which was an excellent choice, and I enjoyed it while I watched Adam change my break pads and rotors.

I cant lie Adam was pretty impressive. It took him almost 5 hours to figure all of it out because Honda screws on their rotors. Long story short, YouTube and Honda message boards helped us figure out the problem. After using a blow torch and a drill I have new breaks and rotors, and we saved a ton of money!

We had a quick family trip to Disneyland. Just for posterity sake I killed the boys on Toy Story Mania..nothing like friendly competition!
I love these two guys!

Silly faces, their strange no denying!

Disneyland...My Happy Place

2011-04-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

I love Disneyland, I have been a passholder for most of my life. I know the park like my own house, I know the best days to go and the best months. I have been all over the park. So here our my current fav's of Disneyland.

I love Story Book Land it is one of my favorite rides in the park, plus I think it is a great crowd pleaser...to be honest I am smitten with Disneys Gardens and all the horticulture they embrace. It is AMAZING. I have actually pick and ingested a strawberry I saw growing...yes I am sure it was filled with pesticides but I just had to.

The CORN DOG stand is AMAZING. They are greasy and the line can be CRAZY long, but nothing is as tasty as a Corn Dog. Honorable mention next door is the Plaza Inn..it has great food and large portions but more of a sit down vibe and a little pricier but you can share!

White Water Snacks is inside the Grand California Hotel. It is a nice way to escape and get food that is hot and prepared when you order it. The staff is nice, it is usually pretty mellow and it is a great way to enjoy the hotel without paying to stay there. Not to mention the GREAT nachos, Adam and I can share an order and both leave stuffed.

My other tip is Enjoy the park, not just the rides. I like letting Ryan run around in the water features, enjoy free tortillas, and just explore.

I like to brown bag it on occasion and eat downstairs at the Hungry Bear. It is quiet and relaxing, plus the kids enjoy feeding the ducks.
My other must is the Dole Pineapple Whip located at the entrance of Adventrureland. I have used this picture before, mainly because the weirdo worker. But seriously it is refreshing and tasty! Next time you go try it, and don't wait in the long line, just go into the tiki rooom like and it is WAY faster!

My Very Special Secret is the Secret Bathroom. It isn't located on a map, and it is a singe bathroom with a door so you can be ALL ALONE!
This bathroom is right next to the Cast Members Entry at the Plaza Gardens stage. It is a family restroom and IS NOT located on the map "as a bathroom" It is located as a baby changing center though. Enjoy!

Enjoy my favorites of Disneyland! But in the words of my boy LeVar Burton (Reading Rainbow), "But you don't have to take my word for it"

Can't Complain...

2011-04-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

I Enjoyed a great weekend, and when I wake up tomorrow morning I am on Spring Break!

This weekend I....
Played ALOT of Bop It! with Ryan, I received it for my birthday and I am currently the high score holder...any challengers?

Read magazines...

Ate the worlds BEST homemade matzo ball soup courtesy of my buddy Michelle..I seriously crave this stuff...

I studied alot... ALOT of Cardiology and Circulatory System...I don't consider myself M.C. Escher but I am pretty proud of my sketch...

and watched this cute guy play hockey! He scored 2 points!

Not to mention I had a beautiful run with my sister April and my Mom

Baked some yummy chocolate chip cookies

and enjoyed a wonderful Sunday at church, and I am looking forward to a beautiful Easter and celebrating our Savior!

I am hoping to have a few adventures this week while being off, maybe a museum, the beach, and walking Ryan to school each morning!

Dear Miss Manners...

2011-04-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

So today has been full of adventure..okay not really at all..but I like my Saturdays that way. The pictures are from our adventures today. After finally getting out of the house this afternoon I took Ryan to get a free haircut (who doesn't love free stuff?) and to finally get my oil change. Side note: I hate doing anything that has to do with my car...this includes getting gas, going to get new breaks, oil changes..you get the point. I know it is MY car but still. I would rather move to a city with public transit and walk then have to continue getting gas and worrying about tire rotations. SO I decided that I needed an oil change, considering the digital readout on my car was telling me I was -475 miles past the recommended mileage. So I went to a place I had a coupon for, if its not free I like a discount.Sadly due to Ryan's large stature he will never make it as a jockey, but I don't have the heart to tell him. He rides weekly out in front of Albertsons..come place your bets.

As we walked into the waiting area ALL the seats were occupied by men. Darn it I really wanted to sit down. But nobody offered or even glanced over which brings me to my point when did men stop having any manners??

Some people say they died with women "coming into their own" , I choose to think that mothers are just doing a poor job.

So I proceeded to sit next to Ryan at the childrens' table while we waited. I also made it a point to talk to him about giving up his seat for a women if there are no seats available. I try to make it a point to have Ryan open doors for me and to teach him manners although sometimes my attempts are not so great..I find great pleasure in burping because it is something I am really good at and seriously.... it is funny.

Also I feel like I can officially say it Adam got a new job and will be working at AMR in the Rancho Cucamonga Division....so hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husbands because he is driving an ambulance in a community near you! Although he just switched from one ambulance company to another AMR runs ALS (Advanced Life Support) calls and 911, and he will not be commuting, so we are very excited!

Insanely Happy

2011-03-24T22:22:00.001-07:00

There are few things in life that make me insanely happy, but those that usually do can be linked right to my Ryan. Ryan is an entertainer. He is a self proclaimed "lover and not a fighter". He has a huge heart, and a goofy spirit.

One day on the way home from the beach we listen to "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz the WHOLE WAY HOME on repeat..over..and over.. and over... he sang every word every time. It took everything inside of me not to laugh and say no more...I love that song as much as the next person..but come on 20 times? But I didn't because each time he sang it he lit up and sang louder.
Ryan will dance if you request him to. April and Wes tried to teach him the evolution of dance, he did it while singing opera style Ode to Joy..I have never laughed harder.
He says things like, "When I grow up I want to marry a girl like Zippy Zippy (my sister April) because she loves technology, playing video games, AND she takes care of Peyton". It made me laugh because it was sweet and it reminded me of Kip from Napoleon Dynamite. SWEEET!

So when you see Ryan next time, ask him to do the evolution of dance, sing opera, or do the robot...and you may be laughing at him and he won't even care!

Under Pressure...

2011-03-11T23:05:00.000-08:00

My husband plays Call of Duty and at times it can get very annoying. Especially when he wears his headset like a telemarketer and talks to his best friend while they play online. I did however buy him a headset that provides surround sound for him, and no sound for me <---don't tell him but it was like a little gift for myself really. Sometimes I get annoyed when he chooses to play video games instead of 1. doing laundry 2. cleaning the bathroom 3. helping Ryan with homework 4. paying attention to me or 5. all of the above. This isn't to say Adam doesn't help out, he does his fair share..some weeks more than other....like when he left his 24 hour shift because Ryan had some crazy flu bug and I had a test in the morning that I was already in panic mode from. But then I got to thinking, Adam destresses by playing Call of Duty, and it makes him a happy relaxed guy (I don't understand how that game relaxes you but hey whatever works right?). But I do alot of things that I find helps relieve the pressure of my day to day, that I am sure Adam sees as a waist of time or just ridiculous.

I love to look at random peoples blogs. Yes, I go to my friends blogs and then their friends and then their friends..this started when I was working as a dispatcher and had to find a way to pass the time. And I hate when people go private, I am not a creep lurking on your page I promise. And so what maybe I fell like me and NieNie are friends.

I also love to online "shop", and by that I mean I go onto websites I like and add everything I want in the shopping basket, and then I like to look at the total and laugh...well lets face it I cant blow $800 on cute shoes and jeans <---Not in the budget.

My next habit is what Adam calls watching my "stories". So what if I like reality television mainly those on Bravo. I know it is ridiculous and staged, but it is great entertainment to fold laundry to late at night.

I also love Itunes, my wish list is 1000's of songs long. I love music.. I love listening to new bands I have never heard of. I love when I get Itunes gift cards but I hold onto them to make sure they are used for the perfect songs.

And lastly I love to listen to NPR, like obsessive. It is like the grown up Sesame Street really, public funding and all. I am addicted to it, and after listening when I pick up Ryan after school I like to try and give him an update of what is going on in the world. But then he says random things to his teachers like, " its great I get to come to school and that I have power and water."

So I am sure we all have weird ways of destressing, and even if it is Call of Duty (which might I add I have joined in with Adam on a few occasions and I suck and it is frustrating and I get killed like ever minute) but I get the fact that it helps relieve his stress, and he puts up with quirky stress relief tactics.

Weight Watchers

2011-02-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

So after deciding I was tired of carrying my baby weight, yeah I know Ryan is 7, but it lessens the blow if I call it baby weight. I realized that I needed to take a new approach to losing weight, lets face it I am a little chunky, pleasantly plump, or whatever you would like to call it but I needed a change I want to be healthier and look better in a bathing suit at this beach this summer. So with a little reluctance I joined Weight Watchers. I was apprehensive so I went to my first meeting and kind of feel in love with my leader and the program as a whole. I like food, no I LOVE food. I care about each little flavor and smell, and I like weight watchers because I can still enjoy yummy food, but just have to keep myself in check. So this all happened six week ago and I am happy to say I have lost 15 pounds already. Honestly I still have a ways to go but working on it one week at a time and watching the scale drop is amazing. So I am proud to say I am weight watchers member and I am kinda loving it! I have also joined a weight lifting class at school in hopes to tone up more and really turn my body into a well tuned machine!

Holiday...

2011-02-21T15:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Presidents day!! Who is your favorite President, mine is Ronald Reagan, and Ryan's is Lincoln I think due to the outfit and the beard.

Today Ryan and I both have the day off for Presidents Day. I was looking forward to planning tons of fun stuff to do today, until Ryan started complaining about a tooth ache on Friday. After a visit to the dentist on Saturday, just to be told to come back on Monday to have a cavity filled (mind you this cavity is under a filling, I knew when the last children's dentist filled it she did a crappy job, and the new dentist confirmed that). SO after waking up early this morning a quick trip to the dentist to get Ryan back to new, we decided to head home.

But now we are home, and I gave Ryan the options to go do something and he replied that he is happy just to stay home. At first I was annoyed...really its our day off lets go out and have fun. But now I am so happy we are just relaxing. I have taken a nap, Ryan is playing with Lego's quietly in his room, and I am so grateful for days like today. I often feel like time should be occupied with things to do all the time. But isn't life sweeter when it is just simple. I think we all over complicate things. Today I have been thinking of things that make me happy..

today Ryan and I shared Chinese takeout together and it was super yummy good thing we like the same things

awesome music...right now I am loving Mumford and Sons and of course my go to Jack Johnson

the rain we got this weekend and the fact that the mountains have snow

A happy seven year old who has cute huge front teeth

My nieces and nephews, I had the chance to see each one of them this weekend and they are all so sweet in their own unique way

Anticipating vacations to ski in Mammoth this Spring and camp in Yosemite with my whole family this summer, with beach camping sprinkled in (I want to get Ryan out surfing)

Date nights--Hammy and I have been doing them more frequent and it reminds me why I am so in love with him

In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln

It's Been Awhile

2011-02-17T21:53:00.000-08:00

So I acknowledge its been a long time. After going back to school full time, and being a "stay at home mom" I found little time left during my day to update. Fear not I kept up my Blog Stalking to keep entertained in class, but didn't find the time to update my blog.
To recap we went on an awesome trip to Mammoth during the huge storm in December Ryan went to ski school and Adam, myself, and Adams uncle Jeff enjoyed some great days boarding, We had a great Christmas, we went to La Verne Fire Department on Christmas morning to ride on the fire truck with Adam. And of course school. School has been great, I have been working really hard. I have found that Chemistry is a glorified math class, but I really enjoyed it...it was like in depth really hard cooking instructions with big words. In the Fall I will start filling out Nursing School applications, and I am really excited.

Adam and I are now the 11 year old Boy Scout Leaders at church and are learning allot, I have also learned that 11 year old are very entertaining, (one of our scouts locked us out of the building and wouldn't let us in for like ten minutes). I have learned how to tie knots, sharpen axes, and cook pizza over a fire.

Ryan is doing great in 1st grade, his reading skills are great, but he excels in Math. He made honor roll and got a very cool metal. He has decided when he grows up he wants to be a mad scientist and be a Lego architect. We also started Ice Hockey in January and Ryan is in love. He skates four days a week, and will start playing on a team at our rink. The coach loves him because he is such a big kid.
Adam is working (nothing much has changed). He actually got to fight a fire a month ago, and that is actually a change from his routine at the fire station believe it or not. He also grew a horrible mustache, but eventually shaved it off.

So I will try to be more diligent in posting, I have a new camera so no excuses on that part.

Jack Johnson Concert

2010-11-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

Why Adam is all close to this other girl made me laugh..homegirl with the flower in her hair next to Jack Johnson pushed me out of the way...really he is cool...but not worth fighting over lady!

Our View From on Stage..I still need to upload the rest of my pictures

Back in October Adam and I got a chance to volunteer at a Jack Johnson concert for Jack's (yeah we are on a first name basis lol) foundation called All At Once ..I am not going to lie we did it because we would get free general admission to the concert. So we got there and got to work talking to people about what small things they can do to help their communities. Jack Johnson came out and talked to us, and was awesome. After he left Adam and I continued to talk to what seemed like very concert goer about the foundation, my voice was hoarse and my feet hurt. I was ready to just be lazy like the rest of the people helping out, but I thought ehh I might as well be helpful.

WELL it paid off. The stage manager said Jack Johnson and him saw how hard we were working and told us we were going to get to watch the show from onstage and get VIP access!

We ended up watching the show onstage, high fived G.Love, sang along with Jack Johnson, and danced with Zach Gill..it was A M A Z I N G. Jack Johnson is my favorite singer ever, Adam and I have seen him 3 different times, and went on our honeymoon to San Diego just so we could see him. Watching a show from onstage is so crazy, you can see every face and screaming fan, the sound is awesome, and every person was working so hard from beginning to end.

Free Shutterfly Cards For Christmas

2010-11-17T18:16:00.000-08:00

Its that time of the year again, and I really would like to be the kind of person who gets her Christmas cards out the week of Thanksgiving...that would be awesome right? So anyway I have been looking all over Shutterfly.com and they have the cutest Christmas cards for a great price. I love the Initially Chic Green Christmas card, it is so cute, and I am planning on loading it up with tons of cute pictures from our past year. I also LOVE the Starlight Ribbon Christmas Card. I have ordered through Shutterfly for just my everyday prints, and I have made cute photo books to commemorate vacations, or just my favorite family photos and Ryan LOVES to look at them. They have easy options to edit your photos once you upload them, the shipping is really fast and easy, and I the pictures are always high quality.

I also LOVE the calendars, and I know a few grandmas who love Ryan 12 Months of the year in all his cheesy glory.
http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/calendar-poster

The address labels are super cute, and I may have to invest in these so I don't have to write the return address OVER AND OVER. Plus, who doesn't LOVE monograms?
h ttp://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/address-labels

Bottom line is, everybody loves a Christmas Cards with pictures, sure you can send a regular old card with no pictures, but think about when you receive Christmas Cards the pictures are the best part.

Check it out for your Christmas Cards, or cute photo gifts!

So order it, you can do it in your pajamas laying in bed, no reason to run out!

Happy Anniversary

2010-08-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

There is no combination of words I could write or say to describe how much I love this guy. We just celebrated our 5 year Anniversary on August 5th <---I know late aghh. Adam is incredible. I love that what you see is what you get, when they say be child like, Adam is that way. He is sweet, unassuming, and sees the best in everything and all situations. I love that Adam is crafty, he is resourceful, and he can fix about anything or do anything (with the help of google or some other resource--but he does it) Adam is a mans man. Adam is a great Dad....he is so fun with Ryan but also lays down good rules and discipline...I know he wants Ryan to grow and be a strong responsible man. I have so much fun hanging out with Adam, maybe because most of the time he lets me choose what we do, where we eat, and all of our vacations, but still I love that about him. I love to call him by nicknames I have made up...mainly Hammy (because that's what they call him at work) or Dam Dam (cause its funny) or Stinky (cause lets face it he is a mans man). Adam is my best friend. To be honest I cant get enough of this guy.

4 Generations

2010-08-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

Back in August Adam's sweet Great Aunt Mickey passed away. We were fortunate enough to see her two days before she passed away and say goodbye. While at the hospital Ryan sang some sweet songs to her to make her feel better. There was a beautiful service held at Forest Lawn and afterwards we went to dinner at The Smokehouse. All the family came to celebrate Aunt Mickey and support Adam's sweet Great Uncle Tex. This photo was taken while at the restaurant..it is 4 Generations of Hamilton Men...and these are the only Hamilton's left. In this photo from left to right is Ryan Hamilton, Greg Hamilton, Tex Hamilton, Jeff Hamilton, and Adam Hamilton. I really love Genealogy so it is sweet that we have a great little boy to pass on the Hamilton name. Cant you tell genetics run strong in this family...I think Ryan looks so much like Adam!

Motivation

2010-08-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

This is my motivation I have decided to live by. Often times I doubt myself without ever trying for fear of failing...but with that said....drum roll please...I am going back to school. Next week is my last week working--it is going to be so weird not to work but I am excited. I have some prerequisites to finish up before I can apply to nursing school. But I am seriously motivated and ready to go for it. The other great advantage is that I can drop Ryan off at school each day, and pick him up. I get to be home alot more, even though I will have my face in a book. Yes, I am aware of the amount of work that I have ahead BUT I am BEYOND excited. SO with that said--Anatomy---HERE I COME!

San Diego Wild Animal Park!

2010-08-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

In July we went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park and we had a ton of fun. The day began with us getting free parking because the card reader wasn't working whooo hoo..Ryan told us that we got free parking because Dad is handsome and just gave a wink and a smile....oh if only that worked lol. We loved everything, but our favorite thing was feeding the lorkeets. It costs $2 for a cup of nectar but it is SOOO worth it...Ryan loved it. We saw cheetahs, lions, zebras, giraffes, and a ton of other stuff. It was pretty awesome. Luckily, it wasn't a scorcher so the heat didn't kills us. The whole time it reminded me of Jurassic Park and I kept having the thought---Oh what if all these animals get lose...what would we do? It is very different from the zoo and it is pretty exciting to see these animals in their own environment and running around with other animals.

Farners Market

2010-08-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

If you EVER visit the Los Angeles Area the Farmers Market on Fairfax is a must do. It is so cool to walk around and visit the specialty shops and all the yummy places to eat. We always buy fresh fruit and a magazine and have fun people watching, Ryan decided he wanted strawberries--- it was three baskets for two dollars so I thought what the heck! Adam and I always get a few things to sample throughout the day. I find the Farmers Market reminiscent of old LA, although the chic Grove is practically attached to it...go figure. If you go we LOVE breakfast at either Loteria or Charlies yummy. We went on the 3rd of July and it was crowded and all decked out for Americas Birthday. But if you go early on a regular Saturday morning it is fun to have the place to yourself and not have to push your way through crowds.

Beach Camping

2010-08-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

We went beach camping back in the Spring with the Brobergs...it was kind of a bust because it was cold and cloudy the whole time. However, we had Adams uncles awesome trailer with every amenity we needed to be comfortable so we watched alot of movies and just hung out. We went down to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point and that was very cool!

First Day of School.....

2010-08-12T16:19:00.001-07:00

Well I have a first grader ---with lots more pictures to come....the first day of school was a GREAT success. Ryan and his best friend are in the same class, and his teacher seems amazing. I was surprised I didn't cry, but Ryan was so confident and excited. Plus, the teacher cut the cord at the playground...nope we didn't even get to walk into the classroom. Ryan soldier saluted us and walked away. I am very happy that Ryan is comfortable and confident with himself and is turning in to such a nice young man!

But, the second day of school was today ---Ryan came home and said that nobody played with him, and that it was a little rough. It broke my heart. But, what hurts even more is what do you say? "That's life kid" or "People will not always want to hang out with you"....his best buddy decided to play with this 3rd grade kid from his neighborhood. You cant blame him when you are in 1st grade a 3rd grader seems so cool. But what I want to say to this 3rd grade kid is get a life and play with other 3rd graders! LOL..just joking...kinda. The only comfort I could offer is that this is why you have a family that will always love you and be here to love you, and that sometimes people want to hang with other people, and I encouraged him to find more friends and expand his comfort zone. Yet, it still makes me a little sad, but seriously that's life...there are days I eat lunch alone, or feel like saying nobody likes me.

Having kids is such an emotional journey of extreme highs and lows. I wouldn't ask for anything more.

Have you been to.....

2010-07-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

Have you been to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles....no?...well go...like now! Really this place is a gem in Los Angeles. When you walk in it is like walking back in time, this place has been around since 1976 it is a LA establishment. You may say...hmm..Chicken and Waffles together..and now I am going to say yes! You see you take some chicken that is lathered in gravy, a little bit of waffles soaked with syrup and put them in your mouth. Its magic. When you go, because you must, you WILL see a line outside. Don't let that scare you off, it moves fast and is sooo worth the few minute wait. Go, relish in the deliciousness, and report back.

Take me out to the ball game...

2010-05-23T22:57:00.000-07:00

Although Adam and I are both Angeles fans we have had the chance to go to two Dodger games already this season, both with AMAZING seats.

What I love about Dodgers Games:

Eating Burritos on Olvera Street before the game

Singing "I love LA" when they win

The old pipe organ they play

They sing Take me Out to the Ball game 2 times instead of 1

The Amazing views of the city

The fans are die hard

Hammy and Me

Me trying to be gangsta..come on I am at a Dodgers game
We had field level seats and Ryan kept asking the outfielder to give him the ball if he caught it...the outfielder just kept laughing.

This was true excitement they won in EXTRA INNINGS it was like 11:00 PM at this point
Blurry but cool with the palm trees very LA
Adam and his friend Tommy who took us to the game

In Remembrance of MJ.....

2010-05-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Captain EO,
Ryan kinda sorta loves you....and your sweet dance moves...we cant get enough...me laughing at the movie and Ryan...well there is just to much to choose from for him-- the sweet glasses, the dancing, the characters, and the cheesy lines. George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, and MJ thank you.

California Science Center

2010-05-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

We went to the California Science Center at USC on a random morning. I remember it being really cool when I was in 7th Grade. Well...it was still the same...which isn't a good thing considering where technology has taken us over the past decade....SO...we zoomed through the museum..the little boys LOVED the wind tunnel..and then we went home and watched the Life Series on DVR!

Entourage

2010-05-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

Ryan's school had a mothers day tea. Ryan insisted that he bring every Grandma he has...so he had Nana (my Mom), Grammy (Ryan's Great Grandma), Grandma Dora (other Great Grandma),and his Great Aunt Martha. Adam's Mom couldn't make it last minute. But Ryan told his teacher that he was going to have an entourage of women...and he sure did. The kids drew portraits of their Moms, sang songs, and gave us a cute hand print. I am so grateful to be Ryan's Mom and to have such a sweet little boy.

San Fran in Pictures..

2010-05-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

In late April we went to San Francisco

With Adams best friend and his girlfriend

It was awesome.......

Music

2010-05-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

Do you listen to awesome music...I like to think I do...but I am always looking to expand my horizon. I am sad to admit I spend to much time and money on iTunes creating a wish list of songs. The other crappy part is my husband and I listen to very different music, so he is no good to share with or bounce new bands and artists off of. Boo. I love using Pandora---sometimes it throws out great songs I have never heard of. Here are a few of my favs at the moment, what are you into...I seriously need something new!!

Ben Harper
Rogue Wave
Mason Jennings
Jason Mraz
Matt Costa
G Love
Jack Johnson
Donavan Frankfurter
Brett Dennen
Tristan Prettyman
Herbie Hancock
Miles Davis

I love music it inspires me...makes me feel full inside...and soothes bad days...

Another lame thing I do...I make a soundtrack to my life in my head...for poignant points in my life I try and match a song to that event

Great Grandmas...

2010-04-08T13:17:00.001-07:00

Today it is sunny and pretty outside...and I am at work

Ryan is on Spring Break and Adam is off...whoa is me

So...they decided to take Adams sweet Grammy (June Hamilton) aka Ryan's Great Grammy to the Bowers Museum today in Santa Ana. They saw the exhibit Secrets of the Silk Road, and they all really enjoyed it.

Funny back story:Grammy was forced to retire at the end of 2009. She wanted to continue working at the doctors office she has been employed at, however they said she was too much of a liability because she could fall and hurt herself. She was very bitter, and is still having a rough time transitioning to being a stay at home Grandma. She enjoys working and and she says she doesn't want to sit around like an old woman.

When lunch came Adam and Grammy let Ryan choose whatever he wanted to eat. Ryan chose Taco Bell.

Adam sent me this sweet picture of Ryan and his Great Grammy (excuse the poor quality it is taken on a cell phone) This picture made me smile..and made me happy that the boys took Grammy out on a special day and that Ryan has the opportunity to get to know her and hear all of her cool stories...and ride on her motorized scooter!

MORE MAMMOTH

2010-03-26T18:18:00.001-07:00

MAMMOTH

2010-03-26T15:14:00.001-07:00

We went to Mammoth earlier this month....
It was AMAZING

We Snowboarded

Ryan Skied---everyday!!
he rode the half pipe
he did small jumps
he rode the ski lifts
he did intermediate runs
Ryan has decided that he will be 2022 Olympics
(he was telling people that)

We ate yummy food (chart house prime rib...pizza...home made artichoke dip)
We hung out with Uncle Jeff and Adams cousin Chelsea
Watched movies
We stayed in Adams great aunt and uncles cozy cabin
We cant wait to go back

Caution: If you ski to much you may have onset drowsiness, windburn,sore feet, sever exhaustion, and you may start to fall asleep against doors. (this is an actual account)

Things I love...

2010-03-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

I really love...
Virgin Strawberry Margaritas
Project Runway

Tomato Basil and Mozzarella Sandwiches (Corner Bakery or homemade)
NARS Blush Bronzer Duo

COCO Mademoiselle Perfume by Chanel
Burt's Bees Chap stick
Pinkberry's New Mango flavor
$1 Tacos Al Carbon from Del Taco
John Butler Trio (Adam has me hooked)
Obviously these two

I really would like...
A Paul Frank Beach Cruiser for the Summer (I am currently hunting on craigslist)

J Crew Dresses
The Digital SLR Camera

I am really excited for..
Beach bonfires and beach camping
WIPEOUT to be back on TV
Having a lot of freckles again
4th of July (My all time favorite Holiday)
Hot summer days
Swimming at night

Our FIVE year wedding anniversary (crazy huh?)

Feel Good Commercials....

2010-03-25T16:17:00.001-07:00

Have you seen the Kindle commercials? If not you MUST watch them. I am boarder line obsessed with them. They make me feel so good way deep down in my soul. The music, the stop motion, just the colors! LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I already downloaded the songs on Amazon (due to the fact that Itunes doesn't have them available..what the???) Anyways enjoy! I think it is official...due to their genius marketing I need a Kindle!

Adam

2010-03-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

I often don't give the tributes most people give to their husbands and kids on their birthdays anniversary's, and other momentous occasions mainly because I am not a great blogger and I am lazy!

However, a relative of Adams put this picture on facebook, and on more than one occasion I go back just to look at it because it makes me smile so much. Adam is the most amazing person I know. He takes life and just goes with it. When I am stressing out, or I am an emotional wreck Adam can bring me to his "zen" state of mind. Adam is happy go lucky and could care less what people think about him, and he doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He doesn't talk bad about people, or point out the negative in anybody or anything and he is such an example to me. Adam always sees the glass half full. Adam believes in me and really thinks I can do anything. When I look at this picture I see my Adam, the guy that I am so in love with, and it makes me fall in love all over again.

Disneyland

2010-02-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

We love going to disneyland. On a recent trip we brought Carter along with us. The Monarail operator lets the little boys sit in the front seat, wear the equipment, and honk the VERY loud horn. We had a great time. We ate lots of Churros and yummy mexican food. I even had the boys take "glamor" shots!

First Day of School

2010-02-08T20:54:00.000-08:00

I know I am way behind. Ryan started Kindergarten back in September. But on that note we love his teacher, and Ryan has made some great friends. Adam volunteers twice a month as like "room dad" and all the kids really like him. Ryan love his teacher Ms. Flores, and he already gets to work in a 1st Grade Journal...he is really excelling and having a great time. He hates the girls, they chase his and tell him they are going to marry him.

Polar Express

2010-02-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

The weekend after Thanksgiving we went to the Polar Express in Williams Arizona. We brought along our nephew Carter, my Mom and Dad, and Adams Grandma Dora. It was a long drive. But we had a great time. It was so magical. We ate at a yummy pizza place, and the train was amazing. It was very old and it made if feel like we were really going to the north pole.

I'm back

2009-11-20T14:29:00.000-08:00

So it has been a LONG time since I have last posted. But in my defense I have been busy. I got a new job and I am loving it. The hard part to get use to is that nobody is constantly watching me, they dont mind if I check my email and use the Internet, and all my coworkers are really nice! I mean in the first week they took me to lunch TWICE. I also need to mention that I work with Adam's really fun Uncle Jeff. So happy about my NEW JOB ---YEAH. I also need to mention that the company I was at before was just slowly chipping away at me..I felt underappreciated and felt like I wasnt growing or having alot of positive experiences...after four and a half years of working there non of the management said parting words or did anything...but I kind of expected that!

Ryan started Kindergarten and is loving his teacher and all of his new friends. It is like he has his on little U.N. group because all of his friends come from different cultures and backgrounds. We got his first report card and he is WAY above average and already exceeds the Kindergarten standards. Adam and I have figured out that he is better at doing homework, I am a perfectionist and get very frustrated. Adam is patient and kind with Ryan. I am greatful to have a husband who has virtues that I lack.

We are all doing great. We are excited for the holidays and I will have many pictures to come! I promise I will give my blog the love and attention it deserves!

8 things

2009-08-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

I read this on Amber's blog and thought it was fun

8 THINGS

8 Things I did yesterday:
-went to work
-had a yummy taco at taco bell
-took Ella Asher and Ryan to the park
-Made root beer floats for Ryan and Ella
-Went to school
-Parked in staff parking because I couldn't find a spot...and DIDN'T get a ticket...from now on I am parking at the Institute Bldg
-Watched DVR top chef!
-Had tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich

8 Things Im looking forward to:
-Sushi on Friday
-Polar express trip in November
-Pumpkin muffins
-Ryan starting Kindergarten
-Painting my bedroom
-Gym climbing at hanger 18
-Where the Wild Things Are
- Empty fall days at Disneyland

8 Favorite Shows:

-Top Chef
-Flipping out
-30 Rock
-Law and Order SVU
-The Office
-Chuck
-Arrested Development
-Project Runway

8 Favorite Restaurants
-Wahoos
-Dukes
-Sushi Mora
-Taco Adobe
-CPK
-Yardhouse
-Lucille's
-PF Chang's

Enjoying Summer

2009-07-30T13:31:00.000-07:00

Well it has been awhile since I have blogged and to be honest not alot has happened...just alot of work and school...but in the mean time we have enjoyed disneyland and the beach...here is a picture recap.
Sweet Claire and Ella love eachother so much.Here they are checking out the construction at California Adventure.

The Story on this ones is we were playing in the water features at disneyland and Ryan didnt have a change of clothes and it was cold and drizzly...well it attempt to dry faster I had him take off his shorts so I could ring the water out. Claire started to run away and ryan took off after her in just this outfit (if we can even call it that). Anyways he was VERY pround of himself--thus the pose! I know WHITE TRASH
Ryan has become such a fearless beach boy. He loves going out and body boarding and we have taken him out on the soft top surfboard and he loved it. He is fearless to a fault but it is really fun to have another waterbuddy.

Ryan got a huge trophy for baseball and this has motivated him to start actually wanting to practice. Here they are working on the skills.

You and ME and all of the people

2009-06-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

Last night Me, Adam, Ryan, and my Dad met my Mom after work at California Adventure. We had so much fun..riding a few rides...sneaking in taco bell...and just relaxing. After, Ryan went home with my Mom and Dad and Adam and I just spent the rest of the evening together at Disneyland. It was so nice just to be alone (We love Ryan but he is in constant motion and loves all the crazy rides)...we rode quiet rides like the Mark Twain boat, and just sat on benches and people watched. It was so nice to just hang out with Adam. I am realizing how fast life passes us by, and it was almost like I slowed everything down last night.

The Little Things That Make Me Happy.....

2009-05-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

Hearing Ryan Laugh
My sisters
Lawn Gnomes
Comfy Flipflops
Mornings at the beach
Cotton candy
Pinkberry
Wahoos
Getting Freckles
Puppies (great danes and beagles)
Sherbet Ice Cream
The smell of lillies and fresh cut grass
Clean Sheets
Jack Johnson
Long Drives with Adam
Laffy Taffy's
Stupid Reality TV

Cal Poly Day on the Farm

2009-05-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we headed out to Cal Poly Pomona for their annual Tractor Show and day on the farm....we dragged Nana along for the fun. We ate great Corn that was grilled on the BBQ, fresh fruit, and Ryan loved his snow cone. Ryan got to ride a horse, ride on a tractor, and ran around the fields like crazy. We had such a fun afternoon, and we are enjoying the hot weather...this next weekend we are planning on having more outdoor fun!!

Also Ryan cracks me up. We saw two homeless guys yesterday they were recycling their beer cans and large wine bottles...Ryan shouts with excitement, "Yeah!!! look they are recycling...except he is covered in tattoos...he probably doesn't make great choices huh mom...but at least he isn't smoking" <---Yeah for the homeless guy who recycles!

Also, Ryan asks me the other day for a Trader Joe doll. Huh I didn't know my favorite grocery store has a doll. What Ryan really wanted was a G.I. I love this kid!

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-04-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

Words can not express how incredibly excited I am for the new movie "Where the Wild Things Are". I saw the trailer when we saw Monsters Vs. Aliens and it actually brought tears to my eyes. On top of the trailer it had a song by Arcade Fire playing, a band whom I really like. The movie looks interesting and I am hoping it doesn't leave me feeling let down. I love this book! Growing up my Mom would always read to me and April every single night. Where the Wild Things Are had to be one of my favorite books! It is endearing and sweet and sends a message of warmth and love. I look back fondly on the nights of my Mom reading books to me and Ape on our old bunk beds. Some of my other favorite books were Bony Legs, Dandelion, Cloudy with the Chance of Meatballs, anything by Dr. Seuss...well the list could go on and on. Check out the trailer

http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/where-the-wild-things-are/trailer

and think back to being a kid...what were some of your favorite books?

Huntington Beach

2009-04-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Adam,Ryan,myself and our best friends Robert and Val headed out to Huntington Beach for dinner and just to hang out. Both Adam and Rob are in paramedic school so it is rare for them to both be off and actually not studying. We went to dinner at Fred's Mexican Food ...it was delicious and they played really good music the whole time we ate. Adam sang his heart out to Banana Rama and Kelly Clarkson. Although we sat outside and people were smoking on the patio. Ryan began to cough obnoxiously until the woman got up and left YEAH RYAN!! After we walked the pier and got the most chocolaty hot chocolate at Ruby's. The weather was cool and chilly but it was amazing to be down by the ocean.

Little League...GO Dodgers

2009-04-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

The Bad News Bears
(the little boy Ryan is standing next to is 7..Ryan is 5..he is huge!)

Ryan has finally started Little League...and I couldnt be happier...yes he has alot of room to improve..but we are having so much fun. Adam is one of the assistant coaches and gets to help out at the games. We had opening day and pictures. Ryan loves to hang out with all the boys on his team. On the first game Ryan scored the first run...he did such a good job.

D is for Date at Disneyland

2009-03-31T13:56:00.000-07:00

So I am sitting here at work and I am so excited to pick Ryan up from school! After school just me and Ryan are going to Disneyland for a date that will consist of Jedi Training...riding some sweet rides, hitting up ESPN Zone, and then doing build a bear.

Ryan has been begging me to go on a date just me and him...and as I watch him get so much bigger and older I realize that these are very important special times and that I need to make the time for date nights. Plus, Adam and I think it is a good way to teach Ryan how to open doors, put his napkin on his lap, and learn manners (so he can use them now, and in the future when he dates.) The funny thing about this date is I think I am more excited than Ryan is! I have been watching the clock all day, getting more and more anxious for this evening to be here!

So I am clocking out from work, getting Ryan from school, and off we go!!

Disneyland, Hockey, and Wahoos

2009-03-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

Adam and I love the sign above..I wish that these were my work hours! So our family LOVES wahoos fish tacos...we eat there once a week (at least). We usually will go after our weekly trip to Disneyland. I love cheap fish tacos!

Our company has killer season tickets to the Ontario Reign Hockey games. I love the hockey games basically just for the fighting...but the sport itself is so much fun!

Okay if you Ever go to Disneyland YOU MUST HAVE THE PINEAPPLE WHIP!! By the Tiki Room they sell this stuff and it is amazing. So the below picture is my Mom buying a pineapple..the worker was so flamboyant (to say it in the nicest way possible)...well our Tiki Room buddy decided to hop in this picture and I didnt even notice until after...look at this picture WHAT THE???? You know he is thinking "Dont you wish your girlfriend was hot like me" all together now Ewwwww.

And in Big news Ryan is now tall enough to ride California Screamin...and he loves it. He went on two times in a row. For those of you that don't know this ride is a real roller coaster with a loop and everything. Keep in mind Ryan will ride this...but he doesn't do petting zoos, 3D, or bugs.

Valentines Day

2009-03-22T15:20:00.001-07:00

a

l

So for valentines day we decided to go up to the snow. We got subway and hit Mt Baldy. We had so much fun..we found an area that was deep powder and nobody else was there. Ryan decided he was going to pull up the boundary lines in the snow because it looked fun. After Me Adam and Ryan watched movies and went out to Mexican food with Adam's Dad and Grammy. It was such a fun day, and no stress, no crowds, and I got to spend it with the two most important people!

New School For Ryan

2009-03-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

When moving from Chino Hills to Riverside the saddest thing to leave behind was our amazing Montessori preschool we had Ryan in. Good Earth Montessori was such an amazing place..but it is ridiculous to commute 30 miles one way just to keep Ryan in preschool (not to mention the tuition was pricey). So in our move we found a new Montessori school (might I add NEVER send your child to Cottonwood Montessori) It was a total strike out. They had Ryan writing in the dark while some kids were napping, and other kids were playing, and my son was writing letters in the dark by himself because he wasn't "good enough". Well needless to say that was his last day...I put a stop payment on the check, wrote the school a nasty letter, and never went back! Then I put Ryan in a sweet Lutheran School. Well, all they did was play and took very very long naps. The teacher yelled alot, and the parents were all very clicky. Not to mention Ryan's teacher accused him of stealing a dice he brought from home for show and tell (emphasis on he brought it from our house) and called him out on "stealing it" right in front of me...okay I let this one slide. Then the next week I let Ryan bring a walking robot (I took off all of his guns and weaponry) and the teacher informed me that we were on the probation list because the toy was "to violent"..Seriously?? She had it wrapped up in a bag and was "very disappointed" that I let Ryan bring that. So now he is done with that school. Well I have been on the hunt for sometime now. I now found a very education oriented Montessori school in our area. They are going to put Ryan in the Kindergarten program (even though he isn't officially a kindergartner until the Fall), and fingers crossed this school works out and that they can help with the breakthrough of getting Ryan reading and prepared for actual Kindergarten!

Overachieving

2009-03-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

So I am sitting at work and wondering a question that I have often thought throughout life....

Why when you are an overachiever or you do a good job..people around you don't really care and just take advantage of you....But when you are the slacker people don't expect much out of you...you can come and go as you please..and you are allowed to make mistakes..and most times you are rewarded. Maybe I should become more of an underachieving slacker huh?

It makes me think back to the 2nd grade play when I should have SO gotten the lead...but they gave it to some kid with ADD who needed self esteem help...I have always felt robbed from that incident! The music teacher told me I did the best but other kids needed time to shine...again ROBBED!

World...please start awarding those who work hard and stop rewarding the laziness and underachieving! Understand that us hard workers need love attention and sometime a break to.

Summer Time

2009-03-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

So I am dreaming of summer time. Warm sun, the beach, and a break from school...plus Adam will be done with paramedic school sometime in July! Sooo...with that said Adam and I were really dreaming of a Hawaiian vacation...realistically we look at our finances and were thinking it would be smarter to start saving and have enough to go Next summer, plus Ryan will be a little older to enjoy snorkeling and all the fun stuff Hawaii has to offer. We have now decided that in August we are going to do a trip called "Mission California Highway 1" we are planning to go from Los Angeles to San Fransisco on highway 1...camping, stopping at the California Missions, some really cool cities, and good food along the way! This will be alot cheaper for us, more adventurous, and it has been a dream of mine to take Highway 1 to San Fran...and Adam and Ryan have never been to Santa Cruz, Cambria, or San Fran! We will get to enjoy what is right in our own backyard of California. With that said I am planning to find cool campsites, cheap hotels, good food joints, and really sweet site seeing! Wish me luck...I LOVE to have something to look forward to, and planning will occupy my time while I sit at my desk!

Life Satisfaction

2009-02-26T21:48:00.000-08:00

So I started my new semester today at school. While in a class my teacher made the comment of "Well I hope 50 is not the age of life satisfaction." And it made me think well why the heck not. Why shouldn't we have 100% life satisfaction for today, for the moment, because life satisfaction is everywhere we look. I feel like although I am still going to school and still don't have my degree...and even if I am on the "Thick" side of being in shape...I am 100% satisfied with who I am, with my family, with life, and with my faith of what is going to happen after this life. I look around at the beauty of the earth and think why the heck not be satisfied. So think to yourself today am I 100% satisfied and if I am not what do I need to get there?

I love this Boy

2009-02-23T20:41:00.000-08:00

I just have to say that I love this boy. Having a five year old is the BEST. Plus the other day I was upset about people not being to kind to me so I teared up. His response was "Sometimes kids are not nice to me and wont play with me at preschool...but I know when I come home you and Daddy love me...and Jesus loves me to....so just remember mom, me and Daddy love you and so does Jesus." Although Ryan keeps me on my feet I wouldn't trade this experience of being his mom for anything!

Beach Wahoos and my two Favorite People...YES PLEASE!!

2009-02-23T20:34:00.000-08:00

So Last month me and the hubby and Ryan went down to the beach just to enjoy the weather and have some quality time together. We walked around, Ryan cruised on his scooter, we hit wahoos, and Ryan decided he would take a dip. It was such an amazing day..it makes me appreciate the little things in life like love, cheap fish tacos, and the beauty of the earth!

Currently LOVING....

2009-02-12T07:41:00.000-08:00

This John Pail Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo, Conditioner, and body bar. Adam surprised me with the gift pack for Christmas and it smells SOOO good!

THE GREAT BAMBINO!

2009-02-05T19:26:00.000-08:00

Ryan and I have deemed Thursday nights our new official "Movie Night". We have decided that each week we will take turns picking the movie...so this week was my pick and due to the fact that we just signed Ryan up for Little League (I am so excited for games, practice, grass stains, and Saturdays under the hot sun at a baseball diamond) I thought that "The Sandlot" would be the perfect choice...its a classic...we both giggled...and it was a ton of fun! The movie started to get Ryan excited to practice an be on a team. During our movie night Ryan revealed that he has a crush on Ms. Jennifer (one of his preschool teachers) she is very attractive...Ryan told me and I quote "she makes my heart on fire"....it was just last month all girls had cooties and then boom he is way interested in girls...what the??? So now we are going to have to watch him..and hopefully he will find a group of boys that can convince him that girls really DO have cooties!! In conclusion though Ryan gave Sandlot two thumbs up...and officially thinks he is the new "Benny Rodriguez"

Fun Factoid: The pool where the boys swim and Squints kissed Wendy Peffercorn is a pool in Ogden Utah where both my Mom and Dad swam as kids.

Friday Night

2009-01-30T18:38:00.000-08:00

So Adam has been in medic school going on a month now...things are going really well....he is doing great on all his tests and quizzes, so far it has been positive...minus the fact that during the week Adam stays out at his Grandma's to be 5 minutes away from school and be able to study with limited distraction (meaning his Grandma coming in to feed him, ask him about his day, drag him to Sam's Club to help, or just to see how he is doing) I am praing and hopeful (I would like to say POSITIVE but I don't want to jinx myself) that he will pass this time with flying colors, with no last minute cardiac arrests. SO with that said, Adam came home this afternoon, he had roses for me, and a new model plane for him and Ryan to build it was so nice. We ate AMAZING sushi this evening at this little place in Norco...it is to DIE for...and now we are chilling out preparing to play some Xbox and movies. I really forget how nice it is to have him here to give me a break to Blog, do taxes, pay bills, organize, and not having to be the constant regulator.

In other news Adam just turned 23! For his birthday we ate at Lucille's, went to Super cross at Angles stadium (we had fun cheering on Chad Reed our favorite rider), had a fun birthday dinner with my family, and went to Disneyland to use Adams free gift card! Adam came and helped me out in the church Nursery and needless to say he was worn out by the end of church.

It Has Started

2009-01-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

So after hanging out with my brother last night and discussing dieting, eating healthy, and exercising (not to mention our weight loss handshake/sign) I need to dedicate myself to really shedding off my extra "baby weight"...okay Ryan is five...so it is more like pink berry, sprinkles, high carb, and laziness weight...its time to be real with why I am very chubby. So at this point my goal is June 1st. I would like to lose one pound a week up until then. I feel that is very achieve able if I keep myself in the right mindset. I am going to join Weight Watchers again, run (I found a place that I can run and Ryan can bring his scooter or bike and come with me!) go to the gym and do weights three days a week, and try for a yoga class once a week. I am very excited to start. Not to mention Adam and me are having a contest who can look better and be healthier by the end of his Paramedic program. I am going to probably starting mystic tanning sporadically to make myself feel good (being tanner also makes me feel cuter), and I have even made a "rewards" chart for myself that ranges from small rewards to big rewards with the more weight I lose....its stuff that I would like (like new Joe's Jeans, a manicure and pedicure, a new bathing suit) to motivate me even more. I am very excited to start...and by June if you know anybody that wants my old very large CURVY fit Gap jeans that will be way to big for me hit me up!

Trestles Saved!

2009-01-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

The Trestles toll road crashes today after the Department of Commerce upheld the California Coastal Commission’s objection to the proposed environmental nemesis of San Clemente. After years of debate and dedication from rightfully concerned residents, surfers, and environmental activists, the commission objected to the proposed project under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act on the grounds that the toll road was not consistent with the state’s coastal zone management program. Woot, woot! This is great news...Adam and I spent an afternoon down there surfing...and we were talking about how horrible it would be to have that highway going through this beautiful beach. We signed petitions and have kept watch to see what would happen. It is official there will be no toll road and that this area will remain beautiful! Just thought I would write a qucik note about this.

A Day at the fire station

2008-12-29T20:40:00.000-08:00

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Although Adam is an Apprentice at La Verne, we rarely get to go and play around his station. But Adams best friend Robert works out of a really relaxed station in San Bernardino so lucky us got to go and spend some time with "Uncle Rob". Rob let Ryan ride in the Engine, Play with the hose, showed us all the equipment, and let Ryan pretty much be one of the guys. Ryan had a blast out there.

Halloween 2 Months Late

2008-12-29T20:30:00.001-08:00

Ned was loving his wig!

We are in no way shape or form related to this individual this was a dad who was trick or treating with his kids..I loved it so much I had to take a picture.
The cutest little Monkey EVER

For Halloween we went trick or treating with Heidi's Nieces and Nephews from Ned's side of the family. Ryan LOVES their boys and Ella so it was a perfect way to spend the evening. Obviously all the boys over 3 were star wars characters and they LOVED running around together!

Sweet Asher was such a good sport and came along for the fun!

The Kids had so much fun together! This was our entourage!

Im Back...

2008-12-29T20:01:00.000-08:00

So I have come to the conclusion that December by far is the worlds craziest month...not only Christmas...family events...but Ryan and I both have birthdays in December. I can finally take a breath upload all my pictures and begin...Oh there are no Christmas morning pictures or Christmas day pictures due to the fact that I was a little wrapped up in the moment

Ryan thinks he is such a rockstar

Boppie Ella and Ryan...I think this is such a funny picture look at their faces

Ryan and Ella love eachother...they are so sweet together

Birthday Party At Grazianos..yummy..and so much fun!

The cool cake...except the horrible BLUE frosting that turns your mouth BLUE

At Disneyland on Ryans Birthday they took him on stage sang a song called "Ramblin Ryan" and he danced up there..they asked him if he want to live there...with no hesitation waved goodbye and was ready to leave

Ryan is unsure of ALL Santa's he explained to me that the only real Santa lives in the North Pole and only comes down on Christmas Eve...and all these guys are "Strangers" who are just "helping" Santa...too Smart for his own good

The Indiana Jones "action figure" not a barbie

At our Church Christmas party Ryan was a Sheppard in the Nativity (even though he looked like dopey from Snow White. Ella came with us...however...when Ryan changed she wanted to change to...except she had no clothes at our house so she chose Ryans shirt

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

Happy thanksgiving to ALL. It is the start of the Holiday Season and I am so excited! Let the madness begin. Actually the goal is to have it as calm and relaxing as possible. I am grateful for my wonderful family, good friends, a home over my head, a belly full of food, and Ryan because he is amazing and sweet. Happy thanksgiving!

On another note we went to Disneyland yesterday and it was so much fun! The weather was finally cold! I will post the pictures soon!

Also, I dropped my cell phone in the toilet at work yesterday and it took the plunge deep. I hesitated in disgust not wanting to get it, but it had to be retrieved. Needless to say I had to take it out (GROSS) and it just started to vibrate flashed "Goodbye" and died. So its yet another cell phone dead. Verizon has to hate me...I am grateful to have phone insurance...and for the mean time my father in law is letting me use his old phone.

I wanna be where the talk of the town...

2008-11-14T05:53:00.000-08:00

So last night started off at El Tepeyac in East LA. If you haven't had a burrito from Tepeyac you haven't lived. They are about the 16 inches of pure goodness filled with guacamole, shredded chicken, beans, rice, onions, and sour cream. Adam and I shared the burrito and still didnt finish it...I think we have enough leftovers for the weekend. Following our amazing dinner Adam didn't want to be stuck in traffic all the way home so we decided to take it down to Wilshire to the Los Angeles county Museum of Art. It all started just to see "Urban Light" by Chris Burden. While we stopped I realized the museum was still opened so we decided to step into the new LACMA Broad Contemporary Art Museum where they had Roy Lichtenstein and Warhol on display. It is always amazing to see these pieces up close...but it was even better because I was with Ryan and Adam my two favorite people. We finally got booted out when they were closing so we decided to go get Hot Coco and walk around the Los Angeles Farmers Market on Fairfax and just relax outside. The farmers market is amazing because there are all sorts of vendors selling things, sights, and smells. It always makes me so happy (not to mention my favorite Jewish Deli Canters is right down the street too). As we drove around town we listened to some awesome music with the windows down and enjoyed our time out as a family relaxing and get a little bit of culture.

Randomness

2008-11-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

1. Where is your cell phone? on my work desk awaiting text messages

2. Where is your significant other? at the OC station inspecting ambulances on a 4 day shift

3. Your hair color? blond

4. Your mother? sweet and one of my best friends

5. Your father? officially an old man funny kind hearted

6. Your favorite thing? watching movies in bed and snuggling

7. Your dream last night? that Prop 8 passed and it did

8. Your dream/goal? to finish school, be a PE teacher, Adam to be a firefighter, and Ryan to be happy and successful

9. The room you're in? agh the Dispatch center

10. Your hobby? scrapbooking, reading magazine, one day home decorating

11. Your fear? drowning

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? graduated a nice suburban home and a happy family

13. Where were you last night? at the new house unpacking

14. What you're not? calm cool and collected

15. One of your wish-list items? this really cool coach purse

16. Where you grew up? in ontario

17. The last thing you ate? taco bell last night

18. What are you wearing? my work uniform

19. Your TV? on the floor not plugged in..but that will change

20. Your pet? no pets

21. Your computer? made by Adams amazing cousin and working better than our Dell

22. Your mood? anxious

23. Missing someone? yeah adam..he has been at work since Monday on 24 hr shifts

24. Your car? 2007 Honda Civic

25. Something you're not wearing? jewelry

26. Favorite store? target

27. Your summer? beach swimmin relaxin

28. Love someone? most def Adam and Ryan and my family

29. Your favorite color? aqua

30. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday

31. Last time you cried? 2 days ago just PMS and emotions

Slowly Rotting While Waiting

2008-11-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

Well I'm sitting here waiting wishing for the results for Prop 8 to come in. It has consumed me and my thoughts...I had a dream about it last night...so as I sit here at work feeling like I am rotting away waiting for the results..anticipating...like the rest of you...my hopes are high.

Being Ryans Mom not Moder

2008-10-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

We have recently been working with Ryan on how to say things with th sound in them...like that or Mother or them...and well its not coming along that great (its okay right he is only 4...at least for another 2 months) So the other morning my mom was trying to teach Ryan how to say Mother and not Moder...well he was doing really great and they continued to practice. He soon stopped and told Nana..."I'm just gonna call her Mom".

I do worry about speech due to my traumatic speech issues. I struggled to say the "s" sound when I was little. Well I started Kindergarten and the first week of school they took me out and put me in speech for like 30 minutes. I was mortified as a 6 year old, and I didn't want to be known as the kid that had to go to speech...and needless to say that weekend I learned to say my "S" sound.

***Sorry there are no pictures...I will be back up and running from my home computer in like 7 days****

Horchata...amazing!

2008-10-03T10:24:00.001-07:00

So yesterday Ryan and I decided to take out first venture into the new Cardenas grocery store in Ontario. We saw plenty of fun sights...Pigs feet, cow lips, fresh livers, intestines, we went by the cake department and there was a cake with fake champagne bottles a like a topless barbie doll (creepy...and I couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be but I thought I would share that with you). In Cardenas they have a restaurant or more like a order at the counter kinda thing...I order a burrito and horchata...I am mega gringa...the girl behind the counter looked at me and laughed at the way I said horchata and said "Ohh you want Or ch ta"....so apparently I was saying it way wrong. So I looked at Ryan and said this stuff is AMAZING. Ryan and I sat down and Ryan looked at me and said "mom you are the only yellow hair person here...your like an alien". Ryans observation was dead on. Then he looked and me and said "Can I have some of that drink". I said "oh my horchata" and he said, "No remember it's just called amazing...not horse chata". Having a four year old to hang out with is always an adventure!

French Cinema

2008-10-01T10:51:00.001-07:00

For those of you that don't know I have a love for French Cinema. My Mom and April took a French Cinema class at Mt Sac and I didn't take it with them because Ryan was a little tyke...and I was to "busy". However, about a year later I realized I could take it for credit AND it was the night I needed a class...so I signed up. Little did I know I would be in a class of 5 students and an amazing teacher.

Through this period I discovered and feel in love with french cinema. I laughed, I cried, and well sometimes I felt a little uncomfortable. However in the end I felt like I really got so much out of this class and I made a life long friendship with my teacher. She retired (it was her last year) and is now living near Lake Como in Italy (seriously jealous)

Some of the great movies I watched were:
Blame it on Fidel
Cafe Au Lait
Joyeux Noel
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Amelie <---I think everyone has seen this
Run Lola Run
La Vie En Rose
Paris, Je T'aime.

These are some of my favorites...they stood out...I by no means am analytical...or even a movie snob....my sister doesn't trust my movie taste...but rent Paris, Je T'aime and Joyeux Noel....they are great movies!!

Girls Weekend 2008 and other Random Updates

2008-09-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

So this past weekend we had our annual Girls Weekend Getaway. It is always My mom, my two sisters (April and Heidi), and my sister in law Sarah. We went back to Green Valley Lake...we tried this trip last year but were evacuated after one day due to fires. While we were there we watched Baby Mama, Miss Congeniality, and 27 Dresses. I scrap booked while others made cute bows (I don't really have a need to make bows due to the fact that I have a 5 year old boy...and the only little girls I know are my nieces and Heidi and Sarah were already making them bows) We ate great food, enjoyed long walks in the mountains (my lungs feel clean and fresh), and just great company and fun with my favorite women. The trip was great and I am already counting down until next year!

On another note....when I got home I was so excited to see Ryan...and thought he would be excited to see me. He saw me said hi and I had to hold him down to hug him. Crazy little guy. I had also not seen Adam since Monday so it was amazing to see him once he got off work. Adam has been working like crazy usually five 24 hour shifts a week. So it was great to just lay down next to him and fall asleep while he and Ryan played XBOX. I always love Adam and appreciate him...but being away from him for almost a week really made me realize how much I love him...and how sweet funny caring and loving he is. As soon as he got home he made sure my IPOD Blue tooth and Cell Phone we brought in and charged and cleaned out my car <----these are all things I hate/don't do/or wait for Adam to do. Its really the little things that make me so grateful for Adam. Except he did come home with a mustache from work (aghh not the cutest by any means..it was funny) and it made the whole family laugh.

In other news...Adam will be starting paramedic school again in January ROUND 2...and he has been studying and working like crazy to save up money. I am going to Mt Sac this semester and just trying to get down with my AA so I can transfer. Ryan is in a PRE-K/Kindergarten program at his Montessori school and is loving it. He is learning about Johnny Appleseed and is just really turning into a real boy.

Bed and Bath Time

2008-09-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

So the other night Ryan demanded that I take lots of pictures of him and host our own little "photoshoot" Ryan modled in the tub and then tried to spit water at me. Then he wanted me to take pictures of him brushing and then posing in his comfy bathrobe. So this is out photoshoot for the other night...and my future Zoolander.

Dressing Up With Dad

2008-09-03T20:23:00.000-07:00

Adam had a fire at La Verne and needed to wash his turn outs. We left the room and came back and found Ryan wearing some of Adams gear. He then begged Adam to let him wear more...so Adam got him all geared up. I love these pictures because you can tell how much Ryan looks like Adam and really wants to be just like Adam.

Disneyland Madness

2008-09-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

Last week our family went to Disneyland. We got there right when California Adventure Opened. When we pulled in to park the machine was down so they let us park for FREE...SWEET Disneyland NEVER gives out anything for free. We then went on Toy Story Mania...Although Ryan and I rode it before it opened to the public on a special preview it was Adams first time. We had so much fun. Then we were walking in the park and a big character Woody came and Hijacked Ryan's stroller and started pushing him..and pushed him for like 3 minutes...it was really cool. We rode every ride that we wanted to..and now that Ryan is tall enough to ride Indiana Jones we went on that. Also...for those of you that know Ryans fear of petting zoo's we got Ryan to pet the animals at the Circle D ranch in the park. The animals there are calm and sweet....we asked if they drug them and they dont. There trick is they Never hand feed them....they dont live in the petting zoo area...and they eat two regular meals a day. Thank goodness....because the LA County Fair Goats are mean...jump all over you...and try to eat your shirt. Now that are passes are not blacked out we have many fun days ahead of us!!

Field Trippin'

2008-09-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

Adam is the brave parent out of the two of us. I am not a huge lover of the chaperoning of field trips. Perhaps its because I like to do my own thing and I don't like having to follow somebody preplanned schedule...and also because I get nervous watching other peoples kids because I worry about something happening. Luckily Adam took the day off and accompanied Ryan to the Discovery Science Center In Orange. They had a great time...and they gave Adam two other little girls to watch that were very clingy to him. Both Adam and Ryan had a great day and had a nice time to bond. Adam works so much that they don't always get to be just the guys.

Disneyland With Nana

2008-09-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

After meeting Baby Asher last Thursday morning me my mom and Ryan enjoyed a quick trip to Disneyland. While there we went and checked out that new In ovations Dream House...it was amazing and had really sweet technology. My favorite part was the kitchen. We rode a few rides...and then pooped out early in the evening and went home. It was a nice day with Nana.

Danny's Birthday Party!!!

2008-09-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Danny's 30th Birthday down at Balboa on Friday night. We got down there later in the evening but Ryan was determind to get in the water. We had fun watching him get wet....then Ryan played on this really cool play equipment they had on the sand...and then we enjoyed smores...good company....and the finest evening that Southern California has to offer.

Asher Scott Broberg

2008-08-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning at 7:49 Heidi and Ned had their new baby Asher. My mom and I arrived right after he was born. We saw Ned (the proud daddy) with the nurse standing over him just in awe. My mom and I watched him for almost an hour. He is VERY cute and he has the cutest head and face. We went home and then returned to the hospital that evening to go and actually hold Asher. It was so sweet to hold so a new sweet pure life. Asher also spit up on my mom. We are so excited that he is finally here, healthy, and cute. Congrats Heidi, Ned, and Ella.

What is on my mind at 2:30 AM

2008-08-18T02:27:00.000-07:00

So here I am sitting at work watching the Olympics and thoughts start racing through my head. Like this one:
I have been in actual competition with TWO Olympic athletes. Yes you read that right. In no way was a saying I held my own...but never the less competed. WHO you ask? Well thanks to Gary Stefan and him letting me play in summer league even as a youngster I played a few short minutes in a summer basketball game against Diana Taurasi she plays for the WNBA as well as for the USA Olympic basketball team. The other Olympic athlete I went head to head with.....or more like trailed VERY far behind was Allyson Felix...she is an Olympic Sprinter....if any of you know me I am not fast...not very coordinated...and would run anything in track the coach asked me to....thus I ran a sprint race....obviously came in last....but they needed a lane filler and it was me...and now because of that I have an IOTA of bragging rights.

My next quick topic I would like to present is this women EXHIBIT A...note the women on the far left...or should I say her lips. Yes they always look like that. It makes me wonder....how much lipstick do you think she uses...it it that color stay stuff...and how much of it does she go through...I mean really they should have their own jersey maybe even their own area code....I don't know her name but I am entertained. I bet the Chinese at the Olympics games are intrigued

Keeping with my Olympic obsession is Michael Phelps...wow is he amazing...but in my humble opinion I think he is very cute. It is amazing because he is like a gigantic fish...we were having the discussion today on where his dad is (because you always see Mom in the stands) so I googled it...one of the responses was "well his dad is a fish and that's why you never see him" clever...but really his parents had a divorce and his dad is estranged. Also fun fact he stated swimming when he was 7 years old and was afraid to even put his face in the water.

Okay moving right along and off the Olympics....Harry Houdini is my next chosen obsession....not magic...but his life and what he did..and the legacy of magic and performance...bravo to you Harry!

In Closing and my last comment....Brett Farve...you suck...and I hope you throw bad passes....and when they are not bad I hope they get intercepted...I hope you get pounded...and feel the world glaring at you...opposed to cheering for you. I am a scorned Green Bay Fan and it hurts....5 moths ago you were on top of the world we all loved you...you cried when you retired...well you couldn't leave good enough alone...I will tune in...and hope you do horrible! (Oh yeah my husband wont be buying Madden 09 just cause you are on the cover)

Swimming Lessons

2008-08-06T23:04:00.000-07:00

Ryan has taken private swim lessons with Hillary Campbell an amazing girl in our ward. She worked her magic and Ryan is now a swimming diving pool crazy 4 year old. He can dive in the pool...and he can collect rings off the bottom of the pool. The coolest part of swim lessons according to Ryan is when Hillary let him surf. She had a huge surfboard she would let ryan stand on and she would push him. Hillary thank you for an amazing summer..and for helping Ryan learn to swim!

Here to you Summer!!!

2008-08-06T23:03:00.001-07:00

April and Wes you guys look AMAZING

Summer has been amazing...we have gone to Zion...Disneyland...Big Bear....and we have an amazing Jack Johnson Concert to look forward to. We have had fun days swimming, going to the beach, hanging out with family, and giving Adam and Ryan the most obnoxious mowhawks for vacation. We have had trips to the beach getting sunburn and summer isn't even over. But summer here is to you....we have basked in your rays and enjoyed the season!

Concerts in The Park

2008-08-06T22:54:00.000-07:00

Well today we enjoyed my favorite concert in the park..it was like Beach Boys/Surf music....it was very nice because Ryan got to play with Ryan Wolley and had a friend. It was relaxing me and my mom ate sushi and smoothies. Then after the concert we came home and Ryan played in the tub with these really cool water bathtub crayon we bought. We read curios george and then he went to bed. I finally set up my Lime Wire and I have downloaded like 200 songs...it makes me happy because in retrospect I have saved 200 dollars by not buying them on Itunes. Adam is at La Verne Fire Department today....we miss him...but all in all it was a really nice summer day!

Aniversary

2008-08-06T22:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday August 5th was Adam and my three year anniversary. I love Adam so much and I am so grateful to be married to a man that is a hard worker, smart, funny, a great dad, a amazing husband, and a really hard worker. As a suprise Adam planned a whole day...although it didn't go according to plan! We woke up late....but after dropping Ryan off at school Adam took me out to the LA Farmers Market on Fairfax for breakfast at my favorite place! While there we walked around and enjoyed the local characters. Adam drove me around all the "cool" hip spots in LA. Our next stop the Orange County Fair...little did Adam know that it was over...so we got there and they were packing up...so we decided to go to South Coast Plaza...we went to Tiffany (my favorite) and I tried on the ring I want...although I didn't get it. We hung out at south coast plaza...skateboarded, played dodge ball, and rode bikes in sports chalet...after like hours of walking the mall we went down to Huntington Beach. The Tuesday street fair was going on so we walked around there...I got my makeup done for free....and we bought fresh strawberries....Adam got 2lbs of tri tip...and I got some DELICIOUS strawberries...it was alot of fun. Than Adam took me to my favorite Restaurant Dukes where we watched the sunset on the patio and we both ate AMAZING fish. We hung out and took a nice little walk. We got home and watched Step Into Liquid. It was an amazing 3rd Anniversary. I am so grateful for my sweet and hardworking husband. Thanks to my Mom and Dad for watching Ryan. Yesterday was great and I cant wait for me and Adams 50th Anniversary. Picture will be coming soon!

aunt jemima

2008-07-22T01:55:00.000-07:00

okay so obviously its been forever...2 vacations...weddings...trips to disneyland..and all sorts of stuff. So I will post the pictures when I am at home (considering I am at work until 6 am) So funny thing happen the other morning. Ryan is sitting down eating his breakfast with the syrup bottle in front of him. Keep in mind this is Aunt Jemima Syrup. He is staring at the bottle and soon asks...is that the lady that sings "Juicy" Ryan is a funny kid...and why he associated a jolly black women on a syrup bottle to one of his favorite songs Juicy is beyond me.

The other strange thing Ryan does is when he is happy with me he tells me "Good mama...your a good mama" and pets my hair as if I am a puppy..its a little strange...but again that is why we LOVE RYAN!

Long Weekend

2008-06-15T13:36:00.000-07:00

So Friday started off as Adam's one day off this week. he has been working his tail off because we are going to Zion for a week. So Adam me and Ryan workout out....Ryan played at the play center at the gym..we went and walked around the Shoppes at Chino Hills and then hit the grocery store. We came home BBQed and swam. After we got all cleaned up went to Z Pizza and saw Indiana Jones with Adams Dad and little sister. I must confess we let Ryan come (he begged and he is still sad about not seeing Iron Man)

Then Saturday morning started early we set up for Neds suprise Graduation party...this included stops at Subway and then extensive setting up at the park. After all was said and done it was a ton of fun....so that ended and then ryan and I went out to Hemet for Adams cousin High School Graduation party. We got to do lots of swimming and ate Charro Chicken (if you havent had Charro Chicken try it...it is really good!) So we got home at like 10 and went to bed.

And today is Sunday (Fathers Day) I had to work this morning and started at 6 am. It has been a VERY long day...the girl I usually work with called off so I have been dealing with Con Home nurses whoes English skills are less than par...and just good ole' psych patients. So I am anxious to go spend time with Adam. My Mom and Dad are at Aprils graduation today (YEAH APE) so I will spend time with my dad tonight. So needless to say we leave on Wednesday and I am anxoius.

Oh I did have my camera but didnt take one picture...aghhh

ella and ryan

2008-06-04T15:17:00.000-07:00

Ryan often tells me that he wants a little brother and or sister...i laugh and tell him that it might be awhile..yesterday we were playing in the spa and he had 3 water ballon's and he was playing like they were 2 brothers and a little sister...it was cute and pathetic all at the same time. Adam and I are not ready for another one yet...but ryan is. Ryan always tells me what a great big brother he is going to be...and sometimes when ella is over I think he likes to practice...here are pictures where he picked out ella's PJs brushed her hair..and was going to read to her...i thought these were really cute

For your viewing pleasure

2008-06-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

matterhorn..i had this ride because it kills my knees
I made adam act like a lion...he did it..thats why i love him ...or at least one of the many reasons why
Ryan playing on main street..most likely on a churro high
in front of the castle
Our favorite Buzz Lightyear
My two favorite people

Well he are some pictures from disneyland last month...now that summer is here and we are blacked out and it is just to packed we will be doing the Zoo beach knotts museums hiking...and I am going to take Adam to Magic Mountain for his first time...so here is to disneyland..until the end of August we will miss you

This past weekend

2008-06-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

ELLA LOVING HER CUPCAKE
CORONA DEL MAR...WE WERE LIKE SOME OF THE ONLY PEOPLE THERE
RYAN SWIMMING IN THE WATER
RYAN THE SAND MONSTER...HE MAKES SAND ANGELS INSTEAD OF SNOW ANGELS...THAT HOW YOU KNOW YOUR FROM CALIFORNIA

WES AND CLAIRE
RYAN IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE
ELLA...WITH CANDY IN TOW
BLOWING OUT HER BIRTHDAY CANDLE
I CALL THIS ONCE CUPCAKE COUSINS...THAT IS ELLA'S COUSIN MARISSA
RYAN AND RYAN...ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE OTHER RYAN IS 3 MONTHS OLDER
ELLA ONCE AGAIN WITH THE SUCKER
ELLA NOTE THE SUCKER ONCE AGAIN
RYAN PREPARTY SWIMMING
ELLA TRYING OUT HER NEW LIFE JACKET

So this weekend was very busy...although Adam worked all weekend his best friend and his girlfriend called me and Ryan to go to the beach with them. We had a great time swimming...climbing rocks...and seeing baby jellyfish.

Then on Saturday was the one and only Ella Broberg's 2nd birthday party....that included swimming burgers...a pinada...and cupcakes...it was so fun...Ella was so cute and so good...

Saturday night we went out to Adams station in Orange and played basketball and watched TV with him and all of the other crew members..I know Ryan loves to do this because he gets to play on the ambulances....but also all the guys play with him and pay loads of attention to him...

Then Sunday afternoon me my mom and ryan went on a hike in chino hills...we hiked 3 miles...ryan did it too....and we saw a huge king snake in the wild...and we pet 2 really sweet horses..it was an amazing Sunday afternoon.

So it was a very busy weekend but VERY fun...its so nice that summer is almost here because we are anxious to keep going to the beach and Ryan starts one on one swim lessons this week...so hopefully he will be a swimmer by the end of summer!

Cal Poly

2008-05-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

So this weekend we went to Cal Ply with Nanna and Boppie to pick strawberries and low and behold they were having a big tractor farm celebration. We saw horse back riding and Ryan was really excited and wanted to do it. While we waited to get on a horse got scared and broke off part of a fence...I thought for sure Ryan would call it quits after that...but he was still really excited. He got right on and yelled YEE HAW when he was riding. After this positive experience we have decided to enroll him in the Mommy and Me horse class that Chino Hills offers...so stay posted so you can see more equestrian Ryan.

Ryan the Ring Bearer

2008-05-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

Ryan Loves Grammy and loves her electric cart

Ryan during the ceremony

Waiting to get his good boy prize....he was enticed to be good during the ceremony for a power ranger

Ryan and Amanda

Ryan was the ring bearer in Adams cousins wedding. He did an amazing job. He had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the ceremony but was very polite and caught my eye and let me know. After he came back he went and stood next to the best man grabbed his hand and whispered its okay dont worry I washed my hands. As the wedding was over Ryan started to walk down the aisle and tripped and fell. Because majority of the people who were there new Ryan and that he is clumsy they just laughed. Ryan jumped right back up and walked down. What a champ! At the wedding Ryan went crazy dancing...he danced all night long.

Hikin in the State Park

2008-05-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

After a long drive into Chino Hills State park we finally found a place to park and we took a hike (although it was more like a walk to a dirt path and trees) Our thinkin is Adam and I are putting our minds to getting back into shape and preparing for our Zion trip next month. We had alot of fun...and so did Ryan. We pretended like we were animals and Ryan was a crazy Lion who attacked us. We love to make Ry use his imagination. All in all we had a fun little outting right in our backyard!

Getty Villa And Santa Monica

2008-05-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

Adam Falling Off the Ladder
Family picture and the sweet cookie monster I won at the wack-a-mole game
Santa Monica Lovin
Ryan loves pizza....and sometimes he thinks he is a rockstar
The beautiful sunset
The Getty Villas outdoor Garden
Ryan and Adam racing down the stairs

Walkin on the pier
The Dumb Ladder Game Again

Last month I had to attend the Getty Villa for my Art Class. It was very beautiful and we enjoyed walking around and especially the outdoor gardens! Adams cousin Chelsea and he boyfriend Cole joined us. Cole is type 1 diabetic and while there he nearly passed out...he didnt want to hinder our trip and wanted to go with the flow so he did mention that he needed lunch...we scolded him and got a delicious Getty Hot dog in his belly. Also while on our way down we saw an overturned Range Rover in Beverly Hills. Adam stopped to make sure everybody was okay and then we went along our merry way. After we went to the Santa Monica pier and the boys played this ladder game and they both sucked. This chubby mexican girl that operated the ride kept doing it and made it look so easy...so the boys thought they could do it. We went down to 3rd Street Promenade and had dinner and shopped around. It was a very fun day and we are anxious to go down to the pier when they put the new ferris wheel in!

Beach Bonfire

2008-05-02T16:23:00.001-07:00

Cute Claire with soot on her forehead
Ryan Saw a Mouse
Posing for the camera
Carter Ryan and Danny
Nana and the cute Claire
Adam said wow this is hot...well it is fire
playing with lighterfluid
Adam and Robert (they have been bestfriends since they were like 15)

Over the past month we have gone to the beach to enjoy a nite of bonfires and beach cookin. First we went with The Todd Family (my brother Danny and his wife and kids) as well as my mom and adams dad. Ryan and Carter went down to the water with Nana and came up went and apologetic...we laughed and had anticipated that his was going to happen so we had clean clothes. We ate hot dogs and smores...and Sarah made the best fruit salad. As our night was coming to an end a mouse showed up and scared Ryan to the point where he was in tears. We packed up and went home soon after the mouse showed up. Then last weekend we went with Adams best friend Robert and his wonderful girlfriend Valleri. Robert is an amazing cook so he cooked up hamburgers with muenster cheese and grilled onions. It was amazing beach cuisine. We had alot of fun with lighter fluid..and after burning pallets we realized why you are not supposed to burn pallets. Robert is a firefighter at San Bernardino Co. and Adam is an apprentice with La Verne and they were having way to much fun with the fire....and repositioning it....and building it bigger and bigger. Adam was playing around and started dancing on a crate....and some ghetto girls from Chaffey high school saw him and started cheering. He got shy really fast and sat down....but that was the highlight of my night. All in all its a great start to beach season and we cant wait for longer days and sweet summer nights that are to come!

Disneyland

2008-05-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

I took this of the boys on big thunder railroad...soon after I got yelled at over the intercom for not sitting forward...lame!
After a long day at disneyland. Ryan talked to the disneyland fire chief and he gave ryan that cool sticker.

Preparing for Hollywood Tower of terror.
Ryans Rat Boy Face...he loves to do this...and hates when I do my Rat Girl Face Back.
Brother Bear Outdoor Challenge Course
The Cool Zip line Ryan flew through the air and loved it!

The Hamilton family loves Disneyland....and thanks to Adams job(s) and paramedic school he often has weekdays off so we can go and beat the crowd. Most recently we hit up California Adventure and did Tower of Terror (me and Ryan's favorite) and we did the brother bear challenge course. Ryan had a blast racing ducks...although the employee running this ride was a little weird and I kept Ryan very close....and he did a zip line kinda thing that you sit on and take off. Unfortunately Ryan has grown out of wanting to go on the cute slow rides and now wants nothing but over 42 inches rides. We measure every time for Indiana Jones Ryan is less than inches and a half aways...it will be momentous when he can finally get on. So here are some pictures from our grand adventure at the happiest place on earth.

Currently Lovin

2008-04-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

So I decided to post a blogg...I am at work so I don't have access to my personal cache of photos so i decided to do a things we love so here it goes: When Adam isn't at Medic school he is playing XBOX live and can often be heard talking very loud into his headset at all hours of the night

As a whole family we love Pinkberry and each of us like our own unique toppings...

In my French Foreign Cinema class i watched a film called Paris Je' Taime which means I love Paris....although I haven't yet been it give me a feeling that I must go

Lately Adam and I have been eating Wahoos Fish Tacos on our family dinner night...so off me and the boys (Ryan and Adam) go to either Rancho or Huntington to partake in fish tacos and black beans

Ryan is obsessed with Ben 10 he received a watch from his great grandma Dora and he brings it every where, he also plays the game on the computer and he is loving to imagine all the aliens he can be....

We all as a whole love the new Jack Johnson Album it is amazing and although some thought it was a different direction than the last it is beautiful and great to mellow out with

The Jack Johnson surf film September Sessions...and any other surf films for that matter...Endless Summer Step into Liquid...with Adam in Medic school we seek to find the most relaxing things possible

and we are currently planning a Amtrak Vacation on the surf liner from San Diego San Clemente and Santa Barbara...we have beach plans but also San Diego and in Santa Barbara we are going to stay with Adams cousin and she is gona take us aroung town...plus she is a massage therapist so we are looking forward to massages...

So these are the current happenings...expect more soon...as I am off all weekend and have tons to Blog on my new blogg