Chuck E. Cheeze

Nana sent Sophie this really beautiful blouse...I was trying to get Sophie to pose...but she had attitude instead. I said, "Sophie, let me take your picture". And, she said, "Noooooooooooo" in the most cute but bratty voice ever as she looked at me over her shoulder. Whatever girlfriend!  

Finally got her to pose...I don't know why she resisted...she knows the drill 

Jake's classmate, Chryso, invited us to his 4th birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Oh boy...lucky us! I mean the kids had a blast, as always...but on a Saturday afternoon, that place is crazy! But, Chryso's family was very nice, very welcoming and we were very thankful to be included. 

Sophie doesn't mind being the passenger...even though Jake's not watching the road

Jake driving the Monster Truck

Sophie figured out how to get the ball in there...

This was Sophie's favorite game of the day

Mmmm, this pizza is good! Jake's having fun w/ his friends

Taking a pizza break

I love this picture of Sophie, she was watching the Chuck E. Cheese employees dance

Jake doesn't mind his little sister hanging out with him and his friends Yet...

Ride em' Cowboy

Let's make a deal...

So...Jake's been having some issues at school. Getting crazy with the other boys...playing too rough, wrestling, pushing, etc. He also likes to get attitude with his teacher...so we made a deal. Well, let's just say Jake & Dad made a deal. If Jake was good ALL WEEK LONG at school he could go to Toys R'Us. Well, he did great at school all week. So, after school on Friday...they took a trip to the toy store. Jake was ready to pick out the same old things...trucks, tractors, fire engines...things that he already has a lot of. So, Deon talked him to this cool razor (a big boy scooter, as Jake calls it). But, Dad knew he might have a  couple spills, so he got knee & elbow pads too. Good thing he did...because Jake did go down a few times. We are very proud of Jake...at school and at home. I think he just gets super excited when he plays at school and his enthusiasm and power get the best of him. But, he's such a good boy otherwise. He teacher says he has the kindest heart and that's he just being a 'boy'. 

Ready to GO! 

Sophie's ready to go too! 

Look at those eyes...beautiful! 

I'm ready Mom! 

Dad's giving Jake some instructions before they go.

Dad was showing Jake how to ride the scooter...but Jake was more interested in Dad's long board. 

He's getting it...

Sophie had to get in on the action too! 

Sophie and her buddy, Memphis...she was checking out his new ride.

My 2 little Monkeys

 Ok, so my kids love to pose for the camera...and so what, if I totally take advantage of that. I love it, I love them and I love taking their pictures. When they grow up and see all these photos...they'll either say, "Wow, Mom that was so cool that you took all these pictures and we have so many memories" OR they'll say, "Mom, you were crazy, why did you take so many  pictures of us". They are just too much fun and everyday they do the cutest things. And, also some crazy, [make me crazy] kinda things...but nonetheless, it's never DULL, it's never boring and I'm on my toes all day. Sophie is so sweet with that smile of hers. She's starting to copy everything I say, well she tries. She says; cracker, agua, boots, Gatorade (which is her & Jake's drink of choice right now), papa and her favorite word of all...Baby. She calls herself Baby when she wants to be held or hurts herself or she's acting like...well...a baby. So, we have started calling her baby. She also loves to say No...but it's the cutest thing. She says it like the character, Stewart from Mad TV. She also loves to climb. She pushes her little chair everywhere to climb into and onto everything. Even after all this...she's still my living doll. And, I must say, she's SUPER attached to me. And, sometimes it bugs me and I wish she would give me a break...but I know sometime in the near future she'll be asking me to leave her alone and not want to hang out with her Mother at all. And, there's Jake...oh my sweet, kind hearted, wonderful, smart, crazy Jake! He's 4 and he's pushing his limits to MAXIMUM CAPACITY! When I get mad at him or he gets into trouble, he says, "you are mean", "I don't like you". You know what they say, "payback's a _____". Well, I used to do that to my Mom...except I was a lot meaner with my words. We put him to bed, read his 2 nightly stories/books, say prayers, rub/scratch his back (also payback), talk for a little bit and lights out. 5 minutes later, he's downstairs saying he can't get some sleep...I USED to do the same thing to my parents and keep them on the couch til' who knows what hour. Then in the morning when I wake him up for school, he can't get up because the bed's holding him down (payback to Deon...he used to say/do the same thing to his Mom). Oh Parenthood, the joys! Jake tells me he loves me about 20 times a day and I LOVE IT! Both of my kids are so smart and so amazingly wonderful. I'm so blessed. And, I can't forget my husband...he's the best! He works super hard for us, he's a great daddy & hubby and I just can't say enough about him. I have to mention that this week he went to the mall to buy a new jacket for himself...and he came back with perfume for me. Sweet huh? He's ALWAYS thinking of me, Jake & Sophie. I love him for that. 

Watching cartoons..."Hey guys, let me take your picture". 

MONKEY SEE...MONKEY DO! 

Girls like John Deere too! 

Watching TV...Let's take another picture

Look at the Princess

SO BEAUTIFUL

Handsome Boy...getting Handy Man ready for a ride

Jake showing Sophie the motorcycle

She loves climbing on Jake's bed...another pose...love it

Happy New Year -- 2011

                                                                                                                                                 The day before New Years Eve, Pa ended up in the hospital. He was having dizzy spells, chest pains and just didn't feel right. We were so worried...but after they ran all kinds of tests they figured out it WAS NOT his Heart! Thank God. He came home late afternoon on New Years Eve...so he made it home for the new year. Gave us a good scare Pa, but we are so happy you are feeling betterWe let the kids play with some confetti poppers and horns before bed. Deon & I were in bed by 9:30. I am fighting a cold and Deon's just tired from getting up so early for work (4:30am). So, we had a good nights sleep and got up and had our champagne in the morning(Mimosas). We made a big breakfast (bacon, eggs, papas, tortillas)...mmmm, so good! HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone. To all our family & friends, we hope 2011 brings many blessings to all of you. 

Happy Birthday to Coco Sue. Her birthday is the day after Christmas. Jake surprised her with some yummy cupcakes. 

All bundled up...ready to go outside...it's 28 degrees today. Brrrr! 

On our way to go see Pa at the hospital. 

New Years Eve...broke out the horns and confetti poppers..

Sophie's Ninos got her these beautiful Princess dresses...so we decided to play dress up and take pictures. So perdy! 

My girl...posing for pictures

Sophie showing Jake her dress. 

My gorgeous babies

How I love your branches...

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...How I love your branches...I love that song! 
Well, we plan, prepare, decorate, shop, wrap, cook, bake and rush, rush, rush to get it all done before Christmas. Well, this year...was a little different. We decided this year, to focus on the kids. And, the whole week leading up to Christmas I was sick with the stomach flu. So, we were basically at home, laying low trying to get well before the big day. We did not exchange gifts with our family and instead decided to just get Jake & Sophie gifts. Since, really...it's about the kids anyway. To experience Christmas through a child's eyes is one of the most amazing gifts God can give you. The excitement, the wonder, the innocence...all that is gone so quickly.  For me, I began the holiday season a little sad because I knew I wouldn't be seeing my family in California (most importantly, my Mom & Dad). But, after I really thought about it...I realized that it's about my family right here; Deon, Jake & Sophie. We have to start our own traditions and instill things in our children that will be with them forever. So, that's just what we did. Christmas Eve we attended mass in Old Town. It was a beautiful scene down there. The streets were lined with luminarias, there was a live nativity in front of the church, carolers...I definitely felt the spirit of Christmas there. And, even though, the church was 'standing room only'...we all had a seat and as we listened to the Christmas stories, we were reminded of the true reason for this holiday...Jesus' birth. This is what I want my kids to grow up with...knowing that Christmas is about more than just presents and Santa and crazy shopping malls...it's about our faith in Jesus and our love for our family. I am so blessed...I can't even begin to explain...all I know is that I'm truly grateful for the love of my husband, the joy of my children, the support of my family & friends and most of all, Jesus Christ...who watches over us, continues to bless us and who renews my faith over and over again. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Sophie Lynn in her beautiful dress. 

Sophie & Dad checking out the luminarias

Mom & Dad in old town

They couldn't wait to open presents

Sophie changed into her jammies...but she wanted to put her dress back on

My little redneck. Sportin' his John Deere boots & Belt buckle.

Sophie got a purse with a compact & Lipstick...she LOVED it. 

Dad & Jake...playing rock em' sock em'

Jake really liked this gift...a digger

Santa really knows Jake...JOHN DEERE

Such a girlie girl. Melissa sent her some leg warmers...and  Sophie loved them. She had to walk on her tip-toes.

Talking to Nana & Bob

Melissa sent this really cool puzzle and the kids were amazed by it...

Monkey See...Monkey Do

We had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you to Pa & Coco for all the wonderful gifts, for the delicious Christmas Eve dinner and all the love too. Now...let's ring in the New Year!