Memorial Weekend '11

We started off the weekend celebrating our Anniversary, "16" years! We've been so busy with sports that we forgot to make plans. Well we really didn't have any weekends to make plans. Funny thing is, our plans for most the weekend got cancelled. So we were able to get rid of the kids and we went out on the town.
First we went to dinner, shopping and then some dessert! Yum, we found a new yogurt place. Yogurt has become one of our new favs!
Saturday night, strangely, it rained. So we just watched movies with the kids at home. Sunday we attended church and then had a bbq at home. Dad happened to come by so we invited him to stay. It was a nice meal outside.
We then set up the tent,


she's always gotta put on a show!


played some backyard games and made smores!


Monday hopefully I'll have some more fun pics of the rest of our weekend. Stay tuned!

Tina and her Fish

Back in March we got Christina some fish. We were having a hard time keeping her in her bed. So we made a deal. If she stayed in her bed for three days we would buy her some fish. She was so excited to have her own pet(s)! She did amazingling well!
Three days later, we were off to the pet store. We started w/ the tank, rocks and decor. If you've never had a tank, you have to set it up first and gradually add the fish. A few days later we added the fish, it's suppose to be at least a week later. You know she wasn't gonna wait that long. Well as long as you get hardy fish you should be okay.

Three months later and we have three of four fish left. Not bad!
She just loves watching them, talking to them, feeding them (most days). It's so funny to listen to her talk to them and laugh at what they're doing.
One day one of the fish was in a deep sleep! I was so worried how she was going to take it. We talked about it all day and finally that evening she said, "Mom, I think it's dead". We removed the fish. She really didn't like the idea of it going down the toilet, we told her not to watch. You really had to try hard not to laugh and be considerate of her feelings.
I'll tell you one thing, it sure is nice to have fish again. We use to have two tanks years ago. Somewhere I have pics.
How do you like our homemade background? One day Tina asked me to help her make a backdrop. I thought the stickers were a cute touch.

Some Of February

I can't believe I fell so behind. Here's a little of what happened in February.
February is the Japanese New Year. Every year we go spend a day celebrating, eating and enjoying time with friends and family.
Behind the building is a duck pond. Christina looks forward every year to feeding the ducks.

Then the performances start. I didn't take as many photos as I usually do.
I just love the costumes!


During February we also went bowling with Uncle John.

It really is a fun sport/activity to do with the family.

Can't Forget Easter

Yes, you know I'm still trying to catch up. So here is a little of Easter. Of course you'll only see pics of Tina. It's like pulling teeth to get the boys in a pic.
Tina waited weeks for Easter to come. Or should I say The Easter Bunny! With the boys I never had to pretend the bunny was real. By the time they were 5-6 we stopped doing egg hunts, but this little girl wouldn't give up about the bunny! We tried explaining that bunnies don't lay eggs. She didn't care, she still expected some eggs from the bunny Easter morning. So Easter morning she woke up and looked in the backyard, NOTHING! We told her she had to go to church first and then the bunny would come! So first thing when we got home, she ran to the backyard. Yes, there were eggs! She had a blast finding them.




The Dress: I bought the dress a month in advance. She was wearing a size 4 at the time. By the time Easter came she was in a 5. She only got to wear the dress once. Good thing we got pics!



Here's a cute liitle bird made out of paper that Tina and I made.

Moving On!

Kenny finally finished his high school season and has moved on to city league. This year was kinda rough with having to transfer schools and start new on a different team. He worked hard and tried to prove his worth, but sometimes you run into a coach who picks favorites.
Kenny became very frustrated at times but after many talks he made it through the season. He's now playing on the same team as Mateo. They just had they're first game and can you believe it, I forgot the camera! What else is new these days.
So here's a few pics from his last game.

It's Baseball/Softball Season!

I've been so busy with work and keeping track of three teams, I'm lucky to even have a few photos of the kids playing. This past year I've bearly touched my camera. Well here is what I have so far.
Tina couldn't wait to play ball. Here she is in the back yard practicing. Of couse she has to be cute while doing it!

Here's opening day for my girl's softball team.

Finally she gets to play! You have to see it to believe it but she's an amazing hitter. Not that that's hard to believe, it runs in the genes!


I'll post the boys pics later.

Tina Turns 5

Finally she's "5"! Tina was so excited to plan her party. We were debating to have a princess party or a hello kitty party. I'm so happy we chose hello kitty because two friends had a princess party a month later.
cake made by my friend Anita and it taste
soooo good!

December is such a cold and rainy month, we always have to plan an inside party. This year we decided to try a jump house. It was a hit with the kids!



That's the birthday party, now for the birthday tradition.
Last year we took Tina to Build A Bear. This year it became a tradition.
She was so excited to pick out a new animal. If you haven't been, you should! It's tons of fun for the kids and for whom ever attends.
They get to help stuff the animal.

Give 'em a bath. (pretend)

Don't forget to give 'em a big hug!

And take 'em home!

Whooo! Some birthday!

Christmas in February??

I know it's February but I'm just getting caught up. I decided instead of scrolling through FB (facebook) I would try to update the blog! LOL! (laugh out loud)
So this is what Christmas looked like for the fam bam!
Here's the kids at Christmas Eve opening up their "1" gift. Every year they get a new set of pjs, don't yours?! I think one year we actually forgot the pjs so the boys got to pick a gift, lucky them!



Here's Christmas morning. They actually slept in till 730am. We had to wake up Tina and Hubby.

Do you think she's happy with what Santa brought?


As soon as we're done at home we pack all the family gifts in the van and start for #1 house, Papa's house.

You should see what a mess everything is after "14" people open up gifts! You should also see what making breakfast looks like for "14" people! Man, I didn't get any photos of it either!

Now off to house #2, Oba's.

Here's Hubby and Uncle John playing barbies with Tina. So cute and funny!


All in all it was a good Christmas!

Going, Going, GONE!

So back in November I decided to cut my hair off. When I went to the hairstylist she asked if I was going to go with a bob or an A-line. I freaked out and couldn't even think of cutting off my hair. So I chose a longer version of the A-line. This is that cut.

I really liked it...for a couple of months, but my life is soooo busy I decided that I really did need to go shorter. So here ya go...

I am loving it short! So much less to deal with. Especially since I'm usually running (literally) from kids schools, exercises, and both jobs, less is better!
Oh right, two jobs! I recently picked up a 2nd job. I'm still doing my In-Home care 1-2 times a week plus I'm working for the military clothing store near by.
And like I couldn't add anything else to my life...I'm now managing and coaching Tina's softball team. AGH!
And now you know why I never blog!!

Leaves and More Leaves!

I've told you about the leaves in our front yard before but this day was even more fun for a certain little girl. She has been waiting for someone to rake and put the leaves in a nice big pile so she could jump in them.
Well Dad came home a little early and went to raking. She had a blast in the pile of leaves. Can you tell? Who knew leaves could be so fun!

Pumpkin Chip and Banana Crumb Muffins

These muffins were DE-licious! The best part of course, they were super easy! You've gotta try them. Here's the link for the Banana Crumb muffins and here's the link for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip.
My little helper. I can tell this is going to be one of our past times!

Pumpkin Carving

Last week we got together at my Dad's to do some pumpkin carving. It was a fun night, work for some, but worth it. It sure is hard to get together or see anyone since we've moved. So I think everyone was happy to be together and do some fun things.



After everyone was started on the pumpkins, I had my Dad and Steve help me make caramel popcorn. Steve loves to help me...Yeah, right! He's a good sport. He always saves the day because I'm not great at baking, cooking, etc... So he watches my back and makes sure it comes out right. Funny, I know!

Here's Angelyka and Tina wearing they're costumes.

Here's a couple of finished pumpkins or should I say Jack O Lanterns.