Weekend Review

Friday evening Olivia had a Birthday Party to go to, so John and I took the two little ones out to dinner. After dinner he took them home so I could do a little bit of "solo" shopping.


Saturday we went to Isaac's 1st Birthday Party at the Park. (My Cousin Eric's Baby)




The kids saw the water and made a mad dash for it.

Jasmine didn't want to get her clothes wet so she waited patiently on the bench. I took a lot more pictures but hated that so many other kids got in the shots even with me trying to avoid them. After playing at the Park and at the Party we took the kids to the Mall for Cheese Dogs and then to get Damon and John fitted for their tuxedos for my Brother's Wedding. We picked up dinner and then it was off to a Photography Class for me. My friend Mandi and I drove out to her friends house who is a Professional Photographer. She taught a Beginners Class where she gave us lots of pointers and recommendations. You have to check out her blog http://www.staynerphotography.blogspot.com/ she takes amazing pictures! The class was way different from my Online Course and more hands on. I learned so much and of course I had a great time hanging out with an old friend. This picture is my friend Mandi when we were learning how to use the camera's built-in light meter.

Today we spent the afternoon just laying around the house until our movie started late in the afternoon. We went to see "UP". It was a really cute cartoon and made me cry a few times. It was a love story and for some reason it made me think of my Grandparents. Maybe because I have been so worried about my Poppie lately. He had surgery last Friday and seems to be doing pretty well considering he had a triple bypass. They have him really sedated but hope to let him go home in a few days. Please say a prayer for him for a speedy recovery.

Flag Football

The kids and I finally got a chance to catch one of John's Flag Football Games. He is self-employed and is in a very stressful line of work, so time to blow off some steam.

Jasmine was on the side-line, cheering her Daddy on!

She seemed to get a little upset with what she thought was a bad call. Can you say ATTITUDE?

Memorial Day 2009

We went to John's Parent's house this afternoon for a BBQ, and also to spend time with his Sister who was visiting for Chicago. We all had a great time and the kids enjoyed a game of football. They were all running even our littlest baby Tyler. Pictured Alec, Jared, Tyler, Olivia, and Cade.

I got to play with my camera a little.

Olivia

Jasmine

I don't have much going on this week so I'm planning on catching up on a few photo projects.

St. George

I just got back from St. George this afternoon. I literally got dropped off at the movies so I could see my kiddos. We saw "Night At The Museum", which was pretty cute. John told me that the kids only missed me a little and that he thought it was a piece of cake running the household while I was gone. I think his exact words were "your job is easy." What??? Whose kids was he watching? Am I wrong for that to totally hurt my feelings?

I went to St. George with my Mom so that we could be there to help my Grandma and Grandpa. My Poppie was having an Angiogram done to clear a blocked artery in his neck. The good news is that he didn't need a stint, the bad news is that he needs to have open heart surgery because the bottom half of his heart is clogged. I see this as a blessing in disguise since the only other way we would have know his condition is if he had a heart attack. He is so strong I know he will pull through just fine. His surgery is next Thursday and I will keep you updated.

It was so nice to get to spend time with my grandparents without the interruptions of my three little ones. It reminded me of when I was little and we used to visit them. When I was a teenager I thought it was a curse that my mom was so close to her family. We got together almost every weekend and during the summer I would see my cousins almost everyday. Our family vacations were always to California, Texas, or Arizona to see family. It wasn't until I was older that I grew to love the closeness of my Mom's family. I have learned that most families try to avoid each other or pretend to be someone else just to please them. People are always surprised that my Mom and I are such good friends. Some people don't believe me when I tell them that my Dad offers to babysit. Some people don't understand why I want to talk to my Brother and Sister daily. I now know how lucky I am to have such beautiful people in my life. I love each of them for who they are. While I was at my grandparent's house I had time to reflect on all the good times and all the great memories we've had together. It was so nice staying with them.

Here's a list of why I love to stay at Mema and Poppie's:

1. It's always toasty inside their house. No matter what time of year it is; and most likely, they will still be wearing a sweater.



2. My Grandma bakes from scratch. She slices and dices. She marinates and slow cooks. She watches every cooking show on TV and even subscribes to several cooking magazines. My generation, unfortunately, microwaves everything. We pay extra for things to be pre-cut and pre-cooked. We love fast food. We love instant rice and instant potatoes. But somehow my Mema can make a beautiful new meal out of leftovers.



3. They have religious statues, candles, crucifixes, and calendars all over the house. You can't help but feel spiritual and safe there.



4. They always stock up on your favorite drinks and foods when they know your coming to visit.



5. There's always clean sheets on the bed.



6. They turn off the TV except for The News, American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, and of course the Spanish Soaps.



7. Their phone rings off the hook.



8. Poppie checks his email frequently and has learned how to "text."



9. We sit around and talk for hours and hours.



10. I love that you can hear them snoring even with their door closed. (And your door closed.)



11. I love that they have been together since High School.



12. I love that they swear in Spanish. (Yes Mema, Chingao! is a swear word, and is just one of their favorite words.)



13. My Mom always cries when we leave. I hate that it makes her sad to leave her parents but I'm happy that she loves them that much that she wishes she could be around them everyday.

My Grandparents have been married over 60 years and are the reason I have such a beautiful and loving family. We've all had our share of crosses to bear, but I know we can get through anything. Poppie-you know you have our love and support and we will get through this.

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Mom!

My Mom turns 60 today and we are celebrating by taking a short trip to St. George, just the two of us. It's not all fun though, my grandpa is having surgery tomorrow morning so please say a prayer for him. And maybe a prayer for John since he will be alone with three little monsters.

First Holy Communion

Congratulations to Olivia for making her

First Holy Communion.

The Mass was complete chaos. There were a ton of people and the first mass ran late so we didn't get to have a practice run.

Olivia with Father Francisco.

Me and Liv after Mass

There were so many kids making their First Communion they had to split them into the Spanish Mass and the English Mass. This picture isn't even half of the kids, not to mention we cut off half of this group. Sorry this was the best picture we took.

Olivia in front of the alter.

We had a luncheon at our house after church.

Jassy was a doll. No tantrums!

My family was very generous and Liv got lots of gifts and money. Grandma & Grandpa and John & I got her a bike.

Martha, Pat, and Mema. Pat partied to hard and hurt her shoulder.

I decorated the house really cute for the luncheon, however this picture of one of tables looks like a mess.

Olivia with a cake from Grandma and Grandpa.

It was such a busy weekend but so much fun seeing family everyday. Thanks for all the support. We love you!

Saturday At The Lone Star

Since we had family from out-of-town, we thought it would be fun to have an early dinner at The Lone Star Restaurant. We left our kids with John's sister and got a much needed break.

My Cousin Ear Ache (Eric) and his wife Krysta.

My cousin Stephanie with Greg and his "Sticky Cookies". (I think you had to be there)

The Earlewines: Melanie, Jon, Mark. Other side: Bonnie, Angie, and Phil.

After dinner we went to see my Aunt Pat's remodeled Condo. It looks beautiful! We were only supposed to stay for a minute but; me, my cousins and aunts started talking and laughing and time slipped away! Sorry Kim if we were gone to long, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for watching the kids.

SURPRISE!!!

My Mom turns 60 this Wednesday, so our family thought it would be fun to throw her a Surprise Party. We had everyone come over to my house and hide their cars down the street. I asked her to come over to help me bake. She fell for it!

The best part was her Little Brother came from Arizona.

My late Uncle Danny started the tradition of giving a frog that sings and dances for all "Milestone Birthdays." So now my mom gets to keep it until the next "big-0" birthday.

Mema and Poppie made the trip from St. George. Here's a picture of my Mom's Sister Bonnie, Mema, and my Mom.

The Rojas Family: Poppie, Mema, Mona, Bonnie, Manny, Pat, Martha. (R.I.P. Danny)

I've known for months that we were going to have this party and I can't tell you how hard it was not to tell my mom. I tell her everything! Everyone was a big help and did a great job keeping the secret. Even my kids didn't say anything. Thank you everyone for coming, we had a great time! A big Thanks to Danielle for all your help. XOXO

Mother's Day 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

My sister Yvette, My Mom, Me

Your Mother is always with you.

She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street,

She's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wears.

She's the cool hand on your brow when your not feeling well,

She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day.

She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep,

She's the colors of a rainbow.

She is Christmas morning.

Your Mother lives inside your laughter.

She's crystallized in every tear drop.

A Mother show's every emotion...

Happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow....

and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.

She's the place you came from, your first home, and

She's the map you follow with every step you take.

She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy,

but nothing on earth can separate you.

Weekend Update

After having a crazy busy week I was really hoping to take the weekend to relax, but no such luck. The kids had Teacher Appreciation at their school and one of the things we did was take lunch to Olivia's teacher on Friday. On the way there Damon spilled his drink all over him and his shorts got really wet. He then refused to go into his classroom because "the kids would think that he peed in his pants." I didn't have time to take him home to change him since it was a short day anyways, so he got out of going to school on Friday. I think he may have had that planned. We had to take Chloe to get a summer haircut.

Before:




After:



She looks really ugly now, but we still love her. I had a terrible migraine for most of the afternoon but later that night we got to watch our nephew Tyler for a few hours.








The kids got to jump on their new trampoline.




On Saturday we went to the Garden Fair at The Conservation Park. The kids all made me a really cute Mother's Day Card.





We walked though the gardens.



We had our picture drawn with Grandma.



We thought the picture turned out pretty cute, so when John got home from his football game we decided to go back and get another one of our family, and after shopping all day and still not knowing what to get for our Mom's we decided to get the picture of the kids framed and give those as gifts.




Today we spent Mother's Day with John's family in the morning.



And with my family in the evening. Here's a picture of me and the kids. I like it because Jassy finally decided to get in the picture and we caught Chloe mid yawn.



Olivia made me a really cute book and lots of cute cards. She even drew out a plan for the family, so they would each have something to bring up stairs when I woke up.