Swim Lessons

Since Kylah was born, she has loved water whether it was the ocean or pool, she always loved going in.We were very scared that my little darling had no fear of the water unless it was extremely cold, which at the beach, is a good thing if we go in March. Then we went to a friend's house and she had a bad experience. While walking around the spa, Kylah somehow made it to the center of the spa where she could not touch the ground. As I was sitting on the edge of the spa, I noticed Kylah was struggling to breathe. I jumped in, with my clothes and boots, to rescue her. The image seems so fresh in mind. Thank goodness she was okay! So when swim lesson came around, I was a little apprehensive about Kylah enjoying her time. At first, she was a little freaked out and did not want to go in. She screamed and kept saying "NO!" The next day, Nana put her in the water and walked away. It took a while for her to finally calm down and trust in Miss T. The last day of swim lessons, Kylah even jumped off the diving board to Miss T. I was so proud of my little girl!

Austin on the other hand wasn't quite as into the swim lessons even on the 6th day. I would have to admit, it was very cold on day 5th and 6th, but on day 7 he should have been comfortable. Not exactly, he was not willing to do anything we had worked on prior to those days. All he wanted to do was cry and tried to climb on me. I couldn't bear to see him so unhappy so I took him out after 20 min. and I didn't even make him go in on the last day! Instead, was hugging on nana and walking around stubbing his little toe (yes, my bubba stubbed his toe and started to bleed, he probably wished he was in the pool after that). We will definitely try next year when he is a little older and hopefully more used to the water.

What happens in Vegas...stays in Vegas!

What can I say, the past 8 years have been amazing. We have had our ups and our downs, but through it all, we have come out stronger than when we started this journey. This journey called life and marriage, has only made us better people. We have both changed in many ways, but of course, for the better. We have brought out the best and the worst in each other, but no other person can do that. This marriage has tested each other's patience and love! Whose marriage doesn't? With God, all things are possible and we both believe that. If it wasn't for God, who knows where we would both be! He brought us together and has kept us together! I thank God everyday to have brought us together on that May day in 2001. Since then, we have been blessed with two beautiful children and 8 amazing years!

So...to celebrate our wonderful 8 years, we went to Las Vegas! As we say, it's our playground! We tried new places to eat, some good, some not so good! But that's the wonderful world of Vegas! We were blessed to have two close and great friends, Buddy and Lorie, to go with us to share our anniversary with us! They were great to have put up with us...and that is an understatement. There is no other couple I would have loved to spend the time with than them!

We had a fabulous time eating, laying out, gambling (a little), and just visiting. We even saw Zumanity...not what we thought it was going to be! It was a little more, well, erotic than I expected. I don't think the word Sensual would even come close to it! But, at least we experienced it!

Brandon and I had some alone time the last night we were there. Did a little shopping and a lot of walking, and much bonding. I had wonderful, beautiful sores on my feet, but hey, sometimes it hurts to wear cute shoes! Happy 8th Anniversary to the love of my life!

Austin's Angel Ballpark Bash

We had a wonderful time celebrating a milestone, Austin's 1st Birthday. The theme was Angels and I asked all guests to wear their favorite MLB apparel if they had any. We had cotton candy, cracker jacks, nachos, and hot dogs...no we did not have peanuts (I did think about it though, but I thought that would have been a major mess). I also wanted ice cream sandwiches, those are my favorite at the games, but didn't want to take away from the cupcakes. We had a jumpy slide that even adults enjoyed!!! I felt like a kid again even though my own child (Austin) didn't quite enjoy it! Austin got a lot of clothes, and now I don't have to go shopping for a while, and a lot of fun and exciting toys. He also got money and gift cards so now we have to spend some money (not complaining).

Here's the family picture on the slide! Austin's not too happy!

The concession stand included popcorn, cracker jacks,slim jims nachos, pretzels, and hot dogs. It wasn't much, but it is what you would get at a game. It was also easy and carefree. That is definitely something I needed, I am a mother of two working part time! I need easy!

The dessert stand: cotton candy, cupcakes and Austin's cake!!! Mmmm...each child got to take the cotton candy home, I don't think their parents wanted them to be on a sugar high afterwards.

Guests waiting to see the video I put together for Austin. I am sorry baby, I didn't get your scrapbook done, I will work on it this next year!!

I made this cake (I don't like store bought, they are not the tastiest nor the cheapest), the morning of and I got the idea of the A the night before while talking with my brother Brian at our house. It was easy and even my brother and dad enjoyed it when Austin was finished! The cake was strawberry!

Austin wasn't the easiest child to get to dig into his cake. He was not sure about his hands getting dirty (what child does that). But once he tasted the frosting, he enjoyed every minute of it and wanted me to also enjoy it, on my shorts!!!

We are excited to see what the next year will bring us. Austin has made us so proud and he is such an amazing son. He makes us laugh, cry, and smile. He is sweet and loving, but has a funny personality. Muah baby, Happy birthday!!

Tatum Wedding!

We went to the Tatum wedding!!! The funny thing about it...it was down the street from my old house on the golf course! The bride, Megan, looked absolutely beautiful! The groom, James, was handsome!!! The ceremony was quaint, and unfortunately, I couldn't hear, but I am sure it was fabulous! (I was trying to keep Austin quiet, but Ky did a wonderful job sitting with daddy.) I knew once the music started and the dancing began, Ky would tear it up on the dance floor. Boy was I right...she was all over the dance floor. And of course, wanted to dance with the "princess", the bride! Austin was being tossed around to keep him awake and from getting too cranky! He was a good sport. Kylah, we had no problems with! She ate her cake and danced her bottom off!!! It was a beautiful wedding!!

Ky's Birthday Bash!

Instead of having a birthday party, we decided to spend the money we would have spent on her party on a hotel room at the Disneyland Hotel. We went into the pool, Ky had a blast going down the slide that they had. Uncle Brian, Hayden, Miranda, Nana and Papa joined us! After a fun time in the pool, we went to ESPN zone. Although, Kylah didn't feel like eating or being awake for her own birthday bash! She fell asleep on me and barely woke up in time for a cupcake, that she didn't eat until the next morning! Then we headed off to Disneyland the next morning and had a great time! The lines weren't long, but boy were we ALL tired! We are planning on going back to the hotel because of how much fun we had! So...who wants to go?

Ky's ice cream!!!

Me and my buddy on the monorail

My handsome sleeping and missing out on the fun!

Here's the clan minus my dad!

A Blessed Mother's Day!

I know I have been blessed because I had a fabulous Mother's Day! It first started with breakfast in bed, then church with the family, and we were off to Starbucks! We then went to P.F. Changs for lunch! Yummy! After lunch was a much needed shopping trip with my mom!! This has been my third Mother's Day as a mom and I definitely have found more respect for my mother and understand why we needed to show my mom how much we appreciated her. She did so much for all of us and was our rock! I pray that I will have the same relationship with my kiddies as I have with my mom! Love ya mom!

Grandma's Tribute

Grandma Stone went home to be with the Lord on February 23rd. She fought and lost the battle to lung cancer. She leaves behind the most wonderful husband, 3 sons, 1 beautiful daughter, 13 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren! She was a strong woman who loved God, life, and company! Grandma was our #1 cheerleader and always wanted us to be happy. She lived an amazing life; she was Rosie the Riveter, she grew up on a farm, went on many trips, played golf and shuffle board. She was beautiful on the inside and out. My children are blessed to have met such an amazing woman! I am blessed to have been the granddaugther of a loving and perfect grandma!!! May she forever live on through us!