Brothers

I have never met two brothers who are so much alike and yet such complete opposites at the same time.  

At last I have uploaded pictures from Christmas to present:

Giovanni, my newly 6 year old

I don't know about the rest of the world, but the big deal about today in our house is Gio's sixth birthday!  Six years ago today Gio joined our family and forever changed me (and my figure).  This sweet little pumpkin-head is the most loving and devoted kid I know.  He never forgets an old friend & his heart is always open to making new friends.  He is a born cuddler & still asks me everyday if I want to cuddle.  With my school schedule, I was unable to pull together a backyard party so this year is kind of a marathon celebration: last night he was allowed to pick 4 friends to take to Chuck E Cheese; today we'll be painting flower pots & eating cupcakes in his classroom; and tonight his cousins Alex & Samantha from up north are coming down with Horsey Grandma & Horsey Grandpa who will be with us until Sunday afternoon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIOVANNI!!  I LOVE YOU!!!!

I have an opinion....

I don't usually post too many opinions, but I cannot contain my feelings about changes being made to California Adventure.  Maybe I should preface the following with the fact that we recently renewed our annual passes after a 10 month hiatus and California Adventure was pretty much number one in my heart in previous years.  I know that Disney has it's reasons for the changes ($$$??) but PUH-LEEZ!!  I LOVED the original design of CA.  Maybe I'm crazy, but there is a reason I live where I live and I just happen to love where I live.  Trust me, I've lived in Utah, Colorado, and Idaho in addition to my residencies in both Northern and Southern California....I know what I'm talking about.  California deserves a theme park based solely on it's uniqueness and one-of-a-kind spirit.  Here's what I miss: the iconic CALIFORNIA letters in front of the entrance (already gone); the sound of the waves as you walk into the park; the Maliboomer that had NO line (already torn down, says there's a park coming); the partially-peeled orange peel around the swings (now looks too much like the swings at Knott's); Mulholland Madness that will soon be Goofy's Flight School (the ride was already perfect); the sunshine on the Sun Wheel (now has a big Mickey head on it); which leads me to: the Mickey head on California Screamin' (now says "Paradise Pier") (those changes make NO sense to me at all since they're about 50 feet away from each other); the mock trailers next to the restrooms by Monster's, Inc (not replaced with anything.....?).  I must say, I'm also kindda bugged by the crowds but perhaps they will dissipate when all the construction's done and pathways are back to their wider dimensions.  That being said, here's what's new that I like: the additional opening to Bug's Land from the Tower of Terror area.  Also, Gio and I are WAY excited for the new Car's Land that will be open in a year and half (you can walk through Radiator Springs!).  Also to look forward to: the Xanadu theater entrances (I'm not sure why the CALIFORNIA letters had to be removed for this to happen)! I am happy to report: they're still playing California-inspired music and there is still sea-glass in the sidewalk.

Paradise Pier as it will always remain in my heart
*note: Maliboomer on the right*RIP*

Christmas 2010

"Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!"

For weeks Gio's been quoting that
line about "stupid underwear "from
Polar Express &
Santa definitely heard him!

This year the boys both kicked off Christmas vacation with fevers and runny noses.  Their gifts to me were NO tummy problems....YES!!  So we spent some quality days in pjs with round-the-clock Tylenol doses for all. :)  It was definitely another Toy Story Christmas for the boys.  The gang's all complete at our house now.  The day after Christmas we headed up north.  This time Nana came with us and we stopped at Aunt Millie's first.  Chelsea picked us up from there and we headed up to Robyn and Jess's.  The boys had a blast with their cousins, aunts and grandparents.  Snow is such a novelty to the boys and was definitely a highlight of the week.  We were able to visit Lacey's grave site.  I still can't believe she's passed.  We saw Grandma Rose and Grandpa Alan, also, and even Jessica who we haven't seen in a year and a half.  We ended the week back at Aunt Millie's for prime rib with the cousins.  We headed home on the first and were probably one of the last cars to go through the Tejon Pass before it was closed from snow.  It was a great vacation for all of us and I'm extremely grateful for our safe travels.  It rained for most of the trip home and the wind was so unbelievably strong at the Grapevine exit that we almost considered staying there but it turned out the weather was better at higher elevations.  As soon as we got home, Gio said, "I'm so happy to be back at my home, Mommy!"  and I was worried he'd be disappointed to leave everyone!

Samantha made her first snow man

Frosted Ginger Fest

Horsey Grandma and the grandkids

Grandpa Alan & Grandma Rose
with the grandkids
and a few aunties

Gio & Cousin Iyanna @ Aunt Millie's

Four-Point-Oh Yeah, Baby!

Ancylostoma duodenale
From my absolute LEAST favorite section
of this semester. I'd like to say that I can
kiss this guy goodbye but
NO THANK YOU - he has teeth!

I am officially DONE with this semester and can now apply to RN programs!!  Woo-hoo!!!  I must admit, I am sad to say, "Good-bye," to the microbiology lab.  :(  But here's to making progress - YES!!

In Memoriam

Five glorious semesters of my life were spent at Clark Bowl.  As a member of Team Diet Dr. Pepper, I not only learned the rules of the game and how to score (big time!), I also received a trophy (albeit from my brother) for being the #2 bowler in my class (Loyd was #1, hands down).  It is with a heavy heart that I express my deepest sorrow for the loss of these great lanes as Clark Bowl burned down last Friday.  Dear to my heart and bowling ball "SuziQ", I bid thee farewell Old Friend.  Thanks for the G.P.A. boost!

Is it just me???

Or has anyone else had a dream about Beck performing "Devil's Haircut" live at church lately???  Just curious.