Marissa and Kiddos... and a Husband... and 2 more kiddos

Pinewood Derby!!!

2011-04-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

So maybe I added to many exclamation points....

I really am not a fan of these events.

They are more about whose dad has the best workshop.

But anywho, my boys love it and therefore i endure it.

Gabes first and Kobes last...both super excited :)

Gabe got his bobcat and Kobe got his Webelo!

Doug was the MC so that was at least entertaining!

Avalon in her usual form....


Proud boys!

They both did well...Gabe beat Kobe everytime though

he was pretty pleased since they are both super competitive!

Gabe made a Lego car (he LOVES Legos)

and Kobe made a Geico talking $ car (don't ask, i have no idea why)

But they are cute and had fun and some kid with an engineer for a dad won.

Shocking.

Happy St. Paddy's

2011-03-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

As you know my mom is the queen of traditions and decorating and being creative.

As a mother I want my kids to have the same memories and joys as I did as a child.

Sometimes real life happens.

The morning started off with some good ole' Lucky Charms...

(I even indulged in a bowl, and it really was magically delicious)

Thursdays are slurppee and park day, so off we go!

We did happen across a baby rattle snake at the park which was quite fascinating to everyone!

Then comes dinner! yay!

I always do a green dinner, basically dying everything green, and most off the time it ends up looking disgusting but thats really the fun of it right?

Well, half of the kids wouldnt eat and complained and were rude and burping and farting and making fun of me and well, just being UGH.

So being the wonderful poised and mature woman I am,

I locked myself in my room for an hour and a half and cried.

I didnt even give them the leprecaun treasure hunt i made.

I am just gonna eat every piece of candy myself.

And enjoy every bite.

I did eventually give them the grasshopper pie I made, begrudgingly.

And they spent the rest of the night apologizing and telling me "how wonderful" dinner was....

So the true question is why do I do these things?

Is it for me? To make myself feel like I am even half the mom mine was?

No....its because someday I know they will look back and remember poo-green food with smiles

and hopefully not their mom being a sensitive stressed out loon.

At least they are cute looking.....

wax on-wax off

2011-03-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

Chudan Cashel

Go-Ji Gabe

Kamaete Kobe

Ta-o-Kaete Tori

Ashi-o-Kaete Avalon

Awkward mom

Dojo Doug

Yep, this is pretty much us....

So our family has movie night every week

(well, we try....it's hard sometimes with sports and mutual and the gubes being gone every weekend...)

But we don't just watch any ole' movie!

We watch ones that have 3 or more...i want to say trilogies but Harry Potter has 7 so.....

Anyways, we have done Harry Potter, Back to the Future & Karate Kid so far...

Last time we went to the tide pools we found this cool log and of course had to do the

famous "Daniel son" pose.

Obviously some of us have better balance then the others....

Just FYI....I wouldn't recommended Karate Kid 3...it is pretty weak and WAY cheesy!

We just started Indiana Jones...I'm scared to watch #2 this week though!

That one is so satanic!!

Oh, and yes I did look up Karate terms to go with everyones names...

I am that awesome.

Snowed In!! ok not really....

2011-03-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

Freeeeezzzzing on our walk around Big Bear lake!

My Twins

Big Bear!!!!

Dougs awesome brother Mike and sis in law Dana have a house in Big Bear and they let us use it for a few days! The kids have what has been happily named "ski week" since everyone in So Cal take the rest of Presidents Day weekend to go skiing anyway the just made it a holiday here (well in our school district anyway...) So the kids had off, I actually GOT THEM for vacation time and we had a blast!

Enjoying our Babes

We didnt have a lot of snow when we got up there but they thought they icy mud was a wonderland in itself so as soon as we got up there they were up and gone getting wet and muddy but having as much fun as kids should be! We went out the first night for some pizza and saw "Gnomeo and Juliet" The kids liked it but it was a little to Elton John for me.... :)
And then it began to snow!!!!


"Sledding" in the mud day #1

It rained and hailed over night so they couldnt go out in the morning but in the afternoon we got a few inches! It was so beautiful. I loved just sitting on the couch by the fire watching it fall over everything and stick to the branches. I could watch it all day. The sledding park was $25 a person...WHAT?! so we just found some back hills and awesome streets and did it our style :) the kids dont know the
difference and it made it more interesting having to
watch out for trees and cars and rocks......
Kobe even stood on his sled to
snow board which he did do pretty well...that kid scares me.

It Snowed!! Sledding day #2

When they werent throwing/eating snow we were warm and cozy inside having a Harry Potter marathon (we actually seem to do this a lot...hey, it's good stuff!) and playing games and drinking hot chocolate! It was a great bonding time for everone because I usually only have me munchkins during the school week so non-school tine together is precious as are they! They were all very good for being cooped up together and I'm so lucky they all love each other as much as they do!

Im surprised noone died of eating gross snow...

I am such a very lucky girl that Doug works so hard and that he is his own boss so we can take amazing trips like this....it has been so beneficial to help our new little family grow and bond to be able to spend time together. I love him and all the hard work he does to make sure we are happy and how much he loves and takes care of my kids....I truly am so blessed to have married such an amazing hunk of a man....

Yay! it snowed!!!

Straw Visor Club

2011-02-25T14:06:00.000-08:00

The street I live off of is beautiful and hilly and treey and its where i like to walk/run.

It's actually quite a popular exercise route.

And while i enjoy my time just loving the visual beauty I must admit I get jealous occasionally.

Want to know why?

The Straw Visor Club

Now this isn't probably isn't the real name of the group but thats what i call them so there you go.....

There is this group of ladies, probably 4-6 that walk my route.

Not every day and not always at the same time...but they are there...

And i want to be them.

They all wear straw visors and have water bottles and are working up a sweat and smiling...

too much fun being had - and i want in.

Doug says I should just buy a hat and then kinda sneak in, you know, hide behind a tree and then just stealth myself in when noones looking and then just pretend like I was always part of the group...

They would never know right? I mean I got the visor?!

But alas....

I'm by myself looking on wishing I was cool enough to be in the

Straw Visor Club.

Lovers Day was Loverly

2011-02-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!!

Cashel's such a sweet heart <3

For Valentines Dinner every year my mom would make us shrimp scampi and make us feel fancy and loved with flowers and toilet paper rolls decorated and filled with lots of goodies...shes the best mom.

Me in my finery (sweat)

I have tried to keep this tradition alive if I am not going to my moms anyway (which let's face it, i usually do...especially the last 6 years...) But this year we were alone in south and I made a scrumptious meal for my little loves. I realized this year i really have no Valentines decorations and so hearts cut out of left over red stocking felt had to suffice until i feel crafty enough. Cashel made cute little cards for everyone and surprised us with treats she picked out "especially for us" (or just really all the crap she didnt want from the Valentines she got

at school...) One thing i did that I thought was cuteish was I got these strawberry Crush bottles and made little "I have a Crush on you" tags. I had to do something right? We had Chocolate covered strawberries and then my hot hubby took me out for the most romantic movies i have ever seen. "The Rite" and "The Green Hornet" I practically wanted to make out with him the whole time we were there!!

He actually did do a very sweet and romantical thing for me though....He has been writing artciles for Yahoo lately and he wrote our love story and posted it...if any of you wondered how we met -in his eyes :)

- take a looksy! He is my true love and I'm so lucky I

found him!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7729580/just_an_oldfashioned_facebook_love.html?cat=41

My Love

On Friday before Valentines we actually went to "incahoots" which is a country dance place. We went because:
A. Doug's sister and her husband met there 11 years ago to the day and so we went back to reminisce.
B. It's awesome.
We had a lot of fun mostly watching people and laughing....but i always love to watch Doug boot scoot his booty...it is pretty cute.

Oh Kobe.....

2011-02-08T20:11:00.000-08:00

My little man has been killing me lately.

This is one handsome and very talented and athletic boy....

And he knows it.

I have told this story to some, but he did it again last night and i was lauging so hard i have to share...

if not to make you laugh, then to be reminded years later and he can be a little embarrassed, though after you hear it you probably will realize he won't care.

This guy says the best prayers.

Always so thoughtful....and long...very long...about everyone and everything

and people who need help, who are facing hard decisions and are ill or afraid.

and then....

he usually gives thanks for being so athletic and talented and having soo many talents.

which he is. but in a prayer?

the best thing he has said though and he said it again last night was....

"Heavenly Father, thank you for making me so good looking."

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

this kills me. is he zoolander? i mean he gets it all the time from everyone and all the girls in his class throw themselves at him so i cant blame him for having a big head and i laugh but at the same time i am totally worried that he is going to turn into some egotistical maniac!!

on the same hand though he is so sweet to everyone and includes everyone and is a good brother and friend and a really good student so i cant be mad...

I guess i just have to sit back and laugh for now....

Any advice?

what strange weather we're having.....

2011-02-02T21:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Groundhog Day!

Today reminds me of one of my favorite people from high school, Suzanne Nelson....

Suzanne loved Groundhog Day and so now i do too.

I dont know if i saw my shadow today though because everytime i tried to look at the ground my hair would get whipped and blown and swirled all up in my grill.

So i saw my hair all day.

Speaking of crazzzy weather i just want to brag while i know most of my family and friends are freezing

and/or already frozen....i spent last week at the beach. it was 78.

and i actually spent at least 4 days at the beach this loverly wintery january. yup.

I love our new beach. I know, blasphemy. but i do.

Its beautiful and convenient and there are cliffs and awesome walks and tide pools and good waves and little pools and just all around great for my little adventurers!

Last week we went for a walk to this ginormous rock where there are some tide pools. Its a good little walk, about 1 1/2 miles each way....but there are crabs "this big!!" (just imagine my fingers open really wide)

the best part is on the other side of the rock a little ways down is the nudey beach where some

really hot (ugly) built (fat) guys (gay) lay out...so we dont go past the rock....

anyways....it was a nice stroll and it was one of those days where the ladybugs are migrating and mateing and just being altogether crazybugs so they were everywhere!!!

I love them!!!

My little lady

Cashel loves them too...she kept catching them and making sure they wouldnt leave me...

she loves me. a lot.

Kobe, Gabe and Cashel love these cliffs...they spend hours digging jumping burrowing and (when the waters too cold) boogie boarding down them!

(see that creepy guy playing the guitar? i felt bad cause he was trying to groove and find inner peace and my kids were not really that inspiring i'm pretty sure)

So what have you been up to this january?

Besides being jealous of me :)

wow....a lot has happened in a year...

2011-02-01T22:47:00.000-08:00

It's a new year.

2011.

I'm trying to be a new me.

I always loved blogging before but you know....full time job...full time single mom...

blah blah blah...wah wah wah.

So guess what?!? new year, new me, new posts!!

You're sooo excited :)

So what has happened to me in the last year you ask?

welllll....going on a year of dating my cute little boyfriend asked me to marry him atop a huge gigantic mountain that he made me climb in the sleet as his last task to make sure i was worthy of wifeyhood, we got married in june in the most beautiful romantical wedding where everything was perfection and we were in our own little dreamland...oh and there were crepes...lots of crepes, we moved our apprehensive new adorable little (big actually) family to san diego and we live in a breathtaking brand new house where everything is clean and sparkly and there are rolling hills and the beach is still in view and its basically just lovely, i spent the first two months of our marriage crying in the fetal position most of the time while my patient amazing husband put up with all my craziness during a very horrible custody battle, and we have spent the last seven months trying to adjust to being step-everythings living in a new place with new schools and a new ward and a new Target...yikes, but basically it has been a whirlwind of love and happiness and i wake up some mornings and wonder how i got to be such a lucky girl.

feel up to date?

good.

now hopefully i will keep posting and maybe ill put up some pics...

so keep stopping by....ill try to be entertaining :)

ya ya ya....

2010-01-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

Avalon blogged today and i thought...I really miss blogging...so I will...but first im going private. If there is anyone who still reads this and would like to be added let me know....or not, you probably wont be missing that much :)

Easter 2009

2009-05-04T22:53:00.001-07:00

Well....I warned you things would be random....:)
Here is some pics from our Easter!!

All of us in our Easter "Finest"

This is a classic pic of my family...just look at all the faces...very carefully....

Basket "goodies" :) All Avalon wanted was a big tub of cookie dough....good thing the easter Bunny likes that too :)

The Hunt in mimi and Bacas yard!! Cashel found the $20 golden egg!!!

My kids are seriously sooo scary...

2009-04-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

I know, I know....I haven't posted since October...I want to everyday....but then i start and get overwhelmed because I have to many photos now that I'm so behind! But tonight this happened as I was putting the kids to bed and I HAD to post!! They seriously make me laugh all the time!! Some of you probably think we are freaks...but I think this is amazing :) They always try to creep me out because I get scared so easily and I HATE those creepy movies where the people move all weird and crazy!! So, of course that's what they try to do!! :) It's long...you don't have to watch the whole thing...but it's worth the end seeing Kobe! I promise to start blogging after my play is over and it might not be in order but ill try my best!!!

Halloween 2008!!!!

2008-11-06T15:18:00.001-08:00

Halloween this year was crazy as always! We had Trunk or Treat the week before and then did the haunted house thursday and halloween night! My kids always come up with the best costumes!! Lots of people have been telling Avy she looks like Stephanie from Lazy Town so she decided to show them! So cute! Kobe wanted to be an oompa loompa...and if you ask him he would say "old school" oompa loompa...awesome. My little Cashel decided on...yes...Paula Deen. So hilarious! She has been doing her little accent for months so it was perfect! I love my kids!!!

My crew

"WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU GUZZLE DOWN SWEETS
EATING AS MUCH AS AN ELEPHANT EATS
WHAT ARE YOU AT GETTING TERRIBLY FAT
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL COME OF THAT
I DON'T LIKE THE LOOK OF IT "

stephanie!!! Love all her arm poses...so not avy to pose!

"Hey yall! I'm Paula Deen! I like biscuits and butter...mmm,mmm,mmm! And some mayonaise!!"

Kobe looked so funny! Noone even recognized him!!!

Paula and London the pig! Olivia the precious little ladybug!

the trick or Treating posse! Fun group!

Kimmy, Me and Teri!!! Cashel got sick of her wig after 5 mins. like always so i tried to pull of the grey....this is what it would look like if i didnt dye my hair!

Happy halloween everyone!!! :)

masaquering of the gourds...

2008-11-04T22:46:00.000-08:00

Yay!! Pumpkin carving!!! We had all the gang over for scooping out guts, a little knife wielding and delish caramel apples!!!

The fun part! Seth getting too into it....

Serious work....The pumpkin posse

Finished products!

Pumpkin Patch!!!

2008-11-04T22:21:00.001-08:00

so since I havent taken my kids to a pumpkin patch in probably 4 years I decided to put my mom dress back on and give the kids a good ole time!! We went to this pumpkin patch near our house that had all the fun "rides", bounce house, "scary" maze and petting zoo...i gave my kids 4 quarters and said "knock yourselves out!!!"

My four little munchkins!

My gorgeous lady!

My little cutie

Mr. too cool

I wanted proof i was there...:)

Avalon spent 2 of her quarters on the bouncing camel...you can see it was real fun!

Kobe opted for the goats!

Cashel wanted the baby goat but the big ones totally dominated!!

"Do it yourself" face painting...I gave bruce a black eye. it was hot.

can she be any more precious?

So after taking a few picks we looked at the pumpkin prices and decided $14 a pumpkin was a little too steep...so we went to albertsons!!!

Halloween Family Dinner!!

2008-11-04T21:54:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we had our annual Family Halloween Dinner! It was amazingly wonderful again thanks to mom!!! Great food great company!! Even Adam, Heather and the girls got to come this year!!! So fun!

Me, Jimbo and Adam

Cute sisters! Mom and Kathy!

Pops, Brucie and my Jason

the boys :) so adorable

Great green gobs of greasy grimy gopher guts...

mutilated monkey meat (yes, i make AWESOME dead monkey heads...)

little birdies dirty feet....yuck

2008-11-04T20:27:00.001-08:00

So I did it! I ran (and finished!) the Camp Pendelton 10k mud Run!!! It was soooo fun! The brothers and my dad were on a team and me, bruce, heather and 2 other friends were on a team (missed you kimmy :( ) Our "Lady Lumps" team came in 13th out of about 50 for the women teams, and we also bit around a 1/3 of the mens teams!!! The boys came in 22nd! It was mostly an uphil run with some mud pits, rivers, tire obstacles, walls, a lake and steep slippery hill...oh, and running 6 miles soaking wet with mud!!! But oh so fun! These pics dont really do the run justice....

Im buff and I know it. I love this pic...I'm hyper before a race! :)

At the start line!! If you look in the back..thats me on the ground!!!

One of the mud pits!!!

The lake we had to cross....freezing!!!

Crossing the finish line! The proud runners!!

Lady Lumps vs. Braithwaite Burdens

My little supporters!!!

The whole fam!!!!

Knotts scary Farm!

2008-11-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

since I have to sit here and watch the election coverage I thought I would do something useful.....

A bunch of us went to Knotts Scary Farm! Lets just say I peed my pants at least 5 times and I actually cried in the clown maze. yes, I am an idiot.

Jamie, Brucie, me and Arlene...oh ya, and some crazies in the background.

Cute little Adam and Heather! heather held my hand the whole time and Adam told me, as we were driving away, that the reason all the crazies were following and attacking me was because he told them to. Nice. Thanks bro.

My mikey...oh ya and Sam.

Thanks for the fun night everyone!

Palm Springs..our not so far-away-get-away!

2008-10-10T22:25:00.000-07:00

My dad got a place in Palm Springs a few weekends ago! I had to work on Saturday so we drove up Sunday morning and stayed till monday night! It was the perfect little vaca! It was at this great place that had an amazing kids pool with a water slide, water squirters and fountains and... A LAZY RIVER! Nothing is better than a lazy river in a hot, hot place! you just chill and stay cool at the same time. Soo good.

Perfect palm springs pic.

Thanks mom and dad for letting us crash!! We loved it!

September Happenings!

2008-10-10T22:01:00.001-07:00

We were so happy when Dland summer black out was over!!! We miss Disneyland when we can't go every other week!!! We have definitely gotten back in the routine! Here are some recent pics!!

I should get an award for creating such beautiful creatures.

Jim and I walked around Hollywood Blvd one night! It was fun...haven't done it in awhile...thats the nice thing about having an LA boy...I get to do LA things I never do!!! We had the most fun looking in crazy tatoo parlors!! they are scary but really some of those artists are extremly talented!

We also went to Magic Mtn. with his sister and her family! His brother in law is a fire-fighter and they have a special night just for fire-fighters and their families so it wasnt crowded at all! Still 3 million degrees, even at night, but not crowded! :) I could only handle a few rides though...i think having babies messed up my head...I dont really get nauseated, just bad headaches. Ill stick to my space mountain thank you very much.

Back to school 2008...its a big year!

2008-10-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

The kids started school the day after Labor Day!!! It's a big year for me this year...Cashel started Kindergarten and Avalon started Jr. High!!! I can't believe my baby is in school...she is supposed to stay young forever! And Avalon in Jr. High?!? It's killing me! I went to her "back to school" night a few weeks ago and she is going to the middle school i went to...talk about flash back!! I started remembering teachers and conversations and crushes all happening in those halls!! She is so mature and teenagerish...it's fun, but a little sad for me at the same time...she is such a beautiful, hilarious and smart young lady and I'm feeling like I'm losing my little friend already!!! :(

Kobe is my third grader...stud as usual...the ladies love their Kobes

Gorgeous. She is so big!!

Avalon got side bangs!!! and shaved and got some other "things" im not to thrilled about...

New year. New Kicks.

Every year since Avalon was in Kindergarten we have been meeting with this group for first day of school ice cream to compare notes! Fun tradition...its funny looking back at the pictures...the first one that was taken, Cashel was still in my tummy!!!

Endless Summer

2008-09-12T18:53:00.001-07:00

I had a great summer and was sad to see it come to
an end...I graduated and got my licence so that was
a huge accomplishment so I tried to enjoy the summer
while I was looking for a job! It was a little sad for me
cause it made me remember the days I got to be a stay
at home mom and really enjoy the kiddos. They are so
much fun and make me laugh all the time! We went to
the beach at least three days a week...looked for a job
all morning and then at 12:30 we would pack lunch
and head out and not get back till 5!! I love how Cashel
and Kobe could just stay there for hours playing nicely
together exploring and making new freinds! They
really got good at boogie boarding and body surfing!
It's fun to watch your two little ones side by side taking
a wave! I got a lot of studying and book reading done too!
Here are some pics of our days at the beach....

I love this Pic! And my HB Pier!

The two sand monsters and Jenni's dude, Jackson!

They found sand crabs every day but this by far
was the Hugest!!!

EWWWWWW!

The crab hunt

Kobe and Ben had matching board shorts! Boogie Boarding!

Kobe took up Skim Boarding this summer and hit a nice
patch of dry sand and totally face planted!! He jacked up
his face so bad!! It was all swollen and he had a bloody lip
and scabbed up forehead!

Tide pools with Ben and London! We got to watch
them while Seth and Kimmy went away for their
Anniversary! It was so fun!

My man-cub and little lula-belle

And of course bruce joined us for some fun in
the sun...and she scared alot of little kids....

Angels or Dodgers?

2008-09-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

So growing up in southern CA you have two main choices for summer Baseball cheering....Angles or the Dodgers! I grew up a Dodger girl (thanks Dad) and my kids due to their dad are Angel fans! I will go to an Angel game but my heart belongs to Los Dodgers!

Kobe's uncle Tony has Angel season tickets so he gets to go alot! Lucky kid! Here he is with his cousin Dallin!

Cashel at mormon night for the Angels!

The kiddos doing their "in-between-inning-dance"

It was funny...I went to the game with some friends and ended up sitting two rows in front of them!!

Since I have a LA boy i get someone to cheer with!! He hates this pic, but I think its cute, so he just has to deal!

Jr. Life Guards 2008

2008-09-12T17:43:00.001-07:00

Avalon had another great year of jr. Guards!!! her third! She always gets in great shape and sets goals to break her old records. She has the two mile run, run-swim-run, Pier Swim, and Speed drops from the back of the rescue boat! She has so much fun with her friends andloves being at the beach all day! I must admit I dont mind it either! :)

Baywatch babe!

Crazy Hair and Face Day! Avalon had the same instructor as last year and wanted to add him again to her hair (See last Summer for pics of that one!) He is Mexican Pride and named their group the "Reyes Raptors" so I made her hair a palm tree forest with him riding on a raptor!! Then of course her face is the mexican flag!

All the girls!

Avalon was in the top 4 but didnt win :( Her instrctor of course loved it, but the kids voted for the Lisa Simpson girl!

Here is Avalon with her BFF Jaclynn and Codee at Jr. G Graduation!

Avalon and Mr. reyes doing their Raptor pose! (Hottest suit btw)

Im so proud of this beautiful girl for all her acomplishments!

Summer Randomness

2008-09-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

Here are just some random happenings of our summer...
Kobe turning into the hulk

Us Open at the pier...tons to do! It was fun...a little to hoochalicious for my tastes though!

The kids sure love motocross though!

My sweet little love bunnies

I won $190 at the Hollywood park!! Woo hoo!!! It was a fun night...Summer, some friends and I went to see The Smithereens who I listened to in HS. Lets just say they were all old and fat, but sounded exactly the same...It made me sad and a little depressed though, we left after one song...

griffith observatory - August 2008

2008-09-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

Let me start this story with a little look into my life right now....
I no longer have my mini-van, I now have the pleasure of driving the car that I drove in HS....yes, the Honda Civic. It's almost as hot as the mini-van... but a different kind of hot- as in literally. There is no AC in this little number. It's been a very hot summer and I always have awesome hair after a drive. Well, we decided to go to the Griffith Observatory one night but we had to go after Jr. Life Guards, which means we were stuck in LA traffic for about 1 1/2 in 90* heat. My kids improvised shade by putting towels and shirts in any crevice they could find and then just giving up and wrapping them selves up and falling asleep...i couldn't help taking pics, especially since traffic was at a dead stop.

Avalon with her "shirt-in-the-sun-visor"

This towel started in the window but kept falling out and then I rolled up Kobe's fingers so that was the end of that. He gave up. And passed out.

Cashel just wrapped up herself in my pashmina. I can't believe that this was actually cooler but I guess the sun was off her face so maybe...

The view of LA right at sunset!

The night lights! We saw the planaterium show and it was awesome! So the hot miserable drive was worth it!

a summer day at the park!

2008-09-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

We spent a nice afternoon at the park with the cousins!

Kim and I don't know what they were talking about but they were into it

The Girls

The B boys!

I LOVe this picture of Kimmy!

Kids like to jump on me..they like the squishness.

i love that we live so close to Seth and Kim and can just hang when we have a minute! Our kids get along great and Kobes loves having a boy to wrestle with!

fourth of July!!! (ya, im a little slow...)

2008-09-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

Still trying to get caught up people! so, here is fourth of July! The kids were in the stake musical again this year and Cashel was old enough to be in the kids choir! It was an amazing program like always and it's a great way to bring in the spirit of the good 'ole USA!!
My three little performers!

Can you spot them all?

Avalon and Cashel shaking it

Kobe was in a cute "Mickey Mouse Club" number...

I spent the evening in Ojai with my boy watching the fireworks! It was a great day!

Love this kid...

2008-08-20T00:09:00.001-07:00

Cashel fell asleep like this....really.

Whale Watching!!!

2008-08-19T23:50:00.001-07:00

I went whale watching in Dana Point with my gentleman friend, Jim! We had sooo much fun! I have never seen a whale whilst whale watching, ive actually never really been whale watching, sad but true! Dolphin trip with Sams kindergarten class....but thats it! SO I was in heaven! We were on a great boat with an amazing captain who has done a lot of work and been on a bunch of documentary's...really knowledgeable...anyways, we wound up spotting 3 BLUE whales!! He said that was very rare to even just see one! So we got spoiled! It was truly amazing...they were humongous!! And so close! We saw a ton of dolphins too!! Can you believe it?! It fluked right in front of us! This tail was like 16' across!

Huge!!!

I LOVE dolphins!!! I wanted to jump in and swim with them!!

Jim is a great date planner....he spoils me!

It was a beautiful day and we had alot of fun....things like this make you really appreciate the world around you...I mean I live here at the Pacific Ocean with these amazing creatures right in my "backyard". I love it.

Summer and Micah's Birthday Party!! June 20th...

2008-08-19T23:14:00.001-07:00

We had a super fun birthday party for brucey and micah at our house! it was a rockstar/musician theme and actually most people dressed up!!! Micah was Tupac, I was Slash and Summer was Gwen Stefani! I dont know why I can always pull off men so well....

I did all Micah's tattoos! Even back ones ! It was fun...we only needed him to be a little more on the dark side and I think he would have been a perfect Tupac!

sam showed up as 50 cent...

This is probably my favorite picture of me!

Micah still loves me after all these years....

It was a great party except for the cops showing up...but who hasn't been cited, really? But since the cops are at our neighborhood a few times a week for domestic violence or people committing suicide we have sort of become BFFs so I just smiled and used my hot man voice and they left....

Oh, another awesome thing was all the neighborhood kids asked if I was Slash from "Guitar Hero"!!! Oh my gosh I'm old!! I had to explain that he was actually in a band before guitar hero...funny.

Summer Concerts!

2008-08-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Jason really spoiled me this summer! We went to 2 great concerts! We went to Save New wave which was a cover band show! So cool...Oingo Boingo, New Order, The Cure, Morrissey, and Depeche Mode! It was awesome! All the bands were sooo good! He also totally surprised me and took me to see the real Cure!!!! This was one of my favorite concerts that i went to in High School and I wasn't disappointed this time!! Robert Smith is an amazing performer...I just love watching and listening to him!

"The Cured"

"Sweet and Tender Hooligans"

"Blasphemous Rumors"

Thanks Jason for keeping the love alive! :) I love going to shows with you!!

Avalon's 5th grade promotion!!

2008-08-19T00:05:00.001-07:00

Avalon is done with elementary school and has accomplished so much! She has been such great student...so smart and creative and sweet....she has done very well, perfect grades every year, even being in GATE...and made many great friends! Im so proud of you Avalon!

She received her diploma, the Presidents award, Physical fitness award, and Student Body award! she had to keep walking up there....yes, im bragging. I can every once in awhile.

She picked out this cute little dress and of course wore her Jack Sparrow necklace!

Avalon and her teacher Ms. Burgos!

me and my "little" girl :(

Avalon and her pops

This gorgeous thing going to middle school...yikes!

Hmm...I'm noticing a trend in my girls....

I graduated too!

2008-08-18T23:28:00.000-07:00

I finally graduated from school june 14th! It was a long 8 months but totally worth it! Here is my cute class on my last day! They were a fun bunch of girls! I had a party at my house that night and everyone helped me celebrate! So fun!

We busted out "American Idol" on the Wii...Bruce and I always give an amazing performance!

"Bohemian Rhapsody" has never been sung better...

For some reason I always make amazing faces when I karaoke....I guess it makes it a little funner for me! Lots of other stuff happened but those pictures have been destroyed....

Cashel graduated from Preschool!

2008-08-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

Cashel had her preschool graduation in June.... She has been with Mrs. E since she was 1 1/2! All my kids went to Mrs. E for preschool and she has been a huge part of my life for the past 9 years, not just an amazing teacher but a great friend and support for me through all I've been through. She keeps trying to fix me up with guys cause she wants me to have more babies for her!! I was a little sad to see my baby finish preschool....I keep getting older every day!

The graduating class!

Mrs. E and My graduate!

Cashel loves the boys...these are her best buds, Brody and Sam

Grandma Hazel, Mrs. E and Mrs. Thomas the best preschool teachers ever! Thanks for preparing all my kids for school! We love you!

Happy Birthday Aunt Susan!!!

2008-08-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

We were able to celebrate Aunt Susans 50th Birthday here!
It was a great party! My mom went all out and rented a clubhouse
and decorated really cute! She was made for party throwing!

Happy Birthday Susan! All the Brady girls!(Well some...)

Dessert table! Mima's always making us laugh!

striking a pose The real us

As Always when our family gets together we DANCE! We
danced most of the night and Devin taught everyone
"Souja Boy"....nothing beats watching your family from
your grandma to your daughter dancing hip hop!!

"Theseus and the Minotaur"

2008-08-18T22:06:00.001-07:00

Avalon was in play for her class "Theseus and the Minotaur"

She was Athena warrior princess and was one of the few kids
that had a solo! She did a great job and looked
beautiful in her blue wig!

I had the pleasure of making costumes and props for the play....
they turned out pretty cute but it was alot of work! Avalon loved
it all so it was worth it! I hope avalon pursues her singing and
acting...she is very talented and such a cutie!

Late May....early june

2008-08-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in like FOREVER so I'm going to try to catch up since I'm addicted to the olympics and I should probably do something while I watch them till one o'clock every morning....so here it goes!

My little man

For Memorial day we hung out with the griffiths moores bradys and braithwaites! Here's Cashel playing catch with uncle mike!

Kobe getting some air with his cousins!

I love this picture!

Avalon and Hannah enjoying the sunset on the pier!

We went downtown to the street fair and Ruby's at the end of the pier for dinner one night with Eric and Hannah! It was lots of fun!

It's official!!!

2008-07-10T22:50:00.000-07:00

(I had to delete photo due to technical probs, thanks kim harvey :))

I'm an esthetician!!! after a long stressful day I walked out with license in hand!!! Soooo.....anybody need a facial or brazilian?! :)

mia....

2008-07-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

So I know I've been totally MIA the last 2 months....life has been crazy...mainly due to the fact that I TAKE MY STATE BOARDS TOMORROW!!!! I am freaking a little and have been studying a lot and its been summer...and the kids have had a million things.... and some pleasant "things" have been happening...so I'm a little overwhelmed! I promise the blogging will continue next week! thanks to those who have missed me, and wish me luck tomorrow...it all comes down to this!!! yikes!

samson has fallen

2008-05-21T23:46:00.001-07:00

Kobe came home from school one day and announced "I want a Faux Hawk". I have been trying to get this boy to cut his hair for i dont know how long but he was basically obsessed with it. like in love with his hair. but I could never see his cute little bobe face!!! So i grabbed my scissors and went to town the second we walked in the door out of fear he'd change his mind! We all ended up loving it! (besides my mom who loved his beatles shag of course)

Before (yikes)

After (such a reble)

Just look at that cute face!!!

I'm living in a material world

2008-05-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

I forgot to add these pics....I was waiting to see if Connie had better but, oh well...

Connie and I went to an 80's party and decided to dress up! Out of the 1200 people there i think there was 5 people dressed in 80's! but people saw us for sure and I think we had more fun dressing up than at the actual party! :)

I think I should always rock leggings, leg-warmers and silver stilettos. it's a good look. and comfy! :)

Connie made the sweetest glove out of extra material from her shirt and skirt...lace-up!! It was a hit for sure! Love ya Con-star!

Are we really related?

2008-05-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

Even though I think London looks alike like me , she looks nothing like Cashel!!! I took these pics a few weeks ago during bath time...we have some gorgeous Braithwaite kids thats for sure! But these two bathing beauties next to each other doesn't exactly scream "we are cousins"!

Look alike or not- they sure love each other! :)

(Ben was in there too, but I decide to be a nice aunt and spare him...)

bday trip to the zoo

2008-05-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

For Kobe and Cashel's birthday, Brucie took them to San Diego Zoo!They had so much fun and since it was a hot day all the animals were laying right by the glass in the shade so they got to see everything!

My animals!

Kobe and the gorilla!

Resting those tired footsies with Summers friend Scott! Thanks Bruce for the fun gift!

need your vote....

2008-05-17T01:49:00.001-07:00

So one day summer was taking a pic on her phone and i snuck up from behind to get in the pic...this is how it turned out! Scared her to death!

So she has been trying to recreate it with her in the back...which is scarier?

and the scarier isn't in reference to my inflamed swollen tonsils....

ya, i know

2008-05-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry. I've been MIA. My life is insane. Especially April! Here's a little of what we have been up too....

it's my birthday yall...

2008-05-06T22:27:00.000-07:00

So i turned 32 a couple weeks ago. 32. I looked in the mirror and thought- with everything I have been through in my life...all my life experiences I should be at least 62! So then I thought- dang I look good for 62!

thanks to my bruceatron for planning my little party! We went to Captain Jacks for some crab legs! De-lish-ous. party in my mouth. We laughed for hours and embarrassed approximately 7 waiters. something about a peppermill i think....

Some of my presents! My cute darling apron (i think it has magical powers that teach you how to cook...it better cause I feel I would shame it cooking top-ramen in it) Also, I got a ukulele. Thats right folks, a ukulele. It's one of those check-off-my-list-before-i-die thing. It's awesome. And I will be awesome at playing it. Just wait.

My cutie friend Jenni

My mom loves this look...she is proud she gave birth to me.

brucie and kimmie....Ceej and heather...you missed out.

My beautiful Valerie!

thanks to my girls for starting my year off right! I decided this shall be my best year ever. So far so good. the rest is yet to be determined....:)

Kobe got Baptized!

2008-05-06T22:09:00.001-07:00

My sweet little Kobe Juan-Kenobi made the decision to get baptized on April 20th 2008! I am so proud of him. He really prepared for this special day and I know of his testimony. As his mother I hope that he will continue to pray and study and strengthen that testimony every day! I love you Kobe and I'm so proud of you. You are a great example to your sisters and I and we are thankful to have our little man of the house!

We had a great turnout...a little too good...we were praying for the fish and loaves miracle....But we are so thankful to all of you who came!! Especially all those who traveled to be there! You made it special for Kobe and he and I really apreciate it! so thanks and love! :)

Celebrating...chuckee style

2008-05-06T21:40:00.001-07:00

For Kobe and Cashel's birthday I didn't have the time nor energy to throw an all out party so I told the fam to meet me at Chuck e Cheese and just partay. Good call on my part. Kids had tons of fun, had cousins that count as friends also and got to spend $20 in tokens to get a sticky hand and whoopee cushion. what could be better?

kim thank goodness got the memo to wear the same shirt as me...I always lose track of that woman and needed to be able to locate her quickly...plus it was fun to freak out everyone else there since we were both carrying around ben...good times.

Kobe wanted a cake of the beach...

cashel wanted a pinkalicious poodle....

Cashel got an ipod and Kobe got a surfboard and another guitar for guitar hero...the best part about having kids is the excuse you have to buy them presents that are really for yourself! :)

Kobe and Cashel's Bday!!!

2008-05-06T20:58:00.000-07:00

Kobe and Cashels Birthday was on April 15th! I know...I'm a little late posting...
But My Beautiful babies are growing up fast! Here they are waking up a year older!
Kobe-8 Cashel-5

Since Heather, Adam and the girlies were in town we decided to have a Disney land Trip!!! Yay!!! It was a little crowded but fun to be there with ALL the grandkiddos!

Me taking the little ladies for a spin! we had fun
throwing our hands up and screaming!

Kimmy with the green girls!

Here are my kids (and sam & Lea) during the princess show....I have no girly-girls thats for sure. They were mortified we even had to stop in at this place...(I think cashel kinda got into it in the end) I try, but tom-boys it is.

The grand-girls...minus Callie

In minnies House!

Thunder Mt. My love Bugs!

Piccadilly Palare

2008-03-30T16:19:00.001-07:00

Last night Jason invited me to go see "Sweet and Tender Hooligans" with him at The House of Blues! It is a Smiths/Morrissey cover band and they are amazing! Just like being with the real man! I've seen them one other time but tonight was really good. Everyone dresses "Rock-a-Billy" for these shows now, so I thought I'd get in the spirit and I did my best with what I had....I even tried to pull off the red lips.....yikes.

All I had was my camera phone...sorry....

Am I too old for this pose?

This made me very nostalgic for "the good ole' days" when jason and I used to go to concerts and shows. For those of you who dont know Jason, (who doesn't?) he was Adams best friend in High School but I came and took over that position when Adam left HB for school and mish. I got mad at Jason last night because someone called and he was like, "I'm with Marissa, you know Adam's sister". I told him I think I have earned the right to be known as my own entity by now! Anyways, Jason has been my morrissey cohort for 20 years (yikes!) so I thought I'd post some pics of us!

I think i was like 14 here! Our first concert together!

Partners in crime always.

I think I pull off the blond here quite nicely...

So three things I learned last night...
1. Oh how I love my jason
2. I need to go see more live shows
3. I should never wear red lipstick

2008-03-25T18:00:00.001-07:00

We went to the park next to my mom's house for the Egg Hunt
since no one has a backyard.... :( But it was still tons of fun!

On your marks......get set........GO!!!!

Hurrying to find them before the sun goes down!

Three Lovely Ladies!

Easter Dinner/Brunch!

2008-03-25T17:51:00.001-07:00

the set up .... and delish brunch!

Two tables full of fabulous family! :)

Baca and Benny Boy

Our Masterpieces!

2008-03-25T17:39:00.001-07:00

As always, decorating eggs is a good time....
And no one even spilled on their Easter Clothes!

The Easter Fashion Show

2008-03-25T17:15:00.001-07:00

My little Shell-Belle

My little man

Mini-Me Avalon

I loved my dress so I'm posting it :)

oh that Benny boy....

2008-03-24T22:35:00.000-07:00

Kimmy wanted to take London on a date night to Disneyland so we got to babysit my little man-cub. Oh, how I love this boy....

Rawrrr....

Look at those chompers! (and sweet drool necklace...)

Such cuties!

Papa's Funeral

2008-03-24T22:26:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we headed to Green River Utah to say goodbye to our beloved Papa. He is an amazing man who brought joy and love to many peoples lives! We were joined by family and friends from all over to celebrate this amazing mans life and as always we had a great time together! After the funeral we played some basketball, hung out at pat and kathy's danced and shared some great memories....thanks for being the head of such an amazing family Papa! :)

oh that girl....

2008-03-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

So, i was in the car with cashel tonight and I was drinking a Pepsi because I was having major migraine issues today. Anyways, this is our convo...

Cashel: "why are you drinking a Pepsi?"
Me: "it's cause I have a headache!"
"oh, so pepsi is your medicine?"
"that's right!"
"Well why do you drink coke? Coke does not make you skinny."
"You saying I'm fat?"
"Well, a little..."
"who told you coke makes you fat?"
"oh, my head just thought of it"

I guess I need to hide my vices a little better....or lose 20 pounds so my 4 year old will lay off me....

The actual Birthday!!!

2008-03-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry this one is slow...I was trying to post it for like an hour last night but blog wouldn't let me post pics...anyways...this is Avalon's actual birthday on Tuesday March 4th! She had a great day and then that night Rico, I and the kids took her to her fav, Souplantation! They had all their special creations and opened her family gifts!

11 and I'm giving her pills to stop her from aging any more...
(gotta love how kobe's finger is in there)

The famous candygram...like I said to my siblings...DON'T start this tradition...I don't know how mom did it for 7 kids for 30+ years! She is amazing!

Pig-out time!!!

They mainly come here for noodles in ranch which I make for dinner sometimes for like $2.37 but for some reason it's better tasting at a restaurant, go figure....

The second...Family Party!

2008-03-09T19:46:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Avalon's Birthday with my family on Thursday night! Avalon requested Mimi's Chicken Divan and it was sooo good! I made a Jack Sparrow cake for her which was sweet if i do say so myself... She got Guitar Hero for her bday so we spent the rest of the night playing that and High School Musical "Sing it"! Some good times right there... Thank you all who came and celebrated with us!

Avalons Third Party at the Marriott!

2008-03-09T19:34:00.001-07:00

Avalon had her B-day party with her girlfriends at the Fashion Island Marriott! It was amazing! We had the top floor suite with an amazing view of the golf course, harbor and ocean. We got the VIP treatment and even had ice cream, cookies and chocolate covered strawberries sent up free! The pool was heated to like 90 and everything was extremely nice....the girls had the bedroom and bruce and i had the living room! Mom, bruce and I spent most of the night doing quizzes in teen magazines...hilarious! There was also an area outside with couches and fireplaces so we went down around the fire and played "would you rather"... lets just say i learned alot about how 11 year olds think...scary. We went to Fashion Island the next day and walked around and did a little shopping...It was a great party and Avalon loved it!

Happy Birthday My Avalon!

2008-03-06T00:07:00.001-08:00

Tuesday March 4th was Avalon's ELEVENTH Birthday!! I am officially an old hag!!! How in the world can I have an 11 year old?! Seriously insane. Well, she is turning into a beautiful young lady! (Oh, my gosh now I'm even sounding old! ) She had a great day with more celebrating to come...just wanted to post my lovely lady until I get the pics up...Happy Birthday Avalon!

check another one off the list...

2008-03-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

Here's another one of my "I'm a dork" moments, that I probably shouldn't admit...but I've always wanted to ride a segway!!! I think they are awesome! We were at Disneyland the other day and it was kinda crowded so we went into the "innovations" building and they had one you could ride!!! So cool! I caught on pretty fast and then the guy let me ride down this path by myself! (Avy took these pics with her camera phone so thats why they are fuzzy) It was a short little ride but I was still excited! I know, I'm a dork.

You are all jealous...admit it.

Happy Birthday Cierra!!!

2008-02-26T17:01:00.000-08:00

My little girl is getting so big! :) I drew this when she was 10...since I was such a good big sister I would always make my sisters dress hot and have them pose for pictures...it's a miracle they didn't turn out to be in playboy...anyways shes just as sexy now and I want to wish her a Happy Birthday!! Love you sis! Mwah!

I just wanted to say thanks....

2008-02-15T16:36:00.000-08:00

thanks, to all of you who posted all your sweet little romantic stories, about what jems your hubbies and wives are, about the mushy stories....you all stink! I have always hated valentines day (except for the ones with my family) but the "hoping this year maybe someone will love me" is starting to get a little sad...

I'm not really hating you all....I really am glad you have wonderful significant others....at least I have Joel Mchale...

Valentines Extravaganza!

2008-02-15T16:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day everybody! My mom has been out of town helping take care of the gorgeous Callie...so we didnt get to have her scruptulecent v-day dinner :( so i had to try to recreate it....well i gave it my best shot. I invited my dad over here because he's been curled up in the fetal position ever since my mom left! But he got stuck in traffic for 4 hours (yikes) and was about 2 hours late, so he had a nice warmed up plate! I even made chocolate fondue that we have every Valentines Day! So delish! I love my family and I miss my mom....

Kobe, the man of our house, woke his sisters up with a kiss and flowers! He is the sweetest boy in this world!

can you feel the love?

Their real selves...especially Avalon

The beautiful Bruceatron

Valentine's Ladies

Fondue time!!! The pineapples were the best...i gained 7.3 pounds that night

Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers in concert

2008-02-07T20:05:00.001-08:00

I took Avalon and her friend Jaclynn to the Hannah Montana concert in 3-D last weekend! Ok, it was amazing. Seriously. They have made huge improvements to 3-D! I felt like I was really there! (of course the fact that there were screaming/singing girls dancing in the aisles helped!) Call me a dork but I really do like Hannah Montana! Maybe it brings me back to my NKOTB days and I'm reliving it through my kids but it's good stuff! And the Jonas Brothers...cute, really cute. (I know I'm totally creepster....gimmie a break...)

Skate-a-Rama

2008-02-07T19:42:00.000-08:00

Peterson Elementary had their monthly skate party today! We go occasionally, but haven't been for awhile so we laced up our skates and showed our skills!

Cashel is getting better each time we go! Oh, and don't think I didn't bust out my AWESOME sneaker sketchers skates. All the other mom's were way jealous! :)

Doing the Hokey Pokey and cha-cha slide!

Kobe was singing and dancing to every song! Totally killing me!

Mini me

My little speed skater

Avalon had some moves of her own....

Falling all the time can wear a girl out, so she spent alot of time at the snack bar...

My sweet little (weirdo) spirit...

2008-01-23T16:20:00.000-08:00

I was in the dressing room at Target and Cashel was looking in the opposite mirror (averting her eyes from what she hopes she doesn't turn out to be) and I caught her making this face. She is always crossing her eyes all crazy and sometimes it happens when she is talking to you...talk about scary beyond all belief! Well, I pulled out the ole' mom line, "Don't do that! What if your eyes get stuck that way!?!?" So out of the mouth of my little babe comes "Then Jesus will just heal me. He heals people you know."
How can I argue with that?

Bringing in the New Year Rose Parade style!

2008-01-23T16:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Belated New Years! For new years eve Cierra, Alfredo and i went to Pasadena for the Rose Parade! I have a friend who lives there and so we decided to take advantage! after a delish dinner we walked along the streets of the parade route...pure insanity! People who have been camped out for days lined the street! While we drove down the road we got marshmallows, silly string and tortillas with shaving cream thrown at us! We kept rolling down the windows so Alfredo would get hit! We met up with Connie, Kathy and Kathy's sister Debbie who drove down from St. George to spend the night and watch the parade! We counted down to 2008 with them and had a blast! Then they were kind enough to save us a front row spot for the morning so we didn't have to sleep on the street! Love you guys :) ! Now I can check the rose parade off my list!

Love my Conster!

The Crazyiest ones on the strip!

Theres nothing like ringing in the new year on a street corner in front of Jack in the Box!

This float was beautiful, and it had sweet Polynesian men who were practically naked following behind....oh how I love lava-lavas! I was too tired to take pictures of all the floats.... sorry folks!

Sorry.....

2008-01-14T21:42:00.000-08:00

I know I'm a little slow....my life is insane right now...hence the blog name...I'm trying to catch up a little at a time, so be patient with me! And I'll try to comment more too! Thanks Aunt Kathy for caring about me! :)

2008-01-14T20:49:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!! We had a totally amazing Christmas...we are truly blessed thanks to family and friends! The kids got some great gifts and were very happy! My mom, dad, micah, sam, Cierra and alfredo all came to me and bruce's (oh, greg was there too!) on Christmas morning! It was wonderful except for the fact that mom and dad were totally sick :( We draw names for presents and Kimmy got me! I told her instead of one big gift I wanted a bunch of little presents so I could open alot! She did a great job! I got like 10 presents and I loved them all!!! Good job lady! :) All in all it was an amazing day!!

Waiting for all the mornings gloriousness!

So far so good...

Cashel's Zac Efron pillowcase....I get to sleep with it on the weekends...

Two happy kiddos!

Avalon among her goodies

Kobe with his stash!

Look at that load! Santa loves us! :)

Christmas eve with the family!

The Nativity doesn't get any better then this....seriously

My cute little Joseph!

Another Tradition...

2007-12-17T20:14:00.000-08:00

The Slide show below is from Sunday night! We had our Annual Gingerbread House decorating and Sound of Music Sing-a-long! This is definitely one of my fav traditions! We all decorate gingerbread houses while we watch "Sound of Music"! We don't just watch. We sing. At the top of our lungs. Even Micah. Everyone has their special parts they like to sing the best ( I of course love them all) Since Kimmy has joined the family though ( I can't believe she still did after witnessing this tradition) I must say I love when she sings "How do you solve a problem like Marissa", the song my mom used to sing to me when i was little! :) Everyone did a wonderful job on their houses...(I tried to post everyones, but the slider was getting mad at me) We usually vote on who's is the best but everyone got sick of me winning so they stopped that!! And we even got to celebrate Aunt Kathy's 29th b-day! We had a blast! I love my Family and that we still do all our crazy traditions! Thanks to my Mom who has brought so much fun and memories to our family!! :) Enjoy the show....

The GingerBread Challenge/Sound of Music sing-along!

2007-12-17T20:12:00.001-08:00

Christmas Boat Parade

2007-12-17T19:22:00.001-08:00

It's tradition to go to Balboa and watch the boat parade! It's so fun to see all the boats and gorgeous homes decorated! My mom always brings Hot Cocoa and donuts and we get all our warm cozy gear on and stroll down the boardwalk! It's one of those things that really gets you in the Holiday spirit!

My sweet little family! :)

Ceej and I didn't even plan this! She said it matches us perfect...because she has white hair (platinum blond, same thing) and I have brown! Aren't we just the cutest?

The two little Braithwaite men! Ben was not into picture taking at the moment:)

My kids really do love each other...most of the time!

Cashel and Tio Alfredo! She is so excited they are here for Christmas!

December Randomness!

2007-12-17T19:20:00.001-08:00

2007-12-14T21:05:00.001-08:00

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

O' Christmas Tree. O' Christmas Tree

2007-11-29T22:18:00.001-08:00

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!!!

2007-11-29T21:28:00.000-08:00

Kobe's two front teeth have been loose for FOREVER!He wouldn't let anyone touch them but he finally got sick of them because at Kimmy's bday party he let her try to pull it out! He was really brave and she really pulled and wiggled that thing!

Kimmy is a professional tooth puller so Kobe felt confident in her....you can tell by the look on his face! He would clap his hands if he couldn't take the pain anymore!

Well Kimmys fingers couldn't get it out, so Baca wanted to try his ole' dental floss trick....

Let's just say after a traumatizing few seconds that didn't work either....

After all that hoopla it finally came out the next night, after biting into dinner! He just needed mom to make him some hard-as-rock food as normal! (just kidding...I'm an excellent cook... ask anyone...hot pockets are hard to make...jeesh)

Now we need to just work on that other one....

"Goth guyths, whaths tho hilariouth?"

I taught him all the hot looks of course.

For those who are interested....

2007-11-28T20:26:00.000-08:00

My Dear sweet darling daughter has decided to start her own blog! I think its mainly to have her collection of youtube clips in one convenient place....should be interesting...and hilarious. It is of course titled - www.avalondepp.blogspot.com...check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Attack of the Lorakeets!!

2007-11-26T21:07:00.000-08:00

I know everyone has pics with Lorakeets but i just love them. They are so pretty and even though they are a little scary how they just attack sometimes I can't resist going in their lair...

Cute little love birds! awww...

Cashel is my brave one! She wanted them all over!

Baca was our wrangler...he kept catching them and putting them on the kids! He is a bird whisperer

"Why are you making me take this picture?...I can't take my eyes off these things for more than a second mom...."

I'm a wuss and have to use my sleeve. I fully admit it. But look at him. Totally trying to peck off my arm.

This bird totally flew down and attacked Papa!!! He was like "what the...!" and started swating at it with his hat! So hilarious!

Cashel with two!!! She rocks, not even scared. well, this picture looks like shes freaked out a little....ok, i forced her to put them on her...kidding :p

2007-11-26T20:43:00.001-08:00

The day before Thanksgiving we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific with Mimi, Baca, Mima and Papa! there was hardly anyone there so we had a blast seeing everything without the crowds. We have an annual pass and the kids really enjoy it there. It's not as big as Sea World , no Shamu or dolphins, but it has great sea life and a lot of hands on exhibits.

Marissa, Avy, Mima and Kobe watching the seals and sea lions

Mom's really excited about those Seals....

Kobe petting the baby Hammerhead Shark!

The petting tank with rays and sharks!

ummm...scary.

The crew in front of this 3 story tank!

My future marine biologists!

This Sea Turtle was trying to kiss Kobe!

Da dum, da dum, da dum

My Little Red Rattlesnake!

2007-11-20T16:47:00.001-08:00

6 Things About Me Avalon

2007-11-16T15:44:00.000-08:00

Yo! this is Avalon and my mom tagged me so uhhh............... this is six things about me even though I have no clue what to put.

1. One thing about me is that I am in Jr. Guards. I have been in it for 2 years and this will be my 3rd. I don't want to be a lifeguard I just did it because my mom said I had to do it for 3 years.

2. Another thing about me is that I am in love with Johnny Depp like no other man in the w (except my family.) I always have dreams that we will get married but someone like my mom wakes me up when we are supposed to kiss. Curse you ending dreams.

3. My two worst sicknesses are pneumonia and something when I had cold sores galore in my mouth. When I had that thing I couldn't drink or eat juice. I know pure agony!

4. When my mom was pregnant with me she got in a car accident and she split her forehead open. I of course survived and thank goodness I mean what would everybody do without me. Everybody always say that I'm crazy because I hit my head on the steering wheel.

5.When I grow up I want to be a marine biologist. I did want to work with Shamu but since Shamu "played" with the trainer I think I will work with the dolphins instead. I also want to work at the Aquarium of the Pacific before Sea World.

6. Something I have always wished to happen is that scientist found a way for people to fly. Face it though they won't come out with that till 6043. I hope not.

Who I want to tag is Alfredo, Baca, Hannah and Beca.

6 things you never knew you wanted to know about me...

2007-11-08T21:28:00.000-08:00

So, my ole' friend Lara invited me to her Blog. Little did I know it was an ambush to "tag" me with blogging 6 somethings about myself...anything. And then I have to tag 6 more, so beware fools...if you don't want to be tagged I advise not reading the rest of this. To those daring, you are in for a treat...

1. When I was 8 I fell off a swing set and cut my leg open, resulting in 20 stitches inside and out...and a nice check-mark scar. Talking about it hurts. Really. It's throbbing right now. I can even tell when someone is looking at it from across the room, which my evil sisters always love to do. Stop thinking about it... all of you!! Right now!

2. For those of you who don't know, next week I'm going back to school!!! I'm going to be an esthetician! I'm really excited and a little scared at the same time..but looking forward to a new adventure in my life! I guess making all my brothers and sisters let me pop their zits finally payed off!

3. One of my crazy little dreams/fantasy's is to be in a starring role on Broadway. Not just in the ensemble. THE star. Let me tell you why...First of all I heart my Ipod. It is the soundtrack to my life. I have a different theme song everyday. (It's usually "Baby-got-Back", but it changes sometimes.) And I sound A-Ma-Zing when I sing along with it. Well...until the earphones fall out and I can hear myself and then I'm like "Who's THAT singing!" Yikes. Second, I can dance like it's nobody's business. I mean, it means your good if your mom says "Marissa!" in that completely horrified tone, and you can make your kids laugh/be embarrassed at the same time, right? So I came to the conclusion - I was born to be on stage.

4. My Five crushes are:

Jack Sparrow - Yes I know he is a character. Yes I know he is a dirty pirate. But somehow he is so delicious at the same time.

Justin Timberlake - Something about this man makes me swoon. I loved him in N*Sync. I loved him when he sang "I can take
it from here" just to my heart. I fell even harder when he did
Saturday Night Live. I love him. He completes me.

Michael Vartan - Probably the most gorgeous man on this earth. He is who I would pick to play Edward (If he was a little younger..) I would definitely be his first kiss. And his last. And all the ones in-between.

Zac Efron - Ya, I know he's a youngn'. But every young boy needs a Cougar. I can be that. He can sing, that makes him hot. And when he winks at me....holy-moly.

Conan O'Brien - Ya, I said it. Conan O'Brien. Who wouldn't want to run their fingers through those luscious locks? I most certainly would.

5. I have a Sugar Glider as a pet. Her name is "Sugar"...I know, real creative. It was all Cashel. Anyways, she is the cutest thing you have ever seen. (If you don't know what they are look them up. I've already written like a novel here...) My favorite thing about her is letting her lick honey off my finger with her cute little tongue! Someday I hope to train her to cruise around the house.

6. I can fit 10 quarters in my Belly Button. Yep, 10. I know...It's a rare talent. Maybe someday, if you are real lucky you will get the pleasure of witnessing it. Though I usually only pull out that trick on special occasions like weddings and Bah mitzvahs. (I'll have you know that I could do this trick even before I had babies, so it's not just because I'm a fatty.)

Alright...so there are 6 interesting facts you may not have known about me. I now pass the pleasure onto Avalon, Kimmy, Cierra, Aunt Kathy and Valerie. 6 things guys...whatever you want to say!

PS - I was trying to get creative with the fonts and pics...I know it's jacked up. I tried.

I am my mothers daughter...

2007-11-06T15:51:00.000-08:00

so everyone always tells me how much I look like my mom, I have even been mistaken for her....more than once! So while in Hawaii I decided to see exactly how much we look alike by using Cierra's handy little trick camera. this is a side-by-side of us...I know, freaky. If you have to ask...I'm on the left!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-11-01T18:11:00.001-07:00

BOO!!

2007-11-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

It doesn't get much hotter than this folks

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-10-31T23:25:00.001-07:00

Our trip to St. Greorge!!

2007-10-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some extra pics from our trip!

We stopped in Las Vegas for a little break and in Excaliber Avalon and I had a Dance-Dance-Revolution dance off! Of course I won with my mad dancing skills...(Ok, Avy won...but she has it on playstation at her dad's so I didn't think it was fair! )

Recognize this? Anyone...anyone? If you do you are awesome. It's the golf course they filmed High School Musical 2 at! That's right...we are offical dorks...but still a little cool at the same time...and anyone that is a HSM fan is so totally jealous!

"I need a little fabulous, is that so wrong?"

We went to my friend Devan's house for a few hours to go swimming and he has this sweet putting green! The kids had fun making their own mini golf course!

Everyone has to love the Big Boy...oh, and my mom lookks amazing in this pic

Sandy Hollows at St. George

2007-10-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

We went to Sandy Hollows for an afternoon with Connie while in St. George! It reminds me so much of Lake Powell! We spent the day exploring and jumping and throwing rocks! What could be more fun!?!

We made it to the top!!

Gorgeous view! The backgrounds not to bad either!! :)

Cool cave!

Rock Slip-n-Slide!

2007-10-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

We found this sweet rock slide at Sandy Hollows!

Kobe was the only one who brought his bathingsuit so he tested it out....he got some speed!! It was this flat smooth rock with tons of moss on it so he got a good ride! Mimi and me stood at the bottom and grabbed him before he floated away into the open lake! :)

Cashel and Avalon were so jealous of Kobe that they stripped down to their underware and went down too! (Avalon's to old to be posting that pic though!)
Woo-Hoo!!
My three daredevils!

St. George's famous corn maze!

2007-10-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Our last night in St. George we went to this Corn Maze! It was sooo scary!! It was huge and pitch black!!! We got lost so many times!! It was crazy!

Connie and I took my kids and three of her nieces and nephews who are the same ages as my munchkins! They all got along great and had fun the whole weekend together!

Elizabeth, Avalon, Melissa, Cashel, Kobe & Stephen!

We saw this scary Harry Potter looking guy!! It freaked me out!!

This place had two mazes, a regular corn one and a scary one! They were right next to each other and so the whole time we were wandering around this totally dark corn field (already thinking that some murderer was lurking in the bushes) we heard screaming, scary voices and chainsaws!! EHHH!!

Baca is our Hero!

2007-10-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

Baca ran the St. George Marathon and we had the pleasure of going to cheer him on. We are so proud of him! We had a great time watching him achieve this amazing goal

Look at those hot legs!!! At this point Avalon wanted to run the rest with him (you can see the finish line) so I threw her over the fence!!! She was so stoked

What a man:)

Me and the kids with the stud muffin!

Gettin' some love from his woman!

First Day of School!!!

2007-09-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Cashel's last year of Preschool!!

Avalon, My old fifth grader!!! Crazy....

Too Cool For School - Kobe, starting 2nd grade!

Anyone up for a party?! High School Musical 2 baby!!!

2007-08-22T20:08:00.002-07:00

It's the party of the summer! High School Musical is a Gubernick favorite, so of course we had to have a screening party for the second one!!! We had a sleepover too! All the girls pretty much knew all of the songs already, so it was really fun singing and dancing!

All the girls! Marissa, Mimi, Kimmy, and Ben were there too! (Ben was the only boy allowed!)

We had plenty of junk food and snacks!

...and they spent alot of the commercial breaks pigging out!!!

Bruce had a little to many gummy worms....

This is why Bruce, Mimi, Kimmy and I watch HSM....and yes he is legal.....

Avalon's Jr. Life Guard Graduation!

2007-08-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Yea! and she got 1st Lieutenant too, which is the highest rank!

So cool in shades...she stole them from an instructor!

Avalon and the proud mama!
We are so sad Guards is over...now we don't have an excuse to go to the beach every day! :( Don't you feel bad for us!!!

Crazy Hair Day!!!!!

2007-08-17T10:33:00.001-07:00

For Jr. Life Guards they have crazy hair and face day! This year we decided to do Avalon's hair as a wave! Turned out pretty sweet! We even got a picture of her instructor and made him into a little surfer riding the wave!!!

Mr. Reyes taking a wave in!

We put little sea creatures in the back!

I am proud to say that she won top 4! That's what a lot of hairspray and teasing gets you! The best part for Avy was the hour in the shower with conditioner and a comb! I am definitely going to cosmetology school after this one....

The Rock of Cashel!

2007-08-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

Cashel's Friend Makenna in Ireland at the "Rock of Cashel"!!!

The Rock of Cashel

See, I think of beautiful places when I name my children!

Makenna is so cute for taking these for us!!

Our friends the Barlows went to Ireland this summer and Cashel's friend Makenna was excited to see Cashel's name so they took a bunch of pictures! This is the "Rock of Cashel"! So gorgeous! I love Ireland! And I am as Irish as Patty's Pig- well, thats what the locals say.....which I think is a compliment?!?

Casey Jr. Monkey's!!!

2007-07-23T21:11:00.001-07:00

Cashel and Kobe!

Avalon and her friend Jaclynn!

My little monkey's on our last trip to D-land before summer starts....we don't dare face the crowds...we are spoiled with our passes!