Lafayette Reservoir

During Spring break I was looking for fun things to do with the kids. I found a Reservoir in Oakland that we have never been to and they had pedal boats that you could rent and they were half off on Tuesday's. I knew that only 4 were aloud per boat, and we had 5. Chris had to work. So I figured we would need 2 boats and thought the older 2 kids could ride together. Well we drive all the way out there to find out that someone 18 or older needed to be on the boats. I asked if we could rent a patio boat then, they were all out in the water for the day. OK, how about a tour of the reservoir? They only do those on the weekends. So basically, I just drove the kids on a scenic drive. I would have been fine with walking around the reservoir, but it was a bit windy and the kids didn't want to do that. I did try to convince the kids to bring a ball or a frisbee. But they didn't want to. So I decided we would go to the Lafayette Reservoir so it wasn't a complete waste. I called first and asked their rules. Then made a phone call to Chris and begged him to meet us there so we could go on the pedal boats. He met us there and brought my brother Chris with him. We all had fun going around the reservoir.

Easter 2010

This year we had several Easter egg hunts to celebrate. Riley Jo had an Easter egg hunt at school. They had a little program for the parents, they sang some songs and made cute bunny ears.

Then the next day play group had an Easter egg hunt at the church since it was raining.

Then we had the Easter egg hunt at our house. We had Easter dinner at our house this year, and went over to Bobbie's to visit Chris' family.

March 13, 2010

We renewed our season passes to Marine World and decided opening weekend would be a great time to use them! It was the perfect day! Not too many people realized it was open so there weren't any lines at the rides. Usually we all split up and go separate directions for the day, but this time we stayed together. It was a nice change. It's hard because Tyler is the only kid who likes to go on ALL the rides. Michayla and Chris don't do spinning rides. Riley Jo and Kyle are only big enough to go on the smaller rides, and the spinning rides. So we all hung out together and went on the rides together, or nearby each other.

Tyler, Kyle and I went on the swings!

Chris, Michayla, Tyler and Kyle rode the Bumper Cars. Kyle is too small to ride by himself so he rode with Chris.

Tyler, Kyle, and I rode the Scrambler

Michayla and Riley Jo rode the frog hopper!

We saw the Lions.

Kyle and Riley Jo went on the airplane.

Michayla 14

Michayla turned 14 on March 30. She was very excited to turn 14 because that means Saturday night dances. She was able to go to her first dance on April 10. As a surprise the girls planned on picking her up early to have dinner and get ready for the dance together. Michayla wanted to make sure she didn't show up to the dance alone so she texted Morgan Saturday morning asking if she wanted to carpool to the dance together. I get a phone call explaining how Michayla was wanting to plan a carpool so we were "discussing the carpool" for Michayla's sake. Little did Michayla know, it was already set up. So the evening rolls around and Michayla is telling me how hungry she is. Chris was not at home and so I made it look like I was stalling for him to get home so we could all eat together. Right as the dinner was finished, the girls showed up! Michayla was very surprised and had a blast at the dance!

ACN Conference

In February there was another ACN conference, this time in San Jose. So I was able to play host to my cousins for a couple days! It was a very fast 4 days. Thursday I picked them up from the hotel and we went out to lunch. That night we went down to San Jose to check in and went out to dinner. Friday-Sunday was the conference and I took them back to the hotel Sunday night. Donald Trump was the guest speaker at the conference. Since he endorses the company, he goes to quite a few of these events.

My cousin Conrad and I.

The Donald!

Presidents Weekend

For Presidents weekend we went to the snow. We went to our friend's cabin again. We thought there would be plenty of snow at the cabin, but to our surprise there wasn't any. We had to drive about 20 minutes up the street to it. Not a big deal, except Kyle had this idea in his head that the snow would be AT the cabin. So when we pull up and he doesn't see any snow, he tells us to get back in the car and lets go home. We explain that there is snow a little way up the street. But because he couldn't see it, he didn't believe it. We convinced him to go inside and get his snow clothes on and we would show him. We drive up the street and find the perfect place. Someone has already made a snow run and we don't have to spend the time making it! It was a ton of fun. So after everyone was tired and cold we went back to the cabin and had dinner. Then we went to the same place on Sunday to play again. We kept trying to find a place to dig out a bigger run. So we made a fun run that started near the top of the hill we were at. The only problem was, there were 2 big drops and you landed HARD on your bum! So making the run was a little painful, but fun! Oh how we love the sledding!

Lump Scare

In November, the week before Thanksgiving, I went to my regular annual Dr. appointment and while my OBGYN was doing my normal breast exam she noticed a lump. She asked if I had felt it, and well NO I hadn't. I know we should do self exams, but I don't. I may start now though. She said that it is probably hormonal and no big deal but, she still wanted me to come back in a month to check it out. So I didn't worry because she wasn't worried. So the next month, right before Christmas I go back to the Doctor for the exam. She tells me that the lump is larger. GREAT! So is now the time to panic? All of a sudden my mind was racing. Because of my age (over 30) I couldn't just go to the Breast specialist, I had to go get a mammogram done first. Oh my gosh. And the doctor couldn't schedule that, radiation department had to call with that appointment. So I left there a little crazy. By the next day I had a mammogram appointment, and the breast specialist appointment, and Christmas was DAYS away. I had the mammogram, but the next day they called and told me that because of the findings on the mammogram they need me to come back in for more pictures. So the next day I go back to the doctors thinking I was getting another mammogram. No, it was an ultrasound. Well at least this was a lot more comfortable. As I'm sitting in the waiting room reading my instructions, I read that depending on what they find, they may have to do a biopsy right then. Well I just freak out right then! Here I am thinking, well they found something (which I knew was there), had me come in for more pictures, I'm going to need a biopsy. I still had to pick my kids up from school. I text Chris that I may have to have a biopsy today. Then I go in and they show me the lump. They tell me it doesn't look cancerous. Well that's good news! No biopsy! That day. She told me that unless I planned on having more kids I probably wouldn't even need to have it removed. Even better news since I planned on making it through this life WITHOUT any surgeries. So I go to the Breast Specialist, finally Chris comes to an appointment with me. She comes right in and tells me that it looks like I have a pretty significant lump. I said "nope, I'm told it's no big deal." She gives me a look like "are you serious?" I wait for her response. She told me that I had a 5 cm lump on my breast and it would have to be removed. I said "WHAT!? I was told it wasn't a big deal and unless I planned on having more kids, which I don't, I wouldn't have to have it removed." She told me that it is 5cm and anything over 3cm needed to be removed. So we set an operation date. So in February I had the lump removed and found out that it was definitely non-cancerous.

Last Summer

Last summer we had a family day at Boomers in Livermore. We played a round of mini golf, rode the go-karts, and played some video games. We even had a couple hole in 1's! We always have a fun time and love racing each other on the track! Kyle is too small to drive by himself, and Riley Jo is too small to go in the go-kart. So Chris takes Kyle first, then I drive him. While I am driving Kyle, Chris has to distract Riley Jo with video games so she isn't standing there screaming the whole time. So that is why there aren't any pictures with me.

New Years Eve 09-10

This year to ring in the new year we let Michayla and Tyler invite kids over from church (the 12& 13 year old). The kids who are 14 and up get to go to a dance to ring in the new year and we thought that they should have some fun too. So we hosted the New Year's Eve Party. They played games, danced, and we even had a balloon drop at midnight. So there was A LOT of noise at midnight. Kyle fell asleep about 11:30 pm, we just couldn't keep him awake any longer. But he insisted on sleeping in the playroom and NOT in his room. I guess so that way he felt like he was still part of the party. Even though the kids all jumped on the balloons at midnight, Kyle still didn't wake up! We even had a couple friends come over. It's tradition to ring in the new year with a little Rock Band!!! Too bad our kids will both be at the New Year's Eve dance this year. I guess we will have to party without them!

Chris thought it would be fun to draw on Kyle's face!

New Business

Thanks to facebook, I was able to get reunited with my cousin. I have not seen him or his family for 11 years! All my happy childhood memories involved their family! We started talking on Facebook and they had just started a business and we ended up starting too. It is a telecommunications business, we are able to sell local and long distance services, cell phone services with all the major carriers, internet services, video phone (which is awesome), and home security thru ADT. Our website is terirossi.acnrep.com Well there was an International convention in December down in LA and Chris and I went and I was able to hang out with my cousin, his wife, their daughter, and my Aunt and Uncle again! We stayed an extra day and went to Disneyland too. We were able to catch up and stay in touch!

Riley Jo 4!

Riley Jo turned 4 on November 28. She started in the 4 year old Preschool class in September, but I thought it was hilarious that on her birthday she said, "Now I can be in the 4 year old class." I explained that she was already in that class, that because of the way her birthday fell she was able to start in the 4 year old class early. This year for her birthday Riley Jo decided that she wanted a Princess Party, so she invited her friends and told them to come dressed as their favorite princesses. Riley Jo even had me dress up, so Cinderella hosted the Princess Party! We did a couple crafts, ate lunch, played games, opened presents, and ate cake! They were all so cute dressed up and they all had a lot of fun! On her actual birthday we decided to go to Marine World. They had the whole park decked out for Christmas. There was a snow hill, Santa, and even the shows had a winter theme. This was our first time going for Christmas and we had a good time.

I'm trying to convince Riley Jo this is fun!

NEW MOON

My friends are really big Twilight fans and last year when Twilight came out we had an Italian dinner before going to see the movie. I hadn't read the series before seeing Twilight, but was told that Edward and Bella go to an Italian restaurant in the book. So after seeing Twilight I was hooked and read all 4 books. So when New Moon came out we decided we were going to have a Bon Fire before going to the movie. They have a Bon Fire in the book and sit around and tell stories. So we came to my house and roasted Hot Dogs and made smore's. The tradition will continue for Eclipse as well!

Tyler's 13th Birthday

Tyler turned 13 in November, but he wanted to go to Fright Fest at Marine World with his friends so he celebrated his birthday in October. So our family and Tyler's friends went to Marine World for the day. By day it is not too scary so the little kids can still enjoy the park and even do a trick or treat trail. By night the scary monsters come out! So I took Michayla, Riley Jo, Kyle, and Brittani home as the sun went down. Chris stayed with the boys. The boys went on a few more rides and walked around. The funniest thing of the evening I am told, was when Tyler got scared by one of the monsters and almost fell over a chain trying to get away! Chris and the boys (except Tyler) were laughing hysterically!

Halloween 2009

The week before Halloween we had our annual Trunk or Treat at church. Riley Jo wanted me and her to be matching this year, so we were both Cinderella.

Chris is such a good sport that he dressed up as Prince Charming.

We couldn't convince Kyle to be Riley Jo's prince charming, he wanted to be a Jedi. (Kyle couldn't find his Jedi shirt that night so he wore he just put on this shirt.)

Riley Jo even got to dress up for her Preschool and trick or treat around the park. Kyle's school had a Family Fun night where the kids got to come in costume and play games. The kids even won a cup cake in the cakewalk!
We celebrated Halloween night at the race track. Chris and Kyle had a race so we all went. The kids were able to get dressed in costume and trick or treat to all of the trailers. Kyle was a Jedi and Riley Jo was Cinderella. Their was a costume contest and a dance. The kids had a blast!

WOW!

January 18, 2010
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. weekend so the kids have today off of school. I just got a phone call from Marc's mom, which was unusual in itself because she will only call here on Tyler's birthday. So I answer it wondering what the heck this is about? She tells me that Ron (Marc's brother) had some tickets to the Warrior game for today and wanted to know if Tyler wanted to go, and then asked if I would let him go! I was shocked! They live seriously 2 minutes from my house. Have for about 10 years now. This is the first time in 13 years (Tyler's life!) that they have ever called to spend time with Tyler when Marc isn't in town. Of course Tyler wants to go to the Warrior game. We were talking about it since yesterday when they announced at church that there was going to be a "Mormon" night! Tyler has never been to a professional basketball game before and really wants to go, so today he gets to go to the game!

Princess on Ice

On October 17, 2009 I took my little Princess on a mommy daughter date with 4 of her other Princess friends and their moms to see Princess on Ice. It was a lot of fun. The girls all dressed up as their favorite Princess and we had great seats too. This was Riley Jo's first time going to a live show because since she won't watch movies yet we didn't think she would be able to sit through it! But she loved it. The first half of the movie each princess came out and performed a part of their movie. To Riley Jo's surprise the whole second half was Cinderella (her favorite right now)! Riley Jo loves all music and dancing, I think we will be able to take her to another live show! Riley Jo loved being able to dress up, and it gave her some practice before Halloween too.

Worst Experience of My Life (Oct. 11, 2009)

We went to Dixon for another Chris and Kyle race weekend! Michayla, Tyler, Riley Jo and I were watching Chris' race. He was on the pole with the fastest time, he was excited he beat the point leader! The point leader is a national champion! So you would think he should know how to race! Well the first lap they give the green and the race starts. Well the point leader (who is now known as the blue suit guy. named by Riley Jo) jumped the start and they immediately threw a Yellow flag. Everyone doubled back up except for blue suit guy and his racing partner (who is an old lady who started in the back of the pack). It seriously took 3 laps for this guy to realize that everyone else was doubled up driving slowly and that's why he was passing them! This should tell us something right! So they finally get him back in line they do a lap and the green flag is thrown again, they get back around to the starting line and the race is on.....2nd turn blue suit guy starts to over power Chris, 3rd turn he goes loose and almost spins, Chris sees this and tries to turn so they don't hit, instead Chris cuts it too much, his back tire hits blue suits guy tires perfectly that Chris goes up and over blue suit guy (375 pounds on top of his back....ouch!) and Chris cartwheels in his go-cart down the hill! We were freaked out watching this! Everything turned out OK but we weren't sure at the time. No broken bones or scratches, ribs hurt a little but that was it! Enjoy the video!

September 27, 2009

Kyle was Baptized on Sunday, September 27, 2009. We were excited that so many family and friends were able to attend the baptism. We waited until Grandma Jan came home from her mission. She got home the end of August then all the Saturdays early September were busy and we wanted Michayla to be able to be there too so Sunday the 27th was the only option. We were so excited that Kyle made the decision to be baptized. He was a little scared of going under the water without goggles on. He kept asking if he could wear his goggles so we had to explain to him that then his whole face wouldn't be submerged under the water. So we had him go to the pool and go under the water quickly without his goggles on and told him to just keep his eyes closed. This seemed to help him because he wasn't nervous the day of the baptism! We are so proud of your decision Kyle, we hope your testimony will continue to grow. We call you our little missionary because you tend to see things that no one else can. Kyle wasn't able to talk for a real long time and my dad always said that he was still too close to Heaven and still "knew" too much so he couldn't talk! Soon after my dad passed away, Kyle still had conversations with him. It was the same place everyday when we would go to pick Tyler up from school. I miss hearing those conversations!

I had let Kyle have a Mohawk for his school pictures, but didn't think it was appropriate for his baptism. So we shaved his head.

Labor Day Weekend 09

Kyle and Chris had a go-kart race. Michayla was at her moms, and Tyler was with Marc. So Kyle told me that it was a boys only race and Riley Jo and I were to stay home! I laughed and asked what Riley Jo and I should do, he told me we could go shopping, watch movies, and play Wii fit. Ok. Couple things wrong with that, Riley Jo doesn't like to watch TV (movies are included) and we hadn't played the Wii fit in months! I don't even know how he came up with that one. He is one funny kid! So Riley Jo and I did stay home and have a Girls weekend. Friday night we went to dinner and shopping downtown Walnut Creek, Saturday we hung out during the day and that night we snuck up to see the boys race because it was a night race. Kyle was not happy we came. I was hurt! We didn't stay the night since Riley Jo and I went to church the next morning. However we did go up to the race track to have dinner with Chris and Kyle. Kyle was ok with that. It was fun to hang out with my little lady for a weekend just the 2 of us!

School Starts-August 2009

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Michayla and Tyler started the 8th grade this year. I am sad this is their last year in Middle School because that means High School next year! I can't be old enough to have kids in High School can I? I guess that is what happens when you start young.

Kyle started 2nd grade and I am loving his teacher.

Riley Jo is in the 4 year old Preschool class this year. Still going 2 days a week.

August 21, 2009

For my birthday this year I Hosted a Murder Mystery Party. My friends all came over in character and we had a blast! In the game it was my bachelorette party at a Day Spa. So I decorated the playroom as a reception room to a Spa. It was a chocolate theme, so I had chocolate scented candles and water fountains to help set the mood! We started with dinner and went on with the show. I may be throwing myself a birthday party every year. Thank you friends for making it so much fun!

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Santa Cruz

We went to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for our normal family day! My dad's cousin plays on the beach as part of the Friday night summer band series. This year it was us, Sheri, Brittani, Abby, and Kim, Conner, and Natalie. We spent the day riding the rides and the night watching the Band! Tyler even went on Double Shot this year! I was shocked to hear about that! The kids love to ride the Bumper Cars of the future and the Ghost House. The Ghost House reminds me of Buzz Lightyear at Disneyland, only it is Ghosts you are shooting instead of Zurg! That is probably why they all like it!

Boat

Summer of 2009 we went on the boat a TON! Which is happiness for ME! My favorite place to be is on the back of the boat. That is my stress relief. This summer we found a place on the Delta that was great. I am a lake snob so I was really not happy about looking for a spot on the Delta. The problem with the lakes is there are 2 that are close enough for a day trip. But, they are both an hour and a half away. So we would leave early in the morning then not get back till really late. We would want to spend as much time on the lake in order to make the trip worth it. Chris always came home exhausted, even though he only drives the boat. But being out in the sun I guess. So we tried Hogback one day and it was Great! I wakeboarded for the first time on glass and it was wonderful! We went back to the Delta several times after that. It was under an hour to get there so we were still able to spend lots of time on the water! Can't wait till this summer. We didn't try the Delta until August, so summer of 2010 should be even MORE skiing!

Fairytale Town and Sacramento Zoo

I took Tyler, Kyle, Riley Jo, and Brittani to Sacramento for the day and we went to the Sacramento Zoo and then to Fairytale town. It was perfect weather too, it wasn't very hot. We watched an animal show at the zoo and the kids were able to learn a little bit about some of the animals. The zoo is pretty small and the kids can only look at animals for so long. After the zoo we went over to Fairytale town. There seemed to be a slide at every exhibit, so of course the kids loved that.


There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.............

We walked the crooked mile.

Riley Jo was able to sit in Cinderella's carriage.

They kids even got to be pirates! It was a fun day!