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!