Santa was here

and he left a trampoline for the kids, plus filled their stockings to the brim!

Kind of sad right now, just realized this is the ONLY picture I have from Christmas morning.  I video taped us opening the gifts and never took a still picture.  

Anyway, we had Christmas morning at our house.  The girls woke up Ricky to come see what Santa brought them.  He grumbled and said it was too early.  So we let the girls check on the new trampoline and open their stockings while Rick slept.  Then Kent had them go play Rick a song on their new harmonicas.  That woke him up!  He stumbled out to the living room and we had a nice Christmas morning.  Then Kent made biscuits and gravy and eggs for breakfast.  After breakfast we had to figure out where santa wanted us to put the trampoline.  We have it set up temporarily in the very back of the property.  We need to either clean that area up or make some kind of a deck closer to the house.  So far the girls are LOVING it.

Be back later with Christmas afternoon pictures.

Christmas Eve

This year Christmas Eve was with the Cozarts. We made a pumpkin and an apple pie.  The crust is PW's and the Apple is PW's and the filling for the pumpkin was good old Libbys.  They turned out AMAZING! So we headed over to the Cozarts about 3 p.m. for dinner at 4 p.m..  We feasted on the traditional menu.  It was GREAT!  

Mmm, pumpkin

 mmm, apple

 Kids are all just chatting away. Claiming their spot at the table.

 Jayson, he is leaving for College in a couple of days.  We won't be seeing him for a while.  

Good luck Jayson, we love ya!

What a nice looking boy, who is that?  Oh thats my son!

 Grandma and Kelly craving up the Ham and Turkey.

 Uncle Gary and Hannah.  He loves our girls.  

 Gift time.

 Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for an amazing dinner and lots of great stuff.

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

Are you ready?

I am finally feeling like I am somewhat ready for Christmas.  Having my purse stolen really put a damper on things.  You can read about it here if you missed it. Anyway, I finally have most of the credit cards and check book replaced.  Still need to replace my purse, wallet, Rx glasses and the small stuff. 

Back to Christmas, I have been a shopping crazy woman the past couple of days.  I worked Tuesday and Wednesday this week which felt great but also I was hoping to get more shopping done on my lunch hour with out kids but that didn't happen. I am really finding it hard to find what I want to buy.  Nothing looks great to me. My hubby wanted some shirts from Abercrombie or Hollister since he could finally fit into there stuff.  I went it looking and felt so overwhelmed that I left.   I am just not a good shopper and I am not use to walking into "those" stores.  Sigh....

I have a couple more gifts to get this afternoon and then I am officially DONE!  If I didn't get it by today, you just ain't getting it! ;)  

We are heading out tonight to look at Christmas Lights.  I hope the Mission Inn, isn't too crowded.  Thats probably a pipe dream but a girl can dream, can't she?

I probably won't have a post until after Christmas at this point. 

So Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Woot wooot

Have you heard of 6pm.com?  

Free 2nd day shipping and amazing deals.

Two pairs of Steve Madden and Reebok running shoes for under $100 bucks.

Check it out!!

Christmas Card 2011

Every year we do a new and exciting non traditional Christmas Card.  This year we were trying to incorporate the new life style on diet and exercise.  However, I just couldn't come up with a great idea this year.  So we settled on a collage of pictures instead.

On a side note, I still notice people visiting my site from all over the United States.  I would greatly appreciate you click on the follow button on the upper right side of my blog.  IT would be nice to know who is reading my blog from different parts.  I would also like you to leave me a comment, just saying Hi and/or maybe how you found me.  

Thanks!

Just talkin'

Whew, what a long week.  Still haven't received my replacement cards.  Still adjusting to not be able to go somewhere and buy something. Anyway, we went to Knott's a few weeks ago and I never posted about it.  I only took a couple of pictures.  We went to the Christmas Ice Show, it was really cute.

What?  How does she look so big in this picture? 

Where is my baby?

 This one too.  3 going on 13! 

Wish I could have another!

 They are so cute.

 Miss those glasses, they were in my purse. =(

 Last weekend we went to the park to take some family pictures for our Christmas card.  I snapped a few before our photographer arrived aka Kelly (Kent's sister).

 Its a great park for pictures!

Maybe I will be back later with a copy of the christmas card, since they have been all sent out.

Make room for Santa

10K run.

Did you know I am not a runner?  Did you know that I have lost 60 lbs since Feb. 2011 and still losing?  Did you know that I have always struggled with my weight?  Did you know that I never liked to exercise? Did you know I did my very first Mud run a few months back? Did you know I made my friend Michelle do it with me?  Well, I guess it was pay back.  She has been exercising and making some life changes too.  Her sister runs all the time and enlisted her into doing the Make room for Santa run 10k, so she did what any good friend would do and enlisted me to do it with her!  So I thought about it, I was nervous, scared and wanted to graciously back out.  Then I decided what the heck, you got nothing to lose!  So I signed myself up.  The run was this past Saturday in Irvine.  I trained one time last week on Wednesday and that was it.  so I was really thinking this was a bad idea.  Anyway, I finished in 1:19:52.1!  I know some of my running friends are laughing right now but I don't care, I did it and thats all that matters.  Matter of fact, I would do it again, however, I would train more!

Thanks Michelle for making me step outside my comfort zone!!

Do you remember the part where I said I had nothing to lose?

Turns out I had a lot to lose.  While us girls were running the 10k, some SOB broke into Michelle's truck and stole all 4 of our purses.  We think they were watching us.  Anyway, we left the truck at 7:25 a.m. and by the time I had finished running and we walked right back to the truck, must have been back at 9:30 a.m., they had charged all sorts of money on 3 of my accounts and 1 on Michelle's.  Not sure if any charges were on the other two ladies cards or not.  On mine alone almost $900.00 at Target, Chevron and Albertsons.  Michelle's husband got right on the phone with a Target manager and they were able to get surveillance of a woman walking into Target, picking up 4 carry baskets and placing them into a cart.  They have her walking around the store placing different items into different baskets.  Then she walked up to the register and made 4 transactions with 4 different cards.  Guess what the Cashier NEVER asked for ID.  Did you know that Target has a no ask policy?  Yep, the crooks know this and as long as they keep it under a certain amount ($300.00), they will NEVER be asked to show ID!  That info has all been turned over to Irvine PD, I sure hope they catch these jerks!  

Lets talk about what I lost, shall we?

This part sucks!  

Purse

Dooney and Burke wallet (Xmas gift from hubby last year) 

Cash (Had all the cash the girls from work gave me to buy docs gift)

Cash (Just what I had in my wallet)

RX glasses (Vogue)

Brown credit card wallet (with all our Insurance cards, Chevron card, Sams club, costco, AAA Card, misc business cards I keep, etc).

2 Check books for 2 different accts.

Drivers License

debit card/ visa card for 3 accts.

Several credit cards to different stores

Knott's Berry Farm annual passes for the family

Misc.exampls:  make-up, chapstick, lipgloss, hair pretties and whatever else I carry and can't think of until I go to get it.

Calendar (all my import dates and thingsI had written down)

Car keys to both cars, house keys, gun safe keys, hitch keys, work keys, mail box key and any other key I use to have.

$200.00 amex gift card

a couple of gift cards that we had been given and I carry in my purse so that when we are out we could use them.

These items total over $1465.00 to replace!

I called my home owners to see if they can help me out after the deductible and the keys to both cars that are not a covered expense because they were taken from a car.  I am not getting even a quarter of what I lost.  Yep, right be christmas I have nothing!  I can't even go into a store and shop right now, because all my cards/ accts have been closed and I have to wait until I receive new ones in the mail. Not a fun time to have your stuff stolen.  

The key to my car is $300.00 to replace and the key to the other car is $165.00 to replace.  They are NOT eligible under home owners on my policy, however they are under my car policy. However, the amount for the keys is less then my deduct so that doesn't help either!!  Like I have an extra $465.00 to buy new keys.  I just stopped working a few months ago and money is already tight, where am I suppose to pull that money from?  Ugh, so frustrating.  

So I am taking donations to the Help Traci Replace What Was Stolen From Her Purse Foundation!

I kid, I kid!

Please people, what ever you do DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PURSE IN THE CAR!

Also, I recommend that you take inventory of what is in your purse right now.  Just make a note in a file somewhere.  Also, make copies of the front and back of ALL credit/debit cards you carry and keep that with your inventory.  It would have made my life much easier knowing what was in my purse and calling all the cards right away.  On the back of the card it has a number to report lost or stolen cards, well if they are lost or stolen you don't have that number! So poor Kent was trying to work and frantically calling everything in his wallet, unfortunately I have some cards he either doesn't carry or doesn't have. 

Go copy them now!!!

Another Birthday to report!

I know, I know!  More birthdays!

This time its my hubby's.  

On December 6 he turned another year older!

He has been working late all week, so we celebrated his birthday on Friday night.  We had the his family over for pie.  I made a HG gooey apple pie and bought a cheesecake from costco.

 Happy birthday Kent!

 The kids played a little pool.

 Kelly and mom.

 Silly girls.

 Happy birthday to my wonderful husband!

I love you!

Ricks 21 Birthday party

Has time just been whizzing by for you?  It sure has for me.  Seems like from Thanksgiving to New Years, I can't get much done.   Right after Thanksgiving is Ricks birthday, a few days later is Kents birthday then Christmas and New years.  Its all just a blur.

Anyway, for years Rick has told us on his 21st birthday he wants us to take him to Vegas.  Well, a couple of months ago we asked if that was still what he wanted.  He decided that his friends didn't have the money to go and we suggested a party at our house. (We had a few rules that he had to obey by, but he thought that would be best).

Last Saturday 12/3/11, we had a P A R T Y! We had a bout 5o people here.  I made all the food, we had carne asada, marinated chicken, enchiladas, 7 layer bean dip, homemade salsa, al the toppings and a cake!  Oh and some drinks too. ;)

It was a fun night and I am proud to tell ya that Kent and I schooled Rick and his friend in Beer pong!  Yay for the parents!  See we aren't too old to keep up with the 21 year olds!  I had a house full of kids, part of the deal was if they were drinking I needed keys and they needed to stay the night.  All of his friends were very cool about giving up keys and staying.  I also had a breathalyzer and allowed people to go home as well. ;)  We had one episode of someone leaving me a vomit trail in my hallway and I think I know who she is.  Needless to say she better not come back over or she will be cleaning my carpets!  

Happy 21st Birthday son!!!

Glad your party was a success and that you enjoyed yourself!

Let's talk about Rick, shall we?

November 29, 1990 at 7:30 a.m. I had an emergency c-section.  Let me take you back a bit.  I had only labored a couple of hours, when the doctor came in and said that the baby wasn't breathing well, that every time I had a contraction they would lose the babies heartbeat. At this time, I had no idea the sex of the baby.  Back in the day they didn't do ultrasounds on everybody.  So the doctor said we need to get the baby out now, and within minutes I was being wheeled down a hallway, with my family all watching and reaching out to touch me. It was very emotional and scary time. I remember seeing the babys heart beat on a screen, next thing I knew I was waking up to a nurse yelling at my sister.  She (my sister) was watching me in recovery and saying my name through a door way.  Apparently the nurse did not like that. I had an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth, I was trying to focus on the clock.  Then it happened I up chucked in my mask stuck to my face.  The nurse started yelling at me and telling me I should have told her.  I was hardly awake at this point. Then I asked her what I had, she said a BOY almost like I was annoying her.  That boy was named Richard Vincent weighing in at 8lbs 4 oz and 20.5 inches long.  He was several hours old before I got to see him and hold him.  He melted my heart!  Apparently the umbilical cord was wrapped around his wrist and neck, every time I had a contraction it was actually strangling him.  Good thing the doctor was on top of it and got him out so quickly.  He was healthy and surprising not even blue.  He scored well on his Ap tests, the doctor was very pleased with how well Ricky did.  

Here we are 21 years later and he still melts my heart!  He has certainly given his dad and I our share of gray hair and tested us like no other.  I guess life would be boring had he not put us through the trials and tribulations that he did!  He is a great kid and I love him with all my heart.  I am proud to call him my son! Earrings, piercings, tattoos and all!  He is my baby boy and will always be! 

We took him and his gf to Rodrigo's for dinner on 11/29/11. (His FAVORITE place)  We bought him his first legal margarita.  Then we came back to our house and gave him his gifts.

 Check out the wrapping paper! HAHAHA Hannah Montana is all I had!  

 I think Hannah thought the gifts were for her!

Rick is laughing in this picture because Hannah told him what was in the box before he opened it!

 Jeans, yay and momma got him a size smaller in the waist in hopes that he can keep them up instead of hanging down with his boxer showing. ;)

 Then the wrestling session began.

 The girls sure do love their big brother.

 and what a great big brother he is!!!

 Check out Rick on the phone making birthday plans and never skipping a wrestling beat!!

My dearest Ricky,

You are a joy to my life.  I could not imagine life with out you!  You are a special and loving boy.  You have made my life complete.  We will always have a special bond, you were the man of the family when you should have been the kid.  You grew up faster them you should have and I am proud of the young man you have become.  I know God has big plans for your future, we just don't know what that is yet.  Just keep on keeping on.  You can be anything you put your mind too.  You are a smart, handsome, loving and caring young man with the world at your fingertips.

Happy birthday son, I love you.

Love, your mommy!

Thanksgiving day

Wow, the long weekend came and went so quickly.  We ended up leaving Thanksgiving morning.  I think we pulled out of the drive way at 5:30 a.m.. Amy and myself slept in the motorhome so that when Kent woke up and was ready to leave he just had to make coffee and bring Hannah out.  We had funny giggling and bonding without Hannah trying to wiggle in between us.  It was great sleep over.  Anyway, we arrived at our destination, Ocotillo wells.  Kent quickly unloaded and got in a couple of fun rides with Amy.  I hung back at camp and started preparing our Thanksgiving meal.  Tawnya and I split the food, she brought part of it and I brought part then we had a feast in our motorhome.  Another couple had come along too last minute and we invited them to join us.

Hannah, Payton and Amy

 Keith, Bethany, Tawnya, Kent and will.

 Hanah riding her quad.

 She did great!

 Amy

 Pay came out to watch the big girls ride.

 Then they went back to the camp to lay in the dirt!

 Dirt pies, I think!

 Amy relaxing after her ride.

I didn't take too many pictures this time. I guess I wasn't feeling the camera.  I have a few more pictures to post.  Be back later.