Jason and Alexis's Wedding weekend

What a fun and amazingly perfect weekend. Everything went so smoothly and everyone had an amazing time.  We were also very lucky to have Matt (Danny and Jason's brother) able to make it to the wedding. There was a point where he was actually told "no" by the Astros that he wouldn't be granted the leave time and couldn't come to the wedding.  It was very sad, and depressing.  But, things changed and he was able to come afterall! Thank goodness! :) It started Saturday when we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  The dinner was held in the wine cellar at the Westlake Village Inn where the guests and bride and groom were staying. It was amazing food and we later made our way upstairs to their club where they had a live DJ and we danced the night away! Most of Alexis's friends were part of the USC dance team so everyone loved to dance which made it a lot of fun! Even the guys enjoyed dancing. Sunday was the wedding. We arrived at the venue at 1pm for bridal party and family pictures...the ceremony was at 3 and BOY WAS IT HOT!!!! It was 100 degrees and the ceremony was outside with NO shade at all...PHEW! It was about a 35 minute long ceremony which was great considering the conditions! The groomsmen were melting in their suits and the guests were as well! It was all worth it though.  I set up most of the decor for the wedding and she put a lot of cute little details into it that just looked awesome. It turned out beautiful! The day went as planned stress free and happy.  Danny was a bit nervous for his speech but he did AMAZING! I was so proud of him...and he completely did it off the top of his head. Alexis looked beautiful as always and we all danced and partied all night to celebrate. The next morning before we headed home we walked over to their suite and ordered breakfast with them...it was a perfect weekend. It couldn't have gone any better. I am so excited for our wedding...it really is just around the corner. We had a blast and even received our very first wedding present from Danny's brother Matt (yes it was a little early). Honeymoon money! Now to hash out the details for that! First things first though...here's a look into our weekend...

Rehearsal dinner...

WEDDING.....

Easter 2012

You're never too old for a visit from the Easter bunny! I swear my mom will never stop. :) See's candy. I swear to you that's all I'll ever need to be satisfied. And a book! :) I love them so much. Easter basket or not. I'm blessed to have them as my parents. We had such a great day at my Godmother's with everyone. Happy Easter!

Life updates!

Ahhhh so this week has been so crazy that I haven't had a chance to really even think let alone get online and blog! Our class now has 17 kids...all under the age of 18 months...can you say YIKES!? We've had a lot of screaming, crying, and biting! We have kids adjusting and older toddlers transitioning...one of them is the biter! It came out of nowhere too! I've also been babysitting a lot! Weekends and week nights after work sometimes as well.  Busy, busy!!!

This weekend is also a very busy weekend for us as well! Tomorrow I have part 2 of our child development seminar till 2:30, then we are heading to the Forest House Lodge for their annual Sweetheart Cocktail party. We are really looking forward to this, it should be a lot of fun! It's cocktails, food, and accomodations at the lodge. We're excited to be able to spend time there before the wedding and I plan to take a lot of pictures to better plan our wedding. I want to take pictures of every single room as well so we know where to put people. Can't wait!

Today I also was able to get Danny's Valentine's day gift after work. I had to go to the cigar shop, pick the gift, then run to the ATM and pull out cash so he wouldn't know where I made the purchase and run back and pay for it! haha! I think I may have pulled this one off this time. I effed up Christmas, now I know better. I'm honestly not huge on Valentine's day, but we still do little gifts for each other...

ANNNNNND another huge accomplishment...I have gotten back in the gym in the mornings! I had been so tired of lugging all my stuff to work, changing at work, and being rushed to leave work to make it to the gym so I could get home at a decent hour, eat dinner, and get to bed...I hated it! It took me a week of setting my alarm to the time I would need to get up for the gym to finally get out of bed and I have been so happy ever since. It's so freeing! I get it done in the morning, then after work I can come home and enjoy time with Danny, make dinner, go to dinner, whatever we want really. I started dreading going to the gym after work because it became such a huge task...then I'd rush through everything, not do as much cardio or as much weight training...started skimping...just not like me! Plus, I also hated coming home eating, then going to bed shortly after...blah! So I finally just did it and now I have time to do all my stuff then head to work and then spend my evenings free.

We helped my parents move some stuff last weekend...it's always fun to go through stuff and find old pictures, notes, and memories. They're doing all the big stuff this weekend but we won't be able to be there Saturday to help because of our event. We are going to head over there on Sunday after we get home to help unpack some more and visit with my godparents. My dad is doing really well and I am so happy! I talk to him often and he just sounds great! Let's hope things keep progressing in this direction! He isn't going back to his old job so he's trying to figure out his next move. However, he hasn't been released by the doctors yet to even go back to work, so until then they're just moving and keeping busy with that.

Life has been great to us lately! Here's to a continuously great year! :)

Miscellaneous stuff

Oh boy! Where to begin! Life lately has been constant go, go, go! This past weekend we had 2 date nights...Friday night we went to our favorite Thai restaurant, Spice, and my was it YUMMY! As always! I'm so happy we found this place (thanks to a friend) because we were so bummed when we had to leave our favorite Pho place (nothing like Thai, but just our *favorite* place) so it's nice to have a favorite again! I got the same thing I usually get, spring rolls for our appetizer and spicy tofu and brown rice (their brown rice is AMAZING), and Danny got the crispy duck. Yes, DUCK! He seemed to really like it, I've only had duck once and I think it tastes kind of gamy but he's enjoyed it.  After we hit up Safeway (yes, classy date night) to grab some wine and headed home to watch a movie. We watched Unknown, it was pretty good!

Saturday we went for a long run together to use our new GPS tracker and then went out to the movies to see The Grey. It was good, gory, but good.  Probably not something I would have ever thought to see but that's because I'm not a big movie buff anyway! So generally he does the movie selecting and I just go with it and they're usually pretty good.

Sunday I went out for another long run. I love it.  Sunday was also *family* dinner night. I say it like that because technically we are missing Missy so it's not a complete family. This weekend we decided that we would have my parents to our house for dinner instead of my mom cooking at her house like always. We went to costco and got a tri-tip that Danny BBQ'd and I made veggie lasagna, baked potatoes, and of course I bought a yummy loaf of sour dough bread. We finished it off with a cheesecake sampler that I picked up at Safeway so everyone got to pick their slice! It was a perfect meal! Lots of carbs, just the way my dad and I like it! :)  Sunday was also the Forest House Lodge vendor fair that we decided to opt out of. We were planning to go, my parents as well, but once Sunday rolled around I thought about it and we decided that since we already have our vendors, there's really no need to go. We have an event there on the 11th of this month where we will stay the night so we are looking forward to just doing that. I am kind of bummed because I wanted to take my dad up to show him the place (that he paid for) but I guess we will have to make a separate appointment for that.

Monday was our first week at work with all 4 new children. We now have 17 children all 18 mos and under and my oh my is the classroom CRAZY right now! We are currently in the process of our older toddlers transitioning into the older toddler room so the 2 of them go there for about an hour in the mornings and come back.  The 4 new kids are to replace the 4 toddlers leaving over the next 2 months (2 this month and 2 next month) but having them all here has made it crazy! I have been completely drained every day after work.  It was also a duty night for Danny so it was a bit of a rough sleeping night for me.  Things are getting better in terms of his duty nights but since they're so random and there's no schedule to them it's hard for me to get into a routine like we did in Elk Grove. It's like he's home for 10 days and gone one random night and it just throws me off! But I made it! With a very light sleep all night...

Tonight, Wednesday, THANK GOD, I worked all day and then came back to Davis to babysit my little Gillian. She was so excited to see me and I was so excited to see her (even though I just left her about an hour before at school). I am so happy to have the opportunity to watch the kids I also see all day at school. I love them so much already and they're so much fun! It's going to be a long night, and long day tomorrow at work, but that's ok! She is much different at home (in terms of sleeping!).  She took her bath, and pooped in the tub might I add...lovely...and then was ready for her PJs books, and then pointed to her crib after we rocked and read books and she went right to sleep no problem...now can I say that for her naps at school? Not so much! lol!

This weekend my parents are moving and what do ya know...we're going to be around...unfortunately! HAHA I hate moving and the past few times they've moved I have been gone and have gotten out of helping...not this time! Friday, I'm babysitting after work (again) but Saturday I am going to help them move. They're moving into Brian and Katrina's house! So weird that I've babysat there for 8 years and now my parents are going to live there! Kind of neat I guess. I'm happy they are moving and leaving the house they are in. Too much happened there for them to have to live there. Brian and Katrina's house is beautiful, bigger, and the same price! I think she's already lined someone up to rent their current house as well. I'm excited for them and their new move. So Saturday we will do that, dang! ;) and Sunday is Superbowl which we will be heading to Kayla's for.

I feel like I haven't had time to breathe! I go to work, gym, come home and cook dinner (or eat dinner, poor Danny has been left to cook for us since I go straight to the gym), shower, then head to bed...I need to try to get back into the habit of going to the gym in the mornings. It would help make my evenings so much less chaotic and exhausting....idk what happened to me but I lost my morning gym motivation...

I also feel like I'm getting sick again...nooooo!!!!! My throat has become really sore again and all 3 of my kids are sick again with coughs and 2 have ear infections. I hate getting sick...I do not have time to get sick. My back has also been KILLING ME...so sad, I dream of getting professional deep tissue massages...I need to break down, stop being so cheap, and get one! Valentine's day is almost here...MAYBE, just MAYBE that can be my gift...It's so stiff and sore...ahhh that'd be nice!


Well, that's all for now! :)

Life...oh crazy busy life!

Well, we are 14 days into the new year and I would have to say it has been pretty good. Last weekend we went up to Kayla's for a new year celebration/meet baby Jake party. She normally throws an annual new year's eve party but this year things were different because of Mr. Jake. She decided to do it the weekend after the new year and turned it into a meet Jake party for all those who have yet to have had a chance to meet him. That day Danny and I went up there around 11:30 to watch Jake while they finished up their errands and getting ready. Oh my gosh. He is so big and so precious! I can't believe how quickly he has grown. He's adorable. Well over 50 people showed up for this party and it turned out lovely! We had lots of great food, drinks, and great friends. Once Jake was asleep and the party died down the neighbors and a few others were in the garage playing games of beer pong...I'd say I rocked it for our team! :) It was a fun, relaxed, carefree night. Kayla always hosts a great time!

We also both began back at work and that has been great as well. It was so nice going back and seeing how much all my kids have changed in just a weeks time! We have 4 new little ones starting this month! It has been hard getting back into a routine after being off for a week and I've been exhausted. But this weekend brings us a much needed 3 day weekend which in turn brings us a 4 day work week.

We've also both continued our adventures in the gym harder than we both were doing before...it has paid off! We've both changed a lot and we're very happy! Yesterday I wore a high wasit skirt to work that was always a little too snug (since the day I bought it lol, I almost returned it but I've had it for 2 years) but it fit perfectly! That's a good sign. We've shed a few more pounds and toned up a few more muscles! We'll hopefully be good to go by summer! My dress is scheduled to come around that time and our engagement photos are around then as well so there's 2 things to be keeping in shape for!

My dad has been doing great! Things are really moving in the right direction with him and I'm happy. I talk to him often and he sounds good. He knows what he did was insanely scary and he realizes that he is so lucky to be alive today. Everything happens for a reason. We're a strong family and we have made it through a lot and we will make it through this.

I also was finally able to coordinate a date for our engagement session. I wasn't in a rush to get them done, but I did want them done in enough time to use them for our save the dates. Our photographer emailed me a couple days ago with a million dates to choose from Jan-May and I was going through the list and choosing the ones that we were available for and when I came to May, I saw "May 11th" and thought YEP that's it! We got engaged a year ago May 11th so it's a perfect date for an engagement session :) Plus, we're doing it in Tahoe, so hopefully by then the snow storms will be over...but who knows with this crazy weather we've been having! I'm totally fine with having snow on the ground...I just don't really want to be caught in a blizzard. Over the summer I had said I wanted to do our session in SF. The cool sites in the city plus the beach would be perfect for engagement pictures plus I've seen many that she has done in the city and they were gorgeous. But then, I noticed Danny wasn't too thrilled or cared much about the idea of doing it there and I guess I wasn't dead set on it and kept trying to think of other places we could go instead. Then one night we were talking and decided on Tahoe and thought it was perfect for us. It fits us. The thought of going to SF gives me anxiety and stresses me out...I'm not even thinking of the engagement session, I'm thinking of the traffic and driving from one location to the next. Not. Fun. and the last thing I want to be on that day is stressed! Tahoe is also closer for our photographer and she said she has places in mind that are gorgeous that we are going to. Plus, I can get my water shots there as well. I am very satisfied with our decision and Danny seems a little more excited. We are also planning for it to be a mini trip and stay for the weekend after our pictures are done to celebrate. :)

Besides doing that, I have found a lot of ideas that I am pretty set on for our wedding. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful bridesmaid that is as creative and dedicated to my wedding, Becca, as I am. She has so many amazing ideas and loves all of mine...we're on the same page with everything and she is going to help everything come to life! I'm in the process of printing out the pictures of all the stuff I have found and adding it to my binder to make it more concrete than having to get online all the time to look at my pinboard lol. Don't get me wrong, pinterest has been great for all this, but I want it printed out so I can have better access to it. I STILL...yes STILL haven't finished my other bridesmaids things...I will definitely need to get on this like, tomorrow! I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my dress too. I look at the pictures every single day and can't wait to put it on again. I think it should be here sometime late spring/early summer? Ahhhh! Then it's shower time, bach time, then wedding time. I can't believe how fast November is creeping upon us...I felt like last May I was worried that we had TOO much time but no, things have gone by very quickly!

We have two events scheduled so far at the Forest House Lodge. One is at the end of this Month...it's a Vendor fair/meet the crew. It's to get our brides and grooms acquainted with all their preferred vendors and to meet all the staff that is going to help make this wonderful day possible. So far what we've met has been nothing short of amazing! Then in February it's their annual sweetheart cocktail event. This is more of a "get to know the other brides and grooms" thing where they will have cocktails, food, and fun events planned for the evening and then we stay the night in the lodge. Best of all, it's FREE! ok well maybe not free considering what we are paying for our wedding lol but it's nice to get all these added events in with our price. We are supposed to start our "payments" to the lodge this month for the remainder of the balance but we are hoping to just pay it off this month or next and be done with that portion of our wedding fees...yikes! I am so happy we chose this place for our wedding. The people that run it are amazing and I have no doubts that everything will run smoothly for our wedding. I really enjoy that we will get to spend more time up there before our wedding because it means I will be seeing a lot of the lodge and I can get a better idea of what I need as for decor. I plan to take a TON of pictures when I'm there this month and next of every space in the lodge so I can start piecing together where I want to put things, how I want things set up, etc. I also am trying to plan a day that Kayla, Becca, and Missy can all come together to see the Lodge so they can help bring my wedding vision to life as well. 

We've also been talking about how we should probably start registering places but we don't really know what for...see, I have an issue, well actually we both do...and everytime we figure out we *need* something we go and buy it because it's generally something we need or want now.  There are a few things we want to "upgrade" that we will register for. But other than that, we're just so unsure as to what we should actually register for! Hmmmmm....I was so excited to register until I began thinking about this! lol I'm sure once we get into the stores we will find stuff! But who knows how big the registry will actually be come time for people to start purchasing gifts...

We've also received our save the date for Alexis and Jason's wedding this summer! I'm so excited to see all of her stuff come to life! We have lots of similar ideas and I know her wedding will be just gorgeous! I have so many friends wedding planning along with me and it is so much fun to talk about and share all our ideas. Everyone has their own ideas and tastes and each wedding will be beautiful! 2012 is here, and it's our year!

Danny received a phone call the other day in regards to a job position with the sheriff's dept in Yosemite! If only his contract with the Coast Guard was up THIS May instead of next he would have taken it. They were looking for a qualified boat driver/officer to work for the sheriff's dept and patrol the lake. I could totally live in Yosemite. BUT maybe next year....

Do you believe in angels?

Because we do. Ever since my grandma passed away we have been saying she hasn't exactly left. Both my mom and I have experienced things that we SWEAR are her...call us crazy, I don't care, I believe. My dad's sister also passed away, as well as Misty's mom. These three people are all very close to us and I believe they are watching us every day protecting us or giving us signs that they are here. I used to be scared, but I realized, WHY? They are good angels just looking out for us. WELL we didn't think about this until these past few days but about a week and a half ago this "Family" frame I made for my parents for xmas 2 years ago came flying down off our wall. There was honestly NO reason it should have fallen...it's been on the wall for almost 2 years and no doors slam or rattle that wall enough to make it loose and fall. But, this frame fell and my mom kept saying "My mom was here, she is trying to get our attention". But for what?! No one knew at the time what exactly our attention was needed for. But, now it is very apparent. What are the odds? Not only could it have been my grandma, but in this case it could have been my Dad's sister trying to get our attention. I know others believe in this stuff, and others don't, but we firmly believe and I have other stories that confirm in my mind this is possible. Some may call it coincidence I like to say it's our angels watching over us. <3

Life unexpected...

Well, I'd rather not write about this because to be honest it's not a memory I'd prefer to read back on and remember but it is something that is a part of us and regardless if I write it, I will never forget it. I think we all are guilty of taking things for granted. Family included. We take for granted that they are always there for us no matter what...but what happens when for a split second...you are faced with the reality, that they may not be there anymore? This past week has opened my eyes to a lot of things...it has made me realize that people are fighting battles inside much greater than they ever show on the outside, it made me realize that in a matter of minutes, the ones you love can be gone, it has taught me that the absolute most important gift in life is the gift of the lives of others important to you. I am so grateful that God had an alternative plan for my dad, and his angels were watching over him...I couldn't imagine my life without him and I hope I never have to feel those feelings of hopelessness, devastation, being scared out of my mind. I have never experienced these feelings this strong in my life and I hope I never have to experience them again.  My entire life came to a crashing hault when I received the phone call at work. I have spent the past 3 days exhausted and just crying. Christmas is not the same without him, I have no desire to celebrate it. I have spent the past 3 days sitting by his side and I would never change that, I will spend every single day by his side.  I am my father's daughter. Through all of this, it has prevailed more than it ever has. He and I have always been very close, but through this, we have become closer than ever. I will not write details, for the details are forever a memory in my mind...but I will say, the most important gift I received this year, was my dad. So to all, please never take for granted what you have...especially your loved ones. Call them daily, ask about their day, keep an interest in their lives. I thought I was on top of this, my mom and I call each other every single day, and my dad and I have always been very close.  But sometimes life takes unexpected turns...those turns, can be fatal. Thanking God everyday for the life he saved. XOXOXO