Da Hole Ting

Yuppers...we're back and I wanna tell ya, I'm not happy about it. There are skid marks in the Maui parking lot we're I dug in my heels...lol We had a fabulous time relaxing, eating, swimming, rock climbing, touring, walking and just being.

Here are a few pics of the view from our condo, Molekei Island from our beach, Lavender Farm, Goat Farm, Lahaina, Sunrise and Sunset. We also saw lots of Mongoose which apparently is a huge problem. Gold sand beaches, black sand beaches and white sand beaches. Ate Hawaiian cuisine for dinner every day, enjoyed a Luau and basically had a blast....enjoy~

2 Events

Two events fell upon us this weekend, not to mention that Saturday morning, jumped in my car to take care of errands before said events, to find a dead car....hence, a dead battery.
So after some choreography and some smart quick thinking and footwork, it only set me back 1 1/2 hours.

Event #1...A Major FFA Award Banquet which Raquel was a happy reciprocate of. Apparently all her hard work in the organization has been taken notice and therefore...an award was bestowed her

Oh yeah, Alex got one too. And just in case you were wondering...YES, they are back together and NO, that is not event #2

Event #2. My youngest Grandsquirel's Birthday Party. He turned 5 and his parents decided to hold the party at our neighborhood Red Robin. Here's DJ, the birthday boy!

with Raquel and Meredith, my two beautiful daughters.

and Ethan and Franklin of course!

Grandpa and Nana, those crazy old folks

with silly Uncle Trevor, My son in law Frank, Uncle George and Lexi all having a great time.

Next week, 2 more major events...My father in laws Birthday and most importantly...my hair appointment...going brunette. I'm Just Sayin'

Santa in the OC

Santa came last night and we had a heck of a fun time. Actually it was Josh's parents that dress up as the Mr. and Mrs. Well, they are the Mr. and Mrs but you know what I mean...the "man" and his wife.

Some of us waited patiently for him to arrive

While others played with Harley the dog

Some took turns sittin' on Santa's lap

and some of them didn't want anything to do with it

Some strolled down the street and took in the festive decor

while others snuggled

someone asked Santa for a horsie.....again

While that someone's mother just sat back with her hot chocolate and tried to keep warm

The Latest and Greatest

Letin' you in on the latest stuff around here....

These two are no longer

Don't feel sad...she's not. We're on to greater things and when I say "we're", I mean her...kinda. The best statement coming from a 16 year old girl..."Ya know mom, being in a relationship teaches me more about myself than anything else". It brought tears to my eyes...seriously!!

What? Don't see the "I'm too lazy to put the Christmas Tree away" tree sittin' in the corner of my dining room? Yeah, after 9 months I got bored with it. I have bigger plans for my tree friend.

Went to an Estate Sale and although this wine rack wasn't for sale...I actually spied it out in the backyard through a window, they sold it to me .....for $5. Yippeee!!!! Gonna clean it up and put it on my front porch.

Celebrated my mother in law Elizabeth's Birthday

and her never aging son...my husband. A good time was had by all...by 9 pm~

The Latest

Well, I'm kinda winding down for the Summer and trying to wrap my brain around going back to work and Raquel going back to school for her last year. This Summer has been a very mild one...climate wise and a very fun and interesting one...life wise. Here's just a little snippet of whats been going on here for the last few weeks....


This use to be a mini corn field

now it's just good ol' corn. Most of it was good (so I hear...I don't eat corn) with a couple of not so good ears. Gave most of it to family and friends

The tomato plant is still goin' strong and they were and are wonderful

Had a huge BBQ with Eric's relatives from Austria....we all had a great time including the newest member of our family....Alex

Celebrated my BFF Brenda's B Day at Farrell's and made a pig outta ourselves and pretended we were 16 again...OK...we do that all the time but we had a good reason to this night

Connected with a friend from High School...shout out to Facebook, and REALLY(uhh ohh) acted 16 again...turns out he doesn't live too far from me...We'll surely see each other again

Had a minute of crafting. Bought these 3 plaques at a yard sale for $2...total. They were brownish and I just sprayed them my ever lovin' off white and placed them in the patio

and these two are still together and it's been quite interesting to watch. I'm looking forward to this new school year...(shaking my head no..wink, wink

I'm just sayin'

My Motto...

One morning when I was dropping Raquel off at school, before she got out of the car I turned to her and said, "remember, business before pleasure", her response, "is that your motto mom?...well yeah, I guess so. I have picked a motto every year since. In 2008 our motto was "make it happen". And in 2009 it was "beware of geeks bearing gifts. I or should I say we have used these inspirational sayings as a joke at the most hysterical and inappropriate times.
Raquel has even let a couple of her friends in on our joke motto and once in a while they will surprise me with it. We were coming home from downtown L.A and we had just watched a performance of Mary Poppins at the Ahmansen Theater. By the way...it was fabulous. Anyways, I was driving and we were talking about the play and the music when Raquel tells me she liked that song "practically perfect"...well, almost simultaneously we looked at each other and laughed out loud and yelled...our new motto!

So let it be know that this year...2010's motto is "Practically Perfect" and no doubt, not only will we be saying it a lot but I will include it into this years blogging....I'm just sayin'!

Welcoming Christmas

Let the glow of the winter lantern show you the way



Past the snow flakes and snow drifts


on this special day. I will entice you with gifts


and whimsy if you may



and perhaps a Santa or two on this Christmas day.




Angels take flight and watch over us all


while the spirit of Christ who's name we now call





The villagers await with fever and wonder


while the house is quiet and silent with slumber



St Nick will arrive with his reindeer in tow



gliding and alighting and traipsing through snow


So we all gather 'round and experience the bliss


but be careful, look up, you could get a kiss



...and with each passing moment in which we hold near ~ our wonderful family and friends we hold dear ~ And through it all we manage to gather round today to bring you love and respect and come what may ~ I cherish you all who come from blogland ~ You've have made my life so sweet and that much more grand.

From our house to yours, may the Holiday Season bring only happiness and joy to you and your loved ones.