Happy 5th Anniversary!

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Happy 5th Anniversary…

I cannot believe I am saying 5th anniversary! It feels like only yesterday Shaun and I were married. This is a special year not just because its our 5th but also because it falls on the exact day of our wedding. At this time five years ago I was getting up and enjoying the calm with my sister, Sarita, and Tommie. I was packing up my bags making sure that some made it to Shaun’s room, which was our suite and the rest went with me. We left around 11am and headed to the salon to get our hair and makeup done. Unbeknownst to me, a large brush fire had started causing traffic and road closures. Everyone was worried about telling me but when they did, they were shocked to see a still calm and unaffected bride. I was getting married and as long as Shaun was there waiting for me, nothing else mattered. I weathered the storm and kept myself focused on what mattered most, my soon to be husband.

Not much has changed since then. When the road gets tough and we are faced with challenges, I try to to worry because I know I have Shaun right there with me. He is the cool, calm and level headed person that balances my often emotional and reactive personality. In my mind we are a perfect match and after five years our relationship is better and stronger then it was before.

Luckily the year leading up to our 5th Anniversary has been a bit more tame then it has in the past. Since we celebrated our fourth anniversary we have…

  • Celebrated Ellie’s 1st Birthday and watched her grow. In that year she has learned to talk, speak in sentences, count, learned a few colors and teach us a lot about patience. Yes, she is our go getter and our tester. She loves to test us and can cause some frustration but her smile, hugs and her love of cuddling with mommy makes it all worth it and then some.
  • My dear friends Mackenzie and Jeff were married on July 17th, 2011.  I was a bridesmaid but even more importantly Abby was a flower girl! This was her first time being a flower girl and she loved every moment of it. She still talks about it and asks when she can see handsome Grady again!
  • Abby enjoyed her very first Broadway show… Mary Poppins. We took Grandma Zoe for her birthday and Abby had a blast. She watched every minute of it and was such a little lady. She even sang along to all the songs that she knew!
  • Our house on Hatillo Avenue finally sold. It was sad to say goodbye since I loved that house (just wished it was in a different location) but I know we will be on to bigger things soon!
  • Abby celebrated her 3rd Birthday and she has grown by leaps and bounds since. Abby is learning so much it amazes me. While she is still just learning to write she has memorized all of her alphabet and is now working on numbers. She loves to sing and she loves music. Listening to her sing a long to Adele’s “21” album always makes me smile and giggle.
  • Abby and Ellie went Trick or Treating for the very first time and loved it! We only did a small portion of the Auntie Jen’s neighborhood but that made them completely happy.
  • Abby began her first year of dance classes! Mommy is very proud and it looks like Ellie is taking a liking to it as well! We will have to start her next year though because she is still too little.
  • We enjoyed another trip at Christmas time trip to Montana.This time we came home with a messed up bumper thanks to a nutty old lady in Dillon Montana. Abby and Ellie didn’t get to see as much snow as they would have liked, but we still had the chance to walk around on Main Street, enjoy the Museum of the Rockies and Shaun and I had several days to ourselves. One of which found us in Yellowstone!
  • Abby had her first bee sting! Happy to report that she is not allergic!
  • Shaun and I took our first extended trip without the girls and headed to San Francisco. We missed them very much but it was wonderful to get away and enjoy the time together and I had the chance to see my best friend. I haven’t seen her since Abby’s baby shower in 2008! It had been far too long!
  • Shaun and I had the chance (twice actually) to greet the LA Kings as they came home from series wins, the first time after completing Round 1 of the playoffs and the second after the Kings won the Western Conference!
  • We took Abby for her very first haircut! I shed a few tears but it was worth it!
  • And last but not least… as an early anniversary present… THE KINGS WON THE STANLEY CUP!!!! Best present ever!
So the year has been busy but all of these events occurred in the same city, with the same number of children, in the same house! I have a feeling the year leading up to our sixth will be eventful, maybe even more so then this past year, but I am ready for it! 
Happy Anniversary Shaun! Here is to another five years and then another hundred after that. I love you so much and I am thankful for all that you have done for me and given to me. I cannot wait to see what the next year brings us. What an adventure I am sure it will be!

Stanley Cup Champions Parade and Rally

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So I am on a high… a hockey high. Not only did the LA Kings win the Stanley Cup, Shaun and I were able to attend the Championship parade and rally today! I was supposed to be a surprise to me, but once again… I ruined it. Neither of us were able to obtain our free tickets when they became available to the general public so in my desperation I started asking anyone and everyone. To my surprise, my friend Hilary had two spare tickets and I started orchestrating how I would get them. Shaun finally had to call me and fess up to the surprise before I compromised someones tickets! Needless to say, Shaun used his powers and we were able to get tickets.
Loving it, although I think it needs to be changed now so that is says Stanley Cup Champions!

All of the rally ticket holders gathered inside LA Live Plaza. I didn’t have a chance at seeing the players but I was still excited! Then again over 200,000 people attended the parade so I am sure a lot of people couldn’t see what was going on. It was still exciting and you could feel all of the amazing excitement and energy.

The first players bus turned into the plaza… I only knew because people were cheering really loud and trying to take pictures.

And then next thing I knew… it was raining streamers and confetti!

Despite not being able to see the players, I could hear Matt Greene giving a nice speech and thank you to all of the fans. You are so very welcome Matt Greene! And Thank You for helping the Kings get that beautiful cup!

AEG is going to have to do a bit of house cleaning to make room for a few new banners. I really really want to be at the first home game of the season to see them raise the banners. I don’t know how but I will get those tickets!

Our view from the premier section… watching the game 6 on the big screen, waiting for the players to come out.

All of the players, coaches, trainers, Luc Robataille, the Conn Smythe trophy and the Stanley Cup. Boy its so sparkly!

After today I am on a huge high and I am not sure I will be able to come down until maybe the season begins in October. Even then I am sure I will still be dancing in the clouds. And to make it even better, I was in the same building as the Stanley Cup. Oh it was so pretty!

A Few More Stanley Cup Video Clips

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The following are videos from the Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The first are highlights from NBC’s coverage of all of the goals as well as the presentation of the Conn Smythe Trophy and of course the Stanley Cup! The second video is of Head Coach Darryl Sutter and Goalie and MVP Jonathan Quick doing a press conference, but someone else takes over. Its too cute and its fun to see this side of the players now that the stress is gone!

http://nhl.cdn.neulion.net/u/videocenter/embed.swf

THE KINGS WIN THE STANLEY CUP!!!!!

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Its been a bit since my last post. But we have been busy first with the Finals and now the fact that…. 

THE KINGS WON THE STANLEY CUP!!! THE KINGS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!

I don’t think I can say it enough! I still don’t believe it and neither does Shaun. What a surreal moment. I know we both wish would could have actually been at the game but I will take seeing it live on TV. I think our heads are still up in the clouds but I don’t mind… 
THE KINGS WON THE STANLEY CUP!

Below is a video of the final moments of Game 6 being called by Nick Nickson. I cried again when I heard this. For those who don’t know, Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans do the radio calling of the game. Bob Miller and Jim Fox do the TV announcing but because of TV contracts did not get to do so. Bummer… but we still enjoyed watching the win and its been said that Bob and Jim did call the game and it may be synced up with the game for the fans. Fingers crossed!

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 I am sure there will be more clips to follow but until then…

THE KINGS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!

Ellie Can Handle It On Her Own…

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After Abby’s haircut we promised the girls we would take them to the mall playground. I dont generally like going there because its always so busy and full of rude little children and their equally rude parents, but a promise is a promise. After playing for a bit Abby made a friend, whom she said was named Rapunzel but I am thinking has a different name. This little girl wasn’t too fond of Ellie hanging out with them and started to tell her to go away. Typical girls and to me its obvious she has siblings as well.

This little girl started to get a little aggressive with Ellie and just as I started to intervene Ellie took charge. Ellie followed her around with her little finger out, pointing at her. She then started speaking to her in a loud voice, not yelling but firm. It was mostly gibberish but you could tell that Ellie meant business. This went on for a good two or three minutes, Ellie waving her finger at the little girl telling her what for in her own little language. Shaun and I laughed hysterically. Whatever she said worked because finally the little girl gave in and let Ellie play with them. From that point on they played happily for a good half hour before it was time to go. Its really good to know that Ellie can handle it on her own and be so cute while doing so!

Abby’s First Haircut…

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Today was the day we cut Abby’s hair for the very first time. Yep, shes three and a half years old and we are just getting her first haircut! I wasn’t sure how I would feel, knowing that I have put this moment off for a long time. I know she needs the cut to keep her hair healthy, but I didn’t want to see those baby curls go! Oh the things we hold on to as long as we can as parents.
When we arrived, Abby seemed a little apprehensive of what we were about to do. But, she relaxed when she got to sit in her very own rocket ship chair and pick out a movie to watch. She chose Finding Nemo. Being a pro at this sort of thing, the lady who cut Abby’s hair got right to it. She wet down her hair and before I knew it… SNIP! The first cut had happened! I felt myself getting emotional but I knew tears would upset Abby, who was worried it would hurt, so I kept it all in. Her little curly locks were now in an envelope for me to keep and all over the floor. The stylist snipped and shaped and Abby sat perfectly still. She kept her head tilted when asked and didnt argue one bit. Quickly it was over and Abby’s hair was about 9 inches shorter then when we first walked in. With a lollipop in hand she was as happy as a clam and already telling people she got her hair cut. Ellie got a little trim too, but that was mostly because the stylist wanted her to feel included.
One last shot of her long baby curls before Abby gets her first haircut.

Ready but a little unsure about this whole “cutting the hair thing”.

Getting ready and watching Finding Nemo

About to cut those curls off!

The cut is done! Now its time to style it, but only a little.

All done!

Ellie gets a little trim too! (Not a real cut, just a few trimmed spots)

Where it all happened!

After we finished up it was on to the playground. We promised Abby that if she listened and let the lady cut her hair we would take her.  She was so good, so when all was said and done we headed to the playground as promised. As we sat there watching the girls play, I looked at Abby and it was like the new haircut had already changed her and she grew up the minute those baby curls came off. She made a new little friend on the playground and she played with her until it was time to leave. She looked so grown up. It was at that moment my heart ached a little and I wanted desperately to glue those little curls back on to her head. This is the part about being a parent that really sucks, watching your children grow up right before your eyes. I will try and enjoy every moment of it but I also know my heart will ache a few more times.

The LA Kings are the Western Conference Champs!

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The LA Kings are the Western Conference Champs! Yes, you are reading that correctly, The LA Kings are the Western Conference Champs! Tonight they defeated the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in overtime with a score of 4 to 3. Thank you Dustin Penner for that game winning OT goal!  Now the Kings are on to the Stanley Cup Final, for the first time since 1993!! I am sure you can tell how excited I am about all of this!

I became a fan when the Kings were at a pretty low point, close to being the worst team in the league. (They have been in this sticky spot many times) In just 4 or 5 years they have come such a long way and now they have a chance to compete for the ultimate prize, The Stanley Cup. Who they will face off with is still being determined but both teams , the Rangers and the Devils, are wonderful and it will certainly make for an interesting series. I thought the Conference Finals were nerve wrecking, I cant imagine what the Final will feel like. Be prepared for me to not be around the blog during this time and if I am, I just might be a tad cranky, even if the Kings are winning.  Until then, I will enjoy the moment and now we head to the airport to welcome the team home! WAHOO!!!!

Mother’s Day 2012

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Today we celebrated Mother’s Day. It was a pretty quiet day to be honest and I will admit I liked it. I got a lot of cleaning done, we had dinner with Grandma Zoe and she had some time with Abby and Ellie, and then we relaxed in the evening. I didnt even think to pick up the camera and take pictures of the flowers Shaun gave me, which were beautiful! The moments we did catch were of Abby helping me frost the cake I made. She was so excited to do it too. The minute the cake came out of the oven she was asking me when. I had to tell her that the cake needed time to cool and then we could put the frosting on. From that point I think she asked me every 10 minutes or so. “Mommy is the cake cool yet?” So cute. Glad I caught those moments with our camera though. It’s Abby and Ellie and these moments, after all, that make me a mom. Happy Mothers Day!

 

The Los Angeles Kings Sweep Round 2

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Yep, you read that correctly.  The Los Angeles Kings sweep Round 2 against the St. Louis Blues!  That means they are on to the Western Conference Finals.  Their opponent has yet to be determined but it looks like it could be the Phoenix Coyotes. They might have that answer tomorrow night… we shall see! This means that the Kings have taken down the #1 and the #2 seed in the West.  Pretty big accomplishment of you ask me.  Now I cannot wait until the conference finals begin. Here is to hoping that they will play in the Stanley Cup Finals!

During the playoffs the LA media in all of their intelligence and glory made just a few mistakes.  Like posting the logo on news broadcasts for the Sacramento Kings instead of the LA Kings. They also seem to think that our star defense-man, #8 Drew Doughty is actually named Brad Doty and that one of the star forwards, Anze Kopitar is called Kopidor. Gotta love the media these days.  Learn your sports teams if you intend to report on them! Luckily the Kings PR has created a handy cheat sheet.  Take a look and enjoy!  I know I got a kick out of it!

A Bit of Weekend Gardening

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After a very busy say yesterday, Shaun and I decided to play it low key. Our garden on the front porch had pretty much died, due to the heat of last summer and some pretty bad neglect after that.  SO we headed on over to Lowe’s and bought some new plants.  This year we decided to plant some strawberries, more basil, thyme, cilantro, mint, and we were able to save and replant our chives.  We also put four pots of lavender out as well.  After a nap, which allowed me to clean down the porch, the girls helped us pot our new plants. It wasn’t much but it was the perfect end to another wonderful weekend.

A Busy But Fun Saturday!

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Yesterday was a very busy Saturday. Don’t get me wrong, when I say busy it was a good type of busy. Not wanting to be stuck in the house on such a beautiful day, we decided to head up to Santa Barbara and go to the zoo! Sure we have been to the Santa Barbara Zoo a lot but it is such a great place to take the kids and it doesn’t require an entire day or weekend to do it! The girls had a great time and we had a few firsts. On this visit, both snow leopards were out in their enclosure for all to see. I dont think in all of my time at the zoo I have seen both of them at the same time.  One of them was evening making “funny noises” as Abby said. To me he sounded like my old cat Harley when he wanted something. I have a feeling it was time to eat.
We also had hoped to see the new Otter couple but they were still getting used to their new home, which meant they only were allowed to come out and visit for small amounts of time. Bob and Jillian, the zoos last couple, now call the National Zoo in Washington D.C. Their family of 13 grew quickly and the Santa Barbara Zoo no longer had the space to take care of them.  For those of you who didn’t know, the Otters are named based on pop culture at the time they come to the zoo. Bob and Jillian arrived during a time when the “Biggest Loser” was very popular especially among the zoo staff. The new couple has been named Katniss and Peeta, after the popular books and movie, The Hunger Games. Hopefully the next time we visit we can meet the new additions to the zoo!
All smiles and ready to head to the zoo!

The new Otter couple at the zoo! I have to admit, I love their new names!

Abby didnt believe me when I told her that these Capybaras are big rats.

The Snow Leopard that seemed to be very hungry.

Shaun walking with his girls up to see the elephants.

A young Flamingo that has yet to get his pink feathers.

Where I go, Blankie Goes.

Stopping to see the Giraffes. Ellie wanted to be one!

Hitching a ride with Daddy.

Cardboard + AstroTurf = A Really Fun Ride!

Ellie needed a little help from her Daddy.

A new friend and time spent at the zoo means a nice sleep on the way home.

While we were at the zoo, I received we text from Erika to see if the girls wanted to meet up at Bright Child to play with Harrison. Since we were close to wrapping up our day we accepted! Not only was it an opportunity for the girls to play with their friend, it was also another chance for us to let the girls run until they couldn’t run anymore! With a nap in the car on the way, they were ready to play when we arrived. Abby, Ellie and Harrison played basketball together, ran, jumped and took on the slides without any problems.

Taking a time out, especially after that personal foul. 🙂

Taking on the slide. Abby jumped up the minute she hit the bottom, just at the opening and flew out just so she could go again. It was quite a site to see.

Harrison prefered the feet first approach!

Ellie used those strong legs and ab muscles to stop herself. Yet another impressive site to see. We certainly have strong kids.

After a long day of animals, walking, playing and running we headed home. Luckily we were smart enough to bring PJ’s for the girls, so when they passed out on the ride home, all we had to do was move them from the car to their beds. They passed out before we even reached the freeway.  As I have said before, passed out kiddos are a sure sign of a very fun day!