tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90645487534160489552024-02-18T18:22:18.197-08:00The Bueno LifeSDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-72877995093251790192012-10-21T17:37:00.000-07:002012-10-21T17:37:53.704-07:00What a Year!Well, it finally happened! WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! To those of you who live near us, this is no surprise, as it happened last December. We closed on a cute little house in a Snow White neighborhood on Decembe 23rd, 2011 and Marli got her castle. :) <br />
<br />
Not much else is super new, other than Marli starting Transitional Kindergarten this August. She LOVES school and is among the top students in her class. She is starting to read and is loving every minute of it. She will be 5 (whoa!) this November and we are planning a big Harry Potter-themed party for her. It will be fabulous! ;)<br />
<br />
Penelope will be 1 year old this November and she is going to participate in the Harry Potter party as well. She is smiling and has 8 teeth so far. She loves to crawl around and get into everything! She's not the best sleeper at night, but since the girls share a room, that might be why. We weren't able to let her cry it out like we did for Marli, otherwise she'll wake up her sister. But, she's getting the sleep she needs, even if Mommy isn't. *yawn*<br />
<br />
Ibis is still working hard with ECS and he will be starting his basketball referreeing (is that a word?) this November. He's still training at Kong Submission Academy when he can and loves to do choke holds on anyone who tolerates it. LOL!<br />
<br />
I have been auditioning all year long for different theater companies with no luck. :( For my San Diego Opera audition (the most important one of the year) I was sick. *scream* Not cool. Well, I was able to get through it and they must have liked it, because they offered me two operas for the upcoming season. Yay! Samson and Delilah will be in February and Murder in the Cathedral will be end of March/April. So nice to have something to look forward to on the performing front! <br />
<br />
Here are a few cute pics of the family that were taken by my friend, Rachel Wattson rachelwattsonphotography.com:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcAHXBaT89H50xkYC45J8vEFHr3bXEIyOapdrKPiuPCbfNSe2s_GnqxQGdrgzSYTCdO8JnoKOYelwXmk84y3LWW2A7araquFTiKnoyVMnjNnMOk2XcGy6pnWv2k9H9u49Y_vFmGFS-sji/s1600/bueno_family004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcAHXBaT89H50xkYC45J8vEFHr3bXEIyOapdrKPiuPCbfNSe2s_GnqxQGdrgzSYTCdO8JnoKOYelwXmk84y3LWW2A7araquFTiKnoyVMnjNnMOk2XcGy6pnWv2k9H9u49Y_vFmGFS-sji/s320/bueno_family004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxocFW4uIFTWSsYOW1bb1ir36wNZildVhX5rLXur9XP-Oppp1fX68CLdxZDZRrFlX1ZQ_W1OsO52NlPOiK65dm_-37_kCdoBd0sEYtm_bBOjuo20Z1dSCJtTF38WT_XP9FDBLLFhaeJQw/s1600/bueno_family001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxocFW4uIFTWSsYOW1bb1ir36wNZildVhX5rLXur9XP-Oppp1fX68CLdxZDZRrFlX1ZQ_W1OsO52NlPOiK65dm_-37_kCdoBd0sEYtm_bBOjuo20Z1dSCJtTF38WT_XP9FDBLLFhaeJQw/s320/bueno_family001.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1f_wzemHqM4cq2-nQKlfoOmYjA4vwVvLe54i4uSEixxwjosiax67ghZDqcOJPOMA_tfisGWk7ZIftSnSaA4agPKzf9eJpSOp0qBSfMVKRtgR7-rtjqqJEv1BHzif4qeevYcdxnxJj2uU/s1600/bueno_family008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1f_wzemHqM4cq2-nQKlfoOmYjA4vwVvLe54i4uSEixxwjosiax67ghZDqcOJPOMA_tfisGWk7ZIftSnSaA4agPKzf9eJpSOp0qBSfMVKRtgR7-rtjqqJEv1BHzif4qeevYcdxnxJj2uU/s320/bueno_family008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4u-uTZN95nDFOQZgC1X4E9uI7H1fnMFexW_Gbu8f7LeyIS0ZgtAsWu81gHFNPFQACvcWQYhOIgpXRuqHJV37bIa2imZZwtM30uWs2-df7SYmz1IKIkvZmCLG0ta1Zf12rqRAi_pnP0cE/s1600/bueno_family032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4u-uTZN95nDFOQZgC1X4E9uI7H1fnMFexW_Gbu8f7LeyIS0ZgtAsWu81gHFNPFQACvcWQYhOIgpXRuqHJV37bIa2imZZwtM30uWs2-df7SYmz1IKIkvZmCLG0ta1Zf12rqRAi_pnP0cE/s320/bueno_family032.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-69296775580539955042011-11-12T17:45:00.000-08:002011-11-21T16:20:36.411-08:00Penelope Layne Bueno<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO9QNgxampTXnLkj9W1bM8NQJJg_OgEn6OpGsCtg3v9yaMSkX1yxE9sWAbiCIVWQ38uxsAbuyofzNLpvPJAePoCBEFU3UP4YydH0AgS6D4jxv_fHFGsnMfEvjEifWb396rIAoOMvDkkuM/s1600/387491_2650094650768_1207777193_3536155_1434663527_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674291654803962002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO9QNgxampTXnLkj9W1bM8NQJJg_OgEn6OpGsCtg3v9yaMSkX1yxE9sWAbiCIVWQ38uxsAbuyofzNLpvPJAePoCBEFU3UP4YydH0AgS6D4jxv_fHFGsnMfEvjEifWb396rIAoOMvDkkuM/s320/387491_2650094650768_1207777193_3536155_1434663527_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtUvgsloJLdjkVhfNp6mToX1HC_9vlMOf6oj3JbUmuVsZUjDgN347Gsvy7x83yq_pl98itDo7YlgvgVOpqWZJFOw7Wv5bZqygSJFjSSu2FTosYG7Vge3zCLhP3U8XBTexHAzsMTwY7Vtg/s1600/381884_2650102290959_1207777193_3536163_809538399_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674291650810185282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtUvgsloJLdjkVhfNp6mToX1HC_9vlMOf6oj3JbUmuVsZUjDgN347Gsvy7x83yq_pl98itDo7YlgvgVOpqWZJFOw7Wv5bZqygSJFjSSu2FTosYG7Vge3zCLhP3U8XBTexHAzsMTwY7Vtg/s320/381884_2650102290959_1207777193_3536163_809538399_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_KaU-efHT1QH0fgl0buSiJjso0TpQypPD_3Foq3r9JovyywQtvBh7zoprxHj9Q1vLsniqLmEHWggpbZB0Wi9u_PhO3KKHsgdOVYs_ch_JL7fntvS5eJqltSKsCi6f32QY_sMSlwoIwhc/s1600/316898_2650084330510_1207777193_3536148_1701560786_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674291651974617666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_KaU-efHT1QH0fgl0buSiJjso0TpQypPD_3Foq3r9JovyywQtvBh7zoprxHj9Q1vLsniqLmEHWggpbZB0Wi9u_PhO3KKHsgdOVYs_ch_JL7fntvS5eJqltSKsCi6f32QY_sMSlwoIwhc/s320/316898_2650084330510_1207777193_3536148_1701560786_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTaoi7DIi3ZR4IVvTY6lXxidTSoLkAL5bPWpqlR_vJ8G_UQx0v_P2kjGm3MCcVEfSwQooTFqqQRT8y3TaC8unK1ZGwHT_tYRgmK3FoU2WHeimvuwJY7iom30fvDqMN4nEFH8tVsr4rfL7/s1600/303140_2650097730845_1207777193_3536158_2060268358_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674291644795215922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTaoi7DIi3ZR4IVvTY6lXxidTSoLkAL5bPWpqlR_vJ8G_UQx0v_P2kjGm3MCcVEfSwQooTFqqQRT8y3TaC8unK1ZGwHT_tYRgmK3FoU2WHeimvuwJY7iom30fvDqMN4nEFH8tVsr4rfL7/s320/303140_2650097730845_1207777193_3536158_2060268358_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPabCXPbI6_GqZfvKUSlFjg3P-iXfm6zoytly7vtFywm8PgOrXaa461UZ4cQvC2EaEQ7VNSqGMyRIm3_XkRRhhjdOy41zDf3y7XgydRDK0XrKZs2amUe5QrXosddlCuaTKQTzGafVpblim/s1600/300605_2650109051128_1207777193_3536176_1677800266_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674291638970894146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPabCXPbI6_GqZfvKUSlFjg3P-iXfm6zoytly7vtFywm8PgOrXaa461UZ4cQvC2EaEQ7VNSqGMyRIm3_XkRRhhjdOy41zDf3y7XgydRDK0XrKZs2amUe5QrXosddlCuaTKQTzGafVpblim/s320/300605_2650109051128_1207777193_3536176_1677800266_n.jpg" /></a>Whew! This birth went sooooo much easier and faster than Marli's! I'm so amazed at what my body was able to do. Here's how it all went down:<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I had been dilated to about a 3 for a week and I was about 70% effaced at my last appointment. So, I knew that my body was getting ready. Pepper was due on the 9th, and right on time at 1am on Wednesday the 9th, my contractions started. I had gone to sleep at 11pm. So much for getting a good night's rest before labor started! I had been having contractions for the past 3 weeks, but they weren't painful at all, just tightening and some pressure down on my cervix. The one that woke me up at 1am was definitely different! I felt it all in my lower back and I actually had to breathe through it and force myself to think through the pain. They were coming every 10 minutes, so I just went into the living room and started sitting and rolling on my birthing ball and tried to take my mind off of it. At about 3:30, I texted my mother to let her know that the contractions were 10 minutes apart and painful. She didn't respond (of course, it's the middle of the night!). I called her at 4:30 (she gets up at that time anyway to go to the gym...I know, crazy) to let her know that we were heading to the hospital soon. She said she'd meet us there. Ibis called his mom to come stay with Marli and I called the hospital to let them know what was going on. Since they were 8 minutes apart and I was attempting a trial of labor and a VBAC, they said I should definitely come on in.<br /></div><br /><div>So, we got to the hospital at about 5:30 and got all checked in. They said I could do 20 minutes on the monitors and 40 minutes off to walk around, use the ball, or hop in the shower to ease the pain. So, we walked around the halls for a bit and then I used the ball for a while. This was such a different experience because with Marli, I never felt a contraction. My water broke 2 weeks early and then nothing happened for 3-4 hours, so they hooked me up to pitocin and then they started. It was so nice to be able to walk around and get into any position I wanted. They couldn't give me pitocin anyway with Penelope because of my previous C-Section scar. Fine by me! My body was doing what it needed to do anyway!<br /></div><br /><div>They hooked me back up to check me and make sure Pepper was doing fine. Her heartbeat never dipped or showed any sign of distress throughout the entire thing. Awesome! My blood pressure remained around 120/60 (just like normal!). Things were looking so great! Around 8am, I had a monster contraction and I felt *pop* *pop* and a gush of water. Then, the contractions just started coming like crazy and SUPER strong. Ouch. I remained lying on my side in the bed not hooked up to anything, but not really able to move much due to the pain. My mom was next to me and Ibis was in front of me sitting and holding my head and upper body, as I was practically in his lap. They both were rubbing my back and shoulders and helping me through the pain. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>One funny thing that everyone was telling me to do in the weeks leading up to the birth was that I should sing through the contractions. Yeah, right! That is the last thing I'd be able to do. However, I did do my breathing to songs. I could only think of a few and one was the March of the Torreadors from the opera Carmen. I'd also do Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Someone to Watch Over Me. I'd breathe in rhythm to that playing in my head and it helped a bit. lol! Hey, whatever works, right?</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I have to say that I had the BEST nurse ever. She really was more like a doula or a midwife. Her name is Betsy and she was helping me through the contractions and had such a soothing voice. My fear was that there would be nurses like last time who would make comments like, "if you don't have to be in pain, then why would you choose this? Just get the epidural." Ugh! I don't like to be pressured or told what to do. It's MY birth plan and I'll stick to it or change it as I see fit without pressure from you! Betsy was actually the opposite of all of them and encouraging me to stick to my plan of all natural. No one even breathed the word epidural. So nice. However, I started to cry out for one and my mom made me look her in the eye when I wasn't having a contraction and tell her that I seriously wanted one. She made me do that about 4 times before she realized I was truly serious. lol!<br /></div><br /><div>So, after about 10 hours of labor, Betsy asked that if she checked me and I was far enough along, would it change my mind. I said it wouldn't. Well, I was about 8cm and the baby was totally coming down. Betsy said that before they did an epidural, they'd have to get an entire bag of fluid in me and then the anesthesiologist could do the epidural. So, after another hour into it, I finally got the epidural. However, I was progressed so far and my body was moving pretty quickly, that I could still feel quite a bit of the contractions and all the pressure. But, I was able to relaxed a little bit and allow Pepper to come down and get into position. She was facing sideways, so she wasn't quite in the right position, but by the time I progressed to 10cm, she flipped facedown. At about 1pm (12 hours after labor started) I was ready to push. They had me start pushing and Pepper was bungee jumping up and down. We could see the head and then it would disappear and she kept doing that. lol! Finally, at 1:52, she came all the way out! What a relief! I am so glad that I was able to experience a vaginal birth. What a difference from a c-section. My doctor, Dr. Khan, looked at me and said she was so proud of me and that I did such a good job. She also mentioned that she is very happy that I wanted to do a VBAC and that she knew I could do it. It was so awesome to hear that from her and know that she believed in me and wasn't going into this just to "see" if I could do it, but that she actually "knew" I could. We were able to go home Thursday night. So nice to get home so soon after giving birth. I'm in pain, but it's so worth it and Penelope is just perfect. She's a great little baby and so precious.</div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>A friend from high school on Facebook wrote a cute little poem about Penelope:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Prompt Penelope was always on time,</div><br /><div>To be early or late gave a shiver.</div><br /><div>And on the ninth of November,</div><br /><div>Penelope remembered to remind her mom to deliver!</div></div></div></div></div>SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-61438873883243704192011-09-26T16:24:00.000-07:002011-09-26T16:41:40.371-07:00Thoughts on birthing....Marli's birth story wasn't what I would call my ideal plan. I wanted to have a completely natural birth with no epidural and no Pitocin. My water broke two weeks before my duedate, I went to the hospital about an hour and a half later without feeling ANY contractions. Zip. Zero. Zilch. So, they began to give me Pitocin 2.5 hours after my water broke. Ick. Not really what I wanted to have to do to speed things up, but when your water breaks, times a tickin'. My first contraction (of course it was induced so it was worse than a natural one) hit me and it was painful. I stuck it out naturally for 11 hours and then decided at 2am (after finding out I was only at 3cm) that I wanted an epidural. So, I got one and promptly fell asleep. Since many women actually have shorter labors than 11 hours, I felt I did a good job at sticking it out for at least that long! <br /><br />In the morning, I continued to labor and they kept checking me and my progress was just not coming along. Marli was just too comfy in there. By 2pm the following afternoon, I was FINALLY dilated to 10cm...sort of. There was a bit of an issue with my cervical opening and the nurse had to hold it open slightly while I pushed...interesting. I pushed for 2 hours with absolutely no progress. I was pushing for all I was worth, too! Since it had been 27 hours since my water broke and there was some concern that the baby would have a dry birth (definitely not good!) I was taken in for a c-section. :(<br /><br />The last thing I wanted to hear was that the baby wasn't going to come out the natural way. I cried and Ibis just held my hand and said that I was doing a good job and it doesn't matter how the baby gets here, just that she gets here healthy. So, off to the operating room I went with Ibis in his oh-so-sexy blue scrubs. At 4:36pm November 6th, Marli Jayne was born at 8lbs 1oz. Completely healthy and with a very cone-shaped head. I was told that she was face up and the cord was wrapped around her neck. So THAT'S why she was being stubborn and not coming out. It made me feel a bit better. Also, because of my condition with Gestational Diabetes, the fact that the doctor let me go so long with the labor (since she could have been a lot bigger) was good, though futile in the end.<br /><br />Moving on to Penelope. My goal is to try it again. I may seem silly, but I don't like failure. Not that Marli's birth was necessarily a failure. I just want to have that opportunity to put my baby up to my chest and hold her immediately after the birth instead of waiting 3 hours!!! Ridiculous. I had to wait in recovery, then they didn't bring me Marli until 7:30pm. My plan for Pepper is to have another trial of labor and NOT have to have Pitocin and an epidural and a c-section. Why do I want to inflict this kind of torture on my body? Because I'm a woman and that's what my body is meant to do. It will know what to do when the time comes. I also feel a bit more prepared as far as my expectations and how it feels. I'm just praying that I can deliver the way I would like and hoping for the best.SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-44489000714504532952011-09-23T10:19:00.000-07:002011-09-23T10:37:59.620-07:00Getting CloserI am now almost 34 weeks pregnant with baby #2. This child has nonstop hiccups! So annoying, really, but totally normal evidently. Marli never had them in the womb. Coco tells me that Annya had them every single day when she was in the womb. Ah, well. <br /><br />I am carrying this baby a bit differently from before. Marli was very much all around and my tummy was round and wide. This baby is sitting right in front and I kinda look like I swallowed a basketball. Every pregnancy is different!<br /><br />I have been diagnosed once again with Gestational Diabetes. Boo! But, like before, I seem to be losing weight in this last trimester as opposed to gaining it. The baby is gaining, but I'm losing weight all over my body. Sounds good to me! This is because of the strict diet I'm forced to be on. Very little carbs and absolutely NO sweets. :( If you know me, you know that's tricky for me to do. Because I have to hold myself accountable by pricking my finger after every meal and testing my blood sugar, I make sure I'm eating the right things. Also, if you know me, you know I don't like to fail, so I've been pretty good about my diet! <br /><br />My sweet friend, Jessica, has offered to throw me a baby shower even though this is my second girl. I truly don't need anything other than diapers and wipes and some new bottles, but she insisted, so what can I do? So sweet of her. <br /><br />Ibis has been working hard as a foreman for the company he's been with for the past couple years. A lot of overtime lately to get this particular jobsite done. <br /><br />I've been teaching dance, cake decorating and still working my MK biz when I can. Things are good and we're just waiting rather impatiently for Penelope to make her appearance. I'm thinking that she'll be coming out right around Halloween. Spooky!SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-4250999734498713342011-04-07T09:14:00.000-07:002011-04-07T09:18:38.502-07:00Somethin's in the Oven!And, no, it's not a cake! Well, I hope it's not! We will be welcoming our newest addition to the family this coming November (same due date as Marli's, actually - who could have planned that?!). We're very excited and I'm very sick and tired. But, I am very much looking forward to a new little one to hold and love. Marli and the new wee babe will be exactly 4 years apart, which I believe is perfect for my sanity and those around me. Marli is such a good helper and is always taking care of everyone. :) She'll be a great big sister. I had my first ultrasound last week and the baby is in the right place and heart is beating nice and fast! No gestational diabetes (YAY!) yet for this pregnancy, but they'll check me later on at about 28 weeks where it most likely will show up. :( Stay tuned for more news!SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-42168265799736485952011-02-21T19:57:00.001-08:002011-02-22T20:57:12.261-08:00New Year!<div align="center">Princess Marli and Princess Mia</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7DSSUCHUO98OWS_otdQq2kT8DbC43oEjbEbuyaGz5LEEoYz_Wp6YRYh3R6-Wvhl75vsHeUYoB4XWho4_-E0gm_84500xAGe0mj9mw7BTFF_k0-d3sXhBAK-Nw6B2YBb47dLmlZj8HQ0I/s1600/DSCN3981.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576744199997403714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7DSSUCHUO98OWS_otdQq2kT8DbC43oEjbEbuyaGz5LEEoYz_Wp6YRYh3R6-Wvhl75vsHeUYoB4XWho4_-E0gm_84500xAGe0mj9mw7BTFF_k0-d3sXhBAK-Nw6B2YBb47dLmlZj8HQ0I/s320/DSCN3981.JPG" /></a>So, things have been busy for us this year thus far. I'm teaching tons of dance classes a week in public schools, choreographing for a musical and a show choir, teaching cake classes and I just finished performing in The Gondoliers at Lyric at the Birch in the role of Tessa. Whew! Not to mention, being a wife and mother on top of all that. Somehow, I manage to be home enough so my daughter knows who her mommy is and Ibis knows who his wife is. Ibis is super busy, too, with calling high school basketball games and working full-time, sometimes overtime.<br /><br />Marli is growing and growing and growing! She loves to talk and is so curious. She loves her "so sunny days" and is just a precious gem. I'm on a waiting list for preschool for her to start in the fall at Sevick Elementary. It's a reverse mainstream program. They are looking for normal-functioning 3 year olds to be examples in classes with children with Autism and other disabilities. Since it's decidedly cheaper and Marli has been around Tristan (her cousin with Autism) for 3 years, I felt it would be a good match for her. We'll see how she does if she's accepted.<br /><br />I'll be starting Faust in the chorus at San Diego Opera next month and will be choreographing in the summer. I'm also auditioning more and have a big one coming up in March for all the theater companies in San Diego. That should get me lots of work....at least I'm hoping! :) </div>SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-28122436351448464212010-11-12T08:46:00.001-08:002010-11-12T18:17:40.480-08:00The Big 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2y3pbtqKgJAFfzWiG5TjGDo2laDDsCc_Oa5cd9IBtnrU4M3jjQpZo-6qjAffoODwGE5LvrgR5l5QDzebs2gkTJOdAUVQKjjaB4eXo7cbmhc4Eu7ZczO-iH2mQ7pq2AP617GlksPHEqd_/s1600/DSCN3592.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538852623925387858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2y3pbtqKgJAFfzWiG5TjGDo2laDDsCc_Oa5cd9IBtnrU4M3jjQpZo-6qjAffoODwGE5LvrgR5l5QDzebs2gkTJOdAUVQKjjaB4eXo7cbmhc4Eu7ZczO-iH2mQ7pq2AP617GlksPHEqd_/s320/DSCN3592.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ApZgb4Zx6oJcr3LsCMH0WfvS3m3Nf2SUYYg86pfryugcc37P8oA35m791BLFNhzGOib_upJUr386LQFZG_wlQxM6FGsQKmQWbjZ4ElfumK3oW94tfgpHTtuzDX1gZqB2G80u18jGkbtS/s1600/DSCN3593.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538852619213409234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ApZgb4Zx6oJcr3LsCMH0WfvS3m3Nf2SUYYg86pfryugcc37P8oA35m791BLFNhzGOib_upJUr386LQFZG_wlQxM6FGsQKmQWbjZ4ElfumK3oW94tfgpHTtuzDX1gZqB2G80u18jGkbtS/s320/DSCN3593.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwZnaDcKA2wqIreKBOHKYCQ-ZnI04vZHdVREuH-7BCEOks0WpCJ_A7WO4mN8diJ2cQ5h7_L9lm1FUzlFI9sljd6-gSH-EJ2QgwJ73TLLQX6tooi6wwIlSaK88OezUw1vfzGsgdUjwkI8w/s1600/DSCN3501.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538852613070902146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwZnaDcKA2wqIreKBOHKYCQ-ZnI04vZHdVREuH-7BCEOks0WpCJ_A7WO4mN8diJ2cQ5h7_L9lm1FUzlFI9sljd6-gSH-EJ2QgwJ73TLLQX6tooi6wwIlSaK88OezUw1vfzGsgdUjwkI8w/s320/DSCN3501.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFpluciPiQeOt_VIsiW804zJdscaus9viJQAR2jT_xG-i1G3tRoDqYHB3b24Px5W_ghuFVSqZN-6QODYVOk4kvnX_M962ftYLfEwmOPn1JO1fd0Qg-bjm9p05K-jW3_SxBr4SqbE2okno/s1600/DSCN3569.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538852610297340898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFpluciPiQeOt_VIsiW804zJdscaus9viJQAR2jT_xG-i1G3tRoDqYHB3b24Px5W_ghuFVSqZN-6QODYVOk4kvnX_M962ftYLfEwmOPn1JO1fd0Qg-bjm9p05K-jW3_SxBr4SqbE2okno/s320/DSCN3569.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbeNwbkjEzXCWxmBXDTejYm2P3QQwMmWIHNArcxxjzzA5Uyp5FnlaGBjBPk7_PvmZie2bsp-HlsmzBBOcF-Jz2deye-xrRFQeUsOhd6LrspkI605jMv9paRUsKn6B_6HKVyoq8twyAFyS/s1600/DSCN3557.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538852606191656338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbeNwbkjEzXCWxmBXDTejYm2P3QQwMmWIHNArcxxjzzA5Uyp5FnlaGBjBPk7_PvmZie2bsp-HlsmzBBOcF-Jz2deye-xrRFQeUsOhd6LrspkI605jMv9paRUsKn6B_6HKVyoq8twyAFyS/s320/DSCN3557.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5pTb-yHumammsvDdiiuQYQ0ojWrtZJqVmDR2HzTmaj6Le0mX_UJqNLSAv-cFG81Tfp3eNVtwTEwwGzqlWMxJJ_xJrpWYXtiOrT-3Fg3n0TL65eJeB5AVnpbOeyxDDJbbgRM8j08jCZ1o/s1600/DSCN3536.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538851987827032322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5pTb-yHumammsvDdiiuQYQ0ojWrtZJqVmDR2HzTmaj6Le0mX_UJqNLSAv-cFG81Tfp3eNVtwTEwwGzqlWMxJJ_xJrpWYXtiOrT-3Fg3n0TL65eJeB5AVnpbOeyxDDJbbgRM8j08jCZ1o/s320/DSCN3536.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGzUZTX27w0pui7rsB7m5ZZEDenie4AsathqUkdLAQX6iicXQTXCq8HS4DIJn8RNZEeShB903-oVpFDFi43d0Se7G9xHyXwqaxf5Y9Abix8-gS0Id-Ezv2zBEm9pGxzMP7Ttk-m3cRKPI/s1600/DSCN3574.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538851985744366194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGzUZTX27w0pui7rsB7m5ZZEDenie4AsathqUkdLAQX6iicXQTXCq8HS4DIJn8RNZEeShB903-oVpFDFi43d0Se7G9xHyXwqaxf5Y9Abix8-gS0Id-Ezv2zBEm9pGxzMP7Ttk-m3cRKPI/s320/DSCN3574.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTLsM6pxJ9BvxiXIv5svRJuxXbcTp-Tl0O-_9sX6SzfSGV4P-gg8SujrNnOT7tfq0HyFOGUuibrMdtYFnJL-NRAxN-a8B3OUxUER15mRqhLhg8rSYhq_Zlf8uarG3XaFMKjWXfu7mew4O/s1600/DSCN3531.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538851977226569810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTLsM6pxJ9BvxiXIv5svRJuxXbcTp-Tl0O-_9sX6SzfSGV4P-gg8SujrNnOT7tfq0HyFOGUuibrMdtYFnJL-NRAxN-a8B3OUxUER15mRqhLhg8rSYhq_Zlf8uarG3XaFMKjWXfu7mew4O/s320/DSCN3531.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPjWXIZKEbyRnJslgXuOCJDvBbxDYlMcJDj70IlKnBGc6tbJR0EfugrW5AEJaLDzfnDfOCZZr3rOzdTPYyrpu407v27LcnJiqqA7D_MqUcXp30Ex7Xwoy7UXCSFQ7hdpsqO8gdbwteQe_/s1600/DSCN3528.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538851970731628018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPjWXIZKEbyRnJslgXuOCJDvBbxDYlMcJDj70IlKnBGc6tbJR0EfugrW5AEJaLDzfnDfOCZZr3rOzdTPYyrpu407v27LcnJiqqA7D_MqUcXp30Ex7Xwoy7UXCSFQ7hdpsqO8gdbwteQe_/s320/DSCN3528.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9LetZjx6PYBVEqr7Xm7JQJqYkAHloCrTXGLZXX4_JdGbMXeYd-vFXvcVJE5QHPFTA9eux73hUBXmrwTdc1ccEt_hGD7C9pw6pcNVXASF2Z1ExdJ7lsjA4LlKRZOG6JGfngo6-l7shjat/s1600/DSCN3525.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538851960205306626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9LetZjx6PYBVEqr7Xm7JQJqYkAHloCrTXGLZXX4_JdGbMXeYd-vFXvcVJE5QHPFTA9eux73hUBXmrwTdc1ccEt_hGD7C9pw6pcNVXASF2Z1ExdJ7lsjA4LlKRZOG6JGfngo6-l7shjat/s320/DSCN3525.JPG" /></a>We had a busy busy weekend planned for this little girl. We did Disneyland on Friday with Ibis, myself and a friend of mine and didn't get home until almost 1am. Whew! If that wasn't enough, we got up the next day and went to the San Diego Zoo with my mom. She has passes and got us in for free. :) We were there all day and then I came home and made my homemade spaghetti sauce for the party/dinner for Sunday evening with both sides of the family.<br /><br />Marli had such a blast. We dressed her up as Princess Aurora and we got pictures with Jasmine, Tiana, Belle, Woody and some army guys from Toy Story. I try to get pictures with different characters we've never seen every time we go to Dland. She LOVES Disneyland and can point out anything you ask her to point out on the map. She even knows the place I like to take her for lunch. LOL!<br /><br />If any of you have ever been to the San Diego Zoo, you would know that it's so incredibly hilly that one can burn a ton of calories just walking around pushing a stroller all day. Oy! I had two days of being on my feet and I was dead by Saturday night!<br /><br />The Sunday party was great! She got so many presents (mostly clothes and just a few toys) and had so much fun having all the attention on her. I made her cake (Sleeping Beauty) and the whole dinner for about 25 people. We had a pinata that she refused to come outside to hit. However, she insisted that she get her own bag of candy from it. We ended up having the other kids in the family hit the thing and some of us grownups too.<br /><br />Anyway, she had a very fun weekend and so did Mommy and Daddy. :o)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-66440616726127335432010-10-23T08:19:00.000-07:002010-10-23T08:31:58.353-07:00Gigi's Over<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEy2QqBPWXVwRQvdz5dpKcV1lsTeSeH5E-a4dsm0F0UCgKFJYuq-y8Z-pw80HItBCJ1mcDv1f-H1WNUVSAADmeZGMK-p_qKeeCVB6k_RKveRGXtSaEZYJHCzOTFOC4YeJixZE95jIPyUB/s1600/DSCN3345.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531263452443552066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEy2QqBPWXVwRQvdz5dpKcV1lsTeSeH5E-a4dsm0F0UCgKFJYuq-y8Z-pw80HItBCJ1mcDv1f-H1WNUVSAADmeZGMK-p_qKeeCVB6k_RKveRGXtSaEZYJHCzOTFOC4YeJixZE95jIPyUB/s320/DSCN3345.JPG" /></a>I had one of the best experiences in being Gigi at Lyric. What a great show it was! I am so grateful for that theater company and their belief in me as an actress/singer/dancer. I wish I could do every show there! The final Saturday performance was magical. I'm not sure why exactly, but there was something about it that just spoke to me and made me truly understand why it is that I perform and why I was given my talents. I'm so happy that that was the performance that they taped. :) <div align="center"><br />Me during rehearsal...This was a photo taken for the Union Tribune newspaper for an artical that came out the day before the show opened.<br /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531263447279164450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSZNvJEe3xeCCptVit25tiGYZ2_i-LJEQq-lbQI6ycuR7z9Q28T8UMPSki2yM3WaOwf-W4uRXDZo7z8wg-v1z0CVcoZ939dwhFrnRTsiB2LvFu6QxLy3CzlhiroYT-httMaZOm395KsUW/s320/laurabueno-rehearsal+photo+from+newspaper.jpg" />Me and Leon Natker, General Director of Lyric at the Birch<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531262927630393042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGLIlalkJUcpP51rzHtprm8WbvCkhiaB45wzB3h8Op3Hq7v4Kw5IkRitbtnapm9UDDVnJpdw5RG7od42tqTupWhfsprxpii2vtVSc30UVh3pqqsjK6ttPq4SraAwIcVp_2FKW8R4gA6xQ/s320/DSCN3344.JPG" /><br />Benjamin Robinson (my Gaston)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531262918139442946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UR19qNefG1zljcXVgI5PzxK8YZaaqSH4ZVygkKt-X9x4T8pSMoEtPtBnxbz_0JU4hp_KDiVDqasBns_syDl5dc-VYq6VmxIJeBVa-HPJZgHGTzRl47VdrfqOqUhzs3A56iZvu4RW9FDy/s320/DSCN3343.JPG" /><br /><br />Leigh Scarritt and Rita Cantos Cartwright in background, me and Ben after ballet number<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531262914261571314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xDu1nRkEhm3dj7OIlezWXYzjk6QPcid-LGD_U-TPpBqFvEZDlYK8pmgIxDFcUxwwy1eqX8nrttNnCMMOF84C8dJkCby75CC8SBMCAUPCJz8XLWvn49NLsblW2E3GD2D9qN7SEvB53k8b/s320/62029_442877378865_94222093865_5079581_7450515_n.jpg" /> Me and Leigh Scarritt as my Aunt Alicia<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531262905049551090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVflK-3SciUfNgq9cysU2Y6P8rsprJwHC9u4JNJzUcY6RqgSpSmiczBslZAsKwqmOFRzvEo6rCfjxwR37_J_gnm_rdATrRwS0uVR0yrhRF5EtYrefPtvO6T0JOYM8820v2Mg-fsq-35Mu/s320/34696_442877293865_94222093865_5079575_1102260_n.jpg" /> The Night They Invented Champagne! Rita, Benjamin and myself<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531262901183059442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LZ2Q8EBsIyXlenC4v3oCny7w2u308jw9l8QRREhdU3T1ANWHz1-DFaW5QEldtDjPTOrI5VYsmGdVAOMj6oGJ0dlPUI5m4nVt7UujFQ-uXgGiAfPQCeFWaGTyhBHlYbXF3ZNw09YXvBnl/s320/60163_442877193865_94222093865_5079570_6559677_n.jpg" /> </div>SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-90963491662119687702010-09-15T10:46:00.000-07:002010-09-15T11:07:04.357-07:00Happiest Place on EarthThis year, Ibis and I decided to get annual passes for Disneyland. Let me tell you, we're making the most of them! I bought them in May and I've already been 5 times! I'll be going again tomorrow, too. :) Here are some fun pictures we've taken the past two times we've gone.<br /><br /><div align="center">Cute pic of Marli with her brand new Minnie Mouse hat.</div><div align="center">We had it embroidered with Marli Jayne on it.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweHfKVhkiT7pUFu15YrxCRvZryw4Am9r4bn52kOj6X0o9mvNrAHmXFHPHL4WBXOgePTy2VkvWeBxbCjnvFgcjn7Pr9HWOIGDspEmcpeNkyzlIN_9DdaC1EYgH9vwHnV0xQWGTp7bi0QF9/s1600/DSCN3245.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517199779189833650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweHfKVhkiT7pUFu15YrxCRvZryw4Am9r4bn52kOj6X0o9mvNrAHmXFHPHL4WBXOgePTy2VkvWeBxbCjnvFgcjn7Pr9HWOIGDspEmcpeNkyzlIN_9DdaC1EYgH9vwHnV0xQWGTp7bi0QF9/s320/DSCN3245.JPG" /></a> This was taken while standing in line for Pirates of the Caribbean.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAholeaacy1UOnn2c_wh34Ja9UE_AjvBHV3u8jpbUNMeiTvTJ2hnIj_PE8dB-u5DwmC4v-Rg4ZhaFIYDd56DGD84S0RTZmM5b7PzHjGLyioVPcvi_pHXWqnM1c1MvEfE7saoEWdYoHrhi/s1600/DSCN3248.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517199769177456866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAholeaacy1UOnn2c_wh34Ja9UE_AjvBHV3u8jpbUNMeiTvTJ2hnIj_PE8dB-u5DwmC4v-Rg4ZhaFIYDd56DGD84S0RTZmM5b7PzHjGLyioVPcvi_pHXWqnM1c1MvEfE7saoEWdYoHrhi/s320/DSCN3248.JPG" /></a>Marli LOVES The Sword in the Stone. She watches that movie all the time, so it was appropriate to have her try to take the sword out!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimn_2wuYDYyNbrvOSIS-I0N-hbPaFIzkzTc8dV3OO5o8b1h6VDlwCEErHKG-HEqNF-noZq91spaEubdKgAt0xYyM74DPGYGh537OgcrwMEUHmyIXXUdK63XrcCg2CIFxId2EsE6p5Ut5Hi/s1600/DSCN3156.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517199759824314754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimn_2wuYDYyNbrvOSIS-I0N-hbPaFIzkzTc8dV3OO5o8b1h6VDlwCEErHKG-HEqNF-noZq91spaEubdKgAt0xYyM74DPGYGh537OgcrwMEUHmyIXXUdK63XrcCg2CIFxId2EsE6p5Ut5Hi/s320/DSCN3156.JPG" /></a>Last time we took Marli, she was so scared of all the characters! Finally, this last time she warmed right up to them. She gave them hugs and she was smiling. Much better!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMobd9-P9OX5LgJiJBMi_ZFNFfFR6GVImpytFWggnKRVSTU9e0Lpn2KkJDfiDg3Pkw0LwE-ovlXh36H8-K7bM1i9oAJ520pj37H8-Bsls_1pZe8VvoZ9apm4KsFblis9LevVm_hbOR-Zg/s1600/DSCN3254.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517199736516967970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMobd9-P9OX5LgJiJBMi_ZFNFfFR6GVImpytFWggnKRVSTU9e0Lpn2KkJDfiDg3Pkw0LwE-ovlXh36H8-K7bM1i9oAJ520pj37H8-Bsls_1pZe8VvoZ9apm4KsFblis9LevVm_hbOR-Zg/s320/DSCN3254.JPG" /></a> It was the end of the evening and we were getting Marli's hat embroidered over on Main St. Off to the side, kind of out of the way, Minnie, Mickey and Goofy came over, so we got right in and took pictures. Goofy was all silly (of course!) and he wanted to include the janitorial staff members who were standing around there. :)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyjg6wn2KXHpLzhyICcdpcb15hmsuVBnXb5HP2Stja6T74lOtr40ilL6HrZLsPS8eli9kvEZ_JSXwNChPSQ709xr9fnvhA_pek97SAIyexpzS-NwooL1cxUTNEIRtTfFKgCkwWCZ00wXR/s1600/DSCN3253.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517199411653690626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyjg6wn2KXHpLzhyICcdpcb15hmsuVBnXb5HP2Stja6T74lOtr40ilL6HrZLsPS8eli9kvEZ_JSXwNChPSQ709xr9fnvhA_pek97SAIyexpzS-NwooL1cxUTNEIRtTfFKgCkwWCZ00wXR/s320/DSCN3253.JPG" /></a>The Mouse himself!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEsHvePIpryXux81BiSbarZ_0dM96lMvb7Qp__XykJPcE-RxeijTeXz0R4ZphgufQ5sFGIEmQ-Y3t7gsNSLOVxFA1V4sKRnuj3CiIbwWpq9XiuCJ9b8aptcjoZh0vbvWrms0PK_lha85T/s1600/DSCN3250.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517199403437965490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEsHvePIpryXux81BiSbarZ_0dM96lMvb7Qp__XykJPcE-RxeijTeXz0R4ZphgufQ5sFGIEmQ-Y3t7gsNSLOVxFA1V4sKRnuj3CiIbwWpq9XiuCJ9b8aptcjoZh0vbvWrms0PK_lha85T/s320/DSCN3250.JPG" /></a>Waiting in line for Pirates.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYmbFKjzoIsJz7F8xJzp-fXJp2_-zcS3oxjqnqbXZ51vFoEsC6jJvJr1nZypGJ1MeNK5uFWPxlRqNd8LKdZWEpLADHERf3LXg93l5dysKKtMmQTDD9Bun0De6z_JIPt9A8yOJ8QDljw1R/s1600/DSCN3247.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517199399820426850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYmbFKjzoIsJz7F8xJzp-fXJp2_-zcS3oxjqnqbXZ51vFoEsC6jJvJr1nZypGJ1MeNK5uFWPxlRqNd8LKdZWEpLADHERf3LXg93l5dysKKtMmQTDD9Bun0De6z_JIPt9A8yOJ8QDljw1R/s320/DSCN3247.JPG" /></a>A mommy and Marli pose.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBNgpCpfQWU5SKFUOEmG4g6zjwmheEclEMHF0Xr4-ADJBX7JwQJA3cTmDKbjVeGxLntZlV3nYrd1ZpHE0FWHLZFrMETyt7VqoBPtPmSIW7dlSBEXU6kRRerEgah69hbLnskK4ILpwwT5d/s1600/DSCN3242.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517199397855220066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBNgpCpfQWU5SKFUOEmG4g6zjwmheEclEMHF0Xr4-ADJBX7JwQJA3cTmDKbjVeGxLntZlV3nYrd1ZpHE0FWHLZFrMETyt7VqoBPtPmSIW7dlSBEXU6kRRerEgah69hbLnskK4ILpwwT5d/s320/DSCN3242.JPG" /></a> I don't know about anyone else, but I've NEVER seen the Fairy Godmother around at Disneyland. I had to get a picture!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcOs-PW-LIUSqGaTcJdnAd8ZJlBOP2HML5KzxnBjDoZnc_fYxsRiFJZEzkfL88w8rvcJbE0zP1EKZEi6jGC2gW5tpYRIPCsLSrk2b5O3yuHIN0qZIH0ec5v7BxhXo1h4EWZxL-PCVSFnY/s1600/DSCN3235.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517199385195688162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcOs-PW-LIUSqGaTcJdnAd8ZJlBOP2HML5KzxnBjDoZnc_fYxsRiFJZEzkfL88w8rvcJbE0zP1EKZEi6jGC2gW5tpYRIPCsLSrk2b5O3yuHIN0qZIH0ec5v7BxhXo1h4EWZxL-PCVSFnY/s320/DSCN3235.JPG" /></a>I love this statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. One of my favorite places in the park.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvjVz2w-Q4MjICwgeVgR5AFDMx00I4igJ_LKszCDviUAWK5FHV13prm7Bqa52JqIm2SG_K95aeD5zSI6PzpaetwPyX24XmIStY1_I-rSgvHyLnyx39hg3-VMHRhRM1mtSpNMaxi5Ie_eS/s1600/DSCN3231.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517198753984637858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvjVz2w-Q4MjICwgeVgR5AFDMx00I4igJ_LKszCDviUAWK5FHV13prm7Bqa52JqIm2SG_K95aeD5zSI6PzpaetwPyX24XmIStY1_I-rSgvHyLnyx39hg3-VMHRhRM1mtSpNMaxi5Ie_eS/s320/DSCN3231.JPG" /></a> We were first in line over at California Adventure to see Mickey.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-u7nqkCvADmeBEkJZ6dolttMS5fSJWHFyWfbwIgqg4QHr7e2wRrgInD2KaSvWnyeTDTr-_w_C1DdRzcv9i1LB6eF6WhDOpij-TKJ87bj9Qu0cjnp4p4zTdmypPkkKsjCza5xgviyd9av/s1600/DSCN3222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517198746249258930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-u7nqkCvADmeBEkJZ6dolttMS5fSJWHFyWfbwIgqg4QHr7e2wRrgInD2KaSvWnyeTDTr-_w_C1DdRzcv9i1LB6eF6WhDOpij-TKJ87bj9Qu0cjnp4p4zTdmypPkkKsjCza5xgviyd9av/s320/DSCN3222.JPG" /></a> She LOVES Disneyland. She gets so excited the whole week before we go.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw46Dn2tCq0bEjqTqh7vSsX8ftMSI5pIL0q3DuqimduRyaRj_hKqsbm2sLoVBXVNq94edr0Do898sAVhnZ7xrNy81OZP0s4ng8z3GxxgNeVEW0BYs0vvIeqS6mWV6jvikk3BSlsnMG7-Y/s1600/DSCN3218.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517198743422921842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw46Dn2tCq0bEjqTqh7vSsX8ftMSI5pIL0q3DuqimduRyaRj_hKqsbm2sLoVBXVNq94edr0Do898sAVhnZ7xrNy81OZP0s4ng8z3GxxgNeVEW0BYs0vvIeqS6mWV6jvikk3BSlsnMG7-Y/s320/DSCN3218.JPG" /></a> Of course, we had to get a picture of Cinderella (or C-lella, as Marli says)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQOMNvEEj0UqVCvPYkYiNJr9bT30VxHzSmWnKfzHqgvKC5dz8eZvJeSWlts9qPa-b4tnT85BI5xrLyPA5IdxrxlKBrr7d6Il4C-husG3CS7TDA9anw7g7lxBVMz8gf8kbpfg5MUCPX4FO/s1600/DSCN3155.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517198735537161106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQOMNvEEj0UqVCvPYkYiNJr9bT30VxHzSmWnKfzHqgvKC5dz8eZvJeSWlts9qPa-b4tnT85BI5xrLyPA5IdxrxlKBrr7d6Il4C-husG3CS7TDA9anw7g7lxBVMz8gf8kbpfg5MUCPX4FO/s320/DSCN3155.JPG" /></a>Obligatory pic at the entrance. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdGPir2W6g_kkVoaT07o5UbtiPXLEzS_P_ZNdeAgiwAx8WfCVl58JRm7KkHnFFWDoEELlaX4PJPzAy77dZhoqGQzHy6wksw3TDIzXF2Sv6Nl7Ml9O_q0cHlP8BEGQpVmMU1fP3yOHBWNd/s1600/DSCN3153.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517198726617438354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdGPir2W6g_kkVoaT07o5UbtiPXLEzS_P_ZNdeAgiwAx8WfCVl58JRm7KkHnFFWDoEELlaX4PJPzAy77dZhoqGQzHy6wksw3TDIzXF2Sv6Nl7Ml9O_q0cHlP8BEGQpVmMU1fP3yOHBWNd/s320/DSCN3153.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-17485619324102087372010-09-10T22:57:00.000-07:002010-09-10T22:59:21.489-07:00Cute Words from MooShe says:<br /><br />-bodeddy (spaghetti)<br />-disland (Disneyland)<br />-gerplize! (surprise)<br />-honey bird (hummingbird)<br /><br />Just needed to write these down before I forget and she gets all big on me and speaks properly! *sniff*SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-38822269522408637372010-08-02T23:28:00.001-07:002010-08-02T23:39:54.296-07:00A Novel Idea!One thing I've always wanted to do is write a novel. Is it something I've ever gone to school for? No. Is it something I am particularly good at? No. Since I just ended those last two sentences in prepositions, I think I'm well on my way to a bestseller! LOL.<br /><br />I've been a bookworm my entire life. My mom used to tell me that she'd have to "unlearn me how to read." She and I happen to be grammar freaks...meaning that we notice and call out any typos we find in anything we read. I would have to correct my friends' notes that they'd pass to me in school. It would bother me to no end when they'd misuse the different spellings for "your" and "you're" and especially "to", "too" and "two"! I would read in the bathtub, on the toilet (okay, who doesn't?), in the car, under the covers when my light was supposed to be out, on the couch....you get the idea. My parents would drive me to the library every 3 weeks to check out my books. I'd check out the maximum number, which was 23 books, and return all of them three weeks later, having read all of them. These weren't picture books. They were full-on novels. I rarely would watch tv. I think I'm making up for that now in my adult life. My mom even bought me a light that would go around my neck and flip up to shed light on the book I'd be holding on my lap. That's what I'd use under the covers. Hee hee.<br /><br />Anyway, I decided to finally jump on it and get crackin' on my novel. I believe I've come up with a fairly good plot that will have some appeal to many different readers. I don't want to reveal too much here. You never know if it ends up being a Harry Potter or Twilight phenomenon! Right. It does have a vampire element and some supernatural super special stuff. Like my alliteration? Check back on my progress through this new journey into the world of writing fiction. I've already written 3 whole pages. Wow.SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-19655825665384385572010-07-11T19:08:00.000-07:002010-07-11T19:59:55.198-07:00Florida and Bahamas Vacation!Ibis and I were able to get away on a wonderful vacation, just the two of us. In January 2009, I got an email about a free cruise. All I had to do was call them up and pay about $250. That included a 3 day 2 night cruise to the Bahamas from West Palm Beach, Florida. Well, that was too cool, so I did it. Then, they said that if I pay an additional $150, I'd get:<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>-2 nights in Ft. Lauderdale, FL</div><div>-2 nights in Orlando, FL</div><div>-a rental car for all 7 days of the vacation</div><div>-all food at the hotel (breakfast, lunch, dinner) covered<br /></div><div> </div><div>So, yeah, I decided that for $400, that was a pretty decent deal! It was a headache trying to figure out when we could go. I wanted to do this for Ibis's 30th birthday in April, but life was so busy that we couldn't get away until the end of June into the beginning of July. Well, I needed to book the vacation within 1.5 years of booking, so we barely made it!!!</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what we did:</div><div> </div><div></div><div>We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale on June 27th in the evening. We checked in and then pretty much just relaxed at the hotel. The following morning, we had to go sit through a timeshare presentation (yes, that's why it was such a cheap trip!). We kept saying "no" to the timeshare people and finally got back our $40 deposit and future vacations out of it (4 days, 3 nights in Puerto Vallarta and 3 days 2 nights in Las Vegas). Then, we decided to go to the beach for the rest of the day. We ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. right on the beach and then just laid out and relaxed by dipping in the super warm, clear water. </div><div><br /> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492844024342263346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_e0J0KOZfSE_gZ-IxVU_-PWKJ-ikacRIyOww3hRKz6kXYzHFdjOPNRG4cqKkqdMq0qt3woCQXheF9qzGmqBJof1O1_bQ5AwBL1tsHDeIU8Dr8z3CRYMgU9a7_RwJgUnH2eUiTs7p1JYi/s320/DSCN2804.JPG" /></div><div>The following day, we slept in and ate at the hotel. Then, we drove to West Palm Beach, where we boarded our cruise ship, the Bahamas Celebration. We had fun eating and lounging around. I sang karaoke (of course!) that evening and we saw a great show on the ship. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492844029737040194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg0FlPacg4ymsTu_F9Hv_wjyf6RSuHpgZR-1dbBKC9IkzXrWXY3kigONRhSjjVu8QZIcmi3xuGjSuFrxrHoD9b7RSc0LwfjvuTN9r_PgLf4fExWCz35KuWqcgSsFEh1anavOigamei11E/s320/DSCN2816.JPG" /> <div>When our ship pulled into the port on Grand Bahama Island, it was soooo hot! The weather is so different out there than in San Diego. It's truly tropical. San Diego is a tropical wannabe desert! We chose to go snorkeling for our excursion. I'd never been and we had to take a boat out about 2 miles or so to the reef. We got in and there were tons of beautiful tropical fish. Black and yellow, black and white and even a baracuda creeping around down on the bottom! I wish I could have gotten pictures of it....maybe next time!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492844034695201666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3K6bj9ZzIbl9NueX6cEt6OWWqTNhHJR7cByGVwNvdhok_pCkFr02CawH51OPN39qOtBkszSxfwS5pybbLLnMHe1ZtYFxewuW9fQOA1JEFQpi3fVeD1vC14KcW2eTPJ2BdY8gI18VX2pyb/s320/DSCN2824.JPG" />After the snorkeling adventure, we pulled back in and had some lunch at a little dive. I had a club sandwich and Ibis had fish and chips. We had to get some ice cream because it was so darn hot! We walked over to a public beach (at least I think it was a public beach....we didn't get stopped, so it must have been!) and dipped in the water. I, of course, got fried being out in the sun for so long that day in such intense heat. I couldn't even lay out on my towel, so we just swam in the ocean for a couple of hours.<br /><div></div><br /><div>We then went souvenir shopping; got a couple of cute dresses for Marli and myself, a necklace for Mia, an outfit for Ian, and a couple of other things for family members. Then, back to the ship!<br /></div><div>We had a wonderful meal that night after we napped on the ship. We saw another show and Dario Gaucho (the performer who used real gaucho stones) called Ibis up on the stage with him. Pretty hilarious! I'll have to figure out how to post the video. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>The next day, we disembarked and drove to Orlando, FL. All along Florida's Turnpike, there were billboards exclaiming "Stop Here!" "Get Discounted Theme Park Tickets!". Well, we had to stop! We go into the place after about an hour of seeing these signs all along the road and the lady says that we can get $3 off each of our theme park tickets just for stopping in. This was on Thursday and we had all day Friday to go to a park. We decided to go to Islands of Adventure, the Universal Studios secondary park. Since we live in Southern California, we have Universal Studios, Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld, and so forth. So, we chose to either do Busch Gardens in Tampa, or Islands of Adventure in Orlando because we don't have anything like them really. She then said that we could get $30 off each ticket if we go sit through ANOTHER timeshare presentation on Friday morning at 7:30. We said, no thanks. Then, she said, "you know, I can get them for you for free if you go." So, we said YES! That means that we saved $85 per person just for sitting through another presentation. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>On Friday, we girded up our loins and went to the presentation full-on ready to say "no" to this resort ownership opportunity. They lowered the price SOOOO much that we were seriously tempted. We held out, though and in the end did NOT walk away owning a vacation resort. Whew! We did, however, agree that when the time does come to buy at a resort for a timeshare, Orlando would be the place to do it. It is the #1 family vacation destination in the world, due to all the theme parks and beaches close by. That would be good for when we wanted to trade out to go to other resorts. This particular resort was beautiful! This was the 4th one of these things we've done and it was, by far the best one! It was called Mystic Dunes Resort and it had a championship golf course as its main attraction.</div><br /><div></div><div>That evening, we went to Downtown Disney (which is 10 times bigger than ours here at DLand). We ate at Portobello's Restaurant and had a wonderful meal. We walked around with our ponchos on getting soaking wet and had a great date. They had a million little Disney shops and a very cool art gallery with all kinds of Disney art. That had to be the coolest shop of all. There were a couple of paintings of little children with their Disney stuffed animals and Ibis really, really liked those. I'll have to remember that for a future gift. :)</div></div><div><div></div><br /><div>Moving on to the theme park on Friday. Total blast! We rode on every ride twice practically since it had been pouring the night before and there were very few people in the park. The absolute coolest thing about this trip, in my opinion, was the Harry Potter section of that park. We were there just 2 weeks after it opened! I was so stoked to be there and go on the coolest rides ever. I had a butterbeer (cream soda with a butterscotch topping) in a souvenir mug and walked through Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village. Super cool. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492847021948144242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZK3SHblX4XQCh0QM1um4NaV0ixeBEMmLApcJddZWujTmSDjOkBTd_V-40r6JP4g1ciM4BGprtMHhgE7Tgp-bs667xITg2njySgHKfMOqzgllT7eY6VVUugGsl1TJbxuBtLzi-bz60riCa/s320/DSCN2921.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492847015513020354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFH8l6-SPc4imHp2RBY9jDvhWBuOzDCWVojHMURtYjpqtCnhhIK5d1ULIAKRDdOmVzSc33wJvo_v5xowp1iJN1bTrYR-sXxIYLy9JKkggY8WlD8Lay6c25YtL6G2_JmyIi6TSXAB4Bs6D/s320/DSCN2849.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492847008712647362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifijq6WlLv2gvdhh4giAi4tfmYZ5eUon84e6g42W3SoD_K41ZIGIjHy9Pj9EWSYWLQZYpiEQyW2mUloAnZXi0oy93FV-vdrB5d4h7eISn0X3NFcaOLL4eseTwvtBBSeopk69I6lJe_bxfW/s320/DSCN2943.JPG" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492847001087683666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDROp3q-kyIDfUaQ4Xpt2tjrDEX6G3KIA5StLoB5lmp4aYIDMLf0h5Z80MfqD3FxLNCFbq9QhoqWzzP0hPWqI2tabRD2DF7v6nNzAfl2yZirQLYwlL3Y4ITg26-70YAhBpD9J4DTm4k7kw/s320/DSCN2941.JPG" /> <div></div><div>After we left the park, we went to a Steak n' Shake (Ibis had never been to one) and had burgers, fries and shakes. Yummy! After our tummies were full, we got back to the hotel and flat out CRASHED!</div><div></div><br /><div>Our flight left on Saturday at 3:45 and we had a layover in Dallas, TX (on purpose!) so that we could go to dinner with Erin, Curtis, Reagan and Ian. This was the first time meeting little Ian and he was such a doll!!!! Reagan is such a big girl now! It was fun being with them and eating yummy bbq.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492844014076224226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZjQrsSRtZ_njfHU3aeuQPd6zgLSZNHU3uAvlWjziNVZt_4slRGIi3a2zXvBfvA9MK9u5rXirexs9VuQpZvk0wxSATHfTyO8gDTUx203IhFt4GUhLB4pUm-AC6YNhmbEwm6WWU7_3c8om/s320/DSCN2973.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492844007435208322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9ggBN4pCOaHoj-WKnGVgLspgt6KcrFtnZlIdGGcxcXJlMUYF8NgFCBA3MmJtDRNXBrLVnOINLJwRNnuQs1ZHWiVWf3Ax2L9GFkxE_ky2juLAkfD6elJrp7rhmb9wQ8tBL-RMsnWdETuY/s320/DSCN2969.JPG" />Of course, all vacations have to end. :( So, we headed back to our busy lives in San Diego on Saturday evening and can't wait to go on another vacation really soon!!!<br /><br /><div>Here's to Cancun in December!! :)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-70559892351276254362010-05-28T08:39:00.001-07:002010-05-28T08:46:29.716-07:00Gigi<div align="center">I got a phone call from Leon Natker at Lyric Opera San Diego, that they are definitely wanting me to be Gigi this fall in <em>Gigi</em>. I'm very excited about this, but a bit nervous about the French accent! I'll need to get on that ASAP! Also, they are doing <em>Gondoliers</em> next February and there is a mezzo role for me in that, as well as Chava in <em>Fiddler on the Roof </em>after <em>Gondoliers</em>. Whew! Busy season, but that means more money! I'm so blessed to have such a supportive family and especially a husband who allows me to be who I am and supports me in all I set my mind to. :) </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476347269917936130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eznFcp3gcNyeOdzbd4LZkzOJLmzAU0pBvO-USSQ-KzFbzmpeBZa7WWs3e3xY49uxlcSPVimP0nh3DJDGceyGQlofGPfIw1HV6VwSxwOEUMLRAY6fyI7dTn2VY3v2cM8E2zL-QHuNetQ_/s320/5veedk2ckss3v5es.jpg" /> <p align="center">Leslie Caron as <em>Gigi</em><br /></p><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476347273309175218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70UQ5uRZiB-NBD25vnr1gz-Van9l-K9hb6YSpuWw5Qm3F_Fi97Y9vUiZRyUSd5jWyO-O4m3rHIvdyOR_1gUNLkjn8yJtOMQFf0nJPrKQJnzuHk06iG9jil7d-7iNqMTdk2lJ80FZrmpbL/s320/5veg7izg2ezc7gz5.jpg" />SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-69395891768337113772010-05-14T12:28:00.000-07:002010-05-14T12:34:17.172-07:00Christmas 2009I haven't posted a lot of pictures due to not uploading them onto my computer. So, here are some from Christmas:<br /><div align="center">With Tio David, playing the drums</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471210409397094018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt75ngeHQv-mq7-z8lSOjiv9s9_TLCcLO6OduzdNFIfEtY7HgPUj3kYIDZeBxqE8XQa7xZGs-7v-8k7huURzLCSJEnMRAFxoO483k5Ou5-VKMWibmx5FTVWnoA-ed_cKPA1bzSdFhDjOW/s320/DSCN2462.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">A "mommy, why are you taking my picture" picture with Daddy.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471210400632687026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErZloKMG-s8sJFK997GwxbqYytf_NLXcbzq1WWA2z9DeMKqv-yH9Rcbg15Vh96drjTo_zTAMyJde3gIjWcwKiNXYa8bXMHZIVUd-StwN0m8UxnA_YE-_y41BFhO5u1RieZGSx6B6ofqlP/s320/DSCN2466.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Christmas in San Diego</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471210393022235506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9F0nyXzqk-p8fWP2B5DlgIffrHtETd9PGPXZol_89zH1MBtSVc7uCgIr8JxBNWpsO8WZlP8vDizGONiMtQZm_SAHvj_6EeJ_FYmWw3SHA0z-5LAn75zznYYCgNXGfbUfP6xcvXW1bXKi/s320/DSCN2458.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Opening gifts...</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471210381395165698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNFCyGCP7djRjfxrrEEuZcxhuM9chCCHJf-SINHoUeg_4m400L8IBCEpJdUzhIHnN8gAodrNMSqaK01A5KrXH5JJz97y5g0kaVtWZdsHpfr9Xut1mj_qc6AcjpcWUo53j7xwAP22DutHv/s320/DSCN2463.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Superstar!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471210370896374626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvBTc1bDHkFXSVohXPvd9ASllV39eqSgx23-xRn1IWkwk_84GLlKUo22kRtxSzo7dI6zhGDK8oNJONO57UWTls66GWPEJIQ3-9Poef0rGc4NUoc-YrQ3Ue-LLVO4sSEe8pPDYucRn15iW/s320/DSCN2460.JPG" /><br />More pictures to follow of Easter and random stuff. :)SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-13996359582960087522010-05-07T19:39:00.001-07:002010-05-07T19:45:48.313-07:00Marli-speak 2Marli LOVES to help out whenever I need to get something done. So, she says, "I help it." However, when I need her to clean up her toys or mess, she suddenly doesn't want to "help it." Hmmmm....<br /><br />She's counting to 15 now very clearly. She counts EVERYTHING! The bubbles at the gym (there are bubbles going up the clear wall in water), the steps leading up to our apartment, her crayons, etc. She sometimes forgets the number 4 and the number 8, but she remembers and then tacks them on at the end. She also loves to sing the ABC's. She's getting it down pretty good now. Repetition is key and there is no lack of repetition with a two-year-old! I think I sang it with her 10 times in a row in the car the other day. <br /><br />When her little cousin, Mia, is around, watch out! They are the terrible twosome! They were over at Coco's last night and Ibis had fallen asleep on the couch, Geno was busy cleaning something and I was up in Escondido away from the action. Geno found them in Coco's room smearing Vaseline in their hair like shampoo. Thus began the fun rounds of shampooing to try to get that stuff out. After 4-5 shampoos, her hair is still a big greaseball. I did try cornstarch. I left it in her hair for about 2 hours to soak up the grease and then I just shampooed her hair again for the 5th time, I believe. Well, it sort of worked. Not too bad. I think one more round of cornstarch and shampoo might do the trick. I also heard that rubbing an egg in the hair might help......Oh, what fun! LOL!SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-15768988136987664332010-04-29T13:39:00.000-07:002010-04-29T13:50:19.367-07:00News, News and More News....Well, actually, not too much news. Turns out we can't buy the house we wanted because of a stupid techincality, despite having our offer accepted. Blah! Anyway, the hunt is still on and we're still keeping our fingers crossed that we'll find something soon. <br /><br />In other news, we were trying for a baby for about a month in January, but then I was offered a lead role in a show at Lyric Opera for the fall (Gigi in <em>Gigi</em>....that would have put me at around 9 months pregnant! Sooo....I did not get pregnant, despite our best efforts, and we stopped trying for the time being. Although, it would have been great news either way. I'm still really, really, really wanting to have another baby asap! Stay tuned, though because we'll be on the baby hunt at the end of the year (probably around September/October) after my show ends.<br /><br />I also was called back for a couple of leading roles at Starlight Theatre. I haven't auditioned there in quite a few years because of pregnancy and other stuff going on. So, I decided to audition again this year and I was super close to getting the lead in Suds. But, they went with someone else, telling me that I was the second choice. I still have another callback for The Pajama Game this weekend; however, the role is a glorified chorus role. On the plus side, I'd really get to do lots of dancing, which I miss. So, I'm still interested in getting that role and I'll see what happens.<br /><br />Marli is still as cute as ever. She's talking up a storm and she understands practically everything we say. She knows all her colors and she can even read a tiny bit. She's on her way to learning her alphabet and she knows all her animals, too. She says "bless you" when I sneeze and after I say "bless you" when she sneezes, she says "thank you". Very polite! She's still lovin' the Elmo and Ibis got her a super cute Elmo armchair from the swap meet for $6. Way to go, Daddy! Cute words:<br /><br />Bula - balloon<br />Ewata- Elephant<br />Saraca - Santa Claus (yes, it's almost May and she's still obsessed with the jolly old man)<br /><br />Overall, she's such a sweetheart and I love being with her! I can't wait to meet my new nephew, Ian. I will definitely get out there soon to Texas to visit with Reagan and Ian. :)<br /><br />Ibis's job is going well. Looks like he'll be with this company for a long time. Please pray that he does! <br /><br />I guess that's about it for now....I'm still teaching ballroom dance, cake decorating classes and selling my Mary Kay products. Just keeping super busy, as usual.SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-89546456700083146922010-04-26T17:10:00.000-07:002010-04-26T17:12:22.303-07:00Happy Birthday Ian Nathaniel Lynch!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i4YOz86j-xLo70afJ4sbGYHWQ6LcZeCjx8tNqXxyV56NRgs_PEXsoLyj_P4BkWH-XF8GfHLPXCJuSQ_mEfYfhsS1uLsJrHrTsWWC2XrNrHRTfXhxWFcE_Ng61PirA9bKZ9qvivgXZ9-E/s1600/Ian+Nathaniel+Lynch+4.26.10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464603382596803218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i4YOz86j-xLo70afJ4sbGYHWQ6LcZeCjx8tNqXxyV56NRgs_PEXsoLyj_P4BkWH-XF8GfHLPXCJuSQ_mEfYfhsS1uLsJrHrTsWWC2XrNrHRTfXhxWFcE_Ng61PirA9bKZ9qvivgXZ9-E/s320/Ian+Nathaniel+Lynch+4.26.10.jpg" /></a> My sister, Erin, gave birth today to a healthy baby boy! I'm so excited that we have a little boy in our immediate family now. :) He weighed in at 10 lbs even, 20.5 inches at 12:46pm on April 26th, 2010. YAY!SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-86075877070929476682010-03-30T09:00:00.000-07:002010-03-30T09:04:23.562-07:00Career Conference 2010I went with Margi Eno's unit to Phoenix, AZ for Career Conference this year. It was a blast! Here are some pics:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454457865790531730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGEkTeABLic4NtcWp-eekamhPLBpGcG57paTb3BUJIb_qUqN62xw__f4QnRXtfLjjWN1kqQ3ExBgzoP310F4hel2z_HZVUP4Rtyojw7cOETZgKBY6Nb-D5UhW7j6ddCQzQaZmAXt33fcV/s320/2010_0320carlsjrscottsdale0017.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">This was at Margi's timeshare property in Scottsdale after the conference. Lot's of fun by the jacuzzi!</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454457858136136738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5FyViOaZQcRUUEb8RWGx-K8BmCiLfFCyDaTHWeShMmzHw-oexuToajb06aib3JjA2FXguUsxChrOLx4Ko8FQ37FHbZafhnJRi-jGEWauV-CZGfLBnzFDfxtXGNONwXAVSZmhRvSFO71_/s320/2010_0320carlsjrscottsdale0003.JPG" /> <p align="center">Posing with the gals!<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454457849333363570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYQTP11OKcFpzhAovqkMfUgwufYWklp9DuJZ0GnoEmFhI42MEdTjak4Ik3hfCwUH_VPk58XwstkPGdE48eQT_Zze_hlJDErOQVYPA9hqbHxhlqYL5vuuA2jhkN8hwHA-KZuKri9c7QF3i/s320/2010_0320carlsjrscottsdale0002.JPG" /> <p align="center">Doin' the Macarena. I know, old school!</p><p align="center">(note to self....get out of that red jacket!!!!)<br /></p>SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-50652804094114184072010-03-11T19:50:00.000-08:002010-03-21T18:43:54.792-07:00A New HomeYep, it's finally happened! Our offer has been accepted by the bank and the owners and we're in the process of starting escrow once our loan approval goes through. It shouldn't be a problem since we were pre-approved last year. They just need to run it again and we're way better off financially now than we were this time last year. Ibis had just been laid off last year. I'm so excited....I can hardly wait to have a place of my own that has 3 beds, 2 baths, a bonus room, backyard, deck and jacuzzi. So much space....... It will be so refreshing to actually have my scrapbooking stuff, cake stuff, Mary Kay stuff and everything else in my life in some semblance of order. I just keep thinking of all the possibilities and I just get so happy to imagine moving day. :) I'm excited that we'll still qualify for the tax credit, too. I'll definitely update once it's definitely official. Any prayers you can spare for our little family would be appreciated!SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-65666649537152929372010-01-07T08:54:00.001-08:002010-01-07T08:57:31.553-08:00Marli-speakMarli has some super cute words for stuff. She says "keeta" for candy and over Christmas, she was saying "Santaca" for Santa Claus. Most other words she says pretty well. She leaves off some of the consonants sometimes, but mostly, she gets the words down. She also loves to count and she just points to items and says "one, two, one, two, two..." It's pretty cute. :) I'll be able to post some more pics soon once I get my computer back and the disks with everything on them. Then, I'll be able to post Christmas happenings.SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-81270844672356385002010-01-04T16:07:00.000-08:002010-01-04T16:12:08.398-08:00Got the Role!About a month or so ago, I auditioned for A Little Night Music (Sondheim) at Lyric Opera for the role of Petra. I got it! I'm very excited because it's quite a different role than I'm used to playing. I usually get cast as the young girl who is in love with the leading man....well, not in this show! I'm the saucy maid who tells it like it is and does what she can to get to the top and only wants to have fun. Awesome music in this show and I'm looking forward to beginning rehearsals.<br /><br />I've also taken on choreographing for my friend, Olivia's, musical up in Carlsbad at the school where I did my student teaching about 6 years ago. They're doing Into the Woods (yet another Sondheim show). I start that this week. :) I choreographed Once on This Island for her a few years ago and I'm excited to work with her again. <br /><br />I'll also be starting up with Edudance again this semester after a semester of no classes. So, I have a pretty busy schedule to start off the new year! Lots of things to do. :)SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-33101210161497783422010-01-03T22:29:00.000-08:002010-01-03T22:36:15.163-08:00New Year's Resolutions1. Be better about getting organized.<br />2. Really get my cake biz off the ground. I already have 2 wedding cakes booked for this summer, a baby shower cake in a couple of weeks and more to come!<br />3. Update my blogs more.<br />4. Make more money than last year in all areas of life (ballroom dancing, cake decorating, Mary Kay, performance, etc.)<br />5. Expand my family (hee hee-no there's nothing to report......yet)<br />6. Be accountable with my businesses.<br />7. Find time to scrapbook (naptime should be set aside for that again, ja?)<br />8. Attend the temple more often (Ibis and I went 9 out of 12 months last year...not bad for quadrupling our efforts). But, I'd like to stick with it and attend at least once a month to truly reach that goal.<br />9. Be very diligent in my calling as Primary President and get all the knowledge I need of the position so that I can be a great leader to the children in my ward.<br />10. LOSE 5 MORE POUNDS! Attending the gym is something I've grown to love and I definitely need to keep that up.<br />11. Hardest one of all.............cut back on the sweets. That should help me to attain number 10, don't ya think?<br /><br />Well, I'll keep everyone (that would be all 2 of you who probably read this blog!) updated on these as the year goes on. Hey, it's always good to have a goal, right?<br /><br />POWER ON!SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-75211033648334587402010-01-02T16:44:00.001-08:002010-01-02T16:53:48.249-08:00Change is in the Air<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYLCW6lHs6PznjqHgqxJVsj_iLGUQFYuVdwBOgD8mZBeZQsTXwHiUNygvmpLN_8nNoQlk-oBIP2q7TKlToCSpO33hr7yszANXe0ieL11zyvtiGnLIpMCv0B5Zrr0bbr4354YXTGHqd0Od/s1600-h/Jesus+and+Children.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 187px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 128px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422310351489142754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYLCW6lHs6PznjqHgqxJVsj_iLGUQFYuVdwBOgD8mZBeZQsTXwHiUNygvmpLN_8nNoQlk-oBIP2q7TKlToCSpO33hr7yszANXe0ieL11zyvtiGnLIpMCv0B5Zrr0bbr4354YXTGHqd0Od/s320/Jesus+and+Children.jpg" /></a> Ever since Ibis and I were married, we've both had callings in our ward filled with a lot of responsibility. He started out as a Sunday School teacher for the teen group and I was a Nursery Leader. After about a year, I was moved into the Primary Presidency as Second Counselor and Ibis was moved into the Elder's Quorum Presidency as a counselor. Well, for the past 2 years or so, I've been there in the Primary and he's been Elder's Quorum President for the past year I believe. Recently, I've been called as the Primary President. I'm a little intimidated, but I know it will be okay since I've been in there and pretty much know everything that goes on in the Primary! I guess my calling in this ward is to stick with the little ones. They're so precious and they truly need the love and support of their leaders at church. We have a few convert children in the preteen classes, which is super important! We also have children whose parents don't come to church but they allow the kids to come. It's a major responsibility for me to be able to keep them coming and raise them in the Gospel. I'm looking forward to this change and I hope I'll be able to live up to the calling!SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-2393422933772891462010-01-01T13:17:00.001-08:002010-01-01T13:27:11.516-08:00Family Photo ShootHere they are! Rachel Wattson of Rachel Wattson Photography took our pictures. Her website is <a href="http://www.rachelwattsonphotography.com/">www.rachelwattsonphotography.com</a> if you're interested in seeing more of her work. We had a blast! Ibis is such a good daddy!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZ009mKm9uY6Rsu5t2s-VmmyGTnGnixStGnLeH59fZxlOfAK64spYiSEQO6r1IaGePQxzWsiLhGFVQV_YeRx1WNMl0b-hdMbBOixN2CPpWioXicE7WFX3uBA-xXOkp4nLv4qomghYUUEF/s1600-h/IMG_0090.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421885051713690178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZ009mKm9uY6Rsu5t2s-VmmyGTnGnixStGnLeH59fZxlOfAK64spYiSEQO6r1IaGePQxzWsiLhGFVQV_YeRx1WNMl0b-hdMbBOixN2CPpWioXicE7WFX3uBA-xXOkp4nLv4qomghYUUEF/s320/IMG_0090.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdcKoQKCQ6zSRGivofJo5Ra9RsiY9WKfXP_uadcRpFfYLxq0UKXUlbhCzdNzGu0T1MwDLppZcpbHIgXrDUn-eS5J4DuVLAGZZVdBEYq2Mcv8YQO44APIb-n3anqUXiay9UVYf-5cmNZQh/s1600-h/IMG_0052.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421885043314401186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdcKoQKCQ6zSRGivofJo5Ra9RsiY9WKfXP_uadcRpFfYLxq0UKXUlbhCzdNzGu0T1MwDLppZcpbHIgXrDUn-eS5J4DuVLAGZZVdBEYq2Mcv8YQO44APIb-n3anqUXiay9UVYf-5cmNZQh/s320/IMG_0052.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPRfuhoHfoHU8NTgiPMIac2yJQni7Ceq_CDcCcOwNx1Stg-uW-n0jTjvSj5onmSqoOmwfJaxfhlsa8BlPbs0HoLd649AS4ngkiEKSuuEJSnxYkMxq0YaGzDM4QD7W7Lrujcl2zYjFsjvN/s1600-h/IMG_0057.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421885038795286050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPRfuhoHfoHU8NTgiPMIac2yJQni7Ceq_CDcCcOwNx1Stg-uW-n0jTjvSj5onmSqoOmwfJaxfhlsa8BlPbs0HoLd649AS4ngkiEKSuuEJSnxYkMxq0YaGzDM4QD7W7Lrujcl2zYjFsjvN/s320/IMG_0057.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewQ9tc_7hcD3McICKl_l9wBS-nqjV_NPRNCogl5yZ9l_5bYbPKQpEgzeLoOA5mLGscG-nN4Nef5jYQyMlyWF-b9_tZrRSmropmyx-ziWGdZwbIYyOJ5nIrHY5HwbA-Rpb1gjOfaVmFM3L/s1600-h/IMG_0010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421885033843989026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewQ9tc_7hcD3McICKl_l9wBS-nqjV_NPRNCogl5yZ9l_5bYbPKQpEgzeLoOA5mLGscG-nN4Nef5jYQyMlyWF-b9_tZrRSmropmyx-ziWGdZwbIYyOJ5nIrHY5HwbA-Rpb1gjOfaVmFM3L/s320/IMG_0010.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrSGlKew_esusQXVSXbiZXpuGY44BaR3mzOTJIfTmwAD8Nfba639gEsZKcUsV-D7NnJ3SboY-hQ6nmgpU8AKVYsXKIcK4PEAh9RF_CWNLqekMAdBGKwSxAueubbTbElmAP5an8pvxx3S8/s1600-h/IMG_0226.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421884484442600034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrSGlKew_esusQXVSXbiZXpuGY44BaR3mzOTJIfTmwAD8Nfba639gEsZKcUsV-D7NnJ3SboY-hQ6nmgpU8AKVYsXKIcK4PEAh9RF_CWNLqekMAdBGKwSxAueubbTbElmAP5an8pvxx3S8/s320/IMG_0226.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwioLXCyzi-egCShXctwNpCVzCKH7hl29aXufvum3nWC0H0fxIpdrpy_nDllOYryP4wqTXSCwZY59_Icm_kiMR6qlhM5xrxPmg0SDZcfeN4GEnrFd4JqzLnwJDNK-xN2vh_-crHwhzehcR/s1600-h/IMG_0211.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421884478285594610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwioLXCyzi-egCShXctwNpCVzCKH7hl29aXufvum3nWC0H0fxIpdrpy_nDllOYryP4wqTXSCwZY59_Icm_kiMR6qlhM5xrxPmg0SDZcfeN4GEnrFd4JqzLnwJDNK-xN2vh_-crHwhzehcR/s320/IMG_0211.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV5mjb5wLEfQ6V3c-W92f_ftySwpVla_Kp6b6EfsDD8aQXPue6mQsPfoDQ98DFpMfno0OkCvzV-Lel-4oQrugp5mNvptj2-CF3aZ2JWTzNQEYg_mOAnxJ0jngGGZf2bydI8wRYYdNRMTV/s1600-h/IMG_0209.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421884472985529650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV5mjb5wLEfQ6V3c-W92f_ftySwpVla_Kp6b6EfsDD8aQXPue6mQsPfoDQ98DFpMfno0OkCvzV-Lel-4oQrugp5mNvptj2-CF3aZ2JWTzNQEYg_mOAnxJ0jngGGZf2bydI8wRYYdNRMTV/s320/IMG_0209.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGvKGJ0qdvMIH3HOS607J9Kq9LEWRaEq4ABFS8MMD-cBdFMXx2W_LTf-pSttPmYGBRct8qwfsRtuqgyLAP_7YsxRWKJk8Jw87uBFbQ4JdDhGjJ0pfx7A4PyjkCCzcza3De0Wpqs2Hs4AB/s1600-h/IMG_0086.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421884460959666978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGvKGJ0qdvMIH3HOS607J9Kq9LEWRaEq4ABFS8MMD-cBdFMXx2W_LTf-pSttPmYGBRct8qwfsRtuqgyLAP_7YsxRWKJk8Jw87uBFbQ4JdDhGjJ0pfx7A4PyjkCCzcza3De0Wpqs2Hs4AB/s320/IMG_0086.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiOQ7nBCOkgo31_qJfz8S44va4YACahGtJYz0-0fWmBHrjFVs8hy5c4EBjxqzd7-dlLjnptc1-2dAqnPINntYl50cn2h03x96wukaud_gOC9yxPfK5UZuDthsBz3Q6p3ge4icYp-qAOIs/s1600-h/IMG_0031.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421884455398411186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiOQ7nBCOkgo31_qJfz8S44va4YACahGtJYz0-0fWmBHrjFVs8hy5c4EBjxqzd7-dlLjnptc1-2dAqnPINntYl50cn2h03x96wukaud_gOC9yxPfK5UZuDthsBz3Q6p3ge4icYp-qAOIs/s320/IMG_0031.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdnu3rzPjHPA_SXpJfaFddrf1PE4YXld2MlJE0zd5titUPOSwcnq7L0sfTE_XYNMBuYtcbI487ENpml8tqvaSlUy4tu9INiznSegz5hw9FFnmVVygQLgCqE1mRtvT1i5fCKqAmfXZNCd6/s1600-h/IMG_0205.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421884126366025906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdnu3rzPjHPA_SXpJfaFddrf1PE4YXld2MlJE0zd5titUPOSwcnq7L0sfTE_XYNMBuYtcbI487ENpml8tqvaSlUy4tu9INiznSegz5hw9FFnmVVygQLgCqE1mRtvT1i5fCKqAmfXZNCd6/s320/IMG_0205.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBEBlaQuLbCxbbYi9unXwIqBCNeWRZ29ltjvzNpyw74rpBDKNAB1iz5G7Dzg1n53KvASf_13tAmiqp-uGCtJowU_0WtyLwD0cS-uVP27437KUA6V3_D9wimgOKcn-ll63yyXDeAjvcGs-/s1600-h/IMG_0101.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421884120227228786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBEBlaQuLbCxbbYi9unXwIqBCNeWRZ29ltjvzNpyw74rpBDKNAB1iz5G7Dzg1n53KvASf_13tAmiqp-uGCtJowU_0WtyLwD0cS-uVP27437KUA6V3_D9wimgOKcn-ll63yyXDeAjvcGs-/s320/IMG_0101.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcG45eGqVUYBLd5LCdhS95xMdlnKjOH1D6eY1nSwtIXjDPemIslMHB3l6lptOJDClwyQDcuURN4HMS6gzgMZuU4-JJ1UZ1F4wDMD1L3KTUo6Y4K1FiYpsHm-HAD7er-TzAUzwEHjGBugy/s1600-h/IMG_0063.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421884117881635154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcG45eGqVUYBLd5LCdhS95xMdlnKjOH1D6eY1nSwtIXjDPemIslMHB3l6lptOJDClwyQDcuURN4HMS6gzgMZuU4-JJ1UZ1F4wDMD1L3KTUo6Y4K1FiYpsHm-HAD7er-TzAUzwEHjGBugy/s320/IMG_0063.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH8Sx7oOfvqtoGIriE0nP6H9y5OdctxcEIYu6nHSt26TtQ0a-1Lq5XSKxnuVtoTUgBrwZcVaBFSNtc-iR1GMcjws1w9nrk2CkTpLvSaQQQ-qXVkl0i0tReHuZS28lDm8ov0jThNqBjPwL/s1600-h/IMG_0049.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421884105649806946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH8Sx7oOfvqtoGIriE0nP6H9y5OdctxcEIYu6nHSt26TtQ0a-1Lq5XSKxnuVtoTUgBrwZcVaBFSNtc-iR1GMcjws1w9nrk2CkTpLvSaQQQ-qXVkl0i0tReHuZS28lDm8ov0jThNqBjPwL/s320/IMG_0049.jpg" /></a> </div><div>Of course, my hair is long in these pictures and I just recently chopped it off and donated most of it to Locks of Love. That was the first time I'd been able to do that and I would love to do it again once it grows out again. For now, I have a cute little bob that's shorter in back and longer in front. But, I have no pics yet of it, so stay tuned! Marli had sooo much fun at this shoot because she pretty much got to just run around the playground and Rachel snapped photo after photo of her laughing and playing. Fun day. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064548753416048955.post-57580823659224436292009-12-30T12:21:00.001-08:002009-12-30T12:23:26.428-08:00Marli's First Wee Wee!Okay, so that title isn't true, but she did her very first tinkle on the potty last night before bed! It wasn't just a couple of drops, but a nice amount! I'm so proud of her and kinda sad that she's getting so big. :( But, I'm excited for her to continue potty training so she'll be out of diapers soon! Yay!<br /><br />We did a family photo shoot earlier this month and I'll be posting those photos soon!SDLollypoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14429418733614221954noreply@blogger.com2