Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Family photos
The very talented Brent Haywood took our family photos again this year at Mission Trails. As we were driving there, it alternated between sunny and rainy....ended up being perfect weather. With so much going on, we didn't shop for the girls' outfits until the night before. I let them "pick" with some gentle persuasion. It's so great to see how much they grow each year and how their little personalities come out in the photos. Was a very easy shoot. When it comes down to it - doesn't matter the location or the outfits, just thrilled that we are smiling together and creating special moments. Let the holiday season begin!!
Mini update...
Since Jay mentioned that it's been awhile since I blogged, I realize that I need to catch up. I used to feel badly that I didn't have the girls in any summer programs this year, but I am cutting myself some slack and accepting the fact that with the economy and real estate the way they are, I can only do what I can do. We're having summer fun whatever we do :)
Just had to post these hilarious photos. The girls are both super girly and are into make-up, purses, dresses as well as Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana and Selena Gomez. It has been so much fun watching them transition in and out of their phases. Ava still is very much into "Cars" lately..it's so cute! Here's a picture of Ava sporting her new nails...very chi chi. (yes, that is a sticker on her nose)
And all in one day, Sofia discovered a loose tooth and Jay, a few moments later, removed it easily. So as usual, the tooth fairy brought her another few bucks. When we asked her what she wanted to do with the money, she said she wanted to save up to go to China! What?!!! I was ecstatic, so we actually started a China fund jar for her and everyone else to deposit extra change and any money she receives. She even began her "passport" to China.... Will be a very good lesson in saving for her...and who knows, that trip may happen sooner than we all think.
Just a few short months before my contract with Verizon is over, so I've been in total research mode on whether or not I want to switch to AT&T and get an iPhone or stick with Verizon and finally upgrade to some type of device that is fancier than what I have now. So when not in use by its rightful owner Jay, the girls and I are often taking turns playing with his iPhone because of all of the cool apps. I keep saying that the girls can maneuver through it better than I because their fingers are so cute and tiny. This is classic:
Just had to post these hilarious photos. The girls are both super girly and are into make-up, purses, dresses as well as Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana and Selena Gomez. It has been so much fun watching them transition in and out of their phases. Ava still is very much into "Cars" lately..it's so cute! Here's a picture of Ava sporting her new nails...very chi chi. (yes, that is a sticker on her nose)
And all in one day, Sofia discovered a loose tooth and Jay, a few moments later, removed it easily. So as usual, the tooth fairy brought her another few bucks. When we asked her what she wanted to do with the money, she said she wanted to save up to go to China! What?!!! I was ecstatic, so we actually started a China fund jar for her and everyone else to deposit extra change and any money she receives. She even began her "passport" to China.... Will be a very good lesson in saving for her...and who knows, that trip may happen sooner than we all think. Just a few short months before my contract with Verizon is over, so I've been in total research mode on whether or not I want to switch to AT&T and get an iPhone or stick with Verizon and finally upgrade to some type of device that is fancier than what I have now. So when not in use by its rightful owner Jay, the girls and I are often taking turns playing with his iPhone because of all of the cool apps. I keep saying that the girls can maneuver through it better than I because their fingers are so cute and tiny. This is classic:
Overjoyed....
With all of the June gloom happening lately, it was fate that the week leading up to the wedding was sunny and sunnier. The day before the wedding was so exciting, the girls (Sofia, Ava, Jenn, KC and I) met up for a mani/pedi date and coffee. Later that evening was the rehearsal. It was great meeting all of the family and friends on the other side as well as seeing relatives and Jennifer's friends that I had not seen in awhile. The rehearsal at Immaculata was easy breezy thanks to Jennifer's wedding coordinator who was flawless. Afterwards we had a wonderful dinner at Peohe's in Coronado.
The morning of the wedding, we woke up extra early and grabbed Starbucks and met up with Marnie so she could do our make-up. The girls loved it, especially Ava.
After that, we met the rest of the gang at the Hilton for hair and finishing touches. When we got to the hotel, the hair dressers were done with most of the bridesmaids, Jennifer was being worked on. She was breathtaking from the moment I saw her. Luckily the group is very laid back, so the mood inside the room was just fun. We were eating cheese balls from the Filipino bakery and when it was time to get going, it was just so easy. The photographer was doing the "getting ready" photos, and he asked Jenn to take a picture looking into the full-length mirror, when she saw herself, she was so overcome with emotion that she started to cry...she really was stunning.
The ceremony was perfect. Sofia and Ava were great coming down the aisle. Ram was very emotional watching Jenn come down the aisle. She was so statuesque and perfect. Ava was so lovey dovey during the ceremony. She kept kissing me throughout; it was so sweet. I was smiling the entire time, the only time I cried was during the offering to Mary. Afterwards was the usual picture taking then off to the reception just a few miles away at the Serra Museum. 
It was a beautiful afternoon sitting on top of the world. At times it got pretty windy, but overall it was very pleasant, considering it was an outside venue. The wedding party was introduced; I was so happy to be walking out with my girls. Jenn and Ram's first dance was to Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed." Afterwards was the toast. Alf, Ram's best friend, did a great job. I was a bit nervous especially when Alf's last line of his speech was EXACTLY what I planned for my last line...how funny is that?!!! The line was "To love, laughter and happily ever after." 
Ironically, the day before Michael Jackson died, we were at Jenn & Ram's place and I was admiring Ram's collection of records and MJ's Thriller was at the top of the pile. So when we found out about his death, Jenn called the DJ right away to make sure he brought a bunch of MJ to play. During dinner one of the first songs he played was "Human Nature" and all through the night we danced to all of the best MJ songs. 
Speaking of music, it was so fun when Jennifer did her bouquet toss to "Single Ladies"...she was so cute doing the dance...and she and my Dad choreographed a wonderful Father/Daughter dance to "Just the way you are" (one of my Mom's favorite songs). We laughed a lot, cried a bit, and danced the night away. Jenn was so happy. On the program it said that at 9:50pm there was a surprise. It was a perfect end to the evening...fireworks from Sea World and in the background was Journey's "Don't stop believing" It was a great moment. And the last song of the evening was Prince's "Take me with you"....After listing all of these songs, I am totally motivated to make a soundtrack from her special day.
The next day this was the announcement that appeared in the paper. 
Monday: Honeymoon...their itinerary includes London, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Naples/Capri, Rome, Florence, Nice. Nice!
The morning of the wedding, we woke up extra early and grabbed Starbucks and met up with Marnie so she could do our make-up. The girls loved it, especially Ava. After that, we met the rest of the gang at the Hilton for hair and finishing touches. When we got to the hotel, the hair dressers were done with most of the bridesmaids, Jennifer was being worked on. She was breathtaking from the moment I saw her. Luckily the group is very laid back, so the mood inside the room was just fun. We were eating cheese balls from the Filipino bakery and when it was time to get going, it was just so easy. The photographer was doing the "getting ready" photos, and he asked Jenn to take a picture looking into the full-length mirror, when she saw herself, she was so overcome with emotion that she started to cry...she really was stunning. The ceremony was perfect. Sofia and Ava were great coming down the aisle. Ram was very emotional watching Jenn come down the aisle. She was so statuesque and perfect. Ava was so lovey dovey during the ceremony. She kept kissing me throughout; it was so sweet. I was smiling the entire time, the only time I cried was during the offering to Mary. Afterwards was the usual picture taking then off to the reception just a few miles away at the Serra Museum. It was a beautiful afternoon sitting on top of the world. At times it got pretty windy, but overall it was very pleasant, considering it was an outside venue. The wedding party was introduced; I was so happy to be walking out with my girls. Jenn and Ram's first dance was to Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed." Afterwards was the toast. Alf, Ram's best friend, did a great job. I was a bit nervous especially when Alf's last line of his speech was EXACTLY what I planned for my last line...how funny is that?!!! The line was "To love, laughter and happily ever after." Ironically, the day before Michael Jackson died, we were at Jenn & Ram's place and I was admiring Ram's collection of records and MJ's Thriller was at the top of the pile. So when we found out about his death, Jenn called the DJ right away to make sure he brought a bunch of MJ to play. During dinner one of the first songs he played was "Human Nature" and all through the night we danced to all of the best MJ songs. Speaking of music, it was so fun when Jennifer did her bouquet toss to "Single Ladies"...she was so cute doing the dance...and she and my Dad choreographed a wonderful Father/Daughter dance to "Just the way you are" (one of my Mom's favorite songs). We laughed a lot, cried a bit, and danced the night away. Jenn was so happy. On the program it said that at 9:50pm there was a surprise. It was a perfect end to the evening...fireworks from Sea World and in the background was Journey's "Don't stop believing" It was a great moment. And the last song of the evening was Prince's "Take me with you"....After listing all of these songs, I am totally motivated to make a soundtrack from her special day. The next day this was the announcement that appeared in the paper. Monday: Honeymoon...their itinerary includes London, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Naples/Capri, Rome, Florence, Nice. Nice!My Fair Ladies
Oh how I love going to the Fair. Aside from the food, the rides, the exhibits, the photography section and the people-watching...to me, it signifies the beginning of summer. However, the day we went, opening day, sure did not feel like summer. But when you're hobbling around like I was, the cool breeze felt very nice. And when you're hobbling around, the Fair day needs to be shorter than usual....the theme was "Music Mania" and while we were in the music museum area, a microphone stood by itself and jokingly I brought the microphone down to Sofia's height for a cute photo op, and then she just busted out in song...some of the volunteers came over and were cheering her on...I was able to capture a few seconds on my camera.
Thanksgiving 2008
I am so grateful to have been able to spend another Thanksgiving at home with our family.
Somehow, my girls just seem a little too silly for Maddy.
We are in.Vince.ible
Saturday was the Walk for Autism. Thank you to all of the people that sponsored me with their donations: my sister Jennifer Soriano, Ahn Balmeo, Alison Miller, Andrea Dougherty, April Ibay, Barb Humes, Carol Bergen, Christine Calustro, Denny Fallon, Jason & Natalie Lamb and Malou Saradpon. I raised about $500 and still have people that want to donate even after the fact...will happily accept!
It was an absolutely gorgeous morning down at Balboa Park where we met up with the rest of our team. The kids had so much fun and we all had our matching in.Vince.ibles shirts that we had made for the event! (thanks Jed). There were several booths of information regarding Autism Awareness and the energy in the air was wonderful! 
A great event and one that we will participate in every year. We walk for Vince. I am challenging everyone reading this to join us next year!
Cast of Characters
Hope everyone had a great Halloween. We sure did! Sofia's class did not dress up during school, instead they had a field trip to Woodland Park where we set up stations of various crafts and activities. It was such a hot day and the kids had to walk from school to the park, so when they arrived, most of them dressed in orange, their cheeks were all so red! 
The field trip also included their 5th grade buddies, so they took a photo with their buddy and a pumpkin and we made fall-themed photo frames. So cute...
Cinderella (Sofia Grace)
And Jay and Joce (better known as Woody & Jessie from Toy Story 2)
The kids made out with a lot of loot! So much so that Ava could barely carry her basket by the end of the street.... She got a little help from her "friend".
The field trip also included their 5th grade buddies, so they took a photo with their buddy and a pumpkin and we made fall-themed photo frames. So cute... After school we went home and started getting ready for Trick-or-Treating. Our plan was to go to Irene's house in San Elijo Hills (all the good candy is in that neighborhood). So I put some finishing touches on my hand-made costumes for Jay and me. The girls were very anxious to put on their costumes and get the show on the road. So here we are.....
Snow White (also known as Ava)
Cinderella (Sofia Grace) And Jay and Joce (better known as Woody & Jessie from Toy Story 2) I cannot believe I actually got Jay to wear this costume. He was dying having to walk around in boots, and I misjudged the size of my head...my hat looks way too small...but after all was said and done, we had fun and were glad we dressed up for the kids
We met up with Lighting McQueen (Vince) and the beautiful Belle (Olivia)
The kids made out with a lot of loot! So much so that Ava could barely carry her basket by the end of the street.... She got a little help from her "friend".
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