Isabella's Birthday

Well, Isabella had a great 4th birthday this year. It started off with her Birthday party on November 10th. We had it here at the house. She actually invited some friends from school. That was fun for her to actually invite those she wanted to come. She had a princess party and we asked all everyone to come in there royal attire for the birthday. I think the cutest part of the party was watching all these little girls jumping in the bounce house with all their princess dresses on. There was even a little collage of shoes outside the bounce house.

Then on her actual bithday day, Noveber 12th, Makayla and Brenda and I took her out. We went to lunch, Isabella's choice. She picked Tio Pepes! =) Then we went and saw the Bee Movie, which was really good. Brenda bought Isabella a kids combo at the movie theatre. She got popcorn, a slush, and a little bag of Skittles. She loved it! Then we went to Cold Stone after the movie and we all got ice creams. It was a fun day! Isabella had a blast!



Then on November 14th she celebrated her birthday at school. She was SO excited to take cupcakes to school. We got her a butterfly cupcake cake from WalMart. (The best place to buy cakes from!) She got to pass them out to the kids and then she got to choose 4 spankings or 4 hugs from Miss Mary. She chose 4 hugs, of course! =)

My smart girl...

Isabella wrote her name for the first time yesterday all by herself. (pictured above) And to top it off, she wrote it on one of her teachers Christmas Cards. How perfect is that!

She was so proud so she had to keep writing it over and over and over again. She filled up an entire piece of copy paper, front and back, with letters.

I think that Mommy was even more proud of her. I was just thinking,....is she ever going to be able to write her name.

I wasn't thinking when I named her that she'd have 8 letters to remember. =)

Gymboree Music

Christy at Gymboree hooked me up and lets me take my kids to any class that I'd like. We have been going to the family mucic class. They have so much fun learning about new instruments and learning about music culture. It is too cute.

Isabella's new gymnastic class..

At the end of October, Isabella started her new gymnastic class. The four year old class is a lot different from the three year old class. She is now doing something the entire time of the class. They have stations and rotate each station. It is really cool. It is also an hour now instead of 45 minutes. It is really hard for Chase to wait that hour. I need to be creative and have fun things for him to do. The bottom picture is of Isabella doing a bridge. I'm not too sure how hard it is to do that but Miss Jessica seemed pretty impressed! =)

Time to catch up...

I have been so far behind on photography that I haven't been able to keep up on my blog. Get ready for some catching up! =)

You've got to see this...

My brother made a total elf of himself! Check it out:

Click here

There is only one word for this, "Office"

Our Christmas Card this year...

Just in case you don't get one here it is...

What is Christmas to Misty...

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? Wrapping Paper. It's way more fun for the kidos.

2. Real or artificial tree? Artificial all the way! We had a bug infested tree one year and NEVER again. I love the real tree smell but I just get a wreath from Costco and all is good!

3. When do you put up the tree? I would love to do it the day after Thanksgiving but I am never home so as close to right after Thanksgiving that I can get. It went up a week after Thanksgiving this year.

4. Do you like Eggnog? No way, YUCK!!

5. Favorite Gift received as a child? I liked everything. My mom told me that I would even get happy about socks! =)

6. Do you have a nativity Scene? Definitely! That and snowmen are my two favorite things to decorate with. I would love to have a nativity from every country. Maybe someday!

7. Hardest person to buy for? It used to be my Daddy but now I would say my Mommy.

8. Easiest Person to buy for? Isabella and Chase.

9. Email or Mail cards? Mail cards. I have done it every year since Danny and I have been married. This will be my 8th year! =)

10. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Grinch(with Jim Carrey) and Elves.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day after Thanksgiving. I usually buy a few things before then but that is the main shopping day. I love it!

12. Favorite thing to eat during Christmas? Anything Peppermint.

13. White lights or colored lights? Colored lights.

14. Favorite Christmas Song? Anything. I love Christmas music!

15. Travel for Christmas or Stay home? We always travel since my family lives in Bakersfield.

16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, if I sing the beginning of Rudolph.

17. Angel or Star on top of the tree? Angel

18. Do you open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Growing up we always opened everything on Christmas Eve. That was our tradition. Then I married Danny and his family does the same. I don't get Christmas Eve with my family anymore. I am just thankful that my family is open to waiting for us! =)

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Everything is busy!

20. Up early or Sleep in? Whenever we wake up, we wake up.

21. Are you gifts signed by Santa or Mrs. Claus? Santa.

22. Do you tell the Christmas story. Every year! We always tell the story of Jesus birth.

23. Do you leave cookies out for Santa. The kids do. I never did as a kid.

24. Favorite Christmas Tradition. Doing the 12 days of Christmas for a family who needs a little uplifting.

DVR Here I come!

Okay, so we officially entered into the techy world today. We finally have a DVR. I am so excited. I already have it scheduled to record The Office tonight because I probably won't be home in time to watch it. It is so nice to know that I can watch my favorite shows whenever I want to! =) Thanks AT&T U-Verse! =)

Great message...

I just got an email today and this was the message at the bottom. I
thought that it was great and that I should pass it on! Enjoy! =)

Life is short: Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance.

I have the best friends...

Whenever there is a need to give they always do it without question. I've always been that way so I am thankful to have friends that are the same way. Mindy (Danicia's friend) lost her precious daughter a few months ago. She decided to do something special in her name to honor her. Below is a letter that I received from her. I thought that I"d post it and give everyone the opportunity to give this Christmas.

Dear Family & Friends,
Christmas this year is going to be celebrated in a different way, for us. Obviously, the holidays are extremely painful with out Trinity here to celebrate it with us. So for Christmas this year, (on Christmas day to be exact) we are taking gifts to all the sick kids in the ICU's at LPCH-Stanford and the children at CRC (The Children's Recovery Center). We are doing this in honor of Trinity. We're calling it "Angel Trinity's Christmas". So for any of you who are willing to be apart of "Angel Trinity's Christmas" we need brand new gifts donated to us. The gifts will go to both boys and girls ages baby to 17 years old. But the majority of gifts we need are for baby's and toddlers. Here are ideas of gifts you could buy:

FOR BABIES (stuff to stimulate their senses are the best):
musical Mobiles
lullaby dolls or pull toys
lite up dolls (ie: Leap Frog)
Books
Baby Einstein Movies
stuffed animals
soft blankets (ie: fleece)
crib mirrors
hangin crib toys (anything that sings and/or moves)
baby einstein music CD's

FOR TODDLERS (anything they can do in their bed, interactive stuff is the best):
stuffed animals
Learning toys with ABC's/123's/Shapes
dolls
legos
crayons, water color paints, markers
coloring books
Reading Books
Lite Brites
Leap Pads
blocks
Leap Frog stuff
dress up/princess stuff
barbies
Movies (ie: Elmo, Little Einsteins, Barney, Sponge Bob, Seasame Street, The Wiggles, Jo Jo's Circus, Winnie the Pooh, Disney Princess, Mickey Mouse clubhouse, Disney Movies)
soft blankets (ie: fleece)
Kids songs music CD's (ie: old MacDonald's farm, ABC, Twinkle Twinkle little star, etc)

FOR OLDER KIDS:
Game boards
Card Games
Movies (anything that ranges from ages 7-12)
Activity books (mazes, crosswords, etc)
Remote control helicopters or cars (smaller ones)
puzzles
Crafts (jewelry kits, Lego kits, art kits)
soft blankets (ie: fleece)

So those are ideas. Please keep in mind, most of these kids are bed bound and most of them are babies and toddlers. A lot of them have weak immune systems and can be very sick, which is why we need NEW TOYS...not used ones. They need activities that are for their beds and cribs. Activities to keep them busy and their parents interacting with them as well. Most of these kids can't wear clothes, so please don't donate new clothes. But soft blankets are fine and would bring a sense of comfort to the child in their bed.

If you are one that wants to be apart of "Angel Trinity's Christmas" please bring your gifts to our home, or mail them to us at:

Barrett and Melinda Adams
242 Charles Avenue
Manteca, CA 95336

You do not have to wrap the gifts. But if you do, please specify what your gift is so we know what type of child or baby to give it to (boy, girl, toddler, teenager, baby, etc). If you can, please stay away from sending us checks or gift cards to go purchase the gifts. We are in the process of doing other special projects in honor of Trinity (her garden, her scrapbooks, her e-mail binders, her memory books, etc), so shopping isn't something we have a lot of time to do, and we're sorry if that's causing inconvenience to any of you. We just hope you understand. Please make sure your gift is at our home BEFORE ..h. We need to have time to wrap the gifts and get them ready. All of the gifts given will say "With Heaven's Love, from Angel Trinity". So please don't write anything on your gift if you wrap it. If you have any questions about this, please call or e-mail us. Here's our home number 209-824-5382.

Thank you so much for any of you who are willing to participate in this special "Angel Trinity Christmas" with us. Honoring Trinity and keeping her memory alive is something that is extremely important to us, and words honestly can not express how grateful we are for those of you who have the desire to continue on with us in her memory.

Love always,
Mindy and Barrett Adams

One day late...

I opened up this email tonight from my mom and this picture was in there. It is true when they say that a picture can speak a thousand words! This one sure does. Thank you to all the men and women who fight for our freedom on a daily basis. I appreciate you more than words can express! Let us remember our vets not just on Veteran's Day but EVERYDAY!

The things you miss...

At the beginning of the year when I was writing all my family and friends birthday and anniversaries in my calendar I didn't think that I wouldn't be celebrating my Mommy & Daddy's 48th wedding anniversary. This is exactly what happened today!

I can't imagine how my Mom has felt today. The man that she had been with for 47 1/2 years isn't here to celebrate with her anymore. Isn't here to watch T.V. with. Isn't here to make her Sunday dinners. Isn't here to "beat' her. (That's what we used to call it when he gave her a massage.) Isn't here to have fires with in the winter. Isn't here to be a listening ear when she's had a wonderful day! Isn't here to argue with. Isn't here to listen to "his radio station". Isn't here to buy her little insignificant things. Isn't here to hear snore at night. (I miss that more than I ever imagined I would!) Isn't here to pass out money. Isn't here to hug. Isn't hear to kiss. Isn't here to take the trailer to the beach for vacation. Isn't here to just be in the house so she doesn't feel alone. There are so many things that I miss about my Dad and I'm sure that my Mom misses it even more.

When I pray at night I ALWAYS pray that my Mom will feel comfort and will feel as though she isn't alone. I pray for my Mom sometimes even more than myself.

As I reflect on all the things that I think my mother misses about my Dad whether good or bad, I realize that some of the petty everyday things that drive us nuts are sometimes the things that we miss most about them when they are gone!

Happy Anniversary Mommy & Daddy! =)

Life...

I ran across this poem and had to share! It is one of those poems that you need to read often to remind you of the important things in life.

LIFE
(author unknown)

Life isn't about keeping score.
It's not about how many friends you have,
Or how accepted you are.

Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone.
It isn't about whom you're dating,
who you used to date,
how many people you've dated, or
if you haven't been with anyone at all.

It isn't about who you have kissed,
It's not about sex.

It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have
Or what kind of car you drive.
Or where you are sent to school.

It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are.
Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on,
or what kind of music you listen to.
It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown
Or if your skin is too light or too dark.

Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart
everybody else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are.

It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are at "your" sport.

It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you."

LIFE JUST ISN'T.

But, life is about who you love and who you hurt.
It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully.
It's about keeping or betraying trust.
It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon.
It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening.
About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.
It's about what judgments you pass and why and who your judgments are spread to.
It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention.
It's about making a choice not to let jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge run your life.
It's about choosing to carry inner hate or love, letting it grow, and spreading it.

But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison other people's hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone.
Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and those choices are what life's all about.

Giving thanks with a friend...=)

Well, a really good friend of mine, Sally, is going to do the Thanksgiving Calendar Countdown with me. Well, she's the sewing genius so she is going to be the main part in this. I am SO excited to be able to do something like this with her! It is going to be so so so much fun spending some time with her and creating something SO beautiful!

Giving Thanks...

I just found this Thanksgiving Countdown calendar on another bloggers blog. I LOVE it. This idea is taken from Pottery Barn Kids Now, I don't sew but I think I want to learn so that I can make this!! I have a few people in mind that I might ask to help me if they have some extra time. We'll see what happens! =)

And to top it off she made cute little "thankful" activities to go in each day. Like "I am thankful for books. Let's go to the library and check out thanksgiving books" or "I am thankful for cousins. Let's write a letter to our cousins". What a great way to teach our children to be thankful and recognize how blessed we are.

Friday Night Lights..

Yes, we had another football game last night against Ceres High School. Ceres High has NOT won ONE game this season and at half time they were winning 7-21. I was a little worried that they were going to win but East Union came back and won the game 35-27. It was such a great game. I'd say the best all year. It was one of those edge of the seat games. I think that is a lot more fun than either winning by a lot or loosing by a lot. The close games are the best. Shockingly, I didn't take any pictures...I actually just enjoyed the game. The kids were awesome so I was able to just sit and watch. I think that is the first time all year!

Halloween Night..

On Halloween first we went Trick or Treating in the neighborhood to about 10 neighbors that we know. We made sure and went by Ronna's house and she of course spoiled the kids!

Then we went to the Northland Ward (Manteca) Halloween Party. The kids had a blast! They had face painting, bean bag toss, golfing, fishing, cake walk, parade, refreshments, goodie room, and the trunk or treat. Isabella and Chase came home with a cake, cookies, TONS of candy, books, and stuffed animals. I even heard a kid say, "This is way better than trick or treating!" I thought that was really cute.

Halloween Parade..

Isabella had a Halloween parade at her school on Halloween. All the kids paraded around the block to a "friends" house and trick or teated there. Then they paraded back to school. Isabella had a lot of fun with all her friends at school. Chase had fun too but wanted to be right next to Mommy the entire time. He isn't a fan of big crowds!

Fun at Dinner...

It is always nice to see Auntie DeeDee when we get a chance. We got to go to Chevy's on Thursday night and have dinner with her, Papa Tractor, and Grandma Cookie. Thanks DeeDee for keeping Isabella entertained! =)

Cobb Ranch

We had the opportunity in the middle of October to go to Cobb Ranch with Doug, Heather, Serenity, and Landen in Fresno. We had a lot of fun playing on the play equipment, feeding animals, and picking out a few pumpkins!

Finally, his first haircut...

Chase had his first haircut on Thursday. I asked his Auntie Dacia if she'd cut it for him. It was really special having his Auntie cut his hair for the first time. It looks so good! It was getting REALLY long!

He did an awesome job. He sat in the chair like a BIG boy and collected all of his hair for Mommy to save. Once we got enough hair he then had to brush every piece off that fell on him. It was cute! He tried to get down one time but I bribed him with a fruit snack.

Thanks Auntie Dacia! =)

Isabella also had her first haircut...well, hair trim. I just had Dacia even up the back of her hair.

Trophy Day..

On Tuesday Isabella received her second trophy from gymnastics. I didn't tell her that she was getting it so when they called her name she was so surprise! =) Grandma Hockey and Daddy were able to be there to see her get it. Then she took a picture with her teacher, Jessica, after she got it.

Gymboree..

I was asked by the owner of Gymboree to take pictures at their Pumpkin Patch Parties. I asked her if I could bring my children to one of the parties and she said yes. So, on Monday night we went. It was a lot of fun! It started off with a picture of the kids. Then they played, did a craft, had a snack, sang, and had tons of fun. Our favorite song now is "Dance, Gymbo, Dance". I had to buy the CD and now we listen to it all the time in the car. The kids love it. Even Chase says, "Again". Thanks Christy for a fun time! =)

Primary Presentation...

Isabella had her first primary presentation this past Sunday. I was so proud of her. She said her part, "I can go to church." very good. I thought that when she saw all those faces out in the audience that she would freeze up but she said it plain and clear into the microphone. Then I taught the kids a song in sign language and she did such a good job on it. She even sang all the songs. I was truly surprised at how many she actually knew by heart, almost all of them! I took this picture in the halls right after the presentation. That is my BIG girl!

Lil Lancers Cheerleading Day..

I was so nervous about this day for Isabella. I have no clue why but I was. I wanted her to enjoy herself and not be intimidated by the audience and she was awesome! I didn't need to worry. She did the cheers so good and did the dance good too. I was so proud of her! She also had fun cheering right next to her cousin, Serenity.

To top it off she looked cute too with her Lil Lancers T-shirt, EU face paint, and special EU red ribbon in her hair.

She stuck right by her favorite cheerleader, Brittany. Brittany was a trouper because the girls attention wasn't always on cheerleading. She was so patient with them. Thanks Brittany!! =)

Feel it shake...

We felt the 5.6 earthquake that hit the Milpitas area tonight at 8:00. It was crazy. We were having dinner (Yes, at 8:00!) and all of a sudden I felt the ground slide and then it felt as if someone shoved my chair. Danny and my Mom felt it too but the kidos had no idea what was going on. Too crazy!

A precious moment..

When we were out on the boat today Danicia took the camera because it was really hard for me to take pictures and hold my tired boy who kept telling me to stop and would pull the camera down. Little did I know that she was taking pictures of me and Chase. I treasure these pictures!! They are awesome! I am so thankful to have them because I don't have many pictures because I am always the one taking the pictures! Thanks Danicia!!!

Boating in October..

The weather was beautiful today. No wind and it was in the 80's so Danny, the kids, Ryan, Danicia, Mike and I all went out on the boat today. It was tons of fun and I captured some great pictures. Everyone rode without a dry suit. I have to give them a ton of props because the water was FREEZING. Even Chase and Isabella jumped in not realizing how cold it really was even though we told them a million times. Isabella tried to frantically get out and Chase could speak for a few seconds then said, "Cooooolllddd, Cooooollllllddddd", and wanted out immediately! Too funny. They should of listened.

Then tonight we had Michaels Pizza and watched Transformers. Then we remembered about the $5.99 Marie Calendar pies and so I ran and got Chocolate Satin, the best pie ever and normally $13.99 and French Apple. It was SOOOOO good!

And yes, Danny's shorts are way cool. That is because I picked them out. They even match his board. How cute! =)