Long Overdue....

HECTIC...
That's the word I choose to sum up the last month. I've been horrible at keeping this blog updated. I want to do better, just for my own records and memories. Heck, without these updates I wouldn't remember what I did 5 minutes ago.

So, pull up a chair and grab a snack, this is gonna be a long one!

I'll start with our trip to Phoenix back in November. My BEST friend of all times was getting ready to have baby girl #2 aka Olivia. Alyssa and I, along with my mom and Gabriella took a weekend trip to reunite and throw her a shower. It was a great weekend. The shower was a success and seeing Jessica and Maddy was the icing on the cake. Olivia was born on November 28th and man alive is she the sweetest little thing!

Jeff and Brandon have been crazy busy with wrestling. I think they have been traveling every weekend since the first weekend in November. Brandon has been wrestling hard and doing well. The competition when he travels proves to me much tougher and that's what he needs and desires. I have yet to see him wrestle, unless you count the numerous times I have watched his videos. I'm looking forward to January 1st when I can finally see him live.
I don't have any pictures of him wrestling to post. I'll have to get on that....hint, hint. I want a new camera! :)

Alyssa danced in the Boulder City Ballet Company's production of The Nutcracker last weekend. She danced the roll of a Neapolitan Doll and looked fabulous! I love seeing her on the stage.
I do have pictures of that. I'll do a separate post of pictures. :)

Gabriella is potty trained!! Can I get an AMEN and thank you Jesus!! Actually, it was Jeff how pulled off this potty training success story. Thank goodness one of us can be consistent!

Alyssa has been kicking butt in school too. She's become very involved with the National Junior Honor Society and stays after school on the days she doesn't have dance working on things for the teachers and staff. She maintains her straight A's with accelerated classes, 7 dance classes a week and her insanely busy social life (aka as Joseph) She's the best!

I guess that's about it. Somewhere in all that was Thanksgiving...
I'll post pictures!

Gabriella...

Gabriella showing her true feeling on her visit to the doctors...


A little late, but better late than never. Gabriella went in for her 3 year well check last Monday. She was such a BIG girl and only cried a little when she got her flu shot.
She was 3 feet fall and 25 pounds. She's at the 15 percentile for her height and weight. A peanut, like her big brother. However, the doctor, who was once so concerned by her lack of weight gain that we had to go in for monthly weight checks...was pleased to see she was finally gaining. Ummm, yea...the kid eats EVERYTHING!

Girls weekend...

I just had to laugh. I sent Alyssa in for drinks while I waited in the car with Gabriella. This is what she came out with...64ozs of Slurpee...one for each of us...so big they wouldn't even fit into the cup holder.

I love my girls!!




While the boys were away, the girls and I had a great time hanging out and shopping.
We, or should I say Alyssa, discovered a new love for American Eagle clothing and Forever 21.
It was nice to just come and go as we wanted with no worries about the boys..
we're already looking forward to the next girls weekend!

Wrestling is in full swing....

You can tell by the look on their faces that they are exhausted. This is the end of day two...

Ahhh, yes. The Hooter girl was a hit...


Last weekend Jeff, Brandon and some other boys from the Team took off to a Colorado for a weekend of wrestling. They flew out on Friday morning, wrestled in two tournaments, one on Saturday and one on Sunday (a total of 24 hours of wrestling) and flew back home Monday afternoon.
Brandon had some large and tough brackets, but he wrestled well. On Saturday at the Monster Match he had 20 kids in his bracket and took 6th place. On Sunday, at Big Horn Nationals he took 5th. I can't remember how many kids were in that bracket.
As a whole, the entire team had a great weekend. I think it's safe to say Team GV has once again left their mark.

Next tournament is in Utah in two weeks!!

Daddys girl....

It can no longer be denied...Gabriella is officially a daddy's girl. Yesterday Gabriella went the entire day without seeing her daddy. When he got home at night she couldn't get enough hugs and cuddles from him. Seeing them together melts my heart. :)

They make me smile...

Happy Halloween

I can hardly believe Halloween has come and gone yet again. The year has just flown by!
This year Alyssa dressed up as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. Brandon was a special forces army guy (as he would call it) and Gabriella was a devil. I have to say...they all looks super cute!
Jeff took Brandon trick or treating with some of his friends and Alyssa and Joseph took Gabriella around the block for some trick or treating. She was really into it this year but everyone who was dressed up scared her. It didn't matter if it was a princess or a ghost. She was much happier at home helping pass out candy.
It was a great Halloween...now bring on Thanksgiving!!

Trenton Lee Norman

Introducing my newest nephew, Trenton Lee!! He was born on Monday 10/25 at 9:12am. He weighed in at a whopping 8lbs 11oz and was 22inches long! Big boy!!
Congrats to my sister, Jill!! Thanks for giving us another "kankle monster" to love!!

Wrapping him tighter and tighter....

around her little finger...

Gabriella's 3rd Birthday celebration...

I know her eyes are closed, but I love this picture for the simple fact that her "true diva" personality comes out. :)




Yesterday, 10/24, we celebrated Gabriella's 3rd birthday. Yes, her actual birthday was over a week ago...
This year we did a Dora theme, complete with a giant Dora balloon (which popped in the wind conveniently after her party...guess it won't be floating around for 6 months after all)
This was the first time she understood that everything was all about her so that made it a lot of fun. She even blew out her own candle! Such a big girl!!
I can't believe shes 3.

PS. I have more pictures that I'll post later. :)

Just because...

I know she'll kill me.....

Jeggings...

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term "jeggings" allow me to explain.
They are ridiculously tight pants that are the in thing now. Alyssa, of course, owns a few pair of her own. She requires assistance in removing them at the end of the day. and again I say, ridiculously tight. Jeff, naturally is not a fan of the so tight they might as well be painted on look...he was kind enough to model Alyssa's favorite Hollister jeggings.

BrAnDoN

What can I say...the kid lives in his own special world.
Brandon is one of my greatest blessings and also my biggest challenge. He sends me on a roller coaster of emotions on a daily basis...laughing, angry, frustrated, happy all in a span of just a few hours.
One thing I know I can always count on with Brandon though is he's always good for a laugh. The things he says and does...

Happy 3rd Birthday...

Today is Gabriella's 3rd birthday! I can't believe how fast time slips by...3 years!! WOW!
Gabriella is such a blessing to our family, she brings so much joy into all of our lives, I couldn't imagine what life would be like without her.

Some of the things about Gabriella that I find funny or want to remember are:

*she still sleeps in her crib. I plan on keeping her in it until shes 10 or climbs out on her own...whatever one comes first.

*she is a big daddys girl. For awhile she was all about her mama...but she's taken the side of daddy. Which is good, helps daddy handle the other issue of Alyssa growing up. (that's a subject for a different day)

* she LOVES to play make believe with play food, dishes and her baby dolls. She has the best imagination!

* She is an eater...she'll try anything and pretty much likes everything...

* She loves music!! Loves to dance and loves to dance naked...heavens!!

* she enjoys coloring, usually on everything except paper or her coloring books. I love Mr. Cleans Magic Eraser.

We love her, that goes without saying.
Happy Birthday sweet baby girl of mine.

Dancing to the beat of her own drum...

Gabriella's personality is really starting to come through.
This morning I was busy with cleaning and laundry and was just letting her do her own thing. She came down stairs with one bunny slipper and one ballet slipper on and Brandon's extremely large bike helmet. She climbed on her bike and announced she was going to the mall...

I love her!

Time passes...

When I was pregnant with Alyssa everyone warned me that time would pass before my eyes. The first year passed at a rate that was painfully slow as we adjusted and learned how to parent this tiny person.
When kindergarten started, we were once again reminded that time would slip by even faster now that school had started. At the time, I remember thinking...it's just kindergarten, a few hours a day...no big deal.
I literally remember like it was yesterday standing with her that very first day of school. Her pink princess back back was almost as big as she was.
I blinked my eyes...
I find myself, several years later. She's 12 now and in the 7th grade. She'd be unrecognizable to someone who hasn't seen her in the last 6 months.
Her interests have changed from American Girl Dolls to fashion, boys and texting.
She's growing up at a rate that takes my breath away. I was warned and I thought I was prepared, but this growing up stuff sucks.

Thank goodness...

For what seemed like forever my tight wad husband would not add texting to our cell phone plan.
When Alyssa started Jr. high we got her a cell phone. Mainly because she was going to be walking to and from school (that lasted about 2 days)...
We decided then to add unlimited texting.

Well, yesterday I was looking at our cell phone bill.
Jeff sent 441 texts last month. I sent 3,700 and Alyssa. Well, God love her. In the spirit of making sure we're getting our moneys worth sent 10,497!

So, today I'm thankful for unlimited texting plans...

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Yikes.

32 years old!!!

Seriously...I was just 18 yesterday.

Lets see if I can come up with 32 random and useless facts about myself. Not that anyone cares...but what the heck!

1. I love my hubby. Despite his occasional crabbiness...he's the best!

2. My kids are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Well, them and Jeff.

3. I love wrestling. I never thought I would say that. But I LOVE it. Of course watching Brandon is my favorite, but I seriously love watching the entire team of GV boys.

4. I love to shop. Mainly with Alyssa for Alyssa. She's more fun to dress up now than she was when she was a baby. :)

5. I am a Starbucks junkie! I have to go at least one time a day. Now that they have the treat receipt thing I feel it's my obligation to visit a second time...after 2pm...:)

6. I like my job. Mainly for the simple fact that I work with pretty cool and fun people. For the most part...

7. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the colors and pumpkins and the cooler weather.

8. Sometimes I wish I lived where we could actually appreciate the seasons...

9. I don't have a ton of friends, but that's by choice. The friends I do have are truly great people and the best friends I could wish for.

10. I love watching Jersey Shore. Yes, I am aware that I am too old for this type of show. But still. I love the train wreck that it is. :)

11. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Not for the food, but the simple fact that everyone gets together and it's not the stress filled day that other holidays are.

12. I'm the president of the PTA at Brandon's school.

13. I like to make things. I'm trying to learn to sew... trying would be the key word. I wish I had more spare time.

14. I like things to be organized...sadly, I am a very unorganized person. Again, I wish I had more time.

15. I like staying up late. Probably cause the kids are in bed, Jeff is working and I can watch TV and actually hear it.

16. When I was younger, I played the flute. I haven't touched it since I locked it in its case the last day of band my senior year...

17. I would love to own a pot belly pig. haha, hows that for random?!

18. I cry every time I watch Alyssa dance...on stage. If I seriously cried every time she just danced....I'd always be crying!

19. I'm very close to my family.

20. I'm what some would call a "hovering parent". I'm usually all up in my kids business. Nothing really gets past me, mainly cause I'm always there. I'm ok with that...go ahead and judge. I'm ok with that too.

21. My favorite food is steak and potatoes. Jeff likes to try new places and I am perfectly happy eating at the same place over and over again.

22. I like to bake. Wish I had more time...

23. Alyssa is who I wish I could have been when I was her age. Nice, popular, smart, talented.

24. Brandon makes me laugh. Even when I wanna reach out and beat him...he's just the funniest thing. The stuff that comes out of his mouth. I'm afraid for one he's older. He'll be the next creator of "jackass"

25. Gabriella makes me smile. She is just the sweetest thing ever! She used to be a GIANT mommy's girl, but she's crossing over to Team daddy...
She keeps me going and reminds me to slow down and enjoy life.

26. I hate doing laundry. HATE IT!!

27. I love the beach. Not sure I would want to live there, but I sure love to visit.

28. I have 2 of the best sisters around. They are both so different but so special to me.

29. ummm...this is getting harder. LOL
I've been with Jeff for 13 years. That's so hard for me to wrap my head around too. I love him though and would do anything for him. Like deliver items to him at work at 10pm!

30. My favorite color is pink...

31. My favorite football team is Michigan. I'm trying to learn more about the sport...

32. I love my life! Despite that fact that I often feel like an over worked, under appreciated taxi driving maid...I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bonnie Springs

Last Saturday, while the boys were in California for wrestling, Alyssa and I and of course, Joseph, took Gabriella to the petting zoo at Bonnie Springs.
She loved it at first and was very excited to see the "fat guys" as she called the caged Coati Mundi. BUT, it didn't take long before her true diva personalty came through and she was complaining about the dirt in her shoes and so her announcements of "I hate this place" began...
It was a short lived visit...
After a quick ride on the train...which began with a bit of a rough start...



but ended on a much happier note...we called it a day. I think it's safe to say, Gabriella is a city girl. There will be no farm life in her future.

Random update

I can hardly believe today is the beginning of another month...let alone OCTOBER! Seriously, where did this year go?!

Lots of things going on right now...as usual
...the wrestling season in under way. :)
YAY! Jeff and Brandon are heading out late tonight, well actually early tomorrow morning for a tournament in Cali. Let the fun begin! Practices start Monday. Brandon is so excited. He's been conditioning at home already for weeks in preparation for this. Crazy, huh?!

Nutcracker rehearsals are here. Well, they have been for the last month or so. Alyssa is excited for the dance. It's a fast paced ballet dance with lots of jumps and twirls. (forgive my lack of proper terminology) She is also excited for the tutu. I guess when you've been dancing for as long as she has been, getting to the "big girl" tutu is a big deal!

Gabriella...
Oh my sweet little Gaby Jane...
The potty is your friend. Diapers are over rated. Trust me, you'll be much happier when you make the switch to the other side. Please...I'm begging you!

Jeff and I are good. Working and running (the kids that is)...
Nothing new ever happens with us...in fact, we're pretty darn boring. Boring is good, right?!

Shelby...

Is our bassethound mix puppy. Well, not really a puppy...she's actually getting to be an old girl.
I realized I never really posted anything about the family pets. So...this is for you Shelby..I know your excited about it!
We got Shelby when Alyssa was one. She's been such a good, gentle and loyal dog. She puts up with so much from the kids and is such a good sport about it.

Gabriella and Brandon...

share a love hate relationship. He loves to love her...and she's not so much a fan of that!
Brandon is always in her face. It's always been that way...since the very beginning. I'm not complaining, I know he adores his baby sister and would do anything for her, but if you've been around the two of them for any amount of time...you have witnessed firsthand her displeasure for her brother always being in her face.
Sometimes though, the two of them can be so sweet. I love those moments!


This was after bath...excuse Gabriella's hair. She is wearing her brothers t-shirt to sleep in...nobody was going to tell her no on that one.
Also, note the Lego man Brandon is holding. I'm not sure why, but he insisted he be a part of this picture, Lord only knows why!

True Diva...

Everyone knows a true diva never leaves the house without her makeup...
Gabriella is obsessed with it!! We can put it up high, hide it and lock it up...but somehow she always seems to find it.

After realizing she was being a little too quite, I went to investigate...PRICELESS!!

Brandon....

Give the kid your cell phone and he's good to go...

Alyssa...

Had to share this picture, just cause I think it's so cute. :)


Alyssa is getting off to an awesome start in the 7th grade. She was just moved from her basic reading class into an accelerated one yesterday. She also has accelerated English. The homework load is crazy and Jeff and I worried she wouldn't be able to maintain her grades and keep the crazy 8 dance classes a week schedule...
but so far, she's rocking it! I mean, really. The girl amazes me!
On top of that, she's joined several committees in the school for National Junior Honor Society and attends weekly meetings for those.
I can't say enough about how proud we are of her. She's just such an awesome example for her brother and sister!

Wrestling...

Is back!! I am so excited to get another season started. It should be a great one. Brandon is moving up from bantam to intermediate, which means older and heavier kids. The lightest weight is 50 pounds, which he is not. He'll do fine though, he always does.
Last weekend on a whim he traveled with one of the wrestling coaches and a few boys to a tournament in California. Sadly the only opponent he had to face was his team mate and best buddy, Billy. It was also the first time he has traveled with out Jeff or I. I am happy (and relieved) to say...he did awesome.

I'm ready...bring on the crazy practice schedule and long tournament days!!

Dancing...

That pretty much sums up Alyssa. Always dancing. Always!
This year we picked up a few extra classes which she is excited about. I'll admit, I am pretty excited about them as well.
Her schedule is crazy, Jeff takes her and drops her off at 3. She has Jazz, Tap and Pointe on Wednesday from 3-8. On Thursdays she has Hip Hop, Ballet and Irish from 3-8:45 and on Friday she just has Lyrical (my personal FAVORITE)
Just last week she was bumped into the advanced Irish class and a more advanced Pointe class. Very exciting!
Nutcracker and her company ballet classes will also be starting soon, that will add at least two more classes to her already crazy schedule, but she's looking forward to it, I guess that's what it's all about.

Brandon's Wrestling Highlights 2009 - 2010

Back to school...

Today is the first day back at school. Alyssa started the 7th grade and Brandon started the "very cool" (as he likes to say) 3rd grade. Doesn't seem possible, at least not to me.
We had an excellent summer, but both kids were ready to get back. Alyssa missed her friends. I guess the hours spent chatting on facebook was just not cutting it any longer.
For me, this was the first time I wasn't counting down the days till school was back in session. Maybe because I was just settling into a somewhat laid back routine of JUST Tapout and dance. I'm looking forward to finding my groove in this new and hectic schedule. Wish me luck! :)

Gabriella...

Sitting on her potty looking at an Eclipse magazine. :)

Poor Gab's. Much of her life is spent strapped in her car seat. It's a tiring situation.


Can't not post about my littlest diva. She sure makes me smile. Well, when she's not coloring on my doors. Thank goodness for Mr. Clean erasers!

I've created a monster...

Actually I haven't. Though in the picture below she is a monster...the tin foil, highlight getting, draining daddy's bank account monster.

Yes, I stole this picture from her. Actually, in my defense, she used my phone to take the picture for her "friend". I like it cause it shows her new hair cut. Lots of layers...LOTS!




7th grade starts next week. WOW! We've gotten her schedule, she's happy and so am I. She got placed in some accelerated classes, which I know she can handle. I'm just so proud of her. So proud of the young lady she is becoming and so beyond happy with the relationship we share. I can't wait to see what 7th grade has in store for her, I'm sure it will be a full and exciting adventure!