Thankful on Paper- Week 2

When I started thinking about who to write for week 2, the decision was easy.

My sister, Kelly.

When I first found out I was pregnant with our second child, I hoped for another girl. Simply because I wanted Bailey to have what I had. A sister who was also your best friend. Well, that didn't happen, and we were blessed with a great little boy. But, as I've seen with others, Bailey can still be best friends with her brother. And I hope they end up that way. Nothing beats a great relationship with your sibling.

Kelly and I are best friends. We can do everything and nothing together, and have the best of time doing it. If you know my sister, you know she is a T.V. junkie. So, to fashion her love of T.V., in David Letterman style, here are the top ten reasons I am thankful for Kelly.

10. She turned me on to Glee

9. She call me on her way home from work, just to chat.

8. I can see her all day, go home, then pick up the phone and call her, and still talk for an hour.

7. She is who she is, never pretends to be someone else.

6. She calls me, or I call her, with silly/off the wall questions...and we always know the answers.

5. We get into those laughing hysterics where you can't breathe, and no one else is laughing.

4. We're complete opposites, yet the best of friends.

3. She gave me two beautiful nieces, and loves them to pieces.

2. She would do ANYTHING for her family.

1. She loves me.

Love you, Kelly.

Week One- Thankful on Paper

My friend, Rachel, had a wonderful idea. Every Wednesday in November you write someone a letter telling them why you are thankful for them, and on Thursday you write a simple blog post telling everyone what you wrote.

This first Wednesday is a bit unusual for me. Normally I would be writing about my mom and dad, but due to circumstances I am writing about my Grandma Donna. My grandma passed away last Friday, and today is the day of her funeral. My mom had my sister and I, and our children, write her a note, then we placed them in her grave with her. My note was very simple, it told her that I loved her and that she was all the grandma I could have ever wished for. I could have gone on and on about all of the things that we did together. Most of those things were just everyday events that we got to do together. But now that she is up in heaven, she will remember them. The Alzheimer's is gone, her memory is back, and she knows who I am again.

So today, I am thankful for my grandma. For loving me, taking care of me, and just being herself.

We will miss you Grandma. We love you dearly.

Halloween Dance Class

This past summer we tried out a new ballet class. It was much more structured and intensive, and Bailey really didn't like it. I really wanted her to love it, but she just didn't. I knew that the new ballet class would train her better in ballet, and she would have gotten to perform in the Nutcracker this holiday season.

I went back and forth on making her stay, but every time I asked her if she wanted to stay or go back to Los Altos Dance Center, without falter she said she wanted to go back to Los Altos. It's days like this past Tuesday that I know I made the right decision.

Bailey is 4. Period. She needs to have fun while learning. Los Altos does a great job of this. She know first position, second position, and countless other dance moves. She is learning, but she is still having fun. She loves her teacher, her fellow dancers and the loving and fun atmosphere. Every Halloween they do fun Halloween dances, and they get to dress in their costumes the week before Halloween.

Our children are young for such a short time. I want her to have fun, and she is. Pushing them to do something they don't want to can always backfire on you. I'm glad I listen to my gut,, and my daughter, and put her back where she wants to be.

Bailey with Ms. Marissa, her ballet instructor
Her ballet class

A fun way to learn how to chasse, Ms. Marissa took each student one at a time across the room, then they knocked on the door and had to say trick-or-treat to get their surprise.

Grandma Pat's 95th Birthday

The day after Raif's party we got to celebrate Grandma Pat's 95th Birthday. My mom and dad hosted a wonderful party and Grandma Pat got to have all 6 of her children there. We were only missing three of her grandchildren. I didn't get the picture of the first cousins with her, but here are a few of the photos I did get.

Grandma Pat with her oldest son and all of his family. Ie., our family
Grandma Pat with my mom and dad and us, we were waiting for Kelly to get her crew together and got in a picture while we were waiting.

Grandma Pat with her 6 kids. Her 4 boys had their spouses there.

Grandma Pat with her 6 kids

Raif's 2nd Birthday

Despite a rainy morning, and having had everyone under the weather earlier in the week, we managed to pull off another fun costume party celebrating Raif's 2nd birthday. We had lots of people call and cancel last minute due to illnesses, it seems to be going around lately. But, despite all of that, it was still a great party and we had a wonderful time celebrating our little boy's birthday. Raif loves the show Yo Gabba Gabba and Sarah did a wonderful job making an adorable and delicious cake.

The adorable Brobee and Plex cake

Bailey and Me

The Irelands. Regan and Paige as matching Alice's and Sarah as The Queen of Hearts. Aaron was going to be the Mad Hatter...it didn't happen but he did come dressed up!

I had such a hard time cutting it...it was so darn cute!

Raif blowing out his candle, he actually did it! Notice Raif is the only one not in costume...Oh well, at least we got one picture of him in it!

Our Egyptian princess, costume directly from my mom and dad's trip to Egypt

Our Family

Everyone tells us how much they look alike, so they dressed as matching D.J. Lance characters

My mom and dad in their costumes from Egypt

The Egyptians

Vega Clan, Kelly and Eli are M&M's...one with nuts the other without

Aunt Shelley, Jake, Josh and Uncle Greg...and don't forget Dino the Dog, aka Molly

Sarah and Brenda

Lucas didn't want his Mickey Mouse hat on, but I did manage to sneak in a picture

Margaret and Charley with Bailey, Raif wasn't in the picture taking mood

Super Girl Vickie was feeling under the weather

Shanna with Kate and Luke. Little Bo Beep was a homemade costume, nice job, Shanna!

We didn't get a picute of Anne with Vicki, but here she is with Annabelle and Samuel. Darrel was also a hockey player, but somehow escaped the camera!

Pirate Curtis with his kitty cat Yvette

Dan with Grandma Pat and Aunt Roxanne

Cheer Clinic Game

Last night, Bailey and Lexy got to join Jaymee at the Millikan football game. They both attended the cheer clinic last weekend. Bailey was so excited all day. When she got in the car on the way there she was squealing, "I'm so excited!" We arrived at the game 2 hours early so Bailey could practice her routine. I was excited as well, since I didn't get to see her at the clinic. Millikan Cheer did such a wonderful job with the clinic. The kids got to stay out on the field for a long time and really felt a part of the cheer team. It was well organized and so much fun.

Colby couldn't be there, since he already had his fishing trip scheduled about a year ago. So, here are some pictures and (many) video of the fun evening. Daddy needs to be able to see his little girl's big night!

My 3 favorite girls!
Bailey practicing the routine before the game.

Jaymee and Bailey on the bleachers out on the field.

Bailey even got a chance to cheer with her big cousin before the game.

Practice before the game. Here entire routine that I missed videoing at the game.

Bailey got to dance with Jaymee.

I actually missed the video of her dance at the game, I couldn't get the camera on fast enough. But, here is her stunt. Her look of pride up into the stands is so adorable.

Bailey cheering the "GO" cheer.

Bailey and the Clap Clap Cheer.

YMCA, a crowd favorite.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Last weekend was jam packed with activities. After Colby and I returned from Catalina, Raif had his nap and then we headed over to Pa's Pumpkin Patch for our annual trip. The kids always have such a fun time. It really gets us all ready for the fall season.

Family photo.
Raif and me

Bailey and me

Me and my kiddos

Colby and his kiddos

Bailey was all smiles

Raif too.

Bailey riding the motorcycle.

Raif on the fire truck

Choo Choo!