Walking The Red Carpet

I have never been "into" the Oscars...probably since we hardly ever watch movies. Scott and I have never, ever been to a movie together-imagine that! Although I am proud to say I did watch at least ONE of the nominated movies this year--Toy Story 3!!!

But since our good friends have started having an annual Oscar Party, I have to admit, we've had some fun walking the red carpet!! Especially since they made it "adults only" this year--big difference!!! :)

This party is especially nice for us since at last years party, we met and made some of our very best friends here in the community. It was a wonderful Mommy and Daddy's night out all around and a chance to catch up with some wonderful friends!

"Going to the Snow"

When Scott and I first met, I remember I used the phrase "go to the snow" (Do you want to go the the snow this weekend?). It was followed by a very odd look from my Midwestern then-boyfriend. He had never heard the term "go to the snow." Since he grew up in a cold weather climate, he didn't quite understand the reason why anyone would exactly GO or "seek out" the snow!!!

Ten years later, he has discovered the stunning beauty of Lake Tahoe and now I have a feeling we'll be "going to the snow" quite often in the winter!

Thanks to our great friends Traci and Matt, we got to spend the weekend at their beautiful tahoe Donner home last weekend. We could not have asked for better weather....except maybe a liiiitle colder!! However, I can't complain about 60 and sunny in the mountains at this time of year! No chains or 4x4 necessary!

On Saturday we took the kids to a snow park where they both had a blast tubing and sledding...even scaredy-cat Brooke was fearless that day...and Buddy made the tubing height cutoff by one inch and also LOVED IT, as expected--he's fearless. The rest of the time was spent eating, drinking wine and playing/sledding in the backyard. Even though it was only a 3 hour drive and we only stayed for 1.5 days, Brooke was so cute to tell me, "Mom, thanks for the GREAT vacation!!!" Indeed. :)

Ready to sled!!!

Brooke loved sledding!


Let's go tubing, dude!!!

Self-portrait while we were waiting to tube...

BFF's!

What's the snow without a snow angel?!
The beautiful view at dusk..can't complain!!!

Welcome to God's Family

Better late than never. On January 22, 2011, both Brooke & Will were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and welcomed into what Brooke says to be, "God's Family." It was a more emotional ceremony that I expected. This responsibility is something Scott and I take very seriously. We want to instill faith in our children in hopes they will use their faith to live lives filled with joy, strength, love, compassion and humility. Judging by the way Buddy responded to the water over the head, he has the strength part down but DEFINITELY needs to work on the joy part :)

I hope as parents, we will be able to be good role models for our children so they can continue the faith journey they have just started. Brooke & Will--Welcome to God's Family!!!

Yay! Brookey was a trooper! She loved the ceremony!


It took several different angles for Buddy to be blessed by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit :)

Cousin Time

Being an only child, one of my favorite childhood memories were summers spent in the sweltering Fresno heat with my cousins Corey, Tenaya, Candice and many of my older cousins as well. The younger kids and I would play outside all day long, build tree houses and wreak more havoc on my grandmother's house than she could bear....all in the name of family time. It was pure chaos and pure fun.

So last weekend, I was extremely thankful Brooke and Will got to spend a weekend with their cousins, Olivia and Kate. Chaos, yes, but I will cherish that weekend forever!!! It was just so cute to see them all together...to see their unique personalities and how they interacted. There were bumps, scraps, bloody noses and doors slammed in faces...I think it was all worth it!!! I hope my kids will always grow up to treasure Cousin Time.

Cousin Olivia was there to greet Brookey when she came home from school!

The babies decided they wanted to go topless (Monkey See, Monkey Do...i think Livy started it!)

Beautiful Girls!!!!!!!!!!! Kate & Livy

Christmas 2010

We spent Christmas at home this year--as I insist on doing until the kids are older--and had a great time! We hosted my parents and my cousin Lucas, who was on leave from Basic Training in Georgia.

It was nice and relaxing--the day was spent eating, drinking and trying to dodge the enormous mounds of boxes and wrapping paper. My kids are truly spoiled. I always tell Brooke that "when I was a kid" I only got 2-3 presents. Our kids got probably 50 presents EACH. Insanity. I just got done dividing them between toy boxes (they can play with these now), storage (we'll take them out in 3-6 months when they're bored with the toy box toys, and my mom's house (it'll be like Christmas all over when they go to visit!).

It was a great day and although we couldn't spend it with all of our loved ones, we as a family, are truly blessed to have so much love in our lives!! Tiny Tim said it perfectly: "God Bless us, everyone!"

PS--Typical Rooney family picture above...Buddy refused to get out of his car for one second to take a pic, and Scott is trying to hold Brookey down to keep her from clocking her brother in the head and pushing him out of the car!

Gift from Santa :) (Brooke and Buddy both fight over it, so we got a lot of bang for our buck!)

Brookey & Cousin Lucas


He loves his trucks!

The destruction!! I think this way halfway through opening presents!

First Christmas Show

Brooke participated in her very first St. Dominics Christmas Show this year! It was exciting for all of us! I finally got Scott to realize what a big deal it was as we slowly watched the 700++ seat church fill to standing room only! And only 4 grades were performing! He thought I was wack-o when I told him he needed to go save seats an hour before the show started. Now he knows!! :) Luckily, he listened to me and we were in the 3rd row.

I was shocked at how well Brooke performed. Of course I am biased, but I will be the first to admit she can be on the shy side--especially with large groups. On the way to the show she was telling me how "nervous" she was. I was trying to make her feel better by saying "mom" things like "just pretend someone is naked and you won't be nervous anymore!" (That advice definitely wins me Mom of the Year!) but then I realized how extremly nervous I would be standing up in front of that many people, too!!! No way in heck I would have done that when I was 5! I expected her to stand there and lip-synch a little but man--the kid belted out every tune!!! She didn't look the least bit nervous...or shy! On the way home, she told me music was her very most favorit-est thing EVER! I am so happy she goes to a school where there will never, ever be any cuts to the music program!!

As a side note, the kid 3 kids to the right of her is also 1/4 Vietnamese and pretty much the spitting image of Buddy + 5 years :)

Being Responsible

So far this school year, Brooke has lost a sweater, her jacket and a nice hair bow. So I have been "lecturing" her on "being responsible"...whether or not that is a good idea to do to a 5 year old is in question, however I sure know she's listening...

Yesterday, we picked Buddy up from daycare and I was looking in his backpack for his beloved blanket. I couldn't find it, so I told the kids we had to go back to get it. In the backseat, I hear a big sigh and then I hear Brookey tell Buddy, "BUDDY!! Listen to me! You need to start being responsible! That blanket cost a lot of money and you need to take care of it!!"

I about died laughing. Ah, kids! They'll always bring out the "funny" side of a more-less annoying experience!!!