The Beautiful Miss Stevie Rae

Ever wonder what it would be like to be good at everything you do???
She is so good at everything she does.  I am sure it sounds like a bragging
mother (LOL!) but it's not.  She is truly amazing and most days when
I forget I am her parent, I am in awe of what God has created in my

daughter!  Do you think all parents feel this way???

Happy New Year Family Photoshoot

Can you believe they painted my graffti wall!  I am sad!  One of my favorite places to shoot.  Anyway, Paul and me and the kids stopped yesterday for some Happy New Year's 2010 pictures. So Fun!  I am a lucky woman.

Christmas 2009

This year was a crazy weeklong Christmas.  Stevie Rae came home from college on December 12th and the festivities began.  We celebrated Christmas at home on Wednesday night and left for Mom and Dad's on Thursday afternoon (Christmas Eve!)  We spent Christmas Eve with my parents and then left for Corey's house on Saturday morning.  We spent one night at Coreys and had a blast at a little place called Mikeys singing karaoke.  Sunday we came home.  Wednesday, December 30th, we made a marvelous dinner for Paul's brother Ken's family and celebrated Christmas with them. We are still trying to get together with Paul's older brother and hopefully that will happen soon.  Today we are going to celebrate with his Mom.  It should be a nice day.  Happy Holidays to all!

My mom

At Christmas time, Paul and I and the kids went to So Cal to see my parents and spend Christmas with them.  We had a wonderful time with my parents and their friends Anne and Chuck.  Thanks Mom!

Ester

What a joy to be able to take pictures of Ester.  Ester is an 84 year old woman that lives here in Livemore with her daughter, Natalie.  Natalie's daughters both attend Talen's school.  Natalie called and asked about getting her mom's photo taken before Christmas.  I was so happy to do it.  Thank you so much Natalie!

Talen turns TEN

It is so hard to believe that my little boy is a two digit age!  Boo Hoo.  I am feeling old.  Three more years til he hits his teens.  I'm not sure how that will go.  Talen is such a sweet boy.  Very sensitive.  For his tenth birthday we decided to do a down town treasure hunt, including stops at the Donut Wheel for donut holes, Peet's Coffee for hot chocolate, The Alehouse for licorice, and First Street Treats for frozen yogurt!  The treasure hunt ended at Livemore Cinema's where we all saw The Christmas Carol starring Jim Carey.  Pretty scary movie.  After the movie was over we went next door to The Tollhouse Store where a party table was set up with balloons and a huge butterscotch cookie with "Yoda" on it was waiting for Talen and his guests.  So fun.  Among the guests were Bridgette, Lukie, Jack T., Stevie Rae and Jeff, Lexi, Brandon Sui, Lina and Tyler Naumann, Talen's Godmother Stacey, his Auntie Stacey and cousin Samantha, Paul and me!  So Fun!  We love you Talen!

Lexi and Stevie Rae sing at retirement homes

It's a beautiful thing when two young girls sing their hearts out to entertain the residents of retirement homes.  Those elderly folks just love the girls.  Once again Stevie Rae and Lexi put together a Christmas show to perform and their favorite three homes.  Quail Gardens, Heritage Estates, and Rosewood Gardens were among the many that they have sang at of the last seven years.  Stevie Rae went off to college this year so they really didn't get to plan much and just sort of flew by the seat of their pants and put together this Christmas o9 show.  They were wonderful.  Among the songs, Lucky, Winter Wonderland, A Christmas Song, Joy To The World, At Last, Taylor the Latte Boy, Don't Rain on My Parade, Carpe Deim, Crazy Californian, Jingle Bells and more.  Great Show girls.