Thanksgiving 2009

I can't believe the holidays are already here. Where does the time go?!?!. This Thanksgiving was spent at my sister, Vlady's house. She married into a big family so there were lots of people. Which I love! It was a great Thanksgiving there was an abundance of food and most importantly I was able to be with everyone I hold dear to my heart, my family. Except for my parents who were not able to make it. They were definitely thought about and missed.
I have so much to be thankful for. I have been so blessed in my life.
I am thankful for:

My entire family and our health

My 2 beautiful children who I love more and more each day.

My hard working, funny and loving husband who goes above and beyond for his family.

The opportunity to be a stay at home mom. I believe it is the hardest job there is, but so rewarding.

My amazing friends who help me get through all my chaos on a daily basis.

My YMCA membership.

God - Faith

For being able to survive through this recession and having what we have.

Go Team Ashlye

On November 21, 2009 I was part of an amazing team "The Ashlye Team". Ashlye passed away at the young age of 30 from diabetes. She was a very dear friend to one of my best friends, Stephanie. In her honor Stephanie put a team together to support the cure for diabetes. So on Nov 21 in the rainy cold weather a group of us got together for the cause and ran a 5K or walked a 3K. I chose to run. I think it was the coldest day we had all year. Running in the cold is hard but I pushed through it.
It was a great experience and I was proud to be part of such an amazing group for such a great cause.

Disney On Ice 100 Year Anniversary

Ricky on the way back home.



Ricky and his new sword



Hana with her cinderella snow cone









Aiden and Ricky

Disney on Ice 100 year anniversary came to Houston so I had to take the kids. I try to take them to a show once a year. But this one would be extra special because it would be Hana's 1st Disney show.
Due to the entertainment book I was able to get some amazing tickets for an extremely affordable price. We were 8 rows back and had a fantastic view. Our close friends the Hortons came with us and it was also there son's Aiden 1st time.
All the kids loved it. Hana was so excited especially when all the princesses came out. By all I mean all! From Bell, Cinderella, Snow White, Mullan, Pocahontas, Ariel etc.... Also Pinocchio, The Lion King, Aladdin, The Incredibles and Nemo made an appearance.
What we saved in ticket prices we definitely made up for with souvenirs. Ricky got a plastic sword, Hana a Cinderella cup filled with snow cone and a water bottle.
The kids had an amazing time. And seeing the pure excitement on their faces made it all worth it.

Halloween 2009

Notice Hana is already eating her candy.

Our Jack o lantern this year. Ghost!!

Peter Pan and Captain Hook

Captain Hook

Snow White

Super girl, Captain Hook, Witch and Snow White (All Best Friends)


The kids had a great Halloween. They were kept extremely busy hoping from festival to festival. First on Wed. we took them to a festival at Windwood for the "trunk or treat" and some game time with some of their best friends: The Brennans, Worrells, and Burgans. So much fun and seeing all the different costumes was all worth it.
On Friday we went to Aunt Vladys church, Faithbridge for their huge festival. Babi (grandma) was there also so it was extra special. The kids had fun playing all the games and collecting lots of candy.
Finally Halloween day my lil goblins dressed up as Captain Hook and Snow White. Lil Ricky was the most handsome Captain Hook and Hana the prettiest Snow White. We decided to go around the neighborhood and collect candy. As always our first stop was Michelle and Stephanie next door. They spoil my lil goblins and always give them extra special treats. This year it was pumpkin buckets filled with lots and lots of goodies. We probably could of just gone home after one house. What fun would that be though?
We continued on and got lots and lots of candy. Ricky would greet with "trick or treat, God blesses you" how awesome is he!!!! Hana mostly would just follow with a lollipop or something in her mouth waiting for the candy. They had lots of fun collecting their treats.
Ricky is very good at not eating all his candy and waiting for permission. Candy to Hana is a drug. She is addicted!!! She will hide with her bag of candy and eat till you find her. Her mouth would be full and wrappers surrounding her. One time she hid in Ricky's closet with a lollipop she was not suppose to have.
There was just so much of it that the "candy fairy" had to come and take it away leaving a movie/toy in it's place.

Genetics

Lately a few thing got me wondering. I know kids inherit their parents or family genes. That is hair color, eyes, nose and so on. But can they also inherit mannerisms. I ask this because both my kids portray something from my parents, their grandparents. Lil Ricky whenever he's concentrating and hard at work he sticks his tongue out. My mom does this. Hana on the other hand twirls her hair and it drives me crazy because it knots up. Sometimes to the point where we just have to cut it. I remember as a child always seeing my dad, her grandpa doing this.
So this brings me back to the question are mannerisms inherited? The human mind is such a complex and incredible machine. It just makes me wonder what is learned and what is inherited.

Ricky and his Minnie Me

Need I say more she is 100% a Pagnozzi

Hana Re-arranges the Q-tips

Hana found a new place for the Q-tips!!