The Food.
The cake.
Gaga & Buff.
Aunt Liz & Emminome.
Aunt Maxine & Alejandro.
The Grandmothers.
Aunt Liz, Aunt Maxine, & Birthday Boy #2.
The Daddy, Birthday Boy #1, & the New Grill.
Buff, Pops, & Clementina.
The Presents.
Elder Marshall. (The Uncle)
The Barely-Walking Birthday Boy #2
The Birthday Boys.
The Cousins.
The Happy Aunt Liz.
Aunt Liz & Pedrito.
The Mommy and Her Boy.
Pops, Elder Marshall, Jason, & The Daddy.
Birthday Boy #1.
Gaga and Clementina.
I wanted to try out the new blogger app so I thought I'd share something yummy really quick. --- (update: I don’t like how it posts pictures. I had to get on my computer and fix it.)
Ralph's was having a great sale on tri-tip so I figured, "why not give it a shot?" I went to my favorite recipe website and found one that seemed yummy. Well it turned out so delicious! The meat was tender and juicy and so flavorful. Michael was in heaven. Soin was also here and she loved it too.
If you're like me and are afraid of cooking meat, give this one a shot. I cooked it on the grill for 3 mins on each side uncovered. It was a little red inside, but I went with my gut and took it off.
Here's the link to the recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/easy-grilled-tri-tip/detail.aspx
Back in the Spring of this year, we made an offer on a beautiful house in Escondido. We really wanted this house. It had a perfect layout and had the perfect backyard. It was also 30 years old and at the very top of our price range. It contained asbestos in the ceilings, needed to be tented, needed new carpet, paint, and some appliances. We were willing to sacrifice. We prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help us make the big decision. We didn’t feel very good about it at first, but still really loved the idea of owning our own home.
After getting the final inspections and working with a not-so-friendly bank, our offer was accepted and we very close to signing the final papers. Mike went to visit the house with our realtor on his lunch break and found an unhappy surprise. The foundation of the house was completely split in half. Papers were cancelled and we were back to square one.
We discovered that house hunting is a very emotional roller coaster ride. We took a month or two off. We resorted to Mike going with our realtor to preview the houses first and if he found something he thought we both would like, the boys and I would drive out to take a look.
One day Michael called me and said, “Babe, you have to come look at this house.” I loved it. It was much newer than the last, had new carpet, all appliances (in great condition), paint and no popcorn ceilings, and not to mention was $30,000 less. It seemed to good to be true. We made an offer and it was accepted.
Again, we prayed. We felt good. The process went smoothly and we’re here. Yes. We bought it and we’re here, enjoying our life together in our very own home.
Here are some pictures from before we moved in (sorry about the quality). It’s 1,140 square feet. 3 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms. 2 car garage. Perfect.
Here’s the cherry on top… it was appraised for $10,000 less than what we offered, which means we ended up saving $10,000 more.
My baby, three whole years have flown by. Your little brother is walking now and I often remember these same sweet moments I had with you as I watch him. My emotions get the best of me when I think of how quickly you’ve grown and continue to grow. What an amazing big boy you are becoming. You are so incredibly sweet, loving, and happy. Daddy and I love your sweet little prayers, high energy, negotiation skills, and photographic memory! I love how you will out of the blue, give me besitos and huggies and say, “I love you.” We love how much you love your little brother. Thank you for being you and for another year of fun, laughter, and happiness.
Here are a few awesome things you said during your third year of life:
“I wanna go in a big, big, huge airplane, Mommy. And I wanna live in the sky!” 4/11
“Mommy, are we going to Taco Bell? Or are we going to Burrito Bell?” 6/11
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Thank you for this food. Thank you for this fork. Thank you for daddy’s knee getting all better. Thank you for our new house. This I pray, Amen.” 8/11
Levi, today you are 1 year old and I just want you to know that you have brought Mommy, Daddy, and Max so much joy and happiness. I have to admit that when I was pregnant, sometimes I would wonder how I could ever possibly love another child like I love your brother. After you were born, and when I first held you in my arms, I felt that love all over again. I feel like my heart has grown to make room for all of the love that I have for you. You are my little angel, Levi and I love you.
We all love everything about you, including your sweet smile, your button nose, your big appetite, your chunky thighs and double chin, your contagious laugh and your admiration for your big brother. Thank you for all the joy you bring to us each day. Happy first birthday, My Son.
It makes me feel like I’m getting old to think that we are at this stage in our lives already. It’s been ten years since Mike has graduated high school and he has accomplished so much. A few days ago I asked him if he was nervous. His response was, “No, I think I’ve had some pretty good accomplishments in the past ten years so I won’t feel like a loser.”
Let’s see, right after high school Michael served a two year mission in Argentina. He came back and got married and two years later, became a father. He then received his Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management as well as put his wife through school to receive her degree. Shortly after that, he became a father to a second son and then was able to land a job in back to California. Now, seven months later, he will be buying a beautiful home for his family.
All I can say is, wow. You are amazing, Michael. Thank you for all that you have done for our family. You really have accomplished so much the first ten years of your adult life. I’m proud to say that you are my husband. I love you.
The reunion was a ton of fun! It was a blast getting all dressing up like high school days. I was able to go shopping in my mom’s closet for my outfit. She actually picked it out for me. I fell in love with the shoes and that is why there are pictures of them posted below. I spent the past six months getting ready for this night… in other words, I’ve been working hard to lose ten pounds. Maybe it was just an excuse or a reason for me to get that last bit of baby weight off. So, I set a goal and made it! I attribute it to using the myfitnesspal app. If you’re wanting to drop a few, check it out. I definitely recommend it.
Anyway, Mike had to roll into the reunion sporting his cane which was pretty funny. Some people weren’t sure if he was really using it or if it was a part of his outfit. He looked hot! The reunion was held at the House of Blues in San Diego. Mike had a blast catching up with old friends and reminiscing. It was a great night. Three more years until my reunion!
