The first round of cherished holiday parties....New traditions...Old traditions...

It all started 5 years ago. This group of moms. This group of fun moms. Minus a few in the pic. This is our original Soccer Mom Group. That endured many many moments together. We still meet often.
Mary....opening up her Pasta gift...
Kyoko..opening a beautiful white canister-
Little did I know...inside this box...was ALL Lisa. Vanilla Candle set. Everything me. LOVE it!
The start of a NEW tradition. This hostess gift, an Angel ornament...will be handed to each of us to hang on our trees at home each year. Starting with Donna. Inside the Hallmark box, we write a note. A note of the night. Our moments together. And so the tradition will carry on...well past soccer games, soccer tournaments...our girls in High School...we will carry this new tradition on.
A few years ago, we gathered at Tantalum's. I brought each Mom a Wine Stopper. We noticed Donna's lost a leg. Kyoko managed to widdle a cork into a peg leg. AND made him into a Santa Pirate. hahahaa.....Wine induced. Yes. Fun.
And this Family and Friends. Is a welcome letter to Brittany from Cal State Fullerton.....
And so we toasted. And we cheered. And we celebrated.
Miss. Angel accidentally went swimming....odd as that sounds, but so fit for the night...
Beautiful......Breezy, Tori, Mac and Kelly....
While I was out celebrating Christmas with my soccer mom group...Bill dropped Kali off at Acapulco for Bianca's surprise party. His comment later in the night to me "Hun, did you see how short her skirt was?" And yes, she was wearing my high wedged heels too! Haha. These are the years...Hold on tight. Little did Miss. Tori know...6 hours later she'd be awoke to THE STOMACH FLU! Kali has one phobia in this world. And that's throwing up. She has been in complete panic all day. She feels bad, but she's worried. The bleach aroma that seeps from Kali's room at this point, is almost comical. These two girls have given each other every thing...so. I wait. ugh! As I type this, Tori is still in bed. Still very sick. Still very out of it. My poor sweet baby. Such a fun Friday night...looking forward to our annual Cookie Bake tonight at my cousins. My sister and I planned to drive together...with our girls....Things changed real quick....Get well soon Tor Tor.

The life of Soccer...and memories built around it....

A Soccer program...a Football program...a Baseball program....Whatever choice of sports, cheer, or dance your daughter or son decides to become a part of..becomes a family. It becomes their structured back bone to many many decisions, plans, and life choices. Along with that, come friends. Friends that will be in their life, wishfully, and hopefully for many many years to come. Yesterday was picture day. I stopped by to snap my own, and bring envelopes to those girls that might have misplaced theirs. While there...just looking around, the friendships. The bonds. On each team. This soccer program. Starts with these girls. Their coaches, our board. Ends with memories, fun times...and another chapter in their book of life. We decided to surprise the girls this season with wristbands supporting one of our own Lisa Fast. Who lost her mommy by the senseless coward that took her along with many others. We love Seal Beach. We love their family. We will be her rock.
The besties....
The besties...plus Cass. Great girl. Great family.
Love this. United we are.
My sweets, along with Sav and Kell's. You all know Sav...she's my bestie's sweet baby...and Varsity Goalie-
They always do the silly shots...
JV Soccer 2011-2012- Lady Griffins....
Our entire soccer program. Division 1 High School. Winning is our language, losing isn't in our vocabulary. Cheers!

Hot off the press...........she said "Yes"

We knew the day was coming soon...Sweet Gianni had the courage today...halted the whole 3rd period class. Asking our Sweet Pea in front of everyone. I could only imagine how red both of their faces were. Gianni and Kali met in Jr. Lifeguards in Seal Beach. She actually shared her first kiss with him on 7.8.09- He's been back in the picture lately. And if you ask me, he suits her just fine. Always has been the gentleman. Always has respected my tough girl. Kali has a high standards. He seems to be fitting in lately.
Here is the evidence. Thank you Kelly. Thank you to all the friends that helped capture what "Mamarazzi" couldn't. So exciting. Ohhh boy...time to shop for a dress. Time for Winter Formal planning. For my Supercross friends? Sorry...this Mama won't be attending for the first time in 10 years! I have a girl to help primp, photograph...and send off for a fun night....Cheers! Happy Friday everyone. Looking forward to our annual Soccer Mom Gathering tonight...LOVE and MISS my soccer mom's- Bring on the good wine...bring on the laughter. Tomorrow juggling plans...Christy's Dinner Memorial at Jack's Shrimp, Boat parade and our family Annual Cookie bake-get-silly together...! And Sunday's party for Russ' 50th on a party bus. I better pace myself. I better dress warm and be thankful for the chance to gather with friends, family and safe, fun times! Muah!

A fine young man...the making of a "Gentleman"....

I've had a few days to digest my Monday's phone call. On Sunday evening while we all cozied up in our rooms, I received a text message from "Gianni". It's contents were asking my permission to call, when Kali wasn't around. He needed to ask me something.....Of course I responded with "No problem honey, tomorrow will be fine. Let's get in touch by afternoon"- His response.."I'll call you at 8:30pm". And so he did. Exactly 8:30, my phone rang. For some strange reason I had the awkward nerve flutter as I answered. He proceeded with.."Hi, how are you? First of all, I just want to tell you that Kali is an amazing girl...and you probably already know, but she is amazing to me, and I'd like to ask your permission to ask her to Winter Formal". After a couple of huge smiles, and excitement, I said "Of course honey"! And thank you for respecting us, and Kali by asking. Of course I proceeded to ask him how he plans to ask her...(At their school, it seems the deed of asking your date to Prom or Winter Formal becomes a spectacle of who can top who) And so he HAS plans....He did share with me. It's amazingly adorable. He is adorable. Kali doesn't read my blog often. As a matter of fact I wouldn't be blogging this tonight if I didn't know he wasn't doing this soon, as in tomorrow or Friday. So...stay tuned. I have a posse of girls ready and waiting for this moment to catch it all on video and camera.....Stay tuned. Miss. Kali is going to Winter Formal. My sweet baby, hair topped with bows to match her clothes, my little sweets that adored her mommy....and every moment with her...is growing up...these are the days.....Above you notice the "I love you" napkin sign? Monday morning I woke to that stuffed into my coffee cup. From Kali. It started my week just the way I needed it. It also came to mind while I hung up the phone with Gianni...reminding myself...he's a very lucky guy. He is also a very true little gentleman. Ohhh boy!
Our first game of the week tucked up the coast in the beautiful little mountainside of Dana Point. As a matter of fact, on the very street of MORE family!
Lexi-poo! Stopped by to catch her cousin's game. After the game we quickly headed over to say hello to my Aunt Michelle...and give some quick hugs and love to them. Her cozy cute house steps from the ocean...the weekday family love...all built around our love for soccer.....oh it's the little things....
We gave the win to Dana Hills. It's too bad, we dominated the game. A simple push to the wrong side. Happy hump-day everyone...A bit closer to Friday! Another busy weekend of course...but glad to be alive. Glad to get together with friends and family. Glad my family is safe, healthy and able. Cheers!

Old places, New Places...Familiar Faces, New Faces...

After a verrrryyyy long and grueling week, I escaped my office, and literally drove home. No Kali. No Bill. No Kris. No Bucks. Just me. I proceeded to walk into my house. Light my candles. Tuck myself away with my favorite magazine...and chill. I didn't have plans set in stone. I didn't care to set anything in stone. I was simply exhausted. My friend Kyoko was settling in somewhere down by the parade route in Seal Beach. I wanted to join. But did I want crowds? No. Kali headed to the parade. Bill swept me away down to 2nd Street to try something new. We opted for Lebanese food. This place was delish!
We share an appetizer...and very good wine. For dinner we chose the Salmon Kabobs. Which didn't come on a stick, but still carried the aroma of grilled fish. Served with a cold, crunchy, tangy dressing and a side of spicy hummus.
While enjoying dinner, a saxophone player makes his way through the restaurant...of course you know this stuff just melts me. Sucker for live music. Wine? My love? Cold brisk night out? Friday night? Perfecto.
The next morning we were up and out the door at the bright lovely hour of 7:15am. Edison Charger Cup in HB. Here we come. We won one, and we lost one.
My sweet pea.
In between game 2.
Funny. Funny. Our family aren't really the donut people. Bill offered to stop and get Mama a Starbucks. Cute part. He walks up with this huge box of donuts to the field. That's a funny oxymoron in the soccer/athlete world. That's like bringing a snow ski outfit to the beach. HAHAAHAHAA. He proceeded to offer them to the parents. You should of seen this box get handed around throughout the morning. Finally after game 2, coach allowed the girls to have them. Kali walks up to me after game one and says "Did he really bring those?" haha. I said, Kali he was trying to make happiness, and give yummies...before walking away she say's.."Save the pink one for me"- hahahaa..
Saturday night was filled with family moments for a memorial for Bom. Aunt Bobbie hosts' a party each year, on the first weekend of December. I was nervous for the tears. I was excited to mend all the years. To see everyone again. Christine and I were partners in crime years ago in the 80's. Big hair. Lot's of hairspray. Lot's of laughter. I was so happy to see everyone.
Cousins. Taylor, Kali, McKenna, Riley and Courtney....
Sweet-
It would be so neat to see before 1980's pictures...and now. Funny
Santa came to visit. Kristopher
And Kali....
The annual Christmas Party was a Memorial for "Bom" too. So many pictures flowed through this room when I arrived...but there were a few that really touched me. One, is of "Bom" hugging Aunt Pat's horses. She looks very very peaceful. The other is her sitting on someone's front porch. Her eyes tell a very tired, very long story. BUT this one...above..just melts me. I DO not recall EVER seeing this picture. Kris holding Kali. I took the picture of the picture. She is looking at him. He is talking to her. HE was the MOON to the families Earth...First Grandson. First Nephew. First everything. And here she is. Sharing the world with Little Miss. Kali. Oh I could stare at this picture all. Day. Long. LOVE.
Santa
Sunday morning we awoke to a breakfast invite date...and after heading to our favorite little spot...to see it was overfilled with happy eating patrons, we chose a different little place up the street. Which I might say...was very very good. Our next arrival was John Force's Toy Drive Car Show. We attend every year. This day, I must say was beyond beautiful.
Our little fam-bam! And Bucksie....
Olivia Newton John...I mean Bill and Lisa. The lace headband kept the hairs out of my eye.
One of my favorite rides.
One of my favorite little faces.
Cute surprise! As we stood there checking everything out when we arrived....I see Ron walking up towards us. Ron and Trisha are Havasu Car Show friends....Parked right across from us. So awesome. Such a beautiful day....
Mama & Kali
Meet Stanley....Kris' friend Alexa's little-guy! Good boy too...
Such a fast, whirlwind weekend. Last night we all got home to close the house up, making a large yummy salad...and a stack of pillows to collapse on...exhausted....but so happy for the fun memories we made. The safe travels we endured. It starts all over again today! Hope everyone has a super great week. Make the best of it. Work hard, play harder-

Where did the years go?

Yesterday I logged into my email at work. After sorting through several unknown emails, and some from vendors that I could care less about, but have to. I see this email from an ol' friend Kristine. Kristine and I met years ago. We were neighbors. I moved a city over. We still hung out. At least once a week for dinner. She'd come over, we'd let the girls play...meanwhile the two of us chatted in my little living room, enjoying the girl/mama talk that most of us love. I sure loved it. We enjoyed Chuck-E-Cheese, parks, watching the girls ride their bikes...playing in the sand. And our other fun spot..."The Nature Walk" in Long Beach. As I sat there staring at this picture of Kali's toothless smile....and their "peace" holding fingers. I smile. I actually teared up. I emailed Kristine back. Letting her know how awesome this is. How I do miss our chats...hoping that she'll call me, and arrange a dinner, or another chat. Letting our teen girls reminisce with us. Happy Friday everyone! Hope this week has been good for everyone. After two away games, one by the mountains, the other up on the hill in Palos Verdes by the ocean; Board meetings, Volleyball games..I am exhausted. Tonight we will try to sneak to the Seal Beach parade. Tomorrow early game in HB...High School Tournament...2 games, and a Christmas gathering in the evening...I am exhausted. But so thankful to be alive. So thankful for my health. So thankful I am able. CHEERS!