Vines on my family tree...Easter 2012

Picture totally out of order. ugh. Double ugh. Insert at the end of post. Cousins. Dad's side. We were Trabue girls. Visited for 2 days. Enjoying our time to catch up. Life. Kids. Similarities. Family. Love. Enjoyed every minute catching up.

The Easter Bunny was ready. And while he was ready to hop around town, we headed to my Grandma's for Easter Celebration Saturday...also celebrating our Aunt Annette's Birthday. I brought the cake. Oh. And wine. Along with hugs and big smiles.

A table that every little kid would love to approach.

Tradition. These cupcakes. So pretty.

We knew all week that our departure to the lake would take place after celebrating with family. Directly from there. My mom's side. More than once I got "the look" from Bill as in "I'm ready when you are"...As sweet as that look was, I knew he was anxious. Totally ready. Get out town. You all know that feeling?

Cousins. New little cousin "Jio". Uncle and Me.

The most adored feeling in the world being sung to on your day by almost all of your family? Surrounded by those that love you. So much. This picture makes me smile just looking back. Family. Strength. Bonds. At the first and only house that has never changed for me. And most sitting there. Grandma Ramirez'.

Cameron. We heard on this day...she will be a big sister in the fall. Yippee. New babies....

And she will be a big cousin too! Tori Lynn.

We wake up on Easter Sunday. In the desert. In our cherished home on the lake. The Easter bunny found his way. He also left goodies for Kris at home. In his traditional basket. Filled with car parts. All things "Project Impala". On this day we could not have asked for more perfect weather. No, seriously. It was superb.

Kali, Tori and I headed to Walmartian-zone and filled the cart with everything Easter fun. Great snacks, EGGS, and magazines! Margarita's on the menu too. It was 5 o' clock somewhere.

Fresh basil with anything is indescribable to me. Simply put. LOVE THAT STUFF.

I love shadows. So neat. Bill and I. Love.

Springtime. Easter Eggs. Havasu patio. Temps 80 degrees. No wind. Music playing. Smiles. Happy. Yes.

Decorators a' decorating.

The only service I offered at this point. Tying bathing suits.

Perfect.

Perfect spot?

Yes. We were dancing. Snap away girls. We don't care. In our room. Bad Company comes on the radio. Step on up. Hold on to this moment. Don't let it end.

So we can catch the sunset

Almost 16. and very close to 17. Where did the time go?

picture out of order. fail.

So the next day we met up with my cousins. Dad's side now. My cousins visiting from Garberville. Far away. Simply put. Well 2 hours north of San Fran. Kali, Summer, Crue, Tori and Broc. After lunch we settled on the perfect cove.

Cousins.

Cousins celebrating good times and good laughter.

2nd cousins. Even better.

Broc

Skylynn

Summer

Cousins- Funny as I uploaded these pictures so many memories storm through me. I babysat these guys. Our Dad's are brothers. Catching up. With so many miles between us now. Yet so many ties that hold us together. Love. Love. Loved this time together.
Jason, Me, Mindi and Trevor. We were/are Trabue's.

The Trabues- Jason, Stacy, Skylynn and Blaze. The Contreras- Chris, Mindi, Crue, Summer and Broc

When daylight meets night time and a full tummy. Summer by the fire. Because we don't own cool skewers. Lame. I know.

little cousins have to use this. Raise your hand if you ever had anything more perfect? My little cousin Mindi is now a Mommy. Traveled far to hang at the lake. Crossing my fingers we can duplicate this show next year. Same thing. Please and thanks.

Could not have asked for more perfect weather. Nothing planned. Everything too good. Happy Mama.

I certainly do. I hope everyone had a safe and peaceful Easter. We sure did. Nothing fancy planned. It's the moments that you share with family. Laughing together while enjoying good food. Or spending the time in your favorite spots connecting with things and people you choose to do so with. I went to work today. Groggy yes. Busy yes. Happy of my memories, most certainly yes. Just had dinner with a Soccer Mom friend. Almost Friday everyone. Enjoy the cuddly rain tomorrow. Cheers! Big Bunny Ears!

Who's the Master?

Gaylord certainly is the master of interiors. And conversation. And stories. And memories. And love. Craftsmanship seeps through every ounce of this man. I do know where my man gets his fab figure. And those handsome eyes. And lips. And cute ears. Yes. I love Bill's ears. Alot.
I proudly represent his name for almost 17 years. He will celebrate 85 years next month. This is the man to sit next to on a road trip or in a room by a fire to hear stories. He's got em. Who loves these ol' romantic cars? Raise yo hand. Mine is raised. Love. One day closer to Friday folks. Counting the minutes. Counting seconds to get outta dodge. Wait? did I just say that? haha. I mean run to the lake. With my hair in the wind. Tonight is Open House at the High School. Is it rude to say outloud that I am kind of tired of going to these. So rude. Actually very rude. Sorry Kali. I love all your work. I know your classes. I see your grades. You rock em. But why oh why must they make us go through these. ? On a positive note: Tori is performing tonight. Dance. That is my MUST menu. Muah! xo

Sweets....Spring Break is still with your parents.

It went something like this. (and me talking in a strict Mom voice-ya rigghhht) Me: Kali we're leaving next weekend. To Havasu. Kali: What? No we aren't! Me: What? Kali yes we are heading up there...you are on Spring Break. Kali: Mom! I don't want to go up there and be bored. When all of my friends are here. I am not going. Me: Seriously Kali...you are annoying me. Kali: You don't get it Mom. I want to hang out with my friends. I am not spending my entire Spring Break in Havasu! I am going to the beach with my friends. Me: You have the rest of your life. You are going with us. You are almost 16. We win. Invite Tori. And be ready.

When it was simple. Lake Mead Regatta 2004

This awesome dude is doing something weird to my girl. I think it's him. lol! Did I say that? Or is it her homework she will miss. Or maybe Hannah her cat? Or....all her friends that she sees every single day...at school and on the field? hmmmmm (loud sigh)

At first I thought I had a handle on the whole Mama/Kali relationship..slash....her walking into pure. Hear me...PURE Teen girl hood. It's full on. ON. I know, don't roll your eyes at me. Because after raising a son, who will turn 23 in August, you would think I got this right? Well...

I'm having a terrible time letting go of my girl. I really am. And I have the right to. She isn't staying behind for Spring Break. SHE will be forced by momkind to hangout with us. To capture moments with her parents that will forever be with her. She has the rest of her life to hang out and share time with others.

I really...really.....reaaaalllly like Gianni. I take that back. I love this guy. But for now, I am holding on to this sweet girl. Well...kind of sweet. Maybe at times like bitter salt. Well her tongue. I love you Kali. You are stuck with us. Booya!

The Land of W.I.N.D.

Bill walked in with these Friday night...and we headed out for dinner. He'd be leaving for Havasu the next morning...Our snowbird rentals were leaving...and the normal house and boat routine start. Getting ready for Spring and Summer! Can I get a high F.I.V.E? I will be there next week. Yes. I have started counting hours. Not days. Hours.

Upon our arrival home he proceeded to check all of his lotto tickets. Yes. A lot of them. So funny to me.

Saturday morning was about planning our trip to here. Jealous? Kris headed to Del Mar Car Show...and Bill was cruising through the desert for a beautiful spot. We were headed here. More jealous? Raise yo hand.

First stop was The Marriot. The hotel was actually just remodeled and quite nice I must add. My first check? The room. Not too bad. and 15 pillows. So funny. Fun for a pillow fight later. eh maybe.

On to the field for 1st game at 4pm. Down this road. Yup. and streets called like, Avenue K....and L's....and M's....funny. Keepin it easy.

To here. Set dab snap in the middle of Lancaster and Palmdale. Yum.First game prep. GO BEACH!

GO #4.

And this starting peeking at us.

Goalie Savvaannnaaa ready!

Kali definitely ready.

First game a tie. This girls name cracked me up. All due respect. But in our family, we used to say "That's a bunch of malarky" Kali couldn't understand it. I didn't care to explain. Just funny to me. And our opponent.

The sprinkles started. Wind at about 30mph...cold. Miserable. But with friends? You cope. Together. For our kids. Only them. haha.

Hungry girls...want Olive Garden. Mom's want wine. Or any adult beverage. Stat. So we settle into the burb. Mac driving.

And a miracle happened. The girls spot Olive Garden. Michelle puts our name in with a wait time of 1 hour and 15. Yes. You read that right. That long. I glance over to my left and what do I see? Nothing but a YARD HOUSE peeking at me! hey I rhymed that. Bam. In yo face. So...little clever lush Lisa jaunts through the parking lot. Fast. To check that time frame. 30 mins. I'm told. I quickly put my name in. The girls follow. The daughters, soccer playa's, starving teenagers with slashing sharp tongues. Sit. While we stroll up to the bar. A dirty martini for me, and a round of wine for the others. Can you say exhale? Well. I did. My phone rings. It's Kali. She say's "Mom...we're in Olive Garden, we walked back over to check the time frame and they sat us"! So there you have it. Those sharp, soon to be driving teens, with empty stomachs because their moms don't feed them and starve them. Were seated. Voila! So we finished our drinks...and walked over to Olive Garden. Sat at the table where our young ladies were situated...and had a wonderful dinner for 6. I was impressed.

And Mac drove us back to the hotel.

While a full tummy and exhausted girl shows her spirit.

Yes. We jumped. And it felt so good. Nothing hurt. Nothing wrong. Just jumping. For joy. To be in Lancaster, CA.

Our only injury of the day. Miss. Hailey. We thanked our ref for his knucklehead ways. aka. He sucked. This is what happens.

And after 2 games. Sunday. In freezing winds. Yes. Beyond the coldest I've ever endured. Ever. Drama mama? totally. Like Fo sho.

No we are not drama mama's. I am talking 50 mph wind gusts. High temps of maybe 40. Just plain crazy. Nuts.

Since Kali was 5 we've traveled to fields. Good, bad, hot, and cold. I HAVE NEVER ENDURED WHAT WE DID YESTERDAY. Oh....more drama...with the wind carried the beauty of Lancaster sand from a field across the way that has and will never have life living there. I think that place is. Well. Hell. ok. just kidding. No I'm not. kind of.

We won. Kali celebrating. Or pointing something out...like maybe a flying chair. Or blanket. Or kid.

The wind has taken over. Everything. Sanity too.

Eddie declaring our First Place in our Bracket. WINNERS! First place. Where's the parents? And me? In the car. Or at least steps from the parking lot. Kidding. I snapped my normal shots. And ran. Fast to car.

Sunday afternoon. Road trip home. Changed into cozy sweatpants. Fueled up. Windshields cleaned of dust. hummus and apple juice. Let's do this Kali.

Memories Mommy. After all I am the memory keeper right?

And so a hundred or so miles home. She cuddled up in her seat. Shot gun. We talked. We laughed. We wiped dirt from our faces. We sat in silence listening to the cd she made for me. She had an awesome goal. We couldn't believe the weather we endured. More times to look back on. (We get to head back there in 2 weeks, Sunday morning 8am game 7am check in) I was glad to share these memories with her. We made it there and back safe. No injuries. Just wins. Thank you God. So proud of BEACH GIRLS SOCCER.

Love, The Zombie. Mommy.