Family News

Renaissance Fair

2008-12-10T20:03:00.005-06:00

We went to the Renaissance Fair day after Thanksgiving while everyone were doing the after Thanksgiving shopping.

The weather was nice even though it rained on our way there.

The kids had a great time! Here's a picture of Alyssa with her mask!

Snow in Texas

2008-12-10T19:53:00.002-06:00

It's snowing in Holiday Lakes
These were taken at 7:30PM in front of the house.

Update from Texas

2008-07-30T09:57:00.006-05:00

We have been all so busy with work and everything - kids will be going back to school the middle of August so we have time to get them ready with school supplies, clothes, etc., hinting here :-) - kidding aside, I think the kids are ready for a new routine -

Will keep everyone posted and hope to have more pictures to add to the site.

Love you all!!

Day at the Pool - Annette - Ladera Ranch

2008-07-22T09:06:00.003-05:00

Here's how they spend the day in Southern Sunny California - basking in the sun and enjoying the pool - not too crowded and yes Kyla is sleeping!

2008-07-20T20:38:00.003-05:00

Nautica celebrated her birthday early - she turns 5 on Thursday, July 24th. C.J., Alyssa, Kyra and Ashley went there early with Sallie's help since I had to work until 5:30PM. Nautica slept over on Friday night prior so the girls had a great time of course not going to bed until 1:00AM. But that's what slumber parties are for - right! Melanie was there - Ashley got photos - but missed her. Photos from the party!!

Additional Photos - Nautica's Birthday

2008-07-20T20:22:00.003-05:00

See C.J. with stick to hit pinata - he wanted the stick more than the candy!

More Photos from Party

2008-07-20T20:08:00.004-05:00

C.J. on Iessa's Dora tricycle

Sweet 16

2008-07-13T20:35:00.002-05:00

Ashley turned 16 on June 13th - she didn't want a party but Sallie baked her a cake and I took her to lunch at her somewhat favorite place "Fudruckers" in Lake Jackson then to purchase her gift. She opted for games to books because they last longer. A book she says would only last her a day as opposed to a game that can take her a little longer to enjoy!

Here's a picture of Sallie's and the grandkids creation for her birthday!

Undate on Activities

2008-07-13T20:08:00.003-05:00

Summer - well it's just too short. The kids will be going back to school soon and then all will be somewhat quiet. They are a joy to have and definitely very blessed that they are here!

Here are some photos of them - some even with their favorite dog "Taz." As you can see C.J. just loves to be with her - he even gets into the cage and closes the door!

Some of the pictures include Nautica and Iessa - Chivonne's girls. They have been spending some time with the girls with sleep overs along with Kerry's niece Makalei.

More to come before school begins!

Academic Letterman Jacket - Angleton High School

2008-07-13T19:57:00.002-05:00

Ashley got her academic letterman jacket just before she went to TSA State Championship in Waco - I'm still trying to get her to do duel courses with credits to both high school and college. Told her that it would cut her college days down tremendously. Right now she is thinking about it.

Alyssa's Birthday Tea Party

2008-07-13T19:44:00.003-05:00

All she wanted was a tea party and a tea party she got! Everyone had a great time!

TSA State Competition - Waco Texas

2008-07-13T19:40:00.001-05:00

A little late - however still great news!

Technology Student Association (TSA) State Competition was held in Waco, Texas May 9 and 10, 2008 - It was hot in Waco but it didn't deter Ashley or her team members from Angleton High School.

Ashley submitted 15 projects ranging from wood working to digital photography. She place on the top 3 for all her projects. She had 13 1st Place with 2 Best in State; 1 3rd Place and 1 2nd Place. I'll say she did pretty darn well.

Overall the school did great. Judging was harder this year with new judges but still they did great. Here are some of her projects!

1st Place Winner - Digital Landscape

2008-07-13T19:11:00.003-05:00

This was taken near the school - she got Best in Class for this one

Another 1st Place Winner with Best in State Award

2008-07-13T18:57:00.002-05:00

Wood working - a cypress maple clock with a mother's poem. It's pretty heavy but beautiful. Still looking for a place to hang so it won't fall and break!

1st Place Digital Photography - Animals

2008-07-13T14:45:00.004-05:00

She is always using the cats and kittens in the yard to do her animal digital photography entry. Last year she used the kittens and also was a 1st Place winner with Best in State award.

1st Place and Best in State Silk Screen Printing - School Logo

2008-07-13T14:26:00.007-05:00

School logo "Wildcats" - she also did a multicolor silk screening of a classmate - that unfortunately didn't do as well, it placed 2nd Place but still at the top of the awards!

Toves Trio TODAY

2008-05-06T02:29:00.002-05:00

Father N Son

2008-05-06T01:48:00.002-05:00

We've Got Kitties!

2008-05-05T23:41:00.004-05:00

CJ loves Veggie Tales

2008-01-29T00:54:00.000-06:00

Here's CJ dancing and singing to one of his favorite songs, "Veggie Tales" theme song. Enjoy!

A few Christmas Pixes

2008-01-04T23:03:00.001-06:00

Our First Texan Christmas Tree! Kerry collects M&M's and CJ loves eating 'em!
Kyra loved all of her girlie gifts!
It's all about fashion, High School Musical, & Hannah Montana for Kyra. Alyssa loves to shadow her big sister! Alyssa finally joining in on opening gifts! Took her awhile to get up after taking so long to get her to sleep before Santa arrived! ;-)

It's funny how the girls were more interested in what the other one got- even CJ was more into the girls' electronic games while his sisters had fun with his new tool set!

....and where is CJ in all this? He's oohing & aaahhhing in the background and then knocked out.

Our Doggie Family

2008-01-04T22:42:00.000-06:00

Bumper

Scooby Dum

DJ getting some lovin'

and then there's TAZ

...and as you can see Taz is attached to the "Lyster"

(Sean's nickname for Alyssa)

Catsville

2008-01-04T20:02:00.001-06:00

Here's some pixes of the kitties that live on our porch! Meet the newest member of the family - the girls called him/her "BLACKIE". Unfortunately, he/she was the only one to survive out of the 3 kittens that Batgirl gave birth to. So far, he/she's become "streetwise" and even bed-buddies w/ DJ on the porch. DJ seems to always want to go outside so he just stays out there now for the most part. I think he thinks he's now a cat. I mean the dog eats catfood now and plays with all the cats out front. The other cats don't seem to mind him and play along too.

The other cats shown -I'm not sure who is who, but the one sleeping below is GEORGE. He runs in the house once in awhile since he use to be a house cat before he moved over here. The cats seems to love it on our porch. They seem to take care of us too as they keep snakes and rodents away from the house.

The Toves Trio

2008-01-04T19:30:00.000-06:00

Here's the crazy Toves Trio- pixes taken today as the kids went outside to play for a bit before it gets cold again. (Sorry, I know I've been bad neglecting my blog postings lately.)

It has been in the 70 degrees during the day, but around 30 degrees at night! I've been sick as a dog for the last 3 weeks and finally getting over it now. Luckily, the kids had gotten over their colds before Christmas.

Thank you all for your presents- the kids loved them all. Also, hope you enjoyed my special gift to all you as well.

CJ is starting his "terrible two" stage already- always into everything and anything! Alyssa is still a muncher day and night and we still dunno where it all goes- fast metabolism. Kyra is dreading going back to school after a short Xmas vacation and still asks which weekend we can go visit Alexa in Oceanside. (Nanny, what are we going to do?)

Second Cousins meet for the First Time!

2008-01-04T19:22:00.000-06:00

(L-R Iza, Kyra, Nautica, Alyssa, and if you look closely,
it's CJ sleeping in the corner!)

Kyra & Alyssa were surprised to see their "second cousins" to be as small as them! Also, to see how they seemed to know where everything was in the house- including their old bedroom. LOL

CJ slept through the visit but when they came by again on New Years Day, CJ was enjoying being present amongst many little ladies! ;-)

Sleepin' Beauty D.J.

2007-11-25T16:47:00.000-06:00

A Sleepin' Beauty Dog's Life.

Usually he sleeps flat on his back like a person, but with his legs & arms up, which is fun to watch. He is so trusting amongst us.

Funny Dog.

D.J.

2007-11-25T16:32:00.000-06:00

D.J. is still having a hard time adjusting to Texas. He seems to have gotten bad amnesia or something from when he got sideswiped by that car cuz' sometimes it seems he thinks he's a "cat"! He likes to eat the cat foot outside more than the dog food inside! Plus, as you can see, the kids put on a collared shirt on the dog confusing him even more! LOL

One of the cats, "Batgirl" had 3 kittens - one black, one mixed patches, and a tan colored one. I think D.J. is always looking for them to play with. The kittens all have blue eyes too. I've only seen them a couple of times after it rains. Will try to post some pixes soon.

See, poor D.J. - now he thinks he's a horse! He's a good dog though. He'll never complain and totally lets C.J. pull his ears, his tail, and ride him!
Am I a dog, a cat, a horse, or a boy? Oh well, I'm loved.

Chicken Foot

2007-11-25T16:28:00.001-06:00

This is the game Kyra & I learned on Thanksgiving & our new pasttime. Good way to practice her math skills! Try it sometime! Great family game!

The object of the game is to play all your tiles and have the lowest score at the end of the game. At the start of the game, each player draws tiles from the "chicken yard", one tile at a time. The first player to hold the double-nine tile goes first, positioning the tile in the center of the hub, then play proceeds clockwise. The remaining tiles that contain double nines are then played into the other notches on the hub, forming a double "chicken foot". Thereafter, tiles may be placed on any of the six "chickentoes", and so on. Chickenfoot can also be played with double twelve dominoes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-25T16:08:00.000-06:00

This was taken right before we went to Great-Grandparents Carmie & Alvin's place to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was an early feast because Kerry's youngest sister had to leave by 1pm. We had fun.

Afterwards, we headed back to the house to continue our own Thanksgiving celebration. Menu included my brined turkey, Mom's ham, potato salad, candied yams, fresh stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, and Mom's famous apple & pumpkin pies. Yum Yum!

C.J had fun as you can see in his lil' pilot outfit! Although he later caught Kyra's cold and is still a little sick. He's feeling better today though.

Mom, Ashley, Kyra, and I later played a dominoe game called "Chicken Foot" that they taught us earlier that morning at Kerry's parents' place. It is a really fun game and quite relaxing. We played through the night while listening to classic Christmas music. It was a relaxing evening. The guys just relaxed their "tummies" while we played.

Mom and Ashley even later taught me an old card game called "Hand & Foot" and by the time we finished, it was already almost midnight. I guess "us girls" really got into the game.

Hope all of you too had a great Turkey day! XOXOX

Happy 7th Anniversary to Us!

2007-11-04T22:56:00.000-06:00

Can you believe it's already been 7 years since our Las Vegas Wedding? Sean and I dined in Lake Jackson to celebrate the special occasion while Mom watched our trio at home. We went for the usual fave of ours- italian. Johnnie Carino's and it was good. However, it didn't have Sean's fave linguine w/ white clam sauce and my crave for shrimp scampi but it was nice. It was a bit awkward dining just the two of us, as we've gotten so use to our usual "party-of-5".

Last night, we ALL dined out for a change, at Ryan's (similar to HomeTown Buffet) and are getting use to now having to wait for a table because of our now, "Party-of-Eight" family count. It is an experience in itself lately going out to dinner w/ our large group, but mighty fun- considering CJ's funny table manners, Alyssa's never-ending eating habit, and Kyra's drama shows. (No extra entertainment needed on our outings- LOL)

It was funny when we got to the italian restaurant. There was no hostess to greet us right way so we assumed that "you help yourself" since menus were right at the door, so that's just what we did! We grabbed one of each menu and started looking for our table. Then, the hostess came out apologizing as she was sitting another couple ahead of us. (must be new like us) so it was quite embarressing at first. So not everything here in Texas is DIY style. But then it seemed as if everyone was observing us as if were on our very first date! Even our waitress seemed a bit too nosey at times around us.

I guess us not spending enough quality time together alone, is starting to show. LOL Either that or we just look too obvious "out-of-towners".

FYI- Copper is traditionally symbollic for "7 years"

Grandparents' Day

2007-11-04T22:33:00.000-06:00

September 12, 2007Kyra got double special treatment on Grandparent's Day over here in Texas. She got to have lunch w/ her new Grandpa Kerry and Great-Grandma Carmie at her new school. It was a fun day for her to share all these new experiences all at once!

Barbie Day at Great-Grandma's

2007-11-01T17:21:00.000-05:00

October 6, 2007 The girls had a blast playing at Great-Grandma Carmie's Barbie Beauty Parlor that she made literally all by herself! From quilts, furniture, and even designer clothes for Barbie! This woman has some talent! She also had the girls go shopping there where they came home with cute little personalized outfits for their own barbie dolls. It looked like a showroom for Barbies in the bedroom and that wasn't even everything out.
The girls even now have a new cousin to play with. Mykaila is five and is Darryl's (Kerry's younger brother) granddaughter.
CJ went along but realized there were no "cars or trucks" that Barbie had to lend him, so he went to hang out with Darryl's red-nose pittbull, "Shadow" instead. But then Shadow wouldn't share his toys, so CJ just ended up going w/ us to run errands instead. LOL

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T14:42:00.000-05:00

Drawn by Kyra - 1st Grade

Funny Texas

2007-10-31T12:21:00.000-05:00

As you enter Holiday Lakes, here are a few fun things we've noticed...A Tennis Court
A Handball Court
and what looks to be what's left of the Wicked Witch of the West's home from the Wizard of Oz! LOL

How CJ spends his day...

2007-10-31T01:22:00.001-05:00

First, he wakes up after his 3rd or 4th baba during the night and avoids me to change his dunkie. (As you can see the boy is already hiding in the corner...) But good thing, this boy LOVES taking showers so now we just throw him in there when he has more in his dunkie than I want to clean up. LOL He's getting the hang of that idea and now jumps in with whomever is taking a shower, even with his clothes on!

Next, he's "Seannie Boy"! Just lounges, and lounges, and lounges while his sister just eats, and eats, and eats! Them two have teamed-up alternating snacks and sippy cups and have a regular TV schedule between Noggin, Discovery, and Disney. Talk about updated Preschool Technology - Alyssa singing out her ABC's while CJ dances and attempts to sing too. They love to dance to "Hi-5" and CJ zones out during "Bigfoot Monster Trucks". Video to soon be launched...stay tune.

By afternoon, right before I leave to pick up Kyra from school at 3pm (long day at school here in Texas - 7:50am - 3:10pm for 1st graders???) he'll knock out for a bit. As you can see, CJ has a new "shadow pal" TAZ who likes to pick up after CJ's snack droppings. She's been getting spoiled by the kids since we moved here. She sleeps w/ the girls and follows CJ - so cute!

And then... it starts up all over again!

PS- So where's DJ? He's either in his cage (see above pic, next to Alyssa) or out back in the fenced in yard letting out his energy until he learns his boundaries. CJ still rides him like a pony but DJ's been in TIMEOUT moreso lately and getting use to his cage. He's slowly adjusting. The cage is suppose to be just for TIMEOUT, but he seems to like it in there- probably because it's "his place" aways from the other 3 girl dogs. Like CJ, he's still a bit confused where he lives. Sometimes when CJ misses DJ, he'll climb into the cage with him! Talk about "boys best friend" LOL

Do you prefer Coke or Pepsi?

2007-10-30T23:05:00.000-05:00

Good News! Sean got a new job already! He's working for Coca-Cola now in Angleton! Having "Staples" on his resume really came in handy as he pretty much got the job as a "loader" on the spot.

He works M-F from 1pm on and his work is literally less than 10 mins. away from Kyra's school which is nice. So far he likes it.

It was funny when he shared with me his lunch experience on his first day at work. He went to Taco Bell and asked for his usual PEPSI - if you know Sean, he really prefers the taste unless it's fountain and then it doesn't matter. Well, he said the Taco Bell lady said he couldn't have a Pepsi and that she could give him water instead. It didn't dawn on him right away that duhh, what the hell is a Coca-cola worker asking to drink their competitor! LOL

Of course, the lady was just messing with Sean and giving him a hard time at first. But the cop behind him sure gave him a strange look since he was wearing his Coca-cola uniform. It wasn't like he was gonna drive across town to get something else to drink during his half hour lunch break.

At the end, he still got his Pepsi and luckily remembered to not take his cup in with him when he went back to the warehouse.

Can you imagine that being a great kodak moment w/ him in his Coca-cola uniform w/ a Pepsi in his hands! LOL

Our Views from the House

2007-10-28T02:03:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our New Home with Mom here in Holiday Lakes! No doubt we are "definitely" in the Country! Sure is different from California.
This is what it looks like as we pull up to the driveway. I (Sallie) have regained my driving privileges back after my past "hit-the-pole" incident! Although I still do not drive up the narrow driveway to "double-park", for everyone ELSE's sake! I don't want to drive into the flood ditch so I have Sean do it! Safety first!
Right across from us is the Holiday Lakes Baptist Church. We haven't found a Catholic Church closeby yet but will soon.

This is however, DJ's routine-run as he dashes over there every chance he gets. Someone "up there" is definitely watching over him as he's already been side-smacked by a passing car before. After his injured leg healed, right away he's back out there again, but now running along-side the passing cars and barking as he tries to out-run them. Silly Dog! On our way into Holiday Lakes, and out, we always pass the "Blue" building. It's a Municipal building and where some PO Boxes are located. (not ours) They don't open til 1 because the lady who works there also runs the mini store as you enter Holiday Lakes. Across the blue building there is also Small Fire Station and behind it a small empty field- possibly for Little League Baseball that we haven't seen so far.
As we leave our driveway, as you can see, there is "nada" to the right of us unless you drive further into Holiday Lakes. Sean and I have explored further in and there are various homes surrounding the lake that is filled with lily pods. We live on the outskirts of Holiday Lakes and no one is on our block except us, which is nice!

...Stay tune for more pixes of Kyra's school, drive into Town of Angleton, etc.

CJ growing up Fast!

2007-10-28T00:58:00.000-05:00

CJ is really becoming quite a character to keep up with daily! He is very bright and observant. We have come to find his toys disappearing and then suddenly reappearing in his Grandpa Kerry's PC unit. He definitely has his Daddy Sean's passion to take apart, fix, and examine whatever he can get his hands on!

CJ is slowly adapting to his new surroundings here in Texas. Whenever he gets in trouble, he'll run to Grandma Faye for safety or go dance to the "Beach Boys" with Grandpa Kerry until he feels he's a "good boy" again. Then he'll come back to our side of the house again until he doesn't get his way again. But "Boys will be Boys," and CJ surely letting us know that. We can't seem to keep up with him and his neverending energy!

2007-10-27T17:32:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, here's the best way to keep everyone informed on what's happening in Texas.

As you all know Sean, Sallie, Kyra, Alyssa, CJ and DJ moved to Holiday Lakes Texas. Trip started out with major problems but we survived. They are now into the second month and going to spend the first holiday here.

Everyone seems to have adapted well with the exception of CJ who thinks that we are staying in two different homes. He is still a little weary of mom leaving him to spend time with Grandma.

As for DJ, he thinks the entire town of Holiday Lakes along with the roads are his playground. He loves to chase after vehicles. He loves to sneak out when the door is opened and plays with the cats. The first time he got loose, he was trying to get a horse to play with him. Now that was a sight to be seen, too bad I didn't have my camera with me but I sure did chase him for what seemed forever. Now we just put him in the fenced in yard and let him have his fill for 30 minutes or longer.