Getting Closer!

Well, T and I are under 3 months away from the big day!  It is quite crazy around here, as not only are we planning a wedding, but we are also in the process of remodeling the home we will be moving to in Los Alamos!  Exciting and stressful at the same time.    

I will officially be moving out of my place mid May, which means I am in the process of packing, tossing, and giving away things.  The girls are all super excited because each of them will have their own room.  They have all picked out colors and bedding.  We are constructing a large room for the boys where they will have plenty of room to sleep, and use as a game room too!  T and I had to completely redo our master bathroom and knock down a wall in our bedroom.  We are hoping most internal fixes will be completed by the time I move my stuff in.

Here is a picture of our home...this is a before picture, as we will be repainting the outside, as well as adding a few more touches here and there.  Will post more pictures as the project progresses!  

Spring Break in Vegas!

Well, T and I wanted to find something to do with the kids for spring break...we didn't want them sitting around watching TV for the whole week.  We also wanted to go somewhere fairly close that we could just pack up the suburban and drive to.

We decided to take them to Vegas...and make it a kids trip.  Yes, there is a lot to do in Vegas for kids.  It isn't all about gambling!

We arrived on Sunday and got settled into the Vdara.  We were so excited that we ended up on the 56th floor which was the top floor.  We had amazing views and even a perfect view of the water show!

So, what is there for kids to do in Vegas?  Lots...and we weren't there long enough to even scratch the surface.  They swam, we ate at the Rain Forest Cafe, we had ice cream, we went to the Shark Reef Aquarium, we shopped, we ate at The Hard Rock Cafe, hung out by the pool, went to Wolf Gang Pucks pizzeria (where the kids were treated like little celebrities), went to the arcade, swam some more....then it was already time to leave.  The kids were bummed and didn't want to go.  They even asked if they can go back this summer.  So, I guess it was a hit.

Goofy Hat Alert

Kami and Claire Marie at Hard Rock Cafe

Going to see the sharks!

Our view during the day

View of water show at night

What? Neighbors?

T and I have been neighbors for 15 months now.  When people hear that we live next door to each other they always assume that is how we met....however it is not.  I moved in three months after I met T.

I will never forget the first time T suggested I consider moving next door when the house came available for rent.  He was seriously considering buying it, and I was living in a small condo with Jenna and Kami.  My place wasn't great for kids...there was no place for them to ride bikes, roller blade, hang out in a typical kid neighborhood, etc.  The idea of having a great place for them to do these things was very appealing.  However, with that came concerns...what if T and I don't work out?  What would it be like if we broke up and I had a boyfriend, or he had a girlfriend?  Would we see too much of each other and not have any privacy?  As a result of these concerns, my first thought was "no way"!

However, in November 2010 I went away on a "Vegas Girls Trip".  I asked the girls over and over that weekend what they thought I should do.  On the car ride back my friend Annette said..."Karla, I think you should take a chance".   So I did...and I'm so glad for that.

You see, T knew exactly what he was doing.  As a result of moving next door, our 5 kids were able to slowly blend.  We were able to see how the "kid dynamics" would be.  It started out we would have dinner together a few times a week, that eventually turned into just about every night.  It started out the girls and I would hang at my house...before I knew it they were getting home or waking up and immediately saying they were going next door to play with T's kids.  Of course it isn't always perfect and we sometimes have our "issues"...but for the most part the dynamics are great and we have worked through a lot of obstacles.  It also gave T and I a chance to see how we would work out as a couple.  We learned that we are very similar in a lot of ways, very different in a lot of ways, but we work things out and give and take where we need to.

In a few months we will be officially blending our family into one home.  As a result of T's bright idea, I believe it will be easier than it would have been had we dated for this past 18 months and lived across town from each other.  I'm sure we will have our adjustments, but all in all this was the best decision we have made in preparing for this day  (which is now only 116 days away, but who is counting?).

This and That

Hard to believe it is already March!  Time is flying by and before we know it the wedding is going to be here.  It is only 128 days away!

T & I went to the Howard School fundraiser last month and the theme was "Celebrity Red Carpet".  It was so much fun.  We bid on some items and only won one thing.  We had a great meal with friends, and then danced the rest of the night away.  I love that T takes me dancing!

All decked out like celebs...

We took the kids to Palm Springs a last month to spend the weekend with T's sister Shelly, her kids, Phil, and his daughter. The kids had so much fun and the weather was perfect!  T and I manged a couple of date night dinners...we had a great dinner at Johannes in Palm Springs and wonderful sushi at The Venue.

Megan and her gorgeous smile!

Sabina texting by the pool

Charlie and Jenna

TJ

These two are two peas in a pod!

A kiss for Cita :)

T & me hanging by the pool

T's sister Shelly and me!

Lastly, T and I went to my mini high school reunion this past weekend.  It was so much fun and my friends just LOVE T.  It was the first one that he was able to attend with me.  We had a great time!

T, me and Mark!

Gina and me :)

Valentines

I awoke this morning to a sweet and thoughtful surprise next to my coffee pot.  It is the first place I drag myself to every morning.  T snuck over in the early morning hours to leave it there...what a sweetheart!
Tonight we have a sitter coming to watch the kids and we are going out to dinner.  I love hanging out with my man...we really don't need Valentines to be romantic, but it is fun to participate in the day of love with everyone else.  :)

On a sad note though, Kami is sick with the flu that everyone else has had.  I had hoped she was going to be all better today.  She and Claire Marie sat at my table yesterday making all of their Valentines to pass out at school today, however she woke up with the fever back and not feeling good at all.  :(   She and Jenna are going to spend the evening with their dad, I sure hope she feels better so she can enjoy it.  I'm so ready for this sickness to be out of our homes!  The only ones who have steered clear of it are T and TJ.  I sure hope they aren't next!

Sickness!

Not fun...that is how I would describe the past week and half.

On Friday, January 27th Jenna left for her first every church camp with Reality Carpinteria.  She was so excited and I was so excited for her!  Sadly, that night she texted me that she wasn't feeling good and it progressed all weekend.  They thought she was just homesick, but when I picked her up Sunday, it was clear she was not feeling good.  Then, on Sunday night, I started coughing and had it too, as did Kami!  I spent 3 days in bed barely able to move and Jenna spend 5 days in bed!  This flu was brutal.  Kami was the only one who bounced back quickly....as far as T's house...Claire Marie actually had it the week before and somehow he and the boys managed to escape it.  

Sick together...

Lucky for Kami she was all better by Wednesday and got to go to her best friend Madison's slumber party on Friday the 3rd!  It was super exciting for her because they took a limo out to dinner.  Of course all of the other kids were mad...all we heard was "that's not fair" all weekend long!

Kami and her friends in the limo

On Superbowl Sunday, Claire Marie and I were still coughing, so T and I chose to stay home and watch the game from home...as you can see, T was pretty focused on the game...I on the other hand just kept him company (and browsed Amazon for the new dishes we want).   

T very watching the game intently...

Me shopping for new dishes...

DISCLAIMER:  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISCUSS DISHES DURING THE GAME.  IT MAY RESULT IN A NEGATIVE REACTION.

Goings On Around Here

Last Saturday we got to spend some time with Shelly and Phil.  We had a good time hanging out in the little town of Los Alamos, which we love.  That area is so nice!

Shelly and me

This week has been a little crazy...T had to be out of town two different days on business, which meant I had to leave work early and get home to watch the kiddos.  It was great, as I was able to bring work home with me and work from the table while the kids did all of their homework.  T's house stayed neat and orderly and all the kids picked up after themselves.  Kami told me I should come home early everyday because everyone does what they are supposed to when I am there.

Well, good news, starting next week I am going to be coming home every day when the kids get home and working from home.  I'm so happy that the church I work at is making this option available to me.  I absolutely hate not being there when the kids get home.  The kids are in for a big surprise as I am a big one for routine and order.  But then again, I think kids thrive on routine.

Another thing that happened this week is that I got braces...thank God for Invisalign .  Nobody can even tell I have them on, unless they look really close.  And the good news is they pop out, so when we get married, I don't even have to wear them.  Oh, and T said he thinks they are sexy...not sure what to make of that one.
Here is a picture, you an hardly tell (ignore my dorky look on my face).

Tomorrow Jenna will go off to her first Church Jr. High Camp!  I can't believe she is old enough to do that!  I'm really excited for her and so is she!  Hopefully she will take pictures and I can post some here!