Girl's Report cards-

Just bought these might be fun to look at some day down the road. Look at how much they improve through out the year....

Makes me SOOO proud:)

Found these letters to Santa on my HD

I just came across these wonderful letters from Bella and Vivi to Santa and can't believe I never posted them up on here... Gonna do it now before they get lost in the void....

BTW- Look how AESOME Bella's Tangled drawing is- tons of attitude in that drawing, huh?

Its been a long time since I've last posted in here. As you can guess, life just starts running at a pace that can move so fast, that before I realize it, months have gone by. Luckily, I'm involved with it all and not really missing a beat... But finding the time to post on here has been almost impossible. I'm going to attempt to load some videos from our San Framcisco trip that the girls created on their iPads. I also hope to load up some videos from my phone and camera of some of vivi's drum lessons... I need to deal with a quick phone call then I'll be back to try and load some up... Wish me luck!

Wayyyyyy too long

Its been a long time since I've last posted in here. As you can guess, life just starts running at a pace that can move so fast, that before I realize it, months have gone by. Luckily, I'm involved with it all and not really missing a beat... But finding the time to post on here has been almost impossible. I'm going to attempt to load some videos from our San Framcisco trip that the girls created on their iPads. I also hope to load up some videos from my phone and camera of some of vivi's drum lessons... I need to deal with a quick phone call then I'll be back to try and load some up... Wish me luck!

1st Communion

As you can see above- we celebrated Bella's 1st Communion yesterday. She and my other two ladies looked their best as we took part in this special moment in Bella's life. One of the best things I'll remember from this day was a comment that Father Dick made at the end of this service. Since he is still recovering from surgery that he had on his knee, he had to sit down to administer the 'bread' for each child. He commented what a joy that was because he was now down on their level, which brought him a lot closer to their face and allowed him to really look into the eyes of each person. "Love and purity" where the words I remember him using to describe the look each kid had in their eyes and I'm sure it was a beautiful thing for him to see. Although he went on to discuss the importance of 'keeping that feeling/emotion growing by coming back to church every Sunday', I knew more that it was a love and peace that only a child not yet jaded by life would have.

None the less- I could also see a love and peace in Bella's eyes that only a young person can have. Unfortunately Church, Friends, Family Drama, life stresses, and the rest of the world will all play a part in trying to remove that peace-but I will do my best to help her keep it for as long as possible.

Above is Vivi being her normal funny self- we keep trying to get her to show that cute - beautiful smile she has in pictures, but she winds up closing her eyes to avoid the flash- silly monkey!

It was wonderful having the Powers come for a visit and it was great to have them there for this event. They have been so wonderful to our girls and I'm so happy to have them a part of our lives.

CUUUTE! Bella and her good friend Declan struggle to get any closer for this picture just before the ceremony. I hope they'll be friends for their entire school journey together. We really like his family and like the friendship that has developed.

Thank you Lolo and Lola

The girls wanted to say thanks in a special way:) VIDEO!!!!

some happenings

WOW- What luck- I guess since I'm here at Jury Duty- I can actually take some time to fill in a bit to our blog. YAY!

Below is a picture form our last trip to Disneyland. This 1st photo was a first for us as a family. Seeing as the park was somewhat full and we didn't really have much on our agenda, we decided to visit Tom Saywer island for the first time. It started with a little river raft ride over to the island. We hoped off and explored the island which was filled with secret tunnels, pumping stations to keep kids active pumping water, and we even discovered a pirates treasure. All in all not a really fun place to go, but we're glad we did it. If you've got adventurous kids or ones that need to burn off some energy, than this might be a fun place to let them run wild. For me, it was a little uninspired and boring. Wish there was a scavenger hunt or something to give us something to do that would also let us explore the island. But... either way, I'm glad we checked it out.

Next is a great picture of the girls just before seeing BUGS' LIFE 3d- it's tough to be a bug!

This was the first time Bella and Vivi had ever seen this fun attraction. Even though it does have older 3D technology, the show really does hold up. It's mix of film, plus actual prop 3D effects are a blast. You get sprayed by a sting bug, sprayed with a giant can of bug spray that covers the room with fog long enough to distract you from the giant black widows as they descend over head. Then, at one point you even get 'stung' in the back by a bee. It all ends with a cute bit where the 'guest' bugs are asked to leave the theatre first... this is represented by something rolling under your but to feel as though some bugs have crawled under you. Pretty fun over all, and I think the girls really enjoyed it.

Oh the Vieves-

Below is a picture of Vivi just after her performance at Preschool. They all spoke a little poem, then sang Jingle Bell Rock.

Vivi was as cute as always and of course did a wonderful job. Maybe I'll even be able to post some film from here sometime soon. On a side note, I'm proud of Vivi for learning so many spelling words lately. We've been working on a few words at the same time that Bella has been studying her words. One of the few things we worked on was how to spell "Jingle Bell Rock"... so go ahead, ask her how to spell that and she'll say "Alright... " and then start spelling. She's so darn cute and very proud of herself that she can spell with such ease. Good job, Vieves.

NExt we have a picture of Bella with her choir teacher.
This teacher started a new program at Bella's school this year and I think the results have been great. They decided to put on a performance to show off the work they've been doing, and I gotta say, I was impressed. She is great with the students and I hope this is something Bella continues to pursue for a while.

This next photo is just a cute one of the girls from the day Vivi performed at her preschool.

And last- a quick photo of Bella's try-it patches she's gained in brownies so far this year. Not sure how "into" brownies she really is, but she'll at least continue throughout the end of this school year.

Oh wait, there's more....

OH BABY MELIA!

These photos (above and below) were taken at the Bob's Big Boy in Burbank (near Toluca Lake and Mom's Retirement home). We met there for Auntie Anings birthday, and had the pleasure of playing with Koa and baby Melia. For some reason, Melia just can't take her eyes off of me whenever I'm around. It's pretty cute. No matter who's holding her, she's usually looking right at me, and then will start to reach or lean for me as I get close. She's very cute and as long as I don't get too warm, I'll hold her all day. Sooooo Cuuuuuute!

ok- that's all for now. The girls DID put their letters for Santa out last night, and I do believe the birds took them while we were in the other side of the house putting the girls to sleep.

Can't wait to hear what Santa says in his reply back.

Oh yeah- here's some images from the cousins pics on Sunday

Some photos of good times

Below are some random photos from this past week.

SO SORRY I'VE BEEN SO ABSENT ON HERE LATELY!

This 1st pic is from last Friday night when I had a little date night with Mama... She's so cute:)

You'll see below that Mama spent a long night setting your hair for this awesome curling action ... FUN!

Somebody's making PIZZA!

After having a fun dinner over at Eric and Michelle Bryans' house, we HAD to go get ourselves a Pizza stone to make some Pizza's here at the house with the girls.

YUMMM!

NEXT...

a fun meetin' with Santa.

I gotta say, I love this tradition of getting your picture with Santa in your cute Christmas PJ's.

You guys are so cute!

and you're growing up way to fast... slow down, will ya!

Of course- with busy week and weekend ahead,

I HAD to start decorating the Sunday night before Thanksgiving.

I just started with some lights...

annnnnd....

since there aren't too many photos of me up here, I figured I'd better put one up.

This was me at work during the roll out of a new version of a storyboard program we use at Disney Television. I'm currently working on Phineas and Ferb and we're in the middle of the 3rd season:)

Pretty normal pic, huh?

1st test record of Gilrs ichatting with Oppie

Just a 1st little test of the girls Ichat with Oppie. Maybe we'll grab more of these and put them up over time.

Inutil

(Who knows how long this link will survive in the internet world, but here's a link to the song this entry was inspired by)


Useless-
Although there were many songs from “In The Heights” that really affected me, one of them had to be “inutil” (translation… Useless).
At this point in the Musical, the Father character struggles with feeling that he’s failed his daughter. You see, in this story, the daughter character had so much promise… So much going for her… a way to change their family dynamic forever. She was going to a topnotch college, earned most of her way there on scholarships, yet because the family still struggled financially, she had to work 2 jobs to try and pay for her schooling. Unfortunately this was too much on her and thus she failed out of school.

The father’s song talks about how his father worked hard each day just to keep a roof over their heads… and that when he was a little boy, he said to his father he’d do more and actually make it.
His father slapped his face and called him , Inutil…USELESS…

This boy grew to be a strong, smart man and moved away. He actually did make something of himself. Started a business, raised a family, and raised a wonderful daughter… but… even with all these triumphs, his father was right… with his daughter coming home, he failed… Inuti…Useless.

This hit me hard…

It scared me a bit… I don’t want to fail my daughters.

It doesn’t really matter anymore where I make it in my life, all that matters is it if helps to make THEIR dreams come true.

I know one thing, and I hope my girls know this once they are older…

I will not fail you.

I will continue to strive to give you all you need to make your lives and dreams a reality…

I’ll give you the support…
The time...
The education…
The Belief…

And more than anything…
The Love to make anything you truly want, happen…

I will not be Useless…

oooops- It's been a while (4-02-2010)

It may have been a while.. but this was worth the wait!
Last FRiday (good Friday) I decided to take Bella to the nearby school yard to see if we could get her to learn to ride her bike without training wheels.

It was the start of the 3 day weekend, so I was prepared to spend a few hours each day until she got the hang of it. I wasn't going to give up and couldn't wait to cross this milestone with her.

SO... I take the training wheels off and we headed off to the playground. This area was the perfect place to practace. A lot of room, smooth concrete everywhere, and no one around to get in her way.

When we got there, I could feel the tension building in Bella. I knew she was nervous, but ... more than anything...

(the coolest part)

I could tell she trusted me.

She accepted that I would be right there and do all that I could to make sure she wouldn't get hurt, and that helped calm her down.

So, she hopped on immediately, and began to try and push herself along with out me.
"Slow down, kiddo!" I told her, as I ran up and explained that I would be holding her seat and guide her along as she began to try and use her own ability to find a balance.

I ran with her, letting go a little bit so she could feel what the bike would do, she shifted the weight back to center. Then stopped quicker than we began.

I explained to her that she was doing great, better than I had expected, and to let's try again.
She took a deep breathe "I can do this" she muttered under her breathe, and off we ran for a second time.

Almost immediately, I let go and she had her balance... I told her I was going to let her go, and off she went to 2 more peddling cycles before she stopped. She turned back and said "I think i got it." So I said "Jjust a second...", got out my iphone, and... well.. here ya go.




I had no idea this was going to happen so quick! Within 5 minutes after getting to this playground, she was off riding. I asked her how she was doing so well and she just replyed.

"I told myself I could do it, just believe in yourself, and I just DID!"

Great job, bunks.

I'm so PROUD of you!

letters to and from santa

Just wanted to record the letters between Santa and the girls. 12-01-2009
click on images to see them larger.
Enjoy!

My Special Vieves!

Tonight I was treated to a very special treat by Genevieve.

Let me start by saying that a few months ago, we were finally able to move Genevieve to a preschool closer to home, and one that is really known for it academic curriculum. Tonight was our first little treat as to just how special this great school is.

In Vivi's class, there is a student that has a hearing impairment. To help all the kids to communicate with each other better, all the kids in her pre-school have begun to learn some basic sign language. The other night at the dinner table, Vivi surprised us with a special song. She started singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", but was doing some hand gestures. Immediately, we realized that this was some of the sign language Vivi was learning. We were pretty impressed, and just continued to encourage her to do it again. Her shyness was so charming and endearing, we just wanted to see the realness of it over again.

Well, tonight after we had dinner and walked over to Ben and Jerry's to treat the girls to a little ice cream, we bumped into a fun group of people. I guess this group of people studying sign language and others who actually have hearing challenges, meet at this ice cream parlor for a fun gathering every Tues. night. One of the Girls came over and began conversing with Vivi in sign language and she kinda understood what this girl was saying. We then asked her to try out her song, and after a little encouragement (some of the strongest from her big sister Bella) she began to perform the song. It was so cute and the girl got a big kick out of it. THEN... Vivi stepped it up...

She got up the courage enough to go with her Mom in front of this big group of people there for this weekly gathering and perform it for them.

It was very cute and very special. She still had a little bit of that shyness which really added to the charm of the performance.

Congrats Vivi- that was a great job.

I am very proud of my girls for so many reasons, and this one fits in to some of the top examples. Thanks for making me a happy Dad.

Turkey Day's a coming-

The Girls are awesome troopers helping out with making the place setting markers AND helping cook up the brine.
YOU'RE THE BEST IN THE WORLD, GIRLS!

You make you Papa proud!