{"The Big Apple" Birthday Trip}

Hello New York! John, took us on this fabulous trip as a belated birthday present to me. We wanted to do a Broadway show and were so fortunate that my MIL could come along to watch Beck, who is still somewhat tethered to me and had to come by default. Let me just say that NY was by far one of the friendliest cities we've ever been to. I've often heard people say the opposite and was just blown away by how helpful and kind and friendly people were. New Yorkers are super passionate about their city and mostly everyone we came in contact with was really knowledgeable about the history. It was a wonderful trip, although TOO SHORT to possibly do everything on our list, the good thing is... we'll have to go again to finish that list, soon! We did the Empire State building, Time square, Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, Battery Park, Central Park, NBC studios, Rockefeller Center, 5th avenue, FAO, tours to Little Italy, Chinatown, ground zero: saw BillyJoe Armstrong from Greenday, and I'm ashamed to say that the highlight was seeing Alec Baldwin walk past us 2 ft. away. So, there you have it, FUGGEDABOUDIT!
Some one's happy to be here on our way to Phantom

Billy Joe sighting
the obligatory Empire shot

If you watched the BH Housewives, you'll get this... DON'T JUDGE ME! I watched Atlanta too
John got to practice his Arabic...A LOT
If you watched NY housewives, you'll get this too
Welcome to Zarin Fabrics, hello! Battery Park I love her, especially growing up and everyone asking if your mom is the Statue of Liberty because of your name (mostly an elementary thing)


Knockoff shades and scarfs are a must in Little Italy

John:My wife asked if you'd take a pic with our son
FAO guy: Sure
(John tries to hand him Beckham)
(FAO guy pushes him away)
FAO guy: I've got a bad back
John: Oh....ok...I'll just hold him

Yanet with NY's Bravest

My husband being a die hard Beatles fan, this was the highlight of his trip, I'd say. On our way to see Lion King
this is insane, a huge ferris wheel inside the Toy R Us this MAC stayed open til midnight, you know I was there 10 min.til 12. I made a midnight run for Kabobs, pizza, drinks, and yeah... a little makeup, so what?

...Help Find Thomas...

Thomas Gonzalez is my 15 year old nephew and has been missing for several weeks now. He was last seen at Windrush Apts. (Kostoryz/Horne) on Monday, March 14, 2011. My family is deeply concerned for his safety and would appreciate your help in either passing this information along or calling the Corpus Christi Police Department if you see him. Our family is going to post the complete version of this flyer all over the city tonight and we are all going to try and take advantage of FB, blogging, emailing, texting and whatever media we can use to spread the word. Please keep him and our family in your prayers. Thank you!

{Too many to count}

So John and I used to celebrate the anniversary of the day we met in Feb. of 2006, then we got married and celebrated that one, then we got sealed and now we celebrate that one. Well, here's to meeting you kid, 5 short years ago, Te quiero much mucho y tanto tanto!

{32 yrs Young & 6 mo Old}

I'm writitng this post, rather than send the same ole card,
to express thanks for my birthday dinner, from the bottom of my heart
I had a wonderful time and could have stayed all night...
visiting and laughing, but my kids got tired and were quite a sight.
The dinner was spectacular and the cake was perfection,
I'm lucky to have an MIL that cooks with such affection!
Also a big thanks for gifts given with such love and thought
I have no doubt that I'll soon use everything that I got.
I hope this expresses how grateful I feel, that you took the time to make my 32nd a big deal!
Besos,


So, as you may have guessed I'm another year older, SIGH... But I'm lovin the ride and thankful for everyday on this earth. My mother in law made me a lovely dinner with a decadent cake and the Brenners came along to celebrate. We all just sort of followed the kids upstairs and settled on the floor and just laughed and carried on, it was a fun night. Until kiddos started showing signs of well, ok they turned into dragons, I'm speaking of my own. But a memorable night to say the least. The next night our friends invited us over for another birthday dinner. She had the neatest idea to let us all make our own calzones, a winner for the kids! Then for my cake the stuck candles in a batch of "No Bake Cookies". It was my 1st time trying both the dinner and dessert, and I must say I'm a big fan of both! I cannot thank them enough for making my birthday weekend so special. Love you all!

Speaking of birthdays... Someone is halfway to his 1st today. Our little Becks is 6 mo. old, I still can't believe it, I guess the fact that he is now wearing a size 4 shoe is a huge reminder that he's getting bigger older. Oh dear, that's all I have to say about that.

{After this can we be done, Mom?}

I can't help it, I think I have a problem, really

{Double Digits}

I can't believe my lil Bash is in double digits! It seems like only yesterday he was small enough to rock to sleep, now he's almost taller than me and growing like a weed. He's growing his hair out and constantly pointing out to his dad and I how much "peach fuzz" he has. John told him last year if he rubbed around his mouth in a circular motion (similar to when a man looks in the mirror and is tracing his facial hair ) that his mustache would grow really fast. It was a dirty trick, but super funny to watch him in the car rubbing around his mouth and asking every hour if we noticed anything.
He is a remarkable kid and I'm grateful for the young man he is developing into.

S - uper sensitive to the Spirit and always mindful of his presence
E - xcellent at finding humor in everything
B - est big brother to Mia and Becks and boldly protective of them
A - stounding writer and creative story teller
S - avage sweet tooth for only the most awesome sour gummy candy, just like his mama
T - alented at anything he puts his mind to
I - maginative and able to imitate characters and quote one-liners from his favorite movies
A - lways courteous and willing to help others in need
N - ature lover and all things outdoors

R - eminds us how much our Father in heaven must love us to entrust us with such a special spirit

Happy 10th Birthday

I made him bust through this when he got home from school
Great-grandpa Ririe sent him this to start his mission fund (Let's hope they call him) When asked what he wanted to eat for his bday, yep, SUSHI.