2011 highlights

2011 highlights:
ran our 1st camp pendleton mud run, Maui family vacay, Taylor-turned the big 5, graduated preschool, started Kindergarten and got her 1st award, invited to be part of the TTPDP mini dance team, Peyton-potty trained in 3days, started her 1st dance class and had her 1st recital, got her 1st haircut. Reagan-battled plenty of seizures, started wearing her contact, started OT/PT and visits from her early intervention teacher, celebrated her 1st birthday with a BIG BANG with the 5K run/walk for HoPE-raising awareness about HPE and raising funds for FFH and biggest news finding out she doesn't have HPE. Jino-got several awards for the work he does, Me- joined a bootcamp-tho short-lived, planning the 5K. Us- celebrated 7yrs of marriage and filled that prescription to Vegas! thank you Jesus!!! excited for 2012!!!

vegas

FINALLY FILLED THIS PRESCRIPTION:
went for an overnight trip to hang out and relax, kid-free.

had some happy hour at the Irish Pub at New York, New York

then went to watch Zumanity

had some great company too

it was a MUCH needed little mini getaway and we are soo glad to have taken it.
thankful for lola/lolo who watched tay and pey
and for my mom who watched rea.

best christmas present ever

yesterday, Jino and i received one of the BEST, early Christmas presents ever. over 6 months ago i sent Reagan's MRI up to Carter Center-where they specialize in research about Holoprosencephaly. since they are the expert's on HPE i wanted a 2nd opinion on her MRI scan. finally got a call yesterday regarding the results. it's GREAT news! REAGAN does NOT have HOLOPROSENCEPHALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! although it's great news, we now don't know what she does have. she does have brain abnormalities but it is NOT HPE. thus begins our new journey......

here's the cut and paste from Dr. Hahn who read Reagan's MRI scan:
DX: Absent Septum Pellucidum with ventriculomegaly and retrocerebellar cyst. Not holoprosencephaly.

here's what the nurse reiterated to me cause i kept emailing her to make sure:

DX: Absent Septum Pellucidum with ventriculomegaly and retrocerebellar cyst. Not holoprosencephaly.

Your child does NOT need another scan. We are positive it is NOT HPE.

There are some abnormal brain parts (as listed above). Just visit with your neurologist about these findings and what they mean for your child. None of these abnormal parts can be fixed. None of these abnormal parts are life threatening or need further workup.

Your neurologist may contact Dr. Hahn with any questions

christmas showcase

have i mentioned how much i love the girls new dance studio?!

every year i seemed to change studios
i didn't like the big studios that focused on their competition teams
we finally found one in chino
that is a christian dance studio
no competition team
they have company teams though that perform at schools, churches, senior citizen centers, etc...
tay's on the mini company dance team
it's called To The Pointe Dance Productions

the christmas showcase was M-W night Dec. 19-21 at the studio

this was peyton's 1st time taking a dance class.
who would've thought our lil tomboy would love dance? i guess it has a lot to do with having an older sister who loves to dance. she did awesome. she was actually the only one who ended up dancing-haha. here's the link on facebook-hope it works
pey dancing

here's Tay in her hip hop dance class

she also performed at the end with the mini company dance team.
here's the video of that (hopefully it works):
tay dancing

christmas lights

this year we finally went to go see the beautiful lights at Thoroughbred Street in Alta Loma....with the Mason's and the Maese's. it's amazing how one neighborhood goes all out each year with lights and christmas decor. it's crazy!!! there were tons of people and a looong line of cars waiting to drive thru. i felt bad for the people who lived on that street. they are pretty much stuck in their own house every night. but some do profit from it and sell coffee, hot chocolate, popcorn, churros, cupcakes, etc.

Grand Slam Award

we are soo proud of Taylor.

she got her 1st award.
it's called the Grand Slam Award
which means she has perfect attendance so far, has done all her homework so far and has excelled in other areas as well...
WOW
way to go Tay!

waiting patiently
yay Tay
close up
the paparazzi parents

lola's 89th

lola lola is an amazing woman.
she never ceases to put others needs before her own.
she's oh so loving!

she turned 89 today.
happy birthday lola lola!

catered food by Limoncello Catering
cake and cupcakes by Bodega Sweets
cake time
presents

oh christmas tree!

we picked out a tree at the tree farm (aka lowe's-hahaha)

here's the beauty
the other beauties
and can't forget this beauty
we even helped lola get a tree

Thanksgiving

this is always a busy day....

stopped at lola/lolo's house...
couldn't resist what they were having for lunch-
which was a traditional meal shea's family has called bagna caulda
so we ate some...as an "appetizer" before lunch with my fam

lunch at my aunt's house
praying for the food
the kiddo's
and a bear

then it was back to lola/lolo's house for thanksgiving dinner...
where we had a non-traditional thanksgiving meal
family pic
(minus B and shea and doreen)

rain rain go away, we've got a bridal shower today

one of my dear friend's who i've known since middle school was finally about to tie the knot!

so for this shower, it actually showered. hahaha!!

reen
the beautiful bride-to-be and her sisters rasha and sarah
her cake made by her friend
and us

wow wow wubbzy

it was peyton's 3rd birthday

i wanted her to have a party
but not a big one
but i did want her to have one with some friends
and not just the traditional family dinner party

i don't want her to have that middle child syndrome...hehe

so off to party planning i went
i think i had only a couple weeks to plan

she loves the show wow wow wubbzy

so i thought it was appropriate to make themed goodie bags
and then order double-sided cakes from my fav cake person
1 side
2nd side
cake
her hair practically set on fire
i love this goofy face
friends and mama's

then on pey's actual bday we had our traditional immediate family over for a bday dinner

in the morning she requested pancakes for her bday breakfast
here's my attempt at a wow wow wubbzy pancake using what i had
then we visited papa at work and had bday lunch in downtown riverside
dinner time came.....
we catered food as usual...yummy italian food from Limoncello Catering
us with the italian chef, who is also a good friend
arancini balls filled with risotto and other stuff
and some pasta bolognese and spinach/meat lasagna
all the food, even the actual pasta was made from scratch which made it 10x yummier!!!

auntie krissa brought the ice cream cake as she does for each girl on their bday
she made a cute lil banner too
happy 3rd birthday!