10 on 10 : December

Take a photo every hour for ten consecutive hours on the tenth of each month. Document a day of your life and fine beauty in the ordinary things in life.

YEAH!!!!! I finally remembered to do 10 on 10!!! This was a great one, hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed shooting it : D

Our small group adopted a family this Christmas and a couple girls from our group and I went shopping to score some great loot for our family of 5!! Special thanks to my sissies for watching the kiddos while we did the important shopping!

I freakin' LOVE Kohl's!!!!!

MMMMMMM, we ate at Panera after!!! Shopping makes me HUNGRY!

I'll give you 1 guess as to who this head of beautiful hair is!

This one is a little harder, it's Amanda, hair at home day!!!!

Ah, finally some relaxing with my fav. CD and fav. Male Country Artist, the one, the only, Jason Aldean!

This is not Bubba's first debut on 10 on 10 I think, but doesn't it look so pretty with Diet Coke in it?

Movie Night

(It's How to Train Your Dragon)

Super cute movie!

Before we went upstairs for movie time, it was time to dance with Daddy!

Our favorite Movie night treat, proudly sponsored by Grace : D

Grandma Bea

Its funny what you remember about a specific day. For example, I remember that day was the happiest yet saddest day I've ever had. I remember how I felt when I found out, and I remember where I was when I found out. I don't remember however that it was so close to Halloween, I don't remember the weather, I don't remember what I did in between all the moments I do remember. I just think it's crazy what the brain chooses to remember and what it doesn't.

On the day I found out I was going to be a Mommy for the first time, I gained a beautiful baby girl but lost one of the loves of my life, my Grandma Bea.

I had an inkling that I was pregnant but with all of the events going on around my Grandma, I hadn't really thought about it too much. I guess that was a good thing because after 7 long months of trying, I needed a break! That morning for some reason I had decided to test and it was really early in the morning. Like always I did my thing and then put it on the top of the shelf above the toilet to wait.....wait......wait! 3 dreadfully long minuets later, I couldn't', let me go get Ryan, no, he's sleeping, okay, 1-2-3, go!!!! WHAT!!! WHAT!!!!!!! It's positive, there on this stupid stick covered with my pee (yuck) were two pink lines concluding yes, you were going to be a Mommy and a Daddy!!! Of course I ran into the bedroom, jumped on my baby's future Daddy and told him the great news. We laughed, cried and held each other for a long time. That was one of the best moments in my life. I had no idea that it would follow one of the worst.

I was at work when I got the call. My Mom was crying and I knew. It felt so surreal. I had to hold it together for work but all I wanted to do was cry. I just knew I wanted to be with my family but I was so far away!!! This is where all the fuzzy stuff comes in. Not sure how I went upon the rest of the day, not sure when I called Ryan, not sure of any of it. I just knew I was numb.

She died on a Friday and 8 months and 2 days later my beautiful, perfect, baby girl Grace Beatrice, was born on a Friday. An angel to leave, and angel to gain. I guess the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. I still feel an ache when I know that they will never meet here on Earth, but someday, we will all be together again. I love you Grandma and think of you all the time.

Beatrice Thomas
10-28-05

Brother and Sister Love!

Sissy, Push MEEEE!!!!

There we go....!

Okay forget it, I'll just go it on my own, NAKED!!!!

Mystery Spot

So because our Santa Cruz trip got cut short of the Boardwalk, we went to the Mystery Spot which in all the years of us growing up here and hearing all about it, we have never been to!!!! Here are some crazy pictures so you get a taste of what you see!!! Our scientist friends Steve crushed my dreams of it being "real", but it was still cool, and I still believe!

Ryan, Gracie and Ryder looking a little tipsy!!

I love this one, all of them are just standing there and unknowingly, they are all leaning!

I know Ryan doesn't look happy, Gracie has a cheezy smile and Ryder's, well, not even looking but I love this one too, cause' you can see how much they are leaning!

We have been having such a wonderful "Indian Summer", which is a great song by the way....anyway, we decided with a little time off from work, we should do something fun and that something was go to Santa Cruz for the day! We thought we could ride some rides, eat lunch on the beach and just enjoy the sunshine. Well, we did most of that! Turns out that despite our weather, this is their off season and the boardwalk is open only on the weekend! Bummer, but we didn't let that stop us from splashing in the ocean, seeing some sea lions and eating lunch on the beach! Thanks Santa Cruz!

Little sandy baby toes!

My Goofy Little Man

If you know the duo of the Reed Ranch, you know we like concerts. While we have had the privilege this year to go to many, this one was special indeed!!!! This was at the Rodeo Club in San Jose. This is the second time we were lucky enough to catch Tracy Lawrence there in concert. This is a club/bar so it's super small and from the pic's you can see we were really close! We had so much fun going with some old friends who we haven't hung out with in almost 10 years!!!!! We had a very great time with them and Megan and James and also along for the ride was Ryan's Mom, Terry and our family friend Diane!!! It was a great night out for all and a very memorable drive home!!!!

An attempted picture of us with Tracy in the background!

Lookin' right at us!!!


Sing it Tracy! Ryan yelled out a request from his album The Rock, which is a sort of Christian/Gospel album! He played Up to Him, way to go Tracy!!

Our very beautiful friend Lisa! We worked together at the salon a billion years ago and finally got back together after all these years! Here's to many more!

Grandpa Jack

My Grandpa Jack-

My Grandma and Grandpa were like my second parents really. I grew up in their house pretty much. They would take me on road trips, pick me up from school, feed me, feed me and feed me!!!! Ha!!!! My Grandpa even called me his daughter.
My Grandma Bea passed away nearly 5 years ago and left my Grandpa very lonely! We knew it would only be a matter of a short while until he left us for her.
Grandpa passed on September 1, in his home in San Leandro. We held services here at Sorrenson's Funeral Home in Hayward

We then followed up with his burial at Lone Tree cemetary also in Hayward. Their plot is just breathtaking. They are under this huge oak tree, the only one in the whole place.

This is my Grandma Bea, my Mom (yes, my Mom, not me), and my Grandpa Jack, circa, God knows when, back in the day when my Mom graduated High School.

Also an unknow date and not even sure who that little boy is, but that's me and Grandpa : D

Miss you!

Michele's Birthday

Don't let the grin on this happy girl's face fool you!!!! This is my official last year in my 20's!!!! I don't know if I never thought I would be older than 22!!! What was life supposed to be like after that? What is there to even live for? Well, let me tell you......

You can start with this, a yummy, home made sundae!!! Topped with just the right amount of EVERYTHING!!! Throw in family, friends, some gifts, and that's what makes life worth living right there. Look forward to next year for my big 3-0 bash!!!!!!

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In loving memory of my Grandpa Jack, who sadly passed away on my birthday just 2 days before his own 79th birthday. Love you <3

The Great Outdoors!

Well, we had the honor and privilege of setting up a group camping trip this "summer"!!! I say that because really? Anyway, we had a blast! While everyone only came up for one night, we were able to go a bit early and stayed 3 nights, which was much more relaxing than 2 nights!!! The day that everyone came up the weather turned on us, but we didn't care, we made the best of it and had a great time.

Daddy and Gracie, sharing a cuddle on the beach!

Ryder enjoying his sandwich

Dirt Ball!!!


What Mommy, I'm having fun!

Turns out Gracie and I are awesome sand castle builders. I didn't mind when she took credit for building it all her own when this boy asked if it was her sand castle and told her it was really cool!!!

The boys!

This is Zack, he belongs to our dear friends Allison and Scott. She is 5 or so months preggers and braved this camping trip alone with her little guy who is a wee bit older than Ryder, props!!!!

I want what your eating!!!

Oh wait, never mind, I like my food all over my face!

Hey, what's up guys!

Coldy Jasun at the beach on Sat.

Allie, Brent and Jordaloo!

Gracie and Jason braving the rough waters!!! : P

Oh boy!

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

The traditional camp site number picture

The Gang!

The lake shot.

This was nice because we never get a family shot!!! Thanks friends for a wonderful weekend, look forward to next year!