Ellen, from TV

I don't know why I failed to mention this in my last post. The best part of Christmas this year was Madison receiving a butt load of toys. When you ask her who brought all the toys to her, she replies, "Ellen", ask her who Ellen is and she replies "Ellen, from TV" The story is, my sister went to a taping of the Ellen Show. It was the day before Ellen's Twelve days of Christmas and I guess Ellen felt sorry for the audience because they were missing out on the loot. So, she gave every audience member 500 dollars worth of Christmas toys from Vtech. All of the toys were appropriate for Madison's age group, so she was the lucky recipient. She knows who to give props to, in her mind Santa is now Ellen from TV. Katie, I hope I used apostrophes correctly! By the way, the woman with Maddie in the picture is my oldest sister Cheryl.

Christmas Day!

Christmas this year was alot of fun. It is always great to see my nephew and nieces open all of their presents and enjoy the holiday. They are getting so old so quickly. I can still remember everything about the day Tyler was born. He was the first boy in my family and all of us girls smother him with love. He is a true sweetheart and will someday make a very good husband. I know I am thinking way too far into the future. Here he is messing around with the younger kids toys. He was very happy with his new cell phone he received from Santa this year.
Katie is my niece and she is so much fun. When she is around we are always laughing about just about anything. She is ten years old and is the dancing star of the family. She has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She is so good at dancing that the owner of her dance studio has asked her to do a solo for competition. That is almost unheard of at the age of 10. She really is an amazing dancer. Katie was most pleased with her new Juicy watch and Nikon camera she received from Santa. Oh, she also loved her Uggs from Grandma

Madison is the youngest and she has the biggest personality on any five year old I have ever met. When she walks into a room she commands your attention. As the youngest she often gets her own way with everyone around her. It is very hard to say no to her. Madison's favorite toy this year was her doll. She was also pretty excited with her High School Musical dolls.

When Madie is tired she will sleep just about anywhere. Here she is underneath the piano. I guess this was the most quiet place she could find in the midst of the Christmas celebration.

Dog Day Afternoon

Sunday was spent with my family at my moms house in Riverside. The house my mom lives in is the house I grew up in. It was built the same year I was born and we moved in when I was 4 months old. Obviously I feel strong ties to the home and everything in it. My mom was always very good about having pets for me and my sisters. Recently our favorite dog of all time, Captain, passed away at the age of 13. He lived a great life and made us all very happy. A few years ago, my mom decided to get Captain a play mate. Morgan is a standard poodle and just turned 3 years old. We bought him in Ohio and because we didn't want him to be shipped my mom flew me to Ohio to pick him up. He flew home the whole way on my lap (they let you get away with more in first class) I look at him now and cant imagine him ever fitting in my lap. Here he is taking a snooze.
Since Captain passed away, Morgan needed a companion, so of course my mom got online and found Riley. Riley is a Goldendoodle and is only about 4 an a half months old. He is so much fun and full of energy. Obviously, he wears Morgan out quickly.

My sister brought both of her dogs up too. This is Cha Cha. She was found at the pound. My sister chose her because she was the only dog that didn't bark at her, she just sat and stared at her. When they first brought her home, she was skin and bones, and now she is fat and healthy. She is one of the ugliest dogs I have ever seen, but also the sweetest. So sweet that the ugliness disappears.

Last night my prinicipal had a fabulous Christmas party. It was alot of fun, however, it would have been more fun if I didnt have to concentrate on not drinking too much. Here is Louise, a second grade teacher and Kaitlyn who is a sixth grade teacher and Kaitlyns boyfriend Adam. Oh, and if you are wondering who the little hand that is pulling on Louises hair belongs to, it is my other team member Jills extremely well behaved baby. He is gorgeous too!
This picture is of me and my good friend Karen. Karen and I went to college together and just happened to end up teaching at the same school. Karens husband is currently in Iraq for the second time. She holds it together so well.

The Coldest Day

So-it is really quite cold here in SoCal today. At 5:00 this evening it was already down to 36 degrees. I assume that tonight is the night that it will snow. Going outside is almost painful and I am taking this into consideration where it pertains to poor Lulu. I know she hates it, but when we go outside, she wears her sweater to keep warm. I try not to let the other dogs around the neighborhood see her, because my good friend Katie has informed me that other dogs will definitely laugh at her. So here is a picture of her in her sweater.
It occurred to me that I have yet to post about Marley. Well, Marley is not my favorite cat in the winter months. I have to sleep with an electric blanket on with the ceiling fan at full speed. (Yes, I know it weird, but it is how I am most comfy). I think this is also Marley's favorite atmosphere to sleep because it is the only time of the year she wants to sleep on my bed. Well, Lulu only wants to play when Marley is around. Can you just imagine the joy in my heart when Lulu is pouncing on the cat at 3:00 in the am? Here is Marley sitting near the plant she loves to dig in. (By the way, I am sooo killing the plant, any suggestions?)

Kristens Big Day

Today, my good friend Jackie threw a baby shower for my other good friend Kristen. I was able to see many old Jefferson friends. It was a very nice shower.

Here is Jackie and myself in front of her Xmas tree.
Here is the mommy to be. She is due on Valentines Day and will be having a baby boy who she will name Tyler. (Which I absolutely love, because this is my Nephews name) Kristen has gained weight only in her belly and she looks fabulous.

Thursday was a great night. I spent it with Lisa and Louise who made me a wonderful dinner of Linguine and Clams for my recent birthday. Of course Lulu tagged along and anytime I had the camera out she wanted to be right up in on the action

Here she is wanting to be the center of attention


Louise brought an ear candle kit and we experimented on each other hoping not to catch the other one on fire.

This is the dinner-I have learned to always take a food presentation picture from the great chef Louise.

And of course, here are the ladies in prepartation mode. The food was so good, much better than it looks.

The Disasterous Day

Okay-so today I thought was going to be the worst day ever. First of all I woke up at 2:00 am and could not fall back asleep. Just as I was starting to crash, the electricity in my house goes out. Of course, I must go locate my cell phone so I can have an alarm. Locatiing this was quite a task in the pitch dark. I eventually found it in my car in the garage. (Now mind you, I only have a candle for a light while doing all of this.) Back in bed, I again could not fall asleep. Again, just as I was starting to get sleepy, the cell goes off and it is time to get ready for work. I have to take a shower by candlelight and get ready for the day in the same manner. I was lucky that my clothes actually matched. I then go downstairs where Marley decided to get on the kitchen counter and knock off a candy dish. The dish crashes into tiny pieces that my dog Lulu proceedes to eat. Eesh! I then go out to leave for the work day and low and behold, my garage door wont open due to the power outage. If it were not for my dear friend Katie instructing me on how to open the garage door without power, I would have had to call a sub for the day. The school day was not that bad, however, I was so worried about Lulu finding glass to munch on in my absence. When I got home, everything was fine and Lulu is great.
Here is a picture of her for proof that all is well

Please pay no attention to the messy coffee table in the background.

Incoming

Okay- So I have been told I must start my own blog. Some of us may be wondering what would I possibly have to blog about, but we all know about Lulu and Marley. The blog will revolve mostly around them and other important people in my life as I have adventures with them. So, please beware, that pictures will be coming soon. Stay Tuned!