Happy New Year! 2011

we rang in the new year with lots of laughter, fun, friends, and family...the best way to do it! i'm looking forward to this new year to begin and the adventures that are ahead.

the neighbors love to ring in the new year with a bang! we saw many fireworks last night and even had some of our own. :)

thanksgiving vacation begins...yay!!!

this afternoon was the start of thanksgiving vacation. a whole week off!! i awaited this day for so long...and it's finally here! this will be a much needed week off from a hectic, stressful, and crazy few weeks. i can't wait to sleep in, read, watch movies with the family, maybe even get a little crafty. who knows, i might get a little crazy and actually spend some time in the kitchen cooking!?! ha! all i do know is that i am going to enjoy every minute of every day that i have off. :)

kaleigh & connor couldn't wait to watch the last airbender with val. connor didn't last long.
don't worry bud, there'll be other nights. vacation just started. :)

skate night

connor went to his first skate night as a diablo vista student. this was just his 2nd time rollerskating but he had a blast! he was so excited once we got there to get his skates on and get out on the rink. he didn't mind that he was on his own. mommy hasn't skated in years!!! so, he stayed close to the wall and got some pointers from the big kids that went by.

all smiles with splash the dolphin

jaxon was giving some tips to connor

connor peeking through the glass at the kids

hey big guy! glad to see you're having so much fun!!

soccer champs

kaleigh's soccer team, the superstars, were the u-10 girls division champions this year! it was exciting to see the team play so well the whole season and to go all the way to the playoffs. kaleigh has really come a long way since beginning to play 5 years ago. she has had wonderful coaches each year and has become a better player with time. congratulations kaleigh and the rest of the superstars!

waiting for the trophy ceremony

kaleigh and val (assistant coach/dad) ha!

we're so proud of you!!

way to go superstars!!

bakerella

i went to walnut creek today to see bakerella. she was having a book signing at williams & sonoma. i've never done anything like this before...go meet an author/blogger. this was a first for me.

they let the line in the store for a short question & answer period.

waiting for her to sign my new book

i got my picture taken and the book signed. she said she liked my name...thanks bakerella! now i need to make some more of her cute cakepops. :)

jack johnson concert

val and i went to see jack johnson at the greek theatre in berkeley tuesday night. i've liked him for a long time; i always play his music in the classroom since it's so mellow. he was awesome!! he played song after song for two hours. it was a great night, perfect weather and good company. :)

jo bros concert

val and i took kaleigh and her friend, kaitlin, to the jonas brothers concert last weekend. this was kaleigh's 2nd time seeing them. she was so excited that she got to take a friend with her.

our view of the stage

val with the girls in line for t-shirts

awww! the girls in their concert gear

woohoo! dancing girls