Merry Christmas

We had such a wonderful few days. We spent Christmas Eve with the kids, going to mass, having a tamale dinner, reading Christmas stories, and singing carols. This is the only night of the year that the kids get ready for bed FAST. After prepping for Santa, it was lights out by 10:30.

Christmas morning was of course loud and festive. Emma woke us up by sounding the toy trumpet that she got from preschool. Following a yummy breakfast prepared by Dad, we all rallied to get the house ready for all the family that was coming over for our 3rd annual Christmas Pizza Party. This year we added a tamale pizza and a chorizo and beans pizza. YUMMY!

I think the theme of this week has been "Eat, Clean up, Eat, Clean up..." My sister, Thelma and family stayed with us for a few days and of course it was a blast. We ate, and laughed and shopped and talked. We are always so sad when they leave. The kids instantly start planning their next trip to see her.

On Sunday, we headed back to one of our favorite places, LA! The big kids received tickets to see Wicked from Mike and I for Christmas. Unfortunately, Emma is not ready for a Broadway show, so she spent the day with Grandma and Chuck E. Cheese. She was way more excited about that then seeing the mean, green witch.

Christmas Eve @ home with the Fam.

Yummy, Pink's Hot Dogs before the show.

Man vs. Dog

Michael V. was victorious over his Chili/Cheese/Bacon/Onion/Tomato Dog

In front of the beautiful Pantages theater.

The kids where so excited because they knew all the words to the songs.

I guess I can take the soundtrack out of my car now.

Mike and I have seen the show multiple times and every time we are amazed by how talented the performers are. I am usually moved to tears.

Well, this week should be pretty quiet. Science project and Mission project are on

the "To Do" list. We'll be back in LA on Thursday for the Rose Bowl, cheering our Trojans to victory!! I really think we should look into a condo in LA for the weekends.

Happy New Year!!!

XOXO,

Gaby

What a Week!

I am so happy it is Monday morning! The kids are on Christmas break and it is raining. We are going nowhere and doing nothing. Well, except for some gingerbread houses.

I hate to say that I haven't blogged because I've been so busy, but seriously last week was CRAZY.

Monday and Tuesday nights we had the kids Christmas programs.
Tuesday morning was ornament making day at Emma's school.
Wednesday was homework day.
Thursday night we hosted a pizza making party for our neighbors.
Friday was Christmas parties @ school, gymnastics, and then to our other neighbors for chili, Christmas lights and crafts.
Saturday we finally pick out a tree, cut it down, decorated it, had dinner and ended the evening with a movie and hot cocoa.
Sunday we went to mass, out to breakfast and to LA to see HSM the Ice Tour. A big THANKS to Coca-Cola again for the fabu suite. My girls are so spoiled. Michael and Dad spent their time at the ESPN Zone securing their manhood.

Michael cutting down his 1st Christmas tree

The boys and their tree.

MV making sure the trunk is straight

I just thought this picture was so cute, I had to add it.

MV so proud of his accomplishment

Daddy & Emma trying to pick the best tree.

When they are this fresh, it's really hard to pick just one.

The kids and a Charlie Brown tree. They each wanted one for their room.


Enjoy this wonderful Christmas week.

XOXO,

Gaby

Oranges Anyone?

It's that time of the year again.

Orange picking season is officially open at the Vasquez Rancho.

The kids love going out back and picking the fruit right off the trees. Not in the mood for a juicy orange? We also have avocados, lemons, and limes. The apples and plums won't be ready till the summer. Here are a few shots of our grove. I'm glad Mike put his foot down and said NO when I wanted to demo it all. I truly appreciate the little treasure we have right in our own back yard.

If you're in the neighborhood, bring a basket. We would love to share.

XOXO,

Gaby

Thanksgiving Weekend

The kids spent Thanksgiving weekend at my sister's. Mike and I on the other hand, spent it in the car. We headed up on Wednesday morning. Nothing too exciting other then the NASTY storm I had to drive through while Mike was on the phone "taking care of work stuff."

My sister is a total hands-on type person. She had so much for the kids to do, I don't think they had any down time the entire weekend.

They started off Wednesday, playing games and making appetizers for dinner. We cooked all day on Thursday for our amazing Thanksgiving feast. On Friday, Mike and I headed home so that he could get some work done. The kids headed to the mission to take photos and get information for Michael V's project. Then they went to the tree farm to pick out Tia's tree. After naps they headed to the movies to go see Bolt and then back home to get some decorating started. My sis says that her teenage boys are boring and no fun, so she was going to take advantage of all the eager little girls.

Mike and I went to the USC/ND game on Saturday, while the girls continued with the Christmas decorating. In case you were wondering about Michael. I don't think he lifted his head for more then 5 minutes from the computer/DS. He was so happy to be with his BOY cousins.

After a very long day in LA, Mike and I headed back to get the kids. OMG I was dying. Note to self, "Ignore my hype-active husband when he says, the 2 1/2 drive after 8 hours of football, is no big deal." We were both hating life by 10pm. We made it back safe and sound and on Sunday morning we packed up and headed home.

I can't thank my sister and her family enough for allowing us to take over their home. The kids are still talking about how much fun they all had.

The view after the storm on the 101 FWY

Tia Thelma playing games with the kids.
Lauren was the official champ of Wig Out. Look, there's a Michael siting.

The girls making appetizers before dinner.

So much to be thankful for.

Getting ready to enjoy our beautiful feast.

Tia's Thelma wishing the turkey would HURRY-UP!

Mommy and Emma stealing a minute.

I'm not a pet person, my sister is. I have to admit, Laila is an amazing dog.

The kids in front of La Purisima Mission

Lauren, putting the finishing touches on Tia's tree.

Tia Thelma, Uncle Rob, Wesley & Geoffrey we love you so much. Only 3 more weeks till Christmas. Can't wait to see you.

XOXO,

The V's

Sorry for being sooo LAZY

Yes, I know I have been blog LAZY. I have to admit, I check blogs and facebook daily.(it's like my morning coffee) I'm on then off so quickly that sometimes I feel I don't have time to sit and write about my day. Or better yet, I don't think anything that exciting happened to write about. Unless people want to know that I go to the grocery store like 3 times a week because these kids are eating us out of house and home.

The kids are all doing well. The 1st trimester of school is over and we are still going strong. We have parent/teacher conferences next week, and I am expecting nothing but praise. (brag, brag, brag) Their Thanksgiving break starts on Tuesday and we are heading off to my sister's for a few days of food and family. Oh and homework of course, too. She lives by one of the missions so we are going to take some time to start on Michael V's. project.

I do have to complain for a minute. Every weekend, since school started has had some sort of homework assignment that keeps us home for at least 1/2 the day every Saturday. I mean seriously, I don't remember this much homework when I was in grammar school. Then again, I probably left it all till the last minute.

November has been pretty quiet. Mike has done a few USC games, the kids and I went to Disneyland, and the highlight of the month was our "GNO" to see High School Musical 3. What a blast. It's true, kids keep you young. Maybe that why I have so many! :)

Last Saturday, after a long day of science projects and book reports, Emma, with the help of Brianna, decided to put on a show. My neighbor was over and I don't think we had laughed this hard in a long time. Michael V. and Lauren are usually overrun by Brianna's Big Ideas. Brianna is the big sister, but Emma is the big BOSS! She knew exactly what she wanted this show to be and Brianna was definitely not going to take over this production.

Princess Parade before the start of the show

The Grand Finale



One last pose for their adoring audience.

Poor Lauren was outside with Daddy and Michael V. watching the football game. She decided to come in at 1/2 time and before she knew it, she was a stage hand. Or as Emma said, "she's our donkey."

Promise to write soon.

XOXO,

Gaby

Happy Halloween

We hope you had a Spooktacular Day!

Prince Caspien (Michael V), Pink Princess Fairy(Emma),

Cowgirlie(Lauren), and Sassy Pirate(Brianna)

The kids had tons of fun trick-or-treating. Halloween is one of Mikes favorite holidays (other then my birthday of course ;>). Every year he strategically plans what neighborhoods have the most activity. I think he had these poor kids walk like 3miles. Thank goodness this years route included my girlfriend Sally's house. That is where I planted myself for the evening.
Unfortunately, 4 kids X 4 huge bags of candy does nothing for my will power.
Any suggestion on what I'm suppose to do with the 10 pounds of candy that are now calling my name?

XOXO,
Gaby

It's Finally My Turn

Michael takes his sports very seriously. He feels that in order for the kids to have an advantage he needs to enroll them in private lessons and camps. Brianna & Michael V. have participated in quite a few soccer, volleyball & baseball camps ($$$$). Thank goodness Lauren doesn't like "sweaty sports," so her and Emma are my gymnast-ballerinas.

Michael V. is definitely a natural athlete, Brianna, like me, doesn't have the killer instinct. (but she sure does try hard). A few weeks ago a flyer came home for a mini-cheer camp hosted by our local Catholic high school. Being a former fu-fu, you can only imagine my excitement. My poor husband wanted to die. His worst nightmare coming true. He wanted nothing to do with it.

The girls participated in a day long camp. They learned game cheers, proper arm placements, jumps, and a super cute dance they preformed at last Friday night's game. Michael & Michael V. did come out to show their support - I'm sure the football game helped too. The girls did their dance at half time. Michael was so proud of his fu-fu girls. He even commented on the fact that we might have found Brianna's niche. Although, he hasn't given up on getting her to try track.

Brianna * Lauren* Emma

Lauren was so nervous about going on the field. She got over it really quick.

You should see this girl shake-it.

Emma is waiting to be 4 so she can go to cheer camp too.

The girls taught her the routine, so she danced right along.

Brianna & BFF Stacey. Of course they have to do this together.

Anelisa*Brianna*Stacey*Lauren*Erica

A group shot after their performance.

GO! FIGHT! WIN!

XOXO,

Gaby

When I Grow Up I Want to Be...

TINA TURNER!

(or at least one of her back-up dancers)

Last spring I saw her performing on Oprah and I mentioned to Michael that it would be fun to see her live. He was not into my idea. "Tina Turner? Isn't she like 100 years old?" You see, oneof the perks of Michael's job is being able to get tickets to popular events, but because he usually does the asking, we end up at all the must see sporting events. Well, now I know not to forget to mention all the fab concerts that I would love to see.

Michael scored us tickets to the Tina Turner concert last night at the Staples Center. A big THANK YOU to Coca-Cola for allowing us their suite for the evening. What an amazing show! That woman is 68 years old and she rocked it like a teenager. It was the celebration of her 50 years in the music business. 50 YEARS! She sang and danced for 2 1/2 hours, changed her costumes at least 5 times and each time she came out sporting a different pair of Christian Louboutin stilettos. I could not get over her $6000.00 shoe collection for one evening! For the past year I have been trying to convince my husband that a housewife with 4 kids would really benefit from a pair of those red soled masterpieces. I honestly think I might have him convinced. Sadly, I spent most of the night fantasizing that she would call me up on stage to gift me a pair of those beauties. Or that I won a contest and I was chosen to be one of her backup dancers for the night. Silly, I know, but a girl can dream.

Michael did mention at the end of the evening that it was one of the best concerts he had ever been to. And for those of you who know how many concerts we go to, that was a huge compliment. He actually kept thanking me for coming up with the idea. Who knew?

Well, it's Friday and this housewife is back to reality. Cleaning, cooking and laundry all eagerly await me. I hope you all have a great weekend.

XOXO,

Gaby

P.S. Sorry for the lack of photos, my camera was way too big to get past security.

Happy Friday

So, I remembered a conversation that I had with Emma this week.

Emma: Mommy, is Ariel (the mermaid) a sister or a mommy?
Me: Ariel is a sister. She's actually a little sister just like you, Emmie.
Emma: No Mommy, I don't think so. I think Ariel is a mommy.
Me: Why do you say that?
Emma: Ariel's a mommy cuz she's got BOOBS.

She is obsessed with female body parts. I am really trying to teacher her to respect others, but she is so sassy and forward that all I want to do is laugh.

The kids had testing this week so I got a break from all my 6th grade homework. Seriously, the workload Brianna has this year is unbelievable. The problem is that I am more stressed out then she is. She is so mellow about her homework, sometimes I want to light a firecracker under her butt.

I am ready for baseball season to be over. Listening to Michael yell at the TV is so obnoxious. "What are you doing?" "How much do you get paid?" "$15million to hit singles???" Can someone tell me how much longer.

Have a great weekend. I hope all you favorite teams win.
GO TROJANS!

XOXO,
Gaby
P.S. Still waiting for books 3 &4. On the bright side. I get to touch Mark Sanchez tomorrow!!!

Look What I Found

I was talking to my girlfriend Kris yesterday, who is also obsessed with Edward Cullen and Co. She told me about another book that Stephenie Meyer was working on, but was stolen. It is Edward's point of view to "Twilight." OMG poor guy. It's the first 12 chapters and they can only be read off of her website. Stephenie explains what happened to the manuscript and how she knows who posted it on the web. I thought about downloading it but it's like 250 pages. So I added it to my favorites and I read it every chance I get.

Did anyone else out there already read this? I am about 1/2 way done with book 2 and Kris told me to put it down until I read "Midnight Sun" online. I just can't do that, so I have taken on reading 2 stories at the same time.

www.stepheniemeyer.com


XOXO,
Gaby

Fight On!!!

Okay, so I haven't decided who I have a bigger crush on, Edward Cullen or this HOTTIE!
I give you, Mark Sanchez, USC's golden-boy quarterback.

I had to take this pix as I was high-fiving him. You should see him smile!

The big kids and I where fortunate enough to go to the USC/Ohio game this past weekend with Dad. We were on campus by noon, which according to Mike was SOOO late. Seriously, how much tailgating can one person do. We have been going to SC games for about 12 years and I have never seen so many people jammed into every corner of that school. We walked around checking out all the parties, stopped by to visit Tommy Trojan and made our way to the bookstore so everyone could stalk up on their SC garb.

Pete Carroll is not a very big man, but his presence is huge.

See how he is looking right at me. :)

Our tickets allow us to attend a pregame picnic where the team makes their entrance on their way to the Coliseum. We have done this countless times and each time is as exciting as the first. We get to cheer and high-five all the players as they parade through.

Some of these boys are so gigantic, I can't imagine what else they where put on this earth to do.

There are also some little guys on the team which gives Michael V. hope that he still has a chance.

We had a great time, topped off by our Trojans trampling over a very arrogant Buckeye team. Could Ohio State really be the most overrated team in the nation?

I'm beginning to think my hubby is on to something.

Fight On!!

XOXO,
Gaby

Good-Bye Summer, Hello Routine

We said farewell to summer with our very own pool party/bar-b-que/marshmallow roast.

The beauty of having a big family is that any day can feel like a party.

Enjoying their perfect s'mores. Compliments of Michael V. He 's the only one with the patience to turn the marshmallows until they are perfectly toasted.

Nothing says summer like a perfect marshmallow.
Great job Michael V.

We are looking into getting him his own show on the Food Network.

"How to Make the Perfect S'more"

Back to School 2008

Brianna & BFF Stacey. So happy to be in the same class this year.

Not quite Jr. High, but almost there.

Michael V ready to conquer 4th grade. He was so funny. I told him that 4th grade was serious business, no more baby stuff. He was unpacked and sitting straight up in his seat. I forced him into a "cheese" for just one picture.

Miss Lauren ready to start 2nd grade. Her teacher asks me if she ever breaks a rule. I laughed and said she saves her bad behavior for Emma. I think I'm going to start making her pull card at home.

Emma's first day of preschool pretty much went as expected. She kept telling me she was big and she could go by herself. I managed to get a few supermodel shots in, between her "good-bye mommy, good-bye mommy, GO Mommy!"

The beginning of another school year. Homework, projects, soccer, volleyball, baseball & gymnastics. I feel like I am always running, but I love that I know exactly what's next. Let's see if I'm still this eager in 6 months.

XOXO,

Gaby