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!!!