Kyan Earns His Belt!

Almost two weeks ago, Kyan tested for his first belt (white w/ yellow stripe). We found out he passed his test last week and have been waiting patiently for his belt to come in. Tonight, it did!!!

Kyan is so dedicated to Tae Kwan Do. He has been feeling under the weather this past week, but despite his cold, he refuses to take a break from class, even with us sometimes pushing him to just relax and skip a night. He won't. He loves it too much.

Kyan, I am very proud of you! Keep up the hard work!

Cardinals V. Raiders

Today was the home opener for the Cardinals football team and what better way to start things off than with a little pregame tailgate! Ahhhhhhh, I love football season! We used to tailgate before every home game, but didn't last year at all, just all met up at Westgate instead?! It was nice to get back into the swing of things and enjoy time with friends and good food before heading into the game! As always, thanks Brian for kicking things off!

It was nice to just get away with Chad today too! We met up with Brian and Jess bright and early and marked our tailgating spot before it got too crazy! There were tons of Raiders fans on the lawn and in the game, I am sure you can imagine how rewarding it was to watch them walk away crying (especially when they thought that they for sure were going to win with that last field goal), as the Cards beat them 24-23!

Now if only I could find that remote, so that I could rewind to Friday around 4:30 pm....

If only every day could be Friday!

I wish I could freeze time right about 4:30pm, every Friday. Ugh, this is the best part of my week and I really do wish that I had a remote control that could fast forward through the whole week to that moment or rewind it once Sunday night hits...

Today, when I got home today, I walked in to find little Lola on the ottoman fast asleep. Little peanut, I just wanted to snuggle up to her and smooch on her!

When she woke up, she opened up her card from Grandma, with the help of her brother who already opened his (thank you mom, both kids loved their cards) and then we headed out to grill yummy steak and asparagus! Dinner was delicious!

When dinner was over, Chad worked on the sprinklers so the kids ripped off their clothes and put on their suits and had some fun running through them.

Lola was all about it for about 30 seconds, but as soon as she realized what was happening, she freaked out and started crying! Kyan loved every minute and acted so silly in the water!

We ended our night playing a little family game of basketball!

Can you see why I love Fridays?
Now, if only I could find that remote!

Pretty Close to Perfect

Today we opened up our home to our Garcia family, for the first annual (we hope that this tradition will continue) green chili roast! Not sure if you noticed, but I said OUR Garcia family, not the Garcia family, because when we are with them, we really do feel like a part of them! We love Babs and Lou, Uncle B, Michelle, & Danielle too! They are so good to Chad and I, but most importantly, the love that they give our kiddos is amazing! We had so much fun this morning, cooking, eating, and chatting away!

The Garcia's provided the chilies - mild, medium, and hot (thank you so much), a giant box of them, and the boys used two grills to get 'em done in about two hours!

Kyan was in on the action the entire time, right next to daddy! He used his own tongs to flip away! Meanwhile...Lola played in the yard and kept herself very busy!

Getting ready to eat some green chili burritos!

The Garcia Family

Brian's mom hurt her foot at work and has to use the little bike/scooter thing to get around, Uncle B and Lola hopped on and took it for their own kinda spin!

When everyone went home and Lola and I returned from dance class, Chad, Kyan, and Uncle B put together the basketball hoop! It took almost two hours and lots of cussing, but...

...it was worth it for all three boys!

Afterward, we took a nice dip in the pool! It was, well...PERFECT! I was able to even get in some extra sun bathing time after everyone got out, enjoying the book I am currently reading called, "Falling From Grace" (which is so good, I was tempted to not blog and just read tonight instead).

Chad grilled burgers for dinner for the two of us, as Kyan fell asleep almost immediately after he got out of the pool (which was around 4pm). He is a busy little man who must have needed to catch up on his zzzzzzz's from the past few weeks, because he is out for the night! Yes. You read right. With school, Tae Kwan Do three times a week, grandparent visits the past few weekends, and just living the life of a five year old, I let him sleep. Once in a blue moon, he will do this (and hasn't in a really long time) so I guess it was his time tonight! Kinda thought that might have been the case, so I took the opportunity to do something I have been wanting to do for awhile now!

I took Lola to get her first pedicure! I had a gift card to a nail place that I haven't tried yet (if you read this blog Kylee - thank you!), little did I know what it had in store for little princesses that went with their mommies to get their toes done too - their very own special chairs! She was in heaven!

She was pampered just like mommy! Instead of the massage chair though, she had a movie!

Our first pedicured toes together! A big moment for not only her, but me as well! I am pretty sure that I sealed the deal with my fate of getting pedicures alone anymore. Not going to happen, those days are over! All good though, to have my little Lola with me tonight was so much fun! She kept telling me, "Mommy, I LOVE this place!" and gave me the biggest hug ever when we were finished!

I am so grateful for days like these!

We Be Grillin'

Chad was FINALLY able to grill for us on Friday night!
It has been well over a year since we have enjoyed anything that he has made on the grill, as we left our grill at our rental property (we had every intention of starting our backyard WAY sooner than when we really did). Hubs has had plenty of time to study up and how to cook my steaks just right - and let me tell you, it was perfect and so delicious!

While daddy was grilling, the kiddos were out enjoying the backyard! There are only a few things they have left to do back there and then we are all done. Those things include spreading the rock around the basketball court area (we are taking Kyan to pick his hoop out soon), adding the horseshoe pit, logs to the fireplace, and our surround sound! We are going to get Lola a sandbox too - as she seems to find any dirt spot left and shovels it into her bucket and dumps it onto a spot that is done! If all goes as planned, should be done this week!

Here they are playing a friendly game of tag on the grass:

Probably the highlight of their evening was when grandma and grandpa showed up! They came with surprises in hand (look at my kids feet, new slippers)! Every second that the kids get with grandma and grandpa they cherish! Grandpa was the only one who could participate with Lola in dance class on Saturday (she pouted until he went in the room)! They had them all day Saturday (Lola likes to remind me that I have to go to work - which I didn't - just so she can stay with them)! They watched half of the Cardinals game with us and the Swishers, where we did more grilling!

Turned out to be a great weekend! Hope yours was too!

Sparring

Headgear....................................................................................................$39
Chest Protector...........................................................................................$49
Shin Guard Protectors...............................................................................$20
Forearm Guards.........................................................................................$20
Groin Protector..........................................................................................$15
Mouthguard w/ case..................................................................................$12
Equipment Bag..........................................................................................$35
___________________________________________________
Package Price ($15 discount) $175

Seeing Kyan's face light up knowing he was going to get to spar tonight...

PRICELESS!

Kyan has been dying to spar and get his "gear". Today was a very big day for him, as we learned at the beginning of class that it was time to purchase his safety gear. He LOVES Tae Kwan Do, so we decided that is was going to be worth the investment for him! Tonight was the night he had the most fun in class by far! In fact, we are home and he is running around the house with his groin protector on, over his pants, practicing his moves - hilarious!

Three Day Weekend!

We have had a wonderful three day weekend! In fact, I was thinking work wouldn't be so bad if I just had to work 4 days a week! Until that happens, I will keep dreaming!

Saturday was packed with Tae Kwan Do and Dance class and business as usual!

On Sunday, we met my dad at church. During, Lola asked me if I had to go to work. When I told her no, she very quickly informed me that I did so have to go to work because she had to go with grandpa! Poor thing, had to break the news that this weekend was his trip with his golf buddies! We did eat breakfast with them and then went home for a few hours to swim! Kyan met up with his golf buddies (Kyan truly thinks they are his, and even added a new one to the group this year who he thinks is super funny) for the back nine holes at a golf course nearby. He was excited to help and hang out with the boys! After he was finished golfing, they headed up the mountain to swim and bbq, where Chad, Lola, and I met up with them.

In the meantime, Chad, Lola and I went over to the Garrett's for a nice dinner! Susie made yummy enchiladas, rice and beans. Camille brought over the salsa and we made the guacamole (thanks Sarah Pratte, I feel like I am a pro now thanks to you). It was so good! Lola and Jayla were reunited after a long time of not getting to play with each other and they had a blast! I think the most fun they had was jumping on Jayla's bed! When it was time to swim, we had to head up to my dad's place, where more food was awaiting us!

We had so much fun talking with Kyan's golf buddies and catching up on what is new everyone's life. We always cook for the boys when they come out, we have been cooking a meal for them for years. We thought for sure that our gas would be hooked up, but there is a long story with that and my name being Jennifer Wilson (the gas company totally screwed things up and I had to prove to them that I was not Jennifer Wilson, nor have I ever been her in my life...annoying), anywho, we won't be cooking this round, but promise to cook for them in March when they come out. Instead, we enjoyed some fantastic food made by them! My kids had a blast as always with their grandpa and I don't know who stalled for us to leave more: grandpa or my kids. We look forward to next weekend when grandma and grandpa will both be here!

Our weekend isn't quite over yet - we are off to enjoy our backyard with a few friends in just a little while! I realized that I haven't shown a shot of the grass yet, so here you go!

My Little Ballerina!

Lola started dance classes today!

I have been searching for somewhere in out in the west valley that takes two year olds, and wasn't not having any luck, until I find this one! It is a parent/child class (after today I can see why) and it was very fun! Lola was so excited to get her outfit and ballet shoes on! We fixed her hair extra special after her bath this morning! She must have asked a hundred times if it was dance class time yet?! We did have to step outside of class two times, as we weren't acting very lady like, but each time she pulled herself together, as she wanted nothing more than to be in that room!
Her friend Carmen also signed up for classes! She was quite the little ballerina herself! Lola and Carmen play so well together, often referring to each other as "best friends", so it was very fun to watch them together today!

PS - I seem to be very busy these days with school, like sometimes I feel too busy to blog. I hate that feeling. I love my blog and I love reading other blogs! If you see that I haven't posted in a while, please know that I am here, reading away at yours...just might not have time right that second to leave a comment, but I am reading! If you are needing a Roseland family fix, it is ok to leave me a comment, letting me know I need to get on the ball!