Thursday, April 30, 2009

Elmo, Shamu, Nina, Aunt Lupe and the beach.

Last Thursday Gia and I jumped on a plane and headed down to San Diego. Ralph had been there on business and we decided to make a little trip out of it....what a blast. Nina and Uncle Steve live in SD and they are quite honestly two of our most favorite people. To take the cake, Aunt Lupe came in to celebrate Nina's birthday (25, of course) and we had a blast.
{First things first, we saw Elmo. Enough said.}
{Talamantez, our standard one arm shot}

{Gia and I about to ride the Elmo ride...what fun...she was in heaven}



{GG and Daddy on the Abby ride}
{OH BOOOOYYYY!!!!}

{Nina and GG...accesorizing}

{My man, the beach, what more could a girl ask for?!?!}


{Nina, Aunt Lupe and Gia}
{I am blessed.}

We had such a blast. Nina scheduled a photo shoot on the beach and we can not wait to see those. It is with great pride that I am a member of the Talamantez family. There is so much love that comes from each of them and I adore watching them with my little lovey and my handsome husband. I well with joy to know how lucky we are.

Monday, April 27, 2009

La Jolla.

We spent this past weekend in San Deigo and it was a delight. Sunday, Steve, Felicia (aka Nina), Ralph and I started our day with a little run along the La Jolla shores.
The hills could kill ya, but the view is delightful. We had the most wonderful time and it was followed by breakfast at the Hash House.....delicious!!!
I will follow up later this week with some of our San Diego highlights, but I wanted everyone to know why RT and I are walking around like we have some severe leg problems...the hills.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The lettuce is always greener.


I adore my mother. It is no secret. I remember as a child how everything she did was something that amazed me. Things look better on her, taste better made by her, smell better around her, she just has the golden touch.


Well, it is with much pride that I annouce that Gia may have had her first "mommy's is better" moment this evening. We made a delightful salad with our fresh veggies from Monterey and grilled chicken. Dressed it with a delectable lemon vinagarette and went out of the patio to enjoy this summer weather and the glorious sunset.


Mind you everything on our plate was EXACTLY the same. Made from the same hands, plated from the same bowl with the same serving hands.


Gia would not touch hers.


She only wanted mine. Why?


"Mommy's better", "Mommy's much better" was the reply.

'
Tears well in my eyes. She thinks that my lettuce tastes better because it is mine.


I am so blessed that she is my little girl. "Life is better, life is much better."

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Forty one.

In honor of my amazing husband birthday, I thought it would be appropriate to list forty one reasons why I adore him. Granted there are so many more, but here are a few (not to personal) reasons why I am so lucky to be Mrs. Talamantez.




  1. You gave me Gia.



  2. We are family.



  3. You let me hold the popcorn.



  4. You eat your fries in size order.



  5. You have the best hair EVER.



  6. I love holding your hand....and you love holding mine.



  7. We run.



  8. We bike.



  9. We travel.



  10. You are so good to us.



  11. We have "our" places.



  12. You are the best smelling person on the PLANET.



  13. You love me so much that you want me to not play on the computer because you want my undivided attention while we watch cruddy television.



  14. Everything that you have done to become the man that you are.



  15. How you handle your self in corporate situations.



  16. Your woo.



  17. You wooed me.



  18. That we eat popcorn and peanut MandM's together....together.



  19. That you love my mom.



  20. You understand how much I love my dad.



  21. You adore our daughter.



  22. Everything that we have overcome to be the family that we are today.



  23. We are united.



  24. That you are so close with your High School friends....who are all successful....how does that happen?!?!?



  25. Your love for the Raiders.



  26. Your love of baseball.



  27. That we can stay up for hours and talk and talk and talk.



  28. You have the softest feet on the planet.



  29. When you kiss me good night.



  30. When you hold me all night long.



  31. When you cave and let the little miss sleep with us....



  32. How Gia looks at you.



  33. How you look at Gia.



  34. Your unwavering support.



  35. Your incredible impeccable sense of style.



  36. The fact that you have so many shoes.



  37. How no matter what, I know you will take care of our family.



  38. You put us first.



  39. Your dedication to your career.



  40. Your dedication to our family.



and last, but not least......




41. That you love me.




Handsome, love, love, love, love you. I fall deeper for you every day. I am amazed by us and our family. May your day be fantastic. I adore you.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Easter with the Talamantez's.

This Easter was such a blessing. We had the opportunity to spend the ENTIRE time with the Talamantez side of the family. Aunt Mary and Uncle Art had filet migon and crab legs with Aunt Lupe's stuffed potatoes...all was DIVINE.
It is no secret that Gia is completely spoiled by her Nina and amazing Aunt's....well, Easter was no exception. She made out like a bandit. So much so that on our way home I was highly concerned that there may be an upchuck from the back seat.
{Talamantez, Easter 2009}
{Whenever Gia is with her Nina, she ends up with frosting...somewhere}

{Bella directing the little ones for the HUNT}


{GG and Moma, all dressed up}

{My Easter treats....I am lucky}


{Gia and her Nina}



{Gia's Easter basket....crayons and Sesame Street galore}


{The eggs hiding at Aunt Mary's House}


{Daddy and Gia exploring her loot}


{Confetti eggs...to Gia this was the very best part}
This Easter was full of joy and celebration. We just love our little family of three and when we have the opportunity to spend time with others that we love it is EVEN better. I wish I had a picture of our little princess passed out on the way home...she was a beauty. Onesie with chocolate on it, a tutu Nina gave her, leopard pink and brown print leggings and her darling gladiator sandals....such a little fashionista.
Happy Easter to All!!!

Monday, April 13, 2009

The farmer and the dell.

This Saturday, we had the lovely pleasure of planting in Papa's garden. Gia LOVES tomatoes, and she loves to eat Papa's homegrown ones. So this year, we decided that it would be fun if they planted them together and can watch them grow together. Gia did more messing than anything, but she really enjoyed the time with Papa and Daddy. Getting the plants in the ground.
Esai and Gia helping Papa

Where the plants started out.

Papa's Roses.






























We had so much fun and can not wait to go and eat the home grown 'maters this summer. Thank you for having us Nana and Papa. We look forward to doing it again in the near future!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

I think I have been in California too long.

Recently, I have been pondering the effects that household cleaning products could be having on the little lovey.

Fact, my mother used bleach, ammonia and everything...and I took it to excess despite her warnings.

Fact, my grandparents made it past the 90 year mark and were exposed to these toxins for years.

But, my liberal state (of California that is) and the "eco" trend has gotten a hold of me.

Not to mention that these "green" products (truly green, not store bought organic concoctions) really assist in padding the wallet for better purchases...say a new pair of Tory Burch 'Caylan' Huarache toe ring sandals (and yes, I will not wear them if in Dallas to for go my brother's making fun of).

So I tried it.

For your personal cleaning product recipe repertoire:

I used a vinegar/water (equal portions) mixture in lieu of Windex, 409, Tilex, etc. If you spray it, I used it. Floors, glass, basins, counters, granite, etc. The results...FANTASTIC.

If you scour it, I scoured it with Borax. I allowed it to sit in my toilet basins for three to four hours....PERFECTION...I also use this to soak soiled clothing from little toddlers overnight...results are amazing. It can harden the fiber, but nothing a little toxic fabric softener can not remedy.

Dusting I used a vegetable oil concoction that made my wood products gleam and trust me a little goes a long way. If I say use it sparingly, you know to use it SPARINGLY. I am the QUEEN of overdoing it.

So, the results...yes, I will switch to homemade cleaning products.

The concern: My house smells like vinegar. I have read that using a few drops of essential oils can do the trick...so, I think I will NOT use it sparingly and douse my vinegar/water concoction with essential oils...and I will update you then.

Until then, I am going to spray the air with Febreeze air freshener...uh-oh, I think it's toxic.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The big black mama bear and her cubs.

As a skiier, it is never a good sign when ski patrol is gathered in droves and many onlookers gather. Well, this past weekend, given that it is April and on Sunday it was very warm, the bears are coming out of hibernation...literally.

We could only get so close, but there was a big Mama bear and her cubs gathered by the base of thier tree. They were absolutely breathtaking. It was such a neat moment...until all the knucklehead teenagers tried to go after them...SCARY!!!
Don't those young kiddos know about Mama's protecting thier babies...CRAZY!!!! Hope you can get a glimpse, I know they are kind of far away.




Monday, April 6, 2009

This weekend was fantastic.

I have been under and inordinate amount of stress lately. My nerves were shot, my patience gone and I needed some time to unwind, regroup and really face the world again....and hubs delivered. He created a perfect spring skiing weekend.

For those of you that know us, RT and I love our skiing. And there is really nothing more amazing than spring skiing. The air is warm (well on Sunday it was, Saturday it was deceptively cold..and super sunny) and when you have good snow it is certainly bliss.

(for some reason, I can not get my pictures to upload in the correct order, but here are a few)

{Saturday night at Fire + Ice}

{Saturday on the Nevada side...it was sooo cold}


{Our food cooking at Fire + Ice}

{Breathtaking Lake Tahoe}


{Heavenly from Afar}
We enjoyed skiing where we had virtually the entire mountain to ourselves, saunas, hot tubs, loads of relaxation time and we even finished Saturday night off with cookies and milk from Tollhouse...it was delightful!
I feel fully replensihed and ready to start this new chapter in our lives....oh, and yeah, I started a new gig today....bye, bye, stress!!!!!







Friday, April 3, 2009

I am tired and I am annoyed.

Just make it to Sunday. Make it to Sunday without a panic attack or a screaming outburst.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The shoe need.

My heart is pitter pattering with excitement and concern. I found these. There is nothing that would be more perfect on our little lovey's feet this Easter...but I am having difficulty finding them in toddler sizes....does anyone know if they do come in toddler sizes. WE MUST HAVE THESE.

Static cling strikes daily.

I am married to a man with perfect hair. Seriously, perfect. It is jet black, thick, shiny, and straight as a board. Such a waste on a man.

I was born with the Burton gene. I have it, my brother has it, my mother has it. Without fail, we all wake up looking like we have wrestled with giant elephants or something strange like that.

It appears that Gia has it too. And our couch is that microfiber material (which is amazing...a little water and a wash cloth any child happening comes right up) and now she has the static cling monster to deal with.





Lucky for her, her mother is a child of the Flat Iron generation. Hopefully she will escape the awful days of humidity on the bus with the crazy Burton hair.
If you have a picture of me in all of my hair glory during Junior High and you want to give me a present...get rid of it. Just get rid of it.
But like my mother, I truly think Gia is the most beautiful creature and has the most amazing hair. A mother's love. There is nothing else like it!