In the middle of the desert.

Over the weekend Beatrice, my Dad and I drove to Parker to put up the memorial for my grandparents and uncle that rest on this little hill in the middle of no where. We had put one up before but some punks had knocked it down. So my Dad enlisted the help of his friend, Ron to come up with something that couldn't be destroyed. And this is what he came up with.

It took a little bit of time pounding it into the ground. Ron and Dad took turns hitting on it from opposite sides.

The only desert picture I could get and Bea's chuggin' her apple juice. :(

GrandPee teaching Bea the fundamentals of driving... Don't worry the car is not moving. See that the door is open?

Gigi strikes again!

Yesterday afternoon I got a call from my Mom. She was wondering if Beatrice was home. I said, "Of course she's here!" Then my Mom sheepishly asked if she could come over. She had something for Beatrice. I was like, 'Uh-oh, what did you do now!?' But I'd have to wait and find out. She did say that I was going to need a bigger house... hmmm... When my Mom arrived with this cute little pink golf set in tow, I just had to shake my head. I swear my house looks like a play land!

Places to go people to see...

Rugby Weekend

This past weekend Izak had a rugby game in Arroyo Grande and as a last minute idea we packed up the car and headed over their Friday night. Bea was content and fell asleep watching Hairspray. Saturday morning we took our time waking up and getting ready for the day. We then went to IHOP for breakfast where Beatrice got her own plate of create-a-face. It's just a pancake with strawberry eyes, banana mouth, and whipped cream eyebrows and nose. She was also given a go-gurt (spelling?) to create hair or whatever, but she's still a little too young for that so we just put the yogurt in a bowl and gave some spoonfuls. She really enjoyed her breakfast. Then we went to the Vons right next door and got some sandwiches and stuff. It was going to be a long day because the team plays two games one right after the other and we weren't sure where the field would be in relation to the city and whether or not there would be food joints around to run to. It was a good thing we came prepared because the field was in the middle of farm land! It was pretty and all but it was literally off a dirt road in the foot hills... very strange. This was Bea's (and mine for the season) first rugby game. She had a lot of fun. Not so much watching the game, but playing with the other kids that were there, and watching all the dogs go by. Every time Izak would walk down to our end she would practically jump up and run to him. He was able to carry her around a couple of times while coaching. She just loved it! Here are a few pictures:

See Mom! I can coach too!

Meeting some of the players.

What's the best play now??

Meeting the other rugby baby, Lola.

Goodbye Siam

I'm writing this to recognize the passing of my feline nephew Siam. He went by many names: The Lion of SiBo, His Royal Highness (and yes you'd have to bow), Si-Philly-I-Bo, Si-Saphine (sounds like Josephine), Si-Fi, The Craze Ball, Oocha-Gooch... (You'd have to hear them, not sure if I'm spelling them all correctly.) He was the strangest cat from the very beginning. Neko didn't like him very much at first... But Siam grew on him as you can see below. I think it would be safe to say that they were the best of friends.

Siam loved David so much, and David loved him a lot too. Siam was always in his lap or jumping on the table, or jumping into other people's laps. He was famous for tripping you up as you stumbled out of bed in the mornings. And most of the time he was the one who woke you up with his loud meows! Even though his front claws were removed he still acted like a 'normal' tough street cat. In fact he got into a cat fight once and came away with just a nick in his ear, which made him look all the more cooler and tougher. He would meow to go outside, or to come back in and when you'd open the door to let him do either he'd sit there to ponder if he really wanted to go out or in after all.

Siam loved bags! Paper bags, cloth bags, purses, boxes. Anything that he could jump into he would. Even if the bag, purse or box was too small for him. He never took any shit from the dogs in the family. He would swipe at them and put them in their place, despite the fact that he was a great deal smaller than them. He definitely ruled the house. He wasn't fond of driving though and on occasion actually pooped in the car. (Still sorry for that Brandy!)

I'm sorry I don't have more pictures of him. But I used what I have.

We love you Siam.

Rest in Peace.

Our ATV riding girl!

Izak took this last night on his phone while I was at the walk-in clinic trying to get rid of this head cold!

April 14th

Is the day Beatrice has her surgery to have tubes put in her ears. I am not looking forward to it. I am very upset. We went to the doctor yesterday and he said, "There's really nothing more that I can do since you've already tried all these antibiotics. It's not like I have some kind of miracle medicine to make her ears better." Stupid me, I was totally thinking that he did! Later that night I tried telling my Mom and Dad about it on the phone, and I just broke down and started crying. I know, I know I'm over dramatic. And I know that if this is the worse thing that ever happens to her we're good. I am thankful for that. I just didn't realize what the whole tubes-in-the ears process was until I read up on it yesterday before going to the doctor and I just didn't like it. They have to put Bea under! That's the main part that got me. I just don't want to see her like that. And of course I can't help but wonder if she'll be a teeny bit different after the whole thing. My Mom suggested that I get a second opinion to make me feel a little better. I was thinking that that's a good idea... but then is it? She's had this since December and nothing has worked! Do I want to dick around any longer with other medicines that may or may not work? I guess I'll just call and see.

P.S

I just drank ass. Or at least what I imagine ass to taste like. Izak made me drink ImmuGo. 'Its what the stars drink.' Ugh, that stuff is nASSty! He said it taste like a gross citrus taste... not even close! We'll see if it works.

Going to the Ear Doctor

This afternoon Beatrice has an appointment with an ear doctor. I'm really hoping something good will come of this visit. I'll keep you posted.

In other news it seems like I'm sick again! I'm really disappointed in my immune system. WTF? I could feel this one coming up. It started in my throat Tuesday afternoon, and by Wednesday I had the sniffles. Now I cannot breath out of my damn nose! I fear I'm getting Bea sick too! And to top it all off (my freakin' baby of a husband) seems to be getting sick as well. But really that's no surprise because he HEARS someone sneeze and he thinks he's getting sick. :) UGH. Seriously, enough is enough! I blame it entirely on my co-worker who spent a week in a hospital and brought this back!

Another Artist in the Family

A couple of weeks ago Beatrice was showing an interest in drawing. I think she had picked up a pen and wanted to scribble on something. At the time GrandPee had taken some old construction paper out and some side walk chalk for her to play with. She loved it! Seeing this Gigi went out the following day and bought her crayons and watercolors and paper. In short Bea loved it! The watercolor brushes are quite unique because the color is in the brush, sort of like a marker. But the color only comes out on special paper. She can be painting her self or the walls and nothing will ever happen. It's really pretty cool. Here are some pictures of my little artist in action... I guess it runs in the family. :)

The next golf champ?

Last night Izak took some of his clubs out to practise his swings. (He's taking some customers golfing this afternoon.) Beatrice could see him through the window and she was so anxious to go outside and see what he was doing. She must of thought he looked a little silly swinging at nothing because she laughed at him a couple of times. Then she went right on over to where his clubs were and started picking them up one and a time. Of course Izak had to find one small enough for her to try to hold... but once he brought the ball out her attention was diverted. She just loved the golf ball.

Not another lazy Sunday

This Sunday was busy, busy, busy for us. This morning Beatrice wanted to dress Neko in one of her shirts:

I think he enjoyed the attention.

Later this morning Gigi and GrandPee brought over an early Easter present for Bea.

A playhouse!

It even came with some food! That is a hot dog that she is dropping in the above picture.

Gigi and GrandPee even got her a little ATV bike. It's still charging so she hasn't had a chance to ride it yet. But with all this stuff, Beatrice wanted to play with the box that it came in!


In the afternoon we went to a first birthday party for Benjamin Archer Ibarra in the park. Beatrice really enjoyed walking around in the park and playing on the swing. She had a very full day today.