Closing ceremony of the winter olympics. gonna miss the flyin tomato!

Maverick decided to become a photographer using my iphone. He of course had to take a pic of one of his best buds, Thomas the Train. I seriously don't get the obsession, but he did a nice job and at least the pic was focused!

Celebrated Travis' 28th birthday tonight. Good friends, good food and an amazing birthday cake made by his mom.

This is my motto this year

I wish I could blame Kelly for not having a pic but I can't. I simply was too tired to try to take a pic. I actually made it to 7:40 p.m. before I went to bed and slept all night. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body and do what it tells you. I pride myself on being a good listener! ZZZZZZZZZ

I have bragged about Weber's BBQ before, now I had to show you. Most people like the works on their burgers, I am a little more plain. This however is the ultimate in burgers with home made steak fries. It was delish!

Reese and the Chuck E. 4 years ago today this beautiful little angel joined her four brothers in brightening my world. Reese McKenna Carpenter is a spunky, sassy, fun, itelligent little girl who brings great joy to my life. Her only request for her birthday was to go to Chuck E. Cheese. I took her and her cousin Maverick friend (her words) for lunch on her birthday. Things were great until the actual Chuck E. walked out. At that point she had a melt down that could have won her an academy award! She is a drama queen but I wouldn't trade her for the world!

Call me a sucker, I'll admit its true. When Maverick asked for bacon and eggs this morning, I, being the ultimate Auntie couldn't say no. So, no cold cereal for this boy, I slaved over a hot stove to create this masterpiece to which he replied " blah, what's wrong with this egg?" I said "what do you mean?" to which he promptly replied, "I need pepper, my eggs at home always have pepper!" So, I been owned by the 4 year old and my attempt to please him. Just can't win!

A picture paints a thousand words...nuff said

I wanted to rep our waitress from the Old Spaghetti Factory. She wore a bow bigger than this one on her bangs right in the middle of her forehead, it was hysterical!

This is my friend Debbie, please take note of the extended pinkie finger. She is refined if nothing else. A lady thru and thru. If you will, take notice of the close proximity to the emergency exit. I'm pretty sure we were seated there on purpose, you never know when either one of us will need to make a quick getaway. We gathered to celebrate the retirement of a great man and friend, James LeRoy Jones. Debbie and I have been friends since early elementary school, just a few short years ago. We have so much fun when we are together and we laugh until we either cry or pee, or both. Her poor long suffering husband Wade just shakes his head and trys to not get involved. I personally think he is scared of the two of us when we are together! We are insane, fun and full tilt. You definitely don't want us in the same room during a solemn occasion because we would just find something or someone to laugh at! Good times, good friends and looking forward to more time spent together. Watch out World!

If your gonna have best friends, they might as well be a car and and old truck with a redneck accent! Maverick, McQeen and Mater have had a faithful relationship since he first saw them on the screen. His bedroom, bathroom, jammies, etc. are all dedicated to his love of these two. Gotta admit, I'm gonna be a little sad when he outgrows this faze. You gotta love a red car, just ask his auntie!

Achy, sneezy, sore throat, congetion, yep thats me. The minute I leave town for vaca I get the creepin' crud. With the help of my best friends, advil, vicks and my breezers, I pushed through and enjoyed my time away!

Wooohooo, rag top down and cruisin in the California sunshine! We left San Diego and took Hwy 101 along the coast. What an amazing drive! Radio pumped up, sun shinin down, it was awesome!

This is Terri's tribute to her life with Tony. 35 years together. It snowed in Manteca the morning Tony left us. That only happens like every 20 years. It has been amazing to watch Terri handle all of this with strength and integrity.

Every year since Maverick was born and we've taking him to Disneyland, he has had a picture taken with this Indian. Usually his Papa (my bro in law Tony) is in the picture with him. It is important for us to keep these traditions alive for Maverick and for us. So, from now on, we will take Maverick's picture with his dad and the indian, or if dad isn't there, one of us girls will step in. Time marches on.

My Happy Place, 'nuff said!

Yeah Baby, a red convertible mustang, the only way to travel! Headin to Disneyland and San Diego for the long weekend. Terri and I will be jammin to the tunes and the wind blowin in our hair!!!

OM to the G! Let me introduce you to southern soul food at it's finest! Weber's is a family owned and operated little joint here in Manteca, Ca. It truly is a mom and pop establishment. Weber's will make it on Guy's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. A 38 seat capacity bbq joint is on the map folks and you are gonna love it! Fried catfish, jambalaya, BBQ tri tip, the best burgers ever! Home made steak fries, sweet potatoes, etc. I can't even begin to tell you about the desserts! Check it out yo, you will not be sorry!

The eye is said to be the "window to the soul". Sometimes you feel like you can look in a person's eyes and see what they are thinking or feeling. Others are so good at hiding their true feelings that all you see when you look in their eyes is your own reflection. I hope that when I have a conversation with someone that I maintain eye contact and let them know that what they are saying is important to me. That my eyes shine with joy when I run into you. I want you to look in my eyes and see the love of Jesus Christ shining through them. I want them to exude passion for whatever subject I am discussing. All in all the eye is an all important part of your body, soul and mind. Heres lookin at you kid!

Its hard to believe that its been 2 months since Tony left us. My sweet brother in law of 35 years died on my birthday, December 7, 2009. His loss has left an emptiness in all of us who knew and loved him. He was the kindest person I knew. I never walked in the house without a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He would do anything for me. He had a great sense of humor and the best laugh you ever heard. He loved his family more than anything, and he adored Maverick his grandson. He never met a stranger and treated everyone the same, regardless of your walk in life. I will never go a day without missing him, but I know that he is pain free and basking in the presence of the Lord. I will see him again one day and be enveloped in a big bear hug. Until then, we will remember him everyday and always tell Maverick what an amazing man his papa was. Love you brother.

Had a great lunch today at the Dancing Fox in Lodi with the fam. Lori has been my best friend for the past twenty some odd years. This is Lori and her beautiful daughter Kelly. I love these two so much! I like to take credit for Kelly's wit and smartie pants attitude! They are both amazing people and I am so lucky to have them in my life.

Rock Band Baby, that's right. The family that Rocks together stays together. My niece Alisa on mic, Jason on drums, Lisa the groupie, Daniel and Amanda guitar, you can't see the rest of us. We were rockin the Beetles! Good Times

This was taken about 2 years ago, but it is one of my favorite pictures. I had the privelage of meeting Paula Deen and her husband Michael at a book signing in Sacramento. They were both friendly, funny and willing to talk and take pics. I will never forget this moment!

Funniest Story. I am not one to usually post pics of myself but your gonna laugh. My sister in law took this pic on Christmas day while I was channeling my inner Paula Deen. I decided to give her the good old Psycho pose. In my preschool I have a set of adorable twin girls, Kyla and Rylee. You would fall in love with them upon meeting them, that is until you got on their bad side. You have never met two more stubborn individuals in your life. When they dig their heels in, there is no swaying their resolve. They and I have had a couple of tight moments, even tho I let their teacher handle most conflicts (which she does with infinite patience). I however am not one to back down from a challenge so it usually comes down to me vs. one of them and who is gonna in that battle.

Anyway... the other night, the girls grandfather (a judge in stockton) wanted them to pick up their books. Evidently asking wasn't working out so he decided to intimidate them with a pic of me. He pulled up this picture without really looking at it and told the girls that I wanted them to clean up. They froze and just stared at the pic. Their aunt finally said, "Dad" Rhonda has a knife in her hand! Bahahahahahaha, the girls were just staring at the knife! What do you wanna bet I win the next battle of wills! LOL

My favorite two letters of the alphabet, m & m, bahahahahha! Seriously tho, I love me some candy coated chocolate in bright colors. I love to let them melt in my mouth and savor their chocolaty goodness on my tongue! Good Times

This is Maverick's idea of Mexican food. Mini corn dogs. The kid is gonna grow up with a convoluted idea of what ethnic food is. Oh well, at least he enjoys it!